Dun laoghaire

Gazette DUN LAOGHAIRE

February 16-22, 2017

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Shankill citizens vow WIN to take back the night A pair of tickets to the Irish Motorbike & Scooter Show at the RDS SEE P13

Community protest to show unity in the face of sex attacker prowling the area

 EMMA NOLAN THE Shankill sex attacker is still at large but gardai are currently reviewing CCTV footage in an attempt to identify the person responsible for the spate of attacks

reported in the past year.

Gardai have also been carrying out house-to-house inquiries as part of their investigation.

No details of the attacker have been released, but he is believed to be a pale Irish

male aged in his 30s.

N ow, K i l l i n e y a n d Shankill locals are taking a stand against the assaults and attempted break-ins across the area.

A protest called Take Back The Night is taking place

this Friday at 7:30pm, starting at Shankill Dart Station.

Organisers say they want to show support for the people affected by “these horrific attacks and stand up as a community against sexual violence”.

2 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 16 February 2017

SAFETY | SENATOR SAYS INCREASING BLAZES ‘MUST BE STOPPED’

Rise in gorse fires spark hillside fears  AISLING KENNNEDY

With increasing gorse fires on the Dublin Mountains (above), locals are increasingly worried about a major blaze causing havoc

THE increase in the number of gorse fires around the Dublin Mountains over the past few months must be stopped, according to Senator Neale Richmond (FG).

He told The Gazette this week that local people living in the surrounding areas of South County Dublin are living in fear that the fires will one day spread to local housing estates that back onto the mountains.

In November, a large fire broke out in the Ticknock area of the Dublin mountains and on January 25, Dublin Fire Brigade sent three

fire brigades from Dun Laoghaire and Rathfarnham stations to attend a gorse fire in Glencullen.

Senator R ichmond said: “For the second time in as many weeks, residents of South County Dublin have been confronted with the sight of the Dublin Mountains in flames.

“These fires are of huge concern to local residents and passers-by as the smoke and fumes have caused serious traffic delays on local roads, as well as the M50, at peak time on a Friday.”

He added that the threat of the fire spreading rapidly is also “of concern to residents living nearby to the affected areas, many of whom have been spooked by images on television of recent bushfires in Australia”.

One local resident

spoke out on social media following the fires and said: “All over these mountains from now until the summer there are fires set deliberately and those setting them are well-known locally.”

Another man commented: “If the fires are proven to be deliberate, I hope the criminal charges are attempted murder, as it could affect so many people – mountain bikers, hikers, and everyone else it spreads to. Time to get serious.”

Senator Richmond said that he is now calling on the Minister for Arts and Heritage, Heather Humphreys, to take action to prevent an increase in gorse fires.

He said: “We need particular focus on this now before we enter the summer months when such fires are even more commonplace.”

FASTNews

A round of applause for an award-winning junction THE Leopardstown Link Road and Roundabout has won an award for best civil engineering project at the recent Council & Community Awards.

The design was managed in-house by the DLR Roads Projects Office, and according to the council it replaced the previous roundabout with “a safer and more efficient signalised junction to manage heavy traffic flows in the area and provide improved pedestrian and cycle connectivity”.

Accepting the award on behalf of the council were An Cathaoirleach, Cllr Cormac Devlin (FF), along with Michael Mangan, senior engineer with the council’s Infrastructure and Climate Change department, and Cllr Pat Hand (FG).

Cllr Devlin said: “Winning this award demonstrates the council’s commitment to upgrading its transport infrastructure for the benefit of residents, visitors and businesses in the county. It is also a fitting reward for all the hard work put in by the council’s staff and its contractors.”

Modern sexual politics to be explored in Horae play

HORAE, a 40-minute play written by Dun Laoghaire native Susie Lamb, will take to the stage at The Complex Live Arts Centre in Dublin 7 next week. Lamb, daughter of actress Geraldine Plunkett, will see her show run from February 20 to 26. Horae is described as a theatre experience that explores modern sexual politics and the mysteries of ancient prostitution.

Written and performed by Lamb, Horae was shortlisted for the Women Playwrights International Conference in South Africa in 2014. To book tickets, call 01 544 6922 or see www.tickets.ie.

Have a say on old library

1,000 thanks for credit union’s help

UNDERSCORING its commitment to community initiatives, Blackrock Credit Union (BCU) was delighted to donate €1,000 to Carysfort National School recently to go towards school improvements. Pictured at the cheque presentation are Grainne Misteil, chair, Blackrock Credit Union with Fiona Burns and Marion Fenton, Carysfort NS Parents’ Association, and Norma Linehan. BCU said they were happy to help parents support a key facility in the community, with the funds to help carry out a range of works at the school.

LOCALS locals are invited to submit ideas for the re-use of the former Carnegie Library building.

Councillors have passed a motion saying that the former library should be used for community purposes. In a report, the council said the former library building “is an important part of the town’s architectural heritage”, and that its reopening will help to revitalise the Old Town Quarter of Dun Laoghaire.

Potential suitable uses for the building could include a centre for educational development and innovation, a cultural/community/tourism attraction, or a social enterprise and innovation centre.

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16 February 2017 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 3

 ALISON O’HANLON

Bertie helped Malahide Allotments break the world record for tree planting.

PIctures: ALISON O’HANLON

FORMER Taoiseach Bertie Ahern wouldn’t have looked out of place at the Ploughing Championships as he mucked in to give a very worthy cause a dig-out at the weekend.

The Ex Fianna Fail leader and famous Dub was true to his word, turning up as promised and braving some of the worst weather we’ve seen this year to do his bit for a charity challenge in aid of the Epilepsy Care Foundation.

The Malahide Allotments had aimed to plant a world-record 500 trees in one day, but despite the dirty weather managed a staggering 687 – all by lunchtime!

Fair play to all who gave it a right good welly on the day!

Architectural render presenting the proposed College Green Civic Plaza Malahide Allotments members Brian Geraghty and Bertie brave the cold for a good cause

4 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 16 February 2017

PEOPLE | BALLYBRACK MAN SPREADS MENTAL HEALTH MESSAGE

Thousands tune in to Keith’s upbeat speech

FIND KEITH’S IMPRESSIVE SPEECH AT https://www.facebook.com/keith.kelly.

10236/posts/1743951272585964

 EMMA NOLAN

Choose life. Choose a job.

Choose a career. Choose family.

Choose a walk, swim, try the gym.

Choose yoga, maybe some mindful meditation.

Choose a good diet, less alcohol.

Mind your mental health.

Choose talking things over. Choose having a cuppa. Choose your friends.

Choose getting up and doing stuff.

Choose not to sit on the couch watching daytime TV that numbs your brain.

Choose to be more aware, stuff that junk food in the bin.

Be more than just an embarrassment to your kids.

Choose to have fun. Choose your team, the Gunners, Man U, the ’Pool.

Be you, be yourself. Choose a hug, choose a smile. Choose your future.

Choose life.

A BALLYBRACK man has gone viral for his Tr a i n s p o t t i n g - s t y l e speech on mental health.

Mental health issues are something close to local Keith Kelly’s heart and, with the release of the Trainspotting sequel, he saw an opportunity to reach people by making a video that plays on the original Trainspotting film.

Keith, who is from Ballybrack and is a volunteer with Suicide or Survive, has struggled with his mental health over the years. He created the short video based on Trainspotting character Renton’s famous “Choose life” speech.

Keith’s video has been a huge hit, clocking almost 10,000 views on his Face-

book page in less than 24 hours.

He said: “I’ve been blow n away by the response. I just did it as a way of trying to reach and help people and now I’m getting thank-you messages from all the over the world.

“It just goes to show you the power of sharing and the appetite that is out there right now for some positivity.”

Positive message Keith has struggled with his own issues over the past few years and, having seen a lot of suffering “including too many suicides” in his community, he wanted to send out a positive message.

“I’m a huge fan of Trainspotting and with the new film coming out I saw an opportunity to do something creative to help spread a positive

message. The original Trainspotting ‘Choose life’ message was a powerful one so I suppose it’s a play on that.

“Over the years, through all the unhappiness and sadness I’ve experienced, I’ve learnt that you can’t bury your head in the sand or else things will just get worse.”

He says that the importance of talking openly can’t be underestimated and that the video has since “opened up a whole new world for him”, including new friends and community through his volunteering with the Suicide or Survive charity.

He added: “I’d just love to see everyone being themselves – not necessarily following the norms, just living the lives they want to live and being comfortable with themselves.”

FASTNews

Gateway Singers to sing out for Irish Guide Dogs A CONCERT pin aid of the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind will take place on Saturday, March 4 at the Pavilion Theatre in Dun Laoghaire.

The renowned Gateway Singers, from Donegal, will perform for the crowd on the night showcasing their rich harmonies and uniquely warm personalities, thanks to the diverse choir which has more than 70 members.

Their range is universal and audiences can expect an eclectic and well balanced set of choral works delivered with equal verve and skill. The concert will begin at 8pm and tickets cost €20. For further information, see www.paviliontheatre.ie.

Enjoy a oui look at French and Irish intertwined arts A NEW programme entitled, The French Are On The Sea, by Des Geraghty, will be performed by Ceol Anna Livia and Noel O’Grady at the Dun Laoghaire Club (The Eblana Club) this Saturday, February 18.

The performance will start at 8pm and entry is free to all. The programme draws on Irish Gaelic, English and French sources, from the early days of the Wild Geese; to the music of O’Carolan, to some of the better-known Irish characters who worked, lived and in some cases died in France, such as Oscar Wilde, James Joyce, William Butler Yeats and Dublin’s writer and raconteur, Brendan Behan.

A table quiz will also be held at the Eblana Club on Thursday March 2 at 8pm. All are welcome, with teams of four people for the night. The entry fee is €40 per team, with proceeds going to Cancer Care.

All welcome for a talk on universal basic incomes THE Social Democrats Dun Laoghaire branch are hosting a public talk on the topic of a universal basic income at 7.30pm on Tuesday, February 21 in the Royal Marine Hotel.

Universal basic income is an idea which proposes an overhaul and simplification of the current taxation and benefits systems.

According to the Social Democrats, it will “provide security to all citizens through a basic income, and through taxing additional earnings fairly.”

The model is currently being piloted in other countries, including Finland.

Deputy Roisin Shortall will chair the event and will be joined by speakers from Social Justice Ireland and Basic Income Ireland to discuss how it might work here.

All are welcome to attend.

16 February 2017 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 5

SOUTH DUBLIN | PROJECT EXPECTED TO ACCOMMODATE ALMOST 15,000 OVER NEXT 3 YEARS Brian Moran, managing director of Hines Ireland, Minister Mary Mitchell O’Connor, An Cathaoirleach Cllr Cormac Devlin, Minister Simon Coveney and Kate O’Connell TD

Work starts on new town of Cherrywood ‘Miserable’ 10% for social housing  EMMA NOLAN WHILE the sod was being turned at Cherrywood this week, People Before Profit (PBP) criticised the “pathetically inadequate” number of social houses included in the development.

800 social housing units are to be provided out of the 8,000 new homes which will constructed as part of the €500 million state investment at Cherrywood and PBP say that this is “totally unacceptable”.

TD Richard Boyd Barrett has now called for a dramatic increase in the proposed “miserable” 10% of homes that are allocated for social housing on the site.

Speaking at the ceremony last week, Deputy Boyd Barrett said: “Simon Coveney reaffirmed the level of investment that the state has paid for to unlock development at this site for Hines and other landowners.

“An enormous €500 million was spent by the state on infrastructure to facilitate

the launch of the Cherrywood SDZ. “Given this level of investment by the state, the return of a mere 10% of constructed homes by developers for social housing is pathetically inadequate.

