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Liberties locals wary about Newmarket plan 1,700 jobs to follow redevelopment – but concern area’s identity is at stake

 EMMA NOLAN

THE Liberties area is set for a complete make-over as plans for a major regeneration were announced this week.

A hotel, indoor market, micro-brewer y, offices

and residential space are planned for Newmarket Square.

A spokesperson for the company behind the development, Newmarket Partnership, said: “Newmarket Square has witnessed a rebirth thanks to the Teeling

Distillery and some outdoor markets, but we believe now is the time to transform the old enterprise centre into a residential and retail hub.”

Planning permission applications for the works are in the process of being lodged with Dublin City

Council.

However, there were mixed reviews online from the Liberties community about the announcement, with some people concerned the area’s identity could be lost.

Full Story on Page 2

2 DUBLIN CITY GAZETTE 6 July 2017

THE LIBERTIES | MIXED LOCAL REACTION TO REDEVELOPMENT PLANS

FASTNews

 EMMA NOLAN

Dublin home prices shoot up €5k a month – report

1,700 jobs could follow Newmarket upgrade A MAJOR redevelopment of the Liberties was announced this week with a hotel, indoor market, micro-brewery, offices and residential space planned.

The multimillion euro regeneration centres on Newmarket Square and would involve the demolition of the existing 1970s enterprise centre.

The overall development, which includes regeneration work on the adjoining Mill Street, will extend to more than 400,000sq ft and, when completed, would create 1,700 permanent jobs.

T here were mixed

Render shows how the Newmarket area could look after the area’s major redevelopment

reviews online from the Liber ties community about the announcement.

Local community Facebook page, The Liberties Dublin, saw some welcome the plans.

One comment read:

“Great for the area,” while another read: “Very welcome to see apartments included in the scheme.”

However, some locals were less enthusiastic, with one saying: “Soon enough I won’t even rec-

ognise the area I grew up in. All the hotels and apartments going up in such a small area.

“The Liberties had a certain charm about it, but now it’s being replaced by generic buildings. It’s losing its identity and what made it famous in the first place.”

Newmarket Square was identified as a key development area in the Liberties Local Area Plan by the council. This plan was prepared and approved

by Dublin City Council (DCC) in May 2009 and extended for another five years in 2014.

The plan was outlined on Monday by Newmarket Partnership, the company behind the development, who said that regeneration works would complement the tourist attraction Teeling Distillery which is based at the site, and would also complement the €2.3m upgrade works proposed

by Dublin City Council.

The company said:

“Much of the regeneration we are planning would involve replacing 1970s enterprise and factory units with [a] mixed-use development comprising a hotel, new retail and office space and accommodation.

“Newmarket Square has witnessed a re-birth thanks to the Teeling Distillery and some outdoor markets, but we believe now is the time to transform the old enterprise centre into a residential and retail hub.”

A spokesperson for DCC confirmed that local property owners have conducted pre-application consultations with the planning authority on a number of the earmarked sites in Newmarket, and it is anticipated that planning applications will be lodged shortly for the redevelopment of these sites.

Planning permission applications for the works are in the process of being lodged with DCC.

DUBLIN house prices are rising by €5k a month – with asking prices for newly listed properties in the capital soaring €32K in the past six months.

According to the latest property report from MyHome.ie and Davy, the asking price for newlylisted properties in Dublin rose by 2.8% and are up 10.3%, year on year.

The mix-adjusted asking price for new sales is now €360,000 – an increase of €32,000.

The median asking price for a 3-bed semi in Dublin now stands at €295k, while the median price of a 4-bed semi increased by 3.5% in Q2 to €440k. The price of a detached 4-bed house has risen to €650k – the first time it has reached this level since 2010.

Skyscraper proposal is grounded by the council PLANS for Dublin’s first ever skyscraper have been scrapped by DCC. Developer Johnny Ronan’s plans for a 22-storey tower beside Tara Street Dart Station were scrapped because of its potential to “seriously detract” from the surrounding area.

Its impact on views from as far away as Harcourt Street was also cited as a reason for the project’s rejection.

The council said: “The proposed development would therefore seriously injure the urban character and visual amenities of the historic city core and would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.”

Des Kelly Interiors winner collects her €500 voucher

Enda’s mountain of washing ahead

ENDA O’Doherty looks awfully cheerful for a man about to climb Mount Kilimanjaro – a hard enough task at the best of times, but Enda’s doing so with a 40kg Beko washing machine to bring to the summit!

Aisling Powell, Anne Byrne and Enda’s wife, Maeve, waved him and the washer off at Dublin Airport, wishing him all the best with his unusal fundraiser for Pieta House, which he’s undertaking in the spirit of “sharing the load”. Picture: Robbie Reynolds

WE WERE floored by the terrific reader response to our €500 Des Kelly Interiors voucher competition.

The voucher winner Phil Torsney, is pictured collecting her prize from Des Kelly’s Long Mile Road store manager, Jonathan Donovan.

Congratulations on winning, Phil – and keep entering our great giveaways, folks!

Dublin Gazette Newspapers, Second Floor, Heritage House, Dundrum Office Park, Dublin 14 Tel: 01 - 6010240. Email: sales@dublingazette.com news@dublingazette.com web: www.dublingazette.com twitter: @DublinGazette Visit us on Facebook at DublinGazetteNewspapers

6 July 2017 DUBLIN CITY GAZETTE 3

PEOPLE: GOATSTOWN MAN TO BRAVE THE HIGH SEAS USING TRADITIONAL NAVIGATION TOOLS

Gregor’s hoping to make waves with his round-the-world race  SYLVIA POWNALL DUBLIN sailor Gregor McGuckin plans to turn back the hands of time next year to compete in a round-the-world race using only traditional navigation skills.

The 30-year-old from Goatstown will spend nine months at sea on the Biscay 36 (right) taking direction from the sun, moon and stars and armed with just paper charts, a compass, sextant and a radio.

Gregor nabbed the last spot in the 2018 Golden Globe Race and is the first ever Irish contender aiming to retrace the record-setting trip of Sr Robin Knox-Johnston in 1968.

More people have been in space than have successfully completed the feat which Gregor has dubbed a “voyage for mad men”.

He told The Gazette: “I’ve always liked the idea of adventure but this might be taking it to the extreme. I’m an ocean yacht master, so as part of my training I’ve used

traditional navigation skills – but never without GPS. “I will have a GPS system on the boat but in a sealed box, and if the seal is broken then I am out of the race.”

The challenge will set off from Plymouth on June 30 next, covering 30,000 miles via Cape Horn, and sailors will keep in touch with family and the outside world using high-frequency radios.

Gregor said: “The biggest challenge will be to keep myself mentally fit. I will be nine months at sea on my own. I enjoy my own company, but I like to socialise as well.

“My girlfriend is very supportive – it’s a big thing to ask, but she knows it’s a dream of mine.”

Gregor is looking for sponsorship to get him to the start line in his bid to become the first Irish person to sail solo non-stop around the world.

For details, see www.gregormcguckin.com, or visit his Facebook page.

Goatstown man Gregor McGuckin and the Biscay 36 – the two-mast 11m ketch he hopes to sail around the world in a race next year using only traditional navigational tools

4 DUBLIN CITY GAZETTE 6 July 2017

Good samaritan leads lost family quack to where they belong

FASTNews

Leap to it for free Luas travel – if you’re young!

MINISTER for Transport and local TD Shane Ross has announced under-18s can travel for free on all public transport services covered by the Leap card until Sunday, July 16.

Minister Ross said: “This is a fantastic initiative from the National Transport Authority which I hope will encourage lots of families to avail of public transport this summer.

“If it means attracting more young people and more families into the city centre to enjoy the great range of cultural, artistic and heritage attractions that we have, then all the better.”

This offer is valid for Child Leap Card 4-15, and Child Leap Card 16-18 (which is valid up to the holder’s 19th birthday), as long as the card has at least 1 cent credit.

HATS OFF to Gazette reader and good samaritan Michael O’Hanlon, who woke up at the weekend to discover a confused mother duck and her eight babies waddling around his back garden.

With help from his daughter Cliodna Gilroy – and a household bin – all eight ducklings were transported back to nearby Portmarnock estuary as their anxious mother followed Michael on the 300m trip from his home. Well done Michael – you played a beaky blinder! nWatch the video of Michael bringing the ducks quack as their mum tells him what to do on DublinGazette.com Images: Cliodna Gilroy

Trio hailed for dashing to act in blaze drama  EMMA NOLAN

THREE GAA players are being hailed as heroes after saving a number of elderly people from a fire.

Cian Storey (19) and brothers James and Andy Keane (20) from Raheny were walking home from their local GAA club earlier this month when they noticed flames coming from the elderly persons’ flats at Avondale Park.

T hey immediately called the ambulance and wasted no time entering the building to help evacuate the elderly residents.

Thankfully, there were no serious injuries or fatalities due to the lads’ quick thinking.

Raheny GAA club rep Alison Dempsey told The Gazette that the club couldn’t be prouder of the trio.

“They were just after

being knocked out of the championships and were in the club for a little while.

“On their way back they were passing by Raheny library when they noticed smoke and flames.

“They immediately rang the fire brigade and ran into the building and started evacuating people.

“For 19 and 20 year olds, a lot of them would have just stood there recording on their phones as opposed to helping, so it’s fantastic.”

Fun for families and Fido too at Maxi Zoo pet stores FAMILIES looking for something fun to do on weekends this month are invited to check out the Maxi Zoo pet stores across Dublin where a host of free activities have been arranged for kids, parents and pets of all ages to enjoy.

The fun events are taking place at the Maxi Zoo stores in Leopardstown this Friday, July 7; Tallaght on Saturday, July 8; Liffey Valley next Friday, July 14; Blanchardstown next Saturday, July 15; Finglas on Sunday, July 16 and at Clarehall on Saturday, July 22.

Alice Cross, executive director of Maxi Zoo Ireland, said: “We are proud to be part of the local community across Dublin and we have organised a great day out for families to enjoy with a big tent, children’s picnic tables, face painting, carnival games and complimentary candy-floss and popcorn.”

Children can also get their hands on kids masks, stickers and play many pet related games on the day with a chance to win fun prizes. Maxi Zoo is also offering exclusive discounts on products during the event. Further details about the free family fun event can be found at: http://www.maxizoo.ie/maxi-zoosummer-roadshow/

Planning approved for 80 social housing units in D1 PLANNING has been approved for 80 social housing units at St Mary’s Mansions in Dublin 1, between Sean McDermott St and Railway Street.

The €19m development has an expected delivery date of Q4 2019 and includes the cost of acquisition of the site as well as construction of the 80 social housing units. The Dublin City Council scheme is now being transferred to Cluid, the approved housing body, and is set to be funded by the European Investment Bank.

