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March 5 - 11, 2015

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

INSIDE: Don’t get in a flap over Mother’s Day – we have great gift ideas See Inside

PJ’s tips: Timing is everything for a day in the life of funnyman Gallagher See P13

A blooming good idea: Sign up now for Daffodil Day Soccer:

Cabinteely set for big League of Ireland debut Page 32

THESE children from Blackrock, Bray, Leopardstown and Carrickmines – Ruby Kelly, Louis Chambers, Ailbhe Ferrero and Harry Noone – put their business minds to work recently when they thought about the upcoming Daffodil Day on March 27. The quartet are calling on companies and people all over the country to support the annual fundraiser for the Irish Cancer Society, with hopes to match or beat last year’s figure – €376,000 – and help support the society’s vital work.

Picture: Andres Poveda

Football:

Fox/Cab win big in Crossmaglen sevens event Page 31

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ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES..................... 10 DUBLIN LIFE................... 13 OUT&ABOUT...................17 CLASSIFIEDS.................26 SPORT............................28

Richmond residents must look for homes

Sale of Monkstown facility to UK firm gives people two years to move out

 Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

SOME 17 residents in Monkstown’s Richmond Cheshire Home for people with disabilities are to be rehoused in the community over the next two years, fol-

lowing the sale of the home to British retirement homes specialists, Pegasus Life Ltd. The sale, for an undisclosed sum, was verified this week by Cheshire Ireland chief executive Mark BlakeKnox, who added that own-

ership of the home will not transfer for two years. This is to allow enough time to find suitable accommodation for the current residents.

However, Cllr Victor Boyhan (Ind) said that local people were concerned about

the fate of the residents.

He added that Richmond House and its gardens, set on 10 acres, were gifted to Cheshire Ireland by local woman Mary Briscoe for such service users.

Full Story on Page 2

2 DUN laoghaire Gazette 5 March 2015

monkstown Richmond Cheshire residents will have to move

Concern at impact of care home’s sale

THE Richmond Cheshire Home in Monkstown, which caters for people with physical and neurological disabilities, has been sold for an undisclosed sum to PegasusLife, a British company specialising in retirement homes.

Although the sale has been completed, ownership will not transfer to the new buyers for at least two years, to ensure that all 17 current residents

 Bairbre Ni Bhraonain bnibhraonain@dublingazette.com

can secure appropriate accommodation.

R ichmond House, set in 10 acres of woodland, was donated to the Cheshire Foundation in the mid-1970s by Mary

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

Briscoe.

Cllr Victor Boyhan (Ind) said: “I grew up in Monkstown village and knew the late Mary Briscoe very well. She gifted her estate to the Cheshire Home, on the understanding that the charity would be the guardians of her special oasis in Monkstown.”

Local people are concerned about the future of the care home’s residents following the sale, he added.

Purchaser PegasusLife specialises in developing housing for the over-60s, and the seller, Cheshire Foundation, said this proposed use of the property will fit in with

the integrity of the neighbourhood.

Cheshire Ireland’s chief executive Mark Blake-Knox told The Gazette: “We are following the HSE’s policy, Time to Move on from Congregated Settings [a new model to move those with disabilities from residential centres to their communities].

“It states that every provider of residential accommodation for people with disabilities is to support their clients in moving to ordinary houses on ordinary streets.

“Based on evidence from here and abroad, it is clear that people with disabilities enjoy far bet-

Richmond House, set in 10 acres of woodland, was donated to the Cheshire Foundation in the mid-1970s by Mary Briscoe

ter lives when living as part of their local community,” he said.

According to the HSE, when moved into communities, these people will be entitled to community health and social services like any other citizen, such as GP or home help.

Also involved in the sale of Richmond House is Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, which will now be repaid the funding it provided via a 20-year mortgage for six accommodation units at the Richmond Cheshire Home in 2000 under the Capital Assist-

ance Scheme.

A spokesperson said: “As the property has recently been sold, the balance of the principal sum now becomes due to the council. Redemption figures have been given to Cheshire’s solicitor and they have agreed to repay [us] this sum.”

5 March 2015 DUN laoghaire Gazette 3

charity

council: expected running charge detailed for councillors in report

‘Lep’ to it to join a 5km dash

LexIcon 2015 costs likely to hit €1.38m  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

ANTICIPATED r unning costs for the new DLR LexIcon Library for 2015 will be more than €1,380,000, according to a report by Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.

The figures were contained in a report which was delivered to councillors at a recent Dun Laoghaire area committee meeting, on foot of a request by Cllr Melissa Halpin (PBP) .

Cllr Halpin asked the council to provide a report on the full running costs of the LexIcon, including building management and security companies’ costs.

The report stated that: “The costs of the DLR LexIcon are spread across a number of budget codes, reflecting the range of activities within the building. 2015 will be the first year of operation of the LexIcon and it is not possible at this stage to fully assess the costs until the building has been operational for a period of time.”

The anticipated operational costs for 2015 include €500,000 for facilities management. In addition, €138,000 is the anticipated spend for the library’s book fund, while €148,000 will be spent on IT in the form of software, annual support, system upgrades and for the LexIcon Lab.

The Arts and Libraries Cultural Programme of Events is expected to cost €350,000. Other expected costs – including rates, insurance, office consumables, internet costs and postage – come to €190,900.

Energy costs for the year are anticipated to total €131,000.

The total library-related expenses for LexIcon came in at €591,200, while the total ar ts expenses is expected to reach €792,200.

On the debit side, expected income from library fees, room rental, workshops and car park fees is €254,500, reducing the entire year’s anticipated expenditure from €1,637,900 to

 Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

No baby blues: Happy to help celebrate a national day for our littlest citizens BLACKROCK baby Elsa Uibh Eachach was happy to help celebrate

National Baby Day recently. As part of the celebrations, RB Ireland, makers of Nurofen for Children, has donated €5,000 towards the play facilities at the emergency department of Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin. While Elsa is a little too young to think about such matters, Nurofen’s donation was warmly welcomed by the hospital for the difference it will help to make for sick children. The drugs giant has also launched a new Nurofen for Children Cold & Flu & Pain range, with 70,000 free thermometers available at pharmacies nationwide. Picture: Andres Poveda

A LEPRECHAUN Dash in which participants compete with leprechaun hats and T-shirts will take place in Kilbogget Park on March 15, in aid of Enable Ireland.

Participants in the 5km Enable Ireland Leprechaun Dash can walk, run or jog the circuit.

Entry costs €25 per person, or €35 for a parent and child team. Medals for the most dashing leprechauns will be presented on the day.

Funds raised for the charity will go to support services for children and adults with disabilities in the Dublin region. To register, contact Justin at 01 261 5915 or 087 053 2857, or email jreddin@ enableireland.ie.

4 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 5 March 2015

CHARITY Support isolated seniors  BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN

THE annual Forgotten Irish St Patrick’s Day Irish Coffee Morning will be celebrating its sixth year of fundraising for Irish emigrants in Britain.

The fundraising event will be held on March 17 in St Joseph’s Pastoral Centre in Glasthule, from 10am to 1pm.

The initiative was set up to help elderly, lonely and isolated Irish men and women in Britain, who, having left Ireland never to return in the decades following World War II, are now largely forgotten in Ireland.

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

COUNCIL Bus stop, footpath, cycle track changes

Roebuck Ave works to last up to six weeks  BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN

ROAD works begun this week on the N11 Stillorgan Dual Carriageway at Roebuck Avenue are due to last up to six weeks, it has been confirmed.

The work focuses on reconfiguring a bus stop, footpath and cycle track following some safety concerns which were reported at the Greygates site situated at Roebuck Avenue on the N11, opposite Booterstown Avenue.

The current configu-

ration of the bus stop/ footpath and cycle track has been reviewed and is being redesigned to reduce potential conflict points between pedestrians, cyclists, buses and bus users and improve road safety.

The cycle track will also be rerouted out of the current bus lay-by and the footpath will be widened.

A dedicated bus shelter and waiting area for bus commuters will also be provided as part of the redesign.

Because the work will

be undertaken at what is always a very busy area, the council has said that every effort will be made to manage the works in a safe and efficient manner, while trying to minimise disruption.

The existing bus stop is to be dismantled to facilitate the works, and a temporary bus stop will be provided at Greenfield Road.

The main contractor for the works is Sierra Communications Ltd. Works began on site on March 3, and will last

In a bid to address reported safety concerns, the current configuration of a bus stop and ancillary area at Roebuck Avenue are being redesigned

from five to six weeks.

Meanwhile, another council construction project, still in the proposal stage, is the development and extension of Shanganagh Park Lodge in Shankill.

A period of public consultation has now begun for plans to extend the lodge and refurbish it.

The detailed plans and

particulars are available for inspection until April 9 at County Hall, Dun Laoghaire.

All submissions or observations about the proposed refurbishment and extension to Shanganagh Park Lodge can be made on or before April 23 by writing to Ann Hegarty, Senior Executive Officer, Housing

and Community Department, DLRCC, County Hall, Marine Road, Dun Laoghaire. Alternatively, you can go to www.dlrcoco.ie, or email housing@ dlrcoco.ie.

