Dun laoghaire 9 2 17

Gazette WIN DUN LAOGHAIRE

A SPECIAL VALENTINE’S DAY HAMPER FILLED WITH SCRUMPTIOUS SWIZZELS SWEETIES

February 9 - 15, 2017

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A ROMANTIC NIGHT AWAY FOR TWO INCLUDING DINNER AT THE FOUR-STAR CASTLEKNOCK HOTEL & COUNTRY CLUB

OUR Enjoy an evening meal at the Y L I O SP T EAR award-winning Park Restaurant H T E E SW T THIS SNE’S Bed & Breakfast at the beautiful TI Castleknock Hotel & Country Club VALENAY D

FOOD

Earn some extra brownie points this Valentine’s See P20

Detai ls on Page 20

Killiney celebrates as harbour build rejected  EMMA NOLAN

Keep reading, keep recycling – thank you QUASHED: The proposed development

KILLINEY locals are celebrating after plans for a development at Bulloch Harbour have been rejected.

Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council refused per-

mission for the development and locals say they are ecstatic, having heavily protested the plans since they were announced last month.

Local resident Monica Smyth said: “We’re delighted – we’re so pleased with every-

one’s input on this.”

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett (PBP) welcomed the council’s decision to refuse the “utterly inappropriate” plans. He said: “People-power has won this round in the battle against

the developers.”

A spokesperson for developers Bartra Property told The Gazette that the company are now considering their options since being refused planning permission.

Full Story on Page 8

2 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 9 February 2017

HOUSING | LATEST CENSUS FIGURE CLARIFIED BY THE COUNCIL

5,000 DLR residential units listed as vacant  AISLING KENNEDY ALMOST 5,000 residential units around the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown area are listed as vacant, according to statistics compiled by the 2016 Census.

T he census results revealed that in total there are 4,968 (excludi n g h o l i d ay h o m e s ) vacant units that could potentially be used for private and social housing in the area.

There are currently 5,040 active applications for social housing on the Dun LaoghaireRathdown Social Housing Support List.

A spokesperson from

There are currently 5,040 active applications for social housing in the DLR region

the council told the Gazette, however, that the number of vacant units merely represented “a 5.7% base vacancy level, which is the second-lowest nationally”.

T h e s p o ke s p e r s o n

added: “We recognise that there are many reasons why properties were recorded vacant on the census night, including hospital/nursing home stay, probate and legal issues which can-

not be made available for other households.

“However, there are many other properties that stand empty in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdow n that would make lovely homes for people with a bit of work, but often people are put off by or do not have the upfront funds needed to undertake such work.”

T h e s p o ke s p e r s o n said that the Government has made €140m av a i l a b l e n a t i o n a l l y under the new repair and leasing initiative to encourage home owners to rent these types of vacant houses on a long-term basis if money is made available to refit

the properties.

“The initiative is currently being piloted in Carlow and Waterford and is expected to be rolled out in Dublin in the coming months.

In addition, a buy and repair renewal initiat i ve w i l l a l l ow D u n Laoghaire-Rathdown to buy and repair suitable housing.”

The council is now asking owners of vacant residential properties to contact them to express their interest.

Owners of vacant residential properties who wish to contact the council can call 01 205 4765, or email housing@ dlrcoco.ie.

Charlie tackles a new career in rugby punditry

Nine-year-old Charlie Geelon from Shankill put his punditry skills to the test when Ireland took on Scotland last week in the RBS Six Nations. Charlie was one of four lucky child pundits chosen for Aldi’s Kids Rugby Panel who will broadcast during the ad breaks on RTE throughout the competition. They will be joined by comedian Barry Murphy who will anchor the panel.

FASTNews

Have your say on how to plan the Ireland of 2040 THE Department of Housing, Planning, Community & Local Government is preparing a long-term national and local planning framework document for Ireland called IRELAND 2040.

Senator Victor Boyhan (Ind), a member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government, is encouraging local community groups and individuals to engage in the initiative.

Speaking to The Gazette he said: “It is envisaged that the plan when completed will inform national policy decisions on local as well as regional investment and infrastructure, so it’s important that the views of citizens in towns and villages as well as cities get to have their say.”

Submissions at this first stage of the National Planning Framework process can be made from now until Thursday, March 16. All submissions must include the following – the citizen’s name and details of any organisation, community group or company they represent, along with an address for correspondence.

Submissions should be made by one medium only, as either electronic or hard (printed) copy. They can be emailed to npf@housing.gov.ie, or sent by post. For further information, see www.Ireland2040.ie.

Time’s almost up to apply for a share of €30m fund BEFORE Christmas, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Shane Ross announced that €30 million is being made available under the Sports Capital Programme to develop sports infrastructure around the country. With the deadline imminent, clubs must register with the Department’s online application system before this Friday, February 10.

Minister Ross said that the benefits of receiving funding can positively impact an entire community and “cannot be underestimated”.

The Dublin-Rathdown representative explained that it is a common misconception that the grants are only available to sports clubs.

“The programme aims to maximise participation in sport and physical recreation. Sports clubs are an obvious vehicle through which this is achieved, but grants are also available to voluntary and community groups for sporting activities. I encourage all groups to consider how these grants could help them.”

Online applications are being accepted now at sportscapitalprogramme.ie.

Dublin Gazette Newspapers, Second Floor, Heritage House, Dundrum Office Park, Dublin 14 Tel: 01 - 6010240. Email: sales@dublingazette.com news@dublingazette.com web: www.dublingazette.com twitter: @DublinGazette Visit us on Facebook at DublinGazetteNewspapers

9 February 2017 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 3

PEOPLE | WOMEN FINISH LATE FRIEND’S QUILT – AND RAISE €2,400 FOR ST FRANCIS HOSPICE

Crafting the perfect tribute  AISLING KENNEDY A GROUP of friends recently completed a beautiful quilt in memory of their friend and craft teacher, Rose Harris, who passed away in 2013.

Following Rose’s death three years ago, a bag with a couple of pieces of the unfinished quilt which Rose was working on was passed to the Blanchardstown Guild of the Irish Countrywomen’s Association (ICA) by chance, and the ICA ladies decided to honour their friend’s memory by finishing the quilt.

Maureen Caffrey, from the ICA Blanchardstown Guild, spoke to The Gazette this week about working on the quilt. She said Rose was one of a kind and is missed very much.

“Rose was a very good friend and also our craft teacher within the ICA. We met her more than 20 years ago, and from there we had her as our teacher almost constantly every Monday until a few years ago when she moved to Kilkenny with her hus-

band, Tony.”

Maureen explained that even when Rose (above) moved to Kilkenny, the close-knit craft group still kept in touch and travelled up and down to see each other regularly.

Sadly, in 2013, Rose was diagnosed with lung cancer and passed away after a few months.

“When Rose realised that the treatment wasn’t working, she began to give away pieces and fabrics that she was working on and she passed

this bag on to a friend of hers.

“By chance, this friend met a member of our Monday morning craft group, and she passed it on to us. So it was like Rose was on a mission to get this quilt to us! We decided then to take it on.”

Maureen said it took a group of more than eight women from the ICA’s Blanchardstown Guild almost two years to finish the quilt, along with the help of master quilt maker Pat O’Looney, from the Botanic/Glasnevin Guild.

The finished quilt was completed in a traditional American style, called ‘the log cabin design’.

Following the completion of the quilt, the ICA ladies raffled it off, and raised a total of €2,430 to present to the St Francis Hospice in Blanchardstown.

Maureen said: “Rose would’ve been over the moon at the finished quilt. I know certainly her husband Tony was. He was delighted, and his words were that ‘Rose would’ve been overly proud of her craftswom-

ICA quilters Marie O’Neill, Pat O’Looney and Maureen Caffrey; (right) Jane Jones, Mary Kenny and Eleanor Hewitt

en in Blanchardstown’.

“We knew that Rose would be proud. This is why her bag came into our possession – for us to do something positive with it in her memory.”

4 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 9 February 2017

LOCAL HEROES | OUR INTENTION WAS JUST TO OCCUPY OURSELVES SAYS COUPLE

Angela and Garry go above and beyond to help their community  AISLING KENNEDY

Angela Kelly and Garry Greene hard at work making Blackrock look even better

MARLAY HOUSE

HERITAGE LECTURES SPRING 2017

Tuesday 14th February REDESIGN OF A GEORGIAN WALLED GARDEN (Diarmuid Gavin, Award Winning Garden Designer)

CRAFT AND DESIGN IN THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF IRELAND (Dr. Audrey Whitty - National Museum of Ireland)

A BLACKROCK couple have been hailed as local heroes for keeping rubbish off the streets of the town and for building bug and bird boxes to help wildlife.

Retirees Angela Kelly (57) and Garry Greene (56) first became involved in rubbish collection seven years ago, but over the past year, they have gone above and beyond to help their local community.

Angela spoke to the Gazette this week and said: “I was involved with Tidy Towns about seven years ago but between work and everything else at the time I pulled out. Then last year I noticed there wasn’t really that much interest anymore in it, so we decided to try and revamp it again.

“In April, last year Garry got involved too.”

Garry, a retired stonemason, and Angela, a retired financial controller, started to go out collecting rubbish every second night in the summer for about two or three hours, and every night they would head in a different direction.

Angela explained that there were certain litter black spots in the area that they would always end up going to.

“Over the bridge, down at the Dart station, where the old baths used to be and over the bridge, all along the coast where people sit down are quite bad for litter.

“Garry goes down there about three nights a week in the summer and he would collect a whole bag of bottles and cans, and then there would also be a lot of coffee cups and sandwiches from lunchtime visitors.

“This time of the year we’d only go over there about once a week with the bad weather. Also around the bus stops in the

winter and summer months can be quite bad.”

Garry and Angela have become familiar faces around the area. We didn’t realise people knew us until people started saying ‘Oh yeah, we see you picking up papers and here and there’,” explained Angela.

“But that wasn’t our intention. The intention was just to occupy ourselves and then that just grew from what else can we do other than just pick up papers, because you can get a bit bored just picking up the papers.”

Angela explained that they both started to notice that other things needed to be done in the area, such as painting local benches and railings.

Spiders “When the winter months came along, Garry started looking at other things to do so he made bug boxes that we put up at the Dart stations.

“A bug box is for spiders and bugs that have nowhere to go in the winter because there’s no leaf cover, so they go into these boxes looking to keep warm and lay their eggs.

“Garry then made bird boxes for the birds that we’re hoping they will use now in the spring.

“And we’ve also got permission now to clean up around the Dart station where there’s some bits of flower beds there that are overgrown and we’re going to put fairy houses and things in there.”

Impressively, the couple have also built a miniature playground and are currently in talks with the council about putting their designs into the playground in Blackrock Park.

Wednesday 15th February DUBLIN SINCE 1922 – The Story of Ireland’s Capital

(Tim Carey – Heritage Officer / Author, Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council)

IRELAND’S GOLD COLLECTON

(Dr. Eamonn Kelly – formerly of the National Museum of Ireland)

Thursday 16th February HARRY CLARKE / WILHELMINA GEDDES

(Dr. Nicola Gordon Bowe - Author / Lecturer NCAD)

VENUE: Marlay House, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16.

DATES: 14th, 15th, 16th February 2017 at 7.30 each evening.

PRICE: €10 per night – Tickets available from https://marlaylectures.eventbrite.ie.

Limited number of tickets available at door each night.

For further information log onto www.events.dlrcoco.ie dlrevents @dlrevents (Limited Wheelchair Access)

Garry is a familiar sight, putting up ‘bug hotels’ or helpfully adding fairy furniture

FASTNews New charity cookbook

THE National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dun Laoghaire recently launched its first charity cookbook which features recipes from staff and patients at the hospital.

Gemma Willis, a 22-year-old patient of the NRH and pastry chef by trade, spoke on the night of the cookbook launch about her journey in the NRH and her recipe which features in the NRH Cookbook.

The proceeds of the book will go to the Valentine’s Fund, a patient support fund.

The book (€15) is currently available to purchase in the NRH Coffee shop, and through the NRH Foundation Office.

See www.nrhfoundation.ie/nrh-cookbookon-sale-now/

Attempted break ins LOUGHLINSTOWN, Shankill and Ballybrick are on high alert following reports of attempted break ins in the areas.

Locals have said that there have been numerous sightings of young men looking into houses and gardens in the Cherrywood Park and Cherrywood Road area and gardai confirmed that a house in Oakron Park in Ballybrack was burgled on February 4.

