Dun laoghaire

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Blackrock • Cornelscourt • Deansgrange • Dalkey • Glasthule • Monkstown • Glenageary

INSIDE: We ask top comic Jason a Byrne-ing question – how does he escape the mayhem? P15

Hockey:

Borough sides both succeed in Leinster league Page 28

Soccer:

Gormley hails Cabinteely’s grand entrance Page 32

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ALSOINSIDE: DUBLIN LIFE................... 13 OUT&ABOUT...................17 TRAVEL.......................... 19 CLASSIFIEDS.................26 SPORT............................28

relax: We’ve got all you need to know about Paddy’s Day celebrations P8-9

Plan for home in Dalkey delayed  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

SIXTY objections, including one from the Department of Heritage and the Gaeltacht, were submitted to a planning application lodged by Pegasus Lift Ltd for a 57-unit, five-storey retirement complex off Barnhill in Dalkey.

The planning application includes six four-storey blocks with terraces and a recessed fifth floor.

The Department objected to the proposed development in Dalkey,

saying it would impose on the 18th century protected structure, Dalkey Lodge, and called for a visual impact assessment to be done.

Cllr Cormac Devlin (FF) said the proposed development was “out of character” with a heritage town such as Dalkey. Pegasus Life Ltd, a British retirement homes specialist, recently purchased Richmond Cheshire Home, a home in Monkstown for those with disabilities.

Full Story on Page 4

USA-bound: Luke’s happy to be getting life-changing surgery LAURA and Luke Herangi from

Cabinteely were delighted to help highlight the success of the Tesco Community Fund, which saw the community rally around at Tesco Ballybrack recently to help support his upcoming trip to St Louis, Missouri this weekend. Luke, who

has cerebral palsy, is travelling to the US for life-changing surgery, with Tesco’s fundraising for him being just one of 2,000 good causes being supported by the supermarket giant. More than €500,000 has been raised by the chain’s fundraising initiative, to date. Picture: Keith Arkins

2 DUN laoghaire Gazette 12 March 2015

economy BID survey points at positive growth across town

Business plan sees 50 ventures open up MORE than 300 jobs have resulted from 50 new businesses opening up since the establishment of Dun Laoghaire’s Business Improvement District (BID) almost a year ago, according to the company.

As well as this, a recent BID survey has found that 40% of businesses in the area intend to hire more staff this year. A survey conducted by Dun Laoghaire BID recently

 Bairbre Ni Bhraonain bnibhraonain@dublingazette.com

found that 40% of ratepayers are now preparing to hire new employees this year, and 58% of businesses are expecting trade to improve in 2015.

Some 50% of those surveyed reported that

Dublin Gazette Newspapers, Top Floor, Clarendon House, 39 Clarendon Street, Dublin 2 Tel: 01 - 6010240. Email: sales@dublingazette.com news@dublingazette.com web: www.dublingazette.com twitter: @DublinGazette Visit us on Facebook at DublinGazetteNewspapers

business had improved in 2014 compared to 2013.

In the retail sector, half of those surveyed expect to hire new staff in 2015.

This April, BID will launch a five-year strategic plan for Dun Laoghaire entitled The 2020 Vision.

BID chairman Don McManus said: “We are now turning a corner. We still have a long way to go but business is picking up and the BID company will work closely with the business community to firmly develop Dun Laoghaire as a choice destination to live, work, shop and visit.”

Some of the 50 new businesses include big names such as Fallon and Byrne, Nandos and Star-

bucks.

One of the new businesses to set up shop in Dun Laoghaire this year is Brock McClure Planning Consultants.

Speaking to The Gazette, Suzanne McClure talked about why she and her business partner, Laura Brock, decided to move from the city centre to Dun Laoghaire.

She said: “When the opportunity to relocate came, myself and Laura – both being from the area – figured Dun Laoghaire was a good place.

“In terms of commuting, it makes a huge difference to our lives. That alone probably swung it,

A Dun Laoghaire Business Improvement District survey revealed that 58% of local businesses expect trade to improve in 2015

but obviously rent was also an issue – you get a lot more space out this way.

“BID has been very welcoming to us so far, and it’s good to feel part of the business community.

“I think Dun Laoghaire is improving, and there’s a lot more happening than there used to be. There

are six of us here in the office, in planning and administration. We set up in 2012 when we were made redundant. We’re only here since January, and have hit the ground running.

“We love the area and there’s a great choice of cafes and restaurants. We don’t see any difference

from being in the centre of town, which was unexpected. Growth and consolidation is the thing now, and so far so good,” she said.

For further information on their business, see www.brockmcclure. ie, while for BID information, see www.dunlaoghaire.ie.

12 March 2015 DUN laoghaire Gazette 3

tourism Local share of national grant welcomed

€37,000 fund boost for six DLR festivals  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

SIX festivals partially or totally located in the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown area have been given the green light for funding from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, in conjunction with Failte Ireland.

Last week, Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Michael Ring, announced that €564,000 will be made available for 187 local festivals and events to boost tourism across Ireland.

As well as festivals and events such as the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta, and Dalkey Lobster Festival, there will also be funding for the annual Bloomsday celebrations in the county, as well as DLR events in the architecture festival, Open House Dublin.

Minister Ring said: “The funding will allow local communities to broaden their appeal to overseas visitors who will be able to experience everything from culture and sport, to festivals and fun. These

events are the lifeblood of tourism for many local communities.”

Shaun Quinn, chief executive of Failte Ireland, said: “These events will provide the backbone to the tourism calendar in communities throughout the country and add to our ability to grow overseas visitors and revenue.”

Deputy Eamon Gilmore (Lab) said: “I am delighted that a number of [DLR] festivals will receive funding from Failte Ireland this year.

council New site for public feedback  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

John Shevlin, Aidan J Breen, An Cathaoirleach Marie Baker, Don McManus and Theresa Cawley at 2014’s Bloomsday celebrations. The 2015 festival has been allocated €20,000 by the Department of Tourism. Picture: Margaret Brown

“Four popular festivals have been allocated [a total of] €14,000 in funding: Dalkey Book Festival, Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta, Mountains to Sea DLR Book Festival, and Dalkey Lobster Festival.

“These festivals play a vital role in boosting tourism to the local area as they attract footfall to the community, and are

significant for the local economy.

“This funding will go a long way to ensuring that these festivals continue to successfully expand and grow,” he said.

Grants approved by Failte Ireland for regional festivals and events taking place this year in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown are €20,000 for Bloomsday,

€5,000 for Dalkey Book Festival, €3,000 for Open House Dublin, €3,000 for Dalkey Lobster Festival, €3,000 for Mountains to Sea Festival, and €3,000 for the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta.

This year’s Mountains to Sea DLR Book Festival takes place earlier than usual, running from March 18 to 22.

A NEW online public consultation platform known as “Citizen Space”, for public consultations and surveys, is now running on Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council’s website.

Citizen Space is a Cloud-based software system for managing, publicising and archiving all consultation activity, in a bid to help the council engage more regularly and openly with citizens and other audiences to better understand their expectations.

The first consultation using the Citizen Space site was for the Corporate Plan 2015 - 2019 customer survey. Further details are available at https://dlrcoco.citizenspace.com.

4 DUN laoghaire Gazette 12 March 2015

dun laoghaire: latest turn out over water

300 protest over charge  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

AROUND 300 residents took to the streets to campaign against the forthcoming water charges at a protest held in The People’s Park, Dun Laoghaire on March 7.

Anti-Water Charges Campaign organiser Gregor Kerr said: “We marched down along George’s Street and Marine Road. There was a good crowd while we were marching, though not everyone came back for the speeches at the end.”

Happy with the turnout, he said: “There was a good community atmosphere and good spirit and people seemed to get a good enthusiasm about it,

in terms of preparing the next phase.

“That is really around people convincing their neighbours and supporting their neighbours in terms of not paying the [Irish Water] bills when they come out in April.”

The campaign is also gearing up for the national water protest on March 21, which Kerr said they will attend.

Meanwhile, they will continue meter-blockades within the community, which have been ongoing for some time.

According to Kerr, these blockades, organised by the Anti-Water Charges Campaign, have taken place in numerous areas across the Dun LaoghaireRathdown area.

dalkey Scale, impact of plan highlighted

Proposal for retirement home stalled  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

BRITISH retirement homes specialist Pegasus Life Ltd, the company which recently purchased the Richmond Cheshire Home for people with disabilities in Monkstown, has come up against several objections to another proposed development in Dalkey.

The developer applied for planning permission from Dun LaoghaireRathdown County Council to construct a 57-unit retirement complex off

Barnhill Road.

However, objections were lodged by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, and 59 others, to the proposed five-storey building for the over-55s.

The proposal includes six four-storey blocks in two terraces with a recessed fifth floor over a basement car park.

Residents of the development would have access to various on-site facilities including a gym, wellness suite, dining area, reflection and relaxation

rooms, physical therapy/ care suites and a residents’ lounge.

In its submission, the Department of Arts and Heritage noted that the topography of the site would result in the proposed development “imposing on Dalkey Lodge” – a mid-18th century protected structure.

The Department also noted that no visual impact assessment had been carried out and recommended the council insist that a qualified and experienced conserva-

The Department of Heritage noted that no visual impact assessment had been carried out

tion professional assess the current planning application under Chapter 13 of the Architectural Heritage Protection Guidelines.

Cllr Cormac Devlin (FF) said: “The proposed five-storey development is out of character with the low-rise residential nature and character of a heritage town like Dalkey.

“The development imposes on a protected structure and would overlook the properties around the perimeter of the site, affecting their residential amenity.”

Cllr Devlin held an information meeting on the proposed development on March 2, which was attended by more than 40 local residents.

12 March 2015 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 5

Treat yourself to a good night’s sleep this March at Des Kelly Interiors

What’s behind a good night’s sleep??

At Des Kelly Interiors, they know the one escapable truth behind a good night’s sleep, everyone is different! Des Kelly Interiors have built up a reputation over the last 45 years and continually strive to bring you, the consumer the best price, formidable selection and exceptional craftmanship. They are passionate about beds, and from their choice of mattresses, right through to their bedroom furniture , all the little things that make your bedroom you own, Des has it all.

Spring into action this month, and treat yourself to a good night’s sleep. It is always the last upgrade thought of by most households but it’s the change you’ll fell most presently.

So many of us are sleeping

on terrible mattresses that do nothing to support our spines. Taking the time to research mattresses, find the one that’s right for you, and investing in it can make a huge difference in your sleep quality. You will sleep soundly and wake up feeling refreshed. That alone is worth the price.