According to the council: “Submissions and observations should b e cl e a r l y m a r ke d [for] Shanganagh Park Lodge.”

DON’SDUBLIN

The Foxrock writer who left us waiting for Godot FOR someone born on Friday 13 – especially as it was also Good Friday (in 1906) – something special could be expected.

So it’s no surprise that Samuel Beckett, who was born in Foxrock, Co Dublin, went on to become one of the most important writers of the 20th Century and an inspiration to dramatists such as Vaclav Havel, Tom Stoppard and Harold Pinter.

His influence on the Beat Generation and their “experimental writing” was vital for Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac and many others.

Beckett was educated originally in Dublin before attending Portora Royal School in Enniskillen (where Oscar Wilde had once been a pupil), and then entering Dublin University (Trinity College).

He was bright as a student, and an excellent athlete, excelling at cricket. He played two first-class matches against Northamptonshire and, as such,

has the unique distinction of being the only Nobel Laureate (1969) to be mentioned in Wisden Cricketers’ Almanac – cricket’s “bible”.

He went to Paris in 1927 to teach English and was soon introduced to James Joyce.

Over the next two years, and with Joyce’s failing eyesight, he did much research on what would become Joyce’s last work, Finnegans Wake.

He was greatly impressed with the older man, and his first published work was a critical essay in support of Joyce.

After a return to Dublin he went back to Paris when World War 2 began. He helped the French Resistance and in 1942 was lucky to escape capture by the Gestapo.

His commitment was recognised after the war, when he was awarded the Croix de Guerre by the French government (above, you can see Beckett in one of his best-known photos, sitting at a

Parisian cafe).

This was Beckett’s most productive period, highlighted by the completion in January, 1949, of his play, Waiting for Godot.

This play is considered by many as one of the greatest works of the century and, like all masterpieces, has any number of interpretations.

The critic Vivian Mercier commented that “Beckett has achieved a theoretical impossibility – a play in which nothing happens, that yet keeps audiences glued to their seats.

“What’s more, since the second act is a subtly different reprise of the first, he has written a play in which nothing happens, twice.”

Or, more succinctly: less is less!

Don Cameron www.donsdublin.wordpress.com

5 March 2015 DUN laoghaire Gazette 5

6 DUN laoghaire Gazette 5 March 2015

business Apply for a €20,000 award  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

APPLICATIONS are now being accepted by Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Local Enterprise Office (DLR LEO) for the best small business to represent the county at this year’s National Enterprise Awards.

Micro-enterprises in the county, employing up to 10 people, have until March 18 to apply for the chance to win €20,000 in the national finals, to be held on June 11 in Kilmainham.

The initial phase of the competition is the DLR county final on Tuesday, March 31, with the chance to win more than €7,500.

To find out more, contact DLR LEO at 01 494 8400, or email contact@ leo.dlrcoco.ie.

support AA group to commemorate its services

Marking 50 years of help for alcoholics  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

THIS year the AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) Dun Laoghaire Group, Monkstown, is celebrating 50 years.

Since 1965, A A in Monkstown has served thousands of members in the Dun Laoghaire area.

A spokesperson for AA Dun Laoghaire said: “Across the globe, each AA meeting concludes with the refrain: ‘Keep coming back’, and that is exactly what the members of the AA Dun Laoghaire

Group have been doing for the past 50 years, one day at a time “There have been many developments and a few hiccups along the way.”

In 1965, the first meeting of the group took place in the Andarina Guest House, and membership grew rapidly, helping to spawn more groups in Dalkey, Churchtown and Dundrum.

In time, the Dun Laoghaire group outgrew the space available and it made the first of several

moves before residing in its present home in the crypt, discreetly positioned at the back of the Church of Ireland in Monkstown.

Since last July, the crypt has been open to AA members throughout the day, seven days a week.

This year, the AA Dun Laoghaire Group, Monkstown is celebrating 50 years of continued sobriety and of carrying AA’s message.

In recognition, the group has planned sev-

In common with AA meetings around the world, the AA Dun Laoghaire, Monkstown group offers a welcoming, confidential and non-judgemental environment

eral events, most notably a memorial day which will be staged on June 2 to remember all deceased members.

In addition, on October 12, to recall the visit of the AA founder Bill Wilson to Ireland some 65 years ago, and also to celebrate 50 years operat-

ing in Dun Laoghaire, an open public meeting will be held in Dun Laoghaire Town Hall.

An invitation has also been extended to Bill Wilson’s remaining family to speak at the event.

AA meetings are held in the crypt in Monkstown from Monday to

Friday at 1pm, 6pm and 8.30pm and on Saturdays and Sundays at 9am, 11am, 3pm, 6.30pm and 8.30pm.

Open public meetings are held at the crypt at 8.30pm on the first Monday of each month.

Everyone is welcome to attend.

5 March 2015 DUN laoghaire Gazette 7

8 DUN laoghaire Gazette 5 March 2015

ask the politician A weekly Q&A with local representatives looks A Youth Council of Ireland survey recently found that 44% of 18- to 24-year-old JobBridge interns believe employers are using the scheme as a source of free labour. The Gazette asks politicians from the four Dublin local authority areas if they think the JobBridge scheme is exploitative and whether there is an alternative to replace it.

Tanaiste and Minister for Social Protection, joan burton

Over 97% of all internships monitored were complying with scheme’s criteria The purpose of the JobBridge scheme is to provide opportunities for all jobseekers to gain critical experience in the workplace, particularly in their chosen field. Independent studies speak to the very real success of the scheme – three in five participants in JobBridge secured employment following their internship. The really positive thing about the JobBridge scheme is that so many people want to be involved.

I welcome the NYCI’s report on JobBridge and intend to carefully consider the findings

and conclusions. On balance the report has some very positive things to say about the JobBridge scheme. For instance, over two-thirds of people who participated said JobBridge gave them valuable work experience, and two-thirds of interns report having moved out of unemployment on finishing their internship.

It’s important to state that the scheme is voluntary; there is no compulsion on jobseekers to take part. My Department has carried out more than 9,000 monitoring visits, and over 97%

of all internships monitored were found to be complying with the criteria laid down under the scheme. Where it is felt that a specific internships is falling below the standard required, my Department will take remedial action.

Many of its critics, however, particularly in the opposition in the Dail, seem to offer very little by way of solutions in terms of how we create jobs, and how we help people get back to work, particularly for those who lack the critical experience needed in gaining employment.

dun laoghaire-rathdown county council: Cllr Karl Gill (PBP)

This is a con job designed to assist the wealthiest people in our society JobBridge, as one of many of the social welfare based internship schemes, has faced much criticism from all angles since its establishment.

Participants on the scheme have commented on how they have been forced into it by way of threat of their payments being cut.

I myself was told by a social welfare manager that if I failed to be elected I would be made take up a JobBridge internship or face having my payment slashed. People of all ages are being bullied into these schemes. For participants on these schemes there are no provisions for travel expenses, lunch payments or childcare while they work for free, often for private companies.

People with masters degrees and even Phds have found themselves with no choice but to take up these schemes. Some young people don’t have a problem with this because they might have parents who can fully support them while they are on the scheme. However this is not a position most people are in. Most of the internship placements are not offering paid positions for when people complete them and most companies effectively have a revolving door policy of free labour interns.

A report done for the Department of Social Protection, called the Indecon report, shows 29% of employers using JobBridge admitted they would have offered full time paid employment in the scheme’s absence but since the scheme is in place they are availing of free labour. Also just 19.5% of interns actually got a job with the

company at the end.

We need a real public works scheme in place to get people back to work in the areas that they trained in. The Labour Party seem to expect people who have studied for four years in a third/ fourth level degree course and paid over €12,000 in fees to work for free stacking shelves in Tescos.

This is not a back-to-work scheme. It’s a con job designed to assist the wealthiest in our society.

5 March 2015 DUN laoghaire Gazette 9

at that are concentrating minds across the city and county Duntopics Laoghaire-Rathdown County: Cllr Neale Richmond (FG) Mayor of South Dublin County Council: Fintan Warfield (SF)

Dublin City Council: Cllr Andrew Montague (Lab)

JobBridge should be replaced

The results have been very positive

As a young political representative, I mix with countless people who are currently serving internships on the JobBridge scheme. Many have had a positive experience but many more believe that JobBridge displaces paid work, depresses wages and facilitates abuse by some employers.

This must not be allowed to continue.

The JobBridge scheme should be closed and replaced with a new model.

Since June 2011, JobBridge has become the central plank of the Government’s jobs strategy. Although some individuals may have had a positive experience, it is a scheme which leaves thousands of jobseekers vulnerable to exploitation.

It is a scheme that has already reduced the number of job opportunities available and if not closed now, thousands of future positions will emerge as unpaid internships instead.

Sinn Fein propose to replace the one-sizefits-all JobBridge scheme with a new participant centred model for internships, compiled with the support of key stakeholders including major unions, the National Youth Council of Ireland, INOU and We’re Not Leaving, along

I met a young woman recently who left school early and remained unemployed for several years. She was losing hope of ever having a decent future for herself. So when she was offered a JobBridge post in the local SuperValu she grabbed the chance.

