Castleknock

Castleknock GAZET TE FREE

‘Bliss out in the heavenly spa at the Farnham Estate, Cavan’ TRAVEL: PAGE 30 OCTOBER 4, 2012

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CASTLEKNOCK • CARPENTERSTOWN • LAUREL LODGE • ROSELAWN

INSIDE: Check in for some fun and games CONNOLLY HOSPITAL: Delayed at Hotel Transylvania discharges cost €40k a night P4

Readers decide: Vote for top local bookshop GAA:

Castleknock star to take Aussie odyssey

Page 32

Sport awards:

September’s sporting heroes announced inside Page 37

ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES ......................8 BUSINESS .................... 26 MOTORS ....................... 28 TRAVEL......................... 30 ENTERTAINMENT ......... 32 CLASSIFIEDS ............... 34

AVID reader Miriam O’Callaghan and Charley Fay (5) are urging book lovers to help find Ireland’s favourite bookshop. The Bord Gáis Energy Bookshop of the Year competition is ramping up with voting closing at midnight on Sunday, October 14. To support the bookshop that holds a place in your heart, cast your vote at www.bordgaisenergybookclub. ie. Dublin 15 outlets include The Wise Owl at Roselawn Shopping Centre, and Eason’s and the Veritas Company both at the Blanchardstown Centre.

Trainees ‘left high and dry’ in collapse Disappointment as investor pulls out of rescue plan

 LAURA WEBB

STUDENTS at a failed pilot training college have been left “high and dry”, according to a Castleknock resident whose son was one of those who lost their fees in the collapse of the school.

A potential investor for the

failed Waterford Pilot Training College pulled out, leaving parents and trainee pilots disappointed that the course could not be saved.

Castleknock resident Martina Kealy, whose son Richard was a student at the college, is disappointed for the parents who took out loans

to pay fees of up to €89,000 up front to see the company wound up.

“All those guys and girls have to take out more loans or look for the money elsewhere to complete their training.

They have been given nothing,” she said.

Full Story on Page 4

2 CASTLEKNOCK Gazette 4 October 2012

Tourism: proposals

Music

Youth Work Ireland Consensus Conference

Fingal maps its Gathering  laura webb

DUBLIN 15 residents showed their enthusiasm for The Gathering Ireland 2013, an initiative launched by Taoiseach Enda Kenny, when they converged at a local hotel to generate ideas and plans on how to bring the initiative to Fingal.

Over 30 people attended a community meeting in the Castleknock Hotel and Country Club last week to discuss the Gathering 2013 which looks set to be the biggest tourism project ever held in Ireland.

The Fingal Community meeting was organised by the county gathering co-ordinator Noeleen McHugh of Fingal County Council.

She said: “There was a terrific sense of enthusiasm at the Castleknock

meeting and the ideas that were generated there on Tuesday could definitely bring people to the area.

What we need now is for people to get behind these terrific ideas and put the plans in place to make Fingal a hub of activity for 2013.”

Ideas generated included a special olympics 10-year anniversary celebration and a strawberry fair in the Strawberry Beds area.

Elaine O’Sullivan, of Fingal Tourism, said: “If we all make an effort to put the ideas into place and commit to the plans, there will be a great boost to Fingal in 2013.”

A large number of Gathering events for Fingal in 2013 were proposed.

A website is now available for those ideas to be shared. Please visit www. thegatheringireland.com

Members of the Kilfenora Youth Club Band at the Youth Work Ireland Consensus Conference at Farmleigh House. Pictures: Marc O’Sullivan

Young generation pow-wow at Farmleigh

M

EMBERS of the Kilfenora Youth Club band and The Lava Java Youth Cafe were amoung the entertainers and volunteers that wowed the crowds at the Youth Work Ireland Consensus Conference held at Farmleigh

House last month. Music was played and enjoyed, and walls were climbed by all who attended the conference.

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Frances Fitzgerald also attended the conference and got

involved in the fun activities at the conference.

The Youth Work Ireland Conference was set up as a direct result of months of planning, workshops and surveys attended and completed by Youth Work Ireland members.

400 wds Aine Griffey warming up

Katie Connole

Philip Stewart, Patrick Burke, John Gilmore, Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald and Mary Ann Connors having fun

Stew Clancy, Gavin Farrell and Vanessa Murray

4 October 2012 CASTLEKNOCK Gazette 3

education Facility set to be completed by 2013

Luttrellstown pupils and staff visit school site  Laura Webb

STUDENTS and staff at a local community college recently visited the construction site that will soon flourish into their much-anticipated, state-of-the-art school building Staff, students, parents, counsellors and members of the board of management of Luttrellstown Community College all took time out to get a closer look at the progress being made at their new school site at Porterstown Road.

Currently, the school is operating out of the former College of Horology building on Mill Road, just outside Blanchardstown village.

With construction on the permanent school building well underway, it is hoped that the first phase of the project will be complete in time for the next school term, in September 2013 T he first phase is for the provision of 20 classrooms, 14 specialist rooms and office suites.

Phase Two will involve the building and fit-out of additional classrooms and specialist rooms, a special needs unit, alongside a sports hall, basketball courts and an all-weather pitch.

The school is encouraging the wider community to make the most of the new community centre once it is finished, and are hoping to

make them aware that the facilities are available for local people and groups for a variety of purposes.

The school’s staff and students said they are very excited after seeing the size of the site and the plans for the building.

P r i n c i p a l o f L u ttrellstown Community College Fionnuala Ni Chaisil, said: “Thanks to the hard work of our partners in the Department of Education and Skills, Fingal County Council and County Dublin VEC, we will soon have the contemporary school which our amazing student body deserve.

“Whilst on our tem-

Students and teachers eagerly anticipate the completion of the building

porar y site on Mill Road, we have achieved such high standards, whether in the Young Scientist, National and County Awards and in inter-school sports.

Already our trophy cabinet is filling up.

“These high standards of achievement were

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evident in the fantastic results received by our first Junior Certificate students. Our results were well above the national average with a high percentage of students achieving six A grades or more in honours subjects. “ We are not surprised

by these results, as they are an incredible group of students, supported by the most professional and committed teachers and backed by enthusiastic and attentive parents.

“Luttrellstown has and will always strive for the best.” she added.

finance

Village bank set to close THE Blanchardstown Village branch of Permanent TSB will close and relocate this November.

From 2pm on November 2, the Blanchardstown branch located in the village will close and join the bank’s other branch at unit 134/135 in Blanchardstown Shopping Centre.

Customers of the village branch can use Blanchardstown Shopping Centre or any other Permanent TSB branch to carry out their banking transactions from that date on.

For details of branch locations, visit www.permanenttsb.ie/branches.

Earlier this year, Permanent TSB announced the closure of 16 of its 92 branches across Ireland, including its Blanchardstown Village branch.

Two additional branches, including the Tyrrelstown branch were to become a self-service-style.

4 CASTLEKNOCK Gazette 4 October 2012

health Delayed discharges costing €42,000 a night

Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, where 53 patients are occupying beds despite the fact that they are medically fit to be discharged

Call for review of elder care funding Laura Webb

Calls are being made for the Government to urgently review elder care funding as figures were revealed showing that delayed discharges at Connolly Hospital are costing over €40,000 per night.

The HCCI (Home and Community Care Ireland) revealed that 53 patients are occupying hospital beds in Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown, despite the fact that their acute care has ended and they are medically fit to be discharged.

However, according to a statement by the HCCI, almost 90% of these patients are elderly

patients over 65 for whom alternative arrangements have not been put in place.

The group also state that the HSE’s own figures estimate the cost of a hospital stay per night at €800 to €900, amounting to a total cost of at least €42,400 each night the 53 patients remain in hospital, or the equivalent cost of over 2,000 hours of home care.

“The latest September HSE report also shows that around the country, 35 patients have been waiting six months or more to be discharged.

Using the HSE’s own figures, this could amount to a cost of over €5,000,000 - almost

half the proposed €12.5 million cut to home care services recently announced by the HSE,” the statement reveals.

Reasons for delays in discharging patients include people awaiting approval for nursing home care under the Fair Deal scheme, people waiting for either home help, a home care package, access to a rehabilitation facility, or equipment from the HSE. Michael Harty, co-chair of Home and Community Care Ireland, said: “The Government needs to urgently overhaul how we fund care for older people, and how people access that care, to give choice back to the patient and

encourage a more costeffective approach based on need and preference.

“It is blindingly obvious that increasing home care funding to enable faster discharge could save millions each year and free up much needed resources helping to safeguard frontline services.

“Delayed discharges are just one part of a much wider problem in the existing system which favours the ring-fencing of one type of care over another.

“The Fair Deal scheme currently accounts for over 70% of the total €1.4 billion budget despite the fact that it is stated government policy and patients’ overwhelming

preference to remain in the home as long as possible.

“Not only could improved home care provision speed up discharges, but it could help elderly, dependent people to live longer at home and prevent unnecessary admission in the first place,” he added.

Home and Community Care Ireland (HCCI) was set up in June 2012 following a merger of the Home Care Association and the Professional Institute of Care Providers.

At the time of going to press, the Department of Health had not responded to the Gazette’s request for a comment.For information, see www.hcci.ie.

Mum ‘disappointed’ over pilot case THE mother of a trainee pilot caught up in the collapse of the Waterford Pilot Training College has voiced disappointment that no investor could be found to save the course.

Castleknock resident Martina Kealy, whose son Richard was a student with the college, said it is disappointing for the parents who took out loans to pay fees of up to €89,000 up front, to see the company being wound up.

During a high court hearing on Friday, September 27, Bernard

Dunleavy, counsel for Michael McAteer who was appointed examiner of the college in a bid to save it as a going concern, applied to discharge the examiner and order the winding up of the company.

According to the examiner’s report, the proposed investor indicated that they “no longer wish to pursue the opportunity to invest in the company”.

Mr Justice Paul Butler then appointed Mr McAteer as liquidator of the company.

Speaking to the Gazette, Martina said: “Richard came home yesterday [Sunday, September 30] from Florida.

“We had paid an extra €6,500 so he can complete the private licence and at least have some kind of qualification in his hands.

It just means that [the pilots] are left high and dry.

“There was a lot of wrongdoing along the way,” she said.

However, for Martina and other parents and students, she said the fight is far from over. “We have a

few other irons in the fire that aren’t public yet – so we haven’t given up yet.”

“There was an investor interested. If we got an investor, we would have got 10% of the money back, but the investor got cold feet.

“All those guys and girls have to take out more loans or look for the money elsewhere to complete their training. They have been given nothing …We pooled money for a solicitor and we are not even getting that back – it’s disappointing,” she added.

4 October 2012 CASTLEKNOCK Gazette 5

Safety

Patron: Niall quinn praises dublin’s tradition of community spirit

Estate to bring in truck ban

Dublin Bus give charities a boost Laura Webb

A number of Dublin 15 charities and voluntary groups have been awarded grants as part of the Dublin Bus Community Spirit initiative.

Over 80 charities and voluntary groups across greater Dublin benefited from the initiative, with Dublin Bus awarding grants ranging between €1,000 and €5,000.

Winners from Dublin 15 included Huntstown Resource Centre and Huntstown Ladies club, both being awarded €1,000, while the 104/144th Blanchardstown Scouts were given a grant of €2,000.

A special exhibition ceremony took place last week and was hosted by former international footballer and patron of the initiative Niall

Quinn, The shortlisted groups were honoured for their hard work and their contributions to their local communities.

This is the ninth year of the initiative which sees a wide variety of charities in the greater Dublin area receive funding under the scheme.

The aim is to help organisations maintain and grow their services, and to date, over 1,100 local community groups have been rewarded for their work through the initiative.

A special presentation was given to five community groups who were awarded grants of €5,000. This year’s recipients included Tallaght Cancer Support Group, Balscadden District Community Council, 3 Bridges Boxing Club Ballymun, The Carers Asso-

ciation Clondalkin and Ballyowen Meadows School, Loughlinstown.

In addition to this, over 70 other charities also received grants of €2,000 or €1,000.

Niall Quinn said: “It is evident from the winning groups present here today that the recession has not dampened Dublin’s tradition of community spirit.

“I have been involved with the Dublin Bus’ Community Spirit Initiative as its patron since it began, over nine years ago, and I have seen first-hand the difference these grants can make to local community groups whose work, though so important, often goes unnoticed.

“I want to congratulate all the grant recipients and commend them on all their hard work.”

Seeing double: Twin red Panda cubs step into the light at Dublin Zoo Dublin Zoo have announced the arrival of two red panda cubs who have yet to be named. Both are female and the second litter born to parents Angelina and Chota, who welcomed a set of twins last year. The twins were born in June. However, before this week, sightings of the new arrivals were rare because they only ventured out of their den at nightfall. Team leader Eddie O’Brien said: “Red pandas are endangered in the wild so we are over the moon that this is the second litter born at Dublin Zoo within a year. They are both doing very well and getting more adventurous and confident.”

A THREE-tonne vehicle weight restriction will be in place at the Summerfield estate in the coming weeks.

During a recent area committee meeting, a spokesperson for Fingal County Council (FCC) said they have received confirmation from gardai that they have “no objection” to the provision of regulatory traffic signage banning the parking of vehicles over three tonnes in Summerfield estate.

