Lucan

Lucan GAZET TE FREE

Sea lions put on a late, late show at Dublin Zoo SEE PAGE 12 SEPTEMBER 27, 2012 Find us on

LUCAN • PALMERSTOWN • CELBRIDGE • LEIXLIP • ADAMSTOWN • DODSBORO • LIFFEY VALLEY • BALLYOWEN

INSIDE: Junior infants settle into school life at St Andrew’s NS P8

WELL DONE: Celebrating hotelier’s 250km walk in aid of Pieta House P7

Double delight: Twins face into a day of fun Soccer: Lucan United make waves in LSL Senior 1B Page 30

WITH their big sister Rebecca helping to look after them, lovely local lads Luke and Colm McDermott were having a great time at the family day at Eurospar Ballyowen recently, which saw face-painting fun, balloon modelling, a strength tester, and a quacking good time with some duck fishing.

The centre also marked the official opening of an Insomnia outlet on the day, with the coffee shop chain’s founder, Bobby Kerr, on hand to cut the ribbon.

See Full Gallery next week

Hurling: Lucan Sarsfields make it through to SHC semis Page 31

ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES ......................8 BUSINESS .................... 18 MOTORS ....................... 20 TRAVEL......................... 22 ENTERTAINMENT ........ 24 CLASSIFIEDS ............... 26

Cycle route should include Lucan – TD Move could boost I HIROMI MOONEY

tourism revenue significantly

LUCAN is being proposed as part of a national crosscountry cycle route from Dublin to Galway in a move that could have significant tourism potential and bring in millions of euro in revenue for the local area and its businesses.

The route has been proposed by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar, and local Fine Gael TD Derek Keating has written to Minister Varadkar to propose that the route should go through Lucan Liffey Valley, in order to attract more tourism to the area and,

in turn, benefit local traders.

Deputy Keating said: “I see this as a wonderful opportunity for the community. I think that this is something that would help to enhance the economic development and would economically benefit Lucan.”

Full Story on Page 3

2 LUCAN GAZETTE 27 September 2012

SURVEY: CIGARETTES

COMMUNITY Sharing shots of this year’s village festival

Leixlip seventh on illegal tobacco list I HIROMI MOONEY

NEW research shows there is a growing problem of illegal cigarettes in Dublin, with Leixlip ranking seventh on the list of 22 areas across the country with the highest levels of illegal activity.

According to figures recently released by Market Survey (MS) Intelligence, 32.3% of the cigarettes found in Leixlip were non-Irish

duty paid (NIDP).

MS Intelligence surveyed 22 towns and cities across the country for the second quarter of 2012.

Waterford ranked the highest, with 44.5% NIDP cigarettes, and Dublin City Centre ranked sixth, with 33.1%. The national average is 29.8%.

A spokesperson for Irish Tobacco Manufacturers Advisory Committee (ITMAC) said that the figures are worrying.

The Dancity Ireland members were having a great time in Lucan village. Pictures: Ian O’Sullivan

Celebrating Lucan’s diversity HE fourth annual Lucan Festival was a wonderful opportunity for a wide range of local groups and organisations to showcase their talents to the community, adding to the fun of a festival that was already jam-packed with great entertainment.

Dance schools are always a hit at community events, and the talents on show in the centre of the village

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certainly wowed locals, who also had a wide range of family-friendly entertainment to enjoy.

Locals also welcomed the chance to meet several local groups, with the chance to learn more about the wide range of organisations found in Lucan, and West Dublin, welcomed by everyone. It was a wonderful festival that really showed Lucan at its best.

Lucan Disability Action Group members Jimmy Murray, Anne Rowley, Joe Mooney, Maurice Walsh and Pat McDonald

Having fun Senan and

on Main St were Seamus Kirr with Sarah Harlow and Pio Carley

Members of the Zara Curtis Irish Dance Academy

27 September 2012 LUCAN GAZETTE 3

TOURISM Route could be ‘a wonderful opportunity’

Keating wants Lucan added to cycling plan I HIROMI MOONEY

LOCAL Fine Gael TD Derek Keating has proposed the inclusion of an off-road cycle route to Lucan as part of the Dublin to Galway crosscountry cycle route that is currently under consideration.

The route has been proposed by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar, and, according to Deputy Keating, could have significant tourism potential and bring in millions of euro in revenue for Lucan and its businesses.

It is based on a design similar to the successful Great Western Greenway

in Co Mayo, and can be used by both cyclists and walkers.

Deputy Keating has written to Minister Varadkar to propose that the route should go through Lucan Liffey Valley, in order to attract more tourism to the area and, in turn, benefit local traders.

He said: “This is an exciting new project that the Minister for Transport has initiated. It would be Ireland’s first ever crosscountry cycle route.

“I see this as a wonderful opportunity for the community in Lucan, and that’s why I’ve written to the Minister asking him that Lucan and the

Liffey Valley would be incorporated in this.

“Lucan village is a beautiful village. Like many other areas, it suffered because of the economic downturn over the past couple of years, and I think that this is something that would help to enhance the economic development and would economically benefit Lucan.

“It would have a positive spin-off in terms of tourism, and that itself would help to promote, to enhance and to benefit employment in the Lucan area,” said Deputy Keating. “[The route is] a way of embracing the Lucan

On his call to add the area to a new national cycling route, Deputy Derek Keating (FG) said: “I think that this is something that would economically benefit Lucan”

Liffey Valley, but it would also be of economic benefit to Lucan and, most especially in this particular case, Lucan village.

“One must remember there are many, many people being employed in Lucan village ... and this is a way of benefiting that and enhancing that in the future,” he said.

Minister Varadkar has

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B E C AU S E L O C A L M AT T E R S

instructed the National Roads Authority to look at possible routes for an off-road cycle path from Maynooth to Galway. Within Dublin, the National Transport Authority is already funding detailed design work for sections along the Royal Canal.

The Minister said: “Cycling holidays are

already hugely popular in Europe. If we can secure necessary levels of funding, I would love to see this project being completed within the next few years.

“It has the potential to bring in at least €15 million per annum, much of that going straight into local businesses along the route.”

REMINDER

Pay your septic tank fee OWNERS of domestic waste water treatment systems and septic tanks are being asked to register their systems with their water services, and avail of a special discount registration rate of €5, up to Friday, September 28.

This follows the new registration and inspection system for these domestic waste water treatment systems, which was introduced by the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012.

All owners of premises connected to a domestic wastewater treatment system must register their systems by February 1 next. Revenues raised will be used to manage the registers, and to meet the cost of carrying out the inspections.

Registration will increase to €50 for those who register after this Friday. You can register and pay online at www.protectourwater.ie.

4 LUCAN GAZETTE 27 September 2012

ARTS

COMMUNITY: PRAISE FOR ESKER CELTIC PLAYERS’ MOVE AT HERMITAGE PARK

Celebrate authors at festival

Footballers help clear park litter

I HIROMI MOONEY

SOUTH Dublin Libraries have announced their first Red Line Book Festival, which will take place from November 13 to 17.

The festival will highlight both Irish and international contemporary authors, celebrating books, reading, and the written word.

The festival will also include Readers Day on Saturday, November 17, which will be hosted by Dermot Bolger.

Events will take place at Clondalkin Library; Lucan Library; the Civic Theatre; County Library, Tallaght; the Victory Centre, Firhouse; Castletymon Library and Whitechurch Library For further information, or to view the programme of the events, visit your local library or see www.redlinebookfestival.com.

I HIROMI MOONEY

You’ve bin great: First customer gets a celebratory surprise LOUISE Purcell was pleasantly surprised recently when Niall Killilea, managing director of The City Bin Co, called to her home with flowers, a specially-designed cake, champagne and free waste collection for the next five years as the company celebrated its fifth year in business in South Dublin with Louise, their first-ever Dublin customer.

“We are delighted to celebrate this special occasion with our first customer. Thanks to Louise and many other loyal customers, we are an established player in the Dublin waste collection market and are known for doing the basic things right and outstanding customer service,” said Killilea.

FIVE young volunteers from Esker Celtic Football Club have recently started to help clear the litter in Hermitage Park.

The club train in Hermitage Park, and play their matches there every weekend, but they have recently noticed an increase in complaints about the amount of litter scattered around the park by members of the public.

In response to the problem, the club has invested in five wheelie bins and, now, players Daniel Gaffney, Eoin Cleary, Mark Young, Kevin Doyle and William Greenhill volunteer every Saturday and Sunday and fill almost three wheelie bins with the rubbish they collect.

Treasurer of Esker Celtic Football Club, Andy

Morrissey, said that he is proud of the young volunteers. He said that they walk around the park with the wheelie bins and collect every piece of litter that they find.

He said: “They’re absolutely brilliant. We generally tend to look after our own [rubbish], and we’ve never had problems.

“But, just recently, [the amount of litter] just seems to have risen.

I don’t know if it’s with increased traffic in the park; I’m not sure.

Shame “It’s a shame that people can’t take the rubbish home with them, but we just have to keep plodding on and doing our bit for the parks ourselves.”

Local Fine Gael councillor William Lavelle said that he welcomed the initiative.

“In 2010, I chaired a working group of the South Dublin Joint Policing Committee which was looking at anti-social behaviour in our parks, and we came to the conclusion that, actually, the biggest form of anti-social behaviour was litter and dumping.

“I held a meeting in Lucan as part of this [working group] with residents and sporting clubs, and the issue of litter in our parks was something which everybody had raised. So I warmly welcome this initiative,” he said.

Local Fine Gael TD Derek Keating said: “It was very obvious to me on a couple of occasions when I was at the club’s events recently, the effort many members are making to keep the park clean.”

27 September 2012 LUCAN GAZETTE 5

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Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore, Taoiseach Enda Kenny and the Minister for Children, Frances Fitzgerald, at the publication of the wording for the Children’s Referendum, which is set to take place on Saturday, November 10

Make your voice heard for children I HIROMI MOONEY

LOCAL TD and Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald, has published the 31st Amendment of the Constitution Bill, which sets out the wording for the proposed Children’s Referendum.

The referendum will take place on Saturday, November 10. The proposed new article states that this referendum will ensure that “the State recognises and affirms the natural and imprescriptible rights of all children and shall, as far as practicable ... protect and vindicate those rights”.

Minister Fitzgerald said: “We [have presented] a proposed amendment which would represent a major and historic change.

“This referendum will change the Constitution so it protects children, supports families and treats all children equally.

“The debate on this referendum must not belong solely to constitutional lawyers or politicians. This is a debate for all of us.

“The Government will explain why this referendum is needed, what it will change and how it will improve the lives of Ireland’s children, in

particular, the most vulnerable,” she said.

Local Fine Gael TD Derek Keating is appealing to voters to ensure they are on the Register of Electors ahead of the Children’s Referendum He said: “The Children’s Referendum is a major decision for our country and its citizens.

Its aims are to adapt the Constitution to protect children, support families, remove inequalities in adoption and recognise children in their own right.

“I want to encourage every citizen to familiarise themselves with the debate that will take place to ensure that they

are available on Saturday, November 10, to vote and express their view.

Minister Fitzgerald has also published the Draft Adoption (Amendment) Bill in support of the Referendum wording.

She said: “This legislation has been the subject of considerable discussion between my department and the office of the Attorney General.

“It sets out in detail how we propose to address the issues of voluntary placement, the adoption of children in foster care as a result of serious and persistent parental failure, and the role of the High Court in deciding on such mat-

ters.

“The fourth part of the referendum Bill, if passed, will require that the best interests of the child should be the paramount consideration; and the voice of the child given due weight, in court proceedings taken by the State relating to child protection and in relation to adoption, guardianship, custody and access.”

The Government will run a major information campaign for the referendum, which will include the website www.childrensreferendum.ie, and information booklets which will be sent to every home.

