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APPEAL OVER POTENTIALLY LIFE-SAVING CANCER TRIAL IN NEW YORK

Help Robyn fly away to try vaccine  MARK O’BRIEN THE family of a 13-year-old Dublin girl who suffers from the deadliest form of childhood cancer are appealing for help in raising funds to get her on a potentially life-saving vaccine trial in New York.

Robyn Smyth, from Whitehall, was first diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma when she was just three years old.

Brave Robyn has since relapsed three

times, and while she is currently clear of the disease, her family have been told that if she relapses again, she stands very little chance of survival.

Robyn’s mother, Bernadette Dornan, told Dublin Gazette that while Robyn is currently clear of the disease, it is vital that they begin the vaccine treatment as soon as possible.

See full story on Page 9

HOPING FOR THE BEST ...

Mum Bernadette says: “Because Robyn is just an individual, she can’t get charity status, so we’re a trust. We miss out on the big fundraisers, so we rely on people to come to us.”

2 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 8 March 2018

STORM EMMA | PASSENGERS BLAST AIRLINES’ RESPONSES; PEDESTRIANS UNHAPPY IN CENTRE

Flight cancellations snow joke for many PEOPLE took to social media last weekend to voice frustration at Irish airlines in the wake of Storm Emma, after they announced they would continue to operate flights on Saturday.

With Dublin still on a red weather alert until Saturday morning, Ryanair announced that it would be continuing with planned flight schedules.

Aer Lingus also planned to continue with flights, though later in the day both airlines announced there would continue to be a number of cancellations and a number of delays.

Twitter users vented their frustration to the airline, saying there was a lack of communication from it with regard to cancellation or delays, with some doubtful of whether to make their way to the airport at all.

‘Bish’ said: “Due to no transport in Ballsbridge, are we expecting the 1.50pm [flight] to fly to Manchester? I’m going to have to set off at 11 on foot [to be at the airport on time].”

There were also a number of users reporting that they presented at the air-

Grounded ... Under heavy snow at Dublin Airport

 RACHEL D’ARCY

rdarcy@dublingazette.com

port, only to find out their boarding passes wouldn’t scan at security, but did not receive notice of any cancellation or delay less than an hour before their scheduled departure.

“I’m booked on [a flight] from Dublin to Bergamo at 1:50pm. Boarding pass wouldn’t scan at security and flight not appearing on departure boards in the airport,” James tweeted to Ryanair, with a number of other users echoing his concern in regard to the same flight.

That airline also came under fire, as multiple people on Twitter said they were told they would not be given a refund if they couldn’t make it to the airport for their flight, if the flight was not cancelled.

This came despite a red warning being in place until 9am on Saturday, and the National Emergency Centre warning people not to make unnecessary journeys.

A Ryanair spokesperson told Dublin Gazette they are doing everything in their power to assist customers affected.

They said: “We are doing everything we can to re-accommodate affected customers and minimise disruption to their travel plans, and we apologise for any inconvenience caused by these disruptions, which are entirely outside of our control.”

Twitter users also said there was a glitch with the Aer Lingus website on Friday evening, which resulted in individuals with cancelled flights being charged up to €150 to reschedule their journeys.

A spokesperson from Aer Lingus told Dublin

Gazette: “We experienced a technical glitch on our website which resulted in some guests being charged in error to change their flight, which is entirely unintentional on the part of Aer Lingus.

“We wish to reassure passengers that all wrongly incurred charges will be refunded and we continue to uphold our ‘change for free’ facility, as per our communication on our website and via our social media channels.”

Other passengers complained they weren’t alerted to their flights being cancelled, and were not told of cancellation until they presented at the gate.

“I was in front of the gate before departure,

and my flight from Dublin to Amsterdam was cancelled this morning,” said Stephan, who tweeted previously about trying to get information from Aer Lingus.

“The next available flight to Amsterdam is next Monday. That’s crazy when you let folks come to the airport, and cancel 20 minutes before departure, when nobody can leave via Dublin,” he continued.

Users were also trying to make contact with Aer Lingus, with users complaining they were being left on hold for extended periods of time with nobody contacting them.

An Aer Lingus spokesperson said that they had dedicated teams in place to help more than 50,000 customers affected by Storm Emma.

T hey said: “Some 50,000 passengers’ travel plans have been disrupted due to the severe weather conditions and we appreciate this is a very difficult and challenging time for them.

“We have dedicated teams across the airline working to resume operations as quickly as we can and when it’s safe to do so.”

HOMELESSNESS | VOLUNTEERS, CITIZENS KEPT SERVICES GOING

Public thanked for help in storm  RACHEL D’ARCY

IRELAND’S homelessness charities have thanked volunteers and the general public for their help in aiding the homeless during Storm Emma.

Focus Ireland and The Peter McVerry Trust have said that their Intake Team worked “around the clock” during the bad weather to get those at risk or without homes off the streets, with a number of extra beds made available in emergency accommodation shelters.

Brian Wildes, who works with

the Focus Ireland and The Peter McVerry Trust Intake team, said that the team were on the streets of Dublin throughout the night during the bad weather in an effort to help.

He said: “We worked with more than 50 people and were out all through the night until 7am. Most [people] came in off the streets after we spent time with them.

Sadly, some would not come in, so we supplied emergency response and sleeping kits.”

The Intake team is funded by the state, through the Dublin

Region Homeless Executive.

Focus Ireland’s coffee shop in Temple Bar also remained open as usual, with more than 100 people crossing the threshold for support and hot meals at the centre as staff at the shop walked to work in the snow.

Advocacy manager for Focus Ireland, Roughan MacNamara, said: “Our staff have been amazing during this terrible weather.

Many walked to work or stayed in city centres around the country so we could keep our services going. “[The staff] have gone the extra

mile to be there to make sure everyone is looked after.

“Throughout [the storm] we had a massive push on to locate any people who were sleeping rough on the street, in conjunction with The Peter McVerry Trust and the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive.”

Charities are asking members of the public who see a person sleeping rough in Dublin to report their location to them throughout the year, so that frontline teams on the streets can assist individuals in need.

Council criticised for not doing enough to clear city centre footpaths as focus shifts to clearing the roads

DUBLIN City Council have been criticised for prioritising a clearing of the roads over clearing pathways within the city centre. In the aftermath of Storm Emma, the council worked quickly to clear the roads within the city to ensure access; however, many people took to social media to say an effort should have been made to clear paths as well.

“How very Irish – Dublin City Council [didn’t] shovel the paths this morning,” said Orla O’Keeffe, tweeting a picture of a snow-covered path and clear road to the council in complaint.

“Dublin City Council must pay more attention to clearing footpaths and cycle lanes. Far too much priority given to cars,” said Brian Daly, commenting on the Road Safety Authority tweeting that pedestrians should avoid walking in the streets.

Many pedestrians ended up walking on roads alongside cars as the pathways were unwalkable or hazardous.

Echoing pedestrians’ concerns, Green Party Dublin Central candidate Picture: Gail Conway Neasa Hourigan said: “While the work undertaken by Dublin City Council during the blizzard was a fantastic effort, it was noticeable that roads were given preference for clearance over footpaths.

“In inner city communities like Cabra, Phibsborough and Stoneybatter where amenities are in walking distance and car ownership is relatively low, this doesn’t always make sense.

“Not only were roads cleared earlier but thawing snow was also moved onto footpaths from the road surface, creating an even greater hazard.

“As the mother of a five-year-old white cane user, I am very aware that our city’s streets can often be difficult to navigate for less able bodied or vulnerable residents.

“Extreme weather events such as the blizzard are going to become increasingly common and I urge Dublin City Council to put the welfare of the inhabitants of Dublin city before the servicing of vehicular routeways.”

WHERE TO PICK UP YOUR DUBLIN CITY GAZETTE: City Centre, Drumcondra, Artane, Killester, Raheny, Clontarf, Coolock, Finglas, Ballymun, Phibsborough, Ballsbridge, Crumlin, Drimnagh, Cabra, Ballyfermot, Rathmines, Santry, Ranelagh, Terenure, Ringsend, Walkinstown, Sundrive, Navan Road, Ballybough, Fairview, Kilbarrack, Sandymount Dublin Gazette Newspapers, Second Floor, Heritage House, Dundrum Office Park, Dublin 14 Tel: 01 - 6010240. Email: sales@dublingazette.com news@dublingazette.com web: www.dublingazette.com twitter: @DublinGazette Visit us on Facebook at DublinGazetteNewspapers

8 March 2018 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 3

Frosty reaction in Ballymun as cash runs out at An Post  RACHEL D’ARCY

B A L LY M U N P o s t Office ran out of cash ahead of the impact of Storm Emma, after the Government announced social welfare payments would be available early due to the snow storm.

It was reported that the post office had run out of cash before 11am, as queues had formed outside the post office before they opened at 8:30am, but a cash delivery to the facility was not forthcoming on the day.

The shortage meant those on social welfare and pension payments would have to wait until af ter the storm had passed to collect their benefits.

It was decided by the Government last Wednesday afternoon to have all payments available from Thursday – a decision that Councillor Noeleen Reilly (SF) says was made “last minute”.

Posting on Twitter, she said: “Ballymun Post Office has ran out of money. No further payments until Monday.

This is the fault of the Government who left it until the last minute to make these decisions, meaning the post offices didn’t have the funds.

People will be left high and dry now.”

Cllr Paul McAuliffe (FF) said “lessons need to be learned” from the fiasco. He said: “I have had distraught pension-

ers and those in receipt of a disability payment on to me already. It’s really bad form.

“People should not be left hanging like this by the Government. A decision should have been made earlier in the week, with the possibility of post office closures, to secure additional cash reserves for post offices to ensure everyone received their payment.”

A spokesperson for An Post said that due to the bad weather, some post offices were unable to receive cash deliveries following the announcement on Wednesday, meaning they would not have the cash needed for all payments on Thursday.

EDUCATION | SEVERAL HOUSING BLOCKS ON THE WAY

Mixed reactions to new student builds A NUMBER of new student housing developments will launch in Dublin City over the coming months, ahead of the 2018/19 academic year.

Global Student Accommodation (GSA) are set to open a new student housing complex in Grangegorman, near to DIT’s newest campus, as well as a smaller new development in The Liberties.

The new student housing development, called Uninest Ardcairn House, will include 571 beds and is set to open its doors in September.

More than 290 student beds will also be made available at GSA’s other student development, Uninest Tannery.

Render shows the uninest ardcairn build

Located at Blackpitts Road, the new development is in addition to Uninest New Mill – a 400bed flagship development that opened in 2017.

Another student accommodation development company, Crosslane Student Developments, are also set to expand into Ireland in the coming year.

The UK-based compa-

ny have received planning permission to build a 207bed student accommodation development within the city centre, at Garden Lane and Carman’s Hall.

However, the chairperson of Inchicore & Ballyfermot Colleges of Further Education, and Dublin City Councillor Vincent Jackson (Ind), said that new student accommodation is “constructed to

make money”.

Speaking to Dublin Gazette, Cllr Jackson said: “Our PLC student numbers from around the country have decreased substantially and we know the cost of accommodation is a major factor.

“I regret much of the new student accommodation won`t solve the problem as its very expensive and is constructed to make money, hence those on the margins will once again lose out.”

Cllr Dermot Lacey (Lab) told Dublin Gazette that student housing should be developed in a “mixed housing context ... and should not be overly concentrated in any one area.”

4 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 8 March 2018

EDUCATION | WE HAVE NO REQUESTS REGARDING SCHOOL’S RUNNING – TRUST

Parents worried about future for Canal Way ET  RACHEL D’ARCY PARENTS of children attending a Dublin 8 school are concerned about the future of the school, as the Tr ust behind the school (right) have not confirmed if its lease will be renewed.

Canal Way Educate Together signed a ten-year and nine-month lease for their current building at Basin View in 2014, without the input or consultation of the school’s board of management. Canal Way Educate Together was the first school to be divested from Catholic patronage.

T he Edmund R ice

Schools Trust (ERST) lease the current school building to the Department of Education. Parents have said that neither the Department nor the Trust have given any indication to parents on whether the lease will be extended beyond 2024.

Outside of owning the physical building, ERST have said they have “nothing to do with and have no responsibility” for the day-to-day running of Canal Way, as detailed in a statement to Dublin Gazette, saying that the responsibility for the school lies with its patron, Educate Together.

Edel Hackett, a repre-

sentative from ERST told Dublin Gazette: “There are over five years yet to run on this lease. It is less than half way through it’s term.

“ERST has given no

consideration to the issue of the lease because of the length of time yet to run on it.

“Furthermore, there have been no requests made by the Department regarding the lease.”

If the lease is not extended, the current class of junior infants and senior infants will not be able to finish their primary education at Canal Way. There are also issues with a lack of classroom space for students, with long waiting lists meaning the school cannot accommodate all students that

are waiting for a place.

However, Ms Hackett told Dublin Gazette that ERST have permitted any requests for additional building on the site made, to date.

Minister for Education Richard Bruton confirmed that the Department of Education had liased with ERST to provide an additional number of classrooms, but Sinn Fein Senator Maire Devine said that this is a “temporary” measure.

Senator Devine raised the issue within the Seanad on February 6, noting that there is no

other co-educational school, or another school similar to Canal Way in the local area.

“How can the children, teachers, principal, parents and community function securely with such a short-term miserable lease? This is causing chaos and anxiety for parents. There is nowhere else to enrol their children.

“Why should they have to go anywhere else? My neighbour, for example, put her son’s name on the school’s waiting list four years ago when he was one month old. However, he cannot be accommodated at the school this September,” she said.

Fianna Fail Senator Catherine Ardagh also raised the same issue in the Seanad on February 14, stating that the school have been forced to cut down to a single-stream class as opposed to two due to issues with space, and may not be able to accommodate any junior infant class in the coming academic year.

FASTNews

National award for SuperValu in Talbot Street SUPERVALU in Talbot Street has been named the 2018 Small SuperValu Store of the Year.

After receiving a major revamp last year, the Talbot Street store beat competition from other finalists to take home the accolade at the SuperValu National Conference, which took place in Killarney.

The award recognises “exceptional standards” set by a store. A new salad station, coffee counter and “food to go” station were all introduced in the revamp of the Dublin store.

Store owners Eddie Kane and Dan McCartney paid tribute to their team at the Talbot Street store when accepting the award, saying: “Last year, the store received a major revamp and we’d like to thank all of our hard-working, dedicated staff who supported us through this changeover.

“Our team also played a central role in making the new-look Talbot Street SuperValu a huge success among customers, and we are proud to accept this award on their behalf.”

CRISIS | NO INCREASE MADE SINCE 2014 Donore Credit

Concern at drug task force funding  RACHEL D’ARCY

A DUBLIN TD has raised concerns that the Government has not increased funding for local drug task forces since 2014.

John Curran, Fianna Fail TD for Dublin Mid-West, has said the drug crisis is gripping Dublin, but seems to have slipped off the Government’s agenda.

Last week, he raised the issue with the Taoiseach in the Dail, saying that the stalemate on tackling drugs in the city is “deeply concerning”.

Deputy Curran said: “Despite the fact that both the Department of Health and the HSE have had significant increases in

their annual budgets since then, drug task force funding has remains stalled at the 2014 level.

“This is deeply concerning, given the growing scourge that drug addiction is having across Dublin.

“Strengthening the capacity of regional drug and alcohol taskforces to ensure that treatment and rehabilitation services are extended to provide comprehensive aftercare structures will help avoid relapse.

“The lack of funding provided by the Government severely restricts the vital work of local drug task forces and shows a complete lack of political willingness to take on the drug crisis on the ground.”

Union to party TO CELEBRATE turning 60, as well as being Ireland’s first Credit Union, Donore Credit Union will hold a community event this Saturday. Local community groups will take part in the Community Information event in Donore Community Centre to inform residents of the services, clubs and organisations available in their locality.

There will be an appearance from the Lord Mayor, with Dublin City Council and Kevin Street Garda Station supporting the event.

8 March 2018 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 5

FASTNews

NTA urged to prioritise Sutton to Sandycove S25 Greenway linkage

THE National Transport Authority are being asked to prioritise the Sutton to Sandycove S2S Greenway, considering its vital role in flood protection.

Green Party TD for Dublin Bay South Eamon Ryan has said that a 2017 consultation carried out by the NTA failed to take account of an “already identified” need for improvement of coastal defences along the Dart line.

