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INSIDE: Actress Amy Huberman calls on students to get involved in annual drama awards p14

what’s the craic, mack?: Theatre legend Michael Ball comes to Dublin P16

Blonde on blonde: Fashionistas are out in force Football:

Dublin ladies put in brave final battle Page 30

dublin’s Chocolate Factory was

the venue for this year’s Bestseller AW15 fashion festival. The fashion was flowing as models strutted down catwalks showing off the latest autumn/winter looks to the delight of all who attended. As well as style, there were competitions, goodie bags and plenty more besides. Pictured are Laura Jordan, AJ Fitzsimons, event organiser Tara O’Brien and Lias Joran.

See Gallery next week

Athletics:

Olympic hopes move closer in the marathon Page 29

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ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES..................... 10 DUBLIN LIFE................... 13 OUT&ABOUT...................17 CLASSIFIEDS.................26 SPORT............................28

Nothing pedestrian about plan for city Disabled.ie happy with proposal to ban cars in the capital’s centre

 Keith Bellew

Proposals to pedestrianise large parts of Dublin city have been welcomed by advocacy group Disabled.ie who say it will not affect disabled drivers, as long as their

parking spaces elsewhere in the city are retained.

The plans contained in the Dublin City Transport Study propose that large parts of Dublin city be pedestrianised and no cars or taxis will be allowed into

College Green at any time.

However, retail group Dublin Town is concerned about the impact these proposals will have on the business community.

In a submission during the public consultation

process, the group said access for coaches, taxis and cars to hotels must be maintained and efficient access to car parks for shoppers must also be maintained.

Full Story on Page 6

2 DUBLIN CITY Gazette 1 October 2015

doolan ‘Property tax income won’t solve housing crisis’

Kelly in hot water over levy remarks THE chair of Dublin City Council’s housing committee. Cllr Daithi Doolan (SF), hit back at Environment Minister Alan Kelly who said the council should not have to retain the 15% reduction in local property tax (LPT), as it would have brought in funds to deal with the homeless crisis.

This follows the death of homeless man Alan Mur phy on Dawson

 keith bellew kbellew@dublingazette.com

Lane on Friday.

Cllr Doolan said the property tax and the homeless crisis are two separate issues and Minister Kelly’s remarks were a disingenuous

Dublin Gazette Newspapers, Second Floor, Heritage House, Dundrum Office Park, Dublin 14 Tel: 01 - 6010240. Email: sales@dublingazette.com news@dublingazette.com web: www.dublingazette.com twitter: @DublinGazette Visit us on Facebook at DublinGazetteNewspapers

attempt to mislead the public.

“Minister Kelly has oversight for funding homeless services in this city. The agreement was that 90% of homeless services would be funded by Minister Kelly.

“To put the LPT into the mix is disingenuous.

I think it’s spin, and I think that Minister Kelly is trying to walk away from his responsibility, but we will not let him do it.

“The 15% we’re talking about is €11.6m. €11.6m is a drop in the ocean of what’s needed to meet the housing crisis in this city,” he said.

He added that the

homeless crisis did not arrive this year or last, but was the result of the failure of consecutive governments to provide adequate funding to local authorities for social housing.

“We need a building programme of epic proportions to meet the need of the 21,000 people on our housing list and the people who are currently homeless, and in emergency accommodation. €11.6m is not even a band-aid. I met Minister Kelly two weeks ago and he never mentioned that there was a link between the LPT and the homeless and housing crisis.

Cllr Daithi Doolan: “I think that Minister Kelly (right) is trying to walk away from his responsibility, but we will not let him do it.”

“In fact he said the opposite. He said resources and money would not be an issue,” he said.

Minister Kelly had said Dublin City Council

did nothing, when presented with an opportunity to help solve the homeless crisis.

“The reality is that there are a number of councillors who decid-

ed it was more important to decrease the property tax than to use some funds that are at their discretion to help those who are homeless.

That’s a fact,” he said.

1 October 2015 DUBLIN CITY Gazette 3

don’sdublin By endurance, a man called Shackleton conquered the world If ever a man lived up to his family motto then Ernest Shackleton is most definitely that man. The words

By Endurance We Conquer were borne out to the maximum as he led all his men to safety during the Antarctic expedition of 1914-17. It is a tale of unbelievable skill, bravery and determination that is considered one of the greatest achievements in exploration and well presented in the Endurance Exhibition in Dun Laoghaire.

Shackleton was born on February 15, 1874 in Kilkea, near Athy in County Kildare. His father, Henry, decided to study medicine in Trinity College and moved his family into 35 Marlborough Road, Ranelagh for four years from 1880-84. After graduation the family moved to Sydenham, south London where he practised medicine for more than 30 years.

Ernest went to school in Dulwich College, and joined the merchant navy when he was 16. He progressed quickly and in 1901 was invited by Captain Scott to travel aboard the Discovery to the Antarctic.

They failed to reach the South Pole, as did his own 1907-09 Nimrod expedition that got to within 97 miles of its goal.

On his return he received much public adulation and was knighted by Edward VII. He returned to Dublin and gave lectures in Earlsfort Terrace (now the National Concert Hall) and the Gresham Hotel.

For the 1914 expedition to cross the Antarctic, the team sailed in the Endurance on the day Germany declared war. As the ship approached the Antarctic it became frozen in the ice and was eventually crushed and lost. The team headed in three small boats to Elephant Island, and from there Shackleton and five others made the 800-mile journey in horrendous weather to South Georgia. The 17-day journey in an open 20-foot boat, the James Caird, and the safe return of the crew, was heroic and bordering on the miraculous. Endurance, indeed.

Don Cameron

www.donsdublin.wordpress.com

Ernest Shackleton: His Antarctic expedition of 1914-17 is a thrilling tale of unbelievable skill, bravery and determination

council Plan to end use of B&B and hotels for homeless

Sites for modular housing sought  Ian Begley

The lookout for sites for modular homes has begun in Dublin, according to the council’s housing committee. Dick Brady, the head of the council’s housing department, recently confirmed that it has approved plans for modular built homes

in the capital to end the use of emergency B&B and hotels for homeless families. It is expected that more than 200 modular units will be installed, costing an estimated €100,000 each.

It is estimated that it will take the council until mid-October to assess the sites and establish the

procurement and planning means needed to deliver the modular units as quickly as possible.

Environment Minister Alan Kelly said he intended bringing emergency proposals to the Cabinet in order to fast-track the modular housing process.

His announcement fol-

lows President Michael D Higgins’s criticism of the homeless situation in Ireland while at a United Nations summit in New York. He said that every time a homeless person had not shelter it was a personal failure for Ireland.

Responding to Higgins’s criticism, Minister

Kelly agreed with his comments, saying the homeless situation in Ireland was a huge and complex matter with multiple factors facing those who had no choice but to sleep rough.

At present, over 600 families, including 1,275 children, live in emergency accommodation.

4 DUBLIN CITY Gazette 1 October 2015

immigration: Foreign nationals describe ‘dehumanising’ ordeal

piano room

Learn music at a party THE Piano Room in Kilmainham is hosting a musically themed garden party on October 3 for anyone interested in an afternoon of fun music lesson demonstrations.

Composer and performer Una Keane will open the doors of her eclectic home on Mountshannon Road from 11am to 2pm for anyone with a love of music.

Founded in 2004, The Piano Room’s five teachers work with over 100 students, offering piano, guitar, violin and singing lessons to children from age 6, adults who may have forgotten the music skills they learned as children, and beginners.

People can book a “Try Out” lesson by visiting www.pianoroom.ie.

Bid to end queues on Burgh Quay  ian begley

The price is right: Launching third annual Charity Shops Challenge team leader Matt Forde finds himself priced to sell by Luke (5)

and Eve McDonnell (4) from Rathgar at the launch of the third Great BT Charity Shops Challenge which this year takes place on Thursday, October 8 in aid of the Irish Cancer Society’s charity shops. BT employees from across the island of Ireland will be swapping their day jobs to take over the running of charity shops across Ireland to help raise much-needed funds and at the same time compete against each other to generate the biggest increase in shop takings on the day. Visit www.cancer.ie/shops

Picture Andres Poveda

MEASURES have been introduced to cut excessive queues at Dublin’s main immigration office on Burgh Quay, according to the Department of Justice. This comes after hundreds of foreign nationals had to queue overnight on September 28 for work, study and re-entry visas.

Many spoke of this “dehumanising” ordeal.

In a statement, Gardai said autumn was a busy season for the bureau, with up to 300,000 incoming non-EEA students who must register within 90 days of arriving.

“Commencing [on September 30], new registrations will be dealt with on Monday and Tuesday

each week. Wednesday to Friday is reserved for renewal of registrations, ie for those who have an existing GNIB card.”

“A d d i t i o n a l s t a f f resources are being deployed to increase the capacity of the Garda National Immigration Bureau to deal with persons seeking to register their immigration status.

“Opening hours are extended to include weekends to deal with the increasedvolume of persons attending the offices,” said a Garda spokesperson.

Students from outside Ireland registering for the first time or renewing registrations will no longer have to register at Burgh Quay and the Irish Naturalisation and Immigra-

tion Service office. Other arrangements will be put in place later in the autumn.

The Department said: “The physical nature of the building in Burgh Quay imposes serious limitations on the number of cases that can be registered, fingerprinted and checked in any given day.

“Use of other buildings for this purpose is not an option because the biometric equipment and elaborate smart card production systems are not mobile and in any event has to be linked up in real-time to the Garda IT systems.”

An online booking system for re-entry visas is also being finalised with the new arrangement being kept under review.

1 October 2015 DUBLIN CITY Gazette 5

nama: project jewel

church Prelate welcomes Meeting of Families news

Pope Francis may pay visit in 2018  Ian Begley

Sale should be complete before the end of October

Pavilions and Ilac sold in €1.85bn deal UK property group Hammerson and Germany’s Allianz Real Estate have acquired the Nama loans for the lucrative Project Jewel which includes 50% stakes in both the Ilac Shopping Centre and the Pavilions in Swords.

The joint bid of €1.85bn was granted by the agendy for the project which also includes loans associated with Dundrum Town Centre and a site on O’Connell Street and Moore Street.

