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St Mochta’s turns first sod on new school

WORK FINALLY BEGINS AFTER 10 YEARS

 MARK O’BRIEN OVER ten years on from when it was first promised, work has finally begun on the long-awaited redevelopment of St Mochta’s National School in Clonsilla.

The first sod was turned at a ceremony on Friday that was attended by pupils, parents, teachers and local politicians.

The project will see the building of a new 32 classroom school on the current site, as well as a state-of-the-art PE hall and library.

The new school was initially promised by the Department of Education and Skills in 2006 but hit a number of delays, much to the frustration of parents and staff.

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‘By working together we can achieve great things’  MARK O’BRIEN

Enterprising students in finals with Fingal’s hopes

In September last year, the school’s board of management, parents and pupils protested outside the Dail as part of their campaign to force the Department of Education to progress the project.

This campaign ultimately proved successful and the board of management said that they are delighted that work has finally gotten underway.

Chairperson of the board of management, Tony Rock said: “The months ahead will bring new challenges for us all, maintaining a school of 898 pupils on site during construction, but one that we are absolutely delighted to be facing into.”

He also expressed his gratitude to locals who supported their campaign.

Vision “St Mochta’s National School would like to thank everyone involved in our school for their support over the years and in particular in recent months, helping us to achieve our goal of commencing our new school building and turning our vision into a reality,” he said.

“Our journey has shown us how important it is to listen to our children and the power of collective voices.

“By working together, children, parents, teachers and school management, and with the support of all of our local politicians and wider community, we can achieve great things together.”

The first full phase of the development will commence during the summer holidays and will involve the demolition of 10 classrooms and will include the construction of the PE hall, library, staff room and 16 new classrooms.

The entire building project is expected to take 28 months with final handover of the new 32-classroom school to take place in August 2019.

FASTNews

TD Jack Chambers (FF)

Cllr Paul Donnelly (SF)

THE Head of Enterprise in Fingal, Oisin Geoghegan, joined Ruth Scott of 2FM and the Deputy Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Eithne Loftus, to congratulate Fingal students on their enterprising spirit recently.

They congratulated Bobbi Taaffe, Shannon Clarke and Ciara O’Connor, of Sticks and Stones, the Senior Category and Overall Fingal Winner in the regional finals of the Student Enterprise programme.

The Sticks and Stones enterprise, from Blakestown Community College (Blanchardstown), were joined

by Hold ’Ems, from Ardgillan Community College, Balbriggan, in the Junior category; and Make Every Step Count, from Colaiste Ghlor na Mara, Balbriggan, in the Intermediate category to represent Local Enterprise Office Fingal at the overall finals in Croke Park yesterday (Wednesday), May 3.

Boost for Blanch band

St Mochta’s National School pupils eagerly await the turning of the sod

THE Blanchardstown Brass Band has been awarded more than €3,000 for new equipment.

The funding has been awarded through the Music Capital Scheme, supported by the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and managed by Music Network. Dublin West TD and Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar welcomed the news.

He said: “The Blanch Brass Band will receive €3,356 to purchase new equipment. I’m thrilled at this announcement as they’re a fantastic local band who have given so much back to the community. They perform regularly in the Blanchardstown area at all sorts of events, and there’s a good chance that almost everyone locally has come across them in some form or another.”

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Towering inferno Firefighters battle massive Howth hill blaze

The view of the Howth gorse fire from Clontarf

THE BRAVE men and women of the Dublin Fire Brigade have had a busy few days battling gorse fires around the capital.

The sunny weather has led to bush fires breaking out on both sides of the city this week – but the most spectacular scenes could be seen from anywhere in the capital, as the dry gorse on Howth Hill went up in

flames, with the aftermath looking like something from a Hollywood war movie.

Four DFB units from Kilbarrack, North Strand, Phibsborough and HQ responded to Monday’s massive blaze high on the north Dublin peninsula with the help of a drone, while earlier, firefighters from Dun Laoghaire had responded to a smaller

grass fire on the Enniskerry Road in Kilternan.

Gorse fires are sometimes deliberately lit, but more often are caused by glass bottles magnifying the sun’s rays, or by clumsily discarded cigarettes.

With the good weather is set to continue into next week, the public are being urged to take care and pick up their litter. Pictures: DFB

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RENTAL SUPPLY | SITES LIKE AIRBNB BEING BLAMED FOR THE SHORTAGES

Report shows Blanch has only 3 properties to rent  MARK O’BRIEN LACK of supply and incentives for landlords, as well as the popularity of sites like Airbnb, are being blamed for the shortage of rental properties in Blanchardstown.

A report in the Irish Times last week showed that there were only three properties to rent in Blanchardstown.

At the time of going to press, there were still just

three properties to rent in Blanchardstown, while there were 37 properties available on Airbnb.

Cllr Matt Waine told the Gazette that while he has heard of Airbnb affecting housing supply in the city centre, he was not surprised that Blanchardstown was now affected.

He said: “I would have gotten a sense that it (Airbnb) would have more of an effect in the

city centre.

“However, I wouldn’t be surprised if it had an effect on Blanchardstown due to the close proximity to the likes of technology parks.”

Cllr Waine added that there was an issue with housing supply and affordability in the area.

“There isn’t supply coming on stream,” he said.

“Planning permission that has been granted is

for higher end and more exclusive developments and there are not enough a f f orda ble homes – whether to rent or affordable mortgages.”

Patrick Molloy from Molloy Estate Agents in Blanchardstown told the Gazette that while he felt that Airbnb contributed to the lack of supply, he felt that there was not enough incentive for landlords to rent property.

“Interest relief on a privately let property is 75 per cent while interest relief on a commercial property is 100 per cent, which is totally unjust,” he said.

He added that this was leading many landlords to sell their properties as they are not making enough money from them.

“When they (the Government) badly need properties, landlords are selling up,” said Mr Molloy.

He called on the Government to take action to incentivise landlords to continue to let out properties because: “Do nothing is not an option. They need to do something.”

Most Airbnb hosts live in their property and only let out rooms, or let their property for part of the year.

Airbnb’s recent report “Home Sharing: The Positive Impacts on Dublin” showed that 12 per cent of houses and apartments available for short term rent in Dublin were not permanently occupied by their hosts.

Last year, An Bord Pleanala ruled that own-

Blanch women go smoke free A GROUP of women from Blanchardstown are now celebrating after completing a free programme called We Can Quit which aims to help women quit smoking together. In total, eight women from the area successfully completed the course, held in the Blakestown Resource Centre, and five women have completely quit smoking.

The women commenced the free 12-week programme in January. They attended weekly group sessions and one to one support meetings as well as receiving 12 weeks of Nicotine Replacement Therapy to the value of €450 free of charge. The programme was open to female smokers over the age of 18 years and living in the Blanchardstown area.

ers who let their property all year round without occupying it must apply for planning permission as a commercial property.

In a statement to the Gazette, Airbnb said that most properties are only rented for 50 nights of the year and that they remind all hosts to follow the laws in the country.

The statement read: “Airbnb hosts in Dublin County typically list their space for an average of 50 nights a year, with over half of hosts saying they use the income from sharing space in their home to make ends meet.

“In particular, hosting on Airbnb allows certain groups, such as retirees or those whose children have left home and only visit occasionally, to make a little extra income, and create more spending power in their local area.

“We remind all hosts to check and follow local rules before they list their space.”

Foundation urges locals to support meningitis fundraiser THE Meningitis Research Foundation will hold a Bucket Collection in Blanchardstown Shopping Centre on T hursday, May11, 2017 .

A spokesperson for the Foundation said: “We would be thrilled if the local community would be willing to support our cause and consider donating on the day.

Lifesaving “All money rais ed from this collection will go towards our lifesaving work to combat meningitis and septicaemia by funding research, supporting those affected and raising awareness of the disease amongst the public and health professionals.

“Your support brings us closer to reaching our ultimate goal – a world free from meningitis and septicaemia.”

For further information about the Foundation please visit: www. meningitis.org

4 May 2017 BLANCH GAZETTE 5

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Out and About

Joanne Murnaghan, Siobhan O’Connor and Tanya Creighton

Teresa Ferry, Matthew Ferry and Elan Brady

Recycled fashion

Louis Walsh with Lara Hoggs and Laura Sutton from Colaiste Bride, Clondalkin. Left: Una Healy Pictures: Brian McEvoy

T

HE Junk Kouture Final was held at the 3Arena Dublin last week. Each of the 83 finalists pulled out all the stops, putting on a dazzling show before thousands of screaming fans who were entertained by Irish band Seo Linn, Eurovision hopeful Brendan Murray and Hometown boy Dayl Cronin, who danced his way into the hearts of the 5,000 strong audience with Dancing with the Stars partner Ksenia Zsikhotska. The evening was MC’d by Castleknock’s own Glenda Gilson. Now in its seventh year the competition challenges students to create unique, original and innovative outfits from recycled materials and junk.

Alice Orange, Eileen Collery, Bryan O’Hanlon and Deirdre Collery

Aoibhin, Sinead and Saoirse Gallagher

4 May 2017 BLANCH GAZETTE 7

Out and About

Members of Dublin Vikings Boat Club. Pictures: Aishling Conway

Sandra, Ursula and Lesley from Dublin Vikings Boat Club

River race a thrill a minute T EAMS were assembled and the race for glory was on as the Dragon Boat Regatta came to the river Barrow in Athy. There was a stong showing of Dubs as Dublin Vikings Boat Club members were in attendance. The event was a great day of fun filled dragon boat racing.

Paul Forkin and Gillian Mangan from Dublin Vikings Boat Club Students from schools across Ireland strut their Kouture outfits

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TYRRELSTOWN | €20,000 REQUIRED TO COMPLETE COMMUNITY PROJECT

Help sought to build community theatre  MARK O’BRIEN

A SCHOOL in Tyrrelstown is appealing to local businesses to help complete the building of a new community theatre.

Gaelscoil an Chuilinn launched its ambitious fundraising efforts a year ago and has since raised €30,000 through a range of activities including; bake sales, bag packs, family fun days, Easter raffles, parachute jumps and a comedy night.

These efforts, together with a grant from Fingal County Council, have helped to raise a large portion of the funding required but another €20,000 is needed to complete the project.

Margaret McMahon of Gaelscoil an Chuilinn told the Gazette that she

was grateful to the parents, pupils and staff for their efforts in raising such a large sum.

“We’re such a small school,” she said.

“There’s only 170 families in the school.

“If we could get local investors to help, that would be great.”

The new community Theatre will be situated within the new school building which opened this week.

The aim of the proposed theatre is to create a home for the cultural and artistic needs of the Tyrellstown Community, as well as providing a space for creativity and experimentation for established and emerging local talent.

It intends to offer a platform for the training,

educational and developmental needs of the youth of the area and to champion their work.

The school has only been open for five years but has achieved great success in drama competitions since then.

Under the artistic direction of an Priomhoide, Fergus O’ Conghaile, the school has won the All-Ireland final of the Feile Scoil Dramaiochta, in 2014, the Judges’ Prize in the AllIreland Final 2015 and four awards at Coirm and Gradam an Oireachtas for the script of ‘Rugadh me i 1916’, in 2016.

Any local business who wishes to donate to the project can do so by contacting the school on 01 8262022 or by emailing gaelscoilanchuilinn@ gmail.com Donations can also be made through the school’s Everyday Hero page https://nfp.everydayhero.com/ie/gaelscoil-an-chuilinn

FASTNews

Burial records database online ON MAY 8, the council launches a new free online database of all if its burial records, which are indexed and fully searchable. The website launch will take place in the atrium at County Hall Swords will speak, as will Mayor Darragh Butler. Once launched, the database will be accessible via the council’s website, www. fingal.ie, on the Libraries or Burial Grounds page, or by simply searching for “Buried in Fingal”.

Bungee jump for charity Senior infants and first class pupils took part in the finals of an All Ireland school drama competition

LOCAL residents took to the skies at the Bell Pub last weekend for a sponsored bungee jump.

The event was organised in association with Corduff FC and raised funds for Cystic Fibrosis Ireland. In total, 52 people did the bungee jump in the car-park of the pub, with some even jumping while wearing onesies. The event was a great success and it is estimated that around €7,000 was raised for CF Ireland.

