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November 24, 2011

YOUR COMMUNITY • YOUR PAPER

INSIDE: Community activities at an AIB bank initiative P6

MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Local’s trip to Swaziland to

help others P8

Soccer: Duff relishing prospect of Euro 2012 challenge Page 32

Pictured looking at a model for the €14 million primary school to be constructed are Padraig O’Neill, principal, Knocklyon Senior National School; Holly McDermot; Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Alan Shatter; John Boyle, principal, Knocklyon Junior National School; Barry Bruce and Fr Jimmy Murray, PP

Sports Awards: November nominees are announced Page 29

ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES ..................... 6 MOTORS ........................18 BUSINESS .................... 21 TRAVEL......................... 22 ENTERTAINMENT ........ 24 CLASSIFIEDS ............... 26

Knocklyon to get new €14m primary school Contracts signed for construction of St Colmcille’s

Q LOUISE HALL

THERE was a massive boost on the schools front this week after contracts were signed for the construction of a €14 million primary school in Knocklyon.

When completed, St Colmcille’s will be the largest

primary school in the country, with 1,500 pupils and 110 members of staff.

Amongst those attending the event was local TD and Minister for Justice, Alan Shatter (FG), who told The Gazette: “Having supported, over many years, the campaign for a new school build-

ing for St Colmcille’s, I am delighted to be invited here today to sign, as a witness, the contract for the construction of the new school.”

The construction phase has been in planning for the past 11 years, and is expected to last for two years.

Full Story on Page 3

2 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 24 November 2011

SAMHAIN Spooky fun at a Marlay Park transformation ROUTE: OPPPOSING VIEWS FOR RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION, COUNCIL

Dispute over Slang Greenway proposal Q MICHAEL HANNAN

A DISPUTE has broken out between members of the Marley Grange Residents’ Association (MGR A) and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council (DLRCC) over plans for the proposed Slang River Greenway.

T he Slang R iver Greenway is a route for pedestrians and cyclists between Sandyford Road and Marley Park, which aims to improve links to local schools and leisure facilities in the area.

Two routes have been proposed. T he first, known as the Green Route, would run through Llewelly n Park and Manor Green, ending up at Marley Demesne.

The second, the Red Route, would take a route through Llewellyn Park and then cross two bridges before going through Grange Wood Estate. The existing path on Grange Road would be upgraded to a two-way walkway.

Gay McGrath, chairperson of the MGRA, said that the council’s report on the public consultation did not include the Red Route, which was included in the original proposal.

According to McGrath, DLRCC has said that there would be greater construction costs involved with the Red Route through Grange Road, as two existing pedestrian bridges would need to be widened.

He said the council had also advised that it would be detrimental to the safety of cyclists and pedestrians, as they would have to cross Grange Road at a less safe location.

However, McGrath disagreed with this assessment, saying: “One of our

committee members carried out a survey, and his findings indicated that if they [DLRCC] use the existing pathways and cycle ways that exist on the Grange Road, there would be no need for the expense that the council is talking about, on this alternative route.”

When contacted by The Gazette, DLRCC said that the Grange Road currently has offroad cycle tracks on both sides.

If cyclists are required to travel contra flow on the same side of the road, which it is currently illegal to do, the existing cycle track would need to be widened.

Findings McGrath said that the findings of the survey also indicated that by taking the route through Llewellyn Park and Marley Estate, they [DLRCC] would be crossing far more roads for these pedestrians and cyclists than if the route went through Grange Wood.

He said: “The route that they’re proposing to take would be less safe, and would also be going against the council’s original proposals that the route through these greenways was intended to bring people along wildlife corridors.”

A council spokesperson said that “every effort was made to consult with the public on the Greenway project, especially as the route crosses a number of estates.

“Whilst full consensus can be difficult, even with schemes that are designed to enhance public amenities, we are pleased to report that the overall feedback to the council’s proposals has been extremely positive,” said the spokesperson.

Emily Mahon, of Bui Bolg Productions, demonstrates her mastery of a fire hoop

Creating a magic night out

ARLAY Park was transformed into a spooktastic setting with the Samhain festival, hosted by DLR Events. In fitting with the Halloween theme, the famililar setting of the Marlay grounds were transformed into a creepily entertaining landscape, where a haunted forest, populated by all manner of ghosts and ghouls, witches and warlocks, and eerie figures and sights,

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helped to entertain local children and adults who dared pass through the forest.

The free evening event was a big hit with locals, with fire performers, stilt walkers, and even some “spooky fog” helping to entertain on the night, creating yet another memorable community gathering, courtesy of DLR Events.

Some of the colourful characters found in the haunted forest

Aoife O’Malley and Caitlin McKeon

Kevin and Stephen McCabe

Look behind you ... Chloe and Ciara Geoghegan, and friend

24 November 2011 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 3

GOT A PICTURE?

Lego and look at a reader: Sharing the fun of a boy’s enthusiasm

Call our NEWS TEAM on 60 10 240 or email picturedesk@gazettegroup.com

THE Gazette is always happy y to share what our younger readers are doing, and especially if they have somethingg they’d like to talk about.

Seven-year-old Marco Trolese, from First Class at Oatlands Primary School, took the time to send The Gazette a hand-written letterr and some photos, sharing hiss love of Lego with readers.

Marco carefully built a colourful fire station, complete with mini fire engines, ready to race off to fight any blaze, and they certainly look great.

However, The Gazette was most impressed by Marco’s great home-made Lego costume, which, he says, he made with his dad and grandpa, and which helped him to win a prize for the best costume in his class in a fun fancy dress competition at his school.

Well done, Marco, and The Gazette is always happy to show what all of our readers are doing.

EDUCATION: CONTRACTS SIGNED ON NS PROJECT

Knocklyon set for €14m new school Q LOUISE HALL

dundrum@gazettegroup.com

THERE was a massive boost on the schools front this week after contracts were signed for the construction of a €14 million primary school in Knocklyon.

When completed, it will be the largest primary school in the country, with 1,500 pupils and 110 members of staff.

The construction phase, which is expected to last for two years, has been in planning for the past 11 years.

Facilities at St Colmcille’s Junior and Senior National schools in Knocklyon will include 58 mainstream classrooms, 20 resource teaching rooms, four general purpose halls, four libraries, administrative blocks, school gardens,

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‘When the Knocklyon school is completed, it will be the largest primary school in the country, with 1,500 pupils and 110 members of staff’ --------------------------

playgrounds, staff and public car parks, once the project is completed.

Congratulating both Boards of Management, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Fine Gael’s Alan Shatter, wished the project every success under the direction of the design team, led by local architect Louis Burke.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, the chairperson of the school’s Boards of Management, Fr Jimmy Murray, thanked the school principals, Padraig O’Neill and John Boyle, for their drive and energy in bringing the project to this stage of development.

Pupils of the senior school will be moved to a temporary site in Ballyboden, St Enda’s GAA in Knocklyon in spring while the work is being carried out, and the junior school will move into the senior school building.

Once the old junior school building and prefabricated classrooms are demolished, construction of the new 58-classroom building will begin.

Witnessing parish

priest Fr Murray and Glenman Corporation signing the contract for the much-needed project were the Mayor of South Dublin Cllr Catriona Jones, members of the Boards of Management, representatives of the Department of Education and Skills, the project design team, the Parents’ Association committee members, local teachers, community activists and some pupil and staff members.

Minister Shatter said he was delighted to see that the long-awaited project had finally got under way.

Students and staff are looking forward to autumn 2013 when the project will, hopefully, be completed and the new school is ready to move into.

4 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 24 November 2011

COMING SOON IN YOUR GAZETTE...

RETAIL Musgrave group step in to keep store open

135 jobs saved at local SuperValu Q MICHAEL HANNAN

FEATURING EVERYTHING FOR YOUR NEW FAMILY MEMBER...

I N S I D E YO U R F R E E LO C A L G A Z E T T E T H U R S DAY 5 T H JA N

ONE-HUNDRED and thirty five jobs in Churchtown are to be saved following the acquisition of SuperValu by retail giant Musgrave.

The purchase by Musgrave marks the end of an ownership era of 20 years.

Previous owner businessman Jim Treacy was forced to put the store up

for sale when his property group, Castle Firm Leisure, was put into receivership by Bank of Scotland (Ireland) last May. This was due to debts of €29 million being incurred by the company after Treacy had developed the Lough Erne Hotel and Golf Resort in his native Co. Fermanagh. The resort, completed in 2007 and featuring a 120-bedroom hotel and

a golf course designed by Nick Faldo, has hosted Rory McIlroy as its touring professional.

The Churchtown store is one of the most profitable in Ireland; according to its most recent accounts, it made a pretax profit of just under €2 million up to the end of June 2009. Musgrave, based in Cork, also own the SuperValu, Centra and Daybreak franchis-

es. In May, they struck a deal with receivers KPMG to buy the store and run it on an interim basis until the economy improves and it can be returned to independent ownership There was good news on the jobs front for the employees of the store, when, in an interview with a national newspaper, managing director of Musgrave Retail Partners

Ireland, Martin Kelleher, confirmed that the group intended to keep on all 135 staff.

The store is seen as a flagship for the SuperValu chain. Treacy also owns a chemist and gourmet grocer adjacent to it and, last year, the store was refurbished and extended to 14,500 square feet. He was unavailable for comment at time of going to press.

DLR: COUNCIL ACCUSED OF HAVING A DUN LAOGHAIRE BIAS

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GOT A STORY?

Cllr Richard Humphreys (inset) was surprised to

Call our NEWS TEAM on 60 10 240 or email news@gazettegroup.com

discover that the vast majority of councilsponsored sculptures were on the Dun Laoghaire side of the county

Art policy is seriously skewed - Humphreys Q DAWN LOVE

A LABOUR councillor in Dun Laoghaire Rathdown has accused the local authority of having an arts policy that is “seriously skewed against the Dublin South constituency”.

Speaking to the Gazette, Councillor Richard Humphreys, said that at a recent council meeting he submitted a questioned to the local authority, which requested a list of the council-sponsored sculptures or public art, broken down by area.

The Labour Cllr said the results showed a “startling imbalance in the distribution of public art”.

“Less that 25% of the sculptures (10 out of 42) are located in the Dublin South Dail constitu-

ency. The vast majority of sculptures are located on the Dun Laoghaire side of the county,” he said.

“Of the six local electoral areas in the council, the Stillorgan Ward fares the worst in terms of council-sponsored public art, despite having two large parks and many green areas suitable for sculptures,” he said.

“The council lists two sculptures in the Stillorgan Ward for which it is responsible. The first of these is stated to be in Ard Lorcain in Stillorgan. However, there is, in fact, no sculpture in Ard Lorcain. The second sculpture is listed as Eden Park Drive/Goatstown. However, Eden Park Drive is not in the Stillorgan Ward – it is in Dundrum. Furthermore there is no sculpture on

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‘It should be noted that the vast majority of these works were commissioned in the 1980s and 1990s and do not reflect current policy’ --------------------------

Eden Park Drive.

