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Foxrock in shock as six students die

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 BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN

OUR Lady’s Church in Foxrock was the focal point for an outpouring of grief by the community, who came in their droves to pay their respects to the six students killed after they fell four floors when a balcony collapsed in Berkeley, California on June 16.

Three of the six students killed had attended UCD and one was a student, Olivia Burke at IADT. Seven other students are still in hospital, some of whom are in a very serious condition.

Five who lost their lives were from south Dublin. Niccolai Schuster (21), Eoghan Culligan (21), Eimear Walsh (21), Olivia Burke (21) and Lorcan

Miller (21) all died in the accident a week after arriving at Berkeley on J1 visas to work during the summer.

The sixth victim was Irish-American Ashley Donohoe (22), who was a cousin of Olivia Burke.

Foxrock parish administrator Carol O’Kelly told The Gazette the parish decided to hold an impromptu vigil the same night as word reached them of the tragedy She said: “Eimear Walsh and Olivia Burke were very active members of the parish here.

“This [news] landed on our desks mid-afternoon [June 16], so we decided to organise a vigil for Wednesday week.”

Continued on Page 7

(Clockwise from top left) Ashley Donohoe, Niccolai Schuster, Olivia Burke, Eoghan Culligan, Eimear Walsh and Lorcan Miller

2 DUN laoghaire Gazette 18 June 2015

water Households in line for up to €4,000 to replace pipes

State scheme to tackle lead MANY Dun LaoghaireRathdown homeowners with lead pipes delivering water to their homes will be in line for a grant of up to €4,000, Environment Minister Alan Kelly announced last week. It is not yet clear if applicants must register with Irish Water to qualify.

The scheme, which will be a budgetary measure, is part of a national strategy to reduce lead in drinking water. Households earning up to €50,000 qualify for the maximum €4,000, while those on €50,000 to €75,000 will get €2,500.

Dangerous lead levels

 Bairbre Ni Bhraonain bnibhraonain@gazettegroup.com

were recorded in houses in the Balally Drive this May, where the lead content in water was at 72mcg per litre, whereas the legal EU limit for lead is 10mcg per litre.

At the time, Cathaoirleach Barry Saul (FG) said: “It is vital that Irish Water bring forward a plan to deal with the high levels and to offer assist-

ance to local homeowners to solve this public health issue.” Minister Kelly is planning to do this now through the Home Improvement Grant scheme.

When consumed, lead harms the kidneys and can affect brain development in babies in the womb and young children, according to the HSE and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Lead pipes were commonly used in houses built up to 1970 and around 200,000 homes across the country are estimated to be affected

by lead contamination.

Irish Water has now begun writing to almost 28,000 households it knows are affected.

The utility said requests for information on grants to replace lead pipes should be directed to the Department of the Environment and not Irish Water.

A utility spokesperson added: “The primary message we are highlighting here is that, following the roll-out of the metering programme, Irish Water has indicators which show that there are lead connections into homes, but this is not the only, or indeed the main, indicator.

“It’s really important that homeowners understand that if they live in a house which was built up to and including the 1970s that they could have lead pipes, resulting in lead in drinking water.

“They don’t have to wait for a letter from

Homeowners of older properties are urged to check if they have lead pipes

Irish Water before taking action.”

Cllr Ossian Smyth (GP) said: “I asked Irish Water in February how many meters were being connected to lead pipes in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown.

“I was amazed when they told me that 10% of homes were being supplied through a lead pipe on their side of the meter.

“So this is not just a problem of homes with internal lead plumbing, Irish Water needs to fix their own network and stop supplying water

through lead pipes to the public.

“Every family, particularly those with young children or pregnant women, should be told

by Irish Water whether their water is fit to drink.

Nobody should have to pay for contaminated water and the Minister should direct Irish Water that they may not collect water charges from people whose water is supplied through a lead pipe.”

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett (PBP) said: “Now hundreds of thousands of householders are fac-

ing another massive cost to fix the decrepit water infrastructure on top of water charges and other austerity charges.

“More than €0.5bn has been wasted putting in water meters which should have been used to fix the water infrastructure and deal with issues of lead poisoning.

“People are paying again and again from their pockets and many are also paying with their health for the failure to deal properly and justly with Irish water infrastructural problems.”

See Opinion on Page 6

E.coli fears as beach at Killiney shut  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

HIGH levels of E.coli found in White Rock beach in Killiney caused the council to close the beach to conduct a water test last week.

The beach reopened to the public four days later as the water returned to normal.

Last week, a spokesperson for the council said: “Following receipt of the preliminary results from the samples taken

on Monday, June 8, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has taken the precautionary step of placing a temporary warning notice, advising against swimming at White Rock Beach only. The results for White Rock showed a high level of E.coli.”

Later in the week, the spokesperson told The Gazette that following the initial readings, the water at White Rock Beach was re-sampled

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on June 10 and the results, which came back on June 12, revealed that levels had returned to normal.

The council then consulted with the HSE on the findings and removed all advisory notices warning bathers not to swim there.

T he spokesperson went on to say the cause of the high E.coli levels is not known and an investigation has begun.

E. coli (escherichia coli) is a bacteria found in the intestines of animals, including humans, and causes vomiting and diarrhoea.

Cllr Cormac Devlin (FF) said that water samples are taken at

all beaches on a regular basis and when high levels of E.coli or any contaminant are found, the council puts a temporary ban on all swimming at the affected beach.

He said: “The cause of the E.coli is not yet known; however, the council has launched an investigation.”

He went on to say: “It is worrying that so early in the summer of 2015, and the fine weather, that we have yet another E.coli warning.

“There were a number of them last summer and the repeated cause of E.coli along the Dublin coast must be found,” said Cllr Devlin.

18 June 2015 DUN laoghaire Gazette 3

children Summer camp gets go-ahead

heritage: time almost up for public submissions on landmark’s future

Deadline nears to give baths opinion  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

THE deadline is fast approaching for members of the public to have their say on Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council’s current plans for the refurbishment of Dun Laoghaire Baths.

Those wishing to lodge a submission have until June 19 to do so.

The council’s plans for the baths include the retention of the existing baths building and also factors in a new coastal pedestrian walkway between the popular Sandycove promenade at Newtownsmith to the rear of the East Pier in Dun Laoghaire.

Also included in the

proposal are several new amenities such as a cafe, an art gallery, improved maritime gardens and a new jetty for access to the sea for kayaks, canoes and small craft.

Dun Laoghaire Baths were constructed in 1843. In 1910, they were completely redeveloped by the council’s precursor, the Kingstown Town Council, and operated as a bathing spot until 1997 when they closed.

Since then, the site has since become a bit of an eyesore along Dun Laoghaire’s coastline.

Local Dun Laoghaire resident and Cllr Cormac Devlin (FF) is urging interested constituents to view the new plans and make their submissions.

He said: “With dozens of previous plans having already been rejected, the current plan for the controversial Dun Laoghaire Baths is set to close on Friday, June 19.

“The vast majority of the public that I have spoken with about these new proposals are supportive of the plan, particularly on the basis that the site will remain in public ownership.

“The plan will provide additional amenities along the seafront while also linking Newtownsmith to the East Pier.”

All public submissions can be made freely online at http://dlrcoco.citizenspace.com/ architects/d-n-laoghairebaths.

Making waves: Cathaoirleach visits liner to help promote Dun Laoghaire WITH Dun Laoghaire continuing to grow as a destination for cruise liners, particularly thanks to the efforts of the council, local businesses and groups to highlight the town and region’s charms, liners are continuing to make the historic coastal town a port of call on their international travels. Newly elected Cathaoirleach Barry Saul paid a trip to the Celebrity Silhouette offshore recently, where he presented a plaque to Captain Dimitrios Kafetzis. More than 2,300 of the ship’s 2,800 passengers came ashore recently, with Cllr Saul (FG) paying tribute to the ship, as he told Captain Kafetzis how promoting the county as a tourist destination is one of his key aims.

ANOTHER eight-week stint of summer camp fun for children in Dun Laoghaire has been given the go-ahead by Newpark Sports Centre. An additional summer camp has been organised due to the high volume of requests from local parents.

Newpark Sports Centre summer camps offer children not only a chance to indulge in their favourite sports, but also have a robust arts dimension, including drama and dance.

The camp caters for children from three to 14 years and prices are €90 for a five-day week or €75 for four days, starting from June 30 until August 22. Booking can be done by calling Newpark Sports Centre on 01 2883720.

4 DUN laoghaire Gazette 18 June 2015

connect DLR Nature for Health aims to improve well-being with mindful walks

Nature the key to health for community group  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

A NEW voluntary community group called DLR Nature for Health, to promote health through contact with nature, runs its first meeting on June 30 at 6.30pm in DLR LexIcon.

The community health promotion group aims to

improve health and wellbeing through increased contact with nature – cost free to participants.

Organiser Shirley Gleeson, a part-time social worker in adult mental health, said: “In recent times people have become increasingly disconnected from nature, especially children and young

people. This has coincided with increases in obesity levels, anxiety, depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The evidence base in relation to nature contact for improving physical and mental wellbeing is very strong and growing.”

As part of the group’s

activities, Gleeson, who lives in Shankill, will be running a number of mindful walks, where participants engage themselves fully in the present and in nature.

Connection

The mindfulness walks encourage a connection with the local landscape: in for-

ests, coastal walks, or local green areas.

“The people of DLR should consider getting involved to improve their quality of life, enhance their physical and mental wellbeing, increase their resilience to stress, facilitate local social connections, and strengthen community in natural spaces,”

she said.

The new group is free to join and welcomes all those who are passionate about health and nature. There may be minimal charges of from €5 to €10 for some of the guided walks. For more information, you can contact Gleeson at shirley_gleeson@ hotmail.com.

Just 40% of those in the Dublin South East region – including Dundrum – have signed up for the free GP care for under-sixes health programme. Picture: Tess Watson

health: few doctors have signed up

Low support for free GP care plan  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

A LOW number of doctors have signed up for the free GP care for under-sixes, with 45% of GPs in Dun Laoghaire and 40% of those in the Dublin South East region (including Dundrum) signing up.

Of the 74 HSE contracts allocated for Dun Laoghaire, 33 have been taken up by doctors and returned to the HSE. In the Dublin South East region, 21 contracts have been returned to the HSE out of a total of 53.

Registration via gpvisitcard.ie opened for qualifying parents this week.

The free GP for undersixes will be introduced by the Government from July 1.

The HSE is continuing to receive signed contracts from GPs and, at the time of going to print, the uptake was 62% overall.

Under the new scheme, GPs will be paid a capitation fee of €125 a year per child registered to them.

