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McVerry backs prebuilt housing  keith bellew

Proposals to use pre-fabricated “modular housing” units to house people who are currently in emergency accommodation have been backed by the Peter McVerry Trust.

Following the launch of demonstrations of modular housing hosted by the Dublin Region Homeless Executive on Tuesday, September 15 at a site on East Wall Road, the trust has called for emergency powers to

be given to local authorities to ensure units can be delivered before next summer.

After viewing the demonstration, Fr Peter McVerry gave his full support to the proposals for up to 250 modular units to be built on 20 vacant sites in Dublin as a short-term housing measure.

“I have seen high quality, welldesigned, well-finished units that will make good [short-term] homes,” he said.

Full Story on Page 6

Dublin fashion duo: Sonya and Brendan front festival show BANK OF IRELAND HQ on Dame

Street was the venue for a showcase of top Irish design talent recently.

Leading fashion stylists and style commentators Sonya Lennon and Brendan Courtney hosted as the Irish Young Designer of the Year

and the Canon Young Fashion Photographer of the Year were announced. Established Irish labels treated well-heeled guests to a preview of new season collections. See them inside! Picture: Pearl Phelan See Gallery on Page 10

2 DUBLIN CITY Gazette 17 September 2015

retail Consultations begin ahead of store’s 2016 closure

Boyers staff face into negotiations  keith bellew

FITZWILLIAM Finance has entered into consultation with staff at Boyers Department Store to discuss redundancies and redeployment opportunities after the shock announcement that the iconic Dublin store will close next January with the loss of more than 80 jobs.

Fitzwilliam Finance recently acquired Arnotts, of which Boyers is a subsidiary, and because they have been unable to find any company interested in managing the store, they say they have no

choice but to close up shop. They described the move as “regrettable, but unavoidable”.

Boyers is the latest financial casualty among landmark Dublin stores, following the closure of Clerys in June.

In 1961, the Arnotts company acquired the North Earl Street store, which was then in decline and completely turned it around with an expansion of its departments from 11 to 21.

The store continued to thrive in the years that followed, acquiring a number of adjacent buildings, and stretched from North Earl

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‘The company has entered into a consultation process with staff, seeking expressions of interest with regard to redeployment’

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Jonathan Hogan, Mandate Trade Union

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Street to Cathedral Street and eventually to Marlborough Street, resulting in the store’s distinctive L-shape.

Speaking to The Gazette, Jonathan Hogan of Mandate Trade Union and who is representing the Boyers workers, said the company was engaging with the workers. He

said: “We met the company on Friday, September 10 and basically we agreed a framework for how the talks will now proceed, and we will not be meeting with them again until October 2.

“The company has now entered into a consultation process with staff, seeking expressions of interest with regard to redeployment.”

As Fitzwilliam Finance owns both Arnotts and Boyers, some members of staff will be seeking redeployment to Arnotts stores. Hogan said the purpose of the consultation process is for Fitzwilliam Finance to ascertain who wants to be rede-

Part of the Boyers Department Store facade. Picture: Google Streetview

ployed, and who is seeking redundancy. “[In the case of redeployment] what we’ll be looking for is the terms and conditions to remain the same when they transfer over – earning levels, and all that type of stuff.

We won’t know until the consultation finishes.

“People will change their minds over the next couple of weeks when they review their own circumstances.

“They’re just trying to get an overall sense of

who would like to stay and who wouldn’t like to stay. Then the negotiations around the terms of the redundancies and more concrete figures will be up for negotiation on October 2, so we will wait until then and take it from there,” said Hogan.

He said that while the news has been quite a blow to the workers, many of whom have been working at Boyers for a long time, the whole process has been quite positive in the sense that all par-

ties are engaging with one another.

“Unlike the Clerys situation, where you had the employer unilaterally withdrawing from the premises and closing the doors, this isn’t the case [with Boyers]; it’s a complete contrast.

“As long as Noel Smyth [managing director of Fitzwilliam Finance] honours the commitment he made to put his best foot forward and look after the staff, we won’t have a problem,” said Hogan.

Firefighter attack condemned  ian begley

AN attack on a Dublin Fire Brigade engine in Finglas South, reportedly by a gang of youths, has sparked outrage among residents and representatives.

At about 10pm on September 8, the Phibsborough Station fire service was called on to deal with burning rubbish at the side of a building on Hazelcroft

Road in Finglas.

According to reports, youths started to throws bottles and stones at the fire engine as the crew was doing its work.

During the incident a window of the vehicle was smashed, which resulted in the truck being put off duty for repairs for some time the following day.

Shortly after the incident, the Phibsborough Station posted details of

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the attack on Facebook.

“Thankfully no injuries to crews, but again a lucky escape for all.

“While dealing with the fire, missiles were thrown by youths and a window of a frontline appliance was damaged.

“There were no injuries to personnel. The incident was reported to gardai. “ O u r c r e w s h ave enough things to worry about when dealing with emergencies, they don’t need to be looking over their shoulders when they are doing it.”

Finglas Cllr David Costello (FF) denounced the assault, saying: “Attacks like this on our frontline

services are unacceptable and uncalled for.

The members of Dublin Fire Brigade put themselves on the line for the people of our city on a daily basis and they do not deserve to be treated like this.

“This fire engine will have to be taken out of service for repair which could create delayed response times for the community,” he said.

Gardai are continuing to investigate this incident and are appealing for anyone with information to contact Finglas Garda Station on 01-6667500 or the Garda confidential line on 1800-666-111.

17 September 2015 DUBLIN CITY Gazette 3

rally: 2,000 show up

people Contributions flood in for tux and accessories

Homeless man to enjoy first debs Dublin’s homeless crisis has meant heartrending stories of pain, disappointment and destitution are broadcast on a daily basis, but a good news story has finally emerged with a volunteer inviting a young homeless man to her debs.

Politicians and residents turn out in Sandymount to call for more action on this humanitarian crisis

‘More must be done for refugees’

 keith bellew

ABOUT 2,000 people turned out to a rally in Dublin demanding a greater response from Ireland and Europe to the humanitarian crisis in Syria. The rally included a procession from the Spire to the Central Bank.

Organisers said they wanted faster action and were attempting to influence popular sentiment to make people focus less on the implications for Europe and more on the plight of the Syrian people. They also wanted Ireland to accept more than 4,000 refugees.

Organiser Memet Uludag of United Against racism said: “The point is to raise the bar in terms of the popular sentiment happening in Europe at the moment in support of refugees.

“It’s not going to go away. It’s been growing here since 2011, not just two weeks ago when we saw the pictures of the body of Aylan [Kurdi] on the beach.”

He said the Government’s plan to grant asylum to 4,000 refugees was “nowhere near enough”.

He asked: “What are we going to tell the 4,001st child?”

Colm O’Gorman of Amnesty International said there was a legal obligation on EU member states, including Ireland to offer a safe haven.

He said three-year-old Aylan was not the first casualty and that the EU had known for years that the Mediterranean “has been a graveyard”.

Meanwhile in Sandymount, members of the public and representatives from various non-governmental organisations gathered to spell out the words “refugees welcome” in the sand.

An aerial photo of this message of support has been circulated and has added weight to the calls of those taking part for the Government to show leadership for the rights of refugees and migrants.

Those taking part in the weekend’s awareness raising activities also called on EU leaders to provide safe and legal channels for migration, a transparent process of resettlement, and basic assistance for those seeking asylum in Europe.

Nineteen-yea r-old March for the Homeless volunteer Sarah Jane Curtis (19), has invited 21-year-old Adam Skinner to her debs and there has been a seemingly endless series of offers from people on social media to pay for his tux, cuff links and all

of the other accessories the event entails.

Skinner never got to go to his own debs and said he was happy to be going. Curtis said he did not deserve to be homeless as he was “one of the nicest, friendliest, kindest caring and decent guys out there”.

March for the Homeles s organis er Darren Bradley said the response from people online has been incredible with dozens of messages and offers of contributions to help kit Skinner out for the big night.

Skinner said it was

nice to hear that so many people were willing to help.

March for the Homeless was established in December 2014, and collects donations of food, clothing and blankets, to distribute among Dublin’s homeless three times a week.

4 DUBLIN CITY Gazette 17 September 2015

rialto: viewing centre

3D model of kids’ hospital

 aisling kennedy

The National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) has opened a dedicated information centre in Rialto where members of the public can view a physical 3D model of the proposed new children’s hospital, the hospital’s family accommodation unit, and the Children’s Research and Innovation Centre.

The hospital has been the subject of an ongoing debate between Health Minister Leo Varadkar and Jonathan Irwin, chief executive of the Jack and Jill Foundation, who both disagree on where the hospital site should be located.

The new children’s hospital which will be built on a campus with St James’s Hospital if An Bord Plean-

ala agrees planning permission, will be the largest and most significant capital investment project ever undertaken in healthcare in Ireland.

Members of the public are invited to view the 3D model of the hospital where they can review all of the content submitted to An Bord Pleanala in soft copy, as well as access FAQ documents and information boards which detail the various aspects of the new children’s hospital project at the new dedicated information centre.

The centre is located at 568 South Circular Road, Rialto, Dublin 8 (beside Rialto Credit Union) and is open from 11am to 2pm Mondays to Wednesday’s, 4pm to 7pm on Thursdays, and 2pm-5pm on Fridays.

crime Gardai are asking witnesses to come forward

Attack in Temple Bar kills father  ian begley

A WIDESPREAD donation campaign has started for the family of a Clondalkin man killed in an attack in Temple Bar. Gareth O’Connor (27) died as a result of an incident in Cow’s Lane in Temple Bar on the night of September 10 at around 8.45pm.

At the time he was socialising with a group of friends, along with his brother and nephew, when they became involved in a verbal altercation with another group of men.

Two women, both in their early 20s, were arrested and released

without charge. Earlier, four men were arrested and also released without charge. A file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Investigating gardai are continuing to appeal for footage they believe witnesses may have captured of the incident on mobile phones.

More than €4,500 has been raised so far in honour of Harelawn resident Gareth O’Connor (27) , also known as Garzy, who died on September 11.

An online petition has been made available by friends of the father-of-three and late Arthur Griffith Park Football Club footballer

to help cover his funeral expenses and other costs. Organisers are hoping to reach €5,000 through the drive.

Paula Haverty, who is the organiser of the petition, w rote that O’Connor lost both his parents at an early age.

“He had shown from an early age he was a fighter when he survived a second-f loor fall when he was young.

Life for him was one great battle after another… he conquered a lot of them. He had to grow up the hard way, which in turn gave him great skills. His second love after his family is playing football for Lucan Club Arthur Griffith Park FC.

Father-of-three Gareth O’Connor died following the incident

“The community of Harelawn is also heartbroken to lose Gareth in such a tragic way.

“We, as a community of Clondalkin, took the family in once before

when it was needed. It is with great sadness that it’s needed again.”

Donations to O’Connor’s family can be made on www.gofundme. com/m93zt7ye.

17 September 2015 DUBLIN CITY Gazette 5

6 DUBLIN CITY Gazette 17 September 2015

housing Local authorities examine units to help ease crisis

Pre-built homes get broad backing  keith bellew

PROPOSALS to use prefabricated “modular housing” units to house people who are currently in emergency accommodation have been backed by the Peter McVerry Trust.

Following the launch of a demonstration of modular housing hosted by the Dublin Region Homeless Executive on Tuesday, September 15 at a site on East Wall Road, the trust has called for emergency powers to be given to local authorities to ensure units can

be delivered before next summer.