Local defibrillator project launched I HIROMI MOONEY

MORE than 60 people attended the recent launch of the Lucan Community Defibrillator Project in The Lord Lucan pub.

The project, entitled, Saving Minutes – Saves Lives, was launched by the Lord Lucan, Fine Gael TD Derek Keating and Jonah Roche, the managing director of Skillshop, a company that provides first-aid training.

According to The Irish Heart Foundation, around 5,000 people die from a heart attack

every year, and, speaking at the launch, Deputy Keating said that he was “confident that many lives can be saved as a result of this new initiative”.

He added: “This service for Lucan means that a fighting chance is now available when one of our neighbours suffers a heart attack.”

The defibrillators are now available in the Lucan village area, the Finnstown area and the Ballyowen Shopping Centre. The project aims to have defibrillators available on a per-

manent basis, so that when an emergency arises, they will be immediately available to assist in keeping a patient alive while emergency services are summoned.

Deputy Keating said: “We are all aware of the ‘golden hour’ when a cardiac arrest takes place. I am very aware of this myself, having had a family member find themselves in exactly this situation recently and, although everything has worked out well there, it was a terrifying experience for us.”

This is the first community defibrillator project of its type in Dublin, and is supported by the Irish Heart Foundation, South Dublin County Council, the Garda, the Lord Lucan, and Eurospar, Ballyowen Castle Shopping Centre.

Deputy Keating said: “People representing many walks of life in Lucan, have all gathered to endorse and contribute to a new service which will in the foreseeable future [hopefully] become a template for a national service.”

27 September 2012 LUCAN GAZETTE 7

AWARENESS Hotelier’s ‘Tomathon’ for Pieta House

Taking steps to help – with a 250km walk I HIROMI MOONEY

TOM Moran, owner of the Moran & Bewley’s Hotel Group, which includes the Red Cow Inn, raised more than his target of €100,000 for local charity, Pieta House, after he completed a 250km walk last week.

The 61-year-old finished the walk, which he named “the Tomathon”, with his family, friends and some famous faces, including Irish Olympic legend Ronnie Delaney, Tipperary hurler Noel McGrath, Dublin footballer Eoghan O’Gara, and model Andrea Roche.

His Tomathon began in Athea in Co Limerick on Tuesday, September 11, and finished last week at the Red Cow Inn, coinciding with the 24th anniversary of when Tom first arrived at the hotel.

Moran undertook the fundraising walk after being awarded the title Limerick Person of the Year by the Limerick GAA Supporters Club.

Worthy While delighted with and proud of the award, he admitted that he felt that the title spurred him on to do something which he felt was worthy of the honour.

Through this walk,

Moran hoped to raise awareness about suicide, to remind people in distress where they can go for help, and to raise as much money as possible for Pieta House.

He said: “I am hoping this walk will strike a chord with many people who have been affected – either directly or indirectly – by the grim reality of suicide in this country.

“I feel the Tomathon is a positive response to that reality. [It is] an opportunity to get together with friends and neighbours to do something collectively to help Pieta House continue with their vital work.

“The Tomathon is an

COUNCIL

Moves to take over open land I HIROMI MOONEY

Olympian Ronnie Delaney congratulates hotelier Tom Moran on completing his 250km ‘Tomathon’ walk from Limerick to Dublin in aid of Pieta House. Picture: Cathy Weatherston

affirmation of the power of the community, and how, when we work together, we can make a real difference,” he said.

Suicide is a growing problem in Ireland, and something that affects families, communities and towns all over the country.

Moran was inspired to support Pieta House, in particular, because he knows many people personally who have been affected by the suicide of a loved one.

Pieta House, the suicide and self-harm crisis centre, provides a professional, face-to-face,

free of charge therapeutic service for people in acute stages of distress.

Since 2006, they have grown to include almost 80 therapists and staff across their five centres in Dublin and Limerick, and more than 6,000 people have sought help from them, to date.

LOCAL Fine Gael councillor William Lavelle has confirmed that the legal documentation required for the taking-in-charge of the open space at the access road to Rossberry, Tullyhall and Hayden’s Park has been submitted to South Dublin County Council.

Cllr Lavelle said that although these three estates have been built for more than 14 years, the open space had not been handed over to the council, and has resulted in the land being often left unkempt.

H e s a i d : “ I h ave received significant support from local residents.

I am delighted that these efforts have now resulted in the submission of legal documentation.

“I am very hopeful that we are reaching a final satisfactory conclusion to this long-running saga.”

8 LUCAN GAZETTE 27 September 2012

EDUCATION Newcomers pay close attention at St Andrew’s

This pupil is already enjoying the school experience

It may take time for the junior infants to settle in, but it is hoped they’ll soon love their new educational environment. Pictures: Ian O’Sullivan

The camera distracted the pupils for a while

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The teacher held everyone’s attention with help from some lovely books

It wasn’t long before everyone was having fun colouring

Learning more about school fun HE Gazette was happy to catch up with pupils at St Andrew’s National School recently, where everyone was settling into the new school experience.

Some lingering nerves saw the children sitting quietly, but the teacher’s patient storytelling and natural way of engaging with the

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children soon saw them all relaxed, eager to learn as much as possible before it was time to leave.

With some great colouring activities, and some simple learning and repetition exercises, there’s no doubt that the local children are off to a great start on their lifelong education.

27 September 2012 LUCAN GAZETTE 9

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NIGHTLIFE Toasting Oktoberfest 2012 at the Mansion House

Robert Aiken and Paula Marron

Simon Barrow and Bob Caldwell and Steve McCormack at the Paulaner Oktoberfest

Audrey Mills

An early Oktober gets a big welcome TEINS were charged and glasses raised recently when the Paulaner Oktoberfest was launched at the Mansion House in the city centre.

Fans were invited to sample real Oktoberfest culture with Paulaner, one of only six beers permitted to

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exhibit at Munich’s legendary Oktoberfest, before the festival’s celebration of all things German over four days last week.

Oktoberfest fans were able to soak up the traditional Bavarian banter with pretzels and bratwurst aplenty, served by barmaids dressed in tradi-

tional Bavarian dirndls, with music provided by the Bavarian Strollers, a premier German oompah band, entertaining festival-goers.

Attendees thrilled to the fun-filled evenings of traditional Bavarian culture with German food and stalls adding to the atmosphere.

Blaithnaid McKenna and James English

Fabiana Olivier and Colin O’Brien. Pictures: Anthony Woods

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We are currently looking to recruit: We are now seeking experienced media sales executives to work in our advertising dept in our Lucan head office on a number of Dublin Gazette titles. Experience in newspaper advertising sales is preferable. Full clean driving licence and own car required; fluent written and oral English essential.

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27 September 2012 GAZETTE 11

12 GAZETTE 27 September 2012

ANIMAL MAGIC Sea lions and big cats put on a late, late show

Seeing the sea lions is always a delight, as the zoo’s beautiful animals are a joy to watch

A roaring time at Dublin Zoo I HIROMI MOONEY

DUBLIN Zoo is a hugely popular destination for people of all ages, but have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes once the doors close for the night?

The Gazette was recently given the chance to go on a private afterhours tour of Dublin Zoo, and we were privileged to see how the animals are looked after when the zoo is empty of its many visitors.

On arrival, we met one of the three team leaders of Dublin Zoo, Ciaran McMahon. Ciaran has worked in Dublin Zoo since 1994, and has worked in various departments within the zoo.

“My job is so diverse, every day is different,” said Ciaran. In answer to our most obvious question, he said that out of all of the animals he looks after, his favourite are the elephants and the big cats.

So, naturally, our first stop was to visit the Asian lions. There are only 400 of these creatures left in the wild, in Gir National Park in North West India.

They are sadly an endangered species, as they face competition for space with humans, which is also resulting in scarcity of their prey.

These lions are familyoriented animals, and we met two sister lionesses, Sita and Suri. Named after Hindi goddesses, the pair were born in Mulhouse Zoo in eastern France.

There will be a six-yearold male lion, Kumar, joining them soon from Rotterdam Zoo, and the zoo hopes to hear the pad

These meerkat pups are cuddly new stars at the zoo

of tiny cub paws by next year.

The keepers demonstrated how they feed the lions, dangling some horse meat from a tree, explaining that they often change where they leave the lions’ food so that they can continue to use their natural predatory senses.

The keepers said that they sometimes hide the food so that the lions can put their sense of smell to the test, and put a lot of effort into recreating the lions’ natural habitat.

Weight Next, we were taken to see the Californian sea lions. We were greeted with a big “hello” wave from Flo, the three-yearold female.

The keepers explained that mature females weigh around 85kg, while the males can weigh as much as 300kg so as to impress potential mates.

They also explained that the five animals are trained for safety reasons instead of stage performance – although they can do both. They demonstrated with Flo how they can safely check the sea lions for any obvious

injuries or unusual lumps or bumps with some of their commands, and even check their teeth with their “open mouth” command.

They will roll over, lie on their side and can even close the door of their cage behind them, and are rewarded with mackerel as a reward for each thing they were commanded to do.

The Gazette was still buzzing in “zoo mode” when we received news of the two new meerkat pups.

The pups were born in July, but visitors are now only getting their first glimpse of the young additions to the family of four adult meerkats in the zoo.

Commenting on the births, team leader Eddie O’Brien said that they are “delighted with the arrival of the pups.”

“It has been some time since meerkats were born at the zoo so these are a welcome additions,” he said. “Both pups are doing very well. They are still feeding from their mother and recently they have also started eating solids.”

27 September 2012 GAZETTE 13

INNOVATION: SIX IDEAS IN SIX MINUTES

CHARITY: CALL TO KNIT HATS TO HELP FUNDRAISE

Wool you give your time up?

I LAURA WEBB lwebb@gazettegroup.com

CALLING all knitters: Innocent Smoothies need your creative talent to help knit little woolly hats for their smoothies, with money from every bottle going towards supporting older people during the cold winter months.

The Innocent Big Knit 2012 will see 25c from every be-hatted bottle sold going straight to Age Action, to help older people stay well and warm this winter.

Knitters, or those who crochet, across the nation are asked to send their little knitted hats between now and the deadline.

They will then be put onto innocent Smoothie bottles by hand, and sent off to stores.

These special bottles are available to buy in shops across Ireland from next January and, for every such bottle sold, 25c will be donated to Age Action.

Since the initiative started in 2008, knitting groups, schools and lots

of knitting enthuasists from all over Ireland have generously knitted for the Big Knit, raising more than €60,000.

For the initiative, people of all ages are asked to get involved, from novice knitters to champion clickers, and are being asked to spread the word within the local community.

Anyone who doesn’t fancy knitting can donate wool and needles to Age Action to help them reach their target.

The money raised will help fund Age Action’s work, such as their winter warmth public information campaign to enable older people remain well and warm in their own homes.

It will also go towards their home visitation and DIY teams, who assist thousands of older people each year.

You can send your little hats to: The Innocent Big Knit 2012, Fruit Towers, 120/121 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2, or drop them into your local Age Action shop by Friday, November 30.

Inspired talks at the Sugar Club

Hat’s a stunning look: TG4 programme to examine haberdashery in modern Ireland REBECCA Frayne was resplendent in this

strikingly designed hat as she helped to promote an upcoming TG4 programme, Hatai, on – what else – hats, and Irish women’s enduring love for haberdashery in the 21st century. Created in association with Red Shoe Productions and RTE, the programme

will see internationally acclaimed Irish hatmaker Philip Treacy examine the role of hats in our changing society, whether adding a dash of mystery to the wearer, or helping to celebrate their beauty. See Hatai on TG4 at 9.30pm on Sunday, September 30, or repeated on Monday, October 1 at 8pm.

DUBLINTALKS.IE has organised a series of free talks aimed at inspiring local people.

Presentations will be made by and about Irish people with big and interesting ideas they want to share.

