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A FESTIVE DOUBLE EDITION • DECEMBER 22 & 29, 2011

INSIDE: Lab Cllr Jane Dillon Byrne’s insight HERE WE GO-HO-HO: Santa and the on political life P6-7 Gazette team look back at 2011 Page 3

Football: Goldrick lines out for Dubs’ Stars select Page 32

Sports Awards: December’s nominees are announced Page 29

ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES ..................... 2 MOTORS ........................18 BUSINESS .................... 21 TRAVEL......................... 22 ENTERTAINMENT ........ 24 CLASSIFIEDS ............... 26

Centre could attract ‘million visitors’ Q DAWN LOVE

UP TO one million visitors seeking to trace their ancestral routes could be set to descend on Dun Laoghaire, if plans for the proposed Irish International Diaspora Centre on the historic Carlisle Pier go ahead.

That’s according to Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, who this week described the recently-completed master plan for the Dun Laoghaire

Harbour Company as “a very exciting project, not only for Dun Laoghaire, but for Ireland as a whole”.

“Plans for the centre are making real progress. It is expected that, once completed, it will facilitate one million visitors seeking to trace their ancestry. Undoubtedly, this will have a huge impact on the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown area,” said Deputy Mitchell O’Connor.

Full Story on Page 2

All wrapped up: Ready for a fun family day at Shankill event WILLIAM, Emer and Mary Lyster, with

Caoimhe and Oisin Lyster, were ready for the worst of the weather – and the best of the seasonal fun – when they stepped out on the streets of Shankill recently when Shankill Traders’ Group

hosted an afternoon of free entertainment and festive family fun on Main Street. Lots of great activities were laid on, which the Lysters, and the community, really enjoyed on the day.

See Gallery on Pages 8-9

2 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 22 & 29 December 2011

PROJECT: MASTERPLAN FOR AREA COMPLETED

EVENT

Launching inaugural Christmas festival

Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire Mary Mitchell O’Connor

Diaspora Fireworks kick-off festival Centre may T attract up to a million Emma Casey, aged 2, and her pal Daisy, aged 2, with Santa. Pictures: Jason Clarke Photography

HE inaugural Dun Laoghaire Christmas Festival officially got underway recently with Dublin’s only festive fireworks display that attracted thousands of spectators to Dun Laoghaire Town and Harbour. Organisers, Dun Laoghaire Business Association and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, say the Christmas Festival has created 100 jobs and is only one of several enterprising initiatives underway to attract footfall, boost business and enhance the leisure offering in the town. With local business expecting a high footfall, it is estimated the Festi-

Q DAWN LOVE

UP TO one million visitors seeking to trace their ancestral routes could be set to descend on Dun Laoghaire if plans for the proposed Irish International Diaspora Centre on the historic Carlisle Pier go ahead.

That’s according to Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, who this week described the recently-completed Masterplan for the Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company as “a very exciting project, not only for Dun Laoghaire but for Ireland as a whole”.

“The Masterplan for the Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company includes the creation of a worldcl a s s 5 , 0 0 0 - s q u a r e metre Irish International Diaspora Centre on the historic Carlisle Pier which will be a huge draw for tourists and the Irish community alike.

“Plans for the Centre are making real progress. It is expected that, once completed, it will facilitate one million visitors seeking to trace their ancestry.

“Undoubtedly this will have a huge impact on the Dun Laoghaire

/ Rathdown area and it will further advance our reputation and image on the world stage.

“Not alone will employment be created as a result of the number of visitors to the centre, but tourism and retail business will significantly benefit,” said Deputy Mitchell O’Connor.

“With an estimated 70 million Irish overseas, this project will go a considerable distance to filling the gaping hole that currently exists in Irish service and entertainment provision in this area.

“Plans for the area also include welcoming cruise ships and the creation of an urban beach.

“The centre will celebrate the achievement and experience of the Irish Diaspora around the world through the combination of entertainment, technology and culture.

“Irish emigrants have contributed significantly to advancements in technology, infrastructure, the arts and economies of other countries.

“It is important that Ireland recognises and commends the contribution these people have made to the reputation of Ireland abroad,” she said.

val will generate in the region of €12m for the local economy. Highlights of the festival include a continental-style Christmas Market, featuring handcrafted trinkets, gifts and accessories, a range of traditional Christmas delicacies and hot drinks, a live crib, ice rinks, kids’ amusements and a festive town Train to transport visitors from the harbour area to the town and enhance connectivity. The Christmas Market and festive Town Train run to the December 23, while the Ice Rinks and amusements stay open until January 8.

See www.dunlaoghaire.ie

Shane Dennehy, aged 8, and Emma Latin and ballroom dancers, Hannah Kelly and Ryan Lambe

Emma, aged 6, Shane, aged 8, Daisy, aged 2, and Santa

Emma and Daisy walk with Santa

Dennehy, aged 6, with Santa Claus

22 & 29 December 2011 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 3

GREETINGS Looking back at 2011

The Gazette team wish all our readers a very merry Christmas Picture: Anita Ward

A very merry Christmas from all at the Gazette Q CORMAC CURTIS

THE team at the Gazette were busy this week putting together the very best in local news, features, sports and picture coverage, to give our readers the best possible insight into what is happening in your local community over the Christmas season.

At the same time, our commercial team were bringing the best value in local advertising to the businesses of Dublin – the kind of businesses that know our industryleading readership and circulation figures have been approved by the Audit Bureau of Circulation.

Coverage As regular readers will know, the primary focus of the Gazette is local coverage. We started this year by bringing further news of the “big freeze”, and how it was affecting life in our local communities.

As the capital’s residents did their best to

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‘Moving in to springtime, Dublin entered a period of near jubilation, with the historic visits of Queen Elizabeth II and US President, Barack Obama’

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cope with the extended extreme weather conditions, the Gazette reported on how local councils, transport services and emergency services, as well as volunteer groups, all coped with the added pressures of frozen roads, interrupted services, and shortages of salt and grit.

As the freeze gave way to thaw, and 2011 unfolded, it became clear that our political landscape was changing dramatically.

The prospect of further austerity and lack of growth meant Fianna

Fail faced an impossible battle, as the electorate prepared to send a clear message to a Government that had left the people feeling betrayed, let down and completely abandoned by its public representatives.

As a result, the General Election brought with it the end of an era for Fianna Fail, as well as the complete decimation of the Green Party.

Hand-in-hand with these changes came the rise of the Left, as many Left-leaning councillors took seats in a number of Dublin constituencies.

Moving in to springtime, Dublin entered a period of near jubilation, with the historic visits of Queen Elizabeth II and US President, Barack Obama.

After a scorching April, our summer weather let us down. Dublin experienced more extreme weather in autumn, as record rainfall figures brought the capital to a flooded standstill.

What is encouraging is that, despite a mixed bag

of news in a year that saw little or no improvement to the country’s economic standing, our local communities remain as vibrant and exciting as ever.

Local community groups, schools, sports clubs and societies have not lost their appetite for activity, and we at the Gazette thrive on their enthusiasm.

The Gazette is an open resource for the community, and we would like to thank all of those who involve us, interact with us, and those who go as far as to write stories, take pictures and take the time to contribute material to these pages.

If it weren’t for the efforts of these people, it would make it impossible to produce the kind of material that highlights what is bright, beautiful and unique about our area.

So, from the whole team at the Gazette, let me extend our very best wishes to you and your families this Christmas season and wish you a happy and healthy 2012.

4 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 22 & 29 December 2011

A little bit of exercise will go a long way

THE HSE is encouraging Dublin residents to get active this festive season by putting aside at least 30 minutes of exercise a day.

Getting more active is a great way to improve your mood and enjoy the festive cheer, with the added benefit of helping to burn off extra calories from the party season.

This week, the HSE is recommending that all adults should aim to be active for at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week. Children and young people should be active for at least 60 minutes every day.

It doesn’t have to be all at once – build up to 30 minutes or more a day by doing a number of short bouts of physical activity.

However, a person must be active for at least 10 minutes for it to count.

Children are naturally active, so any amount of

physical activity counts towards their 60 minutes.

There are more than 164 Sli na Slainte walking routes across the country, including Dun Laoghaire, Bray, Wicklow and Arklow. To download a map for these routes, see www. irishheart.ie; alternatively, watch out for the distinctive yellow signs in these areas.

You can also see www. getirelandactive.ie – a dedicated website for events, advice, information and motivation to help you get more physically active.

The site is updated regularly by local clubs and sports partnerships, and many of the activities listed are free.

Some of the activities listed on the site include an active exercise programme in Dun Laoghaire, or aqua aerobics in Stillorgan.

CHILDREN Funds approved for LauraLynn Sunshine Home

€40,000 boost for hospice Q DAWN LOVE dunlaoghaire@gazettegroup.com

THE LauraLynn Sunshine Home got an early Christmas present this week following the announcement that it is to receive a funding boost of €40,000.

The National Lottery grant from the Department of Health will go towards the cost of a specially-adapted bus for transporting sick children at the hospice, which is situated on the Leopardstown Road.

We l c o m i n g t h e announcement, Dublin South TD Peter Mathews (FG) said the hospice was one of the most deserving

facilities he had the pleasure of visiting.

“With its hallmark of excellence, and its wonderful atmosphere for the children that it looks after, it couldn’t be a more deserving cause.

“Having personally visited this hospice, I was completely bowled over by what a wonderful facility it offers to children and their families during such a tragic time in their lives.

“I spoke directly with the Minister for Health, James Reilly, to bring this to his attention.

“Despite all the financial challenges that the Minister has, his heart and his mind are in the

In addition to funds needed for the hospice’s running, funds are also needed for its vital services, such as a specially-adapted bus for transporting sick chilldren

right place for such a deserving cause,” said Deputy Mathews.

In Ireland there are over 1,400 children with life-limiting and lifethreatening conditions, such as cerebral palsy, profound brain damage, meningitis, HIV and cancer.

More than 350 children die every year in Ireland.

LauraLynn House provides respite for the family as a whole. Its ethos is about putting “life into a child’s day, not days into a child’s life”.

For parents, it gives them a much-needed break, often as simple as a decent night’s sleep.

It also supports healthy siblings, who may be very much left out when a

sick child needs 24-hour care.

It also gives families a choice when the end comes, providing continued support for the family when their child has passed on.

Home care is also a major part of the service, as is linking with other organisations working in similar areas.

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SCHOOLS Minister approves works to commence in 2012

Holy Trinity NS set to get new building Q LAURA WEBB dunlaoghaire@gazettegroup.com

A LENGTHY campaign by teachers and parents to construct a permanent building for Holy Trinity National School in Leopardstown came to an end this week, following the announcement by the Minister for Education, Ruairi Quinn that work on a new school building will get under way next year.