He said: “The NTA carried out a public consultation which closed in January 2017. In response to that consultation, we pointed out that the consultation document had failed to take account of the already identified need for improved coastal defences along the Dart line and that the S2S could provide the necessary coastal protection.,” He also hit out at the NTA for not publishing the results of that consultation, saying that the route needs to be developed as “a matter of priority” in the interest of sustainable transport.

No ‘natural gas’ smell on the Luas – its’ just a brand-new carriage

LUAS users have been assured via Twitter that a “natural gas” smell on the Green Line is just a new tram’s smell and is nothing to be alarmed about.

Last Monday, March 5, Twitter user Anna Whiston tweeted: “Anyone else notice a smell of natural gas on Luas 5028 @Luas #luas green line?”

The company replied: “We can assure that this is not gas – the smell on the tram is due to the fact that it is a new tram and will dissipate as the tram beds down.”

Another complaint about a gas smell in the same carriage had been made the week before.

RESOURCE | FIANNA FAIL WANT INFO AFTER STORM

‘Publish daily data on the city’s water’ A FIANNA Fail councillor has called on Irish Water to publish daily data on treated water levels within Dublin, following Storm Emma.

Cllr Paul McAuliffe has said that the public must be kept informed by Irish Water over the coming days, weeks and potentially months, as it was revealed that the city’s treated water supply was impacted by the harsh weather.

He said: “As the thaw sets in there will inevitably be a significant number of leaks in the city’s water network. During previous spells of freezing weather, this has led to severe water shortages, particularly as plants were unable to treat

With widespread leaks expected in Storm Emma’s aftermath, treated water levels are a concern

enough water to keep up with the demand spurred by bad weather.

“The public must be reminded to preserve treated water in order to ensure there is no shortage or outage over the coming days. Publishing

daily data on the treated water levels in the city will help communicate that message,” Cllr McAuliffe said.

Irish Water announced that a series of 12-hour restrictions on water are set to be imposed on Dub-

lin and a number of other counties as they deal with the aftermath of the storm, with water pressure being reduced.

They also said that it could be “weeks or months” before full service is restored, and they are currently working with local authorities to monitor the situation.

A spokesperson from Irish Water said that they would attempt to minimise the impact of repair works by completing them “out of hours at night”.

Dublin saw a 10% increase in demand for water during the snow storm, but as demand rises, reservoir levels continue to fall.

6 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 8 March 2018

EVENTS A night of glamour and great music at the Mansion House

Adrianna Borza and Giorgia Sallvete

Sienna Macari, Peter Kenny and Fabaina Macari

It was all go at Club Italiano Irlanda ball

Livia, Pierina and Nicoletta Borza. Pictures: Brian Whelan

T

HE Club Italiano Irlanda Annual Ball took place at the Round Room of the Mansion House last week. The event was a great success with over 300 guests turning out in style.

Established in 1970, Club Italiano is a organisation that organises social, cultural and recreational activities for the Italians living in Ireland.

Rosanna Borza and Mariassa Del Rio Borza

Joe and Pio Borza

Concetta Molle, Patricia Macari and Carmella Hann

Mara Borza and Romina Marsella

Assunta Dinardi and Flavio Rea

Mariella Savoir, Teresa Dinardi, Concetto La Malfa and Lucio Savoir

8 March 2018 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 7

TAX LOOPHOLE | TRINITY COLLEGE ACADEMICS UNCOVER TACTICS

Russian-backed firms funnelled more than €100bn through IFSC  RACHEL D’ARCY RUSSIAN-BACKED companies moved more than €100bn through Ireland from 2007 to 2015 using a controversial tax loophole, it has been revealed.

Academics at Trinity College uncovered that 125 firms raised €103bn in an eight-year period using the Section 110 tax structure to avoid paying duty on billions of euro.

It is believed that 73 of the companies were owned by a charitable trust.

The findings by Dr Jim Stew-

art and Cillian Doyle, titled ‘Ireland Global Finance and the Russian Connection’, were initially reported in the Sunday Business Post.

There is fear now that this could damage Ireland’s financial reputation.

The controversial Section 110 was initially established to entice companies into setting up in Ireland, attempting to sell Ireland as a global fundraising and financing centre, but instead has been used by ‘vulture’ funds to avoid tax.

All of the 125 firms are regis-

tered in Dublin’s International Financial Ser vices Centre (IFSC).

Executives at some of the registered firms are linked to a document which details interactions between Russia and the Trump campaign in the United States.

Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) were brought in under 1997 tax legislation, designed to make the IFSC an attractive place for ‘tax neutral’ international debt securitisation.

It previously came under fire amid controversy over how overseas funds have used SPVs

to house loans bought after the property crash.

This led to the Government taxing Irish property holdings within SPVs, known as Section 110 firms, within the last finance act.

Former deputy governor of the Central Bank, Stefan Gerlach, said that Irish politicians are ‘mindlessly in favour’ of growing the IFSC, without realising the potential risks attached to it’s facilitation of massive amounts of cash to companies such as Russian oil giants Rosneft.

Demise of Strategic Communications Unit looks likely TAOISEACH Leo Varadkar has said that the Strategic Communications Unit (SCU) has become a ‘distraction’ from the work of the Government.

In an interview with RTE’s Morning Ireland, the Taoiseach said that consideration will be given to disbanding the SCU following the controversy surrounding ‘advertorials’ in newspapers to promote Project Ireland: 2040.

“It was set up as a un it … to better explain the work of Government, and now it’s become a distraction from the wor k of Government,” the Taoiseach said, explaining that secretary general of the Department of The Taoiseach says the SCU the Taoiseach, Martin has become a ‘distraction’ Fraser, is conducting from the work of the a review into the issue, Government with disbandment of the unit being considered.

There have been claims from opposition that the SCU has been used to promote Fine Gael, rather than Government initiatives, with Sinn Fein threatening to table a motion calling for the disbandment of the SCU. This is likely to be supported by both Labour and Fianna Fail.

“It is clear from the outset that promoting the political agenda of Fine Gael has always been at the heart of this project,” said Labour leader Brendan Howlin.

FASTNews

Fine for ‘selfish’ disabled bay car parkers doubled THE fixed charge for motorists who park in a disabled bay without displaying a valid permit is to be increased from €80 to €150.

Speaking about the increase, Minister for Transport Shane Ross said: “In response to the selfish and thoughtless behaviour of certain motorists who think it is alright to park in a disabled bay without a permit, thereby depriving disabled drivers of safe, convenient access to parking spaces reserved for them, I have decided that the fixed charge should be increased from €80 to €150.

“I hope that this increased charge will encourage able-bodied motorists to refrain from taking parking spaces reserved for those who need them.”

Motorists have 28 days to pay the fixed charge of €150, which rises to €225 if paid within the following 28 days. Failure to pay will result in proceedings being initiated.

Disability advocate Sean O’Kelly said: “I am pleased to see further action taken on those who park in the disabled parking bays without a badge.

“As a driver with a disability, I need the parking space to allow room to get my wheelchair out. When people who use the space without a badge make some excuse of ‘I’ll only be a minute’, that is very frustrating and inconsiderate.”

Panda Power enters the consumer gas market

Cathedral set to come alive for Saint Patrick’s festival MINISTER for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Josepha Madigan joined leading Irish musicians Matthew Nolan, Sean Mac Erlaine and Adrian Crowley in the atmospheric surrounds of St Patrick’s Cathedral in advance of their performance in the Cathedral as part of the St Patrick’s Festival programme.

Film fans and those looking for a unique cultural evening will have the chance to enjoy Screening and Live Performance: The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse in the Cathedral on March 15. Directed by Irishman Rex Ingram this screening of the 1921 American silent epic war film will feature a new live score composed by Matthew Nolan and Barry Adamson (Magazine, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds) which they will perform live on the night accompanied

by Sean, Adrian and Kevin. Picture: Robbie Reynolds

PANDA Power have announced that they are set to enter the consumer gas market this year.

The company has announced that they have received regulatory clearance to provide gas to customers, making them the only utilities company in Ireland to offer all three main household utilities – gas, waste and electricity - under the one provider.

The new offering will be available nationwide to all consumers alongside their electricity supply, with current Panda Power, Panda and Greenstar customers entitled to a 22% discount on the new standard gas rate.

Speaking about the company’s entry into the gas market, Managing Director of Panda Power Brendan Traynor said: “We’re delighted to be able to bring a new, integrated offer to the market and give consumers even more choice.

Consumers expect to be able to bundle their household utilities these days to help save them time and money.

“We’ve seen a unique opportunity to do that and in so doing bring more choice to the market.”

8 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 8 March 2018

THE BIG FREEZE | HOW DUBLINERS COPED WITH THE WORST SNOWSTORM IN MANY YEARS

A city in lockdown as ‘The Beast’ roars past ONE little Dublin citizen had a furry lucky rescue during Storm Emma (see panel, right), but for most of the rest of us, the combined impact of The Beast from the East and Storm Emma late last week saw the city go into full shutdown as an eerie calm settled over the capital, disturbed only by the storm winds howling through the deserted streets and suburbs.

Across the city, the local authorities had their hands full – with shovels, salt and even snowploughs – as council staff and other key workers did their best to keep the city’s infrastructure working, as well as preparing for the storm’s aftermath and clean-up.

Gritting their teeth and gritting the roads, the local authorities’ workers – and some plucky civic-minded citizens – worked in some truly miserable weather to try to clear roads and paths, and lessen the impact of the storm.

While some citizens had questioned the Red Alert status afforded to the storm, her arrival and raging ferocity soon left Dubs across the city and county in no doubt that the warnings were well deserved, and appropriate.

As a mark of success, the widespread deaths and injuries reported across Europe in the storm’s passing were not repeated here, highlighting how seriously everyone had taken the warnings.

Council crews and emergency workers were out and about in not just the worst snows since 2010, but for many years before that, attempting to prepare for the weekend when the storm had passed, and the thaw would begin.

A furry lucky rescue

That’s an ice view at a city centre landmark.

Picture: Crispin Rodwell

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

‘Many volunteer groups continued their unsung-hero work, doing everything from food runs and transport for elderly neighbours to helping the city’s homeless cope’ ---------------------------------------------------------

Many volunteer groups continued their unsunghero work, doing everything from food runs and transport for elderly neighbours to helping the city’s homeless cope.

While there was some bad news for the city – most notably, the dreadful impact on many of the city’s homeless, with reports of some being sectioned for their own safety – most areas escaped relatively unscathed, although thousands experienced power cuts and water shortages, with warnings that the city’s water may be affected for weeks to come.

Perhaps the worst impact of Storm Emma in Dublin was witnessed over in Tallaght, with the highly-publicised incident

at a Lidl store there, and the burning of several cars in a separate incident, horrifying locals and the capital alike.

On a lighter note, thousands of children (and just as many adults) were delighted by the thick, crisp snows – a heavy fall that left tourists from places such as Germany and Norway singularly unimpressed, but which saw a run on plastic sleighs and tin trays as many took to nearby hills for lots of sliding, skiing, snowballing fun.

With ‘the big melt’ now nearing its end and just a few remaining stubborn, discoloured banks of snow and slush here and there, as the city’s white hills look on from afar, here’s a look at how some parts of

Dublin coped with ‘the big freeze’.

Local schools Over in Lucan, one local man went above and beyond by helping seven local schools open.

Mayor of South Dublin Paul Gogarty said on Monday: “Well done to local man David Stanley of Roadstar Paving who has cleared seven Lucan school car parks of heaped snow.

“Yesterday his digger was at Scoil Mhuire GNS, St Mary’s BNS, St Andrews NS, St Joseph’s College and Scoil Mhuire Airlie Heights; all reopened thanks to him and the many volunteers at each school who cleared the footpaths alongside.”

The Deputy Mayor of South Dublin, Breeda Bonner (Lab), praised council staff who braved the elements during the crisis brought on by the extreme weather.

“Those people risked their own safety and wellbeing through clearing

DURING a clearing of the runways at Dublin Airport, an eagle-eyed worker spotted and saved a baby hare in deep snow on Saturday morning.

Taking to social media to post about the discovery, Dublin Airport have been giving followers updates on the hare.

Multiple news sites across the globe, including Fox News and Sky News, have shared the story of the baby hare, which was taken home by an airport worker. The female has been named Emma, after the storm.

The worker’s family are now nursing Emma until she is strong enough to be re-released into the wild, giving regular updates on the hare’s health through social media. roads and helping people who got into difficulty during the Arctic winter conditions.

“They are others like them – health workers, ambulance drivers and ESB workers – to name but a few, people who are true patriots. A big ‘thank you’ to them all.”

Animal rescues With many animals caught by the weather, My Lovely Horse Rescue (MLHR) was kept busy during Storm Emma.

The charity organisation dedicated to caring for horses in the South Dublin area delivered hay and other supplies to horses in Rathfarnham, Bluebell, Ballyfermot and Clondalkin.

Many abandoned horses were left without food until MLHR brought them hay.

The group didn’t just feed horses where they attended – they also continued their regular animal rescue efforts, made all the more imperative by the heavy snowfall.

The group took in a Shetland pony that’d been wandering the roads in the Inchicore/Jamestown Rd/ Grand Canal area, with the pony’s owner asked to contact Kilmainham Garda station with proof of ownership.

Locals also brought a badly injured dog to them, and MLHR is currently searching for the owner.

While these and other tireless volunteers attended to the city’s animals, Storm Emma saw the volunteer Defence Forces as well as the Civil Defence responding to many weather-related incidents, including in the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdow n area.

Primary response agencies such as the HSE, An Garda Siochana, the ESB and local authorities reached out to the two groups for help during the course of the storm.

They helped to transport patients and medical staff, delivered meals, cleared paths and provided assistance to the emergency services.

Local Senator Neale Richmond (FG) praised both agencies saying, “Throughout the recent few days of Irish weather at its worst we have seen our communities at their best.”

Trojan work Fingal councillor Darragh Butler (FF) paid tribute to all of the council staff and the emergency services who put in such trojan work over the past week, working 24/7 in terrible conditions, clearing roads, keeping locals safe and keeping Fingal moving.

He said: “I would also like to thank the local companies, farmers and community groups who pulled together and completed tremendous work locally.

“We had Country Crest clearing the roads around Man O’War, local farmers and tractor owners helping to clear roads in St Margaret’s and all over north County Dublin, Oliver Allen of Pavemak Tarmacadam and Asphalt who, with a digger, spent Saturday and Sunday clearing roads in RiverValley and Ridgewood.

“Local residents were out with their shovels spending hours shovelling snow and clearing paths for their neighbours all over Swords, getting out and contributing hours to their community.

“To me, storm Emma not only proved to me what fantastic council staff and emergency service personnel that we have, but also what fantastic local companies and community spirit that we have.”

See gallery overleaf for some lovely snow shots

8 March 2018 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 9

FASTNews

APPEAL | WHITEHALL GIRL FIGHTING DEADLY CHILDHOOD CANCER

Help Robyn wing it to New York for vaccine  MARK O’BRIEN

All welcome to join this Lovely Girls competition FATHER Ted is alas unable to attend, but everyone else is very welcome to attend the annual Fr Ted Quiz on March 29 at The Church on Mary Street.

The highlight of the night will be the Lovely Girls competition, with organisers inviting women (and men, in the name of equality) to enter, with the only requirement being that all participants have a lovely bottom.

There’ll be a special singalong of My Lovely Mayo Mammy, led by event host Eoin McLove (Pat McDonnell), while there’ll also be prizes for the winning team, best-dressed priest, nun or hairy baby.

To book your table, see https://holythursdayfrted. eventbrite.ie. baby.

Anthology of Irish women writers picked for festival THIS year’s book for the Dublin: One City, One Book festival has been revealed.

The Long Gaze Back – An Anthology of Irish Women Writers, edited by Sinead Gleeson, is an anthology of 30 short stories by Irish female writers including Niamh Boyce, Maeve Brennan, Lucy Caldwell and Lisa McInerney.

To celebrate the 2018 Dublin: One City, One Book festival, Dublin City Council Public Libraries have organised a programme of events to highlight the short stories in the collection.

All events are free, with full details available at dublinonecityonebook.ie.

The festival is an award-winning initiative by the council, which encourages everyone to read a chosen book during April every year.

City boost as 230 jobs set to come from investments MINISTER for Business, Enterprise and Innovation Heather Humphreys announced on Wednesday the creation of 231 new jobs for Dublin, across eight high-growth companies from Europe and the US. The investments are supported by the Government through IDA Ireland.

