Dublin Gazette: Fingal Edition

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DECEMBER 20-26, 2018

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Fingal Edition FREE

THE LATEST NEWS & SPORT FROM THE FINGAL COUNTY COUNCIL AREA

Taking off

SPORT

SWIMMING:

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Hyland and Coyne break string of short course lifetime bests in China at world championships SEE P34

THE NEXT ISSUE OF THE DUBLIN GAZETTE – YOUR FAVOURITE LOCAL NEWSPAPER – WILL BE OUT ON DECEMBER 27 Find us on Keep reading, keep recycling – thank you

TRIO-MENDOUS CAROLLERS

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TALENTED kids Meadow Rankin-Mearns, Patsy Redmond and Ralph O’Reilly were happy to help launch the IFA Live Animal Crib in the city centre at The Mansion House.

Whether or not you’ll be heading in to town

to see the crib, or will be listening to great carol singing from people in your neighbourhood, may Dublin Gazette wish you and yours a very Happy Christmas!

Picture: Conor McCabe Photography

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Hundreds attend a vigil for baby Belle

Emotional gathering in Balbriggan centre SYLVIA POWNALL

HUNDREDS gathered in the town square in Balbriggan on Wednesday night in support of a mother whose dead baby was found on the beach last Saturday.

Tears flowed as candles were lit for baby

Belle, the infant girl whose lifeless body was discovered by a volunteer cleaning up Bell’s Beach at the weekend.

Amid fresh calls for her mum to seek assistance, there has been an outpouring of compassion and sympathy, with locals posting messages of support on social

media platforms.

Sinn Fein Cllr Malachy Quinn told Dublin Gazette: “It has touched the town. People were looking for an opportunity to show support for the mother “We wanted to come together to reach out to her and also to remember baby Belle.”

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DUBLIN Airport has revealed plans for an ambitious €1.7bn upgrade at the bustling transport hub.

The upmarket upgrade has been deemed necessary to cope with millions more expected passengers soon to travel through the airport from 2020.

The forecast projects include everything from spa-like showers to a new securty area, more retail and seating,and more parking. PAGE 4

€15m to deliver 1,500 homes

FINGAL County Council has welcomed the allocation of almost €15m to help deliver 1,500 affordable homes.

The Department of Housing has approved in principal projects at Church Fields in Mulhuddart, Hackettstown in Skerries, and Dun Emer in Lusk, with the news of the funding drawing widespread approval from Fingal’s local representatives.

SEE PAGE 2

2 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 20 December 2018

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HEALTH: FINGAL SF TD CALLS FOR MORE PROTECTIONS FOR NURSING STAFF

Nurses the victims of 70% of hospital assaults – HSE SYLVIA POWNALL

NURSES were victims in almost 70% of assaults on hospital staff over the past ten years, according to HSE figures.

Statistics released to Sinn Fein health spokesperson Louise O’Reilly show that a total of 10,744 staff reported assaults ranging from actual harm to ‘near misses’ and complaints between 2008 and the end of November 2018.

The Fingal TD, who is a former SIPTU nursing official, has called on the HSE to employ more security staff in emergency departments to safeguard staff.

So far this year, 978 incidents have been reported, with nurses the victims in 61% of them – with complaints involving physical, verbal or sexual assault.

The HSE is warning that it expects figures to rise in the future as staff are encouraged to

report every incident.

The Dublin North East Hospital Group, which includes Beaumont Hospital, Connolly Hospital, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda and the Rotunda, accounts for the highest number of incidents this year.

Deputy O’Reilly said: “The HSE and the Minister for Health need to increase measures to reduce the number of assaults our nurses face.”

HOUSING: THREE KEY SITES TARGETED IN MULHUDDART, SKERRIES AND LUSK

€15 million allocated to deliver 1,500 affordable homes in Fingal ALMOST €15 million has been allocated to activate land at three key sites which will allow for the delivery of 1,500 affordable homes.

Fingal County Council this week welcomed funding of €14.6 million for the provision of strategic infrastructure on land it owns in Mulhuddart,

 SYLVIA POWNALL

spownall@dublingazette.com

Skerries and Lusk.

Approval in principle has been granted by the Department of Housing

for the projects at Church Fields in Mulhuddart, Hackettstown in Skerries, and Dun Emer in Lusk.

The Church Fields project will receive €11 million towards the upgrade of Wellview Avenue, the provision of green infrastructure, a new neighbourhood centre and three community buildings.

A further €2.1 million is earmarked for the Hackettstown land in Skerries for the widening of Golf Links Road, a new bridge and a new north-south

access road.

In Lusk, €1.5 million has been approved for lands at Dun Emer which will allow for the reconstruction of Kilhedge Lane.

A fourth application for lands at Cappagh in Dublin 11 remains under active consideration by the Department.

The Church Fields site in local authority ownership covers 90 acres and the council says a land management plan has the potential to support 1,000 homes “with a proposed

tenure mix of social units, private discounted units, cost rental units and older people’s accommodation”.

Expressing her delight at the investment, Cllr Mary McCamley (Lab) told Dublin Gazette: “I would welcome this funding and look forward to a new Mulhuddart.”

Cllr Paul Donnelly (SF) also welcomed the funding and said the Church Fields project represented a significant challenge because of its “difficult topography”.

One of the objectives is to provide a linear park and walkway from the elevated site to the Tolka Valley.

Cllr Donnelly told Dublin Gazette: “There should be no need for us to rely on a private developer to sell private units to fund the rest of this project. We want to see affordable and social housing.

‘Shovel-ready’ “The Government are telling us the money is there. We have a shovelready scheme here.”

Cllr Donnelly said most people still could not afford to buy their own home, with three-bed semis in Ongar now commanding anything from €360,000 to €400,000.

Senator James Reilly welcomed the funding and said it would deliver 157 affordable homes in Skerries and Lusk.

The council’s director of housing and community, Margaret Geraghty, said: “This funding will enable the delivery of social, affordable purchase and affordable rental homes on strategically located sites across the region.”

The Church Fields project is one of three driven by the council’s Project Talamh team, along with Ballymastone in Donabate where 1,200 homes will be delivered and another key site in Baldoyle.

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BALBRIGGAN ASDFDFD PEOPLE: BROTHER OF KILLED CYCLIST CONTINUES TRYING TO IMPROVE SAFETY

Outpouring of grief and compassion for ‘Belle’ and mum CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 The National DNA Database is now being consulted in a bid to trace Belle’s mother.

Belle was discovered wrapped in a cloth and was left on the beach to be found, not to be buried, according to sources.

A post-mortem examination showed that the baby was full-term and stillborn. She had been on the beach for less than 24 hours before being discovered.

Garda Sergeant Fiona Savidge and Eilidh McNab, North Dublin manager for Child and Family Agency Tusla, appealed to the mother to come forward for help.

There has been an outpouring of support on social media. One local woman, Laura Horohan, posted a poignant message on Facebook and allowed us to share it.

She said: “To baby Belle’s mammy. As a bereaved mother myself, please reach out to someone. You can speak to Feilecain or A Little Lifetime, who can help you through this.

“You are not alone, and you will never be alone.

Your beautiful daughter is with you and forever will be. No one is judging you, we all just want to know that you are safe and being looked after.

“Giving birth is never easy and [you] need to be cared for. Please, please let us know you are okay.

To Belle: Fly high with the butterflies.”

Former Health Minister and local GP James Reilly said: “There is a mother out there who is very distressed and who needs help. It is a time for care and compassion.”

Gardai said that the mother can call them in confidence at 1800 666 111.

Tusla can be reached at 0818 776 315.

A cathartic meeting helps Neil carry Donna’s legacy SYLVIA POWNALL

THE brother of a Balbriggan woman knocked down and killed while cycling to work has told how meeting the woman who tried to save her life has been “a gift”.

Neil Fox says he has made a “friend for life” in Amanda Burnby, who rushed to his sister Donna’s side and performed CPR as the young woman lay dying.

Donna, 30, from Balbriggan, was killed when her bike was hit by a truck in the North Dock/East Wall area as she cycled to work in a pharmacy on September 6, 2016.

She was one of three children and a fitness fanatic – and had been due to marry her partner before tragedy struck.

Now her younger brother, Neil, who has become a vocal campaigner for road safety, says meeting the woman who tried to save her has been “cathartic”.

He told Dublin Gazette: “I did a short video for RSA for the televised Remem-

brance Day mass which Amanda saw and she got in touch via Facebook.

“I was delighted, as it meant a lot to meet the person who tried to save Donna.”

Neil met 54-year-old Amanda, who works as cabin crew with British Airways, in a Dublin pub a few weeks before Christmas last year and they have been firm friends ever since.

He revealed: “Like Donna, she has a great love for animals and is such a warm person. It was a consolation to know that this was the person who came to Donna’s aid.

“It was cathartic for both of us, that first meeting. Of course, it still comes up when we meet, but now there’s also a lot of normal chatting and laughter. Amanda has been a gift for me, really.”

Neil said he found it hard to believe that this would be the family’s third Christmas without Donna – and he urged drivers to take care on the roads.

He also voiced his dis-

Neil Fox with new friend Amanda Burnby – the woman who rushed to try to save his late sister Donna’s (inset) life after the cyclist was hit by a truck

appointment that draft legislation proposing a Minimum Passing Distance to protect cyclists was “languishing” on the Attorney General’s desk.

Reflecting on Donna’s death, he said: “I know others helped in different ways that day, a motorcyclist especially who saw

the collision.

“It was good to meet these people in the Coroner’s Court in March. So many lives are affected by accidents; you never realise this unless it comes to your own door.

“I think of the [truck] driver often and wonder how he is doing. It had to

be horrendous for him and his family – there are only victims in these situations.”

Neil, who is due to start a degree in politics next year, added: “Christmas can be difficult. The holiday season is stressful, so

I’d urge people to be extra vigilant on the roads in the run up to it.

“People are always in a hurry to nowhere! A few moments can save a life.”

Girl Guide Helen nabs Trustee of the Year title at charity awards SYLVIA POWNALL

A GIRL GUIDE leader from Fingal has been named Trustee of the Year at the annual Charity Impact Awards in Dublin.

Helen Concannon was recognised for her tireless work as a volunteer with the River Valley Guides in Swords over the past 17 years.

As if that wasn’t enough, Helen, who hails from Galway but lives in Skerries, set up a Brownie unit for young residents of Mosney Direct Provision Centre earlier this year.

She has been Chief Commissioner of Irish Girl Guides since 2013 and works

hard to ensure the organisation remains current and relevant for the youth of today.

Helen said: “Being a trustee has been a wonderful experience and an opportunity to give something back to the organisation that I joined as an eight-year-old Brownie.

“I would like to pay tribute to my fellow volunteers and staff who make my job easy by being such a wonderful team.

As a girl-led organisation, it is important that trustees listen to their members and respond to their needs.”

In 2016, Helen came up with the idea of a North to South Pole trek to see if IGG

Helen Concannon (centre) with IGG training commissioner Jenny Gannon and assistant chief commissioner Amanda O’Sullivan

members could walk 20,000km. It was embraced so wholeheartedly that girls and leaders hiked double that distance.

She is now spearheading a campaign to encourage girls to pursue science, technology, engineering and maths as well as setting up a Future CEO’s Cookie Project in partnership with Dragon’s Den investor Alison Cowzer.

The Charity Impact Awards were established by umbrella group The Wheel to celebrate the impact of almost 30,000 non-profit organisations across Ireland.

Irish Girl Guides welcomes new members age five and up and new volunteer Leaders over 18. For further information, see www.irishgirlguides.ie or call 01 668 3898

4 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 20 December 2018

CHRISTMAS APPEAL: CLONDALKIN HELPING HOMELESS, FEED OUR HOMELESS TO BENEFIT

Tesco raise over €40k worth of donations for charities TESCO stores across Dublin have raised €44,749 worth of donations for local charities as part of Tesco Ireland’s annual Christmas Appeal.

Across the country, a total of €150,000 worth of donations has been collected to support families in need in their local communities.

Some of the organisations benefiting from the appeal in Dublin include Clondalkin Helping Homeless, Cheeverstown, Feed Our Homeless and Addiction Recovery.

The annual Tesco Ireland Christmas Appeal ran in Tesco stores from December 7 to 9 and shoppers were asked to donate a product instore to their local charitable organisation.

Food, toiletries, nappies, small clothing items and toys were donated as part of the three-day appeal.

Volunteers from 130 good causes, already supported by the Tesco’s surplus food donations programme, were on-hand across the country on Sunday to collect these goods for local distribution.

Aoife Donohoe, head of corporate affairs Tesco Ireland said: “We are delighted that our Christmas Appeal collected over €150,000 this year for our partner charitable organisations across the country.

“We all know and recognise that Christmas

can be a tough time for some people and we are really grateful to our customers for their continuous generosity donating items over the weekend.

“Volunteers from the organisations worked tirelessly over the three-days and are now in the process of delivering the donations collected during the appeal to those in need ahead of Christmas.”

All of the items donated during the appeal in Tesco stores have been given to 130 partner causes from the Tesco surplus food donations programme which is run in partnership with FoodCloud.

Airport reveals plans for €1.7bn upgrade SYLVIA POWNALL

SPA-LIKE showers, a barista bar and new fast-track services are just some of the proposals outlined in an ambitious €1.7 billion upgrade for Dublin Airport.

More than 100 planned projects are outlined in Dublin’s latest draft capital investment programme published by the Commission for Aviation Regulation.

The upmarket upgrade is deemed necessary to cope with the anticipated extra 10 million passengers

that will travel through the airport from 2020.

In all the total spend forecast is €1.68 billion which includes new boarding gate areas, aircraft parking stands and other key infrastructure.

Around 30 million passengers use Dublin Airport each year and its rapid growth is set to continue with a prediction that it will attract 40 million travellers by 2020.

There are plans to move T1’s security from the ground floor to the mezzanine level, allowing for more

seating, retail and food outlets at the departure area on the ground floor.

The T1 security move would cost around €50 million to complete and the upgrade to the ground floor departures area would

require a €43 million spend.

Improvements to the airport’s fast-track security services are also proposed on foot of suggestions and feedback from five-star and long-haul airlines using the hub.

In arrivals fast-track services are also being considered at both T1 and T2 to enable passengers to skip

queues at passport control – for a fixed fee charged through the airlines.

Executive lounges at T1 are to be fitted out with “spa-like showers” under the draft plan with similar upgrades planned in the lounges at T2 and US preclearance.

Other major developments include the building of 5,960 long- and shortterm car parking spaces.

A i r p o r t u s e r s a re invited to provide feedback on the consultation document which will determine CAR’s draft airport charges for the period 2020-2024; it can be viewed at www.aviationreg.ie.

Anna Daly launching the appeal with Naoise Roddy and Jamie Finnie. Picture: Brian McEvoy

Luas reveals good news for late-night Christmas revellers GOOD news for those heading on nights out in the run up to Christmas, as Luas has announced there will be trams operating into the early hours.

‘Night Luas’ will run on both the Red and Green line, but there will only be additional trams coming out of the city centre.

The late-night trams began running last weekend, but will be running again on Friday, December 21, Saturday, December 22 and again on New Year’s Eve. There are different fares for the late night Luas, with the Leap Card option costing €4, or a ticket from a Luas ticket machine costing €5. Annual, monthly and 30 day tickets are also valid on Night Luas.

Here’s the full timetable for ‘Night Luas’.

