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INSIDE: Presenter and fashionista Lisa Fitzpatrick talks us through a typical day in her busy life P11
Hurling:
Cuala looking to build SHC form against Faughs Page 30
Wakeboard:
Killiney’s David O’Caoimh wins big on Euro stage Page 31
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ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES....................... 8 DUBLIN LIFE....................11 OUT&ABOUT...................17 CLASSIFIEDS.................26 SPORT............................28
fringe: Don’t hang about – make plans about what to see at exciting festival P17
Housing crisis figures released aisling kennedy
NEW figures released by Focus Ireland recently show that 25 families in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown are currently in emergency accommodation. In addition, 5,700 people are currently on the waiting list for social housing in the area. Mike Allen, director of advocacy at Focus Ireland, told The Gazette that the problem is “getting worse faster
than the political response is coming”. Chair of the Housing Committee at the council and local Fine Gael councillor John Bailey said that he is determined to address the social housing and homeless problem in the area. He said: “We have funding of €60m to build houses in DLR, but it takes time, unfortunately. We’re progressing, and our objective is to build 681 units in the next 12 months.” Full Story on Page 4
Strum-my weather: Rain can’t stop ukulele players gathering DESPITE the rain, nothing could
dampen Aisling O’Kelly’s enthusiasm as she made her way to the Big Ukulele Hooley concert in The People’s Park recently. Once again at the annual Dun Laoghaire celebration of all things ukulele-related,
the sound of the distinctive musical instrument filled the air at a number of events, with ukulele players and master musicians from across the island of Ireland and beyond coming to celebrate a shared musical passion in Dun Laoghaire.
4 DUN LAOGHAIRE Gazette 27 August 2015
statistics Focus Ireland on scale of problem in the county
Call for action over DLR housing crisis aisling kennedy
THERE are 25 families currently in emergency accommodation in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, according to statistics from Focus Ireland this week. In addition, there are 5,700 people currently on the waiting list for social housing in the area. With homelessness at an all time high in Dun
Laoghaire-Rathdown, Focus Ireland are calling on the Government to tackle the problem when they return to the Dail in September. Mike Allen, director of advocacy at Focus Ireland, told The Gazette that they are working with the four local authorities in Dublin to remedy the situation, but, he says, “the problem is getting worse faster than the political
Dublin Gazette Newspapers, Second Floor, Heritage House, Dundrum Office Park, Dublin 14 Tel: 01 - 6010240. Email: sales@dublingazette.com news@dublingazette.com web: www.dublingazette.com twitter: @DublinGazette Visit us on Facebook at DublinGazetteNewspapers
response is coming”. He said: “These are the highest homeless figures we have ever seen. This problem is a consequence of decisions that were made during the boom and the subsequent decisions about how to tackle the problems after the crash. “When the boom was at its height, there was a belief that the private sector would look after everything, and so a sufficient number of social houses stopped being built. “When the crash came, the private sector stopped building and at the same time the State decided to slash the
social housing budget. So we stopped building social housing completely.” Allen believes that one of the ways the Government can help is by tackling the issue of landlords who haven’t paid their mortgage for more than a year and are putting their tenants at risk of being evicted. “Measures need to be introduced whereby if a house is repossessed, the house is still kept in social rental rather than evicting the family who currently live there. This requires a change of legislation, but this could be done in the third week in September when the Dail returns.” Chair of the housing committee at Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown and local Fine Gael councillor John Bailey told The Gazette that he is determined to address the social housing and homeless problem in the area.
Takes time He said: “We have funding of €60m to build houses in DLR, but there is a system that you have to go through. It takes time, unfortunately, but we have to address the homeless problem. “At the moment, we have planning permission to build in areas including Roselaw n, Rochestown House and Sandyford, with some other areas in the pipeline too. We’re progressing, and our objective is to build 681 units in the next 12 months.” Cllr Bailey said he wants to “attack the problem”, but said that “we’re not going to build 5,000 houses overnight; it’s not possible or realistic, but we are addressing the problem”.
With homelessness at crisis levels in the city, there are 25 families currently in emergency accommodation in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, say Focus Ireland statistics
27 August 2015 DUN LAOGHAIRE Gazette 5
C o m m ercial F eature
DUN LAOGHAIRE AT OUR CORE THE Central Bank of Ireland has approved the transfer of Glasthule-Dun Laoghaire District Credit Union Ltd to Core Credit Union Ltd. Members will benefit from longer opening hours, 5 office locations and access to savings 6 days a week. The Board of Core Credit Union Ltd is happy to announce the opening of a fifth office following the Central Bank’s approval of the merger of the former Glasthule-Dun Laoghaire District Credit Union Ltd with Core Credit Union Ltd. The new office of Core Credit Union on Sussex Street Dun Laoghaire is open 6 days a week for all Members; Monday – Friday, 9.45pm – 5pm, and Saturday, 9.45am – 12.30pm. The recent merger means Core Credit Union Ltd now has 24,000 Members, in excess of €86 million in assets and €52 million available to lend. Commenting on the announcement, Michael Byrne, CEO of Core Credit Union Ltd said: “This merger is great news for people living and working in Dun Laoghaire who can now avail of a full range of financial services across 5 offices and online from their local Credit Union.” The merger will enhance the services currently provided by both Credit Unions. Core Credit Union Ltd is excited also to announce the launch of a new range of electronic services such as direct debits, credit transfers and bill payments. Members can avail of these services both online at www.corecu.ie, and from their Apple or Android phones through the Credit Unions’ CUAnywhere app. Michael Byrne added: “Our Members and their respective local communities are the ultimate beneficiaries of this merger. They are now part of a larger, more efficient and financially secure Credit Union which can continue to provide loan and saving facilities across the local catchment area, but do it in a way that competes effectively with the high street bank.” Speaking about the merger, Core Credit Unions Ltd’s Chairperson Jean O’Hara said: “These mergers make perfect sense not only from a financial and member service perspective but also an administrative one. “The voluntary Boards of many Credit Unions are finding that it is easier to meet the challenge of a more demanding regulatory environment through combining resources. “Ultimately all Board members want to see Credit Union services retained in their localities, which is exactly what these mergers are helping to guarantee. “As far as the Credit Union Movement is concerned, I think 2015 will be a noteworthy year. The Movement overall is robust with €2 billion in reserves. Credit Unions are building scale and efficiencies to really provide an alternative banking force in this country,” she concluded.
Core Credit Union Ltd have offices at: Glasthule/Dun Laoghaire 4 Sussex Street Dun Laoghaire Co. Dublin 01 272 5606 dunlaoghaire@ corecu.ie Ballybrack 33 – 34 Church Road Ballybrack Co. Dublin
01 272 5603 ballybrack@ corecu.ie Dalkey 13a Castle Street Dalkey Co. Dublin 01 272 5605 dalkey@corecu. ie Sallynoggin/ Glenageary
8 Church Place Sallynoggin Co. Dublin 01 272 5604 sallynoggin@ corecu.ie Shankill Main Street Shankill Dublin 18 01 272 5602 shankill@ corecu.ie
www.corecu.ie Core Credit Union Ltd. is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Reg. No. 225CU.
enterprise Gallery welcomed for importance to county
Craft and design centre opened aisling kennedy
A DESIGN centre for budding craft and design entrepreneurs opened its doors in Dun Laoghaire recently and is now open to visitors and artists. The dlr Design Gallery, which is the latest offering by Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council,
is located in Moran Park House, adjacent to the DLR Lexlcon Library. It is hoped that the gallery will boost the local crafts and design sector within the county. Cllr Cormac Devlin (FF) welcomed its arrival, and said: “This will further enhance the image of Dun Laoghaire as a hub
for all things design and crafts [related] but also for all other types of art, too. “This centre offers affordable space for design, crafts, social enterprise and creative business entrepreneurs to have a prominent workspace.” Cllr Devlin praised Dun Laoghaire-Rath-
down County Council and said the gallery is a testament to the numerous initiatives over the past 10 years that the local authority has supported local arts, crafts, and design spaces within the county. He said: “The aim is to develop the national and international reputation
of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown as a centre of excellence for craft and design. “The hope is that the gallery will be recognised as the destination across Dublin for the appreciation and celebration of indigenous craft and design.” The Design Centre is now open to the public.
6 DUN LAOGHAIRE Gazette 27 August 2015
bray 293 people dress as wrestlers at seafront, supporting cancer group
Sumo-ch to enjoy setting a new world record aisling kennedy
A GROUP of 293 local “sumo wrestlers” broke a Guinness World Record on Bray seafront last weekend, in aid of Purple House Cancer Support. The record was smashed by a group of local people dressed in inflatable sumo suits, who became the world’s largest gathering of self-styled Japanese wres-
tlers. The previous record of 205 people was set in London in 2010. As well as making a new world record, the participants ran, jogged and walked 5km in their inflatable sumo suits on Bray seafront. Conor O’Leary, outreach co-ordinator at Purple House, told The Gazette the event made for a great day. He said: “It was a brilliant
day and hilarious to watch. It was a funny sight to see everyone inflated in their suits, and at the end of the day everyone got to bring their suits home. “I imagine there will be a lot of sumo wrestlers going around at Halloween this year!” Despite the funny theme of the day, O’Leary said there was an important reason for participating.
“The most important part of the day was the fact that all the money raised will go towards Purple House support. “We have cancer support services in Dun Laoghaire and Bray, and we provide free cancer support services to individual families affected by cancer.” Purple House was established in Bray 25 years ago, and last year it set up
an outreach clinic in Dun Laoghaire. “Everyone who took part on the day either knows someone who has used our centre or they know someone who has been affected by cancer. “Last year, we had more than 2,000 people affected by cancer access our services and, unfortunately, fundraising is needed so that we can provide these services.