The project is connected with Irish property developer Joe O’Reilly and his Chartered Land – one of the agency’s biggest debtors.

The companies will have a 25% stake each in both the Pavilions and the Ilac. The remaining 50% of the Pavilions is split

between Irish Life and IPUT investments which own 25% respectively.

The remaining 50% of the Ilac is also owned by Irish Life.

The transaction should be complete before the end of this month.

Both firms made separate bids early in the process before coming together in a joint submission to beat the other bidders, among these were US investment group Hines and the Kuwait Investment Authority which also made a joint bid.

The loans were one of the few remaining jewels in the Nama portfolio still available for sale as it seeks to achieve a surplus for taxpayers on the €31.8bn it spent acquiring loans from five Irish banks in 2010 and 2011.

He’s proven himself to be a man of the people, getting out of his car at random to kiss the heads of children and soon, Pope Francis may be showing his love to the Irish people. It has been announced that the Pope may be coming

to Dublin when the next World Meeting of Families is held here in 2018.

Church officials made this announcement at the closing of a public mass in Philadelphia celebrated by hundreds of thousands of people and attended by Pope Francis.

If the Pope attends the

2018 Meeting of Families, he would be making the first papal visit to Ireland since John Paul II came to the capital in 1979.

The World Meeting of Families happens every three years and was started by John Paul II in the mid-1990s.It aims to celebrate the church’s

role in building families and bringing them closer together.

We l c o m i n g t h e announcement, Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin said: “I am delighted to hear that Pope Francis has announced that the n i n t h Wo r l d M e e ting of Families would

take place in Dublin, and that Archbishop Diarmuid Martin is in Philadelphia with our delegation to hear the news directly from the Holy Father.

“I am confident that the World Meeting of Families in 2018 will also be an uplifting event for all of us,” he said.

6 DUBLIN CITY Gazette 1 October 2015

city centre Proposal to ban vehicles in certain areas

Mixed reaction to pedestrian plan  keith bellew news@gazettegroup.com

PROPOSALS to pedestrianise large parts of Dublin city entre are a good idea and will not adversely affect disabled drivers unless their parking spaces are affected by the proposals, according to advocacy group Disabled.ie.

These proposals, contained in the Dublin City Transport Study compiled by the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Dublin City Council, propose major changes to the city’s transport infrastructure. This includes banning private cars and taxis from certain parts of the city centre.

Among the study’s most dramatic proposals is that the “bus gate” around Col-

lege Green would operate 24 hours a day, permanently banning all other vehicles, even taxis.

Submissions on the proposals were sought from the public and the report showed many came from disabled people who were concerned about access to certain city areas.

Speaking to The Gazette, however, Robert Morgan of Disability. ie did not see a problem with the proposals as long as designated parking spaces were retained elsewhere in the city. If implemented, he said the plan could make it easier and safer for disabled people to cross the city.

“I don’t see the problem really, it’s not going to suit everybody, but in the long term I don’t think the

impact is going to be really horrendous for people with disabilities,” he said.

He said that trying to cross the street at College Green could be difficult for disabled people due to the heavy traffic flow.

This would not be a problem if the area was pedestrianised. In his opinion, as long as parking spaces are available for disabled people, pedestrianisation of large areas of the city centre would not be a problem.

Meanwhile retail group Dublin Town is concerned about the impact these proposals could have on the business community.

In its submission, the group said access to hotels for coaches, taxis and private cars must be maintained along with reasonable and efficient

An artist’s rendering of one of most dramatic proposals which would extend “bus gate” around College Green to a 24-hour a day operation

access to car parks in the city’s commercial core and a workable deliveries system is developed and implemented.

“While many of the proposals, and the underlying objective of sustainable movement, are

welcome in principle, the lack of detail provided in the study, and indeed the short consultation period allowed does not do justice to the proposals, and does not enable detailed assessment and consideration,” said the group.

Both Dublin Town and Dublin Chamber believe car borne shoppers are the source of 31% of total revenues in the city centre.

“A business impact study is essential. The BID area of the city cen-

tre alone provides over 50,000 jobs as well as the generation of an estimated €1bn in taxation revenues per annum.

“A modest deviation from expected behaviours and reductions in employment could be very significant in the context of the overall national economy,” said Dublin Town.

This Dublin City Transport Study was discussed by the local authority’s transport committee last month.

It is now being reviewed by the National Transport Authority and Dublin City Council, who will identify the issues raised and meet key stakeholders.

Responses will be prepared on these issues and will go back before the committee in due course.

1 October 2015 DUBLIN CITY Gazette 7

8 DUBLIN CITY Gazette 1 October 2015

transport 2.4bn project will be a 16.4km light rail line

Metro North ready for action in 2027  Keith Bellew

BY 2027 those living in the city centre will be able to get to the airport in 19 minutes via the Metro North project announced by Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe as part of this year’s Capital Plan.

The €2.4bn project will be a 16.5km light rail line connecting St Stephen’s Green to Swords, via Dublin Airport.

Construction is due to start in 2021 and it is hoped that it will be completed by 2026-27.

Almost 8.5km of the route will run in a tunnel from St Stephen’s Green

to Griffith Avenue and under the airport.

The route will travel through Drumcondra, the Mater Hospital, DCU and Bally mun before going on to Dublin Airport and Swords offering a journey time of 19 minutes from O’Connell Street to the Airport and 31 minutes from O’Connell Street to Swords Estuary.

The National Transport Authority believes Metro North to be the appropriate public transport proposal to address the transport needs of city centre to airport commuters.

According to the NTA the project delivers the

highest benefit to cost ratio of all of the options assessed.

It also provides a new strategic public transport corridor, avoiding reliance on either the existing heavy rail lines or the Luas Cross City line which is under construction; The project also leaves scope to extend Luas Cross City to Finglas, which would not be feasible if the alternative Luas option examined by the NTA were selected; It could potentially be extended southwards in the longer term to alleviate high travel demand on the Luas Green Line,

and ultimately form a complete north-south Metro corridor traversing both the north and south city.

Another positive factor is that the project retains a large proportion of the value of the almost €170m invested to date in the Metro North project.

The project has been welcomed as a boon for Dublin commerce by retail group, Dublin Town.

Chief executive Richard Guiney said the project provided the capacity required to sustain the city for the 21st century and beyond.

Other rail-based

The latest iteration of the long-running Metro plan for the city has been announced, with works to begin in 2021, says Minister for Transport Paschal Donohoe

aspects of the capital plan include the completion of the city centre resignalling programme for the rail network; the construction of a new central traffic control centre for commuter and intercity rail, the completion of the

Luas Cross City project in Dublin, and ongoing maintenance programme to ensure the safety and efficiency of the rail network.

Funds are also being committed to open the Phoenix Park Tunnel in 2016 to bring some

scheduled passenger services on the Kildare Line to Connolly Station.

Buses will also see i nve s t m e n t w i t h a replacement of its fleet, capacity enhancement; and the upgrading of bus corridors;

1 October 2015 DUBLIN CITY Gazette 9

lisbon The decision to move was a natural evolution, says Government

Web Summit loss ‘embarrassing blow’  Keith Bellew

The Department of Enterprise has played down the significance of the Web Summit moving to Lisbon, saying the move is part of the natural evolution of the event.

This follows criticism of the Government and allegations that not enough was done to accommodate the summit.

Dublin Chamber has said the loss of the Web Summit is a blow to the marketing of Dublin as a startup hub, a place to host large events and proof of the need for increased investment in Dublin’s infrastructure.

“The decision by Web Summit to leave Dublin should serve as a wake-up call to the Government about the importance of increasing investment in

infrastructure. It’s also a reminder of how Dublin is competing with other international cities for business,” said Dublin Chamber chief executive Gina Quin.

She said investment in Dublin infrastructure must be at least tripled to compete with cities abroad.

“This year we will spend €150m on infrastr ucture. On a per capita basis, cities like Manchester and London are spending two-tothree times as much. As the Web Summit news proves, at some point this significant underinvestment will come home to roost, with Dublin and Ireland missing out on investments and jobs,” said Quin.

She went on to say that hotel supply and bed

capacity is another issue which must be addressed

by Government.

Dublin City Cllr Jim --------------------------

‘The decision

by Web Summit to leave Dublin should serve as a wakeup call to the Government’

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

Gina Quin, CEO, Dublin Chamber

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

O’Callaghan (FF) has said the loss of the Web Summit is “hugely embarrassing for the city and for the country”.

He went on to say that a lack of State funding assistance influenced the decision.

However Web Summit chief executive Paddy Cosgrave said that the decision was down to a need for space to grow.

“If we are to scale our flagship event further, if we are to deliver to our attendees the experience they demand and they pay good money for, we have to move. We needed a new home for future growth,” he said.

A spokesperson from the Department of Enterprise responded saying the decision was a natural evolution for Web Summit as it develops its business model, evolves and internationalises.

“The Government and its agencies will continue to engage with Web Summit as its growth continues, we wish Paddy and the team every success with the move to Lis-

Dublin Chamber has said the loss of the Web Summit is a blow to the marketing of Dublin as a place to host large events. Picture: William Murphy

bon and look forward to them hosting events in Dublin in the future,” they said.

They went on to outline some of the financial support provided to the summit since 2012 saying

IDA provided: €80,000 in 2012, €140,000 in 2013 and €100,000 in 2014, while Enterprise Ireland provided €123,000 in 2012, €147,600 in 2013 and €135, 000 in 2014.

“Significant financial

and non-financial support has also been provided by other Agencies including Failte Ireland, Science Foundation Ireland, Dublin City Council, Bord Bia, Culture Ireland,” they said.

10 DUBLIN CITY Gazette 1 October 2015

gazetteGALLERIES

Volunteers helping out at WALK in Walkinstown

Volunteers help dig new garden beds at DCU Community Garden. Pictures: Robbie Reynolds

Volunteers help paint the CARI offices in Drumcondra

volunteering: M&S FIRES COMMUNITY SPIRIT

Brian Higgans CEO of Pieta House and

Tomas Quinn and Bryan Cullen with M&S

Margaret Crowley at the new Pieta

Dundrum store manager Peggie Moore

House

at the Artane Music Hall

Sparking something good across Dublin M

arks & Spencer Ireland recently called upon volunteers to Spark Something Good, an initiative to inspire and motivate volunteers to donate time to their communities. M&S employees and customers rolled up their sleeves and worked tirelessly to ensure that 24 projects were completed across Dublin over the course of a week.