Cllr Carrie Smy th (Lab) said: “I am very disappointed that the Dun Laoghaire Area has only received 33 of the 74 contracts for the area, which equates to 45% only.

“When you compare Dun Laoghaire to the other areas we are in the bottom quarter. [Dublin West has 76% take-up].

“Up to Monday [June 15], only the two practices in my own area of

Killiney-Shankill local electoral area had registered. They are Doctor’s Surgery, Wyatville Road and Johnstown Medical Centre, Johnstown Road.”

Cllr Sorcha Nic Cormaic (SF) said Minister for Health Leo Varadkar must roll out free health care to the whole population and the free GP care for under sixes should only be viewed as an interim measure.

Minister for Communications Alex White said: “More than 7,000 children under six in total in Dublin Rathdown will now have access to free GP care. I would encourage parents whose children will benefit from the scheme to sign them up.”

18 June 2015 DUN laoghaire Gazette 5

don’sdublin The Iron Duke’s rise from a humdrum Irish life to a place in history ONE of the most decorated soldiers in history was born in Upper Merrion Street, Dublin in 1769 – the same year as his great nemesis, Napoleon Bonaparte.

The son of a noble but impoverished family, Arthur Wellesley did not show much flair for anything other than playing the violin when he joined the army as an ensign in 1787, having been withdrawn from college due to a downturn in the family’s finances.

After his proposal of marriage to Kitty Pakenham had been turned down, he applied himself to military life with a determination of purpose that was to be his trademark and strength.

Suitably prepared, he used his skill to good effect while in India, after which he had become a rich man and promoted to major-general.

Years later, his troops expelled the French from Spain, for which he was awarded the title Duke of Wellington.

Wellington was in charge of the British and Dutch forces at Waterloo. June 18, 1815 has gone down as one of the most momentous days in European history, when Wellington – who was facing Napoleon for the first time on the battlefield – survived enormous early attacks and won the day with the late, and critical, arrival of Marshal Blucher’s Prussian army.

A political career beckoned and he became a minister in 1819, and prime minister in 1828. It was during his time in Downing Street that Catholic emancipation was granted (1829).

The good people of Ireland (in fact, he denied his Irishness by proclaiming “that not everyone born in a barn was a horse”) had already shown their respect by raising more than £20,000 for the erection of the Wellington Monument in the Phoenix Park. The reliefs around the base of the monument were cast from captured cannon guns – appropriate indeed, as they recount the heroic life of one known to history as “The Iron Duke”.

Don Cameron www.donsdublin. wordpress.com

The distinctive shape of the Wellington Monument in the Phoenix Park

deansgrange Five more years agreed by councillors

Local Area Plan to be extended  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

DEANSGRANGE Local Area Plan (LAP) will be extended by a further five years, it was unanimously agreed by councillors in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.

T he resolution to extend the area plan up to June 2020 was proposed

by Cllr Victor Boyhan (Ind).

Since its launch five years ago, major ambitions contained in the Deansgrange LAP have been achieved, including the rejuvenation of Dean’s Shopping Parade, a new Deansgrange library, the completion of the Pottery Road Project and plan-

ning permission secured for the new National Rehabilitation Hospital.

The next phase of the Deansgrange LAP will redevelop existing employment-zoned land within the area, provide safe access for Deansgrange Business Park and the Pottery Business Park, and provide broadband

and other technologies in the area.

Cllr Boyhan said: “The LAP will continue to drive the renewal of areas like the Trio Tech, which is currently a derelict site.”

He added that upgrading the Deansgrange and the Pottery Business Parks was critical for the plan’s economic future.

“I would be very hopeful that these two objectives could be secured over the next five-year phase of the LAP,” he said.

The Deansgrange LAP must remain consistent with the overall objectives of the current Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Development Plan.

6 DUN laoghaire Gazette 18 June 2015

opinion Public health demands action over water purity

Get the lead out – but this may not be easy The Green Party’s Ciaran Cuffe considers the challenge and need to address replacing the nation’s hazardous pipework LEAD has hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons in recent weeks.

High levels of lead in some drinking water supplies have raised concerns about the risks to human health, and households are demanding answers on who will pick up the tab to pay for improvements to water supplies.

Lead is a neurotoxin that accumulates in soft tissues and the bones.

Excessive, high levels of exposure can damage the nervous system and cause damage to the brain.

People are right to express concern about levels of lead in drinking water, but it is important to put the risks in per-

700 wds

spective.

The amount of lead we are exposed to has diminished significantly over recent years. Lead was once added to petrol and to paint, but this is no longer permitted.

The maximum amount of lead permitted in our water was reduced to 10 microgrammes per litre

from the first of January 2014, down from a previous level of 25mcg per litre.

For most families, the risks of excessive lead exposure come from the ingestion of food, dirt and dust, but a significant number of household water supplies with high lead levels have been detected.

This is happening because old lead pipework still remains in some of the pipes that distribute drinking water into and inside our homes.

The recent reports from Irish Water have shown us that in many streets around our capital, these levels are being exceeded.

This can be a particular risk for younger children who may be fed milk formula from these drinking water supplies.

Ensure

Flushing the water supply by turning on a cold taps for a few seconds before taking water can reduce lead levels, but in some instances parents may wish to use bottled water to ensure lower lead levels.

Boiling water is not recommended, as it can actually increase lead levels.

The only real solution to lead contamination is to remove lead pipes, and this can be costly. Figures of more than €4,000 have been mentioned for replacing pipe supplies, but in most instances the costs should be far below

Cllr Ciaran Cuffe: “Figures of ... €4,000 have been mentioned for replacing pipe supplies, but in most instances the costs should be far below this”

this.

For those living in areas where high lead levels have been detected, a plumber can advise on the costs of replacing any contaminated pipework.

It is important to put the risks from lead in context. The Irish Environmental Protection Agency publishes biannual reports on water quality in Ireland and regularly raises concerns about the bacterium Escherichia coli (E. Coli), as well as the organisms cryptosporidium and trihalomethanes, which are a by-product of disinfection.

There have been significant health concerns around cryptosporidium in water supplies in Galway City, Carlow and Roscommon in recent times. Pesticides in water supplies are also a matter of concern, and the addition of fluoride has been a matter of some controversy.

Private wells are at risk of contamination

from septic tanks and their percolation areas.

The good news is that contamination levels of most municipal supplies has reduced significantly in recent years, due to investment in the water supply and treatment systems.

Much of the funding for this has been significantly grant-aided by European funds. The 1998 European Union Drinking Water Directive compels our government to protect human health from adverse effects of any contamination of water intended for human consumption by ensuring that it is wholesome and clean.

The only sustainable solution to lead contamination is to replace any lead or lead-soldered pipework. The responsibility for achieving this is now a political hot potato for the current Government and Irish Water, but it is clear that it will take many years to fully remove lead from

the Irish water supply network.

Irish Water must be more transparent about releasing reports that they have regarding drinking water quality if they are to gain public confidence.

Many regard this as an uphill task.

Given the costs of replacing pipework, it is crucial that a grant system to help householders remove lead pipes is up and running as quickly as possible.

Those living on streets where high lead levels have been detected are right to demand urgent action. Parents are right to be concerned.

As the Government enters its last few months, the Minister for the Environment will be carefully watched to see if he can put in place a clear and fair solution to tackle this public health challenge.

It is no easy task, but it must be done.

Cllr Ciaran Cuffe (GP), Dublin City Council

18 June 2015 DUN laoghaire Gazette 7

deaths Parish holds night vigil to support bereaved families, friends theatre Keogh celebrates Shaw at Pavilion

Community rallies in grief Continued from Page 1

“Then we said: ‘No, what we’re going to do is just open the doors’.

“So we opened the doors and rang the bells.

I put out a series of Facebook posts and Twitter tweets, asking everybody to share them.

“Within less than an hour, the church was full.

It was literally incredible, with cars lining up to come up Our Lady’s Church driveway. It was magnificent,” she said.

“Two of the girls’ very close friends played the guitar and the piano from 9pm until midnight. Our organist and violinist came about midnight and played until 1am.”

“We would like to express our deepest, profound sympathies to the families and friends. It was very noticeable last

night that the church was packed with girls from 20 to 22, and they just looked lost.

“We want to thank those who made the vigil such a wonderful event. It was all very human,” said O’Kelly.

Father Frank Herron of Foxrock parish was with the families of those who died and those who were injured at Berkeley all that day.

An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, said: “My heart breaks for the parents who lost children.”

UCD president Andrew Deeks said: “It is with deepest sadness that I speak of the tragic accident involving UCD students and their friends in San Francisco.

“On behalf of the entire university community, I wish to extend our condo-

lences to the families and friends of those who died and to those who were injured.”

Marcus O’Halloran, president, UCD Students Union, said: “This is a tragic loss; it affects the entire student community and all families in this country.”

On behalf of IADT, president Dr Annie Doona expressed her deepest sympathies to the families of those who died and to the injured.

Ballyboden St Enda’s issued a statement, saying of club member Eoghan Culligan: “Eoghan was very popular with his team mates and this tragic news is keenly felt by all members of our club, but especially by those players and mentors who knew him well.

“We would like to

Foxrock parish administrator Carol O’Kelly said of the night vigil: “Within less than an hour, [Our Lady’s Church] was full. It was magnificent.”

extend our deepest sympathy to his parents, Gerry and Marie, and to his brothers, Stephen and Andrew, and to all the extended Culligan family.”

Neither St Mary’s College nor Loreto College

Foxrock, whose former pupils died in the tragic incident, had commented by the time of going to print as the news was still “too raw”, according to a Loreto College Foxrock spokesperson.

The injured students

still in hospital in Berkeley are Hannah Waters, Clodagh Cogley, Niall Murray, Sean Fahey, Jack Halpin, Conor Flynn and Aoife Beary. Most of the students involved were from Terenure, Rathfarnham and Foxrock.

ONE of Ireland’s best loved actors, Des Keogh, is taking his new play, My Fair Ladies, to the Pavilion stage next month.

Keogh will perform July 1-4 in a play based on the life and loves of George Bernard Shaw.

Keogh celebrated his 80th birthday this year, and is still going strong with his writing and acting career.

In My Fair Ladies, the thespian as Shaw shares anecdotes about the loves of his life, including leading actresses of his day, such as Pat Campbell, and discusses views on marriage and celibacy.

Tickets costing €20 can be booked through www. paviliontheatre.ie.

8 DUN laoghaire Gazette 18 June 2015

outdoors Programmed jam-packed with a variety of performances

Dance fest to get Dun Laoghaire’s streets hopping  Bairbre Ni Bhroanin

IRELAND’S longest running dance event, the Irish Youth Dance Festival, is taking to Dun Laoghaire’s streets and stages on June 27 and 28, before moving to the Axis in Ballymun in early July.

