Clondalkin

Gazette CLONDALKIN

Mar 31 - Apr 6, 2016

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A NATION’S RESPECT Mark 100 years since The Rising with this commemorative Gazette issue

2 CLONDALKIN Gazette 31 March 2016

Commemoration | largest military parade in the history of the State

Thousands come out for centenary celebrations The 1916 Easter Rising celebrations were a massive success over the weekend with hundreds of thousands of people lining the streets of Dublin to watch the main Easter Sunday State Commemoration Ceremony.

As part of the commemoration ceremony and parade, a reading of the 1916 Proclamation of the Irish Republic was held at 10am outside the GPO on Sunday morning.

The parade then made its way from St Stephen’s Green to College Green, stopping off at Dublin Castle.

The parade saw 3,700 members of the Defence Forces, gardai and the emergency ser vices march along a 4.5km route and as part of the main ceremony.

Children representing the four provinces of Ireland laid daffodils at the GPO as a lone piper played Down By The Salley Gardens.

On Saturday, as part of many other commemoration events taking place around the capital, President Michael D Higgins laid a wreath at the Garden of Remembrance in a ceremony that saw the attendance of 700 relatives of 78 people who died during the Rising.

A minute’s silence was held after President Higgins laid the wreath and the ceremony finished with the national anthem.

On Sunday evening, President Higgins attended a separate ceremony in the RDS where he met relatives of those who died in the 1916 Easter Rising.

More than 4,000 relatives attended the event

and President Higgins said: “Our nation has journeyed many miles from the shell shocked and burning Dublin of 1916.

“We can see that in many respects we have not fully achieved the dreams and ideals for which our forebears gave so much.

“A d e m o c r a c y i s always and must always be a work in progress, and how we use the independence we have been gifted will continue to challenge us, morally and ethically.”

Dublin Mid-West D u b l i n M i d -We s t was shrouded in patriotic zeal over the Easter break to mark the 1916 centenary celebrations.

Residents from Newcastle, Saggart, Brittas and Rathcoole celebrated a wide variety of events to mark the day, courtesy of the 4 Districts 1916 Centenary Committee, the local historical society and South Dublin County Council.

During the event, lots of pipe band music was played, along with entertainment from the Retired Active Men’s Social Group.

Also on the day, a small wreath laying ceremony took place in Tallaght to honour the men and women who gave their lives for Ireland in 1916.

The event organised by the Tallaght Historical Society, with guests, Canon William Deverell (Church of Ireland), and councillors, Maire Devine (SF), Charlie O’Connor (FF) , and Deirdre O’Donovan (Ind); and two very special guests who held the flag, Roisin Healy, aged

President Michael D Higgins laying a wreath at the 1916 Commemoration ceremony at the GPO. Picture: Naoise Culhane

three, and Robin Donoghue, aged two.

Cumann na mBan reenactor Enid Monaghan (53) from Clondalkin, took part in the main events in the city centre, and said the women who fought for Irish freedom had been forgotten for much of the past century.

“It’s almost like they fell down a chasm and never climbed out,” she said.

In Celbridge, a commemoration ceremony took place at Donaghcomper Cemetery.

Locals Tom Kealy, Anthony O’Reilly and Peter Connolly were remembered along with all of the other people who died in 1916.

There was also a reading of the 1916 Proclamation on the day which attracted a large crowd.

Dublin West In Fingal, members of St John Ambulance marched in the Easter

parade and saw their very own 4x4 unit from Castleknock towing a replica vehicle from 1916.

While laying a wreath outside the RSCI alongside the great-grandchildren of two Volunteers killed during the Rising, Blanchardstown acting Minister Leo Varadkar said the “legacy of 1916 belonged to everyone”.

“The [rebels] left us a democratic legacy that transcends politics and traditions.

“We should be proud of the Ireland that was created, and not be afraid to try and do more,” he said.

The Old Fingal IRA Commemoration also took place on Easter Sunday as part of the celebrations, with a ceremony in St Patrick’s Church, Donabate, followed by a parade to the old cemetery.

One of the highlight events of the Fingal 2016 Centenary Programme

was the ceremony which commemorated the Fingallians who took part in the 1916 Rising and, in particular, the Battle of Ashbourne.

Parade Following the ceremony by Fr Pat Hannion in St Patrick’s Church, the Black Raven Pipe Band led a parade from the Beaverstown Road to

the Old Cemetery.

A variety of family activities were then held including a reading of the proclamation, a performance of the Last Post, the traditional final salute to the fallen and the rising of the Irish flag.

Deansgrange Cemetery was at the centre of the 1916 Rising as over 170 people from the Dun

Laoghaire Rathdown area were involved in the rebellion.

More than 100 people involved in the Rising are buried there including the executed Sir Roger Casement and Major John MacBride.

DLR and the 1916 Rising: An Exhibition is currently running at Deansgrange until the end of September.

Members of the Defence Forces Parading through the streets. Picture: Philip Jones/ MKC Communications

31 March 2016 CLONDALKIN Gazette 3

parks | emerging technologies to deter incidences of dog littering

courts

Balgaddy robbery

Only one dog litter fine paid last year  ian begley

Only one person issued with a dog litter fine last year paid South Dublin County Council the mandatory €150 on the spot fine.

In 2015, five fines were issued by the council in regards to dog litter fines and the year before only three fines were issued, two of which were paid.

In the other cases, the fines had to be cancelled due to the unwillingness of the witnesses in question to attend Court.

These figures were revealed at the March County Council meeting at the request of Cllr Liona O’Toole (Ind).

According to the Litter Pollution Act, dog owners are subject to a €150 fine

or prosecution if they do not immediately remove any faeces deposited by their dog in a suitable sanitary manner.

In the Chief Executive’s reply, he stated: “The difficulty with enforcement of this particular section of the Act is the requirement for witness testimony, to report that the offence happened and that an identified person is the person in charge of the dog.

“The council continues to encourage residents groups and/or individuals to assist the Warden Service in this regard.

“However, it is an objective in the Litter Management Plan 2015 - 2019 to examine emerging technologies to deter incidences of dog littering and dog

fouling and to promote targeted anti-litter and litter prevention campaigns, including dog litter.

“Programmable audio messaging devices were piloted in late 2015 at three locations across the county to deter dog litter which proved to be very successful.

“Accordingly, a rolling programme has been agreed for 2016 where these devices will be deployed at a number of locations which are considered suitable, in order to optimise the use of this technology and maximise its effectiveness. A quarterly report on implementation of the 2016 Litter Management Action Plan will be given at Area Committees,” said the Chief Executive.

Clondalkin’s rising star

Local, up-and-coming actor Philip Galvin (left), recently played the role of Fr Columbus Murphy in the RTE documentary 16 Letters. 16 Letters tells the story of the Rising through the letters of 1916 with stories of ordinary and extra ordinary lives set against the background of a land about to be plunged into a world of fear, uncertainty, confusion and hope. In the recently released documentary, Galvin played the role of Fr Columbus Murphy who helped the wounded and dying during Easter Week of 1916. The Clondalkin native has also appeared in a number of TV shows including Love/Hate, Fair City, Mario Rosenstock, Mrs Browns Boys D’Movie and Crime Call. He was also invited to attend Deansrath Community College, Clondalkin to raise the Tricolour flag for National Proclamation Day on March 15.

Two men have been charged in connection with a robbery that occurred outside a supermarket in Balgaddy.

Gardai charged two men, aged in their late 20s and mid-30s, in connection with the robbery that occurred at around 2pm on March 21. The suspects left the scene in a Ford Mondeo following the robbery in which a firearm was produced.

Their vehicle was abandoned on Esker Lane, Lucan, and a number of gardai carried out a search of the area and arrested the two men.

The men appeared before District Court 2, Criminal Courts of Justice, Dublin the following day and charged with the incident.

Gardai recovered the proceeds of the robbery, and a firearm. The investigation is ongoing.

4 CLONDALKIN Gazette 31 March 2016

Harelawn

Anti-social behaviour a major worry for residents SOME 50 incidents of violence, intimidation and harassment were reported to the council in the Clondalkin area in 2015.

At the recent Clondalkin Area Committee meeting, the antisocial statistics were released, showing that a total of 156 incidents were reported to the council – including vandalism, noise disturbances, drugdealing and violence and intimidation.

Among these figures, there were 28 noise disturbances, 23 reports of vandalism, 12 counts of squatters/illegal occupiers, and 11 neighbour disputes. The total number of actions taken by the council in Clondalkin relating to these instances last year was 2,574.

Among them, 811 actions were taken in relation to housecall/inspections; two housing tenants had their tenancies terminated; four abandonment notices were served on abandoned dwellings, and 10 surrenders on properties were obtained.

Last year, almost 70% of residents from Harelawn said they were concerned with anti-social behaviour, with the biggest problem identified being joyriding and stolen cars.

In a door-to-door survey conducted by local Sinn Fein representatives on community safety issues in Harelawn, it was revealed that the majority of the households who responded agreed that anti-social behaviour was a prevalent factor within their community.

The council’s housing estate management team said they are working closely with gardai due to the high levels of anti-social behaviour in the Harelawn area of Clondalkin.

charity | community-based group take to their bikes

The Laurels Charity Crew to raise much needed funds  ian begley The Laurels Charity Crew, a community fundraising group based in Clondalkin, have recently launched their 2016 annual cross-country cycle which they hope will raise €150,000 for the Children’s Medical and Research Foundation (CMRF), Crumlin.

The CMRF, which is the principal fundraising body for Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin and the National Children’s Research Centre, are encouraging as many people as possible to sign up for the two-day cycle which starts in Cork on April 15 and finishesup in Dublin on April 16.

The Laurels Charity Crew has raised almost €500,000 for CMRF Crumlin over the past six years, and this year the organisers hope to meet their biggest fundraising target, to date, of €150,000.

All funds raised will be allocated to Straight Ahead, a medical support group affiliated to CMRF Crumlin which provides surgery, support and medical equipment for children with orthopaedic conditions.

