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INSIDE: Enjoying the fun at The Metals’ opening P8, 10

April 19, 2012

OPINION: Why Ireland should ratify

the Fiscal Compact Treaty See Page 4

Gilmore girls: Ready to greet the Tanaiste LAURA Fitzsimons, Steffi Phillips

Hurling: Dublin earn second chance to stay in NHL1 Page 31

Sailing: International teams take to the water Page 30

ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES ..................... 2 BUSINESS .................... 19 MOTORS ........................21 TRAVEL......................... 22 ENTERTAINMENT ........ 24 CLASSIFIEDS ............... 26

and Principal, Liz Caffrey were standing by, ready to help give An Tanaiste, Eamon Gilmore a great Rockford Manor welcome when he visited the school recently.

The Tanaiste had been invited to the school to make a presentation to Ciara McConnell, a Rockford student who represented Ireland at the European Youth Parliament in Istanbul. He also took the opportunity to listen to the school choir, and to encourage the students to keep striving for academic success.

Council invited to splash out on pool €1.5m sought for ‘urban beach’ plan at East Pier

I BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN

DUN Laoghaire Harbour Company has offered Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council an opportunity to be partners in a proposed “urban beach” project on the East Pier if the council invests €1.5 million in the scheme.

At a council meeting, Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company’s CEO, Gerry Dunne, presented a detailed plan to councillors to build a “badeschiff” – or floating swimming pool – in Dun Laoghaire harbour, at a cost of €3 million.

The idea would ensure the provision of a beach environ-

ment on the East Pier in Dun Laoghaire, complete with lounging area and heated swimming pool.

However, while most councillors liked the idea, they wanted greater detail before any commitment could be made, financial or otherwise.

Full Story on Page 6

2 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 19 April 2012

THEATRE: BEHAN CLASSIC SCHOOLS Eamon Gilmore pays visit to Rockford Manor SET TO RUN AT THE MILL

Follow the last day of a Quare Fellow A NEW production of Brendan Behan’s, The Quare Fellow, is on at the Mill Theatre in Dundrum this May. This production is

by Both Sides Theatre Company, which was set up nine years ago with performers from various different drama groups and from both sides of the Border.

Those involved in the theatre company hail from counties Cavan, Monaghan and Fermanagh.

The Quare Fellow established Behan’s reputation in Ireland and abroad, and was first produced by Carolyn Swift and Alan Simpson for Dublin’s Pike Theatre in 1954.

The play is a critique of

capital punishment and the eponymous “ quare fellow” refers to the condemned man, who is never seen.

The play is set in Mountjoy Prison, and begins and ends with a prisoner singing the Behan-written song, The Old Triangle.

Experiences Behan drew on his own experiences in the play, and is set in Mountjoy in the 24 hours preceding an execution.

The play runs from Monday, May 7 to Tuesday, May 8, and begins at 8pm in the Main Auditorium of the Mill Theatre.

Ticket prices range from €12 to €15, and can be obtained from the box office at 01 296 9340.

Margaret Timoney, Julianne Knowles and Tanya Putz. Pictures: Margaret Brown

Encouraging students to strive A

N TANAISTE, Eamonn Gilmore, was a special guest of honour at Rockmore Presentation Secondary School recently, where he addressed the school assembly, congratulating the school on some of its recent, impressive achievements, and discussing the importance of students maximising their education.

The Tanaiste had been invited to the school to make

a presentation to Ciara McConnell, a Rockford student who represented Ireland at the European Youth Parliament in Istanbul.

Tanaiste Gilmore also took in the dulcet tones of the extremely successful school choir, who recently claimed the runners-up berth in the Turner-Huggard Cup in the Feis Ceoil, for which he congratulated them.

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Imane Hachadi and Amy Livingstone

An Tanaiste, Eamon Gilmore, with Ciara McConnell

Teachers Cathy Keane and Emmanuelle Toulliou

Tom Jeffers

Sandra Joyce

19 April 2012 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 3

DLRCC

This must never happen again – Boyhan

€1.7 million overspend is approved by councillors I BAIRBRE NI

BHRAONAIN dunlaoghaire@gazettegroup.com

COUNCILLORS approved a controversial €1.7 million overspend at a recent council meeting of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.

Shock was expressed by some council members at the overspend, but it was still agreed to cover the capital overspend by the council.

The areas in which the spending exceeded that approved by councillors were in Transportation (€1,077,445), Environment (€512,569), Agriculture (€261,569) and Miscellaneous Services (€331,547).

Councillor Victor Boyhan (Ind) was among the dissenters who refused to approve the additional expenditure needed to cover this overspending.

He said: “This is unauthorised overspending that must never happen again.”

At a Dun LaoghaireRathdow n council meeting on April 10, Cllr Boyhan, Cllr Melisa Halpin (PBP) and Cllr Hugh Lewis (PBP) voted against the measure to extend more funds to the council’s petitioner,

Owen Keegan, county manager.

Fine Gael, Labour and FF councillors present at the meeting voted in favour of the manager’s proposals to approve the overspend.

Cllr Boyhan said: “I am concerned about the unauthorised expenditure that has now been brought to councillors’ attention.

“The total indebtedness of the council, on foot of loans outstanding at December 31, is €171.7 million, and the county manager said that most of this indebtedness relates primarily to housing loans.”

He demanded to know when and how the manager expected this debt to be addressed.

At the council meeting, the manager’s financial report was presented to the council, and details of how the money was used over the past year were revealed.

The county manager said that €516,000 was used to create a pensions reserve.

Cllr Boyhan called on the manager to explain, firstly, why this matter was not brought to the attention of councillors before the decision was

made, and, secondly, who had made the decision.

He went on to say that the practise of seeking councillors’ approval after the fact “amounted to poor corporate governance, which would not be tolerated in the private sector”.

When contacted by The Gazette, a council spokesperson said that: “The draft Annual Financial Statement 2011, and accompanying Manager’s report, was presented to the council ...

“The report outlined that additional expenditure was incurred, which was more than offset by additional income, resulting in an overall modest surplus on the council’s revenue account in 2011.”

The council’s spokesperson gave the example of the road grants, which were allocated after the council’s budget was adopted. Most of the additional expenditure arose because the roads grant allocation exceeded that budgeted for.

Finally, the spokesperson said that the council “operates robust budgetary control measures, as is evidenced by the fact it maintains a balanced budget each year”.

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Manicures: ‘You’ll love Lancome’s luxurious new Vernis in Love range’ Councillor Victor Boyhan (Ind) was among those who refused to approve the additional expenditure needed to cover the council’s €1.7m overspend

BEAUTY PAGE 16

4 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 19 April 2012

TREATY

Minister Joan Burton gives us her view

Why I will be voting Yes on the Fiscal Compact JOAN BURTON, Minister for Social Protection and newly-appointed Director of Elections for the Yes campaign, tells us why Ireland should ratify the Fiscal Compact Treaty and why it works for us WHEN I speak to big multinational employers, many in Blanchardstown in my own constituency, they tell me that one reason they continue to locate in Ireland is because they believe the country is committed to the European Union.

We have punched well above our weight when it comes to attracting foreign direct investment here.

One of the reasons companies like PayPal, Google and Facebook come here is because they see Ireland as a committed member of the eurozone.

I believe that voting Yes in the referendum will show that Ireland is willing to play its part in building a more financially stable European Union.

Stabilising Voting Yes will help stabilise the euro and boost investor confidence in Ireland.

To vote No would bewilder American and other foreign companies that are planning their European investments.

It could threaten the hard-won business opportunities we are

building in China and elsewhere.

There is a big advant a g e o f s t ay i n g t h e course with Europe.

For starters, collective action to boost growth and investment offers a much better prospect to restore the health of national budgets than sole reliance on austerity.

Our previous experience of such joint European action through the Regional and Social funds was entirely positive.

Our roads and colleges are the legacy of those funds that we continue to enjoy today.

Ireland is not alone in its current troubles.

Bank debts and unemployment haunt many European economies.

Inside the tent There is more to be done to help beleaguered countries.

I believe we are far better off making that case along with likeminded Governments inside the European tent than being a lone voice outside.

T h i s G ove r n m e n t has put painstaking effort into rebuilding Ireland’s reputational capital in Europe, in the

USA and the emerging global powerhouse that is China.

There are some indications that this effort is bearing fruit, notably in the confirmation by leading international companies that Ireland continues to be as much a magnet for inward investment as it was a decade ago.

A N o vo t e wo u l d upend that process.

Countries don’t have friends, they have interests.

That is particularly true of a small country that has successfully chosen to base its development and prosperity on being a trading nation.

It is in our interest It is in our interest to be inside every European Council, committed to national budget discipline as one significant – but far from exclusive – part of a strategy to promote growth and job security in every corner of Europe.

It is entirely contrary to our interests to take a reckless gamble now that would leave Ireland isolated, perplex our friends and exasperate those who are currently funding our State till we

Joan Burton: “Voting Yes will show Ireland is willing to play its part in building a more financially stable Europe.”

restore our capacity to do so ourselves.

Plugging the gap We a r e c u r r e n t l y borrowing €50 million a day to plug the gap between what we raise in taxes and what we spend.

There is no escape,

one way or the other, from fiscal restraint in our present situation.

To pretend otherwise is dishonest.

Voting Yes gives Ireland an insurance policy in terms of access to a special European assistance fund if needed.

A No vote may give the appearance of independence.

But it could require Ireland to negotiate emergency funds that might have tougher conditions attached.

It will be up to every voter, every family and ever y community to

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consider very carefully how they cast their vote in the referendum on 31 May. For the reasons I have explained, I will be voting Yes.

Joan Burton TD Minister for Social Protection

LOCAL

MATTERS

19 April 2012 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 5

FUNDING Schemes to target local litter, dumping, fly-tipping issues ARTS: FINAL

DLR to get €55k boost to target graffiti I BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN dunlaoghaire@gazettegroup.com

DUN Laoghaire-Rathdown is to receive a total of €55,000 from the Department for the Environment, Community and Local Government this year to target graffiti and litter.

Minister Phil Hogan released the grant allo-

cation figures for all councils in the country on Friday, April 13.

Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council was allocated the second-highest amount, after Dublin City Council, which is to receive a grant total of €90,000.

T h e p r ov i s i o n o f €2,150,000 in grants is being doled out to local authorities, with

€900,000 of this total coming under the heading of the Anti-Litter and Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant Scheme, which is for public education and awareness initiatives in relation to both litter and graffiti.

Up to €750,000 will go towards a new Litter Enforcement Scheme, and a further €500,000 is being allocated spe-

cifically for the Tourist Season Anti-Litter Grant Scheme.

These grants to city and county councils come under the Awareness Scheme, and cover a broad range of measures engineered to raise public awareness of their environment and promote anti-litter and anti-graffiti initiatives at a local level.

The Litter Enforcement Scheme is intended to support the enforcement activities of local authorities through such measures as the deployment of mobile CCTV equipment to catch flytippers and illegal dumpers.

The 2012 Anti-Litter and Anti-Graffiti Awareness grant for Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown is

€35,000, while the 2012 Tourist Season Anti-Litter grant allocation for Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown is €20,000.

The €500,000 provided under the Tourist Season Scheme is intended to encourage local authorities to strive to ensure that key tourist attractions are well presented during the peak summer season.

Respected film editor’s talk at IADT I BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN dunlaoghaire@gazettegroup.com

THE National Film School of Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art and Design (IADT) hosted a talk given by Tony Lawson as part of their Lecture Series.

The highly-respected and experienced film editor has worked on such classic films as Stanley Kubrick’s, Barry Lyndon, and Sam Peckinpah’s, Straw Dogs, and Lawson has also collaborated extensively throughout his career with Nicolas Roeg.

He is one of Britain’s foremost film editors, and has also edited all of Neil Jordan’s films since 1996, including his latest work, Byzantium, which is in post-production.

Lawson was born in London in 1944 and, from the mid-sixties onwards, he freelanced as an assistant sound editor and assistant editor on features.

In 1971, he got his big break on the film, Straw Dogs, and impressed the director, Sam Peckinpah, who used his talents twice more in the Seventies. Next, he worked for two years with the notorious Stanley Kubrick on Barry Lyndon.

On editing, Lawson has said: “One of the things editors should be looking for is conflicts and contrasts – cut from a wide shot to a close shot, loud to soft, bright to dark ... all those kind of things.”

He has said that he sees film as a highly collaborative process, although it’s certainly possible to identify different directors’ films, and suggests that “a director can get to what he wants more easily, more fully, if the people that he surrounds himself with either understand him, or they understand each other, essentially”.

