Clondalkin GAZET TE FREE
Great Danes help to bring the Viking past back to life in Roskilde, Denmark
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Watery Lane fire sees 16 rescued PAUL HOSFORD
MORE than a dozen people had to be rescued from a burning building on Tuesday after an early morning blaze gutted an apartment block in Clondalkin. The fire broke out at the Thornfield Square apartments on Watery Lane. Dublin Fire Brigade confirmed that 16 people were rescued, including a pregnant woman who had gone into
labour. While local gardai have confirmed that an investigation is under way, they say that it is too early to tell if the fire was started maliciously. A Garda spokesperson said: “It is too early for us to say whether foul play was involved. At the moment, we are investigating the circumstances surrounding [the fire]; we certainly haven’t said it is suspicious, or anything like that yet.” Full Story on Page 2
A Lara great looks: Locals help to make a fundraiser a success LAUREN Dowling, Saoirse Chatham
and Shauna Bond were dressed to impress when they took part in a special fundraising fashion show at the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel recently. The glamorous girls were modelling clothes from Siopa Lara, which is
based in the Bawnogue Enterprise Centre, as part of a Fashion Fusion fundraising event for the stroke unit in St James’s Hospital. The night was a great success, raising more than €3,200 for the unit. See Story on Page 7
2 CLONDALKIN Gazette 11 July 2013
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investigation Apartment block gutted
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The fire broke out at the Thornfield Square apartments (above) on Watery Lane
A dozen people rescued from burning building
Over a dozen people had to be rescued from a burning building on Tuesday after an early morning blaze gutted an apartment block in Clondalkin. The fire broke out at the Thornfield Square apartments on Watery Lane. Dublin Fire Brigade has confirmed that 16 people were all rescued, including a pregnant woman who had gone into labour. Firefighters responding from Dolphins Barn managed to get most of the people from the building safely, but had to help two children from a window and another child from the roof of the apartments. While most of the damage occurred in a hallway, according to Dublin Fire Brigade, many apart-
Paul hosford phosford@gazettegroup.com
ments were themselves smoke damaged. While local gardai have confirmed that an investigation is under way, they say that it is too early to tell if the fire was started maliciously. “It is too early for us to say whether foul play was involved. At the moment we are investigating the circumstances surrounding it, we certainly haven’t said it is suspicious or anything like that yet.” However, a concerned Trevor Gilligan (FF) has
fears that the blaze may have been started intentionally. “I had a quick look there today and some residents said that the place looked like a warzone. There was one resident who was living right beside the stairs where the fire was who was very upset. “It’s a devastating blow for the people in the apartments in terms of what happened and I hope that they all get back on their feet fairly sharpish and get the apartments sorted out as soon as possible. “The insurance will have to be sorted out in terms of what was in the apartments, but it looks like it will take a while to repair.” Cllr Gilligan urged anyone who may have seen
something in the Watery Lane area at the time to make contact with the Garda or local groups. “I’m sure someone would have seen something around that time in that area. “Where those apartments are, they’re behind the council offices. If you wanted to go from the Ninth Lock Road to the village, you can cut through those apartments. “I would be reluctant to believe that nobody has seen anything. People may have seen something and not thought that it was anything untoward. But we know now that it may have been.” Cllr Gino Kenny (PBP) echoed his council colleagues remarks, saying
the fire could have been “a calamity”. Kenny added that in light of recent high profile cases of apartment buildings with deficient fire safety, Thornfield showed just how important the measures are. “Luckily enough the fire doors held up, and that shows how important the fire sealing in an apartment building actually is. The fire doors saved people’s lives, which is what they are there for. “Fires like that can rip through apartment buildings and it really shows the importance of having proper fire sealing and fire doors.” Both councillors urged anyone with information to make contact with Clondalkin Garda station on 01 666 7640.
11 July 2013 CLONDALKIN Gazette 3
live register Number of unemployed in Dublin Mid West up again
Government has ‘failed people’ paul hosford phosford@gazettegroup.com
The government has been accused of failing the people of Clondalkin and Lucan as the number of people on the local live register has risen again. Latest figures from the CSO show 8,987 people signing on in the Clondalkin social welfare office in June, the highest since the start of the year. That is up from 8,918 in May, but down from 9,431 in June 2012. The figures also show that the number of people under the age of 25 signing on has risen to 1,730, again the highest rate this year. Sinn Fein representative Eoin O’Broin said that the numbers showed Dublin Mid West has lagged behind the rest of
the country. “Once again Dublin Mid West is bucking the State wide trend. While across the country live register figures are down, in Clondalkin and Lucan the figures are going in the wrong direction. “Latest figures from the CSO show 8,987 people signing on in the Clondalkin social welfare office in June, the highest since the start of the year. Highest
“The figures also show the number of young people is again the highest rate this year. “Fine Gael and Labour are failing the people of Clondalkin and Lucan. They promised to invest in jobs but Dublin MidWest has seen little in the way of investment.” O’Broin added that the upcoming construction
projects in Liffey Valley and Newlands Cross should ease the numbers, but that local unemployed people should get first option on the jobs. “In the coming months a number of high profile construction jobs will get under way including the Newlands Cross flyover and Tesco in Liffey Valley. The Government must step in and ensure that contractors on these jobs give priority to people who are unemployed. This is the best way to ensure that local people and the local economy benefit.” Labour TD Robert Dowds defended the government’s record. “I greatly regret that the figures are as high as they are and it is of great concern to me as a TD. It is the most important reason that we have to
CSO figures show 8,987 people signing on in the Clondalkin social welfare office in June, the highest since the start of the year
sort out the economy and we have put money, even though it is not as much as we would like, into capital projects, like the upcom-
ing Newlands Cross redevelopment. “T he government, particularly under Joan Burton, have initiated a
number of training and work placement schemes, but obviously these haven’t taken root enough locally.”
dining A €1,000 giveaway contest RAPID River Spur Steak and Grill in Liffey Valley are celebrating their new menu by giving customers the chance to win €1,000-worth of vouchers to spend on a holiday. Entry to the competition is simple – any customer over the age of 18 years buying a meal from Spur’s summer menu up until September 20 is in with a chance to win. All you have to do is complete an entry form and drop it in to the instore box. The draw will take place on September 25, and the lucky winner will receive €1,000 of travel vouchers for a holiday where and when they choose. For further details, see the in-store information at the outlet.
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4 CLONDALKIN Gazette 11 July 2013
transport High-tech Airport Hopper service offers frequent runs to facility
New west Dublin airport link is up and running A NEW bus service now links Liffey Valley and the airport, following the launch of the Airport Hopper round service last week. The direct service serves Maynooth, Leixlip, Lucan and The Clarion Hotel
Liffey Valley, and will operate a frequent daily service. The service will link Dublin Airport and the residents of County Kildare and West Dublin for the first time in more than 18 months.
Airport Hopper’s chief executive, David McConn, says the new service will create between four to six jobs, with the potential to scale upward in the next 12 months. “We want to take the stress out of
airline travel by making the ride to the airport as smooth as possible. So, we are going to tap into today’s technologies, such as wi-fi and GPS. “Our passengers can also enjoy the comfort of travelling onboard a brand
new high-comfort, air-conditioned coach,” said McConn. A park and ride facility is in operation from the Clarion Hotel Liffey Valley. For further information, see airporthopper.ie.
campaign: support service raises awareness
Phoenix helps focus on mental health
A LOCAL outreach programme celebrated its 11th year last month with a successful green campaign to get people talk-
ing about mental health openly. Phoenix Clubhouse offers an invaluable support service in the
Clondalkin area to adults with mental health difficulties. See Change, the National Stigma Reduction Partnership and its 70 partner organisations, rolled out a hugelysuccessful month-long national green ribbon campaign to get people talking openly about mental health problems in May. The men and women of Phoenix Clubhouse have been actively involved in this campaign. People were asked to wear the green ribbon and support this movement to spark a national conversation about mental health. The aim is to make the month of May every year synonymous with challenging the stigma of mental health. Niamh Coady, of Phoenix Clubhouse, said that the initiative inspired their users. She said: “See Change inspired Phoenix to get out and about in the local community and meet local employers and business people to start the conversation to break down the stigma of mental health. “A team of staff and members hit the streets telling the Clondalkin community about the See Change campaign and the supports available in Phoenix Clubhouse.” She added that the local areas needed help from initiatives such as Phoenix more than ever. “Now, more than ever,
people in Clondalkin, Tallaght, Rathcoole, Lucan, Newcastle and surrounding areas need to know that Phoenix Clubhouse is here and ready to support people to recover from mental health difficulties. “The more people in the community that know about Phoenix Clubhouse, the better supports we can offer.” Phoenix Clubhouse is part of EVE, a programme within the HSE whose primary ethos is to provide community-based recovery-orientated programmes for adults who experience mental health difficulties, intellectual difficulties, Asperger’s Syndrome, and physical and sensory disabilities. T h i s i s a c h i e ve d through a network of vocational, rehabilitative and clubhouse services in 21 locations across the Dublin North East and Dublin Mid-Leinster HSE regions. Coady added: “If you or anyone in your family may benefit from the support of Phoenix Clubhouse EVE, contact us today to arrange an appointment to visit and see if the clubhouse can help you on your personal recovery journey.” Phoenix Clubhouse is based at the EVE/HSE building at Unit E3, Station Rd, Business Park, Clondalkin. For further information, call 01 467 0632, email phoenixclubhouse@eve. ie or see www.eve.ie.
11 July 2013 CLONDALKIN Gazette 5
courts: gave wrong name to gardai
FastNews
Promote your work as Male to face charge of part of Culture Night role in armed robbery SOUTH Dublin County Council is seeking submissions for Culture Night. This year, the event will take place on Friday, September 20 and is an annual free celebration of culture in Dublin. It is an opportunity for the public to experience a vast array of artistic events and activities while, for organisations, it is an opportunity to attract attention to their work. If your organisation has an event organised, see www.sdcc.ie.
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that David Browne (36), of Lindisfarne Grove, Clondalkin, broke into sheds and vans and mainly stole tools
Clondalkin man jailed for spate of Leixlip thefts A MAN who carried out a spate of thefts in a Kildare town last year has been jailed for four and half years at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. David Browne (36), of Lindisfarne Grove, Clondalkin, pleaded guilty to 12 thefts in Leixlip on dates between January and April, 2012. He has 141 previous convictions for offences including burglary and robbery. Garda Trevor Guinan told Martina Baxter BL, prosecuting, that Browne broke into sheds and vans and mainly stole tools. The items he took were never recovered and included drills, jigsaws, circular saw, consaws, levels, sets of drill bits, trousers, fleeces, jackets, gloves, a canister of gas, boots, walking shoes, a socket set, a bolt cutter, a paint mixer, lengths
of copper wire, a hedge trimmer, a lawnmower, chainsaws, an angle grinder, a tool box, sunglasses and cans of beer. Gda Guinan said he spotted Browne driving a van at speed in Leixlip village on April 11, 2012 and when it broke a red light, he instructed the driver to pull over.