Des Kelly Interior’s highly trained sleep consultants can help you find the right combination , so you can unlock the perfect night’s sleep, not just for one night but every night. At

the heart of their knowledge is all the experience they have accumulated over the past 45 years, combined with exclusive technology and a never ending commitment to offer you the very best latest innovations in sleep.

So why not invest in yourself this month, afterall you spend at least 1/3 of your day at bed, sleeping.

At Des Kelly Interiors, they have pocket sprung beds, memory foam beds, gel latex beds, in fact, they have every bed you can think of. So call into your nearest store, and let them, the sleep specialists help you find the bed that is designed for you to deliver the best night’s sleep possible. When you sleep well, the world is a brighter place.

D

R OA

AW R D

EE DB FR EA X 2 &H S ER

6 DUN laoghaire Gazette 12 March 2015

arts Authors on show at LexIcon A NEW photographic exhibition entitled Portrait of the Author, by Ger Holland, will launch at the LexIcon Library on March 18.

Featuring 40 photographs by Holland, the exhibition marks the opening season of the Mountains to Sea DLR Book Festival, which is being held this year from March 18 to 22.

Holland is based in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, although she is originally from Galway.

Holland has been a professional photographer for two years and has photographed many literary greats, including Martin Amis, Armistead Maupin, Anne Enright, and Lee Child to name but a few.

The exhibition runs until April 30.

business Chain to open a store in Dun Laoghaire

The Natural Bakery set to roll out 10 jobs  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

TEN jobs are to be created with the opening of a new bakery in the former Aviva Insurance building on George’s Street, Dun Laoghaire.

The Natural Bakery – a fast-growing Irish company that makes a wide variety of fresh breads and artisan pastries – will open the new store in late spring.

T he company has bakeries in Kilmainham, Donnybrook, Rathmines, Ranelagh and Stillorgan.

Luke Creighan, owner of the business, said he is really keen on opening the latest shop, as it will be a chance to “bring The Natural Bakery experience to Dun Laoghaire”.

This means fresh bread made the traditional way, and pastries baked with high-quality ingredients.

The Dun Laoghaire bakery will also offer customers the option to sit in for coffee.

Creighan said the outlet will be ready soon, and added that he is very enthusiastic to open a

shop in “the beautiful town of Dun Laoghaire”.

Local politicians received the news warmly, with Cllr Patricia Steward (FG) saying: “I am delighted to hear that the Natural Bakery is coming to Dun Laoghaire.

“We are now seeing the fortunes of the town turning, and for the better, with more than 50 new businesses here over the past year since the BID [Business Improvement District] was established.”

Cllr Michael Merrigan (Ind) said: “The news that

politics

O’Brien to run for Sinn Fein  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

DUN Laoghaire-Rathdown county councillor Shane O’Brien has been selected to run for Sinn Fein in the next General Election in the constituency of Dun Laoghaire.

Cllr O’Brien was selected at a convention held in the Mounttown Community Facility recently, which was also attended by party deputy Martin Ferris.

Speaking after the event, Cllr O’Brien said: “I am delighted to be standing for Sinn Fein at the next General Election.

I will go to the people of Dun Laoghaire with the message that there is a just and fairer way of running the country. Many thanks to all members who supported me, and Deputy Mar tin Ferris, who chaired proceedings.”

The Natural Bakery outlet in Ranelagh – one of a number of the chain’s bakeries that provide a wide variety of freshly baked breads and artisan pastries

The Natural Bakery is to create 10 jobs in the centre of Dun Laoghaire is, of course, to be welcomed.

“This new business will help enliven the European cafe-style atmosphere developing throughout the town, and especially on Lower George’s Street.”

Cllr Ossian Smyth (GP) said: “This is one of a number of new businesses that have chosen to open in Dun Laoghaire town in the past six months.

“There has also been a remarkable increase in the number of people coming to live in the town centre. There are new

apartments completed at the old Iceland site, facing the Carnegie library.

“There are planning applications to convert Adelphi House and Brendella Skirts to residential use. This will mean more people living in the town in walking distance of local businesses.”

12 March 2015 DUN laoghaire Gazette 7

8 DUN laoghaire Gazette 12 March 2015

St Patrick’s Day

dublin celebrations: four-day extravaganza

Festival promises an abundance of events Rustle out the aul green, white and orange attire and join Dublin in its celebration of Ireland’s national day this March 17 with an abundance of events set to take place across the capital.

Once again, the city has high hopes for St Patrick’s Day with festival organisers making it a four-day extravaganza from March 14 to 17.

The I Love My City

Cultural Programme was unveiled this week with 18 events and happenings taking place in some of Dublin’s most beautiful, historic and often hidden venues and spaces.

Events feature both established and emerging artists, from a variety of disciplines including literature, music, film, spoken-word, photography, design, visual art and more.

Highlights of this year’s programme include the Ultimate Sunday in Belvedere House when I Love My City brings the Sunday papers to life through talks, interviews, live music, comedy, games, films and more.

Bia Beatha at the Guinness Storehouse offers a unique dining experience, celebrating Irish cuisine and culture in a setting filled with old world charm.

A special screening of The Snapper plus Q&A with acclaimed Irish actor Colm Meaney will take place in the Pillar Room in Dublin’s Rotunda Hospital.

Children are catered for with Mad Myths at the Royal Hibernian Academy where children are invited to join a playful, interactive session of stories and songs to celebrate St Patrick’s Day. But the highlight is of

course the St Patrick’s Day parade led by Dubliner Brendan O’Carroll with its theme of Celebrate Now on March 17.

This parade will transform the city with fantastical creations and thrilling performances that are inspired by the present. There is also a funfair, an Irish boat race, street theatre and more taking place.

Events are either free ticketed or paid ticketed.

In the green: Comedian Brendan O’Carroll is this year’s

For further details on the St Patrick’s Day Festival and booking details see www.stpatricksfestival.ie In Dundrum locals

and the Stepaside Business Association are busy organising Stepaside’s second St Patrick’s Day parade.

A traffic management

12 March 2015 DUN laoghaire Gazette 9

St Patrick’s Day

A funfair, a boat race and street theatre will be highlights of the event

Grand Marshal of the St Patrick’s Festival Parade. Picture: Robbie Reynolds Photography

plan is already in place ahead of the parade and a lot of the ground work is done.

Last year Stepaside had their first parade and

despite it being a learning curve, it went very well.

This year, there will be a food hall, more family entertainment and a second stage for local music

and dance.

The village will be closed from 12.30pm until 5pm and organisers are urging people to walk to the parade which will

be starting at Belarmine Roundabout.

The parade will then go up Enniskerry Road, ending at St Patrick’s Park.

Cllr Lettie McCarthy (Lab) said: “It is not just about the village; Belarmine, Sandyford, Glencul-

len, Ballyogan and all the surrounding areas are part of this event.

“Local resident and Olympic gold medal winner Ronnie Delany is doing us the honour of being our Grand Marshall.”

On the other side of the

county, the St Patrick’s Day Forgotten Irish Coffee Morning will be held from 10am to 1pm in St Joseph’s Pastoral Centre, Glasthule, in aid of expats living in Britain.

All money raised will go to the Forgotten Irish fund, for those Irish liv-

ing in straitened conditions in Britain and many of whom emigrated after World War II, never to return home.

Irish and Bailey’s Coffee, cakes and treats will be served throughout the celebrations and all are welcome.

10 DUN laoghaire Gazette 12 March 2015

12 March 2015 DUN laoghaire Gazette 11

12 Gazette 12 March 2014

gazetteGALLERY

Ellen Keane and Aisling Byrne

Claire Hogan, Colin Mulcahy and Aisling Cunningham at the Irish premiere screening of Will Smith’s latest film, Focus, at Cineworld.

Pictures: Brian Mcevoy

dark romcom: focus on wily will Smith, THE con artist

All eyes on screen for Hollywood premiere

Emma Klyne and Lucy O’Shea

Carl Shabaan and Steph Hesnan

Jenny Dixon

Norman Pratt and Darren Kennedy

Barbara Healy and Thomas Korner

12 March 2015 Gazette 13

Gazette

diary P14

dublinlife

Let Dublin Gazette Newspapers take you on a tour of the news and events taking place across the city and county this week, as well as the latest from our schools

a day in the life: Corrie villain finds skyping his son brightens his day

what’son

‘Angry man’ visits churches between shows  laura webb

BEST known for his role as Corrie villain Frank Foster, Andrew Lancel is now making his mark on stage in Twelve Angry Men. For anyone on the road, living in hotels and out of suitcases, there are few typical days.

Lancel takes this in his stride as he tours t he UK a nd I rela nd alongside veteran actor Tom Conti.

He star ts his day early with a Skype call from his seven-year-old son, Isaac, and his wife, Louise.

“We have our breakfast together and always have a chat before he goes to school in the morning when I am on tour.

“It’s a great way to catch up and after that I would take it easy,

maybe snooze a little or look at the news. I read a lot too, so I might do that,” he said.

A day on tour could include interviews with the local press about the show.

Then he concentrates on his work with his production company, Quarry Street, before checking out the town where the play is being performed.

“I am quite churchy and one of the good things about being on tour is that it’s great to go to different places and visit amazing cathedrals, and different places.

“I am a stickler for art galleries so I will try to get one in before heading to the theatre.

“There is a lot of energy involved in this play; there are 12 of us, and we all get on really well so we would see each

other out and about, go to the pub and go for dinner together and things.”

Getting to theatre an hour before show time, he has a shave.

“I have a little routine that I do.

“The character speaks in a different accent [New York] and is very physical so I would practise that – a little warm up.

“Then I...walk the stage, sometimes for quite a while if it’s a new stage, look at sight lines to get used to it.”

He may go to the pub with other cast members afterwards or relax in front of the TV and chat with family.

Twelve Angr y Men is at Bord Gais Energy Theatre from March 16 to 21.

See www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie for ticket details.

BUSINESS asdfsdaf P27 q&a P16



escape the mayhem 15

a sneak peak behind the scenes: Cool-

Andrew Lancel: “I am a stickler for art galleries so I will try to get one in before heading to the theatre.”

mine Musical Society will be performing a variety show, called That’s Entertainment on March 20 and 21 in Draiocht, Blanchardstown.

The show is the society’s first big production of the year and is centred around what goes on in theatres behind the scenes before the curtain goes up. The show is described as a celebration of “the hoofers, the wannabes, the dancers and singers of the backstage musical”.

