Dublin Gazette: City Edition

DublinGazette MARCH 12 - 18, 2020

DUBLINMADEEASY: Take a look at three DUBLIN

of our favourite suburbs across the city in this week’s edition of Dublin Made Easy P20

CityEdition FREE

THE LATEST NEWS & SPORT FROM THE DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL AREA

Funding

REARING TO GO TO HELP FUNDRAISER

SPORT SOCCER:

Shelbourne and Bohemians look forward to the new Women’s National League season.

SEE P30 & 32

SAINT John of God Community Services has written to service users and staff to notify them of an escalating funding crisis, that may see the organisation be forced to issue a notice of termination of service in the coming weeks.

SEE PAGE 8

AOIFE McIntyre and Tomas Whelan were rearing to go at the start of the Simon Home Run 2020 in aid of Dublin Simon Community.

Now in its 37th year, the Simon Home Run is the longest running charity run in the Phoenix Park, and each year sees thousands of runners, joggers and walkers congregate in the Phoenix Park for the 5-mile.

This year, some 2,500 took part in the run on March 7, helping to raise vital funds for people at risk of or experiencing homelessness in Dublin, Wicklow, Kildare, Meath, Louth, Cavan and Monaghan, with the chilly Spring air set aside by the spirit of charity and support for others.

Picture: Liam McArdle

Disney PLUS

SEE WHAT’S COMING TO THE NEW CONTENT SERVICE PAGE 16

Plans for 2,000 homes across the city binned

Decision made at Tuesday meeting RACHEL D’ARCY

Find us on Keep reading, keep recycling – thank you

PLANS to rezone industrial lands in Dublin have been scaled back to 1,575 units, after concerns were raised by residents and councillors alike. A meeting held on Tuesday saw councillors debate the future of 20

industrial sites across the city, with council management debating that housing is badly needed.

Councillors expressed concerns that due to the ‘fast-track’ legislation, the developments on these sites would bypass the council and go straight to An Bord Pleanala.

A revised plan was accepted by party leaders, who met with council officials. Two rezonings in Santry that could have created 1,200 homes were withdrawn after objections from locals.

Another four sites in Coolock, Ballyfermot, Drimnagh and Crumlin were changed to mixed-use to maintain employment on SEE MORE ON THIS STORY ON P4 the lands.

Vandals target Poolbeg again

DUBLIN Port Company (DPC) has said it is considering the installation of CCTV cameras at Poolbeg Lighthouse, after a second incident of vandalism in recent weeks.

Late last week, homophobic and racist graffiti was spraypainted onto the Great South Wall of the lighthouse, just weeks after other racist remarks were removed from the landmarks’ walls.

A spokesperson for DPC told Dublin Gazette: “This is the second incident to happen in recent weeks; as a result of this, our security manager and head of properties are now reviewing the area to install CCTV [camSEE PAGE 5 eras].”

2 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 12 March 2020

PICK UP YOUR

DublinGazette CITY EDITION

EVERY THURSDAY! at the following locations:

• Ballybough Stores • Bewleys – Georges Street • Buttery Restaurant @ Trinity • College • Café Parigi • Centra – Ballsbridge • Centra – Dame St • Centra – Drimnagh • Centra – Fairview • Centra - Portland Row • Centra – Rathmines • Centra – Thomas Street • Centra – Whitehall • Charlestown – Shopping Centre • Crumlin – Shopping Centre • DCC Office – Wood Quay (X2 Units) • DCC Office - Ballyfermot • DCC Office - Ballymun • DCC Office - Coolock • DCC Office - Crumlin • DCC Office Marrowbone Lane • Drury Street Car Park • Dublin Mosque – S. Circular Road • Dunnes – Finglas • Fresh – Grand Canal • George’s Street Arcade • Iceland - Ballyfermot • Iceland - Liffey St. • Ilac Centre • Insomnia – CHQ • Insomnia – Millennium Walk • Insomnia – Nassau St. • Lidl - Terenure • Londis Inchicore • Londis, East Wall • Marks & Spencer – Grafton St. • Marks & Spencer – Mary St. • Marks & Spencer – Mayor Sq. • Northside SC @ Customer Service • Nutley Merrion Square • Sandymount Credit Union • Shelbourne Park Dog Track 1 Unit • Spar – Capel Street • Spar - Crumlin • Spar - Longboat Quay • Spar – Nassau St. • Spar – Patrick St. • Spar - Trinity Plaza • SuperValu – Finglas • SuperValu - Knocklyon • SuperValu – Northside S.C. • SuperValu – Ranelagh • SuperValu – Rathgar • SuperValu – Sundrive • SuperValu – Walkinstown • SuperValu Aston Quay Café Area • Tesco – Clearwater • Tesco – Navan Rd • Tesco - Phibsboro • Tesco – Prussia St. • Tesco – Rathmines • Tesco - Baggot St. • Tesco Express – Rathmines Road • Tesco - Fleet St. • Tesco Metro – Terenure • The Swan Centre – Rathmines

For further info www.dublingazette.com

01 60 10 240

MOVE TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH WELCOMED

Parade, events called off due to Coronavirus

Top business peers mark Women’s Day

 RACHEL D’ARCY

rdarcy@dublingazette.com

THE COUNTRY’S biggest St Patrick’s Day parade, due to take place in Dublin next Tuesday, has been cancelled, as announced earlier this week by the Government.

The decision was taken based on the advice of health officials, with An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announcing the news to the public with just eight days to go until the event.

The news came as it was revealed cases of the Covid-19 virus – more commonly known as the

FASTNews

Crowds and colourful characters won’t be assembling at O’Connell Street this year, unlike in previous years, due to growing Coronavirus fears. Picture: Allen Kiely Photography

Coronavirus – continue to rise within Ireland.

St Patrick’s Festival – the organisers of the parade – released its own statement on Monday evening, say-

ing four of its bigger scheduled events have been called off on the advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team.

However, more than

100 small- to mediumscale events will still take place from March 13 to 17, including music, theatre acts, talks and exhibitions.

A statement from the organisers said: “The board and management of St Patrick’s Festival welcome and support this [cancellation] decision in the best interests of public health.

“We would ask for continued patience as the festival team endeavour to communicate with the thousands of people from home and abroad who are involved in events which are not proceeding.”

Cancelled Three other major events cancelled alongside the parade include the Festival Village, which was planned to take place from March 14 to 17 at Merrion Square; a treasure hunt scheduled for March 15, and a Ceili Mor, which was scheduled for March 17 iatMerrion Square.

Health officials have said that Ireland is still in the ‘containment phase’, and all necessary measures will continue to be implemented as the situation progresses.

For further information on the events still taking place for St Patrick’s Festival, see stpatricksfestival.ie. For information on Covid-19, see HSE.ie.

MORE than 250 business leaders and entrepreneurs came together (above) at an event last Thursday to celebrate great women in leadership, as part of International Women’s Day celebrations.

The event took place in The Davenport and was sponsored by Irish Jobs and Fujitsu, and marked the ten-year anniversary of Dublin Chamber celebrating leading business women of Dublin at its International Women’s Day event.

Organised by Dublin Chamber, the Enterprise Europe Network and the Women in Business networks from Fingal, Dublin City and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Local Enterprise Offices, there were two keynote addresses, courtesy of Louise Phelan, of Phelan Energy Group, and Lisa Cusack, of Aer Lingus.

Laura McCarthy, Drink Botanicals; Sophie Cafolla, Stork Box; and Ailbhe Keane, Izzy Wheels also joined Louise and Lisa for a panel discussion.

These inspirational ladies discussed their careers, and challenges they have overcome, and gave leading advice to fellow business leaders.

Greek St County club launch choir gig new fund postponed CHILDREN in the Just Ask homework club on Greek Street in Dublin 7 recently helped to launch the Irish Youth Foundation’s (IYF) €500k Flagship Fund.

The IYF fund is part of a commitment from the foundation to ‘level the playing field’ for those born into ‘disadvantaged’ areas.

The fund will be open for applications from non-profit or charitable organisations which support young people.

The Just Ask homework club is just one of the projects supported by the IYF. Homework clubs are a safe place where children and young people can get help with their homework, have a warm meal and do activities such as sport, baking and much more.

Applications for this year’s fund will open on Friday, March 20.

For more information on the fund and how to apply, see www.iyf.ie.

DUBLIN County Choir has announced that its scheduled concert set to take place later this month in Ballinteer has been postponed.

The group were expected to hold its Spring concert in StJohn’s Church, Ballinteer on March 28 .

However, this has now been postponed, with no date set for the rescheduled concert, although the concert will now take place at a later date.

The group advise those who have purchased tickets to the March 28 concert to keep hold of them, as they will still be valid for the next concert when it is announced.

The group has said that as soon as it knows the date for the rescheduled event, it will make an announcements through Dublin Gazette newspapers and their usual channels.

For more, see DublinCountyChoir.com.

12 March 2020 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 3

CULTURE: ARRACHT SCOOPED TWO GONGS AT THE DUBLIN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Dublin director wins big at DIFF with Irish-language film RACHEL D’ARCY rdarcy@dublingazette.com

ARRACHT, an Irish language feature film created by Dublin man Tom Sullivan, took home two awards from the Dublin International Film Festival (DIFF) last week, including Best Irish Film.

The film, which was produced

by Cuan Mac Conghail for Dublin-based company Macalla Teo, received rave reviews following its Irish premiere at the film festival.

The film received the Best Irish Film gong at the DIFF awards last Sunday night, while lead actor Donal O Healai was awarded Best Actor in the Aer Lingus Discovery Award category.

Arracht, which is set during The Famine, also scooped the Best Audience Award at its premiere screening at Glasgow Film Festival, where it had its UK premiere.

Set in Ireland in 1845, Arracht centres on Colman Sharkey, a fisherman, a father and a husband,

who takes in a stranger at the behest of a local priest.

The film was created as part of the CINE4 initiative from TG4, Screen Ireland, and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, which works to develop original feature films in the Irish language.

Alan Esslemont, director general at TG4, said: “TG4 congratulates Arracht on this audience recognition for the film’s UK premiere.

“Bringing Irish-language content to all screens has been at the

heart of TG4’s vision for audiences, and the Cine4 funding brings world-class Irish-language film to cinemas.

“Arracht has been gaining critical acclaim since it premiered at the Tallinn Film Festival in November, and the Audience Award at its UK premiere screening recognises and showcase the talent and skills of the production team in a global audio-visual market.”

The film will be will be released on Friday, April 3.

Donal O Healai, who won Best Actor at DIFF for his role in Arracht. Picture: TG4

Woman longs to reconnect FASTNews with long-lost Dublin family Frederick St building set for co-living

SYLVIA POWNALL

A WOMAN desperate to trace her Dublin-born mother’s relatives has told how she longs to be reunited with her longlost family.

Rita Vincent, who lives in Devon, England, has spent years trawling records in a bid to track down her mum Carmel Gray’s family in the capital’s north inner city.

The 66-year-old and her sister-in-law, Debbie, flew to Dublin on their search – but they have been unable to connect with their aunts and uncles, who hail from the Docklands area.

Carmel married Douglas Bruce and settled in Bideford in Devon, but she died of a broken heart in 1963 after her five-year-old son was killed on his tricycle, and her other kids were taken into care.

Rita told Dublin Gazette: “We’ve managed to trace mum’s family back to north inner city Dublin, “I think her parents we re m a r r i e d i n S t Agatha’s cChurch in North William Street.

“Two of her brothers came over for her funeral but we didn’t see them after that. We don’t know for sure, but our father could have had something to do with that.”

Rita’s brother, Andy, married Debbie in 1984 and they have two chil-

THE OWNERS of a property on North Frederick Street that at the centre of housing protests two years ago have been given permission to turn the building into coliving style accommodation.

Housing activists occupied No 34 Frederick Street North for several weeks in 2018 to highlight the ongoing housing crisis.

The property has been vacant for years, and was most recently used as offices.

The application detailed plans to transform the building into a six-bedroom residential property, with the detail in the application similar to that of a co-livingstyle build. The application has been approved by Dublin City Council.

dren and two grandchildren.

Debbie said: “My son Shane asked about his dad’s mum and dad, and that’s how it started.”

Carmel’s son, Donald, was just five when his tricycle went under the wheel of a lorry in August 1963.

Just two months later, at the age of 30, Carmel was found dead in bed and the coroner recorded a verdict of “accidental death”.

‘A broken heart’ Rita said: “She died of a broken heart, basically.

Dad put us into care then, and that was tough.

“But he remarried a few years later and took us in again. He was a very aggressive man; he didn’t treat us well.

“I was nine and the eldest when mum passed away. I felt I had to take care of my brothers, and protect them from our brutal father.

“I’m 66 now and I’ve been trying to trace mum’s family for years. We have a lot of questions as to why they didn’t keep in touch.

“I know they were a very close family. I just couldn’t understand why they couldn’t take us in, but maybe they didn’t know [about our situation].

“It’s been haunting me for years – the way mum died, the way we were put

Dawson St cinema gets the go-ahead

Rita Vincent, who is on a mission to track down her mum Carmel’s family [inset right, above] who hail originally from the Docklands area of the city. Picture: Rita Vincent

into a children’s home.

“Knowing we have got relatives that we don’t know anything about or where they are is hard to

bear,” she said.

Anyone with information can contact Debbie via email at Debbie. bruce05@gmail.com.

PLANNING permission has been granted for Everyman’s first Dublin cinema.

The two-screen boutique cinema is set to be located in the basement of The Ivy restaurant on Dawson Street, with access from Molesworth Street.

Approval was initially given for the development in late 2019; however, a mystery objector based in Dun Laoghaire caused delay to the proceedings.