A number of companies which specialise in modular housing provision are demonstrating their designs at the site, for the benefit of the mayors, chief executives, senior housing staff and housing strategic policy committee chairs of the four Dublin local authorities.

The purpose of the demonstration is to give local authorities an idea of the nature of modular housing so they can make an informed opinion on whether or not to back

proposals for up to 250 modular housing units to be built on 20 vacant sites in Dublin as a short-term measure to house people that are currently living in emergency accommodation.

Considered The fact that these houses can be assembled on-site in a matter of days and could be available to families within the next three to six months is one of the main reasons it is being considered.

The components of modular buildings can be placed side-by-side,

end-to-end, or stacked, allowing a wide variety of configurations and styles in the building layout.

After viewing the demonstration, Peter McVerry Trust chief executive Pat Doyle said that there had been concerns about the quality, cost, and delivery times of modular housing, but the test site had alleviated these concerns.

Fr Peter McVerry himself spoke positively of the proposal, saying: “I fully support the use of modular housing as a temporary solution to homelessness. I have seen high-quality, welldesigned, well-finished units that will make good homes.”

Doyle went on to say that the Government must call a state of emergency on homelessness in order to get modular housing on stream before Christmas.

Chair of Dublin City Council’s housing committee, Cllr Daithi Doolan (SF), also backed the proposals, but stressed that it must only be a short-term measure.

Imaginative He said: “P utting families in hotels and B&Bs is unacceptable and unsustainable. We must be solution-focused and imaginative in our response to the current crisis in Dublin. The homes I saw meet all the required building and environmental standards.”

He went on to call on Environment Minister Alan Kelly to introduce legislation that allows local authorities to speed up the procurement process to allow Dublin City Council to move quickly on the proposal.

He also called on Dublin City Council to begin the process of identifying

A number of models for modular homes – pre-built units that can be quickly assembled on site in days – were examined this week by the four Dublin local authorities, who were considering short-term solutions to the housing crisis

sites, negotiate funding from the Department of Environment and commence planning as quickly as possible.

“The sooner we move people out of emergency accommodation, the better for families. But this is not the long-term solu-

tion. Mister Kelly and his Government must release funding to allow Dublin City Council to build social housing as soon as possible,” said Cllr Doolan.

Sites for social housing in Dominick Street, Sackville Avenue and

Belcamp were submitted this week for funding approval from the Department of Environment, in what Cllr Doolan has described as a test of the promises made recently by Minister Kelly to support the council in its housing projects.

17 September 2015 DUBLIN CITY Gazette 7

don’sdublin Corsican battle exposed fortitude of Martello towers ALTHOUGH it is the most famous of them all, the Martello Tower in Sandycove that houses the James Joyce Museum, is one of about 50 which were built to repulse a possible invasion by Napoleon’s navy.

After the passage of the National Defence Act 1804, towers were erected along the east coast from Bray to Balbriggan, with others on the south coast and Cork harbour.

When war broke out between Britain and France in 1793 two British ships, the Fortitude and Juno, attacked a round tower at Cape Mortella in Corsica in February 1794. After hours of heavy bombardment by the two ships the tower was finally taken with little damage to the structure. However, the Fortitude had been set on fire and lost 62 men in the fight. Impressed by the strong defensive nature of the tower, engineers used the design when building the line of towers in 1804.

Around Dublin 28 towers were erected, with 16 stretching southwards from Sandymount to Bray, and 12 northwards from Red Rock, Sutton to Balbriggan. Seven of those to the south have been demolished while all to the north are standing.

Many are in private ownership with Howth tower, now the Ye Olde Hurdy Gurdy Museum of Vintage Radio, the only one open to the public on the northside. Apart from Sandycove, Seapoint tower is the only other open to the public (during the summer) on the southside. There you can see the equipment used for loading the 18-pounder gun (there is a replica on the roof), and feel what it was like to have lived there. The towers were usually 40ft high with walls up to 8ft thick and housed an officer and 10-15 soldiers. Although built in time of war they, thankfully, never saw any action as the French invasion never materialised.

It is somewhat ironic that towers designed in Corsica, where Napoleon was born, were the blueprint for a defence against him!

Don Cameron

www.donsdublin.wordpress.com

Martello towers were erected along the east coast from Bray to Balbriggan, with others on the south coast and Cork harbour

strategic Point Village is a growing work and living hub

Plan for city’s tallest office block  ian begley

A PL A N h a s b e e n submitted to Dublin City Council which, if approved, could see the development of Dublin’s tallest office building.

The building has been proposed by receivers from Grant Thornton

to be built adjacent to 3Arena at the Point Village in the city’s docklands.

At 73m high, the development would be the tallest building in Dublin with the capacity of facilitating more than 2,000 workers.

The National Assest Management Agency

(Nama) is funding the planning application as part of its commitment to facilitate the delivery of new development within the provisions of the Dockland’s Strategic Development Zone.

S t e p h e n Te n n a n t from Grant Thornton said the application to the council showed that

the Point Village was growing.

He said: “The Point Village has the potential to become Dublin’s newest commercial, entertainment and leisure hub.

“The economic downturn stalled its progress, but due to the strong demand for quality office and retail space in Dub-

lin, it is now the opportune time to recommence development of a new commercial and entertainment hub.”

Work is to start this month and its development is just one of several Nama-backed projects planned for the docklands development zone.

8 DUBLIN CITY Gazette 17 September 2015

opinion Sinn Fein MEP Lynn Boylan on an international fight

A victory for water campaigns over the EU ON SEPTEMBER 8, the R i g h t 2 Wa t e r campaign in Ireland and Europe scored a huge victory. The Boylan Right2Water report was passed by the European Parliament.

This report was a follow-up to the first successful European Citizens Initiative, which called for water to be enshrined as a human right.

In 2013, almost two million people across the EU signed a citizens’ petition calling on the EU Commission to enshrine water as a human right, and to ensure universal access to all. The petition also stressed that water was not a commodity, and should be excluded from market rules.

The repor t passed in parliament with the support of the United Left, Greens and Social Democrat groups, went far further, and has been warmly welcomed by water campaign groups from Ireland and across Europe.

Water is a very emotive issue, not just in Ireland but across the EU. Citizens in many EU countries have mobilised

to protect their right to water.

In Italy and Greece, they voted overwhelmingly in referendums to block the privatisation of water – a referendum the Fine Gael/Labour Government refuses to give the Irish people.

In Berlin, public pressure forced the authorities to buy back their water services after privatisation saw charges skyrocket and services deteriorate. In Spain, citizens are mobilising against water cut-offs.

Up to 80,000 families have lost their water supply there due to austerity.

I have spent my first year as an MEP meeting with the various water stakeholders, including campaign groups, unions, NGOs and both public and private water companies.

It became clear very quickly that the EU Commission has actively promoted privatisation and water charges in member-states, despite EU law stating that they have no right to do so.

The Boylan Right2Water report clearly instructs the Commission to respect its legal neutrality and to cease

interference. It stresses the contradictions between the actions of the Troika and the EU law on member-states’ right to choose how best to deliver water services.

It also states ver y clearly that privatisation should not be promoted.

Thankfully, a Fine Gaelsupported amendment to the report that tried to delete these paragraphs was defeated.

The repor t rejects austerity and seeks to address the growing affordability issue of water across the EU. Ireland’s method of funding water services through general taxation is the most progressive way of paying for water. It is based on the individual’s ability to pay.

Unfortunately, this is not the case in many EU countries.

The report calls for a study on water poverty to be carried out. I believe this would show that Ireland’s general taxation model is in fact best practice for dealing with the affordability of water.

This report calls for all revenues to be reinvested into water infrastructure rather than

Sinn Fein MEP Lynn Boylan: “Comparing water to other utilities such as electricity is nonsense – you cannot survive without water. This is why enshrining water as a human right in a legal framework is so important.”

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‘The EU Commission has actively promoted privatisation and water charges in member-states, despite EU law stating that they have no right to do so’

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profiting from water. It declares that water is a public good, and not a commodity.

It also rejects the use of water cut-offs. Water is essential for life, and cutting off someone’s supply because they cannot afford it is a violation of human rights.

Comparing water to other utilities such as electricity is nonsense

– you cannot survive without water. This is why enshrining water as a human right in a legal framework is so important.

Other important points included in this report is an exclusion of water services from the internal market, and from trade deals such as the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partner-

ship (TTIP).

It calls for greater public involvement in decision making, and greater transparency. It also calls on the EU to do more to help bring universal access of water and sanitation to the developing world.

Despite the attempts

by Fine Gael’s group to block this report at the Environment Committee in June, and to delete all the really progressive points from it when it came before the Parliament, the Right2Water report passed without the support of Fine Gael and their group.

This report delivers a serious blow to the pri-

vatisation agenda of the right-wing groups in the EU. It sends out a clear message to the Commission to stay out of member-states’ organisation of water services, and to respect the wishes of the people.

It is a massive victory for the Right2Water Campaign, and the 1.8m people who signed the citizens’ initiative calling for water to be a human right.

Tuesday, September 8 was a David and Goliath day for water campaigners everywhere!

Lynn Boylan Sinn Fein MEP

17 September 2015 DUBLIN CITY Gazette 9

revival FF policy to boost jobs and make areas more attractive

New start for urban villages?  keith bellew

Fianna Fail councillors have proposed a series of measures to rejuvenate villages like Rathmines, Drumcondra, Finglas, Ballyfermot and Raheny which they say are being left behind in the economic recovery.

The party’s Finglas and Ballyfermot councillors, Paul McCauliffe and Daithi de Roiste respectively, have created a policy document which targets villages within the city confines that have suffered serious decline in recent years at the hands of large out-of-town shopping centres.

The document aims to make them more attractive places in which to shop and socialise, thereby creating jobs and boosting community

spirit.

The proposals include setting up a village team for each urban village comprising the local Tidy Towns chairperson, a Garda community sergeant, local business owners and Dublin City Council planning experts; selecting a village manager in each of the nine electoral districts to coordinate the work of the village teams; and the roll-out of well-organised village markets and village festivals that complement businesses and help increase footfall.

Additional proposals include reduced commercial rates for new village-based businesses and those in key areas; a commercial rates surcharge of 15% on out-of-town shopping centres; 90 minutes free parking in urban

villages; and disincentives to prevent landlords from leaving units vacant or rendering them unrentable.

Chairperson of the council’s enterprise and economic development policy committee, Cllr McCauliffe says radical action is needed to save Dublin’s villages.

“Villages like my own [in] Finglas have been the heart of Dublin communities for decades. However, many have suffered hugely in recent years due to changes in shopping trends and the economic climate. Sadly, too many of our once vibrant and action-packed urban village centres have lost their vibrancy, and are instead littered with closed down shops, vacant units and a sense of decline,” he said.

To achieve sustained growth, a village must

Cllr Paul McCauliffe (FF): Radical action is needed to save and rejuvenate Dublin’s villages like Rathmines

have a clear vision for the future and a concrete framework for growth, he believes.

Cllr de Roiste says people are being driven out of the city to large shopping centres, making it increas-

ingly difficult for business owners to run sustainable businesses in village centres and meet the high operating costs involved.

“This plan is about bringing together those working and living in

our communities, supporting struggling businesses, encouraging local employment, increasing footfall and making our villages attractive, fun and safe places to be,” he said.

grants Groups urged to apply COMMUNITY groups in Dublin city are being advised to apply for grants through the Dublin City Council Community Grants Scheme 2016 before the deadline next month.

