Clondalkin

Gazette CLONDALKIN

September 15-21, 2016

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Ticket touts giving Dubs the wrong kind of blues Sinn Fein councillor – and super fan – kicks off about shortages before the big game

 SYLVIA POWNALL

DIE-HARD Dubs fan Mark Ward has called for a crackdown on ticket touts in the run-up to this Sunday’s All-Ireland Football Final between Dublin and Mayo.

The Clondalkin dad-of-

two, who is also a Sinn Fein councillor, wants to see an end to genuine fans being priced out of the market by greedy scalpers.

As a season ticket holder, Cllr Ward – who is backing the Blues with a tattoo running from shoulder to

shoulder – will be on Hill 16 on Sunday, but he can’t get tickets for his daughters.

Aibi, 16, and 10-year-old Muirinn will miss the final in Croker because of ticket touting. Both are heavily involved with Round Towers GAA Club, and Muirinn

featured on last year’s Late Late Toy Show as the Dubs’ number-one fan.

“My girls follow the Dubs with me all over the country, but they will more than likely miss the greatest game of the season.”

Continued on Page 8

2 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 15 September 2016

SCHOOLS | COOKERY DEMO WITH NEVEN MAQUIRE HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED

Cooking up a storm for local primary school  SYLVIA POWNALL SACRED Hear t primary school in Sruleen, Clondalkin is celebrating af ter it received some great news that it has finally secured a cookery demo with celebrity chef Neven Maguire.

The school has been on Neven’s waiting list since December, 2013, but members of the parents’ association are confident it was worth the wait and that their patience has finally paid off.

The demonstration will take place in the

Green Isle Hotel on Wednesday, November 16 and funds raised will go towards new equipment and an all-weather pitch for the primary school.

Parents’ Association spokesperson Melissa McGuire said: “Sacred Hear t is a fantastic school which has 450 students and a ver y dedicated staff, who are committed to providing the children with the best education and opportunities possible.

“Unfor tunately, as with many organisations in the current economic climate, the Par-

Celebrity chef Neven Maguire will surely teach the crowds a thing or two to try at home in the kitchen

ents’ Association has to fundraise for some of the basic equipment such as books, sports equipment and transport to football matches.”

Principal Liam Kelly is delighted that Neven has agreed to help out and the demo is expected to draw a crowd of 500 culinary enthusiasts.

There will also be

a food village on the night with artisan food and craft stalls, which will allow visitors to browse and s ample some fine foods. Neven has ver y generously donated dinner for two and an overnight stay at MacNean House and Restaurant in Cavan as a raffle prize.

Melissa said: “The event is exclusive to the area and promises

to be a great evening of food and chat as Neven shares his expertise and passion for food.”

Tickets cost €20 – which entitles bearers to a free glass of wine – and doors on the night open at 6.30pm. Tickets are available from online agent, Eventbrite, and parents’ association members, who will be going door to door.

A fairtrade for a trolley token CLONDALKIN Fairtrade is seeking support for its awareness campaign and is selling trolley token keyrings bearing the Fairtrade logo.

Clondalkin became the first Fairtrade town in the South Dublin County Council area in 2014, thanks to the efforts of Clonburris teacher Paula Kenny and the students of the national school.

The keyrings cost €2 and are available from Cllr Francis Timmons (Ind), who is a member of the committee.

He said: “Clondalkin is the first Fairtrade town in the South Dublin County Council area and we are very proud of that.

Follow Clondalkin Fairtrade on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ Clondalkin-FairtradeTown. For a keyring, contact Cllr Timmons at 087 286 9315.

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15 September 2016 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 3

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Your last chance to

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We have some terrific prizes to give away, including a €150 gift card for Life Style Sports, €50 vouchers for M&S, Penneys and Dealz, a hamper from Flying Tiger, every kid’s favourite variety store, AND a €100 voucher for the Base – Ireland’s Number 1 entertainment centre.

So, scroll through the pics on your phone, click through your social media posts, and show us your little darling(s)

on their all-important first day at school.

Just Email competitions@ dublingazette.com, or post your shot to our Facebook or Twitter page with the hashtag #firstday, to be in with a chance to win.

All entries must be in by the end of this Sunday, September 18, with the winners to be announced on September 22. Best of luck!

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Chloe Knowles

WE’VE had a terrific response to our back to school giveaway contest – but all good things must come to an end, and time is almost up for one of our most popular competitions, ever!

It’s your last chance to share a shot of your darling child’s first day at school, or their first day back at school – but if you’ve more than one child braving ‘big school’, the more the merrier in your photo!

4 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 15 September 2016

RESCUE | ‘SCUMBAGS’ BLASTED AS DOG FLUNG FROM CAR WINDOW EVENTS | GET BOOKING!

Elsa lands on her doggy paws with help from a local woman  EMMA NOLAN A TERRIFIED dog was abandoned on a busy road after being flung from a car window in Clondalkin.

Local woman Danielle Fitzsimons was driving past when she noticed a box being thrown from a car. After realising the box contained a live dog, she turned around to help.

“I saw a dog was walking on the road, and I’m dog-mad, so I had to go see if it was ok,” she told The Irish Daily Mirror.

A group of passers by stopped to help the dog who was “shaking like a leaf” after the incident, which occurred last Tuesday near Corkagh Park.

Danielle said: “I picked her up and she just snug-

gled into my shoulder with relief. She was filthy – I don’t think she was ever washed.

“It’s clear that she wasn’t looked after or treated well. She was so timid and scared of her own shadow, after what those scumbags put her through.”

The dog lover said that she sometimes jokes about liking dogs more than people, but that was unfortunately true last Tuesday.

She said: “The fact that there are people out there that can do this completely sickens me.

This little dog wasn’t hurt, thank God, but she was extremely shaken up.”

Witnesses say that there were two “lads” in the car that drove away

after cruelly throwing the box from the window with the dog stuffed inside.

Danielle brought the westie mix, which she has since named Elsa, to Claire Sherry, in Clondalkin Animal Aid, where she was brought to the vet.

Luckily, the pooch was uninjured and has been given a new home

by Graham Hughes, from Newland’s Manor.

Danielle said that Graham has “already fallen in love with Elsa”, and while he is unsure of whether he can keep her or not, there is a “waiting list” of families who would love to bring her home.

She said: “Graham is figuring out if he can keep her. He doesn’t want to give her up, but his aunt, who is recovering from

Elsa just after she was rescued

cancer, would also love to take her.

“Some of the passers by who helped when she was first thrown from the car also volunteered to bring her home for good, so she will be in good hands, whatever happens.

“One thing is for sure – she certainly won’t be returned to her ‘owners’

Elsa after her first bath

who abandoned her like that.”

Danielle said that Elsa, while still timid, is a “gorgeous little dog” who deserves a “brilliant home”.

Get your free dose of culture on Friday night A SERIES of events have been lined up across south Dublin to mark Culture Night this Friday, September 16.

In Clondalkin, Aras Chronain Ionad Cultuir (www.araschronain.ie) will host a free screening of an Irish film about the 1916 Rising at 7.30pm, followed by set dancing lessons from 8-9.30pm and an evening of trad music, dance and song and a cupla focal until midnight.

In Tallaght, the county library will host Fortune’s Fool Productions, which presents Bite Size Shakespeare – a short presentation of some of the Bard’s best known monologues and a scene or two.

The drama fest runs from 5 to 8pm.

The Civic Theatre in Tallaght will screen The Bloody Irish, a new musical on the 1916 Rising, from 5 to 11pm.

Experience Candlelit Tales’s vivid re-telling of The Tain, accompanied on guitar and mandolin.

Come along and share the writings of Padraig Pearse with actors Bryan Murray, Una Crawford O’Brien and harpist Mary O’Donnell.

All events are free, but must be booked with individual venues.

Programme details are available from participating venues, South Dublin Libraries or at www.culturenight.ie.

15 September 2016 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 5

6 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 15 September 2016

GazetteGALLERY

| VARIETY - THE SPICE OF LIFE AT THE LOCAL FESTIVAL

Members of 180th Lucan South and 142nd Esker South enjoying the festivities

Sophie Byrne having an owl of a time with Dennis Mc Carthy, Animal Magick

Zara Curtis, Academy of

Wildlife Rescue

Irish Dancing

Partying with ‘the neigbours’ W

HAT a fantastic day was had by one and all at this year’s Lucan Festival! People came from far and wide, with lots of Clondalkin people happy to “just step next door” to join their neighbours for all the fun. The west Dubliners and everyone present enjoyed all the singing, dancing, theatre, wild animals, treasure hunts and historical walks.

One of Cinderella’s Ugly Sisters

Colourfully-dressed dancers impressed

Toddler gigs and reels were a hit

Bollywood Beats take to the stage to show their dance moves. Pictures: Alison O’Hanlon

15 September 2016 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 7

8 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 15 September 2016

LOTTO | WON €500,000? SPORT | GAA-MAD COUNCILLOR RAISES WIDESPREAD CONCERNS

The clock is ticking for a lucky winner

Mark’s chilly views of touts, ‘fair-weather fans’

 SYLVIA POWNALL

Continued from Page 1

A CLONDALKIN Lotto winner is sitting on a fortune – but has just five days left to claim their €500,000 prize.

If you played the Euromillions at the Ninth Lock Service Station on June 21, then you’d better check your ticket.

The numbers picked are 3, 23, 24, 32, 46 on a Quick Pick selection, and the lucky – or not so lucky – winner has 90 days from the date of the draw to cash in.

This means the ticket must be presented at the National Lottery Headquarters on Abbey Street by this coming Monday, September 19.

A Lotto spokesperson said: “Players who still have tickets played for the June 21 draw are advised to check them without delay.

“If they’re the winner, then they should sign the back of the ticket straight away and contact our claims team at 01 836 4444. Spread the word!”

Meanwhile, speculation is rife at the Esso Station on the Ninth Lock Road where the ticket was sold.

A source at the shop said: “We have no clue who won it – but we hope they get to collect their winnings on time, because it would be a real shame to miss out on such a win.

He added: “If you go online today, you will see tickets advertised for anything up to €800. This is wrong. I am hoping that with the spotlight on ticket touting due to events in Rio, that something will be done to address this scandal.”

Cllr Ward said the GAA system of allocating tickets for the final to every club was basically a fair one, but it was open to abuse.

He said: “They give those tickets in good faith to the clubs, who then themselves allocate these tickets to their members in good faith. But somewhere in this process.”