The new Dawson Street cinema will contain two small auditoriums with a capacity for 72 and 51 people in each screen.

4 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 12 March 2020

DEVELOPMENT

TRANSPORT: IMPACT ON HOUSEHOLDERS TO FALL BY 40%

BusConnects to impact fewer homes and trees RACHEL D’ARCY

Plans for nearly 2,000 homes in city scrapped PLANS to build nearly 2,000 homes on sites across Dublin have been scrapped by Dublin City council.

Residents and some councillors objected at a meeting on Tuesday to plans to build 1,900 homes on the grounds of several out-of-use industrial sites.

Originally, plans for the project suggested that up to 3,500 homes would be constructed on the vacant sites.

The decision not to rezone four of the 20 sites has now reduced the number that could be built to just under 1,600 homes.

One of the reasons for objections to the plans was the type of homes that were being built, as well as the height of the sites.

Cllr Tina MacVeigh (PBP) voted against the proposals.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Cllr MacVeigh said: “Proposals that would allow for more public and affordable homes to be built in our city are welcome, of course, but we do not believe that will be the result of the proposed changes to the zoning of these industrial sites.

“The changes that were made to planning legislation since 2015 make for poor housing standards, excessive heights and leave the door wide open for the building of luxury student accommodation, coliving, and build to rent [developments]. This does not make for sustainable communities.”

THERE will be further public consultations on revised plans for the BusConnects project, which will see fewer households lose their front gardens, and less trees felled.

In the first round of public consultations, there were more than 13,000 submissions from Dubliners on plans for 16 bus corridors across the city.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) said that these plans were needed to handle increasing congestion within the capital, as a result of an increasing population.

It was anticipated that 1,300 households in Dublin would have faced the loss of their front gardens and on-street parking spaces, in addition to more than 1,000 trees being removed in communities across the city.

However, following a review of complaints and submissions in the first round of consultations,

BusConnects plans to expand the bus network now look set to have a reduced impact on Dublin householders

in addition to group and one-on-one meetings, the NTA has now unveiled new, revised plans for the BusConnects project.

It is believed that the overall impact on private householders will be reduced by 40%, with trees being saved in areas across the city centre including Rathgar and Glasnevin.

Under the new revisions, it’s estimated that the level of homes that will lose land has been reduced from 1,300 properties to 776.

Following a further six weeks of public consultation, a planning application will be submitted to An Bord Pleanala by the end of the year.

It is hoped that con-

struction – funded as part of the €2bn BusConnects project – will be carried out on a phased basis up to 2027.

Under the BusConnects plans, which were initially announced in July, 2018, the NTA plans to create 230km of dedicated bus lanes along Dublin’s 16 busiest corridors.

There will also be an

entire redesign of the bus network, focusing traffic along seven central “spines”.

The next round of public consultations is running from now until April 17, with a series of information events to be held at different Dublin venues.

For more information on the revised plans, see BusConnects.ie.

Delighted to help catch the premiere of new Irish film, Calm With Horses, at the Lighthouse

ACTOR Barry Keoghan and his girlfriend, Shona Guerin, recently attended the Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival Irish premiere screening of Calm With Horses at the Lighthouse Cinema.

Set in rural Ireland, Calm With Horses tells the story of ex-boxer Douglas ‘Arm’ Armstrong, who has become a feared enforcer for powerful local drug-dealing family the Devers.

Picture: Brian McEvoy

12 March 2020 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 5

COMMUNITY: FOUL GRAFFITI SPRAYED AT POOLBEG

FASTNews

Fassbender visits Gaiety acting school

Repellent graffiti at the scenic Poolbeg lighthouse, and after cleaning [inset]. Picture: Alan Mcafferty; Inset: Dublin Port

Anger as vandals strike again at lighthouse site RACHEL D’ARCY

ISLAMOPHOBIC and homophobic graffiti has been spray-painted at Poolbeg Lighthouse, in the second such hateful incident in recent weeks.

In late February, local councillor for Poolbeg, Hazel Cho (GP), took the initiative to paint over racist graffiti scrawled on the iconic Dublin landmark after being alerted about the disgusting language by a constituent.

Now, just over a week later, further discriminatory graffiti has appeared sprayed onto the walls surrounding the lighthouse on the picturesque family walk.

The words ‘No Gays’

and ‘No Muslims’, alongside ‘IRA’ on an adjacent wall, were scrawled on the walls in bright red paint, as seen in an image taken Friday morning by a Dublin Gazette reader.

The Poolbeg Lighthouse area is a walking spot frequented by families and tourism groups alike.

Speaking to Dublin Gazette, local Labour councillor Dermot Lacey said that acts such as this are “disgusting”.

He said: “I think it is disgusting – apart from the appalling messages, it will also cost money to clean it up.

“I have asked [for it to be] removed but I would also encourage walkers to report anything strange

that they see. These racist, nationalist homophobic vandals must be stopped.”

Dublin Port Company (DPC), who have responsibility for the maintenance of the lighthouse, told Dublin Gazette that as this is the second such incident in recent weeks, they are now reviewing the area to install CCTV cameras.

A spokesperson said: “The graffiti at the Great South Wall was widely reported on Twitter. DPC responded via Twitter to advise our maintenance teams would attend [on Monday].

“This is the second incident to happen in recent weeks; as a result of this, our security manager and

head of properties are now reviewing the area to install CCTV [cameras]. “[The cameras] will be then monitored by our port security teams 27/7 via our port operations CCTV Control Room.

“The public can continue to contact DPC via our social media channels, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, and also through our corporate website and through our main reception desk at 01 887 6000.”

An image shared to social media by DPC showed the walls of the lighthouse cleared of graffiti, with the company sharing their thanks to those who reported the vandalism to them through social media.

Depaul delighted as 30 people housed HOMELESS charity Depaul has revealed that it helped source ‘move-on’ accommodation for more than 30 people living in Direct Provision in Dublin in 2019.

The charity provided in-reach support to Balseskin and Hatch Hall accommodation centres as part of an initiative that was set up by the Department of Justice and Equality.

Depaul worked with families and individuals who have been granted legal sta-

tus to remain in Ireland.

Depaul’s chief executive, David Carroll, said: “We are aware through our own research that there are people who have previously been in Direct Provision accessing homeless accommodation.

“That is why we feel this initiative is so important, as it mitigates the risk of people ending up in homeless services once they have been given the legal right to stay in Ireland.

“There are challenges in sourcing accommodation for everyone in the current housing market, but those leaving accommodation centres face particular challenges including language difficulties and issues filling out forms.

“To see people and families finally have a place to call home here in Ireland after many years of waiting, and to know we played a part in that, is a great thing.”

THE NATIONAL Theatre School of Ireland opened its doors to a series of Hollywood heavyweights on February 6, including Irish actor Michael Fassbender.

The award-winning actor came to visit the Gaiety School of Acting to speak to its two-year, full-time Actor Training programme students.

Fassbender was in town to promote his film, Calm with Horses, alongside agent and producer Conor McCaughan, from Troika Talent, and screenwriter Joe Murtagh, both of whom were also in Dublin for the premiere of the film.

The drama stars several Gaiety School graduates such as Ned Dennehy, David Wilmot, Simone Kirby, and Toni O’Rourke.

As a Friend of the School, Fassbender engaged with the students to provide knowledge from his extensive career to the class, emphasising the importance in self-belief, and hard work.

€10,000 awarded to school THE WINNERS of the Aldi Play Rugby sticker competition have been announced, with one school in Inchicore taking home a €10,000 prize.

The competition gave every primary school in the country the chance of winning one of two €50,000 sports facility makeovers.

While they didn’t win the €50,000 prize, Scoil Mhuire Gan Smál in Inchicore were one of 10 runners up who won €10,000 to go towards improving their sports facilities.

The competition will return for 2020, with primary schools able to enter by collecting 300 of Aldi’s Irish rugby Men’s and Women’s stickets for their primary school.

Shoppers collect one sticker for every €30 they spend until April 24. More than 109,000 children from more than 1,200 primary schools across the country took part in 2019.

6 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 12 March 2020

GALLERIES OF THE WEEK

Oisin and John Hogarty

Cara and Ted Clinton

Amelia and Jack O’Connor with Lilly Hanney were dressed to impress as they attended the special preview screening of Disney Pixar’s Onwards in the Odeon Point Village. Pictures: Andres Poveda

Olivia and Philip Magee

Families delighted to go Onward to a film preview K IDS of all ages from across the city were happy to come along to the Odeon Point Village cinema for the special preview screening of Disney Pixard’s

Ava deLoughrey Lusk and Susan Heney

latest animated film, Onward.

Starring the voices of the likes of Tom Holland, Chris Pratt, Octavia Spencer and julia Louis-Dreyfus, the film follows two

very different elf brothers in a suburban fantasy world who set on a quest to bring back their deceased dad, with plenty of humour and high jinks in store.

Ellie, Kate and Mathew Mullens

Leon Stafford with Blaze and Maverick

Kirsten Rice with Topito and Kayden Samsung

Cian and Finn O’Brien with Sadhbh Finn

David and Lorraine Glynn with Leah and Reis

12 March 2020 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 7

COURTS: MAN SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR HIS ROLE IN TALLAGHT INCIDENT

Gang attack on home left family ‘terrorised’ A DUBLIN man has received a five and a half year prison sentence for taking part in an “animalistic” attack on a family home with around ten other men.

Judge Pauline Codd said that two adults and their two young children were left terrorised when a gang of men, most of them with their faces covered with balaclavas and hoods, came to their home at Ardmore Park, Tallaght,Dublin at around midnight on October 9, 2018.

The group, which included Anthony McNamara (27) of nearby Ard Mor Drive, began

breaking up a wooden fence outside the house and smashing up the outside of the house.

One wooden post was put through the front window of the house.

McNamara himself was armed with a machete and at one point he picked up a child’s scooter from the front garden and threw it at the female resident.

During the violent melee the woman was hit across the head but she couldn’t remember who hit her.

Detective Garda David Jennings gave evidence that when gardai arrived at the scene they

found a black car damaged.

Inside the house they met the adults and two children who were extremely upset and crying hysterically.

After a trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court a jury found McNamara guilty of engaging in violent disorder, producing a machete during a dispute, and criminal damage of the front window.

Keith Spencer BL, defending, said his client continues to deny he was part of the group that attacked the house.

In a victim impact statement the woman described the attack

as “animalistic” and said “all I did was stop an argument”. She said as a result of her injuries she couldn’t open her mouth for eight months.

“I have no hate for Anthony, I know he is a product of his environment,” she said. McNamara’s 18 previous convictions include drug dealing, burglary and throwing of missiles.

Judge Codd said that this was a sinister attack with a significant degree of violence involving the use of a machete and improvised weapons.

She said the violence continued even after the homeowners

retreated into the house, with the attackers banging on the door.

She said this was “essentially an inter-familial dispute that got out of hand”.

She noted McNamara has some drug abuse and anger issues and suspended the final six months of the sentence on condition he keep the peace.

This sentence will run concurrent to a three year prison term imposed on him last December for a prolonged assault on a young man at Ardmore Park on August 27, 2018.

Both sentences were backdated to run from October 2018.

St Vincent’s join in with the Fyffes Fit Squad fun to stay healthy

FASTNews Over €130k paid in Temple Bar claims NEW figures have shown that Dublin City Council has paid out more than €130,000 in compensation claims for incidents in Temple Bar. The compensation claims date from 2015 to 2018, with nearly €110,000 paid out in 2016.

Figures released to the Irish Independent show that 22 claims were made in a three-year period to Dublin city council.

However, the council did not release settlement figures for three of the cases.

The figures show more than €10,000 was paid out in claims in 2015. There was a drop in 2017, with just €553 paid; however, in 2018, damages rose again to €8,500.

Thousands run to help the homeless MORE than 2,500 people gathered in the Phoenix Park last Saturday for the 37th annual Simon Home Run, which aims to raise vital funds for people at risk of or experiencing homelessness.

Speaking at the event, Dublin Simon Community’s chief executive, Sam McGuinness said: “We would like to give our warmest thanks to our committed supporters who came out in their droves to join our community in supporting those who never get a day off from their plight.

“The vital funds raised will go a long way in helping to rebuild the lives of people trapped in homelessness.”

FITNESS and healthy eating should start at a young age – that’s the message children at St Vincent’s Special School on the Navan Road heard at a recent ‘Fit Squad’ interactive health and fitness session hosted by their school.

Delivered by fitness expert Tom Dalton and supported by Fyffes, the visit saw some 90 pupils from junior infants to sixth class participate in the active workouts.

The workouts on offer included advice on healthy eating, demonstrations of exercises young people should do, as well as some great tips on how to use leisure time to stay physically fit.

Schools and sports clubs interested in receiving a similar visit can find details online at www.fyffesfitsquad.ie.

Sewage overflow the cause of Nanniken River pollution RACHEL D’ARCY

A MINOR river on the north side has become impacted by a sewer blockage, resulting in the water becoming toxic to dogs and brown in colour.

The Nanniken River, at St Anne’s Park, has been impacted by a sewerage overflow in recent weeks, with many locals who enjoy the park claiming that they thought the discolouration was because of mud and recent bad weather.

Images shared by the Enjoying St Anne’s

Park group show that the water has become a murky brown-grey colour, with safety cones and signage in situ around the impacted body of water.

Some dog walkers reported that their pooches were acting out of sorts after being in contact with the water, prior to safety notices being installed near the river. However, no dog has yet been reported as having a lasting sickness.

Irish Water issued a statement regarding the issues, saying that they were investigating the cause surrounding the blockage.

It said: “Irish Water is aware of a sewage

overflow into the Nanniken river in St Anne’s Park. Irish Water, in partnership with Dublin City Council (DCC), is carrying out investigations into the cause of the overflow.

