Lucan

Gazette LUCAN

HODOR! Irish DJ – and much-loved Game of Thrones actor – Kristian Nairn speaks to The Gazette Page 14

Lucan CBS’s higher learning as they scoop sport school of the year

June 2-8, 2016

see page 29

Find us on

The future is local - the future is free

iNNOCENCE + eXPERIENCE s ’ 2 U WIN NEW Live In Paris DVD SEE

PAGE 2 1 T O ENT

ER

food

Try our top tips for the best barbie cooking Page 20

Keep reading, keep recycling – thank you

Light at the end of the tunnel for ghost station

Kishogue Station may finally open once Park Tunnel is back in action

 IAN BEGLEY THE GHOST railway station at Kishogue will possibly be opened to the public following the reopening of the Phoenix Park Tunnel later this year.

The €6.35m station that

was built seven years ago was planned to cater for large scale developments due to be constructed in the surrounding area.

However, in the intervening period since the station was planned and built most of these developments have

not progressed due to the downturn in the economy.

Recently, according to the NTA, further development in the area and/or enhancement of the services, such as the use of the Phoenix Park Tunnel link, “may provide sufficient extra patronage to support

the opening of the station”.

The NTA’s comments follow an online public petition to persuade the new Minister for Transport Shane Ross to open the multi-million station.

Full Story on Page 4

2 LUCAN Gazette 2 June 2016

EMPLOYMENT | FLOOD PLAIN CONCERNS QUASHED

€30m logistics park moves a step closer after council vote  IAN BEGLEY

A €30M development with potential to create 1,000 jobs is close after South Dublin County Council voted to retain the longstanding enterprise zoning at Baldonnel.

The planned logistics hub has met with debate over the past months after the site was identified as a possible floodplain.

UK company Mountpark Logistics bought a 35-acre site on the land last year for the hub,

which has the potential to contribute €2.4m to the council in developer fees and €430,000 annually in rates.

Mountpark believes the park will support 120 jobs during construction, and up to 820 jobs when it’s completed.

However, Mountpark’s planning application, which was lodged with the council last October, was rejected by planners on the basis that the proposed park would be located within an “identi-

fied floodplain”.

Mountpark is currently appealing the decision to An Bord Pleanala, with a decision due by August.

The location of the proposed hub was tabled before local councillors recently who voted on whether to keep the land zoned for Enterprise and Employment or de-zone it to rural – on the basis that the lands were identified as flood risk.

Cllr Emer Higgins (FG) who tabled the motion asked that the zoning

be retained to “allow for enterprise and employment”. Upon her motion being passed, Cllr Higgins said that the prime location of the land makes it “attractive for international investors”.

Phillip O’Callaghan of Mountpark Logistics said the decision of South Dublin County Council, ensures that a significant job opportunity for Baldonnel, Clondalkin, Lucan and Tallaght remains alive.

O’Callaghan also said

that he remains hopeful that permission will be granted for the logistics park despite flooding concerns.

However, Francis Timmons (Ind) was critical of the council’s decision, saying: “I am very disappointed that land at Baldonnel that we were advised is at high risk of flooding was rezoned enterprise and employment — this could affect the Camac River in a major way. Ten councillors voted against it including me.”

FastNews Traffic survey points to speeding issues for St Johns Lawn residents ALMOST 80% of residents polled in St Johns Lawn say they have problems with traffic and speeding in front of their homes, but the council has no plans to alleviate their concerns.

In a door-to-door survey by Sinn Fein around the Clondalkin estate, most said the majority of these problems related to cars speeding on their road with child safety the main concern.

Fifteen respondents said they experienced traffic related problems on the road in front of their home, while four agreed that they experienced no such traffic related problems.

Fifteen respondents indicated that speed was a problem, while four said people parking in line of sight of pedestrians was an issue.

Cllr Mark Ward (SF) has called for traffic calming measures to be introduced.

“Listening to the resident’s issues it was noted that they feel that St Johns Lawns was being used as a short cut to the N7.”

Responding to the survey, a spokesperson from South Dublin County Council told The Gazette: “There is limited funding available for traffic calming in the current budget. Should the members of the Clondalkin Area Committee Meeting agree, this location can be examined within the constraints of the allocation.”

2 June 2016 LUCAN Gazette 3

croker | cleanup begins after bruce springsteen leaves dublin Workers busy getting the stadium ready for the weekend

The Boss is away THEY were the gigs that stopped the city in its tracks and had the whole world watching in envy at the weekend – but now Croker is getting a Springsteen spring-clean.

Some 160,000 revellers crammed into GAA headquarters on Friday and Sunday night as Bruce and his E Street Band continued their long-standing love affair with Ireland.

And now the job of clearing away the Boss’ bits and bobs

 Karl Graham and sticking back up the goal posts is underway as staff get the old stadium ready for this Saturday’s hurling finals.

While this weekend’s triple header will no doubt bring back the crowds, the buzz surrounding the Boss’ return to these shores was so big that it seemed everybody and their granny was at Croke Park.

Among them were U2’s Bono who joined his pal onstage for a duet of ‘Because the Night’ to top off a weekend that

will live long in the memory of those fans lucky enough to bag tickets.

One young girl was the envy of the Friday crowd when Springsteen invited her up on stage to perform ‘Waitin’ on a Sunny Day’ before cheekily asking for a hug and selfie.

Even Taoiseach Enda Kenny got in the act, appearing to perform an air guitar move that would rival any Irish dad dance in cringe factor.

4 LUCAN Gazette 2 June 2016

train station | good news for locals

Phoenix Park tunnel may lead to opening of Kishogue station  ian begley

A young budding artist

A Lucan student is among 40 Dublin winners who have been presented with a top award in this year’s 62nd Texaco Children’s Art Competition.

Pictured is Róisín O’Connor (6), a pupil at Gaelscoil Eiscir Riada, who won a Special Merit Award in the competition. Presenting her with the award is James Twohig, Director Ireland Operations of Valero.

The ghost railway station at Kishogue will possibly be opened to the public following the reopening of the Phoenix Park Tunnel later this year.

The €6.35m station that was built seven years ago was planned to cater for large scale developments due to be constructed in the surrounding area.

However, in the intervening period since the station was planned, most of these developments have not been progressed.

According to the N a t i o n a l Tr a n s p o r t Authority (NTA), an analysis demand at Kishogue, based on current residential and travel patterns in the area, indicates that the level of passenger usage would be low, and would be unlikely to justify the cost of opening the station at this time.

However, according to the NTA, further development in the area and/or enhancement of the services, such as the usage of the Phoenix Park Tunnel link, may provide sufficient extra patronage to support the opening of the station.

“Accordingly, the position will be reviewed subsequent to the opening of the Phoenix Park Tunnel link which will open later this year and which will facilitate train services running into the Connolly, Tara, Pearse and Grand Canal Dock stations,” said an NTA spokesperson.

The reopening of Phoenix Park tunnel will allow trains from the Kildare line, including Lucan and Adamstown, to travel via Glasnevin Junction to the Connolly, Pearse and

Kishoegue station standing still at present

Grand Canal Dock stations.

The NTA’s comments follows an online public petition created by Cllr William Lavelle (FG) to persuade the new Minister for Transport Shane Ross to open the multimillion station.

Cllr Lavelle said: “Lucan is crippled by traffic congestion. It is therefore incredible, indeed scandalous, to think that this station, which is widely reported to have cost €6.35 million to build, continues to lie idle for nearly seven years, despite being located within a short walking distance of multiple Lucan housing estates, including Foxborough, Moy Glas and Griffeen Glen.”

However, a number of people on Facebook have criticised Cllr Lavelle’s campaign for the Kishogue station to reopen.

Some of the comments read: “It’s only sitting there 7 years William whats the panic now, Oh Paschal Donohoe Fine Gael isn’t minister for transport !!!

“It’s been sitting there for nearly a full term in Fianna Fail and a full term in Fine Gael, all because the road is not completed just does not make sense.

“Wasn’t there an FG minister for Transport the last 5 years? Was there a petition I missed back then?”

Commenting on the online petition, a spokesperson from the Department of Transport said:

“The Department understands that the current position with regard to the opening of Kishogue Station will be reviewed, following the opening of the Phoenix Park Tunnel and the establishment of revised travel patterns.”

2 June 2016 LUCAN Gazette 5

6 LUCAN Gazette 2 June 2016

COURTS | JUDGE PRAISES WOMAN’S HONESTY

Palmerstown driver wrongly accused of speeding ... in Longford  emma nolan

A WOMAN from Palmerstown has escaped being issued with penalty points after a speed detection van incorrectly identified her vehicle travelling along a road in Longford town last year.

Judge Seamus Hughes said that he had never come across a case of its type in all his time serving as a District Court judge after striking out a summons issued against Deirdre Gannon of 5

Palmers Lawn, Palmerstown Manor, Dublin 20.

Concerns over the validity of the case arose as soon as Ms Gannon, who works in an administrative role for a private health-care company, took the stand.

Camera Ms Gannon told Longford District Court that she was not near the scene of the alleged incident after a speed camera van allegedly detected her car travelling along the

R198 at Aughedegnan, Longford on November 18 2015.

“It wasn’t my car,” she said.

“I wasn’t in Longford. I have documents here.”

Ms Gannon also said the picture which allegedly showed her car on the busy regional road last November was unclear.

“The car was outside the house (in Dublin) and was never in Longford,” she added, while revealing that while she was the owner of the said

vehicle at the time, it now belonged to her mother.