Night Luas Red Line Westbound from The Point to Tallaght • Night Luas on Fri 21st Dec at 01:00, 02:00 & 03:00 • Night Luas on Sat 22nd Dec at 01:00, 02:00 & 03:00 • Night Luas on NYE Mon 31st Dec at 01:00, 02:00 & 03:00 Note: The last tram will run out of the City Centre only from The Point to Tallaght Night Luas Red Line Westbound from The Point to Saggart • Night Luas on Fri 21st Dec at 01:30 & 02:30 • Night Luas on Sat 22nd Dec at 01:30 & 02:30 • Night Luas on NYE Mon 31st Dec at 01:30 & 02:30 Note: The last tram will run out of the City Centre only from The Point to Saggart Night Luas Red Line Eastbound from Tallaght to The Point • Night Luas on Fri 21st Dec at 01:00 & 02:00 • Night Luas on Sat 22nd Dec at 01:00 & 02:00 • Night Luas on NYE Mon 31st Dec at 01:00 & 02:00 Night Luas Red Line Eastbound from Saggart to The Point • Night Luas on Fri 21st Dec at 00:30 & 01:30 • Night Luas on Sat 22nd Dec at 00:30 & 01:30 • Night Luas on NYE Mon 31st Dec at 00:30 & 01:30 Night Luas Green Line Northbound from Brides Glen to Broombridge • Night Luas on Fri 21st Dec every 30 mins from 00:20 to 02:50 • Night Luas on Sat 22nd Dec every 30 mins from 00:20 to 02:50 • Night Luas on NYE Mon 31st Dec every 30 mins from 00:20 to 02:50 The last Night Luas tram will run Northbound only from Brides Glen to Broombridge Night Luas Green Line Southbound from Broombridge to Brides Glen • Night Luas on Fri 21st Dec every 30 mins from 00:36 to 03:06 • Night Luas on Sat 22nd Dec every 30 mins from 00:36 to 03:06 • Night Luas on NYE Mon 31st Dec every 30 mins from 00:36 to 03:06 The last Night Luas tram will run Southbound only from Broombridge to Brides Glen

20 December 2018 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 5

6 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 20 December 2018

GALLERIES OF THE WEEK

A closer look at the Custom House

Tumbling snowflakes dance down the front of the Custom House

Awash in a sea of neon colours T

AKE A moment when you’re in town this weekend to look up and around – the Winter Lights Dublin CIty project has transformed many landmarks after dark and is one of the most popular (and colourful) public events this Christmas.

Several landmarks come alive after dark in a blaze of neon colour, with shimmering snowflakes, dancing shapes and even a certain toymaker’s sleigh to be seen darting about near the river.

The eco-friendly projections use little power, and the

City Hall has some of the busiest light projections

riverside projections are best veiwed at high tide, for some fantastic reflections. So, whenever you’re near the likes of the GPO, Trinity College, City Hall, Custom House – take a moment to take in the sights, as well as the great lights all around. Pictures: Shane Dillon

Colourful reflections alongside Butt Bridge

Golden lights hanging over Henry Street Bystanders admire the GPO facade

Sedate snowflakes spiral at TCD’s main entrance

Samuel Beckett Bridge

A lit-up Liberty Hall

20 December 2018 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 7

TYRRELSTOWN: BUILDING CLEARED TO REOPEN

CASTLEKNOCK: HOTEL WORKER WINS

is Dublin’s St Luke’s NS children Beatrice Employee of the Year finally get the all-clear to go back to school SYLVIA POWNALL

PUPILS at St Luke’s NS in Tyrrelstown were reunited this week just in time for an early visit from Santa who is due to drop by today (Thursday, December 20).

Upper floors at the west Dublin primary school which were closed in late October because of structural safety concerns have now been cleared to fully reopen.

All pupils are also back at Gaelscoil Eiscir Riada in Lucan, while Tyrrelstown Educate Together NS will reopen fully after the Christmas holidays.

St Luke’s NS principal, Vivienne Bourke, said she was “delighted” the school got the all-clear to return to full capacity before the end of term.

She said: “We wish to

once again thank Dr Aine Moran and everyone at Le Cheile for looking after us over the past few weeks.

“They have been wonderful neighbours in our time of need. Thank you also to our patron, our board of management, our parents, staff, pupils and the wonderful Tyrrelstown community.”

Temporary remediation works have been completed at both schools though work will continue to address issues that came to light in recent structural assessments.

They are among 42 schools assessed following the discovery of significant structural concerns at Ardgillan Community College in Balbriggan. All 42 schools were built by the same contractor, Western Building Systems (WBS).

FASTNews

FCC to seek review of Defence Forces FINGAL County Council plans to write to the Department of Defence calling for a review of the Defence Forces to be carried out by an independent commission.

A motion tabled by Cllr Tania Doyle (Ind) was passed at the Mulhuddart/Castleknock Area Meeting and she is now urging that the Department take action.

Cllr Doyle said: “It’s been nearly 30 years since the government undertook a strategic review of the service terms under which members of the Defence Forces operate.

“Ireland now is a different place, and while other organisations have had periodic reviews, the PDF have not.

“I have close ties to the Defence Forces. My father and husband were former members who served with the United Nations on Peacekeeping operations.

“Defence Force spouses are out protesting, and I have been standing with them for nearly two years now.”

Cllr Doyle said a review was urgently needed to prevent conditions from deteriorating any further for serving members of the Defence Forces.

Final health and safety certificates for both schools are due to be in place by the end of this week and will be available for inspection by parents at the schools.

Tyrrelstown ETNS acting principal Emma McCabe said school would close for the term this Thursday though staff would be on site on Friday to plan for the return on January 7 “to ensure that our opening runs as smoothly as possible”.

She added: “I would like to thank the parents/ guardians for their support and understanding during this challenging time.

“I would like to thank the pupils for adapting to their new situations so well.

“You should feel very proud of them, as do we.”

The disruption associat-

ed with moving furniture back is a factor in the Tyrrelstown Educate Together decision to delay the return for all pupils until after Christmas.

Education Minister Joe McHugh, who visited Tyrrelstown last week, said his Department was pressing ahead with the planned independent review of the Design and Build programme.

WBS has consistently maintained that each of the 42 schools was “previously certified for completion as being free from defects and suitable for use by the Department”.

The Department of Education has countered this assertion by stating that a certificate of completion is not a certificate of compliance with building control regulations.

A HOTEL receptionist from Castleknock has been named Dublin Employee of the Year for her outstanding contribution to the workplace.

Beatrice O’Donoghue (inset), a key member of the front of house team at Sandymount Hotel, was recognised for her dedication at the Irish Hotels Federation Awards.

Beatrice began working at family-owned hotel 37 years ago, back when it was under the leadership of George and Rosaleen Loughran, who have since passed the baton to their son, John.

Joining with a role at reception, Beatrice excelled at the job and quickly became a household name.

With a passion for the role and a love for the Loughran family, Beatrice still brings the same work ethic and heartfelt welcome to the hotel.

Humbled by her win, Beatrice said: “I am truly honoured, not only to have been nominated for the award but also to have

Picture: Chris Bellew/ Fennell Photography

won is such an achievement.

“Since day-one at the hotel, I truly felt part of the wider family, learning tricks of the trade from John’s mother, Mrs Loughran, and meeting all kinds of local, international and well-known guests over the years.

“It’s my home from home, it hasn’t felt like 37 years, and I hope that I’ll be behind the desk and welcoming guests for many more years to come.”

Beatrice now goes forward to represent Dublin at the IHF national awards where the overall winner will be announced at a special ceremony next March.

8 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 20 December 2018

ENVIRONMENT: ANOTHER LOCAL AUTHORITY GOES GREEN WITH SOME OF ITS TRANSPORT

Electric vehicles spark council’s interest ANOTHER Dublin council is going green by replacing their petrol and diesel cars with new electric vehicles.

South Dublin County Council recently added five Citroen Berlingos to their fleet as part of a commitment to improving the environment.

They are the third Dublin council to make the switch to electric after Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, which launched its new fleet in February, and Fingal, which launched its new

electric council vehicles in July.

It is hoped this latest decision by a local Dublin authority to switch to electric vehicles (EV) will encourage other road users in the capital to do likewise.

Back in June, the Government introduced a toll charge reduction scheme for electric vehicles.

The scheme means that electric vehicle owners will only pay half the toll rate and plug-in hybrid vehicles

will get a 25% toll reduction.

Eligible private car owners may be able to accumulate up to €500 in toll savings per annum and up to €1,000 in savings for goods vehicles.

Drivers can avail of the discount by signing up for an EV tag with an approved toll tag provider.

Speaking at South Dublin County Council’s launch of the new EVs, Mayor Mark Ward said he hopes others will follow the council’s lead.

He said: “This is our first step in the decarbonisation of our fleet. Electricpowered vehicles reduce the impact of the council fleet on local air quality.

“Other carbon-reducing projects in the pipeline include Tallaght’s district heating project, the replacement of lightbulbs with LEDs in council buildings and street lighting, and improving transport linkages, which includes the develop-

ANIMALS: CHARITY WARNING AS MANY PETS SOON SURRENDERED

Think twice before you get a dog for Christmas

That Christmas puppy may be adorable – but any would-be pet owners are being asked to think twice before taking on a serious long-term commitment

SYLVIA POWNALL

DOGS Trust is suspending rehoming and adoptions this Christmas after recording a 30% rise in numbers surrendering pets after the festive season.

The Dublin-based charity has dealt with 2,840 requests to surrender dogs so far this year – with 897 received in the first three months of 2018 and 334 in January alone.

Executive director Suzie Carley said: “Each year we are saddened and worried by the number of people looking to relinquish their dog, especially in the first few months after Christmas.

“Owning a dog is a longterm commitment so we

are urging people to wait and take due consideration at any time of the year but especially when thinking of getting a dog for Christmas.”

“We would encourage those who have made the decision to get a dog, to consider adopting from your local rescue centre, local pound or Dogs Trust and give a rescue dog the best second chance in life.

“We receive a large number of surrender requests each day and we are unable to help everyone.

The organisation is also urging dog lovers to sponsor their Puppy Play Groups so they can do their bit for canine pals at www. dogstrust.ie/sponsor.

ment of cycle tracks.”

Five dedicated charging points have been installed in a number of the council’s offices and depots.

South Dublin county currently has 12 public charge points and five fleet charge points, and many supermarkets within the county provide EV charge points for their customers while they shop.

The five EVs are now operational and being used across the county.

Irish Life employees help raise €360,000 for two Irish charities RACHEL D’ARCY

EMPLOYEES of a leading Irish company have raised €360,000 for two Irish charities in the largest sum ever donated in a single year by a company.

Irish Life employees raised the funds throughout 2018, with its 2,400 employees participating in different fundraising initiatives.

The company then matched the amount raised by the employees, to reach the final €360,000 total.

This year, the charities chosen by Irish Life staff are the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association, an organisation dedicated to working with people living with MND and their families and carers, and Remember Us, which provides a unique social outlet to people with special needs and their families.

Each charity this year will receive a donation of €180,000 to help provide essential support services, ongoing equipment needs, and critical research funding.

This is the largest amount ever raised by Irish Life in one year and equates to almost €1,000 raised every day by staff this year.

Irish Life employees took part in several different fundraising activities this year for the chosen charities.

These activities included more than 185 staff taking part in Hell and

Back, 125 staff completing the Great Dublin Bike Ride, 200 staff participating in a Last Man Standing weekly soccer prediction competition, table quizzes, a Ticket Fairy competition for monthly salary contributors, and additional funds from staff who ran marathons and competed in triathlons throughout the year.

Commenting on the donation, David Harney, chief executive of Irish Life, said: “We are delighted to donate this significant amount to two very worthy charities this year.

“The spirit of serving communities in which we’re based and supporting those in need is a key part of our culture in Irish Life, and this donation to the IMNDA and Remember Us reflects that.

‘Very proud’ “I’m very proud of our staff for really getting behind this initiative each year and being so supportive of our fundraising initiatives and giving their time for such worthy causes.”

Each year, the Irish Life Staff Charities committee shortlists a number of Irish charities to receive donations collected throughout the year, and the final two are selected

by Irish Life employees.

Since its inception, the Irish Life Staff Charities initiative has raised in excess of €2.9 million for a wide range of Irish and international charities.

20 December 2018 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 9

PEOPLE: CILLIAN’S FOLLOWING SOME SKY-HIGH AMBITIONS WITH THE PRESTIGIOUS AGENCY

Meet the Dublin engineer hoping to reach out to the stars with ESA REBECCA RYAN

A BUDDING Dublin scientist has won a huge national competition to train at the European Space Agency (ESA).

Cillian Murphy won the coveted position, along with Amy Joyce from Clonmel, who are both now in Madrid with the programme.

The traineeships, which can last for one year or more, offers life-changing opportunities to pursue a career in Europe’s gateway to space.

Dundrum man Cillian (26) told Dublin Gazette how the achievement gave him a real boost.

He said: “It felt great.

I’ve worked with ESA before, so I was excited to work with them again.

“I hadn’t been having much luck trying to get a PhD and had taken up a job working as an engineer in Hungary, so I felt myself straying from my career path.

“Winning the national traineeship has been great and really bolstered my motivation again.”

Cillian has a master’s

degree in space and science technology from UCD. He will work on the Gaia Mission to assist in completing an astrometric survey of stars, using spacecraft observation.

He is also a future analog astronaut candidate with the Austrian Space Forum (OeWF).

Cillian said he has always had an interest in science from a young age: “My mother loves to tell a story about me, at five years old, being given free choice from a bookshop and coming back with a space encyclopedia.

“I decided to pursue science in secondary school and focused on physics.

It was only once I started studying physics in UCD that I settled on pursuing space science.”

During the traineeship with the ESA, the top-ranking researcher will work on cutting edge projects and gain practical experience in high-tech space activities.

Cillian said he is “excited” about the work ahead and being in Madrid: “It’s impossible to pick just one thing that I am looking

Budding Dublin scientist Cillian Murphy with fellow Irish scientist Amy Joyce – both secured training with the European Space Agency, ESA

forward to and enjoying at ESA. “I love the working environment, the general friendliness of people and the variety of clubs and non-work activities you can join.

“I’m excited about the work, about having the

opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to a space mission I admire and have followed since before it was launched years ago.

“I’m enthusiastic to learn everything I can from the experiences I will have and from the

colleagues I am meeting.”

James would love to work with the ESA someday and ultimately wants to become an ESA astronaut.

“My highest ambition is to become an ESA

astronaut in the future.

I’m aware that’s highly ambitious espec ially because Ireland are not big contributors to the ESA and we don’t support the human spaceflight

programme at all. But it’s still the dream.

“More realistically, I hope still to work with ESA but to work as a researcher in ESAC or in mission control in ESOC.”

Help turn miles into millions for GOAL RACHEL D’ARCY

You’re never too big – or too small – to walk, run or jog a mile to support GOAL

FROM Ballybrack to Ballsbridge, a number of Dublin community groups are expected to be out in force to raise funds for GOAL this Christmas.

Now in its 37th year, the GOAL Mile is held every Christmas and is one of the country’s largest and longest-running annual fundraising events.

Last year, more than €70,000 was raised in Dublin through the GOAL Mile to help support the work the charity carries out in the developing world.

There will be a number of different GOAL Miles taking place across Dublin up until January 1, from Tallaght, to Irishtown, to Shankill, to Santry and beyond.

‘A family tradition’ Alan Vard from GOAL said: “The GOAL Mile has become a tradition for many families and communities over the Christmas period, and thanks to organisers, millions have been raised to support GOAL’s work in the developing world since the first Mile was staged in 1982.

“The beauty of the GOAL Mile is its simplicity. People don’t need

to register in advance but simply show up to their nearest event, run or walk a mile and contribute whatever they can afford to GOAL on the day.”

If you are interested in taking part in your local GOAL mile, all you need to do is find out the date and time of your local event, put on your walking or running shoes and just turn up.

There is no need to register; just turn up and donate what you can to GOAL on the day.

To find out where your local GOAL Mile is taking place, see www.goalmile.org.

10 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 20 December 2018

GALLERIES OF THE WEEK

Brian O Haonghusa,Ray Shah and Kevin Prout

Catherien Fallows and Nidhi Bhanushali

Ryder Galvin and Cherry O Brien. Pictures: Brian McEvoy

Susie McGowan

Lucy Kennedy

Cinema goers assemble

Laura Wall and Treasa Wall

A

Lisa and Maisiebelle Colgan

Remi Hehir and Amelia Sharkey

special preview screening of the latest movie in the Transformers franchise ‘Bumblebee’ was held in the Odeon Cinema In Point Square.

