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Month XX, 2012 Palmerstown • Celbridge • Leixlip • Adamstown • Dodsboro • Liffey Valley • ballyowen

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Euro hopeful Louise Quinn on Spain battle Page 30

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Lucan Avoca looking bleak  Ian Begley

ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES..................... 10 DUBLIN LIFE................... 14 OUT&ABOUT...................17 CLASSIFIEDS.................26 SPORT............................28

have an ice time: We get our skates on and check out Christmas events P12

However, doubts arose earlier this year when its development hit unexpected delays. Lucan Cllr William Lavelle (FG) asked Pratt for an update on the store’s development, in light of the company’s recent sale to US food services company Aramark. In his reply, Pratt said: “I haven’t completely given up hope but am not very optimistic.” Full Story on Page 3

Suicide prevention: Exploring highs and lows of life for men pictured are Brian Higgins, chief executive Pieta House; Oliver Skehan, digital coordinator at Pieta House and Irish rugby player and Pieta House ambassador Jack McGrath at Pieta House’s annual International Men’s Day event in the Chocolate Factory, Dublin. The event entitled The Bounce of the Ball was an evening of discussion exploring the highs and lows of life for men in Ireland today. Picture: Mark Stedman

2 LUCAN Gazette 26 November 2015

discount Reduction of up to 60% for tenants buying house

Mixed views over purchase scheme A new Government scheme that will give council tenants an opportunity to buy their houses for more than half its market value has been met with mixed reactions. The new tenant purchase scheme, introduced by Environment Minister Alan Kelly, will come into effect on January 1 and will give tenants with incomes of under €20,000 per year a discount of up to 60% off the market price of the council house. However, tenants who have not paid their Irish Water bills are ineligi-

 ian begley ibegley@dublingazette.com

ble. Council tenants earning up to €30,000 will get 50% off the price of the house, while those earning more than €30,000 will receive a 40% discount. Up until now, council tenants have been prohibited from buying their house. Dublin Mid-West TD

Joanna Tuffy (Lab) has said the new scheme is a positive development. She said: “I am very pleased with this scheme and the fact that it will come into effect shortly. It will encourage tenants to stay in their homes and help build sustainable communities. “Giving local authority tenants the opportunity to become homeowners is an issue I have raised on a number of occasions with my colleague Minister Alan Kelly, so I am glad to see it come to fruition and I am confident it will make a difference.

“I now would encourage tenants in our local area to consider whether they wish, and can afford, to avail of this opportunity to buy their homes from the local council. “This scheme is important because it will provide opportunities for local authority tenants to become homeowners, as a means of promoting sustainable communities, while generating additional funding from sale proceeds for local authorities to invest in a range of social housing supports. It will also lower maintenance costs for local authorities and allow them to focus more on delivering new social housing units,” said Deputy Tuffy. However, Cllr Gino Kenny (PBP) said that the Government’s new tenant purchase scheme comes with a caveat. He says any tenant who has outstanding Irish Water bills will not

Dublin Mid-West TD Joanna Tuffy (Lab) believes the new scheme is a positive development

be eligible to avail of the scheme. “This is an act of desperation and discrimination by Irish Water. They are cognisant that in local authority areas there has been a massive campaign of noncompliance in relation to water charges. “What is even more bizarre is that you have a semi state company putting the lean on potential buyers to pay

up or else. It’s extraordinary what Irish Water will do to extract money from tenants whether they are local authority, private or privately renting.” People-Before-Profit Alliance councillors in South Dublin County Council pledge to table a motion against this. A spokesperson for the Department of Environment told The Gazette: “It is ridiculous to sug-

gest that a tenant who can avail of substantial discounts, up to 60% depending on individual circumstances, at the expense of the taxpayer, would not have to pay any outstanding charges for the water they use. “Under the new tenant purchase scheme it will be necessary that all outstanding water and rents are settled before a tenant can be eligible under the new scheme.”

Commemoration grants awarded Community projects and sports clubs from around South County Dublin have benefited from nearly €34,000 as part of the council’s commemoration grants initiative. The council invited applications from local groups and organisations as part of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme. This scheme supports inclusive and appropriate community participation in the commemorations

of the 1916 Rising. In Lucan, nine community groups hosting a variety of centenary events were given €9,750 from this grant. Ruaille Buaille: Lucan Children’s Musical Festival, EskerAmateur Boxing Club, Westside Performing Arts, Lucan Sarsfields GA A, Lucan Harrier Athletic Club and Liffey sound each received €1,000 for their application, while Lucan Gospel Choir received €900.

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

Palmerstown Community Council were given €1,500 for their upcoming project on the history, tastes and sounds of 1916, and the Lucan Festival committee received €1,200 to hold an exhibition relating to Lucan from 1916-1922. Chairperson of Lucan Festival Joe Byrne spoke to The Gazette about his plans for the event. “We’re going to do a series of mini-exhibitions on the way Lucan looked during 1916. They will take place in the various buildings that were around during the time and we’ll be showing people how they looked and who lived in them. “We’re still gathering

information about Lucan during the Rising, but one of the items that we’ll showcase will be on reverend Irwin, who was the presbyterian minister in Lucan from 1932-54. He was one of the men who went to America in 1919 and joined up with De Valera to muster up support and money for the War of Independence.” Cllr Liona O’Toole (Ind) who is a member of the commemoration committee commented, saying: “I was glad to award the groups in the Lucan and Palmerstown area all achieving the highest amounts. It seems there will be lots of exciting events happening around the area next year.”

26 November 2015 LUCAN Gazette 3

support

council: funding contribution for pool is likely to be €6m

Raising funds for the GSSA

Pool plan will be tied in to budget the council have officially confirmed that the Lucan Swimming Pool plan will be incorporated in its Capital Budget 20162018. The council’s funding contribution for the pool is expected to be in the region of €6m and will be included in the Capital Plan which will be presented at the December Council meeting. Speaking to The Gazette, Cllr William Lavelle (FG) said: “Last Thursday (November 19), between my discussions with the council chief executive and Cllr Vicky Casserly’s (FG) questions at SDCC Finance Committee meeting, we got agreement that SDCC management will include the council’s funding con-

tribution, expected to be circa €6m, in the Capital Plan.” The initial motion for the pool’s inclusion in the plan was jointly proposed by Cllr Lavelle (FG) and Cllr Casserly (FG) at the September Lucan Area Committee meeting and received unanimous support from the committee. According to the Chief Executive’s response: “The current Capital Programme which has been approved by the council, makes no provision for a swimming pool in Lucan. If the Government reopened the Grant Scheme, the council would still have a major difficulty in funding the balance. There would have to be certainty regarding the

total funding of the project to support the submission of a grant application.” It is hoped that both SDCC and the Government will commission the estimated €10m needed for a public swimming pool to be located on a new sports and leisure centre campus at Griffeen. Last month, Cllr Frances Fitzgerald said an announcement regarding the reopening of the National Swimming Pool programme is expected to happen before the end of the year. She said: “The national pool scheme will be reopened for a number of pools and I am confident that Lucan will be included.”

Strike gold: Overcoming challenges brings highest award for Guides sixteen Lucan girls were among a record number of girls to receive

the Irish Girl Guides’ highest award at a special ceremony held in the Gresham Hotel recently. 140 girls, aged 14 to 15, travelled from every corner of the country to receive the prestigious Gold Award in recognition of their successful accomplishment of a number of challenges. These included service to their local community, improving health and fitness, developing a variety of interests and acquiring new life-skills. Each Guide received a Gold Award pin from Irish Girl Guides’ president Maureen Dillon and a certificate from Dublin’s Lord Mayor, Cllr Criona Ni Dhalaigh.

The Garda Survivors Support Association (GSSA) annual fundraising event is set to take place again on December 4 at Westmanstown Sports and Conference Centre. The event is being held to help fund the running of the GSSA, a group dedicated to helping and supporting families to rebuild their lives after experiencing the trauma of an untimely death of a loved one during service. The GSSA will host an evening of seasonal music and song. Performance starts at 8pm with tickets priced at €25 per person and can be purchased from Margaret Dixon 086 8451949 or can be bought at the door on the night.

4 LUCAN GAZETTE 26 November 2015

COURTS Found guilty after a three-day trial

Daniel Malone was found guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court of demanding money with menaces

Man demanded money for son’s ‘drug debt’ A MAN who demanded money from a father for his son’s “drug debt” has been given a one-year jail term. Daniel Malone (21) of Clifden Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin, pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to demanding money with menaces from John Kennedy at Robin Villas, Palmerstown, on July 27, 2013. He was found guilty following a three-day trial in June this year. He also pleaded not guilty to assault causing harm to Mr Kennedy on the same occasion and was acquitted by direction of the trial judge. His accomplice Wayne Donnelly (28)

o f O a kc o u r t L aw n , Palmerstown, Dublin 20, pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Kennedy. He was jailed for two years last November by Judge Desmond Hogan, who described the pair as “bully boys”. Detective Garda Padraig Jennings told Garret Baker BL, prosecuting, that the two men came to Mr Kennedy’s door in Palmerstown and told him his son owed money to an individual who had just come out of prison. Donnelly told the man that two grenades would be put in his house before punching him in the face. The man fell to the ground and Donnelly

kicked him in the stomach and head. After Malone pulled Donnelly off, Donnelly smashed the man’s car window with a flower pot before leaving. Gardai arrested the two men as they tried to flee. In a victim impact statement, Mr Kennedy said Malone, whom he knew as a friend of his son’s, “was only there out of fear of the other person” and that he would not like for him to get jail time. Malone, who has five previous convictions, is currently serving a threeyear jail term for an attack in which he and a different accomplice robbed a taxi driver, tied him up

and left him in a ditch. J a m e s D w y e r BL defending told Judge Sarah Berkeley that Malone was taking steps to turn his life around after falling into criminality during a difficult period in his life when he became dependent on drugs and his father suddenly died. Mr Dwyer said Malone was now drug free and was aiming to get a place in a prison training unit. He asked Judge Berkeley not to extend his period of imprisonment. Judge Berkeley suspended the final 12 months of a two-year sentence to run consecutively to the term Malone is currently serving.

Double win for county council  IAN BEGLEY

SOUTH Dublin County Council was honoured at the 12th Annual Chambers Ireland Annual Excellence in Local Government Awards - with a double win for the council’s Libraries and Arts Services.

The council took the Best Library Service Award for their programme Creative Campus: Supporting our second level students in South Dublin and the Sustaining the Arts Award for TENDERFOOT: A volume of plays by and for young people.

In accepting the award, the Mayor of South Dublin County, councillor Sarah Holland, said: “I am delighted that the work of South Dublin County Council and partner agencies have been recognised with these prestigious awards.”

