Dun laoghaire

Gazette

August 25-31, 2016

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Homeless crisis in DLRCC at ‘unprecedented’ level All secured beds for single applicants were occupied for all of last week

 EMMA NOLAN THE homeless crisis has reached “unprecedented” levels in Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council as no beds are currently available for single

homeless people.

For all of last week, all of the beds that are secured for single applicants were occupied and those looking for a bed were given a number to call in the event that a bed

became free.

Most, a source has revealed to The Gazette, had to make do with a sleeping bag.

T h e G a z e t t e s p o ke to 55-year-old homeless Dun Laoghaire man

Thomas McKeon, who says he has been on the list for accommodation for 15 years.

“I just need a place to live,” he said.

Full Story on Page 2

2 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 25 August 2016

CRISIS | COUNCIL SLAMMED FOR ITS COUNTY-WIDE RESPONSE

No beds available for single homeless people  EMMA NOLAN

For many single homeless people in Dun LaoghaireRathdown, the most support they get is a sleeping bag

THE homeless crisis has reached “unprecedented” levels in Dun LaoghaireRathdown County Council as no beds are currently available for single homeless people.

Anyone who registers as homeless in the council area is referred to Dublin City’s central placement unit for emergency accommodation in one of

Dublin’s shelters.

However, for all of last week, all of the beds that are secured for single applicants were occupied and those looking for a bed were given a number to call in the event that a bed became free.

A source has revealed to The Gazette that most people had to make do with a sleeping bag.

The Gazette spoke to 55-year-old home-

less Dun Laoghaire man Thomas McKeon, who say he has been on the list for accommodation for 15 years. He suffers from a number of illnesses and has currently has no access to emergency accommodation.

“I was born and reared in Dun Laoghaire. I’m getting nowhere – I just need a little place to live; I’m on the list that long and everyone is getting sorted before me.”

Cllr Hugh Lewis (PBP) described the situation as an “utter disgrace”.

He said: “The housing crisis continues to deepen and it is now seemingly acceptable for the state to have zero available beds for homeless people.

“After all the fanfare of the Government’s new housing strategy, it is now abundantly clear that homelessness is growing, yet the resources are simply not being provided.”

Unprecedented A spokesperson from the council did not respond to Cllr Lewis’ statements, but told The Gazette: “We are currently experiencing an unprecedented demand for emergency accommodation across the Dublin region,” and said that access to accommodation is through a freephone number, 1800 707 707.

Cllr Lewis said that the housing crisis “has continued to worsen despite the recent launch of Minister Simon Coveneys’ new housing strategy,” and said that the housing assistance payment scheme is not working.

“The facts speak for themselves – no beds are available for single homeless people, and they instead are being offered sleeping bags.

“If this happened in the winter months, there would be deaths on our streets.”

FASTNews

Pictures: Justin Ivory

Public warned not to approach a dead whale washed ashore at Killiney  EMMA NOLAN

LOCALS were shocked last weekend when a dead whale washed up on Killiney Beach.

The 13-metre female minke whale was spotted floating off the coast near Shankill and Greystones last week.

The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) said that the sighting was an unusual event for the east coast, and a rare opportunity for anyone interested in whales to see a Minke whale in the Irish Sea. While many spectators turned out to witness the creature for themselves, Pat O Suilleabhain of the National Sea Life Centre in Bray said that people should stay away due to a possible risk of infection.

He said: “Some people might want to go and take selfies beside the dead whale, but that doesn’t strike me as a particularly good idea.”

The IWDG said that there seems to be an increase in the number of whale sightings in Irish waters.

A spokesperson for Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council told The Gazette that the whale was pulled out with the tide over the weekend, but it subsequently washed back onto shore on Sunday.

They added: “The weather and tide conditions were unfavourable over the weekend. Our staff are on site and currently planning the removal of the whale, but due to its location this has made it very complex.”

Signs have been erected to ask the public to avoid this stretch of beach.

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

25 August 2016 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 3

PETS | MISSING JESS RETURNS HOME – AFTER GOING ‘WALKIES’ FOR EIGHT YEARS

Lost & hound  SYLVIA POWNALL

A DOG which strayed from its owners has returned home – EIGHT years after going missing.

Jack Russell Terrier Jess has been reunited with the family who adopted her as a pup in 2005, thanks to her microchip details.

Her shocked owner, Fiona McCrea, from Old Bawn in Tallaght, told of the family’s delight when they went to collect their miracle mutt at the pound.

She told The Gazette: “Jess was the family dog and we had her since she was a puppy until she went missing two years later. We were confident during our search that she would return, as Jess was very loyal and [micro]chipped with our contact details.

“But a year after her disappearance, all hope was gone and we were given an opportunity to

After being found and coming home following an eight-year gap, Jess (right) met the new, replacement family dog – also called Jess

adopt a six-month-old Jack Russell Terrier, also called Jess in her honour.”

Fast-forward eight years, and Fiona’s dad was shocked to get a phone call from the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Fiona said: “We could not believe it when they confirmed it was our Jess. She was returned to us as a healthy ten-

year-old dog, a little dirty and tired from wandering the streets.

“It looks like she gave up the chase with the dog warden.”

Fiona, a carer at Mission House Nursing Home, said Jess was a little shy after getting home from the pound, but has since showed signs of recognising her owners.

She said: “In the last two days, she’s beginning to come out of her shell, and being around the family a lot, I think she’s starting to remember the different tones of voice and is now responding to ‘Jess’.”

Despite the potential confusion, the family have no plans to rename the dogs – they are calling them Jess Number One and Jess Number Two.

Jess may have had a ruff time – do you know where the prodigal pup went for eight years? Call our Newsdesk at 01 60 10 240, or email news@dublingazette.com.

Tired but well, Jess is collected from the pound after being traced by her microchip

4 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 25 August 2016

SPORT | ALL WELCOME TO PARTY WITH ANNALISE

Flotilla to welcome Olympic hero home  EMMA NOLAN

DUN Laoghaire Olympian and silver medallist sailing champ Annalise Murphy will be welcomed home today at a special ceremony.

Annalise will arrive at the National Yacht Club in a flotilla with members of all the Dun Laoghaire sailing clubs to the East Pier.

They will parade with other members of the Irish Oly mpic team to The People’s Park, where they will be officially welcomed home

by Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, along with An Cathaoirleach, Cllr Cormac Devlin, National Yacht Club Commodore Larry Power and the Irish Sail-

ing Association.

Annalise won Ireland’s first Olympic sailing medal in 36 years at Rio 2016, and the result marks her reward for 11 years of dedication and intensive campaigning.

The homecoming in the park will host a big stage and screen and will feature a Brazilian samba band, a dancing troupe, a DJ, face painting, flags, balloons and a boat display.

Joanne Cantwell and David McHugh will be on hand to interview the Olympic heroes on stage. This is a fun family event and it will run from 6-7.30pm.

Speaking on her win, Annalise said: “I am incredibly happy with my medal. It has been a

Annalise Murphy, and her silver medal, will be honoured at The People’s Park. Picture: Morgan Treacy

long road to achieve this, especially since London 2012, but it has been hugely worthwhile.

“My hope is that this medal represents an opportunity for Irish sailing to attract new people to our spor t which is ideal for this island nation.”

Cllr Develin praised Annalise for her dedication and passion. He said: “Annalise is a role model for so many other young sports enthusiasts, especially young women, who will be inspired to go on and achieve what she has done for Ireland in Rio.”

Are uke having a good time?

DUBLIN band Aisling Out Walking were just one of the amazing bands who thrilled audiences at this year’s Ukulele by the Sea. The band took to the stage at The Peoples Park and played some golden oldies, to the delight of the crowd. The event featured some of the ukulele world’s most talented artists and groups for a weekend of ukulele-based fun, music, singing and jamming with the endearing instrument. Picture: Paul Sherwood

25 August 2016 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 5

C O M M E R C I A L F E AT U R E

local Health&Fitness

Start a new fit and healthy lifestyle this September with Newpark Sports Centre

Newpark School Sports Centre has fully equipped gymnastic classes and gym (above) with pool (right) and a wide range of fitness classes like Rip 60 (below)

NOW ENROLING FOR SEPTEMBER 2015 SWIMMING LESSONS 4 YEARS UPWARDS The swimming lessons programme at Newpark Sport Centre is unique in that ALL of the Swimming Teachers on the pool bank are Swim Ireland level two qualified and are all highly experienced in teaching swimming to adults and children of all ages and abilities. Newpark School Sport Centre are recognised locally in providing the highest quality teaching and getting the best results.

The programme has been specifically designed to encourage swimmers from beginners to advanced levels to develop new skills in a fun and social atmosphere.

•CHILDRENS SWIMMING LESSONS Toddlers to advanced levels - Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturdays Lengths to lifesaving techniques on Tuesdays, Saturdays & Sundays •ADULT SWIMMING LESSONS

Beginners, improvers & advanced levels Wednesdays 9-10pm Adult masters swimming - Thursday 9-10pm (pay as you go €6 or take out a membership). This class is designed for those looking to improve their stroke, technique, build strength & stamina.

Also suitable for master’s swimmers, tri athletes & sea swimmers looking for a warmer training session.

• GYMNASTICS CLASSES 3-14YEARS Gymnastics is a fun and exciting way to improve physical strength, flexibility, agility, coordination and balance. Participation in gymnastics activity also develops confidence,

creativity & leadership, not to mention a healthy body and mind.