“Signs will be erected at the junction of Summer field Estate and Clonsilla Road over the coming weeks,” said the spokesperson.

This follows a question

by Castleknock councillor Peggy Hamill (Lab), asking FCC management to investigate the need for the restrictions in the interest of safety, as residents are “frustrated trying to keep their children [safe from] large trucks”.

6 CASTLEKNOCK GAZETTE 4 October 2012

CINEMA Second year of event gearing up to be an even greater success

Fingal Film Festival calling for future favourites  LAURA WEBB

CALLING all film buffs, the Fingal Film Festival is back and the organisers are urging up and coming film makers to sign up and make their submissions for next year’s spectacular event.

Following on from the hugely successful inaugural event earlier this year, the organisers are busy preparing for the next festival.

They are now taking film submissions for consideration for the 2013 festival, which is due to take place in May

next year.

With submissions starting to come in, organisers are planning a bigger event than last year, with a combination of workshops, equipment presentations and screenings.

They also plan to host a classical film section,

Q&A screenings, and have a special section in the festival timetable for youth filmmakers to showcase their work.

They will be launching a short film Heritage and Culture section from Fingal.

Commenting on the 2013 festival, managing

director Liz Kenny said: “We expect to attract filmmakers in their thousands to the event.

The Fingal Film Festival has now found its feet and understands what works best for us, after a wonderful year of learning from our 2012 festival, which was a huge

success.

“The 2013 festival schedule is guaranteed to whet the appetite of both established and aspiring filmmakers alike.”

C r e a t i ve d i r e c t o r Dave Byrne added: “We are looking for arthouse features and shorts, fea-

ture films, documentary features, short films and documentaries, animations, and anything else original and quirky emerging filmmakers are working on,” he added.

Application forms can be found at www.fingalfilmfest.com

Farmleigh set for a literary feast of fare DUBLIN-BORN novelist, broadcaster and playwright, Joseph O’Connor, who was recently announced as Farmleigh’s Writer in Residence, has revealed a series of events for later in the year.

Joseph will be organising and participating in a series of events at Farmleigh, which include an evening of live music and readings and a workshop for writers.

To mark the publication of his new collection of short stories Where Have You Been?, he will give his only Dublin reading from the book at Farmleigh on Friday, November 9 at 7.30pm.

On Wednesday, November 21 at 7.30pm, Joseph will host a session aimed at beginner writers to provide useful tips and practical advice, and he will share his experiences of his early days of writing and the lessons he has learned.

On Thursday, December 13 at 7.30pm Joseph will host Words and Music of Hope for Christmas.

This will be an evening of seasonal poetry, storytelling, prose and live music.

Early booking is advised for these events.

Tickets are available online at www.farmleigh.ie.

Cllr Kieran Dennison (FG) with Terry O’Neill and his ruined wall at the accident blackspot on Westmanstown Road. Inset, two of the crashes that took place

Accident blackspot gets warning signs  LAURA WEBB

NEW warning signs at an accident blackspot at Westmanstown, which has witnessed 30 crashes since the start of the year, including five last month, will be installed to warn motorists of the dangerous stretch of road.

One resident, Terry O’Neill, living near the dangerous bend on Westmanstown Road (R121) has rebuilt his wall 38 times in the past 25 years because of such road accidents.

Recently, he was washing tools after rebuilding his wall, only to hear a van crash into the same section. Another resident has had their house’s fence demolished 12 times.

Fingal County Council (FCC) reported that the surface of the road was examined and found to be in “good condition” and that the skid resistance values of the road did not raise any issues of concern.

Signs But, the council’s operations department will provide two new flashing signs at the bend to warn motorists that there is a dangerous bend ahead, and to slow down.

Along with these signs, funding from the NRA Low-Cost Safety Improvements Scheme 2013 has been used to install anti-skid surfacing to improve road-holding abilities for vehicles

which may temporarily lose control.

The FCC report was made following a question by local Cllr Kieran Dennison (FG) at a recent area committee meeting, asking the council about its plans to make the area safer.

Welcoming the report, he said: “In September, there were five accidents, two of which occurred on the same day. In the space of four months, four local houses were struck by cars losing control.

“Local residents have had enough. There is a nursing home on the road and all the local residents I spoke with are afraid to walk in the area.

“Most of the accidents are minor in nature, sug-

gesting that speed alone is not the problem.

“In the 10 minutes [I was present at the site], I witnessed three cars skid and slip as they came around the bend on a damp road surface.

“Accidents occur with traffic from both directions and, as far as I am concerned, there is a problem with the surface and the camber of the road. While the council insist that this is not an issue, I have asked them to consider treating the surface to give cars a better grip.”

Cllr Dennison says he will be “keeping a close watch on this section of road to see if the improvements have the necessary effect”.

4 October 2012 CASTLEKNOCK GAZETTE 7

HERITAGE Area’s rich past revealed in exhibition

STAR WARS

One-man show is a tour de force

Learn all about D15’s ‘hidden’ treasures THE hidden history of Dublin 15 is set to come to the fore with the unveiling of a unique exhibition that showcases the area’s archaeological treasures.

The Castles, Forts and Holy Wells Exhibition, composed by archaeologist Christine Baker, Fingal County Council’s Field Monument Advisor, opens at the Blanchardstown Centre on Friday, October 12, and will run until Wednesday, October 24 before moving to the Civic Offices at Grove Road until November 9.

Among the more interesting facts coming from

the exhibition is the revelation that St Patrick established one of his first churches in Coolmine, and that Corduff Park was highly populated – 1,500 years ago.

Baker said: “The southwest corner of Fingal is not readily associated with archaeology and heritage. However, there are 90 archaeological monuments recorded within Dublin15, giving us a rich source of information about the past, which deserves greater recognition.

“We have some wonderful information at the exhibition which will, hopefully, capture people’s imaginations, such

as, how tall were people from around Castleknock from the 10th century; where to find the Water of Nine Cures, and where a coin from 967AD turned up,” she said.

The exhibition also highlights the archaeological remains of what people often walk by, or don’t even recognise, to illustrate the story of Dublin 15 from the earliest times – such as the forts of Corduff, the mottes of Newtown, holy wells at Mulhuddart and St Catherine’s, and also burials of River Road.

According to Baker, the exhibition is hoped to raise awareness and encourage a sense of own-

The Mayor of Fingal, Cian O’Callaghan (Lab), will join archaeologist Christine Baker, Fingal County Council’s field monument advisor, to launch her fascinating examination of Dublin 15’s many little-known treasures

ership of the many historic monuments within the community.

It is also hoped to protect them from vandalism or removal, and to reconnect communities with the richness of the archaeological resource that surrounds them.

To coincide with the

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project, Christine will give a talk on the archaeology of Dublin 15 in Blanchardstown Library at 2.30pm on Saturday October 20, in conjunction with the Fingal South-West Heritage Society.

The exhibition will be launched by the Mayor of Fingal, Cian O’Callaghan

(Lab), on Tuesday, October 16 at 12.45pm at the Blanchardstown Centre.

The Fingal SouthWest Heritage Society meet at Blanchardstown Library on the last Saturday of every month from 2-3.30pm. Email oidhreacht.info@gmail.com for details.

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 LAURA WEBB

ONE man takes centre stage at Draiocht Theatre to entertain audiences with his hilarious version of the Star Wars trilogy.

Charles Ross claims to have lived a ver y sheltered childhood.

“Growing up in Canada, I was starved of entertainment. I watched the first Star Wars film 400 times because it was one of just three VCR tapes my family owned,” he said.

His childhood obsession is now a career as he travels the globe with his show, singlehandedly playing all the characters, singing the music, flying the starships and condenses the plot to just sixty minutes.

One-Man Star Wars Trilogy plays on Thursday, October 18 at 8pm.

Further details at www. draiocht.ie

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8 CASTLEKNOCK Gazette 4 October 2012

college life

Institute of Technology Blanchardstown

Alexandra Flood

ITB’s Maria Brown pictured showing new students Graham McConnell and Jack Mulkearn the notice boards

College fires up the grill for newcomers

T

HE Institute of Technology Blanchardstown (ITB) held its Annual Welcome Barbecue for 2012 First Year Students, their first social gathering of their academic year.

ITB’s newest students enjoyed refreshments, talked to lecturers and

Oscar Musiil

fellow students, learning about college life and the wide range of facilities available to them as students at the college.

The Institute of Technology offer a wide range of full time courses from There are also a number of part time

Amela Kucuk with Stephen Foi

Alexandra Flood and Syafiqah Cullen

Springboard Courses on offer at ITB, the initiative launched for unemployed people. The initiative is aimed at those who were previously working but lost their jobs or were made redundant and who, with some up-skilling, could fill current or future job shortages.

Dudrhiri Laetitia

Lauren Holland

4 October 2012 CASTLEKNOCK Gazette 9

hosts its annual Welcome Barbecue for new students

Katie Kelly

Nargiz Abdulajeva, Evelina Dzemedaiunqito and Veronica Smaga

Robyn Doyle, Orla McPhillips and Melissa McGuinness

Dolkar Tensin and Dudrhiri Laetitia

10 CASTLEKNOCK Gazette 4 October 2012

charity Supporters help to highlight brain injury service

Sophie and Maria Ford

Amanda Kevlin and Fiona Foy Holland

Stars come out to raise funds in style L

OTS of celebrities, socialites and well-known faces gathered at 37 bar in Dawson Street recently as part of Dublin Fashion Festival, with a great shindig in aid of Acquired Brain Injury Ireland.

98FM DJ Steve Cooper got the show started, with the likes of Mickey Joe

Harte, Brian Kennedy, the Debbie Allen Dance Troop and Fauve Chapman rubbing shoulders with Emma Waldron, Alison Canavan, Niall O’Farrell, George McMahon and Nick Munier, all keen to help support the evening’s fashion show in aid of the Dun Laoghaire-based charity.

Dave Duffy and Lisa Cuddy

Models showcased clothing from stores such as Lara Boutique, American Honey, Fran and Jane and Louis Copeland, while up and coming designers Claire O’Connor and Umit Kutluk, and milliner Aisling Ahern, all donated some of their pieces to be part of the fundraiser.

Siobhan Nolan and Susan Chris and Maggie O’Hara

Barbara Nolan, Brian Kennedy, Calum Best and Karen Ennis

Craddock

Aisling Holly and Andrea Smith

4 October 2012 gazette 11

property

education: dse initiative calls for primary school participation

Dublin prices rise 3%

Pupils urged to go for science prizes  Hiromi Mooney

PRIMARY schools across Dublin are being encouraged to apply for this year’s Discover Science & Engineering’s (DSE) Awards of Science and Maths Excellence.

Last year, 77 Dublin primary schools were recipients of the awards.

To qualify for the award, schools must keep a log of certain science and mathsrelated activities that they undertake throughout the year.

Schools will get credit for taking part in other DSE programmes, visiting Discover Science Centres, inviting guest speakers to talk about science and maths and displaying their work.

Many primary schools in Dublin are also taking part in DSE’s Discover Primary Science

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and Maths Programme, which encourages primary school children and teachers to approach science and maths in a fun and interactive way.

“Since we started the Discover Primary Science and Maths Programme in 2003, the project has gone from strength to strength, with more than 6,000 teachers registered last year,” said director of DSE Dr Graham Love.

“This year, the Discover Primary Science and Maths programme will continue to encourage an appreciation of science and maths in students from an early age that will stay with them throughout their education. Students of today are tomorrow’s leaders and we look forward to Irish students leading the field of maths and science in the future.”

DSE is the national integrated awareness programme managed by the Science Foundation Ireland on behalf of the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.

It aims to increase the numbers of students studying the physical sciences, to promote a positive attitude to careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Speaking at the launch of the awards, Minister for Research and Innovation, Sean Sherlock said: “The growth of STEM subjects is extremely important for the recovery and further development of our economy. It is imperative that STEM subjects are promoted at a young age to recruit and encourage the youth of Ireland to progress their skills.”

At Tayto Park right meow: Maenam is the latest addition to cat family MEET Maenam, the newest addition to the animal family at Tayto

Park. The female Fishing Cat cub, born in August, is slowly being introduced to her surroundings. As part of an endangered species, her arrival is a real success story for the park’s breeding programme.

International Cat Day takes place this month, so Tayto Park is celebrating the five different cats species living there –the Amur leopard, the ocelot, the serval, the mountain lion and the Fishing Cat. Log onto www.taytopark.ie for more details.

DUBLIN house prices increased in value by an average of 3.1% in the last quarter, according to figures released by estate agents DNG. T his figure covers the period of August to October, and this is the first three-month period in more than six years to show an increase in the average price on the House Price Gauge.

In the same period last year, the average price of a resale property in the capital fell by 5.6%.

The managing direct o r o f DN G , K e i t h Lowe, was cautious about the significance of the increase.: “The latest results add further weight to the argument that the market in 2012 has proved flat in terms of price movement at the very worst and, in some cases, prices have moved away from their low point, at least for the time being.”

12 gazette 4 October 2012

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charity Fight night at Croke Park for Pieta

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Boxing star John Joe Nevin, pictured here at the SARI Soccerfest 2012 in Phoenix Park, leads the line-up

Silver-medal drive for charity boxers  laura webb

Olympic silver medallist John Joe Nevin is returning to the boxing ring and joining the fight against suicide for Pieta House in the coming weeks.

