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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: Make sure mum’s the word on March 10 with our Mother’s Day feature P18

Stars:

Fourth annual Gazette Sports Awards preview Page 28

Football:

Castleknock crush St Pat’s and go top Page 30

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

MONKEY BUSINESS: Zoo welcome bundle of joy to South American House Page 8

Burglary cases increase by 17%  LAURA WEBB

REPORTS of burglaries in the Blanchardstown Garda district have increased by 17%, according to the latest figures.

An annual report showed there were 730 burglary cases reported to the local Garda station in 2012, 106 more cases than the previous year.

The highest crime rate for the district was for criminal damage. There

were 958 such cases in the district last year, a 5% increase on 2011.

Reports of assaults causing harm reduced significantly, with a 52% drop in 2012 with 30 cases, 32 fewer than 2011.

The annual report, issued last week by the Fingal Joint Policing Committee (JPC), outlined crime statistics in the area for 2012.

Full Story on Page 2

Feel the love: Music, food and romance at the Oak Bar

THERE WAS love in the air at the Oak Bar at Westmanstown as it offered local couples the chance to spend a romantic Valentine’s evening in its intimate surrounds.

A full three-course meal in the Acorn Restaurant at Westmanstown was on offer and diners, like

Barbara and George Claxton, certainly enjoyed the atmosphere with the in-house pianist and band setting the tone for the most romantic evening of the year ensuring that all who attended enjoyed a very memorable Valentine’s Day.

See Gallery on Pages 6-7

2 CASTLeKNOCK Gazette 28 February 2013

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Mulhuddart councillor Kieran Dennison (FG): “The gardai in Fingal must be commended for this”

Blanch burglaries up by 17% for last year

Figures for crime in the Blanchardstow n Garda district show a 17% increase in the number of burglaries reported last year.

An annual report issued last week by the Fingal Joint Policing Committee (JPC) outlined crime statistics in the area for 2012.

According to figures, there were 730 burglaries reported to the Blanchardstow n Garda Station in 2012, an increase of 17% on 2011, when the figure was 624.

Meanwhile, the highest crime rate for the district was for criminal

 laura webb lwebb@gazettegroup.com

damage. There were 958 such cases in the district last year, a 5% increase on 2011. The highest percentage increase was for the robbery of establishments, which rose 70% from 23 in 2011 to 39 reports in 2012.

Theft from MPV (mechanically propelled vehicles) was up by 29%, with a reported 590 cases in 2012 com-

pared to the 458 reports in 2011. According to the senior garda, areas being targeted by car thieves included local football clubs and the Coolmine Rugby club, where at one stage three to four cars were being targeted in each incident.

There were 11 cases of discharge of firearms in the district, one more than the year before.

These “serious offences” are continuing to be investigated by gardai, the senior garda said at the report’s launch.

Reports of assaults causing harm reduced significantly with a

52% drop in 2012 with 30 cases, 32 fewer than 2011.

Robbery from a person was down 24% to 83 in 2012, 26 less than 2011 while possession of an offensive weapon is also down, with 63 cases in 2012, a drop of 21% on the previous year when figures were 80.

H o w e v e r, d u r i n g the meeting, a senior garda said the first two months of the new year showed a significant decrease, with reported burglaries down 11% in January and down 56% in February compared to the same time last

year, which the senior garda said is down to “a lot of hard work”.

Mulhuddart councillor and vice chairman of the Fingal JPC Kieran Dennison (FG) said: “In Blanchardstown, burglary rates increased by approximately 17 per cent on the previous year. Theft from vehicles and shops was also up, but all other crime levels were down significantly.

“The gardai in Blanch must be commended for this. The main task of our police service is to prevent crime and in this they have done a good job,” he said.

Castleknock student a finalist in Doodle 4 Google A Castleknock student needs your vote after he was named as a finalist in the fifth annual Doodle 4 Google competition.

Castleknock Community College second year student Paul O’Neill is one of 75 Irish students battling it out for a chance

to have their doodle displayed on the Google Ireland homepage.

His creation, Oodles of Time, needs votes to help him get to the next round and claim the Doodle 4 Google title in his category. The five most popular doodles will go forward to the

final where one of Google’s professional doodlers will select the overall winner.

The five class group winners and their teachers will receive a Chromebook each.

As part of the grand prize, the winner’s school will also receive

a €10,000 technology grant from Google and the winning student will receive a scholarship of €5,000 towards their college studies.

Voting closes on March 4, visit www.google.ie/doodle4google to vote.

28 February 2013 CASTLEKNOCK Gazette 3

lions club

route: Rosslare to Dublin in aid of St Francis Hospice

Challenge your mind at quiz

Cycle for Cancer to raise funds for hospice Keen cyclists are being asked to support Cycle for Cancer, a local fundraising event, in aid of the St Francis Hospice in Blanchardstown.

Dublin 15 local, Alan Brady, is organising the cycle from Rosslare to Dublin this August.

In 2008 his mother, Agnes Brady, was diagnosed with cancer and was cared for by the staff at St Francis Hospice in Raheny. She passed away in 2010.

In her memory and to honour the work of the staff, he decided to fundraise for the hospice’s new facility in Blanchardstown.

Speaking to the Gazette last week, Alan said: “St Francis in Raheny really looked

after her. They were doing all her house calls and the palliative care team were always over.

“She passed away in 2010 and there was no fundraiser or benefit night for her so I said I would do the next best thing, which is help out the people who were helping us.

“This is our first cycle fundraising for St Francis Hospice, but we did a sponsored cycle from Galway to Dublin last year for the cochlear implant programme in Beaumont Hospital.”

According to Alan, fundraising for the hospice in Blanchardstown is vital to getting the inpatient facility open.

“The building is gorgeous but half of it is

still closed because there is no funding for it, so fundraising is really needed.”

Last year, 37 cyclists took part, and this year they hope to entice more people to join in.

“I have only been back cycling about a year and a half, but I am really getting into it. Anyone can do it. We have 20 names already but we are hoping more riders will get involved.”

Participants will get a train to Rosslare on August 16, with vans following them with the bikes and then cycle from Rosslare back to Dublin on August 17.

For further information, or to register interest in the cycle, log onto www. sfh.ie/cycle-cancer

The great debaters: St Vincent’s host inaugural Senior Mace st vincent’s Castleknock inaugural Senior Mace took place

on February 23. This exciting new event on the schools’ debating calendar saw teams participating from all of the country and talking on a range of issues. Mace debating, also known as British Parliamentary Style, features four teams of two arguing over a given motion. What gives Mace debating an added twist is that this motion is only given out 15 minutes before the debate begins.

Saturday’s event saw the participants deal with a number of issues including the arming of gardai, whether the government should fund arts degrees and a national wage cap.

The Castleknock Lions Club is asking residents to challenge their minds while having fun by taking part in their next table quiz.

On Saturday, March 9 at 8pm, the local Lions Club will be testing locals’ knowledge and finding out just what they know during a table quiz in aid of the organisation and Fingal South West Heritage Society.

This event takes place at Castleknock Lawn Tennis Club on the Old Navan Road in Castleknock.

Tickets cost €10 per head or €40 per table of four.

Tickets can be purchased on the night, or by emailing loretta@ docshop.ie

4 CASTLeKNOCK Gazette 28 February 2013

FastNews

meeting Gardai trying to rejuvenate schemes gaeilge:

celebrate culture

Momentum open day

Stories and music session

The Department of Social Protection has arranged an open day in Blanchardstown Shopping Centre for Thursday, February 28 from 12noon to 7pm. It will focus on providing information on the Momentum initiative. The initiative includes on-thejob training in the form of work experience modules as well as the development of the workplace skills required to obtain and retain employment.

Borwa Fitness Dance Get fit with the latest fitness craze, the Borwa Fitness Dance, at Castleknock Community Centre every Tuesday. The class takes place from 6pm until 7pm, and is the latest activity in the local community centre. For further details contact Fernanda on 087 6361796.

Crosscare parents support Crosscare parents support group takes place on Monday, March 11, at 10.30am until 12pm at their office on Main Street Blanchardstown. This is one of a variety of courses taking place this March at a number of Crosscare centres. For more information log onto www.crosscare.ie

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Cllr Michael O’Donovan (Lab) says people may not be engaging in Neighbourhood Watch schemes because they feel there is no need for it

Neighbourhood Watch fall-off causes concern

 laura webb

During a recent meeting of the Fingal Joint Policing Forum, a partnership between Fingal County Council, An Garda Siochana and the community, Mulhuddart councillor Michael O’Donovan (Lab) asked Garda representatives whether there has been a fall off in the number of neighbourhood watch schemes in the area.

In response, a senior garda said they were always trying to keep the schemes going: “We are trying to rejuvenate a lot of them and trying to get new people inter-

ested. There has been a fall off but not from our side. We are trying.”

Cllr O’Donovan said some people may not be engaging in the scheme because there is “not much happening” in some settled areas and so feel there is no need for it.

Fine Gael councillor Eithne Loftus said some residents associations may think it is “cumbersome” and involves “a lot of paperwork”.

However, the senior garda said the scheme is “very straightforward”.

Speaking to the Gazette, Cllr Mar y McCamley (Lab) said it

is a good scheme to be involved in.

“I think it’s a good idea for people to be involved in their neighbourhood.

If people get involved in their Neighbourhood Watch, or residents association it can do nothing but good for their own area.

“It is nice to know that you can rely on your neighbour to look after you’re place if your not there or let people know you’re on holidays... It’s a good idea to know your neighbour, what’s going on and to keep an eye out especially for older people.”

There are currently 55

active Neighbourhood Watch schemes in the sub-district of the Blanchardstown Garda Station.

Neighbourhood Watch is a crime prevention and community safety programme for urban areas and operates between An Garda Siochana and the public.

Anyone interested in setting up a scheme should contact their local Garda station for further information.

If there is a community demand for it, or as a result of Garda contact, the scheme may be set up.

Blanchardstown Library will host an afternoon of family storytelling with Seo O’Maolalai during Seachtain Na Gaeilge 2013.

The storytelling session will be accompanied by music and takes place on March 9 at 3pm.

This event is part of the many activities happening across Fingal libraries as part of Seachtain Na Gaeilge. The annual national Irish language programme takes place from March 4 until Sunday March 17.

Children’s writer Orna Ni Choileain author of Vaimpir series books, will hold workshops at all of the major library branches.

Practise Irish conversation at Rush Library and if simple traditional music is up your street then keep an eye out at Blanchardstown, Malahide and Rush libraries for celebrations from Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann and with Rinceoil Fingal.

For further information on Seachtain Na Gaeilge events in Fingal Libraries, visit www.facebook.com/ fingallibraries. Further details on Seachtain Na Gaeilge events are available at www.snag.ie

New all-weather pitch gets green light  laura webb

Funding for a new allweather pitch at Castaheany Community Centre has been given the green light following a funding partnership between Fingal and the Department of Education.

Fingal County Council has agreed to co-fund the allweather pitch at Mary Mother

of Hope School in Littlepace, Castaheany with the Department.

Welcoming the plans, Minister for Sports Leo Varadkar (FG) said its “fantastic news” for the school and Castaheany.

“I know that the children of Mr Lally’s fifth class of Mary Mother of Hope School will be pleased, because they recent-

ly took the time to send me hand-written letters, asking for the pitch to be developed and telling me how much it means to them.

“These children and the school can take a bow for all their campaigning on this important project,” Minister Varadkar said.

Planning permission is currently being sought for flood-

lights, and work is expected to start on the pitch before the summer, although this is subject to a range of factors.

“Meanwhile, the council has agreed to carry out roof repairs and sound proofing on Castaheany Community Centre. No date is available yet but it is hoped that these works will be carried out in the summer,” he added.

