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Samantha Barks’ role as Nancy in Oliver! will leave you wanting more

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Month XX, 2012 Dun laoghaire • Blackrock • Cornelscourt • Deansgrange • Dalkey • Glasthule • Monkstown • Glenageary

INSIDE: Fishermen, coastal groups protest against proposed Dublin Bay exploratory drilling plan Page 3

crime: Cllr Gerry Horkan (FF) supports Garda warning on card ‘skimming’ P5

Schools united: UN initiative is informative fun Soccer:

Joey’s pair line out for Republic of Ireland U-16 Page 30

LAOISE McCauley, Finn McRedmond and Louise Mulrennin were all smiles at the opening ceremony of the Model United Nations (MUN) at Rathdown School, Glenageary recently. Students from 10 schools convened for the two-day MUN, which, as an academic model of its real-life counterpart, saw participants representing countries in a range of issues, and learning about the UN’s work.

See Gallery on Pages 6-7

Hurling:

Kilmacud man inducted into hall of fame Page 31

ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES.......................6 DUBLIN LIFE....................11 OUT&ABOUT...................17 CLASSIFIEDS.................26 SPORT............................27

Council set to tender for Volvo Ocean Race Dun Laoghaire may be host to hugely popular and lucrative event

 Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

DUN Laoghaire Rathdown County Council last week passed a motion to enter into consultation with Failte Ireland to tender for the Volvo Ocean Race, to

be held in Dun Laoghaire Harbour.

The Volvo Ocean Race has been held in Galway for the past number of years, and attracted 900,000 spectators last year, yielding €100 million in revenue for

the county.

The hugely popular international event may now be a prospect for Dun Laoghaire, as bidding to host the event is open for 2014.

Gerr y Dunne, chief executive, Dun Laoghaire

Harbour Company, said: “It’s a very prestigious race, and hugely exciting. There would be a huge amount of work for all concerned, but it would be fantastic for the area.”

Full Story on Page 4

2 DUN laoghaire Gazette 29 November 2012

dublin GAZETTe newspapers i n f o r m at i o n

nursing home 45 jobs, 27 beds to be lost

Block 3A, Mill Bank Business Park, Lucan Tel: 01 - 6010240 Dublin Gazette Newspapers publish eight weekly quality free titles, covering the greater Dublin area from Swords to Dun Laoghaire

c o n ta c t s Managing Director: Michael McGovern mmcgovern@gazettegroup.com Acting News Editor: Rob Heigh rheigh@gazettegroup.com Production Editor: Jessica Maile jmaile@gazettegroup.com Picture Editor: Paul Hosford picturedesk@gazettegroup.com Acting Sports Editor: Stephen Findlater sport@gazettegroup.com Advertising Production: Anita Ward ads@gazettegroup.com Financial Controller: Carly Lynch clynch@gazettegroup.com Advertising Sales: 01 - 6010240 sales@gazettegroup.com

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Councillor John Bailey (FG): “It’s a very, very disappointing and big loss to the area”

Rickard House to close in March over €4.5m losses  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain bnibhraonain@gazettegroup.com

R E L IGIOU S o r d e r, the Daughters of Charity, have announced that they are to close Rickard House Nursing Home in Blackrock next March, with the loss of 45 jobs and 27 residential places, due to a €4.5 million loss over the past five years.

H o w e v e r, u n i o n s SIPTU and INMO are meeting to negotiate with the employers this week with a view to keeping the facility open.

A spokesperson for the Daughters of Charity said the closure of Rickard House was “a most

 Bairbre Ni Bhraonain bnibhraonain@gazettegroup.com

difficult decision, taken after much consideration and deliberation”.

T he spokesperson added: “The losses accrued over five years are €4.5 million. They are ongoing, and simply not sustainable. All staff, families, unions and partners were informed of the decision last week, and the closure will take effect from March 31.”

SIPTU and the INMO have condemned the announcement.

In a statement, SIPTU organiser David Field said: “The Order notified union members of the proposed job losses at a general meeting on Monday [November 19].

“The need for investment to keep Rickard House up to standard, and other costs, were cited as the reason for the closure.

“This announcement came out of the blue – that they were going to close completely. There was no indication given to us that they were suffering; no seeking of pay

cuts, or that they needed to refurnish the place to get it up to HIQA standards. We’re trying to do anything we can now to keep it open,” said Field.

“We will meet with the employers to get all the information. The facts and figures must be produced first to verify their reasons for closing. Staff were not expecting this at all.

“There are 27 residents [in the facility] and, maybe, if it does close and they’re moved, some of the staff can move with them, to the Navan Road, or wherever.

“That redeployment idea is down the road

though, as we have to determine what the facts of the case are first,” he said.

The nursing home, which has 27 beds, was established to provide long-term care, convalescence and respite care to the Daughters of Charity, the Vincentian priests, the parents of the sisters, and other family members approved by the Provincial of the Daughters of Charity.

Local Fine Gael councillor John Bailey said: “It’s kind of sudden. It provided a great facility for many years, and it’s a very, very disappointing and big loss to the area.”

Choir’s fundraising hits all the right notes  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain bnibhraonain@gazettegroup.com

A NUMBER of charity concerts are being performed by the Dun Laoghaire School of Music Choir, in aid of Focus Ireland, Barnardos, and the DSPCA.

Last Wednesday, November 28, students, teachers and friends of the school sang at Senior Citizens Day in the Royal Marine Hotel.

The choir will next sing along with solo performers, students and teachers on Saturday, December 1, for a recital in the

gallery of the Pavilion Theatre, from 1pm to 2pm, with the performance set to benefit Focus Ireland.

The choir will then transfer to Dun Laoghaire Shopping Centrem where they will sing Christmas carols in aid of the DSPCA

and Barnardos, from 2.30pm until 4.30pm.

Finally, the music school will take part in a Christmas gala concert at the Pavilion Theatre on Sunday, December 9, with more than 80 children and mature students taking part.

29 November 2012 DUN laoghaire Gazette 3

dublin bay Resistance to exploration is growing

Anti-drilling protesters stage demos  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain bnibhraonain@gazettegroup.com

TWO separate demonstrations were held in Dublin last week by both fishermens and residents groups protesting against the proposed drilling off Dalkey Island.

In the wake of the granting of an exploratory drilling licence by Minister of State, Department of Environment, Community and Local Government Jan O’Sullivan to Providence Resources for an exploratory well in

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Dublin Bay, the fishermen protested outside Leister House, claiming that any such drilling would decimate the seafood industry and destroy their livelihoods.

Three days later, members of action groups, Protect Our Coast and Dublin Bay Concern, gathered to protest against the proposed drilling in Dublin Bay at The Forty Foot.

The protesters said the prospect of job creation following any oil discovery was not likely: “This is a myth. Providence

Resources is under no obligation to create Irish jobs under the licensing terms.”

Peter Ryan, a spokesperson for the Dun Laoghaire Fishermen’s Association (DLFA), said: “I’ve been fishing all my life on the east coast, and we [are protesting] against Providence Resources and their shoddy treatment of ordinary, hard-working fishermen. In their initial application, the oil company said they consulted with Dun Laoghairebased fishermen.”

disability Invite to exercise outdoors  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain bnibhraonain@gazettegroup.com

Fishermen and supporters protesting outside Leinster House last week

In response to the fishermen’s concerns, a Providence Resources spokesperson told The Gazette: “We have met with a representative group of fishermen and will shortly be appointing a local fisheries liaison officer as part of the statutory consultation process.

“Liaison with local fisherman will be a key

element of the pre-survey activity. At this stage, the surveying activity has yet to be scheduled.”

In response to this, Ryan reacted by saying: “We actually met them briefly once in the Royal Marine Hotel, and they said that they’d have further discussions about what they’re going to do.

“The next thing we

realised was that the Government was giving permission for the exploration rig to proceed with exploratory drilling in Dalkey.”

A radio programme on the plight of the Dublin Bay fishermen, Dublin Bay Watch, will be aired on Wednesday, December 5 from 11am to 1pm on Dublin City FM radio.

DUN Laoghaire Rathdown Sports Initiative have organised its second Xcessible DLR Inclusive Outdoors Initiative for people with disabilities, this weekend.

The initiative is being held to celebrate people with disability in the county, and is part of a national initiative, celebrating International Disability Day on December 3.

Xcessible DLR Inclusive Outdoors Initiative takes place on Saturday, December 1, from 11am on the East Pier.

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council disability officer Phena O’Connor is calling on everyone to brave the weather and come along.

4 DUN laoghaire Gazette 29 November 2012

community Village Christmas Festival set to delight

Fun for all at Glasthule and Sandycove events  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain bnibhraonain@gazettegroup.com

THE Glasthule and Sandycove Village Christmas Festival begins this Saturday, December 1.

Celebrations begin

with a parade through the towns, headed up by vocal group, The Brook Singers, which ends at the Cowshed car park for the official lighting of the village illuminations.

The parade leaves The

Butler’s Pantry at 4.30pm, and arrives in the car park at 5pm.

This year’s festival is supporting Barnardos, with special events lined up in the village’s shops throughout the month.

December 8 sees the arrival of Santa to the home and garden store, Formality, at The Cowshed, from 2pm.

Then, on Saturday, December 15, there will be the annual Christmas

Treasure Hunt, and the first clue can be found in The Butler’s Pantry.

The festival will culminate in an evening of Christmas carols sung by the parish choirs on December 22.

IT a prize: Web firm competes WEB Team International, a Dun Laoghaire IT services company, had the glory of representing the county at this year’s National Enterprise Awards in the Mansion House recently, where the firm was one of eight finalists chosen to exemplify local business endeavours.

Pictured with Web Team International’s founder, Mary Cronin, are Vincent Reynolds, County and City Enterprise Boards, and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton.

motion: hopes for Volvo ocean event to be held in harbour

Council propose to begin negotiations for race  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain bnibhraonain@gazettegroup.com

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council last week passed a motion to enter into consultation with Failte Ireland to tender for the Volvo Ocean Race to be held in Dun Laoghaire Harbour.

The Volvo Ocean Race has been held in Galway for the last number of years and attracted 900,000 last year, yielding €100m in revenue for the county. The hugely popular international event may now be a prospect for Dun Laoghaire as bidding to host the event is open for 2014.

Councillor John Bailey (FG) proposed the motion to begin negotiations between the county manager, Owen Keegan and Failte Ireland, which organise the event in Ireland.

Cllr Bailey said: “It’s simple, we’re in a unique position in Dun Laoghaire by having the water and being on the east coast.

“I believe that Dun Laoghaire would be very capable of holding the Volvo Race. Costs are in the region of €8m to tender for it. €5m comes through the government and Failte Ireland so we need to raise €3m to initiate the process. Last

year we held four international major races here in the harbour.

“DLRCC Harbour Board, the Chamber of Commerce and others have the capability to tender for the Volvo Race in 2014. This would put Dun Laoghaire back on the map.”

Gerry Dunne, CEO of Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company, said: “It’s a very prestigious race and hugely exciting. There would be a huge amount of work for all concerned, but it would be fantastic for the area. In theory we could hold the event in Dun Laoghaire, it’s just a matter of funding.

It would be a big prize

for Dun Laoghaire and the Harbour Company would certainly play its part in it.”

Potential

Councillor Barry Ward (FG) also supported the motion, saying he saw it as a potential money making opportunity for the area. He mentioned the recent successful staging in Dun Laoghaire of the International Sailing Federation conference as proof that future sailing events could easily be accommodated.

“I want to commend the manager on the sailing events held this year.

They were very beneficial to the town; the ISAF

conference in particular. All the hotels were booked out. We have a tremendous amenity here and a tremendous opportunity.”

Councillor Hugh Lewis (PBP), however, had some reservations about the motion: “I want to see the coast being used as much as possible, but there is one thing to remember: the granting of an oil rig in our bay just 6km out.”

Owen Keegan said: “It is very difficult to get funding from Failte Ireland for anything east of the Shannon. Nevertheless, I will approach them with enthusiasm about the tender.”

29 November 2012 DUN laoghaire Gazette 5

policing: train stations targeted

FastNews

Local band celebrate a The Tramyard hopes to number-one iTunes hit be back on track soon LOCAL Dun Laoghaire man Gavin Hennessy and his band, The Juice, are celebrating reaching number one in the iTunes Irish rock charts with their first single, Ella Fontaine.

The band was a regional finalist in the Hot Press/2FM Arthur’s Day contest, and has since enjoyed airplay on the Dave Fanning Show and First Play with Shona Ryan.