The lecture series is being run in association with Bord Scannan na hEireann/The Irish Film Board.

GLORY FOR DLR TRIO

Shortlist places for local writers TWO writers from Blackrock, and one from Dun Laoghaire, are among those selected for the shortlist for the 41st Hennessy Literary Awards, this year.

Maire T Robinson, of Blackrock, is in the Emerging Fiction category with her book, Another Breakfast For You. Susan Lanigan, of Dun Laoghaire, has also gone forward in this category with her novel, Infinite Loop. Finally, Barbara Tarrant, of Blackrock, is in the First Fiction category for Baby.

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‘Previous winners include Joseph O’Connor, Frank McGuinness and Neil Jordan’

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Ready to help, lickety split: Pat’s not yet the retiring type when there’s a job to get on with DUN Laoghaire man Pat Stanley (right) joined Mary Daly and Jim Behan to help launch the Trade and Tourism Show, organised by the national representative body, Active Retirement Ireland.

With his new pals, Pat, a member of the Dun Laoghaire Active Retirement Association, took a moment to have a colourful break before the launch, which was held

to raise awareness of the show at Citywest Hotel, Saggart. At the trade show, which was held earlier this week, a wide range of events and businesses were on hand to cater for the often overlooked retiree market.

Pat’s, and the other active retirees’, message was for companies and retailers to be more aware of the power, and value for businesses, of catering for the “grey euro” market.

The judges include New Irish Writing page editor, Ciaran Carty, and acclaimed novelists, Giles Foden and Deirdre Purcell.

Each category winner will receive a trophy and €1,500, while the New Writer of the Year receives an additional €2,500. Previous winners include Dermot Bolger, Joseph O’Connor, Patrick McCabe, Colum McCann, Frank McGuinness, Anne Enright, Hugo Hamilton and Neil Jordan.

The Hennessy Literary Awards are due to take place on April 24 at the residence of the French Ambassador to Ireland.

6 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 19 April 2012

MUSIC: FINALE

DLRCC Call for €1.5m investment in ‘badeschiff’

Na Fatai Fanacha in Gael Linn bid THE Siansa Gael Linn final will include a young traditional group from Booterstown, called Na Fatai Fanacha.

The group is from Colaisti Eoin and Iosagain, Booterstown, and will be performing in the National Concert Hall at the Siansa Gael Linn AllIreland final on April 29.

The young musicians in the final are Cathal O Crocaigh, Fionn Mac Muiris, Conor Leavy, Sean Og Mac Chinneide, Philip Og Denmead, Doireann Ni Ghlacain, Martha Ni Chianain and Padraig Og Mac Aodhagain.

Preliminary The competition started last December, and the eight finalists have qualified through two preliminary rounds of the competition since then.

The prize fund for the event is €4,500. The winner will receive €2,500 and the Gael Linn trophy; those in second place will be awarded €1,250, while the group in third place will receive €750.

These groups will also have their winning performances released on CD. The Siansa Gael Linn Grand Finale will be broadcast live from the National Concert Hall on RTE Raidio na Gaeltachta on Sunday, April 29 at 7.30pm, and will be presented by Aine Hensey.

A limited number of tickets for the event are still available from the National Concert Hall; telephone 01 417 0000, or see www.nch.ie.

The concept of a floating pool in Dun Laoghaire is not a new one, as this old print of Kingstown’s Floating Swimming Bath in 1888 shows

Company asks council to splash out on floating pool I BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN dunlaoghaire@gazettegroup.com

DUN Laoghaire Harbour Company (DLHC) is looking for Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to invest €1.5 million in a new project on Dun Laoghaire pier.

The company presented a proposal to go into partnership with the council to develop an urban beach on the East Pier.

Gerry Dunne, chief executive, DLHC, presented the scheme to the council at a meeting on Tuesday, April 10.

Dunne said that the badeschiff (urban beach) model that DLHC hopes

to create is based on one in Berlin.

Several focus groups were consulted by the company about the idea of an urban beach area, and all were in favour of it, he said.

The badeschiff is a “floating” swimming pool in the sea. Berlin has had one for 12 years, where it has proved highly attractive to visitors.

However, Councillor Melisa Halpin (PBP) said she couldn’t understand why the council should get involved with such a pool project when there was already an unfinished baths project that the council had committed itself to completing by 2010.

She also said that the

potential commercialisation of such a project was not to be welcomed, and that the one in Berlin turned into a nightclub at night.

In response, Gerry Dunne said that the urban beach project on the East Pier would be a public amenity, and not a commercial enterprise.

Relaxing He said the one in Berlin was much larger, and was used for a different purpose than that proposed for Dun Laoghaire, which would be for relaxing and bathing only.

As far as alcohol was concerned, Dunne said the onus would instead be on the consumption of sandwiches and burgers.

In answer to a question relating to parking provision, Dunne said that a maximum of 350 people could use the facility at a given time, and that there was ample parking for half that number of cars.

Other councillors, such as Cllr Niamh Breathnach (Lab) wanted more time to consider the DLHC proposal, and said that such details as who would run it, and more, had to be ironed out in advance of any commitment for so large an investment.

The swimming pool, or badeschiff, is filled with heated water, but how to accomplish this both efficiently and with clean water was a concern raised and talked about

by Gerry Dunne.

The water would be heated by a closed-loop heat pump, which would use the temperature of the sea, and the minimum temperature raised for the pool would be 26 to 27 Celsius.

The council heard that, because the badeschiff would be using sea water, it would cut down on the cost, as well as fulfill DLHC’S intention to recycle the existing barge.

The council also heard that the badeschiff model is very popular in many European countries, including Paris, where a beach atmosphere is created in the city centre.

The badeschiff is not a new idea, as Gerry Dunne outlined, showing slides

of Kingstown Harbour, as the harbour was known in 1888, where it possessed a floating swimming pool.

Potential charges for the use of the facility, including the lounging areas and pool, were estimated at around €15 for an adult and two children, and €5 for a student, for a two-hour slot.

The badeschiff is part of the Harbour Master Plan, and will be open from April to September, if it proceeds.

The projected revenue for a full year would be €670,000, which will be pumped back into the scheme. It is hoped that a second stage of the urban beach project would also include a winter facility, including sauna facilities.

19 April 2012 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 7

8 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 19 April 2012

SCHOOLS Health Week at Rathdown School, Glenageary

Susan Coyle and Blathnaid Howe

ENTERPRISENEWS

Get Your Business Up & Running in 2012 – 8 Week ‘Start Your Own Business’ Training Programme Are you looking to Start Your Own Business but are unsure of how and where to begin?

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Enterprise Board is running a ‘Start You Own Business’ course which begins on Tuesday, 8th May 2012.

This 8 week programme will be held in Nutgrove Enterprise Park, Rathfarnham and will run from 7 to 10pm over successive Tuesday evenings.

Specialist trainers will teach course participants how to research a business idea, assess its commercial viability, pick an appropriate business structure, identify sources of funding and explore effective sales and marketing strategies. All course content has been carefully chosen to support any new product or service-led business.

The course contents include:- Generating & Refining Business Ideas, Legal Issues for Your StartUp, Preparing a Business Plan, Marketing Your Small Business, Researching Your Market, Small Business Finance, Finance & Taxation Issues and Managing Your Finances.

Participants on this training programme will also have the option of availing of FETAC Level 6 certification at no extra cost and will receive a free copy of the “Starting Your Own Business” Workbook written by Ron Immink & Brian O’Kane and published by Oak Tree Press.

The training programme fee is only €150. Places can be booked via www.dlrceb.ie/training or by calling (01) 494 8400.

Aisling Duffy and Sophie Hopkins show The Gazette some delicious, freshly-baked – and healthy – food. Pictures: Geraldine Woods

Serving up top tips for a healthy lifestyle HE Gazette needed little persuasion to tuck into a number of delicious foods at Rathdown School, Glenageary, recently when it called by to examine the school’s Health Week initiative.

The week was held to raise awareness amongst the students about healthy

T

eating, keeping fit and maintaining an overall positive mental attitude, with the importance of physical and mental health alike highlighted for all.

Throughout the week, guest speakers spoke to students about various related topics, while the students also organised a number of events.

For example, the school’s first-year home economic students invited students from sixth-class junior school into the kitchen to see what healthy treats they were making – just one of a number of tempting ways to raise the students’ awareness of staying healthy in every way.

Lorraine Callaghan, head of Home Economics Dept

Visiting sixth-class students enjoyed sampling the nutritious foods

Carly Jacobson

19 April 2012 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 9

COMMUNITY Public space, the Metals project, is launched

An Cathaoirleach, Councillor John Bailey, lets Bryan Kavanagh try on his chains of office

Opening

Shining amenity to enjoy

Aofie Farrelly, Janine Gunning and Councillor Maria Bailey. Pictures: Geraldine Woods

VEN the sun was keen to see the official opening of the Metals Project in Dun Laoghaire recently, as it beamed down on the large number of local people and politicians attending the unveiling of the new civic square at Marine Road.

Opened by Phil Gaffney, chairman, Iarnrod Eireann, and An Cathaoirleach, Councillor John Bailey, many local politicians were also in attendance, with all admiring the attractivelydesigned area, replete with newly-planted trees and a state-of-the-art playground, making the Metals Project shine as a particularly fine amenity for all the community to enjoy.

E

Gillian Fitzgerald

Ferry Sweeney

Gallery continues on Page 10

Donn Brennan and Noel O’Neill

Caroline Vaughan and her mother, Eva

Rosie Campbell and Eddie Sweeney

10 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 19 April 2012

TAKE TWO Public space, the Metals project, is launched

Nancy Forsyth, Dan Hurst, Betty Doyle and Gillian Fitzgerald of the Forum for Older People

County Manager, Owen Keegan, with Cathoirleach John Bailey, Phil Gaffney, chairman, Ianrod Eireann, and Dick Fearn, CEO, Ianrod Eireann

Cllrs Sean Fitzpatrick, Gerry Horkin, Richard Humphreys, An Cathaoirleach John Bailey, Pat Hand and Jim O’Dea with (front) Carrie Smyth, Lettie McCarthy, Maria Bailey, Marie Baker, Jane Dillon-Byrne and Niamh Breathnach

Great piazza shines as a new local facility

Councillors Maria Bailey and John Bailey at the newly-unveiled plaque

19 April 2012 GAZETTE 11

12 GAZETTE 19 April 2012

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Time to get on your bike Taoiseach Taoiseach Enda Kenny with former Irish Rugby international Mick Galway, Michael Dawson from One4all, founder of the Soul of Haiti Foundation and TV3 presenter Aidan Cooney, help kick start Haiti Week 2012

Gearing up to go in Cycle4Haiti

CALLING all cycling enthusiasts.

Make 2012 the year you give something back by taking part in the Cycle4haiti challenge this May. There are just three weeks left until the third annual Cycle4haiti charity which aims to raise €300,000 for the Soul of Haiti Foundation.

The cycle will take place during the May bank holiday weekend, beginning on Saturday, May 5 at three locations – Dublin, Sligo and Tipperary.

All three will then meet at Athlone for an overnight rest to start again on Sunday, May 6 for further 85kms to finish line in Eyre Square, Galway.

Anyone interested in taking part from Dublin still has time to register at www.cycle4haiti.com, and there is also information on training events across Ireland in the run-up to the cycle.

Some of the large number of teams taking part from Dublin include Rowdy Riders, MRFC, Topbuzzers, Team Smiles, Global Diagnostics, Kellogg’s, TBA, Team Slattery and The Cyclepaths.

DIARY ROG meets dog, asks you to get involved IRISH rugby legend Ronan O’Gara was on hand with TV star Sinead Desmond to launch the Pedigree Adoption Drive, which will run through to May 31.

Recent statistics released by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, have shown that 1,058 dogs were abandoned in Dublin City in 2010 with 79% of these dogs finding new homes.

This is a slight drop on the previous year’s figure when 80% of abandoned dogs were re-homed.

On a national level, statistics have shown that, on average, 44 dogs are abandoned and a further 10 dogs are put to sleep every day in Ireland.

In order to help curb these shocking figures, Pedigree has once again launched the Pedigree Adoption Drive.

Now in its fifth year, the Pedigree

Adoption Drive continues to raise awareness of animal welfare.

To find out more on dog adoption, from how the adoption process works, from training to everyday care, visit www.Facebook.com/ PedigreeIreland

Joining Jamie to run 10k for Calcutta’s poor THE 2012 Calcutta Run was launched by Irish rugby star, Jamie Heaslip in Dublin last week.