Speaking at the announcement, Minister Humphreys said: “Ireland has indeed been the beneficiary of significant investment from some of the biggest companies in the world. We intend to be just as successful in securing investment from companies in new and emerging sectors. It is terrific news that [these additional companies] have decided to locate in Ireland. I look forward to their future expansion here and wish them all the best.”

The new jobs will be spread across the technology and business service sectors with a range of activities such as sales and marketing, software services and tech support.

THE family of a 13-yearold Dublin girl who suffers from the deadliest form of childhood cancer are hoping to raise funds to get her on a potentially life-saving vaccine trial in New York.

Robyn Smyth, from Whitehall, was first diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma when she was just three years old.

Brave Robyn has since relapsed three times and while she is currently clear of the disease, her family have been told that if she relapses again, she stands little chance of survival.

Robyn’s mother, Bernadette Dornan, told Dublin Gazette that while Robyn is currently clear of the disease, it is vital that they begin the vaccine treatment as soon as possible.

Bernadette said: “It’s been a year since Robyn had a clear scan. We have gotten her clear, but it doesn’t last and now the only other option we have is to get her on this vaccine trial in New York.

“It looks like our only option; we’ve nothing else

left because if she relapses again she’ll just be back on more harsh treatment, and we’re trying to prevent that because she’s so weak now.”

Despite being clear of cancer at the moment, Robyn is still receiving chemotherapy treatment and is on inhibitor drugs.

Bernadette said that the vaccine trial would make treatment for Robyn more manageable.

“We’re due back in for scans in April and we were hoping to get things moving then but that’s only a few weeks away. I’m not sure if we’re going to have to keep her on this treatment that she’s on, because we don’t have the money to move her to the next trial,” said Bernadette.

The vaccine trial in New York is two years long, meaning the family need to continually raise funds for Robyn’s treatment.

Locals have been happy to help, and there are a number of fundraising events planned for the coming months.

Of the current fundraising efforts, Bernadette

Robyn hopes to join a potentially life-saving vaccine trial

said: “We’ve a load of girls doing the mini marathon so we’re trying to get people for that.

“Somebody offered to do a fast and people seem to be joining them now.

There’s a little gang joining them now. We have 60 people abseiling off Croke Park. That’s a printing company that we came across, and we’re doing The Kube.”

Bernadette said she has been blown away by the support people have shown to her and her family, adding: “It’s amazing. I try my best to keep track of everybody and say thankyou to everybody but I sometimes think that’s not enough.

“A girl’s just ran a triathlon, and I’ve just said thanks on Facebook. I’ve been in tears over it, but

that’s all I can do.”

Bernadette’s sister and a few of her friends help to keep track of the fundraising activities. But as they also work full-time, Bernadette said she is desperate to add people to the charity’s committee.

“We don’t have an awful lot of help to keep track of the stuff that we’re doing.

We’re not a big charity or anything, and we’ve missed out on opportunities for fundraising as well.

“Because Robyn is just an individual, she can’t get charity status, so we’re a trust. We miss out on the big fundraisers, so we rely on people to come to us.”

To become involved, donate or put forward a fundraising idea, see www.robynslife.com.

EDUCATION | OFFICIAL FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITIES

DIT looks ahead at Bill undergoing final stages  QUINN KANNER

DIT officials are looking forward to the passing of the Technological Universities Bill, as the Bill undergoes final stages in the Seanad.

DIT president Professor Brian Norton said: “We are looking forward to seeing the TU Bill pass into law in the coming weeks.

“Once it is finalised, we will accelerate our preparations to develop our formal application to become a Technological Uni-

versity with our colleagues in IT Blanchardstown and IT Tallaght.

“Building on the qualities and experience for which DIT and our partner Institutes have long been known, we will match these with the even wider range of opportunities a Technological University can provide for our students and society.”

While some concerns have been raised over wording changes amended in the current bill “dumbing down” the criteria for

designation as a Technological University, officials feel confident that the standards are sufficient to ensure the new universities would enhance Irish education.

Melda Slattery, a representative of DIT, said: “I don’t think there should be any concerns about a dilution of standards.

“I believe the criteria for designation as a Technological University are the same now as those first outlined following the Hunt Report in 2011, and we hope to

meet all of them.

“For example, one of the criteria refers to the number of PhD students and, in fact, DIT PhD numbers would be equal to, and in some cases greater than, those reported by some of Ireland’s existing universities.”

If passed, the Technological University Bill will allow existing institutes of technology to combine into technological universities and defines the process for doing so.

10 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 8 March 2018

Out and About

"

Snowhere else ' ' quite like Dublin " ' T '

One, two, freeze – Push! All pulling (or should we say, pushing) together in the Phoenix Park. Picture: Conor McCabe

" " " ' '

"

HE Beast from the East and Storm Emma did their best to leave the city and country shivering and shaking in their wake, but across all of the city centre and far beyond squeals of delight filled the air as thousands of children – and more than a few adults, too – dashed out to go skiing, sledding and having fun in the snow. Dublin Gazette met many kids and families enjoying the wintery wonderland, with the Phoenix Park’s beasts looking magnificient, while several of the city’s landmarks and ordinary spots gained an otherworldly sheen, courtesy of the Siberian blast of frigid air.

Charge of the white brigade... The charioteer at the Irish Life centre, with lots and lots of added icicles, in possibly the city’s most striking ice-covered sculpture.

Picture: Crispin Rodwell

Joey, Oisin and Hannah Donnelly

Picture: Crispin Rodwell

Paula Gioccori from Brazil. Picture: Crispin Rodwell

One of the Phoenix Park’s deer goes foraging for food. Picture: Conor McCabe

8 March 2018 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 11

Out and About Carefully walking white across the Ha’Penny Bridge. Picture: Crispin Rodwell

Oisin, Ailish and Isla Gilroy with their mum, Cliodna

Heidi, Caoimhe, Ciara

and Anna

Grace Plunkett and her mum, Sonya

Sean and Jack Whelan

Craig, Jack, Sean and Lorna are ready Barry, Zoe, Claire and Abbi Gogarty

for the slopes

Taking a fun tumble is snow bother for this person. Picture: Crispin Rodwell

GAZETTE

12 DUBLIN GAZETTE 8 March 2018

DUBLINBUSINESS Takeda Ireland Limited’s investment will see the creation of a facility dedicated to manufacturing a novel stem cell therapy

Sky, Netflix partner with new bundle deal  RACHEL D’ARCY

SKY and Netflix are set to team up for a new bundle subscription pack, deemed to be the first of its kind.

Through the Sky Q platform, millions of Sky customers will be given seamless access to Netflix. Both new and old customers of Sky will be extended the opportunity to purchase the new ‘entertainment TV’ pack, which is the first time Sky and Netflix content will be combined side-by-side.

The Netflix app will be integrated into Sky Q, and Netflix programmes will be promoted alongside Sky content. Customers will be able to watch Skyexclusive programming such as Big Little Lies, and Billions, alongside Netflix Originals such as Stranger Things, and Black Mirror, as well as free-to-air TV on the Sky platform.

Jeremy Darroch, group chief executive of Sky said that the new partnership makes the “entertainment experience simpler for customers”.

He said: “By placing Sky and Netflix content sideby-side, along with programmes from the likes of HBO, Showtime, Fox and Disney, we are making the entertainment experience even easier and simpler for our customers. Our recent announcements mean we will extend our leadership in delivering customers the best viewing and user experience in Europe.”

It will also reduce the need for a Netflix bill also, as customers will be able to be be billed for their Sky and Netflix usage in the same bill. Existing Netflix users will be able to migrate their account to a new Sky TV bundle, or will be able to sign into Netflix on Sky with their existing account details.

Baldonnell Business Park adds major hub A NEW €40m development was launched in Baldonnell Business Park early last week.

The new development by logistics company Mountpark EU will potentially see nearly 1,000 jobs created within the local area.

During the construction phase, 120 jobs will be created, with a further 850 jobs expected to be created by companies that will operate from the logistics hub. There are set to be up to 150 ancillary services jobs also created from the new project.

The first phase of the development is currently under construction, with the first unit due for completion in October.

Mountpark EU’s Baldonnell development will provide units in excess of 350,000 sq ft for companies to rent for distribution purposes.

CONSTRUCTION | JAPANESE FIRM CREATING SPECIALIST €25M FACILITY

70 new jobs dispensed by Grange Castle pharma  RACHEL D’ARCY

UP TO 70 new jobs are to be created at a new pharmaceuticals facility in Grange Castle.

Takeda Pharmaceuticals are to invest €25m in the construction of a new regenerative medicine facility, dedicated to manufacturing a novel stem cell therapy.

Up to 70 construction

jobs will be created in the building of the new facility, which is scheduled to be in commercial operation by 2021.

Local Fine Gael TD Frances Fitzgerald welcomed the announcement from Takeda Pharmaceuticals, saying: “I am pleased with this announcement. This is in addition to the €40 million investment in

the construction of a standalone production facility which I was delighted to turn the sod on last year.

“Takeda’s decision to invest in Ireland is a great win and a vote of confidence in Ireland and it builds on our ongoing expansion of the sector here.

“The pharma industry contributes greatly

to the Irish economy in terms of jobs and exports, and is one of the fastest growing sectors,” said Deputy Fitzgerald.

The new project is set to deliver a boost for the Lucan and Clondalkin areas.

L a s t we e k , a € 4 0 million Logistics Park Development was launched by Mountpark EU in Baldonnell.

Deputy Fitzgerald has said that projects such as these show a ‘vote of confidence’ in the workforce of the area.

She added: “This continued investment by companies such as Mountpark and Takeda is a demonstration of the strong business offering that the county has for Irish and International businesses.”

Bioscience company Grifols reports some impressive ’17 profits STAYING with Grange Castle, a bioscience company with a base there has announced that its reported profit for 2017 has reached more than €663 million.

In its 2017 annual report, Spanish pharmaceutical and chemical company Grifols reported that revenues increased by 6.6% to €4.3m in 2017, and its reported profits have grown by 21.5%.

Grifols announced a €85m investment in the construction

of a new specific plant for the purification and sterile filling of a plasma product (albumin) at their Grange Castle site in 2016.

Last year, the Spanish company also filed plans with South Dublin County Council for a €77m expansion to its Grange Castle site.

In its 2017 report, Grifols reported that its bioscience sales have grown by 7.3% to €3.43m, something that the company report shows their ‘leadership’ in

their specific sector.

They also report that their overall workforce grew by more than 23% in 2017, with the company now hiring 18,300 individuals in over 30 countries.

In 2015, they announced they would be hiring 140 individuals at their Grange Castle facility, with this number expected to grow with the expansion of their

facilities in Dublin.

Grifolds produces plasmaderived medicines for patients, and provides hospitals with tools, information and services needed to deliver medical care.

They have three main divisions –bioscience, diagnostic and hospital, with their products available in more than 100 countries worldwide.

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

Fido’s Agility class fun  MARK O’BRIEN

A NEW dog training school in Kilternan is planning on getting your dogs active by teaching the canine sport of Agility.

WaggyMamas Agility has been set up by Agility enthusiast Laura Murphy who has been competing at the sport for a number of years with a variety of different pet dogs.

She says: “Agility is a win-win sport. Even if

it all goes completely wrong, it’s still adorable.

You can’t lose!”

Agility is a little bit like show jumping for dogs, being a competitive sport that involves a human or ‘handler’ who guides their dog around a course of obstacles including jumps, tunnels and a see-saw.

The school also offer courses with qualified trainers in basic obedience for puppies and adult dogs.

Dogs under a year old can take part in nonstrenuous ‘Agility-themed games’ that are suitable for growing bones.

They cater for complete beginners and first-time dog owners who haven’t tried anything like this before.

According to WaggyMamas, what makes Agility training special is that it combines mental stimulation with physical exercise in a way that’s challenging

for both the owner and their best team mate – their dog.

Laura says: “I’ve seen all kinds of dogs do agility. They don’t need to be a particular breed. Sometimes, it’s the ones you least suspect that end up really surprising you.”

Wagg yMamas only uses force-free positive reward-based training and aims to train all students to a high standard



GAZETTE

8 March 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 13

WE’RE SURE YOU’LL LOVE THIS WINTER

compatible with entering competitions in the future.

The school welcomes dogs of all shapes and sizes, from Bichons to Bull Mastiffs.

To book a class for your perfect pooch, or for more information, see Waggymamasagility.com, or phone 087 299 8182

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

Meet Winter – a playful, active twoyear-old greyhound with a taste for mischief! He is looking for a home with owners who can keep him busy and entertained, in a home where there is somebody there for the majority of the day.

He would be best as the only dog in the home, where this cool dog is more than ready to delight older children with his snack-stealing skills.

If you think that you have room in your heart for Winter, please contact Dogs Trust at 01 879 1000. They are based in Finglas, just off exit 5 on the M50. Map and directions can be found on their website www. dogstrust.ie. You can also find them on Facebook www.facebook.com/dogstrustirelandonline or Twitter @DogsTrust_IE.

GAZETTE

14 DUBLIN GAZETTE 8 March 2018

DUBLINLIFE

DIARY

LEGENDARY ‘CULCHIE EMBASSY’ GETS READY TO RAZZLE-DAZZLE

Are you ready for WE’VE all had an experience in Coppers over a weekend or several – now that experience is being embodied forever in the form of a musical!

Opening in the Olympia on July 5, Copper Face Jacks: The Musical is described as a “celebration of a club that started life as something of a Culchie

embassy in Dublin”.

Written by Paul Howard, the creator of Ross O’Carroll Kelly, the musical tells a love story set on the evening of a Dublin

vs Kerry All Ireland final when a Kerry girl who moves to ‘the Big Shmoke’ falls head over ‘flat shoes’ for a Dublin team member.

Speaking about the show, Howard said that it was “impossible” not to want to write a musical about the legendary Harcourt Street venue.

“Once you hear the name Copper Face Jacks: The Musical, it’s impossible not to want to make it happen. We’ve been talking about it for a few years now so it’s brilliant to think in just a few months it will be up and running,” Howard said.

The musical is being produced by the same team behind ANGLO: The Musical, with tickets from €28 on sale now from Ticketmaster.

Follow @CoppersMusical on Twitter for more information.

YOU WON’T BE BARD OF THIS COURSE THE Ranelagh Arts Centre has announced that it will be holding a six-week acting course this summer.

The Summer Shakespeare Bootcamp will help those taking part learn how to perform one of Shakespeare’s funniest comedies, The Comedy of Errors.

Working with professional director Joe Devlin, the six-week course

includes five weeks of training before a week of performances of one of Shakespeare’s best plays.

The course is set to help gain confidence in public speaking, with no experience in acting necessary to take part in the course.

It will begin on July 16, and run from 9:30am to 5:30pm five days a week for the duration of the bootcamp. For further information or to book a place on the course, email ranelaghar tscentre@ gmail.com.

SHINING A LIGHT ON WES ANDERSON FILMS CINEMA fans are in for a treat with a brand-new film season at the Lighthouse Cinema in Smithfield.

Fantastic Mr Anderson – also known as Wes Anderson Season – began in the cinema on March 5 and continues until March 30, showcasing some of the best of the Texan director’s feature films.

Events will also take place across the month, including the Grand Budapest Hotel: Prosecco and Patisserie event where viewers will be treated to a glass of Prosecco or a Grand Budapest-themed mocktail alongside patisserie treats during a screening of the 2014 film.

Three of Anderson’s

best-known films (The Royal Tenenbaums, The Life Acquatic and The Darjeeling Limited) will all be shown in 35mm film as part of the almost month-long festival.

Tickets for all films and events are available now from lighthousecinema.ie.

DRAG YOURSELF TO A COOL FUNDRAISER AS RUPAUL once said: “You’re born naked, and the rest is drag”, and DCU’s LGBT society will be celebrating the art-form at their annual Drag Race on March 14.

DCU Drag Race is the largest student-organised drag competition in Ireland, with eight contestants set to compete in the show to raise funds for BeLonG To youth services, an organisation for young LGBT people in Ireland.

It will be held in Temple Bar’s Button Factory, and promises to be an exciting night.

Based on the popular TV show RuPaul’s Drag Race, eight drag queens will compete in lip-sync battles and show off their finest fashion and makeup skills to raise money for the worthy cause.

Hosted by well-known Dublin-based drag queen Victoria Secret, the judging panel will comprise

?

some of Ireland and Britain’s best drag acts. Tickets are priced at €6, with all ticket sales and profits from the event going to BeLonG To. For further information, see facebook.com/DCULGBTASOC.