Superfan Cllr Mark Ward lifts the mighty Sam Maguire

tickets end up in the hands of touts.

“I would like to see a

system where all tickets are tracked from the GAA to the clubs and the

members. I would like to see a task force set up, and for the tickets to be taken out of the hands of touts.”

Last week, it emerged that fans who follow the All Dublin GAA and Hill 16 Army pages on Facebook have been entering fake bids on eBay to drive the prices up to ridiculous levels and thwart touts.

Cllr Ward said: “I’ve been supporting the Dubs all my life, and for me there are three types of supporters, starting with the die-hards who follow Dublin the length and breadth of the country, who stand in the freezing cold and rain in January at an O’Byrne Cup game.

“Then you have the

championship fans, who follow Dublin faithfully through the campaign.

“And, finally, you have the spectators, who just want to be there for the occasion of the All-Ireland final or semi-final. It is with these spectators – I refuse to call them ‘supporters’ – that the problem lies.

“Those of us who stand on the Hill have our own spot where we stand religiously throughout the season.

“I know when I look around on Sunday that many of those spots will be filled by spectators, and that the genuine supporters will be at home watching the game on television.”

15 September 2016 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 9

DON’S DUBLIN The Mayo man who left a monumental legacy on Dublin

JOHN Gray was once

described as a Renaissance Man, and by

NEILSTOWN | LOCAL INSTIUTION CLOSES AFTER 37 YEARS

Johnny calls ‘time’ on Garvey’s Hardware  SYLVIA POWNALL

being a doctor, surgeon, journalist, newspaper proprietor and politician, the commentator was spot on.

It is rare that a person should excel in so many different disciplines, but then Gray was the exception to all the rules. He was born on July 13, 1815 in Claremorris, Mayo, and entered Trinity College, Dublin where he studied medicine.

In 1839 he graduated as a Master in Surgery from Glasgow University and returned to Dublin, married Mary Dwyer and worked in a hospital on North Cumberland Street.

Although from the Protestant ruling class, Gray became the political editor of the nationalist newspaper, The Freeman’s Journal, and was co-owner from 1841. He used the newspaper to discuss important issues and in 1843 backed Daniel O’Connell’s call for the Repeal of the Act of Union, and both men were sentenced to prison.

However, due to the impetuousness of the prosecutor who challenged Gray’s defence to a duel, neither he nor O’Connell went to gaol.

In 1850, he became sole proprietor of The Freeman’s Journal, reduced the price and considerably increased its readership.

With his interest in local politics he was elected an alderman of Dublin Corporation in 1852. He put the issue of clean water for the city at the top of his agenda and did everything to promote the Vartry

GARVEY’S hardware in Neilstown closed its doors for the final time earlier this month after 37 years in business.

Ow ners John and Marie Garvey bowed out gracefully and are now looking forward to enjoying their retirement years together.

John – or Johnny, as he’s affectionately known to customers – worked as a labourer building the row of shops in Neilstow n in the late 1970s and decided on the spur of the moment to buy one and open a hardware store.

He said: “I was born in Mayo and I came to Dublin chasing a woman, and I’m still with her after all these years. The only thing I knew was hardware, so I took a job at a hardware shop.

Scheme.

This was a massive project and necessitated building a series of water pumping and filtering stations from the Vartry River to Dublin. Due to chronic overcrowding and bad housing conditions in the city, the introduction of clean water was vital in defeating the regular outbreaks of typhus and cholera that claimed so many young lives.

On the day the project came into operation - June 30, 1863 - Gray was knighted by the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.

He died in Bath in 1875 and a public subscription

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raised the funds for a statue on O’Connell Street. It was unveiled in 1879 and is dedicated to the “appreciation of his many services to his country, and of the splendid supply of pure water which he secured for Dublin”.

Don Cameron

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ADVERTISE WITH THE GAZETTE CALL A public subscription raised funds for a statue of Sir John Gray on O’Connell Street

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End of an era as Garvey’s Hardware has closed

“It was ver y successful for a number of years, because I had huge experience in the trade. I could advise on anything – be it right or wrong, I gave the advice.”

He added: “The recession didn’t make one bit of difference to us because we never had a good day, we were always in a recession.

It’s not an affluent area; people struggle, day in, day out.

“We’ve never seen a boom, so the bust didn’t affect us really.”

The shop went far beyond its ‘hardware’ label, selling everything from bicycles to fibreoptic Christmas trees, hairspray, nails, screws and tools to toys.

T here was even a Christmas club for customers to put a few quid by every week towards presents.

John’s son, Cathal, recalled: “It would have

started with us standing on milk crates at the till during the summer holidays. My wage was a toy car, going home!”

John’s wife, Marie – who also worked in the shop, on and off – is looking forward to seeing more of him at home.

She said: “This was an adventure that he wanted, so we went with it. The only thing I didn’t like was every Christmas Eve being at home on my own, because they all worked. So, this Christmas Eve will be nice.”

For John, his only regret about shutting up shop is he will miss the customers and the banter.

He added: “Sometimes, I say things I shouldn’t say, but I get away with it. They do give as good as they get now, to be fair – I’ve never met a Dub to be slow with the tongue!”

Expansion plans for Roadstone R OA D S T O N E h a s lodged a fresh planning application to retain service operations at its Belgard Quarry in Tallaght.

CRH, which employs 89,000 people worldwide, applied to South Dublin County Council for retention of a number of services and operations at the quarry.

Proposals include the retention of the quarry control office and garage, five storage portacabins, a spare-parts storage area, maintenance shed, and a 30-space car park.

The plans also include retention for two weighbridges, a quarry fuelling station, truck-parking area, a security station, multiple perimeter screening berms, internal access road (285m long) to the outer ring road entrance/exit gate, pedestrian gates, footpaths, paladin fencing, lampposts, relocation of entrance to C&D recovery site permitted under a previous planning application, and all ancillary site works.

A decision is due by October 10.

10 GAZETTE 15 September 2016

GazetteGALLERY | STARS ARE OUT ON THE STARTING LINE FOR LAUNCH OF THE

2FM Breakfast Republic presenters Bernard O’Shea, Jennifer Zamparelli and Keith Walsh

Stephen Kelly, models Julia Mielcarek and Aoife McGrane, and David Patton. Pictures: Brian McEvoy

RTE host Miriam O’Callaghan with broadcaster, journalist and rugby Don O’Neill and Tracey Moroney

pundit George Hook

Supercar spectacle roars into city centre A

Orla Glackin and James Byrne

Singer and model Michelle McGrath

WHOLE host of stars came out for the start of Cannonball 2016, which had its starting point at Point Village. This is the largest ever Cannonball event and it takes place all over Ireland. The gleaming convoy is driving through 900km of Irish open roads, with stops in Dublin, Cavan, Westport, Bunratty, Galway, Tullamore and Wexford. Now in its eighth year, the Supercar spectacle has raised more than €850,000 for charities and this year, proceeds will go to Pieta House. Spectators could view the supercars and meet the drivers whilst soaking up the atmosphere.

Pat McCloskey and fashion presenter Glenda Gilson

Model Emma Quinlan

Some of the superb muscle cars on show

15 September 2016 GAZETTE 11

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12 GAZETTE 15 September 2016

DUBLINBUSINESS

Pupils right on the money as Ulster Bank launches online finance lessons ULSTER Bank has unveiled a range of new MoneySense content for five- to eight-year-olds as the summer holidays draw to a close.

MoneySense is an impartial, free financial education programme covering a wide range of topics such as money safety and money management.

The programme, which is Ireland’s largest and longest running free financial education programme, has helped millions of young people learn about money in nearly 60% of schools in the UK and Ireland,

and has been running in Ireland for more than eight years, having been introduced to secondary schools here in 2008.

T he award-wining free programme offers a full range of curriculum-

linked practical and interactive resources for students aged up to 18 years.

It aims to help students understand money and make sound financial decisions in the future.

Eamonn O’Reilly, chief executive, Dublin Port Company with Andrew Hetherington, chief executive, Business to Fergal Fitzgerald, Ulster Bank MoneySense volunteer

Arts launch Port Perspectives. Picture: Shane O’Neill Photography

and primary school pupils unveil a range of exciting

INITIATIVE: LOGISTICS HUB BRUSHES UP ON ARTS

new MoneySense content for 5 to 8 year-olds

Artists could make some waves thanks to their site-specific port works

 IAN BEGLEY

D U BL I N P o r t h a s announced the launch of an open call to artists and arts projects to create site-specific works in Dublin Port as part of Port Perspectives.

The commissioned artworks will respond specifically to the built environment and local areas in and around the port, enhancing the public realm to draw audiences and port visitors, while creating a living exhibition and cultural trail.

The inspiration for this project comes from Dublin Port’s increasing interaction with the arts.

In recent years, a series of commissioned arts projects have provided an effective and powerful means to tell the story of

the port and are helping to renew the historical link between it and the city.

A central objective of Dublin Port’s soft values strategy is rebuilding these links, which have been traditionally forged through long-standing education, cultural, sporting and community initiatives, and now the arts.

Challenges E a m o n n O ’ R e i l l y, chief executive of Dublin Port, said: “One of the challenges for Dublin Port is to create stronger links between the port and the city, and through the arts we are working to achieve that.

“With Port Perspectives, we want to bring the port and surrounding

areas to life, using new and original artworks that inspire, engage and tell the story of Dublin Port to audiences far and wide.

“This is a project that celebrates both the visual arts and built environment where we live and work, and one that will greatly enhance the quality of the public realm at the port.

“I look forward to seeing how artists respond to the brief and working with them on this exciting new initiative.”

The commission is open to practitioners in the areas of visual arts and film, including projections. There is an open category for artists and arts projects that are keen to respond to the commissioning brief.

Proposals may be made for temporary and permanent artworks and a number of locations within Dublin Port have been selected as locations.

These include Poolbeg Lighthouse, the Half Moon Battery, Dublin Port Company’s headquarters and the North Quay Extension, close to the East Link Bridge.

The shortlisted artists will be notified in November, and the commissioned artists will be announced next January.

The deadline for applications is October 10.

Artists can find more information and learn about the application process on the Business to Art website, at www. businesstoart.ie/portperspectives

15 September 2016 GAZETTE 13

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

ROBERT ARKINS: SPEAKS TO GAZETTE ON HOW HE WAS LANDED ICONIC ROLE

BON JOUR, CLAUDE – A LOVELY DOG INDEED ...

