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Little Green Cars are in the fast lane to success in 2013 see page 22 February 14, 2013 Find us on

M a l a h i d e • Carpenterstown P o r t m a r n o c k • • KLaurel i n s e a ly • C l•a Roselawn r eMonth h a lXX, l 2012 Castleknock Lodge INSIDE: St Brigid’s National School celebrate opening of their new extension P6

Singled out: Man ‘honoured’ as Vatican awards him Benemerenti medal See page 2

Enabling charity: Glenda helps launch drive Castleknock beauty Glenda Gilson

Rugby:

Coolmine claim cup double over Malahide Page 32

Football:

Castleknock epic run ends in second replay Page 31

ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES.......................6 DUBLIN LIFE....................11 OUT&ABOUT...................17 CLASSIFIEDS.................26 SPORT............................27

gets together with Isabelle Burke, aged four, from the Enable Ireland Sandymount Centre and Sybil Mulcahy and Anna Daly to launch Enable’s Give Up Clothes For Good.

The initiative is Ireland’s biggest clothes drive and aims to raise funds for Enable Ireland’s vital services for children with disabilities across the country by asking the public to drop their unwanted clothing in to any TK Maxx store.

Transport projects get €1.8m investment Funding ‘will make it easier to leave the car at home’: Varadkar

 Hiromi Mooney

DUBLIN 15 will benefit from €1.8 million in funding for a range of walking, cycling and public transport projects.

The funding was

announced by local TD and Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar (FG) and will help start various works, including the new cycle network which is planned for the Ongar-Castaheany area,

and the pedestrian crossing at the new Hansfield Station access road.

“I’m delighted to confirm this funding. The schemes will make it easier to leave the car at home and to walk, cycle or take public

transport around Dublin 15… All of these projects will make a small, but significant difference to local residents,” stated Minister Varadkar.

Full Story on Page 2

2 castleknock gazette 14 February 2013

dublin GAZETTe newspapers i n f o r m at i o n

royal canal Cycle, walking paths planned

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Hansfield Station: Funding will help start work on the pedestrian crossing at the station

€1.8m transport boost to finance D15 projects  hiromi mooney

DUBLIN 15 is set to benefit from €1.8 million in funding for a range of public transport projects.

The major funding announcement came this week from Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar (FG).

The funding will help start works on the new cycle network which is planned for the OngarCastaheany area, and on the pedestrian crossing at the new Hansfield Station access road.

Work will also start on the new cycle and footpath along the Royal Canal between Ashtown and Blanchardstown, while detailed plans are being drawn up for the two cycle routes planned for Blanchardstown.

“I’m delighted to confirm this funding. The schemes will make it easier to leave the car at home and to walk, cycle or take public transport around Dublin 15,” said Minister Varadkar.

“The new cycle routes and crossings in the Ongar-Castaheany area should be ready for use by next year. Work will also start this year on a pedestrian crossing at the new

Hansfield Station access road, while planning has started on two new cycle routes in Blanchardstown. All of these projects will make a small, but significant difference to local residents,” stated Minister Varadkar.

The projects were submitted by Fingal County Council (FCC) to the National Transport Authority, which approved the funding.

Works for the €1 million Ongar cycling network project for the Ongar-Castaheany area will include a toucan crossing, pedestrian and cyclist facilities along the western side of Hansfield Road, access to Scoil

Pobail Setanta / Phibblestown Centre from north west, and four redesigned roundabouts to improve cyclist and pedestrian movement.

The €500,000 Royal Canal cycling project proposes using the amenity within the FCC area as a pedestrian and cycle route, and the reconstruction of the canal towpath between Ashtown and Blanchardstown to a high-quality walking and cycling route. €100,000 will also be allocated to design and develop two strategic primary cycle routes in Blanchardstown and the D15 environs. €200,000 will be allo-

cated to the Dublin – Maynooth Rail Level Crossing Project, which will see the design of replacement transport links and traffic management proposals required for the permanent closure of five rail level crossings on the Maynooth rail line, and the completion of the part eight process for the closure of the Porterstown level crossing, including planning approval for a new footbridge there.

Other schemes in Fingal which will benefit D15 include the €250,000 cycle network schemes and the €100,000 traffic ramps renewal programme.

Tree recycling plans hailed as a success Changes to the Christmas tree recycling service have been described as a success, with a large volume of trees being dropped off.

The Christmas Tree recycling service, run by Fingal County Council, changed locations this year following a number of inci-

dents in recent years, including trees being set on fire.

According to the council, the new system operated “successfully” and large volumes of trees were received in the park over a number of weeks from all over the local area.

“Signage was provided at the previous drop off locations to provide information on the revised locations, and while there were some trees left at these sites, the vast majority of citizens brought their Christmas trees to Millennium Park.”

14 February 2013 CASTLEKNOCK Gazette 3

dublin 15

council: allendale not being taken in charge a disgrace, says Cllr

Cost of cleaning

State of ramps is problem for estate Fingal County Council (FCC) have announced that the Allendale estate cannot be taken-in-charge as the deteriorating ramps within the estate do not meet the council’s standards.

According to FCC, this is the only remaining impediment before they can begin the formal taking-in-charge procedure.

This was revealed at the Castleknock – Mulhuddart Area Committee meeting last week, f o l l ow i n g a m o t i o n tabled by Cllr Mar y McCamley (Lab) which requested that FCC “insist that the develop-

er carry out their duty to repair the ramps” at Allendale.

Cllr McCamley stated that some residents had experienced suspension issues with their cars as a result of the faulty ramps, and “it is now a year since the council made an agreement with [the estate developer] Menolly Homes to take on the repairs”.

FCC replied that an agreement was made with Menolly Homes last February to replace t h e wo r s t a f f e c t e d ramps, and although they agreed by email about FCC accepting a new bond that would cover the cost of replacing any remaining ramp in the event of future

deterioration, this new bond was not lodged.

In August, FCC sent Menolly Homes a written instruction to either repair the ramps or lodge the new bond as agreed, but they have not responded.

FCC has meanwhile notified the bondholder and reminded the developer of the requirements to rectify these ramps.

“It’s disgraceful, the ramps not being fixed,” said Cllr McCamley.

“The Allendale ramps have come up on the agenda ever y month s i n c e t h e s u m m e r.

Every month someone has brought it up. The council know that they have to do something about it.”

Credit Union champs: Local students claim honours in national quiz contest President of the Castleknock Credit Union Sean Hosford was

on hand to congratulate Castleknock Educate Together National School pupils Omar Salem, Billy Cremin, Megan O’Driscoll and Seamus McCafferty, pictured here with teacher Aedin Ni Thuathail, after their success in the local stage of the nationwide 2013 Credit Union Schools Quiz competition at St Peregrine’s GAA Club, Blakestown Road last week. Full story: Page 9

Party

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 hiromi mooney

The cost of street cleaning in the D15 area is estimated to cost the council over €1.3 million.

Fingal says the budget for street cleaning in Castleknock and Mulhuddart is over €1.3 million, covering all street cleaning operational activities including wages, materials, plant and machinery, fuel, energy, litter bin provision and staff training requirements.

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FastNews

medal Local man ‘honoured and humbled’ council:

busy road junction

Shackleton Gardens to be taken in charge later in year FINGAL County Council (FCC) are continuing with their efforts for Shakleton Gardens at Beechpark in Clonsilla to be taken in charge, and expect this process to conclude later this year.

This was revealed when Cllr Michael O’Donovan (Lab) asked FCC for a progress report on Shakleton Gardens at the Castleknock/Mulhuddart Area Committee meeting which was held last week.

FCC replied that works are continuing under licence to clear weeds and unsuitable plants from the gardens, and to record plants that remain from the original plant collection.

“I’d like to see the gardens opened to the public before the summer, even if it’s for a few days just to let the public see what an asset it is and what we’re doing,” said Cllr O’Donovan.

“We now have an application in for a grant with the Department of Tourism. Minister Leo Varadkar has visited it, and has shown a great interest in the work that’s going to be done, so we’re optimistic about a grant there very soon.”

Farrell movie rumours Castleknock heartthrob Colin Farrell could soon be filming alongside Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins if reports that he is about to sign a deal are true.

The Hollywood actor is rumoured to play a serial killer in

the new film, Solace.

The film follows an FBI agent who enlists the help of a retired and troubled doctor, played by Hopkins, to solve a series of murders.

Production on Solace is due to begin in May. The film will be directed by Brazilian director Afonso Poyart.

Call to bring back litter bin

Benemerenti Medal recipient Peter Reynolds is a parishioner at St Brigid’s Church in Blanchardstown

St Brigid’s parishioner gets Vatican honour  laura webb news@gazettegroup.com

A Dublin 15 man is “honoured and humbled” to have received a medal from the Vatican in recognition of his long service in a Blanchardstown Parish.

Peter Reynolds received the Benemerenti medal from the Vatican on February 2 during a special presentation at his parish church St. Brigid’s Blanchardstown.

Peter has been the organist in the church for many years and has made a lasting impression on everyone he meets.

Commenting on his

award, he said he was ver y “honoured and humbled” to receive the medal. “I feel shocked to receive it as I was only doing my bit for the parish. I have had many years of enjoyment from playing the organ and have made many wonderful friends,” he said.

He went on to thank his family, wife Alice, children Sinead and Patrick, and the choir members without whom, he says his music would be nothing, especially Maureen O’Hely, Clare Molloy, Carmel Mooney, Richard O’Connell, John Quirke and John Reid.

Peter also thanked all of the priests he’d had

the pleasure to know over the years and said he feels that he’s accepting this medal on behalf of the choir, too.

“I have many memories of my association with the choir, including playing at ordinations, anniversar y masses, Christmas Eve mass and carol services and being a member of the congregation of choirs that played and sang at Pope John Paul II’s visit in 1979,” he added.

In the parish newsletter, Peter was praised by the parish priest, Rev Cyril Mangan who said his “faithfulness, diligence, and dedication is a blessing to generations

who worship in Blanchardstown”.

“For over 40 years, Peter and the choir have enriched our liturgical life by their rich repertoire of music as we celebrate the great mysteries of our faith.” Adding, Peter is a “worthy recipient of this honour.

The medal is a pontifical item first instituted in 1832 by Gregory XVI which is according to Rev Mangan “conferred to people for distinguished service to Catholic principles, the Church and society”.

The award was accompanied by a certificate in Latin, signed by Pope Benedict XVI.

Calls have been made for an appropriate litter bin to be reinstated at a busy road junction in Castleknock which is in the vicinity of a number of local businesses.

Local Cllr Eithne Loftus (FG) has asked the council to reinstate the litter bin on the road linking Beechpark Avenue/Auburn Avenue in Castleknock.

According to the Castleknock councillor, there is now heavy pedestrian traffic in this vicinity because it is used by children walking to and from school, visitors to the garden centre, people using the tennis club, visitors to the ice rink and a car maintenance service in the vicinity.

Response In response, a spokesperson for Fingal said the litter bin there was removed as it had attracted anti-social behaviour and was subject to vandalism.

However, the council went on to say the area would be “re-examined and monitored” over the coming weeks with a view to “reinstating this litter bin if considered necessary”.

159 liability claims against council A TOTAL of 159 public liability claims were made against Fingal County Council (FCC) last year.