“We were delighted with the community support on the day.” P ur ple House’s target amount is €10,000, which it hopes to reach. Donations are welcome via www.purplehouse.ie. If you or anyone you know is affected by cancer, you can contact Purple House Cancer Support at 01 286 6966, or see their website, above.
sport: deadline looming
Clubs urged to apply for partial rates exemption aisling kennedy
ALL SPORTS clubs across the Dun Laoghaire area should note that the deadline to apply for a partial commercial rate exemption is looming. The partial exemption applies to clubs where buildings or part of buildings are occupied and are used exclusively for community sport on a not-forprofit basis. The Valuation (Amendment) Act 2015, which introduced a new provision to the Valuation Act 2001, gave rise to this partial exemption. Under the Valuation Act 2001, the entire premises occupied by a sports club registered under the Registration of Clubs (Ireland) Act 1904 was liable for commercial rates, according to the Valuation Office. The amendment changes this by confining the liability for commercial rates to those parts of the club premises used by the club for the generation of income. Cllr Cormac Devlin (FF) told The Gazette that he would like to see
Cllr Cormac Devlin (FF): “I am reminding all community sports clubs across the county to avail of it before the deadline closes”
as many clubs avail of this exemption as possible. He said: “These changes were only enacted earlier this summer so I am reminding all community sports clubs across the county to avail of it before the deadline closes. “Sporting clubs that operate on a not for profit basis will continue to be exempt from rates and do not need to make an application; however, it should be noted that buildings or part of buildings used for or in conjunction with the sale or consumption of alco-
hol or food, retail use or hire to non-community organisations will remain liable for regular commercial rates.” Any club hoping to avail of the commercial rate exemption must apply to the Valuation Office by completing a form, which is available for download at www. valoff.ie. For further information on these changes, clubs should contact the Valuation Office by telephoning 01 817 1033, or by emailing valuationservices@valoff.ie.
27 August 2015 DUN LAOGHAIRE Gazette 7
business Minister welcomes Amgen manufacturing plant
Biopharm giant open €300m facility aisling kennedy
THE biopharmaceutical giant Amgen opened a €300m manufacturing facility in Dun Laoghaire this week. The facility took five years to redesign and is located in the old Pfizer building at Pottery Road. T h e d e ve l o p m e n t project included the construction of an 11,500sq m production plant, a new 5,800sq m cold chain warehouse, and a major refurbishment of the other buildings that were already on site. Amgen said its new syringe filling facility adds to the capabilities that already exist at the site
and positions the Dublin plant as a key location within the global organisation. Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton attended the opening last week and he said that this project proved that Ireland’s economy was on the road to recovery. He said: “In 2010, the previous ow ner announced it was selling the Dun Laoghaire facility, with the loss of more than 200 jobs. “However, in the subsequent years, Amgen announced that it was purchasing this facility, saving the existing jobs and creating 100 extra
jobs. By investing millions of euro in innovation and in its workforce, and by bringing new product lines to Ireland, this Amgen facility provides a great example of how innovative companies can excel in this country.” The biotechnology company also has a philanthropic arm to it – the Amgen Foundation – and it has announced that it will be investing €600,000 in science education over the next three years, which will help 53,000 students and nearly 500 teachers across Ireland. The Amgen Foundation has set up two complimentary science education programmes in
Ireland: the Amgen Teach and the Amgen Biotech Experience. These science programmes will support the professional development of secondary school life science teachers and increase students’ scientific literacy and interest in scientific careers. In addition, the Amgen Foundation also announced that five undergraduate students from Ireland were selected to participate in the 2015 Amgen Scholars Programme. The Scholars programme is part of a 12-year commitment that will see €15m spent on science education by pro-
Cllr Victor Boyhan (Ind): “[Amgen vice president of regional manufacturing] Kerry Ingalls and his team have built a world-class facility here in Dun Laoghaire”
viding undergraduates with a cutting-edge summer research experience at world-class, third-level educational institutes. Kerry Ingalls, Amgen vice president of regional manufacturing, said: “Amgen is committed to fostering the scientific potential of a new gen-
eration. Ireland is currently the only European country to offer all three science education programmes. “Our programmes are designed to inspire students in Ireland to pursue further education, and possibly even a career, in science.”
Cllr Victor Boyhan (Ind) attended the opening of the facility and said: “Kerry Ingalls and his team have built a worldclass facility here in Dun Laoghaire. I congratulate them on what has been achieved and wish the company every success for the future.”
8 DUN LAOGHAIRE Gazette 27 August 2015
concerts Programme to feature master composers and post-concert jazz
Three-day festival of classical music for Monkstown aisling kennedy
A THREE-day festival of classical music returns to Monkstown this September and residents and visitors alike are invited to attend. The inaugural Music in Monkstown festival was a huge success last year and
FastNews
Free seminar on physical activity DUN LaoghaireRathdown Sports Partnership, South Dublin Sports Partnership and Kildare Sports Partnerships are jointly running a free seminar this September, entitled Supporting Physical Education and Activity in Primary Schools. The seminar will focus on how primary schools can engage with and reach their pupils. It will also raise awareness of the options and supports available to schools. The seminar will take place on Tuesday, September 22 in Citywest Hotel. For further information, see https://primaryschoolssportsseminar. eventbrite.ie
New speech and drama classes SPEECH and drama classes for children will be starting up in the DLR LexIcon Library this coming September. The classes will be run by Adrienne Lee, from Play Act drama school, and classes cost €90 for 10 weeks for 4-7 year olds, and €99 for 10 weeks for 8-plus years. Classes will begin on September 14 onwards, and will cover improvisation, devising, characterisation, and much more. For further information, contact Adrienne at 085 275 4057, or see www.playact.ie.
this year the concert series has an exciting line-up which features five concerts over the three days. Music by Beethoven, Chopin, Brahms, Handel and Mozart will be performed over the weekend on a range of musical instr uments, including solo piano, string
quartets and operatic arias. Music in Monkstown is the brainchild of the National Symphony Orchestra’s principal clarinetist, and Monkstown resident, John Finucane, and is supported by a number of other enthusiastic locals. Finucane told The Gazette
he was very excited about this year’s programme. He said: “This festival is developing and this year we have added a fifth fantastic concert as well as our first fringe event, postconcert jazz.” The line-up for this year’s festival features visiting international performers along-
side top Irish musicians, including pianist Philip Martin, soprano Celine Byrne and the London-based Navarra String Quartet. Music in Monkstown takes place in Monkstown Parish Church from September 18 to 20. Concert tickets are avail-
able at www.eventbrite.ie or at the door. Tickets for individual evening concerts are €20, afternoon concerts are €10, and there is a special weekend pass for all five concerts for €60. For further information, see w w w.facebook.com/ musicinmonkstown.
action list: environmental protection agency highlight dlr projects
Concern at works delay for water improvement aisling kennedy
THE Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced this week that Irish Water is delaying improvement works in three areas of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown that have been flagged as areas of concern. As part of the latest revision of the EPA’s Remedial Action List of public water drinking supplies, it was noted that there is a delay on the improvement of three public water supplies in the Stillorgan, Roundwood and Church Road areas of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown. The purpose of the EPA’s Remedial Action List of public water drinking supplies is to focus Irish Water’s attention on resolving the most serious deficiencies in public water supplies. There are currently 109 supplies in the country that remain on the priority list, all of which are awaiting improvement works. The three supplies that appear on the priority list for Dun LaoghaireRathdown are awaiting improvement works due to treatment and management issues. These three supplies currently serve more than 120,000 consumers in the Dun Laoghaire-Rath-
down area. The EPA, as the regulator, is currently overseeing the work on the public water drinking supplies as Irish Water has indicated that completion dates for 45 out of the 109 supplies remaining on the priority list have been pushed back. Cllr Kate Feeney (FF) told The Gazette that she was aware that remedial measures to deal with serious water treatment issues affecting Stillorgan, Church Road and Roundwood were flagged by the EPA as far back as 2013, and were due to be completed by Irish Water this month.
Wasteful She said: “These delays in fixing the water infrastructure in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown are yet another illustration of how Irish Water has been an utterly wasteful diversion of more than €1bn taxpayer money. “Despite this enormous outlay, this year, Irish Water will spend less than €300m on fixing water infrastructure, compared to a €500m spend in 2010 under Fianna Fail. “Had the Government spent the Water Conservation Grant directly on fixing leaky pipes instead of using it to fund the Irish Water accountancy trick,
Irish Water is delaying improvement works in three areas of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown that have been flagged as areas of concern, say the Environmental Protection Agency
it would have increased spending on infrastructure by 43%.” Cllr Victor Boyhan (Ind) said: “Public confidence in the health and safety of drinking water is paramount. The residents of South Dublin need to be very concerned about the latest reports coming from the EPA. “Customers are now
paying for water services and are entitled to expect a good supply of quality drinking water.” He continued: “The fact the EPA has flagged three water source locations within Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown that need attention, coupled with ongoing issues about lead pipes in parts of the county, is of seri-
ous concern to me. “I will be writing to the chief executive of Irish Water to seek commitments in this regard.” In response, a spokesperson from Irish Water said: “In relation to the most urgent issue that the EPA have in terms of safe drinking water, that problem will be resolved as of September because
we will have a UV plant in operation at the Stillorgan reservoir, and that will manage the risk of any bacteria. “We will then have further work to do on the Dartry scheme over the coming years to bring it fully up to scratch, but in terms of safe drinking water, it will be resolved from September.”
27 August 2015 DUN LAOGHAIRE Gazette 9
C o m m e r c i a l F e at u r e
local Health&Fitness
Start a new fit and healthy lifestyle this September with Newpark Sports Centre
Newpark School Sports Centre has fully equipped gymnastic classes and gym (above) with pool (right) and a wide range of fitness classes like Rip 60 (below)
NOW ENROLING FOR SEPTEMBER 2015 Swimming lessons 4 years upwards The swimming lessons programme at Newpark Sport Centre is unique in that ALL of the Swimming Teachers on the pool bank are Swim Ireland level two qualified and are all highly experienced in teaching swimming to adults and children of all ages and abilities. Newpark School Sport Centre are recognised locally in providing the highest quality teaching and getting the best results. The programme has been specifically designed to encourage swimmers from beginners to advanced levels to develop new skills in a fun and social atmosphere. •CHILDRENS SWIMMING LESSONS Toddlers to advanced levels - Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturdays Lengths to lifesaving techniques on Tuesdays, Saturdays & Sundays •ADULT SWIMMING LESSONS
Beginners, improvers & advanced levels Wednesdays 9-10pm Adult masters swimming - Thursday 9-10pm (pay as you go €6 or take out a membership). This class is designed for those looking to improve their stroke, technique, build strength & stamina.
Also suitable for master’s swimmers, tri athletes & sea swimmers looking for a warmer training session. • Gymnastics classes 3-14years Gymnastics is a fun and exciting way to improve physical strength, flexibility, agility, coordination and balance. Participation in gymnastics activity also develops confidence,
creativity & leadership, not to mention a healthy body and mind. Qualified and experienced staff are on hand to ensure your child has a fun and positive experience of one of the oldest Olympic sports and one of the world’s largest sports.