The Juice will soon be releasing their new single, and an album is expected for February.

Warning over card ‘skimming’  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain bnibhraonain@gazettegroup.com

DUN Laoghaire Train Station, and Booterstown Dart Station, have been targeted by a gang “skimming” bank cards to pay for rail tickets at payment machines, it was announced this week.

As a result, gardai and the Irish Payment Services Oganisation (IPSO) have issued a warning to commuters who use bank cards to pay for tickets to be extra careful over the Christmas period.

Gardai said several skimming devices were found, and were now being examined by the technical bureau.

An IPSO representative said: “There have been at least three known cases in the last week, including an

incident at Booterstown Dart Station, and one at Dun Laoghaire train station.

“IPSO has been working with the machine operators and the card issuers to ensure that any accounts attached to payment cards that may have been compromised in this way are monitored for potential fraud spend.

“This kind of activity will most likely escalate in the run-up to Christmas, where a larger number of people than usual are travelling to towns and cities,” he said.

Criminals use a small device that they insert into ATM machines and, when a user inserts his card, the magnetic strip on the card is copied. The strip can then be replicated and used in any ATM

or card machine.

To catch pin numbers, the perpetrators also attach a tiny camera to the top of the machine, which will record numbers entered.

Councillor Gerry Horkan (FF) said: “People should be very careful when using any kind of payment machine. If using the Dart, Luas or any ordinary ATM, they should ensure to hide their PIN number and report anything suspicious to the gardai.”

Cardholders who believe they may have been compromised should check their accounts on a regular basis.

In a statement, gardai urged people to be extra vigilant when using their bank cards with any machines.

Coca-Cola donates €10k  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

AS PART of Coca-Cola’s Thank You fund The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, based in Blackrock, has been awarded €10,000.

This year, Coca-Cola gave away funds to 11 national non-profit organisations, and the overall winner of the top grant of €25,000 was the Irish Olympic Handball Association.

The winning groups and projects were announced at an awards ceremony in Dublin, attended by the Minister of State

for Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring.

Michelle Kelly, of the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, said: “The society was delighted to receive the award of €10,000 from the Coca Cola Thank You fund to develop its Active Body, Active Brain programme.

“The award will be used to fund the delivery of specialised training in cognitive stimulation therapy (CST), and to support the newly-trained facilitators as they establish their own CST groups for people with mild-to-moderate dementia living in the community.”

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Councillor Gerry Horkan (FF) said people should be extra vigilant at machines

DESPITE being shut down by fire officers last week due to safety concerns, many of the businesses in The Tramyard, Dalkey, are still operating, and although the cafe remains closed, the organiser of the Dalkey Studio, Denise French, still hopes the exhibition will be back on track in the next week or so, and certainly before Christmas.

Thanks to the leaders’ hard work, the karate and boxing clubs are still operating normally.

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6 Dun laoghaire Gazette 29 November 2012

gazetteGALLERIES

Eoin Quinsey

Principal Anne Dowling

Oisin Grant, Daniel McAuley, Owen Clarke, Robin Stratford, Stephen Finn and Ross Collie. Pictures: Geraldine Woods

The students learned a lot about international Caroline Stillman

relations at the event

Experience: LEARNING INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Rathdown School stages Model UN

R

ATHDOWN School For Girls in Glenageary recently welcomed 10 schools to the official opening ceremony of this year’s Model United Nations.

The model is an academic simulation of the United

Nations that aims to educate participants about current events, topics in international relations, diplomacy and the United Nations agenda.

Students from St Andrews College, St Gerard’s School,

Wesley College, Blackrock College, Mount Anville Secondary School, Terenure College, Our Lady’s School Terenure, CBS Monkstown and Rathdown attended the highly-informative two-day event.

29 November 2012 dun laoghaire Gazette 7

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Joe Fitzgerald, Pat Devlin, Mick Meagan, Macker O’Connor and George Davis. Pictures: Geraldine Woods Laoise McCauley, Finn McRedmond and Louise Mulrennin

anniversary: DAlkey UNITED marks 60 years of kicking around

D

ALKEY United AFC has published a book to mark the club’s 60th anniversary. The book Dalkey United – The First 60 Years was written by Frank Mullen, who is the honorary life president and founder member of the club, and who has been the driving force behind all the major developments over the years.

The book was recently launched by chief executive of the FAI John Delaney at Benito’s Restaurant in Dalkey.

The students were very attentive

Willie and Jean Kane with Hugo McCann

Jennifer Bron, Sara Quill and Rachel Henry

Conor Brady

Ger Farrell and Betty Lacy

Brian O’Sullivan

John Delaney, Frank Mullen and SFAI general secretary Martin O’Hanlon The students enjoyed experiencing the Model United Nations

8 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 29 November 2012

GOT A STORY? HEALTH Clarity on abortion is sought TELL US ABOUT YOUR LOCAL EVENT, CELEBRATION OR FUNCTION

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

ENTERPRISENEWS Deputy Mary Mitchell O’Connor (FG) joined local politicians in calling for clarity on abortion legislation, following the recent death of Savita Halappanavar (inset) in Galway

Do you need a friend to help you start or grow your Business?

THE word Mentor, originally Greek, means “trusted advisor, friend and confidant”.

Everyone running a small business encounters issues – specific or general – where another view would help, especially if this is coming from someone experienced who is able to take a detached view.

For this reason, the Enterprise Board has a panel of Mentors who are appointed to small businesses for a series of meetings on a one-to-one basis, to help the entrepreneur through whatever issues are of concern.

The Mentor assigned to the company has a clear objective – to help the owner manager grow and develop skills to enable them to overcome barriers which are impeding the business’ development.

The Mentor is able to give the business the benefit of a vast amount of experience, together with an objective view of the issues which it is facing.

The Mentor’s role is to guide and advise on the course of action to be taken in a given situation.

The Mentor doesn’t become actively involved in the day-to-day running of the business, nor do they take on a role of an executive of a company.

Typically, an assignment is of six months duration and during this period, the business owner will meet the Mentors five times. Further details on the Mentor Programme, and an application form are available on the Board’s website: www.dlrceb.ie or please call (01) 494 8400

Politicians call for action on X Case  BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN bnibhraonain@gazettegroup.com

LOCAL Dail deputies and Dun LaoghaireRathdown councillors have been commenting in the wake of the death of Savita Halappanavar in Galway last week on the need to legislate for abortion in certain circumstances in Ireland.

Deputy Mary Mitchell O’Connor (FG) last week issued a statement supporting the passing of swift legislation on abortion, and said that legal clarity on terminations was needed to ensure that doctors did not prioritise their own legal protection over the life of a woman in their care.

Deputy Mitchell O’Connor said: “It is not in anybody’s interest that a patient could be allowed to suffer unnecessarily. We cannot leave doctors in a position where they feel they have to treat a living, sentient human being in a way a vet wouldn’t treat an animal, because there is a

lack of legal clarity about how they should act.

“We failed over many years to give legislative expression to a right guaranteed by our Constitution and voted for in successive referenda by the people of Ireland, and I don’t want any more deaths at my door.”

In 1992, the Supreme Court, ruling on the X Case, found that abortion is constitutionally allowed in Ireland in certain circumstances when the life of the mother is at risk, including at risk of suicide. However, over the subsequent 20 years, six governments have failed to introduce legislation to enact the ruling.

More local reaction came from Councillor Niamh Bhreathnach (Lab), who said: “If we had legislated for the X Case, this death might have been prevented. We must legislate now.”

Cllr John Bailey (FG) said: “I think the Government should take immediate action on this

matter. It shouldn’t be left to the conscience of one doctor.

“This is a matter of life and death, and it has been going on for years.

We should set out serious guidelines for doctors to follow in these cases.”

In a Dail speech delivered in April, South Dublin Deputy Olivia Mitchell (FG) urged the Government to legislate on the X Case, in accordance with the Supreme Court’s findings.

She said: “The failure to provide clarity has not stopped terminations taking place. It has merely made them less safe, and more expensive and stressful.”

She also called for immediate legislation to provide clarity on abortion for the people of Ireland: “I personally fully support the introduction of legislation and regulation, in line with the decision made by the Irish people in at least two referenda.”

29 November 2012 DUN laoghaire Gazette 9

10 dun laoghaire gazette 29 November 2012

gazetteGALLERY

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Janice Ryan and Grainne Kelly

Audrey Lodge, Anita Hanlon and Linda Brady

Newstalk does it with style, beauty and bubbly

H

ARVEY Nichols recently hosted the first of a series of Newstalk-led events in aid of Enable Ireland which works with children and adults with disabilities. The event was hosted by TV3’s Sybil Mulcahy, following her return to The Morning Show this week after giving birth to her third baby last Easter. Over 100 women attended the charity event including Newstalk’s marketing director

Sybil Mulcahy

Emma Gavagan, chief executive of Enable Ireland Fionnuala O’Donovan, and food critic Orla Broderick. The evening kicked off with a champagne reception, and guests were treated to complimentary mini facials, makeovers and gifts.

There was plenty of style and glamour on the night, and the ladies thoroughly enjoyed being pampered while they were supporting a charitable cause.

Marie Heverin, Charlotte Upton and Olwyn Cassells

Kerrie Loughran

Sonya Manzor and Caitriona McGonagle

Helen O’Brien and Marie Rafferty

29 November 2012 dun laoghaire gazette 11

asdfsdaf businessP27 P16

schools P14

dublinlife

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FastNews Children invited to help celebrate 200 years of A Christmas Carol classic DUBLIN’S children’s cultural centre, The Ark, is celebrating the 200th birthday of Charles Dickens by staging their version of A Christmas Carol in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

The condensed play lasts for 45 minutes and is performed by award-winning actors, Aaron Monaghan and Bryan Burroughs, who are responsible for the adaptation of the classic Christmas parable.

In the hands of Monaghan and Burroughs, Dickens’s tale of goodwill triumphing over greed is playfully stripped back to its bare bones and retold using only the duo’s physical and vocal skills, as well as a lot of hats, scarves and fairy lights ... and a coat rack.

Bristol-based company Action Hero will perform

lir ACADEMY: aCTION hERO TO KICK OFF EVENT

Three-night microfestival to give a taste of Fringe

The Lir Academy, on Grand Canal Quay, in association with the Dublin Fringe Festival and the British Council, are presenting Forest Fringe – a three-night performance festival in December.

Forest Fringe was set up in Edinburgh in 2007 as a space for artists and performers and has built a strong reputation as a creative, not-for-profit, artist-led

organisation since then.

Forest Fringe performs at the Edinburgh Festival each year and, in 2010, began organising microfestivals to allow the shows to move to other venues.

Dublin’s December microfestival starts with performance group, Action Hero, featuring daredevil artists from Bristol in the Irish premiere of their show, Watch Me Fall.

Also on the bill will be Dan Canham, the winner of best male performer at Dublin Fringe Festival 2012, who will return to Dublin with this dance-theatre.

Fringe Festival nominee Veronica Dyas will be reviving her solo performance of In My Bed. Also on the Forest Fringe programme is artist, performer and writer Tim Etchells with a new installation piece, and 2011

Dublin Fringe winner Amy Conroy in HotForTheatre.

Another Irish premiere, Kieran Hurley’s Hitch, will be staged, depicting a journey from Glasgow to the G8 summit in Italy in 2009.

Forest Fringe runs from December 13 to 15, and shows start at 7pm at Lir Academy. To book tickets see www.fringefest. com/programme/forest-fringe.

Cautionary tale Told with an unbridled passion for this most famous cautionary tale, experience A Christmas Carol’s unforgettable characters and enduring Christmas spirit.

If you are interested in getting into the spirit of Christmas past, present or future ahead of the big day, here’s your chance.

The show runs in the Ark at 11a Eustace Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 with a range of family performances on Saturdays, December 1, 8, 15 and 22 at 2pm and 4pm, and a variety of schools performances every Tuesday to Friday from December 4 to 21 at 10.15am and 12.15pm.

The show is for children aged eight and over, and from third to sixth class.

Tickets for the family performances cost €10, or €8 concessions (adults and children require tickets) tickets for the schools performances cost €6.50, or €4.50 as concessions for DEIS schools and those travelling from outside Co Dublin.

Schools and groups should call 01 670 7788 to book. Saturday performances can be booked online at www.ark.ie, or by phone.

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12 dun laoghaire gazette 29 November 2012

dublinlife

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Return of festive station is music to our ears

It’s that time of year again and we at Gazette Towers can’t wait to have some festive tunes jingling down the airwaves!

