Clondalkin GAZET TE FREE
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YOUR COMMUNITY • YOUR PAPER
March M a 22, 2012
Marching On: Clondalkin Youth Band’s GAZETTE COMPASS: Choose your big weekend P3 ideal travel destination Pages 19-22
Fundraising: People for Pieta in St Bernadette’s STUDENTS and teachers in St
Boxing: Ormond vows to bounce back from defeat Page 32
Fight night: Round Towers’ fundraiser proves huge hit Page 28
ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES ......................8 BEAUTY..........................14 MOTORS ........................17 BUSINESS .................... 18 ENTERTAINMENT ........ 24 CLASSIFIEDS ............... 26
Bernadette’s came together to raise money for Pieta House last week, collecting a total of €1,520 with a coffee morning in aid of the suicide prevention charity. Pictured here are John Quinn (St. Bernadette’s), Olivia Quinn, Louise Twanley, Aisling McEvoy, Vicky Condron, Paula Havery, Amy Sullivan, Leanne Curran, Donna McNamara, Cathron McNamara and Tom Bulger (St Bernadette’s liason teacher).
Bin waiver to end this month – Cllrs Warning that entitlements will go on March 31
I PAUL HOSFORD
LOCAL councillors have reminded residents that bin waiver entitlements end this month. Clondalkin Labour party councillor Breeda Bonner said she was concerned locals were not aware of what was hap-
pening, and said there would be a leaflet drop in the coming weeks notifying people the waiver will end on March 31. “Significant differences in cost and service exist between operators and, now that the bin service is privatised, the customer’s only loyalty should be to the lowest price,” she said.
Her view was echoed by FF councillorTrevor Gilligan, who was upset at the Minister for the Environment. “This whole episode has been a farce and I reiterate that the Minister fulfils his promise before elections of a national waiver scheme.” Full Story on Page 4
2 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 22 March 2012
FIGURES Council response shows 172 residential cases had not paid fees
Council is still owed over €30 million in levies I PAUL HOSFORD
SOUTH Dublin County Council is owed nearly €30 million in unpaid development levies, new figures have shown. At this week’s council meeting, Fine Gael councillor Emer Higgins asked council management to “provide a detailed report on any arrears owing to the council from unpaid development levies”. In their response, the coun-
cil said that they had recently reclassified how the levies were separated. According to the council response: “This categorisation has been possible due to re-orientation of work practices, etc, within the Planning Dept to enable redeployment to the area of arrears analysis and collection, in particular the assignment of a dedicated inspectorate as required.” T he council response showed that a massive 172
residential cases had not paid levies. Added to that, a further 78 commercial developments, as well as two mixed developments, have monies outstanding. The split of the fees, however, is remarkably even. In total, the 172 residential cases owe the authority a total of €14,855,831.66, while the mixed and commercial cases owe €14,172,001.96, combining for a massive
€29,027,833.62. The council does not, however, expect to recoup all of that figure, applying a bad debt provision of 58%, or €16,949,486.11, though the council says that those are merely “book figures”.
Monetary “It should be noted that monetary amounts quoted above are book balances, and that the bad debt provision of almost €17million can relate to
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Olympic effort: Local boxer supports a fundraising event CLONDALKIN’S Olympic silver-medallist, Ken
Egan, recently stopped by Bank of Ireland in Newlands Cross, to raise funds for the Make-AWish Foundation in Ireland. The staff at the bank used treadmills to run around Ireland, raising vital funds in the process. Make-A-Wish Ireland has one simple aim - granting the wishes of children aged between three-and 18-years-old living with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. As an increasingly well-respected and popular children’s charity, they are fully committed to providing the maximum level of care and enjoyment for our children and their families. For more information, see www.makeawish.ie Pictures: Ian Fleming
matters, including developers carrying out works in lieu of financial contributions; credits due for social/affordable housing; development not being completed; development not commencing”, said the report, which outlined actions that would be carried out for each level of categorisation. “There is currently a balance of just over €29m (comparable figure end of August, 2010 was €36.7m) in respect of outstanding development
contributions relating to approximately 250 separate developments. However, these developments range in scale from housing estates and large commercial units, to an increasing number of domestic extensions, with over 40 of the above cases being of that scale. “In all cases the council has cognisance of the expiration of the statutory period for the taking of enforcement action,” said the council.
22 March 2012 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 3
EVENT Local group impress at St Patrick’s parade
Local youth band continue march to greater heights I PAUL HOSFORD news@gazettegroup.com
CLONDALKIN Youth Band (CYB) fur ther cemented their place as Ireland’s leading marching band last weekend, as they were the only Irish band in the Dublin St Patrick’s Day Parade. T hat achievement was followed up on Sunday, as the band was crowned Best Irish Band at the 2012 Limerick International Band Parade. Band director, Vincent Dolan, said that it was a busy, but rewarding weekend. “We won one of the top awards in the Dublin Parade, and then headed to Lucan for the Lucan Parade, before going on to Limerick on Sunday for the Limerick International Band Parade, where we were named the Best Irish Band,” said Vincent. “It was a big weekend for us and it’s nice to get the acknowledgement of the awards. It’s a big achievement for the band. “ We h a d 15 n e w members carrying flags in the Dublin parade. “We were out from 8am on Saturday and only really stopped at 7pm on Sunday evening when we got home.”
W hen it comes to what is required to reach the consistent level of excellence that the Clondalkin band had got to, Vincent says that it is not complicated. “It takes hours and hours and hours of preparation. We had a b o u t s i x we e k s o f tough preparation for this weekend. “As a band, we do four hours altogether, but then there are group rehearsals and the band members all work hard individually to pass grades. “We recently had 80 students pass exams with the Royal Irish Academy of Music. “It is a big commitment, for musicians, parents and the committee, so it is very satisfying when you do a good a job. “When it happens, and thankfully it happens for us quite a bit, that’s what it is all about. We work hard to get the colour, spectacle and musicianship right.” Vincent went on to pay particular tribute to those who have supported the band throughout the years. “We have had tremendous support from the community and the committee over the years and it is brilliant to
A musicians from Clondalkin Youth Band pictured at the 42nd Limerick International Band Championship
RESPONSE
Charge confusion FINE Gael TD, Derek Keating, has said that Sinn Fein and Fianna Fail are “deliberately trying to whip up confusion about the household charge”. Keating was responding to comments about a supposed loophole in the household charge legislation. “There are a number of exemptions for the household charge, including proper ties owned by a Government department. This does not mean the personal properties of ministers or TDs will be exempt; they are required under law to pay the charge, just like everyone else. “There are a number of ways you can pay ahead of the March 31 deadline. You can pay online at www.householdcharge.ie, in cash at your local City or County Council office and you can also pick up the registration forms in your local post office,” said Deputy Keating.
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‘We have had tremendous support from the community and the committee over the years, and it is brilliant to have that kind of backing’
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have that kind of backing. That has allowed us to go and compete with bands from all around the world.” For the rest of the year, the band will not slow down, heading to Lansdowne Road for the Emerald Isle Clas-
sic on September 1. The game will see the American Football teams of Notre Dame a n d N av y cl a s h i n Dublin, with The Fighting Irish bringing their marching band and requesting that CYB join them.
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ClondalkinGazette CALL US ON 60 10 240 The University of Missouri band were crowned All-Ireland Champions
4 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 22 March 2012
SPORTS Development officers come together for special event
Sports blitz for European Week against Racism AS part of the European Week against Racism, South Dublin County Council’s Social Inclusion Unit and Sports Officer, along with the FAI Football in the Community Development Officers, Rugby Officer and Cricket Officer, will hold a sports blitz in Clondalkin Sports and Leisure Centre on Friday, March 23, and
Thursday, March 29. He event intends to utilise sport as a medium to highlight the anti-racism theme and to promote cultural integration and social inclusion through sport. The council are targeting second-year pupils in secondary schools in the county area, and sixth classes in primary schools, with an
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‘Discrimination, racism and intolerance of others are borne out of ignorance.’
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emphasis on fair play and equality. In a statement, the council said: “One of the main objectives of the council is to facilitate initiatives to
promote integration in the county and it is one of the reasons why we have organised the sports blitz. “The day is about having fun whilst being conscious
of the need to promote cultural integration and social inclusion through sport.”
Racism The council says that “discrimination, racism, the intolerance of others is borne out of ignorance. Be it in our workplace, our schools, our homes, our clubs, a willingness to learn about others and
to communicate with others is the key to a successful, fair and open society.” For further information contact Maria Finn, Social Inclusion Officer, on 086 3803060, or email mfinn@ sdublincoco.ie or Alison Casserly, Sports & Recreational Officer, on 086 8516669 or email acasserly@sdublincoco.ie.
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Local councillors Breeda Bonner and Trevor Gilligan
WASTE COLLECTIONS: WAIVERS TO END ON APRIL 1
Get ready to pay bin charges, say councillors I PAUL HOSFORD
LOCAL councillors have reminded residents that bin waiver entitlements end this month. Clondalkin Labourparty councillor Breeda Bonner said she was concerned that locals were not aware of what was happening, adding that a leaflet drop would be taking place in the coming weeks notifying people that the waiver entitlements will end on March 31. “My first concern is that many of these customers are not really aware of what is happening. I raised this issue at the January meeting of the Clondalkin Area Committee of the council. I asked that the council would engage in a public information campaign to
inform their waiver customers of the fact that they need to choose a bin provider because the free service offered by the council taken on by Greyhound for one year after the privatisation is coming to an end. The council eventually agreed to organise a leaflet drop to all homes in the South Dublin area. “My second concern is that many of the waiver customers might not themselves be in a position to research the services being offered by rival bin companies in order to decide which company is offering the best package for their particular circumstances,” Cllr Bonner said. The councillor went on to say that she hoped local people would do some research into which
provider would be the best for them. “I would urge customers to think carefully about which operator suits them best and not just to proceed with their current operator. Significant differences in cost and service exist between operators, and now that the bin service is privatised the customer’s only loyalty should be to the lowest price. “At time of writing there is no definite time frame for a national waiver scheme. The setting up of such a scheme is part of the Programme for Government and it’s being looked at by Environment Minister Phil Hogan. However, there is no way this scheme will be in place by the end of this month, so I would urge residents who are
currently in receipt of a waiver to choose a bin company to replace the service they now receive. “If any waiver customer would like information in relation to what is on offer from the various companies, I can send them a copy of the information in leaflet form if they contact me by phone 087 4132627, or by e-mail, bbonner@ sdublincoco.ie,” Cllr Bonner said. Cllr Bonner was echoed by Fianna Fail councillor Trevor Gilligan, who was particularly upset at the Minister for the Environment. “This whole episode has been a farce and I reiterate that the Minister fulfils his promise before elections of a national waiver scheme. It begs the question: ‘What does the Minister for Local Gov-
ernment actually do?’ “I’m grateful that the council is informing every household in South Dublin of the different competitors. At least residents feel now they have a choice, but what has the Government done? Come April 1, 17,000 waivers will be removed. This will not help the Council’s Litter Waste Management plan one bit.” The council told councillors that the information would be circulated and be up to date. “As advised, the circulation will be to every household – including those with ‘No Junk Mail’ signs. Please note that the information provided on waste collectors is the current position and may/will change from time to time.”