“These private developers who got this site from NAMA stand to make and absolute fortune from Cherrywood.

“Given the enormous investment from the state we must insist that we get very considerably more than 800 social housing units.

“The state investment of €500 million if used directly to build council houses would deliver 2,500 social housing units at least.”

Deputy Boyd Barrett has called on Minister Coveney to ensure that 20% of the development is used for social housing “at an absolute minimum”.

“If this was done it would greatly alleviate the disastrous social housing crisis in the Dun Laoghaire and Ballybrack areas and bring some hope to families languishing on the waiting list for up to 20 years,” he added.

An artist’s impressions of the Cherrywood town

 AISLING KENNEDY CHERRYWOOD Town Centre will begin its first phase of construction in the next few months following the official “turning of the sod” ceremony last week.

As part of the first phase of the €160m project, the new Town Centre for Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown will see 4,000 new homes built, 800 of which will be allocated to social housing.

The homes will be a mixture of houses, apartments and townhouses and they will accommodate almost 15,000 people over the next three years.

In addition, two primary schools, a secondary school, three major parks, retail space and office space are planned as part of the first phase of construction.

Building works will begin in spring this year and will initially see the development of a major road, cycleway and pedestrian pathway network as well as three very large parks.

It is expected that these building works will be completed over the next 15 months.

The construction of physical, social and educational infrastructure will be a condition of planning permission as the development proceeds.

Developer Hines Ireland has partnered with Jons Civil Engineering John Cradock JV Ltd to roll out the first phase of development which will be completed by Spring 2018.

In attendance on the day of the official “turning of the sod” were Ministers Simon Coveney; Mary MitchellO’Connor TD; Brian Moran, senior managing director of Hines Ireland and An Cathaoirleach Cllr Cormac Devlin.

Cllr Devlin said that Cherrywood will be an exceptional development of “residential, office, retail and multi-use parkland that will be at the vanguard of new town planning not just in Ireland but across the EU.” He added: “Eventually Cherrywood will support over 7,700 new homes, with a population of up to 30,000 people living in an area developed sympathetically with the landscape, supporting our natural heritage in a superb geographic location.”

Brian Moran from Hines Ireland said: “We are delighted that construction is now under way for this phase of development for the new town of Cherrywood.”

Senator Victor Boyhan also attended the ceremony and said: “It was great to see the detailed plans for the three new major parks for Cherrywood which are due to commence this spring.”

Senator Boyhan added, however, that he remains “concerned about the affordability of new homes at Cherrywood for first time buyers.”

6 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 16 February 2017

Out and About

Locals look to flex the ol’ noggin Quizmaster Brid O’Meara

Left: Chairman Billy Andrews

T

HE Goat Grill in Churchtown was the place to be for all local masterminds looking to test their brains as Kilmacud Musical Society held their annual table quiz. Around 40 tables of very enthusiastic table-quizzers were put to the test with questions on general knowledge, tv/ film, music, sport, history/politics and, of course, musicals. The event is always a fun night out for friends and family and also a fundraiser to help them put on their upcoming show.

16 February 2017 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 7

Out and About

Karl Gallagher (St Raphael’s Garda Credit Union); John Tuohy (Comhar Linn Into Credit Union Ltd); Leanne Daly-McGovern (Dun Laoghaire - Core Credit Union); Roisin Smith, Margaret Galvin (Clondalkin Credit Union); Bridget Hynes (Ballyfermot Credit Union) and Brendan Doherty (Civil Service Credit Union). Pictures: Seamus Travers

High achievers deserve Credit

Catherine Bateman from St Agnes Credit Union

ie

L

AST Week the Life Insurance Association held its annual Credit Union Awards Ceremonies in the IMI, Dublin, to present successful Credit Union students with their awards. Dun Laoghaire was represented by Leanne Daly-McGovern of Core Credit Union. The prestigious ceremony recognised the significant achievements of Credit Union students, in attaining their designations. Anne Marie McKiernan, Registrar of Credit Unions, Central Bank of Ireland, was in attendance to address the award recipients.

Anne McHugh and Maureen Fitzpatrick from Progressive Credit Union

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8 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 16 February 2017

COURTS | VICTIM TERRIFIED BY ATTACK

Addict threatened to set credit union supervisor on fire A HEROIN addict robbed his local credit union after grabbing the supervisor by the neck and telling her he was pouring fuel over her to set her on fire.

The woman tasted what she believed was either perfume or petrol in her mouth when Gary Gregg (28), of Ashlawn Park, Ballybrack, poured liquid out of a canister over the top of her head.

He held a lighter in his hand and shouted: “Give me the money. I’ve a lighter here and fuel and I am going to set you on fire.”

Gregg pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to robbery and

making a threat to kill at Core Credit Union, Ballybrack on January 16, 2016. He was on bail at the time and has 87 previous convictions, including 13 for robbery.

Garda Declan Hartley told Eilis Brennan BL, prosecuting, that the woman recognised Gregg immediately, even though he was wearing a balaclava, from his deep Dublin accent and a stammer.

She said she couldn’t believe it when she felt the liquid on her head. She knew Gregg was desperate for money and that he was prepared to use her as a tool to get it. She said she knew she had to get away from him, and she

was absolutely terrified.

The robbery lasted 41 seconds, during which time Gregg also threw fluid over the counter and ordered two other staff members to hand over cash before robbing €12,241.

Gda Hartley said that neither the cash nor the canister of fluid were ever recovered.

Judge Melanie Greally adjourned sentencing to May 4 next to allow for offences before the District Court to be dealt with as this case must run consecutively to any sentence he may receive there. She also ordered that Gregg be assessed for drug treatment.

Water sight! Spectacular waves crash ashore all along Dun Laoghaire’s coast

LOCALS and visitors to Dun Laoghaire were treated to some spectacular – and dangerous – sights last weekend when great waves came curling in from the sea, pounding the rocks, walls

and piers of the normally peaceful promenades with great, glassy fury. Walls of ice-cold water flung themselves relentlessly ashore, drowning anyone unfortunate or foolish enough to be passing by

at the time. The dramatic waves and showers of sea spray looked great, but the coast guard reminds people to stay well away at such times, as such waves could be dangerous. Pictures: Justin Farrelly

Sudden death investigated  AISLING KENNEDY

AN INVESTIGATION is under way into the death of Ronnie O’Donovan at the National Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire last month.

Mr O’Donovan was found with serious injuries at the club in the early hours of Saturday, January 21.

He was taken to Beaumont Hospital to be treated but died later that

week on Saturday, January 28.

A spokesperson for An Garda Siochana told The Gazette: “The matter is under investigation as a sudden death. A post-mortem was conducted and we are awaiting results. A file will be prepared for the local coroner.” Gardai said that an inquest will take place in the next few weeks.

A tribute was paid to Mr O’Donovan on the National Yacht

Club website recently, and Larry Power, Commodore at the club, said he was very saddened to hear of Mr O’Donovan’s death.

He added: “On behalf of all the members and staff of the National Yacht Club, I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to Moira, Stephen, Andrew and Sean on this very sad occasion on the loss of their husband, father and brother.”

16 February 2017 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 9

POLITICS | ANGRY REPRESENTATIVES ROUND ON BRIAN MURPHY’S MUTINOUS MUSINGS

FG councillor’s ‘Toxic Taoiseach’ claim starts furious party row  EMMA NOLAN and AISLING KENNEDY A LOCAL Fine Gael councillor has called An Taoiseach Enda Kenny “toxic” following a week of political upheaval.

In a damning comment, Cllr Brian Murphy said the Taoiseach is a “danger and an obstacle” to Fine Gael.

Writing on the Young Fine Gael YFG National Discussion Forum, the Dundrum councillor, who was elected in 2014, went on to say that the leader of the party is “pure toxic”.

Cllr Murphy went on to say: “Enda Kenny is now using the party for personal gain, I would go as far as to say that.”

While some members of

Screengrab supplied (and edited) by a Young Fine Gael member showing Cllr Brian Murphy’s (above) contentious comments

the YFG group disagreed with Cllr Murphy’s comments, many agreed with him, with a fellow Young Fine Gael member saying: “I can count more than 10 times in the GE [General

Election] that he came up on the doors – the party was fine, the candidate was fine BUT Enda Kenny ... was not fine.”

The hashtag “#KennyOut” was also used.

Senator Neale Richmond [FG] said that he “can understand Brian’s frustrations, but that extreme language is unnecessary”.

“We all must remember

how far Enda Kenny as Taoiseach has brought the country, and as a leader of Fine Gael has brought the party.” Senator Richmond added that Mr Kenny has his full support.

Other local Fine Gael representatives condemned Cllr Murphy’s comments. Cllr Patricia Stewart said: “I thought they were a disgrace, and he certainly doesn’t speak for me.

“I don’t think people realise at what personal cost he [Enda Kenny] has led the Government and brought the country back from the brink of the worst recession we’ve ever seen.

“Enda Kenny has my full support. He’s said he’ll go when he’s made his mind up when it’s best for the party and for the country.

“Brian Murphy is not a wet week in politics and I just don’t agree with anything that was said. I don’t agree with a word of it.”

Cllr John Bailey said that he doesn’t “get involved in this sort of carry-on” but that Mr Kenny has his full support until such time as he decides to step down.

Cllr Bailey’s Dun Laoghaire colleague, Cllr Mary Freyne, echoed her colleagues’ comments, saying that “Enda Kenny is not toxic in most people’s opinion in Fine Gael”.

She added: “I don’t agree with him [Cllr Murphy] at all and I don’t think he should put things like that up because it’s not warranted and it’s not helpful,” she added.

The Gazette tried to contact Cllr Murphy several times for comment but he had not replied by the time of going to print.

10 GAZETTE 16 February 2017

Out and About

Jenny Buckley and Rachel Kavanagh

Kerri Nicole Blanc and Sinead Noonan. Pictures: Brian McEvoy

Tripthi Rodrigues and Charlotte Doyle

Sinead Keary and Sarah Keary

Enjoying a girls’ night out in Dundrum T

o celebrate their February LOVE Box GLOSSYBOX held a Girls Night Out at Movie’s at Dundrum. Guests got to see the latest chick flick releases and each got to take home the February GLOSSYBOX. The evening was hosted by MD of Ireland & UK Rachel Kavanagh and included many well-known faces to include Jenny Buckley, Teodora Sutra, Gail Kaneswaren, to name but a few. From cult classics to innovative new launches, this February, GLOSSYBOX and La Mer have curated the ultimate skincare routine, boxed which launches on 20th February.

Lianne Traynor and Michelle Reggazoli Stone

Avila Lipsett

Stephen Kelly and Fergus Daly

Lorna Duffy

16 February 2017 GAZETTE 11

Out and About

Ellen Waters and Jonathan Crawley

Enny Buono and Jade Hanlon

Therese Ryan and Cormac Moore

Wayne Cronin and Leah Kilcullen

Sean McEvoy and Amanda Reid

January Winters. Photos : BRIAN MCEVOY

Fans out in force for John Wick sequel K Jason Brennan and Darragh Doyle

Baz Ashmawy

Helen Clinton and Niall Clinton

EANU Reeve’s fans were out in force at the Lighthouse Cinema for the Irish premiere screening of his latest film “John Wick Chapter 2”. Keanu Reeves plays the legendary hit man John Wick is forced back out of retirement by a former associate plotting to seize control of a shadowy international assassins’ guild.

Bound by a blood oath to help him, John travels to Rome where he squares off against some of the world’s deadliest killers. Spotted at the screening were Baz Ashmawy, Spin 1038’s Cormac Moore, as well as model January Russell.

