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April 9 - 15, 2015 Month XX, 2012
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INSIDE: School yourself on some of the latest issues in education See P21-23
INEQUALITY: Our reporter’s experience of homophobia while househunting P 18
Rising time: Past comes to life on O’Connell Street Soccer:
St Kevin’s host top quality Easter event Page 30
TENS of thousands took to
O’Connell Street on Easter Monday to help make The Road to the Rising event come alive. As part of its Easter Rising commemorations, the public were invited to step back in time to 1915 for the RTE Rising commemoration. Actors helped to recreate a wedding and funeral from the period, while a restored openfront tram served as a platform for readings and performances.
Picture: James Martin
Football:
Dublin Under21s Leinster title success Page 31
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ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES...................... 8 DUBLIN LIFE...................11 OUT&ABOUT ..................17 CLASSIFIEDS ................26 SPORT ...........................28
Sewage leaks spark fear for health, safety Residents in Ballymun ‘can’t go out because there is faeces all over’
LAURA WEBB
BALLYMUN residents in certain estates fear for the health and safety of their children this week, with raw sewage pushing up through pipes and seeping into their
gardens. For a mother of six at Druid’s Court it has been a constant problem since she moved in five years ago, but more recently it has worsened. “There is so much risk of
infection with this [issue]… The kids can’t go out because there is faeces all over the court.” Local councillor Noeleen Reilly (SF) says she has had to walk through it so she can only imagine what residents
are going through. A council spokesperson said the sewage would be cleared on April 7 and blockages arose from householders putting wipes, nappies and grease into the system. Full Story on Page 2
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health Alarm at ongoing problem at some Ballymun estates
Residents fearful over raw sewage A MOTHER of six is pleading with the local authority to fix a raw sewage problem in her estate that has residents fearing for the health of their children. The resident, who has been living in Druid’s Court in Ballymun for the past five years, spoke to The Gazette about the ongoing problem residents were facing with raw sewage. She said it had been a constant problem, but more recently it had worsened with some people getting sick. She said: “There is so much risk of infection with this [issue]. The
laura webb lwebb@gazettegroup.com
vomiting bug has been going around; I don’t know if it’s connected but there is a cause for concern because of the sewage. “People are walking into their homes with it because it is unavoidable. You have to walk through it to get into your house. It’s really bad. “The kids can’t go out
because there is faeces all over the court; everything is coming up from the shore. The smell is just unbelievable. It’s coming up through the sink, too,” she said. According to the resident, this has been a problem since before she moved in five years ago. “I think the way the system is around here is that the pipes are all connected, and it’s coming up throughout the whole court and through gardens, too. “Nothing seems to be happening to fix it. I know there are other residents getting on to
local councillors about it,” she said. The resident is calling on Dublin City Council to fix the problem as soon as possible. “I think there is a bigger problem than just what people are putting down their systems. I think something needs to be done with the drainage throughout the court. The whole pipe works needs to be looked at,” she said. Cllr Noeleen Reilly (SF) has received a number of complaints about the issue in a number of different courts in the area, but D r u i d a n d K n ow t h Court are the worst affected. Despite reporting the matter on numerous occasions, the problem remains. Cllr Reilly said: “I have walked through it myself and it is just awful, so I can only imagine how tenants feel.
Cllr Noeleen Reilly (SF): “Residents are at the end of their tether. They feel no one is listening to them. There is clearly a very serious drainage issue here and it needs to be sorted, once and for all.”
“Residents are at the end of their tether. They feel no one is listening to them. There is clearly a very serious drainage issue here and it needs to be sorted, once and for all. “The courts were one area that was neglected during the [area’s] regeneration and now residents are being
forced to live beside raw sewage. “Children play in this area, and it is very dangerous for them to be among this. I don’t believe that the council is treating this problem as seriously as it should be. Residents have the right to live in a clean and safe environment,” she said.
A spokesperson for Dublin City Council said the sewage would be cleared on April 7, and the cause of blockages is “householders putting baby wipes, nappies and grease into the system”. Letters have also been distributed to the households in the area requesting that they “do not do this in future”.
Experience lots of Japanese culture Dubliners can experience Japanese culture through music, dance, food and more when the annual Experience Japan Hanami festival day takes place this Sunday. Taking place on Sunday, April 12, Farmleigh House and Estate in the Phoenix Park will be transformed into a mini Japan between noon and 4pm for the free Experience Japan Hanami Festival Day. Hanami (cherry blossom) festivals are an
annual event in Japan, where family and friends come together to welcome spring and celebrate nature. Launching the event, Minister of State for the Office of Public Works Simon Harris said: “I am delighted to announce that my office, the OPW, will once again host Experience Japan Hanami Festival at Farmleigh. “On Sunday 12 April we will be able to experience and enjoy a taste of
Dublin Gazette Newspapers, Top Floor, Clarendon House, 39 Clarendon Street, Dublin 2 Tel: 01 - 6010240. Email: sales@dublingazette.com news@dublingazette.com web: www.dublingazette.com twitter: @DublinGazette Visit us on Facebook at DublinGazetteNewspapers
Japanese culture.” Visitors to the popular tourist spot can help celebrate Japanese and Japanese-Irish culture with music and dance performances, calligraphy, origami, martial arts demonstrations, Japanese food stalls and more. Japanese ambassador Chihiro Atsumi said Experience Japan, now in its sixth year, has grown into the largest regular annual event celebrating Japanese culture in Ireland. He said: “Ireland and Japan enjoy very close political and economic ties, but our cultural links are equally important. “For evidence of this, you only have to see how Experience Japan
has expanded every year, with the help and support of everyone with an interest in Japan. “I very much hope that our two countries will continue to grow closer this year.” Music will also be a noticeable fixture for the festival with performances from returning favourites like taiko drummers, cosplayers, J-Pop performers, Soran Bushi and Bon Odori dancers. Renowned traditional musician John Spillane will play his hanamithemed Dance of the Cherry Trees for this year’s festival. For full festival information, see www.experiencejapan.ie.
9 April 2015 dublin city gazette 3
wonderful Mathews exhibits in Ranelagh
housing: solution requires cash
Reinvest in councils
now, says Sinn Fein laura webb
A major funding injection into local authorities is required to address the housing crisis, according to a local councillor, leaving the Government’s funding allocation of over €292m to Dublin City Council short of what is needed. Cllr Criona Ni Dhalaigh (SF), who is chairperson of the council’s housing SPC (strategic policy committee), says the Government needs to reinvest the money lost over the years to local councils. “Since 2008, €1bn has been taken out of local authorities and that has still not been replaced, major funding of local authorities is the only way we are going to
address this [housing issue],” she said. She also said the Government needs to stop relying on the private rental sector with schemes such as HAP (housing assistance payment) and RAS (rental accomodation scheme). Local Government Minister Alan Kelly announced €1.5bn is to be spent nationally on a combination of buying, building and leasing schemes by local authorities to reduce housing waiting lists by 25% by 2017. Minister Kelly said these are “ambitious targets” for local authorities throughout the country and will “have a major impact for those on the housing waiting lists”. Dublin City Coun-
cil was allocated €292,194,455 for 3,347 units which the Government claims will reduce its social housing waiting list by 21%. A figure that does not go far enough for Cllr Ni Dhalaigh. She said any developments to reduce the housing crisis are welcome but the figure is “not addressing the crisis” and that the biggest problem is the “over reliance” on the private renting sector which has “caused” the current homeless crisis. “We need to go way beyond 21% and we need rent certainty, for the landlord and the tenant, particularly in Dublin… The figures are so reliant on the private rental sector, it’s scary,” she said.
Brilliant idea! DIT announces its first ever creative summer academy a radiant Caoilinn McCabe helped the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) announce Ireland’s first ever creative academy recently. It will be called Idea Camp – the academy of creative play, and will be situated in phase one of Ireland’s newest third-level campus in Grangegorman in Dublin. The programme will start June 2015 and will be Ireland’s only creativity summer school where eight- to 12-year-olds will get a chance to explore music, art, design, food and gaming in a higher education setting.
Irish artist Tom Mathews is to mark the 150th anniversary of the release of Alice in Wonderland with an exhibition of new paintings at the Ranalagh arts centre. The book, released by Lewis Carol in 1865, is still today celebrated by readers around the world. The exhibition, titled Alice in Ranalagh, will have its opening night on April 17, and will include a talk from Paul Howard, author of the Ross O’Carroll-Kelly series. Seamus Duff y, an administrator at the arts centre, is expecting the public response to be very positive. “The images are very striking. Tom is a really talented artist. We’re excited to have his work here.”
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don’sdublin Drawing back curtains on the Abbey’s history The Abbey Theatre (also known as the National Theatre of Ireland) has had a long and interesting history dating back over a hundred years. In the 1890s, WB Yeats, Lady Augusta Gregory and Edward Martyn published a Manifesto for the Irish Literary Theatre with the intention of establishing a national theatre for Ireland. Allied to this was the work of the brothers William and Frank Fay who formed WG Fay’s Irish National Dramatic Company that helped develop local acting and writing talent, and the financial input and management guidance of Annie Horniman. She was from London and a friend and supporter of George Bernard Shaw and had financed one of his plays, Arms and the Man, in 1894. She came to Dublin in 1903 and worked as Yeats’s secretary when he, Gregory, Martyn, AE Russell and JM Synge founded the Irish National Theatre Society. She helped fund the new project which was soon augmented by members of the Fay group. The first plays were performed in the Molesworth Hall, but when the old Mechanic’s Hall on Lower Abbey Street became available Horniman and the Fays agreed to buy the premises. William Fay was the appointed as the first
theatre manager with responsibility for training new actors. Jack B Yeats, the renowned artist, was commissioned to paint portraits of the leading actors of the time that were on show in the theatre’s foyer. On the opening of the new theatre, December 27, 1904, three one-act plays were performed; two by WB Yeats and one by Lady Gregory. The theatre thrived for a few years, but after the riots that followed Synge’s play The Playboy of the Western World in 1907 and the split with Fays, the theatre’s fortunes slipped. The old building was destroyed by fire on July 17, 1951, and the company performed at the Queen’s Theatre until 1966 when the newly built Abbey Theatre, designed by Michael Scott, was officially opened on July 18. With the contribution of new, exceptional playwrights like Hugh Leonard (Da 1973), Tom Murphy (A Whistle in the Dark 1961) and Brian Friel (Dancing at Lughnasa 1990), the fortunes of the theatre improved and helped raise its international profile.
Don Cameron
www.donsdublin.wordpress.com
drink New Dublin distillery set for The Liberties cordoned off: public safety
Grenade found in grass in Phoenix Park
Brothers Stephen and Jack Teeling and the brass spirit safe that holds the first whiskey spirit to be produced in Dublin in almost four decades. Picture: Patrick Bolger Photography
Teelings Whiskey has ‘finally come home’
paul doyle
The first new distillery in Dublin for 125 years is set to open this May in the Newmarket area of The Liberties. The opening follows an announcement from Teeling Whiskey Company earlier this year of a €10m investment in a visitor centre and distillery. Following a World’s Best award at the 2015 World Whiskies Awards for its single malt, the company will now add an authentic Dublin made whiskey to its list of products. The whiskey, from the Teeling Whiskey Distill-
ery, is to be the first to be fully made in Dublin for 39 years. Teeling Whiskey now has complete control over every aspect of its production, and is hoping that consumers will be curious to try a whiskey that is 100% Irish. “We’re available in 37 different countries, so we’re hoping that people will want to try a whiskey that’s been authentically made in Dublin,” says Rebecca Bell, Teeling’s marketing coordinator. The Irish whiskey market is incredibly lucrative, with 6.75 million cases of Irish whiskey consumed in 2013, up from 4 million in 2008.