This is fewer than the 248 claims made in 2011, and the 191 claims made in 2010.

The figures were revealed at the council meeting on Mon-

day, Februar y 11, when Cllr Kieran Dennison (FG) asked for the number of public liability claims made against the council for each of the last three years, the number that were settled out of court and the payments made, and the annual legal costs

involved.

The council replied that in 2012, 23 claims were settled out of court, and payments amounted to €46,200, and there were no legal costs involved. 121 claims are still open, and 15 claims are closed at no cost.

14 February 2013 CASTLEKNOCK Gazette 5

council Property tax campaign comes to offices

Anti-austerity protest halts Fingal meeting  Hiromi Mooney

ALMOST 30 campaigners from the Campaign Against Household and Water Tax (CAHWT) disrupted the Fingal County Council meeting at the council buildings in Swords last Monday, February 11, to protest against the property tax.

The campaigners arrived around 4.30pm and stopped the meeting for approximately five minutes when they entered the building and staged a peaceful protest.

Although they could not enter the council chamber where the meeting was taking place, they remained outside the building until around 8pm.

Gardai were at the scene, but no arrests were made.

According to Cllr Michael O’Donovan (Lab), the protesters had megaphones and whistles and shouted at the councillors through the glass of the chamber door. He said that he shared a “reasonable exchange of views”

with some of the protesters after the meeting, and said he “certainly didn’t feel at any stage under threat”.

“The protesters were outside the chamber – outside the hall itself, and they were kept out there by our officials. But, somehow, they managed to get into the foyer,” he said.

“One of our officials, I saw him actually pinned up against the door by the crowd as they tried to surge through, and I was a bit upset for him because he’s not a security man

road safety

Council thanks workers Fingal County Council this week thanked members of the Fingal workforce who have helped ensure the safety of local roads during the cold spell in recent weeks.

Campaigners entered Fingal County Council offices to stage a peaceful protest

– he’s just an ordinary council official, and he didn’t deserve that. So that annoyed me a bit, I have to say.

“The decision in relation to property tax is not the decision of the councillors. That, if it is voted through, is the decision of the Dail. So I did point this out to the protesters.”

Campaigner Eileen Gabbett from Blanchardstown said: “It was very peaceful and there was

absolutely no acrimonious conflict at all.

“There was a bit of a scuffle initially when we went to get in, to stop us from going in, but there was nobody pinned anywhere.

“The councillors are the people on the ground, so to speak, and they report back to the TDs and the TDs aren’t obviously taking any notice of them.

Maybe he should shout louder.”

Campaigner James Faulkner from Balbriggan said: “If the politicians aren’t going to come to our campaign, we’re going to go to theirs. We, the anti-austerity movement, will now be standing candidates - anti-austerity candidates under the Campaign Against Property Tax and Austerity heading, in both the forthcoming council elections and the general elections.”

Report In a report released at a recent council meeting, the council and its members showed their appreciation to Fingal crews who have spent time gritting the roads on all the cold nights in the past few weeks, in an effort to ensure the safety of local road users.

“The words of thanks are appreciated and will be forwarded to all the staff involved in the winter salting programme,” the council report stated.

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6 castleknock Gazette 14 February 2013

gazetteGALLERIES

Actor James Nesbitt with Gazette reporter Laura Webb

Lights, Camera, Action!: Gold filming at St Catherine’s park

T

HE Gazette caught up with movie stars James Nesbitt and David Wilmot recently as they filmed scenes for the new Irish film, Gold, at St Catherine’s Park. The actors braved the cold weather in Lucan for the scenes.

Wilmot plays the role of Ray who tries to track down his expartner and teenage daughter so that his dying father can see her one last time, but he discovers that his family has built a new life with his former PE teacher (Nesbitt).

Gold is scheduled to be completed by September and released theatrically next year.

Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton (Lab) greeted the school’s pupils. Pictures: James Devon

great sport: SCHOOL OPENS NEW EXTENSION

St Brigid’s sports hall finally ready

Tommy the bus driver

P

Cathy Weatherston

Actor David Wilmot

UPILS at St Brigid’s National School Castleknock recently celebrated the official opening of their new school extension and sports hall, which was dedicated to the memory of the late local TD and Minister Brian Lenihan (FF).

The extension was 10 years in the making and took 18 months to build. As well as the school’s pupils, the local community can also use the sports hall as it will be a shared resource.

Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin conducted a blessing ceremony before school teacher Tony Hegarty addressed guests.

The film crew ensured that they captured the best scenes for the new film. Pictures: Cathy Weatherston The children waved the school’s flags in excitement

Archbishop Diarmuid Martin delivered a speech

14 February 2013 castleknock Gazette 7

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Mayor of Fingal Cian O’Callaghan (Lab) and Archbishop The school choir performed at the official opening ceremony of the new extension

Diarmuid Martin were amongst those in attendance

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar (FG) was impressed by the school

Tony Hegarty unveiled the commemorative plaque to the late Brian Lenihan

8 CASTLeKNOCK Gazette 14 February 2013

film feast Highlights to include display of latest technology and equipment

Movie makers alerted to Fingal festival deadline  Natalie Burke

Following a successful year in 2012, the Fingal Film Festival has already announced its deadline for submissions for what is expected to be another premier event in 2013.

The festival will take place from May 8 to 10, with the

deadline for submissions being Friday, March 15.

The festival team are already viewing content for this year’s festival, which is due to take place at the Odeon Cinema and the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Blanchardstown.

As well as traditional events, new highlights for the festival

will include a showcase of the latest technology and equipment demonstrated by industry professionals.

A new networking event will also provide filmmakers with a chance to meet with fellow artistic and technical creatives.

Also being introduced at

the 2013 festival is the new Student Award, which is open to short films and documentaries, as well as a feedback option, where submitted films can receive comments on their project.

This year, Oscar-nominated Dublin company Brown Bag Films is supporting the festi-

val by facilitating two animation workshops designed specifically for young filmmakers with a passion for animation.

Managing director of the festival Liz Kenny says organisers will be announcing “an amazing line-up” of industry professionals who will be facilitating this year’s workshops. “We are

Viking visitors: Marking 18 years

FastNews

Castleknock GAA fundraiser full of fashion A FUNDRAISING night of fashion in aid of Castleknock GAA’s clubhouse development will take place at The Castleknock Hotel and Country Club on Thursday, February 28 at 8pm.

The fashion show will showcase various styles from local boutiques such as Shamon, Lisa Baker, Eve, Ciara White, Bests, Gents of Distinction, Mex, CT2, Suits are Us and O’Neills Sportswear.

The interval entertainment will be provided by local dancers.

Tickets cost €20. For more information, log on to www.castleknock. net.

Transformation run set for park THE Operation Transformation 5k Fun Run will take place at the Phoenix Park on Saturday, February 23 at 10am.

The race will start at Chesterfield Avenue and Main Road in the park.

Registration for the race has already reached capacity.

The event is organised by Athletics Ireland in conjunction with Irish Sports Council, Dublin City Council sport and active recreation section, and The Phoenix Park.

advising people to keep an eye on the website, as places for these workshops are limited and will fill up fast.”

All filmmakers are encouraged to submit their work as early as possible. For more information on how to submit your film, please visit www.fingalfilmfest.com.

to celebrate their 18th

birthday in Ireland, Viking, supplier of office supplies to small and medium-sized businesses in Ireland, are on a countrywide tour of some of their long-standing customers dating back to 1994.

Among them is CARI in Drumcondra, whose chief executive Mary Flaherty is pictured with Michael Walby, director of Viking.

dublin 15: councillor calls for more sites at st catherine’s park

Short waiting list means no council move on allotments  hiromi mooney

FINGAL County Council has no plans to provide for more allotments in the Dublin 15 area.

The announcement follows two motions which were passed by Cllr Michael O’Donovan (Lab) at the Castleknock/Mulhuddart Area Committee meeting last Thursday, February 7.

Cllr O’Donovan passed the motions “that the manager give an update on the allotment on Powerstown Road” and “that this

committee recommends that the manager report on a plan for allotments at St Catherine’s Park, in the light of the success of the allotments at Powerstown.”

The council replied that there are a total of 197 allotments in Powerstown, of which 166 are allocated, and are all up for renewal this month.

The remaining 31 allotments will be offered to those on the waiting list, which currently has 44 applicants.

The council further stated “given the short waiting list for allot-

ments in Powerstown and the likelihood that there might be spare capacity in the Powerstown allotments in 2013, the county council has no plans to provide for more allotments in the Dublin 15 area in the near future. Furthermore, the adopted Fingal allotment strategy does not recommend the development of any more allotments in the Dublin 15 area.”

Reacting to the counc i l ’s r e s p o n s e , C l l r O’Donovan said: “The suggestion I had was that we would try and find a

site at the southern end of Blanchardstow n, because the Powerstown allotments are very much at the north, and are not as accessible to people at the south of Blanchardstown; for places like Clonsilla and Ongar for example, which have quite a big population.

[I had hoped] that we could try and look for a few acres within St Catherine’s Park that we could develop for allotments and rent them to people.

“If you turned over about four acres for allotments, you would

actually facilitate 60 to 70 people because the allotments are only either a twentieth or a tenth of an acre.

“That’s the sort of site that I was looking for, and I intend to investigate further. I think that a second site for allotments would actually generate new demand.”

Cllr O’Donovan cited the development plan on public display at present for St Catherine’s Park as a way for people to express their desire for more allotment space.

“I would hope that if there were any allotment

bands at the southern end of Blanchardstown, at places like Ongar and Castaheaney and Clonsilla and Har tstown which would be much closer to the St Catherine’s Park area, if any of them were interested that they would maybe express an interest before the plan is finalised.

“In the meantime, I would myself go out and look for a few acres of land there on the site that I think might be suitable, and come back with a second proposal,” he concluded.

14 February 2013 CASTLEKNOCK Gazette 9

testing Sample results on EPA site

Council reports no issues with tap water  Hiromi Mooney

FINGAL County Council (FCC) have reported that there have been no compliance issues detected in the drinking water network in the Castleknock / Mulhuddart electoral area during 2012.

The announcement was made at the Castleknock/Mulhuddar t area committee services meeting last week, when Cllr Kieran Dennison (FG) asked FCC to report on water quality management in the local area in 2012.

The council replied that drinking water in the Castleknock / Mulhuddart electoral area, and in most of Fingal, is produced in the Fingal water treatment plant in Leixlip.

The water is tested and

monitored daily in production to ensure that it meets the strict requirements of the drinking water regulations, and the Water Services Department sample the water at customer’s taps throughout Fingal every day on a random basis to ensure a good spread of samples.

These sample results are reported to the EPA which oversee their compliance with the drinking water regulations, and they produce national reports on each county’s performance, which are available on the EPA website.

Figures The 2011 figures are the latest available on the EPA website, and the 2012 figures are currently being collated.

“I’m quite happy with

Community centre AGM CASTLEKNOCK Community Centre will host its annual general meeting on February 19 at 9pm. The meeting will take place in the main hall at its centre at Laurel Lodge. All are welcome to attend to hear the plans for the coming year. See www.castleknockcommunitycentre.ie.

Spring Break Festival

SAFER Blanchardstown will host their first Spring Break Festival at the Fingal Plaza on March 28 from 7 to 10pm. Tickets for this music festival for young people cost €10. For more information, log on to www.facebook. com/BlanchardstownSpringBreak. Details will be announced in next week’s edition.