The festival includes free outdoor performances on Saturday, June 27 in DLR Lex-

Icon plaza from 1pm to 4pm and at the studio from 5pm to 5.30pm.

On Sunday, June 28, another festival performance is scheduled for 8pm in Pavilion Theatre, Marine Road, Dun Laoghaire. Ticket prices for the show are €14 and can be booked by calling 01 231 2929 or by emailing boxoffice@ paviliontheatre.ie.

The programme for 2015 will feature dancers aged 12 to 25, with a variety of performances showcasing performers, choreographers and companies from across Ireland.

Dublin Youth Dance Company, which presents the festival together with company assistant director Mariam Ribon, said: “I am delighted to present the 15th Irish

Youth Dance Festival, a very vibrant cultural activity with young people and attractive for all ages. It has been the most exciting year working with [the company] and the fabulous cast of 16 dancers of eight young male and eight female dancers. I can’t wait to see them all in action with all the rest of companies and performers at the [festival] 2015.”

The festival will also present work by Mexican-American choreographer Toni Bravo, whose career has included experience with London’s Royal Ballet and with contemporary dance legend Pina Bausch. Some of Bravo’s work with dancers here and from the US will be presented during festival.

Dance group Ajos, from

England, fronted by JJ Formento, the youth dance company’s first director, will also be performing during the festival.

The Irish youth dance event is funded through the Dublin Youth Dance Company by the Arts Council, Dun LaoghaireRathdown and supported by Dance Theatre of Ireland’s Centre for Dance and Dance Ireland.

families: blackrock to ucd ride

250 cyclists turn to a great route for enjoyment  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

MORE than 250 cyclists of all ages attended the recent Blackrock to UCD cycle on June 14 as part of National Bike Week.

Cyclists of all ages turned out to take part in the event, which was made all the more pleasant as the sun shone brightly.

The free family event, planned by DLR Sports Partnership and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, was one of a number of activities planned in the county for National Bike Week.

The aim of the 10km cycle was to highlight all the latest cycle enhancements now in place as part of the Frascati/Temple Hill Improvement Scheme.

It was also run to launch the new Booterstown to UCD cycle route leaflet.

A shorter 4km route was available for younger cyclists and this went through Blackrock Park. Everyone involved received a goodie bag and refreshments at the finish.

The event was opened

by Leas Cathaoirleach, Josepha Madigan who

The free family cycle was a very enjoyable event for the participants

said: “Bike Week aims to promote cycling as a healthy, sustainable and fun mode of travel.

“This event in Blackrock shows that cycling is something that everyone can do and that Blackrock village is a wonderful place to visit and shop, and a village that is easily accessible by bike.”

Cllr Gerry Horkan (FF), the council’s official cycle champion to promote cycling in the county, was also present.

He said: “It was great to see such a large number of participants

at the event and we hope that many of the cyclists will continue to explore the other wonderful cycle routes around the county.”

A raffle was held at the end of the cycle, with prizes sponsored by Blackrock Village traders.

The next cycling event will be Boards, Bikes, Blades, Beats, and is for teenagers. The multiconveyance event is planned for June 20 in DLR Leisure Services Monkstown from 1pm to 5pm.

18 June 2015 DUN laoghaire Gazette 9

fund Councillors give mixed reaction to schemes’ approval

€38m agreed for 163 social homes  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

A TOTAL of 163 new social homes, costing around €38m, will be built in Dun LaoghaireRathdown in the next two years as part of four housing schemes approved by councillors at a recent meeting.

At a council meeting on June 8, elected members approved the four housing schemes under the Part 8 planning process, which will deliver 109 new homes, while schemes already approved will bring another 54 units to the county.

The latest 109 homes signed off on include 50

dwellings in Fitzgerald Park, Dun Laoghaire; 44 in Rosemount, Dundrum; 14 infill units in Rochestown House, Sallynoggin, and one unit in Shanganagh Park Lodge.

Therefore, the number of new or newly refurbished units to be delivered in the next two years is 163 units throughout the county.

An Cathaoirleach Barry Saul (FG) said: “I am pleased that, following a full and productive debate, agreement to proceed with these schemes was reached by the council’s elected members; this is another step forward in improv-

ing the social housing supply in the county.”

Funding for the council’s construction programme is provided by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government.

‘Concern’ Cllr Melisa Halpin (PBP) said she was delighted social houses are to be built, but added: “However, it is of great concern to us that this number of houses will have little or no impact on the housing list, which is growing at a rate of 100 new applications every month.

“In this context, 163

new units is a drop in the ocean. It is also worrying that none of these units will be ready until the third quarter of 2016.

“It is to the credit of the housing department and the architects in the council that these plans are up and running, considering the reduced staffing levels.”

Cllr Carrie Smy th (Lab) said: “I welcome the housing schemes, which is great news for all the applicants on the housing list, who have waited years for an offer of accommodation.

“The council’s housing and architects department ensured these schemes were brought

Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown is to get 163 new social homes in the next two years

to the councillors for approval as quickly as possible.”

Cllr Michael Merrigan (Ind) said: “The provision of 50 new social houses in Mounttown kick-starts a long-await-

ing building programme for much needed social housing.

“The ver y positive and wholly constructive engagement of the local residents with this project right from the

outset has been exemplary, and although the local residents didn’t achieve everything they sought by way of changes to the plans, compromises by the council officials were hugely appreciated.”

10 DUN laoghaire Gazette 18 June 2015

gazetteGALLERIES

Nancy Aguilera and Mary Ryan

Gerry Kirk and Tony McCarthy

Some of the inter-generational group who met up at Blackrock before heading back to Dun Laoghaire. Pictures: Margaret Brown

David Hawkins and Tadhg Kissane playing flisk

Callum, Will and Hugo Burns

Daniel Counahan, Pat Keogh and David Masterson, from St John’s Ambulance

18 June 2015 DUN laoghaire Gazette 11

Patricia O’Brien and Zuming Yap

Tony McCarthy from Dun Laoghaire Active Retirement with Eve Farrelly and Kate

Phil Kennedy and Mary Kelly

and Sadhbh Kissane

Fun day for all ages

Y

OUNG and old were brought together for a shared day of great activities recently when members of Dun Laoghaire Active Retirement Association held an inter-generational day, with a number of events for people of all ages to share.

Starting with a sea-front walk, participants

eventually wound their way back to the LexIcon Library, where a number of games and activities were waiting. Retired and older members of the community were a dab hand at the games on offer, sharing the fun with enthusiastic children and younger people, showing the great community spirit at play.

Mong Tan and Shiaoshyan Yap

Shane McArdle and Sean Douglas

12 gazette 18 June 2015

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Nancy, baby Alfie and Adrian Needham. Picture: James Martin

Riverfest in full flow huge array of activities kept the crowds entertained including the arrival of three tall ships and four schooners which berth at North Wall Quay for the weekend. The Jeanie Johnston was once again offering free tours and Dublin tug boat Shackleton and Beaufort’s Tug Boat Dances were back by public demand.

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

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what’son your chance to see the story of the capital

Mary Coughlan: “My daughter, Claire, lives with me and she has a two-and-a-half-year-old son. So we have a great time running around the house with him.”

a day in the life: singer mary coughlan is busy with family and touring

Songs, CDs and smoothies  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

AS SHE made her way around the country gigging and promoting her new album, Scars on the Calendar, singer Mary Coughlan took time out to chat to The Gazette about a day in her busy life.

“I get up at around 7am, sometimes earlier and sometimes later. My routine for the past seven months has been a bit difficult, with touring.

“Anyway, I make myself a green smoothie in my magic bullet, or whatever you call that [blender] thing!

“It’s made from celery and parsley, spinach and kale, and all of that.

That’s to do two things: to lower my

blood pressure, which is very high, and to give me a green boost.

“My daughter, Claire, lives with me and she has a two-and-a-half-year-old son. So we have a great time running around the house with him.

“In the past week, my life has been fairly hectic. I turn on the computer in the morning and then I have a big stack of envelopes and a big stack of CDs and a magic marker and I sign the CDs. “Then I go to the post office and go for a walk. I try to walk every day for an hour, which happens some days but doesn’t happen other days.”

Coughlan also works with inner city Youthreach children, giving them

pointers on a singing career, and usually sings for them. The day before The Gazette spoke to her, she drove to Galway and saw her father and her sister.

She added: “Then I got up early this morning and went to Galway Bay FM and had my hair done in Galway, and had a lovely lunch there in a place called Kai, the Maori name for food.

“A New Zealand couple own it, and I always go there. I get coffee from Urban Grind. I’m really into good coffee, so I normally have to go in search for it.

“Now I’m on the road to Roscommon and have a gig at 8pm, I probably won’t get anything else to eat. I might

have a protein bar – I’m trying to lose weight.

“After the gig, I go to bed, get up and will do an hour’s walk in the morning, and then I drive to Ballina for a gig.”

Coughlan is a great reader but also has a love for Netflix. Her favourite shows include House of Cards and Orange is the New Black.

After a long day, she needs no help in getting to sleep, and is out like a light right away. “I’m usually knackered by the time bed beckons,” she said.

Mary Coughlan plays the Abbey Tavern in Howth on June 20, before continuing her tour in Cork and Kerry.

CITY Hall is running an exhibition called The Story of the Capital, which tells the tale of Dublin through the centuries up to today’s cosmopolitan city.

Citizens and visitors interested in how the city has grown up over the years can get a glimpse at Dublin past and present in the grand surroundings of Dublin Castle, the former administrative centre of British rule in Ireland.

The exhibition runs from Monday to Saturday and from 10am until 5.15pm, with last admission at 3.45pm.

Admission fees for the Story of the Capital exhibition are €4 per adults, or €3.60 if booked online at www.topattractionsireland.com, €2 for senior citizens, students and the unwaged, €1.50 for children, and there are also group and family rates available.

City Hall is one of Dublin’s great architectural gems. The rotunda, with its 12 columns and fine statues, is host to murals and mosaics, set under one of the finest and most ornate domes in the city.

Gazette

14 Gazette 18 June 2015

dublinlife

diary

Rolling out a unique new attraction EUROPE’S largest wooden rollercoaster is now open to the public at Tayto Park in County Meath.

The Cu Chulainn coaster travels up to 100km an hour and is made from 800,000kg of yellow pine wood, more than 100 tonnes of steel, and 700,000 nails and bolts.

The rollercoaster reaches the dizzying heights of 32.05m with a stomach churning drop zone of 29m.

