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Gazette DUN LAOGHAIRE

November 17 - 23, 2016

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Mum’s cuppas help to raise €1,000 for Syria Delighted with local support for coffee morning to help suffering children

 EMMA NOLAN A MOTHER of three from Cabinteely said she was so haunted by the images she’s seen of the children in Syria that she had to help.

Leah Duffy held a coffee

morning in her own home to raise money to donate to Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF).

“I really wanted to try to do something to help, but with three small children, I didn’t think there was much I could do,” Leah told The

Dun Laoghaire Gazette.

However, with the help of family, friends and neighbours, Leah welcomed 80 people to her house for a coffee and a cake, and managed to raise €1,000 for the international charity.

MSF provides medi-

cal care to people who are victims of conflict, natural disasters or oppression and have been providing medical attention to the people in rebel-held Aleppo, which has been destroyed by war in recent years.

Full Story on Page 8

4 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 17 November 2016

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COUNCIL | PBP ‘OUTRAGE’ AT LOCAL AUTHORITY’S CUTS SINCE 2008

Mixed reaction to €171.7m budget plan  SYLVIA POWNALL THE council has approved a budget that will lead to a 2.5% reduction in commercial rates and boost small business.

O n Tu e s d ay, D u n Laoghaire-Rathdow n councillors signed off on a spend of €171.7 million – an increase of €5 million on last year’s alloca-

tion.

The budget focuses on housing, job creation and stimulating economic growth through a new SME support grant.

The subsidy will benefit 72% of businesses in the local authority catchment area – and means 3,800 firms will qualify for a 2.5% rate reduction.

The local authority

also followed through on its commitment earlier this year to avail of the maximum 15% reduction to the basic rate of the Local Property Tax. On the housing front, there is a provision of €180,000 to proceed with repairs and renovations on older units, clearing the way for residents to downsize.

There is also an increase of €230,000 for Part V planning, which will allow for more social housing units to be purchased.

Staffing and financial costs to process housing assistance payments – which some councillors warned was a step closer to privatisation – have also been allocated, to the tune of €283,000.

The local authority will spend €500,000 to begin a phased replacement of its fleet of 230 vehicles, 34% of which are more than 11 years old, to include electrical vehicles.

A provision of €300,000 has been made for business promo tion grants, shop front improvement grants, vacant shop grants, retail development and the Springboard scheme.

Chairman, Cllr Cormac Devlin (FF) welcomed the budget, noting it included “a number of pro-business initiatives”.

He added: “This ref lects the council’s commitment to shaping and promoting a Smart,

vibrant county which is attractive, inclusive and accessible to all.”

H o w e v e r, P e o p l e Before Profit members, who voted against the budget, warned it supported worrying national trends towards privatisation and still bore the hallmarks of austerity.

The party pointed out that funding of the council has been cut by almost one quarter, and staffing levels have fallen by 30%, since 2008.

Cllr Melissa Halpin said: “It is a total outrage that despite promises of recovery, the council is now running on a budget 25% lower than in 2008.

“The process of the recession has been to establish austerity as a norm.”

She said the fact that the budget provided for staff less libraries but no funding for housing maintenance or parks was a “disgrace”.

Cllr David O’Keeffe said: “The whole budget process is a joke. We tried to make changes but all our motions were ruled out of order.”

GazetteGiveaway

WIN a PAIR of tickets to see Paddy Cole and friends next Friday in Blackrock  AISLING KENNEDY

WE have four pairs of tickets to give away for the upcoming Gala Christmas Concert in the Church of the Guardian Angels, Newtonpark Avenue.

Starring Ireland’s own King of the Swingers himself – Paddy Cole – special guests on the night will include singing sensation Kathy Nugent, George Hunter and his band Galaxy.

The award-winning Rockford Manor School Choir will also feature, and there will be a special prizes raffle to finish off the night.

Tickets for the event, which takes places at 7.30pm next Friday the 25th of November, cost €20 each, with all funds raised going towards the building of the Pastoral Centre (above) for Newtownpark Parish, which was recently granted planning permission by the Council. To be in a with a chance of winning a pair of FREE tickets to this fantastic night of music and fun, all you have to do is answer this simple question: Which woodwind instrument is Paddy Cole famous for? To enter, just email your answer to competitions@dublingazette.com – putting Paddy Cole in the subject line, or simply Like the Paddy Cole post on our Facebook page at Facebook.com/DublinGazetteNewspapers.

Closing date is noon on Wednesday the 23rd.

17 November 2016 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 5

PEOPLE | DUBLIN TEEN CARRYING NATION’S HOPES TO JUNIOR EUROVISION

From a duet with Whitney to singing out for Ireland  SYLVIA POWNALL DUBLIN teenager Zena Donnelly is hoping nerves don’t get the better of her as she prepares to take to the stage in Malta this Saturday to represent Ireland in Junior Eurovision.

The 14-year-old from Blackrock flew out to the contest at the weekend and is hoping her song, Brice Ar Bhrice, which was written in Irish, will wow the judging panel.

Zena – a student at Scoil Lorcain in Monkstown – first made headlines in 2010 when she was plucked from the audience to sing with soul legend Whitney Heuston during one of her last concerts in Dublin.

She was only seven at the time, but her homemade banner (which read, “I love you Whitney, can I sing with you?”) prompted the pop diva t o i nv i t e There aren’t many people her up on who can claim to have sung stage. with the late, great Whitney She beltHouston – but Dublin teen ed out The Zena Donnelly did, in 2010 Greatest

Love of All with her idol – and the footage went viral on YouTube.

Now, Zena is hoping her experience will stand her in good stead as she represents Ireland in Junior Eurovision, having beaten a field of 32 other acts to qualify for the finals.

She said: “My song is Brice Ar Bhrice, or ‘Brick By Brick’ in English, and I can’t wait to get up on stage and sing it live in Malta.”

Zena already has an impressive CV under her belt. She won RTE’s talent contest, Show Off or Get Off, and played the lead role in Annie The Musical at the National Concert Hall.

She also performed as a special guest at the Childline concert in the 3Arena alongside Olly Murs, Boyzone and McBusted.

More recently, she was cast in the lead role of Sarah in the TV series, Spooky Stakeout.

But her biggest breakthrough, to date, came with her casting in the movie A Christmas Star starring Liam Neeson, Pierce Brosnan and Kylie Minogue.

However, singing and songwriting is Zena’s first

love, and she’s hoping to do her country proud on Saturday night.

“It’s brilliant, a fantastic experience,” she said.

Zena, who designed her own quirky costume for the final, added that getting to represent Ireland was made all the sweeter since she narrowly lost out to Ireland’s first ever Junior Eurovision finalist, Aimee Banks, i n 2015.

Zena in full voice, singing wonderfully on TV

Gourmet Food Parlour – Time Well Spent!

COMMERCIAL FEATURE

A VISIT to the stylish and buzzy Gourmet Food Parlour in Dun Laoghaire offers a small glimpse into the big dreams that have come true for two girls from the West of Ireland. Starting in a small premises with just 24 seats in Cumberland St Dun Laoghaire in 2006, over the past 10 years, Gourmet Food Parlour has grown throughout Dublin with the comfortable and atmospheric restaurants becoming part of life in some of Dublin’s best loved towns and villages.

Proud owners Lorraine and Lorraine are constantly striving to ensure that each place remains a pillar in the local community. Keeping menus fresh and new is essential as is striving to offer customers the best food in Dublin. “The aim from the start of this journey was to offer something that combined a mix of food influences with a homemade twist” Lorraine explains. Freshness, quality, and homemade were three key criteria and about 99 per cent of our food is produced on site each day, with locally sourced ingredients where possible”.

The first Gourmet Food Parlour restaurant opened in Dún Laoghaire in 2006, the second in Swords in 2008 and the third in Malahide in 2010. The company

has not been immune to the chill winds of the recession, but it has managed to keep growing and three outlets have now become six with a brand new premises opening last year in Dun Laoghaire and a total refurbishment of the Swords restaurant in 2016 as well as being food partners in both House on Leeson st and 37 Dawson St. There is also a separate outside catering and events division and the business as a whole employs 155 people.

Restaurant sales currently account for around 80 per cent of the Gourmet Food Parlour’s turnover, but the company has also been growing its catering and events division. Roughly five years ago it

began working with Dublin GAA to provide after-training meals for players and it is now the official food supplier to both the Dublin County Board and to Leinster Rugby.

“Some of these teams train four to five times per week and we work with their nutritionists to develop simple but tasty recipes that meet their specific nutritional brief,” Heskin says. “This is a very specialist type of catering and we have put a lot of time into researching how teams in the US, the UK and Australia approach the whole area of nutrition for elite athletes.

We are very focussed on maintaining relationships with our customers and we are proud to work with our ambassadors Paul Flynn and Food flicker and our partnership with Legacy Consultants has also proved very successful.

“We have always been open to new opportunities, which I think has stood to us during the recession, and we are really looking forward to the next ten years on our GFP journey” she added with a laugh!

For bookings please call 01 2805670 or email dunlaoghaire@gourmetfoodparlour.com and for more information please see www.gourmetfoodparlour.com

Freshness, quality, and homemade are three key criteria at Gourmet Food Parlour

6 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 17 November 2016

GazetteGALLERY

| 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF ENVIROCOM AWARDS CELEBRATED

Winners and finalists celebrate their achievements at the 2016 Envirocom Awards, held at the Royal Marine Hotel in Dun Laoghaire. Pictures: Paul Sherwood

A big win for business

T

Vince Lane FDT Consulting (winners), Gabby Mallon and Andrew Mernagh of DLR Chamber of Commerce with Cllr Cormac Devlin

HE 10th anniversary of the EnviroCom Awards was held at the Royal Marine Hotel Dun Laoghaire.Hosted by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Chamber, in association with Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council. The ceremony welcomed 130 attendees from across the business community of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown.