According to organisers, laughter and tears, rehearsals and auditions, callbacks and casting all come together in a fun packed show.

The show will feature music from the old Hollywood blockbusters right through to more recent production: “This show will pack lots of surprises and send you home with a spring in your step.”

The shows begin at 8pm on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 March.

For further information or to book tickets call (01) 8852622 or visit www.draiocht.ie.

Gazette

14 Gazette 12 March 2015

dublinlife

DIARY

Stripped bare: More than 100 animals will go on display at the BodyWorlds: Animals Inside Out exhibition at the Ambassador this month. Pictures: Animal Inside Out

Inner animal life on view MORE than100 animal specimens stripped of their outer hides or skins, will be on display at the Ambassador in the Bodyworlds: Animals Inside Out exhibition from March 12 to April 12.

Exhibition organiser Dr Angelina Whalley spoke to The Gazette about the exhibition, which uses the preservative techniques of plastination invented by her husband, Gunther von Hagen.

She said: “My husband is the inventor of the technology in 1977 and has devoted his entire career to developing it to its state-of-theart form today.

“It was primarily to be used to help teach anatomy at the universities…it was by chance we became aware there was great interest from the public to learn about the body interior.”

She went on to say: “The animals are mostly from zoos, animal parks and a few private people.

“The animal exhibit is fantastic, holding a number of really dram a t i c a n d e xc i t i n g specimens like an entire Asian elephant with all the muscles and nerves dissected, and a huge giraffe but also domestic animals like cows and sheep.”

Tickets are €14 for

adults and €8 for children at www.ticketmaster.ie

stroll around the bay area and help aware MORE than a 1,000 people are expected to descend on Howth Harbour before walking to Dun Laoghaire Harbour, or vice versa, this St Patrick’s Day for the 10th annual Aware Harbour2Harbour Walk.

The walk showcases the beauty of Dublin Bay and its impressive 16.2 mile route offering a great alternative to mark St Patrick’s Day. Solo walkers or groups of family or friends can join in the

walk, which aims to raise about €40,000 for the work of Aware, the national charity providing support, information and education around depression and mental health.

Participants are encouraged to raise sponsorship from colleagues, friends and family. Aware relies on events like this for about 92% of its annual funding. Online registration is available now at www. aware.ie

castle hotel chef is a Gold medal success C L O N TA R F C a s t e Hotel has reason to celebrate having been

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‘Participants can opt to walk the 16.2 mile route from Howth to Dun Laoghaire or vice versa on the 10th annual Aware Harbour2Harbour on St Patrick’s Day – experience the beauty of Dublin Bay’

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awarded gold and silver medals at the Catex Awards 2015, Ireland’s largest foodservice event.

Ca stle Hotel was among hundreds of the finest hotels and restaurants in Ireland competing in this recent ceremony, held in the RDS, Dublin.

The team was represented by Clontarf Castle’s head chef Gareth Carberry, who entered three competitions and received the highest points in each category, gaining two gold medals and one silver medal.

The highly coveted awards included an Irish fish competition, the

Irish lamb competition anda m Mystery Basket Competition.

Commenting on their achievement, general manager David Hennessy said: “The Catex Awards are highly regarded and respected within the culinary industry.

“To be recognised in this prestigious competition is a wonderful achievement.

“It provided external recognition of our culinary success, which is important to all of the hotel team and our loyal customer base.

“It also gives Clontarf Castle Hotel an enhanced profile in a competitive market place.”

12 March 2015 GAZETTE 15

DUBLIN STILL GOOD – BUT NOT AS GOOD DUBLIN has dropped nine places in quality of living rankings since 2009, according to the Mercer 2015 Quality of Living survey.

But on the bright side, our capital still ranks higher than London!

Dublin now sits 34th in the world (down from 25th) while London trails at 40.

Dublin outranks every other city in Britian and Ireland and, according to Mercer, “enjoys high standards of quality of living and remains an attractive location for business”.

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Mercer says that some of the reasons for Dublin being ranked in the top 50 for quality of living worldwide include lower levels of air pollution, an excellent choice of consumer goods and the socio-cultural environment.

‘Doran posed for selfies with fans at the Ireland v England rugby game at the Aviva Stadium’

50 SHADES OF SELFIES AS STAR HITS CAPITAL

Jay Duffy, son of Keith, with 50 Shades star Jamie Dornan

THE Number 37 on Dawson Street was the surprising scene for an A-list visit last Monday, March 2, when 50 Shades of Grey star Jamie Dornan was spotted having a tipple.

The eagle-eyed Keith Duffy, who was also at

the bar, recognised the Hollywood A-lister and tweeted a photo of the meeting on Twitter.

Duffy’s son Jay, who goes to Belevedere College, was with his father and got a selfie with Dornan, who had been

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seen around Dublin over the weekend.

He was spotted at the Aviva Stadium for Ireland’s Six Nations Rugby victory against England, where he posed with numerous fans for selfies.

ESCAPE THE MAYHEM: RUNNING HELPS JASON BYRNE

Only way to switch off is get outside and leg it  KEITH BELLEW

BETWEEN his chaotic schedule of international tours and shoots for his comedy chat series the Snaptastic Show, Jason Byrne finds very little time for recreation.

He says that when he does get a chance for respite he doesn’t like to kick back and relax because his mind is inevitably draw n back to his comedy and career.

Because of this he finds exercise is the best method of Escaping the Mayhem.

He said: “I do a lot of fitness stuff.

“If I need to escape I’ll just run out the door and go for a run.

“I’ll do that or I’ll go training.

“I’ll do anything from weightlifting, to TRX [Total Body Resistance Exercise which incorporates ropes and

suspension into body weight exercises], Jujitsu, or boxing. As long as I’m on the move, that’s me escaping.

“I don’t escape into a book, or by just sitting there.

“If I’m sitting down reading a book, which I do as well, it takes me ages because my brain just thinks of standup.”

The main reasons he likes running so much as a means of escape is that it can be done almost anywhere, anytime, and if “you push yourself, you really feel the benefit”.

“If I’m boxing, or fighting or running it’s almost kind of like an adrenaline drug.

“I have been running for ages now, so the shortest run I’d do would be 10km and I’d do that quite lightly.

“I was doing vigorous training for the New York City Marathon

Jason Byrne finds very little time for recreation

in November, and that was just crazy training, but I never felt as fit and happy in all my life.”

He said that worries about bills and financial difficulties melt away after a run.

“If someone comes up to you and says: ‘Here’s a huge electricity bill for €500’, and you think: ‘What am I

going to do?’ What you need to do is put your runners on and go outside and leg it.

“If you run and you push yourself a little bit I guarantee you’ll come back and that €500 doesn’t look like anything anymore.”

You can catch Jason By r n e ’s S n a p t a s t i c Show each Thursdays at 9pm on TV3.

HELP – GREEN FELLA IS ON THE LOOSE AGAIN AS St Patrick’s Day approaches, the leprechaun at the National Wax Museum PLUS has run off again, and the museum is seeking

your help to find him!

A hunt got under way on Saturday, March 7, and continues until St Patrick’s Day. All visitors are tasked with finding the little rascal by following a number of clues. The first clue has been left at reception, and from

GAZETTE

FEATURE

there guests must search for more clues, leaving no stone unturned until the leprechaun is found.

Those searching are advised to enlist the help of resident Irish heroes in the museum, such as Michael Collins or St Patrick himself.

Those who find him are asked to upload a photo to the wax museum Facebook page or Tweet to #LeprechaunLost. Those who do will be entered for a chance to win a wax museum T-shirt, a wax hands vo u c h e r, a n d o t h e r merchandise. For more information visit www. waxmuseumplus.ie.

Gazette

16 Gazette 12 March 2015

dublinlife

Q&A

business

Airbnb expansion is ‘very exciting’ COMMUNITY-driven hospitality company Airbnb, recently announced that it has started hiring for 200 new positions at its Dublin Dockland hub.

These new positions are for roles in customer experience, human resources, finance, trust and safety, and IT. ICT Ireland, the tech-

nology sector representative body, said the move highlighted Ireland’s growing attractiveness for tech firms.

T he company has also confirmed a lease for a planned 40,000 sq ft office space at an old warehouse on Hanover Quay.

Over the next 14

months, the warehouse will be restored and modernised.

Aisling Hassell, global head of customer experience and head of Airbnb in Ireland, said: “It’s been almost one year since we officially opened our Dublin office and we have been really pleased with our

progress so far in terms of talent and growth.

“Our Dublin operation is a core part of the company and we are very excited to be in a position to build on our current success.”

Airbnb is an online service allowing people to rent their homes for short periods.

awards: reward good karen Gardiner, ground espresso bars corporate behaviour

Expert knowledge helps Firms get coffee chain to be strong chance to KAREN Gardiner has a background in food science and a Master’s degree in nutrition. Along with husband and cofounder Darren Gardiner, she has recently opened a Ground Expresson Bar in Next, Westend Business Park, Blanchardstown, which employs 14 people. It is the latest addition to the chain of 14 outlets on the island of Ire-

land. Maintaining her passion to grow the coffee bars while staying true to the company’s ethical approach, she feels she is enjoying successes following years of hard work and dedication.

She intends to remain a force to be reckoned with through the expansion of Ground Espresso Bars across Ireland and Northern Ireland.

How long have you been in business?

the recession, we now operate with an even more heightened sense that the climate in which we operate can change suddenly.

Ground Espresso Bars has been open for 14 years, with our first location opening in 2001 in Coleraine.

What makes your business successful?

I’m my own worst critic. I am constantly examining our business and the wider industry, remaining mindful that we work in an alwayschanging industry with evolving customer needs, and there is always room for improvement of our services and offerings.

What do you offer your clients that differs from your competitors?

We offer a high quality of coffee and customer service while keeping a local, family friendly level of service uniquely tailored to each customer’s needs.

How has the recession affected your business?

We used the recession as a growing experience and feel it had a positive effect on Ground Espresso Bars. It forced us to take stock and challenged us to re-evaluate our systems.

We were able to prepare for any negative downturn approaching us, enabling us to protect the business and the staff that rely on us as well.

What have you changed about your business to combat the effects of the recession?

As with any business that survived

What law or regulation would you change overnight to help your business?

Most laws are there for a reason.

To be honest I think that although sometimes they provide a challenge, guidelines and laws are put in place to help us to stay informed, organised and ethical in the business world – something we take very seriously.

What is your ambition for the business?

We aspire to be the largest coffee bar chain in Northern Ireland and Ireland, achieving a local reputation in all areas of offering a high standard of coffee and customer service to all our fantastic customers.