Ms Gannon, who at one point broke down cr ying in the witness box, supported her case by showing the court a mobile phone picture of her car in an effort to differentiate it from the one on the summons.

When both images were shown to Inspector Padraig Jones for comparison, he without hesitation agreed with Ms Gannon.

Judge Seamus Hughes

did likewise as he complimented Ms Gannon while also remarking the irregularities around the case.

“You’re absolutely correct,” he told Ms Gannon as he struck out the summons.

“If I could award you costs I would.

“I have never come across a case like that before.

“You are 100 per cent honest and you are to be commended for that,” the judge concluded.

great moves!

Local up and coming ballet star Amy Macken is one to watch out for as she has recently been accepted into the prestigious Irish National Youth Ballet. The 12-year-old girl from Scoile Mhuire GNS Lucan, started in Westside School of Preforming Arts and the Juliette School of Dance when she was just four years old. When Amy was eight she was selected to be part of Cameron Mackintosh’s ‘Oliver’, which was on in the Bord Gais. Then at the age of 10 Amy got chosen to play ‘Young Fiona’ in DreamWorks ‘Shrek the Musical’, again staged in the Bord Gais. Last year Amy even got chosen to be part of last year’s Late Late Toy show and has just finished two runs of A Mids Summer Nights Dream in the Samuel Beckett Theatre, Trinity College and in the Civic Theatre.

2 June 2016 LUCAN Gazette 7

8 LUCAN Gazette 2 June 2016

“Things won’t be the same now...Dublin Zoo has lost its mascot.RIP Harry and thanks for all the childhood memories” “No matter how bad a day it was, I always found watching him sitting in his spot to be a very calming influence” “My kids are devastated -we all really loved Harry.

My youngest girl would always go straight to his enclosure. I haven’t even told her yet” Harry the western lowland gorilla has sadly passed away after a short illness

dublin | unexpected death of main attraction, Harry the silverback

Zoo’s ‘gentle and calm’ gorilla dies  karl graham DUBLIN zoo was in mourning at the weekend when news broke that Harry the western lowland gorilla had sadly passed away after a short illness on Sunday morning.

29-year-old Harry, also known as the ‘silverback’, was the leader of Dublin Zoo’s gorilla troop, fathering six offspring during his time at the zoo.

Dublin Zoo broke the

news in a statement on their Facebook page on Monday leading to a flood of tributes from across the country.

One user wrote: “Awh No that’s awful news....I remember seeing Harry since I was a child.. and then bringing my own two to see him..he was a Beautiful Proud Leader ...condolences to you all.... things won’t be the same now...Dublin Zoo has lost its mascot.RIP Harry and thanks for all the child-

hood memories xxx.”

While another wrote: Very very sad to hear that. He was the one creature I really loved watching in Dublin Zoo. No matter how bad a day it was, I always found watching him sitting in his spot to be a very calming influence.

Dublin Zoo’s statement described Harry as “a very gentle and calm gorilla and he will be greatly missed by everyone at Dublin Zoo.”

Western lowland gorilla shot at zoo in Cincinnati The news comes at a difficult time for gorillas in captivity – with the death of another western lowland gorilla from a zoo in Cincinnati, USA. Harambe was shot by zookeepers after a fouryear-old boy climbed through a barrier and fell into the zoo’s gorilla enclosure.

Video footage released showed the 17-yearold gorilla drag the young boy through the enclosure for 10 minutes, however new footage has led to claims the gorilla was acting protective of the child.

The exact reason for Harry’s death is still unknown and Dublin Zoo is awaiting the final outcome of a post-mortem.

2 June 2016 LUCAN Gazette 9

Ireland celebrates africa day at farmleigh in the phoenix park

A cascade of true colour and sound

P

resident Michael D Higgins was joined by Minister of State for the Diaspora Joe McHugh as he visited Farmleigh in the Phoenix Park last weekend to mark Africa Day, a celebration of the culture, diversity and links with Ireland of the continent’s 54 countries.

Around 30,000 people came to enjoy some of the dozens of stands, stalls and entertainment areas. This is the ninth year of this celebration.

Bonan Niaho and Maryam Niaho

The President and Joe McHugh visit the tent of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Pictures: Marc O’Sullivan

10 lucan Gazette 2 June 2016

2 June 2016 lucan Gazette 11

Gazette

12 Gazette 2 June 2016

business

Twenty-six social entrepreneurs have been shortlisted for the annual Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Awards Programme

Social entrepreneurs in the running for a €600,000 fund Twenty-six, Dublinbased social entrepreneurs are in the running for a €600,000 prize fund, having been shortlisted for the annual Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Awards Programme.

The prestigious socialfunding competition, now

in its 12th year, has supported 190 social entrepreneurs to date and invested €6.2m in direct funding to projects in areas including community and active citizenship, education and learning, environment and sustainability and mental

and physical health.

This year the competition will be providing €420,000 in direct funding to nine social entrepreneurs.

Applicants In addition, direct support valued at €180,000

will be made available to successful applicants ensuring that they are equipped to bring their vision to fruition as soon as possible and have a positive impact on their respective communities and beyond.

CEO of Social Entre-

TO BOOK CALL

1890 269 969 BISTRO DEAL Wed/Thurs

€19.50pp

Sat

€25pp

Z Admission & Racecard (normally €10) Z Main Course Option from the restaurant menu Z 5HVHUYHG VHDWLQJ RQ ÀUVW ÁRRU UHVWDXUDQW DUHD

TERM’S & CONDITION’S APPLY ON ALL PACKAGES & DEALS

WED/THURS NIGHTS Doors open 6.30pm | 1st race 7.40pm

preneurs Ireland, Darren Ryan, said that the supports from SEI, along with the backing of main partner Dublin County Council, will help the successful entrants to “build sustainable organisations”.

He said: “In Ireland

today we aren’t solving our social problems quickly enough and this process is all about empowering people to bring about change right across Ireland.

“The challenges we face are vast and complex, and so we need to

support people to develop innovative approaches to solve them. “ We h av e b e e n inspired by the calibre of applicants for this year’s awards and the incredible impact that social entrepreneurs are having all over the island.”

JUNE SUPERSAVER DEAL OF THE MONTH

INCS: Admission & Race Card, Classic ¼ Pounder Burger, Chips, Bottle of House Beer OR Glass of House Wine OR Soft Drink

10

ONLY

€

.95 PER PERSON

SATURDAY NIGHTS Doors open 6.00pm | 1st race 7.55pm

Let Dublin Gazette Newspapers take you on a tour of the news and events taking place across the city and county this week

Superstars set to bow out with a final tango

Strictly Come Dancing superstars Vincent S i m o n e a n d F l av i a Cacace (above) will grace the stage at Bord Gais Energy Theatre with their most moving production yet, as they prepare to dance in their final ever theatre tour.

Twenty years of dancing together has seen them become Strictly Come Dancing favourites, World Dance titleholders, create and star in their own West End productions - but now it is time for the Argentine Tango Champions to say goodbye to the stage in a thrilling, new, live performance.

T h e t wo l e g e n d s will perform a series of outstanding dances brought together in an incredible show.

Choreographed by themselves and awardwinning director Karen Bruce, The Last Tango is the life story of two

people who find love through a chance meeting. The show opens with an old man climbing into his loft and finding a treasure trove of bits and pieces evoking strong and stirring memories of a past life with his wife, fondly, and humorously, remembering those days of love.

The scene is pre-war England of the 1930s; a beach picnic taken with friends, and a simple game of cricket. The first dance sequence takes us into the old man’s world.

As we move from the initial romance to the marriage proposal, wedding and honeymoon, onwards to the young man’s conscription and his demob, to the first home and the start of a family, the audience is whirled through an array of complex dance sequences, embracing Vincent and Flavia’s

Ballroom and Latin talents.

Foxtrots, Quicksteps, an American Smooth and a Viennese Waltz follow, together with a Cha Cha and Rumba mix and an incredibly passionate Paso Doble by Flavia. And, of course, the Argentine Tango, the steamy and sultry dance that is synonymous with their shows.

The Last Tango showcases Vincent and Flavia’s immense all round dance skills that have taken them right to the top.

Don’t miss your last chance to see this passionate and explosive experience - it’s time for The Last Tango.

The Last Tango runs from June 7 to 11 with tickets priced from €17.50.

To book visit www. bordgaisenergytheatre. ie.

promote your CLUB

tell us about your C LUB ’ s e v e n t s



Gazette

dublinlife

2 June 2016 Gazette 13

c o n tac t t h e G a z e t t e call 60 10 240

Gazette

14 Gazette 2 June 2016

dublinlife

FEATURE

Heroic Hodor – Kristian on life after Westeros  ian begley

Hodor’s early scenes (above) saw him as little more than a people carrier – literally. In time, the character became more nuanced, and much loved.

Irish Game of Thrones star Kristian Nairn has admitted that he shed some tears after discovering the fate of his character, Hodor, but said the show has “opened so many doors” for him.

Episode 5 of Game of Thrones, Season 6, gave viewers a glimpse at Hodor’s fascinating back story.

Spoiler alert – the episode explained what the word Hodor really means (derived from “hold the door”, and a key incident in his life as a lad, when he was still called by his real name – Wyllis), but unfortunately it concluded with the tragic death of the much-loved gentle giant.

Although confessing to having “a little sob” upon his character’s untimely death, Kristian told The Gazette that he owes the show so much.

