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Gazette DUBLIN CITY

August 25-31, 2016

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Renewed calls to make Parnell St Chinatown  SYLVIA POWNALL

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ALMOST 1,200 people have signed an online petition calling for a ‘Chinatown’ archway to Parnell Street - but some are worried it will “disrespect” other cultures.

Local traders believe the area

should be actively marketed by Dublin City Council to boost business and tourism.

They cite international cities including Liverpool, London, San Francisco and New York as prime examples of booming Chinatowns.

However, some city council-

lors want the proposal changed to make it more inclusive.

Cllr Gary Gannon it was worth marking the area in some way but he feared a Chinatown gate could “disrespect” other cultures on the north inner city street.

Full Story on Page 7

2 DUBLIN CITY GAZETTE 25 August 2016

ABSENTEEISM | AVERAGE AMOUNT OF SICK DAYS IN 2015 WAS 9.7

Sick note for Dublin City Council staff  SYLVIA POWNALL spownall@dublingazette.com

DUBLIN City Council had one of the highest rates of sick leave in the country last year.

The local authority ranked highest for the number of self-certified sick days taken by staff in 2015.

And according to a gov.ie league table South Dublin County Council was one of

two councils with the highest rate of medically certified sick days, along with Leitrim County Council.

The lowest absenteeism rate in the country was in Cavan County Council, with five days lost to illness per employee.

According to the statistics - released b y Ho u s i n g M i n i s ter Simon Coveney in response to a parlia-

mentary question from Fianna Fail TD Brian Cowen - SDCC lost 5.2 per cent of working days to medically-certified sick days.

This was one of the highest rates of absenteeism due to illness in the country, with the council also losing 0.47 per cent of working days to noncertified sick days.

It accounted for an average of 10.2 sick days per employee, trailing

only behind Leitrim (12 days) and Louth (11.84 days) County Councils.

Dublin City Council had a 3.85 per cent rate of certified sick days, and a higher rate of 0.56 per cent of working days lost to non-certified sick days – the highest in the country.

There was a marginal drop in the cost of sick days taken by council workers - €39.3 million in 2015 compared to

€39.9 million in 2014 – with medically certified sick days accounting for €35 million of it.

The average amount of days taken off due to illness in councils throughout the country in 2015 was 9.7 days.

A full breakdown of public service sick leave statistics from 2013 through to 2015, including local authorities, is available at http:// hr.per.gov.ie

FASTNews

Beaches closed after raw sewage flows into sea THREE popular Dublin beaches were closed to swimmers over the weekend after raw sewage flowed into the sea as a result of heavy rain.

Bathing bans were placed at Dollymount Strand, Sandymount Strand and Merrion Strand with Irish Water citing “extreme rainfall” as the cause.

According to Ervia, the parent company of Irish Water, an overflow occurred at the Ringsend Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Ailesbury Pumping station during the heavy spell of rain last Friday.

Irish Water and Dublin City Council worked to resolve the overflows and the red flag was temporarily raised at all three beaches.

In a statement issued Friday evening, Irish Water apologised for the “inconvenience and disruption caused by these recent pollution incidents”.

Spirit of Dublin Craft Fair NEWMARKET Square will host Teeling Whiskey’s Spirit of Dublin Summer Craft Fair this Saturday August 27.

The market which is being held in Teeling’s Visitor Centre will run from 10.30am to 5pm and is free of charge for food and drink lovers alike. The fair will be a celebration of some of Ireland’s most established and up-and-coming artisan producers including James Kavanagh’s

Christmas is coming – in four months WHILE many of us may be still hopeful of a final summer heatwave Brown Thomas are focussing on winter wonderlands as they have launched its renowned Christmas Market which showcases wonderful festive offerings of Christmas trees, exquisite decorations and brilliant gift ideas in a special curation of themes.

Brown Thomas managing director Ste-

phen Sealey said: “The Christmas Market opens at the same time every year due to customer demand. We find there is a positive response from shoppers, with trees and some decorations selling out as early as October.

“In August last year, 3,000 units of Christmas decorations sold within the first three days of opening the Christmas

Market. Our customers know to expect the launch of the Christmas Market in August each year.”

Pictured at the launch were model Sarah Morrissey, Aimee Deering (6) from Kildare and Chloe Collins (8) from Castleknock, Dublin.

Picture: Leon Farrell

Currabinny, The Cupcake Bloke and Dot’s Brew.

With a host of Irish businesses sampling and selling their crafty creations under one roof, attendees can expect a great day out with something for everyone. The Teeling Whiskey team will be on hand to offer a taste of summer with a sample selection of carefully crafted, seasonal cocktails. For whiskey enthusiasts, the Dublin distillery’s award-winning range will also be available to purchase on the day.

25 August 2016 DUBLIN CITY GAZETTE 3

PETS | MISSING JESS RETURNS HOME – AFTER GOING ‘WALKIES’ FOR EIGHT YEARS

Lost & hound  SYLVIA POWNALL

A DOG which strayed from its owners has returned home – EIGHT years after going missing.

Jack Russell Terrier Jess has been reunited with the family who adopted her as a pup in 2005, thanks to her microchip details.

Her shocked owner, Fiona McCrea, from Old Bawn in Tallaght, told of the family’s delight when they went to collect their miracle mutt at the pound.

She told The Gazette: “Jess was the family dog and we had her since she was a puppy until she went missing two years later. We were confident during our search that she would return, as Jess was very loyal and [micro]chipped with our contact details.

“But a year after her disappearance, all hope was gone and we were given an opportunity to

After being found and coming home following an eight-year gap, Jess (right) met the new, replacement family dog – also called Jess

adopt a six-month-old Jack Russell Terrier, also called Jess in her honour.”

Fast-forward eight years, and Fiona’s dad was shocked to get a phone call from the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Fiona said: “We could not believe it when they confirmed it was our Jess. She was returned to us as a healthy ten-

year-old dog, a little dirty and tired from wandering the streets.

“It looks like she gave up the chase with the dog warden.”

Fiona, a carer at Mission House Nursing Home, said Jess was a little shy after getting home from the pound, but has since showed signs of recognising her owners.

She said: “In the last two days, she’s beginning to come out of her shell, and being around the family a lot, I think she’s starting to remember the different tones of voice and is now responding to ‘Jess’.”

Despite the potential confusion, the family have no plans to rename the dogs – they are calling them Jess Number One and Jess Number Two.

Jess may have had a ruff time – do you know where the prodigal pup went for eight years? Call our Newsdesk at 01 60 10 240, or email news@dublingazette.com.

Tired but well, Jess is collected from the pound after being traced by her microchip

4 DUBLIN CITY GAZETTE 25 August 2016

SPECIAL REPORT | WITH DUBLIN’S DRUGS CRISIS GROWING WORSE BY THE DAY, WE ASK ...

Is Merchant’s Quay Ireland fit for purpose?

Following last week’s Gazette report about the feelings of locals living near MQI, who told of used needles littering the streets and “unsufferable levels of anti-social behaviour” caused by drug addicts visiting the centre, Emma Nolan heard two opposing views about the centre’s services

YES SPEAKING to The Gazette, Tony Geoghegan, chief executive, Merchant’s Quay Ireland said: “The reality is we have a serious drug problem and, unfortunately, like in all cities, that manifests most in the city centre.

“Dublin has a serious drug problem – the estimate is 14,000 drug users in the greater Dublin area. This is coupled with the homelessness situation, which is unprecedented.

“Our hope, is that Minister [for Housing] Simon Coveney’s Action Plan for emergency accommodation will alleviate some of our services.”

Geoghegan said MQI started its night cafe at the end of 2014 in response to the death of Jonathan Corrie, who died feet away from the front entrance to the Dail.

“It was an emergency response to the numbers sleeping rough on the streets, but it is an inadequate service, and people who are homeless deserve to have a proper service and accommodation, yet it’s still in place a year and a half later,” he argued.

He believes that MQI have to engage with all of the other players involved in addressing

homelessness, drug addiction and related issues – groups such as Anna Liffey Drug Project, Focus Ireland, and the HSE. “The HSE have statutory responsibility for drug treatment and need to be making sure that there are services available at a local level. If there were more services available at such a level, there might be less of a draw for people to come in to the city centre to access our services.

“We would hope that that will have an effect, but we’re also trying to link more with Dublin City Council – they have their own community warden scheme around the civic offices.

Scheme “We have our own small outreach team, and we propose to link them with the council’s warden scheme – we did have an actual such scheme here in the past that was funded by the council, but that funding went south during the recession.

“We only have a very small voluntary funded outreach team; that’s why I’m hoping that DCC will get involved in that.”

Geoghegan said that

How The Gazette broke the story on last week’s front cover

NO the council have a responsibility for the management of the area as well, and that An Garda Siochana should be involved.

“We can manage people when they’re in our building, but when they’re out on the street we don’t have the authority to ask someone to move or change their behaviour. Only the gardai have that authority.”

He wants to establish a working group convened

by Minister for Drugs, Catherine Byrne (FG) with representatives from An Garda Siochana, the HSE, the council, residents and business owners.

“People who use our service also attend the HSE clinic on Castle Street; some of them may be living in the Simon Community Hostel, some may attend the Focus Ireland coffee shop, so they’re not only coming to this area area to access MQI. “I appreciate if you walk out your door and you see someone injecting drugs that it’s upsetting, but it’s not going on 24/7. It’s not something that happens all the time.”

“MQI ARE handing out needles for people to use heroin, rather than getting them to stop – it’s a failed system. What we have here is an overburden of clients for centres that are not fit for purpose.”

Cllr Mannix Flynn (Ind) said that he has spoken to hundreds of MQI clients as well as lots of people on the street who simply won’t go near MQI because of the amount of anti-social behaviour and theft that he, and local residents and business owners, say goes on both inside and outside of the premises.

“The business community are not being considered, and it is horrendous for them. They’ve been treated appallingly by MQI, and it was pointed out to MQI at the meeting on August 4 [between MQI, local residents, business people and politicians], that they have a responsibility to the neighbourhood – no other business would be allowed to behave the way MQI does.”

He says there needs to be a meeting to address the way

MQI interacts with the community and their clients.

“We have a situation where everyone is burying their heads in the sand, because it is obvious that these facilities didn’t work from the get-go,” he said.

“There is the other argument, where people say: ‘Oh, these poor unfortunate people need help ...’

“We are not without compassion, but as the saying goes: ‘I like you, but I don’t like your behaviour’ – so it’s about their behaviour.

Behaviour “Everybody in Dublin has gotten used to this behaviour, now – you can’t walk the streets without coming across someone drunk or shooting up heroin because of the lack of any action by MQI. “The lack of the management’s response to the cries of the neighbourhood needs to be addressed,” he said.

