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NEWCASTLE men Des Kinahan and Alex Nicoara were among the Dub lin GAA football fans who turned out in force to support their team in the big rematch against Mayo at the weekend in Croke Park. The Boys in Blue beat the Connacht champions in a rough and tough replay. The two teams had fought it out for a hard-earned draw in the previous week’s encounter but the Dubs showed themselves to be the stuff of champions with a 3-15 to 1-14 win. Picture: Cathy Weatherston
Dole queues shorten as 927 people sign off Dublin Mid-West recovery ‘deeply unfair’, says SF’s Cllr Eoin O’Broin
IAN BEGLEY
The number of people signing on the Live Register in Dublin Mid-West has fallen by 927 in the last year. The August figures show there were 7,169 people
signing on. This amounts to a reduction of 11.4% on the same period last year when there were 8,096 people signing on. Welcoming the figures, Minister Frances Fitzgerald said: “All regions have expe-
rienced job increases and unemployment decreases in the past year, meaning that the recovery is spreading to all parts of the country. However, Cllr Eoin O Broin (SF) said: “If there is a recovery it is a deeply unfair
one with a small section of society benefiting while the rest of us are left behind facing cuts to services and increased taxes and charges.” Full Story on Page 6
2 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 10 September 2015
RATES Property levy option given to nine local authorities
Council gets go-ahead to cut tax by 15% SOUTH Dublin County Council (SDCC) was included in the nine local authorities around Ireland which have been given the options to reduce the local property tax (LPT) for homeowners by up to 15% in their areas. Under the current system, councils retain 80% of the monies collected from the property tax, with the remaining 20% channelled into a Government-operated equalisation fund. The decision to change the rates must be communicated to the Revenue Commissioners by September 30. Environment Min-
IAN BEGLEY ibegley@gazettegroup.com
ister Alan Kelly identified the council as one of the local authority’s that can reduce the tax while still retaining the same annual funds. He said: “While local authority members have full discretion over whether to reduce or increase the local LPT rate, I would ask them to be mindful of certain vital local services that
could benefit from that funding such as homelessness services.” Last year, the vast majority of local council representatives voted 36 to one to cut the tax by 15%. Those who supported the LPT reduction believe it will not change the level or quality of service the council provides and anticipate a positive impact on the local economy. The council stated that the reduction would reduce its LPT income by €4.9m and put an average of €70 back into people’s pockets, saying that they will still have about €1.6m in discretionary funds. The only person who voted to retain the tax was Lucan Cllr Paul Gogarty (Ind). Speaking to The Gazette, he said: “It’s the only opportunity the council has to raise revenues for spending locally. Last year there would have been an additional €4.5m for the council and in essence the LPT is being substituted by a reduction in Government allocation. “As a councillor my role is to try and maximise the amount of money the council has to make sure it’s spent efficiently, but it’s also clear that there’s not enough money to go around. They’re starved for cash in so many areas, including council parks and in terms of capital projects. “The matter will come up in the special budgetary meeting later in September and will then go to a vote. I say it’ll be passed by a clear majority again, but I believe this is shortsighted,” said Cllr
Lucan Cllr Paul Gogarty (Ind) was the only person to vote to retain the tax
Gogarty. Cllr William Lavelle (FG) told The Gazette that he’s voting for a cut of 15% in the LPT because it will give back millions of euros to taxpayers.
He said: “The LPT is important because it’s a source of revenue for the council. While we have a property tax it should be as low as possible and we’re very happy to reduce it by 15%.
The question is how the council spends that money. “I don’t want to give the council more money because I don’t think the money that they’re already getting is being
directed properly,” he said Cllr Ruth Nolan (PBP) also said she will be voting for the full 15% cut with the added addition of proposing to abolish it.
Strictly Together dance fundraiser IAN BEGLEY ibegley@dublingazette.com
SEVERAL local sports clubs are planning to hold a Strictly Together dance fundraiser in aid of St Mary’s Gaelic Football Club and Commercials Hurling Club. The dancers involved will be swapping their football boots for dancing shoes during the launch which takes place on September 11 at 8pm in St Mary’s Clubhouse,
Clondalkin. During the launch, participants will find out who they will be paired up with and the dance they will be doing during the competition in October. Meanwhile, the annual 4 Districts Fun Day will take place on September 12 at 1pm in the Rathcoole Community Centre. For the third year running the event’s committee has arranged for a
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huge array of attractions to entertain families from the four villages of Rathcoole, Newcastle, Saggart and Brittas and to raise much-needed funds for the 4 Districts Day Care Centre. The event launched by the Dublin Rose, Aisling Finnegan, offers an array of attractions to entertain children of all ages. C l o n d a l k i n ’s C l l r Emer Higgins (FG) who has helped organise the event said: “We’re getting really excited now. We have invaluable support from the council, the gardai and the Civil Defence. “We have lined up bouncy castles, a reptile zoo, puppet show, magic
show and fairground carousel for children and Happy Feet are putting on toddler entertainment in the playground. “There will be stalls, a barbecue and music by local musicians, including the RAMs, the pipe band and the Garda Band,” she said. The staff from the Rathcoole Community Centre, along with the committee and volunteers, will be managing the day. Funds raised through the barbecue and raffle will all go directly to the 4 Districts Day Care Centre which serves older people in Clondalkin and its surrounding areas.
10 September 2015 CLONDALKIN Gazette 3
local initiative Second fundraising event proves a rip-roaring success
Over 200 bras hang in Corkagh Park for charity Ian Begley
Over 200 bras were hanging from trees in Corkagh Park recently in an awareness event that raised €2,020 for breast cancer research. Clondalkin sisters Ann McDonnell and Lyn Lee started the initiative last year to honour their late mother Cathy McDonnell, who died
after battling breast cancer. On August 30, women were asked to donate €2 per bra and bring them to Corkagh Park. Donations were also gathered from local pubs the weekend before the family friendly event. Speaking to The Gazette, McDonnell said the second Bra Chain event was a “fantastic success”.
council: Study to examine services
Tourism facility for mountains
ian begley
SOUTH Dublin County Council has recently awarded a contract for the development of a study and master plan for a proposed tourism facility for the Dublin Mountains.
Attraction The facility will act as a key tourist attraction to the Dublin Mountains and is aimed at making the great outdoors available on Dublin’s doorstep. The chief executive of the council, Daniel McLoughlin, recently signed a contract with Paul Keogh Architects to carry out the study and to identify a preferred option for the location of the facility. He said: “The rivers, parks and mountains of the county play an important role in attracting visitors to the region and a facility in the Dublin Mountains has the potential to act as a flagship destination for tourists and a great amenity for Dubliners, too.” The feasibility study will examine the requirements for core facilities and services/
activities required by visitors seeking to experience the routes currently available to them in the Dublin Mountains. One such route is the Dublin Mountains Way, which star ts on the Main Street of Shankill and ends at the Sean Walsh Memorial Park, Tallaght. Orla Carroll, director of Dublin, Failte Ireland, said: “The Dublin Mountains Way (DMW) is a great example of the wealth of trails that exist in Ireland today, ranging from multi-access trails for all users to more challenging trails for the serious hill walker. “The [way] forms part of the wider walking experience that will be developed for visitors in and around South Dublin County over the next few years. “As the trail is essentially only eight miles from O’Connell Street, the [way] emphasises the proposition of the great outdoors on Dublin’s doorstep,” she said. It is expected that a final project plan and repor t will be made available to the council by mid-December.
“We had face painters on the day, lots of volunteers and music to keep everyone’s spirits up. “It was a fantastic success and the money we raised will certainly be used for a very good cause. “We did collections in the local pubs before the event and altogether we raised €2,020.
“We hung the bras that we collected on trees with messages for loved ones that passed away, or loved ones who are currently receiving treatment for breast cancer. “Everyone who showed up to volunteer on the day was really great. There was great community spirit and we will definitely be doing it again this time next year,”
she said. Clondalkin Cllr Emer Higgins (FG) who helped out told The Gazette that the Bra Chain event was a really great and fun way to highlight such an important issue. “Ann and Lyn are absolutely amazing women. They were bursting with energy and have such a can-do
attitude. It was great to see people come out and support the two women for this fantastic cause once again,” she said. Ann McDonnell and Lyn Lee are continuing to ask the public for donations for breast cancer research. Email annmcdonnell2003@yahoo.com for more information.
4 CLONDALKIN Gazette 10 September 2015
crime Authorities called after reports of a dispute involving a number of males
Gardai appeal for information after death Following the recent death of Karl Holmes, gardai are appealing for anybody who was in the Avonbeg area between 4.30pm to 6pm on September 3 to come forward. During a press briefing on the death of the Tallaght resi-
dent, Superintendent Peter Duff of Tallaght Garda Station made the appeal following the violent ordeal. He confirmed that gardai were called to Avonbeg Gardens at around 5.25pm on September 3 following reports of a dispute involving
a number of males. Upon arrival, father and former boxer Karl Holmes (44) was discovered unconscious on the street and was pronounced dead shortly afterwards at Tallaght Hospital. Post mortem results revealed that Holmes had
ongoing health issues and died of a heart attack after the altercation. Gardai confirmed that his death is now no longer being treated as murder but rather as a violent disorder. It is believed that a dispute between a number of peo-
ple spiralled into the death of Holmes, who was reportedly attacked with a samurai sword and a number of other blunt objects. Reports have stated that the dispute started after a row began when one of the men involved became angry
with a child riding a bicycle on waste ground by Avonbeg Gardens. Anyone with information or witnesses regarding the incident is asked to contact the incident room at Tallaght Garda Station on 666 6000 or any other Garda Station.
Pet store set to hold range of free information events Maxi Zoo is helping dog owners in Liffey Valley to comply with new Government legislation which makes it compulsory for all dogs to be microchipped and registered on an approved database. The new legislation came into force on September 1 and Maxi Zoo is hosting a range of free information and awareness events in store throughout September where customers can learn more about the process and get their pet’s chip checked for free. The new legislation requires pups born after September 1 to be mirco and registered on a Government
approved database, such as FIDO. ie, by the time they are 12 weeks old or before they are moved from their birth home. The Maxi Zoo Check Your Chip initiative is free to all customers. Anyone taking their pet to Maxi Zoo stores can have its microchip details scanned at any time during opening hours. Dog owners visiting Maxi Zoo in Liffey Valley Retail Park can enjoy a full Check Your Pet Microchip information day on September 12, a meet and greet local animal charity event on September 19 and a vet and microchipping day on September 26.