Guests included Minister for Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation, Mary Mitchell O’ Connor, An Cathaoirleach Cllr Cormac Devlin and DLR Chamber President, Pat Neill.

There were 11 winners overall with two victors of the Environmental Innovation award, St John of God Hospital Stillorgan and Viva Green, which manufactures the world’s first chemical-free moss control product.

Cllr Cormac Devlin and Pat Neill, president of the DLR Chamber

Sandeep Singh and Anubhav Srivastavr winners for Waste Management with judges and committee members

Tim Coles and Margaret Coles, Green Officer, DLR Orla Hogan Q4PR and Philomena Poole, county manager of DLR County Council

Gabby Mallon of DLR Chamber and John Farrell, City Bin

County Council

17 November 2016 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 7

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CHARITY | MUM RAISES €1,000 WITH COFFEE MORNING

A grand idea to support Syrians

 EMMA NOLAN

Cabinteely mum Leah Duffy with her sons, Oisin and Aaron, with a cheque for €1,000 to help MSF in Syria

A MOTHER of three from Cabinteely said she was so haunted by the images she’s seen of the children in war-torn Syria that she had to help.

Leah Duffy held a coffee morning in her own home to raise money to donate to Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF).

MSF provides medical care to people who are

victims of conflict, natural disasters or oppression and have been providing medical attention to the people in rebelheld Aleppo, which has been destroyed by war in recent years.

Leah told The Gazette: “I really wanted to try to do something to help, but with three small children, I didn’t think there was much I could do.”

She is mum to fiveyear-old Oisin, three-

year-old Aaron, and oneyear-old Poppy.

Leah contacted MSF, who sent her t-shirts and leaflets on their work in Syria.

She said: “They explained to me how they still have some access to some of the hospitals in Aleppo, though so many are bombed now. I decided to have a fundraising coffee morning and literally texted everyone and anyone I knew and then told them to tell other people, and so on.”

Leah ran the coffee morning at her house in Cabinteely with the help of her husband, Paul, her parents, her two brothers,

her sister and her friends.

The local coffee shop, Urbun, even donated cakes for the event, which turned out to be a great success, with Leah and her team of helpers managing to raise €1,000.

Leah said that her two boys, Oisin and Aaron, are absolutely thrilled that they managed to raise so much money.

“We had around 80 people cross my doorstep over the course of the day. Friends, neighbours, fellow mums, and then friends of friends of friends, and we managed to raise a grand for our Syrian appeal for MSF,” she said.

Car set on fire in Ballybrack A CAR was set on fire in a Ballybrack car park on Monday night.

The incident occurred in the Tesco car park. It was reported that a group of local thugs set fire to a man’s car after he refused to serve them alcohol without ID. A local woman described the incident as “very scary”.

Speaking on 98FM, the woman said that the burning car even exploded at one point.

She said that “absolute scum of the earth” were responsible for the fire.

Another local woman, Leslie from Ballybrack, said that one of her side mirrors on her car was damaged nearby at the same time that night.

17 November 2016 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 9

GazetteGALLERY

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LOTS OF GREEN IDEAS AT THE LEXICON LIBRARY

Designing a better future for all of us Recycling materials, and coming up with inventive ways to create a greener economy proved a big hit with the imaginative children from across the DLR area. Pictures: Peter Cavanagh

D

LR children followed their peers at a number of cities around the world in taking part in a special “designathon� recently, with the LexIcon Library playing host to a very creative get together.

Run in parallel with other cities, the children took to the design-based workshop with great enthusiasm, happy to face the challenge of coming up with sustainable solutions for a greener economy. Recycling materials played a great part in their design efforts, with the children coming up with a lot of creative ideas, and fresh uses for materials. It was a great way to help get the next generation thinking about how to help create a strong, and environmentally-friendly economy, in future.

10 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 17 November 2016

OPINION | POSITIVES COULD YET EMERGE FROM THE SHOCK RESULT IN AMERICA

Trump’s win could mark the roots of a better way NUI lecturer in Government

FIRST Brexit, and now President Trump. In years to come, 2016 will be remembered as a watershed moment in the history of democracy.

Political pundits shocked and alarmed by Trump’s victory have suggested that it spells the beginning of the end of Western democracy.

I believe, instead, that it marks the opening of a new chapter, characterised by both enormous risk and possibility.

Although democracy is by no means a product or exclusive property of Western civilisation, the term itself was coined in ancient Greece to signify a form of popular power.

It combined the Greek words ‘demos’ – meaning either the whole citizen body living within a particular city-state, or the ‘lower orders’ – with ‘kratos’, meaning ‘power’ or ‘rule’.

Today, we tend to think of democracy as a system of government in which the people elect representatives to rule on their behalf.

However, this conception of democracy is a relatively recent one.

Democracy originally

Picture: Emmet Curtin

 DR LAURENCE DAVIS

meant – and was – government and society as one, with the citizen body governing itself directly by means of active participation in the political process.

More than that, it referred to a way of life.

This was the message of Pericles’ famous funeral oration in ancient Athens, and it was the way in which ordinary Americans used the term in the early American republic to refer to an egalitarian way of life – one in which the people didn’t have to bow and scrape before their so-called ‘betters’.

Even as late as the 1780s and 1790s, democracy never meant competitive political parties, and rarely referred to representative institutions, which were widely regarded as elitist, rather than democratic devices.

Rather, it was more likely to suggest direct popular decision-making in an as yet unspecified institutional form, and a way of life with vast impli-

cations for society more generally.

Contemporary democracy is a far cry from this participatory ideal. While it is true that hard-fought popular struggles have overcome centuries-old exclusions from citizenship based on propertyownership, gender, and ethnic and racial affiliation, this dominant triumphalist narrative of democracy obscures the ever-growing gap between the ideals of popular sovereignty, and the reality of contemporary demo-

of the democratic principle to the government of the state is tenable, in the context of modern techno-industrial capitalist societies in which so much power lies outside the domain or control of elected governments.

Responding to some of these developments, political scientists across the ideological spectrum now frequently lament what they refer to as a ‘crisis of democracy’.

What they mean by this is widespread public disenchantment with the

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“The Trump campaign successfully tapped into disaffection, and portrayed its candidate as the ‘anti-political’ solution to the failings of liberal democracy”

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cratic societies.

Perhaps most notably, it obscures the hollowing out of democracy by the market-driven concentration of power in the hands of interconnected economic and political elites, carried to extreme lengths in recent years under the banners of neoliberalism and austerity.

And this, in turn, raises the deeper question of whether the confinement

politics of representative democracy, reflected in declining voter turnout, membership of political parties, trust in politicians, and interest in mainstream electoral politics.

To focus on one illustrative example, current research indicates that politicians are amongst the least trusted groups in society, and that large numbers of people are

While much of the world has been horrified by Donald J Trump winning the presidency across the pond, Dr Davis writes that the end of ‘business as usual’ in politics could yet see a new type of democracy emerge from the ashes of the bitterly contested race

deeply mistrustful of both political parties and government itself.

The Trump campaign successfully tapped into this disaffection, and portrayed its candidate as the ‘anti-political’ solution to the failings of liberal democracy.

As exit polls have confirmed, Trump’s supporters believed him, and they turned out in record numbers to make their views known.

In response, liberal critics have already begun decrying the ‘stupidity’ of the American electorate.

Some even have questioned the principle of ‘one person, one vote’.

Like the elite democratic framers of the American Constitution, who drafted its elaborate system of checks and balances precisely in order to avoid what John Adams once referred to as ‘the horrors of democracy’, contemporary liberal democrats are once again

blaming the people for the horrors of democracy, and have failed to engage in any but the most condescending of ways with the deep populist anger which propelled Trump to the presidency.

By way of an alternative response to Trump’s victory and the politics of fear and division it is likely to unleash, I suggest the following.

The most effective antidote to the demagoguery Trump represents is not less democracy, but more.

This was precisely the message of the Bernie Sanders campaign, which spoke to millions of Americans who wanted to see a progressive alternative to politics as usual.

For many of those who supported Sanders in the Democratic primary election campaign, democratic politics is about much more than simply elections.

It also entails people getting organised and

mobilised in grassroots social movements to contest power and forge participatory alternatives to elite democracy outside as well as inside the framework of elections.

In stark contrast to Trump’s elitist claim that he, and he alone, could fix America’s problem, the Sanders campaign maintained that only popular power, in the form of a democratic revolution, could transform American politics and society and make its institutions once again responsive to the people.

Voters opted instead for the ‘safe’ choice of Hillary Clinton. Perhaps now it is time to for all those in the United States and elsewhere who care about the future of democracy to consider less safe options, including the possibility of a ‘post-representative’, progressive and participatory democratic alternative to elite-led liberal democracy.

17 November 2016 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 11

GAZETTE

12 GAZETTE 17 November 2016

DUBLINBUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS | 18 SYSTEMS REPLACED IN COMMS AGREEMENT

Oil firm rings up a €185k phone tech solution deal  EMMA NOLAN Malahide native James Doyle is hoisted aloft after being named as president of Ogra Fianna Fail

Doyle’s delight at top Ogra Fianna Fail position CHEERED on by more than 500 delegates and supporters, Malahide man James Doyle was elected to the position of president of Ogra Fianna Fail at the party’s National Youth Conference in Limerick.

