Lucan

Lucan GAZET TE FREE

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INSIDE: Lucan Festival’s Stars of Lucan show P6

May 12, 2011

FOR SALE: Historic Marshfield House comes onto the market Page 5

Wonka’s wonga: Students’ sweet bank success Rugby: Barnhall claim Winters’ Cup and Metro Plate Page 32

TEACHER, Priscilla McKenna, shepherded a group of mostly Oompa-Loompas, otherwise known as Lucan Community College students Robert Neary, Mark Kearns, Stephen Fay, Michael Burns, David Foley and Garry Moore (and Kate Whyte) as they took third place in a national Build-a-Bank challenge, sponsored by AIB. The students created an unusual bank, following the theme of Wonka’s Golden Bank: The sweetest bank in town, with some tempting deals on offer.

Full Gallery on Page 6

Football: Sarsfields U-14s claim Division 2 feile title Page 31

ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES ......................8 MOTORS ........................18 BUSINESS .................... 21 TRAVEL......................... 22 ENTERTAINMENT ........ 24 CLASSIFIEDS ............... 26

Magic milestone as Mary marks 100th Family, friends, Minister Burton at celebrations

Q LAURA WEBB

FAMILY, friends, and even a Government Minister, gathered this week to help celebrate the milestone birthday of Mary Fennell, who turned 100 on Monday.

Born on May 9, 1911, Mary now lives at the Marymount

Nursing Home, in West Dublin, and was delighted when local TD and Minister, Joan Burton, visited her to hand-deliver a letter of congratulations from President McAleese.

The centenarian proudly wore her husband’s war medals, saying: “My husband was a veteran of the War of Inde-

pendence, so I wanted to wear them today for him.”

Amongst her historic memories is witnessing the burning of the Four Courts. “Word got round about what had happened, so we went down and were at a street looking straight across from it.”

See full story next week

2 LUCAN GAZETTE 12 May 2011

COUNCIL: TACKLING ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR

Well up to Scratch: Cup joy for New Ross’s Dowling

Proposed new laws welcomed L O CA L F i n e G a e l Councillor Emer Higg i n s h a s we l c o m e d moves by South Dublin County Council (SDCC) to bring in bye-laws to tackle ongoing antisocial behaviour issues in parks.

The bye-laws, which will be brought to public consultation later this month, will give Gardai powers to enter parks and seize quad bikes and scramblers being used in council parks.

Cllr Higgins said that the problem of unauthorised motor vehicles in parks was an ongoing issue for the people of south Dublin.

“I am delighted with proposals to bring in new bye-laws to tackle the ongoing issues with scramblers and quad bikes in parks throughout south Dublin.

“The new laws, should they be passed, will give Gardai the powers to remove these bikes from people using them in council parks,” said Cllr Higgins.

Higgins said that the laws were designed to

increase safety in local parks.

“There are ongoing anti-social issues in parks and open spaces throughout the county, including here in Lucan and Palmerstown, and these new proposals are aimed at tackling these issues to make our parks safer.

“I have raised my concerns regarding antisocial behaviour in our parks at various council and committee meetings and it is an issue I am committed to pursuing.

“Our parks are fabulous local amenities and we need to ensure they are protected and enhanced and that park users are provided with a safe environment to enjoy. We need to be innovative in how we tackle problems of anti-social behaviour and a move to stamp out scramblers and quad bikes is a huge step in the right direction,” Cllr Higgins said.

The draft bye-laws will go to public consultation later this month with a view to being approved by the council before this summer.

THERE were smiles all round

at Hermitage Golf Club in Lucan recently when New Ross star Mary Dowling took home the Irish Ladies’ Scratch Cup championship.

The Wexford golfer’s stunning second-round of 73, added to her opening round of 78, proved enough to take home the title, which she was presented with by Colm Nagle, chief financial officer of tournament sponsors, Heatons, and Hermitage Golf Club lady captain, Mona Rooney.

PLANNING: LOCAL POLITICIANS RALLY AGAINST APPLICATION

Opposition mounts to new Griffeen takeaway Q PAUL HOSFORD

OPPOSITION has mounted to plans to place a takeaway at the Griffeen Shopping Centre.

Fine Gael Council-

lor, William Lavelle, and Minister Frances Fitzgerald, both lodged formal objections to the plan with South Dublin County Council (SDCC).

The documents, which each outline numerous

reasons for the objection, were lodged recently in opposition to the idea.

“In lodging this objection I am also representing the views of a large number of residents of the Griffeen area who have contacted me with their serious concerns over this application,” said Cllr Lavelle.

Lavelle pointed out that, in October 2010, an Bord Pleanala overturned the decision of SDCC and decided to refuse permission for a proposed change of ground floor unit from shop to Chinese takeaway at a unit at Rosse Court, which he believes sets a precedent for the refusal of this plan.

Lavelle also said that the presence of other local centres meant that the zoning of such a unit would be a mistake.

“It is to be noted that the Griffeen Centre is not zoned as either a district centre or local centre in the current Development Plan.

“There is both a district centre at Superquinn and a local centre at Ballyowen Castle, both located nearby and both of these urban centres include

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‘Fine Gael Councillor, William Lavelle, and Minister Frances Fitzgerald, both lodged formal objections to the plan with South Dublin County Council (SDCC).’

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takeaways as is appropriate to their zoning and level of centre.”

Cllr Lavelle went on to say that the associated loitering and litter would be a problem for residents.

“The Griffeen Centre already, unfortunately, suffers from problems of loitering and resultant anti-social behaviour involving intimidation, noise and littering.

“Local residents fear that the provision of a takeaway will almost certainly lead to a worsening of the existing problems as this proposed takeaway will become a focal point for increased

loitering and anti-social behaviour, which would have a negative effect on the amenities of nearby residents and adjoining commercial activities thereby contravening Policy S16 of the South Dublin County Development Plan.”

Minister Fitzgerald said in her objection that the proximity of the takeaway to youth centres and schools made it an improper site, citing the British Government’s strategy on youth obesity.

“This proposed takeaway is located in close proximity to both Griffeen Valley Educate Together NS and to the MegaBites youth cafe and youth services centre.

“Unfortunately within the Irish planning framework there is a distinct lack of any clear national policy on the matter of the proximity of takeaways to schools and youth centres.

“As a result of a new policy provision, British local authorities have begun banning new takeaways from opening within 400 yards of any school, youth club or park,” said Fitzgerald.

12 May 2011 LUCAN GAZETTE 3

ENVIRONMENT Minister heaps praise on local school

Green Flag for King’s Hospital MINISTER for Children, Frances Fitzgerald, was on hand to help raise a Green Flag for the King’s Hospital School in Palmerstown last week.

The Minister, who was the guest of honour at the event, praised the pupils and staff for their hard work and enthusiasm in bringing the award to the school.

The Green Schools project, known internationally as EcoSchools, is an international environmental education programme, environmental management system and award scheme that promotes and acknowledges long-term, whole school action for the environment.

It is promoted in Ireland by An Taisce.

M i n i s t e r F i t z g e rald praised the whole school approach taken by the King’s Hospital School.

“T here was ample evidence that every student, teacher and visitor was involved in this project,” she said.

“The contribution and support of school management was particularly critical in bringing the award to the school.

“At a wider level, this award can be seen as bringing about not just change for the school but change in the green-

ing of Ireland.”

She also went on to point out the economic value of the work and outlined the project’s wider benefits.

“Recent research on the economic value of the Green Schools programme to schools in Ireland has revealed that the programme has saved schools in Ireland a minimum €2m in waste, electricity, water and fuel costs this year.

“The results reveal that a minimum of 12 tonnes of waste is diverted from landfills in Ireland every school day by schools undertaking the programme.

“As well as that, 3.7 million units of electricity will be saved this year, 200 million litres of drinking water saved this year and around 500,000 litres of transport fuel saved this year.

“Because the pro gramme also involves the wider community, t h e ove r a l l s av i n g s to the wider community could be several times the €2m saved by the schools involved,” said Minister Fitzgerald.

“As the number of schools participating is growing every year subsequent years’ savings are expected to be higher.”

Minister for Children, Frances Fitzgerald (pictured below), was on hand at King’s Hospital to congratulate the school’s students on winning a Green Flag recently

M i n i s t e r F i t z g e rald thanked science t e a c h e r, M r C i a r a n O’Connor, and headmaster Mr Michael Hall for their hard work on the project and commended the school

for ensuring that every aspect of the school’s curriculum is designed to influence for good the life-long development of the young citizens passing through its doors.

MUSIC Hermitage Maytime Melodies MUSIC fans in Lucan can catch Maytime Melodie at the Hermitage Golf Club on Tuesday, May 17, at 8pm, with all proceeds in aid of Our Lady’s Hospice.

Enjoy the music of The Hermitage Ladies Choir, the beautiful soprano Kathryn Smith with songs from the shows, featuring Jimmy O’Byrne, Kathy Nugent and Colm ‘Stride’ O’Brien.

On accordion will be Dermot Dunne and on violin Katherine Hunka, with the golden voices of Edmond and Stephen Browne and accompanist Mary Peppard.

There will be a bumper raffle with exceptional prizes, including fourball vouchers for Mount Juliet, Hermitage and Glen of the Downs, plus lots of wonderful prizes not to be missed.

Tickets cost €10.

4 LUCAN GAZETTE 12 May 2011

EVENT: TALENT SHOW

MUSIC Easylearn Pop Music Schools up and running

Lions’ Club is Live from Lucan LUCAN Lions’ Club is setting out to prove that Lucan is roaring with talent, all to benefit local charities.

L i ve F r o m L u c a n will take place on Friday, May 13, at The Spa Hotel at 8pm sharp and will feature a host of Lucan’s finest talent.

Stephen and Edmund

Browne, Kathy Nugent, LGS Gospel Choir and Westside Stage School will be amongst those providing entertainment on the night.

Tickets, priced at € 2 0 , a r e av a i l a b l e from the Lucan Lions’ Club by calling 086 3722400 or at the Spa Hotel itself.

Experiencing the fun of jamming at one of Clive’s Easylearn Pop Music classes which kicked off in October

School of Rock Clive and kicking in Lucan Q PAUL HOSFORD lucan@gazettegroup.com

HOT on the heels of TV’s Must Be The Music and X Factor, comes the launch of Lucan’s first-ever part-time pop and rock school, which opened on October 2 last year.

Owned and operated as a franchise by Simon Jordan, from Ballybrack, Clive’s Easylearn Pop Music Schools offers a unique brand of simplified pop and rock music training in guitar, bass, keyboards and drums.

The weekly sessions also enable customers

to experience the fun of “jamming and singing together in pop and rock bands right from the very start of their courses”.

Network director, Clive Brooks, said: “We’ve done away with boring theory, and made musicmaking simple, fun and direct. Our Easylearn courses are unique.

Tutors love them because they’re easy to teach, and customers love them because they’re easy to understand – and over the last two-and-a-half decades they’ve proved themselves with over 8,000 people.”

After a few years of working in the sales department of a multinational company, franchisee Simon Jordan (29) wanted a career change and decided to open up a local branch of the pop school network with his wife Jeanne.

Simon is also creating considerable excitement within the area’s community of musicians, with the unique offer of unusual and rewarding part-time jobs for locally talented people who want to train to become tutors at the new pop music school. “Interested peo-

ple should apply online now at clivesmusic.com,” said Simon, “I’m looking forward to giving our local musicians the unique chance to supplement their incomes doing something that they will really enjoy,” he said.

The Dun Laoghaire Clive’s Easylearn Pop Music School opened on the October 2 running classes from 10am– 12pm at Urban Junction youth centre in Blackrock and Lucan opened the following week in the Lucan Youth Centre, Primrose Lane, with classes from 2pm–4pm.

To s h owc a s e t h e work undertaken by the school, a concert to show the skills they have developed over the last 6 months will be held on May 21 in Rua Red Arts Centre in Tallaght.

Tickets are priced at €10 and all proceeds will go to the Make A Wish foundation. Each school offers free have-a-go sessions to anyone who would like to come along and give it a try.

For fur ther information, please contact Simon Jordan at lucan@clivesmusic.com or call 086 3495073.

Palmerstown centre to be finished in June Q PAUL HOSFORD

GOT A PICTURE? Call our NEWS TEAM on 60 10 240 or email picturedesk@gazettegroup.com

PALMERSTON Community Centre is expected to be finished sometime in June, it was revealed at a recent Lucan Area Committee meeting.

A motion from Fine Gael councillor Emer Higgins asked the county manager for a “report on progress for the Palmerston Community Centre and confirm when this project is expected to reach completion”.

