Fingal

Gazette FINGAL

September 7 - 13, 2017

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ALL SMILES FOR THE FIRST DAY AT SCHOOL

Picture: Alison O’Hanlon

IT’S that time of year again – time for some tears and stress as children head off to ‘big school’ for the very first time. Still, even if some of the grown-ups were briefly upset by the experience, the children were all smiles as they went to national school for their first day – like Cliodna, Ailish and Dave Gilroy, delighted to be starting off at St Marnock’s in Portmarnock!

For more of first day at school pics, see P6-7

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Keep reading, keep recycling – thank you

Heartless thieves steal cancer patients’ wigs Balbriggan charity shocked as thugs take hairpieces and ransack premises

 SYLVIA POWNALL A CANCER charity is thousands of euro out of pocket after heartless thieves ransacked its premises – and stole wigs used by chemotherapy patients.

Volunteers at Balbriggan Cancer Support Group are still cleaning up after thugs broke into their premises and smashed up the furniture.

Charity worker Cora Nelis told The Gazette: “Imagine stooping so low to pick up

so little. We feel violated and invaded. They just wrecked the place.

“We had to cancel our counselling service for a week. There are people who need that care and rely on us.

It’s upsetting to think people

would target us like this.”

The thieves struck at around 3am and also broke into two other units at Balbriggan Business Park. Gardai have trawled CCTV footage but so far have no leads Continued on Page 4

2 FINGAL GAZETTE 7 September 2017

CRISIS | FCC CHIEF ADMITS AUTHORITY TO MAKE LITTLE PROGRESS BY 2018

‘Council struggling to cope with homeless’  SYLVIA POWNALL FINGAL County Council chief executive Paul Reid has admitted the local authority is struggling to cope with the homelessness crisis and will make little progress before 2018.

He warned that people were seeking housing faster than it could be provided – and that people may be asked to move in with other family members as homeless hubs are bursting at the seams.

Reid, who said his views were shared by senior officials in Dublin’s three other local authorities, revealed that the number of homeless

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‘Our capacity to bring on the number of family hubs can’t currently meet the numbers [of homeless families] presenting ’

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Fingal County Council chief executive Paul Reid

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families seeking help had shot up by 80% between January and August.

He said: “We are seeing an increased number of presentations due to landlords now seeking to sell their properties. Our capacity to bring on the number of family hubs can’t currently meet the numbers presenting.

“We are managing to put in processes so that

people don’t become homeless. That could be encouraging people to stay with families etc, but there is a lag there between the time it is going to take us to bring on hubs.”

He added that while new facilities in Fingal will be ready within the first half of 2018, there will be a delay before the demand for housing will reduce.

Dr Sean Healy, director of Social Justice Ireland, said the Government could set up a special body to borrow money at record low interest to pay for new social housing.

He added: “If the Government does not build 90,000-plus social housing units – that’s houses and apartments – it’s going to have to face up to the fact that the housing strategy is going to fail.”

Deputy Ruth Coppinger (AAA) said it was a “well recognised fact” that Fingal was now a “black spot for homelessness” and swift Government action and a clear political will was needed

to tackle the crisis.

The comments follow the deaths of three homeless people in the past week and the release of figures showing Dublin had 2,423 homeless children in July.

According to Reid, Fingal is expected to spend €230 million on housing by the end of 2018 – up from an original budget of €81 million by the end of 2017 – but until then the problem will escalate.

He said: “I don’t know how long that is going to be sustainable for. We can’t buy the hubs. We are trying to buy whatever we can get our hands on. We do need different solutions.”

BELMAYNE | SAFETY FEAR

‘Start fire works at schools now’ IMMEDIATE works have been urged at Belmayne Educate Together NS after an engineer’s survey found a series of breaches of fire safety standards.

Parents and politicians expressed concern at the findings of fire safety audits in five schools – including two in Belmayne – which were released last Friday.

The report for Belmayne ETNS was based on two surveys carried out in November 2015 and January 2016 on the main school building and not the prefabs.

Inspectors discovered that essential works to remove “stores” from under the stairs and protect escape routes had not been done and there was no fire door at one of the classrooms.

In addition, no cavity

barriers were fitted in external walls to bolster fire resistance, which was also cited as a serious cause for concern.

At St Francis of Assisi NS – also in Belmayne – pipes, doors and walls were all flagged up as needing attention.

Based on two inspections in late 2015 and early 2016 fire safety engineers prioritised immediate essential improvement works to be carried out.

Cllr Cian O’Callaghan (SD) criticised the “snail’s pace” at which the Government was addressing the issue, adding that it was putting the lives of children and teachers at risk.

He said: “These issues could have and should have been resolved during the summer of 2014 before the new school year started.”

FASTNews

Call for educational levy on new housing developments GREEN Party representative for Swords and Donabate Mark Henry has called for an educational levy on new housing developments.

He has also called for compulsory purchase orders to be used where new school grounds are needed as a schools crisis looms in what the census identified as the youngest population base in the country.

Mr Henry said: “The number of primary school children has increased by over 6,200 in the past five years, and that’s the greatest increase anywhere in the country.

“We are simply not providing enough school facilities to cope with these numbers with the result that some parents have had difficulties finding places locally.”

He urged the local authority to impose a levy on each new housing development to ensure resources for new school places.

Swords up for Ireland’s friendliest retail town SWORDS has been shortlisted for the award of Ireland’s friendliest retail town.

Retail Excellence Ireland will choose between the capital of the North County and four other finalists in November.

Seven Swords stores put themselves forward – Peter Mark, 3 Store, Love Suits, Swords Eye Centre, Fields Jewellers, McCabe’s pharmacy and XTI. They will have their customer service judged with aggregate scores being used to assess Swords against towns across the country.

Fingal Mayor Mary McCamley said: “Swords is a vibrant town with a varied selection of retail stores to choose from. It is great that Swords has done so well at its first attempt and we await with anticipation the results of the overall competition.”

Malahide Castle to host free cinema and festival A FREE outdoor cinema and family festival of fun takes place in Malahide Castle and Gardens this Saturday and Sunday, September 9 and 10.

Seating is limited and is on a first come, first served basis. Anyone who wants to bring their own seating or blanket, and a picnic, is welcome to do so.

The event starts at 11am on both days and finishes up at 6pm.

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

7 September 2017 FINGAL GAZETTE 3

Smash & learn

PEOPLE | ST MICHAEL’S HOUSE DOUBLE UP WITH TENNIS IRELAND FOR ACE INITIATIVE

D

GRIN WHEN YOU’RE WINNING: Liam Lawless from Swords

Malahide Tennis Club coach Hugh practises volleys with Mark Ennis at the National Tennis Centre in DCU

CU was the venue for this year’s Tennis Camp Weekend, a novel and fun form of respite care and just one of the initiatives that forms part of St Michael’s House and Tennis Ireland’s ‘Enjoy Tennis’ programme which aims to promote the inclusion of players of all abilities in tennis.

St Michael’s House is one of Ireland’s largest providers of community-based services for children and adults with an intellectual disability.

This year, players from Adult Autism Services also took part in the programme.

Playing tennis since May 2016, the players have been making incredible progresses with the support of Tennis Ireland coaches and St. Michael’s House staff.

This group have also been involved in demonstrating their tennis skills during disability inclusion training from tennis coaches.

St Michael’s House CEO Anna Shakespeare said: “Our partnership with Tennis Ireland solidifies St Michael’s House Strategic plan of Building community, supporting independence.

“With ‘Enjoy Tennis’ and the Tennis Camp Weekends, service users are choosing to get away for a break with their friends, doing something that they are interested in, in a community-based environment.

“They are accessing opportunities for personal development, such as building confidence, encouraging independence and socialisation.”

SMH staff member Diarmuid O’Donovan with Mark Ennis from Raheny; Johnny O’Farrell; Liam Lawless; Tennis Ireland’s Jim Watt; Donabate lad Christopher O’Loughlin; coach Hugh O’Loughlin, Dylan Ryan from Artane and Clontarf lad Oisin Fulham

Diarmuid works with Dylan

Johnny O’Farrell from Santry

4 FINGAL GAZETTE 7 September 2017

BRACKENSTOWN | WOMEN WITH 63 YEARS OF SERVICE LET GO AT ST CRONAN’S SNS BALBRIGGAN

Community rallies behind school’s loyal cleaner trio

Sickened volunteers vow to go on despite vandalism

 SYLVIA POWNALL

Continued from Page 1

THREE school cleaners with 63 years of service between them are protesting the loss of their jobs in Swords.

Support for the women – Pauline Smyth, Ann Daly and Lorraine Reilly – was evident as they picketed outside St Cronan’s SNS in Brackenstown last week.

SIPTU organiser Paul Hansard said the women were employed directly by the school for “many years prior to a management decision last November to outsource the cleaning function to a contracted company”.

He added: “Cleaning

contractor AFM Ireland Ltd, engaged by the management of the school to provide cleaning services in the new school year, has refused to employ our members.

“What is particularly unacceptable is the manner in which the board of management of the school has attempted to absolve itself of all responsibility to these loyal workers.

“In stark contrast to this approach has been the overwhelming support shown to the workers by parents of pupils and members of the public.”

An online petition in support of the women

Some of the picketers outside St Cronan’s SNS calling for the school’s long-standing cleaners to be reinstated to their jobs

had almost reached its 600-signature target by Tuesday afternoon and The Gazette understands that the school has been

inundated with phone calls and emails urging they be reinstated.

Speaking at the picket line last Thursday, Lorraine Reilly – w o has worked at St Cronan’s SNS for 19 years – said:

“We are here today because after 63 years of loyal service to the school our jobs have been given out to a cleaning company who have refused to take us on.

“ T h e r e h ave b e e n cleaners on site since August 28 and we are now unemployed.

“We are receiving super support from family, the community, councillors and local TDs. They have all expressed disgust at how we have been treated and wished us the best of luck in getting our jobs back.”

She added: “We hope to place enough pressure on the board of management for it to decide to sit down and speak with our SIPTU representatives.

We then expect to have our jobs back at the end of this.”

The Gazette contacted both AMF Ireland and St Cronan’s SNS for comment but both failed to respond.

River Valley and Ballybough girls Aishling Ennis, Abbit O’Reilly, Shauna O’Driscoll and Heather Leogue

IGNITING IMAGINATIONS Portmarnock girls Ellie Barron and Joanna Smith

GIRLS from north Dublin attended Ireland’s biggest-ever international Girl Guide camp, which took place in Rockwell College, County Tipperary.

Local Guides were among 1,800 taking part in IGGNITE2017, which attracted Girl Guides from across the world.

Camp Chief Jenny Gannon said: “It is hoped that their experience at IGGNITE2017 will ignite their imaginations and a passion to contribute to their local communities.

A code is needed to open the gates at the entrance to the industrial park so investigating officers suspect the raiders climbed over the wall and made their escape on foot.

Local businesses have rallied behind the cancer charity, with Balbriggan Credit Union donating €5,000, SuperValu giving €1,000, while €1,000 has also been raised from a football match, €1,500 from a local gym and money pledged from a golf event.

Cora said volunteers were heartened by the support but she said they were “sickened to their stomachs” to witness the level of damage caused.

Broken glass She revealed: “When they got in they pulled the place apart. All the flooring is ruined, there is broken glass everywhere [and its] walked into all the carpets, and they took two laptops.

“They took two wigs and three others left behind are ruined because they are full of slivers of glass. What they wanted with them, I don’t know.

“We don’t keep cash on the premises so we can’t understand what they were hoping to find.

Maybe they were just bored and wanted something to do.

“They didn’t stop to think who was using the service. Hopefully they will never need it themselves, or anyone belonging to them.

“But upsetting as it is, this won’t stop us. We’ll keep going because we have too many people depending on us not to.”

To find out more about the charity or to offer your support visit www.balbriggancancersupportgroup. ie.

7 September 2017 FINGAL GAZETTE 5

6 FINGAL GAZETTE 7 September 2017

Relief as RNLI crew called to save fisherman

SKERRIES RNLI responded to a call (right) to assist a stranded fisherman on Sunday – only to discover he had already rescued himself.

The coast guard launched a lifeboat shortly after 11am following a call from gardai reporting that a fisherman was stranded on rocks near Balbriggan.