6 July 2017 DUBLIN CITY GAZETTE 5

6 DUBLIN CITY GAZETTE 6 July 2017

Out and About

6 July 2017 DUBLIN CITY GAZETTE 7

Stoneybatter’s first festival a huge hit with all T

HE inaugural Stoneybatter Festival attracted huge crowds over its two-day run and featured a whole host of attractions for locals to enjoy. Saturday was a day of exploration with open house events and tours of landmark historical sites and buildings in Stoneybatter, culminating in a concert in St Laurence’s Church in Grangegorman. Sunday was a family fun day with music everywhere, children’s games and prizes to name but a few. The Festival ended with a huge party for senior citizens in the local parish centre.

8 DUBLIN CITY GAZETTE 6 July 2017

SOUTHSIDE

Emoji-nal fun for all at a record attempt MAKE the most of your smile, frown, or any other emotion by joining in the fun of a record-breaking attempt at Dundrum Town Centre on July 15.

To celebrate World Emoji Day, Sony Pictures Ireland is holding a simultaneous Guinness World Records title attempt for the largest gathering of people dressed as ‘emoji faces’ in multiple venues.

The event will take place at 3pm at the mill pond at the centre and each participant will receive an official emoji costume to keep, a goody bag and tickets to a special screening of The Emoji Movie ahead of its release on August 4.

With organisers looking for 120 participants, register with your name, age and contact details at emojiworldrecord@gmail. com.

COURTS | PC WORLD EMPLOYEE TOOK, SOLD APPLE STOCK FROM BLANCH STORE

No jail for worker who stole tech worth €27k A PC WORLD worker who stole €27,000-worth of Apple products from his workplace and sold it to another store in a “stupid” attempt to make money has been ordered to perform community service.

Eoin Giles (21) of Thornville Ave, Kilbarrack, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to one count of stealing a quantity of Apple Macbook laptops, Apple watches and iPads from the Blanchardstown Shopping Centre store on April 15, 2016.

Judge Karen O’Connor noted the offence represented a great breach of trust, given that Giles was a trusted employee of PC

World. She said there was an “element of greed” to the offence.

She said a probation report before the court assessed him to be at a low risk of re-offending, and said he was suitable for community service. Giles had €1,000 in court to hand over as a token of remorse.

She ordered Giles to carry out 240 hours of community service in lieu of two years imprisonment.

Garda Niamh Dunphy

told D e a n Kelly BL , prosecuting, that gardai were called to the store in April 2016 after a stock-take showed that a large quantity of stock was missing.

Staff reviewed CCTV footage which showed Giles, who had worked at the store for nearly three years, moving the stock out of the stockroom in a suspicious manner.

PC World management staff told gardai that Giles stole 21 laptops, six Apple watches and seven iPad pros from the shop. When arrested, Giles made immediate admissions, but maintained he stole 13 laptops, three watches and seven iPads.

Ultimately, the exact quantity of stolen goods

could not be determined, Mr Kelly said. However, the value of the goods Giles said he stole came to €27,000.

The court heard Giles sold all of the products, bar one Macbook, to a man who worked in an electronic store in the city. Giles was given €2,000 for the initial handover and was promised a further €10,000 once the stolen goods were sold. He kept one of the Macbooks for himself.

Giles was unable to name the man he sold the items to, but from information he gave gardai, that man was later identified as Muhammed Amjad (31) of Merchants Square,

East Wall.

Amjad was given a suspended 18-month sentence for his role in handling stolen goods last February.

When asked why he stole the goods, Giles said he was “stupidly trying to make money”. He said he did not have a gambling or drug problem. He has no previous convictions.

Defence barrister, Karl Monahan BL, said Giles previously worked for two charity organisations.

He was sacked from PC World in the wake of the offence.

He said Giles, who is in a long-term relationship, deeply regretted his actions.

POLITICS | SF COUNCILLOR ELECTED TO LORD MAYOR

‘Housing will be my number-one issue’  EMMA NOLAN

DUBLIN City’s new lord mayor, Micheal Mac Donncha (right), has said that housing will be his number-one priority for his year in the role.

The Sinn Fein councillor has been a member of Dublin City Council since 2011 and a long serving party member prior to that.

Cllr Mac Donncha received 35 votes at the annual council election, while Fianna Fail candidate Cllr Tom Brabazon received nine votes.

Fine Gael’s proposed candidate, Cllr Paddy McCar tan, got eight votes, while The Workers Party candidate, Cllr Eilis Ryan, got five votes.

Speaking on his election, Cllr Mac Donncha said: “As Ardmheara, my main priority will be to work with this council, with all our communities, with those in housing need, and with central government to address this [housing] crisis.

“My first act as Ardmheara will be to request a direct meeting with Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy. I will also be requesting that he fulfils his predecessor’s commitment to report back to a full meeting of this city council on his

department’s programme to address the dire shortage of housing.”

From 2011 to 2014, Cllr Mac Donncha was Cathaoirleach of Dublin City Council’s finance committee.

At a local level, he was heavily involved in the campaign for a resolution for the former residents of the Priory Hall apartments in Donaghmede.

Cllr Mac Donncha has lived in Kilbarrack since 1972, and has been involved in the community there over many years.

He is also a board member on the City of Dublin Education and Training Board, the board of the Hugh Lane Gallery, and of the National Maternity Hospital.

6 July 2017 DUBLIN CITY GAZETTE 9

Missing Rescue 116 hero’s sister tells of the family’s anguish on day of crash THE sister of missing coast guard Ciaran Smith has spoken of the family’s anguish and despair on the day news of the Rescue 116 crash broke.

Dad-of-three Ciaran, from Oldtown, was one of four crew on board the helicopter which disappeared off the Mayo coast in March.

The bodies of pilots Mark Duffy and Dara Fitzpatrick were recovered but those of Ciaran and his fellow winch crewman, Paul Ormsby from Ballyfermot, were not.

Speaking on RTE radio, his sister Orla said: “We went out to Martina, his wife, and his three girls to be with them for the day. The rest of the day is a blur, to be honest.

“I thought if anyone can survive this, it’s Ciaran. I was quite convinced in that, for a few hours at least.

“As the day went on, I realised that he had been in the water a long time.”

Three cheers for Transplant Team Ireland! Pictures: Conor McCabe Photography

A golden feeling at the airport

Deirdre Faul, a liver transplant recipient, with her four gold medals

T

HERE were great scenes at Dublin Airport when the members of Transplant Team Ireland arrived home, flush with medals and victories after competing at the 21st World Transplant Games, which were held in Malaga this year. This year, the Irish delegation once again did the country proud at the Games, returning home with an impressive haul of medals in all categories. Their success in Malaga was testament to their recoveries and commitment to healthy living after a variety of transplants, with their shared transplant stories encouraging them to find a common bond through sport. Speaking of the pride at representing Ireland, and their delight at having done so well, the Irish team paid tribute to the other competitors they faced in Malaga, and encouraged everyone with transplants to focus on staying healthy.

Largest sea search An appeal from Orla led to the largest sea search ever launched here, with more than 100 fishing trawlers joining rescue vessels, but the bodies of Ciaran and Paul were not found.

She said: “It helped me to realise that maybe we won’t get him home, maybe [the sea] would be his final resting place. And I’m okay with that.

“He is in no way not with us, he’s all around us.”

Dara Fitzpatrick’s sister, Niamh, described the news of her death like being “smashed by a train” and spoke of the legacies and memories left behind.

Last month, a charity cycle around the perimeter of Dublin Airport was held in the name of Ciaran, a keen cyclist, and the other crew.

A memorial concert for the crew will be held in Cootehill on Friday, August 25, and a memorial 5km will be held in memory of Dara Fitzpatrick on the runway of Waterford Airport on September 16.

Lenny Ryan has his hands full with his impressive medals

COURTS | GUILTY PLEA ENTERED OVER THREATENING INCIDENTS AT FINGLAS

Man will be sentenced later this year over robbery of taxi drivers A ROBBER who has repeatedly targeted taxi drivers will be sentenced later this year for two further offences.

Thomas Joyce (37) has five previous convictions for robberies and three for attempted robberies committed against taxi drivers. He has a total of 32 previous convictions.

Joyce, of Dunsink Lane, Finglas, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to robbery of two taxi

drivers in Finglas on November 7 and 8, 2016.

Garda Brendan Hogan told Antonia Boyle BL, prosecuting, that on both dates Joyce had flagged down the taxi drivers and directed them down a lane at Rathoath Road where the robberies took place.

Joyce threatened the first taxi driver that he would “cut him” and the following day told the second driver that

he had “blades” and “would slash his face to bits”. He fled the scene after taking phones and sums of cash from each man.

He was nominated as a suspect in the first case after being identified on CCTV and in the second case he was identified after his fingerprints were found in the taxi.

Joyce was arrested the following day, November 9, at a halting site on

Dunsink Lane.

Gda Hogan agreed with Dean Kelly BL, defending, that the offences were committed against a background of drug use and abuse.

Barry Murphy, of Exchange House Ireland National Travellers Service, said Joyce had been engaging in drug counselling and working on issues around addiction. He said he believed Joyce felt genuine remorse

and that his young daughter was a real motivator for him in remaining sober.

Mr Kelly said it was a “mean and nasty offence” but that his client was energetically engaging in rehabilitation. A number of testimonials were handed into court on Joyce’s behalf.

Judge Gerard Griffin adjourned the case until October to allow a probation report be prepared.

10 GAZETTE 6 July 2017

Out and About

Marguerite Savage with her daughters Chloe and Amy Savage

Angi Crispe with Nigel Duffy and Julie Farrar. Pictures: Robbie Reynolds

Food blogger and author Indy Power

Sharing the laughs – Jenny

Jeeny Maltese and Tom Coleman

Sarah Clarke and Siobhan Tiernan

Fans Will’s F

UNNYMAN Will Ferrell’s latest comedy, The House, drew plenty of fans to its premier at Cineworld recently, where they lapped up the laughs as lady luck did any-

John Healy, chef Mark McCarthy and food stylist Jette Virdi

The recipe for a great summer

F

OOD blogger and author Indy Power had plenty of culinary tips to help inspire people in their kitchens at the Musgrave MarketPlace “Summer Food Stories” event in Ballymun. Expert food stylist Jette Virdi shared top tricks for food styling and the benefits it brings to businesses while Irish Chef Mark McCarthy gave guests a taste of notable food trends.

Raymond Keogh and Simon Mur

rphy

6 July 2017 GAZETTE 11

Deborah Leonard and Marie Joseph

Dixon, Romy Carroll and Paula Grehan at the film’s preview screening. Pictures: Brian McEvoy

go Ferrell for latest comedy

thing but smile on the comic in his new film.

Also starring Amy Poehler, The House tells of a couple who lose their daughter’s college fund, so they come up with the idea of starting an illegal

casino in their basement. Their gamble doesn’t quite go to plan, however, with

Holly White and Leanne Woodfull

Catherine Cummins and Rory Dignam. Pictures: Brian McEvoy

things things soon spinning out of control even faster than a roulette wheel ...

