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Water sports centre on way  AISLING KENNEDY

DUN LAOGHAIRE is set to get a National Watersports Centre after a commitment was made by councillors this week to build the centre in the town’s harbour within the next seven years.

The decision to build the centre was made at last week’s draft county development plan meeting. It was agreed by all councillors to include the initiative in the 2016-22 county

development plan.

The decision has been widely welcomed in Dun Laoghaire and has added to the uncertainty about the proposed €18m cruise berth harbour.

Susan Spain, a member of the Dun Laoghaire combined clubs committee, was pleased with the decision to build the centre. “I’m delighted, it’s fantastic news for Dun Laoghaire town.”

Full Story on Page 2

Frightfully good: Kids intend to stay bright in the dark PICTURED at the Dun LaoghaireRathdown County Council safety awareness event, Stay Bright on Fright Night, at Dun Laoghaire Fire Station are Ryan Dixon from Glasthule with Josh Brock and Ruby Byrne, Dun Laoghaire. The

council and emergency services held the open day recently on the importance of staying safe during the dark winter months. There were free hi-vis vests, bike safety lights and other goodies for the kids. Picture: Peter Cavanagh

2 DUN LAOGHAIRE Gazette 29 October 2015

national ‘People will come from all over lreland and abroad’

Watersports plan to get green light  aisling Kennedy akennedy@dublingazette.com

THE National Watersports Centre in Dun Laoghaire looks set to get the green light as councillors have committed to building the centre in the town’s harbour within the next seven years.

At last week’s draft county development plan meeting, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown councillors agreed to include the initiative in the development plan 2016-22.

It is anticipated that the National Watersports Centre will be a

centre of excellence for sailing, kayaking, paddle boarding, waterskiing, wake boarding and windsurfing.

The council’s commitment to building the National Watersports Centre adds to the mounting doubt over the viability of the controversial plan for a large cruise berth terminal in the harbour.

Cllr Josepha Madigan (FG) said: “The passing of this motion in favour of building a national watersports centre is hugely significant and I believe a game changer in keeping the

cruise ships out of Dun Laoghaire.

“Dun Laoghaire Harbour is already established as a unique sporting facility of national and international significance.

“By securing a specific local objective for a national watersports centre, the footfall in Dun Laoghaire will increase and it will be a very valuable facility for hosting events.”

She said it could be delivered quickly and at a relatively low cost in, for example, the HSS terminal or another suitable area that already

exists in the harbour.

“It will, at minimum, be significantly less than the €18m proposed for the cruise ship berth.

“The building could include a restaurant and cafe providing public access directly onto the waterfront.

“This centre will be a national asset for the countr y and provide significant benefits to Dun Laoghaire.”

T he move has the support of the existing sailing clubs in the harbour, which believe it would prove popular and attract school visits and competitions from Ireland and overseas.

Susan Spain, a member of the Dun Laoghaire combined clubs committee, who recently put for ward plans to the council for a national watersports centre in Dun Laoghaire, said she was delighted about the outcome of the

The ferry terminal has been suggesed as a possible venue for the centre

meeting.

She said: “I’m absolutely delighted that the council is supporting the idea and that it will be included in the draft county development plan.

“It will really help to develop water sports in Dun Laoghaire, it will open up the harbour to ordinary users and it will seriously improve the links between Dun

Laoghaire tow n and the harbour.

“It’s a great opportunity to host national and international competitions that will bring thousands of visitors to Dun Laoghaire so it’s great.

“It’s fantastic, I’m delighted that they’ve included it in the new development plan.”

She added: “There will be plenty of oppor-

tunities for lots of different water sports clubs to use it.

“If you look at how the water sports centres are used in other countries, they’re used for lots of different things from weddings to big exhibitions, which will all increase the public access to the harbour hugely. So it’s a great opportunity for Dun Laoghaire town.”

Gender quotas Theatre arson are to be debated attack accused

A DEBATE on whether or not the gender quota system in Irish politics is a good idea or not will take place on Thursday 5 November in Dun Laoghaire.

Journalist and DCU professor Colum Kenny will be one of the speakers at the Dun Laoghaire Eblana Club.

The motion under debate is Gender Quotas

are an Insult to Women.

A number of speakers will argue for and against the motion.

Kathy Irwin, a leading family law solicitor at Irwin Solicitors in Dublin, is among those debating the issue.

The debate will commence at 8pm at 3 Eblana Avenue, Dun Laoghaire and all are welcome to attend.

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

still in custody

A 16-YEAR-OLD boy in Garda custody has been charged with carr ying out the recent arson attack at the Lambert Puppet Theatre in Monkstown.

Last month, the boy was refused bail at the Dublin Children’s Court and was charged with arson and burglary. He was also unsuccessful in a High Court bid to be released pending trial.

He is due to appear in cour t on Novem-

ber 2 charged with the arson attack that destroyed part of the iconic puppet theatre in August.

The facility is made of mass concrete so the fire was mainly contained in one part of the building.

The theatre has now reopened and is in a position to run its Christmas shows from N ove m b e r 14 . w i t h performances on Saturday and Sunday at 3.30pm.

29 October 2015 DUN LAOGHAIRE Gazette 3

initiative Pupils from around Ireland meet for training day

Ambassadors to help stop bullying  aisling kennedy akennedy@dublingazette.com

UP to 100 young people from schools around Dublin and other parts of Ireland met at Rathdown School in Glenageary last week as part of the effort to combat bullying.

The students received training and shared tips on how to prevent bullying in their schools and communities as part of a nationwide anti-bullying ambassadors programme.

T h e t r a i n i n g d ay brought together young people from primary and secondary schools,

of all ages and abilities, to be trained as ambassadors.

The students worked together to explore and understand the issue of bullying, both online and offline.

Through networking with other young people, they exchanged ideas and shared good practice tips, while gaining practical ideas on how to stop bullying.

Jennifer Duffy, special needs co-ordinator at Rathdown School, said: “We introduced the antibullying programme at Rathdown in 2013, with girls from each form trained as anti-bullying

ambassadors, including a dedicated anti-bullying prefect in sixth year.”

Duffy explained that the ambassadors left the training day in the school with an action plan aimed at helping them to prevent bullying and ensure everyone felt safe and happy in their own school.

“We were very proud to host this training event in Rathdown, which has enabled us and schools all over the area to extend the effectiveness of our anti-bullying programmes.”

T he Diana Award runs the ambassadors programme, a nation-

wide peer-led initiative with more than 16,000 trained ambassadors in more than 2,000 schools across England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, the Channel Islands and the United Arab Emirates.

Alex Holmes, head of the anti-bullying campaign, said: “As a former victim of bullying I know how isolated and unhappy a young person can feel when they are being targeted and I am passionate about helping these people.

“T he anti-bullying ambassadors programme gives young people the confidence to stand together against bullies

Some of the pupils who took part in the anti-bullying training day

and support one another. We give ambassadors the skills and tools to successfully spread the message that bullying will not be tolerated.”

T he Diana Award was established in 1999 in memory of Diana,

Princess of Wales, as a legacy to her belief in the power of young people to change the world.

Anti-bullying ambassadors are usually aged between nine and 18 years and can be nominated by schools or

organisations.

For more information on how your local school can become involved with the anti-bullying ambassadors programme log onto www.antibullyingpro.com or www. diana-award.org.uk

4 DUN LAOGHAIRE Gazette 29 October 2015

dissent Cruise berth vote a message to planning board

Councillors say no to harbour plans  aisling kennedy news@gazettegroup.com

A MOTION that rules out large cruise ships berthing in Dun Laoghaire Harbour was passed at the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown draft county development plan meeting last week.

All of the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County councillors voted on the motion to amend the new county development plan to exclude cruise ships larger than 250m from berthing in Dun Laoghaire Harbour.

The motion was

passed, with 22 voting in favour and 11 voting against.

The fact that councillors voted against large cruise ships berthing in Dun Laoghaire is significant although whether it will affect An Bord Pleanala’s final decision on allowing the €18m cruise berth to be built is yet to be revealed.

An Bord Pleanala is currently holding a lengthy oral hearing to examine all submissions received regarding the proposed plans of the Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company to build the giant cruise

berth.

The outcome of the oral hearing is not yet known but a decision

by An Bord Pleanala is expected in the near future.

If the €18m cruise ber th goes ahead it will allow for supersize cruise liners up to 430m in length to berth in Dun Laoghaire Harbour.

Cllr Melisa Halpin (PBPA) spoke to the Gazette after the meeti n g a n d s a i d : “ I ’m utterly delighted that the councillors have finally listened to what the people are saying because a lot of people

do not want the cruise berth to be built.”

Cllr Halpin said that she and party colleague Cllr Karl Gill proposed the motion to protect the harbour’s future by only allowing small cruise ships to come directly in to berth.

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett (PBPA) a n d c h a i r o f S ave Our Seafront said: “Save Our Seafront is delighted with this news, which will now have to be taken into account by An Bord Pleanala in their current consideration of the cruise berth planning application. This is a huge victory for people power.”

C l l r B a r r y Wa r d (FG) said: “This is a statement of intent from councillors that the harbour should be maintained as a historic port, not overrun with cruise ships that are, in reality, too big for a Victorian harbour.

“This is also an important message from councillors to An Bord Pleanala that the elected members do not support the cruise berth application.”

Cllr Victor Boyhan (Ind) said: “What is coming over loud and clear at both the oral hearing process and the draft county development plan debate is the absolute need for a statutory master plan and vision statement to guide the future of Dun Laoghaire Harbour.”

T here were, however, some councillors who voted against the motion to exclude large cruise ships from berthing in Dun Laoghaire Harbour.

Cllr Patricia Stewart (FG) said: “The vote to

Vote is seens as a “statement that the harbour should be maintained as a historic port, not overrun with cruise ships that are too big for a Victorian harbour”

shut down the cruise berth option prior to the outcome of the planning application currently with An Bord Pleanala is premature.