Those wanting to try an authentic Dublin whiskey will have to wait a bit longer, though, as the whiskey will first be distilled for three years and one day before it is sold. Jack Teeling, founder and managing directing of Teeling Whiskey, is excited that his company is to finally open the doors to its very own distillery in Dublin. Upon completion, the distillery and visitor centre are expecting to create 30 permanent jobs. “This is a huge milestone in the story of Teeling Whiskey. “It has taken three years of planning, hard
work and significant capital investment, but Teeling Whiskey is finally home.” Jack Teeling founded the Teeling Whiskey Company in 2012 with hopes to bring back an independent voice to the Irish whiskey category. A year later his brother Stephen joined as sales and marketing director and is a co-owner in the business. The company now aims to be Ireland’s leading independent Irish whiskey producer driving category choice and innovation through a selection of unique handcrafted small batch Irish whiskeys.
An area of Dublin’s most iconic park was cordoned off at the weekend to make safe a historical grenade found protruding from grass by members of the public. On Saturday, April 4, an army bomb disposal team was sent out to the Phoenix Park in response to a request from An Garda Siochana after the suspicious object was found. Safe
The area was cordoned off for public safety before the team arrived at around 3.30pm. They safely moved the Mills-type grenade to an open area where it was rendered safe by a controlled explosion. The scene was declared safe at 4.10pm. Utilised
The type of grenade was early 20th century in origin and was utilised during the War of Independence, the Civil War and the first and second World Wars. Members of the public are being urged to be alert and inform gardai if they happen to find such a device.
Pick up a rose in aid of cystic fibrosis Volunteers will be out in force later this month in shopping centres throughout the city in aid of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland. The annual 65 Roses National Awareness Week takes place in Dublin from April 20 to 26. 65 Roses is what some children with cystic fibrosis (CF) call their disease because
the words are easier to pronounce. Throughout the week volunteers will be selling 65 Roses pins and silk purple roses in shopping centres such as Charlestown Shopping Centre, Royal Hibernian Way Shopping Centre and St Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre on Friday, April 24 with funds raised
going towards CF research, the development of new CF health facilities and the provision of patient grants. Highest
CF is a genetically inherited disease that primarily affects the lungs and the digestive system. Ireland has the highest incident of CF in the world
with one in 19 Irish people said to carry a copy of the altered gene that causes CF. People are also being encouraged to take up a 65 Roses Challenge — one of any number of 65 themed fundraisers detailed on w w w. cfireland.ie or people can make a €2 donation by texting “65ROSES” to 50300.
9 April 2015 dublin city gazette 5
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gardai Answers sought over collision in Phoenix Park on Bank Holiday Monday
Man questioned as toddler dies in hit and run laura webb
A 24-year-old man questioned in relation to a fatal hit and run of a two-year-old girl has been released without charge. The man was questioned following the serious collision which occurred on the North
Road in the Phoenix Park at approximately 6.25pm on Monday, April 6. The toddler was struck by a car which failed to stop at the scene. She was taken to Temple Street Children’s Hospital where she was pronounced dead the following morning.
The man was arrested shortly after the incident and was detained under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 in relation to the incident. In the early hours of Wednesday, April 8, the 24-year-old was released without charge.
A file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions. Gardai in Cabra continue to investigate the incident and are renewing their appeal for witnesses to contact them at Cabra Garda Station on 01-6667400, or by calling the
Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station. The toddler, who was a month away from her second birthday, has been named locally as, Vanessa Siatka, from the Waterville area of Blanchardstown. She was
with her family at the time of the incident in the Phoenix Park. Her heartbroken father, spoke of how she “went to the angels” in her mother’s arms. The park was said to be packed full with families over the bank holiday weekend due to the fine weather.
It’s time for end-of-year gigs at Ballyfermot’s Rock School Young musicians from the Rock School in Ballyfermot are set to take over the Grand Social in Dublin with their end-of-year gigs. The Ballyfermot College of Further Education gigs, BCFE Magnitunes 2015, take place over three consecutive Tuesdays: April 14, 21 and 28. Since the Rock School showcase gigs first took to the stage in 1989, students have been given a platform to perform original sets to a wide audience in venues such as Whelan’s, The Village and now The Grand Social. The Rock School at Ballyfermot is the most successful of its kind in Ireland and
is one of the first in Europe. The school aims to prepare musicians for the professional music industry as writers, performers, instrumentalists, arrangers and producers. Offering a mini-festival vibe, Magnitunes 2015 is promising an eclectic series of gigs with 80 original Irish songs being showcased by Irish artists, such as Kerencia, Junior Brother, Edelweiss, NamaNaya and Fever Solstice. Doors for the event open each Tuesday at 7.30pm with tickets costing €5 with a student ID or €7 on the door. For further information, see www. bcferockschool.ie
Panda worker and Romanian national Costica Nedelcu found and returned €1,500 in cash belonging to a Panda customer with Alzheimer’s who had hidden cash in an old shoe for safekeeping. Picture: Marc O’Sullivan
surprise! panda worker finds cash in old shoe
Company returns €1,500 found in skip paul doyle
A recycling company has returned €1,500 to its rightful owner after finding it accidently discarded in a skip. Wo r ke r C o s t i c a Nedelcu, a Romanian national, was working at Panda’s recycling centre and found the large sum hidden in an old shoe. The money, which belonged to an elderly woman with Alzheimer’s disease, was then given to management at Panda, who returned the money to her family. “It’s a big relief and
pleasant surprise to get my mother ’s money back” said the woman’s d a u g h t e r, s p e a k i n g anonymously. “I’m very appreciative of Panda’s honesty and professionalism in returning the cash.” Accidental
Although the find may seem surprising to some, valuable possessions are often accidently discarded and lost when homes of senior citizens are being cleaned. Eamon Timmins of Age Action has advised care and diligence when
cleaning elderly people’s homes. “When discarding of possessions on behalf of older people, we advise carers to be aware that valuables can be hidden in unexpected places so furniture or other unwanted items should b e d o u b l e c h e c ke d before being placed into skips.” Paul Doherty, spokesman for Panda, says that the company has a system in place to prevent accidental loss of valuables, but it requires honesty from employees. “We have a system in
place to try and prevent valuables being lost, but in order for it to work our employees need to report if they find anything.” Brian McCabe, chief executive of Panda, has commended Nedelcu’s honesty, and is happy his company returned the sum. “We were very happy that we could return lost money to our customer. We will continue to be vigilant and will make every effort to ensure that cash accidently thrown into skips or bins is returned to its rightful owner,” he said.
9 April 2015 dublin city gazette 7
dunnes stores 5,000 protest for better working set-up
Strikers happy with level of public support paul doyle
FIVE thousand Dunnes Stores workers around the country, including those based in Dublin, took industrial action on Easter Thursday, staging a protest over their current working conditions. They have specificallybeen demanding secure working hours, job security, fair pay and the right to union representation. Speaking to The Gazette on the day of the industrial action, Mandate official Dave Moran said he was very pleased by the public’s response to the strike. “The response is everything we expected. Irish people have a great
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‘The response is everything we expected. Irish people have a great sense of justice and fairness’ --------------------------
Dave Moran, Mandate Trade Union
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sense of justice and fairness, and they recognise that Dunnes’ workers are being treated unfairly.” A number of politicians, including Micheal Martin (FF), Gerry Adams and Mary Lou McDonald, both Sinn Fein, visited
the picket mounted at the outlet in St Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre in Dublin and expressed solidarity. Speaking anonymously outside the Stephen’s Green picket, a protester discussed the public response to the picket. “We’re getting great support from people. We’ve had people coming up to us and telling us they aren’t going to cross the picket and a lot of people signing our petition.” While some shoppers chose to cross the picket, overall business for Dunnes Stores has been affected by the industrial action. “Normally, on Holy
Thursday the shop would be bustling. But it’s very quiet today.” Despite the protest causing a decline in custom, Dunnes Stores was able to remain open due to a number of workers who decided not to protest. Although happy overall with support, Moran was not surprised some workers crossed the picket. “Nothing but fear is preventing more workers from taking action. I have nothing but respect for the people who are out protesting today, because they are going to suffer as a result of this protest” Another protester, also speaking anonymously, discussed the circumstances that had led to
Dunnes Stores workers who continue to demand secure working hours, job security, fair pay and the right to union representation
some workers crossing the picket. “We would have more support if so many people weren’t afraid of losing their jobs. “I’d say about 50% of people who have crossed the picket wouldn’t have done so if they weren’t scared.” Among other issues, the strikers consider that
the allocation of working hours is used by management as a means of control. To prevent this, they are demanding the implementation of “banded hour” contracts, which would provide workers with secure working hours. Despite the nationwide protests, Dunnes Stores has refused to go into
direct discussions with a trade union. “We hope this ends today [April 2]. We’re ready to end the strike right now if the management will speak to us. “We want to be reasonable, and reach some kind of agreement, but to do that, we have to be actually sat at the table.” The dispute continues.
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gazetteGALLERY
Louise O’Reilly
Gail Kaneswaren, Sam Homan and Ursula Kelly. Pictures: Brian McEvoy
Niamh White and Susan Burke
Spring fashion extravaganza at the Morrison I
Natalie Burke
reland’s most fashionable were out in force at the launch of Boohoo’s Spring Summer collection at the Morrison Hotel. Gail Kaneswaren and Alison Canavan browsed the rails as they sipped tasty drinks. Corina Gaffey, Lorna Weightman and Sonja Mohlich were amongst the top stylists at the launch to check out the new collection. International model turned baker Sam Homan was also there to check out the boohooMAN collection. Guests were treated to metallic temporary tattoos and delicious canapes while DJ Adrienne O’Hora entertained guests with summer sounds.
Donna McGarry and Catriona O’Connor
Christine Arthurs, Stephanie Quigley and Lauren Arthurs
Emma Farrell and Kate Kelly
9 April 2015 dublin city gazette 9
10 gazette 9 April 2015
gazetteGALLERY
Catriona O’Connor and Dee Fiona Morton and Leona Bernes
Hedderman
It’s not hard to spot those Ferrell fans
W
ill Ferrell fans were out in droves for the Irish premiere screening of his latest movie, Get Hard. The film tells the story of a prison-bound James (Will Ferrell) a millionaire hedge fund manager who asks a black businessman (Kevin Hart), who has never
been to jail, to prepare him for life behind bars. Guests on the night included RTE presenter Blathnaid Ni Chofaigh, Fair City actress Aoibheann McCaul, as well as Spin Radio’s Cormac Moore. The after party continued later at the hip Sth William Venue.
Jasette Fitzsimons and Melissa Hayward pictured at the Irish premiere screening of Will Ferrell’s new film Get Hard at the Screen Cinema in Dublin. Pictures: Brian McEvoy
Blathnaid Ni Chofaigh
Susan Edmonds
Donna McGarry and Eoin Dillon
Seamus Morton and Damien Bernes
David McLaughlin and Robyn O’Brien
9 April 2015 Gazette 11
asdfsdaf business P27 P16
feature P13
dublinlife Let Dublin Gazette Newspapers take you on a tour of the news and events taking place across the city and county this week
day in the life: actress cathy belton
what’son
It’s an early start for a scheming TV3 heiress keith bellew kbellew@dublingazettecom
Actress Cathy Belton plays the part of Patricia Hennessy, the evil, scheming heiress on TV3’s Red Rock, and recently graced the red carpet for the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival premiere of A Little Chaos along with director Alan Rickman. This week the Gazette spoke with Belton about a hectic Day in the Life of an actress on set, with early rises, long shoots and late finishes. Because shooting begins early, she often has to be on set by 6.30am for hair and make-up which
means a very early rise. She said: “I get up early and have a strong cup of tea, and what I usually do is bring my breakfast with me and have that in the green room after I’m made up and before I get into costume.” She said that the schedule can vary from day to day once she is in costume, based on how many scenes she has. Once shooting starts it’s very busy and she might be in one location shooting scenes for two episodes so these are shot back-to-back in order to stay on schedule. “Once you start it’s fairly busy, you’re just going and going. We would usually work until
about half 12, and then we take a break for lunch. Then we’re back on at half one, and you work on one, but you might have a scene or two off. That’s great because it gives you a chance to catch up on your lines to come and prep for the next scene or maybe you would have a costume scene or maybe a hair and make-up change, so you would be in hair and make-up for maybe half an hour after lunch too,” she said. The long day usually ends at about half seven, and Belton says that at that point she is not inclined to go out anywhere and goes straight home. Having been
Gazette
diary P12
ukrainians and russians set to hold two operas
Actress Cathy Belton plays Patricia Hennessy, a scheming heiress on TV3’s Red Rock
indoors all day she likes to get some fresh air. “I tend to go for a run down by the Grand Canal, which I love. “It clears my head and I let go of Patricia Hennessy and all the stress and it gives me a good airing.”
