Gazette DUNDRUM
April 9 - 15, 2015
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INSIDE: School yourself on some of the latest issues in education See P21-23
INEQUALITY: Our reporter’s experience of homophobia while househunting P14
From Dundrum to Rio: Help for hockey hopefuls Soccer:
Russell keen to build on Costa Rica victory Page 30
THE road to Rio has been made a little easier for the Irish Hockey Association Men’s Senior Team, thanks to sponsor Dundrum Town Centre. Joining Dundrum Town Centre marketing manager Jeanette Jordan to announce the sponsorship were forward Peter Caruth, strength and conditioning coach Steve Barry, midfielder Kirk Shimmins and goalkeeper David Fitzgerald. The team will be heading to Belgium in the coming weeks for Round 3 of the FIH Hockey World League to compete for a place in the 2016 Olympics. Picture: Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland
Football:
Byrne captains Dublin side to Leinster glory Page 31
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ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES...................... 8 DUBLIN LIFE...................11 OUT&ABOUT ..................17 CLASSIFIEDS ................26 SPORT ...........................28
Arrests made as man stabbed at Milltown
Three taken to two hospitals after violence erupts at Luas platform
BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN
FOUR arrests were made following a stabbing incident on the Milltown Luas platform on April 5 in which three people were taken to
hospital for stab wounds. The violence broke out during an argument in which two Luas security staff intervened to help a man under attack. Two men were arrested at the scene. The victim
and one of the security men were taken to St Vincent’s Hospital for stab wounds. One of those arrested was taken to St James’s Hospital for treatment. The following day, April 6,
two more men were arrested in relation to the incident. Three of those arrested were subsequently released without charge and a file sent to the DPP. Full Story on Page 4
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funding Amount ‘an insult’ to cope with DLR list – Hanafin
Mixed reaction to €61m allocated for social housing POLITICAL reaction was mixed to last week’s announcement that more than €61m has been set aside for social housing in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown. Environment Minister Alan Kelly’s move is expected to translate into the creation of 681 social housing units in the county and reduce its housing list by 20% by 2017. Nationally, more than €1.5bn will be invested in
Bairbre Ni Bhraonain bnibhraonain@dublingazette.com
a combination of building, buying and leasing schemes by local authorities designed to accommodate 25% of those currently on the waiting lists for social housing. Minister Kelly said: “This will have a major
impact for those on the housing waiting lists with a national reduction of 25% targeted over the period from these schemes alone.” The schemes include the refurbishment of vacant social housing units and building new houses. Cllr Neale Richmond (FG) said 44 units are planned for the old Rosemount flats site in Dundrum and: “It’s estimated that this funding will help
to sustain more than 600 jobs in the construction sector.” He added that the housing assistance paym e n t ( H A P ) wo u ld reduce the housing list even further. Deputy Eamon Gilmore (Lab) said: “One local project that has now got the green light is Fitzgerald Park, Dun Laoghaire where 53 units will now be delivered. Details of further projects which will also now go ahead will be issued in a few weeks.” However, Cllr Mary Hanafin (FF) called the funding announcement
Under the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown share of the national fund, 681 units will be provided for 5,285 people on the county’s housing list
“an insult”, as only 681 units would be provided for 5,285 people on the housing list in DLR, despite the council having land zoned for 18,000 housing units.
Meanwhile, Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett (PBP) slammed the Government’s social housing statement as “totally bogus” because, he said, three quarters of the funding would be spent on reclassifying those in private rented accommodation as having their housing needs met. He said: “In a recent letter to one of our People Before Profit councillors [Cllr Karl Gill], Minister Kelly admitted that of the 15,800 social housing units promised in 2015, more than 12,000 will be a continuation of renting from private landlords.” In response, a spokesperson for the Department of the Environment said: “With regard to ... the reference to Deputy Boyd Barrett saying that three quarters of this money will go towards reclassifying those tenants in private accommodation, and therefore the figures are ‘bogus’ – in fact, the majority of this funding
will go towards the development of social housing units through capital programmes, including newbuild, acquisitions and returning boarded-up units to productive use.” Cllr Karl Gill told The Gazette he received a letter from the Department which outlined that those in private accommodation on the housing assistance payment, or HAP, were “deemed as being socially housed”, even though they were not in a council house. Cllr Gill said: “It’s a very precarious situation for people as the landlord can sell the house and so, there is no security for people.” However, the Department of Environment told The Gazette that tenants on the HAP scheme could avail of other forms of social housing supports such as the housing transfer option, for which they would be given full credit for time spent on the housing list.
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arts
dispute: workers’ committee to consider further action this month
County writer sought
Shoppers observe Dunnes’ picketline Bairbre Ni Bhraonain
AROUND 250 Dunnes Stores employees at six outlets in Dun LaoghaireRathdown took part in one day of nationwide industrial action by 6,000 of the chain’s workers on April 2. An 11-member committee representing Dunnes Stores workers is set to meet on April 13, to consider if they will take further strike action. Workers were protesting the fact that 80% of Dunnes Stores’ staff are now on part-time contracts that guarantee only 15 hours a week. Mandate’s Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown representative Joe Donnelly told The Gazette: “We
placed pickets on all the stores and approximately 250 workers protested. “In the main, people were very supportive and by and large they observed the pickets. The difficulty with Cornelscourt Dunnes is you have to picket outside the whole premises, as Dunnes own the whole shebang. “We were trying to stop cars going in, and that was a bit more difficult. [However] it was successful and there were plenty of empty spaces in the car park on one of the busiest days of the year,” he said. Ged Nash, Junior Minister for Enterprise and Jobs, has told Mandate that new bargaining legislation for industrial disputes will be enacted by July.
He said it would remedy “employers’ [refusal] to negotiate by way of collective bargaining”. Mandate broadly welcomed this. Cllr Lettie McCarthy (Lab) said she supported the strike. She said the Beacon and Leopardstown Dunnes Stores branches offered many locals employment, but they could not budget or make any plans if they had no idea how much money they might have from week to week. Cllr Chris Curran (SF) joined the Leopardstown picket in solidarity with protesters and said: “I would strongly encourage Dunnes Stores to engage with the union and to see sense.”
Air we go: Sailors and energia join forces for an annual competition TARA Flood, Shane Canavan, Energia and Andrea Harvey were
happy to help highlight the energy firm’s involvement with this year’s Colours Sailing Championships that were held in Grand Canal Dock, Dublin recently. The closely matched event saw UCD unsuccessfully take on TCD for mastery of the water, with Flood and Harvey praising the renewable energy firm’s support of the contest. Canavan, key account manager at Energia, said: “Energia is delighted to be powering the efforts of UCD Sailing Team. As a leading provider of renewable energy on the island of Ireland, we know all about harnessing the power of wind.” Picture: John T Ohle Photography
APPLICATIONS are now open for a writer in residence for Dun LaoghaireRathdown County Council Arts Office. The council is inviting published writers to apply for the post for the period from June 2015 to May 2016. The residency is open to writers working in any genre (fiction, non-fiction, poetry, scriptwriting, etc). The residency this year will focus on the theme of The History of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County. Applications should be submitted by April 22 to Carolyn Brown, Assistant Arts Officer, Arts Office, County Hall, Marine Road, Dun Laoghaire. For further information, see www.dlrcoco.ie/arts/ Call_For_Writer_2015. htm.
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ballinteer Public meeting over tax Bairbre Ni Bhraonain
A SPECIAL public meeting on tax reform is to be held in Ballinteer this month. The meeting has been set up to discuss recent changes to income tax announced in Budget 2015. Cllr Neale Richmond (FG) will host the public meeting on Thursday, April 23 at 8.30pm in Ballinteer St John’s GAA Club. Speakers expected to attend include Brian Hayes MEP and Cora O’Brien, policy director at the Irish Tax Institute. Cllr Richmond said: “I hope this meeting can clarify some issues and also give an insight into where our tax system can be reformed.” For further information, email neale. richmond@gmail.com.
crime Three injured as man attacked at Milltown
Four arrests after stabbing at Luas stop Bairbre Ni Bhraonain
Four men have been arrested following a stabbing incident which took place at the Luas stop at Milltown in which three people, including a security guard, were injured. The incident took place following an argument in which two security men stepped in to help a man who was being attacked by two men. The victim of the attack, one of the assailants and one of the security men were taken to hospital for
stab wounds. A Garda spokesperson said: “Shortly before 8pm [on April 5] a male in his 20s sustained stab wounds during an incident on the Luas platform at Milltown. He was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital. “Two Luas security guards intervened. One of the security guards, who sustained a stab wound during the incident, was also taken to Vincent’s Hospital. The second security man received a hand injury.” Gardai arrested two
men as part of the investigation. One of the men, who is in his 30s, was released without charge. A file is being sent to the DPP. The second man arrested, who is in his 20s, was taken in custody to St James’s Hospital for treatment. None of the injuries is believed to be life threatening. There were two further arrests on April 6 in relation to the incident. Two more men were arrested on April 6 in relation to the incident and
Two security men were also injured in the incident at the Green Line stop
were detained at Terenure and Rathmines Garda Stations. Both have since been released without charge and a file will be prepared for the DPP. The security guard remains in hospital. Cllr Chris Curran (SF) said: “This attack is sim-
ply shocking, although it should be recognised that the Luas is still a very safe means of transport. “I can only imagine the panic and horror of those who witnessed it, and wish those affected a full, speedy recovery. “Hopefully, the stateof-the-art security system
used by the Luas operators will provide clarity to gardai investigating the incident.” A spokesperson for Transdev Ireland, the operator for Luas, verified the incident and said they had nothing to add as the matter is now being investigated by the gardai.
don’sdublin Drawing back curtains on the Abbey’s history The Abbey Theatre (also known as the National Theatre of Ireland) has had a long and interesting history dating back over a hundred years. In the 1890s, WB Yeats, Lady Augusta Gregory and Edward Martyn published a Manifesto for the Irish Literary Theatre with the intention of establishing a national theatre for Ireland. Allied to this was the work of the brothers William and Frank Fay who formed WG Fay’s Irish National Dramatic Company that helped develop local acting and writing talent, and the financial input and management guidance of Annie Horniman. She was from London and a friend and supporter of George Bernard Shaw and had financed one of his plays, Arms and the Man, in 1894. She came to Dublin in 1903 and worked as Yeats’s secretary when he, Gregory, Martyn, AE Russell and JM Synge founded the Irish National Theatre Society.