“A blockage suspected to be located in a syphon under the river is the likely cause of this overflow. The removal of this blockage is complex, given its location, and crews are onsite working to unblock the syphon as quickly and as safely as possible.

“It will be necessary to empty an underground sewage tank so that crews can access the blockage in order to remove it. The health

and safety of the crews involved in this work is paramount.

“The Environmental Protection Agency, Inland Fisheries Ireland and other stakeholders have been notified of the incident.”

In a statement to Dublin Gazette, a DCC spokesperson said: “Water Pollution Control (WPC) received a pollution incident report from a member of the public.

“WPC has blocked the Nanekin River from supplying the pond waters in St Anne’s Park.

No wildlife kill has been identified. The issue is still being resolved on site.”

8 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 12 March 2020

CARE: BODIES WORKING TOGETHER TO ADDRESS SUSTAINABILITY

HSE, St John of God work on funding crisis RACHEL D’ARCY

SAINT John of God Community Services (SJOGCS) has written to its staff, patients and volunteers to notify them of an escalating funding crisis within the organisation.

The board of directors have told those supported

by SJOGCS, their families and staff that unless the HSE respond to them ‘appropriately’ by March 20, they may be forced to serve 12 months’ notice of termination of service.

Clare Dempsey, the chief executive of SJOGCS, said the board are acutely aware of their fiduciary responsibilities and, in the absence of proper funding, are currently unable to execute their responsibilities.

Dempsey said: “We will continue to seek what must be a sustainable solution in order to continue providing vital services to those who rely on it.

“In the event of the termination of the Service Arrangement next year, we are committed to the orderly transfer of service

responsibility to the HSE in order to minimise the level of disruption to the children and adults supported by the services, their families and staff.”

The consequences of termination of the service would see a transfer of responsibility for the provision of services from SJOGCS to the HSE, and would result in the winding up of the company.

Deficit SJOGCS has identified a need for an additional €27.5m in 2020 and the requirement for the HSE to address the accumulated deficit of €33.4m, built up over the past six years.

SJOGCS provides residential, day and respite services to children and adults with an intellectual disability across Dublin and other counties in the east.

It also provides community mental health services to children, adolescents and adults with mental illness in Dublin and Wicklow.

SJOGCS has said in a

Daffodil Day called off over safety fears

According to Saint John of God Community Services, they have identified a need for an additional €27.5m in 2020 to address funding concerns

statement that they have engaged extensively with the HSE over the past several years, and has alerted them to the potential termination of Service Agreement and transfer of services.

According to SJOGCS, the State – through the HSE – has “not acknowl-

edged the seriousness of the implications” of the underfunding of services.

In response to a query from Dublin Gazette, a HSE spokesperson said: “‘The HSE is working with St John of God Community Services in relation to ensuring the sustainability of services and supports for

vulnerable adults and children.

“This support follows an agreed action plan developed in order to ensure sustainability in terms of future provision.

“This process is ongoing at present between St John of God Community Services and the HSE’.”

Free support helpline launched for older people to help tackle Coronavirus fears PADRAIG CONLON

A CHARITY has launched a national support line for older people who are worried about the Coronavirus outbreak.

ALONE, the organisation that supports older people, has set up the free helpline in collaboration with the Department of Health and the HSE. The helpline complements the clinical advice and information being provided by the HSE through its website and helpline.

Professional staff are available to answer queries regarding Covid-19 – commonly known as the Coronavirus – and give advice and reassurance where necessary.

Sean Moynihan, the chief exec-

FASTNews

utive of ALONE, hopes the free helpline will provide vital support for older people.

He said: “The World Health Organisation advises us to be smart and inform ourselves about Covid-19, and to be kind and support one another.

“This free support helpline provides additional information supports for older people who may have concerns or support needs; it is led by our voluntary sector, who provide invaluable work with communities, and is working as part of our co-ordinated national response to Covid-19.

“We are ramping up our response to Covid-19 to provide support to all older people nationwide, working in collaboration

with the Department of Health and the HSE. “As the situation develops, as well as advice, information and emotional supports, we will ensure every older person will have access to food, medication, fuel, daily contact, and any other support that may be needed.

“We want to emphasise that these supports are free, and are available to all older people, including those who have not previously used our services.

“Should any older person need any advice or practical support, we encourage them to call us at the free helpline, at

0818 222 024.

“As the situation develops, we may need to call on civic organisations to support our work.

“At the moment, the risk of contracting Covid-19 – the Coronavirus – is low to moderate.

“In line with HSE advice, older people should continue to carry out their daily activities as normal while taking the appropriate preventative measures, including regular washing of hands and practicing cough etiquette,” he said.

The free support line is open from Monday to Friday, 8am-8pm, by calling 0818 222 024.

THE Irish Cancer Society has cancelled its main fundraising event, Daffodil Day, due to public health concerns.

Averil Power, chief executive of the charity, said the decision was taken to cancel all street collections and events scheduled for March 27.

She said: “We have made this decision to protect the health and wellbeing of our patients, volunteers and supporters.

“We also want to focus all our energies on providing cancer patients and their families with the information, advice and support they need at this time.”

Daffodil Day, supported by Boots Ireland, is the Irish Cancer Society’s biggest fundraiser, taking place each year in March.

Funds raised go towards supporting cancer patients and their loved ones by providing free advice and support, as well as by funding life-saving cancer research.

Could you Graduation escort a ceremonies Tralee Rose? cancelled THE deadline to apply to become a Rose of Tralee escort for the 2020 competition is March 20.

Last year’s Rose of Tralee, Dr Sinead Flanagan, and the Rose Escort of the Year, Jamie Flannery, are calling for gentlemen in Dublin to become a Rose Escort for this year’s festival, which takes place from August 21 to 25.

Dr Flannery said: “It’s been an absolutely fantastic experience, to date, and we’re only halfway through the [Rose] year.

“The week in Tralee last August was a phenomenal experience. I’ve made friends for life in the Roses, and in the Rose Escort class of 2019, from all over the world – and it hasn’t stopped there.

“Since August, I’ve been lucky enough to get the opportunity to travel to Frankfurt for the Christmas markets and volunteer with Chernobyl Children International in Belarus.”

To apply before March 20 to become a Rose Escort, see www.roseoftralee.ie.

DCU has cancelled its Spring graduation ceremonies over Coronavirus fears.

The university made the announcement on Wednesday, March 11 to its undergraduate and postgraduate students, who were due to graduate on March 21.

DCU president Professor Brian MacCraith confirmed an alternative date for the graduations will be decided on over the coming months.

In a statement, he said: “Following extensive consultation involving the senior management of the university, and in careful consideration of a range of factors associated with the evolving Covid-19 situation, both nationally and internationally, the university has regretfully decided to postpone the Spring graduation ceremonies that had been scheduled for March 21.”

“The university regrets any inconvenience caused to graduates, their families and guests, and trusts that [they] will understand why this decision has been made,” said Prof MacCraith.

12 March 2020 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 9

COUNTRY SET TO MARK TRAGEDY

A day to reflect on The Great Famine “

Schools around the country will be invited to hold a minute of silent reflection on Friday, May 22

Treasure hunters set to help sick kids TEMPLE Street Children’s Hospital ambassador and rugby legend Jamie Heaslip joined little Lily Quintana Morel (4), and Hazel Ahern, AIB, at CHI at Temple Street recently, where the trio were helping to launch this year’s

Techies4TempleStreet charity treasure trail. Techies 2020 takes place later this Summer on Friday, June 19, supported by lead sponsor AIB, and will see more than 1,600 team members of Ireland’s tech and business sectors compete in

a treasure trail across the city – to help support Temple Street and some of the country’s sickest children. To register your team, see techies4templestreet. ie or call Temple Street Foundation at 01 878 4344. Picture: Andres Poveda

THE Department for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht has announced that the National Famine Commemoration will take place in Buncrana, Co Donegal on Sunday, May 24.

Minister for Culture Josepha Madigan, chair of the National Famine Commemoration Committee, declared the news last week.

This is the third time the state commemoration has taken place in Ulster, with the ceremony giving people the opportunity to honour those who died or were forced to travel abroad as a result of The Great Famine (1845 to 1849).

The commemoration will culminate in a solemn wreath-laying ceremony

in the town.

Schools around the country will be invited to hold a minute of silent reflection on Friday, May 22 in memory of those who perished or suffered loss during the famine, while sporting organisations will be invited to observe a minute of silence at matches taking place over the weekend.

Minister Madigan said: “The National Famine Commemoration affords us an opportunity to pay tribute to the memory of

those who perished and suffered during that desolate time.

“The choice of Donegal as host for the 2020 commemoration is particularly significant, given the impact of poverty and emigration on the people of the county throughout the 19th Century.

“With many people living in small, one-room houses and increasingly reliant on their potato crops, the famine swept through Donegal, causing disease, death, family fragmentation and emigration.

“The commemoration will reflect on this momentous event in Irish history and remember all those who suffered as a result of An Gorta Mor [The Great Hunger].”

10 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 12 March 2020

GALLERIES OF THE WEEK

Fashionistas flock to the launch of style awards

F

ASHIONISTAS were out in force for the launch of this year’s Peter Mark VIP Style Awards, with the nominees and host for this year’s awards revealed at a launch in Cafe en Seine. Now in their 19th year, the Peter Mark VIP Style Awards are the only national celebration of Irish style, and have grown in prominence each year. This year, more than 100,000 votes are expected to be registered at www.pmvipstyleawards.ie, with the Irish public to decide who to recognise and celebrate across seven categories. The brand-new host, Doireann Garrihy, was on hand to talk about her excitement at presenting Ireland’s highestprofile style awards this year, in addition to also being a nominee in the Most Stylish Woman category.

Doireann Garrihy

Darren Kennedy

Blathnaid Treacy and Holly Carpenter

Ryan Andrews

Grainne Gallanagh

Helen Steel and Louise McSharry. Pictures: Brian McEvoy

12 March 2020 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 11

Danielle Macari, Stephanie Ricci and Maria Caschera

Susanna Lupo with Lorraine and Romina Tersigni

Kelly Rossi and Pina Borza. Pictures: Brian McEvoy

Pouring on the charm at a festival’s gala launch

A

CTORS Imogen Poots and Senan Jennings were happy to pose for a red-carpet shot at the recent gala opening screening of Vivarium at Cineworld, leading the way for this year’s Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival 2020.

The new film, which features both of the actors, is about a young couple looking for the perfect home, but who find themselves trapped in a mysterious labyrinth-like neighbourhood of identical houses. Picture: Brian McEvoy

Enrico and Rita Macari

S

Luigi Iacobelli and Stefania Borza

TRIKING Italian style was to the fore at a glam night out at the Ballsbridge Hotel recently, where the black-tie Club Italiano Irlanda Gala Ball 2020 was in full swing. The annual Irish-Italian gathering has come a long way since its first dance – held in Clery’s ballroom in 1950 – but attendees have always been immaculately turned out for the popular gathering.

A particular highlight of the ball was the presentation to Gino Di Mascio for his part in the organisation of the first dance, and for his life-long commitment to the Italian community. The Italian ambassador, His Excellency Paolo Serpi, paid tribute to Mr Di Mascio and the 300-plus assembled Irish, Italian, Irish-Italian and other ball supporters who were making the event such a resounding success yet again.

Mark Laird and Gino Di Mascio

An Italian gathering to savour

12 DUBLIN GAZETTE 12 March 2020

digital

Fall in love with YOUR local paper on our newly improved website www.dublingazette.com, Facebook and Twitter

DublinGazette Wherever you are, we’ve got you covered

For all digital enquiries contact JPMontgomery@dublingazette.com

12 March 2020 DUBLIN GAZETTE 13

STYLE: A DEEPER SHADE OF BLUE:

TRAVEL

MAGAZINE

THE NEW AUDI 26 WOWS P22

DUBLIN

STAYCATION: Looking for a great family getaway? You’ll find a fabulous pool – and much more to delight – just down the road in Kilkenny, with a great Easter break hotel stay SEE P22



CLASSIC Blue is the 2020 colour of the year, meaning we’re about to see it hit the High Street in a big way.

Already, hues of royal navy, crisp ocean-like blues and other beautiful blue shades have crept into the style book for many stores.

We’ve picked out some of our fave blues on offer ...

PAGE 21

LET DUBLIN GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS TAKE YOU ON A TOUR OF THE NEWS AND EVENTS ACROSS THE CITY AND COUNTY

Celebrate a little-known Irish innovator PADRAIG CONLON

A NEW play coming to Dublin next week aims to shed light on the life and legacy of a truly exceptional Irish woman.

Despite being a pioneering organic chemical compound scientist who proved the benzene ring is flat, Kathleen Lonsdale (1903-1971) remains largely unknown by the Irish public.

The Lonsdale Project, written and directed by Sian Ni Mhuiri, is a new theatre show for young people from the ages of 11 years plus that aims to change all that.

The play connects science with real events and spotlights the fascinating story of Lonsdale, who was a prominent chemist, crystallographer, anti-war campaigner, writer, mother, and former inmate of Holloway Prison.

This co-production with Riverbank Arts Centre and theatre

production company, Super Paua, will celebrate her life, her writings, and her adventures in areas such as x-ray diffraction, crystallography and passivism.

Following the play’s recent world premiere at Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge (the town where Lonsdale was born in 1903), it transfers to Smock Alley Theatre to run from Thursday, March 19 to Saturday, March 28.

Actors The play features three of Ireland’s top young rising actors – Clondalkin native, Hazel Clifford, who recently featured in The Gate Theatre’s hit adaptation of Roddy Doyle’s The Snapper; her fellow Dubliner, Graeme Coughlan, who appeared in The Collector; and Aoife Spratt, who has worked on RTE’s Republic of Telly, and recently in Dave Minogue’s feature film, Poster Boys.

