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€3m job on flood Q DAWN LOVE

Exclusive: St Joseph’s sign deal with Liverpool FC Page 30

June 23, 2011

WORKS on the multimillion euro Carysfort Maretimo Stream Improvement project are set to get underway this week, four years after severe flooding affected numerous homes and local businesses in Blackrock and Stillorgan.

A €2.9m contract had been awarded to the company, Wills Bros Ltd, by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, with the works

estimated to take 14 weeks to complete.

The project will include the establishment of stream bank protection measures, the provision of flood protection walls, upgrading of existing trash screens and the provision of new trash screens.

Works will be carried out in locations that will include Stillorgan Grove, Orpen Green, Stillorgan Park, Avoca Park Carysfort Avenue and Blackrock.

Heritage: Celebrating a literary icon LEOPOLD BLOOM – also known

as Paul Gunn – was joined for a lovely spot of afternoon tea by fellow Bloomsday lovers, Blue Ruin and Helenda Duffy, as they got into the spirit of of the day to relive the life and times

of Leopold Bloom on Tuesday, June 14, the day James Joyce’s most celebrated character wandered through some of the city’s areas.

Full Gallery on Page 8

2 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 23 June 2011

23 June 2011 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 3

FastNews

HERITAGE: A RANGE OF FREE EVENTS FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS ALIKE

Architecture awards 2011

Attractions for Summer of Heritage festival 2011 Q DAWN LOVE news@gazettegroup.com

THE newly renovated Martello tower at Seapoint will be just one of a host of attractions at this year’s Summer of Heritage festival in Dun Laoghaire Rathdown.

The tower is a spectacularly restored example of a 19th-century defensive fort, built during the Napoleonic wars and is sure to be a hit with the thousands of people set to visit some of the county’s top heritage sites this summer as part of the heritage programme, details of which were announced this week.

Events The programme of events will run until September 4 and has been expanded on considerably since the first Summer of Heritage four years ago.

There will be a range of events for adults and children alike, all of which are free to the public.

This summer will also see the Carrickbrennan graveyard feature for the first time, the resting place of many sailors lost in maritime disasters since the 17th century. A walking tour along ‘The

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‘I am very excited about the new additions, the Seapoint Martello Tower and Carrickbrennan Graveyard, both of which embrace our wonderful local history.’

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Tim Carey, Heritage Officer of DLR County Council

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Metals’, a historic pathway that linked the quarry in Dalkey to the harbour in Dun Laoghaire, has been included again after its popularity last year. Also included again is the Dun Laoghaire Memorials Tour, which is a coastal visit to the numerous memorials around the town, including the Queen Victoria Fountain and the Crimean War Cannon.

Meanwhile, there will also be tours of the stunning Celtic Oratory on Library Road in Dun Laoghaire and the Obelisk in Stillorgan. All of the tours will be conducted by qualified guides.

Tours will also take place at two of Dublin’s most magnificent stately homes, Cabinteely House, located in Cabinteely Park, and Marlay House, in Rathfarnham.

The tours will include living history performances from professional actors in period costumes and feature many of the colourful characters from both house’s histories.

Speaking to the Gazette, Tim Carey, Heritage Officer of DLR County Council, said the Summer of Heritage festival had been a huge success over the past number of years.

“I am very excited about the new additions, the Seapoint Martello tower and Carrickbrennan Graveyard, both of which embrace our wonderful local history.”

“I am also delighted to say that all the excursions will again be free of charge and I’m certain that local residents will find many things of interest at this summer’s series of events,” says Tim. The programme will be officially launched at the The Martello Towers of Dublin exhibition at County Hall on Friday, July 1, at 7.30pm.

TWO architectural projects in South Dublin have been shortlisted for the 2011 Irish Architecture Awards.

The Ballyroan Pastoral Centre, designed by Box Architects, and Roebuck Hall University Residence in UCD, designed

by Kavanagh Tuite Architects, have both been shortlisted.

In total, 134 entries were received across 15 categories. The winners will be announced and presented with awards on Monday, July 11.

Paul Keogh, president, Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI), said: “The 2011 Irish Architecture Awards clearly demonstrate the extremely high standard of contemporary architecture in Ireland, and the value of investment in design quality.”

For further details, see www.riai.ie.

Competition winners

Dressed to impress: Annual Bloomsday Garden Party MORE THAN 80 members and friends of the United Arts Club (3, Upper Fitzwilliam St.), including Anne Boylan and Mary Dunne, gathered for their annual Bloomsday Garden Party in a corner of Merrion Square last week.

A whole host of the club’s Dalkey and Sandycove members turned out for the event. Mercifully, the rain held off and a wonderful afternoon of banter, live jazz and impromptu dancing, and strawberries, was the order. Not too long before the sun got lost behind black clouds, the assembly repaired to the club’s premises for a buffet supper, prepared by chef Anthony O’Grady.

There were prizes for the Best Dressed lady and gent, and these were claimed by Anne Corrigan and Dr. Pat McCormack. Also in the winning stakes were Tony and Simone Orr, who were judged Best Dressed couple, while Jerry Sheehan took the most outstanding hat prize.

The festive mood travelled into the night as the jazz trio of Dave Fleming, Peter Power and John Flynn, encouraged many to dance steps definitely not out of the textbook.

MARLAY Wine Shop and the Gazette are delighted to announce the recent winners of the ongoing competition who called in to collect their prizes. Joe Deegan, from Loreto Abbey, Rathfarnham, D14 won the 1st prize of a case of wine worth €150, while Adam Trodd, from Enniskerry Road, Stepaside, won the 2nd prize of a case of wine worth €75 Meanwhile, Rachel Cullen, from Martello Ave, in Sandycove, won the 1st prize of a case of wine worth €150 and Emer Breen, from Anville Park, Goatstown, won the 2nd prize of a case of wine worth €75.