28 February 2013 CASTLEKNOCK Gazette 5

deadline Film submissions due in by March 15

Fingal gears up for second film festival  laura webb news@gazettegroup.com

Budding film makers have just weeks to submit their work in order to be part of the second Fingal Film Festival taking place this May. The deadline for submissions has been announced as March 15 and the festival team are already in the process of viewing content submitted for the festival this year, which will run from May 8 to 10.

Over the next few

weeks, the team will announce some of the line-up of industry professionals due to deliver workshops as part of the three-day event.

Last year’s workshops were delivered by Irish cinematic talent including writer/director Aisling Walsh (Song For A Raggy Boy), producer Arthur Lappin (My Left Foot, In The Name Of The Father) and actor Martin McCann (Killing Bono, Clash Of The Titans).

“We are delighted to announce the award-

winning Brown Bag Films will be supporting the festival this year by facilitating two animation workshops,” said Liz Kenny, managing director of the festival.

The workshops are designed specifically for young film makers with a passion for animation.

Throughout the festival there will be an eclectic mix of short films, feature films, animations and documentaries, both national and international.

Film makers from the Fingal area are being

The deadline is approaching for budding film makers to enter their work

encouraged to submit their work for the prestigious Best Fingal Newcomer award, and this year there is an extra award for Best Student Award for short film and documentary.

This year will also see an introduction to the latest film equipment and technology demonstrations along with a meeting area where film makers can network with

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

each other to discuss future works.

The team are also offering individual feedback on all films submitted.

“We feel it is important to offer this option to emerging filmmakers as it can give them a great insight and help them perfect their skill set when producing future work,” says creative director Dave Byrne.

All filmmakers are encouraged to submit their work as early as possible.

If you have submitted a film and would like to receive feedback, email info@fingalfilmfest.com.

Feedback will be given after the final selection has been made for this year’s festival schedule.

Visit www.fingalfilmfest.com for more information.

safety Spring festival on the way A number of local organisations have given their support to Safer Blanchardstown’s first Spring Break Festival, taking place on March 28.

The outdoor event, which gives teens aged 13 and over an alternative music experience, is being sponsored by Fingal County Council, Jigsaw Dublin 15, Blanchardstown Local Drug Task Force, Foroige, Superquinn, 92.5fm Phoenix FM, Huntstown Community Centre, Blanchardstown gardai and Safer Blanchardstown.

The open air concert takes place at the Fingal Plaza (behind Draiocht) on Thursday, March 28 from 7pm to 10pm. Tickets cost €5.

6 CASTLeKNOCK Gazette 28 February 2013

gazetteGALLERIES

An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, greeted MDI chief Joe Mooney

support: Muscular dystrophy centre officially opens

T

HE Muscular Dystrophy Ireland (MDI) House and National Resource Centre for Muscular Dystrophy and Allied Neuromuscular Conditions has recently opened its doors in Chapelizod.

An Taoiseach Mr Enda Kenny (FG) and Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald (FG) attended the opening.

This house supports all aspects of living with a neuromuscular condition from the point of diagnosis, and offers information around aids and appliances, entitlements and research, and direct quality support services that are required.

John McGouran

Tina and Kevin Coyle, Hugh and Mary Croft, and Pauline and Dav

Thomas Winters Jerome and Sarah Twomey

Hubert McConnell

An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny (FG)

Tina and Kevin Coyle

Tessa Curran and Margaret Callanan

valentine: taking advantage of romantic offer

Barry Buckley, business development co-ordinator, explains the harness system to Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald, Mr Kenny and MDI chief Joe Mooney

If music be the food of love then the Oak Bar has it all T here was love in the air at the Oak Bar at Westmanstown as it offered local couples the chance to spend a romantic Valentine’s evening in its intimate surrounds.

A full three-course meal in the Acorn Restaurant at Westmanstown was on offer

for just €50 per couple.

And diners certainly enjoyed the atmosphere with the in-house pianist and band setting the tone for the most romantic evening of the year ensuring that all who attended enjoyed a very memorable Valentine’s Day.

ve Coffey. Pictures: Ronan O’Sullivan

28 February 2013 CASTLEKNOCK Gazette 7

Have you seen yourself in the Gazette? Buy photos online from only €6.99 at www.gazettephotos.com

Geraldine and Dave Dowling

Caoimhe Dalton

Catherine Handibode, Marie Kennedy and Sandra Creevy

Barbara and George Claxton

8 CASTLeKNOCK Gazette 28 February 2013

Join the festival: St Patrick’s Day fun

FastNews

Emergency skills training course offered An emergency skills training course is being offered in Dublin 15 this March and April.

The basic training course equips participants with skills needed to deal with injuries that may happen to participants playing sport.

Those who complete this four-hour course can purchase a specially designed emergency skills kit for €35, normally €115.

The fee for the course is €20, and it takes place on March 7 and April 11.

For further information, email pauline.gilsenan@ fingalcoco.ie

Vibrant festival characters and children joined the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar, in Dublin to launch St Patrick’s Festival 2013, which will take place this March 14-18.

A fantastic five-day programme of free events, celebrating the very best in Irish and international talent, will mark our national holiday. In the year of The Gathering, the festival parade will explore the theme, Great Things Happen When We Get Together.

Pictured are Minister Varadkar, Kavita Singh from Rathfarnham,Benjamin Jennings from Carpenterstown, Pia Madden,from Mount Merrion, Lucy Madden from Mount Merrion, Bui Bolg characters (birds) Moe Coakley and Emily Archer, and Artastic characters, Keelan Conway and David Atkinson.

Power going to battle on The Voice on RTE 1 Blanchardstown resident Derek Power will battle it out in the next round of The Voice this weekend.

He first impressed judges during the blind auditions with his rendition of U2’s Where The Streets Have No Name.

This Sunday night, he will battle against another contestant from his team but judge and mentor will only pick one to go through to the live shows.

Check out RTE1 this Sunday, March 3, at 6.30pm to see how he gets on.

Grow your own fruit and veg Amateur horticulturalists can find out more about growing your own fruit and vegetables, herbs and lots more from the Phoenix Park gardeners this March.

OPW professional gardeners Brian and Meeda will be at the gardens next to the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre on March 9, between 10.30am and 12 noon.

animals: kellogg’s Coco pops to sponsor the south american house

Zoo welcome new bundle of joy – a Goeldi’s Monkey  laura webb

Dublin Zoo have announced the latest arrival to their recently refurbished South American House, a new female Goeldi’s monkey.

The new arrival moved to her new home on Sunday, February 24. It’s a double celebration for the team at Dublin Zoo, who not only welcome this new addition, but also welcomed the news that Kellogg’s Coco Pops is now the sponsor of the South American House.

According to Dublin Zoo, this partnership between the two popular organisations is a great fit for both the zoo and Kel-

A Goeldi’s monkey

logg’s, and it will contribute to the upkeep of the South American House, conservation in the wild and enhance the visitor experience to the magnificent new house even further.

The new arrival will be sharing its new home with over nine species includ-

ing monkeys, tortoises and parrots from the rainforests of Central and South America. Colourful or camouflaged, shy or show-off, each species has its own place in the forests. However, many of these species are now in danger due to hunting and deforestation.

The Goeldi’s monkeys have blended into the forest so well that it wasn’t until 1904 that they were first discovered. These rare, dark-haired monkeys are from the western regions of South America’s tropical rainforests, and mainly feed on fruit, vegetables, bird eggs and insects.

Commenting on the new arrival and the new partnership, director at Dublin Zoo Leo Oosterweghel said: “This is a really exciting time for everyone at Dublin Zoo and we are thrilled to welcome Kellogg’s Coco Pops to the South American House.

“This partnership is a

major boost for Dublin Zoo as we continuously strive to make vital infrastructural improvements.

The sponsorship revenue will contribute to the care, running costs and conservation of the species that live in the South American House.”

Bernadette Grant of Kellogg Company Ireland said: “Kellogg’s has a track record in supporting family initiatives in Ireland and like Dublin Zoo, is part of the fibre of family life in Ireland.

The work that Dublin Zoo carries out with the animals that are housed in the South American House is world-class and Kellogg’s is delighted to

support the zoo and its conservation programme.

“Kellogg’s Coco Pops is a fun brand and is a natural fit with the zoo.

We look forward to developing this partnership over the coming months and to bringing some of Coco the monkey’s lively spirit to Dublin Zoo,” she added.

Dublin Zoo is open seven days a week from 9.30am until the later time of 6pm, starting March 1.

For further information on Dublin Zoo and their latest activities, visit w w w.facebook.com/ dublinzoo or www.dublinzoo.ie

28 February 2013 CASTLEKNOCK Gazette 9

scheme Forty week delay ‘totally unacceptable’

Call for Burton to intervene in welfare delays  laura webb lwebb@gazettegroup.com

Calls have been made for Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton to intervene in the “unacceptable” delays in the application for social welfare entitlements.

Dublin West Sinn Fein representative Paul Donnelly says a 40-week delay in applications is “totally unacceptable” and calls for the Minister to immediately intervene to ensure the process is expedited “as speedily as possible”.

“Of the 37 social welfare schemes under which appeals are made, 23 have an average waiting time of over 40 weeks, and appeals in nine schemes are awaiting oral hearing decisions for over a year.

“This is a living disgrace and it is adding to the distress of many families who are now dependent on social welfare payments.

“This has left local people deeply upset and angry,” he said.

According to Donnelly, much of the problem is with the initial assessment of the applications for

social welfare payments as a high percentage of those refused welfare have had successful appeals.

For example, in the case of invalidity pension 76% of appeals are granted in full or partially, or in the case of disability allowance 57% are successful and 60% for appeals of carers’ benefit/allowances or domiciliary care allowance.

“Today’s figures show that the initial assessment in local social welfare offices is wrong in over 50% of cases appealed.

That has to change imme-

Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton

diately for the benefit of all,” he said.

In response, a spokesperson for the Department of Social Protection said the department was “committed to ensuring that claims are processed as promptly as possible” and processing times “vary across schemes”.

“Schemes that require a high level of documentary evidence from the

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customer, particularly in the case of illness-related schemes, can take longer to process.

“Similarly, meanstested payments can also require more detailed investigation and interaction with the applicant, thereby lengthening the decision making process.

“As part of the department’s programme of service delivery mod-

ernisation, a range of initiatives aimed at streamlining the processing of claims, supported by modern technology, have been implemented in recent years. Operational processes, procedures and the organisation of work are continually reviewed to ensure that processing capability is maximised,” the spokesperson added.

draiocht Paddy’s Day hat workshop The team at Draiocht are calling on local people to take part in the St Patrick’s Day celebrations by making their very own fancy top hat.

On Saturday, March 9, things will get arty at Draiocht with a family day workshop from 12 noon to 3pm at Draiocht Galleries.

T his free event is designed for children aged from five to 10 years, but younger and older siblings are welcome to take part. No booking is necessary, those interested can just drop in at any stage. Dressing for mess is a must, and all children must be accompanied by an adult.

For further information on what’s on at Draiocht, log onto www.draiocht. ie

10 CASTLeKNOCK Gazette 28 February 2013

gazetteGALLERY

Kasey Smith and Mairead Farrell

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Stephen Wall

Friends check in on the Morrison’s reopening

A

NUMBER of well-known faces and socialites were spotted at the recent reopening of the Morrison’s Hotel on Ormond Quay, following its extensive €7 million refurbishment.

Music and the arts were well represented on the night, with several fashionistas also in attendence, all keen to support the celebrity magnet with its reopening, and with everyone happy

to wish the hotel every success.

Given the top-notch crowd of wellwishers at the prestigious opening night, there’s no doubting the great interest in the hip hotel’s future.