He said: “Game of Thrones has opened so many doors for me. It’s definitely changed my life, and I’m definitely in a better place because of it.

“I’ve just finished a movie for the Sci-Fi channel and will be filming another movie in New York at the end of the year. I’ve also got loads of offers for commercials, adverts and voiceover work.”

Asked what it was like having to carry around a key

While known to millions around the world as the loyal and gentle giant Hodor in Game of Thrones, actor Kristian Nairn has also made a name as a DJ

character – the young Brandon Stark – for the majority of the series, Kristian admitted that disabled Bran got a lot heavier as the show progressed.

“During season one, Isaac [Hempstead, the actor who plays Bran] was only nine years old, and light as a feather – now he’s 17, and fully grown.

“I secretly hoped that he would stay the same size forever, but unfortunately I had no control over how big he got!

“I really liked this season, because I got to learn a lot more about my character’s back s t o r y a n d h ow much

of a good guy Hodor really was.”

Kristian added that he sometimes cringes watching himself on TV, saying: “It’s a weird process seeing yourself as the character and not as yourself, but since the show [Episode 5] was filmed all the way back in November, I felt somewhat disconnected from him.

“I first got offered the part of Hodor by the show’s casting

agent who remembered me from another audition which I didn’t get, and the rest was history,” he said.

Unknown to some, Kristian started off as a drag queen and DJ in Belfast’s Kremlin nightclub, and is a very good friend of Rory O’Neill (Miss Panti Bliss).

He said: “I’ve been DJing in Belfast for about 17 years, but haven’t done drag in a very long time.

“Rory is a great mate of mine and was instrumental when I first started working in Dublin all those years ago. I love drag, obviously, but it was a different time of my life which gave me many happy memories.”

Kristin is coming to The Tivoli Theatre soon to DJ at the much anticipated “Rave of Thrones” on July 16.

He will be utilising his years of DJing experience to keep everyone dancing until winter comes, with a number of special guests. Tickets are priced from €15 and can be purchased from www.fatsoma.com.

A happy moment for Hodor, AKA Irish actor and DJ Kristian Nairn

2 June 2016 Gazette 15

pluto is a real star – could you be his special someone?

The Gazette Newspaper has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for unwanted and abandoned dogs. Our Dog of the Week looking for his #SpecialSomeone is Pluto, a stunning three-year-old male pit bull cross.

He is basically a big puppy who is lovable to the people he knows, and they get to see his goofy, fun side. Pluto is, however, frightened of strangers, so he would be best suited to a relatively quiet home with somebody home most of the day, as he can find being on his own very overwhelming.

He loves to play fetch and learn fun new tricks – could you be the one to teach him his next one?

If you can be this handsome hound’s #SpecialSomeone, please contact Dogs Trust on 01-879 1000. They are based in Finglas, just off exit 5 on the M50. Map and directions can be found on their website www.dogstrust.ie. You can also find them on Facebook www.facebook.com/ dogstrustirelandonline or Twitter @DogsTrust_IE. Dogs Trust has launched their new TV ad – the #SpecialSomeone campaign aims to overcome the buying trend by bringing to life just how important a new owner is to the dogs they rehome.

Gazette

DIARY

Get Down with Jazz MEETING House Square in Temple Bar is the venue for a two-day music festival, Down With Jazz 2016, welcoming musicians and music lovers of all persuasions, from funk to folk.

The festival starts on Saturday, June 4 at 7:30pm and concludes the following evening.

Down With Jazz 2016 comes about in recognition of this year being 100 years since the birth of Jazz amongst AfricanAmerican communities in the United States, as well as the birth of a new state for Ireland.

Artists due to take part are Stephen McHale’s Weird Glitches, awardwinning singer Edel

Meade, ReDiviDer, Toot Sweet and the Shadow Man, and Zaska, among many others. Tickets cost between €15 to €25 and are available at www. eventbrite.ie.

try an inflatable feel-good fun run EUROPE’S largest inflatable slide is coming to south Dublin next month as Cabinteely Park plays host to a brand-new fun run – the Wild Air Run. The event, which will take place from July 1-3, is billed as Ireland’s first inflatable 5k race, and is open to everyone over the age of seven.

The course is aimed at all levels of fitness – from

fanatics to those who are more used to their armchairs, while also boasting a maze and ball-pit.

There will also be a “Chill Zone” area for participants and spectators to relax and enjoy music, games and refreshments from local vendors.

Tickets are available now at www.wildairrun. com, priced €28.50 for adults and €16.50 for children. Spectators can attend for free.

tivoli to host a hot block party JAKE Shears of Scissor Sisters fame will front this year’s Mother Pride Block Party at The Tivoli Theatre, Francis St on

Heavyweight lifter Suzanne Gray (centre) with keen runners Patrick and Dearbhla at the launch of Wild Air Run

Saturday, June 25. Shears of Scissor Sisters fame will front this year’s Mother Pride Block Party at The Tivoli Theatre, Francis St on Saturday, June 25.

The event will also feature sets from Little Boots, Kelly-Anne Byrne, Wyvern Lingo, Faune, and a debut DJ performance from ‘the queen of

Ireland’, Miss Panti Bliss.

The event takes place outdoors on the grounds of The Tivoli Theatre, which has been completely revamped to include multiple bars, food stalls, Smirnoff cocktails and a new monster main stage.

Tickets cost €20, and are available now from www.eventbrite.ie.

Gazette

16 Gazette 2 June 2016

OUT&ABOUT

don’s dublin Who needs Egypt with Dublin’s very own pyramid?

SO WHERE would you find a pyramid in Dublin? It was a question that our teacher asked one day, and none of us had an answer.

After some serious head-scratching from the class, he told us, but we had to see it to believe.

That was a while ago, and the memory of my first sighting of the pyramid, atop Killiney Hill, is a fond one.

Killiney Hill is one of two hills – the other being Dalkey Hill – that are within Killiney Hill Park, which was opened to the public on June 30, 1887.

A committee was set up to raise the necessary funds to buy the land, and it paid £4,000 to the owner, Robert Warren, in late June.

The land had always been a popular spot for picnics and walks, and the committee was mindful of Sir Charles Cameron’s (the city health officer) comments that the benefits of “opening up new lungs in the city would be incalculable”.

Colonel John Mapas owned the land in 1740, and built Mapas House soon afterwards. After the particularly harsh winter of 1741-42, he arranged for workers to build an obelisk on top of the hill.

This helped to keep workers busy, and helped them to get some much- needed money. The men also erected the wall that still surrounds the park.

The obelisk stands 173 metres (510 feet) above the sea, from where the viewer can enjoy a fantastic 360-degree panorama. On a clear day, it is possible to look to the east and see the coast of Wales.

Just below the obelisk is the pyramid – a set of steps erected by Robert Warren, where the viewer can sit, relax and take in the sweep of Dublin Bay with the beautiful Sorrento Terrace and Dalkey Island beyond.

There is much to see from here, but the park is also popular with walkers and those interested in local flora and fauna.

Don Cameron

www.donsdublin.wordpress.com

Step up Killiney Hill, and behold the pyramid – a set of stone steps that proves a perfect place from which to take in the sweep of Dublin Bay

report: the gazette learns more about the daily challenges

Stopping their “THERE will always be accidents, but that doesn’t mean there has to be drownings, or deaths.”

This was some of the first-hand insight when The Gazette spoke to deputy second coxswain, David Branigan, and lifeboat operations m a n a g e r, c ox s w a i n and mechanic, Kieran O’Connell, of the RNLI at the Dun Laoghaire lifeboat station.

Regarding seafaring in all its forms, David said: “What we’re not saying is: ‘Don’t do it’ – what we are saying is: ‘Know what you’re doing’.”

As the charity that saves lives at sea, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (the RNLI) are an organisation comprising dedicated volunteers who are committed to ending preventable loss of life at sea.

David said: “There have been lifeboats in Dun Loaghaire since 1803, so Dublin Bay had one of the oldest lifeboat services in the world even before the RNLI was founded.”

He added that, back in those days before modern navigation and communication aids, there was “a terrible loss of life, particularly on the east coast”.

In Ireland, the RNLI has upwards of 2,000 volunteers and 45 lifeboat stations around Ireland, including three in the Dublin area, at Skerries, Howth and Dun Laoghaire.

T h e t wo s t a t i o n s in Howth and Dun Laoghaire are matched, which means they both have all-weather lifeboats and in-shore lifeboats for rescues in shallow areas, while the Skerries station has a very fast and large in-shore lifeboat.

 emma nolan enolan@dublingazette.com

On these setups, David said: “The whole idea is that there’s a ‘necklace’ of coverage. We look at each patch [of water] and the type of incidents that are likely to occur in that area, and equip it with a suitable type of boat.

“The stations have the boat in place, they have the facilities and the training, so that when an incident occurs, everyone is ready to respond really quickly.”

He has been volunteering with the RNLI since 1985, and Kieran since 1983.

Corkonian Kieran, from Youghal in Cork, started there with the RNLI before moving to Dun Laoghaire 18 years ago. When asked what brought the self-proclaimed proud Corkonian to Dun Laoghaire, he simply said: “Lifeboats.”

He got involved in the RNLI through fishing, while David, from Dun Laoghaire, got involved through sailing.

Kieran is the only fulltime volunteer based in Dun Laoghaire and is responsible for “pretty much everything”.

There is a full-time person at each station throughout the country who deals with the dayto-day routine maintenance of the stations.