Alarms for pensioners

Councillor Kieran Dennison (FG) who called for the report on water quality

THE Castleknock Active Retirement Association is providing monitored alarms for pensioners aged 65 and over. These alarms normally cost €250, but are being subsidised by the Department of the Environment. Application forms are available from Our Lady’s Parish Centre in Beechpark, or from John Quirke, who can be contact on 01 821 6956.

management

the council’s response in that they are doing spot checks on water quality on household taps, and that they’re getting them tested.

“But the testing is being done by Dublin City Council’s lab, and I would like to think that they would use outside labs as well, just as a reference point and as a back-up to the council system,” Cllr Dennison told the Gazette.

“From time to time … it’s not necessarily down to the water coming down from the reservoir – it could be problems picked up along the lines or actually in people’s own water tanks or water

systems.

“But it’s something that I just want to get a bit more detail on, just how many spot checks were taken, and I just think that we should be using other places to test our water rather than just the one laboratory all the time.

“If people have a problem or suspect that there may be a problem with the water coming out of their tap, they should contact the council and also their local councillor so that we know about it, and the council will investigate any problems that arise – and we were assured that at the meeting,” he concluded.

CET kids win credit union quiz Students from Castleknock Educate Together school won the junior team category in the first stage of the nationwide 2013 Credit Union Schools competition last week.

Over 135 pupils from various local primary schools took part in the event, which was organised

by Community Credit Union at St Peregrine’s GAA Club, Blakestown Road.

The junior team of Omar Salem,

FastNews

Billy Cremin, Megan O’Driscoll and Seamus McCafferty were delighted with their success.

The winning senior team was from Mary Help of Christians on Navan Road.

The winning schools were presented with trophies, and the teams were presented with certificates, plaques and prizes. The winning teams will now go on to the second stage of the quiz, which will take place in early March.

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Commenting on the first stage of the competition, Community Credit Union manager Aidan O’Brien said: “This annual event not only presents a wonderful opportunity for the students to have fun, but also serves to remind parents and teachers of the great benefits of educating children about money, helping them to develop strong saving habits and teaching them about the value of investing in their future.”

Dlr Leisure Services has been using Dublin Gazette Newspapers for a number of years to communicate with our customers on our programmes. We find the service we received excellent and they always offer us good value for money. The personal touch of having an account manager makes our life so much easier. The Dundrum & Dún Laoghaire Gazette covers the areas in which our centres are located. Dlr Leisure Services would have no hesitation recommending the Gazette to others to promote their company.

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10 CASTLeKNOCK Gazette 14 February 2013

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Rosalind Connolly from Portadown, Co Armagh

Team Ireland’s Katherine Daly, from Dalkey

Team Ireland’s Gary Burton from Sallynoggin, Co Dublin

Olympic triumph

T

EAM Ireland did us proud abroad as they earned themselves numerous medals competing in the 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games held at Pyeongchang in South Korea.

Katherine Daly from Dalkey, County Dublin won a silver medal in the novice

grade giant slalom, and Rosalind Connolly from Portadown, County Armagh won a gold medal in another final at the same division.

Gary Burton, from Sallynoggin, County Dublin competed in the intermediate giant slalom and won a gold medal.

Pat Savill from Mayfield in Gary Burton with his parents Michael and Mary,

Cork whose son played on the

and his brothers Darragh and Dale

floorball team

14 February 2013 Gazette 11

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non-profit: Ulster Bank Community Impact Fund

New €75k grant now open to voluntary organisations A new €175,000 grant fund is now open for application by all voluntary and community organisations in Ireland.

The Ulster Bank Community Impact Fund was announced last week and has been developed through a partnership between Ulster Bank, The Community Foundation for Ireland and The Community Foundation for Northern Ireland.

The Ulster Bank Com-

munity Impact Fund is open to all non-profit, voluntary and community based organisations to support the development of local enterprise activity, financial education and financial inclusion initiatives.

Successful applicants will be awarded individual grants ranging between €1,000 to €40,000.

Applications to the fund will be shortlisted by The Community Foun-

dation for Ireland and assessed by the Community Impact Fund judging panel.

Speaking at the launch, David Thomas, managing director of Ulster Bank’s corporate banking division, said: “This is another step in our long-standing relationship with The Community Foundation for Ireland in our support of communities and individuals across the country.

Specifically the fund will

enable voluntary organisations enhance financial education programmes and foster enterprise in turn creating a more vibrant and progressive economy.”

The application process is open until March 8 and successful organisations will be informed in April.

For information log on to www.communityfoundation.ie/our-grants/applyfor-ulster-bank-community-impact-grants.

The €175,000 Ulster Bank Community Impact Fund has been announced by David Thomas, managing director of Ulster Bank’s Corporate Banking Division, and Jackie Harrison, fund development associate at The Community Foundation for Ireland

Gazette

12 Gazette 14 February 2013

dublinlife

diary

Bid to revolutionise student cooking Late-night kebabs and microwaveable meals are just a few of the staples which feature heavily in the average Irish student’s diet, but these culinary crimes have inspired one food company to attempt to revolutionise student cooking this spring.

Italian food brand Sacla are on the hunt for a special Dublin resident – an Italian mother – to help educate students and prepare them for life away from Piera Campanelle Ercole who founded the Italian home.

Any Italian mothers food brand Sacla She must have pasinterested in applying, sion and a flair for cooking, in order to who will receive a fee for their time, be able teach the city’s students about should send a photo, a picture of their the joys and benefit of creating deli- kitchen and the reasons they would cious dishes. like to take part, to samantha.craw-

ford@taylorherring.com.

a look at the lives of healers on Rte A faith healing documentary set to air on RTE in April is currently

looking for contributions from the people of Dublin.

In the forthcoming programme, the Maccana Teoranta production company will be exploring the many aspects to the tradition of faith healing and will look at the lives of healers, the healed, as well as exploring the understandings of what it is.

Ireland has witnessed a huge change in the traditional following of both the Catholic and Protestant faiths, but one element of spirituality and faith remains strong and that is healing.

The documentary is looking for information from people who have had an encounter with a healer, those who heal or those who have a story to share.

Contact ShaunaMacanna@ gmail.com.

jobs expo makes a return to dublin The Jobs Expo is returning to Dublin this weekend following its huge success in recent years.

This year, organisers are promising an even bigger array of jobs for future employees, as companies from Ireland and abroad compete over the weekend for the cream of Irish jobseekers.

Among the employers lined up are Sky Ireland, who are looking to fill 600 positions, the Department of Health Western Australia, which will be recruiting doctors, nurses and health professionals, and Hourglass Education Recruitment for primary and secondary school teachers.

The exhibition features Irish and international job opportunities, free career clinics and topical seminars.

It runs on February 16 and 17 from 11am until 5pm in The Hogan Suite in Croke Park.

14 February 2013 Gazette 13

FEATURE Eurovision acts are announced

DONATION: PARKING FEE FIRM BACKS CHARITY

Easytrip to raise funds for Irish Guide Dogs Easytrip has announced a charity campaign to raise muchneeded funds for the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind (IGDB).

The electronic toll and parking payment service provider will donate €5 to IGDB for every new Easytrip account opened between now and March 31.

The campaign kicked off at the East Link and Dublin Port Tunnel toll plazas on February 4.

Motorists can pick up a leaflet when passing through these plazas and sign up at www.easytrip.

ie or lo call 1890 67 67 68 until March 31.

Speaking at the launch of the initiative, Dermot MacEvilly, chief executive officer of Easytrip Services Ireland, said: “Easytrip is committed to supporting the friends and families of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind.

“These dedicated caregivers commit themselves to helping people who are blind and vision impaired, and also families of children with autism, to achieve improved mobility and independence.

“We are proud to be announcing this fund-

raising campaign and hope it can contribute to the continued success of the charity. This is only the beginning of what we hope will become a flourishing partnership with Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind into the future,” said MacEvilly.

Also commenting on the campaign, Padraig Mallon, chief executive of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, said: “We are delighted that Easytrip have chosen us for this promotion. Our staff uses the tags as they travel the country to support our clients and volunteers.

“We know how convenient and cost effective the Easytrip facility is and would recommend that all motorists who use tolled roads should open an account. When you do, you will be helping us to train and support people who are vision impaired and families of children with autism, everyone wins, now that’s a good deal,” Mallon added.

To find out more on this fundraising initiative check out www.easytrip. ie or for more details about Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind log on to www.guidedogs.ie

Jim Geraghty, Eastlink operations manager, with Dermot MacEvilly, chief executive officer, Easytrip Services Ireland, guide dog Kirby and Sinead O’Keeffe, commercial manager, Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind

RTE have confirmed the five acts bidding for a place to represent the nation in the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest.

The five Irish acts are Zoe Alexis Bohorquez, Ryan Dolan, Aimee Fitzpatrick, Inchequin and Kasey.

The public got a chance to hear each of the five songs for the first time on Mooney on RTE Radio 1 last Thursday.

Last November, RTE nominated five mentors who each worked with an act and a song which they believe could be a Eurovision winner.

The winning act will be selected on Eurosong 2013 on The Late Late Show on February 22.

Gazette

14 Gazette 14 February 2013

dublinlife

schoolLife

Get involved with our new Gazette schools pages As part of the relaunch of the Dublin Gazette Newspapers, we are reaching out to all the schools in our catchment areas to become a closer part of our community than ever before.

Schools are the beating hearts of communities, one of the last places around which a community can gather.

We are calling on budding writers and photographers from all of our schools to help fill the pages and, in order to encourage the next generation of journalists and snappers to get involved, we are partnering with Harvey Norman to present the Dublin Gazette Newspapers’ Cub Reporter and Cub Photographer of the Year awards.

For more details, contact rheigh@gazettegroup. com, or on 01 601 0240.

schools

st finian’s: students visit port authority offices

Getting all-access to Dublin Port  Samantha Jakstonyte, Nicole Hanratty and Jennifer Evbakhavbokun St Finian’s Community College

On February 4, 2013, the fifth year Leaving Cert Vocational Programme (LCVP) students from St Finian’s Community College went on a guided tour of Dublin Port, organised by Michael Mooney, the LCVP coordinator, organised the visit with head of human resources Pat Ward. The Port Authority were very generous with their time on the day, the students accessed all areas and were treated like VIPs. They first visited Dublin Port Authority head

office and were shown a video of the history and importance of the port in Ireland – its past, present and future.

Charlie Murphy, community liaison and media officer at Dublin Port, spoke to the students.

He has worked at the port his whole life and is passionate about the port and the local community. He has a wealth of knowledge and stayed with the students all day to answer questions.

The students were then brought to the Customs Office within the port to see how they operate. They were shown another short film about all aspects

St Finian’s fifth year students taking a tour of Dublin Port. Picture: Clara Kinsella

of customs control in Ireland – from sea, air and land. For the students, the most exciting part was seeing the portable X-ray machine which can x-ray a truck or container without opening it. The students

then met Molly the sniffer dog who demonstrated her expertise by detecting planted counterfeit money carried by an employee mingling amongst the students.

Finally, the students were driven around the

vast port before touring the Harbour Masters Control Centre. This is where all the ships are monitored and controlled in and out of the port.