Many children in Ireland who require orthopaedic surgeries for conditions like scoliosis and lime deformity face long waiting lists before receiving treatment – their conditions often deteriorate while waiting for surgery, resulting in more invasive and expensive procedures in the long-term.

The team of surgeons who manage Straight Ahead tackle the issue of long waiting lists by offering pro-bono surgery to children facing significant delays in receiving important operations.

Commenting on the launch of the cycle, Denis McCarthy, co-founder of the Laurels Charity Crew, said: “We are really look-

ing forward to this year’s cycle and hope that we can recruit enough support to help us reach our fundraising target of €150,000.

“The cycle is such a rewarding experience for everyone involved and will generate significant funds for the orthopaedic support group Straight Ahead, which does incredible work for children across the country.

“T h e s ur ge on s at Straight Ahead do whatever they can to help orthopaedic patients, often working at weekends when operating theatres are empty, to perform crucial pro-bono surgery.

“We are proud that the money raised from our two-day cycle will be used to keep their fantastic work going throughout 2016.”

Also commenting, Dr Patrick Kiely, co-founder of Straight Ahead and consultant at Our Lady’s

Pictured at the launch of the 2016 Laurels Charity Crew Cycle are Jim Gavin, Dublin GAA manager; six-year-old Ben Harling and Dr Patrick Kiely, co-founder of Straight Ahead, and consultant at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin

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‘The Laurels Charity Crew does a fantastic job each year rolling out its annual fundraiser for CMRF’

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Dr Patrick Kiely, co-founder, Straight Ahead

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Children’s Hospital Crumlin said: “The Laurels Charity Crew does a fantastic job each year rolling out its annual fundraiser for CMRF

Crumlin. Straight Ahead is honoured to have been chosen as the beneficiary of this year’s cycle. “ We a r e h u g e l y dependent on fundrais-

ing to maintain the probono work we do and the funds raised from the Laurels Charity Cycle will help us continue providing crucial orthopaedic procedures and equipment for children across the country in 2016.”

Registrations for the cycle can be made at The Laurels in Clondalkin, or online via www.eventbrite.ie.

Man jailed for three years for violent attempted robbery A man who began taking Ecstasy tablets and sniffing petrol at the age of six has been jailed for three years for carrying out a violent attempted handbag snatch.

A n t h o ny D w y e r ( 2 4 ) punched Rose Kim repeatedly in the head and grabbed her throat when she refused to let go of her bag.

Dwyer, formerly of Yellow Meadows Ave, Clondalkin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to attempted robbery at Kilbarrack Road on

May 30, 2013. He also admitted two offences of criminal damage at Howth Junction Dart Station on the same date.

Judge Melanie Greally said the attack was “disgraceful” and imposed a sentence of three years for the attempted robbery. She also imposed a consecutive sentence of two years for criminal damage of parked cars, but she suspended this sentence to leave “light at the end of the tunnel” for Dwyer.

Leo Mulrooney BL, defend-

ing, told the court that his client’s formative years had been blighted by dysfunction. His aunt took him into foster care when he was three years old and his mother died when he was aged five.

By six years old, he was sniffing petrol, taking “E” and smoking cannabis, and all this was detailed in care plans from the State’s Child and Family Agency. By his early teenage years, his aunt couldn’t deal with his behaviour and he was taken into residential care.

Dwyer’s 47 previous convictions include one for assault and one for robbery, as well as 20 for criminal damage.

Dwyer had been drinking at Portmarnock Beach on the day of the offences and had also taken Benzodiazepam tablets.

The attempted robbery only ended when a passing motorist stopped, got out and walked over to help.

Dwyer walked away and to the nearby DART station, where he smashed the windows of two cars and tried to hotwire

one vehicle. He was picked up by gardai and initially denied attacking the woman.

Counsel said the good news is that his client had stopped abusing tablets and was in a stable relationship and has a young child.

Judge Greally suspended the two years for the criminal damage offences on condition that Dwyer keep the peace for three years and obey all instructions of the probation services in relation to treatment for drugs and alcohol abuse.

31 March 2016 CLONDALKIN Gazette 5

council | out of 231 horses seized in 2015, 207 were put down

Euthanised horse numbers drop 68%  Ian Begley

The number of horses euthanised in South County Dublin last year has decreased by 68% from 2014.

The figure, released by the council at the request of The Gazette, revealed that out of the 231 horses seized in 2015, 207 were put down.

Of the horses that were saved, eight were reclaimed and 24 horses were rehomed.

The figures from 2014 show that out of the 469 horses seized by the council, 422 were euthanised.

In the same year, 22 were reclaimed and 16

rehomed.

According to the council, all horses seized are detained in the pound for five days “prior to disposal”.

The significant decrease in the number of horses euthanised was welcomed by Deputy Gino Kenny (PBP) who is also a member of Clondalkin Equine Club.

He said: “This has come as very welcome news. There are various reasons as to why this has happened, such as tighter legislation on the control of horses, and the Department of Agriculture’s new guidelines on horse ownership. “ Ho p e f u l l y, t h i s

number will drop again over the next few years.

However, last week alone there were 10 horses taken by the council so I would still be cautious, but I think when the new equine club is up and running it will have a positive impact.”

T he council have stated that some of the reasons why horses are seized in South County Dublin include if horses are found wandering on public land; if horses are on private land without permission from the landowner; if horses cause danger to property or persons; if horses cause a nuisance; if horses are stabled in a front or rear

garden, or if they are unlicensed.

Last year, the council granted planning permission for a new state-ofthe-art equestrian facility to be built in Ballyowen Park off the Fonthill Road.

This new development comes as welcome news to local horse owners who do not have suitable land to look after their horses.

The 1.32 hectares, currently under the ownership of the council, will consist of 20 equine stalls, ancillary facilities, an exercise paddock, and a carpark.

The planned building will be one-storey with

The significant decrease in the number of horses being euthanised was welcomed

rendered masonry walls, modelled on an American barn-type equine development, which is intended to minimise impact on the area.

The site will not be overlooked by existing homes, nor will it

be accessed through an existing residential estate.

The project will be funded by the council and the Department of Agriculture and is expected to be developed in the summer.

This equestrian facility is expected to significantly reduce the number of horses euthanised each year in Dublin Mid-West.

For more information on the council’s horse regulations, see ww.sdcc.ie.

6 CLONDALKIN Gazette 31 March 2016

South Dublin County Council: “All the families are linked in with accommodation finders to assist in the securing of ... accommodation”

council | ‘emergency accommodation has been provided’

291 registered as homeless in South County Dublin area  Ian Begley IN FEBRUARY, 291 people in South County Dublin were registered as homeless and, according to the council, all of them have been provided with emergency accommodation, either in hostels or hotels.

This figure was presented at the March county council meeting at the request of Cllr Charlie O’Connor (FF) and Cllr Francis Timmons (Ind), who asked the chief executive if he would confirm the number of families who have registered as homeless so far this year, and what action the council has taken.

Among the 291 peo-

ple registered as homeless, there were 151 single males and 36 single females, while there was also one couple and 103 families.

The 64 families in Tallaght Cross currently living in emergency accommodation are not included in this list.

According to the chief executive: “All of the homeless persons on our list have been provided with emergency accommodation either in hostels or hotels.

“They have all been provided with HAP [housing assistant payment] packs to enable them to access private rented accommodation.

“All the families are linked in with accom-

modation finders to assist in the securing of HAP accommodation.

Homeless families can attract a 50% increase in the rent caps for private rented accommodation on a case-by-case basis.”

Speaking to The Gazette following his motion, Cllr O’Connor said: “I tabled this motion because I feel it is a big issue at the moment which is unfortunately affecting many people in the local authority.

“Although the main objective is to find permanent accommodation for them, there is still a problem with people being placed far away from where they previ-

ously lived.

“People who have been placed in the emergency accommodation in the likes of the city centre have told me that it would be great if they were on their holidays, but in reality they have to commute for miles each morning to get their children to school, which puts them under even bigger pressure.”

Asked if he thinks that placing families in emergency accommodation close to where they want to be is realistic, Cllr O’Connor said: “I think that’s the challenge for the local authority, and I would continue to campaign for this while also pressuring the Government and the council to

tackle the homeless crises more efficiently.”

In a separate motion, Cllr Timmons asked the chief executive for a report on the numbers waiting on council lists for social housing by area and years on the list.

In his reply, the chief executive said: “At February 29, there were 9,254 applications on the council’s housing waiting list.

“The average years on the waiting list for those waiting for a one- and two -bedroom house was four years; for a three-bedroom house, six years; and for a fourbedroom home, the average waiting time is seven years.”

31 March 2016 clondalkin Gazette 7

8 CLONDALKIN Gazette 31 March 2016

clondalkinGazettegallery | The DIT Fashion Show Student

Designer Eamonn McGill and Eva Walsh

Designer Lisa Dooly and Lorna Caulfield wearing Symbio City. Picture: Brian McEvoy Photography

Designer Aurelie Yolande Payet and Ekaterina Gaydova

Laura Connell

Fashionistas out in force for show F

ashionistas were out in force at Smock Alley Theatre recently for The DIT Fashion Show Student Design Competition Semi Final. Semi finalists brought their designs to be showcased to designers, the fashion press, PR and buyers from all over Ireland. The designs were judged by celebrity judges and the winners will now go on to compete in The DIT Fashion Show will take place in Vicar Street on April 19. The DIT Fashion Show is one of the top events in Ireland’s fashion calendar, attracting good media coverage and an audience of 1,000 people.

The theme this year is “My Metropolis – The Story of A City”.