Jeff Kernan, Ciaran Tighe, Console, South Dublin Mayor Cllr Sarah Holland and Cllr Kenny Egan, with Jennie O’Farrell and Karen Sheppard at the launch of the Laurels Charity Crew 10km Fun Run/Walk in aid of Console
charity: huge turnout expected for Fun Run/Walk
Crew calls for help in suicide battle Ian Begley
Local runners and walkers are being asked to play their part in the fight against suicide by registering for the Laurels Charity Crew 10km Fun Run/Walk in aid of Console. Olympic silver medallist Cllr Kenny Egan (FG) will be among those taking part in the event at Corkagh Park on Saturday, September 19 at 2pm. This is the third annual fun run/walk organised by the Laurels Charity Crew, and another huge turnout is expected for this year’s event. Paul Kelly, chief execu-
tive of national suicide prevention and bereavement charity Console, urged people to come out and use the opportunity to run, walk and, most importantly, talk at this fantastic event. He said: “Two of Console’s central themes are community and communication, and the 10km fun run/walk is the perfect example of this. “T he 10km timed run or the walk may be important, but the most important part of the day is the talk. We’d like to ask people to get in touch with family members or friends that they may only see once in a while,
and come together for a chat and either a run or a stroll at Corkagh Park. “Console would like to thank the Laurels Charity Crew, South Dublin County Council and Aryzta Food Solutions for highlighting suicide prevention through this event,” said Kelly. The Laurels Charity Crew are in their seventh year of fundraising in the Clondalkin area, with their annual Galway cycle raising huge sums for worthy charities. Race organiser Derek Cummins also commented on the upcoming event, saying: “September is World Suicide
Prevention Month and we would love this year’s fun run/walk to highlight the work done by Console, and raise awareness of their free 1800 247 247 helpline.” Participants can find details on the Laurels Charity Crew Facebook Page or via precisiontiming.net. The entry fee is €25, which includes chip timing, a race jersey and a donation to Console. South Dublin County Council will be providing the race infrastructure, live music and a DJ, along with entertainment and face painting for the kids in what should be a great family day.
10 September 2015 CLONDALKIN Gazette 5
crime
Timmons: ‘It’s a National crisis and should be treated as such’
Gardai ask public for help in attack
‘Mobile homes may resolve issue’ Ian Begley
A Dublin Mid-West councillor has suggested that people should be allowed to put mobile homes in their back gardens to accommodate families on the housing list. Local Cllr Francis Timmons (Ind) said council tenants should be allowed to accommodate their own family members in this way rather than have them living in hotels or hostels while they wait. He said: “Council tenants should be allowed accommodate their families in back gardens as an alternative to hotels and hostels in the city. “Another short-term solution is to seek out
private owners who would be willing to rent out space to put a mobile home to house a family on for a set period. “It is a national crisis and should be treated as such. I don’t feel we are dealing with this crisis in a realistic manner. “I believe the political will does not exist with the current Government to solve this issue. “We should also be looking at underused housing stock and what space is available in each house as a means to housing people needing accommodation. “Where we have threebed houses with one person we should be looking at housing other people. We should be offering
people accommodation outside of Dublin in an effort to deal with the crisis. “I do however stand firm that we should not be filling every green space with infill housing,” he said. Cllr Timmon’s comments follow Dublin City Council’s struggle to secure the money needed to provide homeless services in the city. It emerged in July that there was an €18.5m shortfall in funding to assist the capital’s 3,000 homeless people. Minister Alan Kelly recently pledged however that Dublin city’s homeless services’ budget will be secured to the end of the year.
Going for gold: Spotlight on childhood cancer in September keava and Mia Kraven from Clondalkin pictured at the third annual Light It Up Gold walk for childhood cancer awareness. The Childhood Cancer Foundation launched the campaign with a candlelit walk in Dublin’s city centre on September 5. The launch included a family fun day. St Patrick’s Cathedral lit up gold for the event and will remain throughout September for childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Picture: Angela Halpin
Gardai are continuing to investigate a rape allegation by a woman in Clondalkin. The incident occurred at 1.15am on Monastery Walk on Thursday, August 3. It is believed the woman was approached as she walked along the road through the estate. Detectives from Clondalkin Garda Station are investigating the crime and have confirmed that no arrests have been made to date. Gardai are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to contact Clondalkin Garda Station on 01-6667600 or any other Garda Station.
6 CLONDALKIN Gazette 10 September 2015
don’sdublin Fruitful thoughts of a sickly child stoke the fires to create Dracula Abraham “Bram” Stoker was born in 15 Marino Crescent, Fairview, on November 8, 1847, the third of seven children and baptised in the Church of Ireland, Clontarf on December 30. He was a sickly child and did not attend school until he was seven. As such, he spent much time reading and he noted years later “I was naturally thoughtful, and the leisure of long illness gave opportunity for many thoughts which were fruitful according to their kind in later years.” He made a full recovery from his early illness and studied mathematics in Trinity College where he graduated with honours. He was a keen sportsman and was awarded Athlete of the Year, as well as being auditor of the Historical Society and president of the Philosophical Society. Oscar Wilde was a contemporary who Stoker proposed for membership of the Philosophical Society. Years later, after Wilde’s release from Reading Gaol, Stoker visited him in Paris. Coincidently, Wilde had once courted Florence Balcombe who Stoker married in 1878. She was almost the “girl next door” as she lived at 1 Marino Crescent, a few doors from the Stoker household. Stoker was always interested in theatre and became the Dublin Evening Mail’s (co-owned by the great Gothic writer Sheridan Le Fanu) theatre critic, and respected for his incisive reviews. After seeing Henry Irving, the greatest actor his generation, play Hamlet in the Theatre Royal, the two met for dinner in the Shelbourne Hotel. Irving invited him to London to be his business manager, and he and Florence moved in 1878. He acted for Irving until the actor’s death in 1905. He travelled extensively with Irving, met many famous people, and all the time kept writing. He produced a dozen books, countless articles and short stories, but it is Dracula (1897) for which he is best remembered. It has been the source of inspiration for writers and was first filmed in 1922. The sickly boy’s “fruitful thoughts” had certainly been realised.
Don Cameron
www.donsdublin. wordpress.com 15 Marino Crescent, Fairview where author Abraham “Bram” Stoker (inset) was born in 1847
employment Concern over badly paid jobs
Number on dole in Mid West continues to fall ian begley
THE number of people signing on the Live Register in Dublin Mid-West has decreased by 927 in the last year. The figures for August this year show that there were 7,169 people signing on. This amounts to a reduction of 11.4% on the same period last year when there were 8,096 people signing on. Local Minister Frances Fitzgerald has said that an 11.5% drop indicates the steady growth in the economy in Lucan, Clondalkin, Saggart, Newcastle, Rathcoole, Brittas and Palmerstown. She said: “Since the Action Plan for Jobs was introduced in 2012, it has been one of the Government’s key instruments to support job creation. “Each week in 2015 over 1,300 jobs have been added to the economy, showing that the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track is working. All regions have experienced job increases and unemployment decreases in the past year, meaning that the recovery is spreading to all parts of the country. “We have seen investment and job creation by a wide range of businesses across the area in the past number of months, including in Grange Castle Business Park, Liffey Valley, and the investment by Irish Distillers in their Fox and Geese bottling plant. “There is no doubt that more jobs and opportunities are needed here but the Live Register figures are very encouraging. However, the recovery is still fragile and there are still people who have not felt its benefits,” she said. Clondalkin Deputy
Cllr Eoin O Broin (SF) said the Government refused to provide data on people in employment in the local area
Robert Dowds (Lab) also welcomed the figures. Speaking to The Gazette, he said: “There is no doubt that things are much better now than they were four years ago and that we’re long past the worst of the economic collapse. It is fantastic to see this being felt in Clondalkin, Lucan, Palmerstown, Saggart, Rathcoole and Newcastle through sharply falling numbers of people who are signing on the dole. “It’s a very good sign and hopefully it will keep
going in the right direction.” Cllr Eoin O Broin (SF) said the Live Register did not measure the number of people in work and accused the Government of massaging the figures. He said: “Unfortunately the Government refuses to provide data on the number of people in employment by local area so we simply do not know what the local employment situation is like. “There are a number of reasons why the Live Register in Dublin MidWest is falling. Some
people are moving into employment and where the jobs are secure and properly paid, I welcome that. Unfortunately many people can only get insecure badly paid jobs. “However, there are also people emigrating, on low wage employment schemes such as JobBridge and Gateway, as well as those returning to full time education. There are up to 80,000 people in labour activation schemes across the country. “These people are unemployed but not
included in the Live Register figures. “The real test of a recovery is not the massaged figures spun out by Minister Fitzgerald but whether ordinary people are experiencing real improvements in their lives. For the vast majority of people things are not getting better. “If there is a recovery it is a deeply unfair one with a small section of society benefiting while the rest of us are left behind facing cuts to services and increased taxes and charges.”
10 September 2015 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 7
DUBLIN BUS Recognising the difference recipients make in community
Local voluntary groups make awards shortlist IAN BEGLEY
SEVERAL local voluntary groups from Dublin MidWest have successfully made the shortlist for this year’s Dublin Bus Community Spirit Awards. All groups shor tlisted are set to receive an award of either €1,000, €2,000 or €5,000 from unclaimed passenger change. Since 2004, more than 1,500 voluntar y groups around Ireland have been
supported through the awards programme – with ten more local groups about to join the list. The local groups shortlisted include, Clondalkin Localise, North Clondalkin Tidy Towns. Anam Cara Parental and Sibling Bereavement Support in Tallaght, Fettercairn Community and Youth Centre, Peamount United, Lucan, Down to Earth Community Arts, Tallaght, Ronanstown Community Childcare, Clondalkin, and Older Voices
for Change, Clondalkin. On September 23, the 85 recipients will attend a special ceremony in Croke Park which will recognise the difference they make and present them with a muchneeded grant so they can improve their services and boost community spirit. Brian Dunne of North Clondalkin Tidy Towns told The Gazette that any grant funding they receive at all would be put to great use. He said: “I’m very happy
Man is charged over pizzeria chainsaw raid IAN BEGLEY
ONE of the men caught on CCTV fleeing from an Apache Pizza in Tallaght after robbing it with a chainsaw has been charged. The man, aged 40, appeared before Tallaght District Court on August 7 and was charged in connection with the robbery. A file has been sent to the DPP. The second man (23) arrested in relation to the raid also appeared in court, but was not charged. The incident, which happened in the Old Bawn shopping centre at around
12.30am on August 6, involved two men entering the complex armed with a chainsaw concealed in a bag. Gardai were alerted and officers from Rathfarnham and Tallaght Garda Stations rushed to the scene. The two men were arrested a short time later and were taken to Tallaght Garda station where they were detained under the provisions of section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984. In the aftermath of the incident detectives visited nearby stores in the shopping centre and surrounding area to speak with anyone who may have.
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to know that we have been shortlisted. Whatever funding we get would be put to very good use and of course would be very much appreciated. “We would use the money towards anything that would upgrade our area and make North Clondalkin a nice place to live and visit, like more colourful flowers and plants. I would like to see a granite made road sign saying “Welcome to North Clondalkin” on the Neilstown Road and also estate signposts around
the area. “We would also love to get a sculpture of something which would be very distinctive to North Clondalkin” he said. Commenting on the programme, Ray Coyne, chief executive of Dublin Bus, said: “Dublin is delighted to provide a programme that allows us to directly help local communities that use our services every day, in order to help raise community spirit and grow new projects.”
Awards patron and former international footballer Niall Quinn, who will be present on the night, also said: “The Community Spirit Awards began in 2004 and since I gave out those first awards over 10 years ago I have seen the value and importance they have brought to communities.” “I would like to congratulate all of the shortlisted groups and thank them for their constant support to the community.”