Projects ranged from transforming the playground of Scoil Eoin in Kilbarrack with a colourful mural to renovating the Artane School of Music, which is home to the world-

Percy Pig lends a hand with the painting of the mural at Scoil Eoin in Kilbarrack

famous Artane Band, to painting and decorating a brand new centre for Pieta House.

Former Dublin Gaelic footballers Bryan Cullen and Tomas Quinn also pitched in and joined volunteers to transform the Artane School of Music from a dull and lifeless hall to a vibrant rehearsal space, which was unveiled at a celebratory concert for all the volunteers on Thursday.

The ambitious project was a huge success and demonstrated the cumulative effect of people giving back to their community.

Percy Pig and volunteers help out at the Marie Keating Foundation in Lucan

1 October 2015 DUBLIN CITY Gazette 11

Anita Nwabueze and Yasmin Hamouda

Jayne Grangel and Claire Murphy

cinema: MACBETH dominates silver SCREEN IN SMITHFIELD

T Jack Reynor and Madeline Mulqueen arriving at the preview screening of Macbeth at the Light House Cinema, Smithfield. Pictures: Patrick O’Leary

Cillian Buckley and Katy Brennan

he stars were out and about at the preview screening of Macbeth at the Light House Cinema in Smithfield recently. From the Academy Award winning producers of The King’s Speech and acclaimed director Justin Kurzel, comes a visceral and visually breathtaking retelling of the classic tale about an ambitious Scottish lord who seizes the throne with the help of his wife. Starring Academy Award nominee Michael Fassbender and Academy Award winner Marion Cotillard, Macbeth is an epic cinematic experience and will be released in cinemas on October 2.

12 Gazette 1 October 2015

gazetteGALLERY

Sinead Burke

Alex and Teodora Coptil. Pictures: Ruth Medjber

A simple message of Hope to carry around

T

HE launch of jewellery designer Margaret O’Rourke’s special fundraising pendant in aid of Pieta House was a lovely success at MoMuse in the Powerscourt Centre, Dublin 2 recently, where her design was greatly praised.

Retailing for €65, with 100% of

Ingrid Hoey

proceeds going to Pieta House, the self-harm and suicide support service, the Hope pendant is inscribed wth the same word – a key message that underpins the work of Pieta House.

The hand-finished pendants are accompanied by a keepsake card, providing an elegant reminder to its

Jenny McGinn and Rosemary McCabe

bearer or gift-giver of the importance of persevering, of reaching out, of providing or seeking support for those in need.

With such an admirable cause to support, there was a steady stream of supporters willing to help support the pendant and Pieta House.

Melanie Morris

Margaret O’Rourke and Brian Higgins, chief executive, Pieta House

Cara Doyle

1 October 2015 Gazette 13

feature P15

asdfsdaf theatre P27 P16

dublinlife Let Dublin Gazette Newspapers take you on a tour of the news and events taking place across the city and county this week

a day in the life: xpose presenter, glendA gilson on her busy routine

what’son

A hectic but sparkling life chasing stars  aisling kennedy

XPOSE presenter Glenda Gilson rarely has two days that are the same, as she is constantly on the move covering all types of fashion, showbiz, and entertainment news.

Having just returned from a week reporting as the fashion correspondent for Xpose at London Fashion Week, she took time out to give The Gazette an insight into a day in her life with Xpose.

“Tomorrow, I will get up at 4.30am as I have to fly to London to interview Jessica Chastain, who is starring in the movie The Martian, which is out this week.

“When I get up at that time, it’s way too early to have breakfast so I’ll have a coffee. I’ll wait until I get over to London, get to the Dorchester Hotel where I have to meet Jessica, and then I’ll sit down and have something to eat while I read over my questions.”

Gilson said that as she reads over her questions, she will also put on her makeup before she heads up to a suite where she will interview the Hollywood star.

“The interview will be a standard press junket, so it’s a two-camera set up with each reporter taking turns sitting down to interview her. I’ve met Jessica before,

get ready for speks appeal HAVING played to full houses all across Ireland, the inimitable Speks will bring their unique blend of traditional music and nursery rhymes to The Mill Theatre in Dundrum on Sunday, October 4 at 2pm.

Comprising six members, the Speks are said to hail from a mysterious island off the coast of County Clare called Glasses Island, where everybody wears glasses.

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

‘I don’t usually get changed for the red carpet, because all you see is my head and shoulders’

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

Glenda Gilson

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and she’s a gorgeous girl; she always has a smile on her face every time you meet her.”

Gilson said that once the interview is over, she then has to make her way over to the film premiere at Leicester Square to meet the rest of the cast of The Martian, which includes stars such as Matt Damon and Kate Mara.

She is then sectioned into the media “pin”, where they place all media on lockdown as they all vie to get an interview with the stars.

“That’s about two hours of being on my tippy-toes with my arm outstretched to get questions to all the stars that walk past me. I don’t usually get changed for the red carpet, because all you see is my head and shoulders.

“I used to wear heels and a dress for



Gazette

diary P14

“I usually don’t get home to my house until about 12.30am, so I try to unwind for about an hour, get some sleep, and do it all again the next day,” says Glenda

these events, but now I just throw on flats and get over there and do what I can in those couple of hours.”

Gilson then runs to catch a taxi at about 7.30pm when the red carpet event is over, and she catches the Heathrow Express from Paddington to get to her flight.

“I make sure I get there on time now, because I’ve missed so many flights!

I’ll grab a beer and a bite to eat at the airport, because I’m usually hyper after coming from the red carpet.

“I usually don’t get home to my house until about 12.30am, so I try to unwind for about an hour, get some sleep, and then get up to do it all again the next day.”

Catch Glenda Gilson on Xpose every week day on TV3.

Favourites Their 45-minute show comprises all-time favourite nursery rhymes such as Humpty Dumpty, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Incy Wincy Spider and many more family favourites, set to acoustic Irish traditional music.

Band leader Quince said: “We are so looking forward to playing in Dublin; we’ve been so close, in Kildare and Wicklow, but have never made it to the city, and what a treat for us, and for the children! We’ll have them singing and clapping to their hearts’ content.”

To purchase tickets for the event, see www.thespeks.com.

14 Gazette 1 October 2015

Gazette

dublinlife Hit the trail to help find a cure for sight loss

Fighting Blindness has launched its sixth annual Glendalough Trail, which is open to all levels of fitness with 15.5km run and 10km jog/walk options.

Taking place on Saturday, October 31, at 11am, the event last year saw over 300 people take the challenge raising €17,000

to support research into finding cures and treatments for sight loss.

Fighting Blindness is calling on walkers, runners and joggers to join in this off-road experience, and enjoy the magnificent scenery along the green forest trails of County Wicklow.

Tony Ward, head of

fundraising with Fighting Blindness, said: “The Glendalough Trail is unique, with a carefully planned route through the beautiful valley and a great variety of underfoot terrain. We welcome all supporters to come and join us this year for what promises to be a great day out.”

The entry fee is €20, with a further €50 minimum fundraising target, with all proceeds going to Fighting Blindness.

For more information please visit www.FightingBlindness.ie.

daly does her bit for Childline Cheerios Childline Breakfast week which runs from October 5 to 11 was launched by TV3 presenter Anna Daly at a special series of children’s events in Blanchardstown Shopping Centre last weekend.

Speaking to The Gazette, Daly said: “700,000 calls per annum go into childline from children who have the courage to pick up the phone and look for help.

“When you think about that it’s just so sad. Before I had children I would have thought that was very sad, now that I have them it makes me want to ball crying,” she said.

She went on to say that the funds raised through this initiative enable more staff to staff the phones 24/7 as, if a child calls at 3am and nobody is there to take the call, childline may miss its one opportunity to help that child.

For more information on hosting a Cheerios Childline Breakfast visit www.childlinebreakfast. ie.

lectures to mark 25th anniversary As part of the Carmichael Centre’s 25th anniversary,

diary

Actress and writer Amy Huberman who was on hand to officially launch the Bord Gais Energy Student Theatre Awards

celebrations are due to take place with a series of six public lectures over the winter/spring period.

The Carmichael Centre is home to 47 charities and provides shared services and targeted supports in-house to over 30,000 people from all over Ireland every year.

The lectures will take place in Carmichael House on Brunswick Street from 7 to 9pm and will be on the theme “Irish Civic Society 100 years on from the Proclamation of the Irish Republic”.

Some of the speakers who will contribute include: Sister Stan Kennedy (founder of Focus Ireland) on October 22, John Lonergan (former governor of Mountjoy Prison) on November 19, Fintan O’Toole (Irish Times journalist) on December 3, Sean Healy (director and co-founder of Social Justice) on January 21, Alice Leahy (director and co-founder of Social Justice Ireland) on February 18, and Pat Carey (former Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs and chairperson of the Irish Red Cross) on March 10.

The lectures are free for the public to attend and

light refreshments will be served. For information, email ken@carmichaelcentre.ie.

call to take part in theatre awards Bord Gais Energy is calling on students in Dublin to take part in this year’s Bord Gais Energy Student Theatre Awards.

Irish actress Amy Huberman officially launched the annual awards that celebrate drama in schools around Ireland. The actress, and mum of two, will also be joining the judging panel for this year’s awards with additional judges due to be announced later in the year. This year marks the third year the awards have taken place.

Last year there were over 3,300 entries from schools across Ireland culminating in an awards ceremony at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre with 2,000 students representing 57 schools in attendance.

The Bord Gais Energy Student Theatre Awards, which has 12 categories, is open to primary school students from third to sixth class and all secondary school students.

The deadline for entries to the competition is 5pm,

Friday, January 29.

For more information log onto www.bgesta.ie

entries sought for music awards Dublin teens can now tune up for the €3,000 top prize as the Fr Frank Maher Classical Music Awards is seeking entries for 2015.