The students had very positive feedback. Sami Bouakkaz commented: “Customs was fascinating, I never thought about how difficult it is to monitor illegal goods and substances coming into an island. The Customs Office do an amazing job considering the challenges they face” This was another excellent opportunity for LCVP students to see the world at work and make contacts with business.

14 February 2013 Gazette 15

FEATURE Donate unwanted goods

aontas: promoting adult learning

Festival sets out to prove you're never too old to learn  bairbre ni Bhraonain

bnibhraonain@gazettegroup.com

AONTAS (National Education Through Voluntary Unification) Adult Learners Festival 2013 starts on February 25 and ends on March 2 and adult education groups throughout the country are being encouraged to get involved by setting up an event based around a theme.

During the festival, trainees from the FAS local training initiative in

culture and heritage studies at the national print museum will lead special interactive tours of the museum’s permanent print collection.

The tour will give the trainees the chance to work directly with the public for the first time and show off their new training as they become fully f ledged tour guides.

This is the seventh nationwide Adult Learners’ Festival which has become a focus over the

years for adult education in Ireland. The festival hosts events around the country offering information, lectures and workshops for those interested in pursuing an adult learning course.

Any adult learning organisation or group can take part in the festival by holding an event or getting involved in the festival in some other way.

There is a different theme for each day of the festival.

On Monday, February

The free interactive tour of the print museum has been set up as part of the learning for work theme in the festival

25, the theme is to celebrate learning, Tuesday.

February 26 will be given over to green learning, learning communities will feature on Wednesday, February 27, February 28 will be learning for work while lobby for learning day is Friday, March 1 and the festival ends with family and intergenerational learning day on March 2.

According to organisers, the week-long festival aims to promote the work of and the adult education sector and ensure that adult education is placed firmly on the political agenda by showcasing all the work done by adult learners throughout the year.

The free interactive tour of the print museum has been set up as part of the

learning for work theme in the festival and will take place on Thursday, February 28 from 11.30 am to 1pm.

If you are part of an adult education organisation and would like to involve yourself in the adult learners’ week, you can get more information by going online to www.adultlearnersfestival.com

Age Action is urging the public to undertake a spring clean this week, and donate their unwanted goods to charity.

The national charity for older people currently has three charity shops taking donations of furniture, clothes, books, shoes, bric-a-brac, rags and many other items.

“If you’d like to make a donation of stock you can either drop it off at your nearest shop, or alternatively take advantage of our collection service which operates within the M50 in Dublin,” shop manager Edwina Brady said.

To arrange a collection, contact 01 475 6989 or email info@ageaction.ie.

Gazette

16 Gazette 14 February 2013

dublinlife

business commuting

advice: LOOK AT Retirement, insurance

Stay focused on finances for life  john lowe The Money Doctor

THIS week, I conclude my examination of financial planning for each stage of your life, with retirement, and start examining insurance.

Retirement With luck and/or judgement, your debts should

all be paid. You should have a range of assets, not least your own home and a pension fund.

You should have spare cash to indulge your chosen leisure activities.

If this is the case, your priorities are likely to include any or all of the following: Creating an emergency fund; funding any benefits

lost following retirement, such as health insurance or a company car; planning for long-term care; tax planning; investing for income or finding other ways to boost income.

If you aren’t as well-off as you would like, then, naturally, your priority will be making the most of what you have available and trying to improve

Leap into a way to save on transport Car insurance is one obvious expenditure we all attend to. However, there are many other vital outlays in life that we should also plan and account for.

your situation as much as possible.

This concludes my analysis of the main life stages of financial planning. Next ...

Insurance made simple Life is a dangerous business – and so, insurance was born. Every day, all

around us, terrible things are happening.

Some of these terrible things happen to possessions (for instance, houses burn down, cars crash, roofs are blown off, holidays are cancelled because of strikes and bicycles are stolen).

Some terrible things happen to people (for

instance, people fall ill, get hurt in accidents, and die). More in the February 28 edition.  Contact John with your money questions at jlowe@ moneydoctor.ie or visit www. moneydoctor.ie. John Lowe, Fellow of the Institute of Bankers, is founder and managing director of Money Doctor

WE ARE all looking for ways to save a few euro these days, and especially when it comes to travel.

To this end, the Leap card has been introduced – a reusable plastic smart card that can be used instead of paper tickets to pay-as-you-go on public transport in Dublin.

A spokesperson for Leap said: “Using the Leap card can save you money. It is up to 15% cheaper than Dublin Bus single tickets paid with cash; up to 17% cheaper than Luas singles, and up to 18% cheaper than DART and commuter rail singles.

“It also works out cheaper than return tickets on Luas, DART and commuter rail services.”

Cost-capping A recent innovation for travellers in suburban Dublin is the costcapping option for Luas users. If you make lots of Luas trips with your Leap Card in one day or during a week, the Leap system will automatically cap the price so you don’t spend any more than you need to.

Similar functionality is being developed for Dublin Bus, DART and Commuter Rail services and will be enabled shortly.

Other operators, such as Bus Eireann, and private bus services are being approached to join the scheme.

A wide range of ticket options, such as annual and monthly tickets, will also be made available on Leap cards later this year.

The Leap card is available at more than 400 shops in Dublin, or online at www.leapcard.ie.

14 February 2013 GAZETTE 17

ASDFSDAF P27 TRAVEL P24

MOTORS P23

OUT&ABOUT Never be out of the loop on what’s happening in Dublin! Let Out&About be your guide to all that is stylish, cultural and essential across the city and beyond this week



GAZETTE

MUSIC P22

Pets

HELP BELLA FIND A LOVELY NEW HOME

In talking with The Gazette’s Laura Webb on the Lucan set of his new film, Gold, James Nesbitt praised the production’s location – if not quite the bitter weather. Then it was back to work (right) as he, and co-star, David Wilmot, prepared to splash in the freezing Liffey ...

CINEMA: THE GAZETTE TALKS WITH ACTORS JAMES NESBITT AND DAVID WILMOT

Happy to be cold for Gold  LAURA WEBB

WAKING up on a cold Tuesday morning in February to shoot a scene that sees one man get thrown into the icy waters of the River Liffey hardly sounds appealing, but it’s all in a day’s work for actors James Nesbitt and David Wilmot.

Well, kind of ... the stunt man does most of the work, but Hobbit star Nesbitt was also planning on making a splash on set by getting pushed into the chilly February waters during a scene being shot in St Catherine’s Park in Lucan last week.

Nesbitt, and Shadow Dancer actor Wilmot, lead an all-star cast for Irish feature film, Gold, which is currently in production.

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

‘It is a beautiful location here at St Catherine’s Park; I really can’t wait [for this shoot].’

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

James Nesbitt, actor

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

The comedy/drama, developed by Dublin-based production company Subotica, is about the life of wandering loner Ray, played by Wilmot, who desperately tries to track down his estranged ex-wife so his dying father can see his teenage granddaughter one last time.

However, Ray soon discovers his ex has built a new life with his former PE

teacher, played by Nesbitt.

Last week, The Gazette went down to the popular Dublin West Park to get a glimpse behind the scenes and have a chat with some of the cast members.

The scene being filmed at the park involved a stunt man falling into the river and being washed down through the rapids.

Setting the scene, one of the onset production team members, Anne, explained what was about to happen.

“The two leading actors, Frank (Nesbitt) and Ray (Wilmot) go for a walk down the river, a little argument happens and one of them falls into the river.

“We have our stunt team ready, water safety [crew] and the ambulance [crew] ready for the scene. Donal, our stunt-

man, is doubling [as] James Nesbitt. He is going in the water, and he will shoot all the way across the river.”

During their rehearsal time, Nesbitt and Wilmot took a moment out to talk to The Gazette about their latest film project.

Nesbitt said he was loving filming the movie, and was geared up and ready for his day ahead.

“It is a beautiful location here [at St Catherine’s Park]; I really can’t wait [for this shoot]. We have been filming for about a week now, and I think it is going to take about five weeks to complete.”

Nesbitt was enthusiastic about the project, saying that the script is “fabulous”, and praised his fellow actors and crew.

Continued Overleaf

DUBLIN Gazette Newspapers has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for unwanted and abandoned dogs.

Love is in the air, and our Dog of the Week, Bella, is a two-year-old pointer crossbreed. A real beauty – both inside and out – this lady is a clever girl who even knows how to open gates!

Bella’s ideal match would live in an active home with plenty of space for her to be able to run off-lead and stretch her paws. Her pawfect owner would be able to spend time helping her with her socialisation skills and basic training, as she adores learning new things.

As a playful pup, she would cherish a canine companion to keep her company and goof around with, and would be happy to share her new home with big kids, aged 10+.

Please contact Dogs Trust at 01 879 1000. They are based in Finglas, just off Exit 5 on the M50. A map and directions can be found at www.dogstrust. ie, and you can also find them on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ dogstrustireland), or on Twitter (@DogsTrust_IE).

GAZETTE

18 GAZETTE 14 February 2013

OUT&ABOUT

Ready to make a splash with roles the way in,” he said, shuddering at the thought.

Working together for the first time, Wilmot said working alongside Nesbitt has been “great”, as has working with Condon and young Game of

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

‘Working in film, you would work longer hours. Films are like marathons, so it’s sort of an endurance test’

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

David Wilmot, actor

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

his hair to keep it from sweeping in his face.

Asked how he was, he bounced about, saying “very cold”.

For him, filming is going well. “It’s hard to tell, but people seem happy. Today is the first bit of snow we have had, and we have to climb into the river.

“I have to wade in a little, but Jimmy has to go all

Thrones actress Maisie Williams, who plays his daughter.

Their day at St Catherine’s Park was set to end at 4.30pm when daylight turned to night, which is a short day for movie makers.

“Working in film, you would work longer hours.

Films are like marathons, so it’s sort of an endur-

ance test,” said Wilmot.

It seems the test is not just for working long hours, but also enduring sub-zero temperatures.

“I was thinking about that the other day. I am kind of cold – a lot. I can’t remember the last hot day I worked in. I should sort that out,” joked Wilmot.

Other supporting actors in the production include Eileen Walsh from Pure Mule and Steven Mackintosh from Small Engine Repair. Gold was written by and is being directed

by IFTA winner Niall Heery.

Filming is ongoing in various locations around Dublin since it commenced on January 30, and principal photography is scheduled to wrap on March 5.

Gold is hoped to be completed in September, and goes on general release in 2014.

Perfectly understandably, David Wilmot was relieved that his character only had to wade into the freezing Liffey a little bit – unlike his co-star, James Nesbitt

gazette

group

.com

“I am working with some brilliant people, including David Wilmot and Kerr y Condon [actress from This Must Be The Place, the Sean Penn film that was partially filmed at the Blanchardstown Shopping Centre], so I am very thrilled to be here. It is lovely.”

Asked if he had filmed in the park before, the Ballymena-born actor said it was his first time there.

“I filmed a lot [in the Republic] years and years ago – it is a beautiful place, but never here. It is cold but very exciting – it’s great to be a part of it.”

Remaining tight-lipped about the film’s storyline, he said all he could tell us was that it’s a “comedy about a family”.

“I don’t think I can say any more ... But today,

we know two people are walking along, and I am getting in the water later, so it’s gonna be a cold day,” he laughed.