Dublin Gazette caught up with Hazel ahead of next week’s opening night in Smock Alley.

She said: “I’m so excited to be involved with this play as I’ve never done anything like this before.

“I’ve never done children’s theatre so it’s going to be a wonderful new experience to be engaging with young children.

“I really hope they like this play – the story of Kathleen Lonsdale is so important; she was such a fantastic, amazing woman who was way ahead of her time.

“Like so many Irish people, I’d never heard about her before I did this play. She believed in the power we have to change the world – something which is really needed today.

“The story of her life is truly inspiring,” she said.

You can see a longer interview online at DublinGazette.com.

Actors Graeme Coughlan, Hazel Clifford and Aoife Spratt – all ready to help bring the little-known life and achievements of pioneering Irish scientist Kathleen Lonsdale to life

14 DUBLIN GAZETTE 12 March 2020

DUBLIN GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS I N F O R M AT I O N

A WRY LOOK AT SOME OF THE

Heritage House, Dundrum, Dublin 14 Tel: 01 - 6010240 Dublin Gazette Newspapers publishes four weekly quality free titles, covering the latest news, sport, entertainment and lifestyle from the four local authority areas of Dublin

BUILDING A BETTER FUTURE FOR KIDS C O N TA C T S Managing Director: Michael McGovern mmcgovern@dublingazette.com Commercial Director: Liz Ferris lferris@dublingazette.com Acting Interim Group Editor & Travel Editor: Shane Dillon sdillon@dublingazette.com Sports Editor: Stephen Findlater sfindlater@dublingazette.com Production Editor: Jessica Maile jmaile@dublingazette.com Picture Editor: Alison O’Hanlon picturedesk@dublingazette.com Online & Style Editor: Rachel D’Arcy rdarcy@dublingazette.com Advertising Sales:

01 - 6010240 sales@dublingazette.com

FIND US ON

www.dublingazette.com Dublin Gazette Newspapers Ltd. Terms and Conditions for acceptance of advertisements Reserve the right to omit or suspend or alter any advertisement(s) in any of its publications. We also decline any responsibility in the event of one or more of a series of advertisements being omitted for any reason whatever, nor do we accept liability for any loss or damage caused by an error or inaccuracy in the printing of any advertisement. If your advertisement appears incorrectly, contact the Advertising Department immediately, as responsibility cannot be accepted for more than one week’s incorrect insertion. Responsibility cannot be accepted if the complaint is made more than two weeks after insertion. If one places an advertisement for more than one week and then cancels it after the first week, no refund or credit will be given for weeks cancelled. The advertiser undertakes to indemnify the Proprietors against any liability for any civil action arising out of the publication of the advertisement or any other matter printed or published in the City Gazette, Fingal Gazette, South Gazette and West Gazette. The placing of an order or contract will be deemed an acceptance of these conditions.

WOMEN working on the new national children’s hospital project at the St James’s 12-acre site gathered last week to show solidarity with International Women’s Day 2020.

Pictured are staff from the National

Paediatric Hospital Development Board, Childrens Health Ireland, the design team and contractors working on the construction of the hospital.

Women are key members of a huge range of related fields at the ambitious build, including

LA police forced to ask thief to bring back a carjacked body POLICE in Los Angeles were forced to issue a tweet asking for a person who carjacked a hearse to return a coffin with a body inside, following the hearse’s theft from outside a Greek Orthodox church in Pasadena on February 27 while the attendant was inside the church.

The Sheriff’s office tweeted: “To the suspect(s) driving around in a black Lincoln Navigator stolen [in] Pasadena: Out of all the bad decisions you have made, at least make one good one and bring back the deceased person and casket inside the Navigator.”

A witness reported seeing the vehicle the next morning, with Los Angeles police pursuing the hearse on the freeway until it crashed a short time later.

The body and casket were found undisturbed in the back of the crashed car.

scaffolders, architects, health and safety officers, quantity surveyors and engineers, consultants, nurses, HR and financial professionals and administrators to name but a few sectors at the gradually rising new hospital. Picture: Jason Clarke

You can get your mayo by the SLICE, thanks to Japan CALLING all mayonnaise lovers – a Japanese company has unveiled the latest innovation in condiments, by selling mayonnaise slices.

That’s right – you can buy slices of mayonnaise, made for sandwiches, if you’re tired of using the traditional means of putting mayonnaise on bread.

Japan’s Bourbon Company began selling the product on March 2, with slices similar to an individually-wrapped piece of cheese.

The company instructs consumers to put the slice of mayo on bread and then warm both, meaning it shouldn’t be eaten straight from the plastic.

There are currently two flavours of the mayonnaise slices on offer – a tuna ,flavour and another with hints of ‘spicy fish’.

Both flavours come with four slices per package, and cost ¥200 (c. €1.67), though sadly they’re not available to buy in Ireland just yet!

DOG OF THE WEEK DUBLIN GAZETTE has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for lost and abandoned dogs.

This week’s dog of the week is Ivy, a sweet and affectionate five-yearold Husky cross girl who loves belly rubs from everyone she meets.

She can form strong attachments with people – so, ideally, she is looking for a home where there is someone always there to keep her company.

Ivy has a lovely, playful personality and had great fun with her toys.

She would benefit from positive

reward-based training to help her behave calmly around other dogs, and also with handling by vets.

If you have room in your heart and home for Ivy, 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 www.facebook.com/dogstrustirelandonline or Twitter @ DogsTrust_IE. (Remember: Always have your dog on a lead when in public.)

ivy

12 March 2020 DUBLIN GAZETTE 15

ODD THINGS THAT CAUGHT OUR EYE THIS WEEK

Barking mad vote sees a dog end up as mayor A DOG in Colorado received a prestigious honour recently, when he was sworn in as the honourary mayor of his town.

Parker the Snow Dog, dressed in a patriotic tie and becoming glasses, was voted into the position of mayor of Georgetown unanimously on February 11.

The pooch and his pawl i c i e s p rove d p o p u l a r amongst humans, which included bringing “hugs, love, and cookies to the people of Georgetown”.

Parker’s inauguration ceremony took place at Georgetown Community Center, with Clear Creek County sharing some adorable pictures from the ceremony on Facebook.

The caption of the pictures read: “It was a packed house Tuesday night at the Georgetown Community Center for Parker’s inauguration ceremony.

BITS & BOBS

THIS WEEK’S TOP TWEETS Today I completed a chore I have been putting off for six months. It took 15 minutes. I will learn nothing from this. @ashleyn1cole

Liverpool have now lost to Atletico, Watford and Chelsea since the young fella in Donegal wrote to Jürgen Klopp.

“Local law enforcement, citizens of Georgetown and fans of Parker the Snow Dog attended the event. Police Judge Lynette Kelsey administered the Mayor oath to Parker.”

Parker – with more than 6,700 likes on his own Facebook page – now keeps his constituents up to date by sharing ‘MayorMonday’ content, thoroughly enjoying his new role.

The RTE archives report of the first McDonald’s opening in the Soviet Union looks like it could be the opening of @newschambers Phibsboro Shopping Centre.

Brutalist architecture knows Setting up an online- no bounds. only dating facility for @Aislingonline everyone who can’t leave the house while we’re Just found out my all in self-isolation and mum is actually Daniel Day calling it Quarantinder.

Lewis preparing for a role. @Ciaraioch

@fairycakes

16 DUBLIN GAZETTE 12 March 2020

12 March 2020 DUBLIN GAZETTE 17

ENTERTAINMENT

GOINGOUTOUT

WHAT’S BIG IN MUSIC, CINEMA, TV AND MORE

Disney+ reveals a AN INSIGHTUL LIBRARIAN’S OUTLOOK massive content line-up for launch RACHEL D’ARCY

WITH just days to go before Disney+ launches in Ireland, the latest streaming service to hit the Irish market has revealed its full line-up of content.

Launching on March 24, there will be more than 500 movies, 350 television and cartoon series, and 26 exclusive Disney+ Originals available from some of Disney’s biggest brands, including Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars.

If you’re more of a Pixar fan, some of the biggest Pixar movies will be available, injecting a healthy hint of nostalgia into our streaming schedules.

Some of the top Pixar offerings include Inside Out, Cars, The Incredibles, Ratatouille, and Up. Marvel fans can also rejoice as the biggest films in the franchise hit the platform, such as the cult favourite Avengers: Age of Ultron, the Iron Man trilogy, all

Lilo & Stitch

There will also be more than 600 episodes of The Simpsons, thanks to Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox. Some of Disney’s most beloved classics will also be available to stream for the first time, including animations such as Oliver & Company, Lilo & Stitch, Hercules, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty.

Iconic series from Disney will also be available, with a few of our top picks including Boy Meets World, Wizards of Waverly Place, Lizzie McGuire, and That’s So Raven.

three Captain America movies, and the X-Men series. There will also be dozens of Marvel series available to stream.

If you’ve seen or heard of Baby Yoda during the past few months, and wanted to find out where he originated from, now’s your chance – a host of Star Wars content will be available on Disney+, including The Mandalorian, starring none other than Baby Yoda himself. There will also be the entire Star Wars series of films, as well as television content and shorts from the Star Wars universe.

For further information on what else is coming to Disney+, and how to sign up, see preview.disneyplus.com/ ie.

Baby Yoda in The Mandalorian

‘A social justice fire is burning in me’, Laura muses  JAMES HENDICOTT

L I B R A R I A N by d ay, ambitious and imaginative songwriter by night, Laura Elizabeth Hughes is working on the idea of her twin passions meeting in the middle.

She’s always been into writing. Lyricism is key to her work, but she also jots ideas in the more conventional sense, and is working on bringing her music, and other music, into libraries, too.

Her passions make for a disparate fusion, but it’s one that’s working: the Dubliner’s YouTube channel is closing in on three million views, her music giving that sense of an ambient canvas against which her voice can paint a stark, emotive picture.

“Lyrics are something people will take different things from,” she tells us.

“People connect in different ways, and it’s very personal to me. The human condition can be very individual, but also universal, so I think I just have to put myself out there and hope it connects.

“It’s a singles and EPs game at the moment, but I’m focusing on getting back into the game. There might be an album one day, but 8, 10, 12 tracks is a lot to ask.”

There’s a philosophy to the way Hughes has risen in recent months, and it’s one, perhaps unwittingly, that might sound familiar to fans of the comedian Danny Wallace.

Wallace, feeling frustrated with life, decided to say yes to ... well, pretty much anything he was asked.

The resulting book led to a Hollywood movie,

and changed his life.

“I’ve been of the mind, since summer last year, to just say ‘Yes’ to things,” Hughes says, echoing Wallace’s thesis.

“It’s created some wonderful opportunities. I spend my days in Dublin libraries, telling stories to kids all day. Two years in libraries has opened my eyes.

“The kind of people who go to libraries, there can be a lot of outreach, and it opens your eyes to privilege and changes your worldview.

“I write a lot of unpublished stuff, and there’s

a real social justice fire burning in me at the moment.”

In fact, Hughes adds, she could easily release

an album if it were only down to having the music.

It’s a question of both sticking to the very highest quality stuff, and

keeping some of the tracks to herself.

“Sligo Tourism asked me to use a song on their adverts, which was a bit

CINEMA | PARASITE STARTLES

SINCE snagging the Best Picture Oscar at this year’s ceremony, the hype surrounding director Boon Joon Ho’s Koreanlanguage black comedy thriller, Parasite (Cert 16, 135m) has been second to none.

With films receiving as much buzz as Parasite has, it’s only natural for some scepticism to be present.

What if the film doesn’t

live up to the praise it’s garnered?

Thankfully, from the opening scene right until the credits, the storytelling in Parasite grips your attention, drawing you into the world of both the Park and Kim families.

Although it’s a subtitled film, the humorous moments and slightly more terrifying moments don’t fail to translate for a second, with the content of the movie – think of searching high and low

for a WiFi signal – applicable to all cultures in 2020.

It starts off somewhat slowly, painting a near idyllic tale of a destitute family – the Kim family – managing to secure jobs working for the prestigious Park household, albeit through a level of deceit (think: poisoning the housekeeper to secure a job for their mother, or forging university documents).

With the matriarch of the Park family seem-

ble-write’ a lot in my journal, and the subject matter informs my music.”

Speaking about her forthcoming headline

Are you part of the 37% of Irish people using podcasts?

Latches onto viewers with chilling effect RACHEL D’ARCY

of a no-brainer for me,” she says of a busy year.

“But a lot of my work is about writing and never makes it to music. I ‘ram-

show in The Sound House – part of a longer headline tour – Hughes admits there is a pressure.

“I’ve played there as a support slot before,” she says, “but that’s different – you can just play and there’s no real pressure.

“I do worry it’s just me and my guitar, playing quiet music, and that I might be swallowed up.

“There’s more pressure with headlining, but you do at least know that they’re there for you, which is nice, too.

“I’ve only just started doing [a] full bands show, and I do like the idea of having two ways of playing – one that’s just me, and one that’s a bit more.

“At the moment, it’s all about milestones and hitting those little moments.

I have my goals, but they’re not about those big ideas of success, they’re more about crossing little borders. I want to connect.”

Laura Elizabeth Hughes plays the Sound House, Eden Quay on April 9. Tickets, priced at €12.50, are on sale now.

GARY IBBOTSON

A poor family, the Kims, try to turn their lives around in Parasite – but matters soon start getting out of hand ...

ing somewhat absentminded, and her husband seemingly heartless as well, you find yourself rooting for the Kims, wanting them to succeed and climb out of the poverty that they’ve managed to find themselves in, even if it means betraying their employers.