8 clondalkin Gazette 10 September 2015
gazetteGALLERIES
Matthew McConnell, Oisin McIntyre and Shea Cleland. Pictures: Jolanta Rossiter
sport: karate experts and fans hit tallaght for championship
T
ALLAGHT recently played host to the inaugural AMA Ireland International Karate Championship at the National Basketball Arena, with participants, officials and spectators from all across Ireland and much further afield making their way to the south Dublin venue to witness, or demonstrate, many disciplines of karate. With the tournament benefiting from a grant from South Dublin County Council, it was hailed as a way of building on the success of The Gathering 2013 to engage with diaspora networks. The keen interest in the karate championship from far beyond Tallaght, and Ireland, was testament to its success. The children give The Gazette a great, big – and very loud – greeting. Pictures: Pearl Phelan
children: performing arts school reconvenes
Talents on show at Scoil Mhuire
Luke Morrissey and Adam Lawler
B
Jack McFadden and Oisin Brennan
Ricky Broderick and Tina Gallagher with their sons, Daniel and Ryan
OYS and girls from across the area put on a great demonstration of their skills at Scoil Mhuire hall recently, thanks to Talented Kids Performing Arts School and MVW Talent Agency Ireland reconvening classes. The popular Clondalkin arts school caters for interests in many areas, from singing and dancing through to modelling and musical theatre. With children greatly enjoying their classes when The Gazette called by, older arts students are also being put through their paces, with a variety showcase at the Olympia Theatre to look forward to in November, for all those who enrol before September 26. For further information, see www.talentedkidsireland.com.
John Kearney, Ricky Broderick and Paul Brennan Gabrielle Leleu
Ellie Moore
Senin Singh
10 September 2015 clondalkin Gazette 9
Aimee Dunne
Halley Murray
Keeley Russell
Leah Smith
Katie Weir
10 Gazette 10 September 2015
gazetteGALLERY
Darren King, Sam Cassidy and Nathan Hill
Esther Woods, Elaine Galvin and Hazel McMahon at the Miss Ireland 2015 final. Pictures: Brian McEvoy
Lovely girls give it a go to be Miss Ireland 2015
F
ATHER Ted Crilly would have been delighted to see all the lovely girls in attendance at the Miss Ireland 2015 final held in the Crowne Plaza Northwood recently, where young ladies from all across the island of Ireland had gathered, hoping to claim the crown.
Several household names were also in attendance at the glittering finale, which presented judges with the difficult task of selecting an overall winner to go on to Sanya, China, to compete in Miss World in December. Ultimately, Miss Antrim Sacha Livingston claimed the title, with the
Belfast portrait artist impressing judges and fellow contenders alike with her natural poise, charm and personality, as well as her beauty, of course. In addition to the glory of representing Ireland in China, Sacha’s prizes include a full wardrobe of dresses, and make-up and nail care for a year.
Michaela O’Neill and Ryan Andrews
Chanelle O’Dwyer and Elaine Crowley
Emer O’Reilly, Jane Lundon and Mary Lee
Rosalyn Odujete
Kathy Prendeville and Isabelle Collins
10 September 2015 Gazette 11
culture P23
dublinlife Let Dublin Gazette Newspapers take you on a tour of the news and events taking place across the city and county this week
a day in the life: Trevor tosses the 9 to 5 life for a more controlled one
what’son
Biting back at the bedbugs Ian Begley
If you thought your job was bad, then how about trying your luck at exterminating rats and cleaning up after dead bodies for a living? Well, that’s exactly what Dubliner Trevor Hayden does. Working in IT for years, Hayden decided that the typical 9 to 5 office lifestyle wasn’t for him. This week The Gazette caught up with Hayden to see what a typical day for him is like as a pest control manager and crime scene cleaner. “We get a lot of calls from people complaining about rat infestations in their homes. When I’m out on call we set up traps as opposed to poison because if a rat is poisoned you have no control over where it dies and it can begin to smell really badly. “We have also invented a trap that remotely tells us whenever it has caught a rodent at a specific address. Recently, I was at a very nice Georgian house where they had a rat that died underneath their floorboards. Although it smelled very badly I managed to remove it with great effort and clean the area around where it died. I have bit of OCD when it comes to cleaning and I’m very happy when I do a thorough job.” Hayden added that on a typical day people would also call him about other types of pest problems, such as cockroaches, flies and bedbugs (a
comedy comes unhinged: A series of stand-up comedy shows are now taking place every Wednesday and Sunday at the Ha’Penny Bridge Inn, Wellington Quay from 9pm. Unhinged Comedy will see a seasoned line-up of comedians spreading laughter from the stage to the audience and surrounding areas. The show is managed and organised by Connor McDonough-Flynn, a comedian who’s been performing around Ireland and internationally for over five years. Performers will include rising comedian Joe Dowlin who is a regular MC at the Battle of the Axe comedy night in the Ha’Penny Bridge Inn and is also the cofounder of the popular Talla Craic Comedy House, Tallaght. Edinburgh Fringe fest comedian Diane O’Connor will also be there on the night. She has performed all over Ireland and the UK. Ticket are priced from €6 to €8 and can be purchased from www.eventbrite.ie. For more information visit www.conmcflynn.com or see the Unhinged Comedy Club Facebook page.
personal fear of his). “We get a good few calls about bedbugs during the summer months or when people accidentally take them home when they return from their holidays. We deal with them a lot, but the thoughts of bringing one of them home just freaks me out.” His experience in the pest control business eventually led to another field altogether - cleaning up after human remains have been removed from a scene.
Deaths “Now and again I would get a call to clean up the area of a place where someone has died. Most of the jobs we are called out to are unattended deaths. If someone has died and no one has found them for a number of months we then would have to clean whatever has been left behind. “When we’re cleaning a scene we have to be 100% thorough. You could wipe a surface down and it may look clean but it could be full of germs and bacteria so that’s why we have to be extremely careful about not overlooking anything.” Asked if this type of work carries any emotional burdens after he returns home after a long day of work, Hayden said: “The very first job I did played havoc with my mind with all sorts of stuff running through my head while in bed. Now I don’t even think about it.”
feature P24
Gazette
diary P12
Trevor Hayden talks about a typical day as a pest control manager
12 Gazette 10 September 2015
Gazette
dublinlife Kevin finds it in his Hart to come to Dublin on tour
US comedian and actor Kevin Hart will be visiting Irish shores in January 2016 and tickets will go on sale for his international comedy show this week. T he funny man is famous for roles in movies including The Wedding Ringer which took in over $80m (€72m) internationally and Get
Hard where he starred alongside Will Ferrell. He has announced a massive world tour after a hugely successful domestic comedy tour in the US earlier this year. He will be visiting Dublin’s 3Arena on Friday, January 22, 2016 to perform in his international comedy show
What Now? Tour and tickets go on sale on September 10, 2015. Hart’s international comedy tour will see him visiting Ireland, Australia, Belgium, Germany and South Africa for the first time. Tickets are available from www.ticketmaster. ie and for more information on tour dates log
diary
onto www.aikenpromotions.com.
calling all budding young artists Sighttsavers is calling on budding young artists in Dublin to enter the 2015 Junior Painter of the Year Awards. Open to primary school students of all ages, thousands of children are expected to enter the competition this year featuring the new theme, Imagine 2030. A lot can change in 15 years so Sighstavers is inviting primary school students to be inspired and create an artwork that shows how they want the world they live in to look in the year 2030. Student artists have a chance to win appropriately arty prizes not just for themselves but for their classmates too, and substantial cash prizes of €200, €300 and €1,000 for their schools with thanks to the Irish Times. Fifteen regional winners will be selected and will have the opportunity to see their work displayed at a special awards day in February 2016 where three overall national winners will be announced. Submissions for this competition must be completed by November 27. For more information visit www.sightsavers.ie/juniorpainter.
US comedian Kevin Hart, who will be playing to Dublin audiences next January
start talking about mental health A campaign to get people involved in the conversation of suicide was launched recently and people from all around Dublin are invited to take part. Suicide or Sur vive (SOS) is running its annual High Tea and Talk campaign in an attempt to raise aware-
ness about mental health. World Suicide Prevention Day takes place on September 10 and SOS are encouraging people to take time out with a loved one or a friend to have a cup of tea and a chat as this is a great way to get people to talk about any problems they might be experiencing. The campaign is ask-
ing people to host a tea morning with friends, in the workplace, or within a local community group to raise awareness of mental health. To get involved contact Jacqui at SOS on jacqui@suicideorsurvive.ie or call 1890 577 577 and the charity will send an information pack. Alternatively you can donate €4 by texting SOS4 to 50300.
Bride Groom SEPTEMBER 10, 2015
Let The Gazette help make your wedding day extra special and guarantee you have happy memories to share with friends and family in the years to come
ď ´
GAZETTE
10 September 2015 GAZETTE I
WHAT TO WEAR:
Divine gowns and accessories for the Mother of the Bride Page III
THE LOOK:
Top tips from make-up artist Marc Sinclair Page VII
Beauty Wedding
Beautiful in Bloom headpiece by Glitzy Secrets online boutique, www.glitzysecrets.com, a vintage-inspired soft white organza hair flower set upon a trailing floral headpiece encrusted with sparkling Austrian crystals
In search of the perfect dress? From lace to ruffles, we give you a sneak peek at what styles are popular this season SEE PAGE VI
TRULY GIFTED:
Thoughtful presents that will be cherished Page VI
OH HONEY!
Find the perfect place to relax and unwind Page VIII
GAZETTE
II GAZETTE 10 September 2015
Bride Groom
An ideal hidden gem of a venue that’s steeped in history and full of charm KILRONAN Castle located on the shores
and that is to deliver excellence and
of Lough Meelough, Ballyfarnon, Co
a memorable experience for you and
Roscommon is one of Ireland’s hidden
your guests. Kilronan Castle offers an
gems. One of Ireland’s most luxurious
unparalleled Irish castle wedding expe-
castle hotels, Kilronan Castle is the
rience and first class services.
ancestral home of the Tenison family
The castle has 84 superbly appointed
and the legendary Colonel King Tenison.
bedrooms, fully equipped with contem-
It is one of a few Irish castle estates
porary comforts. These rooms fuse
that can trace its history back to royal
modern luxury with a touch of old-style
families. This 200-year-old castle is
glamour.
steeped in history, full of character and
Jillian
The Dungeon Bar is an ideal private
old world charm… the perfect setting
setting for your drinks reception. In the
for your wedding.
summer, your guests will gather on the
Kilronan Castle nestles amongst
| WEDDING STYLE |
patio sipping on pink champagne whilst
acres of woodland, open lawns and path
overlooking the scenic Lough Meelagh
ways leading you to a truly breathtak-
and, alternatively for a winter wed-
ing estate. From intimate to extrava-
ding, the roaring open fires make the
gant, traditional to bespoke their
surroundings comfortable and homely,
expert team offer a comprehensive
the candle lit wine cellar just adds to
service ensuring your wedding will be
the mystical atmosphere.
uniquely yours. Kilronan Castle want
Catering for smaller intimate num-
the planning of your day to be effort-
bers of 150 guests to numbers exceed-
less and most enjoyable. Once you have
ing 350 in our grand ballroom, Kilronan
met with their experienced wedding
Castle is the perfect venue for your
coordinators, they only have one focus,
wedding day celebrations.