Equipment Browne gave gardai a false name and told them that the van and equipment in the trailer attached belonged to his boss, a landscape gardener. There were two crow bars, knives, pliers, a torch and five drills in the trailer. Gda Guinan said he arrested Browne on suspicion of having tools with the intention of using them in a burglary and he was taken in for questioning. Browne told gardai he
had given a false name because there was a warrant out for his arrest. He went on to make full admission to the thefts. He told gardai he had taken the various items and sold them on in Dublin markets. In interview, he said: “I regret doing it; it’s the end of me doing it.” Dean Kelly BL , defending, said his client and his partner are expecting their first child in a few months. He asked Judge Martin Nolan to take into account his client’s admissions to the gardai after he acknowledged he had initially given a false name. Judge Nolan said Browne had deliberately targeted van and sheds where he would expect to find tools and other items that he could sell on, “presumably to feed his drug habit”.
A 34-year-old man will appear in court this week charged with an armed robbery in Saggart. On Saturday, July 6, two men entered a bookmakers on Main Street armed with what is believed to be a handgun (subject to technical examination) and demanded cash. While attempting to leave the scene, the male was disarmed and restrained by an off-duty member of An Garda Siochana. A second male involved in the robbery fled the scene and is being sought.
6 CLONDALKIN Gazette 11 July 2013
opinion 40 years of campaigning for women’s equality
Working as a catalyst for change in an unequal world
Orla O’Connor, director of the National Women’s Council of Ireland
This year marks 40 years of women and women’s organisations coming together in the National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI) to campaign for women’s equality. In Dublin 40 years ago when a group of feminists chaired by Hilda Tweedy from the Irish Housewives Association, got together, NWCI was born. Ireland was a very different place
for women. Younger readers will not remember the Marriage Bar, when women working in the public and civil service as well as in many other companies had to leave work when they married. The sale and distribution of contraception was banned and women could not legally refuse sex with their husband. Only three women were members of the Dail. The mother of a friend
remembers having to get her husband’s signature in order to buy furniture. At a recent conference in Dublin, Brid Horan, the Deputy CEO of ESB, said that when she began work at 18 in Irish Life, because she was a woman, her father had to sign her contract. Forty years on women in Ireland can be proud of what we have achieved. Key milestones on the path for greater equal-
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ity were the end of the Marriage Bar in 1973, the complete liberalisation of contraception in 1991 and the introduction of divorce in 1995. Accessing the European Union 40 years ago has been very good for women as it boosted women’s rights in relation to equality and employment legislation. Today, 57 per cent of third-level graduates are women and over 55 per cent of women are in paid employment. And women in paid employment have access to 26 weeks’ maternity benefit. The 40th anniversary year for NWCI has come at a pivotal time for women’s rights in Ireland. Events over the last months have shone a spotlight on the historic discrimination and misogyny that exists and persists in Irish society, but also of the potential and possibility of a more equal and just future. Leadership in Irish society is bereft of women. Only 16 per cent of TDs are women and only 9 per cent of women sit on the boards of our top private companies. Fewer than one in four voices on our news and current affairs radio belong to a woman. And even with legislation for the X case, Ireland will still have one of the most restrictive abortion regimes in the world. A significant number of women remain dependant on their husbands for their income and beyond child benefit have no access to money in their own right. Despite the increase of women’s participation in the labour market there is an absence of state support for affordable childcare in Ireland with costs amongst the highest in the EU. While progress in the
past 40 years has been slow, in recent times there has been more cause for optimism. Quotas for encouraging more women into political leadership are very welcome, as are the changes signalled by our Constitutional Convention on changing the place of women in Irish society and the progress towards marriage equality. NWCI is particularly heartened by the resurgence of an interest in feminism. NWCI recently opened up its membership to a broader range of organisations and individuals. And many young women and men have joined in NWCI’s youth Initiative, the Y Factor project, which is empowering and supporting young people to become leaders for women’s equality. NWCI with its more than 160 member organisations works to be the main catalyst for change in the achievement of equality between women and men in Ireland. In times of austerity, it is paramount that the needs and aspirations of women are clearly articulated and that women are seen as part of the recovery. If we want Ireland to be a different place for women - and men - in the next 40 years we must all take a proactive role in these challenging times to ensure that the attainment of women’s rights and equality is at the centre of change in our society. For further information and if you would like to join NWCI please see www.nwci.ie or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.
Orla O’Connor Director National Women’s Council of Ireland
11 July 2013 CLONDALKIN Gazette 7
charity Siopa Lara fashion show for St James’s a hit
Catwalking locals help to raise €3,200 paul hosford
A LOCAL fashion boutique was this week praised after it held a highly-successful fashion show. Lara Darbey, of Siopa Lara in the Bawnogue Enterprise Centre, raised more than €3,200 for the stroke unit in St James’s Hospital with her Fashion Fusion event, which took place last week in the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel. Local residents and political figures took to the catwalk to model some of the boutique’s wares while raising funds for the good cause. Cllr Emer Higgins
(FG) was one of those who made their debut as a model. Afterwards, she paid tribute to the event’s organisers, Darbey and Andrea Martin. “Fashion Fusion was a phenomenal success. At a packed venue, Lara and Andrea entertained the crowds with their commentary while locals became models for the night showing off Siopa Lara’s fabulous dresses. “It was fantastic to see local models of all shapes and sizes – myself included – take to the catwalk; but it was one model who has recovered from a stroke that blew everyone away and reminded us all what the
night was about,” said Cllr Higgins. Darbey said that the inspiration for the event came from a friend who works in the unit at St James’s. “My friend Andrea Martin works in the stroke unit and she really touched me with her stories of the work that they do there.
‘A good choice’ “They’ve had people effectively locked into their bodies, and brought them back, so that made it a good choice for our fashion show.” The latest fashion show sees Darbey’s fundraising in the last two
years climb to more than €13,000, with an array of charities having benefited from her efforts, which she says is a twoway street. “It works for me, because it gives the shop a bit of exposure and allows me involve people from the local community, but it also raises money for charities that help local people. “I’m a local girl and it’s a local business, so it’s great to see the community spirit in the shows.” The Minister for Children, Frances Fitzgerald, was also in attendance and said that the event was more than a fashion show.
Cllr Emer Higgins (Lab), Carmel Giles, Steven Teko Kinvi and Karol Kaye
“Co- host Andrea and Dr Joe Harbison of the stroke unit in St James’s Hospital gave us some sobering statistics on strokes; It is one of the top causes of adult disability in Ireland and can
affect anyone of any age. “It brought home the importance of the fundraiser in collecting funds for the quality work done by the staff of St James’s to support stroke patients.
“There was also a political ceasefire between councillors Emer Higgins (Lab) and Trevor Gilligan (FF), who walked down the catwalk together without tripping each other up!”
8 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 11 July 2013
GAZETTEGALLERIES GALLERIES
The All-Ireland Feile-winning Round Tower GAA team from 1993 recently reunited for an anniversary match in honour of their win against Tralee. Playing against the Gaelic for Fathers team, they played a reunion match at the Monastery Road grounds, followed by watching a DVD of the 1993 match. Pictures: Cathy Weatherston
REUNION: 1993 ALL-IRELAND TEAM PLAY AGAIN
Game for a match
11 July 2013 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 9
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Emily Dunne, Grace Donohoe, Kails Donohoe and Adam Hanley
GAMES ON: LUCAN UNITED HOST A GREAT FUN DAY FOR THE COMMUNITY
T
HERE was lots of fun at Airlie Heights recently when Lucan United hosted a special day for the whole community. Lots of locals turned out for the event, with some sizzling summer weather adding to the upbeat mood of the day. The organisers were very much on the ball with their range of activities, as a number of soccer camps and coaching were a hit with up-and-coming players, as well as the spectators. There was lots of competitive mini matches, as the young players took a punt at improving their skills, under the guidance of older players from Lucan United. Everyone was thankful that the club had set up such a memorable day for all.
Georgia-May Barry
There was plenty of action on the Corina Linehan paints Lily O’Reilly’s face
pitches. Pictures: Cathy Weatherston
Conor Masterson coached many talented up-and-coming players
10 CLONDALKIN Gazette 11 July 2013
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Marisa and Serena Macari
Roz Flanagan, Danielle Macari and Aisling Holly
Aileen O’Meara with Eileen and Dee Murphy. Pictures: Una Williams
Belles of the ball T
HE Irish Kidney Association’s charity ball in memory of Giuseppe Marsella was a great success recently, with lots of beautifully-dressed people attending the stylish gathering at Finnstown Country House Hotel in Lucan. Organisers John Marsella and Maria Carron
were delighted with the turn-out, which saw a wealth of well-known faces coming along to support the association’s work. The guest list included a number of familiar names and faces, such as Roz and Vincent Flanagan, Eileen and Dee Murphy, Rosie Boyle and Kalie Noble to name but a few.
Aleissa Macari and Lisa Borza
John and Carolina Marsella
11 July 2013 Gazette 11
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weight-loss: District of the Year 2013 accolade
Biggest losers are winners at prestigious awards ceremony A recent weight-loss award highlighting the successful accomplishments of Irish women losing weight has been awarded to a national slimming group. Slimming World clubs across the country have been awarded for their efforts in helping more than 21,237 people in the Republic of Ireland to lose weight. The clubs lost a total of 65,152 stone in 2012. The district of Ireland,
which includes 152 consultants, was named Slimming World District of the Year 2013, an accolade presented at a prestigious awards ceremony held in Birmingham, England, last month. Manager of the district Gretchen Mone said she was “over the moon” to see her teams succeed. “ O u r t e a m s h ave worked extremely hard over the past year to ensure that every single group across the district
is providing an excellent service to our members to ensure their weight loss success.” The best part of the accomplishment, according to Gretchen, was the team effort put in by the whole country. “Every single one of our consultants and local managers agree that we have the best job in the world. We’re passionate about helping people to change their lives by losing weight and seeing
them succeed is the most important thing to us, but winning this award is a wonderful bonus.” Slimming World is set to open new groups across Ireland, and are currently looking to recruit. Career opportunity events will be held soon in the Hilton Hotel, Malahide Road on Saturday, July 20, and Saturday, August 10 at 11am. For more information, visit www.slimmingworld. com, or call 01 656 9696.