Following the Minister’s announcement, approximately €430 million is to be spent on an education infrastructure plan for 2012.

We l c o m i n g t h e announcement, Fine Gael TD for Dublin South, Peter Mathews said: “Holy Trinity is in dire need of a perma-

nent school building. At present, 161 pupils are crammed into nine prefabricated buildings.

“Not only are the prefabs unsuitable for educating children, there is not enough space to accommodate the increased population in the area, following the construction of 2,500 homes built in the area over the past 20 years.

“We are only now playing catch-up with the facilities that the local community needs to prosper,” he said.

“I welcome the announcement by Minister Quinn, as I was very surprised that the Holy Trinity National School in Leopardstown was not included in the Minister’s list of school buildings last June.

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‘I spoke to Minister Quinn about the need for a permanent school building, and I am delighted that it has been given the green light’ --------------------------

Dep Peter Mathews, FG --------------------------

“I spoke to the Minister about the obvious need for a permanent school building, and I am delighted that this project has been given the green light,” said Deputy Mathews.

Meanwhile, his party colleague and fellow

Dublin South TD, Olivia Mitchell, also welcomed the announcement, saying: “Holy Trinity NS has run a long campaign, right through the various stages of the planning process, and I’m glad that the project will experience no further delays.

“While moving to a new permanent building is great news for the pupils and staff, the move away from prefabs will also save the State thousands of euro in the long run.

“Once the need for a school was established, the concern was to secure a permanent building,” she said.

“This has taken many years to achieve, but it is great to see the project finally coming to fruition.

Deputy Peter Mathews, Fine Gael, welcomed the new school building’s approval

“All credit to the principal, staff and community, who never gave up hope, even when the recession hit, and who continued to lobby tirelessly for the school,” said Deputy Mitchell.

Following the Minister’s announcement, extension/refurbishment works will also take place at Senior College Dun Laoghaire, Eblana

Avenue.

Making the funding announcement this week, Minister Quinn said: “We are prioritising investment in school buildings, in line with the Government’s Capital Investment Programme. “ To t a l e n r o l m e n t in both primary and post-primary schools is expected to grow by around 70,000 between

now and 2018 – by more than 45,000 pupils at primary level and 25,000 students at post-primary.

“Enrolment will continue to rise at the postprimary level to the year 2024 at least.

“We have to ensure that every child growing up in Ireland will have access to a physical school place,” said Minister Quinn.

6 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 22 & 29 December 2011

OPINION Leas Cathaoirleach of DLR, Councillor Jane Dillon

‘I encourage more women to seek nomination to contest for a council seat’ LAST week, Ireland celebrated the 100th anniversary of the introduction of legislation that allowed women to participate in county and borough councils for the first time.

The centenary of the Enactment of the Local Authorities (Ireland), Qualification of WHEN, in June, 1974, I was elected to represent Booterstown, Blackrock and Monkstown to Dun Laoghaire Borough Council, I had no idea it would be the commencement of a deep and passionate commitment to the civic life of the place I lived and loved.

Entering an oak-lined

council chamber with 15 other people, I was the first woman to be elected, and, a year later, 1975, the European Year of the Woman, I was the very first woman to be chosen by my colleagues as An Cathaoirleach.

We represented 56,000 people. It all seems a long time ago, and it is.

Now, we are a county council, with 28 members

Women Act 1911, coincided with the publication of a new Government Bill designed to introduce positive discrimination in favour of gender quotas.

This week, Leas Cathaoirleach of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, and Labour councilrepresenting 192,000 people.

We meet about six times a month for two or three hours, and longer when the week requires it. We argue, debate, submit ideas, and vote to approve or reject.

The work is endlessly stimulating; often too, too slow and, indeed, frustrating.

Our work is limited by

a bill of legislation – we are not free to go outside that area.

We do have power; not often enough, in comparison to other European countries.

This Republic seriously needs to have a local government re-organisation and, in the field of education, offer a course in civics to help our young people understand how

lor, Jane Dillon Byrne, who was first elected to represent Booterstown, Blackrock and Monkstown in 1974, writes about her fascinating and diverse role as a county councillor, and calls for more women to get involved in political life. we operate.

I find great satisfaction in much of the work I do. I enjoy it, though it is often a considerable challenge, but I enjoy researching and preparing the presentation to the county council.

I may have to argue with offices of the council, as well as the politicians from Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Socialist

Workers, to gain acceptance of my idea.

The county manager also has his piece of legislation, directing him to act in a certain area and matters, and matters exclusively. I might argue with him, also.

Then, finance has to be found to activate the project. While a member of the Arts Council in the Nineties, I secured €1

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22 & 29 December 2011 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 7

Byrne, discusses her diverse role

ENVIRONMENT: EPA’S TIPS FOR WAYS TO REDUCE, RECYCLE AND REUSE

Great advice for a greener Christmas

Laoghaire-Rathdown, and Labour councillor, Jane Dillon Byrne

I ran a sculpture symposium, which resulted in 12 works of public art in our open spaces and parks.

In the very early days, I worked to ensure the upgrading and refurbishing of all the council houses built in 19081912 by the British.

They are all centrally heated, double-glazed and have proper bathrooms/toilets and kitchens.

The post of councillor

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can result in the general public phoning you all times of the day and night, such as about the recent flooding of more than 100 homes in our council area – not an easy problem to solve.

To ensure the proper balance to my life, I swim in the sea (Sandycove, generally) each day of the year.

My sheepdog and myself (I cycle) enjoy the outdoors for that hour or two every day; we view

the wildlife seals, bats, birds and sea birds along the coast, and sometimes see the odd fox.

We know the tide times, the direction of the wind, and the quality of the sea weed on a stormy day. There’s not a moment’s boredom.

I can’t imagine my life without being a councillor. I am constantly grateful to those who support me. I am lucky to be in such a beautiful place as Dun Laoghaire.

As leas-Cathaoirleach, this year I will meet more people in a formal setting than I have for a while now, and so my activities change all the time, and lend enormous satisfaction to my life.

M ay I e n c o u r a g e more women to seek nomination to contest for a seat on their local council. We are poorly represented, and almost all of us enjoy it when we win a seat.

WITH more waste set to be generated over the Christmas period than any other time of the year, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is urging residents in the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown region to reduce, recycle and reuse, this festive season.

Speaking to The Gazette, Jonathan Derham, from the EPA, said: “We’d like to remind people that, by keeping useful waste prevention ideas in mind, we can all make cost savings and give to each other, without giving to landfills this season.

“By following these tips from the EPA over the Christmas period, and by making these habits part of our New Year’s resolutions, we can all contribute to a greener future,” said Derham.

“This is not just about recycling – it is about

preventing waste across a range of activities.

“In the run-up to Christmas, remember to defrost your freezer. It will work more efficiently, and create more space to store leftover food.

“For leftovers, Stop Food Waste and Wicklow County Council have developed a wonderful recipe guide for the 12 days of Christmas on their website, at www. stopfoodwaste.ie.

“Many people will receive Christmas presents of new electrical and electronic equipment. Their older model will then have to be disposed of, so remember to recycle waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).

“Lots of these goods contain hazardous materials that can cause serious environmental damage. Retailers are

required by law to take back WEEE from householders on a one-for-one basis, and this service is free of charge.

“Alternatively, old mobile phones can be donated to The Jack & Jill Foundation at www.jackandjill.ie,” he said.

“Finally, it’s great to have a warm, cosy house at Christmas, so keep curtains closed and doors shut. This keeps heat in, and saves energy and money.

“With lots of people in the house over the season, turn down the thermostat by 1C. This saves money and reduces the Christmas carbon footprint, while providing a great excuse to get everyone wearing a Christmas jumper,” said Derham.

See w w w.repak.ie/ recycling_facilities.php for a list of bring banks and recycling centres.

8 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 22 & 29 December 2011

EVENT Locals enjoy an afternoon of free entertainment and

Festive fun on the streets

HERE was plenty of Christmas cheer on the streets of Shankill recently when The Shankill Traders’ Group once again hosted an afternoon of free entertainment and festive family fun on the Main Street.

With a live crib, carol singing by local school choirs, live traditional music, market stalls, face-painting, mulled wine and mince pies, there was something for everyone as Tidy Towns Award-winning Shankill celebrated the arrival of Santa Claus in the south Dublin village.

Fine Gael TD Mary Mitchell O’Connor was amongst those who paid a visit to the village for this special event.

According to Robbie Doyle, of The Shankill Traders’ Group, the event is a way for local businesses to give something back to the people of Shankill.

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Leah Heffernan, Pais Howlett, Sarah Enderson and Louse O’Connor. Pictures: Geraldine Woods

John Brady with Ralph King

Aiden Joyce and Alice Fanning

sds

Alison Bermingham offers some tasty treats

Anne and Mick Bagnall

Nancy Southward, Verna James, Sinead Murray and Katie Abbott

Steve Falci with little Issac

22 & 29 December 2011 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 9

festive family fun hosted by The Shankill Trader’s Group

Becky Plumsden serves hot donuts

Matthew Falci

Doreen Brosnan, of Shankill Florist

Anne Farrell with her homemade plum puddings

Kinga Birtkowska

Mary Mitchell O’Connor chats to Diarmuid McAree of Shankill Tidy Towns

William, Emer and Mary Lyster with Caoimhe and Oisin Lyster

Thomasina O’Neill, from WOW Beauty Salon

10 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 22 & 29 December 2011

TAKE TWO Another look at a great Christmas lights festival

Lola and Isabel Jordan

Amelia Corr, Kate O’Leary and Aisling Corr loved seeing the lights and the parade on the day. Pictures: Geraldine Woods

Community fun at a Glasthule gathering IVEN how much fun the whole community was having at the recent Sandycove/Glasthu;e Christmas Lights Event event, The Gazette is delighted to return for another look at some more of those enjoying the day’s fun.

Local businessman Peter Caviston

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stepped back in time in his old policemans’s outfit, ready to lead a cavalcade of cars through the area, accompanied by The Brook Singers and the Harold School Choir. While he, and they, were creating some colourful sights and

all with their songs

sounds in the area, businesses and retailers got into the spirit of the festival, with seasonal offers, mulled wine and mince pies on offer from some.

With the Christmas Lights Festival fun found throughout the village, it was a great way for everyone to help build up the excitement of Christmas.