One local said that while the individuals in question could be “just a few innocent young lads” they “looked highly suspicious”.

Fianna Fail’s Vinny Duran-Kearns said that there was an attempted break in on February 5 in Rathsallagh Park in Shankill.

Mr Duran-Kearns urged locals to “be vigilant for suspicious people hanging around looking for potential break in opportunities”.

9 February 2017 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 5

6 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 9 February 2017

GazetteGALLERY

| A WORLD OF COLOUR LAUNCH IS A HIT WITH YOUNG AND

Judi Curtin, Patricia Forde, Louis Lovett and Sarah Webb

DLR Writer in Residence, Sarah Webb, Marian Keyes, Senior Executive Librarian, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and Guest speaker Valerie Coghlan who launched the exhibition. Pictures: Peter Cavanagh

Aela, Tess and Millie Cronin

A fresh chapter of fun at the LexIcon T

HERE was a great turn-out at the DLR LexIcon for the A World of Colour launch. The exhibition showcased the art of Beatrice Alemagna and Chris Haughton – two of the most exciting illustrators working in children’s books today. Beatrice Alemagna’s works include A Lion in Paris and The Five Misfits, and Chris Haughton is known for his award-winning picture books, most notably, A Bit Lost. Guest speaker, children’s books’ commentator Valerie Coghlan launched the exhibition with DLR curator Sarah Webb on February 4 and it can be viewed at the Lexicon until March 31.

Beatrice and Chris will be participating in this year’s Mountains to Sea Festival in March.

Ciara Houlihan, Childrens Books Ireland and Grainne There was a great crowd in attendance

Jennifer Barrett

Clear, Little House Publishers

Georgina Murphy

9 February 2017 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 7

OLD ALIKE AS CHILDREN’S TALES, ART AND EXCITEMENT TAKE CENTRE STAGE

Rose O’Donnell, Penny Holroyd and Martina Cassidy

DLR Writer in Residence, Sarah Webb

Sophie Cocault, Sarah Whelan and Katie Popplestone

Sarah Webb holding Rosie Grady, who seems more interested in Sarah’s son, Jago

Jenny Murray and Aoife Murray, Childrens Books Ireland; Conor Hackett, Hackett Flynn publishers agent and author Sadhbh Devlin

Guest speaker Valerie Coghlan, who launched the exhibition

8 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 9 February 2017

KILLINEY | COUNCIL REJECTS PLANS

Locals delighted as controversial Bulloch Harbour build quashed  EMMA NOLAN

KILLINEY locals are celebrating after plans for a development at Bulloch Harbour have been rejected.

Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council refused permission for the development

by Richard Barrett, of Bartra Property Ltd, to build six three-story maisonettes and three large villas at Bulloch Harbour, and locals say they are ecstatic.

If approved, the major renovation would have completely transformed the area. However, local residents heavily protested, saying the plans would destroy the existing “beautiful and precious” harbour.

Local resident Monica Smyth said: “We’re delighted – the phone hasn’t stopped ringing.

They [neighbours] are all delighted with it.

“We’re so pleased with everyone’s input on this – we don’t know how to thank everybody.”

However, Monica said that the council “left out

a few things” in their observation, but she and her neighbours are happy with this week’s outcome regardless.

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett (PBP) welcomed the council’s decision to refuse the “utterly inappropriate” plans.

He said: “Peoplepower has won this round in the battle against the developers,” he said.

Objections “Hundreds of people turned up to public meetings to object to these plans, and 450 people paid the €20 to make a formal objection to the council.

“We are delighted that the council has taken cognisance of all of these objections and made the very sensible decision to refuse permission.

“This development would have wrecked this unique utility harbour and piece of local heritage.

“T hankfully, pub lic mobilisation has dropped that possibility for now.”

Deputy Boyd Barrett’s PBP colleague, Cllr Melisa Halpin, said that while she believes the council made the right decision, “the fight is not over yet” as the developer will “either appeal to An Bord Pleanala or go back to the drawing board and submit new plans for the site”.

Monica was also keen to stress that this is “only the first round”.

“They [the developers] will come again and again. They have the money and they don’t care as long as they line their own pockets.

“We are prepared to fight back now if they appeal to An Bord Pleanala or if they submit new plans for the council.

“We couldn’t allow that to happen here, I can’t condone it at all, it’s out of the question.”

A spokesperson for Bar tra Proper ty, Grainne Holly wood, told The Gazette that the company are now considering their options since being refused planning permission.

Artist’s image of the proposed development. The company behind the build is now considering its options after being refused planning permission.

Dalkey disability campaigner Sean O’Kelly has raised the need for staff to be kept on at the Dart station

SANDYCOVE/GLASTHULE | CALL TO PROTECT JOBS

Wheelchair user raises impact of Dart station cut  EMMA NOLAN A LOCAL disability campaigner, Sean O’Kelly, has said that removing staff from Sandycove and Glasthule Dart Station is “not right at all”.

Sean, from Dalkey, is a highly-active campaigner for disabled people’s rights, and he has been creating awareness around how wheelchair users access public transport in Dublin.

Following last week’s repor t on a petition to save the Dart station’s staff members, the 23-year-old has criticised the decision.

The petition has amassed over 1,000 signatures following speculation that the station will soon become unmanned.

Residents around the Dun Laoghaire areas count the Dart station as an integral part of the community and are wor-

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‘Look around you – there may be someone with a disability or even an elderly person who will need help. You can’t have that mentality that services are only for ablebodied people.’

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Wheelchair user Sean O’Kelly

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ried that the ticket offices may close in favour of ticket vending machines.

Sean said: “If the station is unmanned, it would mean that we [wheelchair users] can’t depart or arrive at the destination we want to be at.”

He is a full-time wheelchair user himself, having been born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus.

As part of Irish Rail’s accessibility policy, disabled wheelchair users are required to phone their local station and

inform them of their travel plans, so that assistance can be provided.

A spokesperson for Irish Rail told The Gazette last week that they have seen an increased move towards Leap card and ticket vending machines, with a very small volume of tickets sold in ticket offices in some stations.

Regarding how cuts would affect people with disabilities, Irish Rail said: “Considerable help and support is already in place for customers with accessibility issues

and this can be verified by the relationships that have been built up between staff and mobility-impaired users.”

However, of Irish Rail’s decision to cut down on staff at certain stations, Sean said: ““It’s not right at all.

“I spoke to Irish Rail a couple of weeks ago and they said that they would be hiring more staff at stations, so they are contradicting themselves.”

Sean said that while some stations may appear to have little need for staff, he urged able-bodied people to increase their awareness regarding the needs of the disabled people around them.

“Look around you – there may be someone with a disability or even an elderly person who will need help. You can’t have that mentality that services are only for ablebodied people.”

9 February 2017 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 9

FASTNews

Communities on alert over break-in fears LOUGHLINSTOWN, Shankill and Ballybrick are on high alert following reports of attempted break-ins in the areas.

Locals have said that there have been numerous sightings of young men looking into houses and gardens in the Cherrywood Park and Cherrywood Road area.

Gardai have confirmed that a house in Oakron Park in Ballybrack was burgled on Saturday, February 4.

One local said that while the individuals in question could be “just a few innocent young lads”, they “looked highly-suspicious”.

Local Fianna Fail representative Vinny Duran-Kearns said that there was an attempted break-in on Sunday, February 5 in Rathsallagh Park in Shankill.

He said: “Perpetrators attempted to gain access through the front door. This was the second attempted break-in at the house over the same weekend.”

Duran-Kearns urged locals to “be vigilant for suspicious people hanging around looking for potential breakin opportunities”.

A play worth ringing about DRAMA drama group Dalkey Players are preparing to present their entry for the All-Ireland Drama Festival.

Dead Man’s Cell Phone, directed by Emma Jane Nulty, will be performed in Dalkey Town Hall from Wednesday, February 22 to 24.

The play tells the story of an incessantly ringing mobile phone in a quiet cafe with themes of how technology can both unite and isolate us. Tickets from 087 991 9261.

Happy face time as boys focus on online behaviour

STUDENTS of CBC Monkstown helped Webwise Ireland celebrated annual Safer Internet Day 2017 with an event at Facebook’s international headquarters in Dublin. The EU-wide initiative promotes a safer internet for all users, especially young people. This year’s event was the 14th such focus on internet usage and safety, with this year’s theme promoting Be The Change: Unite For A Better Internet. The focus on helping young people stay safe online, and to encourage proper behaviour and respect online, was a hit with the Monkstown boys and all the other students present from a range of schools across Dublin. Picture: Andres Poveda

Genealogical Society leaves the Carlisle Pier  AISLING KENNEDY THE Genealogical Society of Ireland closed its doors at the Carlisle Pier in Dun Laoghaire for the final time this week.

All valuable documents, computers, microfilm viewers and other equipment have been now packed up (right) and will be placed in safe storage following the society’s notice to quit the premises.

Tom Conlon, director of the GSI, spoke to The Gazette this week and said: “After more than six years at the site, the lease has been terminated by Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company, who ... have committed it to another client.

“The society will continue to look for options in the town, or if necessary away from the town. If any organisa-

tion, company, or individual has a building which might be suitable, then we would love to hear about it.

“For now, the facilities of the society will be locked away. The society will continue with its other activities, such as lectures, meetings and publications.”

10 GAZETTE 9 February 2017

GazetteGALLERY

| SHOWCASE – IRELAND’S INTERNATIONAL CREATIVE EXPO –

The best of Irish creativity on show Ann Mulcrone, Mairead Whisker and Mary Donohoe. Pictures: Sasko Lazarov / Photocall Ireland

Luna Young and Nikki O’Callaghan

T

HE best of Irish crafts were on display at Showcase – Ireland’s International Creative Expo – which returned to the RDS last weekend. The event has established itself as a must-see trade show, attracting thousands of buyers from Ireland and more than 20 other countries keen to view the latest collections from 450 Irish designers, manufacturers and craftspeople across fashion, jewellery and home and giftware. New for this year was TextISLE, an initiative focusing on the creative potential of Irish textiles in fashion and homeware.

Denis Kenny and Fiona Gilboy-Kenny

Sonia Reynolds and Nuala Goodman

Orla Langan and Suzi Coogan

Helen Delany and Brenda Aherne

9 February 2017 GAZETTE 11

FEATURES TOP IRISH DESIGNERS, MANUFACTURERS AND CRAFTSPEOPLE

Deirdre McQuillan and Peter O’Brien

Natalie B Coleman and Angela O’Kelly

Halle Steele and Helen Steele

Brenda Aherne, Rebecca Morgan and Jan Brierton

GAZETTE

12 GAZETTE 9 February 2017

DUBLINBUSINESS

OPINION

The Help to Buy Scheme Grant needs to be extended now  MICHAEL RUSSELL

FINANCIAL SERVICES LIMITED

FIRSTLY the good news….first time buyers have further incentive to go house-hunting.

So how does it work; The scheme will provide a rebate of income tax, paid over four years prior to buying up to a maximum of 5% of the purchase price of the home valued at up to € 400,000.

Houses valued at up to € 600,000 are also included but the maximum benefit is € 20,000. The rebate will apply to First Time Buyers buying newly built homes and people building one-off houses, and no relief will be given to those buying second-hand houses.

This is where we have shared concerns with the market. The question is: Why is the incentive limited to first time buyers and does not currently apply to those who are seeking to trade up or indeed people who previously owned a home – but have since sold.

This latter group are in the exact same position as the first time buyers but find themselves at a distinct disadvantage!

This makes no sense and smacks of a decision which favours only one sector of the market – of course there many reasons why this might be so but it does not take a great leap of faith to suggest that this incentive is primarily in place to encourage developers to fast track starter homes for first time buyers.

The stark reality of Ireland Inc. is that we completed circa 15,000 units during 2016 and it is estimated that we will require in the order of up to 30,000 in 2017 just to meet current demand.

Hence it stands to reason that to meet the pent up demand – which won’t happen overnight - developers need to be encouraged to build new homes and this is a good thing for the overall economy.

We would be advocating that whatever about not extending this deal to ‘second hand homes’ that the deal should be extended to both first time buyers and those who previously sold their principal private residence and are currently in rental accommodation.

So in summary we very much welcome the increase in units being built – people need homes – but let’s not forget the tax payer effectively meets the cost of this rebate so is it not only reasonable to suggest that this initiative is available to the majority of homebuyers than simply limit it to one sector of the housing market.