27-year-old Doyle is a qualified financial advisor, and first got involved in politics aged 12 when he was a delegate to Comhairle na nOg, eventually becoming national chairperson in 2007.

Doyle said: “It’s a great honour to be elected

president of Ogra by my peers. I received a strong mandate, winning 63% of the vote.

“My job is to grow and develop our organisation and ensure that the voice of young people is heard within Fianna Fail and the country generally.”

Over the course of the weekend, delegates debated issues such as the needs of rural Ireland resulting from the fallout from Brexit, and the need for an increased focus on science and technology in schools.

Penneys joins Celebrations One4All list for standards PENNEYS has become the latest retail brand to sign up for the national One4All gift card system.

Michael Dawson, group chief executive at One4all, said: “We are really excited to extend our portfolio of retail partners and welcome the Irish institution that is Penneys to the One4all scheme, meaning that One4all customers are able use their cards in its stores nationwide.”

T he One4all Gif t Card is the marketleading, multi-retailer gift card, and is currently accepted in store and online at more than 8,000 stores nationwide.

SOME 12 Dublin firms are celebrating after achieving certification to key international business standards.

Aalto Bio Reagents Ltd, Balfour Beatty Rail Ireland, Central Bank of Ireland, Collen Construction, Decawave, Dublin Bus, Irish Rail, New Century Engineering, Label Tech, McNally Handy and Partners, Owens and Minor Global Services, and Syncreon were among 30 organisations recognised for their achievement.

The special ceremony was held at the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) offices on November 4.

TOP Oil has struck a €185,000 deal with ShoreTel and Phone Pulse.

ShoreTel was one of a number of solutions considered by Top Oil, and was chosen based on feedback from the company’s IT and business users.

Savings have been made largely through the removal of 18 separate phone systems that were previously in place. Each incurred separate landline charges, and offered no call visibility.

Another benefit of using ShoreTel’s unified communications solution is increased sales conversions.

ShoreTel has shown that approximately 30% of calls received are direct sales calls from customers.

The system allows these calls to be prioritised and answered by a member of the sales team while routing less time-sensitive internal calls to other staff.

The leading fuel supplier is also benefiting from the addition of callback, call recording, instant messag-

Seamus McGovern, group ICT manager, Top Oil; Barry Dillon, regional sales director, Ireland, Middle East and Nordic regions, ShoreTel; Imogen Gold, contact centre manager, Top Oil and David Lang, sales director, Phone Pulse.

ing, conference call and email capabilities, which now all run under the ShoreTel platform, ensuring ease of use.

Feeback Productivity has increased, and Top Oil has received positive feedback from customers since the

solution was introduced.

Seamus McGovern, group ICT manager, Top Oil said: “When we looked at a number of options for our needs, the clear winner was ShoreTel. It’s simply the best unified communications solution in the market.

“The €40,000 annual

cost savings have obviously been hugely beneficial for our business and ensured a very high return on investment.

“Phone Pulse has made the transition to ShoreTel seamless, implementing the solution in just a few weeks and providing onsite training to staff.

Swords firm claims technology win at eir Elevation Awards 2016 A BUSINESS located in Swords’ Airside Business Park has won the Best Technology award at the eir Elevation Awards 2016.

The company, eShopWorld, describes its role as “empowering online retailers to succeed globally by delivering a seamless and glocalised shopping experience”.

Eavann Murphy, chief commercial officer, eir Business, said: “The eir Elevation

Awards are the perfect vehicle to highlight and acknowledge innovation and give new businesses in Ireland the platform to grow and develop further.

“As a member of the judging panel, I was delighted to see such incredible vision, innovation and genuine desire to achieve success on a national and international scale.”

The award winners, which span seven categories, were announced at a lunch in the

Marker Hotel, Friday earlier this month.

With a spotlight on innovation, international scalability, differentiation and strategic investment to the Irish economy, the eir Elevation Awards celebrate the success of Ireland’s fastest growing companies.

Pictured are Shay Lunch, Future State, presentning Michael Nolan of eShopWorld with the award.

“Now, we can route calls easily across our 30 locations and 250 staff.

The feedback from customers and staff alike has been very positive. We’re a customer-focused organisation, and our reputation is very important. With ShoreTel, no customer is left behind,” he said.

17 November 2016 GAZETTE 13

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GAZETTE

DIARY DUBLINLIFE Look out for artists’ talents CHILDREN across Dublin are being called on to let their imaginations run wild and create a modern masterpiece for Sightsavers’ Junior Painter Awards

by Friday, November 25.

T his year’s theme, Framing The Future, is sure to inspire some imaginative entries from primary school pupils.

Entrants have the chance to win cash prizes for their schools, sponsored by The Irish Times, and memberships and toolboxes full of arts and crafts materials from ReCreate Ireland.

Some 15 regional winners will be selected and will have the opportunity to see their work displayed at a special awards day

Judge, Laureate na nOg and children’s book illustrator PJ Lynch with Aya Parker, Rachel Murphy and Emmy award-winning costume designer, Joan Bergin. Picture: Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland

next Spring. where three overall national winners will be announced.

Every child that enters will receive a certificate of

participation in recognition of their artistic efforts.

See the entry forms, at www.sightsavers.ie/juniorpainter.

CHRISTMAS FUN AT MERRION SQUARE MERRION Square will throw open its gates and doors for a series of sea-

sonal events this November and December.

The annual lighting up of the square takes place on Tuesday, November

22. The public will then be welcomed the next day for Christmas On Merrion Square – an open day with events for all ages in the buildings around the square.

December 12 sees the surrounds of St Stephen’s Church play host to Carols By Candlelight – a free traditional service and carols sung by Classicus Youth Choir.

From free horse and carriage rides to Christmas carols, creative Irishmade gifts and wonderful seasonal artisan food, the day offers something for all ages and tastes.

All events are free with some ticketed. For further information, see www. merrionsquare.ie.

GO TO TOWN FOR ALL THE SEASON’S SIGHTS A NEW website is to be launched to keep track of all the Christmas events happening in Dublin this festive season.

DublinatChristmas. ie is a one-stop-shop for information on all the festivities taking place across Dublin city centre, including information on shopping, socialising, family-friendly events, special offers and much more.

T he same message from the city, and the site, is Go To Town to see the city come alive with the festive spirit, and experience the magic and tradition of Dublin at Christmas time.

17 November 2016 GAZETTE 15

16 GAZETTE 17 November 2016

COMMENT | THE TANAISTE SAYS WE CAN ALL DO MORE TO END THE PLAGUE OF DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE

CHARITY | DUBLIN BIOPHARM STAFF TAKE TIME OUT TO GIVE BACK

 FRANCES FITZGERALD

DOMESTIC violence remains a serious issue in our society. Too many people have had their futures robbed from them. Society needs to get the message that such violence is criminal and unacceptable.

That is why, this week I launched the National Awareness Raising Campaign on Domestic and Sexual Violence.

My Department and NGOs working in the sector have developed an advertising campaign to increase the awareness of domestic and sexual violence, to bring about a change in behaviours and attitudes and to activate bystanders with the aim of decreasing and preventing this violence.

The campaign will recognise that women and men are victims of such crimes. It will encourage family members, friends and bystanders to take action to combat domestic and sexual violence.

We want women and men to feel that they can reach out and ask for help. We want the message to reach into households across this country – domestic and sexual violence must stop.

Through this campaign, we are taking on a very significant challenge but if we unite to bring this violence out in the open, to make this an issue people talk about and to help people understand and recognise the violence, we can achieve so much.

There is a lot at stake – people’s safety, their lives, that of their family, their children. It is incumbent on us to do our all to effect change, to strive to change the behaviours in our society that perpetuate the violence that happens in homes throughout Ireland. Our homes should be our sanctuary but sadly for a lot of women, men and children their home is a dangerous and fearful environment.

Therefore we must speak out against domestic and sexual violence and leave perpetrators in no doubt that this violence will not be tolerated in our country.

Of course, in order to ensure that those who do step forward are supported, we need to strengthen the legislation on domestic violence. I will publish the Domestic Violence Bill soon. It contains key improvements. It will be easier to get barring, safety and protection orders. It will provide for securing an emergency barring order and it will be possible for a victim to give evidence by video-link.

The intention for this campaign is to send a clear and unequivocal message to perpetrators that this violence is totally unacceptable and that it must stop. As relatives, friends, neighbours, bystanders and witnesses, we have an important role in helping to prevent domestic and sexual violence. Our intervention, if it is safe and legal to do so, will significantly impact those affected by this intolerable violence by offering hope and support.

The most difficult aspect of tackling domestic and sexual violence is its hidden nature. It happens in sitting rooms, kitchens, bedrooms; clubs, pubs and nights out. It hides in the private moments of relationships, things that outsiders cannot see. This campaign is aimed at getting into those hidden spaces through ads on TV, local radio, in posters on our streets, ensuring our national message is delivered at a local level: domestic and sexual violence is not acceptable.

Todd Manning (centre) with his AbbVie colleagues for the biopharmaceutical giant’s annual community support programme, Week of Possibilities

When big businesses shows bigger heart  EMMA NOLAN

BIG-hearted employees from a pharmaceutical company in West Dublin have rolled up their sleeves to help build a creche for homeless children.