Twenty five years on and still focused on the music  IAN BEGLEY

25 YEARS ago, on the big screen, wannabe band manager Jimmy Rabbitte put an advert in the local newspaper and before long a loveable ragtag group of Dubliners got together to form the soulful sounds of The Commitments.

Renowned director Alan Parker’s funny, uplifting, gritty film, based on Roddy Doyle’s debut novel, took the world by storm on its 1991 release, garnering critical acclaim and awards galore, including a BAFTA for Best Film.

It has since spawned a slew of touring bands and a hugely successful stage musical which commences its UK tour later this year.

Jimmy Rabbitte (Robert Arkins) knows he’s the world’s greatest band manager… now he just needs a band.

Auditioning anyone and everyone

he can find from the rough streets of Dublin, he eventually gathers the ten most talented, but least experienced musicians with the aim of launching the greatest Irish Soul band of all time.

Speaking to The Gazette this week, Robert told the story of how he was landed the role of Jimmy.

“The keyboard player of my band had a girlfriend who was an actress.

She told her agent about the band and somehow we were tracked down and asked to come in for an audition.

“I didn’t know anything about what they were doing even though I read the book about a month before. It was when I was on holiday in Copenhagen that I got a call from the agent to say I needed to come back to Dublin because I got the part of Jimmy Rabbitte.”

Robert added that he wasn’t nervous about playing the role because



GAZETTE

FEATURE P14

Robert Arkins starred as Jimmy Rabbitte in The Commitments

the director of the film said he believed he could do the character justice.

“Acting and filming never crossed my mind at any point before The Commitments.

“I definitely was a bit of a film freak before then, but I never really thought about what the film would entail, but what it really entailed for me was more to do with contracts and negotiations.

“They all wanted me to be at their beck and call… I didn’t have time to absorb how big the film was at the time. My time was taken up with lawyers and potential managers and agents, which just went on and on

and on. I didn’t really get to enjoy the whole thing of being in films and being famous. I was in a band and only focused on my music. I wasn’t interested in being famous, selling records or making money – it was all about music.”

Robert said that music is still a big part of his life and plans on releasing something in the near future.

“I reckon down the line I’m going to release something as soon as I can, which has nothing got to do with the 25th anniversary of The Commitments or anything like that.”

The Commitments 25th anniversary special edition DVD and BlueRay will be released on September 19.

OUR Dog of the Week looking for their #SpecialSomeone* is Claude – a four-year-old pit bull cross that you might recognise from Dog Tales with Andrea Hayes on TV3 (Fridays at 8:30pm; shown again at noon on Saturday).

He is a handsome (and now famous) boy who adores people and loves affection and cuddles.

Claude is super strong, and will need a family who are able to manage his size and strength, so he would be best suited to a home with older children.

Although he really loves people, he struggles with other dogs, so would prefer to be the only dog in the home. We really believe this dog will make the most amazing pet!

If you can be Claude’s #SpecialSomeone*, then please contact Dogs Trust on 01 879 1000. They are based in Finglas, just off Exit 5 on the M50. Map and directions can be found on their website, www.dogstrust. ie. You can also find them on Facebook, at www.facebook.com/ dogstrustirelandonline, or on Twitter @ DogsTrust_IE.

GAZETTE

14 GAZETTE 15 September 2016

DUBLINLIFE

FEATURE

INTERVIEW: ONE OF IRELAND’S BEST-LOVED COMEDIANS ISN’T SHORTT OF A FEW INSIGHTS

Pat’s amount of projects are nothing short of D’Unbelievable  EMMA NOLAN

H AV I N G r e c e n t l y starred alongside Daniel Radcliffe in The Cripple of Inismaan on Broadway, The Gazette caught up with comedian and actor Pat Shortt to find out about his latest projects and why he thinks writing is “f***ing miserable!”

The popular Limerick funnyman, who is best known for his hilarious show, D’Unbelievables, was in town for the launch of TV3’s newlook autumn schedule, which includes his new drama, Smalltown.

Shortt has a long list of projects he’s been working on – his latest movie is due out in October, and he’s gearing up to take his new live show on the road from next month.

He told The Gazette: “I’m writing a new live show at the moment,

which has me in the office writing, scripting, editing, proofing posters – basically, doing everything to get ready for the tour to start at the end of October in theatres all over Ireland.”

Touring The show will also be going on the road to New Zealand, Australia and to New York, where he plans to visit his favourite pub there, the Red Lion in Greenwich Village.

He added: “I’m in Dublin doing a lot of publicity for that – the usual running around.”

As well as that, the busy Killinaskully actor’s latest film is coming out on October 14.

He said: “I’m really looking forward to that; it’s by the same team who did Man About Dog.” Dow ntime doesn’t

come often for Pat, but when it does he likes to go fishing on Lough Derg, leading him to muse: “The young fella and meself, we go camping and fishing and all that carry on.”

When asked if he prefers writing or acting, he said: “Acting, hands down! Writing is f***ing miserable!” he laughed.

“It’s miserable – it has its great moments where you get excited.

What happens is, the craft of writing kicks in and you have to make it work either for stage or television.

“The mechanical aspect of it kicks in and you have to sacrifice good material to make it work. It’s like losing weight – it’s f***ing awful!”

It’s all go for Pat right now, and with a new RTE show also in the pipeline, we’ll soon be seeing him everywhere.

Pat Shortt takes time out at the TV3 autumn schedule launch to talk to The Gazette’s Emma Nolan

Dublin’s delights impress Richard  EMMA NOLAN

A FAMOUS face was spotted out and about on a bike on the streets of Dublin last week as actor Richard E Grant paid us a visit.

The Withnail And I star was in town with Tourism Ireland to help promote Dublin to British visitors.

Richard hung out with locals and immersed

himself in local culture in an effort to showcase some of the experiences on offer here.

Whether on foot on by bicycle, the film star and luxury travel presenter took in a range of the city’s top attractions, with the world-famous library at Trinity College (right) proving a highlight.

When complete, the campaign will reach more than 5.5 million

people across Britain.

Julie Wakley, Tourism Ireland’s deputy head of Great Britain, said: “We are really excited to be

working with Richard E Grant and Smooth Radio, as they are a great fit with this important demographic.”

15 September 2016 GAZETTE 15

GAZETTE

DIARY

Barber festival is combing to town DUBLIN’S first ever barber festival is set to launch this October.

Taking place in the Opium Rooms on Wexford Street, Barber Cut Dublin will be the biggest gathering of celebrity and master barbers for a festival-style, day-long event.

The festival will showcase all aspects of traditional and modern barbering, including shaving techniques by some of the world’s most talented professionals.

Founded by master barber Sam Donnelly and event organiser Kieorin Black, together they have brought some of the world’s most skilful barbers to share their years of knowledge and expertise of barbering in the hope

of motivating and inspiring those of all ages and levels of experience within the industry.

Tickets for the event are €50 and are available at Eventbrite.ie.

BIRR-ING YOUR FILM SKILLS TO OFFALY TAKE your first step on the road to the Oscars and get involved in the 57 Hour Filmmaking Challenge at the 2016 OFFline Film Festival, which runs from October 12 to 16 in Birr, County Offaly.

Teams of filmmakers are asked to register on October 13, then shoot and edit a short film in and around Birr. They’ll have access to equipment, locations and a database of local actors and extras.

On the evening of October 15, their films will be submitted to a panel of judges and screened to the public the next day, with the winning short film guaranteed a coveted slot at the Galway Film Fleadh 2017.

The first prize is €3,500 post-production studio rental and equipment rental as well as a slot in the 2017 Galway Film Fleadh. The second prize is a €1,000 equipment rental voucher.

To sign up, see www. offlinefilmfestival.com and click on the Challenge tab.

SCREENING TO FIGHT HOMELESSNESS OSCAR-nominated director Lenny Abraham-

son is on his way to Dublin for a special screening of his film, Adam and Paul, in support of the Peter McVerry Trust.

Lenny will be joined

by Francis Doherty, of the trust, in Herber Park to highlight the increasing homelessness issue in Ireland.

Taking place on September 16, gates will open at 6.30pm with a panel discussion at 7pm, and the film is scheduled to start around 8pm. Tickets are listed at €5 per person and are available at www. happenings.ie, or can be purchased at the gate.

Also in discussion will be the recent international success of the Irish film industry, which has been spearheaded by Lenny

and Ed Guiney, and their four-time Oscar-nominated film, Room.

As part of this event, €500 plus 15% of the total gate take will be presented to the Peter McVerry Trust.

A DREAM TICKET FOR THEATRE LOVERS SHAKESPEARE’S A Mid Summer Night’s Dream is coming to the Bord Gais Energy Theatre for six performances only as part of the Dublin Theatre Festival.

Taking place from September 28 to October 1, this “gleefully mischievous” take on one of Shakespeare’s most loved comedies is set to be a festival highlight.

The festival, which is

Hirsutes you, sir... hipsters and all beard lovers will welcome the arrival of Dublin’s first barber festival

now in its 59th year, will run across 18 days and nights, making Dublin the go-to destination for a myriad of exciting theatrical experiences from Ireland and across the globe.

The 2016 programme showcases the diversity

of contemporary theatre and includes drama, opera, both classical and experimental, dance, performance art, documentary theatre and film.

For full programme details, see dublintheatrefestival.com.

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DUBLINLIFE

VOX POPS

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Dubliners and visitors to the city alike have found themselves dragged into a public transport row yet again.

With the city bracing for the next two days of bus strikes, Emma Nolan and Ian Begley took to the streets to hear what you think about the strikes, their impact and how they affect you ...

COMMUTING A SENTENCE ON THE CITY

 SUSAN

FORSYTHE I CAN understand why they’re doing it, but I think to hit the public this way is not fair.

Personally, I had an appointment and I couldn’t make it because I couldn’t make it in on time. Fair enough, [the drivers] haven’t got a pay rise in eight years, but at the end of the day they have a job and they have a pension, which many people today don’t have. I’m for it and against it ...

If we [Ireland] were in a better financial state, they should maybe get it, but it’s always the average Joe on the street that has to get the bus who’ll be affected by [such strikes]. I won’t be affected personally, though.  NORA

DUNNE I DON’T think I’ll really be affected, because I usually get the Dart, and I support the strike because I always support worker’s rights.  FIONA

 CAROL

FOGARTY I DON’T support them – I think the workers a r e a s king for too much, and they’re asking [for a raise] because they’ll know they’ll get it.