In their response, the council management said that a meeting had taken place between them and Palmerston Community

Council and those discussions had centred on the activities the centre will focus.

“The council met with Palmerston Community Council (PCC) shortly before Christmas to discuss the completion of the Palmerston Community Centre.

“Following discussions, the council asked PCC to indicate clearly what programmes, classes, community initiatives and other uses were proposed for the facility. The nature of these activities would inform the appropriate fitting out of the facility, and in doing so, would help to ensure the viability and sustainability of

the Community Centre.”

The council also outlined it’s financial support for the project and said that ongoing work is expected to be finished within weeks.

“The council took the opportunity to confirm its financial commitments to the Centre in the form of a two-year management grant as well as assistance in the fit-out of the centre with relative equipment.

“The PCC undertook to address these issues and to come back to SDCC at a future date to progress matters and to bring the provision of the centre to a successful con-

clusion. Palmerston Community Council have recently phoned to say that construction work has begun on site to bring the building up to the necessary standards of completion. The developer concerned is engaging the contractor on site. This work is expected to continue over the next few weeks and should be finished sometime in June, according to PCC. “PCC have assured us that they are carrying out the necessary research to identify what activities and services will be provided in the centre upon its completion and fit out,” the council report said.

12 May 2011 LUCAN GAZETTE 5

PROPERTY Historic Liffey-front home goes up for sale

Marshfield House on the market Q PAUL HOSFORD

lucan@gazettegroup.com

ONE of the locality’s most historic homes, boasting links to Marsh’s Library, has been put on the market.

Marshfield House, which is located just off the Lucan/Leixlip Road, is a six-bedroom home set on about eight acres of land.

The grounds at Marshfield are a feature, with lawns rolling down to the river, interspersed with flower beds and colourful shrubs, and with two particularly striking 200-plus-yearold blue cedars.

Situated on the banks of the Liffey, the period home has almost 1/4 mile frontage of the river and also boasts associated fishing rights.

It is handy that the river comes as part of the lands, given the historical implications of trout fishing on the home.

T he original lease stated that its leasee

is “obliged to produce two dozen trouts yearly and every year at Christmas”.

From 1711 to 1713, Marshfield House was constructed on behalf of Benjamin Rayner, a local innkeeper from Leixlip.

Rayner is recorded as having obtained a 90-year lease from a Joseph Marriot.

As part of the lease, Rayner was contracted to construct a “house of lime and stone and other improvements”.

T he name Marshfield refers to Archbishop Narcissus Marsh, f o u n d e r o f M a r s h ’s Library, the oldest public library in the country, which was founded in 1701.

It is recorded that Archbishop Marsh’s niece, Grace, daughter of his brother, Epaphroditus, was an early occupant of the house.

Fur thermore, it is believed that the archbishop himself resided at Marshfield for a time.

Other occupants associated with Marshfield include Lieutenant Thomas Atkinson, of the British Navy, and generations of the Cavendish family.

In 1848, the property was acquired by the Trench family, and, in 1878, by General William Irwin.

Marshfield is described as “an ideal family home with well-

proportioned accommodation”, which, despite its storied past, has been modernised, with full rewiring and replumbing, electronically controlled gates with CCTV and full planning permission for 72 sq metres (775 sq ft) garage and stable block.

For more information, contact agents Colliers International on 01 633 3700.

Call for Government action on anti-social behaviour LOCAL Labour TD, Robert Dowds, has called for Government action to help residents of housing estates who have to cope with anti-social neighbours on a daily and nightly basis.

Dowds says that “neighbours from hell” were causing problems for families across Clondalkin and Lucan.

“While the vast majority of residents experience no problems whatsoever, people in both council and private estates are, in some places coping with neighbours from hell.

“These anti-social neighbours may be involved in fist fights, destruction of property, drunkenness in the street, playing loud music and par-

ticipating in screaming matches at all hours.”

Deputy Dowds,who spent 12 years as a councillor in Clondalkin, said that current legislation does not arm local authorities with enough power to deal with anti-social behaviour where the offender is a private tenant.

“Under current legislation, it is in fact easier to deal with anti-social tenants in council estates than in private estates. While council officials have the power to evict anti-social tenants who are causing trouble consistently, the Private Residential Tenancies Board requires that those making a complaint must reveal their name and the reason for their complaint publicly.

“This takes no account of the serious intimidation and threats which are made against families who do take a stand against Anti-Social behaviour, leading to a situation where the perpetrators can carry on almost with impunity.”

Dowds said that he has recently come across some startling cases that cast a spotlight on a worrying trend, calling on his Government colleagues to enforce changes.

“To the extent that it’s possible to do so, this situation must be changed.

The pendulum of the housing law needs to swing in favour of people who are quietly getting on with their lives rather than those who are causing disruption.”

6 LUCAN GAZETTE 12 May 2011

COUNCIL: WILLSBROOK PATH FUNDING SECURED

IT’S YOUR STORY Lucan CC students ‘Build-A-Bank’

Cycle path gets the go-ahead THE long-mooted cycle path at Willsbrook Road has received the necessary funding to be proceeded with.

Cllr William Lavelle had asked the council to “update on proposals to complete the cycle path on Willsbrook Road outside Esker Woods estate and efforts to secure funding for these works?”

The council response revealed that funding for the project had been secured.

“T his scheme has received funding from the NTA under the Sustainable Transport Measures programme and is now in the process of being prepared for construction later in the year,” said the council, with Lavelle expressing his delight with the outcome.

“I am now happy to report that, on foot on my repeated requests at council level, funding has been secured from

the National Transport Authority for works to complete the cycle path along Willsbrook Road outside Esker Woods estate.

“T hese works will now be completed later this year. I first raised this matter last July in response to residents’ requests and, since then, I have repeatedly pressed council management to seek NTA funding. The latest positive update was given in response to my question at last month;s Lucan area committee meeting.

“These works, along with the improvements I have previously secured should cumulatively improve safety for pedestrian and cyclists, in particular for children and parents going to and from school, therefore helping to reduce short-trip car journeys and morning traffic congestion in this area,” said Cllr Lavelle.

The Lucan Community College Build-A-Bank team of Robert Neary, Mark Kearns, Stephen Fay, Michael Burns, David Foley, Garry Moore, and Kate Whyte (inset), with their teacher Ms Priscilla McKenna, picked up third place in a national competition sponsored by AIB

Third place in national finals for Lucan team Q SEAN MORRISSEY

THE team from Lucan Community College secured an outstanding result recently when they came third at the National Finals of the AIB Builda-Bank challenge.

In September, the interviews took place in order to form a team for the AIB Build-a-Bank Challenge, and 26 students from the school’s Transition Year group applied for the available positions.

The positions were filled by Michael Burns (manager), David Foley (assistant manager), Stephen Fay (sales and marketing), Robert Neary (auditor) and Kate Whyte, Gary Moore and Mark Kearns as tellers.

The team developed an original concept for the bank, deciding upon the

theme of Wonka’s Golden Bank: The Sweetest Bank In Town.

Under the guidance of their teacher, Ms Priscilla McKenna, the team then drew up their business plan and organised finance.

The launch of the bank took place in November, where Santa Claus officially performed the opening during lunch break.

The launch included music, and promotional items and the bank was open for business every Tuesday, with many seasonal offers.

The regional finals of the competition took place in March.

In all, 207 schools entered the competition and regional finals took place at various venues throughout the country.

The Lucan team set up

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‘In September, the interviews took place in order to form a team for the AIB Build-a-Bank Challenge, and 26 students from the school’s Transition Year group applied’

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their stand and presented their plan to the judges.

As part of their presentation they dressed up as Willy Wonka and the oompa-loompas, and they won the prize for Best Customer Loyalty Programme.

Their prizes included a €100 voucher each and

a digital camera for the school.

They then qualified for the national finals, which was, in itself, an outstanding achievement as only 16 teams qualified from the original 207 entries, and which took place in the RDS. The team again set up their stand and presented their plan to six judges who questioned them on all aspects of their business.

While the judges deliberated, various activities were available to the students before they were treated to a meal.

After the meal the presentations took place, and, given the unbelieveably high standard of competition, the team were thrilled when they were announced as thirdplace winners.

Their prize included

a Nintendo Wii for each member of the team and an interactive whiteboard for the school.

This award was welldeserved and rewarded the students for their innovation, hard work, presentation and communication skills, and dedication throughout the year.

Of course, none of this would have been possible without the foresight of their co-ordinating teacher, Ms McKenna.

Ms McKenna entered the team for this challenge and guided them throughout the year.

She was extremely proud of the students and found all the members of the team to be a pleasure to work with.

Well done Michael, David, Robert, Stephen, Kate, Gary, Mark and Ms McKenna.

12 May 2011 LUCAN GAZETTE 7

JOBS Numbers signing on in local office in keeping with national trends

Live Register figures for April drop by 0.1% Q PAUL HOSFORD lucan@gazettegroup.com

IN keeping with the national news that the Live Register had dropped for the month of April, the signing-on office in Clondalkin experienced a small decline.

Nationwide, the 0.1% decline in unemployment was attributed to a slight decrease in the number of people signing on the Live Register.

The nationwide picture for

the year to April 2010 saw an additional 50,781 people join the register.

Contrary to the national picture, however, Clondalkin’s yearly figure has dropped in the last year.

In March 2010, 10,058 people were listed as on the Live Register, with this month’s 9,884 marking a decline on 12 months ago.

In February, however, the figure was at 9,771.

November 2010 marked a

yearly low for the Live Register at the Clondalkin office, when 9,544 people signed on.

Since then, every month has seen a rise in the numbers in Clondalkin, with April marking some respite for that figure. Strikingly, the burden on the rises is evenly borne by both sexes and all ages, with relative rises similar across gender and generation ages.

The Live Register is not designed to measure unem-

ployment as it includes parttime workers, seasonal and casual workers entitled to Jobseekers Benefit or Allowance.

Unemployment is measured by the Quarterly National Household Survey, the latest of which shows that the unemployment rate was 14.7 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2010, with the average unemployment rate during 2010 being 13.6 per cent.

ISME described the unem-

ployment situation as “frighteningly bleak” and said the Government’s new plans “must contain measures that recognise the barriers which prevent job creation and support companies.”

Local TD Robert Dowds (Labour) said that the news of a decline was encouraging, but came with caveats.

“While I welcome the fact that the unemployment figures in Clondalkin have fallen slightly, I am under

no illusions that emigration is having an effect on these figures.

“The jobs initiative that the Government announced on Tuesday is, hopefully, the first step in getting Ireland back to work, through measures such as an internship programme.

“The figures show that we have a great deal of work to do, and I am very keen that the Government keeps job creation as its number one priority.”

LUCAN FESTIVAL: TALENT SHOW SET FOR MAY 21

Stars of Lucan all set to shine THE organisers of the Lucan Festival are advising all Lucanians to keep Saturday, May 21, free for a night of local entertainment celebrating the cream of local talent at the Lucan Festival’s Stars of Lucan talent extravaganza in the Church of Ireland Parish Centre, starting at 8pm.

There promises to be something for everyone, with a variety of dance acts, courtesy of Westside Stage School, Lee Byrne Dance Academy and Dancity Ireland.

Added to this, a wide variety of musical performances by Lorcan James, Milla and Kenneth Whelan, will be provided for music lovers, as well as a comedy sketch

by Fiona Dalton.

Tickets for adults are priced at €5 before the night, or €7 at the door, and kids are €5 each.

Contact Tom on 086 250 5665 for further details.

As well as organising fundraising events, the Lucan Festival Committee are also busy planning for the Festival itself, and,

in the coming weeks, will be encouraging local businesses, organisations and the general public to get involved in this year’s Festival. So, please let them know if you would be interested.

Tom Dowling, Festival secretary, commented: “The Stars of Lucan is an opportunity to showcase the wealth and variety of local talent in our midst.

“Most of these acts will also be performing at Lucan Festival, which runs from September 19–25.”

Joe Byrne, Festival chairman, added:“We are delighted with the variety of acts that will be performing and would like to thank all groups for getting involved.

“There really will be something for everyone, so we are encouraging people to come along with their family and friends and sample some of the best talent Lucan has to offer, as well as helping to support the Lucan Festival.”

The Festival is always looking for volunteers to

Dancity Ireland (above) and the Westside Stage School (below) are just two of the acts set to perform as part of the Stars of Lucan event

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‘The Stars of Lucan is an opportunity to showcase the wealth and variety of local talent in our midst’

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get involved in the runup to, and during, the Festival itself.

“So, to get involved and keep updated with Festival news, become a fan on facebook, visit lucalfestival.wordpress. com, follow the festival on Twitter at twitter. com/LucanFest or contact lucanfestival@gmail. com.”