An aromatic way to mark a launch

Louise McDermott, Karla Stein and Nas Ghaedi

Louise Ahern and Kelly Power

F Eva Griffin and Zoe Yohn

RAGRANCE lovers were out in force at The Morrison Hotel recently for the launch of Aura Mugler. Described as a woody, aromatic fragrance for women, the fragrance features rhubarb leaf, tiger liana, orange blossom, bour-

Marrita Coyne and PJ Gibbons

bon vanilla and wolfwood notes, with greenery at the launch emphasising the fresh, natural tones of the new scent. As Mugler rarely launches a new scent, the launch was well attended by followers of fashion and fragrances alike.

GAZETTE

12 GAZETTE 6 July 2017

DUBLINBUSINESS

ESB supports charities with €322,226 aid

ESB has donated €43,000 to three worthy organisations, Blossom Ireland, The Salvation Army and The Iveagh Trust, marking the Energy for Generations Fund spring funding round. The Fund has awarded more than €11 million and supported over 700 Irish charities since 2005.

So far in 2017, the ESB Energy for Generations Fund has awarded €322,226 to 38 charities working in the areas of

suicide, homelessness and educational access and support.

ESB’s Energy for Generations Fund is open to organisations within the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. For more information visit www.esb.ie Pictured are Stephen Potter, Salvation Army; Auveen Bell, Blossom Ireland; Pat Fenlon, finance director ESB and Paul Harrisson,The Iveagh Trust. Photo Chris Bellew /Fennell Photography

How can you prevent social media from damaging your career prospects

Social media mistakes that damage careers PROMO PADS | SOFTWARE AND ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING POSITIONS

Digital menu builder to create jobs at new office PROMO Pads, a company that produces digital menus for businesses, has announced its plans to hire 60 Leinster-based employees over the next three years.

Promo Pads are actively recruiting to fill a number of software development vacancies in their offices in Newbridge.

These will be focused on technology development, primarily software and electronic engineering with additional roles in sales, marketing and customer support.

Diarmaid Murphy, CEO of Promo Pads commented: “I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Promo Pads’ launch than with a

commitment to growth. I look forward to welcoming new team members and I am so excited for the successes that are yet to come!”

He added: “We believe that our staff do their best work when they have a healthy work/life balance. By locating in Kildare we save employees living outside Dublin up to 4 hours commuting and we are only 30 minutes or less for employees travelling from the Dublin area on public transport or against the majority of traffic.

“K ildare offers us access to the highest calibre people living in every direction.”

We’re a nation of forgetful homemakers, study shows AROUND 24% of Dubliners have admitted to forgetting to turn off the immersion regularly.

The study of 1,010 Irish adults examines the attitude towards, and use of, smart home technology.

The results show we’re a nation of forgetful homemakers. Almost a third (31%) of respondents admit to accidentally leaving the lights on when leaving home, while almost half (48%) boil the kettle two or three times, after getting distracted after the first boil.

The study shows we’re a tech-savvy nation -- with 78% of Irish people understanding the term ‘Smart Home’.

However, while younger generations are usually credited with being the most technologically-advanced, 45 to 55-year-olds (83%) are more comfortable with the smart home concept than their 18 to 24-year-old counterparts (67%).

Overall, two thirds of those surveyed believe that a smart home is a more efficient home, while 58% believe smart technology would make the home a better place to live.

The Hive brand, like Bord Gais Energy, is part of global energy and services company Centrica, and offers products and services that make connecting homes easy.

For instance, Hive Active Heating allows heating and hot water to be managed from any location using a smartphone, tablet or laptop.

Hive Active Lights can be controlled from an app, and the Hive Active Plug gives peace of mind that devices have been switched off.

Currently available to purchase in Ireland through Bord Gais Energy, Hive products and subscriptionbased smart home service plans will soon be available direct through hivehome.com.

For product and pricing information, visit hivehome.com.

Over 90% of adults in Ireland have at least one social media account. However many people are not aware of how their social media personality can affect their careers.

Even if your account is set to the highest privacy settings, there is still the chance of a friend of a friend seeing your posts or even someone in your network taking a screen shot of something you thought was private.

How can you prevent social media from damaging your career prospects? Here is a list of 5 mistakes to avoid.

Complaining about your company and/or boss. Everyone has bad days and sometimes it helps to vent about what’s bothering you.

Having said that, avoid hitting that “post” button and go for a coffee with a trusted friend instead.

Using text-speak.

It may be quicker to type out “Had gr8 time 2nite”. However, considering that 66% of employers look unfavourably on poor spelling and grammar, it’s probably best to spell everything out.

Posting photos with alcohol. Yes, even if you’re nearly 30 and it’s a photo of you sophisticatedly drinking a 2004 California Cabernet, Are sucDo you youdressed haveforyour cess? If you’re interested social media personalin temping or want to ity uptotosomeone scratch?about talk For more information, conyour career, contact tact R e cRecruitmentPlus ruitmentPlus at 01 2788 610, or also see www.recruitmentplus.ie. www.recruitmentplus.ie.

this is one to avoid.

Such photos can be taken out of context.

Forgetting about “zombie content”. You might be social media savvy now, but what about 10 years ago when all this technology was new?

Check search engines using a phrase like “your name facebook” or “your name myspace” and see what forgotten content is out there.

5. Posting at the wrong time. Are you guilty of blogging or facebooking during work hours?

Because most online content is time stamped, it won’t take long for your boss or a co-worker to figure out you’re wasting company time.

6 July 2017 GAZETTE 13

TRAVEL P21

CINEMA P24

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

BRAN IS A CLEVER COLLIE READY TO STAY FAITHFULLY AT YOUR SIDE OUR Dog of the Week looking for their #SpecialSomeone* is Bran, a 9-year-old Collie.

He is a real foodie who adores his grub, so getting to know him shouldn’t take long if you have a tasty treat to hand! Although Bran does seek affection and attention, he prefers a hands-off approach and is happiest just snuggling at your side rather than being petted and fussed.

Bran is looking for an adult-only home, preferably one that is familiar with Collies and their kooky ways.

He is adorably handsome and a firm favourite with the staff in Dogs Trust, so if you’re looking for an older dog to stick to your side like glue, Bran could be the one for you.

If you can be Bran’s #SpecialSomeone*, then please 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.

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GAZETTE

FOOD P20

REVIEW: 90s POP-ROCK LEGENDS DON’T DISAPPOINT AT KILMAINHAM

Green party  JAMES HENDICOTT

Billie Joe knows how to play the Dublin crowd.

Pictures: Instagram/ BillieJoeArmstrong

THIRTY ONE years into a career that’s taken Green Day from gritty pop-punk scenesters to a far more accessible brand of poprock, California’s finest still play Kilmainham with the energy of an act auditioning for their first big break.

An indication of the sands of change came earlier in the day, however, as frontman Billie Joe Armstrong spent the morning searching for

the quayside venue where the three-piece first played Dublin way back in 1991, only to find it’s now a Starbucks (inset).

While time has certainly changed Green Day, too, all evidence is it hasn’t dulled them one iota.

Armstrong’s brutally energetic, interactive fronting of the band is the kind of cheese-fest that can fall the wrong side of cringe – particularly his habit of espousing his band’s ethos on stage as a list of mundane inclusivity catchphrases – yet he’s utterly absorbing.

Continued on Page 17

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DUBLINLIFE

CALLING ALL ASPIRING SONGWRITERS! BIC have launched an exciting campaign, Write and Shine, to find a young unknown songwriter aged 15-24 from across the UK and Ireland and give them a foot in the door in the music industry.

The winner will get their song professionally produced and recorded in a studio, performed in front of thousands on the main stage of The Big Feastival alongside the likes of Olly Murs and Louisa Johnson, to name just two artists as well as being released on a major YouTube channel.

All entries need to be emailed to writeandshine@lucre.co.uk by July 16 and include the entrants name, age, telephone number and original lyrics typed into the body of an email.

DESPERADOS TO REMIX ALL THE RULES PLANNING on heading to Longitude this month? Make sure you check out the Desperados Inner Tequila Studio. This custom designed industrial space at the festival will see music, art, fashion and Desperados collide!

A host of local club night heroes have been hand-

DIARY picked to take to the decks across the weekend, including Cait Fahey from DIP (Friday), Tara Stewart from 2FM (Saturday) and Louis Scully from Telephones (Sunday). Festival-goers control the DJ set list through an industrial pulley note system above the dance floor.

Visit Desperados InnerTequila Studios at Longitude, July 14-16.

es and venues within the RDS, this unique indoor festival offers a tonne of music, art installations and performances across six stages.

The iconic TLC will play their first ever Irish show at this year’s Metropolis Festival. Pioneering DJ, producer and legend of underground dance music, Richie Hawtin is also headlining alongside one of electronic music’s all time greatest acts, Leftfield.

Tickets on sale from Ticketmaster.

TLC TO HEADLINE RDS FESTIVAL METROPOLIS is back in the RDS again this October with an amazing line up!

Set in the industrial array of warehous-

CALLING ALL JUNIOR DETECTIVES GPO Witness History has misplaced some key objects of historic significance. It’s with the greatest urgency that these must be located and we need your expertise.

The search begins on July 9 and will take place weekly on Sundays throughout July and August. If you are up to the task, register your participation by contacting events@gpowitnesshistory.ie.

This fun activity is available for children aged 5 to 12, children must be accompanied by their willing parents or guardian.

Available every Sunday in July and August at 10:30am and 3:00pm. The rates for this activity are as follows: €12 per adult; €6 per child; €26 for a family of four. Spaces are limited and subject to availability.

SAY CHEESE FOR THE SMILE OF THE YEAR

Junior Detective Rian O’Donnell on the hunt for objects of historic significance. Picture: Paul Sherwood

THIS month, Clearbraces.ie launch the 2017 Smile Awards. The annual Smile Awards celebrates the Top Ten Invisalign transformations

by Clearbraces.ie dentists in Dublin.

For the first time, Clearbraces.ie is leaving the voting in the hands of the public, to choose the most deserving winner of the coveted ‘Smile of the Year’ award. People can vote for the 10 winning smiles across the Clearbraces.ie social channels – Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, by liking their favourite transformation. All voters will be in with a chance of winning a one €1,000 voucher.

For further details visit www.clearbraces.ie/ smile-awards/

Write and shine HUGE ADULT BALL POOL COMES TO TOWN

THIS summer, innocent drinks invites the adults of Ireland to dive back in time, right smack back into a giant adult ball pool, as they present The innocent Green.

The innocent Green will take place in Merrion Square from Friday, July 28 to Sunday July 30 and is set to feature, among other nostalgia filled fun, a giant ball pool, reserved for “big kids” only.

The innocent Green is a free event open to members of the public over the age of 16. People interested in joining in on the fruit-filled shenanigans, can apply for tickets via Eventbrite here: www.eventbrite.ie/e/the-innocent-green-tickets-35730559064?aff=eac2 Control the DJ set list at Desperados Inner Tequila Studios at Longitude

A giant adult ball pool is coming to Merrion Square this summer

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DUBLINLIFE

MUSIC

N O S ’ T A H W

 JAMES HENDICOTT

E D I U G S T N E EV with JAMES HENDICOTT

Laya City Spectacular

Merrion Square’s annual street performance festival lights up the weekend with jugglers, actors, sword swallowers, fire breathers and plenty of activities for the family to dive into.