While it is mostly a volunteer-led organisation, the full-time members are on hand at all times.

Training for the RNLI is intense, but both Kiernan

From coming to the rescue of trapped beach walkers to emergency call-outs in severe storms, the RNLI’s volunteers risk all to help save others

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

‘There is a full-time person at each station throughout the country who deals with the day-to-day routine maintenance of the stations.

While it is mostly a volunteerled organisation, the full-time members are on hand at all times.’

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

and David say it is “vocational”, and each boat has a different training programme.

“With the all-weather lifeboat, we train every

Monday evening at half six for usually two to three hours, while with the inshore lifeboat, they train mostly on Sundays with several sessions during

the day, as only three people fit on that at once.”

As preparation is key for the RNLI, the two seasoned rescuers say that more training goes on than actual rescues.

However, there are usually around 50 rescues a year, averaging one a week.

David said: “You train to prepare for the callouts, which can be risky, so we train to prepare.”

He said that volunteers who sign up with the RNLI can “expect to see pretty much everything –

2 June 2016 Gazette 17

Gazette

FEATURE

faced by rnli volunteers, forever poised and ready to drop everything for call-outs

lives to save yours ...

Whether powering through stormy seas or heading out to lend assistance, the RNLI is a staple feature of the east coast’s life, not least when it’s called upon to save lives. Pictures: David Branigan

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

‘We’re trying to get a consistent message out there, to try and raise awareness that when you’re going out on boats, or whether you’re going down to the beach, that basic precautions need to be taken’

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

David Branigan, deputy second coxswain, Dun Laoghaire RNLI

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

David Branigan, deputy second coxswain, and Kieran O’Connell, lifeboat operations manager, coxswain and mechanic, Dun Laoghaire RNLI

good and bad”, and new members should live and work within a two-mile radius of a station.

“You could be at home or at work and when the pagers go off, we hurry down to the station. Our in-shore lifeboat launches typically in five or six minutes from when the pagers go off.”

David says that employers are usually very understanding when he has to leave for a rescue during work hours.

“We’re very grateful to our employers, who

understand the commitment and understand that it’s not going to happen every single day, although there have been the odd times when you might get call-outs a few in a row, but they’d be unusual.”

There are 30 operations volunteers at the Dun Laoghaire station, so there’s “always someone available,” he said.

Funding for the organisation comes 100% from charitable donations, and it is not government supported in any way.

“It is truly a community

organisation and has been since 1824,” said David.

Funds for the charity come from fundraising events and charitable donations, while “a lot of people remember the RNLI in their will”.

Benefactors Many of the boats are named after the benefactors who included the RNLI in their wills.

As for accidents requiring an RNLI call-out, David said: “There isn’t one reason why accidents occur.

“There are so many accidents that occur as a combination of causes, so there isn’t really one thing you can say causes them.”

He said that even with the best of planning, accidents will still happen, “but sometimes with a bit of preparation, the outcomes don’t have to be as serious”.

The charity is starting their Respect The Water campaign in the coming weeks, which David said is “aimed at reducing drowning and incidents

at sea, beside the coast or on our waterways”.

He added: “A big part of what RNLI does is prevention through education, and it’s had a huge impact.”

T h e R N L I wo r k s alongside their colleagues in Irish Water Safety that run swimming rescue training, while the Irish Coast Guard service provides shore teams, coast radio stations and helicopters.

David said: “We’re trying to get a consistent message out there, to try and raise awareness that when you’re going out on boats, or whether you’re going down to the beach, that basic precautions need to be taken.

“So, when we do go out on a rescue, hopefully we’re dealing with something that’s a happy ending rather than a tragic one.”

David and K ieran

said that the idea behind Respect The Water is finding different ways of getting people to “think about what they’re doing and the risks involved”.

One of these ways is their Tonne Of Water stunt, which will see the RNLI place a large, transparent Perspex box filled with a tonne of water on Dun Laoghaire’s East Pier in the next few weeks.

Power The box of water is to show how heavy a tonne of water actually is, to demonstrate the power and strength of the water.

David said that a common type of incident that occurs is people walking on the beach at Sandymount where the tide can come in really fast.

“What happens is, people see that the tide is out, and it’s a lovely walk – who could blame them?

“You walk out, and the next thing you know, the tide comes in around you – we had three of these incidents at the start of the year.

“People think that they have plenty of time before the tide comes in and next thing you know, you’re a mile out to sea, standing on a sandbank, hoping that somebody sees you,” he said.

He said that the people they rescued on these occasions were lucky that they had phone coverage, so that they were able to call the emergency services.

“They were rescued by a lifeboat, having just gone for a walk on the beach, so it’s not just about people who get into difficulty swimming or on boats – it can be anything. “ We ’r e a n i s l a n d nation, so we’re never too far away from the sea,” he said.

Gazette

18 Gazette 2 June 2016

OUT&ABOUT A new scent from Tom Ford

Bobbi Brown’s latest hybrid lippy goes ‘modern’ Bobbi Brown’s latest offering to its lipstick range is the Nourishing Lip Color Oil-Infused Shine.

With a hand-selected blend of five soothing natural oils and Vitamins C and E, this formula leaves lips with a silky feel and shining finish. The hybrid lip colour aims to leaves lips feeling hydrated by creating a hydrating barrier that helps seal in moisture.

The “modern” lipstick formula helps to nourish chapped lips and comes in deeply pigmented shades, ranging from a beige gold to a black plum.

Available now from Bobbi Brown counters, the lipstick costs €27.

The newest scent from Tom Ford will hit the shops at the start of August.

Orchid Soleil Eau de Parfum is described as “a radiant and sensual force of nature, that captures the seductive warmth and reflective bare skin of the Tom Ford woman”.

It has floral top notes of bigarade and pink peppercorn with fresh cypress and base notes of vanilla, chestnut cream and patchouli.

30mls of the fragrance costs €70 and the 100ml bottle will retail for €138.

Dresses.ie red off-the-shoulder playsuit€37 and red and black chiffon Bardot dress €29

Get ‘festival fresh’ with Dresses.ie  emmanolan

Irish online clothing store, Dresses.ie has dropped a ‘festival fresh’ fashion story as part of its evolving SS16 collection.

The range is affordable for the tightest of budgets and bold colours,

Top details TBA

tropical florals, graphic prints and simple silhouettes are on the menu.

The current collection starts at just €35 and will continue to evolve as new trends hit Dresses.ie every week. Shoppers will also enjoy nextday, free-of-charge delivery on all ROI orders.

Dresses.ie is a fast-fashion brand and the current SS16 season has seen the brand move away from its niche as a specialist dress-only retailer, to embrace a wider wardrobe of high street looks.

Visit dresses.ie to view the full collection.

Slinky maxi style rose gold dress €35 and beige dip-die long faux fur gilet €49

2 June 2016 Gazette 19

€4 Penneys feather clips

New Look blue bile patchwork print frill hem playsuit €22.99

New Look light blue denim high waist pinstripe shorts€22.99

New Look light blue denim high waist pinstripe shorts €22.99

Regatta Great Outdoors - Old Gold Bayeur Jacket €75

Penneys Eyelet Backpack €14

Play in a playsuit  emma nolan

FESTIVAL season is well and truly upon us. No matter how much you prepare, sometimes it can feel like you have absolutely nothing to wear while you’re sitting in the tent, rummaging through your rucksack.

The key for festival dressing (from a seasoned festival goer who has been in this position many times) is to plan each outfit on a daily basis.

I have a love/hate relationship with playsuits and jumpsuits at festivals; on one hand they provide an

all in one, secure, ready to go outfit, but on the other hand, they’re not so fun to grapple with in a portaloo, whist trying not to touch off any surface.

So, they are dependent on the festival – rainy Irish festivals aren’t the most jumpsuit-friendly places when you’re juggling hoodies and raincoats the whole time, but they’re perfect for warm summer festivals abroad like Primavera, Melt and Dimensions.

Here are a few festival outfit ideas to help with planning what goes in the rucksack this summer, helping you to look and feel good.

MANGO printed jumpsuit €22.95

Gazette

STYLE

Gazette

20 Gazette 2 June 2016

OUT&ABOUT

FOOD&DRINK

BITESIZEDNEWS

Follow these tips to have plenty of flaming great barbecues over the coming months

Serve some barbecue bliss with these top tips EVERYONE knows how to cook burgers and sausages on the barbecue – often charred to within an inch of their lives! With just a bit of know-how and the right equipment, you can expand your barbecue repertoire to be the host with the most over any holiday season.

Here are some great top tips to be the best at the barbecue, all courtesy of chef Dan Cooper (right), from The Weber Grill Academy at The Orchard, Celbridge ...

Lid-on cooking: Don’t forget the importance of the lid – it has a key cooking function. It controls the flow of oxygen to the coals or fuel, minimising flare-ups and avoiding food that is black on the outside and raw in the middle.

Heat is also contained inside your barbecue so circulates around the cookbox, which allows food to cook evenly. This creates a convection oven effect within your grill – perfect for roasting and baking.

Knowing different cooking methods: A little bit of knowledge can go a long way. By understanding the difference between direct and indirect cooking, you can pretty much cook any recipe on the barbecue. Roast chicken, salmon fillets or even chocolate cake – the possibilities are endless.

Direct cooking: Direct cooking – also known as grilling – occurs when the fuel source is directly underneath food. This technique can be used on a charcoal or gas barbecue for foods that take less than 20 minutes to cook. It’s perfect for barbeque staples including burgers, sausages, chicken breasts or steaks.