Things take a sudden turn, however, just when

the Kims manage to get settled and the viewer finds a comfort with the story so far.

The aforementioned housekeeper makes her return to reveal a grisly secret, with the entire movie taking a deep, dark tumble into darkness from that point forward.

Nothing about the plot or its storytelling feels

forced, with everything progressing naturally with a dark humour and a degree of suspense looming in the background.

That suspense is what makes the ending of Parasite one of the best movie endings in the past few years.

You’re aware something is looming, but you could never expect the incred-

ibly grisly, yet somewhat comedic ending and the subsequent dreamlike telling of the final moments of the film.

In all, Parasite isn’t for the faint of heart, particularly in the latter half of the film, but it’s a definite must-see.

There’s a reason it won Best Picture at the recent Oscars, after all!

OVER the past decade or so, the popularity of podcasts has risen like a bottle of cola when it meets a Mentos, or Roy Keane’s rage when he sees a footballer with a fashionable haircut – it’s rocketed, quickly!

Last year, Spotify and Apple announced they hosted more than 500,000 different podcasts on their respective platforms – and it’s estimated there are currently more than 700,000 being made worldwide.

There are roughly 29 million different podcast episodes ready for your consumption.

The most popular podcast in the world, The Daily, by The New York Times, has amassed more than one billion streams since its launch in January 2017. Ireland is no stranger to the expansive world of the podcast, too.

Last June, it was reported that 37% of Irish people listen to podcasts – only third in the world behind Spain and South Korea – and, in 2016, the Dublin Podcast Festival was founded, running every year since.

So, here at Dublin Gazette, rather than overload you with a huge list of podcasts, we’ve just picked out a couple of great Irish

podcasts to listen to, in no particular order, which should be well worth a listen.

(Disclaimer: Not included on this list are the more well-known shows such as Second Captains, and The Blindboy podcast. They’re great podcasts, but we feel it’s important to give more obscure productions a spotlight) No Encore A music-focused podcast hosted by journalist Dave Hanratty and Craig Fitzpatrick, No Encore is a fun, meandering show which sees the hosts discuss and analyse the latest music news, review new releases and interview some of Ireland’s most intriguing musical acts.

Stardust, by TheJournal.ie Produced by TheJournal.ie, Stardust is a six-part podcast detailing the Stardust nightclub tragedy nearly 40 years on.

Survivors, families of victims, journalists and first-responders are all heard from in this exceptional podcast, which informs the listener of the devastating fire, its background and aftermath, including up to the present day and the new inquest launched by the Attorney General.

THE WHO, MARCH 18, 3Arena; Price: €69+ THE Who has one of the greatest rock legacies in music history – they’re one of the all-time great live bands, have sold more than 100 million records, including nine US and 10 UK top ten albums, and 14 UK top ten singles in a career spanning six decades.

Now, 55 years after they made their first recordings, The Who is back with their first new album in 13 years, entitled WHO.

MARCH 12 (Thursday) Ludovico Einaudi @ The Bord Gais Energy Theatre, SOLD OUT The Regrettes @ The Academy Green Room, €16

MARCH 13 (Friday) The Rifles @ The Workman’s Club, €16 Ludovico Einaudi @ The Bord Gais Energy Theatre, SOLD OUT Elvana @ The Academy, €25 Lethal Dialect @ The Button Factory, €18 Alternating Current Festival @ The Sound House, €22+ Country to Country Festival @ 3Arena, €53+ MARCH 14 (Saturday) Annie Mac @ The Guinness Storehouse, SOLD OUT Alternating Current Festival @ The Sound House, €22+ Nada Surf @ The Button Factory, €25 Country to Country Festival @ 3Arena, €53+ Leo Sayer @ The Bord Gais Energy Theatre, €45 Kormac @ Vicar Street, €30 The Stunning @ The Olympia Theatre, SOLD OUT MARCH 15 (Sunday) Alternating Current Festival @ The Sound House, €22+ Mount Alaska @ The Pepper Canister Church, €15 Country to Country Festival @ 3Arena, €53+ Lightning Seeds @ The Academy, €33 Andy Irvine + Paul Brady @ Vicar Street, €47 MARCH 16 (Monday) Colm Mac Con Iomaire @ Vicar Street, €28 Hip Hop Against Homelessness @ The Sugar Club, €15 Kila @ Merrion Square (early show), FREE YelaWolf @ The Academy, €27 Aslan @ The Olympia Theatre, €33 The Bonny Men @ Whelan’s, SOLD OUT Jamie Cullum @ Bord Gais Energy Theatre, €46+ MARCH 17 (Tuesday) Horslips @ The Olympia Theatre, €34 MARCH 18 (Wednesday) Andy Irvine + Paul Brady @ Vicar Street, €47 Grace Carter @ The Academy 2, €18

18 DUBLIN GAZETTE 12 March 2020

DUBLIN FOOD & TRAVEL

A GUIDE TO TEMPTING FOOD AND LOCATIONS

FOOD | PERFECT AS EASTER NEARS

You’ll spring for delicious lamb cutlets GARY IBBOTSON

SLIGHTLY longer days, slightly warmer rain and slightly brighter clouds can only mean one thing: Spring has arrived.

Although the weather might not have changed drastically from the dreary months of Winter, fresh produce certainly does.

Asparagus, rhubarb, scallions, new potatoes and strawberries are all freshest during the spring months and, with them, lamb is a fantastic accompaniment.

Beautifully tender and a sponge for flavour, lamb cutlets served with crusty bread and a light salad are a perfect dish for Easter and (hopefully) the brighter days ahead, with this recipe courtesy of Bord Bia sure to be a hit INGREDIENTS • 12 lamb cutlets, well trimmed • 2 tablesp olive oil • 2 garlic cloves, crushed • Finely grated rind and juice of 1 lemon • 1 teasp ground paprika • 2 teasp chopped fresh oregano or thyme • 1 teasp clear honey • Sea salt and freshly-ground black pepper • Serve with peach, soft cheese and rocket leaves, dressed with a little olive oil and lemon juice PREPARATION • Place the olive oil in a shallow non-metallic dish and add the garlic, lemon rind and juice, paprika, herbs and honey. Season to taste, and stir until well combined.

• Add the lamb, turning to coat, then set aside for at least 10 minutes or up to 24 hours covered with clingfilm in the fridge, if time allows. The longer you marinade, the better the flavour.

• When you are ready to cook, light the barbecue or pre-heat a griddle pan until smoking hot.

• Shake off the excess marinade from the lamb, put the lamb on the barbecue on medium-hot coals or on to the griddle pan.

• Cook for 6-8 minutes until cooked through, turning once. Remove from the heat and leave to rest for a couple of minutes.

• Serve the lamb with the salad and crusty bread.

Even by the increasingly great standards of hotel pools, Hotel Kilkenny’s has a real wow factor – just part of the hotel’s attractions

TRAVEL | FAMILIES ARE LIKELY TO LOVE THIS STAYCATION

Kilkenny getaway will really make a splash SHANE DILLON

Travel Editor WITH some people reluctant to travel abroad at the moment (see below), many others will be looking for a great staycaction instead.

Easter is always a popular time to get away from the city, and the fresh air from down the country may sound even more appealing than usual to us city slickers round about now.

If that sounds like you, why not head off to Kilkenny, where a thoroughly

comfortable family Easter break beckons?

The pretty town has been a hit with holidaymakers for many a long year, with a range of hotels popping up to meet demand.

Among these, the fourstar Hotel Kilkenny is sure to appeal to a family on the go, with the hotel offering a two or threenight Easter activity break for a family of four, with two children under 12 staying for free.

The staycation package includes accommodation in a spacious deluxe bed-

room, a full Irish breakfast each morning, and a two-course dinner on one evening in the hotel’s Pure bar.

You can also enjoy full use of the health and fitness club and pool, and full free access to the kids clubs, family swimming facilities and play areas.

The Kids Club at Hotel Kilkenny offers a wide range of activities, which are guaranteed to keep any four to 12-year-old entertained, with a Lego building challenge, foozeball knockout, bowling tournament, disco/karaoke night, cookie decorating, a movie night, tabletop pool

tournament, quiz night, arts & crafts and board game nights – phew!

The kids club is open every day during school holidays from 9.30am until 12.30pm, and again from 5-10pm, giving the grownups plenty of time to relax at the hotel, go shopping or explore Kilkenny.

Sealing the deal, the package is from just €350 for the two-night break, and from €450 for the three-night stay.

For further information on this great Easter Family break package, see Hotelkilkenny.ie.

COVID-19 claims an airline victim: Flybe TOURISTS around the world are nervously following COVID-19’s progress as it strikes at airline and tourism bodies just as much as at our human ones.

Flybe – the largest independent regional airline in Europe – made headlines late last week with its sudden collapse, with the impact of the Coronavirus dealing a death blow to the

already troubled airline.

Wobbling on the edge of collapse over the past year, Flybe had been battling a range of financial difficulties before the rise of the Coronavirus.

However, with airlines everywhere facing a tsunami of cancellations and passenger claims for refunds, Flybe buckled under the pressure, tempo-

rarily stranding passengers and plunging thousands of people out of work.

However, where Flybe has gone, others will follow – even the mightiest airlines are now busy cancelling or curtailing flights, or seeking to make savings to offset the devastating impact that COVID-19 is having on their fortunes.

It’s not just airlines, of course – the hotel, tourism and travel sectors are also under growing attack by the economic fallout.

Unfortunately, 2020 looks set to see more airlines and travel groups collapse, directly because of the tiny virus and its huge impact ...

12 March 2020 DUBLIN GAZETTE 19

GALLERIES OF THE WEEK

Bronwyn Toner, Alice McAleer, Yvonne McEvoy and Ramona Nicholas

Lauren Redmond and Vanessa McKay

Emelia Devlin and India Hill

Lorraine Keane with designer Deborah Veale and the models at the Irish Fashion Collective show at City Hall. Pictures:Brian McEvoy

High fashion takes over City Hall

A

WARD-WINNING designers Paul Costelloe and Don O’Neill headlined the fourth Irish Fashion Collective show, presented in association with Sherry Fitzgerald, which took place in City Hall recently.

Organised in aid of Saint Joseph’s Shankill, both Don and Paul – who previously featured individually – joined the cream of other leading Irish designers including

Don O’Neill and Pascal Guillermie

Deborah Veale, Louise Kennedy, Helen Cody, Lainey Keogh, Roisin Linnane, Melissa Curry and Sharon Hoey to showcase their Spring/Summer collections in the historic surroundings of City Hall.

All funds raised from the evening went to supporting Saint Joseph’s Shankill and its vision to lead the way in dementia care in Ireland.

Deborah Veale, Siobhan Grant and Mari O’Leary

Helen Cody and Rory Murphy

20 DUBLIN GAZETTE 12 March 2020

 YOUR DUBLIN

MAKE A BEELINE FOR THE DAY TO THESE AREAS

THERE AREN’T MANY CAPITAL CITIES WITH ACTUAL CASTLES IN THEIR SUBURBS – BUT MALAHIDE, DUBLIN CERTAINLY HAS ONE

DUBLIN MADE EASY A LOOK AT SOME OF THE CITY’S MOST POPULAR SUBURBS

WHETHER you’re a true-blue Dub, a blow-in culchie from down the country, or one of the many people from around the world who’ve made Dublin home, our fair city has a huge range of variety in its suburbs. However, many of us tend to just stay in the same old work-home, work-home cycle, and don’t explore the city much. So, this week, we present three suburbs that are well worth visiting.

RANELAGH

WITHIN walking distance of the city centre and full of great places to eat and drink, Ranelagh has undergone a massive change over the past 20 years.

In the pre-Celtic Tiger era, at the tail end of the 90s, Ranelagh was populated mainly by students and renters and along with its neighbour, Rathmines, it comprised the ‘flatland’ area of Dublin.

Since then, however, it’s changed quite a lot and is now one of the most expensive places to live in Dublin, and is now still a very trendy area to live in.

As well as all of its places to socialise in, Ranelagh has two great green areas, with Ranelagh Park and Belgrave Square.

SANDYMOUNT

A VILLAGE steeped in history, Sandymount is full of character and charm thanks to both its seaside location and wonderful old buildings.

James Joyce lived here, at Dromard Terrace, and he famously used Sandymount in his most well-known book, Ulysses.

At the opening of its third chapter we meet the main character Stephen Dedalus mid-thought strolling on Sandymount Strand.

You can follow in his footsteps on the promenade that still exists today while also admiring the striking Martello Tower, which was built in 1804.

MALAHIDE

WITH a medieval castle, marina and beach, the pretty coastal village of Malahide has a head start on most Dublin suburbs when it comes to amazing features.

Only a half an hour from the city centre, you’ll find every kind of shop imaginable, plus award-winning pubs and restaurants in this picturesque seaside village.

It can get very busy in the summer with tourists from all over the world, drawn to its charming streets and the sea.

The town also boasts some excellent toplevel golf courses, if that’s your thing.

Because its by the sea, there are also many great walking trails around the town and by the sea, too.

12 March 2020 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21

WHAT WONDERFUL WEARABLES

DUBLIN STYLE & HEALTH

STYLE | CHECK OUT THE COLOUR OF THE YEAR 2020 Blue Neck Scarf TK Maxx €5.99

Joe Browns

New Look Blue Puff Sleeve Denim Smock Dress €29.99 M&S Padded Plunge Swimsuit €40

New Look Blue D-Ring Belt High Waist Tapered Jeans €39.99

New Look Navy Faux Croc Tote Bag €29.99 Littlewoods Ireland V by Very Colorblock Chunky Trainer €42

TK Maxx Blue High Heeled Shoe £199

Dorothy Perkins Lola Skye Blue Sweater €32

Classic Blue  Rachel D’Arcy, Style Editor

PANTONE, the authority on all things colour, announced in late 2019 that their colour of the year for 2020 would be the fabulous Classic Blue.