“I am somewhat surprised at the inaccurate nature of the council’s list but, more significantly, I am disappointed that Dublin South in general, and Stillorgan in particular, have been short-changed in terms of public art. I am calling

on the manager to rectify this situation for future locations of statutes or other public art,” he said.

A council spokesperson confirmed that DLRCC was aware that the majority of permanent public artworks are located in the Dun Laoghaire electoral area.

However, the council said “it should be noted that the vast majority of these works were commissioned in the 1980s and 1990s and therefore do not reflect current policy.

“Stillorgan was, until the mid-1990s, part of Dublin County Council and did not fall under the remit of the old Dun Laoghaire Borough. The most recent public art programme, Place and Identity, focused on all six electoral areas equal-

ly. The new public art policy, which is currently being developed, aspires to ensure as broad a geographical spread as is feasible across the county for public art commissioning.”

However, Cllr Humphreys said: “To add to the unsatisfactory situation, Dun Laoghaire does not seem to know what to do with all of its abundance of art. The inability to agree on a location for the magnificent Gateway sculpture in Dun Laoghaire town has meant that this sculpture remains in storage.”

“We have also seen a series of arts events concentrated on the Dun Laoghaire side of the County. The wards in Dublin South need a fair crack of the whip,” Humphreys added.

COMMERCIAL FEATURE

24 November 2011 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 5

Business is booming for local women

Heather Cassidy, Carmen Ortega Murphy and Gillian Doyle - the angels of Sandyford business

IN these tough economic times lies an example of how hard work, determination and the power to turn dreams into reality can create jobs and successful businesses.

Look no further than Sandyford, Dublin 18 and you will find not one or two but three examples of this within one community.

As the song goes, “It’s a man’s world” but three ordinary women in Sandyford have broken the mould and have proved that anything men can do they can do better.

The aim of these three women is to inspire and encourage women to brave the business world.

There are so many women with great ideas and amazing potential that should believe in themselves and their ideas enough to take that first step.

It is by no means an easy route to take but the rewards and personal satisfaction are second to none.

So, if you have a dream, take that dream in both hands and GO FOR IT! We would like to welcome all business women in the area to join us on the evening of December 7th at the Leopardstown Inn. This will be an opportunity to promote your business while mingling with like-minded women.

GILLIAN DOYLE, owner and manager of Dimples Crèche & Montessori, is a mother and a business woman.

Gillian’s background is in business and finance but there was always the ambition to go it alone and be her own boss, so embarking on a new business venture in a time of recession and being told it was impossible was the exact challenge she welcomed!

Whilst searching for childcare for her own family she knew what she wanted but couldn’t find it, so then she decided to incorporate her passion for business and love for children and so emerged “Dimples Crèche & Montessori”.

As a parent herself she thoroughly investigated what was on offer for children and families in the area and is prioritising the focus about reintroducing children to nature, offering a happy childhood to children which is caring and nurturing whilst their parents carry on with their work and errands happy in the knowledge that their child is in safe and capable hands.

She never underestimates how difficult it is for parents to be separated from their child and is offering them childcare with a twist of nature and a hint of reminiscence of times past.

HEATHER CASSIDY, owner and manager of The Cassidy Academy of Music, is a qualified secondary school teacher who after graduating from her Post Graduate Diploma in Education faced bleak employment opportunities in the education sector.

Having also previously obtained a Diploma in teaching and performance at The Royal Irish Academy of Music she had for many years taught the violin both privately and in music schools in Dublin and Kilkenny.

Heather decided to marry her love of music and teaching while also creating her own job and a job for six other instrumental teachers by setting up a private music school in Sandyford.

Heather was of the opinion that Sandyford was a massive residential area in south Dublin that she felt lacked such a facility.

Through meticulous planning and market research Heather felt that this was a perfect recipe for a business to succeed in a recession, and confident that parents would feel that the instrumental lessons and Mother & Baby Musical Morning classes provided at the Academy were of the highest quality and of huge benefit to their children.

The ethos of the academy is to instil a love of music in its students at affordable prices and in a relaxed environment.

CARMEN ORTEGA MURPHY, owner and manager of both Southside Storage and the Glencairn Car Park, is no stranger to strong business-minded women.

Working in the family business whilst rearing her three children the day came when it was time for her to step out on her own in the business world.

In a time of recession it was a challenge to find and develop any business.

After overcoming many obstacles “Southside Storage” and “Glencairn Car Park” were born.

With the volume of people currently downsizing, emigrating and renovating their homes there is a definite need for storage solutions.

Southside Storage not only offers a storage facility but it is located in the heart of a residential community which offers 24 hour accessibility at extremely competitive rates in a safe and secure environment. “Glencairn Car Park” is located on the Green Line of the Luas, only 1 minute walk from the station and just a stop away from the metropolis of the busy industrial estate.

However, Glencairn car park will solve the problem of sitting an extra 30 minutes every day in traffic at the most competitive rates for weekly commuters at €3 per day and €12 per week.

6 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 24 November 2011

FINANCE AIB Cornelscourt’s branch manager talks about

A community focus Niamh Moriarty with her sisters Fiona and Aoife

INCE the beginning of the year, AIB Cornelscourt has been concentrating on helping local SMEs, by providing free showcase retail floor space in their main banking hall.

Branch manager, Sandy Doyle, and her staff are very keen to get business and the economy moving again, and the initiative is proving highly successful, with a waiting list of clients hoping to get involved.

The Gazette spoke to Sandy about this, and their other endeavours at the branch “To date, we have been concentrating on helping our local SMEs. This [showcasing initiative] has been running since the start of 2011, and is our

S

Thomas Crotty, art competition winner

16th showcase so far, this year.

“We are finding that there are more and more people either setting up, or planning to set up, a new business.

Starting a business remains one of the biggest decisions a person will make in their lifetime.

“While it can be a very exciting time, it can also be extremely daunting, having to make lots of decisions that may have lasting implications for them and their business in the longer term,” said Sandy.

“We are here to help and guide local SMEs from the very first time they set up the business, right through to the day-to-day management of their business.

“We also pride ourselves in the

delivery of a first-class customer service that we provide to our wider community, she said.

“The staff in AIB Cornelscourt are currently helping to raise funds for a five-year-old girl, Niamh Moriarty.

“Niamh has cerebral palsy, and cannot walk on her own at the moment. She is hoping to go to America for an operation. All of the staff are actively involved in trying to help raise the necessary funds for Niamh’s operation.

“We have just had a Halloween Junior Saver art colouring competition. We had a huge response to this competition, and a very high standard of art are currently on display in our banking hall,” said Sandy.

Niamh Moriarty with Kerri Nolan, Manager Sandy Doyle, and James Roulston

24 November 2011 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 7

how the branch is playing a part in the local community

Sandy Doyle and Terri Halpenny with Christina Goldston

The young artists pose together

Terri Halpenny, Linda Hill Linda Priestley with Sandy Doyle, AIB Branch Manager, and Aisling Sheehy. Pictures: Geraldine Woods

Robert Halpenny

8 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 24 November 2011

SUPPORT DUNDRUM BUSINESS

EDUCATION Deputy Alex White welcomes commitment

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SHOP LOCALLY €90 million loan to transform UCD

CALL THE GAZETTE ON

60 10 240

CONFIRMATION that the European Investment Bank has committed to providing a loan of €90 million for the ongoing transformation of campus facilities at UCD was welcomed this week by local Labour TD, Alex White.

Funding will be used to develop six buildings, including the second

phase of UCD’s Science Centre, construction of a new School of Law, and the refurbishment and construction of student accommodation.

Speaking to The Gazette, Deputy White said that “the ability to locate both industry and academia on the same campus will help increase

Competitive He said that the investment will also strengthen UCD’s role in what is becoming an increasingly competitive academic environment.

“T he Government

is committed to ensuring, where possible, that world-class education and research facilities can help future generations contribute to the knowledge economy,” said Deputy White.

It is hoped the UCD Campus Development Plan 2010–2015 will make the campus more

compact, concentrating related activities and separating academic and leisure functions.

The overall redevelopment aims to consolidate and enhance this position of pre-eminence by providing future generations with a sustainable, healthy, and living campus.

CHARITY: LOCAL WOMAN’S EYE-OPENING TRIP TO SWAZILAND

‘I saw the real difference my money makes’

ENTERPRISENEWS

Growing Your Food Business

ARE you an established SME food business owner or manager, or a potential entrepreneur considering a new food business idea? If so, an innovative evening workshop on Tuesday, 29th November, could help shape your business development strategy for 2012.

Co-ordinated by the recently-launched Dublin Food Chain, in association with Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Enterprise Board, this practical two-hour information seminar aims to highlight new and emerging opportunities in the retail and food service sectors.

The free event is designed to help attendees plan for 2012 by analysing forecasted food business trends. Other aspects of business development that will be examined on the evening will include: how to select and research new product ideas, identifying cost-effective quality food production methods, the importance of branding and packaging and finding a market for new and existing ranges of food products.

Dublin Food Chain is a new business development framework initiated by the Irish Exporters Association and the four Dublin City & County Enterprise Boards, along with the support of AIB and Bord Bia. It aims to promote awareness of food sector-specific training and development programmes. Since its launch earlier this year, the collaborative network has also enabled Dublin food businesses to discuss joint strategies to capitalise on emerging market trends, as well as providing a chance to explore opportunities to reduce costs associated with marketing and promoting the local food industry.

‘Growing Your Food Business’ at the Royal Marine Hotel in Dun Laoghaire will be particularly beneficial to food producers, food manufacturers, restaurateurs, food distributors, specialist retailers and ‘concept-stage’ food business entrepreneurs.

Admission is free, however attendees are asked to pre-register by emailing dublinfoodchain@ gmail.com

links between the university and key Irish companies”.

Q MICHAEL HANNAN

dundrum@gazettegroup.com

Dundrum local, Mary Martin, on her Swaziland trip

A DUNDRUM woman, who has returned from an emotional visit to a World Vision Ireland programme in Swaziland, is urging others to sponsor a child, saying that by doing so, the child’s whole community will benefit from sponsorship.

Retired nurse Mary Martin, who has sponsored a child for 10 years, wanted to see how her money was being used to change lives.

Speaking to The Gazette this week, Mary said she was particularly impressed with her visit to the Kholwane Health Clinic, where she was able to see mothers and their children attending a new medical clinic, where, beforehand, they would have had no access to health care.

She said: “The big thing for me, given my background, was to see the health and welfare aspect [of the programme].

“This clinic was literally out in the middle of nowhere. People have a big distance to travel to get medical care. People were walking ten to 12 miles to get this.

“The nurses work very hard, as it’s a seven-day week in the clinic. It’s incredible what they could do, with what they have,” she said.

Mary said she did not know what to expect when she arrived in Swaziland, and had been apprehensive about what she would witness.

“It was heartbreaking at times to meet with women, often grandmothers, who are struggling to look after many young grandchildren, after losing their own children to HIV/AIDS,” she said.