The silver medallist is taking part in the Croker Clash Charity Fight night in aid of the suicide crisis centre.

The event, which takes place on Friday, October 12, will see Nevin take to the ring alongside Jim Rock, aka The Pink Panther, and Paul Dunne. It also sees brave beginners get into the ring for the first time after just a few

weeks of training.

Now in its third year, the event is organised by Mountjoy prison officers Helen Feeney and Paul Dunne, who are both stalwarts of the Irish boxing scene. Past events have attracted crowds of up to 500 people, and they are aiming to sell 1,000 tickets for this year’s Croker Clash.

“Following the success of our Olympians in London we decided to go all out and hold the charity fight night in Croke Park this year,” said Helen Feeney.

“Boxing is one of the most high-profile sports in Ireland at the moment

so we hope that this event will be a massive success, raising lots of much-needed funds for Pieta House.

“Seeing Joan Freeman win her People of the Year Award last year showed me how one person can change the lives of so many, and I hope that The Croker Clash will be a big help in Pieta House’s fight against suicide,” she said.

Already confirmed to attend the night is Jimmy Magee, Michael Carruth, Stephen and Alan Reynolds.

“I’m really excited that so many stalwarts of the Irish boxing scene have

pledged their support for The Croker Clash,” said Joan Freeman, chief executive and founder of Pieta House.

“It’s sure to be a fantastic night and I’d urge everyone to come on down, enjoy the boxing and experience Croke Park in all its glory,” she said.

Tickets are on sale now and are available from Ticketmaster at €20 for general admission, €30 for ringside seats. All funds raised on the night will go to Pieta House.

For more information on Pieta House, visit www.pieta.ie.

4 October 2012 gazette 13

musical Life story of Tina Turner coming to town

River deep, Bord Gais high for Emi  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

A brand new musical based on the life and times of legendary singer, Tina Turner and her husband Ike, is coming to The Bord Gais Energy Theatre this month and its leading lady, Emi Wakoma is already being hailed as a superstar of the future.

The show, entitled Soul Sister, tells the life story of the iconic soul star, but equally fascinating is the life of its lead actor.

Emi was born in Nigeria and moved to Britain when she was one, but considers herself a Nigerian woman through and through: “I was only one when I came to England, that’s why I have this dodgy cockney accent but I consider myself a Nigerian woman in terms of my family and culture.”

Emi has been getting rave reviews about her performance as Turner, something that she says

she pays little attention to: “I don’t read them, I’ve a job to do. I would think the reviewers were talking about someone else. I’m just waiting for someone to knock on my dressing room door and say ‘You’re not really the girl we wanted’.”

Emi compares her own character to the one she plays in Soul Sister: “The similarities lie in the fact that neither of us is conventional. Tina didn’t have a conventional voice and was not conventionally beautiful and neither am I. Like Tina, I was unique and didn’t fit into any boxes. Her difference is seen as a positive thing and something to celebrate.”

When asked where the per forming bug came from, Emi said: “I don’t have a clue. I’ve been singing since I was nine years old and my mum bought me The Bodyguard soundtrack album. I used to sing Bodyguard songs

in school all the time.

“So my parents, seeing this, sent me to the Brit School [the acclaimed theatrical and musical hotbed that has produced Adele and Jessie J].

“T hen, when they realised I was serious about doing it, they said, ‘Right, if you’re going to do it, do it well’ and sent me to the Guildford School of Acting.

“Over the years I’ve done lots of bits of things, I’ve been in Eastenders and Casualty and have done a lot of musicals but this is my first starring role.

“I can’t wait to come to Dublin, my friends say it’s great but I’ve never been.”

There will be inevitable comparisons to the previous Tina Turner biopic, What’s Love Got To Do With It?, which starred Angela Bassett, but Emi says this is an entirely different approach.

“Tina was very upset

fit for life Calling on older Olympians to compete N u r si n g h o m e s across Dublin are expected to take part in a specially organised ‘Olympics’ during Positive Ageing Week.

More than 300 Dublin nursing home residents and more than 1,500 throughout Ireland are expected to take part.

T he event, r un by exercise specialists Fit for Life, will take place in 17 nursing homes in Co Dublin, and more than 80 nursing homes nationally compared to 22 last year.

Compete

Actor and singer Emi Wakoma brings her acclaimed portrayal of soul legend Tina Turner to Dublin in the coming weeks

by that film because she thought it gave her a victim status. It was too one-dimensional in a lot of ways, especially in its portrayal of Ike Turner. He was shown as not a good person but it didn’t delve into the background enough

to find out why Tina stayed with him for such a long time.”

Emi dedicates every performance to her late father who died last year. “It’s not upsetting at all, it’s part of life. He got to see me play Tina Turner in the

West End before he died and I’m so glad he did. I’m so grateful to him for bringing me to this country as it turned out to be a blessing.”

The show comes to the Bord Gais Energy Theatre from October 15 to 20.

Participants will compete in team events such as bowling, magnetic darts, golf and ring toss, with gold, silver and bronze medals awarded to winners.

Positive Ageing Week runs until October 6.

Speaking ahead of the Fit for Life Olympics, managing director of Fit for Life, Mark Sweeney said: “We here at Fit for Life are committed to improving the quality of life of the older generation. The Fit for Life Olympics are designed to provide our clients with a fun event where their families and nursing home staff can get involved and see the benefits of keeping active.”

14 gazette 4 October 2012

workshop: icons of animation coming to blackrock in october

charity Women’s Aid get a great Deal CHARITY Women’s Aid received over €33,000 last week, after online classified adverts website, DoneDeal, donated the proceeds from money raised during its charity month in August.

DoneDeal raised €33,260 for the women’s charity, which provides support and information to women affected by domestic violence.

Speaking at the presentation of the funding Margaret Martin, the director of Women’s Aid said: “This fantastic donation from DoneDeal will help us to continue our work to support thousands of women and children in Ireland to live safer, happier lives, free from abuse.”

A grand day out at festival Pink power: Marie Keating Foundation launch their 2012 awareness campaign fair city actresses Rose Henderson and Aoibheann McCaul, accompanied by Linda Keating, were proud to launch the Marie Keating Foundation’s eleventh annual Breast Cancer Awareness campaign in Marks & Spencer Grafton Street.

Every year, almost 3,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in Ireland and the message from the foundation for women of

all ages is Look after your girls, talk to your friends about breast cancer.

As proud supporter of the annual Marie Keating Foundation Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Marks & Spencer Ireland will be selling a fantastic selection of pink themed items in-store and online in aid of the foundation throughout October.

For more, visit www.mariekeating.ie

Wallace and Gromit are embarking on a new Irish adventure when they arrive to celebrate the second BlackrockAnimation Film Festival later this month.

As part of this year’s festival, the plasticine pals will be on hand to help Merlin Crossingham, creative director at Aarman Animations, give a workshop on animation using models.

Crossingham will be giving a talk at Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology on his experiences working in stop-motion animation, with Wallace and Gromit among his bestknown work, on Friday, October 12, at 2 pm.

Merlin started at Aardman Animations 17 years ago as an apprentice animator and has worked his way up to become a creative director at the awardwinning animation studio.

His credits include work on the studio’s successful motion pictures, Chicken Run and The Curse of the Were-Rabbit.

Merlin is a firm believer in the special magic of model animation: “It is closer to us. We suspend our disbelief a fraction quicker as if [the figures] existed in reality.”

Although this kind of animation is the most laborious, Merlin feels it is worth all the effort. “It takes one animator a day

of work to complete two seconds of animation. So, with 30 animators, it takes about two years to make a feature film.

Crossingham will also be giving a workshop on the morning of Saturday, October 13, in the Southside Partnership building in Blackrock.

When Merlin was asked if he was worried that Wallace and Gromit might get into a pickle in Ireland, he replied: “Obviously they are very excited. Wallace definitely wants to investigate the cheeses available.

He is also talking about a new invention, but it’s top secret! Everyone worries about Wallace, but Gromit will always come to the rescue.”

He will also be giving a workshop on the morning of Saturday, October 13, in the Southside Partnership building in Blackrock.

Rumour also has it that some of Aardman’s Pirates, from their recent Adventure With Scientists, may try and jump onboard the flight from Bristol to Dublin as stowaways.

He will also be giving a workshop on the morning of Saturday, October 13, in the Southside Partnership building in Blackrock.

To book a place at the workshop go to www. iloveblackrock.ie for more details.

Merlin Crossingham of Aardman will be a special guest at the Blackrock Animation Festival

4 October 2012 gazette 15

snapshot The stories of the day from around the capital

Make a joyous noise and bid for awards Diary

It’s heads or tails for charity, as Make-AWish Ireland attempts a world record for the biggest number of coins tossed simultaneously.

The charity is working in conjunction with Bank of Ireland to attempt the world record at the Aviva Stadium on October 6.

The event will be held at half time during the Leinster and Munster rugby match.

Everyone seated in the stadium will toss a coin at the same time to break the record.

All monies collected go towards helping to grant wishes to children throughout the country aged between three and 17 years.

Susan O’Dwyer, chief executive of MakeA-Wish, said: “To do this in the year where we are celebrating 20 years as a charity in

Block 3A, Mill Bank Business Park, Lucan Tel: 01 6010240 Fax: 01 6010251

Managing Director: Michael McGovern email:mmcgovern@gazettegroup.com Acting News Editor: Rob Heigh email: rheigh@gazettegroup.com Production Editor: Jessica Maile email: jmaile@gazettegroup.com Acting Sports Editor: Stephen Findlater email: sport@gazettegroup.com Picture Editor: Paul Hosford email: picturedesk@gazettegroup.com

Talented young musicians across the city are being called on to enter the 2012 Fr Frank Maher Music Awards, which aim to showcase outstanding young musical talent in Ireland.

Open to sixth year post-primary students of strings, woodwind, brass and piano, the awards present a bursary of €2,000 to the winner.

Seven finalists will be selected from the entries received by the independent adjudication panel and attend a competition night on November 7 in Castleknock College where they will perform in front of an invited audience.

The closing date to enter the Fr Frank Maher Music Scholarship Awards is Monday, October 15.

Full details, including rules and a copy of the application form, are available on www.topsecurity.ie.

Make-A-Wish make call for coin record

GazetteContacts

Advertising Manager: Louise Fitzgerald email: lfitzgerald@gazettegroup.com Advertising Production: Anita Ward email: ads@gazettegroup.com Financial Controller: Carly Lynch email: clynch@gazettegroup.com

Advertising Sales: 01 6010240 email: sales@gazettegroup.com Gazette Group Newspapers Ltd. Terms and Conditions for acceptance of advertisements

Meabh Butler, Cian Walsh, Maria Cullen and Dylan Collins from St Benildus College and St

Reserve the right to omit or suspend or alter any advertisement(s) in any of its publications. We also decline any responsibility in the event of one or more of a series of advertisements being omitted for any reason whatever, nor do we accept liability for any loss or damage caused by an error or inaccuracy in the printing of any advertisement. If your advertisement appears incorrectly, contact the Advertising Department immediately, as responsibility cannot be accepted for more than one week’s incorrect insertion. Responsibility cannot be accepted if the complaint is made more than two weeks after insertion. If one places an advertisement for more than one week and then cancels it after the first week, no refund or credit will be given for weeks cancelled. The advertiser undertakes to indemnify the Proprietors against any liability for any civil action arising out of the publication of the advertisement or any other matter printed or published in the Blanchardstown Gazette, Castleknock Gazette, Clondalkin Gazette, Dundrum Gazette, Dun Laoghaire Gazette, Lucan Gazette, Malahide Gazette and Swords Gazette. The placing of an order or contract will be deemed an acceptance of these conditions.

Raphaela’s PP in Stillorgan at the launch of the 2012 Fr Frank Maher Music awards, Ireland’s largest classical music scholarship for post-primary schools.

Ireland is a great achievement.”

For more information log onto www. makeawish.ie

Ich bin ein Oktoberfest supporter THERE is still time to experience the world famous German Oktoberfest as it continues to run at the Dublin Docklands until this Sunday.

This is the third, and final weekend of the festival which gives Irish people the chance to experience the authentic Oktoberfest.

Marquees are set up throughout George’s Dock, representative of that in the Munich Oktoberfest. There are also German markets, German food and entertainment.

Visitors will be introduced to the very best of Bavarian food and specialties from sausages, meat, pastries, Käse Alm (German mountain cheese) to German candy and gingerbread hearts.

The original Bavarian Oktoberfest is almost 200 years old and has been held in Munich, Germany since 1810. The 2012 Oktoberfest runs at the Dublin Docklands until October 7. For further information, log onto www.oktoberfest-dublin.de

Got a story?

Tell us about Your local event, Celebration Or Function Call our news team on 60 10 240 or email news@gazettegroup.com

16 gazette 4 October 2012

Gazettemusic review: the princes of pastoral pop clear the tricky second album hurdle

Mumfords muster more magic  Rob Heigh

That most worn out of phrases in the music critic’s canon, the “difficult second album”, is one that is incredibly hard to quantify. Difficult how?

If you are Oasis, you’ve enough in the bank to follow Definitely Maybe with their other good album, What’s The Story Morning Glory?

If you’re The Stone Roses, you head off into the wilderness with bags of dubious substances, more ego-inf lating reviews than most acts garner in a lifetime, and implode spectacularly, producing the occasionally mesmerising Second Coming...