The whole event was an ice affair for this couple

Some members of The Brook SIngers, who delighted

Members of Harold School Local businessman Peter Caviston with Micheal and Eabha O’Callaghan

Choir

Elaine O’Hare enjoys a warming cuppa

22 & 29 December 2011 GAZETTE 11

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22 & 29 December 2011 GAZETTE 13

14 GAZETTE 22 & 29 December 2011

GazetteBEAUTY BEAUTY Brides can win big, it’s wedding time!

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GazetteNUTRITION NUTRITION GOT A STORY? Call our NEWS TEAM on 60 10 240 or email news@gazettegroup.com

Party time is upon us so, to make sure you keep healthy over the festive period, check out our guide

Surviving the holiday season LEILA JOHARI

THE holiday season has arrived, party time is upon us. We want to look good in that little black dress but all that fun and feasting can take its toll on our bodies.

Between late nights, eating and drinking, it is no wonder our bodies find it hard to keep functioning effectively.

Research has shown that the average person consumes up to 7,000 calories on Christmas day, and don’t forget about the festive goodies we feast on the weeks before.

Christmas is a special time of year we want to enjoy so here are some tips to keep healthy and keep our spirits up!

Don’t go to a party hungry Eat a wholesome breakfast and lunch on the day so that you are not starving when you arrive at the party. Porridge in the morning is ideal followed by a lunch of lentil soup and

whole-grain bread.

Portion Control Allow yourself to try the festive goodies you don’t have during the year but opt for small portions, this way you can try a bit of everything.

Make food swaps and limit high-fat foods • Choose open-topped mince pies to reduce the amount of pastry • Serve whole-grain bread sticks with salsa instead of potato crisps and sour cream dip • Swap ice cream for fresh fruit sorbet • Swap salted nuts and chocolates for unsalted nuts and dried fruit dipped in dark chocolate • Ser ve marinaded chicken, beef and fish instead of breaded versions • Avoid the egg nog as this is made with sugar and cream!

Choose your drink carefully Instead of beer, cider

and Bailey’s tr y dr y wine, Bloody Marys or spirits with diet mixer, which has fewer calories.

Choose organic drinks where possible, as they have less additives, sweeteners and chemicals.

Don’t forget that people who are overweight gain weight more easily when they consume alcohol.

Drink plenty of water to rehydrate your body and avoid a hangover.

Don’t let others refill your glass and only top up when your glass is empty.

morning is unbearable, there are some cures that may help.

Fried Breakfast: Yep, believe it or not this is the one time a fried breakfast should be on the menu.

Fried foods such as eggs, bacon, mushrooms

that tiredness.

Fresh Fruit Smoothie: This will provide Vitamin C which helps the liver to process the last of the alcohol and the liquid content helps you rehydrate.

A glass of warm water with freshly squeezed

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‘Research has shown that the average person consumes up to 7,000 calories on Christmas day, and don’t forget about the festive goodies we feast on the weeks before’

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Holiday Hangover The main symptoms of a hangover are a banging headache and extreme fatigue.

Alcohol robs your brain of water resulting in your brain shrinking from the inside of your skull, giving you that throbbing pain.

This is best avoided but, if the glare of the sunlight and the crashing sound of cutlery in the kitchen the next

and toast contain lots of salt and amino acids.

Your body needs salt after weeing and sweating so much as a result of alcohol, which is a diuretic.

The amino acids help to get the liver back on track after it has worked hard to expel the alcohol.

A big breakfast will boost your glucose, helping you shake off

lemon juice and grated root ginger flushes out the digestive system and a bowl of pure porridge with mixed berries and cinnamon will stimulate digestion.

Finally, get out, get moving and get some fresh air.

Take the dog for a walk to look at the Christmas lights and soak up some more of that festive atmosphere.

16 GAZETTE 22 & 29 December 2011

GazetteMUSIC MUSIC FastTunes with Radio Nova’s Dee Woods X FACTOR, Glee, Justin Bieber...somewhere there’s a production line spitting out shiny, singing puppets to destroy the brains and ears of young people.

Why not give the gift of real music this Christmas? Some of this year’s best albums make great stocking fillers.

The Foo Fighters generated earth tremors at a gig in New Zealand recently; see if you can do the same with their great album, Wasting Light, from earlier this year — your neighbours would love you for it!

Red Hot Chili Peppers’ I’m With You will get you in the mood for next year’s gig, as will Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, with Noel announced as support for RHCP. Or, and here’s a few words I never thought would be in the same sentence, Pearl Jam leader Eddie Vedder’s subtle and lilting Ukelele Songs.

The Chinese said 2011 was the year of the rabbit.

2012 should definitely be the year of the gig. Huge acts are gracing our shores next year, including The Boss, Bruce Springsteen, who will bring his E Street Band back to the RDS, albeit without the master of sax, the late Clarence Clemons, who died earlier this year.

Croker will be the setting for the Red Hot Chili Peppers with support from Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, while Van Morrison and Tom Petty both have gigs lined up at The O2. Rock n’ Roll on the New Year!

Billy Joel may be off Bono’s Christmas card list.

He told music fans in Massachusetts last week that when he was at a U2 concert in New York, he found another band under the stage adding to their live sound. I think he may have found what U2 were looking for...

Listen to Dee Woods from Radio Nova every weeknight from 7pm to 12am on 100.3FM

NEW ARTIST FORUM: HELPFUL WEBSITE FOR EMERGING ACTS

MRU ready to listen to the new breed?

IF YOU turn on national radio at any time of the day, you will likely hear Rhianna, Coldplay or whatever it was that won The X Factor, all of which have the financial backing of major record labels.

But what becomes of our Irish home-grown t a l e n t ? R i g h t n ow, according to ukairplaychar t.com, the Irish Radio Airplay Chart consists of a top 10 list of artists who all are international.

According to the website, the top 10 list was compiled over 99.7% of the general audience in Ireland.

If 99.7% of the general public are currently listening to international artists in Ireland, it means an industry rich with talented musicians don’t have an opportunity to create a platform for themselves and get to the level they truly deserve.

However, local artists have now a voice in the media. Music Review Unsigned (MRU) was set up in 2006 by Ballyfermot man, Trevor Halpin.

The website reviews unsigned musicians from all over the world, and has set up a social side to their site, attracting many unsigned artists to set up profiles for free and share their music and get reviews from MRU users.

Dave Duggan, David Spain (WDAR), Keith McLoughlin supporting Music Review Unsigned

The website is involved with local r a d i o s t a t i o n , We s t Dublin Access Radio (WDAR) 96FM, which runs a weekly char t show every Thursday at 4pm.

They also play all the latest unsigned music on the show. One of the ideas behind putting on such a show was to give more airtime to local talent.

Keith McLoughlin, a local radio presenter with West Dublin Access Radio 96fm and Dublin South FM, is on the front line in the battle to create this platform for many artists.

“I have been going to gigs and watching unsigned acts for

many years, and I go home feeling buzzed by watching new talent,” said Keith.

“But when I turn on the radio, all I can think is why are these artists not getting the recognition they deserve?”

For almost six years, Music Review Unsigned has quietly built a strong following in Ireland and now around the world.

With over 1.5 million views per month on their website, together with an online magazine that is published every month, the company has now become a staple in the Irish music industry, and has given many artists another platform to showcase their music.

David Duggan, online design editor for musicreviewunsigned said: “We could blame it on the government not putting proper legislation in place to force commercial stations to play unsigned music, but if we have a strong s t r u c t u r e t o m a ke musicians and bands aware of the financial and bureaucratic system that exists in the Irish music industry, we could see a 50/50 share of listenership in Ireland for existing and unsigned acts.”

Trevor Halpin, the editor of MRU, is equally enthusiastic about the site’s potential.

“It could be many years before such art-

ists as The Barley Mob, Autonomous I, T he Slick Hippy’s and many more local acts reach the ears of the general public on prime-time radio.

“We should be trying to put the proper infrastructure into the Irish music scene where our artists could work alongside promoters, venues and industr y insiders to build the knowledge that would help new acts to succeed.

“If we were honest, money can buy you success, and a number one single or album, but we know the real listeners would prefer to hear real Irish home-grown talent on their radios.”

22 & 29 December 2011 GAZETTE 17

GazettePETS PETS

Brought to you by Miriam Kerins of the DSPCA

THE FACTS: LAST YEAR, THE DSPCA HELPED OVER 4,400 ANIMALS, AND THEY NEED YOUR HELP

Support the DSPCA this Christmas HIS Christmas it’s business as usual for the good folk at Ireland’s oldest and largest animal welfare charity, the Dublin SPCA and our wonderful staff and volunteers are all bracing themselves, not just for the cold snap, because, let’s face it, the conditions are practically arctic up here in the Dublin mountains, but for the surge in the many rescue requests we’ll no doubt receive.

Last year, the Dublin SPCA helped in excess of 4,400 animals, an amazing feat when you realise it costs us €2m to run the shelter and we do all of this without Government funding; depending heavily upon donations from kind members of the public.

So, while most of you will be opening your presents and tucking into the turkey and ham, our frontline staff will be on full alert, helping animals in need.

And, even though we all adore Christmas at the shelter, animal welfare, just as it is every other day of the year, remains our top priority.

However, the great part is we arrive at work to cheerful barks, luscious licks and energetic tail wags and every animal gets their visit from Santa, who puts lots of animalfriendly treats and toys into their stockings… now, how many of you reading this gets to experience that type of yuletide pleasure? How lucky are we?

So, in order to help rescued animals and support the country’s favourite charity this holiday season, take a quick look at my hints below.

T

A few coppers This yuletide, designate a day where co-workers, family members, schoolmates, etc., donate their small change to the Dublin SPCA. Make it a Puurrrfect

Christmas We’re always looking for foster families to socialise our cats and kittens throughout the year.

Why not become a “feline friend” this Christmas and give a cat a home over festive season.

New Year/New You Throw a New Year’s Eve party at your house and ask guests to make a resolution to become more animal friendly in 2012.

Adopt the Perfect Partner Visit us and adopt your forever friend. We have lots of wonderful animals, all deserving good homes, just waiting for their new families to love and cherish them.

Our adoption consultants are all expert at placing the right animal with the right family using their unique, “meet your match” programme.

Animal welfare remains the DSPCA’s top priority even on Christmas Day

Go Online: www. dspca.ie The Dublin SPCA’s gift shop has lots of gifts for this holiday season, from Christmas cards to wrapping paper, from 2012 calendars to cute, cuddly teddies, complete with full veterinary scrubs, from stationary to novelty mugs and aprons, etc.,

You could even Sponsor a Pet by going online at www.dspca.ie and sponsoring one of our much-deserving shelter animals as a goodwill gift for a friend or family member.