Each of the speakers will have just six minutes to tell the audience what their big idea is without the use of PowerPoint, notes or podiums – challenging even for the most experienced public speakers.

The six speakers on the night will be Prof of computer science at UCD, Barry Smyth; award winning immunologist at TCD, Prof Luke O’Neill; Senator John Crown (Ind); Equinome’s Emmeline Hill; Prof of Dept of Medicine at UCC, Fergus Shanahan and Clare Wardle, of Storyful.

The event, which takes place on October 15 in The Sugar Club at 6pm, is part of Innovation Dublin 2012 and is supported

by Dublin City of Science. Admission is free but booking is essential.

For more information, see dublintalks.ie.

14 GAZETTE 27 September 2012

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Philip Stewart, Patrick Burke, CEO of YWI, John Gilmore, president of YWI, Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald and Mary Ann Connors pictured at the Youth Work Ireland Consensus Conference at Farmleigh House last week. Picture: Marc O’Sullivan

Youth on the march HUNDREDS of youngsters, volunteers and youth workers attended the Youth Work Ireland Consensus Conference last Saturday.

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald, was in attendance to meet guests at the event at Farmleigh Estate in the

Phoenix Park.

The Youth Work Ireland Consensus Conference was established to hear from a number of different players in the lives of young Irish people today.

The Minister met with a range of youth and children’s projects, as well as Irish Paralympic

DIARY

gold medallist Daragh McDonald and “The Voice of Ireland” Pat Byrne.

The conference heralds a major milestone in the development of a new Youth Policy Frame-

work by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.

Youth Work Ireland works with over 80,000 young people, nearly 1,000 staff and over 7,000 volunteers annually through 450 clubs and projects in all parts of the country with spin off benefits for local communities and economies.

Get on your bike for Console CYCLISTS from all across Dublin are being asked to get on their bike along with a host of celebrities in aid of suicide prevention charity, Console.

The second Console Grand Canal Cycle takes place on Sunday,

October 7, from 10am.

Pat Kenny, Eamonn Coghlan and Derr y C l a r ke a r e a m o n g those taking part in the 20-mile round trip from the Bord Gais Energy Theatre to the 12th Lock at Lucan, and back again.

Console founder and chief executive, Paul Kelly, said: “Console’s central themes are community and communication, and the Console Cycle is the perfect example of this.”

Sponsorship cards are available, and a registration fee of €20 will apply on the day to anyone who chose not to avail of a sponsorship card.

Anyone intending to take part is asked to register at www.console.ie, with more information available by calling 01 610 2638.

27 September 2012 GAZETTE 15

ARTS Play will support Down Syndrome Ireland

Kidnapped trio’s tale set to help charity I NATALIE BURKE

WHEN Dublin actors Carl Finnegan and Noel Mur phy decided to embark on a new adventure, they set out to combine their love for acting, playwrights and comedy to produce Dublin’s newest theatre company, Pack a Punch Theatre.

Founded just four months ago, Pack a Punch Theatre is set to launch its inaugural production this October, when it takes to the stage at the Sean O’Casey Theatre in East Wall, from October 16 to October 20.

The theatre company has chosen, Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me,

a play by Frank McGuinness, as its first production.

The play will be performed in aid of Down Syndrome Ireland, a cause close to the heart of Carl Finnegan, who hails from Dalkey.

He said: “My aunt has Down Syndrome, and we felt we wanted to make our work as personal as possible. We have had a lot of support from family and friends, and the community as well, to help us get going so we wanted to give back to them as well.

“Setting up our own theatre company was something we wanted to do for ourselves; we really wanted to do challenging

theatre.

“Our structure is slightly comedic; we do have a sense of humour, but we also wanted to do drama,” said Carl, who previously ran the Theatre Society at the Institute of Art, Design and Technology in Dun Laoghaire.

The play will feature some of Dublin’s brightest new talent and the production promises challenging drama with comedic moments.

It focuses on the trials and tribulations of an Irishman, an Englishman and an American who are kidnapped and held hostage by unseen Arabs in the Lebanon.

As the three men strive

Carl Finnegan, co-founder of the Pack A Punch theatre company

for survival, they also aim to overcome their personal and cultural differences, whilst at the same time maintaining their sanity.

Carl, who set up the company in May with Swords native, Noel Murphy, added: “I was interested in the idea of extreme cabin fever and how I would feel if I was locked away for a month.

“Aside from that, I love

Frank McGuinness’work.

I like his language and dialogue and I thought it was in keeping with the idea of doing something challenging and interesting.”

Carl hopes the company will continue to grow over the coming months.

“We see the company growing, building a base of people, extending our commitment to our chosen charity and also

working on our next show as well,” he said.

To find out more information about Pack a Punch Theatre and its inaugural production, see their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ PackAPunchTheatre, or contact the Sean O’Casey Theatre by visiting www. seanocaseycommunitycentre.ie or by calling 01 850 9000. Tickets are priced at €12.

FAB FORUM

Inspiring Dublin Talks DublinTalks.ie has organised a series of free talks aimed at inspiring local people.

Presentations will be made by and about Irish people with big and interesting ideas they want to share, with subjects ranging from genetics and cancer research to marine biology and economics.

Each of the speakers will have just six minutes to tell the audience what their big idea is without the use of PowerPoint, notes or podiums.

The six speakers on the night will be Barry Smyth, Luke O’Neill, John Crown, Emmeline Hill, Fergus Shanahan and Clare Wardle.

The event, which takes place on October 15 in The Sugar Club at 6pm, is part of Innovation Dublin 2012.

Admission is free but booking is essential. For more information, see dublintalks.ie.

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16 GAZETTE 27 September 2012

GazetteMUSIC MUSIC FastTunes with Radio Nova’s Dee WORKING in a station that plays rock music 24/7 has its benefits. Most of all, the fact that I live in an alternate rock universe where the bands play their own instruments and lyrics actually means something.

One of the cons is when my ears are assaulted by a Justin Bieber “song” playing in a shop and I hear my mother’s words coming out of my own mouth: “Do people actually call that music?”

Which leads me to wonder if lyrics are going downhill, or am I just spoiled after being immersed in music by Rock and Roll Hall of Famers for too long?

Allow me to carry out the following, extremely non-scientific experiment: Exhibit A: One of the biggest chart hits so far this year is from LMFAO, Sexy and I Know It: “When I’m at the mall, security just can’t fight ‘em off, When I’m at the beach, I’m in a speedo trying to tan my cheeks, This is how I roll, come on ladies it’s time to go.”

Exhibit B: one of Radio Nova’s artists Bob Dylan is the bookies’ second favourite to win this year’s Nobel Prize for literature.

However, it’s believed the singer is unlikely to pick up the accolade with the shortening odds being attributed to fans’ support. If you listen to some of his lyrics, though, it’s not hard to see why Dylan could be called a poet.

His song, Blowin’ in the Wind, includes the words: “Yes, how many years can a mountain exist Before it’s washed to the sea?

Yes, how many years can some people exist Before they’re allowed to be free?

Yes, how many times can a man turn his head, Pretending he just doesn’t see?”

I rest my case. I know there are different horses for different courses, but this filly is sticking with the rock.

Bob Dylan: Possibly better than LMFAO

Troubadors: Last gathering of 2012 Songwriter Club THE FINAL session of The Songwriter Club for 2012 will take place on Saturday, October 6 from 2pm to 5pm at the Teachers Club, located at 36 Parnell Square West. For the final session, guest speakers including Noel Taylor of Rockit Music Management and Claire Egan from IMRO will talk to the group. Pictured is singer and songwriter Laura Conway performing at the last session. For more information, see The Songwriter Club on Facebook.

REVIEW: A COMPLEMENTARY COLLABORATION MADE IN HEAVEN

Saints and Heads in perfect synchronicity I ROB HEIGH

SUPERGROUPS and collaborations between your favourite artists seldom end well, unless there is a certain shared wavelength or equal sense of where the project should potentially go...

For every Queen and David Bowie, there’s a Lou Reed and Metallica (shudders)... So, when it was announced that Talking Heads frontman David Byrne was set to release an album with St Vincent’s frontwoman Annie Clark, there was a certain shiver borne of equal parts trepidation and thrill...

Fortunately, this is a collaboration that is more Under Pressure than Dancing In The Street, and a metric tonne more fun than it has really any right to be.

Bringing the unique perspectives and musical styles that created More Songs About Buildings And Food and Strange Mercy, and adding a 26-piece brass band, Byrne and Clark are clearly bouncing beachball-sized ideas around and making something uniquely fresh and different.

David Byrne and Annie Clark make up the supergroup responsible for Love This Giant

From a series of meetings in New York, the duo collaborated at distance, sending the drum loops and melodies back and forth and moulding at first a set of four tracks, which evolved into eight before emerging as the fully-fledged record that was released last week.

Love The Giant is the fruit of their collaboration, and features 12 songs that feature the quirks and familiar hooks that mark out St Vincent — Clark’s sweet and sharp croon — and David Byrne — his deadpan drawl and shim-

mering acoustic guitar.

Layered and blended with these ingredients are an array of brass instrumentation and drum patterns, creating something simultaneously familiar and unique for this project.

Songs like Who and Optimist are perfect encapsulations of the bounce and fun at play — Byrne and Clark are like two sides of the same coin that spins inside the songs, sometimes in unison, sometimes apart, but always in pursuit of an oddly funky and complementary whole.

There’s an organic feel to the music and lyrics that brings to mind what Talking Heads were driving for on their last record, Naked, where jungles and shopping malls came together in the lyrics and funk roamed the earth.

Some examples of the kinds of bliss that Byrne and Clark are bringing to the travelling version of Love This Giant can be seen on YouTube, especially the footage captured in Minneapolis recently that shows brassy versions of Heads classic Burning Down The House as well

as St Vincent’s Cruel, the great lead track from their 2011 release, Strange Mercy.

I also need to point anyone with any kind of interest in music to David Byrne’s new book, How Music Works - it’s a fascinating look into the mechanics of how music is shaped by its time and place, and he explains accessibly and clearly how the advent of recording technology in the 20th century forever changed our relationship to playing, performing, and listening to music.

27 September 2012 GAZETTE 17

GazetteBEAUTY BEAUTY Brush up on your nails to see problems varnish Edited by Laura Webb

T TENDING a wedding, college ball or debs?

Then don’t forget to beautify your nails and get manicured with colours of the season that will complete that evening look.

Gazette Beauty is all about hands this week, and the one thing that really accentuates them is nails.

A nailcare regime is a must, and Swiss nailcare specialists Mavala say they have the right product for nails, whether it’s a colour or a treatment.

Have nails that just won’t grow? Then try nail product Mavaderma. This is a nutritive protein-enriched massage oil which, when used daily on the nail, activates blood flow to the roots to help stimulate and speed up the growth of nails.

Fragile tips are something we have all experienced, and loathe when we have just painted them. To avoid this, try Mavala Scientifique – a weekly treatment that hardens nails immediately and bonds the

A

three layers together. It helps prevent soft, flaking or split nails.

There is nothing worse than having rough and r a g g e d c u t i cl e s , s o Mavala offer a perfect partnership to stop this problem.

Mavala Cuticle Remover is a weekly treatment applied directly onto the cuticles and, in seconds, dead skin is softened and easily removed.

This is a daily treatment which softens the skin around the nail, so it can be easily rolled back.

Nibbling nails can be a problem for children and adults alike. Treat this problem with Mavala Stop – a safe product with the appearance of clear enamel, but a strong, bitter taste that acts as a strong deterrent to nail biting.

To treat cuticles damaged by biting, use Mavala Cuticle Oil which, when used daily, softens the skin around the nail, enabling it to be rolled back gently.