“It’s a blow for busi-

ness in the town.

“I would feel more optimistic if the proponents had been able to come up with one substantial and viable source of income for

the harbour to replace Stena.

She added: “We’ll all have to dig into our pockets when the harbour comes under council control.”

29 October 2015 DUN LAOGHAIRE Gazette 5

concert

Grant: presbyterian church says thank you to georgian society

Sligo trio to play at LexIcon

Irreplaceable rose window is saved  aisling kennedy

A CONSERVATION grant of €5,000 has been given to the Presbyterian Church in Dun Laoghaire to carry out preservation works.

The Irish Georgian Society gave the church on York Road the grant as part of the society’s conservation grants scheme.

The church, which is attributed to the 19th century Scottish architect Andrew Heiton Jnr, recently used the grant to restore its rose window.

The grant was awarded retrospectively.

The rose window is highly significant as it was made in an English studio in 1865 and is irreplaceable due to the high

content of original hand blown glass.

Over the past 150 years, however, water has penetrated the joints of the window’s carved stone causing iron pins in the stone joints to rust and expand. This caused some of the stone to crack and come away. In 2014, two pieces fell into the church during severe weather conditions.

The church is one of nine historic buildings to receive funding this year from the conservation grants scheme, which is funded by the London Chapter of the Irish Georgian Society.

Rev Chris Kennedy from the church said he was thrilled with the works. “People are wel-

come and look at it, and to come into the building because obviously we’re in service of the people.

That’s what we’re about and we would welcome anyone in.”

Primrose Wilson, chair of the society’s conservation grants committee, said: “In the absence of any significant level of government funding for protected structures, the conservation grants awarded by the Irish Georgian Society offer an essential support to architecturally important buildings throughout the country.

“The projects to be supported this year represent a range of building types including thatched cottages...and country houses.”

Talking aside: Shed life allows men to talk side by side while they work pictured are Richard Hooper, Killiney Lions and Kevin Nelson,

Dun Laoghaire Lions presenting a cheque to Dr Robbie Burns, right, of Dun Laoghaire Sheds for Men, part of Irish Men’s Shed Association. Activities depend on what members want to do, including wood turning, photography, social chat.Those behind men’s sheds say men don’t talk face to face, but side by side as they work.

The Dun Laoghaire group meets on Monday at 6.30pm. About 20 local men are involved and new members are welcome. For more information contact Dr Burns on 01 2809066 or see http:// menssheds.ie

IN the second of the Studio Concert Series at DLR LexIcon this month, The Unwanted will perform songs and tunes of the Atlantic fringe.

The Unwanted are three Sligo-based musicians, Cathy Jordan, Seamie O’Dowd and Rick Ebbing.

They combine oldworld music, including sean-nos, Appalachian ballad and jigs and reels, with new-world style, including the blues on slide guitar, contemporary ballads, and bluegrass, to create a seamless fusion of two traditions.

The Unwanted will perform in the DLR LexIcon on Friday, November 20, at 8pm.

Tickets are €20 and are available to buy at www. paviliontheatre.ie

6 DUN LAOGHAIRE Gazette 29 October 2015

reservoir ‘Money spent on meters should have been poured into cleaning supply’

Water supplies get clean bill of health from EPA  aisling kennedy

THE Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has removed four water supplies served by the Stillorgan reservoir from its list of water supply schemes at risk of contamination.

Since 2008, these water supplies have been at risk of contamination by cryptosporidium due to inadequate disinfection.

The EPA confirmed this week that the public water supplies had been removed from its remedial action list

and that there was no longer at risk of contamination.

To remove the risk of contamination, Irish Water installed a UV treatment into the water supplies and following a final inspection audit by the EPA in recent weeks, a decision was made to remove

these supplies from the list.

There is one water supply in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown still at risk of contamination.

The Roundwood water supply, which services Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, has yet to have improvement works carried out and remains

flagged as an area of concern on the list.

Cllr Melisa Halpin (PBPA) told the Gazette she thought it was unacceptable that there is still a risk of water contamination in the area.

She said: “I think that the money that was invested in

water meters would have been much better off being poured into a clean water supply as a priority. The supply that is still on the list should have been taken off it. The money that went into meters should have instead gone into cleaning up the water supply.”-

Unlucky Cabin Boy makes for a very unusual musical A unique musical, The Unlucky Cabin Boy, is set to take to the stage in the Pavilion Theatre in Dun Laoghaire on the 27 and 28 November.

The musical is based on the true story of a young Irishman, Patrick O’Brien from Limerick.

He tried to escape his life of poverty in 1835 by signing himself on as a cabin boy aboard the Francis Spaight ship when it set sail for the New World.

On the ship’s return from St John, New Brunswick, the Francis Spaight encountered a terrible storm causing the ship to be irreparably damaged.

Several crew members were left stranded as a result.

The crew decided that to survive, one of their number must die so that the others could survive by eating him!

Patrick O’Brien drew the short straw and was killed and eaten by his fellow crew members.

The musical is brought to life by the compositions of The Brad Pitt Light Orchestra, who will perform vibrant lyrics and original arrangements.

Tickets for the Unlucky Cabin Boy are €16/€20 and are available to buy on www.paviliontheatre.ie

Members of the Dun Laoghaire RNLI inshore lifeboat were involved in the rescue. Picture: David Branigan

distress: boat was snagged on lobster pots

Two rescued from sea near East Pier  aisling kennedy akennedy@dublingazette.com

TWO people were rescued by the RNLI lifeboats in Dun Laoghaire on Sunday night after the boat they were on became snagged on lobster pots 50m from the East Pier.

Thanks to the speedy action of the rescue services, the two people were taken to safety from the boat at about 10 . 3 0 p m a f t e r t h e y called for help using a mobile phone they had on board.

The Irish Coast Guard marine rescue

co-ordination centre requested that the RNLI inshore lifeboat launch followed by the all-weather lifeboat.

The Dun Laoghaire Coast Guard unit conducted searches along the shoreline at the East Pier where a heavy swell was building.

When they found the boat, they saw that the 20ft motor launch had become stuck in lobster pots on the Scotsman’s Bay side of the East Pier.

The three-man crew transferred the two passengers to a larger lifeboat, which brought

them to shore, where the Coast Guard unit was waiting to help them.

Both were unhurt in the incident.

The lifeboats then brought an anchor and tackle out to the vessel in an attempt to keep it in position until the gale that had been forecast died down.

Robert Fowler, deputy launching authority at RNLI Dun Laoghaire, said: “This was a happy ending for what could easily have become a tragedy on a dark and windy night.

“Our volunteer crew

launched within eight minutes of the alert and were with the casualties very quickly in spite of the sea conditions.

“The role of the RNLI is purely life-saving and the close co-operation with our Irish Coast Guard colleagues meant that two people were in safe hands within 20 minutes of their distress call.”

On Tuesday of this week, the motor launch was eventually disentanged from the lobster pots where it had been stuck close to the East Pier since the incident on Sunday.

29 October 2015 DUN LAOGHAIRE Gazette 7

awards Queens Bar and Steak Room pays tribute to staff

Dalkey pub is ‘best for customer care’ THE Queens Bar and Steak Room in Dalkey was recently awarded the Best Customer Care Award by the Junior Chamber International Friendly Business Awards.

The awards recognise the important role local industry plays in the continuous development and improvement of local communities and economy.

They aim to reward friendly businesses that go the extra mile and provide an outstanding customer service for their clients and com-

munity.

At the recent awards ceremony, which was held in the Royal St George Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire, The Queens Bar and Steak Room in Dalkey won the award for its excellence in customer care.

General manager of the pub and restaurant Gabriel Lawless told the Gazette: “We had no idea that we were going to win on the night and we were absolutely delighted.

“It is a testament to our dedicated team of professional staff that we achieved this award.

“Many of our staff

have been with us a long time.”

Lawless said the staff of 45 covers a range of ages.

“The award means a lot to myself and the staff.”

This is borne out by the fact that the award is currently on display in The Queens Bar and Steam Room.

As part of qualifying for the awards, Lawless said a number of checks was carried out on the premises.

“We were nominated by a member of the public for the award.

“When we found out we knew that we would have people checking

out the pub and restaurant.

“Members of the Junior Chamber International came around and carried out several mystery shops. “ We d i d n ’t k n ow when they were coming so we never knew when they were there.

“There were another three businesses nominated in our category and we won outright on the night of the awards.

So we were delighted.”

When asked how the team celebrated the win, Lawless said: “We had a staff night out and we looked after all of our regular customers too by giving them

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The Queens Bar and Steak Room was established in 1745. Picture: Failte Ireland

all a pint to celebrate in the pub.”

The Queens Bar and Steak Room was established in Dalkey in 1745 and was recently renovated by its current owners Tom and June Mulcahy.

Lawless explained: “The owners took over the premises 12 years ago and I have been working here since then too. We celebrated the 270th birthday of the pub and restaurant in August and we had a

big festival to mark it.”

As this is the first time The Queens has won this award, the staff are very proud and happy to share their achievement. “It means a lot that we won this award,” said Lawless.

8 DUN LAOGHAIRE Gazette 29 October 2015

gazetteGALLERIES wEather: HARDY FAMILIES UNDETERRED

Spirits rise as rain falls T

HE annual Blackrock and Newtownpark Parish family fun day was held recently. Torrential rain at one point did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of those who attended in the grounds of the Church of the Guardian Angels. There were bouncy castles for the children, bric-abrac to rummage through and many other stalls offering lots of goodies thanks to generous donations from parishioners and local businesses.

Live music, a barbecue and a coffee stall added to the festivities.