She helped fund the new project which was soon augmented by members of the Fay group. The first plays were performed in the Molesworth Hall, but when the old Mechanic’s Hall on Lower Abbey Street became available Horniman and the Fays agreed to buy the premises. William Fay was the appointed as the first theatre manager with responsibility for training new actors. Jack B Yeats, the renowned artist, was commissioned to paint portraits of the leading actors of the time that were on show in the theatre’s foyer. On the opening of the new theatre, December 27, 1904, three one-act plays were performed; two by WB Yeats and one by Lady Gregory. The theatre thrived for a few years, but after the riots that followed Synge’s play The Playboy of the Western World in 1907 and the split with Fays, the theatre’s fortunes slipped. The old building was destroyed by fire on July 17, 1951, and
the company performed at the Queen’s Theatre until 1966 when the newly built Abbey Theatre, designed by Michael Scott, was officially opened on July 18. With the contribution of new, exceptional playwrights like Hugh Leonard (Da 1973), Tom Murphy (A Whistle in the Dark 1961) and Brian Friel (Dancing at Lughnasa 1990), the fortunes of the theatre improved and helped raise its international profile.
Don Cameron
www.donsdublin.wordpress.com
The Abbey Theatre
9 April 2015 DUNDRUM Gazette 5
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charity: romanian aid
Youngsters help to build new homes Bairbre Ni Bhraonain
A TEAM of Dublin youngsters led by three team leaders from Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown gave up their Easter holidays to build homes in Romania with housing charity Habitat for Humanity Ireland. The young volunteers raised more than €16,000 for the charity, which builds homes for low-income families around the world. Team leader Ella Ryan from Dundrum said the team had worked very hard fundraising the cash for the project. In Romania, 35% of families live in substandard housing. Two-thirds of poorer families live in rural areas, and more than half of these communities have no access to piped water. Led by three experi-
enced team leaders, students spent a week helping a low-income family in the community of Moinesti to create their own safe and decent home, complete with access to water and sanitation facilities. Sixteen-year-old Erika Jones from Dun Laoghaire said: “When I heard about the Romania Youth Build at the beginning of transition year, I immediately knew I wanted to be part of the trip. The fact that we’d be building homes alongside local families seemed so rewarding, and I knew it would be an amazing experience.” Another team leader, Hannah Clavin from Stillorgan, said: “I’ve always wanted to do something like this. I think it’s a great opportunity, not only for me but for the family who are getting not only a house but a home.”
education Works scheme funds announced
Sixteen schools set for summer repairs Bairbre Ni Bhraonain
SIXTEEN schools in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown are set to avail of Department of Education funding from the summer works scheme for a number of improvements, ranging from new windows to structural improvements. Minister for Education Jan O’Sullivan said last week that a total of €36m had been allocated this year towards the scheme, benefiting some 559 schools nationwide. Eight schools in the Dundrum area and eight on the Dun Laoghaire side of the county will receive the improvements funding. Speaking about the announcement, Minister O’Sullivan said: “This is an important investment that will directly benefit 559 schools. “It will see the allocation of more than €36m for vital school works, such as window repair and replacement,
upgrading of science and specialist rooms and external improvements such as upgrading of school perimeter fences and walls. “The majority of works will be carried out over the summer months to minimise disruption to students, teachers and other school staff.” The eight schools in the Dundrum area due to receive the summer works funding are Scoil Naomh Treasa in Mount Merrion, St Patrick’s National School in Glencullen, and St Laurence’s Boys National School in Kilmacud. Also set to benefit are the Good Shepherd National School in Churchtown, St Tiernan’s Community School in Balally, Our Lady’s Grove in Goatstown, Ballyroan Boys National School and Scoil Naisiunta Padraig Naofa in Kilternan. Cllr Lettie McCarthy (Lab), chairperson of St Tiernan’s Secondary School board of man-
St Tiernan’s Community School in Balally is among the schools that will benefit
agement, said: “I am especially delighted that we can finally upgrade our windows, as this has been an issue for us for a number of years. The school will save a lot of money on heating bills.” The eight schools on the Dun Laoghaire side of the county are Lore-
to, Dalkey, Our Lady of Mercy Convent School in Booterstown, Scoil San Treasa in Mount Merrion and Holy Family in Monkstown. St Laurence College, Loughlinstown, St John’s National School in Ballybrack, St Joseph of Cluny Secondary School in Kil-
liney and St Joseph’s in Dun Laoghaire are also set to benefit. Deputy Eamon Gilmore (Lab) said: “This is excellent news for the local schools involved and their 2,400 students. I’m delighted to see that their applications have been successful.”
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gazetteGALLERY
Ferdia Darragh, a member
Stars of the short film: Lulu Fitzimmons, Helen Regan, Paddy Fitzimmons and
of the youth group
Sarah Fitzimmon. Pictures:Geraldine Woods
Rhys, Phillip and Daniel Maguire
Jenny Conlon, the librarian at
Film maker Michael Fortune with Jane Buggle
Glencullen for 35 years
and Deputy Shane Ross (Ind)
Digging into local history G
LENCULLEN community Hall recently played host to the official launch of Under The Mountain – a local history website and short film produced by young people from Glencullen. Produced by Glencullen Local History Project and Glencullen Youth Club, in collaboration with Michael Fortune, the film was launched by An Cathaoirleach Marie Baker (FG), who paid tribute to the young filmmakers’ work in presenting facinating insights
into local history. Her words were echoed by the dignitaries in attendance, which included Deputy Shane Ross (Ind), Cllr Lettie McCarthy (Lab), Cllr Lynsey McGovern (Ind), Cllr Kevin Daly (Ind) and Cllr Aileen Eglington (FG), who also praised the film and website, which their project jointly funded by Glencullen Community Hall, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and Fingal Leader Partnership.
9 April 2015 dundrum gazette 9
10 gazette 9 April 2015
gazetteGALLERY
Catriona O’Connor and Dee Fiona Morton and Leona Bernes
Hedderman
It’s not hard to spot those Ferrell fans
W
ill Ferrell fans were out in droves for the Irish premiere screening of his latest movie, Get Hard. The film tells the story of a prison-bound James (Will Ferrell) a millionaire hedge fund manager who asks a black businessman (Kevin Hart), who has never
been to jail, to prepare him for life behind bars. Guests on the night included RTE presenter Blathnaid Ni Chofaigh, Fair City actress Aoibheann McCaul, as well as Spin Radio’s Cormac Moore. The after party continued later at the hip Sth William Venue.
Jasette Fitzsimons and Melissa Hayward pictured at the Irish premiere screening of Will Ferrell’s new film Get Hard at the Screen Cinema in Dublin. Pictures: Brian McEvoy
Blathnaid Ni Chofaigh
Susan Edmonds
Donna McGarry and Eoin Dillon
Seamus Morton and Damien Bernes
David McLaughlin and Robyn O’Brien
9 April 2015 Gazette 11
asdfsdaf business P27 P16
feature P13
dublinlife Let Dublin Gazette Newspapers take you on a tour of the news and events taking place across the city and county this week
day in the life: actress cathy belton
what’son
It’s an early start for a scheming TV3 heiress keith bellew kbellew@dublingazettecom
Actress Cathy Belton plays the part of Patricia Hennessy, the evil, scheming heiress on TV3’s Red Rock, and recently graced the red carpet for the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival premiere of A Little Chaos along with director Alan Rickman. This week the Gazette spoke with Belton about a hectic Day in the Life of an actress on set, with early rises, long shoots and late finishes. Because shooting begins early, she often has to be on set by 6.30am for hair and make-up which
means a very early rise. She said: “I get up early and have a strong cup of tea, and what I usually do is bring my breakfast with me and have that in the green room after I’m made up and before I get into costume.” She said that the schedule can vary from day to day once she is in costume, based on how many scenes she has. Once shooting starts it’s very busy and she might be in one location shooting scenes for two episodes so these are shot back-to-back in order to stay on schedule. “Once you start it’s fairly busy, you’re just going and going. We would usually work until
about half 12, and then we take a break for lunch. Then we’re back on at half one, and you work on one, but you might have a scene or two off. That’s great because it gives you a chance to catch up on your lines to come and prep for the next scene or maybe you would have a costume scene or maybe a hair and make-up change, so you would be in hair and make-up for maybe half an hour after lunch too,” she said. The long day usually ends at about half seven, and Belton says that at that point she is not inclined to go out anywhere and goes straight home. Having been
Gazette
diary P12
ukrainians and russians set to hold two operas
Actress Cathy Belton plays Patricia Hennessy, a scheming heiress on TV3’s Red Rock
indoors all day she likes to get some fresh air. “I tend to go for a run down by the Grand Canal, which I love. “It clears my head and I let go of Patricia Hennessy and all the stress and it gives me a good airing.”
She says that if she is due on set the next day, then she runs over lines in the evening and watches Red Rock if it’s on, and gets into bed at 10.30pm or 11pm. “I’d read a bit or watch a bit of telly. I’ll watch something on Netflix
which is always good. That’s my day when I’m on Red Rock.” You can catch Belton spinning her webs of intrigue in her role as Patricia Hennessy on Red Rock every Wednesday and Thursday at 8.30pm on TV3.
DURING preparations for this year’s tour with the Ukrainian National Opera in Kharkiv, award-winning opera producer Ellen Kent was caught just six miles from the epicentre of the Ukrainian/ Russian conflict. Warned by the British Foreign Office not to travel due to fatalities, bombings and kidnappings, she managed to transport the complete sets, props and costumes out of the area. Which is good news for Ireland, as the National Concert Hall is staging her highlyacclaimed productions of Puccini’s popular Madama Butterfly and La Traviata this month. Under her guidance, the Ukrainian National Opera will perform Puccini’s Madama Butterfly on April 18, and Verdi’s La Traviata on April 19. Focusing on overcoming the difficulties of the conflict, Kent has assembled a new company, including Ukrainians, Moldovans and Russians, working together in harmony to bring a heart-wrenching productions of both operas. For further information on the productions, see www.nch.ie.
