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INSIDE: Having fun at a farmers’ market in the People’s Park P10

May 12, 2011

MAKING A SPLASH: Students go on air with The Wave radio station P4

A real Gem of an idea: Book club goes to theatre THESE ladies from Belmont Book

Football: Jackies hail Fox/ Cab influence in NFL 1 return Page 32

Club decided to turn over a new leaf and start a new chapter in their club’s get-togethers when they came along to the Pavilion Theatre for the opening of Little Gem. The popular production saw a mainly female audience in attendance, with many making it part of a full Ladies’ Day with friends, following on from having watched the British royal wedding, earlier that morning.

Picture: Geraldine Woods

Full Gallery on Pages 8-9

Rugby: Farrell score secures cup title for Blackrock Page 28

ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES ......................8 MOTORS ........................18 BUSINESS .................... 21 TRAVEL......................... 22 ENTERTAINMENT ........ 24 CLASSIFIEDS ............... 26

Polling card claims rejected by council Says ‘no political involvement in delivery of cards’

Q DAWN LOVE

A NEWSPAPER report, claiming that the staff of a local councillor in Dun LaoghaireRathdown helped to distribute polling cards on the eve of the General Election, after the original ones failed to be delivered

by An Post, has been rejected

by council management.

The council said that no elected representative had access to the reissued polling cards, and that there had been “no political involvement” in the delivery of the cards.

Fine Gael councillor John Bailey said that, if the allegation was true, it was very seri-

ous, as it had been a very “tight” election in the Dun Laoghaire constituency, where one seat was lost by just 130 votes.

The council has agreed to write to the newspaper seeking a retraction, and to An Post, seeking a report on the misplaced polling cards.

Full Story on Page 6

2 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 12 May 2011

SAFETY: RNLI TO THE RESCUE AS SANDBANK WALKER IS CUT OFF

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Dogs are set free to ruin pitches

TR Redmond Via email

Q DAWN LOVE dunlaoghaire@gazettegroup.com

A MAN walking on Sandymount beach had a lucky escape when he became cut off by the incoming tide, and had to be rescued by the new RNLI inshore lifeboat (ILB) from Dun Laoghaire, last week.

The incident occurred shor tly af ter 10pm, when the man, who was walking on a sandbank approximately one mile from Strand Road in Sandymount, became aware that he was being cut off by the rising flood tide.

The RNLI, the Irish coastguard service that co-ordinates marine rescues, received a phone call from the man, and the inshore lifeboat was launched at 10.20pm.

Effortlessly elegant: Ciara impresses the fashion judges at Punchestown racecourse WITH help from a pretty parasol to shield her from our inclement spring weather, Shankill lady Ciara Devitt was the deserving winner of the Arnotts’ Best Dressed Lady competition held on the second day of the Punchestown Racing Festival.

Successfully marrying classic elegance with

a contemporary twist, Ciara’s look impressed judges at the racecourse with her effortlessly era-bridging style, with the judges presenting her with a €1,000 Arnotts’ voucher, an overnight stay in a suite in the Gresham Hotel, and a personal shopping appointment at Arnotts.

Search A search involving gardai and coastguard shore units was already under way, and the ILB began combing the area with the assistance of searchlights and white parachute flares.

According to an RNLI spokesperson, the man relayed his position to the ILB crew via the Dublin coastguard radio service, and he was located within 20 minutes.

“The ILB crew took the man on board and brought him to Dun Laoghaire one hour after the call-out. He was unhurt in the incident,

and did not require hospital attention,” said the spokesperson.

The new inshore lifeboat was named Realt Na Mara by broadcaster, Pat Kenny, and his wife, Cathy, at a ceremony last week.

The €35,000 craft was donated privately, and last Tuesday’s call was the second that day.

Earlier, four people on a small powerboat had got into difficulties off Bulloch Harbour, in Dalkey.

Tricked The RNLI said that last week’s incident was not an infrequent occurrence, as the sandbanks on Sandymount Strand have tricked other walkers in the past.

The incoming tide floods the lower-lying beach area closer to the shore, and depths become impossible to walk across, especially in surf.

“The man was very lucky to escape injury, or worse,” said Stephen Wynne, lifeboat operations manager at Dun Laoghaire RNLI. “There were less than two hours remaining before high-water but, at that stage, the sandbank would have been completely covered.

“Sea temperatures on the east coast are still less than ten degrees, and the chances of survival would have been slim,” he said.

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I READ with interest your article [re amending beach bye-laws for dog owners] in the Dun Laoghaire Gazette, dated April 28.

If you really want to see free, unleashed dogs defecating, in some instances on the pitches used by the under-age teams, go to Cabinteely Park, in the vicinity of the pitches, on any weekday morning, between 7 to 9am.

Despite nearby bye-law signs clearly stating the offence, it is almost, but not entirely, ignored by early morning walkers.

Whatever you do, don’t approach these people to remonstrate, for you will be met with a torrent of abuse.

Don’t bother telling Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council – I did, and I was informed that they had not got the security to deal with what they accepted was a problem. (They did provide a fenced-off field, where dogs can be legally let loose, but it is used by very few. You might also get a cameraman [to record this area’s lack of use].)

You should also experience the terrifying speeds reached by some cyclists as they come down the hill from Cabinteely House at around 8 to 9am. Some school child, or early morning walker, is going to be injured or killed some day by these people, again ignoring the bye-laws.

Man was trapped by rising tide

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12 May 2011 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 3

COMMUNITY Looking forward to IBAL Litter League

SHOWCASE: ART WORKS

Mythical Ireland on show

Following sustained efforts in recent years to clean up Dun Laoghaire, locals will be hoping for another good result in the annual nationwide litter league

Hopes to stay ‘litter-free’ Q DAWN LOVE dunlaoghaire@gazettegroup.com

DUN Laoghaire will be looking to retain its litter-free ranking when the results of the Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) survey are announced this summer.

The 2011 programme for the litter survey was launched by the Minister for the Environment, Phil Hogan, last week.

Speaking at the launch, IBAL chairman, Dr Tom Cavanagh, said the Government should introduce a national “Adopt a Road” scheme, where companies would sponsor the national road network and finance the cleaning of stretches of road, in return for getting their name on road

signage.

T h e I BA L L i t t e r League has now been in action for almost a decade and, organisers say, cleanliness levels have improved greatly throughout the country, with more than 70% of towns deemed litter-free, compared to just two being deemed so, back in 2002.

However, studies show that approach roads and key routes outside of towns are most likely to be littered.

Dr Cavanagh said: “Regular cleaning schedules, such as they have in other countries, are what’s really needed for these routes, but we should also look at supplementary ideas, not least given the squeeze

on the public purse and the lack of resources in county councils.

‘Adopt A Highway schemes have proven successful in other countries, and should be introduced here. We want to see the Government spearhead this scheme on a national basis, to include County Dublin,” he said.

IBAL is calling for Minister Hogan to grant favourable tax treatment to new, degradable chewing gums, so as to support their introduction on the market here.

“Local authorities have told us they favour this move as a means of ridding our streets of conventional chewing gum, the removal of which costs the State millions each year.

“We look to Minister Hogan to show resolve in confronting an issue which continues to dog our environment,” said Dr Cavanagh.

The first results of the 2011 IBAL Litter League will be published in summer. Carlow was deemed to be the cleanest town in Ireland in the 2010 programme.

IBAL is inviting people in Dublin to submit photos by mobile phone of litter blackspots in their neighbourhood, as part of a “litter twitter” campaign to alert local authorities to local litterridden areas.

Photos can be emailed to litterspotter.2010@ twitpic.com, and can be followed at twitter.com/ litterspotter.

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DUN Laoghaire artist, Veronica Heywood, will showcase her mythological landscapes in a show at the Blackrock Market Cafe this May and June.

Ag Seasamh an Fhoid will feature a selection of works from throughout her career.

During her career, Heywood has created a diary of Ireland through her watercolours and drawings, and says she likes to work in a plein-air style, so as to capture the magic of the moment.

She studied at the Central School of Art and Design, London, and Salisbury School of Art, Wiltshire, and has had solo shows in Ireland, Europe, USA, Australia and Hong Hong.

She also teaches painting and drawing, and runs summer painting schools.

For further information, see www.veronicaheywood.netfirms.com.

4 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 12 May 2011

COURTS Man called ‘decent’ but jailed for two-years over his ‘grave error’

Antiques dealer had €25,000 worth of cannabis AN ANTIQUES dealer has been jailed for two years for possessing cannabis worth €25,000 w h i ch, he cl ai m ed, he was selling to his friends.

Judge Martin Nolan called Stephen Spencer (50), of Valeview Close, The Park, Cabinteely, “a decent man who made a grave error in judge-

ment”, but said he had to impose a jail term because of the amount of drugs involved and Spencer’s mature age.

The court heard Spencer’s business had suffered greatly during the recession, and he was selling to drugs to alleviate the financial pressure on him.

He would sell the

drugs in small amounts to friends who called to his business, and in the pub.

Spencer pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of 2.5kgs of cannabis, worth €25,254, for sale or supply at his business – Spencer Antiques and Restoration, Sunny Hill – on January 30, 2010.

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Garda John Healy told Ms Martina Baxter BL, prosecuting, that surveillance of Spencer led to gardai getting a warrant and searching his business.

Spencer pointed out where they could find the cannabis.

Most was found in the workshop area, in a plastic container, and

underneath a pile of sawdust. Another cache was found hidden in a vase on the premises.

Unhappy He told gardai he had paid €4,500 for the drugs, but that he intended to return them because he was unhappy with their quality.

He said he usually

divided the drugs in ounces and sold them for €150 each to “friends and associates”.

He said he had started smoking cannabis himself after buying it for his late brother, who had MS. Gda Healy said Spencer’s business had suffered badly during the recession and he was

under financial pressure at the time. He said he believed Spencer was a low-level dealer, despite the quantity of drugs seized.

Defence counsel, Mr Breffni Gordon BL, said Spencer could not have been any more co-operative with gardai. He added that his client had no previous convictions.

IT’S YOUR STORY: STUDENTS’ RADIO BROADCASTS

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60 10 240 Dun Laoghaire College of Further Education is set to showcase the skills of its radio production students

The Wave hopes to make a big splash Q KEITH MCLOUGHLIN Dun Laoghaire College of Further Education

THE Wave is a student radio project designed to showcase the emerging talents of radio production students at Dun Laoghaire College of Further Education.

The Wave 97.3FM will be on air from Tuesday, May 17 to Thursday, May 19 and will also be available online at www. thewaveonline.ie.

We will have breakfast shows, specialist music shows, documentaries, interviews, news and a drive-time show.

Upcoming programmes on the station include radio documentaries on Being Visually Impaired, How to get Radio Airplay, and on Mrs Quinn’s Charity Shop.

Students also have a show called The Chat Room, which is a oneto-one interview programme, including Wicklow singer/songwriter, Luan Parle.

There is plenty of music on the station, too, with William’s Irish Folk Show (as Gaeilge) and Keith’s Irish Pop Music Mix. The Wave has been broadcasting online over the past few months, but it is expected to reach a new level, now that students have a temporary radio licence for three days.

Keith Mcloughlin and Alex Petkov hosted a Musicians’ Open Day on thewaveonline on Friday, April 1.

T hey managed to interview guests, and got them to play live in

studio for two hours.

The guests were William Byrne, from RB6; Hazel Jade Rogers; James O’Connor and Audrey Trainor, who teaches in the college; Geraldine Mangan; Amy Walsh and Lora Gilbert, Full Closure, and Sinead McNally.

Back in February, the radio class did The Wave Online on Monday 14, Tuesday 15, and Friday 18, from 10am to 1pm on each of the three days.

This gave each of the students a chance to present their own shows, as well as getting used to using the desk, playing tracks and presenting live on air.

The Wave will broadcast live programmes from Tuesday, May 17 to Thursday, May 19, from 10am to 5pm on 97.3FM

in Dun Laoghaire and the surrounding area, plus online at w w w. thewaveonline.ie.

Hope you can tune in!

THE WAVE, 97.3FM PROGRAMMES Tuesday, May 17 10 - 11am – Rise and Shine 12.30 - 1pm – Documentary on Being Visually Impaired 2 - 3pm – Documentary on How to get Radio Airplay Wednesday, May 18 1 - 2pm – William’s Irish Folk Show (as Gaeilge) 2 - 3pm – Keith’s Irish Pop Music Mix Thursday, May 19 12 - 12.30pm – The Chat Room, with Luan Parle 12.30 - 1pm – Documentary on Mrs Quinn’s Charity Shop

12 May 2011 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 5

COURTS: STATE STOPS PROCEEDINGS OVER MAN ACCUSED OF THREAT

All charges are dropped in ‘stab’ case A MAN accused of threatening to stab an RTE journalist outside his home has had all charges against him dropped by the State.