If you’re Mumford and Sons... well, you do something else entirely.

Which is go out on tour, write and road-test all your new numbers in front of massive audiences worldwide as your currency explodes on the back of your horrifically catchy sing-along first album.

Then come up with the genius move of employing Arcade Fire producer Markus Dravs to bring all the dynamism and frenzy of your live shows to the studio and, hey presto, here’s Babel.

If you were expecting a complete about-face, you’re certainly going to be disappointed. In the same vein as Muse have adopted on their new

release, The 2nd Law, M&S have gone for a straightforward answer to the inevitable question, “what does it sound like?”

And that answer is, “A lot like the last one, only more so.”

No dubstep reinvention, no guest raps. no cover of Gangam Style...

Which is not that disappointing, really, when the songs are as strong and the melodies as magnetic as those that appear on these 12 tracks.

Like Sigh No More, the songs are again clearly delineated into “the quiet ones” and “the loud ones”; this time, however, notably absent of the shot-through mel-

Marcus Mumford and chums reveal their plan for world domination

ancholy that bubbled under the surface of their debut release.

There is far from a sense of fun at play in the lyrical concerns of sin and salvation, but there is a confidence and clarity in the songs that

they have been infused with by constantly being refined on stage night after night.

There is more ambient depth to the record, too, with the sense that you have just walked in on the band mid-hoedown

in a cabin somewhere, the piano rocking and the banjo being picked within an inch of its life.

The frenzied tracks bounce like a festival crowd and the slower reflections are perfectly paced so as not to be

maudlin.

If it feels at all calculating, it is, but only by virtue of the fact that this is a band who’ve found their groove and there is no reason for them to plough another furrow.

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4 October 2012 GAZETTE 25

GazetteBEAUTY Brushing up on Holly’s top tips for terrific teeth Edited by Laura Webb

S

HE has envious curves, a top presenting job and still manages to be a super mum – now, on top of all this, Holly Willoughby has become the new face of Oral-B’s premium beauty product, 3D White toothpaste.

In this week’s Gazette Beauty, we hear all about her new role, her beauty regime, and how she manages juggling a career with family life.

How do you feel about being chosen as the new face of Oral-B? I would never work with a brand I didn’t trust, and Oral-B, for me, is a brand that I am happy to be working with and have in my home for the whole family to use.

I have learnt all there is to know about teeth and oral care, and I’m very proud to be working with Oral-B. How do you fit 3D White toothpaste into your beauty regime?

During the week I’m pretty busy. I literally get up, have a shower, brush my teeth with 3D White toothpaste and whizz off on the motorbike to the TV studio.

It’s impor tant my smile looks good as I’m constantly talking on TV during interviews. I use it with my Oral-B TriZone power brush, which is so easy to use.

It feels like a manual toothbrush, but with lots of power behind it. No fuss or hassle – perfect.

What are your top beauty tips for busy mums?

• Use a tinted moisturiser – then, you can just whack it on – time is of the essence – also, curl your eyelashes.

• Heat your eyelash curlers with a hair dryer

before using them, for a really bouncy lash.

• Make sure you floss your teeth. You can have a great face with makeup, but if you have stains in between your teeth from not flossing, your smile won’t look as good as your look.

• Dry shampoo is a great beauty product to save a bit of time. It’s also great at getting a nice, beachy look to your hair.

• Eyeliner in the waterline of your upper lid – it makes your eyes look as if you’ve done full-blown make-up, but without spending any time on it.

What’s your usual beauty routine while you are filming?

Luckily, I have a makeup artist, so I don’t need to do make-up myself! I don’t put any on before I go to the studio, just a little bit of moisturiser when I’ve hopped out of the shower.

In the morning, before I leave for work (at 7.30am), I use Liz Earle in the shower, and then brush with Oral-B 3D White toothpaste to make sure my smile is on form.

What are your top tips for looking good on camera?

Two big things for me – blow-dry and false lashes – but natural looking ones. And I just use one pair, as I’m not one for layering on false lashes; they weigh my eyes down.

My hair stylist gives me a “power blow dry”, and that lasts me a couple of days.

Who is your natural beauty icon, and why?

I think Scarlett Johansson is so beautiful. Her look is really effortless, and she just exudes this beautiful confidence.

She’s got a really classic, naturally beautiful look.

Camouflage your skin’s blemishes

What beauty products can’t you live without?

Oral-B 3D W hite toothpaste, as this has really become part of my daily beauty routine.

I love having natural, whiter-looking teeth.

Plus, it looks and tastes great too. And, then, my eyelash curlers!

What’s the best tip you’ve picked up from your styling team?

Follow the eyeline of your natural lash when applying false eye lashes.

They’re very tricky to put on so, when you’ve mastered it, using that tip, you’ll nail it.

Also, when you dry your hair, before it cools down, fix it with a pin in the shape of the curl, then do your make up.

This helps set the curls.

As the new public face of Oral-B’s 3D White toothpaste, TV presenter Holly Willoughby has plenty

What’s the best beauty tip you learned from your mother?

Always wear a little bit of lipstick. It took me a long time to agree with this, but this was probably because of my mum’s choice of colours!

The right colour lipstick definitely lifts your make-up, and it’s great that there’s all these bright lippies that are in fashion now to choose from.

What do you do to stay in shape?

Not a lot, because of time. If I didn’t have a family, I’d probably do more, but I prefer to do active things with my family.

Walking with the kids and Dan, and generally being an active mum, helps me stay in shape.

How do you juggle a busy work schedule with

to smile about (above), with her gleaming teeth to the fore in this stunning beauty shot (right)

being a mum and looking so glamorous?

I don’t look glamorous at the weekend! I have my hair and make-up done in the week, so that is very fortunate, but when I’m not at work I’m very au natural.

I just put my hair up and wear minimal makeup – like most mums, I suppose!

Oral-B TriZone is available nationwide in the following variants: Trizone 600, TriZone 1000, Trizone 3000, Trizone 5000. Pricing starts from €66.49.

Oral-B 3D white toothpaste is available now in supermarkets and pharmacies nationwide, with a RRP of €4.65/75ml.

Oral-B 3D toothpaste is available now, priced €4.65

CAMOUFLAGE imperfections and blemishes with Dr Hauschka’s Pure Care Cover Stick’s newest colour (above).

Available in three shades, this nurturing spot concealer provides harmonising care for blemished skin, while concealing skin impurities and helping to clear up the complexion.

The new Pure Care Cover Stick 03 Sand is especially suitable for medium to dark skin tones. With their pleasantly cool and woody fragrance, the cover sticks complement the Dr Hauschka line of balancing care products for blemished skin.

Pure Care Cover Stick works best when used at the first sign of a blemish. The product should match the skin tone, and be gently blended. Afterwards, make-up can be applied as usual.

Cleansing tea tree and manuka oils, combined with extracts of kidney vetch and calendula, work to support the healing process – which facilitates the quick disappearance of skin impurities.

The skin care range is stocked in selected health stores, pharmacies, all Life pharmacies, McCabes@ Clery’s, Avoca and Harvey Nichols.

For details of your nearest stockist, see www.drhauschkaireland.ie.

26 GAZETTE 4 October 2012

GazetteBUSINESS

Supported

by AIB

Interview: Clodagh Bury, owner and director of Slim4Life across the city MAKING SOME SAVINGS...

THESE days everybody is trying to payless tax and sometimes the way to do this is actually staring us in the face!

Knowing what you can claim is the secret to legally paying less tax.

In this article the first of a series of articles on how to pay less tax Cathal Maxwell highlights one particular claim that is often overlooked by PAYE earners.

Tax relief for medical insurance is allowed at source by the insurance company and because it’s no longer claimable through your tax return form most people forget about it.

But what happens when your employer pays your annual medical insurance bill or a part of it on your behalf?

The Revenue have put the onus on employers to tax the payment of your medical insurance bill as a benefit in kind (BIK) when they are paying the bill for you.

If you pay tax at 41% your BIK tax will be at 41% on the amount of your gross annual medical insurance bill.

The employer has to give back to the Revenue the 20% tax relief allowed at source by the medical insurance company.

However, the individual employee is then entitled to claim the 20% personal tax relief back from the Revenue and this final step in the process is what many employees forget (because nobody tells them to!).

How much is it worth? Let’s look at an example.

In 2011 Mr Smart’s annual medical insurance costs €3,000 gross. His employer pays this on his behalf.

IncomeTax Due As Benefit-In-Kind: Collected through PAYE Tax Relief On Premium at 20% Must be claimed from Tax Office

*€1,230

€600

*Assume tax payable at 41% and ignoring PRSI In this example Mr Smart was due back €600 from the Revenue for the tax year 2011 that he never knew about.

If his employer paid his medical insurance for the past number of years the refund due could be even bigger.

Claims for the last four tax years can now be made so Mr Smart could be due a total refund of €2,400.

A nice simple way to pay less tax!  Cathal Maxwell, FCA, AITI,QFA, taxation con-

sultant, representing paylesstax.ie

WE HAVE 135,000* READERS EACH WEEK *based on standard industry measurements

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS TO OUR READERS CALL 60 10 240

Getting the skinny on slimming trade CLODAGH Bury has been working in the slimming industry for the last 10 years, and is the owner and director of Slim4Life, a slimming club that she set up in 2010.

She spoke to GazetteBusiness about setting up her business and the appeal of helping people lose weight.

“Working in the slimming industry has given me enormous pleasure. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing our members losing weight and the joy on their faces when they see their weight going down.

“I decided two years ago that I wanted to be part of a slimming agency that everyone could afford, where they didn’t have to pay big joining fees and no missedweek penalty. I wanted it to have a warm club atmosphere and not just a weigh-in service, so I decided to open my own club, and called it Slim4Life. We have a no-nonsense programme called the food pyramid and it brings us back to basics.

“In the two years since I opened Slim4life, it has has gone from strength to strength. There are now 44 clubs, and a lot of success stories. We have members that have lost over five stone, and their comments are fantastic. Long may Slim4Life continue to grow!”

For more information on your local Clodagh Bury of Slim4Life: “There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing our members losing weight and the joy on their faces.” club, contact Clodagh on 087 902 5150.

Q&A Q: How long have you been in business?

A: I’ve been in business for myself for two years

Q: What makes your business successful?

A: We are a family business and look after our clients as if they were a part of our family.

Q: What do you offer your clients that differs from your competitors?

A: The directors are hands on at our clubs, they also compose and send two motivational texts to each member of our 40 clubs each week, We are the only Irish-based slimming company which is not franchised from the UK or America

Q: How has the recession impacted your business?

A: We are down 15% on our

members but holding steady

Q: What have you changed about your business to combat the effects of the recession?

A: I personally ring each member who has not attended their club after three weeks. We offer free recipes each week and charge a very basic entry fee and still do at €6 with no joining fee or missed week unlike any of our competitors.

Q: What law or regulation would you change overnight to help your business?

A: More money being made accessible to new business ventures.

Q: How do you use social media (Facebook, Twitter or Linkedin, etc) to help your business?

A: We promote new clubs on Facebook, and it’s a great

way to create business awareness.

Dublin restaurant?

A: The Merrion Restaurant.

Q: What is your ambition for the business?

A: To grow and be available

Q: Who would your three dream dinner guests be and why?

A: Danny O’Donahue,

in each of the 32 counties, and then move to Britain and then the rest of the world.

Q: What is the best piece of business advice you ever received?

A: Speculate to accumulate, and make sure each member is given special treatment.

Q: What is your favourite thing about doing business in your local area?

A: It gives me great job satisfaction serving my neighbours and making new friends.

Q: What living person do you most admire?

A: My mother.

Q: What is your favourite

Danny O’Donahue, Danny O’Donahue, because he is a brilliant song writer and singer, just happens he is gorgeous, available and Irish.

Q: What is your most treasured possession?

A: The house I live in because it is my grandmother’s, and it has lots of memories.

Q: What is the worst job you’ve ever had?

A: Picking strawberries on summer holidays.

Q: You are on death row, what is your last meal?

A: Fillet steak, onions, mushrooms and thick-cut chips.

4 October 2012 gazette 27

Gazettehomes efficiency measures: how to think about your energy bills as costs increase

Generating a new age for homes  gerhard heyl

“Money saver”, “special offer”, “discount”...

Terms that we might have ignored a few years ago if we saw them on a billboard, but not in today’s climate.

We are all trying to economise and run our households with altered budgets. We shop around for the best value in groceries, clothing and entertainment, but what about your electricity costs?

I’m sure I’m not the only one patrolling the house after dark, turning off lights and keeping an eagle eye on the immersion.

I’m just glad we don’t have an electric shower as I think I’d be tempted to keep a stop watch running so the kids don’t spend too long in there!

Over the last few years white goods and domestic appliances have become more energy efficient. You will have noticed the

huge array of choice available now. When we go to replace an old or broken appliance, it’s not just the shape and size of a machine we look at, but the”‘rating” attached to it.

How much electricity does it consume and how much will it cost to run?

There is a saving to be made in theory by outlaying an initial investment and upgrading white goods to triple A rated appliances and bulbs to energy efficient models.

Your household equipment will be more energy efficient and you will consume less electricity, ergo a drop in your bill.