The man was reportedly cut off by the rising tide on rocks at the shoreline near Ardgillan Park and volunteers Robert Morgan, David Knight, Gerry Canning and Jack Keane sprang into action.

Once they arrived at the outcrop of rocks, they found no sign of the stranded fisherman despite carrying out a thorough search.

An RNLI spokesperson said: “They noticed a garda on the shore waving to attract their attention. The lifeboat was manoeuvred in very shallow waters against a strong breeze to be close enough

to shore for a member of the crew to go ashore and speak to them.

“It transpired that the fisherman, once alerted to his predicament by the gardai, had waded ashore.

The lifeboat was stood down and returned to station.”

Skerries RNLI spokesperson Gerry Canning said volunteers were pleased with the positive outcome and urged anyone in difficulty not to hesitate in giving them a call.

He added: “In this case, the man hadn’t even realised that he had been cut off by the rising tide and was in a dangerous situation. Thankfully, the gardai were able to alert him and he managed to wade ashore. If you see anyone in danger in or near the water, dial 999 and ask for the coast guard.”

Out and About

Lollipop man Ken Duffy with Hollywell Educate Together Junior Infants Frank Doyle, Alan Bondarowicz and their families. Pictures: ALISON O’HANLON

Delighted to learn all about life at ‘big school’

T

HERE were only a few tears and signs of last-minute nerves as the new class of junior infants had their first day at Holywell Educate Together NS Swords – but whatever about the frazzled grown-ups, the children themselves seemed perfectly happy to be taking their very first steps at ‘big school’. The crowd of neatly-dressed children and their parents and guardians joined together for a morning to remember, with school staff welcoming the junior infants to the school, marking the very start of their life-long learning adventure.

Malahide sites for sale at €12m TWO sites on Seamount Road in Malahide have gone on sale at a guide price of €12M. The sites – 2.54 hectares and 0.8 hectares in size – have planning permission for 46 houses and the potential to increase that to 60.

The larger site has full permission for 46 houses – 11 three-bed and 35 four-bed – and the second site will initially serve as access during construction.

Selling agents Cushman & Wakefield estimate that the houses, with an average floor area of 179sq m (1,930sq ft), should be valued between €750,000 and €1 million. The two sites are located on an elevated site off Seamount Road, with sea views across part of the village and the Malahide Estuary.

Iga Krajewska

Bobby Stimpson

School reunion at St Joseph’s, Rush ST JOSEPH’S Secondary School in Rush is having a 50-year reunion for all students who started there in 1967.

The get together is organised by past pupils of the all-girl school and takes place at Rush Sailing Club on November 4. All are welcome to attend. For details, contact Marese Armstrong Daly at 087 313 6388, or email marese1.armstrong1@gmail.com.

Nikita Nozhenko

Emma Green

Michelle Animashaun

7 September 2017 FINGAL GAZETTE 7

Out and About

Michael Beglan and Jack Burke

Evie Grace Goodsen and Ellie Reen

Luke McDonald

Finn and Sadhbh Walsh Joe Curtin

Adam and Alex Keating

Lots to see and do at family fun day L

OTS of families got a real taste of summer at the Portmarnock Sports and Leisure Club’s family fun day last week. The day long event sparked great interest in the area. Children enjoyed a range of sport and fun activities, including bouncy castles, arts and crafts, family races, face painting, a barbecue, a talent show and much more.

Dean and Lexi O’Brien with their dad Ian

Sean Jordan

Heidi O’Hanlon, Robyn and issy Harrell and Ellie Reen. Pictures: ALISON O’HANLON

Fingal Dublin Chamber’s new leader in place

FINGAL Dublin Chamber’s new chief executive officer, Anthony Cooney, (right) took up his position last week.

Anthony takes over from Tony Lambert, who stepped down as CEO in June after more than two gest economic entity, Dubdecades at the helm.

The dad-of-two, who lin Airport. I’m looking lives in Malahide, has held forward to reaching out senior director roles in the to existing and potential consumer goods industry, members to build further B2B support services and depth and strength in our the hotel and catering sec- membership for the bentor. He is a director of the efit of all businesses.

Irish Foodservice Suppli“I’m also looking forers Alliance and a keen ward to working with the sports fan who played existing president, Guy senior inter-county hurling Thompson, and incoming with Waterford. president, Jock Jordan, as Anthony told The well as board members in Gazette: “I am honoured making a positive contrito be selected as the next bution to the chamber and Mona Treinovska its activities.”

Fingal Dublin Chamber Fingal Dublin ChamCEO. Fingal is a vibrant economic area with excep- ber, which was founded in tional medium and small 1994 and has 350 membusinesses, multi-national bers, is the region’s largest organisations and the big- business organisation.

Business boot camp getaway L A M BAY Island is to host an ‘Off the Grid’ business boot camp for start-up firms run by Fingal Local Enter prise Office.

Ten candidates have been selected for the 12-hour workshop on September 21 aimed at pulling busy entrepreneurs away from the distractions of their busy life for one day.

The day-long event will help equip them with the skills and insights to become more focused and strategic in their business.

Head of Enterprise in Fingal, Oisin Geoghegan (pictured with Paul Reid, chief executive, Fingal County Council), said: “So far this year, we have run ten Start Your Own Business programmes,

for 116 entrepreneurs, most of whom will go on to establish a new business.

“We are targeting startups that have real job creation potential to join us in this highly-interactive and intensive business bootcamp.”

The package includes return transport to and from Lambay Island, lunch, evening meal, refreshments and a guided tour of the privately owned unspoiled island.

Details at 01 8900 800 or download the application form at: https:// www.localenterprise. ie/Fingal/Off-The-GridBootcamp.html

8 FINGAL GAZETTE 7 September 2017

SWEET AS HONEY

CUSTOMERS of Mothercare at the Pavilions Shopping Centre in Swords have raised over €1,100 for BUMBLEance.

The maternity store named the national children’s ambulance service as its charity partner in June and sales of the BUMBLEance bee at the Swords store have raised €1,122.25 – with 100 per cent of the money going to the service.

The much-needed funds will help with the cost of tanks of fuel (€100), new tyres (€150 each), new iPads (€300 to €700 each) or to sponsor an ‘angel trip’ for a terminally ill child so they can spend their last hours at home (€400).

BUMBLEance is the world’s first fully interactive children’s national ambulance service, ensuring the safe transportation of sick children to paediatric hospitals, hospices, national treatment centres and respite centres.

The service receives no government funding and is entirely dependent on donations. Mothercare sends out a big “thank you” to customers who supported the cause.

MEETING | PENINSULA POISED FOR MAJOR PROJECTS

Anna Daly with Noa Hopkins-Plant, Matilda Balfe and Michael Muldowney helping to launch the Mothercare and Bumbleance partnership. Pictures: Julien Behal

New liaison committee pledges to keep eye on planned developments

 SYLVIA POWNALL A NEW community liaison committee in Donabate and Portrane had its inaugural meeting last

week and pledged to keep a close eye on planned developments.

The peninsula is poised for two major projects as the long-awaited distribu-

tor road is due to get under way in October and a new national hospital being built at the St Ita’s campus.

The €20 million road realignment will bypass Donabate village and reconnect across the railway line with tracts of land which are earmarked for housing under the County Development Plan.

The National Forensic Mental Hospital build is the single biggest capital project being undertaken by the Health Service Executive this year.

The 170-bed facility will replace the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum and is expected to be open for business by 2020.

Concerns have been expressed locally over the planning conditions governing construction and CCTV cameras have been installed to ensure building works do not exceed their permitted hours.

Cllr Adrian Henchy (FF), who made the liaison committee one of his first objectives when he was first elected in 2014, said he was delighted to see it getting off the ground.

He said: “The idea was to create a forum between the local community of Donabate, Portrane and

Fingal County Council with a view to exchanging information.

“It will help in understanding more about the council functions and services and influencing these services for the overall betterment of the peninsula.

“It’s a partnership between the elected members, community, business, and all other interests to promote local democracy, with local issues discussed and reviewed regularly.”

The inaugural meeting was chaired by Cllr Henchy, who is deputy Mayor of Fingal, with Cllrs Paul Mulville, Duncan Smith, Eugene Coppinger and Joe Newman also in attendance.

Community representatives and council officials were also in attendance, and they agreed to focus solely on the Donabate Local Area Plan at their next meeting.

The 12-member committee is: Larry Carolan, Elaine Downey, Wayne Hand, Des Culleton, Andrea Wilson, Eilish McDermott, Jacinta Lowndes, Hubert Higgins, Breda Dockrell, Ray O’Rourke, Brian Horan and Ciara Greene.

7 September 2017 FINGAL GAZETTE 9

Washing taken undie cover of darkness

RUSH | WORKS TO BEGIN

Fears over road closure impact CLOSURE of the Rush to Skerries road for 10 weeks to facilitate works by Irish Water will further isolate vulnerable and elderly residents, it’s been warned.

Members of Rush Community Council warned that those relying on buses with no access to private transport will have their lives severely curtailed.

They are also concerned that redirecting motorists to Palmer Road could prove disastrous for emergency services if the route becomes flooded.

Irish Water held a dropin information meeting in Rush last week in a bid to allay concerns over the road closure, which will facilitate preparatory works for the upgrade to the sewage system.

The works were delayed for a week but the road is due to close next Monday

and will not fully reopen to traffic until the last week of November at the earliest.

Senator James Reilly (FG) called for an increase in the promised free shuttle bus service to connect to the No 33 Dublin Bus, which will have its route curtailed.

He criticised Irish Water over how it communicated the closure to residents, adding: “The very poor direct engagement by Irish Water has raised fear in Rush unnecessarily.”

Traffic from the Lusk direction will be diverted onto the R127 Rathmore Road to access Skerries.

Vehicles will access the Skerries Road, Rush, as far as Palmer Road will turn right at the L1285/R128 junction at Loughshinney heading straight through into Rush.

 SYLVIA POWNALL

Singing Sadie’s praises as junior GAA kids shine

DEPUTY Mayor of Fingal Cllr Adrian Henchy was delighted to meet Sadie Duggan at St Patrick’s Donabate GAA mini All-Ireland week at Ballymastone recently, where the little winner was one of a number of talented kids putting their GAA skills to the test – more than 300 of them, in fact, with 128 matches played out across six nights. Cllr Henchy paid tribute to the junior players, saying it was “a great honour” to present Sadie and her peers with their medals and trophies after their spirited sportsmanship.

AN AU PAIR has warned her neighbours to be vigilant when hanging out their washing – after her underwear was whipped from the clothesline overnight.

The young woman said she was shocked when she went to take in her washing the next morning only to find that every single panties and bra had been taken.

She is now warning fellow residents in Knocksedan, Swords to keep an eye on their smalls in case they suffer the same fate.

She told The Gazette: “I didn’t see anyone near my house so it’s all a bit creepy. I never got them back, sadly.

“I don’t think it was kids or teenagers playing a prank, but I didn’t report it to the police because I didn’t think there was much they could do about it.

Knickers: nicked

“I just want to let other people know they should be careful to take in their washing at night in case it happens again.”

It’s not the first time a burglar motivated by a fetish for ladies’ underwear has struck. In April, 2016 a serial lingerie looter was banned from Galway city by a judge after he admitted a yearlong spree of knicker nicking.

Earlier this year, a burglar who stole three pairs of panties from a woman’s flat in Derry was given an eight-month jail sentence, suspended for two years.

10 GAZETTE 7 September 2017

Out and About

Don King, Ally Flood, Tarik Shebani and Ruth Devine

Aoibhin Garrihy and

her husband

John Burke

Much hula-hoopla about fun festival Dancing with the Stars judge Julian Benson

Rosanna Davison

Karen McEvoy and Julian Benson

with Tinuke and Obe. P10 Pictures: BRIAN McEVOY

T

HEY came in their thousands – rainclouds, that is, but the gloomy skies and occasional showers at Electric Picnic couldn’t wash away the delight of the crowd at this year’s sold-out festival.

Once again, hordes of Dubs joined their culchie cousins for a party and a half over at Stradbally Hall in Co Laois, where they could all become the great unwashed together, as they traipsed happily about through muddy fields from music stages to comedy tents to beer gardens and much, much more. The three-day event was another smash hit with everyone, with weary revellers, celebrities and music fans tired but happy as they made their way back home to wherever they hailed from.