Designer Kate Wickstone and Kate Nagel Nsah and Caroline Cohrane

Rebecca Wolfe and Lydia Blake

Macadangdang wearing Sculptural Palette

31 March 2016 CLONDALKIN Gazette 9

Design Competition Semi Final draws huge interest at Smock Alley Theatre

Erin Leavey wearing Concrete Paris Brown wearing Fibonnaci

Designer Clodagh Knight and

Jungle and designer Caroline

and designer Cija Lamb

Dearbhla Dolan

Cullen

Niamh O’Mahony wearing Life Beneath Abandonment Santa Rubine and Sarah Murphy

Designer Sarah Walker and Maria Martinez

and designer Kate O’Neill

10 Gazette 31 March 2016

Gazettegallery

| Irish Premiere screening of Batman V Superman

TV star Baz Ashmawy The Dark Knight himself turned up to the Savoy Theatre. Pictures: Brian McEvoy

Paul Hubberman

Emma O’Driscoll

Model Emily McKeogh

Going batty for a tale of two heroes F

estive fun was had by all at the Irish multimedia screening of The Night Before in Cineworld recently. There were over 250 people in attendance and to get in the festive spirit, guests enjoyed a variety of drinks along with hot food and warm minced pies. There was also a chance to get their picture taken with a Santa and in a giant sized snow globe.

Boyband Seo Linn

Cameron Taylor

Amy De Bhrun

Actor Barry Keoghegan

Rugby player Mike Ross

31 March 2016 DUBLIN CITY Gazette 11

asdfsdaf travel P27 P20

style P19

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



Gazette

diary P12

Pets can you give sam an active and fun life?

The Overtones will be staring in the highly acclaimed production of That’s Entertainment

a day in the life: Timmy set for upcoming production in the Gaiety

Just pure entertainment  ian begley

Cork native and member of The Overtones, Timmy Matley, has had a very vibrant career since moving to London and is now busy prepping for the upcoming production That’s Entertainment in the Gaiety Theatre.

This week, The Gazette spoke to Matley to find out what a day in his life entails.

“I normally get up between 9.30 and 10am. Now that I’m on the road I try to be a bit heathier than usual and have a bowl of muesli or maybe some eggs and a slice of toast.

“After that, my vocal coach gives me a personalised warm up set just for me.

While leading up to a tour you really have to get your voice in shape and since I sing really high in the group I find that a 15 to 20 minute vocal exercise in the morning is really beneficial.

“We then head to rehearsals for around 12 noon in North London and run the show in its entirety to figure out how long it will go on for and find out whereabouts to fit in our gags because The Overtones like to have a bit of banter and interaction with the audience.

“Right before we go on stage we all stand in a circle to have a moment – it’s like a prayer, but we’re ultimately just giving each other words of confidence and it helps to get us focused.

“Whenever I have free time I always make sure to catch up with family and friends.

“While making the first couple of albums we didn’t have a second to catch up with our loved ones, but I have since realised that it is so important to have a healthy balance between work and personal life.”

Asked what type of things he does in his free time, Matley said that he has a passionate love of knitting.

“It all came about when we were stuck for hours on end in a tour van so I basically just picked up some knitting needles and tried my luck at knitting.

“I can only make plain knitting scarves, but when the winter comes I

make sure that everyone in the group has a scarf, which they all love. I even got invited to take part in the UK programme The Great British Sewing Bee and ended up winning it, while raising a lot of money for children in need.”

From April 4 to 9 in the Gaiety Theatre, The Overtones will be staring in the highly acclaimed production of That’s Entertainment, alongside Jade McDonald, celebrating the biggest hits of the 40’s and 50’s.

Mately added: “I really can’t wait to get to Dublin. I’m very much looking forward to seeing my mam, sister, cousin and my niece who are coming to see me on the opening night of the production.”

The Dublin Gazette Newspaper Group has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for lost and abandoned dogs.

Our Dog of the Week this week is Sam, Sam is a 10-month old male crossbreed.

Like most young dogs of his age he is full of love and exuberance.

Sam is looking for an energetic, active and fun owner who will appreciate his lust for life.

He will really excel at training as he is as clever as he is handsome!

If you think you could offer Sam a loving home please contact Dogs Trust on 01-879 1000.

They are based in Finglas, just off exit 5 on the M50.

Map and directions can be found on their website www.dogstrust. ie. You can also find them on Facebook www.facebook.com/ dogstrustirelandonline or Twitter @DogsTrust_IE.

12 Gazette 31 March 2016

Gazette

dublinlife It’s a red letter day as An Post paint its postboxes An POST has turned back time and unveiled its GPO Witness History Campaign, with some of the city’s post boxes painted red.

The major new 1916 centenary initiative, which tells the story of The Rising from the unique perspective of local, heritage post boxes that stood in silent witness to the dramatic events of the time – and ever since.

Located at The Royal College of Surgeons, St Stephen’s Green, Grafton Street, Liberty Hall, Dun Laoghaire Pier, Mount Street, Haddington Road, the Four Courts, O’Connell Street and the GPO, An Post’s Witness History post boxes have been re-painted red to reflect their Colonial colour in 1916.

Each tells its own story of heroism, valour, heartbreak and fate. For a free and fully immersive experience, members of the public are invited to freetext a keyword featured on their chosen post box before receiving a video link on their smartphone.

This plays a specially commissioned shor t video of the events that took place at the exact spot in which they’re standing. A question posed at the end of each video further engages the viewer with the story they

have just witnessed.

The campaign will run until May.

haunted by a father’s letter Former President Mary McAleese revealed she is still haunted by a letter she received from a father describing his gay son as “evil”.

McAleese, whose son, Justin, is gay, said the letter still kept her awake at night and still worries about that young man.

She said: “I worry about that young man’s mental health, for not all human beings have the coping skills to emerge safely and mentally well from such a toxic home environment. Some do.

Some don’t.”

Her comments were made following a recent report on the mental health of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people, showing high levels of suicidal thoughts and self-harm by teenagers who are bullied for their sexuality.

McAleese said she strongly urged parents, teachers, school governors and politicians to take heed of its findings.

“Take it to their heart and make it their vocation to do whatever it takes to end this tragic and unnecessary waste of young lives,” she said.

diary

The Vamps MAKE A COME BACK The Vamps’ fans will be happy to know that the British pop group are back, with a brand-new single, a forthcoming album, and a world tour.

They will be headed to Dublin’s 3Arena on March 28.

Brad Simpson, James McVey, Connor Ball and Tristan Evans are bringing their pacey and slick show to Ireland as part of their upcoming world tour.

The Vamps’ visit will feature jumbo LED side screens and a sprawling stage over the arena floor so the fans can be near the band.

Tickets are still available to buy from €15.80 at www.ticketmaster.ie.

TOP 100 FOR NCAD The National College of Art and Design (NCAD) has been ranked among the top 100 art and design colleges in the world, according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject.

This is the second year in a row the college has been ranked in the top 100 and it has climbed five places, from 73 to 68, and was ranked 40th overall in terms of academic reputation.

In the top 100 list, only 27 European universi-

A number of post boxes have been painted red around the city to reflect their Colonial colour in 1916, at the time of The Rising. The post boxes, and their locations, help to explain key elements of the uprising.

ties were included, out of which NCAD was ranked 17th. NCAD is the only Irish college to feature on the list in the Art and Design category.

Speaking on the rankings, Bernard Hanratty, acting director of NCAD, said: “We are delighted that the college has been ranked among the top 100 art and design colleges in the world. It really is a great achievement that a small independent art college should achieve this level of recognition internationally and it is a real tribute to the quality of our students and the commitment of our academic staff.”

ICONIC THEATRE AT THE GATE Tickets are now on sale for The Gate Thea-

tre’s production of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolfe?

by Edward Albee.

Telling the story of marital discontent, dysfunction and delusion through a war of verbal attrition between a university professor, his wife, and their unwitting guests, the play is a rare chance to see an iconic piece of American theatre.

The opening night is on April 28 and bookings can be made by calling 01 874 4045.

INDIANA JONES music screening The iconic score of Indiana Jones will be screened with a live orchestra at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre on June 3 and 4.

Tickets are currently on sale for Indiana Jones: Raiders Of The Lost Ark

Live In Concert, for a special 35th anniversary celebration where audiences can relive the original adventure with John Williams’ score performed live by the RTE Concert Orchestra.

Tickets are €25 and are available now at ticketmaster.ie.

Youth AWARDS The Irish Youth Music Awards, Ireland’s only all-island youth-focused music awards and festival, is set to return to the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, April 16.

Organised by Youth Work Ireland, the national event will see young musicians aged 12 – 19 from across the country representing their community and gaining business experience in the

music industry.

This is the ninth year of the programme, which brings some of Ireland’s top music industry personnel directly into contact with young musicians.

The Irish Youth Music Awards is an educational programme for young bands and musicians and is an official Challenge Partner of Gaisce.

The programme honours the most effective music projects run by groups of young people based on the entire project from the band, to the crew, to the promotion and approach to the competition.

Tickets for the Irish Youth Music Awards National Day are available from eventbrite.ie and are priced at €20.

31 March 2016 Gazette 13

opinion: Infrastructure and Construction Minister needed to sustain, spread recovery

Act now to address needs of economy  Tom Parlon

The most important construction project in Ireland is currently underway as the political parties try to form a Government. Whilst the composition of the future Government is still unknown, it’s certain that whoever is in Government will struggle to deliver on their promises relating to housing, infrastructure, job creation and regional development.

The reason: construction companies will struggle to gear up quickly enough to build the commercial, residential and infrastructural projects required to deliver on these promises due to spiralling costs.

A Minister for Infrastructure and Construction must be appointed in the next cabinet with the task of coordinating actions that allow companies to build essential housing and infrastructural projects. This is critical to ensure that the needs of the Irish economy and citizens are met in the coming years.

A fter the political speed-dating is finished, the new Government will inevitably turn to the construction sector to deliver. For example, Fine Gael promise to deliver 25,000 new homes annually by 2021. Fianna Fail promised 105,000 units by 2021, Labour 44,000 affordable units.

However, across the economy, construction activity is lower than required to sustain our economy and house our

people. There are examples of this everywhere, not just in relation to housing: • PWC recently forecast a significant shortfall in commercial property in Dublin that could see rent approach 2007 levels if unaddressed • The EU Commission last week stated “the new capital programme for the next government term will, even at its maximum point, leave spending one third lower than what it calls the already depressed EU average”.

• Last month the head of Tourism Ireland identified the need to double the number of hotel rooms in Ireland being built if we are to sustain Ireland’s impressive tourist numbers next year.