In 2000, the Pantone Color Institute – commonly known as Pantone – created the Pantone Color of the Year as a trendsetting concept for branding, marketing and creativity

as a whole.

This year, Leatrice Eiseman, the executive director of Pantone, said that classic blue has been selected for the “consistency and confidence” that the colour expresses in a time “that requires trust and faith”.

“Imbued with a deep resonance, Classic Blue provides an anchoring foundation ... It encourages us to look beyond the obvious,” said Eiseman.

Fashion usually takes some inspiration from Pantone’s colour of the year for the Summer and Spring seasons, and this year is no exception.

There are hues of classic blue on offer across stores as we head into the next season, across garments, accessories, shoes and more.

Here are some of our top picks of the beautiful blue hues on offer across the board, inspired by the colour of the year.

BEAUTYBits Treat yourself with a five-star treatment THE WICKLOW Street Clinic is a five-star, awardwinning aesthetic clinic just off the hustle and bustle of Grafton Street.

Offering pure relaxation, the clinic is a proud Eminence Spa distributor, the organic brand direct from Hollywood that counts Jennifer Lawrence, Victoria Beckham and Madonna among its fans.

The brand plants a tree for every product sold - more than 14 million, to date - and uses solar and wind energy to create its products. They also use organic chemistry harnessed from plants to create alternatives to pharmaceutical skincare with the same results.

The clinic’s professional therapists are trained in CACI non-surgical facelifts, massage, Eminence organic facials, Q Fractional IPL laser facials, hair removal, microneedling, LED facials, the Plasma Pen facelift and are the only clinic in Ireland to have a Harley Street surgeon, Dr Roberto Viel, to carry out botox, profhilo and filler treatments.

The Wicklow Street Clinic won several awards last year and are nominated in the upcoming IMAGE Business of Beauty Awards.

For more details about the clinic, visit thewicklowstreetclinic.ie.

Catrice launch a PETA lipstick collaboration CHIC BUDGET brand Catrice have always been proudly cruelty-free - and now, they have the ultimate collection to prove it.

The ‘CATRICE loves PETA’ collection sees the brand partner with charity PETA to offer ten exclusive, limited-edition lipsticks, available throughout March from Penneys.

The charity lipstick is 100% vegan, containing absolutely no animal ingredients, including carmine (pigments derived from scale insects for red hues). In addition, 10% of the net proceeds of the lipstick sales benefit PETA’s animal welfare initiatives.

SKINCARE | SLEEP IS KEY FOR YOUR OVERALL HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Be sure to take care of your skin this World Sleep Day RACHEL D’ARCY

WORLD SLEEP DAY is on March 13, which aims to celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of sleep.

We spend up to a third of our lives sleeping, but 35% of people do not feel they get enough of it, impacting both their physical and mental health. A lack of sleep can also be a major contributing factor in accelerating some of the premature signs of ageing.

World Sleep Day is organised by the World Sleep Day Committee of the World Sleep Society, with the intention to help lessen the burden

of sleep problems on society through better prevention and management of sleep disorders.

World Sleep Day is held the Friday before Spring Vernal Equinox of each year Image Skincare have created a mask that aims to help maximise every minute of your beauty sleep: the Vital C Hydrating Overnight Masque.

This product works while you slumber so you can wake up to glowing, hydrated and healthylooking skin, making it the perfect thing to sample this World Sleep Day, and beyond.

The Vital C Hydrating Overnight Masque is priced at €62 and has a triple mineral complex that energises the skin for a revitalised look.

The gel-texture delivers water to the skin and locks in vital nutrients while you sleep.

Containing plant-passed retinol, the product is safe to use during pregnancy and provides the skin with optimum levels of hydration, and boosts collagen production while you sleep.

Use 3-4 times a week in place of your night cream for optimum results.

Image Skincare are a clinical skincare brand, powered by safe, proven ingredients.

Represented by a network of 20,000 skincare professionals in more than 70 countries worldwide, IMAGE skincare is available from imageskincare.ie.

22 DUBLIN GAZETTE 12 March 2020

DUBLIN TECH & MOTORS

TECH TIME

Battle looms for Twitter’s soul SHANE DILLON

TWITTER looks like it’s facing into a fight for its soul – or, less prosaically, a potential boardoom battle over its future operations – with the news that a major Republican donor has purchased a significant stake in Twitter, and reportedly wants to oust chief executive Jack Dorsey.

Dorsey is viewed by many people as advocating censorship, given Twitter’s ongoing process of removing various posts, or even shutting down accounts entirely.

Many American Republicans, in particular, have singled Dorsey out as an obstacle to ‘Conservative values’ – enter activist investor Paul Singer, founder of Elliott Management, which typically actively pushes for change in the companies that it invests in.

As such, Twitter shares spiked at 7.9% on the news of Singer’s investment of a currently unknown amount, and his interest to oust

MOTORS | THE ALL-NEW S6 COMPREHENSIVELY IMPRESSES

A superfast and super capable sporty Audi DECLAN GLYNN

Jack Dorsey

Dorsey, with neither Twitter or Elliott Management commenting – yet – on what an investment or future direction for Twitter could entail.

How could this impact on Irish users?

While there are different regulations and regulators operating between America and Europe, any fundamental change at the top of Twitter is almost certain to see a shift in policy here, too.

Views and users which currently fall foul of Twitter regulations could be seen in a more forgiving light, quietly ushering in some, ah, unconventional views.

2020 could be a very interesting year ahead for Irish Twitter users, depending on what happens at the top of the company ...

New show could ‘go viral’ in 2021 IN WHAT is the best – or arguably worst – bit of viral marketing this year, the acclaimed US channel HBO has just announced that it’s working on a TV adaptation of the bestselling PlayStation game and cultural juggernaut, The Last of Us. If living with Coronavirus fears wasn’t already distracting enough, HBO is betting that viewers will lap up its adaptation of the complex, violent, smash-hit game.

After all, with the real world increasingly in panic mode outside right now, what could be better than curling up with a TV show following a gruff, bitter widower trying to safely bring a teenage girl across an America that’s been utterly destroyed by a virus out-

A FRESH, FUN NEW FAMILY CAR

break that killed billions?

The dramatic series is a co-production with Sony’s new division, PlayStation Productions, given that Sony is sitting on a large range of game-related IPs that could work great on TV, similarly to Netflix’s recent big critical and viewer hit with The Witcher.

We’re unlikely to see TLOU before next year, at least – assuming that the Coronavirus doesn’t kill off the show before it begins.

THE new Audi S6 is a sporty all-rounder with a comprehensive range of cutting-edge technologies in the areas of infotainment and driver assistance systems, a powerful drive system, and a striking exterior.

Available in either Saloon or Avant (estate) body styles, the S6 also perfectly fulfils its brief as a fast, fun family car with space for the growing family.

The new Audi S6 features a new 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo TDI (diesel) engine, which produces a hefty 349PS (344bhp), and a whopping 700Nm of torque for truly outstanding performance.

This mighty engine is assisted by a 48-volt mildhybrid system, for greater efficiency.

My review car was an Audi S6 Saloon Quattro Tiptronic TDI, which looked amazing in striking Floret Silver metallic paint.

A massive array of safety, infotainment, comfort, and convenience features are fitted as standard in the new S6, while also standard are five, self-explanatory, driving modes – Effi-

The new Audi S6 is blessed with beauty and power, making it a delight to drive

c i e n c y, equally QUICK FACTS Comfort, matched 1) A6-based super saloon Auto, by the 2) Mild hybrid technology Dynamc a r ’s 3) Outstanding specification i c, a n d standard 4) 3.0-litre V6 TDI engine Individ8-speed 5) On sale now ual. autoPush matic the starter button of the (tiptronic) transmission, S6, and the car roars into enabling the car to sprint life with a wonderful from 0-100km/h in just throaty growl, providing 5.0-seconds, on its way to a clear indication of just an electronically limited how powerful this car top speed of 250km/h, really is. while consuming as little Effortless performance as 7.8l/100km on a comfrom the V6 TDI engine is bined driving cycle.

D e ce n t e f f i c i e n c y, together with an annual road tax of just €570, ensures that the new Audi S6 is a car that can be used every day, without the need for deep pockets.

The S6 is a superb motorway cruiser, but also comes into its own on twisty back roads, too.

The car’s standard four-wheel-drive system ensures that the car feels planted to the road at all times, and provides great reassurance to the driver

when faced with a multitude of road surfaces, while also offering terrific grip as you power out of bends.

The super-fast, amazingly capable, and thoroughly enjoyable new Audi S6 is yet another fine example of Audi’s ‘Advancement Through Technology’ philosophy.

On-the-road pricing starts at €89,060 for the 4-door, 5-seat saloon, with the Avant model priced from €97,030.

Another general decline in registrations THE Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) has released its official new vehicle statistics, showing a further decline in new car registrations.

According to the data for February, such registrations were down 7.7% (with 13,915 vehicles) when compared to February, 2019 (15,069 vehicles).

Registrations in the year to date are also down 4.9% (at 45,096 vehicles) on the same period last year (47,439 vehicles).

Light Commercial Vehicles are down 6.9% (at 2,294 vehicles) compared to February last year (2,465 vehicles), and in the

year to date are down 0.8% (at 7,946 vehicles).

However, Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGVs) registrations are up by 14.5% (at 300 vehicles) in comparison to February, 2019 (262 vehicles).

According to SIMI, in the year to date, HGVs are up 11.04% (at 684 vehicles).

Used car imports for February (at 6,196 vehicles) have seen a decrease of 30.1% on February, 2019 (8,859 vehicles).

In the year to date, imports are down 28.2% (at 12,818 vehicles) on 2019 (17,862 vehicles).

Also in February, 401 new electric vehicles were registered compared to 325 on the same month last year (+23.38%).

SIMI also revealed that, so far this year, 1,294 new electric cars were registered, in comparison to 1,124 in the same period last year – an increase of 15.12%.

Both hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles continue to increase their market share.

Finally, the five top-selling car brands so far this year are Toyota, Volkswagen, Hyundai, Skoda, and Nissan, while the top-selling car this February was the Volkswagen Tiguan.

12 March 2020 DUBLIN GAZETTE 23

CHALLENGE YOUR BRAIN...JUST FOR FUN!

CODEWORDS

You could advertise here

DUBLIN PUZZLES SUDOKU EASY

MODERATE

SEE BELOW FOR DETAILS

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS

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

WORD SEARCH

HOW TO SOLVE Codewords are like crossword puzzles - but have no clues! Instead, every letter of the alphabet has been replaced by a number, the same number representing the same letter throughout the puzzle.

All you have to do is decide which letter is represented by which number!

To start you off, we reveal the codes for two or three letters.

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

Cross off the letters in the A to Z list.

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

FIND THE HIDDEN WORDS CAME CANDIDATES CURTAINED DAMSELS INITIATED INSTINCT LEAFLET PRIVY PUFF RASPBERRY RATED

REGRETFUL SCREEN SKIPPER SLAM STAY THIEVES TREADING WASHTUBS WEAR WHOM WORK

To advertise here please contact sales@dublingazette.com or call 01 6010240

24 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 12 March 2020

DUBLINGAZETTECLASSIFIEDS  CITY DECKING

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

DVD TRANSFERS

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

KITCHENS

YOUR

GATES & FENCING

ADVERTISEMENT

COULD BE

HERE

INSURANCE CLAIMS

OR A COMPETITOR’S

AD UP TO YOU!

TO ADVERTISE WITH THE GAZETTE CALL

GOT A STORY? Call our NEWS TEAM on 60 10 240

60 10 240

12 March 2020 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 25

CITY  DUBLINGAZETTECLASSIFIEDS RECRUITMENT

ROOFING

LOCALMATTERS SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS

GOT A STORY? Call our NEWS TEAM on 60 10 240

ADVERTISE WITH THE DUBLIN GAZETTE

CALL 60 10 240

26 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 12 March 2020

DUBLINGAZETTECLASSIFIEDS & PLANNING  CITY ROOFING

CONTACT Sales AT Sales@DUBLINGAZETTE.COM OR ON 60 10 240

GOT A STORY? Call our NEWS TEAM on 60 10 240

KEEP IT GREEN

RECYCLE RESPONSIBLY

12 March 2020 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 27

GAELIC GAMES P31

THE BEST IN DUBLIN

SPORT

INTO THE DARKNESS: SWIMMING: GER Carty reflects on his

biggest ever challenge, surviving jellyfish stings and avoiding cruise ships in the depths of night as well as dealing with his own demons.

He looks back on his 19-hour swim, the culmination of a life of taking on phyiscally-demanding swims across hairy sea conditions.



GAZETTE

SOCCER P29

PAGE 28

LET DUBLIN GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS INFORM YOU OF THE HIGHLIGHTS AND SCORES OF YOUR FAVOURITE TEAMS PEXPO | TRINITY COMPREHENSIVE AMONG THE ANNUAL WINNERS

Dublin schools excel at DCU’s PE showcase  sport@dublingazette.com

SCHOOLS from the greater Dublin area figured strongly at the sixth annual PExpo hosted by DCU. Winning the best overall award in the junior category for second and third year students were Abhirami Santhoskumar, Ruby Roche and Michelle Dolores of Woodbrook College for a project on “Mixed or singlesex lessons. Do participation levels change?” The project was one of four submitted by Woodbrook students.

