Dun laoghaire

Gazette DUN LAOGHAIRE

Mar 30 - Apr 5, 2017

Find us on

WIN

Travel: Snap around Romania with some great photography tours P23

A SIGNED COPY OF LIFE. LOVE. FLESH. BLOOD IMELDA MAY’S EAGERLY AWAITED NEW ALBUM AND TWO TICKETS TO SEE HER LIVE AT THE BORD GAIS ENERGY THEATRE

See PAGE 13 for details

SPORT McAfee’s full focus on boxing 32

Keep reading, keep recycling – thank you

Vikings, hordes set to invade harbour events Summer crowds to mark beloved landmark’s special 200th anniversary

A STAGGERING 100,000 people are expected to hit Dun Laoghaire Harbour this summer as the old port celebrates its 200th anniversary with a series of family events.

The Dun Laoghaire Harbour Bicentenary Steering Group has announced a pro-

gramme of activities to coincide with the milestone event, which will see President Michael D Higgins speak at the opening ceremony.

That event will take place on May 31 – two hundred years to the day after the laying of the harbour’s first

stone. Among other activities planned over the summer are the International Harbour Food Festival, the Kingstown 200 Classic Boat Race, and a live Viking Invasion re-enactment complete with longboats.

Gerry Dunne, chief execu-

tive of Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company, said the events will “reflect the cultural and historical role the harbour has played not just in Dun Laoghaire but in its wider environs over the past 200 years”.

Full story on Page 9

2 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 30 March 2017

PLANNING | UPCOMING PROTEST AGAINST PROPOSED €19M WORKS

Helllfire Club plans are damned by protestors  AISLING KENNEDY AN ENVIRONMENTAL group who are lobbying against a proposed €19m plan to construct tourist attractions at the Hellfire Club and Massey’s Woods in the Dublin Mountains will hold a protest event at the end of May. At a public meeting held in the Mill Theatre in Dundrum last Wednesday, March 22, Dr Peadar O’Grady (PBP) got unanimous approval from attendees to hold the protest event, entitled Stand Up For Hellfire, which will seek to halt South Dublin County Council’s (SDCC) plans for a large development in the area.

Earlier this year, SDCC

The derelict Hellfire Club site in the mountains

in conjunction with Coillte revealed the €19m draft master plan, which aims to develop the derelict Hellfire Club in Rathfarnham and Massey’s Woods as a tourist attraction.

As part of the proposed plans, a large interpretive centre will be built in the mountains along with a skybridge that will extend over the road between Massey’s Woods and the

Hellfire Club. There is also a plan to build a cable car between Tallaght and the club.

The proposal to build a large interpretative centre on Montpelier Hill with a large-scale car parking facility and a treetop walkway has caused particular outrage amongst many local people and users of the Dublin Mountains.

At the public meet-

ing last week, Elizabeth Davidson, of Save The Hellfire Club/Friends of Massey’s Woods group, reiterated the need to protect wildlife and native trees in Massey’s Woods from overdevelopment.

She urged those present at the meeting to seek support for the campaign, which has already sent hundreds of letters to the mayor of SDCC. She also expressed concern at the lack of consultation on the proposal and the fact that it will not be voted on by councillors.

Dun Laoghaire’s Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett (PBP) also spoke at the meeting and said he will pursue this issue in the Dail.

He said: “Save Our Seafront in Dun Laoghaire is a campaign based on ordinary people in the area coming together to stop unsuitable development and to actively put forward a vision for Dun Laoghaire that would keep the seafront in public ownership, and retain it as an amenity that we can all enjoy.

“The campaign to save the Hellfire Club is a similar one and it is clear from the interest expressed here tonight that a similar movement can be built here.”

The Gazette put questions about the proposals to SDCC but had not received a response by the time of going to print.

FASTNews

Pooch pals welcome for Woodland Walkies at UCD CALLING all dogs and dog owners! UCD’s Woodland Walkies event is back on April 1.

The UCD Woodland Walkies is a chance for UCD’s alumni, students, staff and the local community to come back to the campus to enjoy a day of guided dog walks, a fun agility course, talks from animal experts and fun for all the family – especially their canine friends.

Participants can also choose to make their walkie sponsored and donate funds to the UCD Veterinary Hospital.

Tickets are €5 per dog and all profits will go to the UCD Veterinary Hospital Animal Welfare Fund. You can book tickets at http://bit.ly/2nUmiEE.

Woodbrook-Shanganagh draft plan available to view A NEW Local Area Plan for Woodbrook-Shanganagh is at the initial proposal stages for 2017 to 2023. A copy of the draft plan is available to view from Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays) from now until Thursday, May 4.

It is available to view at the public concourse, County Hall, Dun Laoghaire; the council offices, Dundrum Office Park, Dundrum; and all branches of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown libraries during library opening hours. The draft Local Area Plan, environmental report, appropriate assessment screening report and strategic flood risk assessment may also be viewed at or downloaded from the council’s website at http://www.dlrcoco.ie/

Funding to help support better parking for schools

Rowing club makes a splash with big day MEMBERS of St Michael’s Rowing Club were delighted to celebrate the opening of their newly refurbished premises at the Coal Harbour boatyard. In addition to now having a watertight home, the premises now also offers hot water, improved lighting and power, greater storage, and a number of other improvements to help meet the needs of the growing club. The official opening was a great way to launch the 2017 rowing season, as well as to promote what promises to be a great fundraising race night in Baker’s Corner this Saturday, April 1.

FUNDING is being made available for school cycle parking and scooter parking in Dun LaoghaireDundrum. Schools are required to apply to the council and outline what they are doing to promote cycling on the journey to and from school.

A review will be made on all applications and the cycle parking and scooter parking will be supplied to the successful schools. All schools in the county have been notified of the initiative.

In addition to school cycle parking the Council is also rolling out cycle parking around the county following an allocation of funding by the National Transport Authority.

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

30 March 2017 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 3

DUBLIN LIFE | DOCTORS IN THE HOUSE PUT DUBLIN PAIR ON THE RIGHT ROAD TO HEALTHY LIVING

Meet the mum and daughter TV3 docs labelled ‘Ireland’s sickest family’

MEET the mother and daughter who say airing their bad habits on TV3’s Doctor in the House has given them a new lease of life.

Geraldine Haskin, 54, and her daughter Amanda, 31, who live in Clondalkin, were labelled “one of the sickest” families the medics had ever met on last night’s show.

 SYLVIA POWNALL Before signing up charity shop worker Amanda tipped the scales at 24st, consumed up to 7,000 calories a day and smoked up to 30 cigarettes daily.

Mum Geraldine is also obese and has high blood pressure along with a family

history of heart and stroke problems. Amanda admitted to binge eating and had struggled with depression.

She sought help from Pieta House after social media bullying left her feeling suicidal.

She told The Gazette: “My mother decided to sign us both up. At first I was

scared but then I said yeah because I felt it might help me out. I’m nervous about how the public will react because some people are not very understanding about obesity. But I’m not nervous about the way it was shown. I wanted it to be wartsand-all, to be real and show my struggle.”

The pair got their first visit from the doctors in November and after a medical got started on an eight-week programme prescribed by the experts.

Both were found to have fatty livers and Amanda was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

Amanda said: “I used to hide my feelings and binge on food but now I’m talking to a therapist.

“I’m going to exercise classes, I’ve joined Slimming World and I’ve picked a date to give up smoking for good.

“Mam’s lost a lot of weight and goes walking with the dogs. It’s been tough and we have good and bad days, but the change wouldn’t have happened without Doctor in the House.”

4 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 30 March 2017

CARRICKMINES | PBP, LABOUR CONTINUE DEBATING PLANS FOR BRENNANSTOWN SCHEME

Road divides councillors as row takes a new turn

 AISLING KENNEDY

A WAR of words has broken out between Cllr Hugh Lewis (PBP) and Cllr Denis O’Callaghan (Lab) following comments made last week by Cllr O’Callaghan in relation to the Brennanstown Road traffic management scheme in Carrickmines.

As reported in The Gazette last week, the proposed Dun LaoghaireRathdown County Council Brennanstown Road traffic management scheme between Carrickmines and Cabinteely was voted down by the majority of councillors at the

council’s March meeting.

The scheme was designed by council management to control traffic flow along the Brennanstown Road to facilitate potential new private developments.

Following the meeting, Cllr O’Callaghan told The Gazette that he was one of the few councillors that voted in favour of the proposed traffic management scheme, and said that he believed that “councillors from SF and AAA/PBP simply did not have the bottle to vote for it”.

He added: “I believe the scheme which was voted down was probably

the best one to help make life easier for the residents living along and off Brennanstown Road.

“Any alternative, in my opinion, will have a much greater impact on the environs of Brennanstown Road and its residents.”

Following Cllr O’Callaghan’s remarks, Cllr Hugh Lewis (PBP) told The Gazette this week that he was annoyed about the Labour councillor’s remarks.

Cllr Lewis said: “The accusation after the vote

by Cllr O’Callaghan that those of us who supported the local community and voted against the scheme

Brennanstown Road remains the focal point for division between a number of local councillors Picture: Google Maps

had ‘lost their bottle’ is bizarre, to say the least.

“The argument on the night by Cllr O’Callaghan and Cllr Smyth was that if we didn’t support the scheme we would get something much worse, such as road widening.

“A s an elected repre-

sentative, I felt this statement lacked confidence and sincerity. The Labour Party were split on the vote, with Cllr

McKinney voting against the scheme.

“If councillors choose to support the overwhelming views of a community on such issues it can only be a positive thing.

“Perhaps if the Labour Party spent less time attacking PBP for listening to How we reported the story last week

communities and did more of this themselves they may not have earned the reputation as a redundant force in local and national politics.”

In response, Cllr O’Callaghan said: “While Cllr Lewis is quite entitled to support the local community – as I and my Labour colleagues also do – I would, however, suggest to him that in this instance consideration had also to be given to communities in the wider catchment [area], especially where there were issues around public safety.

“My decision was based on the collective common good and, indeed, for the local community, not one based on convenient populism. I am still of the opinion that if the scheme had been accepted it would have helped the local community.”

That’s a lot of Loreto ... Schools’ students gather in Foxrock for a big debating final LORETO College students (in brown, above) were gracious hosts when the Foxrock school welcomed several groups of other Loreto schools’ students for the finals of the Inter-Loreto Mace Debates Competition.

The prestigious competition

aims to encourage and develop debating skills in the young women attending Loreto schools across the country, as well as strengthening links between the schools and providing an opportunity for informed debate on a wide range of social, educational

and political issues.

This year saw three teams from Loreto College Foxrock reach the final stages of the competition, with the school’s students Lara O’Donohue and Laura Egan winning the Senior Loreto Mace competition.

30 March 2017 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 5

6 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 30 March 2017

Out and About

Students model school uniforms from earlier eras. Pictures: Rose Comiskey

Sion Hill celebrates 180 years of teaching L

Students Ludvine Megane Nzenza with her sister Sandrine Nzenza

AST week Sion Hill College marked 180 years of Dominican Education and welcomed past and present students to help them commemorate this commitment to inclusive and progressive education spanning the last two centuries. As part of the event the girls created a number of entertaining displays providing a tour through the ages. There was also a celebration in the Concert Hall to mark this milestone event.

A talk on the school’s flags

Sister Sylvia Diamond and Ellen McGleu in Victorian Past pupils Maura Coffey and Liz Brosnan

uniform

Students Jaycel Estrellado, Josna James and Roisin Malone

30 March 2017 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 7

Out and About

Diane Letumbo and Jiaqi Zhang

Teachers Jessica Reynolds and Alva Reynolds

Mary Wallace with daughter Michelle Wallace, a past pupil

Sister Christina Greene, with Lauren Hussey and Katie Byrne, Molly McAllister and Stephanie Buckley

asdasdasdas

Lucy Harrison and Heather Wallace at an old desk

Christine Gallagher, Jennifer Martin and Vida Figueroa

Sister Mary Moriarty

8 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 30 March 2017

THE pupils and staff of Gaelscoil Phadraig leant a helping hand to plant a sapling crab apple tree at Applegreen, Ballybrack. The tree-planting ceremony was one of many to take place in Dublin as part of National Tree Week 2017. The week-long series of events were sponsored for the first time by Applegreen, with support from Coillte and the National Tree Council. Crab apple trees

Treemondous effort as Gaelscoil Phadraig pupils show their class are a truly native species found in old woodlands and hedgerows throughout Ireland. Unlike modern hybrid apples, crab apples grow true

from the apple pips. The trees bear pink/white blossoms in the spring, while the apples provide an autumn feature in the garden.

‘Carry the card that could change a life’  AISLING KENNEDY MICHAEL Dwyer from Cabinteely is this week celebrating 17 years since he had a life-changing kidney transplant and he is now appealing to people to always carry an organ donor card.

