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Enjoy a luxurious escape from the city at a Kilkenny estate hotel break
travel p18 July 25, 2013
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Month XX, 2012 Dun laoghaire • Blackrock • Cornelscourt • Deansgrange • Dalkey • Glasthule • Monkstown • Glenageary
INSIDE: Young and old alike have a great time exploring the wares at the CoCo market in Marlay Park P8
politics: Tributes as Labour councillor resigns to emigrate to New Zealand P2
Noteworthy day: Young musicians attend workshop Football:
Locals help Dublin reach All-Ireland final Page 31
Sailing:
Regatta proves great success for local clubs Page 28
ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES....................... 8 DUBLIN LIFE....................11 OUT&ABOUT...................17 CLASSIFIEDS.................26 SPORT............................27
SANDYCOVE student Robert Keat-
ing (front row, left) was one of many students who attended a free music workshop in Griffith College Dublin recently, where teens picked up some tips on their guitar and keyboard skills. Robert and friends, (back) Yeshna Sheoparsad, Ben Riordan; Madeleine Chivers, Emily Kennedy, (front) Hannah Clark and Joe Hearns met many experienced musicians, who had plenty of great insights for the young players.
The Willows’ closure sparks war of words Politician attacks announcement of childcare grants as creche set to shut
Bairbre Ni Bhraonain
A FORMER VEC creche in Sallynoggin, due to receive funding of €2,977 from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, is set to close, it has been revealed, spark-
ing a war of words between local politicians. The closure follows a decision made by Paddy Lavelle, chief executive of the newlyformed Dublin and Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board.
Cllr Gerry Horkan (FF) slammed Deputy Mary Mitchell O’Connor (FG), saying: “It’s a bit rich for Mary Mitchell O’Connor to be announcing childcare grants for a creche now forced to close due to cut-
backs in State funding.” Deputy Mitchell O’Connor said: “I was extremely disappointed to hear of the imminent closure of The Willows, but the demand simply was not there for the facility.” Full Story on Page 6
2 DUN laoghaire Gazette 25 July 2013
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politics Emigrating councillor resigns
Tributes paid as Stephen off to New Zealand TRIBUTES and wishes for a bon voyage have been pouring in for one of the youngest Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown county councillors ever to be elected, as he resigns his post to emigrate to New Zealand. Cllr Stephen Fitzpatrick (Lab) from Dalkey was elected in the Dun Laoghaire ward four years ago and has been a full-time councillor for the past year, having given up his work as an assistant at Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore’s constituency office in 2012 when he became Leas
Bairbre Ni Bhraonain bnibhraonain@gazettegroup.com
Cathaoirleach. Cllr Fitzpatrick spoke to The Gazette about his decision to leave the council. He said: “I’d been thinking about it for a while, and it wasn’t an easy decision and was made as I had to get back into employment. “My background is
Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore with local party councillor Stephen Fitzpatrick
in HR, which is not an industry compatible with the workload of a councillor, unlike barristers and teachers. “I’ve been on €22,000 a year for the past three years, so you need a job on top of that. I’ll try to get some work experience abroad while I’m still under 30,” he said. “I’ll be going to New Zealand for a year on a work/holiday visa. At the moment, I have no work lined up yet. “I chose New Zealand, as my maternal grandmother was born in Napier, on the North Island. It also has an unemployment rate of around 6%, compared to our 13%! “I gave ever ything to the job as a full time councillor, and I achieved a lot of what I set out to do, including getting the Dun Laoghaire Baths project on stream, and securing a playground for Dalkey. “I may come back to politics in the future; I don’t know. I’m not emigrating for good, though, I will be back,” said Cllr Fitzpatrick. His replacement,
Donna Pierce – former parliamentary assistant to Senator Aideen Hayden – has already been chosen. Cllr Fitzpatrick said: “I’ll finish up as a councillor on August 25, and my replacement, Donna, will be sworn in on September 9. I leave for New Zealand on September 11.” Fellow Dun LaoghaireRathdown councillors were last week reacting to Cllr Fitzpatrick’s resignation.
Effective Cllr Lettie McCarthy (Lab) said: “Stephen was a pleasure to deal with. He also needs to think of his long-term career, as he knows it really isn’t possible to hold down a serious, demanding job and be an effective councillor at the same time.” Party colleague, Cllr Niamh Bhreathnach (Lab) said: “Stephen Fitzpatrick will be missed. He brought to the council his energy, his commitment and his fresh ideas.” Cllr Barry Saul (FG) said: “Cllr Fitzpatrick was a hard-working councillor, with clear ideas and principles.”
His party colleague Cllr Donal Marren (FG) echoed his words, saying: “I very much regret that Stephen Fitzpatrick has departed from local politics. He was a person of honour.” Cllr Cormac Devlin (FF) said: “Stephen and I worked very closely and hard together over the years in our ward. I have no doubt he’ll be missed by the public.” Cllr Patricia Stewart (FG)said: “Stephen is a young man of intelligence and principle who fulfilled his role as a councillor diligently and honestly.” Cllr Barry Ward (FG) said: “Stephen is a conscientious and informed councillor. His departure will significantly raise the average age of the council. It is another demonstration of young people leaving Ireland, to the benefit of other countries.” Cllr Richard Humphreys (Lab) said: “Stephen has been a tremendous asset to the Labour Party and we will miss him badly. His good humour and patience will be sorely missed.”
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BOOKS Online novel about a butcher carves out a slice of success WORKSHOP
Steak-ing out a funny tale BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN
A BALLYBRACK man who worked for 10 years on a supermarket meat counter has released a humorous novel online entitled Steaks and Stout, featuring Tommy Costelloe – a Dublin butcher who has to give up his dreams of being a singer to deal with the more pressing responsibility of becoming a father. The author, Stephen Duffy, who now lives in Dun Laoghaire and manages a health food store, published the book online with Amazon a couple of weeks ago and, so far, sales are going well. Stephen spoke to The Gazette about the book and the decision to go
the online publishing route. He said: “This is the first book I’ve published. I worked on many butcher’s counters through the years and met a lot of characters. “Tommy is a stereotypical version of the type of butchers I met. He’s a little rough around the edges, and a bit coarse, but leads a much more exciting life than would appear at first glance. “I decided to selfpublish because I’d been writing a lot of poetry on a blog I have and many of my followers suggested I publish something. I thought I’d go with the novel I’d been working on since August last, which is Steaks and Stout. “I could see the commercial viability of it
right away, as it’s funny and is sure to strike a chord with people. “People don’t go into book shops any more, and publishing is becoming like the music industry – it’s all done online. “I also wanted to get it out there to the people, and would rather have it judged by them and let its reputation spread by word of mouth,” he said. When it comes to its genre, Stephen is in no doubt about where to place Steaks and Stout. He said: “It’s like a l owe r- cl a s s R o s s O’Carroll Kelly book. It’s a narrative of inner city character[isation], complete with a kind of vocabulary not found in polite society. “Still, the style is on a par with O’Carroll Kelly, in that it’s about a funny
Stephen Duffy and his new book (right)
Dublin character. I know lots of them and am one myself. “The story starts in the 1960s, so Tommy’s a decade older than I am. I really wanted him to be a teenager in the 1970s because youth culture took off then.
“My readers are in their forties and fifties, so they will remember events and songs from the 1970s. It goes on into the 1980s and 1990s and finishes up in 2012, though.” T he book will be
officially launched on August 17 in Dunphy’s pub in Dun Laoghaire. Steaks and Stout is available now at www.
Learn all about the write stuff A NEW initiative entitled Spotlight on the Reader, set up by Dun LaoghaireRathdown County Council ahead of this year’s Mountains to Sea dlr book festival, offers book lovers the chance to engage in workshops focusing on the work of writers. Anyone who is in a book club, or who is looking to enhance their own reading experience, can take part in a number of sessions with qualified moderators such as Kate Bateman and Niall MacMonagle in County Hall. The sessions take place on Thursdays July 25, August 15 and August 22, from 6.30pm until 8.30pm, and on Saturday, August 24 from 11am until 1pm. To make a booking, phone 01 214 7970.
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animals: an unleashed way to help tackle dirt at sites for walkies
feedback A wheely detailed cycle map
Bairbre Ni Bhraonain
Welcome! New Tourist Information Centre opens in Dun Laoghaire dun laoghaire-Rathdown County Council recently announced
the opening of a Tourist Information Centre (TIC) at the entrance to County Hall at Marine Road, Dun Laoghaire. The licence to run the TIC was awarded to CK Enterprises, following a tender process earlier this year. The entrance to County Hall has been refurbished and adapted to provide a separate entrance that will allow for weekend opening. The summer opening hours will be 11am to 6pm, Monday to Sunday, with shorter opening hours planned for the winter. An Cathaoirleach, Carrie Smyth (Lab), is pictured with Conal Keaney, trying out some of the TIC services.
VOLUNTARY organisation Dogs Unleashed is running a clean-up event on Killiney Hill this week and all dog owners are invited to take part. Having praised Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council’s Green Dog Walkers (GDW) initiative, Dogs Unleashed is now rolling out a pilot series of canine cleanup events to bolster the GDW – the first of which will take part from dawn until dusk on July 28 on Killiney Hill. Four teams will be working three-hour shifts to comb the hill, finding and disposing of any evidence of dog fouling. The teams will also be
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‘Dog walkers will be asked to sign a pledge to behave as responsible dog owners’ --------------------------
leafleting the wider community of dog walkers, and distributing dog poop bags to pet owners. Central to the event will be a highly-visible marquee offering free veterinary advice to pet owners. It will also also feature music and face painting for children. Members say the event is part of the organisation’s campaign to raise
the standards of responsible dog ownership, and to instruct dog walkers about their sanitary responsibilities as pet owners when walking in areas such as Killiney Hill, or in any other park or public thoroughfare. As well as the leaflets which will be distributed on this theme, and the free poop bags being handed out, dog walkers in the area will be asked to sign a pledge to behave as responsible dog owners. The Dogs Unleashed canine community cleanup event starts on Killiney Hill at 7am, and continues until 7pm. For further information, email the organisation at info@ dogs-unleashed.org.
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THE first draft plan of a new cycle network map was launched this week by Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. The new map is part of the council’s County Cycle Network Assessment project, which aims to develop cycle routes throughout the county. The cycle network map is the first of its kind in Ireland and, according to the council, brings cohesion to the whole cycle network by helping to determine the most direct routes for users. The council is now seeking feedback on how the new map might be improved, or if there are any errors in the draft. The cycle network map can be viewed at www.dlrcoco.ie.