• Wednesday junior gymnastics 3-4 year olds 4.15-5pm or 5-5.45pm • Saturdays recreational gymnastics 5-14 year olds 9-10am, 10-11am, 11-12, 12-1pm & 1-2pm September Fitness Special offer There has never been a better time to join with 12 month Fitness Centre membership for only €299, offer valid until
30th September 2012. Full membership includes use of the fully equipped fitness centre, expert instruction and advice from highly experienced and qualified staff, fitness programmes and fitness testing. Also includes a wide range of fitness classes including • Rip 60, Kettle bell, Fit box, Circuit training, Body conditioning, Bosu Ball, Abs tone and Sculpt, Aquafit and access to the pool during all public swimming sessions. Pay as you go options available for the casual user, or membership rates available, for 1 month, 3 months, 6 months & 12 months. Now offering an off peak admission price of only €5 per visit for casual users before 12 noon Monday to Friday. The extensive fitness programme now offers phase 4 cardiac rehab and GP referral programmes. For more information on any of our classes or courses please call in or contact us on ph 01 2883720/2833037 or visit our website www.newparksportscentre.ie or find us on facebook!
PROMOTING A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE FOR YOU! Fully Equipped Fitness Centre FITNESS CLASSES
● Fitbox ● Rip 60/TRX ● Kettle bell ● Circuit Training ● Body Conditioning ● Bosu Ball ● Aquafit ● Abdominal tone & Sculpt ● Pilates
12 MONTH FITNESS CENTRE MEMBERSHIP FOR ONLY €299. Offer valid until 30th September 2015
CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES
Swimming lessons for 4 years upwards Gymnastics classes for 5 years upwards Junior Gymnastics for 3-4year olds
Contact us on 01 - 288 3720 / 283 3037 or visit our website www.newparksportscentre.ie
27 August 2015 Gazette 11
theatre P14
feature P16
asdfsdaf P27
dublinlife Let Dublin Gazette Newspapers take you on a tour of the news and events taking place across the city and county this week
a day in the life: lisa fitzpatrick balances her family and work
what’son
A mum with a mission àisling kennedy
KNOWN for being Ireland’s numberone fashion guru and stylist to the stars, Lisa Fitzpatrick is one of the busiest stylists in showbiz. She presents a fashion slot on Ireland AM on weekdays, appears on TV3’s Xpose regularly, runs her own fashion roadshow and is mother to two young children. She took time out this week to talk to The Gazette about a typical day in her life. “I get up at about 6am every day and I have a routine where I love to have my coffee and a bottle of water first thing in the morning.” Lisa, who is married to Paul Fitzpatrick and is mother to Sophie (12) and Dalton (9), says that her son spoils her every morning and always makes her a coffee to get the day started. “Dalton makes me my coffee every morning and he writes little letters on the coffee tray or puts a fake flower or a flower from the garden on my tray each day. He’s great, and a really thoughtful young man.” Once she has her morning coffee, Lisa gets herself camera ready and heads to the TV3 studios in Ballymount for her fashion segment on Ireland AM. “I usually get to TV3 at about 7am, and I will then sit with my models, check the re-fit of their clothes, then do the Coming Up slot, and then present the slot at 10am.
“After that, I then head into the city centre for meetings at 10.30am. I always go into Clarendon St Church and light three candles, either before the meeting or after the meeting, for whoever is in my thoughts. I never go into the city centre without lighting candles in Clarendon St.” After that, Lisa pulls some looks for Xpose in stores around the city, and then at 1.45pm she leaves the city centre to pick up her children from school. She is usually home by 4pm when she then sits down to have a healthy lunch of either a tuna salad or salmon and brown bread. She then turns her attention towards her children, and begins helping them with their homework. “I usually cook dinner while the kids are doing their homework and then once dinner is finished at about 5pm, I get into mammy mode and prepare lunches for the next day, put washes on and do a bit of ironing. “Then, at about 7pm it’s my time! I catch up on my TV box sets – I’m watching Madame Secretary, and Suits, at the moment.” She is usually pretty tired from the early start, so she is always in bed by 9pm and asleep by 10pm, ready to start the next day again at 6am. Lisa Fitzpatrick is currently relaunching her Fashion Fix roadshow in the Spencer Hotel on September 19. Tickets for the roadshow are available at www.fitzpatrickstyle.com.
Gazette
diary P12
volunteer to help a wheely great event
TV presenter and style guru Lisa Fitzpatrick is kept busy with staying on trend for all the latest fashions, while also juggling her time as a wife and mother
EVENT volunteers are being sought for the Great Dublin Bike Ride, which takes place on Sunday, September 13 in Smithfield. The event is a mass participation bike ride for people of all abilities – from novice riders to experts, and enthusiastic, reliable and safety-conscious volunteers are needed to help direct more than 2,500 cyclists through the course. Volunteers will meet at Smithfield and Swords on Sunday, September 13. They are crucial to event operations, cyclists’ safety and contributing to the atmosphere of the day. Volunteers are currently being recruited for event coordination, team support and cyclist registration. Two scenic routes (60km and 100km) have been designed for the event (subject to change, pending approval of the relevant bodies), with both routes starting and finishing in the heart of Smithfield. The Great Dublin Bike Ride is based on the international sportif model, which promotes cycling and mass participation. You can apply online at www.volunteer.ie.
12 Gazette 27 August 2015
Gazette
dublinlife Festival set to brew up a storm Bac k b y p o p u l a r demand after its inaugural outing last year, The Dublin Coffee and Tea Festival 2015 is set to be another big weekend on the social calendar for coffee and tea lovers nationwide. T he festival takes place once again in the RDS from September 11 to 13, with thousands of visitors expected to taste what the coffee and tea industry in Ireland has to offer. The Dublin Coffee and Tea Festival fea-
tures: The Roasters Village hosting an array of coffee and tea micro roasters; T he SCAE Brew School where visitors will be shown how to use different brewing methods; The National Home Barista Championships as well as The Food Village for Artisan food and beverage suppliers whose products compliments the coffee and tea drinking experience. The Festival has served as a fitting platform to promote the
renowned World Barista Championship which is coming to Dublin in June 2016 for the first time. For further information visit www.dublincoffeefestival.com.
shatter shoots back on story Alan Shatter has hit back at a story that ran last week alleging he charged €12 passport photos to the Irish taxpayer during his tenure as Justice Minister. The former minister says the
claims are “totally false”. The Star reported that Shatter claimed €12 in expenses for passport photos in October 2013 while he was earning a salary of almost €160,000. However in a Facebook post the Dublin South TD torpedoed these allegations. He said the real story was that he undertook ministerial engagements in Lebanon, Jordan and Israel, in 2013 for which inoculations and photos were required for a Lebanese visa. “I was asked to furnish all relevant receipts to the Department of Defence and did so,” he said. This isn’t the first time Shatter has been in the spotlight over photographs. Back in 2007, he circulated a bizarre leaflet with pictures of his head photo-shopped onto a picture of Star Trek’s, Captain Kirk, and Simon Cowell with headlines like Shatter has the X-Factor.
Barnardos seeks volunteers Children’s charity Barnardos is seeking volunteers throughout Dublin to support its national collection day – Buckets for Barnardos – on Friday, September 18. Barnardos is hoping to recruit over 1,000 volunteers to raise funds for its work with vulnerable children and families. Barnardos works with over 11,300 children and families in 40 projects throughout Ireland To volunteer contact Grainne on 1850 217 217 or visit www.barnardos. ie/buckets. If you are unable to volunteer but would like to help you can text BUCKET to 50300 to donate €4.
diary
Model Holly Carpenter at the launch of the Dublin Coffee and Tea Festival 2015
27 August 2015 Gazette 13
FEATURE event: ‘The Festival is packed with lectures, debate, film and walks’
Rising to open Dublin Festival of History Ian Begley
The third annual Dublin Festival of History is set to take place again this year with the question of how 1916 should be commemorated as one of the chief topics. The festival runs from September 25 to October 10 in Printworks Dublin Castle, Dublin City Council public libraries, and various other venues. A panel discussion of commemorations is only one of the topics in the 2015 programme, which will look at some of the greats of history in Napoleon, Caesar and Wellington, as well as the social history of Dublin throughout its sporting and culinary
life. As the centenar y o f t h e 1916 R i s i n g approaches, the Festival will open with a panel of Irish historians reflecting on recent commemorative events, and looking ahead to the plans to mark the centenary of the Rising. The 1916 Rising also features strongly in the programme in the branch libraries with talks on the fire brigade in 1916, the re-development of Richmond Barracks and the labour movement at Easter Week 1916. There’s a focus on women’s history, with talks on the women who took part in the Rising, the lives of the Pearse sisters, and women’s
political participation in Ireland. Speaking at the festival Dublin Lord Mayor Criona Ni Dhalaigh (SF) said: “The Festival is packed with interesting lectures, debate, film and walks and is a real treat for the history buff. “The programme for the 2015 Festival runs from the 1916 Rising to the Second World War, from the history of soccer in Ireland to medics in the trenches, from the field of Croke Park to the field of Waterloo, and from the streets of Dublin to the streets of Samarkand. “This year for the first time the Festival, run by Dublin City’s public libraries, will include a
How 1916 should be commemorated will be a major topic at the Dublin Festival of History. Picture: Courtesy of Dublin City Library and Archive
family and children’s programme which takes place in Dublin Castle and partner venues and includes a specially commissioned walk, A Child’s view of Dublin Life through the ages.” All lectures and children’s events at the Dublin Festival of History are free and tickets can be booked at www.dublinfestivalofhistory.ie.
Search is on for Silver Surfers Age Action is searching for people over the age of 50 who are getting online and mastering new technologies as part of this year’s Silver Surfers Awards. This year’s awards were launched by Newstalk’s George Hook at an event in DCU accompanied by past winner Marie O’Gorman and new learners Adrienne Swan and Noeleen Brennan. Although as many as 70 per cent of older people don’t use the internet Age Action’s Silver Surfers have overcome the challenge of learning something new and are now expert googlers, skypers and tweeters. Whether it’s keeping in touch with grandchildren overseas, paying bills, starting your own blog or researching your passion, Age Action wants to highlight the achievements of the
over 50s in Ireland and nominations are now open. -----------------------------------
‘I was amazed by all the different contributions to technology’ -----------------------------------
One of last year’s winners, 86-year-old Paddy Crean, said: “I was amazed by all the different contributions to technology from different Silver Surfers, from finding crochet patterns online to writing stories for grandchildren to setting up online book clubs.” Eamon Timmins, chief executive of Age Action, said there were more nominations last year than ever before and they are hoping to top
this in 2015. “The Silver Surfer awards are a great way to show an older relative or friend your appreciation and we’re urging everyone right across Dublin who knows a great silver surfer to nominate them. We hope they will inspire other older people to take the plunge and to get online,” he said. All nominees will be invited to the awards ceremony in October, organised by our partners for this year’s Silver Surfers, the DCU Age Friendly Project. Nominations can be made online at www.ageaction. ie/silversurfer or by phoning 01 475 6989. Closing date for nominations is October 4, 2015. The winners will be announced at a ceremony on October 20 at The Helix Theatre.