Over 70 builders and engineers from T he Gravity Group, Ohio, worked on the construction of the Cu Chulainn Coaster since 2014. It is also the first wooden rollercoaster in Europe with an inversion and is also the only one of its kind to be constructed in either Ireland or the UK in the past 20 years.

In addition to the r o l l e r c o a s t e r, Tay t o Park has recently seen the arrival of eight extra adrenaline filled attractions, Ireland’s only 5D

cinema and a steam train track as well as a new Dinosaurs Alive attraction.

Visit www.taytopark. ie for more information.

prisoner cell block h(igh) INMATES at Mountjoy Prison recently performed an amazing feat of teamwork and ingenuity in an attempt to retrieve a package of drugs which had been thrown over the prison wall.

The drugs which were thrown over by a wouldbe deliver y boy, got caught in the net which is in place around the prison wall. Inmates formed a human pyramid to boost one prisoner onto the roof to retrieve the package.

T he prison officer on duty had to call for backup to deal with the aspiring gymnasts, so the prisoner was able to retrieve the drugs before reinforcements arrived.

K nowing he would not be able to keep them once prison officers apprehended him, however, he ingested the lot and stayed on the roof for seven hours.

Sources have said he was “well under the influence” by the time prison officers managed to get him down. It’s probably safe to say his fellow inmates weren’t too happy about him hogging the stash.

launching 1916 initiative THE public launch of a new citizens’ initiative, called Reclaim the Vision of 1916, took place at Liberty Hall on June 9.

The group intends to hold a series of lectures and events during the 1916 centenary and to examine Ireland today compared to those aspirations the men and women of the Rising fought and died for.

President of Reclaim the Vision of 1916 artist Robert Ballagh addressed several relatives of the men and wo m e n i nvo l ve d i n the Rising, including James Connolly’s great grandson Jim Connolly Heron.

Ballagh said of the 1916 Rising: “The blueprint for that dream was proclaimed in the Proclamation of the Irish Republic, a visionary

Robert Ballagh (left), artist and president of citizens’ initiative Reclaim the Vision of 1916, with James Heron Connolly, great grandson of 1916 leader James Connolly, and artist Jim FitzPatrick

statement that rightly belongs in the pantheon of human achievement.”

The events will culminate in a major national parade and pageant in Dublin on April 24 next year, to include Fionnuala Flanagan, Stephen Rea, Sinead O’Connor, Adrian Dunbar and Frances Black who are also patrons of the project.

flower fest set to blossom THE countdown has begun for the Dublin Garden Festival 2015 at Christ Church Cathedral, and this year, celebrity gardener Diarmuid Gavin will deliver a talk with a champagne breakfast.

The Dublin Garden

Festival takes place June 19 to 21, when the historic cathedral and its grounds burst into life, adorned with floral displays and summer markets.

Award-winning floral artist Christopher White is artistic director of the festival and promises a stunning display of contemporary and traditional floral designs based on a fairy tale theme.

There will also be gardening workshops, and talks from former Green Party leader Trevor Sargent, gardening author Helen Dillon and many more.

Children can take part in a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, experience a petting zoo and watch craft demonstrations.

For more information on the Dublin Garden Festival programme for 2015, you can go to www.dublingardenfestival.ie.

aussie sorry for Irish rant THE oul Australian sod who remarked on live television that the Irish “can’t grow potatoes” has since apologised for his controversial comments.

Grahame Morris, a Conservative commentator and former adviser to the Liberal party, said on Sky News during a debate on marriage equality: “The trigger was a vote in Ireland.

Now I love the Irish, the parliament is full of Irishmen but these are

people who can’t grow potatoes, they’ve got a mutant lawn weed as their national symbol and they can’t verbalise the difference between tree and the number three. But, and then all of a sudden, Australia has to follow suit.”

His comments soon became a national “hot potato” here, and there swif tly followed an apology in an attempt to butter up the Irish public: “I got myself into a hell of a pickle on this. To everyone there in Ireland, to all those with Irish backgrounds, w h i c h i n cl u d e s m e incidentally, I’m actually very sorry. What I said was tasteless and I copped the whack I deserved.”

18 June 2015 Gazette 15

FEATURE interview: maria walsh on a remarkable 12 months

Rose plucks at some highlights of her year

 Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

THE Rose of Tralee graced the launch of an elegant new bar and grill in the Stillorgan Park Hotel recently.

Maria Walsh attended the hugely-successful corporate evening to open the Brass Bar and Grill, which serves food daily from 10.30am to 10pm and has live music on Fridays and Saturdays.

As she prepares to hand over her Rose of Tralee crown in August,

Walsh reflected on a year well spent.

Adventure She told The Gazette: “I finish on August 18.

My year has been fantastic – it’s been a real adventure and I’ ve travelled extensively throughout Ireland and the world.

“I think we need more women in ambassador roles. I work a lot with young people and they always seem to be eager to have the Rose of Tralee to their schools, who-

ever she may be.

“I was at an Enterprise Ireland event the other night which was women-only, and everybody there seemed to be extremely ecstatic to have the Rose of Tralee there.

“The name of the game for the festival is to bring tourists back to Ireland and there are so many people living in our diaspora. So, the relevance of the rose is still very much there.

“Every rose that enters it is there because she

wants to share her story and is really positive. I think it’s a unique festival and I believe there’s nothing else out there in the world like it,” she said.

Walsh was born in Boston and raised in Mayo, and if that was not cosmopolitan enough, in the Rose of Tralee contest she represented Philadelphia, where she now lives and works.

“I work as a media manager for a fashion brand called Anthropology. I didn’t take a year off from my job; I tried to do both.

“It’s been a full-on year as the Rose of Tralee, but it’s been great; you get to meet so many people.

Like, today [June 9], I got to meet Senator Zappone in Leinster House, which I think is pretty phenomenal.”

Walsh was not in Ireland for the Marriage Equality referendum, but was thrilled to hear from Australia that it had passed.

She said: “I was delighted to hear that a huge majority of the country were behind it, and I think from a business angle, it could mean huge revenue for the country.”

The Gazette asked Walsh what her plans would be af ter she crow ns her Rose of Tralee successor. “I’m trying to figure out the next steps now,” she said. “Whether I’ll stay here or head back to the States, I’m using the next two and a half months to figure out what else can possibly come from my time here at the festival, and to see if I can marry the two worlds.”

Dublin Rose Roisin Lyons with outgoing Rose of Tralee Maria Walsh at the launch of Brass Bar and Grill in Stillorgan Park hotel

Gazette

16 Gazette 18 June 2015

dublinlife

ESCAPEbusiness THE MAYHEM

ESCAPE THE MAYHEM: dylan reid, star of once

‘Staying energetic is a great way to relax’

 keith bellew

HAVING dazzled audiences on Broadway and the West End for five years, Dylan Reid comes to the Olympia Theatre in July to perform in the award-winning musical, Once.

The Gazette spoke with Reid about what he does to escape the mayhem of the high-stress environment of his theatrical career.

Relaxation for him does not mean putting his feet up – he prefers

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

‘I just love getting on the pitch because, although music has always been my passion, it’s good to get out there and do something different for an hour or two’

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to stay active. An excellent way to get away from it, he says, is writing and recording an album – a task he is currently undertaking.

“Writing music is the main thing that would help me relax and help

me get away from everything.”

That said, he makes sure to take a break from this every now and then as he finds it helps him to return to his project refreshed and ready to go.

Sport is big in his life.

Playing eight-a-side soccer two or three times a week with friends is another activity he enjoys.

“I just love getting on the pitch because, although music has always been my passion, it’s good to get out there and do something different for an hour or two and then come back to writing and recording.

“I love playing soccer and basketball; I find that relaxing even though I’m still being energetic. I love

Broadway and West End star Dylan Reid appears in Once at The Olympia in July

spending time in the gym and keeping fit.

“I used to play with a club and captained the school basketball team as well, but having left school I kind of moved away from it and now I just play it with friends,” he said.

Another means of

escape for Reid is cooking: “I don’t mind going outside the box and trying new things, but if I find something and I like it, I keep cooking it.”

When he comes across a new dish he just throws it on and hopes for the best. “Sometimes it works; sometimes it

doesn’t.”

You can catch previews of Reid performing in Once from July 4, with the show opening on July 14 and running until August 22.

For further information on the show, see: www.oncemusical.ie, or www.olympia.ie.

11 June 2015 Gazette 17

food & drink P24

asdfsdaf P27 health P25

OUT&ABOUT Never be out of the loop on what’s happening in Dublin! Let Out&About be your guide to all that is stylish, cultural and essential across the city and beyond this week

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style P18

Pets

Could you be the ‘Me’ for Marley?

Award-winning Dublin musician Damien Dempsey (right) has joined the campaign for Dublin2020. Picture: Geraldine Woods

2020: Damien Dempsey gets behind dublin’s efforts to be shortlisted

Bid for Capital of Culture  Ian Begley

Dublin is now competing with Galway, Limerick and the South East of Ireland to win The European Capital of Culture competition for 2020.

The competition will be hosted by Ireland and Croatia and while 2020 may seem like a long time away, the judging is happening much sooner.

By mid-October of this year, a panel of European judges will arrive in Ireland and shortlist their favourites.

To make sure Dublin moves forward to the next round in the competition, the team of Dublin2020 needs help to spread the word and get people involved.

Ray Yeates, Dublin City arts officer said: ‘The reason we are bidding for

the European Capital of Culture 2020 is to build a new story for Dublin based on shared ideas, inclusion and confidence.

“Dublin can be a leading city in Europe, and take advantage of its talented young population, to initiate major progress in communities and neighbourhoods during this bid and beyond. Join in.

“If you are part of the city you are part of the bid.”

Award-winning Dublin musician Damien Dempsey also joined the campaign for Dublin2020, and has recorded a music video in Dublin locations that are close to his heart.

The song, which features lines from WB Yeats’s poem The Death of Cuchulainn, is now available on YouTube.

Speaking to The Gazette, Dempsey said: “I’ve put music to a Yeats’s poem and have travelled to several places around Dublin which are associated with Yeats.

“The poem goes back to the time of Cuchulainn and Maeve and links in with the men of 1916. It’s a beautiful poem and I’m very happy to get behind it.

“I suppose Dublin should be the centre of culture for 2020 because they reckon we have more writers and poets here per square mile than anywhere else in the world,” he said.

The European Capital of Culture is awarded for a period of one calendar year, highlighting the diversity, richness and integration of cultures in Europe and the chosen city.

The European Capital of Culture celebrates what we have in common, growing a sense of belonging in our home, country and continent.