12 GAZETTE 16 February 2017

GAZETTE

DUBLINBUSINESS Hoping for Irish win in Singapore ENTREPRENEURS: IRISHWOMAN JUST ONE OF THREE SHORTLISTED EU FINALISTS FOR TOP AWARD

 EMMA NOLAN

Ciara Donlon, the founder and chief executive of THEYA Healthcare, has been nominated for an entrepreneurial award that will be revealed in Singapore in April

ENTREPRENEUR Ciara Donlon – the founder and chief executive of T H E YA H e a l t h c a r e (www.theyahealthcare. com), an award-winning medical device company – has been shortlisted as a finalist for the prestigious 2017 Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards.

Ciara is the only Irish entrepreneur shortlisted for the European Award category, alongside an entrepreneur from Russia, and another from the UK. The awards are an international business

plan competition created in 2006 to identify, support and encourage projects by women entrepreneurs. The initiative aims to encourage inspirational women entrepreneurs worldwide to solve contemporar y global challenges.

THEYA Healthcare, which was formally launched by Donlon in 2015, designs and manufactures healthcare garments.

The company’s flagship post-surgery lingerie range, designed primarily for use by breast cancer patients, retails across

Ireland and the UK, and has also been launched in Europe and Canada.

THEYA Healthcare uses a unique fabric mix made from OEKO-TEX bamboo, which is ideal for post-operative products as it is anti-bacterial, thermally regulating, 59% more absorbent than cotton and extremely soft, thus helps reduce skin irritation.

T he design of the THEYA Healthcare range focuses on comfort, support, femininity, functionality and the promotion of healing.

Headquartered at

NovaUCD, the centre for new ventures and entrepreneurs at UCD, THEYA Healthcare is an Enterprise Ireland highpotential start-up client company.

Donlon said: “It’s a huge honour to have been chosen by Cartier as one of the three European finalists for such a prestigious worldwide award.

“I s et up THEYA Healthcare because I wanted to help women undergoing breast cancer treatment feel better about themselves and heal faster; for that to be acknowledged by an

organisation like Cartier means a lot. “ H o p e f u l l y, m o r e women who can benefit from our products will now have a chance to access them.”

She was shortlisted alongside fellow chief executives Marina Ross, Nanobarrier (Russia), and Lise Pape, Walk with Life (UK).

The winners of the 2017 Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards will be announced at the awards week and ceremony which will take place in Singapore from April 8 to 13.

Take key steps to help realise business goals WITH entrepreneurial spirit having an ever greater impact on Irish business, it can be tempting to plan to start your own business. However, as with any business, a focused plan with realistic, practical goals is a key part of achieving success.

Carol Brick (right), of HerMoney, has compiled some simple yet essential pointers towards being your own boss and maximising your entrepreneurial spirit.

Research and plan right Before cutting ties with your fulltime job, be sure that there is a market for the product or service you offer.

Talk with freelancers in the industry to learn more on the market and clients, and ask about their transition from fulltime to self-employed work and check on any potential pit falls.

Maintain positive business relationships with your co-workers and your boss – they could potentially become your first clients or refer others to you.

Financial backing is key Ensure you have enough capital

to cover your living expenses for the first several months you will be selfemployed. You may take a second parttime job, or get some weekend clients within your new self-employed profession, ahead of quitting your current day job. Also talk to your local enterprise board and a financial advisor.

Prepare the right set-up A reliable accountant will advise on the sole trader versus company director approach, and on the tax implications of both. Managing your own income tax and charging for VAT on your products or services is one of the sea changes of being self-employed. Get a userfriendly software system to account for your income and expenditure on a day to basis (see www.contracting365.ie).

Security Replacing key employee benefits like a pension, income protection for when you cannot work, and death in service (life cover) is important. Talk to an independent advisor about savings and investments like live cover or pensions. Also check out the different types of insurances needed.

Finally, Citizens Information also has helpful information on many practical business and financial implications; see www.citizensinformation.ie.

16 February 2017 GAZETTE 13

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ONE OF THIRTY PAIRS OF TICKETS TO THE CAROLE NASH IRISH MOTORBIKE & SCOOTER SHOW IN THE RDS FROM MARCH 3-5

THE annual “The Carole Nash Irish Motorbike and Scooter Show takes place from the 3rd to the 5th of March 2017 in the RDS Dublin – and we’ve got thirty pairs of tickets worth 18 euro each - to give away to this exciting event for all the family to enjoy.

All you have to do to win a pair of tickets to join 27,000 other motorcycle and scooter aficionados at the RDS next month is visit the Dublin Gazette Facebook page and Like

and Share our Carole Nash Motorbike & Scooter Show post.

Alternatively, you can simply email your entry to competitions@dublingazette.com - please make sure to put Carole Nash Comp in the subject line, and your name and address in the main body of the email.

Hop on your bike and go to the show - you would simply be mad to miss it! Best of luck all!

George Fitzgerald’s film explores the overlooked history of Dublin’s working-class citizens. Screengrab: YouTube

Delve into the capital’s ‘real’ past with a new documentary  EMMA NOLAN

A DUBLIN man has made a documentary that shows the dark side of Dublin. In Dublin Behind the History, Finglas man George Fitzgerald examines the history of working-class people in Dublin in the 1900s.

George (51) made the 25-minute documentary last year while he was researching his latest book, The Secret life Of Ashley Brown.

His research uncovered descriptions of Dublin often overlooked by history, of rats lining the streets, workhouses and barefoot, starving children.

“Dubliners are divorced from their own history,” he told The Gazette. George said he wanted to shed light on the history of the city that was forgotten because major events in history, such as the world wars, take precedence in the history books.

“I only just touched on [such content] in my documentary, there’s so much more – it was horrific,” George said.

Mixing footage of the

city as we know it with old photographs, illustrations and readings, the film shows how Dublin went from being the “flamboyant” city of the 1700s to having the worst slums in Europe by the early 1900s.

He shows two main catalysts that set about this change; the Act of Union in 1801 and The Famine.

George says that The Famine changed the course of working-class history as it led to suburban towns such as Swords being established.

The Monto He also explores the fact that the biggest red light district in Europe at the time – the Monto – was located in Dublin.

What modern Dubliners can learn from this history is an appreciation of simplicity and embracing our neighbours and communities, according to George.

“Get out and talk to your neighbour, and stop spending so much time on social media.”

Dublin Behind the History is available to watch on YouTube.

ENJOY A FEAT OF FREE LIVE ACTION ENTERTAINMENTAT THE RDS THIS MARCH….

WE’VE got new bikes, the latest accessories, clothing, helmets, training, adventure holidays … in fact just about everything you need for you and your bike!

NEW AT THE SHOW FOR 2017: JOEY DUNLOP TRIBUTE One of the main attractions of this year’s show has to be the exclusive personal Joey Dunlop Tribute which is the first time it will be on display in southern Ireland. See his race bikes, trophies, leathers, helmets from his astonishing 31 years of racing. Celebrities such as John McGuinness, Mick Grant and Eddie Laycock are scheduled to speak over the course of the three day show.

AMD INTERNATIONAL CUSTOM BIKE SHOW It is a firm show favourite with over 50 stunning custom bikes on display that are works of art and engineering genius from all over the world. Sponsored by Deltran Battery Tender with the support of Zodiac Intl and AMD World Championship.

ACE GLOBAL STUNT STARZ COMPETITION Be ‘wowed’ by 20 top freestyle motor-

cycle stunt riders competing for the title of ‘Ace of Aces’ all day ever day of the Show. The Ace Global Star Starz Competition is sponsored by Rock Oil and R&G Racing plus supported by Ace Café London.

ACE CAFE CLASSIC & RETRO ZONE Motorcycle enthusiasts all over the planet know about The Ace Café London and its pivotal role in the cultural revolution that shaped both the music and machines for future generations.

WORLD FAMOUS PURPLE HELMETS At speeds approaching 100 miles per hour – check out this mad cap Isle of Man riders and their crazy gang show.

ROCKABILLY LIVE STAGE SHOW The Rockabilly band, Skinny Elvis, will be performing on the main stage supported by the rather fine Rockabilly Roses and Fire Show with everyone dressed by one of the cool Rusty Pistons.

GRAFTON BARBER The Grafton Barber team will be offering to groom the visitors that ‘modern’ Rockabilly look. Check out the Harley Davidson’s in the Shop - they’ll even have the bike to match your new look.

FLAT TRACK SPEEDWAY There’s lots of speed and excitement with the Off Road Flat Track Racers and

for the first time show visitors can learn to ‘flat track race’ too.

EDDIE IRVINE RACING CHALLENGE Don’t miss your chance to see how fast you are on a MotoGP Motorcycle Racing Simulator. This is free of charge to all visitors each day of the show.

TRAVEL & ADVENTURE TALKS Since this year’s show is heavy on travel and adventure - expect to hear from some very interesting people who have done some amazing things on two wheels Visit www.irishmotorbikeshow.com for more information.

BMW Motorrad have announced that it will be introducing its 2017 models to the Irish public for the first time at the Show. Among 18 BMW bikes going on display are three brand new versions of the most popular travel enduro bike in the world - the BMW GS

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DIARY

SCHOOLS: ENCOURAGING STUDENTS TO GET TO GRIPS WITH KEY SUBJECTS IN AN UPBEAT WAY

Spelling out the wonders and fun of science ... Katie Dixon helping to launch SciFest 2017. Picture: Keith Arkins

Knowledge is a fun science KATIE Dixon had her hands full as she helped to launch the tenth annual SciFest event.

All budding secondary school science students have the opportunity to demonstrate their science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) skills for the event, which gives students of all abilities the opportunity to develop research, problem-solving, critical thinking and presentation skills.

Sheila Porter, SciFest founder and chief executive said: “Over the past 10 years we have had the opportunity to experience some of the best young minds that Ireland has to offer.

“2016 was our best year ever, with more than 8,000 students participating and exhibiting their projects at local or region-

al science fairs all across the country, and we hope to build on this success in 2017 and beyond.”

Students can now showcase STEM projects at a series of one-day science fairs held locally in schools and regionally at DCU and a range of other institutions.

The winners from each regional science fair will go on to compete at a national final in November. The closing date for entries is March 10, so enter online or download a paper entry form from scifest.ie.

DRIVING INNOVATION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE THIS year, Young Social Innovators Ireland (YSI) are aiming to reach 50% of secondary schools by 2020.

Currently featuring

in 30% of secondary schools nationwide, the scheme, in partnership with Ulster Bank, has set a target of bringing its social innovation programmes to 367 secondary schools in Ireland by 2020.

Sr Stanislaus Kennedy, co-founder of YSI, said that social value “must become an integral part of innovation in Ireland to address societal challenges and build social cohesion”.

YSI sees students from schools around the country select issues they care about, explore them and collaborate to develop and implement their social innovations.

Previous YSI projects have included a successful campaign calling for the introduction of a National Missing Per-

son’s Day and the development of a water-saving device for use on showerheads in homes.

Sr Stan added: “Policies and practices that align social and economic value will ultimately lead to a fairer, more inclusive and sustainable society.

“Through YSI, education is already playing a major role in developing a culture and understanding of innovation for social good among young people and we need to build on that.”

VALENTINES DAY IS SO ... MEH – SURVEY IT SEEMS we’re not the most romantic bunch ...

Nearly 60% of Irish people say they feel that Valentine’s Day has become a cliche.

A survey by Durex has revealed that 26% of us

generally mark the occasion by going out for a classy dinner while only 22% stay in with a bottle of wine and a movie.

However, the majority of us (70%) think Valentine’s Day has become too commercial. In fact, the survey found that more than one-fifth of Irish married couples won’t celebrate the day in any way this year.

