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John Hurt’s in town and he tells The Gazette of his love for Ireland
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Blackrock • Cornelscourt • Deansgrange • Dalkey • Glasthule • Monkstown • Glenageary
INSIDE: Take an extra-special look at the shooting of Penny Dreadful scenes in the city centre P14
FILAN GREAT: Former Westlife star talks to The Gazette about his new album P29
Cooking up a winner: Derek scoops top slot Hurling:
Cuala prepare for the new season ahead Page 40
Football:
Fox-Cab miss out in Paidi O Se final once more Page 39
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local chef Derek Reilly recently claimed the gold medal in the Irish pork class in the Chef Ireland National Salon Culinaire section of Hospitality Expo 2014, held at the RDS. Derek, executive chef for food services company Sodexo Ireland in Blackrock, impressed judges with his pan-roasted fillet of Irish pork with Black Forest ham, apricot and black pudding Boudin, pickled candy beet, pea veloute and a freshly-salted hazelnut, sweet potato and wild mushroom foam.
€1.5m Wetherspoon’s pub to create 60 jobs €1.5m to be spent on developing The Three Tun Tavern in Blackrock
Bairbre Ni Bhraonain
BUILDING work is scheduled to begin on the new JD Wetherspoon pub in Blackrock on Monday, March 3. The pub, which will be
named The Three Tun Tavern, will open on July 8 at the site of the former Tonic Bar in Temple Road, Carysfort Avenue. The British pub chain is investing €1.5m in developing the site. This, along
with the purchase price for the pub, brings the total investment to €3m. The Three Tun Tavern will create 60 full- and part-time jobs and will be managed by John Hartigan, a Kerryman who has
worked for Wetherspoon’s for the past 13 years. Hartigan said: “I am delighted at the prospect of returning to Blackrock to manage Wetherspoon’s first pub in the Republic of Ireland.”
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campaign Committee objects to sale
Price of Booterstown land ‘seriously inflated’ Bairbre Ni Bhraonain bnibhraonain@gazettegroup.com
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www.gazettegroup.com Gazette Group Newspapers Ltd. Terms and Conditions for acceptance of advertisements Reserve the right to omit or suspend or alter any advertisement(s) in any of its publications. We also decline any responsibility in the event of one or more of a series of advertisements being omitted for any reason whatever, nor do we accept liability for any loss or damage caused by an error or inaccuracy in the printing of any advertisement. If your advertisement appears incorrectly, contact the Advertising Department immediately, as responsibility cannot be accepted for more than one week’s incorrect insertion. Responsibility cannot be accepted if the complaint is made more than two weeks after insertion. If one places an advertisement for more than one week and then cancels it after the first week, no refund or credit will be given for weeks cancelled. The advertiser undertakes to indemnify the Proprietors against any liability for any civil action arising out of the publication of the advertisement or any other matter printed or published in the Blanchardstown Gazette, Clondalkin Gazette, Dundrum Gazette, Dun Laoghaire Gazette, Lucan Gazette and Swords Gazette. The placing of an order or contract will be deemed an acceptance of these conditions.
Local campaigners and members of the Booterstown Reserve Committee are objecting to the sale of an environmentally sensitive piece of land between Merrion Road/Rock Road and the Dart line, adjacent to Booterstown Nature Reserve. The site was sold by NAMA in 2012 to undisclosed buyers for just over €400,000 and is now up for sale again for €1m. According to Rebecca Jeffares of the Booterstown Reserve Committee, the current selling price of the site is “seriously inflated” in relation to the price paid in 2012. “Less than two years later it is for sale at more than double the price. “It’s hyping up the sale of land that NAMA should have sold to the councils which joined together and bid on it.”
The Booterstown Reserve Committee is objecting to the sale of an environmentally sensitive piece of land between Merrion Road/Rock Road and the Dart line and hope to secure the site as an amenity
Due to the location of the site beside the nature reserve, Dun LaoghaireRathdow n County Council and Dublin City Council joined together to try to secure the site as a public amenity. In December 2011, the Booterstown Reserve
Committee, Geraldine Walsh of Dublin Civic Trust and Dr Matthew Jebb, the director of the National Botanic Gardens, met NAMA to discuss the possibility of retaining the site as a public park. Jeffares told The G a z e t t e t h a t e ve n though both councils offered NAMA a figure above the asking price for the land, NAMA kept the bidding open. The result was that when NAMA received an offer of €400,000 for the land they went back to the city manager and asked him to match the price, which the manager said he could not do. The site, known as the Ashe Castle, is zoned for amenity and open space. Less than two years on from the sale of the site by NAMA to an unidentified investor, it is now back on the market for €1m. “What explanation can NAMA offer for not selling to the councils for
the public and environmental good to protect it from developments that threaten protected habitats and areas? “The site has limited value as its potential for either commercial or indeed active recreational development is severely constrained by the existing zonings under the current Dublin City Council and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Development Plans and by its proximity to the Booterstown Nature Reserve and Dublin Bay SAC. “Whoever buys this land will meet opposition. We will object to any and every planning application on this land and any attempt to develop it will be challenged in the European Court,” said Jeffares. A spokesperson for NAMA said: “This property was sold following an extensive open marketing campaign, which included advertisements
in the national press. All interested parties, including the local authorities, were given the opportunity to participate in the sales process. “In total, 19 bids were received and, for clarity, the local authorities were afforded a final opportunity at the close of the sales process to match the highest bid received. “NAMA cannot sell property or other assets at below market value. Public bodies are offered the opportunity to acquire land and property at market value from NAMA and that is exactly what happened in this instance. “As this proper ty no longer secures any NAMA loans, it would be inappropriate to comment on its current status.” Estate agents Knight Frank which is overseeing the sale of the site had not commented on the sale at the time of going to press.
27 February 2014 DUN laoghaire Gazette 3
music
charge: dlr councillors agree to seek exemptions for some citizens
Celtic Soul returns
‘Waive property tax for the elderly’ Bairbre Ni Bhraonain
A MOTION to write to Minister for Finance Michael Noonan, calling for exemptions to the local property tax (LPT) for some homeowners in Dun LaoghaireRathdown, was agreed by councillors at a recent council meeting. Cllr Tom Murphy (FF) initially proposed the exemption for elderly homeowners. He said: “11% of the population in this country are over the age of 65, and 1% or 2% of those are in a really difficult situation. Their only asset is their home, and they are using money for food and heating to pay the property tax.” According to Cllr Patri-
cia Stewart (FG), those with incomes under €15,000 a year have 100% of the LPT deferred, and those with an income under €25,000 have 50% deferred. Cllr Melisa Halpin (PBP) said: “This [waiver of LPT] should also apply to lots of other people. [The Government] should only tax people who are able to pay.” Cllr Gerry Horkan (FF) said: “[In DLR] we’re collecting more property tax than the whole of Connacht. €1.8m has been collected in DLR – that’s more than 10% of the total collected by the population in this country.” The motion was amended and the word “elderly” removed. It now
reads: “That the manager write to the Minister [for Finance, Michael Noonan] and ask him to consider a waiver system for homeowners who can show an inability to pay the property tax.” A spokesperson for Southside Partnership said: “The elderly should not be asked to pay out on these crazy charges, and I think that water charges should be waivered [too] for the elderly.” A spokesperson for Age Action Ireland said: “Many older people find themselves living in valuable property, having paid their mortgage and stamp duty while living on a modest pension, and they are afraid of how high the LPT will go in the future.”
Book worms: Free Baby Bags at development check-ups in DLR an cathaoirleach of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Cllr Carrie
Smyth (Lab) and nine-month-old baby Faye Bluebell O’Brien have launched the DLR Babies Love Books initiative at Shankill Library. Through this initative, every baby in Dun LaoghaireRathdown who attends their nin-month developmental check-up at their local health centre will receive an invitation card to pick up a Baby Bag in any one of the eight local libraries. This Baby Bag contains an English or Irish language book, a leaflet about the scheme with tips for reading to babies and young children, as well as an invitation to join the library for free. Picture: Jason Clarke
The popular Van Morrison tribute band Celtic Soul is coming back to Monkstown’s Purty Kitchen, Dublin’s Best Gastro-Pub 2013–14. The band will be performing as part of Purty Kitchen’s Supper Club event programme. Celtic Soul is a sevenpiece ensemble that pays exclusive homage to the music of Van Morrison and will be performing all of the very best of Van the Man’s hits. The Purty Loft Venue will be featuring Celtic Soul on March 1 and doors open at 8pm for dinner and show ticket holders and show-only ticket holders can turn up at 10pm. Dinner and show costs €29 while show-only tickets cost €9.
4 DUN laoghaire Gazette 27 February 2014
event Feast to bring together women of different nationalities and cultures
Breakfast gives Women’s Day an international flavour Bairbre Ni Bhraonain
In celebration of International Women’s Day which is on March 8, Southside Partnership and Women4Women network Dun LaoghaireRathdown are once more organising an International Women’s Breakfast. The breakfasts have become a staple since 2011 and have attracted
women from all over the county. They are held every four to six weeks by Women4Women DLR and Southside Partnership and often in conjunction with the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland. Each breakfast offers a feast of food prepared by women of different nationalities and cultures who come together to celebrate their cultures and share information.
The breakfast to celebrate International Women’s Day will also highlight the yearly Aontas Learners Festival where there will be an information fair about education and training opportunities in the county. The breakfast will take place on Wednesday, March 5 from 10am until 1pm in Marlay House, Marlay Park, Rathfarnham and women from all over the county are invited to go
along, bring a dish and a friend too. This project is co-financed by the European Commission under the European Integration Fund and is supported by the Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration in the Department of Justice and Equality and Pobal. The Southside Partnership DLR is an independent local development organisation serving Dun Laoghaire
Rathdown. They support the Women4Women network DLR and offer a wide range of training opportunities for migrant women living in the county. Women4Women network DLR is a non-profit networking group for women with different life experiences and from different cultures living in the county. For more information, go to www.women4women.ie.
Enterprisenews Food Academy Start Training Programme Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Enterprise Board, in partnership with the County & City Enterprise Boards, Bord Bía and Musgraves, have developed a two month training programme for those looking to develop and grow small-scale food & drink production businesses. During this programme you will develop an in-depth knowledge of the tools which can be used to assess market background, understand core technical issues facing your food or drink business, learn how to grow sales for your product range through better branding and packaging design and gain all of the tools and knowledge necessary to launch and build a successful food business in Ireland. The programme will consist of three full training days (dates to be confirmed). Mentoring is also a significant aspect of the programme with one mentoring visit taking place after each module, in conjunction with the content delivered during the previous training day. The cost of this programme is only €200 per person (inclusive of all course materials, training and mentoring provided) and if you are interested in further information, please contact Georgina Sweetnam on 01 4948400 / georgina@dlrceb.ie. For full details on all supports offered by the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Enterprise Board are available on www.dlrceb.ie.
Pictured at Leinster House are Catherine Noone, chair of Irish Girl Guides’ public relations committee; Rev Andrew Dougherty; Irish Girl Guides competition winner Charlotte Dougherty; Senator Jillian van Turnhout; Joyce Dougherty; Jonathan Sultan, marketing manager, Canon Ireland and author Sarah Webb
contest: praise for young writer asfasdfasdf dasf dsaf dsafdsaf dsaf dsf as
Girl guide has the write stuff Bairbre Ni Bhraonain
A BUDDING young journalist who won a writing prize from an Irish Girl Guides competition was treated to a tour of Leinster House recently with Dun Laoghaire author Sarah Webb. Ten-year-old Charlotte Dougherty of Sandyford Brownies scooped the journalistic prize and received an invitation to visit Leinster House after hearing that her article and photo of a trip to Zipit adventure centre had proved a winner. At Leinster House, Senator Jillian van Turnhout, who was Irish Girl Guides chief commissioner from 2001 to 2007, was there to welcome Charlotte and a host of other winners, along with Sarah Webb,
to escort them around the Dail building. Webb judged the competition and was herself a leader of Killiney Brownies until only recently. Congratulating Charlotte and the other girl guide winners, Webb said: “The standard was very high and I greatly enjoyed reading all the articles about the Guide and Brownie events and meetings, vividly described by the young journalists. “I thought Charlotte’s article was a lovely, lovely piece and was really well-written. I am proud to support guiding as I believe it is of huge benefit to girls in Ireland and internationally.” Charlotte said: “Leinster House is amazing! Even though I live so
close to it, I’ve never actually seen inside it, apart from on television.” Following the tour of Leinster House, each winner received a signed copy of one of Sarah Webb’s books, a goody bag from Senator van Turnhout, and a Canon camera from Canon Ireland’s marketing manager, Jonathan Sultan. “The tour was very interesting and I enjoyed all the portraits of former Taoisigh. The camera will be very useful when I go on a very special family holiday in the summer,” said Charlotte. Senator Van Turnhout said: “These young and aspiring journalists have promoted and brought to life the true experience of being an Irish Girl Guide.”
27 February 2014 DUN laoghaire Gazette 5
6 DUN laoghaire Gazette 27 February 2014
FastNews
council: application forms at hand
Former Guinness home Free meditation room in has been sold for €8m local spirituality shop Deepwell, the Victorian house bordering Blackrock Park which was once owned by the Guinness family, has been sold for €8m. The new owners are said to be from overseas with a young family and they intend using the house as a private residence. The house, which is set on three acres of land, has stunning gardens, a pool and tennis courts. Deepwell was put up for sale in May last year for €10m.
IF YOU fancy escaping from the hustle and bustle while in Dun Laoghaire, you can now do so by availing of a free quiet meditation room in Saffron and Sapphire Indian Spirituality Gift Shop on Patrick Street. The quiet room offers interactive help to aid with meditation on Thursdays and Fridays from 11am to 5pm. So, if you would like to take a break from shopping or get acquainted with meditation, you can drop into the gift shop to unwind.
Tom McHugh, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Council’s director of housing and community
Delay in housing revamp grant draws criticism Bairbre Ni Bhraonain
Application forms for the housing adaptation grant are now available for eligible people in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown after a delay due to changes to qualifying criteria. Local politicians attending a county council meeting recently were critical of time delays and a lack of application forms for people seeking housing adaptation grants. Cllr Victor Boyhan (Ind) and Cllr Melisa Halpin (PBP) questioned the council’s director of housing and community Tom McHugh at a recent council meeting about the grants on behalf of their constituents. Cllr Halpin said: “I know somebody who’s been waiting six months for a shower [to be installed] and they have been told they’ll have to wait another six before they can have something that is accessible to them for their disability.