Dublin City Council says the purpose of the scheme is to support community groups with their activities and projects by promoting the participation and involvement in the city.

Grants are available for projects in the areas of community development, social inclusion, integration, local area issues and informal adult education.

Deputy Terence Flanagan (RI) urged local groups in Dublin Bay north to apply before it is too late.

10 DUBLIN CITY GAZETTE 17 September 2015

GAZETTEGALLERIES

Jonothan Sultan, marketing manager for Canon in Ireland, with Lisa Griffin, winner of the Canon Young Fashion Photographer of the Year competition

A catwalk full of fresh designs by established Irish designers had the audience in thrall. Pictures: Pearl Phelan

EYE-CATCHING: DUBLIN FASHION FESTIVAL SHOW IN SPOTLIGHT Model wears fashion by Katie Donohue from Griffith College Dublin, who was awarded Young Designer of the Year 2015

City couture is haute!

W

Geraldine and Jenny Nolan who were at the show to support Young Designer of the Year

Ann Marie Proudfoot, Niamh Lynch, Margot Cullen and Katie Hanlon from

Finalist Ally Nolan

Dublin Institute of Design

HAT’S set to be hot in fashionable circles over the coming season was on display on the outdoor catwalk in the somewhat cool shadow of the historic Bank of Ireland building in Dublin city centre recently. The event was part of the weeklong Dublin Fashion Festival, which had something for fashionistas of many hues. The festival involved over 250 retailers, bars, shops and restaurants taking part in events across the city. Fashions shows featured on Grafton and Henry streets along with shows by upcoming designers. Designer of the Year and Canon Young Photographer of the Year awards were high points of the week.

Maria Kelly, director of Dublin Fashion Festival Clyde Carroll and Lou Conlon

17 September 2015 DUBLIN CITY Gazette 11

12 Gazette 17 September 2015

gazetteGALLERIES

Cathy Belton, Paul Mercier and Eleanor Methven

Meghan Moynihan and Eimear Walsh

premiere: LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!

In pursuit of fun I

Ireland’s leading actors gathered in Dublin for the premiere of new Irish action film, Pursuit, which is directed by Paul Mercier and sees Brendan Gleeson, Ruth Bradley and Liam Cunningham take centre-screen. Pictured on the red carpet ahead of the Dublin premiere were the stars of the film, including Bradley, Cunningham, Barry Ward, Dara Devaney, Owen Roe, Don Wycherley, David Pearse, Ciaran O’Brien, Emmet Kirwan and Donall O Healai.

Set between Connemara and the Spanish Costa del Sol, Pursuit is a modern take on the legend of Diarmuid and Grainne; a tale of love, betrayal, revenge and the pursuit of a life beyond crime, which features car chases galore, placing the Skoda Octavia RS firmly in the limelight.

Actor Liam Cunningham, Sabina Higgins, President Michael D Higgins, actress Ruth Bradley and director Anne Gately at the Skoda Dublin premiere of Pursuit at the IMC Cinema in Tallaght. Pictures Brian McEvoy

Sinead and Nell Mercier

Actor Dara Devaney

17 September 2015 Gazette 13

14 Gazette 17 September 2015

Gazette

dublinlife A celebration of cultural diversity EVERYONE in Dublin is being encouraged to come out and celebrate the city’s cultural diversity at the free BlueFire Street Fest on September 19 in Smithfield Square.

Last year’s BlueFire Street Fest drew 10,000 attendees and the organisers are anticipating a 12,000 crowd this year.

Smithfield Square is being decked out on the day with art installations, which include visual artist Ashleigh Downey’s Blooming Bunting project and artistic demonstrations by the Temple Bar art gallery, The Icon Factory.

This is the festival’s third birthday and the

highlights this year include live sets by eight Dublin-based bands, including members of Kila, Manden Express, Ajo Arkestra, Kiruu, Rhythm Africana, Ayodele, SuperTonic Orchestra and The Bionic Rats.

Street fest attendees have the opportunity to avail of up to 50 free

diary

expert-led workshops across a wide range of activities including yoga, capoeira and DJ-ing.

The all-day festival runs from noon until 10pm and admission is free. Visit www.bluefiredublin.ie for more information.

Future’s at home in dublin village Dublin2020 will create an exciting mini village on O’Connell Street for Culture Night on September 18.

From 5.30pm to 8.30pm, visitors to Dublin Village will meet an ideagenerating robot, who will literally eat people’s ideas about the future of their city.

Next, visitors will meet positive protesters, who will be shouting about the thoughtprovoking ideas that have been collected by Dublin2020 during their meetings and workshops with more than 3,000 citizens of Dublin.

At the Tea and Chats Tent, busybodies Ethel and Lillie will be entertaining visitors and asking what makes them tick. The comedic pair will also treat guests to tea and a very special Dublin2020 cake, all set to the sounds of old time music.

Guests with energy to burn can step into the Jungle of Games and play a special Dublin version of Snakes and Ladders, and huge versions of old school games such as Giant Jenga.

All ages are welcome to pitch in and paint a collective community street mural led by artist Jane Groves entitled, I’m Mad about Dublin.

Yoga with Marta is one of the workshops on offer during the BlueFire Street Festival

sleeptember loves bed-head selfies MONEY worries still cause 22% of people in Ireland to lose sleep occasionally, according to Ireland’s first National Sleep Survey, commissioned by bed and mattress provider King Koil to mark the month of Sleeptember.

The month of September has been dedicated Sleeptember, with a campaign backed by popular GP Nina Byrnes designed to provide advice on good sleep and its health benefits.

A charitable dimension to Sleeptember sees Temple Street Children’s Hospital benefit from a campaign asking people to share their not-alwaysflattering “bed-head selfies”.

The charity appeal,

supported by Irish rugby International Cian Healy, is asking people to be brave by tweeting their own “bed head selfie”, or to nominate a friend, and donate €4. Tweet your “bed head selfie”, with hashtags #Sleeptember, #BedHeadSelfie or nominate a friend, and text HOSPITAL to 50300 to donate €4 to Temple Street Children’s Hospital. For further information visit www.

Sleeptember.ie.

highlighting sexual assault WELL-known Dublin columnist Fiona Looney recently opened up about an incident in her 20s when she was sexually assaulted.

Talking on an episode of Midday on TV3, she discussed the incident during a panel discus-

sion about controversial remarks made by Chrissie Hynde (The Pretenders), who said she was at fault for a sexual assault at the age of 21.

On the programme, Looney said: “At the time, it was the worst thing that ever happened to me. But afterwards, the amount of people, and I hate to say this, mainly women, who said: ‘Yeah, but your skirt was really short and you were quite drunk’.

“I’m sorry – how is that my fault that a man forced me down and pulled my legs apart?

How is that my fault because of what I was wearing?” she said.

During the show, Ellen O’ Malley Dunlop from the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre urged anyone who is a victim of an assault or rape to ring their helpline at 1800 77 8888.

17 September 2015 Gazette 15

FEATURE escape the mayhem: moments of calm are precious

Cheesy music in the car helps – no joke!  aisling kennedy

AS a stand-up comedian, an actress who makes appearances on Irish shows such as Republic of Telly, and a mother to three young children, Emma Doran from Rathfarnham is a woman who has a hectic schedule.

She spoke to the G a z e t t e t h i s we e k , explaining how she manages to escape the mayhem of her busy lifestyle.

“I find that I just have to take the moment of calm when it appears,

I don’t really set time aside,” she says.

“If I have a bit of time to myself, which can be something as simple as being in the car before a gig, I love to write or just listen to some music.

There’s no distractions or noises or anything like that. I just take that moment because I never know when it’s going to appear again. Quietness is a big luxury for me and I do enjoy it when I get the chance!”

Doran explains that she enjoys writing jokes

and sketches for her comedy show when she gets the chance and particularly loves listening to “bad music” during her quiet times.

She says: “I listen to awful, awful music! I love the pure cheese factor stuff like when you’re in the car on your own and you’re belting it out.

I always have to remember to quickly change the radio station off the cheesy stations when other people get into my car so I don’t look bad.”

Doran is currently

writing her comedy show about being a mother to her three children, Ella (12), Joe (two) and Tammy (seven months), and the challenges and laughs that ensue.

“It’s my first solo show and I just thought I’d give it a go because I couldn’t go to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this year as my baby is still so young. I just thought I need to get all of this off my chest so this show is how I’m doing it.”

When asked if she has any advice for any

Actress and stand-up comedian Emma Doran

young mothers on how to escape the mayhem she laughs: “Yes, if your child or particularly your baby is sleeping and you’re thinking to yourself that they have been asleep for

a while, don’t worry. Just leave them asleep. Don’t question it, just take that time. Any little windows of time that you get, just take them.”

Doran will appear in

her solo show, Mammy Wants a Drink, at the Mill Theatre in Dundrum on September 18 and 19, 2015.

Tickets are available at www.milltheatre.ie

Gazette

16 Gazette 17 September 2015

dublinlife

feature

When choice makes it impossible to choose CONSUMERS have never had so much choice. When described like that, this sounds like a good thing. Consumers have also never had to make so many difficult decisions. Put this way, the same idea is a bit less enticing.

This increase in choice, and decisions has partly come about because of changes in technology, but also because of the opening up of many markets to greater competition.

These include the markets for gas, electricity, telecommunications, health insurance and various financial services, like banking, credit cards and pensions.

When buying these products, the available choices and the number of features of the product we must consider can feel overwhelming.

Some experts in decision-making believe that making good decisions in these markets has become almost impossible. It can be very difficult to decide which product is most suitable for us.

Decisions are difficult also when we must predict the future, as when buying a house.

As well as weighing up the many different features of each property, we have to consider what might happen to prices, the direction of interest rates and how confident we are that we can earn enough in future to meet mortgage repayments.

The ESRI (Economic and Social Research Institute), the State-run think tank, is now con-

ducting a research programme in behavioural economics. Behavioural economists study the psychological factors behind our economic decisions – why we choose what we do, how we go about it, whether we make accurate and consistent decisions, and so on.

Behavioural economics has developed rapidly in recent years. It uses experiments to study our decisions scientifically.

The results are changing the way economists around the world think about how markets work.

In Ireland, the ESRI now has a behavioural economics laboratory, PRICE Lab. It is funded by four of the main economic regulators: the Central Bank, the Communications Regulator (ComReg), the Commission for Energy Regulation and the recently formed Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.

Consumers in the Dublin area can come to PRICE Lab to take part in these experiments. The ESRI pays them a small fee and the experiments take around one hour of people’s time.

They involve sitting in front of a computer screen and making lots of choices between different products at different prices. The participants who perform the best at the tasks win vouchers.

The findings are already proving interesting. It turns out that most of us find it difficult to weigh up more than two or three features of a product at

Dr Peter Lunn, Senior Research Officer at the ESRI which now has a behavioural economics laboratory, PRICE Lab

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

When choosing between houses, mortgages or health insurance, which can differ in dozens of ways, consumers are likely to struggle -------------------------------------------------------

Dr Peter Lunn

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

the same time.

That’s not a problem in markets where there are only a few things that need careful consideration, but when choosing between houses, mortgages or health insurance plans, which can differ from each other in

dozens of different ways, it suggests that consumers are likely to struggle.

Many may fail to choose the best option or end up paying more than they should.