“I know people who won’t even walk down Merchant’s Quay, or use the bus stop outside MQI. You have one organisation that has managed to stigmatise and demonise a whole neighbourhood because of their lack of response.”

Cllr Flynn asked why MQI would run a facility that can’t provide “adequate services”.

He called for DCC to invite HIQA to inspect all of the council’s emergency accommodation.

“HIQA are going to have to come into these centres and determine if they are actually safe – MQI is extremely unsafe,” he claimed.

He raised a motion at a council meeting in July which called for an inspection to include all areas where DRHE (Dublin Region Homeless executive) clients are housed, and that these visits be carried out on a regular basis to ensure best standards in accommodation and due care.

In response, Dublin City Council said that DRHE is in the process of developing and implementing a National Quality Standards Framework for Homeless Services.

DRHE and DCC are also currently implementing a “quality improvement programme across accommodation services”.

Cllr Flynn added: “You wouldn’t get this kind of behaviour in any other city, yet every single day we are asked to condone it.”

25 August 2016 DUBLIN CITY GAZETTE 5

FASTNews

Browned off with best sitcom MRS Brown’s Boys has been voted best British sitcom of the century, creating heated reactions from many people. Viewers in Britain voted the series as the best show of the millennium in an online poll for the Radio Times, which beat off critically acclaimed shows such as The Office and Peep Show. The final result trended on the social media in the days that followed with many expressing their outrage over Brendan O’Carroll’s show.

One angry viewer said: “The disappointment you feel when Mrs Brown’s Boys is trending and it’s not because it’s died.”

Another said: “I think if you asked me, like really asked me, if I’d choose being tasered over watching Mrs Brown’s Boys...

I would choose the tasering.”

In response O’Carroll said: “There is an audience out there that comedy forgot — that Are You Being Served? audience has been left behind. Us winning this award proves that.”

Dublin Bus donate double decker to DFB DUBLIN Bus have donated a double decker bus to Dublin Fire Brigade. The Volvo bus will be used in Dublin Fire Brigade’s Training Centre to assist with training firefighters and paramedics and for transporting the large numbers of recruits they plan to train over the next two years.

Chief fire officer of DFB, Pat Fleming said: “This bus will be well utilised for operational training purposes and will contribute to our joint aim of protecting and safeguarding the public.”

ICONIC STRUCTURE | SUBMACHINE GUNS WERE TESTED UNDERGROUND

Rebel tunnels at Marino Casino on public display  SYLVIA POWNALL Pictures: Joe Keogh

Blowing up in Bray

TV3’s Sinead Desmond had a tough time wrestling herself into an inflatable sumo suit at the launch of Sumo Run Ireland in aid of Purple House Cancer Support. But with the help of Ben Austin and Lucy Kilkenny Traynor, she managed it much to everyone’s amusement. The Guinness World Record breaking Sumo Run Ireland is returning to Bray Seafront on Sunday, August 28. The aim is to raise funds to support everyone affected by Cancer in Ireland through the work of Purple House Cancer Support. Sign up at www.sumorun.ie

A SERIES of secret tunnels used by Michael Collins and other revolutionary leaders during the Civil War was this week opened to the public for the first time.

T he interconnecting chambers under the iconic 18th century Casino at Marino on Dublin’s northside were used to test-fire submachine guns.

They were originally excavated by James Caulfield, first Earl of Charlemont, who was inspired to build the architecturallyacclaimed Casino after a lengthy grand tour of Europe.

It’s believed Charlemont started building the tunnels to connect with Marino House, but ran out of money before they were completed.

He died bankrupt in 1799.

P a u l i n e K e n n e d y, guide at the Casino, said: “We don’t know conclusively what they were all used for. There are lots of different theories. But tunnels always excite the

Michael Collins used the tunnels at the Casino

imagination.”

Charlemont was afflicted by various ailments and was advised by his personal physician about the health benefits of water.

Ms Kennedy explained: “He would take a constitutional in his parkland, and then go underground to one of his grottos to restore his constitution with cold water.

“We heard stories that Michael Collins had used our tunnel to practise firing. And we knew that the Mauser rif les and ammunition unloaded from the Asgard in Howth in 1914 had probably been stored here.”

The longest tunnel – which runs to the perim-

eter of the grounds – was used by volunteers from the Dublin Brigade’s F Company to practise firing the first Thompson machine guns in 1921.

Shortly after the arrival of the guns from the US, Michael Collins, Oscar Tray nor, Ginger O’Connell and other rebel leaders used the tunnel for firing practise.

A photograph of F Company, 2nd Battalion, Dublin Brigade of the Irish Volunteers, which was based in the Fairview area, was taken at a soldiers’ reunion on the lawn of the Casino in 1940.

The Casino recreated the photograph on Sunday 21 August having called on descendants of F Company to get involved.

Visitors have been exploring the story of the long tunnel through an exhibition held to coincide with National Heritage Week.

From next week tunnel access will be from Thursday to Saturday only with the usual Casino admission fee.

A photograph of F Company at a soldiers’ reunion on the lawn of the Casino

6 DUBLIN CITY GAZETTE 25 August 2016

FORMER JAIL | COURT INJUNCTION

Eviction order for derelict jail squatters

Occupiers are bidding to restore the building

 EMMA NOLAN THE Debtors’ Prison on Halston Street in Dublin 7, has recently been occupied by a collective of artists who intend to restore the U-shaped structure that has fallen into disrepair.

Built in 1794, the unique three-storey building contains 33 cells that were used for individuals who had run up debts.

The building was more recently used as a Garda barracks and as accommodation for Garda widows.

In the 1960s it was

used by Dublin Corporation as social housing.

T he current occupants are seeking the support from the Office of Public Works and the local community in their bid to restore the building and open the ground floor for exhibitions and walking tours but there has been a court injunction to evict the occupants from the premises.

However, a judge has ordered the occupants to leave due to safety concerns, but the group say that they are taking steps to restore the building.

Justice Michael Hanna granted the OPW and Department of Public Expenditure and Reform an injunction requiring the group to vacate the former prison but Sunday saw the building open its doors for the first time in a decade for an event that showcased ar t, magic, face-painting, local history and a play “The Debtors”.

One current occupier, Ursula, said that the collective wants the OPW and Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Pascal Donohue (FG) to “see the bigger picture”.

“We’re calling on Minister Donohue, the OPW and the High Court to see the bigger picture and realise the need for venues like this to exist,” she said.

“We are already taking steps to preserve the deteriorating building and transform it into a thriving residential and artistic space.

“We’re asking simply to be given the chance to negotiate and discuss our intentions for the building in the future.”

GazetteGALLERY | NEW ARRIVALS

Tayto Park ranger Dominic King with Brutus the Steller Sea Eagle. Pictures: Leon Farrell / Photocall Ireland

Abwo the Malaysian Brown Wood Owl

Audi the Barn Owl

Ranger Alice Appleby with Anaka the American Bald Eagle

Nala the Milky Eagle Owl

You wont egret a trip to Tayto T “We are already taking steps to preserve the deteriorating building and transform it into a thriving residential and artistic space.”

AYTO Park is now the proud owner of Ireland’s only Verreaux’s Eagle as well as nine other birds of prey. The theme park is also home to the Steller Sea Eagle, the largest and heaviest sea eagle on the planet. Visitors can enjoy falconry displays and educational talks from 12-4pm every day in Tayto Park. For more information and opening hours visit www.taytopark. ie/zoo/birds

25 August 2016 DUBLIN CITY GAZETTE 7

LITTERING

€150 fine for leaving bottles

DUBLINERS will be fined €150 if they leave bottles on the ground at bottle banks.

City councillor, Mary Freehill (Lab) said she has been contacted by people who are upset at being fined for leaving a few bottles on the ground at a bring centre when they found the bottle banks full.

“Littering and dumping of refuse is now at epidemic proportions in various parts of Dublin,” she said.

Dublin City Council has erected cameras at various dumping points in the city. It has also erected cameras at bring centres.

“So people should know that if they find bottle banks full and deposit bottles on the ground they will be fined.”

PETITION | CALL FOR COUNCIL TO CREATE GATE IN TIME FOR CHINESE NEW YEAR

Traders claim Chinatown arch could boost business  SYLVIA POWNALL

ALMOST 1,200 people have signed an online petition calling for a “Chinatown” archway to Parnell Street - but some are worried it will “disrespect” other cultures.

Local traders believe the area should be actively marketed by Dublin City Council to boost business and tourism.

They cite Liverpool, London, San Francisco and New York as prime examples of booming Chinatowns.

Now they want the council to create an entrance gate, or arch,

in time for the Chinese New Year celebrations in 2017 which is the year of the rooster.

The online petition states: “Parnell Street is where the greatest concentration of the Chinese community in Dublin lives and works.

“The street offers so much. There are Asian shops, restaurants, cultural centres, businesses and communities.

“Despite all of this we haven’t made the most of it. It’s time to wake up Dublin’s sleeping dragon and get a gate.”

Google maps has officially classified Parnell Street as Chinatown and there are an esti-

mated 70,000 Chinese people living and working in the capital.

By Monday it had attracted 1,184 supporters. Petition organiser Anne Marie Murray of Murrays bar said the project would help rejuvenate Parnell Street.

She added: “During our time working and living in Parnell Street we have seen a general deterioration in the area.

“A focal point to mark Chinatown would be a step towards rejuvenating the area and

attracting visitors that would not normally venture onto Parnell Street.

“There has been very positive feedback so far.

I think it can only be good for the area.”

However, some city councillors want the proposal changed to make it more inclusive.

Cllr Gary Gannon said it was wor th marking the area in some way but he feared a Chinatown gate could “disrespect” other cultures on the north inner city street.

He added: “That’s the issue. There are

so many cultures there, not just Chinese.

“There’s a wealth of Vietnamese and AfroCaribbean businesses and a Turkish business as well.”

Cllr Ray McAdam said: “I would certainly be willing to listen, but I wouldn’t be in favour of a border separating it from the rest of town.”

Chinatown gates – dubbed “Friendship Arches” – often feature colorful inscriptions that link the Chinese community to the host city.

To see the petition go to ipetitions.com/petition/make-chinatowndublin-official-time-fora-gate

8 DUBLIN CITY GAZETTE 25 August 2016

CRIME | KINAHAN-HUTCH GANGLAND FEUD CONTINUES TO WREAK HAVOC

Machine gun and drugs seized in raid GARDAI have seized a sub-machine gun, ammunition and a massive haul of cocaine worth a staggering €400,000 as part of a planned operation targeting the feared Kinahan cartel. Cops believe the powerful MAC-10 firearm – which is capable of shooting 1,000 bullets a minute – could have been used in future attacks on the Hutch gang as part of the ongoing feud.

