Clondalkin

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June 1 - 7, 2017

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Keep reading, keep recycling – thank you

Call to reopen vital facility used for youth activities ‘When young people have nothing to do that is when they get into trouble’

 SYLVIA POWNALL A CENTRE used for youth activities in an area of disadvantage and exclusion in Clondalkin has been closed due to an electrical fault – for more than a year.

The Balgaddy unit was purpose-built for the community but has lain idle for the past 16 months despite having been well utilised by youth services agency Crosscare.

TD Gino Kenny (PBP)

has called for urgent action to reopen the building in Tor an Ri, warning that depriving young people of a vital amenity is leading “at risk” teenagers astray.

He told The Gazette: “There’s a lot of very vulner-

able young people in that area. When young people have nothing to do that is when they get into trouble and go down the wrong path.

“Reopening that facility to me is a complete no-brainer.”

Continues on Page 9

2 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 1 June 2017

LAND BANK | 20 BURNT OUT CARS COUNTED ON GREEN SPACE

Vacant land has become a hotbed for joyriders  SYLVIA POWNALL A LAND bank in Clondalkin earmarked for major development has become a hotbed for joyriders – with 20 burnt out cars counted on the site earlier this week.

There have been calls for the council to clean up the Clonburris Strategic Development Zone (SDZ), which covers the green space from the canal to the Ninth Lock Road.

The area was earmarked for housing under a Government initiative as far back as 2006 but the vacant land is now “home” to a number of neglected horses.

Earlier this month animal welfare volunteers told The Gazette of their disgust after they were pursued by joyriders who sped dangerously close to the distressed animals as they tended to

The fields are also strewn with burnt out cars as well as illegally dumped furniture, household appliances and domestic waste

them.

The fields are also strewn with illegally dumped furniture, household appliances, domestic waste and burnt out cars – and Cllr Mark Ward (SF) is calling on

South Dublin County Council to take action.

He said: “These cars are being driven until they are unable to do so and are subsequently being burnt out. There are over 20 cars

burnt out in this area alone.

“This behaviour is unacceptable. I am calling on gardai to investigate if the cars were stolen and if they are not to trace the last known owner.

“More needs to be done to stop unscrupulous car owners selling unroadworthy cars that fail the NCT to young people for as little as €50.”

Cllr Ward has also called on the council to erect barriers to stop cars driving into the fields – though he admits this may prove an “onerous task” since some of the green space is believed to be privately-owned.

He added: “Vacant land like this will attract anti-social behaviour.

“It’s not good enough for the residents of Clondalkin and it’s putting people’s lives at risk.”

Lack of progress on primary care centre slammed THE HSE’s lack of urgency in developing a primary care centre in Rowlagh has been described as “appalling” by Fianna Fail TD John Curran.

Through a parliamentary question this week he learned that the project remains at a standstill with a planning application for the project due to be lodged in 2015 yet to be submitted.

Deputy Curran said: “I am at a loss to understand why little or no progress has been made on the development of the Primary Health Care Centre in Rowlagh.

“In November 2015 I was informed by the HSE that agreement was reached with the Department of Education in relation to

the transfer of the site, design stage was complete and that the public consultation process was also complete.

“I was informed that the HSE intended to apply for planning permission in early 2016.

“It is now May 2017 a n d t h e H S E h ave failed to submit an application for planning for 18 months now.

“I cannot understand what the delay in progressing this project is. The HSE are stalling this development at Rowlagh and it is incredulous.”

Deputy Curran said it is “appalling so little progress has been made” considering a site is available, there is clearly an identified need but there has been no progress.

FASTNews Blaze causes church to close until the end of summer ST AIDAN’S church in Brookfield has been forced to close its doors until the end of the summer after a weekend blaze caused internal fire and smoke damage.

The altar area, which was refurbished less than a decade ago, was badly damaged in the fire while the remainder of the interior fittings were destroyed by smoke.

Emergency services were called in the early hours of Sunday morning after the alarm sounded and at this stage the fire is believed to have started accidentally.

Fr Pat McKinley said the refurbishment work would take at least three months, adding: “This is really disappointing news but thankfully nobody was injured.”

Services have been transferred to neighbouring parishes including St Thomas’s in Jobstown, St Mark’s in Springfield and the Church of the Incarnation in Fettercairn.

Gardai seek information on acid attack in Tallaght GARDAI are investigating an acid attack in Tallaght at the weekend in which a man received minor injuries.

Reports indicate the alleged attack took place outside a barber’s shop on the Greenhill’s Road at around 1pm on Saturday.

It is understood a man entered the shop and was asked to leave by a member of staff when he began acting suspiciously.

He was escorted outside where he reportedly pulled out a knife and threw a corrosive liquid at the employee.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Tallaght Gardai at 01 6666000.

Pair in court charged over Clondalkin drugs seizure A MAN in his 30s and a woman in her 20s appeared at Blanchardstown District Court on Friday charged with drugs offences.

The two, along with another man in his 20s, were arrested in the wake of a seizure of drugs in Clondalkin last Thursday.

Officers from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Unit seized cannabis herb, cannabis resin and cocaine with an approximate street value of €470,000 during the raid, along with a sum of cash.

The man not before the court was released on Thursday night and a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Dublin Gazette Newspapers, Second Floor, Heritage House, Dundrum Office Park, Dublin 14 Tel: 01 - 6010240. Email: sales@dublingazette.com news@dublingazette.com web: www.dublingazette.com twitter: @DublinGazette Visit us on Facebook at DublinGazetteNewspapers

1 June 2017 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 3

98FM’S BEST OF DUBLIN AWARDS 2017 | OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO THE CAPITAL

KELLY’S A HERO The team at Beautique Salon in Walkinstown were popular winners on the night

THE BEST of Dublin Awards took place at the RDS last week and the capital’s great and good were celebrated in some style. Loughlinstown paradmedic David Kelly took home the Dublin Hero award, while the packed crowd were thrilled by surprise appearances from hilarious impressionist Al Foran, aka “Conor McGregor”, aka “Eamon Dunphy”.

The biggest cheer of all was reserved for birthday boy Christy Dignam, who delivered a spine-tingling version of the Green Fields of France before he and Joe Jowell belted out Aslan favourite Crazy World while the crowd joined in. This year’s awards received more than 800,000 votes, making it the biggest Best of Dublin yet. Out of 80 finalists, 16 winners took home a coveted 98FM Best of Dublin Award for their outstanding contribution to the capital.

The winners were: Best Bar: The Confession Box, Marborough St Best Breakfast: White Moose Café Best Butcher: Troys of Moore St Best Salon: Beautique Salon, Walkinstown Best Sports Club: Corduff FC Best Takeaway: Angelo’s Ballymun Best Barber: Hairlough Barbers, Clondalkin Best Bus Driver: Dave Connolly, Routes 27 and 771 Best Coffee: The Grind, Howth Best Gym: Ger Conroy Fitness, Mulhuddart Best Restaurant: Ruby’s Bar & Grill, Swords Best Shop: Designer Exchange, Dawson St Best Sports Person: Philly McMahon, Ballymun Kickhams and Dublin football star Best Taxi Driver: Marcus Richardson Best Dub: Comedian and author Brendan O’Carroll Dublin Hero: Loughlinstown paramedic David Kelly (right)

Mrs Browns’ Boys star Fiona O’Carroll

accepts dad Brendan’s award RIGHT: Birthday boy Christy Dignam

4 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 1 June 2017

FASTNews

Groups urged to apply for funding

Alvin Varghese Mathew

Omtra Bijoy with James Twohig, director Ireland Operations of Valero

Young artistic talent hailed

F

Tommy Omadayo

OUR South West Dublin students have been presented with top awards in this year’s 63rd Texaco Children’s Art Competition. Pictured is Omtra Bijoy from St Joseph’s Boys National School, Clondalkin who won a Special Merit Award in the competition.

Presenting him with the award is James Twohig, director Ireland Operations of Valero. Other South West Dublin winners, who also received Special Merit Awards at a ceremony held in Dublin, were Alvin Varghese Mathew (13), Emma Kelly (11), and Tommy Omadayo (12), all from St Michael’s School, Chapelizod.

Emma Kelly

MOB MENTALITY | LOCALS MISTAKE INNOCENT MAN FOR CLONDALKIN BEAST

Man falsely identified as child abuser on Facebook  SYLVIA POWNALL A MAN mistaken for notorious Clondalkin child abuser Anthony Luckwill has described how he was chased by a mob and had to ring gardai for help.

David Murray was falsely identified as convicted paedophile Luckwill, who was released from prison last year, as he walked along the street in Monasterevin, County Kildare last Friday.

The confusion arose after his photograph was wrongly shared by a commenter on the Facebook page of Kildare

Now under an article about Luckwill being in the area.

Mr Murray was confronted by a group of adults in their 30s and 40s, verbally abused and chased up the street to a local pub where he sought refuge and rang gardai.

He had to produce his passport to prove his identity and says he has hardly slept since the altercation.

Mr Murray, who had visited Monasterevin several times looking for a place to live, said: “I thought the people were very friendly. I would never feel safe there now.

“I didn’t even understand

Notorious Clondalkin child abuser Anthony Luckwill

what they were saying at first.

They subjected me to vile verbal abuse, although they were

too cowardly to directly physically engage me.”

Mr Murray walked to Finlay’s pub where up to 30 people gathered outside and rang 999. He was escorted from the premises by gardai 40 minutes later.

He has since expressed concern that his photo might be wrongly shared on social media again inviting more problems.

Luckwill has a string of convictions for possession of child pornography both here and in Wales.

He sexually assaulted two young boys in 2011 and was

jailed for four-and-a-half years.

The sex offender, who is in his mid 40s, was jailed after posing on the internet as a casting agent for TV programmes.

He was forced to move from an address in Rathcoole last year when his house was set on fire and was later chased from an address on Monastery Road in Clondalkin.

In the past week there have been several unconfirmed reports of him in west Dublin driving a modified jeep with tinted windows and the back seats removed.

TIME is running out for groups looking to apply for this year’s Dublin Bus Community Spirit Awards (CSAs), which once again are helping to support the development of new projects, grow services and help raise community spirit all across Dublin.

The CSAs have helped more than 1,800 voluntary groups since 2004, with its grants of €1,000, €2,000 or €5,000 having a transformative effect on a huge amount of groups and services for young and old alike, all over the city.

This year is no different, with Dublin Bus keen to help make a difference to Dubliners, with any voluntary group located within the area its services operate eligible to apply for a grant.

Interested groups are urged to apply now at www.dublnbus.ie/csiapplication, before the 5pm deadline on Friday, June 23.

Volunteers sought for run CORKAGH Park has been approved as an official Parkrun venue with timed 5k runs/ walks to be held there every Saturday morning.

A run director has been appointed and volunteers are now being sought to get the project off the ground and ensure it is run safely.

If you can spare a couple of hours every other week, or can help in any way, please contact Cathal on 087 2834150.

1 June 2017 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 5

6 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 1 June 2017

Out and About

Hannah McQuillan and David Crowley

Denise Coughlan and Emer Coughlan

A feast of fine films comes to the capital Helena Lee Claffey

M

OVIE fans were out in force last week when two new films had their premieres in our fair city.

BayWatch made a splash with audiences at the Savoy Cinema in O’Connell Street while at the Odeon Cinema in Point Village, Diary of A Whimpy Kid: The Long Haul saw The Heffley family back in action to the delight of filmgoers.

Zoe Palmer and Edel Lyons.

Pictures: Brian McEvoy

Nicola McCarthy, Tracy Stanley, Ella McCarthy and Megan Stanley

Yvonne Carroll, Nora Burke, Aoife Burke and Niamh Burke

Linda Maguire, Niamh Maguire and Lorna Maguire

Will White, Triona McCarthy with their

Anthony, Lynette, Alfie O’Reilly and

children Mini White and Maxi White

Madison O’Reilly

1 June 2017 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 7

8 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 1 June 2017

MURDERER | GUILTY VERDICT IN JUST OVER 90 MINUTES

Sister’s relief at killer Eric Locke’s jailing

 SYLVIA POWNALL THE SISTER of slain Sonia Blount has spoken of her relief after her sibling’s killer Eric Locke was jailed for life.