• New home commencements were only 8000 last year, far below the 25,000 recommended by the ESRI • The EU Commission country report on Ireland stated that infrastructure spend needed to increase so that Ireland’s economic growth is protected from external shocks and sustainable This all points to the need for rapid increase in construction activity across residential, commercial and industrial.

It’s worth noting that the sector currently accounts for only 7% of GNP, whilst a figure of 12% of GNP is considered ‘sustainable’ in a developed economy.

The Minister for Construction will have to coordinate the many agencies that impact and

ultimately add to the cost and timeframes involved in construction projects.

No fewer than five Government Departments (and myriad State agencies) have responsibility for important aspects of the sector.

An aversion amongst policy-makers to truly engage with the sector over the past five years now sees us facing these chronic shortfalls.

The UK Government has taken the lead and established an Infrastructure Commission to coordinate action a cross Government Departments and to put in place a strategy that will last longer than the next electoral cycle. The CIF believes that a similar approach in Ireland could generate 60,000 jobs spread across all Irish communities over the next decade. Construction is already the joint highest provider of jobs and it created 1,000 jobs a month throughout 2015.

The coordinated approach adopted by the Minister for Agriculture and Food Simon Coveney has resulted in significant increases in jobs in that sector since 2010. Food exports have increased by 40% to over €12bn over the period through the implementation of Food Harvest 2020 and Food Harvest 2025.

CIF is calling on all political parties to agree to appoint a Minister tasked with setting out and implementing an ambitious vision for the industry up to 2026 in

collaboration with industry and relevant state agencies.

Top of the Minister’s agenda will be the severe lack of housing seen across the country.

Housing has now hit a crunch point impacting on first time buyers, those waiting on social housing lists and the homeless.

The sums just don’t add up for construction companies at the moment.

Building a starter home in Dublin for a first time buyer costs €300,000 approximately. Straight away €150,000 will evaporate in land purchase, levies, and VAT of €30,000, making it unviable for any builder.

Outside Dublin city, new houses generally can’t be built below the price of existing homes and this is stifling growth in the sector. This is leading to a ‘lopsided economy’ where the recovery is localised in Dublin.

For example, Dublin accounts for 40% of GDP and 50% of all new jobs created in 2015. This is not sustainable; recently Dublin was 9th out of 200 cities for congestion and average rents are 4 times that of Leitrim for example.

CIF foresees another cloud on the horizon for any new Minister considering the level of increa sed a ctivity required: a significant skills shortage. In the last month, CIF, in addition to Engineers Ireland and the Society of Chartered Surveyors of Ireland have all called on the Government to act

Tom Parlon believes that the construction industry can generate jobs and help alleviate a number of pressing social issues

now to address the looming skills shortage so the sector can meet the needs of the economy.

With almost €16bn worth of projects in the pipeline for 2016 alone, the construction industry can generate jobs

across and help alleviate a number of pressing social issues.

A coordinated approach by all stakeholders involved in the sector can see Ireland maintain its position as the fastest growing EU

economy delivering the highest rate of job creation. Failure to do so is not an option for families and business across Ireland.

Tom Parlon is Director General of the Construction Industry Federation

Gazette

14 Gazette 31 March 2016

OUT&ABOUT

FOOD&DRINK

BITESIZEDNEWS

Teelings distillery wins best whiskey visitors attraction in the world The Teeling W hiskey Distillery has been n a m e d t h e Wo r l d ’s Best Whiskey Visitor Attraction at the prestigious World Whiskies Awards.

The distillery beat off stiff competition from other whiskey visitor attractions across the globe to scoop this top accolade at an awards ceremony in London last week.

Having just opened its doors in June of 2015, the Teeling Whiskey Distillery has proven to be a

must-see attraction for tourists from around the world and local whiskey enthusiasts alike. To date the distillery has welcomed over 45,000 people through its doors.

Located in Newmarket Square in the Liberties area of Dublin, it is the first new distillery in Dublin in 125 years and the only operational distillery in the city at present.

Award winning chef Richard Corrigan will be sharing some great hints, tips and techniques at Taste of Dublin

Taste of Dublin

Taste of Dublin Festival is back this year for the 11th year running from Thursday June 16 to Sunday June 19.

Sponsored by Electrolu x, this event is known for flying the flag for the finest chefs and restaurants that bring energ y to the city’s dining experiences. Electrolux returns for another year as the festival’s headline sponsor, the Electrolux Taste Theatre will host interactive demonstrations across the four days with chefs sharing their hints, tips and techniques while the Electrolux Chefs’ Secrets will allow attendees to get up close and personal with culinary legends.

The festivals theme this year is ‘homecoming’ which will celebrate Ireland’s leading culinary talents who are right at the centre of some of the world’s most iconic restaurants in some of the most vibrant cities around the globe.

The Taste of Dublin’s homecoming celebration will take place in the Iveagh Gardens,

welcoming award winning chefs such as Cathal Armstrong who has cooked for U.S president Barack Obama, Robin Gill from the well-known Dairy Restaurant in London and Gordon Ramsey’s former head-chef Anna Haugh, all of whom will cook alongside some of Ireland’s leading culinary figures including Kevin Thornton, Nevin Maguire, Richard Corrigan and Kevin Dundon.

The 4-day event is expecting about 30,000 guests across the weekend and for the first time ever, the festival will showcase ‘the new kids on the block’ of the Irish food scene with Bunzl McLaughlin backing the ‘Rising star’ award.

Like always, Taste of Dublin will present a superb selection of restaurants. Guests will be able to enjoy the most famous dishes from long established restaurants to tasters from new establishments that are looking to make their mark on the food scene

including Chapter One, Rock Lobster, Saba, AMUSE and Brioche.

This year the festival will welcome their new platinum sponsor and exclusive car partner of the festival; DS Automobiles. This newly launched French automotive brand will be showcasing the DS range at the event, including the DS 3, new DS 4 and DS 5.

The O’Brien’s Wine Experience is also back by popular demand!

Lynne Coyle will host a series of wine-tasting masterclasses where guests will be able to try new wines, learn about

the wine making process and pick up tips on pairing wine with food.

Visitors to the festival will be able to create their own personalised experience menu with a choice of over 12 restaurants and sample the best produce in the word from over 60 exhibitors.

The JUST EAT Waiter Service will once again be on site to take and deliver food orders on behalf of guests as they relax with the sounds of the best music acts in the city!

Tickets are on sale from €15 from April 2016 at w w w.tasteofdublin.ie.

Taste of Dublin will take place in the beautiful Iveagh Gardens

31 March 2016 Gazette 15

Gazette

FEATURE

Howling good news for zoo The latest addition to the Dublin Zoo family is the arrival of eight new grey wolves from Germany.

T he new pack of wolves, which came from Osnabrück Zoo in north-west Germany, consists of an alpha male, an alpha female and their offspring. The family range in age from two to ten years old.

Dublin Zoo’s animal care team will introduce the new arrivals to the existing pack of wolves at the zoo in the coming weeks.

Team leader Ciaran McMahon said: “We are very pleased with these wonderful additions to Dublin Zoo. “The pack arrived from Germany just two weeks ago and the wolves are showing clear signs of settling in. They are comfortable and confident in their new surroundings and remain close at all times.”

Grey wolves can be any colour from black to white. They live in wellorganised packs with a complicated social system.

The whole pack travels, hunts, and raises their offspring together.

Grey wolves once lived in the forests of Ireland, but their habitat was destroyed and they were hunted. The last wolf seen in Ireland was in County Carlow in 1786.

Visitors to Dublin Zoo can see the grey wolves at their habitat in the zoo. The wolves can also be observed on the zoo webcam, which is on its website.

Dublin Zoo is open seven days a week, from 9.30am to 6.00pm.

Animal lovers will welcome the addition of a pack of grey wolves, from Germany, to much-loved Dublin Zoo

16 Gazette 31 March 2016

31 March 2016 Gazette 17

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18 Gazette 31 March 2016

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Look New

Catrice Liquid Metal Eyeshadow 020 Gold n Roses, €4.50

OUT&ABOUT

Get the tropical look with Catrice  emma nolan

Affordable

produces some great dupes of the more expensive brands

Catrice Absolute

and with its low price

Eye Colour 910 My

point, it leaves plenty

mermit, €3.30

New Loo k€ 39.

99

Catrice often

of room to experiment with products you might be a bit

Topshop € 117

apprehensive about their latest tropical range, which has taken its inspiration from the outlandish make up looks from the runways.

Tropical vibes were prevalent throughout

the DVF beauty looks in particular, with hot pink lips to contrasting lime green, peacock blue and blush pink eyes.

Coloured eyes are back on trend with shades of electric blue, zesty green and metallic

Topsh op €11 7

Spring is the bomb!

pinks leading the way.

The Absolute Eye Colour eye shadow comes in mermaidesque tones of blue and aqua marine and the Metal Eyeshadow in Gold Roses offers a more subtle metallic highlight.

Catrice are throwing it back to the 80s with blue and green eyeliner pencils and finishing the look with their shiny Luxury Lips lipgloss. Their nail polish range also comes in a wide variety of colours and are always handy.

Catrice’s Spring/Summer

New Look €39.99

splurging on such as Catrice Luxury Lips Intensive Care Gloss 030 Revolution-berry Lips, €3.95

Catrice Liquid Metal Gel Eye Pencil 070 Dancing Green, €3.70

make up brand

Catrice Ultimate

’16 collection is currently

Nail Lacquer 111 A

available in Penneys stores

Crush on Blush ,

and pharmacies nationwide.

€2.95

Transitional dressing is paramount at this time of year and while it’s still too cold to ditch the jacket or coat in favour of something lighter, being sweaty and red-faced in a winter coat is neither pleasant, nor necessary.

That’s where the casual effortlessness of the spring bomber jacket comes in.

Dubbed “fashion’s new favourite jacket”

by Vogue, the bomber delivers serious street style credit and inspired many a

designer of the season from Yeezy to Wang to Chloe.