Namwan and Antonette Conroy with Deane Cabrera. Pictures: Geraldine Woods

Ethan and Jessica Duffy

Eithne Doyle, Yvonne Little and Una Creed

Sally Conroy and Patricia Quigley

Jalina Gako

Elaine Cogarin, Noreen Butler, Mary Chambers and Deirdre Keating

Jack and Alex Keating with Matthew McGuinness

Matthew Sparrow

Lucia and Phoebe Romero-Deane

29 October 2015 DUN LAOGHAIRE Gazette 9

Workshops and events were well attended

Deirdre Purcell in conversation with Dermot Bolger

dalkey CREATES: tALKING ABOUT WRITING? sURE tHERE’S NOTHING LIKE IT

T

Dermot Bolger with Deirdre Purcell

Margaret Dunne, deputy chairperson of the festival, gets proceedings under way

HE Dalkey Creates Festival recently attracted new and established authors to the village for workshops and other literary events. Author and journalist Deirdre Purcell told of her creative journey, while Kari Rosvall recounted how she discovering at 64 she was part of Hitler’s programme to encourage Nazi soldiers to have children with Scandinavian women in order to create an Aryan race.

Her book Nowhere’s Child also chronicles the story. Junior Dalkey Creates celebrated children’s writing as part of the festival.

10 DUN LAOGHAIRE Gazette 29 October 2015

boo! |

what’s happening this spooktacular halloween

Pumpkins, parties

Your frightful Gazette has risen from the crypt to let readers know where to find the grisliest, most spine-tingling fun in the capital. Yes, it’s time for all bad ghouls and boys to get up, get dressed and go haunting and hunting.

The City Dublinia

Creepy Cures and Ridiculous Remedies at Dublinia runs up to Halloween night with Thomas O’Brien the bloody Barber Surgeon meeting Biddy Deasy who specialises in “alternative” methods of healing. Listen to their stories (and arguments) about life, death and disease in Medieval Dublin.

See: www.dublinia.ie.

ments of the unique spine chilling story of the count and his victims.

For more information visit: www.familyfun.ie/ bram-stoker-dracula-experience.

Fingal County Council

Outside the city, in Fingal kids can avail of a series of controlled, safe and spooky events during the Halloween season, courtesy of Fingal County Council.

Wax Museum Craft Days The chambers of horror at the Wax Museum will be brought to life throughout the Halloween season right up to November 2, with real live characters telling ghost stories in the time vaults of Irish myths and legends. Real live characters will tell stories of Count Dracula and Frankenstein’s monster while the count lies sleeping in his coffin and the monster comes alive before your very eyes.

See: www.waxmuseumplus.ie.

Fingal Libraries is hosting a number of Halloween craft days across the branches from October 19 to 31 to prepare all of the vampires, witches and ghouls for trick – or treating.

Castle Dracula

Festival of Fire

What Dublin Samhain season would be complete without a tour of the Castle Dracula museum in Bram Stoker’s home town of Clontarf? The tour offers an interactive experience, taking you on a heart-pounding journey through Castle Dracula with terrifying re-enact-

Oktoberfest

Meanwhile in Swords, Oktoberfest Fingal kicks off in Swords Castle, on Friday, October 30, with live music and fun from 5pm to 10:30pm (Friday), 7:30pm to 10:30pm (Saturday) and 4pm to 10pm (Sunday).

Halloween night will see the Fingal Festival of Fire, in Swords Town Park. This free children’s event, begins at 6pm and promises to be lots of spooky fun, with fancy dress and haunted tunnels, finishing up with a fireworks display, at 7pm.

See www.fingal.ie

Fancy Dress Disco

Over in Blanchardstown, Tyrrelstown Community Centre is hosting a Halloween Fancy Dress Disco on October, 29 from 3pm, and Blanchardstown shopping centre is hosting a number of free family friendly events.

The fun begins on Thursday, October 29 with magic shows at 12pm and 2pm, followed by a reptile zoo on Friday, October 30 from 12pm to 4pm. The spooky season ends with a bang on Saturday, October 31, with a Fancy Dress Party, with vouchers for Smyth’s Toys Superstore for the best costume.

See: www.blanchardstowncentre.ie

South County Dublin Puppet show

South Dublin County Council Libraries also has a wonderful line-up of spooky Halloween themed activities on offer for children of all ages, from arts and crafts to a very special Halloween puppet show.

Animation Workshop

On October 27 from 10am to 1pm, a Halloween-themed children’s animation workshop will take place with Paper Panthers in Ballyroan

The Hansel and Gretel Halloween fancy dress party at Lambert’s Puppet Theatre in Monkstown

Library. In this pixilation workshop kids can learn how to animate real objects and people to create a short film.

Also in Ballyroan library a spooky Halloween puppet show will take place on October 28 at 3pm.

Maskmaking class

In Castletymon Library, a Halloween maskmaking class with Elena Takes will be held on

October 28 at 3pm for children aged from seven to 12.

Family Fun Day

A Halloween Family Fun Day in Tallaght Library is certain to be a smash, where children can create spooky masks, build creepy Lego houses, paint frightening scenes and dress up. This event will take place on Saturday, October 31, at 2pm and is

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown

party on October 31 at 2pm. Tickets are €11 for children/student/OAP and adults €13. For more information, log onto www.lambertpuppettheatre.ie

Fancy Dress Party

The Goonies Screening

suitable for children aged three to five.

In Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Lambert’s Puppet Theatre in Monkstown will be holding a Hansel and Gretel Halloween fancy dress

There is exciting news for fans of the cult movie The Goonies as the Pavilion Theatre in Dun Laoghaire will be screening the movie on Friday,

29 October 2015 DUN LAOGHAIRE Gazette 11

and pranks Creepy Cures and Ridiculous Remedies at Dublinia

The Tayto Park After Dark experience

October 30, at 2pm.

Take the kids along to re-live the scary and exciting adventures of Mickey, Chunk, Mouth and Data as they tackle pirates and monsters to find buried treasure.

Tickets are €5 or €18 for a family. To book, log onto w w w.paviliontheatre.ie

horrid happenings.

Liz Smith will be showing the kids how to produce their scary book on Friday, October 30, from 10am to 11am for kids aged five to seven, and from 2pm to 3.30pm for kids aged eight to 11 years.

Tickets cost €12 and €10 for members.

Fun at Frangos

Tayto Park

Frangos restaurant in Dundrum Town Centre will host a range of fun events for the family on Halloween weekend including a Coca-Cola Photobooth, ghoulish facepainters, games and lots of prizes. The event will take place on Saturday, October 31, between 12 and 3pm in Frangos on Level 3.

Airfield Estate

Airfield Estate will show kids how to script, design and produce their own book full of creepy characters and

House of Horrors

In Ashbourne, Tayto Park House of Horrors is back again this Halloween and will continue until November 1.

The Lodge at Tayto Park has been transformed into a terrifying and spine-chilling experience guaranteed to be one of the craziest and scariest sights around this Halloween.

After Dark

The Tayto Park After Dark experience is also one The Gazette defi-

Chambers of horror at the Wax Museum

nitely recommends.

Taking place until October 30 from 6pm until 9pm, you will get the rare opportunity to ride The Cu Chulainn Coaster at night.

Having previously experienced Europe’s biggest wooden roller coaster during the day our intrepid reporter found that riding it at night gave it much more of a thrilling and scarier experience.

Reaching the dizzying heights of 32.05m with a stomach- churning drop zone of 31m and reaching speeds of up to 100km per hour, and all in the dead of night, the ride will certainly make you doubtful that you will live to see another day.

Tay t o P a r k A f t e r Dark is priced at €18 per person and will also include entry into the parks terrifying House of Horrors.

An array of Halloween family fun activities will also take place until

November 1, including face-painting, arts and crafts and live shows.

For more information, visit www.taytopark.ie.

Tayto Park: experience Europe’s biggest wooden roller coaster after dark

12 Gazette 29 October 2015

gazetteGALLERY

Audrey Lawler and Diane Molohan

Jonnie McCoy, Jeff Ryan and Tom Gaskin. Pictures: Brian Mcevoy

Diane Molohan and Shauna Kearns

Ailish Cantwell and Pierce Rowsome

Eddie McParland and

Shauna Kearns and Nicky

Fonsie Mealy

Wallace

Designer Deborah Veale

A landmark garden for landmark designer

I

rish Landmark recently held its Irish Landmarkers annual drinks party in the Merrion Mews coach house.

A mix of guests from the fashion, design and architectural worlds came together to help unveil the proposed garden memorial in hon-

our of Sybil Connolly.

Guests were welcomed by chief executive of Irish Landmark Mary O’Brien and trustee Dr Edward McParland who briefly outlined the memorial garden plans and spoke about his friend Sybil Connolly, who lived on Merrion Square for so

many years.

Merrion Mews, considered by many as a hidden gem in the centre of Dublin, was extensively restored

by Irish Landmark in 2007 and is now one of the rare and significant 18th century Dublin town house survivors.

Avril Jenkinsen and Colm Matthews

Cramel Breheney and Emma Coppola

Victoria Browne, Val Dillon and Jennifer Weir

Alison Canavan and Nicky

Diane Molohan and

Nicki Matthews and

Wallace

Shauna Kearns

Caroline Crowley

29 October 2015 Gazette 13

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14 Gazette 29 October 2015

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dublinlife

diary

Casablanca duo reach make your mind up time Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin has been acting a bit like Ingrid Bergman’s Ilsa character from vintage blockbuster Casablanca who can’t decide between Humphrey Bogart and Paul Heinreid.

A number of months ago Gerry Adams (Paul

Heinreid) and Micheal (Ilsa) stormed out of the Dail in protest over the failure to hold a debate on the establishment of a Commission of Investigation into allegations of malpractice by some gardai in the Border area.They marched out side by side looking like

the perfect couple.