Claire Reddin said her family had feared that the jury would believe the devious murderer’s lies and he might get away with killing the Tallaght mum-of-one.

Claire said of the guilty verdict returned in just over 90 minutes: “It brought us a lot of relief. We were kind of doubting for a while – is he going to get away with this?

“When the verdict came back, the relief we felt was amazing. He had to take responsibility for what he did.”

Evil Locke, 35, from Clondalkin, lured Sonia to the Plaza Hotel in Tallaght using a

bogus Facebook profile by the name of Shane Cully. He then attacked and strangled her.

For 11 days her relatives had to listen to a tissue of lies put forward in court by her killer who claimed he was suffering from a mental illness.

Sonia Blount

Although Locke – who brought a murder kit to room 346 of the Plaza for the rendezvous, admitted he caused the 31-year-old’s death he maintained that he did not mean to kill her and pleaded

the defence of diminished responsibility.

Claire Reddin said: “The first time I heard of Shane Cully was after Sonia had been found in the Plaza. I remember saying to my friend, she wouldn’t have went to meet Eric, she was going to meet some fella called Shane.

“And my friend said to me then, maybe it was a catfish sort of a thing. And then it dawned on me.”

Claire warned others to be careful about meeting people on social networks.

She told RTE’s Claire Byrne show: “That Shane Cully Facebook page had friends, it had pictures, it had messages from people wishing him happy birthday.

“Like, there was no way if she looked at that she would

Eric Locke

have known it was fake. It was so foolish what she done, to meet somebody privately like that. You have to meet someone in a bar, or tell people where you’re going. We had no idea where was, so we had to spend half the next day looking for her.

“Whereas, if somebody had known, the process wouldn’t have drawn out so long the next day.”

Grace cheques in with a fantastic donation

TALLAGHT blogger Grace Mongey (FacesByGrace.com) took part in the Great Ireland 5k last month in aid of Tallaght Cancer Support Group and raised €2,267 for the local charity.

Last week she presented the cheque to Tallaght Support Group with whom she has a strong connection having lost her father Frank to cancer eight years ago.

Grace, who gave birth to her daughter Sienna in September, finished the run in a time of just over 38 minutes, and was delighted with the accomplishment.

She said: “This is the best feeling I have ever had. Having followed the Great Ireland Run ‘couch to 5k’ training plan since January it’s a thrill to see that my hard work has paid off.”

Pictured is Grace Mongey and Mairead O’Connor.

1 June 2017 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 9

HEALTHY OPTIONS | TACKLING CHILDHOOD OBESITY

Seminar encourages low income families to ditch fast food

 SYLVIA POWNALL

A FREE seminar aimed at tackling childhood obesity has the backing of former Miss Ireland and food guru Rosanna Davison.

The pilot event takes place in Tallaght tomorrow, Friday, June 2, in the hope that it will encourage low income families to ditch fast food in favour of healthier options.

Model Rosanna, now a bestselling food author and nutritionist, is among those asked to speak at the event – and she hasn’t ruled it out.

Organiser Edel Corcoran, a full-time garda and sponsored athlete, said she has been overwhelmed with the level of interest and support so far.

The 29-year-old, who is a trainee psychotherapist at the Swan Support Centre in Fettercairn, told The Gazette: “I just wanted to do something free of charge to explain the benefits of healthy food and have samples for people to try.

“Hopefully they can make better choices in terms of their diet, as best they can on whatever their

Edel Corcoran

budget is. We’re trying to empower the community because prevention is better than cure.

“If it helps reduce obesity and diabetes and all the other problems that go with it then it can only be a good thing.

“I asked Rosanna to attend because she’s a qualified nutritionist with a public profile and it’s nice to give back to the community.

“She said she would certainly look into it so fingers crossed.”

Figures released by the HSE

earlier this month show that one in five children is now seriously overweight or obese – and the majority are girls.

The damning research reveals that 17% of six to seven-year-olds are overweight or obese, with that figure rising to 20% by the time they reach fourth class.

Worryingly, it also showed that kids attending schools in areas classed as disadvantaged were more likely to be obese, with the gap widening as they grow older.

Edel said: “Childhood obesity is a huge issue and it’s nationwide.

We want to use this talk as a springboard to see how it goes and maybe run something more regular.

“I’m a trainee psychotherapist and I wanted to give my services to help people break bad eating habits. A bit like the Motivation Clinic but sponsored so it’s free of charge.”

Tomorrow’s event will also be attended by former boxer and Olympic silver medallist Kenny Egan, who has spoken openly of his battle with booze and is now an addiction counsellor.

Further details at m.facebook. com/events/2127855497440788

CONTINUES FROM PAGE 1

‘Urgent action needed to address youth needs’ Deputy Kenny raised the issue in the Dail with Children’s Minister Katherine Zappone and warned that urgent action was needed to address youth needs in the area.

She replied that nearby Ronanstown Youth Service, which is operated by Crosscare, provides “a range of services to at-risk young people in Balgaddy”.

The Minister added: “I am aware that the service’s Balgaddy youth unit is temporarily closed as a result of an electrical fault and that every effort is being made to resume service provision.”

However Deputy Kenny says South Dublin County Council have put the project on the long finger – and that services in another parish cannot replace youth activities which had been running three nights a week in the heart of the local community.

He said: “South Dublin County Council have been dragging their feet for over a year now.

Crosscare want to get back into it, they were engaging with the young people in the area. If there’s any area in south Dublin that is very vulnerable and very

run down it is that area in Balgaddy.”

In response to a query from The Gazette, the council said: “The council has been proactive in reopening this unit for use and has had discussions with Dublin Dun Laoghaire Educational Training Board relating to the issues surrounding the delays in doing so which are not of the council’s making.

“The delay is mainly due to an electrical wiring issue and has been resolved and work is in train. It is hoped to have it available in the coming weeks.”

10 GAZETTE 1 June 2017

Out and About

Janet King, Elaine Flood and Bridie McCloskey

Stars out in force for charity event

Fiona Bonk, Sandra Crean and Sinead Lawless. Pictures: Brian McEvoy

Miriam Ahern and daughter Georgina Alan Amsby and James Brown

Ahern and Georgina’s daughter Tia

M

IRIAM Ahern hosted her annual Summer Lunch in aid of CARI at The Shelbourne Hotel Dublin last week. Glamorous guests were out in force to support this worthy cause. TV3 star Alan Hughes was the MC for the afternoon, and after lunch, guests were entertained

by The Swing Cats. The day closed with a fun-filled raffle. Guests continued to enjoy the day at House Dublin where post lunch cocktails were served.

George McMahon, Dermot O’Neill (Grandad, Mrs Browns Boys), Pat Shields (Pepsi, Mrs Browns Boys), Ronnie Whelan and Ray Houghton

IT’S TIME FOR TEE

Ronnie Whelan, George McMahon and Brian Ormond.

Pictures: Karen Morgan/Lensmen

T

HE 14th Ronnie Whelan Golf Classic was a great day out at St Annes Golf Links in Dublin. The funds raised went to two very worthy causes, The Marie Keating Foundation and Fighting Blindness Ireland. A total of 26 teams took part and some very well known faces were in attendance, such as: Ronnie Whelan, Ray Houghton, Keith Andrews, Stan Boardman, Robbie Keane, Brian Ormond, Shane Byrne, George McMahon, Dave O’Sullivan and Mrs Browns boys, Pat (Pepsi) Shields and Dermot (Granddad) O’Neill.

Laurence Kinlan and Robbie Keane

George McMahon and Dermot O’Neill

1 June 2017 GAZETTE 11

Patrick Bergin and Helen Goldin

Claudine Keane and her mother, Joan

Pat Shields, Ronnie Whelan and Ray Houghton

GAZETTE

12 GAZETTE 1 June 2017

DUBLINBUSINESS Follow five rules to triumph at temping

Frank Keane Volkswagen in top Gold Pin win FRANK Keane Volkswagen scooped the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Dealer of the Year 2016 award at the recent Volkswagen Gold Pin Awards.

The award, which celebrates excellence within the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Retail network, recognises the retailer’s contribution in a number of areas, including sales performance, local market share and overall customer experience.

It is the highest honour that a Volkswagen commercial vehicle retailer can achieve.

The award was presented to Donal Geoghegan (dealer principal) and Ger Colwell (commercial vehicle manager) of Frank Keane Volkswagen by Alan Bateson, managing director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Ireland, at the gala awards ceremony held in Carton House, Maynooth.

Since opening in January 2012 with 14 staff, the company has grown significantly, resulting in two new dealership locations in five years – at Liffey Valley Motor Mall and Deansgrange, and now employs more than 120 people.

In 2016, the company acquired MSL Motor Group Volkswagen in Deansgrange, Ballsbridge,

and Pottery Road. It also merged with the MSL Volkswagen showroom in Deansgrange, and opened up a new state-of-the-art service centre.

Commenting on the award, Ger Colwell said he was delighted to achieve such an accolade: “Winning retailer of the year for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is a great honour.

Ireland for our commercial vehicles, with strong results delivered through the recovering economy.

“2016 was also a great

Alan Bateson, managing director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Ireland, congratulates Ger Colwell, commercial vehicle manager of Frank Keane Volkswagen

year for Frank Keane Volkswagen and I would like to thank everyone involved for their hard work and determination.

“With the recent launch of the all new Crafter, International Van of the Year 2017, we are focused on continued growth.”

Awards to help highlight hidden disabilities at work

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‘It is always nice to win, as it gives the whole team a real lift and recognises the team effort put in by all’

1 - Be a CV Supremo First things first – you need a good temping CV. At the top of the page, list your technical skills and your availability.

A temps controller may receive hundreds of CVs, but will remember the one that says “Audio typing/Available Monday to Friday” when a client calls looking for a week’s cover.

2 - Dress Up, Up, Up When in doubt, dress ‘up’. As a temp, you will be working in many different office environments.

Some are ‘business casual’. Some are formal.

Unless you are specifically told otherwise, show up for your assignment in your best work clothes.

A black or navy suit will always look sharp – first impressions count, and nowhere more so than in the world of temping.

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

Ger Colwell, commercial vehicle manager, Frank Keane Volkswagen

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“Our objective at Frank Keane Volkswagen for 2016 was to become the number-one destination for commercial vehicles in Ireland. It is always nice to win, as it gives the whole team a real lift and recognises the team effort put in by all.”

Volkswagen commercial vehicles director Alan Bateson said: “2016 has seen continued growth in

SUMMER is here and somewhere in Dublin an office worker is dreaming of their upcoming holidays.

Meanwhile, their manager is wondering how to cope with the extra workload – nobody should come back from two weeks in the Algarve with 500 unread emails and a pile of paperwork! What’s a manager to do?

Enter: The Temp – someone who is smart, confident and adaptable, as well as being multi-skilled. The Temp saves the day!

Do you want to be a modern office super hero? Follow these five rules of temping and you’ll have your choice of assignments this summer ...

HEADWAY, Brain Injury Services and Support and Epilepsy Ireland have called on workers with a ‘hidden disability’ to nominate their company in the National Hidden Disability Awards 2017.

There are an estimated 30,000 people in Ireland living with an acquired brain injury, and 37,000 living with epilepsy. A national survey conducted by Amarach shows that 9 in 10 employees in Ireland feel their

workplaces lack an awareness of hidden disabilities.

However, if your employer is hidden disability-friendly, you can nominate them for an award by visiting www.iseebeyond.ie.

Pictured showing their support for the hidden disability awareness campaign are Brain Injury Services client Rebecca Cunningham, radio presenter Rick O’Shea. and Epilepsy Ireland client Karen Lee.