O’DONOVAN I WON’T be affected by the strikes on Thursdays, but I will on Fridays, and will have to get the Dart to work instead.

It won’t take me longer, but it’s just a little inconvenient for me,

and the train will be very packed as well, which isn’t nice.

The pay rise they’re asking for seems reasonable to me, but I’m sure a lot of people also haven’t had a pay rise in eight years.

I would say I’m undecided on it – it’s probably reasonable for them to want a pay rise, especially with the Luas drivers getting one.  ERIC WAN

I AGREE that the strike is a big nuis a n c e for many c o m m u ters, but at the same time I think it’s good that more people are using this as an opportunity to walk or cycle into work.

Some Dublin towns will be more affected by this strike than others, so I hope the strike will be resolved very quickly.

Dublin Bus is such an important amenity, and we can’t afford to have them off our roads for much longer.

 SABRINA

BEEHAN I’M A bit m i x e d about the w h o l e thing, to be honest.

I u n d e rstand why they’re striking, but it’s still a big inconvenience for commuters.

A lot of people depend on the buses. and the hassle of it all will create a ripple effect on the amount of traffic in Dublin.

People are worried that it will turn into another Luas dispute, but hopefully it won’t.  TRACY

SALTER I WON’T be affected by the strikes, because I can either get the bus or drive to work, so I’m lucky.

I might get stuck in traffic, so I’ll have to leave extra early.

I don’t support the strike –

Because of the bus strike, Clondalkin man Gordon Sweeney faces a two-hour round trip walking from Clondalkin to Ballyfermot to get to and from work

You spoke, we listened – it’s clear that the strikers enjoy a decent level of public support – for now – despite the difficulties the strikes pose for commuters and businesses

they’re looking for extra money when they’re already getting enough.  SARAH

BURKE I WILL be affected by the strike because I have to go to the airport very early in the morning – I’d usually get the bus, but I’ll just have to get a taxi this time. I always support workers and strikes – I supported the Luas drivers too.

I think [the bus drivers] get a lot of bad press for going on strike, but we can’t have workers’ rights eroded. Ultimately, I’m for it – obviously, it’s inconvenient, but that’s life.  CONOR

GANLEY I THINK it’s an absolute joke. We keep giving in to

all these ridiculous demands for more money.

At the end of the day they’re sitting around, not doing an awful lot. If you want to earn more money go back to college and learn something – don’t just sit around and ask for a hand-out.

The Luas drivers were bad enough! Students are looking for jobs all the time, and it doesn’t take a brain surgeon to operate [a bus].

Obviously, a bus takes some level of skill, but at the end of the day it’s not rocket science.  ANDREW NUDING I DON’T get the bus that m u c h because I drive and get the Luas the odd time too, so the strikes won’t really affect me.

I s u p p o r t t h e s t r i ke s because I think everyone is entitled to strike.

The Dublin Bus workers

are well within their rights, especially since they haven’t got a pay rise in eight years, and since the Luas drivers got their rise.

I think the bus drivers work really hard and they deserve the raise.  RYAN COULTER I DEFIN I T E LY 100% support the strikes.

[Bus driving is] a

really important job to sustain Dublin’s mobility.

The Dublin Bus workers have to have a basic standard of income to support themselves and their families, and the people who said it’s easy to drive a Luas – well, a bus is a different story ...

It’s definitely an important service for the city, and the staff need to be looked after and well paid.

Hopefully, the public will understand the importance of the service that Dublin Bus provide through the deficit of that service.

 JOY HOWLIN I WILL be affected because I’m going to have to get a taxi to college.

I do support the strike, but I don’t support [the strikers] taking away a whole public transport service.

If you look at people like the Gardai – they haven’t gone on strike in a long, long time, and their pay conditions aren’t great either.

THE BUS DRIVER’S VIEW  ANONYMOUS STRIKER I KNOW that this strike affects many passengers around Dublin, but we’re being forced into industrial action by Dublin Bus and the Government for reducing Ireland’s subvention to this service.

Driving a bus takes a lot more skill compared to operating a Luas, and unlike [Luas operator] Transdev, Dublin Bus is making a big loss. Driving through the city centre dur-

ing rush hour, and weaving past road works, is extremely challenging and you have to be fully wired in throughout the journey to avoid potential hazards.

We also have to interact with the public every day, which also be very demanding, especially if the passenger is problematic.

We haven’t been given a pay rise in eight years, and I don’t think we’re asking for a lot.

It’s a Clon-g way for man to walk during the strike CLONDALKIN man G o r d o n Swe e n e y was one of thousands of commuters lef t stranded without public transport as a result of last week’s industrial action by Dublin Bus. He was forced to walk almost two hours to and from work on Friday – and uploaded a video of his travails and travels to highlight the inconvenience caused by the bus strike.

Gordon, who lives in Thornfield Square apartments off Watery Lane, does not own a car, so is dependent on Dublin Bus to get him to and from work in Ballyfermot.

Normally, he gets the No 13 bus, which stops just outside the apartment complex, but he was left with no choice but to make the onehour journey on foot last week.

Australia The strike also prevented him from visiting his sister – who arrived home to Knocklyon after a trip to Australia on Friday.

Gordon said drivers at Dublin Bus have been offered a good deal, and should take it.

He added: “It’s a major inconvenience.

They should take the deal and not be affect-

ing the city as they are.

“I understand they want their money, but they have had a decent offer of 2.75% [per year] for the next three years.

“I would be delighted to get 1% over the next three years. I’m lucky to have a job. What they are being offered is very good. When the Luas drivers got their way, this [strike] was always going to happen.”

Gordon said the strike had left countless commuters in the same boat as himself.

He said: “People have had to do shift changes, get taxis and rely on other people to get to work. It is unfair.”

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DUBLINLIFE

STYLE

BEAUTYbits Get good brows A GOOD brow palette is an essential part of any make-up these days - throw in a shape angle brush and you’re good to go.

The Brow Artise palette from Young Blood

Fur Faux 140 S O AS oat € c Over

(€37.50) is a handy kit that contains everything you need for perfectly groomed arches; two shades of pressed brow powder, a lightly tinted wax, a dual-

Artiste’s demagogically approved formula is also paraben-free, meaning the brow kit is suitable for even the most sensitive skin, and which may be prone to acne, rosacea or psoriasis.

Suitable for all skin tones, the brow artiste kit is available in four shades: blonde, brunette, auburn and dark.

Application Tips: • Tweeze stray eyebrow hairs, then brush hairs up with spoolie end of brush.

• Lightly shade powder into brows with slanted end of brush.

• To set the brows, apply wax through the brows with the spoolie end of the brush.

It is available in selected pharmacies nationwide.

Alex and Ani

Bundle

celebrate autumn Because I love You True Direction €36 ALEX AND ANI are back with their striking 1970s-inspired collection for autumn.

The latest pieces from the eco-conscious brand “in charge of their own destiny”.

The colour palette of navy, warm golds, and deep neutrals reflects the 1970s vibe along with their new symbols for honour, liberation, love and freethinking.

The pieces are available in Dublin in Arnotts,

UP! d French Connec tion Trench Coat €21 2

celebrate confident, independent women who are

Fields Jewellers and Weir and Sons.

d

River Island colour block mac €87

Penneys €32

With skin-calming ingredients including jojoba seed oil and honeysuckle, Youngblood Brow

Littlewoods Ireland Patchwork Animal faux fur coat €104

ended brow brush and a premium tweezer.

River Island bomber parka with faux fur collar €80  EMMA NOLAN Style Editor

THE BEST and worst thing about summer ending is that we now have to wear more clothes.

It’s bad because we have to say goodbye to sandals, bare legs, bare arms and a rather care-free approach to dressing, thanks to the increasing fear of colds and flus.

It’s good, however, because one of life’s greatest pleasures (for me, anyway) is shopping for a

new winter coat! It’s something I like to always splash out on – after all, it’s what you will be wearing most days for the next few months.

The latest trends are in no way uniform, with the autumn/winter 2016 runways unveiling everything from giant puffa jackets to patchwork faux fur, military-style trenches and lots of colour.

Some more reasonably priced transitional coats are also a great option for autumn while it’s still relatively warm.

15 September 2016 GAZETTE 19

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DUBLINLIFE

TITANIC Belfast has been named Europe’s top visitor attraction, beating some of the world’s biggest hotspot attractions, including the Eiffel Tower, Buckingham Palace and the Acropolis.  IAN BEGLEY

NAMED as Europe’s Leading Tourist Attraction at the World Travel Awards in Italy, the museum has attracted three million visitors from more than 145 countries since opening in 2012.

It becomes the first Northern Irish site to win the award in its 23-year history.

The museum celebrates Belfast’s shipbuilding history and the crea-

tion of the Titanic – the world’s most famous ocean liner.

However, it is the second year in a row a tourism initiative from Ireland has won the accolade after the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin bagged the top prize in 2015.

Reacting to the award, Titanic Belfast chief executive Tim Husbands said it was a huge achievement, considering the attraction was still relatively young in world tourism circles.

“After only four years in opera-

tion, to be recognised and beating stiff competition from Europe’s most iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and the Roman Colosseum is a true honour.

“We know what we offer at Titanic Belfast is special and something our city and country can be proud of, and we are so pleased this has been recognised at an international level,” he said.

Husbands added that since opening in 2012, Titanic Belfast had established itself as a world-class attraction on the local, national and international stage.

“Last month, we welcomed our three-millionth visitor, having once again exceeded visitor number

expectations.

“This milestone came during a record-breaking August, as the visitor attraction experienced its busiest day, to date.

“The visitor experience has also experienced significant growth, to date, from France, Germany, USA and China, year to year,” he said.

Northern Ireland’s deputy first minister Mar tin McGuinness described the award as a “phenomenal achievement”.

He said: “The story of the Titanic ship is known around the globe and it is only right and proper we have a world-class visitor attraction to match.”

Titanic Belfast was also honoured

recently in Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Travel list of 500 of the world’s most striking locations.

The museum is housed in East Belfast in a six-floor building featuring nine interpretive and interactive galleries that explore the sights, sounds, smells and stories of the Titanic, as well as the city and people who made her.

Chief executive of Tourism Ireland, John McGrillen, said the organisation was “extremely proud” of the win.

“I congratulate Tim and his team and I have every confidence that Titanic Belfast will remain at the heart of our tourism industry for decades to come,” he said.

