Dun Laoghaire

Laoghaire GAZET TE FREE

SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

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DUN LAOGHAIRE • BLACKROCK • CORNELSCOURT • DEANSGRANGE • DALKEY • GLASTHULE • MONKSTOWN • GLENAGEARY

INSIDE: Bearing up at a great festival event for COUNCIL BUDGET: Household tax teddies and friends P2 compliance rate cited for €1.1m cut P4

Golden girl: Katie proves knockout guest at school Hurling: Kilmacud and Cuala storm into semi-finals Page 31

RATHDOWN School prefects Rachel Swan, Saranna Kavanagh, Ciara Brown and Blaithnaid Breslin were delighted to meet boxer and Olympic gold medal winner Katie Taylor during her official visit to the school recently. Katie was a knockout guest at the school, where she was joined by fellow Olympian, and a former student of the school, skier Tamsen McGarry, with the ladies impressing everyone with their sporting prowess, commitment and courage.

Picture: Geraldine Woods

Full Gallery on Pages 8-9

Hockey: Avoca hearts broken by late Fingal volley Page 30

ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES ......................8 BUSINESS .................... 18 MOTORS ....................... 20 TRAVEL......................... 22 ENTERTAINMENT ........ 24 CLASSIFIEDS ............... 26

Locals praised for keeping Tower open 60 volunteers help to run James Joyce museum

I BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN

A LOCAL voluntary group has been hailed by Failte Ireland and local representatives for their dedication and enthusiasm which led to the James Joyce Museum in Sandycove being re-opened as a tourist attraction.

Failte Ireland has been working in tandem with the Friends of Joyce Tower Society and providing induction museum training for 60 voluntary staff.

The museum, which had been closed by the national tourism organisation due to staffing problems, was re-

opened during the summer.

Local Fianna Fail councillor Cormac Devlin said: “I welcome this new lifeline for the museum because, without it, this marvellous tourist amenity in the area would be closed.”

Full Story on Page 7

2 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 27 September 2012

ENTERPRISE: MOVE TO SUPPORT ADVISERS

FAMILIES Sharing a furry good day at Blackrock Park

Free online tool to aid businesses I BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN bnibhraonain@gazettegroup.com

DUN Laoghaire-Rathdown County Enterprise Board (DLRCEB) has joined up with six national and international partner organisations to create a European e-learning course for business advisors, which was launched in Romania last week.

The new training tool, set up by the joint organisation entitled Vocational Education for Trainers and Business Advisors (VETBA), is called www. business-advisor.eu, and is a free service to aid businesses.

VETBA is funded by the EU Commission. The partnership between six EU countries provides business advisors with a free online course to consolidate and increase the skills required to advise businesses on how to start-up, grow,

and prosper.

The partners involved in VETBA are DLRCEB, Dundalk Institute of Techology, European BIC Network (Belgium), Sociedade Portuguesa de Inovacao (Portugal), Szczecin University (Poland), Canice Consulting (Britain) and Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Neamt County (Romania).

At the launch of the online training resource in Neamt, Romania, last week, Michael Johnson, chief executive of DLRCEB said: “Small and micro-businesses are the key to the development and creation of sustainable jobs in local communities.

“The VETBA project has created relevant accessible resources and tools for the business advisory community, assisting small and micro-businesses to grow and develop.”

The family-friendly event was a huge hit, with a large crowd enjoying the diverse range of activities

Having a ted-tastic time together L OCALS didn’t need to visit some woods to find a teddy bear picnic, as Blackrock Park recently played host to a ted-tastic gathering of the timeless toys and their young and old owners. Held as part of the DLR Summer Season Events, the family-friendly day saw a wide range of great activities laid on to celebrate teddy bears, with many other fun events also laid on to make the very best of a day out for everyone.

While the picnic was a highlight, a teddy bear hospital to patch up old teddies was kept busy, with inflatable rides, face painting, a “make and do” area and more all helping to make the day great fun.

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Whether visiting the teddy bear hospital al or rodeo riding, there was lots to do

T This little girl couldn’t bear to part with her friend

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B E C A U S E L O C A L M AT T E R S There was plenty of indoor fun to match the outdoor activities

Water colourful pair of characters ...

27 September 2012 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 3

WORKS ‘More spent in Dun Laoghaire than Dundrum’

Councillors row over fund ‘imbalance’ I BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN bnibhraonain@gazettegroup.com

A PROPOSAL to extend the People’s Park at a Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council meeting this month resulted in a row when several councillors claimed that more money was being spent in the Dun Laoghaire side of the county than the Dundrum side.

Objections were made by councillors representing Stillorgan and Glencullen wards when they were asked to back a new proposal allocating €750,000 of council money to an extension to the People’s Park in Dun Laoghaire, following a

report by senior executive officer for planning, Declan McCulloch.

Councillor Barry Saul (FG) said that council expenditure was regularly weighted in favour of Dun Laoghaire.

He said: “Every month, money is being thrown at Dun Laoghaire. There are major deficiencies on the Dundrum side, where most of the money comes in.

“There is a growing imbalance between the Dun Laoghaire side and the Dundrum side, and we cannot do another [project] until it is addressed.

“We have the library, the baths and The Met-

als. There are major deficiencies on the Dundrum side, where most of the money comes in.”

Cllr Gerry Horkan (FF) agreed, saying that: “68% or 69% of the rates are collected in Dundrum; the €35 million sum for the [Moran Park] library is staggering – the next biggest expenditure to it is €7 million in Ballyogan.”

Cllr Victor Boyhan (Ind) objected to the People’s Park project, saying it was “excessive and expensive” .

In response, County Manager Owen Keegan said: “The appropriate time for the discussion of the balance of expendi-

A proposal to extend the People’s Park saw objections from a number of councillors, who said there was an “imbalance” in how council money was spent across the region in relation to where it was generated

ture [in the county], the right time to bring that up is in the context of the annual report I present on [the council’s] capital budget. “[With regards to] the baths project, we were awaiting determination from An Bord Pleanala if our proposals require an Environmental Impact Study, and we have

received confirmation it does not, so that clears the way now for a baths proposal – though the covering over the railway line as it pertains to the People’s Park should be viewed as part of the overall baths redevelopment.”

The P ublic Realm Project for the People’s Park will cost around

€750,000, but does not include the engineering input from Irish Rail or a commissioned sculpture.

Keegan added: “€3.5 million is allocated for the entire project, so €750,000 is an allowance more than sufficient [for the People’s Park].”

The proposal to extend The People’s Park was adopted by 24 votes to 1.

TRAFFIC Glenageary Rd traffic diversion THE closure of Lower Glenagear y Road in Dun Laoghaire to through traffic, which commenced on September 24, will remain in place until December 14 to facilitate road restoration work.

Dun LaoghaireRathdow n County Council have issued a statement proposing two alternative routes for traffic going north or south. Drivers going northbound should use Glenageary Road Upper, Barnhill Road, Castlepark Road, Sandycove Road, Glasthule Road and Summerhill Road.

Southbound traffic will be diverted via Summerhill Road, Glasthule Road, Sandycove Road, Castlepark Road, Barnhill Road and Glenageary Road Upper.

The diversions will be signposted and further details will be available on the council’s website.

4 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 27 September 2012

FastNews

CUTBACKS Non-compliance in household tax hits DLRCC

Anti-flood works for Stradbrook stream THE Office of Public Works (OPW) is to provide anti-flood works for the Stradbrook stream at a cost of €153,000.

An announcement was made by Deputy Mary Mitchell O’Connor (FG) last week that the OPW would provide money to Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council as part of their Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme.

Local Councillor Barry Ward (FG), said: “We’ve had problems with the Stradbrook stream in the past and now, finally, action is being taken on it.

“The council makes an effort by clearing the grates along the stream that get blocked up, but the real work like putting in culverts massively reduces flooding even with a higher water flow.”

Architectural designation in consideration AT A recent Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council meeting, it was announced that Monkstown has been designated an Architectural Conservation Area (ACA) but, according to Councillor John Bailey (FG), opinion

is divided among residents as to whether it is for the best.

Cllr Bailey told The Gazette: “I’ll consult with the people and listen to them on whether they agree or disagree with the new designation. A lot don’t want it.”

The ACA designation protects against any alteration to the unique character of Monkstown buildings.

County manager Owen Keegan describes the Government’s wish for a 100% compliance rate on the household charge by December 31 as “heroic”, and says he thinks it was “unfair that local authorities should be penalised for any perceived failure to collect the charge”

Council braced for €1m cut in budget I BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN bnibhraonain@gazettegroup.com

ANNUAL funding cuts to the forthcoming Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council budget (DLRCC) will be around €1.1 million, according to the county manager’s prediction of household charge compliance by December.

The council is hoping to reduce this figure by more than half in 2013, via a selection of cutbacks.

County manager Owen Keegan last week delivered a report on how the council could make reductions in order to balance the books for 2013 as a result of the annual budget cuts being

imposed by the Government.

He sais: “When the Government contacted us in July with the circular [regarding budget reductions], our household charge compliance for the county was at 79.2%.

As of this morning, it is 81.7%. At the end of the year, it should probably be at 85%.

“We have the highest [compliance rate] of any local authority in the State, but the Government wants 100% by December 31, which is a very heroic assumption.

“I think it’s unfair that local authorities should be penalised for any perceived failure to collect the charge,” he said.

“The likely cut for 2013 is €1.1 million. We’re now looking at a cut of €530,000 net for adjustments. I’m satisfied that this reduction in expenditure will have little or no impact on services.

“The cuts are coming from energy-saving measures, some transport, communications and elsewhere.”

Of the report, Councillor Gerry Horkan (FF) said: “It’s to the credit of the manager’s team that we’re only having to implement savings or cutbacks of €530,000, though our overall Government cut is expected to be €1.1 million. That’s less than half [of what we would have to find].

“Where a local authority reaches a certain level of, say, 85% [compliance], it should get 100% of budget funds. Don’t forget that not a penny of the money collected by the council goes to the council – it all goes to central government and the Local Government Management Agency.”

Cllr Melisa Halpin (PBP) criticised the household charge, and defended her party’s stance on it.

“You cannot fund local government on the basis of a flat tax [that is] not based on a person’s ability to pay. Where will it end?”

There was criticism of People Before Prof-

it’s involvement in the anti-household charge campaign in the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown region.

Cllr Denis O’Callaghan (Lab) said: “I want to congratulate the manager’s tight housekeeping and the sacrifices made by council staff. I don’t like the household tax, but we’re lumbered with it.”

However, he then criticised PBP’s stance on rejecting the household charge, saying: “The leader of their party, an elected TD for this county and someone who represents Dun LaoghaireRathdown, is encouraging people to break the law, and I think that it’s beneath the man.”

Twelve new jobs for Glenageary I BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN bnibhraonain@gazettegroup.com

TWELVE new jobs will be created in Glenageary over the next year after accountancy software company, The Big Red Book, launched its new cloud-computing solution last week.

The new jobs will be mainly in the sales and support side of the online proposition, called the Big Red Cloud. The

Gazette spoke to managing director, Marc O’Dwyer about the company’s evolution.

“The Big Red Book was launched in Dublin 19 years ago and is an all-Irish owned accounting service. I took over in 2001 and we have 35,000 businesses using our software today.

“Two years ago, we realised the future was in a cloud version of the software. So it is now 100% online, and custom-

ers have internet access not only to their accounts but also to their accountants.

“We launched the Big Red Cloud today of all days and look at the weather - although, it is a cloud I suppose that I hope will have a silver lining.”

O’Dwyer says that the new positions have come about as a result of the Big Red Cloud’s proposition and projected success: “The 12 new jobs are coming because we are one of

the only online companies that provides telephone support.

“The new jobs will come due to the expected increase in sales and support staff we’ll need to deal with new customers as a result of the launch of the Big Red Cloud. We did a soft launch of the Big Red Cloud for our own customers in June and had a 37% takeup.”

For more information, log on to www.bigredbook.com

27 September 2012 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 5

INTERNET

FESTIVAL: SCREENINGS, WORKSHOPS AND TALKS AMONG HIGHLIGHTS

Calls for greater vigilance

Get animated in Blackrock I BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN bnibhraonain@gazettegroup.com

THE SECOND Blackrock Animation Film Festival is set to get under way on Saturday, October 13, after Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan TD launched the two-day animated film and workshop event last week.

Lined up for one of the workshops is Merlin Crossingham, creative director of Aadman Animations, the home of Wallace and Gromit, and there will also be a talk given by another animation heavyweight, Jimmy Murakami, animation director of the classic Christmas film, The Snowman.

Don Conroy, former TV presenter and artist, will be giving Cartoon

Fun workshops for primar y and secondar y school children.

Thanks to a range of workshops, talks and screenings, festival organisers hope to appeal to all ages and tastes. It is hoped that the various events will be of interest to those working in the industry, film students and fans of animation, and those who would like to learn more about the form.

Workshops at the festival are set to cover all manner of animation forms including sand, plasticine and classic animation, while talks on animation will feature useful topics such as film funding. There will be a special screening of the Snowman and selected screenings of some of the entries to this year’s BAFF competition.

This year, over 140 entries were received for the competition from Ireland and abroad, including submissions from China, Canada, A u s t r a l i a , Swe d e n , M a l ay s i a , P o r t u g a l , the Netherlands, Germany, the UK and the USA. Entries are currently being reviewed and judged by an independent panel of judges, which this year includes Murakami.

Fionnghuala Ni Neill, Blackrock Animation Film Festival director said: “BAFF 2012 has received an incredible amount of goodwill and practical support both from members of the Blackrock Business Network and our sponsors.”