Of those couples who are choosing to opt out of Valentine’s Day, 36% say it’s because there is too much pressure around it.

A fur ther 23% of couples say they prefer to engage in spontaneous acts of romance rather than abiding by the tradition, and 18% say it is because their partner doesn’t want to embrace the day.

Rising pressure hasn’t

lowered expectations, however, as almost two thirds (58%) of people still say they would be disappointed if their partner didn’t mark the occasion.

Irish men seem to be a little more laid-back, as more than half of them wouldn’t mind if the day went unnoticed, compared to just a quarter of women.

FARMERS MARKET TRAINING FOR ALL URBAN farmers and m a r ke t s e l l e r s t a ke note – Bord Bia has just launched a farmers market training workshop.

Starting with a Dublin city centre workshop on February 20, the workshops are designed for those thinking of starting or developing sales in such a market.

Aspiring Dublin-

based food market entrepreneurs can attend the workshop at The Fumbally Stables in Dublin 8 for a half-day interactive masterclass that will provide practical solutions to the challenges most frequently faced by market sellers.

Wicklow-based food producer, farmer and successful stallholder Margaret Hoctor, from Kilmullen Farm, will deliver the workshops. Margaret, a regular at the Marley Park food market, will share her own knowledge and wide experience of how she developed the family business through this channel.

For registration and further information, see www.bordbia.ie/FarmersMarketsTraining, or email maria.stokes@bordbia.ie.

16 February 2017 GAZETTE 15

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Hop on the bus and see a real Dubs’ fare city

 ALISON O’HANLON DUBLIN Bus has been ‘doing Dublin’ bus tours across the capital since 1988 through its Dublin Sightseeing City & Coastal Tours (the green bus!).

It is Dublin’s original, authentic bus tour and this year it’s shaking things up by rebranding to DoDublin.

The drivers – who also happen to be the best tour guides in the world – are Dublin natives, Fáilte-Ireland trained and know every nook and cranny, anecdote and scéal across the streets broad and narrow of our fair city. And one thing the Gazette can confirm after taking a ride on one of the newly rebranded green buses this week – they clearly love what they do!

Priding themselves on having the ‘banter’ with Irish and international tourists alike, the 63 DoDublin drivers are a busy bunch. Between The Hop On Hop Off Tour, Coastal Tours, Ghostbus Tour and The 1916: Beyond Barricades Tour, they

travel 275,000 miles across the city and county each year.

They’re an honest lot too as one driver found a bag with €3,500 left on his bus! It was duly returned to a very relieved tourist while he was visiting Trinity College.

Visitors to the city can avail of the best value with a DoDublin Card.

At €33 for adults and €16 for children under 14 it offers unlimited travel for three days, including direct transfers to and from Dublin Airport on Airlink Express, The Hop On Hop Off Tour, and all public buses on Dublin Bus routes.

Tickets for The Hop On Hop Off Tour include free for kids (two under 14 with a fare paying adult), a free Pat Liddy Walking Tour of Dublin worth €10, free entry into The Little Museum of Dublin worth €7, and two for one meal deals and discounts at participating attractions.

Tickets can be bought at dodublin.ie, Dublin Airport and from ticket agents across Dublin City Centre.

RTE’s Jennifer Zamparelli launches Do Dublin with drivers Martin Connolly, Joe Morris and the company’s Miram Brady.

Pictures: Alison O’Hanlon

THALIA HEFFERNAN | DUBLIN’S HOTTEST MODEL LAUNCHES DENIM KING DIESEL’S SPRING/SUMMER 2017 CAMPAIGN

16 February 2017 GAZETTE 17

NOW YOU’RE LOOKIN’ DIESEL: Thalia Heffernan looks amazing in her photoshoot alongside male model Savio De Chiara.

Pictures: Dara Munnis

Queen Diesel

JEANS Queen Thalia Heffernan looks a million dollars in this stylish new shoot for denim king Diesel’s Spring/Summer campaign.

The Dubliner put the disappointment of being voted off Dancing With The Stars behind her as she jetted out to sunny Spain for the one-day shoot with Italian model Savio De Chiara.

And to celebrate the launch of Diesel’s new campaign – which hits the stores THIS WEEK – we have a €100 voucher for a lucky reader to win.

All you have to do is Like and Share the Diesel post on The Dublin Gazette’s Facebook page.

Best of luck folks!

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River Island

 EMMA NOLAN Style Editor

WE THOUGHT we’d left oversized belts in the early Noughties – but we were wrong ... This new trend sees belts meet corsets to create a cinched waist silhouette, regardless of the rest of the outfit, as the waist has become the body part du jour.

Easy to wear, this trend is forgiving on most shapes and gives a bit of

curve and swerve to those who are challenged in the waist area.

What is most appealing about this trend is the creative ways we’ve see it worn thus far; over baggy jumpers and long dresses and men’s shirts – it works with any combination, from jeans and t-shirts to ball gowns.

One of these is a definite worthy investment to go with numerous outfits for the next few months.

Ana Mac is sew stylish  EMMA NOLAN

A DESIGNER from Rush has realised her lifelong dream of becoming a professional dressmaker.

Ana Mac is the brainchild of local dressmaker Anna Maguire (above right), who specialises in creating bespoke garments.

The 30-year-old is an expert at constructing garment designs of any kind, from christening gowns to bridal gowns and everything in between. She also offers garment reconstruction

services and has her own line of ready-to-wear pieces.

“I watched my mam dressmake from a very early age and this is how I picked up this passion,” Anna told The Gazette.

“She created all sorts, from debs to weddings to little christening gowns.

“I used to pick up leftover fabrics from the floor and hand-sew dresses for my Barbies and dolls.

“I loved it! Mixing fabrics, different colour threads, and redesigning four-inch skirts – my Barbies always looked great!”

As a teenager, Anna

started making things for her friends: “Simple things like furry boots for festivals, or taking in or taking up their clothes for them.”

Though she had a career in social care, Anna says that all she really wanted to do was sew so she applied for a fashion design course.

After acing the course, she began her career as a professional dressmaker, and confidently says: “I can create absolutely anything.”

To find out more about Anna’s services, see dressmaker.ie.

River Island 3-buckle waist belt €30 New Look Lace up corset belt €12

River Island Lace up corset belt €25

River Island Foldover waist belt €30

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brown and blonde.

3) CAILYN PURE LUXE

BELT &

BUCKLE BEAUTY

THIS weather is doing n o b o d y ’s s k i n a ny favours. Below are some products that are getting me through these fresh months, with everything available in pharmacies nationwide.

LIPSTICK, DARK PINK

1) IDC ULTIME DECOL-

favourite, this overnight liquid peel is suitable for even ver y sensitive skin. Great for oily skin, it tightens pores, improves skin texture and smooths fine lines.

Skin is left feeling softer and looking brighter the next morning.

LETE (€79.95) For all skin

types, this richly textured serum smooths and tightens the neck while getting rid of crease lines around the decollete.

2) EYLURE BROW PALETTE (€12.99) A kit gives

you everything you need to shade and sculpt and add definition. Available in dark brown, mid

( €19.50 ) Highly pigmented and delivers full colour coverage, also long-wearing and smudgeproof.

4) VICHY IDEALIA PEELING ( €30 ) A personal

5) DELAROM DECONGESTING HYDRATING EYE GEL (€35) Helps reduce the coloration of dark

circles, soothe the eyes and reduce signs of fatigue with instant brightness.

6 ) T H E BO DY S H O P ALMOND MILK AND HONEY BODY SCRUB (€24.95) Per-

fect for sensitive skin as it contains no colourants, mineral oil or petrolatum, this scrub is great for gently exfoliating skin.

7) GUINOT PUR CONFORT SFP15 PROTECTIVE AND SOOTHING CREAM (€58.50)

Protects the skin against environmental irritants.

8) EUCERIN AQUAPHOR SOOTHING SKIN BALM (€8)

All-in-one cream for the season, use on extremely dry, chapped, and even cracked skin.

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DUBLINLIFE

Great offers at Bagots Hutton for February  AISLING KENNEDY

BAGOTS Hutton is currently running a Neighbourhood Menu for the month of February which offers a complimentary glass of wine as part of their early menu from 5pm.

T h e N e i g h b o u rhood Menu, which runs from Monday to Thursday all night and Friday and Saturday before 7pm, features two courses for €19.50 or three courses for €22.50.

The restaurant, which is based on South William Street

recently opened a second location at 6 Ormond Quay Upper, Dublin 1 and this offer is available with their early menu in both locations.

The new Bagots Hutton venture on Ormond Quay is larger than their flagship restaurant and features a 120-seater restaurant.

It also features a cafe bar at the entrance, the fine dining area in the basement, and first floor mezzanine with main bar and stage for live entertainment.

For more see www. bagotshutton.com

A flawless balance of sweet, salty with a hint of spice

FOOD&DRINK Thai Sticky Chicken Ingredients Chicken  15g (1/2oz) packet fresh coriander  1 green chilli, seeded and chopped  2 garlic cloves, chopped  2.5cm (1in) piece root ginger, peeled and chopped  3 tbsp dark soy sauce  50g (2oz) Siucra Light Golden Brown Sugar  6 chicken thighs, trimmed  1 tsp sunflower oil Dipping Sauce  2 tsp white vinegar (rice or wine)  juice of ½ lime  2 tbsp Siucra Caster Sugar  1 red bird’s eye chilli, finely sliced To serve: Steamed Thai fragrant rice. Pomegranate seeds and sesame seeds Method  Reserve a handful of the coriander leaves for the dipping sauce, then roughly chop the remainder and put into a food processor. Add the chilli, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, Siucra Light Golden Brown Sugar and blend to a paste. Spoon all over the chicken thighs in a shallow Pyrex dish and if time allows leave to marinade for 10 minutes at room temperature. If preparing the day before, cover with clingfilm and place in the fridge.  To make the dipping sauce, put the Siucra Caster Sugar in a pan with 2 tablespoons of water and simmer for a few minutes to make a sugar syrup. Then stir in the vinegar, lime juice and chilli. Leave to cool and stir in the coriander leaves.  Preheat the oven to 190°C / 350°F / Gas mark 4. Drizzle the sunflower oil over the chicken thighs and roast for 35 minutes until cooked through and golden brown, basting occasionally to give them a nice sticky glaze.  Arrange the chicken on plates or in oriental bowls with the rice and scatter pomegranate seeds and sesame seeds on top. Put the dipping sauce in small dishes alongside to serve.

Recipe courtesy of Siucra. For more information on Siucra products along with recipes, tips and videos visit www.facebook.com/siucraireland, Instagram.com/ SiucraIreland and www.siucra.ie.

Get spoilt for choice in food heaven  AISLING KENNEDY

LOCAL MATTERS

TO PLACE AN AD CALL OUR SALES TEAM ON 60 10 240 OR EMAIL SALES@ DUBLINGAZETTE.COM

THE Dine In Dublin festival is back again this year for its ninth year and will run from Monday, February 27 to Sunday, March 5.

Organised by Dublin Town, over 70 of Dublin’s most renowned restaurants will take part in the seven-day foodie festival this year.

Restaurants including Pichet, Rustic Stone, Zaragoza, Fade St Social, Fallon & Byrne and Marco Pierre White’s will be taking part and running amazing offers on their menus for the sevenday festival.

The Gazette were lucky enough to head along to the launch of Dine In Dublin at Fire Restaurant in the Mansion House last week and sample some of the many delicious courses that will be on offer from a selection of the restaurants taking part around the city.