Some 60 volunteers from AbbVie in Citywest took time out from their busy schedules recently to help Sophia Housing, a non-profit organisation that provides emergency, transitional and long-term accommodation to homeless people.

The accommodation centre is based in Donabate in north Dublin, where Sophia operates a ‘Nurture Centre’ providing creche and after school facilities for children

living within the complex. The AbbVie volunteers put in a massive effort to upgrade the centre, an outdoor play area and an adjacent garden allotment.

Mary Gilton of Sophia House in Donabate told The Gazette: “The children, adults and staff will have a wonderful, enhanced, exciting and out-of-this-world nurturing centre and surrounding garden areas to happily work and play in thanks to all at AbbVie. “The company’s Week of Possibilities initiative has been a fantastic experience for all involved.”

AbbVie, a global biopharmaceutical company which employs around 600 people

in Ireland, joined forces with Volunteer Ireland in 2015 to launch ‘Week of Possibilities’, an initiative that strives to make a positive impact on the lives of marginalised people through a commitment to building strong communities, sustainable health care systems and effective educational programmes.

This year, 400 of AbbVie’s Irish employees – two thirds of its workforce – volunteered more than 1,700 hours during Week of Possibilities.

Across the company, a remarkable 313 colleagues from commercial and manufacturing sites contributed to the initiative.

“Week of Possibilities is a great example of how non-profit organisations and the private sector can work together to make a positive difference.” said Todd Manning, general manager AbbVie, who is based in the company’s commercial office in Dublin’s Citywest.

“This wonderful initiative helps to give children from underserved populations a better chance at achieving their dreams and ultimately improving their own communities. We believe our volunteer work during Week of Possibilities can make a real difference – on the children of today and on the communities of tomorrow.”

Todd (above), Basil (above right) and some of the AbbVie gang muck in to help upgrade the childcare facilities at Sophia House in Donabate

17 November 2016 GAZETTE 17

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18 GAZETTE 17 November 2016

DUBLINLIFE

STYLE er Riv o Rud nd Isla lph

Next Faux fur gilet €28

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Dublin training Academy wins prestigious beauty award  EMMA NOLAN

TEMPERATURES have dropped and a new Winter coat and cosy essentials are top of the shopping list for boys and girls.

Whether it’s for the school run or special occasions, we’ve complied some cosy kids favourites from the high street. From fur gilets

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Style Editor

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to double-breasted pea coats, the outerwear offering for kids right now are giving the grown-up styles a run for their money, and best of all, they’re also stylish and practical.

 EMMA NOLAN

on Fox

Monso top €20

Trends “In recent years, treatments and techniques in salons have advanced so much and customers expect the latest trend in their local salon.

“We at Waverley are constantly responding to these demands so that all our students graduate with the highest standards and techniques possible.”

There are 25 tutors at the academy, specialising in hair, beauty and make-up.

The academy is now taking admissions for courses. For further information, see www. academy.ie or call 01 408 9769.

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A DUBLIN beauty school has just won the Training Academy of the Year award at this year’s Irish Hair and Beauty Awards.

The Waverly Academy in Inchicore has been in business for 22 years and has recently added new courses to its programme.

Director Veronica O’Kelly said: “There’s never been a more exciting time to have a career in the hair, beauty and make-up industry.

Monsoon Jeans €34

17 November 2016 GAZETTE 19

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20 GAZETTE 17 November 2016

DUBLINLIFE

FASTNews

Dealer Principal Tom Staunton and Anne Staunton with Steve Tormey, chief executive at Toyota Ireland at the signing of the new dealer agreement

State-of-the-art Toyota dealership opens at Liffey Valley TOYOTA Liffey Valley, Dublin’s newest Toyota dealership opened last week under the management of Tom Staunton adding another important car brand to the line-up of dealerships at the extensive shopping centre off the N4. Tom has over 30 years experience both within the motor industry and with Toyota.

Toyota Liffey Valley will create 40 new jobs within sales, after-sales and administrative roles. It has an 11-car showroom and heralds a new concept by integrating the sales and service business by wrapping the service workshop around the showroom.

The dealership covers 3,000 sq m over two floors.

The new showroom features Toyota’s new Retail Concept offering customers an immersive experience, encompassing a combination of physical, human and digital touch points which will guide the customer through the showroom. The service workshop area comprises a 14-bay workshop featuring pre-NCT and inspection bays along with dedicated express servicing bays.

Ford launches new Kuga with a 7 year warranty FORD claims that the new 2017 Kuga SUV is a more technologically

V40 model adds a new measure to Volvo safety appeal

Volvo has added even more safety value to its entry level V40 model to add to the appeal of a car that’s compact in nature and edges closer to the prestige end of the market. MICHAEL MORONEY took it for a test drive and explains its appeal.

VOLVO’S latest version of the V40 was launched during the summer months with modest styling changes and some extra specification options to make the Swedish brand’s entry model even more desirable. The car continues to look attractive, with a sporty hint so that as it drives by, you would almost think that it’s going faster than it actually is.

On the inside the car is stylish and modern, with an understated layout that gives hints to the Swedish IKEA-like minimalist approach that’s obvious across the entire Volvo range. That’s part

of the attraction of the car and that is a comfortable fit with the Volvo brand which for generations has stood for safe driving and comfort.

The V40 is a blend between a hatchback and an estate car. The result is a compact and modern looking car from the outside that’s comfortable on the inside while not being too big. This is a car that’s relaxed on city and rural roads with its compact nature and freeflowing design lines.

The test car that I drove recently was the D2 Momentum Edition, powered by a thrifty 2.0litre, turbo-diesel engine.

The engine is smooth and

powerful enough with a high level of torque at 280Nm, to give a reasonably impressive acceleration figure of 10.5 seconds in a 0 to 100km/ hr race. It’s no rocket but more importantly, the relatively high engine torque means a smooth acceleration that’s effortless even if it’s not Formula 1 fast.

There’s a lot of competition in this segment of the market, and for Volvo the brand image is as important as the car’s performance. The economy figures that I achieved were disappointingly below the quoted figure of 31km/ litre (3.2l/100km or

advanced, refined and affordable sports utility vehicle (SUV) than ever.

The new Kuga, with a fresh front grille design, arrives in Ireland this month with prices starting at €33,345, a price increase of over €1,200.

The entry model comes with a new 120bhp Ford 1.5-litre turbo-diesel engine that’s claimed to deliver a fuel economy figure of 22.7km/litre (64.2 mpg) and with a low 115g/km CO2 rating. This engine is claimed to be 5% more fuel efficient than the previous 2.0litre turbo-diesel engine that was the entry model in the range.

There will be three diesel engine options in terms of power 120bhp, 150bhp and 180bhp with the latter two powered by a 2.0 -litre turbo-diesel engine. A new petrol engine option is restricted to a 1.5-litre 150bhp EcoBoost engine which is turbo-charged and more efficient than petrol engines of the past.

The dash on the Volvo V40 is modern and understated with clear lines in an IKEA sort of way, that’s functional and practical

Volvo V40

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine 2.0 litre Engine power 120hp 0 – 100km/hr 10.5 seconds Top speed 190km/hr Economy 31km/litre (3.2l/100km or 73mpg)

Fuel Tank Capacity 62 litres CO2 emissions 89g/km Road Tax Band €180 Main Service 20,000km/12 mon Euro NCAP Rating 5 star 2012 Boot Space 335 litres Warranty 3 years (100,000km) Entry Price €28,045

Volvo fit a capless fuel filler unit to the Volvo V40 with a narrow throat to ensure that filling mishaps are prevented

73mpg) and that was with a significant amount of city driving.

The engine start-stop system, a very useful fuel saving device appeared a bit harsh relative to some others, so I ended up using less often than I should. Start-stop systems are not everyone’s favour feature, but they do need to be very seamless for drivers to get comfortable with them.

The 62-litre capacity fuel tank, with its capless opening device, gave me a range of over 700km, which is a shade low for cars in this segment of the market. That’s because most cars of this size are fitted with smaller and marginally more fuel

efficient 1.6-litre turbodiesel engines that also make these other cars marginally lighter.

Weight is important when it comes to fuel economy in modern cars.

That’s part of the reason some car companies such as Volvo don’t provide a spare wheel in the boot as standard. But the lack of the spare wheel, which costs €80 extra on the options list, has not been enough to keep the Volvo V40 fuel economy in trim.

Among the obvious less prestigious competition are the popular Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus, Opel Astra and Toyota Auris. Volvo tends to pitch the V40 against the

17 November 2016 GAZETTE 21

GAZETTE

MOTORING

Toyota launches annual Dream Car Art Contest

The new Volvo V40 comes with a range of optional safety features that has the potential to make it one of the safest midrange cars on the road. Prices start from €28,045 before delivery charges.

The doors open wide, but rear legroom is modest, while the hatchback

The boot is reasonable in size and the optional Tempa spare

boot opens wide for easy loading

wheel costs an additional €80

Audi A3 Sportback but to me they are very different cars.

On paper at least, the V40 is no faster than any of them in terms of acceleration, and marginally better, in theory at least, in terms of fuel economy.

That’s why its CO2 rating is so good at 89g/km bringing it right down to Road Tax band A2, which costs just €180 per year in road tax.

One of the things that that impressed me about the Volvo V40 was the quick user guide in the glove box. This was a clearly laid out guide that shows you how all of the cars functions can be set and how to get the best from the car.