Slimming World were awarded for their efforts in helping people lose weight
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12 Gazette 11 July 2013
dublinlife
Make-A-Wish ambassador TV3’s Martin King with colleague Sybil Mulcahy join special guest Wilbur the bear at the announcement of Debenhams Ireland partnership with children’s charity Make-A-Wish Ireland. Picture: Robbie Reynolds
diary
Debenhams are helping to make wishes come true The official charity partner for Debenhams Ireland has been named as Make-A-Wish Ireland. The retail giant hope to raise €10,000 by the end of the summer for the charity that grants wishes to children aged three to 17 who have life-threatening medical conditions with the simple aim of giving them some joy and enrich their lives. Throughout July and August, staff at all 11 Debenhams stores in Ireland will participate in a number of fundraising activities, as well as inviting customers to make a donation with their purchases. Staff at Debenhams Blanchardstown are busy getting ready for a number of activities including internal cake sales, a pub quiz and football tournament, a fashion show and pamper day, as well as a book and DVD sale in the staff canteen. There will be collection canisters at the tills in store also, encouraging customers to donate a euro or two to the worthy cause.
To be in with a chance of winning, prize entrants must book and complete a Wedding Show Around at the Waterside House Hotel, before taking part in the Bridal Mile together, a fun run which takes place on July 24 at 7pm on Donabate Beach. This race will bring out each individual couples’ relay team skills whilst battling through some wedding-themed obstacles along the way. For more information and to enter, visit www.facebook.com/ watersidehousehotel.
youth advocate programmes to hold bag pack The Youth Advocate Programmes (YAP) Dublin have organised a fundraising bag pack in St Stephen’s Green on July 12. YAP Dublin will be in the St Stephen’s Green shopping cen-
tre to raise funds for its service, which provides intensive support programmes for young people and families. It uses a strengths-based, family focused approach to deliver a one-to-one service for up to 15 hours per week over six months to young people with complex needs. Speaking in advance of the fundraiser, Jenny Nulty, service manager for YAP Dublin and the North East said: “We are very excited about organising this event which will provide additional funding for our service and create more awareness of the work of the organisation. Although the charity is funded by the HSE, fundraising is an essential part of adding value for the local programme. We hope that the public in Dublin will show us their support on the day.” For more information, see www. yapireland.ie
go the extra mile and win a dream wedding package With just one week left to enter, Dublin brides-to-be are being called on to compete in The Bridal Mile to be in with a chance of winning a dream wedding and honeymoon. Launched in April and running until July 18, the Waterside House Hotel in Donabate is looking for engaged couples to enter their competition to win a full wedding package and a five-star honeymoon to the Gran Atlantis Bahia Real in Fuerteventura.
The Waterside House Hotel in Donabate is looking for engaged couples to enter their competition to win a full wedding package and a five-star honeymoon in Fuerteventura
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11 July 2013 GAZETTE 13
FEATURE CAMPAIGN
Accidents prompt call for more safety
Darren Kenny’s photo, Dun Laoghaire, was shortlisted in 2012
Celebrating our coast LAURA WEBB
IRELAND’S beautiful coastlines are being put in the spotlight by a national competition that is calling on amateur photographers to submit their snaps and showcase their local coast line. T he Clean Coasts annual photography competition is organised by An Taisce. Amateur photographers across the country are being asked to enter the competition with their photos of their coastline to be in with a chance of winning a slice of the €4,000 total prize fund. The theme of this year’s competition is Treasure Our Coast, and entries are invited under four categories: Coastal Heritage; Coastal Landscape; People and the Coast; and Wildlife and the Coast. There will be three prize winners within each category, with first prize receiving €500, second prize €300 and
third prize €200. T h i s p h o t o g r a p hy competition is a key part of An Taisce’s Clean Coasts programme, which encourages communities to conserve, enhance and celebrate some of the 3,000 miles of Irish coastline. Last year over 3,000 entries were received and this year, as An Taisce marks the tenth birthday of its Clean Coasts programme, it is thought even more budding photographers will get involved. Pat Oliver, director of An Taisce’s environmental education unit, said: “All amateur photographers are invited to submit their photos of the coastline to the Clean Coasts photography competition. “Ireland is fortunate to have some of the most beautiful coastal scenery in the world. “T his competition encourages people to look anew at the beaches and coastal landscapes
we can sometimes take for granted. “The overall mission of the Clean Coasts programme is to celebrate and preserve Ireland’s spectacular coast, and this competition is central to that effort as it gives people a chance to show their local coastline at its best.” The Clean Coasts programme is operated by the environmental education unit of An Taisce, and is supported by the Department of the Environment, Community
and Local Government, as well as Coca-Cola. The 2013 competition was launched on Thursday, May 16, as part of Coca-Cola Clean Coasts Week 2013. This amateur photography competition has proven itself to be a great way of showcasing Ireland’s diverse and unique beauty and heritage, and has captured the pride and imagination of both photographers and the public. An exhibition of pho-
tos from entrants is currently travelling around the Irish coastline. See the CleanCoasts Facebook page to find out where they will be appearing next. If you would like to get involved in, or learn more about An Taisce’s Clean Coasts Programme, log on to www.cleancoasts. org. Amateur photographers should submit their photos of their coastline online at the same web address by August 16.
Corkwing Wrasse by Graham Pimlott was shortlisted in 2012
A SURVEY by the Irish Association of Plastic Surgeons (IAPS) which revealed that four children have lost limbs in lawnmower accidents in the last six weeks has prompted calls for gardeners to be more safety conscious. Dr Patricia Eadie, president of the IAPS, said that those planning on cutting the grass should ensure that their children are securely in the house. “Lock up your children. That should be the first thing anyone does before starting the lawnmower, or have a second adult to supervise them. “In the last six weeks I, and colleagues, have seen two children with horrific foot injuries where their feet went under a powered lawnmower at their homes. “This resulted in both patients losing most of their toes and a lot of their foot. We also had two other children with severe hand injuries, one who lost all the digits on one hand and the second, the majority of all their digits,” said Dr Eadie. Dr Eadie went on to say that while most of the damage can be repaired, the scars of such incidents remain. “Fortunately, in all cases our members have been able to repair some of the damage but this will still undoubtedly leave these children scarred physically and mentally for life. “Our members noted that, of these four recent cases, three of them were injuries sustained from being near ride-on mowers. Whereas a parent would never allow children to drive a car for whatever reason, they don’t exercise the same vigilance with what is a motorised blade. This just makes no sense to us.” For anyone who does happen to suffer injuries, the advice is simple. “Our advice to anyone unfortunate enough to lose digits in this way is to place any severed digits into a plastic bag, place the bag into a container of ice, and get the patient to an emergency room.”
Gazette
14 Gazette 11 July 2013
dublinlife
feature
ideas: promoting mental well-being
Young people Think Big at health workshop natalie burke
Young people from across Dublin have attended a workshop designed to help make a difference to mental health in Ireland. The young people joined groups from across the country to attend the Think Big workshop in the 02 headquarters in Dublin. Think Big is a programme designed by
O2 and Headstrong, the National Centre for Youth Mental Health, which aims to inspire young people around the country to promote positive mental health in their local communities. The young people attending the recent workshop were each awarded a place on the national Think Big programme after successfully submitting an idea for a project in their communi-
ty. Think Big has granted initial funding of €300 to help get each project off the ground, along with a mobile phone with €50 top-up and a Think Big start-up pack. Carmel O’Reilly and Evelyn McGrillen from Clondalkin worked on furthering the development of Knockmitten Youth Cafe. The youth cafe will give young people a place where they can socialise in a positive
Knockmitten Youth Cafe’s Carmel O’Reilly and Evelyn McGrillen
environment without the influence of drugs and alcohol. Avril Clarke from Stoneybatter focused on her website project, Betterthannoodles.com. The aim is to make the site the number one student cooking website in
Ireland. It will include video recipes, which will refer to nutritional values, and the site will work to promote the association between a good diet and a healthy mind. Simply Positive Performing was developed by Megan O’Loughlin
from Artane in Dublin North, which will promote dance to boost the mood of the locality. Megan has studied the performing arts and knows first-hand how movement and music can improve one’s outlook on life.
Corporate responsibility manager at O2 Jill Johnston congratulated those who took part: “The variety and high calibre of projects that young people across the country have submitted has really impressed us.”
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11 July 2013 Gazette 15
FEATURE safety: pre-holiday checklist
Protecting your home this summer
laura webb
Gearing up for the summer holidays, the check-list in place with the priority probably being your passport, but have you checked to see if your house is secure? This week, The Gazette is bringing you some tips for securing your home this holiday season. According to An Garda Siochana, there are three simple steps that people need to adhere when leaving the house, even if it’s just for an hour: 1. Put the alarm on, 2. Lock all doors and windows and 3. Leave a light on when leaving your home empty. It is also a good idea to set timer switches to turn lamps and radios on and
off. Residents who remember these simple steps every time they leave their property are making it less attractive for burglars to target your home. Thieves are also known opportunists so, even when at home, doors and windows should also be locked because it takes just seconds for thieves to enter a property and steal items. When going on holidays, inform a trusted neighbour, give them a key so they can bring in post and switch on and off lights if you don’t have a timer switch. Remember to ask neighbours to be vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour to local garda, no matter how small they
think it is. Meanwhile, security expert Aaron Mooney from Action Security, has compiled a checklist that can make sure your house is safe and sound, allowing you to sit back, relax and enjoy your time away. Avoid tell-tale signs that no one is home: Empty bins and rubbish not going out on bin day are strong indicators no one is home. Ask a neighbour to use your bins or put them out for collection. Ask a trusted key holder to take in your milk, newspaper or post deliveries. Turning off and on lights and also opening and closing blinds are ALL essential security measures.
It takes just seconds for thieves to enter a property and steal items
Don’t invite them in: Large bushes or foliage around your house are a great hiding place – don’t give a potential burglar an easy entry/escape route. Whatever you do, don’t leave a key under a mat or in a plant pot – a favourite in rural Ireland. Don’t put up on social media that you are going away. If you have previously ‘checked in’ at home then it is easy for a burglar to find out where you live. Don’t leave valuables on display. The Securikey Digital Safe from Action Security will ensure that
your valuables are secure while you are away. But above all LOCK UP. Once you have taken
time out to make sure your house is secure, you can sail, or fly, into the sunset that little more relaxed.