Swaziland has the world’s highest rate of HIV infection, with 26.3% of the adult population infected.

World Vision has set up HIV/AIDS education programmes, with 10,800 people attending these sessions in 2010 alone.

Besides health programmes, World Vision works with the local communities in Swaziland in setting up the equivalent of credit unions and business training programmes to encourage small business start-ups and create employment.

Mary admitted she ini-

tially had some scepticism as to whether the money would go to where it was intended, but this proved unfounded.

“As it turned out, the money went directly to the project managers.

There are proper criteria put in place to ensure the money goes to where it’s supposed to,” she says.

As a mother of three, with two grandchildren, she was particularly interested in the benefits of the programme on the children in the affected areas, visiting the Mbanjana Primary School, which had received funding from World Vision.

“Education is a big thing. You’ve got kids aged 12 or 13 who’d be looking after five or six siblings. Children now have classrooms to learn in where, before, some were taught their lessons under a tree.

“It’s very heartening to see how far my small monthly contribution of €25 has gone,” she says.

Mary speaking with a nurse at Hwolwane Medical Clinic, where her World Vision donation is helping

24 November 2011 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 9

10 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 24 November 2011

SCHOOLS Turning the sod for a new girls’ school in Sandyford

An Cathaoirleach of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Fine Gael Councillor John Bailey; Rosemont School principal, Margaret Aisling O’Flanagan, Aoife Cantwell, and Belen Aznar

Kelly, and Fine Gael Councillor Neale Richmond. Pictures: Geraldine Woods

Mucking in to help mark a new future

ARKING a significant and welcome step forward for Rosemont School, Sandyford, An Cathaoirleach of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Councillor John Bailey, recently turned the sod on what will be Sandyford’s first girls’ secondary school.

Joined by Councillor Neale Richmond, as well as the school’s Board, Rosemont Educational Foundation, the Cathaoirleach and the councillor turned the

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sod, to cheers and applause from the bystanders, before everyone retired to the community centre.

Principal Margaret Kelly said: “We are excited about offering the community a girls’ secondary school, which will provide a completely rounded education, focusing on pastoral care, as well as academic excellence.”

Student enrolments for the school are now being taken, with the school due to open next September.

Fine Gael councillor Maria Bailey and Principal Kelly

The first sod gets removed in style

24 November 2011 GAZETTE 11

12 GAZETTE 24 November 2011

GazetteNUTRITION NUTRITION

Healthier way to takeaway food Q LEILA JOHARI

THIS month there is plenty of reality TV hitting our screens. Between the X Factor and I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, there are several excuses to stay in and curl up on the couch, phone in hand, surrounded by dozens of takeaway menus.

Pizza, burgers, Indian, Thai or Chinese – the choice is endless! Takeaways are a convenient meal on a cold, dark winter’s night when the last thing you want to do

is go outside to shop for ingredients. What could be better than getting a hot meal delivered right to your doorstep that you can just throw in the bin afterwards?

No need to spend time cooking and cleaning up – imagine missing the latest performance!

Unfortunately, this is not beneficial to our health. These shows go on for weeks, so we must not make this a weekly habit! The question is how can we make these nights a little bit health-

ier, so we don’t have to feel guilty about making the delivery boy venture out in the rain? Here are some facts and tips on how to make your favourite takeaways more nutritious and take that guilt away.

Take this away for thought…

Every single person in the country eats one type of takeaway at least once a week In general, up to 60% of total calories from takeaway meals come from fat, with three quar-

ters of meals analysed over the recommended fat limits. Saturated fat and salt content is high.

Meals are short on a wide variety of nutrients such as fibre, vitamin C, E and the B group vitamins. In addition to the main meal, it is very tempting to order starters, side dishes and drinks. A milkshake, for example, can add up to 300 calories to your meal! Not to mention onion bhajis, samosas, chips and spring rolls, which are all deep-fried

Up to 60% of total calories from takeaway meals come from fat

and high in saturated fat.

Takeaway the Guilt

Pizza: Pizza can be r e a s o n a b l y h e a l t hy depending on which you choose and the size of the portion. Most pizza is high in cheese, which is high in fat, but also protein and calcium.

The carbohydrate base provides a good source of energy and the tomato sauce contains caro-

tenoids, such as lycopene-powerful phytochemicals that protect us against cell damage.

Avoid meat-based pizza and choose a vegetable pizza instead.

Burger in a bun with chips: Meat burgers in a bap are high in total fats, saturates and calories. Many are them are made with poor quality meat and topped with processed cheese, which is high in fat and

salt. Burgers are low in fibre and vitamin C and chips are deep-fried and high in fat. When ordering a burger, ensure that the meat is lean, preferably organic. Request a wholemeal bun if available and avoid cheese and mayonnaise, sticking with tomato relish and salad.

Chinese/Japanese: Chinese and Japanese takeaway choices can be one of the worst, as they are high in salt, fat and calories and can contain flavour enhancers such as monosodium glutamate and other additives. Higher fat dishes include sweet and sour pork in batter, duck dishes and special fried rice. For a lowerfat meal go for stir-fried vegetable dishes with lower fat protein such as chicken or beef in chilli sauce and choose plain, boiled rice or noodles.

Indian/Thai: Indian and Thai are one of the nation’s favourites and the spices used can provide many health benefits. However, all the meat, spices, onions and other vegetables are fried in oil, which later rises to the surface so the dishes are quite oily. When choosing curries, it is best to opt for tomato-based sauces rather than highfat sauces that contain coconut milk or cream such as “tikka-masala”.

Tandoori (dry) chicken with mango chutney or raita is a delicious meal and an excellent source of protein.

24 November 2011 GAZETTE 13

14 GAZETTE 24 November 2011

GazetteBEAUTY BEAUTY

Edited by Dawn Love

Look glowing this season IF YOU fancy a natural, bronzed glow this festive season, then check out He-Shi, the award-winning tanning range.

The premium tanning brand has three deluxe gift sets for the festive period.

For Christmas, HeShi has introduced the Liquid Mitt set (€26)

with the iconic He-Shi Express Liquid Tan in 150ml, along with a patented applicator tanning mitt from He-Shi – a perfect stocking filler for the tan enthusiast.

Meanwhile, the He-Shi Gold gift set was a favourite stocking filler last year, and is the ultimate for any tanning enthusiasts, as it

includes a range of delicious He-Shi products to achieve the ultimate golden tan.

This luxurious gift set includes the prestigious exfoliator (with scrumptious strawberry scent, to prepare skin ahead of tanning), the best-selling Express Liquid Tan, tanning mitt and souffle

moisturiser – three steps to an eviable glow this winter, and beautifully soft, moisturised and tanned skin, even if a sun holiday isn’t on the cards this Christmas.

This gift set is also a perfect little treat for yourself while you shop for others. The He-Shi Gold Gift Set is priced

at €37.50, with a value of €61.50.

Finally, the He-Shi One Day Bronzer gift set makes an ideal gift for any girl or guy interested in tanning.

Including He-Shi’s One Day Tan – an instant tan that offers a sophisticated and healthy glow – this gift set is the perfect Christmas gift for those in a hurry, or with lastminute parties to attend.

The product is also wash-off, so is ideal for an instant application, while the set also includes the He-Shi Multi-Fuzion Bronzer, a mosaic of bronzing powder mixed with a golden shimmering palette, to allow for contouring the face.

The He-Shi Bronzer Brush completes the set, and ensures all-night radiance is guaranteed at

One of a number of He-Shi tanning products which could make a wonderful Christmas gift this year

the swirl of your brush.

It’s ideal for indulging in a glamorous, tanned look, to sparkle at every party thoughout the season.

The He-Shi One Day Bronzer gift set is priced at €37.50, with a value of €52.50.

The He-Shi gift sets are

available now from leading department stores, as well as from selected salons and day spas nationwide.

For your nearest stockist of He-Shi, contact Euro Products at 0044 028 9044 9744, or see the website at www.europroducts.ie.

24 November 2011 GAZETTE 15

16 GAZETTE 24 November 2011

GazetteMUSIC MUSIC

REVIEW: A SECOND ALBUM IN SIX MONTHS FROM THE LEGENDARY KATE BUSH

No words to say how good this is Q ROB HEIGH

Kate Bush’s 50 Words For Snow is a record that captures the season with ease

THERE are some artists you listen to at certain times in your life, and mean certain things to you. Some pass the years as constants, some you fall out of love with, some diminish their vibrancy as their output equates with diminishing returns, and some disappear to leave a sweet memory of brief but blazing impact.

And there are the rare few who stand all test of time. The ones who disappear for years on end but whose return is like the return of a comet - blazing, epic and anticipated like little else.

We have so far been blessed this year with one Kate Bush record,

although the revisiting of the Red Shoes and Sensual World albums on The Director’s Cut set in June might not entirely count as new, although it did showcase a more mature vocal style from Kate on songs that have become so beloved to her fans.

The arrival of 50 Words For Snow, however, is one of those comet-like events, an entirely new set of songs that were developed on the back of a creative rush that came after the Director’s Cut recordings.

Where previously there would have been potentially years, even decades, between the release of that record and this new one, the theme of winter that informs every track, as well as the immediacy that

shines through the recording, means that Christmas has come early.

Within seconds, those first four notes of the piano phrase at the start of Snowflake, catch your breath and capture you wholly for the next 65 minutes.

It’s a concept album of sorts, each song being in some way related to snow and winter, but that is merely a thread on which to hang themes that are familiar to fans, such as love, sensuality and motherhood, as well as Kate’s playful way with words and almost theatrical constructions in musical form, such as on the title track, which features the unique tones of Stephen Fry. As on Kate’s previous records, various guests

appear on the tracks, with the lead track, Snowflake mostly voiced by Kate’s son, Albert, while Elton John appears on Snowed In At Wheeler Street, and gives the kind of performance that you wish he would more often — utterly focused and intoning more than he has in decades - initially, I couldn’t believe it was Elton singing, he is that good.

Not one track is less than seven minutes long, and the detail and space they inhabit within this unconstrained structure means that the songs and the stories they tell live and breathe, and each one is no less than perfect.

Del Palmer’s recording has allowed an almost freejazz approach to emerge,

with wisps of strings or simply Kate’s expressive, unique voice and a piano, to say as much as the lyrics impart.

The white canvas of winter has been used here to paint song-stories that are more expressive, more emotional, and more brilliant than most artists achieve in their entire careers.

Kate Bush is like the character in Snowed In At Wheeler Street, the one who returns occasionally throughout time to set the life of the other protagonist alight with love and beauty and the experience of something magical.

That experience is what listening to this record is like, and that is why this is the best record you will hear this year.

24 November 2011 GAZETTE 17

GazettePETS PETS

Brought to you by Miriam Kerins of the DSPCA

THE FACTS: WHEN WINTER SETS IN WILDLIFE CAN SEEK SHELTER IN YOUR HOME

Keeping out our unwanted house guests IT pains me to admit it, but last weekend I morphed into the quintessential, frenzied, desperate housewife complete with rubber marigolds, old t-shirt and leggings and embarked on the seasonal ritual of what I call, winterising my home.