Emman Idama and Sisters Ailbhe, Aoibhin and Doireann Garrihy

Soiraya Ryan

Corrina Durran and Sisters Jade and Laura Mullett

Eoghan McDermott

7 September 2017 GAZETTE 11

Out and About

Tim Moylan and Aishling Healy

Cathy Courtney, Deirdre Reddy and Deirdre Spain. P11 Pictures: Julien Behal

Kate Tierney and Julie Fitzgerald

Kellie and Laura Deans

Bridget Butler and Karl Hayes

Aoiffe Madden and singer-songwriter Jafaris

GAZETTE

12 GAZETTE 7 September 2017

DUBLINBUSINESS

Web Summit, ESB seek bright sparks for start-up award ESB and the people at Web Summit have begun the search for Ireland’s best startup.

The ESB Spark of Genius Award, which will be presented in November at Web Summit in Lisbon, will see one Irish company win €25,000 and the opportunity to exhibit at the international web industry get-together, along with mentoring support from top executives at ESB. The deadline for applications has been extended for an extra week until Sunday, September 17.

The awards are open to high-potential technology start-ups which have been in operation for less than three years and have received under €1 million in funding. Entrants will be judged on the uniqueness of their idea, their level of development to date, and their potential for future growth.

Previous winner, David Shackleton of OpenBack, said: “Winning the ESB Spark of Genius Award has opened doors for our business on a global scale.

“Winning at Web Summit has helped us explain our product differentiation and grow our business significantly so far in 2017.

“For any early stage businesses out there, there are huge benefits to being in this top calibre process – we couldn’t recommend it enough and encourage anyone with a differentiated proposition to get involved.”

Interested parties can apply at www.esb.ie/ spark-of-genius.

COUNCIL | 12-MONTH TRAINING, MENTORING PROGRAMME LAUNCHED

New focus on creative expertise over the city

Fundraising Fellows Dublin members Chandrika Narayanan-Mohan, Fishamble: The New Play Company; Muriel Foxton, Temple Bar Gallery + Studios; Paula Weir, Dublin Theatre Festival, and Anna McCarthy, Helium Arts with Cllr Vincent Jackson (Ind) and Andrew Hetherington, chief executive, Business to Arts. Picture: Robbie Reynolds

DUBLIN City Council’s Dublin’s Culture Connects, and Business to Arts, are calling on community or small cultural organisations across the city who are interested in building their fundraising capacity to apply for a 12-month training and mentoring programme.

Interested groups can apply for one of four places by completing an application form before 5pm next Monday, September 11.

T his joint programme between Dublin’s Culture Connects and Business to Arts, the Fundraising Fellowship, Dublin initiative aims to develop the pool of fundraising expertise in cultural organisations.

The four successful groups will receive training and mentorship in the areas of sponsorship and marketing, which will be facilitated under the guidance of Business to Arts by the new Fundraising Fellows Dublin: Temple Bar Gallery + Studios; Helium Arts; Fishamble: The New Play Company, and Dublin Theatre Festival.

Any community group in the

city can also book to attend an Introduction to Fundraising seminar on Tuesday, November 14 at the Wood Quay venue.

Dublin’s Culture Connects project director Iseult Byrne said: “This programme aims to develop fundraising expertise, not only in our partner organisations, but also in community groups in the city.

“We are now looking for community organisations to tell us why they should be part of this fundraising expertisesharing initiative.”

To be eligible to apply for the 12-month programme, organisations must fulfil a number of criteria, including that the groups must be located in the Dublin City Council area; be in existence for a minimum of three years; have a future planned programme of activity for at least 12 months; have at least one paid administrator, and have an advisory board or steering committee.

Further details can be found over at the Dublin’s Culture Connects website, or by emailing info@dublinscultureconnects.ie.

Innovators sought for specialist new programme in food sector BORD Bia and Maynooth University are looking for aspiring innovators to join an industry-first programme which aims to enhance the innovation capabilities within the Irish food, drink and horticultural sector.

The MSc Design Innovation (Food) is currently seeking applications from individuals with a creative flair, a passion for innovation and a genuine ambition to develop a career within Ireland’s largest indigenous industry.

Irish food and drinks companies with an interest in accelerating new product development can also benefit from having a programme partici-

pant join their team for the duration of the course.

Food is Ireland’s largest industry with an annual turnover of €25bn, exports of €10.8bn and a total of 230,000 jobs supported. The growth targets for the sector are ambitious and require a world-class capacity for insight driven innovation to be achieved.

Padraig Brennan, director of markets, Bord Bia said: “In order for the Irish food and drink industry to achieve our ambitious growth targets, we need to proactively attract, develop and retain new talent with a range of strategic capabilities.

“Novel, insight-led innovations and a creative way of thinking for the food, beverage and horticulture industry are essential in order to maintain our competitive edge.”

Applications are currently being sought from individuals and companies interested in participating in the programme, with a closing date set for Friday, September 15.

The programme is financially supported by Bord Bia and the industry, and successful participants will have their fees paid and receive a bursary of €20,000 per annum.

For further information, see www. maynoothuniversity.ie/mscdif.

7 September 2017 GAZETTE 13

MOTORS P16-17

CINEMA P25

DUBLINLIFE Let Dublin Gazette Newspapers take you on a tour of the news and events taking place across the city and county this week



GAZETTE

STYLE P18

THIS DOG IS TRULY A MUSIC: JAMES HENDICOTT ON TOUR WITH DINGLE’S FINEST FIVE-PIECE BRAN-TASTIC BEAST WHO’LL ADORE YOU OUR Dog of the Week looking for their #SpecialSomeone* is Bran, a distinguished nine-year-old Collie.

Bran is a real foodie who adores his grub, so getting to know him shouldn’t take too long. He seeks affection and attention but prefers a hands-off approach, so he would be happiest snuggling at your side rather than being petted and fussed.

Bran needs an adult home, preferably one that’s familiar with Collies and their kooky ways.

He’s adorably handsome and a firm favourite with the staff in Dogs Trust, so if you’re looking for a dog to stick to your side like glue, Bran could be the one for you.

He may be an older dog but that doesn’t stop him! He absolutely adores his walks and is an agile beast that would love long rambles with his new family.

If you can be Bran’s #SpecialSomeone*, then please contact Dogs Trust on 01 879 1000. They are based in Finglas, just off Exit 5 on the M50. Map and directions can be found on their website, www. dogstrust.ie. You can also find them on Facebook, at www.facebook.com/ dogstrustirelandonline, or on Twitter @ DogsTrust_IE.

Walking the walk D INGLE five-piece Walking On Cars are hot property right now – so much so, in fact, that when we finally manage to catch up with them, it’s back stage at a festival in the Czech Republic.

They’ve just performed to a crowd of tens of thousands on the main stage at Colours of Ostrava – the only Irish act on the bill – and clearly won over a heap of new fans. But it hasn’t always been quite so glamorous.

The band got off to a somewhat iffy start, in fact, as they went topsy turvy in their home town.

“We booked a gig, and then we wrote the songs to play that gig,” singer Pa Sheehy tells The Gazette. “One of the songs we still play now – ‘Don’t Mind Me’ – dates back to then. ‘Speeding Cars’ came soon after that.”

“We just stood in a kitchen for two or three nights a week until we wrote them. But the first couple of gigs were shocking. I feel sorry for people who were there.

“We’ve been quite lucky playing so many international shows,” Sorcha Durham says of the current Europe-

Walking with Cars are fast gathering an army of loyal fans across Europe

wide tour. “‘Speeding Cars’ got a lot of radio play, gaining us new fans.”

Venues The European Border Breakers Award, which the band collected for ‘success outside their own country’ earlier this year is indicative of how an act still based in rural West

Kerry has flooded onto the international market.

“You start from the bottom and work your way up, from small venues to middle-sized venues, that’s what we’ve been doing for the last couple of years,” they modestly explain.

Those ‘medium-sized venues’

now include fields.

“It’s really different going on to stages like this, but it’s not like we swapped a pub in Dingle for festival stages,” Sheehy recalls. “You can never fully get used to it, but it’s been a gradual change, and in some ways it’s more nerve wracking playing a pub. A pub is just so intimate.”

“There’s been some amazing moments, like the first time we got a tour bus. It’s all bunks, with a lounge and kitchens and stuff like that. That blew our minds. – it still does.”

‘Speeding Cars’, strangely as the band’s biggest hit, almost didn’t make last year’s debut album ‘Everything This Way’, as singer Sheehy was less than sure about the track.

“We always knew it had something,” he recalls, “but it was much slower, and I was kind of sick of it. I did suggest leaving it out, but the producer disagreed – it was his favourite track, in fact – and that was that.

Continued on Page 15

GAZETTE

14 GAZETTE 7 September 2017

DUBLINLIFE

DIARY

COMMUNITY: NEW INITIATIVE TO ENCOURAGE PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE FOR ELDER CITIZENS

Think Ahead for seniors N

CASTLE Homecare, the Irish-owned and managed home care services provider for older people, has paired with broadcaster Brendan Courtney to launch Thinking Ahead, a series of free talks aimed at encouraging older people and their families to plan for the future.

Hosted by Castle Homecare, the event will take place in the Stillorgan Park Hotel on Thursday, September 28 as part of Age Action’s Positive Aging Week, and will be officially opened by Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People, Jim Daly, The talks aim to inform, educate and entertain the audience on matters such as future-proofing their home, the Fair Deal scheme, and what it means for home care and security for older people, both on and offline.

Brendan said: “I’m thrilled to be a part of Castle Homecare’s Thinking Ahead event and to help launch Thinking Ahead.

“I hope to share my personal story to give insight into the challenges faced with ageing. This event is an incredible way to provide valuable information for the public and to inform the audience about measures that can be taken to best prepare for the future.”

Up to 150 people are expected to attend Thinking Ahead. Registration is now open and places are limited; to register, see http://www.castlehomecare. ie/registration.

POD YOURSELF INTO A GOOD MASTERCLASS FOR those who love listening to podcasts, and people who haven’t discovered them yet, HeadStuff and Aiken Promotions have released a series of shows as a part of the inaugural Dublin Podcast Festival.

The festival brings 10 nights of headliner shows, live podcasts, comedy showcases, discussions and workshops taking place in various venues across Dublin city.

In addition, a podcast workshop and masterclasses will have something for everyone. Taking place in the Kevin Barry Recital Room of The National Concert Hall on Saturday, September 23, workshops will feature some of Ireland’s most experienced podcasters and broadcasters to show their tips and tricks.

Tickets for the 10 a m -2 :15 p m workshop cost €30; the 3-6pm master class costs €35, while a ticket for the all-day workshop and masterclass costs €60 (all available from www. nch.ie).

SING OUT FOR JERVIS AT ITS 21ST BIRTHDAY

CALLING all acoustic musicians! Jervis Shopping Centre turns 21 years old this month, and to celebrate it’s on the look-out for acoustic musicians to perform on a community stage at its big birthday bash on Saturday, September 30.

If you love to sing and you think you have what it takes, you can apply for a place to perform throughout the birthday event. Entries are now open at https://goo.gl/mB2UsR, with the deadline for entries this Friday, September 8.

Centre manager Derek McDonnell said: “We are excited to workwith local musicians and give them the opportunity to showcase their talents on the Jervis Shopping Centre Community Stage. We are celebrating 21 fantastic years in business, and what better way to celebrate than by inviting up-and-coming artists to perform at our birthday event this September!”

The birthday celebrations on September 30 will also see plenty of events, competitions and activities for guests across the centre.

O WHAT’S GUIDE

EVENTS with JAMES HENDICOTT

Zero Waste Festival

CIE Inchicore hosts the heart of the national ‘Zero Waste Week’ with workshops, stands, educational offerings, discussions and a clothes swap on offer on September 9.

The Doggie Do A wonderfully named festival aimed at pooches,

and hosted in the temporarily renamed ‘Herbert Bark’, the DogsTrust organised Doggie Do is a dog-lovers paradise expected to attract upwards of a thousand canine lovers, to attractions including photography, competitions and talks.