26 November 2015 LUCAN Gazette 5

6 LUCAN Gazette 26 November 2015

lucan While in India group will participate in a community action project

Girl guides on a mission to raise funds for trip  Ian Begley

Eight Irish Girl Guide (IGG) leaders from Lucan are trying to raise as much as possible for an international girl guides and scouts’ trip to Pune, India. For several weeks, the girls have been collecting dona-

tions from the public via bag packing and collection fundraisers, and on Friday, December 11, they are holding a pub quiz in Kenny’s pub. Speaking to The Gazette, Amy Thompson (18) of IGG said that while in India they will participate in a commu-

nity action project and visiting community partners. She said: “We’re all very much looking forward to the trip and hopefully with the support of the community we’ll raise enough funds to go. “While there, we’ll be working with other cultures and

doing action projects in the Indian world centre for girl guides. “We will work alongside community partners, learning about their achievements and helping them reach more of their goals. “Our motto is giving girls

confidence. We strive to make young women feel important and give them enough confidence so they can help make the world a better place. “I work with girls aged five to seven and we do all of our meetings through fun and games. Last week we

were teaching about honesty through songs and I know that the children are benefiting from it because they come back weeks later singing the same songs.” Tickets for the pub quiz are €10 per person and can be purchased on the night.

Local food bank seeking non-perishable food items  Ian Begley news@gazettegroup.com

The Divine Mercy Food Bank, Lucan South, are appealing to people to donate non-perishable food items such as cereal, tea, sugar, tinned food, cream crackers and cooking sauces to help them feed struggling families and individuals in the area. Sinead Kinsella, owner of the Next Level Dance Center and the chairperson of the Divine Mercy Food Bank at the Divine Mercy Church have successfully been feeding families in the parish for a year now.

She said: “We are a group of volunteers who set up a food appeal weekly after learning of so many children in the parish of Lucan going to school hungry. “We distribute the food every Monday morning that generous parishioners donate to us in food bins at the Divine Mercy Church. “I now have a drop-in food basket at the Next Level Dance Centre and with your kindness, I can provide for more needy families every week. “If everyone gave one item it would add up to so much to keep the food bank going weekly.”

South county Mayor Sarah Holland (SF): “I believe that the money will be put to much better use as part of the disabled person’s grant and the housing adaptation.”

council: travel expenses to be re-allocated

Disabled grant up as budget halved  Ian Begley ibegley@dublingazette.com

Councillors from Dublin Mid-West have agreed to abandon half their annual travel budget of €44,000 and put it towards the disabled person’s grant in next year’s council budget. This will see the grant increase to more than €300,000 in 2016 and will help fund housing adaptations for disabled individuals from across the county. South county Mayor Sarah Holland (SF)

who tabled the motion requested that half of the funds for councillors travelling to conferences abroad should be re-allocated to the disabled person’s grant. Speaking to The Gazette, she said: “Travelling abroad has limited benefit for the county unless a councillor goes somewhere to specifically seek new investment or maybe gain a new client for one of the council’s business parks. “The travel expense is something we would use if we had a specific

project outlined and if the money isn’t used it just sits there, unused. “I believe that the money will be put to much better use as part of the disabled person’s grant and the housing adaptation. “In the grand scheme of things it isn’t really a huge amount of money, but it will mean that a lot more disabled people will be able to have their homes adapted now. “Physically, there’s a huge waiting list and the money re-allocated to this grant scheme

will help the council get through the list a bit quicker. It’s only a little thing, but it makes a big difference to people’s lives.” Earlier this year the council announced it is in line to receive €4.4m to improve housing for the elderly and disabled people in the locality. The €4,383,88 grant will allow extensions to be built for people with a disability, and also housing adaptations to improve mobility, by funding items such as stair lifts and access ramps.

26 November 2015 LUCAN Gazette 7

8 LUCAN Gazette 26 November 2015

don’sdublin How the wandering College of Physicians finally found its home IN 1654, Dr John Stearne – who was a professor of medi-

Foxhunter Development hit unexpected delays

Plans for Avoca store in Lucan are uncertain  Ian Begley

cine in Trinity College – founded what was then called The Fraternity of Physicians of Trinity Hall, with the aim of improving the practice of medicine in Ireland. Surprisingly, it was originally housed in Trinity Hall – a former prison on what is now Trinity Street. In June, 1667, a Royal Charter was granted by King Charles II, and this was amended in 1692 as the original charter was considered “insufficient to compass the noble design”. Sir Patrick Dun was president at the time, and he played a very significant role in the college’s history. He bequeathed his extensive library to the college, which is housed in the building and still in use, and when the hospital on Grand Canal Street that bore his name was opened in 1812, the college had its first permanent home in almost a century. The college bought the premises at No 6, Kildare Street in 1860, but before it could move in a fire destroyed the property. It was not until 1864 that the college had a new home, and the addition of the Kildare Street Club racquet court and its conversion into the Corrigan Hall in 1874 made No 6 one of the city’s most attractive and interesting buildings. 1877 saw Elizabeth Walker Dunbar become the first woman to be allowed to practise medicine in the British Isles, and Kathleen Lynn (1874-1955) also made a mark. She qualified in 1899, was a member of the Irish Citizen Army, and was its chief medical officer during the 1916 Easter Rising. Lynn was imprisoned, then subsequently elected as a Sinn Fein TD, but never took her seat. She established St Ultan’s Hospital, Charlemont Street in 1919 and received a state funeral when she died in 1955. No 6 is a great building with beautiful interiors, and is a popular city centre venue for conferences and weddings.

Don Cameron

Plans for an Avoca store in Lucan look bleak as managing director Simon Pratt revealed that he is not “optimistic” about his intention to open a premises at the former Foxhunter Pub in Lucan. The site was due to be redeveloped into an artisan food and craft shop following a successful application for a declaration of exemption and was expected to open in March 2015. A planning application submitted by Avoca’s Simon Pratt last year was granted permission by South Dublin County Council with an anticipated creation of up to 50 new jobs for the area. However, doubts arose earlier this year when its development hit unexpected delays. At the time, Pratt remained positive, saying: “It is absolutely our hope that we can still open at the Foxhunter but currently our hands are tied. It isn’t a financial issue but rather a legal/contractual one regarding these premises.” Now it seems that the prospect for an Avoca store does not look promising. Lucan Cllr William

The development of Avoca at the Foxhunter does not look promising

Lavelle (FG) asked Pratt for an update on the plans for Avoca Lucan at the former Foxhunter premises, in light of the company’s recent sale to US food services company Aramark. His reply to Cllr Lavelle stated: “Unfortunately it won’t make any difference in [us] being able to secure the Foxhunter for our use. I haven’t completely given up hope but am not very optimistic.” Commenting on his reply, Cllr Lavelle told the Gazette: “I know a

lot of people in Lucan will be disappointed with the ongoing uncertainty and [Simon] Pratt’s lack of optimism. I continue to hope that the matter will be resolved as I believe the development of Avoca at the Foxhunter would be a fantastic boost for Lucan.” Speaking to the media recently, Pratt said he feels very frustrated by doubts surrounding the sites development, adding that it was never his intention for this to hap-

pen. It was intended to change the pub to a local amenity artisan food and craft shop and maintain the restaurant and ancillary facilities in their existing use. The existing floor areas were to remain the same and there was supposed to be no structural modifications made to the property either externally or internally. Avoca currently has 11 outlets across Ireland and employs approximately 850 people and has been

run by the Pratt family since the 1970s. Under the terms of the sale, Avoca will play a separate role within Aramark’s Irish operations with the Pratt family to remain involved in the company. If the deal is approved, Aramark stated it intends to expand the Avoca brand both within Ireland and abroad. Despite attempts by The Gazette to contact Simon Pratt he did not respond when going to press.

www.donsdublin.wordpress.com

Gritting crews deployed as cold spell hits  Ian Begley

No 6, Kildare Street has many fine details that complement the College of Physicians’s heritage

For the first time this season South Dublin County Council’s gritting crews for its winter maintenance operations have been deployed. The council have had them on standby since the middle of October, but due to recent temperatures falling as low as

-4 degrees the gritting crews have been operating before 5am around the local authority for full gritting runs. A spokesperson from the council advised residents to “be mindful of slippage on the roads, allow extra breaking distance, beware of shaded areas/ lesser travelled and untreated roads (in housing estates etc...),

and generally slow down/allow additional time on your journey in order to keep yourself and others safe on the roads. “Be particularly mindful of more vulnerable road users - cyclists and motor cyclists, pedestrians, etc.” As outlined in the council’s winter maintenance system 2015 to 2016, its primary aim

is to keep these roads safe and as free as possible from winter hazards. In order to do this, SDCC roads department spreads salt/ grit on these roads before ice or snow is expected (called precautionary gritting); this operation of pre-salting is timed to be completed before the onset of freezing or snowfall.

26 November 2015 LUCAN Gazette 9

10 LUCAN Gazette 26 November 2015

gazetteGALLERIES

Erica Flyn, Anna Roy and Leah Concannon

Ciaran Ludden, Yvonne O’Shea and Barry McCabe from Bank of Ireland with Henry Shefflin. Pictures: Cathy Weatherston

Eleanor Ryan and Henry Shefflin

Deputy year head Megan Eccles Brady and year head Nanphun Srakhuntool with Henry

Henry with Ms Ward’s first year students

26 November 2015 LUCAN Gazette 11

Student council Katie Maher, Ellie Parish and Ella Dawson

Sylvia Courtney, Dorothy Moynihan and Anita Courtney at a wine tasting night in Kenny’s Pub in aid of Aspen counselling service

fine wine: Tasting night in aid of Aspen counselling service

Camogie players form a guard of honour

St Joseph’s College: kilkenny star on hand

You can bank on a warm welcome S

t Joseph’s College school bank was officially opened recently by Kilkenny hurling legend Henry Shefflin. Students and staff were full of excitement at his arrival to the school.

“I have never received such a reception like this before at any school,” he said. Staff and students were taking photos as Henry signed hurls, jerseys and books and took time to chat with everyone.