Miley Connors (40), of Glenshane Lawns, Tallaght, had pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to burglary, threatening to kill or cause serious harm to Mr Fergal Keane, and production of rocks at Monkstow n Avenue, Monkstown, on November 25, 2007.

Mr Keane and his wife, Ms Tara Buckley, gave evidence that they noticed three men in their garden as they were about to pull into their driveway at night time.

Mr Keane stopped the car, and got out to confront the intruders.

The couple later discovered that their home had been “completely and utterly ransacked”, and a number of valuable items taken.

Mr Keane said he chased a youth from his front garden, and was holding on to him outside his home, when a fourth man approached him, and threatened to stab him if he did not let the other man go.

He told the jury that this man had a rock in one hand and his other hand in his pocket.

He said he had “no doubt”, looking at this

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‘Following instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions, a nolle prosequi was entered in relation to all charges relating to the accused’ --------------------------

man’s demeanour, that he would stab him.

“I was in fear of my life.

That is the only reason I did not confront him,” Mr Keane said.

He was punched by the youth, and the other man threw a rock at him before fleeing the scene.

He said rocks were then thrown at his car, where his wife and three children were still sitting.

Both Mr Keane and Ms Buckley described their children as “screaming in terror”, and having “tears streaming down” their face as the rocks were “coming out of the darkness”.

Judge Patrick McCartan ruled that evidence of “a purported identification” of Mr Connors

by Mr Keane at an event in Dun Laoghaire a year after the alleged offence was inadmissible.

Mr Vincent Heneghan BL, prosecuting, then told Judge McCartan that “a matter had arisen”, and he had been given instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions “not to proceed any further” with the case.

He applied for a nolle prosequi to be entered in relation to all charges.

Mr Heneghan told Judge McCartan that he could not give any reason for his instructions.

Mr Garnet Orange BL, defending, asked that Mr Connors be acquitted by direction of the judge, so that the case against his client “could be brought to a conclusion”.

Judge McCartan allowed the nolle prosequi, and said that “it was open to the DPP at any stage in the proceedings to indicate that he did not want to go any further with the charges”.

He told the jury of six men and six women that he had ruled that evidence of an informal identification of Mr Connors as the man who threatened Mr Keane was inadmissible, because he was “not happy” that the proper procedures were complied with.

Judge McCartan said Mr Heneghan had then taken instructions from the Director, who had decided to “bring a halt” to the trial.

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Popping up with good news: Showcase of local artisans’ work to be extended by a few weeks GEORGINA Sweetnam, centre, assistant CEO of DLR Enterprise Board, joined designers Ali Nash and Laragh McMonagle to help publicise the continuing success of the “pop-up” shop in Park House, on Upper George’s Street.

Originally planned to be open only for the month of April, the pop-up shop showcases the beautiful work of 14 local jewellery designers, with the time-limited

opening adding an extra element of appeal to their work.

However, due to the great success of the project, it was decided to extend the lifetime of the shop’s run by a few extra weeks.

Co-ordinated by the Dun LaoghaireRathdown County Enterprise Board, as part of a wider Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council pilot initiative, the shop will be open until Sunday, May 22.

6 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 12 May 2011

FastNews

Funding boost for network

A TOTAL of €25,000 has been allocated

by Dun LaoghaireRathdown County Council to the Blackrock Business Network, as part of its Business Promotion Grants for 2011.

The allocation was welcomed

by Independent councillor Victor Boyhan who praised the network for what he described as its “imaginative proposal to enhance and promote cultural and community activities in Blackrock”.

“The network intends promoting a number of festival events, community activities, website development and physical improvements to the town,” he said.

Cllr Boyhan said he was excited about

DLRCC ‘Political involvement’ is firmly rejected

the proposal to establish an animation festival, and the I Love Blackrock initiative.

The network also intends promoting a Bloomsday festival, a family fun day and illuminations in the town for Christmas, from part of this council funding.

Flood relief works to begin A MAJOR contractor has been appointed to carry out flood relief works on the Carysfort Maretimo stream.

Speaking to the Gazette, Independent councillor Victor Boyhan said the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government had confirmed to him that it has approved contractor, Wills Bros Ltd, to carry out the works, which are costed at €2.9 million.

DLRCC management are to seek a report from An Post to clarify claims that polling cards were hand-delivered to some estates on the eve of the General Election by the staff of a local councillor, following a failure earlier to deliver original cards, leading to councillors’ unease for the democratic voting process

Council rejects polling card delivery claims Q DAWN LOVE dunlaoghaire@gazettegroup.com

A NEWSPAPER report, claiming that the staff of a local councillor in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown helped to distribute polling cards on the eve of the General Election, after the original ones failed to be delivered by An Post, has been rejected by council management.

At a meeting this week, DLRCC said that no elected representative had access to the reissued polling cards, and that there had been “no political involvement” in the delivery of the cards.

Speaking during the meeting, council management said they had been notified that cards in Ballybrack had failed to be delivered at approximately 9.30am on the day before the election.

An Post told the council that it could not guarantee the delivery of new cards in time, which led to a decision to reissue the cards and to use a field worker DLRCC uses for the Voter’s Register, to deliver them.

DLRCC said it had “new checks and balances” in place with An Post to ensure the situation was not repeated.

The issue was raised by the Cathaoirleach of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Labour councillor Lettie McCarthy, at a meeting on Monday evening in County Hall.

Speaking at the meeting, Labour councillor Denis O’Callaghan said the situation with the polling cards in the leadup to the election in Dun Laoghaire was extremely serious, and that, in the interest of democracy, it was imperative that it didn’t occur again.

He said the situation first came to light after swathes of cards “failed to be delivered right across the county”.

“The alarm bells started ringing when people started calling their local councillors saying that their polling cards hadn’t been received,” he said.

Cllr O’Callaghan said that he had a number of issues that he wanted addressed. Firstly, he wanted council manage-

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‘The alarm bells started ringing when people started calling their local councillors saying that their polling cards hadn’t been received’ --------------------------

Cllr Denis O’Callaghan --------------------------

ment to write to An Post to clarify why the polling cards that had gone into their system had failed to be delivered in time for the General Election.

He said that, when the difficulty arose, it was his understanding that arrangements were made for the council to reissue the cards and have them delivered on the night before the election.

He said he wanted to clarify why this decision was made, and asked why a letter could not have been delivered to affected households informing

them that they were still entitled to exercise their vote and to bring ID with them to polling stations.

He said there was a “danger in issuing duplicate polling cards”, because it left “the thing open to be abused if polling cards fall into the wrong hands”.

In relation to the article that appeared in a “local freebie newspaper”, he said it was stated that the staff of a local councillor had delivered polling cards, which he described as a “very, very serious assertion for that newspaper to make”.

He said that it raised a “very serious issue, in relation to the integrity of the polling cards and the voting” in the election.

Cllr O’Callaghan said that “no elected representative should have access to polling cards.

“Now, I don’t know if it is accurate or not. I suspect it’s not but, nonetheless, it warrants a retraction of that article, in the interest of our democratic system.”

Speaking during the meeting, People Before

Profit councillor Hugh Lewis said he, too, shared the concerns of Cllr O’Callaghan, and that it had seemed “incredible” at the time that some areas had not received cards.

He said that, if the cards hadn’t been issued by the council, it would have had implications for the General Election and, therefore, for “basic democracy”.

He said he could only “reject the claims, certainly from our group, that it was hand-delivered”.

Meanwhile, Fine Gael councillor John Bailey said, if the allegation was true it was very serious.

He said it was alleged that three major estates were involved, and said it was very serious, considering the fact that it had been a very “tight” election, in which one seat was lost by just 130 votes.

The council is now to write to the editor of the paper seeking a retraction of the report, and to An Post, seeking a report on the matter.

12 May 2011 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 7

REPORT Seapoint and Killiney beaches could benefit if application is made

Renewed calls for DLR to reapply for Blue Flags Q DAWN LOVE dunlaoghaire@gazettegroup.com

CALLS have been made for Dun LaoghaireRathdown to re-apply for Blue Flag status for Seapoint and Killiney beaches.

Speaking just weeks after both beaches scored highly in the latest Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) latest report on the quality of

bathing water in Ireland, former Education Minister, Labour Councillor Niamh Breathnach, said she would be urging the council to re-apply for Blue Flag status on both beaches.

“I’m delighted to welcome the recent good results on bathing water quality at our local beaches, announced by the EPA. “We on the council

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‘I’m delighted to welcome the recent good results on bathing water quality at our local beaches, announced by the EPA’ --------------------------------------------------------

Cllr Niamh Breathnach, Lab

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

were very proud of our Blue Flags, and so were bitterly disappointed that, despite maintaining the water quality after difficult weather condi-

tions, the manager did not apply for the flags in 2009.

“Following the passing of a motion tabled by me, the councillors did

COUNCIL: ONE-OFF GRANT AHEAD OF STATE VISITS

call on the manager to apply, when he was satisfied that high standards of bathing water could be maintained,” she said.

T he latest repor t showed that the quality of Ireland’s bathing waters remains high, with 97% of designated bathing areas meeting the EU mandatory standards, and classed as being of “sufficient” water quality status.

In addition, 90% of bathing waters, including those at Killiney and Seapoint, met higher guideline standards, and have been classed as “good” status in the report.

Both areas also complied with the Faecal Streptocci Guide Value.

Commenting on the findings of the report, Dr Mark Kelly, EPA director general, said: “There has been an overall improve-

ment in bathing water quality in Ireland in the 2010 season.

“While some of this is attributable to the dry summer of 2010, the EPA is confident that measures taken to implement the Water Framework Directive – including licensing of urban waste water treatment plants by the EPA – are playing their part in making those improvements.”

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60 10 240 An Cathaoirleach of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Cllr Lettie McCarthy, welcomed the allocation of funds

€15,000 funds to help showcase DLR Q DAWN LOVE dunlaoghaire@gazettegroup.com

A ONE-OFF grant of €15,000 has been allocated by the Department of the Environment to help showcase Dun LaoghaireRathdown during the upcoming State visits of Queen Elizabeth and US President Obama.

The grant has also been allocated as part of Civic Responsibility Week, which is running until May 15, and was announced by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government Affairs, Phil Hogan, last week.

“The visits will put the country in the spotlight of international media attention and will offer us a unique opportunity to market Dun LaoghaireRathdown to potential visitors and investors.

“With that in mind, I

would like to help the local authority with a special, one-off grant of €15,000.

“This money can be used to support a range of environmental projects, such as raising awareness and cleaning up areas with high-amenity value.

“Whenever possible these projects should be co-ordinated with local business and local community groups,” said Minister Hogan.

The grant has been welcomed by local politicians, including An Cathaoirleach of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Councillor Lettie McCarthy, who said: “It’s a great time for it, and not just because of the State visits, but also for Bloomsday.

“Dun Laoghaire, Glasthule and Sandycove are all associated with James Joyce and Ulysses,

and the grant will help to showcase the area for our everyday visitors, too,” she said.

Meanwhile, Dublin South Fine Gael TD, Olivia Mitchell, said: “It is now more important than ever to ensure that our towns and villages are in tip-top shape so that tourism is encouraged ahead of the busy summer season, and the arrival of Queen Elizabeth and President Obama later this month.

“This one-off grant of €15,000 for Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council (DLRCC) , allocated for Civic Responsibility Week, offers us a great opportunity to do just that.

“The upcoming visits of international heads of state will put Ireland in the spotlight of international media attention

like never before.

“They present us with a unique opportunity to market Dublin, and the entire country, to potential visitors and investors, showing them exactly what we have to offer,” she said.

“This €15,000 can be used by DLRCC to support a range of environmental projects, and to help with cleaning up areas with high amenity value.

“The civic responsibility displayed by many individuals and businesses in the appearance of South Dublin is to be commended.

“So, too, is the Minister’s commitment to improving the appearance of our urban and rural areas, by making €350,000 available nationally for Civic Responsibility Week,” she said.

8 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 12 May 2011

THEATRE

Fans descend on the Pavilion Theatre for the

Crowds flock for Little Gem TARRING Birdy Beaman, Neili Conroy and Anne Kent, and directed by Paul Meade, crowds flocked to the Pavilion Theatre in Dun Laoghaire recently for the opening of Little Gem. There was a mainly female audience in attendance after the royal wedding that morning, and they enjoyed an evening of comedy and romance with this awardwinning tale of three generations of women and one extraordinary year of sex, birth, death and salsa classes.

The GĂşna Nua production at the Pavilion follows sell-out performances at he Dublin Fringe Festival, Edinburgh Festival and New York and Peacock Theatres, all to rave reviews from the critics.