There’s also a pet element this year. July 7-9, and free in.

Super Milk Wild Air Run

Lots of obstacles and an entertaining twist on the standard 5km distance will challenge runners at Lucan’s St Catherine’s Park. The main event is a 60m long waterslide, but the Wild Air Run promises obstacles galore and is open to ages 7+ on July 8.

Small Press Day

The wonderful Fumbally Stables - tucked in a laneway near St Patrick’s Cathedral - hosts some lesser known publishers for an event designed to promote comics and lesser-known magazines. One for the print connoisseurs, on July 8.

Disney Store Spider-Man Event

Dublin’s branch of the Disney franchise has long been a popular Grafton Street stop off with those of a certain age. Twenty minute events aimed at those over the age of three will highlight the comic book hero on July 8, between 10 and 12.

15th International Tango Festival in Ireland

The dancers amongst us can soak up a series of workshops and dances as the 15th edition of a popular date on the calendar returns to the city. Events take place from July 7-9.

Sea Breeze steam train trips

Take a rare steam train ride to Arklow from Dublin abroad the Sea Breeze, which will travel down one of Ireland’s most scenic lines from Connolly. Well worth the €30 per adult ticket price. July 9.

New album of the week

Haim - Something To Tell You. Having released one of the hit albums of the summer back in 2013, the Haim sisters return in the hope of making the same splash second time around.

Expect gigs to follow.

And sliding into the following week...

Get your swimsuit ready because Dublin’s 98FM is bringing back the 260ft waterslide slide with Dublin City Council and Visit Dublin!

On Saturday July 15 and Sunday July 16, the two lane inflatable slide will run down Winetavern Street, giving sliders the chance to travel through Christchurch like never before!

Wannabe sliders should tune into 98FM and following a cue to listen, be ready for action to go online and register for their wristbands. Find out more on 98fm.com or on facebook. com/98fm!

Gazette readers will get the chance to win FREE wristbands details will be in next week’s paper and on DublinGazette.com!

Musicians at a recent Sofar Sounds gig in Dublin. Pictures: Andrei Vlad Vasilescu

FREE. SIMPLE. SOCIAL. The concept of Sofar Sounds is one that very much returns music to its roots, kissing goodbye to gig promotion, ticket sales, headline tours and conventional stages.

The idea is simple: find an empty space, borrow it for the night, bring in musicians and invite strangers to enjoy them. The whole shebang is done on a donation basis, and there are other twists: the acts playing big or small - have no particular priority of billing (there’s certainly no headliner), and nobody bar the organisers knows who they are until they turn up and start playing.

From a punter’s perspective, the gigs are essentially a ‘pot luck’ night out, but one that’s become increasingly known for its high-quality curation when it comes to performers. The venues can be pretty special, too - anything from someone’s front room to a cafe, a church or a historical site. Every gig is recorded for posterity and released online a few weeks after the show takes place, meaning Sofar also has a stunning selection of atypical music videos to their name.

The concept encompasses over 300 cities worldwide, and is a growing tour de force in Dublin. Clare O’Hanlon got involved in the local version of Sofar Sounds after stumbling across a call out for musicloving people in the city a couple of years ago, and has been at the heart of the action ever since. The project has been active here for four years - it only founded globally in 2009 – and has grown in O’Hanlon’s time to bigger venues, better equipment and a monthly scramble for tickets.

“It’s got a loyal, respectful following now, but it’s also become really popular,” O’Hanlon tells the Gazette. “It can get a little difficult to keep the balance with tickets. We try to keep a balance of new people and regulars, and make sure everyone gets their chance, but it can be difficult.” Not that popularity is a bad problem to have, of course.

“In terms of venues, we work with what presents itself, and we’re often approached to offer spaces,” O’Hanlon says.

“We have to make sure people understand the concept: this is not private entertainment for the person who’s venue we’re using, for example, so they can’t takeover the tickets. It’s a public thing, and not every venue is suitable to host, but we get some great spaces.”

“Once we have a venue, we work with finding acts who want to play.

They have to keep quiet until the night, though we do make the occasional exception, for example where we’ve had acts base a tour around Sofar nights in the past. Robert J Hunter, who’s based in London, is a recent example. We’d let them to announce their appearance. The bands get a video or two out of it, but it’s really about playing music because you want to play

Sofar so good

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Siomha Brock performs at a recent Sofar Sounds gig in Dublin. Picture: Chris Basford

Green Day’s Mike Dirnt, Billie Joe Armstrong and Tres Cool. Picture: GreenDay.com

Continued from Page 13 The balance here is strong, too.

After opening with three new-ish songs, there’s a comforting depth of the back catalogue to be trawling for the older fans. The likes of ‘Longview’, ‘She’, ‘When I Come Around’ and ludicrously glorious cross-dressing anthem ‘King For A Day’ are delivered at near album quality, and with just enough snarl around the edges.

The continued presence of lots of essential albums ‘Nimrod’ and ‘Dookie’ served up together with the best of ‘American Idiot’ and even a dabble in the uninspiring ‘Warning’ on the setlist is the act of a band aiming to please.

The highlights are acoustic closer ‘Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)’, huge fireballs across the back of the stage during peaky choruses, a lengthy pre-gig audience sing-

along to Queen (plus a pink rabbit ‘giving birth’ to giveaway soft toys), and an entire track played on guitar by a young audience member who was then handed the instrument to take home. For all the oohs, ahs and hand waving, it’s utterly engaging.

Harsher critics will say modern Green Day is pop-punk by numbers, and there’s an element of truth there: Armstrong, Dirnt and Cool are very much fire-shooting, stadium-loving rays of sunshine these days, doing little more controversial than singing about masturbation and venting against Trump. That the show lacks edge, truthfully, only matters if you’re holding Green Day true to their 90s roots.

What they do offer is one of the music scene’s better doses of nostalgic familiarity, packaged in one of the liveliest, most memorable stage shows going; more ‘Having A Blast’ than ‘Burnout’.

JAMES HENDICOTT EXPLORES THE GROWING UNDERGROUND MOVEMENT OF SECRET INTIMATE GIGS WITH NO HEADLINE ACTS music.”

“The audience get tickets for free, though we do take optional donations on the night. That’s mainly just to keep things going. It’s allowed us to buy better camera equipment recently, which you can see if you watch the videos from the nights in order. Everything gets reinvested into it.

Sofar’s a big, registered business in some places. We’re all volunteers in Dublin. It’s a massive time commitment but really great to do.”

Internationally, Sofar gigs have featured huge names. Bastille played early in his

career, while Hozier, Karen O (of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs), James Bay, Emeli Sande and Wolf Alice have all made appearances.

Dublin shows - which have taken place in locations such as the Tara Building, All Out Designs and The Darkroom - have featured local stars including Ham Sandwich, Rosa Nutty, Sorcha Richardson, BARQ and Farah Elle.

Having met some of the other groups carrying out Sofar gigs globally through her work, O’Hanlon tells us she’s been told “Ireland is very relaxed” compared to some locations. “We’ve heard about

MCing between bands, other stuff that’s a bit more energised,” she explains. “Dublin is just a few cans and the bands. It’s very calm, I thinkwe kind of like it that way, you have to respect the venues.”

While the regular gigs will continue as normal, Sofar also have a big charity gig on the horizon, with September’s events aiming to raise over a million Euros. The international collective come together to promote Amnesty International on the 20th, under the title ‘A Global Day Of Secret Gigs’.

“Because Sofar’s so international, I’ve

started to feel a more personal connection with some of the things going on in the world, like the Manchester attack recently, and the refugee crisis,” O’Hanlon tells us.

“You start to know people in these places.

One of our videographers is in Reykjavik, and another Sofar person is back and forwards from Japan. It’s great to be doing something to help. For September, there are some really, really big artists involved, especially in some of the UKvenues.”

“The Amnesty Project just feels right,” she concludes. “We put on gigs in homes.

Some people don’t have them. This should

help that.” This is just the latest project, though. More generally, Sofar have their own significance: slowly taking back the idea of gigs, simply for their own sake.

 Tickets to Sofar’s Dublin gigs cannot be bought. They’re made available monthly via their mailing list, with entry to a ticket ballot typically closed around a day after each show is announced. Visit sofarsounds.com for information.

The next show will be in the Leeson Street area on July 20th.

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DUBLINLIFE

Guinot’s Crème Fluide Hydrazone delivers

Skin creams that ensure only the sun is left shining

 EMMA NOLAN

ONE of the most annoying things about wearing make up and looking after your skin in summer is the relentless shiny face.

A temperature increase of just 1°C can see an increase in sebum production by 10%.

T he latest Guinot product – Crème Fluide Hydrazone (€62.50) – is a light serum that contains mattifying powders to reduce shine. Available in pharmacies nationwide, it applies like a cream and absorbs well without leaving a greasy residue.

Another product which has been a lifesaver for me this summer is Vichy’s Idéal Soleil Anti-Blemishes SPF 30 (€19.99).

This facial sun cream (left) promises “mattifying corrective care” and it delivers.

I have long done damage to my (naturally oily) skin in summer by using regular sun creams which are full of oil, but this is specifically created for oily skin and contains salicylic acid to help unclog pores whilst providing protecting from the sun. Ideal.

Back to the future River Island revisit the 80s for inspiration

6 July 2017 GAZETTE 19

 EMMA NOLAN STYLE EDITOR RIVER Island’s autumn winter collection is an indulgent foray into the best of the 80s.

Unapologetic and verging on tacky in the best possible way, this collection just goes for it in every way possible. Colour, shape, texture, pattern – it breaks all the rules but it works so well.

Name Title €XX; Name Title €XX; Name Title €XX

This maximalist feast for the eyes is bringing back print clashing in a big way and looks are not limited to one statement piece either. Rather ruffles, bows and baroque take over to serve 80s eleganza extravaganza.

And yes… shoulder pads are back…

This collection will be hitting stores in September.

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STYLE

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FOOD&DRINK

The Picky Eater WOW! IT’S not very often you get truly excited about a new restaurant venue but the team who brought you The Dean, Per uke and Periwig, Sophies and Bison Bar have done it again with Robertas , Dublin’s coolest new eatery.

Standing outside the unassuming entrance of Robertas at 1 East Essex St, Temple Bar, I was unsure of what to expect, but to say I was wowed would be an understatement!

The breathtaking glass atrium at the heart of Robertas welcomes you with its beautifully designed bar and terrace.

With an exquisite glass ceiling bathing the place in natural light it will have you more than ready to pull up a stool to enjoy a glass of wine or one of the many exotic, thirstquenching cocktails on

Robertas

Contemporary Italian

1 East Essex St, Temple Bar offer like the Pear Sidecar.

The decor in this 220 seater restaurant is amazing … The New York style plush leather booths, bulbed lined windows and striking attention to detail offers of a feel of luxury and sophistication in a relaxed environment.

