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INSIDE: Let our Bride & Groom supplement help make your big day even better See P20 - 23
A DAY IN THE LIFE: Singer Mary Coughlan talks life on the road and all that jazz P13
Bloomin good fun: Dubs rejoice as sun pours down Hockey:
One-off game to decide women’s Olympic fate Page 31
Racing: Dubs go far in Le Mans 24 hour race Page 32
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ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES.................... 10 DUBLIN LIFE...................11 OUT&ABOUT ..................17 CLASSIFIEDS ................26 SPORT ...........................28
RELATIVES OF the man himself,
Mary and Carol Joyce celebrate all things James Joyce at Bloomsday 2015. Also pictured in the centre is Senator David Norris. Bloomsday takes place around the world every year on June 21 and celebrates the day depicted in James Joyce’s novel Ulysses. The day is named after Leopold Bloom, the central character in the book and has become a much loved tradition in Dublin City. Picture: Stephen Fleming
Cars banished under city transport plan Private vehicles and taxis may be banned in key areas of capital
BARBAIRE NI BHRAONAIN
THE banning of private cars and taxis from Dublin City Centre is one of a number of major changes proposed for the city as part of a new transport study
compiled by the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Dublin City Council. The Dublin City Transport Study aims to ensure the city continues to function efficiently and to accommodate future growth as the NTA
plans to invest €150m in public transport. It recommends cycling and pedestrian only links along the north and south quays and at College Green, along with the pedestrianisation of Suffolk Street and Stephen’s Green north.
NTA chief executive Anne Graham said hard decisions now would pay dividends in the future. The study is on public display for consultation until July 16. Full Story on Page 6
2 dublin city gazette 18 June 2015
water Households in line for up to €4,000 to replace pipes
State scheme to tackle lead pipe problems DUBLIN homeowners with lead pipes delivering water to their homes will qualify for a grant of up to €4,000, Environment Minister Alan Kelly announced last week. It is not yet clear if applicants have to be registered with Irish Water to qualify. The scheme, which will be a budgetar y measure, is part of a national strateg y to reduce lead in drink-
Bairbre Ni Bhraonain bnibhraonain@gazettegroup.com
ing water. Households earning up to €50,000 qualify for the maximum €4,000, while those on €50,000 to €75,000 will get €2,500. In response, Pem-
broke-Docklands Cllr Tom Brabazon (FF) described the scheme as “the very worst type of abdication of responsibility” while Deputy Aengus O’Snodaigh (SF) said that if Minister Kelly and Irish Water were really concerned, “they would be announcing a package which would replace all existing pipes and bear the cost of those works”. The scheme follows
on from a call made last November by Clontarf Cllr Ciaran O’Moore (SF) to have the funding sewn into the Home Improvement Grant – which will now be the case. Dangerous lead levels were found in the water in several houses in St Anne’s estate in Raheny. These residents were sent cautionary leaflets from the HSE warning them of harmful health effects if they drank the water, especially on kidney function and brain development in foetuses. Lead pipes were commonly used in houses built up to 1970 and around 200,000 across the country are estimated to be affected by contamination. Requests
Irish Water has now begun writing to up to 28,000 households they know are affected but says requests for information on lead pipe replacement grants should be directed to the Department of the Environment and not the utility. An Irish Water spokesperson added: “The primary message we are highlighting here is that, following the roll out of the metering programme, Irish Water has indicators which show that there are lead connections into homes, but
Homeowners of older properties are urged to check if they have lead pipes
this is not the only, or indeed the main, indicator. It’s really important that homeowners understand that if they live in a house which was built up to and including the 1970s they could have lead pipes, resulting in lead in drinking water. They don’t have to wait for a letter from Irish Water before taking action.” Deputy O’Snodaigh said: “There is no indication so far regarding social housing and in particular the homes belonging to Dublin City Council of which many have a lead pipe feed into the homes. The chief executive of Irish Water is John Tierney and he was fully aware of the extent of the lead piping issue when he was city manager and refused to put in place a plan to deal with the pipes…” He believes the State should bear the cost of the works.
Dublin Gazette Newspapers, Second Floor, Heritage House, Dundrum Office Park, Dublin 14 Tel: 01 - 6010240. Email: sales@dublingazette.com news@dublingazette.com web: www.dublingazette.com twitter: @DublinGazette Visit us on Facebook at DublinGazetteNewspapers
Cllr Brabazon “fervently believes” that the scheme was an abdication of responsibility. “I ask how can any humane government suggest that the issue of lead poisoning in the water supply be left to the householder?
“Not only are there logistics and costs involved but in each case the grant will be means-tested. This is simply not good enough when grants of only up to €4,000 will be given.” For more see page 8
planning Notice Dublin City Council
We, Mary Anglim and Liam Bell, intend to apply for Planning Permission for: clean down and re-point original brickwork and granite steps; replacement of nonoriginal cement render to side (West) and rear (South) elevation with lime render; blocking up, reinstatement and alterations to door and window opes to side (West) elevation and replacement of uPVC windows with timber casement and sash windows as indicated; service and replacement of non-original glazing to sash windows; reroof & insulate original natural slate pitched roof; installation of solar HW panels to rear roof; repair of flashings, soffits, eaves and rainwater goods; removal of non-original partitions, fittings and fixtures; revised layouts at each level; construction of canopy to side (West) passage entrance; enlarge ope to rear wall and construction of 9.5m2 single storey extension; replacement of lower ground floor suspended timber floor and concrete slab with new insulated slab; create new and alteration to existing openings at each level ; replace non original staircase to lower ground floor; replacement of uPVC double doors with 1.No French door set to return lower ground floor; revised attic stairs landing for safer access; replacement of existing non-original shed to rear garden with 22.5m2 single storey garden outbuilding; automation of exist front gates; new stone wall to rear garden east boundary; alteration to existing hard landscape layout to front garden; upgrading of mechanical, electrical and plumbing services & decoration and associated site works at Roslin, 63 Terenure Road East, Rathgar, Dublin 6 (a Protected Structure). 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. 24248
18 June 2015 dublin city gazette 3
dublin
appeal: Fr Joe voices concern at what church is doing in ireland
City plan being developed
Priest pleads with pope for pizza meet Ian Begley
A Catholic priest from Ballyfermot who believes that the Catholic Church in Ireland is dying, wrote an open letter to the Pope asking to meet him over a slice of pizza in a bid to secure a future for the church. Fr Joe McDonald, who is based in St Matthew’s in Ballyfermot, wrote an open letter to the Pope in a national newspaper voicing his criticism of the Church. In it he expressed how “the clock is very much against us”. “Every week things get worse, with opportunities lost and still more cracks of disunity appearing. The Church in Ireland is dying. Yes we could say it is tired,
or it has lost the young, or we must find a new language, and all that is true, but the reality is that the Irish Church is gasping, heaving, in a crippling smog of secularism.” Concluding the letter, Fr McDonald added: “Holy Father, I see you miss going for pizza and, as it happens I love pizza. I was wondering would it be possible that we could share a pizza, somewhere convenient to yourself, and I could elaborate a little on just how serious things are.” Reflecting on his letter, Fr McDonald told The Gazette: “The open letter I wrote was not a message of despair. I’m very clear that there’s good things happening within the
Church, but there are a few realities that are inescapable. “We’ve lost a lot of young people and have failed to reach them. We’re using a language that’s quite archaic and it seems like we’re lecturing people instead of sharing the joys of the gospel. We have to find better ways to reach the younger generation and show them that we’re here to listen.” Asked if he received a reply from the Pope yet, McDonald joked: “No, but I’ve received a couple of funny texts from friends of mine. I got a text last night saying:’We’re walking past Apache pizza and we’re wondering who that man is in white talking to Joe.’”
Too many cooks? Foodies happy to take part in popular Taste of Dublin AS ALWAYS, Taste of Dublin was a great success with its recent host-
ing at Iveagh Gardens marking a decade of delightful fare for foodies. A wide range of chefs, produce providers and related services were brought together in the august setting of the gardens to celebrate and explore a wide wange of foods. Pictured are chefs and food experts (back) Tim Anderson, Gavin Mc Donagh, Niall Sabongi and Paul Kelly with (front) Derry Clarke, Fiona Uyema, Michel Roux Junior, Avril Bannerton (managing director of Taste of Dublin), Kevin Thornton, Stuart O’Keeffe, Edward Hayden and Niall Hill. Picture: Leon Farrell
The first Local Economic and Community Plan is being developed for Dublin City setting out high level goals, objectives and actions needed to promote and support economic development and local and community development over the next six years. The focus of the plan is on the social and economic issues and goals that can be addressed by Dublin City Council, local businesses and community and voluntary organisations and state bodies. Submissions are sought in relation to the high-level goals, which will form the basis for the development of more specific objectives and actions. To make a submission email lecp@dublincity.ie by June 30. See bit.ly/dublecp
4 dublin city gazette 18 June 2015
FastNews
retail: store closure shock deepens
Celebrating our city’s garden squares The sixth Dublin Garden Squares Day will take place again this year on June 20. The event, organised by Dublin Civic Trust, presents Dubliners with a cornucopia of garden delights at Merrion Square, Fitzwilliam Square, Mountjoy Square, Parnell Square, St Stephen’s Green and Dublin Castle. Events include architectural and house tours, tango dancing, juggling, brass bands, Chinese wind music, choral singing, lawn bowling, build your own Georgian square, nature table and historic games for children all free of charge. This special day will provide an opportunity to
understand the historical and architectural history of our city’s garden squares. Dublin’s 18th century garden squares, including Rutland (Parnell), Mountjoy and Merrion squares, evolved from and were inspired by the piazzas of Renaissance Italy, the Place des Vosges in Paris and London’s Covent Garden. Our squares offer us a communal green space, a better environment for people, plants and wildlife while enhancing the vitality and viability of Dublin city. For more information on Dublin Garden Squares Day, go to www.dublincivictrust.ie.