A Symbolic Gift Gesture: Why not support us

by becoming a monthly member?

By donating a small amount each month, you could provide our charity with a sustainable income that will help us give sick, Injured, cruelly treated, abandoned and forgotten animals a happy ending. For example: If you donate €5 per month you will enable us to buy vaccines for 30 dogs and cats. If you donate €9 per month you will help us provide special milk to bottle feed 40 orphaned kittens.

If you donate €21 per month, or more, this will qualify for tax relief,

which means your annual gift will be increased from 20-42% (depending on your tax bracket) at no additional cost to you.

If you donate €32 per month you will save a life. Let me explain. The average cost of a rescue, veterinary treatment and boarding of each animal we take care of is €475.

When we re-home an animal, having rescued, treated, rehabilitated, spayed/ neutered, micro-chipped, vaccinated, de-flead and de-wormed him, and after adoption fees are paid, there is still a deficit of €379 on each animal, or €32 per month.

Too Much Stuff Take a look at our wish list on www.dspca.ie and see if you have anything in your home you no longer want that you can donate to us.

Lobby for Legislation Contact your local TD and lobby him/her to get legislation passed at local and national level and join us in the fight to save animals’ lives.

For more information, log onto www.dspca.ie or email miriam.kerins@ dspca.ie

18 GAZETTE 22 & 29 December 2011

GazetteMOTORS MOTORS RoadSigns Road Signs HONDA TOP OF THE CLASS IN RELIABILITY: THE latest Car Reliability from Which?

Car said: “Not only did Honda owners respond in the largest numbers to the 2011 Which? Car Survey, they also reported that Honda was the most reliable of all 34 brands we covered.

“That’s no mean feat, and it makes Honda one name that’s worth remembering when it’s time to replace your car.”

That is praise indeed from the biggest survey of car reliability and owner satisfaction in the UK. The Which? Car Reliability survey,

that asks car owners to rate their own cars, is calculated from the number of breakdown, faults and niggles suffered by all models in the last 12 months. The score for each of these are then combined to provide an overall reliability score for each manufacturer.

As breakdowns are more serious than faults or niggles, they are given a heavier weighting than the other two areas.

Frank Kennedy, of Universal Honda, was delighted with the result: “The Which? Car Survey is very comprehensive in that car owners who live with their cars are the people who rate the cars.

This means that potential buyers will be able to make an informed decision as how good it is to own a Honda which has been rated so highly.”

Honda is up one place from last year when it came second.

Back in black, but she’s laden in red Pretty as a picture, but it’s not a case of style over substance with Skoda’s Fabia Monte Carlo – there is some real fun to be had here too, says Cormac Curtis LAST WEEK, the eco credentials and mind-blowing economy of the Skoda Fabia Greenline were at the centre of the Gazette motoring pages.

This week, without wanting to be too repetitive, we’re going to take a look at another Fabia, but this time, it’s something that brings a lot more fun to the table.

Enter the Fabia Monte Carlo 1.2TSI. It’s an interesting experience when you get two different versions of the same car to drive back-to-back, and that is what happened to me with the Fabia Greenline and Monte Carlo last month.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, Skoda are hitting all the right notes in the looks department these days.

From the time I picked it up, this car made me smile.

I find the overall look of Skoda cars very easy on the eye, and the designers kept it simple when they were styling the Monte Carlo.

Sporting a bold red body, “sunset” tinted windows, and enhanced by a black roof, black boot spoiler and black painted body parts, the car stands out with the addition of a set of 17” black alloy wheels.

Eye-catching interior details include stainless steel pedals

and “Monte Carlo” inscribed sill strips.

The red and black upholstery lent an exciting feel to the cabin, even if the dash is a little less imaginative.

So far, so Skoda – ticking all the right aesthetic boxes.

But does it have enough of the fun-factor to back up its impressive looks?

The short answer is yes – within reason.

The car I drove was the 1.2TSI version, working off 105 bhp.

Let’s just say it never ceases to surprise me just how much poke car manufacturers can get out of such modest engines.

SPECS Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo 1.2TSI 0-100 km/h:

11.7 sec

Max speed:

177 km/h

CO2:

121 g/km

Price:

€16,775

This is a driving car, and its turbocharged petrol engine, with direct petrol injection and just delivers a wonderful level of performance to a car that isn’t weighed down by anything as superfluous as air conditioning.

But, being honest, I would

have liked a few buttons on the steering wheel to avoid being distracted by music that didn’t fit the driving experience.

The week I spent with this car saw me travel to and from Dundalk on a number of occasions, detouring through Drogheda twice.

The mix of off-peak motorway driving and some fun secondary roads really let me have some fun with this car, and it didn’t disappoint - and, as far as I am aware, my driving licence is still clean.

It’s also worth noting that Skoda are currently offering zero per cent credit terms on the Fabia range.

22 & 29 December 2011 GAZETTE 19

20 GAZETTE 22 & 29 December 2011

GazetteMOTORS MOTORS RoadSigns Road Signs

Renault create 47 jobs in six months

MOTOR company, Renault, generated 47 jobs in Ireland over the last six months. The jobs were as a result of the launch of Renault Finance, the introduction of ZE ambassadors and the opening of two new dealerships.

In August, Renault Finance saw 15 new jobs created in their operations, finance and marketing roles.

In September, Renault announced eight new recruits. These ambassadors are dedicated to the Renault range of electric vehicles and will help to build awareness and assist customers in making informed choices.

November saw the opening of two brand new premises; Tullamore Motors in Offaly and Dennehy Motors in Limerick. The two new premises will see 24 new jobs created over the next 12 months, which is great news for both counties.

The Clondalkin-based AD Dublin have opened in the former Capital Brake & Clutch building

New premises a fresh start for AD Dublin THIS month sees AD Dublin motor factors move into a new location in the former Capital Brake & Clutch building in Clondalkin.

AD Dublin is a branch of AD Ireland, that has a network of 19 branches countrywide.

From this strategic location, the firm plans to further develop and expand their quality parts delivery service to their existing, as well as their new, customer base.

In addition to the Clondalkin branch, AD Dublin also have a branch in Stadium Business Park in Ballycoolin, which services their cus-

tomers on the northside of the city.

Traditionally, AD Dublin was a car and lightvehicle parts business, but this move sees the company becoming the first one-stop-shop for car, van, comercial vehicle and body repair parts in the Dublin area.

They have a fully equipped diesel fuelinjection workshop on site, with full capability to diagnose and repair any diesel pump and injector problems.

AD Dublin’s new location supports 30 jobs in the locality, and they hope to grow this as the business expands.

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

‘The company boasts a wealth of experience to help customers’ --------------------------

The company boasts a wealth of experience to help customers with all of their requirements.

They carry a full range of car, van and commercial vehicle parts, as well as a full range of auto body repair shop requirements.

Diagnostic equipment is becoming more prevalent in the auto repair business.

AD Dublin are the

distributors for Delphi, Denso, Bosch And Texa diagnostic equipment, to which they have dedicated staff to answer any questions or queries their customers may in relation to auto diagnostics.

For the company’s full range of products and services, visit their website at www.adireland.ie The AD Dublin team can be contacted at 01- 4613400 and are located at Unit 15/3 and 15/4 Crag Terrace, Clondalkin, D22.

They can be emailed at addublin@adirl.ie, and their Ballycoolin number is 01 8975210.

22 & 29 December 2011 GAZETTE 21

GazetteBUSINESS BUSINESS

Supported by AIB

AVIATION NEWS: Airline’s first flights to Dubai depart Dublin in January

The HTC Radar, running Windows’ Mango OS, is available from a number of outlets

Emirates cabin crew Zana Greer, from Australia; Kristina von Heideman, from Sweden; Emma Allen, from Cork, and, inset, Thierry Antinori

Emirates gear up for a new takeoff WITH Emirates’ inaugural flight from Dublin to Dubai just around the corner, senior executives from the award-winning airline arrived in Dublin recently to meet the media and host a gala dinner at the Convention Centre.

Thierry Antinori, Emirates’ executive vice-president, passenger sales worldwide, said that Emirates had made a considerable investment in the Irish market, and was confident of the success of the new route, following unprecedented bookings for the first weeks of service.

“We can see unusually high demand for the first two weeks after launch,” Mr Antinori said.

“This is an excellent response from the Irish market, and we have not witnessed this level of bookings, nor such strong interest in a new route, for many years.

This gives us huge confidence in Ireland and the figures support the commercial research that precedes any decision we take to launch a new service.”

From January 9, daily flights will connect Dublin to Dubai, the airline’s intercontinental

hub. The new route will be served by an Airbus A330-200 with a combination of Irish and multinational cabin crew.

By January, passengers will be able to conveniently connect from Dubai to more than 100 onward destinations across the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Australasia. Emirates has 70 flights per week to the key Ireland market of Australia, including an A380 service to Sydney.

The airline is also the largest A380 operator in the world with 19 double-deckers in the fleet and 71 on order.

“We are in the process of establishing our new office in Dublin, employing 25 staff on the ground in Ireland in the areas of management, sales, cargo and airport services,” Mr Antinori said.

“Emirates has demonstrated just how committed it is to the new Dublin–Dubai service, supported by a high-profile national marketing and advertising campaign, which extends around our route network,” Mr Antinori added.

In the four years to 2010, Irish

nationals made almost 170,000 visits to Dubai hotels, according to Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM). Amongst that figure will be those who travelled via the UK to join the Emirates’ network.

“Dublin has always been on our radar, and there are already strong levels of trade and tourism activity between Ireland and the UAE, not to mention the important equine affiliations,” said Mr Antinori.

“Equally, Emiratis like to travel to Europe, particularly during the hot UAE summer and, with its rich cultural heritage and reputation for hospitality, we think that Emirates will have a role to play in encouraging inward tourism to Ireland,” added Mr Antinori.

The direct daily service will open new business opportunities for trade and commercial relations between the two countries and Ireland’s direct export capacity will be expanded with 15 tonnes of bellyhold space on each Emirates’ passenger flight, leaving the capital city. Emirates

SkyCargo, the air freight division of Emirates, is already active in Ireland and will have a dedicated team in Dublin supporting the new route.

Exports trade is expected to flourish as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is one of the fastest-growing markets for Irish companies in the Gulf region, with sales by indigenous Irish companies growing by 23% in 2010 to €58.5m, according to Enterprise Ireland. An estimated 5,000 Irish nationals live in the UAE. More than 250 Irish staff are employed across the Emirates Group in areas such as cabin crew, flight deck crew, sales and cargo. Recently, nearly 500 candidates showed up across four separate cabin crew recruitment days held in Dublin, Limerick, Galway and Cork. Successful cabin crew applicants will be brought to Dubai for seven weeks of training.