Decadent embroidery and jewel tones have dominated this trend and lucky for us, the high street has taken note. New Look currently have a delightful range; pink sateen, black and grey with floral embroidery and khaki floral print bombers (all around the €40 mark) are right on trend and the baby blue and navy and white offerings bring a sportswear edge to the jacket.

Topshop’s bomber offering is quilted and luxurious. The lavish pink quilted piece is a standout and the shiny rust version offers a more subtle metallic hit.

Topshop’s current bomber repertoire also consists of a sequin number and quilted blue and white embellished one that just screams Ryan Gosling in Drive – a strong aesthetic.

So ditch the overcoat and embrace the playful utilitarian character of the timeless bomber this spring.

31 March 2016 Gazette 19

Gazette

STYLE 5

The Vichy Neovadiol range

Vichy launch skincare for menopausal women  emma nolan

Vichy have introduced a new skincare range specially formulated for menopausal and postmenopausal women.

According to a new study by the brand, of 500 women in Ireland aged 45 and over, only one-infour Dublin women realised that their menopause was starting when it began, while the remaining three out of four women in the study didn’t associate the symptoms with the change.

The Vichy Neovadiol range includes a moisturiser for both normal to combination and dry skin, a night care cream and serum specifically formulated for menopausal skin thanks to a combination Floral bikini top €11 and brief €6

Off -the-shoulder beach top €10, espadrille shoes €9, earrings €2 and bracelets €4

Summer chic  emma nolan

Let’s get real – no Irish girl’s summer wardrobe is complete without a basket full of essentials from Penneys. From beach towels to toiletries and flip flops and hair accessories and undies, the preholiday haul from Penneys is a summer tradition.

You know it’s starting to get warm again when you see the bikini display appear.

For this summer, the Primark High

Summer collection consists of pieces for basking in the sun all day to pool side drinks and outfits for dancing all night in.

Taking inspiration from carnival, the Rio Beat line is all about bright colours and clashing prints. The South West line takes its inspiration from boho festival goers and the Sheer Romance pieces deliver dreamy pastels and airy fabrics.

The Free Spirit line takes on the Seventies with summer peasant chic and overWhite swimsuit €14 sized hats.

of ingredients that mimic certain youth hormones.

The advanced replenishing concentrate cream (€36) is a hybrid of a cream and a gel that is specifically designed for more mature skin. The formula isn’t greasy and contains micro pearls to gently illuminate skin.

The advanced replenishing care cream (€32.50) has a unique cushion effect that delivers freshness and the advanced replenishing care for dry skin (€32.50) replenishes the missing lipids menopausal skin is lacking, to offset dryness and discomfort.

Kate McKeown, spokesperson for Vichy Neovadiol Compensating Complex, said: “Vichy has been at the forefront of menopausal skincare research for over 17 years. We realise that women have distinct skincare needs at this important life stage.”

Vichy Neovadiol is available in pharmacies

Hat €5, cami top €11 and necklace €4

nationwide.

Gazette

20 Gazette 31 March 2016

OUT&ABOUT

fast

TRAVEL

cuba: white-sand beaches, rolling mountains, rum

TRAVEL NEWS

The perfect place to stay in the heart of Limerick city  mimi murray

One Pery Square in Limerick is the perfect place to stay for a night out in the city. I stayed there recently and found it to be a comfortable base for a night away.

The hotel is situated in the Georgian area of Limerick and comprises of an older Georgian house and a newer add on, with bedrooms situated in this part of the hotel.

Rooms are small but perfectly formed and we dropped off bags and dashed off for a spa appointment.

Myself and my partner indulged in massages followed by some heat treatments in the spas three rooms, including a sauna and steam room.

Suitably pampered and relaxed we chilled out before dinner and made our way to the bar for drinks.

Our barman was one of those guys who is eager to have some craic and we enjoyed a bit of banter with him before and after our meal.

Sash restaurant was quiet on the night we visited but staff were incred-

ibly friendly and service was good.

I went for mussels to start which were slightly on the creamy side for me but my husband enjoyed his terrine.

A rib eye steak was perfectly cooked, as was my husband’s monkfish and desserts of tart tatin and rhubarb fool finished off a nice meal.

Back to the bar and a couple of cocktails later, the effects of the earlier massage were being felt and we sojourned to bed for a bit of the Late Late show.

Breakfast the next morning, again in Sash, was good with a nice array of cooked items including eggs benedict and pancakes as well as fish and the traditional full Irish.

Bellies full, we rambled up to the Milk Market for a meander which is really worth a visit.

We hit the road at midday, almost making it home to Dublin by 1.45pm, a journey that would have previously taken about five hours.

That alone makes Limerick worth a visit.

For more information visit www.perysquare.ie.

Travel by vintage car through the streets of Old Havana

A truly beautiful and unique Caribbean Island  Ian Begley

With beautiful weather, friendly locals and a rich history, Cuba is the Caribbean destination that has it all. This unique island, which sometimes appears stuck in the past, offers a warm welcome to visitors and it is easy to see why many return time and again.

An 11-night trip to Cuba is just one of the many delightful holidays available through www. traveldepartment.ie.

In their Cuban trip, you will walk in the footsteps of Ernest Hemingway and discover the country that inspired much of his writing.

In Old Havana, you will travel by vintage car through the streets and see the city centre built in the baroque and neoclassical style. There will be a trip to Hemingway’s home and the fishing village of Cojimar, the setting

Lake Bled, Slovenia

for The Old Man and the Sea. Another excursion will bring you on the “Tobacco Route” in the west of the island. Enjoy a tour of the village of Hershey, named after the American chocolate king, where you will learn about the sugar cane industry before enjoying live music and refreshments in the gardens of Hershey.

As well as the great excursions there will be plenty of free time to sightsee and relax at your own pace. Your holiday will conclude in the

coastal area of Varadero where you can swim with dolphins or relax on the pristine beaches.

Superb local guides will be on hand to share their in-depth knowledge of Cuba throughout. Discover the “Pearl of the Antilles” for yourself – you won’t be disappointed.

Prices star t from €2,599 for 11 nights including flights, transfers and accommodation, with flight departing Dublin, on October 3.

Alternatively, for anyone with a wanderer’s soul, you can travel

through three neighbouring countries over seven days on trip in Venice, Lake Bled and Croatia.

Compare the changing cultures and landscapes as you travel between historic cities, magnificent mountain scenery and the beautiful coastline of the Adriatic.

In Italy, enjoy a full day excursion to the iconic city of Venice and prepare to be enchanted by the atmospheric canals, tiny alleyways and busy squares that make up the real Venice.

Enjoy some relaxing time by the beach in Lido di Jesolo and explore the many cafes, restaurants and shops as well as the stunning ten mile stretch of beach for which the area is known.

In Slovenia, discover the quaint capital of Ljubljana and be awed by the spectacular scenery of the Julian Alps and beautiful Lake Bled, with its cen-

tral island and clifftop castle. Embark on a full day excursion around Triglav National Park, home to the highest mountain in Slovenia.

Finally, in Croatia you will explore the region of Istria and visit the coastal towns of Porec, Rovinj and Pula. You will visit a Roman amphitheatre, known as the Arena of Pula, Porec’s UNESCOprotected architectural complex of Euphrasius Basilica, which is one of the best examples of early Byzantine architectures in the Mediterranean, and have free time to explore the paved streets of the harbour town, Rovinj.

Prices star t from €999pp for seven nights including flights, transfers and half-board accommodation, with flight departing Dublin, October 13.

For more information on this offer and to book, visit www.traveldepartment.ie.

31 March 2016 Gazette 21

Gazette

CINEMA 10 Cloverfield Lane: a staple diet of claustrophobia and paranoia

Snappy, clever tension

All the way back in 2008, Cloverfield burst out of the leftfield and onto our screens. A big monster movie told through the found-footage format, it still stands up as a pretty nifty mashup that introduced some nice elements to the rapidly stagnating genre.

The fact that Cloverfield had JJ Abrams tagged as a producer helped smooth the way for a much wider release and box office success, Fast forward almost a decade, and it is safe to say that most of us had long forgotten about Cloverfield and any rumours of a sequel in the works.

 Dave phillips

So it was a surprise when 10 Cloverfield Lane popped up on the radar at the start of the year. It was already completely shot and edited before its release had been officially announced.

Even more surprising was that it looked like it has very little to do with gigantic, city-stomping monsters.

Set almost entirely in the confines of an under-

ground bunker, the film is a tense, and sometimes darkly comic, psychological thriller. The last thing that Michelle (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) remembers is packing her belongings into her car, leaving a goodbye note to her fiancee, and hitting the road. She wakes up in the subterranean stronghold of doomsday nut Howard (John Goodman), who says he rescued her after her car crashed on the motorway.

Something, he insists, has gone wrong with the outside world, just as he always knew it would.

Local loveable dimwit Emmett (John Gallagher

Jr), who helped Howard build the bunker, is also along for the ride, which may be a long one, according to the hulking and paranoid Howard, who claims it is best to wait inside for one to two years before attempting to make contact with the world outside.

So begins the fun and thrilling mystery – the bunker is equipped with everything the trio will need to survive, except for space and privacy.

Goodman’s Howard is equal parts endearing and terrifying, a whining tyrant that proves too much to bear for the rebellious Michelle.

Emmet (John Gallagher Jr), Michelle (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and Howard (John Goodman) star in this darkly comic, psychological thriller

Much of the greatness of the film lies in the dynamic between Goodman and Winstead, who both showcase some incredible performances.

Howard incessantly chips away at Michelle as the archetypal father figure – benign while you follow his rule, but ferocious and unpredictable

when challenged. Cue Cold War-style standoffs politely played out over freeze-dried dinners, and Machiavellian plots secretly hatched while playing endless games of Monopoly, and you’ll be somewhere close to the dark charms of the film.

Director Dan Trachtenberg does a solid

job in bringing across a mounting sense of claustrophobia and paranoia., and even a wilted finale doesn’t spoil 10 Cloverfield Lane, a film that is so chock full of tension that you won’t necessarily care how it ends, you’ll just be relieved that it has.