Rory
Jillian
Drew, availabe at Bridal Boutique in Fairview
The Dress!
IT’S probably the most special, extravagant not to
She also says that full ball gowns are becoming popular
mention expensive dress you will ever wear, so every
again and who doesn’t want to look like Cinderella on
bride wants to get her wedding dress just right.
her wedding day? Tina says that structured bodices
From bustier to sweetheart, corseted to draped,
there is so much choice right now, you could be a little daunted by the range of dresses available. Tina at the Bridal Boutique in Fairview has picked some of the highlights for next season. She says that lace never goes out of fashion and who can forget Kate Middleton’s stunning wedding dress?
are also popular and that, hold the bouquet, ruffles are popular again. Whatever you choose, make sure that you are comfortable, or as comfortable as you can be, so you can
strut your stuff on the dancefloor when the formalities are over! Have a look at our favourites.
10 September 2015 Gazette III
Mother of the bride After the bride, the second most important person
ferent. How about a glamorous trouser suit or a floor
in the room, is of course, the mother of the bride. As
length frock - it doesn’t have to be the domain of the
such, getting the right outfit is of the utmost impor-
bridesmaid only.
tance. Most Irish mother’s of the bride do tend to
Here at Gazette style we have picked some of our
follow a certain formula and that’s fine as it works.
favourites that will help your mum feel the like special
But there are plenty of mum of bride outfits for that
lady that she is and second most beautiful woman in
mammy who wants to be that little bit quirkier or dif-
the room!
Brown Thomas Paule Ka Cropped Rose Trim Jacket €550 and Pleated Midi Skirt €490
House of Fraser Untold Kitty Outline Edge Fascinator €65
Brown Th omas Ken neth Jay Lane Pearl Drop Earrin gs €100
Co Cov ast V er i Up enna €1 10
House of Fraser Linea Penelope lace dress €195
Brown Thomas Stuart Weitzman Reckless Heeled Sandals €430 Coast Cassia lace dress €150
GAZETTE
IV GAZETTE 10 September 2015
Bride Groom The perfect
Alternative venues IAN BEGLEY
If you’re on the prowl for an alternative wedding venue that is a hundred miles away from the type of wedding your grandparents had, then you will be pleased to know that Ireland has a huge range of unconventional wedding venues on offer. From castles, barns, theatres, sport’s stadiums and the Zoo, there are plenty of unique and eccentric wedding venues to suit all tastes. If your heart is set on a Dublin city wedding, but you’re looking for a large space to celebrate, then Smock Alley Theatre might be the perfect venue for your big day. With exposed brick walls, ornate plasterwork ceiling, and stained glass windows, this venue is certainly a sight to behold. Another great alternative venue is at Mount Druid in Westmeath. The building and its surroundings are made up from a converted barn, an unconsecrated tin chapel, 20 traditional Mongolian yurts, three shep-
herd’s huts, a charmingly cosy gate lodge, a three-bed school master’s house, an 1820s Georgian house, several BBQ areas, a walled garden, a summer house and three lakes. Why not choose to say “I Do” at the zoo? Dublin Zoo is a unique alternative to the traditional wedding venue and provides a magical backdrop for your special day. Haughton House, a restored historical building with magnificent views of the zoo, is available seven days a week for all types of wedding ceremonies including civil ceremonies, civil partnerships and blessings. With weddings at Croke Park, GAA fans can marry their love of the game with the love of their life. Whether you are interested in a large traditional reception, a small intimate celebration or something in between, they can offer you the perfect alternative venue. For information on these wedding venues visit www.alternativewed dings.ie and www.hitched.ie.
| SELECTING THE VENUE |
IAN BEGLEY
FINDING the perfect wedding venue for your big day can be a very challenging and expensive feat, but thanks to a large range of deals on offer, you can rest assured that the picture-perfect wedding of your dreams is just around the corner.
The Bracken Court Hotel The Bracken Court Hotel, Balbriggan is a well-established four-star luxury hotel, exceptional in design and character. From the moment you step onto the red carpet, you will experience a friendly and professional wedding team with a single focus in mind – the success of the most memorable day in your life. The Bracken Court Hotel has a range of wedding packages to suit all tastes and budgets. With warm hospitality and impeccable service, combined with experience and passion for weddings, the hotel aims to ensure that your day will be truly unforgettable. A grand affair, an intimate reception, the style of your wedding is entirely
up to you. Their wedding offers provide an array of packages to choose from, starting from €39.95 per person. The hotel is also hosting their Autumn Wedding Showcase on Sunday, September 27 from 2 to 6pm, with the hotel’s reception suites and civil ceremony room will be dressed for the occasion. Contact events@courtyard.ie to make a personal appointment to view the hotel’s wedding venue and discuss your specific requirements.
The Court Yard Hotel Built on the original site where Arthur Guinness created his brewing empire, Bespoke Wedding Venue in Kildare offers old world charm, beautiful original stone work with contemporary design in a setting that is as picturesque as a pint settling. From its humble beginnings back in 1756, the Court Yard Hotel has become a popular choice with a unique space for weddings and events since opening its doors in 2005. A graceful renovation
The elegant decor of the Glenlo Abbey Hotel in Galway
and rejuvenation of historic buildings, the Court Yard Hotel is unique in character and design with beautiful exposed brick walls, huge windows and vaulted and beamed ceilings. Renowned for their ability to capture the true essence of the day, the Court Yard Hotel believes that each wedding should truly reflect the bride and groom’s own personal style. The Court Yard Hotel has a wide range of choices to offer for your wedding event. Ideal for intimate gatherings, celebrate with up to 100 cherished family and friends in their RiverBank reception room, which has beautiful views of the River Liffey and Leixlip Castle Boat House. The RiverBank room offers its own private terrace for pre-drinks reception and evening party room with an exclusive piano bar. Their packages provide an array of enhancements to choose from, starting from €39.95 per person.
Glenlo Abbey Hotel On October 4, from 2pm to 5pm, brides and grooms are invited to the Glenlo Abbey Hotel’s styl-
ish wedding fair in Galway. Enjoy a selection of afternoon tea delicacies from the hotel’s Afternoon Tea Menu, followed by a fashion show featuring top bridal boutiques and advice on the day. From the moment you drive through the cast iron gates, you will be captivated by the beauty of this enchanting lake side estate overlooking Lough Corrib. Tastefully restored and truly elegant, this country estate is “a hidden gem” in the west of Ireland, a mere five minutes’ drive from Galway City Centre. The wedding team at Glenlo Abbey Hotel will be on hand on the day with, along with a selection of expert wedding suppliers catering for all aspects of your wedding. From the Victorianinspired decor of the graceful French Room to the fairytale setting of the beautiful stone-cut restored abbey, ideal for intimate civil ceremonies, to the elegant surrounds of our Corrib Suite, with its panoramic views over Lough Corrib, one cannot feel but overwhelmed by the beauty and grandeur of this magnificent
10 September 2015 Gazette V
place for saying ‘I do’ property. Glenlo Abbey Hotel is truly a destination wedding venue, attracting couples from all over Ireland and abroad to celebrate their special day. For further details, call +353 91 519669 or visit www.glenloabbeyhotel. ie.
Radisson Blu St Helen’s Hotel The Radisson Blu St Helen’s Hotel in Stillorgan are also opening its doors for a Wedding Open Day on September 27 from 2pm to 6pm. Visitors can tour the historic 18th-century
mansion’s rich and intimate surroundings – ideal for a traditional wedding, civil ceremony or garden blessing celebrations. Each private room will be set up to your liking on your special day, where you will enjoy a complimentary glass of bubbly on arrival, and sample a selection of canape. Elegant architectural details and furnishings perfectly complement the lush, natural garden settings of the hotel, which provide countless backdrops for stunning photographs. The hotel’s wedding package includes: a dedi-
cated wedding consultant from the moment of booking; a red carpet welcome; use of the hotel’s formal gardens for photographs; champagne on arrival for the bride and groom; fresh flowers for all tables; personalised menus; place cards and table plan; deluxe accommodation at a special rate for guests; complimentary car parking for all guests; champagne breakfast in bed for the newlyweds; and deluxe accommodation in a balcony suite for the bride and groom. Three dining suites are available at the hotel and can seat anywhere from
Radisson Blu St Helen’s Hotel is also a beautiful venue
The Court Yard Hotel offers unique spaces to hold
for civil ceremonies
wedding day celebrations
10 to 200 guests. Menus can be customised to the preferences of event planners. With its private bar facilities, dance floor and band space, the Pembroke Suite is the perfect
choice for large, traditional wedding parties. A chic location for a drinks and canapes reception, The Le Panto Suite opens onto a private terrace that overlooks the hotel’s park-like
surroundings and can host up to 70 guests. The Seamount Suite is ideal for intimate, seated dinners for about 50 guests. Its balcony area offers vistas of the gardens, Dublin
Bay and Howth Head. For further enquiries and more information on the Wedding Open Day contact 01 218 6054 or visit www.radissonblu.ie/ sthelenshotel-dublin
GAZETTE
VI GAZETTE 10 September 2015
Bride Groom
| GIFT GUIDE | Kelly
Hop
pen
dotcomgiftshop Japanese dinner plate sunflowers €14.95
pott er’s
bow l €70
Next Copper Triply pans €20-€57
Penneys three-wick tin candle in Cotton Lily €4
Hou M&S Arabella cushion €27
se o f Fra prin ser blu ted e vase leaf €30
Debenham’s Nespresso red Lattissima touch+ €420
Argos Offset bookcase by Foley €276.49
10 September 2015 Gazette VII
| wedding make-up |
Bringing your entire look together aisling kennedy
Wedding make-up is one of the three essential ingredients that bring a bride’s wedding look together along with her hair and, of course, her bridal dress. If a bride doesn’t achieve the perfect look for her wedding day, the memories of her day and indeed the photographs of the day may always be something of a regret in her mind. To prevent that from happening the Gazette spoke to renow ned make-up artist Marc Sinclair from Lancome Elite Make-Up who gave his expert tips on how to
achieve the perfect bridal look. “A bride should always feel confident and as comfortable as she can. You want the bride to look fabulous in the photos and you want her to look back on her photos in 20 years and say ‘Wow, I looked good that day and I felt good that day.’” Sinclair first advises brides to make sure that they look for an experienced make-up artist in the run up to their big day. “It’s all about someone who has experience with regards to photography and photoshoots as well as bridal experience. You want someone who
knows how to bring out the natural beauty of a bride and make her look good in the photos.” Sinclair explains that it is essential for all brides to partake in a make-up trial at least three months in advance of the big day. “All brides should work on that basis of three months in advance, minimum. The reason for this is just in case the bride has any skin conditions, dehydration or redness that a make-up artist could help to clear up. It gives the make-up artist enough time to be able to work on that beforehand but also in case the bride doesn’t like the make-up artist, it then gives her
time to be able to find someone else.” In advance of the wedding, Sinclair advises all brides to step up their skin care regime and says that at least eight weeks in advance of the big day, brides should invest in a good skin care products and treat themselves to facials and drink plenty of water. Sinclair also has a word of warning to any brides thinking of going for a red lip on their big day saying: “It’s a lot of maintenance on the day so unless you don’t mind touching up your make-up all night, I would advise against it. Also brides should remember that red lip-
Make-up artist Marc Sinclair from Lancome Elite Make-Up
stick is not timeless. For me, make-up should be timeless, you should be able to look at it in years to come and it should still look like modern makeup. The red lip is really a
bit of a trend so you might look back in 20 years and think ‘Oh god, why did I do that?’” On the topic of fake lashes, Sinclair says he personally likes the more
natural looking fake lashes and adds: “I think they really accentuate the eyes in photos. I would say definitely go for it, just once it’s nothing too dramatic.”
