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the big interview: Irish designer Paul Costelloe

on the joys of coming back to his home town Page 16

Inside: The Coronas are among the stellar line up for New Year’s concert Page 17

Festive fare: See our top tips to take the stress out of Christmas dinner Page 20

sport

Basketball:

Lucan CBS win title as best of the East Page 30

Keep reading, keep recycling – thank you

Council to cut levies by 50%  Ian Begley

South Dublin County Council has agreed to slash commercial development levies in nine local villages by 50%. At the December council meeting, councillor’s unanimously agreed to adopt a new development contribution scheme for the period 2015 to 2020.

The village centres included are Lucan, Palmerstown, Clondalkin, Rathcoole, Newcastle, Saggart, Tallaght, Templeogue and Rathfarnham.

The newly-adopted scheme reduced the rate of development levies for commercial development from €78 per sq m to €75 per sq m.

However, in the nine local villages outlined, the development levies will

December 17-23, 2015

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Councillors adopt new development contribution scheme be reduced to €37.50 per sq m.

Commenting on the council’s decision, Cllr William Lavelle (FG) said: “This reduction will promote and incentivise commercial development, in particular in the retail and hospitality sectors, in our traditional villages.”

Full Story on Page 2

hero’s welcome and reception from city Friend of the Gazette and new UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor claimed his title with a 13 second knock-out of Jose Aldo in Las Vegas recently. When the Lucan man was awarded the Gazette Sports Star of the Year award in 2014, he said: “Back when no major media was giving the

sport recognition, the Gazette was looking after us- so I’m honoured to have this award and I’m happy to be here.” Lord Mayor of Dublin Criona Ni Dhalaigh has announced a civic reception towards the end of Janaury to mark the achievements of Conor.

Picture: Ramsey Cardy / SPORTSFILE

2 LUCAN Gazette 17 December 2015

council | commercial development levies in local villages slashed

50% reduction in levies welcomed South Dublin County Council (SDCC) has agreed to slash commercial development levies in nine local villages by 50%.

At the December council meeting, councillors unanimously agreed to adopt a new development contribution scheme for the period 2016 to 2020.

The agreed amendment was proposed by Cllr William Lavelle (FG) and Cllr Colm Brophy (FG).

The village centres included are Lucan, Palmerstown, Clondalkin, Rathcoole, Newcastle, Saggart, Tallaght, Templeogue and Rathfarnham.

 ian begley ibegley@dublingazette.com

The newly-adopted scheme reduces the rate of development levies for commercial development from €78 per sq m to €75 per sq m. However, in the nine villages outlined, the development levies will be reduced to €37.50 per sq m – a 50% reduction.

T he proposal was made by the two councillors during the public consultation on the new draft scheme and was

subsequently endorsed on November 26 by the council’s planning Strategic Policy Committee.

The scheme will take effect from January 1.

Commenting on the council’s decision, Cllr Lavelle said: “I warmly welcome the council’s approval for the proposal from Cllr Brophy and I to reduce commercial development levies in our villages. This reduction will promote and incentivise commercial development, in particular in the retail and hospitality sectors, in our traditional villages.

“Urban centres, such as Lucan village, continue to face significant

challenges in terms of competition from nearby out-of-centre shopping centres.

“This move is not to discourage development at out-of-centre shopping centres, which continue to be important drivers of local economy and major hubs for local employment.

“Instead, it is clear that our traditional urban centres can sustainably co-exist alongside outof-centre shopping centres, as both settings can contain a very different ‘retail offer’.

“Whereas shopping centres are more likely to contain units linked to commercial chains,

Lucan village is among a grouping of nine villages that will see a reduction in commercial development levies

traditional urban centres can thrive by providing a very different offer built on local-scale and niche retailing, fresh food, crafts, small offices and services, boutique coffee shops and restaurants etc,” he said.

This is a significant increase from when the council voted to reduce development levies in 2013 by 26%.

The scheme agreed a levy on non-residential development of €81.65 per sq m, reduced from the previous rate of €111, representing the reversal of a previous 2009 increase in the levy.

Earlier this year, The Gazette revealed that the council is now owed almost €22m in outstanding development levies up to 2014.

At the end of 2012, the local authority was owed €28.8m; in 2010, the sum was €37m. The lowest amount in recent years was €20.4m in 2013.

The decrease in money owed is due to levies being collected and not written off, according to the council. Some €21.8m is the cumulative amount the council is now owed.

17 December 2015 LUCAN Gazette 3

Chapelizod

social media | ‘information posted on facebook is often inaccurate’

Speed limit gets reinstated

Report crimes to us first, say the gardai

 Ian Begley

People reporting crimes on social media rather than to their local Garda station is a rising problem for gardai, as discussed at the December Joint Policing Committee (JPC).

Superintendents from Lucan, Clondalkin, Tallaght and Rathfarnham expressed how information posted freely on social media sites can often be inaccurate and harmful to their investigations.

They also acknowledged the benefits of online community and neighbourhood watch groups, but raised concern over people choosing to report criminal activity on social media, rather than their local Garda Station.

The superintendents said that they need people to report incidences of crime to them and not to rely on social media sites looking for information.

A senior officer from Lucan Garda station told The Gazette that sharing information on a community space is welcome as long as the information is factual.

“Where you have a system that’s designed to let people post information about suspicious activity in their area is good in one way, but a lot of the time people add inaccurate allegations to the post which people then consider as fact.

“I would advise people to contact the gardai first regarding criminal activity

rather than on Facebook,” he said.

Cllr Deirdre O’Donovan (Ind), who is chairperson of the JPC, said that people have to start becoming more willing to contact the gardai if they witness something suspicious in their neighbourhood.

She said: “The basis of a neighbourhood watch scheme is that if you see something suspicious in your area then you contact the guards, but with the advent of social media the tendency is to just make the neighbours aware at what’s going on.

“If you’re not reporting legitimate incidences to the guards then there is no way for them to file a report and investigate the matter.”

Not a bad prize, on balance

Our lucky Facebook competition winner from Lucan, Joey Byrne, is pictured with his stunning prize from the recent #GazetteGiveaway. He scooted away with the goodies, the amazing I-Cruizer Balance Scooter, kindly sponsored by Centz, to celebrate the opening of their latest store on Leonards Corner, Clanbrassil Street. We regularly post competitions for prizes such as the current #‎12DaysofChristmasGiveaway - all you have to do is like and share to be in with a chance to win! Don’t forget to check out our Facebook page for all the latest news and sports, as well as the great competitions: www.Facebook.com/DublinGazetteNewspapers

The 80km/h speed limit on the Chapelizod Bypass has been reinstated by Dublin City Council (DCC).

A social media campaign, started by Cllr William Lavelle (FG), appealed to DCC to reverse the reduction in the speed limit from 60 km/h.

This was on the basis that the road is a dual carriageway, with no pedestrian footpaths on either side.

The council advised that the reduced speed limit had been put in place to facilitate temporary works.

However, they propose to re-introduce the 60 km/h on the Westbound road at the Kylemore slip and at Memorial Road for road works in the summer of 2016.

4 LUCAN Gazette 17 December 2015

Live Register | 17,000 unemployed compared to 27,000 people in 2013

Numbers signing on decrease  Ian Begley ibegley@dublingazette.com

The number of people signing on the Live Register in Dublin MidWest has dropped again in November compared to October.

In the Clondalkin social welfare office, which also caters for Lucan, the total number of people signing on fell from 6,293 in October to 6,130 in November.

Individuals under 25 signing on also fell from 980 in October to 891 in November – a difference of 9%.

In the Tallaght social welfare office, the total number signing on

dropped from 8,779 in October to 8,767 in November. The figure for those aged under 25 also dropped from 1,365 in October to 1,331 in November.

17, 0 0 0 p e o p l e i n Dublin Mid-West are now unemployed compared to 27,000 people in 2013, according to figures from the central statistics office.

The employment rate for this area has grown slightly from 147,000 to 149,000 so far this year.

Critical The Government are hailing this drop as a sign that the economy is improving, while oppo-

sition parties are critical that other factors are at play.

Local Minister Frances Fitzgerald said: “The latest CSO data shows that the Live Register in Dublin Mid-West has fallen by 38% since the launch of the Action Plan for Jobs in 2012, while the national unemployment rate is now 8.9%.

“A d r o p i n t h e number of people signing on the Live Register in the Clondalkin office is ver y positive and highlights the growth in the local economy.

“I am par ticularly pleased to see a drop in the number of young

people who are unemployed since last month.

“Since the beginning of the year, the Live Register figures for under-25 -year-olds has fallen by 24% for the local area, so we can see that there is a significant acceleration in the opportunities for our youth.”

However, Cllr Ruth Nolan (PBP) told The Gazette that a lot of new jobs being created are linked through Government-based schemes, like Jobsbridge and are “hardly worth talking about”.

She said: “I would like to see how many of these new jobs are being created based on zero con-

Human Rights Day a success Human Rights Day was a big success at Lucan Community College, with the student bake-off raising €147.75 for Amnesty International.

The school was decorated with beautiful bunting made by secondand third-year CSPE students and each flag had a human right written on it.

The school also displayed welcome mats saying ‘welcome’ to refugees and calling on governments across the world to do more to respect Article 14 of the Declaration of Human Rights, which states that people have the right to seek refuge in other countries.