4 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 23 June 2011

INITIATIVE IADT offering back-to-work courses to re-educate workers

A springboard back into the workforce THE fight against unemployment has a new ally with a range of free backto-work training courses offered by the Institute of Art, Design & Technology (IADT) in Dun Laoghaire, under the Government’s Springboard initiative.

The initiative is aimed at those recently made redundant and looking

for retraining. It was set up on May 25 by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and has over 200 courses on offer. The IADT offer six of these, including Level 8 awards in Business/ Entrepreneurship and certificates in Online Business Trading, Enterprise Development, Mobile Software Devel-

opment (Android or iOS) and Human Computer Interaction.

Set up in 1997, the IADT has over 2,200 full-time students. The college’s project coordinator, Joan Broderick, revelead how the scheme will work.

“It works like a miniCAO of college courses for those wanting to get

back into employment.

Each applicant can apply for up to 15 courses.”

To be eligible for the course, applicants must have a history of employment and be actively seeking work. They must be in receipt of one of the Department of Social Protection payments for a period of at least six months prior to the

course start date – Jobseeker’s Benefit payment, Jobseeker’s Allowance payment or One Parent Family allowance payment – or be signing for social insurance contribution credits.

“It’s a collaboration of social welfare, social protection and the colleges. It’s aimed at people who might have Level 7

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or Level 8 training, but mightn’t have the bit of paper to go with it. It’s for those people who’ve been made redundant, but if they haven’t got the education, they are not necessarily excluded from it,” Ms. Broderick said.

The level of interest has been highly positive, she said, with the college

having received 40 applications so far. Closing dates range from August 2 to August 19.

Information

For more information on the courses at IADT and to check for eligibility, please log on to www. bluebrick.ie/springboard or contact Joan Broderick on 01-2394971.

Blooming record: 90,000 people visit Bloom Festival

SHOP LOCALLY

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COLM QUINN AND GARY HANAPHY, from Glastule, won the gold medal for overall medium garden with their Hidden Cube Arnotts Style Garden at this year’s Bloom festival over the June Bank holiday weekend.

Seventy-eight medals were awarded on the first day of the festival to floral artists and garden designers. The international judging panel commented on the improved quality of the garden designs at this years’ Bloom festival.

Bloom, Bord Bia’s gardening, food and family festival, has run for five years and had a record breaking 90,000 people visit the festival in Phoenix Park during that weekend.

Speaking of the events, Aidan Cotter, CEO, Bord Bia said: “Over the last five days the spirit that had lifted the nation in recent weeks was once again in evidence among almost 90,000 visitors who came to witness and applaud the magic and creativity of our garden designers[...]”

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Shock at double fine for parking DEAR EDITOR,

T A K I N G advantage of the warm weather on June 3, I took a small group of children to the beach below Vico Road. Given that I had three young children and beach paraphernalia with me, I was delighted to find a parking spot so near the beach. Further up the road there is a double yellow line indicating no parking, but where I parked the line had ended. I looked for a sign indicating parking restrictions. There was none. So, thinking it legal, I parked my car.

After enjoying a day in the sun we returned to the car to find two individuals working on behalf of Dun Laoghaire County

Council ticketing cars up and down the stretch of road where I had parked.

My car, along with many others, was ticketed.

I was baffled and so were the other drivers arriving back to their cars, including two tourists from the UK. One of the two agents explained that it is illegal to park along the side of a road of less than three lines where there is a solid line in the middle of the road.

I was given a €40 fine from the council. I paid the fine immediately, although not happily.

Today, however a second fine of €40 arrived from the Garda. I had found only one parking ticket on my car. Thinking this notice must be an error, I rang the phone number

on the letter and “no”, I was told, “The fines are separate.” This second fine for the same offence, prompted me to action.

Ignorance of a law is no defence and section 35, subsection 5 of the Road Traffic Act 1994, does tell us we cannot park along the side of a road of less than three lines where there is a solid line in the middle. But, this is an obscure law and I was not alone in my ignorance of it. None of the other drivers knew it.

I wonder how many of you reading this letter knew of this rule and, even if you had been aware of it, would not have been misled by the ending of a double yellow line further up the road.

Doesn’t the end of a dou-

ble yellow line practically welcome you to park? I tend to forget to wonder if there is an obscure rule in the Road Traffic Act 1994. But, I have learned an expensive lesson.

I acknowledge that traffic along Vico Road is sheer pandemonium on a sunny afternoon and I can imagine that this must be frustrating for those who live in the area and must travel the road daily.

But, if you really wish to stop people from parking there, shouldn’t there be a sign? Shouldn’t there be road markings? Why does the double yellow line end just short of this area? The road markings serve to indicate just the opposite of what they should.

I cannot help feel

that it appears a trap, a trap from which both the Garda and Dun Laoghaire County Council are profiting – a trap that makes a day at the beach very expensive.

I am writing this letter requesting that the Dun Laoghaire County Council send out a line painting crew to extend the double yellow line and/ or have a sign erected. I am writing also, so that until proper markings or signage are in place, other visitors to Vico Road are made aware of section 35, subsection 5, of the Road Traffic Act and perhaps a day at the beach will not cost them €80.

Spain Hughes-Fagan Details with Editor

23 June 2011 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 5

COMMUNITY Dalkey Book Festival inspires two sites to share issues, memories

New websites to encourage community spirit Q DAWN LOVE dunlaoghaire@gazettegroup.com

A DALKEY-based business has launched two new websites to coincide with and capture the spirit of the Dalkey Book Festival, which was held last weekend..