Dog owners paws for a hill clean-up
We find the service we received excellent and they always offer us good value for money. The personal touch of having an account manager makes our life so much easier. The Dundrum & Dún Laoghaire Gazette covers the areas in which our centres are located. Dlr Leisure Services would have no hesitation recommending the Gazette to others to promote their company.
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25 July 2013 DUN laoghaire Gazette 5
arts A host of well-known writers set for 2013 Mountains to Sea DLR Festival
Book event has the write stuff Bairbre Ni Bhraonain
THIS year’s Mountains to Sea DLR Book Festival is to include Margaret Atwood, Seamus Heaney and Charlie Higson as headliners. The Dun LaoghaireRathdown County Council event will run during the first week of September and headliner, Margaret Atwood, will give a reading from her latest book. Seamus Heaney will be involved in the Poetry Now part of the festival, and Charlie Higson, of television’s The Fast Show fame, will entertain younger festival goers with tales of zombies. Drawing inspiration from The Gathering, there is a strong theme of family and personal memoirs running through the 2013
festival. These themes are dealt with in several ways by authors such as Tea Obreht, Kevin Maher and Roddy Doyle. Colum McCann will deliver the festival’s keynote address, along with his father former journalist Sean McCann. From British daytime TV, husband and wife stars Judy Finnigan and Richard Madeley will appear at separate festival events to discuss their fictional works. The festival will conclude with a conversation between Tommy Tiernan and Michael Harding. An Cathaoirleach, Carrie Smyth (Lab) said: “I am delighted to welcome the Mountains to Sea DLR Book Festival. “It is a very important date in the diary for the council. Especially for
the Library Services and Arts Office, the festival continues to grow from strength to strength. “There is a wonderful programme of events this year, which has a good mix for everyone, including families and schools.” This year’s Poetry Now programme includes Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney, and Stanford professor Eavan Boland, in conversation about their work. P o e t r y N ow w i l l also feature English poet David Harsent, Monaghan poet Mary O’Donnell and Holland’s Poet Laureate, Anne Vegter. The festival’s Family and Teen programme will welcome comedian and author, Charlie Higson; Patrick Ness, and a
wealth of home-grown talent, such as Derek Landy, Niamh Sharkey and Judi Curtin. A forum entitled The Dahl Factor will see comedians, writers and actors performing their favourite fictional Dahl moments, which will be judged by a panel of Dahl experts – all under the age of 12. The Family and Teen programme will also fea-
ture a series of workshops for youngsters interested in writing and illustration, led by Beano cartoonist, Gary Northfield, and others. To take part in any of the events, or to learn more about the festival – which runs from September 3 to September 8 – contact the Pavilion Theatre’s booking office at 01 231 2929, or see www.paviliontheatre.ie.
Judy Finnegan – just one of the well-known faces and authors taking part in this year’s diverse festival
6 DUN laoghaire Gazette 25 July 2013
funding Creche to close – two weeks after grant agreed
Councillors angry at closure of The Willows Bairbre Ni Bhraonain
A FORMER VEC creche in Sallynoggin, due to receive funding of €2,977 from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, is set to close, it has been revealed, sparking a war of words between local politicians. The closure follows a decision made by Paddy Lavelle, chief executive of the newly-formed Dublin and Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board (DDLETB). Deputy Mary Mitchell O’Connor (FG) welcomed The Willows’ funding as part of an overall Dun Laoghaire-
Rathdown allocation of €41,609 announced by the Minister for Children, Frances Fitzgerald on July 4. However, on July 15, the new DDLETB announced that The Willows would be closing. Cllr Gerry Horkan (FF) said: “It’s a bit rich for Mary Mitchell O’Connor to be announcing childcare grants for a creche now forced to close due to cutbacks in State funding.” Deputy Mitchell O’Connor told T he Gazette: “I was extremely disappointed to hear of the imminent closure of The Willows, but the
reality is that the demand simply was not there for the facility, with many of the VTOS students at Sallynoggin College of Further Education – who are entitled to childcare provision under the CET scheme – apparently opting to avail of alternative childcare elsewhere.” Cllr Horkan said: “At the first meeting [of the new ETB, in Tallaght], we [DLR councillors] made a proposal to make The Willows creche available to the wider public as its numbers were dwindling. “At full capacity, the creche could hold 38 children, and its numbers were down to 19.
Cllr Gerry Horkan (FF): “At full capacity, the creche could hold 38 children, and its numbers were down to 19”
“However, Paddy Lavelle made the decision to close the creche as it would cost €100,000 to €125,000 to stay open.” Cllr John Bailey (FG)
said he was: “Shocked and saddened at the closure.” An Cathaoirleach, Carrie Smyth (Lab), who was at the meeting of the new
body and is on the committee, said: “Paddy Lavelle’s proposal to close the creche was discussed for an hour and a half, and all DLRCC council-
lors spoke in favour of keeping it open. “It seemed to be a fait accompli, though, and nothing we said was going to change anything.” A spokesperson for the Department of Children said: “The 2013 capital funding was announced subject to contract, and no funding has been paid out prior to contracts being signed. “As this service has closed, there will be no contract and, therefore, funding will not be paid.” Neither The Willows’ manager, Susan Mitchell, nor Paddy Lavelle were available for comment by the time of going to print.
politics: graveside commemoration
Sean Lemass remembered
Bairbre Ni Bhraonain
FORMER Fianna Fail Taoiseach and Ballybrack native Sean Lemass was commemorated at a ceremony attended by members of the Lemass, Haughey, O’Connor and O’Brien families at the graveside in Deansgrange Cemetery recently. Supporters of Fianna Fail from all across Dublin gathered at the graveside on Saturday, July 13 to honour and remember Lemass, who was Taoiseach between 1959 and 1966. He was born in Norwood Estate in Ballybrack in 1899, and died in May, 1971. At the commemoration, Cllr Cormac Devlin (FF) said: “This year marks the 50th anniversary of the First Economic Plan, and it is, therefore, very appropriate that we would commemorate Sean Lemass. “Many would argue that the second Lemass government of 1961 to
1965 was one of the most successful the country has ever seen. “Lemass invested huge political capital in education, industry, and the North. A pioneer in terms of Ireland’s relationship with Europe, Lemass laid the foundations for our successful entry into the [then] EEC.” Lemass was a veteran of the 1916 Rising, the War of Independence and was one of the founder-members of Fianna Fail. During his time as Minister for Industry and Commerce, Lemass oversaw the setting up of the Irish Sugar Company, the Turf Development Board, and Aer Lingus. Political commentator and author Noel Whelan gave the graveside oration, detailing the life of Lemass. Lemass’s daughter, Maureen – who became wife of the late formerTaoiseach, Charles J Haughey – and their son, Sean, were also at the event.
25 July 2013 DUN laoghaire Gazette 7
music: new jazz night at local club
FastNews
A new chapter of life for Heard about a new play Deansgrange Library at the Pavilion? Shush! DEANSGRANGE Library is now open, following a year closed for renovations. The library has been updated with new, revamped seating areas and lighting, and a faster internet service. Improvements have also been made outside, with a new seated area and landscaping. The library also has two new public toilets, and plenty of new stock. Its opening hours are from 10am to 5pm on Monday, Friday and Saturday, and from 10am to 8pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Mary Ryan will take vocals when The Mary Ryan Blues Trio play at the new blues and jazz club night at the Eblana Lodge, from September 7
Happy to bring back the Blues hiromi mooney
A NEW blues and jazz club is coming to The Dun Laoghaire Club at Eblana Lodge. The Mary Ryan Blues Trio will launch the club on Saturday, July 27 at 7.30pm, and the club will perform on the first Saturday of each month from September 7. The band have been performing together for around three years, with Dun Laoghaire resident Mary Ryan on vocals, an d B el f a s t na ti ves Mark Braidner on guitar and Simon Templeton on piano. The monthly club will see Mary perform with guitarist Dick Farrelly, double bass player Dan Bodwell and percussionist Tim Creedon, as they play a variety of vaudeville, jazz and blues songs, such as those by Memphis Minnie and Louis Armstrong. Mary is also hoping to have some guest musicians for the club. She told The Gazette: “I’m really delighted to be performing in Dun Laoghaire and there’s a great buzz. It’s lovely to
be back home and to be singing at home. “The songs would be all very old songs. Most of the songs are from the 1920s, so they would be jazz, Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald [songs], and country blues from people such as Leadbelly and Blind Willie Johnson. “We just love these
songs – [they’re] really good songs. It’s a real celebratory thing to do, and it’s just great fun. “We’d also do quite a few harmonies on a lot of the songs we do.” Tickets for the launch cost €10 and are available from the Tourist Information Centre at 01 2806964, or from the bar at 01 2801296.
A BRAND-new Abbey play, Shush!, by the writer of Little Gem comes to the Pavilion Theatre from July 30 to August 3. The play features such actors as Barbara Brennan, Eva Bartley and Niamh Donnelly. The plot revolves around Breda – a newly-separated woman facing retirement who doesn’t want her friends to throw her a birthday party. Tickets cost €21, or €15 each for a group of six, and are available from the Pavilion Box Office at 01 231 2929.
8 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 25 July 2013
GAZETTEGALLERIES
Sister Margaret McCarthy attended with Emma and Fiona Sands, while Barney came along too. Pictures: Geraldine Woods
MARLAY PARK: TAKING A LOOK AT THE WARES IN THE COCO MARKET
L
OTS of stalls and units were kept busy at the recent CoCo market at Marlay Park, Rathfarnham, as a wide range of local artisans and small businesses joined craftspeople and produce providers to lay on a diverse range of wares. Tourists and visitors from far beyond the DLR boundary were in also in plentiful supply, joining locals for an appreciative look at and nose through some of the county’s many home-grown (and cooked, carved and painted) wares. Small children were particularly interested in some friendly farm animals that were also there.