Kate Bownes and Senan Kelly

Dayl Cronin

Josh Gray and Alex Gray

20 December 2018 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 11

Yolanda Zaw and Rebecca Brady

Stephen Byrne

Pippa O Connor

Jane Masterson, Enda Corneille and Anita Thomas. Pictures: Brian McEvoy

Emirates Down Under Christmas Party enjoyed C

Ed O Rourke and Sean Munsanje

Louise Cooney and Megan Virgo

hristmas Down Under was the theme of Emirates’ annual Christmas party, which was held at House on Leeson Street.

Guests, many of whom have flown with Emirates, got together to celebrate another great year

Raheny friends remembering Barbara Monaghan, Alan Barry and Mary Bermingham. Pictures: Alison O’Hanlon

Katie O’Reilly, Jennifer Costello, Charlie Costello and Olive Andrews

A night to S remember in Raheny

T Francis Hospice Raheny hosted their Tree of Life ceremony last week to remember those they have cared for over the years.

During the service the lights of the Hospice Christmas Tree were turned on to remember all those cared for both past and present.

Attendees were provided with a red candle for the ceremony which could be taken home after.

for the global airline, which has been operating in Ireland since 2012. Emirates connects passengers from Dublin twice daily direct to Dubai and onwards to cities across Australia, along with many other destinations around the globe.

Conor and Helen Dunne with Laura and Rachel O’Kelly

Des Nix, Sr Margaret Cashman and Fintan Fagan, St Francis Hospice CEO

12 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 20 December 2018

CHRISTMAS SEASON : GET YOURSELF WINTER READY TO PREVENT BAD INFECTIONS

HSE reminding people to keep well over winter season RACHEL D’ARCY

THE Health Service Executive is reminding the public to look after their health over the Christmas and winter season.

They warn that viral infections become more common at different times of the year, presenting themselves in winter as outbreaks of flu and as the winter vomiting bug. They have said that the infections are dictated by their own life-cycle, which is out of human control.

Respiratory tract infections and norovirus gastroenteritis – better known as winter vomiting are most common in winter.

According to Dr Vida Hamilton, HSE National Clinical Advisor, people who are fit and healthy can usually weather these infections with bed rest, plenty of fluids and over-the-counter symptom relief.

However, these infections are very contagious so those who are infected need to be very careful of managing their surroundings and who they come in contact with.

Unfortunately, Dr Hamilton has warned that infected people are contagious even before they become symptomatic, so it can be very difficult to prevent spread to loved ones who are not so healthy and fit.

Dr Hamilton advises: “Prevention is much better than cure, even if you are in great health yourself, fit and healthy people have different abilities to fight off infection due to their different genetics. You don’t necessarily know how good your infection fighting genes are until you get a really bad infection.

“How can we prevent infection? Vaccination is the most effective method -- tried, tested and very closely monitored for safety and effectiveness.

“The current flu vaccine is a good match for the circulating flu viruses, which is good news.

“Unfortunately, there is no effective vaccine for winter vomiting bug so we are back to good infec-

tion control practice. There is also a vaccine recommended for people with chronic disease called the pneumococcal vaccine.

“This vaccine protects vulnerable people from bad pneumonia and meningitis caused by this bug.”

“We know that 20% of patient admissions to hospital are due to chest infections and prevention is always better than cure.

“Handwashing is vitally important as viruses can live for days on surfaces and our hands, then bring the bugs to our faces, which can lead to winter vomiting or flu. Every time you wash your hands you protect yourself.”

Move over Ronan: Keating’s nephew on song for charity SYLVIA POWNALL

RONAN Keating’s nephew has released a Christmas single to raise funds for the cancer charity set up in his grandmother’s name.

Ta l e n te d te e n Jo s h Keating, 13, is following in Swords native Ronan’s footsteps with his cover of Birdy’s ‘Not About Angels’ in aid of the Marie Keating Foundation.

The song is available for download on iTunes and Spotify with all proceeds being donated to the foundation’s cancer awareness and prevention work.

Josh first heard the song on the movie soundtrack to The Fault in Our Stars and chose it because of its connection with cancer.

He said: “I have always loved to sing and been passionate about music.

The opportunity to record this single came up and I just jumped at the chance.

“The fact that I can, hopefully, raise a lot of money for a cause so close to mine and my family’s heart, makes it even more special.”

The single was debuted in Ireland at the Marie Keating Foundation’s annual Christmas lunch where Josh performed in front of an audience of more than 300 guests and supporters.

T h e M a r i e Ke a t i n g

Foundation receives no g ove r n m e n t f u n d i n g and relies on donations to continue to provide mobile units and nursing outreach.

It also provides supports including the Comfort Fund service and its survivorship programmes for people who are living with and have come through cancer.

Foundation CEO Liz Yeates said: “We are marking 20 years since Marie Keating died from breast cancer, so it is a very special year for Josh to release this single.

“So much has been achieved in Marie’s name over that time and we look forward to supporting cancer survivors and their families for many more years to come.

“At this time of year, we just want to send a heartfelt thanks to all of our supporters and volunteers for their help and generosity over the past 20 years, we wouldn’t be here without your continued support.”

Uncle Ronan, who will take to the road for Boyzone’s farewell tour next year, said: “We as a family are so proud of Josh.

“The money raised from this single will go a long way towards helping the charity provide support and help to more people in 2019 and beyond.”

“

The fact that I can, hopefully, raise a lot of money for a cause so close to mine and my family’s heart, makes it even more special

FASTNews Reach out to elderly neighbours

ALONE is urging people to reach out to elderly neighbours who may be lonely or isolated this Christmas.

The charity which supports older people to age at home is highlighting its Have a Laugh for Loneliness campaign as the festive season gets into full swing.

Seán Moynihan, CEO of ALONE, said: “Over the winter period, calls for support dramatically increase and loneliness is one of the most common issues facing older people.

“Many older people think that by asking for help and support they are bothering people. ALONE want them to know that they deserve the help they require and should not be afraid to ask for it.”

Dr Diarmuid O’Shea, president of The Irish Gerontological Society, warned: “Loneliness is every bit as harmful to your health as smoking, drinking, lack of exercise, high blood pressure and obesity.”

ALONE’s activities in the coming days will include Christmas dinner dances for older people and volunteers, the delivery of hampers and Christmas trees to older people in need and a special Christmas Day dinner delivery for a number of older people.

For those who have concerns about their own wellbeing, or the wellbeing of an older person in their community, ALONE can be contacted on (01) 679 1032.

To make a donation and help aid ALONE’s work, visit www.alone.ie

20 December 2018 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 13

FASTNews

Fianna Fail figures Cllr Darragh Butler and Brigid Manton

Butler, Manton to seek two FF seats FIANNA Fail Cllr Darragh Butler has been nominated to seek re-election to Fingal County Council next May. He was nominated at a selection convention last week along with Brigid Manton to contest the Swords area ward and bid for two of the seven seats.

Cllr Butler said: “Having served over 11 years on Fingal County Council, I am very thankful and honoured to have been nominated.

“I am proud of the progress that has been made in Swords over the last number of years, but there is a lot more that we need to keep fighting for.

“We need to keep up the pressure to ensure that Metro is delivered to Swords and continue to invest in our heritage properties to maximise their tourist potential.”

At the same convention, Cllr Eoghan O’Brien was selected to run in the Howth-Malahide ward while Cllrs Adrian Henchy and Brian Dennehy were selected earlier in the week to seek re-election in the new Rush-Lusk local electoral area, which also includes Donabate and Portrane.

Murder suspect arrested THE chief suspect in the murder of Linda Christian has been arrested after returning to Ireland, according to reports.

It is understood that the man, who fled after her disappearance in June 2017, was detained at a Dublin casino earlier this month.

Officers flew to Romania in September 2017 to quiz the man, who denied all knowledge of the murder of the woman, also known as Linda Evans.

Earlier this month officers from Blanchardstown launched an undercover operation. The suspect was questioned and later released without charge.

A massive hunt was launched for vulnerable Linda (29), before her remains were found on July 17 last year in Coolmine Woods.

Ramps to be checked by council

SPEED ramps on the Brackenstown Road in Swords could be set for an upgrade following calls for the local authority to carry out remedial works.

Cllr Darragh Butler (FF) asked that staff investigate and repair the traffic-calming measures around St Columba’s and in the direction of Swords.

He said: “Road markings are worn, traffic-calming ramps are worn away and need to be repaired.”

A council report stated: “Following inspection of this location, some of the existing lining needs to be re-applied and this will be included on the relining maintenance programme in the 2019 Programme of Works.

“The existing traffic-calming ramps will be surveyed to determine necessary remedial works.”

COURTS: ACCUSED PRESENT AT SCENE OF SHOOTING IN CLONDALKIN

Rush man jailed for ten years for his role in a ‘chilling’ murder

A MAN who helped a criminal organisation murder Noel ‘Duck Egg’ Kirwan has been jailed by the Special Criminal Court for ten years.

Passing sentence, presiding judge Mr Justice Tony Hunt described the facts of Mr Kirwan’s murder as “chilling and disturbing”.

The non-jury court previously heard that Jason Keating played a role of “real significance” in the murder as he was present at the scene of the shooting in Clondalkin.

The court also heard that Keating (27), of Lower Main Street, Rush passed information recorded by a tracking device via a phone to the killer, who shot Mr Kirwan dead as he sat in a car in his driveway.

A ‘Gotek7’ tracking device was put under Mr Kirwan’s car in the weeks leading up to his killing and this could be linked to Keating in the days preceding the murder.

Mr Kirwan was sitting in his new Ford Mondeo car on

Keating was convicted by a three-judge trial at the Special Criminal Court, who heard details of his role of “real significance” in the shooting of Noel ‘Duck Egg’ Kirwan in Clondalkin on December 22, 2016

December 22, 2016 when a gunman shot him six times with a Makarov handgun, which was later recovered at the scene.

The 62-year-old, a “longtime” friend of Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch, suffered eight gunshot wounds in total to his head, right arm, chest and abdomen.

The murder of Mr Kirwan arose from a “notorious feud” between

two criminal factions but the deceased had no connection with either side.

Keating admitted in October to participating in or contributing to activity intending to facilitate the commission by a criminal organisation or any of its members of a serious offence, namely the murder of Mr Kirwan at St Ronan’s Drive, Clondalkin, Dub-

lin 22 between December 20 and 22, 2016, both dates inclusive.

The offence is contrary to organised crime legislation brought in by Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 and has a maximum prison sentence of 15 years.

Keating was originally tried for the murder of Mr Kirwan but midway through his trial on October 18 he pleaded guilty to facilitating a criminal organisation in committing murder. This plea was accepted by the DPP. The three-judge court entered a “nolle prosequi” on the original charge of murder, meaning the State will not be proceeding with the prosecution in relation to the count of murder.

Mr Justice Hunt, sitting with Judge Sinead Ni Chualachain and Judge Cormac Dunne, sentenced Keating to ten years’ imprisonment, backdated to May 2, 2017 when he went into custody.

The father-of-three has 25 previous convictions, which include road traffic and public order offences.

Trial continues over fatal collision AN EYE witness to a fatal two-car collision has told a jury that she believes the deceased man was responsible for the accident.

It is alleged that Michael Jones was driving the Audi A3 which broke a red light at speed before crashing into the side of a Mitsubishi Colt driven by Hong Qing Qu. The collision happened around 1am on November 17, 2015 at the top of a slip road close to Blanchardstown Shopping Centre in west Dublin.

Mr Jones, a professional roofer from Whitestown Drive, Dublin has pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of Mr Qu at Blanchardstown Road South on November 17, 2015.

Witness Jean Fitzgerald

told Dublin Circuit Criminal Court she believed that the deceased man was at fault for the accident.

Ms Fitzgerald gave a second statement to gardai contradicting her first statement in which she laid the blame on the car allegedly driven by Mr Jones.

Last week, she testified that she did not believe these were her words, and that the garda who took her statement might have put it into the statement.

The court heard that in her original statement, she had said that Mr Qu was unconscious and could not speak when she climbed into the car.

When asked why she had signed the original statement if there were things in it she does not

believe are true, she said that her head was in a

“really bad place” at the time. The trial continues

before Judge Patricia Ryan and a jury.

14 DUBLIN GAZETTE 20 December 2018

LOVE YOUR DUBLIN: THE BREAKDOWN OF THE COSIEST PUBS FOR A XMAS DRINK

TAKE A TRIP OFF THE BEATEN PATH THAT IS TEMPLE BAR FOR YOUR CHRISTMAS GET-TOGETHERS

DUBLIN MADE EASY W

AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT DUBLIN’S BEST BARS FOR A FESTIVE TIPPLE

ITH this being the final work week of the year for many Dubliners, thoughts will be turning to getting together for a few post work drinks with colleagues.

Living in Dublin has its ups, like the bars, the delectable restaurants and beautiful the parks, but it also has its downs -the rent costs, the crowds and the traffic.

But even the grumpiest Dubliner has a hard time denying the craic that is to be had in the city come Christmas.

For most of us our favourite way to celebrate the season is to get together and go for a few drinks, sing a few festive favourites and catch up on all the events of the last twelve months whith those we may not have seen since last Christmas.

It might be cold outside but these Dublin bars will warm you up, and give you a big dose of festive cheer.

So grab your colleagues, close friends, those home for the season, and dive into one of these legendary establishments.

HORSESHOE BAR

37 DAWSON STREET

TONERS

HIGHLIGHT: Whiskey selection

HIGHLIGHT: Late opening hours

HIGHLIGHT: One of Dublin’s oldest pubs

THE HORSESHOE BAR in the Shelbourne Hotel is one of Dublin’s most famous and unique bars and this year, as always, they’ve really pushed the boat out of Christmas with a massive tree and beautiful decorations.

Since first opening its doors in 1957 it has long been established as Dublin’s prime venue.

The Horseshoe Bar has always been a meeting point for the rich and famous so you never know who you might bump into!

With a wide selection of drinks, including an impressive selection of whiskeys, you’re guaranteed a great time in this epic bar.

37 DAWSON STREET is another centrally located city centre bar that is perfect for Christmas get togethers.

With an extensive cocktail list and a Whiskey Bar (that stocks 37 different Irish whiskies), this dimly lit beautifully furnished bar is a lovely place to sit back and relax after a hard year at the office!

37 also serves great food throughout the day so there’ll be no need to leave and go on the hunt for “soakage”!

The bar opens late (even on Sundays!) so it’s a great venue if you’re in a large crowd and worried about getting separated later in the night.

LOCATED ON Baggot Street, Toners is one of Dublin’s oldest and best pubs, and very popular with city centre workers for a post work pint or two.

With an award winning snug, drawers behind the bar and a flagged floor, you’ll feel like you’ve gone back in time, especially after a few pints!

According to Rory Guinness, a member of the Guinness family, Toners serve “the best pint of Guinness in Dublin” and who is going to argue with him!

Toners also has two great private function rooms which are free to hire if you want to get away from the crowds.

20 December 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 15

MAGAZINE

DUBLIN

RURAL RETREATS TO RELAX ANY GUEST... P20

HAVE YOURSELF A COSY LITTLE CHRISTMAS P27

Renegade Jeep is an impressive new SUV P28

LET DUBLIN GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS TAKE YOU ON A TOUR OF THE NEWS AND EVENTS ACROSS THE CITY AND COUNTY

GRATEFUL FOR ‘GIFT OF LIFE’

BROADCASTER Claire Byrne took time out for a photoshoot with kidney transplant recipient Tadhg McElroy (age 7) from Bray and Sadhbh Browne (age 4) from Galway, who awaits a liver transplant, and their families and friends to highlight an important radio advertising awareness campaign, organised by the Irish Kidney Association, which encourages families and friends to discuss organ donation as they gather for the festive season. For organ donor cards Freetext DONOR to 50050 or visit website www.ika.ie/card, download a free ‘digital organ donor card’ APP to your phone. #Havethechat.