22 March 2012 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 5
EVENT Drug support project purchases new bus
CUMAS joy at unveiling of new minibus CUMAS, the Clondalkin drug support project, recently celebrated the unveiling of their new minibus. Minister for Children, Frances Fitzgerald, made funding available for the purchase of the bus through her Department’s allocation of national lottery funding. “I am delighted to be here on this sunny spring day to officially open a new service for CUMAS. This minibus means that more families will be able to access the services provided by this project. “I have always been supportive of CUMAS and the work that you do in our community and
am pleased to have been able to help you secure the funding to purchase this minibus. I know it will make a huge difference to the families you work so closely with. It’s great to be joined here today by members of the local school choir who have added a real sense of occasion to the event,” said Minister Fitzgerald at the official launch of the bus. The CUMAS project, which empowers families from the Clondalkin area and aims to reduce the risks of drug misuse in young people throughout the area, will be using the minibus to facilitate children and families
who wish to access their service. Staff and clients were joined by Minister Fitzgerald and members of St Peter of the Apostle’s school choir to celebrate the occasion. “I am delighted that Minister Fitzgerald sanctioned funding to cover the cost of the purchase of minibus for our project and so pleased she could join us to celebrate the occasion. “The bus will be a real benefit to the families we work with,” said Margaret Dalton, Project coordinator at CUMAS in Clondalkin. “It will be invaluable to us both financially and time-wise and will
CUMAS manager, Margaret Dalton, applauds as Minister Fitzgerald cuts the ribbon
allow us to collect children from both north and south west Clondalkin to come to their individual and group work. “It will also be used by parents, grandparents and other groups in the local area to maximise its use. Up until now, CUMAS has had to dedicate an enormous amount of time and money to transporting people so they can access our service;
this bus will be of huge benefit both to the project and to the families it will facilitate,” said Margaret Dalton. Minister Fitzgerald sanctioned funding towards the purchase of a minibus as part of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs 2011 Lottery Funding Allocation. She did so on the condition that the minibus be made available to
other Local Drugs Task Force and Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund projects in the Cloindalkin area in order to maximise its benefits to the community. “I have always been supportive of local community groups and look forward to continuing to work with and support the groups throughout Clondalkin,” said Minister Fitzgerald.
WASTE
NCA allerted to area THE National Consumer Agency has confirmed that it is monitoring the waste sector in the area. In a letter to councillors, South Dublin County Council said that the issue had come up on the NCA helpline. “Further to the concerns that you have been raising in relation to customer service practices in the waste sector, I wish to advise that the National Consumer Agency has informed the council that it has been monitoring developments in the sector and has been receiving contacts through it’s helpline,” the letter says. “Customers should be advised that the appropriate Agency for information on rights, concerns or complaints processes in relation to the operators is the NCA. “The council will be placing a link to the NCA website on the Council’s site,” the council said.
6 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 22 March 2012
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PRIZE COURTS Clondalkin man receives three-and-a-half-year sentence Pick a place, win the pot SOUTH Dublin County Tourism, SDCT, is offering locals the chance to win €250 on their Facebook page. Sponsored by SDCT, Think Local and South Dublin County Development Board, the competition is asking locals to pick their favourite place in South Dublin. Select from the options and post a photo or a Youtube clip of your choice on their Facebook timeline. You can pick your favourite local place in South Dublin County, be it a park, a building or a stretch of road, an event or place you have been to in South Dublin County, such as a festival, local gig or a match in any of South Dublin’s parks and stadia, or your favourite local place in the area where you live, with the entirety of Ireland eligible. The closing date is March 31 at midnight.
Jail time for kill threat to garda A MAN who held a gun to a convicted drug dealer’s head and later threatened to kill investigating gardai, has been given a three-and-a-half-year sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Michael McDonagh (37) arrived at Alfie Douche’s home in the early hours of the morning wearing a woman’s ski mask shouting: “Open the door, I’m going to blast it,” while holding an imitation firearm. McDonagh, of Oldcastle Drive, Clondalkin,
pleaded guilty to trespass and assault causing harm to Mr Douche at Sundale Green in Tallaght on November 6, 2010. He also pleaded guilty to threatening to kill Detective Garda Ciaran McGrath by pointing an imitation firearm at him. He has 16 previous convictions. The court heard that Mr Douche has a previous conviction for possession of drugs for sale or supply. Det Gda David Jennings told prosecuting
The Dublin Central Criminal Court
counsel, Roisin Lacey BL, that Mr Douche, his partner and five children were at their home when they heard a knock on the door. His partner told him a man wearing a ski mask was outside shouting: “Open the door or I will kick it in.” Mr Douche called gardai and McDonagh continued to bang on the door. Mr Douche’s partner saw McDonagh holding a small black gun before he burst in the door and pointed the gun at Mr Douche’s leg. “Mr Douche was fear-
ful for his life and his children were screaming upstairs,” said Det Gda Jennings.
Shouted McDonagh then pointed the gun at Mr Douche’s head and shouted: “Are you selling drugs?” McDonagh and Mr Douche struggled with each other before gardai arrived and intervened. McDonagh threatened Det Gda McGrath, who managed to ‘bear hug’ him and wrestle the gun away from him. The gun was exam-
ined by ballistic experts and found to be a replica semi-automatic pistol. Michael O’Higgins SC, defending, said McDonagh had taken head shop drugs and alcohol which explained his “bizarre conduct”. “He invaded the house and brawled with gardai who were in plain clothes and mistook them as friends of Mr Douche’s. He apologises to all and admits his behaviour was unacceptable,” said Mr O’Higgins. “He had a grievance against Mr Douche and has written a letter of
apology. Ultimately it wasn’t a real gun he used,” defence counsel said. Judge Martin Nolan said McDonagh “seemed to be intoxicated either on drink or drugs, but whatever the reason he had grievances and pointed an imitation firearm at Mr Douche and threatened him.” “He was fairly persuasive to Mr Douche who thought the firearm was real. There was a good bit of luck on both sides that gardai didn’t draw their guns to defend themselves.”
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22 March 2012 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 7
COMPETITION Three-day festival to find the winner
Search for the 2012 Dublin Rose is now on I LAURA WEBB
THE search for the Dublin Rose is now on, and, this year, organisers have changed the format for choosing the capital’s rose, by dedicating a three-day festival to finding a Rose that will represent their county at the Rose of Tralee later this year. Applications are now open and everyone who applies will be featured in the three-day festival in May. “We encourage as many people as possible to enter. The major thing this year is that we put entrants up for the threeday festival at the Carlton Blanchardstown Hotel,”
Dublin Rose co-ordinator, Brendan Galvin, told the Gazette. “We are doing it differently this year; we used to run it on a system where we had heats in different parts of Dublin, who would then go to the grand Dublin final. We didn’t like that system, so what we are doing now is running a whole Dublin festival in the Carlton Hotel in Blanchardstown from May 18-20. There is a selection night on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and the Dublin Rose will be picked out of that. “Instead of girls going out in heats, they will all really come in second place after the Dublin
Rose is selected. We want this to be a fun experience, which allows all Dublin Roses to be involved in it right until the end,” he said. According to Brendan, the Dublin Rose experience is more than just about getting the title to represent Dublin at the Rose of Tralee festival in August. “The emphasis we want to get across is the amount of fun the girls are going to have. It’s not a competition, it’s not about who is going to be a Dublin Rose, it’s about entering for the whole Dublin Rose experience. “People see the Rose of Tralee as just being what is on the telly those
Organisers are dedicating a three-day festival to finding a Dublin Rose
two nights, but really it goes beyond that, that is a minuscule side of it. It doesn’t really show the whole story; there is so much more behind it and the big word is ‘friendship’. The amount of friends that are made through this is fantastic, it really is. “Our job, as Dublin Rose coordinators, is to make sure every girl has a fantastic time. There were four girls last year, who never met each other until the festival, and now they all live together. There
are loads of stories like this. They have a fantastic time,” Brendan said. Girls aged six to 12 years can also experience the festival by becoming a Rose Bud. Rose Buds are paired with an International Rose, attend the first televised selection night in the Dome, participate in two Rose parades and take part in their own Gala Rose Bud evening and enjoy the fun of a week-long Rose Bud Summer Camp. As part of the selec-
tion process, the Gazette is running a colouring competition in association with Dublin Rose, details of which are coming soon. For further information on Dublin Rose, log onto www.roseoftralee. ie/centres and click Dublin, or find Dublin Rose on facebook for dates of information evenings. The Rose of Tralee International Festival takes place from August 17-21 and is one of Ireland’s largest and longest- running festivals.
COUNCIL
Housing Schemes T WO n e w h o u s i n g schemes carried out by South Dublin County Council have allocated nearly 100 homes, the council has said. Mayor Caitriona Jones asked for a general overview of both the Applicant Sourced Housing scheme and the Choice Based Letting Scheme. In their response, the council said that the CBL, introduced in October 2011, had been extremely successful. “Since its introduction, 71 units of accommodation were advertised. Of these 39 have been allocated and the remaining 32 have been offered and accepted and will be allocated as soon as pre-let repairs are complete,” said the council. “ASH was commenced in late 2010 and 400 housing applicants were contacted by the Allocations section which led to 26 properties being secured under lease arrangements and tenanted.”
8 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 22 March 2012
COUNCIL
Public lighting a problem NEARLY one fifth of all reports made on South Dublin County Council’s Fix Your Street website are related to public lighting. Fine Gael councillor William Lavelle asked that “the manager report on the overall number and percentage of ‘fixyourstreet.ie’ reports relating to public lighting which have been submitted in the past six months”, to which the council said 17.8% of reports were lighting-related. “A total of 432 reports in relation to public lighting were received from August 1, 2011 to February 29, 2012. This represents 17.8% of the overall number of reports for all categories (2,415) received during that period “The average time to repair faulty / inactive lighting is two weeks. It is dependent on the type of fault involved and the volume of repairs.”