Performing Rugadh me i 1916

Strong support for canals cleanup LOCALS came out in force to help clean the canals in Dublin 15.

Saturday, April 22 was Dublin Canals Action Day and it saw volunteers from all over Dublin come together to clean up the Royal and Grand Canals.

Cllr Roderic O’Gorman was the coordinator of the Dublin 15 clean up and he told the Gazette that he was delighted with the turn out and the work that was done.

“We got about 15 volunteers out and got a load of rubbish shifted,” he said.

The group met at Castleknock train station and worked the stretch from Castleknock to Ashtown train stations.

Waterways Ireland provided gloves, bags and litter pickers to the volunteers.

Cllr O’Gorman thanked all of those who gave their time and helped to clean up the canal.

This is the third annual Dublin Canals Action Day, having first started in 2015.

It is organised by Dublin City Canals, a non-profit organisation comprised of representatives from volunteer clean up and local community groups, small local businesses, The Inland Waterways Association of Ireland, Dublin City Council and Waterways Ireland.

Cllr Roderic O’Gorman with volunteers

4 May 2017 BLANCH GAZETTE 9

DARKNESS INTO LIGHT | COUNTRY READIES FOR KEY FUNDRAISER AND AWARENESS EVENT

Join thousands in the dark to spread a real message of hope to all  SYLVIA POWNALL IT DIRECTOR Gar y Seery will line up for the annual Pieta House Darkness into Light walk in Malahide Castle at 4.15am on Saturday – having travelled his own road back from depression.

The dad-of-three from Bayside, together with his two oldest kids Paul (13) and Ella (11), is looking forward to starting his journey in the pitch black of night and crossing the finish line as dawn breaks.

The walk – the charity’s main fundraiser – symbolises the struggle from the darkest days of depression to finding the light of hope. Thousands will take part in the Dublin events at Ardgillan Castle, Malahide Castle, the Phoenix Park and Marlay Park.

Gary (41) told The Gazette: “I will be there with the kids as usual, though I’ll probably leave the youngest one at home because she’s too big for the buggy but she couldn’t walk 5k.

“It’s amazing; it’s such a positive atmosphere.

Even though it’s four in the morning, it’s a bit chilly and you’re standing in the middle of a field, there is something so uplifting about it.”

Gary struggled with his own demons, turning to alcohol and plunging to the depths of depression after a combination of events got the better of him.

He was drinking and smoking heavily and eventually plucked up the

courage to visit his GP in 2009.

He said: “I was struggling for about eight or nine months and a number of different things contributed to that, which is probably the case for most people. I was very unhealthy and not really putting any effort into myself or my wellbeing.”

Gary quit the booze and went on a course of anti-depressants but the biggest step on his road to

CAN YOU HELP TO STEWARD? DETAILS of Darkness into Light events are av a i l a b l e at w w w. darknessintolight.ie.

Pieta House are looking for volunteers over 18 to help steward the Malahide event from 2.30am to 5.30am.

If you are interested, please call or text Martin Brennan at 086 321 4336.

recovery was rediscovering his love of exercise.

From the humble beginning of a 1k run, Gary eventually built that up to 10k – and eventually took on the challenge of the Dublin Marathon in October, 2010.

‘Drink is not good’ He said: “Drink is not a good thing when you’re depressed, so that had to go. But at first it was a struggle just to get out the front door and make it to the end of the road.

I was still smoking, so my

breathing wasn’t great.

“It took me a long time to build up to 10k, but I did, and one of the benefits was I managed to give up smoking because I was enjoying it [getting fit] so much.

“All the little milestones along the way were great for building up my selfconfidence.”

Gary has since run marathons in Dublin, New Jersey and India, but one of his greatest achievements, to date, was running the UVU North Pole Marathon in the Arctic Circle in temperatures of minus 41 degrees.

He said: “You run on ice and snow wearing normal running shoes, but a good few pairs of socks. I also had to wear three layers of clothing to stay warm. It was an amazing experience – a once-in-a-lifetime challenge.”

Gary is also celebrating another massive achievement from earlier this month when he ran 177km from Dublin to Belfast in a single day, raising more than €5,000 for the Suicide or Survive charity.

He said: “Running saved me. Over the last six or seven years, I’ve met so many people who are now good friends. I’ve talked to a lot of people who had mental health problems and we all support one another.

“In a way, I’m actually grateful that I went through that bad patch because I’ve gone through so many amazing things as a result.”

THEY’RE TAKING PART TOO; ARE YOU?

 BRIAN KENNEDY

I FEEL so proud to be able to lend support to the incredible work that Pieta House do in every county of the island of Ireland.

The Darkness Into Light walk is such a powerful physical statement to the world, where people from all walks of life gather for those who especially need our help.

I hope that anyone out there feeling that suicide is the only last option will see that there is love and support and alternatives out there. I’m honoured to be involved.

The first step is to reach out.

 RACHEL PILKINGTON Gary Seery with his family: Ella, Mollie-Rose and Paul, and wife Lisa – all there to cheer him on with at the finish of another marathon, in Belfast

Crossing the finish line at the UVU North Pole Marathon in the Arctic Circle

THIS is my fourth year participating in the Darkness Into Light walk, but this year will be extra special for me as I’ll be launching the first one for Tipperary Town, where I grew up.

I love the sense of community that takes place at this unorthodox hour, the generosity of spirit, everyone joining together for the greater good.

It’s a beautiful symbol of hope, a reminder that light always follows the darkness. For many, it’s a cathartic experience.

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Get out and vote

98FM’S BEST OF DUBLIN AWARDS | HEAD OVER TO WWW.98.FM/BESTOFDUBLIN AND VOTE FOR

BUS DRIVER

• Declan Dunne, Ringsend Depot • James Griffin, Clontarf Deport • Dave Connolly, Routes 27 and 77a • Keith Hancox, Route 151 • Christopher Carey, Routes 27 and 77a

BEST DUB

• Brendan O’Carroll, Comedian (right) • Michael Flynn, Mattress Mick • Jim Gavin, Dublin Football Manager • Glen Hansard, Musician & campaigner • Brian Lee, Chopped

SALON

• Di Milo Hair Design, Donnybrook • Beautique Beauty Salon Walkinstown • Red Velvet (Ballyboughal, Crumlin , Malahide) • Jule Beauty & Therapy,

(Grand Canal Square, Swords and Malahide)

TAXI DRIVER • Paul Cullen

• John Spencer • Alex Murray • Paddy Daly • Marcus Richardson

GYM

• Ger Conroy, Mulhuddart • Active8 Fitness, Blanchardstown • Flyefit (Baggot St, Georges St, Macken St,

Ranelagh, Swords, Portobello, Dundrum)

• Active You, Drumcondra • David Lloyd, Clonskeagh

THE FINALISTS are in! After thousands of nominations over the past fortnight, here are the finalists of 98FM’s Best of Dublin Awards, which celebrate the great and good of Dublin, from taxi drivers, barbers and sportspeople to shops, local takeaways and even the best breakfast.

For the fourth year running, the awards, which take place on May 23 in the RDS, will recognise and reward the people and places that make Dublin unique.

More than a thousand people and businesses around the city were shortlisted, but now we’re down to the final 80.

You can vote for your favourite brekkie, cab driver, coffee, pub or even takeaway by simply heading over to www.98.fm/Bestof Dublin – but hurry, because voting closes on Friday, May 12.

A new addition this year is the Dublin Hero category, which aims to celebrate those fantastic Dubs who selflessly go over and above to protect the residents, communities and all the people who frequent and enjoy our beautiful city on a daily basis.

Last year’s awards received over 500,000 public votes and this year the station aims to bring this to over 525,000!

And don’t miss your Gazette in the coming weeks to meet some of the fantastic nominees in the running to become the Best of Dublin.

4 May 2017 GAZETTE 11

THE PERSON, BUSINESS OR HERO YOU THINK SHOULD BE CELEBRATED AS THE CAPITAL’S BEST

RESTAURANT

SHOP

• Ruby’s Bar and Grill, Swords • Peachtree East, Tallaght

• Designer Exchange, Dawson St • Nan’s SuperValu, Ballymun • Siopaella, Wicklow St • The Cupcake Bloke, Coppinger Row

COFFEE

• East Village Cafe, Clondalkin

• Stephen Cluxton (Parnells and Dublin)

• Brasserie66, George’s St, Dublin 2

• Robbie Brady (Burnley and Ireland)

• Saba, Clarendon St & Baggot St

• Con O’Callaghan (Cuala and Dublin)

BAR

• Liz Webster, High Hopes Homeless Charity • The Confession Box, Marlborough St • David Kelly, Paramedic, Loughlinstown

• East Village Cafe, Clondalkin

• Laura Boylan, RNLI & Dublin Fire Brigade Skerries • Joe Mooney, Raheny First Responders

• The Grind, Howth

• Elaine Taylor, Share To Care respite Crumlin

• The Grind, Howth

• Perk-u-licious Coffee House, • Perk-u-licious Raheny Coffee House, Raheny • Granthams, Aungier St • Fonte Café, Parliament St

TAKEAWAY

• Granthams, Aungier St • Fonte Café, Parliament St

• Kanum Thai (Ballsbridge, Park West & Rathgar) • Bombay Pantry

• Philly McMahon (Ballymun Kickams &Dublin) • Garry Ringrose (Leinster and Ireland)

• Libero’s Restaurant, Balbriggan

DUBLIN HERO

• Scrumdiddly’s, Dun Laoghaire & Donabate

SPORTS PERSON

(Rathmines, Rathfarnham, Ashtown, Glenageary, Clonskeagh & Fairview)

• Tiger Wood Pizza, Rathmines • Just Wing It, Tallaght • Angelo’s Takeaway, Ballymun

BREAKFAST

• White Moose Café, Phibsborough • The Hazel House, Tibradden, Rathfarnham • GK Café, Tallaght • Kilkenny Restaurant, Nassau St • Bang Bang Deli & Coffee, Phibsborough

BUTCHER

• Seezers & Sears, Citywest • O Neill Family Butchers, Mulhuddart • Troys Butchers, Moore St • Higgins Family Butchers, Sutton • Kerrigans Butchers, Baldoyle, Malahide & Donaghmede

BARBERS

• Abberley Court, Tallaght • The Clonsilla Inn • The Strand Bar, Rush • The Old Schoolhouse, Swords

LOCAL SPORTS CLUB

• Old County Barbers, Crumlin & Clondalkin • Corduff Football Club, Blanchardstown • Hairlough Barbers, Clondalkin

• Clonee United Football Club

• The Grafton Barber (24 Dublin locations)

• Cuala GAA Club

• Cut & Sew (Crow St & Wellington Quay)

• Ballyboden St Enda’s GAA Club

• Marks Barbers, Harmonstown

• Crumlin Boxing Club

GAZETTE

12 GAZETTE 4 May 2017

DUBLINBUSINESS

Castle Homecare has a new corporate identity

CASTLE Homecare, the Irish-owned and managed home care services provider for older people based in the Ballinteer Business Centre, has launched a new corporate identity. The new branding reflects Castle Homecare’s recent expansion in which the company has also recruited additional home carers to cater for the growing demand for its services.

Commenting on its new branding, Christine King, co-founder and managing director of Castle Homecare said: “Rachel and I were inspired to set up Castle Homecare after working in the area overseas. It is common sense to think that people would want to stay in the comfort and familiar surroundings of their own homes as they get older but unfortunately in Ireland, this is not always possible. That’s where we come in. Our carers are all vetted professional carers who are employed by us to provide assistance to older people to help them stay in their homes. We would hope that this service will be available to everyone in due course and we look forward to hearing more about the Government’s plans to include home care in the Fair Deal Scheme.”

Established in 2010 by Christine King from Wicklow and Rachel Scanlon from Ballinteer in Dublin, Castle Homecare employs a team of approximately 90 people who deliver homecare services to older people in approximately 150 homes throughout South Dublin. The team comprises nurses, paramedics, psychiatric nurses, community workers, social workers and administrators. All team members are highly qualified and certified in their specific areas.

Castle Homecare develops tailored bespoke homecare plans for its clients, depending on their individual requirements. Services offered include: Companionship, personal care, meal preparation, light housekeeping, preparing for bed, respite care, dementia and Alzheimers care.