“Is there anything we could do or the manager could propose so people don’t have to wait what is really an untenable amount of time for a basic necessity?” Cllr Boyhan said he wanted an explanation about the current delay in issuing this year’s grant forms: “People are seriously stretched and want to avail of the limited funding [there is].” Delay
Tom McHugh answered saying: “As to application forms [for the housing adaptation grant], there was a delay. The Department of the Environment told us that they were issuing new guidelines and new application forms. They’ve just been received this week and we have them now.” Principal adjustments made to housing grant applications deal with all household members’ incomes and proof of local property tax compliance. There was also a reduction in the number
of income bands with the new cut-off point in earnings beyond which no grant is available going from €65,000 to €60,000. McHugh said: “Housing adaptation grants for 2014 [for DLR amount to] just over €1m. It’s broken down that a portion of that has to come from the council’s own resources, which is just over €200,000. “Time delays would depend on whether or not the houses were council or privately owned and the extent of the work needed, the paperwork submitted by the person themselves.” According to a council spokesperson: “The council received a total allocation of €1,055,183 for 2014, in relation to housing adaptation grants for older people and people with a disability, of which 20% is payable from the council’s resources.” Application forms can now be downloaded at www.dlrcoco.ie and are also available at council offices.
27 February 2014 DUN laoghaire Gazette 7
delay Council cites lack of information from Irish Water on mains for hold-up
Monkstown roadworks postponed until 2015 Bairbre Ni Bhraonain
Roadworks and path fixtures that were due to be carried out this year on Monkstown Road are to be postponed until 2015 according to Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. Roadworks will instead be carried out on the Sallynoggin Road from Rochestown Avenue to Sallynoggin roundabout. The council’s senior executive engineer Ivar Blanker informed councillors last week in an email that the works would not go ahead due to a lack of information from Irish Water about whether or not work to replace watermains on Monkstown Road would be done in time for the proposed road works. In the email, Blanker said: “As you will be aware, Monkstown Road is on the 2014 Roads and Footpath Programme.
It is now clear that it will not be prudent to progress with this scheme for two reasons: There is a length of watermains (c 500m) to be replaced on Monkstown Road, and we have no clear indication from Irish Water that this main will be replaced in time for the road works to progress, without impeding on the approach to Christmas 2014. Disruption
“Works to Blackrock Main Streeet will be followed with traffic works to Frascati Road and Temple Hill. However, traffic management will not be possible on these and the Monkstown Road Scheme without major disruption.” Blanker went on to say that other road works in the county will replace the Monkstown scheme instead. “It has been decided
Free recycling event A free Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) recycling event in aid of LauraLynn Children’s Hospice in Leopardstown will take place on March 8 in Dun Laoghaire. The collection event, being organised by WEEE Ireland in association with Dun LaoghaireRathdown County Council will be held from 10am until 4pm at the Old Pier, West Harbour. People can go along with any and all batteries and electrical gadgets and
all the batteries recycled on the day will go towards the Spread a Little Sunshine campaign in aid of LauraLynn. This year WEEE Ireland is hoping to at least match the €45,000 fund previously raised for LauraLynn by increasing battery recycling in Ireland by 20% from last year. WEEE Ireland is appealing to the public to make an extra effort to help hit this target by bringing as many waste batteries they can find to the collection point.
to defer the Monkstown Road Scheme to 2015, and replace it this year with Sallynoggin Road. This will see Sallynoggin Road complete from Rochestow n Avenue to Sallynoggin roundabout.” Blanker added, however, that there is a likelihood of some small footpath repairs being done this year: Cllr Victor Boyhan (Ind) said he was surprised by the council’s
announcement as councillors were told a month ago that Monkstown Road was to be part of the Road Works Programme for this year. “Local residents will be very disappointed given the deplorable and dangerous conditions of parts of the road,” said Cllr Boyhan. Cllr Boyhan went on to say that Monkstown Road has long been indentified as a road in need of resurfacing and
that councillors were expecting a substantial upgrade this year in response to local residents concerns. “I have asked the Roads Department to ensure that the potholes are filled in and essential repairs to the road surface take place in the interests of public safety. “I intend raising this matter with council officials at the next council area committee,” said Cllr Boyhan.
Councillors were informed last week that works at Sallynoggin Road would not go ahead due to a lack of information from Irish Water on the impact of water mains replacement works at Monkstown Road
8 DUN laoghaire Gazette 27 February 2014
Shrove Tuesday is coming up again and Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel in Killiney is celebrating in style with a tasty pancake event to help raise funds for Dunmore House. Dunmore House is a charity that provides an extensive range of day and residential services and supports for children and adults with an intellectual disability. Shrove Tuesday at Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel will take place on Pancake Tuesday, March 4 at the Tower Tea Rooms, Killiney Hill from 3pm to 5pm.
crisis ‘Rent allowance inadequacy’ along with
Increase Bairbre Ni Bhraonain bnibhraonain@gazettegroup.com
Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown councillors are predicting a homeless problem in the region, given the increase in people whose rent allowance payments are insufficient to match the area’s sharply rising rents
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Local politicians are predicting a huge problem of homelessness in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown due to high rents and what they see as the insufficiency of rent allowance given to people in need. At a recent council meeting, Cllr Hugh Lewis (PBP) said: “The most important function we have in this council is to provide people with a home. There is the issue of rent allowance inadequacy and the tragic amount of time people have to wait to get a house from this council.” Cllr Lewis gave two examples of people who had contacted him on the same day, both of
whom were being evicted by their landlords due to rent increases. He said that the current cap for rent allowance at €1,000 a month was not reflective of rent prices in the county and tenants would find “nowhere in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown for that [rent]”. Cllr Lewis went on to say that the lack of social housing in the county was forcing people to move to the country or emigrate. “The reason this is particularly bad in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown is that the rents have gone up by 15% in the last three months.” Approximately 20 families a month are being made homeless across Dublin, according to Cllr Denis O’Callaghan (Lab) who also said that the
27 February 2014 DUN laoghaire Gazette 9
‘unscrupulous landlords’ contributing to housing issue
of homelessness anticipated problem has expanded beyond rent allowance recipients to working people who cannot afford the high rents in the area. “Not all landlords are bad but unscrupulous landlords are driving up rents by €400 and €500 per month out of the blue. This is by far over the rate of inflation. “I think it is time for the Government to act. We have brought it to the notice of the Department of Social Protection and to the Minister for Housing and it’s my understanding that the Minister for Housing is currently reviewing the situation, especially in relation to how they can pin back the landlords who have increased rents recently to stop them and bring it down to a level below the
rate of inflation. “There are concerns in relation to landlords not accepting rent supplement and since 2010, this [acceptance of rent allowance] has decreased from 21% to 1.2% this year.” His party colleague Cllr Lettie McCarthy said: “The reality is that in our areas, even during the bad years, rent never actually came down. One lady who contacted me was moved three times in a matter of 10 weeks and each time she had to try to get a place close to [her children’s] school and that’s very disrupting. She was actually in tears on the phone.” Cllr Melisa Halpin (PBP) said: “It’s good to hear the serious tone here. The housing situation is a crisis. The Civil Defence
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‘It’s good to hear the serious tone here. The housing situation is a crisis.’ --------------------------
Cllr Melisa Halpin (PBP)
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Cllr Hugh Lewis (PBP) said that, in Dun LaoghaireRathdown: “the rents have gone up by 15% in the last three months”
have been called in to provide beds for homeless people in Dublin. The social housing policy was announced with great aplomb in 2011 and it’s an absolute unmitigated disaster. A wait of 12 to 14 years is not unusual [for social housing] nowadays.
If we were providing social housing we wouldn’t have the reliance on rent allowance and you wouldn’t have the absolute waste of money which costs €700m for rent allowance and the rental accommodation scheme each year, [a sum that is going]
straight into the pockets of landlords. “We need proper rent controls that would deal with the problem and crucially we need a house building programme.” In response to the councillors’ concerns about housing and rent allowance in the county, Tom McHugh, director of housing and community with the council, said: “I don’t know if any increase in rent allowance is going to be a solution to
the problem because that might just drive prices up even further. The only thing I can suggest is if the council resolve to write to the Ministers of the Environment and Social Protection. “There is talk [at the moment] of replacing rent allowances with a new house assistance payment which would replace the current system and move it from [the Department of ] Social Protection back into the housing system but that is still in the pipeline and there is no indication of when [it may happen]. “It won’t address supply and demand [of social housing] and it won’t address the current difficulty of high rents in the county.”
theatre Jezebel comes to Pavilion Renowned theatre company Rough Magic are bringing new Irish play Jezebel to Pavilion Theatre this month and next. Jezebel is a romantic comedy written by Mark Cantan and starring Peter Daly and Margaret McAuliffe. They play Alan and Robin, a high flying 21st centur y couple who become more interested in their smart phones than each other. They come up with an adventurous way to spice things up with hilarious consequences. Jezebel will be touring the country until March 22 and will stop off at Pavilion Theatre in Dun Laoghaire for a run from February 27 until March 1. Tickets, costing €18 and €16 are available at www. paviliontheatre.ie.
10 DUN laoghaire Gazette 27 February 2014
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Vera Hunter, Blackrock Guild
Mary Dunne and Therese Croxon, Ballybrack Guild at a craft day hosted by Ballybrack ICA Guild. Pictures: Geraldine Woods
It’s all about the craft as Guild show their skills Marie Hoare, Dublin Federation Craft Promoter
Mary English, craft promoter, with Monica
Angela Holmes, Ballybrack catering manager, Margaret Mahon, secretary of Ballybrack
Farren, president of Ballybrack ICA
ICA Guild, and Joan Hogarty, Ballybrack ICA events organiser.
Pat O’Connor, Shankill, with a handmade card
27 February 2014 DUN LAOGHAIRE Gazette 11
council Praise for local authority’s fully refurbished social housing stock
Rochestown Terrace officially open Bairbre Ni Bhraonain
THE official opening of the apartment complex, Rochestown Terrace, formerly known as Rochestown House, took place this week. The apartment block dates to the early 1970s and has 18 units, comprising 12 ground-floor studio units and six first-
floor one-bed units. The ground floor units, which were small, have been adapted into six one-bed units to improve the standard of these accommodation units. The living areas are now on the southern elevation, for maximum sunlight, while energy upgrade works were also completed.
Councillors were united in their praise for Rochestown Terrace following its complete refurbishment
These consist of internal cavity and external wall insulation, together with an improved heating system, energy-efficient lighting and replacement windows designed to reduce the carbon footprint and increase the comfort for residents.
‘High standard’ An Cathaoirleach, Carrie Smyth (Lab), who opened the newly-refurbished apartment block on Sallynoggin Road Upper, said: “The council wants its housing stock to be of a very high standard and it prides itself on the level of accommodation it provides and maintains. “Rochestown House, as it stood, did not meet modern standards and was not capable of being heated efficiently. “It is a matter of considerable pride to me as
Cathaoirleach that the council has delivered a facility of the quality we see all around us today for our elderly residents.” Cllr Smyth went on to say: “It is heartening to see this development coming to completion, given the present economic climate, and we
look forward to the completion of Rochestown House itself.” On the launch day of the launch, Cllr John Bailey (FG) said: “This is a great day for the people of Dun Laoghaire. “I fought hard for years to get this done, and a big thank-you to Anne
Hegarty in the housing department [of the council] for all her work and effort.” Cllr Victor Boyhan (Ind) said: “The importance of good design on housing projects can have a significant impact in creating a very special place to call home.
“Our [council’s] housing department can be very proud of what has been achieved here. “So much more could be achieved in terms of direct provision of social housing if the Government would provide the council with financial resources.”
12 DUN laoghaire Gazette 27 February 2014
gazetteGALLERIES
Some of the accessories that helped to set the mood
Hanna Berry, Anne Marie McCague and Lilla Zombor. Pictures: Margaret Brown
Men in Black help raise rafters for Rehab
T
He National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dun Laoghaire along with members of the gardai organised a St Valentine’s Ball recently in Fitzpatrick Castle, Killiney, to raise much-needed funds for the speech and language
therapy and medical social work department. On the night there was a champagne reception, followed by a three-course meal with complimentary wine. This was followed by music from the Men In Black. Fan-
Jarlath Murray, Cillian Barry, Liam Harnett, Stephen Barry, Ronan Goggin and Ross O’Doherty
tastic prizes were to be won on the night in the raffle and local auctioneer Sean Buckley took charge of the auction with many exciting prizes. The organising committee also had the Liam MacCarthy Cup on loan for the evening.
Lizzie Redmond, Victoria Jago and Rebecca Lee
Emer Ingoldsby
27 February 2014 dun laoghaire Gazette 13
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Sandy Miller from the Men In Black band
Jackie and Valerie Burke
John and Michelle Crowe, Cllr Cormac Devlin (FF) and Jennifer Devlin
Ronan Goggin and Gavin Fleet with the Liam MacCarthy Cup
Mary Galvin proudly holding Gavin Fleet showing off one of the auction lots
Vinny Duran-Kearns and Cllr Cormac Devlin
up the Liam MacCarthy Cup
14 gazette 27 February 2014
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More colourful characters were also represented
Perhaps spurred on by the saying: “There are no small roles, only small actors”, the extras certainly gave their all. Pictures: Geraldine Woods
A splendid view of a new Penny Dreadful
T
HE Gazette was happy to leap upon its high wheeler bicycle to move precariously across the cobbled city centre streets to Dame Lane recently, where upcoming horror series Penny Dreadful was being recorded for users of modern televisual projection devices. Featuring the finest sights, sounds and fashions of the bygone Victorian era, Dame Lane was almost unrecognisable, such was the
proliferation of products from the period that were on show, as respectable wellto-do gentlemen and ladies mingled with common folk around the wares of coopers and candlemakers. While Penny Dreadful’s leading luminaries – such as Timothy Dalton, Josh Hartnett, Billie Piper and Eva Green – were not present at the time, the extras dazzled in their own right.
Were one but to stroll a moment away from the hustle and bustle of Dame Street, one could have taken in a disparate
From civilians to the military, a wide cross-section of Victorian life was to be spotted ambulating around Dame Lane
group of characters from a somewhat more genteel era
27 February 2014 Gazette 15
asdfsdaf film fest P27 P18
diary P17
dublinlife Let Dublin Gazette Newspapers take you on a tour of the news and events taking place across the city and county this week
Gazette
feature P16
Samantha with Mr Tayto launching Popcorners, a crisp Sam’s favourite snack when she comes home to Ireland is a Tayto crisp sandwich.
made from popcorn. Pictures: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland.
a day in the life: Samantha Mumba on hiking, writing and juice for breakfast
Sam’s home and she’s gotta tell us something Laura Webb
Living and working in Los Angeles and travelling to Ireland to visit family and friends can be tiring work for anyone but for singer Samantha Mumba this is just part of life as she knows it. Back on home soil to release her new single, Only Just Begun, we caught up with the pop star to see how a typical day goes for her. Waking up at a reasonable time of 10am she isn’t a big breakfast person and instead opts for a juice. “I would juice instead of breakfast and then
it is off to the gym. I have to get it [the gym] out of the way in the mornings otherwise I will just get too lazy, not at night, no, I lose the will to do it, plus evenings are too busy anyway – I like to have the gym to myself,” she laughed. So from the gym it could be on to work or if she is at home she might go hiking. “I live a little outside LA so I would usually have to drive in to see management, go for meetings, auditions, usually if I am recording that would be in the evenings. Otherwise I would be at home with my stepson making him lunch.”