With a €3,000 prize for the winner and €250 for the finalists, it is Ireland’s largest classical music competition for secondary schools.

The top prize bursary will be used by the winner to attend a recognised place of tuition, a course of study in Ireland or abroad or on a purchase necessary for the development of their talent.

Welcoming the launch of the 2015 Awards, RTE NSO leader Helena Wood said: “As players, we are conscious of the enormous financial and personal investment required for young musicians. This prize money will provide some talented young person with valuable additional financial help in fulfilling their musical ambitions.”

Closing date for entries is October 15. For more information, visit www. topsecurity.ie.

1 October 2015 Gazette 15

FEATURE escape the mayhem: alison comyn, utv ireland

UTV host switches off with beach life

 ian begley

KEEPING up-to-date with the news, alongside having the busy occupation as co-anchor of UTV’s Ireland Live programme, can certainly lead to a lot of stress.

According to TV presenter and mother of two Alison Comyn, working in a very pressurised and competitive environment can take its toll, but finding a healthy balance between work and play is key to keeping the stress levels at bay.

This week, The Gazette caught up with Comyn to see what she does to escape the mayhem of her

day-to-day life.

Aged 44, Comyn lives in Drogheda with her husband, Malachy, and their two children, Holly and Luke.

She said: “At times I find it very difficult to unwind and relax even though I’m aware of how important it is. I’m always running about the place, but for me, I find the best way to switch off is to head to the beach nearby my home.

“I go to the beach whenever I get the chance and my children also like to come with me, along with my two dogs, Izzy and Zach.

“It’s great seeing my

children run loose and get out and about in the fresh air, but for me I find that it’s a fantastic way to get a bit of exercise without even knowing it.

“I also used to run a lot to get fit and to clear my head. I probably should do it a lot more because I find it very beneficial.”

Comyn went onto say that another way she likes to unwind and distress herself is to travel.

“I love to escape abroad whenever I get the time and experience all the different sights and cultures.

“I recently came back from France, and I’ll be going to Prague around Christmas time. Prague is

Bid for Dublin as Capital of Culture gathers pace  Keith Bellew

Around 500 people crowded into the Mansion House recently for a showcase of Dublin’s talents and a series of talks organised by the Dublin 2020 team and centred around the bid for Dublin to be crowned the European Capital of Culture in 2020.

The Gazette spoke with Dublin 2020 director Ray Yeates about how the bid came about, its most popular initiatives and the plans for the last few weeks before judges arrive for the inter view on November 12.

He said that the idea had been tossed around

by Dublin City Council as far back as 2012, but never crystallised.

“Last September is when the serious conversations began.

“It has come together very quickly in comparison to other cities who’ve been a couple of years building their teams. But we’ve caught up very quickly. We got going late last year, so this year has been very high paced,” he said.

T h e r e h ave b e e n numerous initiatives launched throughout the campaign and Yeates says the most popular of these is the Tea and Chat series which sees prominent people, such as Cllr Christy Burke a n d S e n a t o r D av i d Norris speaking about Dublin.

He said that there were two big events planned over the next

few weeks as a final push for the bid.

It is hoped that there will be a huge street party on November 12 to coincide with the Christmas lights being turned on.

This would serve as a finale for the entire bid as November 12 is the day that judges from the Capital of Culture will interview the Dublin 2020 team.

“We’d love to get a big street event with about 5,000 people just around the time of the interview.

“Dublin Town were telling me that they’ll be switching on the Christmas lights on November 12 which is the day of the interview, so we might be able to turn it into a big bid event,” he said.

such a beautiful city, and the Christmas markets they have over there are just incredible.

“I don’t read as much as I should, but I’ve always found it to be a great way to unwind. Actually, when I was away on holidays, I read seven books on my Kindle. I’m really getting into the old classics, such as Ernest Hemingway,” she said.

Alison Comyn has been the co-anchor of UTV Ireland’s weekday news programmes Ireland Live and Ireland Live at 10 since January, and was recently asked to present an IFTA at the upcoming award ceremony.

TV presenter Alison Comyn, who heads to a nearby beach to relax with her children

Gazette

16 Gazette 1 October 2015

dublinlife

features

Michael looking forward to having a ball in Dublin  ian begley

Michael Ball : “The craic here is just amazing and you always get the best welcome”. Picture: Manuel Harlan

Theatre legend Michael Ball is coming to Ireland to showcase the classic Broadway musical Mack & Mabel and has told The Gazette that he plans to hit his favourite nightlife hotspots while in Dublin.

Ball who plays Mack Sennett, the great comedy director of the silent screen, stars alongside Rebecca LaChance who depicts the real-life story of actress Mabel Normand.

The show tells the tale of a group of pioneering filmmakers who changed

the world surrounded by the great fun of the silent screen.

Speaking to The Gazette, Ball said that he has been to Ireland many times before and always loves coming back.

“I’ll make sure to drop

by Lillies Bordello while I’m here and will do all the good things that I can’t remember from the last time I was here.

“I don’t understand how you guys do it. The craic here is just amazing and you always get the best welcome that can’t be compared to anywhere else.”

Ball went onto say that Mack & Mabel exceeded all of his expectations – he thinks it’s one of the most successful shows he’s ever been in.

“There’s a phenomenal cast and the energy of the dance numbers, choreography and slap stick humour gels together perfectly.”

Asked if he thinks he would survive in the era of silent movies, Ball joked: “Not a chance!

“Rebecca, who is playing Mabel, would be perfect because when you see the close-ups of her and compare them to the original close-ups of Mabel Normand, you can tell that she has the same ability to captivate an audience.

“To be quite frank my character Mack was a bastard.

“He was completely driven and obsessed with this new technology of film and would make people laugh at whatever cost, which is ultimately the downfall of their rela-

tionship.

“Mack is an Irish Canadian and is referred to throughout the show as that ‘Irish Bum’.

“I considered doing an Irish-Canadian accent for the show, but it didn’t go so well.

“Playing alongside Rebecca has been a joy from start to finish.

“When we were auditioning in the UK I literally took one look at Rebecca and knew that she was meant to play Mabel.

“I’ve come across many talented Irish actors and up-and-coming performers from Ireland over the years.

“I recently saw Ronan Keating in Once and really thought he was terrific. I’ve seen it three times already and it’s one of my favourite shows.

“Killian Donnelly, who was in the Commitments, is in Kinky Boots.

“I really believe he’s going to be a big West End star, but the doors

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

‘Mack is an Irish Canadian and is referred to throughout the show as that Irish Bum. I considered doing an Irish-Canadian accent for the show, but it didn’t go so well’ --------------------------------------------------------

“We narrowed it down to six finalists and I think what did it for her was that she was so calm and natural.”

LaChance also spoke to The Gazette, saying she was really looking forward to performing in Ireland and had no idea that she would be offered the role of Mabel in the first place.

“I was really convinced that I didn’t get the part after I went for the audition and was so surprised when they called me the following day giving me the good news.

“It’s such an exciting experience and I’m delighted to be playing such a big role.”

Asked if there are many Irish people trying to get their big break in the West End, Ball said:

are always open to great talent no matter where they’re from.”

Ball went onto say that nothing was more important than getting experience if you are an aspiring actor.

“Nothing is more important than experience which can come from visiting shows, getting involved in amateur productions and learning and working in the field.

A major new production of the classic Broadway musical Mack & Mabel starring double Olivier award-winning Ball is coming to Bord Gais Energy Theatre from October 27 to November 7.

For more information, visit bordgaisenergytheatre.ie.

1 October 2015 Gazette 17

travel P20

asdfsdaf P27 cinema P22

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 fun-loving Lurcher

Mary Murray, Cara Kelly and Catherine Cusack in Dancing at Lughnasa by Brian Friel. Picture: Ros Kavanagh

Festival: 28 productions spanning 22 different stages across Dublin

Theatrical treats aplenty  Keith Bellew

The Dublin Theatre Festival 2015 kicked off at venues around the city last week, and theatre buffs can avail of all the theatrical treats on offer until October 11.

This year’s programme boasts 28 productions, spanning 22 different stages across Dublin. Eleven new Irish works will premiere over 18 days alongside acclaimed productions from France, Belgium, Portugal, the Netherlands, the UK and Denmark.

The festival was officially opened at the Gaiety Theatre with the Irish premiere of The Night Alive by Conor McPherson, at the Gaiety Theatre in a new co-production from Dublin Theatre Festival and the Lyric Thea-

tre, Belfast.

This week the Gazette caught up with artistic director Willie White about the highlight’s of this year’s programme.

He said the various plays in the programme are like his children and it is very hard to pick a favourite, but one he believes to be among the main highlights is The Night Alive.

“Conor McPherson is from the northside of Dublin and premiered this play in London in 2013. I thought that was a great show and I was determined that we would have it as part of the festival.

It’s important to get a mix of shows which are high quality, but also reach a wider audience.

“We have people who are fantastic actors but also well known, like Laurence Kinlan who was Elmo in Love

/Hate, Ian Loyd Anderson was Dean, and then Adrian Dunbar, who is a very well-known film, television and stage actor who has performed in the festival before,” he said.

One of the most eye-catching events in the programme is the Gate Theatre’s production of Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridge, directed by Joe Dowling.

This new production has been put together to honour America’s most renowned playwright on the 100th anniversary of his birth.

White says Dowling has just finished up 20 years leading the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis Minnesota where he had an association with Miller’s work.

“He has directed world premieres of some of Miller’s plays as far as I recall,

and I have seen [a production of] All My Sons that he did at the Abbey. It has opened already and is running throughout the festival and it’s a very strong production. As you would expect it is a red-blooded play of jealousy, loyalty, community and revenge,” he said.

Another anniversary production at this year’s festival is the Lyric Theatre Belfast’s production of Brian Friel’s Dancing at Lughnasa, at the Gaiety Theatre. The award-winning Annabelle Comyn directs this 25th anniversary production which opens on October 6.

White described Dancing at Lughnasa as a masterpiece and said the festival provides a platform for a whole new generation to see it.