YOUR KIDS WOOD LIKE THIS FUN CAMP LOCATED in Tibradden, near Rathfarnham, The Hazel House has a number of events running across March, including Easter camps for children.

Its organisers will have a bird-house building event, a chair making course, as well as a screening of Disney’s Brave at their cafe in the Dublin mountains.

The Hazel House also hold monthly mountain walks on the last Saturday of every month – weather permitting, of course!

As well as these, they will hold a three-day camp for kids to learn how to work with wood to build their own vegetable trough. Running from 10am until 2pm from March 27-29, the camp is suitable for children aged over seven.

The camp costs €100, with a deposit of €20 required in advance. For further information and to book a place, see thehazelhouse.ie.

8 March 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 15

16 DUBLIN GAZETTE 8 March 2018

Out and About A LITTLE BREAKFAST LUXURY BREAKFAST at the Westbury Hotel was a little extra

of Extra-Firming. Irish TV presenter Amanda Byram was

luxurious with the launch of Clarin’s latest anti-ageing

also on hand to celebrate the launch.

skincare innovation, Extra Firming. Clarins Scientific

A Clarins staple for over 40 years, the 2018 editions

Communication Director, Marie Helene Lair presented

include new skin care duo with new formulas and new

the groundbreaking research and scientific discoveries

scientific and plant discoveries.

Triona McCarthy and Laura Bermingham

Laura Erskine

Jessica Grealis and Alba Walsh

Marie Helene Lair and Amanda Byram pictured at the launch. Pictures: BrianMcEvoy

ICE TO SEE SOME FUN IN THE SNOW AT THE ZOO WHATEVER about the impact of ‘The Beast from the East’ on the shivering country, these beasts were only too happy to get to grips with the white stuff at Dublin Zoo. With snow being a natural environment for many of the zoo’s creatures – but as novel for many of them as for the rest of the city’s citizens – the heavy sprinkling was welcomed by many of the animals, while the rest stayed indoors in their extra-warm enclosures and homes, bedding down like most of us until the cold had passed.

While some of the animals were just curious about the snow, many others enjoyed experiencing it

8 March 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 17

Out and About

Jessica Grealis and Alba Walsh

GAZETTE

18 DUBLIN GAZETTE 8 March 2018

DUBLINLIFE

PUZZLE PAGE SUDOKU

CODEWORDS EASY

MODERATE

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS

HOW TO SOLVE

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

WORD SEARCH

Codewords are like crossword puzzles - but have no clues!

Instead, every letter of the alphabet has been replaced by a number, the same number representing the same letter throughout the puzzle.

All you have to do is decide which letter is represented by which number! To start you off, we reveal the codes for two or three letters.

As you find letters, enter them in the key and into the grid.

Cross off the letters in the A to Z list.

SCRIBBLE BOX

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

FIND THE FOLLOWING HIDDEN WORDS affair

mistress

amour

office romance

cheating

philandering

dalliance

seduce

doings

thing

episode

tryst

fling

DON’T FORGET TO CHECK BACK NEXT WEEK FOR THE SOLUTIONS TO THIS WEEK’S PUZZLES

flirtation intrigue liaison lover

8 March 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 19

GAZETTE

FEATURE

Shining a light on a busy arts scene

WEDNESDAY, March 7 saw the start of the 11th annual Five Lamps Arts Festival, which runs until March 11.

Events range from family-friendly to adults-only and include theatre, film, dance, magic, comedy, workshops, exhibitions and many more.

Several upcoming events will be free and run from 9am to 5pm daily. Maps, Coastlines – a Message in a Bottle at Connolly House, Marino College is one such event.

Children from St Laurence O’Toole Girls National School have been working on this art show since last September with artist Martina Galvin’s guidance, and their very own artwork will be on display.

Another free daily event is an exhibition featuring the artwork of Tara Kearns, Niamh Molloy and Barbara O’Meara at Custom House Quay.

Of particular note is O’Meara’s

project, The Covering, a baby blanket made out of 796 squares, one for each of the babies found buried at the Tuam mother and baby home.

Visitors are encouraged to meet the artists and knit, stitch, crochet or weave their own baby square.

Another such exhibition will be put on by SWAN Youth Service, entitled What’s Your Issue, at Connolly House.

Artwork by Megan Kavanagh, Aaron Connolly, Claudio Marsella and others will be featured tackling issues such as the daily difficulties faced by women, the coming out experiences of LGBT youth, and raising awareness of homelessness in Dublin.

On Friday, The Charleville Mall Library will host Bloom and Buzz, a free interactive theatrical performance for children aged three to six years old. The event promises to explore mature themes such as life and death in a playful, sensitive and

age-appropriate manner.

Connolly House, Marino College will host a free performance of, Sweet Dreams Mr Heroin, a play dealing with heroin addiction, prostitution, heartbreak and family on Friday at 12pm.

Odeon Cinema Point Village will be showing the films Stalker at 4:45pm and Cardboard Gangsters at 7pm for €5 each.

The former is an Irish psychological thriller following a volatile homeless man who believes God has given him a mission to “clean up” society, while the latter follows a group of young lads who set out to move up in the world of illegal drugs.

T here will be a free Donal Vaughan Science Magic show for children aged five and older at Connolly House on Saturday. Children will learn fun science tricks that appear magical and that they can perform safely at home.

The Five Lamps Arts Festival organisers have curated an eclectic range of content and events for people of all ages to enjoy in Dublin

Conversation Salons will present, A Feast of Strangers, at Cloud Cafe on Friday from 7pm to 10pm.

The festival concludes on Sunday, March 11, with the Dublin Circus Project, a free family circus workshop at 3pm, and a free circus

performance at 4pm.

The performance will feature both professional and beginner circus performers.

For the full programme of events, as well as booking details, check out www.fivelampsarts.ie.

8 March 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21

DUBLINLIFE

MUSIC

SPOOK OF THE THIRTEENTH LOCK: 18-PIECE DELVING INTO A STIRRING PIECE OF OUR HISTORY

Sounding the Lockout

LET’S GO OUT

PICK

BEST OF THE REST OF THE WEEK MARCH 13 (Tuesday) Erasure @ Olympia Theatre, (rescheduled date) From humble beginnings Erasure have easily kept their place at the top of the synthpop league. Never afraid to speak out about things they care about, you’ll know Andy Bell and Vince Clarke’s tunes within seconds – with an Erasure gig guaranteed to leave you with an infectiously upbeat, sunny vibe.

MARCH 8 (Thursday) The Gloaming @ National Concert Hall, €40 Chris Jones and the Night Drivers @ Pavilion Theatre, €16 RTE Choice Music Prize @ Vicar Street, €28 The annual celebration of the best of Irish music is always a worthwhile night out, and has the added bonus this year of featuring every nominated artist performing live. A great summary of the Irish music scene as it is today, and the afterparty is something else...

The Strypes @ The Bowery, €25

MARCH 9 (Friday) Luka Bloom @ Pavilion Theatre, €20 Inni-K @ The Cobblestone, €12 Willy Mason @ The Grand Social, €15 The Revellions @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), late show The Riptide Movement @ Number 22, €20 Paddy Hanna @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), €10 Unquestionably one of Dublin’s most interesting current musical men, Paddy Hanna’s latest album (Frankly, I Mutate) is heavy on the self-examination and soulsearching, but delivered in quirky pop vocals. Beautiful.

NEWLY expanded to an 18-piece and back with a beautiful concept album dedicated to a key moment in Irish history (just in time for St Patrick’s Day), Spook Of The Thirteenth Lock look set to cement their place as one of Ireland’s most original acts.

THERE’S very little that’s conventional about Spook Of The Thirteenth Lock.

Their conversation flits happily between their pervasive politics – substantially Left-leaning – and the charisma of their music.

They work on albums for years before launching them onto the market, playing relatively rarely, with a focus on areas like historical accuracy. They also make sure they enjoy the ride.

The product is rock that’s riddled with Irish inf luence and hef ty chords, but also comfortably distinct from trad, the Irish punk scene or even local folk.

Their growth has been an incremental one, in a sense, though rarely less than fantastically ambitious.

“We started out as a four-piece, around 2006,”

 JAMES HENDICOTT

says guitarist Enda Bates.

“For the second album we bounced up to a five-piece, then added an extra guitar. After that last album, we started to change our approach, and added all the extra guitars.”

That growth to an 18-piece has seen Spook Of The Thirteenth Lock develop into a different kind of band, one that’s able to produce layered power and gorgeous, jarring nuance.

Divided guitars “Technically, it is a full orchestra,” Enda adds, “in that it’s lots of different people playing the same part. There’s the core group, and they take care of the more complex, melodic stuff, and then the guitars are divided into four parts, playing together.

“There are some American groups that put together symphonies for 100 or 200 electric guitars, but there’s not much out there like it. It’s an incred-

ible sound; it’s like the comparison between one violin and an orchestra of violins. You get this really thick, slightly jarring feel.”

Of the change, he explains: “It was something we were always interested in, and it kind of thematically fit with Lockout, with the big groups of workers all working together.”

The Lockout he refers to, of course, is the industrial dispute between 20,000 workers and their employees that took place over the rights of workers to unionise, and over their preposterous working conditions, led by Jim Larkin and James Connolly in late 1913 and early 1914. The Lockout had an impact across Dublin society.

“You really have to do your reading for something like this,” vocalist Allen Blighe says of the project, having approached the new album with all the vigour of a passionate historian.

“We got a few different sources. There was a housing collapse on Church Street in inner city Dublin, for example, that killed a lot of people. It was kind of the Grenfell Tower of its

time.

“There’s a very short book that’s recently been put out locally in Stoneybatter about it that’s very powerful. That was a big influence.”

Enda recalls: “Some of our songs in the previous albums had historical themes, but they were distinct songs.

With this one, we wanted to tell the story of the Lockout on a full album.

“Before we had much music written, we already had the narrative and structure all planned out. We knew the lyrical ideas, which is the other way round to how we used to work in the past, with the music coming first.”

Narratives Those narratives filter naturally into the music.

Allen explains: “We use this very harmonious open tuning on all the guitars to represent the strength and unity of the unions.

“But then there are the dark moments in the story, in which we very deliberately create dissonance, whether it’s rhythmic or harmonic dissonance, to represent those themes.

“There’s also big and small. There’s all guns blazing, all guitars going,

and different points where it really shrinks back.

“In terms of arrangement, it can be really interesting. It uses the dynamic range in different ways.

It’s not just ‘a noise fest’; in fact, it’s quite sparse at times.”

The two aren’t afraid to express their own admiration for the Lockout strikers, or their sense that the relative absence of such

collective action is a sad reflection of modern society.

Allen says: “It’s about capital versus labour, ultimately, even if it’s not really expressed that way any more.

“Historically, we lost the battle of the Lockout, but when World War I broke out there was no surplus of labour anymore, so it was a superficial failure, as there was no surplus of labour anymore.

“The union involved became SIPTU, still the biggest union in the country. It created conditions for what came next.

“There are huge differences between then and now, but there are some similar themes,” he argues.

“That capital against labour fight is still very much relevant. Tenement slums back then were full of vermin, and people were struggling for food.

“It was about accommodation, and the security of accommodation is a huge thing again now.

One of the successes of capital, I guess, has been to take that debate out of the equation. It’s not really discussed any more.”

The 1916 anniversary, though, has brought some clarity to the era, in Enda’s opinion.

“It’s perhaps less mythologised, and treated with a bit more context.

I remember the Lockout being talked about in very positive terms, but not being explained as this Socialist action.

“As a subject, though, it’s handy in a way. We’ve always liked tying our songs together, with big intros and outros, and this is just that idea, times ten!

It’s complex, but it’s cohesive, and you know where you’re going.”

The journey might have had its simplistic sides, tonally at least, but the result is spectacular: a deep, detailed and original album no other Irish act could have written.

MARCH 10 (Saturday) The Gloaming @ National Concert Hall, €40 Daniel Avery @ District 8, €22 MARCH 11 (Sunday) The Gloaming @ National Concert Hall, €40 Tommy Fleming @ Bord Gais Energy Theatre, €31 Damien Jurado @ Whelan’s, €22 DVSN @ The Academy, €28 Sophie Coyle @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), €10 MARCH 12 (Monday) The Gloaming @ National Concert Hall, €40 Niall Horan @ 3Arena, €50 The former One Direction man drops in as near as he’s going to get to home with a date at the cavernous 3Arena, where he’ll run through his debut album Flicker (and no doubt a little of the old stuff, too).

Rejjie Snow @ Olympia Theatre, €22 MARCH 13 (Tuesday) The Ruby Sessions @ Doyle’s, €6 LU TYSKY @ Whelan’s, €8 Vince Clarke and Andy Bell better known as Erasure a duo responsible for such

Spook Of The Thirteenth Lock play Dublin’s Pepper Canister Church on March 16, as part of the St Patrick’s Day Festival, with support from Landless. Lockout is released the same day.

hits as A Little Respect, Chains of Love, Always and many more...

MARCH 14 (Wednesday) The Wombats @ The Academy, €25 Death From Above @ Tivoli Theatre, €30 Keep Shelly In Athens @ The Grand Social

GAZETTE

GAZETTE

20 DUBLIN GAZETTE 8 March 2018

GAZETTE

22 DUBLIN GAZETTE 8 March 2018

DUBLINLIFE

GARDENING

NARCISSI: EXTEND THE DAFFODIL SEASON UP TO APRIL BY INTRODUCING DIFFERENT VARIETIES

Daffodils with a difference - and the perfect planting partners Anne Byrne Garden Design provides easy to follow garden plans that you can implement right away or in stages.

Her design flair and passion for plants brings a touch of magic to gardens of all sizes.

Anne Byrne Garden Design – Creative Ideas  ANNE BYRNE – Practical Solutions – Stunning Gardens. info@dublingazette.com

MARCH is the month when daffodils, or narcissi, really come into their own and look wonderful planted en masse, especially around the base of mature trees.

You can extend the daffodil season, however, by introducing different varieties so as to enjoy golden yellow or white blooms from February right through to April.

One of the earliest to bloom is the reliable “Tete a Tete”, a miniature variety often with two or three flowerheads on the same stem.

It’s a great one for spreading throughout a border, as it’s very small but really makes an impact when planted in dozens. Other lovely early cultivars are “Minnow” and “February Gold”.

For a change from yellow, you could try Narcissus “Thalia” – the

flowers are a traditional shape but are a lovely clean white.

This particular cultivar is one of my favourites and I use it a lot in planting plans – it’s very reliable and has the most elegant shape and habit of any narcissus I know.

For something a little different, consider trying some double varieties.

Many of these are scented and are brilliant for cutting, as well as displaying some beautiful petal combinations.

“Bridal Crown” and “Cheerfulness” are widely available doubles and one of the best has to be “Sir Winston Churchill”, an orange – splashed double with a particularly sweet fragrance.

Longer stemmed doubles are safer in a sheltered spot and some

Anemone blanda helping out with the Easter Egg Hunt in the garden

Thalia works well with pinks such as these Tulipa Margarita

individual plant has to work hard to earn its place.

A perennial is really any plant that lives for more than one season, but in this context we’re looking at herbaceous, or non-woody plants, rather than shrubs.

Some are evergreen and retain green leaves all year, with seasonal flowers, and some die back in winter with new leaves appearing in spring.

The beauty of the latter is that their newly emerging foliage helps to disguise the browning leaves of early bulbs, which you shouldn’t really cut down until six to eight weeks after flowering.

The brown leaves can get a bit messy but are easily disPulmonaria guised by fresh new perennial foliage.

Here are a few of my favourite perennials for early spring: • Pulmonaria – some have leaves attractively splashed with white, and flowers are white, blue or pink • Anemone blanda – grown from tubers and often avail-

support can be useful, even if it’s just a few twiggy sticks.

If you plant them in pots near doorways, you can appreciate the lovely scent easily without venturing too far outdoors.

As a garden designer I’m constantly looking for ways to improve people’s enjoyment of their outdoor spaces, and even though the year’s still young, there are so many beautiful perennials that can brighten up borders in early spring, so it’s well worth seeking them out.

If you’re lucky enough to have a very spacious garden you’re spoiled for choice, but in a smaller space editing is everything as each

Bressingham White

able growing in pots, dainty daisy like flowers in blue or white – really pretty under a tree.

• Bergenia cordifolia: Also known as Elephant’s Ears for its evergreen, rounded leaves, a reliable all-year-rounder with early spring flowers in white, pink or red.