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Ladies from the Belmont Book Club arrive at the Pavilion Theatre after spending the morning watching the royal wedding on TV

Miriam Fahey and Jill Allen

Marie Hayden and Kathleen Lacey

Anahi Alvarez and Erica Devine

Mary Moore and Finola Earley

Anahi ALvarez, Erica Devine, Anne McDonald, Mary Moore and Finola Earley

12 May 2011 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 9

opening of the award-winning hit play, Little Gem

Lisa and Pegggy Hernon with Diane Pearce

Birdy Beaman, Anne Kent and Neili Conroy Mother and daughter, Bernie and Sophie Doyle

Helen O’Sullivan, Hettie Doyle and Marie Durning. Pictures: Geraldine Woods

Mary Corrigan, Patricia O’Callaghan and Veronica Doyle

10 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 12 May 2011

EVENT

Fun at the farmers’ market at the People’s Park

Georgia and Alexa O’Sullivan, with Digger

Eileen Brophy and Denise Kavanagh

The fresh food people

Grace-Lily and John O’Donoghue sample the fresh produce at the market

HE People’s Park was alive and buzzing on the sunny Bank Holiday Sunday for the local farmers’ market.

The wide variety of stalls provides a truly international flavour, from the best spuds in Ireland to the tastiest Falafel and Thai food.

Young and old made the most of the sunshine and sat out in the park enjoying their snacks.

Visitors rummaged amongst the many craft stalls looking for gems, while children visited their favourite badge stall to add to their collection, a recent craze and good value at only €1.

A sunny Sunday afternoon in Dun Laoghaire with something to keep everyone happy.

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Rosemary O’Donovan, of Noirin’s Bakehouse

Courteney and Luka Tyler, of Mayfly, in Temple Bar

Louise Moraes and Grace Ntala

Aim-on Kraisr and Carthy

Owen Jennings and Courtney Kennedy

12 May 2011 GAZETTE 11

12 GAZETTE 12 May 2011

GazettePETS PETS

Brought to you by Miriam Kerins of the DSPCA

THE FACTS: CHECK YOUR ANIMAL’S TEETH REGULARLY, AND BE ALERT FOR PROBLEMS

Brush up on your pet’s dental care ID you ever suddenly become aw a r e o f a n offending stench, and wonder where it’s coming from?

You get yourself to a quiet corner, and examine your shoes for something messy, or discreetly raise your arms above your head to check for nasty pit stains, and then realise: “Oh, thank God – it’s not me who stinks, it’s my dog’s breath!” Sound familiar?

Few pet owners make the effort to educate themselves in their pet’s oral hygiene, but did you know that dental disease is one of the most common disorders in our canine companions?

Keeping your pet’s teeth in check has lots of health benefits – the obvious being minty-fresh breath.

Remember, bad breath in dogs is rarely related to last night’s rich food!

D

More often, it’s an indicator of poor dental health, and/or an infection that needs investigating by your vet.

For example, did you know that if your cat or dog suffers an infection of the gums, teeth or oral cavity, this can spread via the bloodstream and into their heart and liver, and could cause additional health problems, such as kidney failure, endocarditis and abscesses in vital organs, possibly resulting in a shortened lifespan?

You didn’t?

Take precautions Well, now that you do, it’s time to take precautions.

Brush your pet’s teeth at home using a special brush and veterinary toothpaste, available from your vet.

Gently introduce your pet to the new taste by rubbing some of the tooth-

paste along his gums, and then repeating the process with a toothbrush.

Aim the bristles along the gum line of the upper back teeth, and angle them slightly upwards, making sure the bristles get right under the gum line.

Working back to front, make little circles; as you would with your own teeth.

However, remember, even with the best home care your pet may still require some professional dental de-scale and polish. *** Feed your pet a crunchy diet, and appropriate chew treats. It’s always worth checking with your vet before you change your pet’s diet; especially if the animal has breed-specific dietary requirements.

I would recommend you make these changes gradually; particularly

Remember – your pets and animals are relying on you to help keep them healthy

with puppies, and always try one food at a time.

Check your pet’s mouth regularly, and observe signs of an inflammation known as gingivitis. This can be seen as a reddening of the gums adjacent to the teeth. It will also cause bad breath.

Dental disease is not just a problem for dogs; other companion animals – such as cats and rabbits – suffer, too.

Conditions such as feline stomatitis – which is very painful, and can be life-threatening for many cats – can occur in all breeds, and at any age. *** Cats with this condi-

tion usually experience inflamed gums which, if untreated, can spread to areas at the back of the throat, making eating and swallowing difficult.

So, if your cat’s breath smells, get to the vet immediately and seek his/ her professional advice on how best to rectify your kitty’s condition.

Rabbits can also suffer.

This is usually due to a bad diet.

You may not know this, but rabbits need lots of fibre in their diet; so give those bunnies plenty of hay and help keep bad oral hygiene at bay.

A rabbit’s teeth continuously grow, and must

be checked regularly by your vet to ensure they are wearing down properly.

If a rabbit’s teeth are not kept in check, and go untreated, the poor creature will not be able to eat properly, and there is a danger it could starve to death.

For those horse owners reading this, did you know that a horse’s teeth will also grow continuously, so it’s important to keep an eye on them?

Your vet is the best person to advise you, regarding this, but if you notice your horse has difficulty chewing, is dropping more food than he actually manages to swallow,

and there are signs of undigested food in his poo, then it’s likely he may be suffering from dental problems, and you need to seek expert help.

So, you can see why proper dental care is a priority for all companion animals and, as prevention is better than cure, perhaps the next time you visit your vet, you’ll ask his/her advice as to the best way of examining your pet’s teeth so that you can keep an eye on his oral health.

If you’d like more information log onto www. dspca.ie or email me at miriam.kerins@dspca.ie.

GOT A STORY? TELL US ABOUT YOUR LOCAL EVENT, CELEBRATION OR FUNCTION Call our NEWS TEAM on 60 10 240 or email news@gazettegroup.com

12 May 2011 GAZETTE 13

HEALTH Escaping negativity and unhelpful thinking

Are you a tonic, or are you toxic?

Q PATRICIA MURPHY

IT IS amazing how some people have the ability to light up a room when they walk in. Others light up the room when they walk out.

We allow other people’s moods and attitudes to have such a powerful influence over our personal wellbeing.

Sometimes we join in with the rise of the happy tide, and other times we get pulled down into negativity and unhelpful thinking. It pays to ask ourselves: ‘Am I a tonic, or am I toxic?’

It is very easy right now to pick fault with just about everything.

Nobody we know has escaped the negative effects of the struggling economy and political change. Nor should we ignore or deny the issues that challenge us daily and which need to be addressed.

But none of this is an excuse or a reason to carry a negative attitude with us into every interaction we have, including with our own selves. After all, we live with ourselves 24/7.

Left untreated, toxicity spreads, causing damage within and without.

What you really need is a daily tonic. Something to pep you up physically, mentally and emotionally. The ingredients are simple and available to us all.

Here are some suggestions to help you look and feel great every day.

Feed Your Body

Paying attention to

W

Mega Mini: Michael Moroney falls in love with the Countryman

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

‘Left untreated, toxicity spreads, causing damage within and without.

What you really need is a daily tonic.

Something to pep you up physically, mentally and emotionally’ ------------------------------------------------------

exercise and nutrition is essential to support the body.

Food nutrients supply us with the energy to carry out daily functions, including the repair and renewal of organs and tissues. The increase of oxygen during modestintensity exercise floods the cells with vitality and increases our ability to get rid of toxins.

It conditions the heart and lungs and even makes us smarter. Discipline is the essential ingredient here. At least 20 minutes of brisk walking, plus three balanced meals per day, is a must.

No excuses. Remember to keep it simple and include 6-8 glasses of water to keep you floating along.

Personal Care

A simple shower, clean clothes and a spray of scent can lift your mood by tenfold. It also makes it more pleasant for others to be around you.

Feed Your Mind

Include constructive thoughts and behaviours towards happiness and health. Step by step and easy does it. It is far more effective to change 100 things by 1%, than to change one thing by 100%. Smile

and keep your conversations upbeat, even if you don’t feel like it.

Act as if you mean it and, pretty soon, you won’t just be faking it, you will be making it.

Feed Your Spirit

Immerse yourself in the fun stuff for a few hours each week. Hobbies and recreational activities are a great way to give you something to look forward to and a break from the routine. Socialise with family, friends and work colleagues, keeping alcohol within the weekly recommended allowance.

Develop an Attitude of Gratitude

Sometimes we forget just how blessed we really are. Give thanks for the big things and little things that make our lives so special. Acknowledge your achievements, including your own valuable input into your happiness, health and wellbeing.

These simple lifestyle changes can have a really positive influence on how you look and feel day in, day out. The best predictors of your future happiness and health are the actions and attitudes that you are practising right now.

LOCALMATTERS SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS

ADVERTISE WITH THE GAZETTE CALL 60 10 240

Patricia Murphy can help detox mind, body and spirit

SEE MOTORING PAGE 18

14 GAZETTE 12 May 2011

GazetteBEAUTY BEAUTY New face unveiled for Yves Saint Laurent fragrance BENJAMIN Millepied, the French principal dancer with the New York City Ballet and choreographer for the recent blockbuster, Black Swan has been unveiled as the face for the next male fragrance from Yves Saint Laurent, available from September, 2011.

Described as one of the most gifted dancers and choreographers of his generation, Millepied enrolled with the New York School of American Ballet at the age of 16 and became principal dancer at 18 with the prestigious New York City Ballet.

On his new role with YSL Millepied said: “I’m happy and proud to have been chosen by Yves Saint Laurent, one of the world’s most pres-

tigious brands. I admire the world of this House, its elegance and modernity. Monsieur Saint Laurent was a fashion genius, a lover of the arts, he also knew how to use his talent to serve the art of dancing.”

Benjamin Millepied will represent the new fragrance for men from Yves Saint Laurent, the 3rd facet of the men’s olfactive trilogy, alongside Olivier Martinez for L’Homme and Vincent Cassel for la Nuit de L’Homme.

Benjamin Millepied

Edited by Dawn Love

Confessions of a beauty addict This week the Gazette chats to media analyst Kathleen Rowley about her beauty addiction MY life-long addiction began when I first clapped eyes on my glamorous air hostess Aunty Mary’s bathroom cabinet, brimming with shiny and expensive looking tubs of wonder.

On family trips, I would gulp down glasses and glasses of Coke, just so I could go up and investigate each tub, tube and bottle, carefully assessing the smell, texture and colour of each.

Less exotic potions were to be found at home, where they were kept out of reach from my grubby little hands following an incident at my weekly

teddy bear’s picnic, where Big Ted enjoyed a facial, compliments of Mam’s new Clarins cream and a more-then-healthy spritz of the ever-cherished Chanel No.5.

Big Ted was eventually donated to a Children’s Hospital, where I am sure he still is reeking of the classic scent. Mam’s potions were moved to the top shelf.

During my teens, a bagpacking job in Superquinn gave me the means to splurge in the Body Shop, where body butter and a bottle of white musk was the ultimate sign of sophistication.

For teenage discos a bottle of Exclamation and a frosted lipstick were my chosen weapons, as they were for most of the girls attending, resulting in the small community hall

still gives me the shivers when I get a whiff of it), I thoroughly enjoyed the role.

Working for renowned brands such as Armani, Lancôme and Pout greatly improved my knowledge of products but, even more importantly to a beauty junkie, my collection of samples became legendary.

Vichy Essentielles Kathleen Rowley

practically heaving with overpowering teenage fragrances, or maybe it was just the pheromones and teenage lust! If it distracted from my heavy Gallagher-like eyebrows and braces, I was in – ‘dramatic’ eye shadows and liners, along with an over-enthusiastic use of bronzer was the order of the day.

Despite a stringent budget and a barrage of feminist anti-beauty industry propaganda, my love of all things beauty-related continued

through college.

To fund a trip to the land down under, I got a beauty addict’s dream job, fragrance and cosmetics consultant on counters in Brown Thomas, Arnotts and Dublin Airport. I learned about the construction of a scent, along with skin types and the most up-todate make-up trends.

With the exception of a two-month stint standing freezing at the front of Brown Thomas spraying Stella McCartney’s perfume (to this day it

I was astounded at how this lightweight, quick-drying lotion kept my skin soft and moisturised 24 hours after application. With sensitive skin, this was ideal as the fragrance was gentle and ladylike without irritating my skin even after defuzzing the pins.

Model Inc Lip and Cheek tint

At €7.50, this is the recessionista’s answer to Benefit’s Benetint, giving you a nice burst of raspberry colour. The colour lasts on the cheeks, but was a little drying on the lips and the fragrance is strong and powdery.

However, for €7.50, it is a welcome addition to any hand bag.

Revlon PhotoReady

I’m a foundation slapper. I have tried them all, from Rimmel to Yves Saint Laurent, and can safely say I have found my perfect partner – smooth, long-lasting and reliable, this product delivers on its promises. My skin had a nice glow with medium coverage, thanks to the ‘photocromatic pigments’ and it evened out my skin tone without feeling too heavy.