The run is being held once more to raise money for the homeless in Dublin and Calcutta.

The 10 km route is from Blackhall Place, through the Phoenix Park and back to the start.

There will be a great post-race party and barbecue waiting for all of the participants at the finish line.

Now in its 14th year, the popular fun run has raised more than €2 million for the Peter McVerry Trust and GOAL since 1999.

The 2012 Calcutta Run will take place on Saturday, May 26. People can register at www.calcuttarun. com.

19 April 2012 GAZETTE 13

EVENT

A breathtaking display of piano music

Tinkling the ivory in this jubilee event I BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN

THE 25th anniversary of the Dublin International Piano Competition takes place in May. The prestigious competition is a member of the World Federation of International Music Competitions and is ranked in the top five piano competitions in the world.

This year, 60 pianists from four continents, all under the age of 30, will compete in Dublin from May 4 to May 15 for the acclaimed title and generous monetary prize.

Artistic Director and co-founder John O’Conor said, “We have received tremendous suppor t since the foundation and the 25th Dublin International Piano Competition

promises to be our most exciting to date.”

The competition has been running since 1987 and takes place in Dublin every three years.

To date there have been eight competitions.

The first two preliminary stages of the four stage competition is open to the public and will be held in The Royal Dublin Society, from Friday May 4 to Thursday May 10.

The National Concert Hall will host the semifinal and final, both of which will be recorded

by Radio Telefis Eireann and offered to the European Broadcasting Union for transmission throughout Europe.

This event is esteemed throughout the world and attracts enormous attention.

Some of the contestants in this year’s Dublin International Piano Competition

The semi-finals will take place on Saturday, May 12, and Sunday, May 13, in the National Concert Hall.

All twelve semi-finalists must perform one of the five specially commissioned Irish pieces of music for this year’s competition.

After this, four finalists will compete for the title in the final concerto performances taking place on Tuesday, May 15, with the RTE National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland under the baton of James Cavanagh.

Steinway and Sons are providing all of the pianos for the 2012 com-

petition and, over the 12 days of the competition, 60 hours of music will be performed in total.

The competition affords young pianists the opportunity to compete at an elite level. In addition, it offers Irish contestants an opportunity to hold their own on home ground.

T he competition’s first phase will go on for four days after which 24 competitors will be selected to go forward to the second stage of 40-minute recitals over two days.

The Dublin International Piano Competition is adjudicated by

illustrious international members of the music profession, chaired by John O’Conor.

The winner of this year’s competition will be offered a number of international engagements, including debut recitals at Carnegie Hall in New York, the Wigmore Hall in London and other prestigious venues around the world.

To find out more information about the event and for ticket details, you can go online at www.dipc.ie.

Tickets for the RDS rounds are €5 per session, or €12 per day.

They are available at the box office in the RDS Concert Hall on the day before each event.

Tickets for the semifinals in the National Concert Hall cost €10 per session, or €30 for all four.

Choir Balcony tickets are €7 per session and are available online at w w w.nch.ie or at the NCH Box Office 01-4170000.

Tickets for the finals in the National Concert Hall are €45 and Choir Balcony tickets cost €20.

All are available from the National Concert Hall Box Office.

CHARITY

Petmania reminds sponsors MANY people and dogs braved the harsh weather on Easter Monday to take part in the Petmania National Dog Walk 2012.

Wa l ke r s a r e n ow reminded to return their sponsorship cards before Sunday April 22 to claim their walker rewards.

For those that registered to take part, but who were unable to make it on account of the weather, Petmania are urging them to take their four-legged friend on a 5KM walk over the next few days and collect the sponsorship, which could get walkers a number of rewards.

Walkers can collect a €10 Petmania Store voucher if they reach €50, while getting to €120 will get 10% off Allianz Pet Insurance, €200 will get a free bag of breed specific 12-15kg Royal Canine Dog Food, €400 will get a €40 voucher for Petmania Grooming Studios and €800 will get a fabulous break for two adults and one dog at Harvey’s Point Hotel in Donegal. This break includes two nights B&B plus one evening meal, and is worth €400.

Sponsorship cards can be returned to any local Petmania store, or online by debit or credit card at www.petmania.ie

14 GAZETTE 19 April 2012

GazettePETS PETS

Brought to you by Miriam Kerins of the DSPCA

THE FACTS: WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN YOUR CHILD ASKS FOR A HORSE

Horseplay can cost, so beware o your little darling thinks it would be “fun” to saddle up and ride her own pony. Ah, bless. I mean, you’ve scrimped and scraped your few euro together, sacrificed your monthly manicure and sent her to horse-riding lessons every Sunday morning for the past six months.

But it’s backfired. Now she’s begging you until y o u ’r e a t b r e a k i n g point. What’s a hassled mam to do?

S

Should you buy her a pony, I mean; it’s nice for her to have an interest in animals. Right?

To be honest, as a mam I would want to make sure my child had a “passion” for horses, rather than just an “interest”.

Yo u s e e , h av i n g raised two children to

adulthood, I know that an “interest” is nearly always just a passing phase, that will fizzle out and become so last year; kinda like that whole major Blondie look you had going on when you were 14. (Or was that just me?).

So mammie dearest, before you take your daughter horse shopping next Saturday, keep the following guidelines in mind.

Riding lessons for at least six months to a year.

This will give your daughter the opportunity to learn from a professional who will be familiar with her abilities and who can be available in case she requires help. It will also give her an insight into grooming, handling, safety, etc., as well as the obvious, riding.

What type of horse does she want? Can you afford it?

A mare or a gelding should only be considered. A stallion will be far too difficult for her to handle and can prove dangerous.

Remember there is no such thing as a bad horse and all horses need training; patience and quality time is the key. Personality is impor tant. Ask your daughter to have her instructor give her a selection of horses to ride over the course of her lessons, and have her list the things she likes/dislikes about individual ones.

Does she like the quiet, laid back animal or does she feel the need for something a tad feistier? Would a pony be better suited to her needs?

Horses can cost and be time-consuming, so weigh up the pros and cons before buying

What type of riding is your child interested in?

Competitive show jumping? Trail riding?

Does she just want a companion animal?

Where will she keep her horse?

Do you have a boarding stable on your land? If not, is there one locally?

Can you afford the rent?

Remember mam, if W W 111 b r e a k s o u t ever y time you ask your daughter to clean her bedroom or do her homework; is she really likely to give a commitment to this horse?

She’ll need to give the animal two hours a day, five days a week – minimum. Half an hour to groom and tack up, at least one hour to ride (remember a happy, healthy horse is the one that is ridden at least five times a week), another half an hour to cool him down and settle him back into his stable.

Monthly Budget?

Boarding! Do you have a stable at home?

Do you need to rent stables? There will be a cost for feed, hay, stall bedding, etc.

What happens if your horse becomes ill? You’ll need to have

access to an equine vet.

They cost money. You’ll have recurring expenses like a farrier, vaccinations, worming, tack and other supplies such as grooming brushes, first-aid kit, a good quality shampoo, etc.

Worst Case Scenario?

When you take ownership of a horse, or any animal, you give an undertaking to care for him for the entire duration of his lifetime. However, what if something happens to your daughter and she can no longer ride her horse; or you lose your job and can no longer afford his upkeep.

You can’t just abandon him and hope for the best. Abandonment is cruel and punishable by prosecution.

Horses can live until they are 30 years old so, in the event you can no longer take care of him, it’s your responsibility to find him a new home in an environment best suited to his needs, with an owner you can trust implicitly.

Remember, finding that special new owner can take time and lots of research.

For more information, contact your local equine vet or log onto www.dspca.ie or email me at miriam.kerins@ dspca.ie

19 April 2012 GAZETTE 15

CHARITY Enable Ireland and TK Maxx join forces to raise €250,000 for charity

Slim down your bulging wardrobes I LAURA WEBB

SLIM down bulging wardrobes while helping a good cause, as Enable Ireland and TK Maxx join forces to raise a quarter of a million euro for charity this month.

Give Up Clothes for Good, is Ireland’s largest charity drive, which aims to raise €250,000 throughout April. Dubliners are being asked to drop their unwanted quality clothing, accessories and household items to any TK Maxx store. Donations received throughout the month of April will go on to be sold in Enable Ireland shops to raise funds for vital services for children with disabilities across the country.

A recent survey carried out by TK Maxx

revealed over half of Dublin shoppers have clothes, shoes and accessories in their wardrobes that they have not worn in over a year.

This revelation exposes city slickers to have the highest quota of unworn cloths in Ireland. Dubliners were also exposed to be the worst impulse buyers in the country, with a third of residents admitting to splurging on a whim.

T he research was conducted in support of the Enable Ireland/TK Maxx initiative, Give Up Clothes for Good.

The survey, which was carried out by Amarach Research, found that over 40% of Irish adults experience buyers’ remorse. It also showed 20% of Irish women have more than six pairs

of trousers and of shoes that they have not worn in over a year. This suggests there are many top-quality items perfect for the cause. Each bag filled with clothes could potentially raise up to €30 for Enable Ireland, so every donation makes a difference.

Fionnuala O’Donovan from Enable Ireland commented: “We are delighted to be working in conjunction with our partner TK Maxx on Give Up Clothes for Good this year.

“We are confident that the Irish public will really get behind the campaign with their generous donations of clothes and homeware.

“We urge the Irish public to clear out their wardrobes and cupboards and part with

items that they may not have worn or used for a time.

“We will put your gifts and donations to good use in the Enable Ireland shops to support our work for children with disabilities and their families.”

Founded in 1948, Enable Ireland provides services for 3,541 children and 219 adults. The charity also supports people with disabilities and their families in 15 counties.

TK Maxx is Enable Ireland’s biggest retail partner. Since the partnership began back in 1997, the retail giant has raised over €900,000 for Enable Ireland.

Give Up Clothes for Good donation bags are available in all TK Maxx stores but any bag can

Pictured are Chloe Monaghan, aged 6, with RTE 2 Children’s presenter, Diana Bunici, at the launch of Give Up Clothes for Good

be used, from supersize carrier bags to bin bags.

For the nearest store, or to find out more, visit www.tkmaxx.ie Enable Ireland cannot accept any electrical

goods, furniture or any items that are broken or require repair due to health and safety regulations.

There is an added incentive to this year’s

initiative, as those doing their bit by bringing in a donation will be given a chance to enter a draw to win €1,000 TK Maxx gift card via www. tkmaxx.ie

16 GAZETTE 19 April 2012

GazetteBEAUTY BEAUTY Discover a delicious new scent for summer with Emporio Armani TAKE in summer’s scent through an explosion of fresh smells with Emporio Armani’s new fragrance, Diamonds Summer for women.

The spring/summer season is when great smells come to life, from flowers to newly cut grass. It’s also the time when people find their own signature smell by choosing the right fragrance. One fragrance for Gazette Beauty this season is Emporio Armani’s Diamonds Summer for women. The fragrance is a musky, floral scent that gives a sense of freshness to the air.

Hints of raspberry and green apple sorbet turn it into something that is good enough to eat.

What’s even better about this fragrance is that it is also available for men – Diamonds Summer for Men. This scent awakens the senses with its crisp, fresh mint and iced lemon aroma.

Each Emporio Armani Diamonds Summer is enclosed in a special limited edition bottle which sparkles – exquisitely faceted to assert the audacity of a true summer scent, loud and full of delight, and Emporio Armani Diamonds Summer for Men comes encased in a bottle inspired by ice sculptures radiating light and a sparkling energy.

Falling in love with Vernis in Love’s bright, block colours

GAZETTE Beauty has never been one to shy away from a manicure, or let nails go unnoticed, so when we saw Lancome’s new range of striking nail colours we knew we had to put our hands up and take notice.

Bright block colours are the way forward this summer, so why not accentuate that fact with even bolder nails.

Lancome’s new Vernis in Love range claims to reinvent nail polish application by making it simpler, faster and more stunning than ever. The collection takes chic neutral colours and combines them with captivating brights – just like our summer wardrobe.

Innovative

Its innovative patented brush, a grooved stem, allows the nail polish to flow directly to the centre of the brush.

The round base and flat bristles allows the nail contour to be perfectly followed and a uniform coat of varnish to be applied in just a single stroke. The fluid texture creates a smooth, streakfree finish and a flawless film of colour.

“The bottle is a fantastic shape and size, which fits perfectly into the palm of your hand.

The stem of the brush is the right length, which allows you enough time to place the brush into the bottle pick up your polish and apply it to the nail plate without it running down the stem causing drips and flooding the nail plate,” said Glenis Baptiste, celebrity manicurist.