A specific mention has to go to San Lorenzo’s Roast Hogget with minted salsa verde, chantaney carrots and duck fast roast potatoes by Chef Temple Garner. It was a truly brave dish that was absolutely divine. There is so much choice on offer from the participating restaurants so it is well worth a visit to www.dineindublin.ie to see which offer might appeal to you.

San Lorenzo’s Roast Hogget with minted salsa verde, chantaney carrots and duck fast roast potatoes

16 February 2017 GAZETTE 21

GAZETTE

TRAVEL

RAMBLING AND ROAMING: SUPERB TRAILS AND SIGHTS AWAIT ACROSS THE BORDER

Slope off to Andorra for a top ski holiday TOPFLIGHT are preparing for their Copper Face Jack’s ski trip which departs on March 5 to Arinsal, Andorra where guests will include Paddy Casey and DJ Mark McCabe.

All-inclusive prices start from only €959 per person sharing. See www.topflight.ie.

Foodie heaven for all at Dine in Dublin festival DINE in Dublin Festival from February 27 to March 5 will have 70 dining experiences on offer from Pichet, Rustic Stone, Zaragoza, The Woollen Mills, Fade Street Social, Carluccios, Brother Hubbard, Saba, Fallon & Byrne and Marco Pierre White Steakhouse & Grill.

Ryanair ready to land average fares at €30 RYANAIR says it’s on target to reduce its average fare to €30 after it reported fares down 17% to €33, with passenger numbers up 16% to 29 million for the third quarter of 2016.

St Patrick to turn 300 sites green this year TOURISM Ireland chief executive Niall Gibbons said he expected the number of sites that will go green for St Patrick’s Day to rise to 300 this year.

Predicted tourist numbers for 2017 have been revised upwards, from -1% to 3%, with the rise reflected by booking trends reported by the city’s hotels.

Northern delights Whether rambling over the Sperrins or taking to the hills and valleys across Northern Ireland, nature lovers and hikers are never far from a relaxing, welcoming destination

 SYLVIA POWNALL

IF YOU fancy a staycation embracing the great outdoors, grab your walking boots and woolly hat and discover some of Northern Ireland’s most scenic locations. With eight Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), 47 national nature reserves, 43 special areas of conservation and 10 special protection areas, it’s a rambler’s paradise.

Belfast A crisp morning is arguably the best time to walk the Lagan Towpath as the mist hovers just above Belfast’s main river.

Divis and Black Mountain rest in the heart of the Belfast Hills and provide a backdrop to the city’s skyline, offering spectacular views across Northern Ireland, Belfast Lough and as far as Donegal and the

coast of England, Scotland and the Isle of Man. Stay: The 4-star Ramada Plaza Hotel Belfast in Lagan Valley Regional

The Sperrins Spanning 40 miles and over the two counties of Tyrone and Derry, the Sperrins mountain range is the largest in Ireland and walkers can expect undulating hills covered in heather, quiet valleys, boggy uplands and a land teeming with wildlife.

Add in more than 90 sets of stone circles, the best known being Beaghmore, and numerous other intriguing, megalithic structures, and the Sperrins are most definitely a walking wonder.

Check out The Robber’s Table near Gortin. The highest point of this route provides superb views of the Bluestack and Derryveagh Mountains of

Donegal to the west and the high Sperrins to the north east.

Stay: Blessingbourne Estate offers 5-star luxury pet-friendly self-catering accommodation with premier 13k mountain bike trails

The Mourne Mountains These are the highest and most dramatic range in Northern Ireland and are criss-crossed by an unrivalled network of paths and tracks, providing enthusiastic walkers with incredible opportunities for exploration.

Northern Ireland’s highest peak, the Slieve D o n a r d , cl i m b s u p through forest to meet the famous Mourne Wall for the final steep ascent to the top.

The dramatic views of Newcastle and the sea below definitely make it

worth the 850m climb.

N e a r b y To l l y m o r e Forest Park offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the sea at Newcastle while Castlewellan Forest Park offers an array of loops through one of the most outstanding tree and shrub collections in Europe.

Stay: The 4-star Slieve Donard Resort & Spa in Newcastle.

Causeway Coast & Glens The Causeway Coast Way, especially the section from Portballintrae to Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge, is among the most scenic coastal walks you can find anywhere.

Follow a stretch of breathtaking coastline between Ballintoy and Bushmills for a great 12.4 mile walk. The route includes walking on

beaches, across rocks and along clifftop paths.

Winter creates the perfect backdrop to explore the mature woodland of Glenariff Forest Park with freezing waterfalls and open, frosted moorland.

The trail first takes you down the Inver River gorge, to the edge of the Ess-na-Crub Waterfall and your path back offers spectacular views straight down the misty glen to the coast and the sea beyond.

Stay: The 4-star Causeway Hotel.

County Fermanagh Whilst Fermanagh is renowned for its lakelands, the first destination for any keen walker should be its highest summit – Cuilcagh Mountain, standing at 665m.

This area is part of the UNESCO endorsed Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark due to its unique

geology and spectacular landscapes.

A new boardwalk meanders through one of the largest expanses of blanket bog in Northern Ireland.

Crom Estate near Enniskillen offers walks amidst a tranquil landscape of islands, woodland and historic ruins.

Along the shoreline to Crom’s beautiful boathouse you can enjoy stunning views up to the 19th century castle which sits to the right of the trail dominating the landscape.

Stay: The 4-star Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel & Lodges TRANSLINK run a Sperrins & Mournes Rambler bus service all year round with stops in key towns which are ideal starting points for many circular walks. For further information, see www.discovernorthernireland.com.

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DUBLINLIFE

FASTNews

The Nissan e-NV200 full electric van is Europe’s best-selling electric powered van.

Nissan e-NV200 is top-selling electric van THE Nissan e-NV200 topped the charts to become Europe’s best-selling electric van in 2016. The all-electric van ranked number one in 17 countries across Europe, ahead of its competitors in the category. The UK is the top market in Europe for Nissan e-NV200, followed closely by Norway and France.

The Nissan e-NV200 is an alternative transport solution for families and businesses alike as it combines the best of Nissan’s NV200 van with zero-emission technology from the world’s bestselling electric car, the Nissan LEAF. Available in both commercial van and fully trimmed Combi and Evalia passenger variants, the e-NV200 line-up offers a variety of options including a panel van, five-seat and seven-seat option and a driving range of up to 170km (106 miles) on a single charge.

New Seat Ibiza claims to be the best ever THE new Seat Ibiza is the Spanish brand’s most important model and for 2017 comes with new styling while preserving the same sporty spirit. It does so with a fresh design that Seat claims reflects the latest Seat distinctive character by continuing with the brand’s DNA but with an edgier, sportier design. This fifth generation Seat Ibiza will make its public debut at the next Geneva Auto Show and go on sale in Ireland from July 2017.

The new Ibiza, is claimed to be a completely new model bringing a major step ahead in safety, design, performance and comfort. This advance in quality was claimed to be achieved by the use of the new Volkswagen Group MQB A0 modular platform.

This platform allows the new Seat Ibiza to be much wider by a 87mm, while it is 2mm shorter and 1mm lower than the previous model. The wheel track is 60mm wider at the front axle and 48mm at the rear axle, while the wheelbase is 95mm longer giving claims of a more comfortable car.

The new Ibiza will be on sale in Ireland in July 2017

Citroën brings presence to stylish new C3

Citroën is back in the supermini market with style and strength following the launch of the new C3 model at the start of this year. This new design gives improved driving performance as Michael Moroney found out in his test drive.

CITROËN’S fresh attack in the supermini market with the new C3 makes a strong statement from the French brand and their biggest new entrant to the market for 2017. This new C3 has grown up significantly in terms of size and road presence, making it a more distinguished looking car than before.

This new Citroën C3 has scope to add flair and style with new options available that can either tone up or down how you feel about your car choice.

What’s standard is a car that feels, looks and drives with a stronger nature than before.

I’ve had the diesel powered Flair version Citroën C3 on the road for a week to test its metal. I took across a variety of city and country driving conditions that spanned 1119km, so it was well and truly tested in Ireland’s muggy winter driving conditions.

The 1.6 litre turbo-die-

sel engine is well accomplished. It can deliver pace giving the car a lively driving feel. I was pleasantly surprised by how well the car handled with this power and torque in what is a relatively light car. The road holding was impressive and at all times I felt that I was in control.

The smooth engine performance is average for a car in this class, even though the engine size is larger than some others.

The acceleration pace at 13.8 is no rally car, while it does give the car a better pace than some of the competition.

I had expected a better fuel economy figure where the rated numbers are impressive at 28m/litre (3.6/100km or 78.5mpg).

In practice this performance was well outside my reach, both in terms of what the car’s trip and range meter returned as well as my own consumption figures. The actual

figure was close to 40% off this and that was one of shocking surprises that you only realise when at the pumps.

The fuel tank is rated at 42 litres and in theory that should give me a range of over 1,110km but I had a pit stop along the way to reaching that figure. That economy figure does not take away from the performance of the engine which meets the challenge on the open road as much as in city driving, it’s just that as you tour on the motorways and come close to the 120km/ hr limit the car edges over the magic 2000rpm figure on the engine, which is the sweet spot when it comes to bridging the gap between performance and economy.

That all means that the Citroën is a good car to drive in terms of comfort, road holding and but keep an eye to that rev counter is economy is your priority.

The new Citroën C3 brings more style and stature to the market and the Airbump feature for the Flair models is both stylish and practical.

Citroën C3 BlueHDi 75

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine 1.6 litre Engine power 75hp 0 – 100km/hr 13.8 seconds Economy 28m/litre (3.6/100km or 78.5mpg) Fuel Tank Capacity 42 litres CO2 emissions 93g/km Road Tax Band A2 €180 Main Service 15,000km/ 12 months Warranty 5 years /100,000km Entry Price €17,890

The dash has a very modern feel to it and comes with the Citroën ConnectedCAM system

For city driving I expect better performance as the engine’s start/stop system is smooth and comfortable to use. I probably just didn’t do enough city driving to maximise its true economy benefits.

The Citroën C3 looks aesthetically pleasing and the free Style Pack which

Citroën claim is worth €500 brings a distinctive Airbump and Bi-Tone roof to the car. With the C3 the Airbumps are both practical in supermarket trolley defence and is stylish in appearance.

On the inside the C3 is more modern looking than in the past. There is a

16 February 2017 GAZETTE 23

GAZETTE

MOTORING

The new Nissan Navara Trek-1° version is a limited edition and high spec version of the well-known 4x4 pick-up

GM and Honda to establish joint fuel-fuel operation

new ConnectedCAM Citroën system included on the higher specification models which uses a fully integrated camera, located behind the rear view mirror, to capture images and video that can instantly be shared on social media channels, or saved as evidence in the event of an accident.

T he 17-inch alloy wheels gives the car great road stature and there are useful features in the topend Flair specification that include automatic lights and windscreen wipers, rear parking sensors and a reversing camera. Other options that improve the driving experience include voice controlled 3D navigation, a reversing camera, keyless entry and start and blind-spot monitoring.

While this pushes up the price from the Touch specification entry model at €17,890 to €20,790 for the top of the range Flair model with all of this kit.

That €3,000 difference brings a lot of features, many of which you’ll find in the mid-range where the price jump is exactly

half that figure. Citroën is offering enticing scrappage options and low rate finance options.

The rear space is what you would expect from a supermini car, adequate as long as you’re not 6ft tall. There are two ISO-Fix units in the rear for child seats but not much room between them. The car has yet to achieve a Euro NCAP safety rating.

The boot space is good at 300 litres extending to 922 with the rear seat folded. The other plus is that there’s a space saver spare wheel included.

Ford’s Fiesta is the big competition for the Citroën C3 and the new bigger C3 is very price competitive at the entry and middle end, while the higher specification Flair model that I drove has more kit included that the equivalent Fiesta Titanium.