Once her busy day heads towards evening, it’s back to the kitchen for some cooking. “I love to cook. It is a little passion of mine. Pinterest has expanded my cooking skills. I just love trying different things. I would be known in my house for my brown sugar garlic wings and I do a good macaroni and cheese.” When it comes to an easy snack, her favourite is a Tayto crisp sandwich, which she says is what’s great about coming home because her beloved crisps are hard to find in her adopted town, LA.
Once her day is over and evening sets in, she says: “I wouldn’t go to bed early. Once my stepson is in bed, we would sit down with a glass of wine, watch our shows, watch a movie. I would probably go to bed about 12 or one-ish. But if I am writing, I can only write late at night, I am a weirdo like that, that could be until three or four in the morning,” she said. Samatha is touring at a number of venues in Ireland. Her latest single, Only Just Begun, was released on February 21 and is produced by Mariah Carey collaborater Justin Gray.
GAZETTE
16 GAZETTE 27 February 2014
DUBLINLIFE
AERONAUTICS
Here to support and report! Advertising, editorial and marketing staff at Dublin Gazette Newspapers
We’ve just got bigger and better DEAR READER,
DUBLIN Gazette Newspapers has successfully operated in the greater Dublin region for the past 10 years. We offer quality local coverage and report on the stories that may not make it to the national papers, but impact greatly on the lives of our local readers. Quite often these stories do make it in to the national media, after we have highlighted the issues. We intend to bring this same passion for what goes on, in and around Dublin city, to the readers of our new Dublin City Gazette, out this week. Although local is our bread and butter and what our readers look forward to each week, we also print a quality lifestyle section containing everything from travel to style, cinema, food and drink, art and literature and motors. We intend to develop and grow this section within our new Dublin City Paper while maintaining a superior local news section. Our secret diner, The Picky Eater, will check out the food scene in Dublin city and county. Well known Dubs, young and old, will talk about their favourite place to Escape the Mayhem in a busy city - this could be a city garden, museum, pub or somewhere so secret, we don’t even know about it yet! Our Day in the Life column will each week follow an individual from their waking moments till they hit the pillow that night. They say the best things in life are free and why should the news be any different? That’s why our free, self select publication should be your number one weekly read. You can pick us up in hundreds of outlets across the city and county each week. We’ve got the suburbs covered and now Dublin City has its own dedicated local paper, which will be essential to the lives of those living and working within the Dublin City Council region.
Mimi Murray Editor, Gazette Group Newspapers
Views from the Eclipse 550 jet – a snip at $2.65m – undoubtedly add to its already sky-high allure
THE HIGH LIFE: ECLIPSE 550 IMPRESSES AT MANY LEVELS – IF YOU CAN AFFORD IT
Off to cloud nine ROB HEIGH
IT WAS not a regular Wednesday afternoon when I took to the skies recently in the first Eclipse 550 plane to be introduced to European airspace by Aeris Aviation, based in Devon and brought to Dublin by the company’s chief executive, David Hayman, and the rock ’n’ roll aviator, Bruce Dickinson – singer with legendary metal band Iron Maiden. The 550 is described as a revival of the Eclipse 500 that the manufacturer, Eclipse Aerospace of Albuquerque, was hailed for before the economic downturn meant that they had to file for bankruptcy in 2008. But, with investment from aviation giants Sikorsky, the company and the plane have a new lease of life, and its arrival in Dublin was part of Aeris’s mission to introduce the Eclipse 550 to a new, more confident market. This has seen the plane grace the runways of several air shows and trade events across Europe in
recent months. Hayman was kind enough to invite me on board the Eclipse at Weston, and I stepped into its compact and classy interior – the first time I had been in a plane so small. This marked my first flight in what the industry term a very light jet; a type of airplane designed to be flown by sole pilot owners. With the ability to fly at altitudes up to 41,000 feet at a maximum cruising speed of 430 mph, the Eclipse 550 is described as the most efficient twinengine jet on the planet, and is the equivalent of a Formula One car in the aviation world. Obviously, the price point is beyond the reach of most mere mortals, but the thrill of taking to the air in the Eclipse 550, well ... eclipsed any reservations about the $2.65m (€1.93m) price tag. With Hayman taking the controls, we took off from Weston and headed north-west into the airspace over Kildare and Westmeath, jetting up to Mullingar and back in a
Vanessa Cunningham and Dave Scully, from Dublin Weston Airport’s marketing team, flank pilot Bruce Dickinson, front man with Iron Maiden
matter of minutes. The controls were fascinating in themselves, with what looks like an expanded iPad interface containing all of the necessary flight and mechanical data to fly the plane. Once we were up over the clouds, the smooth sailing trip felt more like a car journey than a plane ride. Speaking after the flight, Hayman talked about what it meant to the company to have such an internationally recognised face as Dickinson on board with the project.
He said: “It’s great to have Bruce on board – his positive energy, knowhow and expertise in aviation are amazing, and he really is a great frontman for our business.” Although we may think that being involved in aviation is out of reach, Dickinson said that although he had a long association with flying in his family, his initial uncertainty that he could be a pilot faded when he realised what was possible with application and self-belief. He said: “It started when I was five years old. My godfather was an
engineer in the RAF in the second World War, and my uncle was in the RAF as well. “I was terrible at maths and physics at school, so I decided that there was no way that I could be a pilot, because all the people I knew at school who wanted to be pilots were all ‘Brains of Britain’ types at maths. But, of course, it’s a load of nonsense, as I discovered later – you can teach yourself all you need to know if you’re motivated.” For further information on the plane, see www. aerisaviation.co.uk.
27 February 2014 Gazette 17
Gazette
diary
Fab women have last word The National Leprechaun Museum is hosting a nightly show of Fabulous Females, which celebrates the forgotten women of Irish folklore. Running nightly from February 27 to March 8, Fabulous Females aims to reconnect audiences with the incredible women of our oral folklore. Irish legends tend to focus on great male warriors such as Fionn McCumhaill, Cuchulainn and Oisin, whereas females have taken a back seat. With their diminished roles in the tales, they have tended to be relegated to wives, mothers,
messengers, or lovers to lead men astray; full of sorrow and destruction. However, this brand new one-woman production will showcase the power of those forgotten female legends. Tickets priced €15 to €20 are on sale now from the National Leprechaun Museum’s box office at 01 873 3899, or online at www.leprechaunmuseum.ie. Shows start at 8pm.
Paddy’s day salvo sparks an invitation MINISTER of State for Tourism and Sports Michael Ring has hit back at the Dublin
Lord Mayor’s criticism of this year’s upcoming St Patrick’s Day Festival, welcoming him to organise his own festival instead. Mayor Oisin Quinn said recently that the “tacky” St Patrick’s festival in Dublin city would encourage people to get drink and “throw on leprechaun hats”. Mayor Quinn also said that the organisers of the parade appeared to be staging events in a bid to generate money. He went on to criticise the decision to install a Funderlandtype event in Merrion Square. However, Minister
Ring responded by saying “if he wants to organise something alongside this festival, he is very welcome to do that.”
say halo to a way to spruce up your home C E L E BR I T Y a r c h i tect Dermot Bannon is offering householders advice on how to reinvent a home when he launches the new stateof-the-art Halo Tile and Bathroom showroom, which is located at Ballymount retail centre. The people at Halo a r e g i v i n g aw ay a €5,000 home makeover prize on the day, and a weekend away in any
Meet celebrity architect Dermot Bannon at a showroom event in Ballymount
one of the well-known Talbot Hotel Group hotels. There will be advice o n r e c e n t G ove r n ment grants for home improvement, and big-
name products such as Velux, Dulux, Boru Stoves and Worcester Boilers will also be there to give advice. The showroom will open on March 1, and
Dermot will be on hand from 1.30pm to 3.30pm to offer advice on the b e s t u s e o f c o l o u r, space, design and light when making over your home.
Gazette
18 Gazette 27 February 2014
dublinlife
reel insight: the gazette catches up with john hurt at the savoy
Happy to ‘be Irish’ Bairbre Ni Bhraonain
WITH another successful Jameson Dublin International Film Festival (JDIFF) coming to an end this week, The Gazette caught up with screen legend John Hurt at the red carpet premiere of John Michael McDonagh’s new dark and humorous film, Calvary. Hurt, who starred in
movies such as Elephant Man, Alien and The Naked Civil Servant, had no part to play in Calvary, but took on the role of Marlowe in Jim Jarmusch’s romantic vampire movie, Only Lovers Left Alive, which was also screened during JDIFF. At the red carpet outside the Savoy cinema, excitement was in the air as stars such as Brendan
Gleeson, Aidan Gillen, Dylan Moran, Marie Josee Crozee and Killian Scott arrived for Calvary’s gala opening. Speaking about the importance of JDIFF and other festivals for the Irish film industry, Hurt said: “I think they’re important for any film, and the fact that we’re doing it [the film’s premiere] here in Ireland means that we’re
Soundbyte: Brendan backs Fassbender CALVARY star Brendan Glee-
Michael Fassbender to win
son, who was also at the film’s
the Academy award for
star-studded premiere at the
Best Supporting Actor
Savoy cinema in the city cen-
at this year’s Oscars
tre, told The Gazette that he
for his turn in Twelve
is rooting for fellow Irishman
Years A Slave.
supporting the whole understanding of what film is about for lots of people in this country. “It’s fantastic, I mean – it’s really, really important [to do this], and Ireland is important to me personally.” Five years ago, Hurt took part in the TV show Who Do You Think You Are?, but his conviction that he had Irish roots was shaken as no Irish connection was found by researchers. The Gazette asked Hurt what he thought of those genealogical revelations. “Rubbish! They didn’t go around all the right avenues. I am Irish!
“I mean, I’m Irish in an area – only a bit, but I’m Irish. I love Ireland and I would hate to be without this little country,” he said. Hurt also spoke of his involvement in Jarmusch’s latest offering. He said: “The marvellous thing about Jim is that he absolutely and resolutely refuses to say what any of his films are about.” Hurt is currently working on film projects, but refused to disclose them. However, when asked, he said he would like to film in Ireland soon: “Oh, that would be wonderful! Yes, absolutely.”
Speaking of his love for Ireland, screen legend John Hurt (pictured signing autographs at the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival) batted away the failure of researchers to find any Irish roots in his family line, saying: “Rubbish! They didn’t go around all the right avenues. I am Irish!” Picture: Photocall Ireland
27 February 2014 Gazette 19
ESCAPE THE MAYHEM: Media pundit on how to unwind
Hook on the blessings of a good, thick book
Each week the Gazette speaks to Dubliners about how they like to unwind in a bustling, busy city. George Hook goes first Laura Webb
The stress of everyday life takes its toll on many but it’s what people do to relieve that stress and get away from it all that we’re keen to find out at the Gazette. Whether it’s a yoga class in the park, a walk along the strand or a movie, there is something for eve-
ryone to help escape the mayhem of every day life in Dublin. This week, Escape the Mayhem caught up with broadcaster and rugby pundit George Hook at a life skills seminar and asked him what it is that helps him to unwind. “I must say I read more now than I have ever read and I was an impressive
reader. “But I have to say electronic books have become an incredible boon for me. I carry books around all the time on an iPad. What I do now is I read,” he said. Finding a corner
So where he goes to read and unwind? “I love just going away in a quiet corner, with no television, finding a corner for me and my book.” When taking time out to read and forget his problems George says the
feeling he gets from his escapism is “incredibly uplifting” and he recommends it. “That is the great thing about a book. You carry it with you so it goes wherever you go,” he said. So if the stress of life is taking its toll take a leaf out of George Hook’s book and find a quiet corner and read. Hook was in attendance at the seminar which is run by Aware and is based on the principles of cognitive behavioural therapy.
George Hook: “I carry books around all the time on an iPad”
Gazette
FEATUREs
Gazette
20 Gazette 27 February 2014
dublinlife
business
Advice on keeping or selling rental property John Lowe, the Money Doctor, gives two Gazette readers invaluable advice on keeping or selling rental property I AM a reluctant landlord with a property in a large estate in Swords. I bought the four-bed semi-detached property in 2004. I paid €375,000 and thankfully got a tracker mortgage. I lived there until 2011, when I moved to Co Limerick with my family, renting there. We put the property on the market in 2011, but despite dropping the price several times, it did not sell. Thankfully, it has been rented by a very nice family who have looked after the house very well.
I was getting €1,150 rent per month. My mortgage is currently €1,308.56 monthly, but between other costs and tax, I’m paying about €2,000 per annum. Now the tenants are moving out, and I need to decide if I should sell or hold onto it as a rental property, as we have no retirement plan or pension to speak of, and I know how valuable a tracker is. Having spoken to an estate agent today, the house will realise between €260,000 and €280,000 [if sold at cur-
rent market values]. I still have c. €190,000 to pay on the mortgage, with 12 years left. I should still be able to obtain about €1,000 rental per month. Your advice would be appreciated. JOHN SAYS: Thanks for the note. The first issue is tax relief at source. Since you first rented the property, you are ineligible to receive this – so, hopefully you have already stopped this. You can still claim 75% of the interest as tax relief on your rental income tax
liability. Selling depends on your next move and career. If you can sell now, it would be cleaner – your full income would allow full mortgage entitlement on your next mortgage, plus you would not have to worry if it ever gets sold, or if you can continually find tenants to rent – not to mention the additional €2,000+ per annum to be found, and the “hassle factor” that is now a landlord’s lot! However, keeping the house – fully rented all the time – means that inexorably your mortgage will be repaid ... primarily by your tenant, so it is like a little mini-pension. And what will the property be worth then? My guess would be, it would
be worth a lot more than it is now. If the €2,000 is not a problem at the moment, and you do not want to buy again, if you cannot sell the property, it won’t be a problem – but if you can sell now, I would. Good luck with it ...
Getting a mortgage... I AM building a house later in the year. Between my girlfriend and myself, we have €150k cash, and the site is family-owned (being the proceeds of a house sale and some savings). I’m a carpenter, and will do the bulk of the work myself, but we will need some additional funds to finish the house; possibly up to €50k. Are we better off
putting all our money in one account and negotiating a loan at this stage, or should we build the house and take out a mortgage against it once it is structurally complete? JOHN SAYS: I would always look for pre-approval before undertaking such a project, as the last thing you want is to find you cannot obtain a loan to finish off the house. Today, €50k is not a huge sum to look for, but you will need steady income from a secure employment – generally, a minimum [wage of] €25,000. The site is also worth something – from your parents, perhaps? You are allowed up to €225,000,
and say the site is worth €50,000 – it means the property should be worth in excess of €250,000 on completion, so [this would be] a 20% loan to value for the lucky lender! You obviously have a bank account; that should be your first port of call – they know you. What is the cheapest standard variable rate under a 50% loan to value? KBC Bank, at 3.85% – email me for details (jlowe@moneydoctor.ie). Contact John with your money questions at jlowe@ moneydoctor.ie or visit his website at www.moneydoctor. ie. John Lowe, Fellow of the Institute of Bankers, is founder and managing director of Money Doctor
27 February 2014 Gazette 21
food&drink P27
asdfsdaf P27 cinema P28
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 P22
PETS
can you give dashing roman his true home?