However, Micheal seems to be gravitating back towards his old flame Enda (Humphrey Bogart) lately, with the two launching an attack on the credibility of Sinn Fein’s claims about the IRA being gone.

The Sinn Fein

response was inconsistent. Padraig Mac Lochlainn told Micheal he was a “political gurrier”. Gerry and MaryLou grinned away while Jonathan O’Brien said Enda and Micheal were “two peas in a pod”.

“Two Mother Teresas” Mac Lochlainn chimed in, while the gun-toting Independent Michael Healy-Rae contributed the bizarre remark “two knees in a pants”.

Without a doubt Enda would love to do what his character does in Casablanca, and send Gerry and Micheal off in a plane straight out of the Dail.

storytelling power of the net Digital Media and Tech professionals from around the world are expected to descend on Dublin for Dublin Web Fest, at Filmbase, Temple Bar from November 20 to 22.

Web Series Festivals or Web Fests are festivals dedicated to online series known as “web series”.

The first Web Fest was launched in Los Angeles in 2010 and since then, more than 30 festivals have emerged throughout the world. This will be Ireland’s first such event.

Co-founder Mikael T hier y says the festival is “dedicated to creativity, imagination, connection and most importantly, meeting and sharing”.

Fellow founder Erol

Erol Mustafov and Mikael Thiery , founders of Dublin Web Fest

Mustafov says they want to be the starting point for Ireland’s future as a web series and digital content hub.

They have partnered with other international web festivals to host presentations, discussions, panels and more.

Submissions for the festival are now being sought for the different categories: Comedy, drama/thriller/mystery, music video, documentary /reality, animation, LGBT, and sci-fi.

For more information visit: www.dublinwebfest. com.

Readathon to help people with MS Young readers in Dublin city are reading as much as they can this month in the MS Readathon to help people with multiple sclerosis in their local community Irish authors Cecelia Ahern, Sarah Webb, Alan Early, Judi Curtin, Claudia Carroll, Sheila

O’Flanagan, Pauline McLynn and more are helping to endorse this annual event, now in its 25th year.

Grown-ups are also encouraged to join young MS Readathon’ers and swap a book at work to support people with multiple sclerosis MS Ireland ambassador Rick O’Shea is asking reading enthusiasts to get involved in MS Book Swap until November 9 to coincide with the MS Readathon reading month.

Visit www.msreadathon.ie for more information, and to sign up for the 2015 MS Book Swap.

Spare an hour to change your life A Dublin-based nonprofit organisation has launched a campaign to urge people to use the extra hour before the time goes back, to spend their time with an older person.

Making Connections

has initiated the Give an Hour Gain an Hour campaign to inspire people to connect the generations and help to tackle stereotyping, isolation and loneliness.

“The campaign was inspired by feedback from our intergenerational befriending service,” said chief executive Mary O’Donohue.

“A volunteer once said about the lady she visits that she’d totally changed her view of what an older person is… her mind is so youthful, and she’s so current.

“This is why with Give an Hour Gain an Hour we believe just an hour can inspire real social change,” she said.

To get involved and share your Give an Hour Gain an Hour story see http://makingconnections.ie/give-an-hour. html for details.

Participants are also encouraged to share a story and photo on Facebook.

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29 October 2015 Gazette 15

Gazette

16 Gazette 29 October 2015

dublinlife

the big interview

juggling act: managing a hectic life

A passion for getting people in Ireland fit  Aisling Kennedy

Kathryn Thomas is quite possibly the busiest woman in show businesses at the moment as she juggles her new business Pure Result Bootcamp, her TV career presenting both Operation Transformation and The Voice of Ireland, and her radio career.

In between her hectic schedule she also recently supported her restaurateur boyfriend Padraig McLaughlin as he launched his new restaurant Catch 22 on South Anne Street in Dublin with his business partner Paul Dooley.

Thomas took time out this week to chat to the Gazette about how she juggles her many different roles, her passion for keeping fit, and her hopes for the future.

“It’s been a very busy few months for me

Kathryn with boyfriend Padraig McLaughlin

because I launched my own business this summer and I’ve been travelling up and down to Kerry where the bootcamp was based.

“The business provides week-long fitness camps where people check in for a week, take on a calorie controlled diet, and stick to a rigorous exercise plan. Then we send them on their way a week later feeling lighter, healthier and fitter so that was a huge milestone for me this year because it was the first time I actually went out on my own to start a business.”

As Thomas speaks, it is

clear that she puts huge emphasis on health and well-being and is passionate about getting people in Ireland fit.

“I think for a lot of women it’s a confidence thing, that when they get out of the routine of exercising is can sometimes feel quite daunting to get back into it. Women are particularly vulnerable and do not put themselves first a lot of the time because we always have so much to do whether we’re working or minding kids.

“I am still really surprised at how much we put ourselves in second place. But our bodies are capable of doing so much more than we give them credit for and literally it is about mind over matter in so many instances.”

Thomas explains that she struggles to maintain her fitness herself at times, especially as she is now

Kathryn Thomas : “It’s just been the year of insane plans, expansion and business set ups for us. It’s been really busy but we always make sure to catch up one night a week. Picture: Barry McCall.

dating Padraig McLaughlin.

“When I met Padraig, it was a case of spending less time in the gym and more time going out for nice dinners and wine.

“I kind of took my foot off the gas on my own health for a while.”

Now that she and Padraig have been together for two-and-a-half years, however, she maintains a healthy balance of enjoying good food and wine and working off any indulgences at the gym.

“Padraig is great, he was in Hugo’s restaurant before he opened Catch 22 this year so he’s always been around food in the restaurant trade.

“We both love going out for meals, me probably more so than him,

because he’s been around it so much. But I love it, I love going out for meals with my friends. I think good food and good company is probably one of the most enjoyable things in life.”

With Thomas’s hectic schedule travelling up and down to Kerry for her new business and McLaughlin’s working late hours as he launches his new restaurant, with a second one in the pipeline next month, the couple ensure that they set aside time together each week.

“It’s been tough the last couple of months because I moved down to Kerry so I literally moved out of the house and was gone for two-and-a-half months.

“I took the dogs and everything and he was

setting up the new business.

“So it’s just been the year of insane plans, expansion and business set ups for us. It’s been really busy but we always make sure to catch up one night a week. Catching up could literally be just on the couch in tracksuits with the two dogs or it could be going out for a walk with the two dogs.

“It generally involves the two dogs because they’re a big part of our life. We also try to get away. We like to go to a hotel or go down the country to my mam’s house in Kerry so we definitely always make time for each other. We’ve both been really supportive and understanding of

each other.”

In terms of the future for the couple Kathryn says that things are very hectic right now but she is looking forward to planning a family someday.

“I’d like to think that is on the cards in the future but as my mother keeps saying ‘Well what sort of a future, is it not the future now? You keep putting everything on the long finger!’ It’s just the way this year has worked out work-wise for us. Setting up businesses had to take precedence for both of us this year but we’ve both been supportive of each other so who knows down the line what’s going to happen.”

Check out Pure Results Bootcamp at www.pureresultsbootcamp.com

29 October 2015 Gazette 17

asdfsdaf P27 health P24

cinema P22

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



Gazette

trick or treat P18

back to its roots: range of cultural events to celebrate creativity

Raising the bar in Temple Bar  Keith Bellew

The Temple Bar Company will bring the quarter back to its roots as a prime cultural centre, with a weekend of arts and culture with a political twist.

The Temple Bar Arts a n d P o l i t i c s We e kend takes place from November 19 to 22 with a range of free events to celebrate the area’s incredible cultural organisations and the indigenous creativity that stems from these unique cobbled streets in Dublin city centre.

Along with these artistic events there will be a number of talks, debates and seminars on Irish politics, and a number of events which combine both aspects.

This unique pairing of themes gives Dubliners the opportunity to explore the unique buildings, and venues that make Temple Bar so charming, and Ireland’s turbulent political landscape at the same time.

Speaking to The Gazette, organiser Martin Harte of the Temple Bar Company said the aim of the fes-

tival is to promote the local arts organisations within the area.

“The aim of this is to work with the existing organisations in the area and return Temple bar to its roots as a cultural quarter and show people that there’s a lot of culture there that they might not be aware of,” he said.

He said the political aspect of the festival is something that the company has been looking to develop for quite some time.

“We work in the city centre and politics is

The Temple Bar Arts and Politics Weekend takes place from November 19 to 22 with a range of free events . Picture: Brian Morrison

visible everywhere we walk, whether it’s an issue with planning or tourism, politics is all around us. We found as an organisation that

there’s sort of a gap between politics and the [average person] in the city centre and we wanted to address that,” he said.

He believes one of

the biggest draws of the festival will be the symposium, The Dark Arts: photography and politics. This event explores the late Charles Haughey, controversial former Ta o i s e a c h , a n d t h e advent of the political photo-op in Ireland.

T his photographic exhibition takes place at the Gallery of Photography on Thursday, November 19 at 2pm.

The exhibition will f e a t u r e a ke y n o t e address by Professor Kevin Rafter on Charles Haughey: power, politics and public image,

along with two panel discussions.

The first of these will be Politics in the Age of the Photo Opportunity: the Role of Photo Reportage and Photojournalism in the World of Spin, followed by Twenty-five Years of Temple Bar – Haughey’s Grand Project.

“They’re [the photo’s] quite interesting, you’re looking back into a different era. I think that’s probably going to be one of the highlights.”

For more information visit: www.viewtemplebar.com

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H suit eaton’s allin-o kid’s b ne € at 13

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GAZETTE

18 GAZETTE 29 October 2015

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children’s Halloween boppers €1.99

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children’s Halloween spectacles €1.99

 M&S

vampire Halloween costume three to 12 years €19-€24

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Halloween doorbell €6.99

29 October 2015 GAZETTE 19

GOING  MIMI MURRAY

The first Aeropostale store in western Europe has opened in Dublin’s Liffey Valley

Aeropostale arrives!