GAZETTE
VIII GAZETTE 10 September 2015
Bride Groom
Choosing wedding favours that fit your style and your budget PLANNING a wedding obviously takes a lot of thought, and every last detail must be thoroughly threshed out. In the midst of all the planning about venue, dresses, tuxes, honeymoon etc, don’t forget to thank your guests for sharing in your big day with the gift of wedding favours.
| TRAVELLING FOR TWO |
Celebrating your new life together IAN BEGLEY
Wedding favours are a simple and effective way for the bride and groom to show their appreciation to their guests for helping to celebrate their union. When selecting wedding favours, one must always take three things into consideration: budget, the number of guests, and the shelf life of the item. If a large gathering is expected wedding favours can be a huge drain on the budget. As modern weddings are often about adding a personal touch and a sense of originality and personality to the big day, you can kill two birds with one stone by providing homemade personally themed wedding favours. By doing this you can not only reduce the cost, but give your wedding an extra personal touch at the same time.
HONEYMOONS are a once in a lifetime experience and are an unforgettable way to kick start to your life with your new husband or wife. For the extra special occasion there’s no better way of celebrating than by travelling to a dream destination from the wide range of honeymoon packages on offer. With GoHop.ie, you can spend 14 nights in Kerala in five different
resorts from €2,280pp from October to April. Unwind and allow all of your wedding nerves float away in this destination, which boasts postcardperfect beaches, shady coconut groves and lush paddy fields. Spend two nights in the Old Harbour Hotel in Kochi, two nights in the Windermere Estate in Munnar, two nights in Cardamom County in Kerala, two nights in Backwater Ripples in Kumarakom, one night in Lakes and Lagoons in Alappuzha, and five nights in The Leela Kovalam in Kovalam. Highlights on this tour include soaking up in the picturesque port town of Kochi, exploring the tea plantations and pristine valleys of Munnar, gliding along the Kumarakom backwaters and relaxing on the golden beaches of idyllic Kovalam. If you have your heart set on a honeymoon with a difference, look no further than Malta. This hidden gem of the Mediterranean has everything you need to celebrate your love for one another. The islands of Malta and Gozo have such a wide variety of venues for you to choose from when it comes to selecting the perfect locations for your ceremony and reception. What’s more, with romantic and intimate getaways located all over the islands, Malta and Gozo offer the ideal setting for a honeymoon neither of you will ever forget. From farmhouses to five-star resorts, quaint rural churches to lush gardens in the heart of the capital city of Valletta, Malta has something to
San Francisco is a vibrant city and the home of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge
Picture perfect: Kerala
cover all tastes and budgets. If you choose Malta for your honeymoon, you don’t need to spend precious time worrying about the Irish weather. Instead you can relax safe in the knowledge that even in the middle of winter Malta gets an average of five to six hours of sunshine per day. For those who cannot decide between a tropical island or a city honeymoon in the USA, then why not combine the two in a San Francisco and Hawaii honeymoon package from €3,690pp. For 17 nights, this honeymoon combo is the perfect way to celebrate life as newlyweds. You will experience diverse cultures, great dining, some of the best shopping in the US and, of course,
Ideal weather: Malta
sandy beaches, coral reefs and verdant islands. San Francisco’s vibrant city’s attractions include Union Square, home to many of the city’s hotels, the former prison-island of Alcatraz, Golden Gate Park or the seafood restaurants on Fisherman’s Wharf. Hawaii is an ideal destination to travel all year around as the weather is always good. GoHop.ie suggests that you avoid July and August as they can be particularly hot. If you are planning a well-deserved and unique honeymoon, then why not head to the diverse and beautiful country of Singapore. Spend five nights in the Mandarin Orchard Hotel from €1,369pp from February, 2016 with travelmood.ie Singapore is a place
that melds Chinese, Indian, Muslim and Western cultures into an exotic combination and is a great choice for a honeymoon that will inspire jealousy in all your friends. Get great views of the city on the Singapore Flyer, the world’s largest observation wheel, and then learn about its cultural history at the Asian Civilisations Museum. You can make your way to the MacRitchie Nature Trail where you can stroll in the rainforest canopy with the TreeTop Walk, catch a live performance at Esplanade or hike along The Southern Ridges and be rewarded with stunning views. For more information on these honeymoon deals, visit abbey tevael.ie, gohop.ie and travelmood. ie
10 September 2015 Gazette 21
Gazette
dublinlife Prefab housing ‘should only be for short term’
feature
homelessness: Councils to view possible solution
Keith Bellew
MAYORS, chief executives, senior housing staff and heads of local authority strategic policy committees on housing will have a chance to see how modular or prefab housing works when the Dublin Region Homeless Executive gives a demonstration on September 15 at East Wall Road. As many as 250 of these units could be built on 20 vacant sites in Dublin as a shortterm measure to accommodate homeless families currently living in hotels. Prefab components can be placed side-byside, end-to -end, or stacked, allowing a wide variety of configurations and styles in the building layout. The houses can be assembled on-site in a matter of days and could be available to families within the next three to six months. At last count 361 families with 768 dependants were staying in hotels and 195 families with 417 dependants were staying in various other types of homeless accommodation. The demonstration project will be situated on the site for a period of two to four weeks, after which the units will be removed and the site will be returned to its established use.
It is planned that the demonstration area will display a fully fitted modular housing unit from each participating provider and will primarily include two-bedroom units. A spokesperson from the Dublin Region Homeless Executive said the primary objective of the demonstration project was to contribute to the debate on the viability of modular housing, as a temporary form of quality accommodation provision for the increasing numbers of households in emergency homeless accommodation. “The concept of modular housing available on a temporary basis is being considered against the backdrop of ensuring that the longterm housing options for each household can be progressed by the local authority, as housing supply becomes available in line with the Social Housing Strategy 2020. “The key advantages of modular construction methods include factory-assembled components allow for greater accuracy, quality assurance and consistency, the construction and delivery process is speeded up, and site works are minimised to simple foundation systems and the provision of access roads, services
and landscaping,” said the spokesperson. Speaking to The Gazette, chair of the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown housing committee, Cllr John Bailey (FG) believes modular housing to be a far better alternative for families than hotel rooms. He says many families living in hotels are being treated in an undignified manner, being made to use back entrances and being completely segregated from the rest of the guests. He believes this needs to end and he says he is willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen. Cllr Ken Duffy (Lab) chair of the Fingal housing committee said the project was one of high quality housing for a medium term solution, which will “fast-track the plight of those who are living in hotels”. Before Fingal locks into the scheme, he said, they would have to clarify how long families will be living in these units. Following the demonstration, the issue will be discussed at the housing committee and full council meetings before any decision being made. Cllr Cathal King (SF), chair of South Dublin County Council’s housing committee, was less enthusiastic about the proposals.
He said that he would reserve judgement until he had seen the demonstration. He added that should the proposals gain traction and get the goahead it must only be a short-term measure. Families should not be left living in these developments for extended periods of time he said. Cllr Daithi Doolan (SF), chair of Dublin City Council’s housing committee, took a more positive view of the proposal saying families being housed in hotels and B&Bs was unacceptable and put children at serious risk of exploitation and abuse. “That has got to stop. We want a solution, and if the housing comes up to standard and it meets what we need, and meets the peoples’ needs I don’t see it being a big problem as long as it meets international standards and best practice. “We’d hope that there will be a number of sites across the four local authorities, and no more than 10 or so units will be put on each site,” he said. It should only be used as a short-term measure, he said. The units wouild be in areas close to services, and councillors would argue that they should be near public transport, schools and shops, he concluded.
The Dublin Region Homeless Executive will give a demonstration on how modular or prefab housing works
Gazette
22 Gazette 10 September 2015
dublinlife
escape the mayhem: tv3’s lone male xpose presenter, peter o’riordan, on how he unwinds
Family wins over fashion in his time off aisling kennedy
PETER O’Riordan has his hands full at the moment as the only male face on TV3’s weekday entertainment show, Xpose, and with a new baby boy recently added
to the mix, he appreciates his downtime now more than ever. O’Riordan took time out this week to tell The Gazette how he unwinds during his days off. “My family and my house are my sanctu-
ary, to be honest. Myself and my wife, Stephanie, recently moved into a new house so we have the rarity of having a back garden now. “We also have a playground literally out the back of the house on the
banks of the Dodder, too, so that’s brilliant for our little boy, Olivier.” O’Riordan said that in his previous job as assignment editor at TMZ in LA, he would enjoy spending his weekends partying with his wife and living for the weekend.
Weekends “Now, our son is our real enjoyment, and I love going to Imaginosity and the Panda Play Cafe on the weekends with him. That’s what I look forward to – just spending time with my wife and my son no matter what the capacity is. I enjoy that quality time,” he said. O’Riordan does like to treat himself and his wife to the odd childfree night, however, and he said that they are big foodies and enjoy trying out new restaurants around Dublin city centre. “My wife doesn’t eat meat at all; she’s almost
Peter O’Riordan: “Now that we have our son, we practically turn into pumpkins if we stay out later than midnight. Our priorities have changed now that we’re parents.”
vegan, apart from the fact that she eats cheese. She can’t give up the cheese! “It’s fun for us to find new really cool restaurants that have vegetarian options for her. We’ve found some really great places in town, so we love to go out and have a glass of wine and good food.” Top of O’Riordan’s recommendations for restaurants in the city centre are Dylan McGrath’s Fade Street Social and the newly opened Sue-
sey Street in Fitzwilliam Place, run by head chef Lumir Tousek, formerly of L’Ecrivain. “We love Fade Street Social, there’s just a great mixture of food there and it’s delicious. Everyone should check out Suesey Street too, it’s got that real Manhattan low-key, cool vibe feel to it and they have gorgeous vegetarian food and amazing cocktails.” O’Riordan said that the days of staying out partying until 3am are over for
himself and his wife now, and they always ensure they are home around midnight so that they get some sleep. “Now that we have our son, we practically turn into pumpkins if we stay out later than midnight. Our priorities have changed now that we’re parents, but it’s great. It’s lovely to have that time to spend with my family and relax.” Catch Peter O’Riordan on Xpose every week day on TV3.
Drive away to find a debate with Vincent Vincent Browne announced last week that he will allow members of the public who wish to air their views on a debate topic to drive out to the TV3 studios in Ballymount to take part in his panel programme each week night. This new way of bringing panellists onto his show will mean
that politicians will take part in live debates with members of the public. The change in the line-up is not a replacement for The People’s Debate with Vincent Browne, but it is a way of freshening things up in the studio. At the launch of the T V3
autumn schedule last week, Browne said: “We needed to change it and we thought this was a better idea. “That’s an important part of what we’re about in the media – that the agenda shouldn’t be set by a few people who are usually of the same mind.”