The weapon, ammo and drugs were seized on Monday evening when armed detectives raided an apartment in Castleknock. A 37-year-old man was arrested at the scene, which has been described as a “major distribution house”, and was being questioned at Blanchardstown Garda station on Monday night.

The powerful MAC-10 is capable of shooting 1,000 bullets a minute

Mayor pays tribute to innocent gun victim  EMMA NOLAN

THE Lord Mayor of Dublin, Brendan Carr and CEO of Dublin City Council (DCC), Brendan Kenny, have expressed their condolences to the family of murdered DCC employee Trevor O’Neill who was gunned down in Majorca last week.

The father of three was a DCC worker who has been described as “a hard working and dedicated employee”.

Trevor, who was in Spain with his family to celebrate his 42nd birthday, is said to have been shot in a case of mistaken identity because he had

been chatting to a member of the Hutch family at the time of the senseless and sickening killing.

The popular Crumlin man was blasted to death in front of his wife and kids after a gunman opened fire on Jonathan Hutch, 37, an older brother of slain Gareth.

Suzanne Power, his partner of 20 years, and their children – aged five, seven and 12 – could only watch helplessly as Trevor slumped to the ground during the family holiday.

Security sources this week confirmed that he had been innocently chatting to one of the Hutch relatives who was staying

Police at the scene of the shooting

in the same complex.

It’s understood Trevor only met Hutch, who has no links to the Kinahan-Hutch feud that has claimed ten lives so far, after arriving in Spain on Saturday and did not know him.

Speaking of his former colleague, Councillor Carr said: “On behalf of Dublin City Council and the people of Dublin, I extend my deepest sympathies to Trevor’s family and friends.

“Trevor was a man who served his community as a hard working employee of DCC and his death has left all those who serve our city in a state of shock.

“The brutal and appalling manner in which his life was taken, while he holidayed with his family in Spain, must mark a watershed in the fight against the scourge of organised criminal violence in our city, which would now seem to even stalk its citizens when they are abroad.”

The Kinahan-Hutch feud has been blamed for

nine deaths in Spain and Ireland since Gary Hutch was killed on the Costa del Sol last September.

Trevor is the second innocent dad who has been fatally caught in the crossfire after Martin O’Rourke was mistakenly shot in April.

The victim’s father Vincent O’Neill said that he is “in bits” following the brutal killing of his son, who he described as a “super human being”.

“I don’t think I will ever get over this. I don’t know if I’ll be able to survive, he was my only remaining son.”

Cllr Carr added: “If initial reports are correct and this murder is the result of an ongoing criminal feud that has already resulted in numerous deaths in Dublin it marks a new low in its growing list of atrocities.

“In response we must unite together and resolutely stand up to the diabolical puppet masters and their craven henchmen whose actions are bringing such misery.”

Trevor O’Neill was gunned down in Majorca last week

Garda overtime bill soars 62% over Hutch-Kinahan feud THE GARDA response to the deadly KinahanHutch dispute has seen in the Garda overtime bill in Dublin soaring by 62 per cent from €7m to €18.47m from January to June of this year.

Figures released by An Garda Siochana in response to a Freedom of Information request show the total overtime spend across the country rose from €20m to €29.58m for the first six months of the year, a jump of 47.6 per cent.

The extra resources deployed in Dublin to curb the ongoing Kinahan-Hutch feud is the main reason for the hike in overtime spending, with figures showing Dublin has accounted for 73 per cent of the €9.5m increase.

90 families a month becoming homeless as rents soar UP TO 90 families become homeless in Dublin every month as rents in the city soar past Celtic Tiger levels.

T he latest Daf t.ie Rental Report shows rents in Dublin up 11% on 2015 levels and 5.2% higher than they were at the height of the boom in 2008.

Focus Ireland is calling for an immediate increase in the rent supplement to close the rising gap between the payment and actual rents and prevent more families and individuals from homelessness.

The charity’s figures show that nearly 300 families, with 600 children, became homeless in the first three months of this year alone in Dublin.

They said the situation is getting worse nationwide, with the most recent figures finding more than 900 families, and nearly 2,000 children, homeless across the country.

Problem The Department of Social Protection has not increased the maximum level that households on rent supplement can pay for their accommodation since June, 2013.

Focus Ireland’s director of advocacy Mike Allen said the Government needs to “face up to the scale of the problem that hundreds of families face”.

He said: “The key [issue] triggering homelessness is that families can’t afford the rent rises that have already been imposed upon them.

“If the Government is serious about tackling the homelessness and housing crisis, immediate action must be taken to link rent rises to the rate of inflation, and to raise the rent supplement so it reflects market rents.

“This will help to keep families and individuals in their current homes and prevent them from becoming homeless.”

25 August 2016 DUBLIN CITY GAZETTE 9

10 GAZETTE 25 August 2016

GazetteGALLERY

| SPOOKY GOINGS ON AT THE IRISH PREMIERE SCREENING OF

Kate Morgan and Kayleigh O’Sullivan

Lisa Naylor and Alan Hayden

Leah Moore and Kimberley Farrell

Michelle McKeon and Fionnula Moran. Pictures: Brian McEvoy

It’s fright night for horror fans H

ORROR fans headed to a special preview screening of Lights Out at The Light House Cinema last weekend. The super natural horror movie has been enjoying huge success in the US and is now showing in Irish cinemas. Critics say the movie makes for an unsettling, frightfilled experience that “delivers superior chills without skimping on story”.

Leanne Slevin and Robyn Fitzpatrick

Luke O’Faolain

Kumar and Gail Kaneswaran

25 August 2016 GAZETTE 11

LIGHTS OUT

Navis Binu and Ronak Modi

Hilary Johnson

Romy Carroll

Hannah Kearns and Kara Stein

GAZETTE

12 GAZETTE 25 August 2016

DUBLINBUSINESS

Furniture Kings’ celebrating 25 NEXT month, brothers Paul and David Nugent will celebrate 25 years of Kingsbury Furniture.

In 1991, the pair, who were born and raised in Tallaght, seized their opportunity and opened the business, specialising in household furniture and flooring.

Over the next 25 years Kingsbury Furniture has expanded in size and have grown from three to 15 employees. They now have a modern and stylish 9,000sq ft store on High Street in Tallaght.

During the recent crippling recession the brothers branched into full apartment and turnkey fit-outs, which led to a lot of showhouse fit-outs for builders and developers – ensuring that the business stayed afloat.

The brothers, who both still live locally and train juvenile teams with

Thomas Davis GAA Club, say good customer service and quality products are key to surviving and being successful for this long.

Paul, the older of the two, told Gazette Business: “We believe the company that builds through good customer service and quality products will stand the test of time.

“We have many customers that would have bought furniture from us in the early 90s and are still buying and accompanying their sons and daughters into our store.

“We are a family business and we try to support Irish suppliers and manufacturers as much as possible.”

Kingsbury Furniture, which also offers a full interior design service, is located in Unit 3, High Street, Tallaght – just a stone’s throw from Smyths toy store. Visit www.kingsburyfurniture.ie to find out more.

Owner of Kingsbury Furniture, Paul Nugent with his daughter, Dominique and store manager Jimmy Owens

Dublin lads sock it to dull and mundane styles THREE Dublin lads have started a “sock revolution”.

Funky Foot is a new start up that its founders say will “liberate people from a life of dull, mundane socks”.

Aengus, Eoin and John spotted room in the market for socks that defy convention and have been selling their socks in markets around Dublin for the past two months.

Now, after much stress for three web design rookies, the website, www.funkyfoot.co is now live.

Co-founder of the company Aengus Boyle told The Gazette: “We are starting a sock revolution. Out with the boring and in with the funky! Our socks are 90% cotton, 10% synthetic mix and 100% funky. That’s 200% in every sock!”

The socks are available at www.funkyfoot.co for €7.95.

To celebrate their website launch, the trio have offered a 40% discount code especially for Gazette readers.

Simply enter the code “gazette40” at the checkout.

25 August 2016 GAZETTE 13

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14 GAZETTE 25 August 2016

DUBLINLIFE

DIARY

Eye see a way to help launch the Sightsavers Junior Painter Awards ... JuniLisa Murray, Aya Parker, Willow O’Sullivan and Ethan Manby give a hand. Picture: Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland

Looking to a better future YOUNG budding Dublin artists are getting ready to sharpen their pencils and clean their brushes as Sightsavers Junior Painter Awards returns.

Last year, schools

from Dublin submitted hundreds of paintings and with entries now open, Sightsavers are calling on children across the county to get thinking and create a masterpiece.

Open to primar y school students of all ages across Ireland, this year’s theme – Framing The Future – is expected to inspire thousands of imaginative entries.

Sightsavers wants to frame the future as an inclusive world where children living with disabilities get to go to school, and is inviting children to let their imaginations run wild and create their very own work of art which envisions what they see when they think of the future.

Some 15 regional winners will be selected and will have the opportunity to see their work displayed at a special awards day next spring where three overall national winners will be announced.

Eve r y c h i l d t h a t enters will receive a certificate of participation in recognition of their creative efforts.

The closing date for entry is Friday, November 25 . Parents and children can get involved by speaking to their school

teacher or by visiting sightsavers.ie to request entry forms.

GO AHEAD TO THE THROWBACK PARTY FOR those heading to Electric Picnic this year, one of the stand-out events set to take place over the weekend is the Throwback Party at the Electric Ireland stage.

The first act to be announced are popsynth princesses Bananarama, who will perform floor-filling classics such as Cruel Summer, Venus and Love in the First Degree on the Saturday night.

Attendees will also be able to take time out to chill while enjoying classic movies such as Grease and Top Gun for the ultimate in nostalgic guilty pleasures.

There’s also some good news for those still

looking for tickets to the sold out event as Electric Ireland is giving away 30 weekend tickets in its annual ticket giveaway.

The tickets will be given away through a five-day Facebook Live competition from Monday, August 22, to Friday, August 26.

To be in with a chance of winning, entrants simply need to visit Electric Ireland’s Facebook page each day at 7.30pm where they can participate in a live throwback competition.

HORRIBLY GOOD SCARES AT THE RDS IRELAND’S most chilling scare-house experience, The Nightmare Realm, is bringing its reign of terror to the RDS this October.

T hrillseekers will explore the gruesome village of the damned to see

Dublin’s darkest nightmares brought to life.

The Nightmare Realm has carved out a notorious reputation for pushing the boundaries of sanity and crafting the artistry of fear, with live characters and vivid special effects to capture the depths of the imagination.

Nerves will be pushed to the limit with gruesome life-like props and characters, from the grotesque and bloodchurning to the sick and extreme, preying on the minds of fright fans and horror enthusiasts brave enough to face the RDS. The attraction, which opens its doors on September 29, will run for the full month of October.