Artastic characters, Piyanuch Chanphet (left) with Rachel Laley and Moe Coakley in St Stephen’s Green at the launch of St Patrick’s Festival 2014. Pictures: Robbie Reynolds
drowning the shamrock: three-year theme for four-day festival
Feel the love, St Patrick Ian begley
ST PATRICK’S Day is set to kick off this year with an explosive variety of cultural, theatrical and festive events from March 14-17. Taking centre stage this year will be the festival’s cultural programme I Love My City along with a four-day programme of events that are mostly free to attend. For the first time in its history, St Patrick’s Festival has created a threeyear theme and narrative for the Festival Parade. The thematic journey of Past, Present and Future will be explored respectively in the period 2014, 2015 and 2016. Speaking to the Gazette, Susan Kirby, chief executive of St Patrick’s Festival,
said: “The four-day festival is absolutely jam-packed, full of really super events for everyone from the ages of eight to 80. “The I Love My City cultural programme is a series of inspiring, intimate and cultural events curated by the fes“The ceili will have around 7,000 people engaging. The Big Day Out event will have over 90,000 people on site, and the festival Treasure Hunt welcomes about 5,000 people. “A lot of work goes into the festival from the artists, producers, creators, and dancers. We also have volunteers who come from all over the world to take part in the festival. “We have a real festival family and community spirit and they work very hard to produce the festival every year,”
said Kirby. This year, an array of eclectic events and renowned figures from musical talents to literary figures will be showcased during the festival. New to the Paddy’s Day line-up is the most anticipated Live on the Green event, which will take place on Saturday, March 15. Meteor Music Award winner Jerry Fish will headline this free live music event, which it is hoped will get everyone into the festival spirit. Speaking at the launch of the St Patrick’s Day Festival on February 20, Minister for Tourism and Sport Michael Ring said: “The festival is hugely important for Irish tourism. The support from the Government, Failte Ireland and others like Dublin City Council helps this
world-class festival go from strength to strength. “It’s one of our most important events for international visitors, whose numbers rocketed to 140,000 overseas people last year. “That’s 37% higher than in 2010. It gives us a sense of national pride as Irish people, and gives visitors something extra special for their trip,” said Minster Ring. Overall, the numbers engaging with the festival is about 1.6m over the course of the festival weekend. The parade will welcome in the region of five hundred thousand people onto the streets of Dublin. For a full programme of the St Patrick’s Day Festival events visit www. stpatricksfestival.ie.
The Gazette Newspaper has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for unwanted and abandoned dogs. Our Dog of the Week is romantic Roman, a sixyear-old male Boxer with a heart of gold. He arrived into Dogs Trust in quite poor condition recently and has been given oodles of TLC from all the staff and is now thriving and full of personality! He is a true gent and would need to go to a loving family who can continue his development by bringing him on several short walks a day to help him build up his muscles again. He is happy to hang out in his new forever home with big kids 10+ and maybe a canine pal. If you think you could give this handsome man his perfect forever home, please contact the Dogs Trust reception a call on 01-879 1000 or pop into their rehoming centre 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.
22 Gazette 27 February 2014
Gazette
&ABOUT OUT fast TRAVEL NEWS
A Highlife chalet in France would be an ice retreat!
Chill out with a cool French chalet break natalie burke
IF YOU fancy celebrating Paddy’s Day with a difference this year, Highlife Ski and Snowboard are inviting you to take to the slopes in Val d’Isere, France – a resort renowned for its sensational highaltitude skiing and chic village setting. The resort offers a great range of nursery slopes for beginners, as well as extensive skiing for the more skilled, along with quirky boutiques and a main street lined with cafes. Stay in a cosy Highlife chalet, complete with log fires, saunas and an outdoor hot tub, and on St Patrick’s Day, gather round the table and tuck into a piping hot traditional Irish stew prepared especially by your chalet chef, followed by a delicious round of complimentary Irish coffees to further warm you. As part of the all-inclusive Highlife packages, all wine, beers and soft drinks are available as part of the complimentary bar in your chalet, so you can enjoy apres-ski evenings chilling out by the log fire at no extra cost. St Patrick’s Stay packages with Highlife Ski & Snowboard start from €1,075, per adult, and €886, per child under 12, arriving Sunday, March 16. For full details, see www.highlife.ie; call the team at 01 677 1100, or email info@highlife.ie.
america: celebrate our national holiday in style in new york city
Turn the Big Apple green on March 17
natalie burke
BEING Irish is something that is celebrated almost every day of the year, but with the arrival of St Patrick’s Day, it is the perfect excuse for the world to really paint its towns and cities green. The celebration is considered serious business in New York City, with the Empire State Building going green for the occasion, and everyone who is anyone claim-
ing an Irish connection somewhere down the bloodline. With more than 150,000 people marching in the New York City parade every year, which has been held annually since 1762, heading stateside this St Patrick’s Day could be the ideal way to celebrate your heritage with a little difference. While watching the marching bands on Fifth Avenue is probably already appearing on
your must-see list, there are plenty of other shenanigans around the Big Irish Apple to check out. For something a little different, head to the Irish Art Centre on 51st Street on March 17 and catch an afternoon of authentic Irish music, with performances from the NYC Harp Orchestra, as well as Irish dancing performances by the Niall O’Leary School of Irish Dance. There’s also a tin whis-
New Yorkers outdo even the Irish when it comes to dressing up and celebrating St Patrick’s Day in the heart of their city
Whether you’re standing on Fifth Avenue (above) or are St Patrick Day celebrations are a truly unforgettable
tle workshop and Irish language lessons on the agenda, along with crafts, films and a good old music seisiun, too. For those with an interest in film, the Craic Festival series (presented by Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey) starts on March 6. It’s a three-day event that takes place at the Tribeca Cinemas at 54 Varick Street, celebrating the newest generation of Irish filmmakers. Highlights include the opening night US premiere of Danny Boy, starring Gabriel Byrne, and the US premiere of 14 Days, directed by Dermot Lavery. The Craic Music series also runs from March 7-8, and is bound to bring in the crowds with the line-up that is headlined by The Rubber Bandits and Duke Special.
To follow your cultural adventures, there’s always a good Irish bar around the corner for a pint of Guinness and a little visit back to Irish soil. One of New York’s most historical offerings is McSorley’s Old Ale House on 7th Street. Established in 1864, it’s NYC’s oldest “Irish” tavern, and has seen the likes of Abe Lincoln and John Lennon – and a host of civil rights and union movement activists – pass through its doors. T hink “sawduststrewn floors and history-patched walls” - it wasn’t until the 1970s that women were even allowed to enter! In fact, a visit over Paddy’s weekend coincides conveniently with the much-celebrated St Paddy’s “Luck of the Irish” pub crawl
27 February 2014 GAZETTE 23
GAZETTE
fast
Travel
TRAVEL NEWS For Mother’s Day, whisk her off to Dubai’s sun
Treat your mum in a million to a break in the glorious sun NATALIE BURKE
WITH just weeks to go until Mother’s Day, now is as good a time as any to pencil in the all-important March 30 date in your diary. If you’re tempted to give mum a well-earned break away, there are plenty of getaway options and last-minute deals with the Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA) out there to show her your appreciation. If you’re looking for the perfect trip for a mother-daughter getaway, take her for a sevennight getaway to Morocco, for just €449 per person. The Agadir Beach in Morocco won the TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Award in 2013 due to its unspoilt beauty and stunning sunsets, making it the ideal place to plan your holiday. Stay in the Argana Hotel, located just 300m from the sea, with its own swimming pool, wellness centre, poolside gym and sauna. You can even treat Mum to a new ’do, with a hairdressers on site, too. Nearby, the La Medina D’Agadir is a must-visit village, full of arts and crafts stalls set amongst stunning architecture. For just €449PP, departing on March 29, travellers can avail of seven nights’ accommodation, return flights, checked in luggage, transfers and breakfast each morning. For further information on this offer, that is available from TravelAgent.ie, see: http://itaa.ie/ mothers-day-gift-morocco/.
taking in the sights elsewhere in the city, New York’s experience. Pictures: Shane Dillon
( w w w. p u b c r aw l . com). The event takes place this year on Saturday, March 25, taking in bars such as the Village Pourhouse, Traffic East and American Whiskey, and tickets must be purchased in advance. However, if your idea of culture is soaking up the sights of the city rather than the closest bar, then perhaps a ramble through the Little Ireland district of the Lower East Side could be the order of the day. Big Onion Walking Tours (www.bigonion. com) host a special St Patrick’s Weekend Irish New York tour, taking you right through the role of Irish immigrants in the history of New York City. The Lower East Side is said to have boasted more Irish residents than Dublin during the 19th cen-
tury, and walking tours take place on March 15 and March 16. As for where to stay, just one block away from the main parade route lies The Hotel @ Times Square – a trendy boutique hotel located in midtown Manhattan. Located just a few blocks away from the Irish Art Centre, and a short subway ride from the Tribeca Cinemas, the hotel offers complimentary continental breakfast, wi-fi and phone calls nationwide. You can stay for about €142 (at current exchange rates) per person, based on double occupancy in March. For further information or to make a booking, see www.applecorehotels.com/the-hotelat-times-square, or call 0044 808 178 6363. (Note that flights and transfers not included.)
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Sheraton Hotel in downtown Chi-
see www.thomascook.ie.
Delight at a trip to Dubai Alternatively, why not travel that bit further and whisk your mum in a million to Dubai for a weekend getaway? A city of striking contrasts, Dubai is one place where modern sophistication meets beautiful tradition. (Think: shopping, great food and sunshine.) Depart on March 28 for just €696PP and let the team at Orient Travel (www.orienttravel.ie) tailormake your holiday, taking in a half-day city tour, a 4X4 desert safari, a show cruise dinner and return flights, staying at the three-star Ewa Hotel. For further information, see http://itaa.ie/dubaicity-break-for-mothers-day-4-days-from-e696-pps. For other special offers from ITAA, see www.itaa. ie/offers.
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24 Gazette 27 February 2014
OUT&ABOUT Patent leather clutch €89
Yellow dress with draped neck (TBA) Draped neck sleeveless top with drawstring €55
Cut-out cuff €29
Just Yellow circle cut skirt €125
Honeycomb knit sky blue zip-up drop shoulder cardigan €89
Floral print sweater €69
be COS! While music lovers get used to their favourite music store moving premises, fashion followers are only too happy with their new neighbours as COS gets set to open its first standalone store. Tower Records has left the building and has taken up space on Dawson Street leading the way for a new brand to make itself known in the iconic spot. COS has found some fierce following in Ireland thanks to its concessions in BT2 in Grafton Street and Dundrum, and in Brown Thomas in Cork and Galway, making way for its next chapter – to open a standalone store. And it’s almost here. The store will be located on Wicklow Street mixing well in the main shopping area, alongside both highend brands and boutique labels. The store, which plans to open in spring, will be spread across 574m over two floors. It will feature the full collections of womenswear,
menswear and childrenswear and will open with the fresh and dynamic spring summer 2014 collection comprising bold shapes and soft colours. Marie Honda, COS overall brand responsible, said of the expansion: “Since opening our first COS concession in Ireland in 2010, we have been fortunate that the brand has received such a positive response. We hope our customers will continue to enjoy the brand, the collection and the new store.” Remaining aligned with the COS aesthetic, the store interior will focus on the use of natural materials and stylish minimal features, creating a relaxing and enjoyable shopping environment for all. The store interior will be an example of the brand’s second generation design concept, redeveloped over the years to ensure modernity. For further fashion news from COS see: cosstores.com
Cut-away silk cotton aqua dress with draped pockets and skirt €125
27 February 2014 GAZETTE 25
GAZETTE
STYLE
A symphony of colours for spring wit h Jessica Nails ADD a splash of colour to hands and feet with irresistible shades from Jessica Nail’s coral symphony range. Pastel and coral can be seen on catwalks across the globe as we hit the spring season, while lilac adds a burst of spring time to any look. Nails are great for adding a splash of the season’s favourite palette. Jessica Nails spring 2014 palette, Coral Symphony, is inspired by oceanic corals and blooms. There are six uplifting, spring time shades that perfectly capture the hottest catwalk colours of the season.
Clours include Conch Shell, a pretty pink ,while Starfish Glow is a vibrant hot pink. Ocean Bloom is a lively lilac that will add a colour pop. The collection also includes Ocean Bloom, Tropical Sunset, - a beautiful coral tone and Sharktooth continuing the white nail trend. Coral Symphony is also available in 3 week GELeration. Price: Jessica Nails Coral Symphony range €12.95 for custom colours and €25 for GELeration. Jessica Nails are available from salons nationwide and online at www. frenchbeautyroom.com. Jessica Nails: offerings inspired by corals and blooms
BEAUTY news Keep your feet neat with Micro Pedi IT’S a tough life juggling work, families and domestic bliss and Irish mothers can often feel the strain on their feet. From shopping, cooking, cleaning and carrying out chores, mothers are on their feet almost all day. So why not encourage mum to put up her feet this Mother’s Day with a gift of a Micro Pedi? This revolutionary at-home pedicure device, that’s fast and easy to use, giving salon standard results every time. This handbag-sized, portable device will remove even the roughest of skin, leaving beautifully, soft skin on heels, soles and toes. The Micro Pedi system has a unique micro-mineral roller which safely, gently and effectively buffs away hard, jagged and rough skin giving immediate, lasting results, leaving a mum’s feet instantly softer and smoother. The Emjoi Micro Pedi is available from Boots, leading pharmacies nationwide and online from www. micropedi.ie The Micro Pedi is priced at €39.95 and replacement rollers also available for €14.95
Style Saturday events at the Kilkenny Shop MAKE room in the diary for the Style Saturdays events taking place in the Kilkenny Shop Nassau Street every Saturday until March 22. From 12 noon to 4pm, top Irish designers will be in store to give customers expert style advice on the latest season trends as well as showcasing looks from their own spring summer collections. Fiona Heaney, founder of renowned Irish label Fee G, started Style Saturdays in the Kilkenny Shop February 22, while Aideen Bodkin, Jennifer Rothwell, Niamh O’Neill and design duo Lennon Courtney are also scheduled for the coming weeks. Learn how to dress from the experts with Style Saturdays at Kilkenny. No booking is necessary to attend these free events – for further details on dates and times, visit www.kilkennyshop.com or ask in store. Dates for your diary - March 1: Aideen Bodkin; March 8: Jennifer Rothwell; March 15: Niamh O’Neill and March 22: Lennon Courtney
Gazette
26 Gazette 27 February 2014
OUT&ABOUT
Theatre Damien Devaney, one of the lead actors in The Bridge Below The Town
tale of 1950s love set to tour the country Bairbre Ni Bhraonain
SET in a small town in 1950s Ireland, Pat McCabe’s The Bridge Below The Town is a tale of the power of love and a couple’s triumph over great adversity. Livin’ Dred Theatre Company will tour the play, stopping in 10 theatres around Ireland in March and April, starting with a performance in its home county, Cavan, before travelling on to eight others, with two dates in Dublin. This new production of the play is directed by Padraic McIntyre, and includes actors such as Malcolm Adams (of Ripper Street fame), Gina Moxley (Game of Thrones, Stardust, The Butcher Boy), Damian Devaney (The Clinic, Raw), Janet Moran (Trivia, Love/Hate, Breakfast on Pluto), Roseanna Purcell and Barbara Bergin (The Snapper, Intermission, Love is the Drug). The Bridge Below the Town comes to the Pavilion for two dates on March 25 and 26, and the show will end its tour in Tallaght’s Civic Theatre, with a run starting on April 1 and ending on April 5. Tickets costing €18 and €16 are available from the Pavilion Theatre at www.paviliontheatre.ticketsolve. com, and from the Civic Theatre at www. civictheatre.ie.