Whether you’re overlooking the cobbled streets and incredible architecture of Temple Bar or gazing out over the Liffey and Grattan Bridge, you cannot deny Robertas is a special place.

Head chef Troy Watson, originally from Melbourne and previously at Fade St Social, and Rustic Stone has developed

a contemporary Italian based menu with a solid touch of Irish influence and plenty of focus on locally sourced ingredients.

From seriously delicious starters including wood-fired duck hearts for the more adventurous and Stracciatella - an Italian soft cheese with lemon confit and slow braised fennel served with sourdough still warm from the oven.

A perfect selection of mains is available to satisfy any palette, of which I find it hard to go past the delicious Iberico Secreto Pork done on the Robata grill and served with fen-

nel two ways; just thinking about it makes my mouth water.

Also on offer is the ever popular Linguini with clams, Organic Chicken marinated with chermoula and fresh wood fired pizzas.

Desserts are equally as tempting with the Lemon Brule at the top of my list.

From 11pm Thursday to Saturdays as the plates are cleared away, Robertas transforms itself into a late night hot spot where the DJ will be turning up the tunes and you can be ready to dance the night away under the stars.

So sink yourself into a comfy couch to catch up with friends for drinks, a weekend brunch or a fabulous dinner and enjoy the excellent hospitality that is Robertas.

I know I can’t wait to get back!

6 July 2017 GAZETTE 21

GAZETTE

TRAVEL Smuggler’s Cove

Discover glorious Greece Second-to-none sandy beaches, bougainvillea-splashed villages, round-the-clock nightlife – Greece offers holidaymakers almost endless options, writes Sylvia Pownall CRETE Crete isn’t just Greece’s largest island – it’s also one of the biggest islands in the Mediterranean.

What to expect: Beaches, beaches, beaches – the bigger the better, it seems. Plus, historywise, it’s got great credentials, with a timeline that stretches back more than 4,000 years.

Where to go: The north coast. As well as the long beaches, you’ve got cosmopolitan towns in Lassithi, the historic region of Heraklion, family-friendly Rethymnon, and the waterfront tavernas of Chania.

What to do: Root around Chania Town’s Venetian-Turkish streets. Visit the Palace of

Lindos Beach in Rhodes

Knossos. Hike the dramatic Samaria Gorge.

Then spread out on the 12-kilometre-long beach at Rethymnon.

Anything else? Crete claims to have the longest summer in the Mediterranean – it’s usually beach weather from April to October.

They’re all about family-run tavernas and laid-back beaches. For first-rate nightlife, put Kavos at the top of your to-stay list.

What to do: Relax on one of Sidari’s 3 beaches. Raid the jewellery shops and seafood restaurants in Corfu Town. Shoot down the slides at Aqualand waterpark.

Anything else? It’s well worth straying from civilisation – olive groves and wild flowers blanket Corfu’s green countryside.

KOS A good-sized island that brushes the Turkish border.

What to expect: Every type of beach you can imagine. Long swathes of sand and cosy coves necklace a hilly interior peppered with villages and castles.

Where to go: Kos has 2 very different sides.

Traditionalists favour Kefalos, with its cottages, ruins and windmills. On the other hand, party animals aim for the lively double act of Kardamena and Kos Town.

What to do: Soak in the hot springs of Thermes. Get a bird’s-eye view from Mount Dikeos. Step back in time at the ruins of Asklepieion. Snack on calamari in Kos Town.

Anything else? Greeks, Romans, Ottomans

Zante This middle-sized Ionian Island also goes by the name of Zakynthos.

What to expect: A mix of peaceful fishing villages and party towns, plus some of the best beaches in the Med. Where to go: All over, although most resorts are in Zante’s eastern half. Head over to the coast, and you’ll come across turtlefriendly coves and caves. Inland, there are miles of flower-freckled countryside.

What to do: Stroll along the harbour in Zante Town. Sip a cocktail on private Cameo Island. Hit the bars and clubs in Tsilivi.

Watch the sun set from a clifftop in Smuggler’s Cove.

Anything else? Zante is the most important nesting site in the Mediterranean for loggerhead turtles.

Rhodes King-sized Rhodes tops the charts as the most-visited Greek Island.

What to expect: The stuff of legends – be it the ancient ruins, extra-long beaches, or the famous east coast nightlife. There are quieter

Corfu Town

spots, too, including both fishing and mountain villages.

Where to go: To find the best beaches, head east – the long coastline is an uninterrupted ribbon of sand. In the west, meanwhile, you’ll unearth hamlets piled high with villas, windmills and monasteries.

What to do: Discover the Old Town of Rhodes. Dive into the waterparks in Faliraki.

Snorkel at Lindos Beach. Dine in sight of the acropolis in Lindos’ town square.

Anything else? Consider yourself a night owl? Then Faliraki is your place. Its popularity with the 18 to 30s crowd has created a roaring club scene that rivals Ibiza’s top spots.

GREECE DEALS FROM THOMSON

• 26-Aug-17, Dublin to Kos, Hotel Plantanista, Psaldi, 4T, HB, 7 nights from €419pp.

• 30-Aug-17, Dublin to Rhodes, Pefki Islands Resort, Pefkos, 3T, SC, 7 nights from €469pp • 29-Aug-17, Dublin to Zakynthos, Ionian Blue Studios, Kalamaki, 3T, SC, 7 nights from €479pp

Corfu Nicknamed the Emerald Isle, Corfu is Greece’s second-largest Ionian Island.

What to expect: A bit of everything, from low-key towns to lively beach resorts.

Where to go: For a bit of peace and quiet, head north to Gouvia and San Stefanos.

and Italians have all called Kos home at one time or another.

Chania Town in Crete

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FASTNews

Drivers lose 14 days a year commuting to city centre A NEW survey reveals that the proposed new traffic flow on Dublin’s north and south quays will add an additional 10 days to existing annual commute time.

The survey was carried out by mobility solutions specialist, easytrip, and it has revealed that Irish motorists are losing 14 days on average per year commuting into the city centre.

Respondents to the survey also believe that the proposed changes to the traffic flow on the

Toyota makes style statement with C-HR Toyota’s new C-HR is a compact SUV with style and features that give it a stand-out look that gets noticed as MICHAEL MORONEY found when he took it across a lengthy test route that brought him to West Cork and back.

north and south quays (even with the revised proposal to allow for one lane of general traffic from Bachelor’s Walk to Eden Quay and on towards Dublin Port) would see this figure increase by an additional 10 days annually equating to a total of 24 days a year in the car.

Of those surveyed 81% commuted to Dublin city centre by car with 73% stating that the proposed Dublin quays traffic flow system will affect them and also highlighted their concern for cyclists on the same route.

More than 50% also highlighting that the changes would deter them from driving into the city.

Traffic threat to retailers RETAILERS will be alarmed to find that 62% of those surveyed said that the proposed changes to the traffic on the quays would affect their decision to shop in Dublin city.

Worryingly 95% of respondents said they would not buy a high priced item if they did not have their vehicle with them to take it home.

Motorists also highlighted that they spend extra on food (49%) and refreshments (90%) whilst shopping in the city.

A new survey shows that the proposed new traffic flow on Dublin’s north and south quays to add an additional 10 days to existing annual commute time.

THE design of Toyota’s new C-HR is a break from Toyota tradition in the shape of a four door hatchback while it sits high enough to give the feeling of being in a compact SUV. And the car gets noticed. Ever y where that I drove at least one person that I met knew that it was the new Toyota C-HR, so the marketing team at Toyota have got the message across.

Out on the road, where I drove more than 1,200km while venturing to West Cork during my test drive week, I found the car to be smooth and easy to drive.

The interior is modern and clear to use and I was comfortable quickly after the Bluetooth phone set-up and ready to go.

The large 8in Toyota Touch is the most obvious interior feature that just jumps out at you.

Set-up here was easy and intuitive and I found it easy to get to grips with the features that it offered.

For me that meant a set-up without having to resort to the owner’s manual, which means it’s a system clear to follow.

Toyota offers two petrol based engine options for the new C-HR, either the choice of a 1.8 hybrid or a 1.2 litre turbo-petrol engine.

My car was the latter

Toyota’s new C-HR comes with a striking new design look

Toyota C-HR 1.2 turbo petrol

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine 1.2 litre Engine power 116hp 0 – 100km/hr 8.9 seconds Economy 16.7km/litre

(6.0l/100km or 47mpg) Fuel Tank Capacity 50 litres CO2 emissions 135g/km Road Tax Band B2 €280 Main Service 20,000km/12 months Euro NCAP Rating 5 star (2017) Warranty 3 years (100,000km) Entry Price €26,895 and it delivered smooth power to the six-speed manual gearbox.

While I drove the petrol version the obvious first comparison has to be its hybrid counterpart because that’s the choice that most C-HR buyers will have to make.

On paper at least, the hybrid version has to come out on top, with diesel engine type effi-

ciency and a cleaner burn of the fuel for a lower CO2 rating and more importantly a lower running cost.

T h e f i g u r e s s h ow that the hybrid version, which costs about €3,000 more has almost double the official economy performance giving you 28.6km/litre (80mpg) versus 17km/ litre (47mpg) in the 1.2

litre turbo-petrol version that I drove. That makes the hybrid choice in the new C-HR to obvious one.

That choice was confirmed from personal test drive where I found that the performance s e t t i n g s h ave a b i g impact on the economy level of the car.

On day one I drive in the normal driving mode before I discovered the Eco option.

And that Eco driving option made a significant difference to the otherwise thirsty C-HR adding a further 10% to the economy level.

The overall economy level that I achieved was poorer than I had expected from the modern 1.2 litre turbopetrol engine but to be fair it was only marginally off the rated figure of 16.7km/litre (6.0l/100km or 47mpg).

That limits the range that I expect from a modern car and the 50-litre capacity fuel tank meant more stops than I would have liked.

T his aspect of the C-HR made me look at other petrol engine compact SUV’s and the choice of the Nissan Juke with its 1.2 litre turbo-petrol engine came to mind as well as the Honda HR-V with a slightly bigger engine and the new Opel Mokka X. I found that the petr o l p owe r e d To y o t a C-HR option to be the least economical of the bunch and also the most expensive starting at €26,895.

It’s also the longest and has the longest wheelbase so that’s why it was comfortable and stable on the wide range of motorway, city and rural roads that I drove across.

6 July 2017 GAZETTE 23

Improvements at every turn

THE new Opel Insignia has arrived at Dublin Opel dealerships in the last few weeks with a new styling and design that refreshes the model in a very significant way. Opel claims that the new Insignia weighs up to 175kg less than its predecessor and is more aerodynamic to ensure improved fuel economy across the range.

The wheelbase of the new Insignia has been extended by 92mm, its overhangs have been reduced and its tracks widened by 11mm.