Principal Diane Birnie said: “These events raised awareness of international human rights issues among the student population and the organising team and supporting teachers can be rightly proud of the work accomplished.”

In the Clondalkin social welfare office the total number of people signing on fell from 6,293 in October to 6,130 in November

tracts or if they’re directly linked to Jobsbridge or Gateway.

“T here is a claim being made that jobs are on the increase, but

I beg to differ based on the quality of many of them. Some of the jobs available at the moment are hardly worth talking about.

“Some of my constituents have even told me that they are working for seven euros an hour, which is against the law.”

17 December 2015 LUCAN Gazette 5

6 LUCAN Gazette 17 December 2015

website | highlighting the benefits of Grange Castle Business Park

Council bids to attract more foreign firms

 Ian Begley

South Dublin County Council (SDCC) has stepped up its campaign to attract more foreign direct investment to the South Dublin area, describing its Grange Castle Business Park (GCBP) as “the finest business park in the world”.

Grange Castle is now home to companies with global repu-

tations such as Pfizer, Takeda, Aryzta, Interxion, Google, Grifols and Microsoft. The business park currently accommodates large scale operations offering connectivity to services, markets and a skilled workforce just kilometres from the centre of Dublin.

In their bid to attract more foreign direct investment to the area, the council recently

hosted the launch of a new GCBP business expansion strategy with the launch of a new website, www.grangecastle.ie and the promotional brochure at Grange Castle Business Park.

Daniel McLoughlin, chief executive of South Dublin County Council said: “We have an excellent business park here that has attracted

large multinationals since its development. We want to build on the reputation that Grange Castle has for inward investment and continue to attract large scale corporate investment who are looking to Ireland as a great location for their business. The launch of the website is the first major step in the strategy to highlight all the great things Grange

Castle Business Park has to offer.”

Meanwhile Microsoft Ireland has applied for planning permission to construct two data centres at its location in the Grange Castle Business Park.

Its application is for two single-storey data centres that will replace the construction of six buildings previously

permitted under a planning application that was granted permission in 2014.

Both data centres will contain offices, a computer, support areas and electrical component rooms over a gross floor area of 16,900 sq m.

Submissions will be accepted on the application until December 21 with a decision made by February 17.

St Mary’s celebrates 50 years  Ian Begleyy ibegley@dublingazette.com

St Mary’s Boys’ National School recently celebrated their 50th anniversary with a range of events, including the burial of a time capsule.

Principal Dara Burke cut the birthday cake in the school hall before unveiling a plaque to commemorate past teachers and students who have died.

School chaplain Fr Philip Curran also conducted a brief service in the presence of past pupils, staff, current

students and public representatives.

A time capsule, which will be opened in 2040, was buried with past pupil and Fair City star George MacMahon (Mondo) on hand to help with the digging.

Principal Burke thanked staff and students for their hard work over the past several months to ensure that the day was a success.

A commemorative booklet was also launched, featuring testimonies from the past 50 years from principals, teachers and students.

17 December 2015 LUCAN Gazette 7

8 LUCAN Gazette 17 December 2015

message | Season’s greetings at this

very special time of the year

Wishing you all a very joyous celebration Reverend Scott Peoples – St Andrew’s Church, Lucan The first Christmas involved an invitation to shepherds and kings to come and see Jesus.

Rich and poor, powerful and weak, insider and outsider are invited to the stable.

This Christmas the invitation is repeated as before to rich and poor, power ful and weak, insider or outsider, saint and sinner. The essential message of Christianity is an invitation to connect with the reality of Jesus Christ.

Over the Christmas season there will be the opportunity to hear traditional carols, attend church services of praise and worship but making a personal connection with the living Jesus Christ can begin in private, in this moment, right now. Approaching Jesus as a friend in private prayer will open up the reality of who He really is and invite Him into our lives.

Many shy away from this fearing it will limit their lives but following Jesus means opening up our lives to new lifechanging joy, hope and potential.

The Response: With any invitation there is a RSVP. What will be our response this Christmas? Will we connect with the life-changing Jesus Christ? The invitation is real and the response is ours.

May God bless our homes and families at this Christmas time.

Reverend Sam Mawhinney – Adelaide Road Presbyterian Church, Dublin 2 On behalf of the mem-

Cribs are a lovely way to focus on the true meaning of Christmas, and the legacy of Jesus Christ

bers of Adelaide Road Presbyterian, I want to wish all the readers of the Dublin Gazette a very happy and peaceful Christmas.

May you know the wonderful truth and encouragement of “Immanuel” God with you in 2016.

This Christmas we have celebrated Jesus’ birth already with the children of Sunflower Creche which meets on our premises and with our Church children.

This coming Sunday we have a traditional Carols by Candlelight service where we will look at the idea that Jesus is the missing piece in the jigsaw that is the picture of life! All are welcome and we will, as a church family, celebrate our Saviour’s birth on the December 25 at 10am with a family service of worship.

One of our members last Christmas experienced the trauma of having their son diagnosed with bone marrow cancer. It has been their testimony that God has been Immanuel to them

and they can speak of his living presence and help through that very real issue in their lives.

In essence that is the meaning of Christmas.

God saw, cared and loved us enough to get involved, to come to us and bring us all the help we need to navigate this often broken world. It is the desire of the Church in Adelaide Road Presbyterian to offer that hope to others.

God bless you all.

Fr Paul Thornton, St Cronan’s Parochial House, Brackenstown Road, Swords The other day I was stopped in my tracks when I heard a phrase my granny used to use in the madness of the lead up to Christmas. ‘Christmas is only for the children, nothing else.’ It can at times seem like that as we listen to the ads, rush from shop to shop, write cards and plan dinners.

What is it all for?

In a way my granny was right, it is about children, well one child. But where

is Jesus in the middle of all of this? He is all through it in so many ways. When you see the stars hanging from the roof, they are reminding us of his birth.

When through the chatter and noise we hear Silent Night or O Come All Ye Faithful we are called like the Shepherds and the Kings.

When we take a card from the giving tree, bring food to be shared with those in need, send a card to a neighbour or simply smile and brighten up someone’s day... then we begin to see that he is here, all around us.

When we take the time to stop, look and then act in love we are truly celebrating this child Jesus, who brings the light, love and kindness of God among us.

I wish you, your family and friends, those who will share Christmas with you and those who are away from home every blessing. May the year ahead be filled with opportunity and hope and may you always know the compassion and mercy of God.

17 December 2015 LUCAN Gazette 9

St Vincent de Paul | gift donations to help spread the holiday spirit

Helping to make Christmas a little bit brighter  Ian Begley

Members from the local St Vincent de Paul (SVP) branches in Clondalkin, Lucan and Bally fermot were shaking their buckets throughout the weekend and encouraging shoppers in Liffey Valley Shopping Centre to pick up some-

thing extra and donate it to their Christmas Giving Tree, located within the centre.

The Giving Tree is a way for people to help spread the holiday spirit by donating gifts to children whose families cannot afford gifts this Christmas.

You can pick up a tag from the Giving Tree which lists a

person and age group, and then buy a new gift for the child or adult on the tag.

People can drop their unwrapped gifts to the volunteers in Liffey Valley any time before December 22.

Local Minister Frances Fitzgerald, who launched the annual SVP Giving Tree in Liffey Valley Shopping

Leixlip | many a good tune

Locals confront their fears of singing on stage  Ian Begley

The first showcase of The Vocal Academy’s Adult Singing Class in Leixlip took place recently at the Salmon Leap Inn and saw five locals confront their fears of singing on stage.

The five individuals undertook 10 weeks of vocal lessons with Bobby Harpur, owner and mentor at The Vocal Academy.

They were: Aideen Lee, Alex Margalith, Maeve Kerrigan, Mick FitzPatrick and Ray Leavy.

The same local individuals, some of whom found it very difficult to get up to sing in front of an audience, were owning the stage at the packed venue, drawing their audience in and entertaining them all night, according to Harpur.

“I’m incredibly proud of all the guys. What they did was an amazing achievement. Since before setting up The Vocal Academy studio in Leixlip, I always felt that locally there was a gap in the Theatrical/Arts area for adults who, for

one reason or another, fall between the stools of musical theatre and choirs.

“With songs like How Do You Like Your Eggs in the Morning, I’ll Be Home for Christmas, Scorn Not His Simplicity, Mack The Knife and a very special ensemble performance of Fairytale of New York, they wowed the packed Salmon Leap,” he said.

Speaking about her experience on the night, Aideen Lee said: “I

always felt I could sing, but I lacked confidence to do so. The last time I ever sang in front of a microphone was when I was 15 years old. I’ve found a new range to my voice I never knew I had.”

The Adult Singing Class will return at The Vocal Academy on Main Street, Leixlip, in February. Places are limited so early booking is essential. For more information, email info@vocalacademy.ie

Centre, said: “It’s great to see so many locals collecting for this great cause. The tree, right in the centre of Liffey Valley, is proving an attraction for shoppers and the Morris Brothers from Ballyfermot are spreading Christmas cheer with a singalong. Christmas time is the happiest time of the year

for many, but for others it’s a financially difficult and hugely stressful time.