For more information visit www. dublintheatrefestival.com.

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

Our Dog of the Week this week is Kim, a stunning six-year-old female lurcher. She arrived into Dogs Trust pregnant last year and went on to have a litter of beautiful puppies who have all since found wonderful homes. Kim is quite shy but has a goofy, fun loving and quirky personality that she shows to those who spend time with her.

If you think you could offer Kim a 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

GAZETTE

18 GAZETTE 1 October 2015

OUT&ABOUT

STYLE

Time for a toccata at Weir & Sons WATCH aficionados, form an orderly queue – the limited edition toccata by Raymond Weil, in association with violinist Nicola Benedetti, is now available at Weir & Sons.

Swiss watchmaker Raymond Weil recently announced its partnership with internationally renowned classical violinist Nicola Benedetti (above) to present the new 34mm ladies watch, the toccata (right).

Now available at Weir & Sons, and with just 300 pieces created, this signature toccata watch features a 34mm rose gold case with chocolate-brown ionised dial, decorated with 11 diamond markers and 80 diamonds set around the bezel.

Also featuring a date window at 3 o’clock, the look is completed by a luxurious chocolate brown satin strap, with the toccata retailing for €2,150.

Benedetti joins Raymond Weil’s impressive roster of musical ambassadors, which includes Labrinth, Milos Karadaglic and 2Cellos.

The arrival of the new toccata at Weir & Sons is perfectly timed as Benedetti took to the stage at the National Concert Hall on September 30.

Artisan lace trim shift dress €87; Fur clutch €31

Denim popper dress €60; Leather trench €375; Brown ankle boot €85

Lumberjacket coat €137; Leather skirt €40; Cable knit jumper €45; Black tassle boots €85

Jacquard pants €53; Sparkle crop tank top €35; Jacquard jacket €75

Boucle scarf €25; Artisan tuft jumper €56; Check marley mini €47

Oasis style for autumn  MIMI MURRAY

CHANNEL your inner 70s goddess with these stylish pieces from Oasis.

From washed denim to Prince of Wales and Donegal check, these are looks

that will take nostalgia to another level.

Clean, lean cuts are layered for effortless effect while pattern is replaced by embellishment including detailed embroidery, full fringing

and opulent jacquard for both day and night.

Check out this beautiful Oasis shoot styled

by Dublin stylist, Judy Gilroy, and shot by Dublin photographer, Kenny Whittle.

White Victoriana dress €75; Black boots €85; Floppy hat €31

Denim popper dress €60; Brown ankle boot €85

1 October 2015 Gazette 19

Gazette

20 Gazette 1 October 2015

OUT&ABOUT

Some of the best places to stay in Carcassonne LOOKING for luxury?

Try the four-star Hotel Donjon (Best Western – this is where I stayed very happily), or the five-star Hotel De La Cite, both of which operate within the walled city.

They run shuttles to and from the airport – all you have to do is ask. Friendly staff are on hand to help with any information you need.

Accessible Breakfast includes a bit of a fry – if you must! Newspapers are easily accessible if you’re that way inclined.

The hotels have gourmet restaurants attached, so you can eat, drink, then roll home within minutes without a care in the world.

Otherwise, for those on a tighter budget, from November 1 until March 30, there’s a special offer. Bon Weekend a Carcassonne promises the canny traveller two nights for the price of one, as well as B&B at weekends.

To find out which hotels are participating, see http://www. tourism-carcassonne. co.uk/news/exceptional-offer-bon-weekendcarcassonne, and start planning your holiday.  therese caherty

The Hotel Donjon

Glimpses of philosopher Michel Foucault’s home afford a vision of timeless canalside relaxation

The 240km Canal Du Midi has as much charm today as when it was built in 1666 as a crucial waterway

Carcassonne’s wonderful, ancient walls and heritage sites are quite a sight to behold

Carcassonne: a leisurely break in france’s Languedoc-Rousillon region

A medieval treasure that’s great for a relaxing escape  therese caherty

SUMMER was leaving, and so was I. After a minor delay on the runway, the Ryanair craft rose in the early morning fog, direction: southwest France.

Carcassonne, in the Languedoc-Rousillon region, was basking in the early 20s, and shortly so was I, as I was ferried to the golden ramparts of the medieval city.

La Cite Carcassonne The history of this citadel – a UNESCO world heritage site since 1997 – is overwhelmingly broad, deep and fascinating. The long story short is this ...

Situated on a hill between the Atlantic and

the Mediterranean, the Romans instantly recognised the area’s strategic value and built a fortress.

So, around 100BC, Carcassonne found itself on the military map where it sat for a very long time.

Its interior walls, with their stonework variations, tell a story of constant transition. The fortification’s circular design comprises two outer walls, 53 towers (one still known as the Inquisition Tower), barbicans (castle defences), a drawbridge and ditch. Stepping into it is like stepping into a Game of Thrones hologram.

Over the centuries, its authority waned and the city went into terrible decline, to such an extent

that the French government wanted it razed.

Enter architect Eugene Viollet Le Duc in 1849, charged with a restoration which began in 1853. The fruits of his labour didn’t quite create a war, but he took some flak for imposing his own vision on the city – and for outsourcing materials.

However, Viollet Le Duc triumphed. We stood in awe amid the ruins he retrieved. What if the walls could speak? I touched the ramparts that have heard the shouts of Roman generals, the roars of Charlemagne, the wails of Cathars, the mutterings of Viollet Le Duc and today the oohs and ahs of tourists.

They have witnessed

so much victory, defeat, needless bloodshed and misery, and what has been learned? History just goes on repeating itself ...

Back on the winding streets, the force of tourism is a jolt. Everywhere, shops of all hues jostle for your cash – reader, keep your eyes on the architecture and pass by.

Basilica SaintNazaire My afternoon tour ended in the nearby Basilica of Saint-Nazaire, also restored by Violletle-Duc. Its cool mix of Romanesque nave and later Gothic choir held a pleasant surprise: a Russian quartet singing acapella amid the stained glass windows, each car-

How Carcassonne got its name AFTER a five-year siege, Queen Carcas realised food was running out and brains, not brawn, were needed to deliver her city. The artful Saracen took the last remaining pig, fed it the last remaining wheat, and flung it over the ramparts.

Believing the city had food enough to waste on pigs, warlord Charlemagne withdrew.

A jubilant Carcas rang the city bells, causing one of Charlemagne’s soldiers to exclaim: “Carcas sonne!” (“Carcas is ringing!”) The rest is history ... See Dame Carcas on a column near the Narbonne Gate – a modern interpretation! rying its own story.

But should you tire of flickering candles and immaculate conceptions, nip outside for a long, satisfying gaze at the gargoyles.

Whenever I’ve spent too long in a medieval church, my spirit soars at the glorious sight of them snarling at the congregation below, urging us to “feck off out of here”!

1 October 2015 Gazette 21

Gazette

TRAVEL

OUIBITES

Miles of vines stretch out at the Vignobles Sarrail in Cazilhac A simple but sublime dessert at L’Artichaut

Tuck in to a dizzying selection of eateries Canal Du Midi The Canal Du Midi – another UNESCO heritage site – is an experience of a different stripe. Built in 1666 during the reign of Louis XIV, this 240km waterway from Toulouse to Sete links the Med with the Atlantic, hence its other name: Canal Des Deux Mers (canal of the two seas).

An original superhighway, it is an impressive example of human ingenuity. Given the area’s scarcity of water, enterprising engineer and canal builder Pierre-Paul Riquet (Baron de Bonrepos, to you) set about taking water from the nearby Black Mountains.

He constructed a 6m cubic metre lake, the Bassin de St Ferreol, which filched water from the hills, then filled his canal.

Back in 2015, these nuggets of prime information were in danger of drifting off forever as we moved along Riquet’s creation for several hours, shaded by great plane trees.

The gates opened slowly, the locks filled with a rush of warm dank water, our barge slid on.

I heard someone say

we were passing the home of philosopher Michel Foucault and, yes, there it was, gliding away to my right ...

“You can’t hurry on the Canal Du Midi,” our capitaine intoned. “There’s just no point.” Firm Bateau le Cocagne’s tour with multilingual guide is to be recommended and is easily accessible outside the Hotel Bristol opposite the train station.

The Bastide de Saint Louis Back on terra firma, a stroll around the Bastide de Saint Louis returned me to my land legs. Built during the time of Saint Louis in 1260, it lies on the left bank of the River Aude. Basically a rectangular grid, it’s laid out around a central square, now the Place Carnot.

While its boundaries are determined these days by the boulevards laid out in the 18th and 19th centuries on the site of the old moats, the Bastide’s grid-like streetscape has survived.

You always knowwhere you are and no matter where you wander, you’ll find something to tickle your fancy.

The Canal Du Midi is an inviting 240km Part of Basilica of Saint-Nazaire

stretch of waterway

Gargoyles adorn much of the Basilica of Saint-Nazaire, glaring out at the world today with the same distinctive fashion as they have done for centuries

For my part, I stumbled on the Musee des Beauxarts’ Raoul Dufy exhibition, the French Fauvist painter who claimed “my eyes exist to erase ugliness”.

Several rooms filled to bursting with his vivid work, including their transposition to ceramic and textile design, were stunning.

Vignobles Sarrail And so, on to the obligatory wine-tasting in

the Vignobles Sarrail in nearby Cazilhac. If you’re curious to know how your wine gets into the bottle, look no further.

As we gazed over miles of vines, Pauline Greefhorst, of Domaine Sarrail, reassured me that machines do the harvesting, not humans. In the production area we saw great vats where grapes are offloaded, the oak tanks where wine ages to perfection, and thence to the public outlet, where

customers – or visitors like me – sample their wares.

Technically, you’re supposed to gargle and spit into the spittoons which stood as high as my shoulder. But I’ve spent a lifetime refraining so instead I swallowed! It seemed wasteful to do otherwise.

Abrupt as ever, the short break ended and I was scudding home. If you’re an ABB (anything but the beach) person, then Carcassonne awaits.

A bientot!

INSIDE (and outside) Carcassonne’s ramparts you’ll find the restaurant choice dizzying – so let me help!