What is your favourite thing about doing business in your local area?

As our business expands we are really learning that no two customers are the same, and that makes every day different. Ireland has a rich tapestry of kind souls and colourful characters!

What is the best piece of business advice you ever received?

If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always had!

show how they help in society CHAMBERS Ireland has announced that the application process for the 2015 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Awards is now open.

The awards recognise the work being done by companies of all sizes to improve the lives of their employees, the local community and the environment.

The competition offers the business community a chance to promote their efforts in corporate social responsibility and to gain recognition for best practice.

The chair of the awards judging panel, John Cunningham, said: “Having chaired the judging panel for a number of years, I continue to be surprised by the exceptional ways that businesses are embracing CSR.

“Businesses in Ireland are unique in their unwavering commitment to running their businesses in a responsible and sustainable manner.

“These awards are an opportunity to recognise this hard work and dedication and to highlight best practice so that others can follow in their footsteps.”

Aw a r d c a t e g o r i e s include excellence in the environment, in the community (charity, volunteering and a community programme) , in the workplace, the marketplace, as well as international CSR, CSR communication, best SME [small to medium sized enterprises] and the overall Outstanding Achievement in CSR Award. Now in their 12th year, this year’s awards were launched in Dublin Castle.

Tina Roche, chief executive, Business in the Community Ireland, and Mike Jones, business development director, BAM Group Ireland at the launch of the 2015 Corporate Social Responsibility Awards

The awards are run in association with the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, partnered by Business in the Community Ireland and sponsored by construction company, BAM Group Ireland.

Tina Roche, Business in the Community Ireland chief executive, said: “The awards continue to go from strength to strength and each year we see how companies are enhancing and improving their sustainability strategies and embedding corporate responsibility at the heart of their business.

Businesses are increas-

ingly committed to the belief that customers, employees, investors and regulators place a high premium on trust, and that ethics and good governance are key in earning it.

“By adopting this embedded and sustained approach to corporate responsibility, companies are yielding the noticeable advantages it can have on the bottom line.

These awards champion this practice, which is integral to Ireland’s business reputation.”

The closing date for nominations is April 21.

For more information or to apply, visit www. csrawards.ie

12 March 2015 Gazette 17

travel P19

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 and essential across the city

arts P25



Gazette

cinema P18

Pets help mighty max find his new home

Anton and Vladimir Jablokov will stage a unique concert at the National Concert Hall this April, drawing on and complementing each other’s skills

classical music: slovakian brothers prepare to play at the nch

Violinists should take a bow

 Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

HAVING grown up with a Russian violinist/conductor as a father, it seemed inevitable that fate had musical plans for Vladimir and Anton Jablokov.

Playing since the age of five, Vladimir left the Conservatoire in Bratislava in his native Slovakia and moved to Dublin just over a decade ago.

Now Vladimir has joined forces with his younger brother, Anton, who is also a classical violinist, to put on a unique concert of collaboration and duets at the National Concert Hall this April.

The Gazette spoke to Vladimir about his career, to date. He said: “I came to Ireland about 11 years ago, having basically rebelled against my classical music studies for violin.

“I had got into my teenage years, and thought it [his studies] wasn’t cool enough and didn’t think it was exactly what I wanted to do with my life. I had been looking at musicians who’d studied at the conservatory of music and university and ended up just playing in an orchestra, and that wasn’t for me.

“Anton, however, continued his studies and is finishing his masters this year.

He took it much more seriously and did two years’ study in Switzerland, and another two in Germany. He travels from one professor to another, because he goes for the real ‘star’ professors who only use Stradivarius violins, and so on.

“Anton really likes to improvise as well, and he practised a lot with me as he’s been coming here for about nine years for gigs, playing second violin.

“A really good player, though, gets bored playing second violin, and he’d try to do his little tricks and go further with it. From him trying to make it more interesting, we came up with new arrangements. From that, we came up with a new show, and it’s really exciting for me to have Anton on the stage now as an equal. He now has much more freedom and can show off,” said Vladimir.

Vladimir and Anton have played together for 15 years; first as part of a family band of eight that travelled around central Europe, and then doing concerts in Ireland. His parents were full-time violinists all their lives and most of his siblings play violin, piano and cello. Like Vladimir, another younger brother rebelled and is now an athlete.

Vladimir said: “I came for a visit and

to see something new. At that age, you try to prove to your parents that they are not always right.”

So, off he went to Dublin, intending to stay for three months. He worked in cafes for a while but didn’t have enough money to live on. Then he noticed musicians playing on Grafton Street and decided to give it a go himself to make money. This led to his forming a band and building a reputation on the streets, and finally making it all the way to the National Concert Hall this Easter Saturday, April 4, as part of a nationwide tour.

Tickets for the NCH event, priced €25, are available now from www.nch.ie. The Jablokovs have now released an album, Two Brothers, on Vladimir’s Rubyworks label, through Warner Brothers.

The Gazette Newspaper has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for unwanted and abandoned dogs.

Our Dog of the Week is Max, a four-year-old Labrador cross.

Max is a stunning dog, who is in the prime of his life and just loves to get out and get active. He loves to play ball games, swimming, chasing birds – you name it!

He can be nervous around new people, so any potential adopters would need to come and visit Max multiple times so he could get to know them.

He wouldn’t like a house with children, as they are a bit too much for him, and he could potentially go to a home with another dog (Max likes the ladies!)

If you think you could give lovely, energetic Max a loving home then please contact Dogs Trust on 01-8791000. They are based in Finglas, just off exit 5 on the M50 and would love to show you around. Map and directions can be found on their website www. dogstrust.ie

Gazette

18 Gazette 12 March 2015

OUT&ABOUT

CINEMA

it follows: an impressive (and creepy) horror

Trying to stay one step ahead of fate ALL good horror tales can tap into some primal fear within us.

One of the earliest and most disturbing examples I can remember – enhanced, of course, by the fact that I was far too young to be watching it – comes from the movie, Child’s Play, which sees a possessed doll, Chucky, come alive to go on a murderous rampage.

At one point in the film, the boy who owned the doll is trapped in a police cell, and from the

 Dave phillips

window, he can see a long stairwell leading up the side of the building where, clambering step by step, Chucky is making a slow but inevitable ascent towards the boy.

This is the kind of expertly drawn out ten-

sion that lies at the heart of It Follows, writer and director David Robert Mitchell’s second film and his first foray into horror The film focuses on a small group of teenagers living in Detroit. As the eldest of the group, Jay (Maika Monroe) is a little ahead of the rest of the teens, she leaves them playing cards on the porch while she goes out on dates with her new boyfriend, Hugh.

Not much seems awry

until Jay eventually spends the night with Hugh, after which he tells her he has passed something on to her.

Something will follow her, he explains – he doesn’t know what it is, but it may take on different forms, mimicking people that are close to her – but it will follow ceaselessly, walking steadfastly toward her no matter where she goes.

If Jay lets it get close enough to touch her, the results will be disastrous.

She can pass the curse on by sleeping with someone else, but if they are killed, it passes back on down the line, pursuing whoever had it last.

Not only has Mitchell conceived of the most terrifying STI imaginable, but he has also created a seemingly unique horror device that works incredibly effectively.

Seminal The effectiveness is of course connected to Mitchell’s story and style.

Drawing on the seminal works of John Carpenter and Wes Craven, Mitchell’s film effectively captures that middleAmerican suburbia: all wood-panelled houses and neatly cut grass.

The fact that the monster moves at a walking pace here is a genius stroke – it allows plenty of time for the characters to get away and develop.

A car ride for an hour will buy several hours of respite.

There’s a subtle tenderness between the group of friends, with some burgeoning romantic feelings thrown in for good measure, and granting

In It Follows, a cursed teen (Maika Monroe) attempts to stay one step ahead of a stalking doom, which is pursuing her relentlessly at a walking pace

the time to see all this emerge on screen allows the audience care about and bond with the characters – which makes it all the more terrifying at the times when “it” eventually catches up.

Part full-blown horror, part horrific reflection on how our childhood must

end when we adopt the mantle of adulthood, It Follows is a stylish, very well executed – and at times, terrifying – affair that showcases ver y strong direction, coupled with an equally strong cast.

It joins last year’s The Babadook as another

refreshing example that mainstream horror can offer much more than just loud shocks (though it has a couple of those) – but it can give you a story and characters that will stay with you when the nightmares eventually subside.

Verdict: 8/10

12 March 2015 Gazette 19

Gazette

TRAVEL carlingford: ghan house is a grand getaway

A stately retreat with a welcome homely feel  mimi murray

GHAN House in Carlingford is the latest addition to Ireland’s Blue Book and is one of the smaller, more homely establishments on the list of great stately homes.

A group of us stayed there to mark a special birthday recently. The house is an 18th century Georgian structure, built in 1727 by William Stannus – a politician from Dublin who was of Scottish descent.

In the main house, there are four rooms, and eight further bedrooms in a garden annex. Rooms are decorated in muted, traditional fabrics and colours, but are more state-of-the-art than their setting, with iPod docking stations.

Carlingford reminds me of Kinsale – not only because of its picturesque streets and its focus on seafood in many eateries around the town, but also the influx of stag and hen parties to the area on

weekends.

Following a brisk stroll around the town, we promptly made our way back to the warmth of the house and its open fires.

It was early February, and everyone was in need of a hot toddy or something similar.

Dinner is served in a small dining room, mostly decked out for couples and a group of raucous women who were determined to have fun.

Starters included soft shell crab, scallops with

chorizo and lightly cured Irish salmon pastrami with wasabi creme fraiche and beetroot meringue.

Mains include such fare as oven-baked fillet of cod marinated in mild Indian spices with curried yoghurt, crispy shredded duck with saffron and coconut broth, rice noodles and vegetables Julienne, sirloin of Cooley beef and 12 hourbraised beef cheek with carrot and cumin puree, chestnut mushrooms and rosemary jus.

Built in 1727, Ghan House offers an idyllic respite from the hustle and bustle of Dublin life, yet is conveniently located just an hour away from the capital

This is simple enough home cooking with nothing too theatrical going on, but everything was tasty and staff were friendly, and good with the wine recommendations.

There is a lovely oldworld bar, and another drawing room with an

open fire where you can kick back after dinner. We made the decision to venture out and were lucky to catch a surprisingly good band in a packed local bar.

The Guinness is good, and the company good, as they say, and we qui-

etly snuck in “home” at around 1am ...