Companies can also exploit this limit in the amount of information

that consumers can handle. They can promote the one or two product features that make the product look good and successfully hide the features on which it is inferior to competitors.

They can also list prices as discounts from a “standard” price. This looks attractive, but PRICE Lab’s findings show that it makes life harder for consumers, who must process two pieces of information instead of one.

Another result to emerge from PRICE Lab is that we find it easier

to choose when product features are straightforwardly good or bad.

Examples are the speed of broadband or the price per unit of gas, where more of the good thing or less of the bad thing is always better.

We str uggle more when a feature can be both too little or too great, so that we need to find the level that is just right, like with the number of minutes of talk-time or the duration of a mortgage.

PRICE Lab’s aim is to discover what kinds of products and prod-

uct descriptions make it easier or harder for us to make good decisions.

In some cases it may be possible for regulators to promote marketing practices that help consumers, or to prevent companies from using pricing methods likely to cause them to make errors. If you would like to contribute to this research by participating in the experiments, you can sign up at www. esri.ie/be.

Dr Peter Lunn Senior Research Officer at the ESRI

17 September 2015 Gazette 17

travel P20

asdfsdaf P27 gaming P25

OUT&ABOUT Never be out of the loop on what’s happening in Dublin! Let Out&About be your guide to all that is stylish, cultural and essential across the city and beyond this week



Gazette

style P18

Pets A husky full of love and beans

Vampires Camille Ross and Robert McDermott were not happy to be caught veggie shopping on Moore Street ahead of the Bram Stoker Festival. Picture: Andres Poveda

Bram Stoker: weekend invites you to get in touch with your dark side

A ‘bloody great craic’ fest

 keith bellew kbellew@dublingazette.com

THE Bram Stoker Festival returns in 2015, with a programme full of gloriously Gothic events for the October Bank Holiday Weekend.

Each year the festival is organised by a different team with an entirely different programme of events.

This week The Gazette spoke to this year’s festival organiser, Tom Lawlor, about the festival highlights.

He says the goal of this year’s team is to give Dublin four days of stories and deadly adventures. This year’s programme aims to open out the festival to Dubliners and international visitors.

“Largely, we’re looking at the city centre as somewhere that has a very

Gothic history and we’re opening that history up to people in the city across four days of the October bank holiday weekend.

“We’ve programmed the entire festival so you can experience it by day and by night; so there are day events and night events. The daytime events are what we’re calling Living Stories, so it’s a chance to delve a little bit deeper into Dublin’s dark past.”

He added that a number of the daytime events are geared towards families and children.

One of these is Stokerland, a Victorian-themed pop-up park, which will be located at Wolfe Tone Square on October 25.

Stokerland will provide a range of activities including tents where fami-

lies can have a tin plate Victorian portrait taken, receive Gothic makeovers, and Victorian goodies. Fancy dress is encouraged.

One of the biggest highlights of this year’s festival will be the return to Dublin of world-renowned street artist Maser, who will create an interactive installation in Smithfield Square.

“He’s going to be building an interactive installation, which will look like a utopian city that people can wander through and that’s going to be on display throughout the festival.

“Also,we have a Twilight procession by the Galway company, Macnas, who were here last year. They’re coming back with their citywide parade from 5pm on bank holiday Monday.

“They will parade along three dif-

ferent routes that people can join, and which will culminate in Wolfe Tone Square with some pyrotechnics.”

The main theme of the procession will be Angels and Demons.

Working with the Lighthouse cinemas in Smithfield, the festival will host a night of 1990s-era vampire flicks, including Blade I and II, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Francis Ford Coppola’s Dracula and Quentin Tarantino’s From Dusk til Dawn.

The festival’s flagship late-night gala party, New Blood, will be held at the Project Arts Theatre on October 25 and 26, with bespoke cocktails, local and international live acts and DJs and loads of bloody craic.

For a full list of programme events visit www.bramstkerfestival.com

The Dublin Gazette Newspaper Group have teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for lost and abandoned dogs.

Our Dog of the Week this week is Beans, a two-yearold female husky cross. If you’re looking for a super smart, cheeky monkey to share your life with then Beans could be the girl for you. Beans by name and beans by nature!

Beans needs to live in a calm, adult environment just to prevent her getting too giddy, as she is currently recovering from an old hip injury. Beans is very selective about the dogs she likes, so would do best as an only dog in the home. If you think you could offer Beans her forever home, please contact Dogs Trust on 01 879 1000.

They are based in Finglas, just off exit 5 on the M50. Map and directions can be found on their website www.dogstrust.ie.

You can also find them on Facebook www.facebook. com/dogstrustirelandonline or Twitter @DogsTrust_IE. Don’t forget that you can also support Dogs Trust by checking out their online shop www.dogstrustshop.ie

action using the new brush for a long-lasting, chip-free colour.

Suzanne’s top tips for great application are to follow a few simple steps: “Make sure the nails are shaped, filed and buffed before applying any polish.

“T hen, apply one thin layer of SOSU base coat, two thin layers of a SOSU colour of your choice, followed by a thin layer of SOSU top coat, allowing each coat to dry before applying the next.”

The new autumn/ winter collection colours range is available from pharmacies nationwide, Penneys stores, and selected nail salons.

All polishes are priced with a RRP of €7.99.

Feel ultimate comfort with latest Clarins eye palette THE new eye make-up palette from Clarins has 10 gorgeous, on-trend eye colours with a variety of matte and satin finishes.

Plant and mineral extracts such as musk rose oil and white meadowfoam guarantee a feeling of ultimate comfort on the lid.

The palette has a RRP of €43.

Fake brows with the best thanks to Urban Decay  mimi murray

I MAY not have been born with brows like Cara Delevingne, but with Urban Decay’s Brow Beater Microfine Brow Pencil and Brush (above), I can now fake it.

And, really, this product (with a RRP of €18.50) does the business. I have been using this product for a couple of weeks and have had numerous comments on my amazing arches. It’s simple to use, with a variety of colours on offer, and will become a constant in my make-up bag.

Tuck stitch jumper €15.97 Contrast stripe dress €25

Cardigan with zip €12.99; Grey jodhpurs €5.99; (Both available late November.)

 mimi murray

A NEW season can mean lots of new trends, and for those of us who like to remain fashionconscious, it can be a right pain for the cashstrapped!

So, Gazette Style has had a look at some ways you can stay bang on trend without breaking the bank.

The 70s are a massive theme throughout autumn-winter that has carried forward from the summer, so pull out a pair of flares from Heatons, and team with a simple roll-neck from Littlewoods. Easy peasy.

Have a look at some other key items to keep you snug and sartorially sound this winter.

Tube skirt €20

LIDL

AFTER great success launching her 25-colour gel nail polish collection, Suzanne Jackson has added eight new colours to her SOSU by Suzanne Jackson range for the autumn/winter season.

Warming greys, bold reds and glistening golds are some new colours you can expect to see in stores by the end of August.

As well as adding eight new colours to the range, all polishes will include a new brush for a simple and quick application.

SOSU Nail Polish is an innovative gel nail polish that requires no UV lamp and results in long-lasting, salon quality nails. The polish can easily be applied in one

Khaki parka €15.99

Faux leather leggings €6.99

L ITT L E W O O D S

Brighten up autumn nails with new SOSU

H EAT O N S

OUT&ABOUT

SO70SSTYLE

Gazette

18 Gazette 17 September 2015

Roll neck top €22

Embellished jeans €47

Patchwork poncho €53

17 September 2015 Gazette 19

Gazette

STYLE

Stars inspire Juvi’s glittering bracelets

Black and white tea dress €20; Snake back boots €25; Bag €15

Knit roll neck €20 True denim flare €25

True denim skinny €22.50

Tan biker jacket €19.99 Khaki waterfall top €12.99

Grey jumper dress €9.99

Lidl items mostly available from midto late-November

AWARD-winning Irish beauty. jewellery company, Juvi “Out walking one Designs, has unveiled moonless night, I was its Shooting Star collec- overwhelmed looking tion for autumn-winter, up; I can only describe introducing delicate it as magical beauty. stars in sparkling gold, “There were more rose gold and shining stars than I had ever silver, paired with beau- seen, along with gortiful precious gems. geous star clusters and From the cute Lucky the beautiful band of Star stud earrings to the Milky Way.” the elegant You Are My Juvi’s carefully crafted Shining Star bracelet Shooting Star collection and Star Clusis made by Julie and Vinter necklace, cent at their studio these lightin Dublin. weight J u l i e pieces said: “Stars are percan mean fect for a lot to Gold vermeil €59, l ay e rpeople, Silver €55 ing and symwill add bolisa sparkly ing anytwinkle to thing any look. f r o m Husband a new and wife duo beginning to a Julie Danz and Vincent turning point in Tynan began casting a person’s life. They tiny stars in sterling remind us of distant lovsilver, and plating with ers, adventures, friends, layers of 24-carat gold family, past dreams and and rose gold, follow- future hopes. I think ing a trip to a famous stars are magical, and stargazing spot in Ball- that’s what this collecinskelligs, County Kerry tion represents.” earlier this year.

With prices starting J u l i e s ay s : “ T h e from €45, Juvi’s Shootr e s e r ve i s n e s t l e d ing Star collection is beneath the moun- available at House of tains and overlooks Fraser, Arnotts, Kilkenthe Atlantic Ocean. ny, independent retailIf you’ve ever visited ers throughout Ireland, Kerry, you will know of or at www.juvidesigns. its outstanding natural com.

Luxury Body Shop oils  mimi murray

Loop knit jumper €74 Rochelle Humes high waist jeans €39

Rip and repair skinny jeans €43

South Mongolian coat €240; Definitions orange suede shirt €35; TFNC black polo €25; Carvella black boots €240

THE Oils of Life range is a new daily life-infusing skincare range from the Body Shop that revitalises, replenishes and revives skin, as well as visibly reducing the signs of ageing.

What makes this range so special is the three precious and potent natural seed oils that are used to make this range – black cumin seed oil, camellia seed oil and rosehip seed oil.

I loved these products – such as the facial oil (right), €48 – as they feel beautifully decadent and the packaging will look great in any bathroom.

Gazette

20 Gazette 17 September 2015

OUT&ABOUT

fast

TRAVEL NEWS

TRAVEL

tranquil: Keeping rural luxury real with woodland forage

Sunny alternative to those winter blues WE all look forward to a break at Christmas time, but it seems the stress of the holiday season can make us even more tired when we come back to work in January.

What’s the solution? Take a sun holiday!

Abbey Travel has come up with its top three Christmas sun destinations for those looking to escape from the winter cold.

First on the list is Puerto Rico in Gran Canaria.

Puerto Rico is perfectly positioned on the southern side of the island, which means it is warm and sunny all year round.

Puerto Del Carmen in Lanzarote takes second place on the list of Abbey Travel’s top destinations to spend the Christmas period in.

Finally, Corralejo in Fuerteventura comes in third, and is ideal for those interested in a much more peaceful time than many of the other resorts on the Canary Islands.

To book your Christmas holiday visit www. abbeytravel.ie.

Abbey Travel kicks off season packages

THE Premier League is back for the 2015-16 season.

With Abbey Travel you can be there in the flash to support your favourite team without the hassle of haggling for match tickets or trying to find a nearby hotel.

Abbey Travel is offering hotel-and-matchticket packages for Liverpool matches from €239, for Man United matches from €129, for Arsenal from €279 and Chelsea from €329.