The car has a lower sweeping roofline, coupled with a prominent grille with slim-line

headlamps and a new rear end high-tech look.

On the inside there is a lower driving position with wrap around cockpit. The dash area includes a frameless touch screen and Opel OnStar personal assistance system at the touch of a button.

The centre stack area has been designed with three functional zones of controls (from top to bottom: infotainment / climate / assistance systems) to facilitate quick and easy operations. The Insignia is available with a wide range of latest-generation turbocharged engines and transmissions,

which have been designed to provide real-life fuel efficiency and low fuel costs. For petrol, the new 1.5 litre Turbo 140bhp unit replaces the outgoing 1.4-litre Turbo unit, while the diesel choice includes Opel’s 1.6 in both 110 and 136bhp outputs as well as the higher output 2.0-litre 170bhp diesel. Both the 1.6 136bhp and 2.0-litre 170bhp units are available in both manual and automatic transmission.

The top of the range 2.0-litre Turbo petrol 260bhp unit comes with the new eight-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel drive system with torque vectoring.

GAZETTE

MOTORING

Do a history check before importing a used car VEHICLE History experts Cartell.ie have reported that the Association of British Insurers in the UK are no longer using Category C and Category D vehicle write-off classification in their new Voluntary Code of Practice for the industry.

The new UK system will focus on first establishing the level of damage to a vehicle from a technical perspective, before making any commercial decision relating to the Pre-Accident Cartell claims that this has huge consequences for an Irish buyer as the level of damage sustained will now be more evident.

Ireland has not yet regulated for written-off vehicles. In July 2016 it was reported in the media that Minister for Transport Shane Ross brought legislation to cabinet which would compel insurers to notify his Department of Category A and Category B write-offs.

John Byrne of Cartell.ie says: “It’s welcoming to see how seriously the Association of British Insurers are taking the issue of write-offs which are deemed repairable and can return to the roads in the UK. In May 2016, in the wake of an RTE Prime Time investigates programme, Cartell.ie released figures which showed that 10.75% of all UK imports into Ireland in a 6-month period in 2015 had been written-off in the UK prior to import and taxation of the vehicle in Ireland.

GAZETTE

24 DUBLIN CITY GAZETTE 6 July 2017

DUBLINLIFE

CINEMA ReelReviews

DESPICABLE ME 3

Merry minion mayhem THERE’RE plenty of Grusome scenes in Despicable Me 3 (Cert G, 90mins) when the eponymous baddie-who’s-not-so-bad and his yellow pals get mixed up with his long lost twin brother. Cue mishaps, minions, and an amusing threequel in the popular franchise. There’s nothing very fresh or innovative here, but the Despicable crew do what they do well in this enjoyable film.

It’s hard to say who the real star of the film is – superpig Okja, a marvel of seamless computer animation, or Seo-Hyeon Ahn, who gives a terrific, spirited performance

OKJA: SUPERPIG FILM IS BETTER THAN A LOT OF BIG-SCREEN BLOCKBUSTERS

A Netflix masterpiece LIKE director Bong Joonho’s 2006 film, The Host, Okja (Cert 15A, 120 mins) is a creature feature that crafts its outlandish, fairy tale-like narrative around the theme of family – natural families and surrogate families; unbreakable familial bonds and crippling family rivalries.

It’s these relationships that underline each of Okja’s expertly crafted characters and lead us to fall head-over-heels in love with this wonderfully bizarre film.

Every character in this charming epic, great and small, has a degree of depth often amiss in the average monster movie.

Regardless of their malign intentions or selfless deeds, each is given a reason for doing the things they do. Joon-ho presents us with a lesson in empathy – a film that affects, thrills, delights and disturbs in equal measure,

 MARTIN MACNAMARA

all through the medium of fantasy.

It’s a film that, perhaps, could never have been made, were it not for Netflix, and it’s this very fact that saw Okja kick up an extraordinary amount of fuss at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, where Joonho’s film made its way into the official selection for the prestigious Palme D’or.

Many, including jury president Pedro Almodovar, took exception to the lauding of a film that will likely be watched on more phone screens than on

cinema screens.

Indeed, if there is an overriding negative emotion that Okja instils, it’s a sense of disappointment – disappointment that most of us will never get to see a film so expertly crafted for the big screen in its natural habitat.

However, it makes you feel that’s the way the industry is shifting, and if Netflix continues to empower directors to produce work such as this, we have much to anticipate.

Okja is the story of a “superpig” called Okja raised ove r 10 perfect years by the young Mija (SeoHyeon Ahn) in the mountains

As Okja’s main baddie, Tilda Swinton turns in a typically scene-stealing turn as a CEO

of South Korea.

Mija’s world comes crashing down when the Mirando Corporation, responsible for the birth of the superpigs, come back to claim Okja and take her to New York.

There, the company’s PR-obsessed CEO (Tilda Swinton) plans to reveal Okja to the world – naturally, there are more sinister intentions afoot. The determined Mija sets out across continents to rescue her

best friend.

The outlined plot might seem like a children’s film – but make no mistake, if the first uttered expletives don’t tip you off, Okja handles some pretty heavy subject matter.

Joon-ho tackles animal rights, environmentalism, capitalism and corruption with expertise, but is never laborious or heavy-handed in his message.

Newcomer Seo-Hyeon Ahn balances the majority of the film’s drama and humour with remarkable ease, inspiring with determination and affection and providing some of Okja’s biggest belly laughs.

Paul Dano does a wonderful job as the emotionally conflicted leader of an animal rights group, and it’s great to see The Walking Dead’s Steven Yeun make a respectable leap to features.

Breaking Bad’s Giancarlo Esposito turns

in an eerie performance as shadowy company man, Frank.

Regrettably, the film’s biggest star, Jake Gyllenhaal, decides to channel Johnny Depp at his most annoyingly goofy – one of very few faults to be found in Okja.

As the eclectic cast suggests, Okja is transnational filmmaking at its most inspiringly pure, much like Joon-ho’s enjoyable, Snowpiercer (2013).

While the gracefully choreographed action and wonderful CGI may hint at Hollywood, Joonho’s deliberate, often lazy – but never boring – pace marks Okja as anything but mainstream fare.

Okja is a wonderfully different film; Netflix’s first masterpiece and comforting sign of what the future may have in hold for subscribers.

Verdict: 10/10

THE BOOK OF HENRY

Stunning in its own way FILM critics around the world have raved about this spectacular film – its spectacular awfulness, that is, as The Book of Henry (Cert 12A, 105mins) has left them reeling and gobsmacked. It’s all about a typical boy genius, Henry, who dies halfway through the film – but not before leaving how-to instructions for his mum to murder (yes, murder) their nextdoor neighbour. Yeesh!

BABY DRIVER

Fast-paced thrills galore ANSEL Elgort stars as the eponymous Baby Driver (Cert 15A, 113 mins)– a getaway driver caught in an increasingly murky job as he falls for a girl while hanging out with a big job loomiing. With plenty of decent driving, the film is also pretty entertaining to watch thanks to some great visuals and its excellent soundtrack, making it one of most fun and fast-paced films of the summer.

6 July 2017 DUBLIN CITY GAZETTE 25

GAZETTE

FEATURE INTERVIEW: EITHNE SHORTHALL ON FLIGHT OF FANCY

Author feels on cloud nine thanks to great buzz about her book  EMMA NOLAN

MATCHMAKING your friends can be a tricky territory – but matchmaking strangers is a whole other ballgame. This is exactly what Sunday Times journalist Eithne Shorthall has explored in her first book, Love in Row 27.

As chief arts writer for The Sunday Times, the Drumcondra native is more familiar with being on the other side of the coin when it comes to reviews.

However, “so far it’s all gone very well and I’m very pleased with how it’s going,” she told The Gazette.

Love in Row 27 tells the story of an Aer Lingus check-in attendant Cora, who, having just suffered a devastating break

up, distracts herself by matchmaking flight passengers.

Eithne said: “The original idea for the book was from me getting on an airplane. Whenever I get a flight, I always look around and think, who would I want to sit beside? Usually, I’m looking for an attractive man!

“But then I thought, what if you ended up beside a very attractive person and what if someone put you there on purpose? So I immediately thought of matchmaking and I love doing it in real life, and now I can do it in fiction as well.

“When I’m doing it with friends I know them but when Cora is matchmaking she doesn’t know them, so it’s different.”

The entertaining

r o m a n c e n ove l h a s enjoyed a fantastic reception since its release.

“We haven’t had a bad review so far, I shouldn’t say that out loud though because one will just arrive tomorrow!”

Eithne said she was struck by ner ves for a while before it was released.

“When you’re writing, you don’t know if it’s any good or not and just before it went out, I had real, serious anxiety when I thought I had written the worst thing ever and was about to ruin my life – that everyone would read it and laugh at me.

“So, when it first went out and they sent it to authors to see if they liked it and give us a quote for the cover, I was surprised when they came back

positively,” she laughed.

One of the good reviews came from romance novelist veteran Marian Keyes. “I was delighted. I never met her but I think she’s great. She must get sent so many books a week, but thankfully she took mine out of the pile and she read it and contacted me to say how much she liked it.

“She gave us a quote for the cover, which was really the best thing in the world.”

This was the same week that the TV rights of the book were sold and Eithne says that it “paled in comparison” to getting the good review from Marian. “It was such a vote of confidence. It means a lot.”

To write the book,

First-time author Eithne Shortall and the cover of her book, Love in Row 27

Eithne said she was lucky that she was able to take leave from her job for three months to go to London and focus solely on her writing.

And, even though she writes for a living, she said she couldn’t have written the book whilst doing the day job.

“They’re totally different styles and approaches. In one, you’re completely making stuff up, and in the other, you really shouldn’t be making anything up!”

Now working on her

second book but working at the same time, the experience of already writing one book has prepared her for the task, but doing both is definitely tough.

As a first-time author, Eithne said her advice to aspiring authors is to “just do it”.

“That’s the most facetious advice, but people make loads of excuses to not write. Before I

started I always said that I had no time to write, but then I just found a way.

“Just do it. Just write.

Get up earlier than everyone else in your house and even if you write 300 words a day, you would have a book written within a year.”

OH, LEMUR ... ZOO WELCOMES THE BIRTH OF TWO VERY SPECIAL PUPS IN CRITICALLY ENDANGERED SPECIES

THE NEWEST arrivals to Dublin Zoo are two adorable red ruffed lemur pups!

Proud parents Pierre and Fifi welcomed the brother and sister pups to Dublin Zoo’s lemur family recently. The latest arrivals join the troop of seven red ruffed lemurs already at Dublin Zoo. The birth of the pups is extremely important for the team at Dublin Zoo and the international breeding programme. The species is listed as being critically endangered after a significant

decline in population mainly due to habitat loss and hunting.

In the wild, the distribution of red ruffed lemurs is restricted to rainforest in north-east Madagascar.

Dublin Zoo is supporting research which aims to reintroduce red ruffed lemurs into various parts of Madagascar.