Tadgh Fitzmaurice
Liz Maybury
Tammy, Aby and Cheikh Coulibaly keep cool in the sun
DUN LAOGHAIRE: 400 BOATS COMPETE IN 25 CLASSES
Regatta sailed along
Esher Somogyi
Peter Moran, East Coast FM (left) and Neil Fetherston, of The Royal St George Yacht Club (right) were joined by scores of competitors, onlookers and media for the picturesque regatta in Dublin Bay
25 July 2013 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 9
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The weather was perfect for the regatta challenges
Sailors on smaller vessels also demonstrated that they had great skills, too
Framed by Dublin’s rockier terrain, the recent Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta was a real visual treat to behold, with the biggest sailing event in the country attracting 400 boats and 2,500 sailors to compete across 25 different classes of boats. The biennial event featured eight different courses around Dublin Bay during the four-day regatta, providing competitors with some challenging stretches to showcase their skills. Pictures: Geraldine Woods
10 DUN laoghaire Gazette 25 July 2013
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There was some fun monkeying around, as many enjoyed dressing up for the celebration. Pictures: Ronan O’Sullivan
The boys (and girls) in blue joined their peers in a number of state and civil bodies to help create a fun-filled day in the sun for everyone
Fun for cancer kids
D
UNBOYNE Castle Hotel recently hosted a Heroes and Princesses party for more than 300 children, with many attending from St John’s children’s cancer ward at Crumlin’s Children’s Hospital. Organised by Aoibheann’s Pink Tie - a Meath-based charity set up by the family of
eight-year-old Aoibheann Norman, who passed away from a rare form of cancer in 2010 – the party saw gardai, army personnel and ambulance and fire brigade crews all working together to help create the party of the year. With many children and some adults in fancy dress, it was a wonderful way to honour Aoibheann.
The children had lots of fun taking on diverse events held in the hotel’s grounds
25 July 2013 Gazette 11
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dublinlife Let Dublin Gazette Newspapers take you on a tour of the news and events taking place across the city and county this week
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creativity: the art of the young having fun
Keep the kids busy with Art Cart Workshops at the Phoenix Park All summer long a host of fun, free workshops for children, called Children’s Art Cart Workshops have been running at the Phoenix Park and will continue right up until December. The workshops offer a good mix of different themes to suit children’s individual tastes and interests. The last workshop this month will be held on July 28 and will focus on Medieval life in Ireland, with a visit to Ashtown Castle.
The August 4 workshop, Creepy Crawlies in the Park, should appeal to all would-be entomologists. Then, on August 11, children can get creative by making impressive masks of their favourite animals. The Phoenix Park’s Trees and their importance to wildlife will feature on August 18; while the August 25 workshop is mysteriously termed – Make a Surprise. Throughout Septem-
ber, the programme alters slightly with seasonal adjustments such as a workshop called Autumn in the walled garden and one on recycling skills which teaches children how to make a wallet out of empty cartons. All workshops run from 10.30am until 12.30pm and parents must go along to supervise their children during the workshops in the Visitor Centre. These weekly Sunday sessions promise to be not
only educational and outdoorsy but also fun for all the family. The sessions are suitable for children from the age of six and over. There is no fee for the workshops but arriving early is recommended to avoid disappointment as there is a limit of 20 per workshop. If you would like more information, you can call the Visitor Centre on (01) 6770095 or e-mail: phoenixparkvisitorcentre@ opw.ie
Children’s Art Cart Workshops are running at the Phoenix Park and will continue right up until December
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dublinlife
The Street Performances World Championship 2013 were held in Merrion Square and Barry’s Tea were there to keep everyone hydrated
Party time as street performers compete Dubliners attending the recent Street Performances World Championship 2013 held in Merrion Square last weekend, were kept well hydrated thanks to Barry’s Tea and their tea van. At what is one of Ireland’s largest free family festivals, the popular tea brand were out in force in order to keep the thrill seekers and tea fans quenched at the sundrenched Laya Healthcare Street Performances World Championship 2013. The festival saw the world championship street performance take place in Dublin from July 12 until July 14. The tea van offered free cups of tea to thirsty punters in their tea party-esque environment. The world championships brought some of the world’s best street
performers to Merrion Square to compete for the world champion title.
take part 25 minutes of silence for children To signify the 25 years that Childline has been listening to Ireland’s most vulnerable children, the charity is asking the country’s most recognised and celebrated local people, clubs and groups to become County Childline Champions and take part in a 25-minute sponsored silence. The sponsored silence will see people make the effort to partake in 25 minutes of a total communication blackout, meaning no speaking, no emailing, no Facebook, no texting and no Twitter. The 25 minutes silence is aimed at encouraging people to consider the 5 million children in Ireland who
have called the Childline service since it began in 1988. Childline’s Community Fundraisers are searching the county for Dublin’s loudest chatterbox, biggest Facebook addict, or fastest texter to become Dublin’s Childline Champion. If you would like to help vulnerable children in your community by holding a sponsored silence or another fundraising event, contact Dublin’s Community Fundraiser, Rita on 085 8042730.
Charity cycle in aid of pieta house launched A charity cycle in aid of the suicide and self-harm prevention centre, Pieta House, was launched last week by Dublin footballers, Ger Brennan and Jack McCaffrey. The annual Tomás
Mu l l i g a n M e m o r i a l Cycle in aid of Pieta House, now in its sixth year, will take place over the weekend of August 10 and 11. The event is held each year in memory of Dublin footballer Tomas Mulligan, who lost his life to suicide in 2007. This year’s cycle will go from Dublin to Kilkenny city and the aim of the event is to raise awareness of the work carried out by Pieta House and to celebrate the lives of those lost to suicide. Last year over 70 cyclists took part in the cycle and raised €63,000 for Pieta House. The cycle will take off from Tomas’s local GAA club, the Good Counsel GAA club in Drimnagh on Saturday, August 10. If you are interested in getting involved in the cycle, you can register at tmcycle.pieta.ie.
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dublinlife
Protect your ears this concert season With big outdoor gigs coming thick and fast, a leading Irish audiologist has warned music fans to tune in to the dangers of loud music this summer or risk damaging their hearing permanently. Noel Cullen, audiologist with Hidden Hearing, says that extended periods of exposure to high decibel noise or music can lead to permanent and irreversible hearing loss. According to Cullen,
the music levels at festivals can reach an ear-shattering 130dB, far in excess of the recommended safe threshold level of 85dB, and repeated listening at this volume can cause premature hearing loss. Cullen warned concert goers to be wary of the loud noises at these gigs. “Thousands of young people are taking risks with their hearing through excessive exposure to music at dangerous decibels. The risk is related
to how loud the music is, how close you are to it and how long you’re exposed to it.” A recent study carried out by the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) found that four out of five people who attend music festivals have experienced signs of hearing damage such as ringing in the ears or dullness of hearing after listening to loud music. “Noise is the leading cause of hearing loss
Search is on for top blogs natalie burke
The Royal National Institute for Deaf People found that four out of five people who attend music festivals have experienced signs of hearing damage
and in recent years we’ve noticed a significant increase in the number of people, sometimes as young as 30, suffering from hearing loss at a level which you might expect a person aged over 70 to have. If you love
music and want to continue enjoying it for years to come, take a few simple precautions to make the experience safe while not impacting on the enjoyment.” added Cullen. “Don’t stand too close to the speakers and give
your ears a break from the noise every so often. Those attending gigs should also bring a set of ear plugs with them which will help protect their ears without affecting the quality of the music,” he said.
Bloggers in Dublin with the digital gift of the gab are being encouraged to nominate their blog for a national award as part of the 2013 Blog Awards. Blog Awards Ireland 2013 celebrates the best in Irish blogging recognising internet content in 32 different categories. Nominations for the awards opened on June 14, and there has already been 2,000 nominations, with the most popular categories so far Best Newcomer, Personal Blog, Fashion and Beauty, Best Lifestyle Blog and Best Blog of the Diaspora sponsored by TG4. Living abroad
With 2013 being the year of The Gathering, Irish bloggers living abroad are also invited to enter the awards. The Best Blog of the Diaspora is open to all bloggers with Irish roots with blogs of any theme. Bloggers can enter from wherever they are in the world and are invited to attend the awards ceremony in the Osprey Hotel, Naas, Ireland on October 12. The closing date for entries is July 31, so bloggers are encouraged to nominate their blog at www.blogawardsireland. com/nominations-open. All categories are free to enter and bloggers are welcome to nominate their own blogs. Anyone interested in applying to be a judge can visit www.blogawardsireland.com/apply-to-be-ajudge. For more details, log onto www.blogawardsireland.com
25 July 2013 Gazette 15
Vivienne Connolly and her kids, Ben and Katie, getting ready for a summer of camping
Set up camp in the great outdoors natalie burke
With the unprecedented spell of good weather that has graced Irish shores in recent weeks, it seems that the whole country is going back to the great outdoors to enjoy the sunshine and experience Ireland at its best. According to the Irish Caravan and Camping Council (ICC), camping sites across Ireland have seen a boost in visitors and according to its chairman, Con Quill, the good weather has reminded people of the fun they can have while camping in Ireland. “This good weather has come along at the right time and we’ve seen a big surge of people on the campsites,” he said. “We’ve seen an increase in visitors to our website of over 400%. It’s amazing. Everyone right now wants to holiday at home – even if it’s just for a quick getaway at the weekend.” Con gives some of the credit for the bumper season to various social media channels. “More than half of our 85 camp
site members throughout the country offer free Wi-Fi as part of the many on-site facilities, so guests enjoying the parks are checking in on Facebook, sharing their camping photos on Instagram or tweeting around the BBQ. All their friends and followers are seeing first-hand the fun they are having and it’s encouraging a new generation of people to come and experience camping and caravanning for the first time.” Cost is a big plus as well. An average pitch for a night costs just €30 for a family of four, including electricity and most member parks provide showers free of charge. “Obviously the Irish climate can change, we’re not the Mediterranean. So, generally people bring their rainwear with them and you can still enjoy the outdoors, it doesn’t have to be scorching hot to enjoy the Irish countryside,” he said. For more information on last minute offers and the ICC App, see www. camping-ireland.ie.
Gazette
features
Gazette
16 Gazette 25 July 2013
dublinlife
business training: confidence
Q&A
Oliver ginty, ewt water specialists
Offering the best in customer service Oliver Ginty is originally from Bonniconlon in Mayo and is the second youngest from a family of 12. Oliver moved to Dublin 12 years ago when setting up EWT with his partner David Forde. He now lives
with his wife Helen and two young children in Drogheda, traveling to EWT’s offices in Blanchardstown Corporate Park 2 every morning. He is an avid soccer and Gaelic football supporter and is currently a selector with his local GAA team.
How long have you been in business?
quarters in Blanchardstown, employing 100 staff.
What makes your business successful?