10 September 10.

STRIKE NOW TO HELP PREVENT A STROKE THIS month, Irish Heart wants people to ‘strike before stroke’ as it marks the beginning of a monthlong awareness campaign supported by the HSE and focused for the first time on stroke prevention among men and women over 40.

Some 60% of over-45s in Ireland have high blood pressure, which is a major risk for stroke – so people are urged to start with a check and find out what they can do to avoid the risk of a stroke.

Dr Angie Brown, medical director of Irish Heart, said: “Stroke is a serious medical emergency mostly associated with older age, but the reality is that people of working age are now accounting for one in four of all strokes in Ireland, and this is growing rapidly in spite of Ireland’s ageing population.

“Preventable risk factors such as high blood pressure and smoking are significant contributors, as well as unhealthy eating and a sedentary lifestyle.”

From more exercise to cutting out smoking, there are several steps that everyone over 40 can do to help greatly reduce the risk of a stroke. For further information and support, see www.irishheart.ie.

DISHING UP THE HOTTEST COMP IN IRELAND Food guru and competition judge Paul O’Connor is calling on all curry connoisseurs to nominate their favourite curry house for a top award via www.irishcurry awards.com

THE DOGGIE DO Picture: Audrey Dalton

All-Ireland Senior Camogie Final

As well as being a chance to get into Croker for an All-Ireland final without the ticket angst, the camogie final is invariably a great showcase, and Kilkenny and Cork always deliver. September 10.

Flogging Molly

Put aside the argument about how ‘Irish’ these Celtic punk stars are and you get the core point: the trad-inspired rockers are one of the most entertaining live acts around. Olympia Theatre, September 10.

The Big Lebowski

The Sugar Club gets nostalgic with one of the all time classic movies on the big screen. Check out Coen’s finest with the Dude, his furniture and his bowling ball bound to sit well in a bar. September 10.

Lucan Community Festival

A family festival in the Dublin suburb is set to include rafting down the weir, a selection of international food stalls, craft stalls, a duck race, and plenty of fun for all the family. September 10.

Airfield Food Festival

A rare free entry to the urban farm is enough reason to drop into this foodie delight, but throw in three dozen local food producers, lots of kids activities and foraging walks around the estate and this starts to look like the weekend’s best bargain. September 9/ 10.

Texas

Having made their name in the 90s, the power-pop act are still a formidable live force. September 7/8, Olympia Theatre.

New album of the week -

Jack Johnson - All The Light Above It Too. One of music’s most interesting characters - the laidback acoustic star and former pro surfer’s first release in four years promises to be a blend of upbeat highs and mellow emotional slow burners.

7 September 2017 GAZETTE 15

GAZETTE

FEATURE

FROM PAGE 13: WITH MAJOR LABEL BACKING AND A GROWING FANBASE, WALKING WITH CARS ARE A..

Walking tour de force

 JAMES HENDICOTT “The rest of the band liked it, too. It turned out it was the one.

It didn’t really come together until we were in the studio, basically, the guitar went through this big evolution in the studio, and then it came together.”

The studio, in fact, was never easy.

Sheehy explained: “The songs kind of evolve like that, almost like a warzone, with each of us pulling backwards and forwards. But if someone feels really strongly about something we’ll always give it a chance. By the time we go out on stage all that’s done, and we just go out and enjoy.

“We heard a really great one about how Oasis slow their songs down, because of how long they take to get to the back of their crowds, which I thought was great.

“But we don’t really think like that. We just do our thing and

Dingle act Walking with Cars’ Pa Sheehy and Sorcha Durham. Picture: YouTube/RTE2fm

hope people like it.”

The opportunities will keep coming, undoubtedly, with a major label backing the fivepiece, and a sizeable fanbase building.

“We weren’t really looking for a label when Virgin came along,” Sheehy recalls.

“We were only willing to get involved with someone who would accentuate what we

were doing. There’s not really the same need for labels that there was in the old days, you can do a lot yourself.”

“But Virgin liked what we were doing, and we’ve only

had good experiences with them. They believed in what we were doing, and just told us to keep on doing it, so they’ve been really supportive. I suppose it was easier because we

were getting radio play and selling out tours across Ireland before they came along, and so they could see that it was working.”

It certainly has worked: ‘Everything This Way’ went to number one in Ireland, and has now gone platinum. It also sold close to 100,000 copies in Germany.

The Dingle act’s 2017 tour schedule has included - on top of our encounter in the Czech Republic - stop offs in Dubai, Belgium, Switzerland, Norway, and Holland, as well as extensive trips around the UK and Ireland.

As for the future? “We’re in the middle of writing our new album,” Durham reveals. “We do festivals at the weekend and work on the album during the week, and we really can’t wait to get it out there. We’re already playing a few new songs, so it’s coming.” So, we suspect, is a whole lot more.

7 September 2017 GAZETTE 17

GAZETTE

MOTORING

DUBLINLIFE

In the FASTLANE Volkswagen ready to T-Roc VOLKSWAGEN has added a new compact-class crossover, the new T-Roc, to its range. The new Volkswagen entry is a response to the booming SUV market, especially in the compact segment.

Experts estimate that the segment will almost double in size over the next decade.

The T-Roc is a five seat compact SUV with a 445 litre capacity luggage area that extends to 1,290 litres with all rear seats folded to give a spacious load area.

The entry ‘T-Roc’ version will be offered with high-tech systems such as Front Assist area monitoring with City Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Monitoring, the Automatic PostCollision Braking System and the lane keeping system Lane Assist. It will also include air conditioning, the Composition Colour infotainment system, LED tail light cluster, visual under body guard (black) and LED daytime running lights in the bumper.

The T-Roc is being offered with turbocharged engines: three petrol engines (TSI) and three diesels (TDI). They are being offered partly with front-wheel drive and manual gearbox, partly with front-wheel drive, 4Motion all-wheel drive (including 4Motion Active Control as standard) and the dual clutch gearbox (7-speed DSG).

The T-Roc will be launched on the market in November for the 2018 market year, while Irish prices have not been confirmed as yet.

The T-Roc is the smallest SUV from the Volkswagen range

‘Mechanics need to fix their reputation’ Customers hate dealing with car repair garages more than any other trade, according to a new survey by a leading warranty company, Warrantywise. The results showed that repair garages now beat estate agents into first place, with plumbers taking the third in the podium of pain.

The survey showed that customers felt baffled by technical jargon, and are worried about taking their car to a dealer or garage for fear of being ripped off.

The anguish was felt by both men and women, but a massive 78% of female respondents said they felt likely to be ripped off by a garage when their car went wrong, versus 62% of males.

The survey showed part of the issue is a lack of understanding of car components and a use of jargon which can confuse car owners.

Fullback has plenty of showroom appeal FIAT has taken on the pick-up market with a newly introduced double cab 4x4 pick-up called the Fullback. This is a re-badged Mitsubishi L200 and MICHAEL MORONEY assesses the value and the offer from the Italian brand.

FIAT has entered the 4x4 pick-up market with a new Fullback model that was developed in partnership with Japanese 4x4 specialists Mitsubishi.

Fiat has added some style changes to Mitsubishi’s well-known L200 to give a look that’s in-line with its Fiat Professional model range; effectively with a Fullback pick-up you are driving a re-badged L200.

It takes all of the impressive features of the Mitsubishi L200 that was significantly upgraded in 2015 and presents them with Fiat badging to add more competition to the growing 4x4 pick-up market.

Unlike Mitsubishi, Fiat Professional only offers the double cab version and also only offers a four-wheel-drive version.

Fiat teamed up with Mitsubishi for good reasons so that this new pick-up aims to set new standards in 4x4 pick-up fuel economy.

And like the Mitsubishi L200 it is close to being the best performer when it comes to 4x4 pick-up in fuel economy comparisons.

I took the Fiat for some interesting test drives in recent weeks, coupled with some trailer pulling tests to assess its potential. The towing capacity at 3.1 tonnes is impressive for a pick-up, but struggles to achieve the higher 3.5 tonne towing rating being offered in the Nissan Navara.

The 2.4 litre 180bhp

The Fiat fullback is rated as one of the more economical pick-ups on the market and comes with a competitive entry price of €30,670, incl. VAT.

the BMW i3 and i3s electric cars at next

New car emission tests in place

week’s Frankfurt Motor Show.

NEW car exhaust emission testing systems will come into

New BMW i3 and i3s get Frankfurt launch BMW will be introducing new versions of

The i3 range offers the option of full

place this week in Ireland and across Europe in an effort

electric power or electric power coupled

to measure the actual levels of CO2 and other pollut-

with a range extender petrol engine.

ants from cars while driving rather than being tested in

Both models draw their energy from the

controlled laboratory conditions.

lithium-ion high-voltage battery devel-

The new tests, called the Real driving emission (RDE)

oped by the BMW Group with a capacity of

tests will measure the pollutants, such as NOx, emit-

94 ampere hours (Ah) or 33 kilowatt hours

ted by cars while driven on the road. Europe will be the

(kWh).

first region in the world to introduce such on-the-road

Located low in the vehicle floor, the

testing.

lithium-ion high-voltage battery claims a

The tests will result in higher CO2 ratings for cars.

range of up to 300km (180miles).

Initially, the test results and CO2 rankings will only apply

The new BMW i3 and new BMW i3s have a

new model car ranges introduced to the market from

number of design tweaks to update their visual appearance.

September 1, 2017. The new RDE test ratings system will BMW has new versions of the BMW i3 and i3s being unveiled at Frankfurt Motor Show

The trademark BMW i Black Belt running from the bonnet over the roof to the car’s

apply to all new cars sold on European markets from September 2019.

The new BMW i3 and new BMW i3s come

of 170hp and reaches a peak torque of

The Irish Government will have to investigate new

rear end is now complemented by A-pil-

equipped with all-LED headlights as

250Nm, all of which is available instantly

motor taxation measures based on the new CO2 readings

lars and roof lines that also sport a black

standard, which employ LED bulb units for

from a standstill. This means that step-

from the RDE tests to take account of the new figures.

finish. The restyling of the front and rear

dipped beam and high beam as well as the

ping on the accelerator pedal immediately

We can expect to see some changes in relation to car tax

emphasises on the car’s width. A chrome-

daytime running lights. The new turn sig-

unleashes a burst of speed.

levels flagged in the 2018 Government Budget.

design trim strip running across the full

nal indicators also feature LED technology

width of the rear and the positioning of

and are integrated into the front apron in

speed automatic transmission meaning

current New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) test intro-

the model and eDrive badges on the outer

the form of horizontal strips.

the zero to 100km/hr benchmark sprint

duced in 1997 and the future Worldwide harmonized Light

can be achieved in 7.3 seconds. Top speed

Vehicles Test Procedures (WLTP) but it will be additional

is limited to 150km/hr.

to them. RDE will ensure that cars deliver low emissions

edges of the boot lid serves to reinforce this impression.

The electric motor powering the new BMW i3 generates a maximum output

The power is transferred via a single-

RDE will not replace laboratory tests, such as the

over on-road conditions.

Fiat Fullback 2.4 DLX

SPECIFICATIONS Engine Engine power 0 – 100km/hr Economy Fuel Tank Capacity CO2 emissions Road Tax Band Main Service Towing rating Warranty Entry Price

turbo-diesel engine is smooth and quiet to drive. While the road holding was impressive driving across narrow winding roads, the heavy boat trailer we used was noticeable on behind, especially when driving downhill.

Across a range of driving conditions I achieved a fuel economy figure of

2.4 litre 180hp 12.1 seconds 15.2km/litre (6.6l/100km or 43mpg) 75 litres 173g/km Commercial €333 20,000km/12 months 3100kgs 5 years (200,000km) €30,670 12.5km/litre which is about 30% less than rated figure of 15.2km/litre (6.6l/100km or 43mpg).

Fuel economy calculations were a little different to normal as Fiat offered the Fullback with British economy figures and a speedo rated in miles rather than our now standard kilometres.

For me, that meant cov-

ering close to 900km on a full 75 litre capacity diesel tank. While relative to a car, this is seen as a thirsty machine.

This improved economy has been achieved by a light and efficient four-cylinder turbo-diesel Mitsubishi engine coupled with a lighter structure of its 4x4 pick-up.

The Fiat Fullback uses a higher level of high tensile steel for lower weight and added strength.

