Lucan

Gazette LUCAN

April 6 - 12, 2017

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CALL FOR RELOCATION OF ADAMSTOWN PARK AND RIDE

- See Page 8

FIDDLER ON THE HOOF: Dance sensation Daithi talks to The Gazette P16-17

PHOENIX RISING SPORT

Feile fever goes West P31

Keep reading, keep recycling – thank you

HOW DUBLIN ZOO See Page 3 BECAME A GLOBAL TV STAR

Lucan on right path as work begins on dirty 30 Repair work on worst footpaths begins after woman injured

 MARK O’BRIEN WORK has begun to repair footpaths across Lucan which are badly in need of repair.

Cllr Liona O’Toole told The Gazette that many of the repairs are due to wires from

utilities and tree roots tangling underground and forcing their way up through the paths.

She said: “It’s like technology meets nature. The wires of the utilities and the roots of the trees have become tangled up with each other.”

Cllr O’Toole said that there were over 30 paths in need of repair and that it was one of the most frequent issues that she has to deal with. “There is such a demand for footpath repair,” she said.

One area that is badly

in need of repair is Airlee Heights. Concerned local Ruth Murray contacted The Gazette earlier this week after she fell on the footpath in Airlee Heights due to the poor condition it was in.

Continued on Page 4

2 LUCAN GAZETTE 6 April 2017

ST EDMUNDS | RESIDENTS SAY NOWHERE FOR VISITORS TO PARK

Outrage as investment firm takes away extra car parking spaces  MARK O’BRIEN RESIDENTS in St Edmunds have been left outraged after a property investment company removed all of their additional car parking spaces.

One resident, John Glennon, told the Gazette that this has severely limited the parking that is available in the area.

He said: “When they moved in on the site, they effectively removed all of the parking apart from the car parking right out-

side the houses.”

There are currently 32 houses in St Edmund’s and John said that there is now nowhere for visitors to park as space was already at a premium before the carpark was removed.

Carysfort Capital, an Irish property investment company, recently completed the purchase of 160 apartments and 167 parking spaces on the unfinished estate.

A total of 56 of these apartments were built by

Glenkerrin Homes before the crash.

The remaining 104 units were completed by receivers Michael McAteer and Paul McCann of Grant Thornton.

Planning permission has been granted to build a further 102 houses on the estate.

The estate is managed by a private management company, with each dwelling being entitled to one vote each on management issues.

Since Carysfort bought

the 160 apartments, it now has enough votes to outvote the other residents on all management issues.

“People like myself, who are homeowners, have no say,” said John.

He also claimed that the company wants to increase the management fees so that there is more money in the sinking fund.

He said: “T hey’re manipulating the management company to protect their investment at the expense of everybody else in the estate. It’s appalling.”

Residents held an emergency issue last Fri-

day where they decided to withhold their management fees until the company engages with them to resolve the problems.

“We’re not going to start repaying the management fees until the issues are dealt with,” said John.

He added that it was worrying that homeowners could so easily lose their say in how their estates are run and that legislation should be introduced to prevent this from happening.

The Gazette contacted Carysfort Capital, but they had not replied by the time of going to press.

FASTNews

Lucan guide represents 10m at United Nations A LUCAN Guide leader had the honour of representing 10 million Girl Guides at the 61st Commission on the Status of Women (CSW61) in New York.

Jenna Goodwin was one of 11 young women from around the world representing the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) at CSW61 - the principal body dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women at the United Nations.

Jenna delivered a statement on behalf of WAGGGS at an interactive expert panel on “Enhancing availability and use of data and gender statistics to support accelerated implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals”.

“I am just one voice, but I am proud to have represented 10 million voices of WAGGGS members around the world,” she said of the experience.

“Being part of this delegation has been an amazing opportunity for me to not only represent WAGGGS at a global level, but also to have a meaningful impact on global decision makers to ensure that the challenges facing girls and young women are taken into account,” said Jenna.

New bus route to be explored later this year THE possibility of a new bus route serving the R136 Outer Ring Road will be explored later this year. The issue was raised by Cllr Liona O’Toole (Ind) at last week’s Lucan Area Committee meeting of South Dublin County Council.

The council said that Dublin Bus had confirmed that the issue would be investigated later this year but that the main priority was to improve the current service in Lucan.

In response to the motion, the council said: “Dublin Bus confirmed that their main concentration for the Lucan Area is on improving the service on the Lucan Road and surrounding area.

However, they will investigate the provision of a service on the Outer Ring Road again in about six months.

“All final decisions in relation to new bus routes rests with the National Roads Authority.”

Cllr O’Toole welcomed the news that the new route was being considered and said it would be of great benefit to the area.

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ZOO ALORS! Gerry, seen here with a pair of tiger cubs, is regularly asked for selfies from tourists

 SYLVIA POWNALL

ZOOKEEPER Gerry Creighton has told how the success of RTE’s The Zoo sees him regularly stopped for selfies by visitors from all over Europe.

The head of operations at Dublin Zoo – who returned to our screens on the hit reality show last Sunday – says it is watched by millions of loyal viewers here and abroad.

Dad-of-two Gerry, a second-generation zookeeper who followed in his father Gerry Sr’s footsteps, told The Gazette: “It’s in the top three shows in Belgium.

“I’m regularly stopped by people from Belgium asking me for a photo and saying they’ve come to Ireland just to see Dublin Zoo. “It’s one of the most popular programmes on Animal Planet UK; sometimes they loop it for 24 hours.

“On a busy day I probably get stopped 100 times by people who say they were first introduced to the zoo through the show. It’s great to see that level of interest.”

The first episode of season seven featured home improvements for the meerkats, a sloth examination and exciting news of Lena’s pregnancy at the Gorilla Rainforest.

Each week, viewers will get to watch her progress right up to when she gives birth and feeds her newborn baby for

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the first time.

The programme clearly shows keepers’ passion for their work as the cameras follow the team around the Phoenix Park facility, which attracted 1.1 million visitors last year.

“After 33 years in this job there isn’t a single day I don’t look forward to going into work. It’s become such a wonderful place and I love that I’ve been part of its evolution,” said Gerry, who manages Dublin Zoo’s elephant

programme.

“Now I travel all over the world setting up animal welfare programmes. We’re actually world leaders in elephant wellness; it’s quite staggering.”

Gerry has nothing but praise for show producers and directors Shane Brennan and John Higgins of Moondance Productions.

He added: “We’ve made sure to show the public the realities of life and how a zoo works. It’s not all cute and cuddly. Animals die, there are births, deaths and triumphs along the way.”

The Zoo airs on RTE One this Sunday at 6.30pm.