Tickets are on sale now at thenightmarerealm.ie, with adult tickets priced at €20 and students at €17.

25 August 2016 GAZETTE 15

GAZETTE

FEATURE CULTURE NIGHT 2016: POPULAR EVENT TO RETURN

Get ready for one night to explore the city’s diverse cultural riches

 IAN BEGLEY

ON THE evening of Friday, September 16, Dublin will erupt with creativity when Ireland’s annual cultural spectacular – Culture Night – returns for its massively popular annual occurrence.

From powerful spoken word performances that will stop you in your tracks to eye-catching art in motion, Culture Night will once again be an evening that is not easily forgotten, no matter what cultural corner of the city – or indeed, country – you find yourself in.

Having grown in Dublin from 40,000 attendees to 172,000 in 11 years, Culture Night is now a countrywide movement, as the whole of the city, and country, is filled with cultural expression, exploration and appreciation on the night.

Commenting on this year’s programme for Culture Night, Ray Yeates, Dublin City Council arts officer said: “Culture Night is a very special night for children as they and their families look forward to another wonderful night of civic engagement and cultural discovery.”

As always, the celebra-

tory, exploratory event will include thousands of participants from all cultural genres, including photographers, illustrators, designers, composers, visual artists, dancers, aerialists, authors, singers and musicians.

Some of Ireland’s most exciting minds have got behind Culture Night 2016 as ambassadors, promoting their own genres, new creative industries

including guided tours of the official residence of the President of Ireland, Aras an Uachtarain, along with some new additions to the programme.

This year, The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland’s iconic building at St Stephen’s Green will come to life with a spectacular 3D animated light show that will take viewers on a journey of the building’s history, from

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

‘Having grown in Dublin from 40,000 attendees to 172,000 in 11 years, the whole of the city is filled with cultural expression, exploration and appreciation on Culture Night’

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

and our rich history and heritage, including artist Pauline Bewick, alt-pop duo The Heathers, musician and poet Ronan O Snodaigh and author Colin Barrett.

As well as a celebration of the arts and culture, much of the city and country’s rich built and natural heritage will also be opened up for the people to see and experience.

Some of last year’s most popular venues in Dublin are returning once again,

its foundation in 1784, through the historical events of 1916, and ending with a glimpse into the future cutting-edge healthcare technology being developed by the college.

North of the Liffey, and Smithfield Square will buzz with excitement on the night with interactive events from Makeshop to fencing, with the evening to close with Firefly, a fire spectacle by Dublin Circus Project.

Exploring the cultural side of the city by foot, bike or bus will be made easy with the Culture Night Tours, which include the Urban Potato Bike tour, Revolutionary France in Dublin tour, the Dublin Bus Ghostbus tour and tours of different areas in Dublin, presented in English and international languages.

At the heart of its schedule of music, theatre and words is Culture Night’s live broadcast of RTE Radio 1’s Arena with Sean Rocks in the upper courtyard of Dublin Castle, which will also feature the RTE Concert Orchestra and special guests from music, theatre, comedy and poetry.

Cultural audiences in the capital can travel with a “cultural edge” on the night thanks to transport partners Dublin Bus and Irish Rail. Dublin Bus will provide free buses every 20 minutes around the cultural quarters, starting at Bachelor’s Walk, Aston Quay, College Green and Eden Quay, to bring visitors to and from their favourite spots.

For the full programme of events and participating venues for Culture Night 2016, see www.culturenight.ie.

John McMahon doesn’t seem convinced by Frances Matthews’s Capoeira skills, but Robyn Cassidy loved them! The trio were helping to promote upcoming Culture Night 2016, which will once again uncover many of Dublin’s historical, architectural and cultural gems for the public to see. Picture: Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland

LOVE&MARRIAGE

GAZETTE

16 GAZETTE 25 August 2016

Don’t forget favours to help thank your guests

PLANNING a wedding obviously takes a lot of thought, and every last detail must be thoroughly thrashed out. In the midst of all the planning about venues, dresses, tuxes, honeymoon and so on, don’t forget to thank your guests for sharing in your big day with the gift of wedding favours.

Picture: igstudio.ie

Wedding favours are a simple and effective way for the happy couple to show their appreciation to their guests for helping to celebrate their union.

When selecting wedding favours, one must always take three things into consideration: budget, the number of guests, and the shelf-life of the item.

If a large gathering is expected, wedding favours can be a huge drain on the budget.

However, as modern weddings are often about adding a personal touch and a sense or originality and personality to the big day, you can kill two birds with one stone by providing home-made, personallythemed wedding favours. By doing this, you can not only reduce the cost, but give your wedding an extra personal touch at the same time.

For a highly-personal wedding, why not get hitched at Dublin Zoo (above) or Westmeath’s Mount Druid (right)

LOCATIONS: ALTERNATIVE VENUES COULD BE LOTS OF FUN

Go wild and say ‘I do’ at Dublin Zoo!  IAN BEGLEY

IF YOU’RE on the prowl for an alternative wedding venue that is a hundred miles away from the type of nuptials your grandparents had, you will be pleased to know that Ireland has a huge range of unconventional wedding venues on offer.

From castles to barns, theatres, sports stadiums and Dublin Zoo, there are plenty of unique, charming and even eccentric wedding venues to suit all tastes.

If your heart is set on a Dublin city wedding, but you’re looking for a large space to celebrate, then Smock Alley Theatre might be the perfect venue for your big day.

With its exposed brick walls, ornate plasterwork ceiling, and stained-glass windows, this venue is

certainly a sight to behold.

Its oak benches and tables offer options for the en vogue, long dining experience and the large space is very versatile for a ceremony or reception.

Further afield, and if you’re considering a very intimate wedding with just your nearest and dearest friends and family, then Fanningstown Castle over in Limerick certainly has a nice ring to it.

Set close to Shannon Airport, this 12th century grand castle has been converted into an atmospheric private house perfect for a small group.

Another great alternative venue is at Mount Druid in Westmeath.

The building and its surroundings comprise a converted barn, a consecrated tin chapel, 20 traditional Mongolian yurts,

three shepherds huts, a charmingly cosy gate lodge, a three-bed schoolmaster’s house, an 1820s Georgian house, several barbecue areas, a walked garden, a summer house and three lakes!

A couple who choose to marry at Mount Druid can except a beautifully laid-back venue where red carpets and white chair covers are non-existent, and their guests can have a lovely relaxed time with an informal feel to the day.

Closer to home, and 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 restored historical building with magnificent views of the zoo, is avail-

able seven days a week for all types of wedding ceremonies, including civil ceremonies, civil partnerships and blessings.

You can add even more magic to your wedding day by having a unique drinks reception in the zoo’s interactive learning and discovery centre, or capturing some special photo opportunities.

With weddings at Croke Park, GAA fans can marry their love of their lives with their love of the game.

Whether you are interested in a large traditional reception, a small intimate celebration or something in between, Croke Park can offer you the perfect alternative venue.

For further information on these alternative wedding venues, see www. alternativeweddings.ie and www.hitched.ie.

25 August 2016 GAZETTE 17

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SUPPLEMENT

A little planning goes a long way  IAN BEGLEY

NOT only is the Athlone Springs Hotel the perfect venue for a celebration of endless love, but their wedding planners are primed to assist with all aspects of the happy couple’s Big Day, from the ceremony to the entertainment.

The most important part when choosing your venue is that you feel welcome from the moment you arrive, and or course, excellent food that will

In tip-top shape for your big day  IAN BEGLEY

YOUR wedding is an event to be remembered for the rest of your life and no doubt it will be chronicled in photographs as well as on film.

For this reason among others you will want to look your best.

Whether you’re 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 a person to shape up faster than any other system in the world.

On average, the participants lost 7.5lb of fat, and gained an average 3lb of metabolism boosting muscle, In just 12 days all with just 20 minute 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.

The 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 system.

The big difference between the Educog y m resistance training and traditional aerobic exercise such as jogging 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 20 minute 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

have your guests raving about your wedding for years to come.

“It’s all about the little things that make a big difference to your day and it is our promise that we will take care of everything so you can celebrate with your family and friends,” says wedding coordinator Nicola Nestor.

This contemporary venue hosts a welcoming lobby and drinks reception area in Cedar Cocktail Bar and the stunning Clonellan Ballroom

caters for weddings up to 300 guests.

The hotel also has its own private garden for photos and the Manhattan bridal suite is the height of luxury.

The wedding team recently launched its 2016-2017 wedding packages that starts from €45 per person.

P a c k a g e s i n cl u d e complimentar y wedding favours and you can choose from a wedding car, three-tier personalised cake, photobooth,

music on arrival, three complimentary rooms for your guests on the night of the wedding, civil ceremony package, candy cart reception, personalised monogram and lighting for your ballroom, cocktail and canape drinks reception and evening buffet “chipper style”.

If you would like to pop in and visit Nicola and the team just call 090 644 4444 or email events@athlonespringshotel.com.

LOVE&MARRIAGE

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18 GAZETTE 25 August 2016

Alluring Brilliant Bangle €89

Sparkle in style for your big day  EMMA NOLAN

SOMETHING gold, something rose, something silver, something blue – affordable jewellery brand Pandora have a wide range of pieces that are suitably elegant for bridal wear.

Whether for the bride herself or

for her bridesmaids and flower girls, the new autumn collection, which is launching in stores on September 1, contains a number of pieces that are bound to be popular amongst those with weddings on their mind.

It features silver, rose and 14k gold bracelets, earrings, necklaces and rings that would be perfect for

that special day, and for a reminder of the day that can be worn afterwards.

Both chic and classic, there is something to suit most tastes.

This stylish range is available from Pandora stores in Dundrum, Grafton Street, Liffey Valley and Henry Street.

Vintage Allure Drop Earrings €99

Alluring Brilliant Marquise €89

Vintage Allure Ring €119 Open Bangle €89

Vintage Allure Earrings €59

The write way tosay ‘I love you’ Twist of Fate Ring €129

IF YOU’RE not sure what to get a friend, family member or your significant other as a wedding gift, The Wedding Collection from Cross Pens carry a huge range of elegant writing instruments to suit all budgets that are sure to be treasured forever.

Choose from a number of Cross pens, which are perfect for signing the marriage register, for guests to sign the wedding book, or even for writing those wedding thank-you letters.

The collection is the perfect celebration of love, as each pen can be engraved with a meaningful message, making for a unique, personal memento.

For the full collection, samples of which are shown above, see www.cross.com.

Century II Chrome Ball Point Pen €65

Townsend Chrome Ball Point Pen €115

Beverly Pearlescent White Lacquer Ball-Point Pen €40

Edge Titanium Gel Ink Pen €50

25 August 2016 GAZETTE 19

55

 EMMA NOLAN Style Editor

HELEN McAlinden, one of Ireland’s best-known designers, features a number of pieces perfect for wedding guests in her newest ready to wear collection, not least for the most important guest of all – the mother (in both parties), of course.