My recent test Fiat Fullback was fitted with a six-speed manual gearbox while a five-speed automatic version is available. The manual unit is impressive to drive and smooth in operation.

T he Fiat uses the proven Mitsubishi Super Select 4WD system for off-road driving. It is well able to cope with sticky off-road areas when engaged at a low setting.

This system also uniquely allows permanent onroad 4x4 driving in the 4H or higher speed setting.

Off-road the system works well, it’s easy to engage. When you opt for the lower gears you will get noticeably more pulling power at lower speeds to pull through the mud. The system is engaged electrically using a dial and a central differential lock is engaged at low speeds.

For most buying a 4x4 pick-up the ownership costs can be significant, so getting commercial tax at €333 is just one bonus. The extended service interval for the new Fiat Fullback from 15,000km to 20,000km will still mean an annual main service. Entry prices start at €30,670 incl. VAT (VAT refunds are possible for VAT registered businesses).

GAZETTE

16 GAZETTE 7 September 2017

GAZETTE

18 GAZETTE 7 September 2017

DUBLINLIFE

STYLE

Top Shop

River Island

Penneys Coat €40; denim jacket €40; jeans €21; shoes €21; socks €2.50

 EMMA NOLAN Style Editor

THERE has been a noticeable drop in the temperature this week – and while we might be in store for in Indian summer yet, it’s time to start thinking about coats and jackets for Autumn.

Even if you’re not ready to face the end of summer, the more pragmatic shoppers among us know it’s time to start mentally shopping for a coat to see us through the next few months – and shopping for THE new winter coat is one of the highlights of the shopping year.

After all, it’s something you’re going to be wearing most, if not, every day for a lot of the year (especially if it’s a big investment), so it has to be interesting enough that you don’t get sick of it, but classic enough so it goes with the rest of your wardrobe.

Last Winter’s trends are still hanging on this year, courtesy of puffers and faux fur (although faux is forever a major coat trend). Trenches and shearling styles will be everywhere and in perhaps what is this season’s gingham craze, grey and black check dominates.

It seems as though what gingham was to Spring/Summer, grey check is to Autumn/Winter.

The shops haven’t yet started stocking new season coats, but keep an eye online and be prepared to take the plunge when the day comes, soon.

River Island

Wintery wonders

Penneys Tie-sleeve coat €40

New Look waterfall jacket €50

River Island Coat €100

New Look Biker jacket €60

GAZETTE

7 September 2017 GAZETTE 19

To Have to Hold FOR YOUR BIG DAY Congratulations – you’ve decided to take the plunge and tie the knot!

That’s the ‘easy’ part out of the way – now to find the perfect venue for your wedding or civil ceremony reception.

We’ve gathered a range of beautiful venues to suit all tastes and budgets, as well as rounding up stylish tips to look your best on the big day.

And, if you’re thinking of getting married abroad, we have some great travel tips and advice to remember.

Last but definitely not least, head off to honeymoon heaven with our dream destinations to consider. Now all you have to do is get hitched ...

SEE PAGES 20-23

GAZETTE

20 GAZETTE 7 September 2017

LOVE MARRIAGE

Turn to an old-world setting to begin your future M

ODERN couples simply do not just go for any venue, but Trim Castle Hotel would be the perfect choice for your reception as it possesses the old-world charisma of the historical Anglo-Norman castle, alongside contemporary standards of magnificent food and stunning decor.

The floor to ceiling windows of the Great Hall banqueting suite, and a wonderful prefunction area, allow a view of the castle and church lawns that is truly inspirational.

The rooftop garden located on the third floor provides the ultimate backdrop for your wedding photography, with spectacular views over the grounds of Trim Castle and the surrounding area in beautiful County Meath.

This weekend, Trim Castle Hotel’s Wedding Fair takes place on Sunday, September 10, from 2.30-5.30pm and promises to be a perfect day to view this truly magical wedding Venue.

The Great Hall banqueting suite will be fully set for a wedding on the day, and there will be an array of wedding suppliers in attendance to help make your big day pass off perfectly.

Trim Castle offers an ideal combination of old-world charm and contemporary standards of comfort and style

At Trim Castle Hotel, the team of expert wedding specialists aspire to make your wedding day the most memorable and enjoyable day of your life.

They offer a range of wedding packages which are beautifully designed to suit every

couple, and the wedding team assures you of personal and professional attention in the planning and preparation of your special celebration. As you step on to the red carpet, the team at Trim Castle Hotel will ensure that your wishes are granted and your expecta-

tions exceeded.

For further information, contact the Trim Castle Hotel wedding team at 046 948 3000, or email info@trimcastlehotel.com. See also www.trimcastleweddings.com, or www.trimcastlehotel.com.

A ballroom to sweep guests off their feet A

RE YOU looking for the perfect wedding venue?

Clayton Hotel Dublin Airport promises to be the ideal venue, and after being recently refurbished to the tune of €12 million, its spectacular new ballroom opens for viewing on November 24.

The room, which is 259m sq, is a purpose-built meeting and events space that boasts the very highest spec in audivisual equipment and modern facilities. The expert events team at the hotel will ensure your wedding day is everything you have ever dreamed of, thanks to their thorough service and attention to detail.

Licensed for civil ceremonies in both the ballroom wedding venue or the more intimate surroundings of The Rose Room, choosing the right wedding venue for your big day couldn’t be easier.

From your initial enquiry, the hotel’s wedding coordinator will be with you every step of the way, as you plan menus, attend tasting, view the venue as it would be set for your day, discuss the decor, entertainment options and special rates for your guests.

After your meal, your wedding

The lavishly appointed lovely ballroom at the Clayton Hotel Dublin Airport

party can relax in the Whiskey Bar which will be reserved especially for you and your guests.

Happy couples can add on plenty of extras depending on your personal wishes and budget so that every little detail is covered and your big day is as special and unique as you.

The hotel can also offer reduced accommodation rates for you and your guests.

Whether you are planning an intimate family gathering or a larger celebration, the Clayton Hotel Dublin Airport can cater for all your needs.

The hotel offers three different packages – Golden, Platinum and all-inclusive – and offers the option to tailor-make your own.

Every experience you have with the hotel will be memorable and your expectations surpassed as its expert staff ensure all of your personal touches are included, making your perfect day your wedding, your way.

The Clayton Hotel Dublin Airport’s wedding specialists would be delighted to talk to you. Call them at 01 871 1226, or email cb.dublinairport@claytonhotels.com

7 September 2017 GAZETTE 21

GAZETTE

Say I do at the Court Yard Hotel

N

ESTLED in the heart of Leixlip, the Court Yard Hotel is a well-established 4-star luxury hotel, exceptional in design and character.

From the moment you step on to the red carpet, you will experience the true dedication of a friendly and professional team with a single focus in mind – the success of the most memorable day in your life.

The hotel’s wedding experts want to make sure that your day is everything you hoped for, and more. To them, every wedding is unique and special, as it should be.

Whether it’s a grand affair or an intimate reception, the style of your wedding is entirely up to you. The hotel has the perfect, stylish spaces to choose from – it’s your special day, so allow its experts to help make it perfect.

The bespoke wedding venue is also registered to host civil ceremonies, and there are a variety of versatile and

unique spaces within the Court Yard to provide the perfect venue.

Guests can enjoy the luxurious accommodation, a beautiful open-air terrace, the spectacular courtyard and the elegant River Bank restaurant.

Offering a commitment to host only one wedding a day, this ensures the bridal party and their guests will have all the space and personal attention needed to make the day as special as it should be.

Excellent value wedding packages at the Court Yard Hotel start from just €49 per person, with a premium Store House package priced at €89 per guest.

From the elegant red carpet and champagne on arrival, to a sumptuous champagne breakfast for the bride and groom the following morning in their bridal suite, the Court Yard Hotel has a single focus on creating memorable weddings.

Beautiful touches include personalised menus, elegant stemmed can-

tainment – is tailored to the bridal party’s exact requirements.

A late bar is organised for the reception after-party, as well as various catering options for evening guests.

Wedding guests can take advantage of special guest rates, and personalised booking forms can be mailed out with wedding invitations.

A variety of spaces within the Court Yard Hotel can provide a beautiful setting for everything from a grand gathering to a more intimate wedding affair

delabras, and chair covers and coordinating bows in the wedding suite that complement the wedding colour scheme.

The hotel’s dedicated wedding coordinators will ensure that everything – from the style of the wedding suite, to the meal, fresh flowers, and enter-

Recently engaged or looking for the ideal wedding venue?

Join the hotel’s wedding specialists on Thursday, September 14 for its superb Autumn Wedding Showcase from 6-9pm and set the scene as they present their reception suites and civil ceremony room dressed for the occasion.

Enjoy prosecco and canapes as you experience all the Court Yard Hotel has to offer you on your special day.

The Court Yard Hotel can be contacted at 01 629 5100, with weddings and other special occasion details available at www.courtyard.ie.

GAZETTE

22 GAZETTE 7 September 2017

LOVE MARRIAGE

I Do ... want us  EXTENSIVE OPTIONS  to get married abroad – but what should we keep in mind?

THINKING of marrying abroad? Well, if you’re otherwise facing a chilly January morning wedding, who could blame you?

As lovely as Ireland is, the lure of sun-kissed lands and tropical winds can be forgiven for luring the odd one or two (or a few hundred) couples away.

If you’re thinking of getting married away from home, Tropicalsky. ie’s Fred Harrison has some great tips to keep in mind ...

1. Check that you are not paying for any extra legal requirements while in the resort – always check before committing to any deal.

2. Always ask how many weddings a day your chosen hotel will have – you don’t want to be part of a ‘conveyor belt’ wedding just churning them out.

3. Always ask if you need to leave the hotel to complete formalities that could involve a visit to the local licence office or registrar’s office while on your holiday/honeymoon.

4. Go easy on the sunbathing – you definitely don’t want to get sunburnt before your wedding.

5. Always travel with your original documents and paperwork, regardless if you’ve sent copies beforehand – your wedding won’t take place unless you have these.

New service to suit your requirements IRISH brand Magee 1866 has introduced a new personal tailoring service for weddings at its South Anne Street store in the city centre.

The personal tailoring service commences with an in-depth consultation in store where Magee 1866’s expert staff will guide grooms-to-be and other wedding party members through the extensive options to find the perfect fabric, cut and style.

Choose from up to 500 fabrics, complemented by an extensive selection of linings, buttons, meltons, trim options and personalised embroidery, such as initials or wedding date monogrammed on the inside pocket or collar welt.

The service is also ideal for those with a preference for double-breasted jackets or pleated trousers (both of

which are proving elusive this season), while customers also have the option of getting a second pair of trousers made.

Precise measurements ensure that each garment will fit perfectly. The result is an investment piece that will reflect personal style and will stand the test of time.

For grooms, it also provides a suit that will not only act as a memento of their big day, but can be worn long beyond the wedding day.

From date of order to delivery takes just four weeks, with prices starting from €599 for a bespoke two-piece suit.

Find out more and book your appointment now with Hugh or Glen at Magee at South Anne Street, Dublin 2; telephone 01 67 98966, or see www.magee1866.com.

Rise to the occasion with the right outfit OCCASIONWEAR for kids is always great fun to shop for – and if your children will be attending a wedding as guests, it’s a great excuse for them to dress up for the day.

Whether they fancy a princess dress or a sharp three-piece suit, there are great options available across Dublin from the likes of Arnotts, Debenhams and House of Fraser. For online shoppers, Littlewoods Ireland has a great selection of kids’ occasionwear to suit all kinds of weddings.

Littlewoods V by Very Girls Occasionwear Sequin Tulle Dress €45

Debenhams RJR John Rocha Dress €43

House of Fraser Howick Junior Boys Cravat Waistcoat Set €35

Debenhams RJR John Rocha Dress €45

Littlewoods Mini V by Very Girls Sequin and Mesh Tutu Dress €32-35

Debenhams RJR John Rocha Jacket €38 Shirt €15 Trousers €17

7 September 2017 GAZETTE 23

GAZETTE

TravelShorts

COUPLES: DREAMY DESTINATIONS AWAIT THOSE HAPPY TO BE ADVENTUROUS

Finish off your big day with a perfect cruise IF YOU’RE a bit of a last-minuteLarry, panic not – you can discover some of the most beautiful honeymoon destinations in the world on board an amazing cruise with luxury holiday specialists Travelmood.

