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WHEREVER YOU ARE IN THE DCC AREA, WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED  NOVEMBER 23-30, 2017

From filming big cats to big mammals, Colin Stafford Johnson is having a whale of a time SEE PAGE 17

Get your skates on – we have 16 FAMILY PASSES for Swords On Ice and Dundrum On Ice to give away!

See PAGE 19 SPORT

Scoil’s final second win P38-39

Keep reading, keep recycling – thank you

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AMBITIOUS €50M PLAN TO REDEVELOP LANDMARK CENTRAL SITE

Work begins to tear down Apollo House  EMMA NOLAN THE demolition of Apollo House is beginning this week – almost a year on from its

take-over by homelessness campaigners.

A €50 million “mid-town” development is set to take the

Tara Street building’s place, along with the adjacent Hawkins House.

NAMA-appointed receivers

are redeveloping the site and plans include the construction of an 11-storey office building, along with shops, restaurants

and a public plaza.

The building has been greenlit for demolition since June.

See full story on Page 6

2 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 23 November 2017

CLONGRIFFIN | PLAQUE WAS BLOWN OVER AND BROKEN BY WIND

Construction under way on 84 new social homes  EMMA NOLAN A NEW social housing development was unveiled in Clongriffin this week with the construction of 84 new homes getting underway.

Iveagh Trust and Gannon Homes are building a range of large one, two and three-bed apar tments along with larger three-bed duplex type units, to be completed by the first quarter of 2019.

Delivery of the project has been achieved through agreement with Dublin City Council and is funded by the National Asset Management Agency.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy at the unveiling

People and families on the council housing waiting list will be

offered homes at the development which is located to the nor th

of Donaghmede close to the Howth Junction Dart station.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Housing Minister Eoghan Mur phy and Ardmheara Micheal M a c D o n n c h a we r e on hand to unveil the plaque which moments later was blown over and broken by a gust of wind.

Speaking ahead of the launch the Taoiseach said: “The Government is absolutely committed to increasing the number of social and affordable houses being delivered, as well as increasing the number of houses available in the private market.

Assumption celebrates Awareness Week ASSUMPTION Secondary School in Walkinstown celebrated College Awareness Week by holding a host of events.

These included a photo exhibition, making a video about college, hosting a past pupil college fair and hosting talks for 5th and 6th years on how to access college.

Teachers told students about the colleges they attended and students were encouraged to take leadership and mentoring roles during the week as they learn to become College Aware.

Principal Hoey said: “We are delighted to be part of a nationwide campaign to promote the importance of postsecondary education.

“There are lots of options out there and College Awareness Week encourages people of all ages to consider further education as part of their future.”

“The Part V process, which deals with the delivery of affordable and social housing, is a very important element of our approach to tackling our housing needs.

“The delivery of these 84 new social homes in Clongriffin underlines the cr ucial role that Approved Housing Bodies like the Iveagh Trust have to play in meeting our targets under Rebuilding Ireland.

“By encouraging developments such as this one with a mix of social, affordable and privately bought houses, we can help create integrated, sustainable communities.”

FASTNews

Rock to run in next general election

FINE Gael TD Noel Rock has become the first Government TD to be selected as a candidate for the next election.

Unanimously approved by the Dublin North West constituency, Deputy Rock’s selection was ratified at a packed out event in Glasnevin last week.

Speaking after his selection, Deputy Rock said: “As a TD for just 20 months, having won an election in an area where we hadn’t held a seat for 24 years, I feel that I’ve proven my worth, and I hope that the people agree.”

Here’s a great chance to see the mighty Sam Maguire trophy DUBLINERS are invited to come in and take pictures of the Sam Maguire and Brendan Martin Cups in the Mansion House on Saturday, November 25.

Lord Mayor Micheal Mac Donncha said: “This has been a historic year for Dublin GAA with both the Mens and Ladies Senior Football teams victorious in the All-Ireland finals in September.

“It is the first time both the Sam Maguire and Brendan Martin cups have spent a year together in the Capital City and I’m honoured to host them at the Mansion House for the citizens of Dublin to have a chance to see them up close.

“Cuirim failte roimh gach duine chun teacht isteach agus bualadh le Sam agus Brendan.”

23 November 2017 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 3

WHEN IT’S TIME FOR THIS DUBLIN ZOO RHINO TO SHOW OFF HER BOUNCING, BABY (50KG) BOY ...

MOMMA NOSE BEST  MARK O’BRIEN

The baby white rhino calf takes his first public steps, above; right: shyly staying close to its protective mum, Nyala. Pictures: Patrick Bolger

THERE was great excitement at Dublin Zoo recently when keepers welcomed a new arrival – a beautiful southern white rhinoceros calf.

The male calf (yet to be named) was born to his proud mother Nyala and father Chaka on Sunday, November 12, and weighs approximately 50kgs.

The cute youngster is Nyala’s first calf and the birth marks another significant success for Dublin Zoo as part of the European Endangered Species Programme, and its aim to assist the survival of the southern white rhinoceros.

Lucky visitors will be able to get a glimpse of mother and calf by look-

ing through the window into the Rhinoceros House.

It is estimated that 20,000 southern white rhinoceros exist in the wild, with the majority found in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Kenya.

4 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 23 November 2017

Out and About

Valentine and Xavier Cafferkey

Weronika and Julia Konefal

Christmas begins at flick of a switch Oisin and Finn O’Beirne. Left: Maia O’Donoghue. Pictures:ALISON O’HANLON

T

HE switching on of Dublin’s Christmas lights attracted around 40,000 people who turned up to see parades and the official ceremony. A million festive lights were strung throughout the city centre by the DublinTown organisation on behalf of the businesses in the city centre.

A giant 40ft Christmas Tree was lit up on the city’s main stretch by the Lord Mayor himself.

Curtis, Carson and Noah

Daisy May, Eve, Amelia, Abbie and Alyssia

Gillian and Aidan Hanney with Cole and Sophie

23 November 2017 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 5

SANTA ARRIVES AT ARNOTTS

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Pictured are Baz Ashmawy and his mum Nancy, as well as John and Linda McGuinness with their daughter Kyra Mc Guinness visiting Santa at Arnotts. Pictures: Conor McCabe Photography

ANTA Claus arrived to a huge welcome outside Arnotts on Henry Street in a Victorian horse drawn red carriage last week. Santa was joined by TV presenter Baz Ashmawy and his mum Nancy as well as Kyra Mc Guinness and her family who have availed of the specialist care provided

by LauraLynn Children’s Hospice. Arnotts is supporting LauraLynn Children’s Hospice and remains committed to supporting their initiatives this festive season.

6 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 23 November 2017

CITY CENTRE | NEW LIFE FOR SITE LINKED TO HOMELESSNESS CRISIS

Demolishers begin to tear down Apollo House  EMMA NOLAN

THE demolition of Apollo House started this week, almost a year on from the Home Sweet Home occupation.

A €50 million development is now set to replace the city centre landmark.

The building, which was the focus of an occupation by Home Sweet Home last Christmas and New Year’s, will be demolished alongside the adjacent Hawkins House.

Tenants operating a car-park facility at Apollo House were issued with a notice to vacate the property by today [Thursday, November

23] for the demolition process to start on Friday.

Plans for the site include the construction of an 11-storey office building along with shops, restaurants, a public plaza and pedestrianised street as part of a project which aims to create a new “midtown” area of Dublin.

Replacement The building is being redeveloped by Namaappointed receivers to developer Garrett K e l l e h e r ’s C u p r u m Properties Ltd, while the Office of Public Works is responsible for the replacement of Hawkins House.

FASTNews

Some of our own coverage of events at Apollo House last year, when the eyes of the country were trained on the landmark.

One year on, however, and the national homelessness crisis is even worse ...

T he occupation of Apollo House caused a media frenzy last year, as a group of activists including some well-

known musicians, such as Glen Hansard and Damien Dempsey, took over the building to provide shelter for some of Dublin’s homeless.

They were met with praise and criticism alike at the time, with homeless charities Focus Ireland and The Peter McVerry Trust labelling the move as “not the solution” to the housing crisis, but the campaigners still received multiple donations in food, money, mattresses and other supplies from supporters.

A year on, however, and the homelessness crisis is worse than ever, as 89 families became newly homeless in Dublin in September alone, according to Focus Ireland.

The most recent figures show there are now 1,455 families and 3,124 children homeless nationwide in Ireland – meaning more than one in three people experiencing homelessness is a child.

Some 806 young people aged between 18 and 24 are also homeless, according to Focus Ireland.

Celebrations over €500k lotto win in Ballyfermot THERE were celebrations last Thursday (November 16) at the Centra shop in Ballyfermont when it was announced that they had sold the winning €500,000 Euromillions Plus prize from a draw on the October 27.

Store owner Gerry Ryan (second from left) is pictured here with from left: Graham English, National Lottery and staff members Orsulla Kami Nemeth and Dylan Gibbons, store manager.

The winner was an unnamed amateur photographer who said he was planning to use some of the winnings to buy a new Canon EOS 6D Mark II camera. Picture: Mac Innes Photography

Jail for man who was ‘dealing drugs from Kinder Surprise egg’ A MAN who was dealing drugs out of a “Kinder Surprise egg” has been jailed for 18 months.

Andras Szabo (35), of North Circular Rd., Dublin pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of heroin for sale or supply at his flat on July 5, 2016.

Tony McGillycuddy BL, prosecuting, told the court that gardai had information that Szabo was dealing drugs from the flat.

During a search of the flat they found a small “Kinder egg” box which contained plastic bags with heroin. They also found a weighing scales and €1,635 in cash.

The Hungarian native admitted to gardai that he had kept drugs in the “Kinder surprise egg” and said he had been dealing the drugs from the house for two weeks.

He said was trying to make some money to send to his daughter in Hungary.

He has two previous convictions for drug dealing, dating from 2014 and received suspended jail sentences for these offences.

Shaun Smith BL, defending, said his client was a recovered heroin addict at the time. He had closed his mind to what drugs can do to communities because he was thinking only of his daughter.

Judge Martin Nolan noted that Szabo had a good history of employment from when he first came here from Hungary.

But he said Szabo received previous chances from the courts and did not take advantage of them. He said a jail term was unavoidable.

Judge Nolan also ordered the forfeiture of the cash seized, which Szabo told gardai had come from selling the drugs.

23 November 2017 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 7

LETTER | MAN SUFFERED BRAIN INJURY AND COLLAPSED ON LEESON STREET

Tourist thanks people of Dublin for help  MARK O’BRIEN

A TOURIST has written to the people of Dublin thanking them for the kindness shown to him after he took ill in the city while on a weekend away.

Lord Mayor Dublin Micheal MacDonncha shared the letter written by Mark from Lancashire on Twitter last week.

Mark and his partner were visiting Dublin on the weekend of September 9 when he suffered a brain injury and collapsed on Leeson Street in the early hours of Monday, September 11.

A kindly passer-by called an ambulance for Mark, who was taken to St James’s Hospital before being transferred

to Beaumont Hospital where he had an operation for a bleed on his brain.

Mark wrote that he would love to track down the person who called the ambulance for him.

“We have contacted the Ambulance Service and also put the incident on Facebook in the hope of thanking the person who made the phone call to the ambulance but at present, no joy,” he said.

Despite not being able to track down the Good Samaritan who called the ambulance, Mark asked the Lord Mayor to convey his gratitude to the people of Dublin, particularly the Central Hotel, who put his partner up free of charge for an extra night following the incident.

“I would like to thank everyone in Dublin who attended to me and helped my partner in the awful days after the accident, the Ambulance Service, St James’s Hospital and Beaumont Hospital where I had an operation for a bleed on my brain, the Central Hotel in Talbot St who, free of charge let my partner stay for the night,” he wrote.

The letter to the Mayor concludes by commending the “friendly and thoughtful” people of Dublin.

“I cannot explain how grateful I am to the people of Dublin who have been the most friendly and thoughtful people I have ever met and you must be so proud to be the Mayor of such a wonderful city.”

FASTNews

Calls to improve Ballymun buses THERE have been calls for Dublin Bus to improve its services for Ballymun residents.

Local councillor Noeleen Reilly (SF) said that residents are frustrated by the lack of public transport options in the area.

“The lack of Transport in Ballymun is a huge frustration for residents. At present the East side of Ballymun is not catered for by a bus service, we have no direct buses to the nearby shopping centres of Charlestown or Omni and there is no bus to the Airport despite all being close enough in proximity.

“We deserve the same service as everywhere else. We have a shortage of retail facilities in the area so a direct link to either shopping centre is very much needed.

8 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 23 November 2017

COURTS | WOMAN WAS ABUSED AND THREATENED OVER A PERIOD OF 18 MONTHS

Jailed for ‘insidious and frightening harassment A MAN has been jailed for two and a half years for the “insidious and frightening” harassment of a woman at her workplace.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard John Behan (53) put the woman, who was the manager of a bookmakers, through “almost daily terror.”

She was abused and threatened by Behan over a period of 18 months and had to be accompanied to her car after work.

She has since moved to work at another location.

Behan, of Edenmore Park, Raheny, pleaded guilty to harassment of Patricia Buckley at the Edenmore branch of Paddy Powers Bookmakers on dates between September 2014 and March 2016.

He has two previous convic-

tions related to assaulting Ms Buckley by throwing a bottle at her. He received a five month jail term for those offences in May 2017.

Behan told the court that he was “completely ashamed” of his actions and apologised.

He said he did not know at the time what Ms Buckley had gone through but said he now understood. He said he would never put her or anyone else through that again.

Judge Martin Nolan said the harassment had been “persistent, serious and insidious” and had made life miserable for Ms Buckley. He said he did not believe that Behan did not know what he was doing. “It seems to me he deserves a custodial sentence,” he said.

Judge Nolan imposed a threeand-a-half year sentence and suspended the final year on strict conditions. He ordered Behan not to contact Ms Buckley or go within 400 yards of her home or place of work for 15 years.

Garda Eoin Kennedy told Pieter Le Vert BL, prosecuting, that Behan was known as a customer at the store over 15 years and had been a problem for a long time.

Ms Buckley and other staff members began a diary in the summer of 2014 in which they kept notes of incidents involving Behan.

Entries in the diary included Behan abusing Ms Buckley in the street and on her way to her car. He came into the store in September 2015 and announced

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court

to staff: “There is an awful smell of fear for the time is getting near.”

Other staff members recorded similar incidents and described Behan as intimidating and “a bit crazy.” Ms Buckley had to enlist people to walk her to her car.

Ms Buckley videotaped an incident involving Behan on

the last day she worked at the store on March 22, 2016 . He reappeared at the store ranting on two further occasions that day and Ms Buckley had to be accompanied by three people to her car afterwards.

She saw Behan across the road chanting: “I am coming to get you, I am coming to get you.”

Brothers jailed for attack on gardai T WO b r o t h e r s w h o assaulted two gardai, punching them both several times to the head in a self-confessed “nasty and unprovoked attack” have been jailed.