10 September 2015 Gazette 23
Gazette
features 10th birthday: family friendly events open to all
A top night on the cultural calendar Keith Bellew
Museums, galleries, libraries, theatres, parks and Government buildings in Dublin will be open to the public on Friday, September 18 as Culture Night celebrates its tenth birthday. A series of free tours, workshops, readings, performances and demonstrations for all the family will be held across the city as part of this year’s celebration, the theme of which is Revolves Around You.
Having grown in Dublin from 40,000 attendees to 145,000 in 10 years, it is now a citywide cultural movement and the programme is a showcase of the capital’s diverse and vibrant arts and creative scene. It will include hundreds of participants from all genres including photographers, illustrators, designers, composers, visual artists, dancers, aerialists, researchers, and script writers, along with conductors, projection mappers, graffiti art-
ists, authors, singers and musicians. This year will see the return of Downstairs Dublin in which the outside basements of Merrion Square’s Georgian mansions come alive with a programme of talks, installations, projections, music and more. Also returning this year are the highly popular guided tours of Aras an Uachtarain. Rediscover the capital with culture night tours by foot, bike or horse and carriage giving Dubliners
a chance to rediscover their hometown and outsiders the chance to discover it. These tours include a U2 Music Tour, a Lost In Fashion History tour and special quarter tours both in English and international languages. The Liffey will be the course for nautical races in native Irish currach boats organised by Oireachtas na Gaeilge as part of a full waterways and language programme. There will also be a performance by the inspirational High Hopes
Explore the hidden history of Temple Bar from its origins to the 1990s
Choir, Ireland’s first choir for homeless people set up by David Brophy, former conductor of the RTE Concert Orchestra in Focus Ireland, Temple Bar. Getting to and from the various events will be a cultural experience itself as Dublin Bus will provide free buses every 20 minutes starting on Bachelor’s Walk, Aston
Quay, Trinity College and Parkgate Street bringing visitors to and from their favourite cultural quarters. These free buses will be fully programmed with on-bus entertainment. Meanwhile, DART will offer 100 free family passes for travel on culture night also. Dublin City Council arts officer Ray Yeates said Dublin City Council
was delighted to be supporting Culture Night. “Culture Night offers something for all ages and every member of the family. To those who haven’t experienced the marvel and surprise before I encourage you to get out and experience Culture Night as it revolves around you.” V i s i t : w w w. c u l turenight.ie/
GAZETTE
24 GAZETTE 10 September 2015
DUBLINLIFE
FEATURES
EU CRISIS: PRESSURE MOUNTING ON IRELAND TO STEP UP ITS HELP FOR MILLIONS OF PEOPLE
Make your voice clear: we must help Syrians AISLING KENNEDY
OVER the past week, pressure has been mounting on the Government and Irish people to make a stand and open our borders to the millions of Syrian refugees who are in desperate need of help. The most significant catalyst of late was the publication of the harrowing images of threeyear-old Aylan Kurdi, the little Syrian boy who was found dead on the shore of a beach near the Turkish resort of Bodrum after he drowned while trying to flee his war-torn country. Pressure has been steadily mounting on Ireland to acknowledge and step in to help the millions of Syrian people who are desperately seeking safety. A o i f e Mu r p hy, a spokesperson for the Migrants Right Centre Ireland (MRCI), told The Gazette that she noticed that people were reaching a level of shock prior to the image of Aylan because nothing had been done yet by the Government, and that there had been no real response to the migrant crisis. She said: “In particular, since Germany stepped up and said that they will take 800,000 people, we suddenly started to ask what are we doing.” Prior to the publication of the image of Aylan, Ireland had originally pledged to take in 600
refugees over two years. Due to increased pressure on the Government, however, the Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald, spoke on RTE radio last week and gave a figure of 1,800, saying: “If the figure of 150,000 [which is the current number that Europe has agreed to], for example, is put on the table, that will effectively mean a trebling of what we have committed to already. “So if that figure is agreed at a European level, that brings us to a figure of 1,800 people, and clearly then we would have to see what extra initiatives we can make in terms of contributing aid, in terms of the naval search and rescue [ongoing mission].” Following this statement by Minister Fitzgerald, the Department of Public Expenditure and the Office of Public Works announced this week that they were working on a draft report in an effort to establish any available buildings which could be suitable for refugee families. This draft document, which has no clear spending limit, may need to be altered depending on how many people Ireland is asked to accept in an initial EU countryby-country proposal later this week. An initial figure of 5,000 people was given by the Tanaiste, Joan Burton, this week.
Artwork by Islam Gawish showing three-year-old Syrian child Aylan Kurdi, who drowned last week with his five-year-old brother, Galib (both right) and their mother, Rehana, as they attempted to reach the Greek island of Kos from Turkey
She said: “It could be 5,000, it could be more. I wouldn’t like to put an upper limit on it. They will go into accommodation, but they won’t be in the same category as those in direct provision.” The EU continent-wide initiative will be discussed at a meeting of justice and home affairs ministers on September 14, which will be attended by Minister Fitzgerald. While these steps to help Syrian refugees are all steps in the right direction, Murphy said that the MRCI thinks that the Government should be saying Ireland will take thousands of people. She said: “We have
the capacity to take tens of thousands of people – that’s what we could be doing.” Murphy compared the situation in Syria to World War II, and said that this was the greatest refugee crisis since that time. “This is a humanitarian crisis. It is an exceptional moment in history, and we have to do something because we cannot look back on this in 20 years’ time and say: ‘What were we doing?’ “We didn’t do enough during World War II, and we know we could have saved more people. We all know the six million amount of people who perished [then], and we
could have saved some of them. “We turned away refugee boats then, we cannot do the same thing now. We have to learn the lessons of the past.” As it stands currently, there are more than 12.2m Syrians in need of humanitarian assistance, according to UN statistics. It is estimated that 5.6m of these are children, putting an entire generation of children at risk.
Murphy said that the best way Irish people can help is by contacting their local TDs to tell them that we need to take in more refugees. She said: “It is vital that we all contact our local TDs. Right now, that is the most practical thing people can do, along with donating to aid agencies. “The voices that will dominate at the moment are people who think we shouldn’t be letting anyone in, and these people
are very determined. They are the people that will write to the TDs. “We need to make sure that our voices are being heard too, so get on to your TD, tell them that you think we should be the ‘island of a thousand welcomes’ that we like to think we are.” To sign a petition by Uplift, an independent volunteer group, to allow more refugees into Ireland, see https://uplift.ie/ refugee-crisis/.
10 September 2015 Gazette 25
ReelReviews
no escape
An Owen goal for Wilson OWEN Wilson takes a curious misstep into action man territory with No Escape (Cert 15A, 103 mins). Set in an unidentified Asian country, a contractor and his young family find themselves stranded when there’s a violent coup, and – guess what? They can’t escape! Raising eyebrows with critics around the world over its tone, it’s a competent actioner, but worth escaping from.
Joaquin Phoenix and Emma Stone have some life lessons to learn as they cross paths at college, with an unlikely murder plan leading to some comic irrationality
irrational man: woody’s latest offering is typically entertaining
Allen all, a breezy comedy SWALLOWS are fluttering across the sea on their long migration as an amber hue creeps along the peripheries of the leaves. Just as in the natural world there are certain signs to show that we have completed another revolution of the sun, so too there are signs in the world of cinema. Another year means another Woody Allen film – in this case, Irrational Man – and even if you are not a fan of Allen’s work, you have to admire the poultry-like regularity with which he produces films. And while the news of another Woody Allen release is unlikely to rouse much audience attention (Allen himself has stated in interviews that he has no inclina-
Dave phillips
tion to make great films, saying that he would rather go home and have dinner than spend time working late into the night), it would be a mistake to gloss over his latest offering. Granted, there is a strong shadow of familiarity overhanging the film. Emma Stone is back from last year’s Allen offering – this time, playing Jill, the philosophy undergraduate who is on the fence between maintaining a vanilla relationship with parent-approved fel-
low student Roy (Jamie Blackley), or ditching that in pursuit of a spectacular but inevitably illfated love affair with her self-destructive lecturer, Abe (Joaquin Phoenix). A new and exotic addition to the philosophy department, existentialist Abe is an intellectual peacock who is on the hill, but not quite over it. Abe’s reputation for controversial opinions, heav y drinking and illicit student affairs act as an attractive tail feather for Jill, and also for his more age-appropriate love interest, Rita (Parker Posey). Set mainly amid the leaf y, collegiate surrounds, you might expect this to be another plodding drama from Allen that wryly pon-
ders relationship dilemmas. And you’d be right – but it has a bit more to offer. An act of chance eavesdropping by Abe brings the theoretical moral quandaries that he has mastered dissecting in the classroom into a real flesh and blood scenario, as he focuses his intellectual prowess on how to commit the perfect murder. Had Irrational Man been made 30-odd years ago, no doubt we would have seen Woody Allen step into the lead role – romantic, misanthropic, and hopelessly self-absorbed, Abe is the kind of character that Allen would have had a lot of fun with, but so much of what the film has going for it rests on Joaquin Phoenix’s acting.
Building on the wonderful mumbling and bumbling performance he gave in Inherent Vice, Abe comes across as simultaneously reprehensible and endearing. Parker Posey brings a lot to the story with Rita, the settled chemistry lecturer who throws herself at Abe in an attempt to escape the mundanity of her marriage. All the while, we are never sure just how far Emma Stone’s Jill will go to in pursuit of her wide-eyed fantasy. If you’re looking for riveting twists and turns, then look elsewhere – there are no real surprises once the plot gets going. Comically contrasting narratives from the three main characters gives us
a privileged view of the whole affair, so the fun lies in watching Allen cram the pot full of interesting ingredients, turn up the heat, and wait for the unavoidable mess to be made. And what a mess! What results is the usual Woody Allen fare – every bit as meandering, wordy, and glib as you might expect. But there’s an undeniably captivating and fun performance by Phoenix, and a delightfully macabre undertone that makes the whole thing reminiscent of Roald Dahl’s Tales of the Unexpected. At 79, Allen may be getting long in the tooth, but here is the proof he can still bite.
Verdict: 7/10
the transporter Still vroom to improve
BACK for a reboot without franchise star Jason Statham, The Transporter: Refuelled (Cert 15A, 96 mins) sees Ed Skrein slide into the driving seat as an impossibly talented driver of a pretty indestructible car. With a plot that goes all the way from A to B – something to do with driving fast to save his dad and stop Russians – the reboot is a flash-looking vehicle that soon runs out of steam.
hitman: agent 47 Misses the target
GAMERS’ favourite bald assassin is soon to depart our cinema screens, with his film – Hitman: Agent 47 (Cert 15A, 96 mins) having just missed the mark. As 47, Rupert Friend does a great job, but an inept plot, muddled editing and some shoddy effects turn in a film that’s less believable than a game. When will Hollywood learn? Better luck with your next shot at the big screen, 47!