Set sail on Celebrity Millennium, Celebrity Equinox or the recently revitalised Celebrity Constellation (above) and you will enter a zone of fun and relaxation that is out of this world.

Ideal for couples, a cruise provides stunning views and comes with exceptional staff to cater to your every wish and whim.

Prices below include flights from Dublin, cruise, accommodation and taxes and are based on travel dates this December – although other dates are also available.

Southeast Asia Immersion Cruise and Stay Spend one night at the fivestar Mandarin Oriental, Singapore, 14 nights on board Celebrity Millennium and two nights at the four-star Harbour Plaza 8 Degrees, Hong Kong, from €1,930pp.

Miami Stay and 11 Night Southern Caribbean Cruise Spend three nights at the three-star Harrisons Hotel and 11 nights on board Celebrity Equinox from €1,575pp.

Christmas and New Year Arabia and India Cruise Spend 15 nights on board Celebrity Constellation from €1,769pp.

FOR further information, see www.travelmood.ie or call their dedicated and experienced team on 01 433 1063, or drop in to the Travelmood store on Duke Street, Dublin 2, just off Grafton Street.

Paris (left) may be ‘The City of Love’ – but honeymooners will also love Bali (above, left), Essaouira (above, right) and Krabi Island

Honeymooners still spoilt for choice of dream spots  SYLVIA POWNALL Travel Editor

HONEYMOONS hhave volved from simple beach holidays – these days, couples can put together an itinerary as unique as they are. Here are a few of our favourites ....

Bali Picture postcards come to life thanks to its wide beaches, elaborate Hindu temples and terraced rice paddies set against the backdrop of a mountainous terrain.

Resorts provide the perfect opportunity to disappear into the landscape, or alternatively watch the sun set over the Indian Ocean while listening to live music

in the rooftop restaurant at Anantara Seminyak.

For serious indulgence, stay at the St Regis Bali Resort where polished villas open onto private pools.

The island’s southernmost point at Bukit Peninsula commands views from Pura Luhur Uluwatu temple perched on the cliffs above the surf.

Krabi Island, Thailand Most of the beaches in Southern Thailand are overrun with tourists, but the quiet stretch of powdery sand known as Rai Lay, on Krabi Island – which can only be accessed by boat— is an exception.

Its imposing limestone cliffs, tropical foliage, and

There are far too many places to give you the low-down on them all but other favourites include Mauritius, Patmos in Greece, Honolulu, the captivating and bohemian city of Beunos Aires and Hoi An in Vietnam.

the crystal-blue waters of the Andaman Sea make this low-key hideaway a romantic alternative to places like Phuket.

The Rayavadee boasts 103 airy split-level bungalows on 26 acres, some set in the jungle and others overlooking Phranang Beach. Cocktails at sunset at the Grotto restaurant are a must, as is the fresh food grilled by locals on the beach.

Paris It might sound a bit cliched but who could ask for a better honeymoon destination than Paris, the City of Love?

With iconic monuments like the Eiffel Tower, museums like the Louvre and landmarks like Notre Dame Cathedral, the French capital is certain to dazzle visitors.

Even more spectacular than the sights is the city’s rich culture found in its charming boulevards, cozy cafes and bustling bistros.

Opulent lu xur y good enough for celebs like Beyonce can be found at Le Meurice Hotel opposite the Louvre, while the Four Seasons Hotel George V close to

the Champs Elysees offers palatial-style decor.

Essaouira, Morocco With its strong breezes, this Moroccan beach town – known as Wind City, Africa – is one of the world’s top windsurfing and kite-boarding spots.

But there’s more to this bohemian market town, once a favourite haunt for The Doors singer Jim Morrison, than just water sports.

Its calendar is crammed with cultural events from music to art, and the restored ramparts of the medina and crumbling palaces are ideal for a mid-afternoon meander.

Dar Loulema comes highly recommended as the place to stay.

24 FINGAL GAZETTE 7 September 2017

GAZETTE

DUBLINLIFE How an ‘unfinished’ game becomes a hit

TECH

GAMES INDUSTRY: THE GROWING IMPACT OF INCOMPLETE TITLES

WOULD you buy a new car that didn’t have any brakes? W hat about booking a flight where they hadn’t worked out how the landing gear would work, or even if it would work?

That sounds crazy – buying into something unfinished, with some fundamental issues still to be resolved – but it’s becoming an increasingly normalised part of gaming in recent years, with some of the world’s biggest games being anything but finished on their release.

You’d never, ever accept such experimentation in most real-world scenarios, but when it comes to virtual worlds – ah, that’s a very different matter.

T here’s something about tinkering, adjusting and experimenting with a game’s largely finished format that can prove fascinating to gamers, leading them to ignore any ‘failings’ to focus on the raw potential that a title could have.

It’s not a new phenomenon; gamers have become (a little too) well used to post-release patches for games in the past decade in particular, with unfinished, buggy games sub-

 SHANE DILLON sdillon@dublingazette.com

sequently getting a steady drip of updates which do everything from fixing major and minor bugs, to fixing stability issues and even adding in new features.

Where you wouldn’t accept a brakeless car, many gamers will accept a featureless game – or, rather, a game that’s clearly missing main features, but has the bones in place to bolt them on at a later stage.

Minecraft is probably the most famous example of this trend, with the world-conquering, worldbuilding game of today being substantially different from its initial release, way back when.

Through its constant and continuing revisions and iterations, Minecraft’s creator – and subsequent owners, after ‘Notch’ sold his creation to Microsoft for a staggering $2BN – have substantially added to the game.

Despite its underwhelming visuals, upcoming PC and XBO title PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds is one of the world’s smash-hit, red-hot games right now – but it’s not finished, and hasn’t even been officially released, yet has already sold over 10m copies

They’ve added the brakes, and fixed the landing gear, so to speak, but it’s been a journey that all those who bought into the game have been taken on, seeing regular updates adding new features, new graphics, and new ways to play.

T his creative pro cess tends to veer wildly into hits or misses, with extremes of success or failure swiftly following depending on how well (or

badly) such updates and tinkering is implemented.

The greatest lesson developers are beginning to learn is that it’s okay to give gamers extra features over time – but if you don’t deliver what they expect from day one, there’s a price to pay.

This gamble over gamer acceptance has some high stakes, with that notable failure balanced out by the spectacular success of current game du

jour, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG), currently setting the gaming internet ablaze as a red-hot property, despite being unfinished – and despite not even being officially released yet.

Best described as a competitive last-manstanding battle royale between up to 100 players, PUBG is still in development, and still in an unfinished state with its developers tinkering away with

how the game plays, what features it needs, what its users like or dislike, and so on.

To go back to my intro, its developers, Bluehole, are still adding the brakes and tinkering with the landing gear – yet even so, PUBG has already sold (via early access) more than 8 million copies in just a few short months, making it a juggernaut hit, and one of the world’s most-watched games.

The games industry is watching PUBG’s runaway success with great interest, with several studio heads and top developers lauding its community-led approach to creating feature sets, and properly engaging with what gamers want.

With ever higher stakes and staggering costs for most games’ production, we can expect to see more cautious tinkering and ‘crowd-driven’ gaming popping up from here on in, as some companies look to capture a share of the PUBG magic.

In the meantime, just be glad that the real world doesn’t tend to adapt such experimental tinkering next time you sit in your car, or get on a plane ...

Star Wars icon backs rebellion against Trump LUKE Skywalker – oh, all right, actor Mark Hamill – is well known for fighting the dark side of The Force, with the sci-fi icon now turning his attention to The Farce spreading across this part of the galaxy, courtesy of Darth Trump (above).

Ta t o o i n e ’ s m o s t famous Empire-defeating moisture farmer has tongue-in-cheek donated to a probably doomed mission: a crowdfunded attempt to buy Twitter for one billion dollars, after which its new owners will kick President Trump off the service, thus ending his frequently nonsensical musings, overt bullying, general insults and other such irritating issues.

You could perhaps say that the campaign’s backers have formed a rebel alliance of sorts against the provocative president.

So far, there’s a wee bit to go until it’s mission accomplished – at the time of writing, the page stands at $87,043 of its $1BN goal. Still, you can keep track of the rebels’ mission over at https:// www.gofundme.com/ buytwitter

7 September 2017 FINGAL GAZETTE 25

GAZETTE

CINEMA ReelReviews

THE DARK TOWER

Misfires on most levels EVEN the always watchable Idris Elba can’t make The Dark Tower (Cert 12A, 95 mins) stand up to scrutiny.

Stephen King’s longrunning series of books get condensed into an initial foray onto the big screen, but the underwhelming result misfires on most levels. Co-star Matthew McConaughey mugs along, but the summer flopbuster looks unlikely to get another outing after this dour film.

THE NUT JOB 2

Nut worth a sequel THE best thing about The Nut Job 2 (Cert G, 91 mins) is its tagline: Nutty by Nature.

After that, this unexpected sequel to a very forgettable kids film proves to be as (a)corny as they come, with squirrels and other cuddly critters teaming up to save their park from urban development. As you do.

Sadly, you’ll be barking up the wrong tree if you bring your brood to this derivative animation.

VALERIAN

City of a thousand visuals VALERIAN and the City of a Thousand Planets (Cert 12A, 137 mins) has been one of the summer’s biggest flops – but what a flop, offering eyeball-melting effects and some spectacular scenes, making it worth catching for visuals alone.

Leads Dane DeHaan and Cara Delevingne are badly matched, but director Luc Besson’s pet project is a feast for the eyes, making it a glorious flop indeed.

Channing Tatum, Riley Keough and Adam Driver star as not-especially-lucky thieves looking to pull off a big heist at a big Nascar race, while (right) their secret weapon – Joe Bang (Daniel Craig) – is key to getting their hands on the loot

LOGAN LUCKY: THIS HILLBILLY HEIST IS ENTERTAINING, DESPITE CLUMSY EDITING

Needing a Lucky break HILLBILLY heist movie Logan Lucky (Cert 12A, 119 mins) marks director Steven Soderbergh’s much-publicised hiatus from feature filmmaking. Produced outside the mainstream Hollywood machinery, Logan Lucky treads familiar ground to Soderbergh’s Ocean’s Eleven (and Twelve... and Thirteen...), repositioning the hyperactive action to West Virigina and swapping slick suits for Bob Seeger t-shirts.

The setting does much to breathe some new life into a well-worn concept, with several healthy doses of old-fashioned Americana and light-hearted hicksploitation helping to endear us to the cast of loveable oafs, rather

 MARTIN MACNAMARA

than have us pointing and laughing.

Still, as enjoyable a ride as this slickly edited caper is, one can’t help but feeling that a lot was left on the cutting room floor.

Channing Tatum plays blue-collar construction worker Jimmy Logan, who, along with his onearmed bartender brother, Clyde (Adam Driver), and automobile-enthusiast sister, Mellie (Riley Keogh), has supposedly inherited a family curse –

a stroke of bad luck.

When Jimmy loses his job and faces a court-battle for custody of his young daughter, the Logans set out to steal millions in cash from the Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina.

Recruiting currentlyincarcerated demolition expert Joe Bang (Daniel Craig), the family devises a plan to break into the NASCAR racetrack’s underground vault. When bad luck and unforeseen circumstances push the big day forward, the gang is forced to pull off the heist during the busiest race day of the year.

If there’s one thing that Soderbergh has allowed to remain a consistent thread in a career that, while

rarely vacillating in quality, has worked through an extremely diverse range of genres and subjects, it’s his focus on building believable, human characters.

Logan Lucky is at its best when focusing on its characters, thanks to a fantastic ensemble cast that looks to have had a lot of fun working on it.

For all their flaws, each character has a redeeming quality that has us rooting to see them through to the finish line. The family bond is palpable. Tatum and Driver do a great job maintaining it with two hilarious understated performances.

Riley Keogh’s turn as the family’s youngest sibling brings a subtle sadness to the story, underlin-

ing the unfulfilled human potential that’s surely at the heart of many a true southern tale – it’s a shame she’s under-utilised in the narrative.