Dylan Fogarty (24) got two years in prison while his younger brother Dean Fogarty (21) was jailed for one year and nine months.

The pair both with an address at Dunard Avenue, Cabra, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing harm to Garda Denise Larkin and Garda Peter Ryan at Manor Street, Dublin, on August 5, 2016. Two counts of the theft of bikes were taken into account.

Judge Te r e n c e O’Sullivan said this was “a nasty assault indeed” and noted that both gardai suffered concussion and scarring after the attack.

He imposed partially suspended two -and-

a-half year sentences on both brothers. He suspended the final six months of Dylan Fogarty’s sentence and gave Dean Fogarty a final nine months suspension because he had been making greater efforts at rehabilitation.

Dean Fogar ty was arrested in his home a few months after the attack.

Dylan Fogarty presented himself at a garda station shortly afterwards.

Sergeant Liam McLoughlin told Noel Devitt BL, prosecuting, that Gda Larkin and Gda Ryan were on patrol in the area on the night in question when they noticed a group, including the Fogarty brothers.

They approached the group when they noticed another young man was smoking cannabis, and asked him to hand the joint over.

Dean Fogarty immediately responded with

“pure aggression” and told Gda Larkin “Don’t touch my f**king cousin”, before pushing the garda to the ground.

She fell to the ground disorientated, as Dylan Fogarty stepped in and punched Garda Ryan.

Gda Ryan said he wasn’t sure how many times he was punched in the head, but he was in “severe and immediate pain” and “feared for his life” the court heard.

He could heard Gda Larkin calling for assistance, before Dylan Fogarty approached her while she was on the ground and started punching her to both sides of the head.

The group of young men split up, with the Fogarty brothers hiding under a van for a period of time.

They were captured on CCTV footage entering an apartment block shortly afterwards, smiling and exchanging a high five.

FASTNews

Liz lands a winning image THE Digital Hub recently partnered with one of its enterprise companies, CoinaPhoto, for an exciting a photography competition themed “Dublin 8 is Great”.

The photography competition focused on celebrating the spirit of the Liberties and wider Dublin 8 area through photographs.

Photographed holding her winning image titled “Window Shopping” is Liz Stowe, from Clontarf.

The photo, based in the Dublin 8 area, captures a man peeking into an antique shop from behind.

While his face is not immediately visible to the camera, the reflection of his face is visible through the glass in the window of the antique shop.

Fiachra hits a real high note FIACHRA de Hora (18) from Walkinstown was one of only seven finalists at the 2017 Top Security Frank Maher Classical Music Awards at the Royal College of Physicians in Dublin, Ireland’s largest competition for secondary schools with a €5,000 top prize.

A sixth-year student at The High School in Rathgar, Fiachra plays the viola and performed two pieces on the night. Along with the other finalists, Fiachra received a €250 bursary.

23 November 2017 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 9

PEOPLE | LOCAL MAN IS ‘REALLY ENJOYING COURSES’

Inchicore’s Kevin has got IT going on

 MARK O’BRIEN AN Inchicore man is showing that you can never stop learning as he begins his second computer course at the age of 67.

Kevin O’Kelly was one of 88 learners from Dublin 8 Community Education Centre to receive their QQI awards at a ceremony at the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, Green Street on Monday (Nov 20).

Kevin received his certificate in IT Skills at the ceremony and has moved on to studying Computer Applications.

Kevin – a retired assistant inspector with Dublin City Council - told The Gazette that he was really

Kevin O’Kelly

enjoying the courses even though they can be hard work.

“It’s very informal and it’s very relaxed,” he said.

“You can have a little bit of a laugh, a little bit of a joke but you have to get

through the work.”

Kevin retired in January 2015 and began studying the following week.

He also plays bowls and up until recently swam every week as well.

“My wife says she saw more of me when I was in work than she does now,” he joked.

“I didn’t intend to be that busy but that’s the way it worked out.”

The Dublin 8 Community Education Centre is an independent, not-forprofit organisation that was set up in 1996 to provide second-chance education to adults in southwest inner-city Dublin.

It is based on Synge Street in Dublin 8 and provides second-chance edu-

cation to over 300 adults each year.

The centre provides support and education to migrants, people who have been homeless and people with learning difficulties.

Kevin paid tribute to the staff who he said make everybody feel welcome and important regardless of their background.

He added that he has enjoyed meeting people from such diverse backgrounds and plans to continue his studies beyond the computer courses “I’ll keep going with whatever is there,” he said.

Further information about the Dublin 8 Community Education Centre is available at www. d8cec.ie.

Aaron is over the moon with grant

Pictured are Simon Mills (father), Cllr Allison Gilliland; Senator Aodhan O Riordain; Bernie Griffith (grand-daughter of Richard O’Carroll); Cllr Brian McDonagh; Aaron Mills (winner); Dick O’Carroll (grandson of Richard O’Carroll); Brian McDowell General Secretary of the Labour Party and Fiona Mills (mother).

A YOUNG Coolock man has been awarded a bursary to help him with his college expenses.

Aaron Mills is the recipient of the Labour Party’s Richard O’Carroll Empowerment Bursary, which was first awarded last year.

Aaron completed his Leaving Certificate at the top of his class in St David’s Artane is now a first-year science student in Trinity College Dublin.

The Richard O’Carroll Empowerment Bursary is named in memory of the leader of the Labour Group on Dub-

lin Corporation who was killed in the 1916 Easter Rising.

The €2,000 bursary is awarded to someone who attended a Deis School, completed the Leaving Cert within the past three years and is currently in further or higher education.

Applicants had to completes an online application outlining what the Bursary would mean to them, how they will pay forward the benefit to their old school and community and outline what the 1916 Proclamation means to them personally.

10 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 23 November 2017

Out and About

Opening night of Romeo and Juliet D

UBLIN’S Gaiety Theatre was the place to be for the opening night of Ballet Ireland’s critically-acclaimed version of Romeo and Juliet, the tale of Shakespeare’s starcrossed lovers, accompanied by Prokofiev’s incredible music and performed by a cast of world-class dancers.

Against a backdrop of ancient feuds and gang warfare, the ill-fated young couple falls hopelessly in love, but their families are bitter enemies.

Catherine O Brien and Tracey Flood

Nicola Dolby and Serena Huggard

Eider Leite and Sunni Kim Tina Leonard and Orlaith McBride. Pictures: Brian McEvoy Photography

Janet Gallagher and Georgia Gallagher Sarah Fox and Melissa Wolsey

Sheila Hamson and Seamus Smith

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UPERHERO fans were out in force for the special preview screening of Justice League at Cineworld Imax last week. The movie sees DC’s iconic heroes Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Aquaman and Cyborg assemble for the first time on the big screen.

Andrea Bundgeard and Carolina Jeschke.

Justice League at Cineworld Imax Pictures: Brian McEvoy

23 November 2017 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 11

12 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 23 November 2017

DOROTHEA FINDLATER | AN APPRECIATION OF AN EXTRAORDINARY LADY, WHO PASSED AWAY AGED 107 ON MONDAY, AND WAS MOST LIKELY THE LAST PERSON TO REMEMBER THE RISING

Ireland’s oldest woman – a remarkable lady, who lived in remarkable times

THE sad passing of Ireland’s oldest woman, Dorothea Findlater (right), has severed a precious link with events of Easter Week 1916.

Dorothea, who died on Monday, was just five weeks short of her 108th birthday. She was also an accomplished spor tswoman, having represented Ireland in two different sports.

Two years ago, she was one of the stars of the documentary film, Older Than Ireland, which focused on several people over the age of 100.

She died at 3am on Monday morning at Abilene, the family home in Blackrock, Co Dublin.

“She just quietly slipped away,” her eldest son, Alex, said. “She was a wonderful and loving mother and grandmother.”

She was born Dorothea de Courcy-Wheeler on December 27, 1909. As

a child of seven, she was taken by her mother to the top of the water tower in the Curragh Camp to see the flames of Dublin burning in the distance during Easter Week 1916.

In an interview with The Irish Times last year, she said: “I remembered climbing to the top of the tower in the Curragh with my mother, and watching a mass of flames across the sky. The whole horizon was ablaze.”

Her father, Capt Harry de CourcyWheeler, was present at the surrender of Patrick Pearse following the Rising. He was the organiser of the Curragh Camp.

During Easter Week 1916, he was appointed staff captain to Gen William Lowe for the duration of the Rising.

In that capacity, de Courcy-W heeler was pictured opposite Patrick Pearse in the famous, grainy picture of the surrender, accompanied by Nurse Elizabeth O’Farrell.

A graduate of Trinity, Dorothea met and, in 1932, married Dermot Findlater, from a wellknown family of Dublin merchants. Dermot died in 1962.

Dorothea was an outstanding sportswoman and became an Irish hockey international, winning her first cap in 1936.

She also repre-

The wedding day of Dorothea de Courcy-Wheeler and Dermot Findlater

Dorothea Findlater (left, then aged 106), sharing a cuppa and a natter with Raheny woman Teresa Moran (then 100) as both ladies helped to launch Census 2016. Picture: Conor McCabe Photography

sented Ireland at golf and was recently made an honorary member of Carrickmines Golf Club.

Not one to let old age get in the way of her enjoyment, Dorothea was a member of Carrickmines Golf Club, where she competed in putting competitions until she was 100.

Dorothea’s passion for rugby was legendary.

Pride of place on her mantelpiece is a large signed photo of Peter Stringer, which the Munster man sent her as a 100th birthday present.

“There was no one like Stringer for whipping a ball out of a scrum,” she recalled in her interview.

In 2014, she was a guest of honour at the Aviva Stadium, where she was introduced to the crowd as Leinster’s oldest sup-

Sharing a lighthearted moment with her son, John, in Airfield earlier this year

porter. Afterwards, she met with players such as Paul O’Connell and Jamie Heaslip.

Dorothea believed that as you get older, you are hampered by your inability to do the things you love. “I find I can’t get around quickly enough. I can’t get on with the garden. I used to do a lot of gardening. Now I’m afraid I may topple over and fall into the rose bed!” she

laughed.

When it comes to a long life, Dorothea’s philosophy was simple: “Keep doing what you always did. Don’t sit back and say, ‘I can’t’ – just go on doing it. There’s no full-stop mark; just go on.”

She is survived by four of her children: Alex, Grania, Suzanne and John. She had nine grandchildren, and 10 greatgrandchildren.

One of her grandchildren is our esteemed colleague at Dublin Gazette, Stephen Findlater, The Gazette’s Sports Editor.

In an article in The Irish Times, a subheading reads: ‘Dorothea Findlater was likely the last person alive who remembers the Easter Rising.’ She might not have been political, but she is very much a part of our history. Rest in Peace, Dorothea.

23 November 2017 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 13

APPEARING ON RTE’S THIS CROWDED HOUSE THIS WEEK, DUBLINER LOUISE DESCRIBES HER RENTAL SEARCH AS LIKE

‘Blind Date with houses’  SYLVIA POWNALL

DUBLIN house hunter Louise Keeley discovers there’s no place like home as she dabbles in the capital’s competitive rental market.

The 26-year-old featured on RTE’s This Crowded House this week, but after viewing 80 properties with just 13 responses and nine offers, she decides to stay put.

Retail worker Niamh is the only one of four children still living at home in Lusk with her parents, but she’s fed up of the four-hour round trip daily commute to the city.

She says: “I’m like the little black sheep.

All the others have

flown the nest. But living at home can make you lazy. I don’t think I’ve washed my clothes for six months.

“I’ve got to get out on my own and just need a boot in the right d i r e ction.”

Niamh – who forks out €60 a time for taxis home from nights out – dreams of a rustic loft space ten minutes from the city centre, and is hoping to snag it for €550 a month.

First, she’s ordered to follow a strict budget after admitting she spends up to €30 a day on coffees, cigarettes and lunch, and a staggering €3,000 a month on sundries and socialising.

But after weeks of viewings and several rejections, she dubs the experience “Blind Date with houses” and puts her aspirations of independent living on hold.

“I think it’s the world telling me this is not the time to go,” she says. Niamh does take one piece of advice on board, however, and enrols for a part-time marketing course at Dublin Business School.

Louise’s travails to find a home (and cut down on her daily travels) are revealed in This

In the episode, viewers see host Brendan Courtney and Louise explore the capital’s

Crowded House on RTE

rental property scene, looking for a home for the retail worker

GAZETTE

14 DUBLIN GAZETTE 23 November 2017

DUBLINBUSINESS CEREMONY | AWARD-WINNING ENERGY EFFICIENT ORGANISATIONS

FOUNDERS: Matt Majewski, Jacob Wedderburn-Day and Anthony Collias

Luggage storage firm arrives in Dublin A LONDON luggage storage start-up is about to take Dublin by storm.

CityStasher provides a network of city-centre locations (newsagents, hotels, independent retailers) where tourists and day-trippers can drop bags for short periods of time.

The offering is proving particularly popular with day trippers and those checking out of local Airbnb’s. The CityStasher network allows people to make the most of the day without the hassle of dragging around heavy bags or suitcases.

So far, two local businesses have signed-up to the CityStasher network. The ‘StashPoints’, as they are called, are the mailboxes etc shops on James Joyce Street and Upper Rathmines Road. Joining the network is a great opportunity for local business to earn additional revenue as well as drive footfall.

Customers book ahead via the CityStasher website, pay online, then simply drop the bags off. It costs €6 for 24 hours, and €5 for each additional day. visit www.citystasher.com

Dubs win big at Sustainable Energy Awards

Durkan Residential won the Design Award. Pictured are Julie O’Neill, chairperson SEAI,

THREE Dublin companies won big at the SEAI Sustainable Energy Awards last week.

Durkan Residential Ltd, a Dublin-based private housing developer who has focused on developing cost effective methods for building energy efficient houses, won the Energy in Design Category.

They have built the largest certified Passive House development in Ireland.

M50 Concession Ltd, a public private partnership company that provides maintenance on the M50 motorway, won the Small Business Award.

It has installed power controllers which reduces the amount of energy used for lighting at set times of the night depending on traffic flows.

The project has delivered 43% energy saving equating to financial savings of just over €300,000 annually.

New to the Awards this year was a €10,000 bursary for the winner of the

Research category.

Exergyn, who are based in DCU, picked up this prize for its research on the development of a zero emissions engine that converts low grade heat into power.

The funding will go towards the next stages of research for the company as it tests the longevity of different materials for its engine.

This is the 14th year of the SEAI Sustainable Energy Awards and entrants to the eight categories demonstrated savings of over €27 million.

Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) took away the top prize for Energy Team of the Year.

WIT impressed judges with its organisation wide approach to saving energy, with staff and students working together it has surpassed its 33% energy efficiency target and is saving an impressive €300,000 per year on energy bills.

For full details on all winning projects, visit www.seai.ie

Barry Durkan and Kevin Durkan of Durkan Residential and Jim Gannon (CEO SEAI).

Minister Bruton seeks Music industry worth more than €700m to economy to boost traineeships MINISTER for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton has called on employers and learners to avail of the opportunities available to them in the area of traineeships.