“It’s so important that people who can give to others who need help do; and that’s the message that the Clondalkin, Lucan and Ballyfermot branches of St Vincent de Paul are sending.

“Well done to all involved

in this initiative. I know many of the women and men of SVP spend the run up to Christmas delivering food hampers and gifts to people in need of support in their area.

“I know from families I have met, that their help and kindness is much appreciated.”

10 LUCAN Gazette 17 December 2015

opinion | ‘changes due to take effect from january will help everyone’

2016 will see plenty of new reasons to make work pay

Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald, looks forward to a range of budget changes on January 1, and future Government plans

AT THIS time, it is normal for us to look back on the year that has been, and to look forward to a New Year with hope in our hearts for better prospects for us all.

One thing is sure, however: 2016 will be a better year for everybody in our country who goes out to work and for their families and for those who worked for many years and are now enjoying their later years. In particular, January 1st will be an important day for the workers of Ireland.

Firstly, new year’s day will see the coming into effect of the first substantial rate cute to the Universal Social Charge (USC) since it was introduced by the last Government.

Reducing the USC

from 7% to 5.5% on people’s earnings between €18,668 and €70,044 will make a significant difference for working families and individuals.

As local TD for Dublin Mid West, I know that this reduction in the USC will be welcomed and will help ensure that every worker in Lucan, Clondalkin and the surrounding areas will benefit from the economic recovery that is under way.

This is the second year in a row that the current Government – of which I’m proud to be a member – has reduced the tax burden on low- and middleincome earners.

If re-elected, we will get rid of the USC altogether over the lifetime of the next government. In addition, more than 700,000 of the lowest-paid work-

ers will be exempt from paying the USC from January.

Overall, our tax cuts reduce the tax rate on low- and middle-income earners to below 50% for the first time since 2009.

Our planned income tax cuts will create 15,000 more jobs by encouraging increased workforce participation and entrepreneurship, growing domestic spending and consumer confidence, and encouraging foreign investment.

Tax cuts will encourage home our emigrants, and is key for attracting foreign investment, such as the significant investment we are now seeing being delivered in Grange Castle.

Put simply, this Government is delivering on our commitment to reduce

taxes on work, to make work pay.

January 1st sees another increase in the national minimum wage. This will be the second increase in the minimum wage under the current Government, bringing the minimum wage from €7.65 in 2011 to €9.15 in 2016.

We have increased it twice so as to incentivise work and to better protect low-paid workers. Again, this Government is delivering on our commitment to make work pay.

A further key part of plans to make work pay involves making childcare more affordable and removing barriers to work from lack of affordable and accessible childcare.

I’m happy to report that 2016 will see the extension of free pre-school for children from age three until

primary school (up to an additional 50 weeks); 8,000 extra community childcare scheme places, two weeks’ paid paternity leave, and a €5 increase in child benefit.

We will also extend free GP care to under-12s. We will recruit 2,260 extra teachers and reduce the pupil-teacher ratio from 28:1 to 27:1.

As Minister for Justice, I am recruiting a further 600 new Garda in 2016.

We are also increasing the weekly pension rate by €3. Our plans are not just good for workers – they are good for families, for communities and the elderly.

This is only possible because of the economic recovery, which the current Government has overseen.

Ireland now has the highest economic and employment growth in the EU, and more than

Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald

135,000 jobs have been created since this Government launched the Action Plan for Jobs.

Our recovery is real, and is helping to improve lives. However, I am aware that many people are still to feel the benefit.

We’ll continue to make responsible and prudent decisions to keep the economy strong and the recovery going. With your

support, we will continue with our long-term plan, to the benefit of everybody in our society. Wishing you a merry Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous 2016.

Frances Fitzgerald Minister for Justice, and FG deputy for Dublin Mid West

17 December 2015 LUCAN Gazette 11

12 LUCAN Gazette 17 December 2015

Gazettegallery

| Irish Girl Guides Pub Quiz in Kenny’s pub,

Without question a great quiz night

Eimear Hayes, Colin Bond, Aoife Crowley, Flonn O’Neill and Rebecca Geraty at a funds for an Irish Girl Guide’s trip to India to take part in international event Lauren Quinn and Amanda O’Sullivan

Catherine Reilly and Maura Reilly

Jenna Goodwin and Amy Thompson

Karl Goodwin and Aoife Fogarty

world. Pictures: Jolanta Rossiter

Emily Tracy and Anna Murlagh

17 December 2015 LUCAN Gazette 13

Lucan, to help send guiding leaders to international event

Kevin McGibney and Donna Reilly-Parrish

Anne Tully and Joanne Tully

pub quiz in Kenny’s pub, Lucan, to help raise involving guides and scouts from all across the Robbie and Mary Breen

Robert Ivers, Seamus Kelly and Liam Kane

Martin and Nicola Le Roux

Gazette

14 Gazette 17 December 2015

dublinlife

diary

It’s a magical wonderland of thrilling attractions This year ’s Winter Funderland has already been very well received by excited thrill seekers nationwide.

Open until Sunday, January 11, this year sees the arrival of three brand new attractions amongst over 50 other established rides and attractions.

T hese include the

child-friendly Dumbo, Magic Circus and the thrilling Ultra Buzz.

One of the largest indoor events of its kind in Europe, Winter Funderland features thrilling roller coasters and a giant Ferris wheel alongside the well-known rides like Extreme, Snowdrop and

Take Off. With top of the range attractions catering for all ages, Bounceworld, The Fun Factory and the Crazy Worm rollercoaster will be sure to capture the hearts and imagination of those younger family members.

For those visitors who prefer to keep their heart

Fossetts Christmas Circus can be seen only at Winter Funderland at the RDS. Picture: Jolanta Rossiter

pace at an even keel, there will also be an area filled with games of skill and the chance to win one of the famous Winter Funderland soft toys.

For more information, visit www.winterfunderland.ie.

students praised for winning art Twelve Dublin students were invited to the Mansion House last week to receive prizes from Lord Mayor Criona Ni Dhalaigh (SF) for their winning pictures which are featured in the 2016 Dublin Fire Brigade Fire Safety Calendar.

Dublin Fire Brigade, as part of Fire Safety Week, invited all the primary school children in Dublin to participate in an art competition with the aim of increasing fire safety awareness among young people. The 12 best fire safety themed pictures were used to create the calendar which will be sent to all Dublin primary schools for display.

Chief fire officer Pat Fleming said: “There was a great response to the competition and we would like to thank all those that took part. With Christmas approaching it is important to be aware of the extra hazards that occur at this time of the year. Dublin Fire Brigade would like to wish you all a safe and happy Christmas.”

valuable record of 1916 events The National Library of Ireland (NLI) has

launched its 2016 programme, which includes the release of a unique digital repository of personal papers and photographs that tell the story of the momentous events of 1916.

Over 20,000 items related to the seven signatories of the Proclamation will be available online by April 2016.

An event was held in the National Library’s iconic premises on Kildare Street to mark the launch and was presented by broadcaster and historian, Dr John Bowman and Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys.

Paul Shovlin, chair of the National Library’s Board, said: “In 1916, the National Library was an intellectual and social hub at the heart of Ireland and is proud to take its place in the centenary events 100 years later, through a programme built around our unparalleled collections.

“We are delighted to contribute to the commemorations by cataloguing and digitising materials that tell the story of 1916, commencing with the seven signatories of the Proclamation.”

a rare insight into world of doctors Secondary school students will be given a unique insight into the lives of a neurosurgeon, microbiologist and an orthopaedic surgeon in episode two of the RCSI’s (Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland) livestreamed video broadcast called So You Want To Be A Doctor?

The second episode in the three-part series will profile three doctors based in Dublin’s Beaumont Hospital. Viewers will be shown around the surgical theatre ahead of an operation Dr David O’Brien will perform to mend a patients back.

Dr Fidelma Fitzpatrick, senior lecturer in Microbiology and consultant microbiologist at Beaumont Hospital will discuss what exactly a microbiologist does and will also talk about antibiotics and how their overuse has led to the rise of superbugs.

Students can get involved in the broadcast as a live-streamed question and answer session will take place at the end of the episode.

Students can send in their comments and questions via Twitter and Facebook using #RCSIBeADoc.

17 December 2015 Gazette 15

Gazette

feature A DAY IN THE LIFE: Seamus Fahy, owner of Voltaire Diamonds

The diamond life is a very busy one  emma nolan

Diamonds are a girl’s best friend and so is Seamus Fahy. Gazette sat down with the owner of Voltaire Diamonds to find out about the day in the life of a diamond dealer.

The Limerick-born entrepreneur was working in the financial services industry in London before moving back to Ireland to venture into the diamond by appointment business on King Street South across from Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre.

A typical day in the life for Fahy involves liaising with international diamond traders, fine jewellers and, finally, the clients themselves.

As for his daily routine, he admits that he’s a bit of an insomniac so is always up early checking emails.

He explains that the key to developing and maintaining strong client relationships is to respond to them quickly.

“I find the quicker you get back to a customer, the more likely they are to do business with you.”

Upon arriving at the office, Fahy’s first task consists of contacting his workshops which are in Dublin and London to get a status report on jewellery that are in the process of being made.

After that he contacts

his international diamond suppliers in London and Antwerp. “I’m constantly looking for new stones – there’s all the different diamond shapes, round, brilliant, princess, cushion cut, oval cut – I’m constantly liaising with my suppliers all the time looking for diamonds that match the customers’ budgets.”