That’s where Logan Lucky falls short of being a truly classic caper – there’s often a sense that something is missing. While it endears and delivers big laughs in its first act and ties up proceedings very nicely towards the end, it often feels like Soderbergh was a little too ruthless with the scissors.

Aside from the underdevelopment of Keogh’s character and a seriously half-baked romantic sideplot, the entire heist segment of the films is often clumsy, taking several leaps ahead of us and hop-

ing we’ll catch up.

Much is made of this in a couple late-in-the-game twists, but with a little more precision, Logan Lucky’s climax could have packed a hell of a lot more punch.

While Logan Lucky is perhaps worth the price of admission alone just to witness Craig run as far away as he possibly can from any typecasting his Bond performances may have earned him, there’s plenty more to enjoy here.

Soderbergh’s holiday from Hollywood may have been too short-lived for anyone to really notice, but Logan Lucky certainly leaves us hoping another sabbatical isn’t on the cards.

Verdict: 8/10

26 FINGAL GAZETTE 7 September 2017

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28 FINGAL GAZETTE 7 September 2017

SPORT

FastSport MCCRYSTAL MAKES MARK ON WORLD STAGE: GARDA cycling club’s Eve McCrystal, with Katie-George Dunlevy, took double golds in South Africa as they powered past Poland to take the tandem world title in Pietermaritzburg.

It was a second medal of the weekend after they earlier won the tandem time trial.

Dunlevy – in the company of two different pilots – has dominated the 2017 season.

Pilot McCrystal will head on to Kilkenny to compete in the An Post Ras na mBan, which starts as we go to print, and extends over the weekend.

Elsewhere, Dublin based rider Ronan Grimes rode out of his skin in the MC4 category, as the newcomer came in just 32 seconds short of gold medal and grabbed 8th place.

Grimes, who races with the Scott Orwell Wheeler’s was appearing at world level for the first time and was the best of the Irish finishers, with Andrew Nicholson following him home in 12th place.

CYCLING: ST TIERNAN’S PLAY HOST TO SPECTACULAR FINAL RACE OF SERIES

Lavery and Boylan class tells in quality Wicklow Gap finale

 BARRY WALSH sport@dublingazette.com

TWO of Ireland’s finest riders took home the spoils from the Friends First Laragh Classic in almost perfect conditions under blue Wicklow skies last Saturday in the title races.

The men’s race was taken by Blanch’s Philip Lavery, riding for Canadian outfit H+R Block Racing, after an aggressive day at the front of a quality field.

The women’s race was claimed reigning and three time national champion Lydia Boylan, from Ringsend, of Team WNT. For the 27-year-old Lavery, it was his first ride in the series this season, outdoing the regulars over a course including the Wicklow Gap, to take the final men’s national road racing championship race of 2017.

Lavery has been competing at a higher level that many of his competitors having grabbed major results across the An Post Ras and French AC Bisontine in recent years.

Lavery was aggressive from the off forging his way into a breakaway group of 10 riders as the race approached Rathdrum. It was there he stayed,

Evntual winner, Philip Lavery leads Lucan’s Dermot Trulock up the Wicklow Gap

firstly following Lucan Cycling Road Club star Dermot Trulock on the first ascent of the Wicklow Gap before the initial break group re-joined on the N81 near Blessington.

Knowing they would not have made it to the finish with the chase being organised behind, Lavery was happy to be caught and follow the next wave of attacks and that he did,

riding clear with Sean Lacey of Aquablue Sport Academy.

Lavery was able to push away from Lacey on upper reaches of the second ascent of the Wicklow gap and descend to Laragh with 55 seconds to spare. Lacey would eventually be caught by his pursuants, Adam Stenson (Bikworx) and Conn McDunphy (Team Raleigh GAC), with the final podium consisting

of Stenson and Lacey respectively.

Lacey’s third place allowed him to claim the Cycling Ireland National Road series of which the Laragh Classic was the final race.

The women’s Laragh Classic followed the same circuit with the iconic Wicklow Gap climb dictating the shape of the race.

On the first ascent a selection of

five riders was forced containing National Champion, Boylan (Team WNT), Alice Sharp (NCC group-Kuota-Torelli), Claire McIlwane (Phoenix CC), Katharine Smyth (Team Madigan CC) and Sharon Bird (Team Madigan CC).

T his group would stay together to the finish, pulling out time on the pursuers as they worked throughout, even a little too much according to Boylan.

“The group was riding really hard which I didn’t think we needed to do so I was playing the sprinters card a little and trying to hide.”

Boylan went on to say “from the perspective of womens racing, putting on a race that is almost 100km long and takes in such an iconic climb is fantastic and all credit to St Tiernans for doing that as it makes you want to enter, it certainly made me want to ride!

“It was a great days racing and I am very proud to have won my first Irish National Road Series Race.”

Boylan now moves onto the An Post Rás na mBan which kicks off in Kilkenny this week as one of the favourites.

Carr making waves with big wins at Flushing Meadows  sport@dublingazette.com

Simon Carr with his father Tommy

SIMON CARR – son of former Dublin senior football boss Tommy Carr – is making a growing impact on the junior tennis world, as the seventeen year old charges on in the US Open Junior Tennis Championship at Flushing Meadow.

As the Gazette goes to print, Carr has won his opening two contests to progress to the last 16, defeating French teenager Jamie Floyd Angele on Tuesday afternoon in straight sets, 6-4 6-4. He had earlier beaten

American Sangeet Sridhar in the opening round at Flushing Meadow.

The two victories are comfortably Carr’s greatest achievements on a tennis court to date, with the youngster making his top-tier junior debut in Australia earlier this year.

Carr abandoned his education to chase his tennis dream in 2015, but only this year has really seen him emerge closer to the summit of the junior scene, with his season including an astonishing comeback win at the Roland Garros French Open

Juniors, where Carr came back from losing an opening set 6-0 to defeat American Vasil Kirkov.

As a result, Carr broke into the world top 1,000 in early August, rising more than 200 places in the world rankings. Carr will face Russia’s Timofey Skatov in the US Open last 16, as the Gazette goes to print, with Skatov having defeated the number three seed in the previous round in New York.

The victory pushes Carr – who was just outside the top 900 in the world going into the tournament - further up the rankings,

and will give him more tournament options heading into the tail end of the 2017 season, even if he fails to build on an impressive tournament to date.

Tommy Carr, Simon’s father, led the Dublin senior football side between 1999 and 2001 a period of relative struggle for the boys in blue – as well as later managing Roscommon and Cavan.

Carr also won the national league in both 1991 and 1993 as a player with the Dubs, grabbing an All Star place in the former season.

7 September 2017 FINGAL GAZETTE 29

GAZETTE

FASTSport

Coming in like a Wrecking Ball for Quinn’s pro bow Crumlin man ready to rumble as he faces Polish opponent on Saturday in the National Stadium as part of extensive card, packed with up and coming Irish fighting talent  sport@dublingazette.com

Hyland Jr calls on The Rock to take step back CLONDALKIN fighter Stephen Ormond needs to step aside as Ireland’s number one according to his next opponent Paul Hyland Jr. Lightweight Ormond will step into the ring with the Ulsterman on October 21 as part of the Ryan Burnett v Zhanat Zhakiyanov undercard at the SSE Odyssey Arena in Belfast, where he will fight for the vacant Irish title, as well as his opponents’ IBF European title.

The 34-year-old lost his last fight by unanimous decision – also for a European belt – against Craig Evans back in June, and knows victory next month will be vital if he is to earn a chance at finally fulfilling his dream of holding a world title.

However, Hyland Jr thinks ‘the Rock’ has had his time in the limelight and it is now his turn.

“He’s a tough opponent and he’s going to come to fight,” Hyland Jr told Irish-Boxing.com. “He’s been around for a bit. I’m coming up through the rankings and I think it’s time for him to step aside – but I know that he’s not going to go out easy. I know it’s going to be a tough fight and I’m looking forward to it.”

Hyland Jr is well-known for getting involved in all-out wars when he steps into the ring, and he is expecting the bout with Ormond to be no different.

“I’ve got the ability to box if I want to box but, once I get hit, I know the two of us are going to go head-to-head in there. We’ve a similar style. He’s a very aggressive fighter, he comes forward and he’s strong. ” “I will try box, but it’s like every other previous fight, once I get clipped the two of us will go at it.

I don’t really like getting pushed back, as you can tell from previous fights.”

Many will be expecting Hyland Jr to take the next step in his career come October, but Ormond has never shied away from a challenge and has the ability to come out on top.

MARTIN Quinn is looking to make good on his “Wrecking Ball” nickname as the Crumlin man steps into a professional ring for the first time next weekend.

Quinn turns pro with Boxing Ireland Promotions and will debut on the record-breaking Celtic Clash 3 card at the National Stadium on Saturday, September 9 against Poland’s Marcin Ficner.

In a show headlined by a BUI Celtic featherweight title clash between Kildare’s unbeaten Eric Donovan and Welsh champion Dai Davies, the card will play host to the most amount of fights

in one night in an Irish ring. In that sense, the boxers on the undercard will be looking to excite and stand out from the crowd – something that suits Quinn down to the ground.

T h e m o t o r- m o u t h Crumlin Lightweight promises that “I’ll always be in exciting fights, I’m not one to punch and move. I’m one to get in there and stick with it.”

There are certainly no airs or graces about Quinn, who trains under Sean Carton at the All Saints Gym in Kimmage, formerly having fought out of Phil Sutcliffe’s famous Crumlin club.

With refreshing honesty, Quinn gleefully describes how “I love a lit-

tle rough-up, I always did, I may as well get paid for it. It works out every way for me, it’s a no brainer. I work, labouring on building restoration, I come to the gym, I go home to my baby, that’s it.”

Now 30-years-old, Quinn only picked up the gloves in his mid-20s.

Indeed, the fact he is able to turn pro despite such a late start in the pros is testament to his willingness to learn. Add to this that his all-action style is suited to the rigours of pro boxing and it looks a good fit.

Quinn explains: “I’m only boxing about four years now. I won the Novices twice, the Dublin Novices and the Third Year Novices. I got to the

Crumlin man Martin Quinn makes his pro boxing debut this Saturday

finals in an awful lot of things as well and then things didn’t go my way.

“I’m going to give this a bash and see how it goes.

That’s what everyone keeps telling me, most people think I’ll do better with the pro game. I get a bit anxious in there [the amateurs] so the pro game seems to suit me a bit better, I get to take my time,” added Quinn.

What he undeniably lacks in experience, Quinn believes he makes up for in pure brute strength and fearless ferocity. Recently he has even been christened The Crumlin Wrecking Ball in reference to his destructive approach.

“I’m strong and I’ll fight anybody,” he states confidently – and one certainly gets the impression that he is completely serious.

“With eight ounce gloves, if I hit anybody, they’ll feel it. I’ve manstrength, I’ve been in a gym all my life. That’s one of my main things, I’ve an awful lot of strength in both hands. My left and my right, they hit the same. That’s what everyone else tells me. Seany [Carton] won’t even hold the pads for me, because I hurt his hands.”

Unlike most fighters turning pro, Quinn isn’t clamouring for world titles or international superstardom. Instead, the popular Dub just wants to entertain the fans and enjoy some domestic glory.

“My goal is an Irish title. I know for a fact that I will get an Irish title,” the red-headed warrior states with a smirk.

“I’m not throwing any names out there – because I haven’t got a leg to stand on! But there’s a few out there who are pro right now that I know, with eight weeks training, I would take them out.

That’s my goal anyway.”

F i r s t t h i n g ’s f i r s t though, his professional debut on Saturday, and Quinn is promising his specialised brand of entertainment.

Addressing his fans both current and future, Quinn pledges that “I’ll always give a good fight, you’ll get your money’s worth. September 9, some bloke is getting stopped.

“I’m buzzing, I can’t wait. I’m feeling fit, I’m not where I need to be, but I’m getting there. I just want to get in there now and get the first one out of the way.”

Headlined by the Donovan-Davies title fight, the Celtic Clash 3 card also features Colin O’Donovan, Michael Gallagher, Regan Buckley, Carl McDonald, Chris Mullally, Stephen McAfee, Niall O’Connor, James Cahill, Gerard Whitehouse, Bernard Roe, John Joyce, Liam G ay n o r, a n d D y l a n McDonagh.