For further tips and advice on security, visit Action Security online on www.actionsecurity.ie
Gazette
16 Gazette 11 July 2013
dublinlife
Q&A
david maich, director, spur uk
Cooking up new ways to satisfy customers AS DIRECTOR of Spur UK, the British-based head of Spur steak restaurants, David Maich, has been kept busy overseeing the company’s expansion, with its Irish division opening Rapid River Spur at Liffey Valley Shopping Centre in West Dublin. David has now been in the hospitality sector for more than 21 years, and
has been with Spur since April, 2010. He was appointed the director of Spur UK in January, 2011. David lives with his wife and young family in Rochester, and regularly visits Ireland to oversee the Rapid River Spur restaurant in Dublin, and the Nevada Spur restaurant in Belfast, at Victoria Square.
How long have you been in business?
entertainment, and specifically what they think about the restaurants. Then we dissect that, and decide how our restaurants should evolve. Innovation is also one of the cornerstones of the company.
Spur Steak Ranches opened its first restaurant in 1967 in Cape Town, and now has almost 500 restaurants globally across its multitude of brands.
What makes your business successful?
Our people are what make our business successful. We have appointed staff that are passionate about driving the success of our business and delivering the Spur experience within a family-orientated, value-for-money restaurant. Our restaurant managers are absolutely crucial to our success. Their leadership is extremely important; they have a great respect and understanding of the Spur brand, and they surround themselves with happy people who can integrate with our customers and make them feel happy.
What do you offer your clients that differs from your competitors?
Great food, a great environment and a great atmosphere are non-negotiable if you want to run a successful restaurant, and they are a given at Spur. We spend a considerable amount of money on market research, keeping up to date with changing tastes and trends in family eating and
How has the recession impacted your business?
At a time when many restaurants are experiencing great pain from the recession and restaurants are feeling the effects of shrinking disposable income, we are thankful that our footfall is increasing and we are still retaining a strong market share.
How do you use social media to help your business?
I believe that social media is crucial to any business that wants to stay current. We have recently appointed a company to manage our social media on both Facebook and Twitter, and we encourage our restaurants to provide up-to-date action – we want our customers to talk to us, provide feedback and share their Spur memories with us.
What is your ambition for the business?
We are constantly receiving requests from our loyal customer base to expand our brand in different areas in the UK and Ireland. We have a five-year plan to expand our brand [there].
business
A generic CV will do you no favours HEAD of PayPal Ireland Louise Phelan recently said that many graduate applicants weren’t being taken seriously as they were submitting generic cover letters and generic CVs for positions in the company. Rule number one when applying for a specific job is to tailor your CV to that job. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, the employer wants to know at a glance if you have the specific skills and experience that they are looking for. Secondly – and just as importantly in today’s market – it demonstrates that you are sufficiently interested in the job to read the spec properly and spend time on your application. This is as relevant for seasoned professionals as it is for graduates. For example, if you have years of high-level experience and you now want a less stressful part-time job, wowing a potential employer with your impressive corporate achievements will be futile unless they are directly related to the job in question. When tailoring a CV, your first point of reference should be the job spec and your previous CVs. Ideally, you should have a “master” CV that you amend according to the position you are applying for. You need to clearly match your work history and achievements to the specification. You may need to “juggle” bullet-points and move those more pertinent to the job to the top of the list. The absolute best way to tailor your CV is to repeat
the words that are used in the spec; however, you do need to use your common sense. Just because the spec calls for a “creative self-starter with acute attention to detail and the ability to multitask” does not mean that you should use this sentence to describe yourself in your CV (or cover letter, for that matter). The more honest and effective way to show the links between the position and your application is to weave the qualities and words mentioned in the spec throughout your CV. Take a highlighter and go through the spec highlighting the keywords that the employer uses. Consider which of these phrases apply to you and your experience, and alter your CV to incorporate them – but make sure you can stand over what you say. It is a little time-consuming, but what does it matter if it gets you an interview? And, if you do get called for interview, you have half the preparation done. Rachael Kilgallon is a qualified career coach and founder of The Career Hub. Contact Rachael at hello@thecareerhub.ie or visit www.thecareerhub.ie.
launch: softener for ‘hard’ mineral traces
D15 company’s product to improve water quality natalie burke
A WATER softener company in Blanchardstown has celebrated the launch of a product that is set to help Irish homes affected by poor water quality. E W Te c h n o l o g i e s (EWT) Europe is an Irish water softening company with its European headquarters located in Blanchardstown. T he company has launched a brand-new water softener in recent weeks that will help tackle the water problems suffered by numerous homes across the country. According to EWT, an increasing number of Irish homes are affected by poor water quality, especially “hard” water, which contains dissolved chalk, lime and other minerals.
The company says that the gradual build-up of hard water can prove to be a costly problem. With the most recent launch of its Gold Range softener, EWT has developed “one of the most efficient” softeners in the market today, it says. According to Oliver Ginty of EWT, the company first began developing the product more than two years ago. “The main reasons for doing so was to develop a highly-efficient water softener suitable for Irish homes as, before, all softeners were large softeners mainly designed in America where they have the incoming water mains in their basement. “These old-type units are still sold in Ireland, but the problem is they’re
EW Technologies fitters regularly see the problems that a hard water supply can create, over time
installed outside and can be damaged by frost in winter and, with water metering on the way, these units can be inefficient on water usage.” EWT was established in 2002 and has become Ireland’s largest water softener and cooler company. Today, it is the country’s leading provider of water
softerers for homes, office water coolers for businesses, and water filtration systems for large-scale industrial and commercial establishments across Ireland. For further information on EWT’s Gold Range, phone 1850 392 837 or see www.ewtechnologies.ie.
11 July 2013 Gazette 17
travel P22
asdfsdaf P27 music P24
OUT&ABOUT Never be out of the loop on what’s happening in Dublin! Let Out&About be your guide to all that is stylish, cultural and essential across the city and beyond this week
Gazette
senior living P18
Pets can you give young Toby a new home?
Hectic schedule: Radio host Ray Shah will compere the annual Miss Ireland competition for the third time and continues to DJ and run his sports nutrition store
interview: 4fm’s Ray shaw teams up with tv3’s elaine crowley
Keeping up with Ray natalie burke
Radio host Ray Shah has one hectic schedule to keep up with these days. When he’s not filling the waves on weeknights on 4FM, he can be spotted DJing in some of Dublin’s busiest nightclubs and managing his own sports nutrition store. In fact, it’s surprising that he can make time to do anything else, but this year will be the third time for the popular personality to host the annual Miss Ireland competition. Now in its 66th year, the competition will be taking place in Dublin’s Ballsbridge Hotel on July 20. Ray will be teaming up for the first
time with co-host, TV3’s Midday presenter Elaine Crowley, and says he is already looking forward to it. “I’ll miss hosting with Sinead Desmond, we got on like a house on fire, but I know Elaine really well and I know we will get on great. You really have to be able to have chemistry on stage to make it work,” he told the Gazette. With this year being the third time Ray will host the event, he says it is one job he isn’t ready to hand over just yet. “It’s actually a job that I had wanted for many years. When my chance came up three years ago to host the final, I jumped at it. It’s a really fun event and I love doing it.” Last year’s Miss Ireland sparked
controversy when the original winner was stripped of her title after she was revealed as being over the age limit to compete. Although Ray says it was a “very tense” time, he believes it will raise even more interest for this year’s event. “Any publicity is good publicity, especially for an event such as this. But it’s going to make this year’s event more interesting because of it.” With Ray sharing his love of DJing with an interest in health and fitness, the Raheny resident opened Bodyfirst Nutrition in Clontarf in December last year. “I’ve been really into health and fitness for years and I realised that during the recession, people were still spending
on health and fitness. Plus, the supplement industry was getting bigger and bigger. I decided that I would give it a shot and it’s going really well,” he said. With such a hectic lifestyle, Ray says it’s sometimes difficult to balance work and life. “I’m balancing three jobs; DJ, radio and the shop as well, and then spending time with my girlfriend. I make sure I devote time to my relationship. I want to keep her happy too!” Tune into Ray on Classic Hits 4FM weeknights from 7pm, or catch him spinning the decks at Copper Face Jacks on Thursday nights, Buck Whaleys on Fridays and Solar, Navan on Saturday nights.
The Gazette Newspaper has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for unwanted and abandoned dogs. Our Dog of the Week is Toby, a three-year-old male Lurcher. Toby is a bouncy, happy, playful chap! He is very shy at first but once you take it slow, he will make a great friend. He likes lots of exercise but also loves his down time where he can relax in a comfy bed. Toby is a bit of a superhero in the centre as he donated blood to save another dog’s life! He deserves a super special home, so if you think that you could offer him that, get in touch with the centre on 01 879 1000. They are based in Finglas, just off exit 5 on the M50. Map and directions can be found on their website www.dogstrust.ie. You can also find them on Facebook www.facebook. com/dogstrustireland or Twitter @DogsTrust_IE.