The organisers are telling the community to remember that “it’s your community festival, so be a part of it!”.

8 LUCAN GAZETTE 12 May 2011

SCHOOLS Students organise a credit union at their school

Denise McNamee, business teacher, with Collinstown Park Community College’s students involved in its new credit union. Pictures: Peter Doyle

Saving facility is a credit to students

REDIT is due to the enterprising staff and students of Collinstown Park Community College, who have created their own credit union, thought to be the second such initiative in the country.

The school’s financial facility, which is run in association with Row-

C

lagh Credit Union, offers students the chance to save money in an easy manner while they’re in the school, and should help to foster a greater appreciation of money, the importance of saving, and help focus the students on saving towards a more stable future.

The facility was officially launched with an informative presentation at the school, which saw several key figures present talks to the students explaining how the credit union works, what it could mean for them, and offering a great insight into the important new school facility.

Lisa Currivan and Dannielle Courtney

Daniel Breen, Dylan Hillary and Dean Tuohy

Margaret Ryan, Irish League of Credit Unions’ Chapter 25; Anne Forde, Inchicore Credit Union; Danny O’Connor, Helen Mountaine and Esther Luke Ledwith and Lauren McEneff

Draper, Rowlagh Credit Union

12 May 2011 LUCAN GAZETTE 9

10 LUCAN GAZETTE 12 May 2011

IT’S YOUR SHOT Chef Michal Rupinksi at The Angler’s Rest

Ken Spengler and Gemma Shiels

Michal with Robert O’Connor

Marlena Rupinska, Michal Rupinski and Anthony McMahon

Serving up a great way to help others OME familiar faces from Lucan were spotted at the Angler’s Rest recently where they, and several other West Dubliners, were tucking into a delicious meal, courtesy of chef Michal Rupinksi.

Michal was serving up a three-course meal in the latest Look Who’s Cooking event at the popular bar and eaterie, with fundraising from

S

the night going to help Concern with its vital international work.

Held in association with Educogym, the night was complemented by live music from Robert O’Connor and band, providing a great way to round off what was already a truly tempting treat for foodies and the charity’s supporters alike.

Michal with Agnieszka Talaj

Richie Delaney

Paul Hurley and Sharon Hurley

Declan Saunders with Michelle Kane, Anna Sweeney Magda Najwer, Paul Glinka, Michal Rupinski, Iwona Nowicka and Marlena Rupinska

and Theresa Rocca

Erica Kelly and Michal

12 May 2011 GAZETTE 11

12 GAZETTE 12 May 2011

GazettePETS PETS

Brought to you by Miriam Kerins of the DSPCA

THE FACTS: CHECK YOUR ANIMAL’S TEETH REGULARLY, AND BE ALERT FOR PROBLEMS

Brush up on your pet’s dental care ID you ever suddenly become aw a r e o f a n offending stench, and wonder where it’s coming from?

You get yourself to a quiet corner, and examine your shoes for something messy, or discreetly raise your arms above your head to check for nasty pit stains, and then realise: “Oh, thank God – it’s not me who stinks, it’s my dog’s breath!” Sound familiar?

Few pet owners make the effort to educate themselves in their pet’s oral hygiene, but did you know that dental disease is one of the most common disorders in our canine companions?

Keeping your pet’s teeth in check has lots of health benefits – the obvious being minty-fresh breath.

Remember, bad breath in dogs is rarely related to last night’s rich food!

D

More often, it’s an indicator of poor dental health, and/or an infection that needs investigating by your vet.

For example, did you know that if your cat or dog suffers an infection of the gums, teeth or oral cavity, this can spread via the bloodstream and into their heart and liver, and could cause additional health problems, such as kidney failure, endocarditis and abscesses in vital organs, possibly resulting in a shortened lifespan?

You didn’t?

Take precautions Well, now that you do, it’s time to take precautions.

Brush your pet’s teeth at home using a special brush and veterinary toothpaste, available from your vet.

Gently introduce your pet to the new taste by rubbing some of the tooth-

paste along his gums, and then repeating the process with a toothbrush.

Aim the bristles along the gum line of the upper back teeth, and angle them slightly upwards, making sure the bristles get right under the gum line.

Working back to front, make little circles; as you would with your own teeth.

However, remember, even with the best home care your pet may still require some professional dental de-scale and polish. *** Feed your pet a crunchy diet, and appropriate chew treats. It’s always worth checking with your vet before you change your pet’s diet; especially if the animal has breed-specific dietary requirements.

I would recommend you make these changes gradually; particularly

Remember – your pets and animals are relying on you to help keep them healthy

with puppies, and always try one food at a time.

Check your pet’s mouth regularly, and observe signs of an inflammation known as gingivitis. This can be seen as a reddening of the gums adjacent to the teeth. It will also cause bad breath.

Dental disease is not just a problem for dogs; other companion animals – such as cats and rabbits – suffer, too.

Conditions such as feline stomatitis – which is very painful, and can be life-threatening for many cats – can occur in all breeds, and at any age. *** Cats with this condi-

tion usually experience inflamed gums which, if untreated, can spread to areas at the back of the throat, making eating and swallowing difficult.

So, if your cat’s breath smells, get to the vet immediately and seek his/ her professional advice on how best to rectify your kitty’s condition.

Rabbits can also suffer.

This is usually due to a bad diet.

You may not know this, but rabbits need lots of fibre in their diet; so give those bunnies plenty of hay and help keep bad oral hygiene at bay.

A rabbit’s teeth continuously grow, and must

be checked regularly by your vet to ensure they are wearing down properly.

If a rabbit’s teeth are not kept in check, and go untreated, the poor creature will not be able to eat properly, and there is a danger it could starve to death.

For those horse owners reading this, did you know that a horse’s teeth will also grow continuously, so it’s important to keep an eye on them?

Your vet is the best person to advise you, regarding this, but if you notice your horse has difficulty chewing, is dropping more food than he actually manages to swallow,

and there are signs of undigested food in his poo, then it’s likely he may be suffering from dental problems, and you need to seek expert help.

So, you can see why proper dental care is a priority for all companion animals and, as prevention is better than cure, perhaps the next time you visit your vet, you’ll ask his/her advice as to the best way of examining your pet’s teeth so that you can keep an eye on his oral health.

If you’d like more information log onto www. dspca.ie or email me at miriam.kerins@dspca.ie.

GOT A STORY? TELL US ABOUT YOUR LOCAL EVENT, CELEBRATION OR FUNCTION Call our NEWS TEAM on 60 10 240 or email news@gazettegroup.com

12 May 2011 GAZETTE 13

HEALTH Escaping negativity and unhelpful thinking

Are you a tonic, or are you toxic?

Q PATRICIA MURPHY

IT IS amazing how some people have the ability to light up a room when they walk in. Others light up the room when they walk out.

We allow other people’s moods and attitudes to have such a powerful influence over our personal wellbeing.

Sometimes we join in with the rise of the happy tide, and other times we get pulled down into negativity and unhelpful thinking. It pays to ask ourselves: ‘Am I a tonic, or am I toxic?’

It is very easy right now to pick fault with just about everything.

Nobody we know has escaped the negative effects of the struggling economy and political change. Nor should we ignore or deny the issues that challenge us daily and which need to be addressed.

But none of this is an excuse or a reason to carry a negative attitude with us into every interaction we have, including with our own selves. After all, we live with ourselves 24/7.

Left untreated, toxicity spreads, causing damage within and without.

What you really need is a daily tonic. Something to pep you up physically, mentally and emotionally. The ingredients are simple and available to us all.

Here are some suggestions to help you look and feel great every day.

Feed Your Body

Paying attention to

W

Mega Mini: Michael Moroney falls in love with the Countryman

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

‘Left untreated, toxicity spreads, causing damage within and without.

What you really need is a daily tonic.

Something to pep you up physically, mentally and emotionally’ ------------------------------------------------------

exercise and nutrition is essential to support the body.

Food nutrients supply us with the energy to carry out daily functions, including the repair and renewal of organs and tissues. The increase of oxygen during modestintensity exercise floods the cells with vitality and increases our ability to get rid of toxins.

It conditions the heart and lungs and even makes us smarter. Discipline is the essential ingredient here. At least 20 minutes of brisk walking, plus three balanced meals per day, is a must.

No excuses. Remember to keep it simple and include 6-8 glasses of water to keep you floating along.

Personal Care

A simple shower, clean clothes and a spray of scent can lift your mood by tenfold. It also makes it more pleasant for others to be around you.

Feed Your Mind

Include constructive thoughts and behaviours towards happiness and health. Step by step and easy does it. It is far more effective to change 100 things by 1%, than to change one thing by 100%. Smile

and keep your conversations upbeat, even if you don’t feel like it.

Act as if you mean it and, pretty soon, you won’t just be faking it, you will be making it.

Feed Your Spirit

Immerse yourself in the fun stuff for a few hours each week. Hobbies and recreational activities are a great way to give you something to look forward to and a break from the routine. Socialise with family, friends and work colleagues, keeping alcohol within the weekly recommended allowance.

Develop an Attitude of Gratitude

Sometimes we forget just how blessed we really are. Give thanks for the big things and little things that make our lives so special. Acknowledge your achievements, including your own valuable input into your happiness, health and wellbeing.

These simple lifestyle changes can have a really positive influence on how you look and feel day in, day out. The best predictors of your future happiness and health are the actions and attitudes that you are practising right now.

LOCALMATTERS SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS

ADVERTISE WITH THE GAZETTE CALL 60 10 240

Patricia Murphy can help detox mind, body and spirit

SEE MOTORING PAGE 18

14 GAZETTE 12 May 2011

GazetteBEAUTY BEAUTY New face unveiled for Yves Saint Laurent fragrance BENJAMIN Millepied, the French principal dancer with the New York City Ballet and choreographer for the recent blockbuster, Black Swan has been unveiled as the face for the next male fragrance from Yves Saint Laurent, available from September, 2011.

Described as one of the most gifted dancers and choreographers of his generation, Millepied enrolled with the New York School of American Ballet at the age of 16 and became principal dancer at 18 with the prestigious New York City Ballet.

On his new role with YSL Millepied said: “I’m happy and proud to have been chosen by Yves Saint Laurent, one of the world’s most pres-

tigious brands. I admire the world of this House, its elegance and modernity. Monsieur Saint Laurent was a fashion genius, a lover of the arts, he also knew how to use his talent to serve the art of dancing.”

Benjamin Millepied will represent the new fragrance for men from Yves Saint Laurent, the 3rd facet of the men’s olfactive trilogy, alongside Olivier Martinez for L’Homme and Vincent Cassel for la Nuit de L’Homme.

Benjamin Millepied

Edited by Dawn Love

Confessions of a beauty addict This week the Gazette chats to media analyst Kathleen Rowley about her beauty addiction MY life-long addiction began when I first clapped eyes on my glamorous air hostess Aunty Mary’s bathroom cabinet, brimming with shiny and expensive looking tubs of wonder.

On family trips, I would gulp down glasses and glasses of Coke, just so I could go up and investigate each tub, tube and bottle, carefully assessing the smell, texture and colour of each.

Less exotic potions were to be found at home, where they were kept out of reach from my grubby little hands following an incident at my weekly

teddy bear’s picnic, where Big Ted enjoyed a facial, compliments of Mam’s new Clarins cream and a more-then-healthy spritz of the ever-cherished Chanel No.5.

Big Ted was eventually donated to a Children’s Hospital, where I am sure he still is reeking of the classic scent. Mam’s potions were moved to the top shelf.

During my teens, a bagpacking job in Superquinn gave me the means to splurge in the Body Shop, where body butter and a bottle of white musk was the ultimate sign of sophistication.

For teenage discos a bottle of Exclamation and a frosted lipstick were my chosen weapons, as they were for most of the girls attending, resulting in the small community hall

still gives me the shivers when I get a whiff of it), I thoroughly enjoyed the role.

Working for renowned brands such as Armani, Lancôme and Pout greatly improved my knowledge of products but, even more importantly to a beauty junkie, my collection of samples became legendary.

Vichy Essentielles Kathleen Rowley

practically heaving with overpowering teenage fragrances, or maybe it was just the pheromones and teenage lust! If it distracted from my heavy Gallagher-like eyebrows and braces, I was in – ‘dramatic’ eye shadows and liners, along with an over-enthusiastic use of bronzer was the order of the day.

Despite a stringent budget and a barrage of feminist anti-beauty industry propaganda, my love of all things beauty-related continued

through college.

To fund a trip to the land down under, I got a beauty addict’s dream job, fragrance and cosmetics consultant on counters in Brown Thomas, Arnotts and Dublin Airport. I learned about the construction of a scent, along with skin types and the most up-todate make-up trends.