Fahy starts his appointments after this, all of which are face-to-face and Fahy and his two members of staff meet 10 to 20 clients per afternoon.

F a hy e n c o u r a g e s his customers to shop around prior to making an appointment with him so they know what they want.

“We talk to all our clients before they come into us and we tell them; number one, congratulations, number two, go to all the high street jewellers and try lots of styles so you know what you’re looking for and then come to us.”

Generally customers come with pictures of rings they want and Fahy then sets about having it made to suit their budget, “Because we don’t have the overheads of a high street shop, our prices are a lot more competitive.

Fahy then negotiates pricing and the handmade finished product

Seamus Fahy, owner, Voltaire Diamonds

will be ready three to four weeks later.

Most of Voltaire’s clients come from word of mouth and online

reviews, social media also plays a big role and takes up about an hour-anda-half of Fahy’s day. He updates the social media

accounts daily with new content.

As for downtime, the self-confessed workaholic admits he’s “always look-

ing for the next angle” and doesn’t get much, especially with his weekly trip to Voltaire’s London office, but he enjoys

socialising with friends and going for a nice meal when he gets the chance.

“I only sell the dream!” he jokes.

Gazette

16 Gazette 17 December 2015

dublinlife

the big interview

Paul Costelloe: a man with an eye for style

‘This Christmas will be very much a family occasion’  Aisling Kennedy

Famed worldwide for his beautiful catwalk creations, Paul Costelloe is a man with an eye for style.

His designs have graced catwalks from Milan to London and he was one of Princess Diana’s

favourite designers.

Flying into Dublin from his home in London to take part in interviews to promote his new jewellery range, the Richmond Collection, Costelloe is relaxed, chatty and fun.

He has a dry sense of humour, a trait that has

on occasion landed him in hot water over the years but he is an Irish rogue full of charm and character.

Arriving home to Dublin is always a welcome break he explains, as he gets to stay in his mews in Monkstown and enjoy the beautiful views all around

the area.

“I grew up in Booterstown and I moved to Monkstown when I got married. I lived in Monkstown for 25 years and I still own a house there to this day.

“What’s nice about Monkstown is that it hasn’t changed that much which I love. It has become a lot more fashionable and I have noticed a lot of extra restaurants and shops popping up, but it’s still the same. The atmosphere is still the same.

“Hewett’s newsagents is still there and the church is still there and it’s still a lovely place.”

Costelloe moved to London from Monkstown in 1999 to expand his Irish fashion business and it is a move that has served him well.

Living in the affluent suburbs of Putney with his wife, daughter and six sons, he has built up a fashion, jewellery and beauty empire.

Ireland is never far from his thoughts, however, and he explains that he named his new jewellery range after an area in his home town.

“The Richmond Collection was inspired

by Richmond Hill in Monkstow n because the collection is so elegant, understated and beautiful and that is very much the character of Monkstown. It just has those traits that

Paul Costelloe is a man with an eye for style

are what Monkstown is all about, simplicity and style. It’s not flash like Dalkey! I’ll start a war now!”

While living in London, Costelloe leases out his home in Monkstown on a short-term basis but should the mood take him he can return whenever he wants as he also owns a mews that he stays in when he returns.

“We still have the house and I do think about coming back a lot,” he explains.

“We would love to, we’d love to spend more time here. We love Richmond Hill, it really is beautiful.

This morning it looked lovely because the weather was so nice and it has some beautiful traits to it.”

Costelloe said that he believes that Irish women have come a long way in their fashion choices and are understated and more aware of how to style themselves.

“I think Irish women have a very specific and unique sense of style

now. The Irish have a very strong point of view on fashion and because women are travelling so much now they’ve infused different types of styles together. Irish women have learned that you don’t have to spend a lot to look great. It is more about spending a little more time on what you buy and mixing high street clothes with more high-end clothing. I think that has certainly happened here.”

As it is only a little over a week to Christmas, Costelloe was very much in the festive mood as he chatted to the Gazette and he said that he is looking forward to spending time with his family over the Christmas break.

“This Christmas will be very much a family occasion. We will get up in the morning, there will be about 13 of us altogether including my two daughter-in-laws and my sons, and it’s just a lovely family day.

“We will go to mass and that’s usually fairly

chaotic as we try to get everybody out on time.

“We will then head down to the church in two cars and then after mass we will come back and have a small, light breakfast, and then open up the presents. Then we will go out onto Putney Heath and the boys will play rugby and the ladies will go for a stroll with the grandchildren.

“After that we will go back and have Christmas dinner at about 5pm and then I suppose we will all end up watching some awful TV which we shouldn’t do but I know we will!”

Costelloe reminisces about spending Christmas in Dublin for many years and says: “I do miss going to the 40ft. When we lived in Monkstown we would always go to the 40ft and jump in. I hope to do it again.

“For now, London keeps me on my toes and keeps me competitive but I’ve got my 6ft 3-inch legs in both camps so I’m very lucky.”

17 December 2015 Gazette 17

cinema P22

asdfsdaf P27 gift guide P25

OUT&ABOUT Never be out of the loop on what’s happening in Dublin! Let Out&About be your guide to all that is stylish, cultural and essential across the city and beyond this week



Gazette

travel P21

Pets can you give GUY a new home?

The Coronas are part of the stellar line-up for Dublin’s New Year’s Festival

new location: indoor and outdoor entertainment from dec 30 to jan 1

New Year fest biggest yet

 Keith Bellew

Dublin’s New Year’s Festival (NYF) returns this year and is bigger than ever with a new location, both indoor and outdoor entertainment, a festival of light, world record attempt, a spoken word festival, Love Dublin events, fringe events and cultural trails across the city over December 30, 31 and January 1.

Due to Luas Cross City works the Countdown Concert has relocated from Dame Street to the Three Arena, but a new NYF Street Fest will take place in St Stephen’s Green South.

Speaking to The Gazette, organiser, Niamh Holohan said this has worked out well as the public have the option of going to the arena where there will

be a stellar line up of home grown and international talent with The Corona’s and Fatboy Slim, or to the Street Fest.

“We really wanted to make some of the events more participative as opposed to just being spectator [oriented], so we’re bringing back the Procession of Light [on December 31], which is a really enchanting and magical light parade through Dublin.

“We’re allowing people to collect lanterns on the day and all of the donations are going to Focus Ireland,” she said.

This will be followed by an attempt to break the world record for the world’s largest bodhran session, currently held

by Sydney, Australia with 980 people.

“We’re hoping to smash that record with 981, so again proceeds are going

to Focus Ireland. We really wanted to have an eclectic mix. There’s obviously people who want to go out and party and have a good time, but we want to have more of a cultural programme as well.

“We have a spoken word programme that we’re running over December 30 and 31. This is bringing together the best in Irish comedy, poetry slam and discussion/debate.

“It’s really important for us to have that dimension to the festival for people who want to enjoy day time and night time events,” she said.

She added that there is an interesting addition to this year’s festival called Story at Work which has seen live story telling taxis driving around Dublin throughout December with live

cameras and three hand-selected storytelling taxi-men with hilarious and emotional stories.

“We’re going to have a rolling film of the footage screened at the festival on December 30 as well. You can actually hop in these taxi’s for the rest of December. They’re completely kitted out with ‘bonkers’ in magnetic letters so you cant miss them,” she said.

The celebration continues on New Year’s day with Resolution Day. Events include a New Year’s Day 5km run, children’s story telling and art workshops, evening events with TED-style talks, interspersed with music, comedy and poetry at Christ Church Cathedral.

For a full programme of events visit: nyfdublin.com/

Dublin Gazette Newspapers has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for lost and abandoned dogs. Guy is a male five-year-old Pit bull-cross. He is quite an agile young man who will need a home with a warm, cosy bed inside and a fully secure garden.

He is a firm favourite in the rehoming centre with his handsome expressive face and bundles of charm.

With the right adopter, he will make an amazing and very loving pet.

Guy is very clever and already knows a lot of commands he has been taught by his dedicated carers. He is suitable to live with older children of 16 years of age and over.

If you think you can offer Guy a loving home, please contact Dogs Trust on 01 879 1000. They are based in Finglas, just off exit 5 on the M50. Map and directions can be found on their website www. dogstrust.ie. You can also find them on Facebook www.facebook.com/ dogstrustirelandonline or Twitter @DogsTrust_IE. Dogs Trust are asking members of the public to visit www.puppypromise. com and make the puppy promise.

Gazette

18 Gazette 17 December 2015

COMMERCIAL FEATURE

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17 December 2015 Gazette 19

Avila Lipsett at the Gwen Stefani Urban Decay palette reveal at The Spencer Hotel

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Gazette

STYLE

Aoife Walsh at the Jameson Black Barrel Craft Market at The Bernard Shaw Pub

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 pearl phelan

STYLISH Dubliners are photographed most nights of the week attending various fashion, art and cultural events across the city. We couldn’t help but notice a colour scheme amongst them: a soft shade of grey. So we hit the shops to see how we could emulate the effortlessly chic looks sported by these fashionistas!

Grey pieces will easily blend into your wardrobe, pairing well with black, burgundy and gold trims. Get the look of these smartly dressed ladies with our picks.