12 May 2011 GAZETTE 15

FOOD: NEW BRANDING FOR BREAKFAST

Relaxation is never too far away in Ireland’s top spas Q DAWN LOVE

Radisson Blu Hotel, Galway

IRELAND is now widely recognised as one of the world’s gourmet capitals, but our luxurious spas are also making headlines. Set in some of the country’s most spectacular hotels and resorts, it’s easy to see why we our spas are fast becoming something of a Mecca for those on the lookout for top-class beauty and relaxation treatments.

This week, the Gazette’s Beauty pages takes a look at some of the country’s top spas and the luxurious treatments on offer.

At the Spirit One Spa in the Radisson Blu Hotel in Galway, they are famed for their Elemis Lime and Ginger Salt Glow and Cleopatra Milk Bath.

Scrub up for summer with their exotic exfoliation ritual designed to invigorate and revitalise the body. Elemis exotic Lime and Ginger Salt Glow deep cleanses, polishes and softens skin to perfection.

Druids Glen Resort, Co Wicklow

Just over half-an-hour south of Dublin, but an entire world away, set between the Wicklow Mountains and the Irish Sea, Druids Glen Resort’s beautifully natural surroundings will have you feeling calmer before you even set foot inside.

The atmosphere is one of calm, suggesting you take a deep breath and relax, settling into a place where you will find your own personal corner of pleasure – whether that is in the lovely spa, the pool, on the two championship golf courses, in one of the bars and restaurants, or curled into a comfy chair with a good book by any of the grand windows looking out onto the grounds, and the beauty of the changing seasons outside.

For the month of May, the spa at Druids Glen Resort is offering an Advanced Elemis facial, with a complimentary back massage, for just €99.

For more information, call 01 2870848, or visit www.druidsglenresort. com

Tradition After your body scrub, soak in the age-old tradition of the Elemis Cleopatra Milk and emerge drenched in moisture, scented like a dream.

There is also a full-day pass to the Thermal Suite, with full use of the swimming pool, outdoor hot tub and jacuzzi.

Price: All for €85 – normally €140 – save €55.

For further details on the range of treatments available call 091 538423 Treatments are available seven days a week.

Hastings Hotels

Spring is nature’s time of renewal and rebirth and the perfect time to rejuvenate your body and soul with a self-indulgent escape to one of Hastings Hotels’ fabulous Spas at Culloden Estate, Belfast, or Slieve Donard Resort, Co Down, and experience their world-famous ESPA treatments and therapies. To put a little extra spring in your step, they are also offering a £10 voucher off your next visit!

The Spring Spa Experience includes: • ESPA Welcome Foot Ritual • ESPA Upper Back, Shoulders and Neck Massage • ESPA Boutique Facial with Indian Head Scalp Massage • Delicious light lunch in the Juice Bar • Full use of all the spa facilities • Use of robe, slippers and towels • £10 voucher off your next spa treatment Offer available until May 31, 2011. For more information, visit www. hastingshotels.com.

The Relaxation Room at the spa in Druids Glen Resort’s spa

Rudd’s take on new look

IRISH breakfast meat producers, Rudd’s, are re-launching their traditional Irish brand with a modern new look, as well as adding new products to their portfolio.

The relaunch campaign is part of Rudd’s new marketing strategy for the brand. John O’Brien, commercial manager at Rudd’s said: “We’re delighted to announce the relaunch of our range to include some popular breakfast favourites, giving it a contemporary new look, while retaining our traditional values.

“We are proud to use 100% Irish pork, sourced from Bord Bia-approved Irish farmers to produce

the Rudd’s range, which now offers all you need to create the ultimate full Irish breakfast, while supporting Irish jobs.”

Bill O’Brien, managing director of Rudd’s said: “We understand the importance of supporting Irish jobs, therefore we continue to use only 100% Irish pork to produce our range which, we firmly believe, has been the best-kept secret in breakfast, until now.”

To support the Rudd’s re launch campaign, a number of tasting events will be taking place throughout Dublin this month. The tastings will take place from May 12-14, and again from May 26-28.

16 GAZETTE 12 May 2011

GazetteContacts

EVENT Festival returns to the Phoenix Park

Block 3A, Mill Bank Business Park, Lucan Tel: 01 6010240 Fax: 01 6010251 Managing Director: Liam Holland email: lholland@gazettegroup.com

General Manager: Michael McGovern email: mmcgovern@gazettegroup.com

Editor: Cormac Curtis email: ccurtis@gazettegroup.com

Production Editor: Jessica Maile email: jmaile@gazettegroup.com

News Editor: Dawn Love email: dlove@gazettegroup.com

Sports Editor: Rob Heigh email: sport@gazettegroup.com

Financial Controller: Carly Lynch email: clynch@gazettegroup.com

Advertising Production: Anita Ward email: ads@gazettegroup.com

Advertising Sales: 01 6010240

email: sales@gazettegroup.com

Gazette Group Newspapers Ltd. Terms and Conditions for acceptance of advertisements Reserve the right to omit or suspend or alter any advertisement(s) in any of its publications. We also decline any responsibility in the event of one or more of a series of advertisements being omitted for any reason whatever, nor do we accept liability for any loss or damage caused by an error or inaccuracy in the printing of any advertisement.

If your advertisement appears incorrectly, contact the Advertising Department immediately, as responsibility cannot be accepted for more than one week’s incorrect insertion. Responsibility cannot be accepted if the complaint is made more than two weeks after insertion. If one places an advertisement for more than one week and then cancels it after the first week, no refund or credit will be given for weeks cancelled. The advertiser undertakes to indemnify the Proprietors against any liability for any civil action arising out of the publication of the advertisement or any other matter printed or published in the Blanchardstown Gazette, Castleknock Gazette, Clondalkin Gazette, Dundrum Gazette, Dun Laoghaire Gazette, Lucan Gazette, Malahide Gazette and Swords Gazette. The placing of an order or contract will be deemed an acceptance of these conditions.

Pictured at the launch were Ella McSweeney, broadcaster and MC of the Chef’s Summer Kitchen at Bloom, with Flower Fairies (all aged 5), Isibeal Fitzpatrick, Ava Callan, Nessa Last and Kayla Cooke. Picture: Gary O’ Neill

It’s time to Bloom BLOOM, Bord Bia’s gardening, food and family festival returns to the Phoenix Park this June Bank Holiday Ireland’s largest gardening, food and family festival, Bloom, is set to celebrate its fifth year when it takes place this June.

At the heart of Bloom are 27 stunning large, medium and small show gardens, which will be judged by international independent judging panels, and gold, silver gilt, silver and

bronze medals will be awarded.

Dublin will be well represented at the event, which takes place between Thursday, June 2 and Monday, June 6, with a number of top garden designers creating some of the stunning show gardens.

Amongst those taking part will be John Sweeney, from Lusk, and Rachel Freeman, from the Blanchardstown Institute of Technology.

Meanwhile, from Dalkey, Sheena

Vernon will also be taking part, as will Brian Cleary, from Dundrum, and award-winning gardeners Liat and Oiver Schurman, from the renowned Mount Venus Nursery.

The event will also showcase the best of Ireland’s food industry with the new Bord Bia Food Village.

Bloom is open daily from 10am6pm. Advance tickets are on sale now from €15 – kids go free! Visit www.bloominthepark.com.

See feature next week

12 May 2011 GAZETTE 17

18 GAZETTE 12 May 2011

GazetteMOTORS MOTORS RoadSigns Road Signs RENAULT VAN RANGE IS APRIL BESTSELLER: RENAULT, Europe’s best-selling van range, hit the number one best-selling spot in Ireland in April with 14.9% of the overall market, and featured on the podium in 14 counties, including number one in Cork, Kerry, Westmeath and Cavan.

With prices starting from just €8,990, with a five-year, unlimited mileage warranty across the range, it is not surprising that Renault is performing well each month. Renault now has three versions of the Kangoo, the new Trafic, with its increased performance 2.0-litre dCi engine and the all-new design Master, which comes in either front- or rearwheel drive specifications and has one of the lowest running cost in its segment.

Mini has grown up in size, accessibility and performance in the new Mini Countryman All4, but it’s pricey at €28,980 even though it’s still a great car to drive

Meet the Countryman MICHAEL MORONEY tested the new Mini Countryman across a range of conditions, but his heart won out over his head in his love for the new car INI’S first fourdoor car is the new Countryman, a car that has grown up in terms of size and stature. This is now the biggest car in the Mini range, and it brings a new opportunity to the BMW-owned brand.

I’ve had the All4, or four-wheel-drive version of the car, on the road and I’m impressed. I know that the car is expensive for its size, but it does drive superbly and retains that Mini car handling appeal from the past.

BMW has added lots of good bits to this new, bigger Mini. The engine is a new 1.6-litre BMW turbo-diesel engine that’s thrifty and lively. And, while I know that there’s

M

SPECS: MINI COUNTRYMAN ALL4 1.6D Top speed: 180 km/hr 0 – 100km/hr: 12.9 sec Economy: 20.4 km/litre (4.9l/100km) CO2 emissions: 129g/km Road Tax Band: B (€156) Scrappage Eligible: Yes Warranty: 2 years Entry Price: €28,980

a bigger 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine on the way, I found that the 1.6-litre engine was more than adequate and a dream to drive.

And that was after almost 1,400km on the clock, where I drove the Mini Countryman up

and down the country, national roads, motorways, and the occasional boreen were tried to test the car’s ultimate performance. The All4 system had to be tried and, luckily, the sun shone for me and crossing a dry field was effortless.

The four doors for the Mini Countryman make a huge difference in terms of passenger space and accessibility. The car now takes on a new image.

That, coupled with the larger wheels and Bridgestone Dueller run-flat tyres for mild, off-road use, makes the Mini All4 a very versatile car.

The test car had lots of kit included in the Chili pack that Mini offers.

This included 17-inch

alloy wheels and lots of multifunction kit with an impressive Bluetooth phone kit that was easy and clear to use. It also came with leather seats and Xenon headlights, which, in total, rounded the price up by an extra €8,000 – now that’s getting expensive.

Power

The engine power was impressive, with 112bhp pumped out at ease. On the motorway, the engine allowed the car with its sixth gear to cruise at just around 2,000 rpm.

That’s what delivers the good fuel economy figures. Despite being a bigger car than the standard Mini, it’s still economical. I returned

a figure close to the rated figure of 20.4 km per litre of diesel (4.9l/100km), which I consider to be a good performance, and I drove the car long and hard.

The economy figures are helped by the stop/ start system that stops the engine in traffic or at traffic lights. This, along with brake regeneration, gives a measure of the BMW EfficientDynamics technology to give good economy figures from the Countryman.

The car is rated in Band B for motor tax purposes, as its CO2 figure is 129g/km. Again, that’s a reasonable figure and gives an annual motor tax charge of just €156.

And, with all that, the

Countryman is lively.

The acceleration pace is as good as many bigger cars at 12.9 seconds in a 0 to 100k/hr race. So, while it may look like a hot hatchback car in design, it does not match that kind of performance on the road.

The power is, however, well-developed for the car allowing for the 270Nm of torque, so much so that the car is well able for all driving conditions.

The All4 off-road technology will have limited appeal, but it could have been useful in last winter’s frost and snow.

It adds about €2,000 to the price and provides a compromise of sorts without opting for a full heavy-duty 4x4 system.

Motor industry revs to a good start first 3 months of 2011 WITH a 14% increase in sales volume in first three months of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010, the motor industry has claimed pole position across all retail categories in Ireland to date.

The latest Consumer Market Moni-

tor has reported that the industry has experienced a major boost as 50,000 new cars have been sold right up to midApril 2011. No doubt the conclusion to the invaluable scrappage scheme in June has contributed to the motor industries

excellent start to the year; as has price discounting from dealers and distributors in order to encourage new car sales.

UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School and the Marketing Institute of Ireland (MII) released the

results, which detailed that, apart from the motor trade, the only other sector to experience any form of growth in Q1 is clothing, footwear and textiles, which experienced an increase of 2.6% in volume.

12 May 2011 GAZETTE 19

20 GAZETTE 12 May 2011

GazettePROPERTY PROPERTY KILDARE: FULLY RENOVATED AND EXTENDED COTTAGE IN SOUTH NAAS FOR €820,000

Magnificent Mill on market COONAN Real Estate Alliance are bringing Mill Cottage, an unique residence set on approximately 0.7 acres of land in South Naas, Co Kildare, to the market for an asking price of €820,000.

Surrounded by mature trees, lawns and hedges, Mill Cottage is a 19th-century thatched cottage, located in the tranquil country townland of Millicent, only 4km from Naas.

Rescued from dereliction by its current owners in 2003, Mercury Group Architects were commissioned to oversee the extensive conservation and extension of the cottage

to its present condition, a process that saw the renovators incorporating time-honoured traditional working methods and materials.

Extending to 3,300 sq ft, and featuring modern amenities such as a geo-thermal heat pump, under-floor heating and pressurised hot and cold water, Mill Cottage is a magnificent blend of old world and contemporary living under one roof.

Located only 25 minutes from the M50, this is an opportunity of a lifetime for the right purchaser.