Qualified and experienced staff are on hand to ensure your child has a fun and positive experience of one of the oldest Olympic sports and one of the world’s largest sports.

• Wednesday junior gymnastics 3-4 year olds 4.15-5pm or 5-5.45pm • Saturdays recreational gymnastics 5-14 year olds 9-10am, 10-11am, 11-12, 12-1pm & 1-2pm SEPTEMBER FITNESS SPECIAL OFFER There has never been a better time to join with 12 month Fitness Centre membership for only €299, offer valid until

30th September 2012.

Full membership includes use of the fully equipped fitness centre, expert instruction and advice from highly experienced and qualified staff, fitness programmes and fitness testing.

Also includes a wide range of fitness classes including • Rip 60, Kettle bell, Fit box, Circuit training, Body conditioning, Bosu Ball, Abs tone and Sculpt, Aquafit and access to the pool during all public swimming sessions.

Pay as you go options available for the casual user, or membership rates available, for 1 month, 3 months, 6 months & 12 months. Now offering an off peak admission price of only €5 per visit for casual users before 12 noon Monday to Friday.

The extensive fitness programme now offers phase 4 cardiac rehab and GP referral programmes.

For more information on any of our classes or courses please call in or contact us on ph 01 2883720/2833037 or visit our website www.newparksportscentre.ie or

PROMOTING A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE FOR YOU! Fully Equipped Fitness Centre FITNESS CLASSES

● Fitbox ● Rip 60/TRX ● Kettle bell ● Circuit Training ● Body Conditioning ● Bosu Ball ● Aquafit ● Abdominal tone & Sculpt ● Pilates

12 MONTH FITNESS CENTRE MEMBERSHIP FOR ONLY €299.

Offer valid until 30th September 2015

CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES

Swimming lessons for 4 years upwards Gymnastics classes for 5 years upwards Junior Gymnastics for 3-4year olds

Contact us on 01 - 288 3720 / 283 3037

find us on facebook!

or visit our website www.newparksportscentre.ie

6 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 25 August 2016

GazetteGALLERY

Hayley Middleton

| WAIT OVER FOR LEAVING CERT STUDENTS AT AN END

Anna Lambert and Eva Melly

Students Katie Rose Connolly, Isabelle Odlum and Eva Melly. Pictures: Jason Clarke

The results are in T

HE long wait for the class of 2016 at Rathdown School in Glenageary came to an end as they were finally able to collect their Leaving Certificate results. The graduates were relieved and bid the school a final farewell as they now look forward to their future.

Teachers at the schools were on hand to offer any advice and support and to wish students the very best for the future.

Students Hazel Cloughley Jones, Naomi Fox and Sarah Phillips

Katie Rose Connolly with her teacher Aine Fahy

Twins Amber and Meriel Barnwell and Lauren O’Reilly

25 August 2016 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 7

Need a loan for college?

At Blanchardstown & District Credit Union Ltd we have an excellent rate of 5.64% APR with flexible payments to suit your needs Amount borrowed €3,000.00 5.50% Variable rate APR 5.64% 60 months Repayment period Repayment amount €57.31 Total interest €438.04 €3,438.04 Total repayments

Amount borrowed €5,000.00 5.50% Variable rate APR 5.64% 60 months Repayment period Repayment amount €95.51 Total interest €730.13 €3,438.04 Total repayments

Loans are subject to terms and conditions, Subject to loans approved and drawn down between 1st Sept- 31st Oct

Contact the loans team on

01-8203495 email Loans@blanchardstowncu.ie or apply online today

Blanchardstown & District Credit Union Ltd is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland

8 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 25 August 2016

GazetteGALLERY

| FOOTBALLING FUN AT NEW ALL-WEATHER PITCHES

Caiti and Jerry Hill

Jade Mulholland, Saul sweeney, Cian Wyse, Josh Mulholland, Jordan Mulvaney and Paul Cushen. Pictures: Stephen Fleming

Future world cup stars BALLYOGAN Celtic, in association with LUAS and DLR Leisure Services, hosted an under 12s Boys and Girls Mini World Cup at the new all-weather pitches at Ballyogan Road. The fast-

moving event saw the many participating boys and girls divide into teams representing lots of countries, with everyone determined to score for their team, and “their” country alike.

Dylan and Lorraine Mulholland with Bernadette Byrne

Ref Eric Thompson and

Sarah Flynn and Oisin

Steward Cornel Olteanu

Walsh

Colin Waters, Daniel Healy and Tony Pluck

CLLR Chris Curran (SF) with Kevin Foley with Dean and Wayne Redmond

Dylan and Marcus O’Duinn

Neil Menzies

Colm and Paddy Hennessy

25 August 2016 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 9

10 GAZETTE 25 August 2016

GazetteGALLERY

| SPOOKY GOINGS ON AT THE IRISH PREMIERE SCREENING OF

Kate Morgan and Kayleigh O’Sullivan

Lisa Naylor and Alan Hayden

Leah Moore and Kimberley Farrell

Michelle McKeon and Fionnula Moran. Pictures: Brian McEvoy

It’s fright night for horror fans H

ORROR fans headed to a special preview screening of Lights Out at The Light House Cinema last weekend. The super natural horror movie has been enjoying huge success in the US and is now showing in Irish cinemas. Critics say the movie makes for an unsettling, frightfilled experience that “delivers superior chills without skimping on story”.

Leanne Slevin and Robyn Fitzpatrick

Luke O’Faolain

Kumar and Gail Kaneswaran

25 August 2016 GAZETTE 11

LIGHTS OUT

Navis Binu and Ronak Modi

Hilary Johnson

Romy Carroll

Hannah Kearns and Kara Stein

GAZETTE

12 GAZETTE 25 August 2016

DUBLINBUSINESS

Furniture Kings’ celebrating 25 NEXT month, brothers Paul and David Nugent will celebrate 25 years of Kingsbury Furniture.

In 1991, the pair, who were born and raised in Tallaght, seized their opportunity and opened the business, specialising in household furniture and flooring.

Over the next 25 years Kingsbury Furniture has expanded in size and have grown from three to 15 employees. They now have a modern and stylish 9,000sq ft store on High Street in Tallaght.

During the recent crippling recession the brothers branched into full apartment and turnkey fit-outs, which led to a lot of showhouse fit-outs for builders and developers – ensuring that the business stayed afloat.

The brothers, who both still live locally and train juvenile teams with

Thomas Davis GAA Club, say good customer service and quality products are key to surviving and being successful for this long.

Paul, the older of the two, told Gazette Business: “We believe the company that builds through good customer service and quality products will stand the test of time.

“We have many customers that would have bought furniture from us in the early 90s and are still buying and accompanying their sons and daughters into our store.

“We are a family business and we try to support Irish suppliers and manufacturers as much as possible.”

Kingsbury Furniture, which also offers a full interior design service, is located in Unit 3, High Street, Tallaght – just a stone’s throw from Smyths toy store. Visit www.kingsburyfurniture.ie to find out more.

Owner of Kingsbury Furniture, Paul Nugent with his daughter, Dominique and store manager Jimmy Owens

Dublin lads sock it to dull and mundane styles THREE Dublin lads have started a “sock revolution”.

Funky Foot is a new start up that its founders say will “liberate people from a life of dull, mundane socks”.

Aengus, Eoin and John spotted room in the market for socks that defy convention and have been selling their socks in markets around Dublin for the past two months.

Now, after much stress for three web design rookies, the website, www.funkyfoot.co is now live.

Co-founder of the company Aengus Boyle told The Gazette: “We are starting a sock revolution. Out with the boring and in with the funky! Our socks are 90% cotton, 10% synthetic mix and 100% funky. That’s 200% in every sock!”

The socks are available at www.funkyfoot.co for €7.95.

To celebrate their website launch, the trio have offered a 40% discount code especially for Gazette readers.

Simply enter the code “gazette40” at the checkout.

25 August 2016 GAZETTE 13

GAZETTE

14 GAZETTE 25 August 2016

DUBLINLIFE

DIARY

Eye see a way to help launch the Sightsavers Junior Painter Awards ... JuniLisa Murray, Aya Parker, Willow O’Sullivan and Ethan Manby give a hand. Picture: Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland

Looking to a better future YOUNG budding Dublin artists are getting ready to sharpen their pencils and clean their brushes as Sightsavers Junior Painter Awards returns.

Last year, schools

from Dublin submitted hundreds of paintings and with entries now open, Sightsavers are calling on children across the county to get thinking and create a masterpiece.

Open to primar y school students of all ages across Ireland, this year’s theme – Framing The Future – is expected to inspire thousands of imaginative entries.

Sightsavers wants to frame the future as an inclusive world where children living with disabilities get to go to school, and is inviting children to let their imaginations run wild and create their very own work of art which envisions what they see when they think of the future.

Some 15 regional winners will be selected and will have the opportunity to see their work displayed at a special awards day next spring where three overall national winners will be announced.

Eve r y c h i l d t h a t enters will receive a certificate of participation in recognition of their creative efforts.

The closing date for entry is Friday, November 25 . Parents and children can get involved by speaking to their school

teacher or by visiting sightsavers.ie to request entry forms.

GO AHEAD TO THE THROWBACK PARTY FOR those heading to Electric Picnic this year, one of the stand-out events set to take place over the weekend is the Throwback Party at the Electric Ireland stage.