Prices are per person and based on two sharing. Included is one night in a three-star city centre hotel, breakfast and guaranteed match ticket.

For more information on available packages, contact Abbey Travel on 01 8047102 or visit www.abbeytravel.ie.

Dainty old-world design and calm, neutral creams and greens are the hallmark of the Step House Hotel bedroom

A step above the rest for charm and fine food

 Aishling Phelan

THE drive into the picturesque village of Borris, County Carlow, as the sun sliced through the clouds and beamed on glorious Mount Leinster, was a treat in itself.

Sitting in the fertile valley of the river Barrow, the Step House Hotel faces the main gate to this Tudor-style ancestral home of the former Irish Kings of Leinster.

Ruby red roses and delicate baby’s breath were dotted around the boutique hotel, while inside the spacious bedroom was the prettiest hotel room I have ever stayed in, with its dainty oldworld design.

Its neutral cream decor with gold accents in every piece of furniture and sweeping powdery

green curtains made for the perfect atmosphere of tranquillity.

But the best was yet to come. As I stepped onto the large private balcony, the magnificent view, with small clouds floating across the expanse of Mount Leinster, took my breath away.

The luxury and character of the hotel made for an extra special weekend trip away.

First, it was time for a hands-on bread making workshop in the ballroom with head chef Alan Foley and his team.

We got to work on a brown bread recipe and the chefs also showed us how to make the range of white bread baked in the Step House kitchen.

Curry bread? No, I hadn’t heard of it either but I would later experi-

ence that culinary sensation at dinner.

After an afternoon of kicking back in our cosy room, it was off to the opulent surroundings of the private cocktail lounge for some bubbly treats.

The restaurant is a small, cosy and intimate space. After scanning the menu, which relies on an array of local produce, I began with a starter of tasty organic herb risotto. For the main event, I chose succulent roast plaice with artichoke, ravioli and mushroom juices. I passed on the luscious dessert offerings opting for the more humble sounding ice cream selection.

Sound boring? Not at the Step House Hotel.

I was presented with a divine combination of

coconut, caramel and passion fruit flavours.

The following morning, we delved into the woodlands on the outskirts of the Georgian village – after a delicious breakfast, of course.

We visited the 16-acre Blackstairs Ecotrails facility to take part in a Find It, Pick It, Cook It, Eat It workshop. The foraging walks are run by former Green Party TD and minister Mary White and husband Robert. They have been keeping records of the area’s diverse ecosystem since 1975.

Channelling my inner c­­­hild, I abandoned my smartphone and took just a small notepad and pen as we set off to explore the rich land.

We ducked under swinging branches, crossed wooden ­­­­­planks

guiding us across the streams and tip-toed over mossy carpets.

The couple spoke passionately about the land’s ecological community and I couldn’t help but envy their peaceful lifestyle. We discussed the Celtic history of the towering trees and picked wild garlic, enjoying its tangy aroma. Later, we returned to the workshop to make mouth-watering wild garlic pesto and sweet sloe gin.

Then it was time to go home but not before enjoying a wholesome serving of pumpkin soup, sandwiches and their signature bread selection.

I collected my brown bread made the previous day and left feeling like a master chef after my culinary weekend at Step House Hotel.

17 September 2015 Gazette 21

Gazette

FOOD&DRINK BITESIZEDNEWS

Donegal rapeseed oil wins as healthy option

Hophouse/Kimchi Korean/Japanese fare

60 Parnell St Hophouse/Kimchi’s impressive menu is extensive, with the traditional Korean side dish, kimchi, a spicy mix variety of seasoning, to set your tastebuds humming

The Picky Eater SOMETIMES you don’t want the Italian. Or the French. Or the burger. It’s Friday and after a hectic week, the smartphone makes a fusion takeaway too complicated. Go out?

Yes. But what to eat?

Nil desperandum.

Picky Eater is here to save you from this gastronomic indecision and send you downtown – to Parnell Street, and a little gem right beside the Shakespeare Pub, near the Gate Theatre, the Rotunda Hospital and the Gresham Hotel. Vintage Dublin, in other words.

The modern Hophouse/Kimchi slots in well, cosying up to the hostelry and offering sanctuary to the indecisive Friday-nighter.

Korean and Japanese food aplenty is on offer, with an ethnic or a domestic beverage to help you on your way. Green tea, plum wine, sake, Asahi, Kirin and Guinness to mention but a few are all on offer as accompaniments or pre-

prandial tipples to your sushi or bibimbap choice.

Once inside, there’s a busy-ness that makes you feel like a tourist in your own city. You couldn’t give the interior or exterior decor ten out of ten, but the food is excellent, fairly priced and the staff are cheerful – what more could you want, really?

The menu is extensive, with kimchi to set your tastebuds humming. This traditional Korean side dish is made of vegetables with a variety of seasonings. There are hundreds of varieties made from napa cabbage, radish, scallion, or cucumber as a main ingredient. So do have a dollop so you can say you tried it. Otherwise, it’s like eating “an Irish” without the spuds.

The menu is massive, but Picky was undaunted: for starters, we had vegetarian mandu (dumplings) and endamame beans (boiled and salted). The dumplings were piping hot and hopping with flavour.

Sweet chilli and soy dips kept the tastes alive. The beans we gobbled down with our Korean beer.

For mains, Picky’s companion had almost gone native, reminiscing about youthful trips to Korea and salivating over the upcoming bulgogi bibimbap. This signature Korean dish, which literally means “mixed rice”, was set before him and he breathed in deeply.

The steaming bowl of white rice was topped with namul (sauteed and seasoned vegetables) and gochujang (chili pepper paste) had a raw egg and sliced beef on top. He stirred the hot dish together thoroughly just before eating, and disappeared into seventh heaven.

Picky opted for a veg-

etarian bento box big enough for two: several chunks of silky tofu with contrasting crispy coat; two vegetable tempura – deliciously crunchy; a satisfying deep-fried slice of sweet potato rounded off with three pieces of sushi, and two little spring rolls.

Wasabi, pickled ginger, soy and sweet chilli sauces set it all off nicely.

The meal for two without dessert but with two beers and a green tea came to just over €50. The food had that “just cooked” air about it as it hit the table and our stomachs.

Hophouse/K imchi demands a return visit.

If you haven’t been, then get yourself down there ASAP. And, as Koreans say when raising a glass, Gun Bae!

Conclusion SET A stone’s throw from the city centre, Hophouse/Kimchi (at 60 Parnell St, Dublin 1; tel 01 872 8318) serves tasty, authentic Korean/Japanese staples at fair prices.

of vegetables with a

THE Donegal Rapeseed Oil Company has won awards for taste, and health benefits, for four consecutive years as it is fast becoming one of the world’s best producers of rapeseed oil.

What makes the county’s oil so special is the way, and where, the rapeseed is grown. Situated in Raphoe in the fertile Laggan district of east Donegal, the rapeseed oil company only uses rapeseed grown in soil along the Wild Atlantic Way by local farmers, which creates a delicious and unique taste experience.

As just some of its benefits, Donegal Cold Pressed Virgin Rapeseed Oil Donegal Cold Pressed Virgin Rapeseed Oil has 10 times more omega 3 than olive and coconut and some fish oils, and 10 times more omega 6 than coconut and olive oils. It is also very high in monounsaturated fats, which are beneficial for a healthy heart, is a good source of vitamin E, and contains no artificial preservatives and is GM free.

The French have been using rapeseed oil for years in all areas of cuisine. Irish cold-pressed virgin rapeseed oil is available in 250ml (RRP €3.99) and 500ml (RRP €5.99) sizes.

Gazette

22 Gazette 17 September 2015

OUT&ABOUT

CINEMA

ReelReviews

no escape

A sidestep for Wilson ANOTHER week on, and Owen Wilson still hasn’t found a way to get his family to safety in the middle of a violent coup in No Escape (Cert 15A, 103 mins). Drawing criticism in some quarters for its tone, the film marks an unusual sidestep for Wilson, setting aside his usual bromance comedies and feel-good films for this actioner, with Pierce Brosnan in a supporting role.

the visit

Creepy, yet amusing, too IN M Night Shyamalan’s latest, The Visit (Cert 15A, 94 mins), two kids are sent to their estranged country grandparents for a catch-up holiday – their first, with the old couple. However, events soon turn stranger and stranger at the farmhouse ... The two young leads turn in great, naturalistic performances, but Deanna Dunagan totally steals the show as the increasingly kooky, creepy grandma.

irrational man

Makes plenty of sense WOODY Allen’s latest, Irrational Man (Cert 15A, 95 mins) proves a talkily entertaining chance to waste 90 minutes at the cinema. A college professor with a less than perfect life is a great base to build a typically Woodyesque film on, with Joaquin Phoenix and Emma Stone crossing paths and words in several ways. Its messed-up characters provide plenty to sympathise with.

While the film won’t change the world, Robert Redford and Nick Nolte breathe plenty of life into their roles, turning in anything but wooden performances

a walk in the woods: takes an aimless but diverting journey

Tale stumbles along amiably

SPANNING more than 3,500km, the Appalachian Trail runs along the eastern length of the United States, cutting through a dozen national forests from Georgia up to Maine, and is one of the longest waymarked walks in the world.

With severe weather, bears, venomous snakes, and minimal infrastructure along the way – it is the kind of walk that madmen and fools tend to start – perfect cinematic fodder for A Walk in The Woods.

Bryson (Robert Redford) is an accomplished writer, who realises that most of his social life now revolves around attending funerals.

Reflecting on a life of travel and adventure, and

 Dave phillips

uncomfortable with facing into old-age, he becomes captivated with the idea of walking the Appalachian Trail as his last great hurrah, much to the dismay of his wife, Catherine (Emma Thompson).

Catherine’s infatuation with the multitude of risks facing Bryson on the trail lead to her insisting that he can only go on his adventure if he has company, and the only one of Bryson’s old crew willing to take the journey with him is his long-estranged

college friend, Katz (Nick Nolte).

The film is based on Bill Bryson’s best-selling memoir of the same name, and while some elements of the story have significantly changed in its transition to film (the real life Bryson and Katz were in their 40s when they walked the trail), the odd-couple pairing has remained.

Bryson is scholarly, stoical, and a little stiff in himself. He has a happy relationship with his wife, his kids have grown up successfully, and his grandchildren love him.

His books sell well, and the walls of his study are decorated with awards and honorary positions.

Katz, in contrast, maintained the wild-man

lifestyle; he never settled down, he has a history of struggling with booze, and he seems happiest when he is laying down playing harmonica to himself.

Accepting the age shift from the book, this is some spot-on casting.

Redford’s great at capturing that prim and proper veneer, but with a peek of something else just beneath the surface.

You can tell the tale is driven by a sense of jealousy and rage, rallying against the urge to go quietly into the good night.

Nolte channels his inner Bukowski; a whiskey-shone nose and a gravelly, broken voice bring decades of suffering to life in Katz, who hobbles painfully up and down the trail.

However, despite some great performances from the two leads, A Walk in the Woods does feel a little flat, possibly because it has the potential to go a lot deeper than it ever does. There is no doubt that Bryson and Katz’s misadventures are entertaining, but there is a larger, existential layer to the journey that seems frequently alluded to but never explored.

Perhaps director Ken Kwapis’s long history in TV comedy keeps the focus on the lighter, superficial elements of the story, and in fairness they are what he can make work.