Once nails are treated, they are ready for finishing touches. In keeping

Swiss nailcare specialists have a wide range of nail care products to restore nails to their best

with Mavala products, nails can be painted with a great range of Mavala mini nail enamels.

When painting nails,

we want beautiful results that last, as well as providing protection from yellowing, Mavala 002 is a clear base coat that

Perfect pins: Carla walks off with a well-deserved top title A DUBLIN beauty has been crowned Miss Karora Perfect Pins 2012, giving her the welldeserved title of Ireland’s best legs.

Carla Jackson was chosen from hundreds of leggy beauties to win the Karora Miss Perfect Pins 2012 at the competition.

The finals, held in Bucks Townhouse, in Dublin 2, saw 14 ladies strut

their stuff with their lovely legs, facing a panel of VIP judges that included international model and leggy beauty, Alison Canavan; celebrity agent, Tara Sinnott, and Courtney O’Hara, of Assets Model Agency.

Campaign Carla, who trained as a ballet dancer, will front the next campaign for Irish tanning

brand Karora, which offer women a stylish, skincaring choice in self-tanning with a range of botanical bronzing products that deliver custom colour with intense skin treatments.

The Skerries native was deemed by the judges to have the perfect poise, legs and personality to walk away with the Miss Perfect Pins title.

Perfect pins:

Carla Jackson

forms a flexible barrier between nails and nail polish, as well as improving the adherence of polish, so every manicure lasts longer.

To top off a pretty nail shade, use Mavala Colourfix, clear top coat reinforced with acryl which dries to a hard flexible glaze, and provides nail colour with extra protective armour against chipping and peeling.

Mavala is nail care with a heritage spanning more than 50 years.

It was created in 1958

by Madelaine Van Landeghem and, with the introduction of Scientifique Nail Hardener, remains a best-selling product for the company.

Mavala products are available from pharma-

Of course, Mavala have lovely varnish shades

cies nationwide. The RRP for products range from €8.04 for Mavaderma (10ml) to €14.35 for a Mavala duo – Hard Ragged Cuticles.

Protect hands from sun’s rays ACCORDING to a new, national Vaseline survey, only 28% of us worry about skin damage to our hands.

The survey was carried out earlier this year using an online survey tool, and sampled 200 women aged between 21 and 49.

Vaseline discovered that only 28% of women worry about sun damage to their hands, with 72% of those surveyed admitting they never consider their hands to be at risk from the sun.

Lauren Brooking, brand manager for Vaseline Ireland, said: “We often forget that it is, in fact, our hands that are the most exposed to the sun’s harmful rays.

Moisturise “Our customers need a hand cream that will moisturise as well as protect and so, our new Vaseline Healthy Hands and UV Protection, with SPF 15, does just that,” she said.

Vaseline Healthy Hands and UV Protection hand cream, with SPF 15 and pure Aloe Vera extract, leaves your hands feeling soft while also providing daily protection from harmful UV rays.

When Irish women were asked which men they most want to get their hands on, it was not surprising that singer/songwriter Bressie (aka Niall Breslin) came out on top, followed by Shame star Michael Fassbender.

Vaseline Healthy Hands and UV Protection cream is available at supermarkets nationwide, with a RRP for 75ml set at €4.39.

For all things Vaseline-related, go to www.facebook.com/ Vaseline.

18 GAZETTE 27 September 2012

GazetteBUSINESS BUSINESS

Supported

by AIB

Interview: Nicola Crilly, Jamie At Home

DO I USE OR SAVE A LUMP SUM? Q – MY MORTGAGE has a balance of €62,000, and we are on a tracker rate of 0.8% over the ECB (total: 1.55%). I will soon have a lump sum of €20,000, which I want to pay off the mortgage. Is it better to make one lump sum, or increase the monthly payment to the equivalent of €20,000 over the next two years? AnneMarie – Baldoyle A - YOU have everything going for you – a small mortgage, coupled with a tracker interest rate AND a lump sum, too!

To answer the specific question, you WOULD be better off paying the lump sum now rather than spreading it over the next two years as, by doing it now, the capital – or what you owe – is immediately reduced and, therefore, attracts less interest, because there is less to repay!

But it does not make sense to pay off now unless you are strapped, income-wise, as you can first of all earn more on deposit interest than you will pay on your mortgage interest.

Your Rainy Day Fund (RDF) also needs to be reviewed – you should have between three and six months’ NET annual income in an RDF for those emergencies, sudden loss of income or that investment opportunity that may come along.

Even if you were to hold off the repayment of the capital until at least interest rates start to rise, as inevitably they must (but maybe not for the next two years), cash is king, and income is your number one asset.

IS INCOME PROTECTION USEFUL? Q – WITH no sick pay entitlements in my employment, I was recommended to take out income protection. Is this a good idea, or are they just trying to sell me a product? Patrick – Greystones A - WHEN you are not paying a fee for financial advice, there certainly has to be an element of vested interest at play – how else can a meeting be meaningful if income is dependent on the outcome?

Notwithstanding this, prudence may dictate that income protection in your case is a necessary route. Should you not be able to work, employers may pay your full salary for the first six months, and then half of it for the next six.

But, after one year, most employers stop the payments. What then? If you have a family to feed, a mortgage or other financial commitments to repay, and day-to-day living costs, you will still need an income. Income protection, or permanent health insurance, covers 75% of your annual salary, less your social welfare entitlement, on a monthly basis until you can resume work. This cover extends to any type of incapacitation, once you CANNOT work.

The good news is that you receive tax relief at your marginal rate on the premiums paid. This is the only type of insurance outside of unassignable life cover within pensions that does allow the relief.

Certainly, compared to Serious or Critical Illness Cover, where 95% of all claims centre on about five main illnesses – plus there is NO tax relief on the premiums – income protection can make sense in the right circumstances.

Contact John with your money questions at

Feeling right at home with Jamie’s business BUSINESS opportunities come in all shapes and sizes and from all different directions, but few put you in the network of international celebrities.

Nicola Crilly, who was a stay-at-home mother of three, became involved last September in Jamie At Home, a party planning business from Jamie Oliver that sells his dining and homeware range.

She said: “After going to a few of these parties as a customer and absolutely loving the products, I decided I would give it a go at becoming a consultant.

“This new business venture has given me a new-found confidence that I never had before.

“I am now looking forward to the months ahead. With the festive season not far away, with this comes plenty of parties, and the chance to meet lots of new people along the way.”

Nicola has found that her role comes with a few perks as well.

“In July this year, I was invited across to Jamie Oliver’s home for Pimms and pizza, along with 45 other consultants from Britain and Ireland.

“It was an unbelievable experience, as I have been such a huge fan for so long. He was so down to earth, and very welcoming to all of us.

“I am also able to combine my work with fundraising for chosen charities, which is an added bonus,” she said.

If you would be interested in finding out more about Jamie At Home, or in becoming a sales consultant, email Nicola at Nicolajah@gmail. com, or phone 086 827 2654.

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

A: A pilot Q: What was your first job?

A: Weekend work in Roches Stores, Blackrock

Q: And your first pay cheque?

A: £40 for weekend work Q: Have you ever done a job you loathed?

A: I worked as a secretary in an

Q: What part of your working day do you delegate?

A: None Q: What’s currently on your desk that shouldn’t be?

A: Paperwork and crumbs Q: Is there anything about yourself that you would like to set the record straight on?

A: No

TV or movie pleasure?

A: Coldplay, Grey’s Anatomy, and home improvement programmes

Q: Who best represents modern Ireland – David Norris or Jedward?

A: Neither Q: What music/pictures/movies do you have on your iPod/ iPad? A: Photos of family, which are

Q: What sport do you follow?

A: I really enjoyed the Olympics – I have always loved gymnastics and track events

Q: Who do you follow on Twitter/Facebook?

A: Jamie At Home, and Jamie

Q: When did you start your present job?

A: September 2011

Q: What sport can you play?

A: Badminton

Oliver, of course

Q: What is the best thing about your job?

A: The total flexibility around my family, and the bit of “me” time I get

Institute of Bankers, is founder and managing director of Money Doctor

Jamie Oliver’s home for Pimms

www.moneydoctor.ie. John Lowe, Fellow of the

and pizza

architect’s office – I was on my own a lot and hated it; I’m very much a “people-person”, and I like to interact

Q: Have you achieved anything that you once thought you could not pull off?

A: Being invited over to visit

jlowe@moneydoctor.ie or visit his website at

Nicola Crilly with celebrity chef, Jamie Oliver

Q: What habits would you like to lose?

A: Worrying about the mess of my house – the boys are growing up so fast

Q: At the moment, what are you looking forward to?

A: My brother’s wedding next month

Q: What is your guilty music/

very important to me

Q: What was your last Tweet/ status update?

A: Promoting our summer

dinner with – Enda Kenny or Dame Edna?

A: Enda Kenny Q: Where do you enjoy spending money frivolously?

A: I love New York, so it has to be there

Q: How many pairs of shoes do you own?

A: Not that many – well, about 15

Q: What was your worst holiday experience?

A: Thankfully – I have nothing bad to recall

Q: Describe your dream holiday?

A: Australia – it’s the one place I would love to see

sale – www.jamieathome.me/ nicolacrilly

Q: What would be your dream job?

A: Something that requires a

Q: Describe your dream meal?

A: All different types of shell-

bit of travelling

fish, new baby potatoes and fresh salad, all washed down with a glass of Pinot Griogio

Q: Who would you rather have

Q: What do you plan to do when you retire?

A: I’d love to visit Australia with my husband – hopefully,

27 September 2012 GAZETTE 19

GazetteHOMES HOMES

GARDENS: B&Q IRELAND TIPS, PRODUCTS TO CARE FOR YOUR PLANTS UNTIL SPRING

There’s plenty to do this winter AS THE days begin to shorten and a bit of a nip creeps into the air, there’s no escaping the fact that the summer’s over and the garden is starting its long slow slide into autumn and winter.

There’s always a bit of a sad feeling about this time of year for any keen gardener – but children can feel it worse than most; after all, when you’re not so very old yourself, the six-month wait for spring seems like an eternity.

The good news is, the coming of colder weather doesn’t have to spell the end of fun times in the garden – there’s more than enough to do to make time fly by, and B&Q Ireland have some great tips to have an autumn ball among the leaves …

Preparing for winter Towards the middle of autumn, there are plenty of jobs to do to prepare the garden for winter and, again, it’s something that children can help with.

Now’s the time to prune, as necessary; clean the tools and store them until spring and generally have a good tidy up – which means lots of leaves to rake up, prunings to collect and spent plants to add to the compost heap for willing little hands!

Bird tables and hibernation houses Autumn is also a good time to think about wildlife. If you’re planning on feeding the birds through the winter, or giving hedgehogs or toads

a place to hibernate, it’s important to get organised before the worst of the weather, so they can find the facilities you’ve arranged for them and get used to the idea.

Planting bulbs Planting bulbs is one of the traditional autumn jobs and it’s something that the whole family can have lots of fun doing together.

Planning for next year Autumn/winter is a great opportunity to think back over the past year and remember what worked and what didn’t, and then decide what you’d like to do in the months to come.

Are you planning a new

Bird box €8.62

Watering can €7.70

Rake €6.15

Bird table €30.80

garden feature? Will you pick some different varieties of plants, or go with something that’s proven itself successful?

These are the sorts of questions that any avid

young gardener will want to talk about – and, of course, nothing will make a child feel more part of the whole thing than being able to say: “I did that.”

Spring’s daffodils are a long way off, but these simple yet attractive blooms are something that children can help to prepare for now

20 GAZETTE 27 September 2012

GazetteMOTORS MOTORS New Fluence RoadSigns Road Signs – An electric car that has the right look Audi Ireland family day at Imaginosity

PICTURED at the recent Audi Ireland family day at Imaginosity, Dublin Children’s Museum. is celebrity chef and Audi brand ambassador Rachel Allen. On the day, the mum and TV chef was joined by little helpers Georgia Doyle, eight, and Sophie Doyle, six, as well as Audi’s Andrew Doyle at the Audi Family Day in Imaginosity.