Married father of two Michael (61) found out when he was 45 that both his kidneys were failing and that he would have to go on dialysis to keep him alive.

“My cholesterol was always a little bit high, and after I had a few blood tests my doctor said ‘Has anybody ever talked to you about your kidneys?’ I had to go and have an ultrasound and it was then that I was told that both my kidneys were gone.

“It turned out in the end that I had a viral infection in my kidneys that

damaged them.”

Michael explained that he was put on the list for a kidney transplant and he began dialysis straight away.

At the time, Michael and his wife Bernie (both below) had two young daughters and he says that he felt lucky that he only had to wait nine months for the call to say there was a kidney for him.

The procedure went well for Michael and after three months he returned to work.

He still takes regular medication each morning and evening to ensure that his kidney is working well, but he said he is very grateful for his new bill of

health.

“It changed my whole perspective on life. If somebody hadn’t donated their organ to me, I wouldn’t be here today. I have four grandchildren now that I might not have seen.

“I think ever yone should carry an organ donation card because your organs are no good to you once you die, and they can help an awful lot of people.”

Michael will travel to Malaga later this summer to take part in the World Transplant Games, where he has previously won gold and silver medals for playing golf.

“I’m really looking forward to it! We’ve gotten to know people and made friends with people from all over the world through the games, so that’s a great thing.”

Organ Donor Awareness Week takes place from April 1 to April 8. For further information, see www.ika.ie.

30 March 2017 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 9

FASTNews Enteprise office helped support almost 170 jobs ALMOST 170 new jobs were created in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown in 2016 through businesses that were supported by the Local Enterprise Office (LEO), according to statistics released this week.

In Dun LaoghaireRathdown, the latest LEO annual jobs survey shows that small companies supported by the DLR LEO provided 166 net job gains in 2016.

An Cathaoirleach Cormac Devlin (FF) said, “I welcome the increased employment within our county and I want to commend the dedicated staff of the DLR LEO for the proactive way in which they engage and support new and existing enterprises and entrepreneurs right across our county.”

Studio works go on show at Gallery Dalkey THE Gallery Dalkey will host a solo exhibition entitled Works From The Studio by John Keating from now until Tuesday, April 25.

Keating, from Tipperary, has exhibited nationally and internationally including exhibitions in the USA, Italy, Spain, Greece, Monaco, China. He is also an Irish Olympian Artist Gold Medalist.

The exhibition is how the artist sees his work as “a kind of gesture figuration expressed in fragments of reality”. He paints using rich colours and oil textures.

For further information, contact Siobhan Bastable at the Gallery Dalkey on 086 811 6005, or email info@ thegallerydalkey.com.

DUN LAOGHAIRE | STAGGERING 100,000 PEOPLE TIPPED TO VISIT PORT THIS SUMMER

All aboard as harbour celebrates 200 years IT’S COPCAKE TIME!

A STAGGERING 100,000 people are expected to hit Dun Laoghaire harbour this summer as the old port celebrates its 200th anniversary with a series of family events.

The Dun Laoghaire Harbour Bicentenary Steering Group has just announced an exciting programme of activities to coincide with the milestone event.

The opening ceremony will be officiated by President Michael D Higgins and the group’s patron, Minister Mary Mitchell O Connor, on 31st May –200 years to the day after the laying of the first stone The ceremony will take place at the King George IV monument on Queens Road, at which a time capsule will be placed at the monument. which will contain letters from local school children, photos of Dun Laoghaire Harbour in 2017, a newspaper of the day and notes from harbour users.

Vikings Other featured events include an International Harbour Food Festival featuring over 25 unique vendors (June 4 and 5), The Kingstown 200 Classic Boat Race (July 8) and a live Viking Invasion re-enactment with longboats as seen on the hit TV Show ‘Vikings’ (August 20).

An impressive 100,000 visitors are expected to visit the harbour this summer to participate in the free public events.

The Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company in collaboration with a range of local stakeholders have put in place a schedule of exhibitions, workshops, lectures and events to mark the Bicentenary.

Gerry Dunne, CEO of Dun

The harbour was commissioned after two British troop ships were sunk with a loss of 400 lives

Laoghaire Harbour Company said: “The programme of events throughout the summer reflects the cultural and historical role the harbour has played not just in Dun Laoghaire but in its wider environs over the past 200 years.”

Thanking all those who worked tirelessly on the project, Mr Dunne said “the Bicentenary will bring a welcome boost to the local economy and reinforce the sense of public pride in one of the country’s greatest landmarks”.

As part of the bicentenary celebrations, the National Maritime Museum have curated a commemorative exhibition, which opened last week and will run until November.

The exhibition details the construction of Dun Laoghaire – or Kingston – Harbour as it would be known for the next 100 years, and some of the original maps and charts used at the time on display.

For further information visit www.dlharbour200.ie

 EMMA NOLAN SERGEANT Grace O’Boyle and Garda Rachel Kiernan from Dundrum and Blackrock garda stations are to climb four of Ireland’s highest peaks in just three days to raise money for mental health charity Aware.

The pair held a coffee morning in Dundrum station last week to raise funds for the charity – and they got a sneak peak of what to expect on their upcoming challenge, judging by the mountains of food on offer!

Gardai from all over the country are taking part in the Four Peaks challenge which will see participants take on Carrantuohill, Mweelrea, Slieve Donard and Lugnaquilla. The funds raised for this event will not only help a national charity but also assist in providing key services for local communities around the country.

10 GAZETTE 30 March 2017

Gazette babies are the cutest...

Matilda Nisbet is enjoying relaxing near her toys

More steak for Alexandra, please!

Christopher Arthurs loves cars

WIN!WIN!WIN!

Caroline B Valentim shares how great Alicia and Chloe looked for a certain day ...

Send in your baby photographs and...

W

Leppin’ leprechauns! Parker Daly certainly looks the part

E’RE entering the final week of The Gazette’s Bonnie Baby competition so this is your last chance to send in those cute pix of your little prides and joys.

We’ve had a wonderful response from mums, dads, proud grandparents and family friends, who’ve shared some of the cutest photos we’ve ever seen.

Keep sending in those wonderful snaps of your little ones – next Thursday’s paper will be the last week for new entries, after which we’ll chose our lucky finalists, who’ll appear in the paper on Thursday, April 13th.

We have some great prizes to give away – including two hampers worth €90 each from our friends at NUK Ireland – and one lucky winner will win a free family or newborn photoshoot worth €180 from Gazette photojournalist and expert baby photographer Ali, of Alison O’Hanlon Photography.

So keep sending in those snaps to competitions@dublingazette.com or via our Facebook page – and don’t forget to include your details and your baby/toddler’s name and age!

30 March 2017 GAZETTE 11

Gazette competition

Ella McCullage plays peekaboo

Zack Hennessy composes his next masterpiece

Liam Kavanagh is dressed to impress

Nice to meet Louise O’Carrroll

Aneta Patriak shared this thoughtful shot of Maia Kurkowska

GAZETTE

12 GAZETTE 30 March 2017

DUBLINBUSINESS FUNDING: DUBLIN GROUPS TO GAIN FROM TECH FIRM’S DONATIONS

Brexit stage left: New research points to Dublin as preferred relocation option for London’s city bankers LONDON’S bankers should relocate to Dublin post-Brexit, according to a new study.

Research by Movinga reveals that Dublin is the most favourable city for bankers, based on the average high-end rent prices, language spoken, cuisine, luxury stores and bars, pushing the cities of Frankfurt and Paris unexpectedly far down the list.

According to the study, Dublin ranks first and is followed by Amsterdam in second and Valletta in third, while Frankfurt trails far behind in sixth place and Paris in ninth.

The results reveal that Dublin is the most desirable city for London bankers to relocate to, scoring high for proximity (70-minute flight), English language comprehension (100%), and affordable high-end rent prices (€1,975.67).

Tax Dublin also has the highest maximum income tax rate at 52%, along with Amsterdam.

“Everyone talks about Paris and Frankfurt as the new financial centres of Europe after Brexit,” said Finn Hansel, managing director at Movina.

“But other cities like Dublin, Valletta, Luxembourg and Amsterdam may actually be better equipped to make these workers feel happy and at home.

“Individuals and businesses alike should consider the unique factors important to their relocation before planning their move.”

Laura Morgan Walsh, Director of EMEA Risk and Financial Services Operations, PayPal (centre in white top and red skirt) together with PayPal teammates presents a cheque for €9,300 to Junior Achievement Ireland. Picture: Patrick Browne

PayPal presents €55k to a range of charities  EMMA NOLAN

PAYPAL has donated more than €55,000 to seven Irish charities.

The five charities that received funding through PayPal Gives are ARC Cancer Support, homeless charity Depaul, children’s hospice LauraLynn, Dundalk Dog Rescue and children’s

charity Temple Street Foundation.

The organisations were nominated by PayPal employees at the Blanchardstown and Dundalk offices, and received a donation of €8,400 each.

ARC Cancer Support will use its donation to continue its work in supporting children and adults affected by cancer

and those caring for them.

Depaul will fund a programme that supports homeless women leaving prison; helping them to integrate successfully back into their local communities.

Hospice donation LauraLynn’s donation will help fund its popular annual Light Up event,

when the charity turns on its Christmas tree lights.

The contribution to Temple Street Foundation will support a new play facility for children in the hospital, while Dundalk Dog Rescue’s funding will enable it to continue to give unwanted dogs a second chance.

Junior Achievement Ireland and Outreach

Moldova received €9,300 and €4,600 respectively through PayPal’s Financial Inclusion Charity Grant Programme.

Maeve Dorman, PayPal’s head of Global Operations, Europe, Middle East and Africa said: “We are delighted to support these seven charities and recognise the invaluable work each of them does.”

New express Dublin-Belfast coach links cities in just 2 hours A NEW express transport link has just started between the hearts of Dublin and Belfast, with 16 daily services in each direction on offer.

With March marking Dublin Coach’s tenth anniversary, the transport firm has rolled out a direct twohour service, with no stops, departing from Custom

House Quay and whisking passengers directly to Glengall St in Belfast in less than two hours.

Aoife Dunphy, marketing manager for the Dublin Coach Group, said: “Dublin Coach are delighted to provide a direct service with no stops for our new M1 express service, as we received much

needed feedback from our loyal customer following. We are really excited to add Belfast to our ever-expanding nationwide network.”

Fares for the Dublin Coach M1 express service will be €10 or £8 one way, with both currencies accepted at each of the stops; two children u-12 travel free with

every paying adult.

Dublin Coach can be easily recognised by its distinctive green livery, with new Mercedes coaches operating the route with increased leg room, reclining leather seats, free wi-fi and a toilet on board.

See www.dublincoach.ie or call 01 465 9972.

30 March 2017 GAZETTE 13

MOTORING: MICHAEL MORONEY ON WHY IT’S A GREAT TIME TO BE A VAN DRIVER P20

TRAVEL: WHY ROMANIA IS A PHOTOGRAPHER’S DREAM DESTINATION P23

DUBLINLIFE Let Dublin Gazette Newspapers take you on a tour of the news and events taking place across the city and county this week



GAZETTE

MUSIC: JAMES HENDICOTT EXPLORES THE RISE OF IRISH HIP-HOP P16-17

MUSIC: THE EAGERLY AWAITED NEW ALBUM FROM DUBLIN’S FINEST IS ALMOST HERE LISTENING to Imelda May’s new album, it’s clear that one of Ireland’s biggest exports has found a new groove, here presenting the most personal and intimately autobiographical album she has ever written.

Featuring the powerful single ing musicians including the core trio Should’ve Been You, the heartof guitarist Marc Ribot (Tom Waits, wrenching blues ballad ‘BlackTears’ Elvis Costello), drummer Jay Bellerose with guitar legend Jeff Beck, and the (Robert Plant and Alison Krauss) and stunning first single ‘Call Me’, May has bassist Zach Dawes (The Last Shadow poured her soul into Life. Love. Flesh.

Puppets, Mini Mansions).

Blood, her fifth studio album.

May’s new sound sits firmly outside With just a over a week before its of any sharply defined genre box, release, Imelda says: “I wrote Black widely spanning blues, rock, soul, gosTears with Angelo Petraglia after a pel and jazz. ‘Life, Love, Flesh, Blood’ heart wrenchingly difficult goodbye. I breathes new life into a classic sound, closed my door and caught a glimpse with Imelda’s powerhouse vocal as of myself in the mirror with black tears distinctive as ever, cementing her posirolling down my face. tion as one of the strongest vocalists of “It’s a sight and situation most her generation. women have unfortunately seen ourThe singer herself describes the selves in at some point in life. Angelo record as her most “honest” yet. had a beautiful guitar piece that fit the Imelda’s life changed considerably mood perfectly.” in the run up to recording, and this is Recorded over seven days in Los documented in the only way she knew Angeles, the album features contribuhow, saying: “It’s therapy, like keeping tions from guitar hero Beck, piano lega diary that a lot of people read.” end Holland (on ‘When It’s My Time’) With just over a week to go, we can’t and an accomplished group of backwait to listen to that diary!