SCHOOL Launching an innovative ‘time bank’ to
SDCC Mayor Caitriona Jones was joined by lots of eager ‘time bank’ supporters from a number of schools when she launched the new initiative at Adamstown Community College. Pictures: Rob O’Connor
You can bank on their idea
N EXCITING initiative, called Time Banking – a means of exchange where time is the currency – is being introduced in local schools and, last week, Mayor Catriona Jones launched the Lucan Adamstown Time Bank. Five Educate Together schools in the area have united to form the Lucan Adamstown Time Bank, and this development is seen as the first step in establishing a community-wide time bank. Members of the time bank can earn credits by volunteering, sharing their skills and giving their time. For every hour members “deposit” in a time bank, they gain a time credit, which they can spend at a time bank event. Everyone’s time is equal, so one hour of my time is equal to one hour of your time. Time banks are systems of exchange and can be used in many ways. On the day of the launch, pupils, teachers and parents got an opportunity to register through an online system and become members of the time bank. The five schools have each
A
listed activities where participants can gain credits and spend credits, both for the students, teachers and parents. Activities to gain credits include litter control in school grounds and surrounds, running the Park Safe Programme, the Maths for Fun initiative, language classes and Spring Clean Day. Students can then spend credits in a movie club, driver theory classes, on the use of school laptops, printers and photocopiers, pet farm tours and Tallaght Stadium tickets. Activities
Mayor Jones said: “This time bank will make a big difference to life here in Lucan and Adamstown, getting people involved in activities, and gaining and spending credits. “And I can see the seed that is germinating here today growing, developing strong roots and branching into all areas of our community.” She praised all of those involved, saying: “I am very happy that South Dublin County Council was involved in this project, along with the support of Dublin Regional
Authority. “This is a most innovative project, and I congratulate the Educate Together schools – the principals, teachers, parents and, of course, the pupils. “I am convinced that they are at the start of a wonderful adventure and that they are setting an example for Irish society today.” Mayor Jones then presented a giant time credit to representatives of the schools. Parents, teachers and pupils got an opportunity to register for the Lucan Adamstown time bank online at the event. Tom Moriarity, principal of Adamstown Castle Educate Together school – one of the founding members of the time bank – said: “This is a wonderful, innovative way of sharing skills and resources. There are gains for everyone. “We look forward to the time bank spreading into the community. Already, we can see the benefits of sharing.” The five schools involved are Adamstown Castle Educate Together National School (ETNS), Esker ETNS, Griffeen Valley ETNS, Lucan East ETNS and Lucan ETNS.
22 March 2012 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 9
create a fun new community-based initiative in local schools
In addition to speeches detailing the purpose of the initiative, there were a number of fun activities and an upbeat mood at the school on the day, kicking the campiagn off to a great start
10 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 22 March 2012
EVENT Great opportunity to plan for your big day
A wedding fair at the stylish Ardboyne Hotel
M
Pet care: Natural remedies for keeping pets healthy
SEE PETS PAGE 16
The Ardboyne Hotel is hosting a Spring Wedding Fair
THE Ardboyne Hotel is hosting its Spring Wedding Fair on Sunday, March 25, from 2pm – 5pm. The event, that takes place throughout the hotel, promises to be one of the top wedding fairs of 2012, with an opportunity to speak with a variety of wedding suppliers from the local area. The Ardboyne Hotel management team will also be on hand to show you around this most attractive venue, giving guests information on the hotel’s special wedding offers that are currently available. On the day, the beautiful Boyne Suite will be set up with a host of exhibitors from the local area that can provide guests with their services and help in all things that are important for the perfect wedding day. There will be entertainment – from Irish dancers to a stunning bridal fashion show by McElhinneys of Athboy. The Ardboyne Hotel is traditionally known as a premier destination for weddings, and is synonymous with weddings of the highest quality. The hotel’s relaxed atmosphere in the open
plan lobby, to the luxurious ballroom, T he Boyne Suite, with its crystal chandeliers and windows overlooking their beautifully landscaped gardens, there is no question as to where guests will want to celebrate saying “I do”. The Ardboyne Hotel is registered for civil wedding ceremonies and the Tara Suite will be set up in the day as it would be for a wedding ceremony. The room is a perfect setting for an intimate, relaxed wedding ceremony with family and friends. Enchanting
The hotel’s enchanting gardens create an astounding backdrop for all wedding photos. With 29 well-appointed bedrooms available, as well as a beautiful bridal suite, guests can avail of a reduced rate on a wedding night. There are a host of packages available, with the Three Ring Package proving extremely popular. The Bronze Ring Package costs €3,295, with the Silver Ring Package costing €3,595 and the Gold Ring Package priced at €3,895, all based on 100 guests attending.
All packages include red carpet on arrival, champagne reception for the bridal party, complimentary tea/coffee and homemade biscuits on arrival, five-course dinner, two glasses of house wine served with the meal, evening buffet, bar extension, floral centrepieces for all tables, chair covers and gold bows, bridal suite and two bedrooms for parents, free parking and anniversary dinner. This year, for the hotel’s Spring Wedding Fair, guests can avail of a special offer, with an opportunity to enjoy €200 off their wedding day or a complimentary day-after wedding party for those who book between now and May 31 for a wedding in 2012. Bookings
The hotel is also taking bookings for Christmas weddings and have limited dates available between Christmas and New Year. For those unable to attend the wedding fair and are interested in the hotel’s special offers, contact the wedding co-ordinator, Michelle, on 0469023119 or mgilbane@ ardboynehotel.com.
St Vincent de Paul is looking for volunteers THE Society of St Vincent de Paul is the oldest and largest, voluntary, charitable organisation in Ireland. The Society is a volunteer organisation that is always in need of volunteers. The work is challenging but very rewarding. The SVP is involved in a wide variety of works in support of those in need, which means there are many ways that the public can give their time to help the Society. The kind of activities that people can become involved in will depend entirely upon their own personal interests. Some activities the Society partici-
pates in are home visitation and hospital and prison visits. The Society also has 34 Vincent’s shops spread throughout Dublin, Wicklow and Kildare. Volunteers generally give a couple of hours a week to their work, so volunteers can give as little or as much time as they want. In the Society of St Vincent de Paul, too few people are trying to do too much. The society needs the public’s help to help people in need. Anyone interested in volunteering some spare time to help can contact Claire Banks at (01) 8198414.
22 March 2012 GAZETTE 11
SPRING It’s time to get tooled up to tackle your lawn
Gardening greats at new centre WITH Dubliners enjoying the first signs of spring over the weekend, it’s no wonder they are taking to their gardens in their droves to prepare for what, we hope, will be a summer of long, lazy afternoons enjoying our own patches of green. For all those green-fingered enthusiasts, there is an all-new new Husqvarna Centre opening up in a prime Dublin location on the Longmile Road this weekend, March 24. From ride-on mowers, lawnmowers, blowers, hedgetrimmers, chainsaws, automowers and trimmers, to name but a few, Husqvarna Ireland
have all your garden needs wrapped up. The Husqvarna range are a household name in Ireland and are known for their excellent design, attention to detail and long-lasting performance. The Husqvarna lawnmower is tailor-made for both you and your garden needs. It mows lawns to perfection leaving your garden without a blade of grass out of place. The Husqvarna lawnmowers have a 3-in-1 cutting system, comfort handle and a robust design. The Husqvarna Automower® recently featured on a Channel 4 pro-
gramme, entitled Home of the Future, and it truly is a revolutionary product, becoming increasingly more popular by the day. Husqvarna developed the Automower®, the original robotic lawn mower and the undisputed leader. With the Automower, there is now no need for compost heaps, the grass cuttings produced are so fine that they decompose quickly, providing a natural fertiliser for the lawn. Also, the Automower is well equipped to work in the rain. A Rider from Husqvarna can go almost anywhere, and has an
Gazette Contacts Block 3A Mill Bank Business Park Lucan Tel: 01 6010240 Fax: 01 6010251 Managing Director: Michael McGovern email: mmcgovern@gazettegroup.com Editor: Cormac Curtis email: ccurtis@gazettegroup.com News Editor: Dawn Love email: dlove@gazettegroup.com Production Editor: Jessica Maile email: jmaile@gazettegroup.com Sports Editor: Rob Heigh email: sport@gazettegroup.com Financial Controller: Carly Lynch email: clynch@gazettegroup.com Advertising Production: Anita Ward email: ads@gazettegroup.com
The Husqvarna Automower, top, and Rider, above
extremely small turning circle. It’s both easy and fun to drive, whether it’s fitted with a cutting deck, broom, sweeper or one of the many other attachments. Liffey Distributors are the exclusive distributors of Husqvarna Forest, Garden and Construction products, Flymo, Jonsered, Partner, McCulloch, Aspen Fuel, Gardena and Oregon.
Established in 1970 by Vincent Brady, Liffey Distributors started in a portacabin on Iona Road in Glasnevin. Liffey Distributors is still run by Vincent and supported by all of his family and employs over 30 staff from a 40,000 sq ft base in Blanchardstown. For your information on your local supplier, please log onto: www. husqvarna.ie.
Advertising Sales: 01 6010240 email: sales@gazettegroup.com
Gazette Group 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 Blanchardstown Gazette, Castleknock Gazette, Clondalkin Gazette, Dundrum Gazette, Dun Laoghaire Gazette, Lucan Gazette, Malahide Gazette and Swords Gazette. The placing of an order or contract will be deemed an acceptance of these conditions.
12 GAZETTE 22 March 2012
GazetteFITNESS FITNESS
Brought to you by Derry Temple personal trainer and pilates instructor
How to reach your own fitness peak IVING a busy daily life is challenging in itself and succeeding in your life’s goals on top of that can be extremely demanding. Throughout my life, I have been lucky enough to witness many people succeeding against seemingly insurmountable odds. Whenever I see this, it inspires me. I find it is important to engage and spend time with people who have demonstrated that inner strength to achieve their goals; people who can inspire you to reach yours. When you feel like quitting, it is worth reminding
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yourself of stories where people have persevered and achieved their ambitions. Sometimes it can be just a small thing or, in the case of my friend, Cian O’Brolchain, it can be a big thing. Cian is preparing to ascend the summit of Mt Everest later this year and he has already overcome odds beyond any that I had ever imagined. In the last year he has endured some of the world’s highest and most treacherous mountain climbs. On a recent excursion to scale Cho Oyu, he described how some fellow climbers not only didn’t make it to the summit but lost their lives in
the process. Climbing in extremely bad weather, and having witnessed several of his colleagues drop out due to altitude sickness, dehydration and exhaustion, Cian still succeeded in reaching the summit. Seeing the frozen body of a climber who had perished in the ice, and having to climb past the dead man’s body, was his biggest test. He knew he had to concentrate and put the tragic events around him out of his mind to prevent another fatality. He struggled on despite dehydration, exhaustion and lack of food. His legs and upper body ached from carrying his heavy
pack, but he knew that, if he stopped, he might not get up again. Cian used powerful visualisation techniques to remember past sporting achievements and reminded himself of all the support from family and friends that made it possible for him to be there. Staying focused on these positive and powerful images kept his determination focused as he closed his mind to the negative thoughts. He describes as amazing the experience of standing atop the treacherous mountain peak, gazing at the horizon where he could see in the distance his ultimate
Cian O’Brolchain will attempt to scale Mount Everest later this year
ambition – Mt Everest. The hardship and effort was worth this truly amazing experience. Stories like Cian’s are what inspiration is all about. Sometimes ordinary people just like you have persevered to beat the insurmountable. Remember, that whatever roadblocks life puts in your way, you should
never let them stop you. Ignore the temptation to quit and do not allow negative thoughts to drag you off course. Stay focused and determined and you too will reach Your Peak. You can follow Cian’s remarkable journey on www.irelandtoeverest. com. If you are looking to get fit and healthy and
are looking for someone to inspire you, then surround yourself with those who have done it already. Temple Training provides a FREE assessment and can advise on what fitness regime could help you reach your physical peak. See www.templetraining.ie, email info@ templetraining.ie or call 085 7131417.
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GazetteBEAUTY BEAUTY
Edited by Laura Webb
Don’t weight - Lose It Now!