Gazette
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dublinlife
DIARY
Brush up on how McGregor might do in his next big match CONOR McGregor fans are making noise and rallying to support the modest (ahem!) fighter’s next big match against Jose Aldo with a graphic mural splattered across a Dublin City lane. You just never know what you are going to see when you walk down a lane in this dirty aul’ town – take Sycamore Street (beside the Olympia Theatre), for example. Imagine The Gazette’s surprise when we noticed a sizable mural of Conor
McGregor holding a defeated Aldo’s head with the title belt draped around his shoulder. McGregor will face down Aldo in a title shot on Saturday, July 11 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The bout will be the 26-year-old Dubliner’s toughest, to date, seeing as Rio de Janeiro’s Aldo has been unbeaten since 2006. Although the public will enjoy the mural, it’s doubtful that the litter warden from the council will be too pleased
with the graffiti art – who would want to tackle the Notorious Conor, even if it’s only a mural?
search is on for curvy women CURVACEOUS women looking to boost their confidence, enter the modelling world, or just to have a laugh are urged to enter the Tempted Boutiques “Face of Tempted” plus-size model competition. The competition, which celebrates body confidence, was launched recently to find new plussize modelling talent, and entrants are invited from all walks of life and all ages across Ireland. Competition organiser Rosemary Kearns said they are looking for entrants who are a size 16-plus and who love style and fashion. Fifteen women will be selected for the final, to be held on Sunday, May 17 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Santry. The total prize package is worth more than €3,000 and includes €1,000 “Curvy Cash” to spend in Tempted Boutique, an overnight spa break for two, and much more. Entries can be made online at www.tempted. ie, or at www.facebook. com / temptedsize16to28, supplying two pho-
The suitably modest and quietly confident mural on show in Sycamore Street suggesting the outcome of Conor McGregor’s upcoming bout against Jose Aldo. Picture: Shane DIllon
tos and some personal details. The closing date for entries is Friday, April 17 at 5pm.
look good, and help do good HERE’S your chance to look good while doing good when the Bestseller group’s stores, such as Vero Moda and Jack & Jones, host a Give-A-Day campaign where 50% of one day’s net turnover in Ireland will go to CMRF Crumlin, the principal fundraiser for Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Crumlin and the national children’s research centre. International and family-owned fashion firm Bestseller is arranging a worldwide charity day across all of its brands on April 10. And, through its fundraising body, Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin has been chosen as the Irish charity recipient. All money raised on the day will help fund
new radiography equipment which will reduce the radiation dose to a child while also improving x-ray imagery. CMRF Crumlin and Bestseller are together calling on the public to save their pennies for April 10 to indulge in a spot of weekend retail therapy to help raise money for the hospital’s radiology department. Bestseller brands, which also include Vila and Name It, have 81 stores in Ireland.
young film critics sought DO YOU enjoy watching films? Would you like to see new films from around the world? Ever thought of beeing a film critic? And are you aged between eight to 18? If so, this year’s Cinemagic Dublin CineSeekers and CineFocus film jury is for you. T his coming May, jury panels of film buffs aghed eight to 18 from all
across Ireland will get the opportunity to watch and judge a series of international films during the Cinemagic Dublin 2015 Festival. The jury meets in Cineworld cinemas in Parnell Street and Film Base, Temple Bar, where they will learn how to review and critique, and choose the winning films of the weekend. They also have the chance to meet other young film fans, master the role of the film critic and play an important part in Cinemagic Dublin’s eighth festival for young people. To register for the May Cinemagic Dublin Festival Jury, visit www.cinemagic.ie by April 30.
make time for a tea-rific break GO ON, go on, go on ... have a tea break during work and you will be happier – that’s according to a new survey by Lyons Tea. According to findings
from the report, 70% of Irish workers no longer take tea breaks because they just don’t have the time, and are unsure whether or not they are entitled to a break. Lyons Tea is now looking to banish such widesprea “tea break shame” around the country. The tea-break study has found that many workers are “ashamed” of taking breaks and feel “frowned upon” by coworkers if they do. T he sur vey shows half of those questioned would feel happier and be more productive if they took a tea break at 11am, while 20% said they felt “frowned upon” when they did take the plunge. Operation Transformation presenter and GP Ciara Kelly said: “It’s common now for people to not take breaks, to skip lunch or to eat at their desks, but it’s not good for your overall health or quality of life.”
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Gazette
FEATURE
escape the mayhem: talk show host Niall Boylan’s secret for keeping stress at bay
‘Exercise? I’d rather play the Playstation 4’ Ian Begley
Dubbed one of Ireland’s most controversial talk show hosts, Niall Boylan’s dynamic radio career sees him interact with some of Dublin’s most outlandish individuals on a daily basis. B r o a d c a s t i n g t wo shows during the afternoon and at night, it’s certainly fair to say that this Classic Hits presenter’s day is demanding to say the least. This week The Gazette caught up with Boylan to find out just what he does to unwind. “I’m not as fit as I once was and tend to be very bad when it comes to
exercising. “I’d much rather sit down and play the Playstation 4 and at 51 years of age I have to say I find it really therapeutic. “I also really enjoy spending time with my kids during the weekends. “I often take them to St Anne’s Park which I really like because I used to go rambling around there as a kid on my chopper bike. “There’s a restaurant within the park called Tir na nOg that I go to for a cup of tea while my kids and their friends are going mad around the park. “The only escape I get at night during the week-
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‘I’ve never taken a day off sick before and never plan to either, touch wood’
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days is by watching television and playing the Playstation. Everyone else is in bed by the time I get home from work so I more or less have the house to myself. “I really value the Christmas and summer holidays because they’re the only time I get off to relax and spend time with
my family. “I’ve never taken a day off sick before and never plan to either, touch wood. “I’m mentally awake when I get back from work and am anything but tired. I’m wound up like a spring after dealing with callers for three-anda-half hours at night and have to calm down with a nice cup of tea or a bite to eat before I head to bed at 3am. “My eating and sleeping habits are destroyed by work, but that’s the way it is and now I’m used to it.” Check out the Niall Boylan Show from 1pm to 3pm and from 9pm to 1am (Monday to Friday).
Niall Boylan: “The only escape at night during the week is by watching television”
GAZETTE
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DUBLINLIFE
FEATURE
PREJUDICE: SUBTLE AND OVERT HOMOPHOBIA MAKES FLATHUNTING EVEN HARDER FOR SOME
Looking for a home, but finding inequality The Gazette’s IAN BEGLEY recounts his personal experience of difficulties he, and many other people, face based only on his sexuality.
FOR some, house-hunting with their partner for the first time can be an exciting new endeavour, marking a whole new chapter in their lives. For the past two and a half months, my boyfriend and I have been persistently looking to share an accommoda-
tion in Dublin, but have been turned down many times by landlords who have openly denied us residency solely because we’re gay. I was so outraged and upset that I decided to speak to the Ryan Tubridy radio show recently. I described how a male landlord in Blanchardstown rang me to see if I was on my way up to visit his place with my “girlfriend”. I told him that I was
currently on my way, but said that I was with my boyfriend. What followed was a brief, awkward pause. He then said, “You’re gay guys? Oh well, that changes everything. I won’t have gay people living in my house.” Another silence ensued, and in my disbelief at this blatant homophobia, all I could blurt out was: “Excuse me?” “Well, in my country we don’t have that type of thing and I wouldn’t really
know what to expect,” he said, before hanging up. Extremely angered and upset by this incident, I rang the housing charity Threshold for advice, wanting to see if it was within his rights to deny offering accommodation based on sexual orientation. The lady on the line, who was very sympathetic, explained that this was extreme discrimination and is in breach of the equality legislation. She reassured me that no landlord can discriminate against potential tenants on the grounds of gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race or membership of the Traveller community, and she directed me to the Workplace Relations website so I could make an official complaint. I intended to follow this up straight away, but thinking logically I decided it was best to focus on securing a place to live first before making a complaint. Pushing on with my search, I found that I had only hit the tip of the iceberg, with similar scenarios happening over and over again.
Wasted time We wasted a lot of time travelling to homes all across Dublin to meet landlords who had no intention of leasing their place to us. Even when they didn’t directly tell us that they had a problem with a gay couple living in their property, it was obvious by their expression that they had no interest in showing us around. One landlord from Adamstown told us when we went to visit his house: “You’re gay, are you? I’m not sure if we can allow you to live here. “There’s a child in the house and I’m not sure
Ian Begley and his boyfriend, Eric: “We wasted a lot of time travelling all across Dublin to meet landlords who had no intention of leasing their place to us”
what the parents would think of it. I’d have to get all occupants of the house together and have a vote about whether you can stay.” I’m not sure if this “vote” among the other residents actually happened, but we never heard from him again. Although it is perfectly within our rights not to disclose our sexual orientation, I found that disclosing this seemingly minute fact over the phone, or in an email, saved us a lot of time in the long run. A few responses I got back included: “You left me a message on Daft.ie. You mentioned ‘‘you and your boyfriend’’, or is it a typing mistake and you meant to say your girlfriend? Unfortunately, we won’t accept any gay couples in the house.” Another response: “I’m letting this apartment for €650 per month, including utilities, but I won’t allow a gay couple to stay here, as it may cause hassle down the line.” And another: “I’m afraid my flatmate said she wouldn’t feel that comfortable, just that she would feel a bit like the odd one out.”
Since this story broke, the feedback I’ve being getting has been amazing. Many people of all nationalities and ages have been in contact, sympathising with our situation, and in some cases offering to put us first on the list as soon as their flatmate or tenant moves out. For now, our search for a place to live continues,
but due to the high level of people approaching us with their support, I am optimistic that this long ordeal will have a positive outcome. And, with the upcoming marriage equality referendum in May, I hope some of the inequalities that still exist in Ireland will be eliminated forever.
9 April 2015 Gazette 15
Gazette
16 Gazette 9 April 2015
dublinlife
Q&A
business business
RDS exhibition to help support SMEs THE Business in the Community Ireland Smart Business Show (Sustainability Workshop for Small- to Medium-Sized Enterprises) will take place at the RDS on April 23. The Smart Business Show is a two-day business-to-business exhibition that will provide
SMEs with the opportunity to explore the latest innovative technologies, and to engage, connect and do business with exhibitors and thousands of attendees. T he sustainability workshop gives SMEs the opportunity to hear a panel discussion with a group of Irish SMEs
which are doing better business by reporting on sustainability.
Communication A spokesperson for Business in the Community Ireland said: “We know that effective communication is crucial to fully capturing the benefits of going one step
further for your clients, communities, employees and environment. “Our expertise lies in helping [businesses] reap these rewards by sharing the message in a sustainability report.” For further information on the upcoming Smart Business Show, see www.bitc.ie.
Jerry Harrington, empire bar and grill
Grilling a hospitality expert for top advice JERRY Harrington has been in the hospitality business for a very long time, having trained in The Gresham Hotel many moons ago. He built up a portfolio of properties over the years and left Dublin, going on to America and then settling in South Africa for five years, where he built a restaurant on the shores of the Indian Ocean. After this he returned to Ireland
and was offered a posting by the Wright Group, where he worked for four years before leaving to join the Lenaghan group to spearhead their growth of the empire’s brand. Today, as general manager of the Empire Bar and Grill (part of the Lenaghan Group) at Main Street, Swords, Harrington says that his ethos is all about people, service and standards.
How long have you been in business?
one and to grow our business with our new ground floor opening in 10 weeks’ time, with a large outdoor courtyard. This will be the best space in north County Dublin over the past 20 years.
Years and years.
What makes your business successful?
Our attention to detail is what makes Empire successful.
What do you offer your clients that differs from your competitors?
A great welcome, customer service that is second to none, great food drink and live entertainment.
How has the recession impacted your business?
Like every business, we do super deals – great, genuine deals that our customers are happy to keep coming back to avail of, such as our signature steak deal, served with onion rings and fries and pepper sauce for €9.95. Why wouldn’t you come back for that? We also have a superb house wine for €20. We also have cocktails, two for €10, Sunday to Friday from 4 to 10pm.
What law or regulation would you change overnight to help your business?
I would remove the steep charges of late night bar extensions.
What is your ambition for the business?
Our ambition is to stay number-
How do you use social media (Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn, etc) to help your business?