What is your favourite thing about doing business in your local area?
Eleven years this April.
Our staff and our constant obsession to improve customers’ experience in dealing with us.
What do you offer your clients that differs from your competitors?
We contact our customers once a month by text message and email to make sure they are happy with their water treatment product and that it’s doing the job they bought it for. We have also spent the last two years developing our Gold Series water softening systems specifically for the Irish and UK market that are now 20% more efficient than any other water softener in their range.
How has the recession impacted your business?
Our products save our customers money on bottled water and replacing appliances due to limescale buildup so the recession worked in our favour. Thankfully since the recession started we have grown the business by 20% per year and have employed 17 new staff across our bases in Blanchardstown, London, Poland and Lithuania. As a result of this, we are now buying our systems in huge bulk and passing these savings onto our customers.
What is your ambition for the business?
To be the largest water treatment company in Europe with our head-
Saving customers money and hassle cleaning limescale or having to buy bottled water and customers been so happy with your company that they leave testimonies on our website or recommend us to family and friends.
What is the best piece of business advice you ever received?
Success leaves clues. Test and measure every single bit of marketing you do. Find out what works and drop the rest. This is an ongoing process and won’t happen overnight.
How do you use social media (Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn, etc) to help your business ?
We offer free equipment on our Facebook and Twitter pages. Our LinkedIn page still needs a bit of work.
Bringing role play into the workplace A multi-talented woman from Terenure has corralled all of her skills and experience together to come up with a highly innovative and unique new business called Role Players for Training. Rita Smyth and her team bring drama role play into the workplace by providing workshops centred around the specific needs of each customer’s industry. Drama techniques in the workplace are in common use in Britain, where Rita, a trained actor, first discovered the idea. Rita already had a strong background in business, having worked with Bank of Ireland Group in Dublin’s IFSC before training as an actress 15 years ago. “As well as working in business, I also worked in the role play field as a freelancer for seven years in England. Because of my training in HR and the fact that all of my staff also have business and acting backgrounds; we are perfectly placed to help companies because we understand that world. “We help employees
and staff to hone their improvisation skills in the work environment and this means that we give them an opportunity to practise their new skills. So if someone is involved in an improvisation dealing with a troublesome customer or a staff member who isn’t pulling their weight; they don’t have to act because that’s what we’re for. “We are trained actors who will react to the staff participants and be consistent with the realities of their workplace throughout the improvisations. Staff members, therefore, have an opportunity to practise these necessary skills and that provides them with confidence in such future real scenarios,” said Rita. Rita’s former clients include: The School of Pharmacy at The Royal College of Surgeons, KBC Bank Ireland, UCD Smurfit School, Dublin City Council, Deloitte Ireland and more. For more information on Role Players for Training, you can contact Rita at 087 678 3017 or by emailing her at rita@roleplayersfortraining.ie
Who would your three dream dinner guests be and why?
Muhammad Ali – A true super star that had a never say die attitude. Nelson Mandela – Managed to unite a country that was at war for decades. Roy Keane – Like him or hate him, he was the best Irish footballer I have ever seen. What living person do you most admire?
Muhammad Ali.
Rita Smyth of Role Players for Training
25 July 2013 Gazette 17
gaming P19
asdfsdaf music P27 P21
OUT&ABOUT Never be out of the loop on what’s happening in Dublin! Let Out&About be your guide to all that is stylish, cultural and essential across the city and beyond this week
Gazette
travel P18
Pets can you give Alan a home?
Ballyfermot native Declan O’Rourke is coming back to the Pavilion Theatre in Dun Laoghaire in a rescheduled show
interview: O’rourke on gigs, paul weller and breaking into the us
Declan takes over the Pavilion Bairbre Ni Bhraonain
Celebrated singer/songwriter and Ballyfermot native Declan O’Rourke is coming back to the Pavilion Theatre in Dun Laoghaire in a rescheduled show that was cancelled in March due to a chest infection. Declan explained that he was looking forward to the upcoming gig, especially after his disappointment at having to cancel the show in March. “That was the first time I ever cancelled a gig. I played Pavilion twice before and they were great nights, so I’m really looking forward to this next one. The last two I did there were just
great fun. I enjoyed myself, but I also felt a real connection with the audience, it hit all the bases. “This gig will be a combination of older songs and I love to throw in some new ones to see the reactions. I just go with it, whatever happens, happens.” Declan’s musical career had a very spiritual beginning when he was 13 and living in Australia with his family, and he was given a guitar by a local priest. “That’s a true story. I call it divine intervention and I still have it and learned how to play on it. I came from a very musical family, but they were all singers and there were no instruments involved.”
Declan’s song, Galileo (Someone Like You) famously came to the attention of Paul Weller, who described it as the song he would most like to have written and probably one of the best ever written in the last 30 years, but Declan is undaunted by such praise. “Quite the opposite, in fact. When someone like Paul Weller says that, it really reaffirms what you’re doing. I think I must be doing something right. I met him and he’s a pure gentleman, despite his reputation. He was so nice, it was disarming. “After he praised Galileo, I went into a bar in Dublin, and all these mods were coming up to me telling me they loved
the song, too, but I knew it was only because he had liked it.” Declan now has plans to break into the US market with his music. “I’m about to release my new record, Mag Pai, in America. I’ve never released anything there before and it will come out in late September or early October. I went over to the America and did a couple of shows in New York with a string quartet which went down really well. We even got a great New York Times review.” Declan O’Rourke appears at Pavilion Theatre on July 27 and tickets, costing €22.50, are available from the box office at 01 231 2929.
The Gazette Newspaper has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for unwanted and abandoned dogs. Our Dog of the Week is Alan and he is a deliciously handsome twoyear-old Staffie cross. The carers here are so mad about him that they let him hang out in the office every morning. He loves people and typical of his breed, he’s happiest when being snuggled and adored. He is super smart and already knows lots of tricks like sit, down and roll over. He’d love a home to call his own, where people can spoil him with their affection and keep his super active brain busy. Be sure to get plenty of toys ready, when he’s not snuggled into your lap he loves nothing more than to throw his toys around and could play all day long! If you think that might be able to offer Alan a forever home, please contact Dogs Trust on 01-879 1000. They are based in Finglas, just off exit 5 on the M50. Map and directions can be found on their website www. dogstrust.ie. You can also find them on Facebook www.facebook.com/ dogstrustireland or Twitter @DogsTrust_IE.
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18 Gazette 25 July 2013
OUT&ABOUT
fast
TRAVEL An Offaly attractive deal at Kinnitty natalie burke
ONE of Ireland’s leading wedding venues, Kinnitty Castle Hotel, is celebrating the launch of its new Winter Wonderland Package, available from November until next March. Nestled at the foot of the Slieve Bloom Mountains in Offaly, the award-winning venue is offering winter wedding packages from just €65 per person. Kinnitty Castle can cater for up to 200 guests in the Great Hall, or, for a more intimate setting, the castle has a number of versatile reception rooms. The hotel is also fully licensed to host civil ceremonies, and the hotel chef can design a tailor-made menu. In addition to its diverse wedding features, the hotel offers guests everything from tennis to archery and organised horse treks and lessons. For further information, or to make an appointment, contact the hotel’s wedding team by emailing weddings@kinnittycastlehotel.com, or call 057 91 37318.
TRAVEL
kilkenny: fascinating falconry show left laura saying: ‘owl’ll be back’
A five-star estate hotel with a wealth of activities laura webb
WAKING up on a beautiful Saturday morning with the sun shining down was a great way to begin a recent trip to Lyrath Estate Hotel and Spa in Kilkenny. Kilkenny city is known for its great sights, and, of course, nights outs, with hens and stags enjoying the last hurrah. However, what many may not know is that it is also home to a beautiful five-star hotel and spa in the beautiful grounds of Lyrath Estate. The hour and a half drive from Dublin was less than expected, which lightened the mood on the way down. Quick as a flash, we had arrived at our destination and were ready to find out what was in store for us at this magnificent estate. After checking in to the beautiful rooms, it was time to get some afternoon tea. This could be done inside or outside, depending on weather, of course, and preference. We sat inside and enjoyed some tasty sandwiches, desserts and scones – each more deli-
cious than the last. Then it was time to head outside and soak up some sun. Conscious about making it a family-friendly hotel, the team at Lyrath had set up some large outdoor games such as snakes and ladders, and connect-four. There was also an ice-cream stand, which was going down a treat with guests, young and old. --------------------------
‘What was wonderful about this hotel was that the staff were all so friendly, and instantly set a relaxed atmosphere’
--------------------------
I had heard of the great spa and leisure facilities at the estate, and so testing them out was on top of my list – but I was willing to wait until Sunday morning for that little pleasure. That day, we were in for a treat, as the staff had organised a falconry dis-
play, which featured five different birds – two falcons and three owls. I was lucky enough to hold Twinky Toes – an owl I could only describe as looking like the infamous white owl that appears at the beginning of RTE’s The Late Late Show. The information session was very interesting and the guide was very informative. After this, it was time for some fun treasure hunting around the estate. There were three teams; two with five members and one with four. What was great about this treasure hunt was that it was all about the grounds and had us running from one place to another looking for visual answers to questions, while other questions were brain teasers that required us to sit down and take it all in. While, unfortunately, our team didn’t win (we finished in second place), really – without sounding too cheesy – the fun element was the taking part. There are some great options for dining at this hotel, allowing those who choose to stay more
Whether looking for an intimate getaway for two, or an extremely family-friendly break for the weekend, luxurious Lyrath Estate Hotel and Spa in Kilkenny has something for everyone, making it a must-stay destination close enough to Dublin
than one night to enjoy a selection of restaurants, including La Perla and Yindees, an oriental restaurant. There is also the X-bar for late night entertainment. The food from La Perla was delicious, and each plate had just enough flavour and quantity to make you enjoy every bit. The leisure facilities ticked all the boxes; the relaxation area, the hydro infinity pool, the steam room, and, of course, the spa treatments. What was wonderful about this hotel was that the staff were all so friendly, and instantly set a relaxed atmosphere.