6 April 2017 LUCAN GAZETTE 3

RTE’s hit fly-on-the-wall documentary is Belgium’s third most popular TV show

4 LUCAN GAZETTE 6 April 2017

PEOPLE | MARIE ENCOURAGES OVER 50S TO GET INVOLVED IN BUSINESS FROM PAGE 1

‘It’s never too old to follow a dream’  MARK O’BRIEN

A FORMER Lucan resident has taken a leap of faith and started her own business after completing a business course aimed at the over-50s.

Marie Nugent Smyth – who recently moved to Maynooth after living in Lucan for 30 years – launched her company Inner Inspirations late last year.

The company aims to develop the emotional intelligence of young children and help them to deal with difficult issues they may experience, such as bullying.

Marie told the Gazette that it was a subject that she cared passionately about.

She said: “We’re doing children a disservice by not prepar-

ing them in this way.”

Marie has recorded a series of CDs that each tell a different story and offer children ways of coping with different situations.

The stories are also available on Amazon and iTunes and Marie gives talks to children in libraries and schools.

Prior to launching her business full-time, Marie completed the first Ingenuity Build Your Own Business programme.

The programme is a partnership between ISAX (Ireland Smart Ageing Exchange) and Bank of Ireland and is aimed at people over the age of 50 who are thinking of starting their own business.

Marie said that the course was a huge benefit to her as she

had no previous business background.

She said: “One of the things I loved most about the course was the peer-to-peer learning and the generous sharing of contacts and expertise.

“Working with other over 50’s with the same ambition to start their own business was what really made it for me.

Budding “As I didn’t have a background in business, the programme gave me a grounding in all aspects of setting up a business. I’d highly recommend the course to all budding entrepreneurs out there.”

The eight week programme includes workshops, bespoke

mentoring, networking and the opportunity to pitch to a panel of investors on the finale night.

The next programme starts on April 25 and will run every Tuesday and Thursday from 6.30pm to 9.30pm.

It will run across two venues; Local Enterprise Office South Dublin at County Hall in Tallaght and Bank of Ireland Workbench, Dublin 4.

Having taken the leap and star ted her ow n business, Marie said that she never had any concerns about the fact that she was starting out at an older age.

“It’s never too old to follow a dream or a passion,” she said.

“I think we’re all ageless entrepreneurs.”

‘I fell and ripped the knee out of myself’ Ruth suffered cuts and bruises on her knee and her clothing was damaged by the fall.

“I fell and ripped the knee out of myself and my trousers,” she said.

She provided pictures that show a utility that has been forced over an inch above the ground.

Ruth’s 82-year-old mother lives in Airlee Heights and has recently started to use a wheelchair.

She said that she was concerned for her mother’s safety and the safety of the many other elderly residents of the area. She said that the paths were so bad that: “You have to push the wheelchair on to the road to get up the footpath.”

Due to such an obvious health and safety concern, South Dublin County Council have made Airlee Heights the first priority for repair.

Repairs to the footpaths in the area are being carried out this week. The council have said that they will then begin repair works on footpaths in the Dodsborough area, followed by the Arthur Griffith Estate.

Ruth Murray suffered cuts and bruises on her knee

Retired Dublin GAA Star, Tomas (Mossy) Quinn, Anne Donnelly and her daughter Alex (15 months) and Jennifer McBennett (Nostra).

Dublin GAA hero rows in to help sick children

RETIRED Dublin GAA Star, Tomas (Mossy) Quinn helped launch Lucan ICT company Nostra’s charity initiative, From Dawn to Dusk. The charity event, which will be held on the April 29 will see four teams made up of staff from Nostra, racing from the very early morning to the late evening in order to reach the Talbot Hotel in Wexford first. The initiative will raise funds for two seriously ill children, Jack McNiffe (11) from Kildare and Alex Donnelly (15 months) from Rathfarnham. You can donate by visiting www.nostra.ie/dawn-to-dusk Pictures: Lensmen

Aisling McNiffe and her son Jack (11) and Tomas Quinn (Dublin GAA).

6 April 2017 LUCAN GAZETTE 5

6 LUCAN GAZETTE 6 April 2017

Out and About

Getting healthy at Confey College H

EALTHY Living Week took place in Confey College, Leixlip, to raise awareness for physical and mental health. This popular annual event included a 26km cycle, 5k whole-school run, talent shows, walk to school campaigns, breakfast clubs along with many speakers such as Finbar Walsh, Nikki Bradley, John Leonard and Kathryn Lynch. The week was a huge success and a great week was had by all.

6 April 2017 LUCAN GAZETTE 7

Out and About

Cliona Crowley, Aileeen O Meara and Rachel Glennon

Andrea Smith

Kay Hutton and Helen Cox

Focusing on raising Spice up your life vital funds for charity Members of Leixlip Musical Society had a little extra spice added to their lives when they met Mel C from Spice Girls backstage at The Ray Darcy

Show. Pictured with Mel are Aoife Cartwright, Aoife Masterson, Jacqueline Brunton, Orla Jennings and Avril Doyle.

I

T was a day of fashion and fun in Geisha Resturant, Malahide, for the 2nd Annual Focus Ireland Charity Lunch. There was a great turnout for the event as guests enjoyed a red carpet champagne arrival, three-course meal, live entertainment by Judith McMahon and Karl Flood, a fashion show, raffle, mini auction and more. All profits are going directly to Beloved Malahide, Focus Ireland.

Emma Gavin

Cara Bannigan, Emer Bannigan and Aoibhinn Bannigan. Pictures: Brian McEvoy

Jeanette Sung

8 LUCAN GAZETTE 6 April 2017

Banding together to learn new skills No Signal

No Signal

 MARK O’BRIEN TWO bands made up of young people from Ronanstown, Clondalkin and Lucan will play at the Aviva Stadium later this month.

Southside and No Signal will perform at the venue as part of the Irish Youth Music Awards on Saturday, April 22. The bands are made up of members of Crosscare Dublin West and all are aged between 15 and 19. The bands are supported by a team of five other young people from the group, who have taken on 23 jobs relating to all aspects of the industry.

These include; forming a Facebook team, a stage team, an audio and photo team and a fundraising team.

Youth Arts development officer of Crosscare, Marie Scanlon told the Gazette that the project has allowed the participants to learn a range

of new skills. She said: “This has given our young people a great insight into all the jobs and roles within the industry and as part of this we have had a number of guest speakers come in to share their knowledge of the industry and share their story of how they got into the business.

“All of these speakers which have included a graphic designer, make-up artist, music film maker, radio programme manager and producer have all come from the Dublin West area which has been very inspirational for the young people involved.”

Incredibly, the band members didn’t know each other before they came together for the project. But thanks to weeks of intense practice in the music studio of Lucan Youth Service under the expert guidance of local musician Colin Sheehy, they are now ready to

wow the crowds at the Aviva.