Picture: Conor McCabe Photography

16 DUBLIN GAZETTE 20 December 2018

FEATURE

Nebraskans Mary and Jeff Brookstein love the real Santa Claus so much, they legally changed their names to Merry Christmas and Santa Claus

PEOPLE | IT’S SNOW JOKE – THIS CHRISTMAS-LOVING COUPLE LEGALLY CHANGED THEIR NAMES

Meet the other Santa Claus spreading Christmas cheer REBECCA RYAN

A COUPLE from Nebraska who legally changed their names to Santa and Merry Christmas Claus recently visited Dublin to spread some Christmas cheer.

Previously known as Jeff and Mary Brookstein, the Christmas-loving couple (both 60) met online in 2009 and dated as they worked as Christmas entertainers for day care centres, nursing homes, retirement centres and holiday parties in their home town.

However, they have been living as Santa and Merry Christmas Claus year-round since 2016, and their mission in life is

to spread the Christmas joy all year around.

Dublin Gazette caught up with the couple and the first thing we wanted to know is what made them decide to change their names?

Merry said: “When you think of Santa and Merry Christmas Claus, it brings joy and people smile. Everybody should have that happiness and joy in their lives every day of the year!”

The reaction they got from their family and friends was mixed. Some thought it was a great idea and others thought they were crazy.

Merry said: “They were so excited,” with Santa

Festive Mr and Mrs Claus were in Dublin to help promote a TK Maxx prizes initiative

adding: “Some thought we were kind of crazy! But that’s part of what we do.”

Christmas is an all year around event for Santa and Merry Christmas Claus, and with the big day just around the corner, we asked what their favourite

thing about Christmas is.

Santa said: “It’s a yearround feeling. It’s when I see everybody from babies to the elderly react, when they see Santa, it puts a smile on their face.

“If they’ve had a bad day and they see Santa, they

smile, and that’s what Christmas is all about, all year around.”

Merry added: “For us, it’s not about the tree or decorations. We believe that Christmas is more about the joy and the spirit of giving than it is about

what lights or tree to have in your home.

“For us, it’s more about the joy that we bring to others, and we try to do that every day of the year.”

It is Santa and Merry’s first time in Dublin and they were eager to try some of the black stuff.

“We just love [Dublin]!

We went to the Guinness Store House and they have a wonderful tour. They taught us the right way to drink Guinness. We got to pour a pint, and we got our pictures on top of the dome,” said Santa.

Thinking of the real Santa Claus, the happy Christmas couple left a special message with Dublin Gazette for all the girls

and boys in Dublin.

Santa said: “Tell the children of Dublin that the real Santa will soon be here, so the children have to be asleep early if they want to get their gifts.”

And finally, what is it like to be married to Santa?

Merry was happy to reveal that, of course: “When you’re married to Santa, every day is Christmas!”

The couple were flown to Dublin by TK Maxx to launch its neverending stocking, with TK Maxx hiding neverending stockings in TK Maxx stores around Ireland throughout November and December, with unique gifts for all the family for an entire year up for grabs.

20 December 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 17

18 DUBLIN GAZETTE 20 December 2018

QUIKFLIX FLIX Streaming highlights on the way

Michael D’s dogs meet ‘Santa and Mrs Claus’ PRESIDENT MICHAEL D HIGGINS’ beloved dogs, Bród and Sióda, got a Christmas treat of a lifetime earlier this year. The president’s much adored pooches got the chance to rub paws with the stars of Netflix’s newest festive offering, The Christmas Chronicles.

Santa (played by Kurt Russell) is forced to employ the help of two children to save Christmas, with things doing dastardly wrong along the way in what’s sure to become a festive classic. The Christmas Chronicles is available now to watch on Netflix.

The contestants from this year’s The Apprentice – Camilla is pictured wearing red on the left, and Sian is in the white suit in the centre

Sesame Street adds its first homeless character SESAME STREET introduced a brand-new character last week – Lily, a muppet with multicoloured hair, who reveals that her family have lost their home.

It’s another milestone for the children’s show, which introduced Lily on its Sesame Workshop YouTube channel. Lily (7) reveals that her family don’t have their apartment any more and has been forced to move around.

The introduction of Lily is part of the company’s Sesame Street in Communities initiative, meant as a resource for families and guardians tackling particularly difficultto-discuss issues.

The muppet will feature in new videos, books and interactive activities for children aged two to six.

Be amazed...

Sugar says ‘You’re hired!’

RACHEL D’ARCY

AFTER eight weeks of trials, tribulations, and some questionable business moves, the final of this year’s series of The Apprentice was aired on Sunday.

In the final were swimwear designer Sian and nut milk maker Camilla, who’d defeated tennis coach Sabrina, cleaner Khadija and supplement creator Daniel to reach the final two.

It’s been an eventful season, to say the least. A part of the entertainment value of the show is the sheer insanity of some of the challenges.

This season saw the contestants establish

a landscaping business within 24 hours, creating an entire luxury chocolate line in less than a day and building an entire budget airline.

During the highlyanticipated interview stage of the show, it was difficult to predict who would end up in the final after 12 weeks, with the final five getting a poor showing as they faced some of the UK’s biggest business moguls.

The final two came as a surprise, particularly as Sian got a slating for planning to spend Alan Sugar’s investment on marketing.

Finding herself also slated for the price point of her swimsuits, it came as a shock that she was select-

Perfect for fans of magic this winter, abraKIDabra will wow audiences ...

RACHEL D’ARCY

RTE’S premier children’s magic show, abraKIDabra, is currently airing on RTEjr, and will make it’s way onto the RTE Player so we can soon all get our magic fix.

Catch Joe Daly and friends as they do their best to put on a fabulous magic show as well as teach us some brand-new tricks.

Each episode, Joe will be joined by his new friends, Polly and Snowy, as well as two budding apprentices who learn a new trick and go on to

perform it for the audience.

Shot on location in The Ark, Temple Bar in Summer, Macalla filmed 15 episodes of abraKIDabra which featured almost 200 children from all across Ireland.

The programme encourages children at home to learn and practice tricks taught to them by Joe. While Joe performs in front of an audience in The Ark, the show’s focus is to entertain and amaze the audience at home.

Each episode is broken up into segments such as Quick Trick, Joe’s

Show, Teach a Trick and Put On a Show, promising continuous entertainment while encouraging audiences to take part in the challenges at hand.

Each programme runs for eight minutes, and there’s also additional material online with tutorials to take part in at home.

The series has a fun and contemporary feel with bright colours and animated graphics – perfect for younger audiences.

Catch abraKIDabra on RTEjr, and on the RTE Player soon as well.

ed for the final ahead of the seemingly better prepared Daniel.

Camilla was a wildcard too, given that Sugar and his team of merry businessmen told her she would struggle to expand her nut milk business, currently run out of her kitchen at home, and the potential lack of profitability.

Sunday’s final – a change from the show’s usual Wednesday air date – saw Camilla and Sian go head to head to try to successfully execute a business presentation in front of experts to attempt to successfully illustrate why they deserved the £250,000 investment.

Taking place at London’s City Hall, it was

s o m ew h a t aw kwa rd to watch as they were pressed on what – to some – may have been obvious questions that they failed to answer.

H o w eve r, i t w a s empowering at the same time as the women defended their business with a passion and zest.

This came after former contestants returned to give a helping hand to the final two, aiding them in creating the branding and prototypes for their business in true Apprentice style.

Sian’s SYO Swim came across well, but so did Camilla’s MLK IT nut milk brand.

Whilst the swimsuits didn’t fare the best in the

market research conducted at Charing Cross, and Camilla’s nut milk came out on top, ultimately it was Sian’s reversiblemultiway all-singing, alldancing swimsuits that caught Sugar’s attention.

Sian was named the winner in one of the tightest Apprentice finals in recent years, after her business accumen shone through in the final boardroom showdown of the season, in addition to her fashion expertise.

In all, it was a nerveinducing final given that it was so close between the pair, but was the kind of television that the Apprentice has become known for, and that we come back to every year.

20 December 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 19

WHAT’S BIG IN MUSIC, CINEMA, TV AND BOOKS MORTAL ENGINES | PASSABLE FARE

Tale of mobile, warring cities rumbles along a bit aimlessly AND so, here we are, at the last film review of the year – and what a film to end up with.

Barely a wet weekend out of the gate, and mobilecities-at-war flick Mortal Engines (Cert 12A, 128 mins) is already well on track to be the biggest financial flop of the year.

Released globally in the hopes of being a Christmas blockbuster, instead it’s proving to be a bit of a turkey, as audiences are staying away from this one in droves.

But before we plough ahead with the review, let’s roll backwards a little for some oversight.

Based on a book, the film is a long-time labour of love for co-producer Peter Jackson, who bought the rights yonks ago but is just rolling the film out now.

A big problem is that Mortal Engines isn’t a widely-known IP – and with all due respect, when Hugo Weaving is the biggest name in a big-budget blockbuster, well...

It’s a pity, because despite the film’s issues, Mortal Engines is fine.

Not great, but fine, and there’ve certainly been many worse films released this year.

Let’s jump on board for a look ...

In the future, after devastating conflict has destroyed most Hera Hilmarsdottir impresses as Hera, one of the film’s two main protaganists

 SHANE DILLON

of the world, Humanity’s survivors have fallen into a number of competing camps.

Some cities and settlements are now mobile monstrosities, tearing around on the hunt for smaller cities to consume for resources, with London proving particularly voracious as a predator city.

Captured towns and settlements are soon stripped to nothing and their populations enslaved – devoured, essentially, with London proving particularly effective at the hunt.

Not everyone is mobile; while mobile cities roam The Great Hunting Ground (Britain and Europe), stationary cities lie behind a shield wall far to the east (Asia) .

It’s not long before we meet chief protagonist Hester (a gutsy Hera Hilmarsdottir), a young woman in a captured town, who soon has a

hero’s/rebel’s journey to undertake with some unlikely companions to help her out.

Her ultimate goal is to assassinate a key Londoner, Valentine (Weaving), who has his eyes set on a much bigger prize than the scraps London can chase down on the Hunting Ground ...

The end result is a film that certainly wows with its striking design and often spectacular visuals as it soars from the ground to the air, and into the depths of carnivorous cities, but one which also soon loses its way.

Frankly, much like the chief characters, the film veers all over the place with a clumsy narrative that lacks focus.

There’s almost too much film here – that’s not a reflection or criticism of its running length, but a nod at a plot that wanders around even more than Hester herself, with a lot to take in.

That would be fine if there was an in-built audience familiarity (God knows, the Byzantine shenanigans of the Harry Potter films didn’t harm that franchise’s success) but in this case, few people are familiar with Mortal Engines‘ world-building.

Ultimately the film is a feast for the eyes with some gorgeous visuals, but despite the best efforts of all involved there’s precious little to build on, here, making it good but not great.

Verdict: 5/10

ENTERTAINMENT London – the mobile city – bears down on its prey as it chases down a small town to strip for parts

20 DUBLIN GAZETTE 20 December 2018

TRAVEL

THESE RURAL RETREATS WILL RELAX ANY GUEST

Country comforts

LEAVE THE CITY’S STREETS BEHIND FOR A DELIGHTFUL CHRISTMAS BREAK

MANY of us are looking to take the stress out of Christmas – and late as it is, it’s not too late to find a great holiday deal at home.

Luckily, we’re spoilt for choice to have many truly first-class hotels and resorts in Ireland, with a Christmas getaway offering the chance for you to get some well-deserved TLC. Whether close to Dublin or over near the other side of the country, here are a couple of delightful destinations to check out, and consider checking into for a lovely, luxurious Christmas break ...

The Lodge at Ashford Castle Escape to the hidden gem that is The Lodge at Ashford Castle, to delight in a truly festive stay, celebrating the best of the magical season indoors and outdoors this Christmas outside Cong, Co Mayo.

Showcasing some of the wonderful country pursuits available in this part of the world, Christmas at the Lodge at Ashford Castle offers options a firsthand look at some of the best of Irish scenery, including falconry, archery, and a jaunt across the countryside with a woodland walk through some of the lush local forests set on the shores of Lough Corrib.

Of course, it wouldn’t be Christmas without an array of scrumptious food, and as a guest you’ll find savoury and sweet deliciousness at Wilde’s, expertly run with the inventive and innovative direction of head chef Jon-

athan Keane.

Enjoy an evening of merry conversation with the crackle of an open fire in the distance and the soft glow of Christmas all around.

Whether it’s yourself, or travelling with a loved one or, indeed, the whole family, guests will be delightfully full as they retire to their rooms for a perfect night’s sleep in the cosy beds at The Lodge, with the whistle of Winter’s chill far in the distance.

Enjoy a one night Christmas stay from now to January 6, including breakfast, dinner in Wilde’s, mulled wine and mince pies on arrival, and a late check-out at 1pm, from €299, with two nights from €369.

Optional extras include trying your hand at the ancient art of falconry with a ‘Hawk Walk’ under the supervision of Ireland’s School of Falconry, upgrades to a suite, and many other additional

(Main, above) Hunter’s Yard at Mount Juliet Estate offers a tranquil destination – replete with some excellent spa treatments and dining

treats.

For further information, see www.thelodgeac. com, telephone 094 954 5400, or email reservations@thelodgeac.com.

Hunter’s Yard at Mount Juliet Estate Closer to home, Co Kilkenny is home to the cosy and comfortable surroundings of Hunter’s Yard, the more casual, laid-back luxury option at Mount Juliet Estate just an hour away from Dublin.

This elegant courtyard, just five minutes’ walk from the Manor House, is home to the bright and spacious rooms of the Hunter’s Yard.

A tranquil hideaway adjacent to the Jack Nicklaus signature-designed golf course, Hunter’s Yard

is only a few paces from Mount Juliet Spa with its excellent range of restorative treatments, and is home to the tempting menus of The Hound

at Hunter’s Yard, which offers all-day dining.

With plenty of fresh country air to invigorate and exquisite gardens and majestic woodlands

across Mount Juliet Estate to explore, with their variety of native and exotic trees, you could just as easily curl up with a good book or read the papers by

the fire in the manor house – this is your time to relax.

A two-night stay in Hunter’s Yard from December 27 to January 2, with breakfast each morning, a complimentary bottle of prosecco on arrival, free parking and complimentary WiFi, is available for €445, based on two people sharing.

Enjoy a perfect Irish country Twixmas at Hunter’s Yard – a fresh take on Mount Juliet’s rich heritage of hospitality and make the time between Christmas and the New Year even more memorable this year.

For further information, see www.mountjuliet.ie, telephone 056 777 3010, or email reservations@ mountjuliet.ie.

(Left, above) Staff at The Lodge at Ashford Castle are experts at soothing away city stresses – and a break out by the countryside promises to be just the thing to relax, unwind – and have a delicious break far from the hustle and bustle of the city

20 December 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21

GALLERIES OF THE WEEK

Andrea Smith

Liz Lyons and Rick O Shea. Pictures: Brian McEvoy

Claire Mullane

Delighted with Les Mis

C

AMERON Mackintosh’s acclaimed Broadway production of Boublil and Schonberg’s beloved musical, Les Miserables,had its offical opening night at Bord Gais Energy Theatre as part of a new UK and Ireland tour.

This revolutionary new staging has scenery

Jim Sheridan

inspired by the paintings of classic novelist Victor Hugo, and has been seen in North America, South America, Korea, Japan, Canada, Australia, Spain, France, Manila, Singapore, Dubai and Broadway.

Theatre and musical fans were out in force, with many well-known faces in attendance.

Maya Anton and Saoirse Anton

Trish Rowley and Eddie Rowley

Megan O Neill

Colette Gallagher,Martina Osbourne and Elaine Dillon

22 DUBLIN GAZETTE 20 December 2018

DUBLIN GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS I N F O R M AT I O N Heritage House, Dundrum, Dublin 14 Tel: 01 - 6010240 Dublin Gazette Newspapers publishes four weekly quality free titles, covering the latest news, sport, entertainment and lifestyle from the four local authority areas of Dublin

TELLING A TALE AS OLD AS TIME ...