Getting some Olympic-style locks
TWO out of every five Irish adults are overweight and obesity is now the most common childhood disorder in Europe. A weight reduction of 10% drastically improves your energy and mental health and also helps reduce blood pressure and cholesterol. The aim of a weight loss programme should be to reduce fat whilst maintaining muscle tissue. CLA 24/7 tablets, in combination with healthy meal planning and increased physical activity, help optimise the relationship between body fat and muscle mass. Contact your local pharmacy for advice on healthy weight loss.
SHAPE up your hair with Olympic-style locks like Pantene Pro-V ambassador Olympic and World Champion cyclist, Victoria Pendleton. Although we would all love to be on the same fitness and health level as an Olympian, getting the same beautiful glossy hair will do just fine thanks to the Pantene Pro-V smooth and Sleek range. It contains micro-smoothers which work with hair to silken each strand and to lock out humidity to help keep frizz from forming and leaving hair feeling smooth and silky. Victoria shares her top tips on how she keep her hair looking amazing, despite a gruelling exercise routine.
With thanks to the staff of Lucan Village Pharmacy
What is your greatest hair challenge?
Training every day means my hair is prone to a lot of frizz, so I need a hair care regime that helps combat frizz throughout the day.
I’d recommend the new Pantene Smooth & Sleek 24h Frizz Fighter, it’s really light and smells gorgeous.
How important is having healthy looking hair? Having healthy hair is really important to me and I always like to look and feel good on, and off, the bike. Pantene Smooth & Sleek range helps give me gorgeously, healthy-looking hair every day.
What hair products do you swear by? Working with Pantene has reminded me of just how effective and amazing their products are. I especially love their new Smooth & Sleek 24h Frizz Fighter, and also the mousse in the rangeboth products help to really deliver a smooth and moisturised finish.
How often a week do you wash your hair? Training with a helmet on every day means I wash my hair most days. I love to leave in a hydrating smoothing product after washing, to help combat frizz.
What would be your best hair care tip? My best hair care tip would be to choose a hair care range that is right for your hair structure. Working with Pantene has made me realise the importance of this, and it
Pantene Pro-V ambassador Olympic and World Champion Cyclist, Victoria Pendleton
really does make a difference. I have quite thick hair, so I use the Smooth & Sleek range. What is your favourite
hair look? I always think a timeless elegant look is a really smooth, sleek blow dry. This is so much easier to achieve at home if
you use styling products, Pantene’s Smooth & Sleek hairspray and mousse are my go-to products to achieve this look at home.
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GazettePETS PETS
Brought to you by Miriam Kerins of the DSPCA
THE FACTS: NUTRACEUTICAL TREATMENTS CAN BE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE
Natural remedies for keeping pets healthy HIS week I decided to write about a problem very close to my own heart – in fact it’s breaking it. Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD) or in lay persons terms, dog dementia. Yep, after 17 years of faithful companionship, loyalty and unselfish love, our eldest Jack Russell Terrier, Sophie, has begun to display strange behaviours. Ever since I rescued her as a six-week-old, frightened puppy from a lift shaft in an area of north Dublin, Sophie has showered me with love and been my best friend. No matter what obstacles life throws at me, Sophie stoically sees me through them. Now, although physically healthy, my darling little friend is often in a state of confusion, doesn’t greet me the way she used to, stares into space and bites and
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snaps at me when I feed her or offer her treats. I’m around animals long enough to realise what’s wrong with Sophie and don’t really need our wonderful vet to confirm that she is displaying signs of CCD. Similar to Alzheimer’s in humans, CCD tells me there are physical changes taking place in Sophie’s brain – the result of which means a deterioration of how she remembers, thinks and acts, all causing great upset to our lives. Sophie has other “old lady” problems too, but none of them is life-threatening. Therefore, while my duties as her Mom may be more demanding due to her problems, the fact is my best friend still enjoys a good quality of life. She eats well, she sleeps well, in fact she sleeps quite a lot, she drinks adequately, her coat is good and she
lets me know when she needs to relieve herself. So, in the grand scheme of things, her dad and I reckon great-aunt Sophie deserves a little extra help and that is why we’ve consulted our lovely vet with regard to providing alternative remedies, such as herbal and nutraceutical treatments that contain brain sustaining supplements. And no, I’m not trying to teach an old dog new tricks, rather help her extend the happy, good quality of life she already enjoys with us. So, what is a nutraceutical? Basically, from what I understand, it’s a term used for a product isolated or purified from food(s) that is generally available in medicinal forms, which are not usually associated with food. What are the benefits of herbal remedies to your dog? I believe they can be of great benefit
– especially as the gap between natural remedies and traditional treatments is not very wide. Traditional medications are actually synthesised from herbal compounds that have been used to treat the same problems for centuries. Herbal remedies are also highly cost-effective and often less expensive than conventional medicines. How do they work? I believe natural remedies will strengthen the inherent immune system of my dog – allowing her body take care of her problems, (rather than mask them), and, hopefully, with their help, the short life Sophie has left will be enhanced, and the great thing is, without any of the side effects of conventional medications. My love and loyalty for Sophie will never falter. We face tough times, but we face them together.
Many pet parents are seeking more ‘natural’ forms of treatment
I’ll be there for her as she has been for me. Patience and love is the key. Many pet parents are seeking more “natural” forms of treatment for their pets. However, I would like to mention the information contained in this column is simply a guideline. It is in no way a substitute for pro-
fessional, medical advice from your vet – whom you should always consult before using, or treating your pet with a natural remedy. A specialised practitioner will best advise as to which remedy can interact with your pet’s prescriptions, interact with each other and safety and effectiveness,
etc., It is only when you are armed with your vet’s advice, that you will be able to make an informed decision regarding your pet’s healthy future. For more
information log onto www.dspca.ie or email me at miriam. kerins@dspca.ie
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GazetteMOTORS MOTORS
Edited by Cormac Curtis
RoadSigns Road Signs RENAULT ABOUT TO GO POSTAL:
The new Renault Grand Megane GTline offers a far more attractive option for those who need extra load space but don’t fancy a traditional estate car
Touring, just grander CORMAC CURTIS
ENAULT have a loyal fan base in the Irish market, and have always offered their customers a little more spec than many of their competitors and for less money. Traditionally, Renault have offered practicality and value, but wouldn’t have necessarily been the prettiest or most desirable cars on the road. In recent years, to be fair, they have made huge improvements with their styling, most notably their 2008 release of the Megane Coupe. The dramatic and aggressive design elements of this car coincided with a move by Renault to invest a lot more time and mileage in to the test phases of their cars. The brand’s reputation has improved steadily
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SPECS: RENAULT GRAND MEGANE GT LINE 1.5 dCi 0 – 100km/hr: 12.9 sec Economy: 4 L/100km (comb) CO2 emissions: 120 g/km Road Tax Band: A (€104) Price: €27,200 (model tested)
since, and the addition of models such as the Grand Megane, especially in the GT Line spec, is bound to add to their new-found cache. Renault have brought the Grand Megane GT Line to the Irish market powered by a 1.5-litre dCi engine producing 110bhp, with a 90bhp option also available. I spent a week driving the Grand Megane, and was very pleasantly surprised, not just with the performance, but also with how the power from
the engine is matched with a well-balanced sport chassis, lowered suspension and precise steering. In short, I wasn’t expecting what is essentially an estate car from Renault to put such a wide smile on my face. Not only is the Grande Megane keeping up with its competitors in terms of performance from small, fuel-efficient engines, which help to keep cost of ownership down, but their interior design team were obviously allowed
to throw out the Renault style book, as well as the budget plan. Sitting in the cockpit, the driver enjoys sports seats that certainly keep you in place when you decide to power through a few twisty roads. I admit that they were a little snug for me personally, but I imagine that I’m a little older and wider than the target market. The upholstery is a very attractive half-leather/ cloth offering, with contrast stitching that certainly looks the part.
The overall pallet doesn’t hold any surprises, but there are some glossy panels that add some nice highlights to the cabin. The dials are sporty and eye-catching, the steering wheel, gear knob, and handbrake are wrapped in leather and have a reassuring quality feel to them. The handbrake is at an offset angle, which is another nice touch that makes the cabin a little special. Fur ther attractive touches include electric folding door mirrors, colour-coded sport bumpers and headlights with black surrounds, dark metal window surrounds and door handles. This all adds up to a very pretty car indeed, but let’s not forget about some of the more practical aspects of this grand tourer. For that special driving
holiday, the Grand Megane allows for a generous 486 litres of boot capacity with the five-seat configuration, and an impressive 1,600 litres when the rear seats are folded down. More than enough space for a few cases of your favourite tipple. The car’s boot comes with a storage compartment system that makes it easier to organise the loading space – another nice touch that is often missing from some of its competitors. This car is something that fans of Renault will certainly covet, and it will not disappoint those who spring for the €27,200 price tag (or €25,000 for the 90 bhp version). Renault still offer attractive trade-in and their own scrappage deals, so there are a few ways to bring that sticker price down a bit.
Kia’s Rio and Picanto red dot awards brings their total to 6 LAST WEEK saw Korean car manufacturer, Kia, awarded two top honours for its Picanto and Rio models in the 2012 red dot design competition. The five-door versions of Kia’s A-segment Picanto and B-segment Rio were both winners in red dot’s internationally acclaimed Product Design category, in a competition that saw more than 4,500
products entered by 1,800 manufacturers from 58 countries across a variety of product sectors. Judges scrutinised and tested the products in detail, with winners selected on the basis of their level of innovation, functionality, ergonomics, durability, ecological compatibility and intuitive handling.
Only products featuring the highest standards of design are eligible for the coveted red dot. These two latest wins bring Kia’s red dot total to six, with the Soul crossover winning in 2009, Venga compact MPV in 2010, and both Sportage compact SUV and Optima sedan claiming top spots in 2011.
Optima was also named Best of the Best in 2011 – the red dot competition’s highest accolade for ground-breaking design, for which only the best products in each category are eligible. Commenting on the awards, Kia’s chief officer, Peter Schreyer, said: “We are very proud of the red dot awards for the Picanto and the Rio.”
AN Post and Renault Ireland are joining forces in Ireland’s first ever on-the-road trial of electrically powered post vans. The study will compare the energy/ fuel efficiency, maintenance costs and overall performance of the Renault Kangoo ZE (electric) mini van against its traditional diesel counterpart over the next 12 months. An Post operates one of Ireland’s largest fleets, and, in 2011, their f leet-related fuel costs were in the region of €10 million. Commenting on the trial, An Post chief executive, Donal Connell, said: “We’re very pleased to be conducting this likefor-like trial with this calibre of vehicle and we’re looking forward to reviewing the data with Renault Ireland over the coming months.”
18 GAZETTE 22 March 2012
GazetteBUSINESS BUSINESS 25 new jobs at Datapac IRELAND’S largest indigenous ICT solutions provider, Datapac announced last week that it will create up to 25 new jobs. This follows the awarding of an €8m ICT consumables contract by the National Procurement Service to Datapac. This new contract follows a strong start to 2012 for Datapac, enabling it to make a strategic decision to grow its business. The new jobs will be based across all of Datapac’s locations and 15 of the roles will be created this year, with the additional 10 positions being created over the following two years. The new positions will include sales, marketing and logistics roles.