Citroën has a strong offering in the new C3 supported by a 5 year warranty and for me the improved driving and handling of the car was what won the day.

General Motors and Honda has announced establishment of the auto industry’s first manufacturing joint venture to mass produce an advanced hydrogen fuel cell system that will be used in future products from each company. Fuel Cell System Manufacturing will begin around 2020 and create nearly 100 new jobs. Fuel cell technology addresses many of the major challenges facing automobiles today: petroleum dependency, emissions, efficiency, range and refuelling times. Fuel cell vehicles can operate on hydrogen made from renewable sources such as wind and biomass. Water vapour is the only emission from fuel cell vehicles. Honda began delivery of its new Clarity Fuel Cell vehicle to U.S. customers in December 2016 following a spring 2016 launch in Japan. The Clarity Fuel Cell received the best driving range rating from the US Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) of any electric vehicle without a combustion engine with a range rating of 550km (366 miles) and fuel economy rating of 24km/litre (68mpg) of petrol-equivalent combined.

GM is currently demonstrating the capability of fuel cells across a range of land, sea and air applications. The company has now accumulated millions of miles of real-world driving in fuel cell vehicles.

The C3 comes with Airbump doors that don’t add a feeling of weight to car, more in terms of protection from other car opening doors and straying supermarket trolleys

Skoda announces Kodiaq SUV prices SKODA in Ireland has revealed Irish pricing and specification details for its new five and seven-seat Skoda Kodiaq SUV, due to be launched next month, with prices for the entry level Kodiaq Act 1.4 TSI petrol from €29,395 including delivery charge.

The Skoda Kodiaq will come in three trim levels (Active, Ambition and Style), with five engine and trans-

The engine gave impressively smooth acceleration but comes with a thirst

The new Skoda Kodiaq is due here in March with entry prices from €29,395 including delivery charge for the I found the road holding and handling impressive across a range of driving conditions

Kodiaq Act 1.4 TSI petrol model

mission options and fourteen different exterior colour options. There will be a seven seat option available for just €1,000 more than the standard five seat model.

That entry level Active trim level includes a host of impressive features, including 17” Ratikon Alloys, Cruise Control, Bluetooth, Climatronic air conditioning and the clever Smartlink technology for Smart Phone integration with the infotainment system.

The Skoda Kodiaq will also come with a host of connectivity features.

Smartlink+ smartphone integration system containing Apple Car Play and Google Android Auto is now available as standard. The Columbus Navigation & Infotainment system which is standard on the Style trimline also comes with an additional 4G LTE SIM card slot to enable a high speed Wi-Fi hotspot within the car (data plans sold separately) and a host of additional connected services from Skoda Connect.

GAZETTE

24 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 16 February 2017

DUBLINLIFE

ReelReviews

LEGO BATMAN MOVIE Wholly entertaining

EVERYBODY’S favourite superhero (in your face, Spidey) gets yet another twist via The Lego Batman Movie (Cert G, 104 mins).

An unexpected breakout star of the smash-hit Lego movie from a few years ago, Batman gets his own pretty brick-tastic plastic film, while a whole host of familiar Gotham characters, superhero and supervillains fight for screen time. It’s a batty-ful film to watch, too.

La La Land didn’t quite sweep the boards as had been predicted, but still took home a great haul of top Baftas

 SHANE DILLON RESIDENT EVIL: THE FINAL CHAPTER Promises, promises

MUCH like the undead horrors at the heart of this franchise, Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (Cert 15A, 106 mins) is the latest in the tired franchise that refuses to die. Nothing seems able to stop the zombies – or Milla Jovovich – from returning in the unstoppable series, with Milla attempting to save the world (again) despite the undead (again).

50 SHADES DARKER Grey Steele strike back

STEAMIER than drying socks on the radiator, and about as erotic as a weekend away with your in-laws, here comes 50 Shades Darker (Cert 18, 118 mins). Continuing the contrived misadventures of Grey and Steele, it’s got less romance than an old Mills and Boon book, and is even less grounded in reality than a Christmas episode of Eastenders – but fantasists may enjoy some of it.

GIVEN all the turmoil of recent months, thank heaven there’s still something cinema fans can still rely on – the Baftas, which are usually a fairly decent indicator of how the Oscars will play out soon afterwards.

The weekend’s glittering (if a little rainlashed) red carpet guests traipsing in to the Bafta 2017 awards were giving nothing much away, but all eyes were on the critics’ (and audiences’) darling on the night – La La Land.

Would it sweep the board in charming Technicolor fashion, tapdancing an i m p r e s s i ve haul of golden Baftas into a basket to take home?

BAFTAS: FAVOURITE WON PLENTY – BUT THE GLITZY CEREMONY STILL HAD SOME SURPRISES FOR VIEWERS

La-vely haul of awards for upbeat hit musical Err, no – perhaps because of all the unpredictability sweeping the world in recent months, this year’s Baftas turned out to be a little less predictable than usual.

Of course, La La Land was still the big winner on the night, claiming an impressive haul of wins (including Best Original Music, Best Cinematography, Best Director and, the best ‘Best’ of all, Best Film), in addition to a stack of other nominations and wins.

However, it didn’t quite sweep the board as decisively as had been expected, with this year’s diverse range of films claiming some well deserved wins of their own.

While Emma Stone took a well deserved Best Actress win, her La La Land co-star Ryan Gosling lost out to Casey Affleck for the Best Actor nod. Gosling’s game I’m-almost-as-goodas-Emma-see song and

dance skills were appreciated by audiences, but critics raved about Casey – brother of Ben – and his bravura turn in Manchester by the Sea. Other critically acclaimed films also raised some eyebrows by not claiming the coveted golden statue – not that there’s any shame in ‘just’ being nominated for a Bafta, of course, but there were still some surprises in store.

For example, Moonlight – widely tipped for award glory – didn’t win on the night, despite the widespread acclaim it’s received all around the world.

Indeed, some of the aw a r d n o m i n a t i o n s were themselves surprising – for example, Hugh Grant popping up for Best Supporting Actor in the amusing, eccentric Florence Foster Jenkins (which also stars Meryl Streep as the charmingly

talentless titular character – a role which saw her up for the Best Acress award), while Ken Loach came back with a powerful tale (I, Daniel Blake) to claim Outstanding British

Film.

The Best Animated Film shortlist, meanwhile, curiously omitted Makoto Shinkai’s Your Name – an anime now much more commercially successful than the world-conquering Spirited Away, some years back – to run with more predictable fare, such as Finding Dory.

Still, if there were disappointments on the night, there was one big delight thanks to an aging American gentleman that everybody was delighted to see – the inimitable Mel Brooks, scooping the prestigious Bafta Fellowship.

Wisecracks Promising not to flog his latest momento on eBay, Mel showed a flash of the irreverent charm and wisecracks that you’d expect from such a comedy legend.

He wasn’t alone with the gags – host Stephen Fry took aim at another aging American gentleman throughout the night, with President Trump providing a constant source of amusement and annoyance in

some politically charged moments.

Closer to home, and a number of Irish hopes were scattered throughout the awards, with acclaimed Irish-Ethiopian actress Ruth Negga arguably the most prominent Irish figure in this year’s Baftas, given the praise she’s enjoyed for her great performance in Loving.

Unfor tunately, she didn’t win the EE Rising Star award, losing out to Tom Holland, but has certainly proven that she’s one to watch.

It’s the broader, more general award categories which have given the Baftas their critical cachet and worth, and which usually – not always, but usually – see the Bafta wins echoed at the bigger, glitzier Oscars.

With this year’s Oscars rapidly approaching at the end of the month, expect to see plenty more about several of these films once again when February 26 rolls around, and the Oscars steal the limelight in California – worth making another song and dance about ...

16 February 2017 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 25

GAZETTE

CINEMA

To be a woman in an important role in 1960s NASA was already unusual, but to be an African-American as well made it an even greater achievement for the women at the heart of the film

HIDDEN FIGURES: A GREAT LOOK AT STRUGGLES FOR EQUAL RIGHTS

Well worth finding  ROMY CARROLL

The little-known key roles of African-American women in NASA’s early days finally gets a great film

DIRECTOR Theodore Melfi’s Hidden Figures (Cert PG, 121 mins) is a very compelling true story of how a group of exceptional women were at the forefront of launching the first American into space, and into orbit around earth, whist also believing in their highly personal quests for equal rights in early 1960s segregated America.

Katherine G Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson were just three of the 30-strong group of African-American mathematician women who had to live in a very male-dominated world in NASA whist also having to deal with

the day-to-day challenges of America’s turbulent civil rights movement.

Johnson (played by Taraji P Henson) was a “human computer” at NASA, who proved to the plethora of engineers, mathematicians and strategists at the agency that her formula was correct, making her the first woman to outdo her male associate, Paul Stafford (Jim Parsons).

We see how Paul makes her life very hard from start to finish – a day that was already hard enough having to sit at the back of the room, drinking coffee from a different coffee maker, and having to run 40 mins each day to use the “colored bathrooms” which were on the other

side of the campus.

Her daily routine finally caught up with her boss (played by Kevin Costner), who decided to do something about it.

With some sledgehammer subtlety, his character strikes a blow for Johnson, sending a clear signal that she, and every other African-American woman, should be treated with respect and equality at the busy agency.

We also see Dorothy Vaughan (played by The Help’s Octavia Spencer), always hoping that one day she would make supervisor, but it wasn’t to be as she kept getting undermined by other women, including her Caucasian boss (Kirsten Dunst).

We see how she, and other characters, were always spoken to in a demeaning way, while Vaughan and all the other African-American women just had to put up with it – in this climate, speaking back or out of line would see them swiftly out of a job.

We also follow Mary J a c k s o n ( p l ay e d b y Janelle Monae), who had a family of three to bring up but still passionately believed in her dream to become an engineer in the white, male-dominanted world.

Despite her lack of civil rights, she still believed in her dream, even though she wasn’t allowed to go to college, never mind be an engineer.

The film shows how her hard study and fighting for her right to be an engineer would prove everybody wrong, seeing her become the top of her class.

This true-life story really gives audiences an insight into how hard it was for African-American men and women of the era to fight hard for their civil rights, and to keep believing in what they could achieve.

Handsomely shot and with several likeable leads – including some great performances from the trio of women at its heart – Hidden Figures deserves to be seen by as many people as possible.

Verdict: 9/10

26 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 16 February 2017

DUN LAOGHAIRECLASSIFIEDS ALARMS

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DUN LAOGHAIRE RATHDOWN COUNTY COUNCIL Permission is sought for construction of a single storey extension with flat roof to the side and rear of existing house; roof light to the rear; alterations to elevations and internal layout and all associated site development works at No.19 Rathmichael Manor, Loughlinstown, Co. Dublin by Jean and Barry O’Dwyer. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority, County Hall, Dún Laoghaire during its public opening hours.

A submission/observation may be made on payment of €20 within a period of 5 weeks from the date the application is received by the planning authority.

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28 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 16 February 2017

SPORT

FastSport GORDON AND BYRNE IN IRISH TEAM FOR LA: DUBLINERS Martin Gordon (stoker) and Eamonn Byrne – from Sundrive Track team – have been confirmed in the Irish team to compete in the UCI Para-cycling track world championships in Los Angeles, USA in March.

They will be making their debut in the men’s tandem, competing in the men’s B tandem sprint events.

Cycling Ireland performance coach Neill Delahaye said of their inclusion: “Martin has been on the Development Squad for the last couple of years and this is a new partnership with Eamonn.