Alison Miller presents Eimhear Kelly with a €500 voucher

Alison Flaherty presents Anthony and Janet Fitzgerald with a €2,500 voucher

Greg Mitchell presents Phil Armstrong with a €1,500 voucher

Winning thousands was EZ for shoppers ALL good things must come to an end, and EZ Living’s Golden Ticket giveaway was no exception. However, during its month-long run the promotion linked to the furniture chain’s biggest ever sale saw several lucky winners presented with thousands of euro worth of vouchers.

With prizes to give away ranging from €50 right up to €2,500, the

hugely popular giveaway helped to promote the furniture experts’ giant sale at its several outlets.

With more than €10,000 given away each week, the popular ticket helped drive footfall, adding to the already notable consumer interest in the new year bargains during the month-long sale. Pictured are some of the winners and EZ Living staff presenting their respective prizes.

Microfinance making a big business impact

Shakeel Jeeroburkan, Spice Devils

SOME 73 Dublin businesses benefitted from small loans totalling €1,055,000 from the Governmentfunded not-for-profit lender, Microfinance Ireland (MFI), in 2016, new figures show.

One thriving Dublin business that has benefitted from MFI support is Spice Devils – a company set up by Shakeel Jeeroburkan, selling Mauritian-inspired, freshly-milled spice blends.

After selling in farmers’ markets, the feedback was so positive that he decided to make the leap and devote himself to Spice Devils full-time.

Since drawing down the loan, Spice Devils – which is available in more than 30 SuperValu stores – has won multiple artisan food awards.

Shakeel says: “I would not be where I am today without the support I received from MFI and Local Enterprise Office (LEO) South Dublin.”

In partnership with the network of LEOs, MFI also launched an expert mentoring assistance to its loanapproved applicants in 2016.

Garrett Stokes, chief executive of MFI, said: “We are delighted that so many businesses are availing of

our loans and our mentoring service. The mentoring our clients can receive through the LEOs in Dun Laoghaire, Dublin City, Fingal and South Dublin is hugely beneficial.

Mr Stokes added: “We look forward to working with many more businesses in Dublin in 2017, and helping to spread the economic recovery.

“We encourage start-ups or small business owners who want to expand to get in touch with us directly, or through the LEOs in Dun Laoghaire, Dublin City, Fingal and South Dublin, to see how we can help.”

9 February 2017 GAZETTE 13

HEALTH: TAKE FIVE STEPS TO A BRAND NEW YOU THIS FEBRUARY SEE P15

MOTORING: THE NEW COROLLA PROVES AN EFFORTLESS DRIVING EXPERIENCE SEE P22

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

PLAYFUL PORKIE IS A DELIGHTFUL HANDFUL OUR Dog of the Week looking for their #SpecialSomeone* is Porkie, a a male, 10-month old Pit Bull puppy. He is going through his adolescent phase, which means he is a boisterous, playful dog that can become overexcited very easily.

For this reason, Porkie is looking for an adult-only home with experienced owners who can manage his excitability, and who can continue on with his puppy training. He enjoys the company of other dogs, so he could share his home with another confident, playful dog, but he would be equally happy in a home without other pets.

If you can be Porkie’s #SpecialSomeone*, then please contact Dogs Trust on 01 879 1000. They are based in Finglas, just off Exit 5 on the M50. Map and directions can be found on their website, www.dogstrust. ie. You can also find them on Facebook, at www.facebook.com/ dogstrustirelandonline, or on Twitter @ DogsTrust_IE.

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GAZETTE

TRAVEL: EXPLORE THE WILDS OF BEAUTIFUL CONNEMARA SEE P18

Adam Dalton, Evan Darcy, and Shane Curran

Teens have the code to a whole new world  EMMA NOLAN

THE youth of Dublin may become experts in coding thanks to three teen’s and their bright idea.

Three Dublin teenagers have developed an exciting new product to teach children how to code in a fun and innovative way.

Robotify is the brainchild of Dublin City University students, Adam Dalton (18) and Evan Darcy (18),

along with BT Young Scientist winner, Shane Curran (17).

The DIY robotics kit called Robotify Alpha will teach children from the age of eight upwards how distance sensors, motors and microcontrollers work; the basics in programming and how to write their own code.

This, and future products, will be of interest to parents who would like to introduce their children to the

world of coding and to educators who are interested in starting their own Robotify course.

Adam and Evan met in St Paul’s College, Raheny, and inspired by their love of coding they founded Robotify by running a number of courses and summer camps teaching children the basics in coding and robotics.

Now both first year students in DCU - Adam is studying Business Studies and Evan is studying Engi-

neering - their business is being supported by DCU faculty mentors and DCU Alpha, DCU’s Innovation Campus. It is in DCU Alpha where they 3D print using a homebuilt 3D printer, solder boards and package the final product.

The Robotify Alpha kit is currently available to purchase online via www. robotify.net and it will also be available through Makeshop in the Science Gallery Dublin from February.

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DIARY

The hunt is on for the nations best young story makers DO you know a child, or class, with a passion for telling tall tales, writing beautifully creative stories or illustrating?

Imaginosity wants to hear from them, as they launch this year’s hunt for the nation’s best young story makers.

Imaginosity, Dublin’s C h i l d r e n ’s Mu s e u m , joined by their 2017 exper t judging panel is launching its annual 2017 search for Ireland’s best young story makers.

The annual competition, “What’s the Story – A Big Competition for Little Story Makers” celebrating five years of story making this year, is looking for creative young stor y writers, budding poets and young illustrators between the age of three and nine years, to create their very own original stor y using their inspired imaginations, to be in with a chance to win some great prizes.

Winners The competition is open for entries from February 1 and closes on March 31. Winners will be announced at the end of May. Children, parents and schools can find out more about the competition and download an entry pack by going to www.imaginosity.ie.

JOY OF GROWING AND EATING OWN FOOD

SPORTING STARS SET FOR CHARITY EVENT

AT TENTION budding gardeners! Primary schools across Ireland can now apply for free Grow It Yourself (GIY) and Innocent Drinks Sow & Grow packs.

This will be the sixth year of the initiative that will enable 45,000 primary school children across the country to learn how to grow their own food this spring.

Each Sow & Grow pack includes a detailed “how to grow” guide focusing on learning in the classroom, soil, growing pots, seeds and expert food growing kits devised

by GIY and innocent drinks along with details on how to cook and eat the food grown.

Over the last five years this initiative has enabled 100,000 Irish primary school children learn how to grow vegetables in the classroom.

The children not only learn the science of growing, they also experience the joy of growing and eating their own food.

GIY calls this “Food Empathy” a deeper connection with food, which is proven to lead to a healthier life long-term.

Teachers can apply for a free Sow & Grow pack via www.innocentsowandgrow.com.

IRISH sports presenter Darragh Maloney is set to host year’s Annual Sporting Lunch in aid of Fighting Blindness.

Taking place in the Conrad Hotel on Earlsfort Terrace on March 3, this is the 15th year of the popular event which brings legends from horse racing, rugby, football and GAA together to discuss their insights and expertise.

Fighting Blindness is a patient-led charity, working to cure, support and empower the 246,000 people affected by blind-

Helping to launch the national Sow & Grow project at Scoil Thomais in Castleknock are 2nd class students, from left, Georgia Moran, Brian Buie, Kayla O’Gorman, Callum O’Keeffe, Matthew Ryan and Niamh Race with Michael Kelly, Founder of GIY and Blathnaid Mckenna, brand manager innocent drinks Ireland. Picture: Mark Stedman

ness and vision impairment in Ireland.

Special guests Shane Byrne, Stephen Hunt, Nina Carberry, Alan Brogan and David Casey are confirmed to attend on the day.

Funds raised from this event will facilitate research into treatments and cures for blindness, as well as free counselling and peer to peer support service for people and families affected by blind-

ness and vision impairment.

For tickets or more information visit www.

FightingBlindness.ie or call the team on 01 6789004.

APP MAKES PARKING A WHOLE LOT EASIER FINDING parking in the city is being made easier with a new app from DublinTown that provides motorists with the most direct route to

Playwright, screenwriter and director Peter Sheridan helps launch What’s the Story – A Big Competition for Little Story Makers

their chosen carpark or hotel.

The DublinTown parking app is regularly updated with temporary road closures, diversions and roadworks currently happening in the city or due to happen.

The idea behind the app is for commuters to see the available space in carparks and hotels before planning the best route to their destination using the regularly updated built-in maps.

Speaking about the app, Richard Guiney CEO DublinTown said: “Dublin City Centre is currently undergoing significant infrastructural changes.

“The Luas Cross City will be a great addition to the city but it is leading to permanent changes to traffic flow for cars in the city.

“The city is and will remain very much open and accessible to all forms of transport including cars, however, there is a need to educate the public how to get to their chosen destination. “ T h e D u b l i nTow n parking app will do just that. Unlike other traf-

fic aids the DublinTown parking app will be regularly updated to take account of roadworks and diversions and permanent changes such as the College Green bus gate.”

The DublinTown parking app is free to download on both iOS and Android platforms.

GET READY TO RUNAMUCK FOR CHILDLINE AN exhilarating yet messy event will be kicking off this March in aid of ISPCC Childline.

The Runamuck Challenge is a 5.5km (1 lap) or 11k (2 laps) cross-country event over a wet and mucky course with various manmade and natural obstacles like bale “jumps”, net scrambles, super slides, tarzan swings, bridges, ditches, streams, tyres and tunnels.

The event is for walkers, joggers and runners. And not the faint-hearted.

This year’s exhilarating Runamuck event will take place on Saturday, March 11 in the Coolcarrigan Estate in Co Kildare.

You can find more information on ispcc.ie.

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HEALTH: LIFE COACHING, MINDFULNESS, NUTRITION, HOLISTIC THERAPY, STYLING AND FASHION

Take five steps to a new you The new Steps to A-New-U plan is designed to empower people in making positive life choices, and runs in the Green Isle Hotel in west Dublin.

Inspirational speakers and professionals in the fields of life coaching, mindfulness, nutrition, holistic therapy, styling and fashion will guide participants in tapping into their inner resources to find a more positive and fulfilling approach to life.

The aunua team maintains knowledge is key to finding solutions to life’s challenges and to growing as an individual, so for two hours a week, over five weeks, course participants learn vital life skills in a step by step process.

“We’re talking about simple but effective tools that change lives, and motivational speakers that help encourage and inspire people to take that all-important first step to health and happiness”, Karina Murray, co-founder of aunua says. aunua is the creation of two mums, Karina Murray and Emer McGowan, whose combined skills and experience include fashion designer, life coach, fitness trainer and swimming instructor.

“JUST getting through January is enough for anyone”, jokes life coach Emer McGowan on the question of why the latest aunua health and wellbeing programme kicks off in February! aunua presents a uniquely Irish, no-nonsense approach to helping people overcome life’s challenges, with guidance largely based on the personal experience of the professional contributors.

As a single mother of three young children, Emer McGowan faced the challenges of her marriage break-up and overcoming a subsequent struggle with alcohol.

Having completely turned her life around, Emer achieved her dream of becoming a life coach and runs her own life coaching business, as well as working as a fitness instructor and swimming teacher, running boot camps, and raising money and awareness for suicide prevention and mental health groups.

Karina Murray has established and run her own executive maternity wear business and a property management company, before becom-

WIN

SWIZZELS, makers of the iconic Love Hearts brand, want to offer Gazette readers the opportunity to be sweet to themselves this Valentine’s Day. To WIN this s u p e r sw e e t St Valentine’s Day Hamper of goodies – containing favourite Swizzels treats such as Love Hearts (given the day that’s in it!), Refreshers and Drumsticks along with the hugely popular Squashies

range – simply Like and Share the Love Swizzels post on The D u b l i n G a ze t t e ’ s Facebook page.

• Swizzels have been making Love Hearts for 62 years and produce 1.75 billion sweets every year. The brand is famous for featuring a selection of over 150 traditional romantic messages.

New messages include SKYPE ME, TAKE A SELFIE, YOLO and TWEET ME!

ing a stay at home mum, raising two children.

Through their new aunua venture, the friends hope to introduce programme participants to a new way of thinking, simple practical guidance, and the sharing and encouragement that helps individuals achieve their personal goals.

The five inspirational modules of Steps to A-New-U encourage participants to ‘Be Your Best’, which is focussed on goal-setting and motivation; ‘Think Your Best’, which harnesses mindfulness to help alter the mind-set and deal with everyday challenges; ‘Feel Your Best’, a nutrition coach focussed on health and wellbeing; ‘Connect With Your Best’ which looks at holistic wellness; and ‘Look Your Best’ where a team of stylists share fashion advice and tips on looking and feeling great.