Supported by AIB
Fourth tech award for Eden training I BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN
EDEN Training in Rathfarnham has won the National Award for Training Centre of the Year, 2012 at the 15th National IT Training Conference. This is the fourth win for Eden Training in the six-year history of the awards. T he ECDL (Euro pean Computer Driving Licence) course at Eden Training won the ICS Skills Best Practice Training Centre on
March 9, 2012. At the event, held in the Crown Plaza Hotel in Dublin, former President Mary McAleese described ECDL as “a huge national movement” and as an “enabler; it is what gives people the opportunity to advance their careers; to advance their education,” which can “empower people to avail of the advantages that technology can give”. The award represents a standard of excellence nationally as Eden out-
flanked 1,000 other training providers. The ECDL certificate is a truly international qualification that is recognised in 148 countries. The conference was addressed by Jim Friars, chief executive at ICS Skills, and Mary Cleary, professional development manager at ICS Skills, which is the organisation that oversees ECDL provision in Ireland. “It was a great honour to again have our efforts with regard to ECDL provision recognised,”
From Leftt: Michael O’Connor (ICS Board), Denise Leahy (ICS Board), James Bannigan (Eden Training), Jim Friars (ICS CEO) and Sean Connolly (ICS board)
said Eden Training business development manager, James Bannigan. “We feel that ECDL is a crucial steppingstone for those seeking to engage with IT on a
personal or professional level. That’s why we’re continually reinvesting in this programme to ensure the maximum possible learning outcome for our students.”
Those interested in doing the ECDL course, or any other with Eden Training, can go online at http://www.twitter.com/ edentraining or contact them on 01 4953155.
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A TITANIC ATTRACTION P19 & 22
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DONEGAL DELIGHT P2O
GOING BACK IN TIME New Titanic attraction to be opened to the public AFTER three years under construction, the same length of time it took to build the Titanic itself, the Titanic visitor attraction in Belfast is now completing its finishing touches and will be open to the public on March 31. In Gallery 1, visitors step back into Edwardian Belfast. To appreciate the achievement Titanic represented, visitors are immersed in the Belfast of the e a r l y 19 0 0 s a n d become acquainted with the people who lived there. Visitors will walk through Belfast’s ‘streets’ towards Queen’s Island with a rising sense of expectation, eventually passing through a set of original Harland and Wolff gates In the Arrol Gantry and Shipyard Ride, visitors take a 20m journey in a metal elevator up the Arrol Gantry, the enormous steel structure built to facilitate the construction of Titanic and her sister ships, Olympic and Britannic. They then join Harland and Wolff’s workers on a “shipyard ride”. Continued on Page 22
The Hagia Sophia is a well-preserved example of a Roman Catholic Cathedral during the reign of Constantine and during Istanbul’s heyday as a Christian capital
LONGITUDE 79° 24’ W | LATITUDE 43° 40’ N
A city of delights where the east meets the west
I SHONA MURRAY
STANBUL, aptly referred to as the most ‘western’, eastern city and the most ‘eastern’, western city is a capital serving conscientious travellers wishing to enjoy the ease and closeness of city delights with an interest in deep history and diverse culture. As a central hub for European markets, Istanbul not only economically links the Middle East to the West, but its Christian heritage makes it more European than many other European cities. Formerly, Constantinople, after Roman Emperor and saviour of the Catholic Church, Constantine the Great, Istanbul once served as the capital of the Roman Empire.
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Following the founding of the Republic of Turkey, the name Constantinople was replaced officially by Istanbul having had numerous names adopted to it by its various rulers, most significantly, the Ottoman Empire from which its adaptation into an Islamic capital, began in 1453, ending centuries of Christian rule in the region. The most startling example of the successful Ottoman siege against the Roman Empire is in the Saint Sophia Museum, or Hagia Sophia. This is an astonishingly well-preserved example of a Roman Catholic Cathedral during the reign of Constantine and during Istanbul’s heyday as a Christian capital. It served as a Christian church until
the fateful coup by Ottoman soldiers in 1453 and was immediately transformed into a mosque. Its Byzantine architecture and glaringly Christian features are what makes the Hagia Sophia all the more remarkable given its historic and bloody takeover more than 500 years ago. Although the typical accoutrements of Catholic ceremony, such as the bibles, altar, bells and sacristy, were removed to make way for prayer mats and separate worshipping sections, the stunning Christian mosaics, beautifully crafted in golds, reds and blues were left untouched. Instead, the Ottomans merely covered the Christian iconography with Islamic wording, thereby preserving what is now
possible to see in the museum today. Despite being one of the strongest reminders of Christian domination in Turkey, the Hagia Sophia is credited with influencing the distinguished architecture that Istanbul has today. No greater example of this exists than the Suleymaniye Mosque, Istanbul’s second largest mosque and one of the most imposing sights in the city. Built over one hundred years after the Ottoman coup by Sultan Suleyman, the mosque, which is open to visitors of all creeds, also houses the tombs of the sultan and his family, as well as his successor in the marble mausoleums at the back of the Mosque. Continued on Page 21
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Athlone really has everything for Easter THE mighty River Shannon that flows through the town of Athlone is a haven for all types of waterbased activity, including kayaking, fishing, boating and the ever-popular Viking Boat, for lazy afternoon cruises – perfect for girly weekends, romantic breaks or family getaways. For a golfing break, courses abound, with the Athlone Golf Club and the popular Glasson Golf club never too far. For families, there is loads on offer, including Glendeer Pet Farm, walks in Portlick, learn a waterbased activity on Lough Ree, or just enjoy the kids’ camp in the Athlone Springs Hotel, while parents enjoy a superb meal in the Cedar Restaurant or a superb treatment in their beauty rooms. Athlone is a place that will make a short break relaxing, enjoyable and excellent value for money. The Athlone Springs will be doing an Easter Egg Hunt and Kids’ Camp over the Easter Holidays and mid-terms. This is available to everyone, and all kids are welcome. The Athlone Springs Hotel is an independently owned hotel but forms part of the Select Hotels of Ireland group, and offers good food and great facilities. The hotel offers a full gym, a 20m pool and beauty treatment rooms. Visit www.athlonespringshotel.com or contact reservations on 090 644 4444 or by email on info@athlonespringshotel.com.
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LONGITUDE 8° 7’ W | LATITUDE 54° 39’ N
Making tracks for a Donegal delight I MIMI MURRAY
AS THE crow flies, Donegal is just as close to Dublin as Cork, but the fact that it lacks a really good road network makes it that little bit harder to get too, but very much worth the trip in my estimation. It remains quite untapped by tourists; however, hardy souls have been making their way to Donegal’s beaches for years to make good use of the spectacular surf. The coastline is dotted with stunning beaches, but being a large county, we only got to experience the south on a recent jaunt up there. We stayed in the beautiful Lough Eske Castle, which has been renovated in recent years. A castle has been located on the hotel site dating back as far as the 1400s. The current castle was built in the 1860s, but was completely destroyed by fire in 1939. As a focal point of the hotel, the main castle building has been completely renovated and enhanced to create Lough Eske Castle, which opened as a hotel in December 2007.
Expect relaxing spa treatments at Lough Eske Castle
The long driveway passes Lough Eske, which looks very inviting for a walk or cycle. After a sensitive restoration, the building feels quite new, but the developers have gone to great lengths to keep much of the old-world charm. Our deluxe room had some very comfortable, modern features, such as under-floor heating and an open gas fire, which come in handy as Donegal weather can be changeable. Drizzle is to be expected, so bring warm clothing if you want to tramp around the countryside and experience what the county has to offer. After a hearty buffet breakfast, which I am not normally a fan of, but these guys pull it off, we travelled to Kilcar on our second day, keeping
a beady eye out for one of its famous part-time residents, Sarah Jessica Parker. Beaches surrounding the area, such as Muckross and Fintragh, are breathtaking, and were completely isolated. It’s no wonder the Parker/ Brodericks love this part of the world. Further along the coast are the majestic Slieve League cliffs, dramatically overlooking the Atlantic beneath. We soon needed a drop of something hot to warm us up, and headed back to the hotel for a swim and steam. The leisure area is compact, with a pool, gym and spa, and while my husband hired a bike to explore the surrounding area, I made good use of the spa. My rose facial was
everything you relaxing, everythi would ld expect ffrom a really good treatment. Dinner is served in both the Gallery bar and Cedars Grill. We opted for the restaurant and it served up some tasty dishes, including duck confit for me, while my husband dined on sirloin steak. Our desserts were delicious, including a platter with pecan tart, chocolate madeleines, panna cotta and home-made ice cream.
Delicious Other guests we spoke to said the bar food was delicious, and the bar area actually seemed like a more intimate setting, so comes highly recommended. Service is second to none at the hotel and our waitress, Natalie, really went above and beyond, as did all the staff throughout our stay. Prices start from €185 per room, per night, including breakfast for up to two adults sharing. For more information on rates, offers and packages contact Lough Eske Castle reservations on +353 (0) 74 97 25100.
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LONGITUDE 79° 24’ W | LATITUDE 43° 40’ N
Istanbul is as stunningly beautiful as it is unique Continued from Page 19
Female and male prayer sections and the Mecca-facing orientation of the building, remind visitors that this unusually imperialistic Islamic site is in fact an operational mosque, given its architectural similarity to buildings such as the Saint Sophia. Although some argue that Istanbul resisted from becoming a truly Islamic city, dominant sites like the Suleymaniye Mosque and the similarly immense Blue Mosque, as well as the traditional call to prayer for the city’s approximately 13 million people, 90% of whom are registered Muslim, are inarguable reminders of Turkey’s omnipotent Ottoman history. However, historic sites, such as the Blue Mosque do not observe strict dress codes or practices unlike other religious attractions in the world. The clear objective is for visitors to respectfully understand Istanbul’s deep history. T his more liberal approach towards western visitors makes the city even more appropriate for tourists wishing to both educate themselves on Middle Eastern cultures and history while indulging in the respite that a European city break brings. Located south-west of the Hagia Sophia are the Underground Cisterns, the creation of Byzantine Emperor of Constantino-
ple, Justinian I. The cisterns were used to supply water to the Emperor and other important palaces until the Ottoman takeover. Its design and craft are fascinating examples of Roman architecture surprisingly congruent with Istanbul’s clearly Islamic theme. In more recent years, the Basilica Cistern was the scene for the 1960’s James Bond film, From Russia with Love. History
After engaging in Istanbul’s remarkable and accessible history, a trip to one of the traditional Hamam’s, or bath houses, is the only way to end a day of learning before an evening of fine dining begins. The traditional bath houses were constructed by the Romans but the tradition of ritual cleansing and socialising remained throughout the Ottoman Empire. Each house provides separate facilities for men and women as attendees are required to fully undress in order to enjoy the immense heat from the marble stone where one prepares to be doused with perfectly tepid water and rich oil infused soap by one of the Haman’s attendants. A trip to the Haman starts at approximately €40 for self-service where soap and exfoliating mittens are provided. Otherwise, pay up for €60 to be scrubbed from
head to toe by one of the Haman’s professional attendants, and retire to one of the warmed beds for an oil massage. For those wanting an original experience, The Cemberlitas Haman comes highly recommended and is a short distance from the Hagia Sophia. When eating out, the trendy Beyo’lu district offers the best mix of European and Middle Eastern foods, including deliciously fresh fish but a selection of more unusual fare such as sheep or goat’s brain is also available. It’s advisable to take a walk close to the famous Galata Bridge which links to the old city in order to find the most authentic, local eateries. We flew with Turkish Airlines, which were recently awarded Best airline for Europe 2011 and you can see why as staff were very friendly and professional. Before departing Istanbul, visitors can opt for the Turkish Airlines Business Lounge, which featured a business centre, private relaxation rooms, massage chairs. City breaks to Istanbul are available from WingsAbroad.ie or call 01 8719444 or contact your local travel agent. Fly to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines, Europe’s Best Airline 2011 (www. turkishairlines.com). Stay at the 3-star Seres Hotel from €319pps (excl. taxes).