Shopping Centre

THE Iconic New York brand Aeropostale officially opened its first store in western Europe in Dublin’s Liffey Valley Shopping Centre recently. The 4,000 square foot flagship store stocks the complete ranges for young girls and guys clothing under the Aero, Aero City and Live Love Dream leisure collections.

Roz Purcell, who was the special guest, was joined by young emerging band Taken who performed on the night. Other guests included Eurovision entry Molly Sterling, singer and actor Jess Heffernan, model Jo Archbold, Brian Ormond and Leinster

rugby player Jack Conan.

Aero’s new Fall 2015 collection embodies classic basics with pops of fashion to create an effortless look. The brand also introduces Aero City, a new collection that targets the fashion forward girl and guy who enjoy a free spirited, boho chic vibe in their wardrobe.

Live Love Dream is Aeropostale’s active wear range. It offers the latest in girls’ active wear, printed leggings, yoga, loungewear, intimates and accessories.

The range has a selection of shorts, leggings, T-shirts and jackets ranging in sizes xx-small to xx-large.

GAZETTE

STYLE

Goth WITH ARMANI

GETTING your make up done by a professional make up artist is a bit of a luxury and is usually reserved for those special occasions, like a debs, a wedding or a special night out.

Zoe Williams is a senior make-up artist with Giorgio Armani, who was in Dublin recently making up the faces of the few lucky people who had booked a slot with her in Brown Thomas.

I was one of those lucky few and Williams was a joy to spend an hour with. Originally from Dun Laoghaire, she has lived in Manchester for the last 15 years, working for Armani and doing what she does best - applying make-up.

She has worked on some of the big fashion shows including London Fashion Week and name drops Lily Cole as one of the famous faces she has applied rouge to.

After giving my face the once over she chose a few key looks for autumn/winter 15 and got to work. She went outside my comfort zone in a few areas, especially when it came to eyes and lips. The end result was a nice change, using burnt oranges and deep purples. Very Goth!

She started off with some light master primer before moving on to Luminous silk and Maestro foundation mixed. Maestro Fusion Blush in number 90 was then applied and this is a winner product, a bronzer in liquid that does the exact same job as a

powder, only better.

Williams recommended one of Armani’s best selling products for me, the Eye and Brown Maestro which can be used almost anywhere on the face. It can even be applied to the odd grey hair and stays in place until you shampoo again! This gave me a dramatic brow, one of the biggest game changes in make up terms in recent years.

For the eye socket she went for a relatively new product, Eyes to Kill Intense in 13 and 15 which created a dramatic effect. A touch of lip blush and mascara and I was ready to go.

All products used by Williams are stocked in BT’s.

Zoe Williams, a senior make-up artist with Giorgio Armani, went dramatic and a bit Goth with the eyes

Gazette

20 Gazette 29 October 2015

OUT&ABOUT

TRAVEL

Galway: ‘a must-see for lovers of Irish scenery’

Happy as a clam in a bath of seaweed soup!

 Ian Begley

A visit to Delphi Adventure Resort and Spa, which is in one of the most western parts of Ireland, is a must for lovers of Irish scenery.

Near Leenane, County Galway, the resort is set in the breathtaking Delphi valley along the Wild Atlantic Way, and spans more than 300 acres.

On arrival, my guest and I were astounded by the beautiful backdrop provided by the landscape. The jagged mountains seemed to

fold in on themselves and the winding roads and gentle lakes made our destination seem serene and untouched by the 21st century.

The resort was spacious and the decor warm. Large windows around the building offered glorious views of our surroundings.

Our accommodation, of a separate living area and bedroom, was very homelike. We missed the television and phone reception, but given the nature of the resort it would be

unfair to judge them too harshly on that!

Up early next morning, we took part in one of the many adventure activities that make Delphi famous: The Go Zip’N’Trek. This adrenaline pumping activity saw us zip-lining, wall climbing and traversing tightropes 40-feet in the air.

My adrenaline-junkie side kicked in and I met each obstacle with daring stupidity, completing it several times in a merciless competition against the clock and my guest.

After wards we

explored the local area on bicycles with a wellinformed guide. This gave us a chance to really take in the sights and sounds of the Wild Atlantic Way. Later our party met up for pre-dinner drinks in the resort’s Library Bar before moving on to The Chef’s Table restaurant, where we were treated to a delectable five-course tasting menu with carefully selected wine pairings to complement each course.

We had a salad of Killarney lobster and Porcu-

Large windows around the building offered glorious views of our surroundings

pine prawn to start, followed by a delicious fillet of wild salmon. Then a beautiful cut of Angus fillet of beef was presented with a very tender French duck foie gras. This was followed by a baked goat’s cheese cake and water melon desser t

with a glass of rose.

The next morning, after a breakfast of pancakes and French toast, it was time for my seaweed bath treatment in the Delphi Spa. I was stiff and sore from the activities of the previous day so a relaxing bath was just what was

needed. The experience made me feel like an ingredient in a big pot of seaweed soup, but afterwards I felt very rejuvenated and relaxed!

See www.delphiadventureresort.com for yearround accommodation, activities and treatments.

29 October 2015 Gazette 21

Gazette

FOOD&DRINK

The Picky Eater has no dilemma with Catch 22 ISN’T it odd that when thinking about Dublin gastronomy the mind doesn’t peruse what should be a lengthy list of great fish restaurants?

A travesty in the coastal capital of an island up to its wellies in seafood… no? Fishy hotspots have long been the preserve of more rural seaside destinations like Kinsale, Dungarvan or Dingle.

The tiger years may have brought an influx of fancy fusion options to rival the London or New York food scenes but many closed in a case of style over substance and whopper prices.

It seems, however, that in our pared-back recovery something fishy is going on and not in a bad way! Yes, fish is making a welcome comeback to our seaside city.

Recent openings like Klaw, Lobster Pot and the brilliant Fish Shop sending the right kind of fishy aromas over the Liffey and now the smart and inviting façade of Catch 22 on handsome South Anne St is marching a pescatorial parade through the streets of Dublin town.

Molly Malone would be delighted.

We were off to a gig at 8pm so it’s an early bite at 6pm in Catch 22 and the place is already packed. The menu reads breezily of all the usual suspects prepared simply using the freshest of fish

The crab claws were amazing - soft meaty claws with fresh-of-the-beach freshness! Picture: The Picky Eater

and includes muscle pots, calamari, beer battered cod and chips, crab claws, fish cakes and scampi.

All starters are under a tenner and mains under €20, the easy-on-thepocket prices reflected in the casual mix of locals, tourists, hipsters and couples.

The menu is quite interchangeable, which I always like, and you could easily have two starters and not feel like you’re missing out on a main course. The mussel pot can be ordered as a main with a side of sweet potato fries or mushy peas.

I’m thinking of the night ahead and want to eat light so opt for crab claws and a pan fried fillet of plaice with shrimp butter. The mate goes for the mussel pot and the tempura scampi.

An enamel mug of whitebait fried in a light polenta crumb arrives moments later, which we

didn’t order but it seems everyone was getting; a nice touch.

Starters were out soon after and the mussels were soft, plump morsels steamed just right in a creamy broth of zesty lemon and garlic.

I would have added a touch more garlic; though mopped up with the generous hunk of crusty bread it was more than adequate.

The crab claws were, in a word, amazing. Ten or so soft meaty claws of straight-off-the-beach freshness in a subtle chilli and garlic butter; the standout of the meal.

After a clatter of empty enamel clearing, out came the mains. The service is prompt and efficient with what seems like a swift turnaround, though we didn’t feel rushed for a second.

My plaice was just as I’d expected for a lighter option, two fillets of delicate flaky and pearly

white meat topped with slightly sweet shrimp butter and salty samphire. Probably not the most exciting dish on the menu but the flavour was all there and executed well.

The mate was half way through the tempura scampi by the time I looked up and I managed to grab one in the nick of time.

They were a close second to the crab claws with light as a feather batter as crisp as a box of Pringles and with not a hint of soggy doughiness underneath.

I gave in at this stage and had one of her chips; OK 16 of her chips and they were as good as I’ve had.

We opted out of dessert and the bill with three glasses of the exquisitely fish accompanying Picpoul de Pinet wine at a competitive €7 a glass came to a sustainably sourced €71.

So what’s the catch?

Sorry, I hate myself for that but I had to. Well, there isn’t one.

Simple and unfussy cooking and fresh-asa-January-morning fish make Catch 22 a perfect option for a casual fish supper and you can’t say fairer than that.

Shane Rigney is a food blogger You can check him out at riggersrecipes.com

The smart and iviting facade of Catch 22, the latest addition to the growing number of fish restaurants in Dulbin, on South Anne Street

Gazette

22 Gazette 29 October 2015

OUT&ABOUT

CINEMA

James Morrison: Higher Than Here starts off promisingly enough but goes downhill

A big sound that amounts to very little  colm murray

aving spent the last H four years away from the limelight, and following the release of his new single, Demons, James Morrison makes a welcome return with his fourth studio album Higher Than Here, out on October 30 through Island Records.

The songs on the new album create a subtle balance between revealing the pain and difficulties that Morrison has experienced in his recent personal life, and the soundtrack to those lazy Sunday mornings that, will make you dance, smile and reflect.

When Morrison broke onto the scene as a soulful singer-songwriter in 2006, even he couldn’t have predicted that he would become the template that allowed a wave of likeminded musicians to enter the field.

He was also famously told by veteran soul producer Jerry Wexler that his raspy, gravelly voice, the product of a childhood illness, had its “own thumbprint” and was so distinctive that “once heard, never forgotten”.

Now, almost a decade on, Ed Sheeran, George Ezra and James Bay are all ruling the charts following the same format; one guy with just a guitar

and an incredible voice.