Kathryn Thomas

Nadia Forbe

Nicky Byrne

28 February 2013 Gazette 11

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Let Dublin Gazette Newspapers take you on a tour of the news and events taking place across the city and county this week, as well as the latest from our schools

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exhibition: National Gallery of Ireland

Jack B Yeats’s personal sketchbooks go on display  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

The National Gallery of Ireland is running a special exhibition of the sketchbooks of one of Ireland’s most famous modern painters, Jack B Yeats.

This is the first time a significant collection of Yeats’s personal sketches has been exhibited.

The Sketchbooks of Jack B Yeats 1897-1955 is a look behind the scenes

of how Yeats prepared and gathered ideas from life for his paintings.

By the end of his life, Yeats had assembled a collection of over 200 individual sketchbooks, 204 of which are held by the Gallery following a bequest by his niece, Anne Yeats, in 1996.

By the late 1890s, these sketchbooks had become an integral part of his artistic process and he drew regularly upon them

for ideas and as blueprints for his paintings, the most expensive of which, The Wild Ones, sold at Sotheby’s in London for over £1.2m in 1999.

The exhibition has been digitally enhanced with tablet computers which will allow visitors to browse through four complete sketchbooks, personal letters and photographs selected from the Yeats Archive.

As well as the sketch-

books, the collection includes memorabilia such as journals, original manuscripts, photographs, postcards and letters, Yeats’s sisters’ Cuala and Dun Emer Presses are also well represented.

The Sketchbooks of Jack B Yeats 1897-1955 started on February 2 and continues until May 5 in Room 13 of the Beit Wing of the National Gallery on Merrion Square. Admission is free.

Illustration from the exhibition catalogue cover, The Sketchbooks of Jack B Yeats

Gazette

12 Gazette 28 February 2013

dublinlife

diary

U2’s Adam Clayton, former Miss World Rosanna Davison and TV presenter Lorraine Keane, are calling on the public to join them in supporting St Patrick’s Hospital Foundation for its annual fundraiser

Stars come out for St Patrick’s A host of Dublin celebrities, including U2’s Adam Clayton, former Miss World Rosanna Davison and TV presenter Lorraine Keane, are calling on the public to join them in supporting St Patrick’s Hospital Foundation for its annual fundraiser.

Money raised through Walk in My Shoes will be used to provide mental health services to vulnerable young adults.

The idea behind the campaign, which is now in its second year, originated from a young service user at St Patrick’s University Hospital who said he wished his friends could “walk in my shoes”, so they could gain a better understanding of mental health difficulties.

Walk in My Shoes also provides a free support and information phone line and aims to enhance the young adult services at St Patrick’s University

Hospital.

Walk in My Shoes day will take place on Friday, April 12.

For more information on how to get involved or make a donation, visit www.walkinmyshoes. ie or see their Facebook page w w w.facebook. com/walkinmyshoes or follow them on Twitter at @Walkinmyshoes12

Go the extra mile for the ispcc in june ISPCC Childline is appealing to women all over Ireland to show their support for the children in their lives by taking part in the Flora Women’s Mini Marathon on Bank Holiday Monday, June 3.

Runners are asked to raise funds for Childline to help them to listen to more children.

In the past number of years, the Childline service has seen a huge

increase in demand and in 2011 received over 800,000 calls.

As Ireland’s only 24-hour support service for children, Childline continues to struggle to listen to every child who needs support with around a third of all calls to Childline still going unanswered.

Childline receives no government funding and so relies entirely on corporate support and the generosity of the Irish public.

For more information or to register log on to www.ispcc.ie/fundraising or call Rita on 1850 50 40 50.

Carole Nash Irish Motorbike and Scooter Show The Carole Nash Irish Motorbike and Scooter Show takes place in the RDS this March.

From March 1 to 3,

motorbike fanatics will get a chance to see what’s what in the motorbike and scooter industry for 2013.

See all the latest and greatest from BMW, Honda, Harley Davidson, Triumph, Suzuki, Victory, Ducati, Aprilia and Moto Guzzi.

The RDS will be transformed into Ireland’s biggest motorcycle and scooter showroom with everything a biker could want, all under one roof, featuring new bike models for 2013, clothing, parts, accessories, safety advice and safety wear and much more.

There is also a live action element to the show, including the thrills and spills of the Flat Track Racers, world famous Polish daredevils Stunter13 and Monika Koch and fun and games a plenty in the “nifty fifty” speedway races.

Check out www.irish-

motorbikeshow.com for further information. .

OPen mic night at the Addison Lodge

A new month-long series of open mic nights starts this month at the Addison Lodge in Glasnevin.

Local bands, musicians, comedians, poets, storytellers and performers of all kinds are invited

to go along for the opportunity to try out their acts in front of a live audience each Friday night until March 22.

The well-known venue is located opposite the Botanic Gardens in Dublin and the open mic sessions were set up by the management to encourage and showcase talent, young and old.

There is no cover charge for patrons or

performers on open mic nights. Everyone is welcome to participate and the show starts at 9pm.

If you think you might have what it takes as a performer no matter what your special talent is or would enjoy seeing the raw talent on offer, you should contact Rory at the Addison Lodge on 01 837 2524 or email on addisonlodge@hotmail. com.

ISPCC Childline is appealing to women all over Ireland to show their support for the children in their lives by taking part in the Flora Women’s Mini Marathon

28 February 2013 Gazette 13

theatre: one-night charity concert

A special toddler, parent day

Share the stage with The Saturdays  Laura Webb

Talented Dublin dancers, musicians, magicians... in fact, all kinds of entertainers, are being given the chance to support pop sensations The Saturdays when they perform at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre at the end of next month.

Bord Gais Energy wants to put talented performers on stage with one of pop’s most successful girl groups when they perform at the theatre for a one-night only charity concert on March 28.

The concert is the theatre’s second annual

charity event, with all proceeds from ticket sales night going to the Society of St Vincent de Paul. For every ticket sold, Bord Gais Energy will also match the amount.

This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is open to entertainment acts of all sorts aged 16 and over, and three winners from across the nation will be chosen to support The Saturdays on this very special night.

Enter tainers have just days left to get their entries in as the closing date for the competition is Monday, March 4. To enter, simply upload a

video of your performance to the Bord Gais Energy Facebook page https://www.facebook. com/BordGaisEnergy no later than 5pm on March 4.

Una Healy of The Saturdays, who hails from Thurles, said: “We would like to wish everyone taking part in the competition the very best of luck.

“All the girls are really excited about performing at this special event and of course performing to a home crowd always makes the night extra special for me. It’s fantastic that Bord Gais Energy is supporting the Society

Gazette

FEATURE

The Saturdays will perform at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre at the end of next month

of the St Vincent de Paul which does really great work in communities throughout Ireland.”

Irene Gowing, sponsorship manager, Bord Gais Energy, said: “Not only will the winning act get a taste of the spotlight

but they will also be part of this special concert in aid of the Society of St Vincent de Paul. Last year’s Bill Bailey event was a great success, raising €200,000, and we are confident that we’ll raise a similar donation this

year.”

Tickets for the charity show are priced from €20 to €35 and are available to Bord Gais Energy customers via w w w. bordgaisenergyrewards. ie and on sale via Ticketmaster.

A number of special days just for parents and toddlers have been lined up at The Culture Box in Temple Bar until June.

The Culture Box is encouraging parents with children 18 months to five years to come along for some adventurous, creative and artistic fun for free.

The programme features music, painting, story-telling and movement.

Although the sessions are free, booking is required. The sessions are on March 12 and 26, April 9 and 23, May 7 and 21 and June 4 and 18 at 11am and last an hour.

To book a place, call Culture Box on 01 677 2255.

Gazette

14 Gazette 28 February 2013

dublinlife

st kilian’s: a fresh approach to charity fund

schoolLife Calling all budding writers and photographers – get involved with our 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

schools

generation of journalists and snappers to get involved, we are partnering with Harvey Norman to present the Dublin Gazette Newspapers’ Cub Repor ter and Cub Photographer of the Year awards.

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

Ticket to ride for Peru’s poorest Two enterprising students from 10th year in St Kilian’s Deutsche Schule are redeeming money from used bus tickets in aid of the school’s charity, Project Peru.

Comhall Fanning and Brian Reynolds are busy running the ticket appeal and so far have raised €50 for the worthy charity.

Project Peru was established in St Kilian’s in 2006. The initiative seeks to involve pupils and teachers in poverty relief programmes in the South American country.

Since 2008, over 50 St Kilian’s students and teachers have made the journey to Peru, working in some of the poorest areas around Trujillo in northern Peru.

Alto Trujillo is often described as a pueblo joven (a young town).

It is an urban slum, a desert-like hillside where thousands of poor and desperate families are attempting to build a home and find work. Many of the families have left their hometowns in the mountains or rural areas in search of a better life.

St Kilian’s students Comhall Fanning and Brian Reynolds on the trail of more funds for Project Peru

To date, over €70,000 has been raised funding the building of emergency relief housing and a school and suppor ting other social projects in the barrios.

The next planned visit is in July 2014.

St Kilian’s school was founded in 1952 and has expanded to over 600 students, between

the kindergarten, primar y and secondar y schools levels. It has an excellent success rate in terms of students progressing to third level education, in Ireland and abroad.

On the sports fields, m a ny a c t i v i t i e s a r e undertaken, with the main team sports being soccer and hockey.

DublinGazetteNewspapers cub reporters - january 2013 winner

H Reporter of the

MONTH

Monika Mykolaityte Monika, a sixth year student at St Tiernan’s Community School, gave a great account of her experience when she was invited to the studios of RTE at Donnybrook to experience first hand the buzz of live television and the production of news with the national broadcaster. Monika is looking to further her career in journalism at university, and on this evidence, looks like she’s made the right choice for the future.

28 February 2013 Gazette 15

feature comedy: The ladykillers in dublin

children Saturdays at The Ark

Dotrice is ready to knock ’em dead in role

 Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

A BRAND new stage adaptation of the hit comedy film The Ladykillers is bringing another icon of British comedy to the stage in Dublin.

F a t h e r Te d w r i t e r Graham Linehan’s new version of the classic Ealing Studios film sees Michele Dotrice, who shot to fame in the 70s, playing Betty in Some Mothers Do Ave Em, take the role of Mrs W, the old lady who brings a gang masquerading as a musical ensemble into her home while they plan a bank heist nearby.

Today she is a stage actress, and she spoke to The Gazette about what drew her to her current role.

“He’s [Linehan] absolutely the finest, so I leapt at it when it was offered to me,” she said.

“Graham has kept the period characters but upped the story for modern audiences. The parts are so playable, they leap off the page.

“The response has been fantastic so far and it’s full of energy, it really goes at a hell of a lick.”

Michele has been a

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

‘The parts are so playable, they leap off the page. The response has been fantastic so far and it’s full of energy, it really goes at a hell of a lick’ --------------------------

Michele Dotrice

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

professional actress since she joined the R o y a l S h a ke s p e a r e Company (RSC) at the tender age of 16. Her father Roy Dotrice is also an actor, and he got his daughter into the RSC. “I was ever so lucky.

There I was at that young age working with such wonderful actors in the RSC and with material by not a bad writer!

“It’s so hard for young actors today because there are no longer any good repertory companies. In my day, they were all around the country so that up and coming actors could learn their craft.”

The inevitable question about her time playing Betty came up, and Michele mused that such success was both a blessing and a curse.

“I had come straight from the RSC into a halfhour comedy show that became a phenomenal success due to Michael Crawford’s incredible creation [the lead character, Frank Spencer].

“It really put me on the map but set me up to have to pretend never to have heard ‘Ooh, Betty!’ as endless people shouted it to me over the years.

“I look back on my time doing that show with fondness and pride, but I do think it caused future directors to be nervous about casting me as they thought that Betty was all I could do.

“I still couldn’t play this part on TV even with all the padding and wig as people would still see me as Betty.

“But it’s great to be part of this cast which is very much an ensemble and to be speaking Graham’s wonderful lines each night.”