“Bressingham White” is a good choice if you want to avoid colour clashes with yellow daffodils!

FOR further information on Anne Byrne Garden Design, call 086 683 8098, or see www. annebyrnegardendesign.com

8 March 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 23

THERE’S NOTHING MINOR ABOUT THE CHARMS OF OUR NEIGHBOUR’S SOUTHERN SIDE

WALES

WONDROUS WONDERFUL

With views like this - of Garn Goch (Picture: Anthony Pease) - who can resist visiting Wales? Such magnificent views are just part of the attraction; consider also (from top, right) Hay Castle (Picture: Dan Santillo), Felin Fach Griffin, in Brecon, or Booths Books, Hay-On-Wye.

 JAMES HENDICOTT THE trendy Danish concept of ‘hygge’ – a cozy, memorable, charming feeling of being utterly at ease – might have peaked as the big conceptual winter fashion, but it remains a wonderful concept.

Here’s why a trip to the hills of Wales is full of just the right kind of hyggelike, cuddly charm...

Somewhere between Anglesea’s expansively named Llanfairpwllgwyngyll... (yes, I cut off two thirds of the name, it is that long) and the Brecon Beacons National Park, you hit the winding hillside roads of Snowdonia.

You cruise gently under tunnels of trees, the climate seemingly changing as you cross through each little hillside pass and rugged, three-house village.

The land has that soggy green depth that feels like it hasn’t been dry in months; the texture reminiscent of an ancient realm of Hobbits.

It’s the kind of place you almost drift through, giving re-emerging onto a dual carriageway the air of a post-dream slap around the face.

If Snowdonia is the realm of Hobbits, the Bre-

cons feel more like they belong to the giants.

The southern park is all expansive sweeping valleys, soaring hillsides and picture box villages that look unchanged in generations. The main draw of the Brecons, then, is the scenery.

In Winter, the slow rising roads lead you through tiny clusters of ageing houses, the pathways edging above the treelines until they burst out suddenly into great soaring valleys.

In the Summer, this is a hiking hub. In Winter you’d need to be more hardy to hit the upper slopes, but the delicate stone of the tiny towns comes into its own, lit up in slanting light and offering cozy corners next to fires to envelop guests.

For somewhere to stop over, the award-winning Angel Hotel in Abergavenny delivers casual class.

Tucked in behind a fairly innocuous looking facade is something of a community hub, bustling with activity.

You can grab a tiny electric car to roam the hills in (provided on the house), or explore local artists’ work in the hotel shop.

TO VISIT RYANAIR fly (usually cheaply, though watch out for rugby weekends) to Cardiff, just over an hour from Abergavenny.

Given its outstanding scenery and quirky stop-offs, however, we far prefer making a day of it with the longer drive down from the Holyhead Ferry.

If you’re hiring a car, it’s worth noting the evening ferry arrival isn’t much good (or at least you’ll need to stay in Holyhead overnight), as the car hire companies close their doors by six. They do, however, allow return trip drop-offs when they’re closed.

TO STAY THE Angel in Abergavenny is the kind of enticing rural hotel it would feel utterly opulent to lounge in for the weekend without ever passing the porch. That said, the many nearby hill walks give the place an air of ‘earnt luxury’, and add to the feel of the Welsh hotel of the year.

It’s the social side of the hotel that stands out, though: it’s unobtrusively welcoming, popular as a conversation-driven night out as well as in its capacity as a hotel, with plenty of little corners in which to plant yourself.

Naturally, there’s also an oak-clad bar crammed with heady local brews, while the afternoon tea (a Tea Guild delicacy, no less, featuring ample scones and pastries) and top-tier restaurant (crab, scallops and succulent local venison, as well as local beef and cheese) are both sublime.

They’ve even opened an in-house bakery, spe-

cialising in delicate pastries and flavoured breads, and expanded the hotel outwards into various utterly luxurious buildings around its outskirts, including a wedding venue-meets-organic cafe.

You’re similarly treated in the hills, where many semi-rural restaurants – both walker stop-offs, and Sunday drive-tos for locals – have grown to produce some genuinely memorable food in fireside pub settings.

You can learn more about every aspect of the Brecon Beacons via the tourism website at breconbeacons.org.

GAZETTE

TRAVEL

24 DUBLIN GAZETTE 8 March 2018

DUBLINLIFE

BeautyBITS

SPRING/SUMMER18

Karl Lagerfeld Pyramid earrings www.Karl.com

Karl Lagerfeld Pyramid Cluster ring www.Karl.com

Founder of Inglot Ireland Jane Swarbrigg

The first ever Inglot Awards show to be a ‘celebration’ of make-up  Rachel D’Arcy EVER since it entered onto the Irish beauty scene in 2009, Inglot have become a household name to anyone with a love of beauty across Ireland.

Jane Swarbrigg, alongside her mum Geraldine and brother Peter, were responsible for introducing Inglot to Ireland back in 2009 when they opened their first store in Liffey Valley.

Speaking to Dublin Gazette, Jane said: “It’s amazing, I keep calling us the babies of the make-up industry here in Ireland, but after nearly nine years, I can’t really call us babies anymore!”

Inglot have set an industry standard across Ireland, with their use of social media marketing, and creative make up artists within their stores being able to recreate any and all looks.

“Any look that a client brings into our store, say

DRESSING

littlew oo detail d ds.ie V by Ver enim jac y ket €65 pearl and stu d

UP or DOWN?  Jessica Maile, Style Editor

WHAT if you are going out and you have to dress up but you don’t feel like dressing “up” up? The best option? Dressing down. Yes, dressing down!

You can mix skirts, sequins, denim, eclectic jewellery, sporty backpacks in luxe finishes, pearls, blazers and t-shirts in combinations that keep dressing up just that bit more comfortable

they see something on Instagram, it’s important that our artists can recreate that. We have these trend Thursdays, where we encourage our artists to be as creative as they can – it’s amazing what they can do, what all artists can do,” Jane explained.

On March 26, the brand will host their first annual Inglot Award show in the Raddisson Blu Hotel in Dublin City, on a night that founder Jane Swarbrigg promises to be a ‘celebration’ of make up across the board, not just Inglot.

“It’s going to be glamorous. I wanted to put something together to celebrate not just the Inglot family, but make up and undiscovered artists as a whole,” she told Dublin Gazette. “I have a lot planned, there’s set to be exciting entertainment and everything.”

polk a do ts €

94

There will be 11 categories over all on the night,

but leave no doubt you are dressed to impress.

For Spring/Summer 18, Mint Velvet have given a soft, elegant approach of dressing down with a motif sweatshirt in a soft grey and blush pink sequined skirt matched with simple white trainers.

For a more structured look, RIver Island has combined a striped blazer, t-shirt and a ripped denim shirt embellished with pearl beading.

Topping off the look are killer statement shoes.

So, when you are going out and want the best of both worlds, just experiment with dressing Penneys ir redescent b down. ackpack €14

for Inglot Make-up Artists, artists with a high social media following, and artists who were previously with Inglot and since left.

lle le athe r

The awards aren’t just for artists either, with Jane saying there will be 200 tickets available for fans to

Gaze

attend on the night, as well as a special ‘Inglot Addict’

Jane Swarbrigg and Inglot are also delighted to announce that the Inglot roadshows are returning this March and will be taking place in new locations across the country. The roadshows will provide expert tips and tricks. Tickets are €15 and available at www.inglot.ie

Dressing down River Island style from their Spring/Summer 18 collection

Sch

The shortlist of those nominated is available now on inglot.ie, with voting open until this Sunday, March 11.

uh a

dida s

award for their biggest fan, as voted by the public.

littlewoods.ie Benefit High Beam liquid highlighter €27.50

8 March 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 25

WHATTA

DEALZ  Rachel D’Arcy

I am Busy sweatshirt €79, sequin midi skirt €149, Circle and bar stud earring €35 and Allie silver contrast detail trainer €119 from Mint Velvet

WHAT could be better than cheap clothes with a decent quality?

Last Friday, PEP&CO launched their first nine Irish stores inside Dealz shops across the country. Launching in four Dublin stores - Blanchardstown, Dundrum, Finglas and Nutgrove – prices begin at €1.50, with the most expensive item costing just €19.50.

“We are very excited to bring our fashion and brand to Irish consumers,” said Adrian Mountford, managing director of PEP&CO. “By the end of this year, with over 300 shop-inshop fashion stores [across the UK, Ireland and France], we’re set to become a major fashion player,” he said.

Stock in PEP&CO stores changes every six weeks, meaning there’ll something new for you to get your hands on each month. Take a look at our top picks from their debut Irish release.

GAZETTE

STYLE

GAZETTE

26 DUBLIN GAZETTE 8 March 2018

DUBLINLIFE

FEATURE

From the Battle of Clontarf to Wood Quay, the Vikings left an indelible mark on Dublin

HERITAGE: CELEBRATING THE HARDY, COMPLEX PEOPLE

Quick, quick – the Vikings are coming (so don’t miss their four-day festival)  MARK O’BRIEN A NEW four-day festival celebrating Viking culture is coming to Dublin this Easter weekend.

VikingFest 2018 takes place at Dublinia and Wood Quay from Friday, March 30 to Monday, April 2.

The festival of Viking heritage will include Living History demonstrations and Viking ships moored and on display in Wood Quay.

The highlight of the festival is a live outdoor spectacle with the Follow the Vikings audiovisual and theatrical performance on Saturday, March 31 at the historic Wood Quay amphitheatre.

D e n i s e B r o p hy, director of Dublinia,

said: “Dublinia is delighted to be part of the Creative Europe Follow the Vikings project which seeks to create a borderless tourism destination focusing on the Viking world.

“Working with our

international partners we have created the Follow the Vikings roadshow which travels to 12 important Viking heritage sites across Europe, with Dublin and Waterford being two of those sites.

“With the support of our partners, Dublin City Council and Failte Ireland, we have upscaled this event to bring you VikingFest.”

Living History, Viking weaponry, coin minting and crafts will all be on display at Dublinia throughout the festival, allowing visitors to experience activities from Viking times.

T he Vikings are coming back to Wood Quay in style, with two Viking ships sailing up

the Liffey to Wood Quay.

These will be moored and on display for all to see, with a shoreside Viking ship to be found at Wine Tavern Street.

Lakeland Viking warriors will be on hand to tell visitors all about Viking life and the sea.

The organisers say that one of the highlights of the festival will be the Vikings-focused audiovisual and theatrical extravaganza on Saturday night, March 31.

Audiences will be enthralled by the international Follow the Vikings show, taking place outdoors in the Wood Quay amphitheatre.

The creative narrative of the show uses the life and times of Icelandic warrior poet Egill Skallagrimsson as its inspiration.

For everything you could want to know about the Vikings, come along to VikingFest 2018 at Dublinia and Wood Quay, where in addition to their well-deserved warrior reputation (above) you’ll learn much more about the Vikings’ complex culture

Egil, a revered and fearsome warrior saves his own life not with the sword or axe as you would imagine, but by reciting a poem to make his great enemy, Erik Bloodaxe, immortal!

The 45-minute show mixes film, animation, projection, sound, dance, drumming, battle reenactment and live action.

The performance takes place at 8.30pm with a second show at 9.45 pm.

The show is free of charge but is ticketed, and tickets are now available at www.dublinia.ie.

Dublinia is also offering discounted admission to its exhibitions during this exciting weekend.

8 March 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 27

ReelNews

GAZETTE

CINEMA

Director Guillermo del Toro was delighted with his well-deserved wins for The Shape of Water, one of the night’s more upbeat moments as Hollywood faces into a range of lingering issues

COURTING JUSTICE Legend’s lawsuit nears

WHILE most eyes have been bent on Hollywood’s current elite as the awards season culminated in the Oscars (right), other eyes are firmly focused on one of the very, very last of Hollywood’s old guard, Olivia de Havilland (above), as the regal actress readies for a battle she’s likely to lose.

‘Old’ is the word – like fellow legendary luminary Kirk Douglas, Ms de Havilland is more than 100 years old, but despite her age she’s at the heart of a long-awaited, upcoming court case due to be heard on March 20 – one which, in the unlikely event that she wins, would have a signifiicant impact on film.

In essence, her lawsuit against the FX network and Ryan Murphy Productions takes issue over Catherine Zeta-Jones’ portrayal of her in the docudrama, Feud: Bette and Joan, about the bitter rivalry between Bette Davis and Joan Crawford.

Golden age The Oscar winner is suing over the unauthorised use of her name and image in the production, making a rare move into the public eye from the fading shadows of the golden age of Hollywood.

She’s particularly annoyed about her portrayal as (as she basically put it) a coarse gossip – quite at odds with her quiet character.

It’s an interesting lawsuit that’s not without merit, given how many people can be the subject of films without their knowledge or approval, and are largely left at the filmmaker’s mercy.

Although she’s expected to lose her case, we all know that the Gods can be fickle and it’s not certain by any means that she’ll lose.

If so, the repercussions for filmmakers could be huge, effectively blocking all kinds of (American, at least) biopics and TV docudramas.

One way or another, the verdict should be known later this month ...

ANALYSIS: VIEWERSHIP HIT AN ALL-TIME LOW

Oscars sparkled a little less NOW that the Oscars are done and dusted, the glittering gowns have gone back to the designers, and Frances McDormand has been reunited with her missing Best Actress Oscar – more on that, below – let’s delve a little deeper into some aspects of this year’s Oscars.

A number of shadows were cast over the 2018 awards, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ 90th, which – shockingly – saw US Prez and man with seemingly absolutely nothing else to do Donald Trump actually getting something absolutely correct in a Tweet, typing: “Lowest rated Oscars in HISTORY.” In this, the orange one was dead right: just 26.5 million US TV viewers tuned in, down a whopping 16% from last year’s figure, and marking a nadir for the august academy awards.

While TV viewers now only represent some of the metrics, as I bet huge numbers watched the Oscars online, watching the conventional viewership spiralling downwards must have given TV and Hollywood execs food for thought.

 SHANE DILLON

sdillon@dublingazette.com

Despite revamping some criteria years ago to try and give the Oscars better reach, which arguably favours US-centric blockbusters at the expense of other

films, the prodding and poking just doesn’t seem to have reinvigorated the ceremony or the buzz.

In commercial terms alone – not that I’d be so crass to say that the Oscars should just honour whichever films made the most wheelbarrows of money – the past year’s box office juggernauts were noticeably absent, even from the more technical awards.

For all of the hype

over one such absolute money-making machine – Wonder Woman – and the intense international critical and academic focus on that film’s cultural significance, the Oscars rolled right on past.

Not only that – despite the current buzz over the #MeToo and #TimesUp campaigns, and their (quite right) attempts to crush sexism and exploitation within

Oscars are invaluable for a film, but what if owners wanted to just flog them?

AS FOR Frances McDormand’s richly deserved Best Actress Oscar – which briefly went walkabout during an after party but was later retrieved, with a man arrested after a suspicious photographer didn’t recognise him while he brandishing the very conspicurous bling about – here’s some Oscar statue info that you may not know.

There’s not much that can be done with any Oscar, which aren’t literally worth as much as people think. In fact, the Oscar winners don’t own their Oscar – following rule changes in the 1950s, they remain the property of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

The Oscar awards are little more than long-term loans from the Academy, which has legal first dibs on any Oscar statuette up for sale, which must be offered to them, first, for the princely sum of ... $1.

While there are plenty of older Oscars (right) out there for sale (some of which often have astronomical price tags), their literal worth isn’t exactly sky-high. It costs about $400 to produce each 24-karat gold-plated award, which – at today’s fluctuating metal prices – are currently worth only about $650.

the industry, that anger and high-profile focus didn’t translate into anything much during the ceremony itself.

By and large there were some ripples of frisson rather than waves of rebellion running through affairs, with things pretty much running smoothly under its blandly popular host, Jimmy Kimmell, who, lacking the edginess of some of his peers, kept matters mostly efficient and safe.

It’s a sign of how conventional matters were that more people seemed to be talking about the late, dulcet-toned Batman and pop icon Adam West being inexplicably absent from the In Memoriam listing rather than any did-you-see moment from the ceremony itself.

I won’t run through the winners here, which we’ve all r e a d over the p a s t f e w

days absolutely everywhere, and it’s hard not to agree with the generally excellent winners, and shortlisted names and titles, which didn’t see any We Wuz Robbed shock wins.

Perhaps the only slightly surprising win came with The Shape of Water scooping the Best Picture Oscar, given that the academy is notoriously resilient to sci-fi.