A chilly David Wilmot was wrapped up in a duffel jacket and hair clip in

www.

Continued from Page 17

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

14 February 2013 Gazette 19

Gazette

STYLE health: kbm dental service

Awear €50

Look after one of your most valuable assets – your teeth

Miss Selfridge TBA

Awear €55

Marks and Spencer €40

MONO CHROME Celebrities like Beautiful Creatures star Emmy Rossum, Homeland’s Clare Danes and reality superstar Kim Kardashian, to name just a few, are all rocking out the monochrome look that is about to take over our wardrobes (again!) So this week, Gazette Style has found some great looks to show our readers just how good you can look in black and white, without any worries of looking like that 1980s character from Beetlejuice or that zebra out of Madagascar!

Heatons €20

Penneys €20

“Your health is your wealth” is a very wise old saying, but one of the results of Ireland’s economic woes has been that many people cannot afford to look after their most valuable asset – their health.

Most people don’t realise that there is a proven link between a person’s dental health and their general health. Problems with your teeth or gums can cause serious auto-immunisation diseases of the joints, kidney and heart. Statistics reveal up to half of the children in Ireland have tooth decay by the age of five, but public dental screening service does not start until a child is at least seven.

Baby teeth play an impor-

tant role in helping adult jaws and teeth develop into the right position. If lost early, it can create problems in how the adult teeth align.

KBM Dental is helping to drive down dental costs for Irish people. KBM Dental can offer your child a dental check up for €25 (if you mention this article) which includes a gentle exam of the child’s teeth, oral tissues, and jaws.

The centre also offers root canal treatments and tooth whitening. For more info email kbmdental.grange@ gmail.com or call the clinic at Grange Road Retail park, Rathfarnham on 4957 844.

Centres also located at Tallaght and Skerries.

Gazette

20 gazette 14 February 2013

OUT&ABOUT

CINEMA

review: Jessica chastain single-handedly brings down osama bin laden

Zero to complain about I AM not a man who believes that films, or any entertainment media, need to be scrutinised for political stance, gender representations or any other societal concerns.

Yes, there are some artists who like to pepper their work with their beliefs and opinions, but more often than not, they recognise that their first priority is to entertain.

W hich is why I believe that Girls is just a very funny sit-com and not a building block of

 Paul Hosford phosford@gazettegroup.com

modern feminism and that maybe it’s okay to enjoy The Impossible without worrying about the colour of the leading family.

Which brings us to Zero Dark Thirty, another film which has become more than a film.

It has become a debat-

ing point in a US presidential election, a source of investigation by both the CIA and Department of Homeland Security (who both found that the film makers had not been given access to classified information) and the basis of an argument over the use of torture in war.

Personally, I don’t really care about any of that.

Yes, I believe that torture is abhorrent and the US needs to look at its own rules of engagement, but was I thinking about that during the muchdiscussed scenes in Zero Dark Thirty? Honestly, no.

Maybe I am missing the point and the film is designed to make you discuss and debate these things, but personally I watch feature films to be entertained, to be told a story.

I believe that documentaries do a better job of raising big issues and that researching a topic is much more valuable than basing an ideological position on what Kathryn Bigelow portrays on film.

The fact that it has been buried under all that argument has detracted from the fact that what we do have here is a very, very good film.

Based loosely on the story of the USA’s attempts to hunt down Osama Bin Laden, Zero Dark Thirty is Bigelow’s follow up to her Oscarwinning war film, The Hurt Locker.

Where that film looked at modern warfare and modern warriors, Zero Dark looks at what it took to get the information on where Bin Laden was hiding acted upon.

Reteaming with Hurt Locker writer Mark Boal, Bigelow is in control from the off here, keeping a short leash on the audience, all false trails and slow sequences.

While the film is the subject of much debate about its politics, it actually doesn’t have any.

No political discussion is given to what to do with the intel at the spooks hands, merely that they must act on it.

Whereas most films about spying show the

Jessica Chastain: saving the world while being fabulous

Film of the Week: Zero Dark Thirty h h h h h (15) 157 mins Director: Kathryn Bigelow Starring: Jessica Chastain, Kyle Chandler, Jason Clarke, Chris Pratt, James Gandolfini

OUR VERDICT: DON’T take it as gospel, don’t get bogged down in its political stances and don’t pay attention to accuracy. Do those three things and you will find an excellent film, a tense thriller and some breathtaking performances. Chastain should find herself an Oscar winner later this month, as her Maya fights to make herself equal in a man’s world. Which is odd because, on current form, she has no equal as an actress.

rock star elements of the job, Zero Dark Thirty shows the grinding boredom and repetition that is involved in gathering

intel.

Not to say that the film is harmed for it by any stretch.

The whole thing is tied

together so tightly that it is strengthened by the slower moments.

But, really, this is Jessica Chastain’s show and she revels in it.

Given the most freedom of her career by a director who clearly trusts her implicitly, she moves the story on with a frenzied energy and an immediacy that is perfectly measured.

After announcing her arrival over the last three years, this marks her as a true Hollywood star.

14 February 2013 GAZETTE 21

GAZETTE

GAMING DEAD SPACE 3: A HORRIBLY ENTERTAINING ADDITION

BYTES&PIECES BYTES

Sequel is quite a blast SOMEONE once wrote that the problem with horror is that if you write about, say, someone opening a door and finding a nine-foot-tall bug outside, the reader thinks: “Ah, how horrible!”

However, at the same time, they’re also thinking: “Well, at least it wasn’t a 10-foot-tall bug.”

The point is that no matter what you create and deliver, there’s always a law of diminishing returns to overcome when factoring in reader familiarity and expectation with horror, and horror tropes.

This has been the problem with the horribly good (and definitely adult-rated) Dead Space franchise, in that each episode, to date, has been a smash hit in blending psychological horror with action in a sci-fi setting, yet, in doing so, has been reinforcing gamers’ expectations with what to expect in each game.

For “newbies” to the series, and as a quick recap, following his (mis)

EVEN MORE SKYLANDERS

 SHANE DILLON sdillon@gazettegroup.com

adventures in Dead Space aboard the Ishimura, a giant mining spaceship, unlucky engineer Isaac Clarke found himself hot on the heels of the ship’s Unitologist members – a single-minded cult who, having dug up an alien Marker on another world, led to the deaths of everyone on the Ishimura, including his girlfriend.

Later, Dead Space 2 saw Clarke escaping the Unitologists’ clutches aboard The Sprawl – a vast city complex in space also brought to ruin by the cult, and by the Marker’s strange powers – namely, not just to make most people hallucinate and eventually go crazy, but also to pretty effectively mutate and zombify them in pretty dangerous and grotesque ways.

LAND YOURSELF IN A DREAMY SETTING Proteus is a fine example of a “wander-em-up”

The galaxy’s unluckiest engineer, Isaac Clarke (inset, above), finds himself jetting into another awful – in the best sense – adventure in Dead Space 3

Now, Dead Space 3 (DS3) sees Clarke return, determined to put an end to the Marker, and Unitology, once and for all, using his engineer skills (as in the prequels) to turn whatever he finds on his journey to deadly use, whether that’s machinery or, more often, upgrading mining equipment, raw materials and gear into deadly weapons.

He’ll need them, too, as Clarke faces an awful lot of determined human Unitologists, hideously mutated Necromorphs (um, space zombies), and more, not to mention the natural dangers of a number of fantastical and otherworldly settings, all the while as he deals with other characters and their motivations, some helpful but others not ...

PARENTS everywhere will join my nephews in rejoicing with the news that the next Skylanders game has just been announced, and is due out some time this year.

Skylanders Swap Force will bring oodles of new characters to the hit series, with interchangeable top and bottom halves to create even more

While purists may disagree with DS3’s increased emphasis on action – not to mention the dreaded words, “computer-controlled partner” for some sections, which carries all sorts of negative connotations for many gamers – it’s a fair enough development for the popular franchise.

There’s still an awful lot of interesting gameplay, great locales, creative setpieces (has anyone tired of Zero-G sequences yet?) and engaging aspects to make DS3 a blast upon its recent multiplatform release (where, as always, prices vary in shops).

All in all, despite being a step away from the more rarified horror of its prequels, DS3 is a gaming highlight for 2013.

gaming fun.

A new Swap Force peripheral will also be released, to facilitate the new characters, while existing characters can also join in with the next game.

Parents (and hard-pressed uncles) can look forward to tiny pleas of “I just want one more Skylanders, just one!” some time in 2013 ...

I MEANT to get around to this PC title sooner – oh well, better late than never, right? Regular readers may note that I’m rather fond of open world “sandbox” games, and Proteus is a creative addition to this niche genre.

Available for €8.99 through Steam, the digital distribution channel, Proteus is an interesting wander-em-up, more experience than game, which sees the player wander through a randomly created island, yet one which, upon each iteration, hosts a number of common features.

By wandering around, different audio soundscapes are triggered, depending on the location and surroundings, and even by the seasons, as it’s possible – and part of Proteus’ charm – to cycle the island through a year.

There’s no goal, no missions, no side quests – just you, the land, odd creatures and sights – but that’s all. Steering away from the “Videogames as art” argument, it’s also worth noting that Proteus’ visually simplistic, yet creatively striking graphics are also memorable, helping to generate an aimless landscape that yet rewards repeat visits.

Gazette

22 Gazette 14 February 2013

OUT&ABOUT

MUSIC

Little Green Cars are in the frame for much success this year

Cars geared for 2013 IT’s easy to fall in love with you.

So goes the refrain from The John Wayne, the lead single from Little Green Cars Nell Harper EP. The lifting melodies and insanely catchy chorus have made the song a constant feature on Irish radio in recent months, but the sentiment can be as easily applied to the young band, who hail from across Dublin’s southside.

A five-piece whose combined age barely makes a century, Little Green Cars are the most hyped band in Ireland at the moment and, unlike many recent most hyped bands, Little Green Cars are

 Paul Hosford phosford@gazettegroup.com

totally worth every last superlative.

The Harper Lee EP brims with a confidence and assuredness that isn’t evident in most bands with twice the experience.

T he five-par t harmonies are mostly anchored around leads from Stevie Appleby and Faye O’Rourke and Faye says that the band’s current success can be a bit odd at times.

“It has been surreal at times. But I’ve never

been the kind of person who has thought too much about the future.

“I’m doing music now, going to keep doing it til I’m not.”

Typical of the Irish music scene, there have been detractors wishing to take shots at the band, with much of the criticism aimed at their collective youth, but getting to their current status, signed to Island Records in the UK and Glassnote, home of Mumford and Sons, in the US, has taken some doing.

“It’s been an arduous process to get where we are. We had a lot of labels coming over to watch us before we were signed.

“We wanted to make

music as freely available as possible.

“We are really lucky, lots of labels weren’t the right fit, but now we have a phenomenal team of people around us.

“It’s not about hype or quick releases, it’s about making sustainable careers.”

While Faye recognises that occassionally their age is mentioned, once you get down to brass tacks, all that matters is the music.

“You want people to take you seriously and get past our ages.

“But we’re making mature music at a young age, or so I’m told!

“It can be a bit strange because when you’re working at your own

pace for so long you then have to get used to --------------------------

‘It’s not about hype or quick releases, it’s about making sustainable careers’

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

hitting deadlines.”