Christmas FM is hitting our radios once again this year having gone live on November 28. Sponsored by EBS

and Clothing.ie, the festive station brings seasonal cheer to thousands of radio listeners around Ireland.

The station is staffed entirely by volunteers to raise awareness for this year’s chosen charity, ISPCC Childline.

Director of Christmas

FM Walter Hegar tysaid: “A loyal following of thousands of fans around the globe and across the nation listen to Christmas FM on the drive to and from school, at work, or just as a backdrop whilst wrapping their presents and getting all festive.”

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

Christmas FM is broadcast to 60% of the population across Dublin, Kildare, Cork, Limerick and Galway.

It is also available anywhere in the world online at www.christmasfm.ie.

free family art holiday Ov e r t h e f e s t i v e period, the National Gallery of Ireland is hosting its 48th annual Christmas Family Art Holiday.

T he ar t holiday i n cl u d e s f a m i l y a r t workshops, tours for adults and music in the Atrium.

All events are free and children, accompanied by parents, should bring sketchpads and colours to the art workshops.

The programme begins on T hursday, December 27 with an art workshop by artist Clare Henderson from 3 to 4pm in the Lecture Theatre.

On the same day, there will be a gallery

Ronan O’Brien, owner Clothing.ie, Keith Shanley, chairman, Christmas FM, with Emma Hunt-Duffy, CSR and marketing manager EBS, Lloyd Byrne, director ISPCC

tour from 3.30pm to 4.15pm and a musical trio in the Atrium will add to the elegant atmosphere from 4pm to 4.30pm.

On Friday and Saturday, the same format applies, with artist Don Conroy giving the art workshop on December 28 and Louise Neiland on December 29, followed by the gallery tour and the musical trio’s performance to finish off.

For more information, log on to www. nationalgallery.ie or call 01 663 3505.

Christmas on the Square This December 1, a ver y special pop-up shop will appear for one day only on Merrion Square in Dublin 2.

Christmas on the Square is a design experience which will be set in the olde world magic of the Georgian square and give shoppers an opportunity to meet the makers of all the beautiful Christmas goods on sale.

This exclusive fair is being presented in association with the Irish Design Shop and has

a selection of the very best in Irish design for special Christmas gifts this year.

Gif t ideas include knitwear, homeware, stationer y, wall ar t, artisan food-stuffs, and there will be plenty of special Christmas treats given to customers throughout the day, all accompanied by old-style festive choral music sung live.

Christmas on the Square takes place on December 1 on Merrion Square, Dublin 2 from 10am until 6pm, and admission is free.

www.gazette group.com All of your latest local news, sport, features and pictures are now just a click away

29 November 2012 Gazette 13

Pantomimes aplenty for Christmas Tis the season to be jolly, and what better way to make it even jollier than a trip to the theatre to see this year’s Christmas pantomimes.

Dublin is getting ready to shout “He’s behind you”, and watch familiar faces dress up in elaborate costumes as they star in the shows. This week, the Gazette takes a little look at some of the pantos that are gracing city stages in the run-up to Christmas.

This year, the Gaiety Theatre is taking a look at the classic tale of Cinderella, but giving it a panto makeover.

There are two nasty, bullying ugly sisters, a quirky fairy godmother, a handsome prince and single glass slipper, all

the ingredients needed to complete the story of Cinders finding happiness and seeing her dreams come true.

This panto is sponsored by Tay to and runs for six weeks from December 2 to January 13.

Standard tickets are priced from €25 and are on sale now from usual outlets nationwide. For more information, see www.gaietytheatre.ie.

At the Tivoli Theatre, the Cheerio’s Panto is Snow White and the Adventures of Sammy Sausages which opens to the public on December 18.

This show stars TV3 presenter Alan Hughes as Sammy Sausages, singer Niamh Kavanagh

as the Evil Queen and Brian Dowling as the Mirror. Nadia Forde will star as the Good Queen, while ITV Superstars finalist Niall Sheehy plays Prince Charming.

The show also introduces Molly Lynch as Snow White.

The Cheerios Panto Snow White and the Adventures of Sammy Sausages opens Dec 18 with previews from Dec ember12 and runs until January 13, 2013. Tickets cost from €15 and are now on sale from The Tivoli Theatre at 01 454 4472 or on www. tivoli.ie Meanwhile, Ireland’s most energetic twins, Jedward, star in the Dublin Bus Christmas panto, Jedward And The Magic

Jedward will star in the Dublin Bus Christmas panto, Jedward And The Magic Lamp, at the Olympia Theatre

Lamp, at the Olympia Theatre from Wednesday, December 19 to January 6.

The show features an all-singing, all-dancing cast of over 100.

The script is written by

scriptwriter, broadcaster and journalist Fiona Looney.

Tickets for this show cost from €25 and are available now through Ticketmaster at www. ticketmaster.ie

Gazette

feature travel

Ethnic bazaar set out stalls for Christmas Fusion Sundays World Christmas markets are set to start this year in New Market Square in Dublin.

Fusion Sundays is Dublin’s only ethnic bazaar and has a wide array of international stalls, ethnic food, live music and entertainment for the children.

The market will celebrate many different Christmas traditions, with over 30 stalls selling fare from around the world. There will also be a Laughteryoga session, African dancing and several other workshops running throughout the day.

The market will be held from 11am until 5pm on Sunday, December 9 at the Dublin Food Co-op, 12 New Market Square, Dublin 8, and subsequently every second Sunday of each month.

dublinlife A brush with great art Gazette

14 Gazette 29 November 2012

exhibition: awards follow showcase of students’ work

 erica o’sullivan Fingal Community College

ON MONDAY, October 12, Fingal Community College held an art exhibition, curated by transition year students, displaying the Junior Certificate art, craft and design projects of 2012.

The exhibition was followed by an awards ceremony.

Projects from ar t, home economics, woodwork and metalwork were displayed in the school hall, and there was a competition for the best project in each subject.

Transition year stu-

dents Jodie Morris and Saoirse Traynor introduced the exhibition, which was officially opened by Julie Clarke, arts education officer, Fingal County Council.

Refreshments were served by the transition year catering team.

Trophies The winners in each category were awarded trophies, and they were named as Donna Fogerty, art; Megan McKeown, home economics; Damien McGlynn, metalwork and Kyle Maguire, woodwork.

The parents of students who submitted

a Junior Cert project were invited to see their son or daughter’s work, and to hear the winners being announced.

Fif th class pupils from the Old Borough National School, Swords Educate Together, Holy Family National School and St Colmcille’s Boys School were invited to join the fun, and were highly enthralled by the quality of the artwork.

The students would like express their sincere gratitude to all who helped make the event such a success.

The exhibition would not have taken place without the generos-

Megan McKeon and principal Sharon McGrath

ity of sponsors, Philip O’Neill Photography, Pat O’Farrell School Un i f o r m S u p p l i e r s , Woodgrey Ltd, Elliot Engineering and Zara McDonnell Boardman.

The principal, Mrs Sharon McGrath, concluded the exhibition with the announcement of plans for an annual art exhibition at the college

Donna Fogarty

schoolLife

Get involved with the Gazette As part of the recent relaunch of the Dublin Gazette Newspapers, we are reaching out to all the schools in our catchment areas to become a closer part of our community than ever before.

Schools are the beating hearts of communities – one of the last places around which a community can gather. We are calling on budding writers and photographers from all of our schools to help fill the pages.

In order to encourage the next generation of journalists and snappers to get involved, we are partnering with Harvey Norman to present the Dublin Gazette Newspapers Cub Reporter and Cub Photographer of the Year awards.

For further details, contact me, Rob Heigh, news editor at rheigh@gazettegroup.com, or telephone me at 01 601 0240.

PROMOTEyourSCHOOL te l l u s a b o u t y o u r s c h o o l’ s e v e n t s c o n t a c t t h e G a z ette c a l l 6 0 1 0 2 4 0

29 November 2012 Gazette 15

Gazette

schools

The experiments set up were all popular, but the giant bubble (right) was a particular hit with students, thanks to its fun, hand-on way of showing a scientific principle at work

Bubbling with enthusiasm for tests  Aisling O’Fiachain

and Julia Ryan Sixth Year, Notre Dame

O N W E DN E S DAY, November 13, our school hall was transformed into a wacky, wondrous, world of science.

Throughout the room, our tansition year and sixth year students had set up amazing experiments to let the invited

primary schools in the area get a close-up, hands-on approach to science.

We didn’t think it was possible that this year’s Science Fair could surpass the success of last year’s, but it ended up being even better!

Here is what people thought of our Science Fair ...

Alison and Katie, from

Holy Cross National school, said: “We really liked the Yop experiment.”

Ali, from the Muslim National School, thought it was “amazing and the best school trip of the year”.

Jamie Murphy, from the Divine Word National School, found the giant bubble experiment to be “a bit nerve-racking, but

very good”.

A teacher from the Muslim National School had nothing but positive things to say about the fair. “It was excellent – I feel bad for the students who didn’t get to go.”

Experiment Diane, from Holy Cross National School, said the giant bubble experiment was “really fun – I didn’t

realise I was in a bubble until it popped”.

Sarah, a student of Notre Dame Junior School, loved the slime experiment, and found it “cool, disgusting and scientific”.

Lisa Walsh, Prep 6 teacher, Notre Dame Junior School said it was: “A wonderful, interactive hands-on experience for all the children.

“They absolutely loved it, and said it was the highlight of science week.”

Ryan, Rathfarnham Parish National School, said that “seeing how things work is fun and exciting”.

Ms Byrne, another teacher from Notre Dame, thanked the students of Notre Dame, as “the fair wouldn’t have

been such a success without the help of the transition year and sixth year students”.

As you can see, everyone had a wonderful time. Now, we just can’t wait for next year’s fair!

The students of Notre Dame would like to thank the science teachers for all of their hard work, as it truly was a day to remember.

GAZETTE

16 GAZETTE 29 November 2012

DUBLINLIFE

FASTBUSINESS

Pictured are (from left to right): Joe Foran, Castleknock Hotel & Country Club (award sponsor); Siobhan Moore, president, Fingal Dublin Chamber; Louise Phelan, PayPal vice president and TV presenter Marty Whelan at the Fingal Business Excellence awards where PayPal won Employer of the Year 2012

Blanch-based PayPal wins Employer of the Year award THE European headquarters of PayPal based in Blanchardstown has won Employer of the Year at this year’s Fingal Business Excellence awards.

The global online payment company employs 1,500 people at its facility in Blanchardstown. The awards, hosted by TV personality Marty Whelan, took place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Santry on Friday, November 16, and recognised how highly PayPal values and treats its employees.

Judges said PayPal more than met the criteria for this award: “They really value their people and do everything in their power to ensure that each and every employee is treated with respect, dignity and fairness in a creative and innovative atmosphere.”

Louise Phelan, PayPal’s Ireland-

based vice president of global operations for Europe, Middle East and Africa, said: “At PayPal, we understand that our success as a company is based on how we value and treat our employees. We are very proud the be part of the business community in Fingal and hope that our philosophy can inspire others to keep employees front of mind, keeping them positively engaged, motivated and inspired.

“While times are tough for business, it is within everyone’s grasp to create a workplace that really brings the best out in people and ultimately contributes to a better bottom line.”

Meanwhile, the company also won two awards and were highly commended in a third category at the Contact Centre Management Association (CCMA) industry awards.

Keelings Sports-Candy launched KEELINGS, the fresh produce company, are celebrating the launch of their LazyTown Sports-Candy range by welcoming the star of the popular children’s show, Sportacus, to stores around Dublin this weekend.

LazyTown is a children’s entertainment brand dedicated to promoting health and well-being in a fun way, and Keelings’ Sports-Candy range includes kid size apples, ready to eat mini pears, pre-sliced carrots, washed off-the-vine grapes and easy peelers, all contained in easy to carry punnets.

Keelings is a 100% Irish owned and family run business with an annual turnover of €300 million and employs over 1,400 people in Ireland and a total of approximately 2,000 people across the group.

Sportacus will be in Dunnes Stores, Cornelscourt on Friday, November 30 at 4pm, Tesco Extra in Naas on Saturday, December 1 at 10am, in Tesco Dundrum at 4pm, and at Tesco Clarehall on Sunday, December 2 at 10am. Children are encouraged to wear their LazyTown outfits and join Sportacus in his dance moves.