She says that if she is due on set the next day, then she runs over lines in the evening and watches Red Rock if it’s on, and gets into bed at 10.30pm or 11pm. “I’d read a bit or watch a bit of telly. I’ll watch something on Netflix
which is always good. That’s my day when I’m on Red Rock.” You can catch Belton spinning her webs of intrigue in her role as Patricia Hennessy on Red Rock every Wednesday and Thursday at 8.30pm on TV3.
DURING preparations for this year’s tour with the Ukrainian National Opera in Kharkiv, award-winning opera producer Ellen Kent was caught just six miles from the epicentre of the Ukrainian/ Russian conflict. Warned by the British Foreign Office not to travel due to fatalities, bombings and kidnappings, she managed to transport the complete sets, props and costumes out of the area. Which is good news for Ireland, as the National Concert Hall is staging her highlyacclaimed productions of Puccini’s popular Madama Butterfly and La Traviata this month. Under her guidance, the Ukrainian National Opera will perform Puccini’s Madama Butterfly on April 18, and Verdi’s La Traviata on April 19. Focusing on overcoming the difficulties of the conflict, Kent has assembled a new company, including Ukrainians, Moldovans and Russians, working together in harmony to bring a heart-wrenching productions of both operas. For further information on the productions, see www.nch.ie.
Gazette
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dublinlife
DIARY
Brush up on how McGregor might do in his next big match CONOR McGregor fans are making noise and rallying to support the modest (ahem!) fighter’s next big match against Jose Aldo with a graphic mural splattered across a Dublin City lane. You just never know what you are going to see when you walk down a lane in this dirty aul’ town – take Sycamore Street (beside the Olympia Theatre), for example. Imagine The Gazette’s surprise when we noticed a sizable mural of Conor
McGregor holding a defeated Aldo’s head with the title belt draped around his shoulder. McGregor will face down Aldo in a title shot on Saturday, July 11 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The bout will be the 26-year-old Dubliner’s toughest, to date, seeing as Rio de Janeiro’s Aldo has been unbeaten since 2006. Although the public will enjoy the mural, it’s doubtful that the litter warden from the council will be too pleased
with the graffiti art – who would want to tackle the Notorious Conor, even if it’s only a mural?
search is on for curvy women CURVACEOUS women looking to boost their confidence, enter the modelling world, or just to have a laugh are urged to enter the Tempted Boutiques “Face of Tempted” plus-size model competition. The competition, which celebrates body confidence, was launched recently to find new plussize modelling talent, and entrants are invited from all walks of life and all ages across Ireland. Competition organiser Rosemary Kearns said they are looking for entrants who are a size 16-plus and who love style and fashion. Fifteen women will be selected for the final, to be held on Sunday, May 17 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Santry. The total prize package is worth more than €3,000 and includes €1,000 “Curvy Cash” to spend in Tempted Boutique, an overnight spa break for two, and much more. Entries can be made online at www.tempted. ie, or at www.facebook. com / temptedsize16to28, supplying two pho-
The suitably modest and quietly confident mural on show in Sycamore Street suggesting the outcome of Conor McGregor’s upcoming bout against Jose Aldo. Picture: Shane DIllon
tos and some personal details. The closing date for entries is Friday, April 17 at 5pm.
look good, and help do good HERE’S your chance to look good while doing good when the Bestseller group’s stores, such as Vero Moda and Jack & Jones, host a Give-A-Day campaign where 50% of one day’s net turnover in Ireland will go to CMRF Crumlin, the principal fundraiser for Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Crumlin and the national children’s research centre. International and family-owned fashion firm Bestseller is arranging a worldwide charity day across all of its brands on April 10. And, through its fundraising body, Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin has been chosen as the Irish charity recipient. All money raised on the day will help fund
new radiography equipment which will reduce the radiation dose to a child while also improving x-ray imagery. CMRF Crumlin and Bestseller are together calling on the public to save their pennies for April 10 to indulge in a spot of weekend retail therapy to help raise money for the hospital’s radiology department. Bestseller brands, which also include Vila and Name It, have 81 stores in Ireland.
young film critics sought DO YOU enjoy watching films? Would you like to see new films from around the world? Ever thought of beeing a film critic? And are you aged between eight to 18? If so, this year’s Cinemagic Dublin CineSeekers and CineFocus film jury is for you. T his coming May, jury panels of film buffs aghed eight to 18 from all
across Ireland will get the opportunity to watch and judge a series of international films during the Cinemagic Dublin 2015 Festival. The jury meets in Cineworld cinemas in Parnell Street and Film Base, Temple Bar, where they will learn how to review and critique, and choose the winning films of the weekend. They also have the chance to meet other young film fans, master the role of the film critic and play an important part in Cinemagic Dublin’s eighth festival for young people. To register for the May Cinemagic Dublin Festival Jury, visit www.cinemagic.ie by April 30.
make time for a tea-rific break GO ON, go on, go on ... have a tea break during work and you will be happier – that’s according to a new survey by Lyons Tea. According to findings
from the report, 70% of Irish workers no longer take tea breaks because they just don’t have the time, and are unsure whether or not they are entitled to a break. Lyons Tea is now looking to banish such widesprea “tea break shame” around the country. The tea-break study has found that many workers are “ashamed” of taking breaks and feel “frowned upon” by coworkers if they do. T he sur vey shows half of those questioned would feel happier and be more productive if they took a tea break at 11am, while 20% said they felt “frowned upon” when they did take the plunge. Operation Transformation presenter and GP Ciara Kelly said: “It’s common now for people to not take breaks, to skip lunch or to eat at their desks, but it’s not good for your overall health or quality of life.”
9 April 2015 Gazette 13
Gazette
FEATURE
escape the mayhem: talk show host Niall Boylan’s secret for keeping stress at bay
‘Exercise? I’d rather play the Playstation 4’ Ian Begley
Dubbed one of Ireland’s most controversial talk show hosts, Niall Boylan’s dynamic radio career sees him interact with some of Dublin’s most outlandish individuals on a daily basis. B r o a d c a s t i n g t wo shows during the afternoon and at night, it’s certainly fair to say that this Classic Hits presenter’s day is demanding to say the least. This week The Gazette caught up with Boylan to find out just what he does to unwind. “I’m not as fit as I once was and tend to be very bad when it comes to
exercising. “I’d much rather sit down and play the Playstation 4 and at 51 years of age I have to say I find it really therapeutic. “I also really enjoy spending time with my kids during the weekends. “I often take them to St Anne’s Park which I really like because I used to go rambling around there as a kid on my chopper bike. “There’s a restaurant within the park called Tir na nOg that I go to for a cup of tea while my kids and their friends are going mad around the park. “The only escape I get at night during the week-
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‘I’ve never taken a day off sick before and never plan to either, touch wood’
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days is by watching television and playing the Playstation. Everyone else is in bed by the time I get home from work so I more or less have the house to myself. “I really value the Christmas and summer holidays because they’re the only time I get off to relax and spend time with
my family. “I’ve never taken a day off sick before and never plan to either, touch wood. “I’m mentally awake when I get back from work and am anything but tired. I’m wound up like a spring after dealing with callers for three-anda-half hours at night and have to calm down with a nice cup of tea or a bite to eat before I head to bed at 3am. “My eating and sleeping habits are destroyed by work, but that’s the way it is and now I’m used to it.” Check out the Niall Boylan Show from 1pm to 3pm and from 9pm to 1am (Monday to Friday).
Niall Boylan: “The only escape at night during the week is by watching television”
GAZETTE
14 GAZETTE 9 April 2015
DUBLINLIFE
FEATURE
PREJUDICE: SUBTLE AND OVERT HOMOPHOBIA MAKES FLATHUNTING EVEN HARDER FOR SOME
Looking for a home, but finding inequality The Gazette’s IAN BEGLEY recounts his personal experience of difficulties he, and many other people, face based only on his sexuality.
FOR some, house-hunting with their partner for the first time can be an exciting new endeavour, marking a whole new chapter in their lives. For the past two and a half months, my boyfriend and I have been persistently looking to share an accommoda-
tion in Dublin, but have been turned down many times by landlords who have openly denied us residency solely because we’re gay. I was so outraged and upset that I decided to speak to the Ryan Tubridy radio show recently. I described how a male landlord in Blanchardstown rang me to see if I was on my way up to visit his place with my “girlfriend”. I told him that I was
currently on my way, but said that I was with my boyfriend. What followed was a brief, awkward pause. He then said, “You’re gay guys? Oh well, that changes everything. I won’t have gay people living in my house.” Another silence ensued, and in my disbelief at this blatant homophobia, all I could blurt out was: “Excuse me?” “Well, in my country we don’t have that type of thing and I wouldn’t really
know what to expect,” he said, before hanging up. Extremely angered and upset by this incident, I rang the housing charity Threshold for advice, wanting to see if it was within his rights to deny offering accommodation based on sexual orientation. The lady on the line, who was very sympathetic, explained that this was extreme discrimination and is in breach of the equality legislation. She reassured me that no landlord can discriminate against potential tenants on the grounds of gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race or membership of the Traveller community, and she directed me to the Workplace Relations website so I could make an official complaint. I intended to follow this up straight away, but thinking logically I decided it was best to focus on securing a place to live first before making a complaint. Pushing on with my search, I found that I had only hit the tip of the iceberg, with similar scenarios happening over and over again.
Wasted time We wasted a lot of time travelling to homes all across Dublin to meet landlords who had no intention of leasing their place to us. Even when they didn’t directly tell us that they had a problem with a gay couple living in their property, it was obvious by their expression that they had no interest in showing us around. One landlord from Adamstown told us when we went to visit his house: “You’re gay, are you? I’m not sure if we can allow you to live here. “There’s a child in the house and I’m not sure
Ian Begley and his boyfriend, Eric: “We wasted a lot of time travelling all across Dublin to meet landlords who had no intention of leasing their place to us”
what the parents would think of it. I’d have to get all occupants of the house together and have a vote about whether you can stay.” I’m not sure if this “vote” among the other residents actually happened, but we never heard from him again. Although it is perfectly within our rights not to disclose our sexual orientation, I found that disclosing this seemingly minute fact over the phone, or in an email, saved us a lot of time in the long run. A few responses I got back included: “You left me a message on Daft.ie. You mentioned ‘‘you and your boyfriend’’, or is it a typing mistake and you meant to say your girlfriend? Unfortunately, we won’t accept any gay couples in the house.” Another response: “I’m letting this apartment for €650 per month, including utilities, but I won’t allow a gay couple to stay here, as it may cause hassle down the line.” And another: “I’m afraid my flatmate said she wouldn’t feel that comfortable, just that she would feel a bit like the odd one out.”