Following the move by liquidators to call time on Clerys, 330 concession holders were among the 130 directly employed staff suddenly affected by the closure
Clerys staff left with nothing but State redundancy ian begley
LAWYERS representing concession holders at Clerys have confirmed that liquidators will release stock to them, which will be moved to other outlets or included in a fire sale. The concessions holders have said they are owed up to six weeks’ takings, worth as much as €2m, and have called for the immediate return of €3m in their stock which has been locked inside the building since the locks were changed last Friday. The company operating the store was immediately put into liquidation on June 12, with the 130 people directly employed in the department store losing their jobs and another 330 people who worked for the 50 concessions in the building unsure about their future. The provisional liquidator, Eamonn Richardson and Kieran Wallace of KPMG, stated that the 130 employees will
get only basic statutory redundancy payments. Speaking to The Gazette, Frank Connolly, head of communications of SIPTU, said: “KPMG basically said that the company’s balance sheet is insolvent and that they don’t know until they look at the books what money is left after paying the preferred creditors. “They said workers are likely to get no more than statutory redundancy, and are not sure about other outstanding monies owed. “KPMG did say they [themselves] were upset, and agreed it was appalling that the company only gave half an hour’s notice to the workers, and said they would progress the application for the insolvency fund so that workers can get their social welfare while they’re waiting eight or 10 weeks for redundancy payments. “The concessions have also lost out, and have claimed they have been left high and dry with
unpaid monies. They have lost a lot of money, and they’re going to be finding it difficult to redeploy people to other branches,” he said. This recent announcement was made shortly after a protest which took place on June 16 attended by approximately 500 people in support of the Clerys workers who lost their jobs. An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, also commented on the closure, saying it “could have been handled a lot better”. He also went on to say that the Government had been told by the liquidators that the majority of workers made redundant will be issued with their P45s shortly, adding that some payroll staff may be kept on during the liquidation process. Reports have stated that the Clerys building will be developed into a combined retail and hotel complex, with the possibility of offices being opened on the higher floors.
18 June 2015 dublin city gazette 5
deaths Parish holds night vigil to support bereaved families, friends beaumont Nurses to meet over strike plan
Foxrock rallies in grief Bairbre Ni Bhraonain
OUR Lady’s Church in Foxrock was the focal point for an outpouring of grief by the community, who came in their droves to pay their respects to the six students killed after they fell four floors when a balcony collapsed in Berkeley, California on June 16. Three of the six students killed had attended UCD and one was a student, Olivia Burke at IADT. Seven other students are still in hospital, some of whom are in a very serious condition. Five who lost their lives were from south Dublin. Niccolai Schuster (21), Eoghan Culligan (21), Eimear Walsh (21), Olivia Burke (21) and Lorcan Miller (21) all died in the
accident a week after arriving at Berkeley on J1 visas to work during the summer. The sixth victim was Irish-American Ashley Donohoe (22), who was a cousin of Olivia Burke. Foxrock parish administrator Carol O’Kelly told The Gazette the parish decided to hold an impromptu vigil the same night as word reached them of the tragedy She said: “Eimear Walsh and Olivia Burke were very active members of the parish here. “This [news] landed on our desks mid-afternoon [June 16], so we decided to organise a vigil for Wednesday week.” “Then we said: ‘No, what we’re going to do is just open the doors’.
“So we opened the doors and rang the bells. I put out a series of Facebook posts and Twitter tweets, asking everybody to share them. “Within less than an hour, the church was full. It was literally incredible, with cars lining up to come up Our Lady’s Church driveway. It was magnificent,” she said. “Two of the girls’ very close friends played the guitar and the piano from 9pm until midnight. Our organist and violinist came about midnight and played until 1am.” “We would like to express our deepest, profound sympathies to the families and friends. It was very noticeable last night that the church was packed with girls from 20 to 22, and they
(Clockwise from top left) Ashley Donohoe, Niccolai Schuster, Olivia Burke, Eoghan Culligan, Eimear Walsh and Lorcan Miller
just looked lost. “We want to thank those who made the vigil such a wonderful event.
It was all very human,” said O’Kelly. Father Frank Herron of Foxrock parish was
with the families of those who died and those who were injured at Berkeley all that day.
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) will meet with management at Beaumont Hospital next month to discuss new measures to tackle issues faced by nurses working there. This follows nurses serving hospital management with notice of industrial action due to a failure to honour previous commitments to hire extra nursing staff and address unsafe conditions in the emergency department. A day of industrial action was scheduled for June 10; however, the nurses agreed to defer the action, as hospital management have hired nurses and put forward proposals to deal with the other issues, following agreement reached at the Labour Relations Commission.
6 dublin city gazette 18 June 2015
transport Private car and taxi bans part of NTA study
Major city traffic changes proposed Bairbre Ni Bhraonain bairbrenibhraonain@dublingazette.com
MAJOR changes, including banning private cars and taxis from Dublin city centre, have been proposed in a new transport study for the capital compiled by the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Dublin City Council. The Dublin City Transport Study, taking in the quays, College Green and
Suffolk Street, is on public display for consultation until July 16. The study’s suggestions aim to ensure the city continues to function efficiently and to accommodate future growth. The NTA is set to invest €150m in public transport. It recommends cycling and pedestrian-only links along the north and south quays and at College Green along with
the pedestrianisation of Suffolk Street and St Stephen’s Green north. Among the study’s most dramatic proposed changes are that the “bus gate” around College Green would operate 24 hours a day, permanently banning all cars, vans and even taxis. Suffolk Street would be completely pedestrianised and private cars would not be allowed on Bachelor ’s Walk between Jervis Street and
O’Connell Street. The proposed scheme also includes increases in public transport capacity and the implementation of a citywide cycle network. To ease city traffic flow, the proposal includes new interchange hubs, bridges, coach and taxi facilities. The public can view and comment on the study up until July 16 on www.dublincity.ie/TransportStudy. According to the council: “Traffic congestion levels in Dublin are already rising, and, with an additional 42,000 morning-peak journeys into the city centre anticipated by 2023, plans need to be put in place now to meet the development plan targets and to ensure the capital city continues to function efficiently into the future.” NTA chief executive Anne Graham said hard decisions now would pay dividends in the future, adding: “The [authority] will be investing €150m in these projects between now and 2023.” Crumlin-Kimmage Cllr Catherine Ardagh (FF) said: “It’s great to see some sort of plan in place as even minor disturbances like the [outdoor] 5 Seconds of Summer concert for the May bank holiday caused the city immedi-
An artist’s rendition of plans for College Green (above) and Suffolk Street
ate gridlock. City traffic is only going to get worse unless something drastic is done.” But her party colleague Beaumount-Donaghmede Cllr Tom Brabazon differed, saying: “The handing over of parts of the north and south quays to public transport only is excessive and will only serve to move the congestion elsewhere – it will not solve the congestion problem and on that basis I would be totally opposed to this aspect of the study.”
Pembroke-South Dock Cllr Dermot Lacey (Lab) said the study was conducted by council officials and the NTA with no elected councillors involved. He finds this “extraordinary” and has called for a single Dublin transport authority with a directly elected mayor as chair. Welcoming the news, Deputy Joe Costello (Lab) said: “The council talks about changes to traffic including 40,000 new cars expected on the streets in the next eight
years. That’s a long way off…There could be even greater traffic changes over the coming years and the 2017 cross city Luas is very important. “We don’t want to put the cart before the horse though, we need to synchronise the plan with the onset of the city Luas going from St Stephen’s Green to Broombridge… I think the whole city will be pedestrianised in the next few years but we need to make sure we have good public transport there first.”
Jobs boost for Dublin 8 welcomed Twenty new jobs will be created in Dublin 8 by French FinTech company Megatransfert SAS, based at the Digital Hub in Dublin 8. The news comes as the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton announced 185 new jobs in six IDA Ireland client companies across the country Established in 2011, the company specialises in the area of micropayments via prepaid cards, TCompayment, E-money, E-Wallet and M-Wallet solutions. Announcing
the new jobs, Megatransfert founder Florent Thiebeaux noted that Dublin is a “technical hub”. Deputy Catherine Byrne (FG) said the announcement was really welcome for Dublin 8 and the South West Inner City. “It’s great to see businesses in the Digital Hub growing and expanding and with this announcement, Megatransfert is doubling its workforce. It is testament to the success of the Digital Hub Development Agency, now merging with Dublin City
Council, that international companies are locating there and in many cases are now expanding and growing their staff,” she said. She went on to say that the Digital Hub and the new jobs created there are of great benefit to the local communities of James’s Street, Meath Street, Francis Street and surrounding areas. “Dublin is really buzzing again as more and more companies locate here and expand their numbers of employees,” she said.
18 June 2015 dublin city gazette 7
don’sdublin The Iron Duke’s rise from a humdrum Irish life to a place in history ONE of the most decorated soldiers in history was born in Upper Merrion Street, Dublin in 1769 – the same year as his great nemesis, Napoleon Bonaparte. The son of a noble but impoverished family, Arthur Wellesley did not show much flair for anything other than playing the violin when he joined the army as an ensign in 1787, having been withdrawn from college due to a downturn in the family’s finances. After his proposal of marriage to Kitty Pakenham had been turned down, he applied himself to military life with a determination of purpose that was to be his trademark and strength. Suitably prepared, he used his skill to good effect while in India, after which he had become a rich man and promoted to major-general. Years later, his troops expelled the French from Spain, for which he was awarded the title Duke of Wellington. Wellington was in charge of the British and Dutch forces at Waterloo. June 18, 1815 has gone down as one of the most momentous days in European history, when Wellington – who was facing Napoleon for the first time on the battlefield – survived enormous early attacks and won the day with the late, and critical, arrival of Marshal Blucher’s Prussian army. A political career beckoned and he became a minister in 1819, and prime minister in 1828. It was during his time in Downing Street that Catholic emancipation was granted (1829). The good people of Ireland (in fact, he denied his Irishness by proclaiming “that not everyone born in a barn was a horse”) had already shown their respect by raising more than £20,000 for the erection of the Wellington Monument in the Phoenix Park. The reliefs around the base of the monument were cast from captured cannon guns – appropriate indeed, as they recount the heroic life of one known to history as “The Iron Duke”.
Don Cameron www.donsdublin. wordpress.com
The distinctive shape of the Wellington Monument in the Phoenix Park
projects Minister Bruton addresses business forum
Liberties focus of investment expo Bairbre Ni Bhraonain
THE city’s iconic Liberties, currently undergoing a €1bn renaissance via public and private investment, was the focus of a recent exhibition and expo to attract new businesses into the area. Dublin City Council and the Liberties Business Forum organised
the Liberties Showcase and Investment Expo at the Teeling Whiskey Distillery on June 4, which was addressed by Richard Bruton, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. Investment projects include the National Paediatric Hospital development at St James’s Hospital, Knightsbridge Stu-
dent House and the Teeling Whiskey Distillery. Liber ties Business Forum is supported by the local authority and comprises business managers and traders from James’s Street, Thomas Street, Meath Street and Francis Street. Forum chair Catherine Heaney said: “The Liberties is an area that
is full of personality and it is currently drawing new ideas, new energy and new people. However, there are still lots of empty spaces, providing opportunities to invest in [many] sectors. Collaboration is part of the personality of the area and it’s one of the reasons why someone would locate here.”
The council is now making a major investment in housing, student accommodation and parks in the Liberties. Minister Bruton said the initiative was “a great example of a community using the support available from Government and collaborating to support investment and job creation”.