Stationery chain to open first Irish store in Dundrum AUSTRALIA’s most exciting and colourful stationery retailer, Smiggle, is rolling out the VIP green carpet and opening its first ever store in Ireland on May 12.

Smiggle – where a smile meets a giggle – will open in the country’s largest shopping mall, Dundrum Town Centre in Dublin, next month. And it’s set to take Ireland by storm, with a number of further shop openings planned throughout this year.

The bold and bright stationery store will be a welcome addition to Dundrum Town Centre, tempting shoppers with a treasure trove of quirky and exciting products.

Smiggle is dedicated to creating original, fun and affordable products. Whether you’re searching for a great gift for a stationery lover or need to spruce up your own collection, Smiggle promises something for everyone.

Shoppers can choose from a whole host of funky products, focused on bold colour, quirky graphics, good value and innovation. These offerings will be brought to life in Dundrum Town Centre, with promises of multicolored backpacks, eye-catching pencil cases, sparkly stationery, gadgets and gizmos, and lots of goodies to deck out desks.

Grafton Merchanting to hire 170 new staff

Eddie Kelly, chief executive officer, Grafton Merchanting ROI with Noel Wyse, Darragh Harte and Barry Horgan all staff members from Chadwicks Express outlet, at the recently opened Chadwicks Express outlet, East Wall Road. Picture: Shane O’Neill Photography

30 jobs to be created

by Diaceutics

in areas including global operations, marketing and data analysis, bringing its global team up to 100. The jobs will be created at its global headquarters in Ireland; US headquarters in Parsippany, New Jersey; as well as in satellite offices in Asia and South America.

Peter Keeling, CEO, Diaceutics, said: “Testing is now at the heart of pharmaceutical companies’ ability to identify the right patients for their new therapies. We are uniquely posiDIACEUTICS, the Irish data analytics and diag- tioned to provide the global testing perspective nostics intelligence company has announced that allows this identification and treatment of the creation of 30 new jobs. patients who will benefit from specific and often The jobs, which will be filled by year-end life-saving drugs.

2018, will facilitate further international growth “To put the importance of what we do into for Diaceutics and allow it to expand its pres- context, we have put structures in place that ence in all of its key markets including the US, each year help 48,000 cancer patients in the Europe, Asia and South America.

US and EU get biomarker testing and therefore Since inception, Diaceutics has been involved potentially gain access to the right drug for their in more than 200 drug launches and currently specific condition. Diaceutics has been growing by an average of has a 60% share in the 60% per annum for top 10 global markets. the past three years It currently counts 26 and we expect that out of the world’s top growth trajectory 30 pharmaceutical to continue as our companies as clients addressable market and provides oversight is doubling. of testing in 23 markets.

“To facilitate that, In order to build we will require a on its 60% growth last number of new team year, Diaceutics will Peter Keeling, CEO, and Philip White, CFO, members in key create 30 extra jobs Diaceutics, announcing new jobs. roles over the next over the next two years Picture: Kelvin Boyes two years.”

GR AFTON Merchanting ROI, a building and plumbing company, has announced that it will create 170 jobs over the next two years as part of its expansion.

The new roles will increase total employment at GMROI to 1,420 staff which is an increase of almost 350 since 2014.

GMROI, owner of the Chadwicks and Heiton Buckley brands, will create up to 100 of the 170 new roles in 2017.

The rest will be created in 2018.

The roles include senior management, specialist sales, operatives and administrative support and they will be created in most regions in Dublin.

Building on the recent opening of a pilot Chadwicks Express store in Glasnevin in late 2016, the new outlets include two Chadwicks Express branches in East Wall (just opened) and Turvey and a Davies’ outlet (specialist heating and bathroom branch) in Sallynoggin, South Dublin due to open in the coming months.

Eddie Kelly, Chief Executive, GMROI said: “We very pleased to be announcing 170 new jobs.

“These roles represent a significant opportunity for young people to join a growth industry and avail of the significant training and development provided within the company.”

4 May 2017 GAZETTE 13

MOTORING: DISCOVER NEW LAND ROVER P22

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

Going on the record  JAMES HENDICOTT SALLAY MATU GARNETT – better known by her stage name ‘Loah’ – has been around the Dublin music scene for quite some time. In her current, solo guise she debuted in 2014, but Loah already had experience working with Hozier and Kila under her belt.

Now, having done gigs as far afield as New York and Texan industry festival SxSW, she’s finally putting her work down on record.

“I planned to record the ‘This Heart’ EP a couple of years ago,” Loah told the Gazette. “I had most of the tracks back in 2015, but when I went to record it I just had a bad feeling. I decided to wait. In June 2016 I went up to Hellfire Studios and spent a week there. I had planned on doing it all in one go, but I decided to take longer on the vocals, and worked with Ken McCabe [of Dublin act Come On Live Long] on sorting out the arrangements.”

Matu Garnett, from Maynooth, has long flitted between an astonishingly broad assortment of projects, which probably explains much of the time taken getting her sound down on record.

Self-described as ‘Art Soul’, her music explores a wide mix of genres including funk, soul, jazz, blues and afrobeat. The entire process has squeezed between work as a pharmacist, and a period in which she was working largely as a screen actor, and making music around it.

Continued on pages 16-17

TRAVEL: LOVELY LITHUANIA P21



GAZETTE

CINEMA: SUMMER MOVIE SIZZLERS P24

GIDDY GUMDROPS ANNIE

OUR Dog of the Week looking for their #SpecialSomeone* is Annie, a three-yearold female Lurcher crossbreed who just loves attention and cuddles. Annie seems to think she is a tiny lap dog and tries her very best to sit on people’s laps and we just don’t have the heart to tell her she is too big for this.

Although Annie loves to snuggle up on the sofa and chill out, she is also a giddy gumdrops who really enjoys long walks and a giggle. Annie really is an endearingly social dog and she is even happy to share all of her belongings with other dogs. She loves children but due to her giddiness, we suggest children are about 10 years of age or older so she doesn’t bowl them over with her affections!

If you can be Annie’s #SpecialSomeone*, then 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 at www.facebook.com/ dogstrustirelandonline, or on Twitter @ DogsTrust_IE.

GAZETTE

14 GAZETTE 4 May 2017

DUBLINLIFE

Maybe you used to be indecisive – but now you’re not so sure ...

 EMMA NOLAN

CHOICES, choices, choices... it appears we Irish are spoiled for them – and a new survey has revealed just what influences the decisions that we make, or don’t.

Of 1,001 Irish adults polled, 80% say they make up to 50 choices a day, with men being more decisive than women.

The survey, undertaken by Carphone Warehouse for their Your Choice campaign, found that 60% of men say they make decisions and stick to them, compared to 44% of women.

Just over a quarter of men (27%) say they are indecisive, while 42% of women say find it hard to make a decision.

However, clinical psychologist Dr Eddie Murphy says it doesn’t necessarily mean that men are better decision makers.

“While men say they are more deci-

WIN

sive, this doesn’t necessarily mean they tend to make better decisions. What this shows is that men tend to be more impulsive.

“The research reveals that 80% of people think they make up to 50 choices a day but, in reality, this figure runs into the thousands.

“Having choice in your life is having control. Control is fundamental to our survival, and so is how we adapt to change.

“Our powerful unconscious keeps us seeking control, and it’s the desire for control that keeps us seeking choices.

Choice is also linked to change, and change is a constant feature for humans – we change, or we die.

“It’s how we adapt to change that is fundamental to our happiness and quality of life.”

er Voucher Hampfor a

The Retail Park at Liffey Valley

€500

worth

Just answer this very simple question:

What does RPLV stand for?

To enter, just visit the Dublin Gazette Facebook page and write your answer in the Comments section of our RPLV post - and don’t forget to Like and Share the post. Alternatively, email your answer to competitions@dublingazette.com.

The closing date for entries is May 12.

THE Retail Park Liffey Valley (RPLF) is home to some of Ireland’s top homeware, electrical, pet and lifestyle retail brands – including Halfords, Currys PC World, Harry Corry, Carpet Right, Argos, Maxi Zoo, Hanley Furniture and of course McDonald’s.

It will also be home to Ireland’s second flagship store of a hugely popular retail store,

‘The Range’ which opens on Friday, May 19.

Located just off the N4 and M50, we have more than 750 free parking spaces, and we’ve got great offers available all year around. Stay up to date with all our news, special offers, competitions and events on our Facebook page and www.theretailpark.ie.

FEATURE SCHOOLS: WOMAN AT CENTRE OF NATIONAL DEBATE IS SHARING SOME TRUTHS WITH THE NEXT GENERATION

Emma’s message helps to tell teens: Domestic violence is never, ever okay  EMMA NOLAN AFTER going viral for publicly accusing her former partner of domestic abuse, Finglas woman Emma Murphy is using her platform to raise awareness on domestic violence issues.

The 26-year-old mother of two told The Gazette about her new campaign, Be That Voice, where she is visiting schools around the country and talking to teens about domestic violence and mental health.

“I started this campaign because a lot of students follow me on social media and a lot of them have been saying they’d love to have me visit their school.

“I decided to name the campaign ‘Be That Voice’ because I used my voice, so it’s become the term that I use when I speak about it [domestic violence].”

Emma has visited two schools so far with a programme she has developed, where she was really well received.

She explained: “I deliver a presentation and then we do some activities.

We talk about love and respect and words that would describe a happy relationship, so it’s a nice, positive and lovable expe-

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

Emma giving a talk and presentation to a school; right: her picture which sparked a national conversation on domestic abuse last year

rience.”

The reception from students so far has been “unbelievable”, Emma said.

“It was so powerful and when I showed my video, there wasn’t one sound in the place and they all came up to me afterwards to shake my hand and take pictures with me.”

Emma believes she

‘I’m not an authority figure – I go in wearing normal clothes, and they relate to me’ --------------------------

is an ideal person to get this message across to students, because she’s young and relatable.

“I’m not an authority figure – I go in wearing normal clothes, and they relate to me.”

Emma applied for funding from the Government to help deliver her programme but was declined.

However, she has set up a

GoFundMe page to raise money for equipment – a camera, a tripod, a projector, and a merchandise and marketing budget.

She said: “I’m so determined to make this work – I’m looking at these teenagers and they’re looking back at me with conviction, listening to what I’m saying and taking it all in.”

4 May 2017 GAZETTE 15

GAZETTE

DIARY

CHARITY: CYCLISTS NEARING THE END OF A NATIONWIDE JOURNEY TO SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH

DJ Colm Hayes and his daughter Holly joined Deliveroo riders to announce the company’s official partnership with the Cycle Against Suicide charity. Cyclists are currently nearing the end of their cross-Ireland fundraising and awareness venture, The Cycle 2017, which concludes at Dublin Castle this weekend. Picture: Marc O’Sullivan

Pedalling a big message CYCLE Against Suicide – the charity set up to raise awareness about mental health issues in Ireland – has teamed up with Deliveroo to help spread the message, “It’s ok not to feel ok”.

Over the past few weeks, Deliveroo provided its customers with many opportunities to get involved and support the charity’s flagship event, The Cycle 2017, a weeklong cycle across Ireland to help raise awareness about the growing issue of suicide in Irish communities, and the importance of asking for help.

Deliveroo Dublin has also set up an exclusive online donut shop allowing all proceeds raised to go directly to the charity.

The Cycle 2017 is currently winding its way across the country, having

set off on Sunday, April 23 from Swords Castle, but set to conclude this Saturday, May 6 back in the capital at Dublin Castle.

For further information, see w w w.cycleagainstsuicide.com.

HAVE A BIG HEART AND HELP CPR APPEAL RTE broadcaster Michael Lyster is urging big-hearted volunteers to give a few hours of their time to help Irish Heart’s annual Happy Hearts Appeal this May 12.

The charity is encouraging 3,000 volunteers to help sell their iconic happy hearts and raise vital funds to save lives from sudden cardiac arrest, which claims 5,000 lives in Ireland every year.

Michael stressed that he wouldn’t be here today if his wife hadn’t

performed CPR when he suffered a cardiac arrest at home. He said: “CPR saves lives – no-one knows this better than me. I collapsed with a cardiac arrest at home when my heart stopped beating.