Indirect cooking: Set up your barbecue so that the fuel source isn’t directly under the food, and create the perfect barbecue roast.

This is perfect for whole chickens, joints of beef, lamb and pork. You can even get creative and bake a delicious cake for extra brownie points.

Smoking: Master this year’s hottest food trend by using smoking wood chips or chunks. Weber’s Wood Chunks and Chips are available in a range of flavours, from sweet and mild fruit woods to hickory and whiskey. They provide a simple way to add that extra dimension to your barbecue. It’s so easy, too!

For charcoal barbecues, just add a handful of soaked wood chips directly to the coals. This will create a delectably subtle flavour leaving your guests begging for seconds!

Meals provided plenty of value for money, with very ample portions rewarding hungry diners. Thankfully, the generous portions also served up plenty of taste, too, with Picky and partner appreciating McGettigans’ take on modern dining options

The Picky Eater  mimi murray

THERE has been a serious abundance of restaurant openings in Dublin, of late.

I can’t turn a corner in my own neighbourhood of Dublin 8 without walking straight into a new eating establishment. Don’t get me wrong – it’s great.

As long as they aren’t flash-in-the-pan venues (pardon the pun) and service, quality and tastes are all present.

Outside of the city, a few new places have popped up, too. Kingswood, beside Citywest, isn’t a place that has had a trendy, neighbourhood restaurant before, but McGettigans Cookhouse, located in the Kingswood Hotel, has opened up and filled that gap.

My other half and I dined there recently, on one of those hazy, sunny days we’ve been having.

I know the sun and an indigo blue sky gives everything that “We could be in the south of Spain” vibe, but McGettigan’s Cookhouse, located in a stone building beside the hotel, looked really inviting in the early evening rays.

Inside it was dark and cool and it’s obvious they have put a lot of thought into the interiors, with sleek subway tiles on the walls and low-hanging mood lights above several of the booths and free-standing tables.

The menu is what I would call “safe”, with some adventurous choices thrown in there. This means it’s going to be a winner with most diners.

There is a choice of six starters.

My tiger prawn tempura (€9.95) was a light dish, just the right amount of melt in the mouth batter, with juicy, succulent prawns.

However, it was the

spicy soy dipping sauce, made from chillies that are fried just to the point of almost being burnt and then smashed and blended with soy sauce, that almost blew the taste buds out of my mouth. We even asked for seconds, later in the meal! A must-try.

My partner, after much deliberation, went for the Cookhouse seafood chowder. He hummed and hawed as it isn’t a typical seafood chowder but more of a bouillabaisse; tomato based with lots – and I mean lots – of fish and plenty of good, strong flavours.

This was almost a meal in itself, served with some crusty sourdough, and great value at €8.50.

I was very much tempted by the duck cassoulet for my main course, but I’m trying to eat a little lighter at night, and so I went for the roast chicken au jus (€17). It was Sunday after all!

This was a perfectly cooked roast with nice, crunchy root vegetables.

Again, their portions are very generous, and I couldn’t finish mine.

My husband’s rib eye steak (€23.95) served with garlic butter and skinny fries was a fine hunk of meat that was cooked to his preference (medium-rare). It was nicely seared and charred and had a decent amount of flavour.

Dessert was one vanilla bean cheesecake (€6) with two spoons and my mouthful was scrummy, although the other half cannot get past his mum’s version.

It’s a tough one to beat,

but this one made a fine attempt.

A glass of pinot grigio for me and a shiraz for him complemented both meals. A nod must be given to the very friendly service.

Our waiter spent the time to explain dishes and kept a watchful eye on us throughout.

This place is a great addition to a neighbourhood that must have been crying out for a go-to place, and I can see it being a regular spot for large groups too. There is ample space for parties and with a large bar and outdoor seating, it’s sure to be a busy spot all summer.

Conclusion TUCKED away in Kingswood, McGettigans Cookhouse (tel 01 461 9900) is a gastropub that’s well worth dropping in to. From its throughtfully designed interior to fare that even challenged Picky’s mother-in-law’s home cooking for sheer deliciousness, McGettigans was an unexpected treat.

2 June 2016 Gazette 21

22 lucan gazette 2 June 2016

Gazette

MOTORING OUT&ABOUT Toyota, Hyundai and VW at full throttle for sales

· 70% of new cars are diesel · insurance up 32% · 2.8% drop in cost of new cars

 dave phillips

It is impossible not to notice the increase of new cars on the road this year with over 93,000 vehicles newly registered in the first few months of the year and

some 35,000 of those on the streets of Dublin.

As we head towards the midpoint of 2016 the motor industry looks set to remain steady in its growth.

A report from the Society of the Irish Motor

Industr y last month showed that there has been a 2.8% drop in the cost of new cars compared to last year, as well as significant drops in fuel, with petrol and diesel down 11% and 17% respectively.

But declining costs aren’t the only factors driving the increase in sales. Personal Contract Plan finance deals and manufacturer incentives on road tax and warranties are becoming increasingly prevalent, and acting as a stimulus for potential new buy-

ers.

From those who have made the purchase so far this year, there is little change in terms of who Irish drivers are choosing to shop with. Toyota, Hyundai and Volkswagen are virtually neck and neck in terms of sales since January, with around 10,000 new passenger cars registered for each brand in the opening months of 2016.

Quarterly SIMI figures place Toyota on top overall with its sales figures spread across several popular mod-

els including the Auris, Yaris, and Corolla.

But the largest market share for a single model belongs to Hyundai with the beefy Tucson counting for half of the Korean manufacturer’s new sales this year.

The appetite for compact SUVs is evident with the Nissan’s everpopular Qashqai also appearing in the top sellers alongside the Tucson.

But traditional hatchback favourites like the Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf, Skoda Octavia

are also some of the best sellers.

While we might be choosing the same brands and models, the fuel that we are using is changing.

The vast majority of new buyers have chosen to follow fuel price and emission trends and move away from petrol.

More than 70% of the cars registered this year have diesel engines.

While declining fuel prices and other incentives are attractive, every driver will also know that some costs continue

to increase.

In comparison to this time last year, motor insurance costs have rocketed up 32%.

SIMI estimates that new car sales in the first three months alone have brought in over €700m in Government revenue; and predicts that the sales, which have dropped since the January peak, will now remain steady until next year. It remains to be seen whether the current 162 registration deals will create another peak in the figures.

The Hyundai Tucson (top), Nissan Qashqai (middle) and Ford Focus (bottom) are proving extremely popular with Irish motorists

2 June 2016 lucan Gazette 23

Gazette

TRAVEL father’s day: the gazette presents a fantastic selection of presents and Ideas

Gifts your dad will really want With Father ’s Day approaching fast, now is the time to start thinking about the perfect gift for your auld fella.

To celebrate the annual holiday which arrives in two weeks (June 19), many hotels and resorts across Ireland have come up with official Father’s Day packages that would suit any dads taste and personality.

Trinity City Hotel has teamed up with the Irish Whiskey Museum to offer guests a true taste of Ireland in the heart of the capital.

This package includes accommodation, dinner for two with breakfast for two the following morn-

ing and a complimentary premium tour of the Irish Whiskey Museum with whiskey tasting. Prices start from €245 based on two people sharing.

Contact 01-648 1000 or visit www.trinitycityhotel.com.

If your dad is an adrenaline junkie give him the perfect present with an stay at the Inchydoney Island Lodge and Spa, Cork. Overlooking two magnificent stretches of Blue Flag beach just outside the pretty heritage town of Clonakilty, Inchydoney Island Lodge and Spa is a warm, polished and welcoming seaside hotel.

They have put together

two different but equally fantastic packages to suit the main man in your life: The Adrenaline Junkie

prefer to put his feet up, relax and unwind.

To b o o k c o n t a c t : +353 23 883 3143 or visit

Treat dad to a unique whiskey experience telling the history and tales of the rise and fall of Irish Whiskey

package (€210pps) for the daring dad who likes a bit of action and activity and The Downtime Dude package (€235pps) for the dad who would

www.inchydoneyisland. com Play like the pros with a Golf Break at Lough Erne Resort, Fermanagh.

Enjoy a relaxing bonding

weekend, staying in one of Lough Erne Resort’s private lodges. Spend the day playing like the pros on the championship Faldo course, returning to the lodges, where you can cook up a storm or take a stroll to the Loughside Bar and Grill and enjoy delicious dishes with a spectacular view.

Prices start from €294 per person sharing, the perfect treat for dad to say thank you.

For more information on Lough Erne Resort contact: +44 28 6632 3230 or visit www.lougherneresort.com.

Explore the great outdoors with your dad

at Ballynahinch Castle Hotel, Galway.

Ballynahinch Castle Hotel is a Victorian country house and estate full of authentic character, luxury, history and style.

Spend time on the river at Ballynahinch, learn to fish in the heart of Connemara, try your hand at clay pigeon shooting, take a boat trip to see grey seals or simply meander through the woods or along the river bank exploring the 10 miles of nature walks, there is something for all the family at Ballynahinch. Packages start from €710 for two nights bed and breakfast in a supe-

rior room for two adults and two children (3-12 years) or from €490 for a two-night stay with bed and breakfast for one adult and one child (3 – 12 years).

Contact: +353 (0)95 31006 or visit www.ballynahinch-castle.com.

The Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin, are offering guests who come for Father’s Day their Old Fashioned Spa Package.