8 dublin city gazette 18 June 2015
opinion Public health demands action over water purity
Get the lead out – but this may not be easy The Green Party’s Ciaran Cuffe considers the challenge and need to address replacing the nation’s hazardous pipework LEAD has hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons in recent weeks. High levels of lead in some drinking water supplies have raised concerns about the risks to human health, and households are demanding answers on who will pick up the tab to pay for improvements to water supplies.
Lead is a neurotoxin that accumulates in soft tissues and the bones. Excessive, high levels of exposure can damage the nervous system and cause damage to the brain. People are right to express concern about levels of lead in drinking water, but it is important to put the risks in per-
spective. The amount of lead we are exposed to has diminished significantly over recent years. Lead was once added to petrol and to paint, but this is no longer permitted. The maximum amount of lead permitted in our water was reduced to 10 microgrammes per litre
from the first of January 2014, down from a previous level of 25mcg per litre. For most families, the risks of excessive lead exposure come from the ingestion of food, dirt and dust, but a significant number of household water supplies with high lead levels have been detected. This is happening because old lead pipework still remains in some of the pipes that distribute drinking water into and inside our homes. The recent reports from Irish Water have shown us that in many streets around our capital, these levels are being exceeded. This can be a particular risk for younger children who may be fed milk formula from these drinking water supplies. Ensure
Flushing the water supply by turning on a cold taps for a few seconds before taking water can reduce lead levels, but in some instances parents may wish to use bottled water to ensure lower lead levels. Boiling water is not recommended, as it can actually increase lead levels. The only real solution to lead contamination is to remove lead pipes, and this can be costly. Figures of more than €4,000 have been mentioned for replacing pipe supplies, but in most instances the costs should be far below
Cllr Ciaran Cuffe: “Figures of ... €4,000 have been mentioned for replacing pipe supplies, but in most instances the costs should be far below this”
this. For those living in areas where high lead levels have been detected, a plumber can advise on the costs of replacing any contaminated pipework. It is important to put the risks from lead in context. The Irish Environmental Protection Agency publishes biannual reports on water quality in Ireland and regularly raises concerns about the bacterium Escherichia coli (E. Coli), as well as the organisms cryptosporidium and trihalomethanes, which are a by-product of disinfection. There have been significant health concerns around cryptosporidium in water supplies in Galway City, Carlow and Roscommon in recent times. Pesticides in water supplies are also a matter of concern, and the addition of fluoride has been a matter of some controversy. Private wells are at risk of contamination
from septic tanks and their percolation areas. The good news is that contamination levels of most municipal supplies has reduced significantly in recent years, due to investment in the water supply and treatment systems. Much of the funding for this has been significantly grant-aided by European funds. The 1998 European Union Drinking Water Directive compels our government to protect human health from adverse effects of any contamination of water intended for human consumption by ensuring that it is wholesome and clean. The only sustainable solution to lead contamination is to replace any lead or lead-soldered pipework. The responsibility for achieving this is now a political hot potato for the current Government and Irish Water, but it is clear that it will take many years to fully remove lead from
the Irish water supply network. Irish Water must be more transparent about releasing reports that they have regarding drinking water quality if they are to gain public confidence. Many regard this as an uphill task. Given the costs of replacing pipework, it is crucial that a grant system to help householders remove lead pipes is up and running as quickly as possible. Those living on streets where high lead levels have been detected are right to demand urgent action. Parents are right to be concerned. As the Government enters its last few months, the Minister for the Environment will be carefully watched to see if he can put in place a clear and fair solution to tackle this public health challenge. It is no easy task, but it must be done. Cllr Ciaran Cuffe (GP), Dublin City Council
18 June 2015 dublin city gazette 9
council Councillor encourages use of Community Return Programme shock ‘Suicide’ attempt at Leinster House
‘Prisoners should be used to remove city’s graffiti’ Bairbre Ni Bhraonain
Early-released prisoners should be used to remove graffiti from around the city. This is according to Dublin South Bay Cllr Jim O’Callaghan (SF), who has called on Dublin City Council to implement this. Since 2010, DCC has spent €1.2m removing graffiti in Dublin, according to new figures released by the council. Cllr O’Callaghan said the Community Return Programme is a scheme managed by the Irish Prison Service, the Probation Service and the
Department of Justice where carefully selected prisoners may be granted reviewable temporary release with a requirement to do unpaid community service work such as graffiti removal in a supervised setting. Since piloted in 2011, there have been approximately 1,150 offenders on the Community Return scheme and nearly 90% of them complied fully with their obligations with the conditions of their early release. Cllr O’Callaghan said: “A prisoner who does not comply with the conditions of his or her release
is returned to prison to serve the remainder of their sentence and is not eligible to be considered again for participation in the scheme.” He is now calling on the council to place a greater focus on the use of community service orders under the State’s Community Return Programme. He said, if this is done, much of this high expenditure can be redirected to deal with the homelessness crisis in the city. He said: “As part of the current review being undertaken by the council into its litter management
Dublin City Council has spent €1.2m removing graffiti in Dublin since 2010
plan, I am urging a greater use of the State’s Community Return Programme as a way of reducing the cost of removing graffiti.” Pembroke/South Dock Cllr Dermot Lacey (Lab) said: “I am in
favour of any measures which help reduce graffiti and therefore would be supportive of this.” He went on to say Dublin could also adopt a scheme similar to one being run in Galway
where local businesses spray over graffiti using paint the same colour as poles and utility boxes. The council had not responded to Cllr O’Callaghan’s calls at the time of going to print.
A man was brought to hospital after allegedly attempting to take his own life outside Leinster House. The incident, which took place shortly before 4pm on June 15, saw a man in his late 30s allegedly attempt to hang himself on the gates of Leinster House before shocked onlookers came to his aid. Independent TD Finian McGrath was at the scene at the time and helped bring the man to safety, along with gardai and members of the public. He was then rushed to St James’ Hospital for treatment. The Samaritans can be contacted 24 hours a day on 116 123.
10 dublin city gazette 18 June 2015
gazetteGALLERIES
Dave Flemming
Laura Kelleher and David Collins. Pictures: James Martin
Michelle Jordan
Jacqueline Kelleher
Kevin Corr
Denise Keogh and Sharon Davitt
18 June 2015 dublin city gazette 11
Anne-Marie Ryan
Max and Ana Kochmansca
Graham Slattery, Tom Keogh and Ross Keogh (from Keogh’s). Pictures: James Martin
Picnic perfection
D
ONNYBROOK played host to a delightful dining experience recently when a walled orchard was transformed into The Perfect Picnic – a rustic-themed experience created by Keogh’s, the growing and crisping business based in north County Dublin. Bales of hay, picnic baskets, rugs and other
accessories helped to create the right atmosphere, as members of the Keogh family mingled with guests and foodies, discussing the business and its new multipack product. The relaxing garden and ambience provided a quiet retreat – with tasty nibbles – from the hustle and bustle of surrounding Donnybrook.
Some of the promotional material for the event
Oleg Ponmarv
12 gazette 18 June 2015
gazetteGALLERY
Have you seen yourself in the Gazette? Buy photos online from only €6.99 at www.gazettephotos.com
Alex O’Byrne
Brian Kenny and Leah O’Meara
Nancy, baby Alfie and Adrian Needham. Picture: James Martin
Riverfest in full flow huge array of activities kept the crowds entertained including the arrival of three tall ships and four schooners which berth at North Wall Quay for the weekend. The Jeanie Johnston was once again offering free tours and Dublin tug boat Shackleton and Beaufort’s Tug Boat Dances were back by public demand.
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orth Wall Quay once again played host to the Dublin Port’s Riverfest over the June bank holiday. Organised by the Dublin Port Company and the Docklands Business Forum, the event is a unique celebration along the historic quays with a jam-packed programme of entertainment and family fun. A
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dublinlife Let Dublin Gazette Newspapers take you on a tour of the news and events taking place across the city and county this week
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Mary Coughlan: “My daughter, Claire, lives with me and she has a two-and-a-half-year-old son. So we have a great time running around the house with him.”
a day in the life: singer mary coughlan is busy with family and touring
Songs, CDs and smoothies Bairbre Ni Bhraonain
AS SHE made her way around the country gigging and promoting her new album, Scars on the Calendar, singer Mary Coughlan took time out to chat to The Gazette about a day in her busy life. “I get up at around 7am, sometimes earlier and sometimes later. My routine for the past seven months has been a bit difficult, with touring. “Anyway, I make myself a green smoothie in my magic bullet, or whatever you call that [blender] thing! “It’s made from celery and parsley, spinach and kale, and all of that. That’s to do two things: to lower my
blood pressure, which is very high, and to give me a green boost. “My daughter, Claire, lives with me and she has a two-and-a-half-year-old son. So we have a great time running around the house with him. “In the past week, my life has been fairly hectic. I turn on the computer in the morning and then I have a big stack of envelopes and a big stack of CDs and a magic marker and I sign the CDs. “Then I go to the post office and go for a walk. I try to walk every day for an hour, which happens some days but doesn’t happen other days.” Coughlan also works with inner city Youthreach children, giving them
pointers on a singing career, and usually sings for them. The day before The Gazette spoke to her, she drove to Galway and saw her father and her sister. She added: “Then I got up early this morning and went to Galway Bay FM and had my hair done in Galway, and had a lovely lunch there in a place called Kai, the Maori name for food. “A New Zealand couple own it, and I always go there. I get coffee from Urban Grind. I’m really into good coffee, so I normally have to go in search for it. “Now I’m on the road to Roscommon and have a gig at 8pm, I probably won’t get anything else to eat. I might
have a protein bar – I’m trying to lose weight. “After the gig, I go to bed, get up and will do an hour’s walk in the morning, and then I drive to Ballina for a gig.” Coughlan is a great reader but also has a love for Netflix. Her favourite shows include House of Cards and Orange is the New Black. After a long day, she needs no help in getting to sleep, and is out like a light right away. “I’m usually knackered by the time bed beckons,” she said. Mary Coughlan plays the Abbey Tavern in Howth on June 20, before continuing her tour in Cork and Kerry.
CITY Hall is running an exhibition called The Story of the Capital, which tells the tale of Dublin through the centuries up to today’s cosmopolitan city. Citizens and visitors interested in how the city has grown up over the years can get a glimpse at Dublin past and present in the grand surroundings of Dublin Castle, the former administrative centre of British rule in Ireland. The exhibition runs from Monday to Saturday and from 10am until 5.15pm, with last admission at 3.45pm. Admission fees for the Story of the Capital exhibition are €4 per adults, or €3.60 if booked online at www.topattractionsireland.com, €2 for senior citizens, students and the unwaged, €1.50 for children, and there are also group and family rates available. City Hall is one of Dublin’s great architectural gems. The rotunda, with its 12 columns and fine statues, is host to murals and mosaics, set under one of the finest and most ornate domes in the city.