We use all the social media platforms to engage with our customers, Facebook being the main one for our business. We keep the content topical, relevant and interesting for our customers. We have almost 8,000 fans on Facebook, and we are only open there since December We have the most brilliant marketing person in the business – Avril Kelly Carter – we have worked together for years, and she is fantastic and has her finger on the pulse.
What is your favourite thing about doing business in your local area?
Looking at the masses of people enjoying themselves, due to our hard work and dedication.
What is the best piece of business advice you ever received?
Don’t stop going to funerals.
What living person do you most admire?
From a business point of view, Larry Goodman and Denis O’Brien.
Block 4 and 5 Grand Canal Square was sold for €233m – the second-largest property transaction in Q1 this year
property: notable investment deals hit market
2014 momentum sees €923m sales keith bellew
SOME €923m worth of Irish investment property was sold in the first quarter of 2015, much of which was achieved with two large portfolio sales worth more than €200m. This includes Project Molly, which includes Iveagh Court, Dublin 2; The Watermarque Building, Dublin 4; and Marsh House, Dublin 2, sold by Lonestar estate agents for €350m. The second-largest transaction was the sale of the trophy NAMA assets, Block 4 and 5 Grand Canal Square, which was sold for
€233m. Overall, 95% of transactions were for Dublin assets, 93% of which was in the offices sector, followed by retail and mixed-use sales. Hannah Dwyer, head of research at Jones Lang Lasalle ( JLL) Estate Agents, said: “It is positive to see the momentum of 2014 continue into the beginning of 2015. “Whereas 2014 was the year of the portfolio sale, Q1 has only seen two large portfolio transactions, with the rest of activity dominated by single-asset sales. “We do, however, expect this to change in the next three quarters
with a number of portfolios due for release.” She went on to say that first quarter activity has been strong, and further confidence for the sector can be taken from the level of pre-sale activity that has taken place in the market in the past three months. She said: “It is expected that these assets will be brought to the market in the short-term, and will further boost total volumes for investments. We are forecasting that total volumes by the year-end could achieve in excess of €3bn,” she said. Overseas investor activity has led the mar-
ket this quarter, accounting for 80% of total volumes. This was boosted by the fact that the top three purchases, totalling €675m, were all made by overseas purchasers. Dw yer said: “It is notable that a significant number of these players are new to the market and are core-style investors rather than just the oppor tunistic funds [buyers], which have dominated the market recently. “On the domestic side, Hibernia REIT, IPUT, Irish Life and Davy have all been active, plus a number of private Irish investors on smaller lotsize deals.”
9 April 2015 Gazette 17
arts P24
asdfsdaf P27 cinema P25
OUT&ABOUT Never be out of the loop on what’s happening in Dublin! Let Out&About be your guide to all that is stylish, cultural and essential across the city and beyond this week
food: the humble prawn is key to a terrific upcoming weekend festival
Pets
There’ll be a cracking good time for all in Howth
Bairbre Ni Bhraonain
MARK your diaries for one of Ireland’s most successful food festivals as Dublin Bay Prawn Festival takes over Howth later this month. From April 24 to 26, Howth’s finest restaurants, bars and cafes will come together to host a variety of food experiences, including a selection of special Dublin Bay Prawn dishes. Added to this is a platter of entertainment which will also be served up for young and old alike. Speaking to The Gazette about the popular event, Aoife Healy, event chairperson, said: “This is the fifth year of the festival. It started when a group of business owners in hospitality and retail got together, and came up with the idea to try and drive tourism traffic to Howth and to raise its profile and build a brand. “It was brilliant last year – we had more than 30,000 people over the weekend and there was a huge uplift
either side [of the festival] too,” she said. Since its first year, attendance at the festival has grown tenfold, beginning from 3,000 people and rising to 30,000. One intriguing event at this year’s festival is the Mystery Dine Around. Healy discussed what this comprises. She said: “All of the restaurants participate in this, and you’re put with a group of people, maybe eight to 10 diners. “You attend a reception first, and are given a card that tells you the first restaurant to go to, and only when you’re finished your starter in the first restaurant do you learn what will be the next restaurant you’re going to. “This continues on, finishing up with a late evening drink in one of the pubs, which usually put music on. “You can book it online at Eventbrite, and it costs €69, including a booking fee, and includes all of your wine and drinks too,” said Healy.
Gazette
travel P20
lovely bella deserves a happy home
King Sitric chef Aidan McManus at the launch of the upcoming Dublin Bay Prawn festival in Howth. Picture: Conor Healy Photography
A new addition this year is the inclusion of a theatrical performance in one of the marquees. Actor Phelim Drew, son of the late, great Ronnie, will perform his one-man show of George Orwell’s Down and Out in Paris and London. Healy said: “Findlaters have been running some very successful dinner and theatre nights in their restaurant and they’re expanding it this year to one of the marquees. “The idea is that people can buy tickets for a festival dinner in a number
of restaurants and then go up to see Phelim Drew doing his one-man show at 8.15pm.” Other activities include a fun fair, a foamy soft play area, powerboating and watersports demonstrations to displays by the coastguard and the RNLI. There will also be plenty of music with buskers, cooking demonstrations and of course, the real business of the festival: prawns. For further information, see www. dublinbayprawnfestival.ie.
The Gazette Newspaper has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for unwanted and abandoned dogs. Our Dog of the Week is gorgeous bulldog cross, Bella, who’s about one year old. Bella arrived to us from a local authority pound with a horrific case of mange and needed one of her eyes removed due to the damage it had caused. Bella has been a trooper throughout all the treatment she has needed and the staff have been blown away by her sunny disposition. Bella is a young girl so she is still quite bouncy and full of energy. She gets on well with other dogs but ones who wouldn’t mind a bit of rough and tumble as she can be a bit full on when she plays! If you think you can help Bella find a fabulous home, please call the centre on 01 879 1000 and speak to our Rehoming Team. You can also pop up for a visit – it’s open six days a week from 12pm to 4pm. The centre is closed all day Tuesday.
GAZETTE
18 GAZETTE 9 April 2015
OUT&ABOUT
STYLE
2
1
lt coat €395
0
€475
6
4 n dress €245 Coast Harve
Bastyan Eva be
€20 bloom skirt
n Maxi dress Karen Mille
Coast Hyper
3
5 Karen
Coast
Millen
Rita mid
t Midi skir €210
159
i skirt €
FINE FASHIONS TO SET HEARTS RACING BEING a fan of the races doesn’t mean you have to don silks and jodhpurs and, this week, stylist and fashion guru Lisa Fitzpatrick (right) talks Gazette Style through some fabulous outfits deserving of a Ladies’ Day win ahead of her nationwide Fashion Fix roadshow. She said: “I love going to the races and even more so, I love dressing up for them. I have picked some of my favourite pieces from Coast, Karen Millen and Bastyan that would be fabulous at racing meets.” Working clockwise from
the top left, she said: “This Karen Millen maxi dress (1) is gorgeous. The colours are ideal to bring right through from spring to autumn. “Another f loor-length item that I really love at
the moment is the Coast Hyper Bloom Skirt (2). Maxi dresses and skirts are great and always make an impact. You’re sure to stand out from the crowd! “We all know that we can’t rely on the Irish weather so it’s important to wrap up for the races, too. I think this gorgeous Bastyan Eva Belt Coat (3) is fabulous, and will do just that. This belted design also creates a simple and chic silhouette. “I also love this Coast Harven dress (4). Again, this is also the length I love:
midi. This dress is so elegant and stylish, and can be taken from day to night,” said Lisa. “I’m a big fan of midi-skirts. They are just so comfortable, yet so stylish; I love this one from Karen Millen (5). “Now that the clocks have gone forward, we can officially say it’s spring time, and what better way to do this than to wear yellow! I just love this Coast Rita skirt (6),” she said. All these items, and others shown above, are available in Coast/Karen Millen’s spring/ summer 2015 range.
THROUGHOUT the months of April and May, Lisa will be visiting counties around the country with her stylish roadshow, Lisa Fitzpatrick’s Fashion Fix. The fun-filled day will include style workshops, hair and make-up master classes, fashion shows, surprise celebrity guests and much, much more.
Dates confirmed include: • April 18, The Spencer Hotel, Excise Walk, IFSC, Dublin 1 • May 10, The Kingsley Hotel, Victoria Cross, Cork • May 16, The Savoy Hotel, Henry Street, Limerick • May 23, Hotel Kilkenny, College Road, Kilkenny • May 30, The Radisson Blu Hotel and Spa, Lough Atalia, Galway Tickets can be purchased on www.fitzpatrickstyle.com, or by calling Tara at 01 460 7575. (A discount is available for group bookings.)
9 April 2015 Gazette 19
Gazette
FOOD&DRINK
Plenty to savour at FX Buckley Steakhouse FOR diners who like a table and some waiter service with their food, FX Buckley Steakhouse on Parkgate Street should do the trick. Upstairs from Ryan’s, the restaurant specialises in steaks, as the name
Echoes of the past, such as polished whiskey casks, are a visible reminder of Ryan’s of Parkgate Street many, many decades of serving travellers and tourists
The Picky Eater RYAN’S of Parkgate Street – still “Bongo Ryan’s” for those of a certain vintage – has been around a while. Since 1886, it has sat elegantly between the Phoenix Park and Heuston Station, offering refreshment to weary travellers. Today, it continues to ply its trade, albeit in a more modern manner. On a quiet Monday, The Picky Eater and pal repaired to the Victorian pub for a late-afternoon pint and a morsel after a tramp through the Phoenix Park. The menu offers a tempting range: Irish “tapas” for nibblers; plenty of starters ranging from creamy chowder to flambeed kidneys; mains for vegetarians, the gluten-intolerant and committed carnivores, along with dishes of the day set out on the old-fashioned blackboard just behind the bar. Sea bass and beef and Guinness pie on the day in question. We chose chowder and spicy chicken wings to start, followed by cornfed chicken with pea and chorizo pearl barley with sauteed spinach and green herb dressing (€16.95),
and pan-fried hake with crushed baby potatoes, grilled asparagus, black olive and tomato dressing (€17.50). The chowder was loyal to its name: creamy, chock full of fish and, in truth, a meal in itself. Alas, the bread was nondescript – two different sorts of tired soda which needed a bin. The wings were a triumph and suitably devoured. Half full and slightly trepidatious of the mains, Picky Eater took in the Ryan’s interior. Revamped gas lamps and polished whiskey casks; old brass match strikers and big wooden drawers, relics of the days when pubs sold tobacco and tea and the clientele smoked; massive hanging baskets beneath oldworld skylights and snugs for those seeking quiet. Stepping into Ryan’s can be like stepping back in time – if it wasn’t for the
huge TVs that cater for diehard sports fans. The food came in its own good time and found us relaxed and ready. The chicken was really succulent: crisp on the outside but juicy and tender inside, the pearl barley was perfect texture- and taste-wise, with spinach an ideal accompaniment. But the hake was the star of the show: it parted softly under the fork and melted in the mouth. On tastebud overload, we surveyed desserts and plumped for a selection of cheeses from Sheridan’s Cheesemongers, served with house onion jam, fennel honey and water biscuits (€8.95). The right choice – a mix of strong and mild, soft and hard and the remaining drop of beer to round off the afternoon nicely. For “high tea” on a quiet afternoon, Ryan’s is recommended.