The collection is

Love Rose Manicure

availabel in 20 stunning shades and has been divided into three colour universes to suit three different moments of the day.

JOLIS MATIN: All the beauty of an awakening dawn in Paris is captured in fresh and featherlight shades for luminous, natural colour.

B OU D OI R T I M E : Deep, vibrant and euphoric shades, perfect for early evening cocktails with friends.

TONIGHT IS MY NIGHT: A Parisian night, infused with promise, is mirrored by intense and magnetic shades.

Here are two stunning coloured manicures by Lancome to try at home: French Rose Manicure

1. Apply a drop of the darker Bleu de Flore

French Rose Manicure

polish to the base of the nail. Paint a neat crescent, paying particular attention to the outer borders, as if “framing” them with a rose petal.

The brush should be held at an almost vertical angle.

2. You now need to perfect the inner and outer borders using the branchwood stick wrapped in cotton wool.

3. Next, apply Rose Boudoir to the centre of the nail to create a colour contrast, using the flat of the brush.

4. To finish off, apply a top coat to achieve uniform shine. This will also allow you to even out the surface texture.

Love Rose Manicure with contrasting on trend shades “Aquamarine” blue and “Rouge in Love” red:

1. Apply a block of red all over the nail (2 coats for sufficient coverage).

2. Next, apply a coat of Aquamarine on top so that only a “comma shape” of red remains visible.

19 April 2012 GAZETTE 17

Edited by Laura Webb

Indulge in a little bit of chocolate for your skin EASTER brings out the best in chocolate, so why not indulge in it for a bit longer with Organique’s Chocolate collection.

Ok, it’s not the edible kind, but anything that smells and looks like chocolate must be good, right? Organique is an award-winning international cosmetics company. The Chocolate collection uses real cocoa butter that aims to relax and firm skin, calm irritation and stimulate blood circulation. Not only does it do this, but it also moisturises and contains anti-cellulite elements.

The chocolate pigment of the product is also known to give a natural bronzing effect that leaves skins looking healthy with a lasting glow. The collection is packed with

endorphins to stimulate the release of serotonin – also known as the happy hormones. Any sweet smell from these products will instantly put you in a better mood after a long day.

In a bid to help people get the spa experience at home, the chocolate collection from Organique includes: Organique Chocolate Sugar Peeling 200ml, RRP €40: Perfectly cleaning and soothing the skin, this sugar-peeling product is the ideal way to prepare your skin for treatments.

Its sugar crystals gently remove excess oils and dried skin, while its shea and cocoa butters will leave skin moisturised and elastic.

Organique Chocolate Bronzing Body Butter

200ml, €49: What better way to indulge after a long day than covering your skin in chocolate!

Suitable for all skin types, the shea butter content of this product intensely moisturises and soothes the skin while the cocoa extract contains firming and anti-cellulite properties.

Organique Chocolate Endorphine Serum, RRP €27: This serum is easily absorbed into the skin to leave it feeling strong, firm and moisturised. The high cocoa content stimulates, nourishes and firms the skin, while also helping to soothe irritation.

Enjoy this treatment at top spas nationwide or visit your local Organique supplier to try these fabulous products for yourself.

Helping to manage your medicines WE all have difficulty remembering to take our tablets, especially if we are required to take a variety of drug treatments. Around 20-30% of elderly patients take three or more medicines daily and, to ensure optimum treatmentoutcomes, good compliance is important.

Non-compliance is a major health issue, resulting in significant increase in the risk of disease and mortality. If you, or someone you know requires help with your medicines, then have a chat with your pharmacist. They can give you appropriate advice and prepare your medications in a suitable way (for example the blister packing of medication) helping you to ensure that you never forget to take your tablets.

With Thanks to the Staff of Lucan Village Pharmacy Organique’s Chocolate collection which uses real cocoa butter

18 GAZETTE 19 April 2012

GazetteMUSIC MUSIC FastTunes with Radio Nova’s Dee Woods WHAT a week in the rock world: an ageing rocker is shunning the limelight while a deceased one is asked to appear!

Axl Rose refused to show up for last weekend’s Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame induction of Guns N’Roses after refusing the invitation and the induction - via Facebook.

It seems the frontman wanted to distance himself from the awkward situation of being faced with old band members and fans’ calls for a reunion at the ceremony.

In a lengthy statement, the prickly singer said: “People get divorced. Life doesn’t owe you your own personal happy ending especially at another’s or, in this case, several others’, expense.”

No reunion then.

Is the Rose beginning to wilt? After a string of disastrous gigs a couple of years ago, including one at The O2 where he threatened to walk off stage amidst booing and heckling, I wonder if Rose is just a thorn in some fans’ side these days?

Time will tell if he’ll redeem himself at this summer’s gig, again at The O2 on May 17.

With Thin Lizzy supporting, and another Academy-Award-worthy Axl outburst a possibility - it’ll certainly be interesting!

Another reunion that will definitely NEVER happen is that of the original line-up of The Who. But try telling that to the organisers of the London Olympics. They contacted The Who’s manager asking if Keith Moon could perform at the opening ceremony this summer. Bill Curbishley replied saying they could find the legendary drummer at Golders’ Green crematorium...where he’s been since 1978. There are no words!

Three-vival: Trio of albums on way from Green Day FRESH from inducting duties at the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame last week, Green Day have announced that they are to release three new albums between September and January 2013, entitled Uno!, Dos! and Tre! “We are at the most prolific and creative time in our lives. This is the best music we’ve ever written, and the songs just keep coming,” said the band.

“Instead of making one album, we are making a three album trilogy.”

REVIEW: NEW RELEASE FROM ENDURING ROCK ‘N’ ROLLERS

Spiritualised reach for the light and the heart I ROB HEIGH

IT’S BEEN almost a quarter of a century since I was first introduced to Jason Pierce.

At that time, he was J Spaceman, co-lead singer and creative force behind the psych-pop noise of Spacemen 3.

Their epic track, Revolution, six minutes of drone and a guitar phrase that made you think that it was The Stooges from another planet, was a signature tune that would appear in DJ sets from that day to this.

It’s fine to be nostalgic, but we all grow up, and so J became Jason and, in the course of the Nineties, made what was one of the most inventive and epic records of the decade, the pharmaceutically-inf luenced Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space. Record of the year it came out, record of the decade for me, and still one of the most life-affirming and soulful records ever made in the genre.

That was, until now, and Pierce has returned after a decade that has seen his health becom-

Spiritualised’s Jason Pierce: Sweet Heart Sweet Light is an impressive and enveloping work of genius

ing the creative fodder for his output.

Having technically died twice during a bout of pneumonia, and having been diagnosed with acute liver problems that led to him being housebound for a year in which he was treated with cutting-edge, but untested, drugs.

The focus and clarity that such life-threatening experiences bring has led to Pierce once again making one of the most impressive and uplifting records of his

career.

W hile Ladies And Gentlemen was driven by a broken heart, Sweet Heart, Sweet Light is shot through with the sound of a body and soul being rebuilt after the most harrowing of experiences, and it is such an emotional and powerful record that at times it can be overwhelming.

Once again, using a combination of the psych tropes that Pierce has relied upon throughout his career,

gospel choirs and a canny understanding of what makes a good pop melody, Sweet Heart is a record like very few that will be released this year, for the simple reason that it is utterly heartfelt and created with uplift in mind.

Lead single, Hey Jane, recalls the Velvet Underground, but the constant here is the archetypal Spaceman template, where the naive melody is almost lost and overwhelmed by layers and layers of sonic coating,

which builds to a monumental conclusion, or breaks down to a sweet heartbreaking minimalism that is just as effective and just as involving.

It is no accident that the first Spiritualised album was called Laser Guided Melodies; it’s a motto that Pierce still holds close to his creative heart and this album strikes as another incredible summation of his talents at a time of hardship, and salvation is close at hand.

19 April 2012 GAZETTE 19

GazetteBUSINESS BUSINESS

Supported by AIB

Interview: Chantal Fay, senior consultant, Bond Personnel Group

Fay’s way helps Bond CHANTAL Fay is a sales and marketing graduate with more than 11 year’s recruitment experience.

She joined Bond Personnel Group Ltd five years ago and, as a senior consultant, she recruits for positions at all levels across various industries, including sales, customer service, IT and telecoms, finance, hospitality and engineering.

She is a preferred supplier for numerous organisations, from small and medium businesses to large multinationals, based locally and countrywide, and through her professional approach

WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO SORT OUT MY DUAL MORTGAGE TYPES?

she has established many enduring client relationships.

Chantal is also the go-to person for jobseekers who are searching for a new position, or in need of advice to veer their career in the right direction.

Applicants can be assured that they will receive full guidance and support through every step of the recruitment process, resulting in increased success rates.

Putting her clients first, Chantal’s work ethic matches Bond Personnel’s company motto: “Our word is our Bond”.

Q – What is the best way to sort out insurance for both commercial and domestic mortgages?

My current lender is desperate to get me to talk to their in-house consultant. Tom – Artane A - Life cover on your home loan is mandatory, unless ill health precludes you taking it out (some lenders will waive cover if the premiums are loaded ... higher because of the greater risk). Over-50s could also ask their lender to waive it but, ordinarily, it is prudent to take out on your home, especially if you have dependents. Residential investment properties do not have to have life cover attached, but

Q&A

most lenders look for it. Commercial properties are the same – some coercion can be applied by lenders

A: I am a bit of a con-

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

A: A ballerina.

trol freak and perfectionist, so I like to do as much as I can myself.

Q: What was your first job?

A: At 15, after school

Q: What sport do you follow?

A: Football and the Six

and at weekends, folding clothes and sweeping floors at a local department store.

Nations’ rugby.

Q: And your first pay cheque?

A: It would be the

type, although I recently started jogging (again), and have signed up to run the 5K John Davis Run at Malahide Castle in aid of Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital this May.

equivalent of €1.96 now ... Seems like peanuts, and it’s not even that long ago!

Q: When did you start your present job?

A: January, 2007.

Q: What is the best thing about your job?

A: It always gives great satisfaction when you helped someone find their dream job, or an employer find their perfect employee.

Q: What part of your working day do you ‘delegate’?

Q: What sport can you play?

A: I’m not the sporty

Q: What is your guilty music/TV or movie pleasure?

A: I have seen all epi-

for borrowers to take out life cover on commercial

tures/movies do you have on your iPod/ iPad? A: The likes of Rod-

loans. You should always ask for a quotation, and check with an authorised adviser. You can always go back to your lender and say you have now put cover in place, but cheaper and hand them the policy.

rigo y Gabriela, Paolo Nutini, Jack Johnson, Caro Emerald, Coldplay, etc.

Q: Who do you follow on Twitter/Facebook?

A: Lots of industryrelated people and companies.

Q: What was your last Tweet/status update?

A: Undoubtedly something positive that is happening on the jobs front.

Q: Describe your dream meal?

A: A table full of tapas/

Life cover should really be a simple exercise. Confusion reigns when advisers start to add in the bells and whistles that complicate the cover. Here are Chantal Fay, senior consultant, Bond Personnel Group

some of the issues:

ently in this country.

ence?

A: Six years ago, we

• Mortgage protection/decreasing cover – only

went camping in France. Thunder, lightning, rain, hailstones – we had it all. After the third night, I insisted on checking into a B&B

balance ... This is the cheapest type of cover. Curtail

Q: What do you plan to do when you retire?

A: That’s a long, long

•Dual life/joint life – dual life means even after the

time away, but I hope to be healthy, surrounded by people I love and have invested enough money in my pension to enjoy my well-deserved time off.

second party dies.

Q: Where do you enjoy spending money frivolously?

A: I rarely splash out, but when I do it is always on nice clothes or accessories – you have to treat yourself, sometimes.

sodes of Doc Martin.

meze and a good glass of red wine makes me very happy.

Q: How many pairs of shoes do you own?

A: I’d have to go home

Q: Who best represents modern Ireland – David Norris or Jedward?

A: David Norris.

Q: Who would you rather have dinner with – Enda Kenny or Dame Edna?

A: Enda Kenny. I would

and count them, but I’d say I have collected about 20 pairs over the years.

tell him what I think should be done differ-

Q: What was your worst holiday experi-

Q: What music/pic-

covered at the time of death for the outstanding the term of the policy to the term of the loan.