You see each winter I scrub, wash out, air, hoover, clear out, turn over and block up every square inch of my home, inside and out… whether it needs it or not.

I have to explain at this stage, ladies, that it’s not usual practice for me to do housework on a regular basis; I’d rather write a novel in the dust on my TV screen than run a cloth across it but there’s something about winter that brings out the Mar-

tha Stewart in me – without the criminal record I hasten to add.

Now as this ritual involves some deep cleaning and maintenance, poor old “he who must be obeyed” was dispatched outdoors in order to combine such exterior tasks as gutter cleaning and vine trimming with a comprehensive inspection list, (drawn up and laminated by me) to make sure he “prepared and winterised” our nest with a view to preventing our “wild” neighbours, from becoming unwanted house guests.

Let me explain.

When the temperatures drop and the days get shorter, wildlife, that often, through no fault of their own, have nowhere

Squirrels can damage your home

else to go, start to seek winter accommodation.

This usually means in your attic, under your decking, down your pipes, in wall nooks and crannies, or up your chimney.

So, with that in mind, here’s what happens in my household.

I’ll first make sure no animals are trapped inside and if any are, I

gently remove them and place them either in an area of my garden that’s already set aside for wildlife or rehabilitate them back to their natural habitat before I permanently seal any entries.

I also use binoculars to check the roofline or high up areas like the eaves, inspecting hallows and cracks large enough to

allow animals to enter; checking for loose tiles on the roof.

I then inspect those areas I don’t use regularly – attic, crawl spaces, etc., – checking for any signs of daylight. If you can see daylight, you have a cavity that requires filling.

R e m e m b e r, w h e n checking the attic, look out for animal droppings, signs of chewing and nesting materials and pay special attention to the intersection of the roof and the trim.

If there is evidence of any of the above, assume an animal is present and never seal a gap until you are one hundred per cent sure the animal has safely gone. Look behind radiators or anywhere that pipes enter the building

for potential entry points for wildlife.

Inspect the chimney to make sure it’s not home for any small animals or birds prior to lighting the fire and installing a safety guard. Hire a professional if you’re unsure how to do this. Trim branches away from the house to limit access for climbing wildlife.

Remember to clean up any debris left lying around the garden.

We adore all animals in our house, especially wildlife and enjoy nothing more than watching the birds feed and bathe from our homemade feeders.

The little squirrel I noticed in my garden recently was such a cutie, however, if she gets herself

trapped inside my walls via any loose roof tiles, digs her way through my attic and raises her furry family in the box where I keep my now vintage wedding dress, especially as I’ve just managed to evict my own human offspring, then I’m certain she’ll lose a bit of her rustic charm and appeal pretty quickly.

So, keep this thought in mind, prevention is the best and easiest solution.

However, you must make absolutely certain you do this humanely and compassionately. It is a criminal offence to hurt, injure or cause distress to any animal.

For more information, log onto www.dspca.ie or email miriam.kerins@ dspca.ie

18 GAZETTE 24 November 2011

M50

MOTORING

RoadSigns Road Signs

RENAULT’S ELECTRIC CHALLENGE RENAULT Ireland’s managing director, Eric Basset, has set a challenge for his dealer network and team that will see 1,000 Renault electric vehicles sold in Ireland next year.

The Renault boss, who has overseen the marque’s market share double since his arrival in Ireland in 2009, is confident that one in 10 Renault vehicles sold in 2012 will be electric.

He has also stood by his commitment to make electric vehicles affordable to all, and reminds those in any doubt that Ireland is leading the way in Europe for infrastructure and availability of electric vehicles.

The Renault Kangoo ZE was launched last week and is available to test drive at dealerships, priced from €16,400 incl. VRT ex VAT and including the Government grant of €3,800.

The new Kia Rio took home the The Continental Irish Car of the Year award for 2012 last week

King of the road 2012 After a week driving the new Kia Rio, CORMAC CURTIS could see why it took home the Continental Irish Car of the Year award IA are here to compete, no question. The new Rio has just been released to the Irish market and it must surely be making the suits in Toyota and Ford shift uncomfortably in their boardroom seats.

Even before this quality Korean brand caused an industry upset by taking home the 2012 Continental Car of the Year award last week, the Rio was turning heads.

The terrific looks, performance, spec and price of this car will impress even the most jaded petrol head.

This is a brand that is bringing some serious quality to their cars, and adding extras as standard with a smaller price tag than much of the competition.

For example – compared to the 1.3-litre VVT-i Toyota Yaris – the 1.25-litre Rio is not only 16cm longer, it comes in over €600 cheaper.

And then there’s the car’s green credentials.

K

SPECS: KIA RIO 1.25L Top speed: 172km/hr 0–100km/hr: 12.6 secs Economy: 5.1l/100km CO2 emissions: 119/km Annual Road Tax: €104 Price: From €15,295

The CO2 emissions for the Rio range start at just 85 g/km, putting the Rio EcoDynamics model ahead of all other B-segment vehicles currently on sale in Europe.

But let’s talk about this car in practical terms.

At first look, the Rio is a looker.

If you read through the company spin, they’ll tell you that their engineers and designers worked tirelessly to produce a car that “combines European finesse with Korean spice to create a form language that also communicates Latin flair”…

Yeah, I don’t know what that means either.

But, what I do know is that this car looks damn good.

In this already-crowded segment, it is difficult for a car to look unique without appearing gimmicky. But the Rio has brought bags of character to the table, with styling all of its own, while at the same time adopting some classic rally-car accents.

The look of the front grille and bumper owes a lot to the body kits that adorned many of the modified boy-racer cars of recent years, but the batmanlike character of the headlight clusters elevates this front end to something far more attractive.

The low, chrome-rimmed fog lights on the EX model add a nice touch to the “air scoops” below the headlights.

The company likes to make some noise about how this version of the Rio is the same weight as its predecessor, even though it is longer, wider, lower and features a wheelbase extended by 70mm.

This may be true, and it cer-

tainly contributes to the very roomy interior in the front, rear and boot – but the new design makes you think that, if this car were in a wind tunnel, it wouldn’t cause so much as a ripple in the smoke lines.

It is an exercise in aerodynamics, that is, no doubt, key to keeping the fuel economy figures as low as possible.

I’m no speed freak behind the wheel, but I do like to have a little fun – and even this 1.25litre has all the performance need to put a smile on your face when the road is clear.

The five-speed gearbox in the car I tested was smooth, quick and definite, even though, I must admit, the clutch and accelerator pedals were a little uncertain and took some getting used to.

The overall interior of the car is another success for Kia. Even though the test car didn’t feature leather seats, the feeling in the driver’s seat was one of pampered comfort.

And the look and feel of the

dashboard doesn’t disappoint either.

It may be a small feature, but when you turn the key, the clean, bright dials light up and the various needles come alive by swiping all the way to the top and back before resting at their actual settings.

Like I said, it may be a small feature, but it made me smile every time I started the car, and it really shows the kind of attention to detail Kia are putting in to their latest models.

Finally, I must mention some of the standard safety equipment thrown in to the range.

This includes six airbags (front, side and curtain), ESC (electronic stability control), VSM (vehicle stability management), HAC (hill-start assist control) to prevent roll-back when moving off on gradients, and three-point seatbelts for five occupants.

So, on top of everything else, it looks as though the new Rio should score very well in the Euro NCAP tests.

24 November 2011 GAZETTE 19

20 GAZETTE 24 November 2011

GazettePROPERTY PROPERTY

CHURCHTOWN: THREE-BEDROOM SEMI-DETACHED FOR €450,000

Family fare at Henley Park is a fantastic find MCGUIRK Beggan Property in Terenure are bringing 43 Henley Park, Churchtown, a threebedroom semi-detached family home with a private west-facing rear garden and quiet cul-de-sac location, to the market for €450,000 The property, which extends to 1,360 sq ft, been extended and also has the added benefit of a garage, offering ample potential to convert.

Nestled in a quiet and leafy cul-de-sac, the property is ideally located just off Churchtown Road Lower and only a short stroll from the LUAS. The accommodation comprises entrance porch with a tiled floor, a carpeted entrance hall with ample understair storage.

The living/dining room has an expansive layout, with a large picture frame window and interconnecting doors that provide the room with natural light.

It features two tilesurround fireplaces, and double sliding doors that allow access through to the family room, which overlooks the rear garden.

The kitchen features an array of fitted wall- and floor-level units, a built-in breakfast bar, lino flooring and tile splash back.

There is a utility room off the kitchen, which

Number 43, Henley Park is on the market for €450,000

features a tiled floor, sink unit and additional storage presses. It is plumbed for a washing machine and there are two separate accesses to the rear garden.

The bedrooms are all well-sized and feature carpeted flooring and fitted wardrobes.

The master bathroom comprises bath with electric shower, WHB, WC,

and is fully tiled.

Outside, the front garden is fully cobble-locked, so offers ample off-street parking, and it is shielded with mature shrubbery.

The rear garden measures 50ft in length, is walled and has a laid-in lawn. It is not overlooked so offers good privacy. The garden also enjoys an enviable westerly aspect, capturing all the afternoon and

evening sunshine.

This wonderful home is sure to attract strong interest so early viewing is highly recommended.

The property is available for viewing, which can be arranged through Sinead Beggan at McGuirk Beggan Property on 01 419 0600.

For more information, see www.mcguirkbeggan. ie.

CO MEATH: FIVE-BED DETACHED HOME FOR €349,950

A magnificent Manor CARTY Property Advisors are bringing No 32, Steeple Manor in Trim, a superbly designed five-bedroom detached residence perfectly positioned in a modern and much sought-after residential estate of fine detached homes, to the market for an asking price of €349,950.

This family home, which was constructed to a high standard, was extended in 2002.

The property, which has been stylishly decorated and maintained in meticulous condition throughout, benefits from a walled entrance with tarmac driveway, allowing

Number 32, Steeple Manor in Trim is on the market for €349,950

for off-street parking, as well as two side entrances to the professionally-landscaped garden, which features a decking area.

The accommodation comprises entry hall, living room, a study, kitchen, dining room, family room, TV room, utility room, as

well as five large bedrooms on the upper level, with the master bedroom featuring a walk-in wardrobe, en suite and study.

Two of the bedrooms share a Jack & Jill-style en suite facility, while the fourth bedroom has an en suite. There is also a large

family bathroom.

Properties at Steeple Manor were constructed approximately nine years ago of timber-frame construction, and the develpoment is situated beside Newtown. There is an excellent host of amenities and historical sites on is door step.

Viewing is highly recommended and can be arranged by contacting Carty Property Advisors on 04694 86860, or see www.carty.ie for more information.

24 November 2011 GAZETTE 21

GazetteBUSINESS BUSINESS

Supported by AIB

And now... it’s competition time LA Make-Up Academy offers world-class programmes spanning make-up, beauty therapy and fashion styling.