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14 Gazette 27 August 2015
dublinlife
award-winning : National Theatre of Great Britain
Thrilling new stage play has plenty of bite Ian Begley
The National Theatre of Great Britain returns to the Bord Gais Energy Theatre this October with the multi awardwinning production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the NightTime. Christopher Boon is a 15–year-old boy with Asperger’s syndrome (a form of autism) which
leaves him ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. When he falls under suspicion of killing Mrs Shears’ dog, it takes him on a journey that upturns his world. Based on the awardwinning novel by Mark Haddon, adapted by Simon Stephens and directed by Marianne Elliott, T he Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is a
thrilling new stage play from the National Theatre. Speaking to The Gazette, director Stephens said that adapting the novel into a play was both daunting and tremendous fun. “Mark Haddon is an extraordinar y writer and it was a real honour to be asked to adapt his novel into a play - it was
both a massive compliment and very daunting at the same time. “Mark was such a brilliant, empowering collaborator. He basically said ‘I trust you’ and to do whatever I wanted with his novel. Because of this I felt more brave and confident about taking upon this massive feat. I took a long time thinking about how to dramatise the novel which is entirely built around the interior voice. “Drama deals with things that people do rather than the things people feel or think about. T he novel is all about what Chris remembers and what he thinks and observers. Finding a dramatic muscle to that was the real challenge.” Stephens went on to say that Christopher’s teacher Siobhan is one of the chief characters in the play despite her playing only a minor part in the book. “The novel pretends
Director Simon Stephens said that adapting the novel into a play was both daunting and tremendous fun. Picture: Alex Rumford
to be a book written by somebody else – Christopher. His teacher is quite a peripheral figure in the novel, but I made his relationship with her the real centre of the play. “I have allowed Siobhan act as the narrator in the play by reading C h r i s t o p h e r ’s b o o k aloud. “When she first picks up his book she finds something very special
in him which she finds astonishing.” He added that he wants the audience to have the same sense of astonishment and curiosity into Christopher’s world as his teacher. “We recognise ourselves in Christopher, but at the same time he’s unlike anything we have ever experienced. “What Mark’s done is that he’s invented a character who doesn’t
h ave e m p a t hy a s a means of exploring how important empathy is because of his condition - he can’t understand people’s feelings.” The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time is taking place at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre from October 6 to 10. Tickets are priced from €15 - €55 and can be purchased on www. bordgaisenergytheatre. ie
Simon says please join its upcoming fun run THE Simon Fun Run will hold its 32nd charity run in the Phoenix Park this October. The Simon Fun Run is a professionally timed road race which is registered with Athletics Association Ireland and will see runners such as Olivier Meisonnave from Dax Restaurant and the Hamleys Bear take to the track. The five-mile route is open to
professional and amateur runners alike, with Simon inviting running clubs, school groups, corporate teams, family groups and friends to take part.
Activities There will be a Hamleys’ Kids Zone, Simon Food Court, live music and performers and much more activities on the day.
The run will take place on Saturday, October 3 and the meeting point is the Papal Cross in the park. There is an entrance fee of €30 for adults, €10 for 13-18 year olds, while 12 years and under are free, and school groups can register as a group for €15. To register, see www.familyfun. ie/dublin-simon-fun-run/.
27 August 2015 GAZETTE 15
FEATURES
Ryan Sheridan is set to release his new album, Here and Now , on August 28. Picture: Jelena Lihhatsova
RYAN SHERIDAN: SINGER/SONGWRITER RELEASES ALBUM
‘I’m ecstatic to get back to my native home’
IAN BEGLEY
RYAN Sheridan, the acclaimed singer/songwriter from Monaghan, is set to release his new album in Ireland on August 28 following a much anticipated world tour. His new album Here And Now was recorded in Ireland and Germany, and is the follow up to his Irish platinum selling debut The Day You Live Forever. Featuring the massive hits Jigsaw and The Dreamer, that album was only kept from the top of the Irish charts by Adele’s 21. A brand new single Hearsay is also being released to coincide with
the arrival of Sheridan’s new album. 2012 saw international deals done with Universal Music in Europe and Australia, and The Day You Live Forever climbed to the top of the German charts. Thrilling
Extensive touring soon followed, and Sheridan spent much of 2013 thrilling European audiences with his highoctane live shows. Speaking to The Gazette, Sheridan said he is very excited in the run up to his new album, along with performing in Dublin. “After my first album in 2011 I’ve been touring around the world for
a total of four years and now I’m very pleased to be back releasing another one. “Over the years I feel like I’ve progressed a little towards a more acoustic element. “I was really inspired to bring the album back to my roots and back to a raw energy acoustic sound that I was looking for. “I only just got back from a tour recently and then I have an Irish tour coming up starting on August 28 in Whelan’s Pub. It’s been about two or three years ago since I last toured around in Ireland so I’m ecstatic to get back to my native home.” Sheridan went onto
say that his upcoming performance in Whelan’s Pub is something he is really looking forward to as it was where he first started out. “Whelan’s is where it all started for me so I have a bit of a soft spot for the place. I’m now very much looking forward to per forming there again. I’m sure it’ll be a fantastic night and hopefully the place will be packed full of music lovers.” Ryan Sheridan’s new album Here And Now will be released August 28 and he will be performing in Whelan’s Pub on the same day. V i s i t w w w. r y a n sheridanmusic.com for more information.
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dublinlife
feature
crisis: Calling to re-establish Training Agency
Hospitality sector facing chef shortage Aisling Kennedy akennedy@dublingazette.com
Dublin, and indeed Ireland, is currently facing a
crisis in the hospitality sector as there is a major shortage of culinary chefs throughout our country. The crisis of chefs has
reached its highest level yet and the Restaurant Association of Ireland is now calling on the Minister for Education to re-es-
tablish CERT, the former State Tourism Training Agency. CERT was established in 1963 and was responsible for providing a trained workforce for the hotel, catering and tourism industry. It was abolished in 2003. Chief executive of the Restaurant Association of Ireland (RAI) Adrian Cummins said: “The restaurant sector are calling for the immediate reestablishment of CERT, which the tourism and hospitality sector held in high esteem while it was operational. It was fit for purpose and serviced the industry with skilled labour during its operational years.” A tota l of 24,700 chefs were employed in 2014 but according to the RAI the main skills shortages are among suitably qualified chefs as many of the applicants submitted for chef positions are deemed not to be appropriately qualified. The RAI believe that there is not enough chef training centres in Ireland and said that there is an immediate deficit of 5,000 chef trainees annually. Ross Lewis, joint-owner and Michelin star head chef at Chapter One, told the Gazette that he believes there are many facets to the current crisis in chefs and there is no quick fix. He said: “The prob-
Ross Lewis, joint-owner and Michelin star head chef at Chapter One
lem is that demand is outstripping supply. The industry has been growing progressively over the last 15 years and I’m not sure that we’re surviving the supply of chefs to meet the demand. “There is probably 3,000 to 4,000 more restaurant seats in the city in the last three to four years and that’s a huge contributing factor.” Lewis explains that a shortage in chefs in Ireland is a continual problem as Ireland is a small country and chefs tend to train here and then move onto other countries. “Chefs are usually young and single and they do tend to move on to other countries. We have to try to encourage these guys back here because it’s potentially a huge area for Irish tourism.” Another aspect of some young chefs deciding against the trade are the unsociable hours and in some cases poor wages. Lewis is quick to dispel this idea, however, and says: “Yes the hours can
be unsociable but on the other hand it has never been a more positive time to be a chef. “It’s a glamorous job now and the amount of people who are interested and attracted by it has never been greater.” Crisis
Lewis believes that an important area to tackle in the crisis of chefs is training colleges. “There is an element of large drop outs from college and in the first year of the industry there is a very significant drop out. “We need to take a look at this because for every hundred enrolling, the amount that are actually making it through to the industry is considerably less and this is a real issue. “We need to take the teaching of culinary arts and cheffing back into the kitchen. Apprenticeships have been dispensed with which is a major problem. “If somebody comes through the apprenticeship system in the kitchen then they’ll know
what’s involved and what the hours are and they’ll tell you very quickly whether they want to do it or not.” Lewis explains that teaching in a classroom is a cheaper and easier option but it’s not practical because young chefs are not experiencing the real kitchen environment or being hands on with food. “There’s a big disconnect between the educational system and the industry and that’s an issue.” Lewis is aware that there is no quick fix but he is adamant that the problem should be approached from all angles. He said: “We’re going to have to do something because it’s at a crisis stage at this point. Instead of hiring chefs with training, kitchens are hiring the immigrant workforce who might not have worked in a kitchen before. “I am very proud of Ireland as a food island as the primary produce here is second to none.
27 August 2015 Gazette 17
asdfsdaf P27 cinema P25
travel P20
OUT&ABOUT Never be out of the loop on what’s happening in Dublin! Let Out&About be your guide to all that is stylish, cultural and essential across the city and beyond this week
Gazette
style P18
Pets it’s the quiet life for Maggie
Emily Aoibheann from performance group Dying Breeds rehearsing for their new show Object Piggy which will feature at Dublin Fringe. Picture: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland
festival: Celebrating 21 years with a packed programme of shows
No longer on the fringes keith bellew
Tiger Dublin Fringe Festival celebrates its 21st birthday this year from September 7 to 20 with a packed programme of acclaimed shows in the mediums of theatre, comedy, music, dance and circus. Speaking to The Gazette, chief executive and artistic director of Tiger Dublin Fringe Kris Nelson said the festival was created by a group of artists who felt that they weren’t being presented in mainstream festivals, and wanted to create their own context for independent work. “Unlike most fringe [festivals] around the world they decided they would make a curated festival so that their Fringe of other work by Irish art-
ists would be selected by the director, whereas other Fringes around the world are based on first come, first served,” he said. He went on to say that the festival has really grown over the years and is no longer on the fringes of the main festivals as it is now one of the main festivals. “The festival presents the very best and brightest of new Irish makers, so we focus a lot on new forms new expressions, new kinds of theatre, dance, comedy, and circus. “Over the years it’s become an incubator for new talent and new ideas, and it’s also a place where more established artists come to try something new,” he said. He said that Fringe audiences are
very diverse comprising arts aficionados, first timers and everything in between. Many of the events will be held in unique venues throughout the city, and Nelson says this lends a spirit of adventure to the festival. Possibly one of the most intriguing of these is Beckett in the City which will be performed in the former residence of Gaelscoil Colaiste Mhuire in Parnell Square. This building is steeped in Irish republican history as it is the place that the 1916 proclamation was signed. It has been left vacant since the school moved premises in December, 2002. Directed by Sarah Jane Scaife, this performance examines the female characters in Samuel Beckett’s Footfalls, Rockaby, Not I and Come and
Go. Nelson said that Scaife is one of the world’s leading experts on Samuel Beckett, both in an academic sense and in terms of staging his work. “For her what’s important is that Beckett has a connection with Dublin and with the cityscape, so what she has done over a series of works is connect lesser known pieces or parts of Beckett’s works into places in the city. “She wants to connect how the state and religious institutions have effected Irish women and she’s doing that with these iconic works and also with amazing performers,” he said. To view the full programme of venues and events visit www.fringefest. com.