But, how realistic is this in practice?

We have seen a gradual increase in the cost of electricity and any savings made by upgrading small domestic appliances are at risk of being eroded by rising electricity costs.

Your consumption may well be lower, but you won’t recoup your initial sizable investment on new appliances.

The drive to reduce our bills becomes a vicious cycle, we strive to make our homes as efficient as possible, we turn off lights, invest in the latest energy efficient technology and in the blink of an eye, all our investment is for naught as the unit charge on our bill simply rises again and the whole cycle starts over.

If you look at it logically, the solution is clear. The only true safeguard you can have is to be in control of your own electricity generation and supply. If you can power your own home you are not at the whim of the electricity company’s latest price hike.

Micro-generation can help you get there. The ability to generation a reliable, clean, free source of electricity for

your home is the way forward.

Renewable solutions like photovoltaic (PV) solar panels are a cost effective way to ensure you can be in charge of your electricity costs for the next 30 years or more. These lightweight, quality panels can be installed in a day and are extremely cost effective.

The PV panels are surface mounted on your roof so even if you move house, you can take them with you, making them an ideal solution for the domestic and commercial market alike.

Gerhard Heyl is the managing director of established building contracting firm HSLC. In a new venture launching this autumn, Gerhard will be rolling out a programme of PV installations.

See www.pvgreenenergysavings.ie for more information.

Or call Gerhard on 087 774 9470/041 98 88960 , or email: info@greenenergysavings.ie

Photovoltaic cells may be one method of making some energy savings

28 GAZETTE 4 October 2012

GazetteMOTORS RoadSigns Mazda CX-5 gets a What Car? Trophy EARLIER this year, before its Irish launch, the Mazda CX-5 crossover was featured on the Gazette motoring pages when it was released in Vienna.

The all-new vehicle has added the What Car? Green SUV 2012 title to its trophy cabinet. “The Mazda CX-5 offers an extraordinary amount of car for the price,” said What Car? editor-in-chief Chas Hallett at the awards ceremony held at The Imagination Gallery in London last month. “As well as great fuel economy and low emissions, it has loads of standard equipment, plenty of passenger space and an elevated seating position.

The flexible seating can also be folded flat in a second for easy loading.”

Keep an eye on the Gazette motoring pages for a full review in the coming weeks.

Today’s Beetle transfers the styling of the original Beetle and the 1998 new Beetle into a sportier, more masculine era

The Mazda CX-5

SKODA OFFERS A CHANCE TO JOIN THEIR CLUB: SKODA is all about quality and value and the new My Skoda Loyalty Programme has just been launched which offers Skoda owners the chance to be part of a very exclusive club.

The My Skoda Loyalty Programme is about one thing – rewarding Skoda owners for their loyalty.

Skoda have developed a plan so that Skoda owners can visit their local authorized retailer and enjoy fantastic rewards.

The My Skoda Loyalty Programme is now available for free to all new and existing Skoda drivers.

Taking the form of a card, which owners can apply for by visiting www.mySkoda.

ie/join, the card offers Skoda drivers a wide range of benefits, including free vehicle health checks and discounts on vehicle services at their local Skoda retailer.

It also provides them with access to exclusive dining, travel, and shopping offers, designed to deliver an even more rewarding experience to customers.

My Skoda Loyalty Card also allows Skoda drivers to earn points with each service at their local Skoda retailer. The points are then redeemable against the purchase of a new car.

All Skoda motorists can request a My Skoda Loyalty Card by registering online at www.mySkoda.ie/join or at Skoda retailers nationwide.

VW launches a new 21st century Beetle VOLKSWAGEN Ireland has launched the 21st century Beetle into a market breathless with anticipation.

One of the three most successful cars ever sold, selling 21.5 million units (first generation). The Beetle is the symbol of the Volkswagen brand.

It links the emotional heritage of the “Original Volkswagen” to the future of Volkswagen.

With excellent product characteristics, the 21st century Beetle has shed its niche vehicle tag and rekindled the spirit of the “people’s car” by providing an emotional, sporty and practical everyday driving experience starting from €19,995.

More affordable and more accessible to a new generation of motorists compared with many of the cars in its class, this third-generation model will appeal to the Irish

public to fall in love with an automotive icon all over again.

Today’s Beetle transfers the styling of the original Beetle and the 1998 new Beetle into a sportier, more masculine era. Following the design DNA of the Volkswagen brand, the 21st Century Beetle demonstrates this through its styling lines, extended bonnet, sharply swept back windscreen and longer wheelbase.

Commenting on the vehicle, John Donegan, brand director of Volkswagen Ireland, said: “Irish motorists have always had affection for the Beetle and we believe this third generation model will set pulses racing amongst hardcore Beetle aficionados and with a new crop of Beetle lovers. The Beetle has always held a special relationship with Ireland, this unique relationship

can be traced right back to the fact that the first ever Beetle assembled outside of Germany took place on the Shelbourne Road in Dublin.

“From the 50s right up to the late 70s, Beetles were assembled in Ireland and this coincided with the car’s most popular era both as a symbol of counter culture and then more mainstream thanks to the adventures of Herbie.”

The new Beetle offers plenty of space for four and lots of luggage. The boot can handle up to 905 litres of space, there is the option of a panoramic tilt/slide sunroof and music lovers can opt for a 400-watt Fender sound system – recently named audio system of the year in the USA. Premium optional features also include Bluetooth technology, keyless access with push-button

start, leather seating surfaces and BI-XENON headlights and LED daytime running lights.

Under the bonnet, new to the range will be a 1.6-litre 105bhp diesel engine with emissions of just 113g/km, capable of 1,279km on a single tank, enough to travel from Dublin, to Cork, to Galway, to Belfast, to Dublin and back to Cork again!

For those looking for a little more aggression from their Beetle there is the superb 1.4 TSI – a twin charger. The 160bhp petrol engine is twin charged by a turbocharger and a supercharger, allowing blistering performance of 0-100km/h in just 8.3 seconds yet real-world fuel economy of 6.2 l.100km and CO2 emissions of 143g/km.

The range starts with a 1.2 105bhp TSI engine with emissions of 129g/ km and capable of return-

ing 5.61 l/100km for just €19,995. The 1.6-litre 105bhp TDI diesel starts from €21,995 and the 1.4-litre TSI twin charger with 160bhp starts from €26,320. At the top of the range is the 2.0-litre TDi 140bhp diesel, which still has low emissions of just 129/km, this starts at €27,805. The 1.2-litre TSI, 1.6-litre TDI, 1.4-litre TSI and 2.0-litre are all available with the excellent DSG double-clutch gearbox.

John Donegan concludes: “For all intents and purposes the Beetle has grown up. All that was eye-catching about the icon has been retained and refined with cutting edge modern driving technology.

Now we have an agile, driver-orientated coupe that offers exceptional features and premium options, all at very competitive pricing.”

4 October 2012 gazette 29

Edited by Cormac Curtis

safety: tomtom helps keeps hands on the wheel

Get a handsfree kit for your phone Tr a d i t i o n a lly, motorists had very few options when it came to good hands-free kits for their mobile phones.

Especially modern smart phones.

The best kits tended to be of the built-in variety, and they brought their own set of frustrations when it came to two-car families, or indeed people like myself, who drive different cars almost every week.

There is now a real leap forward in mobile phone hands-free kits for smart phones in the shape of TomTom’s Hands Free Car Kit for smartphones.

This kit is easily mounted, secures in seconds and moves from one car to another with great ease.

It features the highest quality audio for loud and clear hands-free calling and navigation.

The new car kit features an advanced noise and echo cancellation system, which dramatically reduces background noise for the caller and removes ambient noise for the driver.

New mounting options make smartphone use on the move safer and more convenient. The newly designed car kit has an adjustable grip to fit any smartphone with or without its cover. An extendable microphone can be

clipped to the sun visor to ensure conversations are louder and clearer.

“The new car kit has been designed for safety and convenience,” said Corinne Vigreux, of TomTom. “With fantastic audio quality and new mounting options, we are making it easier and safer for drivers to make calls and use navigation applications on the move.

With advanced new features, our aim is to help drivers keep their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road.”

The TomTom Hands Free Car Kit comes in two versions to support iPhone and micro USB compatible smartphones such as Android phones with the possibility to automatically pair two mobile devices simultaneously. When connected via Bluetooth, voice recognition functionality can be activated; enabling drivers to navigate and dial without taking their hands from the wheel.

The TomTom HandsFree Car Kit for iPhone or Smartphone is available in selected retail stores and from the www.tomtom.com\smartphone and priced at €99.95.

The TomTom HandsFree Car Kit for iPhone with Western EU navigation app is priced at €149.95

RoadSigns

The Land Rover Double Cab Pick-up

2012 Paris Motor Show celebrates Bond … James Bond

TomTom’s Hands Free Car Kit for smartphones has an adjustable grip to fit any smartphone with or without its cover

The hands-free car kit offers drivers:  Sound boost – An in-built 2 watt speaker means that drivers can hear hands-free calls and navigation instructions loud and clear.  Extendable microphone – The microphone can be brought closer to the driver for clearer conversations.  Noise and echo cancellation – Cancels out background noise so drivers can have even clearer conversations.

Dual phone connection – Connects two phones simultaneously.  Fast charging – Fast charges the driver’s phone on the go.

 Dual mounting system – Drivers can choose to mount their device on the dashboard or the windscreen.

It includes a self-adhesive disc that allows use of the suction mount on the dash or centre console.

 Voice menu and spoken instructions – Drivers can connect their phone easily using the voice menu and spoken instructions.

 Easy-reach answer and reject buttons – Answer and reject calls, even when the phone isn’t mounted.

Last weekend, Jaguar Land Rover celebrated 50 years of James Bond at the 2012 Paris Motor show by displaying one of the Land Rover Defenders used in Albert R. Broccoli’s upcoming release, Skyfall. The motor show welcomed the Double Cab Pick-up, driven in the opening sequence by field agent Eve (played by Naomie Harris).

Jaguar Land Rover provided a total of 77 vehicles to the Skyfall production, including the Land Rover Defender, Range Rover and Jaguar XJ for use both on-screen and as production support vehicles.

Speaking at Pinewood Studios, where Bond was filmed, co-producer Andrew Noakes, a veteran of 11 James Bond films, said: “Bond is quintessentially British and Jaguar and Land Rover are two of the most established and globally recognised British brands, so it was a natural step for us to involve them in the film.”

Alongside Daniel Craig as James Bond, the cast includes: Dame Judi Dench, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes, Bérénice Marlohe, Naomie Harris, Ben Whishaw and Albert Finney.

Global brand director for Land Rover John Edwards said: “Land Rover is extremely proud to be associated with the new James Bond film Skyfall. The iconic Land Rover Defender is recognised around the world for its rugged appeal and the Range Rover is the pinnacle of SUV luxury and capability. Both vehicles are renowned as examples of excellence in British design and engineering.”

Adrian Hallmark, global brand director for Jaguar, said: “The Jaguar XJ is the most advanced technological vehicle that Jaguar currently produces. Constructed out of aluminium, its chassis is lightweight yet immensely strong allowing the car to blend responsive handling with effortless cruising over long distances. The XJ benefits from the very latest generation of entertainment and comfort technologies, and together with its award winning design, creates a unique combination of luxury, technology and performance which is unparalleled.”

30 gazette 4 October 2012

GazetteTravel FastTravel Loosening up and chilling out at this heavenly spa Shake off the winter blues with a quick sunshine break to the Mediterranean sun and sea

AFTER a disappointing Irish “summer” and the return to school well of of the way, now is the perfect time to plan a quick sunshine break. There’s nothing like looking forward to a bit of Mediterranean warmth to shake off the winter blues!

Located on Spain’s Costa del Sol, and open all year round, Sunset Beach Club offers the best of both worlds, by combining comfortable accommodation in one-bedroom apartments, with complete hotel services and facilities.

This popular four-star resort-hotel is the ideal place to stay, located directly on the seafront of Benalmadena Costa, just 20 minutes from Malaga airport (taxi transfer costs approximately €28).

n jessica maile

A Sunset Beach Club apartment

In fact, if you leave Dublin early morning, you should arrive in plenty of time for lunch, perhaps followed by a Spanish siesta! Sunset Beach Club enjoys a friendly ambience all year round, and their entertainment programme continues in the winter time with daily organised activities for all ages and regular live music in the evenings.

Guests can also book an excursion, some golf or a game of bowls through the leisure desk, or if you prefer, why not simply relax with a good book by the pool or on the nearby beach. Sunset Beach Club promises that your winter sun holiday can be as action-packed or relaxed as you wish and is ideal for couples or families alike.

A one-bedroom exterior apartment is suitable for up to four persons sharing, with one twin bedroom and one double sofa bed, and the Sunset Beach Club is priced from just €54 per apartment per night. Prices available from November 2012 until March 2013, with additional supplements applied at Easter and New Year.

For more information or to book online, visit www.sunsetbeachclub.com. Email booking@ sunsetbeachclub.com or phone +34 952 579.

A view of a golf course and the mountains

SOMETIMES new modern features, such as the M3 motorway, make you realise places like Co Cavan are only a short drive away. And that’s a good thing because it will lead you to the Radisson Blu Farnham Estate Hotel in no time at all!