With studios in Dublin, London and Los Angeles, LA MakeUp offers truly unparalleled education taught by award-winning tutors who are leaders in the industry.

To celebrate the launch of LA’s ITEC Honours Beauty Therapy Course, LA Academy and Der-

malogica are giving readers the chance to win a year’s supply of Dermalogica products. To enter this amazing competition, all you have to do is ‘like’ the LA MakeUp Academy/Agency Facebook and answer a simple question in the competition tab to win.

Always ahead of the industry, LA Make-Up is the FIRST College in Ireland to offer this ITEC Honours Diploma in Beauty Therapy. This course has the

unique ability to train students as expert beauty therapists and high fashion make-up artists, with the added bonus of training in all the latest techniques in the industry. These include facial, electrical, body treatments and advanced skincare.

The beauty students are also trained to a Module 2 standard in make-up, which qualifies them as a professional bridal, catwalk and high fashion make-

up artist. Full and part-time beauty courses will commence January, 2012.

LA Make-Up also offers worldclass FETAC and ITEC accredited programmes. LA Make-Up graduates are now successfully working all over the world in locations such as London, New York and Los Angeles!

For more information visit www.lamakeupacademy.com or call 01 675 1999.

Interview: Lorraine O’Neill, founder and owner of LA Make-Up Academy

WHERE TO INVEST THE SAVINGS Q – I have c. €120,000 in savings and am “riskaverse” – being in my mid-sixties, caution is my middle name - can you advise me on where best to place this sum ? Catherine – Raheny Dublin 5 A – I would say over 95% of investors today irrespective of age would be risk-averse given what has happened in particular over the last five years.

However, as I have often stated, all investment is risk – the greater the return, the higher the risk – and when the stock market is involved, you have

Facing up to a challenge

to think long-term rather than trying to make the quick buck.

Your personal circumstances are going to dictate some of your investment decisions – your age, your family situation, current income levels and your personal goals.

In your mid-sixties now, you are going to be that little bit more cautious with your money than a midtwenties investor. Generally, the older you are, the more likely it is that you will keep your funds liquid – cash deposits, guaranteed short term investments. You also have a choice of investing in some

LORRAINE O’Neill is known both for her skills as a make-up artist and for her success developing businesses such as LA Make-Up Academy and the Irish Federation Of Make-Up Artists (IFMA).

She has worked as a make-up artist in London, Paris and Sydney as well as her native Dublin, and has travelled all over the world, to destinations as diverse as Africa and India. Highly respected by clients, photographers, stylists and fellow make-up artists, Lorraine established an early reputation for catching trends while warm and transforming them red hot onto the faces of Ireland’s top models. Her work has been featured in numerous titles,

including Image, Social & Personal, The RTE Guide, and she has appeared on TV programmes such as RTE 1’s Off the Rails.

Lorraine was aware that no facility existed in Ireland to provide top-tier training to make-up artists. Lorraine then began training make-up artists, engaging the services of other leading artists to provide high-quality tuition.

In 2005, she was keen to realise the full potential of her training business and she opened LA Make-Up Academy. To date, thousands of students have benefited from instruction from Ireland’s top make-up artists.

See www.lamakeupacademy.com for details.

alternative investments (eg art, philately, rock ‘n roll memorabilia, etc) or the stock market itself (Exchange Traded Funds – ETFs. the cheapest form of stock acquisition – managed funds, government bonds, commodities such as gold ) or even to use your money as seed capital for your own or a family member’s start up business. € 120,000 is a large sum and you should expect a return of c. € 4,000 NET in to your hand each year at the minimum.

All deposit takers regulated by the Financial Regulator carry a € 100,000 guarantee – even institutions like Investec and Nationwide UK are similarly covered by the UK Financial Regulatory Authority.

State savings ( the National Treasury Management Agency – a government body that manages An Post, Lorraine O’Neill, founder and owner of LA Make-Up

prize bonds, the two National Solidarity Bonds,

Academy

NAMA etc ) are deemed sovereign debt and have no limit – though some of the products have thresh-

Q&A Q: When you were a kid, what did you want to be?

A: A truck driver or a ballet dancer!

Q: What was your first job?

A: Picking potatoes age 11 in the farm next door....hard labour from my mother! It was strawberries the next summer but I kept eating them so they fired me

Q: And your first pay cheque?

A: 20 pence per bag and I was rich!

olds.. e.g. Savings Bonds €120,000 per person – and no expiry date. As long as you believe the euro will

A: Seeing our students inspired and realising that their dream is coming true. Infectious.

Q: What about your job do you like least?

A: Wanting to run when I must walk

Q: What air carrier do you use?

A: Whoever will take me the furthest! Can’t beat BA for customer service and also Singapore for just about everything

Q: How many people do you speak with every day?

A: I work from London every

Q: What kind of car do you drive?

A: Jeep

second week so as many as will listen to me. When I’m in Dublin, my entire team daily at our check-in meeting bright and early

Q: What is the best thing about your job?

marathon running and my first squash game this weekend!

the most amazing handbags in the world

not fail, the government will not default, your money

Q: What is your favourite food and drink?

A: Love food, any food, unfor-

Q: How many pairs of shoes do

return on your money. The current best return on

you own?

a demand account (in today, out tomorrow where

A: Enough for my nickname to

you can email transfer instructions for same day

be Mrs. Marcos

value) is AIB Direct – now the Irish Banking Resolu-

tunately. Jameson

Q: How many times each week do you go to the ‘hole in the wall’?

A: Cards only, I don’t carry cash

Q: How many times each year do you shop for clothes?

A: I gladly see this as part of

tion Corporation - up to € 100,000 attracting 3.35%

Q: Where is your favourite

(net 2.4455%) They also offer the best 12 month

holiday destination?

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Q: What other job in the whole world would you really like to have?

A: To work with the mentally handicapped

Q: Can you swim?

A: I can swim; however, appar-

my job, so lots - great career perk!

Q: When do you wish to retire?

A: A busy mind never retires

Q: What is the name of your

Q: What do you plan to do

ently I look like I’m drowning

favourite shop?

then?

Q: What is your favourite sport?

A: Kayaking around Dun

A: Run Lola Run in London

Laoghaire and Dalkey,

for beautiful clothes... and Lorna Fitzgerald in Dublin for

is safe and it is a question of receiving the best

A: I will do what I always do... appreciate every day that comes and live it to the full

Contact John with your money questions at jlowe@moneydoctor.ie or visit his website at www.moneydoctor.ie. John Lowe, Fellow of the Institute of Bankers, is founder and managing director of Money Doctor

146,000* PEOPLE IN DUBLIN READ OUR PAPERS EACH WEEK *based on standard industry measurements

TO ADVERTISE CALL 60 10 240

22 GAZETTE 24 November 2011

GazetteTTRAVEL FastTravel Enjoying a winter break in the south-west A great week on and off the slopes in the Frech Alps

BLACKROCK-BASED company, Highlife, is offering some decent ski packages this snow season.

There is no doubt that the right resort can mean the difference between a mediocre ski holiday and a refreshingly good one. Highlife has several destinations that will guarantee a great week both on and off the slopes.

They continue to focus solely on the French Alps because of the expansive, well-maintained ski areas and the superb infrastructure and facilities on offer.

With Morzine, Meribel and Val d’Isere, on offer, each boasts a great snow record and also offers a wide range of skiing terrain suitable for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities.

Val D’Isere Val d’Isere has earned the reputation of being one of the greatest ski resorts in the world as a result of its sensational high-altitude skiing and chic village setting.

Linked with the neighbouring resort of Tignes to create L’Espace Killy, the combined ski area offers an astounding variety of terrain, both on- and off-piste, for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities. It is no surprise that this resort has hosted Olympic and World Cup competitions.

Dating back to the 11th century, Val d’Isere still retains much of its traditional Savoyarde architecture and authentic village atmosphere.

The town is a shopper’s paradise, with upmarket boutiques and traditional French patisseries lining its sophisticated main street. Visitors are spoilt for choice by the resort’s renowned range of cafes, restaurants and apres ski bars. As many of the pistes come right into the centre of town, non-skiers can choose a sunny terrace to enjoy the fun from the comfort of a deck chair.

Ski area Val d’Isere offers a good range of nursery slopes as well as extensive skiing for intermediates. For more advanced skiers and snowboarders, the Espace Killy area is well-known for its challenging black runs and sensational off-piste skiing. From Val d’Isere, you are within easy skiing distance of the base of the Grand Motte, one of Europe’s largest pisted glaciers. At 3,400m, the glacier offers over 40km of huge, sweeping runs and breath-taking views out over the Alps.

Go to www.highlife.ie for more information.

NATALIE BURKE

I’M ashamed to admit that it’s not very often I get to enjoy a few days away in Ireland, so I can’t help overlooking just how much our country has to offer.

After taking up the opportunity for an early winter break in the wonderful west, however, it’s something I plan on doing again very soon.

The Malton Hotel (formerly the Great Southern Hotel) was our home for two nights in Killarney, and is located in the heart of the town just a minute from the train station.

The tall windows, marble columns and traditional furniture of the 150-year-old Victorian building were complemented by the contemporary-styled reception area and the staff were incredibly welcoming, warm and helpful.

We stayed in a Junior Suite in the West Wing of the main house, one of the hotel’s 171 guestrooms, which continued to boast its old-fashioned charm with high ceilings and Victorian-style interior.

The spacious suite was, unsurprisingly, spotless and had a second-floor view of the hotel gardens and a backdrop of the Kerry Mountains.

The hotel prides itself

on letting time slow down a little for its guests and I can promise the days we spent there seemed to last forever – in the best way possible.

How we managed to fit so much into one day I’ll never understand, but we did, while still finding time to relax, enjoy a leisurely breakfast, dinner and seeing the local sights.

Dinner on our first night was spent in the Garden Room Restaurant where we sat at a window overlooking the garden and ordered from the reasonable table d’hote menu,

continental and traditional Irish favourites were available as well as a choice of vanilla pancakes, French brioche toast and fish specials from the a la carte menu.

The amenities in the hotel included the relaxing P unchbowl Bar, where we enjoyed a predinner drink, the resident’s library and reading room, as well as its six acres of landscaped gardens.

The Health and Beauty Rooms offer a range of treatments but with a long to-do list, we could only pay a quick visit.

Despite the chang-

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

‘Driving along the N71, we took in some must-see spots on the way to the picturesque spot of Moll’s Gap, including Torc Waterfall, Avoca and Ladies’ View’

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

which included a fourcourse dinner and a sorbet between courses.

The fried mozzarella, tomato and chickpea stew, and jumbo prawn cocktail with cucumber pearls, were enjoyed as starters while the fillet of Hereford beef and mushroom butter was definitely a favourite.

Breakfast was also served in the restaurant, where a buffet of both

ing rooms being a little small and slightly dated, the swimming pool was a good size and appeared very family-friendly.