“I wouldn’t be here today only for my wife, Anne, who gave me CPR until an ambulance arrived. Without her pushing hard and fast on my chest, I would have been gone. But thanks to my wife and to CPR, I am alive here today.”

Money raised for the Happy Heart Appeal will go towards Irish Heart’s CPR programmes to create lifesavers in every community in Ireland. Starting CPR can double a person’s chance of survival.

To find out about volunteering, see www.irishheart.ie/happyhearts.

DIP INTO A FUN WAY TO HELP SICK KIDS CHILDREN in Hospital Ireland (CHI), one of Ireland’s leading children’s charities, has announced details about its upcoming CHI Cuppa and Cookie morning.

CHI volunteer and organiser of a coffee morning Grace Finnegan said: “I’m really looking forward to our Cuppa & Cookie morning, and would like to thank those who have helped me in the planning of it.

“It’s great fun supporting CHI, and to know I will be helping to make hospital a happier place for children and young people across Ireland is a great feeling.”

CHI are appealing to people to join Grace and help raise funds and celebrate International Chil-

dren’s Day on June 1 by hosting their own Cuppa and Cookie Morning in the weeks running up to and including June 1.

All funds raised will help to provide much needed arts and crafts materials, books and games as well as helping with continuous training programmes for CHI volunteers, adding to the support CHI has been providing for more than 45 years.

TREAT YOURSELF – AND HELP CHILDLINE SALONISTAS take note – from May 22 to 28, the ISPCC’s Get Blown Away for Childline fundraising event returns for a second year, with fashion designer and blogger Pippa O’Connor, and TV Host Mairead Ronan, championing the call for professional salons nationwide

to take part.

Suppor ted by the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer, last year’s campaign saw more than 650 salons take part, raising more than €70,000 for Childline, with this year’s target set at €100,000.

Participating salons donate the cost of one blow-dry by each participating hairdresser to the Childline cause.

To take part in Get Blown Away for Childline, all you have to do is go to your local participating salon and get a blo-dry.

Make sure you show off your new hairdo by posting a before-and-after picture online with the hashtag #GetBlownAway, and join in the fun.

Interested salons can register at ISPCC.ie to receive an activity participation pack.

GET READY FOR A FUN RETIREMENT EVENT THE Active Retirement Ireland Marigold Festival Series is back for its fourth year, bringing health and wellbeing to every corner this month and next.

Fun, interactive and informative events will be held around the country, covering everything from sports to music to ballroom dancing, with Dubs asked to note the upcoming Active Ageing Exhibition, at the Marine Hotel, Sutton, on Thursday, June 22.

Kay Murphy, president of Active Retirement Ireland, said: “Active retirement is all about getting out and about, and enjoying face-to-face interactions with others in your community. It’s an oldfashioned social network, like Snapchat or Facebook in real life!”

DUBLINLIFE

N O S ’ T A H W

E D I U G S T N E V E with JAMES HENDICOTT

Wellfest 2017

The health and wellbeing-focused festival returns to Herbert Park, with classes, workshops and fitness activities all included in the ticket price, and loads of local businesses getting involved. May 6 and 7.

4 May 2017 GAZETTE 17

MUSIC

“Love and Joy” Loah bares her soul in launching debut EP

Loah

This week’s Dublin Life cover star, Loah launches her debut EP ‘This Heart’ at The Sugar Club on May 12. Soulful and varied, the Roz Purcell launches Wellfest 2017 Maynooth-born vocalist who once worked with Hozier and Kila is one of Ireland’s rising stars.

Pop Up Gaeltacht

A nice twist on the ‘pop up’ business concept, a temporary Irish-speaking corner will appear in Marlay Park on May 6, giving plenty of chances to practise your language, however weak or strong it might be.

Darkness Into Light

Early-morning mental health fundraiser for Pieta House comes to Marlay Park, Phoenix Park and other city locations at the bright & early time of 4.15am, symbolically welcoming in the sunrise whilst raising money for those who are struggling. May 6.

Dublin Gay Theatre Festival

The annual celebration of the LGBTQ community in theatre form takes in dozens of performances, running over a two week period until May 14.

WWE Live In Dublin

Wrestling - of the more scripted variety - comes to Dublin’s 3Arena in a rare Irish showing. Cue the costumes and extravagant fight moves. May 5.

Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes

Two of Dahl’s rhymes are brought to life in half-hour animated form and presented in a live premiere at the National Concert Hall, alongside the RTE Concert Orchestra. May 6.

Picture: Caolán Barron

Elaine Mai

A Galway native relocated to Dublin, Elaine Mai makes subtle alternative music backed by mellow beats, and with gorgeous vocals layered over the top. She launches her latest EP, ‘The Colours Of The Night’ on May 5.

New album of the week

At The Drive In - in.ter.a.li.a.

Texan hardcore legends cement their recent return which kicked off in Vicar Street, Dublin last year - with their first new album since 2000’s iconic ‘Relationship of Command’.

At The Drive In - in.ter.a.li.a.

“I wrote a song in my grandfather’s native language, Krio, which I really made for myself, exploring my roots”

 FROM PAGE 13

“I was acting full time at the same time as recording in 2016,” she recalls. “I struggled to keep up my steam, I’m not sure I’d recommend it. This EP is quite out there. When I was a student I used to write really happy music, but a lot of what’s on the EP explores my internal fears.

It’s a lot about insecurity. When I grew up, I told my parents I wanted to be a poet, but I’ve never felt entitled to be an artist, and in some ways I’m my own worst enemy. At times it’s direct, it’s spiritual, political and painful. Not everyone will get it, and that’s fine.”

Loah is being characteristically modest: her rise up the Dublin music scene to a solo act with a formidable live reputation and a substantial amount of local hype has seen her tagged as one to watch by many. Her background, as well as her work with Hozier and Kila, saw her spend time with the Discovery Gospel Choir and around a productive Trinity College music scene. A period living in New York helped cement her direction and artistic intent.

A recent trip to Texan industry festival SxSW was also something of a marker for progress: a trip that only those expected to progress in music get to make. It was also something of a learning curve for Loah.

“It was really challen ging, and kind of a different headspace to playing in Dublin,” she explains. “People k n ow w h a t I ’m about here, and the scene is very welcoming to me. SxSW forces you to think about what you are, and how people might perceive you. It’s challenging in that I don’t really want to define

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16 GAZETTE 4 May 2017

myself, but you need to be stronger and clearer about who you are when people don’t understand the context of what you’re doing. This EP has lots of changes in style. My next EP will be a lot more streamlined, I think!”

Loah’s also realistic about the modern reality of music, admitting that she doesn’t necessarily expect to sell that many copies of ‘This Heart’. “Record sales are more a measure of the demographic of your fans than anything else today,” she says. “It’s not really a measure of success. If, after doing this, I’m playing bigger venues, or I get to tour outside of Ireland, that would be a measure of success.”

Another side of Matu Garnett’s work sees her exploring her origins: having grown up in what she calls “suburban” Maynooth, she describes herself as having “nostalgia that’s sort of really in the mind” for her roots in Sierra Leone.

“It can be strange, as while I grew up in Maynooth, people often ask me where I’m from,” Sallay explain.

“We did visit Sierra Leone a lot when I was young, and I guess I have this kind of idealised version of it in my mind. I wrote a song in my grandfather’s native language, krio, which I really made for myself, exploring my roots.”

To say that Loah’s EP is overdue is something of an understatement: she’s convinced many she has the potential to be one of the biggest act out of the city in quite some time, even if she’s far from convinced of that view herself.

“Working in music is a real rollercoaster,” she concludes. “There’s so much excitement and so much disappointment.

I’m still learning.”

Loah’s debut EP ‘This Heart’ comes out on May 5, with a live launch at The Sugar Club on May 12.

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18 GAZETTE 4 May 2017

DUBLINLIFE

Find your formula for sun-kissed skin WHILE we’re on the subject of swimwear, skin care and sun protection has to get a mention.

Vichy’s new Ideal Soleil range includes sun protection that suits sensitive skin.

The Ideal Soleil Anti-Sand Milk (€19.50) has a formula that safeguards against the abrasive effects of sand, which can irritate the skin.

Its anti-adherence texture helps prevent the sand from sticking to the skin, allowing it to be easily brushed away.

Its texture is light with a dry touch finish for comfortable application.

The Ideal Soleil Anti-Blemishes Spf 30 Mattifying Corrective Care (€19.99) is great for oily skinned folks.

Using suncream on your face can be a nightmare if you have oily

skin because even though you need the sun protection, your pores are ruined for weeks afterwards.

This new formula is specifically created for oily, imperfection-prone skin.

Its triple action formula of niacinamide, LHA and salicylic acid, targets blemishes, pores and shine while a high protection SPF 30 limits the damage caused by the sun’s UV rays. An antisebum active ensures a nine hour mattifying action.

P CHE-

O LA R My OSAY tch UV Pa

VICHY IDEAL SOLEIL Anti-sand Milk SPF30

LA ROCHEPOSAY Anthelios XL Anti-Shine

River Island Sunglasses €17, cutout swimsuit €55, tassel shorts €40, furry sliders €30

4 May 2017 GAZETTE 19

Penneys Bikini top €10 and briefs €6

Arnotts Seafolly Vintage Wildflower Bandeau Bikini top €78 and ruched bikini brief €60

River Island yellow floral print strappy string bikini top €22 and cut out bikini bottoms €13

New Look Green sequin swimsuit €39.99

Life’s a BEACH H&M bikint top €17.99 bottoms €12.99

H&M one-piece €14.99

 EMMA NOLAN Style Editor

37 ochet bikini top € River Island Cr 2 and bottoms €2

YOU KNOW that panic when it’s a week or two before your holiday and you realise you have nothing new so you go into town and spend a fortune?

Me too – don’t let that happen this year!

If you’ve booked a holiday to somewhere hot start buying things now and just spend a little every other week until your holiday to avoid the dreaded panic splurge.

The high street is fully stocked with new season swimwear right now, most reasonably priced so get out there and get organised.

Penneys sunglasses €3 swimsuit €16 Bag €4 River Island baseball hat €22, palm print bikini top €30, palm print bikini bottom €17

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STYLE

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DUBLINLIFE

FOOD

RETAIL | GOURMET GROCER RANGE AVAILABLE AT LUXURY STORE

Orange, Poppy and

Dean & Deluca brings New York tastes to BT FAMOUS New York gourmet grocer Dean & Deluca has arrived in Dublin.

Founded in 1977 by Joel Dean and Giorgio DeLuca with the opening of its flagship store in SoHo, New York, Dean & DeLuca has grown into a multi-channel retailer of gourmet foods, wines and kitchenware with operations throughout the United States, as well as international licenses abroad – which now include Ireland, thanks to its Brown Thomas presence.

The designated Dean & Deluca space on Level 3 showcases an assortment of Dean & DeLuca gourmet products and speciality items such as its famous pasta sauces and signature pasta along with risotto kits, truffle oils, porcini sea salts and a French seasoning collection that includes lavender, French Tarragon and rare mustard seeds to enliven your cooking.

The delicious confectionary range from one of New York’s best-known food markets includes almonds and hazelnuts enrobed in fine chocolate, toffee caramels and cheesecake caramels, while kitchenware items such as mugs are available.

Lisa Kageyama, international food and beverage merchant for Dean & DeLuca, said: “We are absolutely honoured to be making the Dean & DeLuca European premiere at the world-renowned Brown Thomas.

“It is wonderful that Ireland will be able to experience many our signature products that have been long enjoyed in New York and other parts of the Dean & DeLuca Rustic Artichokes in Olive Oil 280g (€11.95) world.”

Maxol offers a new way to fill up as Tadka House opens at Greenhills Rd POPULAR Indian take-away Tadka House has opened at Maxol on the Greenhills Road.

One year on from Maxol’s Dragons Den-style Pitch for Success initiative, colleagues Raj Singh and Arun Kumar teamed up with Maxol to offer their award-winning concept, Tadka House, at the latest Maxol forecourt in Dublin.

The recently refurbished store offers customers the option of fresh, hot, authentic Indian food, served in a modern and welcoming environment. Tadka House at Maxol, Greenhills Road also offers a takeaway service, and home deliveries by Just Eat.