Late night encounters with bears, altercations with local rednecks, and ditching awkward travelling companions (there’s

a fun cameo from Flight of the Conchord’s Kristen Schaal) are all handled expertly.

Elements such as Bryson’s sense of righteousness, or his relationship with his wife, or Katz’s problems with alcohol are explored much more clumsily and frivolously.

While the rigid Bryson and the unruly Katz eventually find a common understanding, the film’s attempt to marry its comedic and dramatic parts doesn’t end as well.

It still maintains that Sunday afternoon kind of vibe where you can watch two ageing greats have fun together, but you can’t shake the feeling that somewhere along the trail we took a wrong turn.

Verdict: 5/10

17 September 2015 Gazette 23

Gazette

MUSIC festival: electric picnic 2015, Stradbally

Sparks fly as the stars create electrifying gigs  colm murray

THIS week Gazette Music reviews Electric Picnic 2015, which provided plenty of flavour for music fans to tuck in to at this year’s festival.

Friday The addition of a few thousand more punters – to the official capacity of 51,000 – did little to dampen the boutique vibe. The absence of rain this year in the lead up to, and right through the weekend, was the icing on the cake.

Kicking off the main stage, festival favourites Ham Sandwich provided the first of many encroachments by band members to the crowd.

The Coronas followed suit, and got the job done to a rapturous welcome, and a no less powerful set.

With the majority of the stages not opening until the following day, a scheduling clash offered 90s shoegazers Ride their set a day early.

The opening chimes of Leave Them All Behind got the crowd going as they blazed through a blistering set of distortion-drenched classics.

Grace Jones and Underworld are no strangers to Stradbally. With the former still as eccentric and spellbinding as ever, she kept a hula hoop spinning in high heels for the duration of Slave To The Rhythm.

Under world, af ter the tingling Spoonman, and Dark & Long et al, finished up the evening with the obligatory Born Slippy, leaving the crowd to float off to wherever the evening took them.

Saturday The sun came out and remained for the duration of the day, adding a psychedelic hue to the by now completed site.

it was on to the main stage.

Hot Chip brought a little samba to the main stage, reworking Ready for the Floor with a wash of percussion. With a back catalogue of hits, they’ve grown into bonafide party starters, with a quirky take on Dancing In The Dark as the sun started to set.

It’s a shame that the sound system let them down in the volume department.

Chvrches were a huge draw at The Electric Arena, thanks to their blend of electro-lite pop.

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

‘A quick 360-degree look-around took in weird art installations, a distant fairground and a lot of trees, all soundtracked by genuinely unique psychedelica’

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

Battles were on top form, with drummer John Stanier’s rhythmic assault at the heart of everything.

The War on Drugs, over in the Electric arena, melted their epic American rock with sprinklings of Mike Scott’s Waterboys to produce a sound that stretched beyond the loyal throngs within.

A quick dash to hear the last few verses of Horse Outside from the Rubberbandits over in the comedy tent, and

But we were happy to make do with Yasiin Bey, arriving just in time for a seemingly spontaneous Biggie Smalls cover.

For such a genuine music icon, it was a relatively under-attended show, most likely because the average punter may only know this man by his former stage name, Mos Def. Dublin’s Meltybrains? were perfect for Body & Soul. A quick 360-degree look-around took in weird art installations, a

distant fairground and a lot of trees, all soundtracked by the band’s genuinely unique brand of beautiful, trippy rockpsychedelica.

Even a moment spent watching Meltybrains? defined this festival in a nutshell.

Just next door, and things were equally wild and wacky at the Jerry Fish Electric Sideshow.

Fight Like Apes were dealing with stage invasions and general chaos, with more people outside the tent impatiently peering in than could actually see the band. Push It, by Salt ‘n’ Peppa, was a carcrash cover.

As for Saturday’s headliners, Blur, they were arguably the biggest band to have played Electric Picnic.

With all interpersonal issues put to bed and energised with a new album, Blur were clearly enjoying themselves and the pressure is off.

Damon had the crowd in the palm of his hand from early on. Every song was gold, from There’s No Other Way through Badhead, Beetlebum and This is a Low. A muted greeting for the likes of For Tomorrow and even To the End suggested the average audience age was lower than we thought, however.

On the other hand, timeless classics such

Nice to see you too, Damon Albarn. Blur’s blistering set didn’t disappoint, with older classics to catch alongside contemporary tracks. Picture: Conor McCabe Photography.

as Song 2 and Parklife (performed with 11 fans plucked from the crowd – apparently one for each percentage of Irishness in Damon’s DNA) provided the greatest response from the crowd.

Sunday Jurassic 5 were the early afternoon crowd pleaser, with Cut Chemist and Dj Numark in tow. Concrete Schoolyard provided the biggest cheers of the afternoon, with heads bobbing in unison to a classic.

With the all-Ireland hurling final shown on a big screen next to the Mindfield, there was plenty to keep punters busy.

Heritage act Boomtown Rats gave it socks, with Geldof in great form, prowling the stage in his fake snakeskin suit,

Taking in the atmosphere at the Heineken Sound Atlas Tokyo area were Carmel Desmond and Karen Kenny

with killer tunes in tow.

Later, Manic Street Preachers launched into Motorcycle Emptiness, and their energy spread throughout the crowd. A perfect slot to have them in, and they wasted none of the opportunity.

It began here, six years ago for headliner Flor-

ence and the Machine.

Now a festival headliner, her set was reminiscent of the Glastonbury headliner set back in June.

As the closing echoes of a manic Dog Days are Over waved over us, it was time to see what we could salvage from the remainder of the evening.

GAZETTE

24 GAZETTE 17 September 2015

OUT&ABOUT

FastHEALTH Men, don’t delay – make Blue September the time to check up on cancer BLUE September has returned this year to raise awareness of, and start a dialogue on, male-specific cancers.

This year, the campaign – which is sponsored by VHI Healthcare – aims to highlight men’s attitudes to their health and to encourage men to be more proactive about checking themselves for signs of cancer.

To start this year’s campaign, the Men’s Cancer Alliance, in collaboration with Behaviour and Attitudes Research, conducted a survey of more than 900 Irish men of all ages and backgrounds and their knowledge of male-specific cancers, as well as their habits and attitudes towards their health.

The findings showed a marked lack of knowledge of cancer among men. Examples of this included that almost half of men researched in the risk/age category for testicular cancer would not be confident in recognising the common symptoms of the illness.

Some 80% of the men researched in the risk/age category for testicular cancer did not know that the best way to check for testicular cancer symptoms is a regular self-check.

In addition, 81% of men aged 16 and over in Ireland have neither checked themselves or been checked by a doctor for a prostate or testes-related problem.

Finally, 44% believed the reason for men being slower to visit their doctor compared to women is because they are afraid of finding out what the problem is, with 41% of respondents saying they would hope the symptoms would simply go away.

Micheal Sheridan, of the Men’s Cancer Alliance, and chief executive of Mercy Hospital Foundation, said the group has produced a series of pocketsized fold-out leaflets, with each dedicated to specific cancers.

He said: “These easy to read leaflets are available from Men’s Cancer Alliance website, at menscancer.ie.

“We are asking the public to support this campaign by organising a fundraising event, or by making a donation via www.blueseptember.ie.”

Launching Blue September 2015 were Mary Moorehead, Men’s Cancer Alliance (MCA), Micheal Sheridan, MCA; Dr Bernadette Carr, medical director, VHI Healthcare; ex-Ireland Rugby International Tony Ward and Richard Flaherty, MCA

MUSIC HEALTH

ON CALL PT: EXERCISING AT HOME COULD BE PERFECT FOR YOU

The personal touch to push your training

 SUZANNE SHEEHY

WITH the impending winter coming, there’re so many things to think about.

Inevitably, you will get carried away with school runs, taking on a new routine for the winter months ahead.

Plus, you will probably feel less energetic and getting in shape, so keeping your exercise routine going is less likely to be at the forefront of your mind as you just can’t find the time.

If this sounds like you, On Call PT is the solution. This is a home training service where dedicated trainers come to you so you can train in your own living room or at home, making it easier than ever to get in shape.

Once you contact On Call PT, you receive a free consultation. Your assigned trainer will come to your home. Body fat measurements, weight and blood pressure will be taken, and your trainer will also discuss your goals and your budget.

What people don’t realise is that you don’t need a huge space – an average size front room is sufficient to get a great quality workout, while a big back garden will also suffice.

I decided to try out On Call PT, and I found it very convenient. I was guided by my personal trainer, Dave Kenny, with a customised workout plan.

All the equipment that I needed in my training session was provided, from resistant bands, kettlebells, power bag, body

Whether for one-to-one training or to work out with your friends, On Call PT could be the perfect answer. Personal trainer Dave Kenny (main) provided a comprehensive set of exercises to maximise results.

pump barbell and boxing gloves.

My workout had great variety, with a mix up of mobility/flexibility and activation stretches, high-intensity exercise with short rest periods between sets.

Working both the upper and lower body, I finished up with some core exercises, consisting of sit-ups, Russian twists, plank holds and plank side touches, and I certainly felt those muscles working!

There was great structure and focus around my goals, and I found that there was no slacking

off during my workout, especially when things got tough.

Kenny encouraged me, and challenged me to do more than I would have done on my own. You just have to dig a little deeper to push yourself.

I would be keen on continuing monthly sessions to keep me focused and interested in my training.

Reasons Here are some words from On Call PT on the reasons to hire a personal trainer: 1. Motivation – training alone and motivat-

ing yourself can be hard.

Pushing yourself to do that last rep when you are at the end of your session can be even harder.

Our trainers are there to encourage, support and motivate you to ensure you get the best possible results from every workout.

2. Education – Our trainers take time with every client to go through the basics, ie correct form, lifting technique, stretches, etc. Knowing the basics will ensure that you execute your exercises correctly and will also help you to avoid any unnecessary injuries.

3. Support – Even when our trainers have left your home and your session is over, they are still there to support you. They offer online support for all clients.

Whether it’s questions about your diet – or a pep talk to help you on the tough days – they can be contacted.

Also, if you and your partner, or a group of friends, fancy getting together and training, then On Call PT can train you as a group.

For further information, call 085 7704302, email oncallpt@mail.com, or see www.oncallpt.net.

17 September 2015 Gazette 25

GAMING interview: composer jessica curry

WEEBYTES

Noteworthy insights into how music can affect gaming READERS may recall my recent look at the beautiful, enigmatic PlayStation 4 title, Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture, and my focus on its haunting soundtrack by Baftanominated composer Jessica Curry.

I caught up with Jessica last weekend, to learn first-hand a little more about her work and creative process. I began by asking her how she ended up composing computer game soundtracks, given that there aren’t many award-winning, critically acclaimed composers working in this field.

“I was dragged into the games industry kicking and screaming! Dan Pinchbeck [creative director/studio head at games studio The Chinese Room] was writing his PhD on first-person shooters, and asked me to write some music for one of the experiments that was linked to his doctorate.

“That game was Dear Esther [an award-winning, critically acclaimed and heavily narrative-driven title set on an unnamed island in the Hebrides], and the rest is history!”

While every composer has their own unique voice, who would be your main inspirations – whether classic composers or any contemporary

 shane dillon sdillon@dublingazette.com

bands and artists?

“I have a really wide range of people who inspire me – Bach, The Cardiacs, Joni Mitchell, Thomas Newman, Durufle, Wim Mertens and the Nashville soundtrack are currently on my playlist.