The two new websites, www.TelMyStory.ie and w w w.LetYourVoiceCount.ie, are aimed at getting people to share

their stories with the community, and make an impact on issues that concern them.

A free online site, www.

TellMyStory.ie contains interesting and sometimes fascinating stories from people of all walks of life, and encourages story-telling and writing among all age groups.

The website gives people the opportunity to tell their story in video form

or text, and provides a chance to preserve family history and memories, and share them with generations to come.

Website founder, Derek Quinn, said: “This a great opportunity for people and their families to pass on and record various life experiences that may be lost with time.

“We are also giving away Kindle book readers for the best-judged story

in each category, so posters might walk away with a nice prize,” he said.

Meanwhile, www.LetYourVoiceCount.ie offers individuals and organisations the opportunity to voice the issues and opinions that really matter to them, petition support online, and attempt to influence Ireland’s decision-makers.

The service will also be of interest to those seek-

ing support and views on issues other than public policy, such as entertainment, sport and local concerns, and will be a tool for organisations wishing to generate support or opinion on an issue among their members.

Co-founded by Nigel Brookes and Derek Quinn, the secure website’s premium service allows online petition authors to collect a large

number of signatures and present their petition in a professional PDF form.

They will also be able to upload videos, include signatories’ comments to the petition, and email updates to signatories on its progress.

Quinn said: “Last weekend, local businesses and residents of Dalkey came together to celebrate their town, share their stories and let their voice count

when it comes to boosting our economy.

“Many people sign a petition and never hear any more about the cause or campaign.

“LetYourVoiceCount gives a platform to individuals and organisations to petition support online and allows a petition author to keep signatories up-to-date on the petition or campaign’s progress,” he said.

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Time for a Block Party: Fancy moves are set to wow at the Pavilion Theatre Plaza DUN Laoghaire-based Dance Theatre of Ireland are set to wow onlookers at the Pavilion Theatre Plaza when they perform their award-winning production of Block Party at 7.15pm on Saturday, July 2 and Sunday, July 3, with their production opening the Dublin Youth Dance Festival in memorable style.

Having toured the fast-moving, witty and colourful Block Party to international acclaim in venues as far-flung as South Korea, the Dun Laoghaire dancers are looking forward to dazzling home audiences with their free show, with all the community welcome to attend a show to remember.

6 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 23 June 2011

COUNCIL: FIRST TENANTS TO MOVE IN SHORTLY

PEOPLE Local man’s incredible trip looms

Eighty new social housing units for area Q DAWN LOVE news@gazettegroup.com

A TOTAL of 80 new social housing units are set to come on stream at a development in Dun Laoghaire, with the first tenants expected to move into the Cosgrave-built Honey Park Development within the next two weeks.

The announcement comes just one week after it emerged that there are 4,175 people on the housing list in Dun Laoghaire Rathdown.

Speaking to the Gazette last week, Independent Councillor Victor Boyhan said: “We have to face up to the fact that we have a housing crisis in Dun Laoghaire Rathdown. The figures speak for themselves – 4,175 applicants are on the social housing list; 2,188 applications are on the affordable housing too.”

The 80 new housing units at Rochdale, Honey

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‘We have to face up to the fact that we have a housing crisis in Dun Laoghaire Rathdown’ --------------------------

Cllr Victor Boyhan

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Park, will comprise 16 one-bedroom units, 46 two-bed units and 18 three-bed units.

“This is great news for 80 social housing applicants this week and has come about as a result of an agreement entered into with Dun Laoghaire Rathdow n County Council and Cosgrave, the developers of the former Dun Laoghaire Golf Club lands,” said Cllr Boyhan.

He added that social and access to affordable housing are now the most important issues facing the council.

In a remarkable tribute to his late grandmother, Lily (inset), and to the work that family carers provide, Dundrum resident Ian Lacey is preparing to set off on a gruelling pan-American fundraising cycle in aid of The Carers’ Association, on a trip entitled 350 South (above)

FUNDRAISER: CYCLING THE AMERICAS TO RAISE €100,000

17,000 miles to help make a difference Q DAWN LOVE news@gazettegroup.com

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TANAISTE and Dun Laoghaire TD, Eamon Gilmore lent his support last week to a fundraising cycle in aid of The Carers’ Association being undertaken by Dundrum man, Ian Lacey, who is cycling from Alaska to Argentina.

Next month, 25-yearold Lacey, who is originally from Gorey but now living in Dundrum, will undertake the gruelling expedition alongside his friend, Lee Saville (26), from Denver, Colorado.

The pair will cycle an incredible 17,000 miles of the Pan-Amercian Highway, from the northern tip of Alaska to the southernmost lands of Argentina.

Along the way, they will meet with members of the Irish Diaspora, and those with connections to Irish heritage.

They have named the expedition 350 South.

The trip will be filmed

for a documentary series for national broadcast next year, exploring Ireland’s emigration trail.

Weighing in behind the cycling duo’s fundraising efforts, the Tanaiste said he was confident that they would get a warm reception from Irish communities along the route.

Speaking to the Gazette, Lacey said his support of the fundraising trip was “hugely appreciated”.

The journey, which starts on July 15, will see the team scaling three mountain ranges, and cycling in desert heat in the US and Mexico, before continuing on to freezing winter temperatures in Chile and Argentina.

Lacey was inspired to undertake this trip after providing care for his grandmother, Lily, for eight years, until she passed away in 2008.

A young carer, Lacey, along with his mother,

began providing care for his grandmother when he was just 15-years-old.