• Level term cover – for when you are not repaying capital and the outstanding amount owed never decreases. This is more expensive than decreasing term, but is convertible (you can tinker with the term or amount during the life of the policy – with decreasing term you cannot); first party has died and the policy has paid out, it will also pay out the same amount again when the

Contact John with your money questions at

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

20 GAZETTE 19 April 2012

GazettePROPERTY PROPERTY CASTLEKNOCK: A FIVE-BEDROOM HOME IN CASTLEKNOCK

Classic casa on sale in Mulberry Drive

WEEE love electrical waste

RECYCLING: DLRCC TO HOLD TWO FREE EVENTS

Get rid of all your electrical clutter for good We all have those discarded items that hide in cupboards and sheds — the kettles, toasters and lamps that have come to the end of their lifecycle but that, for some reason, we have trouble parting with.

Now, there is an opportunity to have a clear-out, when WEEE Ireland, the Irish compliance scheme for electrical and battery recycling, hold two free recycling events in April in association with Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.

The collection events will take place at the Nutgrove Shopping Centre from 10am to 4pm on next Saturday, April 21, and at Dundrum Village Centre car park from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, April 28.

These free WEEE Ireland events allow people to get rid of any household electrical equipment and batteries in a safe and environmentally friendly manner.

Anything in the home with a battery or a plug can be recycled at these collections.

Waste collection specialists from WEEE Ireland will be there on the day to help you send your toasters, vacuum cleaners, fridges and every other electrical item imaginable to a better place.

As a consumer of electrical items, you are entitled to bring your waste electrical equipment to your electrical retailer when purchasing an item of similar type, i.e. on a one-for-one, like-for-like basis.

Waste batteries can be brought back to any battery retailer that sells similar batteries, even if you don’t purchase anything.

All WEEE and waste batteries can also be brought to your local civic amenity site free of charge.

For further information on all future recycling events in Dun Laoghaire Rathdown, or to find your nearest civic amenity site, please log on to WEEE Ireland’s website www.recyclefree.ie.

SHERRY FitzGerald are bringing No 1 Mulberry Drive, Castleknock, Dublin 15, an extended double-fronted, fivebed family home with a south-west facing rear garden and patio area, to the market for the asking price of €370,000.

The property is situated in a cul de sac and is presented in showhouse condition throughout.

Upgrades that have been carried out to the property are a light-filled kitchen/ dining room, a large utility room and solid oak timber flooring, all ensuring a quality finish throughout.

The accommodation comprises entrance hall with a feature hardwood staircase with understairs storage, solid oak timber floor, and decorative coving. The living room also features solid wood oak timber flooring, as well as a timber surround fire-

place with cast iron and tiled inset, bay window, and double doors to the kitchen, dining and family rooms. There is also a playroom with oak timber floor and a bay window.

The kitchen-cum-dinimg room is a large open plan kitchen/breakfastroom space, which features a fully-fitted oak shaker-style kitchen with granite worktops, integrated oven and grill, gas hob, extractor, dishwasher, plumbed for American style fridge freezer, feature breakfast island. The kitchen also has a tiled floor, recessed lighting and feature skylight Velux windows with black-out blinds.

There is also a utility room with fitted worktop and shelving, stainless steel sink, and which is plumbed for washing machine and dryer.

Upstairs, the master

Number 1, Mulberry Drive, is on sale for €370,000

bedroom boasts an attractive bay window, wall to wall fitted sliderobes, feature bay window, semisolid oak floor. The master bedroom has an en suite, which is fully tiled, with WC, WHB and an electric shower.

The other bedrooms all feature solid oak timber floors and most feature fitted wardrobes.

The main family bathroom is also fully tiled, with a WC, WHB, a feature jacuzzi Vogue bath, and an electric shower.

Outside, the garden enjoys a sunny southwest-facing orientation and a high degree of privacy. The front garden is bordered by trees and flowers and also offers off-street parking.

Mulberry Drive is in close proximity to Castleknock village, with its growing choice of shops and restaurants, along with having Mount Sackville, Castleknock College and Castleknock Community College close by.

For more information, contact Michelle Curran at Sherry FitzGerald on 01 820 1800.

FOREIGN RENTALS: HOLIDAY-MAKERS AND OWNERS’ OPPORTUNITIES

Get away from it all with PVR WITH property rentals at a premium, and getting away from it all becoming a more attractive proposition all the time, there is good news for those looking to do just that.

Private Villa Rentals have announced a range of seven-day deals on their range of quality holiday properties to suit any budget, in quality villas with pool facilities in Portugal, Greece and Lanzarote.

The company, which has been running for 30 years, is fully-bonded agency and is run by highly-experienced professionals in the field.

Villas start as low as €525 per week for

Vista Golfe Vilamoura in Portugal is one of the properties for rent

a three-bedroom with pool in Vilamoura, Portugal, ranging up to €10,000 per week for a super luxury property in Quinta Do Lago.

There is also a great

selection of villas throughout Greece, Corfu, Zante, and Mykonos.

Potential renters can choose from three to seven-bedroom villas

from a wide selection of properties – plus they have a villa in Vilamoura that will accommodate up to 20 people. A selection of villas in Greece even come with your

own personal cook.

Private Villas also provide a ser vice to owners of foreign properties, and can act as an owners personal online marketing, sales and service team, handling every facet of the vacation rental marketing process - creating listings, reaching a network of travellers, and offering a seamless booking process with full traveller support.

For more information on properties and overseas rental service, contact Brian Nevin on 01 5543641, or email privatevillas@gmail.com.

You can also visit www. privatevillas.ie for more information.

19 April 2012 GAZETTE 21

GazetteMOTORS MOTORS

Cormac Curtis reports

RoadSigns Road Signs TOMTOM HAVE RELEASED NEW APPS: SAT NAV

The Mazda3 Sports SE 5-Door Hatchback got a sport make-over which includes improvements to handling and stability

New presence for Mazda3 HAVE a habit of comparing the cars I test to other models before I even finish my first sentence. There’s every chance it doesn’t please the manufacturers one little bit, so, in an effort to change my ways a little, this week I’m holding off on the comparisons until paragraph two at the very least.

W h e n BM W f i r s t launched their 1 Series, there were more than a few comparisons made with the Mazda3 – doubtless Mazda were happier about this than BMW. While such comparisons can be flattering, they can also take away a little of the character and individuality of a car.

So it is very encouraging to see how the Maz-

I

SPECS: MAZDA3 SPORTS SE 5-DOOR HATCHBACK Engine: 1.6L (115ps) Diesel Economy: 4.3L/100km (65mpg) CO2 emissions: 115g Road Tax Band: A Price as tested: €23,645 Price range: €19,795 €23,895

da3 has been given so much presence in its latest design.

I recently took the Mazda3 Sports SE for a week and got a taste of what it had to offer.

When I first set eyes on it, I was gobsmacked by how attractive the rear of the car was.

The light clusters have an aggressive, swooping design with lines that

are closely followed by the rear bumper that sits proud of the boot, leaving a kind of shelf at the back.

Along with the boot spoiler, all of this makes for a very eye-grabbing look.

The design of the bodywork suggests that glass was at a premium when they were putting this car together. They really have gone minimal with the side and rear screens – which makes the look that little bit more menacing.

At the front end, another set of beautifullydesigned lights add to the flared wheel arches and rally car-like air scoop that finished off the exterior’s menacing look.

Mazda say that this new front bumper design improves aerodynamics,

either way – it looks the business.

This model carries a few nice touches as standard, including 17” alloys, automatic air con, bluetooth, cruise control, rear LED lights, sports seats and sports trim, heated seats, rear spoiler, side skirts, front fogs, all topped off with a five-star Euro NCAP rating.

I was not looking forward to being squeezed on all sides by the sports seats in this car, but the seating afforded my largerthan-normal frame with a comfortable amount of room.

This car is labelled as a sports model – and it doesn’t let the name down.

Under the hood is a 1.6litre diesel engine twinned

with a six-speed manual gearbox – all of which provides a drive that you could describe as,well, a little mad.

You can scoff at a company’s press release when they claim to have “Mazda’s agility and handling carried over, with improvements to ride quality and stability. Changes to suspension, a more rigid body, optimised dampers and stiffer wheel contribute to improved handling,” but, I must admit that, whatever they have done, this car is a blast. And they haven’t skimped on comfort.

As I said, the seats are a delight, and are heated for the winter months.

The overall trim has a far better level of quality than I was expecting, but

certain points of contact do let it down.

For all the fuss made about improved handling, stability and control, they could have come up with a more inspired steering wheel. For me, the wheel speaks volumes about a car and how we feel about what we drive.

In this case, it’s just a bit limp. It has a plastic feel and it’s very thin in your hands. I think a special edition car, like the Mazda3 Sports SE, should have spotted this as a potential let-down.

That aside, we are talking about a sexy, fast and practical (five doors) car that comes in well under €24,000. Compared to some of its peers, this is a very attractive prospect indeed.

Ford is giving more value with special offer to customers GIVEN how expensive everyday motoring is becoming, it comes as no surprise that many manufacturers are doing everything they can to offer more value to their customers.

This month sees Ford announce a package of special offers that should keep their showrooms busy for a while.

The package comprises a special 4.9% low finance offer for models across the range; fuel vouchers of up to €1,300 on Mondeo; a “no worries” for three years package and extended warranty, roadside assistance and free servicing for three years on selected models, including Ireland’s top-selling car – the Ford Focus.

“This package is designed to show customers that there is still some very good value in the market,” said Eddie Murphy, chairman and managing director of Ford Ireland.

“With fuel prices becoming an even more weighty burden for motorists, our offer of a voucher for 400km worth of fuel for anyone who test drives a

Mondeo is sure to strike a chord.

“Equally, we have been hearing back from customers that access to good value finance is an ongoing problem and, to rectify this, we have worked with our finance house, Ford Credit, to provide an attractive 4.9% low APR loan rate available for deals on all of our passenger models.”

giants, TomTom, have released the latest version of its app for iPhone and iPad. The update includes the addition of TomTom Places, and fully integrates TomTom navigation with social media applications.

TomTom Places provides a navigation-based search facility, helping drivers to find nearby shops and restaurants and choose the best places to go.

According to Gerard Hinds, Director Mobile at TomTom: “Searching with TomTom Places whilst on the move is a big time-saver.”

The TomTom navigation app for iPhone and iPad is now available for purchase from the Apple App Store for €59.99.

Existing customers can download the update for free.

22 GAZETTE 19 April 2012

GazetteTTRAVEL FastTravel A Titanic event in heart of Belfast LAURA WEBB

Enjoy unspoiled Mediterranean landscapes and enchanting towns on the historic island of Sardinia SARDINIA, the second largest island of the Mediterranean, has successfully escaped mass tourism and offers a unique combination of unspoilt Mediterranean landscapes, historical sites, enchanting towns, history, traditions and, last, but not least – superb cuisine.

This wonderful city of Alghero maintains a year-round economy outside of the busy summer months. To the north of the marina is the fine sandy beach of Alghero, which provides good bathing opportunities and is just a short stroll from the historic centre.

Go with Concorde Travel this April and stay at the two-star Bouganvillea Apartments, Alghero, on a self-catering basis from €383pp; Stay at the three-star Hotel La Playa, Alghero, on a B&B basis, from €560pp, or at the four-star Hotel Punta Negra, Alghero, on a B&B basis, from €682pp. If five-star is for you, stay at the Hotel Carlos, Alghero, on a B&B basis, from €696pp or the Hotel Villa Las Tronas, Alghero, on a B&B basis, from €1050pp.

WE HAVE 135,000* READERS EACH WEEK *based on standard industry measurements

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THE sky was alight at Belfast’s Slipways, when a cutting edge digital experience presented a light show to thousands as part of the Titanic Belfast Festival 2012.

Northern Ireland tourist board and Belfast City Council joined forces to mark the centenary of one of the world’s most famous ships – Titanic.

The Titanic festival saw a number of events commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the ship’s sinking.

But the must-see Titanic Belfast at the Slipways is not just open for the festival, it is open all year round for all to visit. The six-floor building is located in the heart of Belfast, right beside where the famous ship was constructed, definitely something worth taking a trip to.

One event during the festival, which officially ends on April 22, was a light show on April 7, which took place at Belfast’s Titanic Quarter.

Before heading to the show that night, there was a pre-event in the original Titanic drawing rooms, where engineers worked on plans for the doomed ship.

A number of local talents entertained the crowded room, which looked just as it was 100 years before. Information about the room was available to see across the walls allowing everyone to take in some knowledge of what went on all those years before.

One talent that shook the room – in all the right ways – was Silhouettes, the band behind the ad soundtrack for the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.

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

‘The slipways went black and then blue spot-lights lit the new Titanic Belfast visitor attraction.