With the exception of a two-month stint standing freezing at the front of Brown Thomas spraying Stella McCartney’s perfume (to this day it

I was astounded at how this lightweight, quick-drying lotion kept my skin soft and moisturised 24 hours after application. With sensitive skin, this was ideal as the fragrance was gentle and ladylike without irritating my skin even after defuzzing the pins.

Model Inc Lip and Cheek tint

At €7.50, this is the recessionista’s answer to Benefit’s Benetint, giving you a nice burst of raspberry colour. The colour lasts on the cheeks, but was a little drying on the lips and the fragrance is strong and powdery.

However, for €7.50, it is a welcome addition to any hand bag.

Revlon PhotoReady

I’m a foundation slapper. I have tried them all, from Rimmel to Yves Saint Laurent, and can safely say I have found my perfect partner – smooth, long-lasting and reliable, this product delivers on its promises. My skin had a nice glow with medium coverage, thanks to the ‘photocromatic pigments’ and it evened out my skin tone without feeling too heavy.

12 May 2011 GAZETTE 15

FOOD: NEW BRANDING FOR BREAKFAST

Relaxation is never too far away in Ireland’s top spas Q DAWN LOVE

Radisson Blu Hotel, Galway

IRELAND is now widely recognised as one of the world’s gourmet capitals, but our luxurious spas are also making headlines. Set in some of the country’s most spectacular hotels and resorts, it’s easy to see why we our spas are fast becoming something of a Mecca for those on the lookout for top-class beauty and relaxation treatments.

This week, the Gazette’s Beauty pages takes a look at some of the country’s top spas and the luxurious treatments on offer.

At the Spirit One Spa in the Radisson Blu Hotel in Galway, they are famed for their Elemis Lime and Ginger Salt Glow and Cleopatra Milk Bath.

Scrub up for summer with their exotic exfoliation ritual designed to invigorate and revitalise the body. Elemis exotic Lime and Ginger Salt Glow deep cleanses, polishes and softens skin to perfection.

Druids Glen Resort, Co Wicklow

Just over half-an-hour south of Dublin, but an entire world away, set between the Wicklow Mountains and the Irish Sea, Druids Glen Resort’s beautifully natural surroundings will have you feeling calmer before you even set foot inside.

The atmosphere is one of calm, suggesting you take a deep breath and relax, settling into a place where you will find your own personal corner of pleasure – whether that is in the lovely spa, the pool, on the two championship golf courses, in one of the bars and restaurants, or curled into a comfy chair with a good book by any of the grand windows looking out onto the grounds, and the beauty of the changing seasons outside.

For the month of May, the spa at Druids Glen Resort is offering an Advanced Elemis facial, with a complimentary back massage, for just €99.

For more information, call 01 2870848, or visit www.druidsglenresort. com

Tradition After your body scrub, soak in the age-old tradition of the Elemis Cleopatra Milk and emerge drenched in moisture, scented like a dream.

There is also a full-day pass to the Thermal Suite, with full use of the swimming pool, outdoor hot tub and jacuzzi.

Price: All for €85 – normally €140 – save €55.

For further details on the range of treatments available call 091 538423 Treatments are available seven days a week.

Hastings Hotels

Spring is nature’s time of renewal and rebirth and the perfect time to rejuvenate your body and soul with a self-indulgent escape to one of Hastings Hotels’ fabulous Spas at Culloden Estate, Belfast, or Slieve Donard Resort, Co Down, and experience their world-famous ESPA treatments and therapies. To put a little extra spring in your step, they are also offering a £10 voucher off your next visit!

The Spring Spa Experience includes: • ESPA Welcome Foot Ritual • ESPA Upper Back, Shoulders and Neck Massage • ESPA Boutique Facial with Indian Head Scalp Massage • Delicious light lunch in the Juice Bar • Full use of all the spa facilities • Use of robe, slippers and towels • £10 voucher off your next spa treatment Offer available until May 31, 2011. For more information, visit www. hastingshotels.com.

The Relaxation Room at the spa in Druids Glen Resort’s spa

Rudd’s take on new look

IRISH breakfast meat producers, Rudd’s, are re-launching their traditional Irish brand with a modern new look, as well as adding new products to their portfolio.

The relaunch campaign is part of Rudd’s new marketing strategy for the brand. John O’Brien, commercial manager at Rudd’s said: “We’re delighted to announce the relaunch of our range to include some popular breakfast favourites, giving it a contemporary new look, while retaining our traditional values.

“We are proud to use 100% Irish pork, sourced from Bord Bia-approved Irish farmers to produce

the Rudd’s range, which now offers all you need to create the ultimate full Irish breakfast, while supporting Irish jobs.”

Bill O’Brien, managing director of Rudd’s said: “We understand the importance of supporting Irish jobs, therefore we continue to use only 100% Irish pork to produce our range which, we firmly believe, has been the best-kept secret in breakfast, until now.”

To support the Rudd’s re launch campaign, a number of tasting events will be taking place throughout Dublin this month. The tastings will take place from May 12-14, and again from May 26-28.

16 GAZETTE 12 May 2011

GazetteContacts

EVENT Festival returns to the Phoenix Park

Block 3A, Mill Bank Business Park, Lucan Tel: 01 6010240 Fax: 01 6010251 Managing Director: Liam Holland email: lholland@gazettegroup.com

General Manager: Michael McGovern email: mmcgovern@gazettegroup.com

Editor: Cormac Curtis email: ccurtis@gazettegroup.com

Production Editor: Jessica Maile email: jmaile@gazettegroup.com

News Editor: Dawn Love email: dlove@gazettegroup.com

Sports Editor: Rob Heigh email: sport@gazettegroup.com

Financial Controller: Carly Lynch email: clynch@gazettegroup.com

Advertising Production: Anita Ward email: ads@gazettegroup.com

Advertising Sales: 01 6010240

email: sales@gazettegroup.com

Gazette Group 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, Castleknock Gazette, Clondalkin Gazette, Dundrum Gazette, Dun Laoghaire Gazette, Lucan Gazette, Malahide Gazette and Swords Gazette. The placing of an order or contract will be deemed an acceptance of these conditions.

Pictured at the launch were Ella McSweeney, broadcaster and MC of the Chef’s Summer Kitchen at Bloom, with Flower Fairies (all aged 5), Isibeal Fitzpatrick, Ava Callan, Nessa Last and Kayla Cooke. Picture: Gary O’ Neill

It’s time to Bloom BLOOM, Bord Bia’s gardening, food and family festival returns to the Phoenix Park this June Bank Holiday Ireland’s largest gardening, food and family festival, Bloom, is set to celebrate its fifth year when it takes place this June.

At the heart of Bloom are 27 stunning large, medium and small show gardens, which will be judged by international independent judging panels, and gold, silver gilt, silver and

bronze medals will be awarded.

Dublin will be well represented at the event, which takes place between Thursday, June 2 and Monday, June 6, with a number of top garden designers creating some of the stunning show gardens.

Amongst those taking part will be John Sweeney, from Lusk, and Rachel Freeman, from the Blanchardstown Institute of Technology.

Meanwhile, from Dalkey, Sheena

Vernon will also be taking part, as will Brian Cleary, from Dundrum, and award-winning gardeners Liat and Oiver Schurman, from the renowned Mount Venus Nursery.

The event will also showcase the best of Ireland’s food industry with the new Bord Bia Food Village.

Bloom is open daily from 10am6pm. Advance tickets are on sale now from €15 – kids go free! Visit www.bloominthepark.com.

See feature next week

12 May 2011 GAZETTE 17

18 GAZETTE 12 May 2011

GazetteMOTORS MOTORS RoadSigns Road Signs RENAULT VAN RANGE IS APRIL BESTSELLER: RENAULT, Europe’s best-selling van range, hit the number one best-selling spot in Ireland in April with 14.9% of the overall market, and featured on the podium in 14 counties, including number one in Cork, Kerry, Westmeath and Cavan.

With prices starting from just €8,990, with a five-year, unlimited mileage warranty across the range, it is not surprising that Renault is performing well each month. Renault now has three versions of the Kangoo, the new Trafic, with its increased performance 2.0-litre dCi engine and the all-new design Master, which comes in either front- or rearwheel drive specifications and has one of the lowest running cost in its segment.

Mini has grown up in size, accessibility and performance in the new Mini Countryman All4, but it’s pricey at €28,980 even though it’s still a great car to drive

Meet the Countryman MICHAEL MORONEY tested the new Mini Countryman across a range of conditions, but his heart won out over his head in his love for the new car INI’S first fourdoor car is the new Countryman, a car that has grown up in terms of size and stature. This is now the biggest car in the Mini range, and it brings a new opportunity to the BMW-owned brand.

I’ve had the All4, or four-wheel-drive version of the car, on the road and I’m impressed. I know that the car is expensive for its size, but it does drive superbly and retains that Mini car handling appeal from the past.

BMW has added lots of good bits to this new, bigger Mini. The engine is a new 1.6-litre BMW turbo-diesel engine that’s thrifty and lively. And, while I know that there’s

M

SPECS: MINI COUNTRYMAN ALL4 1.6D Top speed: 180 km/hr 0 – 100km/hr: 12.9 sec Economy: 20.4 km/litre (4.9l/100km) CO2 emissions: 129g/km Road Tax Band: B (€156) Scrappage Eligible: Yes Warranty: 2 years Entry Price: €28,980

a bigger 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine on the way, I found that the 1.6-litre engine was more than adequate and a dream to drive.

And that was after almost 1,400km on the clock, where I drove the Mini Countryman up

and down the country, national roads, motorways, and the occasional boreen were tried to test the car’s ultimate performance. The All4 system had to be tried and, luckily, the sun shone for me and crossing a dry field was effortless.

The four doors for the Mini Countryman make a huge difference in terms of passenger space and accessibility. The car now takes on a new image.

That, coupled with the larger wheels and Bridgestone Dueller run-flat tyres for mild, off-road use, makes the Mini All4 a very versatile car.

The test car had lots of kit included in the Chili pack that Mini offers.

This included 17-inch

alloy wheels and lots of multifunction kit with an impressive Bluetooth phone kit that was easy and clear to use. It also came with leather seats and Xenon headlights, which, in total, rounded the price up by an extra €8,000 – now that’s getting expensive.

Power

The engine power was impressive, with 112bhp pumped out at ease. On the motorway, the engine allowed the car with its sixth gear to cruise at just around 2,000 rpm.

That’s what delivers the good fuel economy figures. Despite being a bigger car than the standard Mini, it’s still economical. I returned

a figure close to the rated figure of 20.4 km per litre of diesel (4.9l/100km), which I consider to be a good performance, and I drove the car long and hard.

The economy figures are helped by the stop/ start system that stops the engine in traffic or at traffic lights. This, along with brake regeneration, gives a measure of the BMW EfficientDynamics technology to give good economy figures from the Countryman.

The car is rated in Band B for motor tax purposes, as its CO2 figure is 129g/km. Again, that’s a reasonable figure and gives an annual motor tax charge of just €156.

And, with all that, the

Countryman is lively.

The acceleration pace is as good as many bigger cars at 12.9 seconds in a 0 to 100k/hr race. So, while it may look like a hot hatchback car in design, it does not match that kind of performance on the road.

The power is, however, well-developed for the car allowing for the 270Nm of torque, so much so that the car is well able for all driving conditions.

The All4 off-road technology will have limited appeal, but it could have been useful in last winter’s frost and snow.

It adds about €2,000 to the price and provides a compromise of sorts without opting for a full heavy-duty 4x4 system.

Motor industry revs to a good start first 3 months of 2011 WITH a 14% increase in sales volume in first three months of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010, the motor industry has claimed pole position across all retail categories in Ireland to date.

The latest Consumer Market Moni-

tor has reported that the industry has experienced a major boost as 50,000 new cars have been sold right up to midApril 2011. No doubt the conclusion to the invaluable scrappage scheme in June has contributed to the motor industries

excellent start to the year; as has price discounting from dealers and distributors in order to encourage new car sales.

UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School and the Marketing Institute of Ireland (MII) released the

results, which detailed that, apart from the motor trade, the only other sector to experience any form of growth in Q1 is clothing, footwear and textiles, which experienced an increase of 2.6% in volume.

12 May 2011 GAZETTE 19

20 GAZETTE 12 May 2011

GazettePROPERTY PROPERTY KILDARE: FULLY RENOVATED AND EXTENDED COTTAGE IN SOUTH NAAS FOR €820,000

Magnificent Mill on market COONAN Real Estate Alliance are bringing Mill Cottage, an unique residence set on approximately 0.7 acres of land in South Naas, Co Kildare, to the market for an asking price of €820,000.