Despite his self-deprecation and humble nature, he was the first to take that format and not only make it work but also became an overnight success story.

Pop gems like You Give Me Something from his first record Undiscovered, made him anything but.

And he won the 2007 Brit Award for Best Male when he was still just 21 years old.

The album starts off promisingly enough.

Demons – an anthem to positive thinking – breezes in with a funky hip hop, autotune now such a stable of 21st cen-

tury “chart music”.

The main vocals soon take over with a melody that exudes a credible sense of emotion. So far, so good.

Unfor tunately, it’s largely downhill from here. Over the next 14 tracks, faux-gospel verses alternate with overblown choruses to create a big sound that amounts to very little.

Even when Morrison sings of real heartache – as on Too Late for Lullabies – he sounds about as deep-down untroubled as peers such as James Blunt or Tom Odell.

A cutting edge from the likes of Paolo Nutini is what you are hoping he

may have come back with on this outing but alas it’s not to be.

2008’s Songs for You, Truths for Me brought with it a string of Top Ten singles, including the phenomenally catchy Broken Strings with Nelly Furtado.

His last album, 2011’s Awakening shot straight to Number 1, selling over one million copies worldwide.

However, Morrison offers an uncool brand of easy-listening soul-pop but what he lacks in grit he has previously made up for in rousing songs that have brought him a loyal fan base of easylisteners.

James Morrison’s fourth studio album is a bit of a mixed bag

29 October 2015 Gazette 23

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Gazette

cinema

All hail the Queen of Ireland  Barbara Clinton

Such is the phenomenon that is Ms Panti Bliss that The Queen of Ireland opened simultaneously in 18 cinemas across Ireland last week.

When the final curtain fell on the movie, audiences stayed in their seats to enjoy the live Q&A with Her Majesty beamed from the Lighthouse Cinema in Smithfield to all 18 cinemas.

Panti Bliss aka Rory O’Neill needed nothing more than a life well lived to ensure a movie of high drama and great honesty.

From the camp little boy

James Bond AKA Agent 007 is back, one last time ... Daniel Craig has successfully reinvented the iconic spy during his stint at the MI6 spy

spectre: james bond still shooting for the top

Giving up the ghost?  dave phillips

“The dead are alive” – so proclaims the stark title card that opens Spectre before we plunge into an absolutely riveting precredits sequence set amid the throng of the Mexican Day of the Dead celebrations.

As the camera follows the male and female grinning-skull protagonists through the colourful and macabre masquerade, we are treated to simmering sensuality, building-crumbling explosions, and highspeed vehicular carnage – in short, all the elements that makes up a classic James Bond film.

In 10 action-packed minutes, director Sam Mendes shows that 53 years and 24 films on, there seems to be life left in James Bond.

Yet as bold a statement as the opening one is, it pales in comparison to Daniel Craig’s blundering assertion last week that

he would rather “slash his own wrists” than think about reprising the role of 007.

The eight-month shoot and the subsequent promotional obligations seemed to take its toll on Craig as he made clear that he feels as if he has reached a natural conclusion with Spectre, and any further Bond films he may appear in will solely be for financial reward.

And while the Bond franchise under Craig’s watch has generated outstanding revenue, it seems that at some point between Skyfall and Spectre, things have shifted.

This latest film sees Bond following leads to uncover a shady organisation known as SPECTRE. Meanwhile at MI6, new boss Denbigh (played by Dubliner Andrew Scott) is threatening to shut down the undercover programme, insisting that a global mass-surveillance system complete with

drone strikes will provide a more effective form of security than vodkasoaked secret agents milling around the world in expensive sports cars.

In the hunt to find out more about Spectre there are plenty of distracting avenues for the plot to wander down over the two-and-half hour runtime. But while the story stays busy, there is no denying that once we get into the meat of the film, something essential is lacking.

While Craig remains a powerful physical force on screen, there is certainly less of him as an actor on it.

Following on from Skyfall, which managed a great balance of emotional engagement and action, Spectre falls back into that familiar groove of filmmaking that values brawn over brains.

Craig’s first Bond film paved the way for a new kind of 007, and while Casino Royale ushered

in a more modern kind of action, Spectre feels less pioneering and more reflective – spending its time referencing earlier films rather than creating something new and memorable.

On his quest for answers Bond is a like a weapon: brief, blunt, and impersonal.

While there are things to be excited about – as usual we have some stunning outdoor locations, there are some fun action sequences dotted throughout, and the supporting cast is powerful – but the ceaseless barrage of nods, winks, and doffs of the cap to former Bond films dulls the action.

While the opening 10 minutes will astound you, the best that the remainder of Spectre can offer you is mild entertainment.

Perhaps it is time to give up the ghost.

Spectre (Cert 12A, 150 mins)

Verdict: 5/10

turning summersaults in Ballinrobe to the risque young man putting it about in the drag shows of Japan and now to accidental national hero thanks to Pantigate, the movie tells the story of someone who showed many others how to live out loud and proud.

The statuesque, bighaired momma of the gay family that had its big day out on May 22, Panti Bliss emerges as a force to be reckoned with, who tells us proudly that she regrets nothing.

Among the real treasures in this many-jewelled movie are O’Neill’s mat-

ter-of-fact and grounded parents. In one scene, we see Rory Snr studiously lock up the family home while Panti Bliss resplendent in high heels and figure-hugging dress holds centre stage in the family kitchen to check her smartphone, to which Fin, his mum, remarks “awesome”, in quiet admiration of her child.

There are lots of reasons to see this movie – as a celebration of diversity, a piece of history, as memoir, as comedy and at times tragedy but above all because it’s enjoyable.

Verdict: 10/10

Gazette

24 Gazette 29 October 2015

OUT&ABOUT

HEALTHYSTEPS

Dr Mary Wingfield says the causes of infertility are vast – but in most cases treatment is possible

Increasing chances of conception Fertility problems can be heart-breaking for couples who wish to start a family, but in the modern age many options are available to increase the chances of conception.

At the National Maternity Hospital in Holles Street, Merrion Fertility Clinic is Ireland’s only nonprofit fertility facility partnered with a large maternity hospital offering medical, surgical and pregnancy services to patients.

Its clinical director Dr Mary Wingfield says the causes of infertility are vast – but in most cases treatment is possible.

“Women who have i n f r e q u e n t o r ve r y irregular periods, may have a problem with ovulation.

“The most common cause is polycystic ov a r i a n s y n d r o m e .

Early menopause although rare, can sometimes run in families.

“If there is a family history of this, it would be important to discuss it at an early stage with your doctor.”

She advised that a woman’s fer tility is optimal under age 30 and begins to decline

quite rapidly from the age of 35.

“If you wait till 40 there is a high chance you are leaving it too late,” she said. “[For many couples with fertility problems] there will be a male factor or sperm issue. This is often unexplained but important factors include testicular injury or surgery, or infection in the testicles.

“IVF and ICSI (a type of IVF) have been major breakthroughs in treating male fertility. In men who don’t produce any sperm in their ejaculate, pregnancy can be achieved with testicular sperm retrieval and ICSI,” she said.

Other causes of infertility include hormone problems, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, and non-g y naecological conditions such as Crohn’s disease or a ruptured appendix.

“Many of these problems can be addressed with surgery, usually performed by our doctors by laparoscopy or ‘keyhole surgery’. If surgery fails, IVF is a good option,” she said.

For more information log onto merrionfertility.ie or call (01) 663 5000.

HEALTH

adult activity: allow the mind to calm and settle

The hugely relaxing world of colouring

Johanna Basford’s Secret Garden has  suzanne sheehy

WHENEVER I put a colouring book and pencils into my shopping basket it’s invariably for my nieces and nephews. They can’t get enough of them.

Now that they’re that little bit older, they’re more practised and can easily stay within a picture’s contour. Colouring books serve a dual purpose: they keep kids occupied while they’re having fun while developing eye-hand coordination.

But the last time I picked up the colouring book and pencils, they were for me. Colouring for adults? Not for me, I thought. But as the saying goes don’t knock it till you try it.

When I looked to buy my first colouring book, I noticed how many of

them were for grown-ups.

One even labelled itself: The Gorgeous Book for Grown-ups. Discover Your Inner Creative.

Another ran Colour Therapy: An Anti-Stress Colouring Book. The titles spelled out the aim.

Counselling psychologist Maeve Halpin, a regular contributor to GazetteHealth, said: “The increasing use of technology has meant that our attention span has decreased from 12 seconds in 2000 to eight seconds today. We are over-stimulated by the constant flood of digital information coming in through our smartphones and electronic gadgets.

“Colouring gives us the opportunity to concentrate on one non-stressful task for a sustained period of time, allowing the

beautifully detailed pen-and-ink illustrations

mind to calm and settle.

This can provide a buffer against anxiety and everyday stress.”

Halpin stressed how important it is for adults to engage in creativity.

“Creativity is a vital part of the self - there is a healing connection between the eye, the hand and the heart.

Colours, shapes, textures and three-dimensional structures stimulate different parts of the brain than text and sound, so working creatively with paint, clay, fabric or any other type of interactive medium can bring deep feelings of satisfaction and achievement.

“Everyone has creative potential. Taking time away from our screens for creative pursuits can be

an essential ingredient in finding balance in modern life.”

So after much deliberation I picked up Johanna Basford Secret Garden: An Inky Treasure Hunt and Colouring Book which has beautifully detailed pen-and-ink illustrations.

The quality of the illustrations and paper were of high standard and

some also came in pocket size. I set to and found the activity occupied my mind in a positive way. I made sure I took time out to relax at the weekend and be creative instead of frittering away the hours on social media or watching TV. Go on, give it a try. You’ll be surprised and, more importantly, a little more relaxed.

Give your immune system a boost With the new school year now under way and the cold winter just around the corner, it might be time to start thinking about giving your immune system a boost for the busy months ahead.