The first act to be announced are popsynth princesses Bananarama, who will perform floor-filling classics such as Cruel Summer, Venus and Love in the First Degree on the Saturday night.

Attendees will also be able to take time out to chill while enjoying classic movies such as Grease and Top Gun for the ultimate in nostalgic guilty pleasures.

There’s also some good news for those still

looking for tickets to the sold out event as Electric Ireland is giving away 30 weekend tickets in its annual ticket giveaway.

The tickets will be given away through a five-day Facebook Live competition from Monday, August 22, to Friday, August 26.

To be in with a chance of winning, entrants simply need to visit Electric Ireland’s Facebook page each day at 7.30pm where they can participate in a live throwback competition.

HORRIBLY GOOD SCARES AT THE RDS IRELAND’S most chilling scare-house experience, The Nightmare Realm, is bringing its reign of terror to the RDS this October.

T hrillseekers will explore the gruesome village of the damned to see

Dublin’s darkest nightmares brought to life.

The Nightmare Realm has carved out a notorious reputation for pushing the boundaries of sanity and crafting the artistry of fear, with live characters and vivid special effects to capture the depths of the imagination.

Nerves will be pushed to the limit with gruesome life-like props and characters, from the grotesque and bloodchurning to the sick and extreme, preying on the minds of fright fans and horror enthusiasts brave enough to face the RDS. The attraction, which opens its doors on September 29, will run for the full month of October.

Tickets are on sale now at thenightmarerealm.ie, with adult tickets priced at €20 and students at €17.

25 August 2016 GAZETTE 15

GAZETTE

FEATURE CULTURE NIGHT 2016: POPULAR EVENT TO RETURN

Get ready for one night to explore the city’s diverse cultural riches

 IAN BEGLEY

ON THE evening of Friday, September 16, Dublin will erupt with creativity when Ireland’s annual cultural spectacular – Culture Night – returns for its massively popular annual occurrence.

From powerful spoken word performances that will stop you in your tracks to eye-catching art in motion, Culture Night will once again be an evening that is not easily forgotten, no matter what cultural corner of the city – or indeed, country – you find yourself in.

Having grown in Dublin from 40,000 attendees to 172,000 in 11 years, Culture Night is now a countrywide movement, as the whole of the city, and country, is filled with cultural expression, exploration and appreciation on the night.

Commenting on this year’s programme for Culture Night, Ray Yeates, Dublin City Council arts officer said: “Culture Night is a very special night for children as they and their families look forward to another wonderful night of civic engagement and cultural discovery.”

As always, the celebra-

tory, exploratory event will include thousands of participants from all cultural genres, including photographers, illustrators, designers, composers, visual artists, dancers, aerialists, authors, singers and musicians.

Some of Ireland’s most exciting minds have got behind Culture Night 2016 as ambassadors, promoting their own genres, new creative industries

including guided tours of the official residence of the President of Ireland, Aras an Uachtarain, along with some new additions to the programme.

This year, The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland’s iconic building at St Stephen’s Green will come to life with a spectacular 3D animated light show that will take viewers on a journey of the building’s history, from

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‘Having grown in Dublin from 40,000 attendees to 172,000 in 11 years, the whole of the city is filled with cultural expression, exploration and appreciation on Culture Night’

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and our rich history and heritage, including artist Pauline Bewick, alt-pop duo The Heathers, musician and poet Ronan O Snodaigh and author Colin Barrett.

As well as a celebration of the arts and culture, much of the city and country’s rich built and natural heritage will also be opened up for the people to see and experience.

Some of last year’s most popular venues in Dublin are returning once again,

its foundation in 1784, through the historical events of 1916, and ending with a glimpse into the future cutting-edge healthcare technology being developed by the college.

North of the Liffey, and Smithfield Square will buzz with excitement on the night with interactive events from Makeshop to fencing, with the evening to close with Firefly, a fire spectacle by Dublin Circus Project.

Exploring the cultural side of the city by foot, bike or bus will be made easy with the Culture Night Tours, which include the Urban Potato Bike tour, Revolutionary France in Dublin tour, the Dublin Bus Ghostbus tour and tours of different areas in Dublin, presented in English and international languages.

At the heart of its schedule of music, theatre and words is Culture Night’s live broadcast of RTE Radio 1’s Arena with Sean Rocks in the upper courtyard of Dublin Castle, which will also feature the RTE Concert Orchestra and special guests from music, theatre, comedy and poetry.

Cultural audiences in the capital can travel with a “cultural edge” on the night thanks to transport partners Dublin Bus and Irish Rail. Dublin Bus will provide free buses every 20 minutes around the cultural quarters, starting at Bachelor’s Walk, Aston Quay, College Green and Eden Quay, to bring visitors to and from their favourite spots.

For the full programme of events and participating venues for Culture Night 2016, see www.culturenight.ie.

John McMahon doesn’t seem convinced by Frances Matthews’s Capoeira skills, but Robyn Cassidy loved them! The trio were helping to promote upcoming Culture Night 2016, which will once again uncover many of Dublin’s historical, architectural and cultural gems for the public to see. Picture: Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland

LOVE&MARRIAGE

GAZETTE

16 GAZETTE 25 August 2016

Don’t forget favours to help thank your guests

PLANNING a wedding obviously takes a lot of thought, and every last detail must be thoroughly thrashed out. In the midst of all the planning about venues, dresses, tuxes, honeymoon and so on, don’t forget to thank your guests for sharing in your big day with the gift of wedding favours.

Picture: igstudio.ie

Wedding favours are a simple and effective way for the happy couple to show their appreciation to their guests for helping to celebrate their union.

When selecting wedding favours, one must always take three things into consideration: budget, the number of guests, and the shelf-life of the item.

If a large gathering is expected, wedding favours can be a huge drain on the budget.

However, as modern weddings are often about adding a personal touch and a sense or originality and personality to the big day, you can kill two birds with one stone by providing home-made, personallythemed wedding favours. By doing this, you can not only reduce the cost, but give your wedding an extra personal touch at the same time.

For a highly-personal wedding, why not get hitched at Dublin Zoo (above) or Westmeath’s Mount Druid (right)

LOCATIONS: ALTERNATIVE VENUES COULD BE LOTS OF FUN

Go wild and say ‘I do’ at Dublin Zoo!  IAN BEGLEY

IF YOU’RE on the prowl for an alternative wedding venue that is a hundred miles away from the type of nuptials your grandparents had, you will be pleased to know that Ireland has a huge range of unconventional wedding venues on offer.

From castles to barns, theatres, sports stadiums and Dublin Zoo, there are plenty of unique, charming and even eccentric wedding venues to suit all tastes.

If your heart is set on a Dublin city wedding, but you’re looking for a large space to celebrate, then Smock Alley Theatre might be the perfect venue for your big day.

With its exposed brick walls, ornate plasterwork ceiling, and stained-glass windows, this venue is

certainly a sight to behold.

Its oak benches and tables offer options for the en vogue, long dining experience and the large space is very versatile for a ceremony or reception.

Further afield, and if you’re considering a very intimate wedding with just your nearest and dearest friends and family, then Fanningstown Castle over in Limerick certainly has a nice ring to it.

Set close to Shannon Airport, this 12th century grand castle has been converted into an atmospheric private house perfect for a small group.

Another great alternative venue is at Mount Druid in Westmeath.

The building and its surroundings comprise a converted barn, a consecrated tin chapel, 20 traditional Mongolian yurts,

three shepherds huts, a charmingly cosy gate lodge, a three-bed schoolmaster’s house, an 1820s Georgian house, several barbecue areas, a walked garden, a summer house and three lakes!

A couple who choose to marry at Mount Druid can except a beautifully laid-back venue where red carpets and white chair covers are non-existent, and their guests can have a lovely relaxed time with an informal feel to the day.

Closer to home, and why not choose to say “I do” at the zoo? Dublin Zoo is a unique alternative to the traditional wedding venue and provides a magical backdrop for your special day.

Haughton House, a restored historical building with magnificent views of the zoo, is avail-

able seven days a week for all types of wedding ceremonies, including civil ceremonies, civil partnerships and blessings.

You can add even more magic to your wedding day by having a unique drinks reception in the zoo’s interactive learning and discovery centre, or capturing some special photo opportunities.

With weddings at Croke Park, GAA fans can marry their love of their lives with their love of the game.

Whether you are interested in a large traditional reception, a small intimate celebration or something in between, Croke Park can offer you the perfect alternative venue.

For further information on these alternative wedding venues, see www. alternativeweddings.ie and www.hitched.ie.

25 August 2016 GAZETTE 17

GAZETTE

SUPPLEMENT

A little planning goes a long way  IAN BEGLEY

NOT only is the Athlone Springs Hotel the perfect venue for a celebration of endless love, but their wedding planners are primed to assist with all aspects of the happy couple’s Big Day, from the ceremony to the entertainment.

The most important part when choosing your venue is that you feel welcome from the moment you arrive, and or course, excellent food that will

In tip-top shape for your big day  IAN BEGLEY

YOUR wedding is an event to be remembered for the rest of your life and no doubt it will be chronicled in photographs as well as on film.

For this reason among others you will want to look your best.

Whether you’re looking to drop a few pounds, tighten up your muscles or completely overhaul your physique, Educogym, Dundrum can get you there.

The Educogym system is based on a university validated study which proves that a clear goal combined with resistance based exercise and low glycemic nutrition caused a person to shape up faster than any other system in the world.