ARTS
book review: rebel romancy
History is the star in uneven love story Bairbre Ni Bhraonain
A C H U R C H T OW N resident and engineering academic at UCD has taken a leap into the unsure waters of writing historical novels. Writing his historical novels from a deep love of Irish history, which began as a hobby, and originally from Galway, Paul B McNulty now lives in Churchtown. His latest novella, A Rebel Romance, is set during the 1798 Rebellion, one of Ireland’s many disastrous attempts at revolution against the British. The story follows on from McNulty’s previous novel, Spellbound by Sibella, and depicts the love story of Sibella’s illegitimate daughter, Cecilia Lynch. The heroine of the story, Cecilia lives in relative luxury as the illegitimate daughter of a baronet and an exotic mother who has a history of dabbling in witchcraft. Cecilia meets an eligible young man in John Moore, a United Irishman who goes on to be appointed president
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‘Another troubling feature with the book was the stilted dialogue, which was McNulty’s attempt at an approximation of how the Irish landed gentry spoke in the 18th century’
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of Connaught by General Humbert in the briefly-established Irish republic during the 1798 Rebellion. H e av y t h e m e s o f illegitimacy, women’s rights and democracy are all woven together in the novella, although the story cannot bear the weight or breadth of such matters. T here are several problems with the story, not least the galloping pace which takes us from introductions to the characters through
to their love stor y, the rebellion, battles, imprisonment and the dramatic conclusion in huge leaps. As such, McNulty’s choice of the novella is surprising for such a sprawling tale. The literary form of the novella is quite an antiquated one, and it is rare to come across it today. T he novella was always a curious hybrid, as it was born in the 14th centur y from a need to extend a short story. It is therefore a very specific medium, and was best exampled by Henry James’ Turn of the Screw, Kafka’s Metamorphosis and George Orwell’s Animal Farm. Another troubling feature with the book is the stilted dialogue McNulty’s attempt at an approximation of how the Irish landed gentry spoke in the 18th century. One of the most remarkable examples of this occurs during a scene where Moore produces a bottle of champagne to toast his and Cecilia’s engagement, and she says: “Are you
The cover of Paul B McNulty’s new historical novella, A Rebel Romance, set in 1798
going to offer me a celebratory potation?” This is surprising as although McNulty has a good grasp of Irish history on a grand scale, there is however enough historical source material (through prodigious amounts of correspondence from that era) to gauge how people naturally spoke to each other on a daily basis. On the positive side, A Rebel Romance is the kind of light read that many people enjoy and takes the reader back to a more genteel time. McNulty is also a keen amateur historian, and by setting his stories against the backdrop of Irish historical events, he not only educates the reader but also depicts many important turning
The novella’s author, Paul B McNulty
points in Irish history which have never been tackled in literature, and especially not from
the Irish perspective. A Rebel Romance is available on Amazon and costs €4.99.
27 February 2014 Gazette 27
Gazette
FOOD&DRINK BITESIZEDNEWS
The atmospheric vault bar at ely in the IFSC is a great setting for an upcoming fundraising banquet
L’Ecrivain
French restaurant
Lower Baggot Street Standing on the site of two former Georgian coach houses/mews, the multiple award-winning French
restaurant L’Ecrivain
has had several updates over the years, but retains its reputation for some of the best food in Dublin
The Picky Eater AFTER weeks of perpetual rain and floods, we finally decided to venture out for a bite to eat, and plumped for a stalwart of the Irish food scene, and made reservations for L’Ecrivain. Brollies in hand, we set off for the Lower Baggot Street establishment, which has fed the great and the good of Dublin for close to 25 years. Packed out on a Tuesday night, the dining room was abuzz with couples and suits coming straight from work. In one corner, the editorial team of a rival paper were guzzling vast amounts of red wine poured from huge decanters that were almost as big as the diminutive sommelier. L’Ecrivain is always a great place for peoplewatching, and so we took our time in ordering, soaking up the atmosphere and the room. As a centrepiece, the main dining area has a huge Knuttel carpet
adorning its wall, and this draws the diner’s attention immediately. The place is warm and inviting, and we cosied in for a long evening of good food and chat. After ordering a Pinot Blanc from the Alsace region (€40) we examined the menu closely, but the winning options stood out immediately. For starters, I went for scallops while my companion ordered the rabbit. An amuse bouche – which consisted of something with peas – was my least favourite dish of the night, but things only got immensely better from there. The scallops (€20) were tender, seared to perfection and were served with mushroom and bacon, a shallot puree and fermented scallop brandade. My companion’s loin of rabbit (€17) with bacon and leek farce was outstanding, with a little confit leg tortellino, lentil
ragout and parsley root puree. An unusual palate cleanser consisted of a lemon sorbet that had a creamier texture to most sorbets, and some lemonade-like liquid poured on top. Our waiter recommended that we mix both together and drink it like a shot, which we promptly did and got a lovely icecold, cleansing kick. My main of pork belly (€37) had been slowcooked for 16 hours, and under the crisp crackling, the meat fell away. This was complemented with a carrot and mustard puree and date confit carrots. The accompanying sauerkraut was tangy, and hit the right note with the pork. The meat on my companion’s halibut (€38) was snow-white and flaked into moreish chunks. This was served with haricot beans, smoked eel and a verjus and celeriac puree. A fermented garlic potato dauphine finished
The simple but elegant dish presentation at L’Ecrivain was also of note. Picture: The Picky Eater
off the dish. “Sublime” was her only comment. Enough said! Dessert was a shared chocolate eclair (€13.50) that had notes of coffee, filled with cream and was sprinkled with chocolate coffee beans. It was a nicely-sized dish and was dispatched in a couple of mouthfuls.
The petit fours that come with coffee are always a welcome treat as the finale of a meal, and the chocolate truffle and raspberry macaroons ended a splendid evening in food exploration. For further details on L’Ecrivain, see www.lecrivain.com or call 01 661 1919.
Conclusion THANKS to its masterful mouthfuls, served with an irresistible dash of people-watching, L’Ecrivain (at 109A Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2; tel 01 661 1919) more than lives up to its reputation as a top French restaurant, which oui certainly liked.
A delicious fundraiser to support Barnardos natalie burke
THE ely bar & brasserie at the CHQ building in the IFSC is set to host a unique fundraising evening of food, wine and craft beer modelled on the Crimean War Banquet of 1856. Stack A, as the CHQ building was originally known, was completed in 1821 as a cast-iron, bonded wine, spirits and tobacco warehouse. The 1856 banquet was organised to honour the Irish veterans of the Crimean War. Today, ely is inviting guests to visit its vaulted wine cellars for an evening of history and celebration, beginning with a drinks reception, followed by a feast styled on the 1856 banquet. The ely banquet for Barnardos, the children’s charity, will be held on Thursday, April 10 from 7pm at the ely bar & brasserie in the IFSC. Tickets cost €80 and proceeds raised from ticket sales will go to Barnardos. For further information or to purchase tickets, see www.elywinebar.ie/banquet.
Kids will go nuts for these new fruit snacks DENMARK’S top-selling lunchbox snack, Fruit Heroes, has made its debut in Ireland, offering a delicious and healthily nutricious snack. Primarily targeted at children aged six to 12, and simply designed with a fun cartoon character to reflect their pure and simple ingredients, the Fruit Heroes range features great tasting, healthy and natural pure fruit bars in four flavours: apple and raspberry, banana, blackcurrant and strawberry varieties. Made from freshlypicked and sun-dried fruit, and with no added sugar, preservatives, colourings or artificial ingredients, five-bar multipacks are available in selected Tesco stores around the country for €2.29. For recipes and further information, see www.fruitheroes.ie.
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28 Gazette 27 February 2014
OUT&ABOUT
CINEMA
ReelReviews
UNDER THE SKIN Alien seductress
Under The Skin is the long-awaited latest visual treat from director Jonathan Glazer (Sexy Beast, Birth). Dark, and at times disturbing, the film sees Scarlett Johansson as an alien who arrives on earth to prey on vulnerable males on the streets of Scotland. The story is left deliberately vague, Johansson’s femme fatale character, Laura, is part of a group of unnamed, unknown aliens who take human form in order to – well it’s not exactly clear what they want to do but it doesn’t look healthy. Laura sets about seducing people at the fringes of society, young people without families, loners, easy targets who won’t be missed. They are disposed of stylistically, wilfully submerged in some otherworldly black stasis that’s never explained. Glazer and cinematographer Daniel Landin have created a wonderfully intoxicating, oil-slick, psychedelic world for Johansson to explore. And it is intriguing to watch for a while, especially to a remarkably well-suited soundtrack. But once it becomes clear, around 45 minutes in, that the narrative may also be from outer-space, cleverly attempting to wear the skin of a traditional story then it all begins to crumble. The intended mystery quickly becomes tedious, and at times it seemed Over the Head might have been a better title. There seem to be fleeting glimpses of grander themes on display, and if you really wanted to you could read the film as a form of the classic thought experiment about how our society looks to the outsider, or it could also say something about gender roles in Western culture, or the predatory nature of life, but you would be putting in a lot of work to do so. Verdict: 4/10
Inventor Tim Jenison works on a re-creation of one of Johannes Vermeer’s paintings
TIM’S VERMEER: A creative documentary that examines the artist’s work
Brush up on some art theories Researching the painting techniques of a 17th Century Dutch Master may not sound like your typical cinema fare, but Tim’s Vermeer is an absolute joy for anyone interested in a gripping story. The Tim in question is Tim Jenison, an inventor and founder of Newtek, a company that ushered in a new era of video production in the 1980s, and continues pushing the boundaries of video broadcasting and 3D rendering today. This effectively means as well as having his finger on the pulse of digital imaging, he now has the means and opportunity to pursue some rather quirky personal obsessions - like figuring out how Johannes Vermeer painted such exquisitely detailed images.
Dave phillips
Jenison argues that in paintings such as The Girl with the Pearl Earring, Vermeer creates images in an almost photographic style, capturing the fall-off of light in ways which the human eye doesn’t pick up. Having worked with cameras for all of his professional life, Jenison becomes convinced that Vermeer’s paintings show lighting effects that are only visible through the lens of a camera and hypothesises that either Vermeer had an eye that was drastically differ-
ent to any other human eye, or that he used a camera. The idea that burgeoning camera technolog y was utilised by Vermeer and other painters is not new. As the film details, there is a canon of work showing how the camera obscura has been used across centuries to create incredibly detailed images. Jenison builds on the existing theory firstly by suggesting a unique way a mirror could be used to account for the lighting effects, and secondly by taking on the role of an experimental archaeologist and attempting to put the theory to practice in painstaking detail, despite never having wielded a paintbrush. The film is produced and directed by Penn
and Teller who have been gracing our screens for decades as stage magicians and professional debunkers. At this point they are dab hands at skillfully unravelling a good yarn, and it is evident. Across 80 minutes the film never misses a beat, taking us on the highs and lows of Jenison’s
obsessive journey which sees him travelling around the world in search of answers from artists, scientists, and historians; testing the limits of his (and his family’s) patience in his quest to recreate a Vermeer. Through seeking to physically recreate a Vermeer, Jenison also metaphorically paints a portrait of the artist. T he picture that emerges is one of Vermeer as the archetypal Renaissance man, a polymath who is
both an exceptionally skilled artist and an avid technological tinkerer, a person who is obsessed with the details and possessed of a tenacity to realise them. Despite the centuries and professional labels that adorn them, the two men seem to have a lot in common. Tim’s Vermeer is a film that seeks to shrink the ideological gulf that can exist between high art and technology – it is an engaging, entertaining, and educational underdog story that exposes inextricable links between genius and hard graft. Verdict: 8/10
Nicely echoing our other review starring Scarlett Johansson this week, here she is in the recent hit film about one of Vermeer’s best-known paintings, The Girl with the Pearl Earring
27 February 2014 GAZETTE 29
INTERVIEW: THE GAZETTE TALKS TO FORMER WESTLIFE STAR
Filan great about his hot new album ROB HEIGH rheigh@gazettegroup.com
THE process of leaving world-conquering bands and heading off on your own is beset on all sides by the car wrecks of failed solo careers. However, someone who has navigated the choppy early waters of the solo life, delivering a solid first album and selling tens of thousands of tickets to loyal fans, is former Westlife singer, Shane Filan. He exclusively spoke to Gazette Music ahead of the start of his first-ever British and Irish tour in Liverpool last Thursday, which will end in a three-day celebration at the Olympia on March 11, 12 and 13. He said: “I’m really excited ahead of the first show in Liverpool; I don’t know what to expect. It’s the first-ever Shane Filan concert, which is kind of weird. “It’s hitting home that I’m on my own solo tour now, and it’s really exciting,” he said. Having had a long career with Westlife, and having taken to considerably bigger stages than the ones he will stand on in the coming weeks, Shane said he was a little nervous ahead of the tour. He said: “I’m playing in theatres, playing to 2,000
GAZETTE
MUSIC&ENTS CELEBRITYspy
with Q102’s Rebecca Lee
Oh, baby! Simon will be kept X-tra busy IT’S certainly been a busy week for Simon Cowell, between becoming a father and announcing his return to the X-Factor UK. The X-Factor judge is said to be ecstatic following the birth of his son Eric, with girlfriend Lauren Silverman. He’s also expressed his excitement about returning to the X-Factor UK after a three-year break. Britain’s Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon believes Simon’s return is vital in bringing life back to the show. She told Dublin’s Q102 she feels Simon will help rake in the viewers and talent.
BEYONCE’S going to be one minted miss when she wraps up her world tour. It’s estimated the Bootylicious singer will have earned a cool €146 million by the time it ends in March. The tours unsurprisingly is set to be the most successful of her career. She not only stars in the show, but serves as its director and executive producer (how amazing is she?)
HUGH Jackman says he’s looking forward to hosting the Tony Awards again. The star is set to MC Broadway’s biggest event in New York this June. Jackman announced the news in a tweet; it’ll be his fourth time hosting the event.