A titanic attraction FROM January 14 to March 26 2017, Disneyland Paris awakens with the Season of the Force.

Summon your inner Jedi and lead your young Padawans to Walt Disney Studios Park for an intergalactic extravaganza, where a spectacular night time show blasts you to the heart of the Star Wars saga.

During the day, the light or dark side, you must choose.

But be sure to pick wisely, as the fearful First Order

march perilously close and Stormtroopers patrol the streets. And if it’s more of the Force you’re after, fulfil your destiny at the Jedi Training Academy in Disneyland Park.

Book with Abbey Travel and you can get up to two extra days and nights free for arrivals from November 1 right up to March 28, 2016.

Also, for each adult booked children under seven receive free hotel and park tickets for the entire stay. This means a

family of two adults and two kids under seven can stay in Disney’s Hotel Santa Fe for four nights starting from €498, including five days’ park tickets. Flights and transfers are not included.

Price based on Sunday to Thursday arrivals between January 8 to February 2, 2017.

You can avail of this Galactic Winter Offer if you book before October 3. To book call Abbey Travel on 01 804 7160 or visit www.abbeytravel.ie

Let the force light up your holiday

15 September 2016 GAZETTE 21

The Titanic was the world’s largest ship when it was constructed in 1912.

It could carry 2,453 passengers, and its first-class section boasted a swimming pool, a squash court, a Turkish bath and a grand staircase that descended through seven decks.

The ship travelled from Belfast to Cobh, on the south coast of Ireland, before sinking after hitting an iceberg in the North Atlantic.

The museum is located at the spot where the ship was launched, and is designed to mimic the bows of a ship. Visitors to Titanic Belfast have included James Cameron, Queen Elizabeth II and Adele.

Sales Since opening, Titanic Belfast has sold 338,000 postcards and more than 20,000 Titanic snow globes.

Along with the TV series Game

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TRAVEL of Thrones, which is filmed in the region, the museum has been credited with raising Northern Ireland’s profile among visitors.

A record-breaking 2.3 million people visited the region in 2015, with the Giant’s Causeway the most popular attraction.

Titanic Belfast will now go on to compete for the title of world’s leading attraction at a ceremony in the Maldives later this year.

There’s now a retreat where you can do yoga with goats

You’ve got to be kidding!

Goat Yoga becomes a hit Titanic Belfast has been named as Europe’s Leading Tourist Attraction at the World Travel Awards in Italy

Enjoy a spooktacular family-friendly Halloween ALTON Towers Resort is set to unveil a number of new attractions at its forthcoming Scarefest this Halloween and, to celebrate, Irish Ferries has announced a “spooktacular” family-friendly package deal that will be sure to appeal to parents seeking fun-filled adventure over the mid-term break.

Valid for stays between October: 8, 9, 15, 16 and 21 to 31, a threenight stay with breakfast in the

nearby Best Western Tillington Hall Hotel costs €615 for a family of two adults and two children under 11 years, sharing a family room. The price includes return car ferry crossing on Irish Ferries’ sailings between Dublin – Holyhead, and Rosslare – Pembroke, and two full days at Alton Towers theme park in Staffordshire.

For bookings, call 0818 300 400, or see www.irishferries.com/alton.

Enjoy the Scarefest at Alton Towers

Travel Department has the perfect break for sun seekers to culture vultures TRAVEL Department, which is celebrating 20 years in business this year, has announced the launch of its exciting range of holidays for 2017.

Everyone from sun seekers to culture vultures will be well catered for in 2017, with holidays at amazing prices such as seven nights in the Algarve starting from €399pp, or a city break to stunning Prague from just €289pp for three nights.

There are plenty of new and

carefully planned itineraries on offer, such as the Highlights of the Veneto, including Venice, Padua and Bologna from €799pp between April and October; the magic of Munich and the Black Forest in May from €749pp; or April in the stunning Greek Island of Crete, from €999pp.

For more information on Travel Department’s 2017 departures, or to book, visit www.traveldepartment.ie or call 01 637 1600.

a little head-scratching of goats.

“They can be a little distracting,” admits Morse-Dyer, who says that it’s not just her lovable goats that get in on the fun—sometimes her barn cat and chickens join the action too.

The farm, which is situated in the middle of Oregon’s idyllic wine country, currently houses six goats, including two Nigerian Dwarf mini goats—Ansel and Adams—as well as a rescued Boer goat named Dodger, and two Pygmy mini-goats.

Morse-Dyer plans to launch a line of goat milk food and beauty products to sell at the farm as well as the local shops and farmers’ markets that sell locally-produced food and the area’s revered wines.

The fact that animal-loving yogis are flocking to MorseDyer’s farm is particularly surprising, because she is not one of them.

“I actually don’t practice yoga!” she says. “Isn’t that funny? Maybe I better start.”

So far. Goat Yoga has been a runaway success and MorseDyer continues adding classes to the schedule to meet the growing demand for the unusual activity.

The class schedule is posted to the farm’s Facebook page (Your Daily Goat), making it easy for daytrippers to add Goat Yoga to their agenda. For more information, visit www.lonelyplanet.com.

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YOU’VE got to be kidding!

A farm in Oregon has just launched a bizarre and unique new programme to entice visitors to the Willamette Valley, otherwise known as “Goat Valley”.

When you thought that yoga trends couldn’t get more ludicrous, the class takes place among a number of free-range goats joining in the fun.

“I have a yoga teacher come in and I supply the atmosphere and the goats,” Lainey MorseDyer, who hosts the class at her No Regrets Farm in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, told Lonely Planet.

The class lets participants find their inner peace by kicking back in Warrior Two pose with goats in a rolling green field with views of Oregon’s coastal mountain range in the distance.

“The whole atmosphere is extremely relaxing,” said MorseDyer.

The idea of adding goat yoga to the farm — located a little over an hour from Portland, Oregon — came about when a local yoga instructor asked if she could hold a class in one of the farm’s fields.

“I thought it was a great idea and thus Goat Yoga was born.”

For just $10 a class, yogis get to practice their tree poses while goats join in the fun, sitting on the yoga mats, and try to entice attendees away from their downward-facing dog poses into

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DUBLINLIFE

FEATURE

PEOPLE: REVEALING THE ORDINARY DUBLINERS DOING EXTRAORDINARY THINGS TO HELP OTHERS

Honouring Hidden Heroes  EMMA NOLAN

DUBLIN’S ever yday heroes were honoured at a special ceremony last week.

Broadcasters and celebrities were out in force to crown Ireland’s Hidden Heroes at a national awards ceremony hosted by Hidden Hearing in the Double Tree Hilton Hotel.

The Dublin Heroes came from all across the city and were praised for feats of heroism.

Broadcaster Mar y Kennedy joined Hidden Hearing’s managing director Stephen Leddy to present 21 people with awards in recognition of their achievements and contributions to communities throughout the country.

A “Charity Hero” was also voted on by the public on the day, and presented with a cheque for €2,000 from Hidden Hearing.

Commenting on this year’s Hidden Heroes, Kennedy said: “This is my second year hosting the Hidden Hearing Heroes awards.

“I was incredibly moved last year by the stories from ordinary people who are doing

extraordinary things the length and breadth of the country, and I was delighted to be invited to be a part of it again this year.

“These ordinary people, from all walks of life, are making our communities and our country a happier and healthier place through their kindness and generosity of spirit.

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

‘These ordinary people are making our communities and our country a happier and healthier place through their kindness and generosity of spirit’ --------------------------

Broadcaster Mary Kennedy

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

“They are helping others without expecting anything in return. This is our opportunity to acknowledge them and say a huge ‘Thank you’.”

13-year-old Tadgh O Midheach from Shankill was named the Deaf/ Hard of Hearing hero.

Ta d h g c o n t r a c t e d meningitis when he was two, and lost his hearing as a result, but uses international sign language and speech to communicate. Tadhg also has autism.

He is known for his sense of humour and has overcome his challenges to make a huge contribution to his school and community. He also managed to raise more than €500 for children with autism.

Lucan man Damien Douglas was awarded the Family Hero Recognition award. Damien retired from work to take care of his twin daughters, who require full-time care due to their condition, Wolf Hirschorn Syndrome.

Margaret Reilly, from Cabra, won the Family Hero award for taking in her three-year-old niece after her sister died.

Along with eight children of her own, she brought everyone up in a small two-bedroom house.

Margaret also moved her grandmother in to care for her until she passed away on Christmas Eve in 1981.

Even though on Christmas Day her heart was broken, Margaret

Barbara Clarke, sister, and Ava, daughter of Clare Clarke, with Conor Campbell Perrie with Lorraine Keane

Stephen Leddy, Hidden Hearing

Joanne O’Riordan and Young Hero Sean McCullagh

made sure that Santa came and there were presents and turkey for everyone.

She also advocated and cared for her son, Michael, when he became ill with cancer and stayed strong for everyone, despite her grief when he passed away in 1995. She has since become a grandmother 17 times and has one great-grandchild.

The Young Hero Recognition award went to Conor Campbell Perrie from Glenageary.

Conor saved his uncle’s life when he slipped into unconsciousness due to low blood sugar. His uncle is a diabetic and Conor realised that he was unresponsive when playing with him. An ambulance was called and his uncle’s life was saved as a result.

Sean McCullagh from Blanchardstown received the Young Hero award. Sean was paralysed at the age of four in a car accident.

He has overcome the

challenge to excel in sport and sailing, in particular.

He was part of the Leinster sailing team which was awarded the Causeway Award, and also represented Ireland at the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation 2016 games, in Prague, and won two bronze medals.

Sean helps children with disabilities and recently trained to be a wheelchair skills trainer.

A special Lifetime Achievement award was presented this year to the family of Clare Clarke, from Artane. During her life, Clare, who was the mother of two young girls, found she struggled to explain her own cancer diagnosis to them.

She sought help and was stunned to find that there were no services available for children until they were bereaved.

Clare decided that this was unacceptable so investigated and found the Climb programme,

Donal Gill with Stephen Leddy, Hidden Hearing

Dolores Madden, Hidden Hearing, with Susan Dowling, daughter of Family Hero award winner Margaret Reilly

which was only available in Northern Ireland.

Clare campaigned to bring the services nation-

wide and now, thanks to her efforts, the Climb service has 22 centres throughout the country.

15 September 2016 GAZETTE 23

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FOOD&DRINK

A tea-riffic new way to see the city AF TERNOON tea is always a treat but a Howth woman has come up with a twist on the norm with her Vintage Tea Tours – Afternoon Tea with a Difference.