Conclusion ANOTHER Victorian jewel of the city, Ryan’s (at 28 Parkgate St, Dublin 8; tel 01 677 6097) has some modern touches, but otherwise remains a classic of its era, attracting tourists, locals and long-term fans to its striking interior with ease. A trip to Ryan’s is a must when heading to the Phoenix Park.
suggests. But the menu is diverse and interesting and the wine/beer list is extensive, with plenty of informed staff to help you choose what’s right for you, if help is what you need! The pub can be daunt-
ing to plough through on a weekend evening, but once on the stairs take a look at the photos of an older Dublin as you climb. And, when you’re in the restaurant proper, relax, sit back and bon appetit!
FX Buckley Steakhouse
GAZETTE
20 GAZETTE 9 April 2015
OUT&ABOUT
TRAVEL
FastTravel
Set cruise control with these luxury Cunard trips IAN BEGLEY
TO MARK 175 years of sailing, Cunard Line has arranged celebrations on every cruise in 2015, with special features and events on board from €1,999pp for travel in May. Queen Mary 2 is Cunard’s flagship ocean liner and booking a transatlantic crossing to or from New York on this ship is a holiday like no other. Cunard will host a gig by rock band Crosby, Stills and Nash on the liner this September 4. The trio will perform some of their greatest hits in the liner’s Royal Court Theatre, and will also participate in a question and answers session, along with an autograph opportunity for passengers on board. You can also join Cunard’s Blue Note Jazz at Sea from New York to Southampton, sailing on October 29 from €1,999pp. Balcony upgrades can be arranged from €235pp and extra nights in New York can also be added. Price is per person based on two sharing and strictly subject to availability. For further information, call 01 637 1699, or see www.clickandgo.com.
Glasgow’s architecturally rich cityscape provides plenty of food for the eyes, while for modern comic tastes, the Stand Comedy Club (inset) should sate your laughter needs
SCOTLAND: COMEDY FESTIVAL IS JUST ONE OF GLASGOW’S MANY ATTRACTIONS
A bonnie hop over the sea
ROB HEIGH
GLASGOW has a reputation for sharp wit and the ability to laugh at almost everything in life, so it made perfect sense that a trip to Scotland’s other capital city should be paired with taking in a little of the 2015 Glasgow Comedy Festival. Glasgow is a fabulous city, a lot like Dublin in many ways – its small and self-contained city centre mirrors our own, with a massive array of unique artisanal and boutique shopping experiences alongside the high street regulars. There is an immersive experience to be had among the Victorian architecture, and stepping a little way beyond the city centre opens up a wealth of hidden gems. Chief among those is the Byres Road. Part of the university district of
the city, its mix of longstanding shops that have been there for generations and newly blooming cafes and shops means that long hours can be (and were) spent there. Not only that, but it is home to one of the bestloved restaurants in the city, The Ubiquitous Chip. It is a treat to go there – booking is definitely in order – and their longstanding reputation has not been dulled by time or trend. Its monkfish tails are still unsurpassed, and the Aberdeen Angus steak au poivre is as good as I remember – an unabashed indulgence. The fact that it is topped off with access to the Botanical Gardens, which is always worth a walk through, just across the Great Western Road, makes it an unmissable destination.
At the other end of Byres Road is the Charles Rennie Mackintosh-designed Glasgow School of Art, heartbreakingly damaged by fire in 2014, and it is a symbol of Glasgow’s place in the world’s centres of art and design. In addition, a short trip out of the city centre to The Burrell Collection is well worth your time, as was a brief afternoon journey to the Glasgow Gallery Of Modern Art. However, the main order of business for me was the comedy festival, which will see more than 400 international acts converge on the city for the 13th instance of the event, that sees some 700 shows being performed for an expected audience of more than 106,000 comedy fans. The festival started in 2003 at the venue I attended on my first night
See for yourself why The Ubiquitous Chip has been delighting diners for years
in the city, the iconic Stand Comedy Club, which had brought the idea of a comedy festival to the city council the year before. The Glasgow festival is an interesting counterpoint to the Edinburgh Fringe, which has of course been running for considerably longer, and is open to a much wider and diverse range of arts beyond comedy. Glasgow is a “pure” comedy festival, and it sees some of the biggest
acts in the business – Stewart Lee, Jimmy Carr and Al Murray – alongside our own local heroes, Dylan Moran and Tommy Tiernan. There are a host of upand-coming talents such as Damo Clark, Paul Currie and many, many more to appeal to the broadest comedy palette imaginable for the duration of the festival. For further information about those events and on holidaying in Scotland with everything it has to
offer, see www.visitscotland.com, while for more on the second city of the empire, see www.peoplemakeglasgow.com. I travelled with P&O Ferries, which operates from Larne to Cairnryan and Troon, providing the shortest and fastest crossings to Scotland. Online fares start from €74. For further information, see www.poferries.com. To find out more about the Glasgow Comedy Festival, see www.glasgowcomedyfestival.com.
LEARNINGCURVE
GAZETTE
9 April 2015 GAZETTE 21
EXHIBITION: STUDENTS SKILLS IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Fashion forward fun at Sallynoggin LAURA WEBB
THINGS are getting stylish at Sallynoggin College of Further Education with the first art house inspired fashion exhibition taking place this month. Fashion Edit, is a first of its kind for the college and is conducted and styled by their fashion industry practice students. Taking place on April 16, this event will have a unique blend of live fashion installations, fashion show and drinks reception. According to the college, the students are mixing things up by moving away from the stereotypical fashion show and paving the way for a fresh new contemporary take on a fashion event. The event will showcase the students diverse skills in styling, visual display, merchandising and their knowledge of the fashion industry, some of the many skills they have learned through their time at the college. With 2015 the year of Irish design, the event
Film director Lenny Abrahamson, crime writer John Connolly, former judge Catherine McGuinness and vice president of Intel’s Internet of Things, Philip Moynagh were recognised for their achievements
Trinity College celebrates alumni with a gala dinner
A FILM director and crime writer were
was a Trinity scholar, son of a scholar
among past Trinity College pupils who
and grandson of a scholar, was born in
were presented with Trinity College
Dublin and graduated from Trinity with
Alumni Awards at a special gala dinner
first-class honours.
last week.
known to adult readers as the crea-
crime writer John Connolly and former
tor of detective Charlie Parker, who
judge Catherine McGuinness received
has appeared in 12 novels, beginning
the awards in recognition of achieve-
with Every Dead Thing (1999) and most
ments in their respective fields and the
recently the internationally-bestsell-
contribution they have made in Ireland
ing The Wolf in Winter (2014). He studied
and internationally.
English at Trinity College, Dublin and
Abrahamson BA (1990) directed
will highlight and celebrate Irish designers and retailers. The fashion show will consist of some of the most talented up-andcoming Irish designers. It will also showcase key pieces and trends for womenswear and menswear for spring/
LAST week saw Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys officially launch the UCD Decade of Centenaries programme. The university is planning more than 25 special events to commemorate the decade of centenaries, many of which will draw from UCD’s wealth of national and international archives relating to the period from 1912 to 1923. At the launch, at UCD Charles
journalism at Dublin City University. Meanwhile, Catherine McGuin-
Fashion Edit will showcase the talents of
numerous commercials for TV before
Sallynoggin College of Further Education’s
directing for TV and film. Credits
ness BA (1957) is a former judge. Her
fashion industry practice students
include: Adam and Paul, What Rich-
original BA was in Modern Languages
ard Did and Frank, staring Domhnall
(French and Irish). In 2003, she was
Gleeson, Michael Fassbender, and
conferred by Trinity with an honourary
Maggie Gyllenhaal. Abrahamson who
degree of Doctor in Laws.
summer 2015 which will be supplied by Irish owned boutiques such as The Loft, Marion Cuddy Irish Designers Emporium, The Design Centre, Lennon Courtney and Maven. Former student of Sallynoggin College and renowned fashion stylist,
columnist and TV presenter Courtney Smith is the host for the night. The Fashion Edit will take place in Film Base located on Curved Street, Temple Bar on April 16 at 4.30pm with a drinks reception at 6pm followed by the show commencing at 7pm.
A Decade of Centenaries launched BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN
John Connolly BA (1992) is best
Film director Lenny Abrahamson,
Institute, which houses the famous Kevin Barry window, Minister Humphreys said: “The scale, ambition, depth and breadth of the UCD commemorations forms a seminal part of the national programme.” While there, the Minister examined a selection of the unique papers, documents and photographs held by UCD Archives. One such archive was the diary of civil servant JR Clarke and 450 interviews of people active in Ireland’s revolutionary past from the Rising to the end of the Civil War.
Among the staff of UCD who played a role in events of 100 years ago were Thomas MacDonagh, assistant professor of English, signatory of the Proclamation and commandant of the Dublin Brigade, Eoin MacNeill, professor of Early and Medieval Irish History, and Irish Volunteers chief of staff, Mary Hayden, professor of Modern Irish History and founder of the Irish Catholic Women’s Suffrage Society, and Agnes O’Farrelly, lecturer in Modern Irish and a founder of Cumann na mBan.
GAZETTE
22 GAZETTE 9 April 2015
LEARNINGCURVE
Some useful tips to help you study smarter WITH big exams on the horizon, many
Making sure your desk is tidy and
college students will be starting to
organised is also important as it
worry and panic, but with proper
means you can concentrate on study-
preparation, you can get through it
ing and learning, instead of sifting
all and concentrate on your summer
through a mountain of crumpled
plans.
sheets.
The following is a few handy tips for study and revision. Having a good study area can make all the difference in the world. If you study in a quiet, well-lit area, away
Also, logging out of your email and Facebook and turning off your phone is a great way to eliminate possible distractions. Make sure you know all the ins and
from the hustle and bustle of the
outs of each exam. Find out what
house, your capacity for learning and
format the exam will take – whether
remembering vastly increases. If this
it is short answer, multiple choice or
isn’t possible, it might be better to
essay format. Make sure you know
study at the library.
how much of your overall grade each exam is worth and allot study time accordingly. Mind maps, study plans and to-do lists can be very helpful. Try making a to-do list before each study session. Breaking tasks down into small, manageable pieces will make it less overwhelming. Spend your time as carefully as possible over your range of subjects, concentrating on those you find more difficult, without neglecting those you excel at.