The Gazette Newspaper has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for unwanted and abandoned dogs. Our Dog of the Week is Maggie, a six-year-old Labrador-cross. Maggie adores her tennis balls and adores the people she knows. Maggie would love to meet her soul mate who will make her feel comfortable and secure and know she’ll never have to live in a kennel again. Maggie is a beautiful older lady looking for a quiet home to call her own. Maggie needs an adult only home with few visitors. She would love to live in a quiet area where the noise, hustle and bustle of daily life won’t worry her. Maggie needs to be the only dog in the home but has previously lived with cats. If you think you could offer Maggie a loving home please contact Dogs Trust on 01-879 1000. They are based in Finglas, just off exit 5 on the M50. Map and directions can be found on their website www. dogstrust.ie.
Gazette
18 Gazette 27 August 2015
OUT&ABOUT Label Lab Black scuba dress €99; Untold Black polka dot clutch €64
Biba Bird bell sleeved blouse €115, Black culottes €189, Black fringe clutch €150
Label Lab Black beaded long sleeve dress €199
Linea Two-tone cashmere waistcoat €246; Label Lab Grey cable knit jumper €99; Maison Scotch Grey check trousers €See in store Gray & Willow White and grey stripe coat €249; Label Lab Grey cable knit jumper €99, Grey skinny jeans €69 Biba Black faux fur collar coat €239
HOUSE of Fraser presented their store brands last week in the Dean Hotel. Firm favourites Biba had plenty of exceptional pieces for the autumn season, including a stunning gold luxe jacket.
Waistcoats are a key trend among all brands, with the grey two-toned cashmere offering from Linea stealing my heart. Embellished jumpers and jackets also featured heavily, while a faux fur striped coat from Pied a Terre sent fashion editors and
bloggers’ hearts skipping. The yellow tweed coat from Dickins and Jones had us all wishing for some Arctic conditions, while the black, beaded long-sleeve dress from Label Lab will have you looking fab at any Christmas bash.
Biba Black embellished jacket €159, Oriental fringe kimono dress €129
mimi murray
27 August 2015 Gazette 19
Gazette
STYLE Dickins & Jones Yellow tweed coat €259; MaxMara Weekend Black polo neck jumper €See in store; Victoria Beckham Jeans Black flare jeans €See in store
Biba Gold leather blazer €349, 1963 slogan T-shirt €39, Leggings €65
Look your best for next season mimi murray
AUTUMN seems to be just around the corner and it makes me long for lipsticks in dark berry shades. I may not be able to pull them off as a
look, but I still lust after them! Coral nails and nude, sun-kissed complexions make way for smokey eyes and nails in plums and greys. Here, I have chosen some of the best products I have sampled so far for this autumn.
Www.spongelleIreland.ie Anti-cellulite body buffer €14
Vichy Skinsleep cream €28 Lancome Vernis in Love €19.50
Pied a Terre Faux fur stripe coat €236
Clarins Double Serum 30ml €69.50
Lancome Grandiose smudgeproof mascara €30
Kiehls Daily revival concentrate €42.50
Urban Decay Naked Smokey €46
Clarins Joli Rouge €22
Great gifts for shoppers to help mark elite Lancome make-up artist’s classes at BT LANCOME’S elite make-up artist Marc Sinclair (right) will be in Ireland hosting a series of make-up masterclasses and one-on-one appointments in Brown Thomas this September, on Thursday 10 and Friday 11. This coincides with an exclusive gift with every purchase of more than three Lancome products. The Absolue Precious Cells gift contains two full-size products: Absolue Precious Pure
Cleansing Foam and Liquid Rouge in Love 316; eye cream and day cream. The Lancome gift, available exclusively at Brown Thomas, also contains an Oleo serum using rose stem cells to target anti-aging, and Rouge in Love, to add a touch of gloss to your autumn complexion. The gift – worth more than €210 – is available from Thursday, September 3 to Saturday, September 19, and will be available with the pur-
chase of three or more Lancome products. This gift is available while stocks last from the Lancome counter in Brown Thomas Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick.
Gazette
20 Gazette 27 August 2015
OUT&ABOUT
co donegal: still largely untouched by tourism, fanad peninsula delights
Make the time to visit this quiet treasure A refined and relaxing
The welcoming exterior of the sympathetically developed Dunboyne Castle Hotel and Spa
co meath: dunboyne castle hotel and spa
mimi murray
getaway from city life ian begley
I RECENTLY enjoyed a one-night stay at the historically renowned Dunboyne Castle Hotel and Spa, Co Meath. The original castle on the Dunboyne estate was destroyed by Oliver Cromwell, but the charming present day building that we see today was completed in 1764. Rooms are very spacious and modern, equipped with a Smart TV and a magnificent view of the hotel grounds. My guest and I took advantage of the hotel’s new Aromathera-tea package, which includes afternoon tea and a choice of one of three spa treatments at the hotel’s Seoid Spa for a total of €65pp. I found the afternoon tea to be delightfully lush, and felt very sophisticated, tucking delicately into finger sandwiches, freshly
baked scones, orange flower meringue pie, and a gorgeous lavender and poppy seed cake, along with several cheeky glasses of prosecco. Later that evening, after a long stroll around the woodland grounds of the hotel, my guest and I went for dinner at the Dunboyne Castle restaurant, The Ivy. To start, I had pan-fried scallops with salt-backed heritage carrots, while for my main I enjoyed a succulent roast rump of Wicklow lamb and confit of belly, which was served with an array of fresh vegetables. My companion had the seared fillet of turbot, which he enjoyed just as much. Overall, it was a really delicious meal. The hotel’s Sadleir Bar was our next stop and, again, the place was full of good cheer and music and its ambience was very relaxed.
Tuck into delicious afternoon tea treats
The morning after this eventful and enjoyable night, I received an extremely relaxing back massage with lavender, ginger, black pepper and rosemary in the Seoid Spa. Afterwards, my companion and I took advantage of all the facilities within the spa that we had unlimited access to, which included the thermal, outdoor hot tub and relaxation and fitness
suites. The Aromathera-tea package at the Dunboyne Castle Hotel and Spa includes the Aromathera-tea and your choice of one of these three spa treatments for €65pp. Make a night of it from €155pp midweek, including overnight stay, breakfast, dinner and the Aromathera-tea package. For further information, see www.dubboynecastle.com.
THE Ring of Kerry is one of the most visited and best known tourist destinations in this country. There is no doubt that it is spectacular. Howe ve r g o i n a straight line nor th, about 400km and about 100km east as the crow flies, and you will find scenery of equal beauty, and some of the best beaches in Europe, if not the world. Donegal is as breathtaking as parts of southern Ireland, but with none of the tourist trappings. Food hasn’t taken the massive strides that it has down south, you won’t find shops selling Aran jumpers and walking sticks, and you certainly won’t find bus loads of tourists, eager to find a gravestone with their family name on it. What you will find is real peace and solace, pubs with plenty of craic, and magical scenery all across the county. I recently stayed close to the Fanad Peninsula, in the height of summer,
and barely saw another vehicle – or human, for that matter – as we drove the route over the course of a few hours. There are plenty of pretty little towns around this area, and we stayed in Rathmullan House, in the village of Rathmullan. It’s well placed on its own beach overlook-
--------------------------
‘We drove to Fanad Lighthouse and were the solitary visitors at the head!’ --------------------------
ing Lough Swilly, and is the perfect spot to truly relax. During the summer they cater extremely well for families with children, even small children, but during the autumn and winter months, they are eager to welcome older guests who want to sit beside the fire with a good book or the papers and get away from it all. Close by are the gor-
geous villages of Ramelton, as well as Portsalon and Milford. Letterkenny is also no more than a 20-minute drive away. We dined in Ramelton for lunch on one of our days away in what appeared to be the only cafe/restaurant in the village. It was thronged with Irish holiday-makers, and there are plenty of those. There aren’t many places to eat in the general area and even the local pubs were closed at lunchtime. However, this place was doing a roaring trade, and the food was tasty. For this reason we mostly dined in Rathmullan House, which wasn’t a chore. The food was very good, with lots of choice, including some really good fish dishes, including John Dory, brill and cod. They also have an extensive wine list, with some unusual and exciting wines. It was on day two of our visit that we undertook the drive around the Fanad Peninsula, and
27 August 2015 Gazette 21
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TRAVEL fast
TRAVEL Survey says we’d all like to take a trip to Route 66 ian begley
Fanad Head Lighthouse awaits visitors to this striking, yet largely untouched part of the country. Wherever you strike out towards, Donegal’s coastline offers visitors and locals alike a wonderful range of beaches and inlets, with rock and cliffs creating unforgettable vistas along many parts of the coast.
even though it rained almost throughout, the sun broke through on occasion to allow us some absolutely amazing views of the ocean, and of beaches so sandy and velvety, we longed to swim there. We drove to the lighthouse and were the solitary visitors at the head! Back at Rathmullan, there is a swimming pool that we mostly had to ourselves, which was great as it allowed me the freedom to play with my three-year-old and try to start the process of teaching him how to swim. Our room was beautifully decorated, and there is a choice of old-
world bedrooms in the main house, and newer rooms in the new addition to the old house. Across from the hotel’s private beach is Buncrana, and a ferry can be taken across to visit that village and make the trip to Malin Head. The beach is long enough for a leisurely stroll along and there were plenty of people horseriding in the waves. All in all, this place is picture postcard perfect, and is well worth the lengthy drive from Dublin. For further information on Rathmullan, see www.rathmullanhouse. com.