While every Helen McAlinden

piece is distinguished by subtleties of form, fit and fabrication, her latest S/S16 collection is no different.

Constantly evolving and developing, the blueprint silhouette of her unique and sophisticated style can be worn in a variety of ways, always keeping a focus on the woman who wears them.

McAlinden said: “My designs are underpinned with the very best

fabrics, chosen for luxurious quality and durability of style. It is always my goal to create a range to suit real women’s shapes and to flatter all ages, and I feel my latest collection has achieved this.”

The Helen McAlinden S/S16 collection is now available in the South William Street store, as well as in Arnotts, and House of Fraser in Dundrum Town Centre.

Georgia bodycon dress €245

5 ress €26

The Mother

Marcela navy porcelain dress €285

h cotton d

etc Evelyn str

The most important guest at the big day

Sandy stripe dress €265

Georgia bodycon dress €245

Astrid floral dress €285

s €285 Astrid floral dres

Marion dress €2

DRESSING

GAZETTE

SUPPLEMENT

THE overall influence for this Spring/Summer collection derives from the work of American fashion designer Claire McCardell, who, throughout the 1930s, 40s and 50s became synonymous with ready-towear stylish women’s sports wear. With Helen’s recent collection, the florals for which the brand is so well known are showcased in form-flattering dresses and pencil skirts.

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20 GAZETTE 25 August 2016

DUBLINLIFE

 AENGUS O’HANLON

ATHLONE is a place worth invading. The Vikings, the Anglo-Normans, the Williamites, and more recently, tourists have come to the ancient town expecting much and leaving happy, sometimes not leaving at all.

And with good reason.

Sitting on the banks of the mighty Shannon, just south of beautiful Lough Ree, Athlone is an ancient and unique destination.

Unique because the town is split

in two not just by the river, but also by the map… twice.

T he western tow n, with its impressive skyline dominated by Athlone Castle and the imposing twin towers of Saint Peter

and Paul’s Church, is in County Roscommon and as such in Connacht, while the larger, eastern town is in the Leinster county of Westmeath.

So if you’re looking for a funfilled weekend away right at the very heart of Ireland, or the perfect base from which to explore the midlands, look no further.

With plenty to do and see, and no shortage of wonderful old pubs and excellent, affordable restaurants, this is a town with a lot to

We Athlone

offer. We stayed at the Radisson Blu, right on the river, with stunning views across the water to the old town.

With its friendly staff, nice pool and excellent bars and restaurant, you could say it’s a metaphor for the entire region.

Their family suites are as good as The Gazette has ever experienced.

Too often in our experience, “family rooms” can mean nothing more than a glorified dormitory, with about as much privacy for mum

and dad as you could expect in a small car.

Not here. The rooms are spacious, and a bit like the town, neatly split into two distinct parts, giving the kids a mirage of independence which includes their own beds, river views, TV and play area, while parents can pretend to be grown ups in peace in the adjoining double room.

With the kids – and us adults – immediately delighted with our welcome to Athlone, it set the tone

Sean’s Bar is listed in the

Viking Mike’s Viking longboat with the Radisson

Guinness Book of Records as

Blu in the background

the oldest bar in Europe

Musicians in Sean’s Bar

Oh baby – pampering awaits!

MUMS-TO-BE WILL ENJOY WINEPORT LODGE’S SPECIALLY TAILORED PACKAGES

25 Augist 2016 GAZETTE 21

for the weekend, and sure enough, a brilliant few days it was.

A quick dip in the hotel’s pool before a sumptuous dinner in Elements Bistro was followed by a relaxing drink at the Quayside bar and Lounge, where you can unwind on the open terrace overlooking the river.

Athlone is all about the Shannon. And there’s no better way to explore the river and nearby Lake of the Kings, than with Viking Mike on his 21 metre replica

Viking longboat. Departing from the quayside at Athlone Castle daily, Viking Ship Cruises, which sail up the Shannon and into Lough Ree or down river to the historic monastic site of Clonmacnoise, are an absolute must.

Mike and his staff know the area and its colourful past like the back of their well worn hands, and the big man and his staff’s hospitality knows no end.

You learn a lot about the history of the river and surrounding

townlands during the 75 minute cruise, and the vessel, a National History Ship dating back to 1923, is equipped with a cafe, bar and even wifi.

Back in the town, a trip to the Luan Gallery on the West side of the river will keep the culture vultures more than happy, and they should also make the quick dash across the road to take in the celebrated stained glass windows of St Peter and Paul’s.

A minute’s walk away is Ath-

GAZETTE

TRAVEL

lone Castle with its innovative the pub’s walls have indicated visitor centre, where the town’s that people have been enjoying a history, people, and many battles sup here since 900 A.D. – and it’s are explored and brought to life in even listed in the Guinness Book a series of very impressive audio- of Records as the oldest bar in visual exhibitions.

Europe, which most people agree Child-friendly multimedia dis- would also make it the oldest in plays and interactive games guide the world. spellbound visitors through the What isn’t up for debate, howevcastle; while the Great Seige of er, is the quality of the pint, or the Athlone is relived in a 360 degree wonderful, magical atmosphere climatic experience that transports that hits you as soon as you cross its door. viewers back in ------------------------------------Tourists, locals time. And, if you and stag parties like dressing up in mingle happily, historic costumes, while the back of you’re in luck! the pub stretches The more active all the way to the adventurers can riverbank. hop on their bikes Another fine and go for a spin along the Old ------------------------------------- o l d A t h l o n e Rail Train Greenboozer that simway, a scenic 42km dedicated cycle ply has to be enjoyed is Gertie path that follows the old Midland Browne’s on Custume Street, just Great Western Railway east before across the bridge back on the east snaking along the Royal Canal side of town. into Mullingar.

The pub dates back over 1,000 With lots of entry and exit points years and was once a carriage along the route, you can hop on house as well as a tavern. and off to explore the quaint little Gerties serves up some truly villages and attractions along the excellent pub grub, but if you fancy way. a break from the pubs, La Cucina After all the exploring, you’ll no is a gem of a restaurant just across doubt need a drink. the road.

And there’s no place like AthTouted as the best restaurant in lone for pubs. the midlands by TripAdvisor, this Possibly the king of them all lovely little family eatery certainly (and The Gazette is no stranger to lives up to its reputation, and like good pubs so has some authority everywhere else in Athlone, the on the matter) is Sean’s Bar. service came with a smile.

The archaeological dating on We will be back.

‘After all the exploring, you’ll no doubt need a drink.

And there’s no place like Athlone for pubs.’

Athlone’s skyline is dominated by the Church of St Peter and St Paul

 MIMI MURRAY

“BABY mooning” is a fairly new concept for pregnant women – sort of like baby showers and an American thing, I’m sure.

It’s the idea of taking some time out with your other half before your impending bundle of joy makes its noisy entrance into the world, leaving it never quite the same again.

I don’t normally go in for this type of makey-uppey concept, myself, but if it means metaphorically sitting on a lily pad and letting myself be pampered – well, I’m willing to bend my own rules.

With a four-year-old at home, and another child on the way, we decided to not venture far and plumped

for 24 hours R&R, just an hour down the road, at Wineport Lodge in Athlone.

Many hotels offer baby moon packages now, which usually consist of an overnighter or two with some delicious beauty treatments thrown in for the mum-to-be.

Wineport Lodge is located on the banks of Lough Ree, and a more stunning location you could not find.

All rooms overlook the lake and a balcony meant we could sit and capture the magical early morning goings-on, such as a lone heron diving for fish, or two swans making their majestic journey across the dark waters.

The hotel’s location so close to the shore genu-

inely makes you feel very at one with nature.

The lodge is reminiscent of those boltholes in the New England states and the restaurant, with its leather-coloured booths and high-beamed ceilings, adds to this feeling of being somewhere like Vermont.

It boasts a small spa area with an outdoor hot tub – something my husband indulged in while I went for my treatment.

I chose the all-over body massage and my excellent therapist, Aisling, really knew her stuff.

She has actually trained in massage for recovering cancer patients as well as maternity massage, so has a very good knowledge of the human body; the correct pressure to apply and

where to avoid when pregnant – something mumsto-be often worry about when indulging in something like this.

An hour later, and back to the land of the living, it was time to start thinking about dinner.

The food is really good here, with things like a mackerel pate and crab and scampi salad offering light-bite starters.

We went for both of these, as we had our hearts set on the cote de boeuf – a rib of beef cooked on the bone for two people (well, three, effectively).

This is actually enough for about four people, and came with bearnaise and cafe de paris sauce as well as some greens and fat chips. In a word: delicious.

An Eton mess was the lightest dessert we could find and we tried it purely for research purposes.

The end-of-season strawberries and homemade meringues were the perfect choice to bookend a very tasty meal.

After a good night’s sleep and a cooked breakfast we returned to Dublin with a pep in our step and a renewed sense of wellbeing – something every mum-tobe will never say no to! For more details on mum-to-be packages, see wineport.ie.

For alternative baby moon breaks check out Hayfield Manor, Co Cork. From: €499pp. Telephone: 021 484 5900 or Castle Leslie Estate, Co Monaghan.

From: €240pps Telephone: 047 88100.

With superb wasterside views of the calming Shannon, Wineport Lodge’s soothing location is married to great service and delicious dining, too

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22 GAZETTE 25 August 2016

DUBLINLIFE

FOOD&DRINK

BITESIZEDNEWS

A new range of health foods has just been launched at several leading retailers across Ireland

Vitality fare that could set you up for the day HEALTH food brand Vitality Foods has just launched in Ireland.

Now available in Dunnes, SuperValu, Centra, Spar, Mace and Londis, Vitality is a protein-based brand that is described as “food for active living”.

Vitality is introducing a range of three products – oats, pancakes and protein bars – with a variety of different flavours, from cookies and cream, peanut butter crunch to honey and almond.

Speaking at the launch of Vitality Foods, fitness model Maeve Madden said: “Protein is such an important part of my daily diet and routine and the Vitality Food range is so delicious and easy to prepare.

“My favourite product from the range is definitely the pancakes, which are the perfect breakfast to set you up for an active day.”

For recipes, workouts and wellness innovation, follow @Vitality_Foods on Instagram.

Coastal villages make it to national foodie list DUBLINERS already know to head to the sea for some of the best fare in the city – and the terrific cuisine found at eateries in Howth, Skerries and Malahide have seen the villages shortlisted for the best foodie destinations in Ireland. The three villages are in the top ten places selected by the Restaurants Association of Ireland for its Foodie Destinations initiative. The winning town or destination will be named on September 29.