For more details and a festival programme, log on to www.iloveblackrock.ie

On your bike: Smarter travel plans for Sandyford Business District CATHAOIRLEACH Tom Joyce, Therese Langan, Dun Laoghaire

Rathdown County Council and Jim Leyden, the chairman of the Sandyford Business District Association were on hand last week to launch the Mobility Management Plan Network, which promotes the benefits of walking, cycling and taking public transport in a new smarter travel promotional campaign for the Sandyford Business District.

For more information on the project, go to www.sandyfordsmartertravel.ie or contact Gerry Flaherty, Sustainable Travel Officer on 01 204 7945.

LOCAL TD Mary Mitchell O’Connor (FG) last week urged parents to be more vigilant in relation to protecting their children from cyber-stalkers during a debate on the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Bill 2012.

“Concerns have been aired regarding the possible consequences of this new vetting legislation, with the suggestion that internet grooming and cyber-stalking may increase as a result.

“This undoubtedly poses challenges for both legislators and parents; we all need to be more vigilant to ensure children are protected from this terrible threat.

“As legislators, we need to do our utmost to protect our youth from the harmful effects of not just internet grooming, but also from sites that promote harmful behaviour.”

DublinGazetteNewspapers Advertising Sales Professionals Dublin Gazette Newspapers is Dublin’s fastest growing community weekly regional publisher, with 8 titles covering the M50 from Swords to Dun Laoghaire.

We are currently looking to recruit: We are now seeking experienced media sales executives to work in our advertising dept in our Lucan head office on a number of Dublin Gazette titles. Experience in newspaper advertising sales is preferable. Full clean driving licence and own car required; fluent written and oral English essential.

Excellent package on offer to suitable candidates.

If you can work on your own initiative within a team environment, are motivated, enthusiastic with an excellent work ethic, please send your cv to: mmcgovern@gazettegroup.com

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6 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 27 September 2012

GOT A STORY? TELL US ABOUT YOUR LOCAL EVENT, CELEBRATION OR FUNCTION

BUSINESS Delivering a ‘first-class customer experience’

Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel wins top award I BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN

THE Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel in Dalkey was celebrating last week when it was the recipient of a prestigious Business Excellence Award from Failte Ireland.

The award is part of the Failte Ireland Optimus Programme, designed to develop a culture of excel-

lence within the tourism and hospitality industry, which has been running since 2004.

Eithne Fitzpatrick Scott-Lennon, managing director of the Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel, was presented with the award by Failte Ireland, which recognises the hotel’s management team and staff’s “ongoing commitment to continu-

ous improvement and to delivering a first-class customer experience”.

Nicky Logue, general manager of the Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel said: “The team here at the hotel are absolutely delighted to have been accredited with the Business Excellence Award from Failte Ireland.

“We have participated

in this continual improvement programme for the past five years and we feel this acknowledges our commitment to excellence for our customers, team and all stakeholders.

The hotel underwent business mentoring from Failte Ireland based on the principles of the European Foundation for Quality Management

(EFQM) business model, which is internationally recognised as a benchmark of excellence.

Logue continued: “We would like to congratulate our wonderful team of managers and staff who are very hardworking, committed and friendly and ensure our business continues to grow from success to success.”

Call our NEWS TEAM on 60 10 240 or email news@gazettegroup.com

A small paws for thought: ENTERPRISENEWS Appeal to knit toys for animals

Accelerate – Driving Your Business Forward The Enterprise Boards in the Dublin area are launching the Accelerate programme in October 2012. The aim of this professional development programme is to provide the owner managers of small business with the management, leadership, business skills and knowledge to achieve growth and sustainability in their businesses.

Accelerate will help you effectively to address your business challenges and to develop and grow your enterprise. You will gain a greater understanding of why you are in business and where your business is going, marketing your business, developing yourself and your entrepreneurial capabilities, sales and selling techniques, managing finance and developing your business needs.

The programme is delivered over a 9 month period, with 7 workshops and 7 individual Mentor meetings. The Mentor assigned will be drawn from a panel of highly skilled and experienced business Mentors, and will be selected based on your specific business needs and will work with you to develop practical solutions that will help you manage your business more effectively.

Accelerate starts with a 2-day residential workshop on October 12th-13th 2012. For full details on the programme visit http://www.dlrceb.ie/ Accelerate_Programme/Default.2542.html. This exceptional programme costs only €500 – which includes the cost of training, all course materials and the 2-day residential workshop.

For further information, please contact Georgina Sweetnam on (01) 494 8400 or georgina@ dlrceb.ie.

MARK Fitzgerald was only too happy to

help care for little Skip at the launch of an upcoming campaign for the DSPCA at its Rathfarnham headquarters.

Skip was the star of the photoshoot, with his human handler, and admirers, wondering how anyone could be so cruel as to abandon such a lovely animal in a skip (cue his new name, once rescued and cared for by the DSPCA).

The pair were immaculately groomed in their lovely woollen tops, which the DSPCA is asking for help to acquire for hundreds of Ireland’s abandoned cats and dogs.

The society is asking knitting and crafting enthusiasts to help create toys and gifts for the animals this winter, with the upcoming Knitting and Stitching Show at the RDS, from November 1 to 4, the purrrfect place to drop off your animal-friendly toys and knitwear.

For further details of the required knitwear and toys, see www.dspca.ie, or www.twistedthread.com.

CONFERENCE: INITIATIVE AIMS TO PROMOTE ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Over-50s encouraged to start their own business I BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN bnibhraonain@gazettegroup.com

AN INITIATIVE to encourage people over 50 to start up in business was launched by the Minister for Small Business, John Perry, and the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Enterprise Board last week.

National 50+ Enterprise Day will take place on Friday, October 5, and is being jointly marked

by Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Enterprise

Board (DLRCEB) with a day-long conference, entitled, Succeeding In Your Start-Up. According to a Global Entrepreneurship Monitor report for Ireland in 2010, there was a 9.4% early-stage entrepreneurial activity rate for those aged between 35 and 44, compared with a 4.8% rate for those aged 55 and over, and the enterprise initiative is looking to address that disparity.

The conference is looking to build on pre-

vious workshops for senior entrepreneurs, with a main focus to assist potential older entrepreneurs in areas such as sourcing finance, effective management skills and business exit planning, using a combination of topical presentations, panel question and answer sessions, and networking sessions.

Three Irish entrepreneurs who started their businesses in their 50s will also share their experiences and insights on the day.

They are Jill Aston, who set up her company, Bagsitt, after getting the idea for it on holiday; John Carrig, who set up an IT services company, Carrig Solutions, after facing redundancy; and John Shortt, a former amateur racing cyclist, who set up Life-Cycle.

Michael Johnson, of DLRCEB, said: “By telling the stories of those who successfully started a business in their 50s, and by highlighting the various supports on offer, we

want to encourage more people in this age group to consider setting up their own company.”

The conference takes place in the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Blanchardstown from 9am to 5pm on October 5.

The subsidised cost to attend the National 50+ Enterprise Day conference is €25, which includes all conference materials and a light lunch. Bookings can be made online through www.fingalceb.ie/50+.

27 September 2012 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 7

HERITAGE Locals help to keep iconic landmark open

Joyce Tower volunteers are commended I BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN bnibhraonain@gazettegroup.com

A NEW voluntary society, the Friends of Joyce Tower Society, established by locals and dedicated to keeping the James Joyce Museum in Sandycove open all year round, held its first AGM in the Kingston Hotel on September 24.

The Joyce Tower was closed for several months earlier this year following staffing pressures, whilst Failte Ireland held discussions with DunLaoghaire Rathdown County Council, with a view to the council taking over the permanent operation, promotion

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and marketing of the Joyce Tower and Museum in 2013.

With the assistance of local volunteers, the tower was able to remain open from 10am to 6pm, seven days a week until the end of September, with admission free to the public.

According to Tom Fitzgerald, chairperson of the interim management committee of Friends of Joyce Tower: “It is hoped the tower will remain open throughout the year, with a closing time at 4pm during the winter months, though this has yet to be agreed with Failte Ireland.”

Councillor Cormac

Devlin (FF) said: “I welcome this new lifeline for the museum because, without it, this marvellous tourist amenity in the area would be closed.

“These volunteers that have come forward with a positive solution to maintaining this unique tourist attraction should be commended for giving of their time and expertise.

“I would hope that local or national funding could be sought and secured to ensure the survival and upkeep of this museum.”

According to Failte Ireland, more than 100 people have offered to

DINING

Top chef looking for artist I BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN bnibhraonain@gazettegroup.com

Failte Ireland said that more than 100 people have offered to become volunteers to help keep the Joyce Tower in Sandycove open all year round

become volunteers, and 60 have participated in a half-day induction course.

Alex Connolly, of Failte Ireland, told The Gazette: “It was great to get the collaboration with this group of volunteers to keep the tower open during the season.

“It worked really well, and we were happy to provide the required

training, but the volunteers brought all the energy, commitment and motivation to it and the combination worked a treat.”

Of the new initiative, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar, said: “It’s great to see the tower re-

opening.

“This is an important attraction for Dun Laoghaire, and for all of Dublin, and an important landmark for Dubliners.

“I’d like to congratulate the volunteers for their efforts in reaching this break-through.”

CELEBRITY chef Jamie Oliver is calling on local graffiti artists to help with the decoration of his new restaurant in Dundrum.

Jamie’s Italian opened its doors to the public in Dundrum Town Centre on September 21, with the British culinary star making a surprise visit to the restaurant on its opening night to lend his support to the staff.

On September 19, Jamie Tweeted that he was on the look-out for a good local graffiti artist to assist with decorating the new Italian-themed restaurant, Tweeting: ‘I’m looking for a talented Irish graffiti artist for a 7 by 5 metre wall the real deal no pretty boys to be done ASAP in Dundrum Dublin help xx.”

8 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 27 September 2012

SCHOOLS Great excitement at Rathdown School, Glenageary

The school hall was full to capacity for the prize-giving

Principal Anne Dowling examines Olympic boxer Katie Taylor’s gold medal from the 2012 London Games. Pictures: Geraldine Woods

Katie’s champion advice for students TUDENTS at Rathdown School pulled no punches when they welcomed some prestigious guests to the school in Glenageary for prize-giving duties recently, with Olympic gold medallist Katie Taylor proving particularly popular.

Katie was joined by former student

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and fellow Olympian, skier Tamsen McGarry, with principal Anne Dowling welcoming the special guests, friends of the school, board members and parents to the annual prize-giving ceremony.

Tamsen and Katie were much in demand, with Katie drawing a little

As part of her prizegiving duties, Katie congratulated Caroline Lynch, who won the Horne Tennis Cup

more of the attention, thanks to her impressive gold medal, which everybody wanted to see. With processional music courtesy of the Rathdown Orchestral Ensemble, the day was rounded off with a great motivational speech from Katie, who certainly boxed clever with her moving words.

David Crawford, school

Former school student Tamsen McGarry, principal Anne Dowling, Katie Taylor and

Some of Katie’s many

board chairman

Olympic skier Kirsty McGarry

fans at the school

Katie with Rev Gary Dowd, Rector of St Paul’s Parish

27 September 2012 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 9

as girls welcome Olympians for prize-giving presentations

The school hymn was led by the music prefect, Sorcha Ni Lochlainn

John Ryan presented the

Katie meets prefects Rachel Swan, Saranna Kavanagh, Ciara Brown and

Gaisce Awards

Blaithnaid Breslin

All the students were delighted to meet Katie during the presentations in the hall

Katie congratulated Rachel Swan, this year’s winner of The Archdeacon Gordon Linney and Katie

Lachford Cup for Senior Athletics

Katie was particularly impressed by Sorcha Breslin’s sporting achievements, Katie’s proud father, and coach, Peter

as she was named winner of the Minor Tennis Shield, The Glascorr Bat for Junior The school’s orchestra played wonderfully for the guests

Cricket in The PE Cup for Minor Athletics, and the Provincial Level Cricket Award

10 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 27 September 2012

NIGHTLIFE Toasting Oktoberfest 2012 at the Mansion House

Blaithnaid McKenna and James English

Bob Caldwell and Steve McCormack at the Paulaner Oktoberfest. Pictures: Anthony Woods

An early Oktober gets a big welcome TEINS were charged and glasses raised recently when the Paulaner Oktoberfest was launched at the Mansion House in the city centre.

Fans were invited to sample real Oktoberfest culture with Paulaner, one of only six beers permitted to

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exhibit at Munich’s legendary Oktoberfest, before the festival’s celebration of all things German over four days last week.

Oktoberfest fans were able to soak up the traditional Bavarian banter with pretzels and bratwurst aplenty, served by barmaids dressed in tradi-

Robert Aiken and Paula Marron

Fabiana Olivier and Colin O’Brien

tional Bavarian dirndls, with music provided by the Bavarian Strollers, a premier German oompah band, entertaining festival-goers.

Attendees thrilled to the fun-filled evenings of traditional Bavarian culture with German food and stalls adding to the atmosphere.

Simon Barrow and Yann Dupeux and Jean Cedric

Audrey Mills

Mike Sheridan and Alan Metcalfe

27 September 2012 GAZETTE 11

12 GAZETTE 27 September 2012

ANIMAL MAGIC Sea lions and big cats put on a late, late show

Seeing the sea lions is always a delight, as the zoo’s beautiful animals are a joy to watch

A roaring time at Dublin Zoo I HIROMI MOONEY

DUBLIN Zoo is a hugely popular destination for people of all ages, but have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes once the doors close for the night?