Other Dublin area schools taking category wins included St Joseph’s Rush, St MacDara’s Templeogue, Templeogue College, Dominican College Griffith Avenue, Coolmine Community College, Donabate Community College and Trinity Comprehensive Ballymun, where the PExpo first took place in 2015 before moving to DCU two years ago.

Putting in a magnificent entry of 11 projects across a wide range of subjects

was Mount Temple, Malahide Road.

Another school making eye-catching contributions was Donahies Community School with five entries from its second year students.

Other Dublin schools entering projects included Kishogue Community College Lucan, Santa Sabina Sutton, Luttrellstown Community College, St Mary’s Holy Faith Glasnevin, Loreto Balbriggan and Coolmine CS. Students attending the PExpo could judge the work of their peers.

Winning the junior peer prize for a project on “Confidence – does it affect your sporting ability?” were Caoimhe Molloy, Molly Nugent and Phoebe Lemon from Wellington Lane, Templeogue.

Senior winners were Kate Smyth and Karl Ormsby from Trinity Comprehensive School for their project on “Adaptive sport”.

PE is – at last – part of the Leaving Cert cycle, and winning the Leaving Cert PE award were Grace Healy and

Trinity Comprehensive’s seniors won the peer group award.

Picture: Lindie Naughton

Riya Suunu of Dominican College Griffith Avenue for their “Investigation on the effects of psychological preparation of sport”. Trinity Comprehensive School took the award in the Senior Cycle PE Framework section.

In the Sports Psychology category, Aaron Hurley of Templeogue College was the winner for a project on “Psychological effects of an injury on an

athlete post-recovery”.

Winning a special prize from the Irish Heart Foundation for their work on fitness testing was a group from Coolmine Community School.

Students submitted projects in nine categories and were judged not only on content but also on presentation.

Next year’s PExpo will take place on Wednesday, March 3, 2021.

SPORT CONTACT INFO SPORTS EDITOR: Stephen Findlater sfindlater@dublingazette.com

For more information or to send in news and photos: sport@dublingazette.com Phone: 01 601 0240

28 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 12 March 2020

CLUB NOTES

ROUND

2 1

BALLYMUN KICKHAMS LUCAN SARSFIELDS OUR under 15’s are hoping to fund a trip to Portugal in earlydone summer, that end, WELL to thetoJunior A la they are doing a used clothes collection in our clubhouse every Saturday and Sunday. We can help you clear some clutter in the process. So winners all around!

We have launched advertising opportunities for our new artificial pitch, which are easily viewable on all our social media. Do not hesitate to contact any member of the sub committee on the launch page for more details.

Your annual membership is now due. Please see Linda or a member of your management team asap. Adult players/full membership is €100 and €50 for the unwaged. Social membership is €40 per annum. Remember, this entitles you to apply for entry into our (what seems to be now annual) ticket draw for all Ireland football final tickets!

We encourage all people involved in the club, be it supporter, parent or just a well wisher, to join the club and become a member of our burgeoning family. All new comers welcome. Linda is most welcoming! You can contact her by using these: lindaparnell@yahoo.ie or 0872733022 or go to our website for more information.

Our artificial pitch replacement is well underway, and we advise all juvenile teams that during this process, Pairc Ciceam will essentially be a building site and therefor out of bounds for safety reasons. We ask all juvenile teams to please comply with this rule. It’s envisaged that the pitch will now be completed by the end of March (weather has caused significant delay).

Congratulations to our ladies team who took part in the international Den Haag tournament.

O’TOOLE’S WOW, what a great weekend our players had. From the tiniest U8’s to our fab minors, it was just pure GAA. Give yourselves a big pat on the back.

Overall it was a fantastic weekend for the Club’s girls and boys juvenile section.

There’s superb work being done across the board.

Starting with those precious little U8’s that made their debut this weekend in hurling no less. They had the best fun ever.

On to our U10 boys that decided ‘This hurling is really good stuff ‘so they won, won, won. Yep all three teams.

Our U15 footballers had a good three-point win at home vs Templeogue Synge St on Sunday.Well done to our U13 girls that had an unbelievably superb win on Saturday vs Castleknock.

Our young girls travelled very well indeed.

While it was a bit of a mixed bag for our U14’s. Our first team had a tremendous win away to Skerries harps.

While our second team had

hard luck to be narrowly beaten in their away game to Beann Eadair.

There was only one of our U12 hurlers playing this weekend and that resulted in an O’Toole’s win vs Whitehall. Our U14 girls were at home for their first game of the season and they proved home is where the heart is, as they had a mighty win vs Ranelage Gaels.

Our U16 boys football team stayed at home for their win on Saturday vs Kilmacud Crokes in the league.

Not forgetting our minor footballers that had a good home win vs St Patrick’s P in their league on Sunday.

It was due to a great team effort.Each and every lad played their part in this sweet victory.

Our U16 girls also stayed and played on home turf for their first game, first win.

And what a win it was vs Castleknock Our U12 hurlers were away to St Jude’s last Friday where we had a very nice win.

SWIMMING: MARINO OPEN SWIMMER REFLECTS ON TOUGHEST

Channel conqueror Ger Carty’s battle with demons and the deep blue sea  PAUL KEANE

sport@dublingazette.com

A JELLYFISH sting? Ger Carty compares the painful sensation to a bee sting before correcting himself.

“I’d say it’s probably more like a bad nettle sting, that’s how I’d describe it.”

He should know because when he climbed out of the sea at Sangatte, in 2011, hauling himself up onto the unwelcoming, rocky coastline of northern France – almost 19 hours after leaving England – his body was covered in them.

“It was mainly on the legs and upper torso that the jellyfish got me,” he recalled, matter of factly.

Truth be told, after swimming for 18 hours and 52 minutes, through night and day, through shipping lanes, through body battering currents and in dangerously cold temperatures, the impressions left on his ravaged body by Compass jellyfish while crossing the English Channel were the least of his concerns.

“I was in a desperate state. My face and body had puffed up through stress, I looked about 70, my tongue was swollen, my eyes were swollen, my face was swollen, it was sheer stress,” recalled Carty who, on September 16, 2011, swam 68 miles in total, from one country to another.

“I was looking to do it in 10 and a half hours; I ended up just shy of 19 hours. As

the crow flies, it’s a 23-mile crossing but I ended up swimming around 100km, 68 miles.

“I spent nine hours in the dark. There was a boat accompanying me but it wasn’t like it was two or three feet away, I had to keep 100 or 200 metres away because of the swell and fumes.

“You’re on your own, looking ahead into a black abyss. You look down at times and you see giant shapes moving beneath you. I saw an awful lot of cruise ships; I could actually hear the music coming from some of them.

“They looked ginormous. I was in one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world and you do get scared that one of them mightn’t see you and might run over you.”

Young Gerard Carty began swimming when he was at Scoil Mhuire National School in Marino.

He tried athletics. “I was brutal”, he shrugged.

He tried Gaelic football.

“I hadn’t got the aptitude or the co-ordination for that,” he concluded. So he tried swimming.

“I’ve a relatively long torso and short legs,” he said. “Even though I’m six-foot, that’s the way my body is built and it’s a good composition for a swimmer. I started taking part in galas with the school, and it went from there really.”

Carty won the Dun Laoghaire Harbour swim

in 2004 and that same year set Irish records at 800m and 1,500m while swimming in Glasgow.

Four years later, aged 39, he set out with around 20 other hardened sea swimmers from Rathlin Island, off the coast of Antrim, and pointed his body towards Ballycastle 14kms away. Only five completed that race in August 2008 and Carty came first in just over three hours.

“That was the platform for me when I was told, ‘You’ve got to swim the English Channel’,” he recalled. If only they knew what they were asking.

His prep for the crossing, just over three years later in 2011, was flawless, even sleeping with just a thin sheet on his bed for a year beforehand to get his body used to prolonged periods of intense cold.

He satisfied all the criteria and competency tests laid on by the Channel Swimming Association

and paid the €3,500 for a manned boat to accompany him across.

Hurricane Katia meant a false start before he finally entered the water on September 16 under a full moon.

Around 4am, eight or nine hours in, he could sense his body clock ticking towards sleep. Then he tore a rotator cuff muscle in his left shoulder.

For a while, he swam using only his right arm.

The closer he got to France, the warmer the water and he was able to swim with both arms again.

“The cold took my mind off the pain,” he said. “It’s like an ultra-marathon, or someone running for hours and hours; it’s 90 or 95% mental. Everybody gets their demons, they start knocking on your door saying: ‘You’re too tired.

You can’t keep going’.

“Your mind is making every excuse to quit or give up. I tried to think of my

mind as a blackboard when those thoughts would enter. I’d pick up the duster and just wipe out the negative thoughts.”

Aside from ambition, obsession and sheer belligerence, what helped propel Carty through choppy waters and his demons was the real inspiration.

“I was swimming on behalf of my colleague, Paula Mulvaney, who was battling cancer at the time,” said Carty.

“Channel swimmers don’t normally do it for charity because 90% don’t make it across. Nobody wants to hear about you failing so that was keeping me going.”

Carty is a senior sports development officer/water safety development officer with Dublin City Council.

He still swims competitively and is a regular in the Leinster Open Sea races though initially after the channel swim, he fell out of love with swimming.

12 March 2020 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 29

EVER CHALLENGE Ger Carty, who is one of Ireland’s toughest long distance swimmers. He is also one of the local heroes who is helping to promote Dublin City Sports & Wellbeing Partnership’s work all across the city.

SOCCER: MOUNT TEMPLE-BASED CLUB COULD PROVE DARK HORSE

Five-star Strand start their promtion push UCFL DIVISION 3 Strand United Riverside United  JOHN MOONEY sport@dublingazette.com

“I suffered from PTSD after it,” he admitted. “It was a very difficult crossing, the week after a bad storm, swimming through slop at times. I was way out of my comfort zone.

“I get the odd flashback even now; getting your feeds every 45 minutes, only stopping for 15 seconds to take them or you’ll be pushed away off course, trying to lie on your back and co-ordinate yourself to pee.”

Three kilometres from the shore, Carty remembers finally spotting France. Yet despite fresh adrenaline coursing through his veins, he couldn’t make that last surge forward.

“The boatman advised me not to go for it. The tide was against us and he reckoned it could pull me away and we’d miss our landing spot altogether so he took me parallel to the shore for what seemed like an hour.

I got very frustrated,” he

recalled.

So what was the feeling when it was all done, euphoria or relief?

“I was exhausted,” revealed Carty. “I remember looking at the rocks, wondering after 19 hours lying in the water if I could even stand up on them.

‘Would I fall and break my ankle on the rocks?’

“It took me a year really afterwards. I didn’t swim for a year, maybe 14 or 15 months.

“I was fed up of it, lost the gra for it. I know people who have failed the channel swim and given up swimming entirely.

“I didn’t want to be one of those people and I’m grateful to a friend of mine who told me: ‘Look, you have to get back in the water’.

“Even just for exercise and keeping healthy, and my boys were only young at the time, I knew I had to do it. It was the best decision I made to get back in.”

5 2

STRAND United threw themselves into the mix for a promotion place from the UCFL Division 3 section when they comfortably saw off Riverside United in Mount Temple School on Saturday morning.

Strand ticked all the boxes in front of goal and the win means they can close the gap on the sides above should they win games in hand. That could prove easier said than done as they have five games in which to catch up.

Saturday morning saw them take control from the 20-minute mark, even though they were facing the wind, as Conor Kavanagh sent in a corner from the left hand side that Joe O’Rourke connected with, planting a firm header into the back of the net.

Five minutes later, it was 2-0 as Kavanagh sent in a cross from the right that Alex Root controlled before coolly slotting home.

Riverside did have their chances but failed to hit the target and, whenever they did, Strand keeper Anto McCoy was equal to it.

It was going to be a battle for the visitors after the break with the wind at Strand’s back and playing down a slight hill so it was no surprise when the home side added number three on 60 minutes.

Kavanagh played the ball down the right channel; Root chased, gathered and slipped the ball across for Robert Michalak, who wasn’t going to miss from close range.

Three minutes later saw probably the goal of the game as Root chased a ball that looked to be going out of play, he stopped it just before it crossed the line and slipped a perfect pass to Chris Anderson who, in turn, picked out Michalak to make it 4-0.

With 15 minutes remaining, they ended their scoring as substitute Jack Barrett put

Strand United’s UCFL Division 3 side, above; Riverside United’s Dean Mason takes on Strand’s Chris Anderson

the ball on a plate for Matt Barrett to finish.

It was proving to be a tough day at the office for a depleted Riverside but they battled on and in the final minutes, were rewarded with two goals of their own through Tiago Fairon and a penalty from Alan O’Brien Strand United: Anto McCoy, Graham Hughes, Joe Murphy, Joe O’Rourke, Brendan O’Brien, Cian Stafford,

LATE NITE LEAGUES Garda graduation day

FRIDAY evening saw the conclusion of a coaching programme for members of An Garda Síochána in Dublin 17.

FAI interim deputy chief executive Niall Quinn presented Gardaí from nearby Coolock Garda Station with their Introductory Futsal Certificates after completing the programme with the aid of FAI Development Officer Jimmy Mowlds (pictured, back row, far left). The event took place in the Darndale Belcamp Community Centre.

The Late Nite League programmes act as a positive diversion away from traditional antisocial behaviour windows, most notably on Friday and Saturday evenings. The LNL takes place in 47 venues around Ireland.

Conor Kavanagh, Ronan Munnelly, Alex Root, Chris Anderson, Benny Callaghan, Gearoid McGinnealy, Karl Donoghue, James Bradley, Robert Michalak, Jack Barrett, Matt Barrett.

Riverside United: Oisin Woodlock, Dayril Musodi, Alan O’Brien, Adam O’Sullivan, Colm Murphy, Lee McCarthy, Tiago Fairon, Dean Mason, Daniel Brennan, Richie Finnegan, Mantas Doblys, Damien Kenny.