Tickets are available to buy from the All Saints Boxing Club, by calling 0857047533, or online at Ticketmaster.ie.

GAZETTE

30 FINGAL GAZETTE 7 September 2017

SPORT

FASTSport

SOCCER: MIXED FORTUNES FOR GANNON PARK CLUB IN EARLY LSL DATES

Malahide United’s Gareth Logan played a key role in victory over Drumcondra

Rivervalley Rangers win first point of new season RIVERVALLEY Rangers posted a decent first point of their First Ireland AUL Premier B campaign as they drew 3-3 at Richmond Road against East Wall Rovers.

The Swords side had begun their campaign with a 4-0 defeat to Sheriff YC on the opening day as they adjust to life in the second tier.

Against East Wall, for the first half hour, Rivervalley played some great stuff and opened the scoring when Jimmy Rock’s cross was headed in by Paul Gibney. As half time approached, East Wall’s central midfielder picked up a loose second ball and hit a dipping volley to level it up.

Darren Doyle was a constant menace and he put the Swords men 2-1 up with a clever finish, after the hour mark. A scuffed deflected effort minutes later got the home side back in it at 2-2.

With 10 minutes to play, East Wall scored a penalty to move in front for the first time and the points looked to be heading their way until Rivervalley nailed a penalty of their own to secure the draw.

It had been an eventful summer for the Swords club who were initially relegated from Premier A only to be placed back in the top tier following the departure of a number of clubs to the LSL. But, with the short notice and a number of player departures, Rivervalley requested to remain in Premier B as they look to rebuild this season.

Next on their agenda is a first home tie of the season with Real Transilvania Friday evening at the AUL Complex at 7.30pm with a date against Sheridan FC the following week. In total, the league will include nine teams.

Malahide bang the Drums LSL SUNDAY SENIOR  sport@dublingazette.com

M A L A H I DE Un i t e d enjoyed mixed fortunes on the pitch over the last week as they registered one win and a loss from two games in the LSL Sunday Senior.

It started well for the Fingal side with a 2-0 victory over Drumcondra securing their second win of the season – thanks largely to the impact of Sam Burgess from the bench.

Neither side looked to stamp their authority on the game during the opening stages but it was the visitors who enjoyed

the better of the play. In fact, they came within six inches of taking the lead early on as Jordan Cromwell struck the upright with a volley.

Malahide were then given a boost when the influential Mark Brennan was forced off the pitch due to injury with just 30 minutes having passed.

His loss led to a reshuffle from Drumcondra that seemed to affect them negatively.

Gareth Logan was pushed into midfield in a move that, alongside the introduction of Burgess after Malahide picked an injury of their own, saw them go into the half-time

BEHIND THE BALL Brogan puts Skerries Harps through paces FORMER Dublin senior football star Alan Bro-

gan was training parents and kids at SuperValu’s #BehindTheBall Volunteer Camp at Skerries Harps in North County Dublin this week.

SuperValu’s volunteer camps are taking place nationwide and are designed to encourage more parents to lend their support and get involved in their local clubs throughout the country.He is pictured putting some of the young stars through their paces.

Picture: Tommy Dickson/Inpho

break firmly on top.

Inspired by how they ended the first half, Malahide were like a team reborn after the restart as they piled pressure onto their opponents from the whistle. It eventually took its toll in the 55th minute when Burgess cut inside from his position on the right wing and unleashing a left-footed strike then found its way into the net via deflection.

Now firmly in control, Malahide didn’t let up on the visitors and were soon 2-0 up – with 18-year-old Burgess again involved.

Last year’s Saturday player of the year controlled a long ball delightfully

before drilling a low cross into the path of Gareth Craven to finish first time.

That strike killed any hope Drumcondra could muster and Malahide controlled the remainder of the game with ease.

On final piece of action that would have had the home fans smiling was the return to action of Dylan Cashin.

Malahide didn’t have things as comfortable a few days later, however, when they travelled to Crumlin United but left with a 5-1 loss.

Former League of Ireland star Craig Walsh opened the scoring after he rounded the keeper

and slotted home.

Crumlin didn’t let up on the visitors and their pressure eventually led to a penalty that Jake Donnelly converted.

Malahide almost got themselves back into it with a strike off the crossbar, but Crumlin punished them for failing to score with their third through holding midfielder David Vickery.

Walsh got Crumlin off to a great start in the second half with his second goal of the game before Donnelly also wrapped up his brace. Malahide managed to grab a consolation but the game was long over by then.

7 September 2017 FINGAL GAZETTE 31

GAZETTE

LADIES FOOTBALL: NEW IRELAND ASSURANCE INTER FINAL

CLUB NOTICEBOARD FINGALLIANS TICKETS – All-Ireland football final: Mem-

mer camps. These items will be on the

bers must add their name to the list at

stage in the main hall on Saturday morn-

the bar to enter the draw. It will take

ing for parents to collect.

place on Thursday, September 14.

Division 2: The panel started last week

final league game on Saturday evening

by beating St Vincent’s to secure a top

at 6.15pm at home v Garda. A presenta-

four finish in Division 1 Hurling.

tion will take place after the game of the

The footballers now have one game

league trophy. A party has been organ-

left v Fingal Ravens to secure the foot-

ised in the club after. All members are

ball title.

invited with music and specials for all attendees.

St Maur’s celebrate their second championship success in a row. Picture: Peter Hickey/GAAPics.com

Leonard leads way in a Rush up ranks

NEW IRELAND IFC FINAL

St Maur’s 3-12 Clontarf 1-11  sport@dublingazette.com

COUNT Y star Olivia Leonard stole the show in Swords last Friday evening when St Maur’s claimed the Dublin intermediate ladies football championship crown at the expense of Clontarf.

After losing out in the last two finals to Parnell’s (2015) and Clanna Gael Fontenoy (2016) respectively, Tarf were favourites to prevail against a Maur’s side that were promoted from the junior ranks last year.

However, with Leonard’s impressive contribution being supplemented by the dead-ball accuracy of both Niamh Carthy and Naomi Clare – in addition to goals in either half by half-forward Laura Carthy – the Rush outfit eventually secured back-to-back championship titles.

Maur’s had lost 6-17 to 2-15 when the sides met in the group stage and Tarf had an abundance of experience with Siobhan Kennedy, Ciara Fenton and skipper Carrie O’Connor all winners

back in 2004 at this level.

Full-for ward Fiona Coghlan was the Ireland women’s rugby captain when they secured the RBS Six Nations title in 2013, but after her retirement at the end of the following year’s World Cup, she returned to the Clontarf set-up.

But since that opening loss, Maur’s have impressed in the intermediate ranks and they broke the deadlock through a Leonard point with just 45 seconds gone on the clock.

And a further burst of scores soon after showed they meant business.

Laura Carthy flicked the ball over advancing Clontarf custodian Fidelma Cosgrove to record the opening goal and this was followed by a routine fifthminute free by Carthy.

But, by the 17th minute, Clontard moved into the ascendancy. Fiona Skelly and Cavan native Laurna Reilly both found the target, and Margaret Mohan was then on hand to produce a stunning solo goal.

Clontarf expected to push on at this point, but a well-organised Maur’s ensured that they couldn’t build further momentum.

A brace of frees from Carthy got them back level and even though a second Skelly point left them trailing by the slenderest of margins, they issued another sucker punch to their northisde rivals.

From all of 25 metres, Carthy fired to the roof of the Clontarf net, creating a three-point advantage (2-5 to 1-5) at the midway stage.

Clontarf fought back with the dependable Reilly – who hit all of her frees off the ground – added another placed-ball score three minutes into the half. The versatile Leonard contributed a brilliant point from the right-wing but the 36th-minute introduction of Dublin’s Sarah McCaffrey appeared to spark life into the ‘Tarf challenge.

She immediately made her presence felt with

some strong runs inside the Maur’s half and Reilly cut the deficit to two points. Yet, Leonard – who spent large portions of the game in the inside line registered her third score at the end of a fine team move, and her excellent link-up play with Laura Carthy provided the platform for the latter’s second goal on 40 minutes.

With their tails now up, Leonard and Clare found the range once again, and placed Maur’s firmly into the driving seat.

Clontarf were now left with a mountain to climb, and though Reilly’s 0-2 salvo gave them a fighting chance of success, the Maur’s defence stymied any clear goal chances.

A point apiece from Niamh Carthy and Clare effectively placed the outcome beyond doubt.

Coaching Committee Vision: This Fri-

the Far-flung Fingallians photo series that was posted on Facebook over the

invited to attend an information evening

Summer. Great to see so many of mem-

where the Coaching Committee plan for

bers sporting their colours and getting

2017/2018 will be rolled out. There will

the club name out there. Go raibh maith

also be a presentation by Noel Cowman

agaibh uilig.

on the benefits of strength and condi-

Irish Conversation Group: Our Grupa

tioning training and how teams can avail

Comhra starts back after the summer

of the new gym and his expertise to sup-

break in the clubhouse on Wednesdays

plement existing training routines.

at 9pm. This is a great free service that

It’s a great opportunity to meet other

helps people learn and use the Irish they

mentors, share and discuss common

have in a relaxed, non-classroom envi-

issues. The session is scheduled from

ronment. Failte roimh chach.

7-9pm in the hall. Light refreshments

Final dates and times: senior men’s

will be provided after the presentation.

game throws in at 3.30pm on Sunday,

Academy is Back: This Saturday from

September 17 (v Mayo) and the senior

10am, our 4-6 year-old girls and boys

ladies games throws in at 4pm on Sun-

start back. Registration takes place in

day, September 24 (also v Mayo) in Croke

the in club from 9.45am.

Park.

Lost Property: A large amount of items were left behind during the sum-

Lotto Numbers: 1, 3, 13, 20 and 24. We had six winners.

ST FINIAN’S HARD luck to the AHL4 team who were

final tickets took place on Thursday,

beaten in the championship semi-final.

August 31 and the names drawn to pur-

The AFL4 team are playing St Monica’s

chase tickets were Rose Curran, Liam

at home on Saturday at 6.15pm and the

Doyle, Mick Lawton, Angela Murphy and

AFL8 team are also at home to Round

Ger Edwards. Raffle tickets are €5 each

Tower, Lusk on Sunday at 11am.

and are available from the clubhouse

To apply for All Ireland Football Final tickets, please contact the club email

office, mentors or any committee member.

address stfiniansgaaclubswords@

The club is holding a pre All-Ireland

gmail.com or text Maree McDonough by

football final race night fundraiser on

8pm on Thursday, September 15.

Saturday, September 16 upstairs in Pea-

Only fully paid up adult members

cocks at 8.30pm. Race cards and horses

can purchase tickets through the club

are available from team mentors or any

and only one ticket may be ordered per

member of the Executive Committee.

member. The Executive Committee will

The draw for the All-Ireland football final

endeavour to facilitate ticket alloca-

stand tickets will also take place at the

tion in a fair manner with fully paid up

race night.

members but if demand exceeds supply,

The very best of luck to Ciara

a draw will take place to pick club mem-

Buchanan from the adult camogie team

bers who will be offered the opportu-

who is playing on the Dublin junior team

nity to purchase All Ireland Football final

in the All-Ireland junior camogie final on

tickets.

Sunday, September 10 at noon. Ciara

Congratulations to Liam Doyle in

was in attendance at some of the under-

Ridgewood who won the pair of stand

age camogie training sessions during the

tickets for the All-Ireland hurling final

week to share her experience and skills.

sold by minor coach John McGuirk.

Moran. Picture: Peter Hickey/GAAPics.com

Far-flung Fingallians: We would like to thank everyone that participated in

day, September 15, all mentors are being

in the club draw. The winning ticket was

Clontarf’s Hannah McLaughlin tackles St Maur’s Sinead

U-15s: Hurling Division 1 and football

AFL3: Our footballers will play their

The nursery (4-5 year old boys and girls) and academy (6-7 year old boys

A reminder that the club is holding a

and girls) sponsored by Sky Handling

raffle for two stand tickets for the All-

Partner will resume on Saturday, at

Ireland football final on Sunday, Septem-

10am and 11.30am respectively after the

ber 17.

summer break in River Valley pitches.

The draw for the All-Ireland hurling

New members are always welcome.

32 FINGAL GAZETTE 7 September 2017