3 - On Time = Early ‘On time’ means ‘five minutes early.’ You don’t Remember this key info, and you’ll wow when you work! If you’re interested in temping or want to talk to someone about your career, contact RecruitmentPlus at 01 2788 610, or also see www.recruitmentplus.ie.

want to arrive too early, but you never want to arrive late.

Research the location of your assignment. Make sure you know how to get there. Drive by if you’re unfamiliar with the area, or check public transport timetables the night before, but plan on being there five minutes before you’re due to start.

4 - Discretion is Key Be discreet. Anything you hear or read about the company or its employees is strictly confidential. Loose lips lose assignments!

5 - Work, Work, Work!

Work like your career depends on it. Again, first impressions count, and if you’re only in an assignment for a week, you don’t have time to have an off day.

Temping is an excellent way to get your foot in the door of some amazing companies. Good work does not go unnoticed.

1 June 2017 GAZETTE 13

MOTORING P22

CINEMA P24

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

SURVEY: DUBLIN CHAMBER WANTS YOU TO HELP DIRECT THE CAPITAL’S GROWTH

SHY BARNEY DESERVES A PATIENT NEW OWNER

Here’s your opportunity to shape the city for 2050 WHAT do you want your city to be like in the future? Dublin Chamber is looking to find out via The Great Dublin Survey.

The survey, which can be carried out online at www.greatdublinsurvey. ie, sets out a number of thought-provoking questions that aim to capture the ideas, hopes, wants and aspirations of everyone who lives in Dublin – this means you!

It is part of Dublin Chamber’s Dublin 2050 initiative, which is exploring the need for better long-term planning in the Dublin region.

According to Dublin Chamber chief executive Mary Rose Burke: “We are giving Dubliners the

opportunity to have their say on what they want and need their city to be like in the future.

“When it comes to quality of life, Dublin currently sits outside the top 30 cities in the world. By listening to the ideas of the people, we want to see Dublin rise up those rankings and challenge the world’s best cities for the standard of living that they offer.”

Findings Open to people of all ages, the survey will remain live until the end of June, giving you plenty of time to have your say.

The Chamber will publish the findings of the survey later this summer.

The survey’s findings

will be fed back by the Chamber to decisionmakers and will be used to influence its policy work as it sets out to ensure that Dublin becomes a better place to work, live and visit for both current and future generations.

Burke said: “As well as the survey, over the coming weeks we’ll also be carrying out a number of workshops with various groups to try and capture as many different voices as possible.

“This will include setpieces with the homeless community, school children, the travelling community, businesses and people with addiction issues.”

The questions in the



GAZETTE

MUSIC P16

Whether the city centre or the suburbs are your home, have a say on the kind of Dublin you’d like to see in 2050, and help to make the city not just good, but great

brief survey are based on initial work done by the Chamber and Amarach Research last year, which identified the key characteristics of successful cities.

The survey asks everyone to think ahead to the year 2050, and to consider where you want to live in the city, how you’d like to get around, the social

amenities you’d like to see in your community, how prepared you are for technology to play an increasing role in your daily life, the institutions and people that you expect will have a strong influence on your life, and also the qualities of other cities that should be replicated in Dublin.

The Chamber’s chief executive added: “Wheth-

er you’re 13 or 73 years old, we want to hear from you.

This is your opportunity to shape the future of your city. Dublin is currently a good city to live in – we want to ensure that, in the future, it is a great city.”

Have your say online now at www.greatdublinsurvey.ie, and help make the Dublin of 2050 that you want to live in.

OUR Dog of the Week looking for their #SpecialSomeone* is Barney, a distinguished seven-year-old crossbreed.

He has simple needs in life: a soft cosy bed, regular meals, a secure garden that he can potter around in, and a family which will accept him the way he is.

Barney is a gentle, worried soul, so he is looking for a quiet, adultonly home with people who will give him the time he needs to settle in. Barney would rather be the only pet in the home.

If you are looking for a gentle creature to share your heart and home with, then look no further as Barney could be the dog for you!

If you can be Barney’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.

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14 GAZETTE 1 June 2017

DUBLINLIFE

DIARY

Play a vital role in preventing drownings Noel Patrick Browne, GAA Community and health manager and player for Castlehaven. Picture: Nathan Williams

THE RNLI has re-launched its water safety campaign Respect the Water and are reminding the public to “fight your instincts, not the water” to stay alive.

As temperatures look set to soar across Ireland new research commissioned by the RNLI has revealed that 39% of Irish people questioned said they would follow their instincts and fight against the water, if they unexpectedly fell into it.

However the RNLI’s Respect the Water campaign is asking people to fight those instincts and remember one simple piece of advice – floating – that could save lives from drowning.

The charity recently announced a partnership with the GAA for the campaign which is being supported through their Healthy Clubs programme.

Noel Browne of Castlehaven GAA is the healthy club representative and well-known long distance open water swimmer.

Backing the RNLI’s Respect the Water campaign Noel said: “It can go against everything your body wants to do but resisting the urge to fight against the water when you fall in and just float, can save your life.

“The best course of action is to try to float or rest, just for a short time. The effects of cold water shock will pass within 60 to 90 seconds and let you regain control of your breath-

ing, increasing your chances of survival.”

Visit RNLI.org/RespectTheWater for information on the effects of cold water shock and floating techniques.

also contribute to the services such as the Home Teacher Programme, Speech & Language Therapy and New Parent Support in the Limerick branch.

older people to take charge of their own health in light of the Citizens’ Assembly turning its attention to the challenges and opportunities an ageing population brings.

provides huge opportunities.

“Older people should take this opportunity to take ownership of their own futures, and take charge of their own health by living their best lives in retirement.”

NESTLE EMPLOYEES BID TO RAISE €70K FOR CHARITY

COMEDY NIGHT TO SUPPORT AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

BEULA Lynch and Alex Smith, both from Dublin, both seven years of age gave a helping hand at the launch of Down Syndrome Ireland (DSI) and Nestle in Ireland Charity of the Year 2017/18 partnership announcement.

Nestle’s employees in Ireland have committed to raise €70,000 for Down Syndrome Ireland (DSI) in a new partnership announcement.

The partnership will involve over 700 employees from Nestle Ireland, Citywest and Nestle’s Wyeth Nutrition infant formula plant in Askeaton, Limerick raising funds to benefit the services and supports provided

by DSI for families with Down syndrome.

These funds will go towards a new Multi-Sensory and Family Room in Down Syndrome Ireland’s national support office in Ballymount.

This will provide a drop-in respite space available for family members and an area to relax when visiting Dublin for hospital appointments.

The much needed funds will

AL Porter and some very special friends are delighted to announce a very special show at Vicar St on Saturday, June 24 to mark the celebrations during Dublin LGBTQ Pride.

“We’re delighted to be coming back to Vicar Street for a great night of comedy, featuring Al Porter, Alison Spittle, Linda Martin, The Sugar Cubes with more exciting guests to be announced. Together, we’re hoping to raise much needed funds to support Amnesty’s human rights work.

“We are so grateful to all of the wonderful performers and everyone involved who continue to support us and give freely of their time. Thanks to their generosity and hard work, all the proceeds raised from the event will go directly to help us fight human rights abuses, both here in Ireland and around the world.”

Tickets €25 are on sale now through www.ticketmaster.ie & usual outlets nationwide.

Cancer survivors and journalists Emily Hourican and Evelyn O’Rourke at the launch of the “Just Ask Your Doctor!” campaign by Cancer Trials Ireland. Picture: Robbie Reynolds

TRADE AND TOURISM SHOW HAILED A SUCCESS ACTIVE Retirement Ireland’s Trade and Tourism Show 2017 was hailed a great success, with more than 3,000 people attending throughout the day.

Pat Spillane joined Active Retirement Ireland at the RDS last week as the group called on

CEO of Active Retirement Ireland, Maureen Kavanagh said: “The Citizens’ Assembly will be meeting soon to discuss how we best respond to the challenges and opportunities of an ageing population.

“Active Retirement Ireland believes that an older population is nothing to be feared, and

CALL FOR CANCER DRUG TRIAL PARTICIPATION TO DOUBLE

CANCER Trials Ireland has called for cancer drug trial participation to double to 6%.

International Clinical Trials Day last week was marked with the launch of the Just Ask Your Doctor! Campaign to encourage people diagnosed with cancer to ask about joining a cancer trial.

Cancer trials can provide people with cancer with free access to new promising treatments which in some cases can only be accessed through a trial.

These treatments have the potential to enhance and extend their lives as well as supporting the development of new treatments.

Around 650 people with cancer join a cancer drug trial each year and Cancer Trials Ireland wants to double this to 1,300 each year.

Speaking at the launch, Professor Bryan Hennessy, Clinical Lead with Cancer Trials Ireland and Consultant Oncologist at Beaumont Hospital said: “Cancer trial participation is a no-brainer. Cancer trials find treatments that stop people dying from cancer, they enable patients to get treatments not available by other means and they save the HSE cancer medication costs.

To find out more about the Just Ask Your Doctor! campaign, visit cancertrials.ie/justask/

1 June 2017 GAZETTE 15

HEALTH: TODAY’S THE DAY TO RAISE AWARENESS OF A LITTLE-KNOWN GENETIC DISEASE

Fighting haemochromatosis, the iron disorder known as ‘Celtic Mutation’ A NEW CAMPAIGN to reduce the numbers of people suffering unnecessarily from ‘Celtic Mutation’ disease was launched last week ahead of today’s National Haemochromatosis Awareness Day. Hereditary

Haemochromatosis is an iron overload disorder that causes people to absorb excessive amounts of dietary iron. This excess absorption may in time lead to serious organ damage.

The genetic condition is especially prevalent among the Irish – hence the ‘Celtic Mutation’ moniker.

Health Minister Simon Harris has joined forces with world rowing champion Niall O’Toole – who has the genetic disorder – and Dublin GAA star Jack McCaffrey, left, to launch the new Iron Overload campaign, which seeks to raise awareness of the condition.

While Jack doesn’t have the ‘Celtic Mutation’ himself, as a final year medical student he knows all too well about Haemochromatosis and is delighted to help raise awareness.

There are information stands at shopping centres and hospitals around the country today – the full list of which can be viewed at www.haemochromatosis-ir.com.

If you have any concerns about the condition, please call the Irish Haemochromatosis Association support group at 01 873 5911.

Health Minister Simon Harris with Jack McCaffrey and Niall O’Toole. Pictures: Marc O’Sullivan

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DUBLINLIFE

N O S ’ T A H W

E D I U G S T N E EV with JAMES HENDICOTT

Forbidden Fruit

The June bank holiday festival has got progressively more beat-driven over recent years, and has largely followed the same theme this time around. Orbital, Aphex Twin, Bon Iver, Flying Lotus, Booka Shade and many more are set to light up the Kilmainham Hospital grounds.

June 3-5

Taking it slow HAM SANDWICH’S

unstoppable plod to the top

VHI Women’s Mini Marathon

Thousands take to the streets of Dublin on Bank Holiday Monday to pavement pound their way around the city centre in the name of health and charity.

Entries are long since closed, but it’s quite a spectacle. June 5

BRAY SEAFRONT VINTA GE

CAR SHOW

Back To The Future

The classic movie gets a big-screen outing in Merrion Square as the latest in ‘Happening’s series of events, which will also feature a live performance from 80s-aping Dubliners Spring Break.

Marty’s back. June 8

Ireland v Uruguay

Two of world football’s most successful smaller nations meet at the Aviva. While there’s no guarantee of an appearance from a certain Mr Suarez, a contest against South American highfliers Uruguay is a great summer friendly offering for the boys in green. June 4.

Howth Trad Fest

The peninsula will bring eight venues to life over an extended bank holiday weekend as the likes of Kila, Declan O’Rourke and Andy Irvine take to a Smithwick’s trail. The festival will also feature outdoor performances and a nice selection of free gigs to get your teeth into. June 2-5.