Donegal wasn’t spared this summer’s inclement weather, but Rathmullan House provided a cosy retreat
ROUTE 66 has been voted as Ireland’s dream trip destination, according to a new survey by travel experts, Hotels.com. The survey revealed that 38% of Irish people long to drive the famous route, which runs from Chicago to LA. In keeping with the American theme, 27% say they would love to take a road trip along the Pacific Coast highway in California, while 18% dream of taking to the open road along the Amalfi Coast in Italy.
Playlist The survey also showed that a great playlist is the number one essential item for any car journey (83%), followed by sunglasses (52%), and snacks (48%). When it comes to road trip tunes, AC/ DC’s Highway to Hell came out on top, followed by Tom Petty’s Free Fallin’. When asked where people went in the car on holiday as a child, France was the popular destination, while closer to home, Kerry was the most popular Irish destination for a road trip.
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22 Gazette 27 August 2015
OUT&ABOUT
FOOD&DRINK
BITESIZEDNEWS
The Bridge Chowder €8
Building bridges with the best of food Situated right in the heart of Dublin’s Ballsbridge, The Bridge 1859 has gone from strength to strength since opening in September 2014. Located in the middle of Ireland’s rugby heartland, The Bridge 1859 offers more than just pre and post match pints with a brand new menu offering a wide variety of dishes. The Bridge 1859 is the latest venture by Noel Anderson, the man behind The Grafton Lounge in Dublin 2. Noel has teamed up with Ireland and Leinster Rugby players Jamie Heaslip, Sean O’Brien, and brothers Rob and Dave Kearney to create Dublin 4’s newest pub. Head chef Simon Boland (formerly of The Church Bar and Restaurant) has created the menu which ranges from starters such as The Bridge Chowder €8 and West Coast Water Mussels €10/€14, mains such as Tempura Lemon Sole €14, Roast Stuffed Globe Artichoke €14 and the 1859 Tower Burger €16, and desserts such as the Butterscotch Chocolate Brownie €6 and the Strawberries ‘N’ Cream €6. The selection ranges from familiar and indulgent to unconventional and intriguing, and always to the highest quality. Carefully sourced highlights include the Glazed Chicken and Herb Roulade €16 which is wrapped in pork caul, the Summer Salad €11 with sweet potato, candy cane beets and Five Mile Town Goats Cheese, and the Ham Hock Roll €11, served on a Waterford blaa with candy cane beetroot and celeriac remoulade. The Bridge 1859 also serves brunch on Saturday and Sunday. Dishes include The Bridge Breakfast €12, their take on the full Irish, which features aged smoked back bacon, prime pork sausages and boards head black and white pudding. The Bridge Salmocado €12 is another exciting addition to the menu – English muffin, chicory, beef tomato, smoked salmon, poached eggs and avocado hollandaise. The Chorizo and Haddock Smokies €12 are an exciting addition to the brunch menu, and feature cod, salmon, smoked couli, palourde clams, chorizo, toast, wilted spinach, poached eggs and hollandaise. For the more traditional types, The Bridge Roast €13.50 is served every Saturday and Sunday, and changes each week. The Bridge 1859, 13 Ballsbridge Terrace, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. Open 7 days.
The Teeling Whiskey Distillery is the only operational distillery in Dublin City
Whiskey galore at first new distillery in 125 years Mimi Murray
I recently became a tourist in my own city and visited the new Teeling Distiller y in Newmarket Square. This is the first new distillery in Dublin in over 125 years and is a great interactive experience for whiskey fans. The Teeling Whiskey Distillery is the only operational distillery in Dublin City where visitors can get up close and personal with the traditional Irish whiskey making process. We we n t f o r t h e Teeling Trinity Tasting which meant we were going to sample the brands Small Batch, Single Grain and Single Malt offerings at the end of the tour. Mmmmm, something to look forward to. All guided tours are given by Teeling Whiskey Ambassadors and take between 45 minutes and an hour. Our tour guide was well informed, engaging
and had plenty of interesting anecdotes. The tour itself involves a walk through the exhibition area, detailing the history of Irish whiskey from the very beginning, to where it is today. From the exhibition space, the tour then ventures to the inner workings of the distillery where visitors can experience the heat and sweet smell from the stills and witness the whiskey making process first hand. Visitors can see into the barrels to understand the process as it happens, every stage from grain to whiskey. The area is small but I certainly felt like Charlie in the Chocolate Factory and was impressed by the large copper stills and sheer touching distance of the process. The tour doesn’t end there. We were then guided into The Bang Bang Bar, where we got to taste Teeling Whiskey. My personal favourite and supposedly a
favourite among women was the Small Batch, although I found most men plumping for this on the day also. The single malt was a firm favourite too. There is also a cafe and shop where you
can buy the whiskey at a cheaper rate than it sells in stores around Dublin. The Teeling Whiskey Distillery and visitor centre at 17 Newmarket, Dublin 8, is open seven days a week.
V i s i t o r s c a n n ow access the distillery via the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus, getting off at stop 12A. Visitors can simply walk in or pre-booked tours are available on TeelingWhiskey.com.
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Gazette
HEALTH challenge: ‘The best race ever’
Ironman? Been there, done that, got the T-shirt! suzanne sheehy
NOW I can say it... I’m a finisher! It feels great to have faced down one my most difficult challenges to date. Since registering for the Ironman 70.3 Dublin in November 2014 along with over 2,500 athletes, I was set and ready to go on Sunday, August 9. I faced into a 1.2 mile (1.9km) swim, a 56 mile (90km) bike ride and a 13.1 mile (21.1km) run. As a two-year member of Fingal triathlon club I competed regularly. Since I now knew the triathlon it was time for a new challenge. Here was my opportunity. The Ironman 70.3 Dublin was special. First, Ironman is a global brand having its first outing in the Irish capital. You couldn’t miss these guys arriving in
their 40ft trucks only days before the event! It was also a chance to swim in Scotsman’s Bay, Dun Laoghaire, cycle through Dublin, Fingal, Meath, Kildare through closed roads and conclude with a run in Europe’s largest city park, Phoenix Park. D u r i n g my e i g h tmonth journey towards the 70.3, my training involved many Triathlon Ireland events along with Howth Aquathons. This helped prep me for the big day, helping me to try out different foods/gels/bars and find what agreed with my stomach. It also helped me identif y appropriate race gear. On the day, I had old reliables to sustain me rather than newbies! At times my confidence was knocked and I questioned my ability. For example, in one Escape from Ireland
You couldn’t miss these guys arriving in their 40ft trucks
2km Open Water event, I had difficulty with strong currents and finished – exhausted – in 75 minutes knowing the cut-off for the Ironman 70.3 swim was 70 minutes. A bad day – but an invaluable learning curve. When race day finally arrived, conditions were perfect. So many thoughts crowded into my head. I was jumping up and down on the spot not to keep warm but because of the nerves. This was a big goal race! I took comfort in knowing I was surrounded by many novices. T he horn went, I jumped into the water complete with timing chip which was fastened to my left ankle with the velcro strap. We were well and truly off. As we all began to settle into a rhythm, I managed to separate from the crowd and find some
Take care of your heart
Women urged to care for heart health
Members of Fingal Triathlon Club competing in the Ironman 70.3 Dublin. From left to right JP McKenna, David Freeman, Suzanne Sheehy, Dave Harris, Conrad O’Dea
THE Irish Heart Foundation’s September Heart Month is fast approaching and this year’s campaign is focusing on women and heart disease. In the run up to heart month, the Irish Heart Foundation is promoting a number of facts and tips on women’s heart health. Cardiovascular disease is the numberone killer of women in Ireland – yet less than one in five women know this. -----------------------
‘High blood pressure is a silent risk factor and a serious risk for stroke’
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The bike race saw competitors to travel through Dublin and west of the city through Meath and Kildare. Picture: Colm Bellew
space. Occasionally, I felt someone tugging at my leg or I got a few knocks on the head from another swimmer. Nothing to do but plough on. I kept a check on the buoys to make sure I was on track. Last thing I wanted was to add needless kilometres by veering off course. Towards the end I felt the cold and was relieved when the swim was complete and I’d reached T1 (transition 1). Stripping off my wetsuit, I grabbed a gel – and the bike. I got into
a steady rhythm and my confidence grew. I knew I could do this. People cheered us along the 90km on as we hydrated at fluid stations en route. Great! As I entered Transition 2, I rushed to rack my bike and don my runners. The run was my strongest and most enjoyable moment. I kept a steady pace throughout. My family turned out in Phoenix Park along with Fingal club members. I crossed the finish line with an overall
time of 5:59:09. I swam 52:16, biked a 3:22:01, ran a 1:36:10. Been there, done that, got the T-shirt. Next day, I felt my pain. But it was good to know I’d finished and it made it all worthwhile. If I could bottle it, it would be worth gold! My evaluation? The best race I’ve ever experienced – and it was Dublin’s inaugural Ironman70.3 to boot. Congratulations to all those finishers and huge gratitude to all those who came to support everyone.
Also, menopausal women are at a high risk of developing heart disease or suffering from a stroke. The foundation is advising women to reshape their eating plans and stay active and healthy. According to the Irish Heart Foundation, high blood pressure is a silent risk factor and a serious risk for stroke. For this reason, its annual blood pressure roadshow will return in September, visiting approximately 50 locations nationwide. For further information on heart health and heart month, see www.irishheart.ie.
Gazette
24 Gazette 27 August 2015
OUT&ABOUT
music MUSIC
Nils has toured with both Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen
vicar street: renowned guitarist, singer, pianist, solo artist Nils Lofgren
It’s time to face the music Keith Bellew
Nils Lofgren, the r e n ow ned gu i ta ri st, singer, pianist, solo artist and member of both Neil Young’s band and Br uce Springsteen’s E Street Band is coming to Vicar Street on November 2. Speaking to The Gazette he said he hasn’t been to Dublin for a number of years and is looking forward to his return. “My wife Amy and I insisted we get up there. We’re excited to get back to Dublin and Belfast and hopefully do some good shows up there for everyone,” he said. Having turned pro with his band Grin at the age of 17, after seeing The Who and Jimi Hendrix per form in Washington, Lofgren
has been on the road touring and recording for 47 years. His most recent release was a 10-disc greatest hits collection called Face the Music in 2014, which includes a wealth of unreleased tracks and alternate takes and he says that this tour will see most of these performed with varied track-lists from show to show. He was picked up by Neil Young around 1968 when he was 18 after he blagged his way backstage at a gig and played a few of his songs for him. “Realising I knew nothing about the music b u s i n e s s , I ’d s n e a k backstage at every concert and try to ask for advice. “In this par ticular instance, Neil Young heard me out and asked
me if we had any songs. I said yeah I write the songs and he said sing me one and handed me his Martin guitar. “I sang him a song and he said, I like that, sing another, so I ended up singing him about half of the first Grin album. “He bought me a cheeseburger and a coke at this nightclub because I was underage and I spent two days visiting with him and singing four shows on the first Crazy Horse tour,” he said. He ended up joining Young’s band, recording and touring for several albums, the first of which was After the Gold Rush. Between 1971 and 74 he also recorded four albums with Grin and began recording as a solo artist in 1975.