Emer says: “We are two ordinary women who

have faced many of life’s challenges and learnt invaluable lessons. The team of people we are bringing together in aunua are expert in generating positivity and possibility out of negativity, and the programme is for everyone who is looking for a path to a happier and healthier lifestyle in 2017.”

The young Dublin mum recently completed her own ‘22 day push-up challenge’ to raise awareness of PTSD and depression. Her 22 pushups in 22 days became a Facebook hit, with over 98,000 viewers, as Emer posted a different video each day, encouraging others to join her.

In videoing the challenge, Emer also talked about her own personal struggles, in particular surviving her marriage break-up abroad and returning home with three small children. She then battled with alcoholism, but has been sober now for six years, turning her life around and becoming a fitness instructor and life coach to help other people.

Find out more about the 5 Steps to A-New-U programme at www.aunua.ie.

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FEATURES

OPINION | BARRING MUSLIMS IS WRONG

Ireland must press US President to change his discriminatory law DONALD Trump may have only been inaugurated as America’s new president a little over two weeks ago – but in that time he has already caused extreme controversy through several executive orders which he has issued.

President Trump’s executive order entitled Protecting the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into the United States has barred entry to the United States of citizens who hold passports from seven predominantly Muslimmajority countries.

It is an order which can clearly be seen to be arbitrary and based on discrimination – not to mention that there have been no terrorist attacks on the USA from the countries chosen.

The executive order’s stated policy is to “protect the United States and its citizens from foreign nationals who intend to commit terrorist attacks in the United States”. However, President Trump’s isolationist approach of cutting the United States from the rest of the world and generalising about different Muslim nations will play right into the hands of the jihadists which he claims he is trying to protect Americans from.

The order also stands contrary to many international human rights laws and treaties which prohibit discrimination on the basis of religion and national origin. In particular, it is a breach of the Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees which the United States adopted in 1967 – and shows how little regard President Trump is likely to have for these types of treaties over the next four years.

Here in Ireland, there have been calls during the past week from many different politicians and journalists for An

Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, to break with tradition and refuse to attend the White House on St Patrick’s Day as a means of protesting against the policies which President Trump is now pursuing.

While not without merit, I firmly believe that the annual White House visit on St Patrick’s day is something we must continue to partake in, so as to serve the interests of both of our peoples.

Ireland and the US have long enjoyed a special relationship throughout our history, and this special relationship is also one which will long outlive the current policies of the Trump administration. The annual St Patrick’s Day visit is our one opportunity as a small nation to use our influence to further the Government’s objectives for Irish people and our diaspora, face-to-face with the American president.

In particular, it also lets us represent Irish businesses abroad, as well as obtaining relief for the estimated 50,000 undocumented Irish migrants in the US – a matter of upmost importance given President Trump’s current rhetoric surrounding immigration.

In this context, it is also the opportunity for An Taoiseach to have a frank and forthright discussion with President Trump about his current policy objectives, and why he disagrees with them – something which will not be achieved by refusing to communicate, and dampening our relationship with America’s president for the next four years to come. A snub can be ignored, but a confrontation can not.

BALLINTEER-based Senator Neale Richmond (FG) is the Government spokesman on EU Affairs in Seanad Eireann

President Donald Trump’s actions and language have sparked furious political and public condemnation, as well as protests in every corner of the world

MAKE A DATE FOR GREAT TV ONE DUB PULLED ON THE NATION’S HEART STRINGS AS HE TOOK HIS SEARCH FOR MR RIGHT TO RTE’S SMASH-HIT, MUST WATCH SHOW, FIRST DATES

Viewers were treated to some real chemistry between Corkonian David and Dub Paddy.

Screengrabs: RTE Player

 EMMA NOLAN IF EVER there was someone who managed to pull on the entire heartstrings of a nation, it was one Dubliner on RTE’s First Dates last week.

Paddy Smy th from Sutton had us all laughing and crying as we witnessed his blind date with David from Cork.

The two hit it off and the audiences’ joy was palpable. The date was so moving that Paddy’s name was trending on Twitter as it aired.

“I can’t believe it – the amount of coverage I got is insane,” he says.

“I almost cried; I was so

overwhelmed.”

The 28-year-old disability campaigner is well known for his hilarious Snapchat account based around his tag, #MyDisabledLife.

Having been born with Cerebral Palsy in his legs, Paddy uses crutches to walk and uses social media to provide a “noholds barred look into how [he lives his] life and deal with having this condition”.

Official date After the official date in The Gibson, the pair went to The George, where there was “some kissing” according to

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

‘Paddy says that he is using the exposure he’s gained from being on First Dates to shed light on disability awareness’

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

Paddy. “Then it kind of fizzled after that,” he said.

While the two are still texting, the fact that David lives in Cork has been a hindrance.

Paddy says: “We’re both at different stages in our lives. He lives in Cork, I live in Dublin, and any time we arrange to meet up it doesn’t work out, so it almost feels like just a friendship now.

“I need to see him again to see if there’s anything there.”

Having watched the show when it aired last Thursday, Paddy says he was reminded of just how great a time he had with Dave.

“I thought, ‘Oh God, I actually do really like him’, and I think I just forgot a bit.”

U l t i m a t e l y, P a d d y

wants to be with someone who can totally look past his disability and who can have a bit of banter with.

“David was lovely and I really want to see him again but I want to be with someone who’s able to slag me and not be on a pedestal of inspiration to them.”

Highs and lows Having proven to be such a hit with viewers on First Dates, Paddy has now gotten another gig off the back of it, appearing on TV3’s Six O’Clock show every Tuesday to discuss the highs and lows of Irish Celebrity

Masterchef.

“I try to cook some of the dishes from the show, too.”

Paddy says that he is using the exposure he’s gained from being on First Dates to shed light on disability awareness.

“I’m using it to give my own confidence a boost as well. For the first time in ages, I feel attractive.

“But the biggest thing is breaking boundaries.

I’ve never seen, especially in Ireland, a person with a disability talk about it in a really open, honest and funny way.”

First Dates Ireland airs every Thursdays at 9:30pm on RTE2.

For more highlights of Paddy’s social life, see his Instagram feed

To follow Paddy’s story, see https:// www.instagram.com/paddyysmyth/

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DUBLINLOVE

Enjoy rosemantic getaways for two around Ireland

 SYLVIA POWNALL

THE four-star Delphi Resort in Connemara is offering a two-night break with exciting outdoor adventures, breathtaking scenery along the Wild Atlantic Way, sensational food and relaxing spa treatments.

The package includes breakfast, a romantic three-course evening meal, a half-day of adventure activities plus a 30-minute spa treatment and an organic seaweed bath per person.

Offers start at €320PPS – see delphiresort.com or phone 095 42208 for more.

Alternatively, why not melt hearts at the Ice House Hotel in Ballina, Co Mayo? Here, contemporary chic meets traditional elegance on the banks of the River Moy. A one night’s stay in a luxurious river view room with chilled bubbles and chocolate treats on arrival, leisurely breakfast and romantic Table D’Hote dinner, starts from €337 based on two sharing.

Add an in-room Voya seaweed bath for a touch of real indulgence. For further information, call

096 23500 or see www. icehousehotel.ie.

Rediscover romance in the heart of the Kingdom at The Rose Hotel. The charming Valentine’s package gives the option of one or two nights with a specially designed fivecourse his & hers candlelit dinner.

With the option of late check-out, this deal is priced from €144 per room. See www.therosehotel.com or call 066 7199100.

Love is definitely in the air at Inchydoney Island Lodge and Spa where the wild waves of the Atlantic Ocean provide the perfect backdrop. Who can say no to a guestroom with your own private sea-view balcony, a candlelit dinner in The Gulfstream restaurant overlooking the beach, and your choice of Elemis facial or massage?

This two-night break costs from €648 per couple – see www.inchydoneyisland.com.

Snuggle time Head to Waterford for a spot of snuggle time at Faithlegg House Hotel.

Relish the look on your other half’s face as you make your way up the

meandering drive and catch a first glimpe of the 18th century country house in its fairytale setting.

Little touches will make it all the more special – you’ll always remember the rose petals on your bed, tempting handmade chocolates and decadent chocolatedipped strawberries prepared by the hotel’s pastry chef.

This Leisurely Lovers’ Valentine’s package includes one or two nights’ bed and breakfast, one dinner with a glass of bubbles in the two AA Rosettes award winning Roseville Rooms Restaurant, starting from €100PPS. Visit www. faithlegg.com or call 051 382000.

Finally, if you don’t fancy travelling too far, why not explore love in the city at the stylish Radisson Blu Royal Hotel here in Dublin?

This chic overnight package includes dinner and buffet breakfast with a world of entertainment on your doorstep.

The Valentine’s offer starts from €275 per couple – see www.radissonblu.ie/royalhotel-dublin or call 01 898 2900.

Enjoy some cool views and a heartwarming time at The Ice House Hotel, Ballina

From meeting locals, curious goats or soon-to-be delicious lobsters, Ballynahinch Castle’s Connemara setting

BALLYNAHINCH CASTLE: HISTORIC STONES AND ROCKY

Lovely Connemara best for a Valentine  AISLING KENNEDY

BALLYNAHINCH Castle is a rarity in Ireland, with a uniqueness that I have never found in any other hotel I have stayed at before.

With Valentine’s Day just a few days away, it’s hard to think of a better place to escape to for a truly magical, romantic break.

For starters, the hotel is a four-star Victorian castle that is nestled in the most immense natural beauty I have ever seen.

If you have visited Connemara you will understand but if, like me, you have never been, it will quite simply take your breath away, whether at Valentine’s or, indeed, any time of the year.

Ballynahinch Castle is situated on the banks of the Owenmore River

between Clifden and Glynsk, close to Recess.

The castle dates back to 1756 and when you arrive into the reception you immediately feel the deep history of the hotel, with its high ceilings, beautiful paintings on the walls, fishing rods and warm log fires.

The hotel has a country feel while still remaining elegant and luxurious.

My partner and I met with sales and marketing manager Carol Hinch, who warmly welcomed us and offered us tea or one of the many aged whiskeys the hotel proudly display in their Ranji room next to reception.

We were shown to our room in the River Wing part of the hotel, and while walking through the newly refurbished corridors, Carol explained the history of Ballynahinch

and the many intriguing visitors they have had over the years.

Our room was spectacular, with a four poster bed, a walk-in wardrobe, a very large bathroom and a view from our window of the Owenmore River, which was a beautiful sight to behold.

After we had settled ourselves in, we met with Noel Joyce, the hotel’s walking guide, and he brought us on the 3km riverside and railway walk around the grounds of Ballynahinch Castle.

He taught us about foraging in the local area, the history of the castle, and the types of fish to be caught in the river during different seasons.

The walk took about two hours and we had the pleasure of taking in the scenery all around the castle, culminating in

a walk along the banks of the Owenmore River where we could see Ballynahinch Castle in the distance, nestled in front of the Connemara mountains.

It was a view I will never forget, as the colours of the sky and the mountains against the backdrop of the castle was simply stunning.

Noel ended our tour by bringing us to a little lodge that fishermen use along the banks of the river, where wine and canapes were waiting for us.

Later that day we met with Cyril Biggins, the hotel’s famed fly fisherman. He taught us how to fly fish, initially on the grounds of the castle before we got to try the real thing at the river.

I hoped for a little nibble on my rod but my luck wasn’t in that day. It was,

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TRAVEL

provides a wild and dramatic, yet charming and friendly, setting for all. Pictures: Aisling Kennedy

SHORES WILL CAPTURE YOUR HEART

proves the west is getaway to delight ---------------------------------------------------------

‘Seamus Heaney was a regular visitor to Ballynahinch over the years. As a result, Heaney wrote a book – Captivating Brightness – specifically for Ballynahinch Castle, containing only original works dedicated to the beautiful scenery and charm of the castle and its surroundings’ ---------------------------------------------------------

however, a great experience and Cyril was a very patient teacher as it was my first time fly fishing and I wasn’t quite a natural at it!

Later that night we dined in the Owenmore restaurant run by head chef Ultan Cooke, who previously won a Michelin Star for his cooking at Aniar in Galway.

He explained that the

menu uses the freshest ingredients and is regularly changed to reflect the seasons.

Our dinner was beautiful and every course was paired with a particular wine to suit the dish. A particular mention has to go to the duck heart starter, as it was a gorgeous example of a dish well executed. The service was excellent and very

attentive too.