Launching a new FiveStep Guide at an event in the Teeling Distillery in Dublin last week, Minister Bruton said: “If we want to have the best education and training service in Europe by 2026, we need to provide a range of pathways for people to fulfil their career ambitions.

“I am very keen to grow the number of trainees enrolled, and the number of traineeship programmes available.

“We have seen the success our European counterparts

have had in making traineeships and apprenticeships key to economic growth.

“I want to replicate that success here in Ireland and have set a very ambitious programme of work to achieve just that.”

Previously aimed at unemployed people, traineeships are now open to a wider range of participants, of all ages and background.

Currently 1,500 employers, working with ETBs are offering traineeship opportunities across a range of industries, including business, retail, care, construction, engineering, fashion and beauty, finance, ICT, hospitality, sports and leisure and logistics.

Employers showcased at the event were applauded for their contribution and commitment to the delivery of traineeship provision in Ireland.

Mary-Liz Trant, Executive Director for Skills Development, SOLAS said: “It is clear from our guest speakers today that traineeship offers great opportunities to employers and trainees alike.

“Employers can access a pipeline of talent and learners, and participants get to develop cutting edge skills and knowledge onthe-job, making them more skilled, more employable and enhancing their career options.”

MUSIC contributes more than €700 million to the Irish economy, according to a new report published last week.

The Socio-Economic Value of Music to Ireland, commissioned by the Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) and produced by Deloitte, sets out a number of recommendations to maximise the contribution of music in Ireland, including the development of a National Music Strategy.

The report is an update on a Deloitte/IMRO 2015 analysis of the annual contribution made by the music industry to Ireland’s economy.

The findings indicate a strong and growing music industry, which is contributing significantly to the economy and supporting more than 13,130 jobs.

Based on the latest figures available, the updated report has found that the total contri-

bution of the music industry, directly and indirectly, to the Irish economy is €703 million.

This includes music-related consumer expenditure and supply-chain impacts.

The report suggests there is opportunity for further growth in the sector through the development of a National Music Strategy, rooted in four key action areas.

These areas include coordination and collaboration through the establishment of a cross-Government music grouping to work with a cross sectoral Industr y Advisor y Panel to address barriers to growth in the sector, concentration on copyright to help ensure a fair return for music creators, creative skills development through advanced training and education services and compensation that is adequate to address income uncertainty associated with work in the creative and cultural industries.

23 November 2017 DUBLIN GAZETTE 15

GAZETTE

FEATURE P17

CINEMA P22

DUBLINLIFE

As Rapunzel comes to the Gaiety we talk to one its stars

See P20

TRAVEL P26

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

GAZETTE

16 DUBLIN GAZETTE 23 November 2017

DUBLINLIFE

DIARY

CITY CENTRE: CHRISTMAS IS A-COMIN’ – AND THE CAPITAL’S GOT A GREAT PARTY TO LOOK FORWARD TO

Smithfield to play host to a tree-mendous festive party THE 2017 Smithfield Lights event is back and bigger than ever. This is the main family Christmas event in Dublin, and is a must for all families looking for an evening of fun, festive entertainment, with the Sunday, November 26 event sure to delight Dubs of all ages.

Families can enjoy a wide range of children’s festive entertainment, including face painting, workshops, a vintage carousel and an outdoor screening of the classic Christmas movie, The Snowman.

There will also be market stalls with a range of delicious foods, arts and crafts.

The main tree lighting event will take place at approximately 7.10pm, with VIP guest Santa Claus in attendance, as well as the Lord Mayor and other special guests.

The event will be presented by broadcaster Andrea Hayes and will feature music from the Stanhope Street Girls Choir, and Red Empire, while headliners The Riptide Movement will take

to the stage for a special performance at 7.20pm.

Speaking about the event, Ardmheara Micheal Mac Donncha said: “I invite Dubliners, visitors and all, to come and soak up the festive atmosphere, enjoy the entertainment and the special guests.”

ARE YOU SURE YOU’RE REGISTERED TO VOTE? THE National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) is urging young people to make sure they have registered to vote before the registration deadline of Saturday, November 25.

A RedC poll conducted for the NYCI earlier this year found that 22% of those aged 18 to 29 were not registered to vote.

Based on the most recent population data from the CSO, this means up to 24,683 young people in Dublin City risk missing out on their right to vote.

James Doorley, NYCI deputy director said: “We know from our work with young people that the vast majority want to

vote, but not all are aware they have to register.

“This is particularly an issue for the more than 61,000 young people who turned 18 and became eligible to vote over in the last 12 months.”

Local authorities are currently preparing the 2018/2019 electoral register. For those unsure whether they are registered or not, the NYCI advises that they check online at www.checktheregister.ie.

Anyone who turns 18 on or before February 15 2018 is eligible to register.

CELEBRATE LOST ONES AT PIETA HOUSE EVENT PIETA House is bringing its second annual Misneach event back to Dublin this year. The event is focussed on creating a space to honour and celebrate lost loved ones.

The Dublin Unitarian Church at St Stephen’s Green plays host to the 5pm event on Sunday, November 26, where singer Deirdre Ni Chinneide will be joined by the AVIVA choir in lending their vocal talents to the occasion.

Pieta House’s chief executive Brian Higgins stressed that the free, non-denominational event is for everyone. He said: “With Misneach, we wanted to create a space for those who have been bereaved by suicide to reflect on and celebrate the lives of those they have lost, but everyone is welcome.

“Misneach is also for those who have come through our services, or for anyone who has overcome or is going through their own struggles, as a celebration of their strength and courage.

“We would like to think that the event will also appeal to anyone who has supported a loved one through a dark time, or indeed anyone who has supported us in our work.”

For further information, email cat.obroin@ pieta.ie, or find Pieta House on Facebook or Twitter.

GET FIT, HAVE FUN AND HELP A GREAT CAUSE FITNESS and health fanatics will be in their element at an upcoming

A glittering Christmas tree, face-painting, live music, stalls, tasty treats and a party atmosphere – all this and more awaits at the 2017 Smithfield Lights party

event, which will focus on optimum nutrition for mental and physical wellness.

As another event in aid of Pieta House (see previous Diary entry), the Plaza Hotel, Tallaght plays host to the Saturday, November 25 gathering, which will see host Shane Rigney – chef, food writer,

blogger and caterer – and Food For Performance delivering an enlightened day full of fun, craic and laughter.

On the day, guests can watch live cooking demos and presentations on food performance and nutrition from guest speakers and health care experts.

On-site trainers will be providing one-on-one personal training sessions, as well as yoga and lessons on relaxation techniques.

Tickets priced €47.64 are available at eventbrite.ie, and cover the cost of lunch of the day – with a number of prizes to be won adding to the fun.

23 November 2017 DUBLIN GAZETTE 17

GAZETTE

FEATURE

PEOPLE | COLIN STAFFORD JOHNSON - ‘IRELAND’S DAVID ATTENBOROUGH’ – ON HIS PASSION

Wildlife shows are a roaring hit for Colin  EMMA NOLAN WITH a career that’s spanned more than 30 years across continents, climates, jungles and deserts, it’s no wonder that Colin Stafford Johnson is often called “Dublin’s David Attenborough”.

“Ultimately, we do the same sort of job – we both present wildlife shows,” Colin says of his comparison to the famous wildlife narrator, who was a big influence on him when he was starting out.

A multi-award winner, Colin is the foremost nature and wildlife cinematographer and presenter in Ireland today, and has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the subject, as well as having just finished his Irish tour, Living The Wild Life.

Originally from Cabinteely, Colin said it was a night in Maynooth years ago that inspired him to start travelling – he was a student having a drink in a local pub when an Attenborough show came on the television ...

“It was showing The Pacific at the time, and I thought, ‘That place just looks extraordinary – I’m going to go and see it for myself,’ and that’s what I did.

“I got a job washing dishes and got the money t o g e t h e r and set off to

Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea and Indonesia. So, he really inspired me to get moving.”

Speaking on his career, to date, Colin says: “The best part about it sometimes is, you find yourself in an incredible place.

I remember one day in the Amazon I was waiting to film in the [jungle] canopy at dawn, and we were waiting for these seed pods to explode, because when they do, parrots come to gobble them up.

“Scarlet macaws were landing in the trees all around me, and a troop of monkeys came through the tree I was in, and a snake came in the window and sat on my lap and then moved out the other side.

“I couldn’t quite believe that someone was paying me to be there!”

It’s those moments that make Colin appreciate the amazing experiences he’s had, despite the career itself being a tough one.

“It’s up and down. Jobs come and go, but if I had to look back, which I don’t like to do that much, I prefer to look forward, but I am very fortunate to have visited some of the most beautiful places in the world.

“I feel very lucky. It’s hard work; it takes up your life, but if animals and wild places do it for you, it’s one way of spending your life in those

places.”

Fresh off his Living The Wild Life tour, Colin says it was all great fun. He travelled around 15 venues nationwide, regaling audiences with tales from the bush, and stories about filming the wild, the weird and the wonderful.

“It’s really nice to get out and meet people and to chat about all the things that go on behind the scenes to make it all happen.”

Just last week, Colin’s BBC2 show, Wild Ireland, won the prestigious Grierson Award for Best Natural History documentary.

Part of Colin Stafford Johnson’s appeal in his shows is his evident delight and wonder, in sync with the viewers

18 DUBLIN GAZETTE 23 November 2017

OPINION | SOCIAL ACTIVIST SR STAN ON FOCUS IRELAND’S RESPONSE TO THE WORSENING NATIONAL HOUSING CRISIS, WITH CHILDREN PARTICULARLY SUFFERING FROM HOMELESSNESS

‘What kind of country are we creating as thousands go homeless?’

THERE has been a lot of talk about homelessness in the last two weeks, with the Taoiseach claiming the number of homeless men, women and children in Ireland is low by international standards.

The reality is sadly very different. Last Christmas, I wrote in The Gazette about the 2,400 children who were homeless.

This has now shot up by 25% to a record total of 3,124 children homeless. When we include adults, there are now a shocking total of 8,374 people homeless nationwide.

It is clear that the housing and homelessness crisis is getting worse, but we should not be wasting time and energy arguing about comparisons to other countries.

We, in Focus Ireland, put our energy into helping those impacted, and finding practical solutions. We need to end homelessness in Ireland, because it is morally and fundamentally wrong.

It breaks my heart to

know that across Dublin in 2017, more children have been born into homelessness than ever before.

Some of them will spend their first Christmas stuck with their family, forced to live in one little room together.

This is truly awful, and it makes me think back to what Christmas is all

about and to the first Christmas in Bethlehem, when nobody would take in Mary and Joseph, and Mary had to give birth to Jesus in a stable and lay him in a manger.

I am sure this will strike a chord with everyone, no matter what their beliefs are; similarly, these children today have also been turned away and left as

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‘The crisis makes me think back to the first Christmas in Bethlehem, when nobody would take in Mary and Joseph, and Mary had to give birth to Jesus in a stable and lay him in a manger. Similarly, these children today have also been turned away and left as homeless.’

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homeless.

They are our children too, and we have a duty as a society to provide a safe home for them. This is what we are working to do.

Our family team in Dublin helps one family a day to secure a home, in partnership with the Dublin Regional Housing Executive and local authorities, and to escape the nightmare of homelessness.

However, at the same time, at least two more families are still losing their homes and becoming homeless every day.

More single people are also being forced into homelessness due to rising rents, evictions and a critical shortage of affordable housing.

How can we stand by while families and their children who are homeless are forced to live in one hotel room for months at a time?

There is nowhere safe for the children to play, do their homework, or for the family to even cook a meal.

This is causing terrible

Sr Stanislaus Kennedy

damage for these families, and also the many single people who are homeless, stuck in hostels or some even sleeping on the streets.

Focus Ireland continues to put forward realistic policy solutions to help prevent and end homelessness. We do this work through our 70 lifeline services in Dublin and around the country.

While the crisis is still deepening, the situation would be much worse without the lifeline services and housing we provide.

We are there when people need us. We have already supported 600 more people this year compared to the same period in 2016.

Meanwhile, we have also supported 290 fami-

lies and 556 children to secure a home and escape homelessness so far this year.

While the State supports some of our work, Focus Ireland also has to raise 40% (or €2 out of every €5) of what it costs to keep our services and housing running through donations and corporate support.

We work hard to support families and individuals every day – not just at Christmas – but

we depend on donations now more than ever to raise funds so that our services can cope with the constantly rising demand.

I am asking people to please give what they can afford (see panel) to support our urgent Christmas appeal.  SR STAN

Sister Stanislaus Kennedy, founder and life president of Focus Ireland

HELP FOCUS IRELAND TO SUPPORT FAMILIES Focus Ireland always stresses that every euro donated counts in the battle against homelessness, as 89 cent of every euro received goes directly to our services to support people who are homeless and those at risk.

Any donation will support our work challenging homelessness and changing lives as we help over 13,500 people each year who are homeless or at risk. We also provide over 800 homes nationwide.

People can donate at www.focusireland.ie, or by telephoning 1850 204 205. Thank you.

23 November 2017 DUBLIN GAZETTE 19

FEATURE

GAZETTE

DUBLINLIFE

SOCIETY: ALONE, AN POST TEAM UP FOR A CHRISTMAS CARD CAMPAIGN TO HELP END LONELINESS

Just Do One Thing – you’ll be helping support older citizens

AN POST has given its stamp of approval to a new campaign that wants to help support lonely older people as Christmas looms.

The Do One Thing campaign, in association with ALONE – the charity that supports older people to age at home – asks everyone to send a personalised An Post card to an older person, helping to end the isolation that many seniours can experience at the special time of year.

TV presenter Baz Ashmawy was delighted to launch the campaign, and called on everyone to support the great initiative.

He said: “We are asking people to ‘Do One Thing’ this Christmas – send a lovely Christmas card to an older person!

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‘We are asking people to ‘Do One Thing’ this Christmas – send a lovely Christmas card to an older person!’

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“For just €5 you can go online, order a card and write a nice message to an older person linked in with ALONE. An Post will then print and post the card, and every card sent will raise money for ALONE, as well as making a huge difference to that older person’s Christmas.” €3.20 from every card sold will go directly to ALONE’s services, helping the organisation to continue providing friendship, support, social

events, and housing to older people, ensuring that older people aren’t left isolated and lonely.

Echoing Baz’s message, Garrett Bridgeman, managing director of Mails and Parcels at An Post, said: “A personal message is really powerful, particularly at Christmas.

“We are appealing to members of the public to order one of the An Post personalised Christmas cards and share a few kind words with an older person who may be isolated

TV presenter and Do One Thing campaign supporter Baz Ashmawy (centre) with ALONE service users Michael McCarthy and Sheila Collins. Picture: Jason Clarke

or lonely this Christmas.

“It is our hope that this campaign will make Christmas less lonely for many older people, and raise significant funds for ALONE.” ALONE’s chief executive, Sean Moynihan, said: “We are delighted to partner with An Post this year for Christmas. ALONE offers friendship, support, and housing, all aimed at ensuring no older person is left lonely or without

the care and support they need.