Teachers Cora Ward, Roisin Mallet and

Rachel Smyth, Alice Minar, Kate Ryan, Arooja Hussain, Amie

principal Bernadette Fitzgerald greet Henry

Butler and Katie Leonard

Niall Maher and Michael Foley

Ray Dowling and Nick Rabe

Kevin Pigott and Barbara Coughlan

Paula Richards, Pauline Lawlor and Linda Balfe. Pictures: Cathy Weatherston

12 lucan Gazette 26 November 2015

family fun Celebrating the Christmas season across Dublin



 Tis the Season … 



The annual Carols by Candlelight service organised by Blanchardstown Baptist Church will be held at Riversdale Community College on Sunday, December 20 at 6:15pm. The hour-long event will feature special music illuminated by 100 glowing candles. Complimentary seasonal refreshments will be served afterwards and there will be a creche for children under five years during the event to facilitate families with young children. For more information, call 085 702 1425 or visit www.bbc.ac. Draiocht will host its two-day Christmas Craft Fair Extravaganza on Saturday, November 28-29. Patrons can come along and support local crafters enjoy raffle prizes, face painting and hot chocolate; and watch featured Christmas films, Elf and The Muppet Christmas Carol. The 30 stalls will feature some hand crafted work, including knitting, crochet, baking, jewellery, needlework, wood turning, origami, cards, journals, children’s clothes, buttons, key rings, handbags, photography and much more. See www.draiocht.ie



Blanch

With Christmas just around the corner the Gazette checked some of the best seasonal events from around the city for more information.

Swords Empire Bar in Swords is hosting a Christmas market at its Babylon club on Sunday, December 6 from 12 noon to 5pm. Punters will receive warming mulled wine and mince pies on arrival and be treated to the sounds of local carol singers. Lots of great exhibitors signed up and there will be wreaths and great gifts and stocking fillers and decorations on display such as Manilla Boutique, Country Couture Gifts, Lifetime Toy Company, Crannah Cakes, Gannon Craft, K•L•O Kids Lou Lou Belle and more. Malahide plays host to the Christmas Kingdom this year at the Marina Green and the Castle. Along with food and gifts there will be numerous amusements such as merry-go-rounds, vintage carousels, and chair-oplanes. Other special features include the Polar Express train, a 2,200 square foot ice rink, a Charles Dicken’s themed street, Christmas markets, Rudolf and some real reindeer, elves, Santa and Mrs Claus, the Polar Post Office for sending Santa letters, the tunnel of lights and

Christmas Tree Avenue. The Christmas Kingdom is due to open every weekend from November 20 and every day from December 18 until 23.

Dublin City Dublin is borrowing from New York this Christmas with the I BELIEVE festival at Custom House Quarter from Thursday, November 26 to Wednesday, December 23. Inspired by the 82-year tradition behind the world-famous Rockefeller Tree in New York, I BELIEVE will be centred on a 50-foot Christmas tree, donated by Coillte. It will be a festival of food, drink, craft and horticulture, With a focus on supporting Irish businesses, traders, crafts people, producers and charities, A carefully curated selection of the nation’s leading food, drink, craft and horticulture producers will trade in the festive village with exceptional quality and locally sourced products. They will be joined by Dublin’s iconic Clerys Santa who will be relocating his workshop and elves to the I BELIEVE Christmas Tree and Village for 2015. For more informa-

Snow Queen Rosanna Davison and Hannah O’Reilly snuggle up at the launch of the Christmas Kingdom in Malahide. Picture: Gareth

Ryan Curran at the official opening of the inaugural Dun

Chaney Collins

Laoghaire Christmas Festival. Picture: Jason Clarke Photography

tion visit: www.ibelieveinchristmas.ie/

South Dublin County In Dublin Mid-West this year, Lucan Library is hosting a small craft’s fair for Christmas. They’re currently looking to hear from local businesses and crafts people interested in showcasing their products in the library on Friday, December 11 and Saturday, December 12. From candles to cakes and everything in between, they’re open to ideas. Contact 01-6216422 or email

lucan@sdublincoco.ie for more information. On Saturday, December 5, St Andrew’s National School, Lucan are hosting their own Christmas fair, opening at 10.30am. The items for sale during the fair include: toys, bric-a-brac, cakes, teas, books, crafts, a raffle and many more. Santa Claus will also be making a special appearance at 11am. Panto tickets for Beauty and the Beast will also be on sale. On November 29, a celebration of song in aid of the Irish Cancer Soci-

ety will take place in St Mary’s Church, Leixlip at 7.30pm. Sopranos Karen Nelson and Annmarie Corcoran will perform on the night, along with Our Lady’s Nativity Parish Choir. Admission for this event is €12 for adults and €5 for children and can be purchased at the door.

Airfield at Christmas A Christmas festival will be held in Airfield Estate in Dundrum over the next month and it will include all things seasonal. The Overend family

home and gardens will be transformed into a winter wonderland with a charming gingerbread village, an enchanted walled garden where Airfield’s fairies spend their Christmas, giant nutcracker soldiers, and a warm welcome from an elf who will bring small children into see Santa in his cottage. Santa’s reindeers will also be outside the cottage. Airfield’s Christmas experience is currently running from now until Tuesday, December 22. For more information see www.airfield.ie

26 November 2015 lucan Gazette 13

rte Weekly papers ‘are imperative to the community’

A look into the heart of local newspapers  aisling kennedy akennedy@dulbingazette.com

An RTE documentary centred around how important local newspapers are in the wake of the onset of digital journalism is currently airing on RTE 1. The producer behind the series, Gerry Reynolds, is a strong advocate of the importance of local print having come from a print background himself and said that he believes now, more than ever, local papers are imperative to the local community. Reynolds spoke to the Dublin Gazette about his documentary, The Local Eye, and said: “Local

papers are part of Ireland’s DNA and they’re absolutely vital and central to who we are as a community and as a society. In the first series we focus on the Clare Champion, the Mayo News, and the Munster Express which have been family-owned newspapers down through the generations. “We knew that they were going through very hard times and we wanted to see how these newspapers, which had been around for over 150 years, are surviving. “We found that absolutely yes they are surviving and we found that there’s a huge affection for them because they

reflect and speak to the communities where people live. We met a very interesting man who was an optician and he put a campaign out on social media for his business. He said the campaign reached everywhere in the world but that nothing reached the people that he wanted to reach like the local paper.” Reynolds also found that local papers are central to the local community especially when there is an issue that the community care about. “There is also a huge range of material in them too with everything from court reports to humour. The content is what makes it and the secret

is good journalism. The local papers invest in good writers and there’s nothing that can beat that. “The reason local papers will survive is because they find the extraordinary in the ordinary, they find the wonder in the seemingly commonplace. They look at the detail in a way that you can see where the beauty is whereas in a lot of other media it’s glitz and glam and it just washes over you. They’re at the heart of it, they’re at the heart of human life and existence so I’ve a huge affection for them.” Reynolds himself began as a freelance journalist for the Irish Times, the

The first series of The Local Eye focuses on the Clare Champion, the Mayo News, and the Munster Express and (inset) the producer behind the series, Gerry Reynolds

Irish Independent and the Sunday Independent. He went on to win Young Journalist of the Year for a series on crime and he also worked as editor of the Garda Review. He has worked for RTE for many years but still always takes time to read

his local newspaper. “I think local papers are doing their very best and I think that as long as they migrate the stories and the brand that they have onto the online platform as well as print they will have a great future. Over a third of a million

people tuned into our programme over the last few weeks which is huge numbers. So there is an appetite and an interest in local newspapers.” The Local Eye is currently running every Thursday at 7pm on RTE 1.

14 Gazette 26 November 2015

gazetteGALLERY

The Bugle Babes, whose singing helped to set the classic musical vibe

Ken Stanley and Elaine Heaslip

Mike Hope Panti Bliss and Noel Sutton toast the ball’s success in the fundraising evening ahead. Pictures: Brian McEvoy

Helping film workers in vivid technicolour P

With plenty of witty, colourful banter from Ms Bliss, songs from The Bugle Babes, and dance routines from The Dublin Burlesque Dancers, the evening was a lively, upbeat affair, with everyone happy to help film workers who have contributed much to the nation’s cultural coffers.

ANTI Bliss was the inimitable host of the annual fundraising Cinema Ball recently, which was held at the Intercontintal Hotel. Run by the Irish Cinematograph Trade Benevolent Fund, the ball aims to help individuals in the film industry in Ireland who may for one reason or

another, find themselves in need. Based on the theme of Glorious Technicolour – A Celebration of Movies Musicals, many ballgoers set aside formal, gloomy colours to sport vibrant hues, or accessorised classic ball staples with subtle splashes of colour.

Caroline and Grace Cassidy

Katharine Buckley, Orla King and Laura Nolan

GAZETTE

26 November 2015 GAZETTE 15

DUBLINLIFE

THE BIG INTERVIEW

ALAN HUGHES: TV3 PRESENTER ON HIS BUSY LIFE

Proud to be a full and equal member of Irish society

 IAN BEGLEY

AFTER proposing to his long-time partner on national television recently, TV3’s Alan Hughes says that after years of campaigning for equal rights, he is proud to live in a society where same-sex marriage is now legalised. As part of this week’s Big Interview, Hughes talks about his impromptu proposal to song/ scriptwriter Karl Broderick, and what it was like to live in Ireland as a gay man when homosexuality was still illegal. He also discusses his upcoming panto, Beauty and the Beast, the famous 1980s ESB advert he starred in, and his recent health scare. “Karl was totally stunned when I proposed to him [live on air on TV3’s IrelandAM] because I’m not the type of person who would usually do that sort of thing. It was totally unexpected, and since the Marriage Bill was signed into law that week I thought it was the right time to do it. “When we got back to the house, he kept saying: ‘I can’t believe you did that, I can’t believe you did that’, but he was delighted nonetheless. “We had such a massive civil partnership celebration in 2011, and I don’t think we could ever dream of topping it, but after we finish up with the panto we’ll probably do something quiet in the country.” Asked about the criticism he received from comic Oliver Callan, who described his public proposal as “crass”, Hughes said he thinks it’s very sad.

“For a man who came out of the closet on national television and who bases his career on television, it doesn’t make any sense as to why Oliver would have a problem with it. “But I suppose since Mario Rosenstock is getting a new TV show on RTE, he probably feels like he needs to do something to publicise himself.” The TV3 presenter went onto say that he first met Broderick 23 years ago, when it was still illegal to be gay in Ireland. “When we first met it was a very different time. I knew people who would walk up and down

the street before heading into a gay bar and enter when nobody was looking. “Myself and Karl never really went out to places openly as a couple together. It was not as if we were hiding our relationship, it was just the way Irish society was at the time for gay people. “I remember when I got a job as the presenter of a big Friday night game show called Talk About on RTE, the producer told me not to be doing anything that would come up in the papers. “He knew that I was gay and I’ve always been very open with people, but Karl wasn’t, so it was

a big learning curve for him at the start going out with someone from TV. “We’ve come on so far in the last 22 years, and now that same-sex marriage is legalised it’s just brilliant. TV3 have always been very tolerant of myself and Karl, and do everything they can to support us,” he said. Talking about his health scare last year when he was rushed to hospital due to low oxygen levels, Hughes said that it was down to stress and being overworked. “I’m grand now and don’t let myself get too stressed out. I’ve never cancelled a show in the 21 years I’ve been doing

panto, and I don’t plan on ever doing so. “The panto is getting on really well this year. Sales have gone up compared to last year, and I really think it’s going to be a big success.” Asked about the iconic ESB advert he starred in during the 1980s when he played the part of a young man returning to Ireland to see his mammy, Hughes said that the commercial will most likely stay with him forever. The Cheerios Panto – Beauty and the Beast, will start in the Tivoli Theatre from December 9 to January 10. Tickets can be purchased at www. panto.ie.