CORMAC CURTIS

NEW FORD ECOSPORT TO GO ON SALE SOON: FORD have announced that the much-anticipated, all-new EcoSport, a compact, rugged and fuel efficient sports utility will go on sale in Europe within the next 18 months as Ford expands its line-up in the growing European SUV market.

EcoSport is based on Ford’s global B-segment platform and combines small car practicality with the flexibility, spaciousness, agility and style of a SUV. “Ford EcoSport will deliver great value, quality and fuel economy,” said Nick Collins, B-car vehicle line director, Ford of Europe. “It will also present customers with a fantastic small car choice that will also include the B-MAX compact multi-activity vehicle as well as the new Fiesta.”

EcoSport is the first Ford global

model to be developed entirely in South America.

Introduced in 2003, Ford created the segment in Brazil and has since sold more than 700,000 units in the region.

New EcoSport will meet the increasing demand for small SUVs in Europe, which Ford expects to double over the next five years.

“The new EcoSport has undergone millions of miles of testing, on the most rigorous terrains, in the most demanding climates across the globe,” Collins said.

EcoSport will offer a comprehensive package of driver assistance technologies including antilock brake system, Electronic Stability Program, and Hill Launch Assist.

The all-new Ford EcoSport will go on sale across Europe within the next 18 months, while Ford’s SUV range is soon to be supplemented by an all-new Kuga.

EVER since I had a power point installed at the front of my house to charge electric vehicles, doorstep conversations inevitably end up being about plug-in cars.

This is not surprising, as the whole world of electric vehicles (EVs) is one that is largely unexplored by the vast majority of the general public.

One universally appealing aspect of batterypowered cars is the cost of fuelling.

Even with the increase in domestic electricity charges that is set to descend upon us later this year, a full top-up will still only cost €3 to €4.

Putting the low-cost appeal to one side, and even the sticker price and the monthly lease of the battery (I’ll get to that later), the big question that people have is, are electric vehicles desirable as cars? And the answer is a definite, yes.

Kind of.

I say “kind of” because there are a few ways of looking at this. Firstly, there are a number of different types of electric vehicles available to the public, so, like any petrol or diesel car, you must consider which will suit your needs best.

A few months back I reviewed the Renault

SPECS: RENAULT FLUENCE ZE 0 – 100km/hr: 13.4 sec Engine: Elec 2.4 Maximum Power 70hp DIN (kw ISO) Maximum Torque – 226 Nm ISO (mkg DIN) Price: €26,610 (model driven)

Kangoo ZE – and I loved it. It costs peanuts to run, it has bags of space for people and stuff, the driving cockpit is roomy in the extreme and you have an amazing view of the road.

But it’s a van… and not everyone likes driving vans as much as I do.

So, as an alternative, Renault also offers the rather pleasant Fluence ZE with an electric motor.

And what an attractive alternative this is.

Modern

The Fluence ZE boasts a modern exterior with a comfortable and stylish interior; the only giveaway that it’s electric is the ZE logo on the back – unless of course you’re driving a press car, in which case it has all sorts of graphics emblazoned along the side to let everyone know you’re sitting on a bank of batteries!

To be honest, I liked the fact that people knew I was driving an elec-

tric car – it meant they approached me to discuss it, and it gave me an opportunity to find out what people thought.

And I was surprised with the reaction.

Now, either the recession is receding (?) or I only met fairly well-todo folks while testing the Fluence.

You would think that the over-riding attraction of an electric car is the low cost of fuel – but it would appear that the look of the motor is even more critical.

I realise this is just anecdotal evidence, but every person I spoke with was amazed that a regular, full-sized saloon could be powered by an electric motor and offer all the looks and luxury of its petrol or diesel stable-mates.

Without exception – those I spoke to were more likely to buy an electric car if it looked the part, a concern that trumped even the car’s driving range on a fully charged battery.

Apparently, the perception of EVs is that they are all either small commercial vehicles or golf buggies.

So, it turns out in this particular straw poll, image came in ahead of low running costs.

When I raised the issue of carry space, which is a

little limited In the Fluence ZE because of the room in the boot taken up by the batteries, those I spoke to would be happy enough with the trade off, as they saw it as a city-driving, family car, not something to go holidaying in.

Fair enough, says I, because with a range of roughly 120kms on a full charge, a driving holiday in the Fluence ZE would need to be very carefully planned.

Funnily enough, the subject of performance hardly even came up.

As it happens, this was one of the big surprises with the Fluence.

Power

Once you get used to the silent running of the engine, it becomes very clear that this car has plenty under the hood, or wherever the power plant is kept!

I would liken the driving performance to a modern saloon with a 1.6-litre diesel engine.

It has plenty of torque at the ready, and it cruises at a very comfortable 120km/h on the motorway.

It is hard to say, however, if the cabin noise is any louder than a petrol or diesel model. Because there is no sound from the engine whatsoever, you can find yourself

The Renault Fluence ZE

noticing the cabin noise that little bit more.

Speaking of noise, I would say that it is important for electric cars to come with a second, quieter horn.

I was genuinely surprised how often I found myself slowly driving behind people walking on the road or in car parks, etc, because they couldn’t hear me coming. Something to gently alert them to my presence would have been nice.

So, in short, the idea of a handsome, modern saloon charging up each night in the driveway seemed a very attractive proposition to a great deal of people. Compromised boot space and limited range are traded off with good looks and comfort.

The last hurdle for people to get their heads around is the lease on the car’s battery – this really

27 September 2012 GAZETTE 21

Edited by Cormac Curtis

RoadSigns Road Signs Cathal Ryan, fleet sales manager, Toyota Ireland and Jonathan Moore, marketing manager, Motability Ireland. Picture: Tommy McDermott

Toyota Ireland supplies Motability Ireland with new Verso-S vehicle TOYOTA Ireland has supplied Motability Ireland with a new Verso-S demonstration vehicle as part of its ongoing commitment to the mobility market.

The vehicle will be equipped with swivel seat, wheelchair boot hoist, state-of-the-art hand controls, steering aids and left foot accelerator.

It will be available for demonstration through Motability Ireland and the Toyota dealer network.

Commenting on the collaboration, Cathal Ryan, fleet sales manager, Toyota Ireland, said: “We are delighted to have this opportunity to work with Motability Ireland. Like Toyota, Motability Ireland manufacture vehicles with a renowned reputation for quality and reliability backed up by industry leading customer service.

They are at the forefront of the mobility industry. At Toyota, we realise the importance of the mobility market to our brand’s success in Ireland, and we intend to build upon this relationship in the future” Jonathan Moore, marketing manager, Motability Ireland said: “We look forward to working with Toyota. Their products represent the very best in design and reliability and this reflects Motability Ireland`s core values. The Verso-S is a fantastic new vehicle, with a higher seating position, good accessibility and fully automatic transmission. I’m confident it will be successful in the mobility market.”

boasts a modern exterior, plenty of torque and has a range of approximately 120kms on a full charge

is where people will suck air between their teeth in the showroom.

In order to keep these cars future-proof, Renault, along with most other car companies, have opted for a lease arrangement with the battery so the owner can

get a more improved unit as they become available, hopefully providing the cars with better range as the battery technology develops.

The idea is a good one, but at roughly €80 per month, it will be a bitter enough pill for many to

swallow.

Personally, I’m a huge fan of electric motoring.

For the very same reasons, I heard back from members of the general public, and I overlook the downsides in just the same way.

If I’m completely

honest, the fact that the Government gets only a fraction of the money they would if I were driving a regular car, makes the Fluence even more attractive.

I also get a kick out of the idea that the car’s range may improve with

age as the batteries get better.

The Fluence ZE is available from €26,610, considering how little the running costs are, I reckon this is a good deal.

This car impressed me, and if the range was better, I’d be all over it.

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22 GAZETTE 27 September 2012

GazetteTTRAVEL FastTravel Old-world charms in the city of the Tribes Set sail for a great car-cation with Stena Line and the National Trust PEOPLE looking for an action-packed autumn car-cation should look no further than Stena Line, as Ireland’s leading ferry company has teamed up with Britain’s National Trust to offer families and groups 20% off accommodation and activities at the Stackpole Outdoor Learning Centre, Pembrokeshire, during September and October.

Travel from Rosslare to Fishguard and enjoy the action at the centre, which is based at the heart of the 2000-acre National Trust Stackpole Estate.

Visitors have the opportunity to kayak, explore more than 30km of woodland paths and lakes, or to take part in Atlantic surf scrambling and coasteering.

Travel from €89 single for a car and driver, with additional adults from €30 (single) and children from €17 (single), as well as 20% off accommodation and activities at the Stackpole Outdoor Centre.

For further information or to make a booking, see www.stenaline.ie or call 01 204 7777.

Brush up on your art skills with a three-day painting retreat by the lovely waters of Lough Corrib FOR any budding artist looking for an opportunity to relax at an exclusive and luxurious painting retreat, Lisloughrey Lodge is offering a three-day retreat filled with art, exploration, dining and meeting new people.

Overlooking beautiful Lough Corrib, Lisloughrey Lodge is a four-star boutique hotel located on the Mayo/Galway border, and is the perfect suggestion for artists looking to develop their practice.

On Tuesday, October 9, guests will check in for a three-night stay at one of the lodge’s deluxe courtyard rooms, before enjoying a welcome lunch in the Quay Bar and an introduction to locally-based artist, teacher and gallery owner, John Dinan, who will offer tuition each day.

The first ever luxury artists’ retreat takes place from October 9 to October 12. Costing €495, the package includes three nights B&B, a welcome lunch, a final group dinner and three days’ tuition.

Early booking is advisable. For further information, contact Lisloughrey Lodge at 094 954 5400.

NATALIE BURKE

IT CAN be hard to tick all the boxes when it comes to taking a weekend away in Ireland. One thing is for sure; the weather can be unpredictable, wherever you go.

But, when it comes to the other boxes – fourstar accommodation full of old-fashioned Irish charm, a city full of culture on the doorstep, being just minutes away from beaches, shops and lively bars, and facing just a short drive to some of the scenery this country is most famously praised for, it seems that Galway City exceeds expectations.

Having only had the pleasure of being to Galway City once before – on an occasion not done in too much style – it came as no surprise that, when the opportunity arose, I jumped at the chance to stay at the renowned Hotel Meyrick.

The oldest hotel in Galway city, it lived up the expectation I had set for its combination of oldworld glamour, sophistication and contemporary style.

Once known as “the Railway Hotel”, the Hotel Meyrick is one hotel that has its history intertwined with that of the city it resides in. Located quite literally in the very heart of Galway City, the

hotel stands elegantly overlooking Eyre Square, just a stone’s throw away from the city’s highlights and public transport systems – Galway Railway Station is located right on Eyre Square.

First opened in 1852, the Hotel Meyrick earned its current name only a few years ago, when it was named after Eyre Square’s former title, Meyrick Place.

Arriving by car at Hotel Meyrick, its central location makes it a busy des-

the scene.

We checked into a junior suite; a fifth-floor room overlooking the 400-year-old square, its windows offering possibly the best view of Galway city.

The king-size bed, spacious bathroom and modern flatscreen TV take nothing away from the old-world charm of the luxurious suite.

In the warmer months, you might miss the full blast of air-conditioning (the fact that the building

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‘The hotel’s exterior is impressive in itself, the building taking precedence on its corner of Eyre Square but, if that doesn’t take you aback, the Meyrick’s impressive lobby will’

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

tination, traffic-wise but, if you’re lucky enough to find a spot to pull in first time round, the hotel’s friendly valets quickly take it off your hands.