Istanbul’s Grand Bazaarr. Inset: some of the city’s bustling night life
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The Titanic visitor attraction in Belfast is now completing its finishing touches
New Titanic attraction to be opened to the public Continued from Page 19
In Gallery 3, visitors will see the Launch of Titanic and Galler y 4 tells of the skill and craftsmanship that went into Titanic, from the fitting of its enormous boilers and engines to the fine joinery and upholstery work of its linens, carpets and cab-
ins. Visitors will experience the reality of the ship’s interiors in a 3D cave that recreates the engine rooms, third-class saloons, first-class corridors, grand staircase, a la carte restaurant and navigation bridge, allowing visitors to ‘walk’ the ship’s length. There are also detailed, full-scale reconstructions of 1st,
2nd and 3rd class cabins. Visitors are now swept up in the celebratory atmosphere as Titanic leaves Belfast and then sets sail from Southampton on her maiden voyage in Gallery 5. The gallery features the extraordinary photographs of Father Frank Browne, the young Irish Jesuit who was given a gift of a ticket to travel on Titanic from Southampton to Queenstown and photographed the journey. His images provide a unique chronicle of Titanic’s first and only voyage. The atmosphere of the exhibition now changes radically into a dramatic sensory experience, as visitors enter a darkened tunnel where the temperature, soundtrack and images all evoke the tragedy of Titanic’s collision with an iceberg and subsequent sinking, with the loss of 1,500 lives. Visitors will sense the tragedy and the ending of the dream, which led to Titanic’s creation. Given the level of interest in Titanic Belfast, and the accompanying festival, visitors are being encouraged to pre-book tickets where possible. Tickets for Titanic Belfast can be purchased online at www.titanicbelfast. com or by phone / in person at the Belfast Welcome Centre at +44(0)28 9076 6399.
Lift off with a South African adventure that takes in the Garden Route from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town
LONGITUDE 18° 22’ E | LATITUDE 33° 55’ S
The kaleidoscope that is the modern South Africa I STEPHEN McKENNA
SOUTH Africa is a kaleidoscope of diversity, culture and colour. It is emerging from its hugely positive world cup experience with a tangible sense of pride and hope for the future. Located at the south end of the world’s most epic continent, this vast area of land is fringed by both the Indian and Atlantic oceans. South Africa’s vibrant cities, historic towns, fertile vineyards and magnificent game parks provide all those who visit with a rewarding and intriguing experience. South Africa offers so much to all those who are lucky enough to visit and is hugely popular with Irish visitors.
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‘The Garden Route is a wellknown, readymade road trip with stunning landscapes’
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On this particular trip to South Africa, we started our journey in Port Elizabeth before we choose to drive to Cape Town with a number of stops along the way. The Garden Route is a well-known, readymade road trip that runs between Port Elizabeth and Cape Town with stunning landscapes that will take your breath away, from the awe inspiring safaris on offer, to sip-
ping wine and tasting the culinary delights en route to Cape Town. Cape Town’s most distinctive feature is its stunning setting: it lies on a dramatic coastline of pristine white beaches and icy waters, overlooked by the iconic flattopped Table Mountain, with lots to do and see of historical, cultural and general interest. If you’re fascinated in another kind of wildlife, hit the bars and nightclubs on Cape Town’s jumping Long St or sample African homebrew in a township shebeen (unlicensed bar). South Africans are some of the most upbeat, welcoming and humorous folk you’ll encounter anywhere, from farmers in the rural north who
tell you to drive safely on those dirt roads, to kids who wish you molo ( “good morning” in Xhosa). GoHop.ie are having a free Safari information event on March 27 in Dublin. Send an email to yes@gohop.ie with subject header Gazette to RSVP. To plan your South African adventure, contact Andre on 01-2412372, email andre@gohop.ie. A 14-night South African Safari, Garden Route and Cape Town holiday in the Spring (September travel) includes hotels, lodges and meals, car rental and flights is on offer with prices from €2,329. Other dates also available. Visit www.gohop.ie for more information.
22 March 2012 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 23
GazetteMUSIC MUSIC LIVE SHOWS: METEOR SPONSORED EVENT SEES TALENT GALORE
Crawl’s lush live line-up I ROB HEIGH
THE first-ever Dublin incarnation of the iconic Camden Crawl music festival held in London since 1995 has been announced for the weekend of May 11 and 12 and sees a great mix of established and fresh faces on both the international and local music scenes. Meteor Choice Music Prize double winner, Jape, as well as fellow Choice 2012 nominees, And So I Watch You From Afar, will be in action on Friday, May 11. Prodigious New York indie rockers We Are Scientists and
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masked maurauders, Rubberbandits, will also be on stage that day, with Bastille, DELS, Dutch Uncles on the bill. The Saturday line up will be equally eclectic, with former Supergrass frontman, Gaz Coombes, and Choice 2012 nominees, Tieranniesaur and Cashier No 9, leading the line, with Mystery Jets and Ghost Poet in action. These names are barely a sniff of the full line-up, and the full bill is extensive and varied to say the least, with a treat guaranteed for all music lovers. The festival bill is packed to the gills with
100 acts set to take to the stages of 15 venues across the city. The two-day event costs €40, and the weekend ticket is exchanged for a wristband that allows unlimited access to all venues, stages and aftershow parties. Arrive early as surprise guests may appear at any time or in any venue. Day tickets are also available for €25. The London event began in the mid-90s when Britpop was king, and saw The Wedding Present and Kenickie on the bill. After a hiatus, the festival returned, and Snow Patrol, Maximo
Leading the line-up on Friday is local band, Jape
Park, and the Fratellis were among the names who have appeared on the bill on their way to wider
mainstream success. For more information, see entertainment.ie/ camdencrawldublin.
FastTunes with Radio Nova’s Dee Woods USUALLY when an artist releases an album with as much hype as Bruce Springsteen’s, Wrecking Ball, I tend to wonder, is it because the music isn’t up to scratch? Well, if you’ve heard it, or read the review on this page last week, you’ll know that’s not true. This rock icon has got the goods. Delivering a keynote speech last week at the a Texas music festival, Springsteen said when he picked up a guitar at the age of six, he’d only 10 years of rock history to draw on. So he started making his own. Wrecking Ball is his eighth number one album in his home country, and he has nearly treble the number of Grammy’s. This summer’s gigs at the RDS will be played just a few months before his 63rd birthday and if you’re going, you’re in for a treat. He’s the only artist I’ve ever seen that looks like he’s playing his first gig every time. He enjoys it so much, you can’t help but get caught up in the Springsteria!
24 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 22 March 2012
GazetteENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT
GoingOUT THE PAVILION THEATRE 01 231 2929
Country Roads: A Celebration of John Denver
COUNTRY Roads - A Celebration of John Denver consists of a strong live band, with backing vocals and, of course, Wayne as John Denver. Enhanced with video footage throughout, this tribute show traces the early and late music of Denver, including the legendary hits, Country Roads, Annie’s Song, Leaving on a Jet Plane and many more. Catch the show on March 25 at 8pm. Tickets €20.
MILL THEATRE 01 296 9340 The Mai THE MAI is the moving story of four generations of women in one family in the midlands. An accomplished, beautiful forty-year-old woman, The Mai has always sought an exceptional life. We enter the world of The Mai on the day of her husband’s return after an absence of four years. In the midst of their troubled reunion are the idiosyncratic and comical characters that comprise the family. Irreverent and unapologetic, the opium-smoking, 100-year-old matriarch, Grandma Fraochlan, presides over all. Catch the magical performance from March 7 to 31, at 8pm, with tickets priced at €16/€14.
CIVIC THEATRE 01 885 2622 Many Young Men of Twenty IN Martin Mangan’s production of the John B Keane classic, Many Young Men of Twenty the scene is transposed from a 1960s Kerry backwater to McLoughlin’s Bar at Achill Sound whose clientele consists of those arriving from or departing for England. Characters include Seelie, an unmarried sister who spends her time under her brother’s thumb, serving in his bar and witnessing all those who leave for England and those who return. Catch the show on Saturday, March 24 at 8pm. Admission: €20.
DRAIOCHT 01 885 2622 An Evening of Dance JOIN these young energetic dancers from Marian Lennon School of Ballet as they demonstrate their skills in classical ballet, modern and contemporary dance. There will be something for everyone to enjoy as the young dancers of all ages perform a rich and varied repertoire, including a magical journey to Saint-Saen’s Carnival of the Animals, Sleeping Beauty and a super Musical Medley that will have you dancing in your seats! Catch this show on March 23 and 24 at 8pm. Tickets €18/€14 concession.
Benjamin (Matt Damon) walks implausibly good-looking zookeeper Kelly (Scarlett Johansson) around the zoo that he has, as the title might suggest, bought following the death of his wife.
A little animal magic Following a seven-year break from feature-film making, Cameron Crowe returns with a trick or zoo up his sleeve. I PAUL HOSFORD
WITH our own Kate Crowley off on holiday, I am required to sit in the hallowed chair of Gazette movie reviewer. So, for those of you who flip to the Ents pages to see Mrs Crowley take down Hollywood’s finest (and not so finest), I apologise wholeheartedly. For this is a review of the newest work by one of my favourite directors. Full disclosure time – I was always going to love We Bought A Zoo. I, like Crowe, am a Billy Wilder aficionado, firmly believing that sentimental films can avoid the pitfalls of sappiness. The first film I can remember genuinely loving is Jerry Maguire, which has as many detractors as fans and Say Anything’s Lloyd Dobler ranks in my alltime favourite movie protagonists. I even loved Elizabeth-
FILM OF THE WEEK: We Bought A Zoo ### (PG) 124 mins Director: Cameron Crowe Starring: Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson, Thomas Haden Church, Peter Riegert, Elle Fanning, Angus Macfadyen
OUR VERDICT: IT skirts a fine line. In lesser hands, this falls into schmaltz and drowns in a sea of heavy handed imagery. But, this is Cameron Crowe. The fine line between over-sentimentality and heartfelt emotion is where he has spent his career. Beautifully acted and assuredly shot, Crowe is back and close to top form. Hopefully, the next one doesn’t take seven years.
town. Now that the truth is out of the way, what about Crowe’s newest effort? Based on the true story, and book, of Englishman Ben Mee, We Bought A Zoo tells the story of a man who, following the death of his wife, buys a zoo. Funnily enough. Transporting the story from Devon to LA, the fictional Ben is played by Matt Damon, here for perhaps the first time showing his 41 years. But, grieving man buys zoo does not a two-hour story make, so enter a
fusty inspector played by John Michael Higgins. Damon and his gang, Thomas Haden Church as wisecracking brother, Scarlett Johansson as potential love interest, and Colin Ford and Maggie Elizabeth Jones as the children, must scramble to get the zoo up to code and open to the public. In many ways, it is a very un-Crowe film, with a straight journey to the end, rather than the meandering of Singles, Almost Famous and Maguire. That in itself is the film’s biggest weakness.