Seeing the Sights We looked at some bargains at the K illarney Outlet Centre, which was right next door to the hotel, and took a wander through the town, discovering its many treasures, includ-

ing Quills’ fashion house and vintage store, Retro Rose Bazaar.

We found some of the best locally-sourced food products at The Markets on Old Milk Market Lane, and paused for tea at the century-old Miss Courtney’s Tearooms.

Driving along the N71, we took in some must-see spots on the way to the picturesque Moll’s Gap, including Torc Waterfall, Avoca and Ladies’ View.

Driving towards Kenmare, we paid a visit to Molly Gallivan’s traditional cottage and Lorges chocolatiers found along Glengarriff Road.

We enjoyed our second night’s dinner at The Smokehouse, a cosy restaurant with a laid back atmosphere, an open kitchen and a quirky menu.

Despite a limited dessert selection, a huge effort went into the freshness, quality and taste of the food where we enjoyed good wine, great service and a delicious meal.

Before heading home, we took a horse-drawn carriage through Killarney National Park with Killarney Jaunting Cars.

With five generations of the Tangney Family running the business, we took an informative and entertaining guided

The luxurious Malton

jaunt through the Parklands, past the Lakes of Killarney and on to Ross Castle.

Tours with Killarney Jaunting Cars are available all year round, with winter sleigh rides available during Christmas time.

Full-day tours and boat tours are also available and can be booked through your hotel or by visiting www.killarneyjauntingcars.com.

Two nights B&B plus one evening meal are available at The Malton, Killarney, at €159 pps at weekends, €139 during midweek.

The hotel is also offering great festive breaks for Christmas party nights, as well as Christmas Eve and Christmas Day packages and New Year’s Eve breaks.

For more information, visit www.themalton. com.

24 November 2011 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 23

Edited by Mimi Murray

TravelBriefs

Visit Santa and his elves in Killarney this Christmas

WITH so many festive treats happening in Killarney this Christmas, it’s no wonder Santa will be visiting his Secret Christmas Village during the month of December, and children will have the chance to visit and see his mischievous elves in action.

See Mrs Claus baking in her Gingerbread Kitchen, or the elves working hard in the Toy Makers’ Workshop.

Take a peek at Santa’s sleigh before Christmas Eve and see where the elves sleep at night in the Elf Dormitory.

Take a wander through Santa’s Farm Yard and see his reindeer in training. And, finally, meet the man himself and get your picture taken with Santa in his Holiday Cottage.

The Secret Christmas Village is open for visits from December 2 – 23.

Prices range from €15 per child or €50 for a family ticket (Two adults, three children).

Booking is essential and can be booked with local hotels or made at www.santasvillage.ie.

Hotel is located in the heart of Killarney and just a minute from the train station

24 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 24 November 2011

GazetteENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT

1GoingOUT PAVILION 01 231 2929 Alexej Gorlatch CONTINUING its eclectic range of superb music, the Dun Laoghaire theatre presents Alexej Gorlatch in concert. The young Ukranian pianist has collected a string of international awards, with his skills delighting listeners all around the world. His programme will include works by Beethoven and Chopin, with popular and challenging pieces to enthral all audiences. Alexej’s performance can be enjoyed at 8pm on Friday, November 25, with admission costing €17/€15.

MILL THEATRE 01 296 9340 Trading Faces ...

DUNDRUM theatregoers can be counted upon to give Adele King a warm welcome when she stars in Trading Faces... Or Who Gives A Tuck?, which follows a dowdy 50-something Dubliner who decides that cosmetic surgery is the answer to all her prayers for a new and exciting life ... but is it? Described as a hilarious and moving production, the production runs at 6pm and 8.30pm on Saturday, November 26, with admission costing €25/€20.

DRAIOCHT 01 885 2622 Paddy Cole PERENIALLY popular musician, Paddy Cole and his All Stars are ready to delight audiences with an eclectic evening of music, with everything from jazz, rock and roll, swing and sounds of the Sixties set to bring something for all tastes to the night’s entertainment. A legendary musician, Paddy has been delighting audiences for decades, and is all set to entertain on the night and, best of all, the night is a fundraiser, being held in aid of St Joseph’s Centre for the Visually Impaired – Ireland’s only centre for blind children.

The concert is at 8pm on Tuesday, November 29, with admission costing €22/€18 conc.

Peter Ward ( Daniel Craig), his wife, Libby (Rachel Weisz) and their daughters (Claire and Taylor Geare) seem to have a great life ... However, they soon begin to suspect there’s something unnerving about their seemingly perfect house – what is its mysterious past?

Building tensions ...

This tale of a house with a mysterious past is interesting, but it’s also unlikely to haunt viewers’ minds for very long Q KATE CROWLEY

ANOTHER day, another film, and another house of horrors for your consideration. (Speaking of which, dear readers, be grateful you’ve never seen home videos of Mr Crowley’s wedding dancing – or Dad-Dancing, as darling Crowleyetta bluntly puts it.)

Just what is it about mysterious old houses that directors seem to find so fascinating, in this case, Jim Sheridan?

I’ve yet to see something that’s truly horrifying – such as the desperate problem with pyrite foundations that so many Dublin householders, and our rural cousins, are facing – but the perils of swelling building materials don’t seem to interest directors quite as much as spooky goings-on in basements.

And so, plumbing the depths of an old formula, we arrive at this particular

FILM OF THE WEEK: Dream House ++ (15A) 91 mins Director: Jim Sheridan Starring: Daniel Craig, Rachel Weisz, Naomi Watts, Two Cute Kids and A House’s Mysterious Secret

OUR VERDICT: HERE we go again – don’t go down into that cellar, or digging around into the past! It’s an interesting take on the haunted house formula, where the main figure is a haunted figure, in the psychological sense of the word. However, the film soon descends into standard shlock-horror routine, turning the film into something that you could just as easily pass, and carry on down the street ...

Dream House; the kind of place that Mr Blandings would steer well clear of (that’s a nod to our older readers, and hello there, mammy), yet which craggy Peter Ward (Craig), wife Libby (Weisz) and little girls are living in.

It’s the kind of cosy, comfortable house that we’re all so used to seeing in the movies – you know, happy children, plenty of space, nice furniture, aloof neighbours, mysterious figures standing around outside in the midnight snow, a gang of strangers in the basement – so far, this almost

sounds like the Crowley household at Christmas, but with somewhat less Dad-Dancing.

Still – and perhaps the preceding paragraph has tipped my hat at where review this is going – all is not well in the Ward house, as Peter and family are, shall we say, alarmed at the strange figures and goings on that are taking place around, and focused on, their dream house.

It’s soon clear that another family once lived there – but it’s a family that seems to have met an unfortunate end.

Once Peter starts to

look into the history of the house, and what may or may not have happened to the former occupants, it’s clear that it was anything but a dream house.

Err... I’m now at the point in this review where, if I was giving you the lowdown on a big ol’ boat, heading at a jaunty clip towards America in April, 1912, and what the sudden sighting of a chunk of ice might have meant for that titanic vessel, I’d have to either tell you a little too much about the film’s outcome, or totally change tack.

In other words, I’m stuck with what I’ll call “The Twist Is That Bruce Willis Is Already Dead In A Certain Film” syndrome, or TTITBWIADIACF, for short, and, here, there’s definitely a TTITBWIADIACF lurking just below the film’s surface, ready to spring several serious leaks in the Ward family’s lifestyle – or, more specifically, in

Peter’s very sanity.

Well folks, there ain’t no sanity clause that I can think of to exploit to avoid saying much more about the film without springing secrets that you don’t need to know just yet, so I’ll cut the plot summary there.

It’s an interesting twist on the haunted house formula, with the point here being that, rather than being a tale of a haunted place, perhaps there’s nothing more wretched than a haunted figure, with ghosts of the past lingering, half-felt on the edge of memory, with a doorframe, or a hallway, capable of springing an unexpected surprise.

Thanks to that earlier TTITBWIADIACF I mentioned – and that’s the last time I’ll wield that acronym, like a house brick – I can’t say much more, other than it’s an okay film, but can’t compete with the true horror that is Dad-Dancing ...

24 November 2011 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 25

GazetteGAMING GAMING

Months needed to truly explore Skyrim SHANE DILLON

IT’S been a very long time since I’ve found a game experience to be daunting, in the best sense of the word, but that’s the one word that kept coming to mind with the recent cross-platform release, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.

Despite its former, formidable popularity on older consoles and platforms, the roleplaying/ adventure genre has largely died away on modern consoles, save for continuing – if niche – popularity as, generally, Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) games, such as World of Warcraft.

However, although MMOs continue to enjoy significant success, and are very popular in other parts of the world, here, MMOs and their console counterparts are something of an acquired taste.

Still, Skyrim is a title that should easily wander its way up the charts as, despite seeing an awful lot of

media stories concentrating on the console “showdown” between the Battlefield and Call of Duty rival series, Skyrim’s pedigree makes it a significant contender for Game of the Year, regardless of the games’ platform it’s played upon.

But first, back to that particular word I picked out: daunting.

It really seems to be the most appropriate word for this title, as I can recall few other titles with the vast range of gameplay options, as well as the sheer size of the world, that Skyrim comes with.

In fact, the only other games that compare with it are its predecessors, as well as spiritual counterparts that were also developed by Bethesda – a games company that can truly lay claim to the title of “building worlds”.

Here, as with its broadly similar predecessors, the player finds themselves in a new land – new to them, but one that’s filled with a wide

Bytesandpieces Saying Halo to a big anniversary ALTHOUGH gamers are very used to seeing sequels churning out almost identical versions of the same title, where each sequel is barely an evolutionary step forward from its predecessor, it’s very unusual to see any title revisited.

However, that hasn’t stopped Microsoft from presenting Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, marking the ten-year anniversary of the iconic XBox title.

I’ll be reviewing that just-released title next week, as well as looking at how it’s been performing at various global markets.

The Halo series has been b one of the powerhouses of the XBox empire, on both hardware platforms, and a key title for Microsoft. The original Halo was a breath of fresh air in the First Person Shooter genre, and, coupled with some terrific enemy AI, made a major quality mark that even its sequels never quite matched.

To celebrate this key title’s anniversary, Microsoft have released the ten-year-old title again – but with a very interestingtwist ... Look out for that full review, next week.

Whether wandering over to one of the region’s towns, exploring mountain peaks, or finding abandoned ruins, Skyrim’s epic world is truly vast, and full of detail

variety of races, towns, ruins and history.

After choosing, and editing, a unique character type – such as, say, a character that’s particularly skilled at sneaking quietly, healing quickly and adept at one-handed combat – the player is free to wander the world.

And what a world it is, too. What initially may not look like a very large area, on the nicely-modelled map screen, turns out to be vast.

Walking for five or ten minutes towards a distant peak – only to realise you’ve barely moved across some foothills in an obscure corner of the map – make the world seem even more impressive, given the wealth of detail, random occurences, ruins and fortifications, changing weather and cycling days and

Want to craft a fireball-wielding ninja lizard mage? Each players’ character is truly their own.

nights experienced upon the way, coupled with chance encounters with friendly or hostile characters and wildlife.