The Ladykillers runs from February 26 until March 2 at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre.

Michele Dotrice as Mrs Wilberforce in The Ladykillers at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre

The Ark Children’s Cultural Centre in Dublin’s City Centre is now open every Saturday to meet demand for their 2013 programmes.

There is a great line-up of workshops, exhibitions and performances scheduled for the weekends and families are able to drop in between 10am and 4.30pm to take part in a Take a Trip programme.

This programme is where children and parents can collect a locationthemed suitcase packed with all the stimuli and materials needed to work on their own self-directed creative art project at The Ark. More information is available at ark.ie.

Gazette

16 Gazette 28 February 2013

dublinlife Q&A

paul kavanagh, keith mcgovern, chefdirect.ie

Duos’ tasty business idea serves up a treat SET up by Paul Kavanagh and Keith McGovern, ChefDirect.ie supplies more than 1,500 ready-prepared meals a week to a wide range of customers, including students, business professionals, and retired or elderly people living on their own.

Using 100% Irish ingredients, ChefDirect offers a range of 14 wholesome meals, with meats quality-assured by

Bord Bia, and vegetables sourced from local produce providers.

Priced from €5.50 per meal, the competitively-priced dishes are easy to rapidly reheat in an oven or microwave, adding to their popularity.

For further information about the company, or to make an order, see www.ChefDirect.ie, or telephone 01 491 6262.

How long have you been in business?

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

We are a brand-new business and began trading as of January 1.

Starting a new business from scratch has been an interesting process to go through – although not easy at times, we’ve really enjoyed it thus far!

What makes your business successful?

We are the first business in Ireland, in our sector, to offer only 100% quality Irish produce in every one of our meals.

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

Currently, our main competitors are British franchises, and their products are made in Britain using non-Irish produce in their meals.

We are an Irish company only delivering Irish produce.

We also think that we do more than just provide a product – we like to think we provide a friendly service, so much so that we know every customer on a personal basis, even their pets’ names at this stage!

How has the recession impacted your business?

The recession has affected us as much as the next business. It does seem now more than ever though that people are looking to purchase Irish-produced goods and services, which bodes well for us rather than our competition.

Pricing – we have kept our prices as keen as possible, and this is reflected in the increase in our customer base.

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

How commercial rates are calculated – they’re just too damaging on young businesses.

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

Our social media sites are purely used to update our customers on our services, new products and as a reminder to order their meals.

Social media allows us a personal touch when dealing with customer queries; we do like to have a bit of fun with it also.

We have a blog, using chefdirect. tumblr.com; here, we just talk about good food and how much we love it.

What is your ambition for the business?

To raise the standard of homedelivered meals, as well as changing the perception of frozen meals.

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

It doesn’t matter how hard things get – just stay on the pitch!

business

Mortgage help from AIB ONE of the biggest decisions people will have to make during their lives is the decision to buy a house, and obtaining a mortgage can be a daunting prospect.

To help people navigate through the application process, AIB is launching Let Us Help You Get Mortgage Ready – a new campaign aimed at ensuring customers are fully supported and informed.

Head of mortgages at AIB Jim O’Keeffe said: “AIB has seen very positive trends in the 2012 figures. We are exceeding

our mortgage targets and, as our ambitions for 2013 show, we continue to be very much open for business.

“Our customers have told us that the key item for them is to be fully supported through the mortgage journey, and we are launching a new campaign to ensure this continues to happen.”

As part of the campaign, the bank is providing a dedicated mortgage co-ordinator in every branch, a comprehensive guide to getting “mortgage-ready” for first-time

buyers and movers, as well as a number of podcasts delivered by experienced mortgage coordinators answering common questions and answers.

There is also a dedicated mortgage website providing support, advice and tools at www.aib.ie/ mortgages, and a mortgage advice support team on call from Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm, and on Saturday from 10am to 6pm, at 1890 724 724.

O’Keeffe added: “We continue to provide highly-competitive mortgage products at a loan to

value of up to 92%, and would be delighted to discuss financing your mortgage, whether you are a first time buyer, mover or thinking about extending or refurbishing your existing home.”

Figures released recently showed that the average first time buyer mortgage in 2012 was €160,000.

For further information, contact any AIB or EBS branch nationwide, call the dedicated mortgage phoneline at 1890 724 724, or see www.aib. ie/mortgages.

technology: cloud compare up and running

Irelands’s first Cloud brokerage is launched  aVa kenard

CLOUD Compare, Ireland’s first Cloud services brokerage firm, has been launched this week

by Michael Dowling and Eamon Moore.

They are both longterm residents in Malahide. Michael is a member of the board of Malahide Credit Union, Malahide Community Forum, and a recognised expert in the brokerage area, while Eamon has worked in the IT industry for 10 years in his IT consultancy company, E-MIT Solutions.

Cloud Compare offers businesses a refreshing and professional service to introduce Cloud services through planning, research, independent expert advice and project management, whilst filling the gap between the organisation and the Cloud providers.

The new company will create up to 12 technical and sales jobs in Dublin this year as the company grows. The company’s

Michael Dowling and Eamon Moore, launching Cloud Compare

future plans include greater expansion in Ireland and a move into the British market.

Cloud Compare already has 30 Cloud service providers, both in Ireland and worldwide on their panel of recommended providers, including Microsoft, Auxilion and Novosco.

These companies will form the panel of providers that Cloud Compare will engage as part of their cloud adoption framework.

Eamon Moore, chief

executive and founder of Cloud Compare, said: “Our aim is to provide businesses with the tools and techniques to evaluate and adopt Cloud technology within a qualitycontrolled environment.”

Cloud Compare services will include research and assessment for all clients, and the company’s consultants can also be deployed on Cloud projects to act as a conduit between the client and the technical architects in Cloud compa-

nies, through to project completion.

For independent Cloud providers, Cloud Compare provides a new route to market, and ease of implantation of Cloud services. The service provider only deals with one party in terms of contract and fee negotiations, resulting in simpler invoicing options.

For further information, see www.cloudcompare.ie, or follow Cloud Compare on Twitter: @CloudCompareIE.

28 February 2013 GAZETTE 17

ASDFSDAF P27 TRAVEL P25

STYLE 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

GAMING P21

TELEVISION: A SHOW TO ENCOURAGE YOU

Get off your couch, out of the house and into exercise!

 LAURA WEBB

MANY of us have once been, or still are, slaves to the comfy couch.

If you are finding it hard to move from your favourite spot, an Irish production company has enlisted the help of Dublin resident Teena Gates to present a new television show, simply entitled: Get Off The Couch.

The six-part sports programme, which airs this autumn on Setanta Ireland, aims to show people how slipping on a pair of trainers and opening the front door can be the start to a healthier lifestyle in the great outdoors.

There’s already a great buzz on the social media scene, with people following the six participants taking part in the

programme.

Presenting the programme, and getting back to her own fitness regime after taking a sixweek break following surgery, is Blanchardstown resident and head of news at 98fm, Teena Gates.

Teena was once 23 stone, and has lost more than half her body weight in two years – a process that helped to introduce her to the great outdoors.

She has since climbed to Mount Everest base camp, one of many challenges she has set herself and completed.

When she was asked to be part of the programme, she said she couldn’t say no and “loves it”.

“I think it is because I am doing fun things with a great bunch of people,

and I am really caught up in their life stories,” she told The Gazette.

“Get Off The Couch is produced by Athena Media for Setanta Ireland, and it is made with the support of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. It’s about getting people out in the outdoors who have not previously done that, or even felt they were up to it.

Discovered “It is so in my sphere!

It is exactly what I have been preaching and blogging about for the past couple of years, since I discovered that I could be sporty – which I never thought I could,” said Teena.

“I am not an ideal weight and, at the same time, I am able to get fit, get active, and enjoy

Head of news at 98FM, and exercise enthusiast, Teena Gates, and (right) with the participants of a new TV programme, Get Off The Couch

everything out there.

You don’t have to be Sebastian Coe or Usain Bolt to go and have a run – you can have a run around, and walk as well as run. [Exercise] is so much more accessible.

“The secret to getting fit is so simple – yes, you can join a gym, and yes, you can work on a treadmill, and I do all of that as well, but getting fit and enjoying the outdoors is just about getting a pair of trainers and walking out the front door. That is freedom.

“It’s not about weight loss or anything like that, it’s about getting healthy and being healthy and

just enjoying life – that’s what the programme is about,” she said.

Teena added: “No one will know what these people weigh or what their waistline is, that will never come into it.

You will see them huffing and puffing on the track, and getting faster and better.

“It depends on peoples’ targets, that some of us can do a triathlon, so that is one target we will try to aim for, but we will have a number of challenges along the way, points of focus and things we want to achieve at different levels – we will see how

everyone gets along.”

The six participants are Joe Grey, Damien McElligott and Karen Bowers from Dublin; Eamonn Waldron from Bray; Cathy Whyte from Derrynoose, Co Armagh and Maryanne Treacy from Cork.

Teena said: “They represent everybody. It is not ‘the token person’ we are going for – they have literally been selected to represent, you, me and everybody. “[They represent] those of us who have literally sat on the couch and it never occurred to them to get up and get out and be healthy

and change lifestyles.

There will be somebody you can identify with throughout the series.

“We are filming for the next six months and, over that time, people can follow our progress as we tr y out different activities – walking, kayaking, climbing mountains, and some are trying to give up the cigarettes, so that is a big challenge for us all,” she said.

Follow participants’ progress via Facebook – www.facebook.com/ GetOffTheCouchIreland – or find out more about the programme at www.getoffthecouch.ie.

Gazette

18 Gazette 28 February 2013

CELEBRATINGMOTHER’S DAY tradition: showing thanks and appreciation

Make sure mum’s the word on March 10 Ballygally Castle on the Antrim Coast Road

Spoil your mother with a trip to Northen Ireland MOTHER’S Day is fast approaching, so what better time to start planning to spoil your mum.

If you fancy a trip to Northern Ireland for Sunday, March 10, you can choose from one of the six Hastings Hotels to treat your mum to lunch.

The lunch menu at Everglades Hotel in Derry-Londonderry costs £25 for adults and £12 for children. Lunch at Ballygally Castle on the Antrim Coast Road costs £30 for adults and £15 for children. You can also have lunch at the Slieve Donard Resort and Spa in Newcastle for £40 for adults and £22 for children, or for £25 for adults in the Percy French, where they have a children’s menu.

Belfast

In Belfast, it costs £35 for adults and £15 for children at Stormont Hotel, while the Europa Hotel is offering lunch for £25 for adults and they have a children’s menu, while it costs £50 for adults and £30 for children at Culloden Estate and Spa in the Mitre Restaurant. The Culloden Estate and Spa is also offering lunch for £35 for adults and £17 for children at the Cultra Inn, and there is also a special Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea in the lounge for £30 per person on Saturday and Sunday, March 9 and 10.

Each of these hotels also has a range of short break packages available, and there are many spa treatments on offer at the Culloden Estate and Spa and Slieve Donard Resort and Spa. The offers are all subject to availability.

For more information or booking details, contact 048 9047 1066 or log on to www. hastingshotels.com.

SHE has reared you, encouraged and challenged you over the years.

So there’s no better way than Mother’s Day to say thank you for all the hard work she puts in for the other 364 days of the year.

This year, Mother’s Day falls on Sunday, March 10 in Ireland and the UK. Most of us remember what we did for Mother’s Day when we were kids: we prepared her breakfast in bed, did the household chores for the day, or made her a bookmark or card. No matter what you did for her, she always appreciated every effort you made to celebrate her day.

And she still does. The older we got, our “thank you” has grown bigger than before, in the form of taking her out for lunch, buying her a bouquet of flowers, or booking her in for a relaxing spa treatment. There’s no denying that Moth-

er’s Day has become commercialised over the years. But no matter how big or small your gesture, it still means a lot to your mum.