On her first day in work, the SuperValu mystery shopper came into the store in order to give feedback to the manager.

The mystery shopper went to the counter that the JobBridge intern was on and asked her for help. The mystery shopper didn’t know that this young woman was on JobBridge and our intern didn’t know she was dealing with a mystery shopper. The mystery shopper was so impressed with the service that she received that she reported to the manager that the young woman was one of the best shop assistants that she ever came across.

The young intern finished her JobBridge term and with a new sense of confidence decided to go back to college. JobBridge had given her the start that she needed to build a brighter future and to give her a real sense of confidence in herself. Like many other people who are unemployed, she found it difficult to get a

with many individual JobBridge participants.

Ta i l o r e d internships would be developed sector by sector, in full cooperation with trade unions and Education and Training Boards. Employers would be supported to be the best mentors that they can be.

Internships under the scheme would be short and agreed on a sector-by-sector basis.

Importantly, companies which have been found in breach of employment law in the previous two years would not be allowed to take on an intern.

The names of all employers participating in the scheme would be open to the public, acting as an additional incentive to ensure the proper use of the scheme.

start because she lacked experience. JobBridge gave her the chance to get that experience.

It’s a scheme for people who want to take opportunities that come up.

It’s not compulsory. It’s only for those that want to give it a go. So there is no question of exploitation. But for many of those that do take it up, like this young woman, the results have been very positive. Nearly two out of every three people that go on JobBridge end up in a job within six months. That’s a much higher success rate than most other schemes.

Many schemes and programmes over the years have been tried to get long-term unemployed people back to work but most have had very poor results. Here’s a scheme that actually works. Let’s not abandon JobBridge. Let’s not abandon our long-term unemployed.

10 dun laoghaire Gazette 5 March 2015

gazetteGALLERIES

Cllr Patricia Stewart (FG), Professor Donal O’Shea, head of obesity unit, St Columcille’s Hospital, Aoife Hearne, Deputy Mary Mitchell O’Connor (FG) and Barry Dempsey, Irish Heart Foundation. Pictures: Geraline Woods

meeting: public discussion on a national issue

Let’s talk about tackling obesity W

ITH a growing national interest in tackling the problem of obesity and its wide range of associated health problems, there was great interest in a public meeting on the topic at the Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel, Killiney, recently. Hosted by Deputy Mary Mitchell O’Connor (FG), chair of the party’s internal committee on education and skills, and a member of the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children, a number of experts and speakers addressed the audience at the very well attended event. A number of key obesity-related topics saw a broad analysis of the growing obesity problem, and the challenges in addressing it nationally.

Killian Byrne, leader, Operation NikkI Gordon and Jennifer Feighan

Transformation 2012

5 March 2015 dun laoghaire Gazette 11

The event was well attended, with its themes providing some fascinating insights for all

Operation Transformation,

Maureen Mulvihill, Irish Heart Foundation

Deirdre McCaughey

Dionne Baker and Nicole Grundy

Ed Kennedy

12 gazette 5 March 2015

gazetteGALLERY

Orla Morrison Toolen and Carol Morris

Actors David Rawle (Martin Moone), Deirdre O’Kane (Debra Moone) and Peter McDonald (Liam Moone) at the world premiere of Moone Boy series 3 at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham in Dublin recently. The new series of Chris O’Dowd’s international Emmy-winning comedy begins on Sky 1 on Monday, March 2. Pictures: Brian McEvoy

World Premiere: season 3 brings the stars to kilmainham

Moone Boy set to give us a laugh a third time Sophie McNally and Laura Booth

Maria Hennessy and Maria Connor

Barbara and Brian Kearns

Olive Kelly, Sarah Jennings and Michelle Davis

Aine Killilea and Ollie Canning

5 March 2015 Gazette 13

business P16

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

a day in the life: we catch up with funnyman pj gallagher

what’son

His perfect timing is key to a full day  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

EVER-popular comedian PJ Gallagher took The Gazette on a trip through an average day in his life ahead of his upcoming tour date in Vicar Street this April.

Waking up at 5am before heading into studio to broadcast his breakfast show on Classic Hits FM, Gallagher makes sure to get a good aul brekkie to set him up for the day.

“The first thing I’ll do is have three Weetabix with skimmed milk, stuck into a bowl and a Berocca energy boost to make sure that I have a bit of energy inside me. Then I jump into the shower – I have my little routine timed perfectly.

“I stick on some Euronews and see what way the world is going, then let the dog out to the toilet if she wants to go but normally she just tries to jump into the bed when I get up.

“She loves the warm bit, and though she shouldn’t be in there I haven’t the heart to take her out because it’s so cold in the house when I get up.

“Then I look at the bicycle and try and talk myself into cycling – and every single morning I just jump on

be drawn to an anime and manga festival ANIME Dublin is back once again for 2015 with a unique, one-day anime event packed with special events, exclusive screenings, gaming, and late night activities.

Now in its fourth year, the animation convention takes place at O’Callaghan Alexander Hotel on Fenian Street on April 11.

Doors will open at 10am, and events will run right through until 10pm. There will be a pub quiz and general pub shenanigans from 8pm until 11.30pm in the hotel pub for over18s.

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‘I look at the bicycle and try and talk myself into cycling to work – and every single morning I just jump on the motorbike and head off’

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the motorbike [a Triumph 800] and head off,” he says.

Once in the studio, he checks the papers to see if there’s anything worth talking about on the show.

“The show runs from 6am to 10am with Damien [Farrelly]. The whole idea of the show is basically to convince people that it’s okay to get up out of bed and go into the world.

“We play 70s and 80s music, so a lot of dancing goes on.”

Then it’s home to take out his two dogs, Wendy and Lilo.

When it comes to dinner, it seems this comedian is more used to the phone dial than the cooker’s dial.

“If I don’t have a gig I’ll have dinner at 6.30pm. I’m a terrible cook!

“I don’t cook anything and the



Gazette

diary P14

Comedian PJ Gallagher, who will be playing at Vicar Street this April

days I don’t have a chopped salad, I get a Chinese [takeaway]. I’m either extremely healthy or extremely unhealthy.

“I always call up to my mother in the evening to say hello; she only lives up the road in Clontarf, and I’m in Marino.

“I spend an hour there and ramble home and either get stuck into Netflix or try and write some jokes for stand-

up.

“I go to bed at 9pm on the button every night. As soon as the news starts I run up to bed and hang all my clothes inside the bathroom so they’re all ready to jump into as soon as I get out of the shower in the morning.”

Tickets for PJ Gallagher’s show, Concussion, on April 17 at Vicar Street are available from www.ticketmaster.ie, priced €25.

Prizes The convention will feature a games room with plenty of consoles, tournaments, card games, role-playing games and lots of prizes. A purpose-designed allseated room will host exclusive screenings, panels, workshops and more.

Pre-registration has just opened and is advised as places are limited to 300 people. For further information see www. facebook.com/AnimeDublin, or email: animedublin@gmail. com.

GAZETTE

14 GAZETTE 5 March 2015

DUBLINLIFE

DIARY

Enda and Joan busting a move ing with footage of Enda Kenny and Joan Burton recently shown on RTE’s Operation Transformation.

While out and about on a walk in his home town of Castlebar, Enda performed a Thrilleresque shoulder shuffle that undoubtedly made

Michael Jackson spin in his grave. This isn’t the first time Enda busted an embarrassing move in public, who can forget his dancing to Happy by Pharrell Williams at last year’s Bloom Festival?

In the midst of a group of teenagers, Enda looked like the clueless father

embarrassing his children at their birthday party.

Meanwhile, Joanie performed what the girl beside her would probably call an “epic fail” as she tried to copy her dance steps but was always about three moves behind.

CIRQUE DU DAIL TAKES OFF AFTER TEDIOUS TANGENT 2015 may prove to be an entertaining year in the Dail if the first two months of the year are anything to go by.

The latest Cirque du Dail saw a number of amusing outbursts particularly from Fianna Fail deputies during an exchange between Gerry Adams and Enda Kenny over Bus Eireann’s plans to axe around 100 of its rural routes.

After a tedious tangent of details about the various routes in question, Kenny said he would be introducing a €4bn ruralaid package which would include transport.

Fianna Fail Deputy Barry Cowen, (brother of the illustrious Brian) said: “The only thing you brought to rural Ireland was the Fine Gael ardfheis.” This was followed by a roar from Michael Healy-Rae that the current Government was “the most anti-rural Government ever”.

The Ceann Comhairle told him to be quiet as it was not his turn to speak: “You’re not Deputy Adams,” he said.

“No, I’m not” he replied, “I shave.”

D’NORTHSIDE LIGHTS UP WITH FIVE LAMPS FEST THE Five Lamps Festival

From classic DJ posing to a dash of body popping with his shoulders, the Taoiseach threw down some moves in Operation Transformation. The Tanaiste, however, stuck to more traditional country-wedding-style steps in her segment. Pictures: YouTube

got off to a flying start this week with an elaborate opening night ceremony of music and entertainment launched by Love/ Hate actor John Connors at the Custom House.