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

‘As it’s a Volvo, you expect there to be loads of typical Volvo safety features in the deal’ ---------------------------

It’s an example that many others should follow as it allowed me to set the car for my best comfort and performance. I like to get the Bluetooth into action straight away and following the guide was a dream. Even setting the kilometre readings to zero can be a technology challenge in some cars and without this simple guide, I could have spent

hours on the job.

The Volvo V40 is more compact in terms of space from the rear legroom to the boot. The test car boot felt small and it included the optional spare wheel. For the driver, I found there to be adequate headroom as I drive from a high seating position.

The driving position is a bit low for my style, for others it provides a sporty feel along with a very attractive to use steering wheel.

The digital dials were very clear to use and visibility from behind the wheel was good on all sides. The Volvo sat-nav system fits well into the clear dash area and was

easy to use and set up.

As it’s a Volvo, you expect there to be loads of typical Volvo safety features in the deal. For the V40 there are some new ones including City Safety system, an automatic braking system first shown on the Volvo XC60 to avoid noise-totail urban accidents. For the new V40 is has been improved and now works at speeds up to 50 km/h, instead of 30 km/h in the past.

The V40 also comes with a new Pedestrian Airbag system that inflates from under the rear edge of the bonnet when the car detects that it has hit a pedestrian. Volvo research has

shown that the raised bonnet better cushions the unfortunate pedestrian. It also protects the pedestrian’s head from the “hard points” at the base of the windscreen and the lower A-pillars.

Entry prices which start at €28,045 are marginally above those of the volume sellers such as the Focus, Golf, Auris, Astra while being keener than the Audi A3 price band. The Volvo brand and design style is different and attractive. Be prepared to be tempted to lift the specification grades and see how the pricing changes and then it’s time for the calculator for what is a very impressive and safe car to own.

TOYOTA Ireland is delighted to announce that budding Irish artists under the age of 16 can now enter their submissions for the annual Toyota Dream Car Art Contest. The contest encourages children to imagine what their dream car would be and then to share their vision by drawing or painting it.

The national competition will see nine Irish finalists awarded a range of prizes at the official awards ceremony in Dublin in March 2017, and their winning entries will then compete against other international finalists for a chance to win a once in a lifetime trip to Japan.

A panel of three judges, Oliver Whelan, lecturer in Fine Art and Painting at NCAD, RTE star Blathnaid Treacy and a representative from Toyota Ireland have the tough job of selecting three finalists in each age category (under eight years, eight to 11 years and 12 to 15 years) as the national winners.

Commenting on the announcement, Ian Corbett, Toyota Ireland marketing manager said: “Toyota is passionate about unlocking the potential of youth in Ireland and the Dream Car Art Contest provides a perfect platform for young Irish artists to showcase their talents with the opportunity to compete on a global stage.

Each year, we are delighted by the exceptional level of artistic talent from children in Ireland, and we can’t wait to start viewing the masterpieces that are produced for this year’s contest.”

How to Enter

Young artists are being asked to draw or paint their vision of a ‘Dream Car’ using standard art materials (digital submissions will not be accepted). All entries must be in colour and include a car and a background or setting on an A3 size paper.

All submissions can be entered by dropping art work into an Authorised Toyota Dealership or sending it to Toyota Ireland, Killeen Road, Dublin 12 and clearly mark it ‘Toyota Dream Car Art Contest’.

The submission must be accompanied by an entry form which can be downloaded from www.toyota. ie/Dream-car-art . The contest will be open until February 24, 2017.

The nine Irish winners’ works will go on to compete against international winners for Gold, Silver and Bronze in a global competition with a grand prize of a once-in-a lifetime trip to Japan.

Full contest details and rules for the Toyota Dream Car Art Contest can be found at www.toyota.ie/ Dream-car-art .

RTE star Blathnaid Treacy gets help from Baxter Brown to launch the Toyota Dream Car Art Contest 2017 as Ariel Haughton and Sarah McFarland look on. Picture Jason Clarke

22 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 17 November 2016

GAZETTE

DUBLINLIFE fast

TRAVEL

TRAVEL NEWS

A weekend break in Leitrim beckons those looking to yoga to help detox and destress

Try a weekend break to focus on wellness A WEEKEND retreat of yoga and meditation before Christmas might sound like a bother, but according to yoga teacher Niamh Heverin, taking some well-deserved ‘metime’ is both very necessary and beneficial.

She suggests some of the reasons to pursue yoga for better health and well-being, including ...

Time for self-reflection Without the distractions of everyday life, the relaxing atmosphere of a retreat allows you to quiet your mind and gain perspective for the new year.

A weekend of clean eating We often end our year feeling bloated, unfit and yearning for a fresh start.

At a wellness retreat, your meals are carefully planned and made with healthy whole foods that fuel your body and mind.

Just a few days of eating right can reset your habits, helping after you leave your retreat.

Digital detox Countless hours on social media can distract us from fully experienc-

ing what’s really around us.

Abstaining, however briefly, can help us centre and balance ourselves.

It’ll also help build connections with the people around us.

Slowing things down for a weekend gives us a chance to experience ourselves differently, with people leaving recharged and rejuvenated on Sunday afternoon.

Retreats are for everyone Retreats are a good way to start or re-start a personal practice, or to deepen an existing one.

A wellness retreat will allow you to get away and spend some time taking care of yourself.

Niamh Heverin is a Ko Phangan-based yoga, pilates and meditation teacher who runs daily classes and offers holistic therapies.

She is hosting her retreat, A Winter Weekend of Wellness, in the award-winning Eco Retreat centre, Ard Nahoo, Co Leitrim.

For further information, see NiamhHeverin. com, or the NiamhHeverinWellness page on Facebook.

Delphi Resort, in Galway, has a special pre-Christmas yoga package to help face Christmas and beyond in your best shape

GALWAY: PRE-CHRISTMAS BREAK TO READY FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON

West is best to relax

 IAN BEGLEY

IF YOU want an opportunity to reflect, unwind and relax before the festivities of Christmas and New Years’ celebrations, then why not head to Galway and take advantage of Delphi Resort’s pre-Christmas yoga package?

Hosted by Kenneth R y a n , f r o m F r i d ay, December 16 – 18, the Christmas Presence yoga retreat includes daily yoga, where he will guide participants through the steps of gentle stretching, supportive meditation and relaxation tech-

niques.

This yoga retreat includes a relaxing twonight stay at the 4-star resort, with a breakfast smoothie or juice each morning (full breakfast also available), a light lunch each day, and a three-course evening meal in the 814 restaurant each night, with delicious seasonal options – ’tis the season, after all!

With a refreshed body and mind, guests are invited to join executive head chef Stefan Matz on Saturday afternoon in The Chef’s Table, where he will be hosting a Christmas cooking dem-

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

‘The yoga retreat gives you the opportunity to step out of the pre-holiday rush and ease your way into the celebration of a healthy Christmas’

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

onstration offering ideas and insight to take home with you to produce your own delicious Christmas menu.

After a rejuvenating morning with Kenneth, and invaluable tips from Stefan, retreat to the Delphi Spa and enjoy a spa treatment worth up to €50pp, or an organic

seaweed bath, followed by two hours access to the Thermal Suite – truly relax with the use of the jacuzzi, steam room, sauna and relaxation area.

The yoga retreat gives you the opportunity to step out of the pre-holiday rush and ease your way into the celebration

of a healthy Christmas.

Explore the spectacular outdoors, clearing your mind and enjoying the fresh air, or simply stay warm and cosy by the fireside with a good book on your down time.

This inclusive retreat package is available with prices from €349PPS (single supplement also available).

Book early to avoid disappointment, as retreats sell out quickly. For further information or to make a booking, email bookings@delphiresort. com , call 095 42208, or visit www.delphiresort. com.

Hotel and spa scoop prestigious national awards  IAN BEGLEY

THE Europe Hotel and Resort in Killarney (ESPA) has been named Best Overall Hotel at the 2016 National Hospitality awards.

In addition to this, the ESPA won Hotel Spa of the Year at

the awards, which took place in London last week.

Located on the shores of Lough Lein, and framed by the McGillycuddy Reeks mountain range, it is set in one of Ireland’s most spectacular locations.

Its luxurious spa are spread over two levels and cover a total

of 4,500sq m. Every aspect has been designed to provide a holistic and restorative experience, emphasising magnificent views.

Michael Brennan, general manager of Killarney Hotels, said: “We are thrilled that the hotel has been named Best Overall Hotel in Ireland.

“There are many fantastic hotels in Ireland, so we’re delighted to have won this award.

“It is a testament to the amazing team that we have working at The Europe, whose dedication to our customers is second to none.”

17 November 2016 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 23

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FOOD&DRINK BITESIZEDNEWS

The George Foreman Evolve Grilll

What’s cookin’ in grills?

Here’s a new Foreman THE latest innovation from George Foreman is the new Evolve Grill that can cook up to five portions at once. Unique to the grill is an intense 260°c Super Sear function that aims to deliver restaurant-quality steak. George Foreman Grills are available nationwide from independent Irish electrical retailers. The Evolve Grill retails for €199.99.

Whiskey provides an interesting extra flavour to these pork belly and melon-based treats

Make it Muldoon for whiskey liqueur dishes

It’s a celebration of fine fare at An Italian Feast Overview A LEADING Italian chef is coming to Dublin this month to a fivecourse ‘feasting’ menu that pays homage to Italy and the ingredients unique to the country.

Francesco Mazzei, in collaboration with The House of Peroni, will present An Italian Feast.