26 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 10 September 2015
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Gazette
28 gazette 10 September 2015
SPORT Large step up for Wes in league
FastSport
rugby: old wesley looking forward to elevated status after long wait
Smith takes podium place in rockingham:
DUBLINER Aron Smith took a podium finish in the British Touring Car Championship last weekend at Rockingham in round 22 of the British Touring Car Championship. Smith brought his VW Passat CC home in third place behind Ford drive Matt Jackson and Honda’s Gordon Shedden. In race 2 of the meeting, Smith managed to take 11th place after a testing race but he was back on form in race 3 with the Team BMR RCIB Insurance Passat scything through the field to take a fine sixth overall. Smith’s Rockingham results leave him 11th in the points table on a total of 143 points. The series is led by Scotland’s Gordon Shedden on 278 points. Elsewhere, Robin Lyons won the first two rounds of Irish National Autotest Championship in Ballyvourney, Co Cork, triumphing after 12 tests.
nathan kelly sport@dublingazette.com
A RETURN to Division 1B brings big names, big games and big nights for Old Wesley and it starts next Saturday at 2.30pm with a trip to Thomond
Park to take on UL Bohemians. It is the first time the Donnybrook side have reached such heights since the turn of the millennium and clubman Alan Large revealed his and the rest of the first-
team excitement for the coming season. “There’s great excitement around the whole club,” he said. “A lot of the teams in this division we haven’t faced in a long time. This is my 11th year here and there are clubs
JC Greyling has received a call-up to the Namibia World Cup panel
Old Wesley celebrating their league success last spring. Picture: Deryck Vincent
like UL Bohemians and St Mary’s that I’ve never faced at all so it will be a big challenge but one we’re looking forward to.” Indeed, Saturday’s meeting in Limerick will be the first time in 15 years the sides have met before Old Wesley welcome Buccaneers to Dublin 4 in a game that already has an interesting back story, which Large revealed. “Buccaneers are Robbie Henshaw’s club and now we’ve got three of his cousins on our squad so that will add even more to our first home game of the season,” said the out-half. “I’m sure a lot of the family will be there and there’ll be a cracking
atmosphere. The great thing about being in the same league as all these good sides is that we have them home and away this year. If we take the points in Limerick on Saturday then UL will come to Donnybrook later seeking revenge and the same goes for Buccaneers and everyone else.” One man who Old Wesley will be without for quite a while at the start of the season is JC Greyling, who will represent Namibia at this year’s Rugby World Cup which gets under way next week in England. His club mate said it is something they’ve prepared for but couldn’t provide an exact date on when he will pull on a Wesley shirt again. “Even from this time
last year, we would have guessed he’d be a part of the Namibia squad for the world cup and the coaches have prepared for that,” said Large. “He’ll obviously be gone for as long as Namibia stay in it and will then get a break on top of that. Hopefully we can get him back around the end of November or thereabouts.” Finally, the former Large revealed the targets the side have set themselves for their return to this level. “We haven’t set our sights on a particular final position or anything,” he said. “What we tend to do is target blocks of games, and target points from say our first four. Then after that, we assess it again.”
St MacDara’s set to benefit from Bowe’s expertise sport@dublingazette.com
Irish rugby international Tommy Bowe
ST MAC DARA’S Community College in Templeogue has been chosen as the Leinster winner of the Subway stores #TrainwithTommy competition. The lucky ladies will benefit from a training session with Tommy Bowe at St MacDara’s Community College later this year. A nutritionist will also be on hand to provide advice and tips to help with the team’s training and perform-
ance. The team will then share a sub with Bowe, with lunch courtesy of their local Subway store in Applegreen on Knocklyon Road. St Mac Dara’s Community College Girls will also receive €1,000 worth of rugby gear to kick start the rugby season, and they’ll get a team picture with the Ulster winger to remember the day. Hundreds of entries were received for the competition which called on rugby, tag teams and schools to upload a
picture or video of their team and explain in 250 words why they needed a training session with Tommy Bowe. St Mac Dara’s girls claimed the top prize in Leinster for their gutsy entr y daring Tommy Bowe to train with them for a day.
A game “So Tommy, if you’re up for a tough session that you will definitely never forget, give us a shout. Just bring your A game Tommy. You’ll need it.” Sharon Brady, who submit-
ted the entry on behalf of the school commented: “We are absolutely delighted to have won the chance to Train with Tommy! “The girls from St Mac Dara’s Community College have been playing for four years now. “They love the game and love cheering on the men and the women in green. “Most of all they love playing though, rain or sunshine. “We are really excited about Tommy coming to the school.”
10 September 2015 gazette 29
Gazette
St Tiernan’s star in Race Around Ireland Dundrum cycling club produce record-breaking time at the first attempt as they complete 2,150km race in just over three days; Daragh O’Toole tells STEPHEN FINDLATER about it DUNDRUM cycling club St Tiernan’s won the eightperson relay 2,150km Race Around Ireland last week in a record-time of 73 hours and 59 minutes. In doing so, the team of Daragh O’Toole, Orna O’Toole, Kirsty Smith, David Bramley, David Corr, Rodney Joyce, Damien Heffernan and Ciaran Ruane maintained an average speed of over 29km/h. Their performance saw them finish around seven hours before secondplaced Average Josies, an all-female team, and only a couple of hours behind the second team home overall, the four-person Average Joes. Indeed, their average speed of 29.68kmh was the second fastest for an eight-person team ever and the quickest for a mixed team. It is a far cry from the initial conception of
the idea to take part as O’Toole explained to GazetteSport. “We’ve been thinking about doing it for a while and, six months ago, I suggested it to a bunch of club members. Eventually, we got a team together – five from the club and three from Yorkshire. “It was hard to get people – they thought this was all a bit crazy but the more we thought about it, the more we thought this is doable.” Indeed, O’Toole added that “it was a complete step into the unknown” for a club primarily based around road-racing with little experience of endurance challenges of this nature. “All of us are racers; most of us are in our 40s and cycling is huge amongst our demo graphic. Racing, though, is a whole different thing in terms of training and
The St Tiernan’s team and support crew
focus. “This kind of thing is a huge challenge – it’s not just physical, the logistics are huge. To get eight people in a relay around Ireland with all the support crew. Once you roll out of Trim, you don’t stop until you get back.” From that start point in Trim, the race rolls north to the Causeway coast and then around the circumference of Ireland before returning to Trim. To this end, the Tiernan’s crew divided into two sub teams of four with one person on the road at all-times with a follow-car with a driver and a navigator. Their other car had three other racers. They would cycle in 15km spells and then swap over with the other rider being on the road and ready to go to keep up a high pace. Each group did an
eight-hour stint before the other team took over. During the down time, the other team would drive up the road, eat and sleep in preparation for their next spell in the saddle. Those best laid plans, though, were disrupted by the sheer pace of the team.
a different class of people – whatever about doing it in a team, doing it solo you have to be made of iron, it is madness. Some were doing 15 hours on, three hours off!” Despite the hard graft, O’Toole says that the plans are already in place to improve on their per-
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‘At the top of a mountain in Kerry at 2am, a marshall popped out from behind a rock to check our bikes’ Daragh O’Toole
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“As it turned out, we went faster than we thought we would go which meant we slept less than we anticipated. I think I had five hours’ sleep over the course of the whole thing.” And all the while, the team had to adhere to the competition’s rules to conduct the relay without skipping a metre. “There are really strict marshalls who appear at random. Literally, at the top of a mountain in Kerry at 2am, a guy popped out from behind a rock to inspect our bikes and what we were doing. They check for fatigue, putting people off the road if you are too tired to cycle. “We didn’t really have that problem because of having the eight-person team but it does happen to the solo riders. They are
formance for next year. “The longest spin I might have done would be about 230km before – Galway to Dublin in a group. The scale of this was completely new and a real eye-opener. “We learned a lot on the road and it is one of those things you have to do to know how to do it better and we are certainly looking forward to doing it again next year. We hope to put a four-man team in next year; there’s huge interest in the club and, if I asked people to sign up today, we would get three teams. “Real life can get in the way and it is quite expensive with entry fees, paying for the support stuff and taking time off work but it’s well worth it and we’re really chuffed with how well it went.”
FastSport
Rush CC win National Cup thanks to Conway’s role CRICKET’S National Cup came back to Rush last Sunday when they just got the better of a thrilling battle with North West side Drummond at Strabane Park in the final. In the end, it was a man-of-the-match winning knock of 43 from Eoghan Conway that proved to be decisive. Conway and Allan Eastwood with a 73-run stand that helped the Leinster side recover from a precarious 69 for 6 in reply to Drummond’s 171. Drummond skipper Steve Moore opted to bat first on winning the toss and after losing Andy Christie early - bowled by former Irish international Allan Eastwood - a 40-run partnership between Chris Moore (20) and Kyle Morrow (16) got the Roe Valley team back on an even keel. That pair and Richard McDaid were to fall in quick succession however as Lynal Jansen (3-14) led the fightback and Drummond struggled to score once Jansen and Shahid Iqbal (0-23 from 9) turned the screw. To their credit the North West team kept going and a 69-run partnership between skipper Moore (35) and Adam McDaid (34) put them right back in it before Dean Brogan came into the attack as fifth change and ended proceedings very abruptly. Brogan finished with 4-26 as the last six wickets fell for the addition of just 32 runs - Drummond dismissed for 171 - boosted by the concession of 32 extras. Stephen Doheny and overseas man Jansen posted 41 for the first wicket as the southerners began the reply in good style before Neal Stewart and his captain, Moore, again put Drummond in the driving seat. Stewart (3-21) was the pick of the attack numerically but Moore (3-36) claimed the key wickets of Jansen, Iqbal and Sadat Gull to give his side real hope. It was nt to last however, Conway and Eastwood having the final say while Niall Mullen’s 18 not out nursed Rush home with just those two wickets in hand. Drummond, as the winners did in the first innings, contributed to their own plight by sending down 29 wides, which was to prove crucial in the final analysis.
Gazette
30 clondalkin gazette 10 September 2015
SPORT
FastSport
Soccer: greenogue club off to a flying start in lsl senior 1
McCann’s Peas in a pod with stellar early run nathan kelly sport@dublingazette.com
Zambra’s super six spurs Bluebell rout GRAHAM Zambra, pictured above, was the star of the show when he scored six times in Bluebell United’s incredible 11-0 win over Sacred Heart in the LSL Saturday Major tie last weekend. It got the club’s second team off to a flying start in the division as they look to push for the upper reaches of the division this term. It came a couple of days after the Sunday Senior side produced a 2-1 win over Firhouse Clover to make it two wins from two in the league as they backed up their opening day win over Malahide United. Shane Stritch nabbed the winner when he raced onto Peter Darcy’s header that got him in behind the last defender. Elsewhere, Glenville fell to a second defeat of the fledgling LSL Sunday Senior season as they were undone 5-0 by Firhouse Clover in their first away tie of the campaign. It followed a narrow 1-0 midweek setback against perennial title challengers Crumlin United to leave Glenville with four points from four games in their first season in the top tier of intermediate football in Leinster. It leaves them in seventh place in the division at this early stage having opened the campaign with a 2-0 win over Glebe North and then drawing with fellow promoted side St Mochta’s in their second tie. Crumlin lead the way with three wins from three to start the season. A division below, Dublin Bus fell to their first defeat of the new campaign when they were undone last Sunday by Broadford Rovers 3-2. They had previously run up two draws and a 3-0 win over TEK United in their opening three games.