Since this story broke, the feedback I’ve being getting has been amazing. Many people of all nationalities and ages have been in contact, sympathising with our situation, and in some cases offering to put us first on the list as soon as their flatmate or tenant moves out. For now, our search for a place to live continues,
but due to the high level of people approaching us with their support, I am optimistic that this long ordeal will have a positive outcome. And, with the upcoming marriage equality referendum in May, I hope some of the inequalities that still exist in Ireland will be eliminated forever.
9 April 2015 Gazette 15
Gazette
16 Gazette 9 April 2015
dublinlife
Q&A
business business
RDS exhibition to help support SMEs THE Business in the Community Ireland Smart Business Show (Sustainability Workshop for Small- to Medium-Sized Enterprises) will take place at the RDS on April 23. The Smart Business Show is a two-day business-to-business exhibition that will provide
SMEs with the opportunity to explore the latest innovative technologies, and to engage, connect and do business with exhibitors and thousands of attendees. T he sustainability workshop gives SMEs the opportunity to hear a panel discussion with a group of Irish SMEs
which are doing better business by reporting on sustainability.
Communication A spokesperson for Business in the Community Ireland said: “We know that effective communication is crucial to fully capturing the benefits of going one step
further for your clients, communities, employees and environment. “Our expertise lies in helping [businesses] reap these rewards by sharing the message in a sustainability report.” For further information on the upcoming Smart Business Show, see www.bitc.ie.
Jerry Harrington, empire bar and grill
Grilling a hospitality expert for top advice JERRY Harrington has been in the hospitality business for a very long time, having trained in The Gresham Hotel many moons ago. He built up a portfolio of properties over the years and left Dublin, going on to America and then settling in South Africa for five years, where he built a restaurant on the shores of the Indian Ocean. After this he returned to Ireland
and was offered a posting by the Wright Group, where he worked for four years before leaving to join the Lenaghan group to spearhead their growth of the empire’s brand. Today, as general manager of the Empire Bar and Grill (part of the Lenaghan Group) at Main Street, Swords, Harrington says that his ethos is all about people, service and standards.
How long have you been in business?
one and to grow our business with our new ground floor opening in 10 weeks’ time, with a large outdoor courtyard. This will be the best space in north County Dublin over the past 20 years.
Years and years.
What makes your business successful?
Our attention to detail is what makes Empire successful.
What do you offer your clients that differs from your competitors?
A great welcome, customer service that is second to none, great food drink and live entertainment.
How has the recession impacted your business?
Like every business, we do super deals – great, genuine deals that our customers are happy to keep coming back to avail of, such as our signature steak deal, served with onion rings and fries and pepper sauce for €9.95. Why wouldn’t you come back for that? We also have a superb house wine for €20. We also have cocktails, two for €10, Sunday to Friday from 4 to 10pm.
What law or regulation would you change overnight to help your business?
I would remove the steep charges of late night bar extensions.
What is your ambition for the business?
Our ambition is to stay number-
How do you use social media (Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn, etc) to help your business?
We use all the social media platforms to engage with our customers, Facebook being the main one for our business. We keep the content topical, relevant and interesting for our customers. We have almost 8,000 fans on Facebook, and we are only open there since December We have the most brilliant marketing person in the business – Avril Kelly Carter – we have worked together for years, and she is fantastic and has her finger on the pulse.
What is your favourite thing about doing business in your local area?
Looking at the masses of people enjoying themselves, due to our hard work and dedication.
What is the best piece of business advice you ever received?
Don’t stop going to funerals.
What living person do you most admire?
From a business point of view, Larry Goodman and Denis O’Brien.
Block 4 and 5 Grand Canal Square was sold for €233m – the second-largest property transaction in Q1 this year
property: notable investment deals hit market
2014 momentum sees €923m sales keith bellew
SOME €923m worth of Irish investment property was sold in the first quarter of 2015, much of which was achieved with two large portfolio sales worth more than €200m. This includes Project Molly, which includes Iveagh Court, Dublin 2; The Watermarque Building, Dublin 4; and Marsh House, Dublin 2, sold by Lonestar estate agents for €350m. The second-largest transaction was the sale of the trophy NAMA assets, Block 4 and 5 Grand Canal Square, which was sold for
€233m. Overall, 95% of transactions were for Dublin assets, 93% of which was in the offices sector, followed by retail and mixed-use sales. Hannah Dwyer, head of research at Jones Lang Lasalle ( JLL) Estate Agents, said: “It is positive to see the momentum of 2014 continue into the beginning of 2015. “Whereas 2014 was the year of the portfolio sale, Q1 has only seen two large portfolio transactions, with the rest of activity dominated by single-asset sales. “We do, however, expect this to change in the next three quarters
with a number of portfolios due for release.” She went on to say that first quarter activity has been strong, and further confidence for the sector can be taken from the level of pre-sale activity that has taken place in the market in the past three months. She said: “It is expected that these assets will be brought to the market in the short-term, and will further boost total volumes for investments. We are forecasting that total volumes by the year-end could achieve in excess of €3bn,” she said. Overseas investor activity has led the mar-
ket this quarter, accounting for 80% of total volumes. This was boosted by the fact that the top three purchases, totalling €675m, were all made by overseas purchasers. Dw yer said: “It is notable that a significant number of these players are new to the market and are core-style investors rather than just the oppor tunistic funds [buyers], which have dominated the market recently. “On the domestic side, Hibernia REIT, IPUT, Irish Life and Davy have all been active, plus a number of private Irish investors on smaller lotsize deals.”
9 April 2015 Gazette 17
arts P24
asdfsdaf P27 cinema P25
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
food: the humble prawn is key to a terrific upcoming weekend festival
Pets
There’ll be a cracking good time for all in Howth
Bairbre Ni Bhraonain
MARK your diaries for one of Ireland’s most successful food festivals as Dublin Bay Prawn Festival takes over Howth later this month. From April 24 to 26, Howth’s finest restaurants, bars and cafes will come together to host a variety of food experiences, including a selection of special Dublin Bay Prawn dishes. Added to this is a platter of entertainment which will also be served up for young and old alike. Speaking to The Gazette about the popular event, Aoife Healy, event chairperson, said: “This is the fifth year of the festival. It started when a group of business owners in hospitality and retail got together, and came up with the idea to try and drive tourism traffic to Howth and to raise its profile and build a brand. “It was brilliant last year – we had more than 30,000 people over the weekend and there was a huge uplift
either side [of the festival] too,” she said. Since its first year, attendance at the festival has grown tenfold, beginning from 3,000 people and rising to 30,000. One intriguing event at this year’s festival is the Mystery Dine Around. Healy discussed what this comprises. She said: “All of the restaurants participate in this, and you’re put with a group of people, maybe eight to 10 diners. “You attend a reception first, and are given a card that tells you the first restaurant to go to, and only when you’re finished your starter in the first restaurant do you learn what will be the next restaurant you’re going to. “This continues on, finishing up with a late evening drink in one of the pubs, which usually put music on. “You can book it online at Eventbrite, and it costs €69, including a booking fee, and includes all of your wine and drinks too,” said Healy.
Gazette
travel P20
lovely bella deserves a happy home
King Sitric chef Aidan McManus at the launch of the upcoming Dublin Bay Prawn festival in Howth. Picture: Conor Healy Photography
A new addition this year is the inclusion of a theatrical performance in one of the marquees. Actor Phelim Drew, son of the late, great Ronnie, will perform his one-man show of George Orwell’s Down and Out in Paris and London. Healy said: “Findlaters have been running some very successful dinner and theatre nights in their restaurant and they’re expanding it this year to one of the marquees. “The idea is that people can buy tickets for a festival dinner in a number
of restaurants and then go up to see Phelim Drew doing his one-man show at 8.15pm.” Other activities include a fun fair, a foamy soft play area, powerboating and watersports demonstrations to displays by the coastguard and the RNLI. There will also be plenty of music with buskers, cooking demonstrations and of course, the real business of the festival: prawns. For further information, see www. dublinbayprawnfestival.ie.
The Gazette Newspaper has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for unwanted and abandoned dogs. Our Dog of the Week is gorgeous bulldog cross, Bella, who’s about one year old. Bella arrived to us from a local authority pound with a horrific case of mange and needed one of her eyes removed due to the damage it had caused. Bella has been a trooper throughout all the treatment she has needed and the staff have been blown away by her sunny disposition. Bella is a young girl so she is still quite bouncy and full of energy. She gets on well with other dogs but ones who wouldn’t mind a bit of rough and tumble as she can be a bit full on when she plays! If you think you can help Bella find a fabulous home, please call the centre on 01 879 1000 and speak to our Rehoming Team. You can also pop up for a visit – it’s open six days a week from 12pm to 4pm. The centre is closed all day Tuesday.
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18 GAZETTE 9 April 2015
OUT&ABOUT
STYLE
2
1
lt coat €395
0
€475
6
4 n dress €245 Coast Harve
Bastyan Eva be
€20 bloom skirt
n Maxi dress Karen Mille
Coast Hyper
3
5 Karen
Coast
Millen
Rita mid
t Midi skir €210
159
i skirt €
FINE FASHIONS TO SET HEARTS RACING BEING a fan of the races doesn’t mean you have to don silks and jodhpurs and, this week, stylist and fashion guru Lisa Fitzpatrick (right) talks Gazette Style through some fabulous outfits deserving of a Ladies’ Day win ahead of her nationwide Fashion Fix roadshow. She said: “I love going to the races and even more so, I love dressing up for them. I have picked some of my favourite pieces from Coast, Karen Millen and Bastyan that would be fabulous at racing meets.” Working clockwise from
the top left, she said: “This Karen Millen maxi dress (1) is gorgeous. The colours are ideal to bring right through from spring to autumn. “Another f loor-length item that I really love at
the moment is the Coast Hyper Bloom Skirt (2). Maxi dresses and skirts are great and always make an impact. You’re sure to stand out from the crowd! “We all know that we can’t rely on the Irish weather so it’s important to wrap up for the races, too. I think this gorgeous Bastyan Eva Belt Coat (3) is fabulous, and will do just that. This belted design also creates a simple and chic silhouette. “I also love this Coast Harven dress (4). Again, this is also the length I love:
midi. This dress is so elegant and stylish, and can be taken from day to night,” said Lisa. “I’m a big fan of midi-skirts. They are just so comfortable, yet so stylish; I love this one from Karen Millen (5). “Now that the clocks have gone forward, we can officially say it’s spring time, and what better way to do this than to wear yellow! I just love this Coast Rita skirt (6),” she said. All these items, and others shown above, are available in Coast/Karen Millen’s spring/ summer 2015 range.
THROUGHOUT the months of April and May, Lisa will be visiting counties around the country with her stylish roadshow, Lisa Fitzpatrick’s Fashion Fix. The fun-filled day will include style workshops, hair and make-up master classes, fashion shows, surprise celebrity guests and much, much more.
Dates confirmed include: • April 18, The Spencer Hotel, Excise Walk, IFSC, Dublin 1 • May 10, The Kingsley Hotel, Victoria Cross, Cork • May 16, The Savoy Hotel, Henry Street, Limerick • May 23, Hotel Kilkenny, College Road, Kilkenny • May 30, The Radisson Blu Hotel and Spa, Lough Atalia, Galway Tickets can be purchased on www.fitzpatrickstyle.com, or by calling Tara at 01 460 7575. (A discount is available for group bookings.)