Guardian Football Weekly

The Guardian’s popular soccer podcast comes to the National Boxing Stadium, with the panel discuss all that’s entertaining about the game. Starring Football Italia legend James Richardson and a host of the Guardian and Ireland’s finest. June 7.

Vantastival

75% music festival, 25% love in for all things campervan, Vantastival has relocated to the grounds of Beaulieu House (Drogheda) in recent years, and offers arguably Ireland’s most chilled out festival vibe, together with a lineup packed with local talent. June 3-5.

Bray Seafront Vintage Car Show

A celebration of pre-1990s cars takes over Bray Seafront for a few hours adding the vehicles, face painting and live music to the usual beach buzz. June 4.

New album of the week

Haim - Something To Tell You. Long awaited second album from the infectious pop rockers, who quickly became the sound of 2013 when their debut broke in a big way in time for festival season. Will the three sisters strike again four years on?

Pictures: Dara Munnis

MUSIC

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Almost two years on from their number one album ‘Stories From The Surface’, the Kells indie act are riding slow and enjoying the view...  JAMES HENDICOTT

H

AM SANDWICH have never been a band to rush things. After their Irish number one album Stories From The Surface - their third full-length - saw them reach their highest ebb so far back in Spring 2015, the Kells act stepped up to larger venues as opportunities rushed before them.

They’ve never been the type of band to “cash in”, however. It’s taken well over a decade to get to three albums, a journey that’s taken the five-piece to a host of the UK’s biggest festivals. Their laidback outlook still finds them, the night before our interview, performing secret shows at short notice in the heart of Dublin, essentially for the sake of performing.

Niamh Farrell, an iconic frontwoman on the Irish indie scene, tells us where things stand in 2017: “We’ve started working on new music, but we’re not the kind of band to put anything out until we’re really ready,” Farrell explains.

“But we’ve been down to Dingle recently for a weekend to work on a few songs and spend some time as a band, to really gel. We don’t know when the next album will be, but we never really did. We’ll have to see how it goes.

“What we have so far is a lot groovier, a lot funkier,” she says of the progress already made.

“We just do our own thing. We even had a time apart before, but it was just to do our own thing.

People misconstrued it as a break up. It wasn’t, it was more refreshing ourselves over that Christmas.

We were really buzzing after some time apart, it really helped us move forward.”

Part of Ham Sandwich’s appeal has always been their willingness to do things slightly differently, from some of their earliest album performances involving guerilla gigs in the streets of Dublin, to Farrell’s famous Hot Press cover, nude, aside from a coating of copies of the magazine.

“We like new experiences,” she explains. “We’re creative, and playing the same venues again and again isn’t the ideal. We like to challenge ourselves. A gig like last night [the secret Dublin show] can be harder than walking out somewhere like the Olympia. It’s really intimate, totally surrounded by people, and pin drop silent. That can be quite intimidating.

“It’s the same with the album. Having a number one has definitely opened doors, and helped with radio play, which gets more people coming to gigs.

We always had people who were great at dragging their mates along to shows, but we’ve had more people since the album

who’ve come along and told us they know us from new tracks on the radio. But we’re not going to just put another album out for the sake of it, we need to get it right.”

It’s long been a tradition that some of the more successful Irish indie/ rock acts relocate to London, simply because of the size of the UK market. While the likes of The Coronas have hopped across the water and started at the bottom, however, Farrell cites family commitments and the difficulty of relocating a group of five and their differing lives as a good reason to stay put.

“Years ago, we thought about it,” she admits. “But it’s a huge deal for five people to up sticks like that.

We still go there gigging a lot. We’ve dealt with it by bringing shows together in groups and doing a lot when we get over there in a short space of time, to get your money’s worth. It’s expensive going over, especially for an independent band like us.”

Perhaps the harder moments over the years have kept Ham Sandwich here, too. Manager Derek Nally died of a heart attack in 2010, right around the time Ham Sandwich were putting out their popular second album.

“Derek only heard the final version of ‘Ants’ (one of the band’s biggest singles) once before it happened,” Farrell explains.

“The day of the funeral, we had to go back and do our first day of recording [on second album ‘White Fox’]. But we know if he’d been there he’d have been the one pushing us to do it. It’s hard not to think of him at certain times.”

Ham Sandwich’s second-album success came full circle recently, when Farrell dropped down to the Hot Press covers exhibition in Temple Bar to check out several decades of covers, including her own.

“There are so many more women in music now.

I think it’s a confidence thing,” she says, thinking back to the cover, and citing rising act Rosa Nutty as a recent inspiration.

“She’s right: the fairer sex isn’t quite at parity at the top of the indie scene, but it’s definitely becoming more balanced next to the male-fronted indie of ten years ago.

While backed by four men - including the memorable madness of guitarist Podge McNamee - Farrell has played a huge role there, and it’s a testament to where the band stand.

Ham Sandwich’s 14 year, three album journey has plodded for a reason: they do things slowly, when they’re ready to be done. But they get them right.

Ham Sandwich play Live At Leopardstown on June 22, as well as festivals in Cork, Kilkenny and Wexford over the summer.

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can steal Glenda’s hair secrets!

Keratin Smooth Shampoo and Conditioner: To protect her hair against the unpredictable Irish weather, Glenda uses TRESemme Keratin Smooth Shampoo and Conditioner.

Newly reinvigorated, the range now includes Marula Oil, which leaves hair smooth, soft and frizz-free for 72 hours.

Keratin Smooth Heat Protect Spray: Always rushing between jobs, Glenda protects her hair from constant use of hairdryers and straighteners by using Keratin Smooth Heat Protect Spray.

The spray protects hair from heat up to 230° and can guarantee professionalquality smoothness.

Due to its dual benefit nature, this is Glenda’s must-have product in the range.

Volumising Dry Shampoo: For an instant refresh on and off camera, Glenda swears by TRESemme Dry Shampoo for adding touchable texture and salonready hair on the go.

Penneys t-shirt €8 dress €15 backpack €12

POPULAR hair brand TRESemme has announced its first-ever Irish ambassador – TV presenter and model Glenda Gilson.

The anchor for TV3’s Xpose show follows in the footsteps of previous TRESemme ambassador Chrissy Teigen as the new face of the haircare brand.

TRESemme was founded by Edna L Emme, a trailblazer who is remembered for her beauty, intelligence and tenacity, and the brand wanted its first Irish ambassador to be someone who would embody these same qualities.

Speaking on her new role, Glenda said: “I always think when your hair looks good, you feel good. I was delighted when TRESemme invited me to be its ambassador.

“I genuinely love the brand and use it all the time. The team have been great to work with, and my hair has never looked better!”

For Glenda, it’s essential her hair is always camera-ready and now everyone

H&M sundress €49.99

Glenda’s our gal to help show how TRESemme’s range of haircare help her look so good

1 June 2017 GAZETTE 19

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STYLE

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ASOS Novelty Flamingo & Fruits necklace €24.32

summer Jump start your

wardrobe  EMMA NOLAN, Style Editor

Alex and Ani bangles €49 each

Life Style Sports adidas Originals floral backpack €35

Ah the June Bank Holiday weekend – sunshine, payday and a Monday off.

There’s lots on this June Bank Holiday, and whether you’re heading to Forbidden Fruit festival here in Dublin or planning a weekend away, the occasion calls for some new summery bits.

Have fun with vibrant florals, inventive layering and bold accessories to toast the beginning of summer.

The high street along with ASOS have some great and affordable options right now, with new summer stock dropping just in time for June.

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GOT A CRAVING FOR...

FOOD&DRINK

Awards keep coming for Dublin’s Exchequer Bar  EMMA NOLAN DUBLIN’S Exchequer Bar has won the title of Best Gastro Pub Dublin at the Restaurant Awards Ireland 2017.

The team say they are delighted to have beaten out some incredible competition to take home the win.

These awards recognise achievement and excellence in the Restaurant and Hospitality Industry throughout the 32 counties on the Island of Ireland. Having won the AllIreland Best Cocktail Experience at the RAI awards 2016 and showcasing their talents at Tales of The Cocktail, the world’s biggest mixology expo, The Exchequer team are excited to continue their award winning streak in 2017 and this achievement is a great way to cement their reputation.

At The Exchequer D2 customers can enjoy award winning cocktails and a new menu designed by head chef, Anthony Gaughan. To find out more go to www.theexchequer.ie

Mango and Passionfruit Mousse Tartlets

by Siucra and Catherine Fulvio

Mango and Passionfruit Mousse Tartlets by Siucra and Catherine Fulvio Get exotic with these mini tartlets! A creamy filling is flavoured with sweet and tangy tropical fruits and encased in a crunchy pastry base to make this perfect summer dessert.

For added convenience, the pastry bases can be made ahead of time. Makes 8 tartlets

INGREDIENTS

Pastry - 200g plain white flour - ¼ tsp salt - 100g butter 2 tbsp Siucra Icing Sugar - 1 egg yolk- 2 to 3 tbsp cold water FILLING 2 ripe mangoes, pureed - 3 passion fruit, juice only (sieve pulp) 100g Siúcra Caster Sugar - 2 eggs - ½ lemon, zest only 200ml cream TO DECORATE 2 passion fruit, pulp - Sweet geranium leaves or mint leaves METHOD 1. Preheat the oven to 190°C /170°C /gas 5.

2. Sieve the flour and salt into a bowl.

3. Rub the butter into the flour until it resembles fine breadcrumbs.

4. Mix in the Siucra Icing Sugar. Add the egg yolk and a little water to the flour mixture. Bind together, adding a more water if needed. If the dough is too sticky then add a little flour.

5. Shape the dough into a ball, flatten slightly and wrap in cling film. Leave in the fridge to rest for at least 1 hour.

6. Brush the tartlet tins or tray with melted butter and dust with flour.

Shake the excess out.

7. Flour a clean surface and roll out pastry until 3-5mm thick.

8. Use a cutter to shape and then line the tartlet tray with pastry into the base and up the sides.

9. Line each tartlet case with parchment paper and fill with some baking beans.

10. Bake for 8 - 10 minutes.

11. Remove the baking beans and lining.

12. Brush with egg wash and return to oven for a further 3 to 4 minutes.

13. Combine the mango puree and passion fruit together and whisk in the Siúcra Caster Sugar together with the eggs over a bain marie until light and fluffy.

14. Stir in the lemon zest. Leave to cool.

15. Whip the cream and fold it into the mango puree and passion fruit mixture. Leave in the fridge for about 20 minutes to firm up.

16. Spoon the mix into the cold tartlet cases.

17. To decorate, place about ½ tsp of passion fruit onto each tartlet and a sweet geranium or mint leaf on each.

Recipe courtesy of Siucra. For more information on Siucra products along with recipes, tips and videos visit www.siucra.ie.

Celebrating Spain’s signature cuisine THURSDAY, June 15, is World Tapas Day and restaurants and venues around Ireland are celebrating Spain’s famous small plates with special menus and offers.

For those looking to join in the World Tapas Day celebrations in Ireland many restaurants, bars and venues will offer special menus and promotions on June 15 including The Port House who will be offering Almejas con Jamon (clams with ham and sherry) plus a glass of wine for €10, No. 5 Vinoteca on Merrion Row will have a special set menu including six tapas and two glasses of Cava for €50 for two sharing, Piglet in Temple Bar will offer two tapas and a glass of wine for €9.50, Market Bar on Fade Street will offer guests a tapas sampler for €15, available from 12-5pm it will include three tapas, a dessert and a glass of Sangria.

Cava Bodega in Galway will be offering complimentary churros to

guests having five or more tapas on the day.

Culminating at Taste of Dublin in the Iveagh Gardens, the Spanish Tourism Board will be celebrating World Tapas Day with a feature stand alongside The Port House restaurant.

They’ll be offering delicious samples of tapas with fantastic Spanish wines and chefs Manu Liria and Pedro Santana from Lanzarote will be performing a culinary demonstration at the four-day event showcasing Spanish cuisine and signature dishes from the island.