The Gazette was recently given the chance to go on a private afterhours tour of Dublin Zoo, and we were privileged to see how the animals are looked after when the zoo is empty of its many visitors.

On arrival, we met one of the three team leaders of Dublin Zoo, Ciaran McMahon. Ciaran has worked in Dublin Zoo since 1994, and has worked in various departments within the zoo.

“My job is so diverse, every day is different,” said Ciaran. In answer to our most obvious question, he said that out of all of the animals he looks after, his favourite are the elephants and the big cats.

So, naturally, our first stop was to visit the Asian lions. There are only 400 of these creatures left in the wild, in Gir National Park in North West India.

They are sadly an endangered species, as they face competition for space with humans, which is also resulting in scarcity of their prey.

These lions are familyoriented animals, and we met two sister lionesses, Sita and Suri. Named after Hindi goddesses, the pair were born in Mulhouse Zoo in eastern France.

There will be a six-yearold male lion, Kumar, joining them soon from Rotterdam Zoo, and the zoo hopes to hear the pad

These meerkat pups are cuddly new stars at the zoo

of tiny cub paws by next year.

The keepers demonstrated how they feed the lions, dangling some horse meat from a tree, explaining that they often change where they leave the lions’ food so that they can continue to use their natural predatory senses.

The keepers said that they sometimes hide the food so that the lions can put their sense of smell to the test, and put a lot of effort into recreating the lions’ natural habitat.

Weight Next, we were taken to see the Californian sea lions. We were greeted with a big “hello” wave from Flo, the three-yearold female.

The keepers explained that mature females weigh around 85kg, while the males can weigh as much as 300kg so as to impress potential mates.

They also explained that the five animals are trained for safety reasons instead of stage performance – although they can do both. They demonstrated with Flo how they can safely check the sea lions for any obvious

injuries or unusual lumps or bumps with some of their commands, and even check their teeth with their “open mouth” command.

They will roll over, lie on their side and can even close the door of their cage behind them, and are rewarded with mackerel as a reward for each thing they were commanded to do.

The Gazette was still buzzing in “zoo mode” when we received news of the two new meerkat pups.

The pups were born in July, but visitors are now only getting their first glimpse of the young additions to the family of four adult meerkats in the zoo.

Commenting on the births, team leader Eddie O’Brien said that they are “delighted with the arrival of the pups.”

“It has been some time since meerkats were born at the zoo so these are a welcome additions,” he said. “Both pups are doing very well. They are still feeding from their mother and recently they have also started eating solids.”

27 September 2012 GAZETTE 13

INNOVATION: SIX IDEAS IN SIX MINUTES

CHARITY: CALL TO KNIT HATS TO HELP FUNDRAISE

Wool you give your time up?

I LAURA WEBB lwebb@gazettegroup.com

CALLING all knitters: Innocent Smoothies need your creative talent to help knit little woolly hats for their smoothies, with money from every bottle going towards supporting older people during the cold winter months.

The Innocent Big Knit 2012 will see 25c from every be-hatted bottle sold going straight to Age Action, to help older people stay well and warm this winter.

Knitters, or those who crochet, across the nation are asked to send their little knitted hats between now and the deadline.

They will then be put onto innocent Smoothie bottles by hand, and sent off to stores.

These special bottles are available to buy in shops across Ireland from next January and, for every such bottle sold, 25c will be donated to Age Action.

Since the initiative started in 2008, knitting groups, schools and lots

of knitting enthuasists from all over Ireland have generously knitted for the Big Knit, raising more than €60,000.

For the initiative, people of all ages are asked to get involved, from novice knitters to champion clickers, and are being asked to spread the word within the local community.

Anyone who doesn’t fancy knitting can donate wool and needles to Age Action to help them reach their target.

The money raised will help fund Age Action’s work, such as their winter warmth public information campaign to enable older people remain well and warm in their own homes.

It will also go towards their home visitation and DIY teams, who assist thousands of older people each year.

You can send your little hats to: The Innocent Big Knit 2012, Fruit Towers, 120/121 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2, or drop them into your local Age Action shop by Friday, November 30.

Inspired talks at the Sugar Club

Hat’s a stunning look: TG4 programme to examine haberdashery in modern Ireland REBECCA Frayne was resplendent in this

strikingly designed hat as she helped to promote an upcoming TG4 programme, Hatai, on – what else – hats, and Irish women’s enduring love for haberdashery in the 21st century. Created in association with Red Shoe Productions and RTE, the programme

will see internationally acclaimed Irish hatmaker Philip Treacy examine the role of hats in our changing society, whether adding a dash of mystery to the wearer, or helping to celebrate their beauty. See Hatai on TG4 at 9.30pm on Sunday, September 30, or repeated on Monday, October 1 at 8pm.

DUBLINTALKS.IE has organised a series of free talks aimed at inspiring local people.

Presentations will be made by and about Irish people with big and interesting ideas they want to share.

Each of the speakers will have just six minutes to tell the audience what their big idea is without the use of PowerPoint, notes or podiums – challenging even for the most experienced public speakers.

The six speakers on the night will be Prof of computer science at UCD, Barry Smyth; award winning immunologist at TCD, Prof Luke O’Neill; Senator John Crown (Ind); Equinome’s Emmeline Hill; Prof of Dept of Medicine at UCC, Fergus Shanahan and Clare Wardle, of Storyful.

The event, which takes place on October 15 in The Sugar Club at 6pm, is part of Innovation Dublin 2012 and is supported

by Dublin City of Science. Admission is free but booking is essential.

For more information, see dublintalks.ie.

14 GAZETTE 27 September 2012

GazetteContacts Block 3A, Mill Bank Business Park, Lucan Tel: 01 6010240 Fax: 01 6010251

SNAPSHOT Stories of the day from the city

Managing Director: Michael McGovern email:mmcgovern@gazettegroup.com Acting News Editor: Rob Heigh email: rheigh@gazettegroup.com Production Editor: Jessica Maile email: jmaile@gazettegroup.com Acting Sports Editor: Stephen Findlater email: sport@gazettegroup.com Picture Editor: Paul Hosford email: picturedesk@gazettegroup.com Ad Manager: Louise Fitzgerald email: lfitzgerald@gazettegroup.com Advertising Production: Anita Ward email: ads@gazettegroup.com Financial Controller: Carly Lynch email: clynch@gazettegroup.com

Advertising Sales: 01 6010240 email: sales@gazettegroup.com

Gazette Group Newspapers Ltd. Terms and Conditions for acceptance of advertisements Reserve the right to omit or suspend or alter any advertisement(s) in any of its publications. We also decline any responsibility in the event of one or more of a series of advertisements being omitted for any reason whatever, nor do we accept liability for any loss or damage caused by an error or inaccuracy in the printing of any advertisement. If your advertisement appears incorrectly, contact the Advertising Department immediately, as responsibility cannot be accepted for more than one week’s incorrect insertion. Responsibility cannot be accepted if the complaint is made more than two weeks after insertion. If one places an advertisement for more than one week and then cancels it after the first week, no refund or credit will be given for weeks cancelled. The advertiser undertakes to indemnify the Proprietors against any liability for any civil action arising out of the publication of the advertisement or any other matter printed or published in the Blanchardstown Gazette, Castleknock Gazette, Clondalkin Gazette, Dundrum Gazette, Dun Laoghaire Gazette, Lucan Gazette, Malahide Gazette and Swords Gazette. The placing of an order or contract will be deemed an acceptance of these conditions.

Philip Stewart, Patrick Burke, CEO of YWI, John Gilmore, president of YWI, Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald and Mary Ann Connors pictured at the Youth Work Ireland Consensus Conference at Farmleigh House last week. Picture: Marc O’Sullivan

Youth on the march HUNDREDS of youngsters, volunteers and youth workers attended the Youth Work Ireland Consensus Conference last Saturday.

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald, was in attendance to meet guests at the event at Farmleigh Estate in the

Phoenix Park.

The Youth Work Ireland Consensus Conference was established to hear from a number of different players in the lives of young Irish people today.

The Minister met with a range of youth and children’s projects, as well as Irish Paralympic

DIARY gold medallist Daragh McDonald and “The Voice of Ireland” Pat Byrne.

The conference heralds a major milestone in the development of a new Youth Policy Frame-

work by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.

Youth Work Ireland works with over 80,000 young people, nearly 1,000 staff and over 7,000 volunteers annually through 450 clubs and projects in all parts of the country with spin off benefits for local communities and economies.

Get on your bike for Console CYCLISTS from all across Dublin are being asked to get on their bike along with a host of celebrities in aid of suicide prevention charity, Console.

The second Console Grand Canal Cycle takes place on Sunday,

October 7, from 10am.

Pat Kenny, Eamonn Coghlan and Derr y C l a r ke a r e a m o n g those taking part in the 20-mile round trip from the Bord Gais Energy Theatre to the 12th Lock at Lucan, and back again.

Console founder and chief executive, Paul Kelly, said: “Console’s central themes are community and communication, and the Console Cycle is the perfect example of this.”

Sponsorship cards are available, and a registration fee of €20 will apply on the day to anyone who chose not to avail of a sponsorship card.

Anyone intending to take part is asked to register at www.console.ie, with more information available by calling 01 610 2638.

27 September 2012 GAZETTE 15

ARTS Play will support Down Syndrome Ireland

Kidnapped trio’s tale set to help charity I NATALIE BURKE

www.

WHEN Dublin actors Carl Finnegan and Noel Mur phy decided to embark on a new adventure, they set out to combine their love for acting, playwrights and comedy to produce Dublin’s newest theatre company, Pack a Punch Theatre.

Founded just four months ago, Pack a Punch Theatre is set to launch its inaugural production this October, when it takes to the stage at the Sean O’Casey Theatre in East Wall, from October 16 to October 20.

The theatre company has chosen, Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me,

a play by Frank McGuinness, as its first production.

The play will be performed in aid of Down Syndrome Ireland, a cause close to the heart of Carl Finnegan, who hails from Dalkey.

He said: “My aunt has Down Syndrome, and we felt we wanted to make our work as personal as possible. We have had a lot of support from family and friends, and the community as well, to help us get going so we wanted to give back to them as well.

“Setting up our own theatre company was something we wanted to do for ourselves; we really wanted to do challenging

theatre.

“Our structure is slightly comedic; we do have a sense of humour, but we also wanted to do drama,” said Carl, who previously ran the Theatre Society at the Institute of Art, Design and Technology in Dun Laoghaire.

The play will feature some of Dublin’s brightest new talent and the production promises challenging drama with comedic moments.

It focuses on the trials and tribulations of an Irishman, an Englishman and an American who are kidnapped and held hostage by unseen Arabs in the Lebanon.

As the three men strive

Carl Finnegan, co-founder of the Pack A Punch theatre company

for survival, they also aim to overcome their personal and cultural differences, whilst at the same time maintaining their sanity.

Carl, who set up the company in May with Swords native, Noel Murphy, added: “I was interested in the idea of extreme cabin fever and how I would feel if I was locked away for a month.

“Aside from that, I love

Frank McGuinness’work.

I like his language and dialogue and I thought it was in keeping with the idea of doing something challenging and interesting.”

Carl hopes the company will continue to grow over the coming months.

“We see the company growing, building a base of people, extending our commitment to our chosen charity and also

working on our next show as well,” he said.

To find out more information about Pack a Punch Theatre and its inaugural production, see their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ PackAPunchTheatre, or contact the Sean O’Casey Theatre by visiting www. seanocaseycommunitycentre.ie or by calling 01 850 9000. Tickets are priced at €12.

FAB FORUM

Inspiring Dublin Talks DublinTalks.ie has organised a series of free talks aimed at inspiring local people.

Presentations will be made by and about Irish people with big and interesting ideas they want to share, with subjects ranging from genetics and cancer research to marine biology and economics.

Each of the speakers will have just six minutes to tell the audience what their big idea is without the use of PowerPoint, notes or podiums.

The six speakers on the night will be Barry Smyth, Luke O’Neill, John Crown, Emmeline Hill, Fergus Shanahan and Clare Wardle.

The event, which takes place on October 15 in The Sugar Club at 6pm, is part of Innovation Dublin 2012.

Admission is free but booking is essential. For more information, see dublintalks.ie.

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16 GAZETTE 27 September 2012

GazetteMUSIC MUSIC FastTunes with Radio Nova’s Dee WORKING in a station that plays rock music 24/7 has its benefits. Most of all, the fact that I live in an alternate rock universe where the bands play their own instruments and lyrics actually means something.

One of the cons is when my ears are assaulted by a Justin Bieber “song” playing in a shop and I hear my mother’s words coming out of my own mouth: “Do people actually call that music?”

Which leads me to wonder if lyrics are going downhill, or am I just spoiled after being immersed in music by Rock and Roll Hall of Famers for too long?

Allow me to carry out the following, extremely non-scientific experiment: Exhibit A: One of the biggest chart hits so far this year is from LMFAO, Sexy and I Know It: “When I’m at the mall, security just can’t fight ‘em off, When I’m at the beach, I’m in a speedo trying to tan my cheeks, This is how I roll, come on ladies it’s time to go.”

Exhibit B: one of Radio Nova’s artists Bob Dylan is the bookies’ second favourite to win this year’s Nobel Prize for literature.

However, it’s believed the singer is unlikely to pick up the accolade with the shortening odds being attributed to fans’ support. If you listen to some of his lyrics, though, it’s not hard to see why Dylan could be called a poet.