To ensure Dublin is shortlisted, the Dublin2020 team is working to spread the word, to get Dubliners involved and to join in the conversation on Twitter, Facebook and in person.

The Dublin2020 team want to hear from all age groups and all walks of life to join in the conversation – to discuss their Dublin, their issues and shape the future of the city.

This is a chance for the people of Dublin to talk about what it means to be a Dubliner and how, together, Dubliners can shape the city’s future.

To find out more visit www.dublin2020.ie.

The Gazette Newspaper has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for unwanted and abandoned dogs. Our Dog of the Week this week is Marley is a two-year-old female collie. She is a beautiful, big strong girl and has been in a loving home already for two years. She has brains to burn and is very clever when it comes to her training. She loves her commands and agility and would love to have more time doing advanced classes and training.

She just adores adult company, having her hair brushed and great walks.

Could you be the ‘Me’ for Marley?. If you think you could offer Marley a loving home please contact Dogs Trust on 01-879 1000.

They are based in Finglas, just off exit 5 on the M50. Map and directions can be found on their website www. dogstrust.ie. You can also find them on Facebook www.facebook.com/ dogstrustirelandonline or Twitter @DogsTrust_IE.

OUT&ABOUT

ven Sons Wo Weir & 70 fflinks €1 design cu

Weir & Sons Dalvey classic shaving set €208

Gazette

18 Gazette 18 June 2015

This show of vintage cars will delight all

Highlights Event highlights of the show include 1,300 classic and vintage cars, trade stands, food and refreshments, children’s entertainment, classical pop music from music group Bee Bop Gold, a “Best in Show” prize-giving ceremony, and more.

For full information, see www.irishjagclub. ie.

To win one of the two family passes, visit our Facebook page, find this contest post, then Like it and comment below it, telling us what your dream car is. The closing date and time for your entries is 5pm on Wednesday, June 24, so get motoring to let us know about your car!

The winners will be announced on our Facebook page.

Oxford shirt €3 3

DU BL I N G a z e t t e Newspapers and our friends at Children’s Medical & Research Foundation, Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital have teamed up to give you the perfect Father’s Day gift for the motoring enthusiast in your life.

Courtesy of the contest on our Facebook page, we have two family passes to the 2015 Irish Classic and Vintage Motor Show (family ticket for two adults, and two children under 12 years) at the Grounds of Terenure College, Templeogue Road, Dublin 6.

River Island

Win a great prize for Dad on our page

M&S Pure cotton mini-gingh am check short-sleeved shirt €24

motoring enthusiasts

n’s n me a B y a 159 ds R woo lasses € e l t t i L ng or su Aviat

Lit and tlewo cuf ods flink M s g en’s if t set tiepin €15

This one’s for you,

 Clare Devereux

FATHER’S Day is almost here – the day in the year when we pause to acknowledge the contribution that fathers and father figures make to our lives, to celebrate fatherhood and male parenting, and Gazette Style is standing by to lend a helping hand this Sunday, June 21.

We’ve gone out of our way to select gifts for all types of dads: from sporty to traditional, and not forgetting

those who are new to the role.

Here’s our secret – buying presents is easy once you know what someone likes!

So, take a look at your dad’s wardrobe – does he need new socks? Are his shirts threadbare? Do his sweaters need a revamp? Are his ties sad and weary?

If the answer is no, move on to accessories: what about cufflinks or a watch, or a cool set of shades to set him apart from the rest?

Still drawing a blank? Hit

the kitchen. Does your dad like juicing? Is he a wannabe barista? The bathroom shelf may give you a few hints too.

Does your dad have a favourite after-shave? A moisturiser he uses regularly? Is his razor crying out for change?

Let’s not forget sporty dad – from golf to football, there’s plenty to choose from to show dad he is the champion! So, this Father’s Day, you’ve no excuse – now get on out there, and choose something that tells your dad he’s special ...

Weir & Sons Leather compact wallet €99

18 June 2015 Gazette 19

0 alvey ns D flinks €12 o S f & u c r Wei lty pearl a Admir

ns & So 99 Weir watch €1 g in Ber

Brown Thomas Ga

River Island Flap over Messenger Bag €45

ggia espresso mac

hine €325

Riv er I

Littlewoods Armani Code 75ml €79

sla

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Weir & Sons Bering watch €229

Littlewoods Fossil wallet and cardholder set €41

Gazette

STYLE

Gazette

20 Gazette 18 June 2015

Bride Groom

Head to Donabate for wedding activities you’ll really treasure RECENTLY engaged? Then this event might be something just for you ... Follow your heart and enter the Wedding Treasure Hunt on July 5 at The Waterside House Hotel in Donabate.

Synonymous with fabulous weddings right on the beach, the hotel opened free online registrations for a unique wedding event.

Prizes to be won include a €1,500 wedding voucher and many extras.

Couples taking part in the treasure hunt around the hotel grounds and Donabate beach will solve various clues and compete in weddingoriented games with each other.

Refreshments and canapes will be served throughout the day, and it promises to be a fun-packed day – a wedding showcase with a difference.

The treasure hunt will be followed by a large wedding open day, where couples have the opportunity

l lo o k ing at m any ke y as pects of marriag e l

Let our supplement support the big day  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

The Waterside House Hotel, Donabate

to meet wedding experts and exhibitors face to face, get invaluable advice and find out what’s hot and new as they plan their wedding.

As one of the region’s largest wedding events, the open day is happening in the Waterside House Hotel on July 5 from 2pm to 6pm It’s going to be a day packed with wedding expertise and excellence.

To register for the Wedding Treasure Hunt, see http://www. watersidehousehotel.ie/weddings/ wedding-treasure-hunt/, or call 01 843 6153 for further information.

“THE world will always welcome lovers, as time goes by”, so the song goes, and couples in love will always want to marry.

Now that summer is here and the sky is blue (sometimes) and flowers are blooming, many couples will opt to tie the knot over the coming months.

If you are one half of an engaged couple, planning to exchange vows soon, our wedding supplement has some great ideas about how to make your big day the biggest and best one of your life.

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

‘Our wedding supplement has lots of ideas to help make your big day truly unforgettable’ --------------------------

Inside the supplement are tips and ideas around essentials such as how to put your unique stamp on your nuptials by choosing a bespoke wedding off the beaten track.

There is also a feature showing a range of some of the most unusual wedding venues all across Ireland.

Nor have we forgotten how important it is to get in good shape for your Big Day, either.

Advice on the most effective workouts and good nutrition are here at your disposal.

There is even a lighter piece, offering ideas on how to inject a bit of

Our supplement has some great ideas about how to make the big day unforgettable

fun into proceedings on the day, by incorporating something like an adventurous treasure hunt.

W hatever kind of wedding you fancy,

or even if you are still unsure of what you want your wedding day to be like, The Gazette’s Wedding Supplement offers soon-to-be newly-weds ideas that point you in

the right direction.

We have included weddings which suit all tastes and inclinations, mirroring Ireland’s new, improved and more inclusive marriage laws.

18 June 2015 Gazette 21

Gazette

l w h y n ot c h o o s e fr o m a wi d e r ange o f ve nue s? l

Be creative – pick an unusual setting  ian begley

IF YOU’RE on the hunt for an alternative venue for your wedding and are hoping to do something a little different for your big day, then you will be happy to know that Ireland has a huge range of unconventional wedding venues on offer.

From castles, barns, theatres, sports stadiums, beaches and the zoo, you will certainly be spoiled for choice if you want an unusual or eccentric wedding

venue.

If you’re thinking of a very intimate wedding in Ireland with just your nearest and dearest, then Fanningstown Castle might be the perfect choice. Set in the countryside of Limerick, this grand castle has been converted into an atmospheric private house that is suitable for a small group seeking escape from the mayhem.

If your heart is set on a Dublin city wedding, but you’re looking for

that very special space to celebrate, then Smock Alley Theatre might be just the ticket.

With exposed brick walls, ornate plaster work ceiling and stained glass windows, this venue is certainly a sight to behold. Its oak benches and tables offer options for the fashionable long dining experience and the large space is very versatile for a ceremony or reception.

Another great alternative venue is at Mount

Druid in Westmeath. The building and its surrounds comprise a converted barn, an unconsecrated tin chapel, 20 traditional Mongolian yurts, a charming gate lodge, an 1820s Georgian house, a summer house and three lakes.

Why not choose to say “I do” at the zoo?

Dublin Zoo is a unique alternative to the traditional wedding venue and provides a magical backdrop for your special day.

Haughton House, a

Wedding favours needn’t cost the earth WEDDING favours provide the couple with an excellent way of showing their appreciation to their guests for helping to celebrate their big day.

When choosing the type of favour you would like to present to your guests, budget must be considered. One way to cut costs but still give your wedding a personal touch is to provide homemade wedding favours.

Save

Confectionery is the old standard, but rather than buying countless boxes of luxur y chocolates, or sugared almonds, baking your own cookies, cupcakes etc will enable you to save money and give you the opportunity of personalising them with your wedding’s theme.

The Smock Alley Theatre has exposed brick walls, ornate plasterwork ceiling and stained glass windows and is very versatile for a ceremony or reception

restored historical building with magnificent views of the zoo, is available seven days a week for all types of wedding ceremonies, including civil ceremonies, civil partnerships and blessings.

With weddings at Croke Park, GAA fans can marry their love of the game with the love of their life. Whether you are interested in a large, traditional reception, a small, intimate celebration or something in

between, they can offer you the perfect alternative venue.

For further information on these alternative wedding venues, see w w w.alternativewedd i n g s . i e , a n d w w w. hitched.ie.

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22 Gazette 18 June 2015

Bride Groom

l looki ng yo u r b e st l

Getting in shape for your special day Your wedding is an event to be remembered for the rest of your which will be chronicled with an array of photographs and possibly on film.

For this reason among others you will want to look your best. Whether your looking to drop a few pounds, tighten up your muscles or completely overhaul your physique, Educogym, Dundrum can get you there.

The Educogym system is based on a university validated study which proves that a clear goal combined with resistance based exercise and low glycemic nutrition caused

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

‘Educogym works with you to draw out your ideal figure or physique’ --------------------------

a person to shape up faster than any other system in the world.

On average, the participants lost 7.5 lbs of fat, and gained an average 3 lbs of metabolism boosting muscle in just 12 days all with just 20 minutes of exercise per day.

Educogym is designed to replicate

these incredible results, with each aspect of the programme finely tuned to ensure success.

Educogym consultants work with you to help you understand your goals and then devise a programme to make sure you achieve them. Educogym specialises in low-glycemic nutrition plans designed to detox your body from sugar to lower body fat and get in your best-ever shape.