Over the summer months, this estate is constantly entertaining its guests, with so much to do, ranging from outdoor activities such as boating, mountain biking and picnics games to indoor facilities such as the games room, a snooker room and a 20-seat private cinema – making sure the family is occupied, no matter what the weather. The hotel constantly has special offers on its website. One such offer is a three-day treat at the Lyrath Estate Hotel for three nights B&B for two adults and two children. E v e r y d a y, f r o m 10.30pm until 12.30pm,
children can enjoy face painting, arts and crafts, crazy golf, nature walks, outdoor board games, mini-olympics or music and dancing as part of the kids club. This three-night family package at Lyrath Estate includes B&B for all the family and dinner on two evenings for both adults in either La Perla or Yindee’s restaurants at Lyrath, costing from just €255 per adult sharing. This hotel is definitely worthy of its five-star status, and is a must-see for anyone thinking of taking a break in Kilkenny. For further information, see www.lyrath.com, or call 056 776 0088.
25 July 2013 Gazette 19
Gazette
GAMING
Interest in Grand Theft Auto V continues to motor right along, with developer Rockstar continuing to release tantalising screenshots ahead of its upcoming September release. Analysts have already flagged GTAV’s release as one of the biggest games launches ever – apparently, they’re predicting winter will be cold, too ...
roundup: hits, moves and misses in gaming
Big names, little heroes LOTS of things have been going on in the gaming world of late and so, although I’m pressed for space this week, here’s a quick round-up of some recent, interesting developments. The biggest gaming news since the recent E3 shows and console reviews had to be the first reasonably detailed gameplay footage released by Rockstar of Grand Theft Auto V, which provided a fair glimpse of the game’s mechanics at work. Oh, and the footage looked terrific, too, with superb graphics (courtesy of its PlayStation 3 build) that underlined the fact that GTAV will be pretty much the only show in town for the third quarter of the year, following its September 17 release. Moving on, and that’s
shane dillon sdillon@gazettegroup.com
exactly what Don Mattrick did, as he has jumped ship from Microsoft to Zynga. No stranger to this page – or, indeed, a sea of internet, magazine and newspaper pages following the bungled recent launch of the upcoming Xbox One console – Microsoft’s former Xbox boss jumped overboard with, among other things, a one-time signing bonus of $5 million. (That sharp, sudden whistling noise you can hear your Gazette making is coming from me.)
BYTES&PIECES india kills off the telegraph
So, arrivederci, Don – for now, although I suspect we’ll meet again – as we move on to a game featured here before. For those of you sick to the back teeth of zombies – this year’s vampires, in the probably-overexposed stakes – here’s some news on the WiiU’s innovative ZombiU. The game swiftly died a death at retail, and Ubisoft have just said it was “not even close” to being a profitable title. So, no sequel, despite its cool innovations in the zombie genre. The reason I mention it is that the WiiU is already looking pale and unsteady on its feet, as the lifeblood i t d e s p e rately needs – fresh,
I LIKED this quirky story recently – India has called (or dictated?) STOP on its final telegraph, making it the last major place on the planet to use the now-obsolete technology. This now leaves only a few hold-out corners of the globe for Springfield’s billionaire bully (and tight-fisted telegraphist) Montgomery C Burns to send his curt yet carefully-worded missives to. India’s calling it a day on telegraphs cements its position as the final port
juicy new games, and ports of important franchises – keep getting snatched away, leaving it looking like an increasinly undernourished console. That’s not a very comforting thought, either for WiiU or general Nintendo fans. Luckily, on a brighter note, Nintendo’s WiiU fans have Pikmin 3 (see left) to look forward to this Friday, July 26, as the long-awaited sequel brings more adventures with the little creatures to gorgeouslooking life. Nintendo have big hopes for their tiny heroes, and, hopefully, that’ll be the hit it deserves to be. And that’s my pik(min) for this week ...
of call for a number of clapped-out technologies, having also called time on the world’s very last typewriter factory, in Mumbai, just a couple of years ago, and – STOP Montgomery C Burns: An excellent telegraphist
Gazette
20 Gazette 25 July 2013
OUT&ABOUT
Theatre THE pavilioN THEATRE 01 231 2929 Shush
BREDA is newly separated, facing retirement and feeling a bit invisible, she doesn’t want a birthday party! But her friends are determined to cheer her up and they descend on her to celebrate. After some homemade birthday cake and a few too many Bacardis – it turns out Breda’s not the only one with problems. Be the first to see Shush, a heart-warming new play from a writer that celebrates the spirit of Irish women. July 30 to August 3 at 8pm, tickets €21/18.
Draiocht 01 885 2622 Battle of the Bands
Continuing on from their successful first year, Miniature Jack will host the second heat for their annual local Battle of the Bands. There will be a performance by Miniature Jack on the night as they get ready to release their debut EP in October. September 7 at 7pm tickets €6.
Mill THEATRE Dundrum 01 296 9340 Til Death We Part
Before jetting off to NYC, Amy De Bhrun premieres her latest one-woman show at The Maureen O’Hara studio. Her gift for finding comedy in tragedy, diverse characters and the art of storytelling have made her a firm favourite with audiences worldwide. Till Death We Part – is a glimpse into the lives of those who are faced with their own mortality. September 5-7, tickets €15.
CINEMA
review: Pacific Rim
Come and sea what Del Toro has THE first time I saw the trailer for Pacific Rim, I thought of it as just another city-flattening, CGI overdose that I would inevitably watch, but not par ticularly remember by the time my Dr Pepper had been polished off and the popcorn swept up. Then, I caught a glimpse of who was at the helm. Surely the director of Pan’s Labyrinth wasn’t being given nearly $200 million to make a movie about giant robots? But, this is the new Hollywood, where the director of a memoryloss thriller gets handed the keys to the Batmobile and turns it into an international juggernaut. The days of Emmerich, Bay and McG ruling the action roost unmolested are long, long gone. The days of cerebral directors bringing brains to big budgets are here. To underscore that point; look at that cast! Cult T V favourites abound and not a Diesel, a Johnson or a Statham among them. C h a r l i e Hu n n a m ! Idris Elba! Charlie Day! Fanboy deity Ron Pearlman! So goes the theory,
Paul hosford phosford@gazettegroup.com
There are humans in Pacific Rim (below) but who cares? There’s massive robots!
anyway. In reality, Pacific Rim is best when its focus is on the giant robots beating the tar out of giant aliens. How all of this comes about is incidental. Basically, a massive portal opened up a few years back in the, you’ve guessed it, Pacific Rim. That brought about an inf lux of assorted alien life forms that destroyed cities and basically made life thoroughly unpleasant for island nations and coastal cities (unlucky, Ireland). Millions perish but the human race gained the upper hand by creating massive humanoid robots that are controlled by a cerebral link to two pilots. It’s two pilots because the strain is massive and it gives a reason for Hunnam’s Raleigh Becket (excellent action hero names are a theme here) to be washed up, reluctant and haunted. The Holy Trinity of an
Film of the Week: Pacific Rim hhh (12) 132 mins Directors: Guillermo Del Toro Starring: Charlie Hunnam, Idris Elba, Rinko Kikuchi, Charlie Day, Robert Kazinsky, Max Martini, Ron Perlman
OUR VERDICT:
BIG, with a capital BIG. Brash and unashamedly so, Del Toro builds on the action foundations he built in the Hellboy movies and brings his own sense of just a little bit weirdness to the summer’s loudest blockbuster. Unfortunately, it runs out of logic and reason early on and gets a bit tiresome later on.
action hero’s backstory, essentially. The massive robots are being overrun, however, and the worlds government put the robots on ice, instead aiming to build a wall around the cities in order to keep the aliens out - aliens being known for their inability to scale walls.
Un f o r t u n a t e l y f o r those pen-pushers in Washington, Idris Elba’s Stacker Pentecost (see? Great name) is a loose cannon and plans to end this thing, once and for all. W hat follows is a bunch of scenes of cities getting smooshed and flattened as the bat-
tle rages. If you thought Man of Steel had a gratuitous level of city-based collateral damage, avoid this one. There are constant references to the need for the pilots of the Jaeger robots to be compatible with the technology that runs the mechs. What this means is never fully articulated, but it seems to mean just being a bad ass who likes killing aliens. It is, however, the best advice you will get when watching the movie; get into the mindset of robots v aliens and enjoy the show.
25 July 2013 Gazette 21
Gazette
MUSIC FASTtunes with Radio Nova’s Dee Woods
Pet Shop Boys - Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe - have returned with their first non-Parlophone release reinvigorated and ready to dance
REVIEW: a tremendous return to form and the dancefloor
Boys keep raving While young whippersnappers like Disclosure make their debut, Settle, a brilliant statement of the current state of dance, it’s remarkable that two 50-year-old heroes of the genre have made an equally brilliant statement of intent as Pet Shop Boys have created with their new release, Electric. It is a marked departure from the classicism and melancholy tone of their last release for Parlophone, last year’s Elysium. Where that album w a s d ow n b e a t a n d thoughtful, Electric is a work of glorious, carefree hedonism. Neil Tennant’s first words are an instruction that must be followed for this record: “Turn it up.”
ROB heigh rheigh@gazettegroup.com
From the underwater opening of Axis to the hands-in-the-air nostalgic euphoria of Vocal, the Boys have not sounded this propulsive and strictly dancefloor for several years, and this is by some distance their best record for at least a decade. When it was announced that Stuart Price — the producer responsible for bringing Madonna into the 21st century on her releases from Music to Confessions On The Dance-
floor and for the essential remix of Kylie’s Get Outta My Way — was going to be at the controls, Electric had all the makings of a return to full-on club form. What’s most impressive is just how much a return it is. It goes beyond all expectations and is the equal of past releases, with the possible exception of the timeless Behaviour. PSB were responsible for two of the best dance records of the last quarter of a century — Disco and Introspective — both of which featured remixes and under-the-radar tracks which in their own right became classics. Axis rolls like a bullet train of electric energy, Shouting In The Evening
has a drop to die for, and there are call-backs to past glories on Thursday (the plinky synth line from West End Girls makes an appearance) and the male voice choirs on Love Is A Bourgeois Construct recall Go West. PSB also make room for another of their precient and perfect cover versions, this time making Bruce Springsteen’s The Last To Die into a high-energy banger. What makes Electric so encapturing is that it sounds so utterly modern, while at the same time taking all of the great things that made PSB so influential — great melodies, genius chord changes and tongues firmly placed in cheek. W h o e l s e wo u l d
be able to include a track called Love Is A Bougeious Concept, or drop the brilliant lyric, “I like the singer, he’s lonely and strange” in Vocal, the all-out house homage that closes the record? They have said that this is a “Chris” album, as opposed to a “Neil” album. To me, it seems like the best of both worlds. The wit and wordsmithery of Tennant and the dance ethic of Lowe were always perfectly balanced, and Electric is their respective strengths writ large, so large. Dance has no age limits, and PSB remain at the vanguard of creativity in the genre. Keep raving, Boys.