Speaking of the cycle, he said: “Lee and I came up with the idea for the cycle originally in Denver, Colorado, in 2010.

“The dream has since grown from there, and we are very excited to be leaving Ireland soon for Alaska.

“While the experience will allow us to see different places, and hear the experiences of the Irish we meet on our travels, we are always conscious of our aim to raise €100,000 for The Carers’ Association,” he says.

“My grandmother, Lily, hugely benefited from my mum and I being able to love, support and care for her at home, but my mum made many sacrifices to do this.

“We are eager to raise as much money as possible to help family carers, and urge people to support us.

“We will be blogging

our experiences and posting updates on Facebook and Twitter during our trip, so people can follow the journey and donate at www.350south.org,” says Lacey.

Funds raised will go towards helping to lighten the load of Ireland’s 161,000 family carers, who often provide round-the-clock care in the home for older people, the terminally ill, people with disabilities and children with special needs.

The Carers’Association supports family carers by providing free in-home respite care, to give family carers a break, as well as training, support groups, a Freefone national care line and campaigns for recognition and better rights and entitlements for carers.

The Association also helps carers to take a break from their often 24-7 caring responsibilities. To donate, see www.350south.org.

23 June 2011 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 7

BUSINESS Family business at seven years

EDUCATION: CALLS FOR ENROLMENT CAPS TO BE RAISED

Extra funding needed in DCFE Q DAWN LOVE

Adrian and Nick Jones, of First Choice Motors in Dun Laoghaire

Giving priority to local customers Q HIROMI MOONEY

FIRST Choice Autos, in Dun Laoghaire, are celebrating seven years in business, and are looking forward to reaching their 10th birthday.

The company specialises in providing “premium quality used cars” at low prices. They also offer car-servicing, valeting and brokering.

The family business was set up by Adrian Jones in 1977 as JPS (Jones Peterson Services) Motors Dun Laoghaire, which specialised in Volvo cars.

T his closed dow n almost seven years ago and Adrian went to work for the new Volvo garage in Sandyford, while his son, Nick, set up First Choice Autos.

Adrian has since retired, but he’s back with Nick working part-time, this year.

“We used to work together 10 years ago, and now it’s how the circle of life comes around,” says the company director, Nick.

“He’s back now working for me, as opposed to me working for him! And he helped me out.

“But it’s basically knowledge-based wisdom that you can’t replace.

“If someone’s had 30 years in the market, it’s a terrible shame to think that they’re just, you know, retired from life in total. It’s great to be able to utilise their wisdom.

“We used to have the agency for Volvo, BMW and Citroen in Dun Laoghaire back in 1977.

“And, personally, I left the family business and worked for Jaguar Ireland, and as I was working for Jaguar, the company themselves who own Jaguar Ireland – a company called OHM – they bought the family business, which was JPS Motors, and we were both effectively joined up in Sandyford.

“When I left Jaguar, and I started on my own, he eventually left them and reunited with me, and that’s how it worked out.”

First Choice Autos sells affordable cars under €10,000 including Volkswagen Golf, Honda, Skoda, Audi and Jaguar.

Nick has worked in the motor trade industry for more than 15 years.

He says that local people should come to First Choice Autos if they want to buy a car.

“It’s a family-based business, so we especially

look after the people in Dun Laoghaire area – we call it the Family Rate,” says Nick.

“If I have two people in front of me, or on the phone, and one is a local and one is somebody in Kerry, I always want to look after the one locally, you know.

“So we call it the ‘Ask for the Family Rate and you will be served as if you are a member of the family.’

“We are SIMI members; we also sell AA membership, you know, roadside assistance AA members, we’ve 12

EXTRA funding required to facilitate Dun Laoghaire College in re-skilling up to 175 unemployed construction workers would be paid back in subsequent taxation gains and social welfare savings, the local branch of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) has claimed.

Speaking to the Gazette, TUI representative, Dave Alvey said that, with requisite funding, the college would be in position to pioneer a number of alternative courses in areas.

This includes areas such as sustainable energy, retrofitting, building conservation, antique restoration, boat building, furniture-making

and timber technology in a leading college of further education.

He described the courses being provided as “extremely innovative and of huge relevance to key growth areas within the construction industry”.

“Crucially, the courses would take people off the Live Register.

“Subsequent income to the State in taxation and non-payment of social welfare would mean that the courses would ultimately be self-financing,” said Alvey.

According to Alvey, since 2008, because of the recession, demand for places on its apprenticeship courses has collapsed.

The college needs to have its cap on student

enrolment raised by 175.

So far the Department has only agreed to raise it in the three Dun Laoghaire VEC colleges by 55.

He said that by providing the new courses, 175 unemployed construction workers would be re-skilled and suitable students would be assisted in founding their own enterprises.

The college would also avoid a major re-deployment of its teaching staff he said.

“As DCFE is unique in providing apprentice training, in addition to its further education courses, the relatively small amount of extra funding needed would have no knock-on cost implications for other colleges,” he continued.

months’ warranty with that, and also we have a warranty company called, Car Protect, and they’re like an insurance company.

“So, anyone who buys from us will basically get 12 months’ AA membership, they can get six or 12 months’ warranty with the car as a member of Car Protect, and they get the Family Rate.”

First Choice Motors is open from Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm, and on Saturdays from 10am to 2pm.

For inquiries, call 01 284 4448.

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8 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 23 June 2011

HERITAGE Celebrating a literary icon in Dun

Laoghaire

Leopold Bloom – also known as Paul Gunn – was joined for a lovely spot of afternoon tea by fellow Bloomsday lovers, Blue Ruin and Helenda Duffy. Pictures: Jason Clarke Photography

A Blooming great way to honour Joyce HE life and times of one of Dublin’s most famous (fictional) citizens, and a much-loved literary son, were celebrated in style in Dun Laoghaire as part of this year’s traditional Bloomsday events.