Southside will perform an original song ‘Smoke’ written by lead vocalist Jennifer Irabor, while No Signal will perform on the second stage.

The Irish Youth Music Awards will see young musicians aged 12 to 19 from across the country representing their community and performing across two stages throughout the day.

The IYMA’s also brings together some of Ireland’s top music industry personnel as it hosts a large educational hub supported by BIMM institute Dublin.

The event features masterclasses and workshops in vocals, song-writing and more.

The event is an all ages, alcohol free event. Tickets priced €20 are available from Eventbrite with group tickets for youth clubs also available for €120.

Locals call for relocation of park and ride at Adamstown  MARK O’BRIEN

LOCALS have called for the relocation of the park and ride facility at Adamstown train station.

Cllr Liona O’Toole raised a motion at the most recent Lucan Area Committee meeting of South Dublin County Council on the back of concerns from residents.

One resident wrote to Cllr O’Toole and highlighted a number of issues with the current temporary park and ride facility.

The resident wrote: “I have been a user of this service for a number of years and have parked in the spaces beside the train as opposed to the car park.

“This is due to a number of factors.

“1. The proximity of the car park to the station.

“2. The lack of lighting in the area.

“3. The secluded location of the car park which is out of sight for people parking their cars at the station.

“There is no line of sight to anyone’s vehicle at any time.”

The user added that they had been previously been a user of the Luas park and ride facility at the Red Cow, which worked very well due to the proximity of the carpark to the Luas stop.

A permanent park and ride facility is required for the train station as part of Phase 7 of the Adamstown Planning

Scheme 2014.

However there is no time frame set for this and none is required as part of the planning scheme.

Cllr O’Toole has suggested moving the car park to land directly opposite the station on a temporary basis until the permanent car park is built.

Council management confirmed that they would engage with the land owner and developer to explore this possibility.

Cllr O’Toole told the Gazette that this would encourage more people to use the trains and added that there was already a need for more trains.

Kishogue She said: “It could encourage more train users taking pressure of existing modes of commuting around Lucan, and will need to be followed up with requests for additional trains prior to the opening of Kishogue train station.

“What needs to be looked at is additional trains added on so that we don’t have situation where we open Kishogue train station and sending full trains by them.

“The fact that we now have this train service is of great benefit to Lucan and with Clonburris coming into the plans it would encourage more people to use public transport.”

Vulnerable man’s home used to stash drugs A COURT has heard that drug dealers used the home of a vulnerable intellectually disabled man to stash just under €100,000 worth of ecstasy tablets.

John Freer (43) was living in “diabolic personal circumstances”, Michael Bowman SC, defending told Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

“His one friend in the world was his dog,” Mr Bowman continued before he added that Freer’s home had no cooker and no fridge.

Mr Bowman told the court that Freer never left his mother’s side as a child and a teenager. She went into hospital when he was 17 years old and never came home. She died when he was 18 and he has been living alone since.

Counsel said that Freer should have had been linked in with social services but this didn’t happen until gardai raided his home. He has since been moved into a more appropriate residential setting where his needs are met.

Freer, previously of Buirg An Ri Walk, Balgaddy, Lucan, pleaded guilty to knowingly permitting the preparation of controlled drugs at his home on August 10, 2015. He has no previous convictions.

The drugs were valued at €108,110 for the ecstasy and €3,500 for Diazepam.

Garda Sean Fitzgerald told Karl Finnegan BL, prosecuting, that Freer’s home was searched after gardai received information from a concerned neighbour about activity in the house. A surveillance operation was put in place before the warrant was secured.

Gda Fitzgerald said gardai believe that Freer was approached by others and asked if the drugs could be stored in his home. It is understood that he wasn’t paid for his role.

6 April 2017 LUCAN GAZETTE 9

10 GAZETTE 6 April 2017

Gazette babies are the cutest...

s) Amelia Carroll (9 month

sent in by Marie Carroll

by Sinead Treacy Donnacha Gillen, sent in

Grace Aher n (13 month s) sent in by Br ian Ahern

Lily Conlon (13 months) sent in

by Joan King

Send in your baby photographs and...

W

Neela, sent in by Tunde

WIN!WIN!WIN!

E’VE had a wonderful response to our Gazette Bonnie baby competition – and we’re hugely grateful to the multitude of proud mums, dads, grandparents and family friends out there who so kindly shared some of the cutest photos we’ve ever seen.

Make sure you pick up a copy of next week’s Gazette, when we’ll reveal our lucky finalists, who’ll then go forward to a public vote to see who’s the ultimate Gazette Bonny Baby.

(You’ll be able to vote for your favourite pic on our Facebook page, or by emailing competitions@dublingazette.com from this day week) We have some great prizes to give away – including two hampers worth €90 each from our friends at NUK Ireland – and one lucky winner will win a free family or newborn photoshoot worth €180 from Gazette photojournalist and expert baby photographer Ali, of Alison O’Hanlon Photography.

And keep an eye out for more great Gazette Giveaways in your free weekly Dublin Gazette – because remember folks, the future is local, the future is free!

6 April 2017 GAZETTE 11

Gazette competition

Maia (23 months) sent in

by Tomasz Kurkowski

Aneta Patriak shared this thoughtful shot of Maia Kurkowska

Zack sent in by

Karolina Ga sinska

onnell Cami-Li sent in by J McD

GAZETTE

12 GAZETTE 6 April 2017

DUBLINBUSINESS

Taxi app Lynk motors along to a merger deal with Blackrock Cabs CONTINUING its growth, Dublin taxi app Lynk (www. lynk.ie) has merged with the prominent South Dublin firm with Blackrock Cabs.

With a history of working together, their merger was finalised recently, with the move expanding Lynk’s availability, particularly in the south Dublin area, meaning further availability of vetted drivers through the unique app and online booking technology.

The merger see more than 100 new drivers added to Lynk’s southeast Dublin fleet, with the merger just one of many that Lynk is focusing on finalising in the coming months as part of its planned ongoing expansion in Dublin and nationwide.

Noel Ebbs, chief executive of Lynk, said: “It’s great to be focusing our attention in new local areas and expanding our driver network. It’s important we continue to grow in Dublin before fully rolling out nationwide in the coming months.”

Dublin Chamber president Brendan Foster and chief executive Mary Rose Burke. Picture: Jason Clarke

Quote happy with Dublin Babriggan Subway wins Store of the Year award Chamber’s new rebrand THE Balbriggan Subway branch served up a big slice of success after claiming the national title of Subway Store of the Year.

The eaterie’s Nadine Vickers and Bastian Wiebenga (right) accepted the prestigious award on behalf of the Balbriggan team, acknowledging the hard work to come out first ahead of 170 other Subway stores in Ireland.