Taking place in Charlotte Quay on Wednesday, November 23, from 7pm, Francesco will serve a five-course menu, which will see Francesco sharing his passion for Southern Italian cuisine.

The menu includes an array of antipasti dishes, including Speck all’Anatra (home-cured duck speck with wild berries), Battuta di Tuna (a tuna dish, akin to a

tartare) and Insalata di Carciofini (artichoke and pea shoot salad).

Dessert is a fragrant Crema al Bergamotto (bergamot cream) served with bitter chocolate sorbet and a selection of handmade Pasticcini (fine Italian pastries).

Speaking on the menu, he said: “The plethora of ingredients unique to Italy are my source of inspiration to create menus drawn from Southern Italian feasts. I am really looking forward to sharing a Southern Italian culinary journey with our guests.”

The meal costs €65 per person and tickets are available from thehouseofperoni.com.

MULDOON Irish Whiskey Liqueur is a toffee and hazelnut-flavoured whiskey. Here are a selection of recipes by award-winning chef Jenny Flynn, of the Faithlegg House and Country Club Hotel in Waterford. Muldoon Irish Whiskey Liqueur can be bought at the Celtic Whiskey Shop, Dawson Street, for €30.

Muldoon Pork Belly Makes 6 portions.

Ingredients l 1.3kg centre piece of pork belly (so it will cook evenly) l 15g fennel seeds l 5g sea salt l 100ml olive oil l Carrots l Celery l Onions l Garlic cloves with skin on l Fresh thyme l 150ml Muldoon whiskey

Preparation l Turn oven to its highest temperature. Using a knife, score the skin down to the meat (try not to cut the meat), make the cuts very close together (go across the skin). l Put the fennel seeds and the sea salt in a pestle and mortar and grind till the seeds are smashed and mixed well with the salt. l Rub the pork belly with Muldoon whiskey and half the seasoning mix.

Cover and allow to marinate overnight. l The next day, pat the

skin side dry – this will help with the crackling. l Sprinkle over half of the fennel and salt mixture and rub in, pour over the oil and then the seed and salt mixture. l Now really rub this into the skin so that everything gets in between the skin and down onto the meat. l Wash the carrots and celery well, cut them into large 2-inch pieces, wash the thyme, and put these into the base of your roasting dish with the whole garlic bulbs; peel and cut the onions into large wedges. l Put the seasoned pork belly on top of the vegetables and then put into your very hot oven for 10-15 minutes, or until the skin of the belly starts to bubble and is golden brown. l Turn the oven tem-

perature dow n to 170°C/325°F/gas 3, then roast for 1.5 hours. l Carefully open the oven door and add into the tray the Muldoon whiskey, then continue cooking for one hour. l Remove the meat carefully from the oven and test to see if it pulls apart easily. If not, put back in the oven until the meat is ready, then remove from the oven. l Take the meat from the tray and place onto a wooden board and allow to rest. l Remove the crackling from the top of the belly and break up into pieces; set aside then pull the pork belly apart and enjoy with more vegetables and your choice of potatoes.

Muldoon Melon Makes approximately 6

portions; make sure you choose ripe melons.

Ingredients l Quarter watermelon l Quarter Galia melon l Quarter Honeydew melon l 2 shots of Muldoon whiskey l 6 limequats (a cross between a lime and a kumquat) Preparation l Peel melons and deseed them cut them to size required. l Cut up some limequats, pour over the Muldoon, and cook until fruit has softened. Allow to cool. l Bring the melons up to room temperature.

Put the limequats in the middle and put melon on top. l Add an extra splash of Muldoon to excite the taste buds.

GAZETTE

24 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 17 November 2016

DUBLINLIFE

CINEMA ReelReviews

DOCTOR STRANGE Curiously interesting

MARVEL turns out another superhero film, though this one has a lesser-known character at its heart.

Doctor Strange (Cert 12A, 115 mins) sees Benedict Cumberbatch don a cape and strange, mystical powers as he, and Tilda Swinton, create an odball yet visually striking film. The high-calibre cast compete with some stunning visuals to create a memorable, if eyeball-searing film.

Adam Driver and Golshifteh Farahani create likeable characters, taking the everyday core of life to craft something that rises above the film’s simple premise

PATERSON: JARMUSCH JAMS WITH THE MUNDANE, YET CREATES A WONDROUS FILM

Much ado about nothing HAVING released just two films in the past decade, Jim Jarmusch is by no means the world’s most prolific director.

What a welcome surprise it is then to be treated to two Jarmusch projects in 2016. The indie favourite’s “Iggy Pop and the Stooges” documentary, Gimme Danger, proved to be an unfortunately flat affair, telling the legendary punk band’s story with about as much raw power as a tribute album.

The Adam Driver-led Paterson, however, is a poetic, unique and quietly moving experience – the most wonderfully ‘Jarmusch’ film the director has made in years.

Driver plays Paterson – a bus driver living in the town of Paterson,

 MARTIN MACNAMARA

New Jersey; just one of the mundane, idle coincidences on which the film’s pensive narrative thrives.

Every day, Paterson wakes up before his artist girlfriend, Laura (Golshifteh Farahani), walks to work, drives his bus around the city, and then walks home.

Throughout, Paterson listens, observes and breathes in the world around him, composing wonderfully minimalist poetry in a notebook he takes everywhere.

Every evening after

work, Paterson eats dinner with Laura, walks their dog Marvin, and then chats with the regulars over a few drinks at a local bar.

Perhaps more so than anything Jarmusch has ever produced, Paterson is a film where nothing really happens.

The low-key narrative takes place over the course of a week, with each day driven by a cycle of familiarity, interrupted only by randomly observed coincidences.

Quietly, Paterson relishes in the repetitive everyday experience. The most prosaic instances are granted romantic weight when in the presence of the bus-driving poet, such as an innocuous box of matches, a conversation on the bus, the recurrent

appearance of sets of twins.

As the repetition becomes more rigid and obvious, patterns begin to emerge elsewhere – most conspicuously, in the offbeat black and white art Laura gradually covers the inside of their entire house with.

Jarmusch successfully communicates the wonder of the incidental everyday to the audience – just as filmmaker and protagonist alike relish in repetition and mundane coincidence, we too gradually begin to delight in the poetics of the everyday.

When the narrative starts to sporadically break with that repetition, then, the results are often affecting and quietly devastating.

There’s little room for improvisation here, Paterson is prepared and performed to Jarmusch’s rigorous, formulated, pensive style.

The film’s more poetic segments are built around a gorgeous combination of word, image and music.

T houghtfully composed shots of small-town America are overlain with the scrawled words of Paterson’s poetry as he writes it aloud.

Underneath it all is the harmonious, droning soundtrack from Squrl – Jarmusch’s musical side project. The cumulative effect is often wondrously hypnotic.

Despite telling a story essentially about nothing, Paterson’s dreamy structure and lackadaisical narrative never drags or

slows to a crawl.

Driver yet again proves how incredibly likeable he can be as the film’s privately romantic protagonist – sober and softly spoken, he’s a friend to all, and is often looked to for sage wisdom from a supporting cast packed with welcome, familiar faces.

Iranian actress Farahani is wonderful as Paterson’s hyperactively passionate girlfriend, who urges him to share his poems with the world.

Paterson is a wonderful film, and its protagonist a unique, quietly inspirational individual.

While you shouldn’t expect a conventionally emotional payoff, the experience of viewing Paterson is a reward in itself.

Verdict: 10/10

EDGE OF SEVENTEEN Teen spirit impresses

AT LAST – a film about teens that isn’t utterly, utterly excrutiating for nonteens to sit through, as The Edge of Seventeen (Cert 15A, 105 mins) delivers a funny, sassy yet thoughtful tale that will resonate with teens and grown-ups alike.

While not exactly based around earth-shattering complexities, its high school tales, and winning performances, make it a guilty pleasure to take in.

INFERNO

Last and least ...

WHATEVER sparks of interest audiences may have once had in Dan Brown’s overblown books may well finally go out after this turgid thriller. Inferno (Cert 12A, 121 mins) sees Tom Hanks return as the globe-trotting professor who’s the key to saving the world – literally, this time, thanks to a deadly plague.

Hanks does his best, but it’s a thankless task for this rather terrible three-quel.

17 November 2016 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 25

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TECH

WEEBYTES

The second Dub Web Fest promises an interesting programme line-up

Marrying tech and the arts  SHANE DILLON

EA Dice’s Frostbite game engine has never looked better, creating horrible warzones that you’d never want to see in real life. From glistening mud to desert dust clouds and showers of sparks, the game’s a real looker on all formats.

BATTLEFIELD 1: 1914-16 CONFLICT IS A GAMING BLAST

The Great War as a fun multiplayer WHILE all wars are hellish, World War One was a particularly savage conflict, and with the recent respectful ref lections across Europe on The Somme’s legacy, and other such theatres of war, some might see the release of WW1-set Battlefield 1 (c. €60; PC, PS, XBO; Cert 18) about a month ago as either a case of perfect or unfortunate timing, depending on outlook.

EA Dice’s latest installment in the long-running

 SHANE DILLON sdillon@dublingazette.com

Battlefield series delves into the brutal global conflict that claimed so many lives in the war – including almost 50,000 Irishmen.

In doing so, it has created a very compelling war game by going back

to basics, stripping away much of the bloat that had crept into the series.

Shipping with an easily mopped up offline (and slightly unengaging) brief single player campaign that hops around various key WW1 hotspots, the real meat of B1 is its online multiplayer gaming.