BUSINESS

Supported

by AIB

Pensions made simple CONTINUING my analysis of pension parameters from last week, I can tell you that if you are thinking of setting up a pension plan, there are four main components that should be considered: 1. The strength of the insurance company where the pension fund is based; 2. The performance of both that company and the specific fund where the pension funds are maintained – though you would have to discount the last year or two, owing to the credit crunch impact; 3. The annual management charges associated with the pension fund by the insurance company, and 4. The commissions, or fees, payable to the intermediary/broker who sets up the pension plan.

Outside of the complex self-employed, company owner, director and senior employee pension options, there are two basic employee schemes – defined benefit (DB) and defined contribution (DC) schemes.

The former are where employees receive 66% (50% if in the public sector) of their final year’s income, irrespective of the performance of the fund to which the employee or their employer or both has been contributing, and providing the full 40 years’ service has been completed.

The latter schemes see the employee and/or the employer contribute into a fund, out of which will fund the monthly pension when the employee retires. That is, if the fund is still there at that time.

This is why rigorous annual reviews should be

undertaken on all DC pensions. Even those in both schemes can supplement their pensions through an additional tax saving scheme called additional voluntary contributions (AVCs).

Therefore, take steps now – have a look at the age threshold; have you room to start AVCs and, importantly, can you afford it? It is very tax efficient BUT you may have more pressing priorities. Whatever you do, don’t procrastinate, and seek expert advice before it is too late. Remember, the younger you start, the better, as the following shows (with pension maturity values at national retirement age, NRA, 65) – starting at age 25, the estimated maturity value at NRA would be €679,059, providing a yearly pension of €37,114.

Starting at 35, the NRA value would be €332,135, providing a pension of €18,567. Starting at 45, the NRA value would be €145,161, providing €8,299.

If in doubt, talk to an independent and professional adviser, or email me. More next week.  Contact John with your money questions at jlowe@moneydoctor.ie or visit his website at www.moneydoctor.ie. John Lowe, Fellow of the Institute of Bankers, is founder and managing director of Money Doctor

AWARD: PRESTIGIOUS LEADERSHIP WIN FOR COMPANY

Lucan forestry firm leafs the competition behind FOREST Enterprises Ltd (FEL), a national forestry company with its headquar ters in Lucan, has scooped the Leadership Award at the ActionCOACH Business Excellence Awards 2012, along with a merit award in the Best Team category.

FEL has been in business for more than 20 years and has become a recognised leader in forestry management in Ireland.

The Leadership Award was presented to Daragh Little, managing director, FEL and, according to Richard Cullen, of ActionCOACH: “Daragh was selected for the Leadership Award based not only on his vision for FEL, but also the forestry

sector in Ireland.

“He has grown from a forest manager to a true business leader, building the business, developing his team, influencing the industry and Government policy both at local and European level.

“As a result, he secured ongoing funding for forestry and established forestr y higher and higher on the investment agenda.

“He instilled this vision and energy in his team, which also led him to being awarded in the Best Team category.“ In 2010, forestry contributed to 1.3% of Irish GDP, and the sector is projected to significantly grow in the next 10 years due to a high demand in timber.

Marina Bleahen, managing director, ActionCOACH Ireland; Daragh Little, managing director, Forest Enterprises Ltd; Richard Cullen, business coach, ActionCOACH Ireland and Vivian Peelo, business banking, AIB

FEL has already more than doubled its size in a four-year period, bringing its current employee number to11.

Earlier this year, FEL opened two regional offices in Sligo and Cork, announced four new jobs, and launched an information website on commercial forestry.

In the past two years

alone, FEL have invested more than €250,000 in their IT and management systems.

Speaking on winning the award, Little said: “I am delighted to win the leadership award. I have worked in forestry for more than 20 years and proactively established myself as a solution provider to policy makers.”

29 November 2012 Gazette 17

asdfsdaf P27 TRAVEl P24

MOTORS P22

OUT&ABOUT Never be out of the loop on what’s happening in Dublin! Let Out&About be your guide to all that is stylish, cultural and essential across the city and beyond this week



Gazette

cinema P20

Pets don’t buy a pet this chrismas – adopt from a centre, instead

Starring as Nancy in the upcoming production of Oliver! at the Bord Gais Theatre, Samantha Barks is a young actress with an already impressive resume. While set to delight audiences with her role in Oliver!, Samantha will soon also be seen on cinema screens alongside Anne Hathaway, Russell Crowe and Hugh Jackman in Les Miserables.

theatre: exclusive interview with actress at the heart of oliver!

You’ll be left wanting more!  hiromi mooney

YOU can achieve your biggest dreams, even if you hail from a small place. A little girl from the Isle of Man once dreamed of becoming a big star some day, and, after many years of hard work, that dream has come true.

Now aged 22, Samantha Barks can call herself a West End theatre star and an international film star.

Samantha trained at the Arts Education School in Chiswick, and first graced television screens in 2008 on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s competition on BBC One’s, I’d Do Anything.

This was a nationwide search for an actress to play the role of Nancy in Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Oliver! To show their support for Samantha,

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

‘Nancy is very mistreated by her boyfriend, but she’s facing a dilemma – does she fight for the man that she loves, or for the greater good?’

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

Samantha Barks

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

the Isle of Man even renamed itself for one day as the Isle of Sam. Although she finished in third place in the competition, she is now playing Nancy in a touring production of Oliver!, which is coming to the Bord Gais Theatre next month. Although she is

busy with rehearsals, she took time out to speak exclusively to The Gazette.

She said: “When I first got the role, it was amazing because it had been part of my life for about four years ... It was my first insight into the showbiz world, with an audition for that part.

“I’d worked so hard when I was 17 in the TV show, so to be actually playing it just felt more special, I think, because I’ve had that long-standing sort of a relationship with the role.”

Samantha said that she loves being a part of Oliver! because it is “such a laugh”.

“You can be on stage with such a talented bunch of people, but also just have so much fun.

“Nancy is such an interesting character to play because, on the one hand, she

is the life and soul of every party – everyone loves her, she’s so much fun.

“But then, on the other hand, she’s this dark, dark character that comes from a very abused background. She is very mistreated by her boyfriend, but she’s facing a moral dilemma – does she fight for the man that she loves, or does she fight for the greater good?

“She meets this boy, Oliver, who has an effect on her like nothing before – it’s greater than her love for Bill, in the end, and that’s her sort of emotional struggle.”

In her varied career, to date, Samantha has starred in the lead role of Zoe in the Disney TV series, Groove High, and she made her stage debut as Sally Bowles in Cabaret.

Continues on Page 23

THE DSPCA are urging the public to Adopt, Don’t Buy a pet this Christmas as part of a campaign to prevent trafficking and to provide a second chance to many of the pets in its rescue centre.

According to the DSPCA, Christmas sees thousands of pets given as presents, many of which are bought online from unscrupulous breeders.

The DSPCA is asking people to give pets in rescue centres, such as the DSPCA’s, a second chance by adopting them as gifts rather than purchasing.

According to Gillian Bird, head of education, the DSPCA, the society dealt with 3,319 cases of reported animal cruelty, and took in more than 4,400 animals last year alone.

She said: “We hear upsetting stories reported to us in the DSPCA every week, and the public can help in many ways.”

For further information, see www.dspca.ie.

Pets aren’t just for Christmas, so think carefully before you bring one home

Gazette

18 Gazette 29 November 2012

OUT&ABOUT

STYLE Debenhams €47

Awear €60 Penneys €13

Christmas Guide - for her!

Awear €65

Debenhams €153

 Laura Webb

The time has come to think about others and give them gifts that are, truthfully speaking, on our own wishlist. This week, Gazette Style has put together a wishlist for females in the family. From perfume, to make-up, coats to hair styling tools, we’ve got it covered.

All you Gazette Style readers have to do is chose one that will make your mother, sister, best friend or nieces Christmas, and don’t worry we won’t tell anyone where you got your ideas from.

Don’t miss Gazette Style next week, when we will showcase the men’s wishlist. Happy shopping!

Stylist Easy Curl €39.99

YSL See stockists for details

Heatons €40 Penneys €20

Debenhams €40

Dunnes €15

Lancome See stockists for details

Harvey Norman €129.99

Littlewoods.ie €200

29 November 2012 Gazette 19

Gazette

MUSIC FASTtunes with Dee Woods

Beatles for sale...

George Harrison once sang All Things Must Pass, but as we remember him on his 11th anniversary this week (November 29), it’s clear not all things belonging to Harrison have.

The so-called “quiet Beatle” features on what’s just been declared Britain’s rarest record. A recording by the band that preceded The Beatles: The Quarry Men from 1958 is the most valuable vinyl in the UK. Beatles Paul McCartney and John Lennon feature alongside Harrison on the single of That’ll Be The Day/In Spite of Danger which is valued at nearly €250,000. And if you are indeed a Beatles’ fan with a few quid, then you might like to know Harrison’s infamous leather jacket is going up for auction soon. It’s expected to go for around €150,000 at Bonham’s in London on December 12. Now I wouldn’t mind that in my Christmas stocking... but that’ll be the day.

Dee Woods @ Radio Nova

John Paul Jones, RobertPlant and Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin, were joined on stage at the O2 in London by Jason Bonham

review: a testament to the enduring power of led zeppelin

Rock of ages past As a youth of some summers past, I was handed a well-worn copy of a strange looking record, adorned with a photo of a painting of a man with a bundle of sticks on the wall of a partially demolished building. No track titles, no words at all, just four symbols.

“What is this?”

“Just the best rock record ever recorded...”

“Okay,” I replied, popping it into a Woolworths bag and heading home to play it.

My f r i e n d w a s n ’t wrong. Led Zeppelin IV was an incredible record.

Though I was aware of Stairway To Heaven, the album opened up a portal to a style of rock that

did not exist before nor has been created again epic, sometimes pastoral, widescreen and elemental like a hurricane.

Though a few years disbanded when I first listened to them, Zeppelin became the go-to act when nothing less than rock would do.

I spent years tracking down bootlegs, savouring the BBC Sessions and the Remasters box set...

Then, in 2007, 27 years after the band broke up in the wake of the death of drummer John Bonham, the impossible happened. I joined in with the estimated 20 million people worldwide who applied for tickets for their one-off show at

the O2 Arena in London after the band were reunited after the passing of their long-time friend and mentor, Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun, who had taken a punt on the English blues band in 1968.

A legendary night was had by all (though not me) but, five years later, Atlantic have released a recording and DVD of that night in London in the form of Celebration Day. With the surviving members back on stage with Bonham’s son, Jason, on drums, Zeppelin put on a remarkable show and this is a remarkable testament to their enduring legacy and

contribution to the last 40 years of music.

Featuring all of the 16 tracks played that night, sy mpathetically and dynamically mixed by another legend, producer Alan Moulder, the album captures all of the anticipation, the power and the glory of one night in December when the planets aligned and Zeppelin were once more united on stage, where they were always at their most vital.

This was no in-it-forthe-paycheck reunion, it was as though Zeppelin had never stopped playing together and that shows through in every single track on Celebration Day.

From Bonham’s countin and Jimmy Page’s piledriver of a a riff on Good Times, Bad Times that opened proceedings, to the final curtain call after a triumphant Rock And Roll, there was a palpable love and respect for each other and the material among the band, a determination to do not only themselves and their back catalogue justice, but to provide a fitting tribute to the man who helped make them the band who still hold so much affection and regard among music lovers, critics and fans worldwide.

A simply essential purchase, and one that will make nations happy on any Celebration Day.

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Gazette

20 gazette 29 November 2012

OUT&ABOUT

CINEMA

more

theatre THE pavilioN THEATRE 01 231 2929

RTE Vanburgh Quartet with Nobuko Imai THIS concert brings together the internationally-acclaimed RTÉ Vanbrugh Quartet with the sensational Nobuko Imai, regarded as one of the most outstanding violists of her generation. Noted for her flawless technique and warm, expressive tone, Imai has performed as a solo artist with many of the world’s finest orchestras. December 1, tickets are priced at €17/€15.

Mill Theatre 01 296 9340

Miracle on 34th St ENJOY such popular songs such as Pinecones and Hollyberries, It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas and My State, My Kansas, in this joyous, heart-warming musical of pure family entertainment. Miracle On 34th Street tells the story of a mother and daughter that are much too practical to believe in Santa Claus. Macy’s hires a kind, white-bearded, older gentlemen to play Santa at the store, but when the man proclaims to be Kris Kringle and Santa himself, his sanity is called into question.

Presented by Glencullen Musical and Dramatic Society and directed by Tom Ronayne. December 5-15 at 8pm, tickets are priced at €20/18.