Presented in pristine condition and finished to the highest stand-

ards, Mill Cottage is an ideal family home with a range of very attractive features and designs.

Listed Mill Cottage is a listed structure, circa 200 years old, and has been meticulously restored and maintained. It features a new oat and straw thatched roof.

Having been architecturally designed throughout, it is a bright and light-filled accomodation with rational timber windows and has the latest in energy saving and eco-friendly features built in to its design.

The area around

The impressive, renovated structure at Mill Cottage, South Naas, Co Kildare

Mill Cottage features an abundance of shops and the fine schools within easy reach, along with some of the most prestigious golf courses

Kildare has to offer.

The exterior of the property is also appointed to a high-standard.

Mill Cottage is totally surrounded by mature

lawns and shrubbery, with an attractive gravel driveway on both sides, and a south-facing garden.

For further informa-

tion, please contact Philip Byrne Coonan, of Coonan Real Estate Alliance, on 01 628 8400 or philipb@coonan.com.

GOATSTOWN: ASKING PRICE OF €425,000

A garden of Eden in Goatstown demense

LOCALMATTERS SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS

ADVERTISE WITH THE GAZETTE CALL 60 10 240

SHERRY FitzGerald are presenting No. 37, Eden Park Drive, Goatstown, a semi-detached family home in a highly-sought after area, close to the best of schools and within easy access of excellent local amenities, with an asking price of €425,000.

Built in the 1950s, this three-bedroom semi-detached family residence has airy, bright accommodation and a west-facing rear garden.

The property offers a spacious interior, including a hall, living room, dining room, kitchen, three bedrooms (two of which are doubles), bathroom and, outside, a garage to the side of the property offering prospective owners the potential to convert (subject to planning permission).

Overall, there is a good internal flow to the lay-

Number 37, Eden Park Drive, in Goatstown

out, providing an excellent balance of well-proportioned living and bedroom accommodation.

The Goatstown area the property is situated in is a quiet, leafy enclave, with both Stillorgan and Dundrum within walking distance.

Other amenities include the popular Dundrum Town Centre, local

shops, UCD Belfield, and excellent transport links, including bus routes, Luas and the M50. There is a good selection of schools close by, making this a desirable family home.

The property also boasts a large front garden with central driveway and lawn on either side with mature hedging. There is a private, triangular-shaped,

walled, west-facing rear garden with mature plants and shrubs and large side space and gated side access, with access to the garage.

The property can be viewed by appointment, which can be arranged by contacting Shane Desmond at Sherry FitzGerald Dundrum on 01 296 1822.

12 May 2011 GAZETTE 21

GazetteBUSINESS BUSINESS

Supported by AIB

Interview: Abdur Rahim, owner of Himalaya Tandoori Indian Cuisine

High standards at Himalayan Tandoori ABDUR Rahim was born in 1969 in Bangladesh and went to college from 1988-1992. He then started a job in Dhaka, which is the capital of Bangladesh and the principal city and one of the major cities of South Asia. Two years later he relocated to South Korea, where he got a job working in a factory.

While there, he thought of the possibility of working in a restaurant. He then came to Ireland and his first job was in an Indian restaurant, Eastern Tandoori, in Deansgrange.

Working there gave him a lot of practical experience.

Abdur took a job as chef and learned how to cook curry.

He then had the opportunity to experience a restaurant management at Meghna Tandoori Indian Cuisine in Terenure. There he gained more experience and met many people and learned how to attend to customers. Abdur found that it is important to serve good-quality food at all times and to always have the highest of standards.

Abdur then decided to open his own Indian restaurant, Himalaya Tandoori Indian Cuisine, in Clondalkin. The restaurant opened in July of 2005. They have a chef menu and also have good-quality wine. The restaurant offers a gift card and take-away service, with a 20% discount on the take-away menu.

He hopes to open more restaurants in other locations in the future and would like to thank his customers for their support.

Abdur Rahim

ANSWERS TO YOUR PERSONAL FINANCE QUESTIONS SHORT TERM DEPOSIT RATES Q – I have € 70,000 from the sale of my house and am not rebuying for at least 6 months to a year. Any ideas on where to put the money to make a gain for this short period ? I also need it to be safe. Maggie – Wicklow A - Safety and best rates – they are the two most important aspects to your query. Safety in that your funds MUST be guaranteed by the deposit taker to be repaid.

All the Irish deposit takers are currently guaranteed by Eligible Liability Guarantee Scheme for any amount up to the end of June this year, with any of the six main Irish deposit takers ( AIB, Bank of Ireland, Permanent TSB, EBS, Irish Nationwide and Anglo Irish Bank), while the Deposit Protection Scheme underpins this up to € 100,000 per person once the deposit taker is regulated by the Financial Regulator. This includes credit unions. Rabodirect have their own parent’s protection (Rabo Group – AAA rated, the highest rating a bank can have), while Nationwide UK and Investec Bank are guaranteed by the UK Financial Regulatory Authority up to the equivalent of € 100,000 per person.

The National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA), who look after the state savings on behalf of the government, offer safety and good value but their offerings are more long term.

Q&A

Take An Post’s Savings Bond – it offers 10% tax free after a three -year term, which is equivalent to receiving 4.42% each

Q: When you were a kid, what did you want to be?

A: Businessman

Q: What air carrier do you use when going on holidays?

A: British Airways

food and drink?

A: Indian curry and I like

do you own?

A: Five

year from a DIRT deducting deposit taker. In emergencies

drink a lot of plain water

Q: What car do you drive?

A: I love to drive my Ford

Q: And your first pay cheque?

A: Cash

Mondeo

Q: Who would you like to have dinner with – Brian O’Driscoll or Brian Cowen?

A: Brian O’Driscoll

Q: Where is your favourite holiday destination?

A: My homeland, Bangla-

NTMA investment with NO penalty.

Q: What was your first job?

A: Factory work

desh

your € 70,000, after six months, you would receive € 70,892.50

Q: Have you ever met Brian Cowen?

A: No

into your hand.

Q: How many people do you have to talk with every day?

A: Lots of people to talk to Q: What is the greatest thrill of your working week?

A: A busy Saturday

Q: Can you swim?

A: Yes Q: Would you ever bungee jump?

A: No Q: Do you play any sport?

A: I love to play football Q: What is your favourite

Q: How many times each year do you shop for clothes?

A: Three Q: What is the name of your favourite shop?

A: Debenhams Q: How many pairs of shoes

you only have to give seven days notice to withdraw from this

Q: When do you wish to retire?

A: At age 65 Q: What will you do then?

A: Spend time with family and friends

Best non-NTMA deposit ? 3.5% for three months fixed from Irish Nationwide Building Society – yields a net 2.555%. On

Well done on selling the house – not an easy achievement in this economy.

Contact John with your money questions at jlowe@ moneydoctor.ie or visit his website at www.moneydoctor.ie. John Lowe, Fellow of the Institute of Bankers, is founder and managing director of Money Doctor

Irish company is tackling clutter with their Smart Storage

AN innovative Irish home company is quickly gaining momentum by eliminating excess clutter from around the home.

Smart Storage, which makes custom-designed, under-stairs storage units, which fit seamlessly into the unused space under any stairwell, has had fantastic feedback already.

The slide-out units promise to “stop you tripping over everyday items such as shoes, toys, sporting

equipment, and even the vacuum cleaner, and will see an end to the age-old argument; who causes the mess in the home?”

Smart Storage provides a range of Irish manufactured products, which also includes attic storage, and they will soon launch in the United Kingdom after 12 months of successful trading in Ireland.

The under-stairs storage solution ranges from a single drawer, a large

three-drawer unit to larger units, depending on available space. The three-drawer unit, which is the most popular, is custom designed specifically to fit into all homes. The units are installed by expert fitters around the country.

Each drawer is ideal for a variety of storage options and can accommodate 12 pairs of shoes, three large school bags, two small suitcases, a set of golf clubs or several bottles of

wine.

So, if the clutter in your home is caused by parents or children, the girls or the boys, Smart Storage has a common-sense solution.

Founder of Smart Storage, Paul Jacob, has worked in the construction industry for 20 years and found new ways to diversify within his area of expertise.

“Smart Storage enables people to maximise storage within the home

by utilising the unused space underneath the stairs to clear away clutter,” he said.

The process for installation is simple and involves submitting rough measurements of the area under the stairs to the Smart Storage website, www.smartstorage.ie.

For further information on Smart Storage, or to receive a quote, visit www.smartstorage.ie or call (01) 201 7676.

22 GAZETTE 12 May 2011

GazetteTTRAVEL FastTravel

Jerusalem’s Dome of the Rock

With fabulous beaches and historical sites, Israel has something for everyone FROM the Judean desert and the saltiest sea on earth, the Dead Sea, to ancient biblical cities, covered markets and a high-rise metropolis, Israel is truly a destination with something for everyone.

Located in Western Asia, on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea, Israel’s temperate climate, fabulous beaches, archaeological and historical sites, and unique geography make this country an appealing holiday destination.

Explore the amazing cities of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, by combining an eight- or nine-night stay in both cities, with Concorde Travel.

Surprising Scottish summer road trips rays reach the eye. It is more of a Trompe L’Oeil, where the eye is fooled by the way in which things actually look.

While in Ayrshire, be sure to take a trip to town of Newmilns. This town has been thrust into the Hollywood spotlight, thanks to its famous mill – Morton, Young & Borland Mill, which is currently providing lace and fabrics for the hit HBO show, Boardwalk Empire.

Start out in Edinburgh and pay a visit to Rosslyn’s Chapel, which was used as location for Dan Brown’s, The Da Vinci Code, before making your way to Edinburgh’s Old Town, which was the backdrop for Chariots of Fire and Mary Reilly, featuring Julia Roberts, and Jekyll and Hyde.

Other places to stop on the way to Inverness include the Glenfinnan Viaduct, which featured in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets; Eileen Donan Castle near Loch Duich, which was the principal fortress of Christopher Lambert’s character in Highlander and the world-famous Loch Ness where the film

• 3-star Hotel Montefiore on a B&B basis, Jerusalem, from €870pp • 3-star City Hotel on a B&B basis, Tel Aviv, from €1,054pp • 4-star Grand Court Hotel on a B&B basis, Jerusalem, from €924pp • 4-star Grand Beach Hotel on a B&B basis, Tel Aviv, from €1,169pp

SPRING and summer is a great time to visit Scotland, when the days stretch out and the first blooms and wildlife appear across the gardens and in the countryside.

What better way to discover some of the surprising things Scotland has to offer than by car.

So, whether you’re into history or film, or simply want to enjoy the open Scottish road, there is sure to be a road trip to suit you.

VisitScotland has put together some of the most unusual road trips Scotland has to offer.

Visit www.visitscotland. com/surprise for further information and the bestvalue travel deals.

29th October - 8 nights

The Electric Brae

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• 3-star+ Prima Hotel on a B&B basis Tel Aviv, from €1,130pp • 4-star Prima Royale Hotel on a B&B basis, Jerusalem, from €854pp • 4-star Dan Hotel on a B&B basis, Jerusalem, from €830pp

Ayrshire lies in the south-west of Scotland and is home to some of the most beautiful sights in Britain. A must for any trip to this part of the world is the Electric Brae in Ayrshire. The Electric Brae is a quarterof-a-mile long hill where cars appear to be drawn uphill by some mysterious attraction.

The significant thing about this unusual phenomenon is that it is not what is commonly called a mirage, which is created by the way in which light

‘Monty Python fans should make a stop in Callander just outside Stirling home to Doune Castle, which was used in Monty Python’s Holy Grail’

Israel (Jerusalem and Tel Aviv or pilgrimage) - only three departures October 12, eight nights

Holy Land Pilgrimage €1,224pp

Two-centre (four nights Jerusalem + four nights Tel Aviv) from €1,174pp Package includes return flights from Dublin, accommodation and transfers. Concorde Travel offer direct flights from Dublin to Tel Aviv. Flightonly offers also available.

To book yourself in for your holiday to Israel, visit, http://www.concordetravel.ie/featureddestinations/israel/

Film location road trip: Edinburgh - Inverness

If one person likes history and the other is a movie buff, for a road trip with a difference, why not combine both on a

Lomond is surprisingly just 90 minutes from Glasgow and a little more than an hour from Edinburgh, so this road trip is perfect for visitors who want to get out of the city for the day.

This scenic route has many surprising sights and attractions on the way. Monty Python fans should make a stop in Callander, just outside Stirling, home to Doune Castle, which was used in Monty Python’s Holy Grail. Histor y fans should then take the A84 and 85 to Killin – via Balguhidder, home to the grave of Rob Roy – then follow this scenic section of loch around to Alexandria. If you have time pop

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meandering drive from Scotland’s historic capital of Edinburgh to Inverness and the heart of Braveheart country. With its breathtaking scenery and rich heritage, Scotland has been the perfect setting for many of Hollywood’s blockbuster films, such as Harry Potter and Chariots of Fire.

of the same title starring Ted Danson was made.