Verdict: 8/10

Gazette

22 Gazette 31 March 2016

OUT&ABOUT

MOTORING

The Volkswagon Golf proves to be the most searched for car in 2015

carzone.ie: Volkswagon proves most popular with ford second and Bmw coming in third

VW Golf most popular  dave phillips

Carzone.ie has published a report across three Dublin areas revealing some interesting information about what Dubliners like about their cars.

The data was compiled through analysis of the 111 million searches carried out on Carzone. ie during 2015 along with an in-depth survey of 1,700 motorists nationwide. The report saw that 42% of people in West Dublin bought a car in 2015, compared to the national average of 42.5%.

The report also shows t h a t a Vo l k s w a g e n Golf was the car most searched for by people

living in West Dublin.

In South Dublin 37% of people bought a car in 2015 and also shows that Volkswagen Golf was the car most searched for by people living in South Dublin, while 36% of people in North Dublin bought a car last year, which again showed that the Volkswagen Golf was most searched for by people living in that area of the capital.

When buying a car, 15% of Irish motorists claimed they bought a car to save on car running costs, while a further 13% wanted a more reliable car. Interestingly but perhaps not surprisingly, 30% of married people declared they wanted a larger car to accommo-

date a growing family.

Motorists demonstrated prudence when buying a car by researching their purchase thoroughly. In total, 45% of motorists researched up to three models while 24% researched more than five models.

In terms of what Dublin motorists were searching for specifically, German car makes remain extremely popular, with Volkswagen topping the polls for most popular car make.

Vo l k s w a g e n w a s closely followed by Ford in second and BMW in third. When it comes to the most popular model of car, the Volkswagen Golf tops the poll, the same as the most

searched for car nationwide. The colour black remains extremely popular amongst West Dublin motorists, accounting for some 32% of colour searches.

A large portion of motorists (41%) purchased vehicles from franchise dealers, with a further 34% buying from independent dealers and a further 15% bought their car online.

Looking at car sales, the Carzone.ie motoring report shows over half of people (52%) intend on selling their car within the next year, but 20% said they weren’t confident of getting a good price for their car.

When it came to reasons why people wanted

to sell their car, needing a larger car (24%), high expense (17%) and lack of reliability (16%) were the top three reasons.

Looking at the financial side of the Irish motoring market, the top financial concerns are fuel costs, road tax and the cost of insurance.

In north, south and west Dublin, this is interestingly different; while primary focus is still on fuel, this is followed by insurance and road tax.

On the topic of insurance, 54% of Irish motorists felt insurance costs would be the biggest obstacle in affording a car in the next 12 months.

Meanwhile more than 35% of motorists in Dublin said they are not sat-

isfied with their current insurance premium.

The research from Carzone.ie also shows that more than 35% of people in Dublin are either unsure or have no knowledge of current tax bands. Despite this, 83% of Irish motorists claimed that tax bands influenced what car they buy.

The national male versus female breakdown on tax band knowledge also offered some interesting insight, with 75% of men claiming to be aware and fully understand versus 61% of women.

Research also pointed towards a lack of knowledge of car financing, with approximately 75% of Dublin motorists not fully aware of car finance

options available to them when buying a car – the lowest level of awareness in the country.

Commenting on the findings, Warren Cray, general manager of Carzone.ie, said: “In this our sixth edition of the Carzone.ie motoring report, we have gone deeper again to research views and gauge sentiment amongst Irish motorists.

“What is certainly clear from the research is that consumer confidence is continuing to rise and more and more vehicles are changing hands, both through new car registrations and used car sales.”

To access a full copy of the report, visit: www. carzone.ie/motoringreport.

31 March 2016 Gazette 23

24 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 31 March 2016

OPINION ‘We must not bend to the terrorists who hit Brussels’

Will we be defiant and take a stand for our freedoms?

BRUSSELS, Belgium – political capital of Europe, home of the EU, home to thousands of Irish ex-pats and, sadly, fundamental terrorism, in the form of ISIS. For me, it is also my former home. From 2005 to 2007, I lived in Brussels, working in the office of Fine Gael MEP Gay Mitchell.

My flat was located on Rue du Toulouse, about 100 metres from Maalbeek metro station, site of one of the bombs that killed so many people recently.

Living in Brussels was an incredible experience for me, I moved there at the age of 22, having just left UCD and having never lived away from home before.

Within weeks, I had made friends for life and immersed myself in this city made up of people from all over the world.

I even played rugby there, captaining the Brussels Barbarians.

Many of my friends still live in Brussels, older now, and with families of their own – the majority being frequent flyers in and out of Zaventum Airport, scene of the other bombing. I was glued to my phone on Tuesday morning; thanks to Facebook, I was able to see friends confirming they were safe.

Seeing friends like Michael, originally from Knocklyon, confirming that he, his wife and two-week-old baby confirming they were all ok brought great relief, but worry about others.

Another friend, David, originally from County Clare, was in the checkin area of the airport

when the bombs went off. He was quick to get on Facebook to tell us that he was ok, shook up and a little hurt, but thankfully ok.

Hearing our MEP, Brian Hayes, on the radio tell how he had exited the metro station moments before the blast was a chilling reminder of how close many were; sadly, many were not so fortunate.

The death toll from the two blast sites is now at 31 people [at the time of writing; revised upwards to 35 at time of going to print] with over 200 others hurt, some critically, with stories of amputations and horrific injuries coming to the fore.

Actions The actions of the truly evil bombers last week were very close to the bone and I am still coming to terms with it all.

Since leaving Brussels, I have immersed myself in the world of politics and through my role as a county councillor, I was appointed to the EU’s Committee of the Regions (CoR), the body that works on EU issues from the perspective of local authorities.

In January, I became leader of the Irish delegation to the CoR, and through this I find myself travelling to Brussels on a fortnightly basis.

The time the bombs were detonated on Tuesday was just before the regular Aer Lingus and Ryanair f lights from Dublin were due to land; these were subsequently diverted to Amsterdam and Liege.

Brussels is one of the most militarised and closely secured cities

With the eyes of the world bent on Brussels, and the death toll created by suicide bombers, Cllr Neale Richmond (FG, inset) writes of his personal experience of living and working in the city, as well as highlighting what he believes EU citizens’ response should be – defiance

in the world. In recent months hundreds, if not thousands, of soldiers have maintained a presence across the city but especially at Zaventum Airport and in the EU district.

Needless to say, some of the first casualties of Tuesday’s attacks were these soldiers – very few soldiers can contain or

stop an evil, fanatical suicide bomber.

But what will the response be?

No doubt world leaders will present various plans of action to target those responsible and those linked to these and previous attacks, while security measures will again be heightened.

But what will our

response be – the response of the ordinary citizen?

Will we bow to the will of these evil fanatics and live our lives in fear, allow democratic institutions to be subverted, [and] let the terrorists win? Or will we be defiant and stand up for our freedoms?

I choose defiance. I will travel to Brussels, as

planned, in ten days’ time; travel through Zaventum Airport; attend the plenary session of the CoR; deliver a report I have been working on; meet my old friends and stay as booked in my AirBnB [rental property] located on the same Rue du Toulouse that I once called home, 100 metres from the very same Maalbeek

metro station.

Je suis Bruxelles, nous sommes Bruxelles.  CLLR NEALE

RICHMOND, FG Cllr Richmond is a member of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and is the leader of the Irish delegation to the EU’s Committee of the Regions

31 March 2016 LUCAN Gazette 25

clondalkin Gazettegallery | ST PATRICK’S DAY parade

Collins family: Allie, Isabele, Jamielee and Daniel

Grand Marshal Mary Kennedy

Mini mouse

Ryan Ennis and Ellie Holloway

Funky Steps members in the parade. Pictures: Rossiter Photography

Clondalkin goes green for a day

Joey Keating and Kyle Keating

Lynda Duff and Dylan Melia

Milllie O’Callaghan and Laoise Sullivan

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Gazette

28 clondalkin gazette 31 March 2016

SPORT Foley looks to Clontarf inspiration

FastSport

football: under-21 grade proving fruitful development ground

dublin crew aid Irish run to seventh place:

IRELAND’S team finished seventh at the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships in Cardiff last weekend.

Paul Pollock ran 62.46 to place 14th individually with next in for the Irish being Thomas Frazer (Crusaders), who was 41st in a personal best of 65.20.

“It was a great race, a lot of awesome competition, and the weather made it more of an even playing field,” he said. “I loved it out there.”

Sergiu Ciobanu (Clonliffe Harriers) rounded out the Irish team in 50th, running 66.30, while Sean Hehir (Rathfarnham) dropped out just after halfway.

“It was good,” said Ciobanu.

“I’m probably not at my best at the moment. We came seventh team in the world, which is great, and there are bigger things ahead of us.”

 james hendicott sport@dublingazette.com

ANDREW Foley is aiming big this season, with the Dublin Under-21 side, telling GazetteSport that the team’s target “has to be an All Ireland, otherwise what

is the point?”

The Dublin age-group side face off against Kildare in the Leinster Final in Pairc Tailteann in Navan on April 2, a four day delay from the original schedule match at O’Moore Park in Portlaoise, and while

Foley is aiming high, he recognises Dublin are slightly fortunate to be where they are.

“Laois were favourites against us in the quarter-finals, I think,” he explains. “And we barely managed to get past them. Meath wasn’t

Andrew Foley and Kildare’s Mark Sherry. Picture: Stephen McCarthy

Andrew Foley at the EirGrid U-21 Leinster final launch. Picture: Stephen McCarthy

easy in the semis either and, on another day, they could easily have won. We won’t be taking Kildare lightly.”

A bonus for the final is the return of Ballyboden St Enda’s players Shane Clayton and Colm Basquel, with the pair having played only minor roles in the semi-final, which fell 48 hours after their All-Ireland club title win on St Patrick’s Day. Dublin have a strong history at Under-21 level recently, winning the AllIreland in 2014, and losing out in heart-breaking fashion at the semi-final stage to a developing Tipperary side – a game that Foley remembers well – last time around.

“We don’t really com-

pare to the previous season, as the team is so different,” he said. “There are a few players who are also involved with the senior side, though, and there’s a lot of experience at under-21 level in the team.”