CIVIC THEATRE 01 462 7477 ABBA Forever

IT’S Christmas! It’s party time! It’s ABBA! From Waterloo to Dancing Queen, expect a dazzling, fantastic performance including the most iconic hits, Mamma Mia, SOS, Money, Money Money, The Winner Takes It All and many more.

December 10 and 11, tickets are priced at €20.

Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Pena take aim at the bad guys

Cops and robbers: Jake Gyllenhaal and michael Pena join the force

An exciting watch I AM having a crisis, dear readers.

This time of year inevitably brings too many good films, meaning my inner curmudgeon doesn’t get the chance to stretch its legs.

With last week’s surprisingly excellent The Sapphires and the highs of Argo comes End of Watch.

Unlike last week’s review, there is nothing surprising about the brilliance on show here. Written, directed and produced by David Ayer, this is unsurprisingly a cop movie.

When I say unsurprisingly, it is important to note that Ayer is the man behind the script f o r 2 0 01 ’s Tr a i n i n g Day, was the director of 2006’s outrageously good and criminally

 paul hosford

phosford@gazettegroup.com

underseen Harsh Times and 2008’s decent but disappointing Street Kings.

Take into account that he also wrote SWAT and Dark Blue and you come to the conclusion that, yeah, this guy likes his men in uniform.

Which is not to say that his canon is onedimensional. Ayer ’s experiences on the streets of South Central LA in his 20s have given him a keen eye for the realities of the street and a finely attuned

sense of realism is always attached to his films.

Except for SWAT and The Fast and The Furious.

Oh, and he did write U-571, the most historically inaccurate film of all time. But he’s apologised for that, so we can just enjoy his LA films.

Mu c h l i ke 2 0 0 6 ’s Harsh Times, End of Watch takes a look at a pair of cops on one of LA’s tougher beats.

And again like Harsh Times, there is a white guy and a Hispanic guy.

But that is largely where the similarities end. Where Harsh Times looked at the subjects with a strangely compelling detached air, End of Watch buzzes with a familiarity

Film of the Week: End of Watch h h h h h (15) 109mins Director: David Ayer Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Pena, Anna Kendrick, Natalie Martinez, David Harbour, Frank Grillo, America Ferrera

OUR VERDICT: THERE are small stumbles, small little frustrating stumbles, but all in all, this is a great piece of cinema. Brave, unflinching and superbly acted, End of Watch is as good a cop film as there is, but is abundantly more. A great dissection of character, a fantastic look at male relationships and a thoroughly brilliant piece of film-making. See it. See it now.

and an almost childlike energy.

Jake Gyllenhaal plays Officer Brian Taylor, a jovial, sarcastic showoff who, along with his partner Mike Zavala (Michael Pena) stumbles across a case that is a few stations above their pay-grade.

Like all good movie cops, the two dive head first into it, eschewing the rules, guidelines and protocol of the LAPD.

With many scenes being show n almost entirely through handheld camera, there is a sense of proximity and almost voyeurism in what we’re seeing.

Ayer throws off that idea whenever a scene needs more scope or scale and, far from being a jarring juxtaposition, it actually works quite nicely.

The grubby corners of LA that Ayer is obvi

ously so familiar with are easily explored with the handhelds, while the action of the film’s second and third acts can be properly portrayed with the less intrusive camera angles.

Yes, the bad guys are fairly shallowly drawn, but in this case it doesn’t matter.

Their menace is real and Gyllenhaal and Pena infuse their cops with so much likeability, their mere survival is enough to make you root for them.

Gyllenhaal is an actor who has quietly gone about establishing himself as one of Hollywood’s most capable, and odd, leading men.

Though he will likely miss out on Oscar recognition for this, his performance should be seen.

29 November 2012 GAZETTE 21

GAZETTE

GAMING NINTENDO: NEW CONSOLE IS ALMOST HERE

Wii U is here for, umm, you  SHANE DILLON

THE Wii is dead – long live the Wii U. Confused?

I don’t blame you, as the news that Nintendo has a new console may be, well, news for many parents and casual gamers.

Nintendo has announced that, as of now, it no longer has any new first-party Wii games in development – this means that it will continue to support the Wii, but not to make any new games for it, while it focuses on its all-new Wii U console instead, which launches this Friday, November 30.

But, as Nintendo prepares to put its perfectly

 SHANE DILLON sdillon@gazettegroup.com

decent (and particularly family-friendly) console into sleepy retirement, the company has finally unveiled its next console – the Wii U – with which it looks set to finally pose a challenge to Microsoft and Sony.

Although arriving late to the games party, at least Nintendo have finally rucked up with some hardware of note, and with, seemingly, a

STEP UP TO A CHALLENGING ISLAND

Madness, mayhem – and lovely views – in Far Cry 3 The sleek lines of Nintendo’s Wii U is very much in keeping with modern design trends – and, thankfully, it’s got plenty of power, too, along with a potentially very interesting controller (left)

more astute sense of how to position itself, and to make its console a real contender as a platform for gamers to embrace.

But first, what is the Wii U? Put simply, it’s very much a modern games console that, in many ways, is comparable to the power of the XBox 360 or the PlayStation 3 – a notable step up in pure oomph from the Wii’s modest capabilities.

Nintendo being Nintendo, they’ve sought to do something that differentiates it from the competition; in this new console, that’s very much the case with its special controller – and how.

The GamePad is a large,

COMPETITIONgiveaway giveaway WIN A GREAT KINECT GAME

Your chance to get sporty with XBox THE Gazette has teamed up with Microsoft again for another great XBox 360 giveaway – and, once again, there’s a fun Kinect title up for grabs (which, as you’d expect, requires a Kinect body-tracking sensor to play).

With Christmas almost upon us, family party games are always a real hit at this time of year, as well as games that you can return to time and again for lots of fun – so, what better game to pick up than Kinect Sports Ultimate?

For those who aren’t as superfit as me (cough), you’ll have lots of fun getting breathless (or showboating your skills) in a wide range of sports, including soccer, football, golf, skiing, tennis, boxing, darts, baseball, bowling, track & field, table tennis, beach volleyball and basketball – if that’s not enough to suit any sporting interest (or to get granny showing off her previously little-seen volleyball skills), well ...

Not only that, but we’ll (okay, Microsoft) even bung in some extra prizes for each

BYTES&PIECES

of five lucky winners: a Gold threemonth XBox Live subscriptions, as well as 2,100 Microsoft Points.

So, to win your copy of Kinect Sports Ultimate, and the other goodies, just answer the following question ...

In which sport would you use a racket?

A. Tennis B. Golf C. Darts Email competitions@gazettegroup.com with your answer before noon on Friday, December 7. Please include your full name and address; one entry per applicant; five correct winners will be selected at random, with prizes posted out the following week.

chunky controller with a centralised touchscreen, which offers all kinds of interesting options for games, once designers get to grips with it (no pun intended).

For example, that screen could show all kinds of information that directly relate to the onscreen action – such as to be an always-on map of where the player is in that game’s world, with lots of other obvious uses such as showing rankings, inventories, and so on.

Attractiveness Add to that the tactile attractiveness of swiping through and selecting content on this secondary screen, which has an instant relevancy to the on-screen action, and it’s clear that this feature alone has the potential to make the Wii U a very creatively interesting console, and gives it a unique selling point over its rivals.

W hat’s under the hood? Suffice to say that it holds its own against the 360 and PS3, with graphics that are a significant step up from the Wii, if programmed right.

A few points of note – it can support high definition graphics, with this HD capability a first for Nintendo, as well as using Flash storage for on-board saves.

The GamePad can be used to play some games without the TV, with other peripherals also usable, and on the way.

Because nobody in the world really cares about how many tiny elves it whips on treadmills to make the machine process sub-pixel shading – yawn – let’s jump straight on to what will be a huge selling point for many.

The fact that it’s backward-compatible with Wii games, meaning that Wii fans, families, those trading up – and even a certain Mr S Claus – can breathe a sigh of relief, as the new console supports all those Wii games people already have.

Lastly, in what’s likely to be of most note to hardcore gamers, it’s also worth pointing out that several “heavyweight” games and franchises are also being ported to the Wii U, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops II, Aliens: Colonial Marines, Assassin’s Creed 3, and many more.

While Nintendo remains the most familyfriendly console out there – to its detriment, some would say, as it hasn’t presented much choice or use for more mature gamers – it’s great to see that the Wii U will offer a “better” range of games.

As expected for a launch console, it ain’t cheap, folks – kiss goodbye to at least €400, for the console and a few good games – but for a great, interesting new console, with some already noteworthy launch titles – this could be what Wii, or U, have been waiting for ...

THIS weekend, lots of gamers will be heading to a beaufitul island paradise to get Lost (see what I did there?) with Far Cry 3 – the latest and very pretty, yet pretty violent addition to the popular open-world franchise.

Available on PlayStation 3, XBox 360 and PC, the game sees you searching for your girlfriend, and friends, on a beautiful island chain – beautiful, that is, except for some of the inhabitants – very bad men with guns – who aren’t best pleased to have some tourist interlopers ...

I rambled – or rampaged – though an extensive hands-on advance preview of the game recently, and can confirm that it’s a great shooter, with an interesting (if slightly unhinged) plot and set of characters, as well as a frequently stunning open-world setting.

So, for gamers looking for a lovely-looking (and often frenetic) shooter, you don’t have very Far to look ...

OH, DELL ...

Latest results underline crisis in the PC sector THERE are all kinds of fascinating, bizarre – and occasionally worrying – stories happening across the tech sector at the moment, with former hardware and software giants suddenly facing into unexpected battles.

One such battle lies ahead for PC maker Dell, with a number of tech sites and reports picking up on its latest quarterly results, which show pretty hefty drops in both revenues and operating profits – these, in the same year in which its share price has also taken a drastic dive.

Former tech giants, such as HP and Blackberry-maker, RIM, have seen a drastic reversal of fortunes in this time.

With traditional PC/laptop sales plateauing, at best, or simply slumping around the world, as users migrate to tablets instead – not to mention the inexorable rise of smartphones – Dell, as with rivals and allies alike, faces a challenge to turn things around, before it drifts a little too close to beleaguered MySpace territory ...

IF SPOTTED ...

Tech figurehead continues to evade police in Belize AT THE time of writing, a story that’s been fascinating tech reporters and, well, just reporters around the world has been the bizarre tale of multimillionaire internet entrepreneur John McAfee – yes, that McAfee, whose antivirus software many readers have on their PCs – who remains on the run in Belize, after being named as “a person of interest” in the shooting dead of his neighbour, Gregory Faull, with police looking to interview him for their enquiries.

Unfortunately for San Pedro police, and to help with the enquiry into the late Mr Faull’s murder, McAfee has, to use an old-fashioned phrase, gone “on the lam” around the tiny country – a curious decision to make, yet one made even stranger (and attracting intense media attention) by his decision to start a blog, and to contact international media, both protesting his innocence and detailing the ways in which he has avoided Belize police, how he has disguised himself, and so on.

Perhaps the best, last word on this continuing situation (at the time of writing) should be left to Belize’s prime minister, Dean Barrow, who has said of McAfee’s evasion: “It strikes me that he is extremely paranoid ... I would go as far as saying he is completely bonkers.”

22 Gazette 29 November 2012

Gazette

&ABOUT OUT road

MOTORS

NOISE

Young artists invited to dream up car Creative kids will be delighted to hear that Toyota Ireland have announced the launch of the annual Dream CarArt Contest. The national competition invites budding Irish artists under the age of 16 to dream up their car of the future.

Nine Irish finalists will be awarded prizes which range from a Nintendo DS, Digital Camera, iPod shuffle and art supply vouchers, as well as the chance to win an unforgettable trip to Japan if they are successful at a global level.

A panel of three judges, RTE presenter Diana Bunici, lecturer in Fine Art at NCAD OliverWhelan and a representative from Toyota Ireland have the tough job of selecting three finalists in each age category (under 10 years, 10-12 years and 13-15 years) as the national winners. These winners will be announced in March 2013.

Young artists are being asked to draw or paint their vision of a Dream Car using standard art materials (digital submissions will not be accepted).

All entries must be in colour and include a car and a background or setting on A3 size paper.

All submissions can be entered by dropping art work into an authorised Toyota dealership or sending it to Toyota Ireland, Killeen Rd, Dublin 12 and clearly mark it Toyota Dream CarArt Contest.

The submission must be accompanied by an entry form which can be downloaded from www.toyota. ie . The contest will be open until February 28, 2013.