The band are due to follow up The Harper Lee EP with the release of their debut album Absolute Zero in April.

Produced by Markus Dravs (Mumford and Sons’ Sigh No More and Babel, Arcade Fire’s Neon Bible and T he Suburbs, Coldplay’s Mylo Xyloto), the

album is as anticipated as any other this year, with Faye saying that working with Dravs was a dream.

“When we were asked who we’d like to work with on the album, Markus was a dream producer, the Maccabees Wall of Arms is one of my favourite albums, so when he showed interest, that was really surreal.

“It was great because he wanted to capture what we’d done, not change it too much.

“So we worked with him for four months straight in an isolated farmhouse in the English countryside.

“The album might make people turn their heads.

“I think people will be

intrigued.”

With a slot on US mega-festival Coachella to come in April, a soldout gig in Dublin’s Button Factory on the slate and a place on the BBC’s sound of 2013 list, the next 12 months are set to belong to Little Green Cars, not that Faye is making any plans.

“I’ve never been someone who plans that far ahead.

“We’re really happy with what we’ve done.

Wherever that takes us, it takes us.

“Whether what we’ve recorded connects with three, 10, 50 or 100 people or more, then that’s great.”

Something tells me it will be a lot more than that.

14 February 2013 CASTLEKNOCK gazette 23

kia: a more engaging driving experience than its predecessor

Sportswagon brings style and sophistication n Cormac Curtis

OK, so I’m about to turn 40 – that does not mean I’m getting old, practical, settled or boring, but I do have a lot more time for estate cars than I used to.

But there is no reason to dismiss these motors in the way we traditionally have done.

Take for instance the Kia cee’d sportswagon.

It went on sale in Ireland last October, and I for one started to notice it straight away.

Naturally, it has been put together with all of Kia’s current design queues in mind – the distinctive front grille, the upswept headlight clusters and body contours all combining to give the car real modern appeal.

The Sportswagon is the latest addition to the cee’d range – following the introduction of the five-door that was

launched in May. This is a more sophisticated, more efficient, and more refined car and it delivers a more engaging driving experience than its predecessor There are no surprises with the interior – quality materials, top-notch build quality, clean lines and very comfortable seats.

While offering the same range of engines, transmissions and running gear as the cee’d five-door hatchback, the cee’d Sportswagon offers increased passenger and cargo space, with enhanced practicality.

With a new roof, side panels, rear doors and tailgate, the Sportswagon is 195mm longer (4,505 mm) and 15mm taller (1,485mm), while the 2,650mm wheelbase, one of the longest in the C-segment, is common to all cee’d variants. When open, the new tailgate

The Sportswagon is the latest addition to the cee’d range

rises to 1,888mm to allow easy, unimpeded access to the cargo bay.

And while all the extra bits and pieces sound impressive and look the part – I must admit that rear visibility was just that little bit too obscured for my liking. You can certainly get used to it, but given the terrific view looking forward, it was just a pity they couldn’t have squeezed a few more inches of glass in the aft section.

In terms of cargo, the capacity is 39% greater than the cee’d fivedoor hatchback (528 litres compared to 380 litres) with the rear seats upright and 25% greater with the rear seats folded and the cargo bay loaded to the roof (1,642 litres compared to 1,318 litres). The higher roofline ensures that headroom is increased, by 21mm (front) and by 2mm (rear).

The model line for new

cee’d in Ireland will comprise two trim and engine choices. Trim levels comprise entry level TX and EX - both will be available in 1.4 and 1.6 diesel.

Standard on all models are ESP (electronic stability program), ABS (antilock braking system), BAS (emergency brake assist system), HAC (hill assist control) to prevent roll-back, VSM (vehicle stability management) and ESS (emergency stop signal).

Gazette

MOTORS

road

NOISE

Volkswagen claims number 1 spot for January

Volkswagen Ireland were the topselling passenger car brand in Ireland in January according to figures from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI), claiming the No 1 position with 2,137 registrations, a market share of 12.37%.

Commenting, Paul Burke, operations director for Volkswagen Ireland said: “We are delighted with the strong start to 2013, which continues the momentum from

last year. The level of interest in all our model range plus our 3 Offer is very strong.

In addition, the new Golf has been in huge demand since launch and we expect sales to increase further as supply improves. At the moment we are selling every car we can get our hands on.”

Volkswagen Ireland’s strong performance is against the backdrop of an overall motoring industry that year to date is 18.54% down on 2012.

The new Golf has been in huge demand

Gazette

24 CASTLEKNOCK gazette 14 February 2013

OUT&ABOUT

fast

TRAVEL Take a trip of a lifetime to Beijing and Shanghai If this is your year to treat yourself to the trip of a lifetime, Travel Department could have the perfect escape with a trip to Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai.

Depart April 5 from Dublin to Beijing and return from Shanghai to Dublin with British Airways (via London Heathrow).

Spend five nights at the five-star Legendale Hotel in Beijing on a B&B basis and during your stay, enjoy excursions to The Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Great Wall of China and Beijing Zoo, among other places.

You will spend three nights at the five-star Howard Johnson Ginwa Plaza Hotel at Xi’an before spending two nights at the five-star Radisson Pudong Century Park Hotel in Shanghai.

Excursions in both Xi’an and Shangai are also included.

Evening meals are included every night in each city.

Alternative dates are available including April 18, 23 and May 2 (prices may vary). Priced from €2,099. Visit www. traveldepartment.ie or call 01 6371600.

TRAVEL

northern ireland: derry~londonderry celebrates its 2013 city of culture win

Walk through history along the walls of ancient Derry  Dave Phillips

You can’t mention the winner of the 2013 City of Culture award without being made aware of its complex history of divide.

Popularly and historically Derry, but since 1613 officially Londonderry, the name undoubtedly induced palpitations in the City of Culture marketing team, who settled on a tilde between the contentious titles to make Derry~Londonderry the focus of this inaugural year.

A year long series of events began in January with the Sons and Daughters Concert which brought home an eclectic collection of performers including Snow Patrol, Phil Coulter and The Undertones. In the coming months, the city

will host the world GAA congress, an Irish language festival, the Fleadh Ceoil, and the Turner Prize alongside many smaller festivals and events, giving Dubliners ample opportunities to make the three-hour trip north for an overnight or weekend stay.

One of the first things you should do is take a walking tour of Derry’s walls, which have enveloped the city centre for 400 years. Martin McCrossan, a local man who first started up the tours over two decades ago, provides an excellent commentary on the city through the ages.

An hour walking the walls will take you from the establishment of the 6th century monastery of Colmcille, through the Siege of Derry and the

formation of the Apprentice Boys, to Bloody Sunday and the peace and reconciliation work that eventually followed for the community.

From the vantage point of the walls, you can look out over the collection of murals that have become well-known symbols of sectarianism. Some of the murals have changed over time to reflect the change from violence to peace.

The turbulent history of Derry is one that nobody is afraid to shy away from, let alone attempt to forget. The great split in this community and its subsequent repair is part and parcel of a unique cultural identity; and the walking tours and museums dedicated to what has become known as The Troubles have become some of the most popular attractions for visitors.

Staying at a hotel within the walls of the

The Foyle, traditionally a natural border between the Catholic and Protestant communities, can now be crossed via the recently erected Peace Bridge

A walking tour of Derry’s walls, which have enveloped the city centre for 400 years, comes highly recommended. Pictures: Gavan Donnelly

city is recommended, as so much is accessible on foot. The Tower Hotel is a great central spot as you’ll have everything just a short stroll away.

Derry is full of little streets, arches and alleyways, so there are a lot of nooks and crannies to explore – one of the highlights is the Craft Village, a quiet collection of shops and cafes where you can pick up some unique jewellery or gifts. There’s also a great live music

scene in the evenings, with lots of pubs hosting bands. Aside from the Fleadh Ceoil, which is set to make its first border crossing and draw up to 300,000 people to the city in August, there’s also a Hidden Voices festival, and BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend festival on the cards for 2013.

Many of the 2013 City of Culture events are taking place in The Venue, a temporary arena located at Ebrington Square on

What to do and Where to stay

Derry~Londonderry is a 2013 City of Culture

 A full list of events taking place

 Rooms are available at the Tower

in Derry~Londonderry during 2013

Hotel, Derry, from £59 at www.

is available at www.cityofcul-

towerhotelderry.com

ture2013.com.

 Tours cost £4 from

www.derrycitytours.com

the banks of the river Foyle, in what was once a British Army base. The symbolic relevance of this is not coincidental.

The Foyle, traditionally a natural border between the Catholic and Protestant communities, can now be crossed on the recently erected Peace Bridge, a massive monument to progress that gently twists and turns across the river.

It’s only when walking on this new ground that the rationale of bridging the name Derr y~Londonderr y with a tilde becomes obvious. There’s a palpable sense of pride in the city and a whole list of reasons to visit.

14 February 2013 CASTLEKNOCK gazette 25

No 4 Oak Glen Park, Southern Cross Road, in Bray is a four-bedroom house on the market for €420,000

Home with unique style and warmth

Sherry Fitzgerald in Bray are bringing No 4 Oak Glen Park, Southern Cross Road, in the town to the market for the price of €420,000.

This four-bedroom home has been well maintained and extended and upgraded over the years, meaning that the house has a unique warmth and style.

On entering, the hallway is indicative of the pristine accommodation to follow. The heart of this home is the open plan kitchen/family/dining room, which has been extended in recent years.

Flooded with natural light from the various Velux windows in the high vaulted ceiling, it is the perfect area for relaxing and dining. Double doors bring you through to a study or playroom

which in turn brings you through to the living room at the front which has a lovely box bay window.

A separate utility located off the hallway is ideal for hiding all evidence of mundane household chores!

A guest wc completes the downstairs accommodation.

Upstairs there are four bedrooms: two singles and two doubles. Three of the bedrooms have fitted wardrobes and the fourth bedroom has fitted shelving and storage.

Master bedroom

The master bedroom is en suite. A hotpress and family bathroom complete the accommodation on this level. A further stairs will bring you up to the converted attic. This

space has been cleverly converted to provide a very bright and spacious room.

The property has a cobblelock drive to the front of the house which provides off-street parking. It has a wooden gate to the side, giving access to the rear garden, which is laid out with Indian sandstone paving and is the perfect haven for al fresco dining in summer months. The rear garden is bordered with plants and shrubs, and a Barna shed provides outside storage.

Oak Glen Park is only moments from the N11/ M50, providing quick and easy access to both the city centre and the sunny south east. A bus at the end of the road will bring you to the Luas or the DART. Bray

town itself has a charming beach and seafront promenade that appeals all year round. An excellent choice of pubs, restaurants and coffee shops are along the main street and seafront. There is an excellent choice of both primary and secondary schools close by.

Oak Glen Park is a very popular development on the Southern Cross Road and has always proved popular with both young and old alike, and this is a home of the highest standard providing spacious living accommodation ideal for a growing family.

For more information and to arrange an appointment to view, contact Joan O’Hanlon at Sherry Fitzgferald, Bray on 01 286 6630, or email bray@sherryfitz.ie

The cleverly converted attic space

The open plan kitchen/family/dining room is flooded with natural light

Gazette

HOMES

26 Castleknock Gazette 14 February 2013

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60 10 240 planning Notice Fingal County Council

We, Fran O’Gorman & Rachel O’Connor, intend to apply for permission for a development at 67 Georgian Village, Castleknock, Dublin15. The development will consist of the removal of a front door canopy and for the proposed construction of a single storey entrance porch to a dwellinghouse.