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

Educogym is designed to replicate

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

Educogym Consultants work with you to help you understand your goals and then devise a programme to make sure you achieve them. Educogym specialises in low-glycemic nutrition plans

designed to detox your body from sugar to lower body fat and get in your best-ever shape.

The word educo means to lead or draw out from within.

Educogym works with you to draw out your ideal figure or physique using their carefully crafted system.

The big difference between the Educog y m resistance training and traditional aerobic exercise such as jogging is that by increasing lean muscle tissue you will increase your metabolism to burn fat and have a leaner and firmer body.

All programmes include intensive 20 minute training sessions, regular consultations, nutritional programmes with expert advice and goal setting to help you look your best on your big day.

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

have your guests raving about your wedding for years to come.

“It’s all about the little things that make a big difference to your day and it is our promise that we will take care of everything so you can celebrate with your family and friends,” says wedding coordinator Nicola Nestor.

This contemporary venue hosts a welcoming lobby and drinks reception area in Cedar Cocktail Bar and the stunning Clonellan Ballroom

caters for weddings up to 300 guests.

The hotel also has its own private garden for photos and the Manhattan bridal suite is the height of luxury.

The wedding team recently launched its 2016-2017 wedding packages that starts from €45 per person.

P a c k a g e s i n cl u d e complimentar y wedding favours and you can choose from a wedding car, three-tier personalised cake, photobooth,

music on arrival, three complimentary rooms for your guests on the night of the wedding, civil ceremony package, candy cart reception, personalised monogram and lighting for your ballroom, cocktail and canape drinks reception and evening buffet “chipper style”.

If you would like to pop in and visit Nicola and the team just call 090 644 4444 or email events@athlonespringshotel.com.

LOVE&MARRIAGE

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18 GAZETTE 25 August 2016

Alluring Brilliant Bangle €89

Sparkle in style for your big day  EMMA NOLAN

SOMETHING gold, something rose, something silver, something blue – affordable jewellery brand Pandora have a wide range of pieces that are suitably elegant for bridal wear.

Whether for the bride herself or

for her bridesmaids and flower girls, the new autumn collection, which is launching in stores on September 1, contains a number of pieces that are bound to be popular amongst those with weddings on their mind.

It features silver, rose and 14k gold bracelets, earrings, necklaces and rings that would be perfect for

that special day, and for a reminder of the day that can be worn afterwards.

Both chic and classic, there is something to suit most tastes.

This stylish range is available from Pandora stores in Dundrum, Grafton Street, Liffey Valley and Henry Street.

Vintage Allure Drop Earrings €99

Alluring Brilliant Marquise €89

Vintage Allure Ring €119 Open Bangle €89

Vintage Allure Earrings €59

The write way tosay ‘I love you’ Twist of Fate Ring €129

IF YOU’RE not sure what to get a friend, family member or your significant other as a wedding gift, The Wedding Collection from Cross Pens carry a huge range of elegant writing instruments to suit all budgets that are sure to be treasured forever.

Choose from a number of Cross pens, which are perfect for signing the marriage register, for guests to sign the wedding book, or even for writing those wedding thank-you letters.

The collection is the perfect celebration of love, as each pen can be engraved with a meaningful message, making for a unique, personal memento.

For the full collection, samples of which are shown above, see www.cross.com.

Century II Chrome Ball Point Pen €65

Townsend Chrome Ball Point Pen €115

Beverly Pearlescent White Lacquer Ball-Point Pen €40

Edge Titanium Gel Ink Pen €50

25 August 2016 GAZETTE 19

55

 EMMA NOLAN Style Editor

HELEN McAlinden, one of Ireland’s best-known designers, features a number of pieces perfect for wedding guests in her newest ready to wear collection, not least for the most important guest of all – the mother (in both parties), of course.

While every Helen McAlinden

piece is distinguished by subtleties of form, fit and fabrication, her latest S/S16 collection is no different.

Constantly evolving and developing, the blueprint silhouette of her unique and sophisticated style can be worn in a variety of ways, always keeping a focus on the woman who wears them.

McAlinden said: “My designs are underpinned with the very best

fabrics, chosen for luxurious quality and durability of style. It is always my goal to create a range to suit real women’s shapes and to flatter all ages, and I feel my latest collection has achieved this.”

The Helen McAlinden S/S16 collection is now available in the South William Street store, as well as in Arnotts, and House of Fraser in Dundrum Town Centre.

Georgia bodycon dress €245

5 ress €26

The Mother

Marcela navy porcelain dress €285

h cotton d

etc Evelyn str

The most important guest at the big day

Sandy stripe dress €265

Georgia bodycon dress €245

Astrid floral dress €285

s €285 Astrid floral dres

Marion dress €2

DRESSING

GAZETTE

SUPPLEMENT

THE overall influence for this Spring/Summer collection derives from the work of American fashion designer Claire McCardell, who, throughout the 1930s, 40s and 50s became synonymous with ready-towear stylish women’s sports wear. With Helen’s recent collection, the florals for which the brand is so well known are showcased in form-flattering dresses and pencil skirts.

GAZETTE

20 GAZETTE 25 August 2016

DUBLINLIFE

 AENGUS O’HANLON

ATHLONE is a place worth invading. The Vikings, the Anglo-Normans, the Williamites, and more recently, tourists have come to the ancient town expecting much and leaving happy, sometimes not leaving at all.

And with good reason.

Sitting on the banks of the mighty Shannon, just south of beautiful Lough Ree, Athlone is an ancient and unique destination.

Unique because the town is split

in two not just by the river, but also by the map… twice.

T he western tow n, with its impressive skyline dominated by Athlone Castle and the imposing twin towers of Saint Peter

and Paul’s Church, is in County Roscommon and as such in Connacht, while the larger, eastern town is in the Leinster county of Westmeath.

So if you’re looking for a funfilled weekend away right at the very heart of Ireland, or the perfect base from which to explore the midlands, look no further.

With plenty to do and see, and no shortage of wonderful old pubs and excellent, affordable restaurants, this is a town with a lot to

We Athlone

offer. We stayed at the Radisson Blu, right on the river, with stunning views across the water to the old town.

With its friendly staff, nice pool and excellent bars and restaurant, you could say it’s a metaphor for the entire region.

Their family suites are as good as The Gazette has ever experienced.

Too often in our experience, “family rooms” can mean nothing more than a glorified dormitory, with about as much privacy for mum

and dad as you could expect in a small car.

Not here. The rooms are spacious, and a bit like the town, neatly split into two distinct parts, giving the kids a mirage of independence which includes their own beds, river views, TV and play area, while parents can pretend to be grown ups in peace in the adjoining double room.

With the kids – and us adults – immediately delighted with our welcome to Athlone, it set the tone

Sean’s Bar is listed in the

Viking Mike’s Viking longboat with the Radisson

Guinness Book of Records as

Blu in the background

the oldest bar in Europe

Musicians in Sean’s Bar

Oh baby – pampering awaits!

MUMS-TO-BE WILL ENJOY WINEPORT LODGE’S SPECIALLY TAILORED PACKAGES

25 Augist 2016 GAZETTE 21

for the weekend, and sure enough, a brilliant few days it was.

A quick dip in the hotel’s pool before a sumptuous dinner in Elements Bistro was followed by a relaxing drink at the Quayside bar and Lounge, where you can unwind on the open terrace overlooking the river.

Athlone is all about the Shannon. And there’s no better way to explore the river and nearby Lake of the Kings, than with Viking Mike on his 21 metre replica

Viking longboat. Departing from the quayside at Athlone Castle daily, Viking Ship Cruises, which sail up the Shannon and into Lough Ree or down river to the historic monastic site of Clonmacnoise, are an absolute must.

Mike and his staff know the area and its colourful past like the back of their well worn hands, and the big man and his staff’s hospitality knows no end.

You learn a lot about the history of the river and surrounding

townlands during the 75 minute cruise, and the vessel, a National History Ship dating back to 1923, is equipped with a cafe, bar and even wifi.

Back in the town, a trip to the Luan Gallery on the West side of the river will keep the culture vultures more than happy, and they should also make the quick dash across the road to take in the celebrated stained glass windows of St Peter and Paul’s.

A minute’s walk away is Ath-

GAZETTE

TRAVEL

lone Castle with its innovative the pub’s walls have indicated visitor centre, where the town’s that people have been enjoying a history, people, and many battles sup here since 900 A.D. – and it’s are explored and brought to life in even listed in the Guinness Book a series of very impressive audio- of Records as the oldest bar in visual exhibitions.

Europe, which most people agree Child-friendly multimedia dis- would also make it the oldest in plays and interactive games guide the world. spellbound visitors through the What isn’t up for debate, howevcastle; while the Great Seige of er, is the quality of the pint, or the Athlone is relived in a 360 degree wonderful, magical atmosphere climatic experience that transports that hits you as soon as you cross its door. viewers back in ------------------------------------Tourists, locals time. And, if you and stag parties like dressing up in mingle happily, historic costumes, while the back of you’re in luck! the pub stretches The more active all the way to the adventurers can riverbank. hop on their bikes Another fine and go for a spin along the Old ------------------------------------- o l d A t h l o n e Rail Train Greenboozer that simway, a scenic 42km dedicated cycle ply has to be enjoyed is Gertie path that follows the old Midland Browne’s on Custume Street, just Great Western Railway east before across the bridge back on the east snaking along the Royal Canal side of town. into Mullingar.