Mature students bring a lot of experience to any college atmosphere and teach their younger colleagues life skills
OPPORTUNITIES: MATURE STUDENTS
The time is now to go back to college BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN
IF YOU are one of the many people in Ireland who has always harboured a desire to go to college but never got the chance, why not apply as a mature student next year? For a change, being older is an advantage when it comes to college, as mature students do not have to meet the normal matriculation requirements or compete with Leaving Certificate students in the points race. Although you must apply through the CAO system, most colleges use an interview process to decide your suitability for all undergraduate courses. If you show a keen interest and are serious about staying in the course, in all likelihood you will be accepted. Universities and other colleges welcome mature students and have a spe-
cial mature students’ information page on their websites. Mature students are seen as reliable and this is based on the fact that the drop-out rate is far lower for mature students. They also bring a lot of experience to any college atmosphere and teach their younger colleagues life skills. Some 11% of students in Irish universities are mature students, while the figure in institutes of technology is 20%. Over 10,000 students in full-time education are over 30-years-old, according to the Higher Education Authority. So, if you were anxious about being the odd one out in a sea of freshfaced 19-year-olds, you can rest assured that you will not be alone as there has never been as many mature students in college. Financially, it can be
a strain to fund yourself through your college course for three or four years. There are resources out there to help, however. Schemes such as the back-to-education allowance and the SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) grants are available to those who fit the criteria. As well as that, mature students who began a college course but dropped out over five years ago, can restart their course with no sizeable fees applying. If the idea of jumping straight into a degree course is a bit daunting to you, you can do a preparatory year-long evening access programme first at many colleges for a reasonable fee. When applying for a course through the CAO, you must submit additional information including a CV, any prior exam results and a personal
statement along with your application. For information on applying to Trinity College as a mature student, you can contact Trinity Accesss Programmes on 01 896 1386 or email mature.student. officer@tcd.ie To find out about going to University College Dublin as a mature student, you can go to www. ucd.ie/registry/admissions/myapply for more information. For information on NUI Maynooth’s offers for mature students, you can go online at www. maynoothuniversity.ie/ study-maynooth/maturestudents. You can contact www. susi.ie for information on susi grants and http:// w w w. we l f a r e . i e / e n / Pages/Back-to-Education-Allowance-Scheme to find out about the back to education allowance criteria.
9 April 2015 GAZETTE 23
Progress to impress with DUBLIN GAZETTE’S education supplement
HOUSING: USI SITE ENCOURAGES PEOPLE TO RENT SPARE BEDROOMS
The eternal question of where to live IAN BEGLEY
AS another year at college nears an end, odds are that you’ll have hundreds of questions running through your mind like where to live next semester? Some may choose to live at home, but for others college could mean trying to find accommodation for the first time. With the shor tage of accommodation in Dublin and other built up areas, the Union of Students Ireland (USI) recently set up a site encouraging people with spare bedrooms to rent to students. This service is deemed
very necessary as the student population in Dublin faces a serious shortage of accommodation, with CAO offers and the subsequent start of the academic year just months away. USI president Laura Harmon said: “This is an access-to -education issue. The cost of accommodation in and around Dublin has risen enormously, pricing many students out of the accommodation market. Many “buyto-renters” have repurposed accommodation they had previously made available to students for wealthier renters.
“To compound this, the value of the student grant has fallen against inflation over a number of years. The end result will be students unhoused and dropping out. USI is calling for the Government to form a task force on student accommodation – there needs to be a specific strategy on this serious and growing problem.” As a short-term measure to support the initiative, the Union of Students in Ireland has put together a simple website, allowing home owners to list their spare rooms and their conditions, with the objective of providing students
The Union of Students Ireland (USI) has set up a website to help deal with the shortage of student accommodation in Dublin
with contacts for those willing to help. The system also allows for landlords and agents to place their available
accommodation online – and it’s free to use. The website is available at www.homes.usi. ie.
The USI also mentions that there are many useful accommodation hunting websites out there, including Daft.ie
and Property.ie, which make it easy to search through lots of accommodation listings on the internet quickly. These sites also have maps that point out where the specific accommodation you are looking at is located. Accommodation lists may also be available from your students’ union. It’s recommended that you contact a students’ union rep as it’s the best port of call when hunting for a place to live and if you experience problems during the year. Visit www.usi.ie for more student accommodation tips.
Gazette
24 Gazette 9 April 2015
OUT&ABOUT
ARTS
god bless the child: production is something of a curate’s egg
Author Michael Murphy
Share some insights of life and love Bairbre Ni Bhraonain
THE Pavilion Theatre in Dun Laoghaire is hosting a unique show by former newscaster Michael Murphy, entitled Stories, Poetry and Dreams, based on three of his books. Murphy, along with friends and fellow broadcasters Emer O’Kelly, Eamonn Lawlor and Eileen Dunne, will read extracts from At Five in the Afternoon, The House of Pure Being, and The Republic of Love. The result promises to be an entertaining and intimate experience for audiences as Murphy, who is also a psychoanalyst, recites emotional passages, some of which deal with his experience of cancer. Murphy and his guests will also share deeply insightful reflections on love and sex, friendship and family. Stories, Poetry and Dreams is a celebration of life and humanity in all its trials and triumphs. The evening also offers an invitation for the audience to participate and share their own experiences. Stories, Poetry and Dreams takes place at the Pavilion Theatre on May 2. Tickets cost €20/€17 and are available by contacting 01 231 2929, or by emailing boxoffice@ paviliontheatre.ie.
O’Connor’s short stories lose lustre on the stage
Bairbre Ni Bhraonain
AS A big fan of short story writer Frank O’Connor, I was tentatively looking forward to seeing God Bless the Child, a play based on O’Connor’s work, at The Gaiety Theatre. However, I was soon to discover that some things are better left alone and not everything can be successfully adapted for the stage. In my opinion, Patrick Ta l b o t ’s a d a p t a t i o n – while an enjoyable enough affair with three good actors playing roles as children – falls flat as a theatrical piece. The three short stories on which the piece is based (My Oedipus Complex, The Genius, and First Confession) were treated in a manner somewhat stilted as each of the three actors took it in turn to assume the voice of the narrator and deliver a soliloquy to the audience. The effect was tiring and repetitive after a while, and though the performances were very good, the format was a predictable round of 1-2-3. Howe ve r, j u d g i n g by the audience reac-
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‘The original stories contain much more than mere comedy and all their poignancy and insight was missed. Perhaps it will act as an appetiser for the audience to go on and read the real thing.’ --------------------------------------------------------
tion, my opinion was in the minority. People all around me audibly expressed their huge enjoyment of the show, with constant laughter running throughout. Actors Ciaran Bermingham, Shane Casey and Gary Murphy wore schoolboy uniforms and two of them sat on classroom benches like subs at a football match, waiting for their turn while the third actor performed to the audience.
Comic effect All three performances were very good, but Bermingham stood out the most. The actors’ Cork accents were pretty flawless, if a touch florid for comic effect. The piece really played to the comedy in the short stories and the audience happily lapped
it up. However, the original stories contain much more than mere comedy and all their poignancy and insight were missed. This does O’Connor’s work a disservice for those who have never read anything by the Cork writer will presume that he has less depth than is the case. On the other hand, because the audience seemed to love the show, perhaps it will act as an appetiser for them to go on and read the real thing. The featured short stories related pivotal episodes from the narrator’s childhood and include paternal jealousy, bullying, being misunderstood and the fear of making a “bad confession” and therefore burning in hell. There were plenty of
Shane Casey as Michael in the God Bless the Child segment of the production
genuinely funny quotes in the show, such as when Gary Murphy’s character, Larry, said of a lame teacher he admired: “I was so impressed, I decided to have a lame leg myself.” In First Confession, O’Connor is hard-hitting against the Catholic Church and this was properly adhered to in the play. The play was peppered with recitals of decades of the rosary by the three characters as they took to their knees before the Virgin Mary and the Sacred Heart. Jackie’s (Ciaran Bermingham) terror of eternal damnation, which has been drilled into
Shane Casey, Gary Murphy and Ciaran Bermingham are very good in their roles
him by a menacing nun, depicts a shameful period in Irish history. When God Bless The Child played to packed houses last year at Everyman, Cork it received a hugely positive response, and that seems to be the case with Dublin audiences too. T he show, though
undramatic, delivers an entertaining evening with a great deal of mirth and solid acting performances. God Bless the Child runs at The Gaiety Theatre until April 11. Tickets, costing from €19.65, are available from The Gaiety Theatre Box Office at 0818 719 388.
9 April 2015 Gazette 25
Gazette
CINEMA
ReelReviews
spongebob movie A sponge out of water
SPONGEBOB’s appeal is much like the tide – it seems to rise and fall at regular intervals, with our favourite silly sponge never too far from our screens. He’s rounded up all his pals for Spongebob: Sponge out of Water (Cert G, 92 mins) which is as brilliant/brutal as ever, depending on whether you’re a fan. Chief villain Antonio Banderas gamely tries to out-act the singing sponge.
cinderella
A timeless tale ... again
The Rock and Jason Statham mix it up in Fast & Furious 7, which is more or less business as usual for the popular series
Fast & Furious 7: franchise returns even brasher and dumber than ever
Take another Furious spin
daniel smith
OVER the top, ridiculous and brilliant; words which perfectly describe the seventh instalment of the Fast and the Furious saga, Fast & Furious 7. An element of emotion is added as the film is used as a swansong to the late Paul Walker who died in a car accident in November 2013 while the movie was being made. This meant a major rethink about what to do with Walker’s character, Brian O’Conner, which director James Wan took on the chin brilliantly. The film starts off where Fast & Furious 6 left off when, after the end credits, Deckard Shaw (portrayed
by Cockney cult hardman Jason Statham) avenges his younger brother Owen’s death by crashing into Tokyobased Han, a member of Dominic Toretto’s (Vin Diesel) crew, killing Han in the process. “You don’t know me – you’re about to,” says Shaw at the very end of Six, which ties in with Seven as a parcel from Tokyo turns out to be a bomb. This explodes seconds after Shaw hangs up a call to the Toretto family home that has been the epicentre of the Fast & Furious franchise. The explosion, along with the death of a crew member, sets Dominic on a mission to find Shaw. Along with the usual
crew of Roman (Tyrese Gibson), Tej (Ludacris) and partner Letty (Michelle Rodriguez), he also gets military help from “Mr Nobody” (Kurt Russell). Their first mission is to seek out a hacker working under the alias “Ramsey”, who turns out to be a woman (Nathalie Emmanuel), whose sophisticated hacking device is what the crew need to track down Shaw. Machine gun fire, a cat fight between Rodriguez and UFC fighter Ronda Rousey, and a multi-million dollar hypercar flying through three buildings later, the device is obtained and used to track down Statham. They return to LA and are confronted by Shaw
and his allies. Having been out of action courtesy of Shaw, Hobbs (played by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson) links up with Toretto’s crew to hunt down Shaw and his militant buddies. The bald testosteronefest concludes with a car park brawl between Shaw and Toretto, but in typical Fast & Furious style, even after the six-storey car park is destroyed, they both miraculously survive. The film then wraps up with O’Conner retiring from the day job to a family life with his son and Mia Toretto (Jordana Brewster), who is expecting a baby girl, ending rumours that Walker’s character would simply be killed off. W hat follows is a
touching tribute to Walker over the course of all seven movies. O’Conner, in a Toyota Supra, cruises alongside Toretto’s Dodge Charger in a scene reminiscent of the climactic race in the first movie. Using younger brothers Caleb and Cody Walker as stand-ins, and using CGI to project Walker ’s face, they pulled off what would be his final film in a proper manner. To the keen movie critic, Fast & Furious 7 could be considered awful, thanks to unnecessary explosions, cheesy scripting, and poor attempts at humour courtesy of the supporting cast. But from someone who has watched the
series since the very start, it was fantastic. It’s the unnecessary explosions and cheesy scripting that make the movie unique; these have been a staple of all seven Fast and Furious films, and without them, these would make no sense. Thanks to the RouseyRodriguez scrap, a $3.4m Lykan HyperSport car being hurled through three Abu Dhabi skyscrapers, and the seemingly impossibility of Toretto being killed despite what the film throws at him, it’s a memorable movie and will keep the cult fan base of the series very happy, along with the great tribute to the late Paul Walker.