Aisling O’Loughlin at the launch of Ireland’s Blue Book 2016 at The Merrion

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Gazette

20 Gazette 17 December 2015

OUT&ABOUT

FOOD&DRINK

Executive Chef of Howth Castle Susan Bell (right) with Cormac Rowe. Picture: Angela Halpin

A stress-free Christmas dinner  Susan Bell Executive Chef of Howth Castle

One question we are always asked at Howth Castle Cookery School is when should one start cooking Christmas dinner and how do we go about organising it. My answer is always the same - the further in advance you have everything prepared, the better the day and the dinner will go.

With three children at home, the last thing I want to do on Christmas morning is spend the day in the kitchen; missing out on the kid’s excitement as they open their Christmas presents, while I worry about what time the turkey needs to go on.

I always try to prepare a meal that the whole family will enjoy, the kids as well as granny.

On December 23 I do any last minute food shopping, I buy all of the perishables like fresh

vegetables, cream and an extra carton of milk.

Then in the afternoon of Christmas Eve I start the preparation for Christmas dinner.

Many elements of the meal can be pre-prepared, vegetables can be blanched, soup prepared, potatoes can be peeled and even garnishes can be prepared in advance to add those final flourishes to this very special feast.

Starter: Homemade Parsnip and Chestnut Soup I like to begin our meal with a small bowl of homemade parsnip and chestnut soup.

This dish can be made on Christmas Eve. If you have fussy vegetable eaters in the family I would just tell them it’s soup and leave it at that.

It always amazes me that my children will eat almost any soup but will snub the same cooked vegetable.

Main: Turkey Escalopes with Ham and

Thyme Stuffing One of my favourite Christmas main courses that we teach at Howth Castle Cookery School is our Turkey Escalopes with Ham and Thyme Stuffing.

The great news is that these boned, stuffed and rolled pieces of turkey or “ballotines” can be made up to two days in advance. Keep in the fridge tightly wrapped in cling film until ready to cook.

On Christmas Day these would take up to 30 minutes max to cook and takes the worry out of trying to fit the turkey in the oven and getting the turkey on with enough time to cook through.

The Trim: Roast Root Vegetables, Creamed Brussel Sprouts and Spuds!

Peel your potatoes the day before and leave in cold water ready for mash and roasting on the day.

Creamed Brussel Sprouts are a firm favourite and again a day in advance blanch and refresh the shredded sprouts.

Then on Christmas Day all you need to do is reduce your cream and re-heat the previously cooked sprouts in the cream. Season and serve.

Roast root vegetables finished with cardamon and honey are really delicious.

The root vegetables can be prepared and diced a day in advance so Christmas Day, just put on a roasting tray and into the oven an hour before sitting down to dine.

Bread sauce can be made Christmas Day by simply heating up milk with a small onion infusing in it for flavour, then adding in your bread a little at a time until the right consistency is achieved.

Dessert has caused many arguments over the

years - who wants what.

A firm favourite and great family fail safe is Toblerone cheesecake.

Again, this can be made on Christmas Eve. Thus bringing us to Christmas Day which should be fairly hassle free, allowing lots of time

table should be considered in advance.

Glasses washed and polished, table settings and crackers ready to go with festive napkins and a lovely centre piece at the ready.

This could be a Christmas lights within a beau-

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

‘Many elements of the meal can be pre-prepared in advance to add those final flourishes to this very special feast’

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

for opening presents and family fun.

You don’t need to think about the final cooking of everything until about an hour and a half before dinner is due to be served.

Whilst the children are small I leave the setting of the dinner table to the last minute, for those with older children or adults, get them involved in setting the table in advance.

The dressing of the

tiful glass bowl dressed with holly or a festive candle framed within a Christmas wreath.

Serve the soup from the kitchen in small bowls and have everything else ready to go in serving bowls, gently warming in the oven.

These serving bowls can be placed in the middle of the table for family service style once the starter has been cleared.

Then sit down with the family and enjoy.

Susan Bell is executive chef at Howth Castle with responsibility for Howth Castle Cookery School, Deer Park Golf’s Club House menu and the estate’s newly launched “The Kitchen in the Castle” catering menu.

This new service will see cooker y school’s chefs prepare delicious party food for special events, beautifully packaged and ready to be enjoyed – and impress guests at home.

Cooks of all skill levels are invited to take part in upcoming classes at Howth Cookery School.

A number of special classes are being presented including ‘Christmas Foodie Gifts’ and ‘Preparing the Perfect C h r i s t m a s D i n n e r ’.

Christmas Gift Vouchers are also available.

Howth Castle Cookery School, Howth Castle, County Dublin.

See howthcastlecookeryschool.ie or call 01 839 6182.

17 December 2015 Gazette 21

travel treats: surprise your loved ones this christmas

Think outside the box and give the gift of travel

 ian begley

Christmas presents – it’s difficult to continue to surprise and please every year. There are only so many sets of bath salts and lotions, pairs of socks and bottles of wine that you can buy – and giving money is just a tad impersonal.

So what to do? Have you thought about giving the gift of travel this Christmas? What better way to get through the dark and dreary winter than looking forward to a holiday or short break in the New Year?

Who wouldn’t love a trip to a European city for a long weekend or a week in the sun, whether it’s a romantic trip to Rome, a shopping trip to Milan, a weekend of culture in Berlin, Lisbon or Madrid,

or even a beach break in the Canary Islands.

Abbey Travel are now offering a three-night trip to Madrid for Valentine’s weekend from €155, and a seven-night stay in Fuerteventura for €205 in January.

Gazette

TRAVEL

fastTRAVEL

Makes some memories with a luxurious river cruise

If you fancy a memorable, unique getaway in 2016,

then a luxurious river cruise along some of Europe’s many historic rivers may be the perfect holiday for you and your family.

One of the range of cruises on offer, organised by Travel Department, include a journey along the River Seine and Normandy, between March and October for eight nights from €1,599pp.

Spend your first night in a city centre hotel in Paris and enjoy a guided city tour and welcome dinner with the group before commencing your cruise.

Travelling on board the MS Amadeus Diamond, you will then experience the elegance of a boutique hotel as you’re transported along the Seine.

On March 31 or June 25, you can sail along the Danube for six nights from €1,299pp. Discover the highlights of the Danube, dotted along the stretch

Delight

of river from Germany to Hungary. Spend your first

For parents looking to surprise the kids with an extra treat on Christmas Day imagine the delight on their faces if they found out they were going to meet Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck on a magical trip to Disneyland Paris.

A three-night stay for a family of two adults and two kids under seven starts at €528, including three nights staying at Disney’s Santa Fe Hotel with free half-board meals and three days park

night in a city centre hotel in Munich, before travelling to the pretty port town of Passau and commencing your cruise.

An additional cruise along the river Danube is on offer on April 4 and June 29 for five nights from €1029pp. For more information about these deals visit www.traveldepartment.ie.

The Plaza Mayor in Madrid

tickets.

Treat the sports fan in your life to a trip to see their favourite team. The most popular are Liverpool and Manchester United packages. Onenight hotel and match ticket packages to Pre-

miership matches start from €169 per person.

Still unsure? Abbey Travel gift vouchers are a great alternative.

Call Abbey Travel on 01 8047100 for more information or book online at www.abbeytravel.ie.

Live the high life and hit the slopes this winter  ian begley

Flying solo doesn’t mean that you can’t have an unforgettable ski holiday away.

Highlife Ski & Snowboard is offering a range of ski chalet holidays in France for those wanting to embrace a solo adventure.

The set-up of a Highlife getaway offers the perfect environment for socialising and meeting your fellow snow bunnies and to ensure you can look forward to the best holiday at the right price, Highlife have waived single supplements to Chalet Carine in Meribel during the weeks commencing from now until April 10.

As you arrive in the resort you will be treated to a drinks reception in the comfort of your chalet, providing the ideal oppor-

tunity to meet and get to know other guests over a glass of vin chaud (hot wine).

During daylight hours, take advantage of Highlife’s complimentary ski discovery tours where the Highlife team will be available to answer your questions and will also arm you with a route map that includes detailed instructions to make sure you get to see the best of the resorts and ski areas, the best runs and incredible views from the mountain tops.

Return to your chalet where the Highlife chef and host will prepare afternoon treats with homemade cakes to be enjoyed over a post-ski catch-up. In the evenings, you can all sit down to a delicious three-course meal with a selection of good wines, rounded off with digestifs and

a cheese board in front of the roaring log fire.

Prices for a solo getaway start from just €795 per person (for December date) or €695 per person (for April date).

For more information on Highlife’s range of ski chalet holidays in France, visit www. highlife.ie or call 01-6771100.

Have an unforgettable ski holiday away in Meribel, France

Gazette

22 Gazette 17 December 2015

OUT&ABOUT

CINEMA

netflix fix

Have a very, very Murray Christmas IF YOU are on the lookout for something to get you into the festive spirit, then the answer might be on a cinema screen. This year Netflix has released what appears to be the most amount of Christmas that you could possibly cram into a one hour slot, in the shape of A Very Murray Christmas.