The pub dates back over 1,000 With lots of entry and exit points years and was once a carriage along the route, you can hop on house as well as a tavern. and off to explore the quaint little Gerties serves up some truly villages and attractions along the excellent pub grub, but if you fancy way. a break from the pubs, La Cucina After all the exploring, you’ll no is a gem of a restaurant just across doubt need a drink. the road.

And there’s no place like AthTouted as the best restaurant in lone for pubs. the midlands by TripAdvisor, this Possibly the king of them all lovely little family eatery certainly (and The Gazette is no stranger to lives up to its reputation, and like good pubs so has some authority everywhere else in Athlone, the on the matter) is Sean’s Bar. service came with a smile.

The archaeological dating on We will be back.

‘After all the exploring, you’ll no doubt need a drink.

And there’s no place like Athlone for pubs.’

Athlone’s skyline is dominated by the Church of St Peter and St Paul

 MIMI MURRAY

“BABY mooning” is a fairly new concept for pregnant women – sort of like baby showers and an American thing, I’m sure.

It’s the idea of taking some time out with your other half before your impending bundle of joy makes its noisy entrance into the world, leaving it never quite the same again.

I don’t normally go in for this type of makey-uppey concept, myself, but if it means metaphorically sitting on a lily pad and letting myself be pampered – well, I’m willing to bend my own rules.

With a four-year-old at home, and another child on the way, we decided to not venture far and plumped

for 24 hours R&R, just an hour down the road, at Wineport Lodge in Athlone.

Many hotels offer baby moon packages now, which usually consist of an overnighter or two with some delicious beauty treatments thrown in for the mum-to-be.

Wineport Lodge is located on the banks of Lough Ree, and a more stunning location you could not find.

All rooms overlook the lake and a balcony meant we could sit and capture the magical early morning goings-on, such as a lone heron diving for fish, or two swans making their majestic journey across the dark waters.

The hotel’s location so close to the shore genu-

inely makes you feel very at one with nature.

The lodge is reminiscent of those boltholes in the New England states and the restaurant, with its leather-coloured booths and high-beamed ceilings, adds to this feeling of being somewhere like Vermont.

It boasts a small spa area with an outdoor hot tub – something my husband indulged in while I went for my treatment.

I chose the all-over body massage and my excellent therapist, Aisling, really knew her stuff.

She has actually trained in massage for recovering cancer patients as well as maternity massage, so has a very good knowledge of the human body; the correct pressure to apply and

where to avoid when pregnant – something mumsto-be often worry about when indulging in something like this.

An hour later, and back to the land of the living, it was time to start thinking about dinner.

The food is really good here, with things like a mackerel pate and crab and scampi salad offering light-bite starters.

We went for both of these, as we had our hearts set on the cote de boeuf – a rib of beef cooked on the bone for two people (well, three, effectively).

This is actually enough for about four people, and came with bearnaise and cafe de paris sauce as well as some greens and fat chips. In a word: delicious.

An Eton mess was the lightest dessert we could find and we tried it purely for research purposes.

The end-of-season strawberries and homemade meringues were the perfect choice to bookend a very tasty meal.

After a good night’s sleep and a cooked breakfast we returned to Dublin with a pep in our step and a renewed sense of wellbeing – something every mum-tobe will never say no to! For more details on mum-to-be packages, see wineport.ie.

For alternative baby moon breaks check out Hayfield Manor, Co Cork. From: €499pp. Telephone: 021 484 5900 or Castle Leslie Estate, Co Monaghan.

From: €240pps Telephone: 047 88100.

With superb wasterside views of the calming Shannon, Wineport Lodge’s soothing location is married to great service and delicious dining, too

GAZETTE

22 GAZETTE 25 August 2016

DUBLINLIFE

FOOD&DRINK

BITESIZEDNEWS

A new range of health foods has just been launched at several leading retailers across Ireland

Vitality fare that could set you up for the day HEALTH food brand Vitality Foods has just launched in Ireland.

Now available in Dunnes, SuperValu, Centra, Spar, Mace and Londis, Vitality is a protein-based brand that is described as “food for active living”.

Vitality is introducing a range of three products – oats, pancakes and protein bars – with a variety of different flavours, from cookies and cream, peanut butter crunch to honey and almond.

Speaking at the launch of Vitality Foods, fitness model Maeve Madden said: “Protein is such an important part of my daily diet and routine and the Vitality Food range is so delicious and easy to prepare.

“My favourite product from the range is definitely the pancakes, which are the perfect breakfast to set you up for an active day.”

For recipes, workouts and wellness innovation, follow @Vitality_Foods on Instagram.

Coastal villages make it to national foodie list DUBLINERS already know to head to the sea for some of the best fare in the city – and the terrific cuisine found at eateries in Howth, Skerries and Malahide have seen the villages shortlisted for the best foodie destinations in Ireland. The three villages are in the top ten places selected by the Restaurants Association of Ireland for its Foodie Destinations initiative. The winning town or destination will be named on September 29.

Brazilian-style

Spring Green Spiralised

chicken salad

Courgette Salad

Serving up summer THE summer has been anything but sizzling, but this delicious Brazilianstyle chicken salad, from M&S, which serves four, will be a Rio-l hit when you bring it out.

Inspired by salpicao, the classic Brazilian street food, it is often served with the chips mixed in, but you can serve them on the side if you prefer.

Ingredients l 2 tsp olive oil l 2 tsp smoked paprika l 2 medium potatoes (about 700g) l 1 green apple l 1.5 limes l 400g cooked chicken l 50g raisins (optional) l 4 tbsp mayonnaise

l l

25g coriander 4 white seeded rolls

Preparation l Peel and cut all the potatoes into thin strips. Shred the cooked chicken and finely chop the coriander. l Heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. l Mix the oil with 1 tsp of smoked paprika, season with salt and pepper, then toss with the chips. l Spread out on a large baking sheet and cook for 30 minutes. Allow to cool slightly. l Meanwhile, quarter, core and slice the apple into thin wedges and put in a large bowl. l Squeeze the juice of half a lime, then add the

chicken and raisins.

In another bowl, mix the mayonnaise with the zest and juice of one lime, 1sp smoked paprika and the coriander. l Stir 3tsp of the dressing into the chicken salad, then add the cooked fries; gentle toss if desired. l Serve on a platter with rolls and the remaining dressing on the side. l

FOR another tasty treat to feed four, we turn again to M&S, and their spirit of summer-inspired Spring G r e e n S p i ra l i s e d Courgette Salad. This light, fresh dish is easy to prepare, and is perfect fare to serve as summer drifts towards its end.

Ingredients l 120g fresh spinach leaves l 50g pine nut l 1 garlic clove l 125ml extra virgin olive oil l 50g fresh Parmesan l 1 lemon l 1 pinch salt and pepper l 250g courgette spaghetti l 150g frozen petits pois l 25g mint leaves l 1 large handful rocket Preparation l Mince the garlic cloves; grate the fresh Parmesan; chop the mint leaves. l To make the pesto, place the spinach, garlic and pine nuts in a food processor, and blitz to a

coarse puree.

Transfer to a bowl, and add the olive oil and parmesan. Mix well. l Squeeze in lemon juice, to taste. l Season with salt and pepper – it will keep in the fridge for 2-3 days. l Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil. Add the peas, and cook for 2-3 mins. l Drain, and refresh under cold water. Set aside to cool completely. l In a large bowl, combine the courgette, peas, mint and 5 tablespoons of pesto. l Stir through the rocket last. Then squeeze some lemon over the salad, and serve. l

25 August 2016 GAZETTE 23

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24 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 25 August 2016

DUBLINLIFE

ReelReviews

LIGHTS OUT

A bright idea for a film DIRECTOR James Wan takes the premise of a short film and gives it a decent treatment with Lights Out (Cert 15A, 81 mins). A young boy is being haunted by a dangerous and very real being who lives in the dark – however, she has direct ties to his family, some of whom know exactly who ‘Diana’ is ... Wan’s skill at directing horror come to the fore, with an interesting premise presented with skill.

NINE LIVES

An utter catastrophe KEVIN Spacey and Christopher Walken take the money and run – after first mugging their way through Nine Lives (Cert PG, 87 mins), widely slated as possibly the worst film of 2016. A billionaire workaholic learns lessons about life, family and love after ... he’s turned into a cat. Yes, a cat. There’s very little a-miaow-sing about this pretty dreadful film, which is cat indeed.

SUICIDE SQUAD

Mission incomprehensible WITH one of its main stars complaining about the film and how he was largely edited out of it, Suicide Squad (Cert 15A, 123 mins) has had a bumpy reception to say the least. A group of supervillains are sent on a near impossible mission – to keep audiences and fanboys happy. However, the film fails at this, with its muddled editing and plot hurting it throughout.

CINEMA

THE PURGE - ELECTION YEAR: POLITICAL OVERTONE IS NEW FOR THE FRANCHISE

A riotous but ultimately unsatisfying riff on violent tendencies

LIKE any dystopian action-horror worth its salt, The Purge: Election Year (Cert 16, 109 mins) is loaded with outthere violence, cringey dialogue and scenerychewing bad guys; it’s at its best when it sticks to this formula.

Unfortunately, hackneyed attempts at political discourse bring Election Year down.

2013’s The Purge laid the groundwork for an interesting vision of the future, attractive in the simplicity of its dystopian premise: an America where crime rates have dropped to an all-time low thanks to the annual 12-hour “Purge”, during which all criminal activity – including murder – is legal.