“It has been said that ‘If tea can’t fix it, then there’s no hope’. Or maybe that’s just another Irishism!”

So says Karen Nixon, who was inspired to start her new venture after a trip to London.

Vintage Tea Tours is a Dublin City tour with a difference.

Passengers get the chance to enjoy some of the city’s well-known sights, whilst comfortably seated in a vintage double decker Route-

master bus named Pauline, and while indulging in some afternoon tea treats.

The tour runs three times a day, at 11am, 1.15pm and 3.30pm, with tickets starting from €40.

Juicy facts Passengers are in the safe hands of driver Bob and the on-board Vintage Tea Tours team, who share some interesting and juicy facts about Dublin, its sights and, of course, the bus Pauline, named after Karen’s grandmother.

All of this can be enjoyed while nibbling on an array of delicacies and some surprising treats, such as a vanilla

panna cotta with forest berry compote, or a Guinness brownie, all freshly prepared daily by fine dining Italian chef Donato Romano.

Entrepreneur a nd founder Karen Nixon, with the suppor t of her family, felt that the romance and fun behind the concept of being chauffeured in a double decker bus, while enjoying pastries and the likes, needed to be shared – so much so that she bought a bus (inset, right).

Speaking about the new venture, and about Pauline the bus, Karen said: “We are so excited to be introducing Pauline to the world of tours and afternoon tea.

Entrepreneur and Vintage Tea Tours founder Karen Nixon

“As a family, we’ve all had a part in making this venture happen and it is fantastic to be able to include my beloved gran on this journey with us.

“There is so much history and romance involved in Vintage Tea Tours and we want our customers to be able to

experience it all. “ We w a n t t h e m to share a nostalgic moment with family and friends, as they remember the simple pleasure of tea and cake while sitting at their gran’s table in the snug warmth of her kitchen – it’s just on wheels this time!”

Recipe: Bayin Oils Chickpea Curry BAYIN Oils, a pioneering Irish start-up, is the first company in Europe exporting any food product from Myanmar to Europe.

Naturally produced oils are cold-pressed and unrefined, retaining the numerous health benefits of sesame seeds and peanuts.

Bayin are sharing this recipe for Chickpea Curry – the perfect healthy curry to warm you up on cold evenings.

Ingredients l 6 tbsp Bayin Peanut Oil

2 onions sliced 1 tsp fresh ginger peeled and finely chopped l 1 tsp ground cumin l 1 tsp ground coriander l 1 tsp garlic crushed l 1 tsp chilli powder l 1 tsp turmeric l 1 tsp smoked paprika l 2 fresh green chillies finely chopped l Bunch of fresh coriander chopped l 300ml vegetable stock l 1 large potato l 400g tin chickpeas l 400g tin tomatoes l 1 tbsp lemon juice l l

Method

Heat Bayin Peanut Oil in large pan. Add onions and cook until golden. l Reduce heat, add ginger, ground cumin, ground coriander, garlic, turmeric, smoked paprika, chilli powder, green chillies and coriander leaves (reserving some coriander for garnish). l Stir-fry for two mins.

Add stock and mix well. l Dice potato and add to pan with chickpeas and tomatoes. Simmer for 15-20 mins. l Sprinkle with lemon juice and remaining coriander. Serve hot. l

24 CLONDLAKIN GAZETTE 15 September 2016

GAZETTE

CINEMA DUBLINLIFE A wild & wonderful comedy

HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE: DEADPAN WIT & CHARMING ABSURDITY

 MARTIN MACNAMARA

Juvenile delinquent Ricky (Julian Dennison) and sour Hector (Sam Neill) are forced to get along as circumstances drive the mis-matched pair together in the wilderness

T H I R T E E N -Y E A R OLD Julian Dennison carries the weight of this wild and wonderful comedy from New Zealand director Taika Waititi.

Hunt for the Wilderpeople (Cert PG, 1h 41m) is consistently hilarious, loudly absurd and quietly emotional; an odd-couple comedy that isn’t afraid to get heavy.

Split into 10 chapters, the film is structured along the lines of an archetypal children’s narrative and, accordingly, follows a kind of haphazard fair y-tale logic, despite dealing with some fairly adult themes.

Dennison plays Ricky Baker, a troublesome orphan sent from the city to live in the countryside with new foster parents: loud but loving Bella (Rima Te Wiata) and cantankerous bushman Hector (Sam Neill).

After some short-lived growing pains, Ricky

embraces his new home.

However, tragedy strikes and Ricky finds himself running away again, out into the bush.

“Uncle Hec” pursues, but when child services find the house abandoned, they surmise he’s kidnapped Ricky. A national manhunt thus ensues ...

You’d be forgiven for expecting heaps of syrupy sentimentality after one read of Hunt for the Wilderpeople’s plot – Waititi’s script, however, is heavy with the kind of deadpan wit and charming absurdity we’ve come to expect from the filmmaker.

Despite a few handkerchief moments, then, Hunt for the Wilderpeople never indulges in the maudlin or melodramatic.

Whenever the story teeters on the edge of mushiness, an off-thecuff remark from Ricky, drenched in innocent ignorance, quickly grounds everything.

While Neill may have top billing here, and does his job amicably as the

film’s straight man, it is Dennison’s performance that drives everything.

The young actor wonderfully communicates a kind of innocent, simple wisdom and curious selfconfidence that is both comically endearing and outright inspiring.

Ricky has been put through the grinder of the foster care system and envisions himself as a gangster, an outlaw; followed everywhere by his canine companion, Tupac.

His unwillingness to return to that system gives the narrative a sense of danger: a kind of desperado charm that drives the adventure forward.

A couple of bizarrely placed but riveting action sequences, and a retro -sy nth score straight out of a 70s Italian police- thriller, keep the pace fast and flowing throughout; there is never a dull moment in a run time that just about borders on overly-long.

Verdict: 9/10

15 September 2016 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 25

COMMUNICATIONS: ANOTHER YEAR, AND ANOTHER VERSION OF THE FAMOUS PHONE

WeeBytes

Care to take a bite at Apple’s latest iPhone?

THOSE of you with close to a thousand quid burning a hole in their pocket (I know, I know – that could be anybody) may already have made up their mind to plump for the highest-spec version of Apple’s newly announced latest mobile phone, the iPhone 7 , which starts – starts! – at a wallet-whalloping €749 for the basic 32GB model, before strolling up to €919 for a snazzier, larger iPhone 7 Plus (256GB).

Whether interested in the Plus or not, the price alone will be a significant negative for a lot of people, should a quick scratch around behind the sofa not provide the sufficient readies.

However, eye-watering prices aside, what makes the iPhone 7 the latest must-have (or can’tafford) to take note of?

It’s been hard to nose through tech sites without noting the mutters and dissent about the greatest change in the latest iPhone – Apple’s ditching of the good ol’ earphone jack, found in

 SHANE DILLON sdillon@dublingazette.com

just about every audiovisual device over the past 30-plus years, at least.

Well, gone, but not gone-gone, as some might say – no need to throw away your twisty earphones just yet, as audio adaptors are available, with one supplied with the phone.

However, in essence, Apple wants you to ditch your ye-olde headphones (providing sound that’s about as crisp and clear as granny’s ear trumpet) and switch to its EarPods instead – snazzy wireless earphones using proprietory tech.

It’s a somewhat divisive move – after all, enforced wireless audio connectivity is anything but the norm – yet it plays into Apple’s gradual iteration game, rolling out key tech, hardware or soft-

ware changes every so often.

Moving on, and while there are many changes across the board, one of the more obvious ones comes to light courtesy of the camera.

Whether the iPhone 7 or its bigger brother, the Plus, the cameras have been beefed up a little, with the Plus’s two cameras delivering a little more oomph in the picture quality.

But away from the loss of the audio jack, and the tweaking of the camera, however, there’s nothing that’s particularly revolutionary about the latest iPhone.

Yes, it’s a faster, stronger beast – but the pace of evolution that Apple once set as it strode confidently out in front of competitors has slowed right down, with Samsung, in particular, nipping at its heels lately.

Apple fans will know exactly what they’re getting – a powerful, beautifully made phone with a wealth of features, and apps and usability that

Responsibly recycle old batteries, says Bosco

Bin those batteries and help sick kids PEOPLE (and tech writers) of a certain age will remember RTE legend Bosco only too well – and everyone’s favourite high-pitched, red-haired presenter is currently boxing clever, helping WEEE Ireland to ask people to recycle their batteries and help LauraLynn, Ireland’s children’s hospice.

Bosco is asking the country’s boys and girls, and adults too, to recycle their old batteries at the blue WEEE Ireland box that can be found at many retailers all across the country.

As always, the iPhone is a beautifully designed and finished piece of tech, with further design changes adding to the iPhone 7’s tactile appeal. However, the changes mark a refined vision, rather than a truly revolutionary overhaul.

are unmatched. In this regard, the iPhone 7 (and Plus) lives up to the hype.

Ultimately, tech watchers have 2017 marked in their diaries, as the tenth anniversary of the iPhone then may see Apple unveil something that’s even more revolutionary than ‘just’ ditching the jack.

Until then, the iPhone 7 (or iPhone 7 Plus) will just have to do ...

Goodbye cords, hello wireless ... Apple’s removal of the trusty audio jack in favour of wireless EarPods marks the single greatest change to the iPhone.

Facebook at the coal face of new media challenges THE censorship of a photo of a young, naked girl led to widespread negative coverage for Facebook last week, underscoring the increasing challenges faced by all social media platforms in adjusting to not just how current news, but historical data, can or should be disseminated to the masses.

Understandably, pretty much any photo of a naked child draws swift action by all responsible website and new/social media operators.

However, the photo in question – that of a naked and badly burned 9-year-old girl, Phan Thi Kim Phuc (and other children) running down a road in terror in

GAZETTE

TECH

1972 – was not just one of the defining images of the Vietnam War, but one of the 20th Century’s most iconic and bestknown photographs.

Following widespread condemnation of Facebook’s actions in removing the photo from around the site – with Norway’s prime minister, Erna Solberg,

even accusing the social media giant of editing history – the photo was swiftly reinstated.

The core issue of content versus context that was at the heart of the spat highlights just some of the emerging challenges facing all of the leading, and rising, social media content providers.

Call With WEEE Ireland acting as the country’s biggest recycling scheme for used batteries, the call has gone out to help Ireland in the EU-wide role to reach a target of recycling 45% of all batteries sold by the end of 2016.