Gazette
18 Gazette 11 July 2013
SENIOR LIVING
Initiative to help guide people with preferences at end-of-life Think Ahead is an initiative to guide members of the public in discussing and recording their preferences around end-of-life. Think Ahead was developed by the Forum on End of Life in Ireland – an initiative of the Irish Hospice Foundation (IHF) – following a yearlong public consultation process on issues surrounding death, dying and bereavement. The project involves people thinking about and recording their preferences in the event of an emergency, serious illness or death, when they may be unable to speak for themselves. Think Ahead will
engage all members of the public – young and old, those who are healthy and those living with illness. Ideally, this is something that we would do while healthy and then go on with living our lives, revisiting our preferences over the years to make sure that they continue to express our current wishes. The Think Ahead form will also allow people to record the location of key legal and financial documents and approve the donation of their organs and a hospital post-mortem in the event of their death. For more information, log on to www.thinkahead.ie or contact Sarah Murphy on 01 679 3188.
| arthritis ireland courses |
Helping to change the perception of arthritis Anne Marie Gannon
When I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) 17 years ago, I didn’t know where to turn or what to do. I had been feeling a lot of pain and fatigue, and I found that I wasn’t able to use my hands properly. I went to my doctor and initially they told me that it was most likely due to depression, but I kept getting worse to the point that I couldn’t even walk up or down the stairs. At one point the inflammation was so severe that
the tendons in my thumb snapped. I was in unbearable pain. The pain and inflammation spread from my fingers and hands to my knees and shoulders. I felt like I was walking on nails at times and I thought to myself that there was no way that this could just be due to feeling down or depressed. Eventually my GP referred me to a rheumatologist and following tests, I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. By that time my shoulder was giving me a lot of trouble
and x-rays showed that the RA had practically destroyed the entire joint, boiling it up and breaking it down, and it had to be replaced. Impact
As well as the physical effects it also had a major impact on me mentally and emotionally. I stopped socialising with friends and my mood was very low. I didn’t know where to turn and found that nobody really understood what I was going through, not even family. It was at that point that
I saw an ad for Arthritis Ireland and decided to give them a call. I spoke to a woman on the phone who was very reassuring. It was a great comfort to me to discover that I wasn’t alone. From that phone call I signed up to take a Living Well With Arthritis self-management course with Arthritis Ireland. There I learned not only about the impact arthritis has on every part of your life, but also the things that you can do to manage it, such as pain management techniques,
Anne Marie Gannon was
creating weekly plans and other problem solving skills. More and more people are being diagnosed
11 July 2013 Gazette 19
Gazette
Protect your hearing this summer Summer conjures up images of long sunny evenings, splashing around at the beach and music festivals. However, many summertime activities pose a threat to hearing health. Digital Hearing have put together some hearing health tips to protect your ears during the sunny season: Weed out bad habits in the garden
Gardening is a popular activity at this time of year and power tools are one of the most prevalent devices. They’re also hazwas diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) 17 years ago
with arthritis all the time and feeling, like I did, alone and helpless. These Arthritis Ireland courses change that perception
and people begin to realise that there is something that they can do. For more information about Arthritis Ireland’s
support in your community or to make a donation, visit www.arthritisireland.ie or call 1890 252 846.
ardous to hearing health. Whether you’re using a lawn mower or a power saw be sure to wear proper ear protection. Music matters
Summer music festivals means sweet sounds but also stress to the ears. Take precautions such as carrying earplugs and noise-dampening headphones, as well as avoiding standing next to the loud speakers at the side of the stage. The plane truth
Many airline passengers suffer from throbbing
pain in the middle ear, a dullness of hearing, or a feeling of fullness in the ear canal on takeoff or landing due to changes in cabin pressure. For a comfortable trip suck on a sweet, yawn to keep your Eustachian tube open, stay hydrated and avoid falling asleep. Don’t let swimmer’s ear dampen your summer fun
Swimmer’s ear is a common but painful summertime ailment. Before taking the plunge remember these simple steps: wear a swimming hat to
cover your ears and make sure ear canals are clear of water after swimming, bathing and showering by drying your ears with a towel or tilting your head to each side to allow water to escape. Be proactive about hearing health
The first step to better hearing is a free hearing test. Hearing tests can be carried out in any of Digital Hearing’s 60 clinics nationwide. For more information, freephone 1800 303 392 or log on to www.digitalhearing.ie.
GAZETTE
20 GAZETTE 11 July 2013
SENIOR LIVING
Country retreat THE Dunboyne Castle Hotel and Spa located just outside of Dublin is offering a special Golden Years package for €60 per person sharing for dinner, bed and breakfast. This country retreat offers acres of picturesque tree-lined grounds and gardens and the historic architecture of the original Dunboyne House. A relaxing coffee, lunch or afternoon tea can also be enjoyed in the hotel’s light-filled Terrace Lounge, which overlooks the stunning grounds. For more information, see www.dunboynecastlehotel.com or call 01 801 3500.
| LOCAL COMPANY MAKES HEALTHY EATING EASY |
Fresh food, right to your doorstep DO you find cooking difficult? Preparing single meals every day? Having to do food shopping every week for your main meal? A new company, ChefDirect.ie delivers meals on time, freshly frozen, and directly to you each week. The company brings over 1,500 ready prepared meals directly to their customers each week, including students, business professionals, and retired or elderly people, and are already selling well within the senior citizen community in the greater Dublin area having teamed up with Age Action Ireland and Bluebird Care.
“Our service is very simple. ChefDirect.ie has a range of ready-prepared frozen Irish meals including dishes such as the roast loin of pork and apple sauce,” says Keith McGovern, who along with his partner, Paul Kavanagh, set up the business recently. ChefDirect.ie uses traditional cooking methods to give a hearty Irish flavour to the whole range. Meals contain fresh ingredients, with meats quality assured by Bord Bia and vegetables purchased from local farmers. “We are very proud of the fact that we use only 100% Irish produce in all of our meals support-
ing Irish jobs,” says Paul Kavanagh. Chefdirect.ie guarantees their food to be free of MSG, hydrogenated fats and all of their dishes are low in salt. Once cooked, all meals are freshly frozen, then
ChefDirect.ie has a range of ready prepared frozen Irish meals like the chicken fillet meal and lasagne
delivered to customers’ door steps and are ready to enjoy in less than 10 minutes from a microwave, or under 30 minutes
from an oven without the need to defrost. Costing only €5.50 per meal, with delivery free of charge, this service is light on the
pocket. “Customers can either ring 01 4916262 or go to www.chefdirect.ie to register their details,
select their meals and make payment. Then sit back and relax knowing that their free delivery of meals is on its way.”
11 July 2013 Gazette 21
Gazette
22 Gazette 11 July 2013
OUT&ABOUT
fast
TRAVEL Stay in pretty villages
Concorde Travel has great value for Croatia natalie burke
IT’S a country full of tourist-friendly cities that are rich in culture, and it’s fast becoming one of the more popular destinations for Irish holidaymakers abroad. On July 1, Croatia officially became the 28th member of the European Union. So, to celebrate, Concorde Travel has extended its summer holiday sale. Special offers include a seven-night stay at the three-star Old Town Antuninska Apartments in Dubrovnik on a self-catering basis, for just €599pp. Alternatively, stay at the three-star Hotel Odisej on the island of Mljet (half-board basis) for just €659pp. Stay at the four-star Hotel Grand Park & Villas in Dubrovnik on a B&B basis from €749pp, or at the five-star Croatia Hotel in Cavtat, on a B&B basis from €799pp. For further Croatia travel dates, offers and information, see www.concordetravel.ie or phone 01 775 9300.
denmark: fly off to copenhagen for a fascinating and fun weekend break
Roskilde’s Viking past makes a big splash shane dillon
IT’S not often that you get to fly to Copenhagen with the King of Denmark. Mind you, that title was claimed by one of my travelling companions in reference to his role in a play when he was four or five, I think he said. (Or was it 14 or 15?) It was a fine start to my return visit to Copenhagen and Denmark – not only one of the coolest cities around, but also one of the friendliest lands, and peoples, I’ve ever had the pleasure to visit. I was winging my way over to Denmark with some new-found friends via SAS Scandinavian airlines; a friendly and efficient – and surprisingly affordable – airline that whisks you to Copenhagen in
just under two hours. It’s a very appropriate time to set sail – err, so to speak – for Denmark, given the ties between our countries, particularly regarding our Viking past, and the role they played in contributing to Ireland’s culture and heritage. With 2014 marking the 1,000-year anniversary of the Battle of Clontarf here in Dublin, we can all expect to see many examinations of the legacy of the Vikings in Ireland, as well as a reaching-out to our ... cousins over on “the mainland”.
Appreciation So, now is an excellent time to visit Denmark, which has developed a fine appreciation of its Viking past, and the role its most famous peoples have had on the development of the Danes, and her neighbours, across the centuries. First stop: Copenhagen, which remains a comparatively littlevisited city, despite having some of the richest history, friendliest people, best restaurants and hip-
pest nightclubs within a thousand miles. With just an evening’s visit in Copenhagen, my companions and I whisked ourselves around using the handy Metro, checking in at the extremely comfortable Hotel Kong Arthur, set within easy walking distance of some of the city’s most interesting spots. From there, we set off for the National Museum; a rich treasure-trove of Danish and international artefacts, but of particular interest for its superb temporary Viking exhibition (until mid-November), which even features several Irish artefacts, with these spoils of war taken back to Denmark. However, the centrepiece of the exhibition are the remains of the longest Viking ship in the world, which, at 37 metres, is a very impressive sight. The carefully-presented remains were found in Roskilde, our destination for day two, but, alas, despite the fascinating long boat, we had another boat to study – a canal and waterways tour boat,
For three weeks every summer (until July 14, this year), Jesper Wittenburg and many other locals bring the Viking world to life at the meticulously curated Frederikssund Vikings theatre and festival (www.vikingespil.dk), creating a great community event
Roskilde’s Viking Ship Museum (main) features the remains of several ancient long prows’ shapes echoed elsewhere in the region. For example, the temporary Viking the remains of the longest Viking ship in the world (inset, right), while various local
which took us past many of the city’s main sights and lovely landmarks. That evening, a delicious meal near our hotel awaited us at Host, featuring some ultra-modern Danish fare. I’d love to tell you all what my tastebuds were saying, but, in all honesty, they were drowned out by loud cries from my companions of: “This is gorrrrrrgeous” (and, less poetically, “Yummy!”) as my friends and I laid waste to the expertly-prepared meal. From there, Copenhagen’s busy nightlife awaited, and – well, at that point my notes stop making sense, but we had a fun night out, courtesy of the friendly locals. Next morning, we set off by train for nearby Roskilde, the region’s heart of the Viking legacy, scattered with important sites and finds.
After checking in at historic Hotel Prinsden, we took a great look around beautiful Roskilde Cathedral, where many Danish kings and queens of old reside, and where the modern Danish monarchy will also rest, in time.
Heritage The cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage site, on account of its being the first Gothic cathedral to be built of brick, and as it has been expanded and adjusted since being built 800 or so years ago, it features wildly different chapels and styles, today. From the historic cathedral, a relaxing stroll takes you down to Snekken restaurant by the edge of the fjord, where master chefs present food cooked using ingredients they think the Vikings would have used. Ve r y t a k e n b y
Snekken’s imaginative fare, we strolled next door to the superb Viking Ship Museum, where a friendly guide gave us a great insight into how the iconic long ships were built, and, indeed, also had much to say on mutual Irish-Danish interests. The museum features the preserved ruins of several Viking long boats found in the middle of the nearby fjord, creating a tangible link between past and present. Seeing their skeletal remains in the wonderfully-presented museum was quite a sight, and we happily discussed the uniquely Danish sights as we tucked into yet another delicious meal that night, this time back at nearby Hotel Prinsdsen. Our next, and last, morning featured two real treats – first up was our visit to Land of Leg-
11 July 2013 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 23
GAZETTE
TRAVEL fast
TRAVEL
Local travel tip: When enjoying Host’s delicious fare (left) in Copenhagen, ask for a bottle of cherry wine. Roskilde’s Snekken, and Hotel Prinsden restaurants (centre, right) also present outstanding Danish meals, such as a combination of perfectly-cooked meat and fish mains served with delicately flavoured sides.