THIS HUSKY LADY, COCO, IS A SWEET, CLEVER PET OUR Dog of the Week looking for their #SpecialSomeone* is Coco, a stunning threeyear-old Husky.

Suitable for an adultonly home, Coco is a little aloof but she more than makes up for this with brains galore and a super, fun personality.

Coco is an active dog and would make a great running partner for a sporty owner. She gets on well with other dogs, but being independent, it’s not essential that she is rehomed with another dog.

If you are looking for an active running or hiking buddy that would happily curl up by your feet rather than on your lap, then Coco could be perfect for you.

If you can be Coco’s #SpecialSomeone*, then 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. You can also find them on Facebook, at www.facebook.com/ dogstrustirelandonline, or on Twitter @ DogsTrust_IE.

WIN The new album, which will be released by Decca on April 7

A SIGNED COPY OF LIFE. LOVE. FLESH. BLOOD AND TICKETS TO SEE IMELDA MAY PLAY LIVE

WE’RE offering one lucky Gazette reader the chance to win a SIGNED copy of Life. Love. Flesh. Blood.

But that’s not all, you can also take a pal to see Imelda and her band play live at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre at the end of May. All you have to do is Like and Share the Imelda May post on our Facebook page – and if you haven’t already, be sure to Like the Dublin Gazette Facebook page itself!

Four lucky runners up will also receive a signed copy of Life. Love. Flesh. Blood. The competition is open until the April 7 – the day the new album is released – so get on down to the Dublin Gazette Facebook page and start liking and sharing!

GAZETTE

14 GAZETTE 30 March 2017

DUBLINLIFE

DIARY

SCHOOLS: OLD TECH TO HELP CONTACT HIGH-TECH ORBITAL STATION

What haven’t the Irish done for the rest of the world?

HERITAGE: AN AMUSING LOOK AT OUR INFLUENCE

 EMMA NOLAN

Students and teachers from Tallaght Community School pictured preparing to contact the International Space Station by direct radio, with the ISS soon to be in place 400km directly above the school. Picture: Colin O’Riordain

Students get ready for a far-out experience STUDENTS at Tallaght Community School, along with two schools from Cork, will make history this year as they have been announced as the first Irish schools who will make direct radio contact with the orbiting International Space Station (ISS).

For a brief timeframe during Expedition 52 and 53, the crew on the ISS will be traveling at 27,600 km/h – and for 6 to 12 minutes it will be passing directly over Tallaght Community School.

The closer the space station flies to the school, the stronger and clearer the audio feed will get.

At one point during this fantastic feat of broadcast engineering, the ISS will be 400km in the sky directly above the school.

Daniel Cussen, radio technical co-ordinator will be there hand to ensure their temporary mission control radio station is up and functioning.

He said: “I have worked with

many schools in Europe to facilitate contact with the ISS, but as an Irishman I am delighted to be working with Irish students as they leave their mark in history.”

However, due to the uncertain nature of life in outer space, an exact date for the event can not be given yet, but to stay updated on the students’ journey follow them on Facebook/TallaghtCommunity-School, or Twitter @ TCSTallaght.

BRAVE SOULS SOUGHT TO ABSEIL OFF CROKER EVER felt like abseiling from the top of Croke Park? Well, here’s your chance to do so – and to help out a a good cause as you go.

Jigsaw, Ireland’s National Centre for Youth Mental Health, are seeking 60 brave individuals to join them in an abseil fundraising challenge from the top of the famous Hogan Stand at Croke Park.

The challenge aims to raise more than €30,000 to support

Jigsaw’s work delivering a range of services improving the lives of young people experiencing mental health difficulties.

Dubliner Caoimhe O’Callaghan, who braved the abseil last year, said: “I absolutely loved the Jigsaw Croke Park Abseil. I was terrified at the top, but once I had my feet firmly on the pitch I wanted to do it all over again!”

Potential daredevils can register their interest online atjigsaw. ie/abseil, or calling the fundraising team at 01 472 7010. There is a €50 registration fee, and participants are asked to raise a minimum of €300.

DIARMUID’S GARDEN TO GO TO DUNDRUM DUNDRUM is set to get a visit from celebrity gardener Diarmuid Gavin this summer when he brings his critically-acclaimed Chelsea Flower Show Garden to Dundrum Town Centre.

The spectacular garden, which was one of the highlights of the 2016 Chelsea Flower Show, emulates pure childhood fantasy and will be on display in Dundrum Town Centre’s Pembroke Square from May. The traditional garden features beautifully preened conical trees and topiary balls, colourful planting and an elegant brick folly which takes pride in front of a sunken rectangular pond.

Every 15 minutes, the tranquil garden is transformed into a whirlwind of mechanical imagination, with flowerbeds rising from the ground, twirling trees and a wooden shed that comes to life full of cogs and gardening gadgets.

The garden, which will take three weeks to install, has seven moving parts and each theatrical show lasts a minute and a half.

Dundrum Town Centre’s Garden of Pure Imagination launches on May 20, and will be free of charge to visitors and suitable for all ages.

“WHAT have the Irish ever done for us?” some have asked. Well, a new book aims to explore just that!

Celebrating Irish achievements, W hat Have The Irish Ever Done For Us? by author and journalist David Forsythe tells how Irish people and the Irish Diaspora have made a positive contribution to the wider world.

Did you know that a Dubliner is regarded as the father of conservatism, that a Dublin soccer player helped to save FC Barcelona from extinction, or that a Dublin doctor invented the hypodermic syringe?

Did you also know that the Irish invented cheese and onion crisps, the submarine and chocolate milk? That without the efforts of an Irish engineer, the city of Los Angeles would not exist, or that a Kerryman is credited as the father of modern economics?

These and many other surprising stories are covered in the book, which launched on St Patrick’s Day. David said: “The idea for the book came about during The Gathering in 2013.

“I was covering a lot of the events associated with

the Diaspora and it struck me that virtually every village, town and townland in Ireland has some kind of intriguing story about one of their own who has done something amazing, or at least impressive!

“So I decided to put some of these stories together in a book.

“There are lots of ‘heavy’ books on Irish history or in-depth biographies, but I wanted to do something that was light and easy to read and hopefully interesting and entertaining.”

The book is arranged into 51 short chapters and covers a wide range of topics, including how the Irish built New York, why a Cork woman was awarded Israel’s highest honour, and how the Irish helped create the modern-day horror boom.

What have the Irish ever done for us? is available to order from Amazon in paperback and e-book.

30 March 2017 GAZETTE 15

Hope springs eternal over at Fingal’s only microbrewery  EMMA NOLAN THERE’S only one brewery in the whole of Fingal, and that’s Hope Beer.

The state-of-the-art craft beer microbrewery is based on the Kilbarrack Road just behind Howth Junction Dart Station.

Set up in late 2015 by old pals with a passion for beer – Wim de Jongh, Jeanne Mahony and Des McSwiggan – Hope now has five full-time employees and is firmly on a path to further growth.

Wim said: “I always loved special beers.” Having grown up in Holland surrounded by a booming beer industry, Wim, who lives in Sutton, set up Hope after a long corporate career where he travelled abroad almost every week.

He joked: “It’s great now being able to cycle to work! It was important to set up close to home.”

With the Irish craft beer revolution taking place mainly outside Dublin, Hope Beer is the only brewery in the Fingal region and one of only a handful in the Dublin area.

Wim added: “It’s fantastic to be a part of this industry and it’s something that will continue to grow

so it’s more of an evolution that a revolution.

They have also been awarded the Fingal Enterprise Award 2017, and their beers have won a number of beer competition awards.

“We were helped by Fingal County Council getting our business going and we did some course and applied for a number of courses. Then we were invited to enter the awards which we were delighted to do.”

Wim said he wasn’t expecting to win because of how young the company is.

“The judges were very impressed with what we’ve done so far and we’ve a very well invested facility. We really bought state-of-the-art, environmentally-friendly brewing equipment and it was all funded from our own resources.

“We’re all aged 50-plus too, so we’re known as ‘a silver start-up’.”

When Hope won the award, the chief executive of Fingal, Paul Reid, praised the entrepreneurs for their “drive and determination”.

He said: “Hope Beer is a very worthy winner of this major enterprise award, in recognition of what they have achieved here in Fingal in such a short space of time.”

Hope’s three core beers are Handsome Jack (a fruity IPA), Grunt (a crisp, dry Saison) and Passifyoucan (a malty Blonde).

Wim added that food pairings are a major part of the appeal of the beers.

“Grunt goes perfectly with seafood; Passifyoucan is great with anything spicy, and Handsome Jack is great to have with burgers or a barbeque.”

Hope also has a number of limited edition beers; they brew everything from stouts and lagers to red and brown ales.

The entire Hope range is bottled and kegged at the Howth Junction brewer y, and is available in off-licences, bars, restaurants and also in some supermarkets nationwide.

A fine haul of three Silver medals at Alltech Craft Brews and Food Fair; inset: part of the brewery

GAZETTE

FEATURE

30 March 2017 GAZETTE 17

DUBLINLIFE

“POWER, BELONGING AND THE NEED TO BE HEARD:” N O I T C U D O R T N I AN P O H P I H H S I R I O T JAMES HENDICOTT

TEMPER-MENTAL MISSELAYNEOUS

FROM creeping into the mainstream through the likes of Rubberbandits, Super Extra Bonus Party and featuring in Love/ Hate, to the Rusangano Family’s debut album taking home the Choice Music Prize earlier this month: the rise of Irish hip-hop has been as dramatic as it has been unlikely.

It helped, of course, that the scene’s quick progression fell alongside a massive recession instigated in part through regulatory failure, repressively rising urban rents and mass social protests. Angry, pointed voices sat naturally with their new audience.

As Dublin-based hip-hop star TemperMental MissElayneous tells it: “It’s hunger that’s causing hip-hop’s boom. It’s also identification with the social dynamics of the birthplace and creators of hip-hop, and a willingness to learn and lead. But we value cultural identity and the lyrical Irish roots: saints and scholars. Poverty, loss and grievance.”

While on the poppier end of the spectrum, Temper-Mental embodies much of what’s strong about the budding Irish scene: a distinctly locally-accented sound, quick wit, cultural references and original beats. In ‘Create the Pain to Alleviate It’, she shows her depth, with the imagery of rotting apple cores set against a world of social and gender politics: “questioning, self loathing, dissatisfaction, doubt... We refuse to believe we’re animals yet... Poets once honoured are now in McDonalds, a dozen a dime.”

Temper-Mental identifies many of the topics of Irish political discourse as her themes, singling out misogyny, heterosexism, God, transformation and pain as her core elements.

“It’s a cultural revolutionary movement,” she explains. “It’s on the concrete, on the corner, it’s in classrooms, yards, youth clubs, community art centres, it’s in prison, in the bedroom studio, on the stairwell, down the lane and held privately in a heart’s rhythm waiting to be translated to words.”

A distinctly accented, smart-quipping artist who rose alongside Temper-Mental MissElayneous at the height of the recession in 2011/2012, Lethal Dialect has a harsher dynamic to his sound and also cites local cultural figures as key influences in his lyrics, nodding in particular Irish folk star Damien Dempsey.

Despite being three albums into his career, the rapper admits “I’m only really finding my own sound now. There’s some old stuff where you could nearly tell what I was listening to at the time.” His north Dublin lilt and conceptual approach to albums, however, have often stood out.

As a lyricist, he’s distinctly observational, picking out local characters mid flow, like in ‘New Dublin Saunter’: “I can’t fathom why your own people hate to hear their own accents, they call by different names, inferiority complex, malignant shame... A problem child Oscar Wilde... Watch what this generation does, and remember I said that...”

For him, despite the growth of live shows recently, the scene lives mainly online, a more boisterous and magnified version of the bedroom recordings he started out with. “There’s a good online following that can be converted into a real world following with more gigs,” he explains. “There are class acts putting out quality releases constantly.”

INTELLECTUAL HIP-HOP...

There’s a recurring theme in Irish releases, and while the accents can be wonderfully distinct, it runs deeper. It’s more in the intellectual angles; the artistic references, the experiential depth of the carefully shaped words. Bling it’s not; it relates more to the urban jungles of Dublin and Limerick, the poverty trap, the crumbling corners tourists never see.

one of Ireland’s growing number of African immigrants.