Next morning, and lots of tea and an Ulster fry sent us on our way back to Dublin, only an hour away.

For further information on Ghan House, see www.ghanhouse.com.

Gazette

20 Gazette 12 March 2015

OUT&ABOUT Catriona Hanly Vintage pink short sleeve top €170, Salmon bow detail skirt with rose floral applique €265

Fiona Kerr Silver rectangle earrings €80

Yvonne Ryan Ruby stacking ring sterling silver and gold €395

Stonechat Leafdrop earrings €90

Juvi Jewellery Rose quartz and vermeil earrings €89 Jill Graham Gold leaf stud earrings €79

Stonechat Blueberry drop earrings €175

Fee G Quilted crop jacket €209.95, Quilted dress €239.95 (Outfit available in Kilkenny Shop) Fiona Kerr Silver gold-flecked bracelet €225

Stonechat Chocolate diamond Anvers ring €3,050

Irish for design Spring  laura webb

WITH St Patrick’s Day just around the corner, Gazette Style is feeling all patriotic – no, it’s not going to be a page full of green, white and orange; instead, we are focusing on Irish design.

Irish designers are fast making a name for themselves at home and abroad and why shouldn’t they – with their quality and unique designing, it’s easy to see how Irish designs stand out from the rest.

So, this week, we are saluting Irish designers ...

Catriona Hanly Blue and candy pink paisley top €295, Blue bow detail skirt with zip €260

12 March 2015 Gazette 21

Gazette

STYLE

Blush Make-up HD brow kit €24.95

Cocoa Brown 1 Hour Tan €7.99

Anneco Mineral Foundation €25.50

You’ll love this range of Irish-made natural make-up products  laura webb

CONTINUING on with our We Love Irish theme, beauty and skincare products from the great green isle are making a mark for themselves both at home and abroad.

Anneco Natural Make-Up is Irish-made mineral makeup which has a great collection of long-lasting every-day makeup that is natural, ethical and kind to skin.

Made from 100% pure mineral ingredients, their line includes loose powder foundation, concealers, blusher and bronzers, primer and mineral veil, which are all among the extensive high-quality Anneco makeup collection, developed in Ireland.

Tan lovers everywhere are more than familiar with Cocoa Brown 1 Hour Tan

by Marissa Carter, and its many other tanning products that have come down the line. Now, Cocoa Brown is going Stateside, having recently launched its brand in the US after Ricky’s NYC scooped it up for its 30 stores. For further information, see www.cocoabrown.ie.

Blush Make-up and Nails was founded by award-winning make-up artist Nicola Walsh. Based in Clonmel, Co Tipperary, this range has everything needed for the perfect make-up look, from prep to finish.

Products include HD Brow Compact, foundation, blusher and bronzer, mascara, lipstick and concealer. For further information, see www.blush.ie.

Sligo brand VOYA is a family business built on seaweed which is harvested from the area and also supplies their own seaweed baths in the town.

It grew from a very successful seaweed baths business in Strandhill, Co Sligo, on the wild Atlantic coast of Ireland, set up

by Neil Walton. Products include sea-

weed soaps, essence oil, body oil and body buff.

Blank Canvas Cosmetics is an online cosmetic brand founded in 2011 that is based in Ireland, bringing quality beauty products at an affordable price.

Products include eyeliners, makeup brushes, airbrush blender sponges, as well as face and eye palettes. For further information, see www. blankcanvascosmetics.com.

Kinvara Skincare, suitable for men and women, is based in Co Galway and uses plant-packed ingredients (93% from an edible food source) to produce really effective products that can help transform people’s skin.

Products include cleansing products such as its cleansing face oil and moisturisers, and serums such as its Active Rosehip Day Cream and Rosehip Face Serum.

Kinvara Skincare is available in more than 80 stockists across the country, and also online at www.kinvaraskincare. com.

The Handmade Soap Company was founded in 2010 by Donagh Quigley and Gemma McGowan. This brand come a long way from being made in their cottage kitchen and is now found anywhere from Blarney Castle to Brazil. Products include bath salts, soaps, aftershave creams, body lotion and hand cream.

For further information, see www. thehandmadesoapcompany.ie.

So, when thinking about beauty and skincare products, why not try to think Irish and buy Irish? You might be surprised by the results!

Blush Make-up HD brow kit €24.95

Kinvara Skincare Absolute cleansing oil (100ml) €20; Rosehip face serum (30ml) €28; Rosehip day creme (60ml) €24

The Handmade Soap Company Witch hazel soap €6.95

22 Gazette 12 March 2015

C o m m e r c i a l F e at u r e

INTERIORS

HABITAT

ARGOS

FOR ARGOS

LAURA ASHLEY

NEXT

ame photo fr Enamel €33

Malmo seven-light pendant €137

5 x butterfly plaques €27

Franco wooden desk lamp €61

Polka dot cushio

n €16.79

side Blossom 5 table € 9.50 irror tray €34 Juliette heart m

paz cushion €75

to Francesca pale

shion €16

€34

Topsy elephant cu

table lamp

Butterfly garden trinket jar €27

Teal capsule

n €16.79

Geo knit th

row €48

Ashdown cushio

Nest of t

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50

Vixen knitted cush

Wing it to

Labrador tapestry

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Westend

SPRUCE up your house this spring by updating rooms with key trends and pieces coming through this spring/ summer season.

Leave the dullness of winter behind and brighten up a room with vibrant colours, pale spring blues, geometric prints, metallics and coppers.

Whether it’s a new fixture in the room, a colourful cushion or a unique

lamp, remodelling the home doesn’t have to break the bank.

Here to help you update your room is Westend Shopping Park in Blanchardstown with its variety of best-loved lifestyle retailers such as Argos, Next, Laura Ashley and more.

Exciting news from Westend Shopping Park is that Habitat is returning, with its collection for Argos

cushion €63

online and in-store from July.

In advance of the range being launched in the Argos autumn/winter 2015 catalogue this coming July, products can be reserved online for free with instant pick-up from stores throughout the country.

This week, The Gazette showcases just some of the many items available to buy from the many stores across Westend Shopping Park.

12 March 2015 GAZETTE 23

FOOD&DRINK

GAZETTE

OUT&ABOUT

RECIPECORNER Berry nice souffles THIS week, we have a delicious recipe for Raspberry Souffles with Vanilla Ice Cream (to serve four), courtesy of top chef Neven Maguire.

Ingredients 400g (14oz) raspberries, plus extra to decorate 100g (4oz) caster sugar, plus extra to dust 1 vanilla pod, split in half and seeds scraped out 2 tbsp creme de cassis 1 tsp cornflour mixed with 1 tsp water 4 egg whites unsalted butter, to grease icing sugar, to dust vanilla ice cream, to serve

Le Spice

Indian restaurant

Main Street, Dundrum Set off Dundrum’s Main Street, Le Spice offers a comfortable setting to concentrate on its great range of

The Picky Eater OVER in Dundrum’s village centre, Le Spice Indian restaurant is the new kid on the block, and local fans of authentic Indian gourmet cuisine will be hoping it’s there to stay.

Tucked away down the side lane beside AIB, this snug little venue provides an authentic Indian experience.

Upon entering, you will be greeted by the unmistakable sounds of Ravi Shankar picking away on the sitar.

This adds to the relaxing ambience of the restaurant, with its elegantly dimmed lights and curious paintings on the wall.

After sitting down, we were served with a basket of flat, crispy bread and a dish with three separate chutneys to munch on while looking over the menu.

This was followed by a bottle of fruity Spanish red wine from the impressive wine list.

The menu offers a selection of high-class,

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

Each dish has a series of letters beside it, from ‘m’ for mild, to ‘hhh’ for very hot, so as not to catch customers unawares

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

gourmet dishes which are a far cry from the stereotypical onion bhajis and curry.

The menu – which boasts duck, king prawns, and lamb, among other dishes – is very refined without being too pretentious to also offer French fries and a kiddies’ menu.

Each dish has a series of letters beside it, from ‘m’ for mild, to ‘hhh’ for very hot, so as not to catch customers unawares.

There are a variety of tempting starters, and The Picky Eater and companion both decided on the

spiced marinated Murgh Tikka, cooked in a clay oven (€5.45).

This was served up in no time and was tastefully presented, liberal and delicious.

For mains, I decided on Lamb Rogan Josh (€13.95) with egg-fried rice, while my companion chose Majadar Jhinga (€16.95), which is jumbo prawns cooked with fried onion and capsicum in a medium spicy sauce, a touch of Masalla sauce and coriander with eggfried rice (€3.20).

Rice is served in a separate bowl to allow the customer to mix as they see fit. The prawns were almost big enough to rival lobsters, and my companion was very impressed with the sauce.

The Rogan Josh did not fail to impress either, and not a scrap was left uneaten.

If you’re looking for a quiet, comfortable evening of Indian cuisine, The Picky Eater recommends a visit to Le Spice.

Indian dishes

Two delicious dishes from Le Spice – tandoori jumbo prawns (top) and lamb ragan jush (above)

Conclusion SAY goodbye to predictable Indian fare, as Le Spice (at 9A Main Street, Dundrum, Dublin 14; tel 01 551 9000) serves up a menu with some delicious, well-thought-out dishes that cover all the basics, as well as some excellent gourmet meals, too.

Preparation • Place the raspberries in a wide heavy-based pan with the caster sugar.

Mash down with a hand-held masher until they start to release their juices, then add the vanilla seeds and creme de cassis.

• Allow to bubble on a high heat for about 10 minutes, stirring regularly, until you have achieved a jam-like consistency.

• Pass the raspberry puree through a fine sieve into a bowl and then stir in the cornflour so that it thickens the puree slightly. Leave to cool.

• When ready to cook the souffles, preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F/gas mark 4). Generously grease 8 x 200ml (7fl oz) ramekins with butter and dust with caster sugar, shaking out any excess.

• Whisk the egg whites in a clean, dry bowl until stiff, then fold into the thickened raspberry puree. Use to fill the prepared ramekins and level the tops with a palette knife.

• Arrange the souffles on a baking sheet and bake for 10–12 minutes, until well risen and golden brown on top. Dust with icing sugar and arrange on plates with a separate ramekin of vanilla ice cream and a row of raspberries. Serve at once.