Told you it was eclectic!”

Your most recent, and critically lauded, soundtrack for Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture is a beautiful and perhaps quintessentially Englishsounding score, mixing pastoral melodies with occasionally sombre yet uplifting choral segments. Have you ever felt pressured to create more generic scores?

“The incredible part of the story is that I am also joint studio head at our company, The Chinese Room. This means that I can shape the titles that we make and there is never any pressure to conform to the norms of the games industry.

“We make games that are very different to the usual fare that is presented, so that means I have free rein with the music –

it’s a joy.”

When composing for a specific project such as Rapture, is there a principal hook that guides your work? What defines or guides your overall focus on a project?

“As always in our games, the music goes much further than just providing the emotional core of the game, although that’s vital, too. We use music as a storytelling device – often using lyrics to give the player backstory and additional context for understanding the game or a specific character.

“Rapture has been the most complicated score yet. Each of the six main characters has their own theme. The game is nonlinear and open-world, so the music had to act as a guide to the player.

“Creating distinct themes for each main character was one way of helping the player to locate who they were listening to. Remember, there are no character visualisations in the game. “ The choir also form a really important part of the musical story in the game; in a way, taking on the role of a Greek chorus, commenting on the action as it unfolds.

“They are also symbolic as, for me, the human voice represents so much of what this game is trying

Would-be American president, John McAfee

McAfee joins political race

Jessica Curry, an award-winning Bafta-nominated composer and joint studio head at games studio, The Chinese Room. Her most recent score accompanies Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture (below); a PlayStation 4 title set in a very pretty, deserted English village immediately after the apocalypse.

to say – we are here for such a short time, but it’s the connections that we form while we are here that matter.”

Yo u ’ v e a l r e a d y notched up some very impressive credentials, with collaboration work taking in such diverse institutions as the Royal Opera House and Great Ormond Street Hospital. Do you ever find that your video game composing is seen as less worthy of your talents, or are you happy that fans and critics alike judge your work on its own merits?

“I absolutely hate snobbery in any form, I just can’t abide it! Video games are as much a valid cultural form as anything else out there, and I will bare-knuckle fight anyone who says different!”

Given such success, to date, can you see yourself setting aside gaming scores to focus on more ‘purist’ compositional work, or are you happy to just keep working on projects that you find engaging, regardless of their origin?

“As in the past, I will continue accepting commissions that inspire and

JOHN McAfee – he of McAfee Antivirus software fame – has announced that he, too, is also running to be the next American president, as an Independent candidate.

Famously described

by Dean Barrow, the president of Belize, as being “extremely paranoid, even bonkers”, McAfee briefly went on the run in late 2012 in Belize after a neighbour of his was found dead of a gunshot wound, with McAfee blogging about his experiences of life on the lam and evading authorities.

Turning up in Guatemala City, and eventually being deported to America, Belizean authorities went on to drop any charges against McAfee.

Jedi scrapes at Skelligs

excite me. The medium that the music plays in has always been the least interesting aspect of the work I undertake, and I can’t see that changing.”

And, finally – what next for Jessica Curry?

“I am about to embark on a wonderful commission that hasn’t been announced yet. It’s in

collaboration with a very famous contemporary poet, and the work will premiere at Durham Cathedral next year. I can’t wait!”

The Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture soundtrack is available to buy on Amazon.com, priced £10.99/£6.99 digital download.

IT HAS just been revealed that Luke Skywalker (AKA actor, Star Wars icon and highly-popular gaming voiceover artist Mark Hamill) almost met an ignominious end at our own Skellig Michael last year.

Hamill joined a long list of people who’ve slipped climbing steep steps at the monastic rocky outcrop, and almost fell to his death.

Luckily, faster than a Jedi’s reflexes, a guide grabbed him, saving everyone’s favourite farm boy from Tatooine.

26 DUBLIN CITY GAZETTE 17 September 2015

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17 September 2015 dublin city gazette 27

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Gazette

28 gazette 17 September 2015

SPORT

FastSport Sandyford man makes switch to rotterdam: MITCH Darling made a stunning start to life with Rotterdam hockey club in the Netherlands after a last-ditch move to take up a professional contract last week.

He scored on debut for the Dutch giants in a 4-2 win over Pinkoke in the first round of the Dutch season having only moved to the club three days earlier. The Sandyford native was part of the Irish side that finished in third place at the European Championships in London in late August and was initially due to play for Three Rock Rovers in Dublin in the upcoming season before the Dutch club came calling.

Darling has previously played for SCHC and Den Bosch in the Netherlands and with KHC Leuven in Belgium.

He joins a sizeable Irish contingent in European leagues with former TRR club mates Phelie Maguire (Voordaan) and Andy McConnell (Hurley) also in situ.

golf: royal dublin man renews us rivalries after six year break

Kearney teams up for PGA  sport@dublingazette.com

NIALL Kearney’s last taste of team golf came in the Walker Cup on America’s east coast at Merion Golf Club,

Pennsylvania in 2009.

Six years later, the Royal Dublin pro will again be representing Great Britain and Ireland on US soil but this time in the PGA Cup on

Kearney with the PGA Cup

the west coast at CordeValle, California, from September 18-20.

Among his opponents in the Walker Cup was world top 10 player Rickie Fowler who helped the hosts win and America’s PGA pros will pose a similarly tough test as they bid to maintain their vice-like grip on the PGA Cup. Kearney is set to be a key part of Jon Bevan’s 10-man team which is aiming to create history by winning on US turf for the first time since the club pros’ equivalent of the Ryder Cup was first contested in 1973.

Kearney, who secured his place in the team by winning the PGA Play-

Royal Dublin’s Niall Kearney

Offs last November, is relishing the challenge.

“It is a trip I am really looking for ward to,” he said. “We had a get together at The Belfry where I met all the guys on the team that I didn’t know before and they’re are a great bunch.

“The captain Jon Bevan is a great guy – they laid out the itinerary – it is simply unbelievable – five-star treatment – and we are so motivated to beat the US team.”

The PGA Cup wasn’t on Kearney’s list of priorities when he teed up in last year’s PGA PlayOffs but it is filling his thoughts ever more as the date nears.

“The PGA Cup was always in the back-

ground a bit, then gradually the paper work started to come through – getting the itinerary and then finally the gettogether at The Belfry – it is all building up now – it’s going to be something special “ T h e Wa l ke r C u p was back in 2009 – so that’s a long time ago.

I enjoyed the team environment and the different formats. The Irish teams were great – really good times, we gelled really well and had some successful periods as well.”

With GB&I having won just once since 1984, the pressure is on Kearney and his teammates to regain the magnificent Llandudno Trophy and Bevan has

been stoking the fires among his players. “ J o n ’s m o t i v a t i o n is that America don’t want to play it any longer simply because they don’t see it as a contest.

That’s our motivation – that’s all we needed.

“GB&I have been working really hard – they have a great team together, they are giving us the best chance of overturning the Americans.

“The standard of the players competing on the GB&I team is really good, there are some very strong competitors.

“They are golf guys – comfortable in the environment. I really think we can do well and win it.”

McCrystal and Boylan best of the Irish at Ras na mBan  sport@dublingazette.com

Garda cycling club’s Eve McCrystal celebrates winning the best Irish rider category. Picture: Lorraine O’Sullivan

DUBLINER Lydia Boylan and Garda cycling club’s Eve McCrystal both finished in the top 10 on general classification following a fine performance at last week’s Ras na mBan. Boylan finished in sixth place overall, riding in the Team WNT bib, just 26 seconds off the pace set by eventual winner Stephanie Pohl from Germany.

Boylan previously rode for Orwell Wheelers before moving across to Nottingham in England and, as such, was riding in

the British category.

As such, despite finished 10 seconds further back, McCrystal was the top finisher in the Irish category with a ninth place finish overall after 390km of racing across six stages around Ireland at an average speed of 36.979km/h.

Indeed, both riders did make a burst for glory on last weekend’s final stage when they raced clear in the closing kilometres, opening up an advantage of 15 seconds as the charged towards the line.

But they were both caught

inside the final kilometre setting up the group sprint to the line taken in emphatic style by Scotland’s Eileen Roe in Ennis to deny them a huge victory.

The former British Circuit Race champion powered up the finishing straight ahead of double stage winner Grace Garner (Team RST) from England and Germany’s Stephanie Pohl (South Netherlands-Energy HR).

Pohl’s third place thus protected the seven-second advantage she held over Roe to secure overall honours in the tenth edition

of An Post Ras na mBan. Pohl is the second German winner of the event following Stephanie Gronow’s victory in the first event in 2006.

Clare County Council Best Irish Rider was the preserve of McCrystal throughout the week and, after an early bike change, she was soon back in the pack ready to contend for stage honours.

Best Irish team award went to the Richie’s Garda CC squad of McCrystal, Catherine McAteer, Orla Montague, Karen Robinson and Claire McIlwaine.

17 September 2015 gazette 29

Gazette

Iconic Fenway Park to host Dub hurlers Boston will play host to a unique contest in November when Dublin meet Galway in the new Super 11s format, the first time the city will host a game of this magnitude since 1954  nathan kelly

sport@dublingazette.com

ONE of the world’s most iconic sporting stadiums will host our own iconic sport this November after it was announced the Dublin Senior Hurlers will face Galway in Fenway Park.

The home of the Boston Red Sox will host the AIG Fenway Hurling Classic on Sunday November 22.

The announcement was made by AIG Insurance in Ireland, the GAA, the Gaelic Players’ Association (GPA), and Fenway Spor ts Management (FSM) on Tuesday in Croke Park.

Launch events also took place in the famous Boston stadium after Boston Mayor Marty Walsh made the announce-

ment stateside.

Director general of the GAA Paraic Duffy praised the importance of such an event. “It is encouraging to see the interest and impact our national game can have overseas and we’re delighted to be involved in this project for that reason,” he said.

“Our overseas network is extremely important to us and bringing hurling to what is widely recognised as an Irish city outside Ireland is massively important to us. It will be an occasion to remember on November 22 as two excellent teams from Dublin and Galway demonstrate the best skills of our games.”

The game will form part of an Irish Festival at Fenway Park on

the weekend where all aspects of Irish culture and music will be celebrated. It will be played the day after Boston College take on the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame at Fenway.

The Dublin vs Galway clash will be a fresh experience for the intercounty stars as it will be played in the Super 11s format. Super 11s, which is the brainchild of the GPA, is an 11-a-side format of traditional hurling.

It allows hurling to be played in stadiums and venues across the globe where the pitch size or playing area is smaller than that of a traditional pitch here in Ireland.

Only goals can be scored in the format which may take some getting used to for the

Dublin senior hurler Dotsy O’Callaghan at the launch. Picture: Ramsey Cardy / Sportsfile

Dublin and Galway stars but specific training sessions will be organised by the GAA to ensure both sides are accustomed to the rules ahead of the match.

Donal Og Cusack, chairman of the GPA, was also on hand to praise the idea at the

General manager of Dublin GA A’s sponsor AIG Ireland Declan O’Rourke, stated that the links between Boston and Ireland should make this a truly momentous occasion.

“We are absolutely delighted and hugely proud to be able to bring

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

‘I don’t need to explain the close ties Boston has to Ireland and why Fenway is a fitting venue’ - Declan O’Rourke

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

Croke Park launch. “The AIG Fenway Hurling Classic is a truly wonderful opportunity for us to exhibit hurling at a high profile US sporting venue, and there is none more iconic than the home of the Red Sox,” he said.