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs

Writers, artists and musicians have found inspiration in the rich landscapes of Argyll, the Isles, Loch Lomond, Stirling and the Trossachs for generations. Loch

over to Stirling and Stirling Castle for views over the Forth Valley and a chance to pay homage at the Wallace Monument.

W hen you finally reach Loch Lomond and are looking for a place to stay, why not spend the night in a wigwam? There are several locations to choose from, including

The spectacular view of

Strathfillan Wigwam Village, which is situated on a working farm right on the West Highland Way (near Loch Lomond) and has excellent on-site facilities and lots of farm animals to see.

Enjoy the open road: See Scotland by motorbike

For a fun and surprising way to see Scotland this summer, why not hire your own personal trike chauffeur. Trike Tours Scotland offer one of the most unusual ways to see the famously breathtaking scenery Scotland has on offer.

Trike tours can take you on trips to the mountains, lochs and glens of the Highlands via Perthshire, Stirling and the Trossachs National Park, Loch Lomond, Inverness and Mull.

See www.triketoursscotland.com

12 May 2011 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 23

TravelBriefs

The Balmoral Show, King’s Hall, Belfast

There are plenty of fun things to do when you take time out to discover Northern Ireland STUCK for something to do? If so, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) has put together a list of exciting things to do in Northern Ireland during May 9 - 22. For more details on these and other events, Callsave 1850 230 230, visit Northern Ireland Tourist Board’s Information Office at Suffolk Street, Dublin 2 or click on www.discovernorthernireland.com/events • Hidden Treasures Children’s Theatre, Waterside Theatre, Co Derry, May 8 – 19. A festival featuring the highest quality theatre experiences for children and their families with local, national and international acts.

Eilean Donan Castle, which is situated by the picturesque village of Dornie on the main tourist route to the Isle of Skye

• Balmoral Show, King’s Hall, Belfast, May 11 – 13. This show offers an extravaganza of colour, competition and showmanship, along with daily displays of pedigree horses, ponies, cattle, sheep, poultry, pigs and goats.

• Third Annual Maguire History Weekend, Enniskillen Castle Museums, Co Fermanagh, May 13 – 15. This event will explore the aspects of the Maguire history of Fermanagh.

• An introduction to Basket Making, The Braid Arts Centre, Ballymena, Co Antrim, May 14.

Participants will be using sorted and soaked willow to produce baskets and learn new techniques.

A car on a single track road near the ‘Rest And Be Thankful’ Pass Argyll with Beinn An Lochan in the distance. Pictures: P.Tomkins/Visitscotland/Scottish Viewpoint

• Wild on Wildlife, Castle Ward, Downpatrick, Co Down, May 14. Fun-filled activities for all the family, including mini beast hunts, pond dipping, wildlife art workshops, speciality foods and craft stalls.

• International North West 200, Portrush, Portstewart and Coleraine, May 16 – 21. The International North West 200 is a motor cycle road race held over a nine-mile road circuit. It is a week-long festival of sport and attracts competitors from all over the world.

• Garden Show Ireland, Hillsborough Castle, Co Down, May 20 - 22. Advice abounds on how to make the most of your garden, from rearing chickens or keeping bees to growing vegetables, dining in style or even making jewellery out of flowers and plants you have grown!

The bridge across the River Ayr to the town of Ayr, which is a commercial and administrative centre on The Firth of Clyde, Ayrshire

Rosslyn Chapel, Roslin, Midlothian, Scotland

24 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 12 May 2011

GazetteENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT 1

GoingOUT GoingOUT THE HELIX 01 700 7000

The Chernobyl Children’s Appeal Concert THIS year marks the ninth year in a row for the concert, which will see children aged from eight to 18 perform a wide range of songs in aid of the Chernobyl Children’s Appeal, with this year’s concert having a special significance as the world marks the 25th anniversary.

All proceeds will help to support the many children who continue to suffer ill health. With tickets priced at €15, the concert starts at 7.30pm on Saturday, May 14 in The Mahony Hall.

MILL THEATRE 01 296 9340 The Shaughraun

TANEY Drama Society are preparing to bring their extensive skills to bear on their production of The Shaughraun, by Dion Boucicault, which is often described as a touchstone Irish play.

The Society’s players will bring the tale of a wily Sligo poacher, called Conn, to vivid life, thanks to a large ensemble, a great set and period-appropriate costumes, with Victorian melodrama, romantic comedy and more added to the mix.

The Shaughraun runs nightly at 8pm at the Mill Theatre from Wednesday, May 18 to Saturday, May 21, with admission priced €18/€15.

CIVIC THEATRE 01 4627477 The Tinker’s Curse

ANOTHER Irish-set production, The Tinker’s Curse, tells the story of Rattigan, a Traveller who climbs Croagh Patrick to do penance for the sins of a lifetime. Along the way, Rattigan’s relationship with his wife and daughter come to the fore, as he contemplates what it is to be a father, a husband, a Traveller, and a penitent ascending Ireland’s most sacred spot.

Written and performed by Michael Harding, with live music by Finbar Coady, The Tinker’s Curse runs nightly at 8pm from Thursday, May 12 to Saturday, May 14, with tickets priced €20/€16 conc, or €10 on Thursday.

DRAIOCHT 01 885 2622

Fingal County Youth Orchestra FCYO are sure to be a hit when its young – but highlyskilled – members play a wide range of concertos, pop songs, contemporary pieces and well-known favourites in this concert, which follows on from their magnificent performance at the prestigious Festival of Youth Orchestras at the National Concert Hall recently.

Founded in 1990 and based in Castleknock, the FCYO members, who range in age from 8 to 18, will delight audiences with their accomplished playing. Their concert starts at 8pm on Sunday, May 15 in the Main Auditorium, with tickets pirced €13/€11 conc.

PAVILION THEATRE 01 231 2929 Young At Heart

HELD as part of Beltaine, the DLR festival that celebrates older people in the community, a special showing of the life-affirming documentary movie, Young At Heart, will be held on Tuesday, May 17, at 7pm.

The smash-hit film follows a group of senior citizens, who, despite their advancing years, sing their hearts out with a wide range of classic and contemporary pop songs, with the bittersweet wisdom of age adding an extra dimension to some of the songs.

The documentary helps to show the creativity in older people, and how staying active can keep you young at heart, and is sure to be a welldeserved hit with the Pavilion’s audiences.

The film tickets are priced at €5.

Animal trainer Jacob (Robert Pattinson), centre, should look worried – he knows his circus boss, August (Christoph Waltz) probably suspects that he’s been throwing lingering looks at his wife, Marlene (Reese Witherspoon). But whatever Rosie the elephant knows, she’s saying nothing.

Send in the clowns!

Don’t talk to Kate about The Depression – she’s gloomily contemplating this bygone era-set manipulative movie ...

Q KATE CROWLEY

EVEN though The Simpsons long, long ago turned into a mirthless, plodding cash cow, I’m reminded of some of the many things it got right along the way.

Who can forget the regular appearance of deeply cynical focus groups, lawyers, accountants or product testers with clipboards, calculating exactly how to manipulate everyone in Springfield into coughing up for something useless?

Well, it seems that those clipboarders went to Hollywood, and have had a go at movie-making. With an elephant.

Hot to trot on the heels of the likes of, err...

Operation Dumbo Drop, Larger Than Life and, umm... Dumbo, here comes another film with an elephant as a star – for dumbo here, yours truly, to review.

But first, back to those

FILM OF THE WEEK: Water for Elephants ++ (12A) 119 mins Director: Francis Lawrence Starring: Robert Pattinson, Reese Witherspoon, Christoph Waltz, A Charismatic Elephant

OUR VERDICT: THE scratching noises that some viewers may hear during the film are probably from clipboard-wielding focus group managers at the back, scribbling notes on how well the audience is reacting to each obvious, manipulative point in this particularly calculated film. Five minutes with Krusty the Klown suddenly seems preferable. “Mind you, the elephant is lovely.” (Stick that on yer posters, mate.)

clipboard holders.

I’m presuming that they, or somebody, somewhere thought: “What if ... we got Reese Witherspoon, permanently dolled up to the nines like she’s in a Max Factor ad; that vampire guy, Pattinson, who all the girls ditched for the hunkier dude in that Twilight sequel, and made some kind of predictable, cliche-ridden, forbiddenlove film set in a honeyhued Depression-era circus? With an elephant?”

Bingo. I think I’ve just described a more interesting film than this

one, but, with half of my review – or space – yet to fill, let’s make a trunk call to find out some more ...

Thanks to flashbacks, an old man, Jacob (mostly played by Pattinson, as his youthful self) recounts the greatest tale of his life, back in the Depression, when his newly-penniless self hit the road – or, rather, a railway track, aboard a circus train – for an exciting adventure that would make the most of his veterinary skills.

August, the kindhearted, avuncular circus owner, is a gentle – oh, no, silly me, he’s a predict-

ably cold-hearted brute of a man, who’s married to the beautiful Marlena (Witherspoon).

She’s quite a dame, being able to ride horses, work with elephants, and throw lots and lots and lots of lingering gazes at the circus’s newest manure shoveller, who, naturally, throws lots and lots and lots of lingering gazes back, all of which gets noticed lots and lots and lots by August.

Send in the elephant!

It turns out that Dumb– whoops – Rosie the elephant responds very well to Jacob, who is soon assigned to train the circus’s new, star attraction, as well as helping Marlena to work with Rosie.

So, with plenty of gentle patting, ear-tickling, and soft-spoken words – and, yes, folks, I mean Jacob’s elephant-training skills – the stage is gradually set for a climactic, big top showstopper.

Now, you don’t sup-

pose that an elephant, two star-crossed souls, a jealous husband and a film finale could lead to a crazy climax, do you?

Although I was happy to note Jacob’s methods of working with big, dumb, forgetful animals (which I shall apply forthwith to Mr Crowley), I can’t say that I was so happy with the rest of the film.

Pattinson – not exactly the most charismatic of actors, shall we say – fizzles rather than sizzles opposite Witherspoon, as both throw their best thousand-yard-stares at each other, past the audience and out the door, towards their pay cheques.

Waltz is so over the top, one could be forgiven for looking towards the corner of the screen, in the expectation of spotting an old lady playing some penny-dreadful music on a piano each time he appears, cackling.

Two stars. And one’s for the elephant.

12 May 2011 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 25

Some feel hacked off with Sony ADAM MAGUIRE

IN THE past fortnight, Sony’s Playstation Network – which lets PS3 and PSP users play games online – was hacked.

T he company has since taken down the network, and admitted that some of its users’ information has been stolen.

Not only is this a costly disaster for Sony, it is also a potentially expensive occurrence for anyone who has had their information swiped.

The hack According to Sony, at some stage between the April 16 and 19, someone gained unauthorised access to their network, and their 75 million users’ data.

They can be sure that

things such as names, addresses, passwords and dates of birth were stolen.

More critical information – such as credit card details – may also have been taken, and there are already reports of more than 2.2 million account details being sold online by hackers.

Those at risk Anyone who has an account with Sony’s Playstation Network may have had their information stolen.

In other words, if they have played online with

their PS3 or PSP, they have given Sony some personal information.

Naturally, a lot of those users are young, and would not have credit cards – though they may have used a relative’s information to buy something online.

Of course, credit card details are not the only thing that is dangerous to have stolen.

If hackers have a person’s login details and passwords, they can do plenty of damage, too.

How to protect yourself If you think that you, or someone in your family, gave information to the Playstation Network at any time, there are some immediate steps you can take to protect yourself.

Firstly, make sure that the password used there is not the same as the one used elsewhere. If it is, change it.

This will ensure that hackers cannot log in to the likes of your email and gain additional information.

Secondly, ignore any emails, phone calls or even letters you might receive purporting to be from Sony. They are a scam.

In fact, you should be extra vigilant of any attempts to gain sensitive information from you in such a way by anyone.

Lastly, monitor your credit card to see if anything unusual happens on it.

If you see anything odd going on, alert your bank straight away to have it stopped.

Garageband for the iPad Garageband for the iPad is an amazingly condensed piece of work that lets even the most musically-challenged person build an impressive piece of music.

Basically a streamlined version of the software that many popular artists use to record their music, Garageband for the iPad lets you build a song from scratch.

Users can sing into the iPad’s built-in mic, plug in a guitar and record what you play, or use the on-screen keyboard and drum-kit to lay down additional tracks.

There are also built-in loops that you can sample from and, with the right tweaking, you can layer it all together into a coherent piece of music.

However, even more However impressive are the “smart” instruments, which basically help you to play chords on the guitar, bass and piano without needing to know how to do so in the real world.

Effectively, this app can do most of the hard work for you, just like the expensive software that chart-topping (and autotuned) artists have been using for years.

In this regard, Garage-

band strikes the best of both worlds.

It is easy and fun to play with, but useful enough for those wanting to do something serious.