So where did the tradition of celebrating your mum come from?

T he earliest form can be traced back to the ancient Greek and Roman times. The Greeks held an annual spring festival which was dedicated to maternal goddesses – mainly Rhea, while the Romans also celebrated a spring festival dedicated to Cybele, a mother goddess.

Dedicated

Many years later in America during the 1800s, Julia Ward Howe first came up with the idea of celebrating Mother’s Day in the USA. The poet, writer and activist expressed her idea of celebrating a day dedicated to mothers and peace by writing the Mother’s Day Proc-

Perfect gift: A night away at the K Club what better way to show your appreciation this Mother’s Day than treating your mum to a night away at the K Club in Straffan, Co Kildare.

There are lots of accommodation, dining and spa packages created especially for Mother’s Day to ensure you won’t be stuck for gift ideas.

The K Club, a member of Preferred Hotels and Resorts and a 69-bedroom hotel, is located just over a half an hour from Dublin city centre and Dublin Airport, in the idyllic village of Straffan, Co Kildare.

For further details on the Mother’s Day packages or to purchase a Mother’s Day Gift Voucher at The K Club, call (01) 601 7200 or email sales@kclub.ie – full details are also on The K Club website www.kclub.ie.

No matter how big or small your gesture, Mother’s Day still means a lot to your mum

lamation in 1870.

Since then, Mother’s Day as we know it first emerged in USA in the early 1900s. When Anna Jar vis’ mother died in 1905, she was determined to honour her. So in 1908, she persuaded her local church in Philadelphia to give a sermon in her mother’s memory on the second

Sunday of May. It was later declared a national holiday in 1914.

Today, Mother’s Day is celebrated around the world on different days with different traditions, but they are all about showing appreciation of and love to mothers. In Ireland and England, it falls on the fourth Sunday of Lent. Meanwhile

in Spain, it takes place during the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8 to celebrate both mothers and the Virgin Mary.

So no matter what you do on Mother’s Day, remember that the day is about celebrating your mother for who she is and what she has done for you.

28 February 2013 GAZETTE 19

GAZETTE

FEATURE

LOCALMATTERS SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS

ADVERTISE WITH THE GAZETTE CALL 60 10 240

your s h y n o t m a ke w o s , s u o ll a r ve M u m s a re m li o n d o ll a r s ? fe e l li ke a m il n o w is a p p ro ac h in g , t s fa y a D s your r’ W it h M o th e b o u t tr e a ti n g a g in k in th t to s ta r r. a g re a t ti m e e c ia l th is ye a p s g in th e m nd o m u m w it h s e e q u a ti o n a th f o t u o rk e h e lp th e h a rd w o u id e , w it h th g We’ ve ta ke n t if g y a D n M o th e r’s a r ve y N o rm a p re s e n t th is H , s n to a e H , s of De b en h a m ees. a n d B u r t’s B

Harvey Nichols in Dundrum Town Centre are offering a double gift package for special mums and daughters, with a three-course meal in the First Floor Bar & Brasserie for €35 per person and an invitation for you and your mum from Crème de la Mer to enjoy a complimentary on-counter treatment and a deluxe surprise and delight sample sized gift. Lunch reservations are available from 12.30pm to 3.30pm, and can be made by calling 01 2910488 or email firstfloor.reservations@harveynichols.com

Star handbag by Julien Macdonald €76 and Jasper Conran red leather gathered cuff gloves €18.75 from Debenhams HomedicsWhite foot spa €57.50 from Debenhams

Baylis and Harding Sweet mandarin and grapefruit two-piece gift set, €15 from Debenhams

Remington easy curl €39.99 from Heatons Heather potted flower, €8 from Heatons

Burt’s Bees Mother’s Day kits in either Tips and Toes (for hardworking hands and feet) or Head to Toe (to nourish every part of the body). From €15.95

Floral Trim robe €15 from Heatons

Gazette

20 gazette 28 February 2013

OUT&ABOUT

CINEMA

Theatre THE pavilioN THEATRE 01 231 2929 A Skull In Connemara

FOR one week each autumn, Mick Dowd is hired to disinter the bones in certain sections of his local cemetery, but is he hiding a secret? February 28March 2, tickets are priced at €18/€16.

Draiocht 01 885 2622

Three Men Talking About Things They Kinda Know About THREE of Ireland’s leading performance poets - Colm Keegan, Kalle Ryan and Stephen James Smith - take the audience on a cathartic, emotional journey into the heart of who they are. Digging into subjects that men may not traditionally explore like love, relationships, loss, family and self doubt, they explore what it really means to be a man. March 8, tickets €16/€12.

Mill THEATRE 01 296 9340 Freud’s Last Session

FREUD’S Last Session focuses on legendary psychoanalyst Dr Sigmund Freud, who invites the rising academic star CS Lewis to his home in London. Lewis, expecting to be called on the carpet for satirising Freud in a recent book, soon realises Freud has a much more significant agenda.

Catch the show on March 8 and 9, tickets are priced at €15/€12.

John McClane takes aim at someone, probably someone who said something mean about his shirt. And hair. And awful movie.

review: for the true die hard fan, this is a massive let down

Not a good time

ABOUT 40 minutes into the A Good Day To Die Hard, I thought of Kevin Smith.

The bearded director has his place in Die Hard lore, portraying Warlock in Die Hard 4 (or Live Free or Die Hard, depending on which side of the Atlantic you’re on).

But that’s not why my mind drifted to the Clerks director.

In his quasi-standup DVDs, Smith waxes lyrical on all manner of subjects and in the third instalment gets onto the subject of shooting Die Hard.

In the anecdote, Smith talks about how much toll shooting the fourth instalment took on Willis and director Len Wiseman.

In explaining why he took the film so seriously, Willis explains to Smith that he is the “gatekeeper” of the Die

Film of the Week: A Good Day To Die Hard h (15) 97 mins Director: John Moore Starring: Bruce Willis, Jai Courtney, Sebastien Koch, Yuliya Snigir, Cole Hauser, a load of random Russian bad guy-types

 Paul Hosford phosford@gazettegroup.com

Hard franchise, the only link from film to film.

It is odd to think, then, that at no point in the filming of AGDTDH, did any alarm bells sound about what an abomination the film was turning out to be.

First of all, moving the film out of America felt from the earliest days like a mis-step.

But, this is Die Hard, it can, like John McClane, survive just about anything, right?

Still on board after that, the complete lack of recognisable faces in the cast was a worrying sign, but then again, nothing that the presence of Bruce Willis

OUR VERDICT:

POOR. Really, really poor. As a director, Moore seems overly focused on the set-pieces that his budgets allow. Some of them are extremely impressive, but lead to Moore forgetting that characterisation, exposition and, you know, dialogue are quite important.

Initially I had hoped that bad Die Hard is better than no Die Hard, but that hope was thoroughly misplaced.

can’t overcome.

Then, came the appointment of John Moore as director.

The Dundalk native’s output thus far has been mediocre (The Omen, Flight of The Phoenix, Max Payne), but Len Wiseman’s CV was not too impressive before LFODH and that was an enjoyable romp, so nothing to fear, right?

Wrong.

Moore is a talented director when it comes to shooting set-pieces, but his handle on subtlety, nuance and characterisation is weak in a muddle of explosions,

bad jokes and cardboard bad guys.

Wa t c h i n g J o h n McClane take dow n faceless goons is great fun at any time, but when there is no sense that the bad guys could win, there’s a hollowness to the whole exercise of watching the lotech cowboy McClane go toe-to-toe with a relentless and wellresourced enemy.

The triumph of the smirking, ever-so likable McClane is made all the more sweet when the villain has access to a cadre of poorly trained henchmen or

to all of the technological advantages on the planet.

Here, the faceless Russians pose no real threat and while no Die Hard ever convinces you that McClane is really going to lose, Moore doesn’t even try.

He instead fills the time between set-pieces with sub-80s Cold War humour and an attempt at building a relationship between McClane and his son, played by Jai Courtney.

Whereas the introduction of McClane’s daughter in LFODH was a refreshing move with a charming performance by Mary Elizabeth Winstead, this is nothing of the like.

While this is poor; very, very poor, Willis should take a leaf out of fellow Expendable Sly Stallone’s Rocky book and go out on top after six films.

28 February 2013 GAZETTE 21

GAZETTE

GAMING

Postcards from the edge of a Crysis AT THE time of writing, the PlayStation 4 was about to be revealed – sadly, as my invite to the exclusive reveal was lost in the post, I’m skipping on to the just released Crysis 3 (sorry, Sony), another one of the triple-A titles that are now flying onto shelves as 2013 unfolds.

Given that there are seemingly an endless amount of first-person shooters that are all noise, bluster and angry men with beards shouting at each other – yawn – the Crysis series has created a small, but interesting, niche for itself.

True, you still wander around shooting bad guys, but Crysis has succeeded, to date, in crafting well-realised worlds and interesting scenarios for adult gamers.

As a brief recap, and for those new to the series, aliens (established in Crysis) invaded New York in Crysis 2, with you, as the protaganist, donning an enhanced cyber-suit to make your way through one set-piece after another, culminating in the destruction of an awful lot of Uptown real estate.

Oops.

Now, several years later, and with the abandoned ruins of New York safely encased under a

 SHANE DILLON sdillon@gazettegroup.com

vast dome by a somewhat nefarious corporation, everything seems quiet in the city. Too quiet ...

It’s not long before you’re back in Manhattan, investigating both what the surviving aliens have been really getting up to for all those years, as well as encountering the inevitable (human) bad guys that also have an interest in the domed, and doomed city ...

From here, you’re in familiar Crysis territory, with the game providing plenty of player choice in how you approach each scenario and set-piece.

For example, players who like to “tank” their way through can charge around, if they wish, while stealth play is also rewarded, as you gradually unlock new abilities and enhanced powers, courtesy of your suit and weapons.

So far, so kind-of familiar, but where Crysis 3 once again excels is in its stunning art direction, and environmental design, with its “destroyed

Building on the idea of “destroyed beauty”, Crysis 3’s artists have created a stunning, picture-postcard vision of a destroyed Manhattan, transformed into a diverse cityscape filled with nature – and deadly enemies

beauty” aesthetics creating a New York that’s both familiar, yet alien.

Shattered and fractured, the city has been transformed, with rivers and lakes joining unexpected forests and plains, as Mother Nature, the aliens’ machinations, and the domed environment conspire to dramatically change the city – to stunning effect.

Once again, PC owners with hefty gaming rigs

get the best from Crysis, with a noticeable boost to graphics and detail.

The game’s still quite a looker on the XBox and PS3, despite some occasional glitches, making it not just a game that’s great fun to play, but one that’s also sure to impress onlookers, too, with its stand-out design and unique vision.

It’s worth pointing out that, again, Crysis has a great multiplayer side to

get stuck into, with some interesting variations on standard multiplayer gaming, courtesy not just of each players’ suit’s powers, but with a twist on some classic gaming modes.

While graphics are always less important than gameplay, its striking design, reasonably open gameplay choices and fun multiplayer options make this a Crysis that’s definitely worth welcoming.

This mostly seems to involve attacking bad guys to thwart their plans, and occasionally slicing them, machinery, mechs and more into pieces (alas, no cucumber sandwich-making bonus round), not to mention engaging in ludicrously all-out action set pieces that are about a million miles away from the densely wrought, anti-war, cynically jaded plots and characters more commonly found throughout Metal Gear games.

Given the current lack of OTT action titles at the moment, Raiden’s XBox and PS3 adventure is a breathless and welcome romp for mature gamers to try sharpening their skills on ...

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It’s chop-tastic fun ANOTHER just released game of note is Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance (MGRR), which is, perhaps, best described as an over-the-top action game that also involves lots of slicing things up (which may appeal to chophappy Fruit Ninja-ists out there).