Throughout the meal, the general manager of Ballynahinch, Patrick O’Flaherty, entertained us with stories of the many poets, playwrights and authors who regularly visited and stayed in Ballynahinch over the years.

One of the most notable people that Patrick knew well was poet Seamus Heaney, who was a regular visitor to Ballynahinch over the years.

It was clear that he had a strong bond with the poet.

As a result, Heaney wrote a book – Captivating Brightness – specifically for Ballynahinch Castle, containing only original works dedicated to the beautiful scenery and charm of the castle and its surroundings.

That book was on our coffee table in our room when we arrived at Bal-

lynahinch. It is a beautiful read, and one that I will treasure forever.

The following day, before we departed back to reality, we were treated to a boat trip out to Inis Lacken.

If, like me, you have never heard of Inis Lacken, it is a little island that lies off the coast of Roundstone in Connemara.

Our boat brought us along the beautiful coastline of Connemara to the island and while on our journey we tried out some sea fishing.

Luckily the weather was very calm that day but still, I couldn’t quite manage to hook that elusive fish!

We did, however, pull in a lobster pot from the sea on our way across to the island where there was a beautiful lobster that we kept and were treated to

The rugged setting’s ruins and waters are offset by the cosy comfort and style back at historic Ballynahinch Castle

later on the island.

Inis Lacken itself used to be inhabited by people who have long since departed, as it is so remote. It is now a gorgeous little island surrounded by small sandy beaches, with lots of old, crumbling cottages dotted around the land.

Goats and donkeys wander the island, and they will happily come up to investigate who you are when they see you.

We walked most of the island, as it is not very big, and then retreated to an

old schoolhouse. There we had our cooked lobster, enjoyed some sun and learned about the history of the island.

Overall, my experience at Ballynahinch is one that will always stay with me and I will be back again in the future. That is a definite.

It is a place filled with character, history and something special that is hard to put into words.

For me, it is probably the most beautiful and undiscovered part of Ireland that before now I

never had the pleasure of experiencing, but I’m very grateful to all at Ballynahinch for opening my eyes to the beauty that exists in our fair little island.

I f y o u ’r e u n l u c k y enough not to be able to visit Ballynahinch Castle for a wonderful Valentine treat, the hotel is running a mid-week deal in March, which includes a two-night break with dinner for €215pp.

For further information, see www.ballynahinchcastle.com or call 095 31006.

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DUBLINLOVE

VALENTINEBITES

Bank on a romantic meal over at the IFSC

Make Lily O’Brien’s chocs even sweeter by adding your face IF YOU’RE looking to make your better half smile this Valentine’s Day, then you can’t go wrong with a box of chocolates – in particular, a box of chocolates with your loving face on it For Valentine’s Day, Lily O’Brien’s Chocolates are going all-out by offering a personalised chocolate photo box (30 chocolates for €19.99) which combines the signature Lily O’Brien’s chocolates accompanied with your own romantic and personal image.

All you have to do is upload your image to the Lily O’Brien website and they will frame it on your chocolate box lid for you. For further information, see www.lilyobriens.ie, or their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/LilyOBriens.

ELY Bar and Brasserie in the IFSC is running a four-course Valentine’s Day menu created by executive chef Ryan Stringer on February 14. On the night, award-winning sommelier Ian Brosnan will also be on hand to guide diners through the selection of white, red and dessert wines from the Ely cellars.

Ely Bar and Brasserie features beautifully restored wine vaults dating back to 1821, along with a dramatic waterside atrium bar, a climate-controlled fine wine cellar, and wonderful 200-year-old wine and whiskey vaults. The Valentine’s dinner costs from €99 per couple. For bookings, see www.elywinebar.ie.

FOOD

Roses are red, violets blue, but for brownie points, this is for you!

Mix and match your perfect M&S meal M&S are running a Valentine’s dinner menu this week for €25 that offers shoppers a choice between four starters, four main courses, three sides, four desserts, a bottle of sparkling wine, and a box of chocolates. The offer is running from February 9 to 14; shoppers simply have to mix and match the courses they want along with their preferred sparkling wine.

Just Li Shar ke & eo Cast lekno ur c Face k Hotel book post

The stunningly beautiful Castleknock Hotel & Country Club is an award-winning 4 star hotel set in beautiful grounds with its own golf course, right on the doorstep of Dublin city.

The hotel is just 15 minutes from the city but feels a world away from the bustle of Dublin with its tranquil countryside setting.

With an 18-hole golf course, deluxe day spa, award-winning restaurants and welcoming bars Castleknock Hotel is everything you could want from a great resort hotel, all under one roof and within easy reach

of everything Dublin has to offer. We have a fantastic prize on offer for this beautiful hotel – a romantic overnight stay for two including breakfast and an evening meal in the awardwinning Park Restaurant (above). All you have to do is go to the Dublin Gazette’s Facebook page and Like and Share our Castleknock Hotel Valentine’s Day post.

Castleknock Hotel & Country Club is the perfect place to spoil your sweetheart this February! *Terms & Conditions apply - Subject to availability and non-transferable.

Castleknock Hotel & Country Club, Porterstown Rd, Castleknock, D15 +353 (0) 1 640 6300 castleknockhotel.com

IF YOU’RE one of the many people taking a more socially-minded approach to Valentine’s Day, why not rustle up these adorable Raspberry Brownies instead?

Your friends will love you if you whip these up, with this recipe serving 12-16.

This recipe is courtesy of Flogas Ireland; for further information and more recipes see www. flogastronomy.

INGREDIENTS

125g butter 50g dark cocoa (but drinking chocolate powder will work fine here)  200g caster sugar  3 medium eggs  200g plain flour  1 teaspoon baking powder  100g whole blackberries  

PREPARATION  Preheat your (fan) oven to 180C. Line a square baking dish well.  In a large, microwaveable bowl, melt the but-

ter in the microwave.

It should only take 30 seconds x 2 on the high setting. Stir in the cocoa powder until blended with the melted butter.  In a second large bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar until creamy and frothy.

While whisking, pour in the butter & cocoa powder mixture. Keep on whisking until completely combined.  Stop whisking and fold in the flour and baking powder. Once all the flour and bak-

ing powder has been combined, pour half the mixture into the lined baking dish. Stud the mixture with the whole blackberries then pour the remaining mixture on top.  Bake in the oven for 25 minutes. Carefully remove the brownie from the oven, then return to the oven for a further 5 minutes to intensify the flavours.  Turn off the oven, remove the brownie and leave to cool completely before serving.

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Cheeky gifts

IF, like me you don’t take Valentine’s very seriously but enjoy marking the day in a humorous way, then please enjoy this selection of tongue in cheek (oh go on) gifts to annoy your significant other, friends and colleagues.

M&S Handmade Prosecco Mallows €6

Brown Thomas Jo Malone London Men’s Cologne Collection €98

Dea a Bo lz Mess a ttle €1.5 ge in 0 OVE EIL AUS M C E Ani B E CHAR and C Alex NECKLA , €31 s YOU & Son r Wei Tho mas Sab o st erli ng s ilve r br ace let € 159

Asos Jolly Awesome card €4

Aldi Valentines novelty apron €4.99

Passeport Rose d’Anjou €14.99

Arnotts Ale Walsh Emma Clutch in pink €225

ear Ohh D Asos €4.75 r e coast

Aldi Chocolate Fountain €19.99

Heart balloon kit, €20, Moss Cottage, www. moss.ie

Bro Eto wn T nD ot T homa ie € s 85

I Only Have Fries For You Card, €6,Moss Cottage, www. moss.ie

FOR the more romantically inclined here’s a selection of gifts to indulge your inner Casanova.

Whether your other half will be enamoured with a bottle of prosecco and some chocolates or something a little fancier – from good old chocolates and cuddly toys to something a little more considered take a look at our more lovey dovey choices.

Lovey Dovey

GAZETTE

22 GAZETTE 9 February 2017

DUBLINLIFE

FASTNews

The Hyundai Tucson remains the top-selling car on the Irish market as we start 2017

Dublin sales grows as new-car purchases dip NEW car sales figures produced by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) for the month of January show that 171 registrations were down by 1.7% (39,019) compared to January 2016 (39,722). New car sales in the Dublin region accounted for 34% of the total Irish market in January, up marginally from 33% in 2016 as 13,358 new cars were registered in Dublin, in January of this year.

With the value of sterling staying low, used car imports from Britain continue to rise on the back of perceived value. Used car imports for January 2017 were 7,558 compared with 4,509 in January 2016, a massive 67% increase. Sales of new Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV’s) dropped by 2.4% (6,394) compared to January last year (6,555), while Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) registrations dropped by 6.3% (456) for January in comparison to the same time last year (487).

The best-selling car in for the month of January was the Hyundai Tucson. The success of the Hyundai Tucson put the Hyundai brand as the overall car brand market leader for the first time ever, ahead of Toyota with Ford in third place.

Top Five Models Jan 2017 1 Hyundai Tucson 2 Ford Focus Range 3 Ford Fiesta Range 4 Nissan Qashqai 5 VW Golf Range

Units 1,899 1,550 1,421 1,349 1,273

Ford marks centenary with leading position FORD marked 100 years in Ireland with the leading position in the combined car and light commercial vehicle (LCV) market.

According to figures released by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry, Ford sold the highest number of vehicles with a total of 6,043 units (4,381 cars and 1,662 vans) ahead of Toyota with a combined total of 5,096 and VW in third place with a combined total of 4,893.

This is the third year in a row that Ford has been the top seller during the January sales period.

Ford’s Transit range was again the undisputed leader in van sales with some 1,293 Transit and Transit Connect models sold during the month. The Ford Focus and the Ford Fiesta were both placed in the top-five best-selling models in second and third place respectively.

Corolla proves an effortless driving challenge

Toyota’s Corolla has been their best-selling car in Ireland and across the world since it launched 50 years ago. Today’s Corolla is so much more modern, economical and practical while retaining that reliability in a car that Michael Moroney found is just easy to drive.

FOR 2017, Toyota has a new Corolla, the Japanese brand’s best-selling car on the Irish market.

The Corolla appeals to those who want a safe and reliable car with plenty of rear legroom and spacious concealed boot space.

The new-look Corolla remains identifiable as a Toyota and now it’s been tweaked to give it a more modern look.

This is a car that’s g r ow n i n s i z e ove r recent years as it edges into the bigger car sector of the market.

Ireland is still a market where saloon cars sell in high numbers.

The Corolla has been a popular choice and has been the best-selling car in this segment of the Irish market so far in 2017 after more than 3,750 were sold in 2016.

For 2017 it leads its

segment of the market.

The boot design is still preferred by many over the hatchback option, giving a great level of load security as well as additional carrying capacity.

Skoda offers a similar option in the Octavia with both a boot and a hatchback feel, while the Volkswagen Jetta is seen as one of the other obvious competitors along with the saloon or fourdoor version of the Ford Focus. Overall, it’s a narrow competition zone as the Corolla and Octavia battle it out for the top slot.

I ’ ve h a d t h e n e w Corolla powered by the modest 1.4-litre turbodiesel engine out in test in recent weeks. The car is instantly impressive in terms of styling both inside and out.

The dash layout has

been improved to give a cleaner more modern look topped off with an impressive 7 inch touch screen system.

I found that the car provides great interior space. Seat adjustment is good with up to 60mm (3in) sliding movement and 16 levels of height adjustment. The steering wheel angle has extra adjustment and when I was in my most comfortable driving position there was impressive rear legroom.

Toyota claims that the new Corolla has 85mm (3.5in) more rear knee room than the best of the competitors.

You’ll be impressed with the engine smoothness rather than the power. For some abouttown driving the new Corolla is so smooth that sometimes you wonder if it’s a diesel or not.

The new-look Toyota Corolla comes with styling change inside and out, more space and improved safety features. Prices start from €22,995 for the entry level diesel models

Toyota Corolla 1.4 D4D

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine 1.4 litre Engine power 90hp 0 – 100km/hr 12.5 seconds Economy 25km/litre

(4.0/100km or 70mpg) Fuel Tank Capacity 55 litres CO2 emissions 119g/km Road Tax Band A3 €190 Main Service 15,000km/12 months Euro NCAP Rating 5 star (2015) Warranty 3 years/100,000km Entry Price €22,995 The dash has been re-designed to deliver a cleaner and less cluttered look, while the large 7-inch touch screen system is clear and easy to use

Out on the motorways and over longer journeys the engine feels under powered forcing you to drive at over 2200rpm and pushing your driving style into a less economical zone.