The film resolutely falls into this category, no matter how much it’s dressed up with romance, social commentary and period drama elements, but the academy voters fell for this very fishy tale, hook, line and sinker.

Interest There was great interest in whether smash-hit Call Me by Your Name would win the top title instead, marking two years in a row for resolutely gaythemed films following last year’s superlative Moonlight (because, hey, why not), but Water was still a well deserved win.

Perhaps the film’s win, and some of its shortlisted peers, have opened the door for quirkier content to win at Oscars 2019.

Here’s hoping ...

GAZETTE

28 DUBLIN GAZETTE 8 March 2018

DUBLINLIFE

FASTNews

Opel adds extra features to 2018 Combo Life OPEL has launched the new Opel Combo Life, which is based on a fifth-generation Combo that claims to be spacious, highly practical and versatile. The Combo Life, due here in April, is equipped with one or two rear sliding doors and can be ordered as a short (4.40 metres) or long (4.75 metres) version and as a five or seven-seat people carrier car.

This new Opel claims to raise the bar in terms of level of safety and comfort. It is fitted with technologies and driver assistance systems well-known from the compact or SUV segment such as Driver Drowsiness Alert, Rear View Camera with 180° bird’s-eye view, head up display, and IntelliGrip. Comfort features include heated seats and a heated leather steering wheel.

One of the new assistance systems fitted to the Opel Combo Life is the Flank Guard which supports drivers when turning at low speeds.

The Combo Life also offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible infotainment systems with up to eight-inch colour touchscreen. The fun-factor for occupants is further increased with USB ports in the front and second row ensuring that tablets and smart phones can be recharged even while the devices are in use.

A 230V power socket in the front footwall even allows one passenger to plug in a laptop. Compatible smart phones can also be charged wirelessly via the inductive charging pad located below the air-conditioning controls.

The Combo Life can also double as a small transporter. With the rear seats folded down the boot volume of the standard version more than triples to 2,126 litres

X-Class adds touch There’s a new and more luxurious option in the growing 4x4 pick-up market with the arrival of the new Mercedes-Benz X-Class. Michael Moroney took the luxury load carrier for an on and off-road test drive and here he evaluates the luxury appeal.

MERCEDES-Benz aims to add more than a touch of luxury to the 4x4 pick-up market with the arrival of the new X-Class at the start of this year.

As the growth in pick-up sales accelerates, Mercedes-Benz aims to boost that with a new pick-up that adds German star brand features to widen its appeal.

While the general car market struggled to grow in 2017, the market for 4x4 pickups rose by 10%, even if that’s starting from a low base.

Ford’s Ranger topped the market and while that’s not the place Mercedes-Benz aims to take on, the new X-Class will compete at the top end

Mercedes Benz X-Class 2.3 Engine Engine Power 0 – 100km/hr Economy Fuel Tank Capacity CO2 emissions Road Tax Band Main Service Euro NCAP Rating Warranty Entry Price of this growing market.

Externally, this Mercedes-Benz pick-up has its own clear identity. The most obvious of these features is the Mercedes-Benz twinlouvre radiator grille, centrally positioned star and honed bonnet

2.3 litre 190 bhp 10.9 seconds 12.7km/litre (7.9l/100km or 36mpg) 80 litres 207g/km Commercial €333 20,000km/12 months 5 stars 2012 2 years unlimited €39,950 and headlamps, extending far into the wings, designed to give the pick-up a distinctly upmarket appeal.

Jump into the X-Class and you’ll instantly feel that this new generation of pick-up combines a hint of luxury with prac-

tical off-road ability.

On the inside, the Mercedes-Benz design means that the X-Class interior is very similar to that of other MercedesBenz models in the range. You clearly feel that your onboard a Mercedes-Benz vehicle, with a brushed metal effect dash and controls laid out in a similar way to many other Mercedes-Benz cars.

Out on the road the driving experience is smoother than many other pick-ups while not really on a par with passenger cars.

Make no mistake that it’s still a pick-up and you’ll notice that after you’ve driven over 650km as I did, mainly

meaning that getting camping equipment, larger luggage or bikes from A to B is no longer a problem. Again, the longer version of the Combo Life offers even more capacity when the rear seats are folded down. In this configuration, it can carry an impressive 2,693 litres.

The front passenger seat folds flush with the rear seats, extending the length of the loading area so that

Peugeot shows its outdoor side in 4x4

even surfboards can be transported.

Under the bonnet, Opel Combo Life customers will have the choice between a variety of turbo-charged, direct injection petrol and diesel engines. All of the engines are paired with five or six-speed manual transmissions with a segment-first eight-speed automatic option also being available.

PEUGEOT has unveiled its new Rifter 4x4 concept car at the Geneva Motor show this week for those with an outdoor passion to their driving. This car comes with an Overland roof tent and houses a new electric Peugeot mountain bike.

The Rifter comes with distinct bright yellow features and badging and is presented in a shade of spangled grey, punctuated with mat black and onyx black features. The car is shod on 16-inch diamante, varnished alloy wheels for extra attitude.

The Rifter 4x4 concept is fitted with full-wheel drive developed by Dangel, the brand’s partner that specialises in four-wheel drive transformation. The Rifter concept is raised to give 80mm ground clearance so as to allow the vehicle to

overcome most obstacles.

A selector is located at arm’s reach on the dashboard, to the right of the gear lever, giving the option of three driving modes.

The 2RM mode engages front-wheel drive mode, for everyday trips. The 4RM mode powers the rear wheels, in the case of loss of motor function.

The Lock mode locks the rear axle, which is useful for extreme travel and crossing bridges.

Peugeot Rifter 4x4 Concept is fitted with allterrain wheels provided by BF Goodrich. They combine endurance, style and traction while the BlueHDi 130bhp diesel engine, with a manual sixspeed gearbox, produces a comfortable 300Nm torque.

on the road.

Mercedes-Benz claims that the X-Class has a wider track than the competition, including the Nissan Navara and that its spring and damping system is tuned to deliver Mercedes-Benz levels of comfort.

It is fitted with a multi-link rear suspension with coil springs not leaf springs to help deliver more comfort.

For off-road driving the selectable 4MATIC all-wheel drive with its low-range gearing and optional rear axle differential lock showed its ability to master any terrain. Mercedes-Benz says that a permanent all-wheel drive version will be available next year.

The X-Class comes with safety features that include Active Brake Assist, Lane Keeping Assist and Traffic Sign Assist. Billed as the first intelligently connected pickup, ‘Mercedes me’ connect means owners are linked to theirX-Class via smart phone at all times.

When you delve under the skin of the X-Class you’ll quickly see the similarities. It is powered by the same Renault designed 2.3-litre engine that’s fitted to the Nissan Navara. This engine is available with a choice of two power outputs 163bhp in the single turbocharged X220d, and 190bhp in the biturbo X250d version, matching accurately, Nis-

8 March 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 29

launches 2nd of pick-up luxury BMW generation X4 BMW has unveiled the second

twin headlight units, while the new

generation of its X4 Sports Activity

horizontal LED fog lights are inte-

Coupe at the Geneva Motor Show.

grated into the outer air intakes.

The X4 will arrive in Ireland this

All models feature Adaptive LED

summer and will start with an on

headlights as standard.

the road price of €67,190.

The X4 claims to come with

housing, are slim in design and

standout exterior design and with

positioned at the extreme edges

a strong coupe silhouette and

of the rear. Together with the twin

even more refinement, along with

exhaust tailpipes (shared by all

state-of-the-art driver assistance

engine variants) magnify the width

systems and connectivity. There

of the rear end. allow drivers to tailor the appear-

M40i and M40d, to cater to cus-

ance of the all-new BMW X4 to

tomer tastes.

reflect their personal tastes. Each

was unable to challenge its towing ability.

The X-Class is pitched at a more luxury end market, so why pay more than you would for a Nissan Navara that has all of the same performance features.

Entry prices for the 190bhp versions start from €46,300 for the Progressive

models; that’s about €4,000 more than the equivalent Nissan Navara LE offer.

That indicates that the price lift is not as much as you would initially think; there’s a more luxurious feel to the X-Class with all of the performance features that you would expect from a 4x4.

comes with standalone design

its predecessor, with 54mm added

features as well as model-specific

to the wheelbase and 37mm extra

19-inch light-alloy wheels.

width. It is also lower by 3mm. BMW

The X4 can now also be specified

claims that these emphasise its

with options from the BMW Indi-

perfect 50:50 weight distribution

vidual portfolio. Extras designed to

and hint at the enhanced perfor-

give the exterior design an exclu-

mance potential.

sive feel include the BMW Individual

The car retains the brand’s

I had on the road. That gearbox is smooth to use, adding to the luxury feel and easy driving.

I’ve driven the X-Class both on and off the roads and its luxury feel belies its very impressive off-road driving ability.

The test version was not fitted with a towbar, so I

Two optional model variants

models in the range, the BMW X4

The BMW X4 is 81mm longer than

san’s Navara performance.

T he 80 litre capacity fuel tank includes an AdBlue tank and I was able to achieve an impressive 600km range from the full tank.

Six-speed manual transmission is standard on the more powerful 190bhp X250d 4MATIC version that

The L-shaped LED rear lights, with their three-dimensional

enhanced driving dynamics,

are two additional M Performance

Mercedes-Benz has a new 4x4 pick-up on the market with strong hints of the MercedesBenz heritage in terms of styling, comfort and safety with entry prices starting at €39,950 for the higher power 190bhp versions.

GAZETTE

MOTORING

trademark BMW kidney grille and

paint finish Sunstone metallic and 21-inch BMW light-alloy wheels.

February delivers steady car sales AFTER a disappointing January, the latest official new car sales statistics released by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) show that the total new car registrations for the month of February were steady at 17,081 compared with 17,089 new cars sold in February 2017.

Irish new cars registrations for the year to date remain -3.5% (54,143) down on the same period last year (56,092).

For the Dublin region, 7,291 new cars were registered, up by 4.73% compared with the same month last year, giving a year to date total for Dublin of 20,039, just marginally behind last

year’s levels.

Used car imports continue to soar as sterling stays weak against the euro. The latest SIMI figures show that in the Dublin region 5,234 used cars were registered so far this year, compared with 3,980, a 31.5% increase compared to the first two months of 2017.

Sales of petrol electric hybrid cars have risen by 56%, while plug-in hybrid car sales rose by 88%, indicting a significant change in car buyer fuel choices.

Electric car sales are still slow across the country apart from the Dublin region when they have significantly increased with 90 new electric cars registered so far this

year. Sales of automatic cars are on the increase and the latest SIMI figures show an increase from 19% of all cars sold in 2017 to 23% this year.

The best-selling new car in Ireland for February was the Skoda Octavia. While the Hyundai Tucson was the best-selling car in Ireland, Dublin buyers put the Nis-

san Qashqai at their leading choice, followed by the Volkswagen Golf, Skoda Octavia, Hyundai Tucson and Nissan Micra, in that order.

Toyota led the Irish market as the leading car brand for the year to date, while the Volkswagen brand topped the Dublin market.

Subaru and Castle Garage sponsor Monkstown Hockey Club SUBARU Ireland and Castle Garage, a family-owned, Subaru dealership in Bray are providing new kit and support for the U-16s Monkstown Hockey Club. The new kit is a welcome boost for the rising stars of the well-known & very successful South Dublin hockey club.

Castle Garage was established in 1955, and the business is based right in the heart of Bray, just 2 minutes off the N11 with ample customer parking. The dealership is the longest serving Subaru Dealer in Ireland.

Monkstown Hockey Club was established in 1894, and are one of the oldest Hockey Clubs in Ireland.

They are a South Dublin based hockey club with Mens, Ladies, Colts and Fillies teams. Striving for

The Nissan Qashqai was number 1 with Dubliners

success and the craic!

30 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 8 March 2018

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FASTSport

Phoenix’s Strydom in MCC side for unique tour Lydia Boylan in action during the omnium at the world track cycling championships

CYCLING: SANDYMOUNT RIDER UNCLIPS AT APELDOORN ARENA

Boylan finds going tough at track world championships

SANDYMOUNT’s Lydia Boylan, working with Lydia Gurley, finished ninth at the 2018 UCI Track Cycling World Championships tonight. Gold went to Great Britain, silver to the Netherlands, and Italy took bronze.

In the men’s Omnium Felix English finished 19th. The championships take place in Apeldoorn, The Netherlands.

A ferociously fast start dictated the final podium in the Women’s Madison, with a

group of five taking a lap.

“It started super-fast,” noted Gurley after the race. “A group of five got away and got the lap really quickly. It was unfortunate we missed that first move was we could have been in the top five.

“It was not a power issue missing out, it just started so quick. After missing that move we minimised damage and were in the mix.”

Boylan described a series of unfortunate incidents in

the race that didn’t help: “we kept fighting after they got the lap but I unclipped during a change and crashed down.

Puncture “Then I got a front wheel puncture which wasn’t ideal.

But we managed to keep fighting to the end.”

“There were a few unfortunate, unforeseen things, but it was a better result than last year, and we did the best we could do, but you always want

to do better,” added Gurley.

T he Madison has been added to the Olympic programme for Tokyo, and was added to the World Championship programme last year.

Earlier in the week in the women’s omnium, Boylan finished in 17th place after the four races.

Speaking after the race, a dispirited Boylan said “I’m disappointed with today’s race but I’m going to have to put it behind me and refocus.”

PHOENIX CC’s Reinhardt Strydom has been selected for Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) as they depart for Brazil and Chile next week.

MCC begins its 2018 touring programme next week and Strydom will form part of a thirteen-man squad of Playing Members from around the United Kingdom that departs for Brazil and Chile.

The fifteen-day trip is the first of three overseas tours which will take place this year, with visits to Sweden and Kenya to follow.

Strydom has played One-Day International and T20 International cricket for Ireland as well as having played extensively for Ireland A. Starting on Thursday, March 8, MCC will take on the Brazilian, Chilean and Peruvian national sides during the trip, as well as several other fixtures against leading clubs in Brazil and Chile. All matches on the tour will follow the T20 format.

The squad will arrive first in the Chilean capital, Santiago, where they will take on the Prince of Wales Country Club, before fixtures against the national teams of both Chile and Peru. They will also partake in nets and training sessions with the Chilean national women’s team.

The squad will then fly to Brazil and the city of Sao Paulo, where they will play Sao Paolo Cricket Club in two T20 matches, and the Brazil national team, also in two short format games. Rio de Janeiro is the final stop on the tour, where Carioca Cricket Club will be their opponents in four T20 matches across two successive days.

GAZETTE

34 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 8 March 2018

SPORT

FastSport FENNELLY AND DEEGAN IN FED CUP LINE-UP: DUBLINERS’ Jane Fennelly and Lauren Deegan – along with former St Andrew’s student Amy Bowtell – have all been named in the Irish team for this year’s Fed Cup by BNP Paribas in the Europe/Africa Zone Group III. Yvonne Doyle the Irish team captain welcomes back Bowtell after a lengthy lay off with injury; US collegiate player Ruth Copas along with Fennelly and Deegan complete the line up.

The tournament will take place in Ulcinj Bellevue in Montenegro the week commencing April 16. Ireland will compete with the following nations for promotion to Group II for 2019: Montenegro, South Africa, Finland, Morocco, Malta, Kenya, Cameroon, Mozambique, Andorra and Uganda.

CLUB REOPENING: INSURANCE CLAIMS ISSUE SAW INNERCITY CLUB CLOSE DOORS

Sheriff YC finally back on its feet after frustrating wait

 DAVE DONNELLY sport@dublingazette.com

SHERIFF YC were celebrating a long-awaited return to their home grounds after an insurance problem locked them out of their facilities in the north inner city.

The Sheriff Street-based club were stung at the end of November when their insurance claim came up for renewal and they were informed they presented too high a risk.

A couple of claims, relating to functions in the club bar, that were paid out several years ago saw the premiums rise to unmanageable levels – and left their premises unusable.

That was the case for more than two months – with football teams playing all their matches away from home – until financial firms JLT and AIG stepped in to help solve the problem.

“There were 300 kids being left on the street,” Sheriff PRO Hugo Richardson told the Dublin Gazette.

“We’re a voluntary organisation. Kids come down here to the academy on Saturday morning – closed. Badminton – closed. Bowls – closed. Bingo

symbolised just how vital the club is to the local area, providing a link to the outside world for many elderly people.

“The main thing is the bingo.

The local women come into the bingo every Wednesday.