The new Emirates’ team for Ireland will be headed up by country manager, Margaret Shannon. For further information, see www.emirates.com

Microsoft put a ‘cloud’ in pockets WITH Christmas around the corner, many business owners and professionals are considering their next move, keen to upgrade their phones for the New Year to help maximise their working day in the current, challenging economic climate.

Step forward Microsoft, in partnership with HTC, with their working relationship proving a natural fit in making a mobile office a practical reality on a mid-range smartphone.

In addition to a wide range of the “usual” social and casual programs found on smartphones these days, and sporting Microsoft’s colourful Windows 7.5 (or Mango) OS, the HTC Radar features a fully integrated office hub, presenting a full suite of office applications.

This free software – Excel, Word and PowerPoint – puts mobile working on the go in the palm of the hand, cleverly using the SkyDrive system to make cloud computing a

mobile reality.

With this ability to easily edit and synchronise data when out and about via what Microsoft have cleverly dubbed “a Cloud in your pocket”, it’s hard not to be impressed by the flexibilty of seeing “mobile computing” now expanded to being truly “mobile working”, as well.

When coupled with particularly well-adapted calendar integration, which, again, can synch data with ease, and it’s clear that Microsoft has faced the challenge of creating a mobile offce – and succeeded, with ease.

With such useful office heavyweight programs sitting under the bonnet, the HTC Radar, running Microsoft’s Mango, lays down a serious challenge for rivals to match, with the phone potentially proving a must-have for business people and professionals – and even students – in 2012.

The HTC Radar, running Microsoft’s Mango OS, is available now at a range of outlets.

22 GAZETTE 22 & 29 December 2011

GazetteTTRAVEL FastTravel Why not join the Scots or Danes on New Year’s Eve ...

Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Black and White style at the Burlington

RING in 2012 in style this December 31 at the Burlington Hotel’s New Year’s Eve Black and White Gala Ball, where New Year dreams and wishes can be made for the year ahead.

Taking place in the hotel’s stunning ballroom, which will be decorated in accordance with the Black and White theme, the Ball is sure to draw Ireland’s finest to say goodbye to 2011 and welcome in 2012.

The party starts at 7.30pm with a prosecco reception, followed by a mouth-watering four-course dinner, expertly prepared by executive chef, Tony O’Donnell, and his experienced team.

Revellers can enjoy a delicious organic curedsalmon starter, followed by curried parsnip soup, a choice between sirloin of Irish beef, grilled sea bass or spinach and asparagus tartlet for the main course, followed by a wintery wild berry tart, and tea or coffee.

Live music The celebrations will continue into the night with a late bar extension, as well as music performed by The Camembert Quartet and a DJ until 2am.

When the clock finally strikes midnight, attendees and their table will enjoy a complimentary bottle of prosecco to toast the New Year.

Tickets for the Burlington Hotel’s NewYear’s Eve Black and White Gala Ball are available for €75 per person.

Take the stress out of travelling home once the party is over – overnight accommodation with breakfast the following morning, and a ticket to the Gala Ball, costs €149, or, for two people sharing, including a pair of tickets to the Ball, prices are from €229.

Alternatively, a package, including overnight accommodation for three people sharing, with full Irish breakfast the following morning and a ticket each to the Ball, is available from €299.

For further information, contact The Burlington Hotel on 01 618 5600, email reservations@burlingtonhotel.ie, or see www.burlingtonhotel.ie.

LOCAL

FOR those looking to celebrate New Year’s Eve in memorable style, a trip to nearby neighbours, Scotland or Denmark, could be just the ticket.

Ring in 2012 with one of the world’s best New Year celebrations – Hogmanay A key event in the Scottish calendar, Hogmanay celebrations on December 31 will be taking place across Scotland.

Events included in this year’s line-up are sure to surprise visitors, as Scotland will play host to incredible bands and entertainment from every corner of the globe.

You could join some 80,000 party goers at the Edinburgh’s worldfamous Hogmanay festival.

Set beneath the stunning backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, Mark Ron-

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

‘Whether interested to head to sublime Scotland, or delightful Denmark, there’s lots of choice for holidaying on New Year’s Eve’

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

son, electro-pop band Friendly Fires, Primal Scream and Bombay Bicycle Club will be one of many bands to ensure that Edinburgh hosts a night to remember.

Alternatively, one of the most surprising sites to see in the New Year is the “The Fireballs” – known as Stonehaven’s

most unique festival, and which attracts thousands of spectators each year.

Swinging fireballs around their heads in a spectacular style, participants parade 175 yards up and down the High Street in the Old Town, illuminating the dark skies as they walk.

The event is finished off by throwing each fireball into the sea at the harbour as the New Year sets in.

Meanwhile, over in Stirling, and adding to the appeal of one of the brightest and best Hogmanay parties, and set against the stunning backdrop of Stirling Castle, Scots singer and songwriter, Eddi Reader, and the emphatic rock ‘n’ roll bagpipers – the Red Hot Chilli Pipers – are sure to bring 2012 in with style.

The combination of fantastic live music, a

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Historic Hollyrood House Palace is just one of the many stunning sights to take in on a Scottish visit, whether for New Year’s Eve or at any time of the year

friendly atmosphere and a great firework finale is set to make Stirling the place to be as the bells peal.

As another destination to delight, and widely recognised as a fantastic destination for bagpipers and lovers of the bagpipes, but also for its diverse and busy music scene, Inverness will have you jiving this New Year’s Eve. S t i r l i n g ’s m u s i c a l extravaganza takes place from 8pm, right through to the wee hours of the morning.

Scottish bands, Skerryvore, Hoodja, Bags of Rock and Wolfstone, and renowned Scottish comedian, Craig Hill, will be in attendance on the night to ensure that visitors are entertained, right through to 2012’s arrival and beyond.

To help visitors plan a New Year break in Scotland, VisitScotland has put together more than 300 offers on places to stay, and things to see and do.

For further information on Scotland’s many New Year celebrations and destinations, see www. visitscotland.com/surprise.

Meanwhile, if you still haven’t decided how to ring in the New Year, or feel like taking to a further afield destination, then why not consider a romantic, seaside gourmet getaway, nestled

The delightful sights of the

amid giant sand dunes, or a sky-high designer dining experience above one of the world’s liveliest cities?

Denmark, the country that lays claim to having the happiest inhabitants in the world, has it all for your New Year’s Eve experience.

Check out the following fantastic events taking place this New Year’s Eve around Denmark.

Join thousands of people on the lawn of Ame-

22 & 29 December 2011 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 23

Edited by Mimi Murray

TravelBriefs

A steam train ride with mince pies is just one imaginative New Year’s event in Northern Ireland

So much to help celebrate New Year’s around Northern Ireland

rising ranks of Edinburgh’s historic streets and buildings, rising to the imposing silhouette of the castle

lienborg, the winter residence of the monarch of Denmark.

The Danish equivalent of Times Square in New York will ring in the New Year with a boisterous crowd and fireworks, after Queen Margrethe II gives her New Year speech.

Fireworks in Tivoli Gardens is an exciting way of celebrating New Year’s Eve in Denmark. In fact, they offer a full five-day festival of fireworks right after Christmas, and all

the way through to New Year’s Eve. The fireworks are also accompanied by music, which makes the event even sweeter.

If your idea of a New Year’s celebration is being at one with nature, then Denmark’s northernmost town, Skagnen, may be the perfect location for you.

Book into a historic hotel and sample their gourmet offerings as you enjoy the surrounding

sand dunes, wide open beaches and the roaring sea.

Alternatively, you could celebrate the arrival of 2012 at one of Copenhagen’s designer sky restaurants, and watch the fireworks light up the night sky.

Take in the city views from Hotel Bella Sky Comwell – Scandinavia’s largest design hotel – or Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, the world’s first design hotel.

Of course, Copenhagen isn’t just a city of design, it’s also a city of music.

Start your New Year’s Eve celebration with a classic music extravaganza at the city’s heritage Royal Danish Theatre.

Clubbers and nightowls will enjoy the New Year’s Eve party in one of Copenhagen’s top nightclubs, Culture Box. This event started in 2005, and has grown since then. This year promises to be the best

yet, with a massive DJ line-up, featuring the likes of Tom Collins and DJ Bjarke.

Don’t miss out on any of the action – SAS fly direct from Dublin to Copenhagen, twice daily, from as little as €69 one way, including all taxes and charges.

So, whether you head to sublime Scotland, or delightful Denmark, there’s lots of choice for holidaying New Year’s Eve revellers.

NORTHERN Ireland has a host of activities for the New Year period that are not all that far from Dublin.

Belfast’s wackiest winter event – Penguin Curling – returns to W5, and all the family can have a go from Tuesday, December 27 to Tuesday, January 3.

The aim of the game is to freeze out your opponent by knocking their penguin away, and get the points to snatch the match.

For a different start to the year, why not make a trip to the New Year’s Day Dip in Antrim?

CLIC Sargent, the leading children’s and young people’s cancer charity, is calling for people to brave the elements and sign up for a sponsored dip in Portrush East Strand Beach to help raise money.

Meanwhile, Christmas on Ice at Lisburn Leisure Park is guaranteed fun for everyone.

Not only is the 2,500 sq ft fully-enclosed synthetic ice rink in place until Sunday, January 8, but a brand-new activity is also available – Water Ball.

Here, you can get in a watertight Zorb-like ball and walk, roll or run on water.

Alternatively, board a steam train at the Downpatrick and County Down Railway on New Year’s Day for the popular Mince Pie Special.

The same steam train used by Santa will coast through the County Down countryside while all guests enjoy free mince or apple pies, and some festive mulled wine or winter punch.

Why not walk the woods with an experienced guide? Take part in the New Year’s Day Walk at Mount Stewart. Dogs are also welcome, so no member of the family has to stay at home.

People planning a festive visit to Northern Ireland can take advantage of the exclusive accommodation offers available from the Tourist Information Centre, which include a two-night break with breakfast and one evening meal from £64.50 pps at the Ramada Encore, Belfast; £99 pps at the Ramada Portrush; £89 pps at the Armagh City Hotel; £79 pps at the Tower Hotel, Derry; £85 pps in the Clandeboye Lodge Hotel, Bangor; £89 pps at the Killyhevlin Hotel in Fermanagh, and £89 pps at the Silverbirch Hotel in Omagh.