An unlikely offshoot of the longrunning and multi-platform Metal Gear series, MGRR takes Raiden – a somewhat unpopular character in recent games – then gives him a souped-up cyborg suit, a sharper-than-sharp blade, and then sets him to righting wrongs in an African country on the edge of chaos, as only a cyborg ninja guy can ...

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EMAIL YOUR PHOTO TO picturedesk@gazettegroup.com Raiden – an unlikely do-gooder, out to restore stability after warmongers kill a president, threatening peace

Or call our NEWS TEAM on 60 10 240 and SELECT OPTION 2

Gazette

22 Gazette 28 February 2013

OUT&ABOUT

MUSIC

FASTtunes with Radio Nova’s Dee Woods

He’s hailed as one of the greatest guitarists of all time and is the only person in rock who can pull off cool in a top hat.

Slash is currently storming through a string of sold-out dates across Europe and he plays The Olympia Theatre on March 2 and 3, two years after blasting the rain out of the sky at the Oxegen Festival in Punchestown in 2011.

If you’re one of the lucky ones with a ticket to the sold-out Olympia gigs, you’re in for a treat.

From Guns N’ Roses’ debut album Appetite for Destruction in 1987, Slash’s guitar work gave the band serious rock credibility.

The opening riff of Sweet Child O’ Mine gave the track anthem status, while the cutting chords of Welcome To The Jungle had every child of the 80s nodding their heads to his playing – and he was just 21 years old.

Now, post Guns N’ Roses and two other bands, Slash is well and truly out on his own.

His first solo album was the self-titled release from 2010 and featured an impressive list of guest musicians and singers including Ozzy, Lemmy and Dave Grohl.

His latest release, Apocalyptic Love, is less about the famous faces and more about getting back to basics. Slash co-wrote the record with his lead vocalist Myles Kennedy of Alter Bridge who’ll be belting out the tunes at The Olympia this weekend.

I hope the theatre’s walls are good and sturdy, cos they’re gonna get rocked. Oh, and bear in mind if you are heading to either of the concerts, @Slash tweeted after playing in Sofia at the beginning of February that the city had the loudest crowd ever. Dublin: that sounds like a challenge to me!

Slash will play the Olympia on March 2 and 3

Don’t look back in angora: Johnny Marr has crafted an assured debut solo release

REVIEW: a shimmering debut from the smiths guitarist

This charming man

WE have a r unning joke in the office about the number of bands I have seen over the years. It often involves me recounting the tours I saw certain bands on and how early in their careers I caught them.

It usually ends with our Production Editor saying she saw Pink Floyd and me leaving in a huff.

One band no one in Gazette Towers, not even I, can say we saw back in the day was The Smiths. Not for want of trying, however. I was an immense Smiths fan and still am. Their sense of humour and melody, charm and Mancunian drollery, were a salve to teenage ears, and have been a go-to ever since.

 ROB heigh rheigh@gazettegroup.com

Now, too many years later, the ubiquitous guitar hero of all those years ago and many since, Johnny Marr, has released his ‘official’ solo release, The Messenger (his release with The Healers in 2003 notwithstanding).

From the off, this is as close to a return to those glory, glory days as Johnny has been involved in since the acrimonious end of The Smiths in 1987.

He has been far from

idle since, playing with the aforementioned Healers, as well as being a member of The Pretenders, The The, Modest Mouse and The Cribs.

From the opening notes, there’s no doubt as to who is responsible for the music on offer.

The jangling guitar and tubthumping drums that open The Right Right Thing are trademark Marr, and the record continues in a similar vein on several of the tracks.

That’s far from detracting from what’s going on here - Marr and the peerless rythym section in The Smiths could rock like demons when the mood took them, and it’s no different here.

Lead track Upstarts is an

almost glam stomp full of bright fills and Lockdown is another kicking track.

The title track is another that harkens back to glory, utterly reminiscent of the kind of track that Marr produced with Bernard Sumner of New Order when the two collaborated as Electronic.

Bubbling under the surface on a number of the tracks is the ghost in the room, Stephen Patrick Morrissey. With Marr having been responsible for the always magnificent Smiths tunes that Morrissey crooned upon, there are a couple of songs on The Messenger when you utterly expect the singer of yore to appear through the mix.

Marr’s music, however, remains all his own, and is strong enough to carry a full album of well-crafted and catchy guitar songs with exactly the right combination of nostalgia and invention to make something new and unique.

With Johnny set to grace the Olympia stage at the end of March, there’s a lot of expectation ahead of his live shows, not least whether some of The Smiths oeuvre will appear in the setlist. Even without those songs, there is plenty going on in The Messenger to herald a great night of celebration of one of the most important and influential figures in music over the last 30 years.

28 February 2013 CASTLEKNOCK GAZETTE 23

GAZETTE

STYLE I am starting a new job after being a stay-at-home mum for four years. I don’t want to wear a suit all the time so what sophisticated and stylish outfits can you recommend to mix and match?

Jane from Castleknock Caroline’s Advice: My advice would be to invest in a few versatile staples that you can mix and match for different outfits; my top items would be a good quality blazer, a pair of cigarette pants, a pencil skirt, a classic white blouse and some power stilettos – you can’t go wrong! Make your office attire stylish and versatile – most importantly make sure you feel comfortable in what you’re wearing A chic blazer is a wardrobe must-have – it will instantly add sophistication to your

look, even worn over dark skinny jeans (if your office is a bit more casual). A pair of tailored cigarette trousers gives a contemporary edge to the ‘trousers and shirt’ combo; team this with a sharp cut blazer and you will ooze confidence.

Boucle and tweed are both hot trends this season and also perfect for officewear. I love this South Tweed Biker Jacket, €62 which brings monochrome chic to a whole new level – perfect for jazzing up a plain pair of black pants. For a splash of pastel (also key for this season), try the South Tweed Pencil Dress, €50 which is incredibly elegant and super flattering.

 Star Question!

What item can really help change an outfit from daywear to nightwear, if I’m going out straight from work?

Marian from Swords Caroline’s Advice: Accessories are the easiest (and cheapest!) way to update any outfit to take you from the desk to dinner. Add a statement necklace, ditch your oversized, everyday handbag in favour of a stylish clutch and you’re good to go! Embellished or neon pieces are perfect for a real stand out look – like the Demi Neon Collar, €22 or the Audrey Cascade Disc Necklace, €27. Also, a chic jacket or blazer can go a long way in completely changing the look of an outfit, whether it’s layering over a black dress, jeans or office trousers. And my secret – a slick of red lippy works wonders too!

Style Q&A

Gazette Style and Littlewoods Ireland have teamed up to help readers with some style dilemmas

On the last Thursday of each month, Littlewoods Ireland Ambassador Caroline Morahan (left) or their resident stylist Tanya Grimson will answer your fashion queries through great tips and looks from their many collections. So if you are stuck in a fashion rut and need answers, then email style@gazettegroup.com with your question, name and location. The top questions will be chosen to feature on the page. The reader with the one question deemed the star question of the month will receive a €50 voucher for Littlewoods Ireland.

I love jeans but sometimes it’s hard to know what shoes I should wear with my boyfriend jeans or my skinny jeans – what kind of shoes work best for different jean styles this season?

Jo from Lucan Caroline’s Advice: Boyfriend jeans are great for some fashion downtime – I love them for popping out to the shop, running errands or just lounging at home. Given the slouch shape and loose leg of the jeans, they look best worn with trainers or pumps. These South Denim Trackpant Jeans, €32 are a modern twist on the classic boyfriend-look and look great worn with hightop or wedge trainers.

I know some people can be weary of wearing skinny jeans but ladies, these were made to show off your legs so embrace the skinny jean, don’t fear it!! Skinny jeans are a must have for any wardrobe and are ideal for wearing day or night – team with some cute pumps or tuck into boots during the day; at night, simply add a pair of stilettos or platform heels.

24 CASTLEKNOCK gazette 28 February 2013

Gazette

&ABOUT OUT road

MOTORS

NOISE

GoCar car sharing sign up SEAT for fleet GoCar, Ireland’s car sharing initiative, has announced a partnership with SEAT that will see five SEAT Mii joining the GoCar fleet in 2013. The Seat Mii will be available to GoCar members to rent on an hourly basis across Dublin.

The GoCar initiative works on a pay-per-trip basis that allows the user the freedom to access a vehicle as and when they need it.

GoCar chief executive Colm Brady commented: “The SEAT Mii is a fantastic addition to the GoCar fleet. It comes in as one of our city cars and will be a great option for GoCar members looking to get around the city. They have a very high spec and provide great performance and an enjoyable driving experience.”

GoCar has also announced the opening of six new GoBases in Dublin at Clontarf, Sandymount, Donnybrook, Harold’s Cross and Miltown (two).

The total number of GoBases in the capital now stands at 23 with a further five in Cork. Five of the new GoBases are located in Dublin City Council car parks which are located close to public transport links.

“All of the locations announced today are well serviced by public transport and cycle lanes which fits with our aim of establishing GoCar as a viable addition to existing public transport links. Ondemand access to vehicles will result in fewer vehicles being used on Irish roads and this will have a positive environmental impact in our major cities and towns. The SEAT Mii will not only provide a fun driving experience for our members but it also produces low CO2 emissions so is a perfect fit for GoCar,” continued Brady.

“As a brand, we are delighted to be behind the GoCar initiative, which is a clever alternative to car ownership very much in tune with modern living.

The Mii is the perfect car for this scheme as it is so easy to drive and it has the environmental credentials to suit the car sharing ethos,” said SEAT director Cian O’Brien.

For more information check out www.gocar.ie

At the launch are GoCar chief executive Colm Brady and SEAT director Cian O’Brien

The new Fluence is priced from €19,690 and comes with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty

renault: this car features numerous driver-aid technologies

Fluence flaunts bags of quality and style

n Cormac Curtis

For every successful roll of the motoring dice there are umpteen abysmal failures.

But when Renault released what they believed to be an ideal car for the Irish driver, they got the snake eyes they were looking for as soon as they brought the Fluence to the table.

This is a car that takes real-world driving and gives it the five-star treatment.

There is a particular route that I drive to get a feel for a car – and it’s not without its challenges; think poor road surface, badly-sequenced traffic lights, blind corners, hairpin bends, steep hillstarts and you’ll get the idea.

I often find it incredible at how some very finely-

tuned motors, geared for performance and ‘real’ driving, completely come apart at the seams on this route.

Take them on the motorway to Cork and you can find something special, but drive them to work and you’ll be shaken within an inch of your sanity.

Not so with the all-new Fluence.

Renault are on the money with this car, and what I consider the most successful aspect of it is its suspension.

Purists might call it soft or spongy, personally I found it like driving on a cloud – nothing short of perfection for Irish roads, and that’s what 99% of people want.

Believe me, I’ll chomp at the bit for something low, balanced, tuned to

perfection and positively bulging with excessive horsepower, but in the morning, I just want a comfortable car to drive.

And that’s what the Fluence offers.

The quality doesn’t stop there. The interior has enough style and build quality to satisfy the most discerning eye, with points of contact including the steering wheel and gearshift really adding to a sense of reassurance.

The leather seats in the model I test drove would give their GT-spec cousins a real run for their money, pure comfort, and very easy on the eye.

The cockpit has been given a modern makeover, without being too fussy, and the driver is treated to digital instrumentation.

The boot is still one of the biggest in its class easily fitting two sets of golf clubs.

New look Fluence features Renault’s new styling identity. Its front end has the vertically-set logo at the centre of a broad black strip picked out by chrome beading which provides the car with a dynamic stance. The LED daytime running lights and chrome/gloss black inserts also contribute to the newcomer’s modern appeal.