“This is where history finds us: no black, no dogs, no Irish” they quip in hit single ‘Heathrow,’, a stunningly moving and emotional diatribe on race politics that brilliantly documents the senses and everyday dimensions of an immigrant’s journey. It roles off in abrasive first person, opening with “I don’t care where you come from,

RUSANGANO FAMILY Perhaps the most successful act of 2016 gathered, slowly, a wider following before exploding on the release of their album ‘Let The Dead Bury The Dead’. Rusangano Family are a band built - unusually for the scene - on an intensely vibrant live show, also chucking in those unique personal perspectives. Regardless, they agree with Lethal Dialect’s labeling of hip-hop’s Irish heartland: “The easier answer would be Irish hip-hop lives on the internet,” they explain. “But it’s more multifaceted and more mature than ever.”

Based in Limerick the trio trace their roots to Togo, Zimbabwe and down the road in rural County Clare. Lyrically, they vigorously cut to the heart of what it is to be

I don’t want any of your kind around here anymore.”

“I think people are more adventurous musically, and realise they need a plan of action, better tracks, sharper production, tighter stage shows,” they argue. “These things take time to mature, but it feels like it’s going in a really creative direction.

More power to us, it’s really inspiring.”

Another act pouring his heart into his music is Emzee A, though he prefers to turn his observations inwards. The Dublin-based up-and-comer simply defines his music as “a combination of what I’ve been through, and what I’m going through, all the relationships in my life.”

His slightly foggy style of beats layer with

FEATURES

GAZETTE

GAZETTE

16 GAZETTE 30 March 2017

EMZEE A

deeply personal moments, like in Sober Thoughts, in which he spits “my life is going nowhere, I’m lost, I don’t need your love.”

“It’s about the people in my life and how I have either helped them or disappointed them, or the books I’m reading at the moment, that’s where the messages come,” he tells us. “Stuff like lucid dreaming, sleep paralysis, insomnia, love, my flaws and how I’m willing to become a better person everyday.” He’s another voice emerging into what was once all but a void.

BUILDING ON A BUDDING A SCENE An organisation operating right at the very roots of Irish hip-hop, putting on backroom shows and promoting burgeoning artists, is fast-growing Dublin promoters Word Up Collective.

“The vibrancy and the energy of those involved really attracted us,” Word Up cofounder Phil Udell explains, “as well as the supportive nature of those involved.”

“It just feels like there’s something really important happening. Everywhere you look there’s some incredible music being made. Since we started in April, we’ve had a huge number of artists get in touch. Our monthly live gigs in Dublin have expanded to feature acts who aren’t directly part of the collective, we’ve had a good few make their live debut with us.”

“It’s very varied as well, even in Word Up we have R&B, pop, alternative rap and spoken word. I hope that it’ll develop it’s own identity, just like the grime scene in the UK has done. Rusangano Family and others are pushing their own unique sound. It can only get bigger” What Irish hip-hop lacks is a physical heartland. In the greatest of Irish traditions, as well as typical music venues,

events take place in pub back rooms and are only slowly emerging into the more established venues, yet festival slots and support roles alongside touring artists like Kendrick Lamar and Death Grips are quickly expanding audiences. Rusangano Family’s album launch show - a boisterous, sold-out triumph - took place in Dublin’s Sugar Club, a sloping, seated venue given a theatrical feel by its velvet and tables. It’s better suited to its regular burlesque nights, but the trio triumphantly made it work.

Yet the signs of mainstream acceptance of the scene are coming thick and fast.

Rusangano Family’s debut was recognised as Ireland’s best of 2016. TemperMental MissElayneous’ unusual career highlight came through substantial cultural recognition: having her work formally preserved in the James Joyce library at University College Dublin. Their intent? “That generations to come will see my work as part of urban contemporary poetry, music and art in Ireland.”

What’s reassuring is the scene’s collective ambition: despite their successes, almost every artist speaks about improving. They talk about their progress, but also about how far there is to travel. Hip-hop as a local musical force still feels like a baby in Ireland, but it’s lent credibility by history: Irish storytelling traditions adapt nicely to urban poetry. But the scene is new to substantial acclaim, new to having a following, and new to the shining spotlight of any notable media attention.

“Confidence and cowardice has caused this hip-hop boom in equal measure,” Temper-Mental concludes. Both when it’s confident and when it’s not, Irish hip-hop lives today in a way it never has before.

GAZETTE

18 GAZETTE 30 March 2017

DUBLINLIFE

FEATURE

INSIGHT: TAKE A COMPREHENSIVE LOOK AT THE WORK OF THE ORBIS FLYING EYE HOSPITAL

A plane amazing charity Are ye right there, Teds? Visitors have a perfectly bearable wait aboard the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital, which gave Dublin visitors a great look around its specially adapted medial interior recently.

EARLIER this month the Cllr Donnelly was suffer from preventable Orbis Flying Eye Hospi- wowed by the suite of conditions. Some 90% tal – the world’s only air- medical facilities on of those affected live in borne ophthalmic train- board, and praised the developing countries ing facility – winged it to charity’s work. She said: where they cannot access Ireland for the first time in “In late 2013 I visited the type of sight-saving ten years, giving visitors a Ethiopia to make a radio treatments that many othfirst-hand look at its sight- documentary on disability ers take for granted. saving, life-changing work in the developing world. I For more than 30 years, around the world. was really impressed with Orbis has helped counOne of the visitors to the incredible work Orbis tries build the skills and the aircraft during its brief do in that part of the resources they need to stayover at Dublin Airport world.” address the problem. was former radio producMore than 285 million The charity now has a er Cllr Deirdre Donnelly people around the world team of more than 400 (Ind) from Stillorgan, who are blind, and 4 out of 5 expert medical volunteers, has personally witnessed the work carried out by Orbis overseas.

The international charity fights blindness around the globe, with its Flying Eye Hospital – a specially designed and converted MD-10 aircraft – combining the latest in avionics, hospital engineering, technology and clinical expertise, making it possible to bring ophthalmic training to communities Cllr Deirdre Donnelly (Ind) taking a close look around in developing countries. the Orbis plane and its impressive medical facilities

from 30 countries, training local medical teams both in their own hospitals and on the Flying Eye Hospital, with a focus on quality and safety standards for patient care.

Over the past 10 years, irish people have invested €4.33 million in providing eye care services across the southern regions of Ethiopia – an area with a population of 2.2 million people.

By 2019, Orbis Ireland’s aim is to conduct 17,000 eye surgeries, provide more than 4,000 training sessions for eye care teams and health workers, and prescribe more than 6,000 pairs of glasses.

Orbis Ireland is based in the Sandyford Business District and each year paediatric ophthalmologist, Donal Bresnihan and optometrist, Tony McAleer of the Eye and Ear Hospital in Dublin, travel with Orbis to Ethiopia to train

medical teams in treatment and prevention.

Cllr Donnelly said: “When I was making the programme I visited some of the woredas, or small villages, with no electricity, toilets or running water.

“It is really sad to witness first-hand how blindness or any other kind of disability affects not just the person who has the condition, but so many others around them.

“It automatically means a reduced income and quite often the children – usually the girls – can’t go to school or partake in other activities because they have to become the carer. Restoring one blind person’s sight will have a positive effect on the lives of so many around them.

“I saw first-hand how an operation to restore sight is carried out, and I was there when the antibiotic that prevents Trachoma was being distributed.

“I learnt on my visit that a large percentage of the population live in remote rural communities. This poses problems for distribution and treatment, so that is why outreach facilities and mobile clinics are so important,” she said.

Maurice Cox, chairman of Orbis Ireland, said: “Over the past ten years, Orbis Ireland’s mission has been to eliminate a painful blinding eye disease – Trachoma – from the poorest regions of southern Ethiopia.

“Together, the unwavering commitment and partnership from the Irish people has allowed us to accomplish so much to provide basic eye care for those most in need.”

For every €1 raised by Orbis Ireland, 81 cent goes directly towards saving sight. The remaining 19 cent is invested in raising more funds and administration – for each €1 spent, Orbis Ireland raises €5.31.

For further information, see http://irl.orbis.org/

Diane Wetherup and Dr Maurice Cox, both of Orbis Ireland with Donal Bresnihan, consultant paediatric opthalmologist at the Eye and Ear Hospital, Dublin

M50MOTORING



GAZETTE

30 March 2017 GAZETTE 19

in association with

The Dublin Gazette drives you through the motoring world on a tour of the latest models, technology & industry news

VOLKSWAGEN TO BUILD SEAT’S NEW MIDSIZE SUV THE Seat car group which is part of Volkswagen Group will add a new midsize SUV to it range over the coming year and that car will be built in Volkswagen’s factory in Wolfsburg, Germany, Seat CEO Luca de Meo has said.

The new unnamed Seat SUV will be launched in 2018 and will be the Spanish brand’s third entry in the growing SUV/crossover segment after the Ateca compact and about to be launched Arona subcompact SUV, the Seat CEO said.

“The Ateca will have a big brother, a five- and sevenseat SUV that VW will build for us in Wolfsburg,” de Meo said.

The Seat head said that the new mid-size SUV will share its underpinnings with the Volkswagen Tiguan, which is built in Wolfsburg, Germany. This will be the Seat model to be built at a Volkswagen Group plant instead of the Spanish brand’s home factory in Martorell, Spain. The recently introduced Seat Ateca is built by Skoda in the Czech Republic. Seat is expanding into the segment to help it become sustainably profitable after years of losses. SUV sales last year grew to cover one every four sales in Europe. Seat claims that the new SUV will be Seat’s flagship and hopes that it will have a positive effect on the company’s challenged profit margins. Seat achieved its best financial results in its history in 2016.

The company made progress towards sustainable profitability with the company closing the year in the black for the first time since 2007, achieving as well the high-

Seat will be adding a new

est operating profit

bigger SUV to the recently

in its history.

introduced Ateca model

Opel OnStar users to get further services

Get a look at the new Giulia

ALFA Romeo in Ireland is poised for a significant return to the market with the arrival of the new Alfa Romeo Giulia. These impressively stylish and stand-out cars are powered by a new range of all-aluminium engines that provides fresh competition in the market for the likes of the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series.

Entry prices start at €40,395 for the 2.0 litre turbo-petrol model.

The new Alfa Romeo Giulia embodies the core elements that have made Alfa Romeo one of the world’s best-loved automotive brands. It comes with distinctive Italian design, new engines and transmissions, unique technical solutions and the best weight-to-power ratio. The Giulia comes with a new rear-wheel drive system with short overhangs, a long bonnet,

OPEL cars with OnStar on board have been on the roads for about 18 months now. Currently, every second new Opel in Europe is equipped with the information system. The personal connectivity and service assistant offer includes automatic crash response, vehicle diagnostics, stolen vehicle assistance and a Wi-Fi hotspot for outstanding connectivity.

In the last 18 months, Opel OnStar has already registered more than nine million interactions, around half of those via smartphones and the myOpel app.

muscular haunches and claims of the longest wheelbase in its segment.

The Giulia claims to benefit from the careful management of weights and materials to obtain 50:50 weight distribution across its axles. Alfa Romeo says the new four-arm AlfaTM Link rear suspension and new double-wishbone front set up have been specifically tuned to maximise its dynamic abilities and enhance driving comfort. Also new on the Giulia is a new semi-virtual steering axis which claims to optimise the filtering effect and guarantees rapid, accurate steering by keeping a constant caster trail in corners.

New eight-speed automatic transmission will be standard on all Irish models.

Now Opel OnStar subscribers can look forward to further services such as hotel room booking or parking spot search via an OnStar advisor. By the end of the year, Opel plans to offer OnStar in 33 countries across Europe and in 23 languages.

Since the summer of 2015, the Opel OnStar Service Center has received over 21,000 emergency calls. Responding to emergencies is only one of the many functions that make driving safer and more comfortable.

Now OnStar advisors can also help find and

book a hotel room or locate the best spot to park the car. Both services launched with the new Opel Insignia will be available for all models ranging from the Adam to the Zafira.

The new Opel Insignia

GAZETTE

20 GAZETTE 30 March 2017

M50MOTORING

It’s a great time to buy if a van is your only man Commercial drivers have never had so many choices when it comes to making their selection of a mid-range panel van.

There has been a plethora of new vans joining the market in 2017, so Dublin van drivers have choices like never before – as Michael Moroney discovered when he compared Nissan’s new NV300 with Toyota’s new Proace.

came with a twin turbo system to give marginally more power at 120bhp.

That was reflected in better road performance as the NV300 could achieve the motorway speed of 120km/hr with a reasonable load at 2000rpm on the engine.

For the lower power Toyota Proace there was a need for a heavier pedal SPECIFICATIONS Nissan Toyota and that too was reflectEngine 1.6 litre 1.6 litre ed in slightly poorer fuel Engine power 125hp 95hp economy over the entire 0 – 100km/hr 10.2 seconds 15.5 seconds length of the test drive Economy 17m/litre (5.9l/100km 18m/litre (5.5/100km period.