It just so happens to be a bargain, too.

Garageband is available from the iPad App Store for €3.99.

Visit teic.ie for the latest tech news, reviews and views.

GAZETTE

26 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 12 May 2011

DUN LAOGHAIREclassifieds

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PLANNING NOTICE DUN LAOGHAIRE/ RATHDOWN COUNTY COUNCIL Planning Permission sought for a side extension at first floor level comprising of 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms with a stairs to a hobby room at attic level with a dormer window to the rear at 24 Taney Rise, Dundrum, Dublin 14 for Mr.& Mrs. D. Robertson. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at the offices of the Planning Authority during its public opening hours 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday excluding public holidays. The offices are at the Planning Authority, County Hall, Marine Road, Dun Laoghaire. A submission/ observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the Planning Authority on payment of a fee of 20 euro.

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12 May 2011 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 27

GazetteSPORT

GOLD IN SIGHT: James Scully aims for double successes: Page 29

CRICKET: LEINSTER CRICKET GIVES BACKING TO COUNTY-WIDE SCHOOLS’ CONTEST

O’Brien leads the line for the Leprechaun Cup sport@gazettegroup.com

WOR L D C u p h e r o Kevin O’Brien launched this year’s Leprechaun Cup schools’ cricket competition.

This year’s event will involve no fewer than 38 Primary Schools from various parts of Dublin and surrounding counties.

Leinster Cricket have announced that Precision Electric have become the new spon-

sors of this tournament, that will again reach out to hundreds of young cricketers in Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.

Managing director, Karl Reid, is thrilled to be involved with Leinster ’s youth cricket programme: “We are delighted to be associated with this year’s competition and the whole concept of introducing boys and girls to the game of cricket.

“We will be closely

monitoring the results and look forward to seeing some of the stars of the future featuring in the coming weeks.”

Precision Electric’s financial contribution will not only supply schools with playing equipment, but will also help to provide more coaches for schools in order to further develop the game.

Coaches currently active within schools include Reinhardt Stry-

Kevin O’Brien (right) and Brian O’Rourke (Leinster cricket union development officer) are pictured with Castleknock NS students Iain Anders, Sarah McIntosh and Edward Vincent

dom, Andrew Leona r d , D av i d R u s s e l l , Theo Lawson and Bill O’Connor.

These coaching positions have also come

about through financial support received from both Fingal County Council and South Dublin County Council.

Matches take place

this week between Ballyroan Boys vs Taney NS (Dundrum) at Marlay Park, Castleknock NS v St Mochta’s NS (Blanchardstown) in Civil

Service or Porterstown Park, St Bosco’s (Cabra) v Castleknock ET at Cabra, and St Partick’s (Diswellstown) v’s Scoil Mhuire at Civil Service.

28 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 12 May 2011

GazetteSport Sport Rugby

FastRugby

RUGBY: BLACKROCK REVERSE 2010 DISAPPOINTMENT

Newpark and ’Rock members honoured NEWPARK Comprehensive were awarded the Special Merit School award last weekend at the Leinster rugby awards night.

They were given the award as they continue to make significant progress as a rugby school.

Their senior team won the Section ‘A’ League for the second year in a row, the Vinnie Murray Plate and the McMullen Cup this year.

They have made huge strides as a rugby force in recent years under the direction of Andrew Adams and Morgan Lennon (pictured) and have produced significant numbers of players to the Leinster ‘A’ Schools team and beyond.

Blackrock College’s Sinead Ryan, meanwhile, won the Philips Ladies’ Player of the Year. Ryan was nominated for this award as a result of her consistency and reliability as a player, and for her leadership skills both on and off the pitch.

Despite only taking up rugby on joining NUI Maynooth in 2000, her great attitude and natural ability as a player has already taken her far.

As the Leinster Women’s team captain for the first time this season Sinead excelled, using her experience in playing for Ireland and previous Leinster seasons to lead from the front. It is due to these fantastic qualities that Sinead Ryan has been nominated as this season’s Leinster Women’s Player of the Year.

Former Blackrock College, UCD, Leinster, Ireland and British & Irish Lions winger Niall Brophy was inducted into the Guinness Hall of Fame.

He enjoyed a distinguished career at Schools, Club and International levels where he made 20 Ireland appearances and was capped twice for the Lions.

He made his Ireland debut against France in Lansdowne Road in January 1957 and earned the last of his caps away to Australia in Sydney in May 1967.

Blackrock College celebrate their Guilfoyle-James Cup win over Old Belvedere, and Emmet Farrell’s match-winning try

’Rock hails Farrell score GUILFOYLE-JAMES CUP Blackrock College 25 Old Belvedere 15 STEPHEN FINDLATER sport@gazettegroup.com

FORMER Ireland A international Emmet Farrell showed he still has an eye for an opening when he snatched a late intercept try to guide Blackrock College to the Guilfoyle-James Cup title.

It wiped away any painful memories of two seasons ago when a fine Farrell run saw a final pass to win the title just slip through a team mate’s hands which would in all likelihood have led to a try and the title.

Indeed, last time round, Belvo knocked ’Rock out at the semi-

final stages, but Farrell sniffed the opening to run in the vital try when the scores were locked at 15 all.

He converted himself, having already added a late penalty to record a 25-15 win for the side.

In a family affair, the side featured three sets of brothers – the Maguires, Costigans and Lumsdens – while winger Andrew Elliott’s father, Phil, was the head coach.

Michael Jackson scored a brace of tries for the Stradbrook club after Belvo had started the stronger, leading 8-0 after Simon Kileen’s 27th-minute try.

The right-winger raced on to Matt Drumm’s hack through after the backline were left man-

on-man with options seemingly running out.

It added to Peter Gleeson’s penalty – one of his first interventions after arriving late and being introduced in the 10th minute – but, for all their possession, 8-0 seemed scant reward.

Game on And the Anglesea Road club were made to pay as Blackrock found their cohesion on the half-hour mark.

Some panicked hands out wide prevented Ross Ronayne crossing in the first phase, but he recouped the loose ball.

Three quick shunts produced no try, but a penalty ensued, which was taken quickly to further stretch Belvo’s defence and Jackson was on

hand to crash over.

Farrell’s conversion brought ’Rock within one point, 7-8, at the interval, and Jackson was again the man to stretch out an arm for a try four minutes after the turnaround as a series of pummelling runs pushed the black and whites back.

A penalty nudged them 15-8 clear, Farrell punishing a turnover affected by Paul O’Shea’s big tackle after the ball squirted out the back of the Belvedere scrum.

But a grandstand finish was set up when Belvo secured great line-out ball and mauled their way to within a few metres of the whitewash.

Two big drives were

just short but the third saw Sam O’Dowd sneak through and Niall My ron’s conversion locked the game up with 18 minutes to go.

Myron had an instant chance to earn back the lead from the kick-off’s return but his penalty drifted wide.

And it was a costly miss as Farrell showed his experience to land an easy penalty effort and he put the issue beyond doubt when more scrum-pressure forced an impromptu Belvo six-nine move off the back.

Farrell spotted the danger, put out a lefthand and the ball stuck to open the simplest of run-ins and no mistakes, allowing Eoin Costigan to raise the cup.

12 May 2011 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 29

in association with

Preparing for the big tests STEPHEN FINDLATER talks to mentor and coach, David Malone, about James Scully, Ireland’s most promising swimmer, ahead of Paralympics 2012 NAC swim club’s James Scully was recently honoured as the Swim Ireland Disability Swimmer of the Year, capping a brilliant 2010 with a fourth-place finish in the 200-metre freestyle final at the world championships in Eindhoven.

But the young star is hoping that result is just a stepping stone en route to the London Paralympic Games in September, 2012.

For now, though, juggling his high-performance training is sharing his preoccupation with his Leaving Certificate, making for a hectic couple of months.

Soon after Scully completes the State exams,

the 18-year-old will be straight back into competition, looking to secure a place for Ireland in the London Games through the European championships in Berlin.

ally carded athlete under the Irish Sports Council performance grants so, ultimately, James is preparing for the Leaving but also, just two weeks after, he will go to compete at

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

‘We’re coming into the final bit of the plan. It’s a matter of getting the Leaving Cert out of the way, and then the priority will be London 2012’ --------------------------------------------------------

And club coach, as well as Irish team manager, Dave Malone says the major issue is getting the balance between the twin concerns just right.

“He’s an internation-

the European championships in Berlin. That’s a phase of qualifying for the London Games in September 2012.

“He’s risen slowly through the ranks in the

James Scully receives his Swim Ireland Disability Swimmer of the Year award

past three or four years to achieving that fourthplace finish in the world last year.

“Obviously the exams are incredibly important.

It’s quite a tricky year and James is at that age where he has really learned a lot over the last couple of years to get to this point.

“He’s been balancing the time management around studying and training to the standard of a performance athlete.

Balancing act “For James, it’s about balancing the books and getting the rest and recovery in as well and take in a bit of a social life, too, to keep the life balance together.

“It’s difficult to manage but James receives support from the Irish Institute of Sport, working with athlete executive, Ken Lynch,” said Malone Their plan for this tricky season has seen Scully compete closer to home, more recently entering the National long-course championship, held at his home pool in the NAC. While the event is an able-bodied gala, disabled entrants were allowed enter, helping get more experience of a large meet with high-quality opposition – something which is hard to come by in the current period.

“It was an opportunity for him to swim in a high-

level event. With the commitments at school this year, we’ve limited James’ travel exposure to events around Ireland. He competed in Limerick in February while he was due to take part in the Welsh championships, but it was cancelled because of the conditions at the times.”

As for the route to London, individual qualifying proper begins on January 1, 2012 but countries are currently scrambling to secure places for themselves, a process which goes right up to March, 2012.

Next month’s Europeans act as the first opportunity to gain an Irish place and Malone – one of Ireland’s most decorated Paralympians and a gold medallist – is hopeful over his protege’s chances.

“With James, we’re happy with the way he has approached the last number of months and kept himself organised.

“He’s very much in line to qualify. It’s a major performance meet at the Europeans but, to an end of preparing for London, this is just a stepping stone.

“We’re right in the preparation of a four-year plan but we’re coming into the final bit of that plan. James is very much on track and it’s a matter of getting the Leaving Cert out of the way and then the priority will be London.”

FastSport

Show your allegiance to Leinster (like the editor) WITH the last phases of the Magners’ league and the Heineken Cup final this month, fans everywhere (including Gazette editor, Cormac Curtis, pictured above right at the RDS last week) are going blue with anticipation, and can now show their support with teamcoloursonline.com.

Team Colour’s range of waterless, press-on temporary tattoos with Leinster colours and slogans are now available. Charities, sporting clubs and schools involved in fundraising can have tattoos commissioned with their own crest to either generate profits from sales or simply raise awareness of their brand.

For more information, see www.teamcoloursonline.com or visit their Facebook page.

Iconic camp set to take place in July BASKETBALL Ireland have announced that their popular basketball camp, Gormanston 2011, will take place in the week of July 10 to 15 at Gormanston College.

The camp will once again cater for residential and day campers and the cost will remain the same as in 2010.

The national basketball camp is renowned for delivering only the best in coaching with past coaches hailing from America, Canada, and Europe, as well as the best Irish coaches. Campers get a rare opportunity to experience the valuable knowledge

from some of the best in the game.

The camp has become renowned as the place to be each summer for prospective basketball stars of the future.

Some of Ireland’s top players have come through the ranks at the camp, and it attracts the best coaches from home and abroad.

Past coaches have included some of Ireland’s greats, including Danny Fulton, Joey Boylan, and Gerry Fitzpatrick, along with a medley of extraordinary coaches from abroad, such as Brian Hill, Lazlo Nemeth and Serge Clabau.

Attendance costs €375 for residential attendees, while daycampers can take part for €200. For more information, see www. basketballireland.com

30 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 12 May 2011

GazetteSport Sport FastSport

Rugby stars taking part in boxing event IRISH rugby legends Neil Francis and Shane Byrne will take part in the Hassle in the Castle white-collar boxing event as part of Blackrock College’s fundraising bid for missions to Kenya.

The event takes place in the Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel in Killiney on Thursday, May 19, with doors opening at 7.30pm and tickets costing €35. Entrance is for over-19s only.

Tickets are available from the college reception and Blackrock College Union website.

Wheelers host annual races in Co Wicklow ORWELL W heelers’ Noel and Kieran Hammond Memorial Races in Roundwood, Co Wicklow proved another great success last weekend Neil Delahaye (Dectek) showed his form is coming to a peak as An Post Ras approaches with an impressive solo win on a demanding course.

Delahaye forged clear of a six-man leading group on the fifth and final ascent of the five-kilometre climb of Callowhill and once clear opened a comfortable gap over his nearest pursuers on the downhill run to the finish line at Vartry Reservoir.

Martin Mizgajski (Wexford Wheelers) took the top prize for

A2 riders on a day when recording a finish was an achievement.