Brazilian-style

Spring Green Spiralised

chicken salad

Courgette Salad

Serving up summer THE summer has been anything but sizzling, but this delicious Brazilianstyle chicken salad, from M&S, which serves four, will be a Rio-l hit when you bring it out.

Inspired by salpicao, the classic Brazilian street food, it is often served with the chips mixed in, but you can serve them on the side if you prefer.

Ingredients l 2 tsp olive oil l 2 tsp smoked paprika l 2 medium potatoes (about 700g) l 1 green apple l 1.5 limes l 400g cooked chicken l 50g raisins (optional) l 4 tbsp mayonnaise

l l

25g coriander 4 white seeded rolls

Preparation l Peel and cut all the potatoes into thin strips. Shred the cooked chicken and finely chop the coriander. l Heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. l Mix the oil with 1 tsp of smoked paprika, season with salt and pepper, then toss with the chips. l Spread out on a large baking sheet and cook for 30 minutes. Allow to cool slightly. l Meanwhile, quarter, core and slice the apple into thin wedges and put in a large bowl. l Squeeze the juice of half a lime, then add the

chicken and raisins.

In another bowl, mix the mayonnaise with the zest and juice of one lime, 1sp smoked paprika and the coriander. l Stir 3tsp of the dressing into the chicken salad, then add the cooked fries; gentle toss if desired. l Serve on a platter with rolls and the remaining dressing on the side. l

FOR another tasty treat to feed four, we turn again to M&S, and their spirit of summer-inspired Spring G r e e n S p i ra l i s e d Courgette Salad. This light, fresh dish is easy to prepare, and is perfect fare to serve as summer drifts towards its end.

Ingredients l 120g fresh spinach leaves l 50g pine nut l 1 garlic clove l 125ml extra virgin olive oil l 50g fresh Parmesan l 1 lemon l 1 pinch salt and pepper l 250g courgette spaghetti l 150g frozen petits pois l 25g mint leaves l 1 large handful rocket Preparation l Mince the garlic cloves; grate the fresh Parmesan; chop the mint leaves. l To make the pesto, place the spinach, garlic and pine nuts in a food processor, and blitz to a

coarse puree.

Transfer to a bowl, and add the olive oil and parmesan. Mix well. l Squeeze in lemon juice, to taste. l Season with salt and pepper – it will keep in the fridge for 2-3 days. l Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil. Add the peas, and cook for 2-3 mins. l Drain, and refresh under cold water. Set aside to cool completely. l In a large bowl, combine the courgette, peas, mint and 5 tablespoons of pesto. l Stir through the rocket last. Then squeeze some lemon over the salad, and serve. l

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DUBLINLIFE

ReelReviews

LIGHTS OUT

A bright idea for a film DIRECTOR James Wan takes the premise of a short film and gives it a decent treatment with Lights Out (Cert 15A, 81 mins). A young boy is being haunted by a dangerous and very real being who lives in the dark – however, she has direct ties to his family, some of whom know exactly who ‘Diana’ is ... Wan’s skill at directing horror come to the fore, with an interesting premise presented with skill.

NINE LIVES

An utter catastrophe KEVIN Spacey and Christopher Walken take the money and run – after first mugging their way through Nine Lives (Cert PG, 87 mins), widely slated as possibly the worst film of 2016. A billionaire workaholic learns lessons about life, family and love after ... he’s turned into a cat. Yes, a cat. There’s very little a-miaow-sing about this pretty dreadful film, which is cat indeed.

SUICIDE SQUAD

Mission incomprehensible WITH one of its main stars complaining about the film and how he was largely edited out of it, Suicide Squad (Cert 15A, 123 mins) has had a bumpy reception to say the least. A group of supervillains are sent on a near impossible mission – to keep audiences and fanboys happy. However, the film fails at this, with its muddled editing and plot hurting it throughout.

CINEMA

THE PURGE - ELECTION YEAR: POLITICAL OVERTONE IS NEW FOR THE FRANCHISE

A riotous but ultimately unsatisfying riff on violent tendencies

LIKE any dystopian action-horror worth its salt, The Purge: Election Year (Cert 16, 109 mins) is loaded with outthere violence, cringey dialogue and scenerychewing bad guys; it’s at its best when it sticks to this formula.

Unfortunately, hackneyed attempts at political discourse bring Election Year down.

2013’s The Purge laid the groundwork for an interesting vision of the future, attractive in the simplicity of its dystopian premise: an America where crime rates have dropped to an all-time low thanks to the annual 12-hour “Purge”, during which all criminal activity – including murder – is legal.

Unfortunately, The Purge failed to deliver, missing a delightfully twisted world-building opportunity by restricting the action to a single location and opting for a slow, cliched housesiege premise.

Its sequel, The Purge: Anarchy, rightly took the action into the

 MARTIN MACNAMARA

streets and was all the better for it.

With this, the third entr y in the series, writer/director James DeMonaco attempts to expand on the universe he created, implementing issues of class, race and religion that had been lightly touched on before.

His attempts to “smarten up” the series, however, are ill-suited to the over-the-top action and offbeat premise.

Elizabeth Mitchell plays Charlie Roan, a US senator who survived the Purge as a young girl. Now a presidential candidate, Roan works to abolish the yearly tradition that killed the rest of her family.

Shortly before commencement on the night of the Purge, Roan narrowly escapes an assas-

sination attempt. With the help of her head of security, Leo Barnes (Frank Grillo), she tries to make it through the 12 hours on the streets of Washington DC. The Purge: Anarchy knew exactly what it needed to be, learning from the mistakes of the previous entry and working from a dystopian-action template that brought to mind films such as 1987’s The Running Man. While Election Year is cut from a similar cloth, D e Mo n a c o t r i e s t o inject new life by structuring it as a kind of paranoid thriller, and riffing on the current political climate in the US. Consequently, Election Year is riddled with clunky, half-baked attempts at racial discourse that jar terribly with the rest of the film.

Election Year, then, is at its best when its keeps it simple. The expansive world-building on display here is a welcome development for the series; of note is a look inside the annual Purge

In an America where the annual Purge makes every crime – including murder – legal for 12 hours, an anti-Purge senator and her dwindling team must use their wits to survive the chaos when they’re caught up in the mayhem

midnight mass, where church and state have become near-indistinguishable from one another.

Other nice touches include an appearance from a “Purge victim removal and disposal” truck, a look at the murder-tourism industry, and a glimpse inside the world of Purge-related business insurance – trivial but humorous details that add to our understanding of this

darkly-eccentric, future America.

Like its predecessor, Election Year is peppered with imaginative set pieces and surreal, striking images: the steps of the Lincoln Memorial littered with bodies, an enormous guillotine dispatching victims down an alleyway.

DeMonaco has an eye for the kind of ghastly twists on modern America that make a dysto-

pian horror work.

In the end, The Purge: Election Year falls victim to its own ambition. There’s a wickedly enjoyable film here – unfortunately, it’s buried beneath a little too much posturing and displaced discourse.

Fans of the series will delight in Election Year’s finer points; it may prove a little tasteless, however, for certain audiences.

Verdict: 6/10

25 August 2016 DUBLIN CITY GAZETTE 25

GAZETTE

GAMING WEEBYTES

West is best for zombies WHAT do lots of gamers love even more than catching Pokemon or matching three things? Zombies. Yes, zombies.

Good news, then, as one of the silliest and most enjoyable zombie survival games – Dead Rising – will soon be rereleased.

Proving that you just can’t keep a good game dead, Capcom have dug up the seminal 2006 game (and its bigger, but duller sequels) for the HD remaster and rerelease treatment.

Once again, Frank West – a lovable schlub and photojournalist – will be free to roam a shopping mall during the zombie apocalpyse, saving oddball survivors, trying to get the story of his career, popping traffic cones over zombies’ heads, and even changing into a nice dress if he wants (all the better to run in more comfort, I suppose.)

While HD rereleases and ‘upscaled’ versions of old games can be very hit and miss, Dead Rising’s lighthearted gameplay make it a very welcome rerelease.

The series returns as digital downloads on September 13, giving PC, XBO and PS4 users the chance to face the zombie hordes with a camera in one hand, a homemade weapon in the other, and tongue firmly in cheek ...

At times, Abzu’s waters teem with life, with dizzying amounts of fish whirling, darting, dashing and drifting around – animation that must be seen to be appreciated

ABZU: WATER EXCELLENT GAME

DIVE IN TO A SEA OF REAL WONDER  SHANE DILLON

Tech Editor

LAST week we took to the sea of stars above to go exploring, but this week is a wet one – and so it’s the actual sea, and the world below the waves, that’s firmly in our sights.

Let’s dive straight in to the review...

Abzu (PC, PS4, c. €15, Cert 7+,) is a somewhat slight game – with a budget price to match – that gamers will easily drift through in just two or three hours, and yet is easy to recommend.

Whether you grew up

with a goldfish or your experience with sea life amounts to eating fish fingers, there’s something charming about the life aquatic presented in Abzu that will bring out your inner Cousteau.

With a hazily defined story you may or may not glean as you travel, you take The Diver through a series of environments to the game’s finale, occasionally completing very mild tasks, and restoring life to some dead zones as you swim along.

A b z u ’s g e n e r a l l y vibrant world has been stylishly designed and

presented, with cel-shaded artwork comprising most of the game’s assets.

However, the attention to detail that’s gone into capturing the movements, and essence, of all the creatures in the game is marvellous – and the sight of huge numbers of fish and other sea creatures all floating about remains impressive and relaxing throughout.

Throw in a subtle, occasionally powerful score by award-winning composer Austin Wintory, and Abzu’s journey, not the destination, is well worth undertaking.

From the mysterious depths of the ocean to sun-dappled shallows, Abzu’s waters all have a striking visual identity, with levels that teem with life. Screengrabs: Shane Dillon

26 DUBLIN CITY GAZETTE 25 August 2016

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28 DUBLIN CITY GAZETTE 25 August 2016

SPORT Ailbhe on her Para Road to Rio

FastSport SWIMMING: CASTLEKNOCK’S KELLY ALL SET TO MAKE A BIG SPLASH LAST EIGHT FOR ROVERS AND PAT’S: ST PAT’s Athletic and Shamrock Rovers will continue to carry the Dublin flag in the FAI Senior Cup following their respective wins in the third round.

For Pat’s, goals from Conan Byrne and Christy Fagan at Richmond Park saw them defeat Limerick 2-0.

Pat’s took the lead on 42 minutes when Byrne controlled a diagonal ball across the park. He darted in from the right before firing low into the bottom left corner, with his strike taking a deflection off a Limerick foot.

Fagan got the second on 77 minutes when he headed home from close range after Sean Hoare had headed Mark Timlin’s corner back into area.