9 April 2015 Gazette 19
Gazette
FOOD&DRINK
Plenty to savour at FX Buckley Steakhouse FOR diners who like a table and some waiter service with their food, FX Buckley Steakhouse on Parkgate Street should do the trick. Upstairs from Ryan’s, the restaurant specialises in steaks, as the name
Echoes of the past, such as polished whiskey casks, are a visible reminder of Ryan’s of Parkgate Street many, many decades of serving travellers and tourists
The Picky Eater RYAN’S of Parkgate Street – still “Bongo Ryan’s” for those of a certain vintage – has been around a while. Since 1886, it has sat elegantly between the Phoenix Park and Heuston Station, offering refreshment to weary travellers. Today, it continues to ply its trade, albeit in a more modern manner. On a quiet Monday, The Picky Eater and pal repaired to the Victorian pub for a late-afternoon pint and a morsel after a tramp through the Phoenix Park. The menu offers a tempting range: Irish “tapas” for nibblers; plenty of starters ranging from creamy chowder to flambeed kidneys; mains for vegetarians, the gluten-intolerant and committed carnivores, along with dishes of the day set out on the old-fashioned blackboard just behind the bar. Sea bass and beef and Guinness pie on the day in question. We chose chowder and spicy chicken wings to start, followed by cornfed chicken with pea and chorizo pearl barley with sauteed spinach and green herb dressing (€16.95),
and pan-fried hake with crushed baby potatoes, grilled asparagus, black olive and tomato dressing (€17.50). The chowder was loyal to its name: creamy, chock full of fish and, in truth, a meal in itself. Alas, the bread was nondescript – two different sorts of tired soda which needed a bin. The wings were a triumph and suitably devoured. Half full and slightly trepidatious of the mains, Picky Eater took in the Ryan’s interior. Revamped gas lamps and polished whiskey casks; old brass match strikers and big wooden drawers, relics of the days when pubs sold tobacco and tea and the clientele smoked; massive hanging baskets beneath oldworld skylights and snugs for those seeking quiet. Stepping into Ryan’s can be like stepping back in time – if it wasn’t for the
huge TVs that cater for diehard sports fans. The food came in its own good time and found us relaxed and ready. The chicken was really succulent: crisp on the outside but juicy and tender inside, the pearl barley was perfect texture- and taste-wise, with spinach an ideal accompaniment. But the hake was the star of the show: it parted softly under the fork and melted in the mouth. On tastebud overload, we surveyed desserts and plumped for a selection of cheeses from Sheridan’s Cheesemongers, served with house onion jam, fennel honey and water biscuits (€8.95). The right choice – a mix of strong and mild, soft and hard and the remaining drop of beer to round off the afternoon nicely. For “high tea” on a quiet afternoon, Ryan’s is recommended.
Conclusion ANOTHER Victorian jewel of the city, Ryan’s (at 28 Parkgate St, Dublin 8; tel 01 677 6097) has some modern touches, but otherwise remains a classic of its era, attracting tourists, locals and long-term fans to its striking interior with ease. A trip to Ryan’s is a must when heading to the Phoenix Park.
suggests. But the menu is diverse and interesting and the wine/beer list is extensive, with plenty of informed staff to help you choose what’s right for you, if help is what you need! The pub can be daunt-
ing to plough through on a weekend evening, but once on the stairs take a look at the photos of an older Dublin as you climb. And, when you’re in the restaurant proper, relax, sit back and bon appetit!
FX Buckley Steakhouse
GAZETTE
20 GAZETTE 9 April 2015
OUT&ABOUT
TRAVEL
FastTravel
Set cruise control with these luxury Cunard trips IAN BEGLEY
TO MARK 175 years of sailing, Cunard Line has arranged celebrations on every cruise in 2015, with special features and events on board from €1,999pp for travel in May. Queen Mary 2 is Cunard’s flagship ocean liner and booking a transatlantic crossing to or from New York on this ship is a holiday like no other. Cunard will host a gig by rock band Crosby, Stills and Nash on the liner this September 4. The trio will perform some of their greatest hits in the liner’s Royal Court Theatre, and will also participate in a question and answers session, along with an autograph opportunity for passengers on board. You can also join Cunard’s Blue Note Jazz at Sea from New York to Southampton, sailing on October 29 from €1,999pp. Balcony upgrades can be arranged from €235pp and extra nights in New York can also be added. Price is per person based on two sharing and strictly subject to availability. For further information, call 01 637 1699, or see www.clickandgo.com.
Glasgow’s architecturally rich cityscape provides plenty of food for the eyes, while for modern comic tastes, the Stand Comedy Club (inset) should sate your laughter needs
SCOTLAND: COMEDY FESTIVAL IS JUST ONE OF GLASGOW’S MANY ATTRACTIONS
A bonnie hop over the sea
ROB HEIGH
GLASGOW has a reputation for sharp wit and the ability to laugh at almost everything in life, so it made perfect sense that a trip to Scotland’s other capital city should be paired with taking in a little of the 2015 Glasgow Comedy Festival. Glasgow is a fabulous city, a lot like Dublin in many ways – its small and self-contained city centre mirrors our own, with a massive array of unique artisanal and boutique shopping experiences alongside the high street regulars. There is an immersive experience to be had among the Victorian architecture, and stepping a little way beyond the city centre opens up a wealth of hidden gems. Chief among those is the Byres Road. Part of the university district of
the city, its mix of longstanding shops that have been there for generations and newly blooming cafes and shops means that long hours can be (and were) spent there. Not only that, but it is home to one of the bestloved restaurants in the city, The Ubiquitous Chip. It is a treat to go there – booking is definitely in order – and their longstanding reputation has not been dulled by time or trend. Its monkfish tails are still unsurpassed, and the Aberdeen Angus steak au poivre is as good as I remember – an unabashed indulgence. The fact that it is topped off with access to the Botanical Gardens, which is always worth a walk through, just across the Great Western Road, makes it an unmissable destination.
At the other end of Byres Road is the Charles Rennie Mackintosh-designed Glasgow School of Art, heartbreakingly damaged by fire in 2014, and it is a symbol of Glasgow’s place in the world’s centres of art and design. In addition, a short trip out of the city centre to The Burrell Collection is well worth your time, as was a brief afternoon journey to the Glasgow Gallery Of Modern Art. However, the main order of business for me was the comedy festival, which will see more than 400 international acts converge on the city for the 13th instance of the event, that sees some 700 shows being performed for an expected audience of more than 106,000 comedy fans. The festival started in 2003 at the venue I attended on my first night
See for yourself why The Ubiquitous Chip has been delighting diners for years
in the city, the iconic Stand Comedy Club, which had brought the idea of a comedy festival to the city council the year before. The Glasgow festival is an interesting counterpoint to the Edinburgh Fringe, which has of course been running for considerably longer, and is open to a much wider and diverse range of arts beyond comedy. Glasgow is a “pure” comedy festival, and it sees some of the biggest
acts in the business – Stewart Lee, Jimmy Carr and Al Murray – alongside our own local heroes, Dylan Moran and Tommy Tiernan. There are a host of upand-coming talents such as Damo Clark, Paul Currie and many, many more to appeal to the broadest comedy palette imaginable for the duration of the festival. For further information about those events and on holidaying in Scotland with everything it has to
offer, see www.visitscotland.com, while for more on the second city of the empire, see www.peoplemakeglasgow.com. I travelled with P&O Ferries, which operates from Larne to Cairnryan and Troon, providing the shortest and fastest crossings to Scotland. Online fares start from €74. For further information, see www.poferries.com. To find out more about the Glasgow Comedy Festival, see www.glasgowcomedyfestival.com.
LEARNINGCURVE
GAZETTE
9 April 2015 GAZETTE 21
EXHIBITION: STUDENTS SKILLS IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Fashion forward fun at Sallynoggin LAURA WEBB
THINGS are getting stylish at Sallynoggin College of Further Education with the first art house inspired fashion exhibition taking place this month. Fashion Edit, is a first of its kind for the college and is conducted and styled by their fashion industry practice students. Taking place on April 16, this event will have a unique blend of live fashion installations, fashion show and drinks reception. According to the college, the students are mixing things up by moving away from the stereotypical fashion show and paving the way for a fresh new contemporary take on a fashion event. The event will showcase the students diverse skills in styling, visual display, merchandising and their knowledge of the fashion industry, some of the many skills they have learned through their time at the college. With 2015 the year of Irish design, the event
Film director Lenny Abrahamson, crime writer John Connolly, former judge Catherine McGuinness and vice president of Intel’s Internet of Things, Philip Moynagh were recognised for their achievements
Trinity College celebrates alumni with a gala dinner
A FILM director and crime writer were
was a Trinity scholar, son of a scholar
among past Trinity College pupils who
and grandson of a scholar, was born in
were presented with Trinity College
Dublin and graduated from Trinity with
Alumni Awards at a special gala dinner
first-class honours.
last week.
known to adult readers as the crea-
crime writer John Connolly and former
tor of detective Charlie Parker, who
judge Catherine McGuinness received
has appeared in 12 novels, beginning
the awards in recognition of achieve-
with Every Dead Thing (1999) and most
ments in their respective fields and the
recently the internationally-bestsell-
contribution they have made in Ireland
ing The Wolf in Winter (2014). He studied
and internationally.
English at Trinity College, Dublin and
Abrahamson BA (1990) directed
will highlight and celebrate Irish designers and retailers. The fashion show will consist of some of the most talented up-andcoming Irish designers. It will also showcase key pieces and trends for womenswear and menswear for spring/
LAST week saw Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys officially launch the UCD Decade of Centenaries programme. The university is planning more than 25 special events to commemorate the decade of centenaries, many of which will draw from UCD’s wealth of national and international archives relating to the period from 1912 to 1923. At the launch, at UCD Charles
journalism at Dublin City University. Meanwhile, Catherine McGuin-
Fashion Edit will showcase the talents of
numerous commercials for TV before
Sallynoggin College of Further Education’s
directing for TV and film. Credits
ness BA (1957) is a former judge. Her
fashion industry practice students
include: Adam and Paul, What Rich-
original BA was in Modern Languages
ard Did and Frank, staring Domhnall
(French and Irish). In 2003, she was
Gleeson, Michael Fassbender, and
conferred by Trinity with an honourary
Maggie Gyllenhaal. Abrahamson who
degree of Doctor in Laws.
summer 2015 which will be supplied by Irish owned boutiques such as The Loft, Marion Cuddy Irish Designers Emporium, The Design Centre, Lennon Courtney and Maven. Former student of Sallynoggin College and renowned fashion stylist,
columnist and TV presenter Courtney Smith is the host for the night. The Fashion Edit will take place in Film Base located on Curved Street, Temple Bar on April 16 at 4.30pm with a drinks reception at 6pm followed by the show commencing at 7pm.
A Decade of Centenaries launched BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN
John Connolly BA (1992) is best
Film director Lenny Abrahamson,
Institute, which houses the famous Kevin Barry window, Minister Humphreys said: “The scale, ambition, depth and breadth of the UCD commemorations forms a seminal part of the national programme.” While there, the Minister examined a selection of the unique papers, documents and photographs held by UCD Archives. One such archive was the diary of civil servant JR Clarke and 450 interviews of people active in Ireland’s revolutionary past from the Rising to the end of the Civil War.
Among the staff of UCD who played a role in events of 100 years ago were Thomas MacDonagh, assistant professor of English, signatory of the Proclamation and commandant of the Dublin Brigade, Eoin MacNeill, professor of Early and Medieval Irish History, and Irish Volunteers chief of staff, Mary Hayden, professor of Modern Irish History and founder of the Irish Catholic Women’s Suffrage Society, and Agnes O’Farrelly, lecturer in Modern Irish and a founder of Cumann na mBan.
GAZETTE
22 GAZETTE 9 April 2015
LEARNINGCURVE
Some useful tips to help you study smarter WITH big exams on the horizon, many
Making sure your desk is tidy and
college students will be starting to
organised is also important as it
worry and panic, but with proper
means you can concentrate on study-
preparation, you can get through it
ing and learning, instead of sifting
all and concentrate on your summer
through a mountain of crumpled
plans.
sheets.