The Gentleman’s Old Fashioned package is available for €179 per person.

For further information on The Shelbourne Hotel call 01 6634500 or visit www.shelbournespa.ie.

Gazette

24 lucan gazette 2 June 2016

OUT&ABOUT

From the depths of a long-lost pirate city to sun-kissed desert islands, Uncharted 4’s world is packed full of detail. Sreengrabs: Shane Dillon

uncharted 4: the last in a popular series goes out with a bang

The prettiest game yet  shane dillon

A slightly underwhelming in-game camera lets the player pause the game and play around with shots – and with many stunning locales, there’s lots to shoot throughout

LET me get this out of the way straight away – Uncharted 4 (Cert 16, PS4) is the best-looking game I have ever seen, anywhere. That’s quite a claim – but then, it’s quite a game.

There’s a long list of ways in which U4 sets the benchmark for stunning graphics, but these still screenshots of fully detailed open areas certainly speak for themselves.

Whether in still shots or in motion, U4 looks absolutely gorgeous throughout, with terrific modelling, details and textures everywhere, as well as all kinds of technical bells and whistles that more than deliver – and how!

Not only that, but it also marks

the apex of developer Naughty Dog’s skills in just about every area, including storytelling, acting and character development.

Neatly closing off the Uncharted series, protaganist Nathan Drake (a cross between Lara Croft and Indiana Jones – that is, a cross between an explorer, adventurer, archaeologist – and an occasional murderer and killer) is stirred from his slightlydull, settled-down life.

Now married to long-time foil, reporter Elena, Nate is drawn into one last job, and is soon on the search for a pirate colony, where a potentially huge treasure haul awaits. Of course, Nate (and some familiar old pals of his) aren’t the only ones looking for long-lost Libertalia ...

Whether you’re new to the series, or are a long-time Uncharted fan, U4 presents plenty of bang for your buck, as Nate and pals run, gun, swing and climb their way through many beautifully-created environments around the world.

With its mix of stealth, several highoctane action sequences, occasional head-scratching puzzles and lots of exploring, all with plenty of naturalistic conversation, curses and quips thrown in, U4 is a must-buy.

The recently released game is certain to not only feature in many Best of 2016 awards, but also creates a true benchmark in gaming. So, if this really is Nathan Drake’s final adventure, he’s finished up with one hell of a highlight to go out on ...

meet some prominent people from ‘the uncanny valley’  shane dillon

NOT unlike wild-eyed explorers with tales of a mythical lost land, there’s a mysterious ‘place’ that gamers and cinemagoers alike are very familiar with, and know like the back of their hand – The Uncanny Valley.

While you and I will never visit there, we often see its citizens stumbling around in games and in films alike – they’re com-

puter-animated characters who look uncannily real, and yet there’s just ... something about them that the eye instinctively recognises as fake.

However, although Uncharted 4’s protaganists have not quite been able to leave this fabled land, they’ve certainly climbed to its peaks of near-realism.

Despite slightly ‘off’ lip syncing, they represent the bleeding edge of character design, with some brilliant design and animation that veer the closest yet to realism in games.

(Far left) Nathan Drake; Elena Fisher and Victor Sullivan

2 June 2016 lucan gazette 25

Gazettegallery

| celebrating 30 years in the fitness business

Thomas and Bernie Henry

Fitness gurus Karl and Pat Henry with broadcaster Claire Byrne. Pictures: Brian McEvoy

This birthday bash shaped up nicely

Christian Firth and Alexsandra Vicentijevic

Carol Harols and Jim Rock

P

at and Karl Henry hosted the 30th anniversary party of The Henry Fitness Centre at Residence, by Stephen’s Green, with over 150 members and friends.

Established in 1986, Pat Henry has built up a

Suzanne McGann, Paul Murray and Stephen Murray

business and clientele that continues to thrive and grow. Over the past 30 years, the city centre gym has seen some of the world’s biggest celebrities train there, with many well-known faces in attendance at the party.

Alex Farrell

Fiona Durcan and Martin

Pat Whyte and John

Durcan

McDonagh

John Nagle and Tom

Tom Collins and Andrea

McNamara

Byrne

26 lucan Gazette 2 June 2016

lucanCLASSIFIEDS

courses

paving

ACTIVE PAVING

DUBLIN: Thurs & Friday 13‑14 OCTOBER 2016

Local

Matters

Learn how to take blood TRAIN AS A

Support local b u si n ess

PHLEBOTOMIST TWO DAY COURSE awarding a

CERTIFICATE IN PHLEBOTOMY ACCREDITED WITH OPEN COLLEGE NETWORK

BOSS PAVING & LANDSCAPING

HEALTHCARE CAREER PATH

• DRIVEWAYS • PATIOS • FENCING • ASPHALT • DECORATIVE WALLING • IMPRINT • GRAVEL

SMALL CLASSES ‑ LIMITED PLACES

Quality Paving at affordable prices, just a phone call away. Highly recommended by Clients.

Testimonials available.

For more info or to book online: To book online or for more information:

www.

geopace.com

Contact: John Maloney 087 3591000 / 01 6972087 Email: bosshomeimprovements@gmail.com Web: www.bosspaving.ie Dundrum Bus Park: Ph. 01 6971896 Pearse St, D2

NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE OR QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED Hospitals - GP Surgeries - Clinics - Private Sector - Community

dental services

RECRUITMENT

Advertise with the Gazette call

6010240 ABC CERTIFIED 52,958 COPIES EACH WEEK

landscaping

(ABC: Group MFD, Jan-Dec 2015)

advertise your business to our readers call 60 10 240

Green Team

LEGAL & PLANNING APPLICATION

ANNOUNCEMENT

TREES & GARDEN SERVICES

FOR ALL YOUR GARDEN NEEDS

9Over Grown Garden 9NRE Shed Supplied & Erect

We can now officially accept planning & legal notices from all four County Councils in greater Dublin region

9Tress Felled and Pruned 9Hedges Trimmed

9Specialty Brickwork 9Gutters Cleaned & Sealed 9Old Sheds Removed 9Block Paving 9LmjÚf_

Local BUSINESS

· Standard rate from €75 + VAT · Payment in advance

9Driveways & Walls Painting 9Garage & House Clearance

15 YEARS EXPERIENCE/30% DISCOUNT For a free no obligation quote call:

T: 01-8678791 M: 085 1474725 W: www.greeteamtrees.com

SUPPORT

SHOP LOCALLY

Ph.01 601 0240

dvds

DVD TRANSFERS Video & Camera Tapes CineFilms Photos & Slides converted to DVD Music & Titles added

FOLLOW US TODAY ON OUR SOCIAL NETWORK

Unit E2 Nutgrove Office Park

0''*$&

Boombridge Business Park Dublin 7

Call the Gazette on

60 10 240

2 June 2016 lucan Gazette 27

lucanCLASSIFIEDS services/repairs

recruitment

1 Castle Crescent, Clondlakin, Dublin 22.

Phone: (01) 457 2613.

Phone/Fax: (01) 457 5790 Email: gmtv@eircom.net Repair Service for all brands of TV Supply & fit free to air satellite Repairs to Laptops / PCs Screen Replacements to Laptops, Ipads, iPhones etc

builders

SERVICE CENTRE

SONY•PHILIPS•SAMSUNG•PANASONIC•LG•WALKER

NEED A GOOD

BUILDER?

TAXIS

New Builds Renovations Extensions General Building TEL:

+353 (0)1 9060800 +353 (0)87 9532581

www.fitzheavey.com Unit 8 Willow Business Park, Knockmitten Lane, Dublin 12

windows

Why advertise with the Gazette?

Let our advertisers tell you why:

“

Trabolgan Holiday Village, Cork have used the Dublin Gazette Newspapers for the last few years to advertise various aspects of our holiday village including special offers. We have always had an excellent reader response from the advertisements run and have found the area’s covered by all 8 papers of great value to Trabolgan.

The help and guidance we have received from the staff has made it easier for us to communicate our message efficiently and cost effectively ensuring we get the maximum from our budget. We would have no hesitation in recommending the Gazette to any business.

“

B e c a u s e L o c a l M at t e r s

Gazette

28 lucan gazette 2 June 2016

SPORT Byrne to debut on Hatton bill

FastSport

boxing: st margaret’s puncher answers call for stadium battle

McCarthy leads the way at poc fada:

NAOMH Jude’s Faye McCarthy won adult camogie’s annual Poc Fada in Beann Eadair last Friday evening with an impressive round of 21 pucks.

She was just one point in front of Stephanie Carthy – who took the runners up spot as a result of playoff – Beth Whyte and Beinhinn O’Neill in a very competitive field.

The event was exciting and compelling competition was played on a challenging mountainous course organised by Beann Eadair with the result in the balance right to the last puck of the competition on the Howth peninsula.

In the Under-16 Poc Fada, after an enjoyable, sporting and hard fought battle, Megan Thomas (Erin’s Isle) emerged as winner.

In second place was Siun Keating (Good Counsel) just one stroke behind.

 derek mckenna sport@dublingazette.com

LOUGHLINSTOWN man Jay Byrne will make his pro boxing debut on the Ricky Hatton and FS Promotions “The Future” Fight Night at the National Boxing stadium on June 25.

Byrne, a former Irish novice champion will punch for pay as a pro

for the first time on a bill that includes a host of up and coming Irish boxing talent.

The St Margaret’s Boxing Club coach decided to make to move to the full professional ranks after taking on a couple of semi-pro fights recently and is looking to impress and surprise a few people with his talent.