Both vans are well

or 48mpg) or 51mpg) rated in terms of econoFuel Tank Capacity 80 litres 80 litres my and would put some CO2 emissions 139g/km 139g/km cars to shame. On paper Road Tax Band Commercial €333 Commercial €333 the lower power Proace is Load Volume (m3) 5.2 5.3 the more economical, but in reality I found that the Payload (kg) 1243 1360 extra power in the NV300 Entry Price €22,995 €22,790 meant that over the period of a slightly longer test IT’S a van driver’s world that also encompass the and the cubic capac- drive it gave a marginin 2017 as a wide selection Renault Trafic, Fiat Talen- ity was tested in terms of ally better fuel economy of new vans has appeared to and Opel Vivara on the load space with each of return.

The use of Nissan’s on the Irish market giving Nissan NV300 side, and them across a range of Eco button to give lower more choice than ever. All the Citroen Dispatch and road conditions.

As an overall com- power and better econoof the popular mid-range Peugeot Expert on the van suppliers have intro- Toyota Proace side. So in ment it’s fair to say that my on longer drives and duced new models and essence we are compar- van drivers are getting I could see the different delve a little deeper and ing seven vans that have a better deal than ever when put to the test. This you’ll find some interest- broad similarities across from both ranges in terms is a useful feature that will ing similarities. two design families. That of comfort and perfor- save fuel on longer runs, This week I’m com- makes it a true van driv- mance. Economy levels while it was difficult to be paring two popular mid- er’s world in terms of 2017 have improved and I was exact on the level of fuel range vans, the Nissan van choices. impressed with the range saving.

NV300, which replaces I’ve driven the Nissan achieved with a full dieFor van drivers the the Primastar and the NV300 and the Toyota sel tank capacity, which load capacity is the other Toyota Proace, both new Proace in recent weeks, interestingly was 80 litre important consideration. vans for 2017. each time clocking up in both cases.

Whether you are a carBoth vans are powered penter, butcher or builder, T h e c o m p a r i s o n close to 1,000km over a by 1.6 litre turbo-diesel the key is how much you doesn’t stop there as these number of days. vans are each part of a Each van was tested engines, while the test fit securely into the back separate family of vans with and without its load, version Nissan NV300 of the van and how acces-

in association with

The new Nissan NV300 has a new more modern van layout with impressive specification options to give good load carrying capacity coupled with driver comfort

Nissan NV300 v Toyota Proace

Toyota’s new Proace has similar styling to the Citroën Dispatch and Peugeot Expert and comes with a range of options and three vehicle lengths

sible that load is.

It was interesting that both vans were almost identical in terms of load volumes to make that choice even more difficult.

The NV300 had one side opening door while the Proace came with two. This is a specification detail and most vans can be specified with a range of door options to suit the users need.

The twin door feature on the Proace made loading that much easier, but then it is another door to keep secure if you have valuable tools as part of your load.

Both vans come with smart storage options that allow a small hatch to be opened under the passenger seat to carry

longer timber or pipe loads. The Nissan comes with the longer length capacity and is rated to carry three euro pallets or 2.5m sheets of plasterboard on the flat.

I liked the LED lighting in the Nissan NV300; it was bright and made night loading so much easier. The bulkhead behind the driver was solid, while that on the Toyota Proace came with a strengthened window, also a useful feature.

An important part of van ownership is the cost to your business. That is a combination of service intervals, depreciation and the warranty deal.

Nissan tops Toyota when it comes to the warranty deal with a 5 year offer versus Toyota’s

3 year deal.

The final decision will not be about price either, as these vans come with very similar entry prices, €22,995 for the Nissan and €22,790 for the Toyota.

The final costs will be determined by the choice of specification options and there are plenty of choices in either van.

What will dictate the deal is the overall value and that includes deal access, because van owners cannot tolerate downtime.

Making van choices has never meant so much about options, so that’s why comparing like with like in the van market can take some time; on the basic performance features the Nissan NV300 left me impressed.

30 March 2017 GAZETTE 21

in association with

Microsoft licenses connected car patents to Toyota MICROSOFT said it will license many of its connected vehicle patents to Toyota Motor in its most wide-ranging intellectual property agreement with a car company. The agreement gives Toyota broad access to all of its connected car patents. These include an operating system, voice recognition, gesture control, artificial intelligence and cyber security tools. Microsoft said it is looking to partner with additional car companies along similar lines.

The E-Class Coupe is here

THE STYLISH new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe has arrived in Ireland and is already causing quite a stir amongst motoring buffs in dealer showrooms around the capital.

This follows the line of its predecessors, exuding that timeless combination of beauty, elegance and performance within an overall modern design.

This new Coupe joins the E-Class line-up alongside the saloon and estate versions and ahead of the soon-to-belaunched cabriolet.

Mercedes-Benz claims that it combines the virtues of a grand tourer with the latest developments in the fields of passenger safety, comfort and performance.

Outside, this coupe is larger than its predecessor in terms of overall length, width and height.

Passengers enjoy an extra sense of spaciousness and comfort, especially in terms of rear legroom, front and rear shoulder room and rear headroom.

Two wide doors give easy access to the front and rear of the car while its

frameless side windows and the absence of a B-pillar give it an added air of luxury and style.

From the front, its sporty styling can be seen in its long bonnet with discreet power domes, low set diamond patterned grille with centrally-mounted star and broad air intake vents.

This sporty note is carried through to the interior where contemporary colour schemes combine to give an added measure of sophistication.

Two light wood trim packages in openpore and high-gloss finishes are exclusive to the Coupe. Interior lighting makes use of LED technology.

Emissions Initially, the car will be available with one diesel and three petrol engines all of which come with start/stop function and are Euro 6 emissions compliant.

Other engines will follow. Models likely to attract most attention here will be the

E200 petrol and E220d diesel versions.

Powered by a 1991cc, 4-cylinder, 184bhp engine, the E200 comes on the market at â‚Ź52,310.

The E220d, powered by a newly developed, 1950cc, 194bhp, 4-cylinder diesel engine, launches at â‚Ź52,995.

Equipped with items first introduced in the E-Class saloon, this latest version makes greater use of technology than the model it replaces.

Features carried forward include a remote parking pilot system that allows the vehicle to be moved into and out of garages and parking spaces remotely.

Full smart phone integration, active brake assist and other driver assistance systems, latest developments in driver infotainment and the option of partially automated driving are amongst it many features.

A new LED tail light arrangement employs innovative crystal optics to give off a brilliant appearance that MercedesBenz says is reminiscent of a jet engine glow.

GAZETTE

22 GAZETTE 30 March 2017

M50MOTORING

FASTNews

Fiat Chrysler under emission cheating investigation in France

FIAT Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is being investigated in France over allegations that the Italian based carmaker cheated in diesel-emission tests. This came after the French finance ministry’s DGCCRF consumer affairs and anti-fraud body had referred the case to the courts.

The FCA Groups claims that its diesel vehicles fully comply with emission regulations, as confirmed by the Italian Transport Ministry.

The spokesman said the company would continue to collaborate with the authorities on all investigations and was confident the matter would be fully resolved.

Following Volkswagen’s admission in 2015 of cheat-

ing on U.S. diesel-emission tests, some European countries launched tests on vehicle emissions. The European tests found on-road nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions more than 10 times above regulatory limits, for some Opel, Renault and FCA models and widespread use of devices that reduce exhaust treatment in some conditions.

The French test program has so far led to four car companies Volkswagen, Renault, FCA and PSA Group, being referred for possible prosecution by the consumer fraud agency. In recent weeks, the Opel brand was cleared of any emissions wrongdoing by the French authorities.

New branch manager at Renault Belgard Kevin Troy has been

Renault Ireland, where

appointed Branch

he spent over a decade

Director for Renault

as Sales & Network

Retail Group at

Business Manager.

Renault’s Belgard deal-

Prior to this, Kevin was

ership in Tallaght. No

Key Accounts Manager

stranger to the motor

at Transport Compo-

industry, Kevin joins

nents on Dublin’s Long

the dealership from

Mile Road for 10 years.

in association with

Renault revs up their support for Pieta House R E N AU LT I r e l a n d recently handed over the key card to a brandnew 171 Renault Megane Grand Coupe to Pieta House.

One person who will happily make use of the Coupe is Pieta House CEO Brian Higgins, who regularly travels all over Ireland to visit the Pieta House centres, the latest of which is to open in Letterkenny, Co Donegal, by mid-May. The car is branded with the charity’s logo, and it will act as a ‘vehicle’ to raise awareness of Pieta House.

Brian Higgins, Pieta House CEO said: “I am delighted that Renault has lent us their valuable support. I spend a lot of my time on the road visiting our centres and aside from its safety and comfort, Renault’s

Brian Higgins Pieta House CEO, Kevin Troy Branch Director Renault Retail Group, Liz O’Gorman Marketing Manager Renault Ireland

Pieta House branded car is a moving advertisement for our services as I travel the length and breadth of Ireland in the Renault Megane

Grand Coupe. One of our key messages is that we all need to tackle the stigma that leads people to the doors of Pieta House, so the further

I travel to spread that message and the more people I get to see and speak to, the better.”

Patrick Magee, countr y operations man-

ager, Renault Ireland said: “Renault Ireland is delighted to be in a position to lend its support to such a worthy charity as Pieta House. Its staff work tirelessly every day to help some of the most vulnerable people in our society and we hope that this All-New Renault Mégane Grand Coupé will benefit the amazing work that they do.”

Pieta House has helped more than 28,000 people since its doors first opened 11 years ago. Since last year, Pieta House has also been providing counselling, therapy and support to individuals, couples, families and children who have been bereaved by suicide.

Pieta House also operates the free 24-hour suicide helpline 1800 247 247.

Texaco invitation to take ‘Road to Adventure’ TEXACO is inviting motorists to take a ‘road to adventure’ in a new forecourt promotion now running at participating service stations across the country.

Said to provide proof that the forecourt sector is as active as ever in its drive to win new customers and retain the loyalty of others, motorists purchasing fuel valued €30 or more are being offered the opportunity to win one of eight week-long holidays to Italy’s Amalfi Coast, each one valued at €3,000, with no limit on the number of entries any one motorist can make.

Using latest smart phone technology, those purchasing the qualifying amount of fuel are asked to upload a picture of their receipt to a dedicated website together with name and contact details thereby eliminating the need for form filling or mailing.

Running until early-May, winners can decide the dates and details of their holiday which must be booked before the end of August and taken before the end of August next year.

Atlas Autoservice has been servicing cars for 43 years and has 10 locations

30 March 2017 GAZETTE 23

GAZETTE

DUBLINLIFE fast TRAVEL NEWS

TRAVEL

ROMANIA: SINK YOUR TEETH INTO A TRANSYLVANIA PHOTOGRAPHY TRIP

Perfect packages for an great break away TAKE advantage of the great deals on offer right now and book yourself a city break in Rome or a slice of summer sun in Spain or Portugal.

Clickandgo.com has great deals starting from just €289 for a four-star stay in the Italian capital. Here are three of our fave deals.

4-star Rome city break from €289pp in May From €289pp for the 4-star Relais Patrizi Hotel.

Price is per person based on two adults sharing for travel in May 2017. Price includes:• Three nights in the 4-star Relais Patrizi Hotel, Rome, Italy. • Double standard on a bed and breakfast basis. • Return Aer Lingus flights from Dublin to Rome. • Airport taxes & charges

Brasov is resplendent with gothic, baroque and renaissance architecture. Inset: Bran Castle is a hilltop fortress with ties to Dracula

Visit the Eternal City for just €289pp this May

3-star Salou in May from €759 per family From €759 per family for the 3-star CYE Holiday Centre Aparthotel. Price is per person based on two adults + 1 child sharing for travel in May 2017.

Price includes: • Seven nights in the 3-star CYE Holiday Centre Aparthotel, Salou Town, Salou, Spain • Staff pick. • One bedroom apartment on a self catering basis. • Return Aer Lingus flights from Dublin to Barcelona. • Airport Transfers, Taxes & Charges Over 50’s April special to the Algarve from €399pp.

From €399pp for the 4-star Belver Hotel Boavista.

Price is per person based on two sharing in April 2017.

Price includes: • 7 nights in the 4-star Belver Hotel Boavista, Albufeira, The Algarve, Portugal • Double City View on a half-board basis • Return Aer Lingus flights from Dublin to Faro • Airport Transfers, Taxes and Charges • Free wine and water with evening meal Visit www.clickandgo.com or call (01) 539 7777. * Prices are ‘from’ prices, based on select departure dates from Dublin based on two adults sharing. Price includes return flights, specified accommodation and airport taxes and charges where stated. Prices exclude check-in luggage unless

stated.

A picture perfect trip  SYLVIA POWNALL

MENTION Transylvania and most people conjure up an image of Dracula – or a far less sinister Tim Curry in The Rocky Horror Picture Show - but this magical corner of Romania has lots to offer.