The hotel’s exterior is impressive in itself, the five-floored building taking precedence on its corner of Eyre Square but, if that doesn’t take you aback, the Meyrick’s impressive lobby will.

Grand, spacious and inviting, the lobby boasts high ceilings, a number of old fashioned couches and warm lighting to set

is listed means there are restrictions – an element that is intriguing in itself) but, even after throwing the wide windows open to let fresh air through, the sounds of the Galway streets remind you of the bustling liveliness of a modern city that rarely sleeps.

The menus at the Oyster Grill Restaurant reflect its fortunate proximity to the west coast, the variety complemented by Beara Island mussels, Atlantic crab claws and seasonal oysters.

The popular restaurant offers an a-la-carte option, a table d’hote menu, as well as Sunday lunch, with its doors open to both guests and locals seven days a week.

After choosing the chicken liver and herb pate, followed by a sirloin steak with Guinness and mushroom jus – which comes highly recommended – we chose to finish our evening with a nightcap at the laidback Oyster Bar. Breakfast is served in the same restaurant and is a generous spread of fresh fruit, cereals and mini-pastries, as well as a buffet-style option for a full Irish breakfast.

Following breakfast, I couldn’t help but be tempted by the rumours I heard about the Square Spa and Health Club, located on the fifth floor of the Meyrick.

Good rumours, of course, that encouraged me to bypass the state-ofthe-art gym and indulge instead in a morning of relaxation.

What the spa lacks in size, it makes up for in privacy and quality.

The spa overlooks the cityscape of Galway and, while I had to avoid climbing into the romantic Canadian hot tub overlooking the city (which was already occupied by two people enjoying a

As you would expect from

glass of bubbly), I opted instead for a signature Dermalogica facial.

Outside the little world created by the Meyrick lies cobbled streets, colourful shops and a busy café bar culture spreading right across the city.

Already located at the heart of where it all happens, why not take a stroll on the beach at Salthill, stop off for a well-earned pint of Guinness at one of the city’s many old Irish pubs, or take a drive to see the unspoilt beauty of the famous Connemara coast?

The Relax & Unwind package offers two nights’ bed and full Irish breakfast, with one evening dinner at the Oyster Grill Restaurant, and a choice of a relaxing Indian Head Massage or a Mini Facial from €184 per room.

For further packages and information, see www.hotelmeyrick.ie.

27 September 2012 LUCAN GAZETTE 23

Edited by Natalie Burke

TravelBriefs Let Wings Abroad fly you away to the sun at a Turkish holiday resort IF THE lack of sun this summer has left you feeling down, perhaps an autumn sunshine break could be just what you need?

Get away from the Irish weather this October with Wings Abroad, the Turkish holiday specialists, from just €369 per person.

The four-star Golden Day Wings Hotel in Kusadasi, a firm favourite with Irish holiday makers, are offering a seven-night stay from just €369, and a 14-night stay from just €429.

Enjoy friendly service, reliable weather and the exhilarating views of the Kusadasi coastline from your balcony at the four-star hotel, set in a unique location within easy walking distance of the marina and Kusadasi town centre.

Prices are based on two persons sharing a twin room on a B&B basis, and are for selected dates in October.

For further information or to make a booking, see www.wingsabroad.ie, or call 01 871 9444. Prices are subject to availability, and terms and conditions apply.

such an impressive exterior, the Meyrick also has impressive bedrooms and facilities, making it a perfect, welcoming base for visitors

First opened in 1852, the Hotel Meyrick has a perfect location on Eyre Square, with a range of suites offering the best of old-world charms, while its spa and health club offers contemporary pampering for guests to really spoil themselves

24 LUCAN GAZETTE 27 September 2012

GazetteENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT

GoingOUT THE PAVILION THEATRE 01 231 2929 The 39 Steps

THE dangerous world of spying in the 1930s is brought to life in a great performance of the classic comic play, still best-known to many audiences for the Alfred Hitchcock film of the same name. In 1935, Richard Hannay is thrown into the mysterious world of spying, in a bid to keep his country safe – but nothing is what it seems, as his life is turned upside down by danger – and comedy! With many lighthearted touches, this is a show that’s sure to entertain.

Step lively to catch the show at 8pm on Friday, September 28 or Saturday, September 29, with tickets priced at €15.

MILL THEATRE 01 296 9340 Karl Spain and Bernard O’Shea

ALTERNATIVELY this weekend, in a break from espionage antics, why not spy on two of Ireland’s funniest men? TV funnyman Karl Spain has abandoned his well-known search for a woman to return to his stand-up roots. Bernard O’Shea is a freewheeling comic, familiar to many as the roving reporter on The Republic of Telly, not to mention his prestigious representation of Ireland in the Montreal Just For Laughs festival. Already individually impressive, the two comics have an evening not to be missed this weekend.

Catch the show at 8.15pm on Friday, September 28 or Saturday, September 29, with tickets priced at €12/€14.

As an autonomous and totalitarian lawmaker, Judge Dredd (Karl Urban) doesn’t need to do much more than grunt “I am derrr lawww!” at

CIVIC THEATRE 01 462 7477

bad guys – and then shoot them – in the latest film that attempts to bring the iconic comic character to life

Misery

THE popular tale of a fan’s obsessive love, Misery is set to chill with an upcoming production at the Civic Theatre. Joe Meagher and Denise Camp will thrill audiences with their roles, ready to show how novelist Paul Sheldon’s rescuer from a car crash, Annie Wilkes is anything but his saviour.

Recuperating in her house, cut off from the world, and facing her increasingly erratic attention, Sheldon faces devising the greatest plot of his life – how to escape ...

Misery will be staged nightly at 8pm from Tuesday, October 9 to Saturday, October 13, with tickets priced at €16/€20.

DRAIOCHT 01 885 2622 The Music Makers

THIS fascinating celebration of the interaction between instruments and musicians will delight any music fan.

Live music by outstanding traditional musicians will be accompanied by film showing the workings of instrument makers’ workshops, presenting an insightful evening of delightful music. Catch the performance at 8.15pm on Friday, September 28, with tickets priced at €14/€16.

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Not totally Dredd-ful It’s hard to do very much with a character that just likes being sour and shooting things, but this film’s on target ...

I KATE CROWLEY

DARLINGS! I’m back!

Well, “back”, as in “back doing a couple of fill-in reviews for a temporary week or two, as I slunk off Gazette Group from The Gazett ago”-back. some time ago”-b So, it’s my great gre pleasall of my ure to say hi to a old fans – yes, yes, I missed you both, too – and an to say rest of you hi to all the res to and, more importantly, impor give you a review of a film for your consideration. consider While in the Whil we’re ’ mood of being all happy and welcoming, and news editors not paying very careful attention to temporary film reviewers’ expenses claims, may I say that it’s been simply dreadful for me, wondering how on earth readers would cope without my on-the-nose reviews?

But nothing, perhaps, as Dredd-ful as this week’s review, Dredd 3D. (See what I did there?)

Taking the long-run-

FILM OF THE WEEK: Dredd 3D #### (18) 96 mins Director: Pete Travis Starring: Karl Urban, Olivia Thirlby, Lena Headey, Jason Cope, Domhnall Gleeson, thousands of thugs, Mega City One

OUR VERDICT:

WITH some decent names behind the camera, from scripting to cinematography, the director hasn’t made a Travis-ty of bringing Dredd back to the big screen. True, the ultimate law enforcer still doesn’t need to do much more than scowl underneath a big helmet – and then shoot stuff – but, as far as big, dumb action B-movies go, this decent enough film lays down the law in some style.

ning comic book character (Judge Dredd) and his setting, we’ve got a noisy action film that tries to do him justice.

(All right, all right – whoever started shouting from the back about Sly Stallone’s misguided version ages ago can sit down again.)

As a set-up, in the near future, most of the world is a nuclear wasteland, with the remains of humanity packed into vast, teeming and totalitarian megacities – with none more sardine-packed than Mega City One (formerly known as separate places called New York, Chica-

go, Washington, etc).

Unfortunately, even by chaotic Mega City One standards, life’s more hellish than usual, thanks to the effects of a drug, Slo-Mo, on the people and gangs. Oh, you know, crime and drugs aren’t ever going to lead to a happy story, right?

With Slow-Mo causing warfare across the city, it’s time to send in The Law – with none more lawful than Judge Dredd, not just one of the city’s tough-nut cops but, also, a one-man judge, jury and executioner. Literally.

Given Dredd’s habit of dispensing instant capital

punishment for virtually every misdemeanour (TV licence inspectors may take note), he’s the right man to send into one part of the city to tackle the Slo-Mo problem there.

Dredd (a grunt-tastic Karl Urban playing Dredd appropriately, as half-scowl, half-helmet) and his rookie sidekick, slightly-psychic Judge Anderson (Olivia Thirlby) find themselves in a typical, 1km-tall tower block, home to thousands of residents ...

Except that, wouldn’t you know it, it’s not just a base for Slo-Mo, it’s THE base for Slo-Mo. Of all the tower blocks in all Mega City One, Dredd walks into that one. (I’d ask that man to start buying your Lotto tickets, if I were you.)

Crimelord Ma-Ma (Lena Headey) immediately orders a block lockdown, with a bounty on Dredd and Andersons’ heads, leaving two judges

to face off against lots and lots of trigger-happy minions …

To say any more would put me back in “…and then the Titanic hit an iceberg” territory.

Suffice it to say that, yes, it’s got all of the gunfire and gunplay that you’d expect from such a film, but it’s elevated – slightly – from the usual standards of such films by the interesting crew behind the camera, leading to some arresting sights, and some admittedly stylish cinematography.

Given the subject matter, it’s certainly a Dreddful film, but, thankfully, not quite a dreadful one. There are certainly worse films to spend your money one. Hmmm. That indirectly reminds me of a joke about an old cinema nemesis of mine.

“What’s the only thing worse than a new Clive Owen film? Two new Clive Owen films!” That’s all, folks!

27 September 2012 LUCAN GAZETTE 25

GazetteGAMING GAMING Bytesandpieces Second Life dev looks at Patterns REMEMBER Second Life? Anyone? Surely you all remember the seemingly endless hype from about seven years ago about Linden Labs’ vast, online world where anyone could be anything, and where banks and high-street retailers would build “clicksand-morter” virtual outlets for people to do all their online shopping at?

(I remember Second Life very well – as being the world’s biggest ghost town; a virtual, sprawling version of I Am Legend, but with extra Nike stores and a few brave, if dejected, souls wandering around.)

Now, Linden Labs have released information and a trailer for Patterns; its next world title, which follows the current vogue for user-created worldbuilding and reshaping titles. (Think: “Minecraft with triangles”, and you’re pretty much there.) Let’s hope that Linden Labs gets a second wind for its next potentially major venture ...

Saying Halo to a special preview Taking place in a cel-shaded version of some of Tokyo’s most iconic districts, Jet Set Radio doesn’t have quite the visual “wow” factor today that it did upon its release on the Dreamcast in 2000, but, thankfully, its fun gameplay is just as capable of drawing you in

Can easily draw you in I SHANE DILLON

I’M SO old, I can remember when Sega was primarily known for its consoles, rather than being “just” a developer.

This being so, many an aging gamer will join me in wiping away tears of nostalgia over Sega’s missed Dreamcast console – the cube-shaped bundle of joy that passed away before its time, given its underwhelming support by developers and publishers.

One of the DC’s most notable and lauded titles was Jet Set Radio; a fun and funky cel-shaded title that (local councillors and Tidy Towns groups

may wish to look away now) saw players racing around a busy cityscape, tagging areas with their graffiti to mark their turf over rival gangs’, while avoiding the police who’d eventually show up.