On recording his new, solo album, You And Me (right) in Nashville, Shane Filan said: “I got to write with some amazing writers. I found my sound, and I love the country-pop style.”
to 3,000 people a night, which to me, right now, feels like 80,000.” Before becoming a solo artist, Shane was able to prepare for the future while still in Westlife as they made the announcement of their split some eight months ahead of going their separate ways. He said: “Once we decided we were going to split as a band, we all started planning what we were going to do, and for me the only thing I wanted to do was sing. “So I mentally had to prepare for that – for the end of Westlife. It was a daunting thing to walk out of such a massive band and take on a new role and stand on the stage on my own.
“The band ended and all the other stuff that happened – financially, I wasn’t in a good place – it was a scary time for me. I had no certainty going forward, as I had no record deal and no songs. “But, once the process [of recording the album, You And Me] started last January, that was it,” he said.
Nashville The record is a set of bright and catchy pop songs with a country tinge, something that came from Shane’s experience working and writing new music in Nashville, which inspired and gave him confidence in his solo venture, as well as giving it a clear direc-
tion. He said: “I was three or four weeks into the writing process, and the record company booked me to go to Nashville. That, straight away, was daunting, as it is where some of the best songwriters in the world live, so you can’t go over there and not come back with something. “It was a bit of pressure straight away, and I was thrown in at the deep end, but I learned a lot. I got to write with some amazing writers. I found my sound, and I love the country-pop style.” With such a vast back catalogue of tracks as well as his new solo material, Shane said he found it tricky to pick the ideal set list for the tour.
“It’s not just about performing your songs, you need to make it a show, make it interesting and exciting, up-tempo and ballads as well. “I think it’s a good set list; there are a lot of Westlife numbers [too], which I think is important. I have tried to make them fit in to my style of music, changing them here and there, and the set list really flows now.” As for ending the tour in Dublin, Shane says that he was delighted that he got such support from his home audience that he was able to add the additional shows when the first one sold out. He said: “No better place to finish it up. The Olympia is such an iconic venue!
MAN of the moment Robert Sheehan has been busy scouting locations in India for his new movie. The ex Love/Hate star has been checking out locations in Goa with his production team for his new film, Jet Trash. The 26-year-old has been filming projects non-stop since he was killed off in the hit TV series more than a year ago.
VOICE of Ireland winner Keith Hanley says he doesn’t hear from Jamelia any more. The 2013 winner, who was carried through the show by the superstar singer, told me they’ve cut ties. Keith made the comments during a chat about his new single, Blue, which has just been released on iTunes. He told me it doesn’t bother him that they’ve gone their separate ways, and that he feels Jamelia did her best while they were working together on the show.
Gazette
30 Gazette 27 February 2014
OUT&ABOUT
TECHNOLOGY
APPSWATCH
Yes, you could stand out in the street looking for bus updates – or you could just glance at the same info on your phone
REASONS TO BE APPY
Beat – or avoid – the traffic with these downloads GIVEN the continuing inexorable rise of smartphone and tablets all around us – frankly, you can hardly hop on the bus or Luas any more without someone almost poking your eye out as they play Candy Crush Saga (see below right), let’s look at some of the useful apps for the city’s travellers. A surprising number of people still don’t have these useful apps, so don’t put off installing them any longer, and help to make your commuting life a little easier. Whether you’re an experienced app-ster, or late to jump on the tech bus, there should be something here for you ... SPEAKING of buses, the official Dublin Bus app (free, IOS, Android) is a must. Just a tiny bit clunkier to use than it should be, it’s nevertheless a must-have for bus users, as it provides the very latest updates on when your next bus(es) are due to depart, based on the GPStech that the bus fleet uses. As it uses the same GPS data that the real-time stops display, it can be a little prone to the same “ghost buses” issues that randomly hit them, but it remains a consistently useful, if not essential app nonetheless. FOR those looking to jump on board the rush-hour sardine tins otherwise known as the Luas, you’re in luck – Luas (free, IOS, Android) is worth making tracks to, as it’s another pretty useful app for that service’s users. It has the same real-time updates for the next tram along the Red or Green line, along with associated useful data. Again, another must-have for regular travellers. CAR users enjoying traversing the biggest mobile car park in Europe (otherwise known as the M50), or those who are competing in the daily “Who can take the slowest trip along the Quays?” contest will have plenty of time to browse through the useful AA Ireland Breakdown & Traffic app (free, IOS, Android). If you tire of customising the app with your own AA info (just in case you ever need to worry about such matters as help in a breakdown, renewing your tax, setting an NCT reminder and so on), you can also read the latest Roadwatch traffic updates – perfect for learning all about the jam you could have avoided two miles back if you’d just checked your app in time. IF YOU’RE one of the many people spotted risking life and limb on two wheels in town – I salute your braveness, one and all – Dublin Bikes is indeed a great facility to have. Apps for it … not so much. Appsolute Editions’ Dublinbikes (free, IOS, Android) seems to have a mixture of 50:50 happy/dissatisfied users at present. In theory, the app tells you how many available bikes/free slots are at the stations around town, but in practice, the data updates may not be the most reliable. In common with all these apps, there’s room for improvement. And, for all the motoring apps, there’s vroom for improvement.
Tech watchers and business analysts are peering into their crystal balls, attempting to calculate what will happen to WhatsApp – the extremely popular mobile messaging service – following its sale to Facebook for $19bn. Illustration: Shane Dillon
communications: why facebook paid €19bn for company
WhatsApp with that deal? WHENEVER you hop onto Dublin Bus or the Luas at the moment, you’ll easily see two apps in widespread use on smartphones – Candy Crush Saga (see below), and WhatsApp. For those who may be new to smartphones – even today, there are still many who are – WhatsApp is a free (for the first year; minimal charge thereafter) messenger app that uses 3G or Wifi to send free texts and other media contact to anyone using the same app – thus completely bypassing mobile carrier services. Until very recently, WhatsApp had a comparatively low profile, without any of the social buzz surrounding the likes of Instagram, Snap-
shane dillon
sdillon@gazettegroup.com
chat, or Facebook. Speaking of which … Enter MarkZuckerberg, Facebook’s founder, who made a pretty astonishing deal in late February to buy WhatsApp for the Dr Evil-ish sum of $19bn (in euro by my calculations, that’s … a lot of money). “Facebook buys WhatsApp for $19bn” is a headline that’s been widely reported, and which you may have already seen. However, there’s been a comparative lack of insight into why Face-
book paid such an eyebrow-raising figure for an app that doesn’t generate any major revenue at present. Gazing into The Gazette’s crystal ball, and using the same finelyhoned guesstimate skills that tech watchers and financial analysts are using at the moment, I can confidently gues- err, predict that this latest tech acquisition was a tactical move by Facebook. After all, while Facebook has leapt into the public eye and imagination in recent years, there are certain markets – such as across various Asian countries, for example – where its uptake hasn’t been as rapid, or unchallenged. In such sectors, What-
sApp (and similar services) have a strong presence, with communications messengers providing a bigger challenge to social media than in our Western markets. Bearing this in mind, WhatsApp’s acquisition is a way to further bolster the Facebook brand globally, and especially in such comparatively weaker markets. For now, the $19bn deal – comprising a hefty chunk of money up front, stock shares and further payments down the road – sees Facebook as owner of the hugely-successful messenger service. With that, it can be presumed to start automatically data-mining all of the data exchanges that WhatsApp users have
been sending for a few years. Armed with this data, Facebook could work on further refining its advertising strategies and algorithms, as well as seeking to further monetise WhatsApp (possibly by introducing tailored advertising to the currently adsfree, streamlined app) while a wild card guess could see WhatsApp integrated into Facebook – all of which add value to the overall Facebook brand. In the short term, it seems like a crazy figure to have paid out, but in the long run, it could turn out to be a prescient purchase for Facebook. And, at least it didn’t pay a truly ridiculous price for the company like, say, $20bn …
PRETTY SWEET FINANCIAL FIGURES BEHIND CANDY CRUSH SAGA HAVING surpassed Angry Birds in the public consciousness, the nearly-ubiquitous Candy Crush Saga has some impressive economic statistics behind its candy-swapping gameplay. Recent reports reveal that its maker, King Digital Entertainment, is currently pulling in about €580,000 ($600k) a day from the title – a pretty sweet set-up for King, or any gaming business.
The game’s currently sitting near the top of the food chain when it comes to the free-to-play gaming business model, whereby a game is free to download and play, but if just 1% of its daily players decide that they’d like to pay a small fee to unlock extra game features – well, it’s not hard to see how the figures could be a delicious package for potential investors to take a bite at.
So, given some of these hard-boiled financial figures behind the smash-hit phone and tablet game, King has filed an IPO in America, seeking to pull in an initial $500m. Based on its huge number of Irish fans, Candy Crush Saga is unlikely to be running at a floss – sorry, loss for quite some time ...
27 February 2014 Gazette 31
32 Gazette 27 February 2014
Gazette
&ABOUT OUT road NOISE
Ford EcoSport SUV
Delorentos set to have sport with Ford – Ole ole ole! Irish band Delorentos are taking part in an exclusive concert hosted by Ford later this month. Taking place on February 26 in Barcelona, the concert will be broadcast live on Spotify and streamed live on Ford Europe’s YouTube channel. The event, that also features such acts as Natalie McCool from the UK; and Mickael Miro from France, will mark the launch of “EcoSport Live!” an innovative social media campaign built around the all-new Ford EcoSport. For “EcoSport Live!” Ford will loan 100 new Ford EcoSport SUVs for up to six months to music, fashion, food and sport bloggers from 10 European countries; they will share their experiences through social media. The bloggers – who will share their experiences of the car on social media – will test Ford’s new in-car connectivity system Ford SYNC with AppLink, which enables drivers to voice-activate apps from such providers as Spotify, Radioplayer and Audioteka while on the move. Ford also will announce special EcoSport Live! events in each of the 10 countries – including local challenges and celebrity drives – that will take place throughout the year. “We’re excited about EcoSport Live! because it puts our new EcoSport SUV and SYNC with AppLink in the hands of some of the most creative and socially connected people in Europe and they decide what they create and share,” said Roelant de Waard, vice president, marketing, sales and service, Ford of Europe. “A concert with 10 great up-and-coming new acts that is available to everyone online is a great way to kick off EcoSport Live!” A growing number of service providers has already confirmed they are enabling their apps to work with Ford SYNC with Voice Control and AppLink in Europe. Ford has previously announced apps from ADAC; Audioteka; Cityseeker by Wcities; Die Welt; Eventseeker by Wcities; Glympse; Hotels.com; Kaliki; Spotify; Radioplayer and TomTom.
opel meriva: more efficient, more functional and better looking
Gold cert and the stars well earned cormac curtis
Opel have made some changes to its popular Meriva, making the car more efficient, better looking and more functional. Gazette motoring will carry a full road test of the car once it becomes available, but in the meantime we have the latest specs and features of the versatile MPV. Launching on these shores in April, the new Meriva will be available from a lower price of €18,995. On the exterior the Meriva, stands out with a crisper design, new chrome accents and newly designed front and rear lights. Opel’s new generation 1.6 136hp turbo diesel engine is introduced, this is the quietest and most efficient engine in the class, consuming as low as 3.8 litres per 100km and qualifies in vehicle road tax band A4 (€200). Later this year and for the first time in a petrol
or diesel MPV, emissions will go under 100g– with just 99g/km CO2 when a 1.6 CDTi 110hp variant is introduced. The Meriva comes with features such as: rear-hinged FlexDoors to make access easier, variable rear seating system called FlexSpace, ergonomic front seats and numerous storage solutions. Opel’s very own FlexFix, a fully integrated, rear-end bicycle carrier system is ideal for active individuals and families. The new IntelliLink multimedia system is also introduced, allowing the streaming of music and calls through Bluetooth phones, tablets or portable devices. Voice commands for navigation, phone calls and music tracks have also been introduced. It will even display texts to stay connected throughout every journey. The new Meriva has achieved the maximum five star result in the Euro NCAP crash test. Additionally, in the new Ger-
man TÜV Report 2014 found that the Meriva was found to be the car with the lowest defect rate and also best quality among two to three year old vehicles and even beat other manufactures in the premium segment for this accolade, as a result it has been awarded the TÜV Gold Certificate. Trim options for the Meriva are:
Entry Model S: Features daytime running lights, FlexSpace adjustable rear seats, FlexFloor – an adjustable luggage compartment floor that can be lowered to give you more load height and volume, CD with USB for iPod/ MP3 player and aux-in sockets, electric front windows and heated door Mirrors, door-to-door illumination, remote central dead locking and driver’s seat height adjuster, electronic stability programme-plus and an anti-lock braking system. Best Selling SC Trim: Adds additional features
Opel’s new generation 1.6 136hp turbo diesel engine is the quietest and most efficient engine in the class
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The Meriva, stands out with a crisper design, new chrome accents and newly designed front and rear lights
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such as air conditioning, cruise control, activesafety front seat head restraints, FlexRail centre console system featuring aluminium rails and sliding tray/cup holder, Full-size curtain airbags, active-safety front seat head restraints, steering wheel mounted audio controls, ambient lighting in centre console, front seat back pockets, 12-volt electrical accessory socket in rear centre console, rear courtesy lights, Remote control security alarm system on 1.6CDTi models. Premium SE Trim: Add addional features from SC such as; Panoramic glass roof with
electrically operated sunshade, 17-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels, front fog lights with chrome surrounds, dark-tinted rear windows, multi-function trip computer, electrically operated rear windows, leather-covered steering wheel, leather-covered gear knob (manual models only), front sliding centre storage module with armrest and lid, aviation-style folding trays on front seat backs, driver’s under seat storage box, front passenger’s under seat storage tray, front and rear door sill step plates, full body-colour door mirrors, chromeeffect lower side-window mouldings.
27 February 2014 Gazette 33
Gazette
MOTORS
audi tt: the love affair continues
Taut, muscular, athletic, poised – what’s not to like? cormac curtis
THE Audi TT - it’s already been a huge success, and Irish motorists have been enjoying a love affair with it from day one. Now it’s time for the next incarnation. Taut and muscular, athletic and poised: the new Audi TT will be making its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show next week. In anticipation of its release, Audi have released this stunning concept of the car to give an idea of what to expect. For the third generation of the compact sports car, the designers have reinterpreted a host of ideas from the first TT generation from 1998 – in a dynamic, diverse way. The front end of the new Audi TT has dominant horizontals. The single-frame grille is broad and flat. Two contours form a V-pattern over the engine hood. The position of the four rings is also new: they now sit centrally on the hood, echoing the R8. Struts divide the large
air inlets. The headlights repeat this motif – they are structured with divider struts acting as reflectors for the daytime running light. Audi can supply the headlights as an option with LED technology or its pioneering Matrix LED technology, where controllable individual light-emitting diodes generate the main beam. Many details of the new Coupe’s profile are reminiscent of the first generation’s classic design. The sill contour forms a powerful light edge and the wide wheel arches constitute distinct geometrical entities. At the front, the wheel arch intersects the hood join, which continues over the door as the tornado line and extends all the way to the rear. The flat greenhouse looks like an entity in its own right. The shape of the C-post, with a slight kink, gives the TT a powerful, athletic look and enhances the impression of tension. At the rear, too, horizontal lines reinforce the wide, sporty impression. The struts in the
rear lights pick up on the headlights’ motif. They remain permanently on – another Audi innovation. The third brake light with a flat strip shape links the two units on either side. All engine versions have two large, round exhaust tailpipes in the diffuser. Like all Audi S models, the TTS features four tailpipes. Inside, too, the styling is so light it almost seems to float, evoking the clean sports car character of the new Audi TT. The centre console and door trims have flowing, matching shapes. The round air vents, a classic TT feature, evoke the engines and incorporate the air conditioning controls. This solution – and the elimination of the central MMI monitor, now replaced by the Audi virtual cockpit – pave the way for the dashboard’s slim architecture. The third generation of the Audi TT, the design icon, has been systematically refined in every department, both inside and out – resulting in a pedigree sports car.