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

At the launch of the annual Toyota Dream Car Art Contest was TV presenter and competition judge Diana Bunici. Diana was on hand at the Radisson Blu St Helen’s to help Kayla O’Toole (5) and Matthew Lawless (6) kick-start their competition entries

The Ibiza comes with a serious shopping list of features as standard

seat: spacious, economical motor with up-to-date styling

Ibiza is great value with VW reliability

n Cormac Curtis

Sit ting into the SEAT Ibiza last month was a reassuring experience for a number of reasons.

Firstly, the car simply had a ver y well-puttogether feeling to it, but what really put me at ease was that SEAT were supplying me with pretty much the most standard spec of the Ibiza range that anyone on these shores is likely to come across.

No leather upholstery, no heated seats and steering wheel, no 22” bling alloys, no premium sound system named after an electric guitar and it certainly didn’t make coffee… this was possibly the most honest car that I have been trusted to review in some time,

specs: Ibiza 1.2 Style  0 – 100km/hr: 13.9 secs  Top speed: 163km/h  CO2 Emissions : 125g/km  Tax Band: B  Current Tax Rate: €225  Price: €15750 (Metallic: €345, as driven: €16,095)

and SEAT are clearly more than confident that the car speaks for itself.

And it does.

As I said, the Ibiza is a solid motor from the off, and you can feel it.

I actually watched a recent British motoring TV programme where two of the presenters were blindfolded and given the task of assessing the interior build quality of two saloons – a silly bit of TV, but it did make me

think of the cars I have driven recently and how I would rate them in terms of value for money.

A fter I considered points of contact, such as the steering wheel, gear knob, window buttons and audio/climate controls, as well as upholstery, dashboard materials and how the doors felt opening and closing, the Ibiza was very hard to beat.

Considering this car would be a good €10,000 less than most of the other cars I have tested in recent months, it was very difficult to look past it as top of the value heap.

Praise The highest praise from a passenger in the car came from my highly-critical other

half – she doesn’t suffer poor quality and has a bit of an obsession with the VW Golf, but that didn’t stop her taking the words out my mouth and comparing the Ibiza to the classic Volkswagen hatchback.

It has to be said that the Ibiza 1.2 Style has a great deal more going for it than the Golf ever did back in the day.

Not only is the quality bullet proof, but it comes with a serious shopping list of features as standard, some of the more eyebrow-raising additions are the very pretty 16” Stratos alloy wheels that match the body very nicely indeed, a tinted rear window, up-to-date new foglights with cornering, the rear view mirrors and door handles are heated and come in body colour.

As far as the illumination goes, there are sparking chromed headlights and rear LED lights.

Going back to comfort and points of contact, the gearstick and steering wheel are both leather, and the car comes with air conditioning and a stereo that has Bluetooth, USB and Aux connections to its six speakers.

So a spacious, fivedoor, economical motor with bang up-to-date styling and a host of extras for well under €16,000, what else are the 18- to 25-year-olds looking for these days?

This car represents some of the best value on the market and as part of the VW group, it should be every bit as reliable as its stable mates.

29 November 2012 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 23

GAZETTE

FEATURES

A feature of Samantha Bark’s role in the upcoming big-budget production of Les Miserables (above) will be live, on-set singing, adding extra vibrancy to her performance

THEATRE: ACTRESS CHANNELS ‘POSITIVE ENERGY’

Focused on her art Continued from Page 17

However, Samantha’s career took another turn when she made her West End debut as Eponine in the classic musical, Les Miserables.

After a year in the part, she played this role again in the Les Miserables 25th anniversary concert at the O2 Arena in London in 2010.

Stunning news came when Cameron Mackintosh announced that The King’s Speech director Tom Hooper had cast her as Eponine in the upcoming Les Miserables Hollywood movie.

Mackintosh made the announcement on stage during a curtain call of Oliver! in Manchester last February, and Samantha’s stunned reaction can be seen on YouTube.

“I was literally just as shocked and surprised as I looked,” said Samantha.

“I still can’t even remember [the moment]! It was just the most incredible moment of my life, where everything just changed in such a quick moment, and to have that on record

– that I can actually watch and go ‘Actually, that did happen; that wasn’t a dream’ – it’s really cool.”

Samantha later learned that she was chosen to play the part over other famous stars, such as Taylor Swift and Lea Michele.

“Whenever you go for a role, you always know that you’re up against all of these wonderful actresses – it’s just that you don’t necessarily know who they are.

“So, I just keep this as my motto: ‘I’m not going to gain anything by knowing who I’m up against, or who’s been seen’. It’s not very productive and it’s not a positive energy to go in with into an audition room.

“I just try to block that kind of gossip out of my mind, and be the best that I can be,” she said.

“You’ve got to be completely 100%-focused on your audition and what you need to do – not what other people are doing.”

The Les Miserables film, which opens early next year, is set to be memorable for its music as all of

the singing was recorded live on set, instead of having the actors mime to the pre-recorded audio.

This allowed the actors to make their acting decisions spontaneously while in the heat of the moment.

Samantha appears in the film alongside Anne Hathaway, Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman and Amanda Seyfried, and Barks is being touted for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination.

“It was fantastic. It was an amazing experience.

The whole cast was a nice bunch of people.

Overwhelming “It was overwhelming in one way to be working with people like that, but also they were a nice bunch of people, so they made me feel as relaxed as I possibly could be,” she said.

“We were all supportive to each other, and it was amazing – just the whole fact that everybody had such support for each other. It was very exciting.”

So, from being a little

girl on the Isle of Man to becoming a Hollywood star on the rise, what advice does Samantha have to be successful?

“Literally, you have to work your socks off. You can’t just sort of let things happen, and sit back and go: ‘Oh yeah, that’ll happen’, or ‘Why isn’t that happening for me?’

“I tend to just set my sights on something and then work as hard as I possibly can.

“Some things happen, some things just don’t.

You need to not dwell on something when something doesn’t work out for you. Use that negative energy and put it into the next thing that you want to happen.

“Celebrate your success, and don’t dwell on any failures that you might come across,” she advised.

Samantha has dreamed a dream, and it has come true. You can see her in action on stage in Oliver! at The Bord Gais Energy Theatre from December 12 to January 12, or on the big screen in Les Miserables from January 11.

24 DUN LOAGHAIRE gazette 29 November 2012

Gazette

&ABOUT OUT fast TRAVEL

Take a oui break and celebrate the festive season in Europe ESCAPE the winter chill and embrace the festive season in one of Europe’s favourite cities with a perfect pre-Christmas getaway.

Stay three nights in romantic Prague from just €167 per person with GoHop.ie. The package includes return flights from Dublin, three night’s accommodation in a three-star hotel, and all taxes and charges, travelling on December 9.

Alternatively, see the sights of Copenhagen with a four-night stay in a four-star hotel, from just €300 per person, travelling on December 7.

Why not ring in the New Year beneath the Eiffel Tower with a five-night stay in a four-star hotel in Paris? Travelling on December 29, the package is available from just €348 per person.

All prices include return flights from Dublin, accommodation, taxes and charges.

For more winter break offers, see www.gohop. ie/specials.php.

Step back in time at Strokestown Park FOR any family looking for a Christmas Day out with a difference this festive season, then perhaps taking a trip back to Victorian times could lead you straight to Strokestown Park in Co Roscommon.

Visitors will be greeted at The Woodland Walk Cafe and travel through the secret tunnel into the underground rooms of Strokestown House – for the very first time – where guests will meet Santa’s Elves and enjoy a delicious hot chocolate.

While children will have a chance to meet Mr and Mrs Claus, adults will enjoy the oldworld Christmas gift shop with Irish crafts, magical books and a chance to create a personal Christmas hamper.

A family ticket (two adults and three children) is priced at €50; single adult tickets are €7, while tickets for children availing of the whole magical experience are priced at €15. All bookings, including group bookings for larger groups and schools, can be made at www.strokestownpark.ie.

kerry: the long drive to kenmare is worth it – thanks to this hotel

You’ll fall for lodge’s comfort and luxury  laura webb

BAGS packed and ready to go – road-trip. I had heard of the stunning views of Sheen Falls Lodge at Kenmare in Kerry, so I was really looking forward to seeing it for myself.

Checking the journey ahead, I was warned by my Sat-Nav that it would take more than four hours to get there from Dublin – so, it was time to get moving.

I picked up my friend,

Anne, and we were well on our way as we travelled down the M7.

Merging onto the M8 towards Cork, we decided to take a quick pit-stop.

Once we were fed and watered, it was back on the road, excited about the destination ahead.

On reaching Cork, we stayed on the N25 – or so we thought. It was our first wrong turn of the journey, and we were now heading towards Waterford – not the des-

tination we were looking for.

So, it was time to turn back and head back the way we came, but, unfortunately, it wasn’t the right way either.

After much circling around, we finally realised we should have continued straight on the N25, rather than turning off to the left.

By the time we left Cork, it was dark and we were longing to be at Sheen Falls, but our nightmare journey didn’t

The hotel bedrooms are as inviting and comfortable as you could wish for

Although tucked away in Co Kerry, the journey to Sheen

stop there – diversion signs, oh dear!

We finally arrived and I have never been so happy to see accommodation.

On arrival, the staff were more than helpful, and we were given a mini-tour of the lodge.

Our room was situated in the sailing quarter, and had spectacular views of the lake and forest, which were wonderfully lit to enhance their beauty at night.

Dinner at La Cascade was booked, a place where dressing up for the occasion is a must.

As we waited for our order, we were given a selection of artisan bread, which Anne was delighted to taste because she is currently studying professional baking.

The selection was Italian herbs and seeded rye

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

‘The whole feel of the lodge is pure relaxation, where you feel like you are a far cry from civilisation’ --------------------------

bread, as well as some potato rolls. They were each freshly baked and cooked to perfection.

I had salmon for my starter, and venison for my main – both delicately cooked, and complemented by flavour.

The lodge is situated just off the main road at Kenmare and is hidden away from the hustle and bustle of life.

It is an ideal place for a couple’s retreat, for those

29 November 2012 DUN LAOGHAIRE gazette 25

Gazette

Travel fast

TRAVEL

Support Leinster Rugby in Clermont

Falls Lodge is undoubtedly worth it, with its welcoming luxury and comfort – not to mention its wonderful location in The Kingdom

who just want to enjoy each others’ company, to relax and maybe try out some of the many attractions the lodge has to offer, such as fishing, falconry, clay pigeon shooting, tennis and horse-riding, to name but a few.

After some gentle exercise, a spa treatment is a must and that is what we decided to do the morning after we arrived.

However, before our treatments, it was time for some breakfast, which was served at the restaurant we ate at the night before.

Seeing the view during the day was even more magnificent. The whole feel of the lodge is pure relaxation, where you feel like you are a far cry from civilisation.

Again, the food was well presented and tasted

as good as it looked.

We were offered a European-style buffet with pastries, fruit, cereal and yogurts among other things, or you could order Sheen Falls breakfast specials such as pancakes, omelettes, French toast or a good aul’ Irish brekkie.

Full to the brim, it was time to relax and attend our treatments at the health club. The Sheen Falls Health Club offers an array of treatments, from massages to manicures – it caters for a full body experience.

I was treating myself to a Yonka Aromastone 60-minute massage.

This was a hot stone massage that would relax even the tightest of muscles. There are two types: a full body or a back, shoulder and neck

massage.

I received the latter massage, which is considered the better option for an hour’s treatment.

Again, the staff could not have been nicer, and worked wonders on making Anne and me feel more relaxed, and we both ended up feeling like we were on cloud nine.

The return journey took a little over four hours, which showed that the day before had just been one of those disaster trips – but we weren’t at all put off by the journey, and would go back in a heartbeat.

While I would admit that this lodge isn’t easy on the pocket, you do have to pay that little extra for life’s luxuries and, for me, Sheen Falls is luxury at its best.

WHILE Round Three of the Heineken Cup will no doubt prove to be Leinster’s most difficult assignment when they travel to Clermont and face the former French Top 14 Champions this December, the sporting clash will be a must-see.

Joe Walsh Tours have a selection of flights and overnight packages available for the game, as well as official match tickets from €359, plus tax.

Departing on December 8 for one night, the package includes direct return flights from Dublin to Clermont, including hotel transfer, one checked-in bag and one night at the threestar Kyriad Prestige, or the four-star Holiday Inn Garden Court, in Clermont city centre, on a B&B basis. The package also includes transfer to Stadium Marcel Michelin, and back to the airport on December 9.

For further details, or to book your package, see www.joewalshtours.ie/leinster, telephone 01 241 0800, or email info@joewalshtours.ie.