Unfortunately, The Purge failed to deliver, missing a delightfully twisted world-building opportunity by restricting the action to a single location and opting for a slow, cliched housesiege premise.

Its sequel, The Purge: Anarchy, rightly took the action into the

 MARTIN MACNAMARA

streets and was all the better for it.

With this, the third entr y in the series, writer/director James DeMonaco attempts to expand on the universe he created, implementing issues of class, race and religion that had been lightly touched on before.

His attempts to “smarten up” the series, however, are ill-suited to the over-the-top action and offbeat premise.

Elizabeth Mitchell plays Charlie Roan, a US senator who survived the Purge as a young girl. Now a presidential candidate, Roan works to abolish the yearly tradition that killed the rest of her family.

Shortly before commencement on the night of the Purge, Roan narrowly escapes an assas-

sination attempt. With the help of her head of security, Leo Barnes (Frank Grillo), she tries to make it through the 12 hours on the streets of Washington DC. The Purge: Anarchy knew exactly what it needed to be, learning from the mistakes of the previous entry and working from a dystopian-action template that brought to mind films such as 1987’s The Running Man. While Election Year is cut from a similar cloth, D e Mo n a c o t r i e s t o inject new life by structuring it as a kind of paranoid thriller, and riffing on the current political climate in the US. Consequently, Election Year is riddled with clunky, half-baked attempts at racial discourse that jar terribly with the rest of the film.

Election Year, then, is at its best when its keeps it simple. The expansive world-building on display here is a welcome development for the series; of note is a look inside the annual Purge

In an America where the annual Purge makes every crime – including murder – legal for 12 hours, an anti-Purge senator and her dwindling team must use their wits to survive the chaos when they’re caught up in the mayhem

midnight mass, where church and state have become near-indistinguishable from one another.

Other nice touches include an appearance from a “Purge victim removal and disposal” truck, a look at the murder-tourism industry, and a glimpse inside the world of Purge-related business insurance – trivial but humorous details that add to our understanding of this

darkly-eccentric, future America.

Like its predecessor, Election Year is peppered with imaginative set pieces and surreal, striking images: the steps of the Lincoln Memorial littered with bodies, an enormous guillotine dispatching victims down an alleyway.

DeMonaco has an eye for the kind of ghastly twists on modern America that make a dysto-

pian horror work.

In the end, The Purge: Election Year falls victim to its own ambition. There’s a wickedly enjoyable film here – unfortunately, it’s buried beneath a little too much posturing and displaced discourse.

Fans of the series will delight in Election Year’s finer points; it may prove a little tasteless, however, for certain audiences.

Verdict: 6/10

25 August 2016 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 25

GAZETTE

GAMING WEEBYTES

West is best for zombies WHAT do lots of gamers love even more than catching Pokemon or matching three things? Zombies. Yes, zombies.

Good news, then, as one of the silliest and most enjoyable zombie survival games – Dead Rising – will soon be rereleased.

Proving that you just can’t keep a good game dead, Capcom have dug up the seminal 2006 game (and its bigger, but duller sequels) for the HD remaster and rerelease treatment.

Once again, Frank West – a lovable schlub and photojournalist – will be free to roam a shopping mall during the zombie apocalpyse, saving oddball survivors, trying to get the story of his career, popping traffic cones over zombies’ heads, and even changing into a nice dress if he wants (all the better to run in more comfort, I suppose.)

While HD rereleases and ‘upscaled’ versions of old games can be very hit and miss, Dead Rising’s lighthearted gameplay make it a very welcome rerelease.

The series returns as digital downloads on September 13, giving PC, XBO and PS4 users the chance to face the zombie hordes with a camera in one hand, a homemade weapon in the other, and tongue firmly in cheek ...

At times, Abzu’s waters teem with life, with dizzying amounts of fish whirling, darting, dashing and drifting around – animation that must be seen to be appreciated

ABZU: WATER EXCELLENT GAME

DIVE IN TO A SEA OF REAL WONDER  SHANE DILLON

Tech Editor

LAST week we took to the sea of stars above to go exploring, but this week is a wet one – and so it’s the actual sea, and the world below the waves, that’s firmly in our sights.

Let’s dive straight in to the review...

Abzu (PC, PS4, c. €15, Cert 7+,) is a somewhat slight game – with a budget price to match – that gamers will easily drift through in just two or three hours, and yet is easy to recommend.

Whether you grew up

with a goldfish or your experience with sea life amounts to eating fish fingers, there’s something charming about the life aquatic presented in Abzu that will bring out your inner Cousteau.

With a hazily defined story you may or may not glean as you travel, you take The Diver through a series of environments to the game’s finale, occasionally completing very mild tasks, and restoring life to some dead zones as you swim along.

A b z u ’s g e n e r a l l y vibrant world has been stylishly designed and

presented, with cel-shaded artwork comprising most of the game’s assets.

However, the attention to detail that’s gone into capturing the movements, and essence, of all the creatures in the game is marvellous – and the sight of huge numbers of fish and other sea creatures all floating about remains impressive and relaxing throughout.

Throw in a subtle, occasionally powerful score by award-winning composer Austin Wintory, and Abzu’s journey, not the destination, is well worth undertaking.

From the mysterious depths of the ocean to sun-dappled shallows, Abzu’s waters all have a striking visual identity, with levels that teem with life. Screengrabs: Shane Dillon

26 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 25 August 2016

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SPORT Ailbhe on her Para Road to Rio

FastSport SWIMMING: CASTLEKNOCK’S KELLY ALL SET TO MAKE A BIG SPLASH LAST EIGHT FOR ROVERS AND PAT’S: ST PAT’s Athletic and Shamrock Rovers will continue to carry the Dublin flag in the FAI Senior Cup following their respective wins in the third round.

For Pat’s, goals from Conan Byrne and Christy Fagan at Richmond Park saw them defeat Limerick 2-0.

Pat’s took the lead on 42 minutes when Byrne controlled a diagonal ball across the park. He darted in from the right before firing low into the bottom left corner, with his strike taking a deflection off a Limerick foot.

Fagan got the second on 77 minutes when he headed home from close range after Sean Hoare had headed Mark Timlin’s corner back into area.

Rovers swept to a 5-0 win over Athlone Town. A ruthless second half performance cast aside their First Division hosts as five goals put the cup specialists into the last eight hat with Gary McCabe, Sean Boyd, Brandon Miele, Simon Madden and James Doona scoring.

 JAMES HENDICOTT sport@dublingazette.com

CASTLEKNOCK native Ailbhe Kelly has pointed to long-term coach Dave Malone and the rest of the team at the NAC Swimming Club as the key personnel in her drive towards Rio, as she prepares to compete in three different event at

the Paralympic games.

Describing the road to Rio as a four-year endeavour that has become “more and more of a reality” over recent months, Kelly told GazetteSport of how her mother overheard Malone on the radio, and how his expertise fits perfectly with her Olympic drive.

“I’d just finished lessons as an 11-year-old. I started swimming at the age of five, and I really loved it,” she explains.

“The instructor suggested I find a club and try swimming competitively.

Around the same time, my mum heard Dave Malone talking about Paralympic swimming coaching on the radio.

“He’s just around the corner from me at the National Aquatic Centre.

A key thing for Paralympic swimming is having a coach who understands the specific training needs and I’m very lucky to have that, and the facilities, just around the corner. I train six days a week, so I probably spend as much time at the NAC as I do at home.”

Ailbhe Kelly in action at the European Championships. Picture: Carlos Rodrigues/Sportsfile

Kelly is set to compete in three events in the S8 swimming category, having qualified for the 100 metre backstroke and 400 metre freestyle events in Rio at the 2015 World Championships in Glasgow, and added the 100 metre freestyle at the Europeans earlier this year.

She has identified the backstroke as her strongest stroke, and is hoping to achieve personal bests across her events in Rio, believing that these would give her a good chance of reaching some finals.

“My focus is really on

my own performance; I think, for a lot of athletes, the first Olympics is really about having the experience and learning from it. I’ve been to the World and European Championships but I’ve heard that the Paralympics is a completely different experience, so I’m just so, so excited. It’s crazy to think it’s just a few days away after all this time, and I’m more determined and training harder than ever.”

Kelly will travel to the Irish team’s Brazilian holding camp in Uberlandia ahead of the Olympics this week,

spending 10 days adapting to the change in timezone and temperature before travelling on to the Olympic village in Rio in early September.

“I have no co-ordination,” she jokes, talking about her family’s sporting connections with Castleknock GAA. “But I think it’s just part of the family, we’re all very into sport. Both my brothers play with the club.

“For me, swimming was a better fit. Rio will be fantastic, but I’m definitely looking ahead to bigger things in Tokyo in 2020, too.”

Collins stuns the chasers on cycle of 70.3 Ironman  sport@dublingazette.com

America’s Ben Collins celebrates his Dublin Ironman 70.3 success. Picture: Ryan Byrne/Inpho

BENJAMIN Collins proved a surprise package in Dublin at the recent 70.3 Ironman event held in the city.

The American exited the water in third place, only three seconds behind the fastest swimmer Mark Threlfall and Harry Wiltshire, but while spectators awaited a British race to come, Collins stormed away on the bike.

He obviously knew about the running strengths of some of the top contenders and he nailed a huge, early gap to get out on the

run with a bigger advantage.