Surrounded by mature trees, lawns and hedges, Mill Cottage is a 19th-century thatched cottage, located in the tranquil country townland of Millicent, only 4km from Naas.

Rescued from dereliction by its current owners in 2003, Mercury Group Architects were commissioned to oversee the extensive conservation and extension of the cottage

to its present condition, a process that saw the renovators incorporating time-honoured traditional working methods and materials.

Extending to 3,300 sq ft, and featuring modern amenities such as a geo-thermal heat pump, under-floor heating and pressurised hot and cold water, Mill Cottage is a magnificent blend of old world and contemporary living under one roof.

Located only 25 minutes from the M50, this is an opportunity of a lifetime for the right purchaser.

Presented in pristine condition and finished to the highest stand-

ards, Mill Cottage is an ideal family home with a range of very attractive features and designs.

Listed Mill Cottage is a listed structure, circa 200 years old, and has been meticulously restored and maintained. It features a new oat and straw thatched roof.

Having been architecturally designed throughout, it is a bright and light-filled accomodation with rational timber windows and has the latest in energy saving and eco-friendly features built in to its design.

The area around

The impressive, renovated structure at Mill Cottage, South Naas, Co Kildare

Mill Cottage features an abundance of shops and the fine schools within easy reach, along with some of the most prestigious golf courses

Kildare has to offer.

The exterior of the property is also appointed to a high-standard.

Mill Cottage is totally surrounded by mature

lawns and shrubbery, with an attractive gravel driveway on both sides, and a south-facing garden.

For further informa-

tion, please contact Philip Byrne Coonan, of Coonan Real Estate Alliance, on 01 628 8400 or philipb@coonan.com.

GOATSTOWN: ASKING PRICE OF €425,000

A garden of Eden in Goatstown demense

LOCALMATTERS SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS

ADVERTISE WITH THE GAZETTE CALL 60 10 240

SHERRY FitzGerald are presenting No. 37, Eden Park Drive, Goatstown, a semi-detached family home in a highly-sought after area, close to the best of schools and within easy access of excellent local amenities, with an asking price of €425,000.

Built in the 1950s, this three-bedroom semi-detached family residence has airy, bright accommodation and a west-facing rear garden.

The property offers a spacious interior, including a hall, living room, dining room, kitchen, three bedrooms (two of which are doubles), bathroom and, outside, a garage to the side of the property offering prospective owners the potential to convert (subject to planning permission).

Overall, there is a good internal flow to the lay-

Number 37, Eden Park Drive, in Goatstown

out, providing an excellent balance of well-proportioned living and bedroom accommodation.

The Goatstown area the property is situated in is a quiet, leafy enclave, with both Stillorgan and Dundrum within walking distance.

Other amenities include the popular Dundrum Town Centre, local

shops, UCD Belfield, and excellent transport links, including bus routes, Luas and the M50. There is a good selection of schools close by, making this a desirable family home.

The property also boasts a large front garden with central driveway and lawn on either side with mature hedging. There is a private, triangular-shaped,

walled, west-facing rear garden with mature plants and shrubs and large side space and gated side access, with access to the garage.

The property can be viewed by appointment, which can be arranged by contacting Shane Desmond at Sherry FitzGerald Dundrum on 01 296 1822.

12 May 2011 GAZETTE 21

GazetteBUSINESS BUSINESS

Supported by AIB

Interview: Abdur Rahim, owner of Himalaya Tandoori Indian Cuisine

High standards at Himalayan Tandoori ABDUR Rahim was born in 1969 in Bangladesh and went to college from 1988-1992. He then started a job in Dhaka, which is the capital of Bangladesh and the principal city and one of the major cities of South Asia. Two years later he relocated to South Korea, where he got a job working in a factory.

While there, he thought of the possibility of working in a restaurant. He then came to Ireland and his first job was in an Indian restaurant, Eastern Tandoori, in Deansgrange.

Working there gave him a lot of practical experience.

Abdur took a job as chef and learned how to cook curry.

He then had the opportunity to experience a restaurant management at Meghna Tandoori Indian Cuisine in Terenure. There he gained more experience and met many people and learned how to attend to customers. Abdur found that it is important to serve good-quality food at all times and to always have the highest of standards.

Abdur then decided to open his own Indian restaurant, Himalaya Tandoori Indian Cuisine, in Clondalkin. The restaurant opened in July of 2005. They have a chef menu and also have good-quality wine. The restaurant offers a gift card and take-away service, with a 20% discount on the take-away menu.

He hopes to open more restaurants in other locations in the future and would like to thank his customers for their support.

Abdur Rahim

ANSWERS TO YOUR PERSONAL FINANCE QUESTIONS SHORT TERM DEPOSIT RATES Q – I have € 70,000 from the sale of my house and am not rebuying for at least 6 months to a year. Any ideas on where to put the money to make a gain for this short period ? I also need it to be safe. Maggie – Wicklow A - Safety and best rates – they are the two most important aspects to your query. Safety in that your funds MUST be guaranteed by the deposit taker to be repaid.

All the Irish deposit takers are currently guaranteed by Eligible Liability Guarantee Scheme for any amount up to the end of June this year, with any of the six main Irish deposit takers ( AIB, Bank of Ireland, Permanent TSB, EBS, Irish Nationwide and Anglo Irish Bank), while the Deposit Protection Scheme underpins this up to € 100,000 per person once the deposit taker is regulated by the Financial Regulator. This includes credit unions. Rabodirect have their own parent’s protection (Rabo Group – AAA rated, the highest rating a bank can have), while Nationwide UK and Investec Bank are guaranteed by the UK Financial Regulatory Authority up to the equivalent of € 100,000 per person.

The National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA), who look after the state savings on behalf of the government, offer safety and good value but their offerings are more long term.

Q&A

Take An Post’s Savings Bond – it offers 10% tax free after a three -year term, which is equivalent to receiving 4.42% each

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

A: Businessman

Q: What air carrier do you use when going on holidays?

A: British Airways

food and drink?

A: Indian curry and I like

do you own?

A: Five

year from a DIRT deducting deposit taker. In emergencies

drink a lot of plain water

Q: What car do you drive?

A: I love to drive my Ford

Q: And your first pay cheque?

A: Cash

Mondeo

Q: Who would you like to have dinner with – Brian O’Driscoll or Brian Cowen?

A: Brian O’Driscoll

Q: Where is your favourite holiday destination?

A: My homeland, Bangla-

NTMA investment with NO penalty.

Q: What was your first job?

A: Factory work

desh

your € 70,000, after six months, you would receive € 70,892.50

Q: Have you ever met Brian Cowen?

A: No

into your hand.

Q: How many people do you have to talk with every day?

A: Lots of people to talk to Q: What is the greatest thrill of your working week?

A: A busy Saturday

Q: Can you swim?

A: Yes Q: Would you ever bungee jump?

A: No Q: Do you play any sport?

A: I love to play football Q: What is your favourite

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

A: Three Q: What is the name of your favourite shop?

A: Debenhams Q: How many pairs of shoes

you only have to give seven days notice to withdraw from this

Q: When do you wish to retire?

A: At age 65 Q: What will you do then?

A: Spend time with family and friends

Best non-NTMA deposit ? 3.5% for three months fixed from Irish Nationwide Building Society – yields a net 2.555%. On

Well done on selling the house – not an easy achievement in this economy.

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

Irish company is tackling clutter with their Smart Storage

AN innovative Irish home company is quickly gaining momentum by eliminating excess clutter from around the home.

Smart Storage, which makes custom-designed, under-stairs storage units, which fit seamlessly into the unused space under any stairwell, has had fantastic feedback already.

The slide-out units promise to “stop you tripping over everyday items such as shoes, toys, sporting

equipment, and even the vacuum cleaner, and will see an end to the age-old argument; who causes the mess in the home?”

Smart Storage provides a range of Irish manufactured products, which also includes attic storage, and they will soon launch in the United Kingdom after 12 months of successful trading in Ireland.

The under-stairs storage solution ranges from a single drawer, a large

three-drawer unit to larger units, depending on available space. The three-drawer unit, which is the most popular, is custom designed specifically to fit into all homes. The units are installed by expert fitters around the country.

Each drawer is ideal for a variety of storage options and can accommodate 12 pairs of shoes, three large school bags, two small suitcases, a set of golf clubs or several bottles of

wine.

So, if the clutter in your home is caused by parents or children, the girls or the boys, Smart Storage has a common-sense solution.

Founder of Smart Storage, Paul Jacob, has worked in the construction industry for 20 years and found new ways to diversify within his area of expertise.

“Smart Storage enables people to maximise storage within the home

by utilising the unused space underneath the stairs to clear away clutter,” he said.

The process for installation is simple and involves submitting rough measurements of the area under the stairs to the Smart Storage website, www.smartstorage.ie.

For further information on Smart Storage, or to receive a quote, visit www.smartstorage.ie or call (01) 201 7676.

22 GAZETTE 12 May 2011

GazetteTTRAVEL FastTravel

Jerusalem’s Dome of the Rock

With fabulous beaches and historical sites, Israel has something for everyone FROM the Judean desert and the saltiest sea on earth, the Dead Sea, to ancient biblical cities, covered markets and a high-rise metropolis, Israel is truly a destination with something for everyone.

Located in Western Asia, on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea, Israel’s temperate climate, fabulous beaches, archaeological and historical sites, and unique geography make this country an appealing holiday destination.

Explore the amazing cities of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, by combining an eight- or nine-night stay in both cities, with Concorde Travel.

Surprising Scottish summer road trips

• 3-star Hotel Montefiore on a B&B basis, Jerusalem, from €870pp • 3-star City Hotel on a B&B basis, Tel Aviv, from €1,054pp • 4-star Grand Court Hotel on a B&B basis, Jerusalem, from €924pp • 4-star Grand Beach Hotel on a B&B basis, Tel Aviv, from €1,169pp

SPRING and summer is a great time to visit Scotland, when the days stretch out and the first blooms and wildlife appear across the gardens and in the countryside.

What better way to discover some of the surprising things Scotland has to offer than by car.

So, whether you’re into history or film, or simply want to enjoy the open Scottish road, there is sure to be a road trip to suit you.

VisitScotland has put together some of the most unusual road trips Scotland has to offer.

Visit www.visitscotland. com/surprise for further information and the bestvalue travel deals.

29th October - 8 nights

The Electric Brae

• 3-star+ Prima Hotel on a B&B basis Tel Aviv, from €1,130pp • 4-star Prima Royale Hotel on a B&B basis, Jerusalem, from €854pp • 4-star Dan Hotel on a B&B basis, Jerusalem, from €830pp

Ayrshire lies in the south-west of Scotland and is home to some of the most beautiful sights in Britain. A must for any trip to this part of the world is the Electric Brae in Ayrshire. The Electric Brae is a quarterof-a-mile long hill where cars appear to be drawn uphill by some mysterious attraction.

The significant thing about this unusual phenomenon is that it is not what is commonly called a mirage, which is created by the way in which light

Israel (Jerusalem and Tel Aviv or pilgrimage) - only three departures October 12, eight nights

Holy Land Pilgrimage €1,224pp

Two-centre (four nights Jerusalem + four nights Tel Aviv) from €1,174pp Package includes return flights from Dublin, accommodation and transfers. Concorde Travel offer direct flights from Dublin to Tel Aviv. Flightonly offers also available.

To book yourself in for your holiday to Israel, visit, http://www.concordetravel.ie/featureddestinations/israel/

rays reach the eye. It is more of a Trompe L’Oeil, where the eye is fooled by the way in which things actually look.

While in Ayrshire, be sure to take a trip to town of Newmilns. This town has been thrust into the Hollywood spotlight, thanks to its famous mill – Morton, Young & Borland Mill, which is currently providing lace and fabrics for the hit HBO show, Boardwalk Empire.

Film location road trip: Edinburgh - Inverness

If one person likes history and the other is a movie buff, for a road trip with a difference, why not combine both on a

Start out in Edinburgh and pay a visit to Rosslyn’s Chapel, which was used as location for Dan Brown’s, The Da Vinci Code, before making your way to Edinburgh’s Old Town, which was the backdrop for Chariots of Fire and Mary Reilly, featuring Julia Roberts, and Jekyll and Hyde.

Other places to stop on the way to Inverness include the Glenfinnan Viaduct, which featured in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets; Eileen Donan Castle near Loch Duich, which was the principal fortress of Christopher Lambert’s character in Highlander and the world-famous Loch Ness where the film

Lomond is surprisingly just 90 minutes from Glasgow and a little more than an hour from Edinburgh, so this road trip is perfect for visitors who want to get out of the city for the day.