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diary
Rolling out a unique new attraction EUROPE’S largest wooden rollercoaster is now open to the public at Tayto Park in County Meath. The Cu Chulainn coaster travels up to 100km an hour and is made from 800,000kg of yellow pine wood, more than 100 tonnes of steel, and 700,000 nails and bolts. The rollercoaster reaches the dizzying heights of 32.05m with a stomach churning drop zone of 29m. Over 70 builders and engineers from T he Gravity Group, Ohio, worked on the construction of the Cu Chulainn Coaster since 2014. It is also the first wooden rollercoaster in Europe with an inversion and is also the only one of its kind to be constructed in either Ireland or the UK in the past 20 years. In addition to the r o l l e r c o a s t e r, Tay t o Park has recently seen the arrival of eight extra adrenaline filled attractions, Ireland’s only 5D
cinema and a steam train track as well as a new Dinosaurs Alive attraction. Visit www.taytopark. ie for more information.
prisoner cell block h(igh) INMATES at Mountjoy Prison recently performed an amazing feat of teamwork and ingenuity in an attempt to retrieve a package of drugs which had been thrown over the prison wall. The drugs which were thrown over by a wouldbe deliver y boy, got caught in the net which is in place around the prison wall. Inmates formed a human pyramid to boost one prisoner onto the roof to retrieve the package. T he prison officer on duty had to call for backup to deal with the aspiring gymnasts, so the prisoner was able to retrieve the drugs before reinforcements arrived.
K nowing he would not be able to keep them once prison officers apprehended him, however, he ingested the lot and stayed on the roof for seven hours. Sources have said he was “well under the influence” by the time prison officers managed to get him down. It’s probably safe to say his fellow inmates weren’t too happy about him hogging the stash.
launching 1916 initiative THE public launch of a new citizens’ initiative, called Reclaim the Vision of 1916, took place at Liberty Hall on June 9. The group intends to hold a series of lectures and events during the 1916 centenary and to examine Ireland today compared to those aspirations the men and women of the Rising fought and died for. President of Reclaim the Vision of 1916 artist Robert Ballagh addressed several relatives of the men and wo m e n i nvo l ve d i n the Rising, including James Connolly’s great grandson Jim Connolly Heron. Ballagh said of the 1916 Rising: “The blueprint for that dream was proclaimed in the Proclamation of the Irish Republic, a visionary
Robert Ballagh (left), artist and president of citizens’ initiative Reclaim the Vision of 1916, with James Heron Connolly, great grandson of 1916 leader James Connolly, and artist Jim FitzPatrick
statement that rightly belongs in the pantheon of human achievement.” The events will culminate in a major national parade and pageant in Dublin on April 24 next year, to include Fionnuala Flanagan, Stephen Rea, Sinead O’Connor, Adrian Dunbar and Frances Black who are also patrons of the project.
flower fest set to blossom THE countdown has begun for the Dublin Garden Festival 2015 at Christ Church Cathedral, and this year, celebrity gardener Diarmuid Gavin will deliver a talk with a champagne breakfast. The Dublin Garden
Festival takes place June 19 to 21, when the historic cathedral and its grounds burst into life, adorned with floral displays and summer markets. Award-winning floral artist Christopher White is artistic director of the festival and promises a stunning display of contemporary and traditional floral designs based on a fairy tale theme. There will also be gardening workshops, and talks from former Green Party leader Trevor Sargent, gardening author Helen Dillon and many more. Children can take part in a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, experience a petting zoo and watch craft demonstrations.
For more information on the Dublin Garden Festival programme for 2015, you can go to www.dublingardenfestival.ie.
aussie sorry for Irish rant THE oul Australian sod who remarked on live television that the Irish “can’t grow potatoes” has since apologised for his controversial comments. Grahame Morris, a Conservative commentator and former adviser to the Liberal party, said on Sky News during a debate on marriage equality: “The trigger was a vote in Ireland. Now I love the Irish, the parliament is full of Irishmen but these are
people who can’t grow potatoes, they’ve got a mutant lawn weed as their national symbol and they can’t verbalise the difference between tree and the number three. But, and then all of a sudden, Australia has to follow suit.” His comments soon became a national “hot potato” here, and there swif tly followed an apology in an attempt to butter up the Irish public: “I got myself into a hell of a pickle on this. To everyone there in Ireland, to all those with Irish backgrounds, w h i c h i n cl u d e s m e incidentally, I’m actually very sorry. What I said was tasteless and I copped the whack I deserved.”
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FEATURE interview: maria walsh on a remarkable 12 months
Rose plucks at some highlights of her year
Bairbre Ni Bhraonain
THE Rose of Tralee graced the launch of an elegant new bar and grill in the Stillorgan Park Hotel recently. Maria Walsh attended the hugely-successful corporate evening to open the Brass Bar and Grill, which serves food daily from 10.30am to 10pm and has live music on Fridays and Saturdays. As she prepares to hand over her Rose of Tralee crown in August,
Walsh reflected on a year well spent.
Adventure She told The Gazette: “I finish on August 18. My year has been fantastic – it’s been a real adventure and I’ ve travelled extensively throughout Ireland and the world. “I think we need more women in ambassador roles. I work a lot with young people and they always seem to be eager to have the Rose of Tralee to their schools, who-
ever she may be. “I was at an Enterprise Ireland event the other night which was women-only, and everybody there seemed to be extremely ecstatic to have the Rose of Tralee there. “The name of the game for the festival is to bring tourists back to Ireland and there are so many people living in our diaspora. So, the relevance of the rose is still very much there. “Every rose that enters it is there because she
wants to share her story and is really positive. I think it’s a unique festival and I believe there’s nothing else out there in the world like it,” she said. Walsh was born in Boston and raised in Mayo, and if that was not cosmopolitan enough, in the Rose of Tralee contest she represented Philadelphia, where she now lives and works. “I work as a media manager for a fashion brand called Anthropology. I didn’t take a year off from my job; I tried to do both. “It’s been a full-on year as the Rose of Tralee, but it’s been great; you get to meet so many people. Like, today [June 9], I got to meet Senator Zappone in Leinster House, which I think is pretty phenomenal.” Walsh was not in Ireland for the Marriage Equality referendum, but was thrilled to hear from Australia that it had passed. She said: “I was delighted to hear that a huge majority of the country were behind it, and I think from a business angle, it could mean huge revenue for the country.” The Gazette asked Walsh what her plans would be af ter she crow ns her Rose of Tralee successor. “I’m trying to figure out the next steps now,” she said. “Whether I’ll stay here or head back to the States, I’m using the next two and a half months to figure out what else can possibly come from my time here at the festival, and to see if I can marry the two worlds.”
Dublin Rose Roisin Lyons with outgoing Rose of Tralee Maria Walsh at the launch of Brass Bar and Grill in Stillorgan Park hotel
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dublinlife
ESCAPEbusiness THE MAYHEM
ESCAPE THE MAYHEM: dylan reid, star of once
‘Staying energetic is a great way to relax’
keith bellew
HAVING dazzled audiences on Broadway and the West End for five years, Dylan Reid comes to the Olympia Theatre in July to perform in the award-winning musical, Once. The Gazette spoke with Reid about what he does to escape the mayhem of the high-stress environment of his theatrical career. Relaxation for him does not mean putting his feet up – he prefers
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‘I just love getting on the pitch because, although music has always been my passion, it’s good to get out there and do something different for an hour or two’
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to stay active. An excellent way to get away from it, he says, is writing and recording an album – a task he is currently undertaking. “Writing music is the main thing that would help me relax and help
me get away from everything.” That said, he makes sure to take a break from this every now and then as he finds it helps him to return to his project refreshed and ready to go.
Sport is big in his life. Playing eight-a-side soccer two or three times a week with friends is another activity he enjoys. “I just love getting on the pitch because, although music has always been my passion, it’s good to get out there and do something different for an hour or two and then come back to writing and recording. “I love playing soccer and basketball; I find that relaxing even though I’m still being energetic. I love
Broadway and West End star Dylan Reid appears in Once at The Olympia in July
spending time in the gym and keeping fit. “I used to play with a club and captained the school basketball team as well, but having left school I kind of moved away from it and now I just play it with friends,” he said. Another means of
escape for Reid is cooking: “I don’t mind going outside the box and trying new things, but if I find something and I like it, I keep cooking it.” When he comes across a new dish he just throws it on and hopes for the best. “Sometimes it works; sometimes it
doesn’t.” You can catch previews of Reid performing in Once from July 4, with the show opening on July 14 and running until August 22. For further information on the show, see: www.oncemusical.ie, or www.olympia.ie.
11 June 2015 Gazette 17
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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
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Pets
Could you be the ‘Me’ for Marley?
Award-winning Dublin musician Damien Dempsey (right) has joined the campaign for Dublin2020. Picture: Geraldine Woods
2020: Damien Dempsey gets behind dublin’s efforts to be shortlisted
Bid for Capital of Culture Ian Begley
Dublin is now competing with Galway, Limerick and the South East of Ireland to win The European Capital of Culture competition for 2020. The competition will be hosted by Ireland and Croatia and while 2020 may seem like a long time away, the judging is happening much sooner. By mid-October of this year, a panel of European judges will arrive in Ireland and shortlist their favourites. To make sure Dublin moves forward to the next round in the competition, the team of Dublin2020 needs help to spread the word and get people involved. Ray Yeates, Dublin City arts officer said: ‘The reason we are bidding for
the European Capital of Culture 2020 is to build a new story for Dublin based on shared ideas, inclusion and confidence. “Dublin can be a leading city in Europe, and take advantage of its talented young population, to initiate major progress in communities and neighbourhoods during this bid and beyond. Join in. “If you are part of the city you are part of the bid.” Award-winning Dublin musician Damien Dempsey also joined the campaign for Dublin2020, and has recorded a music video in Dublin locations that are close to his heart. The song, which features lines from WB Yeats’s poem The Death of Cuchulainn, is now available on YouTube.
Speaking to The Gazette, Dempsey said: “I’ve put music to a Yeats’s poem and have travelled to several places around Dublin which are associated with Yeats. “The poem goes back to the time of Cuchulainn and Maeve and links in with the men of 1916. It’s a beautiful poem and I’m very happy to get behind it. “I suppose Dublin should be the centre of culture for 2020 because they reckon we have more writers and poets here per square mile than anywhere else in the world,” he said. The European Capital of Culture is awarded for a period of one calendar year, highlighting the diversity, richness and integration of cultures in Europe and the chosen city.