When you are going to visit a Radisson Blu Hotel, you have a certain vision in mind of what you should expect; a gorgeous hotel with plenty of amenities and courteous, helpful staff.

And that’s what you get when you enter the gateway to the almost 400-year-old, 1,300-acre Farnham Estate.

You could also be mistaken for thinking you have driven back in time, maybe even into a Bronte novel.

As you wind your way b e t we e n m a n i c u r e d greens and fairways of the golf course, you realise how large the Farnham Estate really is.

In the distance you get the first view of the manor house and then the modern addition whose architecture blends well with the statuesque older building.

It is a perfect marriage of future and past. The rooms and facades of the original buildings sit perfectly with the newer features in this 21st century

luxury hotel.

Farnham Estate houses such large windows that you never feel far away from nature. There are ancient redwoods, cedar, copper beech and Scots pine, as well as amazing views of Farnham Lake.

There are plenty of activities at the Farnham Estate to suit everyone’s tastes. Whilst cycling, walking and golf are attractive pursuits to consider, my weekend was all about the spa.

Before I got myself ready for an evening of dinner and drinks, I thought it was best to take time to slowly unwind and try all the facilities available.

Oasis T he Radisson Blu Farnham Estate is one of Ireland’s most popular spa retreats and I certainly found out why! It’s an oasis set in the heart of the hotel.

After a relaxing and healthy lunch in the spa’s Pear Tree restaurant, I made my way to an impressive choice of thermal suites and aroma steam baths to let my aches and pains disappear into the mist and steam.

I sampled the Aroma Steam Bath, the drier heat of the Finnish sauna and the gentle heat of the Laconium.

For a break from the

heat, the Snail showers and ice fountain allowed me to freshen up and keep cool.

Finally, it was time for the Infinity swimming pool. This cleverly designed hydro swimming pool has so many features made just for me, from floating around in the warmth of the pool, to sitting down as the spa bubbles loosened my shoulders even more.

There is something quite wonderful about swimming out through a small gap in the large window and finding yourself swimming outside in the open air.

The smooth transition from an indoor to an outdoor pool is quite amazing.

There are very few times in your life when you can get in a pool, make your way outside to look out at an amazingly lush countryside and then swim right back in again.

When the rain decided to drop, it only added to the experience. The warmth of the water kept me comfortable as the freshness of the outside air invigorated my senses.

After a perfect day unwinding, the evening promised to be very entertaining yet still relaxing. The soft hum of conversation from my fellow guests made

for pleasant listening as we settled down for our evening meal in the Botanica Restaurant.

The deconstructed Caesar salad washed down with a glass of wine, began a night of gourmet treats.

It was hard to choose from the menu as the fillet of Irish beef looked so appetising, but, in the end, the rump of Irish lamb won my heart.

My literacy skills cannot do the lamb, slowbraised shoulder pie and minted pea any justice, only that you have to try it for yourself.

Romantic

With a satisfied belly, it was time to retire to the bar. And with this being the Farnham Estate, it was far from ordinary.

The Wine Goose Cellar is a cavernous place.

While couples huddled together in romantic snugs, groups enjoyed themselves around large, long tables.

T he sense of history returned as the bar’s brick vaulted ceilings had a history all to themselves. The joyful live music from the band wafted through the air in this unique cellar bar.

The dim lights and the relaxed atmosphere gave me the chance to relax and enjoy a few drinks before that big, soft bed in my luxurious room

A reception room at the

called. When I did settle down for the night, it was really for the night.

It might not seem like a huge deal, but an uninterrupted sleep in a hotel room is not easy to come by and is crucial when you crave total relaxation.

Guests were very considerate and there were no late night antics out in the hallways.

Relaxation

A f ter an excellent night’s sleep, I devoured my scrumptious breakfast that was delivered right to my door and then made my way back to the spa for my beauty treatments.

My two hours in the spa were nothing short of heaven. The staff were very welcoming and took the time to learn about my skin and my lifestyle habits and explained which treatments suited

4 October 2012 CASTLEKNOCK gazette 31

Edited by Natalie Burke

TravelBriefs Atlantis The Palm Hotel and Resort

Immerse yourself in sumptuous sophisticated delights of Dubai FROM desert oases, unspoiled beaches, camel races to top-class shopping, avant-garde architecture and cuisine, Dubai has more than enough to satisfy travellers. Spend five nights B&B in the five-star Atlantis The Palm from just €1,099 per person. Immerse yourself in the water themed amusements, extensive fresh and salt-water pools and lagoon exhibits, luxury boutiques and an endless stretch of beach. The price includes return flights leaving Dublin on November 24, 2012, accommodation and taxes and charges. Prices are based on two adults and one child. From €1,539 per person, spend four nights at the five-star The Palace at the One and Only Royal Mirage, on a B&B basis which is set on its own private beach, with waterfalls, gardens and Arabian Palace style rooms. Travelling from Dublin on March 2, 2013. The price includes flights, accommodation, taxes and charges based on two adults sharing. Please visit www.travelmood.ie, or phone 01-4331020.

Radisson Blu Farnham Estate Hotel in Co Cavan

my needs. I enjoyed the 120 minute Secret de Beaute, which included a full body exfoliation treatment, a Yon’ka Hydralessence facial and nourishing foot mask.

Did I say it was heaven?

I have been to my share of spas, but my two hours there were some of the best, ever. It does live up to its title of one of Ireland’s top spa retreats.

After my spa experience, I could have easily drifted back to my room for a nap and I found myself wishing I could stay just one more night!

Overnight stays begin from €199 per room, bed and breakfast.

For reservations or for further details and to book treatments and packages in the health spa, please contact the spa on 049 4377700 or email info.farnham@ radissonblu.com.

The impressive exterior of the Radisson Blu Farnham Estate Hotel

A thermal suite area in the spa

A bedroom suite at the hotel

The outdoor part of the Infinity pool on the estate

32 BLANCH GAZETTE 4 October 2012

GazetteENTERTAINMENT

GoingOUT THE PAVILION THEATRE 01 231 2929 Darren Shan

THERE’S plenty of life in the zombie genre for children, so to speak, with popular author Darren Shan providing plenty of spooky chills in his latest book, Zom-B. Suitable for children aged 11 and up, Darren will star at a guest discussion of his latest work at the Pavilion on Saturday, October 6, as part of the DLR Library Voices Series.

Staged as part of the DLR Children’s Book Festival, children are invited to come along at 2pm, with tickets priced at €5.

MILL THEATRE 01 296 9340 Cause & Effect

IF YOU’VE ever wanted to help decide a show’s outcome – this is for you, with Cause & Effect relying heavily on audience interaction to bring its zany improv art to life. The first half of the show will see an audience member become a key character, while the second half will see the Herewego Theatre cast act out the audience’s chosen characters, where anything could happen! Catch Cause & Effect nightly at 8.15pm this Friday, October 5 and Saturday, October 6, with tickets priced at €10/€12.

CIVIC THEATRE 01 462 7477 The Brendan Boyer Show

THE legendary Bredan Boyer needs no introduction to his many showband music fans, with the legacy of the singer to the fore in this concert’s celebration of his music. The man who invited the world to “do the Hucklebuck” invites you to help celebrate the very best of his showband hits, with his inimitable songs sure to delight fans. Billed as a concert show of pure nostalgia, catch Brendan and his band, and a special guest, on Sunday, October 7 at 8pm, with tickets priced at €25/€23 conc.

DRAIOCHT 01 885 2622 Underage Band Nights

CONTINUING its series of giving young musicians and bands the chance to get out there and show what they can do, Draiocht is set to host another in its popular Underage Band Nights. With the aim of highlighting and promoting the talents of under-18 musicians and singers, as well as showcasing their talents to friends, family and other aspiring musicians, the night is set to be a great showcase of some up-and-coming talents. Catch the acts on Friday, October 5 at 7.30pm, with tickets priced at €5.

Although, of course, Mavis (Gomez) likes hanging out with dad-cula (Sandler), she’s something of a bored ghoul, hanging out with a bunch of lifeless monsters at the family’s otherworldly hotel in Transylvania. When some fresh blood arrives (courtesy of a lost American backpacker), the Count gets his cape in a twist, trying to cope with the annoying human’s habits – and, more worryingly, Mavis’ interest to leave home ...

Little ghoul grows up Dads will sympathise with Dracula’s over-protective nature as his little darling (age: 118) wants to leave home  ROB HEIGH

REVIEWING movies can be a fangless task.

It’s all about avoiding the howlers and picking through the grotesque and bizarre to find something not monstrous that will appeal to all GazetteMovies fans ...

Adam Sandler is responsible for some hilarious comedies over the years, but also some of the worst things committed to the silver screen in living memory.

Fortunately, Hotel Transylvania , which has been in gestation for some six years, focuses on the things that he was the best at at the start of his career – the story, and the funny.

The story is straightforward enough – Count Dracula has created a

FILM OF THE WEEK: Hotel Translyvania  (PG) 91 mins Director: Genndy Tartakovsky Starring: Adam Sandler, Selena Gomez, Steve Buscemi, CeeLo Green, Kevin James, Andy Samberg, stock Hollywood monsters Not starring: Sesame Street’s Count, sadly

OUR VERDICT:

DRAC’S back – and his latest bite at the big screen sees him starring alongside his little-known daughter, err, Mavis. From here, it’s an interesting take of what life’s like as a “monster”, with Hotel Transylvania providing a welcome respite from pesky humans with pitchforks and so on. Not exactly the freshest premise, there’s still plenty here to sink your teeth into ...

hotel/sanctuary for all the ghouls and monsters familiar to anyone who loves the horror genre – Frankenstein’s monster and his Bride, the Wolfman, the Mummy, Quasimodo, and so on – when they have had enough of the human world.

It’s also a playground for his beloved little girl, Mavis, who is growing up and is keen to escape the shackles of home and go off into the world.

So, when Jonathan,

an archetypal American backpacker, thinks he’s arrived at an out of the way hostel, and Mavis falls for him, Drac’s plans to hang onto his little girl a little while longer start to go awry.

There is a fine pedigree of talent behind the microphones, and behind the scenes. The voice talent here, led by Sandler, includes David Spade, Steve Buscemi, Jon Lovitz, Andy Samberg and Selina Gomez, hav-

ing a ball with the script from comedy veterans Robert Smigel (Saturday Night Live, The Wedding Singer) and Peter Baynham (Borat, Arthur Christmas).

Overseeing it all is animation hero Genndy Tartorofsky – a name you might not know, but you will know his work if you’ve been near a TV screen on a Saturday morning in the last decade or so, thanks to his iconic work on The Powerpuff Girls, Samurai Jack and Dexter’s Laboratory.

Although the movie is stylistically light years away from his unique 2D style, there is still a playful and iconic style to the design.

The hugely inflated expectations of modern audiences can leave you let down by a lot of mov-

ies – ParaNorman, for example, proved to be less than the sum of its parts, and was a bit of a disappointment.

Perhaps we’ve been spoiled by the high standards of Pixar, and the sophistication of young audiences has pushed the bar higher still.

But, fortunately, Hotel Transylvania takes a premise full of promise and runs with it. With gags a-plenty using the tropes of the horror characters, who choose to take a break from the human realm in the Count’s getaway location, as well as a solid tale about the relationship between parents and their children, the movie tells a good story well and has fun with it along the way.

Go and see this movie – you can fang me later.

4 October 2012 CASTLEKNOCK Gazette 33

GazetteGaming Bytesandpieces Almost 100 staff lose Dublin jobs

The just-released PlayStation 3 Slim is certainly a stylish-looking beast, with its eye-catching design, coupled with some aggressive

UNFORTUNATELY, as previously reported, games developer PopCap have indeed decided to close their Dublin offices, with 96 layoffs resulting from the restructuring decision.

Although Ireland continues to see some inward investment from certain wings of interested games developers and publishers – just look to Electronic Arts’ recent announcement of a lot of new jobs for its Galway support centre – it’s still terrible news for those affected.

For all of its worth, the gaming sector has always been particularly uncertain at the best of times.

However, PopCap are providing support for those at its Dublin studio, so best of luck to everyone affected there in moving on to something else.

storage options (to maximise Sony’s intention of making the PS3 a key all-round home entertainment system) more than capable of seeing it land in even more homes around the key autumn/winter, and Christmas, periods

A Slim success for Sony  shane dillon

IT’S been a while since I had anything on Sony, so, as a non-partisan gamer, I feel obliged to tug my forelock and offer an apology.

I tend to cover more X b o x- r e l a t e d s t u f f because, frankly, it’s easier for me to preview and access that content, but, of course, both consoles, and companies, offer excellent choice for gamers.

They both have their own strengths – and weaknesses – with excellent platform-specific titles and franchises that make it impossible to say which is a “better” platform for gamers.

You may as well try debating whether apples or bananas are the “better” fruit.

Sony is in the same

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

‘The PS3 recently had a facelift, with a smaller and slimmer model (with a gorgeous design) just released’

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

boat as Microsoft at the moment – both are sitting at opposite ends, avoiding eye contact, while they bide their time for just a little while longer, as the run-up to Christmas, and early 2013, sees some terrific titles available jointly, or exclusively, for each console.