This scenic route has many surprising sights and attractions on the way. Monty Python fans should make a stop in Callander, just outside Stirling, home to Doune Castle, which was used in Monty Python’s Holy Grail. Histor y fans should then take the A84 and 85 to Killin – via Balguhidder, home to the grave of Rob Roy – then follow this scenic section of loch around to Alexandria. If you have time pop

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

‘Monty Python fans should make a stop in Callander just outside Stirling home to Doune Castle, which was used in Monty Python’s Holy Grail’ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

meandering drive from Scotland’s historic capital of Edinburgh to Inverness and the heart of Braveheart country. With its breathtaking scenery and rich heritage, Scotland has been the perfect setting for many of Hollywood’s blockbuster films, such as Harry Potter and Chariots of Fire.

of the same title starring Ted Danson was made.

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs

Writers, artists and musicians have found inspiration in the rich landscapes of Argyll, the Isles, Loch Lomond, Stirling and the Trossachs for generations. Loch

over to Stirling and Stirling Castle for views over the Forth Valley and a chance to pay homage at the Wallace Monument.

W hen you finally reach Loch Lomond and are looking for a place to stay, why not spend the night in a wigwam? There are several locations to choose from, including

The spectacular view of

Strathfillan Wigwam Village, which is situated on a working farm right on the West Highland Way (near Loch Lomond) and has excellent on-site facilities and lots of farm animals to see.

Enjoy the open road: See Scotland by motorbike

For a fun and surprising way to see Scotland this summer, why not hire your own personal trike chauffeur. Trike Tours Scotland offer one of the most unusual ways to see the famously breathtaking scenery Scotland has on offer.

Trike tours can take you on trips to the mountains, lochs and glens of the Highlands via Perthshire, Stirling and the Trossachs National Park, Loch Lomond, Inverness and Mull.

See www.triketoursscotland.com

12 May 2011 LUCAN GAZETTE 23

TravelBriefs

The Balmoral Show, King’s Hall, Belfast

There are plenty of fun things to do when you take time out to discover Northern Ireland STUCK for something to do? If so, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) has put together a list of exciting things to do in Northern Ireland during May 9 - 22. For more details on these and other events, Callsave 1850 230 230, visit Northern Ireland Tourist Board’s Information Office at Suffolk Street, Dublin 2 or click on www.discovernorthernireland.com/events • Hidden Treasures Children’s Theatre, Waterside Theatre, Co Derry, May 8 – 19. A festival featuring the highest quality theatre experiences for children and their families with local, national and international acts.

Eilean Donan Castle, which is situated by the picturesque village of Dornie on the main tourist route to the Isle of Skye

• Balmoral Show, King’s Hall, Belfast, May 11 – 13. This show offers an extravaganza of colour, competition and showmanship, along with daily displays of pedigree horses, ponies, cattle, sheep, poultry, pigs and goats.

• Third Annual Maguire History Weekend, Enniskillen Castle Museums, Co Fermanagh, May 13 – 15. This event will explore the aspects of the Maguire history of Fermanagh.

• An introduction to Basket Making, The Braid Arts Centre, Ballymena, Co Antrim, May 14.

Participants will be using sorted and soaked willow to produce baskets and learn new techniques.

A car on a single track road near the ‘Rest And Be Thankful’ Pass Argyll with Beinn An Lochan in the distance. Pictures: P.Tomkins/Visitscotland/Scottish Viewpoint

• Wild on Wildlife, Castle Ward, Downpatrick, Co Down, May 14. Fun-filled activities for all the family, including mini beast hunts, pond dipping, wildlife art workshops, speciality foods and craft stalls.

• International North West 200, Portrush, Portstewart and Coleraine, May 16 – 21. The International North West 200 is a motor cycle road race held over a nine-mile road circuit. It is a week-long festival of sport and attracts competitors from all over the world.

• Garden Show Ireland, Hillsborough Castle, Co Down, May 20 - 22. Advice abounds on how to make the most of your garden, from rearing chickens or keeping bees to growing vegetables, dining in style or even making jewellery out of flowers and plants you have grown!

The bridge across the River Ayr to the town of Ayr, which is a commercial and administrative centre on The Firth of Clyde, Ayrshire

Rosslyn Chapel, Roslin, Midlothian, Scotland

24 LUCAN GAZETTE 12 May 2011

GazetteENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT 1

GoingOUT GoingOUT THE HELIX 01 700 7000

The Chernobyl Children’s Appeal Concert THIS year marks the ninth year in a row for the concert, which will see children aged from eight to 18 perform a wide range of songs in aid of the Chernobyl Children’s Appeal, with this year’s concert having a special significance as the world marks the 25th anniversary.

All proceeds will help to support the many children who continue to suffer ill health. With tickets priced at €15, the concert starts at 7.30pm on Saturday, May 14 in The Mahony Hall.

MILL THEATRE 01 296 9340 The Shaughraun

TANEY Drama Society are preparing to bring their extensive skills to bear on their production of The Shaughraun, by Dion Boucicault, which is often described as a touchstone Irish play.

The Society’s players will bring the tale of a wily Sligo poacher, called Conn, to vivid life, thanks to a large ensemble, a great set and period-appropriate costumes, with Victorian melodrama, romantic comedy and more added to the mix.

The Shaughraun runs nightly at 8pm at the Mill Theatre from Wednesday, May 18 to Saturday, May 21, with admission priced €18/€15.

CIVIC THEATRE 01 4627477 The Tinker’s Curse

ANOTHER Irish-set production, The Tinker’s Curse, tells the story of Rattigan, a Traveller who climbs Croagh Patrick to do penance for the sins of a lifetime. Along the way, Rattigan’s relationship with his wife and daughter come to the fore, as he contemplates what it is to be a father, a husband, a Traveller, and a penitent ascending Ireland’s most sacred spot.

Written and performed by Michael Harding, with live music by Finbar Coady, The Tinker’s Curse runs nightly at 8pm from Thursday, May 12 to Saturday, May 14, with tickets priced €20/€16 conc, or €10 on Thursday.

DRAIOCHT 01 885 2622

Fingal County Youth Orchestra FCYO are sure to be a hit when its young – but highlyskilled – members play a wide range of concertos, pop songs, contemporary pieces and well-known favourites in this concert, which follows on from their magnificent performance at the prestigious Festival of Youth Orchestras at the National Concert Hall recently.

Founded in 1990 and based in Castleknock, the FCYO members, who range in age from 8 to 18, will delight audiences with their accomplished playing. Their concert starts at 8pm on Sunday, May 15 in the Main Auditorium, with tickets pirced €13/€11 conc.

PAVILION THEATRE 01 231 2929 Young At Heart

HELD as part of Beltaine, the DLR festival that celebrates older people in the community, a special showing of the life-affirming documentary movie, Young At Heart, will be held on Tuesday, May 17, at 7pm.

The smash-hit film follows a group of senior citizens, who, despite their advancing years, sing their hearts out with a wide range of classic and contemporary pop songs, with the bittersweet wisdom of age adding an extra dimension to some of the songs.

The documentary helps to show the creativity in older people, and how staying active can keep you young at heart, and is sure to be a welldeserved hit with the Pavilion’s audiences.

The film tickets are priced at €5.

Animal trainer Jacob (Robert Pattinson), centre, should look worried – he knows his circus boss, August (Christoph Waltz) probably suspects that he’s been throwing lingering looks at his wife, Marlene (Reese Witherspoon). But whatever Rosie the elephant knows, she’s saying nothing.

Send in the clowns!

Don’t talk to Kate about The Depression – she’s gloomily contemplating this bygone era-set manipulative movie ...

Q KATE CROWLEY

EVEN though The Simpsons long, long ago turned into a mirthless, plodding cash cow, I’m reminded of some of the many things it got right along the way.

Who can forget the regular appearance of deeply cynical focus groups, lawyers, accountants or product testers with clipboards, calculating exactly how to manipulate everyone in Springfield into coughing up for something useless?

Well, it seems that those clipboarders went to Hollywood, and have had a go at movie-making. With an elephant.

Hot to trot on the heels of the likes of, err...

Operation Dumbo Drop, Larger Than Life and, umm... Dumbo, here comes another film with an elephant as a star – for dumbo here, yours truly, to review.

But first, back to those

FILM OF THE WEEK: Water for Elephants ++ (12A) 119 mins Director: Francis Lawrence Starring: Robert Pattinson, Reese Witherspoon, Christoph Waltz, A Charismatic Elephant

OUR VERDICT: THE scratching noises that some viewers may hear during the film are probably from clipboard-wielding focus group managers at the back, scribbling notes on how well the audience is reacting to each obvious, manipulative point in this particularly calculated film. Five minutes with Krusty the Klown suddenly seems preferable. “Mind you, the elephant is lovely.” (Stick that on yer posters, mate.)

clipboard holders.

I’m presuming that they, or somebody, somewhere thought: “What if ... we got Reese Witherspoon, permanently dolled up to the nines like she’s in a Max Factor ad; that vampire guy, Pattinson, who all the girls ditched for the hunkier dude in that Twilight sequel, and made some kind of predictable, cliche-ridden, forbiddenlove film set in a honeyhued Depression-era circus? With an elephant?”

Bingo. I think I’ve just described a more interesting film than this

one, but, with half of my review – or space – yet to fill, let’s make a trunk call to find out some more ...

Thanks to flashbacks, an old man, Jacob (mostly played by Pattinson, as his youthful self) recounts the greatest tale of his life, back in the Depression, when his newly-penniless self hit the road – or, rather, a railway track, aboard a circus train – for an exciting adventure that would make the most of his veterinary skills.

August, the kindhearted, avuncular circus owner, is a gentle – oh, no, silly me, he’s a predict-

ably cold-hearted brute of a man, who’s married to the beautiful Marlena (Witherspoon).

She’s quite a dame, being able to ride horses, work with elephants, and throw lots and lots and lots of lingering gazes at the circus’s newest manure shoveller, who, naturally, throws lots and lots and lots of lingering gazes back, all of which gets noticed lots and lots and lots by August.

Send in the elephant!

It turns out that Dumb– whoops – Rosie the elephant responds very well to Jacob, who is soon assigned to train the circus’s new, star attraction, as well as helping Marlena to work with Rosie.

So, with plenty of gentle patting, ear-tickling, and soft-spoken words – and, yes, folks, I mean Jacob’s elephant-training skills – the stage is gradually set for a climactic, big top showstopper.

Now, you don’t sup-

pose that an elephant, two star-crossed souls, a jealous husband and a film finale could lead to a crazy climax, do you?

Although I was happy to note Jacob’s methods of working with big, dumb, forgetful animals (which I shall apply forthwith to Mr Crowley), I can’t say that I was so happy with the rest of the film.

Pattinson – not exactly the most charismatic of actors, shall we say – fizzles rather than sizzles opposite Witherspoon, as both throw their best thousand-yard-stares at each other, past the audience and out the door, towards their pay cheques.

Waltz is so over the top, one could be forgiven for looking towards the corner of the screen, in the expectation of spotting an old lady playing some penny-dreadful music on a piano each time he appears, cackling.

Two stars. And one’s for the elephant.

12 May 2011 LUCAN GAZETTE 25

Some feel hacked off with Sony ADAM MAGUIRE

IN THE past fortnight, Sony’s Playstation Network – which lets PS3 and PSP users play games online – was hacked.

T he company has since taken down the network, and admitted that some of its users’ information has been stolen.

Not only is this a costly disaster for Sony, it is also a potentially expensive occurrence for anyone who has had their information swiped.

The hack According to Sony, at some stage between the April 16 and 19, someone gained unauthorised access to their network, and their 75 million users’ data.

They can be sure that

things such as names, addresses, passwords and dates of birth were stolen.

More critical information – such as credit card details – may also have been taken, and there are already reports of more than 2.2 million account details being sold online by hackers.

Those at risk Anyone who has an account with Sony’s Playstation Network may have had their information stolen.

In other words, if they have played online with

their PS3 or PSP, they have given Sony some personal information.

Naturally, a lot of those users are young, and would not have credit cards – though they may have used a relative’s information to buy something online.

Of course, credit card details are not the only thing that is dangerous to have stolen.

If hackers have a person’s login details and passwords, they can do plenty of damage, too.

How to protect yourself If you think that you, or someone in your family, gave information to the Playstation Network at any time, there are some immediate steps you can take to protect yourself.

Firstly, make sure that the password used there is not the same as the one used elsewhere. If it is, change it.

This will ensure that hackers cannot log in to the likes of your email and gain additional information.

Secondly, ignore any emails, phone calls or even letters you might receive purporting to be from Sony. They are a scam.