“That was closed for six to eight weeks, and some of the women didn’t even leave their homes until that started back up. It’s a small bingo, but it’s great for them to get them out.”

The club can once again look to its future now, and with their 50th anniversary coming up in 2022 they can look ahead to remaining a vital part of a community that lacks amenities.

Sheriff YC President Jack Russell, AIG Ireland GM Declan O’Rourke, Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe, An “What we hope to get out of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and JLT Director Amanda Harton at the club’s reopening. Picture: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile it is to keep the club going for as long as we can. Keep more for the old folks – closed. credit to the whole North Wall of recreation activities to the kids off the streets, more kids “Declan Woods is a local area. local community from badmin- involved in sport, no matter. goalkeeper – he played for the “It’s a lesson-learner for other ton to bowls, with indoor facili- The more the merrier. club. He keeps in touch with clubs. We’ve been educating ties provided for basketball and “You’d need to be going here his mates and all that and he’s them on the same system – if five-a-side football.

24 hours to keep the kids occuChris Giles, the son of the pied around the area – there’s with JLT. They got in touch with you have a small bar in your AIG, who are based around the clubhouse, have the bar private legendary Irish footballer not enough for them. We’re just financial area. to the sport. You’ve no prob- John, runs the kids’ academy one of the big things in the area.

“You have the boxing and from ages five to nine, while “They linked up together and lems then.”

Sheriff are best known for volunteers keep the club open other stuff as well but we need worked on it for a couple of weeks and by the grace of god their senior men’s football team, around the clock for the local more. If [the club] shuts down, the whole street shuts down, they sorted the problem out for who have dominated junior youth. football for the past decade.

However, it was the loss of the whole area shuts down and us.

The club also offers a range the weekly bingo night that there’s nothing doing.”

“We’re back home and it’s a

Trio call on Dubliners to support 32-county challenge  sport@dublingazette.com

Runners Noel McNally, Niall Farquharson and Paul Tyrell

IN AUGUST, Noel McNally, Niall Farquharson and Paul Tyrell are taking on the challenge of a lifetime this summer to raise funds for the Children’s Cancer Unit Charity They are calling on various running clubs across Dublin to volunteer in support of a good cause.

The trio are in training to run 32 marathons on consecutive days, covering every county on the island of Ireland. The adventure will begin on August

2, in Derry, and stopping in Dublin on August 11.

The finishing race, all being well, will take place in Ormeau Park in Belfast, with the runners joining in on the Laganside 10K on the 2nd September.

Noel McNally explained why the trio are taking on the unique challenge.

“I know it sounds a bit crazy and there are a lot of logistical things to get organised, and that’s all before we pull on the runners and start the first marathon in few months time.

“But August 11 in Dublin, we

know we can call on the support of various running clubs, like the Crusaders AC, as well as members of the wider running community throughout the county.

“We will be relying on these local volunteers to marshal our routes, time the runs and most importantly to join us for a day, even it is for a few miles, a half marathon or the full 26.2 miles.

“Myself, Niall and Paul are committed to raising as much money as we can to support the work of the Children’s Cancer Unit Charity.

“We all know someone who has been affected by cancer and we know the amazing work undertaken by the staff at the unit. If we can help the Unit to support the families who desperately need that help, then all the better.

Local runners in Dublin are encouraged to join in on August 11.

Details of the event and how to support the initiative can be found at www.http://ccu32. com/ and donations can be made via https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ccu32

8 March 2018 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 35

GAZETTE

FASTSport

Hayes pursuing the ice hockey dream in Canada  JAMES HENDICOTT

STEPHEN Hayes has become the second player from Blanchardstown-based ice hockey side the Flying Ducks to head for Canada, in the hopes of forging an career in the game.

Stephen Hayes, who attends St Peter’s College in Dunboyne, turned 14 while in Canada, and is currently playing with Somang, a team well known for their player development.

He trains with ex-NFL star Francois Landreville, and will stay in Canada this time around for a period of six weeks, joining older teammate Mark Murphy, who has already signed on for a year at Somang.

Hayes has been playing ice hockey for half his life, having picked up the game through the Flying Ducks at the age of seven, playing at the nowdefunct Castleknock on ice.

Reports from Canada indicate that Hayes has already improved substantially as a result of his short stay, whilst studying at the local international school, and has earned an invite to return for an entire year when he enters his next school year. While funding will be an issue, Hayes – with the support of his family – is determined to take up the opportunity.

He was also part of a young Irish side that traveled to South Korea ahead of the Winter Olympics, showcasing the game’s development in this part of the world, and earning a surprise 3-2 win over their hosts.

They also played world-class age-group sides from Russia, Canada and the USA, and got a taste for the lifestyle. His stay back in Ireland before heading for Canada was just 24 hours.

“He wants to go as a far as he can in the game,” Stephen’s dad Ross Hayes, who is heavily involved with the Flying Ducks, told the Dublin Gazette.

“He’s loving the life over there, and would ideally like to play in the NFL, though there are also other professional and semi-professional options like the Elite League and leagues in Asia to look at.

“He’s really gone through the roof in terms of ability. He’s training six days a week and doing all the other stuff that come with the game, too. We’re hoping to get funding for a return in September, but if not we’ll have to fund the trip as a family.”

Local curlers battling to put game on Irish ice A highlight of the winter Olympics every four years, the Irish Curling Association is hoping their sport can get a permanent home on the island to allow them to grow  JAMES HENDICOTT sport@dublingazette.com

EVERY FOUR years, as the Winter Olympics roll around, the sport of curling suddenly takes a rare moment in the limelight.

It’s a strategic contest played across ten ‘ends’, the objective being to finish an alternating series of turns with your stone – slid across ice – closer to a marked target than your opponents.

This year, the stars of the show were the host nation South Korea’s “garlic girls”, an obscure provincial team that’s grown in the sport in preparation for the Pyeongchang hosted Olympics, and despite a lowly expectation, soared through to a final, only to be outplayed by Sweden at the last.

You might be surprised to hear, though, that the heavily winter-leaning sport is also active in Ireland.

John Burns, a mem-

xxx . Picture: xxx

ber of the Irish Curling Association committee, outlines the surprisingly diverse history in Ireland to the Dublin Gazette.

“Curling started in Scotland over 500 years ago and was played outdoors on frozen ponds,” he explains. “It had spread to many countries in the late 1800s, especially Canada and the United States, but other countries included Russia, Sweden and Ireland where there were three curling clubs around Belfast.

“Ireland missed out on the move to indoor rinks and on the explosion in world curling leading up to the re-introduction of the sport to the Winter Olympics at Nagano, Japan in 1998.

“But, in 1990, several Irish expatriates living in Scotland founded the Irish Curling Association. Our membership of 60 are all entitled to curl for Ireland by birth or parentage but most of us learned to curl

in Scotland and continue to live there.”

There’s been some substantial successes for the small association.

“In 2012, in Copenhagen an Irish seniors (over50s) team drawn from our membership of 60 beat a Canadian team (drawn from a million Canadian curlers) to win a world title, and we have won two more bronze medals at senior level since then,” Burns tells us.

“Our mixed doubles team [a new Olympic discipline introduced this year] won qualifying points to play in the Olympics, but unfortunately not enough to qualify as one of the eight playing teams.

We are recognised by the Olympic Council of Ireland and the World Curling Federation.

“Our main challenge is that there are no ice rinks in Ireland other than the rink at Dundonald in Belfast which struggles to cope with the local

demand for ice time as well as ice hockey players and skaters who travel up from the Republic.

“Curling can be played from age eight to age 80 or more – one of the players in a forthcoming Irish Mixed championship is aged 11 – and we would love to develop Juniors curling in Ireland.

“It can be played by able-bodied and wheelchair contestants. Men and women play on equal terms, which makes it a very social sport. It combines physical exercise (as many calories are burnt while sweeping curling stones as in 100m hurdles races) with an intellectual tactical challenge.

“It would be a great sport for Ireland, if only we had ice to play on. We need flatter, harder, colder ice than skaters do, but it is perfectly possible to

xxxx. Picture: xxx

convert ice from curling ice to skating ice and back again, given a few hours and good ice technicians.”

But is there demand in Ireland? Burns thinks so.

“If curling was available in Ireland, would it be a popular sport? We see no reason why it should not be as popular as in Scotland, where around 30,000 curlers play in 20 curling rinks.”

Like Dublin’s ice hockey teams, then, the curlers are part of the drive to build winter sports facilities in the capital. “We need an ice rink to share with ice skating and ice hockey.”

Burns agrees: “Anywhere in Ireland would do but Dublin is ideal if only because there are many Canadian students in Dublin who curled in Canada and miss their sport over here.”

GAZETTE

36 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 8 March 2018

SPORT

FASTSport

ATHLETICS: OLYMPIAN SAYS SPORT BEEN KEY FOR HIS MENTAL HEALTH

McClean’s high praise for Templeogue’s O’Brien  DAVE DONNELLY

REPUBLIC of Ireland star James McClean has tipped his West Bromwich Albion teammate Dara O’Shea to become a ‘really good defender’ in the coming years.

The Templeogue native has been on the books at the Hawthorns for the past two years, having made the switch from the renowned schoolboy nursery St Kevin’s Boys in 2016.

Ireland under-19 international O’Shea made headlines two years ago for a 30-yard piledriver he scored for the Baggies in an under-18 game against Tottenham Hotspur.

And O’Shea, who celebrated his 19th birthday this week, made his bow for the senior team during their pre-season tour to Austria last August, having impressed manager Tony Pulis in the under-23s.

Pulis has since been replaced by Alan Pardew, but Derryman McClean has seen enough of the talented defender in games and in training to offer him a few words of encouragement.

“I remember the very first game of pre-season, the manager made 11 changes at half time and brought Dara on,” said McClean at the launch of Red Bull’s Neymar Jr Fives tournament in Dublin recently.

“He was a bit nervous on the ball, trying to force things a little, and I remember having a word with him at the airport, saying ‘if you believe in yourself and relax, you can be a really good defender.

“Just believe in yourself, relax more on the ball.

Just try to keep it as simple as possible. Obviously being Irish you’re going to have a bit more interest.

“I’ll try to give him as much advice as possible but, as the old saying goes, you can take a horse to water but you can’t make it drink it.

“I’ll try to give him as much advice as possible and hopefully he takes it on board.”

O’Shea is currently on loan with non-league Hereford United, having seen his initial fourmonth loan extended to the end of the season after a series of impressive performances.

The Dubliner also captained his country last month when Tom Mohan’s under-19s beat Romania in back-to-back friendlies in La Manga in Spain.

David Gillick, members of the Vhi Support Team, launched the 2018 Vhi Women’s Mini Marathonon Monday. Picture: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Gillick hooked on running again  DAVE DONNELLY

IRISH Olympian David Gillick has found joy in running again after injury forced him to retire from the sport that had come to define his life.

Speaking at the launch of the VHI Women’s Mini Marathon, the Ballinteer native recalled how his involuntary retirement forced him to confront his demons and learn about himself as a result.

The double European indoor 400m champion – who represented Ireland at the Beijing Games in 2008 – resigned himself

to calling a premature halt to his career three years ago.

A mixture of injury and mental health issues saw him fall out of the athletic lifestyle he’d pursued for most of his life, but he found redemption in the life that had given him so much.

“It was like a death,” Gillick told the Dublin Gazette of the calf injury that ended his dream of competing at the 2012 games and ultimately led to his retirement.

“I was lost – I didn’t know who I was or what I wanted to do. It was find-

DOMINANT DOONEY Raheny Shamrock beat snow and field in Lusk RAHENY Shamrock’s Kevin Dooney (549) stamped his quality all over the Lusk 4 mile last Sunday, powering home to victory in 19 minutes and 10 seconds, some two minutes clear of Clonliffe’s Sean Doran.

Graham O’Dwyer took third place in 21 minutes 20 seconds.

Ailish Murtagh made it a Raheny double, taking the women’s race in 24 minutes six seconds leading home a one, two, three with Zoe Quinn second in 24.40 and Tara Kennedy Monk third in 24.43.

ing that purpose.

“You’re going from a career where you’ve mapped out every day, month, week or year, or every four years. For suddenly that to stop, you’re lost.

“It’s taken me a while, but like with anything you put your hand up and say I need help.

“You talk to people and implement the change, I began to understand more about myself and what the triggers were and once I knew that, you have a bit of a toolbox.

“That’s what it’s about, having that toolbox and

understanding what you need to do.”

A major part of that toolbox, Gillick found, was running, the absence of which he found was a trigger that enhanced his depressive symptoms.

Armed with the knowledge that healthy body reinforces a healthy mind, Gillick is enjoying life as an RTE pundit and promoting a positive lifestyle with VHI, for whom he’s an ambassador.

“Now I’m back running recreationally but at the time, at the level I was at, it curtailed a lot of stuff.

“Competing at a certain

level where you could try and make an income from the sport, that soon diminished. I just couldn’t run that fast.

“My mental health probably wasn’t great post-career and I pinned an awful lot on the result of my athletics.

“It’s only now I realise athletics is something I’m passionate about and I’m getting out and running 5ks in Marlay Park.

“I now understand that is my drug and it’s a trigger for me, and if I’m not out doing that there’s a negative spin-off, so I make sure I do it.”

8 March 2018 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 37

GAZETTE

SOCCER: STRONG SUMMER SIGNINGS A BIG BOOST

FASTSoccer

Despite a disappointing league campaign, Shelbourne did win the League Cup. Picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Shels’ Graham confident of WNL league title push WNL PREVIEW  DAVE DONNELLY sport@dublingazette.com

RACHEL Graham is confident Shelbourne can wrest back their Women’s National League crown following a disappointing fifth-place finish in 2017.

The Drumcondra club won a league and cup double in 2016 but were left to rue a slow start last year that saw them wait two months for their first win as Wexford Youths took their crown.

There was a muchimproved performance in the Champions League where they were unlucky to narrowly miss out on top spot in their qualifying group, finishing the round unbeaten.

The off-season has seen a change in management with manager Mark Leavy and head coach Shaun Maher leaving and Ireland men’s junior international coach Danny Crowley taking charge.

Striker Noelle Murray has returned from Glasgow City and defender Jess Gleeson has arrived from the champions Wex-

ford, while they’ve kept hold of the bulk of their first-team squad.

And Graham has sent out a warning that the club are in the the strongest position they’ve ever been – and have put right the mistakes that dogged last year’s campaign.

“It’s the first time I’ve ever really felt you wouldn’t know what 11 would be going out on the pitch,” Graham told the Dublin Gazette.

“Having Noelle and Rebecca [Creagh] back is great. I think it’s the strongest squad we’ve had. Last year, we had a really strong squad as well and it obviously didn’t go really well for us.

“We didn’t achieve what we wanted to achieve, so having a strong squad definitely isn’t enough. We still need to play well and work hard every week.”

Pre-season has been disrupted not only by the change in manager but by the loss of key internationals with both the senior and Under-19s squads in extended training camps this week.

Shels are worst-afflicted as they supply more players than any team to the international set-up, with Leanne Kiernan and Roma McLaughlin among those away with the seniors in Fota Island.

With champions Wexford away in their opening encounter on Sunday, she admits there could be gentler ways to begin what promises to be the most competitive league yet.

“It’s been drilled into us this year that we’re not going to get anything

easy. No game is a gimme.

We’re not going to get a certain three points from any game.

“It’s been well-drilled into us that you do whatever you can to defend your goal. I think we’ll be a lot harder to beat this year and hopefully up the other end we’ll get a few more goals.

“Hard work will beat us if we don’t work hard.

There’s definitely a few players hurting and looking to prove [people] wrong this year.”

UCD celebrate their CUFL Men’s Premier Divisions title. Picture: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

McClelland strikes gold as UCD rustle up yet another CUFL Premier crown UCD won their seventh RUSTLERS Colleges and Universities Premier Division title after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over UCC at a snowy Home Farm.

Jason McClelland’s right-footed strike with 22 minutes remaining proved to be the difference between the two sides.

UCD had the better opportunities in the first half with McClelland and Timmy Molloy calling UCC keeper Cathal O’Hanlon into action in a tight opening period.

The second-half was a much dramatic affair with plenty of heart-inmouth moments. Just moments after having a goal ruled out for offside, David Dalton struck a thunderous effort that beat Conor Kearns in the UCD goal and smashed off the crossbar. The UCD keeper was helpless when the shot rebounded off his back but fortunately for him, crept the other side of the post for a corner.