Having travelled the world and seen such things everywhere, I’ve seen how there’s an enormous difference between graffiti (the blight of a thousand estates around Dublin, and the world) and street art (mocking society, making political jokes, and so on) – but, here, it’s pretty much just graffiti played for laughs, as an attempt to inject some fun and colour back into an increasingly dull

cityscape.

As another in the cool trend of digital remakes, Jet Set Radio HD sees the old title picked up, dusted off, and available for digital download for both XBox 360 and PlayStation 3 (prices var y) , giving modern gamers the chance to play a stylish gaming classic.

Players choose from a number of characters, with many more available throughout the game, to skate around a number of colourful

Tokyo districts, with each character having their own strengths and weaknesses.

In each open area, the player has to tag their mark over rival gangs’, collecting spray cans and avoiding the interests of the police, while trying to add to their score by grinding and performing tricks on the many conveniently-placed railings, steps, bars and other such grind-friendly surfaces.

A n d t h a t ’s pretty much it – there’s noth-

ing about avenging family wrongs, saving the world or murky cover-ups, here – just fun gameplay, racing around, spraying tags, completing challenges and collecting characters.

Of course, I hate seeing graffiti in real life – meaningless scrawls are ugly to see, in any city of the world – but, here, there’s a lot of fun in adding some slapdash colour to Tokyo, with the slightly anarchic gameplay just as engaging as ever.

Here’s hoping that the remake of Dreamcast classics continues (Skies of Arcadia next, please).

Beat, Jet Set Radio’s iconic lead character

Minister Shatter wings it with a tongue-in-cheek response to Apple’s map mistake THE Minister for Justice, Alan Shatter, revealed an amusing way with words last week as he, too, joined in the fuss over Apple’s new Maps app, bundled as part of the latest update to its gadgets’ operating system, IOS 6.

This saw Apple ditch its previous use of Google Maps for its own version instead, which is a

fair enough move ...

Unfortunately, however, the internet immediately saw a flood of complaints from irate people, from individuals to companies, all complaining about Apple’s version of Maps, versus Google’s.

Missing cities, incomplete entries, incorrectly branded places – the list of user complaints

goes on. Having looked through this new Maps a bit, myself, I can see why.

Frankly, I wouldn’t be surprised to see “Here Be Dragons” and pictures of mermaids on some of the particularly blank areas that I looked at, such is its relative paucity of content compared to the more detailed Google version.

As for Minister Shatter,

while he’s unlikely to be starring at the Laughter Lounge any time soon, he had a tongue-in-cheek response to the revalation that Airfield House, in Dundrum, has now been branded as, well, an air field (complete with airport symbol), courtesy of Apple.

He said: “In the context of Airfield there are a variety of possible alter-

native images that could be utilised, such as a cow, a goat, a sheep, a flower or indeed any other type of plant, as Airfield operates a nursery.

“An aircraft is an entirely inappropriate flight of imagination.”

While he was probably winging it a bit with his comments, there’s no doubt that it’s an interesting stumble by Apple.

LASTLY, look out for a special report on Halo 4 in the near future, as I’m off to Madrid (yes, that Madrid) to take a closer, hands-on preview look at what’s sure to be a smash-hit crowdpleaser later this year. So, stay tuned for that upcoming Halo 4 report – and, possibly, a special giveaway, too ...

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GazetteSPORT

LIFFEY DESCENT: Czech team in town for annual canoe marathon: Page 28

COMMUNITY GAMES: DUBLIN COMMITTEE SEEKS NEW MEMBERS FOR 2013 SEASON

McManus hails role of Community Games volunteers sport@gazettegroup.com

ALL good things must come to an end, and that is what will happen to Dublin Community Games in 2013 as a number of long-standing members retire at this year’s annual general meeting.

Some of the existing committee are stepping down after many years of dedicated involvement with the role of secretary and games director opening up.

As such, Dublin Community Games are seeking new volunteers to join the county committee to help run the extensive programme of competitions.

Speaking about the 2012 Games programme, Brian MacManus, chairperson, said: “2012 has been a successful, yet challenging year for us, as we struggled to stage our full programme of events.

“It is always sad to see volunteers, colleagues

and, more importantly friends retire, but none of us is around forever, and we need new volunteers now more than ever before.

“With the retirement of many of our longstanding volunteers, we will not be able to stage the full, new 2013 programme without the help of new volunteers.”

Catering for young people aged six to 16 years-old in a pro gramme with a strong emphasis firmly placed

Marley Grange participants enjoy the 2012 Community Games relays at Santry Stadium

on fun, participation and creating community spirit, Dublin Community Games provides over 55 sporting and cultural activities.

T hese range from athletics to art, choir to chess, soccer to swimming, judo to gymnastics, and volleyball to variety,

with debating, duathlon, hybrid rugby and spike ball all being added to the programme next year.

All these activities are run in local communities around Dublin, and provide opportunities for young people to develop in a healthy and safe environment while expe-

riencing a wide range of activities.

There is also a youth programme on offer where you can help at local and county events, mentor teams, develop new skills while encouraging youth participation in the community.

The annual meeting

takes place on Tuesday, October 2 at 7.30pm in Carmichael House, Dublin 7. All are welcome.

For more information on how to get involved, contact Dublin Secretary, Maureen Quinlan on 01 872 8203 or check out www.dublincommunitygames.ie

28 LUCAN GAZETTE 27 September 2012

GazetteSport Sport FastSport

Ireland Warriors win Euro Cup in fine style

THE IRELAND Warriors Aussie Rules team won their second Euro Cup in Edinburgh last weekend with a stunning come-frombehind one-point win over Denmark Vikings in Edinburgh last Saturday.

It was described as the “best game of Aussie Rules I’ve seen played in Europe” by tournament organiser AFL Europe general manager Ben MacCormack as the Irish side, featuring a number of players from the South Dublin Swans, came from 11 points behind in the final minute.

They blast home two quick goals just seconds from the final siren and win 5.0 (30) to 4.5 (29) with Ireland’s Muiris Bartley kicking the vital goal.

The competition saw 16 teams compete at Peffermill over a series of 24-minute games played in a nine-a-side format.

Speaking about the ever-growing size of the competition, McCormack added: “It just shows just how much the game is developing in Europe across both genders.”

A bagpipe player, dressed in a kilt, provided background noise during the exhibition women’s match, in which the Irish Banshees – which features players from Lucan and Malahide – crushed the European Crusaders 13.14 (92) to 8.8 (56).

Aimee-Louise Hazley took a break from her club Gaelic football season with St Sylvester’s – who are into the Leinster intermediate championship quarter-final – to take part in the contest.

Not much separated the teams at the last change before the Irish experience got them across the line in the last term.

CANOEING: 800 TO TAKE IN ANNUAL LIFFEY DESCENT MARATHON

World bronze medallist Antonin Hales has been added to the field for the annual Liffey Descent as the event gains world recognition

Descent hits heights PETER CARROLL sport@gazettegroup.com

IN ITS first year since its inclusion in the World River Marathon Series, the Liffey Descent is back on Sunday September 29, with over 800 canoeists ready to attack the white water rapids of the renowned river Liffey route.

The usual crew making up the Irish contingent will be ready to fly the flag – Thomastown Paddlers of Kilkenny, Wild Water Kayak Club of Chapelizod, Salmon Leap Canoe Club of Leixlip and Celbridge Paddlers – but this year they will be joined by the Czech National team who have been attracted to the event after it received its world marathon recognition The Czechs, who are due to compete in the

C1 class, will be afforded the opportunity of gaining ranking points if they are successful around the course, as will those taking part in the K1 class, something that Irish competitor Keith McGuirk believes can only bring more international interest to the tournament.

“It’s huge to have the Czech team coming over,” said the C1 athlete. “I think a lot of other teams might take an interest in the marathon because of its new classification.

“If the Czech team have a good experience, they’ll be spreading the word about the event and hopefully that will lead to more and more international teams coming over in the future.

“The fact that Antonin Hales is competing is very big as far as the marathon is concerned. He’s a huge name in world

white water rafting and he was part of the team that won bronze at the world championships,” said McGuirk.

The Liffey Descent is one of the biggest events of its kind in the world and is not for the faint-hearted. The 28km course combines long flat water sections, swift currents, 10 weirs and numerous rapids, a heavily wooded section and a long portage around Leixlip dam.

Competitors need to be of level three kayak standard and the reasons for such a big turnout, from the casual athletes to the championship level, is the fact that the ESB guarantee the white water element of the event.

The ESB will release 30 tonnes of water from the Poulaphouca Reservoir to coincide with the race.

This brings the river up to flood level and transforms small rapids and gentle weirs into foaming white water, which gives the marathon its unique drawing point, making it one of the most unique and challenging courses of its kind, according to McGuirk.

“The fact that the race is guaranteed white water because of the role of the ESB it makes it a very interesting course for a lot of reasons.

“It’s a long course at 18 miles, and the fact that the competitors are working

against white water while still trying to conserve energy to endure the full length of the marathon makes it a fantastic challenge and a great test for all levels of competitor,” said McGuirk The event began back in 1959 as an inter club event for the national scene, but has gone on to grow every year. McGuirk believes that Olympic competitors like Eoin Rheinisch and Hannah Craig have injected a lot of interest in the event on the back of their showings at the Olympic Games.

27 September 2012 LUCAN GAZETTE 29

DublinGazetteNewspapers 2012 DUBLIN SPORTS AWARDS - SEPTEMBER NOMINEES

FastSport

# STARof the MONTH

ERIC LOWNDES

CATHERINE WALSH

DAVID BYRNE

AT THE fourth attempt, the St Peregrine’s man finally tastes All-Ireland minor final success and could help Dublin to a famous double

SWORDS woman Catherine Walsh claimed medals on both the track and the road to mark an epic Paralmypic Games

NAOMH Olaf’s full-back was the beating heart of the Dublin minor All-Ireland success, leading the side with some superb showings

# TEAMof the MONTH

ST SYLVESTER’S

CASTLE GOLF CLUB

NAOMH OLAF

JUST two years since attaining inter status for the first time, Syl’s hurlers powered their way to the senior ranks in jig-time

CASTLE GC ended a long 99-year wait but finally won back amateur golf’s biggest team prize, the Irish Senior Cup

FIELDING 17 players who discovered ladies football through the Gaelic for Mothers programme, they rose to win a JFC title

Camogie make-a-wish: National association links up with charity MAKE-A-WISH Ireland are set to partner with the Camogie Association for the next three years. The Camogie Association will help promote, support and fundraise for the charity which is celebrating 20 years in Ireland this year.

The partnership was announced at the AllIreland camogie championship final last week in Croke Park. Susan O’Dwyer, Make-A-Wish Ireland said: “We look forward to working with the association and developing exciting fundraising events and activities which will help us to continue to grant wishes for children living with life-threatening medical conditions.”

For more information log onto www. makeawish.ie and www.camogie.ie.

South Dublin clubs in running for awards

LOCAL hockey clubs came away with a series of nominations on the shortlist for the Irish Hockey Association annual awards last Thursday following an extensive public vote that saw over 5,000 people offer their views.

Beaufort club Loreto are up for two major gongs as they were included in the lists for Club of the Year and Youth Club of the Year following a sterling 2011/12 season.

In the former category, Loreto earned their stripes by reaching the final of the Irish Hockey League while also making it through to the finals weekend of the Irish Senior Cup, the two top competitions for women’s hockey in Ireland.

On top of that, they picked up a number of Leinster league titles with their junior teams while they started to build their first clubhouse, too. They are up against south Dublin rivals Railway Union and Blackrock side Avoca.

The latter club is another to have set in motion plans to improve their facilities in Newpark with a new Portakabin built and in operation for the new season.

Their men’s first team returned to division one for the first time in seven seasons as their development plan came into full effect.

Elsewhere, Monkstown’s David Cole is up for the U-18 player of the year having made his debut for the Irish senior national team during his Leaving Certificate year, lining out in green against world number five side Spain earlier in 2012. He also captained his school side St Andrew’s to the Leinster senior cup.