The festival goes on for the next couple of weeks ending on March 14, with a host of entertaining things to do, see and hear.

Some highlights of this year’s festival include holistic events, children’s events such as a marionette show and a circus, dance events, plenty of live music and literary readings, drama and visual arts exhibitions.

One of the more unusual events is the Bus Eireann Tour of d’Northside on March 7. For two hours, you can take a tour of the north Inner City area where Roddy Doyle’s Barrytown Trilogy was set.

An actor will read excerpts from the books and Pia Dunne will sing soul songs

from The Commitments.

This is part of the One City One Book week.

For a full list of Five Lamps Festival, go to www.fivelamp sarts.ie.

Why advertise with the Gazette?

Let our advertisers tell you why:

“

Trabolgan Holiday Village, Cork have used the Dublin Gazette Newspapers for the last few years to advertise various aspects of our holiday village including special offers. We have always had an excellent reader response from the advertisements run and have found the area’s covered by all 8 papers of great value to Trabolgan.

The help and guidance we have received from the staff has made it easier for us to communicate our message efficiently and cost effectively ensuring we get the maximum from our budget. We would have no hesitation in recommending the Gazette to any business.

“

REMEMBER that moment in 1985 when Mick Jagger and David Bowie covered the great Motown hit Dancing in the Street? With the most cringeworthy dancing ever seen up to that point?

Well they can now move over and stop blush-

B E C A U S E L O C A L M AT T E R S

5 March 2015 Gazette 15

Gazette

16 Gazette 5 March 2015

dublinlife

Q&A liam farrell, founder, parkme.ie

Driving a market gap into a great business model THE founder and managing director of Parkme.ie, Liam Farrell, spotted a gap in the market while home for Christmas in 2011.

His firm has over 800 spaces around Dublin registered on its website and offers additional income to people who have an unused parking space.

He has extensive experience in

business How long have you been in business?

We have been in business for almost two years now.

What makes your business successful?

Our business is successful because it benefits all of our users. Members are either making or saving money where they did not before. Space owners are creating income from their parking space or driveway and drivers are saving money on their parking costs.

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

teaching, having among other accomplishments set up an English teaching institute in Argentina in 2010 With an educational background in economics, and having obtained his Masters in Boston University in 2005, Farrell is now also the managing director of his firm, and plans to continue expanding Parkme.ie.

Our main competitors are advertising sites like Gumtree.

However, these sites can be used to advertise a wide range of products and services.

There is no competitor in Ireland whose sole focus is advertising and renting parking spaces.

We do not just advertise the space; drivers can book the space online with a debit or credit card. This removes the possibility of numerous phone calls from interested parties or showing the space over and over again.

They can just put the space up

Increase in credit union’s car loans STILLORGAN Credit Union has seen a sizeable uplift in car loan applications in 2015.

Unlike garage or bank car finance packages, with a credit union loan the borrower owns the car from the outset. There are no administration charges or hidden fees and, with a credit union loan, you can pay off your car loan early without penalty.

Jennifer Finegan, marketing and business development officer with Stillorgan Credit Union, said: “We always advise our members to shop around and check out other lenders rates, but to be careful not to be influenced by repayments that sound too good to be true.

“Our advice is to look at the total offer or hire purchase price as this is what you must pay before you actually own the car.”

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

‘We aim to become a booking platform not just for individual home owners, but also for larger commercial car parks’

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

and wait for bookings to come in and then get paid straight into their bank account.

How has the recession affected your business?

While we did not exist before the recession, it certainly had both positive and negative effects for this kind of service.

Homeowners are now looking for innovative ways to earn money so the recession helped our business model in that sense.

On the other hand, drivers would now have less disposable income.

This works both ways for us in that drivers want to use our service to get cheaper parking but some drivers can no longer

afford to pay for parking at all.

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

Some of our users are concerned about the income tax payable on money earned on Parkme.ie. We suggest that they consult their financial adviser on this. We would like to see the rent-a-room scheme expanded to include driveways or parking spaces. Homeowners may earn up to €10,000 tax free by renting out their bedrooms to others. We see no reason why this should not include your parking space.

What is your ambition for the business?

I am very happy with how the business is progressing at this stage. We have new companies contacting us every week in need of extra parking spaces for their new offices.

We are currently making improvements to the site and we are in the process of adding some multi-storey car parks to the system. We aim to become a booking platform not just for individual home owners, but also for larger commercial car parks.

We are also planning on increasing the number of spaces in other cities in Ireland and the UK.

05 March 2015 Gazette 17

arts P23

asdfsdaf P27 health P24

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 P19

Pets who is super bright and snuggly? Bella!

Offset is a three-day creative conference held annually in Dublin’s Bord Gais Energy Theatre which attracts visitors from around the world

Three-day festival: illustrator Tomi Ungerer expected to wow audience

Offset ready to impress  Ian Begley

Preparations are in full swing for this year’s highly-anticipated festival, Offset, which brings together in one place the most creative design talent in the world.

Offset is a three-day conference held annually in Dublin’s Bord Gais Energy Theatre over March 6-8.

Every year, the festival attracts visitors from around the world to come and hear speakers from different creative industries and to take part in panel discussions and interviews.

They outline their work, ideas and inspirations and give insights into their practices and personal perspectives.

Independently founded and run, Offset has grown from 450 to 3,000 delegates.

Bren Byrne, a festival director, is confident this year’s Offset will be a big success.

Speaking to The Gazette, he said: “We have a small team of about 200 people who help run the whole operation. The main stage will hold presentations by some of the world’s best creative professionals from graphic design, advertising, art, film, fashion and animation.

“We also have a second room which is a more intimate setting and holds about 300 people, where we do interviews, panel discussions and Q&As. “Here, people will gain insights into the creative process and different professional approaches on how to make it in the creative industry.

“We’ll have about 3,000 people there each day with about 60% of our audi-

ence working in the creative industry and the rest made up of students and creative enthusiasts.”

Asked what attendees will learn from this three-day festival, Byrne said: “People will get hands-on tips on how to improve their own creative work practices along with some inspiration from our speakers. People are going to get insights into how things are made and how to deal with clients in a very informal way.”

There is no VIP area and no green room at Offset.

The space facilitates speakers and attendees, allowing both to mingle freely and settle in for three days of inspiration.

The intimate surroundings of the second room of the Bord Gais Energy

Theatre allows delegates to get a little closer to some of the legendary speakers, who will give interviews, contribute to debates and take part in group discussions on topics that are at the heart of the creative agenda.

One highly anticipated speaker who will be attending this year’s Offset is illustrator and graphic designer Tomi Ungerer, who now lives in West Cork.

At 84-year’s old, Ungerer will talk about his youth in Nazi occupied France, along with his life in New York working as an illustrator and graphic designer, before moving to Ireland in the 1970s.

Tickets for Offset are €50 to €70 and are on sale now. For further information and to see the list of speakers taking part, visit www.iloveoffset.com.

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

Our Dog of the Week this week is is Bella, a fouryear-old female husky.

This is one super bright, super snuggly husky! She arrived into Dogs Trust pregnant and went on to have a beautiful litter of babies. They have all since been rehomed and now it’s Bella’s turn.

Bella has already lived in a home and thoroughly enjoys her creature comforts. This active lady is looking for an equally active home with adults or bigger kids who will commit to her for the rest of her life.

For more information on gorgeous Bella and her Dogs Trust pals, please call Dogs Trust on 01 879 1000 or pop into the centre. They are based in Finglas, just off exit 5 on the M50. You can also find them on Facebook www.facebook.com/ dogstrustirelandonline or Twitter @DogsTrust_IE.

Gazette

18 Gazette 5 March 2015

OUT&ABOUT

FOOD&DRINK

BITESIZEDNEWS

Tuck into delicious Boutique Bake lemon meringues

A Mother’s Day treat with lemon meringues THIS week, Boutique Bake has a delicious lemon meringue cupcake recipe using its very own lemon drizzle cake mix. You can use either one to two lemon mixes, depending on how many cupcakes you would like to make. Here, Boutique Bake used one lemon mix, which makes about 12 cupcakes.

Boutique Bake is available nationwide in selected Tesco stores, SuperValu, Dunnes, Avoca, Morton’s and many other grocery stores. For further information, see www.boutiquebake.ie.

Ingredients 1 Boutique Bake Lemon Drizzle Cake Mix 150g butter 3 eggs 1 lemon A few spoonfuls of lemon curd for the cupcakes For the meringue topping: 100g caster sugar 2 egg white Star-shaped nozzle (optional) to make a nice shape with the meringues with an icing bag

Preparation • Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 and line a 12-hole muffin tin with cases. In a large mixing bowl, beat The Zingy One with the butter and eggs.

• Divide the mixture between cases and bake for approx 18 minutes until a skewer poked in the cupcakes comes out clean.

• When you remove them from the oven, combine the drizzle mix provided in the Boutique Bake mix with the juice of one lemon. Prick your warm cupcakes all over and pour your drizzle over them. Allow them to cool before placing lemon curd on top.