For lunch, t h e r e g i o n ’s traditional cassoulet is a must.

This rich, slowcooked casserole includes pork sausages, goose, duck, sometimes mutton, pork skin (couennes) and haricots blancs – white beans, to you and me.

Reliable sources led me to Le Saint Jean restaurant, Place St Jean.

Our food arrived in cassoles: deep, round, earthenware pots with slanting sides.

Complete with a glass of fine local red, the dish (above, right) was a winner. I’m now officially a fan of cassoulet!

If you’re vegetarian and in the Bastide, L’Artichaut, on the main square – Place Carnot – is the place to go. It delivers a tasty aubergine lasagne, a baked camembert salad and plenty else besides.

The cafe dessert was to drool for –rich chocolate cake, a helping of panna cotta, and a dollop of icecream, all topped off with an espresso. My sinuses

were screaming but what the heck, it was worth it.

For a more gastronomic experience, treat yourself to dinner at the Comte Roger, Rue St Louis, again within the ramparts.

Here I met the chef, Pierre Mesa, who, noting my wheat-free status, delivered one of the best meals of my life. Roast cannette (duckling) arrived and was melt in the mouth. The daintily arranged veg were deliciously al dente.

Dessert, with its lavender theme, was a work of art. And the local wines, recommended by staff, were very more-ish.

The Hotel De La Cite with its one-star Michelin restaurant, La Barbacane, offers a similar gourmet experience.

So, go for it, and bon appetit!  therese caherty

Gazette

22 Gazette 1 October 2015

OUT&ABOUT

CINEMA

ReelReviews

the scorch trials Running for the top

THE sequel to last year’s The Maze Runners – Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (Cert 12A, 131 mins) – sees a group of young people running for their lives (again). Having escaped from a deadly, ever-shifting giant maze and its horrors in the first film, the young leads discover that the outside, ruined world is even worse. Some decent set-pieces help to elevate it into a solidly diverting tale.

walk in the woods Wandering and wondering TWO elderly pals rekindle an old friendship by setting off to hike the 2,200 miles of the Appalachian Trail in A Walk in The Woods (Cert 15A, 104 mins).

Robert Redford and Nick Nolte make an amiable pair, with their grumbling as they go providing light entertainment, despite some contrived sequences.

Still, it has all the bare essentials for a road trip – via the impressive woods.

inside out

Another pretty Pixar FOR the few people who haven’t seen it yet, Inside Out (Cert G, 102 mins) remains one of Pixar’s best films for years, and has a surprising amount of emotional depths for adults, too. Following the emotions of a small family – with each personified by a different character – and their daughter, it’s a bright, breezy and super colourful family films that takes bold steps into the psyche, too.

In their pairing as an unlikely mentor and student, bored retiree Ben (Robert De Niro) delivers some great life lessons to his new boss, Jules (Anne Hathaway)

the intern: an unusual friendship creates the heart of de niro’s latest

Some fresh lessons on life THE Intern popped up on a lot of people’s radars last week when its co-star, Robert De Niro, took umbrage with the tone of questions being levelled at him during a promotional interview and stormed out.

While the subsequent palaver seems to be more significant than the actual exchange, this skimpy hint of De Niro’s ire stands out as a lone mark on an otherwise spotless (and sometimes infamously mundane) track record of dealing with the press.

After decades of playing tough guys on screen, it is oddly fitting that De Niro should begin to crack during this promotional tour, as his character in The Intern is quite possibly the sweetest character you’ll see in film this year.

Displaying the kind of protestant work ethic

 Dave phillips

that would put the founding fathers to shame, Ben Whittaker is a 70-year-old widower who is quickly realising that there is no substitute for a day at the office.

When a locally-based online fashion company opens its doors to senior interns, he makes sure he is first in line, and he is reluctantly accepted into the fold by the boss, Jules Ostin (Anne Hathaway).

Confident and precocious, Jules’s intimacy with every level of her business has her so stretched for time she has taken to cycling around the office, with her coffee

in a handlebar holder and a small army of notaries in tow scheduling in every spare moment.

While it’s a role reversal for Hathaway, you should not expect a reiteration of The Devil Wears Prada – as a character, Jules is more gently moronic than wilfully demonic.

I n s t e a d , we h ave another fine example of what writer and director Nancy Meyers does best.

Meyers has a slew of feelgood romantic comedy successes under her belt, including 2003’s Something’s Gotta Give, and 2009’s It’s Complicated, and her latest film almost fits neatly beside them.

The Intern feels like a romantic comedy – just without the romance.

Like in a traditional love story, the characters gravitate to one another because they need one

another.

Jules is capable but overwhelmed in her position, her inability to trust anyone else to do the job is leading to an insurmountable volume of work that is affecting her family and social life.

Meanwhile, Ben requires an order and structure that is lacking in retirement – it is not just the regimen of getting up and going to the office: Ben needs meaning in his life, and that comes through solving other people’s problems.

It is a trial by fire that provides much of the merriment, but the platonic relationship that develops between the two leads is beauti-

ful to watch.

Hathaway in particular is on top form here, bringing great complexity to what could have been an otherwise straightforward role.

De Niro’s character is a little more linear, but he plays it well and provides the fodder for some very well-written fish-out-ofwater comedy.

It is the classic oddcouple pairing, but while things may look light and airy from the outside, there is a hidd e n l e ve l of depth a t p l ay throughout the film.

Despite the simplicity of the set-up, The Intern still manages to go beyond its comedy roots and unfold in some unexpected ways.

Meyers has seemingly mastered the art of tickling you with one hand and tugging on your heartstrings with the other, while every now and then kneeing you hard in the gut just for good measure.

Here we have two hours of great comedy, wonderful dialogue, engaging story, lovable characters and captivating performances – there’s no good reason not to see this.

Verdict: 8/10

Writer and director Nancy Meyers has delivered another feel-good film that may not reach the heights of Something’s Gotta Give, but is still worthy of a look

1 October 2015 Gazette 23

Gazette

MUSIC music video: Cry Monster Cry

Rethinking the bond between music and film

Dublin folk duo Cry Monster Cry have recorded a music video for their track Starling which will feature on Around the World in 80 Music Videos, a global series on music videos, which seeks to rethink the relationship between music and filmmaking, throughout the world.

Created by Brazilian filmmakers Diana Boccara and Leo Longo, all music videos are shot in one take and are presented along with an episode of Behind

the Trip, the web series of the couple, with the making of the videos.

Starling, from the band’s debut album, Rhythm of Dawn, is the 25th in the series and premiered recently on YouTube.

Inspire

Because of the references to certain birds in the lyrics (mocking bird and starling, animals that have the ability to mimic sounds) the music video aims to tell the story of the relationship and exchange

that mankind and nature have, and how they inspire each other, in this case, through music.

The concept of the video also plays with the idea of birdwatchers being watched by the birds, as one inspires the other.

The music video was shot in the Dublin Mountains, in Massey’s Woods, with the presence of friends and family of the band together with friends of Boccara and Longo.

Throughout the

video they don different masks and appear as the creatures of the forest.

The Delorentos also recorded a music video and The Coronas will record a video for their song Get Loose on October 5 as the final Irish contribution to the series.

Boccara and Longo are then moving on to Africa, to shoot music videos there.

Cr y Monster Cr y’s Starling: can be viewed at https://youtu.be/ii5PCo-w3sE?list=PLDB-

Cry Monster Cry’s video was shot high in the Dublin Mountains and was done in one single shot

gLJKGCz4HeSuIjV87rFOdbC20JSBl For more information on Around the World in

80 Music Videos visit: w w w.facebook.com/ atw80musicvideos, https://www.youtube.

com/aroundtheworldin80musicvideos or instagram.com/ atw80musicvideos/

24 Gazette 1 October 2015

Gazette

1 October 2015 Gazette 25

OUT&ABOUT

GAMING

technology: dedicated handheld hardware could soon be a thing of the past

Ready for portable gaming’s evolution?

 shane dillon

WITH the inexorable rise of mobile gaming into mass culture, you might expect to see dedicated handheld consoles enjoying a resurgent popularity, following in the notable footsteps left by the likes of Nintendo’s 3DS, or Sony’s PlayStation Vita.

However, the opposite now seems to be true – the ever-increasing rise in mobile gaming makes

it increasingly less likely that new gaming handhelds will appear. Why, you may ask?

Speaking in Birmingham at the just concluded EGX 2015 – the UK’s biggest gaming event – Shuhei Yoshida, president of Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios, was asked about developing a sequel platform to the Vita.

He said: “People have mobile phones and it’s

so easy to play games on smartphones. And many games on smartphones are free, or free to start.

“I myself am a huge fan of PlayStation Vita and we worked really hard on designing every aspect.

Touch-based games are fun – there are many games with really good design. But having sticks and buttons make things totally different.

“So I hope, like many of you, that this culture

of playing portable games continues, but the climate [for dedicated handheld platforms] is not healthy for now because of the huge dominance of mobile gaming.”

In other words: “Sure, mobile gaming is going through the roof, but the problem is that everyone’s playing games on their phones or tablets, rather than on a dedicated console. As such, the era of walking into a

Shuhei Yoshida, president of Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios

games shop to pick up a game for a handheld console – or the consoles – is as dead as a dodo.”

The only thing that seems likely is that, from 2016 onwards, a dedicated handheld that’s specifically controlled and curated by a single corporation simply won’t happen.

The major studios and publishers alike are being forced to evolve, facing an evolutionary battle that has already seen a number of gaming giants toppled in 2015, unable to keep pace with smaller and more agile developers nipping about their heels.

To echo Yoshida: “It’s

so easy to play games on smartphones.” This pragmatic statement is almost certain to see itself implemented by the gaming gods porting their biggest names and franchises into the new all-digital frontier, rather than clinging to traditional mobile gaming hardware models.