Vitamin C is an essential flu fighter, and regular supplements support body tissue growth, healthy blood vessels, strong bones and teeth, and

can help to ward off winter influenza.

Iron supplements can boost your energy levels and encourage healthy, fresh blood oxygen delivery to the lungs, spleen, bone marrow, muscles, and cells. Without vitamin D, the body can’t absorb calcium or stimulate certain immune responses that protect us from colds and infections, so

vitamin D supplements are a must.

With all of the cold and darkness that winter entails, it is very easy to find yourself feeling down, especially if you are prone to seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Omega 3 fatty acid supplements. These can help boost your mood, improve your mental focus, and ward off the sniffles.

Pippa O’Connor launches Alive, a new range of multi-vitamins and minerals. Picture: Paul Sherwood

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29 October 2015 Gazette 25

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Gazette

28 gazette 29 October 2015

SPORT

FastSport tallaght picks up pace – and a winner: AT LEINSTER rugby’s recent marketing seminar for clubs, Tallaght’s Colin McKeown was announced as the October winner of the PRO of the Month competition. Tallaght has started to gain momentum recently in no small part because of McKeown’s work.

As a developing club, recruitment is Tallaght’s main aim this season and he has used Facebook, Twitter and the club’s website, which he developed himself),to increase interest within their community. They added substance to their online presence with face to face recruitment in The Square and at Tallaght Fest. This is already a success as kids taking up rugby in Tallaght continues to increase meaning they are now fielding new minis and youths teams as well as their men’s and women’s teams. Like many clubs, Tallaght have been taking advantage of the popularity of the Rugby World Cup to achieve new interest in their social media.

hockey: Ireland confirmed as 11th of 12 sides to qualify for Olympics

Rio place eases out the ‘hurt’  sport@dublingazette.com

IRISH men’s hockey coach Craig Fulton says that finally dealing with the “hurt” of missing out on London 2012 was pivotal in building the mental resolve of his side to mount their first successful Olympic qualifying campaign.

The Ballycullen resident was speaking after Ireland were confirmed as the 11th side of 12 to qualify for Rio 2016 early on Sunday morning courtesy of Australia’s 3-2 victory over New Zealand in the Oceania Cup final.

The continental championship offered a ticket to R io but

the Kookaburras had already qualified for the Games via the World League earlier in 2015.

As such, Ireland were the next best placed team on the world list and took the place after a stellar year. It will be the first time they have played in the Olympics since 1908.

Crucially, Ireland beat higher ranked Pakistan and Malaysia in Antwerp in July to finish fifth at World League Round 3, putting them on the shor tlist for Olympic spots.

T h e y f o l l owe d u p with a bronze medal at the European Championships, outdoing the world number four and

Irish men’s hockey coach Craig Fulton

to relive that lowest of moments.

“I knew I couldn’t go through another qualifying process without dealing with that whole situation,” he said. “It’s

cially as it was always going to be something you never want to discuss or talk about.

“It was all around the mental approach, executing in the key --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- moments. In terms of improving the mental side, you also need to be better conditioned.

We took this to another --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------level.” about failing forward, The newfound mental nents.

I n 2 01 2 , I r e l a n d taking the positives and toughness saw Ireland came within moments we found two or three cling to a 1-0 win over of reaching the Games things that we had to Pakistan in the face of a late onslaught and they only for Korea to snatch change. “ W h e n t h e g u y s put on similarly strong a crushing goal seven seconds from the final looked at it again, they fightbacks against the saw the lessons and not Belgians and English. whistle.

To avoid a repeat of t h e d i s a p p o i n t m e n t Despite those performthat loss to Korea, Ful- and hurt. That’s impor- ances, they had to wait ton said it was impor- tant because the hurt three months to finally tant to push his players doesn’t help us espe- get confirmation of five sides Belgium and England in the process. In each case, they came through in narrow clinches with a series of single goal wins over more illustrious oppo-

‘ I’m ecstatic, proud - it hasn’t really sunk in’ – Craig Fulton

their ticket to Rio. It meant realising a moment that Fulton had visualised many times in his tenure. “ I h ave p r o b a b l y thought about this day a thousand times, maybe more, in the last 18 months. Everything since taking the job has been geared towards this moment, making history and qualifying. “ I ’m e c s t a t i c a n d really proud but, at the same time, it hasn’t really sunk in.

“The enormity of it will build in the next eight or nine months, more people will find out what the team is about and can support the team.”

Eanna vanquish Saints to claim league’s sixth place  sport@dublingazette.com

Luke Thompson scored 21 points for the Dubliners

EANNA moved up to sixth place in the men’s basketball Premier League with a 93-86 win over DCU Saints.

Luke Thompson scored 21 points for the Dubliners who were looking to bounce back from a heavy defeat to SSE Airtricity Moycullen.

“You have to take the wins when you can because you’re going to run into some big teams,” said Eanna player coach Ciaran MacEvilly.

“A lot of teams struggle in

their first year at this level.

“We know it’ll take more than just throwing a bunch of plays together if we want to compete.”

UCD Marian pulled off an 81-73 at GCD Swords Thunder.

Thunder led by seven points at half time before Marian upped the tempo and the physicality in the second half.

“We were in control of the game in the first half, we just couldn’t pull away,” said losing coach Dave Baker. There were also wins for Pyrobel Killester and Templeogue.

DCU Mercy emerged unscathed from a busy weekend of women’s Premier League action.

Sarah Woods scored 26 points against Courtyard Liffey Celtics and was among the top scorers again as Mercy came from behind to Meteors.

“We’re strongest when we run the court,” said Woods. “Our speed really helped us especially against teams who try to slow the game down.”

Team Montenotte Hotel had to come from behind twice to maintain their unbeaten record

win wins over Maxol WIT Wildcats and Courtyard Liffey Celtics.

Head coach Mark Scannell said: “You learn a lot more from a tight game than you do from a 20 point win.

“We found a way to pull through without playing particularly well.”

Maxol WIT Wildcats did pick up a win from their second trip to Cork in 24 hours by beating Singleton SuperValu Brunell.

Portlaoise Panthers beat UL Huskies in Limerick for their first ever Premier League win.

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29 October 2015 gazette 29

Gazette

30 DUN LAOGHAIRE gazette 29 October 2015

SPORT

FastSport

soccer: sallynoggin club represented at all levels for ireland

Monkstown host Repton in international battle MONKSTOWN Boxing Club hosted an international boxing match against one of the world’s most successful boxing clubs, Repton London Boxing Club, on Saturday, October 17 in St Joseph’s Boys Football Club, Sallynoggin.

The series of matches, which featured both age group and adult boxers, ended in an impressive stalemate after Monkstown pulled off an against-the-odds win in the headline bout.

Repton’s impressive array of graduates includes Audley Harrison and recently retired world middleweight champion “Dazzling” Darren Barker, and are often referred to as “the strongest boxing club in the UK and Europe.

The 250-strong crowd in attendance were treated to some exceptional boxing matches, with approximately 75 fans travelling from the English capital. Repton BC travelled with a very strong team, made up of mostly London, English and GB champions. The Monkstown team also had their big guns on display with seven Irish champions amongst their 20 boxers.

Both teams had to be at their very best in an encounter that no side was able to control, with the final result an even-handed seven points each. Monkstown’s team captain Kenneth Doyle salvaged the draw when he beat Repton team captain (and three times English champion) Michael Chalk in a pulsating final bout that had everyone in attendance on their feet. Monkstown’s team manager and club chairman Tommy Rapple reflected ebulliently on the quality of the bout, saying: “Repton are a phenomenal club, but I thought our boys really stood up today and boxed brilliantly, the standard of kids’ boxing was exceptional and this show will set both clubs in good stead for the season ahead.”

He also hinted at a replay to take place in the UK next year, adding: “Both ourselves and Repton management are really happy with how the show went and we are already in talks to hold the return leg in London in 2016.”

Rapple also thanked the volunteers at the event, as well as St Joseph’s Boys FC, DLRCC, GlobalMedics.com and the Sallynoggin Inn for their involvement in a memorable encounter.

Dominic Peppard in action for the Republic of Ireland Under-15s vs Scotland in Listowel, Co Kerry. Picture: Brendan Moran /Sportsfile

Joey’s stars abound in green sport@dublingazette.com

N E W LY a p p o i n t e d Republic of Ireland Under-16s head coach Paul Osam announced his squad for the upcoming Victory Shield last week and three St Joseph’s Boy’s players made the cut.

Aaron Bolger, Dominic Peppard and Jonathan Afolabi are the Joey’s contingent on Osam’s first-ever squad for an international tournament. The news means that the Sallynoggin club have already had players involved with the Under15s, Under-16s, Under17s, Under-19s, Under-21s

and senior Republic of Ireland squads at this still relatively early stage of the season.

Speaking after his squad announcement, Osam revealed what he is looking for in the tournament from his players. “I’m looking to learn about the players that we’ve selected this time around,” he said.

“But all of the players who are eligible should know that it’s a long process and not just a squad for this tournament. It’s about working with the players so that we have a squad to hand over to Tom Mohan for the UEFA Under-17 qualifiers next

kickboxing hero Sallynoggin’s Lewins wins WKA championship a sallynoggin man can officially call himself the best on the planet after winning the WKA world kickboxing championship title earlier this month.

Local competitor Jonathan Lewins travelled to the Talbot Hotel in Wexford with an army of Dublin support. Lewins made the trip to the sunny south east to take on the current European kickboxing champion Craig Black from Scotland, to fight for the prestigious WKA world title.

season.

“It’s important that the boys understand the system and the philosophy set down by the association. We have given them a framework to play within but we can’t be too restrictive and we want them to express themselves when the time is right.

“We’ll look to bed that in over the three games.