Perhaps aware that the PlayStation 3 isn’t quite a spring chicken any

more, with its sixth birthday around the corner, and with the continuing march of manufacturing and computing developments, the PS3 recently had a facelift, with a smaller and slimmer model, the PlayStation 3 Slim (with a gorgeous design) just released, with a 500GB model available, and a 12GB version soon to hit stores.

It’s a practical step by Sony, with the PS3 redesign as the Slim something to be relied upon to give a sales bounce, heading into the lucrative – and crucial – Christmas markets, with several strong cards in Sony’s suit yet to be played.

While Microsoft get a lot of media coverage through its suites of business and leisure software, and with Nintendo having its strongest media

coverage for some years with the upcoming release of its next console, Sony have obviously put their thinking caps on to reassess how to engage with gamers even further.

A redesigned “main” console alone won’t do it, but it’s certainly a help.

For example, its recently released handheld hasn’t particularly helped Sony further eat into gaming.

I’m not sure who’s buying its Vita handheld, but, personally, after extensive travelling this year, I’ve yet to see just one on the ground in other countries, at airports, and so on.

However, aggressive marketing, of the type which once helped to propel Sony from being “just” a technology firm to being indisputably behind the coolest con-

sole – at the time – could help Sony to take back some of the ground that it’s lost in recent years.

It shares at least one thing with Microsoft – both seemed unprepared for the surprise explosion in mobile gaming, which has seen people who’d never class themselves as “gamers” having no issue, say, paying €0.79 or €2.39 to download games to their IOS-driven handhelds, or other platforms.

The next year should be very interesting for Sony’s gamers, investors and analysts, with the PS3 redesign, and some terrific titles (such as the incredible looking postapocalyptic title, The Last Of Us) ready to give another boost to one of gaming’s two titans, still slugging it out for the title of top dog.

It’s time to be a Bad Piggie and roll to the finish line

Say Halo to an exclusive interview

WHILE not exactly about to go bust, due to there being about a bazillion and one people playing Angry Birds around the world – and buying merchandise, its maker, Roxio, can’t keep milking its birds forever.

For example, its recent release of Amazing Alex (its first non-Angry Birds title) barely made a flap in the charts, unlike those blasted birds.

NEXT week, I have an exclusive full page special on the upcoming early November release of key Xbox 360 title, Halo 4.

Last weekend, I was in Madrid for an extensive handson Halo 4 preview.

Not only that, but I also interviewed Frank

And so, we come to its next game that’s a little like a cross between the two aforementioned titles, Bad Piggies.

Here, gamers are tasked to build unlikely contraptions to carry said pigs to each stage’s finish, where their contraption’s design will be either an inspired success – or a crashing, crumbling catastrophe.

Fusing the familiar art

style and characterisation of those pigs (below, right) in that game, with the tinkering found in Alex’s world, it’s an interesting – if not exactly revolutionary – sidestep for the franchise.

Available for IOS platforms, at present, here’s your chance to try being very good at being bad ...

O’Connor, franchise development director for the Halo franchise at 343 Industries, and all-round nice guy.

My exclusive interview with such a key Halo head honcho is definitely something any gamer won’t want to miss. So, say Halo to that exclusive in-depth interview, and preview feedback, in next week’s Gazette …

iPhone 5 sales failed to impress POOR old Apple. Even though they sold five million iPhone 5s in the first three days of trading, it seems that wasn’t enough to appease analysts – despite being the world’s most valuable company, its shares tumbled by more than $10 in early trading, due to what must have been seen as “disappointing” sales by various Wall Street types. However, with Christmas around the corner, and new markets opening up, Apple can surely be expected to bound back from such “poor” sales ...

GAZETTE

34 CASTLEKNOCK GAZETTE 4 October 2012

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4 October 2012 CASTLEKNOCK gazette 35

american dream: Dublin’s hockey stars snapped up by US Colleges: Page 28

cricket: local players shine with bat and ball in annual staffordshire event

Leinster U-15 stars just pipped to title

by Cheshire side

 sport@gazettegroup.com

THE Leinster Under15 boy’s cricket squad enjoyed a successful visit to Wolverhampton recently as they participated in the Staffordshire Youth Cricket Tournament.

They recorded four wins out of five during the festival week, with a narrow loss to Cheshire costing them the title in the final reckoning. They enjoyed wins over Cumbria, Norfolk,

Staffordshire and Lincolnshire. Between the Interprovincial and the Wolverhampton tournament, 23 players were used which reflects the depth of cricketers at this age-group in the province.

Among them were Malahide’s Cameron Shoebridge, Phoenix’s Eoin Cleere and Marc Gibson-McKenna while there was a trio of North County players in the panel – Kashif Ali, Brian Smyth and Ross Staun-

ton, They started the campaign with a six wicket win over Norfolk with Ali (2-16) and Fiachra Tucker (2-19) producing fine spells. Balbriggan’s Nathan Rooney fired 58 with Smyth clipping 37 not out to see the side home with 12 overs to spare.

Smyth then hit 61 in the defeat of Cumbria as Leinster made 221-6 before restricting the opposition to 114-8 from their allotted 45 overs,

Leinster captain Danny Hogan is presented with a shield at the Staffordshire youth cricket tournament

Tom Stanton’s spell producing an excellent 3-8.

Cheshire, though, got the better of Leinster on day three, running up 157-8 and the Irish side fell 31 runs short in response.

T hey got back on track with a 19-run win over Staffordshire and

closed out the competition with a 75-run win over Lincolnshire to tie at the top of the table with Cheshire.

Having received the same amount of bonus points, though, Cheshire were awarded the overall title by virtue of more wickets taken.

Smyth ended as the leading run scorer for Leinster with 191 runs at an average of 63.

Tucker was the province’s leading wicket taker with nine wickets at a miserly average of 9.5 runs per wicket.

Indeed, he was named the bowler of the tour-

nament as he picked up the Peter Jones Bowling Award. His controlled leg spin impressed many seasoned watchers on the boundary.

Te r e n u r e ’s D a n ny Hogan ably led the team, setting imaginative and attacking fields throughout the week.

36 CASTLEKNOCK Gazette 4 October 2012

GazetteSport FastSport

hockey: local stars making waves at us universities

Aisling Naughton, centre, celebrates with her University of Michigan team mates as she has made a bright start to her college career

Castleknock to run Whitle Collar event THIRTY of Castleknock CLG’s finest will step into the ring on December 1 for the first Castleknock-Out night.

The white collar boxing event will be held in the Wright Venue in Swords with buses organised for travel to and from the venue for what looks set be a great night.

Tickets will be on sale very soon so keep it in your diaries.

To fill the bill, the club is looking for club members willing to take part in the main event.

All boxers will be matched by age, height and weight so a fair fight will be arranged.

Full headgear will be worn for the fight which will consist of three two-minute rounds on the night.

All who sign up will be given six weeks training by former professional and Olympic boxers in the National Stadium’s high performance gym Boxers of all ages and from all areas of the club are welcome to make for a diverse fightcard on the night with female members also encouraged to put their names forward.

If interested or you want to volunteer somebody, get in touch with Paul Hughes, Gerry Kelly, Finbar Brady or Paul Warnock and they will be able to give you all the info about the event.

This will raise much needed funds for the new clubhouse.

The American dream  stephen findlater sport@gazettegroup.com

IRISH hockey waved goodbye to some of its brightest female prospects in the past few months as the trickle of talent heading to America has turned into a flood.

In recent times, the country’s hockey players have been exploring opportunities within the sport. The majority of the Irish men’s squad currently play semi-professionally in the Dutch, German and Belgian leagues, while the women are now taking the chance to experience student life in the United States.

Omagh’s Ireland international forward Megan Frazer was the first of the current crop to be lured on scholarship in 2009, winning consecutive allAmerican titles with the University of Maryland

as well as being named as the country’s best student hockey player last year.

College recr uiters have since awoken to the opportunity to give Irish girls used to playing a low-profile sport in their spare time the chance to experience the buzz, crowds and media attention that come with collegiate sport in America, as well as putting hockey front and centre in their lives.

The result is that 16 starlets — most of who have previously been involved with Ireland at U-18 or U-21 level — have opted to follow the American dream, 11 of them are heading over as freshers this year.

From that number, many hail from south Dublin. They include Deirdre Duke (formerly of Alexandra College), Emma Russell (Loreto,

Dalkey), Orla Macken (Rathdown) , Gillian Pinder and Hayley Sarratt (both St Andrew’s), while former Hermes player Liz McInerney and Loreto Beaufort graduate Trish O’Dwyer travelled over a year earlier.

There are also three former Mount Anville players in situ with Lisa McCarthy and Aisling Naughton taking up impressive scholarships, following in the footsteps of Sinead Loughran who has been at University of North Carolina for the past three years.

And Naughton – who was part of the Ireland U-21 panel earlier this year – enthusiastically explained to GazetteSport that it has been one of the most exciting times for her hockey career since taking up an offer from University of Michigan.

A tireless attacker, Naughton has scored three times in her first nine outings and has already been named in the Big Ten freshman line-up, adapting quickly to her new surroundings, one which is a world away from Dublin’s lowkey scene.

“Each game is like a showcase with over 350 people watching,” she said. “It’s a really great experience as the crowd do go crazy and cheer throughout the game. It’s much more of an event and they create a great atmosphere.

“It’s like we are treated like professionals. When I first arrived, they had a custom-made face mask for defensive penalty corners. It shows how well we are treated.”

Such perks are simply not affordable on the Irish scale and while

some Irish coaches have expressed concerns about the standard of play on offer, Naughton says that she reckons it should not have a negative impact on her career.

“I wasn’t sure what it would be like coming over here but there are a couple of players who are training with the US international squad.

“It will always be a concern that we might be forgotten about [by the national coaches].

But what does help is that there are 10 more of us over here. No selector can ignore that amount of potentially good players.”

Next on the agenda for Naughton is a battle against North-Western University, where she will be in direct opposition to McCarthy, her best friend from school days as the season builds to a crescendo in October.

4 October 2012 CASTLEKNOCK gazette 37

DublinGazetteNewspapers golf: doran and moynihan on top form 2012 Dublin sports awards september winners

H STARof theMONTH catherine walsh swords woman Catherine Walsh was one of the Irish stars of the Paralympic Games as she, in tandem with Fran Meehan, won a silver and bronze medal in the track and road cycling events, respectively, to add another chapter to an already glittering career across a number of sporting disciplines

TEAMof theMONTH castle golf club NINETY-NINE years since their last success, Rathfarnham’s Castle golf club finally ended their long wait for an Irish Senior Cup success in fine style as they took glory this month in Kinsale, getting the better of Warrenpoint in the final, their ninth victory en route to the title throughout the summer.

TEAM ethic was very much the motto of the month as the tail-end of summer saw club and county produce some magnificent performances, highlighted by the Dublin minor hurlers and footballers.

Inspired by their efforts, many clubs around the city found their trophy cabinets bolstered while others moved a couple of steps closer to such glory.

As such, all three individual nominees for the September Star of the

Month award owed a lot to teamwork in many respects with eventual winner Catherine Walsh working with her pilot Fran Meehan in the Paralympic cycling event.

For Castle golf club, they reached the pinnacle of the Irish club golfing scene as they completed an incredible run of nine successive wins in the Irish Senior Cup to add the national title to the provincial one they pinned down a month earlier.

Donabate’s Pat Doran shot a spectacular final round to earn a playoff shot at the British Senior’s strokeplay

Local duo shoot top rounds  sport@gazettegroup.com

DONABATE’S Pat Doran fired a sensational one-under par 74 to tie for the lead and then lost out at the second tiehole at the British Senior Women’s Strokeplay at Hunstanton, last week.

Katherine Russell (Royal Ashdown Forest), making her debut in the championship at the age of 51, won the title with a conceded par four at the 18th hole after the first tie hole was halved

in bogey. Doran had to settle for second place for the second successive year.

Earlier Doran had birdied five of the last 10 holes to jump from sixth to a tie for first place and force extra time. Helen Jones (Royal Portrush) had started the day one behind Spanish leader Rocio Ruiz de Velasco but slipped back to the pack after a disappointing 81.

Sheena McElroy (Grange) fired a second

successive level par 75 to finish joint fourth while Ireland’s only other qualifier for the final round Mary Maclaren (Wellingborough) signed for 92.

T he Island golfer Gavin Moynihan, meanwhile, picked up 2.5 out of three points at the Junior Ryder Cup last week.

He was one of the competition’s standout performers despite Europe’s 14½ to 9½ loss at Olympia Fields Country Club as they claimed

Super Swans: Local quartet claim Euro Cup south Dublin Swans players,

left to right, Bobby Byrne, Peter Ross, Kevin Brennan and Richie Duignam celebrate their success as part of the Irish Aussie Rules football team.

They claimed the AFL European Cup for the second successive year in Edinburgh with a stunning victory over Denmark, scoring two goals in the final minute to win 30-29.

www.gazettegroup.com All of your latest local news, sport, features and pictures are now just a click away

the title for a third successive year.

The United States battled to a 7-5 lead after the first day of foursomes and mixed four-balls, then sprinted out in singles Tuesday by winning four of its first five matches.

And they duly claimed the match with seven points from the 12 singles matches – despite Moynihan’s four and three victory over Jim Liu of Smithtown, New York in the first match.

38

castleknock gazette 4 October 2012

GazetteSport FastSport

Coolmine pick up first win in Leinster League COOLMINE picked up their first win of the Leinster League division 1A campaign with a resounding 33-18 win over Wanderers at Ashbrook in a tie that doubled up as a Spencer Cup tie.