T he word educo means to lead or draw out from within. Educogym works with you to draw out your ideal figure or physique using their carefully crafted

The Educogym system combines resistance based exercise and low-glycemic nutrition

system.

The big difference between the Educo gym resistance training and traditional aerobic exercise such as jog-

ging is that by increasing lean muscle tissue you will increase your metabolism to burn fat and have a leaner and firmer body.

All programmes include intensive 20minute training sessions, regular consultations, nutritional programmes with expert

advice and goal setting to help you look your best on your big day.

For more information, visit www.educogym.com/Dundrum

18 June 2015 Gazette 23

Gazette

24 Gazette 18 June 2015

OUT&ABOUT

FOOD&DRINK

BITESIZEDNEWS

The contribution of Irish – and Scottish – workers in the Caribbean inspired The Redleg Rebellion, above

A cocktail inspired by sunburnt Irish legs WITH the sun finally spotted in our skies, now’s the time to make a relaxing cocktail – The Redleg Rebellion. “Redlegs” was the name given to Irish and Scottish workers in the Caribbean in the 17th and 18th centuries (you can guess why), who were forcibly transported by Oliver Cromwell consequent to his subjugation of Ireland. This drink was created as a “tip of the hat” to the thousands of Irish who worked the sugar plantations of the Caribbean, and without whose cheap labour the popularity of rum may never have spread throughout the world.

Ingredients 30ml Teeling Small Batch 20ml Clement Creole Shrub 10ml Taylors Velvet Falernum 20ml Lime Juice 20ml Pineapple Syrup Preparation Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker and shake vigourously for 10-15 seconds. Strain into a rocks glass/Julep cup filled with crushed ice. Garnish with a pineapple slice, mint sprig and cherry.

Give your patio power a boost with a canopy ’TIS the season for barbecues, picnics and other modes of al fresco dining.

But sometimes the sun is beaming – and sometimes it disappears for days. Nevertheless, hope springs eternal and it’s important when it comes to the weather in Ireland to be like a Girl Guide – prepared for anything!

So, a patio with canopy is the salvation for barbie-holics and, if you haven’t already got one, then you should. Whether it’s the outdoor party look you want or a more family-friendly option that’s safe for children, Tobermore can help.

Theresa Kiely, manager at Tobermore’s Dublin Paving and Walling Centre, says: “Tobermore’s patio products are long-lasting, cost-effective and maintenance and cleaning is minimal, so that’s one less chore for you to worry about.”

If you need patio inspiration, call the company at 01 843 7440, email sales@tobermore.ie, or see www.tobermore.ie.

Soder + Ko

Fusion restaurant

South Great Georges St The interesting fusion

WITH its high ceilings, spacious sleek decor and an ultra-hip menu inspired by a fusion of Scandinavian and Asian cuisine, Soder + Ko on South Great George’s street is already proving to be a popular addition to Dublin’s ever growing list of trendy chowdown joints.

Having recently gotten our hands on a voucher offering an express lunch bento box and a drink for a special fixed price, Picky and partner decided to try it out.

The vibe was immediately relaxed and elegant when we arrived.

We ordered two nonalcoholic cocktails, made in-house. My partner’s was strawberry and orange juice-based.

Of course I had to sample it, and I found it very refreshing.

I went for a cucumber and chestnut syrup cocktail. Unfortunately, it was sickly sweet and far too sugary for me.

of Scandinavian and Asian cuisine at Soder + Ko is matched by its creative interior space. Picture: James Martin

The Picky Eater The express lunch menu offers four different bentos, with the choice of a meat, fish, vegetable or special of the day.

We both chose the meat bento, which offered miso soup, chicken dumplings, fillet steak with sticky rice and a side of charred bok choi.

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

‘For a lunch deal which ranges from €9-€12, the value for money is decent.

I didn’t leave stuffed, but I was satisfied’ --------------------------

When the food arrived, we discovered that two of the side dishes had been switched. Instead of bok choi, we got stewed aubergine, and in place of the chicken dumplings, there was a

prawn variety instead.

I checked with our server and he timidly informed us that the chefs were only serving this selection now.

I was unimpressed with the last-minute switcheroo without our knowledge, but the assortment was indeed tasty. The star of the show was the small, tender cut of fillet beef which came with a poached egg yolk on top.

For a lunch deal which ranges from €9-€12, the value for money is decent enough. I didn’t leave stuffed, but I was satisfied.

Some teething problems were apparent, from our slightly confused waiter who was in the midst of his first day to my overly sugary beverage.

However, I feel that given the opportunity, Soder + Ko could prove to be a deserving addition to the growing multicultural range of restaurants in the city.

Despite being sent on the day what the kitchen wanted to cook rather than the order placed, the food was great. Pictures: The Picky Eater

Conclusion DESPITE some teething problems when Picky and partner visited, Soder + Ko (at 64 South Great George’s Street, Dublin) has the potential to be a great addition to the city’s foodscape. Reasonably priced, its dishes proved to be tasty.

18 June 2015 Gazette 25

Gazette

HEALTH

Mark Joyce and Ronnie Carroll have teamed up with celebrity Ray Shah

Franchise deal expands brand Bon Sheekey demonstrating the V-Sit

calisthenics: using bodyweight as resistance

All you need is your own body to get fit  Suzanne Sheehy

Life is movement – movement is life. This is the mantra of Bon Sheekey, who heads up an eponymous fitness company operating out of TCD’s sport centre.

And when it comes to training, your own bodyweight can help you out on the way to fitness, according to the same man.

Sheekey tells Gazette Health that he takes a novel approach to the pursuit of health, fitness and longevity.

He has a 16-year history in gymnastics, breakdance, weight training and movement which prompted him to notice the many positive health benefits to be gained from using bodyweight, including improved muscle strength and function, lower body fat, greater range of motion and flexibility in joints along with

freedom of expression and an improved sense of wellbeing.

Sheekey talked to us about this re-emerging form of training, calisthenics, which is any training where the bodyweight is used as resistance.

This can range from walking or crawling to gymnastics, mechanics of martial arts, types of dance and even yoga postures.

Principal beginner exercises involve the pullup, handstand and press up. More advanced versions are the handstand press up, plyometric (jump training) press up, press up claps to name but a few.

The real fun comes when you begin to learn the variations then put them all together into calisthenic sequences or routines.

Because there is no end to possible move-

ments, calisthenics can be one of the freest and most creative forms of expression.

It improves overall strength, shape, coordination, balance and flexibility. Anybody of any age from any walk of life can and should engage in it, according to Sheekey.

Both weight training and calisthenics have their place depending on individual goals, he maintains, but where the latter really kicks ass is in its ability to create harmony between different areas of the body allowing it to work in its preferred muscular groups.

This reduces chance of injury and helps practitioners stay injury free.

Another plus is that all you need is your body, some will power and a little space.

There is absolutely no need to spend vast sums on equipment and gym membership to begin

training, he says.

Sheekey aims for an optimal blend of resistance training and calisthenics in order to reap the benefits of both.

You can become strong and powerful in the weights room and then transform this into more agility and better balance with calisthenics.

He finds both modes complement each other and they would be his go-to training systems for programme design for himself and many of his clients.

The results speak for themselves, Sheekey maintains. Interested?

Then contact bonsheekeyfitness@gmail. com.

FITNESS entrepreneurs Ronnie Carroll and Mark Joyce have agreed a franchise deal with DJ and ex Big Brother celebrity Ray Shah to expand his hugely successful Bodyfirst Nutrition brand.

The first of the franchise outlets opened in the village of Malahide recently with more planned in the near future.

Bodyfirst Nutrition outlets at the Wooden Bridge Clontarf and in The Mall in Malahide Village are open from Monday to Saturday from 10am to 6pm and on Sunday from 12pm to 5pm.

Fitness enthusiast Shah launched the first Bodyfirst Nutrition in Clontarf in 2013 having developed a passion for fitness and nutrition during his time in the public eye. His vision was to create a one-stop-shop for sports supplements, vitamins and health foods.

Nowadays, most people shop online for popular sports and fitness products. Bodyfirst Nutrition is one of the first walk-in stores where you can buy

all your monthly supply of nuts, seeds, gluten free foods and teas, as well as protein powders, recovery shakes and energy gels under one roof.

Carroll said: “Ray has created a fantastic brand and we’ve nothing but admiration for what he has done.

Rather than try to reinvent the wheel out here we decided to approach him with a view to establishing a franchise agreement where we could all work together to expand this superb brand.”

Shah said: “After two years of growing the brand in Clontarf I was looking to take it further and was then approached by Ronnie and Mark.

The idea of developing it as a franchise and engaging with the boys on both an expertise and entrepreneurial level really appealed to me and was an obvious solution to my expansion plans.”

Some well-known faces which have been visible in Bodyfirst Nutrition include Leinster/Irish rugby player Cian Healy and his girlfriend, former Miss Ireland Holly Carpenter.

Wheels in motion for Aquabike THE sun has put his hat on, hip hip hip hooray – time to get outdoors and be more active.

Summer is the perfect time to challenge yourself so why not sign up to an multisport event and have fun as you get fit(ter)?

June 14 was the day that Ireland’s newest multisport event pedalled off. The Aquabike was hosted by Fingal Triathlon club which is based in Skerries north County Dublin.

Aquabike is an endurance sport composed of swimming and cycling

stages. GazetteHealth found it great to see the big numbers signed up to this event out pedalling hard on the course.

Aquabike is ideal for those unable to run through injury or those who simply dislike running. Long may this event take place.

Haven’t invested in a bike just yet? Then consider doing an aquathlon. Which is a two-stage race involving swimming followed by running.

If you’re interested in taking part in a triathlon or multisport event log

onto www.triathlonireland.com. You’re bound to find something to suit you in their 2015 race calendar. It could be a triathlon, duathlon, adventure racing – entirely up to you. And for beginners, you will find training and nutrition advice to set you off on the right foot into the summer months.

26 dun laoghaire gazette 18 June 2015

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Gazette

28 Gazette 18 June 2015

SPORT

FastSport

Minister Paschal Donohoe and Dublin Mayor Christy Burke launching the Great Dublin Bike Ride in Smithfield Square . Picture: Rob Mohan/Sportsfile

Dublin to host ‘Gran Fondo’ cycling event IRISH CYCLING has a new event to look forward to, with the Great Dublin Bike Ride set to take off from Smithfield Square on Sunday, September 13.

The event will feature two routes – 60km and 100km – each starting and finishing in in Smithfield, and taking in scenic routes around Dublin city, county and further afield.

The 100km route will pass through Malahide and Ashbourne in county Meath as well as some winding rural roads, while the shorter outing takes in Blanchardstown, Malahide and Swords.