The Travel Department has just added a Transylvania Photography Holiday to its active tours list – perfect for those looking to develop their skills as a snapper under the guidance of an expert tutor.

The largest of the Balkan nations, Romania is a land of stunning mountain scenery, unspoiled countryside

and historic towns, making it a fantastic destination for anyone looking to develop their street, landscape and documentary photography skills.

The group will be based in the charming old town of Brasov for four nights, with the opportunity to photograph the remarkable landscapes of the Transylvania region as you travel high into the Carpathian Mountains.

You’ll also visit the picturesque medieval town of Viscri, famous for its traditional houses and Saxon fortified church, and Sighisoara, with its impeccably preserved hilltop citadel.

THE UBER-romantic Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Limerick, is inviting brides and grooms-to-be to come and discover how the hotel can

Of course, no stay in Transylvania would be complete without a visit to the imposing fortress of Dracula’s Castle.

This tour is provided in association with Dublin Photography School and is suitable for anyone seeking to develop their digital photography skills, from beginners to advanced.

Stewart Kenny, an awardwinning fine-art landscape photographer plus an additional tutor from the school will accompany the group, offering tutorials, demonstrations and photography tips, as well as spectacular photographic opportunities. Camera buffs will love

this picture postcard tour of a region steeped in history – and not a vampire in sight!

Alternatively, if photography is not your thing but you’re still looking for something a bit different then TD’s three-night city break to Bucharest could be the answer.

From its 17th and 18th century Orthodox churches to its art nouveaux villas, neoclassical palaces and imposing communist-era buildings, the remnants of Bucharest’s fascinating history are everywhere.

The historic Centru Vechi or Old Town has evolved into a lively entertainment district, full of bars, pubs

and restaurants while the city also boasts an abundance of parks, gardens and museums.

Prices for the Bucharest city break start at €359 per person with departure dates in April, June and October.

Transylvania Photography tour prices start from €699pp for four nights including return flights from Dublin, B&B hotel accommodation, transfers, excursions, taxes & charges, expert local guides and tutors from Dublin Photography School, with flight departing 13 September 2017.

See www.traveldepartment.ie for more details.

The essential checklist to getting hitched: Something old, something new, something borrowed – & one thing Blu

make their dream day a reality.

A red carpet and cocktail reception awaits

extensive 20 acre parkland with its manicured

couples as they walk through the spacious,

lawns, cherry blossom trees, garden benches

evening of inspiration and guidance this Sunday

stylishly designed reception area where wed-

and dedicated wedding garden is ideal for

(April 2) from 4 – 7pm for a wonderful wedding

ding day drinks receptions are held and enjoy

intimate wedding photographs.

showcase with a difference.

the music of resident pianist Louis. Guests will

Join the dedicated wedding team for an

The dedicated wedding team will be on hand to

be able to view the elegant Ryan Suite before

talk through the different options and pack-

of Limerick Award for ‘Most Stylish Wedding

enjoying a sit-down 5 course taster menu.

ages available at Radisson Blu, Limerick, no

Venue of the Year’ and the launch of the new

The spacious yet intimate Ryan Suite is a

Join he team as they celebrate their Brides

question is too big or small!

Winter Weddings Package, featuring winter-

newlyweds dream, overlooking the landscaped

Places are limited and by invitation only, so

Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa Limerick was recently

themed arrival, additional extras and a special

gardens and terrace which provide the perfect

register your interest via email to weddings.

crowned ‘Most Stylish Wedding Venue of the Year’

gift to you for just €50per person.

setting for an afternoon drinks reception. The

limerick@radissonblu.com or call 061 456 200.

GAZETTE

24 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 30 March 2017

DUBLINLIFE ReelReviews

LIFE

Death snacks in space OH, THOSE scientists, will they never learn?

In Life (Cert 15A, 104 mins), astronauts on the orbiting ISS recover a martian microbe, which grows ever bigger and bigger until it develops a taste for crunchy, juicy, delicious astronauts ...

Life repackages plenty of familiar tropes and classic films, but the end result is an engaging, tautly-told tale of terror above the Earth.

BEAUTY & THE BEAST Watson at the cinema Chris (Daniel Kaluuya) find something rotten in suburbia when he takes a trip upstate with his girlfriend to meet her parents for the first time – but weirdness ensues ...

GET OUT: A MEMORABLE MIX OF HORROR, SOCIAL COMMENTARY AND COMEDY

A darkly original satire DIRECTOR Jordan Peele’s first foray into feature filmmaking is a horror movie with purpose; one that wears its genre-movie influences on its sleeve for all to see, but inflects everything with biting social and political commentary.

Get Out’s (Cert 15A, 103 mins) subtext is anything but submerged, and is far more disturbing than any of the horror archetypes that Peele adapts.

The opening few minutes of Get Out immediately conjure up memories of John Carpenter’s Halloween and decades worth of its imitators.

A black man wanders through an affluent sub-

 MARTIN MACNAMARA

urban neighbourhood in the middle of the night, before being knocked out and thrown in the boot of a car.

The tone is off-kilter, run through with humour, but the realworld connotation is deeply disturbing.

Months later, Chris (Daniel Kaluuya) prepares for a weekend trip to his girlfriend’s family home, where he will meet her wealthy parents

for the first time.

Rose (Allison Williams) insists that her parents (Bradley Whitford and Catherine Keener) will have no problem with Chris’s race; that her father, Dean “would have voted for Obama a third time if he could”.

Despite pleasant first impressions, Chris’s concerns prove to carry a little weight. As the weekend progresses, things get a very specific kind of weird – Rose’s family and their affluent friends exhibit a particularly strange, deviant fascination with her boyfriend’s ethnicity.

Get Out is satire first and horror second. The

message is clear from the beginning: this is a scathing meditation on liberal racism in contemporary America and it is very, very funny – peppered with the offbeat humour of its director’s successful sketch show, Key and Peele.

Indeed, horror is really just the vehicle for Peele’s political message; a cinematic language in which the director is particularly well versed.

Despite the occasional jump scare, spot of gore or bone-chilling musical cue, Get Out is scariest when it reminds us of the real world outside the cinema doors.

Kaluuya does an admirable job as the sym-

pathetic protagonist – although it takes perhaps a little too long for Chris to react to the very weird goings-on.

Caleb Landry Jones is great as his best friend – our only link to the outside world, and something to grasp onto when the film takes a surprisingly Hitchockian turn later on.

Bradley Whitford is brilliantly funny as the family’s oddball patriarch; a father eager to wear his cultural appropriation on his sleeve.

Peele has turned in an impressive, thought-provoking and wildly original debut. Get Out exists to incite open dialogue as much as to inspire

laughter or screams.

Horror fans will delight in the abundant winks at genre favourites – there’s plenty of Cronenberg and Carpenter nods on show for the discerning viewer.

At the same time, however, Get Out is unlike anything that’s come before it – a genre pastiche that transcends such a meagre description in both form and content, melding both together for a tr uly unique, wickedly entertaining cinematic experience.

Get Out should leave a well-deserved legacy as a contemporary horror classic.

Verdict: 9/10

HERE’S the first of the Mouse House’s unexpected live-action remakes of classic films, with Mulan also on the horizon. Everybody fondly remembers the classic animation, but Emma Watson acquits herself well in this Beauty & The Beast (Cert PG, 129 mins). Still, although it’s handsomely made, and frequently lavish to look at, it’s inferior in some ways to the original.

CHIPS

Not an arresting film THOSE of you with fond memories of the cheesy but classic TV show, look away now, as CHiPS: Law and Disorder (Cert 15A, 101 mins) is about as welcome as a big speeding fine. Bringing together a mismatched pair of California highway patrol cops, the film soon settles into dull, and occasionally mildly offensive bromance territory that manages to be inferior to the TV show.

30 March 2017 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 25

GAZETTE

TECH EXHIBITION: CATCHING UP WITH SOME OF THE LATEST PHOTOGRAPHY DEVELOPMENTS

Shoot for success  KARL JENNINGS

I SKIPPED across the Irish Sea recently to the Photography Show in Birmingham NEC Halls, where the the latest-andgreatest gear was on show not just from the likes of Nikon and Canon, but a plethora of other consumer-camera brands too.

There were approximately 235 exhibitors at the show, and right from the off, the aisles were very busy each day.

There was so much to do and see at the show that your correspondent can only imagine the frustration of the single-day attendee, trying to get around to all the stands and talks.

Raw, Lightroom and Instagram were the three biggest buzzwords of the show during my three days there exploring the latest tech and trends.

The first term, Raw, refers to a visual digital file type, which offers a photographer much more editing control than Jpeg format. If your camera offers Raw mode – use it.

Next, and to Lightroom, a piece of Adobe software. That firm had its own enclosed theatre, and most seminars within were a hot ticket.

Adobe’s PhotoShop has long been the standard image editing software for amateurs and professionals alike, but Lightroom’s new upgrades offer keen photographers ever more options for managing their galleries and libraries of images.

This is important from an intellectual property point of view – and for making cash from your photos, if that’s what you wish.

Finally, to Instagram. Ah, Instagram! One would think that this social media platform is the preserve of 18-year-olds, sending photos of their latest hairstyles out into the ether for their 100,000 global followers.

However, the show’s workshop talks convinced many middle-aged people that they, too, can become an influencer with their photos – and monetise their hobby, to boot.

In addition to photography, those interested in videography were well catered for.

As an example of the type of stalls and developments at the show, a small UK start-up company, Loki (lokicameragear. com), showcased its excellent modular rig for DSLR consumer cameras, many of which

today can film in 4K ultra hidefinition video.

This rig can be shouldermounted one minute, a protective jib-housing the next, and even has its own wheels to facilitate pan or tracking video shots, as shown below.

Moving on, and one of the most popular areas was the Drone Zone, where parents and kids alike marvelled at the latest and greatest in airborne camera technology.

Needless to say, the bigger the drone d i a m e t e r, t h e greater the expense; most such aerial kit was aimed at industrial buyers such as coastal engineers, television producers and police forces.

Thin rope mesh cages prevented the airborne contraptions from “going rogue” and taking someone’s eye out – as a photographer, it’s always best to keep both of those healthy! (Though star Scottish photographer Albert Wat-

son, 74, a speaker at the show, isn’t impaired by sight issues, despite being born blind in one eye.

Sony is stealing a march from even big traditional stalwarts such as Canon and Nikon because of the quality of the lenses it’s been able to buyin, and because of the ultrahigh spec of its sensor.

Drones and aerial photography were popular exhibits

A digital camera is only as good as the size and performance of this crucial piece of internal tech: the sensor, and Sony and Nikon’s stands were extremely busy, at all times.

Conscious of the tech in

cameras, and how that can affect prices, once I got back to Ireland I sounded-out a local professional – Rafal Kostrzewa – who is quite the snapperabout-town.

Poland-born Rafal (photocatchthemoment.com) is making a name in fashion, portraiture, and food/restaurant photography. He was keen to allay my confusion about the best camera to buy, saying: “Buy what you can afford.”

My puzzled look inspired him to explainfur ther: “I use a Canon 6D, because it takes very good stills, and is also high-quality enough for my corporate video work.

“My Canon is a DSLR, and its memory-card capacity is good for the shoot-heavy work that I do.”

I asked: “But Rafal, what if someone’s only got, say, €140 to invest in a decent-ish camera?” He responded: “Then I can recommend, say, a secondhand DSLR by Olympus, or even Panasonic. The image

quality is very acceptable in cameras of those brands, which may be as old as 2012 or even 2011, the year of manufacture.

“My Canon has changeable lenses, so there is a bit of babysitting involved to avoid getting the sensor dusty – the bane of a professional photographer!

“So, if you get a second-hand DSLR, keep the sensor clean, and shoot in Raw mode.”

Next I asked: “If I do get a DSLR, what lenses do I need?”

He advised: “Generally, you need just two lenses to start with; the 14-24mm range, and the general 24-70mm range, but they’re expensive, admittedly.

“That’s all a serious amateur needs to cover most wide-angle, and mid-range situations.

When your budget permits, add a third lens to that pair – the 70-200mm range lens.

“Then that’s it – you’re complete, pretty much for life!”

So, why not give your interest in photography another shot?

There’s never been a better time to try to develop your ‘eye’, your skills and your passion – just Google “photography courses” and “camera clubs”, and best of luck!

The very well attended event was a great opportunity to get some firsthand insights into the latest photography, videography and drone tech and developments. Photos: Karl Jennings

26 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 30 March 2017

DUN LAOGHAIRECLASSIFIEDS DRIVEWAYS/PATIOS

RECRUITMENT

ABC CERTIFIED 52,958 COPIES EACH WEEK (ABC: Group MFD, Jan- Dec 2015).

DVDS

WINDOWS

GOT A STORY?