Music filled the air and the show began’ --------------------------

After a great set, we left the drawing room and went outdoors towards the slipway at the waterfront.

Crowds led the way and, on the way out, we received much-needed plastic ponchos to keep the rain away. Ear plugs were also provided in case the noise got a bit too much for the kids – thankfully, there was no need to use them.

Fire-breathers entertained while the crowd waited for the spectacular show to begin. There was also a bunch of performers wandering through the crowd on stilts dressed in Victorian clothes.

World’s biggest

What was being touted as the world’s biggest light show was about to begin.

The slipways went black and then blue spotlights lit the new Titanic Belfast visitor attraction.

Music filled the air and the show began.

The introduction to the show was a bit long, but once it kicked into overdrive and it was definitely a sight to see. Colours gleamed on the side of the visitor centre and, to the surprise of many, an explosion of fire-

The Titanic festival saw a number of events commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the ship’s sinking

works filled the air. Kids shouted with delight and the crowd “wowed” at every firework that shot into the sky. Each stage got better than the last and the show finished with a spectacular array of lights.

The Titanic projec-

tion show was produced

by Culture Creative and designed and creatively directed by seeper.com, will use 3D motion graphics, synchronised pyrotechnics and bespoke sound design all inspired by the RMS Titanic. It aimed to cre-

ate an unforgettable 40 minute audio -visual performance to celebrate Belfast’s culture, heritage and bright future.

Check out discovernorthernireland.com for further information on the tourist attraction – Titanic Belfast.

19 April 2012 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 23

Edited by Mimi Murray

The five-star Hayfield Manor in Cork’s university district and their luxurious spa (right)

A perfect pampering for mothers-to-be

ELIZABETH CAROLAN

BEING a mother-inwaiting can be tough. The morning sickness, headaches, growing pains and hormones are enough to derail the best of women.

So, it is no wonder mumto -be pamper packages have become more prevalent in recent years around some of the best hotels in Ireland.

I recently sampled Hayfield Manor’s spa package, which is new to the hotel, but has really taken off and is proving to be very popular.

The five-star hotel is located in the university district of Cork city, which is really pretty and mostly Georgian.

We arrived on a sunny Saturday and the hotel

was buzzing with tourists. Our executive suite was drenched in light and sunshine and was tastefully decorated with lots of nice extras like a Nespresso machine, fairly standard in hotels nowadays, but always a welcome sight.

The outside jacuzzi is out of bounds for pregnant women, but my husband made good use of it, whilst I swam a few laps.

It was almost time to start the pampering and the spa is conveniently located just off the pool area. I was asked what dessert I would like following my treatment (part of the package) but passed on this lovely offer, instead looking forward to dinner in Perrotts

Garden Bistro.

The mum-to-be package includes a pedicure and leg massage, a facial and a back neck and shoulders massage. It lasts around two-and-ahalf hours and really is very relaxing.

Soothing Elemis products are used, which are perfect for pregnant women as the scent in not particularly overpowering. I certainly enjoyed it and so did baby, as it became very active during the treatments, kicking away happily.

After over two hours of bliss the relaxation room allows you to prolong the experience with some herbal tea and fresh fruit.

I was so relaxed afterwards that I really wished we had ordered room

service, as I was practically falling asleep during dinner and all I could think of was my bed.

Dinner consisted of fish and chips for me and Turbot for him, before making a hasty retreat to the room.

I was sleep-walking by the time I got into bed, the sign of a really excel-

lent treatment.

I would highly recommend this trip for any weary pregnant ladies.

After all,, it could be the last me-time you get in a long, long time!

For more details on Hayfield Manor’s Spa Treatments and rates go to www.hayfieldmanor. ie.

An executive suite at Hayfield Manor

24 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 19 April 2012

GazetteENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT

GoingOUT THE PAVILION THEATRE 01 231 2929 Comicbook with Maeve Clancy

COME along to The Pavilion and find your inner (comic) artist, courtesy of Maeve Clancy. The Dublin-based artist and writer, who produces comics, illustration and animation in a variety of ways, will be hosting a great 1.5-hour workshop for eight to 12-year-olds on producing comics, with her whirlwind of a workshop covering everything in comic book design, from devising the initial concept to a completed four-page book. Ink this midday event in your diary for Saturday, April 21, priced €10.

MILL THEATRE 01 296 9340 Encore! Showtime 2012 FRESH from clearing away the comic cooking calamity of the Faulty Towers Dining Experience, and The Mill promises an equally entertaining upcoming event, courtesy of the Encore! School of Performing Arts. There’ll be nothing Faulty about this highly-polished production, which features a wide selection of work and shows from the school’s many talented young performers, running right through from Friday, April 27 to Saturday, May 5. For full list of dates for the great shows, see www.milltheatre.ie.

CIVIC THEATRE 01 462 7477 Tea Chests and Dreams

Amr Waked and Ewan McGregor can be seen discussing the finer points of salmon fishing, and how bestt

REGARDLESS of the year, one things remain universal – the hopes, nerves and dreams surrounding moving house, and (re)making a home, where “moving in” also means “moving on”. Dermot Bolger’s tender new play examines the process; how we begin again once the last box is unpacked, and, each night, an audience member’s experience will help to enrich the deep tapestry of the play. Axis: Ballymun’s production plays at 8pm on Friday, April 20 and Saturday, April 21, with admission €16/€12 conc.

to create this timeless sport back in dry, dusty Yemen in Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, while, right, run

DRAIOCHT 01 885 2622 Baglady FRANK McGuinness’s rarely-performed play has an extra poignancy in the current economic climate, given the social exclusion that some citizens continue to face. Here, True West, in association with Eska Riada, take a “baglady” (as memorably played by Maria McDermottroe) – someone you might walk past in the street – and reveal the person inside, stripping away the layers of alienation to find the isolated woman inside. Catch this moving play at 8.15pm on Wednesday, April 25, with tickets costing €15/€12.

as she might, Amanda Seyfried is still trapped in a pretty duff movie, in Gone

Goes swimmingly Our first film’s tale seems a little bit fishy in Yemen, but it’s tasty enough, compared to our second film’s offering I KATE CROWLEY

OH, TALK about tough choices. Faced with not exactly stellar choices of new films opening this week, what’s a gal to do?

I feel like taking a leaf from Brucie’s book (Forsythe, that is), and asking all my lovely readers to start shouting what they’d like to know about, this week: Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (Obi Wan Kenobi goes fishing), or Gone (Charles Blondeson vigilante thriller).

What’s that? One from the top? Higher? Lower?

Cuddly toy? Fridge freezer? Coffee maker? Teddy bear? Higher? Lower?

What? Oh dear, this’ll never work – I can’t decide with both of you shouting at the same time.

Tell you what – as neither of them is particularly great, I’ll do a quick runthrough on both.

In Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, Obi Wasorry, Ewan McGregor

FILM OF THE WEEK: Salmon fishing in the Yemen ### (12A) 106 mins Director: Lasse Hallstrom Starring: Ewan McGregor, Amr Waked, Emily Blunt, Kristin Scott Thomas, Yemen, lots of fish, more Yemen

OUR VERDICT: THESE two tales couldn’t be much more different; however, the first, main film seems plausible enough, concerning attempts to grow a previously overlooked indigenous sector in a country’s economy, and – wait, come back! It’s also a decent enough date film, or for McGregor’s fans. However, the second film will probably make you wish that you’d gone fishin’, or something else, instead ...

stars as Fred Jones, a man who knows a thing or two about fish. This proves especially handy, as he’s soon dispatched by ’Er Majesty’s Government to Yemen – not a country especially known for its wonderful salmon expanses, on account of it being a desert country.

A rrrich local sheikh’s passion for fishing soon sees Fred working with similarly fish-friendly locals (oh, including Harriet, AKA Emily Blunt), whose fish-whispering ways are able to work wonders, with both governments reaping kudos

from the watery wonder of salmon fishing in Yemen.

If everything kept going so swimmingly, your interest might go paddling towards the expert but, like a rock thrown into a pool, there’s soon an almighty splash or two – in the form of Harriet’s justfound, had-been-missing boyfriend, as well as some meddling militants.

However, Fred’s pretty much fallen hook, line and sinker for his new life, so can he overcome all the obstacles in the project’s path and end up with a fin-tastic outcome for him and his fishy friends?

Short of me walking off to Cineworld with a tin of red paint to start sloppily painting “Date movie” all over the posters until the Gardai show up, it’s pretty obvious that this film expects to reel you in with its gentle plot, mild melodrama and lovely shots of Yemen’s dusky desert landscape.

There are certainly worse things to splash out on at the cinema, so three stars it is.

Charles Bronson would turn in his grave with the maverick-vigilante-seeksjustice-or-retribution-orvengeance-or-whatever genre that keeps staggering on, like one of the Walkers in television’s The Walking Dead.

Why? Because here comes another Bronsonite, in the pretty form of Amanda Seyfried. Poor old Mandy, as Jill, is having a tough time, in Gone.

Why, not only had someone abducted and tried to kill her a year ear-

lier (where she learned he’d killed others, too), only for the police to disbelieve her (on account of her having had mental health problems, previously), but the would-be killer’s only returned and snatched her sister, in what seems like a warmup to having another stab at her? Err, yes.

With no one to turn to, Jill’s soon out of control, living on the edge, as she tracks down the kidnapper-killer. And kills him, and saves her sister, and now the police know that she was right all along.

The end.

There you go – I’ve just saved you all your hardearned clams by going straight from A to Z with this one, as even the least demanding bumpkin who’s never seen one of them-tharr Talkies afore would feel short-changed with this violent, nonsensical, one-star flick.

(You owe me some Moonshine, Jethro.)

19 April 2012 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 25

GazetteGAMING GAMING Bytesandpieces EEven more value Forza money

Although there are several photography apps available, Instagram has worked k d iits way to the h forefront f f as a genre lleader, with users sharing photos that can be simple point-and-shoot shots, or have one of a large number of filters applied. For instance, this Pacman Ghost figure (made of Post-it notes - the author’s own creation) has had basic shots (far left) presented in alternative, filtered form (subsequent shots); all of this image-sharing interest among the app’s current 30 million users led Facebook to acquire the tiny company for one billion dollars.

Worth a beel-yunn?

SHANE DILLON

SEEING as I randomly step aside to look at tech and internet-related content, what better time than to look at an interesting story featuring Facebook?

Many readers may have noticed the somewhat eyebrow-raising news last week (at the time of writing) of Facebook’s one billion dollar acquisition of Instagram, the popular 18-month-old photo-sharing app that has 30 million users – but which doesn’t actually make any money. Yet. With a cheque for one billion dollars on the table, it’s no wonder that Instagram’s two founders sold up, with Facebook now adding the tiny company to its roster of services.

No doubt the company has a strategy in place to monetise as much as possible of the current 30-million-plus users, as well as to grow and develop revenue streams through bringing hundreds of millions

more users to the app’s charms.

With a Dr Evil-ish price tag of “One Beel-yunn Dollars!”, it has to.

Still, industry pundits have been busy chattering about the deal, with various amounts of head-scratching going on, given that, for many of Instagram’s users, you take your photo, and then post it to Facebook (or other sites) – and that’s it. A distinct termination of “the engagement process’” Currently, anecdotal evidence suggests that users aren’t expecting to, or looking to, somehow “monetise” their Instagram usage through, say, seeing a cool pic taken by their friends/someone, and then buying a poster of the picture. Or a keyring with it on it. Or a cup, a jigsaw, a t-shirt, and so on.

How then, is Facebook to create one billion dollar’s worth from something that, before selling, made zero dollars in revenue, and had no advertising? (And that’s just to

start with – it has to make one billion dollars just to break even with the deal, let alone add to Facebook’s coffers.)

Let’s look at this from another point of view.

Facebook has an integrated suite of methods, primarily based around advertising, designed to pick up on what you’re generally interested in, or which seems most likely to suit you as an individual, and encourage you to follow the ad, clickthrough and, ideally, purchase something.

Trend This kind of advertising, and tangible monetising of product, is a natural fit for Facebook, which follows the user’s own data trail to suggest goods and services of interest to them – a similar trend for YouTube, also a young company with enormous worth, which also tracks, and then suggests, similar targeted advertising.

However, Instagram presents a more challenging landscape to stripmine for value, whether

in the short-term or longterm.

For example, users’ pics may be helpfully filed with one or several identifying tags, such as ‘london’, ‘red’, ‘bus’, ‘routemaster’ and so on – which could suggest to Facebook (now) that, say, the user is a Londoner, interested in public transport – in which case are they (say) aware of a special and unique Facebook/Instagram-only travel card deal offering 10% off public travel, Monday to Thursday?