His song, Blowin’ in the Wind, includes the words: “Yes, how many years can a mountain exist Before it’s washed to the sea?

Yes, how many years can some people exist Before they’re allowed to be free?

Yes, how many times can a man turn his head, Pretending he just doesn’t see?”

I rest my case. I know there are different horses for different courses, but this filly is sticking with the rock.

Bob Dylan: Possibly better than LMFAO

Troubadors: Last gathering of 2012 Songwriter Club THE FINAL session of The Songwriter Club for 2012 will take place on Saturday, October 6 from 2pm to 5pm at the Teachers Club, located at 36 Parnell Square West. For the final session, guest speakers including Noel Taylor of Rockit Music Management and Claire Egan from IMRO will talk to the group. Pictured is singer and songwriter Laura Conway performing at the last session. For more information, see The Songwriter Club on Facebook.

REVIEW: A COMPLEMENTARY COLLABORATION MADE IN HEAVEN

Saints and Heads in perfect synchronicity I ROB HEIGH

SUPERGROUPS and collaborations between your favourite artists seldom end well, unless there is a certain shared wavelength or equal sense of where the project should potentially go...

For every Queen and David Bowie, there’s a Lou Reed and Metallica (shudders)... So, when it was announced that Talking Heads frontman David Byrne was set to release an album with St Vincent’s frontwoman Annie Clark, there was a certain shiver borne of equal parts trepidation and thrill...

Fortunately, this is a collaboration that is more Under Pressure than Dancing In The Street, and a metric tonne more fun than it has really any right to be.

Bringing the unique perspectives and musical styles that created More Songs About Buildings And Food and Strange Mercy, and adding a 26-piece brass band, Byrne and Clark are clearly bouncing beachball-sized ideas around and making something uniquely fresh and different.

David Byrne and Annie Clark make up the supergroup responsible for Love This Giant

From a series of meetings in New York, the duo collaborated at distance, sending the drum loops and melodies back and forth and moulding at first a set of four tracks, which evolved into eight before emerging as the fully-fledged record that was released last week.

Love The Giant is the fruit of their collaboration, and features 12 songs that feature the quirks and familiar hooks that mark out St Vincent — Clark’s sweet and sharp croon — and David Byrne — his deadpan drawl and shim-

mering acoustic guitar.

Layered and blended with these ingredients are an array of brass instrumentation and drum patterns, creating something simultaneously familiar and unique for this project.

Songs like Who and Optimist are perfect encapsulations of the bounce and fun at play — Byrne and Clark are like two sides of the same coin that spins inside the songs, sometimes in unison, sometimes apart, but always in pursuit of an oddly funky and complementary whole.

There’s an organic feel to the music and lyrics that brings to mind what Talking Heads were driving for on their last record, Naked, where jungles and shopping malls came together in the lyrics and funk roamed the earth.

Some examples of the kinds of bliss that Byrne and Clark are bringing to the travelling version of Love This Giant can be seen on YouTube, especially the footage captured in Minneapolis recently that shows brassy versions of Heads classic Burning Down The House as well

as St Vincent’s Cruel, the great lead track from their 2011 release, Strange Mercy.

I also need to point anyone with any kind of interest in music to David Byrne’s new book, How Music Works - it’s a fascinating look into the mechanics of how music is shaped by its time and place, and he explains accessibly and clearly how the advent of recording technology in the 20th century forever changed our relationship to playing, performing, and listening to music.

27 September 2012 GAZETTE 17

GazetteBEAUTY BEAUTY Brush up on your nails to see problems varnish Edited by Laura Webb

T TENDING a wedding, college ball or debs?

Then don’t forget to beautify your nails and get manicured with colours of the season that will complete that evening look.

Gazette Beauty is all about hands this week, and the one thing that really accentuates them is nails.

A nailcare regime is a must, and Swiss nailcare specialists Mavala say they have the right product for nails, whether it’s a colour or a treatment.

Have nails that just won’t grow? Then try nail product Mavaderma. This is a nutritive protein-enriched massage oil which, when used daily on the nail, activates blood flow to the roots to help stimulate and speed up the growth of nails.

Fragile tips are something we have all experienced, and loathe when we have just painted them. To avoid this, try Mavala Scientifique – a weekly treatment that hardens nails immediately and bonds the

A

three layers together. It helps prevent soft, flaking or split nails.

There is nothing worse than having rough and r a g g e d c u t i cl e s , s o Mavala offer a perfect partnership to stop this problem.

Mavala Cuticle Remover is a weekly treatment applied directly onto the cuticles and, in seconds, dead skin is softened and easily removed.

This is a daily treatment which softens the skin around the nail, so it can be easily rolled back.

Nibbling nails can be a problem for children and adults alike. Treat this problem with Mavala Stop – a safe product with the appearance of clear enamel, but a strong, bitter taste that acts as a strong deterrent to nail biting.

To treat cuticles damaged by biting, use Mavala Cuticle Oil which, when used daily, softens the skin around the nail, enabling it to be rolled back gently.

Once nails are treated, they are ready for finishing touches. In keeping

Swiss nailcare specialists have a wide range of nail care products to restore nails to their best

with Mavala products, nails can be painted with a great range of Mavala mini nail enamels.

When painting nails,

we want beautiful results that last, as well as providing protection from yellowing, Mavala 002 is a clear base coat that

Perfect pins: Carla walks off with a well-deserved top title A DUBLIN beauty has been crowned Miss Karora Perfect Pins 2012, giving her the welldeserved title of Ireland’s best legs.

Carla Jackson was chosen from hundreds of leggy beauties to win the Karora Miss Perfect Pins 2012 at the competition.

The finals, held in Bucks Townhouse, in Dublin 2, saw 14 ladies strut

their stuff with their lovely legs, facing a panel of VIP judges that included international model and leggy beauty, Alison Canavan; celebrity agent, Tara Sinnott, and Courtney O’Hara, of Assets Model Agency.

Campaign Carla, who trained as a ballet dancer, will front the next campaign for Irish tanning

brand Karora, which offer women a stylish, skincaring choice in self-tanning with a range of botanical bronzing products that deliver custom colour with intense skin treatments.

The Skerries native was deemed by the judges to have the perfect poise, legs and personality to walk away with the Miss Perfect Pins title.

Perfect pins:

Carla Jackson

forms a flexible barrier between nails and nail polish, as well as improving the adherence of polish, so every manicure lasts longer.

To top off a pretty nail shade, use Mavala Colourfix, clear top coat reinforced with acryl which dries to a hard flexible glaze, and provides nail colour with extra protective armour against chipping and peeling.

Mavala is nail care with a heritage spanning more than 50 years.

It was created in 1958

by Madelaine Van Landeghem and, with the introduction of Scientifique Nail Hardener, remains a best-selling product for the company.

Mavala products are available from pharma-

Of course, Mavala have lovely varnish shades

cies nationwide. The RRP for products range from €8.04 for Mavaderma (10ml) to €14.35 for a Mavala duo – Hard Ragged Cuticles.

Protect hands from sun’s rays ACCORDING to a new, national Vaseline survey, only 28% of us worry about skin damage to our hands.

The survey was carried out earlier this year using an online survey tool, and sampled 200 women aged between 21 and 49.

Vaseline discovered that only 28% of women worry about sun damage to their hands, with 72% of those surveyed admitting they never consider their hands to be at risk from the sun.

Lauren Brooking, brand manager for Vaseline Ireland, said: “We often forget that it is, in fact, our hands that are the most exposed to the sun’s harmful rays.

Moisturise “Our customers need a hand cream that will moisturise as well as protect and so, our new Vaseline Healthy Hands and UV Protection, with SPF 15, does just that,” she said.

Vaseline Healthy Hands and UV Protection hand cream, with SPF 15 and pure Aloe Vera extract, leaves your hands feeling soft while also providing daily protection from harmful UV rays.

When Irish women were asked which men they most want to get their hands on, it was not surprising that singer/songwriter Bressie (aka Niall Breslin) came out on top, followed by Shame star Michael Fassbender.

Vaseline Healthy Hands and UV Protection cream is available at supermarkets nationwide, with a RRP for 75ml set at €4.39.

For all things Vaseline-related, go to www.facebook.com/ Vaseline.

18 GAZETTE 27 September 2012

GazetteBUSINESS BUSINESS

Supported

by AIB

Interview: Nicola Crilly, Jamie At Home

DO I USE OR SAVE A LUMP SUM? Q – MY MORTGAGE has a balance of €62,000, and we are on a tracker rate of 0.8% over the ECB (total: 1.55%). I will soon have a lump sum of €20,000, which I want to pay off the mortgage. Is it better to make one lump sum, or increase the monthly payment to the equivalent of €20,000 over the next two years? AnneMarie – Baldoyle A - YOU have everything going for you – a small mortgage, coupled with a tracker interest rate AND a lump sum, too!

To answer the specific question, you WOULD be better off paying the lump sum now rather than spreading it over the next two years as, by doing it now, the capital – or what you owe – is immediately reduced and, therefore, attracts less interest, because there is less to repay!

But it does not make sense to pay off now unless you are strapped, income-wise, as you can first of all earn more on deposit interest than you will pay on your mortgage interest.

Your Rainy Day Fund (RDF) also needs to be reviewed – you should have between three and six months’ NET annual income in an RDF for those emergencies, sudden loss of income or that investment opportunity that may come along.

Even if you were to hold off the repayment of the capital until at least interest rates start to rise, as inevitably they must (but maybe not for the next two years), cash is king, and income is your number one asset.

IS INCOME PROTECTION USEFUL? Q – WITH no sick pay entitlements in my employment, I was recommended to take out income protection. Is this a good idea, or are they just trying to sell me a product? Patrick – Greystones A - WHEN you are not paying a fee for financial advice, there certainly has to be an element of vested interest at play – how else can a meeting be meaningful if income is dependent on the outcome?

Notwithstanding this, prudence may dictate that income protection in your case is a necessary route. Should you not be able to work, employers may pay your full salary for the first six months, and then half of it for the next six.

But, after one year, most employers stop the payments. What then? If you have a family to feed, a mortgage or other financial commitments to repay, and day-to-day living costs, you will still need an income. Income protection, or permanent health insurance, covers 75% of your annual salary, less your social welfare entitlement, on a monthly basis until you can resume work. This cover extends to any type of incapacitation, once you CANNOT work.

The good news is that you receive tax relief at your marginal rate on the premiums paid. This is the only type of insurance outside of unassignable life cover within pensions that does allow the relief.

Certainly, compared to Serious or Critical Illness Cover, where 95% of all claims centre on about five main illnesses – plus there is NO tax relief on the premiums – income protection can make sense in the right circumstances.

Contact John with your money questions at

Feeling right at home with Jamie’s business BUSINESS opportunities come in all shapes and sizes and from all different directions, but few put you in the network of international celebrities.

Nicola Crilly, who was a stay-at-home mother of three, became involved last September in Jamie At Home, a party planning business from Jamie Oliver that sells his dining and homeware range.

She said: “After going to a few of these parties as a customer and absolutely loving the products, I decided I would give it a go at becoming a consultant.

“This new business venture has given me a new-found confidence that I never had before.

“I am now looking forward to the months ahead. With the festive season not far away, with this comes plenty of parties, and the chance to meet lots of new people along the way.”

Nicola has found that her role comes with a few perks as well.

“In July this year, I was invited across to Jamie Oliver’s home for Pimms and pizza, along with 45 other consultants from Britain and Ireland.

“It was an unbelievable experience, as I have been such a huge fan for so long. He was so down to earth, and very welcoming to all of us.

“I am also able to combine my work with fundraising for chosen charities, which is an added bonus,” she said.

If you would be interested in finding out more about Jamie At Home, or in becoming a sales consultant, email Nicola at Nicolajah@gmail. com, or phone 086 827 2654.

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

A: A pilot Q: What was your first job?

A: Weekend work in Roches Stores, Blackrock

Q: And your first pay cheque?

A: £40 for weekend work Q: Have you ever done a job you loathed?

A: I worked as a secretary in an

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

A: None Q: What’s currently on your desk that shouldn’t be?

A: Paperwork and crumbs Q: Is there anything about yourself that you would like to set the record straight on?

A: No

TV or movie pleasure?

A: Coldplay, Grey’s Anatomy, and home improvement programmes

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

A: Neither Q: What music/pictures/movies do you have on your iPod/ iPad? A: Photos of family, which are

Q: What sport do you follow?

A: I really enjoyed the Olympics – I have always loved gymnastics and track events

Q: Who do you follow on Twitter/Facebook?

A: Jamie At Home, and Jamie

Q: When did you start your present job?

A: September 2011

Q: What sport can you play?

A: Badminton

Oliver, of course

Q: What is the best thing about your job?

A: The total flexibility around my family, and the bit of “me” time I get

Institute of Bankers, is founder and managing director of Money Doctor

Jamie Oliver’s home for Pimms

www.moneydoctor.ie. John Lowe, Fellow of the

and pizza

architect’s office – I was on my own a lot and hated it; I’m very much a “people-person”, and I like to interact

Q: Have you achieved anything that you once thought you could not pull off?

A: Being invited over to visit

jlowe@moneydoctor.ie or visit his website at

Nicola Crilly with celebrity chef, Jamie Oliver

Q: What habits would you like to lose?

A: Worrying about the mess of my house – the boys are growing up so fast

Q: At the moment, what are you looking forward to?

A: My brother’s wedding next month

Q: What is your guilty music/

very important to me

Q: What was your last Tweet/ status update?

A: Promoting our summer

dinner with – Enda Kenny or Dame Edna?