“It is our hope that the funds raised through this campaign can bring a little Christmas magic back into the lives of older people and that the money raised will be used to spread that magic throughout the year.”

As well as the individual support that anyone can give, companies can also support the campaign, with special packs of the

ALONE Christmas cards available to purchase.

By purchasing a pack of 100 or 500 Christmas cards online, companies can make a donation to ALONE while ordering their high-quality Christmas cards, which can be personalised with a logo or personal message inside.

To order your Christmas Cards and help ALONE, see www.alone.ie/Christmas; cards for older people linked in with ALONE

cost €5, with 64% of the cost donated to ALONE. Packs of company cards are priced at €250 for 100 personalised Christmas cards, including postage and a €120 donation to ALONE, and €1,250 for 500 personalised Christmas cards, including postage and a €650 donation to ALONE. Companies will receive their stock of cards within three working days, delivered by An Post.

23 November 2017 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21

DUBLINLIFE

 JAMES HENDICOTT HAVING STARTED OUT way back in 1873, the Gaiety Panto is a Dublin Christmas institution, a classically playful comedy returning night after night with plenty of stories... ahem... behind them.

This year, the age-old performance on offer is a stage adaptation of Rapunzel, featuring the return of Ireland’s most famous pantomime dame for the 28th time, as well as Ciara Lyons in the hair-y title role, and former Love/ Hate man Johnny Ward fitting right in as Johnny B. Goode.

For all the throwaway, sporadic feel of panto, though, the Gaiety offering is a serious undertaking, at least internally. For the cast, Christmas starts the morning after Halloween, with rehearsals underway in earnest.

“There are three days off scheduled for the entire run,” Ward tells us, as he returns to the Gaiety following his earlier appearances in Cinderella (2012) and Peter Pan (2014).

“It’s hectic, but I remember it as a child and it means a lot, it’s a real Christmas tradition. You have to be aware of that when you’re performing in it. I met my girlfriend through my part in the panto in 2012, so it has great memories for me more recently, too.”

Ward is better known for his role as Pauley in Love/Hate, with his character dying by falling from a balcony. He also stars in Fair City as Ciaran Holloway, so despite his earlier experiences, the panto is far from his usual style.

“Panto is frowned upon by some, especially those actors who only do film and theatre,” he admits.

“But I think it’s important to do. There are some great people here. Joe Conlan [the dame] has been doing this forever and doesn’t do anything else as an actor. He specialises because he’s just really good at what he does. Panto isn’t like film and TV, and it’s his forte. He’s a real gentleman, but absolutely nuts with it.”

There are technical challenges that come with the role, however, in particular as it continues night after night.

“There’s a part of the script that I read and just thought ‘that’s impossible’, looking at the stage set up, but I had the same experience last time, and it came off, so I’m sure we’ll do it,” Ward explains.

“The whole thing is really physically demanding, because it plays every day, sometimes twice a day. You end the run exhausted. You wake up at half 8, have sound check at half 9 or 10 o’clock. Then there might be a kids show or schools show at 11.

“At 2pm I’ll get a couple of hours to just wander around town a bit, get some food, and then we do it all again. It’s a challenge, but it’s really rewarding. I love watching the kids react.”

The noise, in fact, is part of the experience.

“It’s an interactive thing, and that really adds to the experience. It’s full of young kids, ones

‘IT’S A CHALLENGE, BUT IT’S REALLY REWARDING’ Actor Johnny Ward talks to us as he gets set to take to the stage for the Gaiety Panto

MUSIC

GAZETTE

GAZETTE

20 DUBLIN GAZETTE 23 November 2017

N O S ’ T A H W

E D I U G S T N EVE

with JAMES HENDICOTT

Smithfield Christmas Lights Event

The square will be turning the arrival of their Christmas lighting into a kind of mini festival on November 26, with food, music, movies and high-end hot chocolate promised to accompany the flicking of the switch on Sunday.

FROST - Fumbally Christmas Shop

The creative Dame Lane institution opens up for stocking fillers and special Christmas craft gifts, with the seasonal stalls unveiled QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE WI on November 23, and 3ARENA ON NOVEMBERLL PLAY THE 24 staying open until four days before Christmas. It’s shopping time!

Thanksgiving at Token

Smithfield’s video games-loving corner takes on the American tradition of thanksgiving, promising a beast of a three course meal, American style drinks, an no doubt plenty of gaming goodness along the way. November 23.

Games Expo Ireland

From the same people who brought Comicon to Ireland, the RDS’ Games Expo promises large scale gaming, both serious and casual, as well as the chance to meet the people behind some of the games. Nintendo are on board. November 25-26.

Ireland v Argentina

This year’s Autumn internationals at the Aviva started with a bang, with Ireland swatting aside South Africa.

Argentina close off the run of matches, and present a more athletic, inventive challenge. November 25.

Whiskey Live 2017 Ciara Lyons as “Rapunzel”, Joe Conlon as “Nanny Ninny Noonah”, Johnny Ward as “Johnny B Goode” and Nicholas Grennell as the King “Larry Lilly Loolah”, pictured on stage at the Gaiety Theatre Dublin as they help launch this years Gaiety pantomime Rapunzel. Picture: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland

who shouldn’t really be watching things like Love/Hate, but they all seem to know me as Pauley. Once, I was standing on the balcony in a Peter Pan scene a little after that Love/Hate episode ran, and one of the kids yells out ‘don’t jump’. I still get approached by kids calling me Pauley.”

With the Tivoli panto having made its way onto TV on recent years, Ward also feels the in-person side of the Gaiety (which has never been televised) is something special, something to be protected.

“Personally I don’t want it on TV,” he explains.

“It’s not about the cameras, it’s about the

screaming and the interaction, about the tradition and the experience. You can’t capture that on television.”

Ward should know. There’s quite a step between the darkness of Pauley’s like and the lightness of a fairytale story like Rapunzel, but as we head towards December, that lightness just seems like a natural adjustment. It’s the spirit of Christmas represented in the business of the actor, a fun-filled slog that’s ultimately about handing their holidays over for the kids.

Expect a little bit of magic.

Rapunzel runs in the Gaiety Theatre from November 26 to January 7, with tickets from €19.50, available now.

One for the connoisseurs, The Printworks in Dublin Castle hosts a heady event for those who like their tipple a little fiery and traditional. There are two sessions, afternoon and evening, as well as masterclasses. November 25.

Sing Along Social

The most entertaining night out in Dublin returns with ‘girl bands v boy bands’ at MVP, Portobello. The concept is simple: they bring the music, you grab a beer and sing along at the top of your voice. November 26.

Queens of the Stone Age

A chance to get blown away by one of America’s most powerful rock bands, as Queens of the Stone Age bring you glorious guitar-driven angst and abrasive riffs. The 3Arena. November 24.

New album of the week

Paloma Faith - The Architect The enigmatic and soulful pop singer returns with what’s certain to be a powerful yet subtle record, exploring ‘politics from the perspective of the average man or woman’. Expect melodic beauty.

GAZETTE

22 DUBLIN GAZETTE 23 November 2017

DUBLINLIFE

CINEMA

THE FLORIDA PROJECT: COMPLEX LIVES AND TERRIFIC PERFORMANCES ON SHOW

ReelReviews

Projects a wilder side of family life in the States THE Florida Project (Cert 15A, 111 mins) takes a look at all the wonder, innocence and irrepressible curiosity of childhood with an honesty rarely seen on screen.

Director Sean Baker tackles his chosen subject with the same blend of glee and gloom we saw in his previous effort, 2015’s excellent Tangerine, delivering what is easily one of this year’s best comedies – and most troubling, moving dramas.

Six-year-old Moonee, played by Brooklynn Prince (one of the cast’s many newcomers), lives with her mother, Halley (Bria Vinai) in an extended-stay motel managed by Bobby (Willem Dafoe), located on a tourist-trap strip of road that leads to Disney World.

Moonee’s world is populated with unfortunate outcasts of society, the downtrodden and the violent.

Despite these surroundings, Moonee – along with friends Scooty and Jancey – turns the everyday into an adventure, exploring the weird, wild world that naturally

 MARTIN MACNAMARA

manifests on the fringes of commercial wonderlands like Disney.

Moonee raises hell with all the irresistible wonder of a precocious child, unaware of the increasingly dangerous lengths to which her young, rebellious mother must go to provide for her.

Dafoe turns in a careerbest performance here as the motel’s cautious, observant and compassionate hotel manager, falling into a heedful father-figure position and even finding himself having to provide from time to time.

Dafoe has never before enraptured us with a character so completely and utterly human – Bobby is a man fully aware of what he can do to help, yet resistant of becoming too involved in such a broken, sad story.

As with all of The Flor-

ida Project’s characters, there’s clearly a darkness to his past – one only barely hinted at, but everlurking underneath.

A brief conversation with his son, played by Caleb Landry Jones (in an uncharacteristically subdued performance), reveals a sadness essential to his character, but never directly commented on.

The rebellious Halley clearly comes from misfortune, though – again – the past is never commented on, just left to linger beneath a thin surface.

Halley shows concern for nothing other than the wellbeing of her daughter, but this is a concern that can only be stretched so far when faced with the reality of survival on the fringes of society.

Bria Vinai communicates a compassion for her daughter that is hidden behind abrasive, rough edges but is all the more endearing in its subtlety.

It’s Moonee, however, that guides us through this world of misfortune, turning what should be a

THE DEATH OF STALIN

It’s a killer dark comedy AS BRUTAL dictators go, ‘Uncle Joe’ Stalin didn’t give many people much to laugh about when he was alive – but The Death of Stalin (Cert 15A, 107 mins) turns the Soviet leader’s death into a deliciously dark comedy. A cast of terrific, well-known character actors plot and panic once brutal Stalin dies, with the Kremlin thrown into chaotic, murderous (and very funny) disarray.

ORIENT EXPRESS

Takes a stab at murder

Daniel Dafoe playing a good guy? It’s just one of the features of The Florida Project – but its younger actors steal the show in a terrific film that captures the spirit of untamed youth alongside some more adult concerns.

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‘Dafoe turns in a career-best performance here as the motel’s cautious, observant and compassionate hotel manager, falling into a heedful father-figure position and even finding himself having to provide from time to time’ ---------------------------------------------------------

very sad story into a joyous, celebratory experience.

Brooklynn Prince’s breakout performance has to be seen to be believed, bursting with all of the honesty, curiosity and compassion that is innate to a six-year-old, but rarely (if ever) communicated by one on

screen.

It’s Sean Beaker’s deft, controlled direction here that brings all the joy, anger and sadness together into a wonderfully coherent and naturally told story.

While Baker’s a p p r o a c h i s s l o w, methodical and subdued, each and every frame is

bursting with life, ready to explode with all the pastel colours, clear blues and deep greens of postcard Florida.

The Florida Project will pick you up just before it throws you down, always coupling joy with sorrow, yet ensuring the former filters through just that little bit more, so that we’re left in high spirits despite many traumatic turns.

This is empathetic filmmaking at its best, raising critical questions about modern America but keeping us entertained – a light in a time of darkness that serves us to illuminate the problems, just as much as it guides us through them.

Verdict: 10/10

TO USE its full title, Murder on the Orient Express (Cert 12A, 114 mins) sees a cast of top-tier talents gathered on the titular train. When a murder most foul is disovered, brilliant Belgian detective Hercule Poirot must choo-choose who the killer on board is ... It’s a great cast, but there’s a bit too much of Poirot (Kenneth Branagh, abive) at their expense in this opulent whodunnit.

LEGO NINJAGO MOVIE Some bricks and misses

THE LEGO movie was indeed awesome, and the LEGO Batman movie was batty fun – but the LEGO Ninjago movie (Cert G, 101 mins) is ... well, not so much. A host of well-known voices gamely try their best, but there’s something muddled at the heart of the latest LEGO film. Ninjago certainly looks the part, but despite plenty of great animation, it never builds up to any greatness.

23 November 2017 DUBLIN GAZETTE 23

GAZETTE

FEATURE YOU MAY have noticed large rather mysterious paw prints dotted around the streets of Dublin last week with the hashtag #PawsForThought.

Dogs Trust revealed it was behind the paw prints by putting their stamp under some of the oversized paw prints.

To remind people of their Christmas message that “A dog is for life, not just for Christmas”, the charity is urging people to “pause” and think about the lifelong commitment and responsibility that comes with owning a dog and then wait until after Christmas to consider taking on a new addition to the family.

The clever stunt was created using clean graffiti to represent the owners that wash their hands of the responsibility and commitment that comes with owning a dog.

The charity revealed that 756 people contacted Dogs Trust within the first three months after Christmas last year to relinquish their dogs, compared to 479 in the same period the previous year.

This equates to an alarming 58% increase in the number of owners looking to surrender their dogs. The charity recorded that the most common reason for someone wanting to give up their dog was that they didn’t have enough time anymore.

An example of this is Bella (right), who came to Dogs Trust as a young pup and the charity suspect that she was given to someone as a Christmas present.

Bella arrived with an eye infection, which she had been suffering with for a long time.

However tragically, in Bella’s case, her right eye was left untreated for so long that it had swollen completely shut and had to be removed.

If she had been brought to a vet at an earlier stage, this could have been prevented.

Luckily, she ended up in Dogs Trust, where she was nursed back to health, she was given lots of love and they found her, her forever home. But for some dogs there isn’t such a happy ending.

Unfortunately, with over 1,000 abandoned dogs per year coming through the charity’s doors, and thousands more the charity cannot possibly take in, people are still taking on the responsibility of dog ownership without enough consideration of what it really entails.

The charity is urging Dubliners to give the gift of life this Christmas by Sponsoring a Dog instead.

“You can save lives and give abandoned dogs the second chance that they deserve.”

To help spread their message this Christmas, Dogs Trust want people to #PawsForThought by posting their Paws or Pause Pose on social media, with pictures of them or their furry friends pausing for thought!

Speaking about the campaign, executive director, Dogs Trust, Suzie Carley said: “We hope that by spreading the message that ‘a dog is for life, not just for Christmas,’, we will encourage people to wait and consider adding a dog to their family in the New Year instead, when the festivities die down.”

Think before getting a pooch for Christmas HOLLY HAS HER HEART SET ON A LOVING FAMILY HOME OUR Dog of the Week looking for their #SpecialSomeone* is Holly, a five-yearold female terrier cross who is still looking for a loving family.

This sweet lady enjoys human company and gets worried when there is nobody by her side.

On the other hand when Holly feels safe and comfortable she shows quite an independent spirit and is happy to do her own thing.

Holly would love a furry friend in the home to help her settle in, but ideally her companion would be gentle and calm.

Holly is deaf and partially blind; therefore she is looking for a sensible, understanding and patient family that is going to be able to give her all she needs. Holly will blossom living with someone who is home for most of the time, ideally someone home all day.