Local traders and business people got into the spirit of the day to relive

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the life and times of Leopold Bloom on Tuesday, June 14, the day in which James Joyce’s most celebrated character wandered past and through some of the city’s areas, as they donned suitable attire to step back in time to the genteel world of 1904.

However, as well as looking to the

past to celebrate bygone Dublin, Dun Laoghaire locals and guests were also looking to the future. The Minister for Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs, Jimmy Deenihan, called to see the Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company’s proposed plans for the development of the town’s harbour facility.

Meeting an ancient Irish king – AKA Bill Shannon – was a crowning moment for Eoin Farrell, of O’Brien’s Wines

Tom Fitzgerald was happy to meet James Pirates, ahoy ... Sinead Murnane and Dermot Bolger

Joyce (also known as Peter Caviston)

The Minister for Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs, Jimmy Deenihan, addressed the gathering, as local Fine Gael

Gerry Dunne, Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company, discussed the company’s proposals for

deputy, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, looked on

development at the town facility with Minister Deenihan and Deputy Mitchell O’Connor

Mr Bloom really enjoyed reading about his adventures

23 June 2011 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 9

10 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 23 June 2011

RESOURCE Happy to help launch ILoveBlackrock.ie website

In one of his first appointmenst as the new Cathaoirleach of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fine Gael councillor John Bailey was on hand to join local business people and entrepreneurs for the launch of the website

With the click of a button, an entire community is accessible online, as these interested onlookers found when browsing the site. Pictures: Peter Doyle

A site you’ll love to make use of OFFEE, community and commerce came together in a perfect blend for the official launch of an exciting new website, www.ILoveBlackrock.ie, at Starbucks andUrban Junction.

Announced in March, the official launch saw well-known figures from across Blackrock join leading political, community and commercial figures from across the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown region, all keen to help highlight

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the new online facility.

Designed to boost awareness of the diverse range of commercial, culinary, community, retail, cultural and heritage features to be found in and around Blackrock – as well as much more besides – the website is intended to prove a one-stop-shop for all those intending to visit the town, set up a business, for those who live there, or who may otherwise interact with one of Dublin’s best-loved spots.

Dail Ceann Comhairle, Sean Barrett, was happy to support the launch, joining a number of prominent locals and supporters to welcome the online initiative

23 June 2011 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 23

GazetteBUSINESS BUSINESS

Supported by AIB

Interview: Grainne Lowe, Malahide Books & Gifts

Opening a chapter on local book excellence GRAINNE Lowe opened Malahide Books & Gifts in July, 2009. She opened the Malahide shop after the success of her shop in Ratoath, which she opened in 2004.

Grainne runs the shops with her husband, Ciaran, and they pride themselves on excellent customer service, which became clear when Malahide Books & Gifts won the Friendliest Business Award, 2009 from the Junior Chamber of Commerce.

Grainne and Ciaran are running a very successful business, selling schoolbooks, school stationery, art and craft supplies and gifts.

They offer an online service, and have also introduced a savings scheme to help parents with the financial burden of backto-school purchases.

ANSWERS TO YOUR PERSONAL FINANCE QUESTIONS WHAT WELFARE ENTITLEMENTS CAN A SINGLE MOTHER CLAIM? Q – I am a single mother, and am due my baby in five months. Can you confirm exactly my welfare entitlements, as there seems to be some confusion. I am also unemployed, having been made redundant six months ago – it was my first job, and I was only there for 10 months.

Sharon – Terenure A - CONGRATULATIONS on the baby, first of all.

Raising children is a costly exercise. Some of the benefits payable by the State are based on PRSI contributions you may have made, so some of these you will be ineligible to claim Presumably, you are still claiming Jobseekers’ Allowance, or unemployment assistance. However, there are currently three main payments due to you on the arrival of your baby. Firstly, child benefit is the most common payment to families with children.

You are entitled to it because you satisfy a habitual residency test, and will have a dependent child that meets the criteria. Currently, this is €140 per month for the first and second child, and slightly more for subsequent children.

Secondly, Early Childcare Supplement (ECS) was

Grainne runs the shops with her husband, Ciaran

a payment to families with children under five years of age. This was €41.50 per month, up to December,

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

A: I wanted to be a vet, as I loved animals and petted every dog and cat I saw.

Q: What was your first job?

A: I worked in Woolworths on Henry Street when I was in school.

Q: And your first pay cheque?

A: I think it was €5 per day from Woolworths.

Q: When did you start your present job?

A: I opened my first shop, Ratoath Books & Gifts, seven years ago, and I opened Malahide Books & Gifts two years ago.

Q: What is the best thing about your job?

A: I get great job satisfaction when things go well, and being my own boss is nice, too.

2009.

can’t pack a box – this is true!

Q: What sport do you follow?

A: Gaelic football and soccer (because my children play these sports).

Q: What sport can you play?

A: I was very athletic, in my day. I played camogie and basketball, and I was a sprinter, and I did the long jump. Unfortunately, I don’t have much time or energy for sport these days, but I hope to take up golf in a few years.

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

A: I love 80’s music; in fact, if you visit our shops, you will hear my favourites on my iPod. My favourite movie so far is Avatar; I could watch it over and over, and my favourite TV programme is Greys Anatomy.

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

A: I am not very good at

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

A: I would have to say David

shop displays and keeping things tidy, so, Amber and my daughter, Amanda, look after that side of the business for me.