The European Capital of Culture celebrates what we have in common, growing a sense of belonging in our home, country and continent. To ensure Dublin is shortlisted, the Dublin2020 team is working to spread the word, to get Dubliners involved and to join in the conversation on Twitter, Facebook and in person. The Dublin2020 team want to hear from all age groups and all walks of life to join in the conversation – to discuss their Dublin, their issues and shape the future of the city. This is a chance for the people of Dublin to talk about what it means to be a Dubliner and how, together, Dubliners can shape the city’s future. To find out more visit www.dublin2020.ie.
The Gazette Newspaper has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for unwanted and abandoned dogs. Our Dog of the Week this week is Marley is a two-year-old female collie. She is a beautiful, big strong girl and has been in a loving home already for two years. She has brains to burn and is very clever when it comes to her training. She loves her commands and agility and would love to have more time doing advanced classes and training. She just adores adult company, having her hair brushed and great walks. Could you be the ‘Me’ for Marley?. If you think you could offer Marley a loving home please contact Dogs Trust on 01-879 1000. They are based in Finglas, just off exit 5 on the M50. Map and directions can be found on their website www. dogstrust.ie. You can also find them on Facebook www.facebook.com/ dogstrustirelandonline or Twitter @DogsTrust_IE.
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ven Sons Wo Weir & 70 fflinks €1 design cu
Weir & Sons Dalvey classic shaving set €208
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This show of vintage cars will delight all
Highlights Event highlights of the show include 1,300 classic and vintage cars, trade stands, food and refreshments, children’s entertainment, classical pop music from music group Bee Bop Gold, a “Best in Show” prize-giving ceremony, and more. For full information, see www.irishjagclub. ie. To win one of the two family passes, visit our Facebook page, find this contest post, then Like it and comment below it, telling us what your dream car is. The closing date and time for your entries is 5pm on Wednesday, June 24, so get motoring to let us know about your car! The winners will be announced on our Facebook page.
Oxford shirt €3 3
DU BL I N G a z e t t e Newspapers and our friends at Children’s Medical & Research Foundation, Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital have teamed up to give you the perfect Father’s Day gift for the motoring enthusiast in your life. Courtesy of the contest on our Facebook page, we have two family passes to the 2015 Irish Classic and Vintage Motor Show (family ticket for two adults, and two children under 12 years) at the Grounds of Terenure College, Templeogue Road, Dublin 6.
River Island
Win a great prize for Dad on our page
M&S Pure cotton mini-gingh am check short-sleeved shirt €24
motoring enthusiasts
n’s n me a B y a 159 ds R woo lasses € e l t t i L ng or su Aviat
Lit and tlewo cuf ods flink M s g en’s if t set tiepin €15
This one’s for you,
Clare Devereux
FATHER’S Day is almost here – the day in the year when we pause to acknowledge the contribution that fathers and father figures make to our lives, to celebrate fatherhood and male parenting, and Gazette Style is standing by to lend a helping hand this Sunday, June 21. We’ve gone out of our way to select gifts for all types of dads: from sporty to traditional, and not forgetting
those who are new to the role. Here’s our secret – buying presents is easy once you know what someone likes! So, take a look at your dad’s wardrobe – does he need new socks? Are his shirts threadbare? Do his sweaters need a revamp? Are his ties sad and weary? If the answer is no, move on to accessories: what about cufflinks or a watch, or a cool set of shades to set him apart from the rest? Still drawing a blank? Hit
the kitchen. Does your dad like juicing? Is he a wannabe barista? The bathroom shelf may give you a few hints too. Does your dad have a favourite after-shave? A moisturiser he uses regularly? Is his razor crying out for change? Let’s not forget sporty dad – from golf to football, there’s plenty to choose from to show dad he is the champion! So, this Father’s Day, you’ve no excuse – now get on out there, and choose something that tells your dad he’s special ...
Weir & Sons Leather compact wallet €99
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ns & So 99 Weir watch €1 g in Ber
Brown Thomas Ga
River Island Flap over Messenger Bag €45
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Littlewoods Fossil wallet and cardholder set €41
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STYLE
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Bride Groom
Head to Donabate for wedding activities you’ll really treasure RECENTLY engaged? Then this event might be something just for you ... Follow your heart and enter the Wedding Treasure Hunt on July 5 at The Waterside House Hotel in Donabate. Synonymous with fabulous weddings right on the beach, the hotel opened free online registrations for a unique wedding event. Prizes to be won include a €1,500 wedding voucher and many extras. Couples taking part in the treasure hunt around the hotel grounds and Donabate beach will solve various clues and compete in weddingoriented games with each other. Refreshments and canapes will be served throughout the day, and it promises to be a fun-packed day – a wedding showcase with a difference. The treasure hunt will be followed by a large wedding open day, where couples have the opportunity
l lo o k ing at m any ke y as pects of marriag e l
Let our supplement support the big day Bairbre Ni Bhraonain
The Waterside House Hotel, Donabate
to meet wedding experts and exhibitors face to face, get invaluable advice and find out what’s hot and new as they plan their wedding. As one of the region’s largest wedding events, the open day is happening in the Waterside House Hotel on July 5 from 2pm to 6pm It’s going to be a day packed with wedding expertise and excellence. To register for the Wedding Treasure Hunt, see http://www. watersidehousehotel.ie/weddings/ wedding-treasure-hunt/, or call 01 843 6153 for further information.
“THE world will always welcome lovers, as time goes by”, so the song goes, and couples in love will always want to marry. Now that summer is here and the sky is blue (sometimes) and flowers are blooming, many couples will opt to tie the knot over the coming months. If you are one half of an engaged couple, planning to exchange vows soon, our wedding supplement has some great ideas about how to make your big day the biggest and best one of your life. --------------------------
‘Our wedding supplement has lots of ideas to help make your big day truly unforgettable’ --------------------------
Inside the supplement are tips and ideas around essentials such as how to put your unique stamp on your nuptials by choosing a bespoke wedding off the beaten track. There is also a feature showing a range of some of the most unusual wedding venues all across Ireland. Nor have we forgotten how important it is to get in good shape for your Big Day, either. Advice on the most effective workouts and good nutrition are here at your disposal. There is even a lighter piece, offering ideas on how to inject a bit of
Our supplement has some great ideas about how to make the big day unforgettable
fun into proceedings on the day, by incorporating something like an adventurous treasure hunt. W hatever kind of wedding you fancy,
or even if you are still unsure of what you want your wedding day to be like, The Gazette’s Wedding Supplement offers soon-to-be newly-weds ideas that point you in
the right direction. We have included weddings which suit all tastes and inclinations, mirroring Ireland’s new, improved and more inclusive marriage laws.
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l w h y n ot c h o o s e fr o m a wi d e r ange o f ve nue s? l
Be creative – pick an unusual setting ian begley
IF YOU’RE on the hunt for an alternative venue for your wedding and are hoping to do something a little different for your big day, then you will be happy to know that Ireland has a huge range of unconventional wedding venues on offer. From castles, barns, theatres, sports stadiums, beaches and the zoo, you will certainly be spoiled for choice if you want an unusual or eccentric wedding
venue. If you’re thinking of a very intimate wedding in Ireland with just your nearest and dearest, then Fanningstown Castle might be the perfect choice. Set in the countryside of Limerick, this grand castle has been converted into an atmospheric private house that is suitable for a small group seeking escape from the mayhem. If your heart is set on a Dublin city wedding, but you’re looking for
that very special space to celebrate, then Smock Alley Theatre might be just the ticket. With exposed brick walls, ornate plaster work ceiling and stained glass windows, this venue is certainly a sight to behold. Its oak benches and tables offer options for the fashionable long dining experience and the large space is very versatile for a ceremony or reception. Another great alternative venue is at Mount
Druid in Westmeath. The building and its surrounds comprise a converted barn, an unconsecrated tin chapel, 20 traditional Mongolian yurts, a charming gate lodge, an 1820s Georgian house, a summer house and three lakes. Why not choose to say “I do” at the zoo? Dublin Zoo is a unique alternative to the traditional wedding venue and provides a magical backdrop for your special day. Haughton House, a
Wedding favours needn’t cost the earth WEDDING favours provide the couple with an excellent way of showing their appreciation to their guests for helping to celebrate their big day. When choosing the type of favour you would like to present to your guests, budget must be considered. One way to cut costs but still give your wedding a personal touch is to provide homemade wedding favours. Save
Confectionery is the old standard, but rather than buying countless boxes of luxur y chocolates, or sugared almonds, baking your own cookies, cupcakes etc will enable you to save money and give you the opportunity of personalising them with your wedding’s theme.
The Smock Alley Theatre has exposed brick walls, ornate plasterwork ceiling and stained glass windows and is very versatile for a ceremony or reception
restored historical building with magnificent views of the zoo, is available seven days a week for all types of wedding ceremonies, including civil ceremonies, civil partnerships and blessings.
With weddings at Croke Park, GAA fans can marry their love of the game with the love of their life. Whether you are interested in a large, traditional reception, a small, intimate celebration or something in
between, they can offer you the perfect alternative venue. For further information on these alternative wedding venues, see w w w.alternativewedd i n g s . i e , a n d w w w. hitched.ie.
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Bride Groom
l looki ng yo u r b e st l
Getting in shape for your special day Your wedding is an event to be remembered for the rest of your which will be chronicled with an array of photographs and possibly on film. For this reason among others you will want to look your best. Whether your looking to drop a few pounds, tighten up your muscles or completely overhaul your physique, Educogym, Dundrum can get you there. The Educogym system is based on a university validated study which proves that a clear goal combined with resistance based exercise and low glycemic nutrition caused
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‘Educogym works with you to draw out your ideal figure or physique’ --------------------------
a person to shape up faster than any other system in the world. On average, the participants lost 7.5 lbs of fat, and gained an average 3 lbs of metabolism boosting muscle in just 12 days all with just 20 minutes of exercise per day. Educogym is designed to replicate
these incredible results, with each aspect of the programme finely tuned to ensure success. Educogym consultants work with you to help you understand your goals and then devise a programme to make sure you achieve them. Educogym specialises in low-glycemic nutrition plans designed to detox your body from sugar to lower body fat and get in your best-ever shape. T he word educo means to lead or draw out from within. Educogym works with you to draw out your ideal figure or physique using their carefully crafted
The Educogym system combines resistance based exercise and low-glycemic nutrition
system. The big difference between the Educo gym resistance training and traditional aerobic exercise such as jog-
ging is that by increasing lean muscle tissue you will increase your metabolism to burn fat and have a leaner and firmer body.