The following is a few handy tips for study and revision. Having a good study area can make all the difference in the world. If you study in a quiet, well-lit area, away
Also, logging out of your email and Facebook and turning off your phone is a great way to eliminate possible distractions. Make sure you know all the ins and
from the hustle and bustle of the
outs of each exam. Find out what
house, your capacity for learning and
format the exam will take – whether
remembering vastly increases. If this
it is short answer, multiple choice or
isn’t possible, it might be better to
essay format. Make sure you know
study at the library.
how much of your overall grade each exam is worth and allot study time accordingly. Mind maps, study plans and to-do lists can be very helpful. Try making a to-do list before each study session. Breaking tasks down into small, manageable pieces will make it less overwhelming. Spend your time as carefully as possible over your range of subjects, concentrating on those you find more difficult, without neglecting those you excel at.
Mature students bring a lot of experience to any college atmosphere and teach their younger colleagues life skills
OPPORTUNITIES: MATURE STUDENTS
The time is now to go back to college BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN
IF YOU are one of the many people in Ireland who has always harboured a desire to go to college but never got the chance, why not apply as a mature student next year? For a change, being older is an advantage when it comes to college, as mature students do not have to meet the normal matriculation requirements or compete with Leaving Certificate students in the points race. Although you must apply through the CAO system, most colleges use an interview process to decide your suitability for all undergraduate courses. If you show a keen interest and are serious about staying in the course, in all likelihood you will be accepted. Universities and other colleges welcome mature students and have a spe-
cial mature students’ information page on their websites. Mature students are seen as reliable and this is based on the fact that the drop-out rate is far lower for mature students. They also bring a lot of experience to any college atmosphere and teach their younger colleagues life skills. Some 11% of students in Irish universities are mature students, while the figure in institutes of technology is 20%. Over 10,000 students in full-time education are over 30-years-old, according to the Higher Education Authority. So, if you were anxious about being the odd one out in a sea of freshfaced 19-year-olds, you can rest assured that you will not be alone as there has never been as many mature students in college. Financially, it can be
a strain to fund yourself through your college course for three or four years. There are resources out there to help, however. Schemes such as the back-to-education allowance and the SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) grants are available to those who fit the criteria. As well as that, mature students who began a college course but dropped out over five years ago, can restart their course with no sizeable fees applying. If the idea of jumping straight into a degree course is a bit daunting to you, you can do a preparatory year-long evening access programme first at many colleges for a reasonable fee. When applying for a course through the CAO, you must submit additional information including a CV, any prior exam results and a personal
statement along with your application. For information on applying to Trinity College as a mature student, you can contact Trinity Accesss Programmes on 01 896 1386 or email mature.student. officer@tcd.ie To find out about going to University College Dublin as a mature student, you can go to www. ucd.ie/registry/admissions/myapply for more information. For information on NUI Maynooth’s offers for mature students, you can go online at www. maynoothuniversity.ie/ study-maynooth/maturestudents. You can contact www. susi.ie for information on susi grants and http:// w w w. we l f a r e . i e / e n / Pages/Back-to-Education-Allowance-Scheme to find out about the back to education allowance criteria.
9 April 2015 GAZETTE 23
Progress to impress with DUBLIN GAZETTE’S education supplement
HOUSING: USI SITE ENCOURAGES PEOPLE TO RENT SPARE BEDROOMS
The eternal question of where to live IAN BEGLEY
AS another year at college nears an end, odds are that you’ll have hundreds of questions running through your mind like where to live next semester? Some may choose to live at home, but for others college could mean trying to find accommodation for the first time. With the shor tage of accommodation in Dublin and other built up areas, the Union of Students Ireland (USI) recently set up a site encouraging people with spare bedrooms to rent to students. This service is deemed
very necessary as the student population in Dublin faces a serious shortage of accommodation, with CAO offers and the subsequent start of the academic year just months away. USI president Laura Harmon said: “This is an access-to -education issue. The cost of accommodation in and around Dublin has risen enormously, pricing many students out of the accommodation market. Many “buyto-renters” have repurposed accommodation they had previously made available to students for wealthier renters.
“To compound this, the value of the student grant has fallen against inflation over a number of years. The end result will be students unhoused and dropping out. USI is calling for the Government to form a task force on student accommodation – there needs to be a specific strategy on this serious and growing problem.” As a short-term measure to support the initiative, the Union of Students in Ireland has put together a simple website, allowing home owners to list their spare rooms and their conditions, with the objective of providing students
The Union of Students Ireland (USI) has set up a website to help deal with the shortage of student accommodation in Dublin
with contacts for those willing to help. The system also allows for landlords and agents to place their available
accommodation online – and it’s free to use. The website is available at www.homes.usi. ie.
The USI also mentions that there are many useful accommodation hunting websites out there, including Daft.ie
and Property.ie, which make it easy to search through lots of accommodation listings on the internet quickly. These sites also have maps that point out where the specific accommodation you are looking at is located. Accommodation lists may also be available from your students’ union. It’s recommended that you contact a students’ union rep as it’s the best port of call when hunting for a place to live and if you experience problems during the year. Visit www.usi.ie for more student accommodation tips.
Gazette
24 Gazette 9 April 2015
OUT&ABOUT
ARTS
god bless the child: production is something of a curate’s egg
Author Michael Murphy
Share some insights of life and love Bairbre Ni Bhraonain
THE Pavilion Theatre in Dun Laoghaire is hosting a unique show by former newscaster Michael Murphy, entitled Stories, Poetry and Dreams, based on three of his books. Murphy, along with friends and fellow broadcasters Emer O’Kelly, Eamonn Lawlor and Eileen Dunne, will read extracts from At Five in the Afternoon, The House of Pure Being, and The Republic of Love. The result promises to be an entertaining and intimate experience for audiences as Murphy, who is also a psychoanalyst, recites emotional passages, some of which deal with his experience of cancer. Murphy and his guests will also share deeply insightful reflections on love and sex, friendship and family. Stories, Poetry and Dreams is a celebration of life and humanity in all its trials and triumphs. The evening also offers an invitation for the audience to participate and share their own experiences. Stories, Poetry and Dreams takes place at the Pavilion Theatre on May 2. Tickets cost €20/€17 and are available by contacting 01 231 2929, or by emailing boxoffice@ paviliontheatre.ie.
O’Connor’s short stories lose lustre on the stage
Bairbre Ni Bhraonain
AS A big fan of short story writer Frank O’Connor, I was tentatively looking forward to seeing God Bless the Child, a play based on O’Connor’s work, at The Gaiety Theatre. However, I was soon to discover that some things are better left alone and not everything can be successfully adapted for the stage. In my opinion, Patrick Ta l b o t ’s a d a p t a t i o n – while an enjoyable enough affair with three good actors playing roles as children – falls flat as a theatrical piece. The three short stories on which the piece is based (My Oedipus Complex, The Genius, and First Confession) were treated in a manner somewhat stilted as each of the three actors took it in turn to assume the voice of the narrator and deliver a soliloquy to the audience. The effect was tiring and repetitive after a while, and though the performances were very good, the format was a predictable round of 1-2-3. Howe ve r, j u d g i n g by the audience reac-
-------------------------------------------------------
‘The original stories contain much more than mere comedy and all their poignancy and insight was missed. Perhaps it will act as an appetiser for the audience to go on and read the real thing.’ --------------------------------------------------------
tion, my opinion was in the minority. People all around me audibly expressed their huge enjoyment of the show, with constant laughter running throughout. Actors Ciaran Bermingham, Shane Casey and Gary Murphy wore schoolboy uniforms and two of them sat on classroom benches like subs at a football match, waiting for their turn while the third actor performed to the audience.
Comic effect All three performances were very good, but Bermingham stood out the most. The actors’ Cork accents were pretty flawless, if a touch florid for comic effect. The piece really played to the comedy in the short stories and the audience happily lapped
it up. However, the original stories contain much more than mere comedy and all their poignancy and insight were missed. This does O’Connor’s work a disservice for those who have never read anything by the Cork writer will presume that he has less depth than is the case. On the other hand, because the audience seemed to love the show, perhaps it will act as an appetiser for them to go on and read the real thing. The featured short stories related pivotal episodes from the narrator’s childhood and include paternal jealousy, bullying, being misunderstood and the fear of making a “bad confession” and therefore burning in hell. There were plenty of
Shane Casey as Michael in the God Bless the Child segment of the production
genuinely funny quotes in the show, such as when Gary Murphy’s character, Larry, said of a lame teacher he admired: “I was so impressed, I decided to have a lame leg myself.” In First Confession, O’Connor is hard-hitting against the Catholic Church and this was properly adhered to in the play. The play was peppered with recitals of decades of the rosary by the three characters as they took to their knees before the Virgin Mary and the Sacred Heart. Jackie’s (Ciaran Bermingham) terror of eternal damnation, which has been drilled into
Shane Casey, Gary Murphy and Ciaran Bermingham are very good in their roles
him by a menacing nun, depicts a shameful period in Irish history. When God Bless The Child played to packed houses last year at Everyman, Cork it received a hugely positive response, and that seems to be the case with Dublin audiences too. T he show, though
undramatic, delivers an entertaining evening with a great deal of mirth and solid acting performances. God Bless the Child runs at The Gaiety Theatre until April 11. Tickets, costing from €19.65, are available from The Gaiety Theatre Box Office at 0818 719 388.
9 April 2015 Gazette 25
Gazette
CINEMA
ReelReviews
spongebob movie A sponge out of water
SPONGEBOB’s appeal is much like the tide – it seems to rise and fall at regular intervals, with our favourite silly sponge never too far from our screens. He’s rounded up all his pals for Spongebob: Sponge out of Water (Cert G, 92 mins) which is as brilliant/brutal as ever, depending on whether you’re a fan. Chief villain Antonio Banderas gamely tries to out-act the singing sponge.
cinderella
A timeless tale ... again
The Rock and Jason Statham mix it up in Fast & Furious 7, which is more or less business as usual for the popular series
Fast & Furious 7: franchise returns even brasher and dumber than ever
Take another Furious spin
daniel smith
OVER the top, ridiculous and brilliant; words which perfectly describe the seventh instalment of the Fast and the Furious saga, Fast & Furious 7. An element of emotion is added as the film is used as a swansong to the late Paul Walker who died in a car accident in November 2013 while the movie was being made. This meant a major rethink about what to do with Walker’s character, Brian O’Conner, which director James Wan took on the chin brilliantly. The film starts off where Fast & Furious 6 left off when, after the end credits, Deckard Shaw (portrayed
by Cockney cult hardman Jason Statham) avenges his younger brother Owen’s death by crashing into Tokyobased Han, a member of Dominic Toretto’s (Vin Diesel) crew, killing Han in the process. “You don’t know me – you’re about to,” says Shaw at the very end of Six, which ties in with Seven as a parcel from Tokyo turns out to be a bomb. This explodes seconds after Shaw hangs up a call to the Toretto family home that has been the epicentre of the Fast & Furious franchise. The explosion, along with the death of a crew member, sets Dominic on a mission to find Shaw. Along with the usual
crew of Roman (Tyrese Gibson), Tej (Ludacris) and partner Letty (Michelle Rodriguez), he also gets military help from “Mr Nobody” (Kurt Russell). Their first mission is to seek out a hacker working under the alias “Ramsey”, who turns out to be a woman (Nathalie Emmanuel), whose sophisticated hacking device is what the crew need to track down Shaw. Machine gun fire, a cat fight between Rodriguez and UFC fighter Ronda Rousey, and a multi-million dollar hypercar flying through three buildings later, the device is obtained and used to track down Statham. They return to LA and are confronted by Shaw
and his allies. Having been out of action courtesy of Shaw, Hobbs (played by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson) links up with Toretto’s crew to hunt down Shaw and his militant buddies. The bald testosteronefest concludes with a car park brawl between Shaw and Toretto, but in typical Fast & Furious style, even after the six-storey car park is destroyed, they both miraculously survive. The film then wraps up with O’Conner retiring from the day job to a family life with his son and Mia Toretto (Jordana Brewster), who is expecting a baby girl, ending rumours that Walker’s character would simply be killed off. W hat follows is a
touching tribute to Walker over the course of all seven movies. O’Conner, in a Toyota Supra, cruises alongside Toretto’s Dodge Charger in a scene reminiscent of the climactic race in the first movie. Using younger brothers Caleb and Cody Walker as stand-ins, and using CGI to project Walker ’s face, they pulled off what would be his final film in a proper manner. To the keen movie critic, Fast & Furious 7 could be considered awful, thanks to unnecessary explosions, cheesy scripting, and poor attempts at humour courtesy of the supporting cast. But from someone who has watched the
series since the very start, it was fantastic. It’s the unnecessary explosions and cheesy scripting that make the movie unique; these have been a staple of all seven Fast and Furious films, and without them, these would make no sense. Thanks to the RouseyRodriguez scrap, a $3.4m Lykan HyperSport car being hurled through three Abu Dhabi skyscrapers, and the seemingly impossibility of Toretto being killed despite what the film throws at him, it’s a memorable movie and will keep the cult fan base of the series very happy, along with the great tribute to the late Paul Walker.