Contact Dogs Trust on 01 879 1000; they are based in Finglas, just off Exit 5 on the M50. Map and directions can be found on their website, www. dogstrust.ie. You can also find them on Facebook, at www.facebook.com/ dogstrustirelandonline, or on Twitter @DogsTrust_IE.

GAZETTE

24 DUBLIN GAZETTE 23 November 2017

DUBLINLIFE H&M Metallic midi shirt €50

River Island Velvet jumpsuit €95

Topshop Bonded velvet blazer €70 Arnotts Caroline Kilkenny Taylor sequin top €150

Zara Sequin dress €50

Zara Sparkle mini dress €59

SILLY SEASON STYLIN’

Mango Knot metallic skirt €36

Penneys Bag €8

Style Editor

’TIS the season of a million nights out – which means a million outfits to plan. As usual, it’s all about sparkles, metallic and velvets. And, you know what? Who cares?

Embrace the seasonal dalliance with sequins – there’s no getting away from them.

With the influx of Christmas decorations everywhere come November 1, they’re followed by the inevitable Christmas party wear in every single shop.

Infused with the usual styles this year are some of 2017’s biggest trends: statement sleeves, one shoulder, Eighties, suits ...

So, take inspiration from the year when planning outfits and don’t be afraid to get adventurous.

It is the silly season, after all ...

New Look Silver plisse jumpsuit €25

 EMMA NOLAN

23 November 2017 DUBLIN GAZETTE 25

Penneys One shoulder sequin top €15

GAZETTE

STYLE

PARIS DUBLIN

Penneys Tulle dress €17 boots €28 body suit €10

FROM

TO

SPEAKING of party wear, Dublin’s latest fashion fix, & Other Stories, has launched their celebration collection for the festive season.

Inspired by French singer/songwriter, artist, actress, model and all-around fashion muse Lou Doillion, the collection is a reflection of her wardrobe. The ultimate French It Girl, Lou is the daughter of another style icon – Jane Birkin – and the director, Jacques Doillon, and is a half-sister of Charlotte Gainsbourg.

Of the Doillion-inspired collection, designer Georgine Le Toqueux said: “I wanted to create a collection that captures the iconic sense of style associated with French women.

“Influenced by the past but reinvented for the modern woman, this collection has a touch of elegance merged with rock’n’roll, and Lou helps to tell that story beautifully with her style and attitude.”

The collection will be available in the Grafton Street store and online from the end of this month.

Prices range from a €99 velvet blazer, a €89 pair of velvet trousers and a €69 shirt to a €125 dress, a €295 pair of leather trousers and a €79 sheer blouse.

Topshop

GAZETTE

26 DUBLIN GAZETTE 23 November 2017

DUBLINLIFE

Captivating Croatia

From tourists on the popular Game of Thrones trail around Dubrovnik to fine cuisine off the beaten track, the Adriatic Coast is home to your next unforgettable holiday getaway

 SYLVIA POWNALL Travel Editor

THE Adriatic Coast has long been a draw for the more discerning traveller, and one glimpse of its sparkling turquoise waters will have you completely hooked.

On a 12-day trip to Dubrovnik last month, I made the mistake of asking our tour guide what time of year is best to visit – “All year round, of course” came the bemused reply.

Croats are fiercely patriotic, and while they come across as a bit stern at first, they have a wicked sense of humour and a quick wit, and they love the Irish

banter.

The summer months are in fact the busiest – but the sunny weather comes at a price, with swarms of tourists disembarking cruise ships daily to throng the city’s Old Town.

Shoulder season (April and October) is favoured by those in the know as temperatures still climb into the 20s and tourist attractions are open, but you can avoid the crowds and higher prices of peak season.

Whilst I was expecting breathtaking scenery along the coastline, it’s no exaggeration to say I was blown away by the endless vistas with a picture-post-

card view at every turn.

We stayed in Cavtat, a charming harbour resort just ten minutes’ drive from the airport, and 45 minutes from Dubrovnik by water taxi (less by bus).

The five-star Hotel Croatia was the perfect base for exploring. It’s tucked into the hillside with com-

manding sea views and sunsets you feel you can almost reach out and touch.

The only downside is the steps leading down to the resort, but they’re well worth negotiating and can shave 10 minutes off the journey.

Despite a luxurious sun deck on the fifth floor (complete with heated indoor pool, sauna, spa and gym), it’s hard to resist the urge to explore the coastline.

W e took four trips into

A PLACE FIT FOR A KING (OR MURDEROUS QUEEN) As one of TV’s most popular dynasties, the Lannisters (including scheming Cersei, played by Lena Headey, right) have played a big part in making Game of Thrones the global hit it is – and

needing just a little CG trickery

Dubrovnik is a big star within the show. The

(above) to help create the city

city’s Old Town district has played a key role

of ‘King’s Landing’, attracting

in the show all along, with several locations

thousands of fans to Dubrovnik.

Dubrovnik but could easily have doubled that. And while we packed a lot in, we’d gladly have done a lot more if time permitted.

The Old Town – better known to Game of Thrones (GoT) fans as King’s Landing – is all white limestone, cobbled streets and red terracotta roofs.

Being a GoT fan, I enrolled on a half-day guided tour taking in some of the series’ b e s t known filming locations, includ-

ing Flea Bottom, the Red Keep, Little Finger’s brothel, Black Water Bay and the steps used for Cersei’s Walk of Shame.

The GoT team playfully shout “Shame!” as they pass each other in the street – and our guide, Tea (who played Peasant Number 346 in one episode) gave us the inside track on the actors with Peter Dinklage her undisputed favourite.

Things to do in Dubrovnik are many and varied – and probably too lengthy to list here – but our highlights included walking the historic city walls (be prepared for a 60-step climb, but it’s worth it) and a panoramic tour to the fortress of Mount Srd, which can also be accessed via cable car.

The city takes on a different feel after dark with restaurant tables spilling out onto the cobbled streets. If you’re undertaking the climb for the cable car, stop off at Lady Pi Pi for lunch (and look out for the interesting statue outside).

Eating a traditional Peka dish (typically lamb or beef, slow-cooked under a hot iron bell for three hours) is also a must

23 November 2017 DUBLIN GAZETTE 27

FOOD

GAZETTE

TRAVEL Easily accessible day trips can whisk you away to even more beautiful, striking destinations and sights – such as Mostar, in nearby Bosnia Herzegovina

Escape to the sparkling waters at laid-back Lokrum Island

Get ready for Twelve Treats as the Dylan reveals luxurious new menu

Croatia’s beaches are world-famous – and Cavtat’s have plenty to delight visitors

for all foodies – but be warned, you have to order it in advance.

As the richest city in Croatia, Dubrovnik is not cheap – but its prices are not a million miles away from what we pay here.

There is a heavy Venetian influence, which is good news for all coffee lovers. Expect to pay around €2.50 for an ice cream or a coffee, €7 for a glass of wine and €20 for a main course.

A 15-minute ferry trip to Lokrum Island is also worthwhile. Here you will find botanical gardens, an old monastery and an army of roaming peacocks, who show no hesitation in wandering right up to you and posing for a photo.

The fishing town of Mali Ston is less than an hour away and is famed for its oysters. Closer to home, the waters off Dubrovnik are speckled with more than 1,000 islands.

Daily cruises to the Elafiti group of Kolocep, Lopud and Sipan are popular – as is D’Vino’s Bar as a top destination for sampling Croatian wine, which offers three locally produced vintages on its taster menu.

If you find you’re running out of cash, you can dine on the cheap at Buffet Skola, where the prsut (similar to prosciutto) sandwich is a top cheap dish.

We took a full-day tour to Montenegro with our own private driver, Bozo Crvik (www.perfect-travel-croatia.com).

It was the perfect way to travel and Bozo (pronounced Borzh) tailored the day to our needs and had an encyclopaedic knowledge of the surroundings.

We stopped off for countless photo opps before spending two hours in the Old Town of Kotor. Then it was on to Buddva – a beach resort popular with the likes of Madonna and Sting just a stone’s throw from St Stephen’s Island, where parts of Casino Royale were filmed.

A day trip to Mostar in Bosnia Herzegovina was a real eye-opener. This one we did by coach, and once we’d crossed the border after a 30-minute delay, the change in the landscape was immediately apparent.

Mostar is the largest city in the Herzegovina

Dubrovnik’s architecture and streets seeped in history combine to create a breathtaking destination

region and suffered the worst damage during the war. After a tour through the Old Town (a UNESCO World Heritage site) with an English-speaking guide, we got free time to shop and eat.

Unexpected bonuses were seeing a plucky s w i m m e r t a ke t h e 24-metre dive off the Stari Most Bridge and the Aladdin’s Cave of souvenir shops stuffed with handcrafted copper, silver, stained glass, jewellery, silk and tapestries.

All too soon it was time to depart. Our Aer Lingus flight home was populated with pilgrims returning from a visit to the shrine at Medjugorje. Two women shared their experience in the perfume aisle of the duty free.

“I cried all day Thursday,” said one. The other replied: “There was one day I started crying and I literally couldn’t stop.”

I was close to tears myself, but for an entirely different reason – having to say goodbye to the imposing mountains and majestic coastline of the Croatian Riviera. Well, maybe not goodbye, more like au revoir ...

GETTING THERE Aer Lingus fly direct to Dubrovnik and several tour companies provide package deals to Cavtat. Click & Go (www.clickandgo.com) will tailor your trip, while Croatia Tours (Croatia.ie) offer multidestination holidays allowing you to split your time between Croatia and neighbouring Montenegro.

THE Dylan Hotel has launched its new Twelve Treats of Christmas Afternoon Tea menu, with the luxurious menu – created by head chef Mark Bodie – running for a limited period, until January 7.

The menu includes a lavish array of carefully crafted sweet and savoury delicacies inspired by the Christmas season, such as slow-roasted Irish turkey breast sandwiches, accompanied by Ballymaloe cranberry relish for a Christmas twist, Irish smoked salmon on soda bread with creme fresh and pomegranate, and duck liver parfait on homemade brioche.

The menu also includes freshly-baked

raisin and cinnamon scones served with strawberry jam and clotted cream, and a selection of sweet treats such as the Dylan homemade Christmas pudding, served with confit ginger for a festive feel, and the Dylan’s Mini Mince Pie Lollipop, made with luxurious Cocoa Barry.

A selection of organic teas, infusion coffees and quality hot chocolate completes the Twelve Treats of Christmas, with the afternoon tea experience costing €45PP. Available seven days a week, reservations can be made through reservations@dylan.ie or by calling 01 660 3000.

Triggerfish Cookshop angles for customers looking for top quality

THE Triggerfish Cookshop has just opened its doors in Blackrock village, offering a space dedicated to cookware, kitchenware and tableware.

Owner Bob Toal says he didn’t want to call his new cookshop something bland, but he was inspired by the name of the tropical triggerfish he ate on a trip to Florida’s northwestern ‘Panhandle’ area.

His adventures in the culinary hotspots of Japan, China, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Turkey, Lebanon and Peru

coloured his thinking for the cookshop, inspiring The Triggerfish Cookshop to focus on quality, function and design, says Bob. There will be a revolving range of products from around the culinary globe, to match each season.

Customers will also find kitchen staples including pots and pans,

bakeware, glassware, storage, cooks tools, gadgets, cook books and chef knives.

Many of the brands – including Mauviel’s copper cookware sets, Kai Shun’s Damascus steel knives from Japan, and Skagerak’s beautiful Danish wood-cutting boards – are not available anywhere else in Ireland.

The knife section, which is a real focal point of the store, will display sets of both German and Japanese knives.

For further information, see triggerfishcookshop.ie.

GAZETTE

28 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 23 November 2017

DUBLINLIFE

FASTNews

Arteon and A5 go Volkswagen has a new five-door sports coupe with the Arteon that’s now also the flagship in the range. MICHAEL MORONEY has driven both the Arteon and Audi’s A5 in recent weeks and here he compares both German offerings.

Volvo XC40 gets Grafton Street pop-up shop VOLVO Car Ireland has opened Ireland’s first high street car pop up shop at 32 Grafton Street.

The new shop, which is open for a limited time, provides visitors with a chance to see Volvo’s new XC40 compact SUV, in the Scandinavian inspired shop.

The XC40 is Volvo’s first ever entry in the small premium SUV segment.

Volvo’s new XC40 D4 Momentum Pro in fusion red is housed within the unit.

Customers will be able to browse the different

Audi A5 Sportback 2.0 TDI

Volkswagen Arteon 2.0 TDI

Engine 2.0 litre 2.0 litre Engine power 150hp 150hp 0 – 100km/hr 8.9 seconds 9.1 seconds Economy 22.7km/litre 22.2km/litre (4.4/100km or 64mpg) (4.5/100km or 63mpg) Fuel Tank Capacity 40 litres 66 litres CO2 emissions 113g/km 116g/km Road Tax Band A4 €200 A4 €200 Main Service 20,000km/12 months 20,000km/12 months Euro NCAP Rating 5 star (2015) 5 star (2017) Warranty 3 years (100,000km) 3 years (100,000km) Entry Price €52,600 €49,325

paint and fabric choices on display and experience the car in ‘showroom mode’ which showcases the cars’ technology at its best.

Customers can test out the cars’ top of the range Karmon Hardin sounds system and interact with the Sensus Connect system all while enjoying some Swedish Fika in a relaxed environment.

Fika is considered a social institution in Sweden; it means having a break, most often a coffee and sweet treats, with one’s colleagues, friends or family.

It’s more than your usual coffee break – it’s a cultural institution.

Patricia Greene, Head of Communications at Volvo Car Ireland, said: “We’re very excited to bring Volvo to Grafton Street for the countdown to Christmas.

“As Ireland’s premium shopping street we feel Grafton Street is a great fit for the Volvo brand and allows us to give shoppers a truly unique experience and reach a new demographic of shoppers who may not have been overly familiar with the Volvo brand before.’

Finance focus on Alfa Romeo’s 181 offers

ALFA Romeo’s 181 offers, which are available until December 31, 2017, include Personal Contract Plan (PCP) finance, with an APR rate of just 2.9%, as well as a low rate Hire Purchase (HP) finance rate from 0%.

The most recent addition to the Alfa Romeo, the new Stelvio SUV embodies everything a true Alfa Romeo should.

Featuring 50/50 weight distribution, Alfa Romeo Q4 all-wheel drive architecture, best in class power-toweight ratios and new engine and driver technologies, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio is available with 2.9% APR PCP finance or from 0% APR HP finance.

Alfa Romeo’s super-mini and hot-hatch, the gor-

geous MiTo and Giulietta are offered with PCP finance rates of 2.9% APR or HP finance starting from 0% APR.

The arrival of Volkswagen’s new Arteon provides another attractive choice for those drivers who want to combine some luxury and sporty motoring with practical family transport.

It takes the position of being the flagship of the Volkswagen range, with a new style that’s more impressive than the Passat CC of the past.

Volkswagen claims that the Arteon combines the spaciousness of a saloon

with the driving dynamics and design of a sports car and some of that I have to agree with.

I’ve had the Arteon on the road in recent weeks and followed that drive with a run in Audi’s new A5 Sportback.