One of 45 Subway outlets situated within an Applegreen site, the Balbriggan outlet was judged on a combination of in-store operational performance and year-on-year sales growth, with Balbriggan excelling in both fields. Neil Black, development agent for Subway Ireland, said the achievement “is a testament to the Balbriggan store’s dedication to their service and to their customers that they won this year’s Store of the Year award”.

DUBLIN Chamber, the organisation which represents the interests of businesses in the Dublin region, has unveiled its new corporate brand and logo.

Following a five-month rebranding process, the Chamber will drop the words ‘of commerce’ from its logo, which sees a return to the colour blue that is so synonymous with Dublin.

The rebrand has been

overseen by the Chamber’s chief executive, Mary Rose Burke, who took up the role in October last year. The design work was carried out by Evolve Design.

Burke said the new look perfectly captures what Dublin Chamber is all about – listening to its 1,300 members and speaking out on their behalf to make Dublin a better city for all.

She said: “The new

the naming convention reflects how our members and the people of Dublin know us: Dublin Chamber.”

As part of the rebrand, Dublin Chamber has adopted the new tagline of ‘Dublin is our business’. This tagline reflects the Chamber’s core aims of improving the reputation of Dublin, making sure it is a competitive and attractive place to businesses, visitors and

locals alike.

Burke added: “This is a very exciting time to be in business in Dublin. Our goal in Dublin Chamber is to enable companies to do business better and to help them to grow and create jobs in a successful Dublin.

“Our new brand is reflective of the ambition to further Dublin’s credentials as a smart, liveable and competitive capital city.”

Funding shares from €70,000 Energia, Grow It Yourself partnership revealed

Extra push for broadband DUBLIN schools are set to get superfast broadband through the 100Mbs for Schools project.

Irish internet provider enet has announced it have started a contract to supply the schools in conjunction with educational and research network HEAnet on behalf of the Department of Education and Skills.

In total, over 150 post primary schools are now connected to enet networks in Dublin City, Blanchardstown, Clondalkin and Rathfarnham.

brand is a reflection of the Chamber’s position as the business voice for Dublin.

The Chamber’s aim is to ensure that Dublin is a modern, welcoming and vibrant place in which to live, work and do business.

“Our new brand represents the modern and dynamic organisation that Dublin Chamber is.

We will always be Dublin Chamber of Commerce, but the change in

Alison Canavan, wellness coach; Liz O’Rourke and Karen O’Donohoe, GIY, and Amy O’Shaughnessy, Energia

THE Get Ireland Growing Fund run by GIY (Grow It Yourself) in partnership with Energia has announced the winners of the grants from a fund of €70,000 for 2017. Grants will be awarded to the successful food growing projects planned by community groups, schools and notfor-profit organisations all across the country.

In Dublin, a funding award goes to the Ballymun Job Centre for the Ballymun Adult Read and Write Scheme.

The team there says: “A group of adult

students are studying the QQI L2 Life Science: Horticulture module during January to May. Students will undertake practical horticulture skills to complete gardening tasks and learn basic principles about plants and trees.

“We will undertake field trips to Santry Community Garden and the new Ballymun Boiler House Eco Project, and this grant will be spent for the purchase of tools, plants, tubs and materials to enable students to complete practical skills required for certification.”

6 April 2017 GAZETTE 13

GAZETTE

TRAVEL: PARTY? YES WE CANCUN P23

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



MOTORING: TESTING THE NEW MAZDA6 P20

CINEMA: FREE FIRE IS A CULT MOVIE IN THE MAKING P24

MUSIC: CLARE MUSICIAN DAITHI O’DRONAI IS A HARD MAN TO PIN DOWN

Going back to his rural roots  JAMES HENDICOTT AT 27 YEARS of age, Clare musician Daithi O’Dronai has already been through more phases of his career than many manage in a lifetime.

Developing from a young fiddle player to a reality TV show star, then onwards to a Sony-signed, offbeat-pop performer and finally a unique and soulful dance act, he’s a

hard man to pin down.

Recently relocated to Dublin, the man who simply uses the stage name Daithi’s latest incarnation is nevertheless a profound tribute to the rural roots that connect him tightly with the Burren, and the Irish landscape.

“When I was writing the pop stuff I was doing my best to write these perfectly little three minute pop songs,” Daithi explains of his Sony album, and subsequent departure

FINE FILLY IS LOOKING FOR A DEDICATED FAMILY HOME

from the label.

“I lost my angles. I enjoyed it at the time, but I kind of lost my identity,” he recalls.

The departure from a major outlet like Sony was, no doubt, a tough call, but one Daithi made on the basis that he didn’t feel able to create things with purely commercial aims like radioplay in mind.

His next single – a sentimental track called ‘Mary Keane’s Introduction,’ based around a dance

remix of an interview with his 90-year-old grandmother – ironically turned out to be his most acclaimed.

“It was a sign,” he said.

“The new record leans more heavily into that idea. I was at a point where I wasn’t even sure I was going to keep making music after Sony to be honest. The thing I fell into was the idea that I was working towards a success of some kind.”

Continued on pages 16-17

OUR Dog of the Week looking for their #SpecialSomeone* is Filly, a beautiful eightmonth-old female Collie cross who unfortunately missed out on vital socialisation as a puppy.

She loves to play with her toys, and with other dogs and people, but is still quite worried about sudden movements and hands approaching her head, so she is looking for a dedicated and understanding family who will let her take things at her own pace.

In the time Filly has been in a foster home recently, she has shown herself to the a very sweet, affectionate and playful dog who will blossom in the right home.

If you can be Filly’s #SpecialSomeone*, then 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, at www.facebook.com/ dogstrustirelandonline, or on Twitter @ DogsTrust_IE.

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14 GAZETTE 6 April 2017

DUBLINLIFE

DIARY

SCHOOLS: NEW PROGRAMME TO ENCOURAGE CHILDREN TO RECYCLE IN EVER BETTER WAYS

Repack it in, lads!

RECYCLING company Repak has launched a nationwide Recycle And Change For The Better schools programme, starting in Dublin.

The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Denis Naughten, and Repak chief executive Seamus Clancy launched the programme at O’Connell CBS Primary School in Drumcondra.

The nationwide education programme will target First to Sixth class pupils across 3,300 primary schools, reaching a total of 398,812 children.

It will endeavour to educate students about the benefits of best recycling practices to change b e h av i o u r s t ow a r d s recycling and ultimately reduce recycling bin contamination.

Commenting on the launch of the new programme, Minister Naughten said: “I am delighted to launch this excellent programme.

“How and what to recycle is something we probably all need to work harder on. Education is key to this and if every child here today brings home the message of any of the engaging characters that form part of this programme, it will be a good start.

“I would like to thank Repak for taking this initiative and wish them the best with the roll-out.”