With plenty of interesting aspects of Spanish cuisine to explore, World Tapas Day is an excellent opportunity to discover new tastes and flavours.

Buen provecho!

Further information about all the activities and promotions can be seen at the website: www.spain.info/en_IE/ world-tapas-day-ireland/

1 June 2017 GAZETTE 21

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TRAVEL Whisk yourself off on a dream holiday with one of these offers Summer Deals: • July 25 – Ireland West Airport to Costa Dorada, California Garden, Salou, 3*, half-board, seven nights from €679pps (www. falconholidays.ie).

• Last minute Algarve – 3* Rosamar I Aparthotel, departing June 8, seven nights selfcatering, from €425pps including transfers (www.clickandgo.com).

• June 19 – Cork to Majorca, Bellevue Minerva, Alcudia, 2*, all-inclusive, seven nights from €1,169pps (www.falconholidays. ie).

• June 5 – Crete, Rethymnon, 3* Axos Apartments (2 adults, 1 child), departing June 5 for seven nights on a self-catering basis, from €1,115 per family (clickandgo.com).

Longhaul Offers: • June 28 – Dublin to Mexico, Azul Fives by Karisma, Playa Del Carmen, 5*, all-inclusive, 14 nights from €1,969pp (www.falconholidays. ie).

• July 12 – Dublin to Mexico, Grand Bahia Principe Coba, Riviera Maya, 4*, allinclusive, 14 nights from €1,959pp (www.falconholidays.ie).

Cruise deal of the week – from €979 Explore the ‘Treasures of the Mediterranean’ with a seven-night cruise on board the Thomson Majesty, taking in Majorca, Sicily, Sorrento, Rome, Corsica and Menorca.

Price includes flights, transfers, 27kg of checked-in luggage and seven nights in an inside cabin on a full-board basis. Departing on June 20 with a flight from Dublin to Majorca, prices start at €979pps; phone 1850 453 545.

Classic views of crystal-clear waters and sun-soaked sands from around the Canaries ... (Clockwise from top left) Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura

FALCON DEALS: SUNSEEKERS SHOULD WING IT TO THE SUN-KISSED ISLANDS

Summer’s here – so fly away to the Canaries

 SYLVIA POWNALL Travel Editor

WHETHER you’re a winter sun seeker or a lover of long, sunny summer days, it’s hard to go wrong with any of the Canary Islands – but each one holds something unique to visitors.

Should you go to the largest island, Tenerife, or try one of the smaller ones? Is nightlife important or do you want adventurous hikes and trips into nature?

Maybe your only goal is to relax on a warm, sandy beach?

Whatever you have in mind, Falcon will help you find the perfect Canary Island for your trip ...

Tenerife As the largest of the four main islands, Tenerife provides you with lots to see and do. This island is home to the famous

Mount Teide and, if you’re an outdoor enthusiast, the surrounding national park will keep you happy for days on end.

Not that Tenerife shies away from creature comforts, though – the island boasts Michelin-starred restaurants and the tourist resorts offer a wonderful experience.

The nightlife is buzzing, especially when there are festivals taking place. This is when the capital, Santa Cruz, takes on a Mardi Gras feel with street parties and parades. The beaches, villages, restaurants and nature spread right across the island allow you to have it all your way on Tenerife.

Gran Canaria The resorts here are world-renowned and there’s even a volcanic mountain, like on its bigger sister, Tenerife.

However, it’s the beach-

es and the charm of the villages – where you can escape the crowds for a romantic getaway – that set Gran Canaria apart.

The island’s trademark tropical lager will hit the spot after a day spent exploring and the seafood is second to none.

Gran Canaria has an active nightlife near the resorts and in the main cities, meaning you can combine the best of both worlds.

Lanzarote Lanzarote has something of an otherworldly feel due to the volcanic cone shapes around the island – where the original Planet of the Apes TV series was filmed – particularly in Timanfaya National Park.

This is also one of the youngest of the islands and showcases some modern architecture, thanks to the creative architectural

style of Cesar Manrique, who fought to stop highrises from taking over.

More recently, the island has become popular with active travellers who are into cycling, mountain biking, running or watersports.

If you’re lacing up your tennis shoes or popping on your gear for some beach volleyball while reading this, Lanzarote might just be for you.

And don’t forget to check out w w w.lanzarotewinetours.com while you’re there, and say hello to Paddy!

Fuerteventura Fuerteventura is one of the more organic Canary Islands. It’s a no-addedsugar sort of place, where the buildings are low-rise and the landscape has been built up by biology rather than bulldozers.

But that’s not to say nothing goes on here – in

fact, as most of the Canaries creak to life around mid-morning, Fuerteventura has been up for hours catering for the people who want to fit it all in.

Other islands T he other Canar y Islands are easy to get to and are ideal day-trip destinations from these islands.

La Palma is a UNESCO biosphere reserve and is a

good location for wideranging nature outings.

La Gomera is another secluded nature retreat, whereas the smallest of the islands, El Hierro, is relatively untouched by tourism and is a refreshing day trip.

Each of the Canary Islands represents something different, but the one thing they all have in common is their awe-inspiring beauty.

Canary Island Late Deals • June 2, Dublin to Tenerife, Labranda Oasis Mango, Los Cristianos, 3*, SC, 7 nights from €679pps • June 8, Cork to Lanzarote, San Marcial, Matagorda, 2*, SC, 7 nights from €599pps • June 8, Dublin to Gran Canaria, Gran Amadores Apartments, Amadores, 2*, SC, 7 nights from €479pps.

To book, visit www.falconholidays.ie, or call Falcon at 1850 45 35 45.

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DUBLINLIFE

FASTNews

Renault Kangoo

Renault develops wireless electric car charging RENAULT has recently demonstrated a new wireless electric vehicle charging (DEVC) system, which allows vehicles to charge while driving.

The new system is capable of charging an electric vehicle dynamically with a charge of up to 20 kilowatts at speeds up to, and in excess of, 100km/ hr (62mph).

The DEVC system has been designed to support real-world implementation of dynamic charging. The two Renault Kangoo ZE vehicles that were used in the development of the system showed how they can pick up charge in both directions along the specially built 100 metre test track near Paris.

Renault has worked with Qualcomm Technologies and Vedecom as part of an €9 million EU part-funded FABRIC project.

The DEVC system will shortly be handed over to Vedecom to perform tests. These tests will evaluate the operation and efficiency of energy transfer to the vehicles for a wide range of practical scenarios.

“We see dynamic charging as a great vision to further enhance the ease of use of EVs, and the accessibility of EVs for all,” said Eric Feunteun, Electric Vehicle program director, Groupe Renault.

Think about your car and don’t pollute THERE are some useful and simple strategies that all car owners need to consider in order to make your contribution to lowering city pollution levels. A small amount of planning and preparation will go a long way in minimising your carbon footprint. The added bonus is the money you save on fuel.

Packing unnecessary weight into our cars is just one of the factors that are heavily impacting the environment. It is worthwhile spending some time de-cluttering your car’s boot as the extra weight makes your engine work harder, leading to increased fuel consumption.

Leaving your engine running when you are not moving or parked, also wastes a lot of fuel. Start your engine when you are about to move, and if your vehicle is fitted with stop-start make sure you know how to properly use it.

Check your tyre pressures as underinflated tyres waste valuable fuel. And while you are at it remove any unused roof racks or roof boxes. Keeping windows closed at high speeds reduces drag but go gentle on the air conditioning and other electrical extras as they are well known to be more demanding on the engine.

The XC60 gets the R-Design treatment

Volvo has a distinctive offer for the XC60, its best-selling SUV, with the R-Design specification.

This gives the SUV a sportier look, from wheels to seats you’ll notice the R-Design difference, says Michael Moroney VOLVO has given the XC60, its best-selling midsize SUV, the R-Design treatment in an effort to give the car a different and stand alone type personality. The target is to give drivers the option of choosing an SUV that can be more individual than the standard version, which depending on colour and styling, can need some distinction.

R-Design at Volvo means a sportier appearance coupled with some chassis adjustments to match higher engine performance. This is a styling where detail is important to make the car distinctive, from the lower suspension to the sports seats and subtle interior designs that will be noticed by those with a flair for style.

All Volvo R-Design cars, including the XC60, feature a unique frameless Tech Matte Black grille, has high-gloss black stripes, a silk metal

diagonal and a refined R-Designed emblem. The DRL lights in the outer corners are designed to reinforce the low, roadhugging impression.

There are subtle design changes to the front bumper while at the rear there is a unique diffuser with aero fins flanked by the round, high-tech R-Design chrome exhaust pipes.

On the inside it comes with a blend of black Nubuck textile and perforated leather seat coverings with an embroidered R-Design logo.

The seat support is one of the most instantly noticeable features with hugging side support all the way from the thighs to the shoulders. Seat adjustment is very good and within minutes I was comfortable in the car, with little need for further adjustment over the full length of my test drive period.

The dash area includes

an adaptive digital display feature that gives the driver the option to switch between three layouts with different configuration and functionality Elegance, Eco and Performance. In the R-Design versions, the Elegance theme boasts a radiant blue colour.

There are a lot of interior design features team to emphasise how distinctive R-Design is. The dash area itself combines black leather and contrasting stitching. There is a new stainless steel tread plate with a bright blue ‘R’ in the R-Design emblem as yet another unique design detail.

The test car was powered by Volvo’s all aluminium 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine that’s rated at 190bhp, which is powerful for a car in the midSUV class. The engine is smoother than in the past and delivers an impressive 400Nm of torque. That’s

Entry prices start at €39,995 and there are lots of options to add over €13,000 to the test car, which makes it an expensive option

Volvo XC60 R-Design 2.0 D4

SPECIFICATIONS Engine Engine power 0 – 100km/hr Economy Fuel Tank Capacity CO2 emissions Road Tax Band Main Service Euro NCAP Rating Warranty Entry Price

2.0 litre 190hp 8.1 seconds 21km/litre (4.7/100km or 60mpg) 70 litres 124g/km B1 €270 20,000km/12 mnths 5 star (2009) 3 years (100,000km) €39,995

The dash for the Volvo XC60 R-Design

enough to give the relatively heavy SUV impressive acceleration at 8.1 seconds in a 0 to 100km/ hr race.

The car was matched to a smooth automatic gearbox that includes paddle shift control to add to the sporty effect. I drove long distances over much of the

week, clocking in almost 900km and found that I was using the auto box without paddle shift most of the time, with fuel economy very much in mind.

The vehicle has a fuel economy rating of 21km/ litre (4.7/100km or 60mpg), which is impressive given its power ability.

1 June 2017 GAZETTE 23

GAZETTE

MOTORING

Skoda goes compact in new Karoq

I achieved a figure closer to 30% less than this, which still gave me a good driving range of more than 1,000km on the full 70 litre capacity fuel tank.

Overall, that’s a good level of economy for what is a substantial, mid-size SUV with lots of sporty driving features.

Volvo claims that the R-Design Sport chassis has been lowered 15mm and the spring stiffness is 15% higher compared with the chassis in the standard S60 and V60.

The XC60 R-Design chassis is also stiffer than the standard car.

The sport effect was not too pronounced and I liked that, because I don’t want to feel every bump on the road, just to get a more responsive engine and gearbox.

Volvo has included some electronic systems that claim to sharpen the sporty driving experience in the R-Design cars.

Corner Traction Control which uses torque vectoring to provide smoother cornering is now also standard on the XC60.

The DSTC (Dynamic Stability and Traction Control) system also has several other functions that improve driving and safety properties, such as advanced stability control.

Engine Drag Control is also included to prevent the wheels from losing their grip during engine braking on a slippery surface. The DSTC system also has a sports setting that makes it possible for the driver to disable the anti-spin function.

This car comes with a high Volvo safety rating although it does not have a recent independent Euro NCAP safety rating. Volvo claims that the XC60 comes with one of the most comprehensive standard safety offers available in the segment, including City Safety, which offers a range of collision avoidance including pedestrian and cyclist detection.