For only the second time in his career, Crowe shares scripting duties, this time with Aline Brosh McKenna. McKenna is a fine writer, no doubt, but here her voice seems out of kilter with her partners. It seems that two writers, who should complement each other, Crowe’s lightness and McKenna’s spot-on workplace observation (The Devil Wears Prada, Morning Glory) just failed to gel. Everytime it seems that the film has settled in an area, be it a bear on antidepressants or Johansson’s Kelly railing at the constant staff turnover, the other writer’s sensibilities take over and it becomes a little uneven in the middle. Not that there is nothing to be enjoyed, even in the script. The relationship between Ben and son, Dylan, is a particular highlight, with both
Damon and Ford infusing their characters with enough bite and anger to create a realistic tension. Johansson and Haden Church add excellent grounding, with Johansson showing real selflessness in her role, given that it is not a straight, two-hand love story. As always, one eye will be on the soundtrack of a Cameron Crowe film and, once more, the master of music in films doesn’t disappoint. Tom Petty, Bob Dylan and Neil Young might be standard enough fare, but the former Rolling Stone writer shows he still has a finger on the pulse by adding jonsi, Wilco, Sigur Ros and Bon Iver to the mix. At the heart of the film, however, is a thoroughly likable performance from Damon. His Ben is an earnest, decent man, one who we instantly root for. Kind of like the director, then.
22 March 2012 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 25
GazetteGAMING GAMING group
The unnamed protagonist of I Am Alive looks out over Haventon.
It may be Alive, but is it worth downloading? PAUL HOSFORD
IT is finally alive. I Am Alive, the newest release from Ubisoft, has had a torturous route to consoles. First announced as far back as 2008’s E3, the survival horror finally made an appearance on Playstation Network and Xbox Live Arcade last week. The question of whether it will prove worth the wait is rather a moot one. Nobody would realisti-
cally argue that a download-only game has been worth four years waiting. But, if the question is whether it is worth getting, the answer is a resounding yes. In I Am Alive, you play an unnamed protagonist, of whom little is known and who, generally reveals little. All you know is that your character has spent a year attempting to get back to their home town of Haventon. One year before the
game picks up, the entire world has been decimated by a catastrophe known simply as “The Event”. Cities are in ruins, bridges collapsed and skyscrapers crumbling. It calls to mind a number of games, books and films, most notably, The Road, by Cormac McCarthy. In the same way that book was methodical and slow-paced, I Am Alive is not a run-and-gun zombie survival game.
In fact, the biggest threat does not come from the undead, more from the living. In the antithesis to the Hollywood, let’s all band together resolution of apocolypse-stricken folk, the residents of Haventon are, by and a large, a group of murderous outlaws. Navigating the treacherous ruins of the city, the sprawling skyline and the gangs intent on bashing your head in and stealing your pants, all take their toll. With that in mind, there is a stamina meter, a novel introduction in such a game. You are a mere man, so running, climbing, swinging and fighting all take it out of you, and resting or eating food the only way to revive. This addition, as well as the scarce nature of resources, makes the gameplay as strategic as it is action-packed. With just a few bullets,
targeting the alpha members of a gang to scare the others becomes a handy trick. As does pointing an empty gun at a foe. Just don’t try to fire it. Saving NPCs can garner retries or extra supplies, but much of the game’s relatively short run time is spent on your own, forraging and scavenging for supplies, which can range from water, food, gas and medicine to cigarettes, tools, climbing gear, weapons, and ammunition. Enemies don’t leave behind 30 or 40 bullets or a Gatling Gun that will help you take down 30 baddies at a time, or a key to a secret store room. Because of that, the feeling of stumbling upon a bounty that may only include a couple of pieces of food and a rope, is remarkably gratifying. As is helping your fellow stricken survivors. If that’s the kind of post-apocalyptic survivor you are.
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28 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 22 March 2012
GazetteSport Sport
Natalie Behan prepares for the battle ahead...
Dave Costigan with club chairman, Tony Delaney
Dave Chapman with Padraic McKeever
Round Towers Fight Night sees pugilists get in the ring L AST week saw Round Tower GAA Club return to the ring to raise money for the sporting organisation following the massive success of last year’s event. After eight weeks of intensive training with, among others, Olympic gold medallist Michael Carruth, 30 boxers, male and female, laced up their gloves at the Red Cow Moran Hotel to compete in front of a crowd of around 500. It proved to be an excellent night’s entertainment and those present were not disappointed as not only was there a series of three-round bouts to get the crowd excited and off their feet, there was also an auction of top-class sporting memorabilia. This was be a vital fundraiser for a club that fields over 40 teams playing football, hurling, ladies’ football and camogie.
Niall Connaughton, red, takes a blow from Keith Dore, in blue
Anna Stuart being coached by Michael Carruth
Dave Chapman in the ring
22 March 2012 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 29
in association with
Community hero hailed at Croker ROB HEIGH talks to Foxrock Cabinteely founder, Pat Ring, who was honoured by the LGFA with the Club Person of the Year award last week ONE of the architects of one of Dublin’s most community-oriented clubs was honoured at Croke Park last week, when Foxrock Cabinteely’s Pat Ring received the Leinster Tesco Provincial Club Person of the Year award. Pat, who has been an integral part of the club’s formation and progress to it’s current level, was one of the four provincial winners whose efforts and input to the sport the Ladies’ Gaelic Football Association chose to acknowledge. T he club, whose achievements in 2011 included the Dublin Ladies’ County Board’s best large club award i n D e c e m b e r, h a s gone from strength to strength since it’s formation in 2000. They were runnersup in the Dublin sen-
ior ladies’ league and reached the semi-final of the Dublin championship, won the AllIreland Sevens’ Shield competition, as well as running and support-
er, we had a lot of work to do. “Since I got involved, the biggest change I have seen has been the rise in numbers. It has been phenomenal. We
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‘Although I got the award, it was very much a club effort. The contribution of the mentors, volunteers and family members is huge.’
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ing over 25 teams at all levels and ages at the club. But the club started humbly following the merger of the small parish clubs, Cabinteely and Foxrock, as Pat recalls. “I was involved in the Cabinteely side, and helped negotiate the merger in 2004. When the clubs came togeth-
are unique in that we started as a girls-only club, the only club in Ireland to do so. We grew from about five teams with 80 kids, and now we are up to 550 girls playing in 25 teams, over the course of seven or eight years. “On the back of that success, families were requesting that we start a boys’ club, instead of
Pat Ring, of Foxrock Cabinteely, with his award at Croke Park
them going to bigger clubs in the area, and now we have 140 boys playing in Foxrock Cabinteely. Both sections are still growing dramatically.” Foxrock Cabinteely’s growth can be attributed to the unique way they interact with the community, as Pat explained. “The structure of the club is unique in that we carved out this niche in initially providing a club for girls, working closely with four local primary schools, St Brigid’s in Cabinteely, Hollypark i n F ox r o c k , J o h n s town in Killiney and St Anne’s in Shankill. It’s very much a partnership that works both ways. We all benefit from the relationship.” The significant increase in interest in the club led to the rapid increase in the number of teams that they have been able to field, which can equally be attributed to the care with which they approach the children who come through the gates of the club to take part in Gaelic football. “Of course, the goal is to be successful on the pitch, but, for us, to provide football for all abilities is equally important. We are putting in a second-level team for the girls who might not be able to compete at senior level, but they
will be able to play at junior level. We want to ensure all our players have a path and can see how they will progress with the club at every level. Pat Quill, president of the Ladies’ Gaelic Football Association, hailed the “dedication, inspiration and leadership” that the winners of the provincial prizes show: “This is one of the most pleasing and rewarding dates in our Association’s calendar, whereby we recognise the great voluntar y work that takes place in communities throughout the country. It is a great personal honour and a source of pride to your family, club, county and province to be nominated for such a prestigious award. They are role models in their communities and I thank them.” Pat himself was keen to stress the part his fellow Foxes take in making the club the success it is. “Although I got the aw a r d , i t w a s ve r y much a team effor t and a club effort. I am anxious to acknowlege all the people who put so much into the club over the course of every year.The huge amount of mentors, volunteers and family members also contribute a great deal to the success of the club.”
FastSport
College gridiron coming to Aviva in September THE AVIVA Stadium is set to play host to one of the longest-running rivalries in American College Football when the United States Naval Academy host rivals, the University of Notre Dame, on September 1. Already on sale in the US market, the interest for the Emerald Isle Classic has been phenomenal, with over 25,000 tickets already sold, resulting in a huge boost to the Irish economy with the influx of American tourists in September. Tickets for Irish gridiron fans are on sale now through Ticketmaster, and are expected to sell out quickly. As part of the build-up to the game, the Notre Dame band marched in the St Patrick’s Festival Parade in Dublin last weekend. The Navy-Notre Dame series has been played annually since 1927, making it the longest uninterrupted intersectional series in college football. Navy has emerged victorious in three of the past five years making the fixture a lot more competitive after decades of Notre Dame victories. Most Notre Dame and Navy fans consider the series a sacred tradition for historical reasons. Notre Dame, like many colleges, faced severe financial difficulties during World War II and during that time the US Navy made Notre Dame a training centre and paid enough for usage of the facilities to keep the University afloat. Notre Dame has since extended an open invitation for Navy to play the Fighting Irish in football, and considers the game annual repayment on a debt of honour. Naval Academy Athletic Directior, Chet Gladchuk, said: “We are delighted to bring this game to Ireland and we plan to bring the full show with us to make the most of this special occasion. This is one of our biggest rivalries and, along with a great American Football game, we plan to showcase all of the game’s traditions, including the jet fly-over, a 1,000 Midshipmen march, bands, along with a huge travelling alumni and support from both sides.”
30 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 22 March 2012
GazetteSport Sport FastSport Mini-motor ace set to begin 2012 season LOCAL motor biking prodigy Ryan Quinn will be back in race action in early April when he takes part in the junior class of the Minimoto Championship of Ireland. The seven-year-old began racing at the same time last year, winning the Junior Novice championship, and is looking to build on that experience. The first round will be held at Whiteriver Park, near Collon, in Co Louth. Ryan will face some stiff competition this year, and his team have been busy preparing his bike and kit for the forthcoming season, as they are set to travel the length and breadth of the country. Team Quinn have requested that if any local sponsor would like to get on board and have their name advertised on the race van and bike, or can offer any help, no matter how small, to contact Wayne at quinnwayne@hotmail.com or on 086 360 9286.