• Once cupcakes have cooled, spread about a dessert spoon of lemon curd on top of each cupcake.

• Meanwhile, place the egg whites into a clean bowl, whisk until stiff peaks form, then whisk in your sugar, a tablespoon at a time. Keep whisking until the mixture looks glossy and has thickened a little, like shaving foam. Spoon the mixture into an icing bag with a star-shaped nozzle, or freezer bag (snip off the end to pipe).

• Pipe meringue on top of each cupcake. Use a blow torch to lightly brown and toast the meringue, or place under grill for a few minutes to lightly brown.

James Whelan Butchers in Avoca: “Irish bacon is fantastic and a great number of people consider bacon and cabbage a culinary triumph”

Butcher celebrates an Irish staple – bacon and cabbage James Whelan Butchers in Avoca is once again leading the trend when it comes to innovative and new cuts of meat for the dinner table.

There’s no doubt we Irish love our bacon and cabbage. In fact, 64% of people consider bacon and cabbage as the meal most associated with Ireland, so it’s fair to say, it’s an Irish staple. Whelan’s new rack of bacon is set

to elevate bacon to a new level and is perfect for a dinner party or Sunday lunch and with locations in Avoca Food in Monkstown, Rathcoole and Kilmacanogue, it’s easily accessible.

Pat Whelan of James Whelan Butchers said, “Irish bacon is fantastic and a great number of people consider bacon and cabbage a culinary triumph. The aroma of

bacon cooking instantly brings me back to my childhood, conjuring up great memories. It is such an intrinsically Irish dish and there are so many accompaniments that it can be enjoyed many different ways.”

Leaving bacon on the bone instantly enhances the taste, as the closer to the bone, the sweeter the meat, as well as creating a visual feast.

It has taken Pat Whelan months to perfect the JWB Rack of Bacon, but every second has been worth it. “Leaving meat cook on the bone adds a whole layer of flavour that’s hard to explain on paper. I can’t wait for my customers to taste it,” said Pat. Meat that has been cooked on the bone will naturally have a richer flavour and this is one of the

main features of the JWB Rack of Bacon. It has been dry cured using an artisan traditional method and the resulting flavour that has been achieved is mouth-watering.

James Whelan Butchers are at Avoca Food Market Monkstown, Rathcoole and Kilmacanogue, or check out www.

Jameswhelanbutchers. com and order online 24/7.

Let Secret Chef help you shine ALDI’S new range of dishes, aptly named The Secret Chef, are now in store and mean that you can do none of the work but take all of the credit.

Now available in all 113 stores nationwide, The Secret Chef range currently consists of 28 dishes based around beef, lamb, chicken, turkey, bacon and pork and will be updated regularly throughout the year to suit the seasons.

The full range currently offers a wide choice to suit all tastes, and is priced from just €2.99 to €9.99.

Dishes include Irish lamb as a mini joint served plain or infused with garlic butter and parsley (€7.99), or as a shoulder rack with either a bell pepper or mint

herb crust (€6.99).

Irish beef is served up as burgers with a choice of melted toppings (€2.99), a stirfry with vegetables and sauce (€4.99), a stroganoff (€4.99), or a striploin steak with either a pepper sauce or a pepper coating (€7.49).

Chicken breasts are served up with imagination – from Cajun chicken with a smashed bean salsa, garlic chicken with a creamy lemon sauce, and lime and chilli chicken with a sweet chilli sauce (all €3.69).

The Secret Chef range is available in store now and the current Aldi leaflet carries wine recommendations to accompany a selection of the dishes.

Aldi’s chicken with pesto style marinade and cherry tomatoes and a mozzarella crust

5 March 2015 Gazette 19

Paddy’s day deals  ian begley

If YOU’RE tempted by a last minute St Patrick’s weekend getaway, there is a host of luxury seasonal hotels and country houses to choose from.

From March 12 to 20, you can spend two nights at the Cashel House Hotel, Galway from €179pp. On your arrival, enjoy this year’s St Patrick’s Day in a classic country house retreat set in the heart of Connemara.

You can also sow some potatoes in the garden, hunt for hidden shamrocks or join in a singsong in the local pub in nearby Roundstone.

From €179, you can

stay at Rathsallagh House, Wicklow with a one-night escape from March 17 to18.

Experience the simple country life pleasures of country walks on the scenic estate.

At the Carrig Country House in Kerry, those eager for a Paddy’s weekend getaway can spend three nights there for €234 per person.

During your stay, you can choose from a round of golf or a one-hour body massage. A three-day stay here will give you plenty of time to explore the Ring of Kerry, Dingle Peninsula and Killarney National Park.

This offer, which is valid from March 14

to17, also includes a fourcourse dinner on two evenings in the Lakeside Restaurant.

Make your friends green with env y by spending a one-night stay at Mount Juliet Country estate, Kilkenny from €140pp.

The package, which includes breakfast and dinner in the Lady Helen Restaurant, is valid for one night only on March 16.

For €245pp, spend St Patrick’s weekend at Dunbrody House, Wexford. Valid from March 13 to 18, enjoy two nights’ accommodation with dinner on one evening and on St Patrick’s Day the house will have a com-

plimentary shamrock for each of their guests.

There will also be live music and plenty of activities for all ages in the 16th century Duncannon Fort, and Ireland’s only beach parade in Duncannon village to enjoy.

With hiddenireland.ie, slow down with nature this St Patrick’s Day at Ashley Park House in Nenagh, Tipperary for €135pp.

Set in 76 acres of beech woodland and formal gardens, this historic 18th century country house welcomes guests to embrace life at a slower pace in the comfortable and beautifully decorated home, providing tranquillity and peace for those

Gazette

TRAVEL

Cashel House Hotel offers guests a luxurious welcome in delightful Connemara

hoping to escape the hustle and bustle of modern day living.

Take advantage of an early check-in as part of your one-night March 16-17 special retreat, which includes breakfast in bed the following morning, a four-course evening meal and a late

check-out.

Start your St Patrick’s Day early and in style at The Twelve Hotel in Galway for €140pp. Upstairs, its West restaurant is familiar to food lovers as a chic and clubby nighttime space.

Make a night of it with its “#lazysundayafter-

noons wes tpackage”, which includes an early check in on Sunday, a late check out on Monday, €40 food credit for West, overnight accommodation and breakfast the following morning.

You can also add a second night on March 16 from €99 per room.

OUT&ABOUT ndant €98 d rose gold locket pe

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Gazette

20 Gazette 5 March 2015

 laura webb

WHERE would we be without our Mammy or that special lady who has helped mould us into who we are today?

This Mother’s Day, show her how much you care with a gift you know she will love, or a quirky present you know you can both have a laugh about when you’re chatting with her over with a cuppa and a nice piece of cake.

Kilkenny Store Calvin Klein

Jade clutch €100

Gifts can be as expensive or as budget-friendly as you like, seeing that most mammies just think: “Isn’t it the thought that counts?”

To help you get thinking this Mother’s Day, here are a few ideas from Gazette Style and Beauty ...

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Free Butlers Chocolates when you spend €75

Kilkenny Store has an extra treat for customers doing their Mother’s Day shopping – from now until March 15, you can get a free box of luxury Butlers Chocolates (below, right) when you spend more than €75.

5 March 2015 Gazette 21

Gazette

STYLE

Carraig Donn Stripey cardigan €49.95

€72

iClothing.ie Electra rose print

H&M Midi skirt €39.99

Stylemama Mate rnity dress by Pauli

yellow print set dress, Clerys Clo

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FOR many mammies this Mother’s Day, a day out is likely to be on the cards, which could include a nice dinner or lunch somewhere with their adorable kids.

However, the day is also just a darn good excuse to get dressed up, and feel like a yummy mummy who’s Fab dressed to impress. uc ci This week, Gazette Nud Co e le as Style brings you t2 ath er xD some ideas for what pee ol is pt ear oe to wear for your day ring sho s€ this March 15. eb 19 yM Whether you are a aria n€ mother of one or seven, 135 or a mum-to-be, you are bound to stand out from the crowd with these Mother’s Day outf its and accessories

22 Gazette 5 March 2015

5 March 2015 GAZETTE 23

ARTS

GAZETTE

OUT&ABOUT

Solo show Sea Wall won a bravura turn from Andrew Scott.

Picture: Kevin Cummins

Detecting a true talent  BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN

Mixing fact and fiction, the actors at Collins Barracks restore the legacy of lost lives to heartbreaking reality for audiences in this remarkable production

PALS – THE IRISH AT GALLIPOLI: VIVIDLY RECALLING THE SACRIFICE OF IRISH SOLDIERS

Marrying art and history BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN

COLLINS Barracks is trying something new for the next few months by marrying art and history to tell the story of Irish men’s participation in the First World War. Pals – The Irish at Gallipoli, is the result of a collaboration between Anu Productions, the National Museum of Ireland and the National Archives of Ireland.

It is a site-specific piece of moving and often interactive theatre set in Collins Barracks, where the original pals from the 7th Battalion did most of their training before

going to war.