YOU’RE GROWING TO LOVE THIS CAMPAIGN AWA R D -W I N N I N G garden designer Diarmuid Gavin joined forces with TV3’s Anna Daly to launch GroMor 2017, a

nament to Ireland as it is due to return after being held here in 2011, in Killarney.

Would-be karaoke kings or queens should see karaokeworldchampionships.com.

GIVE DANCE FESTIVAL A WHIRL IN MAY

Minister Denis Naughten with Joseph Delaney and Daniel She, O’Connell CBS Primary School pupils, launching Repak’s Recycle And Change For The Better schools programme. Picture: Robbie Reynolds

nationwide campaign to get the country growing.

GroMor is an initiative by Retail Excellence garden centres and growers across Ireland, in association with Bord Bia, and sponsored

by Bord Na Mona and Westland Horticulture.

The aim of the campaign is to give clear and useful advice on how to best grow plants, herbs, flowers, fruits, vegetables and to highlight the health benefits of gar-

dening.

T he GroMor 2017 campaign encourages people to visit their local garden centre for expert advice on how to enhance their living space with nature.

A series of 50 free gardening demonstrations will take place in throughout the nation in GroMor Garden Centres from April to September offering a whole variety of themes.

For those who can’t

attend the events, www. gromor.ie contains easyto-follow guides and videos on how to grow a wide range of plans, whether on your windowsill, balcony or in the garden, as well as offering a taste of what you can expect to find in a GroMor centre near you.

KARAOKE KINGS AND QUEENS TO DO BATTLE KAR AOKE fans are celebrating 30 years of karaoke in Dublin, with

the singing sensation having made its debut in Ireland with Doug Murray of Starmaker on The Late Late Show in November, 1987.

T h a t ’s w h e n G ay Byrne and his crew left the RTE studio for a live outside broadcast from the nearby Merrion Inn. N o w, D o u g h a s teamed up with KWC to give two lucky people – one male and one female – the chance to represent Ireland in the karaoke

world championships in Helsinki this November, where they’ll battle to win $50,000 against 20 countries from around the world.

At last year’s finals in Vancouver, Ireland was not represented; however we have previously won the competition, with Rachel Brown winning in 2005 and more recently Adrian Kenny in 2009.

Doug is also in negotiation to bring the tour-

THE Dublin Dance Festival is back this May with an eclectic multinational line-up to look forward to.

Acts from around the globe and across Ireland will take place, ranging from a baroque feast to a Hip-Hop dance battle, from world-class dance on the stages of the Abbey Theatre to a baby boogie in Merrion Square Park.

The 2017 programme features more than 40 events by artists from 11 countries, with more than 50 dancers performing in venues across Dublin.

They will be accompanied by three DJs, an opera singer and a graffiti artist, with props including 18 wine glasses, two portions of brine shrimps, a cauliflower and a pomegranate.

Leading traditional Irish dance artist Colin Dunne will open the festival with his highlyanticipated new solo show, Concert, performing alongside the music of fiddle player Tommie Potts’ iconic album The Liffey Bank.

Tickets for the events can be booked online now at dublindancefestival.ie. or from May 2 at the Dublin Dance Festival Box Office located at Festival House, No 12 East Essex Street, in Temple Bar.

6 April 2017 GAZETTE 15

GAZETTE

FEATURE SURVEY: DATA SUGGESTS ALMOST HALF OF ALL DUBS TURNING OUT JUST LIKE THEIR MUM

Have you turned into Mammy yet? positive and makes for a happy relationship for 1 in 2 (48%) adults.

Conversely, 1 in 3 (30%) cl a i m t h a t having some similarities to mum can make for a happy relationship.

In terms of what adults in Dublin still rely upon their mothers for, advice (38%) ranked highest, followed by a home-cooked dinner (24%) from time-to-time.

Even as adults, the research find-

ing to their mum.

Following the cl o c k s c h a n g ing to mark the start of the summer, “There’s a grand stretch in the evening” has b e e n r e ve a l e d as one of Dubliners’ top-three favourite Irish Mammy phrases (44%), along with, ‘ T h e r e ’s g r e a t dr ying in that weather’ (50%), and, ‘Take off your coat or you won’t feel the benefit when you go outside’ (44%) finalizing the top three.

Shane Kelly, sales and marketing manager for Beko, said: “Beko Graphic: Beko

NEARLY half of all Dubliners think they are turning into their mammies, it has been revealed.

Research commissioned by the appliance company Beko to celebrate the launch of The Woman’s Way and Beko Mum Of The Year awards has uncovered some interesting insights into the much-loved ‘Irish Mammy’.

The influence of the Irish Mammy remains strong, with 1 in 2 (48%) adults in Dublin having experienced a moment when they realised they had turned into their mother!

When it comes to relationships, “mother knows best” still rings true for most, with 3 out of 5 (58%) Dubliners admitting that their mother’s approval of their other half was important to them.

Despite craving their mother’s approval, finding a partner who is different to their mum is viewed as a

ings show that we still rely on our mums for our favourite creature comforts, with (14%) of Dubs admitting to bringing home their washing and iron-

is delighted to be involved with the Woman’s Way Mum of the Year award.

“As part of the partnership we wanted to commission quirky research to celebrate Irish mothers, who play a huge part in our lives.

“Beko has been part of Irish families for over 25 years and are extremely proud to help recognise the fantastic role Ireland’s mums play in their home and communities right across the country.

“The courage and strength of character from last year’s nominees was nothing short of amazing, and it is so important we recognise their role in our society.”

If you know a mum who deserves recognition, complete the nomination form in the current issue of Woman’s Way, or see www.womansway.ie, before the closing date of May 5.

6 April 2017 GAZETTE 17

DUBLINLIFE

MUSIC

Built From The Land

N O S ’ T A H W

E D I U G S T N E EV

Daithi’s Journey from Reality TV musician to unique dance star

Rock Against Homelessness

The Olympia host a Focus Ireland event featuring a homeless musician performing alongside local stars The Blizzards, Ham Sandwich and Delorentos, with profits going to the charity. April 7.

from page 13 I’VE started releasing what makes me excited after that track. That seems really simple, but it was a revelation to me.”

Daithi’s work is truly built from scratch. More specifically, it’s built from countless, heavily layered building blocks of ambient and atmospheric sounds that he’s recorded across the country.

They include anything from the sound of the wind whistling through a gate up a Donegal mountain (a recording that took hours of battering by Irish winter weather, and one that’s his current musical plaything), to the subtle texture of the family fire, or the clang of pieces of cutlery bashing against each other in a rented room in Achill.

Sri Rama Navami

A free event exploring Hindu traditions, and introducing one of the David McSavage oldest incarnations of Vishnu. A rare glance at Indian culture in the city, hosted at Alexandra college, Milltown Road on April 8.