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

Call our NEWS TEAM on 60 10 240

SUPPORT YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY

Visit: Facebook: www.facebook.com/ DublinGazetteNewspapers Twitter: @DublinGazette

COMMUNITY

SCHOOL

MATTERS PROMOTE YOUR EVENTS



FOLLOW US TODAY ON OUR SOCIAL NETWORK

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS TO OUR READERS CALL 01 60 10 240

CONTACT US WITH YOUR NEWS CALL THE GAZETTE TO ADVERTISE IN YOUR LOCAL AREA.

GazetteClassifieds To place a classified ad call us on 60 10 240

60 10 240

.... Find your local businesses .... advertise locally .... Local Matters

6010240

30 March 2017 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 27

DUN LAOGHAIRECLASSIFIEDS LEGAL & PLANNING APPLICATION

ANNOUNCEMENT We can now officially accept planning & legal notices from all four County Councils in greater Dublin region · Dublin City · Dun Laoghaire South Dublin · Fingal

· Standard rate from €75 + VAT · Payment in advance

Ph. 01 601 0240

OUR READERS WANT TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR PRODUCT OR SERVICE

WE HAVE A RANGE OF AD SIZES TO SUIT YOU.

C O N TAC T T H E G A Z E T T E CALL 60 10 240

GAZETTE

28 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 30 March 2017

SPORT

FastSport TERENURE SHARE KEY UBL DRAW WITH UCD: RELEGATIONthreatened Terenure College climbed out of the bottom two of the Ulster Bank League Division 1A with a hard-earned 3-3 draw with UCD at the Belfield Bowl.

Terenure have edged ahead of Garryowen in the battle of the basement sides, but they almost pipped the mid-table students in the final seconds with fullback Jake Swaine narrowly missing a difficult penalty from out on the right wing.

Both sides showed plenty of attacking endeavour early on but a fast-paced first half ended scoreless, with UCD full-back Billy Dardis and Terenure winger Sam Coghlan Murray both looking dangerous.

Swaine finally grabbed the opening score in the closing quarter of the tie for a 3-0 lead but UCD got back on terms when blindside Robert Duke was sinbinned and Matthew Gilsenan mopped up with the levelling three points.

RUGBY: DONNYBROOK SIDE PLAY OUT SEVEN-TRY THRILLER WITH UL BOHEMIANS

Wesley go within touching distance of playoff places

UBL DIVISION 1B

Old Wesley UL Bohemians  sport@dublingazette.com

points”. Bohemians slotted two penalty kicks from James Lennon to take a six point lead and looked to be gaining the upper hand.

Their swift back line was running the ball wide starting to find the odd crack in the Wesley defence. An Old Wesley line out taken against the head had the Wesley spectators groaning but, moments later, they were cheering as prolific try scorer David Poff intercepted a midfield pass to sprint in 40 metres to score under the posts.

31 27

OLD WESLEY moved within a whisker of a confirmed playoff place in the Ulster Bank League Division 1B following a cracking victory over second placed UL Bohemians in Donnybrook last Saturday.

The result moves them level with Bohs on 47 points and two points from their remaining two games – including a date with bottom side Dolphin – would copper-fasten their place in the mix for promotion to the top tier.

Played in perfect conditions, Wesley had a dream start when Tim Clifford broke through a couple of tackles to score a try under the posts with just two minutes gone. He converted himself for 7-0.

T he visitors responded quickly levelled quickly with a converted Harry Fleming try, setting the tone for a free-flowing battle. Indeed, the Dublin side required a big turnover from Kenny Knaggs to deny another try soon after.

On 24 minutes, a promising

Old Wesley on the charge against UL Bohemians last Saturday. Picture: Deryck Vincent

attack by Wesley once again had the opposition pinned in their 22. Then, a perfectly targeted pass by Josh Hinde hit Rory Stynes who pinned back the ears to cross for try number two, 14-7.

But, in an exhausting spell for players and fans alike, Wesley looked to be on their way to try number three only for the visitors turned over possession

and Robbie Bourke broke away resulting in a try for them. The conversion again evened things up.

UL were now getting into their stride and scored another converted try, this one from Noel Kinnane shortly after and, for the first time, the Limerick men were ahead.

Just as half time approached, Old Wesley had a scrum 15

metres out from the opposition line. A break from the back of the scrum resulted in a pass to Michael Dunleavy who knew only one way to the line as he bulldozed over for a try. Again, Clifford converted to make it honours even, 21 all at the break.

The second half started in a steadier fashion with both teams looking to “take their

OLD WESLEY: Rory Stynes; Brendan Monahan, David Poff, Ger Finucane, Paul Harte; Tim Clifford, Adam Griggs; Ken Knaggs, Conor Maguire, James Burton, Michael Dunleavy, Iain McGann (capt), Josh Hinde, Stephen Boyle, Mark Rowley.

Replacements: David Rowley, David Henshaw, Darren Horan, Isaac Leota, Alan Large.

UL BOHEMIANS: Joe Murray; Colin Ryan, Finbar Aherne, Harry Fleming, Jamie McNamara; Robbie Bourke, James Lennon; Padraig Nesbitt, Joe Bennett, Mike Lynch, Ed Kelly, Daragh Frawley, Noel Kinnane, Ian Condell (capt), Brian Walsh.

Replacements: Peter King, James Ryan, Craig Trimble, Cian Aherne, Robert Hennessy

Railway and Belvedere reach All-Ireland semi-final  sport@dublingazette.com

Railway Union are semi-final bound. Picture: Inpho

RAILWAY Union will face Old Belvedere on Sunday in the women’s rugby All-Ireland league semi-final at Willow Lodge at 1pm as they finished second and third, respectively, in the regular season.

Railway claimed a bonus point win on the last day of the season to finish second, winning 46-20 at home to seventh-placed Cooke.

Tries from Claire Ryan, Juliet Short, Lucy O’Sullivan and Katie Heffernan ensured that bonus point was secured by half-time

and Ryan went on to score two more tries as part of a fantastic overall display by the Railway Union full-back. A second try from Heffernan and a penalty try gave Railway a convincing success.

The game was notable for Ireland Under-18 Sevens international Megan O’Brien’s first start at this level. She was the 46th different player to take to the pitch for Railway during the league campaign.

“It is a phenomenal amount of players to use and it is a testament to our squad who have got

us to the league semi-final and the cup semi-final too,” said John Cronin, Railway Union’s director of rugby.

“We have four big weekends of rugby ahead of us hopefully with the seconds also getting to a cup semi-final so we will need all of those 46 players.

“It was another good performance today and, yet again, Claire Ryan was outstanding. She has been our standout player this season and is a leader and huge influence on the team.

“Not only has she been fantastic in attack but rock solid

in defence and in a number of games her do-or-die tackles have saved us at the end.”

Belvo, meanwhile, secured their place in the final four with a 29-5 win over fierce rivals Blackrock College.

A fast, attacking start allowed them to leave a telling blow as Jackie Shiels claimed the first of her three tries after an intense period of possession.

Her second try helped make it 15-0 before the break. Milli Croman extended the margin before a late exchange of tries saw Shiels complete her hat trick.

30 March 2017 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 29

GAZETTE

FASTSport

LION HEART Leinster mascot’s special moment with Blues’ Leo LEO the Lion shares a high five with Leinster matchday mascot Emily McCabe ahead of the Guinness PRO12 Round 18 game between Leinster and Cardiff Blues at RDS Arena in Ballsbridge.

Leinster won the tie 22-21 with tries from Dan Leavy, Luke McGrath and Ross Molony grabbing the points from a game in which they trailed going into the final quarter.

They stay top of the table and are assured of a PRO12 playoff place as a result.

Picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

VOLLEYBALL: DUBLIN STARS TRAVEL TO BELFAST FOR TOP NOTCH BATTLE

Ireland’s All-Stars in Belfast last week

Ireland’s Northern lights sport@dublingazette.com

VO L L E Y B A L L I r e land’s All-Star men’s and women’s teams were in action last weekend in Belfast, against the Scottish and Northern Irish national squads, providing a high level of competition against an NI side preparing for the second round of the European Championships.

The ladies team which includes several of the young premier stars like Natialia Ditrich and Wiktoria Wnek, got off to a great start, through

consistent setting from Regina O’Halpin, and beat Northern Ireland 3-0.

Indeed, the majority of the side hail from Dublin clubs with the Tallaght’s Garda team, Ballymun Patriots, UCD and Clondalkin’s Dublin Volleyball Club all represented.

The second game against Scotland, although playing superbly as a team, with great offensive play from repeat All-Star winners Indre Simkute and Edyta McMullan Ireland lost 3-0.

However, with just two points separating the teams in set 1 and 2, there was very little between the teams.

The men’s team showcased some of the best volleyball skills of the Patriots conquering premier league team.

Miguel Magno was controlling the game as setter and had many huge hitters to choose from including Osama Edghim, Ayslan Ferreira and Bartosz Bielecki.

I n I r e l a n d ’s g a m e against Northern Ireland, which they lost 3-2, blocking on both

sides was immense, as was both teams defence, producing a great spectacle of testosterone filled long rallies.

The blocking of the Scottish team had a lesser effect, allowing the Irish hitters to put on quite a show, but the tiredness of playing a second game in the day began to show, with Ireland losing the game 3-1.

In 2018, Volleyball Ireland will celebrate 50 years as the governing body for volleyball in Ireland and will be running many events as part

of this celebration.

One will be the St Patrick’s weekend volleyball international tournament, which they share with Nor thern Ireland every second year.

Vo l l e y b a l l I r e l a n d will shortly be advertising for the head coach positions for both their national squad teams, and hope that next year they will have senior teams strong enough to compete in this tournament, alongside the All-Star teams, and continue to make the event bigger and better.

Borland’s Clontarf beat Corinthian in crucial tie CLONTARF completed the Leinster sides to contest the EY Hockey League promotion playoffs, breaking into the top three on the last day of the season for a second successive season as they bid to break into the national stage.

Indeed, their 3-1 win over provincial champions Corinthian was a small landmark as the Bulls beat their first side – other than a student side – that formed part of the old Leinster Division One before the national league came in.

They went 1-0 down after eight minutes from a turnover from an attacking free on Corinthian’s 23 metre line. The reds broke out and fed Dan Treacy and while he was marshalled wide by defenders and goalkeeper David Lawless, he finished well on his open side from a tight angle against his former club.

John Mullins levelled the game from Tarf’s first corner with a drag-flick and they took the lead from another set piece, player-coach Gareth Borland this time dragging home.

The second half saw few chances from play while both sides had corners. From one, a Corinthian body stopped the ball on the line and Borland stepped up to convert the stroke with 12 minutes to go.

The result meant they jumped back ahead of Trinity who had moved into the top three four days earlier with a 7-0 win over Fingal.

YMCA are the other side going forward from Dublin for the playoffs. They closed out their formal preparations for the playoffs with goals from Grant Glutz, Colin Jackson and Jamie Tobin against Weston.

YM and Clontarf go into the playoffs that get under way on the weekend of April 8 and 9 with Corinthian skipping ahead to the next phase of the playoffs. From Ulster, Annadale and Kilkeel are in the playoff places while Cork Harlequins are the second best of the first teams in Munster.

There remains a question mark whether Kilkeel will take part as their club constitution does not currently allow them to play on Sundays. If they withdraw, Belfast Harlequins are the side in position to take their place.

GAZETTE

30 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 30 March 2017

SPORT

FASTSport

SOCCER: CALLUM THOMPSON NAMED FAI UNDER-15 PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Maguire and McCann lead the way at AIT DUNDRUM South Dublin AC’s James Maguire, pictured, produced one of the highlights of the national juvenile indoor championships at the AIT arena to claim the Under-18 1,500m title.

It followed a gold medal for Jodie McCann in the girls equivalen in a time of 4.41. Both athletes showed grit and determination as they took on top class fields in their respective events.

Maguire had a great boost to his selfconfidence after returning last year from an elite athletics school in Germany to find that the training regime, which had seen him win national cross country and track titles at DSD, still worked after a lean year in 2016.

His time of 4.03 was a personal best and the margin of his victory was five seconds over second placed Jack Moran of Mullingar.

McCann dominated her race from the gun and finalised a great season after her second place in the National Under-20 cross country in Antrim a few weeks ago.

Liam Jenkins produced a leap of 1.76 metres on Saturday to win the Under-16 boys high jump and this was followed by a bronze medal for Hannah Bondzio in the Under-16 girls high jump, clearing 1.58 metres.

James Holden also showed his class when finishing second in the Under-19 400m in 50.54.

Dundrum’s Under-15 were clear winners in the 4x200m relay, led off by Laura Gallagher on the first leg followed by Hannah Murray, Cara Murphy and Aimee Kenna who cruised home on the last leg to a great victory.

Also in the relays, DSDAC’s Under-19 boys finished third in 1.34.20 as did the Under-18 girls in 1.45.60. The Under-17 boys were fourth despite dropping the baton while the Under-19 girls came in fourth and the Under-13 girls were fifth.