In an empty Clarke Square in Collins Barracks, the swelling sound of It’s A Long Way to Tipperary blared out from megaphones.

The effect was eerie, as it rendered a ghostly glimpse into what it was like to be a part of the Irish contingent in the war effort and how their breasts must have swelled with jingoistic pride when the anthem was played to send them off to war.

A crowd of people collected in the square as the show was to begin.

A tour guide told us that Collins Barracks – then called the Royal Bar-

racks – was the first purpose-built barracks in the world, and that 733 soldiers would parade in Clarke Square on a regular basis.

Included among these was the 7th Battalion and, as she spoke, a woman in old-fashioned turn of the century dress approached us, appealing to know where the office was so she could have her separation allowance renewed.

The show had begun now in earnest. Across the square, a soldier in a British Army uniform was being reprimanded by a superior officer.

From the high window,

another soldier shouted down, teasing the other.

The spirit of camaraderie and high-jinks was palpable among the soldiers. “I only joined for the boots,” said one.

The whole audience then followed the soldiers who were in the square, up three flights of stone stairs in the barracks to their dorm.

It was here that we experienced something truly exceptional. The audience sat on the beds or on lockers as the soldiers of the 7th Battalion moved around us, telling tales of war to each other and re-enacting battle scenes.

Real letters written by the soldiers themselves were read out at times.

ANU is an extraordinary theatre company who summoned up the spirit of the past so effectively it was impossible not to be moved by it.

It is game-changing theatre, which reaches far beyond the ken of previous drama.

I found myself getting very upset at times as the real experience of what those young Irish men suffered was brought to such vivid and appalling life.

One of the most touching scenes revealed with simple efficacy the com-

Book delves into a killer Dublin plot BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN

DON Cameron’s debut novel Marked Off won the RTE Today Show/New Island Get Your Book Published Competition 2014.

Cameron has been doing the rounds on radio and in print giving interviews about his winning book, which is a crime

novel about a serial killer on the loose in the Booterstown area.

Marked Off is a good read for anyone who loves a fastpaced whodunnit and, for the first half, I found myself really enjoying the story as told by a fully-committed Cameron.

The author displays a certain aptitude for crime drama and

has a modern style of writing which is very much in keeping with other successful authors writing in the same vein today.

There is never a moment of boredom and the characters interact very well with each other. In the main, the dialogue is snappy and sometimes quite insightful.

As a first novel, Marked Off

shows a good deal of real promise for Cameron as a crime writer and it keeps the reader engaged until the end.

As a barometer of what is to come from Cameron, it augurs well for the future of modern Irish crime fiction.

The book in on sale now at all good bookstores, priced €13.99.

plicated historical tension of double allegiance to Ireland and T he Crown.

One of the officers, as he was dying, looked up at his pal and asked: “Is Ireland proud of us?”

Pals – The Irish at Gallipoli is an experience not to be missed by any Irish person or anyone who is interested in Irish history.

The performance runs at Collins Barracks daily from Wednesday to Saturday, with shows at 11am, 12pm, 2pm and 4pm, and at 2pm, 3pm and 4pm on Sunday until April 30, with tickets priced €5.

A PR ODUC T IO N of Simon Stephens’s Sea Wall brought the incomparable Andrew Scott to Dublin recently, courtesy of the Dublin Theatre Festival.

A Dundrum native, Scott – who is a BAFTA winner, and an Olivier Award winner – is best known in his home country as Sherlock Holmes’s evil arch nemesis Moriarty, and is also due to appear in the next Bond movie Spectre.

Scott appeared in front of the audience of the Project Arts Centre, pacing back and forth as he waited for the audience to settle.

Transformed Once the crowd fell silent, Scott began to talk and soon transformed the space with his simple heartfelt story of love and tragic loss.

His acting is quite simply masterful, born of ice and fire and forged in his own experience.

Not just that, but his is the kind of performance that is not artifice, it is real emotion unfolding before us in real time.

At the end, Scott received a standing ovation, which was the least any audience could do to show their gratitude for such a rare talent.

Gazette

24 Gazette 5 March 2015

OUT&ABOUT

HEALTH

HEALTHSHORTS Viviscal hair supplement could give you luscious locks right from the root to the tip DAILY activities can lead to dull, damaged hair. You may have a little bit of hair envy with your friends. Good hair makes you feel better about the way you look; in particular, if there’s an occasion coming up and you want to look your best.

Hair growth begins beneath the scalp, where the hair follicle is formed, and in this stage of growth, the nutrients received by the hair follicle play a vital role in its health and appearance.

Supported by nine clinical studies, Viviscal Maximum Strength Supplements are scientifically formulated for women to promote healthy hair growth from within, to give your hair the boost it needs to look its very

best.

Viviscal Maximum Strength Supplements is a twice-daily food supplement that contains ingredients of natural origins, providing nutrition and boosting vitality to weak hair right from the root to the tip.

The supplement is available from Boots, leading pharmacies nationwide and health stores, and online at www.viviscal.ie.

Turn to Milltown Dental Clinic for expert oral treatments WHILE there is plenty of dental competition from abroad, you do have to take into consideration travel expenses and currency.

When it comes to post-operative care and patient support, it is paramount you choose a dental clinic near you.

Milltow n Dental Clinic is based in Dublin, and provides dental implants and final implant restorations.

They have an excellent reputation in treating nervous patients, and providing advanced cosmetic dentistry at an affordable cost.

Milltow n Dental Clinic uses the highest quality of materials and laboratories,

and use Nobel Biocare and Straumann dental implants.

They also offer “click tight” palate-free dentures supported by implants, which are ideal if you have loose, uncomfortable dentures.

For a free consultation, call 0146 23963 or 01260 3741, or the emergency number 086 801 2940.

Running footwear is very important to your exercise, so don’t be afraid to take the time and effort to find the pair that’s right for you

exercise: follow our tips to find the right footwear

Step by step advice to get running shoes  suzanne sheehy

ARE you a little overwhelmed at the thought of purchasing a pair of running shoes?

With the vast range of runners available, it is becoming more complicated. With so many brands, price tags and sports shops – as well as specialist shops – it’s difficult to know who to turn to for the right advice.

If you are a beginner, your mileage may not be as high; however, you may have “bi-mechanical” problems so purchasing shoes specific to your needs is of high importance.

Specialist shops are not just for the athlete who consistently runs more than 70 miles per week, they can give you the best advice on which shoes

work best with your feet.

This will help reduce any risk of injury, such as painful shins and joints, which can commonly occur if you’re wearing the wrong running shoes.

Gazette Health went along to The Run Hub, a technical running specialist store in Ashtown, and spoke to Kevin English for a guide to buying new runners.

He discussed how important it is to understand the runner’s profile, saying: “Questions we would ask are: ‘Are you new to running?’, ‘What distance do you plan on running?’, ‘What surface will you run on?’, ‘Are you training for a specific event?’ and ‘Have you had any running-related injuries?’ “ Also, knowing the footwear you currently

wear is important, and looking at the wear patterns gives us plenty of information.

“Body type is important, as the larger runner might need a wider-fitting shoe and a good specialist store will offer widths in the shoes. Getting your feet measured later in the day is always a good tip, as your feet will be expanded a little more, due to blood flow.”

In a good running shop, the specialist will analyse your running gait by videoing your run. On this process, English said: “This is done in the bare feet and on a hardback track where we video the runner and slow down the motion to talk them through their gait cycle.

“The gait is broken up into three cycles, where we look at the contact

phase and see if they are a heel striker or mid-foot striker.

“The next phase is the mid stance, when the foot is in full contact with the ground – our body loads four times our weight at this point. The final phase is the propulsion phase as the foot leaves the ground and the toe-off position is taken.”

Specialist shops will use all the information taken from a gait analysis and form an understanding of the runner’s profile, so that they will be able to choose the right shoe that offers their feet the unique support and fit they need.

You can try out up to four models, but remember: don’t shop by price or by fashion.

And what about barefoot running, also known

as minimalism? On this, English said: “Scientific research has yet to reach a clear consensus on the benefits of barefoot running. It remains a controversial topic and many might argue it is not suitable for all runners.

“Over the past six months, brands have come full circle and shoes have become more cushioned and some very minimal shoes have been discontinued.”

Gazette Health has now covered the main things you need to know when buying your first pair of running shoes.

Here comes the fun part – choosing a pair to suit you, and start clocking up those miles.

Always remember: “Whether it’s a 14-minute mile or a seven- minute mile, it’s still a mile.”

5 March 2015 gazette 25

Ginger Brown Woollen hand-embroidered chair €510

Ginger Brown Bone Inlay Jewellery Boxes (grey and white €120, blue and white €180, pink and white €225)

think PINK! CHECK out The Gazette’s new Interiors page and, this week, our theme is all things hearts and flowers, in honour of our mammies.

We didn’t have to look too far for all things pink, as it seems to be a recurring theme in lots of the spring/summer offerings from many of the big homeware

departments.

For example, look no further than the fabulous pink flamingo from Matthew Wiliamson’s collection for Debenhams.

Uplifting!

So, for some inspiration on what to buy your mum, or just some tips for doing up your home, check out these items ...