Embark on a European walking trail
Set off on a Camino style walk NATALIE BURKE
Copenhagen’s Nyhavn district is a laid-back, welcoming area
An elevated view over central Roskilde, where the sounds of a brass band playing
ships found in the waters of the nearby fjord, with the exhibition at Copenhagen’s National Museum features sites have the same shape (above). Pictures: Shane Dillon
ends, where everything from the Viking past to the Iron Age in Denmark is celebrated, often by using “living archaeology” to explore the lives of our ancestors (and where I proved that my archery skills make me a menace to fields of grass everywhere, but actual archery targets needn’t worry). Our second treat was a visit to Frederikssund Vikings: a three-week long festival that uses actors and locals to celebrate and explore the lives
of the vikings. With its mixture of the very old and the ultramodern, Denmark is a delight to visit at the best of times, but its fascinating Viking past (and present echoes) make its capital, and Roskilde, a definite m u s t- g o holiday destination for all.
My thoroughly relaxing room at Hotel Kong Arthur, Copenhagen
Beatles songs drifted up from below
For further information on Copenhagen, Roskilde ... HOTELS Copenhagen’s conveniently-located and thoroughly comfortable Hotel Kong Arthur can be found at www.kongarthur.dk; enjoy a five-star welcome in Roskilde at Hotel Prindsden; see the site at www.hotelprindsen.dk/prindsen/PRINDSEN/FRONTPAGE_UK.html. DINING Enjoy some of the New Nordic wave of fine food at Copenhagen’s Host (http:// cofoco.dk/hoest.php); dine on delicious Viking-inspired fare at Roskilde’s Snekken (Danish-only website at http://snekken. dk/), or savour some top-notch hotel dining at Hotel Prinsden (see link above).
ATTRACTIONS Copenhagen’s superb Viking exhibition (until November 17) is an absolute must (http://natmus.dk/nc/en/). Water leisurely way to see Copenhagen, courtesy of www.canaltours.com. Another must-see is Roskilde’s wonderful Viking Ship Museum (http://www.vikingeskibsmuseet.dk/en/). Step back in time at Land of Legends (www.sagnlandet.dk/English.425.0.html). TRAVEL SAS Scandinavian Airlines fly twice daily to Copenhagen from just €69pp one-way, including a free 23kg baggage allowance, free online check-in, and many other great flight features. For flights and fares, see www.flysas.ie.
A NEW CaminoWays. com sister brand – FrancigenaWays.com – specialises in cycling and walking holidays along the Via Francigena, Italy’s Camino. To celebrate the launch of FrancigenaWays.com, it is offering 10% off when you book your Via Francigena walking holiday this month. The Via Francigena is an ancient pilgrim trail starting at Canterbury Cathedral in Kent and finishing in Rome, passing through some of Europe’s most spectacular landscapes. Book by July 31 and receive 10% off the base price. The price excludes flights and includes accommodation, half-board meals and holiday packs. For further information, or to request a free quote, see www.francigenaways.com or call 01 525 2886.
Gazette
24 CLONDALKIN gazette 11 July 2013
OUT&ABOUT
MUSIC
FASTtunes
FullSet ready for their return to Dublin stage Having travelled around the world and played to audiences across Europe and the US over the last year, acclaimed folk act, FullSet are returing to Dublin to launch their new album, Notes After Dark, at Whelan’s on July 17. It’s a kind of homecoming for the band whose members hail from Phibsborough, Kingswood and Kimmage, and will see them perform tracks from their latest release as well as their debut, Notes At Liberty. Tickets cost €10 and can be obtained by visiting www.whelanslive.com, and doors open at 8pm.
Hothouse Flowers will play the Bulmers Live At Leopardstown event on July 18 - for more, log on to www.bulmersliveatleopardstown.com
interview: fiachna o braonain from hothouse flowers
Blooming at the races There is seldom anything better than a good venue and a cooking band to create a memorable summer night. Bulmers Live At Leopardstown are bringing one of the nation’s treasures, Hothouse Flowers, to the stage at the southside racecourse on July 18, and Gazette Music caught up with the band’s guitarist and founding member Fiachna O Braonain. We began by asking him about the unusual venue for the show. “The shows at racetracks seems to have caught on and become fairly popular in recent years. We played at Cheltenham on St Patrick’s Day last year, and that was a different sort of a show, but a lot of fun.” Although it is almost
ROB heigh rheigh@gazettegroup.com
a decade since their last album, Into Your Heart, was released, the band have been anything but idle in the meantime. “We haven’t put anything out since 2004, and it’s hard to believe it’s going to be 10 years ago next year. We were never the most frequent record releasers, as for most of the time, we were off on stage somewhere. “In recent years, we’ve all branched off and done different things Liam focusing on his solo career, and I was off doing my own things,
working with Michelle Shocked and radio production too, as well as making a record with Cait O’Riordan from the Pogues and Dave Clarke from the Flowers in 2007 which we toured here and in America. “But all the while, the phone keeps ringing and people want the Flowers to play, and that’s what we do.” “I think the fact that we play and enjoyed playing over the years, the fact we thrive live on stage, people remember that, and they want to come back.” The Flowers bloomed after years of germination while street performing and playing live, and their soul-inflected traditional rock hit a chord with music lovers at home and abroad. Their burgeoning
popularity led to them getting international exposure via the Eurovision half-time show in 1988, and the songs from that time became ubiquitous on Irish radio and in the charts. “We were really lucky in that those records People, Home and Songs From The Rain - were well received. We were on a big record label and it was a time when there was big promotion in the record industry, and the world got to see our band, and we were pretty good!” Time flying by hasn’t hindered or diminished their power live, as the Flowers have proved at their recent live shows earlier this year - the joy of performing still gushes from the stage and involves the audi-
ence as much as it ever did, something that means that fans flocking to Leopardstown for the shows will be a part of. Fiachna says that fans going to the show can expect “everything and anything”. “We rarely write a setlist any more, we react to the vibe from the crowd. They are very much a part of a gig at a Hothouse Flowers show. “We’ll work out what we open with, and maybe the second song, and then improvise from there. There are some cornerstones, some traditional Irish things, and maybe a wee hit or too as well. “We want to make music that makes people want to dance, and has been something that we’ve always done”
11 July 2013 clondalkin gazette 25
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south dublin County Council I Alan Ayres have applied for Permission for 1.Removal of rear wall and rear roof.2.Construction of a two storey extension to rear.3.Raising rear roof 1.4m above existing apex. 4.Extension consists of enlarged kitchen/dining room on ground floor. 5.Three bedrooms, bathroom, and landing on first floor. 6.Two velux type windows to front elevation. 7.Two new windows to rear elevation. 8. Elongation of gable window at 12 Cherrywood Grove, Clondalkin, Dublin 22. Planning Reference SD13B/0019 refers.In this regard note that Significant Further Information has been furnished to the Planning Authority and is available for inspection or purchase at the offices of the Planning Authority at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, during its public opening hours, and that a submission or observation in relation to the Further Information may be made to the Authority in writing and on payment of the prescribed fee (â‚Ź20.00) within 2 weeks of the date of receipt of the newspaper notice and site notice (within 5 weeks in the case of an application accompanied by an E.I.S.) by the Authority and no further fee is required where a valid submission or observation has already been made in respect of this planning application. 18734
26 CLONDALKIN gazette 11 July 2013
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football P29
asdfsdaf gaelic games P27 P31
dublinsport Let the Gazette keep you up to date with all the best local sporting action from around the city as we cover all the stories that matter to you and your community
Gazette
Baseball P28
FastSport Take your place at jackies’ summer camps:
Paul Stirling and Ed Joyce were on hand at Lord’s cricket ground to launch the RSA Challenge match between Ireland and England at Malahide in September
Cricket: england the adversary in september one-day international
Joyce and Stirling invite fans to Fortress Malahide encounter The two-month countdown is on to one of the biggest days in Irish cricket this year when the RSA Challenge match comes to Malahide on September 3, which will see Ireland face off against the perennial adversary, England. Ireland stars Ed Joyce and Paul Stirling were on hand at the home of English cricket, the Lord’s ground in London, to launch the match and invite Irish cricket fans to get on the Malahide bandwagon and support the boys in green, with momentum behind the Ireland side after two impressive one day international (ODI) performances against Pakistan earlier this year.
Joyce, who has been in superb form for both Ireland and Sussex this season, is relishing the opportunity to take on England as Ireland attempt to claim yet another famous scalp. “Irish cricket’s big game in 2013 is against England and, after a couple of near misses against Pakistan in May, the whole squad is keen to make amends against England in September. “I can’t wait to play against England in front of what is set to be the biggest crowd ever seen at a cricket match in Ireland at our new ODI venue in Malahide. There’s talk of Malahide becoming a fortress for Irish cricket, and we’re
looking forward to the first visitors to Fortress Malahide being England.” “It should be a magnificent occasion and it’d be a great achievement if we can get another famous victory against one of the world’s best teams.” The match is on course to be a sellout and Paul Stirling, who is currently ranked an Irish record 8th in the world in the Reliance ICC Batting Rankings, urged fans not to miss out on the chance to see some of the top stars in world cricket in action. “It’s fantastic that there’s been so much interest already in the fixture, and it’s bound to be a really special atmos-
phere. Games between Ireland and England in any sport have that extra edge.” Ireland are currently in action in Holland in the InterContinental Cup final, with the winner securing one of the two automatic places at the 2015 event in Australia and New Zealand. The game at Malahide looks certain to be the highest ever attendance at a match in Ireland, and with the RSA Challenge being an official Gathering event. Tickets for the match can be purchased online via www.ticketmaster.ie. For more information, log on to cricketireland.ie
The Dublin Ladies Gaelic Football Association is hosting two summer camps and are inviting prospective future Jackies stars to take part in coaching that will be run by some of the Dublin ladies team. Week one will be held in St Margaret’s GAA Club in north County Dublin from July 29 to August 2, while week two will be held in St Peregrine’s GAA club in Dublin 15 from August 12 to 16. The camp is for girls aged from nine to 13 years and costs €55. They run each day from 10am to 3pm. For registration information contact camps@dublinladiesgaelic.ie or log on www.dublinladiesgaelic.ie to download the application form.