Maxol’s chief executive Brian Donaldson joined Raj Singh and Arun Kumar to tuck into some freshly-made fare at the newly-opened Tadka House at Maxol Greenhills Road. Picture: Peter Houlihan

The opening marks another first for Maxol, in continuing to

provide a broad choice of freshly prepared food for its customers.

Commuters travelling on the M50, locals, and employees around the Greenhills area can experience fresh Indian flavours and natural spices, all sourced from local suppliers together with a selection of quality prepared food from Maxol’s own hot and cold deli counter, Moreish.

The Tadka House menu is free from preservatives and sauces are made on site from scratch using onion, garlic, ginger and cumin.

The menu offers a lunch and evening menu with some of India’s favourite dishes, such as chicken korma, lamb Balti and healthy inspired Indian salads, as well as vegetarian options.

Polenta Drizzle Squares – yum!

Orange you glad to have these colourful treats to rustle up?

THIS week, we have a delicious recipe for Orange, Poppy and Polenta Drizzle Squares, which serve 16 and come courtesy of Siucra and Catherine Fulvio.

The inclusion of polenta in this fragrant and moist tray bake makes it incredibly light in texture.

The fresh, zesty flavours of the oranges, teamed with the sweet, sticky drizzle, is a match made in heaven!

INGREDIENTS Cake l 150g butter l 150g Siucra Caster Sugar l 3 eggs l 180g plain flour, sifted l 50g fine polenta l 2 tsp baking powder l 2 tbsp poppy seeds l 1 medium orange, zest and juice l 3 to 4 tbsp milk Drizzle l 1 medium orange, zest and juice l 100g Siucra Caster Sugar To decorate l Thin slices of orange (simmered on a stock syrup) and mint

PREPARATION l Preheat the oven to 180°C /Fan 160°C /Gas 4, then line the base and sides of a 20cm x 20cm baking tin with baking parchment. l Cream the butter and Siucra Caster Sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one as a time, beating after each addition. l Combine the flour, polenta, baking powder and poppy seeds together, then fold these into the egg mixture. Add the orange juice and zest.

If it is too stiff, add a few tablespoons of milk. l Pour the mixture into the tin, spread evenly and bake for about 25 minutes. To check if it is cooked insert a skewer into the centre. When it comes out clear the cake is ready. l Just as the cake comes out of the oven, stir the Siucra Caster Sugar, orange zest and orange juice together and, while the cake is still hot, pour the topping over. l Cool the cake in the tin for 15 minutes before removing to a rack. l Slice into 16 squares when cool.

4 May 2017 GAZETTE 21

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TRAVEL

Despite some brutal scars from its former Soviet past, today Vilnius is one of Europe’s most beautiful – and affordable– cities, being easy to reach and very easy to explore

VILNIUS: BUSTLING CAFES SIT ALONGSIDE HISTORIC SQUARES IN THIS PROUD, BEAUTIFUL CITY

Lovely Lithuania enchants WHEN it comes to city breaks in Europe, they don’t come more highly recommended than Vilnius.

Lithuania’s cool, compact capital is the driving force behind its booming tourism industry – and with good reason.

It boasts breath-taking medieval architecture married with a bustling cafe culture, and you can take it all in on foot.

Not only that, but Vilnius is one of the cheapest cities to visit in Europe, providing excellent value in accommodation, attractions and dining.

A pint of lager will set you back just a couple of euro, and there are plenty Be inspired to visit Barcelona

of trendy bars serving craft beers and traditional brews alongside imported European brands.

Wander through the charming cobbled streets of eastern Europe’s largest Old Town taking in the vibrant atmosphere – and the sense of patriotism with the red, yellow and green flag hung from every pillar.

After a century of turbulence, Lithuania became the first Soviet republic to claim its independence in 1990, and its hard-won national identity is a source of great pride.

See for yourself some of its UNESCO-protected sights

Fill up on kibinai – a traditional dish similar to Cornish pasties – from Pinavija Cafe to fuel your walking tour.

If you’re up to the challenge, then a visit to the 10th century Gediminas

Tower – the last remaining part of the city’s castle – offers panoramic views of the Old Town below.

The warren of medieval cobbled streets is UNESCO-protected and offers a wealth of parks, squares, bars, cafes and restaurants as well as an array of charming neoclassical and baroque churches.

The city’s character has been shaped by its fascinating history, including time under Poland and Russia’s rule. And it was once named the ‘Jerusalem of the North’ by Napoleon for its strong Jewish influence.

Only 3,000 Jews remain in Lithuania, but their 8th Century roots can still be

seen in the form of the Choral Synagogue, the Old Jewish Cemetery and the Flame of Hope sculpture, commemorating the 90% of the city’s Jewish population killed in The Holocaust.

The Museum of Genocide Victims – housed in a former KGB building – deals with the systematic murder of Jews by the Nazis. The museum retains in its basement the prison used by the Russian secret service, as well as the original execution chamber, where bullet holes still scar the walls.

The Travel Department offers a three night Vilnius break which includes a half-day guided city tour

with an expert local guide, as well as plenty of time to explore all the city has to offer at your own pace.

Prices start from €349pp for 3 nights including return flights from Dublin, 4-star B&B hotel accommodation, excursions, transfers, taxes and charges and expert local guides, with flights departing this September and October.

For further information, see www.traveldepartment.ie or call 01 6371600; alternatively, if you’d prefer to plan your own itinerary, Ryanair flights to Vilnius start from €30.99.  TRAVEL EDITOR spownall@dublingazette.com

You may want to go to see one of Spain’s true treasures – beautiful Barcelona city DISCOVER golden beaches, Gaudi’s masterpieces, Catalan cuisine, buzzing bars and an atmospheric gothic quarter on city breaks to Barcelona.

Take a trip during the month of May and you can visit the David Bowie Is exhibition, displaying more than 300 objects relating to the music icon including his costumes, arte-

facts and memorabilia.

Explore the serenity of Park Guell and the surrealism of Gaudi’s architecture before strolling around ancient alleyways filled with medieval relics in Barri Gotic.

Relax on the golden sands of Barceloneta Beach and explore the bustling promenade up to Olympic Port.

A short trip out of the city, you’ll find the charming seaside town of Sitges and the magnificent Montserrat mountain range.

After sunset, you can sample the best of Catalan cuisine in Barcelona’s tapas bars and show your moves in the city’s pulsating jazz and salsa clubs.

Three night breaks from €159 – see www.lastminute.com

22 GAZETTE 4 May 2017

GAZETTE

M50MOTORING Discover a new look THE new Land Rover Discovery has come on the market with some fresh thinking and a new design that quickly grows on you. Land Rover has incorporated a feeling of strength in the new design so you instantly feel that you’re driving a solid and strong SUV. Discovery has been at the heart of the Land Rover range for over 27 years and the new model is a significant departure in terms of styling, which I was originally unsure about. Once up close to the big Land Rover that feeling that they had lost some of the heritage was quickly evaporated. This is a big and solid SUV to look at with improved road and field performance, while retaining some of the important Land Rover credentials, such as towing ability.

The new design is the most obvious change.

Land Rover has retained the Discovery signature stepped roof design; it’s just more subtle now than before. The new design means a change to the dimensions of the boot area. This is slightly smaller than with the previous model and that has the consequence of eliminating the opportunity for a popular five-seat commercial model.

The other big change with the new Discovery is the arrival of a 2.0 turbodiesel engine option using the now proven Ingenium engine, developed and built by Land Rover. For the new Discovery this engine gets twin turbo treatment and the end result is a very powerful while compact package under the bonnet.

Compared with the entry 3.0 litre V6 diesel engine of the past, this new engine is lighter and more economical. Despite its size it still delivers more power at 340bhp, than

FASTNews Easytrip helps to keep Blood Bikes service on the road IRELAND’S only electronic parking and tolling tag provider easytrip has come to the aid of Blood Bikes to cover the bikers and drivers toll charges.

Blood Bikes, who provide a voluntary service throughout Ireland, were considering withdrawing their services due to toll charges this week.

Ciaran Doyle, marketing and sales manager of easytrip Ireland said: “Blood Bikes play a crucial part in bringing blood to hospitals and medical centres across Ireland and we are delighted to be able to

The new-look Land Rover Discovery has more modern styling

cover their toll charges so that they can reach

Land Rover Discovery 2.0TD SPECIFICATIONS

Engine Engine power 0 – 100km/hr Economy Fuel Tank Capacity CO2 emissions Road Tax Band Euro NCAP Rating Warranty Entry Price

the entry V6 engine of the past, with a slight drop in engine torque. Land Rover is so confident about the improved economy, helped by the fact that they shaved 480kg from

2.0 litre 240hp 8 seconds 15.4km/litre 6.5l/100km or 43mpg 77 litres 163g/km D €570 5 star (2017) 3 years (100,000km) €57,815

the weight compared with the previous model, that it lowered the fuel tank capacity by five litres.

Get in behind the wheel and you’ll be pleasantly surprised just how power-

those most in need.

Land Rover has broken the design mould with the new Discovery model and also introduced a new engine option as Michael Moroney found out when he took the new model for a lengthy test drive. ful the new Discovery can be. I took it for a lengthy test drive run that included some trailer towing, over 1,400km and some offroad driving.

Air suspension adds to the driving comfort and the traditional Land Rover sway remains but it always feels very much in control.

Across lengthy country roads the Discovery can handle the conditions and the impressive engine torque was on tap to cope with whatever the conditions presented.

The official fuel economy figure is 15.4km/litre (6.5l/100km or 43mpg).

This is impressive relative to the Toyota Land Cruiser and Mitsubishi Pajero competition, both of which have bigger engines.

In practice, it’s not easy to

achieve this performance and length test gave me a figure that was about 35% higher.

The ability to cruise on the motorway at the 120km/hr speed at close to 1750rpm on the engine does also help with the economy performance. It also ensures quieter driving and an enhanced driving experience.

Internal comforts are impressive. The dash layout is very much in line with the rest of the Land Rover range, with a feeling of robust controls.

The off-road controls are very similar to the past, with a dial control for selection that quickly and electronically engages a new driving function.

The air suspension system is also electronically controlled from the

Blood Bikes provide a vital service, free of charge, ensuring other emergency services are not taken out of service.

We hope Blood Bikes will be made exempt from tolling soon and in the

central control area and I found it very easy to understand the system.

The central screen gives a host of options and its touch screen system was also very easy to understand. Land Rover fits up to nine USB ports and six 12-volt charging points in the new model, so all passengers can keep their devices charged on the move.

Entry prices start at €57,815, which is competitive, especially given that there is now no commercial option.

This price levels pitches the Discovery well against the competition with its new looks, very impressive performance. It’s got a new image and now it’s going to be a popular choice for Dublin SUV drivers.

interim we are more than happy to cover their tolls to ensure their service continues without delay.”

Blood Bikes is a notfor-profit Irish charity established by volunteers who look after the timely delivery of blood, breast milk and other medical items to hospitals and medical centres nationwide 365 days a year.

Colin Delaney, CEO of easytrip Ireland receiving a certificate of appreciation from Fergus Lennon of Blood Bikes

GAZETTE

M50MOTORING

4 May 2017 GAZETTE 23

Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce – now in Ireland FOLLOWING the recent launch of the Alfa Romeo Giulia, the range has been expanded to now include the Veloce model. Alfa Romeo claims that this new model balances the dynamics and comfort of the Giulia range to offer affordable performance and luxury. Entry prices start from €53,895.

The new Giulia Veloce comes with an exclusive 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine, partnered with an eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel-drive. The four-cylinder engine is made entirely of aluminium, generating 280hp and a maximum torque of 400Nm at 2,250 rpm, taking it from 0 – 100kmh in just 5.7seconds and onto a top speed of 240kmh.

In addition to the MultiAir electro-hydraulic valve activation system, it also features a “2-in1” turbocharger system and direct injection, with 200-bar pressure. Made in the factory at Termoli, Italy, this new engine claims to return 16.4km/litre (46.3mpg) on the combined cycle and emits just 141g/km CO2, delivering a responsive yet efficient drive.

The Giulia Veloce features exclusive sports exterior styling, including sports bumpers, 18-inch alloy wheels, coloured brake calipers,

dark tinted privacy glass with black gloss window surrounds and a rear sports diffuser with dual exhaust tailpipes. Misano Blue paint will also be available as an option, exclusive to the Giulia Veloce. The quality feel continues inside with a driver layout, which is complemented by a choice of black, tan or red Italian leather sport seats and aluminium shift paddles on the steering column.