Through 50 kilometres, Collins already had opened up a gap of more than eight minutes. Starting into the final half marathon, he was 11 minutes ahead of the chase group.

Wiltshire entered T2 together with Fraser Cartmell, Threlfall, and Paul Reitmayr (from Austria) but he started to drop the two men only minutes later.

Wiltshire downsized the gap to the front continuously but he was starting into the run too far behind to even think about catching up with Collins again.

Wiltshire had the best run split and no issues to secure second place in front of Reitmayr.

Susie Cheetham defended her title at the Ironman 70.3 Dublin in a sensational way. The 30-yearold 2016 African Championship runner-up raced well from start to finish to celebrate a great success.

When Cheetham came out of the water at Scotsman’s Bay in 27 minutes, she was 47 seconds ahead of Spain’s Saleta Castro and 2.31 in front of her compatriot Natalie Seymour and already in her own zone.

Cheetham embarked on a very solid solo ride, breaking away from the rest of the field. When she got off the bike, she was in the middle of the men’s pro field with Seymour already five minutes down. Hungarian Anna Halasz, in third place, was already eight minutes away from the lead in T2.

At this point, it wasn’t really a question anymore whether Cheetham could run this race home. Although Seymour was working hard to reduce the gap on the run, the defending champ never allowed the runner-up to get closer than four minutes.

25 August 2016 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 29

GAZETTE

Brill motivation Usher’s in independent ambition

FASTSport

Dundrum native Carol wins big at blind golf events in the UK and Austria as she continues to campaign for an improved situation for those suffering from Usher Syndrome in Ireland  JAMES HENDICOTT sport@dublingazette.com

A POWERHOUSE of social activism, blind golfer Carol Brill is once again knocking down doors after a period of illness, and backing winning tournaments.

Brill recently travelled to blind open events in the UK and Austria, and came out on top in Austria as she won the B2 [extremely limited sight] categor y of a mixed-gender contest. In the UK tournament, Brill was part of the victorious group in the team event.

The Austrian win was particularly impressive, given Brill played directly off the back of a trip to a funeral in America, playing on a few hours’ sleep after a 30-hour

flight. Her improvement on the second – less tired – day was an astonishing 27 shots.

The Dundrum native sees her golf as a way of living – a sport she can participate in despite suffering from a debilitating, rare and progressive condition called Usher Syndrome, which causes her hearing and sight to deteriorate progressively over time.

Brill’s vision is currently limited to a small slot directly in front of her, and will continue to fade until she is completely blind.

“It’s about living differently,” Brill told GazetteSport of her golf.

“I’m very dependent on someone to guide me for golf, so it’s a new kind of independence

– it requires someone to spend six hours with me. But I can’t let Usher Syndrome take my desire to play.”

Brill has previously been heavily involved in campaigns to recognise blind-deafness as a unique condition, something the Irish government has failed to do to date, making them the only EU government not to have done so.

“HSE guidelines were released early summer on how to deal with deaf blindness, and they consist of ten bullet points.

“I don’t particularly like the idea of ‘deaf blind’ as a term, really, as there are more than 70 different types of deaf blindness and it’s too simplistic,” Brill explains.

Carol Brill is flying high on the blind golf circuit and making an impact off the course

“Unfortunately, we had a new government and things have really slowed up with the summer break. Things seem to be at a standstill, which is a shame after my previous lobbying [Brill spoke in the Oireachtas about her condition last year], but we move on.”

In a typically inspiring and outspoken way, for

is still in the early stages.

“The record for a round of fourball is 13 minutes, and was set on a course here in Ireland, but there isn’t a specific women’s record.

“If I can get four women per hole, and sponsor each player, then look for corporate sponsorship for the holes, too, I think it’s realistic to raise €100,000

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‘It’s about living differently but I can’t let Usher Syndrome take my desire to play’ - Carol Brill

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Brill moving on means simply driving in a slightly different direction, in which she hopes to mix the golf and fundraising into future Usher ’s Syndrome research.

After visiting Disneyland in Florida – the end result of a campaign to be able to see the theme park with her daughter before her sight deterioration takes hold too strongly – Brill will now be campaigning to raise money for a new drug trial that will be headed up by the son of a close friend of hers.

Tests on a form of female viagra have shown significant sight benefits and Brill hopes it might prevent more people from suffering with her syndrome in the future.

“My plan is to play the fastest ladies round of fourball golf,” Brill said, admitting that the idea

for the research.

“I also have some surplus money from the Seeing Disney campaign that I have to allocate. I haven’t decided how to use that yet, but it has to be in keeping with the reasons it was raised, so this might make sense. I need to talk to the Guinness Book of Records people, but we’ll see how it works out.”

What’s certain is that Brill is abuzz with ideas, and determined to be a demonstration of how to live with a condition like Usher’s Syndrome.

Having changed sports – she was originally a tennis player – adapted her lifestyle and made a point of being powerfully independent, her campaigning feels like something she does for someone else.

There’s no telling what might come next.

Egan eases Rio pain with Sella Descent victory JENNY Egan has won gold in the prestigious International Sella Descent in Spain, beating 1,100 competitors in the process.

Egan, from the Salmon Leap Canoe Club in Leixlip, missed out on qualifying for the Rio Olympics by just a single place, but was a member of a large Irish team who competed in the 80th International Sella Descent in Asturias.

The race is similar to the Liffey Descent and is part of the International Canoe Federation’s Classic Series which consists of eight down river races across Europe, South Africa and China.

Egan, who won senior K1 5,000m Canoe Sprint World Cup gold and silver medals earlier this summer in Portugal and Czech Republic respectively, completed the 20 kilometre course in under one hour and 30 minutes.

She held off a strong international field to win by over two minutes ahead of second place Kristina Bedec of Serbia and third place Spaniard Sheila Saez Barrios.

Speaking after the race, Egan said: “I am delighted to win the famous International Sella Descent and it was extra special for me as it was my first time to compete in this race.

“Going into this race I knew there was a very strong field of competitors with the Serbian Bedec being a World Marathon Championship bronze medallist from 2015 and Great Britain’s [Lizzie] Broughton, who won a Silver medal at the World Marathon Championships in 2014.”

In the Under-23 men’s K1, Sean McCarthy of Salmon Leap won a silver medal, with Ronan Foley from Kilcullen Canoe Club winning a bronze medal in the junior men’s K1. Liam McCarthy also won a medal, when he finished second in the over-50 men’s K1 category to take silver.

GAZETTE

30 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 25 August 2016

SPORT

FASTSport

SOCCER: SALLYNOGGIN ENJOY “BEST EVER TOURNAMENT”

Club NI presented with the Hibernia Trophy last Saturday evening

Shankill tennis star Murphy in flying form SHANKILL tennis club’s Ellie Murphy is going from strength to strength with recent victories at both Under-16 and 18 level.

Last Saturday, Murphy was crowned the girls Under-16s singles champion in the junior lawn tennis championships of Ireland at Fitzwilliam Lawn tennis club.

She also won the Under-16s mixed doubles competition with her partner Caleb Ralston from Ulster who coincidentally won the boys Under-16s title.

Murphy has attained this title by beating some of the top national players on her way to the final, and still has another year to compete at this age group. It is very unusual for a player who is coached solely at club level to reach these heights of success.

Speaking about her success, local councillor Cormac Devlin said of her performances.

“In all of our local tennis clubs, we have some serious talent emerging. For me, Ellie’s recent string of success emulates that talent.

The Council’s commitment through the DLR Sport Partnership has brought tennis in our county to the next level with the development of a state of the art indoor tennis court which opened recently in Shankill.

“This will see tennis being played throughout the year and is of benefit for all tennis clubs in the County.

“I want to congratulate Ellie; I was fortunate enough to meet her when she won the Shankill Tennis Club Junior Open.

“It is a marvellous achievement for both her personally, her club and her coach. Well done Ellie and I have no doubt that this is the beginning of a very successful time in tennis for her.”

Joeys’ Hibernia success HIBERNIA TROPHY  KARL GRAHAM sport@dublingazette.com

ST JOSEPH’S BOYS produced several exciting performances against some top-level sides as they finished fourth in the annual Hibernia Umbro Trophy.

The three-day tournament, which is hosted

by Joeys, is made up of 10 Under-15 teams from both home and abroad.

The teams are split into two groups, with the winner of each group playing each other in the final.

Taking place at Pearse Park in Sallynoggin, Joeys were drawn into a group

with Brighton & Hove Albion, Celtic, Norwich City and Nottingham Forest.

They got off to a great start last Friday by coming back from two goals down against Norwich City in the tournament opener, to eventually run out 3-2 winners with the last kick of the game.

In their evening match it looked like a rout was on the cards when the hosts took a 3-0 lead, only for Celtic to pull two back in the second half, the final score 3-2.

The second day of action saw Joes share the spoils with Brighton & Hove Albion in a 1-1 draw,

FIT 4 LIFE Blackrock group shine at Frank Duffy 10 mile BLACKROCK AC members Fiona Murphy,

Gerry Flaherty, Rachel Kiely, Lynda Costelloe, Patricia Forde, Niamh Bolger, Michael Wood, Dee O’Mahony and Kevin Flood enjoyed a fine series of performances last week.

They all took part in the Frank Duffy 10 mile in a wet and windy Phoenix Park in the latest event in the Dublin race series that leads toward the Dublin marathon.

before succumbing to a 2-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest.