David McSavage Live

The Savage Eye comic brings a rare live show to the Olympia Theatre, no doubt primed to attack the political status quo with a sling of witty quips. April 8.

The Game

A theatrical production themed around prostitution and the act of buying sex, The Game was produced by TheatreCLUB, who got input from those who’ve really experienced the industry. They bring their show to The Blanchardstown Centre on April 8.

Untypical Villains

Daithi performing at the Body And Soul Festival

Picture: Ruth Medjber

Dr Jason McElligott - the keeper at the Marsh Library gives a talk on his expansive niche research into areas like the history of propaganda and censorship, and three-century-old white collar crime. The Little Museum, April 12.

The Furrow Collective

Delorentos

Winning folk band take to one of the city’s less likely stages for a one off show at the Little Museum, to play before just 100 people. April 12.

MusicTown 2017

A citywide festival of music heritage running from April 7-17, featuring cross-city performances from the likes of Richie Egan (Jape), Mel C, Chelsea Wolfe, Katie Kim, and the International Choral Festival.

Fawlty Towers: The Dining Experience

Re-live John Cleese’s short-lived but fantastically memorable car crash hotel in an event recreating its less-thanimpressive dining rooms themes. The Clarion Hotel promise everything that can go wrong will on April 8.

New album of the week: Father John Misty returns with ‘Pure Comedy’, which if past form is anything to go by will be anything but comic. Expect a dark, catchy and at times sarcastic exploration of the modern landscape set against a beautiful soundscape.

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16 GAZETTE 6 April 2017

“If I run out of inspiration, I just go outside and take a walk and it hits me.

I end up with all those elements layered in”

Picture: Ruth Medjber

Layers He takes these recordings home, isolates the sounds and slowly builds up the layers of texture, throwing in some fiddle along the way, and adding numerous loops to give a form of dance that’s highly innovative in its origins.

The mixing process is reproduced live on stage every time he performs.

“I’ve been renting AirBnBs for periods of several weeks around Ireland,” Daithi said of his recent recording process, “and adapting them into studios while I’m there. If I run out of inspiration, I just go outside and take a walk and it hits me. I end up with all those elements layered in.”

His current role as a fiddleyielding, live-mixing outsider artist on a burgeoning Irish dance scene is all a very long way from a start that saw the teenage Daithi compete in the All Ireland Talent Show, and then go on to play Wembley Arena in front of a crowd of 10,000 for Sky’s Must Be The

Music.

While crammed with traditional elements, the current incarnation is also nothing close to trad, but nevertheless could hardly be more proudly and uniquely Irish.

“I think my grandfather [acclaimed concertina player Chris Droney, who still tours internationally at the age of 92] might be upset if he saw it my music as trad,” Daithi explains.

“He’s the kind of guy who’d get upset if you play a reel at the wrong speed, but he doesn’t really equate the two styles.

“I think he’s just proud I’m working as a musician, as that was hard in his day, too.

“I do more than 150 shows a year. That’s what I need to do to keep myself doing this full time, and I’m lucky, as it’s easier to get 150 shows a year from my [solo] set up than it would be from a band. I get rid of everything I use to build my live shows and start against every six months, to keep things interesting.

“The first couple of shows are always really stressful, but it challenges me, and avoids me getting into a rut when it comes to how I play live. It’s intense, but it’s how I want it to be.”

With his constant push for innovation and love of integrating his field recordings, Daithi has a very real claim to be Ireland’s most unique current performer.

Tapping into the very heart of rural Irish soundscapes, he’s bringing the subtly layered and carefully gathered moments straight to the dancefloor.

Daithi’s latest Holiday Home - inspired by solitary post-show, late-night drives down winding country roads - came out last Friday.

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18 GAZETTE 6 April 2017

DUBLINLIFE

STYLE I US

CL EX VE !

The Donegal woman behind Powder ‘n’ Pout

 EMMA NOLAN Style Editor

POWDER ‘n’ Pout is the brainchild of Irish girl boss and successful make-up artist, Aisling Cunningham. She started in the industry aged 16, enrolling in a local college where she trained in hair and beauty.

After finishing three years of college and working in three local salons, she moved to Liverpool and trained under a senior make-up artist in MAC. As well as launching her own range of make-up brushes, Aisling also runs an incredibly successful salon under the same name in Donegal.

A testament to her hard work and product offering, Aisling recently won IBYE Best Established Business in Donegal and Young Business Person of the Year Inishowen. (For more information, see https://www.powdernpout.com)

IT’S everywhere at the moment – gingham, that is – and since we’re all after buying numerous gingham pieces, we may as well embrace the trend a little longer.

Shoppers can’t get enough of this latest take on the usually twee print, and with the creative way the high street keeps reimagining it, I say keep it coming!

Feathered Brows Brushing your brow hairs upward and outward gives them a full, feathered look. Your arches will look more natural and fuller when you groom them this way.

The small cut fibres of the Angled Liner P410 allows for exact control, while its firmly bristled,

The very sight of gingham evokes images of wholesome springtime picnics, triangle sandwiches and freshly-cut grass. A delightful image to transition us into summer.

Every high street shop in Dublin has an abundance of this trend at the moment – so, why not opt for gingham with statement sleeves or a Bardot neckline for a double whammy of SS17 goodness.

Topshop Shirt €52

LUSCIOUSBRUSHES HERE ARE Aisling’s tips for brushing up on some of the latest make-up trends, using a range of Powder ‘n’ Pout brushes ...

Square up to the latest trends in Gingham style

flat shape applies colour cleanly and precisely.

To get your brows to look full, lightly shade the hairs above and below your brow to create a slight shadow. When using either a brow gel, or powder, go for a colour that is the same shade as your brows or one shade darker.

supersoft hair and structured shape achieves flawless dimension along the cheekbones, forehead, and jawline for targeted contouring.

This is ideal for using with pressed or loose bronzer powder, liquids, and creams to create beautiful sculpting all over.

and larger because the focus falls on the centre of the eye.

Take the Fluffy Blender (P310) and place a medium to dark colour on the inner and outer corner creases, then add a light shimmery eyeshadow in the centre portion of the eye to create a popping effect.

Sculpted Cheeks We aren’t all lucky enough to have naturally chiselled cheekbones!

The Flat Contour’s (P050) densely-packed

Spotlight Eyes With summer on way, it’s time to start embracing colour and shimmer.

Spotlighting makes the eyes appear more round

Pared back skin for Spring/Summer ’17 Light up the room with a natural and beautiful glow. Stippling brushes are great for powder, liq-

uid, or cream highlighters. The Duo Tapered Powder (P210) will give you a different application strength depending on the formula used.