For further information on these and many other events and offers, contact the Northern Ireland Tourist Board on Callsave 1850 230 230; visit the Tourist Information Centre, Suffolk Street, Dublin 2 to avail of its free advice and booking service, or see www.discovernorthernireland.com.

24 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 22 & 29 December 2011

GazetteENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT 1GoingOUT PAVILION 01 231 2929 47 Roses DESPITE Christmas being upon us, The Pavilion is showing no sign in slowing down its line of great shows for arts and theatre fans, with a number of terrific acts heading to The Pavilion right after Christmas. For example, in mid-January, 47 Roses will bring the sights and sounds of 1960s’ Dublin to life, in a coming-of-age tale that recreates the bygone era.

This tale of the past is definitely one to look out for – in the very near future! For more, see www.paviliontheatre.ie.

MILL THEATRE 01 296 9340 Rainbow’s End WHAT a colourful way to prepare for the end of the year!

In Rainbow’s End, The Mill presents a delightful family show, as the tale of a lost Crown Prince and missing rainbows is sure to delight audiences of all ages. Can Wendy, a student witch, get the rainbows back and save the day? And did anybody say they heard pirates? All will be revealed with Wendy to the rescue ... Catch Rainbow’s End on Wednesday, December 28 at 2.30pm. For full ticketing and performance details, see www.milltheatre.ie.

DRAIOCHT 01 885 2622 Caroline Donohue A LONG-term exhibition, Caroline Donohue’s body of work has been fascinating visitors to the first-floor gallery since its installation in November. Her selected works, to date, examine the point where Man and the natural world co-exist, or in some cases, collide. By examining these spaces, and their occasional paradoxes, Caroline provides glimpses of places to think, and dream, as internal and external worlds collide. You can see Caroline’s thoughtful body of work at Draiocht until her exhibition closes on Saturday, February 25.

Some films for your consideration this Christmas season ... Puss in Boots, Arthur Christmas, Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn and New Year’s Eve – all competing for your attention, adding to the diverse range of films out this festive season

Xmas crackers ...?

Some may be duds, while others will entertain, in Kate’s seasonal roundup of some films on release this season Q KATE CROWLEY

’TIS the season to be jolly – jolly glad that the only turkey I’ll be going near for the next couple of weeks will be the one located close to the Crowley household’s Aga, rather than the type of turkey I see all year round on a big screen in the city centre, quietly driving me gaga.

Turkeys – of the cinematic variety, at least – well, those turkeys can live on to fight (for the remaining Recessionist buttons and fluff clattering around in my Hermes purse) another day.

However, as much as I love cinema – despite being nicknamed TwoStars back at Gazette Towers, on account of my harsh-but-fair ratings – I imagine that most readers will be celebrating the joys of Christmas by concentrating on the small screen at home, rather than the big screen, over the next

FILM OF THE WEEK: Various +++ (G to 12A) Directors: Various Starring: An adventurer cat, Santa’s son, angsty vampires and Stock Characters – though not, sadly, all in the same film

OUR VERDICT: ALTHOUGH not a collection of true Christmas crackers, a selection of some of the (previously unreviewed) films on current release features some interesting choices for cinema fans, this Christmas.

Children and families are well-served with these, and other choices, while, although new blockbusters are as thin as snow on the ground, there’s still an interesting choice of films on release for all audiences.

couple of weeks.

Still, should the delights of turkey-surprise for approximately 18 days, or the comforting glow of an Eastenders Christmas Special somehow fail to keep you at home, let me point you at a few Christmas crackers to catch, if you haven’t already.

(Note that I use the term “crackers”with more dryness than the Crowley turkey if Mr Crowley is allowed near the Aga, but let’s proceed.)

For families, there’s a bunch of child-friendly films to take in, such as Puss in Boots (G, 90min,

+++), which sees Antonio Banderas return to voice the popular Shrek character, who gets his own adventure.

If you ever wanted to learn more about the talking cat adventurer, and how he came to be so well-known, this is the one for you.

Meanwhile, Arthur Christmas (G, 97mins, +++) sees Wallace and Gromit makers, Aardman, present the definitive version of how Santa Claus’ annual Christmas operation really works, courtesy of his blabbermouth son, Arthur.

I can’t say I knew very much about one Arthur Christmas beforehand, but this cheerfully daft film takes an interesting approach to the iconic figure, making it okay family fare, and at least there are no vampires around.

I spoke too soon. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn (12A, 117min, +) continues the love affair between bland Bella and drippy Edward.

Personally, I think the Twilight saga would be somewhat livened up if only someone would call for Buffy, the girl with an oft-remarked-upon dislike for vampires. Alas, but no.

Still, as relentlessly awful as all of the Twilight films have been, I’d stake my Christmas dinner on this being a massive hit, even though I still insist – fangs, but no fangs.

Sticking with the 12A slot – and comparable levels of quality – New Year’s Eve (117min, ++)

is another one of those American rom-coms that appear a couple of times of year, typically when one’s resistance is lowered by seasonal celebrations.

You all know the drill by now – a big cast, comprising stock characters (The Beautiful But Sad One, The One With Ishhoos, The Bad One With A Heart Of Gold, etc), with disparate paths and life journeys and lessons to be learned, all colliding on – well, as I love saying – the clue’s in the title, folks!

Seeing as it’s Christmas, the kindest thing I can say is that it’s not totally awful. (New Year’s Eve, you owe me...)

And that’s yer lot, as I doubt many are so interested in cinema for the next week or two. That said, ol’ Two-Stars here would like to wish all my readers (yes, both of you) the very best this Christmas, and a Happy New Year, both at home and at the cinema. Humbug!

22 & 29 December 2011 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 25

GazetteGAMING GAMING Trigger memories of great 2011 games SHANE DILLON

IT’S been another great year for games, with some superb titles appearing on all formats, and giving lots of choice for great Christmas presents.

Regardless of gamers’ platform of choice, and whether or not titles were platform-exclusive or multi-platform, some vintage titles came out in 2011.

Starting off, Microsoft had plenty of terrific titles, with some enormously popular franchises seeing very strong additions.

Although “hardcore” gamers were busy tackling the Locust menace in Gears of War 3 and the like, it was interesting to see how Microsoft’s Kinect began to make inroads into mainstream gaming.

While I expect there’ll be lots of people having fun with Kinect Dance Central 2 this Christmas, and a number of other cool Kinect-enabled titles, it was seeing

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

‘Regardless of gamers’ platform of choice, some vintage titles came out in 2011’

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

Kinect enabled in racing title, Forza 4, that was a bit of an eye opener for the XBox 360.

Meanwhile, while Microsoft had some outstanding titles, Sony were hardly a slouch in the games department either, with recently-released Uncharted 3 proving a particularly strong contender for Game of the Year.

The PlayStation 3 was also well served by a number of exclusive titles, with Killzone 3 proving another big winner.

In fact, virtually anything with a “3” in the title served both the 360 and the PS3 well, as did

other sequels and iterations.

Unfor tunately, “3” wasn’t quite as lucky for Nintendo, as its 3DS underperformed for a variety of reasons - and, to be fair, 3D hasn’t quite caught on with people as had been expected.

With the 3DS somewhat floundering, Nintendo seemed somewhat adrift this year, leaving the bigger games’ battles to be slugged out – as usual – by the two biggest contenders.

Still, a late return for Link, in the latest, highly-imaginative Zelda adventure, and notable other titles, showed that Nintendo still has plenty of life, whether on the Wii or the DS. However, the biggest gaming story of the year was also one that was somewhat under-reported – the rise and rise of Apple as a major gaming force to be reckoned with.

Main street retailers, and international com-

panies, continued to report on declining sales, and issue profit warnings, as the industry seemed to contract more than ever before, with key titles propping up otherwise slack returns, and with several games companies going under this year.

Lots of theories were bandied about, from digital distribution channels siphoning away customers to consumers having less money.

Few paid much heed to the idea that lots of casual gamers – the kind who’d never think of spending €40 on a game, but easily snapped up iPhone games from €0.79 a pop – were suddenly focusing on Apple products, and eating into mainstream gaming markets in this way.

Meanwhile, PC titles continued to flail around this year, with few titles of note, and with nowhere near the same level of public interest as on the more “mainstream” platforms.

Eve n t h e m i g h t y World of Warcraft lost some lustre, with its intermittent official magazine folding – pun intended – after just five issues.

And so, despite some superb titles, but considering the volatility of the gaming sector, it’ll be interesting to see how the markets develop in 2012, and to see what these platforms have lined up.

Still, looking ahead, gamers have lots to look out for in the near future.

Gotham City Imposters , Final Fantasy 13-2, Metal Gear Solid HD collection, Binary Domain, Max Payne 3, Silent Hill: Downpour, The Secret World , Diablo 3 and many more titles are on the way, helping to show that, no matter what’s going on in the rest of the increasingly poor world, at least gamers’ worlds will be as rich, imaginative and varied as ever.

Here’s to a happy new year of great games, on great consoles ...

Bytesandpieces Crazy Dave’s Xmas bid to help Concern IT’S not often that zombies can be counted on for help, but this year, they’re doing their bit to help fundraise for Concern.

Or, rather, Crazy Dave – the oddball shopkeeper with a saucepan on his head from the hit comical strategy game, Plants vs Zombies – has temporarily taken a break from selling garden rakes, bacon strips and compost to make a fundraising Christmas single.

Ignoring the peril of nearby garden-invading zombies, Crazy Dave – or “Cray-Z”, as he’s renamed himself – has released Wabby Wabbo,

with games developers, PopCap donating all PopCap proceeds earned from the single’s sale, before December 22, to Concern Worldwide.

With more than 465,000 views of his single on YouTube, and with almost 5.5 million followers of Plants vs Zombies’ Facebook page, Cray-Z is looking for lots of his fans to purchase the track, and help to support Concern.

Wabby Wabbo is available on iTunes, priced €0.99.

Kinect prize giveaway competition for the XBox 360.

With the chance to win a copy of the games, Kinect Sports 1 and Kinect Sports 2, lots of readers emailed in the correct answer to the following question:

Winners picked for Kinect competition

The correct answer was Darts. Under the strictest of conditions (involving a hat), all correct answers (with one per entrant) were put into the hat, with five winners then

THE Gazette had a great response from readers for our

Which of the following sports can you play on Kinect Sports 2?

A. Darts B. Rugby C. Water Polo

Five Fi e readers eaders ha have e won o a co copy of Kinect Sports 2, for the XBox 360

selected at random.