A choice of petrol or diesel engines, with automatic transmission, are available. All diesel engines, either manual or automatic have CO2 emissions below 120g, so belong to the lowest tax band as per today.

The Fluence has a raft of on-board, connected

technologies and innovations including numerous driver-aid technologies – Bluetooth compatible radio, six airbags and hands-free card with remote central locking standard all across the range, LED lights, rear parking sensors, cruise control, dual zone climate control and a brand new multimedia system available depending on trim level.

The new Fluence is priced from €19,690 and comes with a fiveyear unlimited mileage warranty and Renault Finance will offer finance packages from €199 per month with Renault ReFlex, a personal contract plan which provides Irish consumers with reassurance and flexibility when financing a new Renault.

28 February 2013 CASTLEKNOCK GAZETTE 25

GAZETTE

TRAVEL GETAWAYS: GOOD VALUE ON EVENTS AND HOTELS NATIONWIDE

Time to plan your family Easter break

THE Easter holidays are around the corner, and that means that now is the time to start planning a short family break to keep the kids entertained when the schools are closed. There are many Easter-themed events happening around the country. But with so many choices, where should you go, and would there be plenty of activities to do there?

Luckily, help is at hand from travel expert website Hotels.com, which have put together some of the best value Easter events and hotel rates around the country.

In Wexford, the annual Easter egg hunt will take place at the Irish National Heritage Park in Ferrycarrig. Early booking is advised for this event, and it only costs €5 per child and is free for adults. Hotels.com recommend staying at the four star family-friendly Ferrycarrig Hotel, which

is located beside the park.

On Hotels.com, the family room was €197, but it is now €183.

In Cork, the Race Home for Easter festival in Mallow will take place for its third time, while various Easter entertainments will take place on the grounds of Mallow Castle. Hotels.com recommends staying at the four star Blarney Golf Resort, where prices start from €115 per self-catering lodge. These lodges are located close to Blarney Castle, Blarney Woolen Mills and the Blarney Stone.

In Clare, the Easter Bunny will make a special appearance on Easter Sunday at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. There will also be face painting, magic shows and bouncing castles on the day.

Tickets cost €5 and can be booked online. You can have a memorable meal at the medieval banquets in Bunratty

fast

TRAVEL NEWS

Save 30% with Hilton WorldWide

The Blarney Golf Resort in Cork and (inset) the Delphi Mountain Resort in Galway

and surrounding castles.

Hotels.com recommends staying at the three star Clare Inn Hotel at Dromoland, where prices start from €89 per family room per night.

In Galway, adventure seekers of all ages can visit the four star Delphi Mountain Resort, where

activities include surfing, hill walking and canoeing. If you prefer to relax, you can check out the spa and enjoy breathtaking mountain views from the thermal suite. Accommodation at the resort starts from €299 per family room per night.

All prices are based on

two adults and two children, and are subject to availability at the time of booking.

So, there are plenty of great and reasonable options for a fun-filled stay-cation this Easter.

All you have to do is pick which trip would suit your family the most.

A TOTAL of 6,325,800 overseas trips were made

by Irish residents in 2012. This is an overall increase of 0.5% on 2011.

According to the CSO, outbound travel peaked during the period of October – December 2012, when the total number rose by 3.8% to 1,360,400.

With this in mind, Hilton HHonors, the guestloyalty programme for Hilton Worldwide, has launched the Dream Resorts Promotion, which allows holidaymakers to save up to 30% on bed and breakfast room rates this year.

Hilton HHonors members can enjoy up to a 30% discount by booking 30 days ahead to selected properties until May 14, for stays between March 14 and December 31, 2013, while also earning Hilton HHonors points. This offer is subject to availability.

Among the promotion is a seven-night stay from May 18 to 25 to Conrad Algarve in Portugal, which offers a promotion rate of €247 per night for a King Deluxe Room. This includes breakfast and taxes, and works out to make a total saving of €743.40.

For more information on the Dream Resorts Promotion, log on to www.Hhonors.com/ dreamresorts.

Summer deals with Thomas Cook

Hotels should be a little like home

Shelbourne Hotel spa package a real treat

SPRING forward and book a holiday before the summer, with the latest offers from Thomas Cook Ireland.

Depart from Dublin and enjoy these seven-night breaks.

Enjoy the sunshine in Gran Canaria, departing on March 2, from €498 per person, by staying at the two-star, self-catering Castillo del Sol in Puerto Rico.

Holiday in Lanzarote, departing on March 3, from €607 per person, by staying at the threestar, self-catering Club Siroco Apartments in Costa Teguise.

Explore Egypt, departing on March 7, from €499 per person,

LATEST research by travel experts Hotels.com has found that global travellers seek a home-from-home experience when they stay in a hotel.

As well as free food and beverages, the must-have amenity on their list is free Wi-Fi, with 66% saying that they wish this would become standard at all hotels in 2013.

Free Wi-Fi topped the need for free parking and complimentary breakfast. Over a third of those surveyed seek to stay connected online whilst on holidays, which shows that internet access is a necessity for modern-day travel-

TREAT yourself to unwind and relax after a hard week with the luxurious Sunday night spa package at The Shelbourne Hotel, the five-star hotel at St Stephen’s Green.

Stay here on Sunday night, and enjoy one night’s bed and breakfast in a deluxe room, with dinner in the glamorous AA Rosette Saddle Room Restaurant. On top of this, enjoy a one- hour Elemis spa treatment of your choice per person at the spa. Your stay will also include full use of the spa’s swimming pool, sauna, steam room and gym.

Spa treatments must be booked when reserving the bedroom. This offer costs €190 per person and is available until June 30, 2013.

For more information, call The Shelbourne Hotel on 01 6634500 or visit www.TheShelbourne.ie

by staying in the three-star Corners Palmyra in Nabq Bay. For bookings, call 01 514 0328, log on to www.thomascook.ie or visit your local travel agent.

Or if you feel like exploring the sea, enjoy a seven-night Western Mediterranean Cruise (Liberty of the Seas) from €1,039 per person, departing May 26 with Thomas Cook Cruise. Ports of call include Barcelona in Spain, Toulon and Nice in France, Florence, Civitavecchia and Capri in Italy. For bookings, call 01 514 0336, log on to www.thomascookcruise.ie, or visit your nearest travel agent.

lers.

“With an increase in airlines and airports offering free Wi-Fi, tech-savvy travellers expect the experience to continue upon arrival at their hotel,” said Kate Hopcraft, senior PR manager at Hotels.com. “They are using their tablets, smart phones and laptops to plan activities, stay connected to family and even order a delivery meal straight to their hotel room, so it’s no surprise they require free and fast Wi-Fi.” The survey was conducted in January on over 8,600 participants across 28 countries.

26 Castleknock Gazette 28 February 2013

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planning Notice Fingal County Council We, Green Elm Properties Ltd., intend to apply for permission for development at this site 59 Beechpark Avenue, Castleknock, Dublin 15. The development will consist of the demolition of existing single storey dwelling and construction of 4 no. 2 storey detached dwellings with individual vehicular access off Beechpark Avenue along with associated site works. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and a submission or observation may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (20Euros) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of this application.

17686

28 February 2013 CASTLEKNOCK Gazette 27

asdfsdafP30 P27 Football

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

dublin gazette awards P28

FastSport Run FOR a cause and for paws:

The new Dublin City Council/Leinster Rugby team training session took place recently with 33 Under-15 players from all round the city converging at Clontarf RFC grounds

programme: Dublin City Council/Leinster Rugby team tap into talent

Training sessions begin for aspiring U-15 rugby players  peter carroll sport@gazettegroup.com

The first-ever training session of the new Dublin City Council/Leinster Rugby team took place recently with 33 Under-15 players from all round the city converging at the Clontarf RFC training grounds.

Players from schools, community groups and enthusiasts of the game joined together to train with Leinster coaching staff to develop the core rugby skills of kicking, catching, passing and

tackling.

Leinster rugby’s community officer for the Dublin City Council area Jack Hanratty said: “This program has started for many reasons, one being to give players from non-rugby playing areas a chance to play the sport.

“Another reason was to give players the opportunity to play for the Metro team area as a part of the Leinster player development pathway.”

This program, after its successful launch, will continue toward its end goal of playing a match the week of the

European cup final, Saturday, May 18.

“We worked on some core skills and a little bit of teamwork. We were delighted with the phenomenal turnout, it really showed us that the project was needed.

“The aspiring players that turned out were from the areas that we wanted to tap into that didn’t really have any clubs in their location – inner city Dublin, the Liberties and north Dublin.

“They absolutely loved it and they’re very enthusiastic about learning the sport and working as a team.

“We have 10 weeks to turn them into a team for the weekend of the Heineken Cup final, and with the attitude that they displayed, it’s definitely possible.

“There is just so much untapped talent in these areas and eventually we want to serve them all as a Dublin team from ages six and up to play in the metro league.

“It was the first time I’ve been at a training session and everyone that was involved put their hands in the middle and shouted ‘Dublin’ at the end and it sounded pretty good,” said Hanratty.

Women runners across the capital are being called upon to register for this year’s Flora Women’s MiniMarathon which will take place on June 3, at the slightly earlier start time of 2pm.

Registration is now open on www. florawomensminimar athon.ie, and this year, Dogs Trust are looking for athletes of all abilities to sign up and support their cause.

When you receive your registration number, email your name, address, contact details and t-shirt size to minimarathon@dogstrust. ie and Dogs Trust will pop your sponsorship pack in the post for you.

For more information, please call (01) 879 1824 or email minimarathon@dogstrust.ie.

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 28 February 2013

SPORT Sports Stars

Phoenix’s John Brophy

Swords woman Catherine Walsh

DSDAC’S Ava Hutchinson

St Joseph’s Boys Dan Casey

Blackrock man Leo Cullen

Ballinteer badminton star Scott Evans

Peamount’s queen of the ring, Katie Taylor Garda cycling club’s Caroline Ryan

Finn Lynch

Coolmine’s Phil Lavery

Tennis player Lesley O’Halloran

Shining bright

O

LYMPIC and Paralympic year saw local sports stars push themselves beyond perceived limits in pursuit of reaching the pinnacle of their respective sports, some taking home the ultimate prize, others obliterating their personal bests. Beyond the Games, though, there was no shortage of achieve-

ment, with award winners honoured for their world championship success in tennis, sailing and cycling, European swimming, badminton and rugby pursuits while others have flown the Irish flag on the soccer field, making for a wonderfully diverse set of Sports Stars.

ALSAA’s Barry Murphy

28 February 2013 CASTLEKNOCK Gazette 29

Gazette

30 CASTLEKNOCK gazette 28 February 2013

SPORT

FastSport

Soccer: phoenix stay top, proving too good for united

Celtic see off St Pat’s challenge by two goals CASTLEKNOCK Celtic’s DDSL U-14 As took a solid 3-1 win last weekend when they travelled to Bunting Road in Walkinstown to face off against Saint Patrick’s Athletic on a cold and sleety morning.

The visitors started well with Aaron Foley and Conor Troy up front getting plenty of attention from the Pat’s defence.

The game was being played at a ferocious pace, but it was Celtic who quickly got into their stride, with Cian Rush and Jack Bradshaw giving the Saints’ two fullbacks a torrid time and getting some great balls into the box.

This pressure was bound to pay off, and after 15 minutes, Gabi Aghnita latched onto a pass from Jack Bradshaw and found the back of the net with a fierce drive from 12 yards.

This was no more than Celtic deserved, having hit crossbar and side netting during the early exchanges and they went in at half time 1-0 in front.

The second half started as the first had finished with Celtic driving forward with the Pats’ defenders doing their best to keep them out.

The midfield four of Cian Rush, Gabi Aghnita, Conor Rice and Shane O’Brien were bossing the midfield and, with Celtic camped in the Pat’s half, a second goal was sure to come.