Presenter Alan Hughes (right) shocked his long-time partner Karl Broderick by proposing to him live on air recently

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16 Gazette 26 November 2015

dublinlife

diary

Paul puts in a massive tackle for Barnardos Irish Rugby Hero and Barnardos’ Ambassador Paul O’Connell called on people to dig deep and give children a happy Christmas and a brighter future as he launched Barnardos’ Christmas appeal recently. Barnardos works with more than 11,300 chil-

dren and families in 40 community-based centres across Ireland, supporting them to achieve their potential in life. Speaking at the launch, Paul O’Connell said Barnardos is working to give hard-pressed families the Christmas they deserve and the support they need

to change their future “ T h e r e a r e m a ny parents out there who, through no fault of their own, may have to say no to their children this Christmas. Barnardos will use your donation to bring some Christmas magic into the lives of the children they work with

by helping families to make sure they have what they need for a happy Christmas,” he said. To give your support to Barnardos this Christmas with a donation or toy, visit www.barnardos.ie/ christmas.”

celebrating Trad and Folk music The annual Temple Bar TradFest returns this year for its 11th instalment from January with what organisers are calling a vibrant programme. The festival line up for January 2016 has been announced and once again includes a programme of Irish and international performers performing in some of Dublin’s most historic venues. The festival will include the Front Row Sessions, a series of 13 free concerts in the pubs of Temple Bar. TradFest also provides a platform for emerging artists to showcase their talents to an international audience. Other elements include TradKids from The Ark, Ireland’s only dedicated Cultural Centre for children, TradFringe embracing many of the cities established cultural venues such as The Irish Film Institute, The Gallery Of Photography, Irish Writers Centre, and The Hugh Lane Gallery. In 2016 TradFest will also host a series of newly commissioned works commemorating 1916.

Irish rugby hero and Barnardos ambassador Paul O’Connell launched Barnardos’ Christmas appeal recently with the help of Molly Kennedy and David McNally

For more information visit: www.templebartrad.com.

Lord of the Flies production Following a hugely successful run earlier this year with their production of To Kill A Mockingbird, Regent’s Park Theatre’s critically acclaimed production Lord of the Flies will visit Bord Gais Energy Theatre from November 24 to 28. After a group of s c h o o l b o y s s u r v i ve a catastrophic plane crash, what starts as a classic desert island adventure quickly descends into a struggle for survival in a darkly sinister world of superstition and immorality. William Golding’s 20th century classic explodes onto the stage in this remarkable production direct from London’s award-winning Regent’s Park Theatre. This production is directed by Regent’s Park Theatre’s artistic director Timothy Sheader and co-directed by Liam Steel with design by Jon Bausor, and composition and sound score by Nick Powell. Tickets for Lord of the Flies are priced from €15 to €45 and can be purchased by visiting

w w w. b o r d g a i s e n e rgytheatre.ie.

see www.nationalgallery.ie.

Hennessy Portrait Prize winner

just who was in the GPO in 1916

The winner of the 2015 Hennessy Portrait Prize was announced last week at the National Gallery of Ireland. Vera Klute was awarded the prize of €15,000 for her oil canvas painting entitled Anne Ryder and will also receive a commission worth €5,000 to produce a portrait for inclusion in the National Portrait Collection. The aim of the competition is to showcase and encourage interest in contemporary portraiture and to raise the profile of the National Portrait Collection at the National Gallery of Ireland. Klute has exhibited widely both in Ireland and abroad and is also currently working towards a solo exhibition in the Molesworth Gallery in 2016. Of the 260 entrants in the competition this year, 12 were shortlisted by the judging panel and these 12 entries currently have their portraits displayed in an exhibition at the National Gallery of Ireland until Sunday February 14, 2016. For more information

A book which seeks to definitively answer the question of exactly who was in the GPO during Easter Week 1916 was launched recently by Dublin Lord Mayor, Criona Ni Dhalaigh at City Hall. “The GPO Garrison Easter Week 1916 - A Biographical Dictionary”, was written by retired Dublin City Council worker and Dublin historian Jimmy Wren following 30 years of painstaking research. The book contains over 520 names of GPO garrison members, whose ages range from 12-63 years and includes full supporting evidence from many and varied sources. The amount of people who claimed to have taken part in the action at the GPO during Easter Week could fill a small stadium and this book aims to give a definitive answer to the many claims and counter claims. From Geography Publications and partlysponsored by Dublin City Council, the book is priced at €25 and is available from all good bookshops.

26 November 2015 Gazette 17

asdfsdaf P27 cinema P25

food P21

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 P20

The Pavilion Theatre: RTE Contempo Quartet presents unique concert experience

Getting the classical treatment  Keith Bellew

Composer Glen Austin and the RTE Contempo Quartet, featuring renowned bodhran player Aimee Farrell Courtney will present a unique concert experience that unites classical music with Irish rock and pop from the last 30 years, at The Pavilion Theatre, Dun Laoghaire on December 5. This follows the recent release of an album in the same vein called New Airs, which features classical arrangements of songs such as With or Without You by U2, Run by Snow Patrol and The

Boys are Back in Town by Thin Lizzy. Other featured artists include Kodaline, The Script, Enya, and Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova. The album also introduces new settings of older Irish airs inspired by modern artist’s interpretations such as Sinead O’Connor’s version of She Moved Through the Fair and Luke Kelly’s musical adaptation of Patrick Kavanagh’s poem Raglan Road. Speaking to The Gazette, Austin said that the project is something he had considered doing for a long time as rock

music was his first love before he discovered classical music. “Adrian Mantu, the director of Contempo Quartet, approached me and said he’d be interested in doing something with rock music and I jumped at the chance. I thought it would be great to explore Irish rock and pop because it had never been done before with classical music,” he said. He went on to say that deciding which artists to include was quite difficult because there are so many to choose from.

“It’s only the first album and the first concert, we already have ideas for a second and third album. It was just a matter of making a choice between all this great music. “Everyone might feel that there’s one or two that could be included, but it won’t be the last album or concert, so if things go well, the plan is to have a second or third edition where we can actually put in those other great artists as well,” he said. He said that adapting the rock songs and arranging them for the quartet was quite an

RTE Contempo Quartet will be joined by renowned Irish bodhran player Aimee Farrell Courtney and Glen Austin on electonics

undertaking and not one he took lightly. “When it comes to something like this, the job is not only arranging it but interpreting it for the ensemble. On top of that you also have to try

to be true to the originals themselves, and try to show them in a different light that’s not losing the spirit of the case,” he said. Despite the apparent gravity with which he approached the arrange-

ment, he said that the project has been a lot of fun, and he and the quartet are looking forward to their first performance. For more information on the show, visit: www. paviliontheatre.ie/

GAZETTE

18 GAZETTE 26 November 2015

OUT&ABOUT

STYLE Raw denim

Wide L

sleeveless

eg De

deep v-neck €125 with

€69 horts nim S

All-in-One dove nubuck stacked wood sole sandal €99

Sim kno ple S tte hop d s pe tra r w ps €1 ith 15

Mary Grant AW15 Vintage floral print jersey wrap dress €195

Wrap up this winter!  PEARL PHELAN

MARY Grant hosted a breakfast at her boutique in the Powerscourt Town Centre recently to showcase her current autumn/winter collection. The store manager, Fiona, baked banana bread for the Suede obi belt €65 occasion and a wonderful spread was laid out on an old wood turner’s bench. Accessories are displayed on beautifully textured cable drum tables in the shop. The warmth of the wholesome bread and respect for craftsmanship reflected in the choice of furniture and are revealing indicators of what the Mary Grant label stands for. Only the finest materials are selected for use in the manufacture of her garments and knitted pieces are handmade by a family owned company in Italy. You would be very cosy wrapped up in her ribbed cowl, a clever piece which can be pulled down over the shoulders as an alternative to wearing it high on the neck. Not to mention the fine cashmere wrap to keep you chic and warm. But there is another kind of wrap that Mary Grant has on offer, and it is so flattering to all shapes. Check out the wrap tops and dresses made in jersey which falls softly and elegantly. You can emphasise the waistline by adding an obi belt to flowy dresses, or to smarten up a plain winter coat. What a great way to add a pop of colour to a simple outfit to take you through the festive season! You can shop online but a visit to the store is a must if you are in town so you can have a feel of the sumptuous materials and get an insight into Mary’s world.

Purple haze cashmere wrap €280

Denim dress with foldover €89

Denim drawstring back bikini top €29

ottom €

ikini b enim b

Denim bead rectangular metal ring €19

Spring for some denim

WITH COS Denim bead metal ring €19

Knotted leather sandal €99

 JESSICA MAILE

I LOVE DENIM. It’s a love that started in my teenage years even though I grew up in a decade where acid-washed jeans were chic. But in the 21st century, designing with denim has become an actual art form and no one does this better than COS. Forget the winter blues and dream of spring blues instead. Think simple denim shorts with a crisp, white top or a func-

tional apron dress with a nonconventional drapey denim. The sleeveless all-in-one is the essence of simplicity and a modern must-have. Even the bikini gets the denim treatment with a distorted denim print. Accent these pieces with luxurious leather shopper or an ice grey nubuck leather sandal. From raw denim to their clever use of compressed recycled denim in the geometric metal jewellery, COS has reinvented this classic fabric with their fresh, new take on spring essentials.