A rejigged Instagram /Facebook delivery system – or “advert”, in other words – could thus be triggered, generating relevant charges and data for both Facebook/Instagram and London Transport, in this example.

However, on the other hand, many millions of Instagram users don’t tag their pics with anything – they simply take, or later edit, a photo and either post it online somewhere (again, not necessarily through the Facebook platform) , or simply

download to their own hardware, cutting out the middleman – now Facebook – altogether.

Although such economic theories and practises are sound, it still seems like an awfully high price to have paid for something with, currently, no fiscal worth, in the present day.

Still, while Instagram currently – and one would expect this to change very sharpish – generates no revenue, Facebook has something in abundance that does.

It’s called “You”.

With hundreds of millions of its users to draw upon, and no doubt major plans under way to integrate Facebook and Instagram together in mutually beneficial ways, you, the Instagram user (whether current or future) can be relied upon to start generating payback for the $1 billion deal in the very near future.

Perhaps Instagram’s future under Facebook looks like a pretty picture, after all ...

F FORZA Motorsport 4, , the terrific Xbox 360 racing game that’s left plenty of competitors in its ra wake, has been enjoying a number of great DLC w (downloadable content) packs recently, adding (d to the already hefty oomph h under than u particular franp cchise’s bonnet.

Even though I’m someone who, more or less, thinks “car” and doesn’t get much further than a mental picture of Del Boy’s banana-yellow Reliant Regal, I’ve been pretty impressed by Forza’s ever-growing stable of top-notch motors, which have added greatly to the already huge amount of content available on the premium racer for the 360.

For instance, take the 2013 SRT Viper, above – now you can, just one of a number of cutting-edge cars available to test drive, courtesy of a DLC pack. With such packs proving a pretty reliable cash cow for developers, and considering that these packs of stunning vehicles to race (and race badly, in my case) are as close as you’ll get to the real thing, these seem like a great way to park your Xbox points in the 360’s Marketplace.

GAZETTE

26 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 19 April 2012

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GazetteSPORT

KING OF EGYPT James McGee hails defining moment in his tennis career: Page 29

ARC MEN’S MARATHON: TRIATHLON RECORD BREAKER SIGNS UP FOR PHOENIX PARK

Ultra-runner Duffy supports mini marathon sport@gazettegroup.com

ULTRA-marathon man extraordinaire Gerry Duff y has signed up f o r t h e A R C M e n ’s mini-marathon 10km on the May Bank Holiday, Monday, May 7, in Dublin’s Phoenix Park at 10am.

An incredible story, Duffy was 50lbs overweight when he started running in 1995 and has gone on to take up the triathlon and complete

three Ironmans (3.8km swim, 180k cycle, 42km run).

In 2010, with his friend Ken Whitelaw, Duffy set himself the challenge of running 32 marathons in 32 consecutive days – a feat described in his book, Who Dares Runs.

He followed up last June by winning the UK Deca-Enduroman after completing ten Ironman distance (25.5km swim, 102km triathlons)

in ten days – he swam 38km, cycled 1,800km and ran 420km. His t o t a l t i m e w a s 16 0 hours, 10 minutes and 37 seconds and he finished 19 hours ahead of the runner-up.

Duffy is appealing to runners of all standards to join him, not only in helping raise muchneeded funds for ARC Cancer Support, but in encouraging men to look after their health by keeping fit and hav-

Ultra-runner Gerry Duffy is preparing for the mini-marathon on the May Bank Holiday in support of ARC

ing regular check-ups.

ARC House is located in Eccles Street, Dublin – opposite the Mater Hospital – and its counselling and support ser vices are on offer free of charge to

men and women living with cancer, as well as to their families, friends and carers.

The charity was recently named as the Bay and Paypal Charity of the Year and also

support the Flora women’s mini marathon on Monday, June 4.

To register online, go to www.arcchallenges. com. Chip timing and prizes for the first three men and women are all

on offer while walkers are welcome, too.

Entry fee is €22 online or €30 on day.

Contact Mairead on 01 8307333 or mairead@ arccancersupport.ie for more information.

28 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 19 April 2012

GazetteSport Sport

Former Ireland and Leinster rugby star, Shane Byrne, Ed McGinley, from Annadale Striders, and Thomas Fitzpatrick, Tallaght AC, in action

with wife, Caroline, and twins Kerry and Alex, age 9

Daniel Branigan in action during the SPAR Junior & Mini Great Ireland Run 2012

Great Ireland Phoenix Park hosts 11,000 great athletes AST Sunday,11,000 athletes of all abilities from all over the world converged on Phoenix Park for the 2012 SPAR Great Ireland Run. On a great day for running, Ethiopian Kenenisa Bekele was the first home in the men’s race, recording a course record of 27.49 for the 10 kilometres, with Olympic marathon qualifier Mark Kenneally (Clonliffe Harriers AC) winning the national title in a time of 29:23, while Britain’s Gemma Steel was first placed woman in a race that saw DSD’s Linda Byrne as the first Irish lady home in sixth place.

There was also a well-attended children’s and junior’s event on a day that was a celebration of athletics.

L

Former Dublin footballer, John O’Leary, and Leinster star, Eoin O’Malley, lend their support to Emilian Kiba and Edelle Monahan from the Jack & Jill Foundation. Pictures: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE

Linda Byrne, Dundrum South Dublin

Joy Warner, from Bray, Co Wicklow, and Sarah Lamb, from Dublin

19 April 2012 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 29

in association with

Blessed moment for king of Egypt James McGee capped a draining two months with a beautiful crowning moment to rescue Ireland in the Davis Cup, writes STEPHEN FINDLATER WHEN James McGee looks back on his professional career, one picture will tell a thousand words.

The Castleknock man produced a truly inspired weekend’s work in Cairo to help Ireland maintain their place in Group II of the Davis Cup, completing the job in the fifth set of the final rubber of the tie with what he told GazetteSport was “the best shot” of his life — a diving volley that slipped over the net.

The rest of the Irish team duly broke from the stands of the Gezira stadium to mob McGee, leading to a pile-on and a rendition of “Ole, Ole, Ole”.

Once done, though, McGee remained on the Cairo clay, draped in the Irish flag, exhausted but soaking in a seminal moment in his career.

“I was actually on the ground praying. I had blessed myself before that match point. I was obviously nervous – everyone was. At that point, I was just thinking: ‘Oh my God,

hardcore grind on the not-so-glamorous ITF Futures tour.

Since representing Ireland in February against Hungary, McGee has spent just one night in his

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‘You’re playing for bigger things; a big moment, not just in my match but in my career.’

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I am bloody wrecked!’

“You always have it in your head. You’re playing for yourself but also for bigger things. It wouldn’t be something I’d do in every match but the occasion was there. It was such a big moment, not just in my match, but in my career. It seemed natural almost to bless myself.”

Closing out the epic win was not just the end of an amazing weekend but a two-month run of

own bedroom, taking in tournaments in Morocco, Turkey, Spain and Bahrain.

Finding form took time. “It was only the last tournament in Bahrain, I ended up not dropping a set all week and it was a great confidence booster and I went on to play three unbelievable matches to win it.”

The Castleknock man had to take on a bigger responsibility as Irish

James McGee takes a moment to savour the moment on the Cairo clay

number one, Conor Niland, fell victim to a hip injury, losing his rubber before pulling out of the second singles ties.

McGee defeated Karim Maamoun before working well with Sam Barry in the doubles to put Ireland in pole position.

Barry looked well set to close out the match but a five-set Egyptian surge meant, late in the day, McGee was forced back to the court.

He played controlled tennis to generate a big advantage before the referee deemed the light too dull to continue against Sehrif Sabry. It broke his momentum.

“I left the court two sets to one up and was disappointed we had to leave the court because I had all the momentum.

My opponent was clearly tired and all I hear is the ref saying we had to stop due to bad light.

“Everyone was patting me on the back at the hotel but, in the back of my head, I was disappointed. I was fairly nervous I didn’t get a great night’s sleep because you’re still in the match.

“The next day, I had a good warm-up but Sabryt came out playing incredible tennis. I don’t think he actually missed a ball in that fourth set.”

It once again left the game on a knife-edge, with the partisan Cairo crowd baying for blood, filing the stadium with

incessant whistles and screams.

He bounced back in style, breaking serve early in the set to lead and was poised for victory.

“I had a smash right on top of the net to finish it. I just aimed too close to the line, missed it by an inch.

Two of the Irish guys on the team are already running on the court to celebrate and the mark was literally just an inch wide on the clay; I just looked at them and said ‘I missed it’.”

Sabry fought back, got a break and the game was back on a knife-edge, on serve at 5-4.

But McGee defied his nerves to win another couple of match points, the last of which he took a moment to bless himself.

A McGee drop-shot looked to be too deep, offering the whole court to hit into. But the Dubliner predicted the line of flight perfectly.

“I just leaped from one side of the court to the other and, at full stretch, the ball just tipped onto my racquet and went over the net.”

The delicate nature of the touch was directly contrasted by the raucous celebrations, marking a beautiful end to two months of effort.

“It was a huge adrenaline rush. Because I’ve been on the road so long, I’m not going to lift a racquet for ten days and just live a normal life!”

FastSport

Marathon conundrum as Jennings qualifies CATRIONA Jennings became not only the fourth Irish athlete to achieve the ‘A’ standard women’s marathon qualification time for the London Olympic games but also the fourth with a connection to the greater Dundrum area.

The Rathfarnham athlete ran 2:36.14 in the Rotterdam Marathon, almost 45 seconds inside the ‘A’ standard.

As such, she leaves Athletics Ireland with a tough decision over who to take to the Games, which get underway in late July.

She joins DSDAC duo Linda Byrne (2:36:23) and Ava Huthinson (2.35:33) and former DSD runner, Maria McCambridge, (2:36:37) in achieving the Olympic standard.

Byrne also became the Irish 10km champion by finishing sixth in the Great Ireland run at the Phoenix Park but now has the third quickest of the four qualifying times, which she set first back in October in Dublin.

Hutchinson is the quickest with her 2:35.33 in Houston in January, while Linda Byrne ran 2:36:23 and only last month Maria McCambridge ran 2:36:37 in Rome.

They all now face a nervous wait for Athletics Ireland to decide which way the axe falls with May 13 the cut-off date for qualifying times with the three marathon entrants to be named a day later.

In their selection document, the governing body states that where more than three athletes attain the A-standard in the one event, selection will be based firstly on quality and consistency of performances in 2011 and 2012; secondly, on statistical data (ranking/ performance lists, etc); and thirdly, on history of performances at previous championships.

Jennings won the women’s mini marathon last June and then recorded a 2:43:08 in her marathon debut in Dublin last October.

“I knew that if I did the proper work that I could make it,” she said. “I put in eight weeks of very solid training and I was very hopeful coming here.”

30 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 19 April 2012

GazetteSport Sport FastSport

SAILING: 380 SAILORS FROM 10 NATIONS COMPETE IN REGATTA

Wesley just miss out on AIL win over Trinity OLD Wesley came within a whisker of beating Division 2A champions, Dublin University, in the last game of this year’s All-Ireland League championship in College Park last weekend.

In a game with never more than one score in it, Old Wesley led on two occasions and were unfortunate not to come away with the win.

Both teams had a lively start to this match and the Students opened the scoring after just three minutes with a penalty goal, but went on to rue a more difficult attempt by Barry McLoughlin going wide.

With both teams eager to run the ball it made for an entertaining opening quarter. Old Wesley came nearest to scoring a try when the opposition defence was stretched, but they were denied the points by a dropped pass.

Trinity extended their lead to 6-0 with another penalty goal on 30 minutes.

Old Wesley had a fine start to the second half when some good handling saw play brought deep into the Trinity 22. Following some good forward pressure, Jamie Boyle powered over for a try which was easily converted by McLoughlin to take a 7-6 lead.

Trinity responded immediately, bringing play into the Wesley 22. Wesley withstood the attack but were deemed offside allowing Trinity regain the lead with an easy penalty goal.

The students continued to exert pressure, looking to run at every opportunity. However, the Old Wesley defence stood firm. Whilst the college back line looked the more potent on the day the Old Wesley pack dominated in the set piece.

Fifteen minutes into the second half Trinity were dealt a yellow card for a late tackle, opening some options for Old Wesley. A fine break by Ian Cassidy brought play into the 22. From the resulting play the Wesley pack drove over but the referee deemed the ball to be held up. Trinity were in trouble from the scrum, conceding a penalty which McLoughlin converted with ease.