C O N TA C T S Managing Director: Michael McGovern mmcgovern@dublingazette.com Group Editor: Patrick Finnegan pfinnegan@dublingazette.com Deputy Group Editor: Shane Dillon sdillon@dublingazette.com Sports Editor: Stephen Findlater sfindlater@dublingazette.com Production Editor: Jessica Maile jmaile@dublingazette.com Picture Editor: Aisling Conway aconway@dublingazette.com Travel Editor: Sylvia Pownall spownall@dublingazette.com Advertising Sales:

01 - 6010240 sales@dublingazette.com

FIND US ON

www.dublingazette.com Dublin Gazette Newspapers Ltd. Terms and Conditions for acceptance of advertisements Reserve the right to omit or suspend or alter any advertisement(s) in any of its publications. We also decline any responsibility in the event of one or more of a series of advertisements being omitted for any reason whatever, nor do we accept liability for any loss or damage caused by an error or inaccuracy in the printing of any advertisement. If your advertisement appears incorrectly, contact the Advertising Department immediately, as responsibility cannot be accepted for more than one week’s incorrect insertion. Responsibility cannot be accepted if the complaint is made more than two weeks after insertion. If one places an advertisement for more than one week and then cancels it after the first week, no refund or credit will be given for weeks cancelled. The advertiser undertakes to indemnify the Proprietors against any liability for any civil action arising out of the publication of the advertisement or any other matter printed or published in the Blanchardstown Gazette, Clondalkin Gazette, Dundrum Gazette, Dun Laoghaire Gazette, Lucan Gazette and Swords Gazette. The placing of an order or contract will be deemed an acceptance of these conditions.

MONSTROUSLY ENTERTAINING: A young Beast (James Brophy) and Belle (Kitty Thornton) helped set the mood at Dundrum Town Centre recently where they helped to promote The Mill Theatre’s Beauty and The Beast panto, which is currently running until January 6.

Written and directed by Geoff O’Keeffe, the classic tale tells of unrequited love, featuring Evelyn Shaw as Belle, Shane Quigley as The Beast and Matthew O’Brien as the arrogant Gaston, with Garry Mountaine as Granny Potts. The panto’s producers promise spectacular songs, dance routines and magical special effects.

Tickets for the hour-long panto are priced at €14, or €55 for a family. For further information about Beauty and the Beast, see www.milltheatre.ie.

WELCOMING THE NEW Jive along to all the YEAR – IN FEBRUARY Dance Hall days’ hits THE annual Chinese New Year Festival will see the Year of the Pig welcomed in next February.

TA two-week programme of CNY events will run from February 1-17, marking the 12th edition of the popular festival, which this year celebrates the final Zodiac animal: the pig.

Included on the programme are a variety of talks, performances, film and music, and a multitude of family-friendly events that invites all ages to take part in the cul-

tural celebration.

Some festival highlights include the Spring Festival fair on February 9-10, inspired by traditional Chinese temple fairs; and the Spring Festival Gala, which will take place on February 16 at the National Convention Centre, featuring dance, music, acrobatics and Peking Opera.

For tickets and further information on what promises to be a great festival, see dublinchinesenewyear.com.

THE Rock ‘n’ Roll years and Dance Hall days are coming back to Dublin early next year, with a brand-new show featuring George Jones, Clubsound and four fantastic singers, promising to transport audiences back to the nostalgic good old days and incredible music and artistes of the 1950s and 1960s.

Combining evocative love ballads with the greatest Rock ‘n’ Roll hit songs of

the era, this show will carry the audience back to a time when dance halls were full of the sounds of The Four Seasons, Ruby Murray, Bobby Darin, Elvis, and many, many more.

With more than 40 classic songs, this is a show not to be missed at The Pavilion Theatre in Dun Laoghaire, so mark the date (Thursday, April 4) in your diary. For tickets, see visit www.paviliontheatre.ie.

20 December 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 23

DIARY

SOME OF THE LATEST EVENTS TAKING PLACE IN DUBLIN

A night with Dickie THE legendary singer Dickie Rock will perform at the Red Cow Moran Hotel this Christmas Season for one night only on Friday, December 21.

One of Ireland’s most successful singers, Dickie has been entertaining audiences for more than 50 years.

He has recorded a great many singles and albums, made hundreds of TV appearances, has performed thousands of live shows and tours the UK and USA regularly.

Join Dickie and his band for a wonderful night of entertainment, and prepare to be wowed by all

the old favourites, including Candy Store, Every step of the way, Yours, a n d m a ny more.

Tickets are available from Eventbrite, with the show tickets costing €30; dinner and show priced

at €59, with a show and stay offer for €99 available from redcowmoranhotel.com.

DOG OF HAPPY CHRISTMAS, READERS! THE WEEK

DUBLIN Gazette Newspapers has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for lost and abandoned dogs. Meet Shep, a beautiful and energetic two-year-old Collie-cross which is looking for active owners. He has plenty of personality and will insist on cuddles and attention once he gets to know you. Like most Collies, Shep has a super brain and loves different games and doggie puzzles.

He will make a great Agility dog, as he is very active and likes challenges. Shep is not too sure how to behave around other dogs, so he is best suited to a single-pet home. He will make a wonderful pet for someone interested in reward-based training and who’d like to be involved in dog sports and activities.

If you have room in your heart and home for Shep 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 www.facebook.com/dogstrustirelandonline or Twitter @DogsTrust_IE. (Remember: Always have your dog on a lead when in public.)

FROM everyone here at Dublin Gazette Newspapers – your best local newspaper – we’d like to wish all our readers a Merry Christmas, and give an early nod to a Happy New Year!

Thank you for your continued support this year, and don’t worry

– although we’re taking a little time off for our own Christmas

WIN!

break, we won’t be over-indulging on turkey sandwiches and boxes of Quality Street for too long, and you’ll find another great, brandnew Gazette out next Thursday, December 27.

So, be sure to pick us up then – and until then, Happy Christmas!

A DUBLIN

GAA

BOXSET

ALL HAIL THE 1975 Yet So Unaware of It, and their most recent release that soared to the top of album charts globally.

A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships features the hits, It’s Not Living If It’s Not With You, and Give Yourself A Try, and has appeared on a number of Top Albums of 2018 lists.

On the night, The 1975

will be supported by London-based musician No Rome and the alternative outfit, Pale Waves.

Limited tickets for The 1975 are available now from Ticketmaster, priced from €35-€41 excluding booking fee.

Under 16s must be a c c o m p a n i e d by a n adult, and the standing area is strictly over-14s.

Water fun spectacle!

NOW in its seventh year, New Year’s Festival Dublin (NYF Dublin) has announced ticket details for the spectacular Liffey Lights Midnight Moment event taking place on New Year’s Eve at the Custom House. The dazzling lighting specta-

cle will be performed against the backdrop of the Custom House and features a thrilling choreography of lasers and aqua beams. For full details on what promises to be a night to remember, and ticket info, see www.NYFDublin.com.

Ebuzz.ie, Beaumex Entertainment and Sideline Productions have just released new GAA boxsets featuring the some of the best All-Ireland wins over the years including Dublin. The Dublin boxset includes 5 matches from 1974 to 1983.

Now close to 4000 minutes of RTE All-Ireland final broadcasts covering nearly 50 matches are on

sale in 6 individual exclusive DVD gift box-sets.

For more All Ireland finals dating back to 1961 and to order the full range of the new GAA box sets online - visit www.ebuzz.ie Five lucky winners will win a Dublin GAA boxset which includes the five iconic matches from back in the day.

To be in with a chance of winning one of the four boxsets up for grabs, answer the following question:

 Q: When does the



Dublin boxset date back to?

A – 1974 to 1983 B – 1943 to 1962 C – 1985 to 1992



FOLLOWING the release of their latest record, A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships, The 1975 will play Dublin’s 3Arena on January 10.

The Mancunian quartet will play hits from their acclaimed debut record, The 1975; their sophomore follow-up, I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful



TO ENTER: Email competitions@dublingazette.com with your full name, phone number and the answer to the question by December 27. Full terms and conditions are available from our website at https://dublingazette.com/whats-on/competition/competition-terms-conditions.

24 DUBLIN GAZETTE 20 December 2018

GOINGOUTOUT

REFLECTIONS ON ALTERED LIVES

WITH SPIES

PICKWEEK OF THE

DECEMBER 24-25

Santa Claus @ Homes everywhere, FREE Not strictly a music event, per se – although we hear there are jingles and sleigh bells involved, so there’s your tenuous music link, folks – but there’s no doubt that Mr Claus is having a huge impact on the city’s music scene this week. With gigs everywhere cancelled, Santa’s definitely one of the two headliner events this week ...

DECEMBER 20 (THURSDAY) Glen Hansard @ Vicar Street, SOLD OUT Frontman of The Frames and star of the movie Once, Glen Hansard has a lot of strings to his musical bow, and he’ll explore them all in his annual Christmas show at Vicar Street.

Hudson Taylor @ Whelan’s, SOLD OUT Ryan O’Shaughnessy @ The Grand Social, €12 Chief Keegan @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), €5

DECEMBER 21 (FRIDAY) Damien Dempsey @ Vicar Street, SOLD OUT Hudson Taylor @ Whelan’s, SOLD OUT I Draw Slow @ The Grand Social, €15 Attention Bebe @ The Sugar Club, SOLD OUT The best comedy cover band ever to grace the city? Quite possibly. Attention Bebe’s hilarious, riotous exploration of 90s pop gets its Christmas outing.

The Ocelots @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), €12

DECEMBER 22 (SATURDAY) Hudson Taylor @ Whelan’s, €25 Damien Dempsey @ Vicar Street, SOLD OUT Brian Deady @ The Sugar Club, €17 Smash Hits @ The Academy, €23 Pinhole + Elaine Malone @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), €7

DECEMBER 23 (SUNDAY) King Bones @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), €12 Damien Dempsey @ Vicar Street, SOLD OUT

DECEMBER 24-25 You-know-what...

DECEMBER 26 (WEDNESDAY) Made Of Stone @ Whelan’s, €15

SOMETIMES you love a band, and then they simply disappear.

When you’re inclined to an affection towards a local act who even founded their own little scene through a label (Trout Records), and stoked it with their own boisterous, guitar-mashing live shows, these kind of ‘fade aways’ seems to happen all too often.

Sometimes, like with Spies in 2018, the band later returns in a blaze of glory.

The return of this particular fiery band whose early EPs set tongues wagging could hardly be more well-timed.

Dublin’s rock scene is on quite a high, recently prompting a feature in NME which waxed lyrical about the strength of the city’s output, hyping the likes of Girl Band, Fontaines D.C., The Murder Capital and Silverbacks.

With the return of

 JAMES HENDICOTT

Spies accompanied by a long overdue debut album in Constancy (the band formed way back in 2011), there’s a marked change in style and substance.

There are still plenty of those guitars, but gone are their overpowering domination, with elements of synth work and even a mellow album-closing ballad adding depth to Spies’ palette.

“We wanted to work on an album properly, so we took a step back from gigging. When the album was complete, we couldn’t see the wood for the trees,” vocalist Michael Broderick explains.

“We weren’t really sure how good it was, so we decided to let it rest.”

When the band finally

returned to the stage with a new single in April of this year, it had been nearly two years since their last show.

“We started thinking about the keyboards and stuff when we finished producing our last EP, at The Meadow,” Broderick says of the stylistic change prevalent on the release, which follows three earlier short-form records.

“We saw what we could do with all the equipment they had down there.

“The new album is about coping with change.

It’s about the inevitability of it in life, about how you can’t control your environment, so you have a really limited amount of control about how things change around you.

“I was writing it when I was going through a lot of change in a relationship that goes all the way back to my adolescence.

“It wasn’t actually

about the flux in the band, but I guess it could be seen that way, too. I hope people can listen to it and form their own thoughts on what it means to them.

“One of our closest friends is Morgan from [fellow breakthrough Irish act] Saint Sister, and we spent a lot of time talking about what our new music meant to us, and how to present it.

“The scene is really phenomenal at the moment. Some of the albums out this year in Ireland are incredible,” he says.

The next big step for Spies, who are already well established in Ireland, is to look further afield.

That’s challenging, especially for what’s still an independent band.

“It definitely spreads the word, doing shows abroad,” Broderick says of the challenge. “It’s difficult to fund, though.

“At the moment, we track our plays and most are in Ireland. When you travel, you have to play those shows to six people, and let things build over time, generate some talk.

“It’s very pricey when you don’t have any backing. A support tour would be the ideal.”

For their growing local fan base, though, they key thing is Spies are back on stage after a long, contemplative delay. They’re different, but the change is also a sign of growth, resulting in some soulful depth.

Spies’ latest record, Constancy, is out now, on record and digitally

20 December 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 25

FOOD FOR THE SOUL AND BODY

ENTERTAINMENT

Restaurant cooks up help worth €6,500 for homeless people REBECCA RYAN

A VERY generous Dublin restaurant has donated their entire day’s takings to a homeless charity.

Wishbone donated the proceeds of their sales on December 3 to Inner City Helping Homeless (ICHH), handing over a cheque for €6,500 to the charity on Monday.

It is the second year in a row the Montague Street restaurant ran the initiative, raising even more money this year.

Owner James Stimpson told Dublin Gazette they were delighted with how it went.

He said: “It was great.

It was our second year doing it; last year we made €5,000, so I wanted to better that.

“We also had the ICHH van outside and collected [toy-filled] shoeboxes and donations of toys.

“It was brilliant – everybody went out of their way. Everybody was buying an extra can of coke or dessert because they knew that all the money was going to go to charity.

“It’s really nice. It’s a real feel-good factor.”

James used to travel on the train from Malahide into town for work and his heartstrings were

VEGAN and ayurvedic chef and author Keith Squires has shared his Multi-Coloured No Cook Vegan Gluten-Free Christmas Pudding recipe with Dublin Gazette.

Chef Keith is based in the stunning Snowdonia mountains, and his new book, Cooking With Love, is full of vegetarian and vegan recipes.

He’s turned his skills to developing some vegan-friendly Christmas recipes as well.

HAPPY TO HELP: Wishbone’s David Clarke, Michelle Hetherington and James Stimpson with the cheque for €6,500 to present to help the homeless

pulled when he saw see homeless people on the street every day. It was then that he decided he wanted to do something to help.

He said: “I live in Malahide and I used to get the train to Pearse. I’d walk from Pearse to Wishbone and I’d see first-hand all the homeless people.

“I’d see them first thing in the morning waking up on the streets and then I’d leave the restaurant at 11pm and I’d see them, and it would break your heart.

“Then I saw that this charity [ICHH] that were just amazing. They were bringing our soup, sand-

w i c h e s, coffees a n d everything [to donate to homeless people] so it was a nobrainer.”

James said that they will continue to support ICHH every Christmas. They are also opening up two more restaurants in the new year, one in Dorset Street and one in Kilkenny, and the restaurants will continue this generosity and raise funds for the local charities in the areas.

“Wherever we are, we will do something for local charity,” said James.

He is also hoping that other businesses will be encouraged and follow suit. “It would be amazing if other restaurants followed trend or even donated a day’s coffee sales,” added James.

Second Elephant and Castle opens ELEPHANT and Castle have opened their second location in Dublin, at Rathmines, set at the corner of Rathmines Road and Castlewood Avenue..

The Irish restaurant has been in Temple Bar since 1989 and the new 110-seater location opened in Rathmines last week. The menu will feature the same great dishes that make Elephant & Castle a firm favourite, from fluffy omelettes and buttermilk pancakes to caesar salads, juicy burgers and crispy spicy wings.

Early 2019 will see a further expansion in Dublin, when Elephant & Castle will march its way into Monkstown village.