A: Enda Kenny Q: Where do you enjoy spending money frivolously?

A: I love New York, so it has to be there

Q: How many pairs of shoes do you own?

A: Not that many – well, about 15

Q: What was your worst holiday experience?

A: Thankfully – I have nothing bad to recall

Q: Describe your dream holiday?

A: Australia – it’s the one place I would love to see

sale – www.jamieathome.me/ nicolacrilly

Q: What would be your dream job?

A: Something that requires a

Q: Describe your dream meal?

A: All different types of shell-

bit of travelling

fish, new baby potatoes and fresh salad, all washed down with a glass of Pinot Griogio

Q: Who would you rather have

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

A: I’d love to visit Australia with my husband – hopefully,

27 September 2012 GAZETTE 19

GazetteHOMES HOMES GARDENS: B&Q IRELAND TIPS, PRODUCTS TO CARE FOR YOUR PLANTS UNTIL SPRING

There’s plenty to do this winter AS THE days begin to shorten and a bit of a nip creeps into the air, there’s no escaping the fact that the summer’s over and the garden is starting its long slow slide into autumn and winter.

There’s always a bit of a sad feeling about this time of year for any keen gardener – but children can feel it worse than most; after all, when you’re not so very old yourself, the six-month wait for spring seems like an eternity.

The good news is, the coming of colder weather doesn’t have to spell the end of fun times in the garden – there’s more than enough to do to make time fly by, and B&Q Ireland have some great tips to have an autumn ball among the leaves …

Preparing for winter Towards the middle of autumn, there are plenty of jobs to do to prepare the garden for winter and, again, it’s something that children can help with.

Now’s the time to prune, as necessary; clean the tools and store them until spring and generally have a good tidy up – which means lots of leaves to rake up, prunings to collect and spent plants to add to the compost heap for willing little hands!

Bird tables and hibernation houses Autumn is also a good time to think about wildlife. If you’re planning on feeding the birds through the winter, or giving hedgehogs or toads

a place to hibernate, it’s important to get organised before the worst of the weather, so they can find the facilities you’ve arranged for them and get used to the idea.

Planting bulbs Planting bulbs is one of the traditional autumn jobs and it’s something that the whole family can have lots of fun doing together.

Planning for next year Autumn/winter is a great opportunity to think back over the past year and remember what worked and what didn’t, and then decide what you’d like to do in the months to come.

Are you planning a new

Bird box €8.62

Watering can €7.70

Rake €6.15

Bird table €30.80

garden feature? Will you pick some different varieties of plants, or go with something that’s proven itself successful?

These are the sorts of questions that any avid

young gardener will want to talk about – and, of course, nothing will make a child feel more part of the whole thing than being able to say: “I did that.”

Spring’s daffodils are a long way off, but these simple yet attractive blooms are something that children can help to prepare for now

20 GAZETTE 27 September 2012

GazetteMOTORS MOTORS New Fluence RoadSigns Road Signs – An electric car that has the right look Audi Ireland family day at Imaginosity

PICTURED at the recent Audi Ireland family day at Imaginosity, Dublin Children’s Museum. is celebrity chef and Audi brand ambassador Rachel Allen. On the day, the mum and TV chef was joined by little helpers Georgia Doyle, eight, and Sophie Doyle, six, as well as Audi’s Andrew Doyle at the Audi Family Day in Imaginosity.

CORMAC CURTIS

NEW FORD ECOSPORT TO GO ON SALE SOON: FORD have announced that the much-anticipated, all-new EcoSport, a compact, rugged and fuel efficient sports utility will go on sale in Europe within the next 18 months as Ford expands its line-up in the growing European SUV market.

EcoSport is based on Ford’s global B-segment platform and combines small car practicality with the flexibility, spaciousness, agility and style of a SUV. “Ford EcoSport will deliver great value, quality and fuel economy,” said Nick Collins, B-car vehicle line director, Ford of Europe. “It will also present customers with a fantastic small car choice that will also include the B-MAX compact multi-activity vehicle as well as the new Fiesta.”

EcoSport is the first Ford global

model to be developed entirely in South America.

Introduced in 2003, Ford created the segment in Brazil and has since sold more than 700,000 units in the region.

New EcoSport will meet the increasing demand for small SUVs in Europe, which Ford expects to double over the next five years.

“The new EcoSport has undergone millions of miles of testing, on the most rigorous terrains, in the most demanding climates across the globe,” Collins said.

EcoSport will offer a comprehensive package of driver assistance technologies including antilock brake system, Electronic Stability Program, and Hill Launch Assist.

The all-new Ford EcoSport will go on sale across Europe within the next 18 months, while Ford’s SUV range is soon to be supplemented by an all-new Kuga.

EVER since I had a power point installed at the front of my house to charge electric vehicles, doorstep conversations inevitably end up being about plug-in cars.

This is not surprising, as the whole world of electric vehicles (EVs) is one that is largely unexplored by the vast majority of the general public.

One universally appealing aspect of batterypowered cars is the cost of fuelling.

Even with the increase in domestic electricity charges that is set to descend upon us later this year, a full top-up will still only cost €3 to €4.

Putting the low-cost appeal to one side, and even the sticker price and the monthly lease of the battery (I’ll get to that later), the big question that people have is, are electric vehicles desirable as cars? And the answer is a definite, yes.

Kind of.

I say “kind of” because there are a few ways of looking at this. Firstly, there are a number of different types of electric vehicles available to the public, so, like any petrol or diesel car, you must consider which will suit your needs best.

A few months back I reviewed the Renault

SPECS: RENAULT FLUENCE ZE 0 – 100km/hr: 13.4 sec Engine: Elec 2.4 Maximum Power 70hp DIN (kw ISO) Maximum Torque – 226 Nm ISO (mkg DIN) Price: €26,610 (model driven)

Kangoo ZE – and I loved it. It costs peanuts to run, it has bags of space for people and stuff, the driving cockpit is roomy in the extreme and you have an amazing view of the road.

But it’s a van… and not everyone likes driving vans as much as I do.

So, as an alternative, Renault also offers the rather pleasant Fluence ZE with an electric motor.

And what an attractive alternative this is.

Modern

The Fluence ZE boasts a modern exterior with a comfortable and stylish interior; the only giveaway that it’s electric is the ZE logo on the back – unless of course you’re driving a press car, in which case it has all sorts of graphics emblazoned along the side to let everyone know you’re sitting on a bank of batteries!

To be honest, I liked the fact that people knew I was driving an elec-

tric car – it meant they approached me to discuss it, and it gave me an opportunity to find out what people thought.

And I was surprised with the reaction.

Now, either the recession is receding (?) or I only met fairly well-todo folks while testing the Fluence.

You would think that the over-riding attraction of an electric car is the low cost of fuel – but it would appear that the look of the motor is even more critical.

I realise this is just anecdotal evidence, but every person I spoke with was amazed that a regular, full-sized saloon could be powered by an electric motor and offer all the looks and luxury of its petrol or diesel stable-mates.

Without exception – those I spoke to were more likely to buy an electric car if it looked the part, a concern that trumped even the car’s driving range on a fully charged battery.

Apparently, the perception of EVs is that they are all either small commercial vehicles or golf buggies.

So, it turns out in this particular straw poll, image came in ahead of low running costs.

When I raised the issue of carry space, which is a

little limited In the Fluence ZE because of the room in the boot taken up by the batteries, those I spoke to would be happy enough with the trade off, as they saw it as a city-driving, family car, not something to go holidaying in.

Fair enough, says I, because with a range of roughly 120kms on a full charge, a driving holiday in the Fluence ZE would need to be very carefully planned.

Funnily enough, the subject of performance hardly even came up.

As it happens, this was one of the big surprises with the Fluence.

Power

Once you get used to the silent running of the engine, it becomes very clear that this car has plenty under the hood, or wherever the power plant is kept!

I would liken the driving performance to a modern saloon with a 1.6-litre diesel engine.

It has plenty of torque at the ready, and it cruises at a very comfortable 120km/h on the motorway.

It is hard to say, however, if the cabin noise is any louder than a petrol or diesel model. Because there is no sound from the engine whatsoever, you can find yourself

The Renault Fluence ZE

noticing the cabin noise that little bit more.

Speaking of noise, I would say that it is important for electric cars to come with a second, quieter horn.

I was genuinely surprised how often I found myself slowly driving behind people walking on the road or in car parks, etc, because they couldn’t hear me coming. Something to gently alert them to my presence would have been nice.

So, in short, the idea of a handsome, modern saloon charging up each night in the driveway seemed a very attractive proposition to a great deal of people. Compromised boot space and limited range are traded off with good looks and comfort.

The last hurdle for people to get their heads around is the lease on the car’s battery – this really

27 September 2012 GAZETTE 21

Edited by Cormac Curtis

RoadSigns Road Signs Cathal Ryan, fleet sales manager, Toyota Ireland and Jonathan Moore, marketing manager, Motability Ireland. Picture: Tommy McDermott

Toyota Ireland supplies Motability Ireland with new Verso-S vehicle TOYOTA Ireland has supplied Motability Ireland with a new Verso-S demonstration vehicle as part of its ongoing commitment to the mobility market.

The vehicle will be equipped with swivel seat, wheelchair boot hoist, state-of-the-art hand controls, steering aids and left foot accelerator.

It will be available for demonstration through Motability Ireland and the Toyota dealer network.

Commenting on the collaboration, Cathal Ryan, fleet sales manager, Toyota Ireland, said: “We are delighted to have this opportunity to work with Motability Ireland. Like Toyota, Motability Ireland manufacture vehicles with a renowned reputation for quality and reliability backed up by industry leading customer service.

They are at the forefront of the mobility industry. At Toyota, we realise the importance of the mobility market to our brand’s success in Ireland, and we intend to build upon this relationship in the future” Jonathan Moore, marketing manager, Motability Ireland said: “We look forward to working with Toyota. Their products represent the very best in design and reliability and this reflects Motability Ireland`s core values. The Verso-S is a fantastic new vehicle, with a higher seating position, good accessibility and fully automatic transmission. I’m confident it will be successful in the mobility market.”

boasts a modern exterior, plenty of torque and has a range of approximately 120kms on a full charge

is where people will suck air between their teeth in the showroom.

In order to keep these cars future-proof, Renault, along with most other car companies, have opted for a lease arrangement with the battery so the owner can

get a more improved unit as they become available, hopefully providing the cars with better range as the battery technology develops.

The idea is a good one, but at roughly €80 per month, it will be a bitter enough pill for many to

swallow.

Personally, I’m a huge fan of electric motoring.

For the very same reasons, I heard back from members of the general public, and I overlook the downsides in just the same way.

If I’m completely

honest, the fact that the Government gets only a fraction of the money they would if I were driving a regular car, makes the Fluence even more attractive.

I also get a kick out of the idea that the car’s range may improve with

age as the batteries get better.

The Fluence ZE is available from €26,610, considering how little the running costs are, I reckon this is a good deal.

This car impressed me, and if the range was better, I’d be all over it.

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22 GAZETTE 27 September 2012

GazetteTTRAVEL FastTravel Old-world charms in the city of the Tribes Set sail for a great car-cation with Stena Line and the National Trust PEOPLE looking for an action-packed autumn car-cation should look no further than Stena Line, as Ireland’s leading ferry company has teamed up with Britain’s National Trust to offer families and groups 20% off accommodation and activities at the Stackpole Outdoor Learning Centre, Pembrokeshire, during September and October.

Travel from Rosslare to Fishguard and enjoy the action at the centre, which is based at the heart of the 2000-acre National Trust Stackpole Estate.

Visitors have the opportunity to kayak, explore more than 30km of woodland paths and lakes, or to take part in Atlantic surf scrambling and coasteering.

Travel from €89 single for a car and driver, with additional adults from €30 (single) and children from €17 (single), as well as 20% off accommodation and activities at the Stackpole Outdoor Centre.

For further information or to make a booking, see www.stenaline.ie or call 01 204 7777.

Brush up on your art skills with a three-day painting retreat by the lovely waters of Lough Corrib FOR any budding artist looking for an opportunity to relax at an exclusive and luxurious painting retreat, Lisloughrey Lodge is offering a three-day retreat filled with art, exploration, dining and meeting new people.

Overlooking beautiful Lough Corrib, Lisloughrey Lodge is a four-star boutique hotel located on the Mayo/Galway border, and is the perfect suggestion for artists looking to develop their practice.

On Tuesday, October 9, guests will check in for a three-night stay at one of the lodge’s deluxe courtyard rooms, before enjoying a welcome lunch in the Quay Bar and an introduction to locally-based artist, teacher and gallery owner, John Dinan, who will offer tuition each day.

The first ever luxury artists’ retreat takes place from October 9 to October 12. Costing €495, the package includes three nights B&B, a welcome lunch, a final group dinner and three days’ tuition.

Early booking is advisable. For further information, contact Lisloughrey Lodge at 094 954 5400.

NATALIE BURKE

IT CAN be hard to tick all the boxes when it comes to taking a weekend away in Ireland. One thing is for sure; the weather can be unpredictable, wherever you go.

But, when it comes to the other boxes – fourstar accommodation full of old-fashioned Irish charm, a city full of culture on the doorstep, being just minutes away from beaches, shops and lively bars, and facing just a short drive to some of the scenery this country is most famously praised for, it seems that Galway City exceeds expectations.

Having only had the pleasure of being to Galway City once before – on an occasion not done in too much style – it came as no surprise that, when the opportunity arose, I jumped at the chance to stay at the renowned Hotel Meyrick.