c o n ta c t s Sports Editor: Rob Heigh rheigh@gazettegroup.com
For more information or to send in news and photos: sport@gazettegroup.com Phone: 01 651 6205
Gazette
28 CLONDALKIN Gazette 11 July 2013
SPORT
FastSport legends take the tour of croke park: The 2013 GAA Legends Tour Series will commence this weekend at Croke Park when former Dublin star Ciaran Whelan takes the first tour of the summer of HQ for fans of the game and its history. These special tours, first introduced in 2008, provide fans with an opportunity to hear memories and anecdotes at first hand from their GAA heroes. The line-up for the 2013 tour series includes Whelan, former Dublin senior football team manager Pat Gilroy, Steven McDonnell, Ken McGrath, Noel Skehan, Seanie McMahon and Tommy Dunne. The tours take place on Thursday evenings and Saturday afternoons throughout July and August. Log on to www. crokepark.ie/gaamuseum for more details and booking information.
baseball: international tournament to grace corkagh park
Swinging for the bleachers sport@gazettegroup.com
This weekend will see the American game come to Clondalkin’s
Corkagh Park when the Peter O’Malley Invitational Tournament takes place. The event runs from
Baseball was represented at launch of the Gathering
July 12 to 14 in honour of Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Peter O’Malley, with teams representing the US Navy and the British Baseball League taking on the best baseball players in Ireland and an international team of all-stars in the tournament. A national youth baseball competition will also be held on Saturday, July 13. Tournament organiser Mike Kindle explained Peter O’Malley’s influence on baseball in Ireland. “Peter O’Malley’s family used to own a team called the Los Angeles Dodgers. We got to know him in the early 90s when we were setting up the Irish Baseball League. He wanted
Team Ireland’s Dan Barry will be in action at Corkagh Park
to help the development of baseball in Ireland as he is a really proud Irish guy. When he heard about us developing the sport and that we played our matches on rugby and football pitches, he said, ‘that’s enough!’ “He donated about $140,000 (€109,000) for us to build the facility out in Corkagh Park. He’s a really lovely guy. He stays in constant contact with us with regard to keeping things going.” The tournament will add an international element to Baseball Ireland’s traditional midsummer classic, which usually consists of
games against a single touring side. It will see two nonIrish teams - US Naval Team the Rota Blue Devils and British Baseball League champions Liverpool Trojans - playing baseball in Dublin for the first time since 1946, when two American teams returning from service in Britain in WWII played an exhibition game in Croke Park. Kindle is hopeful the game’s appeal can grow in Ireland. “Baseball is the second most widely played field sport on the planet, behind soccer, and there are approximately 120 countries
that are affiliated with the International Baseball Federation. “We’re hoping people will see it being played for the first time and get involved, or get their kids playing Little League. “South Dublin County is the home of Irish baseball,” said Kindle, “and thanks to South Dublin County Council, our main sponsors SoftCo and all the Irish companies who are supporting the tournament, it’s going to be home to a festival of sport and fun for all the family.” For more information, log on to baseballireland.com
Soccer part of social initiative for jobless in Dublin sport@gazettegroup.com
Players from the project Futsal Hub, Ballymun, Lee Meehan and Michelle Watson at the official launch of Project Futsal Hub
Unemployed soccer lovers in south Dublin are being called upon to get involved in an initiative set up by the FAI, South Dublin County Council and the Dublin VEC which begins in September. Project Futsal is a unique opportunity for people who are unemployed and out of formal education to get involved in an innovative project to help them back into the workforce. The project is a joint initiative between the FAI and the
Welsh Football Trust (WFT) with the aim of using soccer as a social inclusion tool to facilitate community regeneration, and will roll out in seven communities across the country. Each hub will comprise a programme that will provide an academic year of adult education, personal development, football coach education and work/volunteer placements. The overall aim of the project is to provide education and work opportunities for young people in the SDCC area and to influence and assist commu-
nity regeneration via employment and volunteerism. The main objectives are to increase participant’s employability and/or enhance their prospects of going onto further education. It is hoped that the extensive programme of football activity on each course will incentivise people to participate in the project. FAI development officer Robbie Hoey said: “To date, I’m informed that 65% of people completing the course have gained employment while another 20% have gone on to
higher-level education. “The added bonus of football being included in the programme should be attractive given its popularity in the SDCC area and will also bring positive health benefits for participants. “With the extra qualifications and work experience gathered on the course, it should provide a real boost to a person’s CV when looking for a job or to progress their education.” For more information, log on to www.projectfutsal.ie
11 July 2013 CLONDALKIN Gazette 29
Gazette
Brennan hopes for a Sky Blue heaven
St Vincent’s man and Dublin centre-back Ger Brennan sees the same attributes in the Metros as were present in the side which claimed All-Ireland glory in 2011
WHILE much has been made of the Dublin senior footballers extravagant style of play so far in 2013, Ger Brennan says that the principles guiding the side are not too far removed from those that saw the sky blues win the All-Ireland in 2011. The St Vincent’s man provided one of the images of the Dubs semi-final win over Kildare, bursting forward from centre-back to pop up for a score as furthest man up and land a point. Similarly, the effervescent half-back Jack McCaffrey regularly worked goal opportunities. So far, this approach has yielded a bumper
stephen findlater sport@gazettegroup.com
25-326 in 16 games with players given more freedom to roam than under Pat Gilroy’s more compact approach. But Brennan says that while the tactics employed are evolving under Jim Gavin, the underlying motives remain the same from both managers. “I suppose the thing about humanity is that we are all very different and unique,” he told GazetteSport at the launch of
Ger Brennan kicks back at Michael Barrable Motors
the new Seat Leon at Michael Barrable Motors in Swords this week. “Jim has his ow n approach [to the game] but there are many similarities to Pat. They are both very professional and very thorough. “Both are very transparent in what they want to do and what they ask of you. I find Jim very clear and concise in transferring his message to the squad. “The ultimate goal is to do the best in a Dublin shirt no matter who is in charge. That certainly was the drive of Pat Gilroy and it goes for Jim Gavin as well. Maybe it just boils down to the way people in general are different.” He adds, though, that while Dublin are currently playing an expansive style, it may not always be the case as the summer progresses. “We are probably playing more open football at present but we are constantly working on different systems of play and nothing is set in stone just yet. We still have a lot of work to do on our offensive and defensive play and there are opportunities where you might be able to get up the pitch as a defender and support the forwards. “But ultimately, the forwards job is to score and the defenders job is to defend but we do play the game as we see it.” The Dubs face Meath
at Croke Park on Sunday at 2pm aiming for an eighth Leinster title in the past nine years and their performances have very much put them in the favourite’s bracket not just for this crown but the All-Ireland title. Because of that bigger picture, some commen-
win. “There’s always a great tradition against Meath. I try not to dwell on past experiences and just focus on the present. “We have limited opportunity to view them so far this year because they haven’t been on the radar.
--------------------------------------------------------
‘I am grateful to be in the first 15 and want to make the most of my gifts and talents’ - Ger Brennan --------------------------------------------------------
tators have dismissed the importance of the provincial title. But it is a competition which holds plenty of relevance for Brennan. He cites his point in the 2007 final against Laois – his first in a Dublin jersey – as one of his favourite memories. Indeed, he has only been on the losing side once in the competition. The opposition? Meath in a harrowing 5-9 to 0-13 pasting in 2010. As such, this next date is very much the focus. “If you start looking too far to the future, you lose sight of the present. That’s when you can fail. We’re not looking beyond the Leinster final. “The provinicial championships are personally very important to me; any player wants to win it. You hear some people denouncing the value of the provincial system but it is something I strive to
“But you can already see some of the hallmarks of Meath football, lifting the ball in long. They have some very tough guys and traditionally they never give up. They will lift their game against us which is what they have always done.” Beyond that, Brennan says that there’s not much more to it, adopting a refreshingly simple outlook on performing at this elite level. “Just to be playing is great. I’m enjoying it as much as previous seasons and again I am always grateful just to be in the first 15 and part of the squad. “I try to enjoy every day and I’m a positive person in life and just want to make the most of my gifts and talents. I try to be a kind and caring person and do my best and enjoy each day as it comes and extra blessings that come along.”
FastSport
Leinster stars attend rugby summer camp Leinster Rugby’s Andrew Goodman and Jimmy Gopperth joined in on the fun and tough training at the Leinster Rugby Summer Camp in Railway Union RFC last week. The Leinster players were on hand to help aspiring rugby stars of tomorrow improve their fitness, fine tune their rugby kills, such as passing, tackling, evasion and kicking, and of course to join in on the fun. The camps are open to boys and girls aged six to 12 and are run by fully accredited IRFU coaches. They will take place in 19 venues throughout Leinster in July and August, including a large number of Gazette Country locations, and will run from Monday through to Friday 9.30am to 1.30pm each week. The venues and dates are as follows: July 15 to 19: Seapoint RFC, South Dublin and Greystones RFC, Wicklow July 29 to August 2: Donnybrook, Dublin 4 August 12 to 16: DSLP FC, South Dublin and Garda/Westmanstown, Dublin 15 August 19 to 23: Clontarf FC, North Dublin As well as learning new skills, meeting Leinster players, making new friends - each camp attendee will receive an official Canterbury of New Zealand Leinster Pack which includes a T-shirt, ball, boot bag and water bottle. For more information, log on to www.leinsterrugby.ie/camps
Gaelforce event for BCI in July Dublin’s women athletes are being called on to go west on July 27 to take part in Ireland’s first ever Women’s Adventure Race, organised by Gaelforce Events with their chosen charity, Breast Cancer Ireland. The challenge runs over the distance of
23km and involves a 7km run/walk, a 15km cycle and a 0.5km kayak paddle through the scenery of Leenane and Killary Fjord. If you are coming late to the event, there are training plans available from Elverys blog at www.elverysblog.com. For more information, log on to www. womensadventurerace. com.