Overall, with over 1200km driven in the Corolla I found that

the economy figures were about 20% off the rated one of 25km/litre (4.0/100km or 70mpg).

T h a t ’s a r e a s o n a b l e return for a car that has good space capacity.

This Corolla is lighter than some of the competition and that feature was noticeable on the

9 February 2017 GAZETTE 23

GAZETTE

MOTORING

Car share club celebrates clocking up 10k members

The boot is big at 452 litres

The Corolla is powered by an upgraded 1.4 turbodiesel engine that delivers 90bhp and 205Nm of torque but it’s a shade sluggish in action

open road. Cross winds are noticeable as is the impact of passing heavy trucks on motorways.

This confirms for me why the Corolla is an easy and impressive car to drive as long as you drive easily.

Keep within the 100km/hr range and you’ll find the car is economical as well as being comfortable to drive.

This Corolla comes with lots of new features

safety features that add to this ease of driving appeal. This is what Toyota calls its Safety Sense system and includes a lane departure warning system that’s effortless to disengage.

Hill Assist Control, Downhill Assist Control, Trailer Stability Control and Active Traction Control are also included.

Other features include rear view parking camera, dusk sensors and an auto-

matic headlight system.

I especially liked the auto dimming headlights system and despite the lengthy test drive in what were poor driving conditions, the system worked very well.

It gave a clear warning in the panel between the dials when it needed an extra cleaning and that also helped with the automatic stop warning system, both of which are very effective and need

just a little regular care.

The new Toyota Touch multimedia system is easy to use and comes with a larger 7 inch screen and a smaller 4.2 inch screen between the dials within the dash display. The information on the car’s performance and settings is easy to use.

So too was the BlueTo o t h s e t u p b u t I found that the system was erratic in terms

of the phone connection and many callers complained about poor reception so calls were dropped.

I failed to connect a second phone user to the system, which would be a useful advantage.

Entry prices for the new Corolla diesel start at €22,995 in Terra specification, while you need to add €2,000 to your spend if you opt for the higher specification

Luna versions.

Overall, the car is competitive and well specified with lots of space and comfort.

T his is a car that drives easily but not in a challenging way. Corolla has been the hallmark of motoring reliability and that bit you can depend on with the new model, plus it has lots of modern driver features that are presented well and new Toyota style.

Volvos top for pedestrian safety ratings

Volvo’s new S90 and V90 have set a new safety standard

VOLVO has cemented its position amongst the leaders of automotive safety innovation with its new S90 sedan and V90 wagon by being the first car maker to score a full six points in the Autonomous Emergency Braking for Pedestrians (AEB Pedestrian) test procedure and an overall 5 Star rating for both cars in the recent Euro NCAP system.

Volvo Cars has a long held vision that no one should be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo car by the year 2020.

The S90 and V90 results surpass the best overall score of any model tested last year and now make Euro NCAP’s

top-3 best performing cars ever all Volvos. The result follows in the footsteps of the XC90, which was the first car from any manufacturer to score full points in the Euro NCAP Autonomous Emergency Braking Car to Car rear-end tests (AEB City and AEB Interurban). The S90 and V90 performed as expected in the 2017 testing cycle, achieving the full 5 stars, thanks in large part to the high level of standard safety equipment in the new cars.

The AEB Pedestrian tests by Euro NCAP are designed to check performance of pedestrian detection systems using three road crossing scenarios, all of which would result

in a fatal collision if the AEB system did not intervene. The tests represent common and critical situations that frequently result in pedestrian casualties in the real world: An adult runs into the road from the driver side of the vehicle An adult walks into the road from the passenger side of the vehicle (two tests are carried out for this scenario) A child runs from between two parked cars into the road from the passenger side of the vehicle Volvo has a long held vision that no one should be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo car by the year 2020.

IRELAND’S largest car sharing club GoCar has reached 10,000 sign-ups since it was launched in 2008 and now plans to operate a fleet of 300 cars and vans.

To celebrate this milestone and make car sharing accessible to more drivers across Dublin, GoCar is offering new memberships to the public at just €10 for a limited period (a reduction of 80% on the usual sign-up fee of €50) in addition to new, payas-you-go pricing.

GoCar’s new payas-you-go pricing will eliminate monthly subscription fees for drivers and allow them to drive a GoCar vehicle from €8 per hour, with 50km of driving included on every trip at no additional cost.

Drivers will also enjoy free parking at any Dublin City payand-display parking space across the city and incur no expense for fuel, NCT testing, vehicle servicing, motor tax or insurance premiums.

Anyone aged 21 or over with a full driver license can avail of the service and have access to over 160 cars and vans across Dublin and Cork.

The reduced sign-up fee and pay-as-yougo pricing is part of its aim to provide a convenient and costeffective alternative to car ownership for more drivers across Dublin, from regular everyday users and those who occasionally need a second family car, to small and large businesses.

GAZETTE

24 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 9 February 2017

DUBLINLIFE

CINEMA

ReelReviews

SING

Musical funfest LOVE animals? Love cartoons? Love music? Then feast your eyes on Sing. Sing, directed and written by Garth Jennings, is an animated musical comedy about a down-on-his-luck koala that holds a singing competition in hopes it will save his theatre. The film includes 60 songs and features the voices of top stars such as Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Seth MacFarlane and Scarlett Johansson.

LION

A truly engaging film BASED on a non-fiction book, Dev Patel impresses in Lion (Cert PG, 118 mins).

Despite having been raised by a good family (with Nicoloe Kidman as his mum), a man adopted as a child is compelled to discover his past, and driven to find out what happened to his birth family in India.

So begins an epic journey across a continent and cultures, with a compelling emotional narrative driving it forward.

LA LA LAND

Last - definitely not least LA LA Land (Cert PG, 128 mins) is as good as its multiple awards, award nods and audience reaction say it is. Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone sing and dance theuir way through a slightly melancholy musical that pays tribute to Los Angeles, Jazz, Cinema, Romance, and more. Its terrific visuals, some striking editing and punchy music make it a delight, and one to watch out for at the Oscars.

Saving grace: Jean (Mahershala Ali) tries to help Chiron (Travante Rhodes) through his lonely, isolated and abusive life as a gay man in America

MOONLIGHT: ARTFULLY CRAFTED STORY EXPLORES GAY BLACK MALE LIVES IN THE US

Showing true colours

BASED on Tarell Alvin McCraney’s play, In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue, director Barry Jenkins’ Moonlight (Cert 15A, 111 mins) is a story told in three parts, interacting with the main character Chiron at three vital junctures in his life – as a young boy (Alex Hibbert), a teenager (Ashton Sanders) and a grown man (Travante Rhodes).

T he experience of LGBT people of colour is a cinematic subject rarely explored, and in the current social climate of America, one that is deeply necessary this awards season.

Negotiating life in the poor, black neighbour-

 MARTIN MACNAMARA

hoods of Miami, the young Chiron is helped out by drug dealer Jean (Mahershala Ali) and his girlfriend Teresa (Janelle Monae).

Their home becomes a kind of sanctuary for Chiron when his mother (Naomie Harris) spirals into a devastating crack addiction.

Chiron first confronts his sexuality with the help of Jean and Teresa, but as he grows older he

learns to hide inside a hardened exterior.

Here, life as a gay boy is solitary, violent and abusive; ultimately, Chiron begins to feel that the only one to help him through it is himself.

The subject matter is deeply affecting and absolutely necessary; Jenkins expertly crafts a narrative around the mostly ignored experience of the gay black male in America.

Mo o n l i g h t i s q u i etly moving throughout and never treats its themes with bombastic or explosive melodrama – the tension and emotion build softly, leading toward a deeply affecting, open-ended climax.

Yes, there are bursts of violence, but they are poetically in step with Moonlight’s overall, subdued atmosphere.

Jenkins often approaches the drama with a lingering camera, and deliberate, penetrating long takes that concentrate the hypnotic weight of their attention on facial expression.

Bodies, faces, in particular, are tightly framed – faces that speak, faces that listen, and faces that betray nothing of their bearer, demonstrating only the private enigma of human experience.

Indeed, the proximity the camera shares with the audience offers us a closeness to Chiron that

no one in his life can attain. At times, the result is intimate; at others, it’s deeply claustrophobic.

Throughout, however, Jenkins’ expert direction affords the film and its complex subject a unique, lyrical ambience that we rarely catch onscreen – one that evokes the cinema of Wong Kar-Wai. Much like the work of that renowned Hong Kong filmmaker, particularly his 2000 film In the Mood for Love, Moonlight incorporates repetitive and deeply moving musical themes to add a consistent, unifying texture to a story that takes massive leaps forward in time.

As both a deeply personal film and one that touches on subjects close to many hearts – subjects that rarely appear in mainstream cinema – Moonlight offers no simple answers and no universal truths.

Jenkins has crafted a unique, profound film that is wholeheartedly deserving of every accolade aimed in its direction.

Led with three superb performances and a fantastic cast of supporting players, Moonlight exhibits the entire pantheon of human emotion – beautiful, devastating and completely necessary viewing.

Verdict: 10/10

9 February 2017 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 25

GAZETTE

TECH CLASH: GLOBAL TECH AND US POLITICS COLLIDE

IT giants stir in an unexpected battle for soul of the industry

BY NOW, you’ll have seen outrage around the world against a certain someone’s travel bans and general behaviour, language, tone and intent, although closer to home political and business dissent has been more muted.

Some pundits and commentators have speculated that Ireland’s reliance on heavy-hitting IT firms has, partly at least, led to a reluctance to sharply criticise The Donald’s decisions, lest offence be caused to international IT firms based here.

However, the IT giants themselves have stirred against President Trump, sharing a rare collective rapprochement to rap his actions firmly across the knuckles.

A variety of collective statements, letters and actions have seen the likes of – deep breath – Microsoft, Facebook, Google,

 SHANE DILLON sdillon@dublingazette.com

Netflix, Uber, SquareSpace, GoPro, LinkedIn, Reddit, Dropbox, Twitter, Intel, Kickstarter, and many, many others enter the fray, all united in opposition to the travel ban that, at best, is viewed as stifling innovation, and at worst, as naked bigotry, depending on who you talk to.

After all, a great many of America’s Fortune 500 companies are IT companies, and immigrants, with their constant influx of new ideas and bold entrepreneurial streaks, have provided a lifeblood for the sector (as well as making many people and

companies very, very rich).

With more than 200 of America’s Fortune 500 firms founded by immigrants, or their children, the sector is acutely aware of the power, progress and prosperity that immigrants have played in the country’s and the wider tech sector’s fortunes.

Whether you’re from Somalia or Iraq, Singapore or Ireland, America’s tech sector welcomes you, and it’s no exaggeration to say that immigrants to America have fundamentally shaped and guided technology’s progress, and thus the world.

Any chilling effect on the sector – even if ‘just’ a ‘temporary ban’ on a few countries – thus rattles the entire IT world. The soul of the sector is at stake, with more than mere money promoting big and small IT companies and names to rush to the frontlines to

fight against such a ban.

Perhaps more cynically, the experiences of those on the ‘wrong’ side of popular anti-Trump sentiment has also been noted as a potential driving force for resisting the travel bans.

Take, for instance, Travis Kalanick, the chief executive of Uber, the taxi-hailing firm. He was one of a number of high-profile tech heads sitting on a Trump advisory committee who soon felt the sharp heat of public anger.

Despite publicly saying that he opposed President Trump’s actions, but that he felt it was better to engage with the political process to try and bring about a positive change in American policy, many Uber customers reacted badly, saying they wouldn’t use Uber again as long as the firm was involved with President Trump in any capacity.

US President Donald Trump’s executive order banning immigrants from several predominantly Muslim countries has drawn vociferous criticism from the IT world

With the risk of whitehot public anger spilling over into a financial cost to the company, Kalanick stepped down from the committee, with his experience echoed by other leaders now finding themselves on the unexpected front line of an international, public battle.

And so, from the depths of Silicon Valley to the heights of Wall Street, the IT sector’s war drums are

beating, as one global tech giant after another lines up its lieutenants and letters to oppose President Trump’s actions.

This marks a rare clash between politics and tech as a whole. Such flagship companies are used to occasional scraps and scuffles with the powers that be, but such collective cohesion beyond individual disputes is a rarity.

So far, the reaction from

President Trump to the rebellious IT sector has been muted.

However, for a man who has constantly shown a strong familiarity with tech – his infamous Tweets, and comments regarding alleged Russian hacking spring to mind – it’s very unlikely that The Donald can, or will, ignore the IT sector’s keyboard warriors gathering for battle for very long ...