All programmes include intensive 20minute training sessions, regular consultations, nutritional programmes with expert
advice and goal setting to help you look your best on your big day. For more information, visit www.educogym.com/Dundrum
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OUT&ABOUT
FOOD&DRINK
BITESIZEDNEWS
The contribution of Irish – and Scottish – workers in the Caribbean inspired The Redleg Rebellion, above
A cocktail inspired by sunburnt Irish legs WITH the sun finally spotted in our skies, now’s the time to make a relaxing cocktail – The Redleg Rebellion. “Redlegs” was the name given to Irish and Scottish workers in the Caribbean in the 17th and 18th centuries (you can guess why), who were forcibly transported by Oliver Cromwell consequent to his subjugation of Ireland. This drink was created as a “tip of the hat” to the thousands of Irish who worked the sugar plantations of the Caribbean, and without whose cheap labour the popularity of rum may never have spread throughout the world.
Ingredients 30ml Teeling Small Batch 20ml Clement Creole Shrub 10ml Taylors Velvet Falernum 20ml Lime Juice 20ml Pineapple Syrup Preparation Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker and shake vigourously for 10-15 seconds. Strain into a rocks glass/Julep cup filled with crushed ice. Garnish with a pineapple slice, mint sprig and cherry.
Give your patio power a boost with a canopy ’TIS the season for barbecues, picnics and other modes of al fresco dining. But sometimes the sun is beaming – and sometimes it disappears for days. Nevertheless, hope springs eternal and it’s important when it comes to the weather in Ireland to be like a Girl Guide – prepared for anything! So, a patio with canopy is the salvation for barbie-holics and, if you haven’t already got one, then you should. Whether it’s the outdoor party look you want or a more family-friendly option that’s safe for children, Tobermore can help. Theresa Kiely, manager at Tobermore’s Dublin Paving and Walling Centre, says: “Tobermore’s patio products are long-lasting, cost-effective and maintenance and cleaning is minimal, so that’s one less chore for you to worry about.” If you need patio inspiration, call the company at 01 843 7440, email sales@tobermore.ie, or see www.tobermore.ie.
Soder + Ko
Fusion restaurant
South Great Georges St The interesting fusion
WITH its high ceilings, spacious sleek decor and an ultra-hip menu inspired by a fusion of Scandinavian and Asian cuisine, Soder + Ko on South Great George’s street is already proving to be a popular addition to Dublin’s ever growing list of trendy chowdown joints. Having recently gotten our hands on a voucher offering an express lunch bento box and a drink for a special fixed price, Picky and partner decided to try it out. The vibe was immediately relaxed and elegant when we arrived. We ordered two nonalcoholic cocktails, made in-house. My partner’s was strawberry and orange juice-based. Of course I had to sample it, and I found it very refreshing. I went for a cucumber and chestnut syrup cocktail. Unfortunately, it was sickly sweet and far too sugary for me.
of Scandinavian and Asian cuisine at Soder + Ko is matched by its creative interior space. Picture: James Martin
The Picky Eater The express lunch menu offers four different bentos, with the choice of a meat, fish, vegetable or special of the day. We both chose the meat bento, which offered miso soup, chicken dumplings, fillet steak with sticky rice and a side of charred bok choi. --------------------------
‘For a lunch deal which ranges from €9-€12, the value for money is decent. I didn’t leave stuffed, but I was satisfied’ --------------------------
When the food arrived, we discovered that two of the side dishes had been switched. Instead of bok choi, we got stewed aubergine, and in place of the chicken dumplings, there was a
prawn variety instead. I checked with our server and he timidly informed us that the chefs were only serving this selection now. I was unimpressed with the last-minute switcheroo without our knowledge, but the assortment was indeed tasty. The star of the show was the small, tender cut of fillet beef which came with a poached egg yolk on top. For a lunch deal which ranges from €9-€12, the value for money is decent enough. I didn’t leave stuffed, but I was satisfied. Some teething problems were apparent, from our slightly confused waiter who was in the midst of his first day to my overly sugary beverage. However, I feel that given the opportunity, Soder + Ko could prove to be a deserving addition to the growing multicultural range of restaurants in the city.
Despite being sent on the day what the kitchen wanted to cook rather than the order placed, the food was great. Pictures: The Picky Eater
Conclusion DESPITE some teething problems when Picky and partner visited, Soder + Ko (at 64 South Great George’s Street, Dublin) has the potential to be a great addition to the city’s foodscape. Reasonably priced, its dishes proved to be tasty.
18 June 2015 Gazette 25
Gazette
HEALTH
Mark Joyce and Ronnie Carroll have teamed up with celebrity Ray Shah
Franchise deal expands brand Bon Sheekey demonstrating the V-Sit
calisthenics: using bodyweight as resistance
All you need is your own body to get fit Suzanne Sheehy
Life is movement – movement is life. This is the mantra of Bon Sheekey, who heads up an eponymous fitness company operating out of TCD’s sport centre. And when it comes to training, your own bodyweight can help you out on the way to fitness, according to the same man. Sheekey tells Gazette Health that he takes a novel approach to the pursuit of health, fitness and longevity. He has a 16-year history in gymnastics, breakdance, weight training and movement which prompted him to notice the many positive health benefits to be gained from using bodyweight, including improved muscle strength and function, lower body fat, greater range of motion and flexibility in joints along with
freedom of expression and an improved sense of wellbeing. Sheekey talked to us about this re-emerging form of training, calisthenics, which is any training where the bodyweight is used as resistance. This can range from walking or crawling to gymnastics, mechanics of martial arts, types of dance and even yoga postures. Principal beginner exercises involve the pullup, handstand and press up. More advanced versions are the handstand press up, plyometric (jump training) press up, press up claps to name but a few. The real fun comes when you begin to learn the variations then put them all together into calisthenic sequences or routines. Because there is no end to possible move-
ments, calisthenics can be one of the freest and most creative forms of expression. It improves overall strength, shape, coordination, balance and flexibility. Anybody of any age from any walk of life can and should engage in it, according to Sheekey. Both weight training and calisthenics have their place depending on individual goals, he maintains, but where the latter really kicks ass is in its ability to create harmony between different areas of the body allowing it to work in its preferred muscular groups. This reduces chance of injury and helps practitioners stay injury free. Another plus is that all you need is your body, some will power and a little space. There is absolutely no need to spend vast sums on equipment and gym membership to begin
training, he says. Sheekey aims for an optimal blend of resistance training and calisthenics in order to reap the benefits of both. You can become strong and powerful in the weights room and then transform this into more agility and better balance with calisthenics. He finds both modes complement each other and they would be his go-to training systems for programme design for himself and many of his clients. The results speak for themselves, Sheekey maintains. Interested? Then contact bonsheekeyfitness@gmail. com.
FITNESS entrepreneurs Ronnie Carroll and Mark Joyce have agreed a franchise deal with DJ and ex Big Brother celebrity Ray Shah to expand his hugely successful Bodyfirst Nutrition brand. The first of the franchise outlets opened in the village of Malahide recently with more planned in the near future. Bodyfirst Nutrition outlets at the Wooden Bridge Clontarf and in The Mall in Malahide Village are open from Monday to Saturday from 10am to 6pm and on Sunday from 12pm to 5pm. Fitness enthusiast Shah launched the first Bodyfirst Nutrition in Clontarf in 2013 having developed a passion for fitness and nutrition during his time in the public eye. His vision was to create a one-stop-shop for sports supplements, vitamins and health foods. Nowadays, most people shop online for popular sports and fitness products. Bodyfirst Nutrition is one of the first walk-in stores where you can buy
all your monthly supply of nuts, seeds, gluten free foods and teas, as well as protein powders, recovery shakes and energy gels under one roof. Carroll said: “Ray has created a fantastic brand and we’ve nothing but admiration for what he has done. Rather than try to reinvent the wheel out here we decided to approach him with a view to establishing a franchise agreement where we could all work together to expand this superb brand.” Shah said: “After two years of growing the brand in Clontarf I was looking to take it further and was then approached by Ronnie and Mark. The idea of developing it as a franchise and engaging with the boys on both an expertise and entrepreneurial level really appealed to me and was an obvious solution to my expansion plans.” Some well-known faces which have been visible in Bodyfirst Nutrition include Leinster/Irish rugby player Cian Healy and his girlfriend, former Miss Ireland Holly Carpenter.
Wheels in motion for Aquabike THE sun has put his hat on, hip hip hip hooray – time to get outdoors and be more active. Summer is the perfect time to challenge yourself so why not sign up to an multisport event and have fun as you get fit(ter)? June 14 was the day that Ireland’s newest multisport event pedalled off. The Aquabike was hosted by Fingal Triathlon club which is based in Skerries north County Dublin. Aquabike is an endurance sport composed of swimming and cycling
stages. GazetteHealth found it great to see the big numbers signed up to this event out pedalling hard on the course. Aquabike is ideal for those unable to run through injury or those who simply dislike running. Long may this event take place. Haven’t invested in a bike just yet? Then consider doing an aquathlon. Which is a two-stage race involving swimming followed by running. If you’re interested in taking part in a triathlon or multisport event log
onto www.triathlonireland.com. You’re bound to find something to suit you in their 2015 race calendar. It could be a triathlon, duathlon, adventure racing – entirely up to you. And for beginners, you will find training and nutrition advice to set you off on the right foot into the summer months.
26 DUBLIN CITY GAZETTE 18 June 2015
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We, Mark Kelly and Catherine Power, intend to apply for permission for development on this site at 87 Lansdowne Park, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.The development will consist of removal of single storey shed to rear; construction of a new single storey extension to rear of house with rooflight; provision of new obscured glazed fixed window to side elevation at first floor landing; provision of 2no. rooflights to front of existing roof; single storey storage structure to front and all associated site, drainage and landscaping 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. 24249
Fergal Mythen & Ciara Delaney are applying for Permission for a new pitched roof dormer window on the side roof face of the existing two storey house to facilitate a new stairs to serve the existing attic at 1 Foxfield Avenue, Raheny, Dublin 5. 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 24208
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Roisin Smith intends to apply for permission for development at 27 Mount Drummond Square, Harold’s Cross, Dublin 6. The development will consist of the construction of an extension housing a bedroom at first floor level to the rear of the dwelling, above an existing exempt ground floor extension, together with associated alterations to the existing house, including a new bathroom window at first floor level to the rear levation, and 1no. velux rooflight to the rear roof slope. 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 the receipt by the authority of the application.
We Gerard and Suzanne Memery intend to apply for permission for development at this site, 57 St. David’s Park, Artane, Dublin 5.The development will consist of converting existing attic space to storage space with the construction of 2 No. dormer windows, to the side and rear of existing hipped roof, and 1 No. velux window to the rear, and all associated internal and external site and drainage 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.