‘No-cook Christmas pudding’ Ingredients • 100g sultanas • 100g dates, chopped • 100g dried figs, chopped • 150ml apple juice • Quarter tsp ground nutmeg • 1tsp mixed spice • 1tsp cinnamon • 100g cashews • 100g coconut oil • 100g maple syrup Preparation: • Add the juice to the dried fruit and add the spices. Mix well and soak for at least two hours.

• Place the cashews, coconut oil and syrup in a Vitamix or Nutribullet-type blender. Add 100g of the soaked dried fruit and blend to a puree.

• Stir in to the soaked fruit and mix well. Place into a pudding bowl and freeze overnight.

TOPPINGS ‘Red as a Beetroot Topping’ Ingredients • 80g raw beetroot, peeled and sliced thinly • 80g coconut oil • 80g 100% fruit raspberry jam • 80g cashews Preparation: • Put the sliced raw beetroot,

coconut oil, sugar-free jam and cashews in a blender. It needs to be a strong one like a Ninja or NutriBullet. Grind to a smooth paste.

‘Green as Grass Topping’ Ingredients • 80g raw spinach • 80g coconut oil • 1 kiwi • 50g agave syrup • 80g cashews Preparation: • Put the spinach, kiwi, coconut oil, agave syrup and cashews in a blender. It needs to be a strong one like a Ninja or NutriBullet. Grind to a smooth paste.

‘Orange Topping’ Ingredients • 80g raw carrot, peeled and sliced thinly • 80g coconut oil • 80g 100% fruit apricot jam • 80g cashews Preparation: • Put the sliced raw carrot, coconut oil, sugar-free jam and cashews in a blender. It needs to be a strong one like a Ninja or NutriBullet. Grind to a smooth paste.

‘Snow White Topping’ Ingredients • 30g desiccated coconut • 80g coconut oil • 3tbsp almond milk • 50g agave syrup • 80g cashews Preparation: • Put the desiccated coconut, almond milk, coconut oil, agave syrup and cashews in a blender.

It needs to be a strong one like a Ninja or NutriBullet. Grind to a smooth paste.

26 DUBLIN GAZETTE 20 December 2018

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AVENE THERMAL WATER SPRAY 300ML LARGE SIZE €15

SPOTLIGHT LADIES GIFT SET BOOTS EXCLUSIVE RRP €50 VALUE €75

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MONSOON EYEMASK €13

Gym + Coffee Gift Kit €100 ACCESSORIZE REVERSIBLE SEQUIN SLIPPER BOOT €29.90

My Shining Armour Faux Fur Crimson Heart Pom Pom Keyring €32

diffusion.ie Gold Hawk Pewter Velvet Jacket €450

20 December 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 27

FRESH IDEAS FOR YOUR HOME AND WARDROBE BLOSS THE ETHICAL SILK CO.TEAL HANDPRINTED MULBERRY SILK ROBE €195 AND EYE MASK €30

HOME & STYLE

BeautyBITS

Vichy introduces new Dercos nutrients range VICHY is delighted to introduce DERCOS Nutrients range to its haircare franchise. DERCOS researchers have discovered that

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28 DUBLIN GAZETTE 20 December 2018

MOTORS

WHAT’S NEW IN THE WORLD OF TRANSPORT

Renegade Jeep is an impressive new SUV

DECLAN GLYNN

THE new Jeep Renegade marks a series of firsts in the company’s history. The Renegade is Jeep’s first entry into the expanding and lucrative small SUV segment.

It is also the first FIAT Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) vehicle to be jointly developed by Italian and Ameri-can engineers and the first Jeep to be built in Europe but sold in the USA and across Europe too.

Built in Italy at the rejuvenated SATA plant in Melfi, the Renegade is sold in 100 markets globally and designers were challenged to come up with a look that would symbolise Jeep’s American heritage, while appealing to youthful and adventurous car buyers.

What they came up with was a look that is both rugged and tough, thanks to the brand’s classic sevenslot front grille, round headlamps and trapezoidal wheel-arch styling cues, but also fresh, unaggressive and utterly distinctive.

Equipment has been designed to boost onboard comfort. Advanced technology includes the intuitive Uconnect touchscreen for infotainment, with a choice between 5and 8.4-inch screens.

From the iconic sevenslot front grille to its strong stance, there is no denying that the Renegade is a proud member of the famous Jeep family.

X-icon rear lights enable the Renegade to be easily identified from afar, while strong Jeep-brand detailing inside the cabin is truly unique.

Three trim levels are available – Sport, Longitude and, range-topping Limited, while engine choices consist of 1.4-litre Turbo Multi-ai’ (140bhp)

and 1.6-litre E-torQ (110bhp) petrol units, and 1.6-litre (95 & 120bhp) or 2.0-litre (140bhp) M-jet diesel power-plants.

Transmission choices include a six-speed manual (2WD or 4WD), a dualclutch six-speed automatic (2WD only) and a sleek nine-speed automatic mated to Jeep’s renowned 4WD drivetrain.

On test this week was a new Jeep Renegade Limited 1.4-litre petrol, 2WD 6-speed manual finished in Granite Crystal metallic paint, with contrasting bright exterior mirror casings, roof rails and exhaust tips for a premium look.

S t a n d a rd fe a t u re s include 18” alloy wheels, 7” TFT high-definition driver information digital cluster dis-play, Polar Plunge grey leather upholstery with grey stitching and dark chrome interior inserts (black leather is also available).

Features It also features heated seats, heated multifunction leather steering wheel, front and rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning system, forward collision warning-plus system, air-conditioning and an electric parking brake, along with a whole host of comfort, safety and technology features to make every journey a pleasure.

Wi t h 1 4 0 b h p a n d 230Nm of torque available from the 1.4-litre petrol engine, swift performance is available when called upon.

The obligatory 0-100km/h sprint can be completed in just 10.9-seconds, on its way to a top speed (where permitted) of 180km/h.

Fuel consumption as low as 6.0l/100km is achiev-

Skoda ready to release the SCALA SKODA Ireland have revealed further details of the eagerly antici‑ pated SCALA compact hatchback, which replaces the previous RAPID Spaceback.

The SCALA arrives in Ireland next June and is longer, wider, higher and more spacious than the Rapid it replaces.

At first glance, the commanding exterior exudes confidence with clearly defined surfaces and alloy wheels up to18” in size which have been aerodynamically opti‑ mised to make the car more streamline.

New sculptural shapes, dynamic features and sharp lines lend the vehicle a dominant and authentic appearance.

The SCALA also fea‑ tures LED headlights and tail lights as standard with full‑LED versions available as an option, which for the first time, come with dynamic rear indicator signals.

On the inside, the modern look continues with the focal point being the infotainment display which measures up to 9.2” in size, making it

This new Jeep SUV features a host of attractive features, making it a compelling car for many reasons

able on a combined driving cycle, with emissions of 140g/km leading to an annual road tax of €280.

Opt for a diesel engine in 2WD guise and the annual road tax will drop to just €200.

I found my test car to be very solid and reassuring on a variety of road surfaces, while build quality is faultless throughout.

Excellent road manners, a fun driving experience and confident composure while cornering makes the Renegade a very easy SUV to live with and is sure to

appeal to drivers looking for an engaging, stylish and distinctive small SUV. Cabin space is yet another area that impresses, with ample head and legroom available thanks to the upright stance of the Renegade. Boot space

with the rear seats in place is a generous 351-litres, but this can be greatly increased by dropping the split-folding rear seat backs.

The new Jeep Renegade comes complete with a three-year, parts and

FACT BOX

1) Updated, compact SUV 2) 2WD or 4WD available 3) Manual or automatic 4) Petrol or diesel 5) Priced from €21,950 (ex-works)

labour warranty with roadside assistance, three-year paint defect warranty and an eight-year anti-perforation warranty for total peace of mind motoring.

Prices start at just €21,950 (ex-works) for the Sport model, €25,800 in Longitude specification, while my test car specification is priced from just €28,300 (ex-works) and offers excellent value for money.

For exploring new trails or heading out on the town, the new Jeep Renegade is ready, willing and able

the largest screen in its class.

The interior is also influenced by the VISION RS concept and combines ergonom‑ ics, emotiveness and spaciousness.

In addition, the SCALA will come comes as standard with a host of familiar simply clever features in‑cluding the umbrella in the driver’s door, the ice scraper in the fuel filler flap and the easy‑open cup holder.

Final pricing and specs will be confirmed in March.

20 December 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 29

CHALLENGE YOUR BRAIN...JUST FOR FUN!

CODEWORDS

You could advertise here

PUZZLES

SUDOKU EASY

MODERATE

SEE BELOW FOR DETAILS

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS

DON’T FORGET TO CHECK BACK NEXT WEEK FOR THE SOLUTIONS TO THIS WEEK’S PUZZLES

WORD SEARCH

HOW TO SOLVE Codewords are like crossword puzzles - but have no clues! Instead, every letter of the alphabet has been replaced by a number, the same number representing the same letter throughout the puzzle.

All you have to do is decide which letter is represented by which number!

To start you off, we reveal the codes for two or three letters.

As you find letters, enter them in the key and into the grid.

Cross off the letters in the A to Z list.

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

FIND THE HIDDEN WORDS blewit

morel

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To advertise here please contact sales@dublingazette.com or call 01 6010240

30 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 20 December 2018

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FINGAL  DUBLINGAZETTECLASSIFIEDS

32 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 20 December 2018

20 December 2018 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 33

GAA P38-39

THE BEST IN DUBLIN

SPORT

THE GOAL MILE: SOCCER: NOW in its 36th year, the Goal Christmas Mile, in aid of the global charity GOAL, has seen more than 275,000 runners take part in their Christmas day events. The concept is simple: turn up at one of dozens of events around the country, make a donation towards the charity, run your mile and make your family photo a little different this year.



GAZETTE

RUGBY P37

PAGE 35

LET DUBLIN GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS INFORM YOU OF THE HIGHLIGHTS AND SCORES OF YOUR FAVOURITE TEAMS BASKETBALL | THREE-WAY TIE AT TOP OF MEN’S SUPERLEAGUE

Killeen ices Neptune for crucial win  sport@dublingazette.com

TEMPLEOGUE pulled a win out of the fire against C and S Neptune on Saturday evening at Oblate Hall, running out 95-92 point winners after overtime in the men’s Super League.

Huge displays from Lehmon Colbert and Cian Heaphy saw Neptune take the lead down the stretch in regulation, before a Lorcan Murphy score tied the game up on the full-time buzzer at 85 points each.

Big scores from Colbert followed to put Neptune ahead in overtime but a crucial steal by Puff Summers saw him then head to the free throw line where he edged the hosts ahead.

Then it was Templeogue’s Jason Killeen who had ice in his veins as he ensured his side’s victory from the line.

Speaking afterwards, Killeen stated: “It feels absolutely fantastic to get that win.

“We knew they were a good side who were coming in on a big run and

they’re a bunch of young guys who don’t lack any confidence and have Lehmon in the middle to steady the ship. We knew what we were up against and they proved us right - it was a fantastic game.”

Over in UCD, meanwhile, Marian edged their way up the table as they took home a 93-78 point win over Griffith College Swords Thunder.

Despite the large crowd being wowed by the skill of Swords’ Elijah Mays, his 36-point contribution wasn’t enough for the visitors on the night.

“I don’t think the performance was great, but the result was really good,” reflected UCD’s Ioannis Liapakis afterwards.

“We knew it was going to be really difficult to stop Swords’ American, Elijah, as he’s averaging 30-35 points a game. Our goal was to stop everybody else.

“We did a good job at points, but unfortunately, between the third and the fourth quarter we fell asleep three

Templeogue’s Jason Killeen. Picture: Martin Doherty

of four times in our defence and they had some easy three point shots which kept them in the game and made it difficult.”

Pyrobel Killester bounced back from a 35-46 point deficit at half time to see out an 84-71 point win over DCU Saints in Clontarf.

Twenty-seven points from Royce

Williams helped his side overcome a determined Saints, whose stand out performer was Mike Bonaparte, finishing the game with 31 points.

The upshot of the weekend’s results sees Templeogue top ot the table alongside Belfast Star and Killester on 21 points with Tralee three points back but with a game in hand.

SPORT CONTACT INFO SPORTS EDITOR: Stephen Findlater sfindlater@dublingazette.com

For more information or to send in news and photos: sport@dublingazette.com Phone: 01 601 0240

34 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 20 December 2018

CLUB NOTES

ROUND

1

ERIN GO BRAGH THE club would like to wish all its members and their families, sponsors and the local community a very happy and safe Christmas. Many thanks for all your support throughout the year, we look forward to a prosperous 2019 together.

There was no winner of our lotto jackpot this week. Next weeks jackpot is €9,600 numbers drawn were 6,13.19,27 .Thanks to everyone who supports our club lotto it is very much appreciated.

The lotto is a significant part of the clubs fundraising activities and this online-option will complement the existing lotto sales activities.

Our lotto tickets can now be bought online through the My Club Finances/LocalLotto.ie service.

FINGALLIANS Hurling : The Club are running a new initiative to re-use any Hurling Helmets and Hurls that are lying around your Home.

Anybody wishing to donate Hurls or Helmets drop them in to the bar.

Lotto Results : The Lotto numbers were 5,19,2021,28.

Two winners Sinead and Terry ,James Harrington.

Next weeks Jackpot is €2.262. This is the last Lotto of the year.

Bingo : The last Bingo of the year will be held on Tuesday next.

Thank you to all our Helpers who make sure it runs very smoothly and a big thank you to all who attend every Tuesday.

Juvenile Treasurer : Austin Hickey will take over as Juvenile Treasurer from January 1, 2019 from Paul Webster.

Senior Players : Well done to our Senior Mens Division 1 keeper Ian O’Reilly and Full Forward Oisin Lynch who were chosen to represent the Dublin Senior Team for the game in Navan in aid of the Sean Cox Fund.

And well done also to all involved it is always great to see the GAA family coming together to help.

Mentors Night : The annual Mentors Shindig takes place on Saturday, December 22th in the club bar; all mentors and helpers are invited to enjoy a nights celebration of another great year for our club.

Looking forward to seeing a big attendance.Tickets

are available for the Annual Player of the Katie Christmas drawMatch .

Murray and Ranganna Gaeilge: Captain Sarah ComhgairdeasMurphy leo a after chríochnóidh an cúrsa LaClontarf’s dies IFC win..

Gaeilge do fhoghlamoirí Picture: GAApics. ar an Máirt beag seo. Súil com againn gur bhain sibh taitneamh as agus go bhfillfidh sibh arís don sraith seo chugainn. Míle maith tuillte ag ár múinteoir Sorcha Ní Iomhair.

Irish Classes: Well done to all those who finished the Beginner’s Irish Classes this Tuesday. We hope you enjoyed it and that you will return for the next series. Thanks very much to our super teacher Sarah Howard.

Grúpa Comhrá: Críochnóidh ár ngrúpa don Nollaig ar an gCéadaoin, 19ú Nollaig agus fillfimid ar an 9ú Eanáir, 2019 ag a 9 a chlog.

Irish Conversation Group: Our group will finish for the Christmas on Wednesday, 19th December and will return on 9th January, 2019 at 9 o’clock.

Camogie Level 1 Course: A level 1 Camogie course will be held early Jan 2019 in a nearby club anybody interested contact Anne Marie Brett.

Christmas Parties : Various Teams celebrated their end of year with The U11,Girls attending the Robin Hood Pants in The Helix, The U15 Camogie Team going for a Chinese and a bit of Ice Skating after.

The U14 Ladies Football Team and The U13 Camogie Team opted for TGI Fridays.

SWIMMING: SUPERB SERIES OF IRISH SHORT COURSE RESULTS

Hyland and Coyne raise bar in China

Tallaght pair produce a string of lifetime bests in Huangzhou at the world short course championships as performance director Rudd hails the ability of Ireland’s team to push new boundaries  DAVE DONNELLY

sport@dublingazette.com

TALLAGHT’S Brendan Hyland set two new Irish butterfly records as the Irish team raised the bar across the board at the World Short Course Swimming Championships in Huangzhou, China last week.