There is a standing joke that I

Norris. I really enjoy listening to him on the radio, and I think his views are refreshing in these dire times. He would be a great ambassador for the

country if he made it to Aras an Uachtarain.

Q: What music/pictures/movies do you have on your iPod/ iPad? A: I have a good selection; mostly 80’s stuff, but I also have modern music on it, such as Black Eyed Peas, Bruno Mars, Katy Perry etc.

Q: Who do you follow on Twitter/Facebook?

A: Just my friends on Facebook.

Q: What was your last Tweet/ status update?

A: Beware of viruses.

Q: Describe your dream meal?

A: My favourite dinner is chicken with mushrooms and apricot in a brandy sauce – yum, yum.

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

A: Dame Edna, as at least I

Q: How many pairs of shoes do you own?

A: Way too many.

Q: What was your worst holiday experience?

A: My worst holiday experience was the year my sister and I rented a mobile [home] in Wexford with our kids – I was six months pregnant, and got a tummy bug.

Q: Describe your dream holiday?

A: Somewhere that I didn’t have to lift a finger, and where I could eat and eat and not gain a pound.

Q: What would be your dream job?

A: You know, I have always worked, so I guess my dream would be not to work at all, and just potter around the house and garden, meet my friends for coffee whenever I felt like it, and cook and bake.

wouldn’t have to listen to more depressing news about our failing economy. Also, I could get a few fashion tips from her!

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

A: Potter around the house and

Q: Where do you enjoy spending money frivolously?

A: On the garden.

garden, meet my friends for coffee whenever I feel like it and cook and bake!

But, [as official information has previously said], “from January, 2010, ECS will be replaced with a free pre-school year of early childhood care and education for all children between the ages of three years, three months, and four years, six months.

Details of this scheme are available from the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs; Locall 1890 30 30 39”.

Thirdly, One-Parent Family Payment (OPF) is paid to men and women in Ireland who are bringing children up without the support of a partner.

You must satisfy a means test, and a habitual residence test. Currently, this is for €188 per week.

If you are working, you can also get a OPF tax credit; you do not have to get OPF to claim this tax credit.

Finally, I would talk to your local social welfare office for definitive answers on your particular circumstances – I have always found them helpful.

Their web site is: www.welfare.ie. Best of luck next September.

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

GOT A MATCH REPORT? Call our SPORTS TEAM on 60 10 240 or email sport@gazettegroup.com

24 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 23 June 2011

GazetteMOTORS MOTORS RoadSigns Road Signs HYUNDAI RESPONDS TO I40 REPORTS: HYUNDAI in Ireland has responded to reports about the specification and prices featured in this column last week for the new i40 car.

Hyundai emphasises that the prices quoted are not yet agreed and that the cars will come with a full five-year unlimited mileage warranty. Unfortunately, Hyundai will not be offering a full spare wheel, as reported, in the new i40, which will be available later this summer. And the company claims that the car does not replace the Sonata model, but in fact is geared for a different market segment.

Ibiza gets stretched for ST appeal MICHAEL MORONEY drove the Ibiza, and here’s his verdict I’VE had the Seat Ibiza ST, the estate version of the small Spanish-built car, out on test recently.

This is a stylish-looking small estate car built around the standard Ibiza model, with a new three-cylinder turbo-diesel engine as the power source.

The car scores well on style and design; it’s a Seat thing, they are now designing cars that look distinctive, even if they use the same engines and gearboxes as Skoda and Volkswagen cars. Those combined ingredients should make for a car worth having and a car that’s good to drive.

Add to that package the neat Volkswagen design 1.2-litre turbodiesel engine and you can expect thrift and low-cost motoring. And that’s just what you get.

This is a car that looks well and should be easy to buy and own. The addition of the estate concept gives more internal space for bigger loads, while built around the same wheelbase as the standard car.

The STversion is almost 200mm (8in) longer than the standard five-door hatchback and that’s significant enough when it comes to providing additional space.

Seat has added an ST, or mini estate version, to the Ibiza range to give more space and a family appeal

The rear seats fold down easily to increase the load area, making the car more attractive as a family choice where there are always awkward loads to be shifted, bikes included.

I liked the 60/40 split folding rear sears, roof rails in either black or chrome finish, a low load height

and wide rear hatch, a flat boot floor and some good storage areas throughout the ST’s interior, which allowed for ease of use on longer journeys.

That’s the outline of the Seat Ibiza ST package, which includes three specification options, either Reference, Style or Sport. Out on the road,

the car is more sluggish than I would have expected.

The 1.2-litre, three cylinder engine develops an impressive 75bhp, but you can feel that it’s doing the work. It’s a shade noisy and feels less smooth than you would like and this aspect of the car lets it down a little.

That’s a pity because this car has plenty going for it in terms of its space, flexibility and style. And the price is competitive too at €16,495 for the entry model, before delivery charges.

And while I don’t expect pace from such a small engine, its acceleration figure of 14.5 seconds for a 0 to 100km/hr race is reasonable. It’s just that it’s hard work getting there and there’s an unnecessary harshness to the car as a result.

This car scores highly in terms of value-for-money motoring with an impressive economy figure of 25 km/litre (4.0l/100km or 70mpg). That’s very good even in this segment of the market and it also helps the car to get into Band A for road tax purposes, giving an annual tax charge of just €104.

23 June 2011 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 25

GAZETTE

26 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 23 June 2011

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GazetteSPORT

MAKING THE RULES:

Ireland get set for Aussie Rules international cup: Page 29

SOCCER: DO ONE THING UNHCR INTERNATIONAL EVENT TAKES PLACE IN DUBLIN

Fair Play Cup sees SARI side take the spoils sport@gazettegroup.com

WORLD Refugee Day’s Do 1 Thing soccer celebrations kicked off in style when the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Office in Ireland and Sport Against Racism Ireland (SARI) held its second annual Fair Play Football Cup in Dublin’s Law Society gardens.