With a WEEE Pledge programme in place at many schools (for info, see www.weeepledge. ie), the recycling efforts also help to raise some much needed funds for LauraLynn, Ireland’s Children’s Hospice.

By safely and responsibily helping WEEE Ireland to recycle old batteries, everyone can help to support the children’s hospice in its vital work – something worth helping Bosco to make a fuss about ...

26 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 15 September 2016

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Lucan Educate Together National School

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We are looking for a candidate who is dynamic and forward-thinking and who will display a high degree of commitment to the school community and can work well as part of a team. Duties involve routine maintenance, repair work and grounds work and we are looking for candidates with a good broad knowledge of D.I.Y. – full duties of the post can be found on the school website www.letns.org The hours of this post are part-time (currently 20 hours per week) and operate on a splitshift basis (1 hour each morning and 3 hours each afternoon Monday - Friday). Applicants should note that the successful candidate will be subject to Garda Vetting prior to commencing duty. Applications should be made by standard application form available to download from the school website www.letns.org.

Completed applications should be sent to the following address to arrive no later than 12 midday Thursday 22nd September 2016.

Caretaker Post, Lucan Educate Together National School, Mount Bellew Way, Willsbrook, Lucan, Co. Dublin, Attn: Chairperson, BOM

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28 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 15 September 2016

SPORT

FastSport MARKEY ON THE MARK AS BLUES WIN INTERPROS: SANTA Sabina schoolgirl Erica Markey proved one of the stars of the show as she scored four times in three games for the Leinster Under21 women’s hockey team who claimed the interprovincial title in the first action of the new season.

It was the teenagers first involvement with any representative side but she took full advantage of the call up with a goal in the opening 7-0 win over Connacht before scoring twice against Munster last Saturday at Donabate.

She then put Leinster in front in their final game on Sunday against Ulster.. They held that lead for a long time before Erin Getty equalised for the northern province with eight minutes to go.

The blues bounced back immediately, however, with Ellen Curran firing home on her backhand to give the blues a 2-1 win and ultimate victory in the tournament.

DUBLIN INTERNATIONAL: PHIBBLESTOWN CLUB’S EUROPEAN CHALLENGES

Handball hopeful for funds  JAMES HENDICOTT sport@dublingazette.com

DUBLIN International Handball Club are looking to return Ireland to the European stage of the sport with a fundraising campaign to take the team to the EHF Cup – a right won by the team as

national champions – in place to celebrate their 10th anniversary.

The club, based in Phibblestown Community Centre near Blanchardstown, play the Olympic (as opposed to the GAA) version of handball, and have represented Ireland at Europe-

an level before, with the most recent of their four European Cup appearances taking place in the 2011/12 season.

The side currently consists of a host of Irish internationals as well as a number of former youth internationals from other countries, and are look-

Dublin International celebrate their success last season.

ing to raise €20,000 to get their first team to the tournament.

Goran Seselj, one of the club’s key players, is behind the fundraising campaign, which has arisen out of a difficulty getting hold of sponsorship for the club, and a belief in what the club – Ireland’s most successful in recent years – are doing.

“I got together with my teammate Piotr to put together the fundraising campaign,” Seselj tells GazetteSport. “We think we can make a name for the sport in Ireland and being there will help us do this and get sponsorship. It will also help other clubs that are struggling like us.”

“Every year, the level in

Ireland is getting better, and that’s a good thing,” Seselj continued. “Lots of teams depend on players who come here to study, and that can be a problem for teams like UCD and UCC as they never know what kind of team they will have year on year.

“For now, there are six league teams but there are four more that only play cup games. We hope things will go from there.

More teams and a bigger league will make the sport easier to promote.”

The Dublin-based club started out as part of DIT but went on to become an independent entity.

They are always looking for new players, both in seniors and in their developing youth set up,

and have seen a surge of interest after the sport was regularly televised as part of the Rio Olympics.

“Handball was the second most watched sport after football at the Olympics,” Seselj said.

“Television is a powerful promotional weapon. It has lots of similarities to GAA, football and basketball. It’s a very attractive sport with lots of contact. I think it would intrigue Irish people.”

As well as attending the EHF, the club have plans to bring in men’s and women’s teams from across Europe to play a tournament in Dublin.

The club can be contacted via Dublinhandball.com, where a link to their fundraising campaign is available.

Belvo’s Rock Dublin rivals as title defence starts  sport@dublingazette.com

Old Belvedere began their title defence in style.

OLD BELVEDERE got the defence of their women’s AllIreland league title off to a flying start as they recorded a comprehensive 24-0 victory over Blackrock.

Winger Alison Miller scored the first try of the game after 15 minutes, in her first start for Belvedere.

Out-half Jackie Shiels kicked the ball into the Blackrock half allowing Miller to cross the line, and followed up her try with a conversion.

Their second try came on the 30 minute mark through Roisin O’Donnell, giving Belvo a 12-0 lead going into the break.

Franziska Klappoth got her first try of the season to bring the score to 17-0 after good work from Shiels sent her down the wing. Miller crossed the line for the second time before the final whistle to ensure Belvedere left Anglesea Road with a bonus point victory.

Railway Union returned from Belfast disappointed after they lost out to newly-promoted side Cooke by 14-7.

Cooke raced into an early lead in difficult conditions at Shaw’s Bridge, with Beth Cregan fighting her way past Railway’s determined defence to cross the line.

When the referee ruled that Eliza Downey had been taking down illegally through a high tackle, Grace Jackson converted a penalty try for Cooke, who is managed by former Ireland star Grace Davitt.

With 56 minutes on the clock, it was Railway’s turn to be awarded a penalty try when Nikki Caughey was also deemed to have been taking down with a

high tackle. The conversion was no more than a consolation but it did ensure that Railway left with a losing bonus point.

There was also away disappointment for St Mary’s, being managed for the first time by Gareth Logan and Philip Lynch, as they were heavily defeated 41-5 by Galwegians.

Full- back Mairead Coyne ran in four of the home side’s tries as the Dubliners were forced to finish the game with 14 after scrum-half Sarah Duignan and flanker Aoife Moore had to be stretchered from the pitch.

15 September 2016 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 29

GAZETTE

LADIES FOOTBALL: NEW IRELAND ASSURANCE PLAYER OF THE MONTH

O’Dwyer’s Shannon shoots out lights  JAMES HENDICOTT sport@dublingazette.com

AFTER helping overpower Na Fianna in the Dublin Ladies’ Junior C Final a fortnight ago with her fluid and punishing attacking play, O’Dwyer’s full forward Shannon Richardson has been named the New Ireland Assurance Player of the Month.

Richardson scored a stunning 3-11, with only a single point not scored from open play as the i nve n t i ve f o r w a r d ’s play overwhelmed the Glasnevin side and confirmed their promotion to the junior B Championship next season.

The Balbriggan club saw their lead cut as they took their foot off the gas in the dying minutes, conceding three goals, but still came out with an emphatic 4-17 to 3-6 margin in the most

important game of their season. Siobhan Roy and Shauna O’Hara starred alongside Richardson in O’Dwyer’s cutting forward line.

Trinity College Earth Sciences student Richardson, who scored just over half of her side’s points, told the Gazette: “our team is stronger than ever” following the award.

“We are unbeaten in the league with one match left and we are into the semi-final of the cup.

“This has probably been one of my best seasons so far in terms of my scoring and my performances. I’ve had a few off games but I’m really enjoying it this year with the team because we are all like family.”

Richardson has also been making her mark with the Dublin Under-

FINALFever

Supreme talent lights up championship finale A HIGH octane series of championship finals saw no end of hugely impressive performances across all levels of competition, aiding the various clubs’ paths to glory.

The senior final at Parnell Park was a thriller with Amy Connolly and Amy Ring catching the eye of Dublin boss Greg McGonigle who sited the duo as the key players for Foxrock Cabinteely in landing the big title once again, holding at a Caroline Brogan-inspired St Brigid’s.

For Gazette writer James Hendicott, Olivia Leonard’s nerve to kick the winning point for St Maur’s in their Junior A success ahead of Castleknock was another pivotal moment, capping a sublime overall performance.

Clontarf’s Sarah Fagan, St Brigid’s Caoimhe O’Connor and O’Dwyer’s Erin Healy were all cited on the shortlist for the third New Ireland Assurance Player of the Month award of the summer for performances in the Dublin ladies football championships.

But Shannon Richardson’s epic haul of 3-11 for Balbriggan club O’Dwyer’s - with a massive 3-10 from play - was the singularly most dominant and defining moment of all as the 19-year-old underpinned a huge moment in the club’s history.

She joins Ballyboden St Enda’s Emiy Flanagan and Naomh Barrog’s Laura McGinley as winners of the awards in 2016.

Xxxx XXx O’Dwyer’s Shannon Richardson in action against Na Fianna. Picture: GAAPics.com

21 side, and recalls the final as very much a team effort, despite her scoring antics.

“We didn’t start off our best but by the second half ever y thing started to go our way, we didn’t give up, our defence put in some great tackles and fought extremely hard which stood to us, and our shooting was very on target which resulted in a good win.

“Junior B will be tough. We are a young team, but it’s nothing that we can’t handle if we play our best and

stay focused on our goal.

“Things came together very well for the final we have been doing a lot of work in training and putting a hundred percent into all of our matches which has stood to us as a team and gave us the extra edge in the final.”

Manager Michael Blount was quick to praise R ichardson’s maturity and development at O’Dwyer’s, and sees her as a potential county star.

“Shannon has continued to improve year on year,” he said. “She

is very focused on what she wants and has the potential and drive to go as far as she wants in the game.”

“She was rewarded with a deserved call up to the Dublin Under-21s this year and they went on to win the All-Ireland tournament held in Naomh Mearnog.

“Amazingly at 19, she is one of the senior members of our squad and has a very bright future ahead of her.”

Congratulations to Shannon and to O’Dwyer’s on their season.

GAZETTE

30 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 15 September 2016

SPORT

FASTSport

SOCCER: BOOTH ROAD MAKE IT FIVE WINS FROM FIVE IN MAJOR 1B

South Dublin TKD start Olympic 2020 initiative SOUTH Dublin Taekwondo has announced their intention to embrace the Tokyo 2020 Talent Identification initiative, aimed at growing the country’s participation in the sport.