24227
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We, Noreen & Grattan Boylan seek permission for the demolition of the existing sheds and construction of a new single storey glazed extension to side of house (a protected structure). All internal alterations and associated site works at 3 Dartmouth Rd, Ranelagh, Dublin 6. 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. 24205
DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL
Permission is sought by Gary Redmond.Development will consist off. :Rear first floor extension and converting two downstairs rooms to double garage At 46 St Mobhi Road. Glasnevin. corner with Stella ave. 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. 24206
24218
PLANNING NOTICE DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL
Permission is sought by Frode Dahl for the renovation of existing first floor studio flat (35.2SQM) above carport (34.3SQM), construction of 2 no. new windows to rear at first floor level and the construction of a new external staircase, internal alterations and associated siteworks at The Stables, Kenilworth Mews, Rathgar Ave, Dublin 6 to the rear of 31 Kenilworth Square, a protected structure.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. 24224
18 June 2015 dublin city gazette 27
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I, Joanne O’ Byrne intend to apply for Planning Permission for loft conversion with dormer structures containing windows to gable end roof profile and to rear roof profile at 202 Ardmore Drive, Artane, Dublin 5.The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the 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 five weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the application 24250
planning Notice Dublin City Council
Mrs Nora O’Shea is applying for permission to widen the existing pedestrian entrance to create vehicle access at 13 Linenhall Parade Dublin 7. This 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 of 9am - 4pm, Mon - Fri, and a submission or observation may be made to Dublin City Council in writing and on payment of the prescribed fee (₏20.00) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by Dublin City Council of the application. 24253
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28 Gazette 18 June 2015
SPORT
FastSport
Minister Paschal Donohoe and Dublin Mayor Christy Burke launching the Great Dublin Bike Ride in Smithfield Square . Picture: Rob Mohan/Sportsfile
Dublin to host ‘Gran Fondo’ cycling event IRISH CYCLING has a new event to look forward to, with the Great Dublin Bike Ride set to take off from Smithfield Square on Sunday, September 13. The event will feature two routes – 60km and 100km – each starting and finishing in in Smithfield, and taking in scenic routes around Dublin city, county and further afield. The 100km route will pass through Malahide and Ashbourne in county Meath as well as some winding rural roads, while the shorter outing takes in Blanchardstown, Malahide and Swords. The event will follow the cyclosportive (or Gran Fondo) model that’s become extremely popular in modern day cycling, with the aim of falling half way between a competitive race and a challenging stage-based distance event. The format will welcome amateur and inexperienced cyclists, who’ll start alongside their more experienced counterparts. The Great Ireland Bike Ride is backed by numerous major sporting institutions, including the Irish Sports Council, Cycling Ireland, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Dublin City Council and Healthy Ireland, and was launched by Minister Paschal Donohoe and Dublin Mayor Christy Burke in an event in Smithfield Square on Monday, May 8. Speaking at the launch, John Treacy, chief executive of the Irish Sports Council, said: “We are thrilled to be launching the Great Dublin Bike Ride. I have participated in similar events internationally and saw firsthand how successful they can be in increasing participation across all ages and all abilities. “I really believe this is a great event to keep everyone active over the summer months and would encourage everyone, whether you are beginner or advanced cyclist to sign up and get involved.” Training plans, registration – currently €40 for the longer event, and €25 for the shorter – and route maps as well as further information can be found on the website, www.greatdublinbikeride. ie.
McLaughlin’s tough trail to Croker glory Round Tower’s hurling captain Brian McLaughlin tells JAMES HENDICOTT of his battle back from serious injury, and unlikely route to Croke Park glory with Fermanagh
BRIAN McLaughlin starred in Fermanagh’s Lory Meagher Cup win on Saturday, June 6, scoring 0-5 from full forward as the Ernesiders claimed the title they missed out on in a tight finale a year ago. Fermanagh finished the game with just 12 men on the pitch, but won by a fairly comfortable score of 3-16 to 1-17. It’s been a rough ride for the Round Tower captain, who sat out an entire season back in 2013 after serious back and hip injuries picked up in a car accident. His comeback, declaration for Fermanagh – a side that’s own road to the final has been afflicted with tragedy and subsequent national title is perhaps the story of this season’s cup. “I came back from the injury for Round Tower in 2014 and we had a great season,” McLaughlin recalls.
“We won the Division 4 title, and the physios there were great in getting me back to fitness. “The idea of declaring for Fermanagh came up towards the end of the season. I mentioned it to my dad – both he and my uncle used to play for the county side – and he was very keen on it. I qualify through the so called ‘mother rule’ for minor counties, and while I was a little reluctant at first because of the extra games, it was definitely the right call.” Sports Med Ireland played a major role for McLaughlin, with the high-end new training facilities in Ballymount helping further in pushing his fitness and injury progression from September last year. McLaughlin spent four days a week in the facility, letting the experts nurse him back to his pre-accident con-
dition and perfect the strength and conditioning he needed to move forward. By November, he was ready to talk to Fermanagh manager Shane D u f f y, w h o s e e m e d enthusiastic about McLaughlin’s involvement. The for ward’s dad and uncle smoothed the process through their county links, and McLaughlin’s inkling edged towards reality. A journey down to Fermanagh training with Shane Mulholland back in November cemented McLaughlin’s decision, and was later to form the heart of McLaughlin’s perceptions of the cup win, and much of the motivation he’d need. “Shane drove me to Fermanagh’s centre of excellence, which is on the side of a mountain and difficult to find,” he recalls. “He talked
Brian McLaughlin lifts the Lory Meagher Cup ,after Fermanagh defeated Sligo at Croke Park on Saturday, June 6.
about how much the Lory Meagher Cup meant to the side, and I could feel the passion.” Mulholland died in a tragic car accident back in February, leaving behind his wife and three-month-old daughter. While Fer-
green to a quick fire lead that was never to be overturned. Duffy later described the win as Fermanagh’s Holy Grail. “We never lost our sense of calm and control, even when the side were down to 12 players
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‘I didn’t realise how much it meant to me until the final whistle, when the emotion just came pouring out’ Brian McLaughlin
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managh suffered a poor league campaign, finishing bottom of Division 3 after losing all five games, winning Lory Meagher became the all-encompassing aim for the season, and something to give in Mulholland’s honour. The Fermanagh shirts for the Croke Park encounter bore the oneoff inscription Uallach, Irish for Mulholland, meaning proud. Despite being hit with three red cards in the second half, Fermanagh looked in control from the moment they started striking first half goals, despite finding themselves 0-9 to 0-2 down with 20 minutes on the clock. Three goals in the final 15 first half minutes saw the boys in
at the end,” McLaughlin explains. “Round Tower have made things very easy for me, and playing the game in front of my mum, dad, brother, girlfriend and 94-year-old grandfather at Croke Park was very special. “I know I played well, because my grandfather would have called me on it if I hadn’t. It felt like the win was meant to be. “I’m not sure I personally realised how much it meant until the emotion came out at the final whistle. It was for Shane.” Fermanagh followed their Croker victory with a win against Louth, securing a place in next year’s Nicky Rackard Cup, where they’ll face Tyrone, Monaghan and Donegal.
18 June 2015 Gazette 29
Gazette
FastSport HOCKEY IRELAND ANNOUNCE WORLD LEAGUE SQUAD DUBLIN players feature heavily in the Ireland Hockey squad announced by coach Craig Fulton this week, which will travel to Antwerp, Belgium to compete in World League 3. Ireland have been drawn in Group B, and will take on China, hosts Belgium, Malaysia and Great
Luke McGrath spars on his way to a 56kg junior male gold medal
Valley prove unstoppable in junior worlds James Hendicott
TOP CLASS Swords taekwondo club Rivervalley put in a stunning performance at the World Junior Championships in Lido de Jesolo, Italy, recently. The 11 junior athletes sent over as part of a 39-person Irish team were so spectacular that had they competed as a nation rather than a club they’d have finished sixth on the medal table, ahead of sizeable competitors like the USA, Argentina and Russia. All in, the championships featured more than 1,000 competitors from 52 different countries. The Irish team are coached by Stephen Cooley, a VI degree and former international fighter who started Rivervalley back in 1992. He takes young fighters, often just six years old, with the philosophy of “treat them like world champions from the moment they walk in the door. “Most coaches take
talented kids at the age of 12 or 13,” Cooley told GazetteSport. “We start them off at six, and put them in a competitive atmosphere. The kids believe in themselves, and make a decision at the age of 12 or 13 on how seriously they’re going to take it. They can become ordinary black belts, or aim for the national team.” All 11 Rivervalley athletes who went to Italy medalled, but perhaps the crowning glory was in the men’s 56kg individual sparring, in which club teammates Luke McGrath and Rostik Ivanchuk fought each other in the final. Both came through a series of tough fights, with McGrath edging through in the finale. Cooley recalls his early days as “a very unassuming kid who at first didn’t really want to spar. He’s a natural, though, and it didn’t take him long to take things really seriously”. Another individual success came for Killester’s Ellen Ince, who’s trained
individually with Cooley for a couple of years. Ince’s individual sparring title at 55kg weight was her second successive world title, wins that bracket a European win, too. Maeve Magee also won a special technique silver, while Rivervalley’s team competitors scored a full set of gold, silver and bronze medals. In large part due to Rivervalley’s success, the Irish team grabbed sixth place overall. All the medals won over in Italy come off the back of the club’s professional approach. “We have a big team,” Cooley says. “You hear about other sports doing six weeks of conditioning before the training starts. We do a year of strength and conditioning. “We study body movement and train on techniques like long jump and high jump, too. Some of our kids wear heart monitors and train eight days a week. They’ve earned the results, and they got them.”
Britain. The Green Machine will open against the old enemy on Tuesday, June 23. The 18 man squad features Peter Caruth and David Fitzgerald (Monkstown), Mitch Darling (Three Rock) and Kirk Shimmins (UCD) alongside several players who ply their trade in the competitive Belgian league. Ireland warmed up by playing Belgium twice in recent warm up matches, losing 3-2 and 4-2, but Fulton remains positive, saying “we will need to add more detail to our performances in critical phases to get results, which we believe we can do”
Gazette
30 dublin city gazette 18 June 2015
SPORT
FastSport
Inter-League Soccer: kerry upset the dubs in limerick
Dublin U-21 ladies set for Aisling McGing final DUBLIN Under-21 ladies go into the Aisling McGing Cup final this Sunday, June 21 as hot favourites, having hammered final opponents Cork by 16 points in their last encounter just two weeks ago. The Dubs are the holders of the Under-21 All-Ireland, and look set to be boosted by the return from an ACL injury of impressive corner forward Oonagh White, who managed a short outing against Cork last time out. Niamh Rickard (above) will also star for the Dubs. The Dubs – who’ll be led by Clann Mhuire’s Carla Rowe – have had an odd route to the final, after Galway’s withdrawal from this year’s championship saw a three-side contest between the girls in blue, Cork, and Meath. The two finalists are the only sides ever to have won the Aisling McGing Cup to date.