26 November 2015 Gazette 19

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20 Gazette 26 November 2015

OUT&ABOUT

fast

TRAVEL NEWS

TRAVEL

skiing: find your perfect resort for a winter getaway

Turn dreams of a white Christmas into a reality  Ian Begley

Stylish comfort and luxury in the heart of the city  Ian Begley

I recently enjoyed a one night stay at the stylish four-star Trinity City Hotel, to coincide with the switching on of the Christmas light. It’s located right beside Trinity College on Pearse Street. We stayed in a room which is interestingly part of an original Victorian Fire Station. The room was very jazzy in style and offered the height of modern comfort, ample velux windows, a smart lounge area and a range of unique artwork. For the day that was in it we took a trip to the Irish Whiskey Museum on Grafton Street, just a five minute walk down the road. The one-hour tour was a lot more interesting than I expected with visual stories of Irish whiskey through the ages. The highlight of course was a whiskey tasting session and a complimentary Irish coffee at the end. Coincidentally, the annual Christmas lights were being turned on in Grafton Street on the same day, which was the perfect way to bring the afternoon to a close before we headed back to the hotel for dinner. Building up a hearty appetite, we feasted on a delectable six-course tasting menu after a few predinner cocktails at the hotel’s front lounge. We had a cured salmon with horseradish cream and Guinness bread to start, followed by a delicious bowl of wild mushroom and tarragon soup. After a very refreshing champagne sorbet, we dined on a beautiful fillet of pan seared sea bass followed by a very tender cut of lamb. And if that wasn’t enough, the sixth course consisted of a chocolate plate involving a mousse, hazelnut brownie and raspberry sorbet. Up bright and early the following morning I enjoyed a full Irish breakfast before checking out and heading on my very short commute to work. Just a stone throw away from the capital’s iconic landmarks and venues, Trinity City is certainly a great location for anyone looking for a city retreat. Rooms start from €119 for two adults sharing, see www.trinitycityhotel.com

Dreaming of a white Christmas? Well dream no more as there are many winter ski resorts to choose from this holiday season which offer a fantastic range of festive entertainment for all the family to enjoy. With Highlife Ski & Snowboard you can spend a family winter vacation in one of three stylish French resorts – Morzine, Meribel or Val d’Lsere. If a cosy Alpine chalet complete with an open log fire, outdoor hot tub, a sauna and your very own chalet chef sounds good to you, swap the pots and pans, long shopping queues and extended family reunions for a festive chalet. Your chalet will be transformed into a festive retreat with open fires, sparkling decorations and your very own authentic Christmas tree to get you into the holiday spirit from the moment you arrive. On Christmas Eve, guests returning from an action-packed day on the slopes will be greeted with warming mulled wine and mince pies fresh out of the oven. On Christmas morning awake to the sound of crackling log fires and a visit from Santa bearing presents for the kids. Your very own chalet chef will prepare a delicious breakfast allowing you to spend quality time with your loved ones, cherishing the precious moments of unwrapping the gifts from under the tree.

Val d’Isere offers high quality, snow-sure slopes for everyone from complete beginner to veterans

So, turn your dream of a white Christmas into a reality with departures from Dublin on December 20, from €1,120 per adult and €910 per child aged 11 or under for seven nights. For more information, visit www.highlife.ie, or contact 01 677 1100. With Crystal Sky Holidays, embrace the holiday season by spoiling yourself and your family with an exciting ski vacation away. From €460 per person, you can spend one week in the Austrian mountain resort of Mayrhofen with flights leaving on December 19. Penken and Ahorn are Mayrhofen’s mountains - with 135km of skiing and Austria’s steepest

run, Harakiri, it’s one of the most diverse Alpine resorts. Mayrhofen’s mountains have a wide variety of more challenging runs and, in the right conditions, some impressive off-piste. Plus, the Vans Penken Park is one of the leading freestyle parks in Europe. Also in Austria is the Niederau Ski Holiday resort, which is priced from €525 per person for seven nights, with flights leaving on January 9. Niederau, based in the Wildschonau valley, is picturesque and perfect for both families and beginners, with wide nursery slopes and easy to use drag lifts. There’s also the excellent 1st Wildschonau Ski

School and a nursery childcare Snowboarders should watch out for a few flat sections and experienced skiers will probably need a little more challenging terrain. The link over to Alpbach opens up the Ski Juwel’s full 145km - all covered by your pass. If France is more to your taste then from €474 per person you can spend seven nights in the traditional French village Les Carroz, which is located in the world famous Grand Massif ski area. This resort is made for people who prefer skiing in a homely, more personal setting in comparison to its purpose built neighbour Flaine. In the middle of Les Carroz you’ll find a pictur-

esque village centre with a small collection of shops, cafes and restaurants. The small scale of the resort means fantastic scenery and beautiful views across the valley that should not be missed. Accommodation wise, we have different types of self-catering, from reasonably basic to luxury residences with wellness facilities to match. When it comes to activities there’s plenty on offer, you’ll find toboggan runs, horse-drawn carriage rides and even dog-sledding to fill the hours for non-skiers or in your hours out of the skis. There’s also a resort ice rink. For more information about these deals, visit www.crystalski.ie.

26 November 2015 Gazette 21

Gazette

FOOD&DRINK BITESIZEDNEWS

Pat Whelan with the product

Campagne

French restaurant

The Arches, Gas House Lane Wood panelling and dark colours on the walls give this place a plush feel and seating was really comfortable

The Picky Eater

Whenever I hear Michelin Star, my mind jumps to overly formal, over the top service. I always love the food, mind you, but waiters constantly fawning over you is slightly off-putting. When I heard about Campagne restaurant in Kilkenny, I was eager to try it as the menu seemed less fussy and less overpriced than some other establishments that hold the coveted star. When we arrived, those views remained as the restaurant is in a very quiet part of town just below what looks like apartments or an office block. So far, nothing over the top or ostentatious anyway. Inside the dining room is very comfortable and was absolutely buzzing on a busy Saturday night. Wood panelling and dark colours on the walls give this place a plush feel and seating was really comfortable. The maitre d’ was a very friendly lady who took us

through the specials and explained anything that might be unknown to myself and my friend. After ordering a delicious bottle of Picpoul de Pinet (€30) (a wine that is having a bit of a moment) we jumped straight in to starters. I went for a fois gras pate layered with a delicious butter served on an autumn fruit jelly and a toasted brioche (€16). This was absolutely sublime but the outright winner was my pal’s scallop royale, served with Jerusalem artichokes and lobster bisque (€16). So much thought and time had obviously gone into this outstanding dish and we spent ages trying to figure out how they made it. I won’t spoil the fun and will leave it for you to the same guessing game. Next up came my mate’s fillet of Hereford beef with glazed mushrooms, spinach puree, ox tongue croquettes and porcini butter sauce

(€32). From a lady who is considering going vegetarian, she was certainly having fun at the wake and was almost in tears at the thought of what she was about to give up. My poached turbot (€32) came with a similar sauce and could be eaten with a spoon, it had the perfect texture and taste. My friend had a glass of ribera del duero (€8.25) with her meat and having lived in Spain for several years, she said it was one of the best she’d sampled outside of Spain. A stunning side of mash and parsnips went down a treat with both dishes.

We really were not fit for anything more at this point, but seeing a hot chocolate fondant being brought to most tables, we decided this dish was obviously worth trying. The locals were going mad for it. It was served with vanilla ice cream and glazed cherries (€9) and was certainly worth the longer waiting time.

All in all this was a fantastic experience and it’s well worth the trip to Kilkenny. T here are lots of places to stay in the city, after all it’s a really buzzing place. We stayed slightly outside in Mount Juliet, which is a stunning old country house hotel. For more see campagne.ie.

Conclusion Campagne boasts a stylish interior featuring oak flooring, curved banquette leather seating and modern paintings. The emphasis is on high-quality seasonal produce with French influences in a relaxed and comfortable dining area. (5, The Arches, Gas House Lane, Kilkenny. Phone:(056) 777 2858

Superb old-fashioned flavour returns FOR many, beef dripping is something our parents’ parents cooked with and not widely used today. However, James Whelan Butchers has brought this nostalgic delicacy back to the kitchen with their award-winning heritage product that delivers a superb old-fashioned flavour. Intensely savoury, the beef dripping was awarded Supreme Champion at the Great Taste Awards 2015, receiving high praise from judge and food critic Charles Campion. Speaking at an event celebrating the beef dripping in Avoca Kilmacanogue, Campion described it as “the simplest of products, that touched the hearts of all the judges”. Seeing the upsurge of interest in heritage foods and traditional ingredients, Pat Whelan of James Whelan Butchers, was inspired to create his own beef dripping. With the very best of beef available to him, and with the guidance of his mother, he soon perfected a product that he was proud to share with his customers. The dripping is produced in Clonmel by Whelan, a fifth generation butcher, and made from the purest suet from grass-fed Irish Angus and Hereford beef. These magical creamy ingots transform roast vegetables and potatoes and makes the most perfectly golden fish and chips. The product stays fresh for up to six months. With the festive season just around the corner, a little of James Whelan’s beef dripping will go a long way to adding a depth of flavour to all kinds of dishes - with a higher smoke point than goose fat, it makes the ultimate crispy roast potatoes and paired with butter, delivers the tastiest shortcrust pastry, not to mention simply spread on toast for a seriously nostalgic trip to flavour town. “It’s the taste of my childhood,” said Pat Whelan. “Our beef dripping is nutrient rich, high in omega-3 acids, clean, pure and carries great flavour, whether for frying a steak, roasting potatoes, or spread onto good bread.” Available to buy at: Avoca Food Market, Monkstown, County Dublin, Avoca, Rathcoole, County Dublin Avoca, Kilmacanogue, Bray, County Wicklow, James Whelan Butchers, Clonmel, County Tipperary and at jameswhelanbutchers.com

Gazette

22 Gazette 26 November 2015

OUT&ABOUT

Fisher Price Laugh & Learn Scooter €55

S Em M&

toysfor thekids

ily Bu tton €24

WHETHER it’s your bonnie baby’s very first Christmas, or if you’re looking out for gifts for older children, there’s plenty of great toys to find in the shops as Christmas draws near, with some cutting-edge characters standing head to shoulder, dress to lasergun alongside classic toys. This week, we’ve selected a range of toys and gifts that are available now from Smyths, ToysRUs, M&S and all good toy retailers nationwide.

Mattel

Monster High Go oli

Mega Bloks 60piece bag set €20

ope €50

All images not to scale

Mattel Barbie Rock & Royal €35

ly 80

po Mono o r b as

rsary annive

€28.

€6 k Rails

l Fisher

Matte

Wrec er Ship t s a M k ac Price Tr

26 November 2015 Gazette 23

Gazette

GIFT GUIDE MOTORING Hasbro My Little Pony Equestria Girls €24.99

Mattel Barnie Malibu Dreamhouse €150

alo book €8 M&S Gruff

Mat Pric tel Fish e g ym toddle er €80 r

al Furre pin’ o r m b Has s My Ju rF iend 72.99 € pug

otel ter H s e h Furc €28.99 bro Has Phoebe g Talkin

Hasb r Intera o Avengers ctive H u Buste r €49 lk .99

Habro Jurassic World Stomp and Strike Tyrannosaurus Rex €57.99

Habro Bop It! Star Wars R2-D2 edition game

Mattel Fisher Price Dance and Move BeatBo €55

Gazette

24 Gazette 26 November 2015

OUT&ABOUT

HEALTHYSTEPS

HEALTH

health conditions: ‘lack of reliable studies’ to support tests

Testing for food and chemical intolerances

A treatment called Lipiflow helps the meibomian glands produce more oil.