Commenting on the latest additions, team leader Ciaran McMahon said: “Red ruffed lemurs are one of the most endangered of all lemurs. The birth of two

youngsters at Dublin Zoo is hugely significant.

“We are delighted to report that our new arrivals are healthy and have adapted seamlessly to their surroundings. This weekend is the perfect opportunity for families and friends to learn more about these critically endangered species”.

The island of Madagascar has only 10% of its natural vegetation remaining, making lemurs the most threatened group of mammals on Earth.

26 DUBLIN CITY GAZETTE 6 July 2017

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28 DUBLIN CITY GAZETTE 6 July 2017

SPORT

FastSport TIERNAN AND HUIJSDENS THE VICE CAPTAINS: COURTYARD Liffey Celtics star, Sorcha Tiernan and Rachel Huijsdens of DCU Mercy, were unveiled as vice captains of the Irish for the FIBA Under-18 women’s European Championship Division B. The news came with 30 days to go until the Irish Under-18 women’s team welcome 22 other countries to the National Basketball Arena, Tallaght and the National Indoor Arena in Abbottstown.

Coach Tommy O’Mahony named Ireland and Portlaoise Panthers star, Claire Melia, as captain of the squad with Tiernan and Huijsdens supporting her.

“I’m delighted to announce Claire as captain of the team this summer. The squad has a lot of leaders, as we saw in their games over the weekend.

“Claire is very experienced, competing in her third European Championship this year, and has also been picked for the Irish Senior Women’s team this past summer.”

SAILING: GOODBODY URGES PEOPLE OF ALL AGES TO GIVE THE SPORT A TRY

Dun Laoghaire Regatta set for record entry numbers

 NICK FITZGERALD sport@dublingazette.com

“THIS is the largest Regatta in Ireland and on the Western sea board of the British Isles,” Tim Goodbody, Chairman of the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta 2017, tells GazetteSport, confirming it is all hands-on deck for this biennial event.

The event is now in its seventh edition and will feature its largest entry to date with 461 boats entered with over 2,500 competitors, competing over four days, beginning on Thursday, July 6 and running through to Sunday.

Within the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta 2017 are 35 different classes of yacht or dingy. They represent 75 different yacht or sailing clubs.

Competitors come from the four provinces of Ireland, Scotland, the Isle of Man, Wales, the West Coast of England, South Coast of England and one even hailing from the Netherlands.

Some of the country’s topclass sailors will be participating in this year’s regatta, including Olympic silver med-

Over 460 boats will converge on Dun Laoghaire for the biennial regatta

allist Annalise Murphy.

For Goodbody, it represents a special year and one which will be celebrated in style.

“This year is the bicentenary of the commencement of the construction of Dun Laoghaire Harbour which became a port of refuge and to celebrate that we are hold-

ing our inaugural classic yacht regatta.

“We have an excess of 100 classic yachts. Of course, there’s a lot of discussion of what a classic yacht is but we’re looking at yachts that were designed over 75 years ago and were built of timber.”

He anticipates the event to

act as a showcase for the sport and urges people of all ages to have a go at sailing, stating that The National Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire – his home club – is all inclusive.

“We need more people to go sailing. There are more yachts, they need crews, they need active people of both

sexes. We have guys and girls aboard this boat.

“In fact, our age span is for myself down to my grandson who is 13 and my granddaughter who is 11 who comes out. Another set of grandchildren come out when they’re over from England. They are five or seven.

“All ages can participate and if someone is interested they should go to one of the clubs.

“They do look a bit foreboding when you walk outside and you see this very old, historic building but knock on the door and ask about sailing or even go to the INNS, the Irish National Sailing School which is located on the West Pier.

“They run tremendous programmes and from that one gains an experience of sailing and you can then go to one of the clubs and become a regular crew member. It’s great fun, it’s safe, not discriminatory, all people are welcome.” ** For more information see www.dlregatta.org or find Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta on Facebook and Twitter.

Olympic riders light up the Sundrive velodrome  sport@dublingazette.com

The riders at Sundrive last weekend. Picture: David McVeigh

SUNDRIVE velodrome welcomed the stars last weekend with Olympic medalists Elinor Barker and Niklas Larsen among the competitors for the Dublin Track Cycling International 2017.

They both produced leading performances but there was plenty of home success with Irish riders landing six medals across the Scratch and Keirin events; both Felix English and Robyn Stewart came home with silver, second only to Rio

Olympians.

In the men’s Scratch race, English raced a tactical race, moving away with a group of seven riders.

A crash in the closing laps of the race led to the race being neutralised briefly – once the gun sounded again the group raced hard with Larsen taking the win ahead of Ireland’s English.

English was happy with the race, adding: “there’s a lot of depth in the field – pretty much everyone that you expect to see in the World Cup you are racing

with. It’s good in a way because you have to race them at some point – but it also makes it difficult because you want to get the points for the winter season.”

Later on Sunday, Stewart came in just behind Dutch Olympian Laurine Van Riessen in the women’s Keirin.

The relative newcomer to track racing has stormed onto the Irish scene, setting a new national record in recent weeks for the Sprint.

Determined to get the better of Van Riessen in the future, the Belfast rider was relatively

happy with her performance - “It was a good race – I think I left it a bit late to make my jump.

“I think it if went a wee bit earlier there might be a bit there – but she’s fast. I know Laurine well, so it’s always fun to get to race against each other, one day I will beat her.”

Silver also went to Fintan Ryan in the Under-23 Scratch race, when the TrackProject. ie rider lapped the field with Ethan Hayter. Bronze went to Ireland’s Sundrive Track Team rider Hugo Brennan.

6 July 2017 DUBLIN CITY GAZETTE 29

GAZETTE

FASTSport

Loughran set for major hockey event debut  STEPHEN FINDLATER

HERMES-Monkstown’s Sinead Loughran is set for her world ranking tournament debut as she earned a place in Graham Shaw’s final plans for the Irish women’s hockey team’s tilt at 2018 World Cup qualification via the World League Semi-Final which takes starts in Johannesburg this week.

The 26-year-old former Mount Anville student is something of a late bloomer, making her first inroads into the national panel in 2016 with last minute call-up for the Hawkes Bay Cup in New Zealand.

It followed four years in the US, reaching the final four of the NCAA championship with UNC Tar Heels, including three defeats in the final.

Shaw says her “physical ability” gives the Irish side a huge asset: “She really asks questions of opponents by her physical effort around the pitch, both from a defensive point of view and also on the counter-attack.

“She had the highest of the fitness scores and her style suits the international game perfectly.

She presses aggressively and you wouldn’t want to mark her man-on-man because of the ground she covers.”

The coach adds that Loughran’s spell before Christmas in Munich playing in the Bundesliga gave her an extra impetus.

“Moving across for Germany for that three months really taught her about her game and maybe a little about herself as a person. She came home, trained really well with the group and fully deserved her spot.

“For players like Sinead, when they come in [to the Irish panel] a bit older – not at 18 or 19 – it can take a bit of time to adjust and see where your style fits in.

“It’s taken her a little bit of time; she got a taste of it [in 2016]. I think she now knows where her strengths lie within the international game and she’s trying to apply them.”

The tournament begins on Saturday with Ireland facing Japan before meeting Germany, Poland and Olympic champions England in the group stage. A top four finish there will see them reach the quarter-finals where World Cup tickets will be decided.

Transplant Games gold rush for legendary Faul Record-breaking Dalkey woman lands quartet of medals across swimming and squash,leading a brilliant Irish team performance in Malaga, Spain at the biennial World Games  STEPHEN FINDLATER sport@dublingazette.com

DA L K E Y ’ S D e i r d r e Faul – a liver transplant recipient – led the Irish team home last Sunday from Malaga following an exceptional week at the 21st World Transplant Games.

The team won 32 medals in total while at the same time demonstrating their zest for life, team spirit, sportsmanship and infectious goodwill while honouring their organ donors.

T h e I r i s h t e a m ’s impressive medals haul includes 14 gold, seven silver and 11 bronze from various sporting events.

For Faul, she managed to break two world records in the swimming pool on her way to winning four gold medals, including her sixth world title in squash.

The main objective for Team Ireland members, who range in age from

30 to 79, when taking part in the Games is to embrace life and promote organ donation. The team includes 4 liver transplant recipients and 23 kidney transplant recipients.

The 21st World Transplant Games involved 1,000 competitors from 51 countries and every athlete who competed will have received a kidney, liver, heart, lung, pancreas or bone marrow transplant.

Faul, 49, nailed down her fourth gold medal in the 400m freestyle swimming event with a record breaking time, beating swimmers from Argentina and Israel who came in second and third.

Her time of six minutes 27.89 seconds surpassed the previous world record of 6.32 achieved by British athlete J Coleman in Bangkok in 2007.

A day earlier, the mother to two sons, broke a world record in the 200m freestyle with a time of

3.01.93 and beating the previous world record of 3.05.08 set by Australian Lisa Cuthbertson at the 2009 Games in Gold Coast, Australia.

Just a few hours later, the unstoppable Faul went on to win the 100m breaststroke swim in her age category (40-49 years).

She had also retained her world champion squash title in her age category, her sixth consecutive World Games gold.

After her races, she said: “I didn’t realise I was swimming so fast. Two world records and four gold medals this week, I’m ecstatic! I smashed all of my personal bests too.

I’m thrilled with my performance.

“Thanks to Otter Swimming Club and Dublin Swimming Clun for their support, coaches Matthew MCusker and Brian Conroy and friend Claire O’Dwyer. A special thanks also to my dad and

my sons for their loving support and especially to the family of my donor for making all this possible.”

Shortly after Deirdre’s first race, kidney transplant recipient Peter Heffernan from Skerries, Dublin secured a bronze medal for Transplant Team Ireland in the backstroke event.

Reflecting on his success, he said: “I thoroughly enjoyed the race. It’s so fantastic to be able to take part and the ability to participate and do something that I love is all thanks to my donor. The competition is tough this year so I’m thrilled. A big crowd came down to support us from Transplant Team Ireland. They are a brilliant support.”

Another Dubliner, Mick Dwyer from Cabinteely, a kidney transplant recipient won two medals, the

first a gold in the golf pairs, followed by success in the ball-throw for those aged 60-69 years-old.

“It’s great to see people of my age category and older taking part and doing so well. A huge thank you to my donor and their family.

“Everyone competing here has trained extremely hard.

“No medal is easily won. I’m delighted to be here. I’m thoroughly enjoying the week. It’s excellent to see familiar faces from other countries. I hope to be at the games for many years to come.”

It capped a brilliant week for Team Ireland members, who range in age from 30 to 79, at the Games with the aim of the competition to embrace life and promote organ donation.