On a day which also saw UNHCR commemorating the 60th anniver-

sary of the UN Convention Relating to Refugees, this year’s Fair Play Football Cup was won

by SARI Insaka when they beat the holders, Hot Press 1-0, courtesy of a first-half goal from Eddie Sirbu.

In a repeat of last year’s final it was SARI Insaka who started the brighter with early efforts coming from Sirbu and Chris Amour, with Hot Press, led by Niall Stokes, chasing the game. With very

little space or time given on the ball neither team seemed like breaking the deadlock until Sirbu popped up to score the decisive goal with a wonder individual low drive just before half time.

Hot Press chased the game after the restart, with Rafael Souto having their best opportunity but he blasted his shot just over the bar from close range, leaving the SARI Insaka captain Toheeb ‘Tiger’ Adigun

Action from the final between SARI Insaka and Hot Press at the World Refugee Day event last week

to lift the cup aloft after Newstalk’s Global Village presenter Dil Wickremasinghe presented the 2011 winners with the Fair Play Football Cup. “It was a brilliant tournament, we all really had fun, it’s not just about

winning but to take part was ver y impor tant.

Everyone really enjoyed themselves and we’re all looking forward to coming back next year to defend the cup,” said a jubilant Adigun after the final whistle.

Sophie Magennis, of

UNHCR Ireland, said: “We had a brilliant day today. It was great that lots of kids and families came down, and SARI Insaka were very worthy winners.

“It was also a great way to mark the 60th anniversary of the UN

convention on the status of refugees and we’d like to mark the importance of the convention in offering protection to refugees. But it’s also a day to mark the contribution refugees and asylum seekers make to Irish society.”

28 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 23 June 2011

GazetteSport Sport

Posing for the camera during a break in play

Cabinteely FC

Summer football fest ends INALS day of Cabinteely FC’s 22nd annual Mini World Cup brought the two-week long community summer football fest to a magnificent finale.

Between the players, their families and friends and the many hundreds of volunteers, there were almost 3,000 people present on the day. A total of 1,667 goals were scored during the 357 games played during the fest.

FAI Deputy John Delaney joined in the fun as he presented the Ladies Special Needs squad with its National Division Three trophy and medals. Deputy Mary Mitchell O’Connor, TD, and Tommy Heffernan, Dublin District Schoolboys League chairman, presented the World Cup trophies.

FAI CEO John Delaney presents the National Division Three trophy and medals to Cabo’s Ladies Special Needs squad

Waiting for the in-swinging ball in the rain.

The satisfied smile of the goal-poacher supreme and a ball well struck

F

Two of Cabo’s young stars waiting for their turn to play in the competition

Perfectly balanced poise showing how to strike the ball cleanly

Teammates and friends after Israel’s first game

The girls of New Zealand grouping in strength in their game against Samoa.

23 June 2011 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 29

in association with

Following Rules all the way to Oz Competing at the highest level in the sport, Ireland is sending a team to the International Aussie Rules cup in August, ROB HEIGH discovers

IRELAND is set to send a group of players to Australia later in the summer, who will compete for honours in the sport that the Australians themselves created — Aussie Rules Football.

The fast-paced, hardhitting and stamina-sapping sport so beloved in the Antipodes has been popular in Ireland for many years, and has been a fixture here since around 2000.

The links between the codes of Gaelic football and AFL are clearly defined, the clear connection being the compromise rules series that takes place between the two countries being very keenly contested.

However, playing the pure version of Aussie Rules was so appealing that the game has

spawned clubs across the country, with three teams based in Dublin, the South Dublin Swans, based in Bushey Park, the Dublin Demons, who are based in Islandbridge, and the North Dublin Saints, who play their games at Coolock.

Peter Ross, player with the South Dublin Swans and the Irish Warriors Aussie Rules Football team, spoke to Gazette Sport last week ahead of the serious preparation for the International Cup tournament, which takes place this year in Sydney from August 13 to 27.

“This year, the team will probably be the strongest ever sent to represent Ireland in the competition. We have rising stars, such as Richmond Tigers’ inter-

A team talk for the Ireland AFL team in London recently

national rookie and Westmeath GAA senior, John Heslin, playing for the Warriors, as well as David Stynes, a former Ballyboden St

the competitions, having previously won the event on its debut in 2002, and reaching the semi-final of the event in 2005 and 2008. The

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

‘A lot of young GAA players see Aussie Rules as an opportunity to become a professional player in a sport similar to the one they play already when they move there.’

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Enda’s man and brother of Dublin star, Jim, who has lived in Melbourne for a number of years.”

Fourth tournament This is the fourth running of the tournament, that brings together the biggest international teams in Aussie Rules outside of Australia.

Ireland are among the top-seeded sides for

Irish side are on a roll following their victory in the European championships last year.

“In Ireland, there is a lot of media attention as there are so many GAA players out there. A lot of young GAA players see Aussie Rules as an opportunity to become a professional player in a sport very similar to the one they play already when they move there.

“The game is a huge professional sport in Australia, the players are well rewarded, not the same as you would get as a professional soccer player, but about the same as a professional r ugby player would receive.”

Australia will be absent from the event, as Peter says: “It would be like Ireland taking part in a world series of GAA event.” However, the tournament will visit some of the most famous stadiums in the

world with games being played in Sydney’s ANZ Stadium (where the Sydney Olympics were held) and the most iconic ground of them all, the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Asked who the contenders for the crown would be in Sydney, Peter said: “There are some countries who are very strong in the sport, like New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and South Africa, which is seen as a big pool of talent for Aussie Rules. The AFL are looking to expand the game beyond Australia, and take it all over the world.”