Look into preventing the causes of dry eye THE condition known as dry eye – which is an inflammation of the conjunctiva and cornea of the eye, due to inadequate tear secretion – is an uncomfortable and sometimes painful condition most often caused by over-exposure. Those most at risk ------------------------

‘Every time we blink, we moisten the eye, so by blinking less we moisten the eye less’ ------------------------

are people who spend many hours in front of the computer. Given the ever increasing numbers of people who spend long periods in front of a computer screen for work or leisure, or often both, more and more people are likely to be affected. We tend to blink maybe 7/8 times per minute, and the moment we start looking at computer screens, we tend to blink 2/3 times a minute. Every time we blink, we moisten the eye, so by blinking less we moisten the eye less. The other common causes are the likes of contact lens wear and getting older. For females, hormo-

nal changes as you approach menopause can also cause dry eye. Many medications have dry eye listed as a side effect. These would include anti-histamines, anti-hypertensives, anticholestrols, and so on. The following is a number of ways dry eye can be averted. Using lubricant eye-drops, being aware of blinking when you’re working on the computer, and using something called the 20/20/20 rule, where for every 20 minutes you take a 20 second break by looking at something 20 feet away from the computer. The wellington Eye Clinic offers a treatment call Lipiflow. Where a device is placed on the lids for 12 minutes, the device warms up over time to just above body temperature. This softens up the oils and within the Lipiflow device are little massage rollers which milk the glands and ensure that by the end of the 12 minutes the oils have been expressed out of the meibomian glands. Cost involved: Dry Eye Assessment – €100 Lipiflow Treatment – €500 per eye. For an appointment call the Wellington Eye Clinic on 01 2807873 or email info@wellingtoneyeclinic.com

 Ellen Roche Dietitian & Clinical Nutritionist at Nutri Vive

Food intolerances effect around 15% of the population and common symptoms include headaches, fatigue, tummy upset and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The triggers are often substances that naturally occur in foods (e.g. amines or fructose) or chemicals added during food processing (eg mono sodium glutamate added to ready meals or sulphites added to wine). Enzyme deficiencies such as lactase usually results in an intolerance to dairy products. IBS is a bowel condition which can cause abdominal bloating, pain, cramping, constipation and diarrhoea; these symptoms are frequently caused by normal healthy foods. The symptoms of food intolerances are usually delayed, which explains why they can be difficult to diagnose.

Food Intolerance Tests Food intolerance testing has become increasingly popular in recent years. A growing number of pharmacies in addition to complimentary therapists and private health clinics offer intolerance testing services directly to the public. These centres claim that a wide range of

Food intolerances effect around 15% of the population

health conditions such as chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, arthritis, sinusitis, skin problems, digestive issues and even obesity can be solved using such tests. The kits take a small sample of blood to check the levels of IgG antibody (immune system activity) for a range of various foods eg. shellfish, wheat and dairy products. If IgG antibody levels are elevated for particular foods, the test centres diagnose an intolerance and recommend complete exclusion from the diet to relieve symptoms. These tests cost €100€250 approximately depending upon the number of foods tested. Unfortunately the facts are that IgG intolerance tests are a complete waste of money and not worth the paper they are printed on. I have seen the printouts from vulnerable and confused clients; many repor ts which

don’t even make clinical sense eg. gluten is rated high and to be avoided, yet rye (which contains gluten) is ok!

Lack of Supportive Science The websites marketing food intolerance testing claim that there is sufficient scientific evidence to prove that these tests are warranted when a food intolerance is suspected. H av i n g e x a m i n e d these studies, many of the trials involved small numbers of people who were tested twenty years ago, therefore applications to the general population are not relevant. The leading international food allergy and intolerance institutes are currently strongly advocating against IgG food intolerance testing. There appears to be no correlation between high levels of a particular food antibody and the development of

symptoms. High levels only indicate the person has consumed a particular food in the past, the immune system has “acknowledged” this food and positive test results are to be expected in normal, healthy adults and children. Furthermore, the inappropriate use of this test only increases the likelihood of false diagnoses being made, resulting in unnecessary dietary restrictions and decreased quality of life.

Food Exclusion Trials The Irish Food Allergy and Intolerance Network (www.ifan.ie) and the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute (www. indi.ie) strongly advocate against food intolerance tests because of the lack of reliable studies to support them. At present, the “gold standard” method for determining if an underlying food intolerance exists is to follow an elimination or exclu-

sion diet followed by a reintroduction challenge. The elimination a p p r o a c h p r ov i d e s sy mptom relief and subsequently helps to pin-point the culprit food(s) within two to six weeks and it’s the preferred method as recommended by health professionals, Allergy UK’s Intolerance Group and the NICE guidelines for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. These groups recommend guidance from a health professional such as a registered dietitian or doctor to ensure that the correct type of exclusion diet is followed in the short-term and to avoid any risk of longterm nutrient deficiency. Ellen Roche is an experienced registered dietitian with clinics located throughout Leinster. Contact the office for private consultations and corporate services (087) 680 2248 www.nutrivive. ie

26 November 2015 Gazette 25

Gazette

CINEMA

ReelReviews

lady in the van

Motors along amusingly THE closest that The Lady in The Van (Cert 12A, 104 mins) gets to anything as exciting as a car chanse is the sight of a clapped-out van parked in the driveway of a playwright’s home for year after year. Maggie Smith plays the wily vehicle owner in this low-key but entertaining tale, as Ms Shepherd becomes a part of playwright Alan Bennett’s as the years roll by – even though the van doesn’t.

As true-life crime boss James ‘Whitey’ Bolger, Johnny Depp doesn’t keep his cards close all the time – his criminality involves many associates in a wide-ranging empire

black mass: for the first time in ages, depp delivers a great role

A great study of criminality

CHRONICLING the rise and fall of notorious South Brooklyn crime boss James ‘W hitey’ Bulger, Black Mass (Cert 15A, 123 mins) rings together a stellar cast to tell a story of crooked cops, hardened criminals, and insidious political corruption. As the head of an Irish mob crew known as the Winter Hill Gang, Bulger rose to infamy through the ’70s and ’80s, piling up a wealth of charges including extortion, narcotics distribution, racketeering, and murder. He also claims to have shipped more than one million dollars’ worth of weapons across the Atlantic to support the IRA. Furthermore, he racked up the litany of charges while under the watch of the FBI, with

 Dave phillips

whom he was co-operating against a common enemy – the Italian mafia families who controlled much of the black market in Brooklyn. Yet, despite being one of the America’s most wanted fugitives (trumped only by Osama Bin Laden), ‘Whitey’ Bulger has a fairly low profile outside of the United States. Most of us will have been unwittingly introduced to Bulger through Scorcese’s The Departed – which drew heavily on Whitey’s story for Jack Nicholson’s character.

It seems fitting then that when Johnny Depp steps into the lead role as Bulger in Black Mass, he brings a distinctly Nicholson-like energy with him. It is safe to say that much of the buzz built up around Black Mass is connected to Depp’s transformative performance. With thinning white hair combed tight against a balding dome and haunting dead-blue eyes, the actor is almost unrecognisable. It is apt casting, too, given Depp’s recent propensity for familyfriendly and much more superficial characters. The pairing of the chillingly off-kilter looks with the grisly and sociopathic character results in a monster that will stay in the

viewer’s mind long after the image fades from the screen. Depp’s metamorphosis oozes the kind of ghoulishness that we don’t see enough of in cinema. Part of bringing such a strong lead character to life involves surrounding him with a much less grotesque cast. Joel Edgerton (Zero Dark Thirty) plays John Connolly, a childhood friend of Bulger who joins the FBI. While operating under the guise of justice, Connolly is often more concerned with his own career, and agrees to turn a blind eye to Bulger’s criminal ventures in return for assistance making a case against the Mafia. Benedict Cumberbatch also stars as

Billy Bulger, the more respectable sibling, who served for 18 years as president of the Massachusetts Senate while his older brother continued to serve up corpse after corpse. No doubt that Black Mass belongs to Depp and Edgerton, but there are great smaller parts studded throughout, including appearances from Kevin Bacon, Adam Scott, and Dakota Johnson – the latter of whom provides the most memorable scene in the film. The story told in Black Mass is one massive tangled web of deception and exploitation, and director Scott Cooper (Crazy Heart) is happy to revel in it. Cooper delivers a wonderfully menacing and claustrophobic feel

through shots so close we can see the pores, stained teeth and bloodstains in grim detail. Cooper’s vision is so bleak though that, in a way, it dulls the film. We move across a decade of Bulger’s life in a disparate fashion. There is no sense of crescendo, no righteous corruptionbusting cop to provide the narrative drive, there is actually nobody to root for, and so there is no Hollywood ending. More of a sociopathic character study than a traditional mob drama, the narrative sloppily unfolds like an onion rotted to the core. With more hits than misses, Black Mass remains an engaging, beautifully-shot, and superbly acted film.

Verdict: 7/10

brooklyn

A tale worth visiting SAOIRSE Ronan impresses in Brooklyn (Cert 12A, 112 mins), with its tale of a young emigre in 1950s American – guess where – finding her life taking an unexpected path going down well with audiences on both sides of the Atlantic. With Emory Cohen and Domnhall Gleeson providing strong supporting roles as would-be suitors, it’s a well-shot film that dials down Oirish overtones.

burnt

Still a bit of a stinker BRADLEY Cooper’s latest hasn’t gone down well with critics, with Burnt (Cert 15A, 101 mins) getting sliced to pieces faster than a cake made by his troubled-butbrilliant-chef character. As a character who rides around town on a big motorcycle, wears leather jackets, and struggles with his inner demons – all while trying to kickstart his stalled career – the film is something of a mess.