The oldest hotel in Galway city, it lived up the expectation I had set for its combination of oldworld glamour, sophistication and contemporary style.

Once known as “the Railway Hotel”, the Hotel Meyrick is one hotel that has its history intertwined with that of the city it resides in. Located quite literally in the very heart of Galway City, the

hotel stands elegantly overlooking Eyre Square, just a stone’s throw away from the city’s highlights and public transport systems – Galway Railway Station is located right on Eyre Square.

First opened in 1852, the Hotel Meyrick earned its current name only a few years ago, when it was named after Eyre Square’s former title, Meyrick Place.

Arriving by car at Hotel Meyrick, its central location makes it a busy des-

the scene.

We checked into a junior suite; a fifth-floor room overlooking the 400-year-old square, its windows offering possibly the best view of Galway city.

The king-size bed, spacious bathroom and modern flatscreen TV take nothing away from the old-world charm of the luxurious suite.

In the warmer months, you might miss the full blast of air-conditioning (the fact that the building

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‘The hotel’s exterior is impressive in itself, the building taking precedence on its corner of Eyre Square but, if that doesn’t take you aback, the Meyrick’s impressive lobby will’ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

tination, traffic-wise but, if you’re lucky enough to find a spot to pull in first time round, the hotel’s friendly valets quickly take it off your hands.

The hotel’s exterior is impressive in itself, the five-floored building taking precedence on its corner of Eyre Square but, if that doesn’t take you aback, the Meyrick’s impressive lobby will.

Grand, spacious and inviting, the lobby boasts high ceilings, a number of old fashioned couches and warm lighting to set

is listed means there are restrictions – an element that is intriguing in itself) but, even after throwing the wide windows open to let fresh air through, the sounds of the Galway streets remind you of the bustling liveliness of a modern city that rarely sleeps.

The menus at the Oyster Grill Restaurant reflect its fortunate proximity to the west coast, the variety complemented by Beara Island mussels, Atlantic crab claws and seasonal oysters.

The popular restaurant offers an a-la-carte option, a table d’hote menu, as well as Sunday lunch, with its doors open to both guests and locals seven days a week.

After choosing the chicken liver and herb pate, followed by a sirloin steak with Guinness and mushroom jus – which comes highly recommended – we chose to finish our evening with a nightcap at the laidback Oyster Bar. Breakfast is served in the same restaurant and is a generous spread of fresh fruit, cereals and mini-pastries, as well as a buffet-style option for a full Irish breakfast.

Following breakfast, I couldn’t help but be tempted by the rumours I heard about the Square Spa and Health Club, located on the fifth floor of the Meyrick.

Good rumours, of course, that encouraged me to bypass the state-ofthe-art gym and indulge instead in a morning of relaxation.

What the spa lacks in size, it makes up for in privacy and quality.

The spa overlooks the cityscape of Galway and, while I had to avoid climbing into the romantic Canadian hot tub overlooking the city (which was already occupied by two people enjoying a

As you would expect from

glass of bubbly), I opted instead for a signature Dermalogica facial.

Outside the little world created by the Meyrick lies cobbled streets, colourful shops and a busy café bar culture spreading right across the city.

Already located at the heart of where it all happens, why not take a stroll on the beach at Salthill, stop off for a well-earned pint of Guinness at one of the city’s many old Irish pubs, or take a drive to see the unspoilt beauty of the famous Connemara coast?

The Relax & Unwind package offers two nights’ bed and full Irish breakfast, with one evening dinner at the Oyster Grill Restaurant, and a choice of a relaxing Indian Head Massage or a Mini Facial from €184 per room.

For further packages and information, see www.hotelmeyrick.ie.

27 September 2012 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 23

Edited by Natalie Burke

TravelBriefs Let Wings Abroad fly you away to the sun at a Turkish holiday resort IF THE lack of sun this summer has left you feeling down, perhaps an autumn sunshine break could be just what you need?

Get away from the Irish weather this October with Wings Abroad, the Turkish holiday specialists, from just €369 per person.

The four-star Golden Day Wings Hotel in Kusadasi, a firm favourite with Irish holiday makers, are offering a seven-night stay from just €369, and a 14-night stay from just €429.

Enjoy friendly service, reliable weather and the exhilarating views of the Kusadasi coastline from your balcony at the four-star hotel, set in a unique location within easy walking distance of the marina and Kusadasi town centre.

Prices are based on two persons sharing a twin room on a B&B basis, and are for selected dates in October.

For further information or to make a booking, see www.wingsabroad.ie, or call 01 871 9444. Prices are subject to availability, and terms and conditions apply.

such an impressive exterior, the Meyrick also has impressive bedrooms and facilities, making it a perfect, welcoming base for visitors

First opened in 1852, the Hotel Meyrick has a perfect location on Eyre Square, with a range of suites offering the best of old-world charms, while its spa and health club offers contemporary pampering for guests to really spoil themselves

24 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 27 September 2012

GazetteENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT

GoingOUT THE PAVILION THEATRE 01 231 2929 The 39 Steps

THE dangerous world of spying in the 1930s is brought to life in a great performance of the classic comic play, still best-known to many audiences for the Alfred Hitchcock film of the same name. In 1935, Richard Hannay is thrown into the mysterious world of spying, in a bid to keep his country safe – but nothing is what it seems, as his life is turned upside down by danger – and comedy! With many lighthearted touches, this is a show that’s sure to entertain.

Step lively to catch the show at 8pm on Friday, September 28 or Saturday, September 29, with tickets priced at €15.

MILL THEATRE 01 296 9340 Karl Spain and Bernard O’Shea

ALTERNATIVELY this weekend, in a break from espionage antics, why not spy on two of Ireland’s funniest men? TV funnyman Karl Spain has abandoned his well-known search for a woman to return to his stand-up roots. Bernard O’Shea is a freewheeling comic, familiar to many as the roving reporter on The Republic of Telly, not to mention his prestigious representation of Ireland in the Montreal Just For Laughs festival. Already individually impressive, the two comics have an evening not to be missed this weekend.

Catch the show at 8.15pm on Friday, September 28 or Saturday, September 29, with tickets priced at €12/€14.

As an autonomous and totalitarian lawmaker, Judge Dredd (Karl Urban) doesn’t need to do much more than grunt “I am derrr lawww!” at

CIVIC THEATRE 01 462 7477

bad guys – and then shoot them – in the latest film that attempts to bring the iconic comic character to life

Misery

THE popular tale of a fan’s obsessive love, Misery is set to chill with an upcoming production at the Civic Theatre. Joe Meagher and Denise Camp will thrill audiences with their roles, ready to show how novelist Paul Sheldon’s rescuer from a car crash, Annie Wilkes is anything but his saviour.

Recuperating in her house, cut off from the world, and facing her increasingly erratic attention, Sheldon faces devising the greatest plot of his life – how to escape ...

Misery will be staged nightly at 8pm from Tuesday, October 9 to Saturday, October 13, with tickets priced at €16/€20.

DRAIOCHT 01 885 2622 The Music Makers

THIS fascinating celebration of the interaction between instruments and musicians will delight any music fan.

Live music by outstanding traditional musicians will be accompanied by film showing the workings of instrument makers’ workshops, presenting an insightful evening of delightful music. Catch the performance at 8.15pm on Friday, September 28, with tickets priced at €14/€16.

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Not totally Dredd-ful It’s hard to do very much with a character that just likes being sour and shooting things, but this film’s on target ...

I KATE CROWLEY

DARLINGS! I’m back!

Well, “back”, as in “back doing a couple of fill-in reviews for a temporary week or two, as I slunk off Gazette Group from The Gazett ago”-back. some time ago”-b So, it’s my great gre pleasall of my ure to say hi to a old fans – yes, yes, I missed you both, too – and an to say rest of you hi to all the res to and, more importantly, impor give you a review of a film for your consideration. consider While in the Whil we’re ’ mood of being all happy and welcoming, and news editors not paying very careful attention to temporary film reviewers’ expenses claims, may I say that it’s been simply dreadful for me, wondering how on earth readers would cope without my on-the-nose reviews?

But nothing, perhaps, as Dredd-ful as this week’s review, Dredd 3D. (See what I did there?)

Taking the long-run-

FILM OF THE WEEK: Dredd 3D #### (18) 96 mins Director: Pete Travis Starring: Karl Urban, Olivia Thirlby, Lena Headey, Jason Cope, Domhnall Gleeson, thousands of thugs, Mega City One

OUR VERDICT: WITH some decent names behind the camera, from scripting to cinematography, the director hasn’t made a Travis-ty of bringing Dredd back to the big screen. True, the ultimate law enforcer still doesn’t need to do much more than scowl underneath a big helmet – and then shoot stuff – but, as far as big, dumb action B-movies go, this decent enough film lays down the law in some style.

ning comic book character (Judge Dredd) and his setting, we’ve got a noisy action film that tries to do him justice.

(All right, all right – whoever started shouting from the back about Sly Stallone’s misguided version ages ago can sit down again.)

As a set-up, in the near future, most of the world is a nuclear wasteland, with the remains of humanity packed into vast, teeming and totalitarian megacities – with none more sardine-packed than Mega City One (formerly known as separate places called New York, Chica-

go, Washington, etc).

Unfortunately, even by chaotic Mega City One standards, life’s more hellish than usual, thanks to the effects of a drug, Slo-Mo, on the people and gangs. Oh, you know, crime and drugs aren’t ever going to lead to a happy story, right?

With Slow-Mo causing warfare across the city, it’s time to send in The Law – with none more lawful than Judge Dredd, not just one of the city’s tough-nut cops but, also, a one-man judge, jury and executioner. Literally.

Given Dredd’s habit of dispensing instant capital

punishment for virtually every misdemeanour (TV licence inspectors may take note), he’s the right man to send into one part of the city to tackle the Slo-Mo problem there.

Dredd (a grunt-tastic Karl Urban playing Dredd appropriately, as half-scowl, half-helmet) and his rookie sidekick, slightly-psychic Judge Anderson (Olivia Thirlby) find themselves in a typical, 1km-tall tower block, home to thousands of residents ...

Except that, wouldn’t you know it, it’s not just a base for Slo-Mo, it’s THE base for Slo-Mo. Of all the tower blocks in all Mega City One, Dredd walks into that one. (I’d ask that man to start buying your Lotto tickets, if I were you.)

Crimelord Ma-Ma (Lena Headey) immediately orders a block lockdown, with a bounty on Dredd and Andersons’ heads, leaving two judges

to face off against lots and lots of trigger-happy minions …

To say any more would put me back in “…and then the Titanic hit an iceberg” territory.

Suffice it to say that, yes, it’s got all of the gunfire and gunplay that you’d expect from such a film, but it’s elevated – slightly – from the usual standards of such films by the interesting crew behind the camera, leading to some arresting sights, and some admittedly stylish cinematography.

Given the subject matter, it’s certainly a Dreddful film, but, thankfully, not quite a dreadful one. There are certainly worse films to spend your money one. Hmmm. That indirectly reminds me of a joke about an old cinema nemesis of mine.

“What’s the only thing worse than a new Clive Owen film? Two new Clive Owen films!” That’s all, folks!

27 September 2012 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 25

GazetteGAMING GAMING Bytesandpieces Second Life dev looks at Patterns REMEMBER Second Life? Anyone? Surely you all remember the seemingly endless hype from about seven years ago about Linden Labs’ vast, online world where anyone could be anything, and where banks and high-street retailers would build “clicksand-morter” virtual outlets for people to do all their online shopping at?

(I remember Second Life very well – as being the world’s biggest ghost town; a virtual, sprawling version of I Am Legend, but with extra Nike stores and a few brave, if dejected, souls wandering around.)

Now, Linden Labs have released information and a trailer for Patterns; its next world title, which follows the current vogue for user-created worldbuilding and reshaping titles. (Think: “Minecraft with triangles”, and you’re pretty much there.) Let’s hope that Linden Labs gets a second wind for its next potentially major venture ...

Saying Halo to a special preview Taking place in a cel-shaded version of some of Tokyo’s most iconic districts, Jet Set Radio doesn’t have quite the visual “wow” factor today that it did upon its release on the Dreamcast in 2000, but, thankfully, its fun gameplay is just as capable of drawing you in

Can easily draw you in I SHANE DILLON

I’M SO old, I can remember when Sega was primarily known for its consoles, rather than being “just” a developer.

This being so, many an aging gamer will join me in wiping away tears of nostalgia over Sega’s missed Dreamcast console – the cube-shaped bundle of joy that passed away before its time, given its underwhelming support by developers and publishers.

One of the DC’s most notable and lauded titles was Jet Set Radio; a fun and funky cel-shaded title that (local councillors and Tidy Towns groups

may wish to look away now) saw players racing around a busy cityscape, tagging areas with their graffiti to mark their turf over rival gangs’, while avoiding the police who’d eventually show up.

Having travelled the world and seen such things everywhere, I’ve seen how there’s an enormous difference between graffiti (the blight of a thousand estates around Dublin, and the world) and street art (mocking society, making political jokes, and so on) – but, here, it’s pretty much just graffiti played for laughs, as an attempt to inject some fun and colour back into an increasingly dull

cityscape.

As another in the cool trend of digital remakes, Jet Set Radio HD sees the old title picked up, dusted off, and available for digital download for both XBox 360 and PlayStation 3 (prices var y) , giving modern gamers the chance to play a stylish gaming classic.

Players choose from a number of characters, with many more available throughout the game, to skate around a number of colourful

Tokyo districts, with each character having their own strengths and weaknesses.