Gazette

24 Gazette 12 March 2015

OUT&ABOUT

HEALTH SHORTS Food safety workshop In Ireland it is estimated that about 10% of the population suffer from a food allergy or a food intolerance (including coeliac condition), the effects of which range from mild discomfort to life threatening. About Hygiene Ltd have developed a workshop Putting Diet and Food Safety on the Menu, the one-day workshop is designed to inform the public especially caterers, childcare providers, community and private care settings how easily you can determine the calorie content and put calories on menus. It gives practical guidelines for businesses serving people who may have a food allergy, food intolerance, coeliac condition or who may wish to avoid a particular food for other reasons.

All staff working in a business offering food must receive basic food safety training before they start work and at regular intervals thereafter. This workshop may be used as refresher food safety training to increase staff knowledge and awareness. The workshop is on April 25.

For more details contact 071 9645111. E-mail: train@ abouthygiene.ie. Website: www. abouthygiene.ie

Reader offer Studio Figura are offering a special price for Gazette readers. Three 60-minute sessions €50 or 12 60-minute sessions €180. Studio Figura concept consists of three steps: 1. Personal lymphatic massage programme using unique highest quality machines - roll shapers.

2. Personal nutrition plan based on a healthy, balanced eating approach, determined by individual body statistics and activity level. 3. Support with unique “in house” diet supplements Go Clean and Go Slim. More information from Inga Captari at 087 065 9185, 8 Cumberland Street, Dun Laoghaire

HEALTH

health: TV presenter on her exciting new business venture

Transform your diet, fitness and wellbeing  suzanne sheehy

Are you looking to lose weight, transform your fitness or kick start new habits?

You can achieve this and rediscover the joy of exercising outdoors on west Cork’s tranquil Inish Beg Island through Ireland’s premiere bootcamp, Pure Results (sponsored by Ireland’s one-stop adventure shop, Great Outdoors).

This is a six-night, sevenday bootcamp, which aims to transform your diet, fitness and wellbeing, all designed with your individual aspirations in mind.

No stranger to exercise, and adventure it is of no surprise that this is Kathryn Thomas’s latest venture.

GazetteHealth spoke to the TV presenter about her exciting new business venture which she speaks so passionately about.

“It has been an ambition of mine for the last few years. I have been a fan of wellness holidays firstly through No Frontiers when I did the travel show.

“When that finished it was the kind of holiday I continued to do myself. A week when you’re on your own meeting a group of like-minded people and it is a really nice way to spend a holiday.

“Pure Results bootcamp is all about the personal touch as it caters for all fitness levels – whether you’re a bride to be preparing for your big day, new mums looking to lose the baby

weight, to fitness fanatics searching for a new challenge. Age doesn’t mean a thing. Whether you’re 20 or 60 all are welcome.”

A typical day involves a 6am start enjoying the beautiful surroundings of Inish Beg with stretches and light jogging.

The weekly diet is wheat free, sugar-free and dairy free with no caffeine or alcohol.

There is a mixture of high-intensity circuits with some low impact exercise.

But fun is also a part of the week with informal team building such as battle stations, spider’s web, giant slalom.

The aim is to “have you moving but you won’t even notice the calories burning”, says Thomas.

Thomas has also learned a great deal from previous bootcamp holidays she has attended.

And noted that one of the most important things missing was aftercare, which is necessary for continued success.

Pure Results bootcamp (limited to 15-20 participants) has a specialised team of personal trainers, life coach, group leader and nutritional therapist guiding and supporting you through both your pre and post-camp care,

Specialised trainers will keep you on your toes and working hard at Pure Results Bootcamp

Kathryn Thomas: “Pure Results Bootcamp are all about the personal touch.”

preparing and motivating you all the way.

You will receive a realistic two-week nutrition and exercise programme so you will continue to reach your lifestyle goals.

“I don’t want people to just come, pay their money and never hear from us again. At the end of each week, a member of the Pure Results team will check in with you on your progress.

So there will be weigh-ins, meal plans, exercise plans the whole lot for two weeks after you leave,” continues Thomas.

This is also a great opportunity to experience one of the most picturesque parts of Ireland, according to Thomas, somewhere you can go hill walking, trail

running and have beach workouts.

Thomas’s last word is: “There’s no such thing as I can’t, just put a challenge in front of yourself and you will achieve it.

“It’s having the right support and believing in yourself that can help you accomplish any challenge you set.”

The Pure Results Bootcamps will be r unning April 17 to June 2015.

Costs are €1,199 pp (sharing), or €1,399 for single occupancy. Early bird offer of €999 for April 17 – for one week only.

For more information you can email: info@pureresultsbootcamp.com or phone: +353 (0) 87 441 7090.

12 March 2015 gazette 25

Gazette

ARTS theatre: reimagining a Midsummer Night’s Dream at the abbey

Hit and miss at times – but ultimately it’s on target  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

IRISH theatre company Pan Pan, famous for its bold exploration of dramatic form which challenges traditional theatre, has not disappointed in its latest production – A Midsummer Night’s Dream – that is currently running in The Abbey Theatre.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream is Shakespeare’s fanciful romp about the fairy world’s interference in the love lives of mortals.

It is traditionally a play to celebrate spring, love, Queen Elizabeth 1 and – above all – youth. This tradition is utterly turned on its head in this new production, with all the main characters being elderly and their village, a retirement home.

Hermia (played by Aine Ni Mhuiri) is the object of the affections of both Lysander (John Kavanagh) and Demetrius (Barry McGovern).

Hermia loves Lysander, though her son, Egeus/Peter Quince (David Pearse), takes the parental role by insisting his mother marry Demetrius instead.

Demetrius is beloved

Kane’s Grinding Water

Wonderful wooden art  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

THE launch of A Journey, a beautiful new show based on the career of Irish woodturner and artist Emmet Kane, was launched at the National Museum of Ireland in Collins Barracks recently.

Curated by Jennifer Goff, the exhibition traces 27 years of the artist’s work in the medium of wood.

Kane transforms his medium in most unusual, though always beautiful ways, to question our perceptions of wood and its place in the arts.

Such a master is Kane that he can render wood into many magical forms, until some of his pieces take on the apparent qualities of glass and even metal.

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

‘This is a largely successful reinterpretation of Shakespeare and shows that Irish actors and audiences have a huge affinity with The Bard’ --------------------------------------------------------

by Helena (Gina Moxley), though her love is savagely unrequited.

They all live together in the nursing home, which is run by Theseus/Oberon (Declan Conlon) and Hippolyta/ Titania (Fiona Bell).

This pair double as the king and queen of the fairies, Oberon and Titania, who through the agency of a love potion, become inadvertently responsible for making both Demetrius and Lysander fall in love with Helena instead.

Enjoyable This Abbey production is largely enjoyable and the acting, in the main, is first-rate, which is an absolute prerequisite for making Shakespeare accessible and easily understood in a modern setting.

The role of Lysander in particular is very well executed by Kavanagh,

and Moxley does a fine job playing the nonplussed and abused Helena.

The fairy world scenes are not nearly as effective as the real-world scenes in the nursing home, which are often hilarious.

Great comic use is made of the elderly scenario, with walking sticks doubling for swords and the like.

The funniest part of the play is delivered by Peter Quince and his band of merry actors, who attempt to put on a diverting playlet for the fairy king and queen.

Pearse (Quince) has strong comedic talent and each time he stepped on the stage, the audience seemed immediately poised for a good belly-laugh.

Another of his comedy troupe, Andrew Bennet – who plays Nick Bottom, the unfortunate recipient

With their excellent turns, Lysander (John Kavanagh) and Hermia (Aine Ni Mhuiri) add to what is already a highly accomplished cast

of an ass’s head – is very engaging and full of fun in the part.

Pan Pan always throws in something unexpected in its productions and is very tuned into the zeitgeist of modern life.

A wonderful example of this was a physical fight between Hermia and Helena. The two repeated the same aggressive movements over and over, creating the image of a very funny “living gif” animation.

Successful All told, though a bit hit and miss at times, this is a successful reinterpretation of Shakespeare

Hermia and Lysander with Demetrius (Barry McGovern) and Helena (Gina Moxley)

and shows, above all, that Irish actors and audiences have a huge affinity with The Bard.

Famous for the line: The course of true love never did run smooth, the play, though largely a fantastic romp, really does explore how arbitrary and often fickle love can be.

A Midsummer Night’s

Dream runs at The Abbey until March 28 and tickets, available from the Abbey box office at www. abbeytheatre.ie, range from €13 to €40.

T he play lasts for around two and a half hours, and begins at 7.30pm, from Monday to Saturday, with matinees at 2pm on Wednesday and Saturday.

Remarkable The exhibition explores Kane’s remarkable journey of development as a self-taught artist and woodturner from 1988 through to the present day, and features a huge array of his work, from functional vessels and bowls, wall hangings, artistic pieces (both large and small) and recent small-scale works.

A Journey runs at the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks until June 14.

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28 Gazette 12 March 2015

SPORT

FastSport National’s Finn Lynch wins isa young sailor: NATIONAL Yacht Club’s Finn Lynch landed the 2014 ISA Young Sailor of the Year at their annual awards ceremony last Friday at the Royal College of Surgeons.

During the year, Lynch brought the Under-19 Laser Standard world title back to his home club of National Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire.

Speaking about the award, Lynch offered the following advice to other aspiring young sailors: “If you want to be competitive my advice would be to work harder than everyone else.

“Otherwise to just enjoy sailing is very important I think.”

Anthony O’Leary won the Sailor of the Year title for his exploits in winning the 2014 Commodore’s Cup along with his consistent pursuit of sailing excellence, claiming the title by a massive margin of 174 points last June.

hockey: south dublin clubs win big in leinster’s division one race

Glory for Hermes and Town  sport@dublingazette.com

BOROUGH clubs Hermes and Monkstown both won their respective Leinster Division One leagues last week and are already on the search for more silverware.

On the women’s side Booterstown’s Hermes, a slow start meant that they were scarcely in the pre-competition thoughts for the title but they managed to win a thrilling five-horse race on the final day of the

season with a 2-0 win over Loreto.

Aisling Na ughton scored one in each half, the clincher coming two minutes from time, to secure the title and coach Rudi Wortmann said an early season

Monkstown won the men’s Leinster league in comfortable fashion

Hermes star striker Aisling Naughton. Picture: Adrian Boehm

“wake-up call” provided the impetus for their first title since 2011.

He admits “preseason wasn’t that good” while their 1-0 loss Pembroke served as a powerful warning of the close-knit battle ahead for a new look panel.

Wortmann took on the side for a second spell having won most of the tophies in the game during his first stint almost a decade ago.

The Dutchman took on a side that had lost Irish internationals Lisa Jacob to the Irish rugby sevens game with Audrey O’Flynn following that route early in the campaign.