The new Audi TT will be making its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show next week
34 GAZETTE 27 February 2014
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DUN LAOGHAIRE RATHDOWN COUNTY COUNCIL
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Planning Permission is sought for change of use from a vacant Doctors Surgery to a 1 Bedroom Apartment at 27 Johnstown Road, Dunlaoghaire, Co Dublin, By Dr Olivia Muldoon. The planning application may be inspected or purchased for a fee not exceeding a reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Authority, County Hall, DĂşn Laoghaire during its public opening hours. A submission/observation may be made on payment of a fee of â‚Ź20 within a period of 5 weeks from the date the application is received by the Planning Authority.
We Kevin & Michelle Sheridan are applying to Dun Laoghaire Rathdow n County Council for alterations and extensions to existi n g d we l l i n g w h i c h include the following:1.Extension to side and rear of dwelling 2.Relocation of existing entrance all with associated site works at No. 219 New Vale, Shankill, Dublin. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority, County Hall, DĂşn Laoghaire during its public opening hours.A submission/observation may be made on payment of â‚Ź20 within a period of 5 weeks from the date the application is received by the planning authority.
I Gabrielle Hancock am applying for planning permission for a single storey side extension with a rear dormer roof, new roof lights and internal alterations at 11 Beech Grove, Boterstown, County Dublin. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority, County Hall, DĂşn Laoghaire during its public opening hours. A submission/ observation may be made on payment of â‚Ź20 within a period of 5 weeks from the date the application is received by the planning authority.
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I Dermod Flynn intend to apply for retention permission for development at this site. 11 Shanganagh Vale, Cabinteely, Dublin 18. The development consists of the retention of the single storey extensions to the side and rear of the existing dwelling including roof lights and all associated site works. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority, County Hall, Dun Laoghaire during its public opening hours. A submission/observation may be made on payment of â‚Ź20 within a period of 5 weeks from the date the application is received by the planning authority.
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27 February 2014 GAZETTE 35
CROWDFUNDING P37
ASDFSDAF P27 GAELIC GAMES P39
DUBLINSPORT Let the Gazette keep you up to date with all the best local sporting action from around the city as we cover all the stories that matter to you and your community
GAZETTE
SPORTS AWARDS P36
FastSport DUBLIN HAILS O’DRISCOLL IN RUGBY SURVEY:
St Pat’s Athletic players Ger O’Brien and Killian Brennan (inset) who have both been nominated for Airtricity Player of the Year. Main picture: Billy Galligan
SOCCER: FAI SHORTLISTS SHOWS RANGE OF LOCAL FLAIR PRESENT ON WORLD STAGE
Dublin talent aplenty on list of international nominees A WEALTH of Dubs and Dublin-based players have been named on the shortlists for the 24th annual Three FAI International Football Awards, which will take place on Sunday, March 2 at RTE Studios, Donnybrook. St Patrick’s Athletic duo Killian Brennan and Ger O’Brien have both been rewarded for excellent seasons with a spot on the SSE Airtricity League Player of the Year shortlist. They helped the Inchicore side land the League of Ireland title and are on the list with former Crumlin United man Richie Towell completing the line-up following a fine 2013 with Dundalk. Tallaght man Robbie Keane is up for
both senior international player of the year along with Three International Goal of the Year. He is up against former Belvedere and Shelbourne man Wes Hoolahan in the latter shortlist for his first international strike against Poland. On the women’s side, Peamount’s Julie-Ann Russell will battle it out with former club mate Louise Quinn – who now plays in Sweden – for the women’s player of the year gong. They are joined on that list by US-based Shannon Smyth. In the underage categories, Sam Byrne – formerly of St Joseph’s Boys – is in the Under-19 selection courtesy of his performances in the international side while
he has impressed in the Manchester United as he notched several goals for the reserves. Belvedere’s Pierce Sweeney is also an Under-19 nominee while Shane Griffin makes up the trio. Byrne’s Joey’s club mate Katie McCabe – now with Raheny - is in line for the girl’s equivalent Under-19 title along with her current club mate Claire Shine. Going down the age groups, St Kevin’s Boy’s Jack Byrne and Stella Maris’ Cody Mulhall are Under-17 boys nominees; Keeva Keenan from WFTA and subsequently Shelbourne is nominated in the Under-17 girls category. At Under-16 level, Malahide United’s Robert Duggan and St Kevin’s Anthony
Dolan are included, too. Of the Junior internationals, Sherriff YC’s Darren Dunne flies the Dublin flag while Martin Cramer’s performances for Crumlin saw him get one of the three shortlist spots in the intermediate player of the year. Three nominations were chosen across the categories by a panel from the Soccer Writers’ Association of Ireland. Also at the awards, a former Republic of Ireland great will be inducted into the FAI’s Hall of Fame, while there will also be a Special Merit Award, and an International Personality of the Year Award, all of which will be announced at the event.
DUBLIN rugby giant Brian O’Driscoll was announced as the nation’s greatest-ever back according to a survey released by IRFU community partner and sponsor of the 6 Nations, Ulster Bank. The survey, based on responses from across the country revealed O’Driscoll as Ireland’s best back of all-time, with 75% of the vote, easily beating Ronan O’Gara in second place with 8%. Clubs can still enter RugbyForce, the Ulster Bank initiative which provides clubs with the opportunity to win support packages for their club, with the top prize of €10,000 and four provincial prizes of €5,000. For further information, log on to www. ulsterbank.com/rugby
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 6230 or 01 651 6205
Gazette
36 Gazette 27 February 2014
SPORT
DublinGazetteNewspapers 2014 dublin sports awards february nominees
ANOTHER month of fantastic Dublin sport to report on, and all this in spite of weather that would otherwise indicate the end of days... or at least the truth of global warming. We have another illustrious set of nominees for the Dublin Sports Awards, featuring a wide array of sports that survived the elements and showed the depth of talent in sport right across the capital. We have a huge amount to look forward to from these stars and teams over the coming months, and we’ll be bringing you all the developments on their respective progress. We’re also delighted to announce that the Dublin Sports Awards for 2013 will have their gala presentation evening on March 27 - more details to come soon.
H STARof the MONTH
stephen mcphail
caroline ryan
sinead DENNY
rush man McPhail made his debut for Shamrock Rovers last week in the quarter-final of the Setanta Sports Cup and made a prodigal return when he scored for his new club in their 5-1 demolition of Belfast side Glentoran.
THE Garda Club cyclist returned to the World number one spot this month in the 3km individual pursuit, a huge confidence boost ahead of her appearance at the 2014 World Track Championships in Colombia.
DSDAC athlete Sinead Denny followed up her successful 2013, where she claimed silver in the 2013 championship and represented Ireland at the European team championships with gold in the 400m at the AAI National Indoor Championships in Athlone.
three rock rovers
collinstown fc
st mochta’s
THREE Rock Rovers Hockey Club brought four decades without the national title to an end this month when they kept their nerve to claim the Irish Senior Cup at Belfield on penalties after they had ended the final against Pembroke Wanderers level at 2-2
Collinstown reached the last eight of the FAI Junior Cup competition for the first time when they defeated Mervue United in a hard-fought encounter that saw the Clondalkin side’s rehearsal of their penalties skills pay off in the shoot-out.
ST MOCHTA’S Sunday Senior 1A side have defied the odds to reach the quarter-final stages of the FAI Intermediate Cup, most recently getting the better of Ulster side Cockhill Celtic 2-0 to set up a showdown with LSL giants Tolka Rovers.
TEAMof the MONTH H
Malahide cricket event wins international recognition sport@gazettegroup.com
The packed crowd at Malahide Cricket Club last September when ireland played England in an ODI
On the same day as Ireland won an historic victory against West Indies in their T20 encounter, Cricket Ireland’s promotion and marketing of the Ireland vs England one-day international won a prestigious ICC global award. The event in September 2013 saw 10,000 fans attend the north county club as part of a record sell-out crowd. Cricket Ireland marketing manager Andrew Leonard said: “We are absolutely delighted
to receive this Global ICC Award. It’s a fantastic honour for everyone at Cricket Ireland, including the volunteers who worked so tirelessly to make the match the undoubted success it was. “That day that will live long in the memory of many Irish cricket fans, with a superb game of cricket being matched by glorious weather, a recordbreaking crowd and the magnificent debut of our newest international venue in Malahide. It was a special day which showed Irish cricket at its very
best.” The support which roared Ireland on that day is hoped to be in place again at Clontarf when the national team meet Sri Lanka in two one-day internationals on May 6 and 8. ICC global development manager Tim Anderson said: “I’m really pleased to congratulate the winners of the Pepsi ICC Development Programme Annual Awards 2013, who have all demonstrated incredible dedication to growing cricket globally. “Cricket Ireland’s sell-out
ODI against England confirmed the major market potential that Ireland has for our game.” This year’s judging panel featured current ICC president Alan Isaac, previous ICC presidents Malcolm Gray, Ehsan Mani, David Morgan and Sharad Pawar, as well as John Stephenson as a representative of the MCC. All Pepsi ICC Development Programme Annual Awards 2013 winners receive a cricket equipment grant to their national cricket body.
27 February 2014 Gazette 37
Gazette
Pledge project aids sport stars’ ambitions Dublin sports people have adopted the new crowd-sourcing approach to realising their dreams, and James Cluskey and Cian Curley explain how it can transform their careers stephen findlater
sport@gazettegroup.com
NINE Irish sports stars have banded together with Pledge Sports in a bid to pursue their sporting dreams, hoping that this new initiative can provide a way to support their elite ambitions. With Irish Spor ts Council funds being shaved year on year and wholesale sponsors diminishing, the initiative provides a platform for “crowd-funding” via their website. It is something that the likes of Dublin triathlete Kevin Thornton, Lucan golfer Cian Curley, Swords tennis player James Cluskey and Aer Lingus swimming Olympian Barry Murphy have all jumped on board. It has enjoyed success in the US to date, open-
ing a portal for athletes to receive funding from fans and commercial sponsors. For Metro St Brigid’s runner John Coghlan, this has already allowed Teneo - a consultancy firm in New York - to provide a donation that pushed him over the 60% of his funding target as he embarks on his first full year as a professional having previously won European gold as part of the Irish Under-23 team. For each participant, their motives are different depending on their sport but the aim is the same — to get the helping hand they need to push for higher ground in the sporting world. Barry Murphy, meanwhile, is looking to compete in a world with heavily-funded American and Australian college students with his current
support structure a fraction of his rivals. Nonetheless, he won a 50m breaststroke world bronze in 2013 as well as a European short course third in the same event. His stated goal is to become a European champion. In 2013, James Cluskey showed just what this leg up can do. With Sports Council funding for the first time, he was able to travel to more events on the world tennis tour and became Ireland’s highest-ever ranked doubles player, and was just the third Irish player ever to win a Challenger level event. This year, funding may be limited from that avenue, so he is hoping to use this route to fill the gap and push for a Wimbledon doubles spot, something that could
Lucan golfing star Cian Curley explained that it can cost over €20,000 to simply get on the first rung of the ladder to European success
have a long-lasting effect on tennis in Ireland. “The more tournaments and sometimes the further I can go to find a better schedule, having a bit of security there will help me break the top 100 in the world and play Wimbledon. “I went to Johannesburg last year and lost
the first rung, the Euro Pro Tour, of the ladder. “On the Euro ProTour, there’s 15 or 16 events a year,” he told GazetteSport. “It will cost €800€1,000 per event. At the end of year, you get to Q-school where the entry fee alone is €1,700. If you were to go through all the phases of qualify-
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‘The costs of playing on the tour adds up very quickly. For me, it was a no-brainer’ - Cian Curley
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the first round. One of the reasons I think I lost was I put more pressure on myself because of the cost of getting there. Having more money would help me get to those tournaments that I want to play so I can make my decisions number one for tennis rather than other reasons. “I am not a big fan of being negative about how difficult it can be. At the same time, no one is forcing me to play tennis. But I am 150 in the world and am going in the right direction and really close to Wimbledon. It would be a really big moment for tennis, like when Conor Niland played.” For Curley, his target is getting a foothold on the European Tour after a impressive amateur career. It is a notoriously tough thing to do with start-up funds of €20,000 required just to get on
ing school, you are looking at €5,000 to €6,000 for that alone to get you onto the main tour. “You are looking at €20,000 at least for your flights, your car rentals, your hotels and your entry fees at a minimum. It all adds up very quickly. “When I researched what Pledge Sports was all about, it was a nobrainer for me. It is something that has been very successful over in the US. It is the first time it has been tried on such a scale in Ireland. It’s good to be involved and, hopefully, it can work out.” With funding in place, it would allow Curley to travel to more tournaments to give the golfing prospect a stronger base to take a tilt at qualifying school to the European Tour, a level where he would be able to sustain a long-term career as a pro.
FastSport
Dublin hockey acclaimed in national awards list DUBLIN clubs, players, coaches and umpires to the fore in Irish Hockey Awards as they are landed six out of the seven prizes announced last Thursday while a further two of the three remaining gongs are guaranteed to stay in the province. It was an incredible day for Beaufort side Loreto who were awarded three trophies with a high possibility of landing a fourth on the awards night, to be held on March 21, as three of their players – Sinead McGirr, (pictured above), Ali Meeke and Nikki Keegan will battle it out with Kate Dillon for women’s club player of the year. Already in the bag are Umpire of the Year for Fiona Davitt – the Leinster Hockey Umpires President this season – while Inez Cooper wins Volunteer of the Year. She has recently been coopted onto the European Hockey Federation executive board having played key roles in the delivery of the Irish Hockey League among other roles in recent years. Graham Shaw also gets a partial nod from the Loreto camp as Coach of the Year having helped the club to the Irish Hockey League finals in the judging period while also getting Rathdown to their first senior cup final. His magnum opus, though, was delivering an IHL and Irish Senior Cup to Monkstown, the latter their first national title in 99 years. In addition, Town can celebrate Lee Cole’s Under-18 player of the year having starred with the Irish Under-18s in Poland, too. The Sky-Blues are up for club of the year along with Loreto, Railway Union and Muckross. Mount Anville won school of the year following their Senior Cup win last season while their talisman last season, Sara Twomey – who plays her club hockey with Hermes – won the Under18 women’s player of the year. As well as the women’s club player of the year, the men’s club player of the year will also be named from a shortlist at the event with Monkstown’s Gareth Watkins, UCD’s Ross Canning and Pembroke’s Mark Ingram on the list along with the solitary Munster representative, Dave Egner. The President’s Award will also be awarded on the night and is decided upon at the sole discretion of the president to recognise an individual for their outstanding contribution to the sport of hockey.