There were plenty of nominations for Alexandra College following their run to the AllIreland girl’s Kate Russell Cup glory. They are up for the hockey school of the year while their coach Miles Warren is in the final four for the U-18 coach of the year having also been at the helm for the Irish U-16 boys as they finished fifth in the European championships in the summer.

Loreto and Rathdown head coach Graham Shaw is one of four in the running for the coach of the year title while Olympic umpire Carol Metchette is one of the favourites for the top whistle-blower gong.

30

LUCAN GAZETTE 27 September 2012

GazetteSport Sport FastSport

O’Driscoll continues to grow cult following AFTER months of back and forth between the two mixed martial arts fighters, Lucan’s Conor “The Notorious” McGregor has set up a bout with his American rival, Jim “The Beast” Alers to defend his world featherweight title which will be contested on New Year’s Eve in Dublin.

McGregor and Alers were originally scheduled to fight earlier in the year, but a facial wound put McGregor out of the original contest. The new bout has now been set for December 31 in The Helix.

A venue with a lot of history for the Lucan man, McGregor will be confident after beating Dave Hill to take his title there in June where he marked a victory with a celebration that is remembered as one of the watershed moments for the sport in Ireland.

The two men have a lot riding on this fight with both gaining a lot of exposure on the back of their convincing string of victories, with McGregor being considered as Ireland’s greatest hope at the big time stage of the Ultimate Fighting Championships.

Weston hockey back in action WESTON hockey club begin their Leinster league campaign this weekend with their men’s first team playing Clontarf in the first round of division two games.

Alan Browne remains in charge of the club as they look to bounce back into division one having made it into the top tier for the 2010/11 season. They do so with the combative Eamon Lynskey join-

ing their ranks from Navan while the likes of Enda Tucker and Browne will be key men. They play their opening tie at 3pm in Griffeen Valley Park on Saturday.

Their women’s first team, meanwhile, play Railway Union in Park Avenue while the second team host Three Rock Ladies and the third team are up against Muckross on a busy day for the club.

The men’s second team started their division four challenge with a 3-3 draw against Clontarf.

SOCCER: UNITED UP TO FOURTH AFTER THIRD WIN IN FOUR

A 2-0 win over Wicklow Rovers has helped Lucan United recover from a slow start to the season as they adjust to a new training regime

Lucan wipe out Wicklow I sport@gazettegroup.com

LUCAN United have taken three wins out of their last four outings in the Sunday Senior 1B league to lift them to fourth in the division.

Their latest victory coming against Wicklow Rovers saw them win a tough contest 2-0 as they bounced back from a tricky start to the campaign.

Following last Sunday’s win, manager Thomas Devlin believes that the weeks of playing their league matches on Friday nights in Leixlip’s all-weather facilities have

been hard for his men to adjust to.

“There’s no doubt about it, we’ve had a slow start,” Devlin told GazetteSport.

“All of our losses have come on the all-weather pitch in Leixlip and, don’t get me wrong, they’re fantastic facilities, but the lads have let a few soft goals go in there and they’ve found it hard to adjust.

“We’ve been having our training sessions on Thursdays, so I think a lot of the lads have been carrying a bit of fatigue into the Friday night games.

Meehan’s medals: Paralympic heroine visits Adamstown LONDON Paralympic medallist Fran Meehan

visited Adamstown cycling team last week to show off the silver and bronze medals she won earlier this month as the able-bodied tandem pilot with Swords’ Catherine Walsh.

She took time out from her hectic schedule, which also included an appearance on the Late Late Show and attendance at the People Of The Year awards Saturday, to show her impressive medals. Meehan will be a guest on a few Adamstown training spins over the winter.

“The fitness levels may have dropped a bit for the lads because we had to do a light hour-long session on the Thursdays to keep the lads fresh.

“I think the fact that the Wicklow game came on a Sunday made a big difference, because the lads all had fresh legs on the morning.”

Chris Dunne opened the scoring for Devlin’s side in the opening exchanges of the first half when he caught a volley at an absurd angle at the edge of the right hand side of the box, before the ball rocketed into the top left hand corner.

The teams exchanged scoring opportunities for the remainder of the first half with the goal being the only thing that divided the sides that seemed equally matched all over the field.

Keith Doherty seemed to be a dead cert to double the Lucan lead when the ball fell to him two yards from the goal with no keeper in sight.

However, the ball bobbled in front of the player who guided the ball toward the woodwork before it bounced back out to play.

Conor Barcoe made four top class saves to

keep Wicklow at bay, and the home team were definitely getting the better of the play for the majority of the second half.

Gary Lang, on his debut for the club, came off the bench to convert a well-worked free-kick directly from the training ground with two minutes to go, putting the game beyond the Wicklow side’s grasp.

“They are a top side, it really could’ve gone either way,” said Devlin.

“We’ll get Sunday football for the next couple of weeks and I think we can get some solid results.”

27 September 2012 LUCAN GAZETTE 31

HURLING: SARSFIELDS UNDO THE LARRIERS

CLUB NOTICEBOARD LUCAN SARSFIELDS BEST of luck to Seanie McClelland and

cate Together who were taking part for

Eoghan O’Conghaile who will be rep-

their first time. Best of luck to all the

resenting the club this Sunday in the

Lucan schools in the upcoming Cuman

All-Ireland minor hurling final replay

Na mBunscol leagues.

against Tipperary.

ing final replay is now behind the Bar in

against O’Toole’s last Saturday in the

the club and will be there until Thurs-

championship quarter-final. They now

day, September 27. The draw for tickets

play Kilmacud Crokes in the semi-final

will take place on Thursday night at

this Saturday at 5.15pm in Parnell Park.

10.15pm approximately. Those present

Our Under-15 hurlers are in the

on the night will get first choice so it’s

championship final against Ballyboden

Football and hurling for boys born in

8.30pm. However, this time is subject to

2006, 2007 and 2008 are from 1.30pm

change so check our website on Thurs-

to 3pm. Football for girls born in 2005,

day night.

2006, 2007 and 2008 runs from 1.30pm

Our junior A hurlers also had a good

to 2.30pm and camogie for girls aged six

league win over Ballinteer last Satur-

and over is from 2.30pm to 3.30pm. No

day. Well done to our U-8 footballers

need to pre-register.

Saturday morning.

The annual Seamus Morris senior school football blitz took place on Fri-

Lucan hurlers back in SHC semi-finals I sport@gazettegroup.com

LUCAN Sarsfields have a big weekend of action ahead of them, with Sean McClelland and Eoin O’Conghaile topping the bill as they hunt for AllIreland minor honours as the Dublin hurlers take on Tipperary in the final replay.

T he U-15 hurlers, meanwhile, will take on Ballyboden in the championship final and the senior hurlers will be in semi-final action as they take on Kilmacud Crokes this Saturday at 5.15pm in Parnell Park.

A huge second half display by the senior hurlers put them through to the final four of the Dublin championship, when they overcame O’Toole’s in O’Toole Park last Saturday.

It was a closer affair in the first half, with the Lucan side only going in at the break with four point advantage, but five quick, unanswered points

after the break put a massive gulf between the two sides as the 12th Lock side coursed to victory after Kevin O’Reilly rippled the O’Toole’s net from a penalty on the 50-minute mark.

O’Reilly hit two frees over in the early exchanges of the first half, but O’Toole’s hit back with two of their own from Michael Carton and Philip Brennan. Trevor Lee, Chris Crummy and Mick May all put scores over for the Lucan outfit and even a marvellous strike from Carton couldn’t motivate O’Toole’s, with O’Reilly tipping a further two points over before the break, with scores at 0-8 to 0-4.

O’Reilly and Lee added to their tallies in the early passages of the second stanza and further efforts from May, O’Reilly and John McCaffrey put a big hole in O’Toole’s semifinal aspirations.

Peadar Carton put in a sneaky goal to keep

O’Toole’s in the hunt though, and their challenge was bolstered by a Liam Ryan effort shortly afterwards.

However, when Crummy was taken down and O’Reilly sent the sliotar home, O’Toole’s hopes were dashed again as Alan Whyte and O’Reilly put a further two scores over to finish out the game, 1-16 to 1-7 winners.

The U-15 championship, meanwhile, will be decided this Saturday when Sars travel to St Vincent’s Park to face Ballyboden St Enda’s after they edged out Faughs in the semi-final three

weeks ago by a point, 3-8 to 2-12.

Seanie McClelland has been in fantastic form for the Dublin minor hurlers and has become a vital part of their championship challenge, stapling down a position in the half back line from where he scored a fantastic point in the initial final which proved to be all important.

Between McClelland and O’Conghaile, the U-15 championship final and senior hurlers semi final clash, the 12th Lock club could have a lot to smile about come Monday morning.

important to be there.

St Enda’s this Friday in St Vincent’s at

who won all 10 of their matches last

Lucan Sarsfields produced an excellent performance to see off O’Toole’s in the senior hurling championship

The list for tickets for All-Ireland hurl-

Our senior hurlers had a great win

All our juvenile teams have resumed training after the summer break.

For information on any team contact lucansarsfieldspro@gmail.com.

day, September 14 in the 12th Lock. With

Set-dancing classes take place every

eight schools taking part, we split the

Wednesday at 8.30pm. Everyone wel-

teams into two groups of four with

come, no partner required. This week’s

each team playing three matches in the

lotto numbers were 7, 19, and 22. There

group. There was a very good standard

was no winner.

of football on show with many of the

Next week’s jackpot will be €2500.

players showing great skill and excel-

Shay Hurson’s team will be in charge

lent team work.

next Sunday night when our sponsor

St Mary’s came out on top in the final

will be Newcastle golf centre. A full list of

against a battling Scoil Aine team. Spe-

this week’s fixtures are on our website

cial mention to Adamstown Castle Edu-

www.lucansarsfields.ie.

ST PAT’S PALMERSTOWN HARD luck to our minor football

pathways presentation by the GPO.

team who lost by a single point in the

Week two is team building and moti-

league final. There was a fine dis-

vation. Guest speakers to be con-

play from the St Pat’s U-12 camogie

firmed.

team for their last league match of the season against Bray Emmet’s.

It was nil-all at half-time, helped by a great defence of Leah, Nicole,

Welcome to the world, Sean Oliver Keogan. Congratulations to mam and dad, Ken and Eileen and to big brother Aaron.

Jessica K, Molly and the two Laurens

There was one winner of the score

and goalie Aoife Dunne keeping out

forecast competition. Brian Cahill

the scores. However, a win was not

from Hunter’s Wood.

to be after a hard fought battle with

In the senior football champion-

the scores coming in the last 10 min-

ship, round four, St Pat’s play Tem-

utes of the match, culminating with

pleogue Synge Street in O’Toole Park

a superb score from Sadbh ending

on Saturday, October 6 at 3.30pm.

a great league campaign. St Pat’s

Lotto number and results: first

finished third overall in the league

draw winning numbers – 1, 16, 23 and

which was a brilliant result from all

24. There was no winner. The second

the team’s hard work.

draw winning numbers were 15, 16,

Our thanks to Pat Dunne and his

22 and 9. There was no winner. Any

crew who ran a very successful golf

3 numbers winners: B + C + A Gilbert,

classic on Friday.

Pat Mc Dermott, Pat Stafford, Jim

Coaching nights will take place for

Branagan.

juvenile mentors on Friday, Sep-

The next draw is on Sunday, Sep-

tember 28 and October 5 at 7.30pm

tember 30. The first draw jackpot is

in the clubhouse, all are welcome

€10,000; the second draw jackpot is

to attend. Week one is the player

€2,600.

Follow GazetteSport on Facebook and Twitter and online at www.gazettegroup.com

32 LUCAN GAZETTE 27 September 2012