Escape to Malta’s sun for Christmas

Splash out on – or in – any of the hotel’s many features, all designed to leave you relaxed and refreshed

WITH some choosing to revel in the winter weather when it comes to Christmas time, sometimes a break away is exactly the winter warmer that you really need.

Whatever your Christmas budget, Concorde Travel is offering a range of packages to whisk you away to the island of Malta. Packages are available for three or seven nights, in a wide range of accommodation.

Depart on December 21 for seven nights and stay at the three-star St George’s Park & La Vallette, from €594PP; stay at the four-star Hotel Maritim Antonine, from €634PP, or stay at the four-star Hotel Cavalieri, €704PP. Travel on Christmas Eve and spend seven nights at the fourstar Cavalieri, from €670PP, or treat yourself at the five-star Radisson Blu Bay Point, from €764PP. The Christmas packages include return flights, taxes, transfers and accommodation. To book your Christmas break, see www.concordetravel. ie, or phone 01 775 9300.

26 Dun laoghaire gazette 29 November 2012

dun LaoghaireCLASSIFIEDS

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29 November 2012 DUN LAOGHAIRE Gazette 27

wakeboarding P29

asdfsdaf gaelic games P27 P31

dublinsport Let the Gazette keep you up to date with all the best local sporting action from around the city as we cover all the stories that matter to you and your community



Gazette

sports awards P28

FastSport third time unlucky for Loughran:

Former Irish women’s hockey manager Sally Ann Fanagan, centre, celebrates her national volunteer award with, left to right, Alex Speers, Lisa Jacob and Emma Gray

volunteers: fanagan named adult manager of the year at the aviva stadium

Local heroes honoured for selfless services to sport LORETO hockey club member Sally Ann Fanagan was honoured this week with the Adult Manager of the Year Award at the Irish Sport Council’s National Awards to Volunteers in Sport in the Aviva Stadium.

Fanagan was awarded the gong following an amazing service to Irish hockey, taking over as the Irish senior women’s team manager in 2006.

During her tenure, she amassed 155 caps before she retired in June, taking in three European championships, two Olympic qualifiers, two Champions

Challenge campaigns and one World Cup qualifier.

The awards are a collaboration between the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, the Irish Sports Council and the Federation of Irish Sport which represents over 70 sports in Ireland.

In attendance at the event was Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Michael Ring who acknowledged the exceptional work of the honoured volunteers in sport “For me all our winners epitomise

true sportsmen and women who not alone get a great deal out of sport but perhaps just as importantly put a huge amount into sport,” he said.

Also on the list of award winners was Cormorant swimming club coach Marian Fenton, martial arts administrator Brendan Dowling and Gymnastics Ireland’s Mary Murray.

Blackrock Flyers founders Colm and Shelagh Leech also received one of the awards on the back of the fantastic work they have done in disability sports and in particular, the Special

Olympics.

The Leeches have been volunteers with Special Olympics for over 15 years during which time they have taken on a variety of different roles working at national, regional and local club levels.

Their daughter, Tara, is a participant in the Special Olympics in gymnastics, basketball, athletics and golf.

In 1989 the couple were among a group of parents to establish a Special Olympics Club in Bray before they went on to found a further club in Blackrock.

FORMER Mount Anville student Sinead Loughran was left on the runnersup side for a third consecutive year in the NCAA hockey championship final as University of North Carolina fell to Princeton 3-2.

For each of the past three years, UNC have fallen at the final hurdle by the same scoreline after epic runs to the final of the competition.

Loughran’s university had won their regional conference before beating Syracuse 6-1 – who featured fellow Dubliners Emma Russell, Liz McInerney and Gillian Pinder – with Loughran on the score sheet in the national semi-final.

c o n ta c t s Acting Sports Editor: Stephen Findlater sfindlater@gazettegroup.com

For more information or to send in news and photos: sport@gazettegroup.com Phone: 01 651 6205

Gazette

28 DUN LAOGHAIRE gazette 29 November 2012

SPORT

DublinGazetteNewspapers 2012 dublin sports awards november nominees

WITH winter closing in, local stars are continuing to warm the sports landscape with a string of blistering performances. Dundrum South Dublin AC’s runners claimed the most of the first major cross-country crowns of the winter with Ava Hutchinson’s performance chief among them. A string of local soccer stars are forging their way into Republic of Ireland squads while Barry Murphy’s recordbreaking feats were part of an immaculate Irish swimming team overall performance.

From a team perspective, November has seen numerous clubs shine on the Leinster GAA scene but none more so than Castleknock’s footballers. From a collective perspective, Lucan Sarsfields’ immaculate work at underage level has borne fruit in abundance as they annexed their 20th camogie title in six seasons. Swords Celtic have similarly blazed a trail on the soccer front.

H STARof the MONTH

sean byrne

barry murphy

ava hutchinson

ST JOSEPH’S striker Sean Byrne produced a fine showing for the Republic of Ireland as he got on the mark for the U-16s as they played out a highly competitive pair of matches against Estonia.

THE ALSAA swimmer broke a string of national records to show his form at the European short course championships in Chartres, France. He topped his best mark in the 50m butterfly and the 50m breaststroke.

LONDON Olympian Ava Hutchinson picked off the national intercounty cross country title, showing her form leading into the European championships with victory in the senior women’s race.

castleknock junior football

swords celtic

lucan sarsfields camogie

LEINSTER junior championship glory was annexed last Sunday to go with Dublin honours as they had too much in the tank for St Fintan’s last weekend at Parnell Park. A truly breathtaking season continues.

AFTER an eighth successive win at the start of the month, Swords Celtic have rocketed to the top of the LSL junior leagues and look in great shape for promotion up to the intermediate ranks as the midway mark nears.

A MEMORABLE month for the 12th Lock club, their minors won a third successive A championship - the fifth top tier underage in quick succession while three of their senior team have been added to the Dublin panel.

TEAMof the MONTH H

Fingal host cricket coaching development event  sport@gazettegroup.com

Recent participants in one of the ICC introduction to coaching courses

FINGAL Cricket Development Officer Reinhardt Strydom, with the help of Simi Singh, recently presented an ICC introduction to coaching course in the Fingal area.

The course was delivered at Corduff Sport Centre, Blanchardstown last week and was attended by 13 participants who were represented by clubs from different areas of Fingal and Leinster.

The course ran for four hours explaining the basic laws of cricket, how the game works

and to show different small sided games that can be played in the schoolyard.

The session started with a demonstration of how the game of cricket works along with the basic rules with a layout of a cricket field.

Following that, batting was demonstrated with the grip and stance shown along with the execution of the forward drive.

The bowling element concentrated initially on the basic action before progressing to run-ups and follow-throughs.

To finish, the teachers were

shown hand-eye co-ordination skills and games and also four different cricket games to play with their students.

These games included Pairs cricket and Continuous cricket.

Participants arriving with little or no knowledge of cricket learned a lot over the four hours.

“They left understanding the game better, had fun, learned to bat and bowl and were all looking forward to trying out these games with their relevant classes.

This will hugely help the growth of cricket in Fingal and special thanks have to go to all

the schools and teachers who attended.

“A very successful course with many positive outcomes resulted from the day’s activities.

“The council are committed to developing sport in Fingal and cricket is a major part of that plan.

“This programme gives teachers the basic skills of the game and enables them to pass on what they have learned to their students through fun and active games,” said Niall Mc Guirk, senior sports development office for Fingal County Council.

29 November 2012 DUN LAOGHAIRE gazette 29

Gazette

O’Caoimh flying high in the wakeboarding world Killiney teenager has entered the wakeboarding world’s top 20 with stellar performances in Asia, South Africa and Australia all while continuing his studies in Ireland TALENTED Killiney native David O’Caoimh ended his year with a tenth place finish at the final wakeboarding world cup event in Palembang, Indonesia last Sunday.

Despite negotiating 33 degree heats, the teenager did well to storm his way through the qualifying heats but he came unstuck at the semi-final stage whilst performing one of his most technical tricks.

Nonetheless, the result continued his rise into the top 20 in the world in a growing sport that is looking toward potential inclusion in the 2020 Olympic Games.

It is quite the achievement for the 18-year-old who, despite the elements in Ireland working against the sport in many respects

 stephen findlater sport@gazettegroup.com

– the climate one of the major factors – he has been making waves on the international scene.

O’Caoimh has been on the water for the guts of three quarters of his life, first following in his parents footsteps. They were keen windsurfers and introduced him to that sport initially during summer holidays in Cavan but he soon graduated to the wakeboard, a hybrid of water-skiing, snowboarding and surfing with added gymnastics.

Pulled along by a speed-

boat at 20 to 25 miles per hour, competitors use the wake of the boat to perform flips and spins to spectacular effect.

And, since the turn of the year, O’Caoimh has been one of the foremost protagonists, training on the ice cold waters of Ireland year-round.

In 2012, his winning season kicked off when he won the gold medal in the junior men’s division at the European wakeboarding championships in South Africa in February.

It led to an invite to the prestigious wakeboard world cup in Australia to which only the top 20 male riders in the world are selected.

There, he was up against full-time professional wakeboarders from

all over the world, managing to take fifth place.

A few weeks later he went on to compete at the US Wake Games and took bronze in the junior pro men’s category.

He then defended his national pro title in Ireland and, a fortnight

petition where, for the second year in a row, he won the gold.

Speaking about the incredible run of results, O’Caoimh said: “I am so happy to have had such a fantastic season and I’m really delighted with my titles.”

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

‘I am so happy to have had such a fantastic season and I’m really delighted with my titles’ - David O’Caoimh

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

afterwards, he took the top spot at the Irish open wakeboard championships.

From there, it was off to Germany to compete at the prestigious Chill and Ride international com-

Killiney man David O’Caoimh has produced an incredible year on the world wakeboarding scene

While many of his opponents can afford to compete full-time, O’Caoimh is currently combining competing with his studies.

Despite travelling to Asia, Australia, South Africa, the USA and Europe to train and compete, he managed to find time to sit the Leaving Certificate and is currently in first year at UCD. But he is hoping that by the time he finishes college, he could be looking at an Olympic campaign.

Wakeboarding has been shortlisted for the 2020 Olympic Games and the world championships are now held under the auspices of the IOC. In addition, the first Wakeboard Cable Park has recently been given planning approval and is expected to open in the Dublin Docklands next spring.

FastSport

St Luke’s create school history in Parnell Park ST Luke’s National School in Tyrrelstown created history for their school by winning the first ever GAA trophy this week when they won the final of the Dublin 15 local schools league, played in Parnell Park against Tyrrelstown Educate Together.

Both teams brought large numbers of supporters who created a fantastic atmosphere in the ground.

St Luke’s shaded a close match and were inspired by their midfield duo of Michael Afuye and Chris Sombete. The match showcased a huge level of school pride and team spirit and proved a fantastic day for the young people of Tyrrelstown.

Speaking about the game, St Luke’s teacher Kris O’Connor said: “The whole school is extremely proud of their boys, who remained undefeated for the duration of the league and represented the school with great dignity.

“The victory has done huge things for GAA in the school and has provided encouragement for younger children to get involved. Hopefully, this is the first of many trophies to be won by the children of St Luke’s National School.”

O’Connor was part of the team’s coaching team along with Conor Lynch who gave their own time to train, coach and mentor the boys along the road to their success, fostering a strong commitment in the team.

Polar Plunge set for 40 Foot THE fourth annual Polar Plunge will take place on Saturday, December 1 from 11.30am at the Forty Foot in Sandycove with all funds raised going to Special Olympics Ireland.

Participants are requested to raise €25 to plunge into the Irish Sea.

Refreshments will be available afterwards while the Newtownpark gospel choir and the Howth coastguard will provide entertainment.

For more information, go to www. specialolympics.ie/ easternregion while you can request sponsorship cards from Brenda or Paul on 01 891 2000 or eastern. region@specialolympics.ie.

Gazette

30 DUN LAOGHAIRE gazette 29 November 2012

SPORT

FastSport

soccer: byrne on the mark for republic of ireland U-16s

Hutchinson and Sweeney land national senior titles AVA Hutchinson and DSDAC club mate Joseph Sweeney were both on the top step of the podium as they claimed glory at the Woodie’s DIY national intercounty cross-country championships and juvenile even age group championships that took place last Sunday in Tattersalls in Ratoath.

The senior women’s race produced a tremendous battle between Dublin’s Hutchinson and Cork’s Lizzie Lee. Olympic marathon representative Hutchinson, who grew up in Blackrock, duelled with Lee for the majority of the 8km race. At one point it looked like Lee would break Hutchinson as she made a move on the final circuit.