“We believe that hurling ranks alongside the best sports in the world and the staging of this game in Fenway is part of our commitment to convey that message to a new and influential audience.”

It will be the first time since November 1954 that hurling will be played at the home of the Red Sox. It was back 61 years ago that the then All-Ireland champions Cork took on and defeated an American hurling selection.

hurling to the iconic Fenway Park in Boston.

I don’t need to explain the close ties the city of Boston has to Ireland and that is why it is a fitting venue to play host to one of our national games.”

Finally, Sam Kennedy, president of Fenway Sports Group, which is the parent company of the Boston Red Sox and Liverpool FC, was confident the Dublin and Galway hurlers can entertain his hometown fans.

“Hurling is one of the most electrifying sports in the world and we think fans are going to enjoy watching all the fastpaced action as two of the most accomplished and talented counties compete on the pitch at Fenway Park.”

expertView

Top coach Bowes casts his eye over Rugby World Cup For the duration of the Rugby World Cup, former Edinburgh and Marlborough player Dennis Bowes, now a highly decorated coach working primarily with Barnhall, will give his thoughts on the key battlegrounds in the competition.

It’s nearly here, four years in the waiting.

As a teenager back in 1987 I set my alarm clock for 1.30am to wake up and watch France play Scotland in a thrilling 22 all draw in the first ever rugby world cup competing for the now famous William Webb Ellis Cup. And now we are here again for the eighth World Cup and what a fantastic spectacle it will be.

This may prove to be the biggest and best so far with 20 teams playing in 13 venues in 48 games and, at 6pm on October 31, we will have our winner.

Will we have a new name on the Webb Ellis?

Or will the mighty All Blacks retain it This Friday, we get off to a flying start with the host nation and former winners playing the flying Fijian.

Being a total romantic, I would love to see the upset of upset here and I do think this could prove to be one of the games of the tournament.

This, I feel, could be a fascinating encounter with real physicality, pace and flare coming from the south sea islanders they are a real threat with ball in hand and if their set piece can hold they could do well here.

One of the main areas to keep an eye on will be around the match officials and theriedecision making and the speed of the those decisions; how many times will we go to the TMO for simple decisions that could be made without the arm chair viewer losing the will to live; and how many reset scrums and penalty tries will we see?

On the home front, a strong Ireland team go into battle on Saturday against a tough Canadian team.

I see them coming through this in the last 20 minutes by 20+ points and building nicely into there pool, let’s hope injury free ,as their depth will count later in the group against French team that are very dangerous and unpredictable come World Cup time.

Gazette

30 dublin city gazette 17 September 2015

SPORT

FastSport

Soccer: amateur sides undone by league of ireland opposition

Shelbourne celebrate 120 years of The Reds SHELBOURNE FC were honoured with the unveiling of a plaque at Slattery’s Pub to celebrate 120 years of The Reds last week.

Lord Mayor Criona Ni Dhalaigh (SF) and Shelbourne chairman Joe Casey jointly unveiled the commemorative plaque at the pub which was formerly Nolan’s, opposite the Shelbourne Road on Dublin 4 which the club is named after.

Club chairman Casey spoke of his pride ahead of the event. “As chairman of this great club, I am honoured and privileged to be in this position at a time of such historic importance,” he said.

Despite Tolka Park becoming their permanent home in 1989, Lord Mayor Ni Dhalaigh spoke of the special connection the club had with the D4 area. “I am delighted to be here today unveiling this plaque to commemorate Shelbourne FC, one of Dublin’s oldest football clubs,” she said. “It is fitting that this plaque is located here in the spiritual home in Dublin 4 where the club was founded in 1895. I know this club has played in many locations in the city but I know this location will always be dear to their hearts.”

Shels were founded in 1895 by a number of locals in Ringsend/Sandymount area. They joined the Leinster Football Association a year later and in their 120-year history have won over 50 senior trophies, including 12 league titles, seven FAI Cups, three IFA Cups and one League Cup. As well as that, the club have played in over 40 European matches against the likes of Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Sporting Lisbon, Glasgow Rangers and Deportivo La Coruna, who they famously held to a scoreless draw in the Third Qualifying Round of the UEFA Champions League in the 2004-05 season, before losing the tie in the second leg.

Shels and their inner-city rivals Bohemians are the only two remaining clubs from the original League of Ireland line-up in 1921 that still exist at senior level to this day.

It’s been a couple of years since The Reds have competed in the Premier Division however, but Kevin Doherty’s young side are still in with a chance of reaching the promotional play-off this season.

Killester United’s fine run in the FAI Senior Cup came to an end at the quarter-final phase. Picture: Justin Burke

Cup dreams come to end sport@dublingazette.com

SHERIFF YC and Killester United got woken up from their FAI Senior Cup dreams last week as both amateur sides crashed out of the competition in the quarter-final stage.

Longford shot the Sheriff and it was Bray who killed off Killester last Friday night despite respectable performances from the AUL and LSL sides.

Starting with Sheriff and their trip to the City Calling Stadium in Longford after Alan Reilly’s side knocked League of Ireland First Division side Athlone Town in the previous round. Athlone’s midland rivals Long-

ford started well in this one, with striker David O’Sullivan forcing Sheriff keeper Peter Halpin into two smart saves in the opening 10 minutes.

Stephen Rice and Lorcan Shannon also went close before Longford finally broke the deadlock after 25 minutes. Kevin O’Connor and Gary Shaw linked up to get in behind the Sheriff backline before the latter picked out O’Sullivan who made no mistake from the edge of the box.

Despite having a goal disallowed, Sheriff failed to create much but drew level seconds before the break when Joseph Flood buried an effort past Paul

crest of a wave UCD ease past Cork in WNL shield contest UCD Waves picked up their first victory

of the new WNL shield season over Cork City, despite playing just over half of the game with 10 players.

Last season’s WNL top scorer Aine O’Gorman gave UCD the lead after 10 minutes over Cork City WFC in Jackson Park before Karen Duggan added a second. Susan Hackett received her marching orders but O’Gorman and Julie Ann Russell added further goals to make it 4-0 for the side managed by Eileen Gleeson.

Hunt in the Longford goal. Sheriff boss Reilly will surely have told his players to keep it tight after the restart but within two minutes Longford added a second and third goal.

The second came as Ayman Ben Mohamed sprinted through the AUL side’s backline to drill past Halpin. A minute later, O’Connor threaded a lovely pass through the defence which Shannon latched onto and finished.

Despite battling hard, and having a second goal disallowed, Sheriff couldn’t produce a comeback and finished the game with 10 men after

Darren O’Brien was dismissed.

Killester meanwhile travelled to rainy Carlisle Grounds having not conceded in their previous three games in the competition. That changed early in the first half here, however, when Bray defender Hugh Douglas powered in a header from Ryan McEvoy’s cross.

Around the 25th minute mark Killesterwere almost level. But when skipper Michael Keogh’s effort bounced back off the post, David Lacey’s rebound was smothered by Peter Cherrie. The Bray keeper thwarted Lacey again eight minutes before the break after the prolific

striker was sent through Keogh.

Ten minutes into the second half, Lacey turned provider when he set up Alan Talbot but again the finish wasn’t up to scratch. Gerry Davis’s side were left to rue those missed chances when the Seagulls doubled their advantage in the 57th minute. Cherrie sent a long ball up field toward David Cassidy, his pullback found Dave Scully who made no mistake with the header.

Killester, like Sheriff, tried and tried to stage a comeback but could never get past Cherrie and Bray advanced into the semifinal.

17 September 2015 DUBLIN CITY gazette 31

Gazette

Football: dubs boss focuses in on senior final

The rarely ruffled Dublin manager Jim Gavin. left, is plotting Kerry’s downfall

Gavin’s calmness a key in Dubs’ final bid

 nathan kelly sport@dublingazette.com

JUST days away from his second All-Ireland Senior Football Championship final as Dublin manager, Jim Gavin still manages to exude the sense of calmness that seems ever-present in his interviews.

He is hoping to repeat the victory he steered Dublin to against Kerry in the 2013 final which was his first year in charge as senior manager.

In the lead-up to Sunday’s game against the Kingdom, Gavin spoke highly of the opposition.

“Certainly from a Dublin perspective we’d have the ultimate respect for Kerry and what they’ve achieved,” he said.

“They have an outstanding team of players and a lot of youth coming in there and pushing hard for places.

“I think there have only been five or six players who have started in all their championship games which is a testa-

ment to the squad and how they’ve rotated. It really will be the finishing team that will challenge for honours on Sunday.”

Dublin booked their place in the final after an epic two games against Mayo.

After the original semifinal finished in a draw, Gavin’s charges eventually saw off the Westerners 3-15 to 2-14 in the replay. Dublin had earlier in the season cruised to another Leinster final success but Gavin insisted even the lower-profile games played their part.

“I think the Leinster campaign was still a tough challenge for us,” said the 1995 All-Ireland winning half-forward.

“We did a lot of work going into those games, we played with a high level of respect for the teams we were playing and prepared accordingly for them.

“So those results didn’t just happen; players had to prepare and bring performances to the plate, the Leinster Champion-

ship means a lot to this Dublin team and we were very proud to win it this year.

“But in the championship series, certainly the Fermanagh game was another level,” he continued.

“They certainly put us under pressure in the last quarter of the game. You want to be careful about what you wish for but in hindsight, the two games [vs Mayo] have served us well, they were two cracking games against

a cracking Mayo team.”

Many in the capital are wondering how the Dubs will deal with Kerry’s specific threats but Gavin insisted the focus has been more on his own team’s strength’s.

“From the Dublin perspective,” he said. “We’ve done most of our work in the last two weeks on our game and trying to get our game right.

“And if we can do that we’ll hopefully put ourselves in a position to get a result.”

gaaCompetition

Win ladies football All Ireland final tickets IN CONJUNCTION with the Ladies Gaelic Football Association, Dublin Gazette Newspapers are giving away four pairs of tickets to the All-Ireland finals day in Croke Park on Sunday, September 27.

In the senior decider, Gregory McGonigle’s Dublin side will hope to get revenge on Cork, their nemesis from last year’s final and bring home their second title while there is a full day of action with the junior and intermediate finals also taking the stage at headquarters.

To be in with a chance of being there live and seeing the very best in ladies Gaelic football, just send your answer to the question below along with your name and home address to sport@dublingazette.com by Tuesday, September 22. Winners will receive their tickets in the post.

Who did the Dublin ladies Gaelic footballers beat in the 2015 All-Ireland semi-final?

DLGFA call for club support THE DLGFA are calling on all clubs within the county to mobilise the troops by getting as many players, club members and supporters into Croke Park on September 27th to support the girls in blue in their AllIreland final clash with reigning champions Cork.

Clubs are reminded to use their ticket levy voucher whereby they can redeem either six adult tickets or two adults and 20 children’s tickets to the value of €150.

The deadline for redeeming vouchers is Friday, September 18.

Otherwise, tickets are are available to purchase through the LGFA Office and all GAA ticket outlets such as www.tickets.ie or by phone to 01 8363156.

Adults are €25 while students and senior citizens are €10 and Under-14s cost €5.

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Call our sport team on 60 10 240 and SELECT OPTION 3 “These results don’t just happen,” Jim Gavin on the AllIreland semi-final win over Mayo

or email sport@dublingazette.com

32 dublin city gazette 17 September 2015