Sitting second in the table after the four games saw Joes through to a third/fourth place decider, which they unfortunately lost 1-0 to Sunderland.

“The weather was bad on the Saturday but other than that, it was the best tournament we’ve ever had,” said club secretary Niall O’Driscoll.

“The biggest challenge for our lads was playing games of that intensity one after the other [the games last 25 minutes a half]; we’re not used to that. It’s a lot of pressure

on them.

“Friday, the Joes team did very well, winning both games, and if they had won one of their games on the Saturday they would have got through to the final.”

The FAI Development squad also took part in the tournament, having won it five times in the past.

However, this time they finished behind Joeys in fifth position.

“You have to remember, that at least four or five of our players would be internationals but because of the tournament they play for us and not the FAI. So the FAI is

down the Joeys players,” O’Driscoll said.

St Joseph’s also held their annual event last Saturday, where they were presented the Jimmy Whelan award once more.

The award is named after the man who guided Joeys to every trophy available during the 1970s, becoming the most successful team in the history of schoolboy football in Ireland.

“Jimmy is actually dead 20 years this year, so we presented it to his team of 20 years ago. We had 13 of the 16 members of that team there on the night, which was nice.”

25 August 2016 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 31

GAZETTE

ANNUAL FESTIVAL

Kilmacud stars launch annual Crokes 7s event

CLUB NOTICEBOARD SHANKILL

KILMACUD Crokes hurlers, from left,

Niall Corcoran, Sean McGrath and Ryan O’Dwyer were on hand to launch the annual Kilmacud Crokes Hurling 7s at Croke Park.

The event this year will be sponsored by Applegreen and will take on September 3 on the eve of the All-Ireland final in Stillorgan and surrounding areas.

OUR juvenile academy sponsored by

or by e-mail at secretary.shankill.

O’Donnell’s Pharmacy Shankill was

dublin@gaa.ie or 086 4010438.

completely washed out last week

There are no team trials, no selec-

but we will be back in action this Sat-

tion processes and no annual sub-

urday, August 27 at 10am in Shanga-

scription; just €2 per child, while

nagh Castle.

having great fun with your friends.

We are looking forward to another year of fun and excitement. If you

Picture: Cody Glenn/Sportsfile

FOOTBALL: DALKEY SIDE HAVE 25-POINTS TO SPARE

New players for all of our teams are always welcome.

would like your child to join the acad-

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

emy, just come along any Saturday

Join Shankill GAA Club. Your commu-

morning or contact us by telephone

nity, your club.

FOXROCK CABINTEELY OUR second Cul camp of the summer

in a national blitz in Naomh Mearnog

concluded on Friday afternoon with

last Tuesday.

all recipients receiving their certifi-

Both players had an outstand-

cates, posters and goody bags from

ing tournament. Sophie and Sarah

our own Sinead Goldrick as well as

names have been added to our ever

Dublin men’s senior player, Paul

increasing county representatives

Mannion.

page.

Similar to the June camp, the feed-

Final reminder to all lead men-

back from participants and parents

tors that final numbers, and pay-

was of the highest order. Well done

ment, for seats on buses to the

to Jane O’Connell Bell and her hard

county final on September 2 should

working team for another fantastic

be returned to Paul Ryan or Colette

week.

O’Keefe by this Thursday, August 25.

The senior team would like to

Best of luck to all underage teams

thank all members who attended

who start their championships in

the very successful Table Quiz on

the coming week.

Thursday night. A great night’s

Senior team pla yer Ciar a Ni

enter tainment wa s had by all.

Mhurchadh has almost completed

Thanks to The Grange Pub for host-

her studies to become a physio-

Cuala cruise to AFL5 win as title beckons

ing the event and particular thanks

therapist. Ciara is currently work-

to all the helpers from the G4M team

ing in Sports Med Ireland on Kildare

on the night.

Street. During her internship, Ciara

AFL DIVISION 5

CONGRATULATIONS to the junior A

Palmerstown 0-12 to 2-9 while the

footballers who beat St Finian’s, 1-12

AFL8 team lost to Cuala, 1-14 to 4-13.

Donal Lehman played a key role in Cuala’s latest victory. Picture: Martin Doherty

Crumlin 0-9 Cuala 5-19  sport@dublingazette.com

CUALA’S second team produced the goods to move within touching distance of the AFL5 title with a resounding 25-point win over Crumlin to keep the pedal to the metal in their drive to win the league.

They did so despite a long list of injuries and absences abroad as they dominated the tie. Dave Sheerin, Enda Kelly and Craig Lawlor locked things up at the back while anything that fell short was capably dealt

with by Darragh O’Reilly in goals.

This provided the platform for the dominant half back trio of Collie Brock, Ronan Murdock and Donal Lane to drive forward and initiate wave after wave of attack.

Colman McKenna and Matthew Kiernan ruled the midfield area and together with some strong tackling and pressing throughout the pitch, Cuala penned the opposition in.

Mixing fluid handpassing with intelligent long balls into the attack allowed the forwards to get on top in their one on one challenges. They also

had their shooting boots on and a succession of scores flowed in a first half which saw every one of the six forwards get on the scoreboard.

R o n a n Swe e n e y, Donal Lehmann, Gavin Hartnett, Mark O’Grady, Derick Tansey and Cillian Sheanon all worked the umpires overtime signalling some delightfully taken points. Matthew Kiernan also kicked a great score as Cuala built up an 0-11 to 0-1 lead after 25 minutes.

At this point, a long accurate pass found Donal Lehmann about 30 yards from goal and he took off on a direct solo

run through the stretched defence and finished low into the corner of the net.

Four minutes later, Lehmann repeated the dose. This time, he got on the end of a slick passing move to once more give the goalkeeper no chance for a 2-13 to 0-1 half-time lead.

There was precious little hint of a comeback in the second half as Mark O’Grady scored a neat goal, Derick Tansey also hit the net to close out a huge victory.

With one league game left, they lead Templeogue Synge Street by two points but Synger have a game in hand.

Congrats to Rachel Mahon,

is required to treat patients with-

Sophie Merrigan and Sarah Cur-

out pay, so if any members have any

rivan who were on the Dublin U-17

niggles, feel free to contact Ciara on

development squad that took part

086 23876.

KILMACUD CROKES to 1-7, in the championship on Sunday

Hard luck to the Dublin U-21 hurlers who lost to Galway, 0-19 to 0-21,

morning.

Congrats also to the U-15A foot-

in the All-Ireland semi-final after

ballers who had good win over

extra time yesterday evening. Cian

Castleknock in the first round of their

MacGabhann and Mark McCallion

championship.

both played on the team.

Hard luck to the AFL1 team who lost

The U-16B hurlers had a good win in

to Ballymun Kickhams on Saturday

the 1st round of their championship

on a score of 3-13 to 0-12.

beating Naomh Mearnog on a score

The AFL2 team lost to St Pat’s,



of 3-9 to 1-13.

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

AUGUST 25-31, 2016

HIBERNIA HEROES: St Joseph’s once again put on top BRILL’S BLIND AMBITION: Dundrum golfer’s incredible show for the annual Sallynoggin festival of football P30 Usher Syndrome work P29

Scott Evans beat number 12 seed Marc Zwiebler and Brazil’s Ygor de Coelho de Oliveira

Rio sees the Full Evans Dundrum badminton star Scott makes Irish Olympic history with pair of highly charged victories in Brazil capped by emotional celebrations

 KARL GRAHAM

sport@dublingazette.com

SCOTT EVANS’ Olympic journey came to an end after defeat to Denmark’s world number four Viktor Axelsen, as he left it all on the court – including his shirt.

The Dundrum man made history at the Games by becoming the first Irishman to win a badminton match at the Olympics after his impressive victory over German 12th seed Marc Zwiebler, before overcoming a raucous hometown crowd to beat Brazilian Ygor Coelho de Oliveira.

Speaking after the defeat, Evans said how much he has enjoyed his experiences in Rio.

“I’m proud of what I’ve done this week. I’ve overcome many things that I’d doubted before whether I could do or not.

“There have been so many great moments it is hard to pick one. Beating Marc Zwiebler, then two days ago overcoming the most insane crowd I’ve ever played in front of. Then I’m up against one of the best players in the world.”

Evans left Wesley College at just 16 to move to the badminton capital of Europe, Copenhagen, in pursuit of his dreams with a professional structure not present for the game in Ireland.

He had to work hard to overcome the homesickness that inevitably comes when

someone so young is forced to live alone in a culture far removed from the one they grew up in.

Evans’ highest ranking was 23 but when he began to run out of his funding for tournaments around August each year, he was forced to miss tournaments, plummeting his ranking to 70 and resulting in him paying his own way in order to complete qualification for Rio. Once there, the 28-year-old Evans became synonymous in Rio for removing his shirt, Ronaldo-style, in celebration and repeated the action after his defeat to Axelsen, in recognition of the support he received from Irish fans at the Games.

The great Dane, who ended up winning the

bronze medal, proved too strong for Evans, running out winner in straight sets 21-16, 21-12 “I didn’t feel as good [against Axelsen] physically as I have been.

“My lungs just didn’t feel like they were there today and that caused me to go after my shots a little bit more instead of being more patient,” said Evans.

“That cost me hugely. I made more mistakes today than I did in the previous two days.

I don’t think it was fatigue, I think emotions played a big part in it. Mentally, I was a little bit tired.

“He’s one of the guys I said has a great chance for a medal before the tournament so I knew it would be very hard.”