Directed by Sofia Coppola and starring Bill Murray (who worked together on the stunning 2003 Lost in Translation), this one-off special casts Murray as himself, hosting a star-studded cabaret on Christmas Eve in New York City that goes terribly wrong. A freak snowstorm shuts the city down, and with no audience, a desolate Murray tries to host the live broadcast by himself, before admitting defeat and retreating to the hotel bar – where luckily a bit of Christmas magic is about to take place.

With warm colours and many, many famous faces (including Paul Shaffer, George Clooney, Michael Cera, Miley Cyrus, Chris Rock, and Jason

Legendary Lily Tomlin plays Elle, a poet and academic, who is grieving the recent death of her partner who goes on an impromptu road

Schwartzman) A Very Murray Christmas man-

trip with her pregnant teenage grand-daughter

ages to continue that long-standing tradition of watching celebrities poke some fun at themselves. The story quickly descends into back to back renditions of festive classics, some of which work better than others (Fairytale of New York probably should have stayed a duet).

There’s nothing beyond the light entertainment, but sometimes that is all you need. If ever there was a time and a place for such a silly romp, it’s Christmas.

Verdict: 6/10

Netflix’s A Very Murray Christmas is directed

by Sofia Coppola and starring Bill Murray and includes many famous faces

grandma: a thought-provoking comedy drama

Unfettered Tomlin takes the road less travelled There is no escaping Lily Tomlin’s legendary status. With decades of work in cinema, TV, and in stage productions, the 76-year-old star is famed for her uniquely subversive style of comedy.

Tomlin’s infamous expletive-fuelled run-in with director David O Wilson on the set of I Heart Huckabees some years ago showcased another side to the veteran actor.

Full of furious acerbicism, the viral video captured somebody who was driven to hostility through exasperation – and you can imagine that this is exactly what Tomlin could connect to in Grandma.

 Dave phillips

Tomlin plays Elle, a poet and academic, who is grieving the recent death of her partner.

When Elle’s teenage grand-daughter, Sage (Julia Garner), shows up pregnant and in need of cash for a termination, the two embark on an impromptu road trip that forces long-underlying contentions in each of their lives to be faced.

In case you haven’t guessed, you can dispel

any thoughts of doilies and purple rinses. Writer and director Paul Weitz (About a Boy) has a very different image of growing older – a more grounded and holistic view that encompasses the manifold and often contradictory impulses that make up a human being.

Elle is a character that is absolutely unfettered, with no filter between her thoughts and the expression of them. But she is also unfettered in the sense that she is now aimless, and for the first time in years forced to think about who she wants to be.

Can the lesbian poet, the shrewd academic, the wayward traveller, the

loving mother, and the nurturing grandmother all co-exist?

Grandma starts out slow and clumsy with Tomlin caustically dismissing so many of the first-world problems that irk us in the modern world.

Elle mischievously tips the sacred cows of civilisation and offers a kind of comeuppanceby-proxy for the viewer, though it feels more like shooting fish in a barrel.

Thankfully if you stay a little while with Grandma, you will find there is a wealth of depth just below the surface.

Any clunkiness in the comedy dynamic between Tomlin and

Garner dissolves once we begin to meet other characters from Elle’s past and present – including a particularly outstanding scene with Sam Elliott, who plays one of Elle’s old flames.

As a bittersweet comedy drama, this film will sadly end up being lost amid the Christmas cinema bustle, but it will no doubt receive award recognition for Tomlin.

While it may not offer a conventional subject matter or narrative, Grandma is one of the most thought-provoking and authentically human character studies on screens this year.

Verdict: 8/10

17 December 2015 Gazette 23

Gazette

HEALTH detox: drinks packed with live enzymes, vitamins, minerals

Juice up your body’s cleansing Tis the season for over indulgence, but why wait till January to start the detox?

The juice business in Ireland has been booming over the last year but ahead of the curve was Paula Heaney when she set up Skinny Malinkys in 2013 with the aim of making healthy, nourishing juice accessible to as many people as possible.

Currently the premier raw cold-pressed juice company is based

in Northern Ireland, but Paula Heaney has recently started to trade in the Republic: “While initially we only delivered their fresh juices within a three-mile radius of the Titanic Quarter in Belfast, we have now expanded our offering to the UK and Ireland. We provide free delivery across Ireland.’’

The juices are raw, unpasteurised and unadulterated, packed with live enzymes, vita-

mins, trace minerals and other vital elements to your health.

Paula explains the reasons to juice: “Juice cleansing is the ideal way to reset your body and kick-start a healthy new you. Living off these liquid nutrients gives your digestive system a well earned break.’’

A little known fact is that solid foods can take up to 10 hours of digestion before it’s nutrients become available to

the cells in your body. A freshly pressed raw juice on the other hand will provide your body with nutrients immediately.

“This means that when you drink the juices your cells will get nourished in approximately 15 minutes with little to no effort on your body to digest.

“Whilst many associate juice cleansing as a quick fix for weight loss and beating the bloat, there are many more long-term health benefits to cleans-

ing. By introducing daily juices into your lifestyle, they can help control diseases, such as Eczema, Psoriasis, Urticaria, Rosacea and acne.

“Our bodies should always be more alkaline than acidic, however when we eat consume processed foods, sugar, alcohol and even coffee we inadvertently create an acidic environment within our body.

“However by cleansing we can help to reduce

The juice business in Ireland has been booming

and remove these toxins and make your body a much more healthy environment,” she says.

Skinny Malinkys provide a range of juice packages from the full three to five-day juice cleanses,

consisting of six juices per day, to a “juice till dinner” package, for those who might not fathom three days with no food.

For more information visit www.skinnymalinkys.com.

Gazette

24 Gazette 17 December 2015

OUT&ABOUT

Apple TV 32GB €179/64GB €229 Although people are increasingly ditching watching televisions (yes, we mean that dusty, unloved thing in the corner of the room) to go for all-digital content, Apple may have just the thing to tempt you back to the big(ger) screen – the Apple TV gizmo (available online at www.apple.com). From streaming all your favourite digital channels to an apps explosion that’s gathering pace, the Apple TV brings games, apps and – of course – TV shows together into this small gadget that packs quite a punch.

Amazon Fire HD 8” tablet, 8GB €180 Although there are ever more powerful tablets coming on the market, many people just want something to cover the basics – something handy to maybe play a few games, watch their favourite shows

and films on, and to browse their favourite sites on in a cosy chair. Amazon’s tablets have been getting better and better, with its light weight – 300gm – creating a very portable book and media viewer.

LET’S

Tech A LOOK

PlayStation 4 Star Wars Battlefront 1TB bundle C.€400 With Star Wars fever once again sweeping in to cinema screens and pop culture, fans will have a blast – literally – with this acclaimed shooter (Cert 16, online multiplayer only gaming). The chance to play for the Empire or the Rebels (and step into the shoes of some much-loved heroes and villains) make this great fun.

XBox One Fifa 16 500GB bundle C.€350 There are a number of console ‘bundle’ deals to kick about at the moment, but Microsoft and footie fans sure to shoot straight for this one. Pick up a XBO console with 500GB storage and the latest in the smash-hit Fifa series (now including women’s teams, at long last) for about €350, with many retailers adding another game for €50 extra.

With its decent specs for its budget price, as well as access to Amazon’s vast range of content the Fire HD would make a great gift or a handy second tablet for the whole family to use

 shane dillon

GADGETS and games are a staple part of Christmas gifts these days – so what better time to consider some of the most popular (and useful) tech this season?

Whether looking to trade up your phone, or get something useful for a loved one – or something that the kids (and the young-at-heart) will love, here’re a range of great gifts that won’t break the bank ...

Motorola G Third gen C.€140 We’ve mentioned the Moto G series of budget phones before, but for our – and your – money, they represent an awful lot of bang for your buck, making them a great pay-asyou-go present this Christmas.

Motorola surprised everyone when they launched the original Moto G a few years ago, with the award-winning budget Android phone offering features and power that rivalled significantly more expensive phones. Since then, the updated Moto G has further refined its feature set and design, making it once again a great (and pocket friendly) phone to recommend.

17 December 2015 Gazette 25

ay Gwen Urban Dec dow €46 Stefani eyesha

Gazette

GIFT GUIDE Ireland Littlewoods n journal €13 Happy Jackso

Lauryn Rose Jewellery to support The LauraLynn Foundation Online retailer and fashion jewellery specialist Lauryn Rose has teamed up with children’s hospice The LauraLynn Foundation. The Think of Me collection will see 10% of all sales donated to the hospice. For further information, and the range, see www.laurynrose.com.

For him, her and you a healthier year ahead, right? Of course!

These accessories may help ... But for those looking to feel good without all that exercise malarky, we can point you towards some silky-smooth nightwear.

And, last but definitely not least, we have a great way to do some good this Christmas, and beyond, thanks to a lovely way for your gift to help children’s hospice, The LauraLynn Foundation.

RunLogic Led lenser headlamp €30

CHRISTMAS is but a cracker’s length away – but don’t panic if you’re still looking for a great gift for your nearest and dearest (or even if you’re just looking for a treat for yourself).