30 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 12 March 2020

SOCCER

SOCCER: THREE WEEKS NOTICE FOR NEW SEASON

Bohs relishing their WNL baptism of fire  DAVE DONNELLY

sport@dublingazette.com

Stephen Kenny was a guest of honour as Crumlin launched an exciting line-up for thei Robbie Keane Academy Cup

No Hollywood fairyale finish for Crumlin in EA Sports Cup EA SPORTS CUP Cabinteely 3 Crumlin 2 after extra time  DAVE DONNELLY sport@dublingazette.com

A GOAL in the second-last minute of extra time saw Crumlin United knocked out of the EA Sports Cup at the expense of First Division leaders Cabinteely at Stradbrook Park.

Leinster Senior League champions Crumlin had led in extra time after Craig Walsh fired in his second of the game but goals from Dean Casey and debutant Oliver White saw Cabo to victory.

The home side had led 2-0 early on through a first-minute goal from Japanese winger Kaite Akimoto, making his first appearance, and a third debutant in Eoin McPhillips. Crumlin struck back before the break through Stephen Larkin before Walsh netted from the penalty spot, and Walsh struck in the first half of extra time before Cabo completed a dramatic turnaround.

The visitors came into the game on the back of a slender 1-0 win over UCD in the last 16 of the Metropolitan Cup on Thursday night.

Cabinteely, too, were in good form having made it three wins from three on Friday night over Shamrock Rovers II to maintain their position as the earlyseason league frontrunners.

They didn’t take long to underline the confidence running through the team as Akimoto, an off-season signing from Portmarnock, took just 51 seconds to open the scoring.

Akimoto was picked out by the club’s record appearance-maker Kevin Knight and he picked out the bottom corner of Mark O’Connor’s net.

Some 14 minutes later, McPhillips made it 2-0 with a spectacular 25-yard free kick that left the stricken O’Connor with no chance.

Crumlin hit back, however, and halved the deficit when Larkin found the net following a cushioned header by former Longford Town midfielder Jamie Hollywood.

They drew level eight minutes before the break when Ciaran Grogan felled Walsh with a trailing leg and the winger stepped up himself to dispatch from 12 yards.

The second half, in poor conditions, yielded no more goals but Martin Loughran’s side led in extra time when Walsh lobbed Corey Chambers.

The tie wasn’t done, however, and Casey squared matters once more before Boston native White sealed the win with a minute to play as Pat Devlin’s side march on.

“It’s always tough to take, especially being 2-0 down and over 120 minutes taking it back to being 3-2,” said Crumlin midfielder Jamie Hollywood.

The Ireland colleges international continued: “I think we’d done enough, but it just goes to show you the small margins in these games.

“You switch off for one second and you find yourself behind with two minutes to go. It’s a bitter pill to swallow but the lads worked very hard out there.

“It was a good performance, especially to claw ourselves back into the game after being 2-0 down, early doors.

“It was a struggle to find ourselves 2-0 down, but the lads showed real character to come back and there’s a lot of talent in the dressing room.

“We just didn’t do enough to get over the line today but we can bring it back into the league, without a doubt.”

THREE weeks preparation for their first season in the senior league was hardly ideal preparation for Bohemians but the Women’s National League’s newest entrants are excited for the task.

With an average age of just 18-and-a-half, the Gypsies are likely to be the youngest team in the league by some measure, but they have managed to recruit some experience.

The FAI’s prevarication on whether to stay at eight teams or expand to nine – the eventual format they adopted – meant Bohs were only admitted last month.

The deadline for signing players was fast approaching and most squads had already been finalised for the season, but they did manage to tempt some through.

Alongside seven members of the squad from the club’s inaugural Under-17s league campaign last year, they’ve signed former UCD Waves midfielder Aisling Spillane and Nicky Plunkett from Kilkenny.

Former Shamrock Rovers defender Niamh Kenna has been tempted back into the league following

The Bohemians Under-17 side from last season who have graduated to the WNL

an absence, while Evanne Best and Jennifer Cosgrove are also on board.

A management team involving former Raheny United league-winning coaches Sean Byrne and Pat Trehy will need every ounce of experience come Saturday’s kick-off against Athlone Town.

“It’s been very, very tough, because of the late call to go into the league,” Byrne told Dublin Gazette.

“It’s been three weeks now [between] then and the first game against Athlone. We’ll do the best we can and we’re delighted to be in the league.

“Getting the team into

JUNIOR PARKRUN Cherry Orchard the latest on parkrun trail PARTICIPANTS at Cherry

Orchard Park enjoy their warmup for the junior parkrun last Sunday morning.

It is the latest park to host the junior version of the event and will run each Sunday morning over a two kilometre route. It is free to take part in and caters for four to 14-year-olds in a fun and safe environment.

Picture: Eoin Noonan/ SPORTSFILE

the National League last year with the Under-17s was a brilliant achievement and to have one going in now to the senior league is fantastic. There’s a pathway now.”

While other managers in the league have set goals to challenge for titles and cups, Bohemians’ aims are more modest in their first season at senior level.

Byrne says: “It’s going to be a really big learning experience for myself, Pat and the people we have.

We have good young players but I think they’re going to find it hard. It will be a long season.

“We worked out that the average age is 18-and-

a-half. At any senior level, when you have a squad of 18 and an average age of 18-and-a-half, it’s going to be a tough ask.

“Our goal as management is just to get the players to reach their potential.

That’s all we can ask.

“What I know from the group is that they listen, they work very hard in training and they’re open to what we’re talking about.

“I’m not going to say we’re going to win the league or finish top, but it’s down to can we get the girls to reach their potential? In and around the mid section, that’s where we’re looking.”

12 March 2020 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 31

HURLING: STRONG WINS FOR NORTHSIDE CLUBS AS CUALA SHOW HAND

Craobh and Na Fianna firing on all cylinders in early phases of AHL1 AHL DIVISION ONE  sport@dublingazette.com

CRAOBH Chiarain and Na Fianna were among the big winners on the second scheduled day of AHL Division One. Craobh beat St Brigid’s on a margin of 0-19 to 3-8. Cian Derwin and Paul Kelly amassed a combined tally of 0-11 for Chiarain’s while the likes of Billy Ryan, James Finn and Keith Cooling also made valuable contributions for the Clonshaugh brigade.

Na Fianna were seeking to build on an opening day triumph against local rivals Whitehall Colmcille when they welcomed Faughs to St Mobhi Road.

The Glasnevin hosts dominated the action from very early on and proceeded to register a convincing 4-29 to 0-10 victory.

Though it is still early days – and a number of teams have a game in hand – Na Fianna are currently at the summit of the table, marginally in front of Cuala on score difference.

Reigning champions Cuala opened the defence of their crown with a 3-11 to 1-13 triumph at the expense of Faughs at Islandbridge two weeks ago. They duly built on that at Bray

Emmet’s against the newly promoted Naomh Barrog.

The Kilbarrack men enjoyed a dream start to life in the top-flight as they finished with four points to spare over Ballyboden St Enda’s (2-13 to 0-15) in their competitive bow of 2020.

They were on course for another successful outing when they developed a 1-4 to 0-1 cushion during the early exchanges of their meeting with Cuala.

Yet with Oisin Gough leading the way, they gradually came to terms with the Barrog attack. Liam Murphy and Darragh O’Connell were also prominent and when the half-time whistle was sounded, Cuala found themselves 1-13 to 1-9 in front.

The Dalkey outfit had a considerable wind advantage at their disposal after the restart and, thanks in no small part to the scoring prowess of Dublin senior star Mark Schutte, they created additional daylight between the teams.

Though a game Barrog persevered with their challenge, Cuala ultimately emerged on the right side of a 2-30 to 1-12 final scoreline.

Ballyboden St Enda’s bounced back from their defeat at the hands of Bar-

CAMOGIE

Stunning second half for Dublin minors

St Brigid’s and Craobh Chiarain played out a cracking battle. Picture: Martin Doherty

rog with a 1-14 to 0-14 win over Kilmacud Crokes at Pairc Ui Murchu.

With Eoghan O’Neill bagging a goal, Boden established a 1-10 to 0-4 interval buffer.

Inter-county stars of past and present dovetailed effectively for the home team with Conor Dooley, James

Roche, Conal Keaney and Shane Durkin all stepping up to the mark. Crokes did their best to stem the tide and cut considerably into the Boden lead on the resumption.

However, they ultimately suffered a 1-14 to 0-14 reversal to their southside counterparts.

TRIBUTE: Dublin camogie pays respect to the late, legendary player, Una O’Connor

DUBLIN camogie this week paid tribute to the legendary Una O’Connor (pictured, front row, fifth from left) who passed away this week. She played in the golden era of Dublin camogie, winning 13 senior All-Ireland medals.

She played for the famed Celtic club having been spotted by Celtic playing with the boys on her road. Her intercounty career ran from 1953 to 1967.

Ten of her All-Ireland medals were in a row. She was the first camogie player to be awarded the Caltex Award (later known as Texaco). A prolific forward, she combined well with Judy Doyle to create great scores and cause heart ache for defenders.

O’Connor played in the era when the Phoenix Park would have been her camogie home. A witty, good humoured player, she played with a short stick which is so much in vogue today.

She was also a member of the Celtic club who won the inaugural All Ireland club championship in 1964. The Dublin side defeated Deirdre of Antrim with the lethal forward scoring 3-1 on the day.

A CRACKING late run of seven points saw Dublin’s minor camogie side get the best of Laois 1-10 to 2-2 in the Tesco All Ireland Minor A Camogie Championship last Saturday in Clonad.

In tough, windy conditions, Dublin lined out with Naomh Fionnbarra’s Kerri Milne at centre back, Na Fianna’s Elyse Jamieson Murphy in the half backs while Naomh Uinsionn’s Anna Sullivan and Na Fianna’s Emily Byrne were in the forwards.

Niamh Comerford got Dublin off to a great start with the first point before Laois hit the net with a lowflying free.

Comerford scored another point from a free in the ninth minute and Emily Byrne followed on a minute later with a lovely point from play under pressure.

This was to be Dublin’s last score of the first half as Laois edged in front 1-2 to 0-3 at half-time.

The Dubs came out in the second half to play with the wind more favourable for them and they took advantage of it.

In the seventh minute Laois scored their second goal but that was to be their last score. In the same minute, Byrne hit the back of the Laois net to cut the gap back to 2-2 to 1-3.

Dublin would go on to score the next seven points without reply via Róisín Ní Chathasaigh (0-3), Aisling Gannon (0-1) and Meadhbh Hicks (0-1) along with two frees by Comerford for a strong victory in the end.

GazetteSPORT MARCH 12-18, 2020

ALL OF YOUR DUBLIN CITY SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 27-31

CLASH OF THE AHL1 ASH

HURLING: Craobh

Chiarain and Na Fianna score strong wins in the early stages of the new AHL Division One hurling league.

SEE P31

FIVE-STAR STRAND SOCCER:

Malahide Road club spark their promotion push in the UCFL with stunning win over high flying Riverside. SEE P29

CROSSING THE CHANNEL SWIMMING:

Marino man Ger Carty recounts his epic battle to swim across the English channel, a 19-hour odyssey beset with drama. SEE P28-29

Find us on

PICK US UP

EVERY THURSDAY!

Keep reading, keep recycling – thank you

Shels boss says no room for error in new WNL  DAVE DONNELLY

sport@dublingazette.com

SHELBOURNE assistant manager Laura Heffernan admits there is less room for error than ever as the Reds look to regain the Women’s National League title for the first time in four years.

Wi t h t h e n a t i o n a l league expanding to nine teams in 2020 with the accession of Bohemians, Athlone Town and Treaty United, the fixture schedule has been reduced to 16 games from 21.

Instead of facing one another three times, each side will face the others once at home and once away – a fairer system, but one that leaves little margin for slip-ups.

Shels missed out on the title by just two points last season, taking the title race right down to the final day before being pipped to the post by Peamount United.

The Drumcondra side could look to the scoreless draw at home to Galway early in the season as the decisive dropped points, having beaten Peamount late in the season to take it to the wire.

“I suppose last year you could win, lose and draw a game against one of the top teams and still go on and win the league,” Heffernan told Dublin Gazette.

“The fact it’s only home and away once, there is definitely less room for error and the

Shelbourne will be hoping to have more to celebrate in the WNL this season after last season’s narrow loss to Peamount United.

Picture: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

“Stephanie coming back obviously shows that the quality of football is here“ team that is most consistent will probably lift the trophy at the end.”

Eye-catching While Peamount made the eye-catching signing of the off-season with the return of Ireland striker Stephanie Roche from Series A in Italy, Shels have brought in their own ex-interna-

tional, Ciara Grant.

The 26-year-old spent last season in Northern Ireland with Sion Swifts as they lost out on goal difference to Linfield, and she brings a wealth of experience to the dressing room.

“Ciara came in and she brings a load of experience with her, and she’s settled in really well.

“If you look through the squad, you have Jamie Finn, who’s now a senior international.

“The likes of Pearl Slattery, Jess Gleeson, Jess Gargan; they have loads of experience.

Hopefully they’ll be able to bring the younger players up, look after t h e m a n d ge t t h e m ready.”

With the 2020 league set to be one of the most competitive yet, Heffernan is optimistic that the standard will continue to improve as the sport gains in popularity.

“I think the league has improved massively over the past few seasons, and it’s great to have so many home-based players in [senior squads].

“Stephanie coming back obviously shows that the quality of football is here, and people will get out and want to see her play with what she’s done in the last couple of years.

“The big aim down the line is to offer players more so they can stay here in this country and make the league better.”