“They are an exciting prospect. Eamonn is an experienced and accomplished sprinter and with the sprint events back on the Tokyo Paralympic programme of events we are excited to see what they can do.“ This is the first time that a World Track Championships for Para-cycling has been held in the post-Paralympic season, and this is the first competition for the Irish team.

BASEBALL: MASON KEEN TO SEE SPORT WELCOME NEW PARTICIPANTS THIS YEAR

Shankill club giving it Sox for 2017 league campaign

 JAMES HENDICOTT sport@dublingazette.com

THE DUBLIN Black Sox have kicked off a recruitment drive, with the Shankill-based baseball team on the lookout for anyone interested in taking part in the sport, particularly ahead of the new season.

The Black Sox play out of Shanganagh Park, and are part of a littlepublicised Irish baseball league that has been in place since the late 1990s.

T here is plenty of Irish interest on the ground, as well as an abundance of players from traditional baseball hotbeds the USA, Dominican Republic and Venezuela.

Chris Mason, who plays with the Black Sox, was keen to tell GazetteSport of the inclusiveness of the spor t in Ireland, in terms of welcoming a broad array of players and when it comes to ability.

The Black Sox are preparing for their 2017 Baseball Ireland season

“There’s space on the teams [which operate at an ‘A’ and introductory ‘B’ level] for anyone who wants to play regularly,” he explains. “One of the teams we played last year had an 80-year-old playing for them, and he plays in the same position at me. He was getting some great balls, I don’t know how he did

it!”

Mason’s interest in baseball dates back to fuzzy images on NBC as a kid, though it took him a number of years to stumble across Baseball Ireland and get involved in the sport outside of watching on TV. “It’s a young sport, and doesn’t get a lot of support in Ireland,”

he tells us. “The adult league is open to anyone aged 16+, and a lot of people come in having to learn simple things.

“Throwing, for example, is something you have to learn.

“You need someone to show you how to throw properly.

“It can be a little jarring to play a new sport,

and people don’t always stick with it but a lot of people transfer in from sports like hurling and cricket. There are parallels.”

“The game is spreading in Ireland,” he continues. “We have two divisions now, North and South.

“T here are several teams in Dublin and

Belfast, and others based in Cavan, Kilkenny, Clare, Ashbourne and Greystones.

“It’s all part time and amateur, so we often play two games on one day.

“The rules are just the same as Major League b a s e b a l l , a n d we ’r e wo r k i n g w i t h D u b lin City Council to get things set up as well as possible.

“We can supply bats and gloves; the club have invested a bit in that kind of stuff and there’s always equipment to use.

“All you really need is a pair of football shoes or trainers.”

The Dublin Black Sox can be contacted via their Facebook page or, at DublinBlackSoxBaseball@gmail.com.

Those with a broader interest in baseball can get in touch with the Irish association, whose website can easily found by googling ‘Baseball Ireland’.

Clarke snatches winner as UCD keep double hopes alive  sport@dublingazette.com

Sorcha Clarke, 9, celebrates with UCD team mate Sally Campbell. Picture: Adrian Boehm

UCD and Cork Harlequins both took advantage of HermesMonkstown’s enforced inactivity - their visit to Pegasus fell victim to a frozen pitch - to shake things up at the top of the women’s EY Hockey League.

UCD are at the league’s summit for the first time this season as their unbeaten run continued with a 2-1 success over Railway Union.

The students, who along with Monkstown are the only side yet to lose this term, led

through Lena Tice’s drag-flick but Zara Delany’s pace got her in behind the UCD rearguard for an equaliser shortly after.

UCD’s winner came in stylish fashion though, a seemingly pre-planned set play off the fourth quarter restart with Katie Mullan and Emma Russell linking up to tee up Sorcha Clarke to score.

Cork Harlequins were dominant in their 3-0 success over second-from-bottom Pembroke, Karen Bateman’s magic half-volley getting them on the board after 28 minutes.

T hey did, however, miss a hatful of chances - hitting the post twice - before Kay Gaffney’s short corner bunt and a fine team goal, walked into an empty net by Yvonne O’Byrne, made it safe in the final quarter.

Loreto kept the pressure on the top three with a hardearned 2-1 victory at Ards.

The hosts made all the early running but a pair of short corner goals from Ali Meeke and Freya McDermott built a useful lead before half-time.

Lucy McKee finished Ards’

fourth corner with eight minutes to go to give them a lifeline, but Loreto held firm to take all three points.

On Sunday, UCD continued their superb season with a 7-0 win in the Irish Senior Cup semi-final to reach a showdown with Cork Harlequins.

Deirdre Duke spent the majority of the last three months out injured with a broken bone in her shoulder but returned in some style, netting a hat trick with fellow international Katie Mullan weighing in with a pair of goals too.

16 February 2017 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 29

GAZETTE

FASTSport

Ais the Bash looks to write her next episode Daly admits her “devastation” at having to retire from mixed martial arts but is now keen to develop the next generation of the sport in Ireland as one of Straight Blast Gym’s coaches

Eight Dubliners named in Irish Winter Games team THE countdown is now on as Team Ireland prepares to travel to the Special Olympics World Winter Games in just under two months, and eight local athletes are gearing up for the chance of a lifetime.

Thomas Caulfield (23) and Lorcan Byrne (35) from Ballyfermot, Niall Flynn (30) from Dun Laoghaire, Stephen Lee (23) from Navan Road, LJ Byrne (19) from Donaghmeade, Anthony Murray (46) from Balbriggan, Matthew Colgan (45) from Swords, and Laoise Kenny (16) from Monkstown are part of a 26-strong Team Ireland squad at the Special Olympics World Winter Games 2017 in Graz and Schladming, Austria in March.

Some of the Dublin athletes will be competing in floorball (Caulfield, Murray, Colgan and Byrne), a team sport similar to unihoc or ice hockey but played in a rink on a standard playing surface, whilst others are looking forward to representing Ireland in alpine skiing, namely Flynn, Lee, Byrne and Kenny.

All of the athletes are extremely excited to be representing their country in the World Games this year and have been training hard in preparation with many incorporating swimming, football, athletics, and basketball into their exercise regime to ensure they are fit and ready for the Games in March.

Commenting on the Team Ireland floorball team’s progress, head coach, Michael Lynch said: “I think they’re all training very well and I think we’ve got a great bunch together. They’re looking forward to it. We understand that we’ll be playing against countries where floorball is their main sport.

“It’s going to be a fair competition because if you get beaten in the first game, you go into a different group. I think we have a good chance of staying there anyways.”

The Special Olympics World Winter Games Austria 2017 will be the largest sports event to take place in 2017, hosting 3,000 athletes from 110 countries worldwide. Team Ireland will join almost 3,000 Special Olympics athletes from 107 countries for the Games, which are already set to be one of the sporting highlights of 2017.

 JAMES HENDICOTT sport@dublingazette.com

AIS ‘THE BASH’ DALY is taking a pragmatic approach to her recent enforced retirement, telling GazetteSport of her plans to stay involved in MMA, both in coaching and in continuing her work in the safetyfocused side of the sport.

The Drimnagh native and former Allied Fight Series champion learnt she had suffered a mild brain aneurysm following a routine head scan before Christmas.

This forced her immediate retirement from her UFC career, right as she was nearing a full recovery from a recurring knee

injury.

Daly said she was “devastated” to be told the news, adding: “I felt I had a lot still to give.

“I knew about it for a couple of months before I went public. I didn’t want to spend my Christmas talking about it, but there’s a sense of loss.

“It’s a big part of your life just taken away. It’s a little ironic, as I’ve spent a lot of time talking about the sport’s safety.”

The safety aspect of her work is something Daly is already committed to continuing with, and, strangely, an area in which her injury might even prove an advantage.

“It’s hard telling amateurs a sport is danger-

ous, everyone thinks it won’t happen to them,” Daly admitted.

“W hen it’s coming from me now, and it has happened to me, it might be an easier message, especially when it costs money to get checked, and that cuts down on the already limited earnings.”

Ref lecting on her career, Daly talked of the difficulties weight classes presented to her, but also of her pride in her acheivements.

“It wasn’t ideal for me that the weights were 115lb and 135lbs.

“I’d be so drained training for 115lbs; my ideal weight was really 125lbs and that took

some of the fun out of it.

I damaged my body staying at that weight, and it created a few issues for me.

“It was very much ‘eat. sleep, repeat’. While I’m still training, it’s great to be out of that mindset

you’re well off because you do these things, but that’s not why I did it.”

Today, Daly is coaching at SBG g y m in Swords, and expects to start shortly in Portarlington, too.

“I teach kids on

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

‘It’s a big part of your life just taken away. I felt I had a lot still to give’ - Ais Daly

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

for a while. I’ll take some time to work out exactly what I want to do next.”

For all her successes, however, Daly admits that a career in mixedmartial arts has been difficult at times, in particularly financially. “I’d probably be financially better off if I’d never done it,” she says.

“The money you earn isn’t enough to get by on, really. People think

Wednesdays and Fridays, and on Saturday mornings,” she says.

“I think it’s important to realise not all kids are into hurling, gymnastics, soccer or camogie.

“Particularly for girls, there’s an expectation that they’ll do certain types of sport.

“MMA scares people, but Jiu Jitsu is a great, respectful outlet, and it really suits some people.”

Ais “The Bash” Daly has taken up new coaching roles with the Straight Blast Gym in

Aisling Daly, centre, with fellow SBG team members

Swords and in schools around her native Drimnagh since her enforced retirement.

Conor McGregor and Paddy Holohan

GAZETTE

30 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 16 February 2017

SPORT

FASTSport

SOCCER: LOUGHLINSTOWN SCHOOL REACH FIRST EVER NATIONAL DECIDER

Blackrock through to Senior Cup final four BLACKROCK College made a statement of intent in making the Bank of Ireland Leinster Schools Senior Cup semi-final at Donnybrook on Monday with a 27-7 win over Terenure College.

After a few early volleys, Rock prop Giuseppe Coyne picked up a loose ball to set up a counter attack. Number eight Cian Reilly pounded the yards up the left and fly-half Peter O’Reilly set wing Tom Maher away for the opening try, converted by O’Reilly in the seventh minute.

It set up an early lead but Terenure were finding holes in the middle, Dominic HenryHayes notably cutting through without enough support.

It was being played at lightning speed, Patrick Patterson putting Tom Roche through a hole until the full-back lost his footing.

There was space on the right and Tom Roche gave the final pass for Maher to touchdown again for 12-0 in the 21st minute.

Terenure were just about hanging on. They needed to strike back. They found ground from Luke Murnaghan’s flying field in the air and moved with skill for fly-half Mark Fabian to connect with Adam La Grue, who’s inside pass was finished by left wing Zach Vaughan.

Fabian converted for 12-7 in the 29th minute and it stayed that way into the break.

Blackrock came out quick, Roche’s offload carrying too much heat for Maher to claim his hat-trick. They were taken back for a penalty which O’Reilly could not make.

When Terenure did not lift the siege, the constant stream of runners bore down and Patterson nipped to the posts for the third Rock try. Reilly made it 19-7 in the 43rd minute.

Nure attempted to fight back, passing up certain penalty points for a scrum, but were thwarted by their inaccuracy.

The bigger Rock boys rumbled in the maul and pressured for a penalty which O’Reilly struck for 22-7 on the hour.

There was nearly a quick response until Andrew Murphy turned the ball over to relieve pressure.

Rock finished on the front-foot, their maul making it close for replacement Mark Phelan to squeeze in at the right corner.