In addition to some “his” or “hers” gift ideas, this week we’re also considering some healthy gifts, as we all know that New Year resolutions are just around the corner, too, and we all want to have

RunLogic

.50

Weir & Sons Henry London watch €129

www.skinboosters.ie Thavma lift anti-wrinkle cream €95

Nuxe Nuxellence anti-aging men’s fluid €38

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26 lucan gazette 17 December 2015

LucanCLASSIFIEDS

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28 gazette 17 December 2015

SPORT

FastSport O’Donoghue on shortlist for world award: Templeogue’S Shane O’Donoghue has been named on the five-person shortlist for hockey’s World Rising Star player of the year award following a superb 2015.

The former Glenanne and UCD midfielder helped Ireland qualify for the Olympic Games for the first time since 1908 while he also played a key role in Ireland’s run to bronze at the European Championships, the best Irish finish in the history of the event.

On the club front, he helped KHC Dragons win the Belgian league in devastating fashion to cap an incredible year. He is up against players from Australia, India, Canada and Germany.

He is one of two Irish players in the mix for the awards with David Harte up for the goalkeeper of the year nomination having won player of the tournament at three separate events in the past 12 months.

hockey: duke leads students to important national league win

UCD back in playoff shake-up  sport@dublingazette.com

DEIRDRE Duke’s double saw UCD claim their fourth win of the women’s EY Hockey League campaign as they saw off Ards 3-1 in the second half of their tie in Belf-

ield.

She scored in the second minute of the tie when the impressive Aisling Naughton got to the baseline and set up her strike partner for a simple finish.

Ards replied in kind

when they won a corner that Hannah Coey scored from in the second phase. And the Ulster side pushed on in the second quarter to pin the hosts back for decent portions of the game.

UCD, however, bossed

UCD’s Deirdre Duke celebrates making it 3-1. Picture: Adrian Boehm

Pembroke’s Kylie Deverell, right, takes on Railway Union’s Sarah Canning

the third quarter and got back in front from a Katie Mullan drag-flick. Duke made the game safe with Naughton again to the fore. She drove into the circle and picked out the Irish international for 3-1.

Ards, aided by a UCD sin-binning, pushed forward in the last quarter but found Mullan in excellent form to deny many attacks while Sarah Robinson made a key interception to keep out the lively Chloe Brown.

Sara Twomey also made a big impact on her return from injury.

Elsewhere, Pembroke held Railway Union at bay to earn a point at Serpentine Avenue in the Dublin 4 derby with Stella Davis having a

fine game in the face of a heavy amount of work.

Railway coach Colm Blennerhassett, meanwhile, will rue a series of missed penalty corner chances that meant his side dropped a couple of points in their title pursuit.

Three first half corners were denied with Davis, Erika Hinkson and Sarah Clarke to the fore while the goalkeeper made some more good saves from play as Railway’s full press worked well but they could not finish off their openings.

There was respite of sorts when Emma Smyth took a yellow card in the third quarter while another Railway corner went a begging with Jilly Collins charging it down.

Pembroke upped their work rate in the closing quarter and had their best chance when Maeve Ott went close but they will probably be the happier of the two with the draw.

Leaders Hermes were not in action due to the weather conditions with their game against UCC postponed. Nonetheless, their lead at the top was not overly affected with third place Ulster Elks losing 2-1 at home against Pegasus and second place Railway drawing.

Hermes face Railway in another Dublin derby next Saturday in the final round of matches before Christmas while UCD play Pembroke in another derby.

St Vincent’s drown opposition in water polo sweep  sport@dublingazette.com

The St Vincent’s Leinster senior cup winning team

ST VINCENT’S Water Polo Club proved the dominant force at the Leinster Water Polo Cup Finals for 2015, winning six of the seven finals.

The Marino club claimed the men’s Leinster Senior Cup for the third year in succession with a thrilling 9-6 win over North Dublin last week.

The end of the first quarter was 1 all with goals from Adam Caulfield from St Vincent’s and Karl Wilkes from North Dublin.

But, after that closely fought

opening, Vincent’s made their move in the second quarter as they built a 5-2 lead with goals from Damiano Costa, Eoin Bridgeman, and two goals from Brian Murphy from St Vincent’s and a goal from Steve Nolan from North Dublin.

The third quarter saw North Dublin came back with two goals from Brendan Cope and a goal from Jordi Albert for North Dublin leaving the score at five goals each and a reply.

Bridgeman replied, though, to give St Vincent’s leaving the score 6-5 for St Vincent’s going into the last quarter. And the

Marino side pulled away in the the fourth quarter with another three goals from Bridgeman, Shane Drumm and Eoin Nolan They had already claimed the Leinster Division 3 cup for men.

In addition, they were winners of the four junior cups for both boys and girls at Under-19 and Under-16 level. The St Vincent’s senior ladies teams were also awarded the Leinster Senior Ladies Cup as their opponents withdrew at the last minute.

Away from the pool, St Vincent’s have also raised over €3,000 for Temple Street Hos-

pital from bag packs in Tesco Clear Water in Finglas over the last 12 months.

The club are holding a bag pack on Saturday, December 19 in Tesco Clear Water in aid of Temple Street Hospital and support would be gratefully appreciated.

Leinster Water Polo have been organising matches and leagues in Dublin from the 1880s and have one of the oldest water polo cups in Europe which dates 1881 and is still being presented to the winning ream in the Leinster Senior Cup.

17 December 2015 gazette 29

Gazette

Just 13 seconds to conquer the world Dubliner Conor McGregor fulfilled all the hype in the most comprehensive fashion possible as he claimed the UFC’s featherweight title with a stunning knock-out of Jose Aldo  nathan kelly

sport@dublingazette.com

13 SECONDS. That is all it took for Dublin’s Conor McGregor to become the undisputed, unified, UFC featherweight champion of the world.

Whether it was a seat in the MGM Garden Arena, or a barstool in Dublin, or the sofa at home, people had barely settled into their seats when the Notorious knocked Jose Aldo to the floor.

After a couple of early swing and misses from both fighters in the opening seconds, the Brazilian, and undefeated champion of 10 years threw out a right-jab. In doing so, he left that side of his chin exposed and McGregor landed one of his devas-

tating left-hooks and Aldo collapsed to the canvas, catching the Dubliner with a decent right-hook on the way down.

With Aldo dow n, McGregor took his chance and let two clinical hammer punches rain down on his opponent before referee John McCarthy stepped in and ended the bout.

The Las Vegas crowd, w h i c h l o o ke d a n d sounded about 80% Irish, erupted as months of talk was finally backed up by a ferocious walk.

Speaking in the ring afterwards, the ever-confident and assured Irishman was perhaps more humble than ever before.

“Again, nobody can take that left-hand shot,” he said. “But I tell you, he’s powerful and he’s

Conor McGregor, the new world champion

fast. But precision beats power, and timing beats speed, and that’s what you saw there.

“I feel for Jose, he was a phenomenal champion.

We deserved to go a little bit longer but I still feel at the end of the day, precision beats power and timing beats speed every day of the week so it would have happened sooner or later.”

What McGregor does next is already the subject of much debate. Immediately after Sunday morning’s fight, Aldo suggested a rematch.

However, the next contender in the 145lbs featherweight division would more likely to be Frankie Edgar, who knocked out Chad Mendes the night before in the main-event of the Ultimate Fighter

finale.

Another likely option for the 27-year-old is a move up to the Lightweight Division, a weight which many feel would be more natural to his 5’9” frame.

In the UFC 194 postfight press conference, unusually but unsurpris-

does move up to 155lbs, the featherweight belt will remain in his hands. “I tell you one thing that won’t be happening.

“If I go up to that lightweight division there’s no way in hell I’m vacating my belt. That’s not happening.

“There’ll be a belt on

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

‘Precision beats power and timing beats speeds and that’s what you saw there’ Conor McGregor

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

ingly, the Notorious practically ran the event itself, without a moderator.

Again, he was respectful towards Aldo and spoke about the possibility of moving up to the 155lbs lightweight division.

When asked, having beaten Aldo, if he now believed he was the best pound-for-pound fighter in the sport, McGregor answered: “I believe so.

I believe there are many great fighters.

“There are many people who do great things but when you combine it all together, the whole package, the whole animal that is the fight game.

“I don’t think there is anyone who does it better than me. I think I am the pound-for-pound number one.”

Having first held an interim title since July and now the unified title, the SBG fighter insisted if he

one shoulder and a belt on the other shoulder. I understand why previously they would have fighters do that [vacate titles], because many fighters don’t fight as frequently as I do; tell me how many fights I’ve had in the past year, I’m busy, I stay active, I’m fresh. So when I go up and take that lightweight belt I will still be the featherweight champion.”

On the possibility of title-defence in Dublin, he didn’t hide his ambition.

“If they offer me Croke Park, or they offer me the football stadium, you’re damn right I’m going to take it,” he said.

On whether his profile in the UFC means he can demand it, he added: “Maybe I can these days, but for now I’m going to sit back in the shadows for Christmas and plot, then I’ll be back in the New Year with something.”

FastSport

Garth and Delany called up to Aussie pro league CRICKET stars Kim Garth and Laura Delany have joined up with the Hobart Hurricaines and Perth Scorchers respectively, as the pair were given the opportunity to join the women’s Big Bash League in Australia as part of their rookie programme.

Both players were nominated for the rookie programme by Cricket Ireland and selected after performances in the ICC World T20 Qualifiers in Thailand and headed straight to Australia instead of returning home with the rest of the squad.