Other standard features on the Veloce include 25W Bi-Xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights; front and rear parking sensors, a rear view camera with dynamic gridlines, power folding exterior mirrors, and heated 6-way electric front seats including electric side bolster support.

This new Alfa Romeo is the safest car ever tested by Euro NCAP, achieving a five-star rating and 98 per cent score for passenger safety.

All models in the Giulia range come packed with new generation driver technology including forward collision warning (FCW), autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian recognition, lane departure warning (LDW), integrated braking system (IBS) and The Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce priced from €53,895 ex works cruise control with speed limiter.

Kia ups the spec in the new Picanto KIA launched its third generation Picanto city car in Ireland last week, with some fresh styling, improved engines and competitive entry prices starting from €13,295 for the TX model. This new Picanto comes with a lower CO2 engine for cleaner driving, Bluetooth and remote radio controls, electrically heated mirrors, rear electric windows, four radio speakers, a leather covered steering wheel and gear lever as well as body coloured mirrors and door handles.

The new Picanto is powered by one of three petrol engines, including Kia’s new 1.0-litre turbocharged gasoline direct injection (T-GDI) unit. When the new 1.0-litre T-GDI engine goes on sale later this year, Kia claims that it will be the most powerful engine ever offered in the Picanto, and the first time this car has offered a turbocharged gasoline engine.

The Picanto has held third place in the small car market that’s dominated by the Hyundai i10 well ahead of the Toyota Aygo and Picanto. The new Picanto gets a 15mm wheelbase extension while the overall design means a shorter

overhang for easier city driving.

The exterior of the Picanto comes with new projection headlamps with LED indicators and LED daytime running lights.

Later in the year a subtle shark-fin antenna on the roof will replace the existing aerial.

The new Picanto claims to have more leg and head-room than the best-selling rivals, while a lower step height makes for easier entry and exit from the car. The base of the dashboard has been moved upwards by 15 mm for greater knee and leg space for front passengers.

There is a new dashboard layout which is now more centrally

aligned, with a large 7.0-inch ‘f loating’ touch screen HMI (human-machine interface) sitting above the centre console.

This moves many of the car’s controls further up into the driver’s line of sight.

The boot capacity grows from 200 litres to a maximum 255 litres and features a two-step boot floor, which can be raised or lowered by 145 mm to create additional space as required, as well as create an under-floor storage area.

The 60:40 split-folding rear seats can be folded down completely flat with a one-touch lever, for maximum ease of use. This boosts cargo capacity to 1,010 litres.

Kia claims that the new Picanto is the safest A-segment car Kia has ever made. It features more Advanced High Strength Steel (AHSS) compared to the outgoing model and a selection of active safety technologies.

The new Kia Picanto. Prices start from €13,295.

GAZETTE

24 BLANCH GAZETTE 4 May 2017

DUBLINLIFE

ReelReviews

GHOST IN THE SHELL A flawed reinvention

SCARLETT Johansson is miscast as the Major at the heart of Ghost in The Shell (Cert 15A, 107 mins), based on the classic anime of the same name. In a future world where massively cybernetically modified or augmented humans are commonplace, she’s one herself, on the trail of some very dangerous hackers.

It often looks absolutely spectacular, but it misfires in several different ways.

BEAUTY & BEAST

It’s okay, but unecessary THE original, slightly dated Disney animation is still much more charming than this Beauty and The Beast (Cert PG, 129 mins) reboot.

The live-action remake is okay, but comes off as a little more one-dimensional in parts than the source cartoon, with a number of key roles stuck with some underwhelming casting. It’s fine, but for a better beast of a film, dig out the old cartoon instead.

FAST & FURIOUS 8 Has vroom to improve

CHARLIZE Theron takes an unexpected role in Fast & Furious 8: The Fate of the Furious (Cert 12A, 136 mins), which is adding to her slowly growing roster of action-related roles. Boy racers and speed junkies will love this latest – and very barmy – addition to the evergreen franchise, but other cinemagoers will want to slam into reverse. It’s one for the Furious fans, but pretty much only the fans.

SUMMER PREVIEW: CINEMAGOERS CAN LOOK FORWARD TO A BUMPER SEASON

Sizzlers on the way to heat up the box office SUMMER is in the air – well, almost – so this week I’m flagging some of the biggest blockbusters due to hit cinemas in the coming months, with the first of these already making an impact.

While every summer brings some real sizzlers to the silver screen, 2017 looks like it’ll offer a better than average crop. Without further ado ...

Guardians of the Galaxy 2 (Out now) What better way to kick off blockbuster season than with a big budget sequel to a critical and commercial hit?

Guardians 1 may have been a bit of a surprise hit for Marvel, but the comic book giant is making sure to replicate its success.

From one look at the trailer, director James Gunn is pumping the scifi sequel full of all the tried and tested galaxy-hopping action, charming humour and classic rock tunes that made the original such a well-loved hit.

Added bonus: This time,

 MARTIN MACNAMARA

Kurt Russell’s along for the ride.

Alien Covenant (May 19) Ridley Scott’s Alien prequel Prometheus split critics, audiences and die-hard fans alike; some relished its sumptuous scifi visuals, others nursed headaches having suffered its plot hole-riddled madness.

Alien: Covenant seems to be steering the ship much closer to the claustrophobic terror of the 1979 original. Yet another prequel to the series, Covenant features a stellar cast and follows a human colonisation mission that, needless to say, runs into a little alien trouble.

Wonder Woman (June 2) Many critics argued that Gal Gadot’s Wonder

Woman was the best thing about the unholy mess that was last year’s Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice – one of the year’s biggest cinematic mishaps.

Could this be the film that saves DC’s seemingly doomed-to-critical-failure cinematic universe?

Here’s hoping ... Wonder Woman also stars Chris Pine and is directed by Patty Jenkins.

Spiderman Homecoming (July 7) Another summer month, another superhero movie – surprise, surprise. Homecoming is yet another reboot for the web-slinging, wallcrawling, friendly neighbour Spiderman and stars Tom Holland as the titular hero.

We got our first glimpse of Holland in the red and blue suit in 2016’s Captain America: Civil War and were pleasantly surprised.

Holland captured much of what was lost over years of sequels and reboots; Homecoming looks promising.

2

1

3

5

4

6

From top-left: Guardians of the Galaxy 2, Alien Covenant, Wonder Woman, Spiderman Homecoming, War for the Planet of the Apes, and Dunkirk

War for the Planet of the Apes (July 14) Anyone who bore witness to Tim Burton’s 2001 update of Planet of the Apes would be forgiven for living in fear of another modern Apes movie.

Fortunately, and quite surprisingly, the recent prequel series – beginning with 2011’s Rise – has been very, very good.

The trailer forWar of the Planet of the Apes, starring Andy Serkis as lead-ape

Caesar and Woody Harrelson as a war-hungry colonel, is darker than anything we’ve been offered so far; the action in 2014’s incredible Dawn was clearly just a taste of the dystopian chaos to come.

Dunkirk (July 21) The masterful Christopher Nolan takes a break from superheroes and science fiction for this epic World War II film, set during the infamous battle on the

titular French beach.

A relentless trailer has hinted at heavy drama and realistic combat and violence; the enormous evacuation of 330,000 Allied soldiers will be brought to life in it all its epic tragedy in IMAX. With a cast featuring Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy, Mark Rylance, Kenneth Branagh and, yes, Harry Styles, this is set to be one of the year’s biggest and best.

GAZETTE

4 May 2017 BLANCH GAZETTE 25

DUBLINLIFE

TECH

Man goes phishing, nets over $100m

TURNS out that even the biggest companies can fall prey to the same phishing scams that we all constantly read out.

It’s been reported that Facebook and Google lost more than $100m in a phishing attack, as a man tricked them into handing over the funds in a sophisticated wire transfer scam.

Most of the money was subsequently recovered, and fraud investigators got to work, but the incident shows how even the smartest companies in the world can be only human – so to speak – if a clever enough scam is attempted.

So, the next time someone asks you to send them $100m, think twice before you do!

Wikipedia still down in Turkey TOURISTS heading to Turkey won’t be able to settle any arguments about who scored the winning goal in the 1966 world cup final by turning to Wikipedia* – at the time of writing, the site has been blocked by the authorities there.

They have cited a law allowing them to block access to individual web pages or entire sites for the protection of public order, national security or the wellbeing of the public, with the user-created encylopedia caught up in the crackdown on media in the country – Turkey currently has jailed the most journalists in the world. (*Wikipedia users anywhere else on the planet will tell you that the answer, of course, was Geoff Hurst.)

In most games, an abandoned house would hide dark secrets – here, the Finch house holds sadness and echoes of the past, but remains a once-loved home. Screengrabs: Shane Dillon

WHAT REMAINS OF EDITH FINCH: AN ENGAGING LOOK AT ONE FAMILY, MANY LIVES

Finches flutter past DEATH and taxes. They’re the two things said to be the only two certainties in life, but while a variety of big companies seem to have figured out how to largely avoid the latter, the Finch family at the heart of this week’s game have been spectacularly unlucky at avoiding the former.

I refer to Death, which looms large at the heart of What remains of Edith Finch (PC, PS4, Cert 16; €20) as the single most enduring force or character in the game – never seen, but always close by.

As a gutsy teen, you return to the sprawling, hurriedly abandoned Finch home in Washington to try to discover why you and your mum fled from it, years ago.

Despite its imposing silhouette, the Finch house is just a home – it’s full of piles of books, toys, photos of children, balls of wool and unfinished knitting, and family portraits of the late Finches painted by the eponymous matriarch, Edith.

AND now, a word of warning. (“Now?”) The game needs a patch to address a number of issues, such as some occasional pausing and stuttering, and visible loading of assets – at least on the PS4. While not at all a dealbreaker, the PS4 and PS4 Pro suffer slightly worse than usual loading and streaming issues, making the PC the best platform for the game, at least for now.

 SHANE DILLON sdillon@dublingazette.com

It’s also full of lots of locked rooms, each of which once belonged to a Finch before their respective death saw their room sealed, creating snapshots of their lives.

However, what’s a locked door to an inquisitive teen? A challenge, and one that’s easily overcome once you start finding one of the many secret passages, hidden keys and other ways to move about the dusty house.

As you explore, you learn all about the Finches down the years – many of whom had an unfortunate habit of dying young, often as children or teens – filling out the Finch family tree with a half-forgotten name here, a legendary figure there, with Death never far away.

More a collection of

Voiceovers and briefly glimpsed narratives help to shape and direct the Finch family’s stories, and fates

short stories than a “gamegame”, you’re dropped into brief moments in time from the lives of the people you note, taking the briefest of looks at the extended Finch family

before moving on to the next room, the next name on the list, the next halfrecalled life.

As a slow-paced and slow-burning ‘walk-emup’ (where a story or plot

gets doled out without much player effort), it’s not a game for everyone – and with just one notso-big house to explore, even the most slothlike of gamers will be able to drift through it in just a few hours, at the most.

However, despite its brevity, critics have been quick to laud the game, admiring its thoughtful take on families, life and death.

Ultimately, while Death is the true constant in this game, Life is ever-

present, too, as the hopes, thoughts, voices and writings of Finches from across a century drift out, flickering briefly into life again to create an impression of a diverse group of people who just share the same background.

A family, in other words, like yours, or like mine.

Ultimately, as a game, Edith will leave many cold. However, as a storytelling experience, and for some fresh food for thought, there’s a lot to savour here.

26 BLANCH GAZETTE 4 May 2017

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GAZETTE

28 BLANCH GAZETTE 4 May 2017

SPORT

FastSport TRIO OF DUBLIN CLUBS ADVANCE IN SENIOR CUP: DUBLIN clubs Killester United, Sheriff YC and Bangor Celtic all advanced from the qualifying round of the FAI Senior Cup last weekend with bank holiday wins over Ballymun United, Cherry Orchards and Greystones United.

For Killester, they were pushed all the way by Ballymun before eventually prevailing 5-3 in a penalty shoot-out after normal time had ended 1-1 Bangor were also taken to extra time but went through with through 3-2 against their near neighbours.