Verdict: 8/10
KENNETH Branagh delivers his version of the timeless fairytale as Cinderella (Cert G, 113 mins) delivers a strictly by-the-book film. The film ticks virtually every box on the Cinderella story list, bringing nothing new. Still, at least it’s not as awful as Into The Woods’s botched fairytale, and it looks terrific, with a classy cast – including Cate Blanchett and Derek Jacobi – adding a dash of gravitas.
while we’re young Facing a fear of aging
BEN Stiller and Naomi Watts face into mid-life uncertainty in While We’re Young (Cert 15A, 97 mins), which sees them questioning what they’ve done with their lives and where they’re going, thanks to (perhaps unwisely) comparing themselves to some younger, and seemingly much cooler new friends. A nicely made film, it’s an interesting tale for the millennial generation.
26 dundrum gazette 9 April 2015
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Gazette
28 Gazette 9 April 2015
SPORT
FastSport doolin pleased with Under19 euro point: PAUL Doolin’s Republic of Ireland side came back from 2-0 down at the break to clinch a point in their last UEFA U-19 Championships Elite Phase with a 2-2 draw with Slovakia in Mannheim thanks to second half goals from a Ryan Manning penalty and Joel Coustrain. The Slovaks ended the game with three players dismissed while the Irish also had Kevin Toner ordered off for two bookable offences. “We were hoping to get something from it. We looked to finish off on a decent performance. They were a very good side and scored a couple of goals in the first half but we deserved something,” said Doolin. “We were outstanding in the second half. Our attacking after the break was excellent. Slovakia had a couple of chances too. It was probably just as well it ended what it did as the discipline seemed to have gone from the game.”
rugby: heaslip proud of blues but says toulon will be huge test
Leinster need big step up sport@dublingazette.com
JAMIE Heaslip said that Leinster need to step up another gear following their narrow 18-15 win over Bath in the European Champions Cup
Quarter-Final at Aviva Stadium last Saturday. Speaking after the tie, the skipper said it was hugely important that the province improved ahead of the semi-final against Toulon and the
crucial run of games coming up for the province. Six Ian Madigan penalties sealed the win for Leinster, and a place in the Champions Cup Semi-Finals for the first
Leinster mascots Jill O’Brien, from Donnybrook, and Nathan Levy-Valensi with Leinster captain Jamie Heaslip and Bath captain Stuart Hooper. Picture: Brendan Moran
Leinster supporter Eoin O’Driscoll from Goatstown. Picture: Stephen McCarthy
time since 2012, at the Aviva on Saturday. Speaking after the game, the Leinster captain reflected on the important role the experience within the squad played in seeing out the game. “We can take a lot of positives out of it. They’re on our line, they’re 25m out in that last minute and a half, two minutes of the game. “Someone asked me was that the experience part; a little bit of experience and a little bit of the lads showing their character. I couldn’t be prouder of them. “But at the next level, no matter who it is, Wasps or Toulon, we have a massive chal-
lenge and we’ve got to improve on today. “If you make any kind of individual or system errors, [Bath] are going to punish you. And that happened twice. “There were probably a couple of other times where they really did stress us and make line breaks, or half line breaks.” With a semi-final place secured, and a tie with Toulon or Wasps to look forward to, Heaslip emphasised the importance of upcoming games in the Guinness PRO12, starting with the game away to Dragons next Sunday. “It’s another massive game. It’s great at this time of year; it’s just big game after big game.
We’re chasing that top four pretty hard, so the Dragons games is huge. “And the game following, that’s going to be massive as well, in terms of the club and the group that we have.” With an eight-day turnaround between the Bath and Dragons games, the squad have time to rest and recuperate before another crucial fixture. “We’re just going to rest up now. A lot of us were saying that’s probably one of the fastest, toughest games we’ve played, including internationals. That’s right up there.” Leinster face Newport Dragons next Sunday at Rodney Parade in their next league game.
UCD produce best Champions Cup run in 20 years sport@dublingazette.com
UCD captain Katie Mullan attempts to tackle Rot Weiss Koln’s Lena Vonhoegen. Picture: Ady Kerry
UCD ladies finished in Ireland’s best position in the EuroHockey Club Champions Cup since Randalstown in 1995 as they ended in sixth place in the competition, hockey’s equivalent of the Champions League. That is because of a spectacular 3-2 win over Canterbury, complete with two South African, three English and a Scottish international in their line-up. The result in Bilthoven, the Netherlands, saw UCD advance to the fifth place playoff, guar-
anteeing Ireland retain a place in the top tier of European club hockey for another season. They had fallen behind just eight minutes in to Nikki Triggs’ field goal but Chloe Watkins levelled from close range before Emily Beatty’s cracking shot and a third from Deirdre Duke swapped things around to 3-1 at half-time. Jen Wilson got one back for the English club but UCD held on for a famous win in what is hockey’s equilvalent of soccer’s Champions League, one later described as the biggest result in
the club’s history. Speaking about the victory, coach Jonathan Harte praised the ability of his side to dig in to get the result, particularly Sarah Robinson at the back. “We had to guts it out in terms of defending in numbers, being under pressure as the opposition pressed us to get back to 3-3 in the last 10 minutes. “It is great for UCD and great for Irish hockey and hopefully all of Irish hockey can keep pushing on.” They ultimately fell to English champions Surbiton as two final
quarter goals saw UCD fall out of touch, meaning they finished sixth overall. Harte’s side trailed 1-0 at the break and 2-0 early in the second half but a sharp volley from Katie Mullan reduced the arears with 17 minutes to go. Nikki Evans was proving a handful in the forward line while, defensively, Leah Ewart and Mullan were in strong form. But the loss of Anna O’Flanagan to injury was keenly felt and the students ran out of steam in the closing phases with Julie King and Jo Hunter punishing them.
9 April 2015 Gazette 29
Gazette
Home comforts for Smith’s Eastern side
FastSport
Gerry Smith tells Nathan Kelly how how he is looking forward to his fifth campaign at the head of the Eastern Region side that will represent the country at the Regions Cup in Dublin THE DRAW has been made, the stadiums have been chosen and the dates have been set. Safe to say the wheels are definitely in motion for this summer’s UEFA Regions’ Cup, being hosted here in Dublin. It is the first time Ireland will host the competition in what will be its ninth edition and Gerr y Smith’s Eastern Region side have been drawn in Group A alongside Ankara (Turkey), South Moravia (Czech Republic), and Tuzla Canton (Bosnia and Herzegovina). The Eastern Region side qualified for the finals after three wins from three in their Intermediary group back in October, but Smith still seemed on a high from just making the finals when asked his reaction
to the draw. “We’re just delighted to be in the finals first and foremost,” he said. “The fact that we’re here is great and we’re really looking forward to it. “When we went to Hungary last October, if you had said to me that we’d have qualified and the finals would be in Ireland, I’d have chopped both your hands of and taken it to be honest. “It’s great that we get to play here but the most important thing is to be in the finals. “On the draw itself, we’ve played the three teams before. The first time we qualified we played the Czech Republic, going back a long time ago, and they beat us 3-0, that team actually went on to play professional football
Eastern Region manager Gerry Smith
afterwards. “We were probably lucky to get nil in that one if I’m honest. In that same group we had Bosnia and they beat us 3-0 too, and we were even luckier to get nil because they were a fantastic side.” Ireland have certainly improved since first qualifying for the competition in 2001, going on to feature four times before this year, and reaching the final in 2011, but ultimately losing to hosts Portugal in the decider of the world’s top amateur competition. “The Eastern Region recently played a couple of friendly fixtures against Dolnoslaski from Poland, who are in the other group in this summer’s competition and have won the Regions’
Cup in the past. “A 1-1 draw and 1-0 defeat to the Poles further displays the progress made under Smith’s guidance through the years. “ We ’ ve d e f i n i t e l y come on from where we were,” he told GazetteSport.
be played in Tallaght. When asked if he felt there was a massive advantage to a self-hosted tournament, Smith, perhaps surprisingly, played down the fact the competition is being played on home soil. He said: “I don’t think it makes too much dif-
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‘Playing in Portugal in 35 degree heat can knock the living daylights out of you’ - Gerry Smith
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“This is our fifth time to be in the finals so we’re looking forward to it. As I said we’ve played all three teams, we played Turkey in Portugal in 2011. They’re a very good team, a very strong team and country in relation to soccer and we drew 0-0, so there’ll be nothing in it really. There are eight really good teams in the finals, unfortunately only one team can win it, and I’m sure we all feel we have a chance.” The tournament itself will run from June 26 to July 4, and matches across the two groups will be played at Tallaght Stadium, the UCD Bowl, Richmond Park, Home Farm, Tolka Park and the Carlisle Grounds. The winners from both groups will go on to contest the final which will
ference really. What it does from our point of view is, it can be a tall order to be cooked up in a hotel for 10 or 12 days, it can get a bit monotonous so, in that respect, it’s nice that the lads will be able to nip home for an hour or two for whatever reason. “But in relation to on the pitch, I don’t think it has a bearing on anything to be honest. “That said, when we played in Portugal, we played in 35 degree heat on two of the days which can knock the living daylights out of our players. “But other than that, I don’t think it makes that much difference.” Ireland’s first game of the Regions’ Cup will be played against Ankara on Friday June 26, at Tallaght Stadium at 7pm.