Turning professional was not something that was on the agenda for Byrne but when the opportunity arose to fight on a Ricky Hatton promoted card, with future dates planned after June, the chance was too good to resist.

“It’s a great card to debut on,” he told Gazette Sport.

“When I heard there was big things like this happening it gave me that final push to turn over.

“The chance to be a part of this was too good to turn down.

“I was sparring with former Irish champion Anthony Fitzgerald earlier in the year and when I showed the lads the videos they were saying

Jay Byrne with Ricky Hatton

I was holding my own with a seasoned and tough pro.”

While Byrne is content to take things one fight at a time, his coaches already have a plan should he impress under the lights at the National Stadium.

“If I had one fight and won it, it will be more than anyone thought I wo u l d d o . E d d i e [Hyland, Byrne’s coach] has mentioned a title path, but I don’t like to do that.

“I will focus on this first fight. I would be confident I can win my first few fights and then going into next year we will see. If there is a title shot there I will take it, but I am just thinking about June 25 now.

“I am still learning a lot. I am constantly learning with Eddie and people haven’t seen what I can do.

“I never had a coach before. I trained myself, s t ay e d f i t a n d j u s t sparred helping people

get ready for their fights.

“So it will be all new and I am really looking forward to putting what I have learnt into practice.

“I would like to take the chance to thank my sponsors Matt Britton Flooring, High Tech Spec, MC MOTORS, Ramblers Rest and GK Autopoint. They have been a great help.”

T i c ke t s f o r ‘ T h e Future’ Fight Night on June 25 are still available on www.tickets.ie.

NAC Masters fill up the history books at London gala  sport@dublingazette.com

NAC Masters members Jackie O’Connor, Helena McGrath, Dan Golden and Neil Curran

NAC Masters swim team claimed three medals and brokw several national records at the 2016 LEN European Masters Swimming Championships in the London Aquatic Centre in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

The team consisted of Cian Connaughton, Neil Curran, Daniel Debtuch, Dan Golden, Michael Krivoruchko, Helena McGrath, Barry Murphy, Alan McCormack, Jackie O’Connor, Fergus O’Dwyer and Dara

Vaughan.

Club coach Declan Harte was due to compete but could not travel due to injury.

Golden was among the stars.

He won a silver medal in both the 50m freestyle, in a time of 28.99 seconds, and 50m butterfly, in 31.37 seconds, and a bronze medal in the 100m butterfly, in 1.14.36. He broke several national Irish masters records with these swims.

Jackie O’Connor, chairperson of NAC Masters said: “The club was delighted to send a team of 11 to compete against Europe’s

top masters’ swimmers.

“This is the largest team we’ve ever sent and shows the great shape the club is in. I know all the team have been training hard in recent months and they were thrilled to represent Ireland. There were some great swims over the five competition days including Dan’s fantastic medal wins.

“I’d encourage anyone with an interest in training and competing to come down to one of our sessions in the National Aquatic Centre or Westwood Clontarf.

“In the pool we currently

have 11 Irish record holders: Dan Golden, Joanne Figala, Jack Meade, Julie Galloway, Helena McGrath, Liz McCarthy, Sandra O’Leary, Tom Healy, Richard Harding and Helen O’Leary and we also have 28 Irish relay records across the age groups.

“We’re all really looking forward to more fun and success in 2016.”

NAC Masters is one of the country’s largest and most successful masters swimming clubs.

Founded in 1988, the club has grown steadily in membership numbers and reputation.

2 June 2016 lucan gazette 29

Gazette

CBS’s silver service in top school award Lucan’s Colaiste Phadraig add school of the year honour to go with wealth of trophies won across soccer, basketball and hurling in an incredible show of strength and diversity COLAISTE Phadraig CBS Lucan were honoured with the prestigious Sports School of the Year Award at an end of year celebration held at the Aviva Stadium following a stellar year.

The event is staged annually to celebrate the remarkable achievements of young sports stars in schools all

across the country.

Twenty-four winners of the Sports Star of the Week award were invited to the ceremony along with parents, coaches and family to recognise and celebrate the brilliant sporting achievements of their young people in schools throughout the year.

Lucan CBS were represented by Kris Arcilla

The Under-17 Leinster Junior Cup winning side

who won a Sports Star of the Weeks Award in March in recognition of his starring role in the Basketball Under-16 National Cup final.

Arcilla has since gone on to claim the prestigious Under-16 basketballer of the year award from Basketball Ireland so we are very proud of his remarkable achievements.

Colaiste Phadraig CBS Lucan were announced as the Sports School of the Year in recognition of their excellent achievements throughout the year.

This year, the school won the Eastern League A title in basketball as well as the National Cup A title for the first time in their history.

This group of players

have now amassed four major titles in three years in basketball.

In soccer, the school claimed the Under-17 Leinster Junior Cup while the team narrowly lost in the All-Ireland final.

The first year soccer team won the Dublin West Shield as well as the Dublin League Division 1 title.

They also reached the Champions League final last week and were within three seconds of winning it when their opponents equalised with the last kick of the game before winning with a last minute gaol in extra time.

The Under-15 soccer team reached the Leinster Minor Cup semifinals and only lost out to a last minute goal to

the eventual All-Ireland winners Kieran’s Kilkenny.

Since 2012, they have been in 15 major soccer finals, six more than any other school in Leinster, winning 10 of them so this truly is a golden era for the school in soccer.

In hurling, the Under14 team swept to success in the Dublin Colleges Juvenile B final with a 100% winning record.

Six members of the team were also members of the successful Dublin South Colleges team that won this year ’s Leinster Juvenile A hurling league so the future is bright for this team.

In football, the senior team reached the Dublin Final and performed exceptionally well throughout the campaign.

Representatives from Lucan CBS’s successful teams show off their silverware, left; the Under-16 basketball, right, celebrate their win

FastSport

Seventeen graduate from new Fingal progaramme SEVENTEEN participants graduated this week from the Fingal Football and Fitness Course, a joint project run by Fingal County Council, Blanchardstown Area Partnership and the Football Association of Ireland under the Project FUTSAL programme.

A football-centred education initiative that has been running in Corduff Sports Centre for the past three years.

The course delivers training in a number of football and general sports skills and also provides participants with an ITEC Professional Gym Instructor qualification as well as a range of FAI certified football coaching licences.

The programme involved participants working in the community to deliver a wide range of sports projects designed to meet various community needs.

These included Late Night Soccer, Disability Groups, After-School Drop-ins, Girls Only, Futsal, Youths Services and Schools. It provided over 4,500 additional coaching hours to the wider community and resulted in the participation of approximately 30,000 children and adults.

The mayor of Fingal, Cllr David O’Connor, said his council “recognises the huge value of sport in the community. It not only helps break down barriers, it also helps develop character in young people because it teaches them a whole range of skills, creates positive pastimes and provides role models.

“Our course participants have been role models for a huge amount of children and adults during the work experience section of the course and earned some very positive feedback from the many schools and organisations they worked in.”

Felix Gallaher of Blanchardstown Area Partnership added: “It is great for Blanchardstown Area Partnership to work with Fingal County Council and the FAI and everything ran very smoothly because a lot of the different work that we have done over the years has come into play in this project.”

The graduates received their certificates from the mayor David O’Connor and the chief executive of Fingal, Paul Reid.

Gazette

30 lucan gazette 2 June 2016

SPORT

FastSport

soccer: palmerstown club looking to bounce back to senior

Collinstown produce the goods in cup second leg COLLINSTOWN FC’s AUL Senior Saturday side have booked their spot in this season’s Myles O’Neill Cup final with a resounding 4-1 victory over Kilbarrack United at Collinstown Park last Saturday.

After a 1-1 draw in the first leg the week previously, the game was evenly poised going into last weekend’s decider but Collinstown showed their class to claim the tie by 5-2 on aggregate.

Collinstown got the perfect start to the game when they were a goal to the good after just 29 seconds when Dylan Clarke slipped in Mikey Griffin fired home with the aid of the upright.

Their advantage was doubled with 10 minutes on the clock when Carl Grant showed good control 25 yards out before slamming into the top corner and ‘Town were cruising.

Collinstown continued to look the better side for much of the half and took their two goal lead int the break.

After the turning a resurgent Kilbarrack made some changes and fought back valiantly. They pulled a goal back setting up an exciting finale.

Collinstown though continued to play their passing game, didn’t panic and looked to hit Kilbarrack on the break as the away side pushed for an equaliser.

That tactic paid off with 15 left to play when Collinstown caught Kilbarrack pushed high and Mikey Griffin raced clear one-onone with the Klbarrack keeper. Griffin’s strike was saved but substitute Ian Byrne was on hand to slot home the rebound.

Kilbarrack began to throw everything at the Town rearguard in the hope of getting something from the game but they were caught again on the break, this time Clarke racing through on goal, rounding the keeper and tapping in to claim Collinstown’s spot in the final of a competition they last won in 2013.

The final of the AUL – Myles O’Neill Cup will take place on Friday June 3 at 6.45pm in the AUL Complex.

Glenville in action against Drumcondra in the LSL Sunday Senior this season

Glenville’s learning curve  derek mckenna sport@dublingazette.com

GLENVILLE are a club familiar with winning promotions. In their 19-year history the club has risen up through the ranks of the Leinster Senior League at an impressive rate, culminating in their promotion to the top flight Senior Sunday last season.