How many musicians can say they made their Glastonbury debut in the same year they turned 70? Not many, I’m guessing, but one of rock’s icons can add that to his long list of achievements. Mick Jagger turns 70 on Friday, July 26, and, after 50 years of making almost 30 studio albums with The Rolling Stones and numerous awards under his tightly fastened belt, you’d forgive him for putting the feet up. Alas, despite being well past retirement age of us mere mortals, the Stones’ front man is keen to keep on rolling. His next project is producing a biopic about another legend: James Brown. Jagger is described by the late soul singer’s daughter as “one of his favourite people”. Actually, when you think about it, the two singers have quite a bit in common: Brown was nicknamed “The Hardest Working Man in Show Business” - while, at 70, the Stones have completed the 50 Years And Counting Tour including their debut at the Pyramid Stage in Glastonbury. The as yet untitled James Brown movie is its very early stages, but Mick Jagger says he’s honoured to be involved, adding Brown was “a mesmerizing performer with a fascinating life”. He’d know!
Talent On Display
Get your song on at Wright’s Open Mic Calling all aspiring groups, singers, musicians and singer-songwriters. Gilbert & Wright in Clontarf are holding an Open Mic competition which begins this weekend, on Sunday, July 28. The competition will run for seven weeks, and is open to solo acts and bands, those who write their own material and perform cover versions. There is a strong interest in the competition so far, which has a top prize of €2,000 as well as the opportunity to record at Cellar Club Studios. To enter, email marketing@wbg.ie with your name, phone number and details of your act or Xxx yyllFor xxyyl zxyxzz zz x xxylyx. xxyyl group. more information, logXxx on yyll to facebook. com/gilbertandwrightclontarf
22 GAZETTE 25 July 2013
GAZETTE
&ABOUT OUT road
MOTORS
NOISE
Sun shines down on Dun Laoghaire regatta IT was sunshine and glamour at the Dun Laoghaire regatta last week. Celebrity chef and Volvo brand ambassador Clodagh McKenna was delighted to receive the keys to her newVolvo XC60. This is Volvo’s fourth year as title sponsor of the event which is now Ireland’s largest sailing regatta. One of the highlights of the event is Ladies Day which was held recently and Clodagh McKenna was invited to be a guest judge on the day. “I was very excited to be judging Ladies Day at the Volvo Regatta this year. I love fashion and it’s always so exciting to see all of the style at an event like this one. The sun was splitting the rocks in Dun Laoghaire and it was a gorgeous day.”
Diarmuid Gavin and Aidan Cooney
MITSUBISHI HAS BECOME THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND DUBLIN’S Q102: MITSUBISHI Motors has teamed up with Dublin’s Q102 to become the driving force behind the station’s famous Blue Crew promotional team. Diarmuid Gavin, Mitsubishi brand ambassador was on hand to celebrate the new partnership. As part of the link-up, the Q102 Blue Crew team took delivery of three new Mitsubishi ASX’s which will be out and about across the city and county seven days a week spreading a little fun, adventure and good will. Speaking about the link-up with Q102, Gavin Flood of Mitsubishi Motors Ireland said: “We’re really looking forward to having the Q102 Blue Crew driving the new ASX. With the team constantly on the go around the city with colleagues, equipment and promotional material in tow, they have the perfect vehicle in the new ASX Crossover. It’s stylish, spacious, well equipped and comes with Mitsubishi’s unique eight-year warranty as standard. “ Scott Williams, chief executive of Q102 added: “We’re so pleased to be working with Mitsubishi Motors. This new association with the prestigious Mitsubishi brand is the latest example of great brand synergies. I would like to welcome Mitsubishi Motors to Dublin’s Q102 – it’s going to be a lot of fun!”
With a starting price of €37,990 the Kia Sorento is seriously good value
SORENTO: THIS 7-SEATER IS BIG, POWERFUL AND ECONOMICAL
Kia continues to offer great value for money CORMAC CURTIS
FOR some time now, Kia motors have been making themselves more and more attractive as an option to Irish motorists. I’m not just talking about attractive as in looks, but at the most basic level, cost of ownership, it is very hard to beat a brand that enjoys the reputation for reliability that Kia does. Their 7-year warranty is still one of the most comprehensive in this market. But putting that to one side for a moment, lets get back to the looks for a bit. A few of the Kia cars that I have test driven may not have actually stopped traffic, but definitely started a few conversations at the traffic lights. They weren’t about what tax band the car fell into, or how many litres
of fuel it used for every 100km driven – they were, inevitably, about the looks. Because, Kia make extraordinarily goodlooking cars – end of! But the real challenge to any manufacturer is translating an attractive design scheme across a whole range of vehicles. This is an area where few have succeeded. Let’s think about a few brands that have turned out some class cars, only to fall flat with their SUV or other large vehicle siblings: BMW? The X5 is still a brick. MercedesBenz? They have only just made their ML class a truly desirable car, before now it was a turkey. Porsche? Well, the Cayenne may be the biggest selling model in the company’s history, but let’s face it – we’d all prefer to be in the 911. From the hot little
Picanto, to the almost traffic-stopping Optima, and I dare not forget to mention the all-new, stunning Pro_Cee’d – here we have a range of motors that share, capture and exude the design statement the company has developed, and in every case it shines. But enter the Sorento, and we see where awardwinning designers really come into their own. We’re talking about a physically huge car, but somehow manages to pass itself off as far more svelte and agile motor. The front end is an exercise in how to capture a design strategy in as few elements as possible. Company logo? Check. Unmistakable grille? Check. Upswept signature headlights and lowslung fog lights? Check and check. Only one or two cars a
year genuinely take me by surprise – and this year, the Sorento is the first. As I mentioned, it manages to disguise its ‘hugeness’ through simple and understated design. Inside the space is just cavernous. Driver and passenger would be hard pressed to bump elbows, and I constantly had to tell my kids to speak up they seemed so far away in the back seats. The console has everything you need. Clear displays, quality materials, serious build quality – and savagely good air conditioning! The car is powered by an improved and economical 2.2 197ps diesel engine. Both trim levels available in Ireland will be fitted with all-wheel drive as standard. The Sorento is a 7 seater with the EX model priced at €37,990
and the Platinum model at € 41,790 . The EX entry level model features AWD as standard and also comes with a generous level of comfort and safety equipment. Standard on the EX are 17” alloys, roof rack, the all-important parking sensors, climate control front, manual heating/air con in the rear and Bluetooth. The major spec differences on the Platinum spec are a panoramic sunroof, leather upholstery with heated front seats, driver’s seat with six-way power adjustment, rain sensor, rear privacy glass, reversing camera and High Intensity Discharge Lamps. There is so much car here, it’s difficult to see where it is lacking… and at a starting price of €37,990 it is seriously good value.
25 July 2013 DUN LAOGHAIRE gazette 23
Gazette
24 DUN LAOGHAIRE gazette 25 July 2013
OUT&ABOUT Hugo Boss Cotton Tangerine Print Dress - Original RRP: approx. €265. Platform Price: €125
STYLE Kate Spade Red Floral Print Sequin Dress - Original RRP: approx. €325. Platform price: €135
Hubei turquoise pebble necklace: €120
Lavastone gemstone necklace with hammered silver beads Price: €165
Diane Von Furstenburg neon and black ruffle dress Original RRP: approx. €325. Platform Price: €135
Swallows Bib Necklace Price: €175
Elie Tahari purple dress Original RRP: approx. €325. Platform Price: €125
Mix it up at
PLATFORM
Laura Webb
Tucked away close to Rathgar village is Platform, Dublin. This boutique, owned by jewellery designer Aisling Wallace, sells a select collection of gorgeous, preloved and new designer clothes alongside her own bespoke limited edition jewellery range. Items on sale are chosen by the owner and she aims to create ‘a harmonious mix of stylish clothes and jewellery’. Some of the gorgeous pieces available are from designers such as DVF, Stella McCartney, Prada, Marlene Birger, John Rocha and many others at affordable prices. This week Gazette Style showcases just some of these stylish clothes and unique jewellery. Platform is located at 55b Rathgar Avenue, Rathgar, Dublin 6.
Swallows Brooch €120
25 July 2013 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 25
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26 DUN LAOGHAIRE gazette 25 July 2013
DUBLIN GAZETTERECRUITMENT If you know of companies where you would like to work, your first step should be to check out the company website to find available openings and apply online. Going directly to the source will get your application in the system fast and you may be able to sign up to be notified of new job openings as soon as they are posted. Please email fclarke@gazettegroup.com to feature your corporate role direct.
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25 July 2013 DUN LAOGHAIRE Gazette 27
motor racing P29
asdfsdaf gaelic games P27 P31
dublinsport Let the Gazette keep you up to date with all the best local sporting action from around the city as we cover all the stories that matter to you and your community
Gazette
sailing P28
FastSport Take your place at jackies’ summer camps:
The Transplant Team Ireland gathered at ALSAA recently, where they were addressed by Republic of Ireland soccer star Niall Quinn
transplant games: south africa the destination for national team
Dublin athletes join together in Ireland’s team for Durban Transplant Team Ireland manager Colin White, who hails from Balbriggan, is bringing together an array of national transplant talent to take part in the 19th World Transplant Games in Durban, South Africa in August. Among the team travelling to South Africa are a range of Dublin athletes, including team captain Harry Ward, Dara McLaughlin from Lucan, Deirdre Faul from Dalkey, Angela Sherlock from Walkinstown, John Moran from Glasnevin, James Reynolds
from Tallaght, Peter Heffernan from Skerries and Brian Carney from Killester. Over 1,000 athletes from 50 countries will participate in the World Games next month, which will see participants take part in 50 events including track and field, road races, cycling, swimming, golf, tennis, tabletennis, badminton, squash, lawn bowls, volleyball, petanque and tenpin bowling. Republic of Ireland soccer legend Niall Quinn was on hand to help to
inspire the team last month at a training meeting at ALSAA He said: “It is a great honour to meet such inspirational athletes who have faced huge health battles and now thanks to the gift of organ donation they can share with me their passion for life and its celebration through sport.” National team manager and World Transplant Games Federation councillor, Colin White said: “The athletes participation in the games offered a great opportunity to showcase the
success of organ donation and transplantation. Their achievements offer inspiration to others experiencing organ failure and an impetus to the general public to embrace organ donation”. For more information on the 19th World Transplant Games and Transplant Team Ireland, visit the team blog at www.transplantteamireland. ie, and follow the team on Twitter at www.twitter.com/teamireland1 and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ transplantteamireland.