26 dublin city gazette 1 October 2015

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I, Joan Murray, wish to apply for planning permission for the construction of a first floor flat roof extension with two number roof lights over existing single storey extension to rear of property to allow for the alterations to existing bedrooms to bring them up to current standards, installation of a bathroom and to lower the ground floor level to bring room heights to current standard at No. 3 Thompsons Cottages, Summerhill, Dublin 1.The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of Dublin City Council during its public opening hours and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

I, Suzanne Ward, intend to apply for permission for development at 8 Pembroke Place, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. The development will consist of (a) Demolition of existing single storey return to rear of main house;(b) Construction of a new two storey extension to rear of main house together with associated site works;(c)Replacement of existing windows to front and rear of main house.The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceed the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of Dublin City Council during its public opening hours and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

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I Mr Dermot Kirby of 23 Beaumont Road, Whitehall, Dublin 9,intend to apply for Planning Permission for single storey extension at rear, two number velux roof windows at side and internal alterations and all associated site works.This application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of Dublin City Council during its public opening hours and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

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28 gazette 1 October 2015

SPORT

FastSport hockey: dublin clubs endure mixed fortunes on opening day irish soccer international Dunne dies: FORMER Republic of Ireland international goalkeeper Pat Dunne passed away this week after a short illness, aged 72.

A former Stella Maris schoolboy player, Dunne signed for Everton before returning to Ireland and playing for Shamrock Rovers from 1962 to 1964. He was part of the Shamrock Rovers team which won the League of Ireland, FAI Cup, Shield, Leinster Senior Cup and Dublin City Cup in the 1963-64 season.

Dunne then joined Manchester United and won the English League First Division title in his first season and won Player of the Year at Plymouth Argyle in 1968.

He made 45 appearances for Manchester United and 152 for Plymouth Argyle before returning to Shamrock Rovers in 1970.

Dunne also won five caps for Ireland and played in the World Cup play-off against Spain in Paris in 1965.

National league’s new era  sport@dublingazette.com

G A R E T H Wa t k i n s ’ late double saw reigning national champions Monkstown snatch a 2-1 win over Railway Union to raise a dramatic curtain on the men’s EY Hockey

League, the first full season national league for the sport.

His side looked to be in a perilous position after Mateusz Nowakowski’s second quarter deflection had given Railway an early lead.

But Watkins held his nerve from a penalty stroke with eight minutes to go before touching home Jonny Bruton’s pass for the victory.

It was one of a series of high octane opening ties.

Lisnagarvey picked up an

Pembroke’s Alan Sothern lines up a shot

Railway Union’s Niamh Carey, right, on the attack. Picture: Adrian Boehm

important 3-2 win over Ballsbridge side Pembroke in a match laden with international talent.

Timmy Cockram, James Lorimer and debutant Neal Glassey built a 3-1 lead for the Hillsborough side, rendering Alan Sothern’s double ultimately fruitless, his second coming with mere seconds remaining.

Rathfarnham’s Three Rock Rovers, meanwhile, had a similarly comprehensive victory over Tallaght’s Glenanne as Peter Blakeney’s first half brace was augmented by goals from Ross Canning and Daragh Walsh.

On the women’s side, Anna O’Flanagan’s hat trick earned Hermes a 3-2 win against her former club UCD, coming from a

goal behind on two occasions to nick the result in the last play of the game.

Sara Twomey and Elaine Carey’s close range efforts put the students in front at 1-0 and 2-1 but O’Flanagan struck back twice for the Booterstown club before she eventually won the tie following a series of last-ditch penalty corners.

Ulster Elks came from a goal down to beat Pembroke 3-1. Sarah Clarke’s corner strike had the Dubliners 1-0 up at halftime but Shirley McCay turned the tide with a pair of goals before Jessica McMaster completed the victory.

Sandymount’s Railway Union were comfortable 2-0 winners against Cork Harlequins as Emer Lucey

and Niamh Carey scored in the first half to put new coach Colm Blennerhassett and his troops on course for victory.

UCC were the big winners on day one, coming away from Galway with a 4-0 success against Greenfields with Alex O’Grady, Antonia McGrath, Niamh O’Leary and Nicola Kerr among the goals.

Two final quarter goals from Sara Alexander saw Ards produce a famous comeback against Ulster rivals Pegasus.

Their 3-3 draw was one of the highlights of the first day. Pegasus had led 3-0 but Ards captain Caroline Adams gave them a lifeline from a corner before Alexander netted twice in the closing phases to grab a point.

Clontarf maintain winning run in UBL Division 1A  sport@dublingazette.com

Clontarf’s Matt D’Arcy

A SECOND half hat-trick from Mick McGrath saw Clontarf come from behind to beat Ballynahinch 38-17 and maintain their winning start to the Ulster Bank League Division 1A campaign.

Adding to his brace from the opening night against UCD, Mick McGrath turned this game on its head as Ballynahinch’s 10-0 interval lead was erased by the Leinster winger’s trio of scores, with the middle one set up by a Matt D’Arcy

interception.

McGrath’s brother Rob and Ulster prospect Conor Joyce swapped further tries before Michael Brown’s late effort - converted by Joey Carbery completed the table toppers’ third victory on the trot.

Leinster recruit Mick Kearney made a welcome return from injury in the Clontarf second row.

After losing to leaders Clontarf last time out, Old Belvedere got back to winning ways with a 24-12 defeat of a resilient Galwegians side at Anglesea Road.

Ed O’Keeffe’s second league try had ’Wegians just 11-7 behind at half-time and turning with the wind behind them, Matt Brown’s men went on to dominate the third quarter.

However, they could not convert pressure into points and ultimately paid the price.

A Gavin Tynan try had them back in front at 12-11, but Belvo were clinical in the final quarter with their Leinster-capped centre Steve Crosbie scoring a penalty and a converted try.

Yellow cards for ’Wegians locks Aly Muldowney and

Marty Cummins proved costly, and a closing penalty from Shane McDonald wrapped up the home win.

Fourth-placed UCD remain just three points off top spot following a superb nine-try 56-22 dismissal of Young Munster at a sun-splashed Belfield Bowl.

Ireland Under-20 international Billy Dardis helped himself to a hat-trick and Brian Cawley, Mark McGroarty, Adam Byrne, James Tracy, Jeremy Loughman and Jamie Glynn also touched down for the Noel McNamaracoached students.

1 October 2015 gazette 29

Gazette

Olympic marathon hopes move closer Dublin-based Sergiu Ciobanu and Mick Clohisey moved right into contention for a place at the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil thanks to their efforts in Berlin last weekend, writes NATHAN KELLY TWO LOCAL runners were among the top three Irish finishers at the Berlin Marathon last weekend as five home-grown athletes ran Olympic qualifying times.

Sergiu Ciobanu of Clonliffe Harriers and Mick Clohisey from Raheny Shamrock finished second and third in a 10-man and onewoman Irish contingent.

Olympic qualification time is 2.17.00 for men and 2.42.00 for women and Kevin Seaward from St Malachy’s in Belfast was the first across the line for the Irish with a time of 2.14.52. Lizzie Lee of Leevale AC in Cork was the leading

Irish woman with a time of 2.32.51 Ciobanu wasn’t too long after Seaward as he crossed the line after 2.15.14 while Clohisey soon followed in 2.15.35.

Speaking straight after the marathon, Ciobanu was naturally delighted with his performance.

“I’m delighted to finish as second Irishman,” he said.

The Harriers man, who finished 24th overall in Berlin, spoke with relief of what this result does for him over the next few months.

“Now I don’t have to worry too much about running another marathon in the spring. I can hopefully prove my form

with a half marathon at the world half marathon in March,” he said.

“My plan was to come and improve my personal best,” he added. “ Yo u c a n ’t k n ow exactly how the marathon is going to be. I just thought about starting it and see how I got on. We had a group over here and we worked together.

“I started to struggle a bit on the last 10km to 12km but in my mind I said I must not go slower than 3.20 per km. Up to that my pace was about 3.10 per km so I knew if I finished strong I could do well.”

Clohisey, meanwhile, finished just 21 seconds

Mick Clohisey, Kevin Seaward and Sergiu Ciobanu who all beat the Olympic marathon qualifying standard last weekend

after Ciobanu after initially leading the Irish charge from the start, and the Raheny Shamrocks man admitted to underestimating the distance in Berlin.

“The first half there was a good group of us and I was at the front of it all the way,” he said.

“I thought I’d r un around 2.15,” said the St Malachy’s man. “I didn’t think I could go inside it so it’s a pleasant surprise. I’m absolutely delighted. The first 5km felt really fast but as the race went on it settled and everything felt good from there.”

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

‘You can’t know exactly how the marathon is going to be.

I just thought about starting it and seeing how I got on’ Sergiu Ciobanu

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

“I had a 67.30 half-way pace, well it was either 67 or 67.30 I was looking at, there was a group of us. I thought that was perfect and I was feeling fine up until then.

“Just then in the second half you start to feel it, I actually thought I might be able to pick it up in the second half but in the last few miles I slowed a bit; I underestimated the distance.

“But I hung in there and I have to be a happy with 2.15.32, it’s a twominute personal best, I have to be happy,” added Clohisey who finished 29th overall.

The leading Irishman on the day, Kevin Seaward, also spoke after his 2.14.52 finish and revealed a bit of surprise at his time.

The leading Irish woman, Lizzie Lee, spoke emotionally after her 2.32.51 finish smashed the Olympic standard and her own personal best (2.38.09) from Berlin two years ago.

“I’m absolutely blown out of the park,” she said.

“The last two miles were the hardest thing I’ve ever done; my goal was 2.33.00. Fingers crossed now for selection for Rio.” The other Dublin runners among the leading Irish results were Sean Hehir (Rathfarnham WSAF) in 2.17.48, Mark Kirwan (Raheny Shamrock) in 2.19.30, Gary Murray (Clonliffe Harriers) in 2.21.09 and Tomas Fitzpatrick (Tallaght) in 2.22.18.

FastSport

Four-day turnarounds and injury issues abound FOR the duration of the Rugby World Cup, ex-Edinburgh and Marlboro player and IRANZ Level 5 rugby coach Dennis Bowes will give his thoughts on the key battles in the RWC15.

THE battle is over; the war is only starting. This week, the big talking points were the lack of recovery time for the tier two nations like Japan and Fiji with four-day turnarounds between big games.

Last week, we had Japan upsetting South Africa, we could not see the same thing happening again.