Both cars have similar target markets, and that encouraged me to compare these impressive cars in terms of driving style, space and the value on offer.

The Arteon is instantly recognisable as a large car. The overall length is longer than the Audi A5 and there is significantly a feeling of spaciousness.

The rear seat passengers get a great deal in the Arteon, with the type of legroom that is characteristic of the big Skoda Superb. The fact that the Arteon is overall a marginally longer car has allowed Volkswagen to deliver more rear legroom.

The boot space is also impressive and both cars offer electric boot opening, which is a noticeable help for a boot that stretches as long as they both do. The Arteon wins out on boot space coming in at 563 litres compared with 480 litres for the A5.

The rear end styling of the Arteon is clearly new and distinctive, while that of the Audi A5 shows the signs of an upgrade, that’s still a classic. They are

Michelin gets motorists to grip for winter driving AS winter temperatures start to plummet into single figures, tyre specialists Michelin is advising motorists to fit tyres designed specifically for winter conditions with compounds that remain flexible to improve grip and braking.

The French tyre company recently launched their CrossClimate+ fitments, which are tyres built to offer improved traction on snow-covered or wet and cold roads as well as year-round performance.

These new tyres are designed to counter the changeable weather that constantly

afflicts Irish roads. Michelin claims that the new range offers the benefits of a summer tyre for dry and wet braking, energy efficiency and total mileage, while also boasting the braking performance and traction of a winter tyre on cold and snow-covered roads, with little difference in performance as the tyre tread wears down.

Following a series of UK independent tests, Michelin’s CrossClimate+ range, currently available in 15 to 18-inch sizes, has recently been named as the ‘best all-season tyre’ by magazine Auto Express.

both very attractive cars from either end; front or back.

Both the Audi A5 Sportback and the Volkswagen Arteon that I drove were powered by similar Volkswagen Group 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engines. They both deliver 150bhp, while the Arteon comes with marginally more engine torque.

Maybe that’s needed as the Arteon is a heavier car. Audi has shaved 85kg from the weight of the A5 compared with the model of the past, while the Arteon is more of a heavyweight.

With similar engines you can expect some performance differences between both cars, but

23 November 2017 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 29

Arona delivers top head-to-head SEAT Euro NCAP safety result SEAT’s new compact crossover car, the Arona has joined SEAT’s Leon and the Ibiza in achieving

tests, the new SEAT Arona has

five stars in the latest Euro NCAP

achieved excellent results, stand-

safety tests.

ing out for occupant and pedesArona driver assistance

NCAP’s demanding safety tests.

systems are also outstanding.

The efficiency of the Autonomous

NCAP prestigious and independ-

Emergency Braking (AEB) and

ent safety tests carries more

Front Assist stand out in particu-

merit each time, as they have

lar in this area.

recent months.

similar engines and performance data, and with only marginal differences in prices.

Adding any additional features might complicate a comparison, but the truth is that both cars have a lot to offer.

Making the choice between them will hardly be about performance or style, because in my view they both stand out in these features.

Your choice will be about the best deal on offer, so negotiate hard, with either the Audi A5 or the Volkswagen Arteon; you’ll be getting a stylish car that combines economy with a wow factor.

trian protection.

highest possible scores in Euro

become much more demanding in

tionality, a dedicated smartphone interface for iOS and Android devices.

The A5 comes with some new driver assistance systems, like Audi pre-sense city, and front and rear parking sensors.

The test car was the Audi A5 Sportback S-Line version and had some additional premium features, such as LED headlights, a flat-bottomed steering wheel, leather-upholstered seats, 18-inch alloys running on Pirelli Centurauto P7 245/40 R18 tyres and the sports suspension.

These impressive sport coupe cars come with the latest safety features,

In each of the sections that make up the Euro NCAP safety

Achieving five stars in Euro

Both cars come packed with the latest safety and driver technology features.

On the Volkswagen side, all Arteon models come with 18” alloy wheels, ErgoComfort seats, 8” ‘Discover Media’ Sat Nav system, predictive cruise control, park distance control, app connect, rain sensing wipers, security and service subscription and 3-zone Climatronic A/C with controls in the rear.

From the Audi side, the A5 has Audi’s latest infotainment features. These include the Audi MMI navigation system with 7-inch colour display, Bluetooth and USB charging func-

the most objective way.

three flagship models, Ateca,

The Arona has achieved the

they are very marginal.

The lighter Audi A5 is marginally faster and more economical, but I doubt that you’ll notice these differences in real driving conditions.

What’s interesting is that Volkswagen fits a 60% larger capacity fuel tank as standard, meaning that you can get significant range from Arteon if you are a long distance driver.

My test drive indicated a range of over 1,100km on a full tank and the extra range makes for more pleasant longer journeys. The smaller fuel tank of the Audi may be marginally more economical, but require more frequent fuel stops.

GAZETTE

MOTORING

Through the use of its radar technology together with the

Euro NCAP puts vehicles that

latest versions of ABS and ESC, it

come onto the market through a

not only senses and acts when it

number of tests, more and more

detects other vehicles but also

rigorous each time.

pedestrians.

For example, in order to test

Taking all of this into account,

child safety protection in a reli-

it allows the car to brake in the

able way, crash test dummies are

safest and quickest way.

used to simulate for children aged between six and ten years old.

Front impact tests or side

The new SEAT Arona is another new member of the SEAT range that is part of the biggest prod-

impact tests against a Pole at 75

uct offensive ever carried out

degrees are also more severe.

by the Spanish brand in which

As well as these criteria, the

the Leon stands out with its new

range of dummies used in these

facelift, as well as the new Ibiza,

tests has increased and their

the Ateca and the soon-to-be-

biofidelity adapted in order to

seen large SUV, which will be

reflect real accident conditions in

launched in 2018.

Nissan upgrades flagship X-Trail NISSAN’S flagship crossover, the X-Trail and the brand’s best-selling model worldwide has been upgraded.

The changes include a new exterior design, enhanced cabin refinement, more practicality for owners and some additional and useful technology features.

The X-Trail will be available with ProPILOT which gives autonomous driving capability. Nissan is now also offering the SV Premium grade for the first time on the X-Trail.

It will be available with the option of a 2.0-litre diesel engine or 1.6-litre petrol engines for the first time in Ireland.

Entry prices will start from €32,150, that’s unchanged from earlier this year.

Nissan Ireland has launched the new X-Trail with a new 2.0-litre 177bhp turbo-diesel engine, which claims to have broadened the range to meet the needs

of consumers who require a higher-output engine. For the first time in Ireland the X-Trail is now also available in with a 1.6-litre 163bhp petrol engine.

The front parking sensors have been revised and they now sit completely flush to the bumper surface.

The rear bumper has been redesigned to give it a more robust look with new chrome detailing. The rear lamp signature has been upgraded to become full LED, while the parking sensors are improved, as at the front of the car.

The biggest change to the profile of the new X-Trail is the addition of a chrome side moulding across the base of the two doors. On the inside

there is a new D-shaped steering wheel with a smaller central hub than before and the three spokes are slimmer for improved instrument visibility.

Other interior upgrades add to the higher-quality ambience and increased refinement of the new X-Trail. A new leather knee pad on both sides of the centre console has been added. The air vents now feature a new gloss black surface.

The new SEAT Arona

Nissan’s two for one 181 offer NISSAN Ireland has launched a new 181 consumer offer that enables customers to buy a new Nissan Micra, Pulsar, Juke or Qashqai now and they can exchange it for the equivalent model in 2019 free of charge.

Nissan claims that this unique offer provides customers with the opportunity to purchase two new cars for the price of one and therefore benefit from an extended four-year Nissan manufacturer’s warranty, four years RAC membership.

The deal also means that you get a 191 car at 181 prices and with lower maintenance costs it will be at least two years before customers are likely to have to pay for a service.

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SPORT

FastSport CAMPBELL RULED OUT OF QUALIFIERS: FORMER St Francis player Megan Campbell is likely to miss the rest of the Republic of Ireland women’s FIFA 2019 World Cup qualifying campaign after rupturing her ACL. The 24-year old suffered the injury in her right knee during Manchester City’s 2-1 UEFA Women’s Champions League victory over LSK Kvinner on Thursday night.

Campbell suffered the injury in the 54th minute of the game and is now likely to miss the rest of the FIFA 2019 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Ireland are set to face the Netherlands, the reigning European Champions, on Tuesday, November 28 with kick-off at 7pm (8pm local time) as they look to continue their unbeaten campaign.

BASKETBALL: ALSAA CLUB WIN CRUCIAL TABLE-TOPPING TUSSLE WITH UCD

Baker cooking up a storm with Swords Thunder win

SUPER LEAGUE ROUND-UP  sport@dublingazette.com

GRIFFITH College Swords T hunder cause an upset against UCD Marian to close the gap at the top of the men’s basketball Super League, r unning out 93-86 point winners after a superb second half performance.

A blistering fourth quarter from the home team saw Isaac Westbrooks and Travis Black impress at both ends of the court to take the win.

“I’m absolutely delighted,” said Swords’ Dave Baker. “We knew coming into the game how good UCD are, but we felt that if we could keep it tight going into the fourth quarter that maybe we would start asking UCD some questions that they haven’t been asked this year – and that’s what we did.”

Black Amber Templeogue meanwhile secured a big win on the road against Garvey’s Tralee Warriors, dishing up an 80-71 point victory over the hosts. A huge third quarter from Templeogue’s Mike Bonaparte paved their road

Swords Thunder coach Dave Baker

to glory and, coupled with a brilliant display from Lorcan Murphy, they just had too much for Tralee.

“It was a huge second half for us,” admitted Templeogue head coach Mark Keenan.

“We never really got going in the first half but we were still in the game.

“We keep showing a bit of character when we get down

– it’s great. Tralee is a hard place to come and get a win as everybody knows, so we’ll take it any day we get it. “ Elsewhere, Éanna overcame Pyrobel Killester in a thrilling Dublin derby – a superb second half comeback helping them to a two-point win, while a buzzer beating score from Emmet Donnelly saw DCU Saints pip UCC Demons to the

win, 80-78.

In the Women’s Super League, Cour tyard Liffey Celtics remain unbeaten at the top of the table, after a superb 66-60 win over Ambassador UCC Glanmire in Cork on Sunday afternoon.

A dazzling display from Liffey’s Jazmen Boone sent them into the lead by the end of the second quarter, and they

kept their cool to close out the win.

“We’re absolutely delighted,” said head coach Mark Byrne.

“I think this is the first time that Liffey Celtics have beaten Glanmire in Glanmire.

“You know you are always going to get a super tough game when you come down here.

“We weren’t at full strength and we didn’t play amazing, so I’m very happy we came out the right side.”

Elsewhere DCU Mercy showed no mercy as they ran out 101-37 point winners over Portlaoise Panthers.

Meanwhile, it took overtime to separate Maxol WIT Wildcats and Singleton S u p e r Va l u B r u n e l l o n Saturday evening as, despite trailing by 10 points at half time, a superb second half display saw Brunell level matters by full time (64-64) and pushed on to win 74-71 in the end.

“I was delighted to get the win in overtime, I thought we had left it behind us when we were 13 down in the fourth quarter,” said Brunell’s Francis O’Sullivan.

All roads lead of Odyssey for Sport Changes Life gig  DECLAN KING sport@dublingazette.com

Sport Change Life founder Gareth Maguire.

BA S K E T BA L L f a n s f r o m Dublin and beyond and will be heading to the Odyssey Arena in Belfast for the “Naismith Hall of Fame Basketball Classic” on December 1 and 2.

The dream of the classic is three years in the making for Sport Changes Life founder and organiser Gareth Maguire and comes to fruition in a few weeks’ time with four NCAA colleges arriving in the city.

The colleges for this year’s

first classic are Holy Cross, La Salle, Manhattan and Towson in a tournament that will be televised live by CBS Television to over 60 million in the States.

The action gets underway on Friday, December 1 at 4.30pm with Manhattan playing Holy Cross while Towson face La Salle in the second game at 7pm.

Speaking about the venture, Maguire explained the concept of the tournament and where the funds go.

“This has been three years of solid work to get things ready

but the icing on the cake was the recent announcement that CBS was on board.

“Because of the nature of our organisation Sport Changes Life, we wanted to get as much coverage as possible in America where our scholars come from. We bring scholars over each year to study, work in the organisation and play basketball throughout the country.

“When we started a number of years ago, it was a Northern based project but my wife Deirdre and I thought that we should move south as well and

we have scholars in Dublin, Carlow, Water ford, Cork, Limerick and Galway in an allIreland strategy.

“As well as studying for quality Masters Degrees, the scholars work in disadvantaged communities throughout the country” “Our philosophy is ver y simple, it doesn’t matter if the kids are Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, Hindu, Jew or Athiest we want to help each and every one of them to improve their lives and to give them something to look forward to.”

23 November 2017 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 35

GAZETTE

FASTSport

Picture: Terence McCann Photography

Panthers on the prowl for new blood for 2018  JAMES HENDICOTT

SOUTH DUBLIN PANTHERS coach Steve McConnell is looking to add to his squad as one of Ireland’s fastest-growing minority sports, American football, goes through its off season.

The Panthers (formerly the Dublin Dragons) have been running since 2001, making them one of the oldest sides in Ireland, but the sport has grown to surprising local strength in recent years, with a total of around 20 different sides competing across three divisions.

McConnell is keen to invite potential players along to sessions, and those with an interest in the sport can be encouraged by the diverse types of athlete that can fit into the game.

“American Football really is the sport for everyone,” he tells us. “The bigger stronger guys, the smaller, faster guys and everyone in between.

Since the positions can be so specific there really is a fit for most people.

“Obviously, we’re looking for the best athletes we can find, guys with previous experience in rugby or GAA make the transition really well, as there are a lot of transferable skills.

“The Panthers are in the unique position of having a large enough squad to field two teams.

We have a development team which will play in the lower division in 2018. So while we’re looking for the best athletes we can, we also have an eye on the future for guys getting back to fitness or guys who might not have played an organised sport before. We can invest the time to develop those guys too which is a real positive for us,“ he explains.

As well as training twice a week, the Panthers also have classroom and online sessions to teach tactics. Between them, the club’s coaches have over 100 years of experience in the sport, but there’s also a heavy social element to the club.

While the Panther’s will keep sessions going right through the winter, the competitive season gets back underway in the New Year, making this the perfect time to experience a more casual offseason take on the sport and decide if it’s for you.

No experience required.

To get in touch with the South Dublin Panthers, visit their website at southdublinpanthers. com.

Boucher pouches over - time winner for Glens

Tallaght club lead the way in men’s EY Hockey Legaue with unbeaten run rolling into seventh week; Three Rock keep their winning streak going but Monkstown stunned by Dale  STEPHEN FINDLATER sport@dublingazette.com

SHANNON Boucher smashed home a 68th minute goal to continue Glenanne’s brilliant start to the men’s EY Hockey League season, ensuring that Banbridge’s woes also carry on with just two wins from nine games this term.