Last season was a particularly strenuous one for Foley, with his club side Clontarf progressing to the almost unprecedented level of semi-finalists in the Dublin championship, meaning a lot of crossover between the two sides for Foley.

Clontarf’s status has grown exponentially over the past few years, firstly with the emergence of young Dublin star Jack McCaffrey, and then through their

impressive club form.

“Communication – talking to the management – is critical when you get that kind of overlap,” Foley explains.

“There’s a great buzz down at Clontarf at the moment; Jack is the first person we’ve had of his status since Noel McCaffrey [Jack’s dad, who starred for Dublin in the 80s], so it’s been really inspirational, especially for the young lads.”

With the Under-21 panel an ever more reliable road to senior success – Paul Mannion, McCaffrey and Cormac Costello have all graduated in recent years – Foley is well on the way to offering some notable inspiration of his own.

Quinlan’s 20-point haul sees Terenure fall to Con  sport@dublingazette.com

Terenure in action last Saturday. Picture: Peter Thursfield

TERENURE College fell 35-17 to Cork Constitution in the only game of the Ulster Bank League Division 1A to be played over the weekend as talented young full-back Tomas Quinlan racked up 20 points.

Quinlan latched onto Darragh Lyons’ chip ahead in the 76th minute to grab the final try of this rescheduled Division 1A tie, with the result pushing Con up to third place in the table.

The Leesiders led 17-10 at the end of a very entertaining first

half at Temple Hill. Lock Conor Kindregan burst through from 30 metres out for their opening try in the fourth minute.

Nure winger Jake Swaine responded with a well-taken score which he converted himself, and he followed up with a 40-metre penalty for a 10-7 scoreline.

However, Con made big inroads approaching halftime, with centre Niall Kenneally dotting down in the 28th minute after some nice interplay between backs and forwards.

Quinlan converted and tagged

on a penalty to restore the hosts’ seven-point advantage.

Nure captain Kevin O’Dwyer dotted down in the 54th minute to cancel out an early penalty try from Con on the resumption, but Quinlan increased his influence by left-footing two successive penalties through the uprights to complete his 15-point kicking haul.

The former Ireland Under20 international then reached swiftly to Lyons’ dink through to seal the bonus point for the Corkmen, who are well-placed to make the play-offs next

month with fifth-placed Garryowen now eight points in arrears.

Terenure remain in eighth place in the division with two rounds of matches to go and one point to spare over ninth place Galwegians.

The two meet on Saturday afternoon in Galway in what is a crucial game for both as they look to move away from potential relegation issues.

Terenure will then complete their regular season campaign against Old Belvedere on April 16.

31 March 2016 clondalkin gazette 29

Gazette

Larkview pitching in for big development With a newly installed pitch in Whelan Park in Kimmage, Larkview Boys are looking to grow their club significantly with the reintroduction of youth teams the first key target  james hendicott sport@dublingazette.com

LARKVIEW Boys football club have officially opened new facilities at their Whelan Park complex in Kimmage, the result of more than €1.5 million in investment over the past 13 years.

A new high-end artificial pitch — installed

by PST Sport — comes alongside a new gym and dressing rooms that were added over the past few years, assisted through club loan and an investment of half a million euro in grant funding from the department of sport. There is also a seven-a-side pitch, hired out to other local clubs on a regular basis.

Speaking at the launch, Larkview Boys

Chairman Jack Ledwidge said: “Jim Whelan was a visionary and he always wanted to have his own ground for the club so this pitch was opened in 1972. We wanted to keep this going and the club trustees — Mick Carroll, Paul Cooke and myself — sat down in 2003 and put together a plan to this end.

“Thankfully, after a lot of hard work it has come to fruition with this magnificent facility today.

We’re very grateful to the Department of Sport for the grants they’ve given us. We’d also like to thank Mark Caslin who very kindly gave us a loan which brought the development of the facilities forward for Larkview.”

Ledwidge later out-

lined the thinking behind the process to GazetteSport, adding: “We’re aiming to set up schoolboy teams again, which are a traditional strength of the club. We had an under-11 side a few years ago, that dropped away. This year we have an under-19 side that will progress to our LSL side, and we hope to introduce a new agegroup side as well as an under-18 side. We’ll take things on from there.

“It’s about finding the right people, really,” he continued. It’s a big responsibility, and it can be hard to find responsible people to take it on.

“We’ve slowly been building facilities, with floodlights, the clubhouse and a seven-aside pitch and now the

Larkview FC welcome the official opening of their new all weather pitch by FAI chief executive John Delaney. Picture: Gary Ashe/The Star

full-sized pitch. While we can rent them, they’re not really money making exericses, as in a few years we’ll have to pay to re-lay the pitch again, and it’s hugely expensive.

“But they enable the club to develop. We’re not quite sure how yet,

you a great lift to be here today. I’m sure if Jim Whelan was alive today after forming the club in 1938 he’d be very proud of this committee for what they have achieved.

“You should always leave the club, the association or the league you

--------------------------------------------------------

‘We’re looking to develop overall participation and get the club a bit of a name’ Larkview’s Jack Ledwidge

--------------------------------------------------------

but we’ll be looking to attract a large schoolboys section, and there are restrictions with grass. You can only play so many games a week on a grass pitch. This takes that limitation away.

“Essentially, we’re looking to develop overall participation, and get the club a bit of a name.”

Last year, Larkview missed out on the Lummy O’Reilly Cup final with an extra time defeat to Wayside Celtic, as well as losing out in Polikoff Cup final to Portlaoise, after knocking out LSL big boys Crumlin United.

President of the FAI John Delaney also spoke at the launch event, saying: “On a spring afternoon at a good time for Irish football, it gives

represent in better shape than when you got it,” he added. “You can argue over bits and pieces along the journey, but there’s no doubt that when this club is handed over to next crew it will be in far better shape than when you got it because of this outstanding facility.”

Larkview Boys have an Under-19 team managed

by Joe McGlue and two senior Amateur League sides run by Keith Nolan, all of whom have already benefitted from the new facilities, playing games that might otherwise have been cancelled due to winter weather conditions.

The club hope that the new facilities will not only assist those already at the club, but enable the introduction of a host of new teams, too.

FastSport

Dublin dozen all set for Hawkes Bay competition IRELAND’S women’s hockey team, featuring 12 Dublin-based players, will begin their Hawkes Bay Cup campaign in New Zealand on Saturday as they begin their preparations for a push toward the 2018 World Cup. The side features Old Alex goalkeeper Pam Smithwick, Muckross’s Nicci Daly as well as UCD’s Emily Beatty, Deirdre Duke, Gill Pinder and Katie Mullan, Loreto’s Lena Tice and Hannah Matthews and Hermes’ Naomi Carroll, Nikki Evans, Anna O’Flanagan and Chloe Watkins, pictured.

The side have been in situ in New Zealand following a three-match series against Great Britain, a side who are in the world’s top five and preparing for the Olympic Games.

“That series was ideal experience to play three high level games against top quality opposition; a team in full preparation for Rio. Overall, we were happy with the level of performance, maybe a little disappointed to not get a result in one of the games but we learnt a lot about ourselves and where we sit right now.”

The Hawkes Bay tournament sees Ireland take on eight teams, five of whom are ranked in the top 10 in the world and will offer important experience as they build toward a 2018 World Cup bid.

The Green Army are drawn in Pool B alongside host New Zealand, China and India while Pool A is comprised of Australia, Korea, Japan and Canada.

Ireland’s first match sees them pitted against China, the team who dealt them the cruellest of blows at World League 3 in Valencia last June, denying them an Olympic place.

“There will obviously be emotion involved in that opening match but we will be 100% focused on each opponent and take one match at a time.

“There were plenty of lessons to take from Valencia and the China match in particular, I’m confident we’ve matured as a squad and will be as prepared as possible when we face the world number 5.”

They will play again the following day against India, their closest ranked opponent before finishing up the pool games against New Zealand.

Gazette

30 clondalkin gazette 31 March 2016

SPORT

FastSport

soccer: clondalkin club become just third side to win in tallaght

Peamount quintet bow out with brave showing THE Republic of Ireland Women’s Under 17’s have bowed out of this year’s UEFA European Championships at the Elite Phase round of qualification despite two wins from three in Group 3 of the competition held in France.

The side, featuring Niamh Farrelly, Tiegan Ruddy, Naoisha McAloon, Lauren O’Callaghan and Lauren Kelly - all of Peamount United - failed to qualify in heartbreaking fashion as head to head results went against them despite their 1-0 victory over France.

The result followed a 2-1 defeat of Hungary before a late goal conceded versus the Czech Republic handed the Girls in Green their only defeat in qualification.

Bell’s side went into their final group game knowing even a victory over France would not be enough to guarantee Ireland a spot in May’s finals, due to the fact that the winners and the runners-up with the best record against the teams first and third in their section progressed to join Belarus as hosts at the finals in May. Ireland produced an outstanding performance knowing at the very least that a win held the possibility of handing them a place in Belarus in May, with France often stretched for long periods unable to manage Ireland’s high pressing up the field.

Neat combination play from the hosts saw Lina Boussaha played through the centre of Ireland’s defence and only for a magnificent low save from goalkeeper McAloon a defeat may have loomed large.

However the goal came for Ireland halfway through the first half when France failed to properly clear Alex Kavanagh’s free-kick into the box. The ball fell decisively to the feet of Kirwan on the edge of the box, with striker smashing the ball high and over goalkeeper Blandine Joly into the top corner of the French net.

Unfortunately for Ireland the goal could not prove enough, as the 1-0 win over courtesy of Kiernan’s volley was not enough despite finishing runners up in Group 3 with two wins from three.

Collinstown had yet more reasons to celebrate with their famous win over Shamrock Rovers

Collinstown stun Rovers  nathan kelly and aaron gallagher sport@dublingazette.com

ONLY three clubs have beaten Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium - St Patrick’s Athletic, Odds Ballklubb of Norway and now Collinstown FC. The Clondalkin side became only the third team to beat the Hoops in competitive action at their home ground, opened in 2009, in last week’s remarkable 2-0 victory in the Leinster Senior Cup. Goals cour tesy of former Rovers player Dean Ebbe stunned the Hoops, setting up another Premier Division bout

versus Bray Wanderers in the quarter-finals.