In each open area, the player has to tag their mark over rival gangs’, collecting spray cans and avoiding the interests of the police, while trying to add to their score by grinding and performing tricks on the many conveniently-placed railings, steps, bars and other such grind-friendly surfaces.

A n d t h a t ’s pretty much it – there’s noth-

ing about avenging family wrongs, saving the world or murky cover-ups, here – just fun gameplay, racing around, spraying tags, completing challenges and collecting characters.

Of course, I hate seeing graffiti in real life – meaningless scrawls are ugly to see, in any city of the world – but, here, there’s a lot of fun in adding some slapdash colour to Tokyo, with the slightly anarchic gameplay just as engaging as ever.

Here’s hoping that the remake of Dreamcast classics continues (Skies of Arcadia next, please).

Beat, Jet Set Radio’s iconic lead character

Minister Shatter wings it with a tongue-in-cheek response to Apple’s map mistake THE Minister for Justice, Alan Shatter, revealed an amusing way with words last week as he, too, joined in the fuss over Apple’s new Maps app, bundled as part of the latest update to its gadgets’ operating system, IOS 6.

This saw Apple ditch its previous use of Google Maps for its own version instead, which is a

fair enough move ...

Unfortunately, however, the internet immediately saw a flood of complaints from irate people, from individuals to companies, all complaining about Apple’s version of Maps, versus Google’s.

Missing cities, incomplete entries, incorrectly branded places – the list of user complaints

goes on. Having looked through this new Maps a bit, myself, I can see why.

Frankly, I wouldn’t be surprised to see “Here Be Dragons” and pictures of mermaids on some of the particularly blank areas that I looked at, such is its relative paucity of content compared to the more detailed Google version.

As for Minister Shatter,

while he’s unlikely to be starring at the Laughter Lounge any time soon, he had a tongue-in-cheek response to the revalation that Airfield House, in Dundrum, has now been branded as, well, an air field (complete with airport symbol), courtesy of Apple.

He said: “In the context of Airfield there are a variety of possible alter-

native images that could be utilised, such as a cow, a goat, a sheep, a flower or indeed any other type of plant, as Airfield operates a nursery.

“An aircraft is an entirely inappropriate flight of imagination.”

While he was probably winging it a bit with his comments, there’s no doubt that it’s an interesting stumble by Apple.

LASTLY, look out for a special report on Halo 4 in the near future, as I’m off to Madrid (yes, that Madrid) to take a closer, hands-on preview look at what’s sure to be a smash-hit crowdpleaser later this year. So, stay tuned for that upcoming Halo 4 report – and, possibly, a special giveaway, too ...

GAZETTE

26 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 27 September 2012

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27 September 2012 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 27

GazetteSPORT

LIFFEY DESCENT: Czech team in town for annual canoe marathon: Page 28

COMMUNITY GAMES: DUBLIN COMMITTEE SEEKS NEW MEMBERS FOR 2013 SEASON

McManus hails role of Community Games volunteers sport@gazettegroup.com

ALL good things must come to an end, and that is what will happen to Dublin Community Games in 2013 as a number of long-standing members retire at this year’s annual general meeting.

Some of the existing committee are stepping down after many years of dedicated involvement with the role of secretary and games director opening up.

As such, Dublin Community Games are seeking new volunteers to join the county committee to help run the extensive programme of competitions.

Speaking about the 2012 Games programme, Brian MacManus, chairperson, said: “2012 has been a successful, yet challenging year for us, as we struggled to stage our full programme of events.

“It is always sad to see volunteers, colleagues

and, more importantly friends retire, but none of us is around forever, and we need new volunteers now more than ever before.

“With the retirement of many of our longstanding volunteers, we will not be able to stage the full, new 2013 programme without the help of new volunteers.”

Catering for young people aged six to 16 years-old in a pro gramme with a strong emphasis firmly placed

Marley Grange participants enjoy the 2012 Community Games relays at Santry Stadium

on fun, participation and creating community spirit, Dublin Community Games provides over 55 sporting and cultural activities.

T hese range from athletics to art, choir to chess, soccer to swimming, judo to gymnastics, and volleyball to variety,

with debating, duathlon, hybrid rugby and spike ball all being added to the programme next year.

All these activities are run in local communities around Dublin, and provide opportunities for young people to develop in a healthy and safe environment while expe-

riencing a wide range of activities.

There is also a youth programme on offer where you can help at local and county events, mentor teams, develop new skills while encouraging youth participation in the community.

The annual meeting

takes place on Tuesday, October 2 at 7.30pm in Carmichael House, Dublin 7. All are welcome.

For more information on how to get involved, contact Dublin Secretary, Maureen Quinlan on 01 872 8203 or check out www.dublincommunitygames.ie

28 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 27 September 2012

GazetteSport Sport FastSport

Ireland Warriors win Euro Cup in fine style THE IRELAND Warriors Aussie Rules team won their second Euro Cup in Edinburgh last weekend with a stunning come-frombehind one-point win over Denmark Vikings in Edinburgh last Saturday.

It was described as the “best game of Aussie Rules I’ve seen played in Europe” by tournament organiser AFL Europe general manager Ben MacCormack as the Irish side, featuring a number of players from the South Dublin Swans, came from 11 points behind in the final minute.

They blast home two quick goals just seconds from the final siren and win 5.0 (30) to 4.5 (29) with Ireland’s Muiris Bartley kicking the vital goal.

The competition saw 16 teams compete at Peffermill over a series of 24-minute games played in a nine-a-side format.

Speaking about the ever-growing size of the competition, McCormack added: “It just shows just how much the game is developing in Europe across both genders.”

A bagpipe player, dressed in a kilt, provided background noise during the exhibition women’s match, in which the Irish Banshees – which features players from Lucan and Malahide – crushed the European Crusaders 13.14 (92) to 8.8 (56).

Aimee-Louise Hazley took a break from her club Gaelic football season with St Sylvester’s – who are into the Leinster intermediate championship quarter-final – to take part in the contest.

Not much separated the teams at the last change before the Irish experience got them across the line in the last term.

CANOEING: 800 TO TAKE IN ANNUAL LIFFEY DESCENT MARATHON

World bronze medallist Antonin Hales has been added to the field for the annual Liffey Descent as the event gains world recognition

Descent hits heights PETER CARROLL sport@gazettegroup.com

IN ITS first year since its inclusion in the World River Marathon Series, the Liffey Descent is back on Sunday September 29, with over 800 canoeists ready to attack the white water rapids of the renowned river Liffey route.

The usual crew making up the Irish contingent will be ready to fly the flag – Thomastown Paddlers of Kilkenny, Wild Water Kayak Club of Chapelizod, Salmon Leap Canoe Club of Leixlip and Celbridge Paddlers – but this year they will be joined by the Czech National team who have been attracted to the event after it received its world marathon recognition The Czechs, who are due to compete in the

C1 class, will be afforded the opportunity of gaining ranking points if they are successful around the course, as will those taking part in the K1 class, something that Irish competitor Keith McGuirk believes can only bring more international interest to the tournament.

“It’s huge to have the Czech team coming over,” said the C1 athlete. “I think a lot of other teams might take an interest in the marathon because of its new classification.

“If the Czech team have a good experience, they’ll be spreading the word about the event and hopefully that will lead to more and more international teams coming over in the future.

“The fact that Antonin Hales is competing is very big as far as the marathon is concerned. He’s a huge name in world

white water rafting and he was part of the team that won bronze at the world championships,” said McGuirk.

The Liffey Descent is one of the biggest events of its kind in the world and is not for the faint-hearted. The 28km course combines long flat water sections, swift currents, 10 weirs and numerous rapids, a heavily wooded section and a long portage around Leixlip dam.

Competitors need to be of level three kayak standard and the reasons for such a big turnout, from the casual athletes to the championship level, is the fact that the ESB guarantee the white water element of the event.

The ESB will release 30 tonnes of water from the Poulaphouca Reservoir to coincide with the race.

This brings the river up to flood level and transforms small rapids and gentle weirs into foaming white water, which gives the marathon its unique drawing point, making it one of the most unique and challenging courses of its kind, according to McGuirk.

“The fact that the race is guaranteed white water because of the role of the ESB it makes it a very interesting course for a lot of reasons.

“It’s a long course at 18 miles, and the fact that the competitors are working

against white water while still trying to conserve energy to endure the full length of the marathon makes it a fantastic challenge and a great test for all levels of competitor,” said McGuirk The event began back in 1959 as an inter club event for the national scene, but has gone on to grow every year. McGuirk believes that Olympic competitors like Eoin Rheinisch and Hannah Craig have injected a lot of interest in the event on the back of their showings at the Olympic Games.

27 September 2012 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 29

DublinGazetteNewspapers 2012 DUBLIN SPORTS AWARDS - SEPTEMBER NOMINEES

FastSport

# STARof the MONTH

ERIC LOWNDES

CATHERINE WALSH

DAVID BYRNE

AT THE fourth attempt, the St Peregrine’s man finally tastes All-Ireland minor final success and could help Dublin to a famous double

SWORDS woman Catherine Walsh claimed medals on both the track and the road to mark an epic Paralmypic Games

NAOMH Olaf’s full-back was the beating heart of the Dublin minor All-Ireland success, leading the side with some superb showings

# TEAMof the MONTH

ST SYLVESTER’S

CASTLE GOLF CLUB

NAOMH OLAF

JUST two years since attaining inter status for the first time, Syl’s hurlers powered their way to the senior ranks in jig-time

CASTLE GC ended a long 99-year wait but finally won back amateur golf’s biggest team prize, the Irish Senior Cup

FIELDING 17 players who discovered ladies football through the Gaelic for Mothers programme, they rose to win a JFC title

Camogie make-a-wish: National association links up with charity MAKE-A-WISH Ireland are set to partner with the Camogie Association for the next three years. The Camogie Association will help promote, support and fundraise for the charity which is celebrating 20 years in Ireland this year.

The partnership was announced at the AllIreland camogie championship final last week in Croke Park. Susan O’Dwyer, Make-A-Wish Ireland said: “We look forward to working with the association and developing exciting fundraising events and activities which will help us to continue to grant wishes for children living with life-threatening medical conditions.”

For more information log onto www. makeawish.ie and www.camogie.ie.

South Dublin clubs in running for awards LOCAL hockey clubs came away with a series of nominations on the shortlist for the Irish Hockey Association annual awards last Thursday following an extensive public vote that saw over 5,000 people offer their views.

Beaufort club Loreto are up for two major gongs as they were included in the lists for Club of the Year and Youth Club of the Year following a sterling 2011/12 season.

In the former category, Loreto earned their stripes by reaching the final of the Irish Hockey League while also making it through to the finals weekend of the Irish Senior Cup, the two top competitions for women’s hockey in Ireland.

On top of that, they picked up a number of Leinster league titles with their junior teams while they started to build their first clubhouse, too. They are up against south Dublin rivals Railway Union and Blackrock side Avoca.

The latter club is another to have set in motion plans to improve their facilities in Newpark with a new Portakabin built and in operation for the new season.

Their men’s first team returned to division one for the first time in seven seasons as their development plan came into full effect.

Elsewhere, Monkstown’s David Cole is up for the U-18 player of the year having made his debut for the Irish senior national team during his Leaving Certificate year, lining out in green against world number five side Spain earlier in 2012. He also captained his school side St Andrew’s to the Leinster senior cup.

There were plenty of nominations for Alexandra College following their run to the AllIreland girl’s Kate Russell Cup glory. They are up for the hockey school of the year while their coach Miles Warren is in the final four for the U-18 coach of the year having also been at the helm for the Irish U-16 boys as they finished fifth in the European championships in the summer.

Loreto and Rathdown head coach Graham Shaw is one of four in the running for the coach of the year title while Olympic umpire Carol Metchette is one of the favourites for the top whistle-blower gong.

30

DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 27 September 2012

GazetteSport Sport FastSport

GOLF: LOCAL CLUB CELEBRATE FIRST CUP WIN IN 99 YEARS

Avoca suffer two close run league defeats AVOCA were handed a heart-breaking lesson about life in Leinster hockey’s division one as they were undone by Fingal who scored three times in the closing eight minutes at ALSAA to take a 3-2 result.

The newly promoted Blackrock club looked well set for their first three points in division one in over seven years. Their robust defence and sharp, incisive counters served them well as they took advantage of one of the few chances of the first half.

Former Monkstown man Oisin O’Halloran beat a man before firing in a reverse-stick effort. Fingal did have the ball in the net in the first half when they drilled in a long corner which Paddy Gahan deflected in but it was deemed not to have travelled 5m before the ball in took place.

Avoca built on their lead 10 minutes into the second period when an overhead down the line made its way to Alasdair Addison who found Martin Naughton and he finished off with a shortened-grip shot for 2-0.

From there, Fingal threw everything forward but looked to be going down blind alleys until very late on as Stefan Gallagher made a wealth of saves, most eye-catchingly with his face-guard from a David Bane rocket. Another Bane smash found its way to Chris Neville to touch in his first goal since returning to the club, ricocheting in off a defender.

Three minutes from time, a series of corners was blocked but one was deemed to have hit Rob Pearson on the body – despite strong Avoca protests that it hit a stick – and from the follow-up corner David Bane’s reverse ballooned up and Eamon Bane batted in a very high volley just below his shoulder-height. And in the denouement, Andrew Shekleton nicked the ball and won a corner from which David Bane stuck home what had looked a fanciful winner just five minutes before.

It came a day after Avoca had fallen 1-0 to Three Rock Rovers in another closely fought match.