The test car came with Volvo’s Style Pack, which includes front and rear park assist, rear parking camera, interior light-

This Volvo is powered by a twin-turbo all-aluminium diesel engine that delivers 190bhp and 400Nm of torque

SKODA has now unveiled its new smaller compact SUV called Karoq which will be available to Dublin motorists later this year.

The Karoq claims space and functionality for five people but as yet no prices are available.

It will be offered with an array of new technologies including driver-assistance systems.

Full‑LED headlights are featured and for the first time in a Skoda, a digital instrument panel.

Five engine variants will be available from 115bhp to 190bhp, of which four are new. A number of new clever features are also included in the new compact SUV, including a rear-seat VarioFlex system and a virtual pedal for the hands-free opening of the boot.

Skoda claims that the Karoq luggage compartment has a capacity of 521 litres with the rear seats in place, increasing to 1,630 litres with the rear seats folded down.

The VarioFlex system consists of three separate seats, which can be individually adjusted.

The seats can also be completely removed to reveal van like proportions with a maximum load capacity of 1,810 litres.

Skoda claims that the capability of pairing a car with a Smartphone has reached a new level in the Karoq. The SmartLink+ platform, compatible with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Mir-

rorLinkTM, is likely to be standard in the new compact SUV. The driver assistance systems for the new Karoq include Park Assist, Lane Assist and Traffic Jam Assist. Blind Spot Detect, Front Assist with predictive pedestrian protection and Emergency Assist serve to increase safety.

The Karoq will be offered with five engine variants, two petrol and three diesel engines on offer.

The two petrol engines and two of the diesels are new in the line-up.

The power range is from 115bhp to 190bhp. All engines are with turbo-charged direct injection units and come with start/stop technology and brake energy recovery and comply with EU 6 regulations.

With the exception of the most powerful diesel, all can be ordered with a 6-speed manual gearbox or 7-speed DSG. The 2.0 TDI with 190bhp comes as standard with 4×4 drive and 7-speed DSG. The new 1.5 TSI has the special feature of cylinder deactivation.

From the Ambition trim level upwards, Driving Mode Select with the Normal, Sport, Eco, Individual and Snow (4x4) modes is available on request.

The Off-Road mode with allwheel drive improves the driving characteristics on rough terrain.

European car sales fall as diesel loses dominance This Volvo XC60 R-Design was fitted with 265/60R18 tyres that gave the car an almost off-road impression, even though the chassis is lower than the standard models

ing high, dark tinted rear windows and a high performance sound system.

The entry prices for the XC60 are from €39,995 and when you take the

R-Design choice expect to be tempted to significantly up the specifications list but be prepared for the noticeably extra price hike as a result.

EUROPEAN car registrations totalled 1.22 million units in April 2017, a drop of 7.1% when compared to April 2016.

This was the largest monthly decline seen since March 2013 Diesel cars saw a dramatic 15% decline in registrations in April, performing well below the market average. Diesel car sales accounted for just 46% of the market in April 2017,

compared to its 50% market share in April 2016.

Sales of SUV’s across Europe continued to grow, posting an increase in registrations of 7.2%. MPV’s have gone out of favour with registrations shrinking by 21.3%. The Volkswagen Golf regained its position as Europe’s most popular car model, after the Ford Fiesta took the spot in March.

GAZETTE

24 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 1 June 2017

DUBLINLIFE

ReelReviews

BAYWATCH

Plumbs the depths IT’S not easy to take an old piece of TV fluff and make something with even less plot and character, but Baywatch (Cert 15A, 116 mins) has risen – or sunk – to the challenge. If you’ve ever wanted to see Zac Efron and Dwayne Johnson run about, flexing their muscles, this is the film for you! Anyone else, however, won’t find much to enjoy in this charmless, frequently cheap-looking reboot.

SALAZAR’S REVENGE Caribbean pirates ahoi!

JOHNNY Depp returns to his most famous – not to mention successful – role as Jack Sparow in the latest of the Pirates franchise (Cert 12A, 129 mins). It’s more of the same for Pirates fans – ridiculously entertaining setpieces, a slightly plodding plot, and great actors having a go at being a pirate. Here, the always watchable Javier Bardem steals the show as Sparrow’s latest nemesis.

KING ARTHUR Swords losers

ABOUT to stagger off cinema screens after being slashed by critics, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (Cert 12A, 126 mins) looks set to go down as one of the year’s biggest flops. Director Guy Ritchie’s gritty reimagining of the King Arfurr legend is interesting in parts, and Charlie Hunnam is fine in the beefcake-with-a-destiny lead role, but it’s pretty underwhelming stuff.

CINEMA

ALIEN COVENANT: DESPITE PLENTY OF FLAWS, IT’S AN INTERESTING PREQUEL

New sci-fi delivers a shipload of dark dread THERE’RE a lot of things that Alien Covenant gets right.

Director Ridley Scott returns to the series that legitimised sci-fi horror with layer upon layer of pitch-black terror, alongside brooding, creeping tension and a retrofuturistic aesthetic that gracefully walks the line between homage to instalments gone by (1979’s Alien and 1986’s Aliens, to be clear) and the sleek, polished sci-fi of Covenant’s predecessor, 2013’s Prometheus.

As another prequel to the original film, Covenant shares much with Prometheus, packing in another talented cast, featuring Michael Fassbender, Katherine Waterston (who stood out in last year’s Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them), the incredible Danny McBride, and Billy Crudup, who’s been on point recently with fantastic

 MARTIN MACNAMARA

turns in Jackie, and 20th Century Women.

Unfortunately, Alien: Covenant also shares Prometheus’s most grave indiscretion: a narrative regrettably riddled with plot holes and oversights.

Scott may have proclaimed that he “doesn’t do backstory” (whatever that means) in a recent interview, and that’s all well and good, apart from when you’re directing a film that supposedly exists as explanatory prequel to a beloved series – as well as being a sequel to a film that already raised more

Michael Fassbender returns, this time playing two Synthetics (androids): David, and Walter

questions than gave answers ...

The main plot begins in 2104 on board The Covenant: a ship on a colonisation mission, carrying 2,000 passengers bound for a remote but hospitable planet, while Synthetic android Walter (Fassbender) monitors the sleeping crew.

When disaster and tragedy render Oram (Crudup) the ship’s new captain, the mission is altered and the crew set out after a distress call from an apparently hospitable paradise planet. However, Daniels (Waterston) is wary of the planet – and rightly so.

Soon, an encounter with the only surviving member of the Pro-

Tennessee Faris (Danny McBride) and Daniels Branson (Katherine Waterston) are going on a bug hunt – or are they the ones being hunted, in Alien Covenant?

metheus, another Synthetic, David (also Fassbender) leads to the kind of Alien terror fans of the series have been dying for ever since the announcement of Prometheus.

Covenant certainly delivers on much of the untapped potential of its precursor. After a slow, creeping build-up, paradise comes crashing down.

The eventual burst of violence here is genuinely disturbing and gloriously executed; the foreboding sense of dread that precedes it more tense than anything we’ve been offered in horror since last year’s The Wytch.

The performances here are fantastic – in particular, Fassbender in his dual role. Thoughtful, human

turns from each of the leads make up for the glaring lack of character exposition at the beginning of the film; indeed, most of the character forming was relegated to an online teaser film months ago – a nice treat, but a poor decision on Scott’s part.

We never really get to know these characters and, accordingly, when they start to be picked off one by one, it’s hard to care about what happens to them.

To pick through each of the film’s more problematic plot holes would be to ruin the eventual surprises that come in Covenant’s third act.

It’s unfortunate that Scott seems to have gleaned little from the hostile reaction to Pro-

metheus’s narrative missteps – consequently, Covenant plays less like a return to form and more as a thrilling, though occasionally infuriating reminder of what made his original film so breathtakingly terrifying.

There’s plenty here for Alien purists and those willing to dig into the wider mythology of the series; newcomers and casual watchers will be left scratching their heads.

If you’re willing to allow Scott his rejection of “backstory”, this is an unsettling, stimulating adventure that delights and disgusts the senses in equal measure and promises more – let’s hope Scott’s next sequel makes good on it.

Verdict: 7/10

1 June 2017 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 25

GAZETTE

TECH Pictures: @mohikan1974

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: ONE DAY, CATASTROPHE COULD HIT WORLD’S DATA

The dangers of a digital doomsday Feel-good gaming “Haiiiiiiiiiiii!” Unbridled joy at

finding his cardboard Switch

console had become a real one!

shot of the year

TWITTER user Mohikan (@mohikan1974) gave the internet an absolutely heartwarming picture (top) that only a heart of stone wouldn’t like, as well as perhaps earning himself a nod as Japanese Dad of the Year 2017.

Noticing that his creative son had made a cardboard Nintendo Switch (above) to play with, Mohikan took the hint and sneakily put a real Switch inside some cardboard (right) when his son was taking a bath, Tweeting: “I wonder when he’ll notice”. The result? The picture at the top, showing his absolutely ecstatic son!

Whether this ever emerges as brilliant guerilla marketing from Nintendo, or is just what it appears to be, it’s a charming photo and story that captures the passion for gaming and the hopes of youth in one exuberant photo. Good job, Mohikan-san!

Nintendo’s worth switches upwards STAYING with the Nintendo Switch, sales of the quirky console-that’salso-a-handheld have proven to be a hit for the company, following the disappointments of its previous hardware sales.

Despite the initial bemused response to the new console, and its comparative lack of presence (on Irish shores, at least), the Switch has quietly hit its stride in the few short months that it’s been on release.

It has just been announced that Nin-

tendo’s share price has hit a seven-year high, with strong international sales, and some notable launch titles, giving it an unexpected but welcome running start.

It’s thought that the console’s sales alone aren’t solely responsible for Nintendo’s good fortune, with its recent initial forays into mobile gaming also affecting its revenues and share price.

Either way, the boost is welcome news for the august gaming company, and for gamers in general.

THERE are many things that Stephen Fr y is already well known as – an actor, an author, a bon viveur, a comedian, an activist, a presenter – and now, perhaps, there’s an unusual addition to this list: a digital doomsayer!

Having established quite a name for himself as a keen techie and early adopter of new tech trends, the sharp-witted character had some interesting thoughts on modern digital life when he was speaking at Hay Literary Festival recently.

In between some sharp comments on the likes of Facebook and other digital platforms needing to step up and accept more responsibility for the content that they publish, Fry also took aim at our increasingly digitally-reliant world, which could see everything from our opt-in interactions (such as Instagram selfies) to compulsory participation (government records) at risk of sudden, spectacular failure.

Perhaps his words took sustenance from the global chaos created by WannaCry recently, the low-tech ransomware worm which crippled a variety of banking systems, health services, and other networks

Stephen Fry: “An extinction-level event ... will delete all the archives and accumulated data of our existences and create a kind of digital winter for humankind”

 SHANE DILLON sdillon@dublingazette.com

that were unexpectedly brought to their knees by its relatively unsophisticated attack.

He went on to warn: “An extinction-level event ... will obliterate our title deeds, eliminate our personal records, annul our bank accounts and life savings, delete all the archives and accumulated data of our existences and create a kind of digital winter for humankind.”

Strong words, if not more than a little alarmist, but his words are not without a grain of truth.

Speaking of grains – bear with me – it’s well known that the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, set in the remote Arctic Svalbard archipelago about 1,300 kilometres from the North Pole, contains thousands of varities of seeds and grains from every corner of the world.

In the event of a global catastrophe, the Svalbard Vault, and others, are expected to provide the means for Man to survive,

Tech sector equality put in the spotlight GOOGLE is busy across the pond at the moment, where it’s been squaring up to the US government in a row over wages.

Specifically, the US Department of Labor (DoL) has accused the company of under-

What’s the link between a doomsday seed vault on the edge of the world and comedian Stephen Fry? Read on, and find out ... Composite: Shane Dillon

and replant the world.

But what is the digital counterpart to the Svalbard Vault, should a global digital doomsday hit?