Elsewhere, Laura Shaughnessy and Meghan Ryan finished first and secodnd in the BHAA Kildare 10k on Saturday.

Whilst the former was expected to win on present form, it was a great breakthrough for Ryan who knocked one minute off her personal best to dip under 36 minutes for the first time (35.28).

Both athletes will be looking forward to the Women’s Mini Marathon in June.

Callum Thompson receiving his award from Three’s Gavin McAllister and FAI President Tony Fitzgerald. Picture: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Joeys star nabs top gong  KARL GRAHAM sport@dublingazette.com

CALLUM T hompson was the star of the show in the eyes of St Joseph’s Boys as he walked away from the FAI International Football Awards as the winner of the Under-15 player of the year gong in Donnybrook last week.

The youngster, who will make the move to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the summer upon his 16th birthday, was up for the award alongside Belvedere’s Sean Brennan and Adam Idah from Cork. He has

been at St Joseph’s since he was eight years of age and club secretary Niall O’Driscoll spoke glowingly to GazetteSport about the young star.

“The club are absolutely thrilled and delighted. He’s such a nice fella who has been at the club since he was eight or nine years of age. It is fully deserved because he has done really well on the international scene at multiple ages.”

Thompson may have won the award at Under15 level but he also represented his country at Under-17s, showing a

SENIOR CUP FINAL Monkstown back in form for Banbridge showdown MONKSTOWN will bid to retain men’s hockey’s

Irish Senior Cup on Sunday afternoon at Belfield when they take on Banbridge at 3.15pm.

After a sticky run of form, Town have been fighting back in recent times with last Saturday’s comprehensive 8-1 win over UCD putting them back into the top four in the men’s EY Hockey League and potentially in the playoff mix.

They have welcomed back Andrew Ward and David Fitzgerald from injury but Gareth Watkins is out.

great maturity to do so.

“The future is promising for him so it is all about the opportunities in front of him and, so far, he has taking them on and done very well.”

T hompson may be making the move across the Irish Channel but he still has plenty to play for at home as his Bray Wanderers/St Joseph’s Under-17s side look to impress in the Under-17 Southern elite division.

They played their first game last week - a 1-1 draw with UCD at Belfield.

The home side dominated the first half and

almost went ahead when David Samson forced Dylan Davis into a great save after just eight minutes.

It took 24 minutes for Aaron Byrne to produce Bray/Joeys first attempt on goal after latching onto a ball from Daniel Madaghjian. Five minutes later and the first goal of the game was scored by UCD’s Promise Omochere after a mistake in defence allowed him to run clear and fire home.

The home side had a chance to double their advantage just before half-time but Omochere

could only head a corner from Luke Hannigan over the bar.

B r ay / J o e y s p l ay e d much better in the second half but that was after they almost fell two behind a minute after the restart. The visitors equalised on 52 minutes when man of the match Eoin Darcy pounced on a short kick out from the UCD keeper, before beating said keeper at his near boost.

Both sides had chances to grab a winner during the rest of the second half but both had to settle for a point in the end.

30 March 2017 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 31

GAZETTE

FEILE FEVER

Foxrock’s Walsh helps launch football festival

CLUB NOTICEBOARD CUALA

FOXROCK Cabinteely’s Alice Walsh was on

hand to launch the 2017 Dublin Ladies Gaelic Football Feile competition this week.

The competition will be sponsored by AIG for the third year in a row with 66 teams competing across nine divisions with around 1,500 girls Under-14 taking part. It runs on Saturday and Sunday with winners going on to the national Feile from June 23 to 25 in Cavan, Fermanagh and Monaghan.

MEMBERS were saddened last week

Good luck to our U-14 ladies football-

to learn of the death of our club presi-

ers who compete in the Feile in Thom-

dent Jimmy Doyle. Ar dheis De go raibh

astown next weekend. All support wel-

a anam.

come.

Three good wins for the adult hurl-

This year, the adult football section is

ers on Sunday with our seniors back in

having its annual golf classic on Friday,

action and delivering a 3-30 to 2-12 win

April 7 to coincide with the US Masters.

over Crumlin. In AHL4, we had a good 2-17

Old Conna Golf Club is the venue. Tee offs

to 0-7 win against Bray and, in AHL6, our

between 1pm and 4pm. Contact Ciaran

juniors completed the treble by beating

Irwin on 087 7959881 for more.

Na Fianna 5-16 to 1-11.

CAMOGIE: BOOTERSTOWN SCHOOL DENIED BY ST JOSEPH’S

Conor Mullaly and the Dublin football-

Monday, April 10 to Thursday, April 13;

ers who beat Roscommon in Croke Park

Week 2: Monday, April 18 to Friday, April

on Saturday night. Hard luck to Martha

21. Cost is €45 per week for members

Byrne and the Dublin ladies footballers

or €80 for both. Times: 10am to 2pm on

who lost by a point to Mayo in the pre-

each day with optional 9am drop off at

ceding match.

an additional cost of €15 per week.

Iosagain’s All-Ireland dream ended in Meath ALL-IRELAND B FINAL St Joseph’s Colaiste Iosagain  sport@dublingazette.com

2-6 0-3

COLAISTE Iosagain’s All-Ireland dreams were shattered as they lost to St Joseph’s, Rochfortbridge by 2-6 to 0-3 in the senior B camogie championship in Meath last week.

I t w a s an eagerl y awaited contest from both communities as adverse weather conditions put paid to the tie taking place on the original date of March 4.

Nonetheless, Boote r s t ow n ’s Io s a g a i n

went into the game in confident mood having clocked up an impressive 3-11 to 3-3 win over Limerick’s Hazelwood College in the semi-finals.

The game started with the two sides looking equally matched as the action swung from end to end. It took a while for the first score to go over but once it had, the notion of a close game star ted to slip away as the Westmeath side kicked two quick points after 20 minutes of action.

The crowd supporting Iosagain tried to inspire their players from the

sidelines but another two quick-fire points saw them four points down.

They then conceded the first goal of the game to leave them staring at a seven points deficit.

Rochfortbridge dished out another hammer blow by putting the ball into the back of the net again just two minutes later.

The referee drew a close to the half drawing to a close with the score sitting at 2-4 to no score going into the break.

The second half proved a much closer affair as both sides found scores hard to come by

but Iosagain were hoping that their luck in front of goal would i m p r o v e . H o w e v e r, Rochfortbridge kicked another two points to sit on a 12-point lead.

Iosagain finally got themselves on the score board 20 minutes into the second half with a strike from Sinéad de Bhuilde.

Grace Ni She added two more points late on to make the score more respectable but the game had long ended as a contest at that point, thanks in part to a star performance from Rochfortbridge’s Hannah Core.

This week’s jackpot will be €10,200. Our

Hurling and football each week with a

lucky dip winners last week were Alan

multi-sports and art segment midway

Mahon and Deirdre Faul. Get your tickets

through. Email: camps@cualagaa.ie

now at www.cualagaa.ie/lotto.

SHANKILL THE next club development lotto draw,

Cuala in the Castle in a very exciting

sponsored by Slimming World, will be on

match and, on Sunday Morning, our U-9

Thursday in Brady’s Pub. The jackpot is

camogie girls played in a blitz with Cuala

now a whopping €1,450. Tickets are €2

and Bray Emmets which was hosted by

each or three for €5.

Bray.

Congratulations to our club secretary

Registration of players (outside of the

Laura Murphy and husband Patrick on

academy) and fees will still be accepted

the birth of a baby daughter, another

on Saturday in the Castle.

little Shankill player.

The Colaiste Iosgain side celebrating their Dublin championship victory earlier this season

Congratulations to Mick Fitzsimons,

Cuala Easter camp details: Week 1:

Our golf classic will be held in Wood-

Our academy, sponsored by O’ Don-

brook Golf Club on Friday, June 30, 2017.

nell’s Pharmacy, is back in our home

Team of four players is €300 and includes

ground of Shanganagh Castle at 10am

a meal. Contact Jimmy Nolan on 087

every Saturday. The cost is €2 per child,

2633203; the time sheet is open now.

there is no annual subscription and all

New adult players are always wel-

equipment is provided free. So why not

come; contact Kevin on 086 8449902. For

come along any Saturday morning and

more information on the club contact

give the academy a try.

secretary.shankill.dublingaa.ie or call

The U-9 boys hurling had a game

086 4010438.

against St Patrick’s; the U-10 boys hurl-

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

ing were away to St Jude’s which pro-

Join Shankill GAA club, your community,

duced two great matches. The U-13 girls

your GAA club where everybody knows

football team took on our neighbours

your name.

KILMACUD CROKES WELL done to the Dublin senior football-

who had a good 2-16 to 0-15 win over

ers who beat Roscommon on Saturday

Naomh Barrog. Hard luck to the AHL3

evening, 2-29 to 0-15, to go a record-

team who lost to St Peregrine’s 0-14 to

breaking 35 games unbeaten. Well done

0-18.

to Paul Mannion and Cian O’Sullivan.

Well done to the AHL6 team who had a

Hard luck to the Dublin senior ladies

narrow win over Naomh Olaf, 1-11 to 1-10.

footballers who lost to Mayo 1-10 to 1-11.

The AHL8 were well beaten by Ballinteer

Molly Lamb, Lauren Magee, Michelle

St John’s.

Davoren and Aoife Kane were all on the

In football, well done to the Senior 1

team. Commiserations also to the Dub-

team who beat St Jude’s, 3-9 to 1-5 in the

lin senior hurlers who lost to Kilkenny,

St Vincent de Paul Cup. Well done to the

1-16 to 2-20. Cian MacGabhann, Fergal

Senior 5 team who beat St Joseph’s OCB

Whitely, Sean McGrath, Oisin O’Rorke

4-9 to 0-6.

and Ryan O’Dwyer were all part of the

Well done to the MFL1 team who had

team. Dublin will now play Clare in the

a good win over Thomas Davis, scoring

relegation play-off.

3-10 to 2-11, making it three wins out of

In club hurling, well done to the AHL1 team who had a great 3-20 to 1-9 win over Naomh Fionnbarra on Sunday.

Likewise, well done to the AHL2 team

three starts in the league. Both the other minor teams lost out narrowly.

Congrats also to the U-16A footballers who won their first round championship.

GAZETTESPORT

ALL OF YOUR DUN LAOGHAIRE SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 28-31

MAR 30 - APR 5, 2017

CALLUM HONOURED: Joeys’ Thompson gets top gong for 2016 following his superb performances in green P30

PLAYOFF SEASON BECKONS: Dublin clubs make their push to extend their campaigns P28

Stephen McAfee, left, with his coach Jonathan Lewins

McAfee’s pro ambition Multi-talented Sallynoggin native set to make professional boxing his sole vocation following a series of kickboxing titles and a recent semi-pro belt

 KARL GRAHAM

sport@dublingazette.com

STEPHEN McAfee hopes to turn fully professional after the Sallynoggin native became the Irish semi-professional welterweight champion with a recent points victory over Karl Kelly at Blackrock Rugby Club in Stradbrook.

And it is part of a concerted effort from the multi-talented McAfee to push in a singular direction. Indeed, the 25-year-old could write a book with the amount of titles he has won over the years in both boxing and kickboxing.

Seven belts currently take residence throughout his house and McAfee has now turned his attention to making a name for

himself on the pro boxing scene.

Kickboxing was the first of the two to take his attention but, after winning nearly everything there is to win in the sport, boxing came onto his radar.

Possibly a wise choice considering the fighter feels more comfortable using his hands than he does his feet.

“With the kickboxing, I wasn’t a big kicker,” McAfee told GazetteSport. “My weapons were my hands because it feels more natural to me. Even when I was kickboxing, people used to say they could tell I was a boxer.”

Belief and self-confidence are vital to a boxer if they are to succeed and McAfee is lucky enough to have both in spades – some-

thing that surely comes from years of winning.

The win over Kelly was the first time he has boxed for eight rounds, and it was evident in his slow start to the bout.

However, his talent eventually shone through as he stuck to his game plan, despite losing the first two rounds, and got back into the fight.

“That was my first time in an eight-round fight so I was doubting myself beforehand.

I was asked to do it and I wouldn’t turn an opportunity down so I said yes. I started slow but after the second or third round I started to feel I was grand so I put the foot down.

“Even when the bell went at the end of the third round, I felt I could have gone on for

another couple of rounds.”

McAfee has a couple of options on the table in terms of turning professional but he wants to make sure it is a right fit before making a commitment one way or another.

“There are two or three options there at the moment that I am looking at with my coach Jonathan Lewins but I want to see what contracts they have attached to them because I don’t want to sign myself down to a big contract in case something goes wrong. Especially with how it is nowadays,” McAfee concluded.

McAfee hopes to have himself on a fully professional card as early as June as he looks to build a name for himself in the sweet science.