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‘He bought me a cheeseburger and a coke at this nightclub because I was underage and I spent two days visiting with him and singing four shows on the first Crazy Horse tour’
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Between now and then he has released over a dozen solo albums several of which are underground cult classics. However, unlike many solo artists, Lofgren has no problem playing in a band under someone
else’s leadership and he continued to record and tour with Young in the 70s and 80s. One man he met during this time was Bruce Springsteen. “Way back in 1970, his band Steel Mill and my band Grin did an audition night for Bill Graham’s Fillmore West, and I was a big fan of his music and used to go and see his shows and we had a friendship. We just kind of had a common sense of pur pose of what music could do and what it was supposed to mean. “Br uce and I had long talks about music, i n cl u d i n g my e a r l y songs with Neil Young, and how much I really liked being in a great band and not being the leader, and I think he filed that away. “Long story short, in
1984 when he needed a guitarist he called and asked me to come up and jam with the band. We jammed for two days and it felt beautiful and they asked me to join, and this was literally like a month before the opening of the Born in the USA tour,” he said. Lofgren continues to tour with Springsteen and the E Street Band to this day, most recently in 2012. When he got back from this tour, he began working on Face the Music. “As I assembled that box set, I had forgotten a lot of the things I had done, and I’m so conscious of what’s going on today or tomorrow that it was a great stroll dow n memor y lane. There’s two bonus discs with 40 out-takes, basement tapes and unreleased demos,” he said.
Lucky fans will have the opportunity to meet Lofgren after the show as he plans to spend an hour meeting and greeting and signing autographs. “Traditionally what we’ll do, [unless there’s some extraordinary bus ride after the show], is I’ll dry off and come out and sign for people, shake their hand, look them in the eye and thank them for showing up. It’s kind of the show after the show,” he said. Face the Music is av a i l a b l e o n l i n e a t Nilslofgren.com along with details of his guitar school where budding musicians can download lessons tailored by Lofgren. For more information on Lofgren live at Vicar Street on November 2, visit www.vicarstreet. ie.
27 August 2015 Gazette 25
ReelReviews
PAPER TOWNS
A something-thin plot FOR those who loved The Fault in Our Stars last year, here comes another manipulative film with ‘Hollywood teens’ in pretty contrived situations. Paper Towns (Cert 12A, 109 mins) sees a nerdy but nice guy trying to track down his crush when his toocool-for-school neighbour disappears. Can he follow her trail of clues and find missing Margo? Adults are unlikely to care.
fantastic four Oh no they’re not ... Sinister characters for a reasonably creepy tale – dead children are some of the chief protaganists of Sinister 2, courtesy of the influence from an ancient Pagan spirit
sinister 2: sequel competently delivers more of the same for fans
A creepily effective follow-up BACK in 2012, Sinister arrived on the scene, starring Ethan Hawke as Ellison Oswalt, the true crime writer with a terrible habit of moving his unsuspecting family into houses where grisly murders had taken place. It was a genuinely creepy movie, which saw a suitably haggard Hawke bearing the brunt of the load as he scrambled to solve a mystery involving ritualistic murders captured on video tape and an ancient evil Pagan god, called Bughuul. Around the same time, Dublin-born director Ciaran Foy quietly released his first feature length film. Citadel was a dark and impressive horror debut
Dave phillips
about an agoraphobic man battling teenage hoodlum demons, which despite its small distribution, was very well-received. One of the fans of Citadel was the writer and director of Sinister, Scott Derrickson, who tweeted Foy to ask if he would like to direct the Sinister sequel. Sinister 2 sees James Ransome take the lead role, reprising a bit part he played in the original. He is now an ex-cop who is working as a private
investigator, still trying to solve that very same mystery that Ethan Hawke unwittingly stumbled into, in the first film. While the original saw Hawke desperately trying to save his own family from the curse of Bughuul, this time, Ransome is trying to save his love interest (Shannyn Sossaman) and her twin boys from the childmunching deity. Ransome’s ex-deputy isn’t traditional hero material. He is the kind of bumbling, good-natured twit who just wants us all to get along. His character brings a kind of off-beat pace to the film, with his quirkiness lending a comedic element that was almost completely missing from
the original. But the cost of having such a light-hearted lead becomes clear through the lack of tension. Partly, this is down to a diminishing sense of mystery, too. The supernatural elements of Sinister 2 become wrung out to the point of exhaustion. We are never truly scared for Ransome as he creeps around in the dark as he’s so well-mannered and resilient that we are sure he will bounce back from any demonic trauma. Bughuul gets much too much screen time, and it feels like we know the gang of creepy dead kids hanging around Sossaman’s house on first name terms. That is not to say that
nothing works well here. There is good on-screen chemistry between Sossaman and Ransome, and some of the most frightening moments come courtesy of Sossaman’s abusive and estranged husband (Lea Coco), who is on a mission to capture his family and force them to return to his redneck normality. Perhaps the best thing to come from this film will be a higher platform for Ciaran Foy. Horror sequels tend to be ropey territory, and Sinister was a particularly tricky film to follow – both because of its success, and because there is not a lot of story left to go on. Yet, despite the crum-
bling building blocks he inherited, Foy has managed to create and maintain some basic structure. You get the sense that Foy’s strength lies in developing his own material, and his next project is already rolling: a big-budget horror set in Ireland that he is writing and directing. Sinister 2 may be a superfluous film, but it’s a solid showcase for Foy. While it doesn’t come close to the tension or creepiness of the original, it does have some very likeable characters, features some disturbing old super-8 scenes, and is jam-packed full of jump scares, so if the itch needs to be scratched ...
Verdict: 6/10
HERE comes yet another attempt to breathe life into Fantastic Four (Cert 12A, 106 mins), as four young scientists acquire superpowers and must try to thwart a supervillain ... Marvel’s heroes have had one underwhelming cinema outing after another down the decades, and this reboot is no different, with a dull story, weak cast chemistry, and signs of its troubled editing.
pixels
Plot barely joins the dots LAST and most definitely least, Pixels (Cert 12A, 106 mins) is the latest big budget film based on videogames that delivers a giant stinker. Aliens attack Earth, in the guise of classic videogames and characters of yore, and only a bunch of aging gamers can stop them ... Even for an Adam Sandler film, Pixels is pretty bad, and trails in the shadow of 2012’s superior Wreck-it Ralph.
26 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 27 August 2015
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28 gazette 27 August 2015
SPORT
FastSport ‘Big sexy’ lands deal with Spain based group: BALLYBRACK man Sean “Big Sexy” Turner has signed up with the Macklin Gym Marbella (MGM) ahead of his Lights out for the Plaza date in Puerto Banus on August 28. There, he will fight a Spanish opponent in his sixth professional bout as he looks to extend his record to six wins from six outings after a series of quick-fire victories. The Spanish based Irish promotions company officially confirmed the news in a statement, saying: “MGM are very pleased to announce that they have added a real Irish Boxing character to their ever growing stable; Sean “Big Sexy” Turner has signed a management contract with MGM. The hard-hitting heavyweight added of the new arrangement: “This is a totally fresh start, there is a long road ahead but I am in the right place here with the right people to go to the next level.”
ultra-running: bawnogue man completes 20 marathons in 10 weeks
Conlon conquers challenge stephen findlater sport@dublingazette.com
BAWNOGUE man Mark Conlon smashed his own personal target as his mission to run 20 marathons in 20 weeks ended up being completed in a mere 10 weeks, complet-
ing the challenge with an incredible 10 marathons in five days. This final phase consisted of running backto-back marathons, the first starting at 6am and the second beginning at 2pm in the afternoon with just a two hour break in
between – the minimum allowed in order to be legitimately accredited. He would later find out that he was the first person in Ireland to complete such a feat while he also became the youngest person to hit 100 marathons.
On the trail
Mark Conlon celebrates following completion of the challenge
Looking back on the monumental challenge, Conlon said the fourth marathon was one of the hardest as he took on a 100km ultra distance. “I was nearly going to back out at some stages on that one. You are running on just an hour’s sleep and it begins to mess with your head,” he said. The 10 marathons in five days was another huge battle through the mental and pain barrier on a route around Howth Head. “It was really painful on the feet with blisters every day. I was peeing blood by the third day so it was a matter of getting the blister plasters on and trying to get as many fluids into me as possible. “It was really tough,
especially going up Howth Head the first time, knowing that I would have to do it all over again in a couple of hours.” With a medic on hand, he made it through the challenge and is now already thinking of new records to break and tests to put his body through. During this challenge he ran his 100th and 101st marathon on the same day and he is already looking to push on toward 500 marathons. Asked about the attraction of running such long distances with such frequency, Conlon said: “It is the mental challenge and something of an addiction. It is great for your head to get out and run, to test yourself and see how far you can go”.
Conlon got into running during his time with the Army having played football in his youth with Crumlin Untied, going for trials in his teens with Leeds United. The challenge was part of a fundraising effort for Pieta House, a charity close to his heart following his experience serving overseas: “Having seen people come back with severe depression, it’s important to know there’s someone to talk to, and how much exercise can clear your head, as it does for me.” You can donate to Conlon’s cause, Pieta House, via the following link: http://www. my c h a r i t y. i e / e ve n t / markconlons_20_marathons_in_20_weeks.