Drawing inspiration from several real battles at a number of global locales, B1 sees players joining either side in lengthy toand-fro multi-part battles

across large, open maps, in a variety of terrain.

Alongside lots of player classes and weapon unlocks to earn and use in battle, the game’s terrific sound and great visuals provide more than enough to keep even diehard Battlefield veterans happy.

There’s plenty more you could say about B1 – but ultimately, this is not only one of the best such war games out there, but an interesting journey into a terrible period of history.

With multiplayer battles spanning the war’s reach, players could be fighting in the air, on foot, in armoured vehicles – or even on horseback. Screengrabs: Shane Dillon

I RECENTLY wrote about Web Fest 2016, which is gearing up for an eclectic schedule of web series and workshops at its second outing.

Well, it’s upon us this weekend, and is taking place from Friday, November 18 to Sunday 20 at the Filmbase centre in Temple Bar.

Diverse The festival promises an interesting range of events, with everything from acting workshops (including Eddie Jackson, of Game of Thrones, and Vikings fame, and Fair City actress Aoibheann McCaul) to previews of new films and web series, and more.

From music to internet-specific media, it promises to be an interesting exploration of many intersections between media and technology, offering much more than ‘just’ web-related content, making it, as the organisers say, a must for any film, TV or digital fans.

Tickets are now on sale for all events at Dub Web Fest 2016 and can be purchased at the website.

For further information on all of the festival’s events and workshops, see dublinwebfest.com.

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28 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 17 November 2016

SPORT McGonigle steps down from Dubs

FastSport

LADIES FOOTBALL: SECOND ALL-IRELAND PROVED TANTALISINGLY OUT OF REACH

SHELS BACK ON TOP OF WNL:

SHELBOURNE Ladies moved two points clear at the top of Continental Tyres Women’s National as the season entered the final strait.

Shels put five goals past Kilkenny United on their final home game of the season with Gloria Douglas and Sarah Rowe opening the scoring for Shels. Noelle Murray made it 3-0 just after the 20 minute mark with Leanne Kiernan landing her 12th league goal of the season to give Shels a 4-0 half time lead.

Kate Mooney landed Shels fifth on 67 minutes just six minutes after being introduced for Gloria Douglas. Shels now top the WNL with 23 points.

Elsewhere, the Dublin derby between Peamount United and UCD Waves ended in a scoreless draw in Greenogue, leaving the latter second. The game was the first scoreless draw of the season and, in fact, just the seventh scoreless draw in the seven year history of the Women’s National League.

 JAMES HENDICOTT sport@dublingazette.com

BOSS Greg McGonigle and the Dublin Ladies’ football team have parted ways following Dublin’s All-Ireland final defeat to Cork in September.

McGonigle had been a loud voice for the side after their controversial defeat two months ago, hitting out at the ladies’ football association over

their failure to utilize Hawkeye for the game.

A seemingly legitimate point from Carla Rowe during the game was waved wide, and Dublin went on to lose by a single point.

In three years in charge, McGonigle led Dublin to three consecutive AllIreland finals with Dublin losing out to Cork on each occasion. The Rebelettes have now won 10 of the

last 11 at national level, but McGonigle maintained his primary aim was to repeat the county’s single win to date, which came in 2010.

McGonigle said of his decision: “I have really enjoyed my three years with Dublin but now feel the time is right for a new voice to help this group of players achieve their ultimate goal of winning an All-Ireland title.

Greg McGonigle has stepped down as Dublin ladies football boss. Picture: GAApics.com

“The time is also right for me personally to take a much needed break from management having been involved at senior level for the past six years [including time at Monaghan] and to reflect, recharge and refocus.”

He continued: “to the group of players, I struggle to find the words to sum up the desire, appreciation and love you have for your county. Genuinely it has been a huge honour to have coached you all and to have gotten to know you as people, most definitely class acts on and off the field.

“We shared many great days together and have

loads of memories from great journeys starting in 2014. I am disappointed that we could not win the much coveted senior AllIreland but you are closer than ever before and always remember a grain of rice can tip the scale.

“I strongly believe the amount of big games that this team have played over the past three years will stand to them while developing and strengthening them both mentally and physically in order to finally deliver an All-Ireland title, which I expect them to do in 2017.”

The Dublin Ladies Association hailed the manager for his impact

on the side: “Gregory brought a level of professionalism, enthusiasm and structure to Dublin that will prove quite difficult to surpass. “Gregory’s dedication to the players was insurmountable and he was instrumental in ensuring players had quality training facilities, medical care and top level coaching personnel available to them throughout his term in charge.

“Dublin LGFA would like to thank Gregory for all he has achieved with Dublin to acknowledge his dedication to the county and to wish him all the very best for the future.”

Evans fires Hermes-Monkstown to sixth victory  sport@dublingazette.com

Hermes-Monkstown’s Anna O’Flanagan and Nikki Evans celebrate their last minute winner. Picture: Adrian Boehm

NIKKI Evans’s last minute winner saw Hermes-Monkstown maintain their perfect start to the women’s EY Hockey League campaign following a huge tussle with Cork Harlequins whose 100% run came to an end as a result.

Liz McInerney gave the hosts an early lead from the first of many corners on the day, scrambling home from close range to get the vital touch. Rebecca Barry equalised before the end of the first quarter, though, when she

got on the end of a brilliant cross.

Quins then moved ahead following a great run by Yvonne O’Byrne, creating space in the circle and hammering home.

Their momentum was slowed, however, when Barry was shown a yellow card for dissent as temperatures rose with both sides contesting many decisions.

Hermes-Monkstown got back on terms in the second half from their fifth corner with Chloe Watkins slapping home from the top of the circle. Quins, though, bossed the period either side of the three-quarter break and

forced a couple of top saves from Liz Murphy.

Amber Barnwell had to scoop another chance off the line while O’Byrne deflected one corner inches wide. Two corner shots were blocked from a clever defensive running pattern – foregoing a number one runner to hang back and eliminate switch options – with Anna O’Flanagan and Sarah Greene cleaning up the chances.

Hermes-Monkstown withstood that spell and duly forged the crucial chance in the closing seconds, working the ball to Evans at the top with her back to

goal from where she unleashed a low reverse that the impressive Emma Buckley could not get enough of a boot on with the ball pinging in off her toe and off the post and in.

Elsewhere, Loreto grabbed their third win of the campaign with a 3-1 win over Pembroke to move into sixth place as Pembroke remain in search of their opening points of the campaign.

Niamh Small finished well for 1-0 before Freya McDermott then swept home a corner to double the half-time advantage with Sarah Evans completing the win.

17 November 2016 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 29

GAZETTE

CROSS COUNTRY: SOUTH DUBLIN CLUB IN FLYING FORM SANTRY MEET

FASTSport

Nure stung by Cookies comeback in UBL 1A Dundrum South Dublin AC’s Under-15 side that won the Dublin cross country championships

DSDAC’s seventh heaven sport@dublingazette.com

DUNDRUM South Dublin AC’s road from Santry to south Dublin was virtually paved with gold after the Dublin juvenile and senior cross country championships as they returned with an astonishing seven sets of team gold medals.

It was topped off by their senior ladies, led home by Fiona Clinton in fourth place, Maria McCambridge in fifth; Meghan Ryan in seventh with Harriet Robinson, Niamh Devlin and Sarah Fitzpatrick also shining.

The senior men’s team finished third with John Eves sixth as the club’s

first finisher, receiving great team support from Patrick MacGabhann, Robert Corbally, Killian Mooney, Mark Conway and Gary Crossan.

The senior women’s success was emulated by DSDAC’s Under-13 girls.

Saoirse O’Brien, running her first cross country race for DSD, was the star of their show with a great fourth place finish. Ciara Kelly ended seventh while Isabella Tomkin Beddy, moving up an age group, and Gracie Browne, also stepping up, both finished inside the top ten with Niamh Doyle, Ella O’Donohoe and Claudia Moran all scoring well.

Alex O’Floinn took off

FOUR IN A ROW? Joeys eye their Destiny as cup run continues DESTINY Okonkwo scored the only goal of

the game for St Joseph’s Boys in the first half as they picked up a big 1-0 win over St Kevin’s Boys in the third round of the SFAI Under-15 All-Ireland Cup. This Joeys team are aiming to win their fourth successive All-Ireland competition and have made it through to the regional playoff stage of the competition where they will meet Leixlip United.

Cabinteely’s Under-15s have also made it through to the last 32 of the cup.

like a scalded cat in the Under-15 boys before settling down to be joined

by Sean Donoghue, the national cross country champion, with DSD team mates Morgan Clarkson, Adam Harvey and Peter Duffy while Cian O’Sullivan and Luke Kearns kept in touch.

Clarkson, the Under-14 Dublin champion, and O’Floinn had a great head to head battle with Donoghue for the rest of the race and were edged out of first place in the final 200m, to finish second and third respectively.

This was a great team performance for DSD, however, with Harvey fifth and Duffy sixth for the best

team score of of 16 points.

Eimear Maher moved up from the Under-14 age group to finish third in the Under-15 girls race and, with Aimee Kenna, Lily May Craig, Caoimhe Nic Eachain and Emily Bradshaw, packing really well to finish first with a score of 25. Also, supporting the team were Eabha Nally and Faye Dervan.

James Maguire, in only his second appearance since his return from Germany, had a ding-dong battle with schools international champion Louis O’Loughlin, from Donore, and picked up silver.