For powders, this will offer a sheerer application because the bristles won’t pick up as much product as other brushes, leaving an iridescent spring glow.

However, with liquid and cream highlighters you can create a medium to intense application due to its ability to easily blend without absorbing the product.

New Look Midi dress €40

Penneys Jacket €15; Bralette €13

M50MOTORING The Dublin Gazette drives you through the motoring world on a tour of the latest models, technology & industry news

ENTERPRISE RENT-A-CAR HELPS CHARITY CROSSCARE ENTERPRISE Rent-A-Car plans to invest €120,000 in Crosscare over the next six years.

The social support agency Crosscare has just received the first of six €20,000 annual donations to help fight food poverty in Ireland.

This grant will help to increase Crosscare’s capacity to redistribute surplus food to people in need throughout the country and to supply the



GAZETTE

6 April 2017 GAZETTE 19

Kia reveals Stinger’s European specs

charity’s cafés.

The donation is part of a wider initiative by the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation called Fill Your Tank, which has been designed to celebrate the company’s 60th global anniversary this year and its 20th anniversary in Ireland.

Dublin-based Crosscare operates food banks which distribute food to those most in need. In addition to running food banks and community cafés, the charity provides a range of social care, homeless services, community and youth work.

Michael McDonagh, manager Crosscare with George O’Connor, managing director Enterprise Rent-ACar Ireland. Picture: Finbarr O’Rourke

Annalise’s Tokyo journey powered

by Mercedes-Benz

Kia Motors has revealed the full European specification for the new Kia Stinger, a sporty type saloon car. The new closely follows the design and engineering blueprint laid down by the 2011 Kia GT Concept, and is the highest-performance production vehicle in the company’s history.

The Stinger channels the spirit of historic grand tourers – powerful, elegant vehicles capable of moving their owners in style, at speed. At every stage of development, the Stinger has been designed and engineered to be the perfect gran turismo.

The car features a head-turning design with claims of ample room to accommodate five occupants and their luggage. The Stinger was inspired by the GT4 Stinger concept

AS she begins preparations for the next Olympic Games in Tokyo, Irish silver medal winner Annalise Murphy has taken delivery of a new, topof-the-range Mercedes-Benz Vito Mixto.

Supplied under an exclusive sponsorship arrangement, the extra-long 190bhp Vito is equipped with features fit for an Olympic star.

Wrapped in a subtle silver and grey

revealed at NAIAS 2014. While the car is a true GT in nature, the Stinger name evokes speed and excitement, two key characteristics found in the production car.

In Ireland, the Stinger will be available with a choice of three engines: a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine, a powerful 3.3litre twin-turbo V6, and a 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine which is expected to account for the majority of European sales.

The Stinger is the result of years of impassioned design and development work at Kia. Six years after the company revealed its powerful statement of intent in the GT Concept, the Stinger will enter production and go on sale in Europe during the fourth quarter of 2017.

livery, the Vito Mixto will be an asset to Annalise as she prepares for glory at the games in 2020.

Commenting, Annalise said: “I am delighted to have renewed my association with Mercedes-Benz and excited to get my new Mixto on the road.

“The continued support gives a major boost to my training regime and ensures that my plans for success in Tokyo are off to a wonderful start”.

Want to reach an audience in excess of 300,000 people in Dublin each week?

Annalise Murphy has taken delivery of a new Mercedes to support her preparation for the Olympic Games

To advertise in our new Motoring section, contact sales@dublingazette.com or call

01 601 0240

GAZETTE

20 GAZETTE 6 April 2017

M50MOTORING

Mazda adds new comfort FASTNews levels in its 6 upgrade

Appointments at Renault Group announced PATRICK Magee,

MAZDA’S range topping Mazda6 model has received some mid-life updates to make the car more driver friendly, while not significantly impacting on its already modern styling appearance.

You won’t notice much change in terms of how the car looks, while there is perceptible changes with it comes to the driving performance.

I’ve had the upgraded Mazda6 on the road in recent weeks and I came away with the feeling that this car deserves to be considered a slight bit higher in terms of the company in the luxury pecking order.

The Mazda6 continues to look very well, it has a high performing 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine that allows it to deliver pace that’s comparable with its good looks.

My test drive was shorter than that of other cars, but that did not take away from the good impression that became obvious. The car is powerful in terms of styling and its engine ensures that you can capitalise on that feeling.

The 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine that powers the Mazda6 was rated at 175bhp, which is a high level of power for a car in this class. More modest versions with the same engine deliver 150bhp and it’s against that type of performance you have to compare the Mazda6 with the obvious competition of the Volkswagen Passat, Ford Mondeo and Toyota Avensis.

This upgraded Mazda6 comes with what Mazda claims are two key improvements designed to increase responsiveness and reduce engine noise, Transient Control and Mazda’s Natural Sound Smoother Technology

country operations

manager of Renault Group has announced a number of key appointments within the Group in Ireland.

LIZ O’GORMAN has been appointed marketing manager at Renault Group. Liz is a senior level brand and digital marketing strategist with extensive experience. Liz joined Renault Group in 2016 after spending two years in digital marketing at The new generation upgraded Mazda6 comes with engine and driving improvements to give a smoother and more comfortable ride

Mazda has upgraded the Mazda6 model as part of a mid-life change with enhanced driving features SPECIFICATIONS to add more comfort and ease of Engine 2.2 litre driving, while still delivering power Engine power 175hp and style. Michael Moroney drove 0 – 100km/hr 8.4 seconds Economy 20.8km/litre the new Mazda6 and feels it’s entitled to jump a

(4.8/100km or 59mpg) notch into the premium brand league.

Allied Irish Bank (GB).

Mazda6 2.2 Skyactiv-D

Fuel Tank Capacity CO2 emissions Road Tax Band Main Service Euro NCAP Rating Warranty Entry Price

(NSS).

By reducing turbo lag and boosting torque, Transient Control reduces turbo lag while boosting torque to an impressive 380Nm and it claims to provide a more positive throttle response. Mazda

62 litres 127g/km B1 €270 15,000km/12 months 5 star (2013) 3 years /100,000km €28,995

claims that this means that the engine reacts better to the driver’s intentions.

Mazda’s Natural Sound Smoother (NSS) technology aims to reduce diesel knock noise during starting and low-speed acceleration. Mazda claims

that this NSS system is complimented by an improvement in sound insulation.

This has been achieved by the use of upgraded door seals, tighter tolerances between panels and sound deadening materials added to the underbody, rear console, headliner and doors. Mazda also claims that using laminated front side windows helps to further suppress wind noise.

The result of using these twin technologies is that the Mazda6 is a very smooth and comfortable car to drive. The acceleration pace is very impressive at 8.4 seconds and the six speed automatic gearbox meant smooth power flow.