Boucher’s mid-circle finish completed the Glens’ second comeback from 2-0 down this season to keep their lead at the top of the rankings.

Bann, meanwhile, suffered five green cards and two yellows in the last five minutes to finish the game with nine players.

Fraser Mills put Bann in front 10 minutes in when he snapped up a rebound created by Neil Gilmore’s shot. Zach McClelland and Bruce McCandless went close to second goals before Mark Barlow scored his first senior goal in the 29th minute with

another rebound for 2-0.

Boucher pulled one back before half-time from close range to put the game back in the mix and they started the second half with a couple of corners that Bann did well to charge down.

Gareth Lennox made a superb double save to keep out another to keep it at 2-1 going into the final quarter but a stroke a minute into the last stanza got Glenanne on terms, Shane O’Donoghue scoring.

Two more Glens corners were denied while Bann had a couple of great chances to go back in front, the biggest one from an Alexander Tinney break. Jamie Wright and Mills, though, both were shown yellow in the last four minutes with Boucher scoring the winner.

It keeps the Tallaght club at the top of the table by three points, ahead of 2016 champions Lisnagarvey.

Rathfarnham’s Three Rock Rovers remain in third place thanks to their 4-1 win over Cookstown.

Three Rock comfortably made it three wins in succession despite the absence of six first team regulars – Daragh Walsh, Ross Canning, Harry Morris, Richard Pautz, David Kane and James Walker.

Mitch Darling started the scoring in the 21st minute before Conor Empey added the second six minutes before halftime.

A Darling deflection made it three in the third quarter and Ben McCrea scored his first for Rovers since his return from UCD, getting on the end of a good counter-attacking move. Stu Smyth pulled one back from a corner with eight minutes to go for scant consolation for the Co Tyrone club.

Monkstown, however, were unable to keep the

good run going for Dublin clubs as they were stunned by Annadale who recorded their biggest win of the campaign to date, winning 2-0 at the Merrion Fleet Arena, bumping Dale up two places to seventh spot.

The Carryduff side showed their hunger for the battle with two early circle incursions leading to corners which David Fitzgerald repelled.

Aaron Bailey, in reply, made two brilliant runs that brought former Town keeper Nick Holman into play, saving at the feet of Shane Nolan.

Annadale went in front in the 18th minute when Peter Caruth – against his former club – made a superb run that ended up with Fitzgerald saving.

Monkstown goalkeeper Dave Fitzgerald makes a save, left; Stephen Cole, right, launches an overhead pass . Picture: Deryck Vincent

Caruth recovered the ball and slapped to the back post where former Kilkeel man David Tremlett was on hand to tap in.

They held that lead into the big break courtesy of a Holman save from a Guy Sarratt drag-flick.

The lead was extended to 2-0 13 minutes into the second half following a slightly fractious start to the second half in which David Cole got a green and then a yellow card, the latter leading to a corner which Rhiley Carr flicked into the bottom right corner.

From there, Dale frustrated Monkstown who piled forward, winning a couple of corners, one of which was saved off the line but could not break through.

GAZETTE

36 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 23 November 2017

SPORT

FASTSport

Terenure Table Tennis open for new members TERENURE Table Tennis club are welcoming new members as the club looks to expand their current setup, based at Terenure Sports Club at 54 Terenure Road North.

There is coaching for girls and boys from the age of five up to 18 with beginners and improvers all welcome with bats and balls provided.

Children can link up with the club at any stage while there are hourly classes divided according to age and standard.

The club meets every Mondays from 6-7.30pm and Wednesdays from 5-6.30pm. The cost is €5 for 60 minutes or €7 for 90 minutes while club membership is €50.

For more information, contact Tibor 085 107 9317, email tabletennis.ttt@gmail.com or go to Tibor’s Table Tennis on Facebook.

UCD’s Tice knocks Railway off the rails LENA Tice’s 40th minute penalty stroke ended Railway Union’s unbeaten start to the women’s EY Hockey League season, keeping UCD’s slender onepoint win at the top of the women’s EYHL table.

UCD were without the injured Sarah Robinson and Ellen Curran for the tie, meaning a bit of a reshuffle for Miles Warren but his side started well with a strong Deirdre Duke effort matched at the far end by the influential Michelle Carey.

Grace O’Flanagan was having a fine game and did bril-

liantly to keep out Katie Mullan and Tice. Emma Smyth’s ball across goal was touched just wide by Kate Lloyd.

Mullan, Duke and Bethany Barr were the key instigators for UCD while Carey, Smyth and Anna May Whelan gave as good as they got in midfield with Emer Lucey cleaning up the scraps at the back in a scoreless first half.

Five minutes into the second half came the key moment when Duke drew a foul in the circle with a corner initally awarded before a consultation led to an upgrade to a stroke.

Tice held her nerve to slot the goal and they held that narrow lead despit a Railway Union onslaught.

MUAY THAI: CHERRY ORCHARD TEENAGER MOVING UP THE GEARS

Hand outFoxes Oisin sport@dublingazette.com

LIAM Hand landed another fantastic win as the 15-year-old Dublin champion, based out of Hori’s Muay Thai Gym in Cherry Orchard, travelled to Derry to battle for the Muay Thai Junior Title.

The event was held in the White Lion Hotel and Spa, ending with victory over Oisin Fox. The teenager, who hails from Old County Glen in Crumlin, produced a focused and calm performance, knowing he would settle for nothing less than

the win.

It came following endless hours of training and discipline with coach Gabor Hortobagyi saying that he was confident the belt and title was coming back to Dublin.

“When I started the warm-up with Liam, I felt his punches and kicks were solid and confident,” he said afterwards.

“I had no doubt that we would be bringing the belt home to Dublin. It was a spectacular fight and all credit to Liam’s very strong opponent Oisin Fox from Newry Thai who put up a very

GLASGOW-BOUND McFarland swaps live as a Bull for Warriors MAX McFarland has swapped the Ulster Bank League for the Guinness PRO 14 after he was snapped up by Glasgow Warriors on a short-term deal until the end of the season.

The 24-year-old was playing with Clontarf after spending last summer training with Munster, but will now line out for Glasgow after he signed a partnership contract with Scotland 7s. A DCU alumni, the speedy winger has represented Ireland at all age groups up to Under-20s.

Liam Hand with coach Gabor Hortobagyi

strong battle”.

These two warriors, fought hard in what was a thrilling four rounds of Muay Thai boxing at its best.

Hand is fast becoming a name to be reckoned with dedication and commitment beyond his young years. He is only 18 months involved in the sport but is taking the circuit by storm with a growing following.

Hand now travels to England for his first International fight this

weekend with a bout on November 26 and then it is on to the Netherlands on December 10.

There was disappointment on the night for Gergo Bodis, a professional Muay Thai and K1 Hori’s Champion, who – in what as classed the “fight of the night” – lost out to Eamon Deane by a unanimous decision.

Bodis is a strong and very talented fighter with many year’s experience.

Unfortunately, it did not go his way on the night.

“I have no doubt he will be back stronger than ever and we look forward to the next challenge,” said coach Hortobagyi.

He also thanked “all our supporters and sponsors – Pat Brown Butchers, Brian McElroy funeral Directors, Kevin Shanahan Progum Shields, Halfway Cabs, Joan Collins and Pat Dunne TDs, Heath Services Credit Union, Thai Healing Massage” for helping make their recent series of trips possible.

23 November 2017 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 37

GAZETTE

SOCCER: SHERIFF OVERCOME WEXFORD VISITORS

GIRLSSoccer

The Sheriff YC Leinster Junior Cup team.

Rickard and Murphy double up North End LEINSTER JUNIOR CUP Sheriff YC North End United  sport@dublingazette.com

4 2

SHERIFF YC avoided an early exit from the Leinster Junior Cup after fighting back from two goals down to beat North End United 4-2 in the third round at Clontarf last weekend.

Keith Rickard and Paul Murphy bagged a brace apiece for the AUL Premier A side as they defied being reduced to ten men to ensure they wouldn’t make it two cup defeats in the space of a week after they were previously dumped out of the FAI Junior Cup by Usher Celtic.

Former Wexford FC star Shane Dempsey gave the visitors the lead, before an own goal shortly afterwards saw them 2-0 up after just 15 minutes.

Having found themselves in similar positions before, the home side kept their composure and managed to reduce the deficit just before the break thanks to Murphy’s effort.

Sheriff were then dealt a blow early in the second half when Darren Dunne was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence.

However, they drew level when Rickard continued his recent impressive form by steering a header into the back of the net.

The game drew to a close with the sides still level, meaning extra-time would be needed to separate them.Rickard found the net once again shortly after the restart before North End had a player of their own sent for an early bath.

That decision hurt North End and their cup run was ended once and for all when Murphy popped up to seal his side’s passage to the fourth round.

Joining Sheriff in the hat for the next round is Usher Celtic after they also fought back from two goals down to win out 5-2 over Howth Celtic.

Howth enjoyed a great start to the game and took a 2-0 lead before Usher had time to settle into the game.

Jay Ivory continued his recent form in front of goal, however, when he pulled one back for Usher from the penalty spot after he sent the keeper the wrong way and found the top corner.

Usher then drew level when some good play from the left saw the ball eventually fall nicely into the path of Steo Donnelly close to the byline. The Howth keeper left his goal in an attempt to narrow the angle but Donnelly

managed to squeeze the ball past him and into the far corner.

Wayne Walker then put Usher in front when the wing-back found himself in the box. He kept his composure, despite a blatant pull-back by an opponent, to slot the ball past the keeper.

Jordan Buckley hit a brace late on to add some gloss to the score line and ensure their fine recent form in cup competitions continued.

Leinster quartet denied interpro title FOUR local players represented Leinster as they lost out to Connacht in the final of the Under-15 Girls Interprovincial championship at the AUL Complex last weekend.

Abby Clarke from Muckross Park College in Donnybrook, Rugile Askainyte in Glasnevin’s St Mary’s Holy Faith Convent, Lucy Edwards from Maryfield College in Drumcondra, and Sophie Murray of Loreto College in St Stephen’s Green were present as Connacht ran out 2-0 winners to deny Leinster their sixth title in a row.

Connacht went into the game knowing a draw with suffice – while Dublin required a win - to see them lift the trophy, but they hit the ground running and took the lead after seven minutes.

Keeper Askainyte showed bravery to keep out the initial effort from Anna Fahey but there was nothing she could do to prevent Kate O’Dowd’s followup finding the net at the far post.

The westerners then went 2-0 up six minutes before the break when Abbie Callanan gave Akainyte no chance with a tidy finish. They could have been three down early into the second half was it not for Akainyte denying Fahey from a one-on-one situation.

Leinster fought hard in search of a route back into the game but, despite enjoying the lion’s share of possession in the second period, they struggled to trouble the Connacht defence and time eventually ran out for them.

The reigning champions had gotten their tournament off to a good start with a 1-0 win over Munster last Friday, with Rathcoole student Rachel McGrath grabbing the winner early in the second half.

The following day Leinster secured their second win with two late goals against Ulster. Dublin’s Maria Reynolds opened the scoring nine minutes from time before Della Doherty found the net with a magnificent strike from 30 yards six minutes later.

The four girls will now be hoping to be named in the international squad when the management team get together to construct a panel from the four provinces.

New international manager Richard Berkeley will select a squad of 30 players for the first phase of trials at Abbottstown this weekend.



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GAZETTE

38 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 23 November 2017

SPORT

HURLING: SCOIL UI CHONAILL TOOK THE LEAD WITH JUST

AHL2Playoff

Cushen crushes AHL DIVISION 3 PLAYOFF Round Tower Scoil ui Chonaill  sport@dublingazette.com

Super Sars make instant return to AHL1 LUCAN Sarsfields senior hurlers are destined for Division 1 hurling for next year after a 3-13 to 0-11 win over St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh in their AHL Division 2 playoff final.

They secured a quick return to top flight league with a comprehensive win over Plunkett’s at the 12th Lock.

The weather and pitch were as good as you get for November and there was good support for both teams.

Lucan started the better and quickly became dominant with a series of good scores to lead 0-9 to 0-2 after 20 minutes. A goal quickly followed with a trademark finish from CJ Smith and Lucan looked well on their way. However, the scores dried up after that and Plunkett’s narrowed the gap to 1-10 to

0-5 at half time.

Plunkett’s started the second half much better and narrowed the gap to five points as Lucan had a succession of wides and failed to score for 15 minutes.

A point by Johnny McCaffrey stopped the rot and then a second goal kicked home by Smith effectively settled the issue. Lucan got a third goal soon after when a long range free from Matt McCaffrey went straight to the net. It was a tempestuous second half and both teams were fortunate to finish with 15 and while the performance dipped, Lucan - with Ronan Smith in midfield and Matt McCaffrey starring in midfield - will be delighted with their top tier return.

0-11 1-9

TO THE winners, the spoils. The losers, utter devastation. Barry Cushen fired home a last second free via a thicket of bodies to hand Scoil ui Chonaill promotion to AHL2 with the last puck of their playoff final in Cllondalkin last weekend.

It was the first time they had led, going ahead for just a couple of seconds before the final whistle blew; jubilation abounding.

For Towers, it was the second heart-breaking blow in their pursuit of senior status. With 10 wins from 11 league games, they only lost to Erin’s Isle with last puck

which cost them a league title on head to head. In the 130 minutes or so of both playoff games they were behind for only one second. Heartbreakingly, it was the one second that mattered most.

Their fate boiled down to the very last strike of a league season that officially commenced in March. Towers had to haul themselves back into the game following on from a resilient fightback by Scoil in the second period.

Having led by 0-7 to 0-3 at the break, Scoil struck five points during the opening 18 minutes of the second half. Conor Coady, Alan Cronin and Eoin Kennedy made their mark during this spell while Padraic Naughton restored parity with 12 minutes.

The solitary reply provided during that period came courtesy of an Alex Darbey free on the tenminute mark, after Luke Currivan had flicked a pass to substitute Paidi

Stapleton and he was pushed to the ground.

With the game entering the final 10 minutes, Towers regained some of the momentum they had enjoyed the first

Scoil ui Chonaill celebrate their promotion playoff win

CLUB NOTICEBOARD BALLYMUN KICKHAMS

HEROES of the week are our U-8 footballers who played Friday night under lights against Ballyboughal and all the teams were superb and were displaying skills of boys much older.

Well done team and, especially, Preston Jewell who played most of the games even though he was unwell. Heroic stuff! Take a bow lads! You are our laoch na seachtaine!

Well done also to Gerry Seaver and his Ballyboughal team who beat Curragha and now progress to the Leinster intermediate final.

Well done also to Cuala who also won their Leinster semi=final.

Well done all, flying the flags for the Dublin clubs!

Next Saturday is a busy day in the club. In the nursery, there will be a very, very special guest and special visitors. All are invited to attend the nursery in their club or Dublin colours.

Later that evening, the club will host it’s “Best Dubs 15, made in the Mun” in the Cusack suite in Croke park.