With four other squad members moving on, they needed additions

and they came in the form of Naughton – who ended as the league’s top scorer – and Sinead Loughran were late additions who have proven an irresistable force.

“Our key players are basically the whole team.

I’m not sure if we could have done without any of the players. I know it sounds trite but that is my genuine feeling,” he said of his panel.

Now, his side is looking to add more trophies to the league title with, incredibly, another three potentially in the offing. First up is the Jacqui Potter Cup final on St Patrick’s Day against Railway Union – the fourth meeting of the sides this term.

The Irish Senior Cup

final follows on March 29 while an Irish Hockey League semi-final against Loreto is also on the horizon for the Booterstown club.

For Monkstown’s men, their route was much simpler as they ended the campaign with an eight-point advantage over their nearest rivals.

They clinched the title ahead of their second last league game – an 8-0 win over Rathgar – as Pembroke, the only side to beat them over the course of the Leinster league, fell to Corinthian 3-2 to gift-wrap the trophy.

Town will now be focusing on the Irish Hockey League and trying to retain the title for a third successive year.

Griggs strikes late as Lansdowne down Constitution  sport@dublingazette.com

Lansdowne are eight points clear at the top of rugby’s Ulster Bank Division 1A

LEINSTER A scrum half Adam Griggs was sprung from the bench to be Lansdowne’s hero as his 79th minute try earned a 27-20 bonus point win at the expense of Cork Constitution in the Ulster Bank League Division 1A. The disappointment of the defeat lifted slightly for Cork Con when they learned that UCD and Ballynahinch had both lost, meaning that the Leesiders’ losing bonus point was enough to move them back into the top

four.

The afternoon had begun brightly for Cork Con as Munster prospect Darren Sweetnam touched down for the second week running. Lansdowne’s patience was tested until Conor McKeon’s neat offload played in hooker Tyrone Moran for an unconverted try in the right corner.

An opportunist try by Cork Con out-half Tomas Quinlan restored his side’s five-point advantage, but a late surge from Lansdowne made it 12-10 at the break as Tom Daly’s purpose-

ful break was finished off by his centre partner Tom Farrell and McKeon converted.

McKeon and Quinlan swapped penalties early on the resumption before Lansdowne, playing with increased confidence, swept through for their third try - a memorable run on the right wing saw Farrell break free to complete his brace in the 53rd minute.

McKeon missed the conversion, though, and with 13 minutes remaining a Lansdowne handling error allowed the speedy Sweetnam to latch on to

the loose ball and race in under the posts. Quinlan’s levelling conversion set up a grandstand finish.

However, Lansdowne produced the goods when it mattered most as Griggs ghosted through a minute from the end to score the game’s decisive try and give the headquarters club their 13th win in 16 games.

Elsewhere, centre Stephen O’Neill had a day to remember, scoring three of Terenure College’s six tries as they won their Dublin 6W derby with St Mary’s College on a 41-24 scoreline.

12 March 2015 Gazette 29

Gazette

Flying Flynn looking to leap to Olympics Coolmine athlete aiming to break a 27-year wait for an Irish steeplechase Olympian as he plots an ambitious course to Rio following successful spell at the University of Arkansas  stephen findlater

DAVID Flynn is plotting a course to become Ireland’s 3,000m steeplechase Olympian in 27 years. It is now 30 years since Brendan Quinn set the national record, one of the longest standing of all Irish athletics records.

Quinn was also the last Irish man to qualify for the Games, coming 11th in his semi-final in Seoul in 1988.

Despite Ireland having a decorated record in distance running, it is a race that has not really featured to any great degree but Coolmine’s Flynn is ambitious to see this change.

“Irish athletes are very tough and can grit out their events,” he told GazetteSport this week.

“The steeplechase is an event you need to be tough in.”

An accomplished runner at schools, he

impressed enough amid competitive fields with John Coghlan, Michael Mulhare and Craig Murphy to earn a scholarship to university in Colorado before switching to division one college University of Arkansas.

While there, he won the Irish Olympic trials in steeplechase in 2012 but missed out on the qualifying standard. Three years on, he is now looking to make another bid with a wealth of knowledge from the American system under his belt.

He returned to Ireland in November after an impressive college career, finishing in the top five three times at the hugely competitive Mount Sac races.

And he told GazetteSport that the experience will help him immeasurably.

“I learned so much there that you wouldn’t realise. You learn a lot

about the little things and so I think I have come back a better, maybe more cautious, athlete.

“It’s something unique to America. I coach a few athletes at Clonliffe now in the steeplechase; there’s basic things that some of them don’t know and it’s why the Irish record has stood for years.

“The usual thing is to train you like a 5km person but the technique is kind of old school. Something needs to change and there are some – under Chris Jones, who coaches Fionnuala Britton – who are trying to get things to change.”

Getting top level experience in the event is tough for Irish-based athletes with high quality fields and fast conditions tough to come by. Indeed, Flynn has recently been in Portugal for a month to lay his base level for the year ahead while all his fastest times have come at high

Coolmine man David Flynn, centre, last week with his Clonliffe club mates following their national inter-club cross country team title

altitude in warm conditions in the US. In Ireland, he has been running 90 miles a week while he helped his club Clonliffe Harriers to the national inter-club team title last week and will run in the Antrim international race next week.

All this is to prepare for

think people realise the training that has to go into it. It’s easy to say to someone you run 90 miles a week and they think it takes no time to drive that in their car and you laugh about it.

“It’s so different in America. After college, I was potentially going to

ken’sDiary

Cycling bug kicking in for Egan and the Laurels crew Olympic silver medallist and Irish boxing legend Ken Egan is to take part in this year’s Laurels Charity Crew Cycle from Galway to Dublin on April 19. In the run-up to the event, Egan has partnered with Gazette Sport to document his preparation for the big day, and here is his latest report from the road.

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

Irish athletes are very tough and can grit out events. You need to be tough for the steeplechase - David Flynn

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

the track season’s inception in April with the target to run at least three top level steeplechases – along with good 5km and 1,500m times – in the summer to put him in the frame for the Olympics in 2015.

Flynn says, though, that while these are the best laid plans, an Olympic campaign is a difficult programme to balance.

“It is expensive; if you want to run a fast steeplechase, especially an Olympic qualifying time, you need to have the perfect conditions, running in a nice climate at 7pm.

“I ran all my personal bests in California so you can see you need a similar environment. You need a pace-maker and all the splits to be even. So, to get all those things in place, it can be expensive.

“In addition, I don’t

turn semi-professional and move to Austin, Texas with a group called Rogue Running but that fell through. That’s when I got into coaching.

“Here, there aren’t really groups that would fund things so you are looking to other avenues to help support your travel fees. To go for the Olympics, you need to be training full-time, paying for your gym – I go to yoga twice a week – and you go through shoes pretty much each month.”

Given he has only recently returned to Ireland, he has missed some of the funding rounds through the regular channels but Flynn says he is confident, that if he can get a leg up from local sponsors, he can really start making waves in his Olympic pursuit.

THIS week, I decided to leave the 8am start to the professionals and landed down at the Laurels for 9.45am, feeling well rested and ready for what was in store.

The word on the street was we were doing 90km and it was a flat journey, music to my ears.

The numbers were good again with about 30 bodies in action. I started close to the front and decided to stay there for as long as possible which was my own little mental test.

They say you should get to know your bike; I have borrowed mine for this Laurels Charity Cycle but I really have the cycling bug and will definitely invest in a good bike after the event in April.

We took off again from Clondalkin to the Pheonix Park which was taken over by some charity run so we had to play second fiddle to the runners which is fair enough.

As such, we soldiered on out toward Blanchardstown on up through Maynooth and onto Enfield before doing a full 180 degree at that roundabout before coming back towards Kilcock.

There we stopped for a well-earned scone and coffee. From there, we had the back of the journey broken and proceeded back towards home, running down through Celbridge and onto Newcastle.

Every time I climb onto my bike, I know it ain’t easy but it is for such a worthy cause and think how lucky I am to be able to jump on a bike and cycle 90km.

Your health is your wealth and all I can do is try as best as I can to raise awareness and money for this wonderful charity which the Laurels are such an important part of.

Gazette

30 DUN LAOGHAIRE gazette 12 March 2015

SPORT

FastSport

soccer: st joseph’s rising star lining out in holland

Monkstown boxers win nine from nine MONKSTOWN Boxing Club claimed nine Dublin boxing titles last week at Under-15, 16 and 17 level, winning each final that they entered, a remarkable feat and something that is very rare by a Dublin Club in its 104-year history.

Head coach JP Kinsella put the achievement down to a number of good things that are happening in the club: “The boys themselves have put in some serious hard graft over the last couple of months for this championship.

“All of them have been out on the roads around Dun Laoghaire jogging before school.

The nine boys were part of our London training camp in which 40 kids in total took part, so that’s proven very beneficial.”

He also cited the addition to the coaching team of former boxers Vinny Mulhall and Tony Brien, who completed their IABA level coaching course in February, as a strong factor.

“In preparation for these championships, we organised boxing shows against some of the best clubs in Ireland in our clubhouse at the Mounttown Community Centre. These proved key and we hope to do more of these for our schoolboys in mid-March and the All-Irelands in April. We get plenty of support from families and the local community so long may it continue.”

The champions were, at Under-15 level, Sean Mari (33kg), Dylan Doyle (42kg) and Eoin Larkin (44kg). In the Under-16s, Sean Kavanagh (46kg), Cameron Fox (48kg), Michael Moorehouse (50kg) and Kenneth Doyle (57kg) all won while Under-17 duo Sean Cribbin (57kg) and Nessan Fitzgerald (70kg) also won.

Marian finish off with Inter win UCD MARIAN beat Dublin Inter 85-76 to complete the regular season of men’s basketball’s Premier League in good shape but they just missed ou on a place in the Champions Trophy.

Marian took the

lead in the second quarter through the electric Lorcan Glennon while Dan James and Michael Chubb saw UCD Marian lead at the half.

They went 61-44 at the start of the fourth and while Inter put a run together to send the game into overtime, UCD powered on late in the day.

Aaron Dobbs, third from left top row, with his St Joseph’s Boys club mates

Dobbs set for Ireland debut  nathan kelly sport@dublingazette.com

ST JOSEPH’S Boy’s Under-16 striker Aaron Dobbs received an Ireland call for the first time last week as he was named in Tom O’Connor’s international squad for a tournament in the Netherlands.

The side take on the USA, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic before the weekend is out and each fixture looks to be a stern test for the young Boys in Green.