Verdict: 8/10
KENNETH Branagh delivers his version of the timeless fairytale as Cinderella (Cert G, 113 mins) delivers a strictly by-the-book film. The film ticks virtually every box on the Cinderella story list, bringing nothing new. Still, at least it’s not as awful as Into The Woods’s botched fairytale, and it looks terrific, with a classy cast – including Cate Blanchett and Derek Jacobi – adding a dash of gravitas.
while we’re young Facing a fear of aging
BEN Stiller and Naomi Watts face into mid-life uncertainty in While We’re Young (Cert 15A, 97 mins), which sees them questioning what they’ve done with their lives and where they’re going, thanks to (perhaps unwisely) comparing themselves to some younger, and seemingly much cooler new friends. A nicely made film, it’s an interesting tale for the millennial generation.
26 dublin city gazette 9 April 2015
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planning Notice Dublin City Council
We, Catherine Byrne and Michael O’Connor, intend to apply for permission for development at this site at No.9 and 10 New Wapping Street, North Wall, Dublin 1. The development will consist of the amalgamation of No 9 & 10 into one single residence from two separate properties, by breaking through at ground floor level & all associated site works. This application relates to land within the North Lotts and Grand Canal Strategic Development Zone. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of Dublin City Council during its public opening hours and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application. 23587
We Aidan McNamara & Carina Lawlor intend to apply for PERMISSION for development at this site 52 Lombard Street West, South Circular Road, Dublin 8 with side onto Emorville Avenue. The development will consist of demolition of existing single storey extension and one-and-a-half storey return to rear. Construction of two storey extension to rear with single storey elements to rear and side, dormer on roof to rear to facilitate attic conversion and renovations to existing two storey, four bedroom end of terrace house. New side boundary wall and associated site works. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of Dublin City Council during its public opening hours and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application. 23588
9 April 2015 DUBLIN CITY GAZETTE 27
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Gazette
28 Gazette 9 April 2015
SPORT
FastSport doolin pleased with Under19 euro point: PAUL Doolin’s Republic of Ireland side came back from 2-0 down at the break to clinch a point in their last UEFA U-19 Championships Elite Phase with a 2-2 draw with Slovakia in Mannheim thanks to second half goals from a Ryan Manning penalty and Joel Coustrain. The Slovaks ended the game with three players dismissed while the Irish also had Kevin Toner ordered off for two bookable offences. “We were hoping to get something from it. We looked to finish off on a decent performance. They were a very good side and scored a couple of goals in the first half but we deserved something,” said Doolin. “We were outstanding in the second half. Our attacking after the break was excellent. Slovakia had a couple of chances too. It was probably just as well it ended what it did as the discipline seemed to have gone from the game.”
rugby: heaslip proud of blues but says toulon will be huge test
Leinster need big step up sport@dublingazette.com
JAMIE Heaslip said that Leinster need to step up another gear following their narrow 18-15 win over Bath in the European Champions Cup
Quarter-Final at Aviva Stadium last Saturday. Speaking after the tie, the skipper said it was hugely important that the province improved ahead of the semi-final against Toulon and the
crucial run of games coming up for the province. Six Ian Madigan penalties sealed the win for Leinster, and a place in the Champions Cup Semi-Finals for the first
Leinster mascots Jill O’Brien, from Donnybrook, and Nathan Levy-Valensi with Leinster captain Jamie Heaslip and Bath captain Stuart Hooper. Picture: Brendan Moran
Leinster supporter Eoin O’Driscoll from Goatstown. Picture: Stephen McCarthy
time since 2012, at the Aviva on Saturday. Speaking after the game, the Leinster captain reflected on the important role the experience within the squad played in seeing out the game. “We can take a lot of positives out of it. They’re on our line, they’re 25m out in that last minute and a half, two minutes of the game. “Someone asked me was that the experience part; a little bit of experience and a little bit of the lads showing their character. I couldn’t be prouder of them. “But at the next level, no matter who it is, Wasps or Toulon, we have a massive chal-
lenge and we’ve got to improve on today. “If you make any kind of individual or system errors, [Bath] are going to punish you. And that happened twice. “There were probably a couple of other times where they really did stress us and make line breaks, or half line breaks.” With a semi-final place secured, and a tie with Toulon or Wasps to look forward to, Heaslip emphasised the importance of upcoming games in the Guinness PRO12, starting with the game away to Dragons next Sunday. “It’s another massive game. It’s great at this time of year; it’s just big game after big game.
We’re chasing that top four pretty hard, so the Dragons games is huge. “And the game following, that’s going to be massive as well, in terms of the club and the group that we have.” With an eight-day turnaround between the Bath and Dragons games, the squad have time to rest and recuperate before another crucial fixture. “We’re just going to rest up now. A lot of us were saying that’s probably one of the fastest, toughest games we’ve played, including internationals. That’s right up there.” Leinster face Newport Dragons next Sunday at Rodney Parade in their next league game.
UCD produce best Champions Cup run in 20 years sport@dublingazette.com
UCD captain Katie Mullan attempts to tackle Rot Weiss Koln’s Lena Vonhoegen. Picture: Ady Kerry
UCD ladies finished in Ireland’s best position in the EuroHockey Club Champions Cup since Randalstown in 1995 as they ended in sixth place in the competition, hockey’s equivalent of the Champions League. That is because of a spectacular 3-2 win over Canterbury, complete with two South African, three English and a Scottish international in their line-up. The result in Bilthoven, the Netherlands, saw UCD advance to the fifth place playoff, guar-
anteeing Ireland retain a place in the top tier of European club hockey for another season. They had fallen behind just eight minutes in to Nikki Triggs’ field goal but Chloe Watkins levelled from close range before Emily Beatty’s cracking shot and a third from Deirdre Duke swapped things around to 3-1 at half-time. Jen Wilson got one back for the English club but UCD held on for a famous win in what is hockey’s equilvalent of soccer’s Champions League, one later described as the biggest result in
the club’s history. Speaking about the victory, coach Jonathan Harte praised the ability of his side to dig in to get the result, particularly Sarah Robinson at the back. “We had to guts it out in terms of defending in numbers, being under pressure as the opposition pressed us to get back to 3-3 in the last 10 minutes. “It is great for UCD and great for Irish hockey and hopefully all of Irish hockey can keep pushing on.” They ultimately fell to English champions Surbiton as two final
quarter goals saw UCD fall out of touch, meaning they finished sixth overall. Harte’s side trailed 1-0 at the break and 2-0 early in the second half but a sharp volley from Katie Mullan reduced the arears with 17 minutes to go. Nikki Evans was proving a handful in the forward line while, defensively, Leah Ewart and Mullan were in strong form. But the loss of Anna O’Flanagan to injury was keenly felt and the students ran out of steam in the closing phases with Julie King and Jo Hunter punishing them.
9 April 2015 Gazette 29
Gazette
Home comforts for Smith’s Eastern side
FastSport
Gerry Smith tells Nathan Kelly how how he is looking forward to his fifth campaign at the head of the Eastern Region side that will represent the country at the Regions Cup in Dublin THE DRAW has been made, the stadiums have been chosen and the dates have been set. Safe to say the wheels are definitely in motion for this summer’s UEFA Regions’ Cup, being hosted here in Dublin. It is the first time Ireland will host the competition in what will be its ninth edition and Gerr y Smith’s Eastern Region side have been drawn in Group A alongside Ankara (Turkey), South Moravia (Czech Republic), and Tuzla Canton (Bosnia and Herzegovina). The Eastern Region side qualified for the finals after three wins from three in their Intermediary group back in October, but Smith still seemed on a high from just making the finals when asked his reaction
to the draw. “We’re just delighted to be in the finals first and foremost,” he said. “The fact that we’re here is great and we’re really looking forward to it. “When we went to Hungary last October, if you had said to me that we’d have qualified and the finals would be in Ireland, I’d have chopped both your hands of and taken it to be honest. “It’s great that we get to play here but the most important thing is to be in the finals. “On the draw itself, we’ve played the three teams before. The first time we qualified we played the Czech Republic, going back a long time ago, and they beat us 3-0, that team actually went on to play professional football
Eastern Region manager Gerry Smith
afterwards. “We were probably lucky to get nil in that one if I’m honest. In that same group we had Bosnia and they beat us 3-0 too, and we were even luckier to get nil because they were a fantastic side.” Ireland have certainly improved since first qualifying for the competition in 2001, going on to feature four times before this year, and reaching the final in 2011, but ultimately losing to hosts Portugal in the decider of the world’s top amateur competition. “The Eastern Region recently played a couple of friendly fixtures against Dolnoslaski from Poland, who are in the other group in this summer’s competition and have won the Regions’
Cup in the past. “A 1-1 draw and 1-0 defeat to the Poles further displays the progress made under Smith’s guidance through the years. “ We ’ ve d e f i n i t e l y come on from where we were,” he told GazetteSport.
be played in Tallaght. When asked if he felt there was a massive advantage to a self-hosted tournament, Smith, perhaps surprisingly, played down the fact the competition is being played on home soil. He said: “I don’t think it makes too much dif-
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‘Playing in Portugal in 35 degree heat can knock the living daylights out of you’ - Gerry Smith
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“This is our fifth time to be in the finals so we’re looking forward to it. As I said we’ve played all three teams, we played Turkey in Portugal in 2011. They’re a very good team, a very strong team and country in relation to soccer and we drew 0-0, so there’ll be nothing in it really. There are eight really good teams in the finals, unfortunately only one team can win it, and I’m sure we all feel we have a chance.” The tournament itself will run from June 26 to July 4, and matches across the two groups will be played at Tallaght Stadium, the UCD Bowl, Richmond Park, Home Farm, Tolka Park and the Carlisle Grounds. The winners from both groups will go on to contest the final which will
ference really. What it does from our point of view is, it can be a tall order to be cooked up in a hotel for 10 or 12 days, it can get a bit monotonous so, in that respect, it’s nice that the lads will be able to nip home for an hour or two for whatever reason. “But in relation to on the pitch, I don’t think it has a bearing on anything to be honest. “That said, when we played in Portugal, we played in 35 degree heat on two of the days which can knock the living daylights out of our players. “But other than that, I don’t think it makes that much difference.” Ireland’s first game of the Regions’ Cup will be played against Ankara on Friday June 26, at Tallaght Stadium at 7pm.