In fact, you should be extra vigilant of any attempts to gain sensitive information from you in such a way by anyone.

Lastly, monitor your credit card to see if anything unusual happens on it.

If you see anything odd going on, alert your bank straight away to have it stopped.

Garageband for the iPad Garageband for the iPad is an amazingly condensed piece of work that lets even the most musically-challenged person build an impressive piece of music.

Basically a streamlined version of the software that many popular artists use to record their music, Garageband for the iPad lets you build a song from scratch.

Users can sing into the iPad’s built-in mic, plug in a guitar and record what you play, or use the on-screen keyboard and drum-kit to lay down additional tracks.

There are also built-in loops that you can sample from and, with the right tweaking, you can layer it all together into a coherent piece of music.

However, even more However impressive are the “smart” instruments, which basically help you to play chords on the guitar, bass and piano without needing to know how to do so in the real world.

Effectively, this app can do most of the hard work for you, just like the expensive software that chart-topping (and autotuned) artists have been using for years.

In this regard, Garage-

band strikes the best of both worlds.

It is easy and fun to play with, but useful enough for those wanting to do something serious.

It just so happens to be a bargain, too.

Garageband is available from the iPad App Store for €3.99.

Visit teic.ie for the latest tech news, reviews and views.

GAZETTE

26 LUCAN GAZETTE 12 May 2011

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12 May 2011 LUCAN GAZETTE 27

GazetteSPORT

GOLD IN SIGHT: James Scully aims for double successes: Page 29

CRICKET: LEINSTER CRICKET GIVES BACKING TO COUNTY-WIDE SCHOOLS’ CONTEST

O’Brien leads the line for the Leprechaun Cup sport@gazettegroup.com

WOR L D C u p h e r o Kevin O’Brien launched this year’s Leprechaun Cup schools’ cricket competition.

This year’s event will involve no fewer than 38 Primary Schools from various parts of Dublin and surrounding counties.

Leinster Cricket have announced that Precision Electric have become the new spon-

sors of this tournament, that will again reach out to hundreds of young cricketers in Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.

Managing director, Karl Reid, is thrilled to be involved with Leinster ’s youth cricket programme: “We are delighted to be associated with this year’s competition and the whole concept of introducing boys and girls to the game of cricket.

“We will be closely

monitoring the results and look forward to seeing some of the stars of the future featuring in the coming weeks.”

Precision Electric’s financial contribution will not only supply schools with playing equipment, but will also help to provide more coaches for schools in order to further develop the game.

Coaches currently active within schools include Reinhardt Stry-

Kevin O’Brien (right) and Brian O’Rourke (Leinster cricket union development officer) are pictured with Castleknock NS students Iain Anders, Sarah McIntosh and Edward Vincent

dom, Andrew Leona r d , D av i d R u s s e l l , Theo Lawson and Bill O’Connor.

These coaching positions have also come

about through financial support received from both Fingal County Council and South Dublin County Council.

Matches take place

this week between Ballyroan Boys vs Taney NS (Dundrum) at Marlay Park, Castleknock NS v St Mochta’s NS (Blanchardstown) in Civil

Service or Porterstown Park, St Bosco’s (Cabra) v Castleknock ET at Cabra, and St Partick’s (Diswellstown) v’s Scoil Mhuire at Civil Service.

28 LUCAN GAZETTE 12 May 2011

GazetteSport Sport Rugby

FastRugby

SPENCER CUP: LATE OFFSIDE SEES TITLE GO TO GARDA

Leinster hail the stars of the year ISA Nacewa was named the Leinster Players Player of the Year at the Annual Awards Ball held in the Burlington Hotel, Dublin last Saturday night.

Nacewa has been a stand-out performer for Leinster again this season having featured in all but one of the province’s games in both the Magners League and Heineken Cup competitions.

Just this week the 28-year-old was also awarded the IRUPA Player of the Year award and Coach Joe Schmidt hailed Nacewa’s outstanding performances over the course of the campaign.

Leinster coach Schmidt was among those to praise the one-time Fiji international, saying: “Isa’s durability, commitment, experience and rugby talent have seen him perform at a consistently high level in every match he’s played this season.

“As a leader, Isa is recognised by his peers as one of the benchmark players within the squad.

He is professional in all that he does; his recovery, strength and conditioning work, analysis of opponents, attention to detail to improve his own performances. He is utterly committed to the values of the squad and readily shares his knowledge and experience with the younger players.

“Never one to rest easily with personal accolades, I know that Isa will be keen to point out the efforts of his team-mates this year, but he should be proud of this recognition.”

Centre Eoin O’Malley, meanwhile, took the Powerade Young Player of the Year as the Leinster Academy graduate fought off stiff competition for the accolade.

Since overcoming a nightmare spell of injury, the Belvedere College SJ former Schools Senior Cup winner has made a positive impact in the senior panel, and his Heineken Cup debut was followed by his first Ireland Wolfhounds cap.

Stillorgan were denied victory by a late infringement in their own 22 that sent the Spencer Cup title to Garda

Garda take Spencer SPENCER CUP FINAL Garda RFC Stillorgan RFC

17 15

sport@gazettegroup.com

A PENALTY in the last minute of the game was enough to see Garda RFC overcome the challenge of Stillorgan to claim the Spencer Cup and complete a unique league and cup double for the club.

Ashbrook, the home of Coolmine RFC, was the venue for the match, which saw Garda attempt to win their first Spencer Cup crown since 2005.

Indeed it was Garda’s second visit to Coolmine in a week, having defeated their hosts 28-17 in the previous round to set up the encounter with the unfamiliar Stillorgan outfit, the teams having never encountered each other

in league competition.

Garda took to the field with a changed line-up, the most notable absentee being influential club captain Patrick O’Toole.

A penalty inside five minutes from the boot of Ben McCarthy (kicking in place of the injured O’Toole) was the only action of note in a first quarter dominated by handling errors and broken play.

Both teams appeared to be on edge as they attempted to find their feet in the game, but a breakthrough came in the 25th minute, when a perfectly-weighted grubber kick from outhalf Shane O’Brien saw the Stillorgan back line take advantage of a mis-match on the wing and eventually set up the maul that

led to the first try of the evening. O’Brien missed the resulting conversion from a difficult angle.

Garda edged in front again within five minutes, when a high tackle on centre Enda Muldoon yielded a penalty on the Stillorgan 22.

Handling errors again negated some good possession by Garda and the Westmanstown men were lucky not to go in at the break facing a two-point deficit, were it not for a penalty from Stillorgan centre Conor Brennan dropping just short from five metres inside the Garda half.

The second half began in the same vein as the first had finished, dominated by handling errors and disjointed play.

It wasn’t until ten min-

utes in that the game finally sprang to life and lived up the billing which makes junior rugby as entertaining as it can be.

Ben McCarthy added the three points but Garda were reeled back to within one point when centre Kimsah Matangi was adjudged to have tackled a Stillorgan player late as he cleared his lines. The ball landed at the Garda 22, leaving an easy penalty for the Bird Avenue men.

Garda were beginning to lose their composure and bad turned to worse when substitute Damien Maher was given his marching orders, his attempt to ruck the ball connecting with a Stillorgan player and being adjudged a stamp.

Garda were clearly rat-

tled and Stillorgan duly capitalised, mauling the ball over the line from the Garda 22 to leave a six-point margin with just over ten minutes to go.

With the tie surely slipping away, a great piece of individual skill from winger Kevin Dingley, saw him dance through the Stillorgan defence for the touchdown and cut the deficit to a solitary point.

McCarthy missed the conversion from a difficult angle, but, in keeping with the see-saw nature of the match, Stillorgan were dealt the cruellest of blows when, in the dying seconds of the game, they were penalised for offside directly under their own posts. McCarthy made no mistake this time, slotting over to clinch the title.

12 May 2011 LUCAN GAZETTE 29

in association with

Preparing for the big tests STEPHEN FINDLATER talks to mentor and coach, David Malone, about James Scully, Ireland’s most promising swimmer, ahead of Paralympics 2012 NAC swim club’s James Scully was recently honoured as the Swim Ireland Disability Swimmer of the Year, capping a brilliant 2010 with a fourth-place finish in the 200-metre freestyle final at the world championships in Eindhoven.

But the young star is hoping that result is just a stepping stone en route to the London Paralympic Games in September, 2012.

For now, though, juggling his high-performance training is sharing his preoccupation with his Leaving Certificate, making for a hectic couple of months.

Soon after Scully completes the State exams,

the 18-year-old will be straight back into competition, looking to secure a place for Ireland in the London Games through the European championships in Berlin.

ally carded athlete under the Irish Sports Council performance grants so, ultimately, James is preparing for the Leaving but also, just two weeks after, he will go to compete at

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

‘We’re coming into the final bit of the plan. It’s a matter of getting the Leaving Cert out of the way, and then the priority will be London 2012’ --------------------------------------------------------

And club coach, as well as Irish team manager, Dave Malone says the major issue is getting the balance between the twin concerns just right.

“He’s an internation-

the European championships in Berlin. That’s a phase of qualifying for the London Games in September 2012.

“He’s risen slowly through the ranks in the

James Scully receives his Swim Ireland Disability Swimmer of the Year award

past three or four years to achieving that fourthplace finish in the world last year.

“Obviously the exams are incredibly important.

It’s quite a tricky year and James is at that age where he has really learned a lot over the last couple of years to get to this point.

“He’s been balancing the time management around studying and training to the standard of a performance athlete.

Balancing act “For James, it’s about balancing the books and getting the rest and recovery in as well and take in a bit of a social life, too, to keep the life balance together.

“It’s difficult to manage but James receives support from the Irish Institute of Sport, working with athlete executive, Ken Lynch,” said Malone Their plan for this tricky season has seen Scully compete closer to home, more recently entering the National long-course championship, held at his home pool in the NAC. While the event is an able-bodied gala, disabled entrants were allowed enter, helping get more experience of a large meet with high-quality opposition – something which is hard to come by in the current period.

“It was an opportunity for him to swim in a high-

level event. With the commitments at school this year, we’ve limited James’ travel exposure to events around Ireland. He competed in Limerick in February while he was due to take part in the Welsh championships, but it was cancelled because of the conditions at the times.”

As for the route to London, individual qualifying proper begins on January 1, 2012 but countries are currently scrambling to secure places for themselves, a process which goes right up to March, 2012.

Next month’s Europeans act as the first opportunity to gain an Irish place and Malone – one of Ireland’s most decorated Paralympians and a gold medallist – is hopeful over his protege’s chances.

“With James, we’re happy with the way he has approached the last number of months and kept himself organised.

“He’s very much in line to qualify. It’s a major performance meet at the Europeans but, to an end of preparing for London, this is just a stepping stone.

“We’re right in the preparation of a four-year plan but we’re coming into the final bit of that plan. James is very much on track and it’s a matter of getting the Leaving Cert out of the way and then the priority will be London.”

FastSport

Show your allegiance to Leinster (like the editor) WITH the last phases of the Magners’ league and the Heineken Cup final this month, fans everywhere (including Gazette editor, Cormac Curtis, pictured above right at the RDS last week) are going blue with anticipation, and can now show their support with teamcoloursonline.com.

Team Colour’s range of waterless, press-on temporary tattoos with Leinster colours and slogans are now available. Charities, sporting clubs and schools involved in fundraising can have tattoos commissioned with their own crest to either generate profits from sales or simply raise awareness of their brand.

For more information, see www.teamcoloursonline.com or visit their Facebook page.

Iconic camp set to take place in July BASKETBALL Ireland have announced that their popular basketball camp, Gormanston 2011, will take place in the week of July 10 to 15 at Gormanston College.

The camp will once again cater for residential and day campers and the cost will remain the same as in 2010.

The national basketball camp is renowned for delivering only the best in coaching with past coaches hailing from America, Canada, and Europe, as well as the best Irish coaches. Campers get a rare opportunity to experience the valuable knowledge

from some of the best in the game.

The camp has become renowned as the place to be each summer for prospective basketball stars of the future.

Some of Ireland’s top players have come through the ranks at the camp, and it attracts the best coaches from home and abroad.

Past coaches have included some of Ireland’s greats, including Danny Fulton, Joey Boylan, and Gerry Fitzpatrick, along with a medley of extraordinary coaches from abroad, such as Brian Hill, Lazlo Nemeth and Serge Clabau.

Attendance costs €375 for residential attendees, while daycampers can take part for €200. For more information, see www. basketballireland.com

30 LUCAN GAZETTE 12 May 2011

GazetteSport Sport FastSport

FRIENDLY: LOCAL SIDE BRING BELFAST TEAM TO TOWN FOR MATCH

Lucan ladies win cycling trial in Sandyford LUCAN cycling clubs’s Sandra Fitzgerald and Roisin Kennedy put in a powerful display on the tight Criterium circuit in Sandyford, finishing first and second against tough opposition.