Sheriff were the only side with a semblance of comfort to their win, running up a 3-0 success against LSL side Greystones.

Liffey Wanderers, however, bowed out to Everton on penalties – one of three ties of the eight played that went all the way. They join Bluebell United, Crumlin United, Glenville and Portmarnock who were all given byes to the main draw of the competition when the League of Ireland sides enter the fray

HOCKEY: RATHFARNHAM CLUB SEES OFF OLD NEMESIS TO LAND NATIONAL CROWN

Darling’s inspiration has Rovers rocking to EY title

 STEPHEN FINDLATER sport@dublingazette.com

MITCH Darling’s wonder goal saw Three Rock Rovers land the EY Champions Trophy for the first time as they saw off Monkstown 2-1 at Grange Road in the final.

The Olympian provided the moment of inspiration with 10 minutes to go, bursting forward from midfield and running 30 metres unopposed before smashing past David Fitzgerald.

That made it 2-0, adding to Kevin Mullins’ first half opener, and while Davy Carson pulled one back, Rovers saw out the tie and the silverware.

For coach Niall Denham, it was particularly pleasing having coached a dozen of the squad since they were 12 years old before taking up the head job two seasons ago.

Captain Jody Hosking, meanwhile, said “we’re only getting started”, pointing to the side’s age profile with only four players over 23 in their panel as they came from outside the playoffs last term to ending the league just three goals short of Banbridge this time around.

They edged through Satur-

Three Rock Rovers captain Jody Hosking lifts the President’s Trophy. Picture: Adrian Boehm

day’s semi-final against Lisnagarvey – as did Monkstown against Banbridge – after a shoot-out with both ties ending 3-3.

Sunday’s final was a more controlled affair. Three Rock hit the front in the 15th minute when Jody Hosking cut loose down the left-hand side before firing a backhand shot to the right post where Kevin Mullins

was on hand to guide home.

Monkstown replied by winning a penalty corner but could not trap it and, otherwise, spent most of the half on the back foot as Rovers enjoyed long spells of possession.

James Walker was twice denied by David Fitzgerald at close quarters while the Town goalkeeper also kept out Hosking and Ross Canning.

Geoff Cole had the only shot in earnest for Monkstown but skewed his effort over the bar.

Town stepped things up considerably in the third quarter with Andrew Ward making a number of strong runs, one of which just evaded Davy Carson’s dive.

Luke Madeley was required to twice clear off the line from a Guy Sarratt drag-flick and a Geoff Cole follow-up. Rov-

ers thought they had a second goal on the three quarter hooter when Madeley dragged in from their first penalty corner but it was ruled out as the initial stop was ruled not to have left the scoring circle before the shot came in.

But three minutes after the resumption came Darling’s moment of magic, bursting through from halfway before unleashing a powerful shot past international team mate Fitzgerald.

Monkstown again summoned a big fightback and got on the board when Lee Cole’s crash ball was turned in by Carson. He went close to grabbing another soon after but Jamie Carr got down well to prevent the equaliser.

From there, Rovers held on for the victory, their first in the Irish Hockey League’s history having won the forerunner to the competition back in 2008 – the old Irish Club Championships.

It earns them a place in the Euro Hockey League’s KO16 next Easter, meaning they will play in Europe twice as they also won the National Indoor Trophy.

Cassin the shoot-out queen as UCD land third title  sport@dublingazette.com

UCD’s Sarah Twomey embraces goalkeeper Clodagh Cassin following her shoot-out heroics. Picture: Adrian Boehm

UCD completed a perfect season as Clodagh Cassin’s perfect shoot-out record saw them edge out Hermes-Monkstown to yet another title at Grange Road.

It adds the EY Hockey League Champions Trophy to the EY Hockey League title won earlier in April and the Irish Senior Cup last month.

Each time, they have had to beat their south Dublin rivals to get to the prize. To get to Sunday’s final, UCD had beaten Loreto in a shoot-out with Cassin keep-

ing a clean sheet while HermesMonkstown had a far easier 6-2 win over an understrength Cork Harlequins.

In the decider, the students made the first major incision when they worked the ball into the circle which popped up the way of Deirdre Duke with a backhand volley thumping the base of the post.

But, in O’Flanagan, HermesMonkstown have the runaway top-scorer with 40 goals prior to the final and she snapped up the one chance to fall her way in the first half. As so often, Nikki Evans

was the creator with a delightful cut inside from the right wing, flipping the ball into the path of O’Flanagan who swiped home.

UCD continued to create the stronger chances with Gillian Pinder clean through only to flick wide while Jane O’Brien could not control an Emma Russell pass when well placed.

The students continued to push forward and when Duke won their first corner, they were back on terms. It was not a thing of beauty as the first phase was blocked down and Tice’s shot was off course but Emma Russell

sniffed a chance and pounced on the ball at the right post to guide it in. Russell then stung Murphy’s palm after a brilliant Pinder run.

It re-awoke Hermes-Monkstown and they created some top openings but reverses from Evans and one particularly spectacular strike from Sinead Loughran fizzed by the post.

UCD rode out that storm to earn their chance in the shoot-out where Cassin stood tall keeping out a trio of efforts while Sarah Twomey and Katie Mullan scored.

Orla Patton duly sealed the deal to spark the celebrations.

4 May 2017 BLANCH GAZETTE 29

GAZETTE

FASTSport

Countdown begins for Euro Under-18 event DCU Mercy trio Bronagh Power Cassidy, Rachel Huisdens and Maeve O’Seaghdha were all named in the Ireland Under-18 women’s basketball team along with KUBS’ Ella McCloskey and Courtyard Liffey Celtics’ Sorcha Tiernan.

The 12-player squad was announced to mark the 100-day countdown to the FIBA Under 18 Women’s European Championship Division B, which will be hosted in Dublin this August.

To mark the occasion, an official launch of the event logo was held at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght, where the ambassadors for the event were also unveiled.

The ambassadors will be promoting the event in schools and clubs around the country, and include experienced star players Grainne Dwyer, Michelle Clarke, Jason Killeen, and Lorcan Murphy.

Speaking at the launch, Secretary General of Basketball Ireland, Bernard O’Byrne stated: “This is a very exciting time for Basketball Ireland. With 100 days to go, preparations are now well underway and we are working hard to ensure that this will be a very successful event for all.

“Hosting this Championships was the next logical step for us after hosting Congress last year and having our international teams back in place. It is following our Strategic Plan 20152025 and is a great step forward for Irish basketball.

“We will need a lot of volunteers to help us to run this in an efficient manner and we hope that the entire basketball community will get behind the tournament and support it.”

Also speaking at the launch, Ireland Under 18 Women’s Head Coach Tommy O’Mahony stated: “We reduced the squad last week down to 12 players and they are all really looking forward to what will be an experience of a lifetime for them.

“They are hard at work making sure that they will be in peak condition come August, and there’s no doubt that this will be a great occasion for the basketball community in Ireland.

European Championships don’t come to your country every year so while it’s here, we should all take advantage of it and take pride in the fact that it’s here.”

Belvo unable to end Con’s Bateman reign Anglesea Road club push Cork club to the limit in cup final but cannot summon the last push as a Leinster club’s wait for victory in this competition continues into a 69th year  sport@dublingazette.com

OLD Belvedere missed out on a maiden Ulster Bank Bateman Cup title last weekend as they succumbed to five in-a-row champions Cork Constitution 18-13 at Anglesea Road.

Brian Hickey’s men did all their scoring in the first half, with tries from Liam O’Connell and man-ofthe-match Brian Hayes establishing an 18-10 interval lead, and had just enough in reserve to hold off a determined comeback from Old Belvedere who were relegated from Division 1A three weeks ago.

It was the first leg of a potential All-Ireland double for Constitution who return to the capital

next Sunday for a mouthwatering Ulster Bank League decider against reigning champions Clontarf, while they are now the Bateman Cup’s most decorated club, surpassing Lansdowne’s quartet of titles between 1922 and 1931.

Cork Con were first to threaten, great hands from Luke Cahill and Hayes preceding a Ned Hodson break and with Belvedere prop Declan Lavery infringing at a maul, Tomas Quinlan’s reliable left boot swept the resulting fifth-minute penalty through the posts.

Quinlan’s half-back partner John Poland was distributing swiftly and accurately from ruck to ruck, and Con continued to make inroads in attack

as the pair grew in influence.

A brilliant multi-phase move saw Shane Daly and James Murphy both carry strongly twice and gain ground, and with ‘Belvo back-pedalling towards their posts, nice handling again created an opening and Quinlan’s skip pass sent winger O’Connell over for a neatly-taken eighth-minute try. Quinlan converted from from wide on the left.

Paul O’Keefe got Belvedere off the mark with a 22nd minute penalty from the edge of the 22, rewarding Ed Rossiter and Jack Kelly for a wellexecuted lineout and some solid carrying from Sean Coughlan, Paul Pritchard and Jonathan Slattery.

Cork Con proved too strong for Old Belvedere in their Bateman Cup final last weekend.

Pritchard’s opposite number Murphy returned the favour, shrugging off an attempted tackle and setting up a central penalty which Quinlan fired over for 13-3.

The sides swapped tries as the tempo increased approaching the interval, the ‘Belvo forwards delighting the home support with Rossiter’s 32ndminute try. Slattery made a terrific break from a lineout and with James McWilliams-Gray making a big impact off the bench as a forceful carrier, fellow front rower Rossiter, who was a powerful carrier throughout, was able to crash over from close range.

O’Keefe’s conversion made it 13-10 but Constitution were very quick to respond. Captain Niall Kenneally claimed the restart and O’Connell’s quick feet and excellent offload sent Hayes over past Riordan in the right corner, the big lock showing great athleticism to reach out and dot down while avoiding touch.

Quinlan, who missed the difficult conversion, was short with an early second half penalty from near halfway, the swirling wind now favouring the Leesiders but Belvedere were playing with much more directness, albeit that their scrum was under near constant pressure.

The third quarter was a real dog-fight with Belvo upping the ante with Karl Miller leading the charge

and teeing off a barnstorming set of carries from Michael Oyuga and Connor Owende.

The end product was a close-in penalty stuck over by O’Keefe’s replacement Willie Staunton, which cut the gap to 18-13 with a quarter of an hour remaining.

It proved the last score as Cork Con went close with a strong scrum before Belvo came again.

They were bidding to be the first Bateman Cup winners from Leinster since Blackrock College in 1938/39, and Paul Cunningham’s charges really had the bit between their teeth.

They had a scrum in an inviting position after O’Connell had kicked the ball dead, and then Con’s try-scoring winger was also pinged for a ruck offence in the 77th minute.

‘Belvo declined the three points and opted for a scrum, and a couple of phases later, their forwards were held up under the posts as Con’s reserve hooker O’Connor put his body on the line to deny them.

As Belvedere went wide deep in the Con 22, former Munster lock Hayes’ well-timed intervention at a ruck forced the ball to go loose and replacement Ross O’Neill gobbled it up on the deck, a subsequent penalty against ‘Belvo centre Coughlan allowing a relieved Con to see out another Bateman Cup victory.

GAZETTE

30 BLANCH GAZETTE 4 May 2017

SPORT

FASTSport

SOCCER: CLONDALKIN CLUB MARCH INTO FINAL OF TOM CARROLL CUP

Tech-savvy Castleknock in flying Under-14 form CASTLEKNOCK Celtic’s kept their title dreams alive with a 5-0 away win over Celbridge Town in the DDSL Under-14A. Celtic, who recently signed Techsure IT Support as their newest sponsor, had James Caffrey as their main front man, having bagged seven goals already this season, and he started the game strongly.

Great passing football in the middle of the pitch by Celtic’s Robert Best and Ciaran Murray resulted in Klevis Malaj beating his defender and slotting the ball into the net for a 1-0 lead.

Celtic continued to create chances with Olti Berisha, Murray and Caffrey having their shots either saved by the keeper or missing the target by inches.

However, the travelling fans didn’t have to wait long for the second goal. Best won the ball in the middle of the park but he was fouled just outside the Celbridge box.

Dino Dervisic, well-known as something of a free kick specialist, stepped up and smashed the ball into the top right corner giving the keeper no chance and making it 2-0.