Another Tallaght native, Niamh Coyne, set two personal bests in her first-ever senior international meet, while UCD’s Darragh Greene also set a new Irish record in the 200m breaststroke.

In addition, Hyland and Greene were part of the 4x100m relay team that knocked an astonishing 18 seconds off the previous Irish record, and set a new Irish record in the 4x50m medley.

The Irish Championships finished up a week earlier with 18 new records set and the fivestrong team in China were quick to add to the momentum.

Hyland was first out of the blocks on day one, setting a new Irish record of 1:53.19 in the heats of the 200m butterfly, knocking three places off his previous record.

That time left Hyland tenth in the world overall but, with only the top eight qualifying, he narrowly missed out on a place in the final and a chance to break the record once more.

The following day saw Hyland repeat the trick in the 100m butterfly, finishing in 51.54 to carve 0.66 off Conor Brines’ 2016 record but, despite winning his heat, he again missed out on the final.

‘I was pretty excited,” Hyland said after setting the 200m record.

“I knew I was doing well as I could see a lot of clear water around me, I knew it would be a fast time so when I saw 1:53.1 I was very happy.

“It’s pretty cool – tenth in the world sounds nice. Growing up

swimming in Dublin my whole life, to be tenth in the world, to think of where I’ve come from, it’s really good.

“

To come out of a World Championship with a 93% lifetime best strike rate and a 100% conversion rate from heat to semi to final is outstanding.

”

“It’s given me confidence and hopefully I can push on from here.”

Longford native Greene, who swims out of UCD, set personal bests in both the 100m and 200m

Brendan Hyland produced a series of lifetime bests in China. Picture: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

breaststroke.

His 200m heat time of 2:07.60 was three seconds better than his previous best, and bettered Andrew Bree’s 11-year-old Irish record by .35 of a second.

Hyland and Greene were part of the four-man medley team, with Conor Ferguson and Shane Ryan, to set an Irish record of 1:35.05, knocking .58 off the time set at last year’s European Championships.

The same foursome regrouped on day four for the 4x100m relay and smashed the previous Irish record, set in 1991, by 18 seconds, setting a time of 3:27.23.

“This was our second time racing together at a major championship, so just to get the experience is what we need heading into the Summer at World Championships, where we hope to qualify the relay for Tokyo 2020.”

Coyne, fresh from her silver medal performance in the 100m breaststroke at the World Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires in October, showed good progress in her first senior international meet.

The 17-year-old set personal bests of 31.42 in the 50m breaststroke on day one, 1:07.19 in the 100m breaststroke on day four and 2:26.64 in the 200m on day five, bettering her previous best by three seconds.

Elsewhere on the Irish team, Shane Ryan made history as he claimed Ireland’s first-ever World Championship medal as he took bronze in the 50m backstroke.

The 24-year-old’s time of 22.76 is the ninth-best time ever recorded in a World Championships event.

“I don’t think that we could have expected much more from this group of athletes,” said National Performance Director John Rudd.

“To come out of a World Championships with a 93% lifetime best strike rate and a 100% conversion rate from heat to semi to final is outstanding.”

20 December 2018 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 35

GOAL MILE: CHRISTMAS DAY EVENT SET FOR 36TH EDITION

LOI SHORTS

FAI’s VdeP donation FAI CEO John Delaney along with Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team manager Colin Bell were on hand to present Ireland bags filled with jerseys, footballs, scarfs and other merchandise to Liam Casey, East Region President, St Vincent De Paul, at the St Vincent De Paul depot on Sean McDermott Street, Dublin.

The gifts are part of an annual Christmas donation for families in need. They are pictured with volunteers and helpers, at the St Vincent De Paul depot on Sean McDermott Street.

Picture: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

PAT’S POWERED BY MIELE

Members of Lucan Harriers enjoying the Goal Mile last year

Over 275,000 all set for annual Goal Mile  JAMES HENDICOTT

HOWEVER you envisage your Christmas morning going, your plans might not have included getting out and running a mile in a park somewhere in the city.

For an increasing number of people, though, this is exactly the plan.

Now in its 36th year, the Goal Christmas Mile, in aid of the global chari t y G OA L , h a s se e n more than 275,000 runners take part in their Christmas day events.

The charity work across emergency response, child protection, health and livelihood.

The concept is simple: turn up at one of dozens of events around the country, make a donation towards the charity, run your mile, and make your family photo a little different this year. It’s not

competitive, and you can set off at any time that the Goal Mile remains open.

The event has become substantial enough that runners taking part over the years have now covered the equivalent of a run to the moon, roughly 400 million metres of Christmas day jogging.

A host of Dublin events include some nice opportunities to explore some of the city’s best sporting facilities. Both the Morton Athletics Stadium and the National Indoor Arena are amongst the hosts.

There are also events in Irishtown Stadium, Herbert Park, Eamonn Ceannt Park, at the Pope’s Cross in Phoenix Park, at Stradbrook and Suttonians rugby clubs, and at Lucan Harriers and Tallaght Athletics Clubs.

The mile has its origins in a 1982 event hosted by the late Noel Carroll in Phoenix Park. The number of national locations is expected to be around 130 this year.

The mile also has its own little piece of Irish athletics history, with the Irish national record for the 4 x 1 mile record set in a fundraiser for the event back in 1985.

Middle distance runners Eamonn Coghlan, Marcus O’Sullivan, Frank O’Mara and Ray Flynn set a time of 15:49:08, which still stands today.

“Everyone can go at their own pace – walking or jogging – you don’t have to be sporty or fit,” the charity say of the event.

“Children are not just having fun but also learning about the importance of helping others and the plight of children in other

parts of the world affected by conflict, hunger, and disease. “ G e t t i n g i nvo l ve d couldn’t be easier. No need to register. Or collect donations in advance. Just turn up on the day and give what you can to GOAL. “Every mile really does count! It’s thanks to GOAL Mile organis-

ers and participants like you that millions of euro have been raised to support GOAL’s work in the developing world over the past three and a half decades. And countless lives have been saved and improved.”

Learn more by visiting Goal’s website at www.goalglobal.org and searching ‘goal mile’.

ST PATRICK’S Athletic’s bid to break back into Europe continues with the addition of strikers Brandon Miele from Shamrock Rovers and Mikey Drennan from Sligo Rovers.

The Saints parted company with Liam Buckley following a disappointing run last season and brought in former Bray Wanderers boss Harry Kenny.

Under Kenny, the Athletic will train during the days in a bid to keep pace with the likes of Shamrock Rovers, Dundalk and Cork City.

Tallaght native Miele had

a year to run of his deal with Rovers, and both he and Drennan, have professional football experience both in England and in the League of Ireland.

“They’re top quality players, both of them,” said Kenny. “I’m very surprised they were available, and we’re really thrilled to get the two of them in.”

The Saints have announced a new two-year deal for Ireland Under-19 goalkeeper Brian Maher.

The Dubliner will provide competition for Brendan Clarke and Barry Murphy.

Shels bring in O’Hanlon SHELBOURNE continue to build ahead of their 2019 promotion push with the addition of former Liverpool trainee Alex O’Hanlon.

The 22-year-old midfielder, who spent a season with St Patrick’s Athletic in 2017, was most recently with Glentoran in Northern Ireland.

He joins former Saints teammates Conan Byrne and Ryan Brennan in the dressing room at Shels, who have set their sights on a return to the top level.

O’Hanlon came through the ranks with St Kevin’s Boys before signing for Liverpool as a 16-year-old in 2011.

The Dubliner spent five seasons with the Reds but was unable to force his way into the first team and returned to Ireland.

He made 17 appearances for the Athletic, scored three times, before signing a half-year deal with the Glens in Belfast.

O’Hanlon, who represented Ireland up to Under-21 level, was on trial with Grimbsy Town in the summer but has opted to return to Dublin.

36 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 20 December 2018

CLUB NOTES

ROUND

2

SOCCER: ARTANE CLUB CONTINUE THEIR BIG RESURGENCE

NAOMH PEREGRINE WHAT a week it has been in the club to finish up 2018 on a high! Huge congratulations to our minor camogie team on their smashing victory over Naomh Mearnog on Sunday!

The girls went out in force and overcame their rivals with a 4-13 to 1-11 win! Great performances from both sides but our ladies came out on top!

Well done team and management.

Special mention to Eabha Mooney and Aoife Coppinger who have made it onto the Dublin U-16 Football panel for 2019 and also, Aoife and Niamh Heffernan who have been selected for both Dublin Minor Football and Camogie panels. We wish you all the very best for the coming season.

More congratulations are in order for our Academy kids who graduated on Saturday! These kids are the foundations of our club and we are delighted to see them move to the next stage.

The Club Hall was a buzz with our presentations and celebrations on Saturday as Santa made a short stop accompanied by The Sam Maguire.

There was no winner of our 10k lotto jackpot.

Numbers drawn : 4, 8, 15 and 18. Our lotto will return on the 6th January.

Reserve Jackpot moves to 5k so if you haven’t been involved in our club lotto now is the time to kick start 2019 with a win! Wishing all our members a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.

NAOMH MEARNOG THANKS to everyone who helped p Best Wishes for the Christmas and the New Year – on behalf of our Chairman Andrew Rittweger, we wish all our members our friends and the entire community a Happy, Holy and Peaceful Christmas.

As we approach the end of another year, we wish to thank all of the volunteers who toil endlessly to help make our great club work.

We don’t always get the results on the playing fields that we crave and we will constantly strive to do better.

Nevertheless, we must remain proud of our status as a welcoming community organisation that offers a hugely positive and safe experience to the young (and not so young) people of our parish.

St Stephens Day Married versus Singles Hurling – Our annual Married V Singles hurling match takes place on St Stephens Day at 12.

This is a great morning’s fun and all hurlers past and present are invited to come along.

Ring in the New Year in

in the Club Bar on New Year’s Eve. There will be live music in the Club Bar with Donabate band DB Sound Collective. The five-piece band play a wide range of cover songs in many different genres. Admission is free and all are welcome.

Club Lotto – The numbers drawn in this week’s Club Lotto were 4, 5, 15 and 25. There was no winner. The Jackpot is now €6,550. The next draw is on this Sunday (23 December) and the Club Lotto then takes a short break for the Christmas and New Year with the following draw taking place on Sunday 6 January.

Club Shop. If you are looking for Christmas present ideas or stocking fillers our Club Shop has plenty to offer or alternatively you can shop online through @ theGAAstore https:// www.thegaastore.com/ en/Naomh-MearnogGAA/pg-237-1900.aspx The Club Shop is open 7 to 8 pm on Thursdays

the Club Bar. Round off

and from 11 am to 1 pm on

2018 and welcome in 2019

Saturdays.

St Paul’s, Artane’s senior team

Paul’s back on the rise FAI JUNIOR CUP

St Paul’s, Artane Ardmore Rovers  DAVE DONNELLY sport@dublingazette.com

3 1

TWO goals from Graham Sullivan and one from Ryan Fitzsimons saw St Paul’s Artane to the fifth round of the FAI Junior Cup with a 3-1 win over Ardmore Rovers on Friday night.

The home side scored twice in the final minutes to edge out a hard-fought battle with Wicklow side Ardmore at the AUL Complex, who had levelled through Evan Bracken.

As the first gusts of Storm Deirdre blasted the north Dublin venue,

St Paul’s played with the wind at the backs in the first half and got their reward with Sullivan’s opener.

The former Leinster Junior Cup winner with St Kevin’s Boys picked the ball up out wide, beat three men and chipped a shot into the corner of the net.

It remained 1-0 at the break, but Ardmore took just three minutes to make use of the conditions as Bracken’s corner took a gust of wind and nestled in the roof of the net.

Ardmore had the better of the second period and had chances to nudge themselves in front, but

St Paul’s held out and pushed forward as fulltime approached.

Man-of-the-match Sullivan put them in front with his second goal of the game, rising high to head home centre-half Richie Grimes’ cross.

Fitzsimons sealed the win on the break in injury time as Alan Talbot found space on the left and slipped in the midfielder, only on ten minutes as a sub, to place a shot in the corner.

Ardmore had the ball in the net shortly after, and both teams were tensing up for a nail-biting finale, but the goal was disallowed for a throw-in taken from the wrong position.

St Paul’s Artane will face MP FC’s Saturday side at home in the new year for a spot in the last 32, where a trip to Regional United in Limerick awaits the winner. It’s quite a turnaround for a club who had to fold their Sunday side three years ago when John Carroll resigned and re-entered in Premier B three years ago.

“Cup-wise we’re doing alright,” Lindsay told the Dublin Gazette.

“We beat Sheriff in the Liddy Cup and we beat them 2-0, and then we played Kilmore in the quarter-finals and we didn’t turn up and got beaten 3-1.

“Our league form has

been up and down but we’re a team that, for some reason, get stronger from Christmas onwards.

“Last year we went on a run of ten or 11 games unbeaten in the league and ended up finishing third in Premier A, which was great because we weren’t even Premier A two years ago.

“We’ll hold our own.

We’ve a young side.

We’ve a fair few 17-yearolds playing for us, and we brought a few younger lads through from the schoolboy section.

“We’ve a good mix of experience and youth, and the young lads are picking up their bit of experience.”

Abbotstown’s new hockey base

THE National Sports Campus in Abbotstown is set to become the new training centre for the Irish senior hockey teams following news a new water-based hockey pitch will be laid there.

Sport Ireland has commenced the replacement of the current sand-based hockey pitch on the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus with a new Polytan Polygras Toyko GT surface. This is the same surface that will be used at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games and the 2022 World Cup. It is expected that the new facility will be complete and ready for use in April 2019 at a cost of €600,000.

The new pitch will be constructed by Sport IreIrish internationals Deirdre Duke, Kirk Shim- land with day-to-day management of the facility mins, Nikki Evans and Lena Tice with Shane Ross, John Treacy and Pat O’Connor. Picture: becoming the responsibility of the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus operations company.

Dan Sheridan/Inpho

Chairman of Sport Ireland’s National Sports Campus Committee, Patrick O’Connor, said: “This development of this new pitch alleviates the need for Irish teams to travel abroad to train, giving them access to the latest in pitch technology here in Ireland.

“This will further reduce hockey’s reliance on club-based facilities for training, which are not always readily available, and will make the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus an attractive proposition to travelling teams ahead of the Tokyo Games.”

The next major event on the agenda for the Irish women’s team is the Hockey Series Final, which takes place in Ireland in June 2019, with the men’s equivalent taking place in France in the same month.

20 December 2018 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 37

RUGBY: DONNYBROOK CLUB FINALLY GET ONE OVER RIVALS

Skerries on the attack against Sunday’s Well

Five-star Skerries go to the Well AIL DIVISION 2B Skerries 5 Sunday’s Well 0  sport@dublingazette.com

SKERRIES RFC secured their first win of the AIL Division 2B season as they edged a low-scoring encounter with Sunday’s Well in Holmpatrick on Friday night.

Kevin McGrath’s try 15 minutes from time proved to be the sole score of the game as Skerries won out 5-0 to move up to eighth in the standings.

Skerries began the day on the bottom of the table, with just 10 points from eight games to date, but took confidence from last week’s hard-fought draw away to Belfast Harlequins.

The game was played in apocalyptic conditions as Storm Deirdre bashed the coast and a torrential downpour drowned the teams without ceasing.

Skerries kicked off with the wind at their backs and the visitors

from Cork showed a high skill level to maintain possession and limit the hosts’ ability to get on the ball.

The sings looked ominous for Skerries facing a second half against the elements, but the home side started on the front foot and continued non-stop until the final whistle.

Ross McAuley, Michael Turvey, Barry Murphy and Joe Glennon showed up prominently in attack, while half-backs Eoghan Carron and Billy Mulcahy managed the conditions.

Sean Dempsey showed up with an immense work rate and the elusive skills of McGrath posed a constant threat to the visitors.

The lineout was a lottery in the conditions and most of the home team’s best plays came in open play, with accurate rucking providing quick ball for the scrum half.