What if all the data in The Cloud were to be maliciously attacked, or otherwise rendered useless?

The answer, of course, is

paying women.

Strongly rejecting the charge, Google has said that it would cost too much, and take too much time, to go through all its data and records to compile enough data to satisfy the DoL. The DoL requested the information as Google is a federal contractor, which means it’s required to comply with equal

that no such ‘digital seed bank’ exists, with so-called Big Data (stored by governments, megacorporations etc) potentially just as much at risk as ‘small data’ – the shots of your holiday last year that yuo keep on your phone.

There’s no need to panic

opportunity laws and allow its records to be investigated – except with a huge employee base and complex records, Google has argued the logistics and cost of preparing the info for the DoL are just too difficult.

Whatever the final resolution to the case, it’s an interesting issue to follow across the entire tech sector.

just yet, but as we all head towards an increasingly digitally-reliant future, it’s perhaps worth considering Fry’s words. Ask yourself if you’ve backed up, copied or otherwise saved the digital data that you now rely on others to store. If you haven’t, start!

A fascinating look at Facebook’s rules I WOULDN’T normally direct people to another paper, but The Guardian’s major new Facebook Files section provides an awful, awful lot of content, and is well worth digging into to learn more about the tech titan’s workings.

26 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 1 June 2017

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28 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 1 June 2017

SPORT

FastSport HERMESMONKSTOWN TAKE ON EUROS: HERMES-Monkstown hockey club travel to ’s Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands to take on Europe’s top club sides this weekend.

They start off with the toughest possible draw as they meet Den Bosch, the hosts, in the quarter-final of the competition, facing a side that had won the EuroHockey Club Champions Cup over 10 times in the last 15 years and features a series of Olympic gold medalists.

The southsiders will be hoping they can use the international experience of Chloe Watkins, Anna O’Flanagan, Nikki Evans, Ellen Curran and Sinead Loughran to good effect. They were all in the US last week with Ireland for a series against the world number six side. Should Hermes lose their quarterfinal tie, they will then play in the fifth to eighth place playoffs with likely teams from Spain, Russia and England.

MIXED MARTIAL ARTS: AFFORDABLE APPROACH A KEY TARGET FOR CARRICK

Ballyfermot’s Ryoshin club open for all for the love of it

 JAMES HENDICOTT sport@dublingazette.com

BALLYFERMOT’S Ryoshin mixed martial arts club is pushing its community-driven, “for everyone” agenda by adding an affordable Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competition to its training regime, with the tournament set to take place in July.

Run by Tony Carrick, the successful gym has taken home a number of major belts in recent years, and is part of a largely “for the love of it” empire that Carrick has built across the UK, Germany and Ireland – with a second gym in Kerry in the offing – having spent a decade training in Japan.

T he latest tournament endeavour has twin aims: to counter the prohibitive costs of most tournaments by pricing entry in the €10-15 range, and to bring in additional funds that will help keep gym membership costs down.

For a gym kitted out with its own cage, boxing ring and padded floor for other martial arts, Ryoshin’s membership is very affordable, starting at €55 a month, and incorporating up to six days a week of training with-

Members of the Ryoshin Fight Team

in that price but hosting in their own building and the relative lack of additional costs enables the affordable tournaments.

“The tournaments will start at age ten because we’ve found from travelling to tournaments that a lot of our younger kids will see the older lads go off and come back with belts.

“They’re asking themselves ‘what am I training for?” gym

manager Joanna Morgan explains of the plan. “There’s a lot of attrition in teenagers with sport, and stuff like this can keep them going, and off the streets.”

Carrick outlines a bit of the history of the gym, explaining that since opening in Dublin in late 2009, they’ve taken home 13 MMA belts and a K1 (kickboxing) title. Having said that,

he’s keen to emphasise that the top-end competition is not the overall focus.

“We’ve won tournaments that very professional gyms, like Conor McGregor’s gym [Straight Blast in Walkinstown], have never won,” he explains, highlighting their EFC Africa title won through Henry Fadipe.

“But we get a lot of young-

sters coming in because they felt like the more pro-focused gyms don’t consider them a priority.

“That’s how we want it, we don’t do this for the titles. We’re not making any money from it, really, either, we’re down here six days a week because it’s what we want to do. We all have day jobs,” he explains.

Morgan is keen to invite newcomers down, emphasising the social benefits of the disciplined training regimes.

“I think there are a lot of people who don’t realise we’re here, though we get an influx after every McGregor fight,” she explains. “Mixed martial arts is for all kinds of people. We get mothers bringing in kids who are getting bullied, not to learn to fight, but to learn some confidence and self-belief.

“Then we get the bullies, and they learn discipline. A lot of what we do in MMA is about discipline and self-control.”

Carrick concludes: “We take it very seriously. This isn’t swimming lessons, you know? Safety is really important, and we can spend a lot of time reassuring parents, which I understand.

But it can absolutely transform people.”

Lewis and Shillington do damage in big YMCA win  BERNARD DUFF sport@dublingazette.com

Irish international Gaby Lewis starred in club action for YMCA. Picture: Deryck Vincent

THE Cricket Leinster women’s Division 1 began in glorious sunbaked conditions last Thursday as many of the Ireland players rejoined the six Division 1 clubs after some weeks in South A frica on national duty.

In 2017, there will be an equal number of 50-over a side matches as well as the T20 format. The longer format is a welcome addition as many players may only have experienced

T20.

League champions YMCA got off to an ominous start by restricting Pembroke to 87/9 off their 20 overs at Sydney Parade.

Irish international teenager Gaby Lewis did the damage with amazing figures of 5/16 off her four overs.

Run chase A target of 88 proved no hurdle for YMCA who got there with eight wickets in hand with Claire Shillington scoring 42 not out and Heidi Cheadle 27

not out.

At Obser vator y Lane in Rathmines, what looked like a one sided game proved anything but. Leinster rattled up a mammoth 169/2 off their 20 overs against Malahide.

Straight, powerful hitting in the V by Rebecca Rolfe (60) and Ellen R igdeway (64*) seemed enough until Ireland centurion Mary Waldron started hitting out in response.

On 66, however, she was nonchalantly caught and bowled

by Anna Kerrison. The last six overs of Malahide’s innings fiz-

zled out by comparison, Leinster winning by 26 runs.

A similar game took place in Anglesea Road. Merrion looked comfortable in scoring 170/5 with Cecilia Joyce hitting a half century and her sister Isobel ending the innings on 45 not out.

The Hills racked up 135/5 to lose by 35 runs. Kiwi Katie Gurrey was the Fingal club’s mainstay with 78 before being stumped off Isobel Joyce.

Seventy runs were needed off the last six overs but proved too steep for The Hills.

1 June 2017 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 29

GAZETTE

FASTSport

Battle of the Bay launches beach volleyball season  BERNARD DUFF

FOR Beach Volleyball Ireland, the Pure Magic’s Battle for the Bay festival last week marks the launch of the 2017 Irish season.

The festival is now in its 11th year on Dollymount Beach with both days seeing a constant stream of people making their way along the causeway to explore the beach market, listen to music and experience unusual sporting activities.

This year’s sports included kiteboarding, kitesurfing, landyacht, stand-up paddle boarding as well as there being five beach volleyball courts.

This festival puts beach volleyball centre stage as Irish number one ladies pairing of Miriam Gorbally and Marie-Claire Sabogal explained.

“On Saturday, we have a four-a-side mixed team tournament which has 20 team. And, on Sunday, we will have even more teams in a two-a-side tournament which is also mixed.

“It’s more recreational than the competitive games but it gives newbies a chance to join in and really gets us noticed as a sport here. It’s our biggest showcase to show people what we do.” said Gorbally. On Saturday, the four-a-side was won by The Watermelons team (21-19, 21-17) who beat Chuba Chups in the cup final.

In Sunday’s two-a-side cup final was won by Ernesta Gruzsaite/Pawel Kalaga (26-24, 21-15) beating the pairing containing Irish Beach Volleyball ladies coach, Alex Graves, who partnered Fernando Duarte. Over 150 players participated on both days. For Gorbally and Sabogal, the previous week had been the serious matter of Ireland duty. Although the latter had a prior engagement at a tournament in Hamburg, Gorbally played in the CEV Small Countries Division Event in Edinburgh.

She was partnered by Isabelle Carey who studies in UCLA but is eligible to represent Ireland. In a tournament featuring pairings from Luxemburg and Denmark and hosts Scotland Gorbally/Carey came third.

They won two of three group games but lost the semi-final to the Danish pair of Sondergaard/ Okholm before gaining third by beating Grethin/ Klerf of Luxembourg.

There were three Irish pairings, all pictured above, in action with Regina Halpin/Roisin Roantree finishing sixth and Roisin Allen/Olivia Molloy in seventh.

Skerries lights up again for stunning Ras finish Gullen and Condor team soar to An Post victory with set of consistent performances while Kasperkiewicz takes final stage laurels as well as the King of the Mountains jersey  sport@dublingazette.com

JLT CONDOR’S James Gullen claimed the An Post Ras 2017 honours in Skerries last Sunday as he produced a week of consistent finishes to land the yellow jersey.

Despite no stage wins, he secured the leaders’ shirt of stage five and defended it into the north Dublin town.

Przemyslaw Kasperkiewicz was the stage eight winner in Skerries, giving the An Post Chain Reaction team their third stage win of the week.

The 22-year-old from Poland added the stage win to his King of the Mountains jersey.

Kasperkiewicz came home the strongest from Samuel Jenner (Australia National Team) in second and Jerome Mainard (France Armee de Terre) in third.

After a dismal day of rain on Saturday, the riders welcomed the dry

weather for what was the shortest route of the week at 129.4 kilometres. The final stage took the riders along similar roads as in recent years; heading through Nobber, Navan, Kentsown, Duleek and over Bellewstown (a category three climb), Snowtown Hill/Harbourtstown and Ringfort View before being welcomed by a huge crowd in Skerries.

The route took the peloton around the finishing circuit three times with the riders making three climbs over Black Hills before the ceremonial finish.

Shortly after the 12.30pm start, eight riders went clear for a short time before being reeled in by the peloton.

The bunch travelled well together until 48.2 kilometres where a lead group of twenty including Swords man Eoin Morton (Ireland National Team), Sean McKenna (Ireland An Post Chain Reaction),

James Davenport (Cork Strata3/Velo Revolution), Conn McDunphy (Donegal Voodoo Performance), Darnell Moore (Down Bikehouse), Sean O’Malley (Mayo Westport Towers Bar Covey), Felix English (Westmeath Team Planet X Carnac) and Keith Finn (Westmeath Team Planet X Carnac) went away by 55 seconds.

From the leading group, it was McKenna who took the climbing points at Bellewstown, Ringfort View and Black Hills whilst stage three winner Michael Storer claimed Snowtown Hill/ Harbourtstown.

Coming into Skerries for the first of three laps of the finishing circuit, the gap between the leaders and attackers closed with the two groups merging into one.

From here, four riders including Mark Dowling, Kasperkiewicz, Storer and Samuel Jenner

pushed on to establish a 32 second gap.

General classification leader Gullen’s JLT Condor team chased behind in search of securing the overall win and did enough to carry their rider home.

The final two takes of Black Hills went to Storer and King of the Mountains winner, Kasperkiewicz.

Celebrating his biggest win of his career, yellow jersey winner, Gullen said: “It’s brilliant to win a race like this. You really have to rely on your team mates to get the overall win. They kept me going so this win is all down to them.”

Commenting af terwards, King of the Mountains and stage eight winner, Kasperkiewicz said: “I want to say a huge thank you to my

team mates. We did this together and it was a fantastic week for all of us.”

It was a superb stage for county rider Mark Dowling who finished the best of the Irish riders in fourth.

The ceremonial finish saw the presentation of the overall winners from the week.

Daan Meijers (Netherlands Delta Cycling Rotterdam) won the points classification, Michael O’Loughlin (Britain Team Wiggins) won Under-23 Rider whilst Daire Feeley (Galway Team iTap) took Irish County Rider.