26 LUCAN GAZETTE 26 November 2015

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I, Adrienne Maguire, intend to apply for permission for development at Westmanstown House, Westmanstown Park, Lucan, Co. Dublin. The development will consist of the reconstruction and restoration of Westmanstown House, a Protected Structure, that was extensively destroyed by fire. The Planning Application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority during its public opening hours and a submission or observation may be made to the Planning Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

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28 gazette 26 November 2015

SPORT

FastSport Search for new paralympic soccer stars: The Republic of Ireland Paralympic squad are searching for the next national hero as they begin preparations for the 2016 Paralympics in Brazil. After finishing sixth in the Cerebral Palsy World Cup, the squad are offering a fantastic opportunity for the best players around the country with cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury, or those who have suffered a stroke to represent Ireland. The FAI are partnering with Paralympics Ireland in this new campaign ahead of a trial day at the FAI national training centre on Saturday, December 12 at 12 noon. Any players aged between 16 and 30-years-old, who have any of the aforementioned impairments, are eligible to try out for the team. More informations can be found at http://www.fai.ie/ irelands-next-paralympic-football-star/ the-campaign.

cross country: raheny man storms to inter clubs national title

Clohisey cleans up in Santry  sport@dublingazette.com

MICK Clohisey, from Raheny Shamrocks, reigned supreme at the GloHealth inter-club cross-country championships in Santry Demesne. A memorable day of competition saw big fields

and a large spectator crowd that needn’t have worried about the after effects of storm Barney. A sea of colour dotted Santry Demesne with clubs from all over the country out in force with tents and tear-drop flags adding an extra dimen-

sion to the atmosphere created by Fintan Reilly and Nick Davis as the two main men on the microphone. The senior women’s 8,000m race was one that whetted the appetite with a top-class field and with the uncertainty

Raheny’s Mick Clohisey celebrating his third title. Picture: Cody Glenn/Sportsfile

Mick Clohisey on the trail at Santry Demesne

of the form of Fionnuala McCormack. The start of the race was a cagey affair with the diminutive McCormack nestled in the leading pack led by the effervescent Lizzie Lee (Leevale). Lee tried to take on McCormack but the the teak tough Wicklow woman was untouchable building an insurmountable lead. Lee hung on gamely for second leading her club to a maiden team title with the surprise package Caroline Crowley (Crusaders) coming through for third. Dundrum South Dublin were second in the team race with Raheny Shamrocks third. Clohisey followed up as

an impressive winner of the men’s 10,000m with a front-running performance from the gun ahead of Metro St Brigid’s John Coghlan in second and Paul Pollock (Annadale Striders) in third. Leevale missed out on the team title by a single point to Clonliffe Harriers, 47 to 48, with Raheny narrowly behind on 51. It was Clohisey’s third time to win the inter-clubs’ crown and he is now looking forward to competing in the European cross-country championships where his rivals will become his teammates. “You don’t really think about these things,” he said referring to his third inter-clubs’ title. “You just move on to the next thing when you’re on form. It is

a good achievement and it was a good race out there today. I wasn’t expecting to be out in the lead so early on my own so it it was a question of keeping my concentration. “I’m looking forward to wearing the Irish vest with pride now at the Europeans and putting in a good performance. We were all rivals today but I’m looking forward to us competing as team mates in France.” Hope Saunders (Clonliffe Harriers) and Kevin Mulcaire (Ennis Track Club) were impressive winners of the junior women’s 4,000m and junior men’s 6,000m respectively. DSD women and Clonliffe Harriers men won the junior team titles.

Duke and Pinder power UCD to win over Harlequins  sport@dublingazette.com

UCD’s Deirdre Duke gets away from Cork Harlequins’ Yvonne O’Byrne. Picture: Adrian Boehm

SECOND-half goals from Gillian Pinder and Deirdre Duke saw UCD land their third win of the women’s EY Hockey League season last Sunday, beating Cork Harlequins 2-0 to keep them in the shake-up for the playoff places. UCD started the stronger of the two teams with Aisling Naughton and Sorcha Clarke creating chances down the lefthand side after good persistence from Leah Ewart. They also had two corners but

neither were converted. Quins duly grew into the game after an intial slow start, building from the back through Cliodhna Sargent who caused UCD problems with the long ball. Olivia Roycroft came closest sending a deflection flying by the back post from a Sargent crash ball. Into the second half, UCD remained patient in their build up play against a strong Quins’ defence that was proving difficult to break down. Gillian Pinder broke the deadlock with a thunderbolt into the bottom

corner after a brilliant five pass exchange that opened up the top of the circle for Pinder. The fourth quarter started with Quins looking to get an equaliser but they found it difficult to get anything out of a disciplined UCD defence. The Cork side earned their first penalty corner of the game with four minutes to go which Cliodhna Sargeant looked to strike home off a switch but it was brilliantly ran down by Naughton. Deirdre Duke put the game away a minute later sliding in at

the back post to put away a good team move. It was a fine riposte from UCD on a double-weekend as they lost 4-1 a day earlier to a resurgent Pegasus side in Belfast. Booterstown side Hermes continued their brilliant form in the league with a pair of wins over two of their nearest rivals, seeing off Harlequins 3-0 on Saturday and then beat second placed Ulster Elks 3-1 on Sunday. Anna O’Flanagan scored three times over the weekend to extend her scoring tally to 18 goals in eight games.

26 November 2015 gazette 29

Gazette

Peat adds another Irish string to incredible bow Following spells with the Irish basketball team and the Dublin footballers, Dubliner Lindsay Peat tells JAMES HENDICOTT about her rugby debut LINDSAY PEAT - an All-Ireland winning footballer and former co-captain of the Irish international basketball team - added international rugby to her considerable sporting CV over the weekend. Peat was called up to the Ireland Women’s squad to face England at Harlequin’s London

ground The Stoop last week, named on the bench as the women played their first autumn international. Peat - who plays her rugby with Railway Union in Sandymount - was named on the bench for Ireland, joining the fray in the final quarter of the game to earn her debut cap.

Amazingly, Peat only joined Railway Union (her first rugby club) in the early summer, after the club - that’s only three years old when it comes to the women’s game - talked her into turning out through friends who were already involved. She quickly became hooked: “There are

Lindsay Peat in Dublin ladies football action. Picture: GAAPics.com

huge depths to Irish rugby, and a lot of injuries right now,” Peat told GazetteSport, modestly playing down her selection. “It never even entered my mind that I might be called up, and I feel very lucky. “I had been trying to wind down when the call came, trying to avoid getting injured and to experience playing for my club. “I’ve been learning the tactical side,” she adds. “There are a few crossovers from GAA and from basketball. Tactically, the game mirrors basketball, but like football you’re always trying to find space, to work to create openings. It took me a long time to stop trying to run off someone’s shoulder and to come more deep.” Before taking up rugby, Peat had stepped away from GAA back in May, after finishing her degree. She had studied

alongside a full-time job and multiple evenings of training across several sports, leaving “more often than not, only Sunday evenings free.” “Looking back, I love basketball and football equally,” she explains. “It’s like trying to choose between your children. Basketball was the sport that I first put a lot of work into, getting to the top level, playing in the national league and then getting to the international set up. “It’s the foundation, so it’ll always have a very special place.” Rugby is the new love, though, and Peat’s just had her first international taste. An experimental Irish side that included nine new caps lost to a last minute maul from a line out, with England barging over the line with two minutes left on the clock for an 8-3 win.

Ireland had equalised through a penalty in an extremely low-scoring game, making the game 3-3 with seven minutes left on the clock. “The game was played in horrible conditions that didn’t really suit us,” Peat tells us, “but it was really great to get that experience. There are two Ireland training camps coming up in December, where the squad train like professionals. “I feel very, very lucky to be involved, and my next aim is to keep getting called up to camps. We’ll see where things go from there. “I’m grateful to Tom Tierney [Ireland women’s rugby manager] for giving me a shot.” And why the multisport success? “There’s something for everyone that just makes them feel alive,” Peat concludes. “For me, that’s sport. I just try to take up things that I enjoy.”

FastSport Smyth signed up as academy manager: FORMER St Mary’s and Blackrock College coach Peter Smyth has taken up the role of Academy Manager at Leinster. As a player Peter has represented both Ireland and Leinster at A, U21 and Schools level. He coached St Mary’s College RFC to Ulster Bank League success in 2012 and also coached Blackrock College to four schools senior cup and two junior cups. Smyth’s role as Leinster Rugby Academy Manager will see him oversee the delivery of the academy and sub-academy programmes as well as supporting the national talent and the regional development squad programmes. He will be responsible for the development and progression of players for the professional game in Ireland and the management of talent identification. Speaking about the new job, he said: “There is huge potential in the underage system in Leinster across schools and clubs and I am excited to be in a position to help nurture that talent into future Ireland players.”

Gazette

30 lucan gazette 26 November 2015

SPORT

FastSport

soccer: former peamount star eyeing three euro points

Glenville break losing run with big Tolka win GLENVILLE FC grabbed a much needed win in impressive fashion on Sunday morning with a 4-0 triumph over Tolka Rovers in Palmerstown. Going into the contest, these two sides were sitting in the bottom two places in the Senior Sunday division. Even after the result, they still occupy those spots but, importantly for Wayne Kelly’s Glenville, the win moves them off last place and level on points with Greystones United. The first goal in this scrap for crucial points was always going to be key and it was Glenville captain Bobby Cullen who got it. Glenville started the game with a great tempo about their play, defending from the front and forcing a number of chances early on. One of those chances was a free-kick after 20 minutes. When it was sent into the area, the experienced Cullen rose highest to break the deadlock, much to the delight of the good home support in Palmerstown. The second goal came in similar fashion to the first, via a header from a set-piece. This time however it was Martin Murray who got his head to a cross after a short-corner and the ball floated over the Tolka and into the net. Glenville could have and should have had more before half-time but failed to put away a number of chances and went in 2-0 up at the break. That score remained on the board until there was 20 left to play and Declan Carroll added a third to seal the result for the hosts. There was further gloss added to the win when Stephen Holmes scored a fourth in injury-time to continue Tolka’s miserable fall from title contenders to likely-relegation candidates. The win ended a run of seven straight defeats and eight games without a win for the Palmerstown side whose only other win came on the opening day against Glebe. Kelly will no doubt be hoping the win and clean sheet can be the springboard his side need to begin moving up the table before Christmas. During the week, the side confirmed its continued association with Cremona Foods, pictured above.