Soccer Sisters takes over Fingal for Easter FINGAL was a flourish with young girls playing the beautiful game over the Easter break as the FAI’s Soccer Sister Easter Camps were held in 12 different venues across the county. There was no area left uncovered as camps were runs from Blanchardstown to Baldoyle to Swords to Balbriggan and allowed girls from the ages of seven to 12 to get as much top quality football education in while the schools were shut. Speaking on the camps and their success over Easter, Paul Keogh, FAI/Fingal County development officer said: “The number of camps and numbers on the camps continue to rise. With the Stephanie Roche exposure and also the great work of the grassroots clubs it is becoming more and more accessible for girls to play on a team amongst friends. In Fingal alone, there are 12 venues for the girls to choose from with the biggest FAI Soccer Sister Easter camp in the country taking place in Gormanston, Balbriggan, with 92 girls attending.” With a number of local clubs participating in the organisation and co-ordination of the camps in the area, they are viewed as an excellent chance for young girls to take their first steps into football. Marion Brown, Fingal County Council principal sports officer added: “Fingal are delighted as always with the continued growth in girls’ sport. Through our sports development officers and our sports plan for the area the focus given to increasing women in sport is a top priority. More and more clubs are facilitating the growth of the girls’ game which is very important. And also, without the long hours of dedication of the volunteers it would not happen.”
Gazette
30 DUNDRUM gazette 9 April 2015
SPORT
ken’sDiary
Puncture cannot stop Kenneth hitting 130km Olympic silver medallist and Irish boxing legend Ken Egan is to take part in this year’s Laurels Charity Crew Cycle from Galway to Dublin on April 19. In the run-up to the event, Egan has partnered with Gazette Sport to document his preparation for the big day, and here is his latest report from the road. LAST Saturday morning, there was the biggest number yet, 43, taking part. The hardship and the weather was mighty with our aim of 130km today. We reached our target but the drama that was to unfold was crazy; we set a steady pace and motorists didn’t like our presence this morning. Some suggested we broke up into two smaller groups but we stuck together and soldiered on, heading for Lucan and then on to Edenderry where we stopped for tea and scones. We had picked up eight punctures on our travels and I was cursing some of the gang for having bad tyres. Lo and behold, I got one of those punctures and had to bum a tube as I arrived with the bare essentials: a bike and a bottle of water; such a novice! In any case, we carried on and made it to the finish line, completing the route. My final preparations, though, see me heading off to cheer on my good friend Andy Lee in Brooklyn this weekend in his world title defence so I’ll miss the last cycle before the big one. Peace out and see you on the other side. For more information about the event, log on to www.facebook.com/laurelscharitycrew, and come back next week for the latest instalment of Ken’s cycling diary. The group has raised €520,000 for Our Lady’s Hospital in Crumlin through their efforts in recent years.
soccer: ucd waves star upbeat after costa rica win
UCD Waves Julie Ann Russell in action against Cork City earlier this season
Russell ready for Spanish tie sport@dublingazette.com
N E W LY c r o w n e d Women’s International Player of the Year Julie Ann Russell is looking forward to taking on Spain this week as Ireland face yet another of the teams heading to this summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup Finals in Canada. The fact that Ireland head into the game at Mareo Stadium, Asturias, on the back of a win against another World Cup bound team, Costa Rica, will be a boost according to Russell,
who plays her club football with UCD Waves. “I think it was vital for us to beat Costa Rica in the last game of the Istria Cup so we are coming into this game against Spain with a win behind us. “Although the results didn’t go to plan over there it was great to get together as a lot of us playing in different leagues across Europe,” said Russell. Un l i ke t h e g a m e against Costa R ica, Ireland will go into Wednesday’s game as underdogs while Spain
half time show Salmo Eagles take field for Mullingar fixture THE De La Salle Palmerston Eagles are pictured with Leinster’s Kane Douglas and Darragh Fanning ahead of the Bank of Ireland half-time mini games last Saturday. They played against Mullingar at the Aviva Stadium during the European Rugby Champions Cup quarter-final between Leinster and Bath, putting on a great show. Picture: Stephen McCarthy
are currently ranked 14th in the world, some 17 places higher than Ireland, but Russell believes that doesn’t give the team an edge. “I wouldn’t necessarily say it gives any advantage to us. “It might just take a small bit of pressure off the team as people will not be expecting us to beat Spain. You just never know what will happen in a game of football. “To get the opportunity to play against a top nation is amazing and I know both the girls and
I can’t wait to get out and play and test ourselves. “I know that they are ranked 14th in the world and I know that they will be technically really good and very quick, but I feel if we play to the right tactics we will be able to put it up to them. “ Having won the Under-19 award in the 2009-10 season, Russell was honoured to be named as Senior Player of the Year at the recent 3 FAI International Awards “It was such an hon-
our to win the International Player of the Year. “To play for my country means so much to me so to win this award it felt incredible. “The team are a great bunch of girls and I believe everyone had a great year of football shown by our results and progression so to be chosen to win player of the year felt surreal. “Putting in all the hard work training and balancing my masters and then work it made it even more special to me to win the award.”
9 April 2015 DUNDRUM gazette 31
Gazette
minor success
Kilmacud hurlers win first trophy of 2015
Club Noticeboard ballyboden st Enda’s
A LATE goal was the deciding factor as
Kilmacud Crokes minor hurlers landed the Division 1 league title in O’Toole Park last Friday. The final saw Crokes come up against Na Fianna and it was an epic encounter which swung back and forth throughout. After a long barren spell, the Stillorgan side sprang to life in added time as a goal from Conor O’Dwyer proved decisive.
CONGRATULATIONS to Ballyboden
responsible to highlight the ladies
St Enda’s Collie Basquel and Shane
football section on a weekly and
Clayton as the Dubs U-21 football-
monthly basis.
ers beat KIldare in the Leinster final by 3-10 to 1-12. The 45th annual general meeting
football: local quartet help see off Kildare
If you are interested or would like more information; please contact sineadryanmedia@gmail.com
of Ballyboden St Enda’s GAA, cam-
The Boden Golf Society has its
ogie and ladies football club will take
first outing on April 17 to Castle-
place on Monday, April 13 at 8.30pm
knock G.C. Timesheet available
in the club hall.
behind the bar (2-3pm).
Would you like to be involved in
Call Ned on 085 1804619 or Kevin on
the Ballyboden St Enda’s communi-
087 2409641 regarding membership
cations committee? We are looking
and timeslots for the first outing.
for a representative to work with
For more information on Bally-
the Ladies Football Section of the
boden St Enda’s, log on to www.bod-
club.
engaa.ie or follow us on Twitter or
The representative would be
Facebook by searching Bodengaa.
stars of erin THE men’s adult team play Kilmacud
won by Therese Flood; second was
Crokes next Sunday at 11am. Please
Ronan Duffy.
support. We have a clothes bank in the Stars of Erin car park.
There was no lotto jackpot winner. Numbers drawn were 1,12 and 32; €20 winners were Pat King, David Conlon,
The Easter draw was a great suc-
Peter Campbell and Vinny Mulhall.
cess. Thanks to the Step Inn and all the
Next week’s jackpot is €1,300. Thanks
supporters; first prize of €2,000 was
for all your support.
naomh olaf WELL done to the Dublin U-21 Foot-
Dublin Under-21 captain David Byrne
Olaf’s Byrne leads Dublin U-21 to glory leinster u-21 final Dublin 3-10 Kildare 1-12 sport@dublingazette.com
FOUR local players were present as Dublin retained the EirGrid Leinster Under-21 Leinster Football Championship last Thursday at Pairc Tailteann. David Byrne of Naomh Olaf, Ballinteer St John’s Robbie Gaughan and Ballyboden St Enda’s duo Shane Clayton and Colm Basquel all played their part in 3-10 to 1-12 win over the Lilywhites. Clayton started game at right corner-back with Byrne operating full-back.
Basquel lined out as left corner-forward before being replaced by Aaron Byrne after 50 minutes, while Gaughan entered the field after 38 minutes, coming on for Gavin Burke at right half-forward. The Dubs did not seem to miss injured talisman Killian O’Gara as Cormac Costello stepped up to fire two goals and two points for Boys in Blue. Basquel was key for the capital too, firing over five points during the contest. The game started off as a close encounter, with the side’s level on 0-3 each in the opening quar-
ter before Costello teed up Basquel for the opening goal after 20 minutes. Minutes later, the provider turned scorer as Costello shook the net following quality play from Conor McHugh. Kildare hit back, however, thanks to some quality kicking from Neil Flynn and a goal by Mark Sherry which reduced the deficit to two points going into half-time. Indeed it was Kildare who began the second half better, hitting four points without reply before Costello struck again for the Dubs, firing in another goal. The Dubs managed to
maintain their lead going into the closing stages despite a spirited performance from Kildare and Flynn in particular. Before the referee ended proceedings Costello was brought down and was awarded a penalty, which McHugh stroked over to confirm a four-point win. It was a four-point win which continued Dublin’s dominance in the province at this level, this marking their sixth Leinster win in eight years. Dessie Farrell’s side now have an All-Ireland semi-final to look forward to against either Cork or Tipperary.
formance at right corner back.
ballers and captain David Byrne
Unfortunately, Galway beat Lim-
(Naomh Olaf) on a great victory in
erick in the other match and Dublin
Navan, defeating Kildare in the Lein-
are now out of the championship.
ster championship. David is one of Naomh Olaf’s positive young leaders. We are all very proud of the effort and commitment that David puts in for his club and his county.
Ro i s in d e m o n s t r at e d
g r e at
strength, determination and skill in all matches and the club are very proud of her commitment to her club and county. Well done to Fiacra MacLoughlin
Great turnout from the Olaf’s
who played in goals for the Dublin
U-16s and their mentors who trav-
development squad on Good Friday
elled to Navan to support David and
in Waterford.
the team. Thanks to everyone who travelled to Navan. Looking forward to the All-Ireland semi final next.
Fiacra kept a clean sheet in nets helping Dublin to a one point victory in Ballygunner. Sympathy is extended to the Cos-
Dublin football manager Jim Gavin
tello family, Sandyford, on the death
will be in Naomh Olaf GAA Club on
of Annette Costello. May she rest in
Monday, April 13 at 7pm to launch
peace.
the Mol An Oige youth coaching and leadership programme. Eve r yo n e we l c o m e . Fu r t h e r details to follow later this week. Mol An Oige application places are in big demand. Please submit forms this week if possible. Some forms available in the clubhouse.
Winning tickets for the Easter egg raffle were drawn by Dublin U-21 football captain David Byrne on his return to the club following victory over Kildare. Raffle organised by the senior ladies football team. Easter egg raffle results. First prize - G Dunne; second prize
Congratulations to Roisin
- Albert (c/o sheds); third prize -
MacLoughlin and the Dublin minor
Ewa Ziolkowska, fourth prize - Edel
camogie team on defeating Water-
Kelly.
ford 2-16 to 3-8 in Waterford on Saturday. Roisin put in another solid per-
Preparations are well under way for the race night on April 24 at 8.30pm. Not to be missed.
32 DUNDRUM Gazette 9 April 2015