It’s not about winning the Victory Shield although it’s always nice to win. The goal for these players is to play in the UEFA Championships Qualifiers with Tom Mohan next season and this is part of that process,” added Osam.

The former St Patrick’s

Athletic and Shamrock Rovers defender will see his side take on Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland in the reformed Victory Shield. Earlier this year, England decided to pull out of the competition that used to play out over a series of months, making it a four-team competition, and the decision was made to pack all the action into one week, with this year’s edition taking place in Wales.

While this trio of young Joey’s are taking their first steps on the international football ladder, one former clubman done his chances taking the last step no harm with a fan-

tastic performance last weekend.

Brentford FC’s Alan Judge, who earned his first senior international call-up earlier this month for Martin O’Neill’s side massive games against Germany and Poland, scored one and set up the other in his club side’s 3-0 win over Charlton on Saturday in the English Championship.

Judge looks to be flourishing in a Brentford side managed by former Republic of Ireland international Lee Carsley and if he maintains his form, he could be in line for a first senior international appearance.

29 October 2015 DUN LAOGHAIRE gazette 31

Gazette

camogie success

Kilmacud U-13 and U-14s both land shield titles

Club Noticeboard Cuala BEST of luck to the senior hurlers

the Kilmacud Crokes U-13 camogie team

defeated St Finian’s by 5-8 to 3-5 to win the Division 1 shield last week in Swords.

This concluded a highly successful season for the girls who earlier in the year won the U-13 Division 1 league with victory in all their nine matches.

Their U-14 side also emerged victorious from their Division 1 Shield final against Raheny on a 2-14 to 1-1 scoreline.

hurling: dalkey club looking forward to shc final

keley tragedy in the summer.

who face St Jude’s in the county

She came home last month to

final next Saturday, October 31 at

continue her road to recovery.

3pm in Parnell Park. The lads have

This is a way for all Cuala families

been magnificent this year and also

to show our support for one of our

sit top of AHL1 after beating Kilma-

own. Details on the website.

cud by 0-14 to 0-7 last Saturday.

The Cuala Ceili na Samhna next

Let’s make sure they have a huge

Saturday has been cancelled due

Cuala support next Saturday to

to a clash with the Hurlers’ county

shout them on to victory.

final.

Big day for the girls on Sunday

This week’s Cuala lotto jackpot

with three football finals down for

will be €2,900. Our lucky dip win-

decision at Hyde Road. Star ting

ners last week were Linda Gibson

with U-16 at 11am then the U-14Bs

and Deborah Byrne. Buy your tick-

at 1pm and the U-14As in the county

ets online at http://www.cualagaa.

A final against Ballyboden at 3pm.

ie/lotto.

Great win for the minor A foot-

Cuala coaching, in conjunction

ballers over Round Tower, Lusk,

with Dublin GAA Games develop-

2-16 to 1-8.

ment, will be hosting an Award 1

We want to encourage a big turnout from across the club for the

child hurling and football coaching course this November.

Cuala afternoon tea for Aoife Beary

Places on the cour se can be

on November 8. Aoife was among

booked by emailing: ken.fitzgerald.

those seriously injured in the Ber-

gpo.dublin@gaa.ie.

Shankill THE juvenile academy, sponsored

The Cuala senior and junior squads ahead of the Dublin SHC final

Cuala’s Kenny wary of St Jude’s threat

 nathan kelly sport@dublingazette.com

CUALA’S senior hurlers are just one step away from bringing the Dublin SHC back to Dalkey for the first time since 1994 with St Jude’s standing in their way in Parnell Park this Saturday.

T h e 2 015 c o u n t y decider is Cuala’s first for three years while their opponents were beaten finalists last year against Kilmacud Crokes. Mattie Kenny’s Cuala side booked their place in the final with a highly impressive 0-27 to 1-21 win over Ballyboden

three weeks ago. Jude’s meanwhile only secured their final spot last Wednesday, with a win over Lucan Sarsfields.

Kenny, though, told GazetteSport he does not believe the gap in preparation will have any bearing on Saturday’s final.

“I think both sides will prepare as best as they possibly can and whoever wants it more will come out on top. We’ve been able to prepare more on the training field but they’ll be full of momentum coming out of their semi-final just a week before the final.”

David Treacy played a key role in the semi-final win over Boden, scoring 0-14. Kenny was asked if he thinks Treacy deadball skill could prove key again.

“T here are plenty of elements that can win you a county final.

David had a great game from placed balls, if he plays like that again it will boost our chance but there are plenty of other ways we can win the game.”

When Cuala travelled to Jude’s for a league encounter back in March, it was the Tymon side who prevailed with

a 1-16 to 0-12 win.

League form often carries little relevance going into a game like a county final, but Kenny has seen enough to be wary of the threat Jude’s hold.

“We’ve got plenty of admiration for them for sure,” he said. “They’re a good side and we’ve had some good battles with them in the league over the last couple of years.

“For us, there’s a great buzz around the place which is great to see. It’s now up to us as a squad to go out and do the business and hopefully Saturday can be a good day.”

in the process of moving indoors so

by O’Donnell’s Pharmacy Shankill, is

please check with your team man-

taking a mid-term break and will be

ager for details.

back in action on Saturday, Novem-

Our girls U-11s travelled to St

ber 7 in Shanganagh Castle at 10am,

Mary’s, Saggart and the girls U-9

catering for four- to eight-year-old

were also awa y in Ringsend to

boys and girls.

Clanna Gael Fontenoy; they were

Learn the skills of Gaelic football,

two brilliant game of football.

hurling and camogie in a safe and

The men’s adult football team is

fun environment. If you would like

taking a short break before train-

your child to join the academy or

ing resumes in preparation for the

any of our teams, just come along

new season. New players always

on the day and have fun with your

welcome; contact Kevin on 086

friends.

8449902. For more information

There are no trials, no selection processes and no annual subscrip-

contact secretary.shankill.dublin@ gaa.ie or 086 3215087.

tion. The cost is only €2 for each

Follow us on Facebook and Twit-

child. Training for the boys U-12 and

ter. Join Shankill GAA Club. Your

girls U-9 and 11 years is in the Cas-

community, your family friendly

tle on Saturday morning at 10am

GAA Club where you’re not just a

when there is no match.

number and everybody knows your

The Wednesday night training is

name.

Kilmacud Crokes HARD luck to our minor A team who

Our AFL3 team drew with Vincent’s

lost their championship semi-final to

1-16 each during the week. Our senior

Ballymun going down 1-13 to 0-8. Best

hurlers lost out to Cuala on Saturday

of luck to our ladies minor football

in Bray going down 0-14 to 0-7.

team who will be playing their cham-

The club hosted a successful U-11

pionship final in Crumlin next Friday

invitational hurling tournament over

night at 8pm. All support welcome.

the weekend.

Best of luck also to our U-15A foot-

We also held a very informative

ballers who will play in the county

presentation under our Crokes Talks

final against Whitehall on Sunday,

mental health and well-being banner

November 1 at 2pm in Parnell Park.

during the week. The topic was sup-

This game is a curtain raiser for the

porting our young people’s mental

senior football county final. Again all

health delivered by Headstrong. It’s

support appreciated.

again time to talk.

GazetteSPORT all of your dun laoghaire sports coverage from page 28-31

Final ambition: Cuala set to meet St Jude’s in the battle for the Dublin senior hurling championship P31

oct 29-nov 4, 2015

Hockey’s road to rio: Craig Fulton speaks about ending a 108-year wait P29

Kyle Good played a key role in Ireland’s Olympic hockey qualification. Picture: Adrian Boehm

Good’s Olympic dream

Monkstown man one of a number of club members now looking forward to an epic 2016 as Irish hockey side have their ticket to Rio finally stamped  stephen findlater

sport@dublingazette.com

MONKSTOWN’S Kyle Good – along with several club mates – moved a step closer to the Olympic dream in the small hours of Sunday morning as the national team had their place confirmed for Rio 2016.

They will compete at the Games for the first time in 1908 in the sport as a result of Australia’s 3-2 win over New Zealand in the Oceania Cup final. The result had the knock-on effect of moving Ireland up the World League ranking list and into the qualification slot.

Good has been a key player this summer for the national team and he described the feeling

of watching Ireland’s fate unfold 12 time zones away as “just a magic, magic moment!”

The side watched the game as a group in the BBC offices in Belfast where the broadcaster filmed their efforts. It followed a surreal day for the panel as they attempted to keep their nerves in check.

“It was all a bit bizarre. We trained in the morning with no one really talking about the match [between Australia and New Zealand].

BBC treated us to go and see the Belfast Giants.

From dinner onwards to tip off, it started to hit home what was about to happen.

“The excitement started building for some; the nerves for others. It was interesting to see how people handle it in different ways.”

Australia got off to a flyer but then proceeded to be on the back foot as New Zealand made all the running.

“When the two early goals went in, we were hoping for two more straightway which would have been ideal. Australia started to chuck the ball away. New Zealand should have definitely had a penalty corner and Australia went straight up the pitch and that should have killed it off.

“When Trent Mitton missed a chance from point-blank range when it was harder to miss than score, a few of us looked at each other and said ‘don’t let it be one of those days’ and be looking back at that miss.”

But Australia held on for the 3-2 result, kickstarting huge celebrations for the Irish camp.

For Good, the moment was especially sweet.

He had initially been left out of the panel in February for the first phase of the Olympic qualifying process in the US. From there, he forced his way back in and scored a crucial opening goal in the 4-1 win victory over Malaysia in July that, in the final reckoning, proved the key result.

“Missing out on San Diego was tough to take; you always want to be part of the panel, especially when you know what is at stake. But I made personal goals to make sure I got back into that team, trained hard, got fitter and stronger. Thankfully I got back in it. It’s been a seriously special year for Irish hockey. My favourite moments have been made this summer.”