The five winners are: Patrick Kavanagh; Rita McTague, Blanchardstown; Michael Wisely, Navan Road; Mary Doyle, Windy Arbour and Ann Crowley, Glenageary.

Prizes will be posted out at the start of the New Year. Congratulations to all the winners!

A modern-day cross between Lara Croft and Indiana Jones, Nelson Drake’s continuing adventures proved a 2011 gaming highlight in Uncharted 3, on the PS3

GAZETTE

26 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 22 & 29 December 2011

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GazetteSPORT

SPORT STARS: December’s nominees are revealed: Page 29

CYCLING: COOLMINE MAN BELIEVES LATEST TRANSFER WILL SUIT HIS RIDING STYLE

Lavery switches to new British Giordana outfit sport@gazettegroup.com

COOLMINE cyclist Phil Lavery has made the switch from the Irish-owned An Post Grant T hornton M. Donnelly Sean Kelly professional team to race instead for the new Node4 Giordana squad in 2012.

Speaking this week about the move, Lavery said the new team is likely to provide him with a better fit. “I felt

that An Post was not the right team for me. The kind of race programme like the [An Post] Ras, Tour of Britain, Tour of Norway and stage races in France, Spain and Portugal suits me more than a lot of the Belgian races.

“There are also the Premier Calendar events and I will be released to ride the midweek Nation’s Cup Under-23 races for Ireland. At the start I plan to remain in

Dublin but will move across during the season.”

Lavery is one of seven new riders, with James Moss, K ieran Frend, Matt Higgins, Dave Clarke, Matt Cronshaw and Rico Rogers to join the new team.

Rogers won a stage on the Tour of China – where Nicolas Roche picked up his maiden win – and will be the t e a m ’s m a i n s p r i n t option.

Phil Lavery, in international action, has switched from Sean Kelly’s team to a new British pro outfit

The Blanch man could make his debut in the Australian Criterium championships early in the New Year, a competition in which he finished fourth last time around.

It has not yet been announced when Lavery will begin his season. He finished second in the Under-23 classification at the Irish road race championships last year and rode solidly in

Europe.

He adds that this new team can provide the springboard to pushing on in the professional world.

“I still have plenty of international ambitions

and would like to get on a ProTour team in the next couple of years. I know I have the ability, it is a question of showing the confidence and getting the right results.”

28 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 22 & 29 December 2011

GazetteSport Sport FastSport

RUGBY: BLACKROCK FAIL TO VANQUISH BELVEDERE IN FINAL

Local players star for Ireland in Argentina HERMES players Aine Connery and Audrey O’Flynn got back among the goals for the Irish women’s hockey team when they played out a highly competitive eight-match series in Argentina in the past fortnight against the host nation – the current world champions – along with higher ranked South Africa and India.

Connery netted twice while defender O’Flynn scored a brilliant drag-flick against Argentina.

They were among a large contingent from the club to be included in the 18-player panel to travel to South America as preparations for the Olympic qualifying tournament in March continue apace.

Club-mates Sinead McCarthy, Miriam Crowley and Emma Gray were also on the flight, along with former team-mates Nikki Evans, Chloe Watkins and Anna O’Flanagan.

They earned a highly creditable draw in their first tie against Argentina, building a 2-0 lead with a cracking Shirley McCay volley and another strike from Cliodhna Sargent.

But they were made to live on their wits for the remainder of the tie and were pegged back when Carla Dupuy levelled with four minutes to go.

And the side eventually needed Pamela Smithwick to save a penalty stroke in the final minute to eventually secure the draw.

It was the stand-out performance from the trip, which saw coach Gene Muller draw plenty of positives.

“I have been so impressed with our performances in these matches. We have three months until the Olympic Qualifying Tournament and we will improve even more given the training ethic of the players,” he said following the trip.

But he will be concerned his side could not close out more results as they gave up leads against India and Argentina and closed the tournament with two losses in a couple of days.

Blackrock College failed to capitalise on their chances as the Leinster Senior League Cup title slipped out of their reach again

Rock miss out on title LEINSTER SENIOR CUP Blackrock College Old Belvedere

3 16

sport@gazettegroup.com

BLACKROCK College’s wait for another Leinster Senior League Cup title continues into a 12th year as they could not transform their chances into points at Donnybrook last Friday evening.

Rock last won the title with victory over Belvo in 2000 with current Leinster captain Leo Cullen captaining the side that day. But, despite plenty of chances to get back into the tie early in the second period, they were not able to annex the cup, falling to the Angelsea Road side for a second time in the competition’s deciding game –

the other way back in 1941.

Danny R iordan was Belvedere’s catalyst, scoring 11 points and making a serious number of line breaks from full-back to get his side going forward. He kicked his side into the lead with a penalty after Rock had let an early, long-distance effor t slide.

And the lead was 8-0 in the 16th minute from a raking move across the pitch, with the rampaging Bernard Smyth offloading to back-row partner Jack Conan to sweep over the whitewash.

A second R iordan penalty extended the lead yet further before Rock finally regained some control on the ball.

Scrappy phases were kept alive, eventually leading to Belvo slipping offside in the 27th minute and Andrew Letham slotted the penalty.

It proved their sole response on the night, however, as the black and white waves of attack were the more direct, punching more holes in the Rock defence and, on the stroke of half-time, they struck another critical blow.

A simple scrum move set the platform and Riordan found the gap wide on the right for the night’s final score, making it 16-3 at the break.

Rock fought back but Letham’s penalty early in the second period rebounded to safety, while Tyrone Moran

was held up over the line following a neat David Rowan wraparound.

T he ensuing fivemetre scrum came within inches of being pushed over but Belvo held up well on the reset and won a penalty from a third pack down to eventually clear their lines.

Rock continued to camp in the opposition half for the next 20 minutes but Belvedere were

never fully threatened until three minutes from time when Mark ScottLennon – a lively introduction from the bench – passed to Letham but he was bundled into touch as he reached for the line, marking the last chance for Blackrock College.

The new year sees the focus switch to the Ulster Bank League as they endeavour to escape their place at the foot of Division 1A.

22 & 29 December 2011 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 29

in association with

2011 DUBLIN SPORTS AWARDS - DECEMBER NOMINEES

FastSport

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

+ STARof the

Railway Union join voices to salute Leinster effort

MONTH

BARRY MURPHY

ANNALISE MURPHY

JOE SWEENEY

THE Swords swimmer claimed eight national titles in one weekend and broke two national records in the 100m butterfly and the 50m butterfly at the Irish national short course championships at Lisburn this month.

THE National Yacht Club member was in rare form in Perth, Australia, this month, qualifying for the 2012 London Olympic Games with impressive performances in the Laser Radial class that saw her challenge for a medal.

THE Dublin South Dublin athletic star showed his growing maturity on the international stage with a fifth-place placing in Slovenia at the European Cross-Country championships this month against top class opposition.

+ TEAMof the MONTH

ST BRIGID’S

OLD WESLEY

LUCAN UNITED

THE Russell Park side exceeded expectations and came within seconds of a heroic comeback in the Leinster final against Garrycastle, but were denied a deserved win by a free late on in the match.

DONNYBROOK’S finest were crowned Leinster Senior League Shield winners at home this month, winning their first Leinster senior title since 1985 when they defeated Greystones in the final in a thrilling match.

UNITED reached the fourth round of the FAI intermediate cup in spite of being in a league four divisions below the teams that they faced in the competition, impressing with their determination and fearlessness.

WELCOME to the 2011 Dublin Sports Awards, as we mark our local sportsmen and women’s December sporting achievements across the capital and, indeed, across the nation.

We’re delighted to once again be able to celebrate the finest achievements in Dub-

lin sport, with some huge efforts at local levels coming to our attention in a variety of well-known, and some, less prominent, sports.

Ever y form of sporting achievement, at any level and in any sport, is valuable and gives an indication of the diversity of sporting commit-

ment there is around our fair city at all times of the year.

Let us know!

Let us know about your achievements in sport, so that the Gazette can tell the rest of Dublin — and give you, or your team, a chance of being one of our monthly stars.

Contact us on 01 601 0240 or sport@gazettegroup.com to tell us all about your successes, and follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/ gazettesport.

You can also check out the latest stories from GazetteSport at our new website, www.gazettegroup.com

PLAYERS from Railway Union Rugby Football Club got Heineken Cup match-goers into the festive spirit last weekend when they serenaded Leinster and Bath fans on their way to the Aviva stadium.

The Sandymount club were raising funds for much-needed floodlights for their Park Avenue pitch, and impressed the fans with their carolling.

With many sports clubs struggling in recent times to secure funding for necessary facility additions and repairs, several have turned to innovative ways of raising the funds. Railway Union RFC decided to flex their vocal chords and the players were put through their paces in the changing rooms every night after training.

Leinster fans were treated to the dulcet sounds of the Railway Union choir at two locations in the hours leading up to the important Cup showdown.

Brennan race set for Phoenix Park launch LIFFEYValley’s Athletic Club annual Tom Brennan Trophy 5k Race will launch the Office of Public Works’ celebration of the 350th anniversary of the establishment of the Phoenix Park on NewYear’s Day. The Minister of State at The Department of Finance, Brian Hayes will formally launch the year of celebrations by starting the race at 12 noon.

The Phoenix Park was established in 1662 by one

of Ireland’s most illustrious viceroys, James Butler Duke of Ormond, on behalf of King Charles 11.

The race will start at 12 noon on the Furze Road and will consist of two laps of the Ordnance Survey Road and Chesterfield Avenue lap. A relatively flat course which will enable runners to get their NewYear off to a good start with a new personal best for 5k provided, of course, they have not been celebrating too much on NewYears Eve. European Cross Country Champion Fionnuala Britton set a new women’s course record last year of 16.39.

30 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 22 & 29 December 2011

GazetteSport Sport FastSport

Blackrock AC’s Healy wins All-Ireland CC title SARAH Healy from Monkstown capped a fine cross-country season by finishing in first place at the All-Ireland U-11 championship in The Curragh last weekend, and also led the Dublin team to first place.

This followed Sarah’s victory in the Dublin Cross-Country Championship in Marlay Park in November.

Her achievement was recognised at the annual Blackrock AC Turkey Trot where she received the Juvenile Female Athlete of the Year award.

Another Blackrock AC athlete, Sean Kinsella, finished ninth overall and went on to help the Dublin county team secure a bronze medal in the All-Ireland U-12 CrossCountry Championships at Sligo Racecourse in late November. Sean’s achievements earned him the award for Juvenile Male Athlete of the Year at the Blackrock AC Turkey Trot.