The result consolidated Fitzgerald’s hold on the Wheelworx Leaders Jersey, and also gave the Lucan rider her first win of 2011.

Kayleigh Gibbons easily took the win on the uphill sprint to the line.

Liffey Valley Rangers Under-14 side, who hosted Carrick Hill FC from Belfast recently

Rangers host Carrick sport@gazettegroup.com

Palmerstown lose out in final PALMERSTOWN United were denied the U-11 Joe O’Leary Cup on penalties by Crumlin United at the AUL Complex last weekend.

Normal time ended level 1-1with David Scully on the mark for

Palmerstown while Kyle Rafferty was the marksman for Crumlin.

But the latter managed to keep their nerve to win the shootout 4-2.

Their U-10 side were also denied, too, losing out in the U-10 Lee Kavanagh Cup final, falling 3-2 to O’Deveney Dunard.

LIFFEY Valley Rangers FC welcomed Carrick Hill FC, a schoolboy team from Belfast last weekend for a friendly match.

Rangers, under Director of Football Mark Connors, have been searching for ways to expand the club’s profile and create relationships with clubs outside of the Liffey Valley area.

The club have travelled to England over the past couple of years, and have been guests of numerous clubs, most notably Manchester

City this past Easter.

Rangers had never hosted a club to its grounds and facilities, however, and were excited to welcome another soccer team.

A parent of one of the Under-14 players had contacts within Carrick Hill, who play in the Belfast City Premier League. They were contacted and an invitation made. which they accepted with great appreciation.

T he Belfast outfit travelled down on the S a t u r d ay, a n d we r e met by a member of the Liffey Valley Rangers committee en route,

Go West(manstown)!

Easter camp a huge success for club WESTMANSTOWN Gaels’ GAA club

were celebrating recently after another hugely successful Easter camp was held at their at Westmanstown Sports Complex.

Almost 100 children took part in the camp, which focused on skill development and teamwork, which they all enjoyed.

The club wish to thank the organising committee for their efforts in putting the week together.

who brought them to the club’s complex in Ballyowen Park.

The Under-14s had played the previous T hursday, and were playing again the following Sunday in their bid to capture the SDFL Premier League title.

As a result, the Liffey Valley team was a mix of their Under-13s and Under-14s, but none the weaker for that.

Impressed The Carrick Hill players and officials were impressed by the facilities and spoke highly of the club after their visit.

The game was a thor-

oughly enter taining affair, played in great spirits by both teams.

L i f f e y Va l l e y r a n out 3-0 winners, with the goals from Ciaran Cooney, James Joyce and Ian Greene.

Carl O’ Meara also saw a penalty well saved by the Carrick Hill keeper, who was excellent throughout.

The scoreline may have flattered Rangers, but it was a deserved victory, and indicative of the strength of this young side.

After the game, both teams went back to the CYC Neilstown, where a wonderful spread of

food was put on.

Both sets of players mingled together, playing table tennis and pool competitions, as well as computer games.

A very successful day was nicely polished off when both team captains presented each other with mementos of the occasion.

Carrick Hill, in return, has invited Rangers to Belfast over the summer where a return game can take place.

Liffey Valley Rangers would like to thank Carrick Hill FC for travelling down and wish them the very best of luck in the future.

12 May 2011 LUCAN GAZETTE 31

in association with

DIV 2 FEILE: LUCAN IMPRESS THOUGHOUT IN CUP

CLUB NOTICEBOARD LUCAN SARSFIELDS RACE night is on Friday, May 20.

Please support this important fundraiser for club.

Good win for senior footballers in Dublin senior championship last week.

Senior and inter 1 camogie teams remain unbeaten.

Good luck to the U-14 camogie

Sars supreme as U-14s claim crown sport@gazettegroup.com

LUCAN Sarsfields Under-14 football feile side were crowned Division 2 champions recently after they defeated strong opposition in the Dublin feile, the final round of which took place at St Peregrine’s Blakestown grounds.

Castleknock, St Mark’s and Fingallians were the group opponents that the young Sars players saw off, before a semi-final win against Clontarf set up a decider against Ballinteer St John’s.

The side will now go forward to represent Dublin in the All-Ireland Feile in Dunmanway, Co Cork, which runs from June 30.

The first game in the Dublin Division 2 feile was against Castleknock a team that Sarsfields had beaten by a single point in the league, but early goals from Daniel O’Neill and Jordan Delmar meant that Lucan dominated the game

from start to finish, winning 3-6 to 1-3.

The next game was against the group stage host team, St Mark’s, who had beaten Sarsfields convincingly in the league by ten points.

In spite of Lucan going four points down at half time, playing up the hill against the wind, Sarsfields were able to claw their way back into the game and were within a point of Mark’s with seconds remaining.

Corner forward Ciaran Dowling having already hit the crossbar twice, got through on goal in a one-on-one with the St Mark’s goalkeeper who fouled Dowling and Delmar converted the free to level the game.

The final group game was a must-win encounter with Fingallians, and Lucan dominated the Division 1 team. With a scoreline of 3-6 to 2-0 for Lucan, a place in the semi-final was assured.

The semi-final was against Clontarf who had to travel from their

own host club to play Lucan in St Mark’s, Tallaght. This team was also down from Division 1, had beaten Sarsfields on three occasions last year, but that did not affect Lucan’s nerves in any way.

The sides were level at half-time but Clontarf grew tired in the second half and Lucan pulled away, winning by five points, 4-5 to 2-6.

The final was played

two days later in St Peregrine’s, and Ballinteer St John’s, a team Lucan narrowly beat by a point in the league were the opponents.

Lucan started well and went in at half time, 1-1 to 0-2 ahead. With a strong wind at their backs in the second half, Lucan dominated and played some fine football for the crowded stands, winning comfortably in the end by 2-8 to 1-2.

Set dancing every Wednesday in function room at 8.30pm. All welcome.

Upcoming dates for diary: Saturday, May 14: Trad Session. Lucan Comhaltas. Friday, May 20: Annual race night. Saturday, May 21: Golf society outing to Tulfarris.

girls in this yea’rs feile, which takes

Boys’ football and hurling nursery

place this Saturday and Sunday in

every Saturday in 12th Lock from

Faugh’s GAA Club. Good luck also to

1.30 to 3pm. Girls football nurs-

the U-14 boys hurling who play feile

ery every Saturday from 1.30 to

in Silverpark, Kilmacud Crokes GAA

2.30pm. To play camogie, contact

Club this weekend. All support wel-

Liam Ryan at 087 223 2211.

come.

Lucan Sarsfields’ Under-14 side who claimed the Division 2 feile title at St Peregrine’s recently

happening most weekends.

Lotto: Numbers drawn were 4, 13,

Pr emium ticket dr aw en tries

18 and 23. There was no winner. Next

available from Paul McGann, the bar

week’s jackpot is €17,000. Colette

or any mentor. Enter every draw

Condon’s team will be in charge for

for year, total cost €20. Draws are

next weekend.

ST PAT’S, PALMERSTOWN A GOOD week for our junior football-

Congratulations to Damien Gal-

ers, with a mid-week league draw

lagher on his call up to the Dublin

away to Liffey Gaels, and a good

Under-21 hurlers.

home win against league leaders, Eirn Go Bragh, on Sunday.

In hurling, the Under-8s, 9s and

Welcome, and the best of luck, to our new Games Promotion Officer, David Needham.

10s played Parnell’s, Dubh Gall and

Members please note all score

Liffey Gaels, while 11s lost to St

predictions must be returned to

Anne’s and the 12s beat St Jude’s.

Pat, Jimmy, Paul, Ronan or Graham

In football, the 13s lost to St Pat’s

on or before Saturday, May 14.

(D), the 15s beat St Peregrine’s, and

Keep Friday June 3 free for our

the 16s lost to St Peregrine’s in the

fund-raising trip to the dogs at

shield quarter-final.

Harolds Cross. Further details to

In camogie, Under-11s went down to Commercials.

Senior hurlers at home in the

follow.

To view our website simply logon to www.stpatricksgaa.ie

lea gue on Saturda y evening at

Lotto: Number drawn were 8, 17,

6.15pm against Erin’s Isle, while jun-

26 and 27. There was no winner of

ior hurlers are at home this Sunday

the €6,800 jackpot. Match any three

in championship at 3pm against St

numbers winner was The Mooneys,

Sylvester’s.

who received €200.

WESTMANSTOWN GAELS/GARDA THE intermediates lost in champion-

hurling team to represent the club)

ship to Skerries in Rush on Wednesday

as they won their first ever game this

night.

weekend.

No fixtures this week but training

Please support the growing number

continues on Tuesdays and Thursdays

of teams here at Westmanstown and

at 7.30pm.

participate in our annual fund-raising

Junior 1s drew with Templeogue

table quiz evening on Thursday, May

Synge St away on Sunday morning as

26 from 8pm. Contact David Hanley at

did Junior 2s away on Sunday after-

davidmehanley@gmail.com or call 086

noon to St Francis, Cabinteely. Junior

813 0951, any committee member or

2s also lost narrowly on Thursday

your team coach to order your ticket

night to Wanderers 0-5 to 0-4.

or to donate a prize. If you can’t attend

Ladies lost by two points to St Mar-

on the evening, please support the club

garet’s at home on Wednesday night,

by buying a table (€40) or an individual

but played well.

ticket (€10). All tickets will be entered

Further payment of €200 for New York trip due before end of May to Alan Lynch or Eugene O’Sullivan.

Another first for Westmanstown Gaels U-8s hurlers (they are the first

into a prize draw on the evening.

Family Fun Day is scheduled for Saturday, June 25.

First GAA skills summer camp is scheduled for July 4 to 8.

ALL OF YOUR LUCAN SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 27-31

LIFFEY LOVE: Valley Rangers U-14 team welcome visiting side from Belfast P30

MAY 12, 2011

DOUBLE DREAMS: Scully tackles Leaving and Europeans P29

GazetteSPORT

Barnhall receive the J4 Winters Cup at Dr Hickey Park just 24 hours after claiming the J1 Metro Plate to finish their competitive season in top fashion

Blue Bulls honour Cullen in fine style NUIM Barnhall win both the Winters Cup and J1 Metro Plate to mark the week following passing of club hero lucanport@gazettegroup.com

NUIM BARNHALL rounded off their season in some style, claiming both the Metro J1 Plate and the Winters Cup in a hastily re-arranged tie played in Greystones last Saturday evening.

The latter was played out in front of a sizeable home support but the Blue Bulls bounced back from their defeat in the same final to pick off a brilliant 24-14 victory, winning the cup for the first time.

Prior to the game a minute’s silence was held for the late Frank Cullen, former President of NUIM Barnhall, who passed away in the week prior to the game.

Barnhall started slowly, Greystones kicking a penalty inside three minutes but the Parsonstown side responded in kind with a three-pointer of their own through Kevin Conroy when the ‘Stones pack held on in the ruck.

The first major turning point of the game came after 18 minutes when Eoin Fitzpatrick

chased a cross field kick from Barnhall number 10 and captain, Leo Turley, to score an opportunistic try in the corner. Conroy added the conversion from a difficult angle for a 10-3 lead.

Greystones pulled back a penalty before the break as a tactical battle ensued, but the Bulls reasserted their seven-point margin.

Unerring Some superb back-row play from Conor Moloney, Mick Downey, and the impressive Leon Nangle, pinned back the Greystones’ pack and it was following a 50-metre run from Nangle that Barnhall were awarded a penalty that Conroy unerringly slotted between the posts.

Leo Turley slotted a drop-goal from just inside the 22 for 16-6 with half an hour to go before the Wicklow side threw everything into their fightback.

An easy penalty got them back within range

but Turley’s second drop goal meant the cushion was restored, leaving two scores between the sides with 12 minutes to go.

And they nabbed good lineout possession almost instantly through jumpers of Ray Kelly and Alan O’Reil, with the former stealing and the subsequent maul and guided by Albert Nagel pushing them on.

Turley made the next break before offloading to Collie Fallon. Fallon passed to the mercurial Conroy who beat three defenders to touch down in the corner and send the travelling supporters wild with delight.

It was the clincher despite Greystones getting a try two minutes from time which was not enough to put real pressure on.

In what has been both a historic and sad week for NUIM Barnhall where, coupled with this victory and the J1 team winning the Metro Plate competition less than 24 hours earlier with a victory over Lansdowne, there was also sadness with the passing of Frank Cullen.