Marks&Spencer Floral cushion €27

Kilkenny Store Max Benjamin Persian Rose diffuser €26.95

Debenhams Laura Oakes lamp €75 Debenhams Matthew Williamson flamingo €18.50

Kilkenny Store Shannonbridge sugar bowl €10.95

Marks&Spencer Large floral print jug €13

Gazette

INTERIORS

26 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 5 March 2015

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planning Notice Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council

I, V.S. Anderson intend to apply for Planning Permission for an alteration to a previous grant of planning permission – register reference D13A/0174 for development at this site: Fernill Cottage, Kilgobbin Lane, Stepaside, Co. Dublin. The development will consist of minor alterations to the design of House Type B to include optimum room layout amendments and alterations to the single storey element to the rear to suit site orientation, all with associated off-street car-parking, boundary treatment, landscaping and associated site development works.The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at the offices of the Planning Authority during its public opening hours from 10:00am to 4:00pm Mo n d ay t o F r i d ay excluding public holidays. The offices are at: The Planning Authority, County Hall, Marine Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.A submission / observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the Planning Authority on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Planning Authority of the application.

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recruitment

Gazette

28 Gazette 5 March 2015

SPORT Confident toddlers kicking on

FastSport

soccer: little kickers giving kids a healthy start through sport

DCU secure semi-final date with Brunell:

DCU Mercy have been drawn against Singleton SuperValu Brunell in basketball’s women’s Premier League playoff semi-finals.

The Dublin side beat Courtyard Liffey Celtics 74-46 on the last day of the regular season to secure second place and home advantage in the second leg.

Liffey Celtics are also through to the post-season but they will have to play table toppers Team Montenotte Hotel Glanmire.

In the men’s Premier League, Conor Meany scored 40 points as UCD Marian reeled in Travelodge Swords Thunder and kept alive their hopes of a place in the end of season Champions Trophy.

It’s the highest score by an Irish player in the National League this season.

“I’m delighted that we were able to come back after a poor first-half” said the captain.

 stephen findlater sport@dublingazette.com

BASED on a “fun-first” principle, Little Kickers’ Joe Sullivan believes the initiative can play a strong

developmental role for young kids and potentially help them on the way to a healthier lifestyle The programme is currently enjoyed by around a 1,000 children around

Training balance for toddlers

the city from month to month. Open to children aged 18-months up to five years, Little Kickers combine football skills with important pre-school learning concepts such as colour and number recognition, sharing, following instructions and using imagination.

Speaking about the idea, Sullivan says it gives toddlers a great experience not just try out football but to help develop vital skills for all parts of their lives at an early age, “It’s an early learning school for boys and girls,” he said. “It is not just football but is based around football. The focus is on learning and helping kids develop.

“It is a unique thing, coming to us at 18 months

All Little Kickers sessions are run by qualified coaches

and staying with us until they are three or four years old. It has to have a lot of variety and is very well run. Parents are not stupid and they want the best.”

Sullivan previously played League of Ireland football with Shelbourne and Longford Town before going into management at local level, most recently with Phoenix on the Navan Road.

But his passion for promoting Little Kickers has seen him pour his efforts into the initiative to the point where he oversees groups all across the city including Castleknock, Ongar, Lucan, Portmarnock, Kinsealy, Swords, Sallynoggin and Foxrock among others.

Groups of up to 16 kids

at the different age groups take part in the different games under the guidance of two Garda-vetted and FAI qualified coaches in an indoor environment .

“There is a structure to it; each week it stays on the same format but with different games.

“We’re going about seven years, and parents love it as much as the kids because there is a great structure to it.

“It’s all about building confidence with the kids.

It builds a bit of everything; listening and learning skills.

“I have a great passion for it and love to see the kids come on from the first day they come in, holding on to mammy or daddy’s leg, until they finish.

“We’re not saying the kids are going to go on and be footballers; it’s just about having confidence and bringing them on, developing them through sport.”

And Sullivan believes that Little Kickers can give youngsters a great start in life on the road to a healthier lifestyle.

“It’s all about developing kids and there is not enough of that out there.

Too many kids don’t do enough exercise; I hear this all the time from such an early age.

“Even at two-yearsold, you see some kids are overweight, stuck in front of their iPad or the television. We are not the answer but we do help them [on the way to a healthy lifestyle].”

Terenure back on track with strong win at Cork Con  sport@dublingazette.com

Terenure are second in the UBL Division 1A

TERENURE recaptured some of their best form with a 20-point first half display at Temple Hill, as James O’Donoghue, Robert Duke and Harry Moore all ran in tries to see off Cork Con 20-8 in the Ulster Bank League Division 1A last Saturday.

The result saw James Blaney’s men tighten their grip on second spot. They now hold a sevenpoint lead over third-placed Clontarf with just three rounds remaining.

Terenure made full use of

their early wind advantage on Leeside, with out-half Thornton landing a second minute penalty. Then a quick tap set up right winger O’Donoghue for a try in the corner.

Impressive f lanker Duke scored for the second week running, charging through from halfway to touch down to the right of the posts, and freescoring winger Moore grabbed his ninth try of the campaign to make it 20-0.

An unconverted effort from Munster Academy member Darren Sweetnam reduced the

arrears for Cork Constitution to 15 points, but the visitors always looked in control despite Tomas Quinlan tagging on a 55th minute penalty.

Clontarf, themselves, slumped to a disappointing 21-17 defeat to St Mary’s at Templeville Road on Friday night. Seventh-placed Mary’s may still be battling relegation but with the table particularly tight, they are only four points adrift of the fourth playoff position.

Peter Smyth’s charges were hammered 44-15 by Clontarf in early January, but they turned

the tables on the title holders.

With a big wind behind them, Mary’s burst into a 21-3 interval lead thanks to 11 points from Ray Crotty’s boot and tries from Brian McGovern and Ryan O’Loughlin, who finished off an excellent team score.

Clontarf capitalised on Mary’s indiscipline to run in tries through Rob Keogh and Ireland club international captain Matt D’Arcy.

However, despite being down to 13 men, the home side hung on to win by a four-point margin.

5 March 2015 Gazette 29

Gazette

Settled St Pat’s eye huge Rovers battle The League of Ireland fixture list has thrown up a massive Dublin derby to start the 2015 season with St Pat’s Liam Buckley and Ger O’Brien hotly anticipating a lively fixture THIS Friday night, Tallaght stadium will host a Dublin Derby between Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick’s Athletic in what is the standout curtainraiser in the season’s SSE Airtricity League.

Keith Fahey’s much discussed switch to the Hoops from Richmond Park, as well as Ciaran Kilduff, Jason McGuinness and Conor O’Malley heading in the other direction from Tallaght to Inchicore will fuel the fire even more in what is always a key fixture in the League of Ireland.

Speaking to GazetteSport at the launch of the league at the Aviva Stadium last Friday, Pat’s manager Liam Buckley previewed the feisty opening day fixture. “It’ll be a big test,” he said. “I think it’s a great opener for the league and we’ll be looking to do as well as we can.”

 nathan kelly sport@dublingazette.com

After a cup winning season and third place finish last time round, the Super Saints enjoyed a perfect pre-season in terms of results up until the defeat to Dundalk in the President’s Cup last Saturday.

Buckley and his backroom staff have been shrewd in their transfer activity in preparation for the 2015 season, signing just four players in the form of ex-Rovers trio Kilduff, O’Malley, and McGuinness along with Lee Desmond from Shelbourne.

Does this represent an emphasis on quality rather than quantity for

the squad? “I just didn’t think we needed to bring in too many,” said Buckley. “The bulk of my squad won the league two years ago, finished third the previous season and third last season too.

“We’ve been very competitive over the past few years. We’ve been in two cup finals in three years and won it last season.

I think who we have brought in will make an impact in the group.”

A f ter such a dramatic end to the league last year, with Dundalk snatching the title from Cork City on the final day, the Inchicore boss was asked who he felt could challenge for the title in 2015.

“Dundalk are going to be ver y competitive, Stephen [Kenny] has lost only one player [Pat Hoban]. Cork have brought in, Rovers have brought in, and Sligo

Ger O’Brien, St Patrick’s Athletic, and Conor Kenna, Shamrock Rovers, will meet on the opening day of the 2015 SSE Airtricity league season. Picture: David Maher / SPORTSFILE

have brought in so we’ll wait and see how the season goes. I think those four and ourselves all have a serious chance.”

The Saints skipper Ger O’Brien was also at the launch and like his manager, spoke with excitement about the return of the league. “I can’t wait,”

the season but don’t get me wrong; we don’t want to lose to Rovers, we want to win it.

“It’s important we prepare properly and go up to Tallaght and give a good account of ourselves.”

Providing his opinion on the squad for the new

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

It’s Pat’s vs Rovers; if you win, there’s the local bragging rights. Lose and you are on the end of that - Ger O’Brien --------------------------------------------------------

he said.

“The off-season is very long. It’s probably too long to be honest so when you get yourself into this situation where there’s just a few days to go the excitement starts to build. The fact that we’ve got a wonderful first couple of fixtures makes it even more special. It’s a very tough start for us but that’s what you want.”