It duly arrived when a corner from Shane O’Brien was headed into his own net by one of the Pat’s defenders.

With Celtic piling on the pressure, the Pat’s goalkeeper stepped outside his box with the ball in his hand and the referee gave a direct free kick to Celtic.

That set the stage for Aghnita, who stepped up and buried it into the top corner from just outside the box.

With about 10 minutes left Pat’s got a consolation goal from a well-worked move, leaving Castleknock Celtic deserved winners by 3-1, and one point ahead of second placed Sacred Heart in the league table with three games in hand.

The Dublin 15 side will now look to maintain top spot in their remaining seven league games.

Gary McGlew and Darren Craven get ready for the second half at Phoenix, but the seasiders came up short

Phoenix see off Malahide LSL sat major Phoenix Malahide Utd  sport@gazettegroup.com

2 1

GOALS from Paddy Collins and Graham Kavanagh ensured a vital win for Phoenix FC against league rivals Malahide United and help maintain their 5 point lead at the top of the Saturday Major league table.

The visitors looked to be in command early on, using the most of their possession and building their play quickly from the back in hopes of catching their hosts off guard.

However the first chance of the match fell to the home side, a free kick taken on the right was swung in dangerously by Robert Keegan and defender Kevin Lowe rose up highest to head the ball in on goal but it sailed over the crossbar.

From the resulting goal kick, Malahide quickly broke down the left, Connor Carberry’s pass controlled superbly by Shane Woods on his chest where he proceeded to strike a first time volley but his shot was well wide to the relief of the home side.

With Malahide con-

inter-provincials Awards night Local players in the spotlight at awards Saint Brigid’s duo Shona Barrett and Orla Brennan are pictured here at the O’Neills Dublin Ladies Gaelic Football Awards evening for 2012. The event took place in Croke Park last week and recognised the massive contributions of all those involved in growing the sport of ladies gaelic across the capital.

Both Brigid’s fotballers were part of the All Ireland Senior B winning panel last year.

Picture: GAAPics.com

tinuing to press in search of the opening goal, a mistake by their defence allowed Keith Kennedy to play a through ball into Kavanagh, who held off his marker and drilled a shot towards the near post which left keeper Joseph Lennon no chance and put his side up 1-0.

The visitors were clearly stunned but regained composure towards the end of the half and will wonder how they didn’t get the equalising goal their play deserved, Colm Curtis and striker Ruairi Carberry linking up well on several occasions

only to be denied by the imposing centre back pair of Lowe and John Rogers, who were letting nothing get past them and kept the score in their team’s favour going into half time.

After play resumed, Phoenix dominated proceedings and could have scored three or four goals to add to their tally. Carberry linking up with Keegan early on, the latter’s shot looked goalbound but Lennon heroically got his enough on the ball to push it onto the crossbar.

Kavanagh thought he

had his second goal, when Keegan’s long range shot rebounded off Lennon and he followed it up and tapped the ball into an empty net but he was ruled offside.

With 20 minutes left to play, substitute Collins chased down a long ball where he stole the ball off Lennon’s feet and tapped in the simplest of finishes to double his team’s lead.

Carberry got a late consolation goal for Malahide, in what turned out to be the final kick of the game but it wasn’t enough to dent Phoenix’s chase for the title.

28 February 2013 CASTLEKNOCK gazette 31

Gazette

Gilheaney ratified as Dublin ladies interim manager  sport@gazettegroup.com

Fingallians’ stars Laura McGahon, Fiona Hudson, Denis McKenna and Amy McGuinness will be receiving orders from the sideline from Paul Gilheaney for the remainder of the 2013 season, after the St Vincent’s man was ratified as interim manager

of the Dublin ladies senior side last week.

A well-known name in the ladies section, Gilheaney was part of the backroom staff for the All-Ireland minor winning Dublin team in 2008, the All-Ireland senior finalists in 2009 and the All-Ireland senior championships winners in 2010.

The ladies manager has also been involved with the Dublin men’s U-17 development squad, making him a likely candidate for the Dublin minor job in the future.

Gilheaney has brought through a host of minor talent into the senior fold during this year’s league campaign and the side look to be gelling well

with the younger members of the panel showing their worth by filling in for an injury list of seasoned inter county players.

T he side recently handed Laois, managed by former Dublin U-21 Tom McKittrick, their sole loss of the season in the National Football League Division One.

football: Opening day loss for peregrine’s

Club Noticeboard St brigid’s SOME great league wins over the

Celebration evening for our 2012

weekend for our U10s, U12s, U13s,

teams will be on this Friday (March

U14s, U15s, U16s, minors, seniors,

1) tickets are €20 and includes buf-

inters and junior A and B football-

fet meal and live music, all wel-

ers, well done to all!

come.

2013 memberships are now due, deadline is March 31.

Any member with issues regarding membership can contact our

The club will be running an open night for the HPC (High Performance Centre) on Thursday (February, 28) from 6.30pm till 10pm.

club secretary Mary O’Connor at

All are welcome to come in for a

maryaoc@hotmail.com. Club nurs-

free trial workout from between

ery for four- to seven-year-olds

6.30 and 8pm.

continues every Saturda y from

Damian Smith will also be on hand

9.30am to 11am.

to guide members around the HPC.

New members and families are welcome. Contact Paul on 0879154748 or email info@stbrigidsgaa.com.

Club lotto jackpot is €15,000 this Thursday in the Roselawn Inn.

Brigid’s Strictly 2013 DVDs (cost is €10) now available to order.

Text or email Ciara McEntee ASAP on 0861992900 or cmce@hotmail. com.

Please see the St Brigid’s GAA

Anyone interested in taking part in

Coaching Development Programme

Scor, young or old, please see web-

for 2013 on website.

site for details.

St peregrine’s HARD luck to senior and junior A footballers on narrrow defeats last weekend.

The introduction of Robbie McCarthy saw St Peregrine’s close the gap against St Pat’s, albeit temporarily

Peregrine’s boss upbeat despite loss AFL 2 St Pat’s Palmerstown St Peregrine’s  sport@gazettegroup.com

2-9 0-9

NEW Blakestown bosses Barry Corrigan and Ronan Keaskin suffered defeat in their first competitive outing at the helm of Peregrine’s, with some big absences in the starting XV and a lack of preparation due to bad weather cited as the main complications for the AFL 2 team.

Dublin duo Robbie McCarthy and Eric Lowndes were absent from the starting lineup due to Sigerson and

Trench Cup duty along with Shane Sweeney, three of the more influential men in the Dublin 15 ranks.

“Without three very important players the lads found it very hard to start,” said Corrigan.

“We made some changes in the second half and we saw a lot more from them, but the damage had been done in the first half.”

Heading in at the break 1-6 to 0-2 down, P e r e g r i n e ’s l o o ke d a new side with the introduction of Robbie McCarthy in the second half when they got with-

in four points of their opposition.

However, a goal with 10 minutes to go didn’t help their cause but Corrigan maintains that the result could be a blessing in disguise for his team.

“We had only one challenge game to see the lads playing and they won by 14 points which was probably the worst thing that could’ve happened.

“A fter the St Pat’s game we got to see them rally at half time and fight for a result, even though it wasn’t the one we were looking for.

“We’ve missed a Cup game and we could’ve done with more challenge matches, but we’ll put this behind us and get going when the squad is back to full strength.

“This team came very close to the playoffs when they were first promoted and since then they haven’t been up in the mix.

“There’s a lot that this team want to do and I’m aware of how difficult this league is to get out of, but we’ll be pushing for it – it’s going to be a lot more open than last year,” he said.

Commercials this Sunday at 11am.

Sincere condolences to Seamus Dolan on the death of his mother.

Great wins for our Junior B and

The club are running a race night

U-14 boys footballer s over the

on March 29, please see Lorraine

weekend.

O’Connor for details.

Great effort by our senior ladies

All membership is now due, please

to get to the semi final of the Paudi

contact your team mentor for

O’Se tournament.

details.

Well done to Danielle Pugh and the Dublin minors on a great win

Club lotto was not won, numbers drawn were 8, 16, 21 and 27.

against Kildare and to Karla Whe-

Next week’s jackpot is €2,800.

lan on being selected for the Dublin

Entertainment in the club this Sat-

U-14 footballers.

urday from Smack The Monkey.

Senior hurlers kick off their cup campaign with a home game versus

Bingo continues this Wednesday at 8pm and the jackpot is €700.

Castleknock THERE was a good start for the new

Registration forms for this year’s

management set-ups of both the

Easter Camp can also be down-

intermediate and junior football

loaded from the website, and it is

teams with wins over Na Fianna and

important to download this as reg-

Skerries Harps respectively in the

istration will not take place on the

first round of league matches.

day as it has in previous years.

A Night of Fashion, Castleknock’s

The club’s adult awards night has

fashion show, is on February 28 in

been confirmed for March 15 in the

the Castleknock Hotel and Coun-

Castleknock Hotel and Country

try Club, in aid of the clubhouse

Club.

appeal.

Tickets are €20, contact Joyce Shaw at 086 8098950, or go onto the website for details.

Please continue to send in your registration forms for the coming year.

If you are not registered then you

Details of tickets will follow shortly, so be sure to save the date.

The nursery is being run every Saturday at 10am in Somerton, and all new players and families are as always very welcome to join.

If interested, please contact Louise at 085 1534270.

are not insured and cannot play

Signs surrounding the main pitch

or train with the club, so please

in Somerton are now on sale, for

ensure that this is done.

more information on how to pur-

Forms can be downloaded from the website.

chase a sign please contact Charlie at 0851101008.

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

Celtic cruise: Castleknock see off St Patrick’s Athletic to go top, running out 3-1 winners P30

february 28, 2013

sport star celebrations: Fourth annual Dublin Sports Awards to rock the Red Cow P28

James McGee will hope to bring this level of celebration to Castleknock when Ireland take on Finland in the Davis Cup

McGee’s home comfort Castleknock man will get to represent his country in front of his home crowd after his local lawn tennis club are picked as Davis Cup host  Peter Carroll

sport@gazettegroup.com

CASTLEKNOCK Lawn Tennis Club have been selected as the hosts of Ireland’s next Davis Cup match against Finland, having come off a successful 3-2 win against Estonia in early February.

What makes the occasion even more special is that Ireland’s number one seed, and one of the key players in the win over Estonia, James McGee has played at the Dublin 15 club his whole life and has remained a member despite his international jet setting for the sport.

President of the club Geoff Ross revealed

how McGee had a big input in getting the club the big event and how he believes local support will not only help put the club on the map but could also spur McGee on to a memorable performance.

“We’re delighted to be able to showcase the club and being selected really does show what great standards we have at Castleknock Lawn Tennis Club,” said the club president.

“It really adds to it that James will be representing his country in the club that helped to develop him as a player.

“He is currently ranked at 321 in the world, his highest seeding to date, and I’m sure he will be very well supported on the day by the community and the greater Dublin area.

“I think James had a big role in the selection of the club too as he had expressed interest in playing an event at his home club. His mother still plays here regularly too and I’m sure that his recommendation was a factor.”

Ross also believes the Castleknock club were selected for the international event due to their fantastic facilities that can easily cater for a mass of spectators, as well as the three indoor courts that they boast.

“There aren’t many clubs in the Dublin area that have the same level of facilities as we do. We have three indoor courts and a very nice viewing area for the spectators.

Based on the last event when we played

Estonia, I’d expect about 500 people to turn up on the day.

“Hopefully it will attract more people to the sport, we had an open day in July which was very successful and we’d be hoping for something similar out of the Davis Cup date,” he said.

Captain of the Irish tennis team Gary Cahill also reacted to the new international venue being selected.

“We are very excited to be taking Davis Cup to Castleknock for the first time. It will be tough against Finland, who are one of the strongest teams in our group but we hope to take advantage of strong home support,” he added.