Rovers swept to a 5-0 win over Athlone Town. A ruthless second half performance cast aside their First Division hosts as five goals put the cup specialists into the last eight hat with Gary McCabe, Sean Boyd, Brandon Miele, Simon Madden and James Doona scoring.

 JAMES HENDICOTT sport@dublingazette.com

CASTLEKNOCK native Ailbhe Kelly has pointed to long-term coach Dave Malone and the rest of the team at the NAC Swimming Club as the key personnel in her drive towards Rio, as she prepares to compete in three different event at

the Paralympic games.

Describing the road to Rio as a four-year endeavour that has become “more and more of a reality” over recent months, Kelly told GazetteSport of how her mother overheard Malone on the radio, and how his expertise fits perfectly with her Olympic drive.

“I’d just finished lessons as an 11-year-old. I started swimming at the age of five, and I really loved it,” she explains.

“The instructor suggested I find a club and try swimming competitively.

Around the same time, my mum heard Dave Malone talking about Paralympic swimming coaching on the radio.

“He’s just around the corner from me at the National Aquatic Centre.

A key thing for Paralympic swimming is having a coach who understands the specific training needs and I’m very lucky to have that, and the facilities, just around the corner. I train six days a week, so I probably spend as much time at the NAC as I do at home.”

Ailbhe Kelly in action at the European Championships. Picture: Carlos Rodrigues/Sportsfile

Kelly is set to compete in three events in the S8 swimming category, having qualified for the 100 metre backstroke and 400 metre freestyle events in Rio at the 2015 World Championships in Glasgow, and added the 100 metre freestyle at the Europeans earlier this year.

She has identified the backstroke as her strongest stroke, and is hoping to achieve personal bests across her events in Rio, believing that these would give her a good chance of reaching some finals.

“My focus is really on

my own performance; I think, for a lot of athletes, the first Olympics is really about having the experience and learning from it. I’ve been to the World and European Championships but I’ve heard that the Paralympics is a completely different experience, so I’m just so, so excited. It’s crazy to think it’s just a few days away after all this time, and I’m more determined and training harder than ever.”

Kelly will travel to the Irish team’s Brazilian holding camp in Uberlandia ahead of the Olympics this week,

spending 10 days adapting to the change in timezone and temperature before travelling on to the Olympic village in Rio in early September.

“I have no co-ordination,” she jokes, talking about her family’s sporting connections with Castleknock GAA. “But I think it’s just part of the family, we’re all very into sport. Both my brothers play with the club.

“For me, swimming was a better fit. Rio will be fantastic, but I’m definitely looking ahead to bigger things in Tokyo in 2020, too.”

Collins stuns the chasers on cycle of 70.3 Ironman  sport@dublingazette.com

America’s Ben Collins celebrates his Dublin Ironman 70.3 success. Picture: Ryan Byrne/Inpho

BENJAMIN Collins proved a surprise package in Dublin at the recent 70.3 Ironman event held in the city.

The American exited the water in third place, only three seconds behind the fastest swimmer Mark Threlfall and Harry Wiltshire, but while spectators awaited a British race to come, Collins stormed away on the bike.

He obviously knew about the running strengths of some of the top contenders and he nailed a huge, early gap to get out on the

run with a bigger advantage.

Through 50 kilometres, Collins already had opened up a gap of more than eight minutes. Starting into the final half marathon, he was 11 minutes ahead of the chase group.

Wiltshire entered T2 together with Fraser Cartmell, Threlfall, and Paul Reitmayr (from Austria) but he started to drop the two men only minutes later.

Wiltshire downsized the gap to the front continuously but he was starting into the run too far behind to even think about catching up with Collins again.

Wiltshire had the best run split and no issues to secure second place in front of Reitmayr.

Susie Cheetham defended her title at the Ironman 70.3 Dublin in a sensational way. The 30-yearold 2016 African Championship runner-up raced well from start to finish to celebrate a great success.

When Cheetham came out of the water at Scotsman’s Bay in 27 minutes, she was 47 seconds ahead of Spain’s Saleta Castro and 2.31 in front of her compatriot Natalie Seymour and already in her own zone.

Cheetham embarked on a very solid solo ride, breaking away from the rest of the field. When she got off the bike, she was in the middle of the men’s pro field with Seymour already five minutes down. Hungarian Anna Halasz, in third place, was already eight minutes away from the lead in T2.

At this point, it wasn’t really a question anymore whether Cheetham could run this race home. Although Seymour was working hard to reduce the gap on the run, the defending champ never allowed the runner-up to get closer than four minutes.

25 August 2016 DUBLIN CITY GAZETTE 29

GAZETTE

Brill motivation Usher’s in independent ambition

FASTSport

Dundrum native Carol wins big at blind golf events in the UK and Austria as she continues to campaign for an improved situation for those suffering from Usher Syndrome in Ireland  JAMES HENDICOTT sport@dublingazette.com

A POWERHOUSE of social activism, blind golfer Carol Brill is once again knocking down doors after a period of illness, and backing winning tournaments.

Brill recently travelled to blind open events in the UK and Austria, and came out on top in Austria as she won the B2 [extremely limited sight] categor y of a mixed-gender contest. In the UK tournament, Brill was part of the victorious group in the team event.

The Austrian win was particularly impressive, given Brill played directly off the back of a trip to a funeral in America, playing on a few hours’ sleep after a 30-hour

flight. Her improvement on the second – less tired – day was an astonishing 27 shots.

The Dundrum native sees her golf as a way of living – a sport she can participate in despite suffering from a debilitating, rare and progressive condition called Usher Syndrome, which causes her hearing and sight to deteriorate progressively over time.

Brill’s vision is currently limited to a small slot directly in front of her, and will continue to fade until she is completely blind.

“It’s about living differently,” Brill told GazetteSport of her golf.

“I’m very dependent on someone to guide me for golf, so it’s a new kind of independence

– it requires someone to spend six hours with me. But I can’t let Usher Syndrome take my desire to play.”

Brill has previously been heavily involved in campaigns to recognise blind-deafness as a unique condition, something the Irish government has failed to do to date, making them the only EU government not to have done so.

“HSE guidelines were released early summer on how to deal with deaf blindness, and they consist of ten bullet points.

“I don’t particularly like the idea of ‘deaf blind’ as a term, really, as there are more than 70 different types of deaf blindness and it’s too simplistic,” Brill explains.

Carol Brill is flying high on the blind golf circuit and making an impact off the course

“Unfortunately, we had a new government and things have really slowed up with the summer break. Things seem to be at a standstill, which is a shame after my previous lobbying [Brill spoke in the Oireachtas about her condition last year], but we move on.”

In a typically inspiring and outspoken way, for

is still in the early stages.

“The record for a round of fourball is 13 minutes, and was set on a course here in Ireland, but there isn’t a specific women’s record.

“If I can get four women per hole, and sponsor each player, then look for corporate sponsorship for the holes, too, I think it’s realistic to raise €100,000

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‘It’s about living differently but I can’t let Usher Syndrome take my desire to play’ - Carol Brill

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Brill moving on means simply driving in a slightly different direction, in which she hopes to mix the golf and fundraising into future Usher ’s Syndrome research.

After visiting Disneyland in Florida – the end result of a campaign to be able to see the theme park with her daughter before her sight deterioration takes hold too strongly – Brill will now be campaigning to raise money for a new drug trial that will be headed up by the son of a close friend of hers.

Tests on a form of female viagra have shown significant sight benefits and Brill hopes it might prevent more people from suffering with her syndrome in the future.

“My plan is to play the fastest ladies round of fourball golf,” Brill said, admitting that the idea

for the research.

“I also have some surplus money from the Seeing Disney campaign that I have to allocate. I haven’t decided how to use that yet, but it has to be in keeping with the reasons it was raised, so this might make sense. I need to talk to the Guinness Book of Records people, but we’ll see how it works out.”

What’s certain is that Brill is abuzz with ideas, and determined to be a demonstration of how to live with a condition like Usher’s Syndrome.

Having changed sports – she was originally a tennis player – adapted her lifestyle and made a point of being powerfully independent, her campaigning feels like something she does for someone else.

There’s no telling what might come next.

Egan eases Rio pain with Sella Descent victory JENNY Egan has won gold in the prestigious International Sella Descent in Spain, beating 1,100 competitors in the process.

Egan, from the Salmon Leap Canoe Club in Leixlip, missed out on qualifying for the Rio Olympics by just a single place, but was a member of a large Irish team who competed in the 80th International Sella Descent in Asturias.

The race is similar to the Liffey Descent and is part of the International Canoe Federation’s Classic Series which consists of eight down river races across Europe, South Africa and China.

Egan, who won senior K1 5,000m Canoe Sprint World Cup gold and silver medals earlier this summer in Portugal and Czech Republic respectively, completed the 20 kilometre course in under one hour and 30 minutes.

She held off a strong international field to win by over two minutes ahead of second place Kristina Bedec of Serbia and third place Spaniard Sheila Saez Barrios.

Speaking after the race, Egan said: “I am delighted to win the famous International Sella Descent and it was extra special for me as it was my first time to compete in this race.

“Going into this race I knew there was a very strong field of competitors with the Serbian Bedec being a World Marathon Championship bronze medallist from 2015 and Great Britain’s [Lizzie] Broughton, who won a Silver medal at the World Marathon Championships in 2014.”

In the Under-23 men’s K1, Sean McCarthy of Salmon Leap won a silver medal, with Ronan Foley from Kilcullen Canoe Club winning a bronze medal in the junior men’s K1. Liam McCarthy also won a medal, when he finished second in the over-50 men’s K1 category to take silver.

GAZETTE

30 DUBLIN CITY GAZETTE 25 August 2016

SPORT

FASTSport

Lanigan-O’Keeffe records top ten finish at Olympics ARTHUR Lanigan O’Keeffe’s struggles in the fencing round of the modern pentathlon proved critical in Rio, as the Dublin-based athlete fell just ten seconds short of an Olympic medal, finishing in eighth place overall.

While Lanigan O’Keeffe can take comfort in finishing his second Olympics as only the second Irish athlete ever to hit the top ten in the sport, the result of the fencing in particular - in which he came 25th - will come as a huge disappointment, after Lanigan O’Keeffe went out of his way to hide his fencing skills from the field over recent months.

Having trained with the British fencing squad and consciously avoided public competition in the sport over recent months, he looked to surprise his opponents, but lost fractionally more fights than he won in the opening event of the five-sport competition, leaving himself with a mountain to climb to secure a medal.

Lanigan O’Keeffe’s 13th place in the swimming, outstanding second place in the show-jumping and seventh in the combined running and shooting finale would have put him in serious medal contention should the fencing had gone better, as would an improvement of only ten seconds in the finale run and shoot event.