The Dublin Ladies Gaelic Football Association is hosting two summer camps and are inviting prospective future Jackies stars to take part in coaching that will be run by some of the Dublin ladies team. Week one of the camp will be held in St Margaret’s GAA Club in north County Dublin from July 29 to August 2, while week two will be held in St Peregrine’s GAA club in Dublin 15 from August 12 to 16. The camp is for girls aged nine to 13 years and costs €55. They run each day from 10am to 3pm. For registration information contact camps@dublinladiesgaelic.ie or log on www.dublinladiesgaelic.ie to download the application form.
c o n ta c t s Sports Editor: Rob Heigh rheigh@gazettegroup.com
For more information or to send in news and photos: sport@gazettegroup.com Phone: 01 651 6205
Gazette
28 DUN LAOGHAIRE Gazette 25 July 2013
SPORT
FastSport Ireland claim fifth in tournament: CLONDALKIN’S Correy Davidson, along with Sallynoggin duo Carl and Darren Forsyth, were all part of the Irish men’s football squad that secured their highest ever World University Games finish as they beat fancied Ukraine 3-1 in the 5th/6th place play-off in Kazan, Russia. Manager Danny Crowley said at the end of the game “Ireland have finished a record fifth in the tournament following games against Russia, China, Mexico, France, Malaysia and Ukraine. “The quarter-final defeat to France on penalties will be of particular disappointment to this magnificent group of players as they dominated that game from start to finish. “I am so proud of this bunch of players and the staff. We have worked very hard to get this far and hopefully we can get more people interested in this magnificent competition.”
sailing: local clubs take top honours as almost 400 boats compete
Prizes stay in Dublin as 2013 regatta a big success sport@gazettegroup.com
Home-grown success was being toasted in Dun Laoghaire last week at the end of Ireland’s biggest sailing event of the year, the
Volvo Dun Laoghaire regatta on Dublin Bay. In spite of the presence of over 120 visiting boats, key trophies remained in the waterfront clubs after the prizegiving at the Royal
Irish Yacht Club brought the curtain down on the 2013 event. The Royal St George YC had success in seven classes, while Royal Irish sailors won six, including IRC classes 1
The regatta brought a huge array of competitors to Dublin Bay
The overall Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta winner on the water Checkmate XV (IRC II) skippered by Nigel Biggs
and 3, and the National YC won four one-design divisions. Meanwhile, Howth picked up two wins in IRC non-spinnaker divisions. Trophies were awarded in each of the 25 competing classes plus several premier awards were presented. The top overall prize, the Volvo Trophy, went to the Class II IRC winner Checkmate XV, a 1985 vintage half-tonner that has been extensively refitted. The Nigel Biggsskippered entry from the Royal St George Yacht Club, sailed by a group of friends, won all five races in its 26-boat fleet. In what has been a
successful season so far, Biggs now adds the Volvo crown to the national title which he claimed last month in County Kerry. The biennial regatta is being hailed a success both afloat and ashore. A combined fleet of 393 boats raced over eight courses in a range of light to medium conditions since racing began last Thursday. In the J109 class, John Maybury’s Joker II from the Royal Irish Yacht Club won the morning’s final race to overhaul Pat Kelly’s Storm and win Volvo honours and the Irish title too by a single point. Another Royal Irish boat, Bon Exemple,
the Xp33 skippered by Colin Byrne, was the winner of IRC one and also received the top IRC boat prize in the regatta. Second in IRC one was Scotland’s Now Or Never 3 with Byrne’s club mate Paul O’Higgin’s Rockabill V third. Jean Mitton’s Levana from the Royal St. George has been awarded best one design performance of the competition following her win in the 17¬boat Beneteau 31.7 fleet, a results that bodes well for next month’s national championships on the same race track. The next Dun Laoghaire regatta will be held mid-July 2015.
GAA stars and legends help launch Mater fundraiser sport@gazettegroup.com
Pictured lining out to support the Mater Foundation’s Croghan Challenge were Jason Sherlock, Mickey Harte, Ryan O’Dwyer, John Doyle and Mickey Newman, with Kayleigh Biggs of the Mater Foundation team. PIcture: Conor McCabe
Stalwarts of the GAA including president Liam O’Neill, Tyrone manager Mickey Harte and Dublin stars Jason Sherlock and Ryan O’Dwyer were on hand last week to help to launch the Mater Foundation’s Croghan Challenge. The challenge, which takes place on Saturday, August 31 at Croghan Hill, Rhode in Co Offaly, comprises either a 5km
or 10km assault course challenge that can be run, walked or jogged. All money raised will go towards the new Cancer Day Ward (St Vincent’s Day Care Ward) for vitally needed equipment that will enhance patient comfort and care. The challenge is being organised by Tom Fox who is a patient of Professor John McCaffrey of the Mater Hospital. Speaking at the launch, Tom said: “I am so grate-
ful to the amazing staff, doctors and nurses at the Mater Hospital for the incredible care that I was given. I want to encourage everyone to take part in this exciting challenge.” Dr Tomas Lyons, Medical Oncology Registrar said: “The Croghan Hill Challenge Cancer Event will make a lasting difference to the care and comfort of patients who are fighting cancer and will be attending the new
Oncology/Haematology Day Ward in the Mater Hospital. “On behalf of Professor McCaffrey and the entire Oncology team I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Tom Fox and his team for organising this event.” A minimum sponsorship of €100 per person is required. For more information and to register online, log on to www.materfoundation.ie.
25 July 2013 DUN LAOGHAIRE Gazette 29
Gazette
Driving for the top places in rallying
FastSport
Swords motor racing star Robert Barrable has quickly risen to the upper echelons of rally driving in a short few years, something he attributes to his car and backroom team There are few sports m o r e e xc i t i n g t h a n rally driving. The thrill, and the implied dangers, make it one of the world’s most popular motor sports events. The pinnacle of the sport is the FA-organised World Rally Championship (WRC), and the WRC 1 event sees the likes of World Champion Sebastian Loeb and current championship leader Sebastien Ogier flying around the most challenging routes in the world in pursuit of the drivers and constructors championship. One driver making his way to the upper echelons of the sport
ROB heigh
rheigh@gazettegroup.com
is Swords’ Robert Barrable. The young driver began making a splash on the national stage in the kart scene from the early 2000s, and his drives meant that making the move to rallying was a natural progression. “In 2008, I won the Leinster trophy. I only started rallying in 2009. I had one of my best years in 2010, when I won the
Irish and British frontwheel drive cup. After that, in 2011, I upgraded to a Super 2000 [rally] car, and took part in some Intercontinental Rally Challenge events in 2011 and 2012.” Robert has just returned from Goodwood in England, where he launched his new team, under main sponsor, Tunnocks, and new car, a Ford Fiesta R5. The car is only part of the equation, however, as Robert explains: “In percentage terms, 50% would be the driver and co-driver, 25% would be the car, and 25% would be the backroom team around you. To be hon-
Robert Barrable, and inset, his Ford Fiesta R5 in action at Goodwood
est, it’s the driver and co-driver that makes things happen, but you need the support around you. A lot goes on in the co-driver’s head, as he is calling out where you want the car to go.” Robert’s co-driver is Stuart Loudon, with whom he has established
in Finland at the start of August. Barrable is looking forward to that challenge, although it brings its inherent dangers. “It’s really fast over there, the fastest rally in the world. This will be my first time driving there, so it’s going to be an experience-gaining
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‘If someone had told me in 2009 I would be driving in the WRC, I wouldn’t have believed them’
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a successful relationship so far, cemented with a hugely impressive second place in the WRC 2 category in April in the first race of the 2013 second-level championship in Portugal. “I started co-driving with Stuart just over a year ago. This is our first full year together, though we did five or six rallies last year, and it has been very successful so far. I’ve only had one other co driver, and it’s great working with Stuart.” It takes a large team to put the cars on the road, something Robert attributes his achievement in Portugal to: “It was my first WRC event, and I wanted to give a good account of myself and all the guys in the team.” The duo are gearing up for their next challenge, the next round of the WRC 2 category races, which takes place
exercise. In Finland, if you make a mistake, it’s not normally a puncture, it’s a much more serious thing, with the nature of the speed and the gradients of the roads.” A f ter Finland, the remaining rounds take p l a c e i n G e r m a ny, France, Spain and culminate in Wales for Rally BG, the last round of the WRC 2 championship. Robert is delighted to have arrived at the point he is at in his career at the moment. “I’m very happy with the way things have progressed. To be here now in such a short period of time – if someone had told me in 2009 that I would be driving six rounds of the WRC, I wouldn’t have believed them. “But to be here, it hasn’t really str uck home yet. To get here as fast as we have, I’m delighted.”
Roche rides to podium position on Le Tour NICOLAS Roche ended up on the podium in Paris last Sunday as he helped the Saxo Tinkoff team to the team title at the centenary edition of the Tour de France after a gruelling three weeks. While in previous Tours, the Dundrum native had been given scope to push for a high ranking in the general classification, this time around Roche spent much of his time working for team leader Alberto Contador and his number two Roman Kreuziger In the early phases, Roche occupied a top ten berth due to a 14th place finish on the opening stage in Corsica and his team’s excellent showing in the team time trial on stage four. He held that position for four days but the overall was plan was always to provide as much protection as possible for Contador. To this end, Roche played a big role in helping close a gap on stage ten from Saint Gildas des Bois to Saint Malo while stage 13 was also a big moment. With crosswinds wreaking havoc with the peloton, Saxo-Tinkoff made a key break that saw Contador able to take a minute off eventual winner Chris Froome. After that, he was given licence to try and get involved in breaks, notably on the 16th stage, but none stuck and so it meant he finished 40th overall. But he said afterwards that progressing Contador and the team’s final standing became more and more critical as the race progressed. “While my Saxo-Tinkoff team came into this Tour with the aim of winning the race overall, we ended up winning the team classification instead,” he said. “It was an amazing experience to be up there [on the podium] with all my team mates and a nice reward for all our hard work. “I realise now how important a strong team is if you want to break into the top five in the Tour. You also need to believe in your leader. That was our strength.”