Gamers cry ‘Wii will miss U’ as Nintendo kills off ailing console THE gaming community paid its respects following a long expected death in the Nintendo family last week, as the Wii U finally officially ceased production.

Announced late last year, the console’s end wasn’t a shock, as it just didn’t have the success that rivals achieved over the past decade.

After all, the Wii U, with its large GamePad controller and its idiosyncratic second screen, left developers cold from the start – titles couldn’t be easily ported over to the console, and

despite the impact of its popular predecessor console (the Wii), the Wii U always struggled from launch.

Indeed, its final sales figures were somewhere around the 13.5 million mark – a poor figure marking five years of underwhelming sales.

Still, despite its failings, the Wii U may have failed, but it failed wonder-

fully, showing a company experimenting and taking risks.

The Wii U’s quirky features showed Nintendo continuing to carve out its own niche in gaming, paving the way for the upcoming Switch console – of which more anon – and ensuring the Wii U has a small but respected place in gaming history.

26 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 9 February 2017

DUN LAOGHAIRECLASSIFIEDS CARPENTRY & CONSTRUCTION

WANTED

MOULD REMOVAL

TREE CUTTING

PLANNING NOTICE Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council Planning permission is sought by Mr and Mrs. McCaffrey to demolish one storey extension at the rear of the existing house at No. 54 St. Fintans Villas, Deansgrange, Co. Dublin and to replace it with a new two storey plus attic extension to the rear containing kitchen, dining, family room, bathroom and utility room at ground floor plus stairs and two bedrooms and bathrooms at first floor and storage space in the attic. In addition Planning Permission is sought to carry out minor elevational changes to front and side of existing house. 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 in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within a period of 5 weeks from the date the application is received by the planning Authority.

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28 DUN LAOGHIRE GAZETTE 9 February 2017

SPORT

International Soccer Boys in Green bounce back to earn respect of Dutch counterparts THE REPUBLIC’S Under-15 side bounced back from a disappointing loss to the Netherlands by drawing 1-1 against them two days later in Zeist.

The 18-man squad contained 10 players from four Dublin sides, namely St Francis FC, St Joseph’s Boys, St Kevin’s Boys and Belvedere FC. Ireland conceded five goals to the Dutch in the first game but did manage to get on the scoresheet themselves through Belvedere superstar Troy Parrott.

In the second game, Manchester United youngster Ayodeji Sotona put the Irish in front after just five minutes when Parrott made a powerful run down the right before sending the ball across the box for the Dubliner to slot home.

Ireland keeper Aaron Davis was then forced into a decent save to keep out a Dutch header in the 15th minute before the Netherlands eventually levelled two minutes later with a fortunate effort that saw a right wing cross end up in the Irish net via the upright.

Cian Leavy had a chance to restore Ireland’s lead in the 37th minute after connecting with a cut back from Parrott but his effort was cleared off the line.

Ireland pushed hard for an equaliser and were given a boost when the home side had a player dismissed for a foul on substitute Festy Ebosele with nine minutes left.

Parrott almost snatched a victory for Ireland during but manager Jason Donohue was pleased with what he saw from his players “We reflected on the first game and spoke about not making the same basic defensive errors so we defended a little deeper. After we took the lead it was tight enough and were unlucky not to go ahead. When we looked back on Tuesday we weren’t actually that bad but you can’t get away with the errors we made.

“We created more chances in the first game but we looked a stronger unit in the second game and overall I feel we met our objectives here this week. We’ll look forward to our next fixtures against the Czech Republic in April.”

Ireland Under-19 manager Tom Mohan

GAA: VINCENT’S TO LET PERFORMANCE DO THE TALKING

Townies all set for club semis  JAMES HENDICOTT sport@dublingazette.com

ST VINCENT’S head into their All-Ireland club football semi-final against Derry’s Slaughtneil on Sunday off the back of a record seventh Leinster title, and as hot favourites.

The Derry side excelled themselves in 2016 and while they’re expected to be more competitive against Vincent’s than against the Dublin hurling champions, the Marino side are heavily odds-on.

The Vincent’s players have been preparing in private - with none of the player’s involved in Dublin’s 0-18 to 0-11 opening league win against Cavan on Sunday. In fact, it’s difficult to gauge form ahead of such a key game with few turning out in O’Byrne Cup action.

Vincent’s have initiated a media shut down ahead of the game, preferring to focus on the action, and plan to talk about their progress publicly again should they make the final.

Selector Niall Curran spoke regularly with GazetteSport throughout the Leinster championship, however, and did emphasize that the club are enjoying their away trips, and the buzz that comes with them. At the time, some felt that Vincent’s success came despite some less than impressive performances, and were hoping for progress on that front.

“We’re yet to really play at the level we did in 2013,” Curran said of their

St Vincent’s after winning their seventh Leinster club title last year

Dublin progress in November, adding “trips are a bit special, they’re a bit like kids going on a school trip.

They love going away all day on the bus, out all day.”

Slaughtneil are still on target for an unlikely All-Ireland treble, with their achievements all the more notable in the context of a small, rural community club.

Having won the football and hurling double in Ulster for three years in a row, player Chrissy McKaigue told RTE of the deeper sentiments behind the club’s progress ahead of the game, saying: “We’ve lost a lot of people in our club through tragic circumstances

the last number of years and when them kind of things happen you get a wider sense of what’s important and an appreciation of what Slaughtneil is as a community.

Ultimately it’s who we are as people off the field as much as it is on it that defines us.”

Vincent’s, meanwhile, are adding a storyboard to their Marino ground that will feature the team’s various successes over the years.

The project will also include a new all weather juvenile pitch expected to open in the coming couple of months, as well as further developments to the grass pitch at Ard Scoil Ris.

BASKETBALL:

NATIONAL SIDE CALLS ON MARION ACE IOANNIS IOANNIS Liapakis has been recognised for his good work with UCD Marian by being appointed as assistant coach of the Irish men’s senior basketball squad by new head coach Pete Strickland.

Liapakis, pictured above, brings with him a wealth of experience in coaching over the last number of years both in Ireland and abroad.

He said: “It’s a great honour to be part of the men’s national team set-up and to work alongside legendary coach Pete Strickland.

“It’s a big responsibility to represent Ireland and we will definitely work our hardest to do our best and deliver.

“I would like to thank Coach Strickland and Basketball Ireland for giving me the opportunity to be part of the team. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Mohan’s men hit La Manga ahead of crucial q ualifiers TOM Mohan’s Under 19s face Norway tomorrow night in the first of three friendlies which should provide useful preparation ahead of the UEFA U19 Championships Elite Qualifying Round in March.

Ireland are in La Manga for an invitational comp that will also see them take on Portugal (Sunday) and Slovakia (Tuesday) ahead of next month’s crunch Elite Phase, when they, hosts Belgium, Italy and Sweden will scrap it out for a single spot in the finals in Georgia this summer.

“This is another good opportunity for us to get the players together and help our prepara-

tions for the UEFA Elite Phase in March,” said Mohan. “A couple of players were unavailable due to club commitments but we’ve brought in some players who’ve done well recently and it’s a chance to stake their claim for involvement in the Elite Phase.

“We held a home-based assessment game against the ETB squad prior to Christmas and some of those players have earned their place in this squad. We have watched them in preseason games and it will be good to bring them in with the other players.

“The games we’ll play will all be good tests and the tournament format will also be very

beneficial ahead of what’s a testing Elite Phase.

This is a good group of players and we’re looking forward to working with them in Spain.”

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND U19 SQUAD: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool); Lee McCarron (Finn Harps); Corey O’Keefe (Birmingham City); Canice Carroll (Oxford Utd); Conor Masterson (Liverpool); Conor Kane (Drogheda Utd) Barry Cotter (Limerick); Darragh Leahy (Coventry City); Tyreke Wilson (Manchester City); JJ Lunney (St Patrick’s Athletic); Jayson Molumby (Brighton); Trevor Clarke (Shamrock Rovers); Dan McKenna (Wolves); Conor Levingston (Wolves); Steven Kinsella (Dundalk); Anthony Scully (West Ham); Zach Elbouzedi (WBA); Dan Mandroiu (Brighton); Michael O’Connor (Shamrock Rovers); Ronan Hale (Birmingham City); Josh Barrett (Reading).

9 February 2017 DUN LAOGHIRE GAZETTE 29

GAZETTE

FASTSport

DUBLIN KIDS HAVE SKATE EXPECTATIONS FOR NEW SPORT  JAMES HENDICOTT sport@dublingazette.com

DUBLIN can now boast a second region with a roller hockey club, as local Liam Buckley continues his impressive push to promote the sport in Ireland.

Originally from Ballyfermot, Buckey intro-

duced the sport with a slow-building club at the Ballyfermot Sports Centre two years ago, and now runs senior and kids sessions at the venue, taking place on Wednesday and Friday nights respectively.

Roller Hockey has a long history and Buckley’s efforts with

The Green Machine did themselves proud over in Spain

Ireland draw hope after holding their own against Spain HOCKEY: SPAIN 3 - 3 IRELAND IRELAND were unlucky to only draw with much-fancied hosts Spain in the final game of the Tri Nations Tournament.

This enthralling match came just a day after Craig Fulton’s charges convincingly beat France 3-1.

The opening 10 minutes of the tie saw the Green Machine create more chances than their hosts as Neal Glassey drew an early save from Mario Fernandez while Shane O’Donoghue’s penalty corner drag forced another fine save.

The ever-reliable Eugene Magee was the instigator for Ireland’s opener, which was calmly deflected in by Matthew Nelson for his first senior international goal.

Ireland were denied a second from a well worked penalty corner when the ball was cleared off the line by the post man.

The game settled down until the final five minutes of the half, when Ricardo Santana drew the game level for Spain, but minutes later Nelson got his second goal as he was quickest to a loose ball in the circle.

It wasn’t long into the second half before Ireland furthered their lead. Johnny McKee won Ireland a penalty corner and O’Donoghue made no mistake the second time of asking as he drag flicked the ball high into the goal.

Higher-ranked Spain pushed to claw their way back into the game but excellent penalty-corner running by Jeremy Duncan closed down an early chance in the third quarter.

However, in the final minute of the third, the momentum began to shift as French flyer Xavi Lleonart scored from a penalty corner.

Moments into the final quarter he got his second goal to draw Spain level at 3-3.

Speaking about the series, head coach Craig Fulton said: “There have been improvements in every game and that was the main objective coming to Spain with this squad.

“We have made some really good progress as a team and there were some strong performances from the younger players.”

Kids enjoy new way to have fun on roller skates

the sport are in part a tribute to his late father, who played from the age of 12 right up until his passing at 86, but also clearly motivated by his own interest of more than two decades.

“I decided to do something to get hockey noticed around Ireland, as a lot of people don’t know what it is,” Buckley told GazetteSport. “I tried to carry it on in part in his [Buckley’s father’s] name, because he was so into it.”

To the untrained eye, the game looks a little like ice hockey, though played on a gym floor in skates, and using a more traditional hockey ball. Buckley summarises the differences by explaining that a closer ‘bridging game’ - inline hockey - exists.

“We use a quad skate, and they wear a lot more protection than we do. We just wear from the waist down, while they wear full body, more like an ice hockey player would do, and play with a puck and much longer stick. We use a hard ball.”

“Roller hockey is well known in Spain, Italy and Germany. We pretty much have to play abroad. My wife, son and daughter all play.

They have to fly, but if they’re not getting the gameplay over here, they have to go abroad.”

Competition is a key reason for Buckley’s move to Lucan, where a small group is currently in the early stages, with some players so keen on the sport that they already turn up to training in both venues. Buckley’s wife, Trish, who has been playing the game since the 80s, trains the kids to skate, while Liam works on the hockey itself.

Hockey’s cool cousin steamrolls the capital “We need to get some goalkeepers,” Buckley admits. “Eventually, though, we hope we can play games between them, and the players can talk about Lucan playing Ballyfermot.” “We have three Spanish players and an Argentinian training with our [Ballyfermot] side on a Wednesday. They’re incredible. Our downfall is we don’t have much competition over here. We need proper coaching. I’m teaching kids what was taught to me from memory.”As for the future? “We’ll get Lucan set up for now. Two years down the line, if I can have as many kids in Lucan as I have here, I’ll try and open something in Tallaght, or Clondalkin, and have a third club.

The game’s been around a long time, it’s great getting people to notice it,” he concludes.