When asked about what’s involved in playing the sport, Peter said: “Aussie rules is for allround athletes, and these countries produce very strong rugby players, but not everyone is built for rugby.

“Stamina is as important as strength, and there are a lot of players from these countries who are picked up by the Aussie Rules teams.

“T he average AFL player does a lot of catching and kicking, and will run over 14km per game. If you come to AFL from rugby, it’s a big shock to the system.”

To find out more about the sport in Ireland, see w w w.ar f li.com, and rishwarriorsaussierules. wordpress.com.

FastSport Touch squad heading for World Cup destiny LOCAL faces from around Dublin will be competing against the best in the world this week when they take the field in Edinburgh at the 2011 Touch Rugby World Cup. Cllr Neale Richmond of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council presented the players, managers, coaches and physios with their jerseys at Bewley’s Hotel, Ballsbridge last Saturday.

President of the Ireland Touch Association, Michael Davies, has high hopes for the teams as they head over to Edinburgh this week.

“Coming home from last year’s European Championships with titles in the Mixed Open and the Men’s Over-40 divisions has provided a great foundation going into the World Cup,” he said. “Handing the green jerseys to the players is recognition of their dedication to training and their ability in the sport.”

Ireland will be competing in four categories: Mixed Open (men and women of any age), Men’s Open (men of any age), Men’s Over-35 and Men’s Over-40.

For more, see irelandtouchassociation.com

30 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 23 June 2011

GazetteSport Sport FastSport

Aldridge legends at Cabo this weekend FOLLOWING on its successful Mini World Cup, Cabinteely FC’s committee and volunteers are working frenetically this week to ensure that all is in order for their weekend challenge game with John Aldridge’s Irish International Legends’ XI. The match takes place on Saturday, June 25, on Cabinteely’s home patch of Kilbogget Park.

Among the big names now confirmed for the game are Ronnie Whelan, John Aldridge, Jason McAteer, Phil Babb, Paul McGrath, Kevin Sheedy, Paul Byrne, Alan McLoughlin, Keith O’Neill and Curtis Fleming.

The match will kick-off at 3pm, with gates open at 1pm, after which there’ll be plenty of family entertainment and fun for all until the game begins.

Tickets, priced at €10 for singles and €25 for a family of four, to include two children, are available online at www.cabinteelyfc.com, via Cabinteely FC on Facebook, in person from the Cabo clubhouse in Kilbogget Park, or call 01-235 4343 and leave your order.

EXCLUSIVE: DUN LAOGHAIRE CLUB ESTABLISHES LINK WITH KOP

Liverpool captain Stephen Gerrard will be one of the players travelling to Dublin to take part in a match against Bray

Joey’s partner Liverpool JONNY STAPLETON sport@gazettegroup.com

ST JOSEPH’S Boys have signed a partnership agreement with none other than Premier League giants, Liverpool, GazetteSport can exclusively reveal.

The deal, which will see Liverpool and the Dun Laoghaire club work closely together in coaching and player development, was finalised this week, and will be officially announced over the weekend.

Liverpool manager Kenny Daglish, who signed a similar agreement with the club when he was in charge at New-

castle, will come to Dublin to launch the agreement shortly, and will be followed by his team on July 18.

Steven Gerrard, Luis Suarez, Jamie Carragher will sport the famous Liver crest in the Carlisle Grounds next month when the Anfield side play Joey’s League of Ireland sister club, Bray, as part of the agreement.

The partnership sees one of the most successful underage sides in Ireland team up with one of the most successful clubs in the world.

Joey’s coaches and underage players will benefit from access to the renowned Liverpool

Putt it there: Dalkey at Community Games COMPETITORS from across Dun

Laoghaire and the rest of Dublin took part in the Dublin Commuinity Games Athletics finals at Morton Stadium last weekend. Over 3,000 children, from 53 areas around the city and county filled the ground with energy and excitement as they competed in the full range of athletics disciplines on track and field.

Tony Feeney, president of Dublin Community Games said: “Well done to everyone who participated in the finals and we wish those who qualified for the National Finals in Athlone the very best of luck.”

academy, whilst Liverpool with get access to some of Ireland’s brightest soccer talents.

“It is a massive boost for the club, and it is great to have Liverpool on board.

We finalised the partnership over the last few days and it will be announced next week,” club secretary Niall O’Driscoll told GazetteSport.

“We will have the help of the Liverpool coaching academy and our Under12s to Under-14s will travel over twice a year. Our coaches will also visit and have access to the Liverpool academy.

“Liverpool might take up some the better young players and the likes of

Andy Keogh and Paul McShane may be followed across the water by some of the talent we have now.”

For a club that emphasises individual rather than team development, and prides itself on educating and developing footballers, it is a massive step.

Already, they have had a long list of player and individual achievements to celebrate this year. The club’s Under-14s registered back-to-back AllIreland success.

The Under-9s and Under-13s claimed respective league titles, while the Under-12s and girls Under-17s and Under-15s

celebrated league cup success.

Individually, they have had no few than 17 girls and 19 boys playing representative level this term, with eight internationals between the boys and girls set-ups.

Sam Byrne signed for Manchester United and Dillon Hayes for Derby County as the conveyer belt of talent goes into overdrive.

“Joey’s ethos is to develop players. Player development comes first. If we win medals along the way well and good, but it’s about making good players. We did well this year but we always try and raise the bar higher.”

23 June 2011 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 31

32 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 23 June 2011