The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority during the public opening hours of 9.30am to 16.30pm Monday to Friday (except bank holidays) at Fingal County Council, Fingal County Council, Grove Road, Blanchardstown, Fingal, Dublin 15 (to inspect Planning Applications on all lands west of the N2).

A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the Planning Authority on payment of a fee of â‚Ź20, within the period of 5 weeks, beginning on the date of receipt by Fingal County Council of the application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

17537

planning Notice Fingal County Council Mr & Mrs Liam Keating intend to apply forpermission to extend a private residential dwelling with a new porch (9.75m2) and a two storey bay window (5.32m2) to the front elevation, a new first floor extension to the side (50.48m2) with a continuation of the existing ridge level, a new two storey extension and single storey extension to the rear (153.25m2) over proposed basement (124.38m2), new gates to the existing entrance and all ancillary site works at 142 Georgian Village, Castleknock, Dublin 15, Dublin.

The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the Planning Authority on payment of the prescribed fee, 20 Euro, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by theAuthority of the application.

17587

14 February 2013 CASTLEKNOCK Gazette 27

cycling P28

asdfsdaf gaelic games P27 P31

dublinsport Let the Gazette keep you up to date with all the best local sporting action from around the city as we cover all the stories that matter to you and your community



Gazette

sailing P28

FastSport iosagain star wins Leinster title: COLAISTE

James McGee and Sam Barry celebrate their doubles victory over Marek Marksoo and Vladimir Ivanov in the Davis Cup

tennis: castleknock man aces estonia test in riverview showdown last week

McGee power play critical as Ireland win dramatic Cup tie CASTLEKNOCK man James McGee cut a dramatic figure last week in Riverview following his and Sam Barry’s epic doubles victory over Estonia’s Marek Marksoo and Vladimir Ivanov in the third leg of their Davis Cup tie.

It ultimately proved the vital match as the two countries shared the four singles rubbers on the Friday and Sunday. Sandwiched in between, the doubles was the epitome of the competition’s attraction, running the gamut of emotions in front of an enlivened capacity crowd at the Clonskea venue.

Initially, it looked plain sailing as Barry played a blinder in the first set while McGee’s two bludgeoned returns forced the key break in the final game, making it 6-4.

The second set followed, 6-3, but the pendulum swung against them as they were unable to break again for another 25 games. Marksoo, without a world ranking but a current University of Sacramento tennis scholar, looked all at sea in the opening sets but suddenly found a lightness of foot and deftness of touch around the net to become the key player,

pulling off a string of sharp volleys.

Indeed, Estonia were claiming the big points and raced to the next two sets, both 6-3, to send the rubber to a deciding fifth. Again, Estonia looked to be cruising after an early break of the McGee serve and they extended the lead out to 5-2.

McGee did hold to keep the tie alive before, on Ivanov’s serve, Estonia earned two match points, one of which Barry produced a stunning forehand winner down the line to survive once more.

Those saves got the crowd going and their chants of “break, break, break” grew

louder when Marksoo overhit a volley, bringing Ireland back to 5-4. Barry held and parity remained up to 7-7.

When the crucial break came, McGee let out a primal roar, leaving him with the chance to serve out the match.

Two heavy second serves got him to match point and he saw it home with an emphatic ace.

A day later Barry, completed the job with a singles success, 3-2 overall and earning Ireland a date with Finland in round two of the Euro Africa section of the draw.

Iosagain’s Siofra Cleirigh Buttner continued her winning streak as she claimed the Aviva Leinster Schools’ Cross Country Championships in Santry Demesne last week.

Cleirigh Buttner won the senior girls race, detaching herself and Linda Conroy from the field by the final lap as both athletes entered the finishing straight. Buttner made the decisive break to win the title.

Mount Anville’s Ella Fennelly showed a clean pair of heels to the rest of the intermediate girls field as she strode to an impressive victory. Isabelle Odlum (Rathdown School) and Isabel Carron (Skerries CC) finished second and third respectively.

c o n ta c t s Acting Sports Editor: Stephen Findlater sfindlater@gazettegroup.com

For more information or to send in news and photos: sport@gazettegroup.com Phone: 01 651 6205

Gazette

28 CASTLEKNOCK Gazette 14 February 2013

SPORT

FastSport leinster call for trio from adamstown: ADAMSTOWN trio Hammas Habi, Hannan Mann and Ali Elahi have all been included in the South Leinster training squad for winter cricket coaching sessions currently being held at North County Cricket Club.

Six sessions between now and Easter will give the players an opportunity to further their skills and gain selection onto this summer’s Leinster U-17 squad.

As well as playing in this year’s interprovincial series, games have also been arranged against Australian schools – St Patrick’s, Sydney and St Peter’s College, Adelaide.

Added to the programme this year will be two South Leinster versus North Leinster fixtures due to take place on July 24 and 26 at Kilgobbet Park in Cabinteely.

Phoenix’s Thomas Anders, Eoin Cleere and Adam Chester have been named in the North Leinster selection.

sailing: strong local contingent up for annual national awards

Murphy heads ISA nominees  sport@gazettegroup.com

LOCAL sailors abounded among the 25 nominees in contention for the Irish Sailing Association’s six prestigious annual awards including the premier accolade of the Irish sailing community; the ISA Sailing Achievement of the Year award.

The awards will be presented at the ISA seventh annual awards ball in the Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire on March 2 as hundreds of members and supporters of the Irish sailing community come together.

2012 was an incredibly successful year for Irish sailing as 11 sailors competed at the London Olympic and Paralym-

pic Games and dozens of medals were claimed at events around the world. This has been represented in the calibre of nominees.

The female star of Irish sailing, Rathfarnham’s Annalise Murphy, will go head-to-head against two other outstanding nominees for Sailing Achievement of the Year, kindly supported by BHP Insurance.

Fellow Oly mpians Peter O’Leary and Malahide’s David Burrows earned their nod when they won gold at the preOlympic Sail for Gold regatta which took place less than two months before the Games at the Olympic venue in Weymouth.

But both contenders

will face stiff competition from the third nominee; offshore sailor Damian Foxall who was Watch Captain on Groupama, winner of the 2011-2012 Volvo Ocean Yacht Race.

New to this year’s awards is the collaboration between the ISA and Mitsubishi Motors for the ISA Mitsubishi Motors Club of the Year Award. This award will be presented to the club that has significantly developed in raising the profile of the sport, improved safety standards and developed initiatives to grow membership and community inclusion.

Amongst the nominees is the Royal St George Yacht Club which wel-

Annalise Murphy is among the nominees for Irish Sailing Achievement of the Year

comed 350 youth sailors from 63 nations to Dun Laoghaire last July as they hosted the Youth World Sailing Championships along with three other Dun Laoghaire clubs. They are up against UC D S a i l i n g C l u b who won the student yachting world cup last November and Wicklow Sailing Club who hosted the 17th Round Ireland Yacht Race during the summer.

Paving the way for future Olympic successes are the incredibly talented youth sailors who are rising through the ranks of the ISA Olympic Pathway Programme.

Among them is Laser Radial sailor Finn Lynch, from the National Yacht Club, who claimed silver at the Youth World Sailing Championships last summer giving Ireland its best ever result at the championship.

0He has been nominated in the category of Youth Sailor of the Year, supported by Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company, along with Sarah Eames from Co Down, Dougie Power from Co Waterford and Harry Whitaker from Co Cork. Other awards on the night include Volunteer of the Year, Instructor of the Year and Training Centre of the Year.

Ryan hoping to add to world championships medal haul  sport@gazettegroup.com

Garda cycling club’s Caroline Ryan

GARDA cycling club’s Caroline Ryan has been named in Cycling Ireland’s world championship team as the country has qualified for a record six events.

She has been named in the three-person selection for the event which takes place in Minsk from February 20-24.

She is joined in the side by Skerries-based Martyn Irvine and Eoin Mullen as they finalise their preparation for the World Championships having qualified through the World Cup series.

Olympian Irvine will race the individual pursuit and the scratch race, events in which he took a silver medal at the World Cup in Glasgow last December.

In the colours of his new team, United Healthcare, Irvine is completing his preparation racing in France, before joining the rest of the team two weeks before the competition begins.

Ryan, who is the reigning bronze medallist in the points race, will be racing in the individual pursuit, the points race, and in the scratch race.

That was Ireland’s first medal

at a senior track cycling world championship since Harry Reynolds took gold in 1896 and bronze in 1897, a feat made even more incredible by the fact that cycling is the second sport at which she has competed internationally having previously rowed for the country.

Both Irvine and Ryan are aiming to place in the top five in the world in their events, which given recent results, is a realistic goal.

Mullen will be racing in his first senior world championship, and is competing in the sprint event.

“Mullen has been based in the

world training centre in Aigle for the past year, and his performances have been consistently improving.

Coach Brian Nugent said: “Eoin has created history by becoming the first sprint rider to qualify for the world championships. This in itself is a fantastic achievement, and it is great to see the new generation of cyclists coming through.

“With Ireland lining up in six events, this is the largest representation that we have had, and we will be on the hunt for another world medal.”

14 February 2013 CASTLEKNOCK Gazette 29

Gazette

30 CASTLEKNOCK gazette 14 February 2013

SPORT

FastSport

rugby: castleknock denied by strong monkstown effort

Castleknock Under-9s continue winning run CASTLEKNOCK Celtic’s NDSL U-9s’ first match since December was a tough encounter against Hardwicke FC that produced another win, maintaining their unbeaten run in the league.

It was Hardwicke who made the first breakthrough on 10 minutes. After a flowing move, a clinical finish by the Hardwicke striker into the bottom left corner put them ahead.

Celtic responded immediately with a super volley from outside the box by Neil Kirtane bringing out a great save from the Hardwicke keeper.

From the resulting corner, Brian Carolan scored with a powerful curling shot. Castleknock began to dominate and pressed home their superiority before half time with the best move of the match.

Dylan Coyne, who was controlling midfield, passed to Brian Carolan on the right wing. His quick pass found Kirtane who helped the ball on to Dawide Beirnat.

With excellent close control, Biernat set himself up for a low shot to the corner of the net.

Hardwicke were quick out of the blocks in the second half which required some brave tackling by Celtic to keep the lead intact.

This time Richard Ogu was masterful in defence, ably helped by Kirtane. Together they kept Hardwicke at bay. Even when Hardwick got through to the keeper, Gideon Durojaiye was in fine form with three great saves in the second half.

Following a counter attack, a quick throw from the Castleknock keeper to Dylan Thompson on the right of midfield, set up another Celtic attack. Thompson dribbled past two defenders and his pass to Biernat almost resulted in a third goal but it was saved well by the keeper.

Castleknock were dominating and their third goal came from a throw in to Biernat, who passed to Brian Carolan lurking at the back post and he finished with aplomb. 3-1 to Celtic who remain unbeaten this season.