On that opening fixture against Rovers, where O’Brien spent three years as a player, the right-back knows how much it means for the Inchicore faithful.

“Listen, it’s Rovers vs Pat’s. If you win there’s bragging rights for the fans, if you lose you’re going to be on the end of those bragging rights.

It’s obviously not make or break at this stage of

season, the club captain seemed content with the recruitment work done over the winter as well as offering his views on the transfer activity of the entire league.

He said: “Yeah I’m happy. I think most teams are a lot more settled this year. There haven’t been that many players floating on the market which I think is a good thing.

“You can’t have a 10 or 12 player turnaround in each team every year it just doesn’t bring any consistency.

“Having a settled squad allows fans to get to know players and it ensures players have an affiliation with the club which I think is very important.”

Pat’s visit to Rovers kicks off at 7.45pm in Tallaght Stadium this Friday, March 6.

ken’sDiary

Double session pushes Egan to limit of pain barrier Olympic silver medallist Ken Egan is to take part in this year’s Laurels Charity Crew Cycle from Galway to Dublin on April 19. In the run-up, Egan has partnered with Gazette Sport to document his training; here is his latest report from the road.

I DECIDED to head out early on Saturday morning with a group of six to tackle some hills for extra training before I joined up with the big gang at 10am.

I must admit from my time on the bike thus far, I have only really stayed on the flats but to tackle some steep bends, I really appreciate what any serious cyclist takes on.

Because I hadn’t a clue how far or how high I was climbing, I just got in to my own head and took one revolution at a time. I really enjoyed my first experience of the hills and felt like the Italian Marco Pantani, one of the best climbers cycling has ever witnessed.

We descended back towards the Laurels Pub for about 9.45am ready for phase two. I admit I had thoughts in my head of calling it a day. Word on the street was we had a rough ride ahead!

But I battled my demons and put them to the back of my mind and off we took at 10am with my personal target to break the 100km mark by the end of the cycle.

Our destination was Sallins and onto Naas and back up through Blessingtion; I was on the bike two hours and 30 minutes and on the verge of getting off and giving up. I just had nothing left to give and my body was running on empty.

But I heard we were stopping in Blessington and I saw a sign indicating just 9km so I soldiered on; five minutes later and another sign said 7km.

My head was in a bad place but I got through it and made it to our only pit stop.

I got some coffee and refilled my water bottle and got sugar into my body and was ready for the home run., We cycled right through Blessington and down towards Saggart, onto Clondalkin.

This was by far the toughest and the 8am start didn’t help, but it’s in the bank and I will benefit from it.

Total distance of 106km done so for that I am a happy man.

30 DUN LAOGHAIRE gazette 5 March 2015

5 March 2015 DUN LAOGHAIRE gazette 31

Gazette

captain fantastic

Cuala’s O’Driscoll leads Dublin to big Meath result

Club Noticeboard kilmacud crokes

CUALA’s Grainne O’Driscoll captained

the Dublin U-14 footballers to victory over Meath last Saturday at Ballyboden’s Pairc ui Murchu as they ran out comprehensive 6-5 to 3-2 winners.

She is pictured battling for the ball with Leah Devin in a midfield tussle. On the same day, Dublin’s U-16s beat the same opposition 7-12 to 2-8.

PLAY the Whistle: 23 cash prizes

Larry Ryan, renowned and loved, a

means you don’t need to know any-

club institution, has been honoured

thing about sport. Predict the win-

with a framed portrait in the board

ners of 13 sports events to the end

room and conferred with the Club

of July; €20 for a fun competition to

Patron title in recognition of over 50

generate funds to pay your teams’

years of service. He last played hurl-

referees, buy footballs, hire your

ing in 1995 aged 61.

training pitches: everybody benefits.

Second of the regular meetings

Picture: Peter Hickey/GAAPics.com

between the football committee and

sevens: local club gets season off to a flyer

 sport@dublingazette.com

FOXROCK Cabinteely’s ladies senior footballers won the Crossmaglen 7s tournament at the first attempt, showing they are setting up well for the new season.

This is a pre-season tournament that has been running for a number of years but it was the first time that Foxrock entered and, despite the 260km round trip, it turned out to be a very productive day for all involved.

The panel on the day was Carol Manning, Ciara Murphy, Marla Candon, Sarah Brophy, Emma

Barry, Aedin O’Donnell, Anne-Marie Murphy, Niamh Ryan, Cara Cooke, Eimear O’Herlihy and Amy Ring.

Foxrock were drawn with Donaghmoyne of Monaghan, Naomh Seamus of Belfast and St Eunan’s of Donegal in the group stages and duly managed to win all three games and finish top.

They opened with a 3-5 to 1-4 win over Donaghmoyne before running up a 4-4 to 1-1 win over Naomh Seamus and a 3-5 to no score win over St Eunan’s. In the quarter final, another Monaghan team – Magheracloone –

were the opponents and Foxrock prevailed 4-5 to 0-1 The semi-final was a real battle, facing Mountmellick Sarsfields of Laois who were the Leinster senior club champions of 2013 and 2014.

It was a typical seven-aside game with good open fast football. At one stage, the Laois representatives were five points up but the Foxrock Cabinteely ladies dug in, fought for every ball and managed to win by the narrowest of margins, 1-5 to 0-7.

While the team were thrilled to have beaten a team of the calibre of

Mountmellick, focus switched to the final where they met Belfast’s St Paul’s.

The standard of football played in the semifinal was exemplary but the final surpassed this. At one stage, Foxrock were down by four points but they dug deep and managed to draw level.

The game finished level at 1-7 apiece so the final was decided on a point’s shoot-out from 30 yards. Each team had five attempts to score and Foxrock managed to win this by three points to two and bring home the trophy on their first attempt.

2244265.

We are not far from a time all men-

first Thursday of each month, start-

tors will have to have the coaching

ing March 5: Room 4 at 9.15pm. Share,

award, so get in touch now.

forum to learn from each other.

Fleet Foxes win big at Crossmaglen Sevens

on paraicmcd@outlook.com or 086

managers from U-13 to senior, on the

seek and offer advice and create a

The Foxrock Cabinteely side that swept to victory last Saturday in Crossmaglen

Foundation award coaching course; please contact Paraic McDonald

Congrats to the ladies footballers on a great night in the club: minor

Congratulations to Ronnie Murray

county champions, junior B, Dublin

on his appointment as football sec-

and Leinster intermediate champi-

retary.

ons.

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

march 5-11, 2015

Fantastic foxes: Crossmaglen tournament conquered The big kick off: Pat’s and Rovers raise as Kilbogget side storm to fine sevens’ victory P31 curtain on new season P29

Graham Doyle, Wexford Youths, left, and Rob Maloney, Cabinteely FC, with the SSE Airtricity First Division Trophy. Picture: Pat Murphy

Cabo’s new horizons

Assistant manager says creating a sustainable structure is the key goal for Cabinteely as they make their League of Ireland debut on Friday

 nathan kelly

sport@dublingazette.com

CABINTEELY FC’s admittance in the League of Ireland set-up has been met with some mixed reaction across footballing circles in the country.

Some argue that a club without a stadium of their own and no recent major success in junior football will not work in the League of Ireland ladder while others point to the community feel, large membership and excellent coaching set-up at the South Dublin club and say why not?

But speaking to GazetteSport at the launch of SSE Airtricity League at the Aviva Stadium last Friday, Cabinteely’s assistant manager Dave

Mackey was clear on the club’s ambitions at this early stage, and spoke with reassuring words that this new project would not follow previous “flash in the pan clubs”.

Mackey, who joined Cabo from the team they are replacing in the First Division, Shamrock Rovers B, spoke of the excitement around the club as the league opener against Wexford Youths draws nearer.

“We’re all really excited at the club,” he said. “I think it’s important to say we’re not really thinking about the short-term however.

“What we are focusing on is a long-term structure where we can bring players through from the Cabinteely younger age schoolboy sides. At the moment, it’s all about setting up a structure

or pathway for players to come through. That’s the primary goal.”

The assistant manager believes creating a sustainable model is the key to ensuring Cabinteely is not a repeat of the likes of Dublin City and Sporting Fingal who gathered some initial traction, and even won a cup in Fingal’s case, but eventually fell away due to financial problems.

“Absolutely, that is the key. It’ll take us a while to get used to things. We’ll still be recruiting players during the course of the season but the primary thing is to have stability and make sure we’re building good structures going forward.

Results are not the main priority at this moment in time.”

The side will play their home games at Strad-

brook, the home of Blackrock Rugby Club, starting with the visit of Wexford Youths this Friday night. Although many of the Cabo locals and supporters will be hoping for a respectable finish in this debut season, Mackey reiterated the ambitions of youth development in his closing line.

“We’re not actually thinking that far ahead in terms of silverware or league positions for this club as of yet,” he said.

“You have to remember, we’re an amateur club, so our players are on an amateur basis.

Our focus is on recruiting and developing young players and trying to get the maximum out of them that we can and if they move on to bigger and better things.”