Buckley’s sessions cost €10, and are open to anyone, though the clubs are not always able to provide appropriate roller skates for all sizes.

GAZETTE

30 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 9 February 2017

SPORT

FASTSport

Monkstown’s Cup dreams washed away by Roscrea MONKSTOWN exited the Leinster Senior Cup at the first hurdle after a 12-6 defeat to Roscrea in the first round at Castle Avenue in Clontarf last week.

It was always going to be a difficult task for CBC Monkstown coming up against a powerful Roscrea side but on Friday the torrential downpour made that task even harder.

Both sides attempted to settle in to the game in the early exchanges with Roscrea keeping it tight with their big one out runners attempting wear down Monkstown’s resolve. CBC for their part attempted to play the flowing running rugby which had seen them breeze through the Vinnie Murray Cup. This attempt to play from deep caused them trouble as the greasy ball proved difficult to hang on to at times and they turned it over deep in their own half which allowed Roscrea opportunities.

They didn’t need to be asked twice as twice they cut through the CBC defence for a 12-0 lead at half time.

In the second half both sides looked to be getting to grips with the conditions and CBC played for territory more through the tactical kicking of Shane O’Hanrahan and James Reynolds.

Eoghan Clarke and Zach Sattar looked to make the hard yards around the ruck and were rewarded with penalties, which were converted by James Reynolds - bringing the score to 12-6.

CBC continued to pile on the pressure in an attempt to get the winning score but it wasn’t to be and Roscrea held on to book their place in the next round.

Renowned photographer Michael Chester was once again on hand to snap the scenes unfolding at Clontarf’s Castle Avenue last week.

UBL: RUGBY REMEMBERS IN WESLEY AND SHANNON MID-TABLE CLASH

Club legends honoured in emotional ficture at Donnybrook

David Pierce , President Old Wesley; Darren Horan , Captain Old Wesley; Bobby Barden , former President Old Wesley ( and close friend/ work colleague of both men );Mrs. Geraldine Tucker; Mrs Judy McCoy; Lee Nicholas , Captain Shannon

 KEN BROWNE sport@dublingazette.com

THERE was more than just AllIreland League Division 1B points at stake last Saturday in Donnybrook , when local side Old Wesley hosted visitors from Limerick, Shannon.

Two sadly departed great stalwarts of both clubs, Doug McCoy and Colm Tucker, who were also close friends from rugby and their motor industry involvement, were commemorated in a fitting manner by the inaugural playing for the McCoy Tucker Memorial Trophy , which will now be “ on the line “ in all future senior encounters between the two clubs.

Doug McCoy , who passed away suddenly early in the New Year , had a very distinguished

playing and administrative career with Old Wesley , fulfilling the role of club captain and president , among others. He followed in the footsteps of his father , Bob McCoy , as president and was in turn followed in the role by his younger brother , Gordon, making the “ trinity” a unique and unprecedented family within Old Wesley.

Colm Tucker had a very distinguished rugby career for Shannon , Munster , Ireland and the British and Irish Lions and the close friendship between the two continued right up to the premature passing of Colm in 2012.

Both Doug and Colm also had another strong personal connection, having been born only 11 days apart in September 1952.

The match itself, which was crucial for both clubs, was an

DUBLIN SPRING SERIES Dublin and Mayo set for another Croker replay THE Dublin Spring Series is almost back upon us once again, meaning four mouth-watering clashes will soon hit Croke Park.

February 11th sees the capital’s senior hurlers and footballers take to the field against All-Ireland champions Kilkenny, and Tyrone respectively.

Then on March 4th the hurlers will take on Waterford before the footballers meet Mayo.

Tickets for the series can be purchased on the Dublin GAA website or in participating SuperValu and Centra stores.

excellent hard fought, but eminently fair encounter, and after the lead fluctuated on a number of occasions, Shannon finally prevailed with a last minute try to run out narrow winners on a 26-22 scoreline.

Shannon hit the front in the 14th minute when a clever lineout move saw hooker Jordan Prenderville take a return pass and get over in the corner for an unconverted try. They touched down again five minutes later after Conor Glynn found a gap following a lineout, and out-half Fionn McGibney converted for 12-0.

However, Wesley finally kicked into gear and brought the teams level through Ger Finucane’s quick tap for captain Darren Horan to go over, and a lineout maul that saw flanker Matthew

Bursey peel off the back and crash over. Tim Clifford added a conversion to ensure the teams went into the break all-square.

Wesley started the second half strongly to go 10 points ahead through Adam Griggs and the boot of Clifford. However, Shannon upped their game and eventually came out on top of an exciting affair It was a fitting encounter to mark the special occasion and the McCoy Tucker Memorial Trophy was presented afterwards to Shannon captain Lee Nicholas , in the presence , among others , of Mrs Judy McCoy and Mrs Geraldine Tucker, respective wives of the two great friends, rivals and work colleagues, reflecting the true embodiment of what life should be all about.

9 February 2017 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 31

GAZETTE

COMMUNITY GAMES

Organisation hoping to expand into other areas

CUALA

LORD Mayor of Dublin Brendan Carr launched the

Community Games’ 50th Jubilee and 2017 calendar of events in the Mansion House recently.

The Games were are active from Balbriggan to Foxrock and many more areas, and provides opportunities for children from 6-16 to participate in a wide variety of sporting and cultural activities.

And don’t worry, if you’re over 16, you can get involved with the youth section and help out at local and county events.

Capital cruise to seven-point win in Lakelands Cavan 0-11 Dublin 0-18  KARL GRAHAM sport@dublingazette.com

DUBLIN go into their Spring Series game against Tyrone in Croke Park this weekend in high spirits after an opening round 0-11 to 0-18 win over Cavan in the Allianz Football League at Kingspan Breffni Park.

A crowd of 16,331 turned out to watch Division 1 newbies Cavan take on the two in a row All-Ireland winners who are looking to make it five league titles in five years.

Impressive per formances in the victorious O’Byrne Cup campaign saw Niall Scully and Jason Whelan rewarded with a place in Jim Gavin’s side.

Former footballer of the year Jack McCaffrey also took his place in the side after his sabbatical last year – a return that

went down extremely well with the visiting fans.

Neither team could stamp their authority on the game during an opening quarter that saw the game swing from end to end.

Dublin then managed to score five unanswered points as they looked to move their game up a gear. Both teams managed to get some points on the board as Dublin took a 0-10 to 0-7 lead into the break.

The second half saw the boys in blue, sporting a darker than usual jersey, kick on with Dean Rock continuing his free form from last year.

Cavan struggled to get close to Dublin, with the visiting side comfortably keeping their opponents at least three points adrift.

Their dominance of the game in the second also allowed Gavin to empty his bench, a situation which probably helped lead to their wastefulness in front of

THE academy’s main fundraising event

is also great fun and is a crucial part of

is set for Saturday March 4th. The

what keeps the Academy going.

exact time of each year’s group walk

All children in the academy will be

will be communicated closer to the

given a sponsorship card at their

date but we need you to book your

training sessions before the February

diary now for this important event.

mid-term break. The walk takes place

This is the Academy’s only fund-

FOOTBALL: BOYS IN BLUE DEFEAT CAVAN TO GO TOP

Allianz Football League Round 1

CLUB NOTICEBOARD

in Killiney Park.

raiser and the funds will be spent on

Well done to Cuala Girls Maria, Han-

playing equipment, renting of winter

nah, Grainne, Rachel and Sinéad who

training pitches, player insurance and

are through to the Camogie All-Ireland

other games related costs. The event

Finals with Colaiste Iosagain.

SHANKILL THERE was no winner of the club

and all equipment is provided free of

development Lotto draw held on

charge.

2 /2 /2017, sponsored by Slimming

All of our teams are now back in

World. The number s drawn were

training at 11.00am - also in St Lau-

19-20-29-32.

rence’s College.

Lucky dip winner s were Paddy

Our men’s adult football team is

O’Brien, Tony Faulkner & Frances

looking for extra players for this sea-

Morgan. The new jackpot is a whop-

son contact Kevin 086 8449902. For

ping €1300. Tickets are €2 each or 3

more information on the club con-

for €5.

tact secretary.shankill.dublingaa.ie

Our Academy sponsored by

or call 086 4010438.

O’Donnell’s Pharmacy is back in

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

action every Saturday at 10.00am in

Join Shankill GAA Club, your commu-

St Laurence’s College. Cost is €2 per

nity, your GAA club where everybody

child, there is no annual subscription

knows your name.

FOXROCK CABINTEELY OUR clubhouse will be opening its

ners-up in the All-Ireland Club Cham-

doors on Thursday evening (9th Feb-

pionship.

ruary) to a very special visitor. The

They won the Dublin senior cup,

Sam Maguire will be in the clubhouse

their third in a row, and were Dublin

between 7.30pm and 8.00pm. All wel-

senior league runners-up, to wrap

come.

up a whirlwind year. The list of their

We had a lovely evening with Coun-

recent accolades is testament to

cillor Cormac Devlin last week to

the talent, dedication and hard work

celebrate the success and achieve-

of players, coaches and staff at the

ments of Foxrock-Cabinteely senior

club.

football Team in 2016 .

Foxrock-Cabinteely GAA senior ladies football club have been honoured with an award in respect of their achievements in 2016 at County Hall in Dun Laoghaire.

Foxrock-Cabinteely have had a year to remember having scooped Dublin and Leins ter S enior Club Championships and f inished run-



GOT A STORY? Dublin star Jack McCaffrey hopes to take a spot in Jim Gavin’s team

the posts during the second period.

Dublin’s upcoming clash with Tyrone is part of a double header, with the capital’s senior hurlers taking on All-Ireland

champions Kilkenny.

It will be the first time Dublin and Tyrone have met each other since the 2015 league campaign when the sides had to settle for a draw.

WE WANT TO KNOW!

Call our SPORT TEAM on 60 10 240 and SELECT OPTION 3

or email sport@dublingazette.com

GAZETTESPORT

ALL OF YOUR DUN LAOGHAIRE SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 28-31

ROLLER HOCKEY: Kids get excited as new sport set to take the capital by storm with second club P29

FEBRUARY 9-15, 2017

RUGBY: Legends of game honoured as Old Wesley take on Shannon P30

Celtic set for crucial clash with UCD  DAVE DONNELLY

sport@dublingazette.com

WAYSIDE Celtic host UCD on Sunday in a South Dublin derby that could have significant implications for both sides’ battle to remain in the Leinster Senior League’s top tier.

Wayside sit two points above the drop zone after last weekend’s game at Tolka Rovers was controversially ordered to be replayed to the dismay of the Dun Laoghaire siae.

The match was abandoned eight minutes from the end with the visitors leading 2-0. Celtic had expect-

ed the result to stand give how little time remained, however a replay has been called.

A win would have seen Celtic climb to 21 points alongside Sunday’s opponents, who sit in seventh, which shows just how tight a division Senior Sunday is this season.

“It’s so tight down there,” Celtic manager Peter Lennon told GazetteSport ahead of the derby.

“From fifth down there’s only a win or a loss separating everybody.

Every game in the Leinster Senior League is tight. Everybody is capable of beating anybody.

“That’s why the league is so popular, and that’s why junior clubs are

now aspiring to get into the Leinster Senior League, because it’s so unpredictable.”

In so competitive a league, there’s no guarantee Wayside will beat Tolka when the game is rescheduled, and that could play into the hands of the Students in their own quest for safety.

Diarmuid McNally’s side have likewise struggled for consistency this season but have been boosted by the return of strikers Samir Belhout and Conor Cannon.

They’ve had the upper hand over their South Dublin rivals in recent years, and they recorded an emphatic 3-0 victory in UCD in

October.

“They’ve kind of had a hoodoo over us. We’ve struggled to beat them over the last number of years.

Even games we’ve dominated we’ve ended up losing. That has to change sometime.

“They’re a good side, well-organised and well-drilled, and they’ve got a huge pick of players down there.

“I know Diarmuid McNally. He’s there a long time and he’s passionate. They’re always good sides. I’ve never seen a bad UCD team.”

The sides traditionally compete for players in the soccer heartland of South Dublin, and both clubs

have an ethos that seeks to promote local youth.

“We’ve rebuilt the team from scratch. We’ve had great sides and a great run of success over many years. At every level, that comes to a stall, and it’s how you readjust to get back.

“We’re doing it slowly and patiently with as many home-based players as we can. If we get players who are local, or local enough, you get longevity out it.

“You get players who are going to stay around. The team is a very young side, but there are some players now starting to show great promise.”