MARTIAL ARTS: INTEREST IN SOUTH-EAST ASIAN FORM ON RISE
Local Silat club expanding sport@gazettegroup.com
OV E R 4 5 c h i l d r e n from Lucan Silat Self Defence Club successfully passed their selfdefence grading recently in Firhouse. The Lucan children’s section of the club opened three years ago, the adult club having been established in 2000, under the guidance of senior guru, Liam McDonald, and gurus, Alan Walsh and Tony Devey, in the Lucan Sports and Leisure Centre. Their hard work and dedication resulted in the rapid growth of the children’s section and, in October last year, due to limited space, it was
decided to expand the club to a bigger venue. The club has since moved to the new sports hall in Lucan East Educate Together School, which has seen word spread about the club even more, with many more parents looking to enrol their children into the Silat programme. This new state-of-theart facility allows the children to train in a more spacious and comfortable environment. Silat is a self-defence exercise art form from South-East Asia. Its primary goal is to help children exercise through martial arts and selfdefence training. Speaking to GazetteSport last week, guru
Members of the Lucan Silat Club who took part in the grading recently
Alan Walsh said: “What makes Silat unique from the other martial arts, is its unique approach to the learning and development of the individual child. “As ever y child is unique, individual goals
are set for each child to achieve based on their natural ability and skill level. Every child will find a path that allows them to reach their goals.” With now over 120 children in its two Silat
Centres at Lucan and Firhouse, the club hopes to expand over the summer with added classes. For more information, contact Liam on 087 995 6569 or Alan 086 805 9036, or log on to www.urbansilat.com
22 March 2012 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 31
in association with
GAELIC: HURLERS, JACKIES LOSE BY SINGLE POINT
CLUB NOTICEBOARD ROUND TOWERS MEMBERSHIP is now overdue. Players
code, and you can contact Michelle
and mentors are required to be paid
by e-mailing cpo@roundtower.ie
up members for insurance reasons.
mailto:cpo@roundtower.ie.
Discount on club cards will be cut for
The lotto committee are looking for
those who have not renewed. Renewal
your assistance to sell Tower’s Lotto
forms are available on the club web-
tickets on a Friday evening for one
site or in reception in the clubrooms.
hour once a month. There will be four
Last week’s Lotto numbers were
teams and each team will be rostered
2, 21, 23 and 28; Bonus Ball 2. There
once a month and no more than one
was no winner of the jackpot of
hour will be needed. If you are able to
€6,300.
help please contact Matt McCormack
Congratulations to Josephine McNamara, Yvonne Shannon and Aidan Lacey, who were the three €100 winners.
on 087 683 6737 or email info@roundtower.ie. Doing a Spring clean? Round Tower GAA Club wants to help you out and
Next week’s jackpot is €6,400.
in doing so you can help the club pur-
Michelle Walsh, Round Tower GAA
chase life-saving equipment. Anyone
Club Child Protection Officer, will
with old clothes, shoes, bags, belts,
be contacting all juvenile teams
sheets, towels or suitcases are asked
asking their players, mentors and
to donate them to the club. Contacting
parents/guardians to sign up to the
Carol Cryan at 086 8117646.
LUCAN SARSFIELDS Sinead Aherne (St Sylvester’s) in action for Dublin against Monaghan. Picture: GAApics.com
Double disappointment for Dublin’s dynamos I sport@gazettegroup.com
ON A weekend when there were few club matches played, neither the Dubs’ hurlers nor the Jackies’ footballers could take the spoils in a pair of epic and hard-fought games that were decided in both instances by a single point. In Aughnamullen, Dublin blitzed the Monaghan goal from the first whistle, taking an early fourpoint lead, with a brace from Sinead Goldrick adding to a point apiece from Fiona Hudson and Orlaith Egan. But All-Star Ciara McAnespie majored shortly afterward, beating Cliodhna O’Connor in the Dublin goal. Two minutes later, Caitriona McConnell brought the sides level when she converted a 20 metre free. The Blues struggled to find their range, squandering numerous scoring opportunities in front of the posts both from play
and from frees. In spite of that, Goldrick and Olivia Leonard raised the white flag for the Sky Blues, but the move of the first half came when the raiding Goldrick intercepted a Monaghan pass, lobbed the ball to the unmarked Egan who duly despatched the ball to the back of Linda Martin’s net. After going in four points ahead, Dublin again failed to find their range and were made to rue their missed opportunities, with Monaghan’s Ellen McCarron scoring to bring them back within a point, and then suffered a huge setback when Goldrick was forced to retire with a wrist injury. Points from McCarron, Therese McNally and Caitriona McConnell took the Farney women ahead, but Gemma Fay goaled to put Dublin back in the match. With four minutes left, and the sides level,
it looked as though the match was destined to finish tied. But Monaghan’s Sharon Courtney had other ideas, and her fisted point proved the difference between the sides, consigning Dublin to defeat. They remain in the mix for the knock-out stages in third place, with Monaghan moving into second behind Cork, and the Jackies face Laois in their last league match on April 1.
Hurlers E l s e w h e r e , N ow lan Park saw an epic, high-scoring encounter between the Dubs and the Cats that was also decided by a single point, and the home side in the ascendancy. In a heart-breaking finale, Matthew Ruth consigned Dublin to back-to-back single goal defeats, with a goal in the last 30 seconds that saw Kilkenny claim the points.
In spite of the defeat, Dublin can take solace from the tough and uncompromising play that saw them score six goals against the perennial hurling favourites. But to be caught cold, having been eight points clear with 15 minutes left, must have been galling for the Dubs, especially as they showed their team unity having gone down to 14 men after Ryan O’Dwyer’s dismissal for a second booking. Paul Ryan opened the scoring but hurt his hamstring in the process, with Danny Sutcliffe and Conor McCormack netting in the first half, helping put Dublin 3-8 to 1-9 ahead at half time. David O’Callaghan and Sutcliffe scored early in the second half, and Eamon Dillon ended the run of majors for the Sky Blues, before goals for Richie Power and Ruth’s match-killing score allowing the Cats to take the cream.
THANK you to everybody who repre-
The heats for our Sars’ Stars talent
sented us in the Lucan Patrick’s Day
contest will take place on April 14 and
Parade and made our entry such a
21, with the grand final taking place on
great success.
Saturday, April 28.
Please observe the markings in our
Our school of excellence takes place
car park as one person parking on a
from April 2 to 5 for 12- to 14-year-
yellow line can cause chaos for every-
olds. Contact you mentor for more
one else.
details.
This weeks Lotto numbers are avail-
The social initiative group’s literary
able on our website, www.lucansars-
pub crawl is this Thusday, March 22,
fields.ie.
and their trip to Belfast will be on April
Edel Mooney’s team will be in charge next Sunday when our sponsor will be Newcastle Golf Centre. Our Golf Society outings for this year are Kileen on April 21, Castlewarden on
12. . Set dancing classes are every Wednesday from 8.30 to 10pm in the function room of the clubhouse. No experience required.
May 17, Castleknock on June 9, Lucan
Our nurseries for boys and girls
on July 20 (Golf Classic), Luttrellstown
born in 2005, 2006 and 2007 are every
on August 18, Hermitage on Septem-
Saturday at 1.30pm on our all-weath-
ber 13 and The K Club on October 6.
er pitch at the 12th Lock.
ST PAT’S PALMERSTOWN THE senior hurlers away in league this
double header can be collected at
Sunday, March 25, to Naomh Fion-
the clubhouse this Thursday 7.30 to
nbarra at 11am while juniors at home
8.30pm only.
also on Sunday to Parnells at 3pm. AIB senior football cup away next Sunday at 11am to St John’s, Ballinteer. Senior camogie away to St Brigid’s at Russell Park at 10.30am this Sunday.
To view our website simply logon to www.stpatricksgaa.ie Lotto: Numbers drawn were 1, 6, 13 and 27. There was no winner of the €9,200 jackpot. There were no match any three numbers winners.
Easter Football Camp takes place on
The four Lucky Dips winners were
April 10 to 12 from 10am to 2pm at a
Dessie O’Brien, Maureen Higgins
cost of only €20.
Caroline McKenna and Pat McLough-
You can register on the morning of April 10 at the clubhouse from 9.45am. Tickets for next Saturday’s Dubs
lin, who each receive €50. Next week’s jackpot €9,400. The draw is held each Sunday night at 10pm in the Palmerstown House.
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ALL OF YOUR CLONDALKIN SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 28-31
TOWERING SUCCESS: Fight night brings in the crowd for GAA fundraiser P28
LEINSTER’S FINEST: Honour for Fox/Cab football founder P29
GazetteSPORT
Malahide’ s second team celebrate after securing the Leinster Seconds League Division 2A title, with a one-sided win over Roscrea
MARCH 22, 2012
Collins to bounce back after bout Better things to come for Clondalkin lightweight as trainer says Warren staff believe Ormond won bout clondalkinsport@gazettegroup.com
STEPHEN Ormond will hope to bounce back from last week’s controversial loss to Paul Appleby as his trainer Pascal Collins confirmed the Clondalkin lightweight will be back in action in the next six weeks. It was the 28 year-old’s first setback in his 12-bout professional career to date, but Collins says his upward progression will not be unduly slowed. “The good thing to come out of the fight was, after it, we were disappointed he didn’t win the fight,” the trainer told irishboxing.com. “But we weren’t disappointed he didn’t perform or he has to pick himself back up. He knows he won the fight; most of the Frank Warren [his promoter] staff reckon he won the fight.” And his trainer went further, suggesting that a final round points deduction was part of an ongoing issue with the officials at the Braehead Arena in Glasgow, especially Richie
Davis’ refereeing display. “I wasn’t actually outraged when Stephen got points deducted by the referee when, realistically, Appleby was the one more guilty of holding Steve on the ropes. “He also caught Stephen on the back of the head a lot. I complained at the end of five or six and was basically told where to go by the ref and the commissioner ringside. “I knew Stephen was winning the fight and that Appleby, in the last round, would try and stop him because I really believe he needed a knock-down or a two-point round to shade it. “The referee was stopping the fight for silly reasons, seemingly breaking the momentum of Stephen. “When Stephen was on top, the ref would jump in and stop the fight, calling them together and talk to them like two children. That annoyed me. It was like a soccer referee, blowing his whistle all the time.”
Nonetheless, the strong performance from the Clondalkin man has kept him very much in Frank Warren’s plans for future plans. “Steve put all the work in as if he was the fighter who needed to win the last round. What I did say to him after the fight, but before the decision: ‘You’ve done everything right. You’ve boxed great. You couldn’t have done anymore but you might not get the decision.’ The reason why is what I explained. Everything on the night just felt wrong. “Until the fifth round, Stephen was really on top. It looked like there could have been a stoppage. “It happens in every country. In Ireland, the Irish guy is going to be favourite to win the fight. If it was a really close fight, then you say he shaded it. But it wasn’t close. I would have, if I was generous, given three rounds to Appleby; then Steve had a round deducted. The worst-case scenario, I thought we were two rounds ahead.”