Record-breaker Deirdre Faul with runners up Rosaura Michael Dwyer and Garry Campbell after winning Gold in the Golf Pairs

Escudero from Argentina and Hagit Forsher from Israel

GAZETTE

30 DUBLIN CITY GAZETTE 6 July 2017

SPORT

FASTSport

SOCCER: LEDWIDGE LINKS UP WITH SOUTHAMPTON’S ACADEMY

Picture: Martin Doherty

Ashe plunders equaliser from the fire for Shels AARON Ashe grabbed a last minute equaliser to help Shelbourne to a 1-1 draw with SSE Airtricity First Division table toppers Waterford at Tolka Park last weekend.

Shane O’Connor had opened the scoring for the away side after just four minutes but Shels worked hard and eventually grabbed a deserved leveller through Ashe’s volley.

Both sides had half chances to take the lead early on but it was the visitors who managed to find the net first after O’Connor volleyed home Derek Daly’s cross from 12 yards.

Waterford then had a great chance to double their lead when David McDaid swung a lovely free kick into the box that several attackers had a chance to get on the end of, but somehow none managed to.

Adam O’Connor should have equalised in the 29th minute when Adam Evan’s embarked on a dazzling run before delivering a ball into the back post that O’Connor headed harmlessly into the hands of Waterford keeper Matthew Connor.

Gary Delaney and English were playing out a fierce battle with each other and when English went down for the fourth time, it looked like he might finally be awarded a penalty by the referee. That wasn’t the case, however, as the official waved play on much to the exasperation of the home crowd.

Shels had one more chance to equalise before the break when Evans burst past the Blues defence before putting his shot so high it flew out of the stadium.

The second half took awhile to get going with the first chance coming through Alan Byrne’s near own seven minutes after the restart.

Shelbourne were wasteful in possession with Byrne and English missing headed chances from the crosses they did manage to get in.

Tiredness began to set in as the game drew to a close and it was Shelbourne who managed to find a little extra through substitutes Dayle Rooney and Ashe, as the latter volleyed home the former’s cross to rescue a point.

Kameron Ledwidge, left, signs terms with Southampton; Ledwidge and Ray O’Sullivan, right

Kevin’s stars sign deals  KARL GRAHAM sport@dublingazette.com

KAMERON Ledwidge has joined one of Engl a n d ’s m o s t f a m o u s football academies after putting pen to paper on a scholarship deal at Southampton.

The former St Kevin’s Boys star has played for the Saints off and on for the last two years but he is now finally able to enter their Under-18 academy.

“We are delighted for Cameron. He is a unique player,” St Kevin’s PRO Neil Fox told GazetteSport. “He’s very quick and very tall

and has a bit of skill on him. He likes to play proper football and is exactly the sort of player Southampton go for.

“I’m not saying he’s a Gareth Bale but he has a run about him that goes at players with pace.”

Ledwidge had offers from several other clubs but the reputation Southampton boast for regularly producing top class players was enough to sway him towards the south coast of England.

“They are a massive academy and they produce players on a regular basis. I think Kameron saw that himself because he had a lot of

TRACK MASTERS Dublin pair battle it out for 800 national title TERRY Mee, of Donore Harriers, leads the

field whilst competing in the men’s 800m at the Irish Life Health National Master Track and Field Championship 2017 at Tullamore Harriers Stadium in Tullamore last weekend.

Rising Sun’s Michael Kiely eventually won the race in a time of 2.55.08 with Raheny Shamrock’s Liam Muilready, left, second and Mee ending in third, six seconds off the eventual winner.

Picture: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

offers from other clubs.

He has been there a little while and he feels comfortable. He likes the place and the people so it was a perfect fit for him,” said Fox. The move will be a massive step up for Ledwidge as he will now be pitting himself against players from all over the world but Fox is confident he has the ability to succeed.

“Kameron is obviously used to playing football in Dublin but now he is going into a massive academy.

“He will have to adapt to their way of playing football, the way of

living, and the whole lifestyle so it will be a massive change for him.

I think it will be tough for him but he really, really wants to go to Southampton. I think he knows himself that he will have to adapt because if he doesn’t they won’t mess around in that sort of academy.”

St Kevin’s have also seen Ryan Cassidy and Ray O’Sullivan join Watford and Wolverhampton Wanderers, respectively.

“I am delighted for the two boys. Ray has been over with Wolves a little while but he is a fantastic kid and a lovely play-

er. He works hard and he is going to another good club. Wolves have a great academy as well and Birmingham is a nice city so he’ll do well.

“It will be a tough one for Ryan going to Watford but it’s the same thing.

“They will have to adapt and change their style of football to fit in with these academies. It will be a long road for them but as long as they get their heads down and get stuck in, and don’t let the lifestyle that goes with being a footballer get to them, they’ll do well,” Fox concluded.

6 July 2017 DUBLIN CITY GAZETTE 31

GAZETTE

SPECIAL OLYMPICS

LEINSTERFINAL

Prince of Wales to aid Perergrine’s fundraiser ST PEREGRINE’S ladies darts team are hosting a darts exhibition fundraiser starring Welsh player Richie “The Prince of Wales” Burnett on July 29 at 8.30pm at the Blakestown club.

The event is in aid of The Phoenix Flyers Dublin 15 Special Olympics swimming team who are taking part in the 2018 Special Olympics. For further details, contact Maura Aspin by email maura.aspin@gmail.com.

CAMOGIE: SKY BLUES FIGHT BACK TO BEAT TRIBESWOMEN

Vigilance required for McEvoy and Dublin

The Dublin Under-16A side after their win over Galway last weekend in O’Toole Park.

Hickey magic drives Dublin past Galway UNDER-16 CAMOGIE Dublin 3-13 Galway 2-13  sport@dublingazette.com

DUBLIN’S Under-16 camogie team gave their fans plenty to cheer about at O’Toole Park when the A team played out a thriller to pip Galway by 3-13 to 2-13.

For the A side, they won an enthralling tie against Galway in a game dotted with great skills, massive commitment and cracking scores.

Playing into the breeze in the first half Dublin opened the scoring through Laura Quinn

but soon fell 0-4 to 0-1 behind. They bounced back to level by the 17-minute mark with Olivia Meagher excelling at sweeper while mighty points from Aoife Mahon, Niamh Lennon, Kim Hickey and Hollyn Kennedy kept them rolling.

They did suffer a setback when Aoife Ní Dhonnacha was on hand to first time to the net for a Galway goal and they closed out the half 1-8 to 0-6 in front.

With the wind after the break, Dublin replied quickly 14 seconds after the restart when Kim Hickey took possession

for the throw-in and left everyone for dead to hammer a great ball to the roof of the net.

Galway got the next two scores for a fourpoint lead but Dublin snatched a second goal in the 38th minute as Quinn got possession from a long free and made no mistake.

That made it level and great hands, super first touch, great decision making and massive workrate saw the blues strike in a fine spell from the 39th to the 48th minutes to add points from Mahon, Quinn and a 55m free from Aoife Mahon. It

edged them into a 2-10 to 1-2 lead.

It began to look even better for Dublin in the 53rd minute when Mahon’s delivery was claimed by Hickey and she put her name on her second goal of the day.

Niamh Horan struck back instantly to make it a two-point once more before Kennedy and Mahon made the game safe for the Dubs.

The day was augmented when Dublin’s B team shone against Cork in their 2-14 to 1-10 triumph in the opening game of the All-Ireland championship.

DUBLIN star Niamh McEvoy insists the county’s ladies footballers must remain vigilant as they take on Westmeath in the Leinster championship final this Sunday at 4pm in Netwatch Dr Cullen Park.

Dublin hammered Laois by 28 points to reach the Leinster final for the sixth year in a row but McEvoy knows that it will be a much tougher task against the division two champions.

“Westmeath have had a great league campaign and their league form is brilliant,” McEvoy said at the launch of sponsor AIG’s new travel insurance offer on Monday.

“They had two tough games against Cavan that will definitely stand to them. They drew the first time round then put up a great performance in the second game to win the division two league title and get promoted to division one.

“We know we have a tough day in store but we are just going to concentrate on ourselves and the things we need to do to get it right on the day. We are really looking forward to it.”

Dublin may have had it comfortable during the Laois game but McEvoy insists there is something to be learned from every game as they strive towards their ultimate goal of reaching a fourth All-Ireland final in a row.

“There were things to be learned from the Laois match as well. We were happy that we put up a good performance but we have put that to bed now and we are just concentrating on going forward.”

Westmeath will provide a much sterner test than Laois but McEvoy insists they will look to get their own game right rather than look to nullify the threat posed by the midlanders.

“We obviously give Westmeath a lot of respect. Two years ago the game went right down to the wire and we had our backs up against the wall at halftime so, as I said, we just need to concentrate on the things we need to do right on the day and the things we need to get right to win the game.

“Obviously, they have some good players that we will home in on but, other than that, we are just going to concentrate on working hard at our game.”

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Johnny Cooper was in Parnell Park on Monday to help AIG Insurance launch details of their latest travel insurance offering. Picture: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

Cooper’s internal focus

Na Fianna man says tougher days to come for Dublin after Westmeath cruise with the focus for Kildare very much on upping their own game

 KARL GRAHAM

sport@dublingazette.com

NA FIANNA star Jonny Cooper knows there will be tougher days ahead for the Dublin senior footballers starting with their Leinster football final against Kildare on July 16, after he and the rest of the team enjoyed a comfortable 31-point win over Westmeath in the semi-final.

The 4-29 to 0-10 win over the midlanders kept the Dubs on track for a record breaking seventh Leinster title in a row but, such was Dublin’s dominance, sweeper Cooper was left redundant for large parts of the game.

“I thought the lads were going well in various positions and Jim was able to chop and

change,” said Cooper at the launch of sponsor AIG’s new travel insurance deal. “I did a good bit of work in fairness; I wasn’t just sitting idle and watching on. I did a good bit of work to try and prove myself.”

Dublin have had things their own way in Leinster for a long time now but the resurgence of Kildare over the last couple of years has sparked hopes of greater competition for the boys in blue.

Cooper knows Kildare are likely to pose a stiff challenge but he insists Dublin are still focused mainly on getting their own game right.

“I’ve seen bits of them just from the games that were on TV but in terms of our own work

we will probably start stuff this week and a small bit into next week. Then we’ll probably pull back from them and just start to focus on ourselves.”

Cooper also gave his view on the recent furore surrounding the team. Teammate Diarmuid Connolly was suspended for 12 weeks for ‘minor physical interference’ with linesman Ciaran Brannigan during their 12 point win over Carlow in the Leinster quarter-final.

“I’m sure he’s very aware, now that he is suspended, of the ramifications of not staying in check with his actions.

“He has had a lot of distractions the last couple of weeks so I think he is just trying to stay in his own bubble and on the Dublin sen-

ior football train of thought.

“He looks to me like he is very focused. I don’t know whether I am interpreting that wrong or he could be feeling something else but he looks to me very focused on, maybe, trying to get back into the team if we are to progress.”

Playing on the edge in order for a player to get the best out of themselves is not unusual in GAA and, like Connolly, it is something Cooper needs.

“I find going to the line or going as close to the line without overstepping is something that is important for me in terms of me performing and competing against the best of the best,” Cooper concluded.