The Irish European champion will also no doubt reflect that of the seven athletes to finish above him, only two were not Europeans, suggesting that on his day Lanigan O’Keeffe could very well have come out with the gold he told GazetteSport was a realistic target earlier this year.

“I knew it was going to be an uphill battle after the fencing, but to finish in the top ten, I can’t be upset after that,” he told RTE. “Obviously the aim when I came here was to medal, but pentathlon is a funny sport and you need the stars to align sometimes.

I’m proud of myself, I gave it everything over the last few years.”

SOCCER: FORMER CELTIC MAN SIGNS UP EDINBURGH BASED CLUB

Ruari Paton following his decision to sign terms with Hibernian this week

Paton is Hibs king of the Castle sport@dublingazette.com

FORMER Castleknock Celtic player Ruari Paton celebrated his 16th birthday this week by signing a three-year professional contract with Hibernian Football Club in Edinburgh, along with joining forces with DB Sports Tours as his official agency.

Paton began his football journey with his local club in 2006, joining the academy, subsequently going on to win several NDSL Premier Cups and league titles with the Under-8s through to the Under12s.

He eventually lef t for pastures new, joining Shelbourne FC. He left on positive terms, scoring the two goals in the 2-1 cup final win at the AUL against St Mochta’s.

Having joined Shelbourne, Paton was the top scorer that season as the newly promoted outfit managed a joint fifth place finish.

In 2013, Ruari realised a childhood ambition by joining St Kevin’s Boys, enjoying a fruitful season playing at the Shanowen Road ground with a club that he had held great admiration for.

JUNIOR MASTERS Belvedere drive home first title of U-13 season OVER 250 footballers from 16 top teams around Ireland competed in Dublin’s AUL Complex over the weekend in this year’s Volkswagen Junior Masters football tournament. A fiercely competitive final saw Belvedere FC defeat last year’s champions Crumlin United 1-0.

Now in its third year, the Under-13 boys’ tournament has grown significantly with the winning team, Belvedere FC benefitting with a €2,000 grant from Volkswagen for their club. Picture: Paul Mohan/Sportsfile

The highlight of the season was Paton representing St Kevin’s Boys in the Kennedy Cup, scoring six goals as the DDSL team won the tournament.

In 2014, he then joined another illustrious schoolboy club – Belvedere FC. Ruairi spent the last two seasons with the Dublin club.

And, in March 2016, he realised another childhood ambition by making his international debut against Turkey in April 2016.

During 2015, Paton had trials with Stoke City and Celtic, and, in February 2016, Hibs

made an approach for Paton following a successful trial period. Soon after, a professional contract was duly offered.

During July 2016, he played for the Hibernian Under-17 team that reached the final of the Milk Cup Super-Cup Premier division. Paton also made his debut for Hibernian Development Under-20 team at Hawick in July 2016, coming on as a substitute in a 3-1 victory.

Paton is now living in Tranent, Edinburgh and is looking forward to his new professional football career.

A prolific goal scorer

and playmaker, he has excellent game intelligence and is a complete team player. He is instinctive in front of goal and has two good feet and good pace.

DB Sports co-founder David Berber spoke of his delight to have joined up with Paton on his football journey which has now lead to Scotland: “I’m absolutely delighted to be working with Ruari and his family, he’s a fantastic kid always wanting to learn and better himself.

“I think he’s chosen a fantastic club and getting to work with Neil Lennon is a bonus”.

25 August 2016 DUBLIN CITY GAZETTE 31

GAZETTE

FOOTBALL: KERRY HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN ABOUT 2011

Denis Bastick conducted a special training session with Fingal Ravens U-14s who won an Aer Lingus competition

Dubs’ Bastick coy on a county swansong

ALL-IRELAND SEMI FINAL  sport@dublingazette.com

DENIS Bastick admits he is savouring every moment of this season with Dublin, as he remains unsure of his future with the panel beyond the current Championship season.

Bastick told Gazette Sport he had to “try to take everything in and relish where I am right now” this season, after he made an early commitment to staying another year with the boys in blue, as he’s yet to make a decision about what 2017 might hold for him.

Speaking of Kerr y – the final barrier to another finals day Croke Park shot at glory – Bastick said: “I suppose we were happy with the league final win in the league earlier on in the year but we can’t look at that going into this game.

Championship football is different, especially at this stage of the year.

“It comes down to work rate on the day. A lot of the teams, whoever

works hardest comes out on top. So if they’re going to try and match us for that, we’ll need to be on top of our game. Whatever we did in the past is not going to be good enough,” Bastick argued.

“We’ll have to bring more. The difference is also whether you kick on when you need to. When the problems come, some teams react well and some don’t.

“The mental piece of the game, that’s the extra 10%. If you look at the physical data, it doesn’t change much year on year, so it has to be that,” he added.

Bastick also recalled the winter of 2011 after Dublin’s first All-Ireland win in 16 years and explained how the promotional workload over the winter has declined with the two subsequent All Ireland wins.

“I think we owed it to people to get out and visit schools, show ourselves to the community,” Bastick said of the 2011 winter. “But it does affect preparation. It’s a fine balance and maybe we

overdid it. We are aware that retaining a title is the chance to make a bit of history for the county.

“You can’t forget that.

It was all new to us in 2011; everyone wanted a piece of us and it was important for the city.

But we’ve moved on from that stage, and I think maybe so have our supporters. They’ve got used to winning a bit more.”

Having been part of the side torn apart by Kerry in 2009, Bastick has an appreciation for

Dublin’s current position, saying “you don’t forget about these things,” and added jokingly “you don’t forgive either.

“I’m sure they haven’t forgotten about what happened in the final in 2011.”

The latest instalment of the great Dublin v Kerry rivalry – which takes place this Sunday at Croke Park – will yield the favourites to win the 2016 All Ireland title.

It could also be Bastick’s county swansong.

FASTGAA

Ballymun make move toward AFL1 top four BALLYMUN Kickhams picked off a significant win in AFL1 to strengthen their position in the race for the playoff places with a 3-12 to 0-13 victory over Kilmacud Crokes last Saturday evening.

It pushes them into third place behind Kilmacud and leaders St Vincent’s with two rounds of matches still to play in the regular season.

Mun shot out of the gates at speed, hammering home two goals within the first 10 minutes, Kevin Leahy and Paddy Small the respective scorers. Kilmacud’s Mark Vaughan kept his side in it in the first with a series of good frees but Ballymun were up by five points at the half-time whistle, with the score at 2-6 to 0-7.

It was pretty much tit for tat between the two teams in the second half, until Ballymun’s Jason Whelan secured a third goal for his team with 12 minutes left. Balymun were unfortunate to not get a 4th goal late in the game, only for a brilliant save from point blank range by Kilmacud’s keeper, David Nestor.

Kilmacud failed to create many goal chances throughout the game, leaving them at an eight-point deficit at full time.

St Vincent’s became the first side to formally pin down a place in the top four in midweek when they were 3-22 to 0-8 winners over basement side Raheny.

Despite their loss, Kilmacud are also assured of a place in the playoffs. Ballymun sit third, level with Na Fianna, on 16 points but plenty of other sides can overhaul them in the final phases of the competition.

St Sylvester’s were on the brink of those positions before the weekend but suffered a big blow with a 1-9 to 0-8 defeat to St Brigid’s at a drenched Russell Park.Lorcan McCarthy scored a classy goal to put Brigid’s 1-6 to 0-4 up at half time.

St Sylvesters, playing with the wind, started the second half well and the pressure they put on the St Brigids side rewarded them with a couple of early points. But St Brigids’ dominance in midfield through John O’Loughlin and Cian Mullins on the kickouts gave St Brigids the platform to increase their lead. A couple more points from Lorcan McCarthy and Kevin Bonner pushed them over the line.

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Call our SPORT TEAM on 60 10 240 and SELECT OPTION 3 Denis Bastick is trying “to take everything in and relish where I am right now”. Pictures: Cody Glenn/Sportsfile

or email sport@dublingazette.com

GAZETTESPORT ALL OF YOUR DUBLIN CITY SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 28-31

PENT-UP ARTHUR: Arthur Lanigan O’Keeffe lands top ten finish at Rio Olympics with fine showing P30

AUGUST 25-31, 2016

BRILL’S BLIND AMBITION: Dundrum golfer’s incredible Usher Syndrome work P29

Jim Gavin is looking to take another big step toward a third All-Ireland title during his tenure as county manager

Kerry the next target Dublin boss Jim Gavin says greater communication with referees can help flag issues of players coming in for special treatment in big games

 JAMES HENDICOTT

sport@dublingazette.com

DUBLIN boss Jim Gavin told GazetteSport that games against Kerry still come down to “the bounce of a ball,” insisting that his side are taking nothing for granted ahead of the big guns’ All-Ireland semi-final match up this weekend.

Dublin are in the unusual position of having beaten their historic rivals three times on the trot in the championship and also scored a late demolition of the 14-man Munster side in the league final this season, seemingly cementing the boys in blue’s superiority.

Gavin doesn’t see it that way, though, saying ahead of this weekend’s clash “Kerry present a different challenge [to quarter final opponents

Donegal].

“They get far more players up the field and, if you look at the names, they just have so much quality. It might not have looked that way for the last few games, but it’s tiny margins.

“We’ve seen from recent times that they can punish you. It’s literally the kick of a ball between the teams. If we give Kerry space, they’ll hurt us.

“They’ve shown various game plans during their national league campaign,” Gavin added of the opposition. “They’re well able to push up high as well as get their forward players behind the ball and set up a defensive line across the middle.

“What they can bring with such experienced and talented players means you can’t plan on

every eventuality. As a result, we’ve based most of our setup and planning on our game plan, as we’d do in most cases.”

Gavin has Shane Carthy back ahead of the game with Eoghan O’Gara also available after his appeal against a red card vs Donegal was upheld.

After the side’s disciplinary problems against Donegal, Gavin also admitted that communication between referees and management could be improved, but maintained he is pleased with the quality of refereeing in general despite a couple of controversial decisions.

“Some informality might be helpful, to talk about these things,” he admitted. “We know players like Diarmuid Connolly get targeted. It was just a fact that he was targeted against Don-

egal, they said so.

“But it’s a contact sport, we have to learn to deal with that. The yellow cards are a split-second decision that the referee makes so I’m not going to complain about that. He doesn’t have the benefit of a replay as we do. We accept it and we move on, he made the call as best he can.”

You sense there’s a dual underlying message from Gavin: take nothing for granted despite Dublin’s recent Kerry record, and also that discipline – though played down – is something that will be discussed in house, and will fall right at the core of any success, Dublin play Kerry in the All Ireland semi-final on Sunday, August 28 at Croke Park, as the boys in blue bid to maintain their All Ireland football title.