This season, the Wayne Kelly managed side have had to experience the unfamiliar as they were relegated back to the LSL Senior 1 after a long, tough and bruising sea-

son.

While the league table never lies with Glenville finishing bottom of the pile, the Palmerstownbased side were always competitive in their games and on many occasions, lady luck deserted them in tight games.

The club can take a lot of positives from their first term as a top flight club and are looking to emerge stronger for the experience next season as they begin live in the Senior 1 Division.

Manager Kelly, now in his fifth year with the

1916 remembered Harriers join forces with Sars and Gospel Choir lucan Harriers joined forced with Lucan

Sarsfields, Lucan Gospel Choir and WestSide Stage School and were supported by South Dublin County Council in a family event to remember 1916 and celebrate the community spirit in Lucan.

Harriers took to the pitch at 1pm and did a training session for its juvenile athletes followed by a opportunity for all to try out some new disciplines including hurdles, balance and long jump.

side, believes that this season was a good learning curve for his side.

Speaking to Gazette Sport he said “We were just lacking that little bit of experience and quality this season.

“At this level you get punished for mistakes that you would get away with in the division below.

“That was the big thing we learned this term. In saying that, we were always competitive and didn’t look out of our depth.

“We had a young team and we didn’t really have

a recognised centre forward until January but we learned a lot this season.”

The young manager is looking at the positives as his side prepare for life in the LSL’s second tier, a place he hopes they won’t be spending too long.

“This season was hard at times trying to motivate players but it was also a great experience too.

“I have played at this level before but I have never managed at it so it was a good learning experience getting to

test ourselves against top teams, week in week out.

“Next season will be tough too as the Senior 1 is a very competitive division with a lot of good teams.

“We expect to keep all the lads who were here this season and we would hope to bring in three or four new faces, including a keeper with professional experience playing across in England.

“Our plans are already in place for pre-season and we would be hoping to bounce straight back up to the Senior Division.”

2 June 2016 LUCAN gazette 31

Gazette

O’Shaughnessy goal underpins AFL1 win  sport@dublingazette.com

LUCAN Sarsfields’ senior footballers recorded a much needed win at the 12th Lock as they beat St Jude’s 1-11 to 0-11 in a hard hitting physical game in AFL Division 1.

It was not for the faint of heart, but Lucan came out at the right end of this bruiser, thanks to an

all important goal from Stephen O’Shaughnessy.

Diarmuid McLoughlin was scorer in chief for St Jude’s while Mark Sweeney and young Tom Lahiff were lively throughout.

Lucan’s defense held strong at the end and important scores from Brendan Gallagher and Sean Newcombe helped

them over the win.

In their second game of the week, Lucan fell 3-13 to 1-11 to Thomas Davis to sit in 14th place in AFL1 after seven rounds of matches.

Cuala jumped ahead of them after a surprise win over St Vincent’s while Lucan are just a point ahead of Raheny and Fingal Ravens in what

looks a very close-knit battle to avoid the drop at the half-way stage of the season.

The 12th Lock club are next in action on June 12 against St Vincent’s.

St Pat’s, Palmerstown, meanwhile, had a win over Parnell’s in their first game of the week before falling 0-12 to 1-8 to Naomh Mearnog.

camogie: lucan end regular season in second

Club Noticeboard lucan sarsfields ON SUNDAY, Lucan Celebrated 1916. It

14B, 13 A and B camogie, in U-14A and B,

was a collaboration between Lucan

13B, and 16A hurling; in U-14A and 14B

Harriers, Lucan Gospel Choir, Westside

football and the U-13B ladies football.

Performers and Lucan Sarsfields.

Bingo continues its popularity, its

A true community event. It was a

running every Wednesday in the club

fantastic day and the weather helped.

bar 8.30pm. Set Dancing is on Wednes-

Events included historical talks, ath-

days at 8.30pm in the function room.

letics events, juvenile GAA games,

Next up for the golf society is the

a senior football match dubbed as

annual classic in Lucan Golf Club Fri-

The Battle of the Parishes where St

day, June 17. This is a key fundraiser

Mary’s lost out to the rest of Lucan,

for the club so all support welcome. To

Stage performances, and a flag rais-

book a tee time, please contact Sea-

ing ceremony.

mus Fagan on 086 8168984.

The reading of the Proclamation

June 10 is the County Colours bar-

was done with such passion; it would

becue night in aid of Team James for

have had every adult signing up on the

Barretstown Camp. Good food and

spot. Congratulations to all the volun-

lots of entertainment planned, tickets

teers and organisers. Thanks also to

available at the bar.

the Tainiste, local mayor and council representative for their support.

Summer Camps 2016 for ages six to 13 begins on July 4: football - July 4-8;

The senior footballers, having

hurling/camogie – July 11-15; football –

been successful against St Jude’s,

August 8-12; hurling/camogie – August

lost out on their latest league game

15-19. Bookings can now be made online

against Thomas Davis (but Alan and

at lucansarsfields.ie.

Jonny ensured all the footballs were retrieved!).

There was no winner of this week’s €3,000 lotto draw; numbers were 5,

The junior footballers enjoyed a

9, 17 and 18. The lotto sponsor was

good win over Fingallians on Sunday

O’Grady’s Hearing Care Services. Next

morning.

week’s jackpot is €3,500 and the draw

The juvenile games are getting stronger year on year. Wins for U-15A,

will be managed by team Mary Flannery Sunday night next.

ST pat’s palmerstown The Lucan Sarsfield Division 1 camogie side

Sars sweep to pair of league victories

division 1 camogie  sport@dublingazette.com

LUCAN Sarsfields senior camogie side completed their Dublin division one league campaign in a share of second place with Ballyboden St Enda’s as they rounded out their campaign with back to back wins.

They saw off St Jude’s 3-18 to 1-6 in their penultimate tie before edging out Na Fianna 3-10 to 3-8. The results, though, were not enough to close in on St Vincent’s who have a perfect record of six wins from six to give them an unassailable

advantage at the top.

Against Jude’s, Lucan started in whirlwind fashion, seeming to win every personal battle from the start. Corner backs Kate Britton and Sam Fitz just a half a yard in front setting the tone while Niamh Byrne and Annemarie Courtney gunslingers on the half-back line.

A string of long balls were aimed straight down the throat of Sarah Collins which yielded an instant payout. She had 2-2 on the board by the seventh minute to leave Jude’s shell-shocked.

Lucan could have

had five goals in the first quarter – they got three.

Laura Mur tagh got the third before Jude’s belatedly introduced a sweeper.

Claire Rigney chipped in with a couple of angled points to leave Lucan eleven points up at the break, 3-8 to 0-6 and the game was effectively over.

The only response from a demoralised Judes outfit came courtesy of six pointed frees in the first half and a kicked consolation goal after half time which was their only score of the half.

Lucan tacked on ten

un-answered points to stretch out the comfortable win.

As part of the performance, Jessie McClelland made further good progress on her journey which is off to a good start. Orla Beagan maintained her recent excellent form and remains the benchmark.

Ali Twomey has seldom played better.

They carried the momentum through a tight-knit battle with Na Fianna to ensure Lucan would finish in the top two of the table, ahead of Boden on points difference.

THE lotto numbers for this week were

Manor Hair Studios.

12, 13, 16 and 26 and 5, 7, 11 and 30;

Thanks to everyone that helped in

neither draw was won so next week

our bag pack at the weekend and to

there will be two draws with jackpots

Moriarty’s SuperValu for the oppor-

of €10,000 and €2,400.

tunity to raise funds. Please collect

The draw takes place in the Palmerstown House every Sunday night at

the Kits for Clubs tokens in store and continue to support our club.

10pm and tickets cost €2. Thank you

Our Friday hurling/camogie skills

to all our sellers and to all that sup-

continues on Friday and will be on

port our lotto every week.

from 6-7pm next week.

Tickets are available from all the

Everyone welcome. It’s a great

usual sellers including Moriarty’s

chance for the kids to learn from

SuperValu, Palmerstown House and

experienced coaches.

na gaeil oga COMHGHAIRDEAS le foireann peile na

Edel Ni Bhraonain san comortas Cailin

fir A a bhuaigh ar Na Fianna agus Por-

Gaelach. Go n-eiri leo go leir.

tobello sa sraith an tseachtain seo

Munar feidir leat a bhieth ann coin-

caite! Bhi mi adh ar an foireann B ina

nigh do cluasa oscaillte duinn ar Raid-

cluichi sraithe.

io na Gaeltachta!

Mar is eol daoibh beidhimid go

Beidh ar bpaisti ag traenail i

leir ag diriu ar Comortas Peile na

nGaeilscoil Naomh Padraig, F7 ag

Gaeltachta thios i mBaile Bhuirne an

10am agus F6 ag 11am (nios mo eolais

deireadh seachtaine seo.

ag Daithi ar 083 3058326); beidh eolas

Beidh foireann na mban ag imirt in

seolta chuig tuisti an fhoireann F8 go

aghiadh Naomh Aban ag 12.30 agus

luath faoin deireadh seachtaine ag

beidh foireann na bhfir ag dul chun

teacht.

pairce ag 2 a chlog i gcoinne Moin Dearg.

An beirt acu ag imirt De Sathairn.

Guimis gach raith ar ar Cailin Gaelach

Ta cursa oiliuna ar siul anocht do na traenalaithe agus tuisti le Paidi de Buitleir, go raibh mile leis aris as ucht a cabhair.

32 lucan gazette 2 June 2016