Gazette
30 DUN laoghaire Gazette 25 July 2013
SPORT
FastSport
athletics: dsdac runner takes women’s 10k title
Cole rewarded with captaincy in Poland LEE Cole proved to be one of Ireland Under-18 boys’ shining lights recently when he captained them to the EuroHockey Youth Nations Championships II title in Gasawa, Poland last weekend. The Monkstown and St Andrew’s College player added the title to a vast array of silverware that he has won in the past 12 months, including four schools titles and two AllIreland club successes. He has also been selected in the Irish Under-19 cricket team who line out later this month.
Kilbogget Park Blackrock RFC to host Leinster announce head tournament of development KILBOGGET Park will play host to a two-day U-17 cricket tournament between North Leinster and South Leinster this week, the second of which is on Friday, July 26 with the game getting under way at 11am. Cabinteely Cricket Club – of which Cabinteely football club’s director of football, Pat Finnerty, is chairman – is one of the newer clubs on the local cricket scene and is open for junior and juvenile membership. Call Krishna on 085 142 3009 for further information if you want to get involved.
BLACKROCK College RFC have announced Mark McDermott, the IRFU’s former Elite Player development manager, as head of their U-20 development programme for the 2013/14 season. McDermott brings a wealth of experience to the role and will be joined on the coaching roster by David Murphy as the new backs coach having recently been involved within the Leinster underage set up. Paul Lambe will stay on as the team’s physio while Mark Fallon will continue his role as kit manager and match day organiser.
Dundrum South Dublin athlete Maria McCambridge comfortably claimed her second race series title of 2013 in Swords last weekend
McCambridge queen of Fingal stephen findlater sport@gazettegroup.com
DUNDRUM South Dublin AC’s Maria McCambridge comfortably recorded her second Airtricity Dublin Race Series title of the summer, winning in the Fingal 10k time of 33.0 in front of the picturesque Swords Castle last Sunday morning. McCambridge won’t be in a position to make in three in a row at next month’s half-marathon in the Phoenix park, however, as she is off to Moscow to represent Ireland in the marathon
at the world championships. As with the five mile in the Phoenix Park earlier in the series, McCambridge looked very comfortable coming over the line. She finished a good 1.12 minutes ahead of second placed Gladys O’Neill – who also used to run with DSDAC while Eilish Kelly was the third woman home in a time of 35.28. The sun stayed away to the relief of the runners, and there was almost a cool breeze for the over 2,400 runners, joggers and walkers who took part in what was only the
Bliss at blainroe President’s Prize event proves a huge success THE presentation of the Dr Jack Mee-
han’s President’s Prize in Blainroe Golf Club took place last week when lady president Grace Delahunt from Sandymount presented the award to Terence Ryan. The competition for the Dr Meehan prize was one of the largest entries and attendance for a prizegiving in the club’s history. For more information about the club, log on to www.blainroe.com
second Fingal 10k. Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar laced up for the race, finishing in a respectable 51.39. Another finisher who got a big cheer when he came over the line was Peter Flynn, father of Dublin Footballer and Swords /Fingallians man Paul Flynn, who finished in 1.16.34. The All-Star was an avid spectator waiting on the finish line for his father while there was also a large contingent from the Fingallians club both in the race and also helping as volunteers.
On the men’s side, Clonliffe’s Stephen Scullion produced a superb performance to ease his way to the title, showing a clean pair of heels to Paddy Hamilton and Robbie Matthews. He completed the course in 30.14 minutes, 43 seconds clear of his nearest rival. Elsewhere, Templeogue’s Nadia Power was in winning form at the Woodies DIY National Juvenile Track and Field Championships in Tullamore over the weekend. Power, who is fresh from her European Youth
Olympic Festival campaign where she finished a brilliant fifth, lined up in the girls 1,500m in Tullamore on Sunday and dominated the field recording the fastest time of the day in 4.42.03. DSDAC’s Jade Leahy finished second in the U-19 girls 200m and Mollie Hourihan was second in the U-13 girls long jump. Sarah Torrans and Katie Berney were also finalists in the 200’s finishing fourth. In Saturday’s relays, the club’s U-18 boys took gold in the 4x400 while their U-17 4x100 counterparts landed silver.
25 July 2013 DUN laoghaire Gazette 31
Gazette
champions all Dublin stars salute their super fans
Club Noticeboard shankill
Kilmacud Crokes’ Ryan
O’Dwyer and St Oliver Plunkett’s Bernard Brogan with Andy Slater at the launch of the 2013 Dublin’s Finest Supporter competition. For more information, log on to www.hill16.ie/ thedubhub
THE juvenile academy continues
Shanganagh Park and will run from
every Saturday from 12 noon to
10am to 2pm daily. More information
1pm and will continue throughout
along with registration forms will be
the summer. We cater for boys and
made available shortly on our web-
girls aged five to 12 years, covering
site - keep an eye on our Facebook
football, hurling and camogie. All
and Twitter pages for updates.
equipment is provided and it’s only €2 per session. Training during the week will also
Picture: David Maher / SPORTSFILE
football: stunning performance by jackies
A special thanks to David Treacy
in Shanganagh Park for nine- to
from the Dublin senior hurlers
10-year-olds and 11- to 12-year-
who visited our Juvenile Academy
olds, with the overall aim of regis-
on Saturday with the Bob O’Keeffe
tering these teams for matches in
Cup.
September. Blitzes are also cur-
It was an excellent opportunity
rently being arranged on a regular
for the young and old alike of Shankill
basis with local clubs.
GAA Club to get their picture taken
Due to the fabulous success of
with the rising star and the cup.
our first summer camp, we are
Thanks again David and best of luck
delighted to announce that we will
in the rest of the Championship
be hosting a second summer camp
from all at Shankill GAA Club.
August 23. The camp will be held in
naomh olaf
sport@gazettegroup.com
THE LOCAL area was strongly represented in the Dublin minor panel that reached the ladies football All-Ireland final for their third successive year after they stormed to a 34-point victory over Donegal in Saturday’s semi-final at Kingspan Breffni Park. K ilmacud Crokes’ Molly Lamb led the side in great style from midfield and was joined in the panel by club mates Michelle Davoren, Orla McDonald, Ciara Regan, Isolt Reardon and Eabha Rutledge.
Their skills were augmented by Ballyboden St Enda’s Doireann Mullaney, Katie Murphy, Aoife O’Brien and Maria McGrath, Ballinteer St John’s Niamh Leahy along with Foxrock Cabinteely’s Niamh Ryan and Aedin O’Donnell. The junior Jackies ran up a 10-18 to 3-5 victory in a game in which Ciara McGuigan and Castleknock’s Leah Mullins both ran up hat-tricks while Rutledge and Kate Dwyer also netted two goals a piece. Scarcely did they look in trouble with goals scattered through the
performance and they will now go on to meet Galway in the final on the August bank holiday Monday after they beat Cork 3-17 to 4-7 on Saturday evening at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. The huge victory continued Dublin’s stunning form in 2013 under the eagle eye of manager Cavan man Conor Barry throughout their Leinster championship campaign. In their five provincial fixtures, the Dubs racked up an amazing 21-92 (155 points all told) en route to claiming the Leinster provincial crown while only conceding 4-23 (35).
During that run, Kildare were dismissed by 14 points, Wicklow by 41, Wexford by 34 – scoring a massive 7-20 – and Laois by 5-11 to 1-7 in the Leinster semi-final. Meath put up a stronger resistance in the Leinster final but a tight defensive performance meant they never got in range with the Jackies winning 2-14 to 0-4. This Donegal win means they are now into their third final in a row and are looking to retain the title they won a year ago with victory over Tyrone having lost in 2011 to Cork in the decider.
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The senior hurlers had a great win
website, or contact Darren on 087
against Castleknock on Saturday
7085913 for more information.
night with a 0-20 to 1-14 victory.
Local ladies propel Dublin into the final
More details to follow very soon.
start on Wednesday from 7 to 8pm
from Monday, August 19 to Friday,
The outstanding Dublin minor ladies panel who have reached the All-Ireland final after their win. Picture: GAApics.com
Save the date: Sunday, September 15 is the Shankill GAA family fun day.
Ticket lists for Dublin’s hurling and
The intermediate footballers play
football quarter-finals are currently
two very important league games this
up behind the bar. Only full paid-up
week. On Wednesday, they play Clon-
members can put their names down
tarf at home, and on Saturday evening
for tickets. If interested please do so
they play Vincent’s away. All support is
ASAP.
greatly appreciated.
Congratulations to Peter O’Brien
Our ladies footballers play Round
and Emma Smith on their recent mar-
Tower’s on Wednesday evening at
riage. Peter is the youngest son of
home. This is a very important game
Peter and Maureen O’Brien, Clonard
as they look to continue their unbeat-
Lawns.
en run this year. All support is greatly appreciated. Our final summer camp takes place in August and will run from August 12 to 16.
There was no winner of the lotto. Numbers drawn were 6, 9 and 20. Next week’s jackpot is €2,300. Joker’s Wild takes place every Saturday night. Tickets can be bought
The camp is for boys and girls from
at any time during the week so make
senior infants up to sixth class. Book-
sure your in for your chance to win the
ing forms can be found on the club
jackpot.
wanderers Commiserations to our junior Bs who
they are fully paid up ASAP as they
were narrowly beaten in the O’Broin
are neither insured nor eligible to
Cup final, despite a great perform-
play after April 30, contact John for
ance in regular and extra time.
details on 087 9058568.
Congratulations to St James Gaels on their victory.
Adult men’s football training continues throughout the week. All new
There was no winner of the Lotto
players welcome. For first team,
jackpot. Numbers drawn were 14,
please contact John for details on 086
20 and 30. €25 to Roisin Molloy, Ger
811 8372 and for second team, please
O’Hara, Robbie Wardick, Aysha. Next
contact Mark on 087 673 2628 or Dam-
week’s jackpot is €1,000.
ian on 086 863 2565.
Our next Kelloggs Cul camp takes
Training occurs weekly as follows:
place from August 19 to 23. Contact
Tuesday and Thursday 7.15pm at
Niall for details on 086 885 7303.
Frank Kelly Park. Ladies training each
Membership now due. All players and members reminded to ensure
Monday and Wednesday at Frank Kelly Park at 7.30pm.
32 DUN LAOGHAIRE Gazette 25 July 2013