Minutes later, however, the tables were turned when Old Wesley substitute winger Ken McLoughin was yellow carded for a deliberate knock on. Trinity converted the penalty to regain a two-point lead. With the game approaching its conclusion, McLoughlin was short with a longrange penalty, and Rory Stynes went wide with a drop goal attempt.

Competitors prepare for action in the Mitsubishi Youth National championship last weekend

Harbour hosts national field sport@gazettegroup.com

FOUR intense days of racing at the ISA Mitsubishi Youth National Championships in Dun Laoghaire harbour, involving 380 sailors across seven classes with 10 nations competing, concluded on Sunday with world-class racing.

It yielded plenty of success for local sailors with some of the most exciting racing in the Laser Radial boys’ class. All three top boats were within one point of each other going into the last race. ISA Academy Sailors Finn Lynch (National YC) and Robbie Gilmore punched the line in the last race.

Lynch pulled in front and controlled the fleet well to win the last race and overall event ahead of Norway’s Tomasgaard and Robbie Gilmore.

In the Laser Radial girls’ class, another local Sophie Murphy (Royal St George YC) leapfrogged Britain’s Georgina Povall and Ellie Cumpsty to take “first girl” and secure her place on the Irish team for the Four Star Pizza ISAF Youth Worlds this July.

In the 420 class, the French continued their dominance winning by 15 points and, overall, there was a tremendous international showing.

Patrick Crosbie and

Avoca la viva: Men’s team claim double after league win AVOCA completed the double last Saturday when they added the Neville Davin Cup to their men’s Division Two title they completed a fortnight earlier. They did so with a penalties’ victory over Weston at Serpentine Avenue after regular time had ended 3-3.

The Blackrock club were 3-0 up with 20 minutes to go, but Weston recovered to level, forcing extra time and penalty strokes, before Avoca prevailed in the sudden death shoot-out, 7-6.

Grattan Roberts (Royal Cork YC) were the first Irish boat coming in at eighth place, with 84 points, and taking the Irish 420 slot for the Four Star Pizza ISAF Youth Worlds this July.

In the Topper class, where the sailors battled changeable conditions, Liam Glynn (Ballyholme YC) took the Topper title with a large 12 point lead ahead of Britain’s William Thomas.

In the Laser 4.7 class, Erica Ruigrok (Rush YC) was the top Irish with a third overall and first girl overall.

In the Optimist Championship class after the

final two races, Peter Fagan, from the National Yacht Club, took first, and Michael O’Suilleabhain from Kinsale YC was second.

Announcing the Irish team for the Four Star Pizza ISAF Youth Worlds, Niamh McCutcheon, ISA President said: “The ISA is delighted to confirm the team for the Youth Worlds where 64 nations will compete, at the conclusion of the national trials.

We are equally proud of the exceptional standard of the team and their commitment to representing the very best of Irish youth sailing on the world stage.

We wish them fair winds

and excellent sailing.”

Brian Craig, chairman, Dublin Bay 2012 said: “The nationals give the organisers a fantastic opportunity to test out all systems for the Four Star Pizza ISAF Youth Worlds in July, both on the water and ashore, as we have a lot of the same teams in place for both.

“We were also fortunate to have had good mix of weather, including some difficult onshore winds, which tested the teams in boat retrieval on the water. We have also learnt the race lengths and time and distance for the fleets, which has been very useful.”

19 April 2012 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 31

in association with

HURLING: DUBLIN EARN ANOTHER CHANCE IN DIV 1 a

CLUB NOTICEBOARD CUALA CUALA will be hosting Division Two,

the Cs. Great to have so many teams

Group 1, at Thomastown on Satur-

in action at this level.

Great wins also for the U-13A and

day, May 5.

The U-14A footballers will take on Raheny, Kilmacud Crokes and Castle-

B, U-14 A and U-15A hurlers in recent days.

The U-16As just got pegged back to

knock.

All support from around the club will be warmly welcomed.

The U-14B and U-14C football-

a draw by Ballyboden in the closing minutes to prevent a clean sweep among the older juvenile boys.

ers will play their fixtures at Fingal

Good luck to all those playing in

Ravens and Kilmacud Crokes respec-

the Mick Holden memorial golf clas-

tively, as we launch a three-pronged

sic this coming Friday at Glen of the

attack on the Feile.

Downs. Details on the website if you

Good luck to the Dublin U-21 foot-

want to grab a late start.

ballers and the senior hurlers who

The Academy was back in full swing

will be in double-header action in

on Saturday. If you have or know of

Portlaoise next Saturday in the

any boys or girls born in 2004, 2005

U-21 All-Ireland semi-final and the

or especially 2006, now would be

replay of the Division 1A hurling

a great time to get them involved

play-off. Shame it clashes with a

ahead of the summer highlight of the

full programme of Saturday juvenile

Mini All-Irelands.

Tickets are flying out the door for

games.

There were good wins for the

the Luke Kelly tribute concert at the

minor A footballers at the weekend, a

club in a couple of weeks. Get them

draw for the B team and a defeat for

while you can.

Ballyboden’s Paul Ryan scored nine in the draw against Galway that earned Dublin’s hurlers a play-off replay

Late scores net Dubs NHL replay NHL DIVISION 1A PLAY-OFF Dublin Galway (AET)

2-20 0-26

I sport@gazettegroup.com

DUBLIN survived the sending off of both Ryan O’Dwyer and Alan McCrabbe when Niall McMorrow earned them a dramatic reprieve to snatch a draw in a pulsating Allianz Hurling League Division 1A encounter at O’Connor Park, Tullamore, last Sunday afternoon.

The Dubs had both R y a n O ’ D y we r a n d Alan McCrabbe straight red-carded in the first period of extra time, yet, despite their numerical disadvantage, they rose to the challenge with late points from subs Daire Plunkett and a Niall McMorrow 65 which earned Anthony Daly’s men a replay.

It was just reward for a Dublin side that refused to buckle

despite a number of calls going against them all afternoon.

In normal time, Dublin led by three points, 2-15 to 0-18, heading into injur y time before three Joe Canning points (two frees) forced the match into extra-time.

Canning had a relatively quiet opening 35 minutes but once he was liberated from fullforward, he prospered further out in the field.

Two minutes into extra time, Ryan O’Dw yer was shown red by referee Barr y Kelly.

Canning added two points (one free) to edge his side two clear and, when Alan McCrabbe followed O’Dwyer off the pitch following his red card just before the half-time interval in extra-time, Dublin looked in real, real trouble.

Galway led 0-24 to

2-16 with the second period of extra time to play before Danny Sutcliffe and James Regan exchanged scores. Then Jonathan Glynn and McMorrow (free) did likewise, leaving the Dubs chasing a twopoint deficit in the final minute.

The Dubs were not done, and Plunkett and McMorrow’s interventions snatched a draw for Daly’s men.

Replay The replay will take place this Saturday at 4pm in Portlaoise, after the meeting of Dublin and Cork in the Cadbury All-Ireland Under21 football championship semi-final at 2pm.

In normal time, the opening half was very tight, but the deadball accuracy of Paul Ryan had Dublin 0-9 to 0-7 in front at half-time.

Ryan converted six frees and one 65 in the

opening 35 minutes, but it was the brilliant reflexes of goalkeeper Gar y Maguire, who pulled off a superb double-save to deny Cyril Donnellan in the seventh minute, and two minutes later foiling Damien Hayes who was in pole position to raise a green flag for Galway.

Four minutes into the second half Conor McCormack angled a drive to the net to catapult Dublin into a 1-10 to 0-8 lead.

But it was the Tribesmen who responded the better, and they had nosed in front by a point before Ross O’Carroll struck for Dublin’s second goal in the 57th minute.

Heading down the concluding minutes the Dubs were clinging determinedly to their lead before the accuracy of Canning reeled them in and forced a highly dramatic extra-time.

FOXROCK/CABINTEELY THIS weekend is an important one

We would like to wish both Hannah

for the club as Dublin Feile takes

Foster Ryan (U-14As) and Sinead

place.

Goldrick (senior) a speedy recov-

We have a record three teams taking part.

ery as both of them suffered armbreaks in the line of duty.

The Feile is being hosted by Naomh

The U-13As and U-12As had good

Mearnog and St Sylvester’s on Sat-

wins last weekend to keep the teams

urday, with the semis and finals

on top of their respective tables.

taking place in Parnell Park on Sunday.

We wish the three teams the very best of luck.

The U-13As beat last year’s champions, Crokes in a very competitive match while the U-12s beat league leaders Scoil Ui Chonaill.

NAOMH OLAF CONGRATULATIONS to Naomh Olaf

Ballyboden in two weeks time.

player, Niamh Donnelly, on winning

Our junior AHL6 hurlers went down

a schools’ All-Ireland with Colaiste

to a very experienced Erin’s Isle side

Iosagain.

by 7-11 to 2-13 on Sunday morning.

Commiserations to our Interme-

As Olafs were short several play-

diate hurlers who suffered a two-

ers, this was a credible perform-

point defeat to Commercials at

ance away in Finglas, with Olafs

Rathcoole on Saturday with a final

taking 15 scores against Isle.

scoreline of 0-12 to 1-7.

Feile Atha Cliath will take place next

This was a very under-par per-

weekend, and is being jointly hosted,

formance for Olafs but, hopefully, we

by St Sylvester’s and Naomh Mear-

can regroup for the vitally impor-

nog, with the finals taking place in

tant championship match against

Parnell Park on Sunday, April 22.

WANDERERS CONGRATULATIONS to the Under-

teams this weekend in their respec-

12s who had a great win v Round

tive champonships.

Towers on Saturday last. Good per-

Eddie Downey’s Junior As are

formances from all the team and, in

away to Thomas Davis’s on Kiltipper

particular, Conor Casey at full back,

Road, Sunday 11am throw-in. John

and Ann, Alannah and Jordan, who

Durkan’s Junior Bs are at home to

also had fantastic games.

Robert Emmets at 3pm. All support

Best wishes to our men’s junior

welcome.

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

RIDING THE WAVE: International

regatta sees best of youth on the water P30

APRIL 19, 2012

PHAROAH-NUFF: McGee’s run leads to Egyptian glory P29

GazetteSPORT

Sean Mari celebrates his All-Ireland 27kg Boy 1 boxing title at the National Stadium following victory over Connacht’s Jordan Muldoon

Massive Mari win for Whitechurch New ground broken by Whitechurch BC as Sean becomes club’s first male All-Ireland champion dunlaoghairesport@gazettegroup.com

WHITECHURCH Boxing Club broke new ground this month when Sean Mari picked up the club’s first ever male national champion over the Easter Holidays, picking up the Boy 1 27kg title at the National Stadium with a whirlwind 12-9 victory over Connacht’s Jordan Muldoon.

Mari had opened the championships with an impressive 10-7 win against talented Jason Ryan of Munster.

An outstanding display of calm and controlled boxing under immense pressure came when the young Dublin pugilist got the nod 8-7 after losing the opening two rounds in his semi-final bout against Ulster representative, Rory Baird.

A huge following travelled from the club to support the Dublin Champion on finals’ night and they made their presence felt.

A tight opening round left Mari 4-3 ahead, a one-point gap that was maintained by the end of round two. In the final session, Muldoon frantically tried to bridge the gap, but some well-placed single shots meant that, at the final bell, Mari was champion of Ireland and his Whitechurch supporters and club-mates could celebrate.

This success means that Sean joins Whitechurch BC clubmate Megan Felton as National Champion; Felton having won Girls 2 honours last year.

For club coach and PRO, Philip Hollowed, it is a big step for Whitechurch who were only formed three years ago in 2009.

“He was also the only male U-11 champions from Dublin to do so. Because of his weight, he didn’t get any fights in the Dublin championships so we were hoping he would get at least one fight in the All-Ireland championships.

“As it turned out, he got three, so he did it

the hard way so it was really satisfying to get through a quarter, semi and final.

“It will be a great boost for the club’s profile and, hopefully, the first of many finals to come.

He’s been with us since the start and has been progressing pretty well, his clubmates bringing him on with sparring and things like that.

“He eats, sleeps breathes boxing, so I’m delighted for him. He’s one of those kids if you mention any fight from a few years ago, he’ll know the fight or who was involved, so he’s very much in tune with what’s happening.”

Mari was one of three Dublin champions the club picked up this season, along with Marco Evans and Joshua Evans, while Marco and Luke Boyle were also successful at Leinster level.

The emergence of the club, meanwhile, has been further capped by the involvement of two Whitechurch members in a Dublin selection to box against Leinster in Athy this weekend.