Soccer Sisters takes over Fingal for Easter FINGAL was a flourish with young girls playing the beautiful game over the Easter break as the FAI’s Soccer Sister Easter Camps were held in 12 different venues across the county. There was no area left uncovered as camps were runs from Blanchardstown to Baldoyle to Swords to Balbriggan and allowed girls from the ages of seven to 12 to get as much top quality football education in while the schools were shut. Speaking on the camps and their success over Easter, Paul Keogh, FAI/Fingal County development officer said: “The number of camps and numbers on the camps continue to rise. With the Stephanie Roche exposure and also the great work of the grassroots clubs it is becoming more and more accessible for girls to play on a team amongst friends. In Fingal alone, there are 12 venues for the girls to choose from with the biggest FAI Soccer Sister Easter camp in the country taking place in Gormanston, Balbriggan, with 92 girls attending.” With a number of local clubs participating in the organisation and co-ordination of the camps in the area, they are viewed as an excellent chance for young girls to take their first steps into football. Marion Brown, Fingal County Council principal sports officer added: “Fingal are delighted as always with the continued growth in girls’ sport. Through our sports development officers and our sports plan for the area the focus given to increasing women in sport is a top priority. More and more clubs are facilitating the growth of the girls’ game which is very important. And also, without the long hours of dedication of the volunteers it would not happen.”
Gazette
30 dublin city gazette 9 April 2015
SPORT
ken’sDiary
Puncture cannot stop Kenneth hitting 130km Olympic silver medallist and Irish boxing legend Ken Egan is to take part in this year’s Laurels Charity Crew Cycle from Galway to Dublin on April 19. In the run-up to the event, Egan has partnered with Gazette Sport to document his preparation for the big day, and here is his latest report from the road. LAST Saturday morning, there was the biggest number yet, 43, taking part. The hardship and the weather was mighty with our aim of 130km today. We reached our target but the drama that was to unfold was crazy; we set a steady pace and motorists didn’t like our presence this morning. Some suggested we broke up into two smaller groups but we stuck together and soldiered on, heading for Lucan and then on to Edenderry where we stopped for tea and scones. We had picked up eight punctures on our travels and I was cursing some of the gang for having bad tyres. Lo and behold, I got one of those punctures and had to bum a tube as I arrived with the bare essentials: a bike and a bottle of water; such a novice! In any case, we carried on and made it to the finish line, completing the route. My final preparations, though, see me heading off to cheer on my good friend Andy Lee in Brooklyn this weekend in his world title defence so I’ll miss the last cycle before the big one. Peace out and see you on the other side. For more information about the event, log on to www.facebook.com/laurelscharitycrew, and come back next week for the latest instalment of Ken’s cycling diary. The group has raised €520,000 for Our Lady’s Hospital in Crumlin through their efforts in recent years.
soccer: top european clubs battle it out at shanowen
St Kevin’s Boys celebrate scoring against Celtic. Picture: Ciaran Doyne
Deportivo land Kevin’s title nathan kelly sport@dublingazette.com
ST KEVIN’S Boys Academy Cup is the certainly the standout tournament of the Easter break in not only Dublin, but probably Europe too as this year’s edition continued the tradition of ability, skill, professionalism, and teamwork at the highest level of schoolboy football. In what was the sixth edition of the Academy Cup, Kevin’s welcomed Arsenal, Benfica, Celtic, Deportivo La Coruna, and West Bromwich Albion to Shanowen Road to take part in the Under-13s tournament brimming
with European flair and attractive football. The tournament kicked off on Good Friday with a great opening fixture, St Kevin’s vs Celtic. The opener finished 1-1, with Darragh Burns scoring for Kevin’s and Scott Cusack bagging Celtic’s reply. The second fixture of the competition saw Spanish side Deportivo beat West Brom 5-2 in what was a pulsating contest from start to finish. Celtic grabbed their first win in the next game, beating Portuguese giants Benfica’s academy side 3-0 before the final fixture of the opening day sawArsenal open their account
half time show Salmo Eagles take field for Mullingar fixture THE De La Salle Palmerston Eagles are pictured with Leinster’s Kane Douglas and Darragh Fanning ahead of the Bank of Ireland half-time mini games last Saturday. They played against Mullingar at the Aviva Stadium during the European Rugby Champions Cup quarter-final between Leinster and Bath, putting on a great show. Picture: Stephen McCarthy
with a 5-0 win over West Brom. Kevin’s again played first on the Saturday, this time against Benfica and again a draw was the outcome, with neither side failing to hit the net. The second game was one many were looking forward to after the results on Friday as Arsenal faced Deportivo. It was the Gunners who came out on top in another excellent game, beating their Spanish counterparts 4-1. The second half of Saturday was semi-final time, with a final four made up of Arsenal, La Coruna, Celtic and Kevin’s. Up
first was Celtic vs Deportivo and with the score at 1-1 at full-time, penalties were needed. It was the Spaniards who held their nerve over the young Scots, coming out as 5-3 winners in the shootout. It was time for the hosts to face an impressive Arsenal side in the second semi. Again the sides could not be separate as the Tangerine’s were proving to be draw specialists in the competition and penalties were required once more. The shootout was a classic, with every single player being forced to take the long walk to the spot. Eventually however
it was Arsenal who held focus, beating the Dublin side 12-11. T hird and four th place was to be decided between St Kevin’s and Celtic on Sunday morning. Much to the delight of the home crowd, it was the Shanowen side who took third thanks to Warren Curran’s strike against the Bhoys. The final was contested by Arsenal and Deportivo, and, you guessed it, penalties were needed. It was the Spanish outfit who came out on top with a 5-3 win in the shootout which meant they were crowned 2015 Academy Cup champions.
9 April 2015 DUBLIN CITY gazette 31
Gazette
skills competition
FastGAA
Round Tower’s Clarke wins Timmons trophy seventy girls competed in the annual Feile Under-14 skills competition in Silver Park last weekend in glorious sunshine. The overall winner was Hannah Clarke from Round Tower. Such was the keen competition that there were joint second and joint third place winners with Raheny’s Laura Robertson and Crumlin’s Claire Kiernan in second place overall.
football: kildare seen off in under-21 decider
Brogan back in the fold for Monaghan rematch
St Peregrine’s man Eric Lowndes was part of the successful Dublin Under-21 set-up
Seven local Dubs land Leinster title leinster u-21 final
Dublin 3-10 Kildare 1-12 sport@dublingazette.com
NO FEWER than seven inner-city footballers were present as Dublin were crowned the EirGrid Under-21 Leinster Championship winners last Thursday night at Pairc Tailteann. Na Fianna duo Eoin Murchan and Conor McHugh, Clontarf pair Andrew Foley and Aaron Byrne, St Vincent’s Gavin Burke, Templeogue Synge Street’s Niall Scully and Whitehall Colmcille’s Cormac
Costello were the city slickers present for the Dubs. Murchan started the game at left half-back, the half-forward line contained Burke, Foley and Scully from right to left. Costello lined out at right corner-forward with McHugh as full-forward, while Byrne was introduced after 50 minutes at corner-forward. The Dubs did not seem to miss injured talisman Killian O’Gara as Costello stepped up to fire two goals and two points for boys in blue. Colm Basquel was key for the capital too, firing
over five points during the contest. The game started off as a close encounter, with the side’s level on 0-3 each before Costello teed up Basquel for the opening goal after 20 minutes. Minutes later, the provider turned scorer as Costello shook the net following quality play from McHugh. Kildare hit back, however, thanks to some quality kicking from Neil Flynn and a goal by Mark Sherry which reduced the deficit to two points going into half-time. Indeed it was Kildare who began the
second half better, hitting four points without reply before Costello struck again for the Dubs, firing in another goal. The Dubs managed to maintain their lead going into the closing stages despite a spirited performance from Kildare and Flynn in particular. Before the end, Costello was awarded a penalty, which McHugh stroked over to confirm a fourpoint win. It was a win which continued Dublin’s dominance in the province at this level, this marking their sixth Leinster win in just eight years.
DUBLIN’S preparations for this Sunday’s NFL Division 1 semi-final against Monaghan will have surely been boosted by the return of championship veteran Alan Brogan, pictured above after the All-Ireland semifinal exit in 2014. The three-time All-Star and clinical forward returned to training this week despite months of speculation about his impending retirement, having played his last game for the Dubs in the All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Donegal last summer. The news will have been timely for fans of the Boys in Blue, having lost Eoghan O’Gara for the foreseeable future with an ACL injury a couple of weeks ago. Brogan will certainly be around the top of the list of replacements for the gap, along with some of Dublin’s rising stars, most notably Brian Fenton, who impressed on his National League debut on Sunday scoring 1-1 and offering a strong presence. The Dubs only secured their place in the final four of the league after an impressive 1-22 to 1-11 win over Monaghan on Fenton’s debut in Clones in the final round of regular league fixtures last weekend. It is a result that will leave Monaghan fans bemoaning the fact that they have to face the capital again this Sunday in Croke Park. A couple of early scores from Kevin McManamon and Bernard Brogan put the Dubs in front before Fenton shook the net after four minutes to open up a 1-4 to 0-0 lead. Monaghan did their best to close the deficit but a superb 45 score from Diarmuid Connolly and another point from Brogan gave Jim Gavin’s team a 1-6 to 0-4 lead on 25 minutes. This was increased just before the first half drew to a close thanks to three scores before the turn and the break did not slow the Dubs down as they came back out with a Connolly point inside 20 seconds of the second half. The rest of the half was mostly a barricade of Dublin points before Monaghan scored a late goal to improve the scoreboard. It is hard to say whether or not the Brogan brothers will line out together in blue again as soon as this weekend, but it is news that will bring Dubs fans much joy heading into summer football.
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GazetteSPORT all of your dublin city sports coverage from page 28-31
blue fever: Leinster still have another gear to go up as they reach European Cup semi-finals P28
april 9-15, 2015
smith’s eastern promise: Republic of Ireland amateur boss’s Regions Cups bid P29
Six Dubs in Irish Under-17 Euro panel nathan kelly
sport@dublingazette.com
SIX city-based footballers were included in the Republic of Ireland Women’s Under-17s squad for this week’s UEFA European Championship’s Elite Round group stage. UCD Waves’ Niamh Prior, Raheny United duo Amanda McQuillan and Jamie Finn, and Shelbourne trio Nadine Ryan, Courtney Higgins and Dearbahile Byrne make up an impressive third of the squad named by Dave Connell for the group stage. The competition will take place in Cork with Ireland hosting a
group that also includes England, Hungary, and the Netherlands. Thursday will see the group begin with the Netherlands facing Hungary at St Colman’s Park in Cobh before the international derby of Ireland vs England takes place at Turners Cross at 8pm. Speaking after his squad had been announced, Connell said: “Everybody was available and we’ve made three changes to the group of players that got us through the qualifying round in September.” The manager, who also looks after Ireland’s Under-19 squad, is under no illusions of the challenge ahead. “It is a very difficult group
we’ve drawn again,” he said. “We seem to be prone to getting hard groups but we’ve done it before in difficult groups. “We’re confident but we know it won’t be easy and we’ll give it a go.” Despite the tough draw, the Irish squad will at least take comfort in the fact that they will be playing in front of their own fans, and the boss is hopeful of some big crowds down in the Rebel County. “My assistant Dave Bell has promoted the tournament well down in Cork while the local league too has shown great support so we’re expecting big crowds,” he said.
Ireland made it to the elite round after an unbeaten qualifying campaign with wins over Lithuania and Romania followed by a draw with Serbia which meant they topped their group. In preparation for the elite round, Connell’s side played Iceland, who will host the finals from June 22 to July 4, in a couple of friendly fixtures at the AUL complex at the end of March. Ireland won both games, with Higgins netting the winner from a free-kick in the opener that Ireland won 2-1, while Byrne scored the only goal two days later as the girls in green did the double over Iceland.
The Republic of Ireland Under-17s side features six Dublin city natives