Gazette
38 DUN LAOGHAIRE gazette 27 February 2014
SPORT
FastSport
soccer: dundrum beaten by lucan united in second round
Cabinteely reach last 32 in SFAI Danone Cup dave knight
Cabinteely’s Under-12 Premier side claimed a place in the last 32 of the SFAI Danone National Cup with a decisive 2-0 victory against near neighbours Mount Merrion’s Under-12 Major team. In spite of the elements, Cabinteely settled very quickly into the game and it was evident from the outset that breaking down the strong Mount Merrion Youths FC defence was paramount, a task that the home side’s pacy attackers Luke Dunne, Conor Knight, Sean Schutte and Ross Cummins took to with gusto. Cabo’s midfielders Joe Power and Toby Owens attempted to dictate the run of play from the outset with timely interceptions and linking play while the pairing of Enda Douglas and Charlie Dunne stifled Mount Merrion’s attempts to penetrate the Cabinteely defence. Full backs Ben Moran Jackson and Oisin O’Connor also held the line at the back as well as providing overlapping wing play to create additional lines of attack on the Mount Merrion goal. The first goal came from a corner when Luke Dunne played a short pass to Power, who in turn shot crisply to open the scoring. As the first half progressed, Cabinteely mounted the pressure on the Merrion goal, and their hard work culminated in a well-worked team goal, finished off by Cummins who lobbed the Merrion keeper for 2-0. Mount Merrion continued their steady approach to the game in spite of going behind and continued to probe for an opening until the half-time whistle sounded. The second half saw Cabinteely playing against the strong wind and Merrion almost took advantage of the additional resource, bringing a fine save from Daniel Lewins in the Cabinteely goal. However, Cabinteely were not to be pulled back and were unlucky not to go further ahead having forged a number of good chances. Cabinteely subs Liam Molloy, Jack Treacy and Liam Fitzgerald added fresh legs to the home effort, and the team saw out the win to the last 32 of the Danone Cup to the delight of their management team of JP Kelly, Gerry Clemence and Picture: Cabinteelyfc.com Robert Maloney.
Glenmore Dundrum were unlucky not to capitalise on their chances but exited the Metropolitan Cup against a strong Lucan United side
Glenmore bow out of cup metropolitan cup Lucan United Glenmore Dundrum sport@gazettegroup.com
3 0
Lucan United advanced to the third round of the Metropolitan Cup after a 3-0 victory over Glenmore Dundrum last weekend. Goals from Stephen Lawless, Sean Hughes and substitute Jack Carey saw the home side progress. Lucan started the match well and dominated possession in the opening exchanges, forcing Glenmore to defend deep. The early pressure paid
off after only eight minutes when Chris Dunne’s shot was blocked for a corner kick. From the resulting delivery, Glenmore were unable to clear the ball properly and Stephen Lawless was first to react with a shot on the turn which took a deflection and squeezed between the post and Daniel Murphy on the line. Lucan kept the pressure on Glenmore and had shots from Rutherford and Byrne well saved by Lloyd Merrigan in the Glenmore goal. Glenmore began to come more into the game and had chances through
dublin’s finest Cuala star presented with 2013 player award CUALA player Martha Byrne was present-
ed with her Tesco Home Grown Player of the Month award for June 2013 by chairman of the Dublin Ladies County Board Joe Keane. She was rewarded for her senior championship debut outing last year when she gave an impressive performance at left half-back against Kildare.
Picture: GAApics.com
Stephen O’Brien and Tony Breslin. On the half hour mark, O’Brien raced away from the Lucan defence and was brought down just outside the box. From the resulting free kick, Paul Dignam saw his effort charged down and the opportunity was gone. Glenmore nearly snatched an equaliser just before half time when good work from John Whiriskey led to Breslin letting fly from 20 yards, with Conor Barcoe saving well in the Lucan goal. The second half began with Glenmore dominating possession and
chasing the equaliser and Lucan looking to hit them on the break through the pace of Mark Rutherford. On 60 minutes, James Doyle was booked for a late challenge on Rutherford as the Lucan man looked to break from the middle of the park. The game was beginning to open up as both sets of players were finding more space on the large pitch as legs began to tire. W i t h 15 m i n u t e s remaining, Glenmore became the masters of their own downfall when goalkeeper Merrigan tried
to switch the play from his own free kick but only resulted in presenting Sean Hughes with the simplest of tasks of heading into an unguarded net. Things got worse for Glenmore two minutes later when Doyle was shown a second yellow card. Substitute Carey rounded things off for the home side with the last kick of the game when he fired low into the bottom corner of the net with a fine finish from the edge of the box to send Lucan through to the third round.
27 February 2014 DUN LAOGHAIRE gazette 39
Gazette
Crokes and Cuala commence AFL seasons sport@gazettegroup.com
K ILMACUD Crokes got their AFL Division 1 campaign off to a lowkey start when they fell 2-9 to 1-3 to Na Fianna in Glasnevin on the delayed opening day of the season. Without many key figures present in the side due to Dublin and
college commitments, it was a tough first outing of the season for Crokes as Na Fianna claimed the win with a pair of second-half goals from Paddy Quinn and Odhran O’Maoileidigh putting them well clear as Crokes attempted to find their stride in the match. Cuala, however, got
off to a flyer in Division 2 when they saw off Erin’s Isle 3-11 to 2-9. Luke Keating was the architect of the Finglas side’s downfall with a pair of goals, while A d a m Hu d s o n a l s o found the net. In the same division, Kilmacud Crokes’ second team did get off to a good start as they beat
Skerries Harps by two points, prevailing on a 2-12 to 1-13 scoreline. Next on the agenda for them is an away trip to O’Tooles, while Cuala will play their first home game of the campaign when they meet Round Tower, Clondalkin, winners in their opening day encounter against Naomh Mearnog.
football: Local side reach decider in tournament
Club Noticeboard shankill Happy anniversary to us: It’s one
no match is scheduled.
year since our first public meet-
Children must bring wet gear,
ing in St Anne’s Resource Centre to
both football boots and trainers
discuss setting up Shankill GAA Club
and mouth guards for each training
- what a difference a year makes. A
session.
huge thank-you to everyone who has
For more information please con-
helped to make us such a huge suc-
tact team manager Gabriel on 085
cess in our first year.
725 4897 or any committee member
The juvenile academy continues to take place every Saturday from
– see our website for more details www.shankill.gaa.ie.
12 noon to 1pm in Scoil Mhuire cater-
We now have Shankill GAA Club
ing for children aged four to seven,
children t-shirts for sale. Children’s
at only €2 per session, covering
t-shirts are available to purchase
Gaelic football, hurling and camogie;
off the rail (sizes 4-5, 6-7 and 8-9)
it’s a great hour’s fun for everyone
at our juvenile academy each week
involved. New members are always
for €15.
welcome.
Our Chase the Ace jackpot at
We have registered both an U-11
Brady’s of Shankill is now a massive
boys’ and an U-11 girls’ football team
€1,850. With tickets only €2 each,
this year. If your child is aged eight
don’t miss out on your chance to
to 11 and would be interested in play-
win.
ing for either team, then join now.
Just purchase a ticket at Brady’s
Training takes place every Wednes-
of Shankill or from any committee
day evening from 7 to 8pm indoors
member. Pick the ace to win. Good
in Scoil Mhuire and every Saturday
luck!
from 11am to 12 noon (please note time change) at Scoil Mhuire when
Join us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
cuala Foxrock Cabinteely once again came close to claiming the prize in the Paidi O Se tournament in Dingle
Foxes fall at the final hurdle in Dingle
sport@gazettegroup.com
FOXROCK-Cabinteely and Wicklow’s Blessington Ladies both reached the senior and intermediate finals respectively of the PhoneWatch Comortas Peile Paidi O Se 2014 Gaelic football tournament which took place all over the Dingle Peninsula last weekend and which included over 1,000 Gaelic footballers from Ireland, Europe and the USA. Foxrock-Cabinteely fell short once again to Mayo’s Carnacon in the senior final of the tournament. The south Dubliners romped past current All-Ireland junior club
champions Na Gaeil of Tralee in the first round by 6-7 to 2-5 on the Saturday. After a couple of hours breaks, they had to tog out once again to face another local side Scartaglin of Mid Kerry in the second match and although a tighter affair, Fox-Cab got over the line by 3-8 to 1-6 which secured their place in the final on Sunday. However, tired legs got the better of the Dubliners in the final as the power and athleticism of Cora Staunton and her team showed as the All-Ireland Club champions Carnacon made it three finals in a row on a scoreline of 7-16 to 3-6 in Gallarus.
Cora Staunton was a force of nature who put on a display of skill and athleticism as she amassed a huge personal tally of 5-12 in the final. Blessington Ladies had an easier path to the final in the intermediate competition which had straight semi-finals on Saturday. They powered past St Joseph’s of Carrigallen, Leitrim by 7-5 to 3-3. West Kerry side Corca Dhuibhne accounted for Cork’s Erin’s OwnCarrigtwohill in the other semi-final and so they lined out against Blessington in Pairc An Aisaigh, Dingle for the intermediate ladies final on the Sun-
day. It was the West Kerry women who came out on top competing for the first time in the Comortas on a scoreline of 4-7 to 2-5, inspired by 15-yearold Eilis Kavanagh from Lispole and Katie Muircheartaigh from Feothanach up front. As part of the event, the annual photography exhibition Irish Sports Stars Through The Years which features the work of Ireland’s leading photography agency Inpho Photography, was officially launched by GAA legend Mick O’Dwyer over the weekend in Paidi’s pub at Ard Bhothair and will remain on display in the pub for two months.
Well done to Martha Byrne who was
achievement in itself. She is joined
named Dublin’s Player of the Month
on the football squad by Billie Kate
after her display against Kerry in
Huggard and on the camogie squad
the first round of the senior football
by Sinead Murphy, Blaithin Lane and
league. A great honour for her and for
Clodagh Sheehan. The footballers
Cuala ladies’ football.
open their account versus Kildare
Congratulations to Simon Timlin, Colm Cronin, Mark Schutte and David
on March 1. We wish all of the girls the very best.
Treacy who all played in Dublin’s vic-
This week sees the start of the
tory over Clare on Sunday last in Par-
minor hurling season with the As at
nell Park.
home to St Vincent’s while the Bs are
Well done to the Cuala U-15 hurl-
out in Castleknock.
ers who, on Friday night, won the
Senior footballers are away to
inaugural Garden of Ireland Division
Erin’s Isle this Sunday at 10.30am,
1 tournament by beating a highly-
while the junior As are out in Kiltipper
fancied Naas team in the final. Along
against Thomas Davis at 12 noon. The
the way, Cuala were unbeaten in
junior Bs are in Hyde Park at 2.30pm
a six-team tournament that also
against Howth, while the junior Cs are
included Whitehall Colmcilles, Kilma-
away to St Mark’s at 2.30pm also.
cud Crokes, Wicklow Development and
Well done to the U-8 boys who had
St Kevin’s. Great performances by all
their first taste of the Go Games
players on the night and the man of
matches over the weekend. The lads
the match award was presented to
really enjoyed showing off their skills.
George O’Brien who epitomised the
Not to be outdone, the 06 girls will
entire team spirit shown throughout
be starting their Go Games in early
the tournament that was run on Fri-
March.
day nights under floodlights during December to February.
Cuala’s lotto jackpot stands at neary €11,000. Tickets are available
Cuala will be very well represented
in the bar, or ask your section rep for
in the upcoming U-16 Leinster and
a direct debit form to make sure you
All-Ireland championships in both
never miss out. If you’re not in you
camogie and ladies football. No fewer
can’t win!
than five of the Cuala 1998 girls have
As always, follow @CualaCLG on
been selected for the squads. Hannah
Twitter and www.facebook.com/cua-
O’Dea is selected on both the cam-
laclg to keep up to date with the latest
ogie and football squads – a notable
Cuala news.
GazetteSPORT all of your dun laoghaire sports coverage from page 35-39
outfoxed in final: Cabinteely ladies lose out in decider of Paidi O Se tournament for second year P39
february 27, 2014
crowdsourcing the future: Locals join new programme to help fund their ambitions P37
Cuala will be looking to draw on their strength in depth as a club to ensure a successful adult hurling league Division 1 campaign
Cuala set for season Availability of Oisin Gough a huge boost for Dalkey side ahead of the start of the 2014 AHL campaign as team calls on youth and experience
stephen findlater
sport@gazettegroup.com
CUALA selector JP Byrne is confident his club are going into the AHL Division 1 season in good shape, buoyed by the availability of Oisin Gough on a permanent basis. The Hyde Road club have seen their intercounty contingent increase to six players in recent times with Simon Timlin and Colm Cronin both establishing themselves in Anthony Daly’s panel. But Gough has stepped away from the senior set-up to focus on his PhD studies this year while continuing to play at club level, giving Cuala a strong leader with bags of experience.
Speaking about the new season, Byrne says that it is the kind of player that will be key to the team in the early phases of the season as they look to bed in a number of new faces when they take on St Jude’s on opening day this Sunday at 10.30am in Shankill. “Oisin would be certainly one to watch out for this year. He’s still very much a county standard player and is a good leader,” Byrne told GazetteSport. “We have a relatively young team. There are currently six of the players with the county panel and so there’s a large number of minors coming through from last year. “We’ve been training for the past four weeks with a view to integrating that group into the
various panels and it’s been going very well with the players that we have.” The side will be light of John Sheanon’s services through injury until autumn at the earliest while it is tricky to know whether the likes of David Treacy, Cian O’Callaghan, Timlin and Cronin will be available. But Byrne expects players like Bobby Browne to continue to be a key presence while Sean Treacy, last year’s Dublin minor captain, could make a big impact. They are being guided by former Galway coach Mattie Kenny and he has put together a progressive preseason plan that has put the Dalkey club in good shape. “Mattie is a top class coach and the players
have responded well to him. He has upped the level in terms of intensity of drills. He is an excellent coach I would have to say. “There’s never anything in it between ourselves and Jude’s. To date, when we are at home, we tend to edge the result and when they are at home, they tend to win. They are a good side and while it is hard to gauge at this stage, I hear they are going well but it is hard to know. “There’s always a job of work to do to get all the lads together with lads studying, playing colleges and intercounty. There’s all sorts of issues when you are trying to get some momentum behind the team but I think we have managed it quite well and there is a good spirit in the camp.”