Joining him on the podium was Aaron Donnelly who stormed home

for third place, with Naoise Moynihan O’Bradaigh sixth followed by Brian Maguire, James Lenehan and William Kinsella, ensuring that DSD also took gold in Under-17s.

Paul O’Donnell took the Under-19 title in great style, leading his team home for first place with Conor Halpin followed by Ruadhan O’Grada, Luke MacGabhann, Roly Mossop, Ross O’Toole and Nathan Doyle finishing strong.

Eimear Fitzpatrick finished second in the Under-19 girls; Niamh Carey was third supported

by Muireann Neville for another team win in this age group.

TERENURE College narrowly missed out on a result against high-flying Young Munster on a 31-23 scoreline at Lakelands Park in the Ulster Bank League Division 1A. Terenure gave a strong account of themselves, belying their current position of tenth in the table.

Flanker Niall Lalor’s first-minute try set them on their way to a 13-7 interval lead.

Munsters recovered well, though, showing the poise of table toppers as winger David Gleeson was freed up for a 19th minute run to the line.

However, two well-struck penalties from Nure full-back Jake Swaine after 22 and 38 minutes had the hosts in front at the break.

The Cookies’ powerful pack was to the fore as the Limerick men responded with two tries in the space of six minutes, centre Jack Harrington and hooker and captain Ger Slattery both crossing the whitewash for a 21-13 turnaround.

Winger Marc Hiney’s 65th-minute converted effort made it a one-point game and although Swaine took his impressive place-kicking tally to 13 points, ‘Nure agonisingly fell short of even a losing bonus point.

Either side of Swaine’s 74th-minute penalty, Munsters scrum half Rob Guerin seized the initiative to run in his fourth try of the campaign, converted by Swaine’s opposite number David O’Mahony who also added a late penalty to complete his crucial 11-point haul.

Elsewhere, Lansdowne continued their winning run with a storming 45-10 triumph over UCD on the Aviva Stadium’s back pitch on Friday night.

Mike Ruddock’s men tightened their grip on second spot, running in six converted tries through backs Alan Bennie (2) and Foster Horan and forwards Paul Boyle, Max Deegan and Philip Donnellan.

Scrum half Bennie sniped over in their very first attack and after a UCD yellow card and scrum pressure from the hosts before half-time, number 8 Boyle touched down off the back of an advancing set piece, five metres out, for a 17-3 interval lead.

Lansdowne’s powerful pack remained on top in the second half, with tactically astute 13-point out-half Scott Deasy keeping them stationed in the right areas of the pitch.

GAZETTE

30 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 17 November 2016

SPORT

CLUB NOTICEBOARD CUALA THE 2016 Cuala AGM is on Wednesday,

Wednesday.

December 7 at 8pm in Fitzpatrick’s Cas-

Well done to the minor B camogie team

tle Hotel, Killiney. The relevant docu-

who had a good win over Lucan Sars-

ments and agenda will be circulated

fields at the weekend.

soon.

The minor As lost to St Jude’s in the

Hard luck to our senior footballers

championship and must beat Kilmacud

who lost out to St Oliver Plunkett’s by

next week to be in with a chance of pro-

3-13 to 3-16 in AFL1 on Sunday.

gression.

Good luck to our senior hurlers who

This week’s Cuala development lotto

face St Mullin’s in the Leinster SHC semi-

jackpot will be €8,400. Our lucky dip win-

final next Sunday in Carlow. Book your

ners last week were John Basquille and

ticket on the Cuala Bus and follow us up

Seamus Coyle.

to Carlow!

Tickets €10 for adults, €5 for children, available from the Cuala shop 9am to 12.30pm all week.

Congrats to Cuala’s David Treacy who has been awarded the We are Dublin’

footballers who were beaten in the

Murray and Karen O’Connor respec-

shield final by Foxrock/Cabinteely last

tively, for their many years of hard work.

THE results of last week’s lotto draw,

Club gear for kids and adults, which

which is sponsored by Slimming World

includes hoodies, fleece tops, rain jack-

Shankill, saw 3, 8, 13 and 29 drawn; the

ets and beanie hats all with club crest

jackpot was not won.

and initials, is available now for delivery

Lucky dip winners were Brian Camp-

for Christmas. Order now at the acad-

bell, Ethan Crowe and Deirdre Spillane.

emy or via shankillclubgear@gmail.com.

Next week’s jackpot is a whopping €1,000

Our U-14 boys and men’s adult foot-

and the draw is on Thursday in Brady’s

ball teams are looking for extra players

where tickets are also available.

for next season. U-14 players contact

O’ Donnell’s Pharmacy, is on Saturday

FOXROCK Cabinteely’s Sinead Goldrick was honoured with her fifth consecutive All-Star last weekend following her performances for the Dublin ladies footballers in 2016.

She was presented with her award by Marie Hickey, President of the LGFA, in the company of Alan Esslemont, Ard Stiurthoir of TG4, at the TG4 Ladies Football All-Stars awards in Citywest Hotel in Dublin.

Picture: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

HURLING: NIALL WILL CHERISH “LIFETIME OF MEMORIES”

Many thanks to the outgoing academy and juvenile girls section chairs, Mick

The juvenile academy, sponsored by

Foxrock’s Goldrick an All-Star once again

Hurling Player of the Year.

Hard luck to our minor A ladies

SHANKILL

FIVE IN A ROW

Gabriel on 085 7254897 and adults Kevin on 086 8449902.

at 10am. Remember, we have moved for

For more information on the club,

indoor winter training to the brilliant

contact secretary.shankill.dublingaa.

gym in St Laurence’s College.

ie or call 086 4010438. Follow us on Face-

Niall Corcoran made the decision this week to retire from senior intercounty hurling

BEST of luck to our senior team who play

an extraordinary performance and well

Carnacon from Mayo in the All-Ireland

done to the management team of Gerry

Ladies Senior Club semi-final on Sunday,

McGarry, Paul Ryan, Ronan Ryan, Sam

November 20.

O’Sullivan and Miriam O’Neill for their

Crokes’ Corcoran retires from Dubs

hard work and dedication throughout

 STEPHEN FINDLATER

the year. Wednesday’s victory was just

sport@dublingazette.com

The academy caters for children from

book and Twitter. Join Shankill GAA Club,

four to eight years of age at only €2 per

your community, your GAA club where

week; there is no annual subscription.

everybody knows your name.

FOXROCK CABINTEELY The game will be played in Bray Emmett’s pitch and throw in is at 2 pm.

Since 2000, Carnacon have won 14 Connacht titles and five All-Ireland titles.

reward for all their hard work.

Fifteen club players were part of the Hollypark panel who played Belgrove

They went through a barren period in

from Clontarf in a thrilling Corn Austin

2014 and 2015 losing the Connacht finals

Finn final. The game finished all square at

to Kilkerrin Clonberne on both occa-

the end of normal time on a score line of

sions. However, they got back on track

Hollypark 4-3 Belgrove 3-6.

this year with a remarkable 32-point

Rather than play extra time, the

win in the Connacht final and will be hot

organising committee, as well as both

favourites going into the game.

schools agreed that the cup should be

However, our ladies love a challenge

shared for the year – a very good deci-

and they’ll be up for the tough encoun-

sion indeed. Sincere thanks to teachers

ter that’s ahead of them. Best of luck to

Ms Haugh, Ms Shannon and Ms McGov-

team captain Sarah Brophy and the rest

ern for all their tireless work during the

of the panel and management on Sunday.

competition.

Congratulations to our minor A team

Thanks to those who attended the

who had a terrific win over our neigh-

Grange last Thursday night and sup-

bours, Cuala, in the minor Division 1

ported our Table Quiz. Those who were

shield final. The final score was Foxrock

present had a very enjoyable and pleas-

Cabinteely 9-6 Cuala 4-9.

ant evening. A marvelous €450 was

Well done to the 20 girls who turned in

raised on the night.

KILMACUD Crokes star Niall Corcoran retired from the Dublin intercounty hurling side this week following a nine-year stint with the county’s seniors at the age of 34.

From Meelick on the Galway/Offaly border originally, he initially played for the Tribesmen, winning an All-Ireland minor championship in 2000 before switching to Dublin with whom he made his senior debut in 2008.

With the Dubs, he played a key role in a couple of breakthrough per-

formances, winning the National League in 2011 before landing a Leinster championship success in 2013, beating Galway in the final in Croke Park.

In Kilmacud colours – with whom he has been a long-term coach – Corcoran played his part in two Dublin club championship wins.

Reflecting on his career, he was thankful to the Dubs for giving him the opportunity to fulfil his dreams.

“As a child, my one ambition in life was to play hurling at the highest level and I am grateful to Dublin for giving me that opportunity,” he said.

“Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of playing against and with some truly outstanding players, many of whom will remain friends for life.

“From growing up in a small rural hurling heartland, to moving to a vibrant suburban GAA stronghold, it was with great pride that I represented both the people of Kilmacud Crokes and Meelick/Eyrecourt each time I wore the sky blue of Dublin.

“I sincerely thank both clubs for their support and loyalty over the years. I would like to acknowledge the many coaches and teachers who guided

me through my hurling education as a child and instilled in me a love of what can only be described as the greatest game in the world.

“Finally, I would like to pay tribute to the various management and backroom teams that I have the pleasure of getting to know while representing Dublin, I thank you for believing in me.

“To finish, I wish Dublin well for the future. I firmly believe in this talented group of players achieving further success.

“I leave with many great friendships, a couple of medals and a lifetime of memories.”