The smaller nations just can’t cope with the intensity and it proved so with both teams going down in the last 20 minutes of their second games and it proved a rough comedown after their immaculate opening.

The next big issue is injuries. How many worldclass players are missing from the biggest tournament in rugby already?

Most teams are already calling for the re-enforcements and need to add to their squads after only two games played Nowhere was this more evident than the big game on Saturday night between the host nation England against a Welsh side who were already reeling from the loss of their two star players in the warm up games, Rees Webb and Leigh Halfpenny.

It looked certain to be a tough game but one that England could not lose. A full strength England took a decisive lead before half time and looked like coming out second half to finish off a Welsh team hanging on 16-9 at half time and England in control.

The next 40 minutes of rugby were pure drama nails bitten to the bone. This was unreal stuff. At one stage, there were bodies left lying all over the pitch like a scene from Saving Private Ryan Wales lost three more players to the World Cup and it looked all over for them.

But with steely resolve and pure bloody guts and no little skill they clawed their way back from the edge With five minutes left on the clock they took the lead and never let it go. England defeated at home: an unreal moment as the chariot’s wheels came off.

Lastly, a mention for Ireland; they are building nicely and I think they can keep going all the way to the final; lets see what we get next weekend!

Gazette

30 dublin city gazette 1 October 2015

SPORT

FastSport

soccer: fai cup finalists back on the march in national stage

Seven Dubliners named in FIBA Europe Cup team SEVEN Dublin-based players have been named in the first Hibernia Basketball squad of 16 for the FIBA Europe Cup, contesting European club basketball for the first time in over 20 years.

The combined club side will compete in the group stages of the FIBA Europe Cup this autumn with eight players returning from the Men’s Premier League Select squad who played at the Sino-European Championships in China.

Templeogue trio Jason Killeen, Michael Bonaparte and Conor Grace are named though Killeen’s ongoing knee injury is likely to limit his involvement in the early rounds.

Eanna’s Luke Thompson, UCD Marian’s Neil Baynes and Swords Thunder’s Kevin Lacey, pictured above, return to the fold as do big men Martins Provizors of DCU Saints and Keelan Cairns of Belfast Star.

Fit again player coach Colin O’Reilly is one of six C&S UCC Demons players in the squad along with newcomers Lehmon Colbert and Adrian O’Sullivan.

“We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel,” said O’Reilly. “We’re just trying to make sure we put the best team we can on the floor in the shortest time possible.

“A few players that didn’t make the China trip stood out to us in training and needed a little more time. They’ve gotten used to what we’re trying to do and now those players are ready to step up.”

Elsewhere, the new men’s Basketball Ireland National League gets under way this weekend with many clubs making a series of new signings.

Templeogue are one of the big beneficiaries from the break-up of Dublin Inter. Point Guard Mazvydas Cepliauskas and Aurimas Statkus are seasoned MPL operators and Mark Keenan will have even more experience at his disposal with the additions of Michael Bonaparte and Paul Cummins. Cummins is a former senior international who last played with Belfast Star in 2013.

DCU Saints now have Slovenian guard Luka Nachbarcvikl on their books and look set to draw further on the wealth of talent from St. Vincent’s. UL Eagles welcome back Robert Lynch into the fold after a two season break from the national league while Staats Battle joins from North Carolina State on the Victory Scholarships programme.

The Sheriff YC team have made it through to the next phase of the FAI Cup

Sheriff and Liffey Cups run on sport@dublingazette.com

L A S T s e a s o n ’s FA I Junior Cup final innercity showdown will be remembered more than most, and the two finalists returned to national cup action last weekend.

When it was decided that Sheriff YC and Liffey Wanderers would contest the 2014-15 Junior Cup final, the buzz in the city for the Dublin City derby began way before matchday.

It was the underdogs Wanderers who came out on top to break Sheriff ’s dominance but the docklands side

won’t get their revenge this year at least.

Wanderers are now playing intermediate football and returned to the FAI Intermediate Cup last week, hammering Clondalkin outfit Peamount United 6-0 in their first round clash.

Travelling to Newcastle last Friday night, it took Wanderers just three minutes to go in front when Lee Roche broke the deadlock.

Dean Kinsella sent his side two in front before Roche added a third when an audacious chip from 35 yards found its way in.

It was a case of what-

Bohs legends Crowe and O’Connor on hand for charity match A BOhemian Legends team played a charity match in aid of Pieta House against an Ireland Legends team in Dalymount Park recently as part of the ongoing programme of events to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the club.

Cllr Larry O’Toole (SF), a long time Bohemian supporter, who deputised for the Lord Mayor at the match was pictured with two Bohs legends Tony O’Connor and Glen Crowe.

ever you can do, I can do too as Kinsella soon joined Roche on two goals with a fine finish to make it four while the game was only midway through the first half.

Roche wanted that match ball, however, and secured it by completing a first half hat-trick with 10 minutes still left before the break.

When Carl O’Brien added a sixth just before the break, you were left wondering if it could have been a cricket score but to their credit, Peamount tightened up after the break as the sides played out a scoreless second half.

Sheriff meanwhile returned to Junior Cup action looking to take back the blue-ribbon cup they had won back to back in 2011-12 and 2012-13 before exiting in the semi-final two seasons ago and Wanderers win last season.

Mullingar Athletic were the opposition in Clontarf Road last Sunday but were no match for a clinical Sheriff side.

Stewy Glen opened the scoring to continue the good form he’s showed since his summer signing. FAI Junior International Player of the Year Darren Dunne

put Sheriff two up before bustling striker John Rock hit a quickfire brace in the second half to seal the result.

Mullingar hit a late consolation but Sheriff march on and like Wanderers, take their first step to the Aviva Stadium in May, although this time, both clubs could leave as champions of Ireland.

Elsewhere, St Francis played out a thrilling 3-3 draw withTEK United at Stradbrook in the LSL Sunday Senior 1 division. The result leaves them in seventh place after five rounds of matches.

1 October 2015 DUBLIN CITY gazette 31

Gazette

ladies football: dublin denied by two points

Dublin’s Sinead Goldrick at full stretch to get away from Annie Walsh. Picture: Paul Mohan/Sportsfile

Cork grind out yet another All-Ireland

all-ireland final Cork 0-12 Dublin 0-10  james hendicott sport@dublingazette.com

A BRAVE Dublin side failed to break Cork’s All-Ireland Ladies dominance, as the final on Sunday saw the rebels take their tenth title in 11 years.

A f luid but niggly opening 15 minutes saw the two sides charge at each other, yet points were notched largely through frees.

Carla Rowe set a trend, knocking over three early points with Valerie Mulcahy firing back for Cork at the other end, as the girls settled into their sizeable environs. The two were to prove by far the dominant scorers on the day.

Fouls broke up the game, though, and the best chance of the half came from a wide looping point attempt that beat Dublin goalkeeper Chiara Trant before clanging off the crossbar.

The resulting goal-

mouth scramble saw the keeper caught way out of position, but a tame Cork shot was picked off by covering defenders, leaving a bitty halftime stalemate at 0-5 points each.

In the second half, Cork made the early running, hitting four unanswered points as Dublin conceded critical frees.

Dublin weren’t converting possession in and around the Cork box, and the match was starting to look a tall order.

While Dublin made many of the slicker second half moves, Cork retreated into their half and broke at pace, finishing chances efficiently and holding the Girls in Blue 30m from goal.

When Dublin closed to within a point with 10 minutes left on the clock, Dubs possession was matched only by Cork’s solidity.

Rowe landed a crucial pair of frees either side of a Sarah McCaffrey point but a Mulcahy point put two in the difference with the clock ticking

down.

Dublin found themselves forced to go for goal from a long-range free with seconds on the clock. Possession in the area didn’t prove quite enough for the Jackies, as five or six Cork defenders got behind the ball, and time expired with Cork ahead by 0-12 to 0-10.

A crowd of 31,083 was the largest for a women’s sporting contest in Europe this year, but it’ll be little consolation to a Jackies side who always looked a pass short of their elite opponents.

FastGAA

McGonigle says Dubs playing the long game DUBLIN senior ladies manager Greg McGonigle took a pragmatic view on All-Ireland defeat, as he saw his side narrowly succumb to a confident Cork side in Croke Park on Sunday. McGonigle spoke of the fine margins.

“After halftime, we came out and kicked two short and two wides, and Cork kicked four points,” McGonigle said of the 10 post half-time minutes that may have cost the girls in blue an All-Ireland title. “Obviously that was a key moment. That’s football. We see half time as more of an administrative break, so I don’t think it had a lot to do with that. It’s just one of those things. It was tight. At times Cork were hanging on to get their medals.”

Looking back at the first half stalemate, McGonigle highlighted the strength of his defence and attack, but admitted a difficulty linking the two. “I thought we were causing serious problems in the full back line. Carla Rowe and Niamh McEvoy were having outstanding games,” he said. “We were happy with how we were set up with man-marking jobs in defence, too. Sinead Goldrick did a job on Chiara O’Sullivan. We were happy going into halftime, key areas were going well.”

The result was to be the same as last year’s late-game turnaround, though, despite a much more defensive and bitty game. “The only difference in feeling from last year was last year we had the lead and they came back,” McGonigle said. “But we’re very proud of Dublin. We’re a very young side, and I think a lot of the media had us written off coming up here, with Cork going for five in a row. We talked about our game plan, implemented our game plan and we didn’t go away.”

McGonigle was quick to praise the victors, though, who took their tenth title in 11 years. The Ulster man maintained that he’d be happy to face them again next time around, while talking about the positives for Dublin football. “We’re not really sick of the sight of them,” he said.

“We really respect what they’ve done for ladies’ football. If you’re going to win you have to beat someone in the final and you’d rather it be Cork. You have to take your hat off to them, though. They’re a really good side. But this is our second All-Ireland final in two years, after a few years away. We’re playing a long game, and we’re getting closer. The set-up is getting better and better.”

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Call our sport team on 60 10 240 and SELECT OPTION 3 Dublin’s Niamh McEvoy on the attack. Picture: Paul Mohan/Sportsfile

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32 dublin city gazette 1 October 2015