Speaking to GazetteSport after his side’s infamous win, manager Kevin Carroll said that his side reaped the rewards of stamina and and an unflinching determination.

“For the team we put out, I thought it was an excellent performance,” he said. “To soak up the pressure we did against such a good, young, fit side speaks volumes for the team. Fellas limped off that pitch tonight after giving 105%, but we got the rewards at the end of it and onto the next round.”

The game featured an

remembrance run Special 5k race to take place on April 24 athletics Ireland, in partnership with

the Dublin City Council, will host the Dublin Remembers 1916 Run 5k on Sunday, April 24 at 9am to mark the 100 year anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising.

Starting at Mountjoy Square, the course takes in some of Dublin City’s most iconic sites while you fill the streets passing the GPO, Liberty Hall, Rosie Hackett Bridge, the Four Courts and finishing at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham exactly 100 years ago to the day of the Easter Rising.

unusual formation from the non-league side, setting up with three at the back while deploying two wing-backs – a tactic manager Carroll says worked effectively when Rovers chased the game in the second period.

“I thought at half-time they were going to come out after the break and go attack, attack, attack.

“They put three up on our three at the back, which is what I thought they would do. They were giving (Trevor Clarke) so much of the ball in the first half but he just faded out in the second, so that wasn’t working for them.

“Then they seemed to lose their shape and

just went attack, attack, attack even more.

“But to be fair, we’ve been very good at the back all season. Ross [Costigan], hasn’t got a game in a good few because he’s been kept out of the team and tonight he stepped in and his attitude was unbelievable with two very good saves he pulled off.”

Collinstown suffered a cup hangover on Sunday however, letting go of their Leinster Junior Cup title with a 3-2 loss away to Evergreen FC. However the manager is keen to celebrate their Leinster Senior Cup success, adding to the growing list of non-league

scalpings of League of Ireland opposition of late, with Bluebell United, too, knocking Cabinteely out of the EA Sports Cup before beating Drogheda United last week.

“It’s funny, someone text me yesterday saying [we] have a habit of going to Tallaght and playing very well against teams in green and white hoops”, explained Carroll on his side’s recent record versus Sheriff YC. “To come out on top again tonight is the very same thing, it’s about attitude. We came thinking we’ll enjoy the game. It’s a big game but we’ve bigger games to come – we’ll enjoy it.”

31 March 2016 CLONDALKIN gazette 31

Gazette

easter camp

Over 120 children enjoy top notch Tower’s fun

lucan sarsfields

over120 boys and girls turned out for the

Round Tower Easter camp 2016 at Monastery Road with players aged four up to 12 all taking part in the fun while learning new skills.

The camps were visited by Gavin and Oisin, picture, from the club’s nursery sponsors the Irish Fairy Door Company as part of their ongoing support for the club’s juvenile section.

camogie: lucan represented by six players

Lucan Sarsfields Ali Twomey under pressure. Picture: Ryan Byrne/Inpho

Premier county too good for Dubliners

national league div 1 Tipperary 2-12 Dublin 1-6  sport@dublingazette.com

DUBLIN’S outside hopes of a final four spot in the Division 1 National Camogie League were dashed by virtue of their ninepoint loss to Tipperary in The Ragg With Clare’s 15-point reverse at the hands of a thriving Galway, a win would have seen Dublin nick second place in the group and a date with Kilkenny but they were unable to match Tipp.

Lucan Sarsfields was, once again, well repre-

sented with Siobhan Grimes, Claire Rigney, Ali Twomey, Mairi Moynihan, Emma Flanagan and the emerging Orla Beagan all starting. Beagan would go on to score 1-3.

The first half was very evenly contested and the sides were separated only by a goal from Jenny Grace, going in at the break on 1-5 to 0-5.

It was notable though that Grace was unerring in punishing the indiscipline of Dublin defenders from placed balls and she finished with 1-8 of the Tipperary tally in their 2-12 to 1-6 success, five of those points coming from

Club Noticeboard

frees.

Beagan did score a goal following a mix-up in the home defence in the 42nd minute to give the visitors some hope but it was the only real slip from the excellent Tipp back division.

Meanwhile, Mairead Teehan drove them on from midfield in very difficult weather conditions and when substitute Roisin Howard drove to the net with five minutes remaining, the result was secured.

It has been a long time since the once all-powerful Premier County sat at the top table of cam-

ogie, their last national title coming 12 years ago, when they won the AllIreland to complete a famous league and championship double.

It is too early to say whether or not that spell in the wilderness is coming to an end but the underage work of recent seasons is clearly beginning to bear significant fruit.

Dublin, meanwhile, ended an extremely tight group in sixth place with one win and a draw on their record, showing the fine margins between success and otherwise in this group.

CONGRATULATIONS to Martin Mockler who received this ye ar ’s Pr e siden t s Awar d from Joe Byrne at a presentation on Thursday last week.

This past week has been a quiet one in terms of games played.

Pitches are getting a little reprieve before it all kicks off again in the next week.

The senior pitch did see action with the senior footballers hosting Dunboyne in a challenge game and the senior camogie team losing out on their latest Leinster league round.

T h ey a r e o u t a g a i n o n Thursday night 8pm at home to Kilrush.

The senior footballers are up against Na Fianna on Saturday next, at the 12th Lock, at 6.30pm.

This will be their third Division 1 League outing and we would ask for maximum support on the night.

The senior hurling Lein-

ster league is suf fering a fix tures backlog with the quarter finals already fixed for Saturday, April 2. Lucan or Kilcotton or Ferns will be at home to Bennettsbridge of Kilkenny.

Saturday, April 9 is a date to hold free. The club will host a Mock Hen Party, and it promises to be a huge night.

S e t Dancing is back on Wednesdays at 8.30pm in the Function Room.

The Cupla Focal Club continues on Monday night.

Eight O’Clock for the novices, nine for the more experienced speakers.

Cards are back in action on Friday night next 9pm for anyone interested.

There was no winner of t h i s we e k’s € 3 , 5 0 0 l o t t o draw; numbers were 10, 13, 22 and 28. Lotto sponsor was Colaiste Laichtin, Inis Oirr.

Nex t we e k’s j a c k p o t i s €4,000 and the draw will be managed by team Frank Masterson on Sunday night next.

ST pat’s palmerstown THE lotto numbers for this week were 16, 19, 20 and 22; there was no winner so next week’s jackpot will be €9,800.

The draw takes place in the Palmerstown House every Sunda y night at 10pm and tickets cost €2.

Thank you to all our sellers and to all that support our lotto every week. Tickets available from all the usual sellers including SuperValu, Palmerstown House, Manor Hair Studios and in the clubhouse on Tuesday and Thursday from 7-8pm.

Thursday, March 31 is the last day for paying club mem-

bership, membership can be paid on Thursday night from 7-8pm in the clubhouse.

Our Friday hurling and camogie skills session has started up again on Friday from 6-7pm, from U-8 upwards and all are welcome.

It’s a great chance for the kids to learn from experienced coaches.

Congrats to Evan Walshe, Liam Brophy and Roisin Brady, our three newly appointed Level 1 referees.

Well done all.

No games at the weekend so hope you all had great Easter break and enjoyed the rest.



Got a story? we want to know!

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GazetteSPORT all of your clondalkin sports coverage from page 28-31

mar 31 - apr 6, 2016

cup shock: Collinstown become just the third side Foley’s all-ireland focus: Rising Clontarf star inspired to beat Rovers in Tallaght as AUL side stun Hoops P30 by McCaffrey’s excellence P28

Nicole Lynch is looking forward to taking another big step forward on road to become professional motorbike racer

Lynch set for big debut Clondalkin motorbike racer set for her maiden ride in the European Junior Cup in Spain, becoming the first Irish woman to be selected

 sport@dublingazette.com

CLONDALKIN motorbike racer Nicole Lynch will make her debut in the WIL Sport European Junior Cup in Spain on Saturday, April 3, becoming the first Irish female rider to ever be selected for the competition.

The series will be held at eight of the European rounds of the FIM Motul World Superbike Championship with Lynch competing in Spain, Germany the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Italy and France from April to October 2016, returning to Ireland after each round.

She is one of only six female riders racing in year’s cup and she said: “I’m delighted and so excited to be involved in such a big global

event.

“The championships have many big name riders, but because they are in the minority, I’m told that the female racers usually attract a lot of interest from the media and the scouts.

“It will give me an opportunity to try and prove myself and help me to pursue my dream of becoming a professional motorbike racer.

“It’s going to be tough and challenging as the standard is very high, no matter what happens, taking part will be the experience of a lifetime. “ In a new initiative launched in 2015, to encourage more participation in the sport, Lynch and her female rivals will also be racing to take the women’s European Cup trophy, presented to the overall highest scoring female

competitor in the Junior Cup. So that the focus is on talent, the European Junior Cup is a one-make class; each rider is provided with an identical, race-prepared Honda CBR 650F and individual technical support at each venue.

They can also bring their own mechanic but, to prevent any illegal modifications, all machines are kept by the organiser and transported from race to race.

Lynch added: “Because of the way the European Junior Cup is set up, the first time that I will actually get to even sit on my race bike will be two days before my first race.

“However, Cotter Motorcycles in Ballymount have been brilliant, they stepped in and provided me with a 2015 version of the exact

bike on which I’ve been practising hard for the past few months.”

The European audiences for the championships run into the millions with live TV and extended highlights coverage on British Eurosport, Channel 4, Eurosport (PanEurope) as well as stations in Spain and Italy where the sport is hugely popular.

“Taking part in the Cup is costing in excess of €50,000 and there is still plenty of opportunities for a sponsor to become involved and benefit from the exposure that this event attracts”, said Lynch, who provides regular updates to her growing audience on her Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts in addition to writing a monthly diary since 2015 for Bike Buyers Guide, Ireland’s largest bike magazine.