The event will follow the cyclosportive (or Gran Fondo) model that’s become extremely popular in modern day cycling, with the aim of falling half way between a competitive race and a challenging stage-based distance event.

The format will welcome amateur and inexperienced cyclists, who’ll start alongside their more experienced counterparts.

The Great Ireland Bike Ride is backed by numerous major sporting institutions, including the Irish Sports Council, Cycling Ireland, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Dublin City Council and Healthy Ireland, and was launched by Minister Paschal Donohoe and Dublin Mayor Christy Burke in an event in Smithfield Square on Monday, May 8.

Speaking at the launch, John Treacy, chief executive of the Irish Sports Council, said: “We are thrilled to be launching the Great Dublin Bike Ride. I have participated in similar events internationally and saw firsthand how successful they can be in increasing participation across all ages and all abilities.

“I really believe this is a great event to keep everyone active over the summer months and would encourage everyone, whether you are beginner or advanced cyclist to sign up and get involved.”

Training plans, registration – currently €40 for the longer event, and €25 for the shorter – and route maps as well as further information can be found on the website, www.greatdublinbikeride. ie.

McLaughlin’s tough trail to Croker glory Round Tower’s hurling captain Brian McLaughlin tells JAMES HENDICOTT of his battle back from serious injury, and unlikely route to Croke Park glory with Fermanagh

BRIAN McLaughlin starred in Fermanagh’s Lory Meagher Cup win on Saturday, June 6, scoring 0-5 from full forward as the Ernesiders claimed the title they missed out on in a tight finale a year ago.

Fermanagh finished the game with just 12 men on the pitch, but won by a fairly comfortable score of 3-16 to 1-17.

It’s been a rough ride for the Round Tower captain, who sat out an entire season back in 2013 after serious back and hip injuries picked up in a car accident.

His comeback, declaration for Fermanagh – a side that’s own road to the final has been afflicted with tragedy and subsequent national title is perhaps the story of this season’s cup.

“I came back from the injury for Round Tower in 2014 and we had a great season,” McLaughlin recalls.

“We won the Division 4 title, and the physios there were great in getting me back to fitness.

“The idea of declaring for Fermanagh came up towards the end of the season. I mentioned it to my dad – both he and my uncle used to play for the county side – and he was very keen on it. I qualify through the so called ‘mother rule’ for minor counties, and while I was a little reluctant at first because of the extra games, it was definitely the right call.”

Sports Med Ireland played a major role for McLaughlin, with the high-end new training facilities in Ballymount helping further in pushing his fitness and injury progression from September last year.

McLaughlin spent four days a week in the facility, letting the experts nurse him back to his pre-accident con-

dition and perfect the strength and conditioning he needed to move forward.

By November, he was ready to talk to Fermanagh manager Shane D u f f y, w h o s e e m e d enthusiastic about McLaughlin’s involvement.

The for ward’s dad and uncle smoothed the process through their county links, and McLaughlin’s inkling edged towards reality.

A journey down to Fermanagh training with Shane Mulholland back in November cemented McLaughlin’s decision, and was later to form the heart of McLaughlin’s perceptions of the cup win, and much of the motivation he’d need.

“Shane drove me to Fermanagh’s centre of excellence, which is on the side of a mountain and difficult to find,” he recalls. “He talked

Brian McLaughlin lifts the Lory Meagher Cup ,after Fermanagh defeated Sligo at Croke Park on Saturday, June 6.

about how much the Lory Meagher Cup meant to the side, and I could feel the passion.”

Mulholland died in a tragic car accident back in February, leaving behind his wife and three-month-old daughter. While Fer-

green to a quick fire lead that was never to be overturned. Duffy later described the win as Fermanagh’s Holy Grail.

“We never lost our sense of calm and control, even when the side were down to 12 players

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

‘I didn’t realise how much it meant to me until the final whistle, when the emotion just came pouring out’ Brian McLaughlin

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

managh suffered a poor league campaign, finishing bottom of Division 3 after losing all five games, winning Lory Meagher became the all-encompassing aim for the season, and something to give in Mulholland’s honour.

The Fermanagh shirts for the Croke Park encounter bore the oneoff inscription Uallach, Irish for Mulholland, meaning proud.

Despite being hit with three red cards in the second half, Fermanagh looked in control from the moment they started striking first half goals, despite finding themselves 0-9 to 0-2 down with 20 minutes on the clock.

Three goals in the final 15 first half minutes saw the boys in

at the end,” McLaughlin explains. “Round Tower have made things very easy for me, and playing the game in front of my mum, dad, brother, girlfriend and 94-year-old grandfather at Croke Park was very special.

“I know I played well, because my grandfather would have called me on it if I hadn’t. It felt like the win was meant to be.

“I’m not sure I personally realised how much it meant until the emotion came out at the final whistle. It was for Shane.”

Fermanagh followed their Croker victory with a win against Louth, securing a place in next year’s Nicky Rackard Cup, where they’ll face Tyrone, Monaghan and Donegal.

18 June 2015 Gazette 29

Gazette

FastSport HOCKEY IRELAND ANNOUNCE WORLD LEAGUE SQUAD DUBLIN players feature heavily in the Ireland Hockey squad announced by coach Craig Fulton this week, which will travel to Antwerp, Belgium to compete in World League 3.

Ireland have been drawn in Group B, and will take on China, hosts Belgium, Malaysia and Great

Luke McGrath spars on his way to a 56kg junior male gold medal

Valley prove unstoppable in junior worlds  James Hendicott

TOP CLASS Swords taekwondo club Rivervalley put in a stunning performance at the World Junior Championships in Lido de Jesolo, Italy, recently.

The 11 junior athletes sent over as part of a 39-person Irish team were so spectacular that had they competed as a nation rather than a club they’d have finished sixth on the medal table, ahead of sizeable competitors like the USA, Argentina and Russia.

All in, the championships featured more than 1,000 competitors from 52 different countries.

The Irish team are coached by Stephen Cooley, a VI degree and former international fighter who started Rivervalley back in 1992.

He takes young fighters, often just six years old, with the philosophy of “treat them like world champions from the moment they walk in the door.

“Most coaches take

talented kids at the age of 12 or 13,” Cooley told GazetteSport. “We start them off at six, and put them in a competitive atmosphere. The kids believe in themselves, and make a decision at the age of 12 or 13 on how seriously they’re going to take it. They can become ordinary black belts, or aim for the national team.”

All 11 Rivervalley athletes who went to Italy medalled, but perhaps the crowning glory was in the men’s 56kg individual sparring, in which club teammates Luke McGrath and Rostik Ivanchuk fought each other in the final.

Both came through a series of tough fights, with McGrath edging through in the finale. Cooley recalls his early days as “a very unassuming kid who at first didn’t really want to spar. He’s a natural, though, and it didn’t take him long to take things really seriously”.

Another individual success came for Killester’s Ellen Ince, who’s trained

individually with Cooley for a couple of years. Ince’s individual sparring title at 55kg weight was her second successive world title, wins that bracket a European win, too.

Maeve Magee also won a special technique silver, while Rivervalley’s team competitors scored a full set of gold, silver and bronze medals. In large part due to Rivervalley’s success, the Irish team grabbed sixth place overall.

All the medals won over in Italy come off the back of the club’s professional approach.

“We have a big team,” Cooley says. “You hear about other sports doing six weeks of conditioning before the training starts.

We do a year of strength and conditioning.

“We study body movement and train on techniques like long jump and high jump, too. Some of our kids wear heart monitors and train eight days a week. They’ve earned the results, and they got them.”

Britain. The Green Machine will open against the old enemy on Tuesday, June 23.

The 18 man squad features Peter Caruth and David Fitzgerald (Monkstown), Mitch Darling (Three Rock) and Kirk Shimmins (UCD) alongside several players who ply their trade in the competitive Belgian league.

Ireland warmed up by playing Belgium twice in recent warm up matches, losing 3-2 and 4-2, but Fulton remains positive, saying “we will need to add more detail to our performances in critical phases to get results, which we believe we can do”

Gazette

30 DUN LAOGHAIRE gazette 18 June 2015

SPORT

fastSport

intra-league soccer: dubs disappoint in limerick

Picture: Paul Luncy/ Cabinteely FC

Cabinteely off bottom with much-needed win THE FANS at Stradbrook may be soon figuring out how to fit the name Sodiq Oguntola into a chant after the striker scored a goal and gave a performance to remember on his debut for Cabinteely Town against Athlone last Friday.

The 22-year-old Nigerian, who previously played for Athlone, led the Cabinteely line for interim manager Andrew Rice last Friday evening as Cabo picked up a much needed third league win of the season with a 2-0 win over Alan Mathews’ side.

The game was just Rice’s second in charge of the club’s LOI team, having previously worked as a coach at their underage section.

After a 6-1 defeat to UCD in his first game at the helm, he went into this one without his regular midfield partnership of Stephen Dunne and John McKeown due to suspension.

Having signed recently from Sacred Heart, Oguntola went straight into the starting line-up and caused havoc for the Athlone defence right from kick-off.

The hosts struck the post twice in the opening ten minutes, first through Ger Pender and then Kevin Knight minutes later.

The breakthrough came on 16 minutes when Shane O’Neill arrived at the back post to turn in Even Finnegan’s cross and score his second goal in as many games. Athlone picked up the pace after falling behind but the score remained the same at half-time.

The second goal of the game came on 70 minutes from the excellent Oguntola. The pacey striker showed some tidy footwork to create space, before calmly rolling the ball under Paddy Dunican in the Athlone goal.

Athlone went gung-ho to get something back but the Cabo defence stood firm to secure the win which moved them above Waterford to seventh in the table.

Up next is the visit of second placed Wexford Youths to Stradbrook on June 26; the mid-season break will give the League of Ireland newcomers a chance to reflect and build on what’s been a competitive start to life in Ireland’s second tier.

The NDSL squad that travelled to Limerick to play in the Kennedy Cup

DDSL in rare Kennedy Cup loss  sport@dublingazette.com

FOR the first time since 2004, Dublin teams were left empty-handed at the annual Kennedy Cup competition which was held in Limerick last week.

Having won the Kennedy Cup, the blueribbon competition of the weekend, ten of the last eleven years, the DDSL fell at the final hurdle this year, losing 1-0 to Kerry in the final.

The other two Dublin sides at the competition, the NDSL and SDFL, were also unsuccessful as the Cup, Shield,

Bowl and Trophy competitions were all won by leagues from around the country.

The beaten finalists began the competition in Group 2, and set off to a blistering start, beating Longford 13-0, but followed it up with two 1-1 draws against North Tipperary and Kilkenny.