Thirteen Dublin-based players in Hibernia squad sport@dublingazette.com
Templeogue’s Conor Grace in action against China during the summer
THIRTEEN of Colin O’Reilly’s 26-man Hibernia Basketball squad hail from Dublin for the start of the FIBA Europe Cup in October. Isaac Westbrooks and Kevin Lacey are from Swords Thunder with Martins Provizors and Mark Nagle coming in from DCU Saints. Jermaine Turner and Ciaran Roe are Killester’s representatives. In south Dublin, UCD Marian’s Conor Meany and Dan James return with club mate Neil
Baynes. The Templeogue quartet of Conor Grace, Jason Killeen, Phil Taylor and Luke Thompson complete the squad. The panel draws heavily from the men’s Premier League Select at the Sino-European Championships in China during the summer but there are a couple who are unable to take part in this new side that will play in this European-wide competition. Demons pair Niall O’Reilly and Shane Coughlan step down while Paul Dick has signed a new
contract to play in the LEB Plata in Spain with Araberri. Niall Murphy, Jack O’Mahony, Michael Bonaparte, Isaac Westbrooks and Neil Campbell are the players who did not train with the men’s Premier League Select Squad named in February. All 26 players are invited to attend training sessions and prep games in August and September before the squad is reduced and player availability is assessed. O’Reilly has “left the door open” for bringing in American and other category two.
Hibernia Basketball is a newly formed club made up of players from the Men’s Premier League to compete in the inaugural FIBA Europe Cup. In the competition, they have been drawn to play away in Denmark against the Bakken Bears, Slovenia versus Tajgun Sentjur and the Czech Republic to meet Sportovni Hala Nymburk, The home matches will be on Wednesday, November 18 and 25 along with December 2. Ticket details for all home fixtures will be announced on September 1.
27 August 2015 gazette 29
Gazette
O’Caoimh riding on the crest of a wave Dublin wakeboarding star David O’Caoimh tells NATHAN KELLY of a recent series of victories in Europe as he builds toward a trip to China for the World Cup in his chosen sport KILLINEY wakeboarder David O’Caoimh has been riding on a tidal wave of success in recent weeks, winning a succession of tournaments and being crowned European champion along the way. The 21-year-old was captain of Team Ireland who travelled to the Netherlands for the European African (EA) Championships which took place August 1-9. On the penultimate day, O’Caoimh won first place at the European Super Final when he was last of the dock and, on the final day of the event, he was crowned Overall
European Champion. Speaking to GazetteSport after his success in the Netherlands, revealed how he felt when announced as champion of Europe. “I was actually pretty relieved to be honest,” he said. “Obviously I was then delighted when the feeling sunk in as it’s a brilliant achievement but initially I just had this sense of relief. “I’d performed really well over the whole event, but going into the final, I was up against a Russian guy, Nikita Martyanov, in the final and he had been bril-
David O’Caoimh in recent action
liant all week. He went before me in the final and done really well so I think that set a marker for me to emulate and beat and somehow I pulled it off.” W hile David stole most of the headlines, it was a good event for Team Ireland overall, with two athletes making it to the final of the Junior Women Division. Aisling Deegan, from Ballsbridge placed fourth and Cavan girl Nicole Carroll finished sixth. Zach Zebedee, aged 12 from Kildare is now ranked ninth in Europe, while Team Ireland fin-
ished sixth overall at the championships. “It’s always brilliant to see the Irish doing well, whether it’s me or any other Irish individual, or members of an Irish team, it’s always great,” said the Team Ireland
being able to perform as I know I can when I had the injuries, so I just really concentrated on getting back to my best and I think I’m performing at that level, or pretty close to it now. “I feel really good when
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‘For any sports person, whatever you train in, you want to compete on the world stage’ – David O’Caoimh --------------------------------------------------------
skipper on our success. While the success in the Netherlands was the highlight of his recent success, O’Caoimh won his sixth pro men’s title at the Irish National Wakeboard Championships in mid-July, and also claimed top spot at the European Pro Tour Stop in Northern Ireland. The Dubliner then followed his European Championship triumph by winning the Lowlands Wakeboard Tour Stop in Enniskillen last week before his team won the Team Challenge at the Chill and Ride event in Germany. “I’ve been on a great run,” he said. “I had a couple of niggling injuries at the start of the year which hampered my form at a couple of events, but I think that’s actually made me more focused. “It was frustrating not
I’m out on the water the last while and a lot of that is down to focus, you’ve got to somehow make your mind and performance work in sync and thankfully over the last couple of events, I’ve been able to do that.” The life of a professional wakeboarder is certainly a busy one, with O’Caoimh set to travel to Florida, China, Mexico and possibly Spain and USA before the year is out, as well as competing at a number of events here in Ireland. “The trip to China is one I’m really looking forward to,” he said. “It’s the World Cup and I think any athlete or sportsperson, whatever you train in, you want to compete on a world stage and that will be the chance to do that at a huge event. I just hope I can continue in this form.”
FastSport
McLaughlin Leinster’s captain for early games KEVIN McLaughlin has been confirmed by Leinster Rugby as the captain during the Rugby World Cup period. The 30-year-old St Mary’s club man, who has 114 caps for Leinster since his debut in April 2007, has captained the province in the past and led the team out against Edinburgh and Benetton Treviso in last season’s Guinness PRO12. Confirming the news last week, head coach Leo Cullen said: “I think this is a great opportunity for Kevin. He had an unlucky run with injuries last season and I know he is very keen to hit the ground running this season. “This is by no means a new role for him and we saw last season what he brings to the table in terms of his captaincy. He has really driven the environment during the pre-season and he is a great role model for the younger players and indeed the wider squad.” McLaughlin last played for Leinster in last December’s 21-11 win in the RDS against Connacht but had to come off with a shoulder injury. That same injury required surgery and effectively ruled Kevin out for the season. “Kevin is a player who leads by example with little regard for his own body and he epitomises everything we want to see from a Leinster Rugby team going forward,” Cullen added. “He is selfless, puts team first and is always driving his own standards as well as the standards of those around him.” McLaughlin, who has eight Irish caps to date, has won two Heineken Cup trophies with Leinster starting in both final wins over Northampton Saints and Ulster Rugby. He has also won an Amlin Cup and three PRO12 titles with the province. Former Blackrock College man Cullen was confirmed as Leinster’s head coach a day earlier as head coach of the province on a two year deal. Cullen, who won 221 caps for Leinster and is a three time Heineken Cup winning captain with the province, had already been in charge on an interim basis following the departure of Matt O’Connor at the end of last season.
Gazette
30 DUN LAOGHAIRE gazette 27 August 2015
SPORT
FastSport
hurling: byrne aiming to translate league form into success
NRH and Cabo to host Spinal Sports festival THE third annual NRH Spinal Sports Championships are taking place at the National Rehabilitation Hospital on Saturday, September 5. “This year we’ve got around 40 athletes taking part in the championships in both competitive and non-competitive events, all of which are or have once been patients here at the NRH,” said Doireann Ni Mhuircheartaigh of the Sports Department of the NRH. “The fact that some people, who first came here around 20 years ago are still coming back to compete now or coming to show their support shows the great sense of community between our patients,” she added. Events include table tennis, archery, air-soft shooting, wheelchair basketball and rugby, wheelchair rugby 7s, fencing, hand cycling and field events javelin, shot-put, discus and the club throw. “We have people competing this year who prior to their accidents, had a massive interest in sport, had a small interest in sport, or had no interest in sport,” said Ni Mhuircheartaigh of the range of people involved. “One of the unfortunate things that can happen to a person when they start using a wheelchair is that they can become quite inactive, but one of the reasons this event was started was to show people that they can be active, competitive and enjoy themselves through sport while in a wheelchair.” This year’s event will be officially opened by elite wheelchair racer Patrick Monahan, above, a Rio 2016 Paralympics hopeful and Ni Mhuircheartaigh is confident these championships can inspire someone to follow a similar path. “Patrick was a patient here and now he is competing in the likes of the Dublin and London marathons and recorded brilliant times,” she said. “He’s reaching Paralympics level and we want others to emulate that.” World Physical Therapy Day occurs the week of this year’s championships, and the 2015 theme across the globe is ‘Fulfilling Potential’, which is clearly a key reason the NRH’s championships exists. It has encouraged many of the Irish Wheelchair Basketball team to get more active, it has helped Monahan reach where he is now, and it will surely do the same to many more.
Cuala team talk during their 1-23 to 0-17 win over St Vincent’s last weekend. Picture: Colin Behan
Cuala in the zone for SHC
nathan kelly
sport@dublingazette.com
THE Dublin senior hurling championship is back in full flow this weekend and high-flying Cuala are looking to finish their group campaign with a 100% record. JP Byrne’s side have already qualified for the playoff stages of the championship after wins over Lucan Sarsfields and Ballinteer St John’s earlier in the year and will be aiming to make it three wins from three against Faughs on Saturday afternoon in O’Toole Park. “We’ll approach this game the same way we
approached our previous championship games,” said the selector. “You can’t take the foot off the gas just because you’ve qualified. “If you do that, it can come back to haunt you in the latter stages, so we’ll be taking this game very seriously and looking to continue the momentum we’ve gathered.” The seasonal call of inter-county football affects Cuala as much as anyone in the county. The likes of Colm Cronin, Darragh O’Connell, Cian O’Callaghan, David Treacy, and Mark and Paul Schutte were all involved in the Dublin senior
blackwater cup Cabo Under-15s claim first silverware cabinteely FC’s DDSL Premier side
overcome all to take Kells Blackwater Cup to begin their season in style. Cabo were one of the 12 teams that took part in the Under-15 section of the competition and made it through the initial four-team group on the first weekend of the tournament. They duly won their quarter-final by beating Kells Blackwater FC 3-0 before dismissing Shelbourne 2-0. In the final, they beat Castleknock, running out 2-1 winners.
panel over the summer, so Byrne was asked how his squad was set now everyone’s minds are firmly focused on club duties. “The squad is looking good overall,” he said. “They’re all raring to go really, bar a couple of niggling injuries, they’re all in good form and can’t wait to get that club shirt back in championship action.” The Dalkey side currently lead AHL1, and though many deflect attention from league form when it comes to the championship, Byrne was adamant that carrying form into these bigger fixtures can only help.
“My thinking would be winning is a habit,” he said. “League form can be overlooked a lot, but you would still rather go into your championship fixtures on the back of winning form than being up and down in the league. “Some of our performances in the league have been really good and they can provide us with a platform to take into this championship fixture. You can’t switch momentum on and off like a tap, and if you take your foot off the gas throughout the season, you’re only inviting disaster,” added Byrne. By the time that senior
fixture throws in, Cuala club members could already be celebrating if their second hurling side win their juniorA championship semi-final against Kilmacud Crokes on Friday night in Shanganagh Park. Brendan Stanley and Tadgh Murphy’s side are, like their senior compatriots, top of their league table with an impressive eight wins from eight. Should they remain unbeaten for the season and claim championship glory, they will advance into the Leinster junior Championship and guarantee intermediate hurling next season.