Of course, there’s an overall story to follow – or to ignore. Don’t feel like talking to the Jarl (king) of a city, to get the next, crucial bit of information in the deepening plot? Then forget it, and simply pick a distant hill at random, and set off.

An almost equally involving adventure is likely to await, with odd characters, bandit attacks, and much more along the way, with every chance encounter, or player decision, affecting how your journey and character skills develop.

Frankly, after a lot of time spent plugging away at Skyrim – with several hours usually being enough to blitz through, and finish, most new releases – I’m well aware that I’ve only seen about 40% of locations on

the map – and that’s by almost totally ignoring events and characters met along the way.

Instead, rather than “playing” Skyrim, I’ve immersed myself into the adventure it offers, finding, noting, and then not even attempting a great many missions, diversions and opportunities along the way – and all this, within the same, half-discovered parts of the world. My world.

After all, despite Skyrim having a number of technical issues and occasionally jarring bugs, which the developer, Bethesda, is famous for in many of its games (with, at the time of writing, my most recent game save having simply vanished), it’s an outstanding title.

Occasionally gory, frequently chaotic, generally interesting and always involving, Skyrim’s epic nature make it a musthave title, offering months of gaming, not hours.

GAZETTE

26 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 24 November 2011

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24 November 2011 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 27

28 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 24 November 2011

GazetteSport Sport FastSport

Harrington finally finds form on European tour TRIPLE-major champion Padraig Harrington produced his best performance of 2011 on the European Tour to date when he finished in third place on 13-under at the Iskandar Johor Open in Malaysia.

The Stackstown man closed with a 69 in the third of three rounds to net a €75,000 pay packet for the week’s work, and finish two shots off the pace set by Joost Luiten.

Harrington needed an eagle at the last to get into a play-off, but missed the green with his approach shot and then chipped and two-putted for a par, leaving him to share third place with British pair Rhys Davies (65) and James Morrison (69).

“It was disappointing not only to chipand-putt 18, but also 16, but there you go,” said Harrington. “I am happy with my form and where my head was at, but I’m still a little disappointed with the result.”

The 69 was his highest score of the competition, having put himself bang in contention with a 64 and 67, but his challenge was knocked off course by back-to-back bogeys just after the turn.

He recovered those dropped shots at 13 and 14, but four pars to close out the week left him just shy of the top two of Luiten and Daniel Chopra.

In what has been a lean year, it nonetheless brought his yearly earnings to €448,000 as he finds himself in 64th in the Race to Dubai standings, his lowest place since 1996.

HOCKEY: PROVINCIAL SIDES CLAIM A RARE DOUBLE IN DUBLIN

Three Rock’s Luke Madeley celebrates after scoring for Leinster in their interprovincial win over Munster last weekend

Locals lift Leinster sport@gazettegroup.com

THREE Rock Rovers and Corinthian hockey clubs provided a large contingent to the Leinster underage sides that won both the U-18 and U-16 interprovincial hockey titles last weekend in St Andrew’s, making for a rare double victory for the Boys in Blue.

The former club provided six of the side who won the U-16 title with a 4-1 victory over Munster in the tournament’s final game, as well as two of the older age group.

Marlay neighbours, Corinthian, meanwhile, had five of the U-18 line-up representing the club on a famous weekend for the province.

I n d e e d , t h e 18 s looked all but out of the

competition after Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Ulster – Ross Canning cancelling out an Adam Fallis goal – despite a 9-1 victory over Munster on Saturday afternoon.

It left just one sequence of results on Sunday that would break Ulster’s threeyear winning streak; the Red Hands falling to Munster and the blues getting a second successive win over the southern province.

But that transpired in incredible fashion when Munster’s U-18 boys picked up a memorable 1-0 victory to set up the day, Andrew Colton’s drag-flick from his side’s only corner of the game proving the winner.

They rode their luck, surviving the ball bouncing off both post

and crossbar, as well as seeing Ulster miss a final-second penalty stroke. It allowed Leinster to gleefully step into the breach to claim the honours.

They duly grasped the opportunity with both hands when Corinthian’s Jordan Sutton got Leinster off to a flier against a flagging Munster in their second tie of the day. Clubmate Jonathan Roberts rebounded after Jeremy Duncan broke through, and David Cole dragged in a third to ease any nerves.

Sutton added another pair, while Cole got his second to copper-fasten the victory in the second half, before Nathan Eacrett and David Whitaker got consolation goals.

Earlier in the day,

Leinster’s U-16s continued their excellent form at youth level with a fifth title in six years. On Saturday, their title hopes looked to be rocked as Ulster produced a brilliant performance to run up a 2-0 victory but they were ultimately left to rue Hugh Lavery’s superb performance.

But for the Sandford goalkeeper, the damage might have been much greater as Ulster created plenty of chances.

Thanks to Friday’s 1-0 win over Ulster, and a rampaging 6-0 win over Munster on Saturday morning, it left Leinster ahead going into day three on goal difference by three goals.

Again, there was a helping hand from Munster as Julian Dale continued his fine scoring form with a fourth

of the tournament as his side fell to a 6-3 loss but did enough to leave Leinster needing any sort of win over Munster in the tournament’s final game.

Doubles for T hree Rock’s Luke Madeley and Jack Ryan – two of the key men all weekend, along with a towering show from David Nolan in midfield – saw them net a 4-1 victory to claim the title.

Madeley’s pair brought his tally to four drag-flicks in the competition while Ryan also got four, his pair in the final game were expertly taken, roofing the first sharply while his second – the side’s third – came from the narrowest of angles as he spotted a gap as Munster scrambled to realign their defences.

24 November 2011 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 29

in association with

2011 DUBLIN SPORTS AWARDS - NOVEMBER NOMINEES

FastSport

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

+ STARof the MONTH

Roche adds book award to list of achievements EAMON ZAYED

GARY THOMPSON

GLENN WHELAN

THE former Dundrum native and ex-Sporting Fingal star was named as the Airtricity’s Player of the Year this month after an heroic showing for Derry City, netting 22 goals for the Northern side in the process.

THE North Dublin star of the track has been marked as a possible F1 star of the future, and continues to impress with his progress on the Asian circuit, shining on the Japanese F3 championship over the last two years.

THE Clondalkin man’s presence as part of the Republic Of Ireland soccer team has been the sole constant of the campaign that ended this month with an aggregate win over Estonia to see Ireland reach Euro 2012.

LUCAN SARSFIELDS

ST BRIGID’S

ST SYLVESTER’S

THE 12th Lock side made Dublin history this month when they claimed the last of an impressive run of camogie titles at Parnell Park; the club’s ladies now own the Under13 to minors crowns in the county.

RUSSELL Park’s finest were on fine form to win the Dublin Senior Football championship title for the first time in eight years recently, and are impressing in their progress in the Leinster championship as well.

THE Malahide ladies once again proved their mettle on the field of play and reached the semi-final of the All-Ireland junior ladies’ football club championship, only to be denied a shot at the title by a determined Aherlow.

+ TEAMof the MONTH

WELCOME to the 2011 Dublin Sports Awards, as we mark our local sportsmen and women’s November sporting achievements across the capital and, indeed, across the nation.

We’re delighted to once again be able to celebrate the finest achievements in Dub-

lin sport, with some huge efforts at local levels coming to our attention in a variety of well-known, and some, less prominent, sports.

Ever y form of sporting achievement, at any level and in any sport, is valuable and gives an indication of the diversity of sporting commit-

ment there is around our fair city at all times of the year.

Let us know!

Let us know about your achievements in sport, so that the Gazette can tell the rest of Dublin — and give you, or your team, a chance of being one of our monthly stars.

Contact us on 01 601 0240 or sport@gazettegroup.com to tell us all about your successes, and follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/ gazettesport.

You can also check out the latest stories from GazetteSport at our new website, www.gazettegroup.com

DUNDRUM cyclist Nicolas Roche added another title to his already impressive string of achievements last week when his book, Inside The Peloton, was named as the Irish Sport Book of the Year at the at the Bord Gais Energy Irish Book Awards at the RDS. Roche himself was in attendance, having got the permission of his Ag2r La Mondiale team to leave the team training camp at Montgenevre to come to see the award presented, missing two days of training in the process.

Roche beat the competition in the category from Tony McCoy, Paul Kimmage, Donncha O’Callaghan, Philip O’Connor and Ronnie Whelan to claim the prestigious prize.

The cyclist has had a more successful and promising winter this year, last year having been blighted by injury that hampered what surely would have been a more successful 2011 season in the saddle.

“Everything is fine so far,” Roche said last week. “I haven’t started hard yet, I am just taking it easy until this point. Unfortunately, the weather hasn’t been great but I’ve got some training in anyway. I didn’t run this winter and have stayed clear of injury. I’m ready to step things up now.”

Get running to help reach GOAL’s 30th GOAL is asking people from all over Dublin to help them celebrate the 30th birthday of one of the country’s most popular annual fundraisers by organising a GOAL Mile somewhere in the county this Christmas.

Last year, GOAL Miles were scheduled to take place at thirteen

locations across Dublin, but with this being a special anniversary year for the event, GOAL is hoping that even more people will get involved across the county, and across the country in general.

If you would like to organise a Mile near you to assist GOAL’s various humanitarian programmes across the developing world, email Karen at koshea@goal.ie or call GOAL at 01 280 9779.

30 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 24 November 2011

GazetteSport Sport FastSport

DSDAC’s reward: Athletics club get national award DUNDRUM South Dublin AC — repre-

sented by Lucy Moore, Liz McDonagh, Eddie McDonagh, John Eves and Claire Bergin — recently received the Athletic Club of the Year award from CEO of Woodies DIY, Ray Colman, at the National Athletics Awards in Association with Woodie’s DIY and Tipperary Crystal which took place at the Crowne Plaza Dublin, Northwood.

Picture credit: Barry Cregg / Sportsfile

A memorable season SOCCER: TEAMS STRUGGLE IN LEAGUE TIES ACROSS SOUTH captured in colour ONE OF the most cherished sporting books of the year, A Season of Sundays, celebrates its 15th year of publication this year, and the latest instalment features a selection of images from Dublin’s in the collection.

Each year the book captures the very heart and soul of GAA life in Ireland, from the players and teams themselves to the officials, volunteers and supporters. The collection of images has been compiled by award-winning photographic agency, Sportsfile, and features captions from GAA Communications Manager, Alan Milton.

The book captures the spectacular journey that saw Dublin finally raise the Sam Maguire again after a 16-year wait, including the now famous Stephen Cluxton kick that sealed the win over Kerry on that memorable senior football final day at Croke Park.

The book’s creator, Ray McManus, said: “All of the talking points from another great season are relived in the book. From the worthy winners throughout the championships to the surprise packages, such as London’s great run in the football. It also looks at the less high-profile moments that capture the essence of Gaelic Games up and down the country.”

Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Criostóir Ó Cuana welcomed the publication of the latest instalment, saying: “The end of another GAA season would not be complete without A Season of Sundays. As ever, the memorable moments from what was another fascinating year are captured in glorious technicolour.”

Commenting at the launch of the book, Ulster Bank’s Seán Óg Ó hAilpín said, “Ulster Bank is proud of its growing involvement in Gaelic Games in Ireland. Along with sponsoring the GAA Football All-Ireland Championship for the past number of years, we are delighted to support A Season of Sundays for the second year running. The book is a fine memento of the GAA season and one which players and supporters alike look forward to each year.”

A Season of Sundays 2011, sponsored by Ulster Bank, retails at €29.95 and is now available at bookstores nationwide and online at www.sportsfile.com.

Broadford Rovers fell to a 5-0 defeat away from home at Edenderry in LSL Sunday Senior 1

Tough week for local sides sport@gazettegroup.com

WAYSIDE CELTIC’S run of two consecutive league wins came to a crashing halt at Jackson Park last Sunday when Tolka Rovers raided their hosts for a 5-1 victory as their title retentions hopes look to be over at the half way stage in the season.

A fourth success in six outings for Tolka saw them leap-frog the K ilternan side, with Paul Ryan netting a double, while Eamon Moylan, David Somers and Andy Hartford also weighed in to put five

goals between the sides before Wayside got a deserved late consolation.

With Bangor Celtic not in league action, and Mount Merrion falling to a heavy home defeat to Phoenix, it made for a tough weekend for the local sides in the LSL Sunday Senior.

Wayside Celtic had been on a decent run, adding two cup match successes to their pair of wins in the league, but this latest setback against Tolka leaves them looking anxiously over their shoulder in a share of ninth with

Bangor after 13 games this term.

Rovers return In Sunday Senior One, Broadford Rovers’ travails continued with a 5-0 loss at Edenderry on Friday night to see them sit bottom of the division at the midway point and needing to make up points on the likes of Celbridge Town, Postal United and Drogheda Town.

TEK United are slightly better off, lying in ninth place, but a 3-1 setback at Stradbrook to Peamount/ Moyle Park scuppered

a chance to rise five places in the standings in a congested middle of the table scrap.

W i t h S t J o s e p h ’s Glasthule enduring tough times in Sunday Senior 1B, currently without a point to their name and having to play their games away from home until their Loughlinstown home recovers from damage caused by weed killer, it is making for tough times for intermediate clubs in the borough.

S t J o s e p h ’s B o y s , however, are looking at a promotion push and with just one loss from

their first nine games this season, the Tivoli Terrace side are looking onwards and upwards.

They are currently lying in fifth place in Senior 1B with games in hand over Lucan United and Templeogue United, though Tymon Celtic have blazed an impressive trail at the top of the division.

With LSL newcomers Killester United bringing their AUL form to the table, it makes for a competitive few months with all the sides in this division left with plenty of fixtures in which to make their mark.

24 November 2011 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 31

in association with

FOOTBALL: STRAIGHT RETURN FOR KILMACUD

a

CLUB NOTICEBOARD BALLYBODEN ST ENDA’S Congratulations to the minor B

tacted shortly.

footballers who beat Craobh Chi-

Congratulations to Colm Sharkey

arain by six points in the B champi-

on being re-elected as chairman

onship final.

of Toronto Hurling for second year

Well done to the minor camogie

running.

team who won their first title after

Bingo is starting in the club on

a four-point win over Skerries in B

Tuesda y nights at 8.30pm from

championship final.

November 29. Non-members wel-

Top marks to the senior hurlers

come so bring family, friends and

who beat Craobh Chiaráin in the

neighbours for a great night’s fun.

league.

You could be lucky!

Noel Browne presents his annual

The ever popular Laughter in the

Cabaret Night on Saturday, Novem-

Lounge, directed by Declan O’ Brien,

ber 26.

are doing four nights this year in

Thanks to all who supported the

the bar on November 24 and 25 -

Buster Draw in Harold’s Cross

admission is free and guaranteed

on Friday night. It proved a tre-

laughs.

mendous success. A large Boden

Lotto: Numbers drawn were 27, 28,

support was in attendance on the

12 and 30. Jackpot of €7,000 was not

night. All the winners will be con-

won.

WANDERERS End-of-season party and dinner Kilmacud Crokes are back up into AFL2 following their playoff win over Whitehall

Crokes bounce back up to senior status AFL3 PROMOTION FINAL Whitehall Colmcilles Kilmacud Crokes

0-7 0-9

sport@gazettegroup.com

KILMACUD Crokes’ second team returned to senior league football at the first time of asking when they dug deep to claim a two-point win in Whitehall last week in their crucial AFL 3 promotion play-off final.

The Silverpark side dropped out of AFL2 a year ago, but a brilliant second half of the season saw them register eight wins from their last nine games to steal their way into the play-offs in fifth place in the division.

A narrow 0-9 to 0-8 victory over Ballyboden St Enda’s – who ended the regular season second – in the semi-final set up Kilmacud’s shot at promotion and, once again, nine proved their magic number.

While Kilmacud found themselves once again travelling away from

home for an important tie, Whitehall endeavoured to use some of their local knowledge to create an advantage, and played with the wind in the first half and led by two points to nil after ten minutes.

But Crokes’ solid defence kept them at bay for the next quarter of an hour, and the midfield got a grip to secure plenty of possession in the first half.

Conor Noone got the first point following a fine run by the hard-working Dillon Mulligan, and Conor Burns nailed two massive points from play to keep Kilmacud within striking distance at half time, Whitehall leading 0-5 to 0-3.

Whitehall added two points early in the second half to put four between the sides but Kilmacud dominated the rest of the game.

David Higgins, introduced as sub, converted two monster frees, Kevin O’Cearbhaill added a fine

point from play and then fed Noone who put the sides level with ten minutes to go. O’Cearbhaill scored another from play with five minutes to go, and Joe Cluxton Mooney finished off the game with a super 45.

It was a comeback which mirrored their league form as their start to the campaign was initially a stop-start affair with three losses in the first four games and just a win over basement side O’Dwyer’s, to their name.

Further losses to St Finian’s and Naomh Olaf threatened to make the season a relegation

battle but form picked up midway through the campaign as play-off contenders Clontarf, Whitehall, Ballyboughal and Clan na Gael Fontenoy were all dismissed before a place in the top five was confirmed on the last day of the regular campaign with a comfortable victory over Lucan Sarsfields in mid-September.

Their success could see the same fate as befell St Brigid’s in 2010 as the first team is still embroiled in a relegation battle in AFL1 which, should they drop down, would leave Kilmacud with two sides in the same league.

tact Darren on 087 664 7205.

dance will be held on Saturda y,

No winner of this week’s lotto.

November 26 at 8pm in the Merry

Numbers drawn 12, 13 and 26; €25

Ploughboy.

goes to Margaret McCullough, Paul

Tickets cost €40, includes dinner, live entertainment and medals and awards presentations.

Contact any committee member for further details and tickets.

Adult mens’ junior As and Bs should contact their managers regarding training plans for next season.

Under-15 boys’ training is on Tuesday nights at 7.30pm and Under-15 girls’ training on Wednesdays at 6.30pm at Frank Kelly Park.

Fennelly, Shannon Murray, John Boyle. Jackpot next week is €800.

Wanderer s’ club car sticker s available to purchase this week, contact any committee member for details, €3 each.

The new club website is now live at www.wanderersgaa.ie.

All content, feedback or suggestions should be emailed to pro@ wanderersgaa.ie.

If you would like a notice mentioned in the club notes please

All new players welcome. For more

contact Stephen on 0879789843

information contact Niall on 086 885

or pro@wanderersgaa.ie no later

7303.

than 10am Monday morning each

Ladies’ training is on Mondays and Wednesdays at 7.30pm. Con-

week. www.wanderersgaa.ie

BALLINTEER ST JOHN’S THERE was no winner of last week’s

The club is looking for a manager

Lotto draw. Numbers drawn were 1,

for the ladies’ football first team.

5, 9 and 20.

Interested parties should contact

Nex t week’s dr aw will be for €4,000. Tickets are available online at www.ballinteerstjohns.com, or from the usual outlets.

AGM is set for December 2 in the clubhouse.

Paul Leahy, Annette O’Connor or Sean Lane.

Bingo continues this Monday in the Clubhouse at 8pm. All members, friends, family and neighbours welcome.

Congratulations to the Under-

The func tion r oom is fr ee on

21 footballers on their great win

December 10. Contact Dermot for

against Parnell’s.

bookings.

Follow GazetteSport on Facebook and Twitter and at www.gazettegroup.com

ALL OF YOUR DUNDRUM SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 28-31

PROVINCIAL PIP: Local players steer

Leinster to interpro hockey success P28

NOVEMBER 24, 2011

DUBLIN SPORTS STARS November nominees announced P29

GazetteSPORT

Damian Duff was again commanding on the wings for Ireland at the Aviva Stadium as Ireland qualified for Euro 2012. Picture: Fergus McNally

Duff set for Poland and Ukraine test Former Leicester Celtic man looking forward to Euro 2012 campaign after marking 94th international cap STEPHEN FINDLATER dundrumsport@gazettegroup.com

FORMER Leicester Celtic man Damian Duff is looking forward to his second major international finals following the Republic of Ireland’s qualification for Euro 2012.

He is just one of a couple of survivors in the squad from the 2002 World Cup when he was one of the youngest members, making his mark in the competition with a goal against Saudi Arabia.

He has since matured into one of the country’s most capped wingers with his trickery still an enviable quality in the Premier League where he plays with Fulham.

And he is expecting the trip to Poland and Ukraine – one in which he could yet pass a century of international caps – could be an even more exciting prospect than 2002 in Japan and

Korea.

“I think I am going to enjoy this far more than the World Cup qualification 10 years ago,” said Duff in the wake of the 5-1 aggregate victory over Estonia, his 94th international appearance.

“The last time we qualified, I was young. You think it is all ahead of you; you think it is going to happen every tournament.

“It sort of passes you by, and I think that’s why this one means so much to me.

“I’ve had my share of injuries and you do start to think about the future, so I will relish every minute of this.

“It will keep me going for some time now. I’ll take the anti-inflammatories, try to steer clear of injury and look forward to Poland and the Ukraine next year.”

He said that reaching the Europeans was such a tough target given the limited spaces on offer, and one which heightened the level of meaning

to the qualification in the Aviva.

A training ground injury following an accidental clash with Glenn Whelan had Duff scrambling for fitness, but he was determined to line out for the clash as Ireland completed the qualification job in front of their home fans for the first time.

“They were going to have to wheel me out of this one. I was determined to play even though I was sore and taking injections in the build-up to the match.

“It means that much to me, and I know it means that much to the fans and to the whole country. Times are tough, as we all know, and if we can give everyone a lift it will be great.

“It’s also important for football that we qualify. Everything about this stadium is to do with rugby, all the pictures in the corridors are of rugby. I love my rugby – I know quite a few of the international players - but we needed that win for football.”