Joey’s eight called up for DDSL camps EIGHT players from St Joseph’s Boys U-12 Premier squad have been called up to take part in the various DDSL training camps which are set to run over the coming Christmas period.

Among those included are Joey’s players, Jordan Walker, Sean Murphy, Eoin Molloy, Aaron Bolger, Dylan Byrne, Illyias Mudbhu, Karl Doyle and David Durack.

It continues a high-achieving first half of the season for the Sallynoggin club, with seven of the club’s number involved in recentlyheld DDSL Challenge games.

Goalkeeper Jack Henry, Killian Doyle, Pato Leonard and Brandon Perry took part in the DDSL side that beat St Francis 3-1 in an impressive display in Baldonnel recently.

Then, in Santry, Henry, Kieran Butler, Neil Farrugia and Cormac Kelly played in a 2-0 victory over St Kevin’s Boys.

SOCCER: LOCAL PLAYER WINS WOMEN’S PLAYER OF THE MONTH

Former Cabinteely FC player Stephanie Roche, seen here with Katie Taylor and Louise Quinn, was the first winner of the National League award

Former Cabo star’s honour sport@gazettegroup.com

FORMER Cabinteely girl Stephanie Roche became the very first player to win a Bus Eireann Women’s National League Player of the Month title after a blistering start to life in the newly formed league.

Roche netted eight times in just five appearances, with triples against Wexford Youths and Cork along with a string of assists as the Greenogue club have propelled themselves toward the top of the fledgling division.

Women’s Senior Team manager Sue Ronan said of the award:

“The Bus Eireann Wo m e n ’s N a t i o n a l League has already proven very exciting with some great games and individual performances on show in the first month.

“None more so than those of Stephanie Roche, who is a deserving winner of the first Player of the Month award.

“Not only has Stephanie scored eight goals for her club but her overall play has been exceptional.

“With all of our homebased elite players playing in the league, and with the games so competitive at such a high level, this can only have a positive

Counsel kings of Kitterick: Bunscol glory DYLAN Rowe, captain of the Our Lady of Good Counsel, Johnstown, lifts the Kitterick Shield to the delight of his team- mates. The Killiney school were among the winners at the annual Allianz Cumann na mBunscol football finals after his side won out in a derby game with St. Pat’s, Hollypark at the GAA headquarters in Croke Park this week.

effect for the women’s national squad in the years to come.”

Roche is a product of the girl’s system at Cabinteely FC having initially been introduced to the game with Valeview in Shankill’s boys section.

From there, she went on to play with Stella Maris and then on to Dundalk City and Raheny United before going on trial with English WSL side Doncaster Belles, playing in a 4-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers.

But she stayed in Ireland for the inauguration of the women’s league while also playing her part in Peamount’s

ground-breaking run in the 2011–12 UEFA Women’s Champions League, becoming the first side to reach the group stages of the competition.

All the while, she was honoured with an FAI scholarship from Sallynoggin College and played for the Irish Colleges against Scotland in 2009.

This, combined with her ascent through the ranks for the Republic of Ireland, making her international debut at U-17 level and pushing into the senior set-up by 2009 as part of the UEFA Women’s Euro 2009 qualifying play–off defeat

to Iceland.

Elsewhere, Cabo’s Director of Coaching, Pat Finnerty, will be among the hosts of one of the many charity GOAL miles to be held on Christmas Day. This is open to all ages, as long as you can get around the Kilbogget running track four times in whichever manner you wish, wearing whatever you wish and donating whatever you wish to the worthy cause in one of the many GOAL buckets that will be at the venue on the day.

There are three ‘race’ start times in Kilbogget 11.00, 11.20 and 11.40.

22 & 29 December 2011 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 31

in association with

CLUB NOTICEBOARD CUALA We would like to wish all the mem-

string or look like a complete turkey

bers, family and friends within the

than come out in the freezing cold

Cuala community a very merry

and run around until you seize up?

Christmas and a peaceful, healthy

And that just the singles. Its good

and prosperous 2012.

fun, however.

There was a great night in the

The privilege will cost you €5 and

club on Saturda y evening when

donations go to the Niall Mellon

many mentors, players and help-

fund.

ers turned out to enjoy what will

The Cuala Coaching Seminar will

now become the annual Christ-

take place on Saturday, January

Chairman of Dublin Juvenile Board Ken O’Sullivan, with

mas party with the Dublin concert

7th. Paudie Butler will be the Coach

son Conor and wife Maria

band.

of Honour as we look to a theme of

The horn section get festive

Congratulations to the boys’ One

coaching through games. Details

Direction, made up of Colly B, Hug-

are on the website and early book-

O, Damy Mac, Johnny Two-Tone and

ing is requested.

Gerry, who beat out the girls’ Little

Sponsorship cards are available

Mix, in rendering many well-loved

for the Concern for Somalia hike in

tunes almost recognisable in the

Glendalough which will take place

Christmas carol sing-off.

on Sunday, January 8.

The annual Married vs Singles

Thanks to all who helped out with

challenge will be on again this year

the Niamh’s Wish day in Cuala on

on December 27.

Sunday. Fur ther details can be

What better way to pull a ham-

found at www.niamhswish.com

FOXROCK/CABINTEELY Tis the seasojn to wear jumpers

Carols for Cuala

Dalkey lit up by Cuala Christmas UALA GAA Club in Dalkey came up with a unique way to say thank you to its many volunteers and supporters this Christmas.

They hosted a Christmas Concert in their Hyde Road sports hall featuring a group of All-Ireland champions of the type not associated with the field of play. These champions are the Dublin Concert Band (current holders of the Senior Concert National Band Championships and regular competitors in British and European Band Festivals.)

The musicians were no strangers to Cuala, having previously performed at a Juvenile fundraiser earlier in the year. So, when it came to selecting a suitable performance for the Christmas season, the club knew exactly who to book.

All Cuala’s managers, helpers and even neighbours were invited to the festive occasion by club chairman Peadar McAdam. “It has been a hectic year, both in the club and for our Dublin players. Instead of being just another fundraiser, so we wanted to simply give something back in appreciation of the selfless work done by our many volunteers.”

CONGRATULATIONS to our feeder

Ring for all their endeavours in

school, St Brigid’s School, Cab-

achieving this success.

inteely, who won the Cumann na

Continued good luck to our girls

mBunscoil Division 1 shield. All of

who are currently taking part in

the girls are members of the club.

trials for the Dublin U-14, U-16 and

The school has performed well in

minor teams.

this competition for the past four

We would like to wish all our mem-

years. Well done to teacher, Brid

bers a very happy Christmas and a

D’Arcy and to school’s coach Pat

prosperous New Year.

Cuala’s Male Voice Choir on the same hymn sheet

STARS OF ERIN THE Christmas raffle took place on December 17 in the Step Inn. Thanks for all the support.

Congratulations to the lucky win-

C

There will be a club day on December 29 in Glencullen and all members are very welcome to come along.

ners. 1st: Paolo Bacdelli 2nd: Liam

Special mention for Shane, Killian

Nash 3rd: Camillus Delaney 4th:

and Conor on winning the Cumann

Marie Tuite 5th: Ciaran Heavey 6th:

na Bunscol. Magnificent achieve-

Alan Garrioch 7th: Yuanita Wilson

ment.

8th Alan and Marion Moran.

There was no winner of the weekly lotto. The numbers drawn were 4,

Conor captained the team to victory in Croke Park. The club are very proud of the lads.

The club would like to take this

13 and 21.

The choir were ably supported by the concert band

January 8 with a jackpot of €700.

The three no jackpot prizes went

oppurtunity to wish all players,

to 1st: Karina Callaghan 2nd: Eilis

supporters, sponsors and mem-

Keane 3rd: Thersea Grimes.

bers a very happy Christmas and a

The Lotto will recommence on

peaceful new year.

LOCAL TEAM WIN? WE WANT TO KNOW! Cuala’s Ladies’ enjoying Big Band support

Call our SPORTS TEAM on 60 10 240 or email sport@gazettegroup.com

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

PASS THE PEAS: Local girl Roche stars

for Peamount in Women’s league P30

DECEMBER 22 & 29, 2011

DECEMBER’S STARS All the nominees for the final month of 2011 P29

GazetteSPORT

Foxrock Cabinteely’s Sinead Goldrick will once again represent her club at the annual Dubs Stars event. Picture: Peter Hickey / gaapics.com

Goldrick doubles up in local awards

Stellar year for rising Fox/Cab star but All-Ireland title still very much the target for the coming year STEPHEN FINDLATER dunlaoghairesport@gazettegroup.com

FOXROCK Cabinteely’s Sinead Goldrick will be one of the star attractions at next Tuesday’s ladies’ football Dubs’ Stars following a stellar year for club and county.

Last Tuesday, she was named in the list of Dubs’ Stars in a year which saw her pick up the Dublin senior player’s choice for Player of the Year at the O’Neill’s Dublin Ladies’ Awards night.

She was subsequently named in the Dubs’ Stars line-up for their December 27 date in Russell Park to meet a Dublin senior line-up in the annual celebration of the best in football and camogie.

Speaking to Declan Drake about the Player of the Year award, the Fox/Cab woman was keen to stress, though, that team achievement trumps such individual honours despite gratefully receiving the adulation of her peers.

“Naturally enough it is nice to win such an award, it really was a surprise to get it; this is a team game and we are all in this together – individual awards are good but a team success is always more important,” she said.

Goldrick is hoping that 2012 can be the year she gets her hand on the Celtic Cross which eluded her in 2010.

A member of the Dubs’ panel since 2006, she has been part of the NFL division two winning sides but she went travelling in the All-Ireland winning year, missing out on the Jackies success in Croke Park, trouncing Tyrone.

Speaking about that, she takes a pragmatic view.

“Of course it would have been nice to part of it. I was in the stand on the day and really thrilled for the girls who had put so much into the whole thing. This group trained three nights a week and did a whole lot more work themselves in the gym;

they really worked so hard and deserved the success when it came. Hopefully more chances will come my way and I will take them.”

To get back to that level, the journey starts next Tuesday in the post-Christmas showcase in which Goldrick is lining out in the Stars’ selection for a second successive year.

She is joined in the line-up by Kilmacud Crokes’ Philippa Green for the game which, after a couple of years of rough weather conditions, has moved to St Brigid’s GAA club all-weather pitch.

The football throw-in is at 12:30pm and will be preceded by the Camogie fixture, which has an 11am start.

To date the Dubs’ Stars and Dublin have one win each under the belts so it’s all to play for on December 27 the man in charge of this exciting encounter will be Keith Tighe of St Anne’s GAA club.