Crumlin man Sullivan straight in for Bray ONE of the stars of this season’s Leinster Senior League big boys Crumlin United has headed back for the big time. John Sullivan has League of Ireland history with Shelbourne, Limerick, Drogheda United and Dundalk, but has been playing for his schoolboy side Crumlin United this season, helping them to wins in the Charlie Cahill Cup and the FAI Intermediate Cup. Sullivan also has a history in Scotland with Hamilton Academicals, and found himself thrown in the deep end for Bray Wanderers, starting in the 1-0 defeat away to Cork City over the weekend. Bray will feel slightly aggrieved to have lost, having had a good shout for a penalty towards the end of the League of Ireland Premier League fixture, which is the last before the mid-season break. Bray currently sit second bottom of the league, and face a critical outing against fellow strugglers Sligo Rovers when they return to action on June 26. Crumlin United manager Martin Loughran told GazetteSport that he expected to lose Sullivan following the Charlie Cahill Cup win, describing the midfielder as “a class act.”
The NDSL squad that travelled to Limerick to compete in last weekend’s Kennedy Cup, in which they finished third
DDSL in rare Kennedy Cup loss sport@dublingazette.com
FOR the first time since 2004, Dublin teams were left empty handed at the annual Kennedy Cup competition which was held in Limerick last week. Hav ing won th e Kennedy Cup, the blueribbon competition of the weekend, 10 of the last 11 years, the DDSL fell at the final hurdle this year, losing 1-0 to Kerry in the final. The other two Dublin sides at the competition, the NDSL and SDFL, were also unsuccessful as the Cup, Shield, Bowl and Trophy com-
petitions were all won by leagues from around the country. The beaten finalists began the competition in Group 2, and set off to a blistering start, beating Longford 13-0, but followed it up with two 1-1 draws against North Tipperary and Kilkenny. They still managed to just about secure their place in the quarter-final of the cup competition on goal difference. T h e y p l ay e d o u t another 1-1 draw in that quarter-final against the Midlands but won the penalty shootout 4-2. Meanwhile, the NDSL started the weekend
rapid all-nighter Dublin team Murphy Prototypes hit Le Mans WORLD renowned all-day race the Le Mans 24 saw Dublin-based Murphy Prototypes return to finish in fifth place in their class and 13th overall. “They have dealt with everything that’s been thrown at them, not just during the past 24-hours, but over the past week too. This just goes to prove our reputation for being one of the best teams on the grid” said a proud Greg Murphy of drivers Nathanael Berthon, Karun Chandhok and Mark Patterson.
in Group 1, alongside South Tipperary, Athlone, and the Sligo/Leitrim league. The promising North Dublin group won all three of their group games scoring 11 goals and conceding just one in those fixtures. That placed them in the Cup quarter-final where they met Kildare and eventually advanced via a 4-3 win on penalties after a scoreless draw after extra-time. Up next was a semi-final Dublin derby against the DDSL which ended the North Dubliners’ chance of success, with their city rivals running
out 2-0 winners, with the DDSL continuing what’s become an annual tradition in their latest run to the final of the competition. To finish off their weekend, the NDSL, who last won the Kennedy Cup in 2011, played the Limerick Desmond league in a 3rd/4th place playoff which they won 4-1. In the final of the Cup, a Dylan Murphy strike for Kerry separated the sides in a close fought game in which the DDSL had more of the chances. The SDFL was the other Dublin side at the competition. They even-
tually finished 19th in the competition of 32 teams. They finished third in Group 8 despite starting the competition with a 2-1 win over Carlow. They followed that result up with a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Wexford and a 2-0 loss against the Midlands. The South Dubliners went on to play West Cork in the Shield quarter-final which they won 4-1 on penalties after a scoreless draw. They then lost 3-2 to Mayo in the semi-final before beating Waterford 3-0 in the 19th/20th place playoff.
18 June 2015 DUBLIN CITY gazette 31
Gazette
the long and winding road
biker comes good
Fermanagh club’s bold fundraiser to tour country BIKE 1630 - a fundraising iniative from Fermanagh GAA club Belnaleck - will see cyclists stop off at all 1630 GAA clubs in Ireland to raise money for a new pitch. Dublin clubs St Vincent’s, Ballyboden St. Endas and Thomas Davis are among those who have already signed up to hosting the cycle this weekend, which offers a top prize of a training weekend for 30 players at the popular 5-star Lock Erne Resort.
hockey: olympic berth to come down to one game Picture: Matt Wragg/ EnduroWorldSeries
Rathfarnham rider takes mountain biking by storm
UCD player Anna O’Flanagan, from Rathgar, plays for Ireland against Germany in Antwerp
Ireland ladies shot at Olympics in Rio sport@dublingazette.com
IRELAND’s women’s hockey side will face a critical World League 3 quarter-final that’s likely to determine the side’s participation or otherwise in the Rio Olympics 2016. The ladies are currently competing in the highly competitive tournament in Antwerp, B e l g i u m , a n d h ave secured a place in the knock-out stages with a game to spare after a victory over South Africa and surviving a late onslaught from Uruguay.
The green machine started their tournament with a tactically adept 4-1 win over the South Africans, which saw Nikki Evans hit a vital hat trick. The side, ranked 14th in the world, took their chances as South Africa squandered theirs, and ran out comfor table winners despite periods of pressure. The second game against an exceptional Germany side was a real step-up, and Ireland were brushed aside in a third quarter blitz from the Germans. They’ll still be encour-
aged by a performance in which the ladies held their own in the other three quarters, though, losing 3-1 after Anna O ’ F l a n a g h a n ’s g o a l briefly inspired dreams of a comeback. Uruguay fought hard in game three, coming back from 2-0 down to level the match before Aine Conner y’s goal from a penalty corner proved vital. Irish indiscipline had proved a difficulty: a total of 24 minutes in the sin bin in an international match is something a team rarely get away with, and some-
thing the girls will work hard to avoid repeating. Ireland will face the USA in their last group game, what is now effectively a dead rubber. They’ll be focusing their efforts on the game that follows, a quarterfinal that looks more than likely to see the side play high-ranked Argentina. While that’s a tough ask, a victory would be a huge achievement for the ladies, and make a berth at the Rio Olympics all but a certainty. Ireland have to go all out.
WICKLOW is well-known in the mountain biking world as a fantastic spot for both training and racing, and has increasingly attracted high-profile events pushed by the likes of extreme sports giant Red Bull. Despite the resources on our doorstep, however, Ireland hasn’t exactly taken the sport by storm, until recently. Greg Callaghan - a 23-year-old rider from Rathfarnham – has only been a professional since the start of the year, yet the pre-season outsider currently sits an astonishing second in the Enduro World Mountain Biking series. Callaghan took full advantage of the series first ever visit to Ireland in late May, taking top spot in the Wicklow race to mark the first time an Irishman has ever won a world-level event. He won the seven-stage contest by just 16 seconds. Enduro is a form of mountain biking that prioritises downhill sections, but also features flat and uphill segments to test all-round skill, and is raced across multiple stages. The series is currently three races old, and Callaghan’s third place in
Scotland, following the Wicklow event, has kept him within a hair’s breadth of New Zealand’s Justin Leov, the early leader. The first race, held in New Zealand, saw Callaghan impress with a debut 11th place that has been entirely eclipsed by the successes that have followed. Callaghan was understandably elated by the results, admitting he started the season hoping to clock a top-ten finish overall, and perhaps a podium in one of the eight races. Future races on the series will take Callaghan to France, Spain, Canada and the USA before the series comes to its conclusion in Italy. The fourth round gets underway on July 18 in Samoens, near Chamonix in the French Alps. Callaghan graduated to professional racing from the local Gravity Enduro contest, which takes in a number of Wicklow routes as well as routes in Ticknock (South Dublin) and Ballyhoura (Limerick), with the aim of uncovering Ireland’s best allround rider. Before becoming a pro, he spent his days on a bike as a Dublin courier.
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GazetteSPORT all of your Dublin sports coverage from page 28-31
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june 18-24, 2015
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Jim Gavin is focused on the Lilywhites, who Dublin face in the Leinster Championship semi final next Sunday Picture: Fergus McNally
Dublin injuries fading Jim Gavin welcomes back several players for a “big challenge” against Kildare in Leinster semi-final nathan kelly
sport@dublingazette.com
IN the midst of preparations for next Sunday’s Leinster Championship semi-final against Kildare, Dublin senior football boss Jim Gavin took time out to provide his thoughts on the Lilywhites as well as the much-debated championship structure. Gavin is currently preparing his team to face a Kildare side who blitzed Laois in a stunning second-half performance in their quarter-final replay last Saturday, winning 3-19 to 1-11. On the capital’s next-door neighbours, he said: “I’ve been impressed. I think they’ll
have that advantage over us of having played two tough championship games. To have that momentum coming into a game like this is invaluable. “Their second-half performance against Laois was very impressive, 3-19 in any game is a great return and I know the work that goes in to putting that score up on the board. I think in both games, when they were under a lot of pressure, they showed their experience and got bodies behind the ball and dug the result out. They also look very fit and well conditioned and it’s going to be a big challenge next Sunday.” Gavin will once again be without the services of Ger Brennan who is ruled out with a
long-term Achilles problem. Brennan has not featured in the Dublin defence since September 2013 but the manager hopes he can call on the St Vincent’s man before too long. “He should be back very soon,” said Gavin. “I’d be hesitant to put an exact date in the calendar but he’s been working very close with the athletics team. He’s very close to it now; please God, we’ll have him back soon. “He’s kept himself in good physical condition, done a lot of work in the gym, and his body composition is excellent,” Gavin continued. Positive news on the injury front is that Kilmacud Crokes pair Rory O’Carroll and Cian O’Sullivan (both hamstring), and Denis
Bastick (ankle) should be available. With there being constant discussion that the senior football championship needs reform, the Dublin boss was quizzed for his thoughts on the matter. “All I can do at the moment is focus on the current format,” he said. “I haven’t really read much outside my particular focus or plans, obviously I’ve been listening to results but other than that I’m focused on one target and that’s Kildare so I wouldn’t comment on any proposed changes.” But when pushed on whether he thinks players deserve to play more than six games to win an All-Ireland championship, Gavin said: “Oh absolutely they do, yes.”