Mount Merrion’s Garth travelled on to Hobart where she joins up with Heather Knight’s Hurricaines squad, while Delany, who went to school at Loreto Beaufort has joined up with England’s Charlotte Edwards in Perth.

Garth spoke of her excitement about the program at her first training session with the Hobart Hurricanes this week.

“I’m really excited to join the Hurricanes this summer and be part of a professional set up. Getting to play and train with some of the best players in the world and see how they operate is also something I am really looking forward to.”

Garth will join players from China, Hong Kong, Papua New Guinea, Ireland, Scotland, Thailand and the Netherlands in the eight Rebel WBBL clubs as part of a joint initiative between Cricket Australia (CA) and International Cricket Council (ICC) development program for emerging players in non-traditional cricket countries.

The players were selected following the recent ICC Women’s World T20 Qualifier in Thailand.

The programme will provide the players with an opportunity to be involved in the rebel WBBL and be exposed to elite cricket. It also serves as important preparation for players from Ireland, who have qualified for the 2016 ICC Women’s World T20 to be held in India.

Each of the rookie players will train with their Rebel WBBL club during a two-week placement and attend home matches during that period.

In the event of an injury to a contracted player, Rebel WBBL clubs will be permitted to use their Rookie as a local replacement player, which would not contribute to the club’s overseas player limit.

Gazette

30 lucan gazette 17 December 2015

SPORT

FastSport

Egan honoured by club for stunning 2015 year JENNY Egan of Salmon Leap Canoe Club became the first Irish senior canoe sprint athlete, either male or female, to win a Senior Canoe Sprint European Championship Medal winning Bronze in the K1 5000m in Racice, Czech Republic in May 2015.

The club made a presentation to Jenny to mark this fantastic achievement last Saturday night at their Christmas party which was held in the clubhouse and attended by over 100 club members.

It came at the end of a highly successful year with a wealth of top level results, starting with a fourth place finished at the K1 5,000m at the inaugural European Games in Azerbaijan, missing out on medal by just 0.49 seconds.

She followed up with a sixth place at the senior canoe sprint world championships in Milan before finishing fourth at the marathon world championships in Hungary in September.

Over the course of the year, she also broke the Irish nation record for the K1 500m, lowering the mark to 1.52.410 minutes.

As a result of her efforts, she won a number of awards with the Irish Times/Irish Sports Council Sports Woman of the Month Award, for August.

This is her second time to win this coveted award having won it previously in 2011.

Egan commented on receiving the special Salmon Leap award that she was very happy with her season and thanked the club and its members for honouring her on her achievements during 2015.

She is pictured above with Tom Egan, Canoe Sprint Ireland team manager, David Pringle Canoe Sprint Ireland chairperson and Tony Maher, former Canoe Sprint Ireland Olympic team manager.

Picture: Eamon Cummins

basketball: colaiste phadraig see off malahide cs in final

The Colaiste Phadraig Under-16 side that won their final last week

Lucan CBS obtain A grade

east league a final Colaiste Phadraig Malahide CS  sport@dublingazette.com

52 41

COLAISTE Phadraig’s Lucan Under-16 basketball team last week won the school’s fourth major basketball trophy in the past three years with a 52-41 victory over Malahide CS in the Eastern League A final held in the Oblate Hall in Inchicore.

Phadraig’s entered the final on the back of 10 straight wins since September, so confidence was high as they took on their much fancied opponents from North Dublin.

Malahide started the brighter and pushed ahead early on with some fine baskets, but a three pointer from Brian Monaghan put the Lucan side 5-4 in front after a frantic start, before Lucan took control, pushing on to gain a 15-7 first quarter advantage.

Malahide found their rhythm and launched a second quarter comeback, closing to within two points by the end of the quarter, thanks to some clinical scoring from their impressive point guard.

Lucan’s only scores in the second quarter came from Max Amadasun and

cross country Lucan quintet shine at national championship five juvenile athletes from Lucan Har-

riers produced fine performances at the national cross-country uneven championships last week.

Eve Noctor and Hannah Moriarty represented Dublin and Lucan Harriers in Under-11 girls with Milly Hughes and Maggie Jez while Millie Reid represented Dublin in the Under-13 girls. Noctor finished in 22nd position and was part of the Dublin team that won the silver medal.

a three pointer from Sam Mohamed as Lucan led 22-20 by halftime, with Joy Chen’s defensive work critical in keeping a surging Malahide in check.

The introduction of Kabir Akanbi boosted the Lucan attack after halftime, and the team spread out the score in this quarter with all five players lodging baskets as Malahide’s comeback was quenched, slightly, with Lucan ending a competitive quarter 39-34 ahead.

Two excellent baskets from Akanbi at the start of the final quarter extended Lucan’s lead

while another Max Amadasun rebound stretched the gap to eleven points.

Malahide battled gamely as they went for broke, choosing to shoot quickly on the break, but this played into the hands of Arcilla, who broke at speed to grab two more baskets and keep the gap in check.

With the clock ticking down, Arcilla was able to draw fouls that slowed the game down and frustrated the Malahide players, with Lucan able to see out the game on a scoreline of 52-41.

The win puts the team through to the All-Ireland quarter finals in January,

while they are also set to compete in the National Cup semi-finals. The win was the team’s 11th in a row this campaign, all achieved at A grade.

School mentor Mr Gray said of the win: “We are understandably thrilled to win another major basketball title especially at A level. The team have now won four major titles since first year so they are doing the school very proud.

“T he per formance today was satisfactory but we know we can play better so that gives us confidence heading into our big matches in the New Year”.

17 December 2015 LUCAN gazette 31

Gazette

All star

Rushe lines out in Austin in annual hurling battle

Club Noticeboard lucan sarsfields

ST Pat’s, Palmerstown’s Liam Rushe was

part of the 2014 All-Star side that took on their 2015 counterparts in the Opel AllStars match last weekend at St Edward’s University in Austin, Texas.

He looks on as team mate Shane Dowling, from Limerick, attempts to hold off Kilkenny’s Richie Hogan in the contest.

A BIG day on Saturday last for all

for November. Unsurprisingly, Bal-

our academy players: Christmas

lyboden got the December award.

party time. Santa was in situ with

The juvenile awards continue

a gift for all. This was followed by a

with many awards nights happen-

magic show.

ing over the last week. Donal Colfer

The atmosphere was fantastic,

and his team of mentors seemed to

and with over 180 players to be

have over 50 U-10 camogie players

catered for, a logistical challenge,

to marshall.

very well handled by the team.

Picture: Ray McManus/Sportsfile

camogie: sarsfields fall at final hurdle

their awards night on Saturday

last team in competitive action

night, chicken curry, speeches and

for this year in their championship

awards seems to be their formula.

final was in Parnells, Coolock on Sunday last.

Unfor tunately, despite a huge

own grounds are in good shape, and thanks to Jack O’Neill and a

them. Lucan girls did really well to

borrowed teleporter from Cavan

get there against many A sides.

Developments, so too are our lights

presented in the Green Isle Hotel on Thursday night last.

The senior football management team attended to pick up player awards and also to receive the Metro Team Of The Month award

Lucan find Skerries minors too strong

Minor c final Skerries Harps Lucan Sarsfields  nathan kelly

2-9 2-3

sport@dublingazette.com

DESPITE a season full of promise and potential for Lucan Sarsfields camogie section, there was no Christmas bonus as there minors fell to a championship final defeat last Sunday.

The final loss was a 2-9 to 2-3 reverse against Skerries Harps in the Dublin Minor Camogie C Championship on a fresh Sunday morning in Parnell’s.

It was a final that

Lucan struggled to really get going in. Their scoring was too few and far between to ever get a real f low going on the board. Credit to Skerries too, their tenacious and pressing style worked a treat here as it done for much of a season in which they’ve now won a league and championship double.

Having won the Division 3 league crown against Naomh Olaf a week earlier, Skerries started the championship final in Parnell’s on Sunday vs Lucan Sarsfields with plenty of zip.

Veronica Fay-Watt put

them ahead with the first score of the game before Nicola Thorne put them further ahead on seven minutes.

Sarsfields soon awoke and Katie Feeney goaled on 10 minutes to put the Lucan ladies in front. Further points f r o m F ay -Wa t t a n d Thorne but the North Dublin club back in front after 25 minutes and the impressive Alix Buckley added another to make it 0-05 to 1-00 at the break.

Just like the first half, Fay-Watt got the first score of the second on 36 minutes. Amazingly,

Lucan’s first point only arrived on 42 minutes when Orla Sadlier struck over.

Skerries were looking good though and another Thorne score in between a couple from Buckley left it at 1-08 to 1-1 with 10 minutes to play.

Niamh O’Connor shortened the deficit by one but Buckley pushed out to six again soon after. A goal from Thorne with five minutes to play sealed the result, despite Feeney grabbing another goal from Lucan at the death.

All SDCC pi tche s will r emain closed until January 16, 2016. Our

effort, Skerries got the better of

The Dubs Stars awards were

The Skerries Harps’ double winning minor side

The minor hurlers also had

The camogie minor B were the

and gutters.

The last few days to get hold of Christmas Draw tickets; these are available from any club mentor or at the club.

Lucan Sarsfields Leopardstown Leaps is on Sunday, January 17.

32 LUCAN Gazette 17 December 2015