The St Laurence’s junior girls team that have reach the FAI Schools National Cup final

Laurence’s final dream FAIS JUN NATIONAL CUP St Laurence’s Abbey Community School  sport@dublingazette.com

3 0

A CLASSY display from St Laurence’s College in Loughlinstown was enough to see off Waterford’s Abbey Community College in their FAI Schools Junior Girls National Cup semi-final in Deen Celtic AFC. It sets up their first ever national final, building on a brilliant run in Leinster competition to reach the final four on the national stage.

Clara Mulligan broke the deadlock just before the interval with a sen-

sational strike that crept past Maeve Williams near post.

Their advantage was doubled 15 minutes into the restart as Bobbi Downer showed her skilful talents to deceive the Abbey defence and slot home from close range.

Williams was under sustained pressure between the posts for David Walsh’s side as she pulled off some quick succession saves as Mulligan and Stubbs fired forward at every opportunity.

The decisive third goal came just before the hour mark as Molly Murphy produced a brilliant shot

SHOOT-OUT SUCCESS Monkstown keep ISC retention hopes alive MONKSTOWN Hockey Club kept alive their

hopes of retaining the Irish Senior Cup title with a dramatic penalty strokes victory last Sunday in Belfast.

They led three times in regulation time against Instonians with Davy Carson, Kyle Good, Gareth Watkins and Lee Cole, pictured, all in the mark but two goals conceded in the last four minutes sent the game to the shootout. There, Max Maguire crucially saved in the seventh round to earn Town a 5-4 victory on strokes.

on target from just inside the edge of the box.

The Waterford girls were awarded a penalty with five minutes to go but Cour tney Maguire kept her clean sheet intact as she saved brilliantly from Aoife Slattery’s well placed effort.

Abbey Community College were hampered by injuries which forced A o i b h i n n K av a n a g h and Clodagh Sutton off which weakened their attempts to challenge in this game.

The Munster champions will no doubt be back again next season to contend for some silverware.

But John Rowe’s side

have been knocking on the door for some time now.

They had found their route to glory hampered

by Scoil Chriost Ri, Portlaoise on the Leinster stage to block their path to the national stage for the past few years.

They will relish the opportunity afforded to them now and march on to face Dominican College, Taylor’s Hill in the Bank of Ireland FAI Schools Junior Girls Cup Final which is scheduled for Tuesday, February 28.

The showdown promises to be a mouth-watering tie judging from their semi-final outings.

ST L AURENCE COLLEGE, LOUGHLINSTOWN: Courtney

Maguire, Lana Doyle, Suzanne Williams, Bobbi Downer, Katie Doyle, Jessie Morrissey, Molly Murphy, Michaela Fox Walsh, Clara Mulligan, Zoe Kelly, Maya Stubbs SUBS: Aimee Forde for Mulligan (57), Laragh Geoghegan for Doyle (57), Katie Steemson for Williams (62), Lauren Dineen for Murphy (62), Michael Platakis for Stubbs (62),

ABBEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE, WATERFORD: Maeve Williams, Clodagh Sutton, Louise Morrissey, Lauren Ryan, Alanna Gallagher, Bethany Carroll, Sine Kavanagh, Aoife Slattery, Kacey O’Sullivan, Shauna Ritchie, Aoibhinn Kavanagh

16 February 2017 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 31

GAZETTE

HOUSING SUCCESS

CLUB NOTICEBOARD

Lisney extend support for Ballinteer St John’s

CUALA

BALLINTEER St John’s were thankful once

again for the support of Lisney’s Dundrum for their support of the Marlay club.

The company have sponsored the club’s annual mini leagues for the past five years along with the club’s nursery for the past three years.

For 2017, the company have now kitted out the Ballinteer Under-15 side with new jerseys for their upcoming campaign.

2017 REGISTRATIONS are going very well;

and car flags all now available in the

thanks to all those who’ve already reg-

Cuala Shop #BackingCuala. For opening

istered.

hours, please see the website.

We would like to remind everyone else

This week’s jackpot will be €9,700.

that the Early Bird discounted rates

Our lucky dip winners last week were

and pay by installment option are only

Domhnall Lehman and Michael Goodwin.

available until February 28 so don’t miss

Get your tickets now at www.cualagaa.

out, register online at the Cuala web-

ie/lotto Dont forget the table quiz to support

site.

FOOTBALL: MANNION’S SEVEN POINTS FIRE UCD VICTORY

We will be running coaches to the

the hurlers this Thursday, February 16

All-Ireland hurling semi-final between

in the club bar, Dalkey, at 8.30pm. Tables

Cuala and Slaughtneill on February 25

of four €40; please contact Sara Gough

in Armagh.

on gough.sara3@gmail.com

Tickets will be available in the club shop soon. Keep an eye on the website

They will be holding their annual

for more details.

Best wishes to Michael Fitzsimons

sponsored walk fundraiser then. If

and Conor Mullally as they head to Mayo

you’re interested in sponsoring them

this weekend with UCD for the Sigerson

and having your company’s logo on over

Cup finals weekend.

400 sponsorship cards, contact sinead-

Cuala Bobble Hats, 5ft x 3ft flags

SHANKILL

Many thanks to all who turned out

sponsored by Slimming World, will

to our AGM there was a great crowd in

be held this Thursday, February 16 in

attendance.

Brady’s pub. The jackpot is a whopping

Our golf classic will be held in Wood-

€1,300. Tickets are €2 each or three for

brook Golf Club on Friday, June 30. A team

€5.

of four players is €300 and includes food.

nell’s Pharmacy, is back in action every

Sigerson Cup semis beckon for local trio SIGERSON CUP Q-FINAL UCD 1-18 UUJ 1-9  sport@dublingazette.com

CUALA’S Conor Mullally and Michael Fitzsimons and Kilmacud Crokes Paul Mannion head to Mayo on Friday to take on UL in the semi-finals of the Sigerson Cup following their impressive run to date on the competition.

Indeed, it was all a bit easier than expected for Sigerson reigning champions UCD, who dominated the second half to defeat 13-man University of Ulster at Jordanstown.

There were lots of posi-

tives for the holders, with Mannion top-scoring with 0-7 and Monaghan’s Conor McCarthy and Andy McDonnell also scoring heavily.

The only disappointment for UCD was the dismissal of Dublin forward Colm Basquel to a red card after his tussle with Derry defender Gareth McK inless midway through the second half.

The first half was of immense quality and fast tempo, with both teams scoring fine points from play whilst under pressure.

They were level five times in the opening half, at the end of which visitors

UCD led by 0-8 to 0-7. UU failed to get going in the second half and the holders hit 1-8 without reply.

Monaghan’s Conor McCarthy scored the only goal in the 56th minute, but the game was already over with UCD making hay against the wind.

UU made poor use of the wind advantage, only scoring two points after the break.

They lost their discipline too, with Gareth McKinless (two yellows) and Ronan McNamee (straight red) sent off.

The home side started really well and Paddy McBrearty was sharp up

front for UU hitting 0-4, including two from play.

Eoin McHugh and Ryan McAnespie also scored fine points into the wind.

Mannion put man marker McKinless under extreme pressure. UU just never showed up for the second half. They struggled with their kickouts and Kerry’s Jack Barry was influential for UCD. They raced away with it in the third quarter, Andy McDonnell on song and Meath’s Eamonn Wallace also landing a brace. UCD grew stronger and more purposeful, and the goal put the gloss on a comfortable win.

caffrey28@gmail.com.

THE next club development lotto draw

Our academy, sponsored by O’ Don-

Paul Mannion is looking forward to the Sigerson Cup semi-finals on Friday. Picture: Inpho

Watch out for our academy members if you’re on Killiney Hill on March 4.

Contact Jimmy Nolan on 087 2633203; the time sheet is open now.

Saturday at 10am in St Laurence’s Col-

Our men’s adult football team is look-

lege. Cost is €2 per child, there is no

ing for extra players for this season,

annual subscription and all equipment is

contact Kevin on 086 8449902.

provided free of charge.

For more information on the club,

All of our teams are now back in train-

contact secretary.shankill.dublingaa.ie

ing at 11am, also in St Laurence’s College.

or call 086 4010438. Follow us on Face-

Sam Maguire was in Shankill and vis-

book and Twitter. Join Shankill GAA Club,

ited all of our schools; a big thank you to

your community, your GAA club where

the teachers and staff for all their help.

everybody knows your name.

NAOMH OLAF

WELL done to the U-8 boys football team

premier junior team who are also in

and mentors who fielded for the first

action at home to Roscommon.

time at the weekend in Go Games.

Good win for the U-16 footballers last

Well done also to the U-11 girls who

Saturday. Useful challenge matches on

braved the inclement conditions against

Sunday last for the senior and junior

neighbours Ballinteer St John’s.

footballers and junior hurlers as the

Best of luck to Clara O’Sullivan and the

leagues and cups start very soon.

Dublin minor camogie team who start

There is still room for an act or two to

their all-Ireland campaign in Cork next

take part in the Lip Sync Legends fund-

Saturday. Also, to Chloe Ni Cheallaigh

raiser in April. A group of members from

and Roisin McLoughlin and the Dublin

one team maybe? Don’t be shy!



GOT A STORY? WE WANT TO KNOW!

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

or email sport@dublingazette.com

GAZETTESPORT

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

MAKING HISTORY: St Laurence’s reach their first ever schools national cup final thanks to win over Abbey P30

FEBRUARY 16-22, 2017

AIS DALY’S NEXT BIG BASH: Following retirement, MMA star talks new horizons P29

Cabinteely, represented by Daire Doyle on the far left, are looking to make major waves in the League of Ireland first division in 2017. Picture: David Maher/Sportsfile

Cabo’s Devlin calls out FAI New manager labels the promotion of the League of Ireland first division as “disgraceful” as ambitious Stradbrook club prepare for new season

 KARL GRAHAM

sport@dublingazette.com

PAT Devlin has hit out at the Football Association of Ireland for failing to include the First Division in their promotional campaign at the launch of the 2017 SSE Airtricity League season in the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday.

Cabinteely FC’s new director of football and first team manager is a big player in the process of overhauling the club in a bid to reach the Premier Division as soon as possible, and he is not happy about how the governing body have overlooked the First Division.

He is, however, still confident the Stradbrookbased side can make an impression on the divi-

sion this season.

“We are certainly going to improve all aspects of the club,” Devlin told GazetteSport at the launch. Whether we can improve results remains to be seen because all the other clubs in the first decision have invested very heavily so it’s catch-up for us.

“As you can see by all the advertisements, the First Division isn’t the place to be because it is not even recognised in our own branding, and I think that’s disgraceful.

“The First Division is a breeding ground for the rest of the league, but it should be acknowledged because we all pay the same registration fees. All of a sudden it’s a graveyard and I think that’s wrong.”

Devlin will hold influence over the whole club as he seeks to help them become more professional on and off the pitch.

He’s enjoying the job in hand so far but he openly admits that it has proved more of a challenge than first expected.

“It’s a bigger job than I would have expected time wise. It has been non-stop since December 21 and there have been all different aspects of it such as; trying to base ourselves in Stradbrook and signing new players.

“It’s very early days but I would have to say that we are heading in the right direction, but we definitely need to be more professional off the park and on it, and get Dun Laoghaire [Rathdown County Council] behind us.

“Rome wasn’t built in a day; the club is two years in. This is a new plan now and we are going to give it a real go.”

On the pitch, Devlin has decided to bring in some experienced campaigners in the form of Jason Byrne and Daire Doyle, and he hopes to now have a nice mix of youth and experience.

“My job was really a blank sheet of paper and we had to sign for [players] three teams so I think we signed over 75 players.

“It’s a mixed bag of young players, experienced players and ones who played last year so we are pushing them a little bit to try and get more professional on and off the park.”

Cabinteely begin their league campaign with a home tie against UCD on February 24.