Tremendous runs by Kacem Touihri on the left flank, supported by Proinsias de Bhatuin at the back kept causing the home team problems. Another piece of magic by man of the match Murray set up the chance for Malaj who took it well for 3-0.

In the second half, Liam Hosford proved very effective on the right flank combining with Celtic’s trickiest player Alex McCormick.

It was McCormick who kept playing perfect balls to Caffrey, but it just wasn’t to be the big striker’s day as the keeper was found on form.

Captain Sam Doherty then surged forward and found the lively Murray with a pass.

Murray crossed the ball to the back post for Malaj, who buried his effort for 4-0 - completing his hat trick in the process.

Caffrey exchanged passes with Best who had his shot saved by the excellent Celbridge keeper, but the follow-up was fired home by Craig Hughes to open his account for this season.

St Mochta’s bowed out of the Tom Carroll Cup at the hands of Booth Road Celtic. Picture: Martin Doherty

Booth too good for Saints TOM CARROLL CUP

St Mochta’s Booth Road Celtic  sport@dublingazette.com

0 3

BOOTH Road Celtic made light work of St Mochta’s as they won 3-0 at Porterstown Road last weekend to reach the final of the Tom Carroll cup.

The Clondalkin side, who sit in sixth position in the LSL Saturday Major 1B, have a good record in cup competitions having reached the semi-finals of the Noel Ryan cup, and last-16 of the FAI Junior Cup. Booth started the game brightly and created two

chances for star striker Philip Sheppard, but the former Cherry Orchard man failed to find the net on both occasions.

Mochta’s then had a couple of chances of their own after ten minutes but Dylan Sweeney hit a first time volley at Gary Cleary in the Booth goal, before Mark Sheridan put a long range effort wide a minute later.

Ryan O’Callaghan then attempted his own long range strike but Adam Kmet was equal to it in the Mochta’s goal.

With 25 minutes gone Booth eventually opened the scoring when Sheppard was fouled in the box

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by Kmet. He dusted himself down to slot home from the spot.

Mochta’s responded well to create a couple of decent chances but it was almost 2-0 a few minutes later - Kmet pulling off another great save to deny James Kelly. Booth did have the ball in the net again after some excellent build-up play but the goal was ruled out for offside.

The home side flew from the traps at the start of the second half, forcing Cleary to get behind a powerful strike from Conor Grogan.

Kmet made another remarkable save three minutes later as he got the

better of former Liverpool man Mikey Collins in a one on one situation. Collins wasn’t to be denied for long, however, as he soon made it 2-0 by collecting a pass from Sheppard, rounding the keeper and slotting home.

Mochta’s knew they had to up their game if they were to stand any chance of getting back into it, but they struggled to create anything more than a handful of half chances. Aaron O’Brien headed wide Luke Harrison’s cross before Sheridan put a free kick over the bar Kelly then showed his class with the ball at his

feet with an excellent cross-field ball to Shane Merrigan, but he couldn’t steer it home.

W i t h 15 m i n u t e s remaining, Booth had a chance to seal the game but Collins was too casual in front of goal and missed from 10 yards.

Mochta’s had a great chance to pull one back with 10 minutes left but Cleary was on hand once again to keep them scoreless.

With regulation time drawing to a close the game was put beyond doubt by Kevin Quinn after he took advantage of the one mistake the excellent Kmet made.

4 May 2017 BLANCH GAZETTE 31

GAZETTE

SENIOR B HURLING

Crokes prove too good for Castleknock

CLUB NOTICEBOARD ST BRIGID’S

CASTLEKNOCK’S senior hurlers were defeated by Kilmacud Crokes by 3-15 to 0-8 in Round 1 of the Senior B championship.

The side will be back in action against Round Tower, Clondalkin on Saturday evening at 6pm in their second group game During half-time against Crokes, the 2006 boys U-11s played a mini exhibition game coached by Enda Mullen.

NURSERY continues Saturday from 9.30

on Sunday for the next few weeks; great

to 11am, all four to seven-year-olds are

home baking and hot snacks available.

welcome.

email eventsbrigids@gmail.com to book

We need an experienced, knowledgeable

your place. Club camp is July 24-28 (age

and inspirational figure to nurture and

four to 12), Kellogg’s Cul Camp is August

develop our nursery squad. Please con-

14-18 (age 6-12) and nursery camp

tact Paddy Davey on 086 822 9312 if you

August 21-25 (age 4-6).

fit this profile as our club needs you.

Picture: Niall O’Connell/@KnockPhotos

HURLING: TOWERS TOPPLED IN PARNELL PARK FINAL

St Brigid’s GAA Cardiac Screening pro-

ior E hurling teams this weekend; great

gramme. See the website for details,

goals for the Junior Es for Keith Morris

www.stbrigidsgaa.com.

and Tadhg Branagan.

pot on April 27 so the jackpot of €15,000 is

and U-16 ladies football team for good

carried forward with the reserve jack-

wins on Sunday. Feile hurlers did every-

pot now rising to €2,000. Many thanks to

one proud and narrowly missed qualify-

everyone who supports our club lotto

ing for the semi-final.

and to our wonderful lotto committee.

CASTLEKNOCK

St Peregrine’s Round Tower, Lusk  sport@dublingazette.com

1-5 1-3

ST PEREGRINE’S snatched victory from the jaws of defeat with an astonishing last-play goal in the Divisions Five feile final at Parnell Park on Sunday, defeating a distraught Round Tower Lusk by 1-5 to 1-3.

Peregrine’s – appearing in Parnell Park while several other Feile contests concluded in their own Blakestown Road ground – had made a poor start in the final, conceding a first half goal and looking sec-

ond best to the Lusk side who led 1-2 to 0-2 as half time arrived.

Shaken up at the break, however, they came back out to dominate the second period, creating a host of chances and popping over some sharp points to get themselves back in contention, while Round Tower struggled to get out of their own half.

It had looked like Peregrine’s efforts wouldn’t be enough, however, as the well supported Dublin 15 club failed to overturn the first half deficit, right up until they snatched victory with a late 65 that flew directly into the Round

Tower net.

The ecstasy of the Peregrine’s team was infectious as they leapt at the final a whistle: a dramatic finale saw only time for the Lusk goalkeeper to smash the ball back out before the contest finished.

Peregrine’s had earlier defeated Clanna Gael Fontenoy, Westmanstown Gaels and Round Towers Clondalkin in the group stages, and seen a fantastic Ben Green goal help overturn St Anne’s 3-3 to 0-8 at the semi-final stage.

They were led by their captain and goalkeeper Adam O’Connor with

Adam Tully, Prince Osayande and Eoin Harte particularly impressive at the back throughout the weekend. Further up the pitch Tomas O Connell was in great form in midfield and on frees, with notable support up front from Caelum Moriarty and Michael Meehan throughout the day.

The club also saw success in the feile skills competition at St Brigid’s, with Aoife Coppinger coming third of 31 players in a contest won by Kilmacud Crokes Emma Kane. Kane will go on to represent Dublin in at the national contest in June.

Next week’s draw is in Myo’s on Friday, May 5.

OUR nursery, with thanks to Tigers

parents for their hard work over the last

Childcare, continues next Saturday at

number of weeks.

Tir na nOg/Somerton/CCC. New mem-

Our senior 2 camogie team contin-

bers always welcome. Nursery enquiries

ued their great run this week with a

to lisakiernan1@gmail.com.

comprehensive win over Ballyboden on

There was no winner of our lotto

Thursday while our second ladies foot-

jackpot, in association with Rialto Ford.

ball team had a great win over Na Fianna.

Numbers drawn were 8, 10, 25 and 30 and

Hard luck to our first, second and

there were seven match three winners,

third men’s hurling teams who were

each getting €45 and the lucky dip winner

unsuccessful in their games over the

was Frances Costello. Next draw in the

weekend.

Bell with a jackpot of €2,800.

DIVISION 5 FEILE FINAL

There was no winner of the lotto jack-

Well done too to our minor footballers

evening for the next few weeks as well as

Peregrine’s fight back to win Division Five title

Saturday, May 6 is the date for the

Great wins for our Junior A and Jun-

Our coffee shop is open each weekday

St Peregrine’s Under-14 hurlers celebrate their success.

Don’t miss out on our summer camps;

We are seeking a Nursery Director.

Cash for Clobber competition: all your

Well done to both our Feile hurling

old clothes accepted at Somerton and

teams for battling hard over the week-

special drop off point at the club shop

end. Both teams were unlucky to lose by

during the nursery. The deadline for the

the narrowest of margins, the Division 2

big prize is getting closer.

team missing out on a semi-final place on

The club would like to extend its deep-

points difference and the Division 6 team

est sympathies to club stalwart Antoin

narrowly losing their semi-final due to a

O’Cleirigh on the death of his father,

last-minute goal.

Richard. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam

Massive thanks to all mentors and

ERIN GO BRAGH

dilis.

NO WINNER of our club jackpot which is

ers who had a great win against Naomh

€10,000. Numbers drawn were 6, 14, 19

Barrog.

and 26.

Well done to our U-14 hurlers who took part in Feile and did themselves, their mentors and their club proud.

Well done to our U-10 boys footballers who had a great win against Beann Eadair.

Well done to our U-12 boys footballers on winning their first league match.

Well done to our U-15 boys football-

Our U-11 girls played a football friendly. Hard luck to U-15 girls fooball who just lost out to St Plunkett’s.

Well done to our U-16 girls camogie who had a great win against Faughs.

Dates will be advised next week for our summer camps.

Hard luck to our hurlers who lost their opening championship group game.

Memberships are now overdue.

GARDA/WESTMANSTOWN NO intermediate or junior fixtures last

Sunday morning, beating Thomas Ashe

weekend. The next inter fixture is in the

by 3-10 to 0-10.

championship against St Marks on Sat-

Next league fixture is away at

urday, May 13 in O’Toole Park at 4pm.

O’Dwyer’s Balbriggan next Sunday

The juniors next outing is a league tie at

morning; throw in at 11am.

home to St Olaf’s on May 23 at 7.15pm.

Minors continued their good run with an excellent home win in the league on

The ladies won away at Skerries Harps in the cup last Wednesday. Training for all teams continue at the usual times.

GAZETTESPORT

ALL OF YOUR BLANCH SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 28-31

PEREGRINE’S FLIGHT: Blakestown club soar to win their hurling Feile division with superb showing P30

MAY 4 - 10, 2017

CHAMPIONS TROPHY DELIGHT: UCD and Three Rock Rovers sweep to national glory P28

Corduff and Shamrock Rovers join forces  sport@dublingazette.com

CORDUFF have entered an agreement with Shamrock Rovers that endeavours to see the two clubs work together to provide a pathway into professional football.

For Corduff chairman Stephen Morley, he says that the new partnership is a perfect match and will help the Dublin 15’s progressiom.

“We at Corduff are honoured and delighted to be able to announce this working partnership with Shamrock Rovers, Ireland’s most successful club at a national

level,” he said.

“With the exponential growth and success at a local level that we have seen at Corduff, it is only fitting that we move forward and partner with a top League of Ireland Club, and allow elite players from Northwest Dublin the opportunity to progress in the national league with a club that shares the same strategic values and vision as we do.

“We are thankful to Shamrock Rovers for recognising our Club as a valid partner, and most importantly thankful to our community volunteers, members and fantastic

young players, whose hard work, week in week out, have made this partnership happen.”

Corduff currently field 28 teams, 25 of which play in the NDSL, regularly progressing to the latter stages of SFAI Cup competitions while a number have gone on to represent Ireland at youth international level.

Both clubs are in the process of upgrading facilities and both are committed to giving players every opportunity to fulfil their true potential.

Jonathan Roche, chairman

Jonathan Roche, Stephen Morley, Sammy Donnelly, Damian Walsh and Shane Robinson at the announcement of the partnership between Corduff and Shamrock Rovers

of Shamrock Rovers, echoed Morley’s sentiments, saying: “The work being done by Corduff, on and off the pitch, is very impressive and inspiring.

“Like our club, Corduff is

investing in kids and giving them every chance to fulfil their dreams and ambitions.

I’d like to thank the people at Corduff who made this possible and look forward to using

this partnership to create the platform for the best young footballers to develop and provide a football pathway all the way through to the League of Ireland”