However it wasn’t to be and Hutchinson propelled herself to victory in a time of 31.06, ahead of second place Lee four seconds back.

Commenting afterwards Hutchinson said: “That was really hard, it was one of the toughest races I have had in a long time. I am really looking forward to the Europeans now and I believe we can do very well as a team there.”

On the men’s side, they were tasked with the challenge of running five circuits of the 2km course. Michael Mulhare of Laois took an early lead on the first lap but defending champion Sweeney, who went to Colaiste Eoin, soon overhauled him in a time of 33.27.

Commenting afterwards, Sweeney said: “I ran that conservatively, I wanted to save myself for two weeks’ time. I am really looking forward to the Europeans now.”

On a good day for Dublin, Sarah McCormack finished an excellent third position (31.27), just ahead of Louth’s Fiona Roche (31.34).

Defending champion Siofra Cleirigh Buttner was the decisive winner of the junior and Under18 girls 4km race.

Buttner, still only in the U-18 category, was the overall winner in a time of 15.54. DSD clubmate Killian Mooney took the U-18 men’s title with several other Dublin athletes winning in the juvenile age groups including Blackrock AC’s Sarah Healy who took gold in the girls’ Under-12 race.

The combined junior and U-18 boys’ race saw a group of four athletes pull clear on the opening lap but Armagh’s Stephen Kerr proved the strongest and strode to victory in a time of 20.53,

Sean Byrne in action against Estonia’s Janer Adler for the Republic of Ireland U-16s at the SDFL complex in Ballyowen Park

Joey’s duo in Ireland squad  sport@gazettegroup.com

THE Republic of Ireland U-16s took on Estonia over two games, with St Joseph’s duo Dan Casey and Sean Byrne playing pivotal roles in the midweek clashes.

The Irish won the Tuesday game 2-0 before going on to draw the Thursday fixture 1-1.

With Casey captaining the side on Tuesday in Ballyowen Park, Ireland were fairly well matched but managed the victory through a brace from Ipswich Town’s Cemal Ramadan.

The striker bagged his

first on the 26th minute after an extended spell of Irish pressure in which Conor Melody was heavily involved, opening up the play for Ramadan whose clean finish found its way past the Estonian stopper, Andreas Vaikla.

Playing on the shoulder of his marker, Ramadan pounced on the distracted opposition’s back four for his second on the 53rd minute, timing his run perfectly before doubling his tally with another fine finish.

On Thursday Ireland and Estonia left honours even from the SDFL complex, with the second

annual awards Corcoran honoured as a Dublin Laoch Gorm kilmacud Crokes Niall Corcoran was among the award winners at the Friends of Dublin Hurling annual awards night last week following a man of the match performance during Dublin’s run in the senior hurling championship during the summer.

He is pictured receiving his Laoch Gorm award from Colm MacSéalaigh at the event.

half proving to be a serious test for both outfits as the rain made any creative movements a near impossibility.

However, the first half did provide two goals.

Adam McDonnell took the first after Tom Fields forced a stop from the keeper from Joey’s Byrne cross with 15 minutes on the clock.

The lead didn’t last long however, with Estonia restoring parity only three minutes later when Rasmus Tauts intercepted a pass sent out from the Irish defence. This left him one on one with Evan Gaffney who could

only watch the ball sail over his head from a fantastic lobbed finish.

Both sides had chances to win the game, but the conditions didn’t allow the play to flow as most would have liked.Irish manager Tom O’Connor took a lot of positives from the two games, however.

“With the changes that we made we weren’t as fluid as we looked on Tuesday but we did start off brightly,” he said.

“It was a very good exercise. Everybody has had a lot of playing time over the two games and that was the priority this

week.

In patches we played like we want to play but we did concede a goal from sloppy passing so we’ll have to eradicate that and the only way to do that is by constantly working on it.

“It doesn’t end now.

We’re constantly assessing players and will continue to do that. The attitude over the four days has been excellent.

“We’ll look to have a two-day training camp and then look for a friendly in March before the tournament in the AUL at the end of the season.”

29 November 2012 DUN LAOGHAIRE gazette 31

Gazette

Dublin South bounce back in SAHL Club Noticeboard  sport@gazettegroup.com

DUBLIN South bounced back from defeat to Kilkenny CBS in the Leinster Colleges senior A hurling league as they got the better of St Brendan’s, Birr 4-21 to 5-10 in O’Toole Park.

Ballyboden St Enda’s club man James Roche tallied an incredible 3-7.

Birr settled the quicker but Mark O’Loughlin’s ninth minute goal was the catalyst for Dublin South to go on a scoring flurry which reaped 1-4 without reply.

Before the interval two goals from Roche had the Dubs 3-14 to 1-5 to the good.

Birr, however, hit 2-2 on the restart to close

the gap before Roche completed his hat trick six minutes into the second half.

Also on the mark was Round Tower’s livewire Gary Quinlivan who chipped in with three frees.

Elsewhere, Colaiste Eoin’s fine start to the competition was stunted by a 1-11 to 1-6 against

Wexford’s St Peter’s.

They had impressed early on this term when they defeated the mighty St Kieran’s of Kilkenny 1-14 to 0-11 after beating Dublin north 9-7 to 1-9 a week earlier.

Dublin minor of the past two years, Oisín O’Rorke, grabbed the goal 10 minutes from time.

hurling: rock inducted into hall of fame

cuala BELATED congratulations to our U-14A

a number of managerial positions

hurlers who won promotion back to

within different teams. Please check

division one after a cracking playoff

www.cualagaa.ie for contact details

against Lucan Sarsfields.

for each of the roles.

The club AGM will take place in the

The Cuala shop is full of gear and

Cuala Hall on Thursday, December 6 at

equipment for Christmas presents

7.30pm. All fully paid adult members of

just in case Santa needs a little help in

the club are encouraged to attend.

deciding what kids of all ages might be

Congratulations to the incoming

looking for.

games committees from different

The Cuala academy Christmas party

section AGMs that are taking place

is on Saturday, December 15. Helpers

and many thanks to those stepping

are required.

down after their huge contribution to the running of the club.

Applications are being taken for

Please contact the people in charge of each of the teams to put yourself forward.

naomh olaf

Tom Rock receiving the Hall of Fame award from former Dublin manager Jimmy Grey last week

Crokes legend gets Friends’ recognition  peter carroll sport@gazettegroup.com

KILMACUD Crokes legendary player, manager, coach and chairman, Tom Rock, was honoured by the Friends of Dublin Hurling last week for his amazing contribution to hurling over the years.

The new Hall of Fame inductee was part of the Kilmacud team that won the intermediate double in 1982, putting Crokes among the senior rankings, before he coached the club to their first Dublin SHC title three years later, in a dual role as he was also acting as the

hurling chairman.

He was also the chairman of the club between 1990 and 2001, and received a standing ovation when his name was called out amongst 360 of his peers at the award ceremony.

“I never expected to receive an award like this,” said Rock. “It was absolutely amazing and I can’t describe how much I appreciate it.

“To have my name called out in a room full of people that have done amazing things for the game, people that I believe deserve this a lot more than me, it was a moment

I’ll never forget.”

Reminiscing on the 1985 championship win, Rock described how the county win was one of his favourite memories.

“What a team we had.

All-Stars like Pat Cleary and Mick Bermingham.

But what I was most proud of was that there were eight local lads on that team, all of whom were U-21, which made it even more special.”

Watching the years go by without further county championship success, Rock admits that he did have his doubts that it would be won again and described himself as “very

emotional” when Crokes lifted the championship in 2012, 27 years later.

“We always had football success, but I like to think we’ve caught up over the last five years with the hurling. I helped develop one of the minor sides that have been part of a fantastic run of success and there’s been a lot of work put in at the club and now I believe the hurling section is just as organised as the football.

“To see the lads winning the championship this year was a very emotional experience for me.

I was overwhelmed and very proud of the team.”

CONGRATULATIONS to our U-21 foot-

Friday, December 30 sees Movember

ballers who had another good win in

come to an end and with this comes

the championship against Craobh

the shave off. Some of the clubs well

Chiarain on a score line of 1-9 to 1-5.

known characters will be getting their

They now face Good Council in the

tashes shaved and one individual get-

quarter final due to be played this

ting their head shaved all in the name

coming Saturday, December 1.

of hard working charities.

Our Under-15 camogie girls had

The club’s annual clothes recycling

a great win in the top four playoff

fundraiser takes place from Novem-

with a score line of 4-5 to 3-0 against

ber 30 to December 3. Any unwanted

Raheny.

clothes can be dropped into the club

This week’s Jokers wild jackpot is up

on any of the dates. For more infor-

to €620 after Joey Jackson drew out

mation please contact Mary Gibney

the queen of spades. The draw takes

on 087 2405222.

place every Saturday night at 10pm.

There was no winner of this week’s

Come support and enjoy a great night

lotto. The numbers drawn were 18, 25

in the club.

and 28.

ballinteer st john’s THERE was no winner of the Thursday,

port the girls on the day, and to their

November 15 lotto draw of €4,800. Next

families.

week’s draw will be for €5,000.

Well done to the minor ladies footballers and management on fantastic

Thanks to Dermot and all bar staff for help in organising celebrations in clubhouse afterwards.

team performance in winning their

Congratulations to the Under-21

championship final two weekends ago

footballers on their great victory over

over Foxrock/Cabinteely.

St Brigid’s and qualifying for the semi-

Thanks to all who travelled to sup-

final of the championship.

Ballyboden st enda’s CONGRATULATIONS to Fiona Ni Shu-

The Boden drama group is back

illeabhain, Anne Griffin and Sile Nic

with laughter in the lounge for two

Coitir who were presented with

nights - Thursday, November 29 and

a national league medal, a special

Saturday, December 1.

achievement award for scoring the first two pointer line-ball and Just-

The show starts at 9pm. Admission is free and guaranteed laughs.

maths.ie player of the match award

As Christmas Eve and New Year’s

from the senior one championship

Eve fall on a Monday, there will be no

final, respectively, at the camogie

draws on Monday, December 24 or

awards night in Westmanstown by

Monday, December 31.

camogie association president Aileen Lawlor.

The camogie section AGM is on Wednesday, December 5 at 8pm. The football AGM is on Tuesday, December 11 at 9pm.

Instead, there will be a double draw on Monday, December 17 to cover December 24 and a double draw on January 7 to cover December 31.

Deadline for items for Christmas Boden News is Friday, November 30.

GazetteSPORT all of your dun laoghaire sports coverage from page 27-31

Dublin delight: DSDAC runners star in county colours with a series of national senior wins P30

november 29, 2012

November’s sports stars: This month’s nominees for the GazetteSport awards P28

Blackrock aiming to get back on top  peter carroll

sport@gazettegroup.com

CONOR Cleary, head of House and Grounds on the executive committee for Blackrock College RFC, was a key figure in the development of a new strength and conditioning facility which the club are hopeful will bolster their efforts to get back in amongst the top teams in the Ulster Bank League.

The professional set-up will become central to the work of David Sweeney, the high performance coach at the club, as the players will be given their own personal programmes to work off.

“This is a state-of-the-art strength

and conditioning facility, it’s not just your regular gym, it’s highly professional and we’re delighted to have such an amazing outlet at the club,” said Cleary.

“Our players also have a space dedicated to injury rehabilitation in the facility as well as a cage, free weights and lifting machines which will be open 24/7 and will only be exclusively available to players.

“We didn’t have anything like this up until this point. Clubs like Lansdowne and Mary’s have had similar facilities for a number of years and we believe they have capitalised on that by attracting kids into their clubs based on that.

“With our facilities now in place,

we too hope that it will bring more interest to the club so we can continue the tradition of fantastic teams that Rock has produced over the years.

“The strength and conditioning centre will allow us to monitor the development of every player with the help of David Sweeney. It’s a very serious operation and it really allows the club to play a bigger role in the physical training as opposed to sending them to a regular gym.

“It’s a work in progress, but we’re hoping to bring in a swipe card system by which coaches will be able to check how many times their players have gone to the gym and to make sure if they are putting in

the correct amount of time to correspond with their program.

“Hopefully with such advances in place we can look to get back into the higher tiers of the Irish league,” said Cleary.

Coming off two wins away from home since a rough start to the league for Blackrock, Cleary believes a win on Saturday can turn their assault on the league around.

“It’s a huge game at the weekend with Ballymena, we hope it can be the turning point of the season.

We’ve left some games behind this year but hopefully we can take the points on Saturday and go into the break with a bit of momentum,” he finished.

Blackrock’s Rob Keogh has impressed in the club’s two recent wins