Skerries manufactured the decisive played with 15 minutes remaining as they won a penalty and passed up a shot at goal to take a quick tap.

A break by winger Eddie O’Mahony allowed McGrath the opportunity to squeeze in at the corner and Mulcahy almost converted

Buckley re-signs for Bohs LEAGUE OF IRELAND  sport@dublingazette.com

BOHEMIANS have announced Keith Buckley has signed a new deal to remain at the club next season as the 26-year-old looks to add to his 182 league appearances in two spells with the Gypsies.

He broke into the first team under Pat Fenlon at the start of the 2011 season and soon endeared himself to supporters when the then 19-year-old scored in his first-ever Dublin derby against Shamrock Rovers.

He departed for a season-long stint with Bray Wanderers in 2017 but returned ahead of the 2018 season and quickly re-established himself as a firm fans’ favourite.

Buckley said: “It’s an exciting place to be at and there is a great buzz around the place. You appreciate what we have here as a club and with our supporters even more having been away for the year.”

Bohs have lost some senior personnel this closed season but Buckley sees that as a chance for him to evolve further as a player.

“I personally want to push on. I’m still only 26 but I’ve played over 180 times for Bohs and over 200 games in the league, so I feel that I can have a lot to offer with my experience. “We’ve lost a couple of experienced players, which is obviously a blow, so it’s up to the likes of myself to push on further and help fill that void.

“While we’ve lost players, we’ve brought in some

really exciting ones too.

“Keith has a great eye for a young player and he’s shown that over the last few seasons. There’s no doubt in my mind that we can continue to progress as a team under him.”

“Obviously it will take a while to for players to settle in. You look at when Dan Casey when he came in midseason in 2017, it took him a while to get up to speed.

“So it can take a while and we all have to be patient at the start but players will improve if given time.”

Bohs’ Keith Buckley Picture: Martin Doherty

from the tightest of angles.

Skerries continued to dominate and almost breached the line on two more occasions following an excellent break by O’Mahony.

Sunday’s Well were awarded a penalty three minutes from time which they managed to manoeuvre inside the Skerries 22 and for the next three minutes pounded the line.

The home team defended for their lives and, after holding up a maul, Skerries were awarded a scrum on the five-metre defensive line.

The ball flew out of the scrum and, to the home crowd’s relief, the ball went dead and referee Daithi Flood blew the final whistle to mark the game’s conclusion.

The result sees Skerries leapfrog Ulster sides Dungannon and Belfast Harlequins and clear of any immediate dangers, and just one point behind Friday night’s opponents.

Skerries can now look forward to putting their feet up for Christmas before beginning the preparation for their next league fixture, away to Sunday’s Well, in a month’s time.

38 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 20 December 2018

CLUB NOTES

ROUND

3

GAELIC GAMES: WESTMANSTOWN CLUB DINNER

SKERRIES HARPS ZINGO result: 6-4-3-2-7-1-5. We had no winners of jackpot or dividend. Next week’s jackpot €2900. Congrats to Stephen Phillips winner of the Turkey draw kindly sponsored by Aidan O’Brien butchers.

Next Draw will take place on Sunday 23rd at 6.30pm in the clubhouse.

How do you win! You buy. a ticket! You can also play on line at skerriesharps. ie and follow the links. Entries only €2 each or 3 for €5.

Upcoming Events * Fri Dec 21st - Annual Christmas Draw and live music from “Identity” in the Clubhouse. Tickets €5 available from Fergal, Joanne, Chris, Denise, Catherine, Lyn and the Clubhouse bar. First prize 43” LG Smart Tv, Cash Prizes , Hampers, Vouchers, Wine/Chocolates etc. Don’t miss out on a great night and a chance to win a fab prize !! Looking forward to seeing you Fri night to kick off your Christmas Festivities! * Wed Dec 26th - Annual Charity Football, Hurling/Camogie Matches take place on St Stephens Day, followed by refreshments in the Clubhouse ! Keep an eye on social media for match times !! Always a great way to expend some energy after Christmas Day, all welcome to come down and support/ take part !! * Fri Dec 28th- Annual Golf Outing in aid of SVDP , timesheet open from 9.30am- 12noon. Presentation and Meal at 8pm in Harps Clubhouse. Contact Paul 085 1740474 for details.

Skerries Harps annual Christmas tree Collection in aid of our 2019 Feile Boys & Girls teams takes place again this year. Tags still available from the following locations: Skerries Hardware & Pet Centre; Michael Connolly@Bus Bar Corner; Billy Flood Skerries Christmas Trees opposite Gerrys.

For only €5 have your tree collected and disposed of on 6th January !All support appreciated..

Juvenile & Adult Games Weekly Meetings are now on Christmas Break!

See you all in the New Year.

Clubhouse available for Functions/Parties - Contact Pat on 087-2505479 for details, or email bookings.skerriesharps@gmail.

St Peregrine’s ended their season in style with a minor C camogie title, beating Naomh Mearnog 4-13 to 1-11

The Garda club’s “founding fathers” John Fitzgerald, Brian Fahy, Oliver Hanly, Dan Buggy, Aidan McNulty, Phil Cahill (Club Chairman), George Kyne, Willie McGee, Mick O’Connor and Jim Murphy.

Garda celebrations

G

ARDA Westmanstown GAA recently celebrated 2018 in style at their annual dinner and awards night. Marco Nuvoloni was honoured as club person of the year at the event while Damien Quirke was named the intermediate player of the year. Ellie Haran got the ladies young player of the year, Theresa McIntyre the ladies player of the year with Peter McNamara the male young player of the year. Karl Hemeryck was named the Junior Player of the Year.

Maria Flynn and Elaine Ferguson

Award winners from the night, left; right, the ladies team of 1998

ST BRIGID’S NURSERY has now finished for this year, and will resume on the 10th January. The Childrens Party on Sunday the 16th December was a very enjoyable occasion, thank you to all who contributed to the event and to the monster raffle.

Wishing all our members and friends a very Happy Christmas and a great 2019.

A huge thank you to everyone who supports St Brigid’s Club Lotto and thanks to our hard-working Lotto Committee. There was no Lotto Jackpot winner last week.

Our next Lotto draw is in Russell Park on Thursday 20th December when the Jackpot will be €9,200. After this week the Committee will take a well-earned break so be sure to have your envelopes in Thursday’s draw.

All grass pitches are now out of use.

The Club are delighted to be part of the

GAA’s National Club Draw again this year.

Tickets are €10 and are available from the bar or from team mentors.

Christmas opening hours for the Bar are displayed on the website.

Managers, mentors and coaches are needed for adult football for 2019, if you are willing to come forward or have somebody to recommend please contact pro.stbrigids.dublin@gaa.ie or phone 0868229312.

Adult Championship regrading window is now open, contact the Adult Team hurling and football managers.

Traditional Married v Singles takes place on St Stephens Day at 11.30. Text Brendan 0877547962 to confirm.

Keep up with all our news on our website www.stbrigidsgaa.com, our Club App and our Facebook and Twitter pages.

TOP MARKS Portmarnock the best in Dublin PORTMARNOCK Golf Club was the highest rated Dublin club in the Golf Monthly top 100 courses in UK and Ireland for 2019/20.

The north Dublin club was rated 26th in the list with The Island – in 75th – the second best of the local clubs. Overall, Trump Turnberry held top spot while Royal Portrush was one of the big movers, up five places to eighth, to be the best of the courses on the island of Ireland.

There were 22 Irish courses in the top 100.

20 December 2018 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 39

HURLING: NEW DUBLIN BOSS RACKS UP TWO WINS IN WALSH CUP

Kenny’s reign up and running in upbeat fashion WALSH CUP GROUP STAGES  JAMES HENDICOTT

sport@dublingazette.com

THE DUBLIN HURLERS have made a solid start to life under former Cuala boss Mattie Kenny, winning both of their opening two rounds of the preseason Walsh Cup, against Carlow and Offaly.

A trip to Carlow away for Kenny’s opening contest on a cold Tuesday night was nip and tuck for much of the game, with Dublin coming good in the closing stages after Carlow had pulled back a halftime deficit.

Naomh Fionnbarra man Eamonn Dillon’s 13th minute goal off the back of a pass from the impressive Fintan McGibb was the difference at half time, as Dublin led 1-8 to 0-8.

The half had ebbed and flowed for Dublin, however, with the boys in blue enjoying a dominant period just before the middle of the half in which they scored 1-3 without reply, and then shipping eight consecutive points.

John Hetherton’s free taking added four points from frees before half time, and he was to end with 0-10, including 0-8 from placed balls.

Carlow had pulled themselves back

1-12 each with just 13 minutes left of the contest, but Dublin looked the fitter of the two sides and pulled away from there on.

McGibb was at the heart of it again, as he finished from close range in the 55th minute, adding to points from Caolan Conway and Hetherton to deliver a comfortable win for the Dubs, 2-21 to 1-16.

Kenny hinted at an exploratory period in his early days as Dublin boss when he made five changes over the weekend in the side to face Offaly at Parnell Park.

Unlike the Carlow game, this one looked fairly comfortably throughout, though the final margin of victory was not all that different in a game made more difficult by soggy conditions underfoot.

Dublin had led 0-10 to 0-5 after a slightly uninspiring first half in which Cian Boland and Dillon stood out.

Dillon could have added a second half goal, firing narrowly wide after the break, but Dublin continued to rack up the points in a more open second half, ultimately coming out 0-27 to 0-18 winners.

There was a chance for Kenny to see a good deal of his bench over the course

Meath edge out Dubs in Sean Cox challenge

Former Cuala manager Mattie Kenny

of that second period, while Donal Burke, Treacy, Dillon, Hetherton and Boland all hit 0-4, and Conor Burke and Fergal Whitely added another 0-2 each.

“A good honest effort from all the lads. In general they were trying to do the right thing with the ball most of the times and set up some nice scoring opportunities.They’re the sort of things we’re going to be working on going into the New Year,” Kenny said

of the games.

The departure of both David Treacy and Donal Burke with injuries in the Offaly game will be of some modest concern for Kenny, but overall there are plenty of promising signs from his very early reign.

The double victory leaves the Dubs top of their Walsh Cup group, with only Laois to come in the group stage, early in the New Year.

Barrog braced for arrival of Dubs Stars carnival DUB STARS  sport@dublingazette.com

Kilmacud Crokes Paul Mannion was named Dublin SFC player of the year.

Picture: Frances Mullin

FOOTBALL

NAOMH Barrog will host the 2018 Dublin Bus Dubs Stars on Saturday with the heroes of the club championships taking on a Dublin senior selection in both football and hurling on Saturday, December 22.

The football clash will get under way at 12pm, followed up by the hurling at 1.30pm with plenty of festive cheer on offer.

Kilmacud Crokes, as county champs, form the largest representation of the footballers, particularly in the backlines. Goalkeeper David Nestor made a crucial penalty save in

the Dublin final and he takes up the number one jersey in front of club mates Liam Flatman and Andrew McGowan in the full-back line.

Cian O’Connor at righthalf-back, midfielder Craig Dias, half-forward Shane Horan and the championship’s player of the year Paul Mannion make for seven Crokes players in the line-up.

Jude’s also have a big contingent with Chris Guckian, Tom Lahiff, Mark Sweeney and Kevin McManamon bolstering the side.

Thomas Davis’ Adam Fallon had the left cornerback spot; Ballyboden St Enda’s Basquel boys Colm

and Ryan will be employed further up the pitch while free-taker supreme Dean Rock is another star turn.

For the hurling, county champions Ballyboden St Enda’s and runners-up Kilmacud Crokes both have significant numbers in the Stars line-up.

Both clubs have six players in the starting selection with two more each among the subs.

Cuala have been awarded two positions in the starting 15 – Darragh O’Connell at wing-back and David Treacy in the half-forward line.

St Vincent’s John Hetherton completes the selection at centre-forward.

HOSTS Meath produced a late scoring surge at the finish to edge out Dublin 0-16 to 1-11 in the Sean Cox fundraising challenge at Pairc Tailteann, Navan on Sunday.

The Royals kicked the last four points of this well-contested duel to snatch victory front of a crowd of around 5,000 with many more having bought tickets to contribute to the fundraising event.

Dublin began with four of the side that started this year’s All-Ireland SFC final: Eoin Murchan, Brian Fenton, Brian Howard and Niall Scully.

Dublin led after seven minutes with Stephen Smith on target twice but with the returning Mickey Newman hitting four points it was the home side who led 0-8 to 0-5 at the interval.

Both sides ran their bench in the second half but a Robbie McDaid goal looked to have put Dublin in the driving seat before Meath slotted four points in-a-row with Bryan McMahon, Niall Kane and Newman securing the win for Andy McEntee’s men.

The match was for Seán Cox, a St Peter’s of Dunboyne clubman who was left with brain injuries following an attack outside Anfield when he was assaulted by a Roma fan less than an hour before kickoff at the Champions League tie in April 2018.

GazetteSPORT DECEMBER 20-26, 2018

ALL OF YOUR FINGAL SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 33-39

GARDA’S CELEBRATION GAELIC GAMES:

Westmanstown thronged to toast a superb year for the club. SEE P13

GOAL MILE ATHLETICS: Annual Christmas run set to see over quarter of a million get out and active on the big day.

SEE P35

KENNY REIGN’S WINNING START

HURLING: New Dublin boss begins his time in the role with a pair of Walsh Cup wins for a positive mood ahead of the Dub Stars. SEE P39

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Dublin stars abound at RTE’s sports awards  CÓILÍN DUFFY

sport@dublingazette.com

DUBLINERS were to the fore at Sunday’s RTÉ Sports Awards with local connections to three of the five awards, with Leinster and Ireland’s Johnny Sexton scooping the Sportsperson of the Year; Firhouse man Graham Shaw picking up Manager of the Year; and the Ireland women’s Hockey team, with plenty of Dubliners on board taking the Team of the Year award.

Sexton scooped the top individual accolade after a magnificent year for both club and country in which he starred for Ireland as they won only the ir third ever Grand Slam, had a series win over Australia, and ended the year with a first win against New Zealand on home soil.

At club level he played a pivotal role in Leinster claiming an unprecedented European Champions Cup and Guinness Pro14 double.

“I’d like to thank all my teammates and coaches, and the Irish coaches who are top class, World class, and they make your job a little bit easier,” the Leinster out-half said.

The Rathgar man added: “You feel bad accepting individual awards as a number 10.

You are meant to be the guy who sits in the background and try and help control the team. I don’t think I should be getting individual awards,

Johnny Sexton with the RTE 2018 Sportsperson of the Year award. Picture: RTE Inset, in action against Bath last Saturday.

Picture: Martin Doherty

“You feel bad accepting individual awards as a

number 10. You are meant to be the guy who sits in the background and try and help control the team” because it’s the other guys that make me look good.”

Teamwork The highly-coveted RTÉ Sport Team of the Year Award was voted for by the viewing public with the Irish women’s hockey team honoured after their World Cup silver-medal winning

exploits.

It was a side packed with Dubliners with Railway Union’s Grace O ’Fl a n a ga n , Mo n ks town’s Chloe Watkins, Pembroke’s Gillian Pinder and Emily Beatty, Loreto’s Hannah Matthews, Nicci Daly and Ali Meeke, UCD graduates Deirdre Duke and Katie Mullan and current

student Lena Tice all on the squad.

Their head coach Graham Shaw was named RTÉ Sport Manager of the Year.

The Firhouse native said, “This is a huge moment for me personally and for our sport,” said Shaw afterwards.

“I’ve got a spec ial group of people there.

They train really hard and work hard each other. It was our first World Cup. “To enter a major competition and perform the way they performed and show the level of composure and togetherness was something to be very, very proud of.

“We love a challenge.

And the challenge now

is the Olympic Games.

We ’ l l a p p ro a c h t h a t head on and look forward to it.”

Other award winners on the night included Rhys McClenaghan who was honoured with the ‘Young Sportsperson of the Year’ award, with Irish soccer legend Ray Houghton inducted into the Hall of Fame.