They bounced back from a few early wobbles against a large, physical Wanderers as slack defence allowed the visitor’s pack break down the blindside of a ruck just inside the 22 to score the first try in the right hand corner, handing the Merrion Road club a 5-0 lead.

Coolmine regrouped and it wasn’t long before they were back on level pegging after a wonderful backline move found Niall O’ Donoghue who popped the ball to Rory Farrell. In turn, he found Liam Power with a fantastic reverse pass to open the defence up and cross the line unopposed.

Coolmine had found their rhythm and the next score came from a wonderful move where Brian Moran held off a number of would-be tacklers to find Alan Cousins who touched down just left of the posts. Donal Crotty added the extras for a 12-5 lead and duly added two penalties to extend the margin to 13.

Indeed, Crotty was playing out of his skin. His kicking and game management from out-half were faultless as he produced some excellent passing moves to put Coolmine in striking position yet again.

It was fitting that he was to nab the next try as play was spread to Crotty who this time darted for the line and sprinted under the posts unopposed.

It capped a fantastic first half display, extending Coolmine’s lead to 25-5.

Wanderers gave themselves hope when their pack drove over the line and score their second try just before half-time and when former Coolmine man Harley Murray crossed early in the second half, it was game on at 25-17.

A penalty got them within striking distance before a trade of kicks developed the score to 28-23.

But Coolmine finished the stronger down the stretch as hooker Jonny Lee touched down for Coolmine’s fourth try of the afternoon and effectively put an end to the Wanderer’s challenge.

football: a fine selection of results for celtic sides

Moh Omar’s goal for Castleknock Celtic sealed a remarkable 6-3 victory over Donnycarney FC

Castle’s AUL boys share points

 sport@gazettegroup.com

Castleknock Celtic’s AUL Sunday Premier C team shared the points against a resilient Newlands Celtic in Porterstown. Colm Brady had put the home side ahead early on, only to be pegged back by Newlands by half time. Kevin Keane restored Castleknock’s lead, but again concession of a soft goal denied the home side victory. The sides finished level at 2-2.

Castleknock Celtic and Donnycarney FC gave the spectators in Porterstown full value for money in their Under-16C NDSL league encounter.

The sides had shared the

spoils earlier in the season in a cracking 3-3 draw. It was equally exciting this time with both sides going for goals. It was advantage Donnycarney at half time as they led 3-1. Celtic’s marksman in that first half was the industrious Ayoub Mansouri. The half time pep talk worked a treat.

The manager introduced Moh Omar to the attack, and with Brian Murray and Greg Tobin, Celtic launched wave after wave of attack. Greg Tobin hit a hat trick without any response from the visitors which left Celtic 4-3 ahead. Ayoub Omar hit his second late on, and a combination of Brian Murray’s left foot

Double delight: Blanch brothers both pick up titles brothers David and Tony O’Malley, pictured, both got their hands on silverware recently as their respective club teams picked up trophies in the 2011/12 soccer season.

David lined out for the Mountview Boys U-16B1 side that claimed their division in the Dublin District Schoolboy’s league while Tony was successful with the Whitestown United U-9E1 team, making for plenty of family celebrations for the Dublin 15 natives.

and Moh Omar’s head sealed a remarkable 6-3 victory which had seemed a remote prospect at half time.

Castleknock Celtic took on Malahide United in the NDSL 15A division in what proved to be a close game in Porterstown. Despite some scares early on, Celtic settled into the game, and with a strong wind at their backs, they had most of the territorial possession.

However, it took a penalty from Celtic midfielder, Conor Mooney, after he had been upended in the Malahide box, to break the deadlock. He put the spot kick away with aplomb.

Fortunately for Celtic,

the strong wind eased considerably at the start of the second half.

Despite having the majority of the possession from the restart, especially in midfield, where Mooney, Aidan Sampson and Daniel Ferreira, were controlling play, Celtic couldn’t get that all important second goal until late into the game.

Following a good move on the right wing, Darren Doyle sped past the full back and slipped the ball past the approaching Malahide goalkeeper. Although Malahide were two goals down, they didn’t give up, and a couple of excellent saves from Luke Kearney were required to ensure that

Celtic took all three points in this 2-0 win.

Celtic’s NDSL Under15B team overcame Rush Athletic in their league opener in Porterstown.

It was indeed a tough introduction for Michael Farrell’s troops following their promotion last season. However, a brace of goals from their man of the match, Narcis Catre, ensured that they got the three points with a 3-2 victory.

Castleknock Celtic’s NDSL Under-14E entertained Swords Celtic in their opening league game of the season. The hard pre-season training has begun to pay off and they ran out comfortable winners with a 9-1 victory.

4 October 2012 castleknock Gazette 39

hurling: epic summer ends on low note

Club Noticeboard castleknock HUGELY successful weekend for the

which stands at €125,000. We need

club as the adult hurlers gained pro-

votes so get on the website and vote

motion to division three with their

for us today.

win against Na Fianna, and the club’s

C a s t l e K n o c k- O u t , t h e c l u b’s

first ever adult camogie team won

white-collar boxing fundraiser for

the senior seven championship in a

our clubhouse, is scheduled for the

whitewash against Trinity Gaels.

Wright Venue in Swords on Saturday,

Well done also to the minor B foot-

Buses will be organised to and

onship game of the year and to the

from the event with ticket details to

adult B footballers who made it to

come.

the Murphy Cup final.

The Dublin minor hurling team that lost out in their All-Ireland final replay last Sunday with Shay Boland, below

Local stars topped

by Tipp in minor final  sport@gazettegroup.com

TWO early goals for the Premier County took the wind out of Dublin sails last Sunday when they went six points down in the early passages of the All-Ireland minor final at Croke Park, and despite a late rally, Shay Boland’s men couldn’t recapture the magic of the initial draw.

Tipperar y’s win marked their nineteenth minor hurling championship victory and were heavily touted to win the game after Dublin shocking the majority of pundits by taking the game to a replay three weeks before.

St Brigid’s man Paul Winters continued his metronomic form from frees with his fantastic technique once again in evidence at headquarters as he took six points on the day.

Eric Lowndes, Peregrine’s stunning dual prospect fought well in the backlines, but the

Tipp men were able to make space for themselves for the most part as they assaulted the goal of the capital.

Lowndes was playing in an incredible fifth All-Ireland final in 12 months on Sunday and his third in September alone, closing out his minor career with four Leinster titles and one All-Ireland football gong to his name after a monumental couple of years.

Cian Boland of St Oliver Plunkett’s was another to have a strong performance in the halfforward line, distributing the play very well and giving the Tipperary men plenty to worry about going forward.

Also involved on the day were Colin Lynch of Castleknock and Luke Doherty, a team mate of Boland’s from the Navan Road.

Despite being unused subs on the day, they were part of an impressive Dublin side that looks set-up to push on

at Under-21 level in the near future.

For Tipp, Mark McCarthy and Tadhg Gallagher scored early goals to get the Munster men in front and, despite points from James Roche, they opened up too much of an early lead with a further five points being put over before the break, leaving it 2-10 to 0-5 at the interval.

Tipp pressed home their advantage home in the second half and had a 14-point lead going into the last 10 minutes, 2-16 to 0-8, before Oisin O’Rorke netted what turned out to be a consolation for the Dubs,

with the scores finishing at 2-18 to 1-11.

After the game, minor manager Shay Boland took time to acknowledge the effort his players put in.

“They’re only young fellas and they did their best and once they do their best that’s all you can ask for,” said the Plunkett’s man.

“We didn’t get the start we’d have hoped for and Tipperary, to be fair to them, took their goals very well.

“A f ter that it was always going to be an uphill battle and they were just too much for us on the day,” he finished.

December 1.

ballers who won their first champi-

We need boxers, ladies and men,

Hard luck to Colin Lynch and the

so anyone interested, please get in

Dublin minor hurlers on their loss to

touch at pro@castleknock.net. And

Tipperary.

everyone else, keep the date free.

Big weekend for the club as well as

The club lotto jackpot stands at

the intermediate footballers play in

€3,400 with the next draw in Kavan-

the junior championship final against

agh’s on October 4.

Raheny on Sunday. Throw-in is at

Gaelic for mothers has recom-

4pm in Parnell Park and we would ask

menced on Friday nights in Somer-

that everyone who can to go out and

ton from 8-9pm. Social to follow once

the support the lads.

training has begun.

Castleknock GAA has been short-

Signs surrounding the main pitch in

listed for the Coca-Cola thank you

Somerton are now on sale; for more

fund. We are in with a chance to

information on how to get your sign

be awarded grants from the fund,

seen contact Charlie 085 1101008.

st brigid’s WHAT a superb weekend for our

coming up: October 12 - girls Feile

camogie section as both our senior

2013 disco; October 19 – race night;

and junior teams secured cham-

November 9 – wine quiz night.

pionship glory. Well done to all involved.

St Brigid’s Spleodar Irish club for teenagers continues on Thursdays

St Brigid’s GAA club nursery for

from 7-9pm in the club hall. The cost

four to seven-year-olds runs every

is €3 per week and everyone is wel-

Saturday from 9.30am to 11am. New

come.

members and families welcome.

A new GA A show, featuring a

GAA accredited coaching courses

weekly Brigid’s round-up, is now on

hosted in the club.

every Monday evening on Phoenix

Open to all members, cost is only

FM at 7.30pm.

€10 and €5 for U18s! Contact Paul on

The club lotto is €11,600 this week

087 9154748 or see website for more

and takes place in Myo’s on Friday

info.

evening.

Good wins for our U-14 footballers,

A big week of championship foot-

inter and U-15 hurlers who claim

ball is ahead as the seniors face

the U-15 division one shield. Sev-

Thomas Davis at 3.30pm on Satur-

eral important fundraising events

day in Parnell Park.

st peregrine’s HARD luck to Eric Lowndes and the

be paid by end of September to Lor-

Dublin minors on the defeat to Tip-

raine or Ciaran.

perary, we are still very proud of your achievements this year.

Hard luck to our U-15s who were beaten in the quarter-final of the shield by Round Tower.

The club lotto was not won; the numbers drawn were 4, 13, 18 and 21.

Next week’s jackpot is €4,600.

The Penguin Ball is on December 8 in the Carlton Hotel.

Tickets are €50 and deposits must

Follow GazetteSport on

Our club shop vouchers are now available, details and contacts on the club website, CNP.ie.

Follow us on Twitter @peregrinesgaa.

Entertainment in the club this Saturday is from Kiera Dignam.

Bingo continues this Wednesday at 8.30pm. The jackpot is €750; it is ladies’ night and music is from Mr Hollywood.

Facebook and Twitter and online at www.gazettegroup.com

all of your castleknock sports coverage from page 35-39

minority report: Dublin hurlers

fall to Tipperary in All-Ireland replay P39

American dream: South Dublin stars USbound for hockey season P36

Castleknock’s Ciaran Kilkenny is emigrating to progress a career in the Australian Football League

Castleknock dual talent and star of Dublin’s season will take up contract with Hawthorns in Australian Football League  stephen findlater

castleknocksport@gazettegroup.com

Ciaran Kilkenny will join Hawthorn of the Australian Football League after a summer that has seen him being heavily linked with another club, Carlton, from the same league.

Kilkenny, who was brought into the Dublin senior squad this year by Pat Gilroy, showed an amazing self-awareness and eye for the posts in his full debut against Mayo, and despite being on the wrong end of the result, his performance was one of the few saving graces of the encounter.

The Castleknock talent has been long considered the future of Dublin’s attack, being equally gifted as a hurler and a footballer. Just last week in his final hurling match for the team, Kilkenny bagged double figures in an AHL 4 win against Na Fianna, 0-22 to 0-9, with eight of his scores coming in the first half of play.

Kilkenny will play his last game for Castleknock this weekend when they play in the final of the Junior ‘A’ Football Championship at Parnell Park this weekend against Raheny.

In what was surely a bitter sweet development for the club, Castleknock released a statement that read the following on Saturday.

“Ciaran has been an outstanding player and role model since the club was founded in 1998 and has led the club to many victories, in particular the Dublin Minor Football Championship 2011.

“He has represented Dublin in both hurling and football on many occasions and made history for the club this year as lined out in Croke Park for the Dublin football team in the All-Ireland Senior Championship scoring three points in all.

“Castleknock would like to wish Ciaran the very best as he commences his professional career as a sportsman and we have no doubt in our minds that he will be a huge success in years to come.

GazetteSPORT

Kilkenny set to take on Aussie odyssey

october 4, 2012

We would also like to extend our highest support to him and assure him that there will always be a place for him in Somerton Park.”

Kilkenny also released a statement, thanking the GAA, his teachers, family and Castleknock for all their help along the way.

“This is not a decision I reached lightly but the opportunity to experience a different culture, test myself in a new code and live the life of a professional athlete is one I couldn’t pass up.

“The club is the beginning and the end for all GAA players and I would like to thank my mentors and team mates in Castleknock GAA, from nursery to adult level that have developed and improved me as a player and also provided friends for life.

“No matter what happens in Australia, the GAA has provided me with unforgettable memories and experiences and I now look forward to the challenges that lie ahead,” he finished.