Former Peamount United player Louise Quinn

Quinn ready for Spain test  nathan kelly sport@dublingazette.com

AFTER a vital win in Portugal last month, Republic of Ireland Women’s vice-captain and former Peamount Un i t e d s t a r L o u i s e Quinn and her teammates are looking for another big win against Spain this Thursday. The Euro 2017 qualifier takes place in Tallaght Stadium at 2pm on Thursday and despite Spain being top-seeds in the group, Quinn insists the Irish team are looking for all three points. “There’s still a great buzz from after it [the

Por tugal win],” said Quinn. “It was definitely one of the best camps I’ve been in; it was just one of those atmospheres where we almost know we were going to get the win leading up to the game. “You just had that feeling in the camp, sometimes you can’t even explain why it was like that or what was going on, and I think that’s carried forward, it definitely has with me.” A f ter losing their opening fixture in the group at home to Finland in September, the win in Portugal last

garda of honour Peter Egan presented seventh Coiste award garda Peter Egan, a member of the Salmon

Leap Canoe Club, was presented with his seventh Coiste Siamsa Garda Sports Award at a function held in Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel, Killiney, last week. It came during a year in which he won three national titles – the K2 200m, K4 1,000m and the K2 marathon and also reached a semi-final at the inaugural European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan. Pictured are Alan Quinlan, Garda Commissioner Noirin O’Sullivan and Peter Egan.

month was much needed as Sue Ronan’s side look to book their place in the first 16-team UEFA Women’s finals. The winner of the eight qualification groups will automatically qualify as will the sixth-best runners-up, while the other two second-placed teams will contest a play-off to decide who gets final spot for the tournament in the Netherlands. Quinn is under no illusions as to how tough the challenge will be against Spain, who beat Finland 2-1 away from home in their only game in the group so far.

“We can try work off the momentum from the win in Portugal and bring it into the Spain game,” she said. “It will be a tough challenge for sure, they’ll have tricky players similar to the ones that we faced against Portugal but I think it’s something we can definitely handle and we’ll be looking to get the three points at home.” Ireland manager Ronan echoed the thoughts of her vicecaptain by saying Ireland can grab the points in Tallaght on Thursday. “We’re looking forward to the game, on the

back of a good win away to our nearest rivals in the group I suppose,” she said. “We’re looking forward to bringing the momentum we gained in that match to this home fixture against Spain. “They’re a very good team, I think we all know how good they are, being top-seeds in the group, so obviously we’ll give them that respect. “Having said that, my players are very motivated and determined, we feel we can get something out of this game, with a passionate crowd like the last time, so we’re very much looking forward to the game.”

26 November 2015 LUCAN gazette 31

Gazette

Court Yard set for Tomas O Se launch  sport@dublingazette.com

KERRY legend Tomas O Se will launch his autobiography The White Heat in Leixlip’s Court Yard Hotel on Saturday night. He will be signing copies of the acclaimed new book form 7pm with Court Yard owner Luke Moriarty welcoming him along with a host of GAA stars, past and present,

for a traditional night of “all things Kerry”. Speaking about the event, Moriarty said: “Terms like legendary and record-breaking are sometimes handed out too easily, but Tomas O Se is truly a sporting great, and his autobiography is easily one of the most anticipated sports books of the year. “We are delighted to

have Tomas with us in Leixlip to sign copies of the book for fans”, the local hotel owner and proud Kerryman added. With live music and entertainment, admission is free to Kerry Night at the Court Yard Hotel, and enthusiasts are advised to come early for this special night of green and gold fever in Leixlip. The Moriarty Group

is a major supporter of local GAA in Dublin and Kildare, where the company operates SuperValu supermarkets in Palmerstown, Balbriggan and Swords. Lucan Sarsfields and St Patrick’s GAA in Palmerstown are both beneficiaries of Luke Moriarty’s local GAA sponsorship fund, which runs into six figures annually.

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Our AGM will be held on November

John Ryan Accountant, O’Grady’s

26 in the function room; all mem-

Hearing Care Services and The

bers are invited to attend.

Signlab, Leixlip

Clear out your wardrobe for

We wish Mary O’Lanagain a well

Christmas; clothes, handbags and

earned rest from her Sunday night

accessories being collected at the

lotto duties. Mary, and Seaghan,

clubhouse in 12th Lock November 26

have been consistent and loyal

and 27 from 7pm-9pm and 10am-6-

supporters of the lotto rota going

pm on Saturday for the Feile 2016

back close on 20 years. Mary, if

teams.

Sunday nights begin to get dull, you

The senior footballers continued their drive for promotion with a

Set dancing continues ever y

end. The playoff final against Sker-

Wednesda y at 8. 30pm in Lucan

ries takes place this Sunday at 11am

Sarsfields, all welcome.

The club’s social calender will have a new addition in 2016. On Sun-

Rushe happy to help spread hurling gospel

fenway classic Galway Dublin  sport@dublingazette.com

50 47

LIAM RUSHE of St Patrick’s Palmerstown captained the Dublin side narrowly beaten in the Fenway Classic hurling in Boston last Sunday. The shortened form of the game - in which points are scored entirely in goals - is an irregular event played on smaller pitches in America. The 2015 outting was attended by 27,776 in the Boston Red Sox’s Fenway Park stadium, where Dropkick Murphys also entertained

the crowds. Galway won the game after a late comeback, scoring 50 points to Dublin’s 47 in the revised scoring format, but the game has garnered most comment due to full-team fisticuffs after a challenge on Dublin goalkeeper Gary Maguire. Rushe - who also featured in Notre Dame when the sport was trialled back in 2013 - commented after the game: “It probably won’t take off in Ireland against hurling, but it could definitely take off abroad. As you can see, hurling hasn’t taken off abroad, be that

because of numbers or pitches or that people aren’t familiar with it. “It’s a good game, it’s aesthetically pleasing so it could take off and we’re here to promote it.” The contest marked Galway’s first since the players forced manager Anthony Cunningham just in advance of the team’s trip to Dublin, and made for an unusually full-blooded exhibition match, with the team from the west coast celebrating their win raucously. Eamonn Dillon top scored for the Dubs, chipping in with 17 points, while the boys in blue

cycled through 24 players during the match, which ran under reduced, 11-a-side rules. As well as Rushe, Sarsfields players Chris Crummey and John McCaffrey also appeared for the Dubs in Boston. Ballyboden St Enda’s ‘keeper Gary Maguire was also keen to play up the occasion, adding: “We’ve heard all the stories [about Fenway] going all the way back to De Valera and Babe Ruth. It’s historic and we were thrilled to be part of it. We’re really gutted to have lost the game, but seeing Fenway Park and the set-up was great.”

go bog e.

victory over Ballinteer at the week-

at the club; big support needed.

Liam Rushe, left, along with Shane Barrett, Paul Ryan and Daire Plunkett

are welcome back at any time. Tog

The Lucan Sarsf ields 25 card drive continues in the clubhouse bar every Friday at 9pm sharp.

day, January 17, we will host Lucan

The club shop is open on Thurs-

Sarsfields Leopardstown Leaps at

days from 7.30pm to 8.30pm and

the racecourse.

Saturdays from 10.30am to 1.30pm.

A four-course dinner followed by

The Lucan District Credit Union

a superb day of national hunt rac-

GAA academy at Lucan Sarsfields,

ing will set the scene for a great

9.30am for camogie and girls’ foot-

day’s fun. For further details, con-

ball, 10am for boys’ football and

tact Eoin on 086 2734114.

hurling, for boys and girls born in

We have our 13 loyal sponsors

2009, 20010 and 2011 – 12th Lock,

on board again for lotto 2015/16.

Luc a n . Con t ac t Johnny at 0 8 5

Please support these businesses in

1294102.

whatever way you can.

Ther e wa s no winner of this

The list of these dependable and

week’s €8,000 lotto draw; numbers

long standing sponsors is as fol-

were 5, 13, 17 and 19. This week’s

lows: Carey’s Newsagents, Lucan

jackpot is €8,500.

ST pat’s palmerstown THE lotto numbers for this week

are welcome.

were 6, 12, 22 and 27; there was no

The U-9 camogie and girls’ foot-

winner so next week’s jackpot will

ball training is on every Saturday

be €6,200.

morning at 10am.

The draw takes place in the Palm-

All welcome who are born in 2007

erstown House every Sunday night

and 2008; just drop down and ask

at 10pm and tickets cost €2. Thank

for Conor or Emer.

you to all our sellers and to all that support our lotto every week.

If there is anyone interested in joining our team of volunteers in

Our senior hurling/camogie ses-

the club and helping out with the

sions will continue in Glenaulin on

teams please contact by email to

Fridays at 6pm, weather permit-

the secretary.stpatrickspalmers-

ting. It’s open to U-14 up to minors

town.dublin@gaa.ie.

to improve their hurling/camogie

Any girls or ladies out there

skills with senior hurlers taking the

interested in playing girls/ladies

sessions.

football, please contact the secre-

The juvenile camogie/hurling

tary by email, secretary.stpatrick-

skills sessions will also continue in

spalmerstown.dublin@gaa.ie, stat-

Glenaulin on Friday at 6pm, weather

ing date of birth.

permitting.

We are always open to new senior

They are open to all U-8 up to U-12

footballers and hurlers so if any-

players; great chance to improve

one is interested in joining the club,

their hurling/camogie skills and all

please contact the secretary.

GazetteSPORT all of your lucan sports coverage from page 28-31

mighty quinn: Former Peamount player all set to take on Spain in important European qualifier P30

nov 26 - dec 2, 2015

master of all trades: Lindsay Peat adds rugby to list of elite sports P29

Lucan battling for return to top tier  nathan kelly

sport@dublingazette.com

LUCAN Sarsfields can book a much sought after return to AFL Division 1 this Sunday when they face Skerries Harps in the AFL 2 promotion playoff final. Sean McCaffrey’s side secured their place in Sunday’s play-off final with a 0-12 to 0-7 win over Ballinteer St John’s on Sunday morning. Lucan dominated much of the game but started fairly slowly. The Sarsfields looked slightly nervous on the ball, especially in the Ballinteer half and failed to create too much

in the early stages. The Lucan side were 0-03 to 0-01 down after 20 minutes but it was from that point on that they began to settle on the ball and really assert themselves in the game. Conceding just seven points throughout the hour was the hallmark of a brilliant defensive display from the 12th Lock men and as they grew into the game, chances at the other end became much more frequent too. Looking ahead to this Sunday and Skerries at the 12th Lock, Lucan selector Ed O’Brien knows Sarsfields will be in for a tough morning but insisted the players

are determined to beat the northside team and secure their place in Division 1. “They’re a strong team throughout, a really good solid squad,” he said. “They have done very well all year and were in with a shout of winning the league but then slipped up a couple of times towards the end. We’ve the home draw which I think is a big advantage for us, they gave us a right walloping in the league back in July so the whole team will be determined to get one over on them on Sunday.” O’Brien is under no illusions the importance a return to AFL

1 is for a blossoming Lucan side that will be looking to seriously compete in the championship in the coming years. “I think if you look at our form in the championship, in the last two years we’ve reached the quarter-finals and have been knocked out by St Vincent’s and Ballyboden,” he said. “We didn’t look a million miles off those teams but I think playing in AFL 1 week-in week-out against the top teams will help us go further when championship comes around. We’ve built a great squad here again and we want to compete on the best stage,” O’Brien added.

Lucan Sarsfields have battled tough opposition like Ballyboden St Enda’s in recent SFC runs