O’Connor’s side beat the Czechs in the recent

UEFA Under-16 development tournament via a penalty shootout last month in Gannon Park.

Ireland came out on top in that competition with another penalty win over Austria and a 1-0 victory over Denmark.

Speaking after the squad, including Dobbs, was announced, O’Connor said: “This tournament will be another excellent opportunity for our players to experience what the game is like at this level and also to see what a mini-tournament is like.

“This is very important as we’re preparing them

Wings for life Irish jockeys line up to support World Run THE Irish injured jockey fund announced its support for the Irish race of the 2015 Wings for Life World Run, taking place on Sunday, May 3 in Dun Laoghaire.

Pictured at the announcement in Leopardstown racecourse are, left to right, Bryan Cooper, Mikey Fogarty, Niall Madden and Ruby Walsh. To register to take part, go to www.wingsforlifeworldrun.com Picture: Ryan Byrne/Inpho

to move on to the competitive football with the Under-17s next season.

“I was very pleased with how we performed in the tournament we hosted last month and felt that the players became more comfortable at that level as the games went on.

“This tournament will be another excellent challenge. The standard of opposition will be very high. The Netherlands are the barometer of what underage international football is all about so we’re really looking forward to that game in particular.

“We are also ver y interested to compare ourselves against the USA and we know the Czech Republic well from last month’s tournament when we had an excellent game.

Dobbs’s Joey’s side currently sit in fifth spot in DDSL U-16 Premier this season but winning their games in hand could see them move quite swiftly up towards the top of the table. Their most recent fixture was a 2-2 draw against Shamrock Rovers on March 1 after the local derby against Cabinteely arranged for last week was postponed.

The side also have an All-Ireland quarter-final game to look forward to against Wilton United in the coming weeks.

In more good news for the club, their Under-18s girls’ side reached their fourth league cup final in a row last weekend after an away win against Lucan.

Joeys’ opened the scoring on 20 minutes when Niamh Sheehan made no mistake from the penalty spot. Aine Dunster, Amy Irwin, Er y nn O’Brien and Lydia Cooke continued the scoring to book their cup final place.

12 March 2015 DUN LAOGHAIRE gazette 31

Gazette

on hallowed turf

Shankill’s young stars play first game in Croke Park

Club Noticeboard cuala IT WAS a great weekend for Cuala foot-

THE SHANKILL Under-12 football team

played a Cumann na mBunscol selection at half time of the Dublin against Tyrone match in Croke Park in front of a large party of parents and club members, an historic first for the club.

In another first, the club’s Under-11 girls Gaelic football team played Naomh Fionnbarra in their first ever ladies match and then travelled on to Croke Park.

Cuala are drawn with Faughs, Lucan

first ever match in Division 1 with a

and Balinteer in the group stages of

0-13 to 1-7 win over Parnell’s while the

the Dublin SHC 2015.

AFL5 team had a 2-10 to 1-7 win over Thomas Davis.

The third footballers overcame a three point gap at half-time to beat Stars of Erin 0-18 to 2-4.

football: dalkey club see off parnell’s

League Division 1.

ballers. The senior team won the club’s

The U-14 ladies footballers had an impressive 5-11 to 4-5 win in their Division 1 clash with St Sylvester’s on Sunday.

Best wishes to Rachel Hartnett who

Congratulations to ex-Cuala man

left in an ambulance after a bad look-

Dan Keating who won the GAA World

ing shoulder injury but is on the mend

Plate with Canada at the GAA World

already.

games.

Well done also to the U-14Bs on a sec-

Hard luck to Cian O’Callaghan, Paul

ond successive victory in Division 4.

and Mark Schutte, David Treacy, Colm

They put up 11-12 in their big win over

Cronin and the Dublin hurlers who lost

Ballymun. It’s a great start for our

out to Cork last Saturday in Croke

first ever girls B team.

Park.

Congratulations to Conor Mullally, Martin Cahalane and the Dublin U-21 footballers on their Leinster championship quarter-final win over Laois last Wednesday.

Well done to the senior hurlers who made it two from two by beating Castletown Geoghgan in the Leinster

The U-15s had a long trip to Skerries for a hard fought 3-4 to 3-4 draw.

Cuala have now joined Instagram where we’re known as “cualagaa”.

There are still some tickets available for our Night of GAA Greats in Croke Park on March 27.

Contact Gerry 086 8241692 or Barbara 086 8271070 for tickets.

shankill THE juvenile academy is in action every

There was no winner of our Chase

Saturday morning at 10am in Rath-

the Ace Sunday night draw in Brady’s

michael School.

of Shankill, which currently has a

It caters for children from four to eight at only €2 per week; there is no Cuala’s Michael Fiztsimons played a part in his club’s first Division 1 victory last Sunday

Cuala notch first ever AFL1 victory afl division one Cuala Parnell’s  nathan kelly

0-13 1-7

sport@dublingazette.com

CUALA’S senior footballers made a bit of club history last weekend as they recorded their first ever win in AFL Division 1.

The 0-13 to win 1-7 win over Parnell’s came in what was the second round of fixtures in this season’s league campaign.

The three-point win was hard fought for by Willie Braine’s side, as Parnell’s pushed for an equaliser right to the

death.

Eventually though, Parnell’s, who were in search of a goal as they trailed by two with little left, pushed too hard and left gaps for Cuala to break forward and get their 13th score and bring the two points back to Dalkey.

Luke Keating was active on the scoreboard for Cuala in what was a top notch performance from the forward.

Centre-half back Conor Mullally was also impressive on the day as were the duo of newly appointed captain Eoghan Breathnach and vice-captain James Power,

who proved why they hold such titles by real display of leadership.

Speaking to GazetteSport after the win, Braine was keen to point out the teamwork displayed by his side.

“Going into this season we decided to go by a motto of honesty, integrity and respect and I think we showed all three out there against Parnell’s,” he said.

“We’ve a real honest bunch of hardworking lads here who can also play good football and we’re delighted to get a win under our belts early on in the season and

break a bit of club history.”

On the challenge awaiting his side on March 22 against Ballymun Kickhams, Braine used another motto which, if practised as well as preached, may give his side a chance of success.

“Respect everyone, but fear no one. That’s our attitude going into the Ballymun game. Look, don’t get me wrong, we know all about Ballymun and their achievements and players, and as I said, we’ll give them respect, but we won’t fear them. We’ll play to our strengths.”

jackpot of €1,950. The €50 prize went to Lily Mae Messit.

annual subscription and it covers

Training for the adult football team

Gaelic football, hurling and camogie. All

is in Rathmichael School on Thursday

equipment is supplied. New members

night at 9pm. We lost to Croi Ro Naofa

are always welcome.

on Sunday.

The girls U-11 side lost their first

Our next match this Sunday is the

league to Naomh Fionnbarra. It was a

refixed game against Thomas Davis at

great game; well done everybody.

2.30pm in Kiltipper Road.

Our U-12 boys played at half time in the Dublin against Tyrone game in Croke Park on Saturday.

If you would like to join the team, please contact any club member.

The club annual general meeting

A large party of the parents, friends

takes place on Monday, March 23 at

and club members attended the match

8pm in St Anne’s Resource Centre

which was a brilliant occasion for our

Shankill.

club and all concerned with the team.

Club contact: S@gaa.ie secretary.

The next match is at home against St

shankill.dublinor Like us on Facebook

Jude’s on Saturday.

and follow us on Twitter

Kilmacud crokes THE Dublin senior footballers drew

es. Great fun to chart your progress.

with Tyrone; Eoin Culligan, Kevin Nolan,

You don’t need to know anything about

Cian O’Sullivan and Rory O’Carroll rep-

sport.

resented them, leaving our first team to draw with Na Fianna in AFL1.

Just try your luck and predict the winners of 13 sports events to the

AFL3 saw Mick Jones’s charges score

end of July; €20 for a fun competition

14 points to beat Garda by four. Reality

to generate funds to pay your team’s

bites for the new AFL8 side as Harro’s

referees, footballs, hire your train-

side failed to make first half wind

ing pitches, everybody benefits. Your

advantage count, as Liffey Gales deliv-

friendly mentor/manager will be in

ered the expected six-point advan-

touch with application forms. Clo-

tage of the wind in the second half.

sure to entry for the competition is by

Play The Whistle is back: 23 cash priz-

March 31.

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

march 12, 2015

historic first: Cuala land their maiden win in AFL1 borough hockey heroes: Hermes and Monkstown both as they see off Parnell’s to kick-start season P31 land Leinster league titles P28

Gormley delighted with Cabo start  nathan kelly

sport@dublingazette.com

TWO games, two wins, two goals scored, and none conceded. Cabinteely FC have made quite a nice start to life in League of Ireland, to put it lightly.

A 1-0 win over Wexford Youths on the opening day of the new season was followed up by knocking neighbours UCD out of the EA Sports Cup just three days later by the same score.

A packed out Stradbrook played host to the league opener against Wexford last Friday and it was a John McKeown goal which earned Cabo their first three points in the

First Division at the first time of asking.

A short trip to Belfield followed on Monday and this time it was Shane O’Neill who scored in dramatic style. UCD were awarded a penalty with minutes remaining but Evan Whelan brilliantly saved Eoin Kirwan’s effort which spurred on Cabo and eventually O’Neill hit the winner in injury time.

And Cabo manager Eddie Gormley told GazetteSport it was an excellent start to life in League of Ireland.

“It’s been a great few days,” he said. “We’ve been working really hard. We’re probably three

or four weeks behind the rest of the teams in terms of fitness. But we’ve worked a lot on the set up of the team and how we want them to play.”

Fans can often get excited after a good start to this season but Gormley says ambitions remain modest for the time being.

“To be honest we’re dealing on a week to week basis,” he said.

“I think it’s a bit premature to be looking at winning leagues or targeting the top three or something like that as we’re genuinely going from game to game.

“I am happy with the squad we have at the moment. I think they’ve done remarkably well for

a bunch of lads that have been thrown together. A lot of these lads didn’t even know each other’s names up until two and half weeks ago.”

Up next for Cabo is a trip to Donegal this Friday to face Finn Harps.

On the league encounter, the former Bray manager said: “It’s going to be another tough game against a very physical side. Everyone knows they like to bombard you with set-pieces and any time you go up and face Finn Harps it’s a tough game.

“But we have a little bit of momentum going so we’ll be confident in ourselves.”

Cabinteely make a grand entrance into the League of Ireland Picture: cabinteelyfc.ie