The initiative has been set up by the Irish Taekwondo Union who hope to encourage talent from other martial arts to train in WTF taekwondo in time for the next Olympic Games in Tokyo.

WTF taekwondo is primarily a kicking sport originating from South Korea and contains some kicks that are also practiced in other martial arts.

South Dublin Taekwondo was founded in 2008 and train people of all ages, beginning at just three years of age, and experiences, while placing great emphasis on the Kyorugi and Poomsae disciplines of the sport.

They have already exceeded their goal of producing members who compete at all levels from novice up to national.

Speaking about their involvement with the new initiative, founder of the SDTKD club and High Performance Director of the ITU Robert Taafe said: “I released this initiative throughout Ireland after it had been proved that martial artists from other kicking sports can transition to Taekwondo.

“In Ireland, we have a small pool of Olympic Taekwondo athletes and we would like to tap into any resource possible to build our team and help athletes reach their full potential.”

The initiative is similar to one set-up by Great Britain that proved to be a success as they landed five gold medals during the last two Olympic Games.

Taafe himself is a fifth dan and transitioned to WTF from ITF taekwondo. One of the main differences between the two sports is WTF is focused more towards being trained for competition while ITF is more about self-defence.

While the club sets its training primarily around sport competition, they also factor in fitness and self-defence.

South Dublin Taekwondo is hosting the next national training and development training session on September 25 in Tallaght Leisure Centre, where the majority of national training sessions are now held.

Booth Road Celtic are looking to continue their rise through the leagues

Sheppy still firing them in

LSL SAT MAJOR 1B

Phoenix 0 Booth Road Celtic 4  KARL GRAHAM sport@dublingazette.com

BOOTH Road Celtic maintained their perfect start to the season as they easily dispatched of Phoenix FC 4-0 to make it five wins from five in the LSL Major 1B Saturday division.

Former LSL Sunday Senior forward Phillip Sheppard was the star of the show as he brought his own tally to six goals in four games at Martin Savage Park.

‘Sheppy’ opened the scoring with a fine

goal from 18 yards out after some impressive approach play by Mikey Collins, resulting in the 31-year-old finishing in style with the outside of his boot.

He doubled Celtic’s lead after pouncing on a defensive error before rounding the goalkeeper and slotting home.

It was 3-0 after James Kelly played a brilliant ball over the top of the Phoenix defence and into the path of Shane Merrigan who made no mistake with his finish.

The rout was complete when Luke Darcy decided to take the ball on a mazy run that could only

CLONETTES Gordon Park women fall in league to Kilkenny CLONDALKIN’S women’s rugby team got their Leinster Division 2 season off to a tough start as they fell to a narrow 17-10 defeat in their opening game of the campaign, picking up a losing bonus point for their efforts.

They are next in action next Sunday away to Tullow at Black Gates in the league. The club has been boosted by their Under-15 girls side who were also in action last weekend in Naas to start their season.

Picture: Sharon Flanagan

be stopped illegally, and Jason McKenna was on hand to fire home.

It has been an impressive start to the season for the newly promoted side that have already scored 21 goals to leave them five points clear at the top of the table.

Manager Ian Maher spoke to GazetteSport about his side’s start so far and aspirations for the season.

“We’ve brought in some very good players and the lads have kicked on from last season. They’ve had promotion after promotion and brought that kind of form into this season.

“There is a core group there from last season as well that we wanted to keep a hold of we wanted to keep because there was a vibe within the club. Bringing in the right lads on top of that has pushed us on again.”

Something that Celtic has changed from previous seasons is the new emphasis on keeping the ball on the ground.

“This season, we wanted to get the ball down and play, keeping our fitness levels through playing football rather than spending Tuesdays and Thursdays just running through cones. As we are progressing through

the leagues, they become tougher and teams are able to keep the ball better.

“Our main goal at the start of the season was to get promoted and just keep progressing through the leagues, as we have been doing.”

When asked if keeping the players grounded as they keep winning was an issue, Maher pointed to the experience in the squad.

“The lads we have been in and around the top divisions of intermediate football so they generally know the league we are in and how to get out of it.”

15 September 2016 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 31

GAZETTE

GO GAMES

Tower’s Aoife to line out at All-Ireland in Croker

CLUB NOTICEBOARD ROUND TOWER, CLONDALKIN

ROUND Tower’s Aoife Kelly who will rep-

resent the club and Clonburris National School in the INTO Go Games Exhibition match at half-time in the All-Ireland senior football final this Sunday, September 18.

She plays with the club’s Under-13 ladies footballer and the camogie side. The Go Games has long been a feature of All-Ireland final day and is a huge honour for the young charges who get to take part.

FOOTBALL: DUBLIN WELL SET FOR MAYO SHOWDOWN

THANK you to all who supported

We encourage all our members

Round Tower Family Fun Day 2016

and our juvenile teams to get behind

and helped to make it the terrific

this important fundraiser to sup-

success it was. Particular thanks to

port the juvenile teams represent-

all who hosted activities and to the

ing the club on GAA pitches across

hardworking organising committee.

Dublin.

On the playing fields, our senior

Registration is open for the Ciaran

hurlers enjoyed a one-point win

Carr Foundation 5K family fun run

away to Thomas Davis in their AHL3

that will take place in Corkagh Park

clash and our junior hurlers had a

on Sunday, October 2.

walkover against Castleknock. Dis-

The foundation is raising funds to

appointment for our minor foot-

support Clondalkin Helping Home-

ballers who lost their championship

lessness. Help them this October

match away to St Maur’s.

and run for those in need. Registra-

Sunday is yet another proud day for our club when Jim Gavin will

tion for adults is €10 and U-16s enter for free.

manage the Dublin senior football-

Bingo will continue in the club

ers against Mayo in the All-Ireland

every Tuesday night with first call at

football final. We wish Jim, Frank and

8.30pm.

the Dubs the very best.

Two premium tickets for the 2016 All-Ireland football final are up for

A €1,000 jackpot, if checked within 53 numbers, is up for grabs. All welcome.

grabs in our juvenile fundraising

Round Tower lotto (September

draw. Tickets are available from

5): jackpot €10,000. Numbers drawn

behind the bar in the club and are

were 1, 8, 24 and 30; bonus ball was

priced at €5 each or three for €10.

12. There was no overall winner and

The draw will take place at our Up

no bonus ball winner.

for Match event that will take place

Three €100 winners: Gerry Higgins,

next Saturday, September 17 in the

Dolores Shields, PJ Tyndall. Thanks to

clubrooms.

all who supported.

ST PAT’S PALMERSTOWN Emmet O Conghaile in action for the Dubs in 2015

Lucan’s O’Conghaile All-Ireland final date

ALL-IRELAND FINAL  sport@dublingazette.com

LUCA N S a r s f i e l d s ’ Emmet O’Conghaile will be part of the Dublin panel that will look to add another trophy to their incredible recent history as Sunday’s All-Ireland senior football championship final with Mayo rapidly closing in.

The Lucan man has been part of the Dubs’ set-up that has claimed two All-Ireland crowns and will be hoping for a third in four years to go with four national league crowns and four Leinster senior championships.

He has found championship opportunities tricky to come by in a hugely competitive panel this year with the trio if Brian Fenton, Michael Darragh Macauley and Denis Bastick doing the lion’s share of midfield duties.

Nonetheless, he is part of a panel in confident mood ahead of the Mayo showdown. Darren Daly, another panel player with plenty of experience under his belt, said that the Dubs’ ability to win games no matter what courses through their belief, the Kerry semifinal win a case in point.

“It was the same as any other time, whether we were five points up or five points down,” says Darren.“Very calm, controlled, follow the same pattern at half-time no matter what position we are in.

“We didn’t make a change, it was controlled, just chipped away and thank God, we came out the right end. This group is a special group.

“We are tight-knit, lads just generally work really hard and a few games that were in the melting pot, we gelled well and we dug them out.”

Daly has played his

part in the panel in three previous All-Ireland successes and he says that the team’s know-how to win in tough circumstances is a pivotal factor in how they regularly dig themselves out of a seemingly difficult hole.

“It just comes from experience. Sometimes you are not always at your best but you know the things to do to get that ultimate performance,” Daly added. “There is huge hunger from all the lads. It is great to see when we came under a bit of pressure, that lads did respond, for lads going into the next game.”

THE lotto numbers for this week were

Mondays in Glenaulin from 6-7pm,

6, 9, 12 and 17. There was no winner so

new players welcome for ages 4-7.

next week the jackpot will be €5,400.

Shield semi-final: U-15s did them-

The draw takes place in the Palm-

selves proud but were beaten by a

erstown House every Sunday night

goal in the last kick of the game after

at 10pm and tickets cost €2. Thank

extra time. Brillant effort by all the

you to all our sellers and to all that

players and were very unlucky, well

support our lotto every week. Tick-

done lads.

ets available from all the usual sell-

A very impressive display by our

ers including Moriarty’s Supervalu,

U-8 boys at Rathcoole Commercials’

Palmerstown House and Manor Hair

blitz beating all before them.

Studios.

The lads hit the ground running

We are holding our golf classic on

after their summer break. New boys

Saturday, September 17 in Slade Val-

to hurling Ryan Vermaelen and Jamie

ley Golf Club from 12.30-4pm, a team

Fleming showed great potential. Sean

of four is €240 with meal afterwards.

Carey (MOM), Liam Blair and Sadhbh

Hole or Tee Box sponsorship is €50.

McWeeney played their socks off and

It is followed by a Decades Disco in the Palmerstown House Function

our excellent turnout means a bright future for St Pat’s hurling.

room at 9pm, entry €10, free entry

Cracking game of U16 football at

for golfers. Contact Robbie on 087 169

home to St Vincent’s Hard earned 3

8166, Paul on 087 661 3104 or email the

point win for the Palmerstown lads.

secretary.

Well done to all. Great hurling game

Our Friday hurling and camogie

for the U-9s this weekend away to St

skills continues on Friday and will

Kevin’s. Great effort lads and we are

be on from 6-7pm next week. Every-

seeing great signs of improvement.

one welcome. It’s a great chance for

Well done to our U-13s who beat st

the kids to learn from experienced

Vincent’s 3-15 to 3-5 away. Another

coaches.

great win in the championship for our

Memberships are overdue so anyone that hasn’t paid can you please do so urgently.

Our nursery has started back on

senior camogie team against Clanna Gael/Fontenoy at home this week.

Best of luck to all our teams this coming week.

32 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 15 September 2016