They still managed to just about secure their place in the quarterfinal of the Cup competition on goal difference. They played out another 1-1 draw in that quarter-final against the Midlands but won the penalty shootout 4-2.

rapid all-nighter Dublin team Murphy Prototypes hit Le Mans WORLD renowned all-day race the Le Mans 24 saw Dublin-based Murphy Prototypes return to finish in fifth place in their class and 13th overall.

“They have dealt with everything that’s been thrown at them, not just during the past 24-hours, but over the past week too.

This just goes to prove our reputation for being one of the best teams on the grid” said a proud Greg Murphy of drivers Nathanael Berthon, Karun Chandhok and Mark Patterson.

Meanwhile, the NDSL started the weekend in Group 1, alongside South Tipperary, Athlone, and the Sligo/ Leitrim league.

The promising North Dublin group won all three of their group games scoring 11 goals and conceding just one in those fixtures.

T hat placed them in the Cup quar terfinal where they met K ildare and eventually advanced via a 4-3 win on penalties after a scoreless draw after extra-time.

Up next was a semi-final Dublin derby against the DDSL which ended

the North Dubliners ‘chance of success, with their city rivals running out 2-0 winners.

To finish off their weekend, the NDSL, w h o l a s t wo n t h e Kennedy Cup in 2011, played the Limerick Desmond league in a 3rd/4th place playoff which they won 4-1.

In the final of the Cup, a Dylan Murphy strike for Kerry separated the sides in a closefought game in which the DDSL had more of the chances.

The SDFL was the other Dublin side at the competition. They eventually finished 19th in

the competition of 32 teams.

They finished third in Group 8 despite starting the competition with a 2-1 win over Carlow; they followed that result up with a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Wexford and a 2-0 loss against the Midlands.

The South Dubliners went on to play West Cork in the Shield quarter-final which they won 4-1 on penalties after a scoreless draw.

They then lost 3-2 to Mayo in the semifinal before beating Waterford 3-0 in the 19th/20th place playoff.

18 June 2015 DUN LAOGHAIRE gazette 31

Gazette

the long and winding road

Fermanagh club’s bold fundraiser to tour country

Club Noticeboard cuala WELL DONE to the Senior Hurlers on

BIKE 1630 - a fundraising iniative from

matches throw in at 7:30pm.

Next weekend sees another round

winning their SHL game against Ball-

Fermanagh GAA club Belnaleck - will see cyclists stop off at all 1630 GAA clubs in Ireland to raise money for a new pitch.

Dublin clubs St Vincent’s, Ballyboden St. Endas and Thomas Davis are among those who have already signed up to hosting the cycle this weekend, which offers a top prize of a training weekend for 30 players at the popular 5-star Lock Erne Resort.

inteer.

In hurling Championship action, the Junior As were victors over Faughs,

of league matches with our seniors at home to St Judes on Saturday evening.

On Sunday our inters are away

the Junior Ds lost to Setanta and the Junior Fs defeated St.Peregrines.

Good luck to the U-14 camogie team who head to Galway next weekend for

Soccer: tek united beat swords to take moore cup

to Ballinteer in AFL5, our 3rds are at home to Na Fianna and our 4ths are away to Rosmini Gaels.

the National Feile tournament against

Huge congratulations to Yvonne

teams from Kilkenny, Cork, Tipperary

Grayson who won last week’s €4,400

and others who came third in their

jackpot!

Don’t forget to play this week to help

respective County Division One competitions.

This week our Adult Footballers return to mid-week league fixtures.

support Cuala and be in with a chance of winning €1,000 at http://www.cualagaa.ie/lotto.

On Tuesday our Inters are at home to

Good luck to all the kids taking part

Templeogue Synge St in AFL5 and our

in the Academy’s mini All-Ireland com-

3rds are also at home to Starlights

petition this week.

Congratulations to Kate Begley who

in AFL8. Both matches take place in Shankill.

On Wednesday, June 17 our Seniors are away to St. Sylvesters in AFL1. All

has been selected to play for Dublin in the Leinster U-12 girl’s blitz on 20th June in Carlow.

shankill Juvenile Academy is in action every

at 7pm and also on Saturday at 10am in

Saturday morning in Shanganagh

the Castle when there is no match.

Note that there are some back

Castle at 10am, catering for 4-8 year old boys and girls.

The two LSL sides TEK United and Swords Celtic have become fast rivals recently, with TEK generally winning out

TEK United in Moore Cup shootout win  sport@dublingazette.com

THE name TEK United must cause a shiver a r o u n d t h e Swo r d s area at the moment as the Stradbrook club once again came out on top in a mighty battle against Swords Celtic.

This time the event was the LSL Moore Cup final last Sunday, a cup named in honour of a former TEK chairman George Moore.

TEK pipped Swords Celtic to the LSL Sunday Division 1A title a couple of weeks ago by a single point which ended one of most the

entertaining title races this season.

Indeed it was the league champions who were offering more in the first half but Swords stole the lead on 35 minutes and what a goal it was too. The busy Philip Nolan burst down the right wing and his delivery found left winger Andrew Bolan who had drifted inside. The bounce of the ball was awkward but Boylan lifted it with his right foot before acrobatically smashing it past Ian McHugh with his left to break the deadlock.

The lead did not last long however as TEK hit back just six minutes later. A long ball was flicked on by David Duff y into the path of big frontman Paul O’Sullivan. The striker initially held up the ball before rolling it back to Duffy who smashed an effort into the top corner past Steven Trimble.

Swords were the better team after the break but neither side could find the net again before extra-time.

With seven minutes left in extra-time, TEK went in front when Neil Kelly bundled the

ball home from a good delivery. Many thought it was over but Swords hit back just before the final whistle when Graeme Leahy produced a stunning lobbed pass over the TEK defence which Boylan rushed onto and buried home.

Penalties followed, and despite Trimble saving two TEK efforts, his opposing number M c Hu g h p r ove d t o be the hero as United ran out 7-6 winners, completing a fantastic double and a season to remember for Les Flynn and his impressive team.

matches to be played and friendly

Learn the skills of Gaelic football,

games being arranged, keep in con-

hurling and camogie while having fun

tact with your team manager. Men’s

with your friends. The cost is only €2

adult team plays Wanderers at 7.30pm

for each child and there is no annual

on Thursday in the Cliffs.

The club Summer Camp is on from

subscription.

Girls under-10 had a great day play-

July 6-10 in Shanganagh Park. The cost

ing in the Leinster club blitz at Moore-

is €45 members, €50 non member with

field GAA club Kildare. Girls under-9

€5 reduction for siblings. There will

play Thomas Davis at 10am on Sunday

be Gaelic football, hurling, camogie,

in Kiltipper Road.

rounders, a free T-shirt and lots and

Boys under-12 play Clontarf in

lots of fun.

Shanganagh Castle on Saturday;

For more information contact sec-

training for boys under-12 and girls

retary.shankill.dublin@gaa.ie or Tel

under-9 and under-11 is on Wednesday

086 3215087.

foxrock cabinteely After a few years absence, the club’s

have been edge of the seat stuff and

Family Day will be back bigger and bet-

we’re sure next Sunday will be no

ter than ever before. Next Sunday at 2

exception.

p.m. in Kilbogget Park there’ll be lots

Following the Cornerstone Cup,

of activities for the young and the not-

club members will be treated to some

so-young, and a fun and enjoyable day

more top class football when the Dub-

is assured.

lin minor team take on our senior team

The highlight of day will be the Cor-

in a challenge game.

nerstone Cup, which sees a combina-

This will be a very useful workout

tion of the minor and junior teams take

for both teams but particularly for

on the mentors and parents.

the Dublin minors as they prepare for

Already confirmed for the men-

the All-Ireland semi-final.

tors / parents team are former Welsh

Members are no doubt aware that

rugby international Glynn Davies and

we have three Foxrock Cabinteely

FAI Cup winner Andy Lynch.

players on the Dublin minor team so

It is understood that club chairman

we look forward to seeing Ciara Crot-

Johnny Culloty will also be available for

ty, Hannah O’Neill and Tarah O’Sullivan

selection.

do battle against their club mates. The

Previous Cornerstone Cup games

throw in for this game is at 6:45.

GazetteSPORT your dun laoghaire sports coverage from page 28-31

kennedy cup: Dublin sides suffer rare defeats in season closing Limerick intra-league tournament P30

june 18-24, 2015

classy Rivervalley a hit at taekwondo worlds P29

Seapoint Rugby Club, who will celebrate their 80th anniversary this year

Seapoint rugby hit 80

Chairman Eddie Duffy looks back at the days of struggling on borrowed shirts, and optimistically at a bright, varied future

 nathan kelly

sport@dublingazette.com

SEAPOINT Rugby Club may be 80 years old this year, but speaking to the newly elected club president, Eddie Duffy, it is still a club firmly looking forward rather than back and are in preparation mode for the new season already.

The Kilbogget Park side are currently running a recruitment drive for the club’s senior and U-20 sides ahead of the start of the season in September. Speaking exclusively to GazetteSport, Duffy, who was announced as club president just two weeks ago, said: “The season may still be a bit away but already we

have lads back in the gym already.

“Obviously there are going to be a number of lads on holiday around this time but we want to put the message out there that anyone who fancies playing Senior or U-20 rugby next season, we’ll be here all summer so come in or contact myself or club offices for more information. We’re also hoping to have a ladies section next season too which is open to anyone who is interested.”

When the subject of the club’s 80th anniversary arose, Duffy informed us of a humorous tale which dates back to that very first year. He said: “Well, in 1934, when the club was founded, we were a bit nomadic and played our games kind of all over the place

[they’ve been in their Kilbogget Park home the last 37 years]” said the club president.

He continued: “Anyway, when we applied for our licence, we had white gear, and were initially turned away. Then, someone in the club managed to get their hands on a spare set or old set of gear that belonged to Queens University, which was green, blue and black.

We went back and reapplied for the licence.

We were given the licence but only because we’ll only last a year and will never go far enough to ever play Queens.

“Well, fast forward 80 years and we’ve played Queens five times and are still wearing those famous colours, although we’ve had to wear the away kit in those games in

many occasions.”

“Also, when you fast-forward 80 years you see a club who are one of the most progressive in their thinking in Dublin, which Duffy game example to. “One thing we’re very proud of is our Seapoint Dragons team,” he said. “To have a team completely dedicated to providing rugby and fun for children with special needs or disabilities is a fantastic service to offer and we are one of the few clubs to do so.”

The club will hold a large outdoor open event in the middle of August to celebrate the 80th anniversary which will include a BBQ and activities for all the family before the new season kicks off.