The accompanying Trek Women’s Classic League event was won by British-based Rebecca Curley (For Viored) who came in ahead of Orwell’s Orla Hendron and league leader Geraldine Gill (Bohermeen CC).

Lakelands take Brennan Cup title at the AUL LAKELANDS FC won the DDSL U-10 Brennan Cup final at the AUL Complex last weekend when they got the better of Naas AFC. The Sandyford club were grateful to goals from Sean O’Flynn and Sean Farren as they took the title with an excellent 2-0 result.

DDSL: LOCAL SIDES SUCCEED IN RESPECTIVE LEAGUE FINALS

Cabinteely FC’s Under-18s took the Redmond Cup title after a 2-0 win over Wayside Celtic

Joey’s and Cabo hailed sport@gazettegroup.com

BOTH St Joseph’s Boys and Cabinteely FC’s underage soccer sides were successful in their respective DDSL finals that took place last weekend in the AUL. Joey’s Under-12C side took part in their firstever final against Leixlip United from the B1 league in the AUL on Saturday afternoon.

Joey’s had a slow start to the season but their recent run of form has seen them climb to fourth in the league, and they are unbeaten since Christmas.

In the match, however, Leixlip started

the brighter, with Josh S m i t h ’s g o a l b e i n g threatened, but it was Joey’s who took the lead on 15 minutes when they capitalised on a goalkeeping mistake from a Luke Sullivan free kick, for Alan Joyce to poke the spilled ball into the net for the opening goal.

The second goal came when Sean Smith split the Leixlip defence with a pass from the left wing to Luke Maguire, who fired in from a tight angle for a two-goal, half-time lead.

Leixlip started the brighter of the two sides again in the second half, but Joey’s weathered

The Clar winner: Iosagain inspiration receives award COLAISTE Iosagain’s Clar de Siun was presented with the Ladies’ GAA player of the month award for April at Croke Park recently.

The forward was instrumental in guiding the Stillorgan-based school to a historic first-ever national title when they won the Tesco Post-Primary Schools Senior B title in a tense final against Holy Rosary College from Mountbellew.

Clar scored the points that proved the difference between the schools at the close of the match.

the pressure and limited them to long-range shots that keeper Josh Smith dealt with comfortably.

Maguire had a good chance to increase the lead to three, but the Leixlip keeper made a great save.

Leixlip themselves threatened repeatedly as the half wore on, but their efforts came to nothing as St Joseph’s held on for victor y, taking the U-12 Peter Dunne Cup back to Sallynoggin.

Cabinteely, meanwhile, faced near neighbours Wayside Celtic in the DDSL Under-18 Major showdown at the

AUL. The encounters between the sides this year have been thrilling and, recently, Cabinteely claimed the league title from their rivals in this match by a single point.

Wayside dominated from the off, and centreback Robert Browne was on hand to clear off the line to keep the scores level on 15 minutes.

The teams were well matched thereaf ter, Cabinteely waking up after that scare, and they took the lead on the half-hour when Sam Crowe was on hand to stab home a cross from a short corner.

The second half was equally well-matched, until the 70th minute, when a strong and determined run from Ruadhan Stokes saw him beat the efforts of the Wayside defence to score the decisive goal of the tie.

Although Wayside hit the bar in the closing stages, Cabinteely remained strong and focused to take the title and the DDSL double.

The club hailed the team effort from all concerned, and the cup was gratefully accepted by captain, Gareth Monahan, from DDSL chairman, Tommy Heffernan.

12 May 2011 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 31

in association with

IFC ROUND 2: SAINTS POWER TO WIN OVER CUALA

CLUB NOTICEBOARD FOXROCK CABINTEELY CONGRATULATIONS to Sinead Golrick

ers who took part in the All-Ireland

on winning Player-of-the-Match in

basketball schools’ finals in Limer-

Saturday’s National league final,

ick over the weekend.

where Dublin beat Meath.

Amy Ring contributed greatly to the scoring, netting a great goal

If you haven’t paid your registration, please give your form and fee to Diarmuid Byrne.

in the first half. Well done also to

Well done to our U-11 boys who had

our U-14 players, Ciara Crotty and

a great victory over neighbours

Sorcha Whooley, who were part of

Kilmacud Crokes last week.

the Dublin team that won the Lein-

Training for the June Lugnaquilla

ster title on Sunday, beating Kildare

climb continued last Sunday with a

in the process.

walk up Djouce mountain.

Congratulations to a great number of our U-13 and U-14 play-

For further information, contact Nick Fisher.

BALLINTEER ST JOHN’S St Finian’s were on fine form as they put Cuala to the swords at Glencullen last week

SFC disaster for Cuala’s hopefuls IFC ROUND 2 St Finian’s 1-10 Cuala 0-7 STEPHEN FINDLATER sport@gazettegroup.com

ST FINIAN’S gave one of their best performances of the past five years to stun Inter championship hopefuls Cuala at the stunning Glencullen venue last Wednesday night.

Twenty-four places and one division separated the pair on the league roster, with the Dalkey side’s run to last year’s championship final making them pregame favourites.

But if the senior championship’s opening phases have taught us anything, it’s what is put forward on the night that counts most, and Finian’s won all the major collisions.

They ran themselves into the ground, in particular Warren Hanley in midfield and Kevin Ryan at full-back pushing their bodies to full capacity.

The stylish Scott Brennan kicked a trio of quality scores, while playing a key part in a perfectly executed James Shelly goal in the 18th minute.

Cuala were without star man Mick Fitzsimons and county hurler Paul Schutte but, in John Sheanon, Scott O’Brien, Adam Hudson and Conor O’Brien, they had a nucleus of the side which claimed the U-21 A title back in 2009.

And they started reasonably, Scott O’Brien and Ronan Sweeney chipping in to nudge them ahead.

But scores from David Hattie, Ross Hainsworth, Darren Barry and Brennan put the Swords’ men 0-5 to 0-2 up on the quarter hour.

Brennan’s second was an absolute peach, using the wind – perhaps aided by the turbine on the valley-side of the pitch – to get a huge amount of bend.

Shelly had already drawn a brilliant save

low to the Caomhin O’Mhaoildearg’s left before Finian’s hit the net for a six-point lead.

Liam Ryan – the longserving Dublin hurler – used his quick wits to take a free quickly to the bombing on Barry Kavanagh. His pass found Brennan marauding down the left channel before pulling the ball back from the endline for Shelly to pounce.

His side was winning the breaks around the middle at this stage, Mattie McGrath feverish around the fringes, but two fine James Power scores meant Cuala had a sniff at the break, reducing the deficit to 1-6 to 0-5.

With the wind changeable and the Dalkey side emerging more fired up in the second period, substitute Conor O’Brien almost had a dream start, flashing through but Stephen McNally pushed his shot around the right post.

It could have been

a momentum changer but, after a torrid spell went unscathed, Brennan tacked on a free and Ross Hainsworth kicked a super score, the product of five quick handpasses.

And Cuala could not find their shooting boots, and were limited to just two second-half points, the first of which came 18 minutes into the half when Power cleared the bar.

Conor O’Brien added a fine effort from Sheanon’s top work but, with goals required and Finian’s defence doubling up, getting the scoreboard moving was an insurmountable task.

Indeed, Shelly went closest to a major, dinging the outside of a post while Dominic Harris – the former Fingal hurling captain – broke from defence to score the final point, again created through zippy hands, to round out a famous win for the Rivervalley club.

LOTTO: Numbers drawn were 4, 10,

tion. Entry forms are available on

16 and 24. There was no winner.

the club website.

Draw winners were K Brennan and

They are also available from team

J Byrne €100, Colm O’Donnell €50

mentors and the clubhouse. Entry

and Mary O’Brien €50. Next week’s

fee is €20.

draw will be for €14,600. Tickets are available online at www.ballinteerstjohns.com.

Bingo every Monday night from 8.30. Please let your neighbours,

All entries must be returned by Friday next, May 13.

As this is one of our main fundraising events in the club this year, your support is most welcome.

friends, relatives know and encour-

Congrats to Glen Whelan, Aodhan

age them to join in an enjoyable

Clabby and Donal Gormley, who all

social evening.

played for Dublin minor hurlers in

Win €1,000: The club is running a championship forecast competi-

their win over Wexford at the weekend.

NAOMH OLAF CONGRATULATIONS to Tommy Brown

Admission is €20 per person or €30

and the Dublin Ladies Football Team

per couple. The first fight starts at

on victory over Meath in the Divi-

9pm sharp.

sion 2 Final of the National Football

The first fight starts at 9pm sharp

League at Parnell Park last Satur-

and the main bout of the evening

day.

features Marto The Hitman v Sugar

Our G4Ms pla yed a mini-game versus Simonstown of Meath at half time and did the club proud.

Although the score finished level at 0-1 apiece, our girls had the

Ray Stapo.

Entertainment will be provided afterwards by Sal Vitro, winners of Hard Rock Cafe’s Band of the Bands.

upper hand throughout and were

The annual golf classic takes place

unlucky not to win the tie. Well done,

in Edmonstown Golf Club on Friday,

ladies, you were fantastic ambas-

May 27.

sadors for the club.

The inaugural Greg Naughton Memorial Tournament will be held

This is an important fundraiser and support is essential in the current economic climate.

in the club next Sunday, May 15 and

The format is Singles Stapleford

will feature our U-15 football team

competition and cost of entry is

managed by Ger O’Malley. Contact

€100, which includes a steak din-

Ger for further details.

ner.

Best wishes to former senior footballer Paul Curran from Valencia, Co

Sponsorship of a hole costs €75.

For more information, contact Tom Culligan 086 8523529, Mick

Kerry in his battle against illness.

Brown 087 2587243, Fran O’Dwyer

Our thoughts and prayers are with

087 2750665 or John Mullhall 087

you.

2571691.

A charity boxing night will be held

Congratulations to Niall and Deir-

in the sports hall on Saturday, May

dre Byrne on the birth of a baby

21. The proceeds will be shared by

boy, Micheál, a brother for Peter,

Naomh Olaf and Testicular Cancer.

and a sixth grandchild for Nuala.

ALL OF YOUR DUN LAOGHAIRE SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 27-31

ROCKING ON: Late Blackrock blitz earns the James-Guilfoyle Cup trophy P28

MAY 12, 2011

DOUBLE DREAMS: Scully tackles Leaving and Europeans P29

GazetteSPORT

The Dublin ladies celebrate their Division Two victory at Parnell Park last Saturday, making an instant return to the top tier of the NFL

Dublin powered

by Fox/Cab stars Sinead Goldrick and Amy Ring play key roles for the Dublin ladies on a memorable day for the local club STEPHEN FINDLATER dunlaoghairesport@gazettegroup.com

WITH Sinead Goldrick claiming the playerof-the-match award and Amy Ring scoring the first goal, last Saturday’s Dublin 3-15 to 2-9 victory over Meath in the ladies’ football national league division two final was another landmark day for Foxrock/Cabinteely.

Both have been with the club since they were nine years old, along with panellist Amy Connolly, and subsequently went on to win U-14, U-16 and minor All-Ireland titles, as well as the Junior club All-Ireland in 2007.

They helped Foxrock to the Senior B AllIreland last year but 2011 has seen them break into the Dublin senior side, helping the panel bounce straight back to division one with an emphatic victory at Parnell Park.

And club chairman Pat Ring says it is no more than the young stars deserve, especially when considered that Goldrick’s performance

came just hours after finishing a college exam.

“Dublin are in transition and are bringing through a lot of players this year. Sinead and Amy have got their opportunity and have taken it with both hands.

“They’re all in college studying and trying to divide their time between club matches and training a few nights a week with Dublin. You can see it’s a big commitment.”

The club’s involvement could have been increased by Ciara Murphy’s inclusion – a senior panellist in 2010 – but she opted to take a year out to travel in the summer.

Nonetheless, Foxrock/Cabinteely have set in motion a conveyor belt of talent, with Emma McDonagh (minor), Aideen O’Donnell (U-16), Ciara Crotty and Sorcha Whooley (both U-14) all donning the Jackies’ colours this season.

It bodes well for the club as they aim to break into the top four in the county’s senior stakes.

Meanwhile, county manager Tommy Brown also paid tribute to their work rate, stepping

into the senior team.

“They’re a fantastic bunch. There’s a lot who were on the minor team a few years ago, a couple from the B team of last year and the good thing is, when they came in, they realised very early if you work hard, on and off the pitch, you’re respected.

“You’ve got to hand it to them. There’s some girls out there like Goldy [Sinead Goldrick] getting player of the match, who show that.

She had an exam in the morning and legged it over [to Parnell Park]. Three others had exams.

The commitment that they give is fantastic. I’m delighted, a few new players have stuck their head up and we’ve grabbed them.

“The good thing was we started with a strong team and a strong bench. That was the thing over Winter with injuries and players in and out of the squad we didn’t have.

“Hopefully, now we can regroup and, come the summer, we can have an even stronger panel.