Avoca had been buoyed by the arrival of Alasdair Addison, Torin Bester and Stewart Webb from Australia ahead of schedule but Ali Haughton nabbed the only goal of the game in the second half to claim the result.

The Castle GC, led by Harry Gleeson, saw off the challenge of Warrenpoint in Kinsale last weekend to claim the Irish Senior Cup

Castle the Senior kings sport@gazettegroup.com

CASTLE Golf Club captured the Chartis Europe sponsored Senior Cup at Kinsale Golf Club last weekend and, in doing so, ended a 99-year run of failing to win the most coveted team prize in Irish golf.

With the mantra of “give it everything you’ve got”, Harry Gleeson’s team left it to the last match where 21-year-old landscape architect graduate Daniel Holland saw off the challenge of Warrenpoint’s Ryan Gribben to seal the victory.

Holland, who has won

the nine matches he has played in the Senior Cup this year, maintained his 100% record in beating Gribben, and was ready for the challenge of being the one to see out the victory.

“These matches are always tight. I had a feeling it was going to come down to me, I really did.

“I knew it was going to be either four or five.

There’s no way that matches are won straight out one, two, three in senior cup finals, it never happens. I knew I had to be ready for it”.

With two-time All-Ireland senior football win-

ner Conor Deegan on the team, Holland explained the influence of the county Down legend at the team meeting before the final.

“He said to us before going out, just give it everything guys. We’re now at the final, don’t hold back, give it everything you have, don’t hold back.”

Deegan, who beat David Barron to put Castle’s first point on the board, holds the lowest handicap of any golfer in Ireland (plus 5) and was beaming afterwards.

“To say ecstatic is not even close. I’ve been very lucky to have been in All-

Ireland finals playing football but it’s very different.

You have a very tight-knit club here and we’ve had tremendous support all week.”

The preparations put in by the Castle included a session with the GUI ‘mind coach’ Karl Morris and Deegan revealed what the team got from that.

“We talk more, we understand the game a wee bit better. We’re talking about process, keeping in the game, staying in your bubble, all those good things” Team Captain Harry Gleeson, who also cap-

tained the Castle’s 2003 Jimmy Bruen Shield team that won the shield in Lisburn, was visibly shaking after the win and paid tribute to Holland.

“He’s definitely the hardest worker on our squad; he puts the hours in, the other lads slag him because he puts so much work in.

“We’ve always played him number five, he seems to thrive under pressure.

He knows he’s going to be called on when the posse start watching him. He has always delivered.

“We’ve had nine matches and he’s the only person to play in all nine.”

Cabo young guns flying in DDSL sport@gazettegroup.com

THE Cabinteely U-10D1s find themselves top of their league group, after a fantastic string of results sees them unbeaten so far in their DDSL campaign, with a 2-2 draw against local rivals Park Celtic being the latest result.

In the team’s second year together, manager Declan Allen highlighted how the boys have found a competitive streak: “It’s quite funny actually,” he stated.

“They’re barely off the pitch now before they start asking ‘Are we still on top?’They’ve realised they

can pass the ball around and it’s great to see them develop as footballers.

“The game really doesn’t get competitive for the lads until next year when they go U-9, but they have such a huge interest and they’re so enthusiastic as a team, you’ve got to keep them informed on their progress,” said Allen.

The bunch of fledgling stars started their league campaign with a 3-0 win over Mountview Boys,in Hartstown Park.

It was the opposite of the result a year before when Declan Allen and Keith Mahon took their team

out to the Dublin 15 side, but this time around, a brace from Cabo’s answer to Gary Lineker, Glenn Browne, and one from Jake Keogh led them to a solid win Allen believes the clean sheet was a big revelation for the season after the team found it hard to defend at U-9, but the addition of Eoin Manning has helped the backline.

A 6-1 win in their second outing saw Cabo bag another three points away at Shankill with Alex Menton opening and closing the scoring on the day. Keogh got one of his own with a fantastic

strike from the halfway line.

Once again, Glen Browne was prolific, scoring a hat-trick which was aided by some fantastic assists from the influential midfield maestro Jamie O’Connor.

The big derby game last Sunday was played in great spirit, and it was Park who grabbed the opener before James Allen put his side back on terms from the spot.

Menton put Cabinteely back in front in the second half, and Tadgh Mulvey showed some heroics to keep his side just ahead until late in the game.

27 September 2012 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 31

HURLING: LOCAL DUO MARCH ON IN SENIOR HURLING

CLUB NOTICEBOARD CUALA CONGRATULATIONS to our latest All-

league on Saturday. They lie two

Ireland champions Conor Mulally and

points behind Crokes at the top of

Martin Cahalane, part of the Dublin

the table but could go top with a win

minor football team who bridged a

over O’Toole’s at Shankill next Satur-

gap of 28 years by landing Sunday’s

day morning at 10.30am.

There were good wins for our juve-

championship decider.

Kilmacud Crokes’ Barry O’Rorke evades St Brigid’s Sean Brady, above, while Rory O’Carroll, below, takes a tumble

Cuala and Crokes through to semis I sport@gazettegroup.com

BOTH Cuala and Kilmacud Crokes have booked their place in the semi-finals of the Dublin senior hurling championships, after seeing off great opposition in the last eight of the tournament in games that were played last weekend.

Cuala overcame a tough battle with Craobh Chiarain by four points, 2-13 to 1-12, with David Treacy and Mark Schutte boasting the damaging scores in the game that was played in O’Toole Park on Saturday.

Both goals came in the first stanza of the fixture with Treacy rippling the back of the net on 13 minutes before Schutte added one of his own just over 10 minutes after, with a searing effort on the 24 minute mark.

Ger Ennis did well to take two scores back for Chiarain’s and formerAllStar Alan McCrabbe converted a free with a well

placed drive to keep the game competitive going into the second half, with the scores at 2-8 to 0-9 at the interval.

Despite David Keane netting for the Donnycarney men midway through the second period and a further two points that bridged the gap, Cuala were too strong for them and now march on to a semi-final showdown with Crumlin.

On Sunday, a cold morning made up the backdrop for Kilmacud Crokes’ quarter-final with St Brigid’s, again in O’Toole Park, with the Stillorgan side coming out with the bit between their teeth to take a big lead into the second half, 2-6 to 0-3, with the goals coming from Sean McGrath and Ryan O’Dwyer.

O’Dwyer’s goal came in the opening 10 minutes of the contest after Conor Clinton found him in space after a fantastic bit of individual play, with

McGrath’s following on the 20-minute mark after Dillon Mulligan showed some fantastic control.

Aodhan McEnerney and John O’Loughlin were the driving force behind the Brigid’s fightback in the second half, with free taker Paddy McAvinue proving accurate from placed balls throughout the second half, banging three over in the opening five minutes.

Blanchardstown hopes really seemed on the rise after O’Loughlin plucked the ball out of the sky from a puck-out before finding Ciaran Kellet who netted.

Reinvigorated by the goal, Brigid’s pressed the Kilmacud backline in furious fashion, with the defenders putting in a huge effort to stay on top of the Russell Park party’s attacks. Alan Nolan was tested during this spell, but was equal to Sean McGrath’s attempted second.

When McEnerney netted late on it seemed like Brigid’s had a chance of pulling out an unprecedented result, but points from McGrath and Ross O’Carroll shored up the semi-final tie with Sarsfields for the Glenalbyn side.

Well done to all the team, and to the

nile hurlers at the weekend with the

victorious Donegal side who put up a

U-14Bs all but securing the division

final performance to match every-

five title with a 6-12 to 4-4 win over

thing they had done in this season’s

Na Fianna; the U-14As securing a

championship. Wor thy winners

semi-final spot for the division two

indeed.

league race; the U-16s scoring an

Good luck to the five lads from the

18-point win over St Vincent’s in divi-

club who will try to complete a fabu-

sion One and the U-13Bs hitting 5-8 in

lous double in next Sunday’s minor

beating St Brigid’s.

hurling decider. It would be great

The U-14 girls’ footballers won their

to see Cian O’Callaghan lifting the

league semi-final over St Maur’s on

trophy at Croke Park around 2.30pm

Saturday, setting up a final decider

next Sunday.

for the division two title next month.

Well done to the senior hurlers who

Thanks to all those who played a

held on for a four-point victory over

part in making Friday’s annual Cuala

Craobh Ciarán in the senior hurl-

lunch its usual rip-roaring success.

ing championship quarter-final at

Bookings for 2013 are open now.

O’Toole Park on Sunday. Crumlin

Keep up to date with everything

are up next for the lads in the semi-

that’s happening at the club through

final.

our website (www.cualagaa.ie) on

The junior hurlers kept the momentum going with a 15-point win in the

Twitter (@CualaCLG) or on Facebook (/CualaCLG)

FOXROCK CABINTEELY MANY of the ladies juvenile semi-finals

The first round of the Leinster senior

took place this weekend. The minors

club championship has been confirmed

and the U-16s are through to the divi-

for October 13.

sion two finals while the U-14As are through to their fifth consecutive division one final.

It will be a home match for Fox-Cab. Venue to be confirmed.

The annual club dinner dance takes

Next weekend sees the remaining

place in the Stillorgan Park Hotel on

semis with both the U-12As and U-13As

Friday, November 16. Tickets are sell-

bidding for a final spot.

ing fast so get your order in early

NAOMH OLAF CONGRATULATIONS to the Dublin minor

who was voted the Tesco player of the

team and Dublin minor captain David

match.

Byrne on a great win over Meath in the All-Ireland on Sunday.

Following on from this, our U-14 and U-15 ladies have reached their respec-

David as usual had a great game and

tive finals in the division three and

is becoming a master at the crucial

divison two championships. Well done

intercept.

to the U-15 camogie team who have

Congratulations to the Naomh Olaf

reached the championship semi-final.

Ladies who had a decisive win over

They next face Good Counsel who they

Ballyboughal last Wednesday in the

have already drawn with in the league

Tesco junior F championship. Thank you

earlier in the season. There was no win-

Naomh Olaf supporters for the great

ner of the lotto. Numbers drawn were

turned out. Final score of 5 – 12 to 2 – 6.

6, 18 and 23. The grand prize is now

Congratulations to Niamh Lakes

€1,700.

STARS OF ERIN THE Under-8s had a good win at

lyboden Wanderers.

home on Saturday; the Under-12s

The nursery is on every Saturday

and Under-10s played well but lost

morning in Glencullen from 10-11am

on the day.

for boys and girls aged four to

The ladies team had a great game last Wednesday but lost by two points.

The ladies team are playing on Saturday in the Paddy Walsh memorial cup at 3pm in Glencullen against Bal-

seven.

The lotto jackpot was not won; winners of €20 were Eilish Keane, Joan Ronayne and Evelyn Davis.

Next week’s jackpot is €800. All support welcome

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

HURLING HEROES: Local clubs keep SHC final dreams alive with big wins P30

SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

LIFFEY DESCENT: Famous race earns world recognition P28

GazetteSPORT

Kilmacud Crokes’ Shane Cunningham and David Campbell and Cuala’s Conor Mulally, right celebrate in Croke Park last Sunday

Local minor stars end All-Ireland wait Kilmacud Crokes, Cuala and Naomh Olaf’s players all contribute to monumental performance from Dublin dunlaoghairesport@gazettegroup.com

KILMACUD Crokes’ Ross McGowan, Shane Cunningham, Conor Ferris and David Campbell as well as Conor Mulally and Martin Cahalane of Cuala became All-Ireland champions on Sunday when they lifted the Tom Markham Cup, Dublin’s first minor football championship win since 1984.

In a dramatic showdown at Croke Park on Sunday, the minors faced their fiercest intercounty rivals, Meath, who they had already beaten in the final of the Leinster championship, by a whopping 12-point deficit.

However, the All-Ireland final proved to be a tighter affair, with a penalty giving Meath an edge before Dublin tagged on more points to break the spirit of the Royals, who couldn’t match the Boys in Blue in the scoring charts, eventually winning the final 0-14 to 1-5.

David Campbell, who took a tally of 1-6 from the championship, made an appearance from the bench to score Dublin’s final point while

his fellow clubman Ross McGowan played very well in the backline along with the influential Naomh Olaf’s man David Byrne who has proven himself as a natural leader as well as a standout player during the Dub’s minor campaign.

Crucial Shane Cunningham has also been a crucial member of Dessie Farrell’s All-Ireland winning side, and he was as vocal as ever in his midfield role, breaking down the ball efficiently and distributing well to the forwards through the encounter.

Conor Mulally stapled down a place for himself in the half-back line of the minor side very early on in the championship journey and his relentless performances have been praised by many analysts throughout the campaign.

On Sunday, the Cuala man was up and down the field like a piston and he contributed fantastically well in both in attack and defence, to bolster his side’s efforts for championship silverware.

Byrne, meanwhile, has been touted by many as the key man behind the minor footballers’ success and the Naomh Olaf man’s finger-tip save in the semi final against Kerry will long be cited as one of the campaign’s most memorable moments.

Interviewed after the game, the young captain took time to praise his team mates for their efforts in the campaign that has brought them to All-Ireland glory: “It’s been fantastic, it’s absolutely unreal, we’ve worked so hard for this,” said the Dublin minor captain.

“Serious dedication has gone into this AllIreland campaign and the whole team have been amazing.

“We’re lucky that we’ve come out the end of it with a result and I’m just so happy. I’m over the moon.”

The young Dublin side have been referred to along with the U-21s as a part of the “conveyor belt” system that the county board have established, with many believing a lot of the players could make it at senior level.