Castleknock found their path to the try-line thwarted on numerous occasions at Templeville Road last Thursday

CBC powered by Barry brace leinster junior cup CBC Monkstown Castleknock  sport@gazettegroup.com

13 3

CILLIAN Barry’s pair of tries helped CBC Monkstown make their way into the quarter-finals of the Leinster school’s junior cup for the first time in six years, seeing off Castleknock in a tightknit tussle at Templeville Road.

His finishing skills off the back of outside centre Dan Casey’s superb work was the catalyst for the win as the southside school were in control for the most part but

found Castleknock’s defence a tough nut to crack.

Indeed, they started in the ascendancy but were pegged back when Barry crossed on the quarter hour from Casey’s spiralling right to left kick.

The left winger collected after a quick bounce and duly bounded over and while the conversion drove wide of the posts, Monkstown were back in the danger zone as Doyle’s excellent incision brought them up to the 5m line.

The back-pedalling Castleknock defence coughed up a penalty

local fundraiser Kavanagh’s to host pub quiz for Bekind Boys castleknock Celtic will host a pub quiz

in aid of Bekind Boys’ Home Calcutta in Kavanagh’s in Laurel Lodge on Friday, February 15.

The event gets under way at 8.30pm with all welcome to take part in the night’s festivities. Tables for the event will consist of four people, costing €10 per team member.

Contact Ann on 086 8566692 to book a table for the event.

for offside in front of the posts but Robert Jordan tapped and went and a couple of phases later, his side infringed in the face of a packed defence.

Castleknock duly fought back in the second half as Marc Boucher nailed a penalty attempt from under the stand two minutes into the second half. Sean Gibbons’ powerful running created the chance as he careered through the CBC centre channel to great effect.

In response, Casey landed a three-pointer four minutes later to

reassert the five-point margin after a late challenge on a cross-field kick brought the penalty into range.

From there, precious little separated the sides in a thrilling closing period in which both sides had their chances to nick the result.

Rob O’Meara’s interception briefly looked like it might stick as he raced from 35m out only to be caught just 5m from the try-line by the CBC cover defence from their best moment.

Monkstown, meanwhile, won the day three minutes from time off the

back of first phase possession at a line-out. It was not especially quick ball but they shipped it out to Casey whose pace and direct running saw him evade his opposite number. He subsequently flipped the ball out to clinical Barry who added the insurance try to put 10 points between the sides.

Castleknock piled forward but could not break through a scrambling Monkstow n defence who closed out the tie with 14 players due to their desperate attempts to slow Knock’s advances.

14 February 2013 CASTLEKNOCK gazette 31

Gazette

Brogan shoots out the lights for Dublin  sport@gazettegroup.com

BERNARD Brogan led the charge for Dublin on Sunday afternoon with 0-7 when they made it two victories in two at the Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney over Kerry, who they beat convincingly by 11 points, 1-11 to 0-4.

Also in action on the day were Brigid’s men

Paddy Andrews and Philly Ryan, with Andrews starting in the full forward line who took three points. Ryan came on as a second half replacement for Diarmuid Connolly to grab a point from a free.

Although the score line showed a very dominant performance from the Dubs, Jim Gavin believed it could have been more

on the day had there been more of a stress put on scoring and shooting in the build up to the game.

“We have a lot of work to do on the training field on their shooting. The quality was questionable at times but I suppose from a coaching perspective at least we created those opportunities.

“But the Kerry defence

played quite well, they were tight on their guys, every time there was a shot going off there was pressure being put on so you have to give them credit as well.”

Dublin may have to make do without Vincent’s Connolly after he was taken from the field having sustaining an ankle injury.

football: o’connor salvo powers kenmare win

Club Noticeboard castleknock THE saga is finally over. Unfortunate-

Registrations for the coming year

ly, the adult team lost their second

are still due in, and we would urge any-

replay against Kenmare in Croke Park

one who has not done so to register as

on Saturday.

quickly as possible, because you can-

It is still an amazing achievement,

not be insured by the club, and cannot

and everyone in the club is extreme-

train or play any matches until you

ly proud of the team and everyone

have done so.

involved. The club would also like to

The nursery is on every Saturday

take this opportunity to thank Tom,

morning at 10am, and all newcomers

Sean and Ray, for whom the semi-fi-

and new families are more than wel-

nal was their last game as the team’s

come. Just contact Brendan at 085

management.

1329397.

The club are now looking to put

Tickets for the club fashion show are

together a new management team

on sale now. It is on February 28 in the

for the 2013 season. We will play divi-

Castleknock Hotel, and tickets are €20.

sion 3 league and intermediate cham-

Contact Joyce at 086 8098950.

pionship in 2013 having won division 4

We are looking to expand our team of

league and junior A championship in

lotto ticket sellers in the local pubs on

2012.

a Thursday evening.

Any interested parties please

Training provided and whatever

contact club secretary Lisa on 086

commitment you can give will be

1022296 or by email to secretary@

greatly appreciated. Anyone interest-

Castleknock.net by Friday, February

ed please email info@castleknock.net

15.

or phone Mick Lynch on 086 2531600.

st brigid’s 2013 memberships are now due. Any

New adult members, male and female

member with issues regarding mem-

are also welcome. Please email info@

bership can contact our club secre-

stbrigidsgaa.com.

tary Mary O’Connor at maryaoc@ hotmail.com.

The club are hosting Strictly Come Dancing this Saturday, February 16.

The club lotto this Thursday in the Vineyard; the jackpot is €14,600.

Important message regarding vehicle safety now on the club website.

Castleknock dream run ended in Croker

Tickets are sold out; however, spe-

Our junior ladies footballers are on

cial TV screens will be erected in the

the lookout for a new manager/coach.

club bar for those who missed out on

Please see the St Brigid’s GAA coaching

a ticket.

development programme for 2013 on

all-ireland semi final

garda/westmanstown

Shane Boland attempts to control the ball under severe pressure Picture: Tom Russell/anoisphotography.com

Kenmare 1-17 Castleknock 1-12  sport@gazettegroup.com

THE DREAM finally came to an end for Castleknock in Croke Park last Saturday as it proved third time unlucky as Paul O’Connor’s 1-8 powered Kenmare into the All-Ireland JFC final.

It brought to an end one of the most enduring sagas in recent club history, the sides unable to be separated after extra time both in Cashel and Mitchelstown over the past few

weekends.

The Dublin 15 men battled back heroically in the second half after trailing by seven points at one stage but the Kerry men ultimately had the clinical edge to claim the tie.

In the first half, O’Connor contributed 1-6 of his side’s decisive half-time tally - they went in at the break leading 1-10 to 0-7.

Castleknock, unsurprisingly, made a real battle of it in the second half, and with Ciaran Kilkenny knocking over some superb scores, it looked like yet another

tight finish could be in prospect.

Ror y Corcoran’s goal left just a point in it midway through the second half, but Kenmare pulled away again and were five clear by the time the game entered injury time.

C a s t l e k n o c k we r e given one late, late chance when Corcoran stepped up to a penalty with seconds remaining.

His shot was saved, but it wouldn’t have mattered anyway as by then time was all but up and Kenmare held an unassailable lead.

It brought to an end yet another landmark campaign for Castleknock in their fledgling history, claiming both the Dublin and Leinster championship title and will look forward to competing at intermediate level in the 2013 championship for the first time.

They will do so under new management, though, as Tom McCormack and his backroom crew made the decision to step down after a draining but hugely rewarding campaign that will live long in the club’s folklore.

The club nursery for four- to sev-

the website.

en-year-olds continues every Sat-

Celebration evening for our 2012

urday morning from 9.30am-11am.

teams will be on March 1. Well done to

New members and families welcome.

the Féile fundraisers for their excellent

Contact Paul on 087 9154748 or see the

cake and goodies sale on Saturday.

website for more info.

THERE was a false start to new sea-

Crunch Fitness, Westmanstown for

son when the cup match against Bal-

the duration of the winter. Ask for

lymun Kickhams rained off. Hopefully

Geraldine Cullotty. For the latest

next Sunday things will get going with

information, visit www.westmans-

two home cup fixtures both down for

towngaels.ie.

11am.

The intermediates take on Garristown in the Joy Cup while the juniors

The U-8s, U-11s and U-13s managed to fulfil their weekend fixtures and all started their season with wins.

are out against St Margaret’s in the

Westmanstown Gaels fields boys

Parsons Cup. Training continues on

and girls teams from U-8 to U-16. New

Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7pm.

members welcome. Contact club GPO

Ladies training continues on Mon-

Declan Jennings for more information

days at 7.30pm in Westmanstown,

at 085 8006101. The next juvenile club

Wednesday in Tyrrelstown Gym at

registration days is February 23 from

7.30pm and Saturday morning in West-

10am- 12.30pm.

manstown at 9am.

Membership charges are €70 for the

The Gaels nursery (five to seven

first child and €40 for each child there-

years) runs every Saturday from

after. Adults, team coaches, mentors

10am. Sessions are held indoors in

and committee members €40.

GazetteSPORT all of your castleknock sports coverage from page 27-31

end of an epic: Castleknock’s incredible junior football saga ended by Kenmare in Croke Park P31

february 14, 2013

davis cup doubles heroes: Ireland celebrate stunning win over Estonia visitors P27

Coolmine celebrate a try in their Spencer Cup final victory over Malahide in Ashbrook last weekend Picture: Voicu Duma

Ashbrook’s gold mine Dublin 15 side win big as they see off Malahide in both the Spencer Cup and the Jim Byrne Cup finals on home turf to show strength in depth  peter carroll

sport@gazettegroup.com

COOLMINE landed a cup double last weekend on a memorable day for the club, the first team landing the Spencer Cup final for the fourth time, while some of the seconds may have pushed themselves up the pecking order as they defeated another Malahide XV in the Jim Byrne Cup final.

In the Spencer tie, David Stacy wasted little time in getting the Ashbrook side ahead when he was fed the ball from a lineout before opening up his legs and touching down, leaving Donal Crotty a simple kick to convert.

Brian Geraghty played a key role when Malahide were awarded a penalty try on the 20-minute mark to level up the scoring after Coolmine collapsed a number of close-range scrums.

Crotty, though, kept the score board ticking over for the remainder of the half with two penalties, leaving the score at the break in Ashbrook at 13-7.

It was Malahide who reacted the better of the two after the interval with Keith Harrell grounding after a lineout and a maul that allowed him to break free and get over the line to put his side ahead, 13-14.

But Coolmine’s running game became much more fluid after going behind and it

was Crotty who kicked his side back into the lead on the 60th minute with a penalty.

Geoff Mullin added to the Coolmine tally with another try on the 72nd minute, but despite Crotty being unable to convert the effort, he made up for it by taking a try of his own before converting in the final act of the game, with the score finishing up 28-14.

“In fairness to Malahide they gave us a very tough game,” said Coolmine manager Kieran O’Callaghan.

“I think our experience made the difference in the end and I hope the lads can take some confidence from this game looking to next Sunday’s Metro Cup tie with St Mary’s.

“It’s going to be a tough assignment for

us, it’s always hard to play Mary’s in their own ground but I think clinching our fourth Spencer Cup will certainly keep us ticking over.

“I was delighted with the backline in the second half of the game and to be honest, I was expecting the win with us playing in a higher division and having the heavier pack.

“The seconds took a win over Malahide as well in their Cup final and they definitely have some very good players and lads returning from injury that we’ll be very interested in seeing.”

In a tight game, Coolmine nicked the win 10-5.