Tickets are still available

but are selling fast. They can be purchased in Mace on Glasnevin Ave or from any member of the committee, team mentors or Colm Kelly, Cathal Roche, Fiona McVeigh, Melanie Dolan, Declan Small, Dermot Leahy or our merchandise team Linda Parnell and Janet Dorgan, or may be purchased online.

Details are available on our Facebook page, Twitter @BallymunGAA or website ballymunkickhams.com Be warned, we do expect this to sell out.

The bus leaves the Autobahn at 7.15 and the show will kick off at 8pm.

For those driving, there is parking outside the door of the Cusack suite in front of the Cusack stand.

If you can’t make the event, but would like to enter your opinion for the best 15 and be in with the chance to win €1,000, you may also do this online, again details for this are on our website page dedicated to the event.

Any queries, please contact any of the above named people.

We’re looking forward to this event with Pat Mannion MC, and special guests including past and present

Dublin players and managers, and our panelists Joe Brolly and Ciaran Whelan, it really does promise to be a fantastic and memorable sporting occasion. And when the talking is over, there will be music and dance to end the night! See you all there.

CLONTARF

FOIREANN na seachtaine are our Faoi21 peiladóirí who had a strong win at home on Saturday over Naomh Olaf in the B Championship, winning 1-22 to 1-3 with Nathan Doran getting the cúl for Cluain Tarbh.

Our Faoi16A buachaillí retrieved a share of the spoils after falling seven points behind away to Lucan Sarsfields. This was not enough to force a playoff for the league title but having joined Roinn1 this season they had a great league run.

The 16Bs did get a result in Leamhcán winning 2-19 to 0-7 with a fine spread of eight scorers across the team to finish a very credible fourth in their league. Ádh mór to our minor cailíní who face Fingallians in the minor A final later this week.

Well done to Patrick Smyth

who was part of the Áth Cliath team who took part in the Super 11s in Fenway Park over the weekend.

All mentors who have not completed their Garda vetting or those whose vetting has expired need to resolve immediately. Check clontarfgaa.com/vetting for further details No winner of the lotto.

Numbers drawn 6,8,16,27.

Lucky dip winners Kieran McMahon and Darren Joyce.

Póta Óir is now €5,700.

CRUMLIN

OUR Christmas fair takes place on Sunday, November 26 in Crumlin GAA from 12 noon to 5pm.

We are looking for donations of unwanted gifts, household items, jewellery, games etc We would appreciate if you could all donate to this fundraiser for our club.

Our annual club awards were held on Saturday night in the clubrooms for the ladies section. First thing to note was the excellent attendance with 40+ showing up from the three panels. Winners on the night were Niamh Fitzsimmons and Amy Morgan from the senior 3 camogie and

Jessica Higgins and Shannon Dunne from the senior 7 camogie. The ladies football titles were won by Tracey Sheehan and Annie Coffey.

Well done to the U-9 boys hurling team who took part in the Kevins tournament on Saturday. Delighted to say they all showed great determination and team spirit in their matches. A good end to their season.

Lotto was not won numbers; drawn were 3, 6, 17 and 18.

There were four match three winners and next week’s winning jackpot will be €1,650.

Joker Poker is played every Sunday in the club and next week’s jackpot is €1,150.

ERIN’S ISLE

THE year isn’t over yet! Our minor camogie team play their championship final on Sunday morning at 11am against Olaf’s in Parnells GAA club.

People may need some fresh air and what a better way to get it than supporting our girls?

Our annual mass takes place on Sunday, December 10.

In preparation, the Erin’s Isle Choir will meet on a number of dates to be determined.

We really want to make this

a special event as we come to the end of our Centenary Year. For more information, contact Ann Byrne on 087 6733735.

Please don’t forget to complete the online questionnaire/survey.

It should take less than 15 minutes to complete, this is the membership’s opportunity to help in the future decision making process.

Centenary Ball is on this Saturday in Croke Park.

The dress code on the night is formal/smart. The Sam Maguire and the Brendan Martin cup will be in the club on Sunday with some special guests.

We now have physical and electronic copies for the sponsorship brochure; anyone who either knows someone that may provide sponsorship or anyone who wants to get involved, please let me know.

If you have anything for club notes, please contact Paul Campbell at 087-7585019 or send to cambod11@hotmail. com before Sunday evening.

NA FIANNA

CONGRATS to our senior

23 November 2017 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 39

GAZETTE

A SINGLE SECOND TO GO IN THEIR PROMOTION PLAYOFF

Towers dreams half. Stapleton and Eoin Walsh combined with the latter being fouled as he was about to strike.

Darbey edged them 0-9 to 0-8 clear. Scoil responded to equalise.

Towers attacked again and a late challenge on Luke Currivan saw Darbey edge them clear with five minutes remaining.

Darbey was then fouled after Jack Whelan

and Podge McGeever had combined in defence but his strike from a tight angle dropped short.

In a game of the narrowest of margins, Brian M c L a u g h l i n l o o ke d to have won it with a minute of normal time remaining. Stapleton did well to win in the inside forwards and Eric Finn flicked to McLaughlin and he drove over.

There was to be one last, and very real extra sting in the tail. Scoil won a free 30 metres out and Barry Cushen’s lowdriven strike evaded the Towers defenders on the line.

It completed his personal tally of 1-6, a defining total capping a season-defining moment.

Towers will feel they had established a platform the opening half to

drive on to achieve such status with a flurry of early points.

Scoil dug deep and brought themselves level with three successive points. Towers rallied again. Walsh was fouled on the 40 to enable Darbey point the placed ball.

T his time Eogha n Young was the provider and Finn again broke inside from the left.

His drive brought an outstanding save, with the keeper tipping it over.

Another Darbey free stretched the advantage to 0-7 to 0-3. The tenacity of Towers defending was evident with Scoil hitting three wides in a row before the break.

They rallied, though, fighting all the way to the finish to claim the win by the narrowest of margins.

INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONS

Na Fianna overcome Jude’s in IFC final NA FIANNA produced a strong second half to capture Dublin interme-

diate football championship final honours, defeating St Jude’s 2-13 to 1-11 in Friday night’s decider at Abbottstown.

However, the St Mobhi Road men had to recover from an early body blow when Tom Devlin goaled for the southsiders, following good work by Joey Donnelly, in the opening minute.

Points from Donnelly and a Darren Gallagher free sandwiched a Sean Caffrey point to give St Jude’s an early 1-2 to 0-1 advantage.

But, by the break, Na Fianna had begun to turn the game around with goals from, firstly, Ciaran Hoolihan and player of the match Caffrey five minutes before the interval to hold a 2-4 to 1-5 lead at the break.Caffrey tallied 1-4 all from play in a fine individual performance.

Jude’s rallied early in the second half but points from Hoolihan and Tom O’Connell kept Na Fianna out in front. That was the nature of the second half – any time Jude’s looked to be building up a ‘head of steam’ Na Fianna responded and with late points from Gareth Ryan and Cathal Doran they were destined for the winner’s enclosure.

CLUB NOTICEBOARD 2 footballers on last Friday night’s inter championship final win against St Jude’s in front of a good Na Fianna crowd in Abbottstown.

A fantastic game and huge credit due to the players and management team.

Hard luck to our minor B hurlers in the championship final against Castleknock on Sunday, a battling performance that slipped away from the lads in the last ten minutes and the end of an exciting campaign in which they didn’t concede a goal.

Hard luck also to our brave minor A camogie team against Faughs in the championship. U-21 hurling championship continues next Saturday at 2.30pm with the As playing Ballyboden in the final in O’Toole Park and the Bs away against Naomh Barróg in the semi-final.

Our Senior 2 footballers are back in action on Sunday at 11am when they contest the league final away against

Naomh Olaf. Good luck to all teams, support welcome, full fixture list on website.

Congrats to Jono Tracey, Shane Barrett and Donal Burke on making the Dublin senior hurling selection for last weekend’s AIG Fenway Hurling Classic in Boston.

Best of luck to Leah Caffrey next Saturday when the TG4 All Star team will be announced.

Congratulations to Sean Currie on his Friends Of Dublin Hurling Young Player of the Year award.

Award to be presented at 11th annual celebration night at The Red Cow Moran Hotel next Friday night.

Thanks to all who attended last Thursday night’s Na Fianna DCU Alumni event in the Club, hopefully the first of many to come.

Basic spoken Irish class for beginners continues in the club on Thursday from 7.308.30pm. Ciorcal comhrá sa bhear sa chlub gach oíche Déardaoin 8.309.30. Seisiún ceoil ina

dhiaidh sin, fáilte roimh chách.

25 Card session in Club every Friday night, all welcome.

Members’ subscriptions due since AGM, can be paid in the club office from Monday to Friday from 9.301pm or online at www. clgnafianna.ie.

O’TOOLE’S

WE ARE seeing seeking managers for our adult teams for the 2018 season. Applicants should contact John Thompson on 087 2958398 for further details.

Membership fees are now overdue.

You can pay online at otoolesgac.ie and follow the instructions. Adult players can renew their membership through John Thompson on 087 2958398.

A big thanks to the McLoughlin family for a great evening in aid of their chosen charity.

The evening commenced with a camogie match between Trinity Gaels

and a group of O’Toole’s ladies.

The next ladies five-aside on is December 1, so if you’re female, over the age of 15, enjoy the game, this is for you.

There’s a table quiz for our ladies section on December 29 to include a ‘Guess the Contents’ jar, €100 for the correct guess. Please support.

Friday night card bingo and Hi/lo jackpot.

Saturday ’Diablo’ and Sunday music bingo.

There was no winner of our club lotto. The numbers were 5, 14, 16 and 24. The jackpot is €4,300.

RAHENY

HARD luck to our senior footballers who lost by a point in their tournament final; great performances around.

Also, our U-21 footballers who both lost by a point in their championship competitions.

Thank you to all who support.

Raheny All Stars pub quiz last Thursday in the club lounge was

a massive with €1,181 raised.

We are holding our annual Christmas craft fair on Sunday from 11am-6pm; this is another fundraiser for the Raheny All Stars and also for our Lift Fund.

There is great variety in stalls this year, full gallery will be on our event page on Facebook.

Bubbles hurleys will be there too.

Our annual coaching conference (€20 which includes lunch) takes place on Saturday, December 2; if interested in attending, please email will.lillis.gpo.dublin@ gaa.ie.

This year’s Annual General Meeting of Raheny GAA Club will take place on Monday, December 4 in the club hall at 8pm. Only paid up full members are permitted to attend.

Please be informed that a summary of the club’s audited accounts can be viewed by appointment with a club officer in attendance It is important for the effective running of the

club that all positions are filled.

Mentors Night: On the evening of December 2, we will have our mentors night; tokens will be available for collection from 8pm-10pm.

Mentors need to text their mentors list to 086 2909022 with team name by the end of November.

Our adult players awards night takes place on Friday, December 8.

A date for your diary: March 16 is our 60th Anniversary Ball (black tie) in the Clontarf Castle; tickets €75 each. Full details will be following.

Our club Shop will be open on Saturday from 9.30am to 12pm as usual but also on Sunday from 11-6pm.

SCOIL UI CHONAILL

A SPECTACULAR end to a very successful year of Scoil hurling saw our AHL3 team snatch a win with a last minute goal in their playoff final against Round Tower, Clondalkin on Sunday morning.

This pivotal win sees Scoil elevated to senior hurling for the 2018 season. Congratulations to both players and management on this huge achievement.

Our juvenile section gets ready for their winter break as their season comes to a close.

The Scoil Uí Chonaill AGM is set to take place on Thursday, November 30 in the clubhouse. All players and members are encouraged to attend.

Anyone interested in availing of very attractive pitch side advertisement opportunities should contact Aidan Mulvey on 085 7213789.

Training for all ages and levels continues; adult hurling and football teams train in Scoil on Mondays and Thursdays from 6.30pm.

Juvenile training takes place in Scoil at 10am on Saturday mornings.

For any news or enquiries, please contact scoil.pro.eoc@gmail. com.

GAZETTESPORT

ALL OF YOUR DUBLIN CITY SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 34-39

CUSHEN’S BLOW: Scoil strike with the last puck of the AHL3 season to earn promotion ahead of Towers P38-39

NOVEMBER 23 -29, 2017

HAND’S MUAY THAI MAGIC: Crumlin teeanger lands Irish belt with sights on more P36

Irish international Joey Carbery met players from the Clontarf Bulls last weekend in his role as ambassador for the team

Bulls break new barriers Castle Avenue club fill final piece of the jigsaw puzzle with introduction of their new rugby team for players with intellectual additional needs  sport@dublingazette.com

CLONTARF Rugby have been shortlisted for “Club of the Year” at the CARA Centre National Inclusion Awards 2017, in recognition of the story of The Bulls.

The Castle Avenue club set up the new team, especially for local children aged six to 14, with intellectual additional needs.

Clontarf Rugby have been seen to “enhance participation opportunities in sport” according to CARA, the national organisation providing a collaborative platform in sport and physical activity for people with additional needs.

Many of the children involved have challenges such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, visual or hearing impairments, or other learning needs.

Having seen their brothers and sisters play rugby, these boys and girls can now line out on a team of their own.

The Clontarf Bulls is being led by a group of rugby coaches and volunteers with a particular interest in promoting the abilities of these children and including them in club life.

The coaching group draws on active players, ex-players, teachers, SNAs, and academics in the fields of people with special needs.

Sunday mornings on the new all-weather pitch in Clontarf consist of drills, games and training that are pre-planned and aimed at being easy to follow and enjoyable for players and coaches. Each participant is provided with one-to-one coaching throughout the session.

Michael Dreelan is a parent of one of the players, Tom, who is aged 11: “Sunday morn-

ing is the highpoint of our weekend. First thing (and often ridiculously early) Tom bounces in, demanding his Clontarf gear.

“Then it’s all go until he hits the turf without a backward glance – rugby takes over. Such a pleasure to see him totally focus on playing, giving his all and really developing.

“Training is the most amazing fun – he crashes into tackle pads – chases his coach to poach the ball and charges for the line – he always looks to me once the ball is grounded. Those moments of joy are priceless.

“My beautiful boy is not always the chattiest with other kids – it’s hard for him – but at the Bulls he is with his ‘rugby friends’.

“When I see him in the huddle, shouting out that he is a boy ‘from Clontarf FC’, I know we are part of something very special and he has a

place to belong.

Terry Browne, the club’s chairman of rugby said; “Clontarf FC has, at the core of its rugby ethos, the provision of rugby to all in our community regardless of gender or ability.

“The introduction of the ‘Bulls’ to our player community is the final piece in this jigsaw and compliments perfectly the thriving Youth & Minis, Women’s and Men’s Rugby sections.

Clontarf, Leinster and Ireland International Joey Carbery has taken on the role of Ambassador for the Clontarf Bulls and Joey was at training on Sunday to meet and greet the players.

Parents interested in getting their child with intellectual needs involved with the Clontarf Bulls should contact the club office by phone on 01-8336214 or email crfc@indigo.ie for further information.