UCD had a wonderful opportunity of their own when substitute Yousef Mahdy danced through a number of challenges and squared it for Georgie Kelly but last year’s SSE Airtricity First Division top goalscorer could not guide the ball past O’Hanlon.

The Dublin side did make their opportunities count moments later when McClelland cut in off the left flank and struck with his less favoured foot into the bottom corner past the helpless O’Hanlon.

Both sides had opportunities to add more goals to the game with Liam Scales heading a corner off the bar and Dalton blazing over the bar with the goal at his mercy.

UCD have completed the CUFL and Collingwood Cup double for the third time after successes in 2007 and 2010.



GOT A STORY? WE WANT TO KNOW!

Call our SPORT TEAM on 60 10 240 and SELECT OPTION 3 Rachel Graham with a young Shels supporter

or email sport@dublingazette.com

GAZETTE

38 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 8 March 2018

SPORT SOCCER: EXTENDED SNOW BREAK GIVES INCHICORE SIDE PLENTY TO PONDER

FASTGAA

Pat’s mull over Bohs showdown

DAVE DONNELLY sport@dublingazette.com

Macauley backs Go Places MICHAEL Darragh Macauley was among a series of sport stars nationwide who have teamed up with Transition Year students to promote the Bus Éireann ‘Go Places’ competition.

They are encouraging schools in their local communities to share memories of their journey to school. Go Places with Bus Éireann is open to all TY students from across the Republic of Ireland with a deadline for entries of March 16. For more information visit www.goplaceswithbe.ie.

Triple All Ireland winner Macauley said. “I used to get the bus into school in the city centre so traffic jams are a big memory of mine. Me and my friends used to sprint to get the early bus home in the evenings to avoid rush hour traffic.

“TY students should definitely get involved in this great competition because of the great prizes!

A trip to Tayto Park for your entire class would be a day well spent!”

ST PATRICK’S Athletic were left frustrated last week when the snow downpour prevented them from bouncing back immediately from their disappointing defeat in Waterford.

The Saints had been due to face Sligo Rovers – who suffered a heavy defeat to Cork City the same night – in front of their home fans with the disappointing midweek defeat at the RSC. However, the weather conditions required that game to be postponed, meaning the Inchicore side have been left with a week-and-a-half to mull over their second loss in three games this season.

With their first Dublin derby of the season loom-

ing against Bohemians in Dalymount Park on Friday, they know they’ll need to thaw out quickly to get back on the winning trail.

“It was really frustrating,” assistant manager Ger O’Brien told the Dublin Gazette.

“Especially after being beaten in Waterford, a game against Sligo so quickly would have been ideal to bounce back.

“With the weather the way it went, and how dangerous it was out there, we were like most and we just couldn’t do anything.”

It was a frustrating week all-round for the coaching staff at Richmond Park, who saw their team start well in Waterford only to concede two sloppy goals.

“For the first nine minutes, we controlled the game, controlled the ball.

We were working Water-

St Pat’s Ger O’Brien

ford quite well and we were getting good positions and then we conceded a corner and they scored off it.

“Unfortunately, that old cliché ‘goals change games’ comes into effect.

We found it difficult to break them down.

“They’ve a style that suits them well – they’ve two two big lads up front and they play a lot of direct balls to them and caused us problems.

“Waterford were deserv-

ing winners in the end but, in the last 20 minutes, we had a couple of chances we blazed over from five yards and one off the line.

“We could easily have come away with a draw – but it would have been undeserved.”

O’Brien will be demanding a much-improved performance from his side when they come up against another of his former clubs from his playing days on Friday.

“They’ve brought in

a lot of players and they have a vey big squad now, so it’ll be interesting to see who they play.

“Games against each other have always been competitive over the past two years, and even when I was playing they were always competitive and entertaining with loads of goals in them.

“I don’t expect it to be different on Friday night – I think there’ll be goals, I just hope we’re on the right end of this one.”

CLUB NOTICEBOARD CRAOBH CHIARAIN

NO WINNER of the lotto jackpot of €5,500 on Monday, February 26. Four match three winners each receive €150 . Numbers were 7, 19, 20 and 22. Next week’s jackpot will be €6,000.

Tickets are €2 and the draw takes place every Monday at 11pm in the club lounge.

The annual club dinner dance takes place on Friday, March 16.

The successful junior hurling league winners will be our guests of honour.

Tickets are only €20 and can be ordered by contacting the club secretary, Mary Derwin.

Our successful minor football championship team will be presented with their medals in the club lounge on Friday, March 9.

The senior hurlers play Faughs in Clonshaugh on Sunday at 10.15am.

Junior hurlers play Naomh Fionnbarra in John Paul Park at noon on Sunday.

Membership fees for 2018 are

now overdue. Details of which are on display in the club or from the club registrar Linda Ryan. Payment can be made at the bar. Receipts are issued for all such transactions.

Adult playing members MUST also pay an additional insurance fee.

Our ladies football dection are holding a fundraising karaoke bingo dession in the club lounge on Mother’s Day, Sunday, March 11 from 6 to 9pm.

Music has returned to the lounge on Sunday evenings.

Please support.

The Easter Camps are back again this year. Camp 1 runs from Monday, March 26 to Thursday, March 29 and Camp 2 runs from Tuesday, April 3 to Friday, April 6.

Children aged four to 12 years are welcome. The cost is €30 for one camp or €50 for two camps.

You can register your child by contacting our GPO Tomas on 087-7257582 or our juvenile

chairman Grainne on 0857277987.

Do you have any hurleys that your child has now outgrown?

Size 30 and below are especially useful as we can use them for our Nursery and Camps.

Please bring them to the club and leave them in the bucket provided.

Dublin play Kerry in the next round of the Spring Series in Croke Park on Sunday at 4pm.

Tickets for the original date are valid for this refixture. Contact Mary Derwin for updates.

The first golf outing of 2018 takes place this Saturday in Moyvalley GC. Tee is reserved from 11am to 11.40am. Visitors are welcome.

Condolences to the Smyth family on their recent sad loss.

May he rest in peace.

NA FIANNA

NA FIANNA is recovering from the havoc caused last weekend

by Storm Emma.

The club was completely

closed down with all games and training cancelled.

In addition, the inclement weather forced the cancellation of Thursday night’s Draíocht Players visit with their production of The Plough and The Stars and Friday night’s Na Fianna Connects event.

Adult hurling scheduled for next Sunday with the seniors playing Lucan in Mobhi Road and the inters against St Marks in Collinstown, both at 10.15am.

Junior As play Cuala at 12pm and Bs play Scoil Uí Chonaill at 2.30pm, both in Collinstown.

Adult cup camogie is on Sunday at 11am away against Naomh Barrog.

All three minor football teams play at home on Sunday.

The As play Lucan in Mobhi Road at 12pm and, earlier at 11am, Bs play Clontarf and C’s play Raheny, both in Collinstown.

Best of luck to all teams, support welcome.

Na Fianna Sports Forum in the Helix DCU next Friday,

March 9.

Serious panel of sports stars including Jonny Cooper, Kenny Cunningham, Shane Horgan, Anna Geary and Kieran McGeeney with special guest Úachtarán Cumann Lúthchleas Gael John Horan.

Raffle on the night for terrific prizes, tickets at €25 each still on sale from the Helix and club bar but moving fast, get yours before they’re gone.

Full schedule of Gaeilge activities planned for Seachtain na Gaeilge including Fleadh na bhFiann Dé Satharn i mBóthar Mobhi 2pm-5pm – Ceol, Rince agus Scéalaíocht do pháistí an chlub.

Féach ar na póstaeir ar fud an chlub.

The 2018 Na Fianna 5K Fun Run takes place at 10am Good Friday, March 30; see club website for details.

Na Fianna’s Operation Transformation continues every Monday night at 7pm, all welcome.

Na Fianna Easter Camps

2018, Week 1: March 26 to 29 and Week 2: April 3 to 6, see website for details.

O’TOOLE’S

REMINDER: Féile Girls and Boys fundraiser this Saturday, March 10 at 5pm.

Our Féile hopefuls will run the distance of a marathon in relay format.

Please sponsor a child and help our U-14s to reach their goal. It is very costly to enter teams into Féile to buy gear etc.

So all kids need to make an equal effort cards should have €60 to 80 tocover the cost of each kid. Sponsor cards must be back to mentors before Friday.

We have a GAA foundation course on Tuesday, March 20.

This is for all team helpers/ coaches but especially aimed at those wishing to work at theEaster and Summer camps (you must be over 16) as this course must be completed.

Contact David Needham

8 March 2018 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 39

GAZETTE

HURLING: JUDE’S AND KNOCK FOUNDER’S DEVELOPMENT BRIEF

O’Dwyer’s GAA role

HURLING DEVELOPMENT  PADDY HEWSON sport@dublingazette.com

NEWLY installed GAA President John Horan has made a number of high profile appointments in recent days, including that of Castleknock GAA man, Jimmy O’Dwyer, as Head of Hurling Development.

O’Dwyer, whose association with Castleknock dates back to 2007, was taken aback by the appointment.

Speaking to Dublin Gazette, he said his first reaction to the phone call was that of “total surprise, I wasn’t expecting it”.

Not having sought out the office, he was still clearly excited at the prospect of helping to steer the course of the game that he loves.

Unassuming and soft spoken, the Tipperary native comes to the role with a life-long passion

for hurling, and a CV that reveals experience in GAA coaching and administration which makes him a choice few could argue with.

With participation in Gaelic games at the core of his philosophy he oversaw the hugely successfully GAA “Cul Camps “as national co-ordinator.

Back in 1978 as a young teacher in the Bishop Galvin National school in Templeogue he was one of the founder members of St Jude’s club. Football was first to blossom there and hurling soon followed.

O’Dwyer recounts a story from those days familiar to those who have been involved with fledging clubs.

“We started hurling in a very modest way; Thursday night was hurling night, we spread the word out through the schools and dropping into houses. Anyone who had

Picture: Martin Doherty

Jimmy O’Dwyer. Picture: Shay Hogan

any interest at all in hurling, from eight to 80, was invited down to the field.”

Whilst the genesis of the Tipp man’s influence on hurling in Dublin might not have originated in Castleknock the Somerton Club were glad to claim him for themselves.

Involved with Castleknock over the past ten years, most recently with the minor section, the seeds of his recruitment were actually sown in the early 1970s when, in his first teaching post in Finglas, he encountered Erin’s Isle player and part of the Dublin’s 1976 all Ireland winning panel, Johnny Corcoran.

Later to be one of the co-founders of Castle-

knock GAA, Corcoran convinced O’Dwyer to get involved. “I had no intention of getting involved with Castleknock but Johnny (Corcoran) heard I was around and that was it!”

Still unravelling the full dimensions of his new role as Head of Hurling Development, his initial thoughts are “we need to protect the game where it is strong, making sure there is no slippage in those counties.

“We need to grow the game, there are some places where hurling isn’t even on people’s radar, there are lots of clubs where there isn’t even a hurling section, and we need to look at that”.

CLUB NOTICEBOARD directly on 086 3101034.

Easter Camps dates are: Nursery (4 to 7-year-olds) March 27-29 and senior (8 to 12-year-olds) April 3-5.

Camp registrations this Saturday in O’Toole’s from 9.30 to 11am.

Reminder that juvenile registrations are now due. Please contact team mentors to pay or visit our website to pay online.

‘Date for your diary’: Friday, June 8 is O’Toole’s dinner dance in the Carnegie Court Hotel, Swords.

Join us for a fourcourse meal, live band and DJ til late. Tickets €30pp.

Bring your partner, your friends, your company, it will be great.

To book, contact Ciaran 087 6465273, David 087 9769594 or John 087 2958398.

Entertainment this

weekend: Friday fun, games and music.

Saturday Tom Peters Band and Sunday Mother’s Day starting at 4pm with a Neil Diamond tribute show, followed by Joe Petit. Cover charge applies.

We have a part-time barperson position available. If you think this might suit you, please email your CV to allencmaher@gmail.com.

WHITEHALL COLMCILLE

HOPE everyone enjoyed our last few days of snow, normal training and matches will resume this week.

Well done to all our minor and senior teams who all had a good start to league last week with lots of wins.

Date for your diaries!

STORM EMMA

Whitehall Colmcilles Club Strategic Plan is being launched on Thursday, March 22 at 9pm, GAA Club President John Horan and many others will be in attendance, all members are expected to attend.

Take That/West Life are coming to Whitehall Colmcille on March 24 in the club bar from 9.30, promises to be a great night.

The hugely successful LIPSYNC Legends 2 is back for 2018, taking place on Saturday, May 12 in the Bonnington Hotel, more details to follow.

This year, the teams will be booked up early so contact Audrey or Darragh to put your name down to take part or if you want to sponsor an act for €350 or take an advert in our advertising booklet €100.

Club Golf Society will be kicking off with outings for 2018 very soon.

Contact new Captain Michael Hamill for details/ dates.

Annual club membership is now due, many thanks to those who have already signed up again for this year.

Bar Bingo continues every Friday night at 9.45pm in club bar, come on down to join in the fun.

No winner of this week’s lotto jackpot, winning numbers were 9, 10, 20 and 28, congratulations to our €50 winners John King and Diarmuid Murphy.

Lotto jackpot next week will be €8,100.

As always, keep an eye on club website and facebook page for more details on all club events & fixtures. www. whitehallcolmcille.ie.

County board confirms refix dates LAST weekend’s senior club football fixtures had to be rescheduled

due to Storm Emma with the Dublin county board imposing a blanket ban.

The senior football refixtures will now take place on Saturday, May 19 at 6.15pm for AFL Division 1 to 4 and Sunday, May 20 at 11am (AFL5-8) and 3pm (AFL 9-11) respectively.

The rescheduled minor hurling league fixtures will take place on Wednesday, July 18 at 7.15pm.

GAZETTESPORT

ALL OF YOUR DUBLIN CITY SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 34-39

SUPER SHELS: Graham ambitious for new WNL season with a series of strong new additions P37

MARCH 8-14, 2018

DEVELOPING HURLING’S FUTURE:

Jimmy O’Dwyer gets nod to head up big role in GAA P39

Craig O’Brien continued his superb run of results to land the Irish super welterweight title

O’Brien outboxes Byrne Henrietta Street man added the Irish super welterweight belt to the BUI title won before Chrismas with a strong showing last Saturday

 sport@dublingazette.com

CRAIG O’Brien continued his rapid rise as he landed the vacant Irish super welterweight title to go with the BUI title he won at the back end of 2017 last Saturday at the National Stadium.

The Henrietta Street flats man got a unanimous decision over Sallynoggin’s Jay Byrne on the scorecards of the 10-rounder, extending his record to eight professional wins with no defeats to date.

The event took place alongside the Last Man Standing competition and was one of few sporting events in the city to beat the snow. Indeed, O’Brien said afterwards that 28 family members were stuck in London and could not attend

due to the weather conditions.

Nonetheless, he was not about to blow his opportunity, fulfilling a long-held belief that he could attain the Irish belt.

He turned pro in 2015 but, after three initial bouts, he spent 18 months without a contest before Red Corner promotions got in touch to give his career that extra impetus. This was his fifth win since February 2017.

“I knew one day, three or four years ago, the Irish belt would be mine,” he said afterwards.

“I trained hard for it and maybe my time came a little bit too soon as I am only really back in the ring in the last 12 months and this is just my fourth fights. But I have picked up the BUI belt and Irish title so it’s a dream.”

As for the bout, O’Brien paid tribute to his opponent – indeed, they embraced ahead of the final round – but felt he always had the upperhand.

“It was a pacy fight, a good fight and tough going at times. Jay is game and he kept coming.

He was banging his chest and wanting more but I thought I had the bigger work rate in between the rounds.

“I probably gave him one or two rounds.

But don’t forget this is my first time doing a ten-rounder so I will probably drop to an eightrounder in the summer and then go back up.

“When you are in there, you can’t really think too much about [your performance]. I will have to watch it back. The scorecards were very wide

so it must have been [good].

“At times, it was natural to me and I didn’t have to work; at times, Jay made me work very hard. He is a gentleman and without him, the show wouldn’t have gone on. It takes two to tango. He’ll come back but I always visualised this would happen.”

He is now looking forward to more opportunities in an Irish boxing scene that is back on the way up.

“It’s amazing. To have TG4 here, Irish boxing is coming back and its booming and its great to be part of it. I remember being at the Bernard Dunne days and thinking ‘it would be great to be part of that’ and we’re not too far away from it.”