WITH a new league, a new manager, plenty of new players, a short pre-season and being forced to play their first five league fixtures in 16 days, many could have f o r g i ve n P e a m o u n t United for a slow start to the season this time. But Maxi McCann’s side have started life in Senior Division 1A with four wins from those five games and sit top of the third tier of the LSL after the opening two weeks. The former Lourdes Celtic, Cherry Orchard and Dublin Bus coach is taking nothing for granted at his new Greenogue home however. “It’s a good start, but it is just a start and you win nothing with those,” he said when speaking to us after his side’s most recent win over Lucan United. “The players deserve an awful lot of credit, we were dealt a tough hand being issued five fixtures in such a short
space of time at the start of the season, but we’ve dealt with it as well as possible.” Dealt with it they sure have, with McCann already using 21 different players in this early stage of the season due to holidays, work and other issues. Only Ballymun and Pegasus have played a s m a ny g a m e s a s Peamount although the Clondalkin outfit are idle this weekend due to the side’s golf classic which should bring a well-earned break. Sunday’s win over nearby Lucan United saw the Peas go ahead within a couple of seconds. Ian Cowzer ’s opener after 20 seconds came so quick that his new manager was jotting down some early notes when the ball went in. Lucan then equalised before Peamount went ahead again through and it was 2-1 at the break. Peamount scored early after the restart and led 3-1 for much of the half. Lucan did
hosie cup Clondalkin start season with big Kildare victory clondalkin Rugby Club got their com-
petitive season up and running with an impressive 40-19 win over North Kildare in the J1 Hosie Cup Section A last weekend at their home in Gordon Park. Clon are next in action against Cill Dara next Sunday away as they continue to build toward their opening Leinster league against De La Salle Palmerston on September 26.
Picture: Sharon Flanagan
Peamount United’s LSL Sunday Senior 1 panel from last season
pull one back late on through a long ball but it only proved to be a consolation. Their strong star t, which other than the Lucan game has seen wins come against Maynooth, Newtown and Ballymun as well as a defeat to Newbridge, becomes even more impressive when McCann revealed details about their preparation for this season. “When I got the job I was actually in Spain, around the start of July,” he said.
“I didn’t get back for around two weeks so by then we only really had a couple of weeks together before the season got under way. “Even by then, a lot of players from last year I’d never even met had moved in so I had to bring a good few in myself.” Peamount were relegated from Senior Sunday 1 last season, but McCann feels everything is in place for this side to return to the second tier and go even further, even if there
are some false notions about the club by some players. “I get the feeling a lot of people think Peamount is miles away, almost in the country,” he said. “People around the likes of Clondalkin often think clubs like Crumlin are more local to them, but Peamount is here, it has outstanding facilities, great people across the whole club, a good atmosphere, and hopefully this team can continue the strong start we’ve had.”
10 September 2015 CLONDALKIN gazette 31
Gazette
family fun day
Round Tower to host fun and games on Sunday
Club Noticeboard Round tower, clondalkin
a host of fun, games and activities that will
bring enjoyment to young and old alike are lined up by Round Tower GAA Club for its 2015 Family Fun Day that will take place in Clondalkin village this coming Sunday, September 13. This year’s Family Fun Day is again taking place at the club’s playing facilities at Monastery Road, Clondalkin village, and will run 1pm to 5pm, with admission free.
CONGRATULATIONS to Jim and Frank.
intermediate camogie final this Sun-
A great achievement and we send our
day, September 13 in Croke Park. Thank you to all who assisted with
best wishes as you prepare for the
Round Tower collection last weekend.
final.
football: palmerstown side cause big upset
Round Tower Family Fun Day is tak-
The junior B Footballers beat St
ing place this coming Sunday, Sep-
Francis Gaels in the league to main-
tember 13. Please spread the word.
tain their unbeaten run. The minor
A host of family related games and
hurlers were defeated in the champi-
entertainment are being hosted at
onship by Setanta.
Monastery Road in Clondalkin village.
The mini leagues will run from Mon-
This will include an inflatable pitch,
day , September 14 to Thursday, Sep-
games, stalls, music, barbecue, and
tember 17 from 6 to 7.30pm at Mon-
tasty treats for all. Admission is free
astery Road. U-7 to U-12 football and
and all are welcome. The day will run
hurling leagues will take place. The Round Tower lotto draw for
1pm – 5pm. This coming Saturday at 4pm, our senior hurlers are in senior B cham-
August 31: numbers drawn were 13, 18, 27 and 29; the bonus ball was 5. There was no winner of the €9,100
pionship semi-final action against St
jackpot or bonus ball winner; three
Oliver Plunkett’s. The game will be played at Parnell Park. Best of luck to the lads and all
€100 winners: John McDaid, Fergus Cummins, Lenny Grant. Thanks to all who supported and
support welcome. All the best to our very own Jenny Byrne who will referee the All-Ireland
play Lotto online at www.roundtower. ie.
ST pat’s palmerstown
The St Pat’s Palmerstown senior footballers prior to their tie with St Sylvester’s
Pat’s down Division 1 side in SFC opener
dublin sfc first rd St Pat’s, Palmerstown St Sylvester’s nathan kelly
4-6 2-8
sport@dublingazette.com
ST PAT’S Palmerstown booked their place in the second round of the Dublin senior football championship with an impressive 4-6 to 2-8 win over St Sylvester’s on Monday night. The game was moved to Garristown in a late venue change from St Margaret’s but the extra 17km travelling north Dublin on a Monday evening didn’t trouble a Palmerstown side who finished with a
scoring flurry. Pat’s led 1-2 to 0-4 at the break with Shane Stapleton’s goal proving the difference but Syl’s hit back after the restart when Alan Foy and Michael McCarthy both netted just four minutes into the second half. Goals win games however and Syl’s failed to add anymore while Stapleton got a second before Jim Kelly and Garvan Gallagher also raised green flags late on which was enough to secure Pat’s passage to the second round. Pat’s boss Niall Graham was in joyous mood after the game but insisted
he didn’t feel it was as big a scalp that many might think. “I’d say, first things first, it was a great game of football,” he said. “People who weren’t at the game might see the result and think it was shock but I’m experienced enough to know that there’s not much difference between the bottom sides in Division 1 and the bottom sides in Division 2 and I was sure to point that out.” Pat’s attention will return to league action for a couple of weeks now as they await to discover their opponents for round two of the championship,
which will be the winners of Lucan versus Castleknock. “Our next championship game should be absolute dinger, no matter who wins between those two,” Graham said. “There was nothing between ourselves and Lucan earlier in the season; Castleknock beat us comfortably already but that was on the first day of the league. “But look, we’ve had a good win here but it’s just one win. We’ve a big league game against Clontarf up next and we’ll just try to continue the good form we’ve been on.”
MASSIVE win for our U-15 camogie
To enter a team or to sponsor a
team versus Naomh Olaf at home in
hole for €50 (also includes a free
their Division 2 championship game
add on our website), please con-
with a scoreline of 9-14 to 2-4.
tact Robbie on 087 169 8166 or Paul
The U-12 camogie side played St
on 087 661 3104 or email secretary.
Anne’s at home; great team effort.
stpatrickspalmerstown.dublin@
The U-11 camogie side were in action
gaa.ie.
against St Jude’s away, a massive effort from all the girls.
Entry to our Decades Disco in the Palmerstown to non-golfers is €10;
Great game of hurling from our
this includes disco and barbecue.
U-16 team against Ballinteer St
There will also be a raffle on the
Johns; super performance.
night.
The U-15 hurlers played away in
This is a ticket only event so to
Clanna Gael in the championship
purchase a ticket, contact Suzy
quarter final; super effort but hard
on 086 079 7438 or any member of
luck lads.
the executive or email secretary.
The U-9 team pla yed at home
stpatrickspalmerstown.dublin@
a gainst Good Counsel. St Pat’s
gaa.ie. Should be a great night so
scored a well-deserved win in a
don’t miss out and get your tickets
hard-fought game. Well done.
early.
Our golf classic is on September
The lotto numbers for this week
12 in Slade Valley Golf Club; €240 for
were 12, 15, 26 and 28; there was no
a team of four, includes dinner in
winner so next week’s jackpot will
Slade Valley and entry to Decades
be €4,000.
Disco in the Palmerstown House
Draw takes place in the Palmer-
with barbecue and presentation
stown House every Sunday night at
for the winners.
10pm and tickets cost €2.
Got a story? we want to know!
Call our sport team on 60 10 240 and SELECT OPTION 3
or email sport@dublingazette.com
GazetteSPORT all of your clondalkin sports coverage from page 28-31
sfc surprise: St Pat’s Palmerstown get the best of Division 1 side St Sylvester’s to advance P31
september 10-16, 2015
Wesley living it large: Ulster Bank league season brings new targets P28
Round Tower’s hurlers in action against Thomas Davis earlier this year
Tower’s historic semi
Clondalkin club ready for big showdown with Plunkett’s in the senior B hurling championship final four, the furthest they have ever been in the competition
nathan kelly
sport@dublingazette.com
ROUND Tower’s senior hurlers will be hoping to secure the club’s first ever spot in a senior hurling championship final this weekend as they take on Plunkett’s in Parnell Park on Saturday afternoon. This fixture is a milestone itself as it is Tower’s first ever final four clash in the senior hurling championship and manager Emmet Carroll stated there is a real excitement around his group. “All the players and everyone associated with the group are really looking forward to it,” he said.
“The mood in the camp is good, numbers in training have been good and the sessions have stepped up in quality in the last couple of weeks.” The former Dublin hurler watched his side book their place in the semi-final with an impressive 3-12 to 1-8 quarter-final win over Naomh Barrog the previous weekend. “We played really well that day,” said Carroll. “One thing with this team is that if we get a good start, we’re really hard to stop and in the quarter-final we got two goals quite quickly and just kept up the pace. “Barrog came back a bit there always seemed to be six or seven points in it in our favour and that’s what we’re capable of.”
With that said, could a quick start be something required if Tower’s are to get past a strong Plunkett’s side this weekend? “I think that’s absolutely the case,” said the former senior championship winner with Ballyboden St Enda’s. “Plunkett’s will be the favourites for this one. They were playing in the A championship for the past two years before this season so reaching a B semi-final probably won’t be as big a deal to them as us. “The first 15 or 20 minutes will be crucial I think, if we’re still in the game beyond that point and up to half-time, there’s no reason why we can’t get a favourable result,” added Carroll.
While a senior hurling championship semifinal may be unchartered territory for many of this Tower’s panel, Carroll seems extremely calm in its build-up. He may try channel that calmness to his players come Saturday by stating much of the pressure will be on their opponents, and could also be hoping his experience of big games may play a part. Should the Monastery Road men pull off a result, they will face either Naomh Fionnbarra or Ballyboden St Enda’s second team in the final. Those two meet at the same time on Saturday afternoon but in O’Toole Park, hoping to win the second biggest title on offer in Dublin.