The final stage winner, Kasperkiewicz was crowned King of the Mountains. Netherlands Delta Cycling Rotterdam were overall team winners whilst Cork Strata3/ VeloRevolution were best of the county teams.

Yellow Jersey holder and An Post Ras winner James Gullen of JLT Condor in Skerries. Picture:

Przemek Kasperkiewicz of An Post Chain Reaction celebrates

Morgan Treacy/Inpho Przemek Kasperkiewicz of An Post Chain Reaction celebrates winning stage 8

winning stage eight. Picture: Ryan Byrne/Inpho

GAZETTE

30 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 1 June 2017

SPORT

FASTSport

SOCCER: SHEPPARD ON THE MARK IN MEMORABLE NOEL RYAN CUP FINAL

Collinstown on the treble in epic maiden LSL season COLLINSTOWN manager Kevin Carroll was delighted as his side brought home their third trophy of the season with a 3-2 win over Athlone side Willow Park in the Polikoff Cup final at Belfield Bowl on Friday night.

Willow finished second to Collinstown in the LSL Major Sunday 1 but got their final off to a great start by taking the lead through Kevin Murray within two minutes.

Luke Fitzpatrick equalised for Collinstown when he headed home Dean Carpenter’s cross but Willow quickly retook the lead with Murray’s second of the game.

As the match wore on, it looked more and more likely the cup would be heading to Westmeath until Dylan McKeever popped up to equalise with just 90 seconds left on the clock.

With that, the game entered extra-time Daniel Matthews made sure there would be no 12-yard lottery with a fine finish.

Lifting two cups in the space of a week was the perfect way to round off an excellent season for the Clondalkin side after the previous weekend saw them defeat prolific trophy hunters Sheriff YC in the Leinster Junior Cup final.

“It was the last game of the season against a really tough side but a chance to get the treble in our first year in the Leinster Senior League,” Carroll told GazetteSport. “It was a huge opportunity for us to make a statement so to say we are over the moon is an understatement.

“To be fair, we didn’t really play well in the first half but the second half we got back into it to bring it to extra-time, and we were really, really good in extra-time.”

“When we sat down at the start of the year, the first aim was to get promotion then we prioritised the FAI Junior, Leinster Junior then Polikoff so we got three of the four. You can’t really complain there.

As expected, promotion will again be the main aim next season for Carroll.

“If we win promotion next year we play intermediate football, that was the aim when we came to the LSL.”

Booth Road Celtic celebrate their Noel Ryan Cup final success

Booth’s double dreamland NOEL RYAN CUP FINAL Booth Road Celtic Greystones United  sport@dublingazette.com

4 3

BOOTH Road Celtic made it two trophies in two weeks as they won the Noel Ryan Cup with a thrilling 4-3 win over Greystones United at Pearse Park on Saturday night.

Philip Sheppard scored twice as the Saturday Major 1B side continued their excellent season by landing the biggest Saturday cup prize in the LSL. Both sides started the game well and exchanged chances early on but it was Booth who had the first.

Sheppard managed to get himself in behind the defence but saw his effort well saved by the Greystones net-minder.

Greystones had a chance themselves two minutes later but their headed effort from six yards went just over. However, they did take the lead a minute later through a sensational strike from 35 yards after the ball was given away at the back by Booth.

Their lead didn’t last long, however, as Mikey Collins equalised for Booth within two minutes with a shot across the keeper that finished in the bottom corner.

FEELING THE BLUES Bell undone by Crumlin in Cahill Cup decider TEN-MAN Bluebell United were unable to repeat their league win over Crumlin United as they fell 3-1 in the Charlie Cahill Cup final last Thursday evening.

They fell behind in the 30th minute to a James Lee goal and then went a man down when Peter Darcy was shown a red card. Gary Murphy poked in a second Crumlin goal before Karl Russell gave Bluebell some hope with an excellent overhead finish but Jake Donnelly sealed the deal in injury time for Crumlin.

T he strike led to increased pressure from Booth and Sheppard put them in front after Greystones returned the favour with a defensive mistake in the 24th minute.

T he Wicklow side responded well and drew level thanks to another long range shot that found the back of the net via a deflection this time round.

Sheppard fresh-aired a great chance to restore Booth’s lead but Greystones dominated the last 10 minutes of the half and forced Gary Cleary into a world class save.

The Clondalkin side started the second half brightly and scored 11

minutes after the restart through David Hooper after he headed home Shane Merrigan’s corner.

Collins and Sheppard then combined shortly afterwards to give Booth a two-goal cushion when the latter played a one-two with Collins before firing past the keeper.

Greystones pulled a goal back with 11 minutes remaining from 12 yards after the referee pointed to the spot. They had one half-chance over the remainder of the game as they tried to draw level but the ball ended up sailing over the bar and Booth were crowned champions.

It was another fine per-

formance for Sheppard after the striker scored a hat trick the previous week to see them lift the Tom Carroll Cup with a 5-0 win over CIE Ranch.

Their season could be rounded off in perfect fashion if they can secure promotion to Major 1A from their last three games of the season.

They currently sit in fourth position in the league and three points off the top. However, with two of the teams above them having played all their games and the other team with one remaining, the odds of winning the title look firmly in favour of Booth Road.

1 June 2017 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 31

GAZETTE

HURL WITH ME

Parent and daughter camogie initiative

CLUB NOTICEBOARD ROUND TOWER, CLONDALKIN

ROUND Tower enjoyed a great opening night at Monastery Road for their new camogie Hurl With Me programme last Wednesday.

Parents joined their daughters in trying out camogie in a fun and safe environment for a programme which will run for six weeks. It will run each week from 6-7pm.

For further information, contact Angela Quinlan on 087 2453775 or Sue Rafferty on 083 1827753.

OUR senior footballers secured a last

years of age and their parents/guard-

gasp victory against Erin’s Isle on Sat-

ians are invited to participate.

urday evening in AFL2, overcoming a midweek setback to St Mary’s.

Our junior As defeated Ballyboden in AFL5 Sunday morning while our junior Bs were beaten by Portobello. The junior C team defeated Geraldine Moran’s.

Our summer camp 2017 details are as follows. The Cul Camp will be hosted from

FOOTBALL: FIRST WIN OF SEASON FOR JUNIOR OUTFIT

Have you a member ship card ordered? Cards are now available to collect from behind the bar in the clubhouse.

Line dancing is continuing every Thursday in the club with newcomers welcome. It starts at 8pm with cover charge being €5.

July 3 to 7 at Monastery Road and the fol-

Bingo takes place every Tuesday in the

lowing week, July 10 to 14, the club camp

club with first call 8.30pm. The jackpot

will take place.

this week is €1,000 if checked within 53

Kids four to 12 years of age are very

numbers. All welcome.

welcome to participate. Each camp will

Round Tower lotto (May 22): jackpot

run 10am to 2pm. Register at Towers Og,

was €9,400; numbers drawn were 2, 5, 10

10am to 11.30am, every Saturday morn-

and 12, the bonus ball was 22. No overall

ing at Monastery Road.

winner and no bonus ball winner. Three

The Hurl with Me camogie initiative

€100 winners: Gerry Gallagher, Janet and

continues Wednesday at Monastery

Ciaran, Batty Brennan. Thanks to all who

Road from 6-7pm. Girls aged seven to ten

supported.

ST PAT’S, PALMERSTOWN THE Oskars fundraising event started

on Wednesday last. They will now go on to

feeling closer this weekend as two of our

play in the final in Croke Park. Well done

movies were filmed here in Palmers-

girls and best of luck.

town.

Crew and actors enjoyed the experi-

This week, Paul Faughnan finished up as our GPO.

ence by all reports and we all look for-

We would all like to wish Paul all the

ward to seeing the movies at the Red

best with his new role and to thank

Carpet event on June 17 in Red Cow

him for his many years with us. He has

Morans Hotel. Tickets available from the

brought lots of our players up through

actors.

the ages and has coached our mentors

Online links by film name for St Pats

to continue this work.

Four-star Towers get up and running

Oskars event are available on St Pat-

Huge congratulations to Oran Christie

rick’s GAA Facebook page where you

on his lotto jackpot win of €6,200. Num-

can donate and assist in our fundraising

bers drawn were 7, 17, 21 and 22; next

effort by pledging a donation to the film

week’s jackpot is €1,000.

AFL DIVISION 5

Many of these girls helped St Brigid’s

or results for notes these can be posted

achieve their semi-final win in Glenaulin

to club secretary before 8pm on Sunday.

Round Tower’s Paul Clifford made an important contribution.

Ballyboden St Enda’s 2-9 Round Tower, Clondalkin 4-11  sport@dublingazette.com

ROUND Tower finally got their AFL Division 5 league campaign up and running at the weekend with their first victory coming via a 2-9 to 4-11 win over Ballyboden St Enda’s in Ballycullen.

T he junior A side imposed their supremacy from the start over a Boden side who had won two of their opening four games. Early opportunities arrived for Davey McCarthy and Dermot Milton but went a-begging

before Milton picked up a Ballyboden kick out, cut inside and finished low into the back of the net.

Jason Joyce then kicked a point after receiving the ball from Eoghan Moore before Towers were then frustrated by kicking three wides.

Boden finally shook themselves into life and kicked three without reply to show the visitors they would not be rolled over.

However, Towers also made a statement of their own by scoring their second goal to show their determination to leave with a win. Paddy Stynes was the scorer after Joyce

intercepted and the move came about through some good pressing by Towers.

Milton then fisted the ball over the bar before Jason Mockler grabbed Towers’ third goal on his second attempt after some good work by Craig Shaaban and Joyce.

As the game was creeping towards half-time, the Clondalkin found time for one last score through Moore to take a 0-4 to 3-4 lead into the break.

Towers started the second half how they finished the first and stretched their lead from the boot of substitute Paul Clifford. Milton followed that up with

a point from distance but Ballyboden, knowing they were at risk of the game getting away from them, rallied.

Dean Alford palmed away a strike on the Towers goal but they eventually found the back of the net with a low strike.

Towers responded with a goal of their own when Joyce drew a defender away from Mark Taylor, allowing him to slip in Milton to finish past the keeper.

The two sides exchanged a series of points but the lead Towers had built proved too much for Ballyboden.

of your choice. Cast members are listed below each film.

Fantastic play on Saturday by the U-12 girls, scoring 3-9 away to Round Tower in very wet conditions. Well done girls, excellent performance.

LUCAN SARSFIELDS

Tickets available in Palmerstown House, Manor Hair Studios and SuperValu.

Thank you all for your continued support.

If you have club news, match reports

THANKS to all who contributed to Tues-

ended in a draw after Vincent’s got a

day night’s discussion on proposed

late goal.

football and hurling changes. Club views

The intermediate footballers had a

help inform a county board meeting on

Saturday evening five-point win over

Monday night and no doubt the outcome

Thomas Davis, their first win in a while.

will be widely publicised.

Last week, there was no winner of the €4,200 lotto and the numbers were 4, 7,

Thanks to all the volunteers who’s work ensured we had perfectly playable pitches despite Saturday’s downpour.

17 and 22. Next week’s €4,600 draw will

The senior footballers lost to St Jude’s

be managed by Team Frank Masterson

1-8 to 3-16. Next up is another difficult

and is sponsored by Carey’s Newsagent.

one at home against top of the table

Tickets can be purchased online, at the

Thomas Davis on June 14.

club, in Carey’s Newsagents, in Vesey Arms or Kenny’s Bar. Man-O-War retreated before Sunday’s scheduled battle with the junior B

The intermediate ladies footballers were in championship action away to Ballinteer St Johns and came away with a fantastic 5-15 to 2-9 victory.

footballers, leaving them with no game

On the juvenile side, congratulations

this weekend. The junior As Sunday

to the U-14B ladies footballers who won

morning encounter with St Vincent’s

their league on Friday night.

32 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 1 June 2017