Gazette
30 CLONDALKIN Gazette 11 July 2013
SPORT
FastSport
boxing: katie’s fifth euro title accompanies more medals
Local duo help AUL side to Oscar Traynor Cup COLLINSTOWN’s Dean Carpenter and Damian Cuffe were both part of the AUL side that made junior history last weekend when they won the FAI Umbro Oscar Traynor Trophy with a 3-1 win over the Inishowen League with Mark Townley getting a brace of goals and Darren O’Brien also getting on the score sheet. The Donegal men looked to have gotten a clean sheet in the first half but, with 46 minutes gone on the clock, Townley beat the offside trap to round the goalkeeper and finish coolly to put the AUL one up at half time. Inishowen tried in the second half to put the AUL under pressure but the defence marshalled by the brilliant Paul Murphy were always in control and with John Meleady pulling the strings in the middle Inishowen found it difficult to create an opening. Inishowen went two down in the 70th minute went Darren O’Brien scored and 10 minutes later, the AUL went three up when man of the match Mark Townley got his second with an excellent finish. Inishowen managed to pull one back with six minutes to go when McLaughlin scored from a free kick.
Clon tumblers claim honours in Limerick Six gymnasts from Clondalkin Gymnastics Club represented Dublin in the National Tumbling Finals held in Limerick University recently, with five returning home with medals.
Katie White claimed gold in the NDP1 Women 11/12, as did Aine Sheehan in NDP2 Women 13+, with Emma O’Brien winning the bronze medal. In National Age Group 17+, Sophie Toomey topped the podium, while Fiona Tapley claimed bronze in the same category.
Katie Taylor’s achievement at the European Women’s Boxing Championship in Hungary adds to her haul of honours, including Olympic gold
Taylor leads Ireland charge stephen findlater sport@gazettegroup.com
KATIE Taylor landed her 15th major title in Keszthely, Hungary at the European Women’s Boxing Championships last week, but that achievement was perhaps overshadowed by the fact that Irish boxers claimed no fewer than 15 medals, five of them gold, at the event. Taylor, the AIBA world number one, secured her fifth successive EU gold and Ireland’s fifth gold medal of last Sunday afternoon with a unanimous decision over
French champion Estelle Mosselly. Taylor has now won 15 major gold medals at the Olympics, World Championships, European Championships and EU Championships since 2005. The Peamount United club woman took the opening two rounds of today’s four-rounder against her elusive opponent. The third may have finished even, before Taylor won the fourth. “I’m very proud to have won gold,” said Taylor after securing Ireland’s fifth pole podium position of the day.
the heat of battle Tower’s water-balloon war keeps the kids cool on a perfect summer’s day, Round Tower
held the first-ever Battle Of Monastery Road water-bomb fight, organised by Eric Byrne. A huge effort was made for the kids by Eric and his team to make sure they had plenty of ammunition for the battle and that everyone kept their cool as temperatures soared.
Picture: Peter Parker
“The squad have been magnificent out here this week. To win so many medals, the future of Irish women’s boxing is very bright with so much talent coming through.” On this occasion, Taylor deserves equal billing alongside Kristina O’Hara, Amy Broadhurst, Grainne Gavin and Jacqui Lynch, who also claimed gold at the event on a memorable weekend for Irish boxing. Lynch had struck gold in Ireland’s first final of the day at the EU Women’s Senior, Youth and Junior championships. The Golden Gloves
BC ace beat Poland’s Sarah Domagala on a unanimous decision to finish on top of the lightflyweight junior podium at the Tennis Hall venue at the Helikon Hotel. Grainne Gavin and Amy Broadhurst, the current European Junior champion, followed that up with gold medal wins in the bantamweight and featherweight Junior finals. Gavin came through a tough opening frame with Germany’s Mandy Berk to produce another heroic performance, particularly in the final frame, en route to a unanimous
decision. Broadhurst made it three in-a-row at 57kg versus France’s Elisa Bouchlaka, the southpaw getting the nod from all three judges across the board. Ciara Sheedy had to settle for silver against France’s Belinda Belmuka in the 63kg final. Sheedy won the first round of this encounter, but Belmuka turned it around in the final two frames to seal victory. Kristina O’Hara maintained the gold rush in the first of the Youth finals after she won her 48kg decider.
11 July 2013 CLONDALKIN Gazette 31
Gazette
Rushe hails Dublin’s Leinster hurling run sport@gazettegroup.com
ST PAT’s Palmerstown’s Liam Rushe was one of Dublin’s key performers in their historic run to the Leinster senior hurling championship title last Sunday in Croke Park, producing another fine performance at centre-back in the 2-25 to 2-13 final win over
Galway. It ended the county’s 52-year wait for the Bob O’Keeffe Cup and completed one of the most remarkable runs in the Leinster senior hurling championship, beating each winner of the competition since 1996 – Wexford, Kilkenny and Galway –with an emphatic flourish.
Speaking about the win on Monday, Rushe described the aftermath of an incredible achievement. “It was a bit of a mad day for us,” he said. “Everything just seemed to go right for us. Galway are so dangerous that we couldn’t really enjoy it until the final whistle blew.
“We were probably a little bit nervous going to Wexford because they could easily roll you. And they nearly did. We were a bit nervous and didn’t play to our potential. In fairness the five weeks on the trot has probably helped us.” “I’m elated; the whole family and friends are buzzing.”
football: minors remain in league contention
Club Noticeboard round tower clondalkin THE junior hurlers defeated St Pat’s
087 683 6737 or email info@round-
Donabate in the championship. The
tower.ie
inter hurlers defeated St Olaf’s in the
Club nursery is open for four- to
league. The minor footballers lost to
seven-year-olds every Saturday
Na Fianna in the league.
morning in Monastery Road from 10
RT’s 35th annual Mass for deceased
to 11.30am and is delivered in a fun
members will be held on Wednesday,
environment to allow children learn
July 10 at 8pm in the clubrooms. All
the skills of football and hurling.
are welcome to attend.
Please contact Catherine Moran on
Lotto: numbers drawn were 8, 12,
087 8303 207 for more information.
20 and 30; Bonus Ball 2. There was
The club shop is open in the club
no winner of the jackpot of €10,000.
every Monday night from 7.30 to
Congratulations to Brendan Stynes,
8.30pm. Please call Betty Ward or
Margaret Cullen and Anthony Banks
Catherine Moran direct if you have
who were the three €100 winners.
any particular enquiries on 087 675
This week’s jackpot is €10,000.
2238 or 086 830 3207 respectively.
Pick your Lotto team leader and help them become the top Friday night seller.
Bingo is on every Tuesday night, first call 8.30pm. Enquiries for rental of the club-
One hour once every seven weeks
rooms for parties, anniversaries,
is all it takes. If you are able to help,
etc to Jimmy behind the bar on
please contact Matt McCormack on
01-4592960.
st pat’s palmerstown Congratulations to Liam Rushe
Second draw numbers were 11, 15, 17
and the Dublin hurlers on their
and 25. There was no winner.
Leinster final victory over Galway.
Any three numbers winners were
The junior hurlers played a great
Cillian McHugh, Danny Burke and
game to beat Castleknock. Group pass applications available from Pauline via email Lotto: First draw numbers were 2, 3, 8 and 23. There was no winner.
Conor Geraghty. The next draw is on Sunday, July 14. First draw jackpot of €10,000. Second draw jackpot of €5,000.
Round Tower’s minor footballers in action against Erin’s Isle last week in the league
Tower’s solid run ends at Na Fianna MFL Division 3
Na Fianna 2-11 Round Tower’s 1-11 sport@gazettegroup.com
Round Towe r Clondalkin’s minor footballers were pipped to the points by Na Fianna last weekend when their run of good results narrowly came to an end at Glasnevin despite a strong and composed performance. Having registered a very positive eight-point victory over Erin’s Isle in midweek, in what was described as a great team performance by the team’s mentors, Tower’s
went into the match against Na Fianna full of hope, particularly as they had not lost a match in the league since their opening encounter with Whitehall Colmcilles. However, Tower’s got off to a slow start, and were caught by a Na Fianna goal in the first few minutes of the match when the defence were caught unawares. For the next 10 minutes, Tower’s attempted to play their way back into the match, and for the rest of the half, the match proved even. Tower’s Aaron Soady started a move in his
own half, continuing his run and finished with a well-struck point from 25 yards out. Alan Gavin struck a solid 50, and a pair of points from David McCarthy from right corner forward and one from Shane Boland left the teams going in 1-5 to 0-7 at half time, a single point between the side. The second half proved once again even, and going into the final few minutes, Tower’s were two points adrift and in search of an elusive goal. One chance came when Micheal Walsh’s left hand strike went across the small square, to be
met by Adam Clarke, who unfortunately put the ball narrowly over the bar instead of just under. Boland scored 1-1 in the second half, but Tower’s were just that opening strike from Na Fianna behind the curve on the day, the match ending 2-11 to 1-11. T h e r e s u l t l e ave s them still in catching distance of league leaders St Anne’s, a single point ahead of Tower’s, and with the prospect of their must win match against O’Toole’s at the Community Centre on the close horizon.
lucan sarsfields Congratulations to Johnny McCaf-
Dublin Puc Fada last week.
frey, Peter Kelly, Chris Crummey and
Mega Hurling Rebounders are now
the Dublin hurlers on winning the
on sale from the club shop and from
Leinster senior hurling champion-
behind the bar at a reduced price of
ship on Sunday.
€30.
There were great scenes on Sun-
Well done to Rob Ward on his 13th
day night as the Bob O’Keeffe Cup
out of 26 in the All-Ireland Feile Skills
arrived home to our club house.
competition.
You can now register online for our
Hard luck to our Feile camogie
summer camps run by the captain
team who were unlucky not to make
of the Leinster champions, Johnny
it out of the group stages in the
McCaffrey at www.lucansarsfields.
weekends All-Ireland Feile Division 1
ie. Camps run from 10am to 2.30pm.
in Limerick after winning their first
Hurling/Camogie (Club Camp) Mon-
two games well but losing the third
day, July 15 to Friday, July 19; Foot-
by a point.
ball (Club Camp) Monday, August 12
Our annual barndance with a pig
to Friday, August 16; Hurling/Cam-
on a spit will take place on Saturday,
ogie (Club Camp) Monday, August 19
July 27 from 10pm with music from
to Friday, August 23. For more infor-
Jumpin’ Johnny Peters. Tickets €5
mation, contact Lisa Tuite 086 377
each.
4887 or Cathrine Hayes 087 640 9701.
This week’s lot to jackpot of
Our nurseries for boys and girls
€20,000 was won. Check website for
have now finished for the summer break. Well done to our U-12 ladies footballers who won the first of this weekend’s Leinster titles for Dublin on Saturday in Longford. Congratulations to Tommy Sommers on coming third in the first ever
numbers. No winner of our second jackpot which will be €3,500 next week. Mick Mulhall’s team will be in charge next Sunday night when our sponsor will be John Ryan Accountant.
32 CLONDALKIN Gazette 11 July 2013