The only downside was the marginal impact on fuel economy from the bigger engine.

Mazda claims a figure of 20.8km/litre (4.8/100km or 59mpg), which is very respectable. I found that the engine performance is so good that temptation led me to another less thrifty place.

That’s probably because the Mazda6 is fitted with the new G-Vectoring Control (GVC) a system that integrates the control of the engine, transmission and chassis. Mazda claims that it enhances the connection between car and driver, varies engine torque to optimise the load on each wheel.

The overall specification of the Mazda6 is

impressive. I liked the multimedia commander unit that operated the large central information screen. The system has navigation, communication, entertainment, applications and settings features that are easy to use. Setting the mobile phone Bluetooth connection was easy and the reception clear.

The entry price for the Mazda6 is €29,995, which is keener than the equivalent Ford Mondeo, Volkswagen Passat orToyota Avensis pricing. The Mazda6 styling is distinctive and strong, the paintwork is flawless and the overall package deserves to put the car up a notch on the ladder to premium league status.

LYNNE BOUCHER has been appointed sales & network business manager for Renault Ireland operating from Renault Group HQ in Dundrum.

Lynne previously held the position of marketing manager at Renault Group for over three years and was product manager there for 18 months prior to that appointment.

BRIAN QUINLAN has been appointed used vehicle and business development manager at Renault Ireland.

Brian joined Renault Ireland as Zone Manager in 2014.

6 April 2017 GAZETTE 21

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22 GAZETTE 6 April 2017

M50MOTORING

Pedestrian Detection tech gets night vision WORRIES over night blindness, and fear of hitting someone, or something, top a new poll of night-time driving fears, in a new survey commissioned by Ford.

And for the latter at least, there is now a solution that goes beyond simply eating more carrots.

Ford is introducing new technology that is designed to detect pedestrians at night and then automatically apply the brakes if the driver does not respond to initial warnings.

The Ford Pedestrian Detection system processes information from a radar

such as trees and road signs.

Day and night, Pedestrian Detec-

Detection technology, now able to

roads in busy cities including Paris

work at night for the first time, the

and Amsterdam.

Tips to make driving at night easier

located in the bumper, and a

tion is designed to help identify

development team worked at night,

windshield-mounted cam-

people already in – or about to step

sending life-sized dummies into the

era. The system can distin-

into – the road ahead.

path of vehicles on closed tracks,

guish people from objects

For the improved Pedestrian

and testing the system on public

• Ensure windows and mirrors are clean and free of ice and condensation • Clean all exterior lights and check

they work, keep spare bulbs in the car • On unlit roads, put headlights on full beam and dip them on seeing oncoming vehicles • Don’t drive tired or for more than two hours without a break

6 April 2017 GAZETTE 23

GAZETTE

DUBLINLIFE fast

There’s Mojito Mexico than cocktails, sun and sandy beaches

TRAVEL NEWS

Wander through beautiful landscapes TO celebrate the launch of three new self-guided walking trips, Explore is offering some great deals with a free activity tracker (worth €46) for the first 200 customers to book.

The new eight day Self-Guided Walking the French Riviera follows a network of village trails between Grasses and Menton. On this moderate graded trip, admire the summits and passes of the Mercantour, enjoy the superb views over Cannes, Nice and Monaco and discover the old town of Menton. Departures run from March – November 2017 and cost from €847 per person.

 SYLVIA POWNALL

French Riviera

This price includes six nights’ hotel accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, three other meals and the services of a luggage transfer.

Explore’s new Self-Guided Walking in Madeira offers moderate graded walking on the lush volcanic island off the coast of West Africa.

Discover some of the island’s best walking trails, from the footpaths that follow its ‘levadas’ to coastal paths overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

Climb to the summit of Pico Ruivo (1862m) and explore the eastern side of the island, including Porto da Cruz. Departures run from April – December 2017 and cost from €690 per person. This price includes seven nights’ hotel on a bed and breakfast basis, six other meals and the services of a luggage transfer. Prices are based on departures from the UK but flights from Dublin can be arranged on request.

For more information, or to book visit www. explore.co.uk or call 0044 1252 884 723.

TRAVEL

CA N C U N h a s b e e n one of Mexico’s hottest destinations for years because the party never seems to stop.

It is home to an almost endless array of bars, dining venues, and nightclubs each offering a unique guest experience.

The popular resort, which is on the coast of the Yucatan peninsula, is one of Mexico’s leading tourist destinations and the gateway to the resorts in Riviera Maya to the south.

Over the last number of years Cancun has grown significantly in popularity with Irish long haul holidaymak-

ers and is now one of the popular long haul destinations.

Falcon offer 14 nights all-inclusive holiday packages to Cancun which include return non-stop direct flights to Mexico.

Picture perfect beaches, ancient sites and a choice of resorts are just some of the reasons discerning holidaymakers have been returning to Mexico’s Caribbean Coast year after year.

Along the Yucatan Peninsula, purpose built resorts edge tropical beaches while jungle tours and water sport opportunities are easy to come by.

You can also engage in a once in a life time

oppor tunity to swim with dolphins at XelHa, the largest natural aquarium in the world.

The eco-park on the Riviera Maya has created a series of natural under water habitats and offers visitors the chance to swim with dolphins, stingrays and turtles.

Body paint On top of all that holidaymakers can also explore Mayan ruins, taste Mexican food and wine and watch cultural shows where dancers perform in brightly coloured body paint.

For those looking to take in some cultural sites, why not visit the

ancient settlement of Tulum?

The site was one of the last Mayan cities to be taken over by the Spanish and is set on headland that offers spectacular views of the Caribbean Sea. For a glamorous, urban-style experience on a well-developed beach, Cancun really is the resort to visit. Its strip is famous for highrise hotels and a vast collection of restaurants, bars and nightclubs.

Dance to authentic Latin sounds as live bands play salsa and merengue at the Grand Mambo Cafe, or visit The City venue which has live shows featuring acrobatics.

Sizzling Sunway summer offer to save you €200 SUNWAY Travel are guaranteeing to put a spring in your step with a number of special summer offers – including a sizzling €200 moneyoff deal for sun seekers, but only if booked by April 8.

With destinations including the Algarve, Lanzarote, Costa Del Sol, Sicily, Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria, there’s something for everyone, with packages including flights, transfers, accommodation, all taxes and charges, 20kg checked

in baggage per person and the services of a Sunway representative.

To get €200 off your Algarve holiday, you can fly from Dublin from June 16 to September 1 (Friday flights). For Lanzarote, fly from Dublin from June 3 to October 21. For the Costa Del Sol, fly from Dublin, Cork or Shannon from June 3 to September 23.

For Sicily, fly from Dublin, Cork or Shannon from June 3 to September 23. For Fuerteventura, fly

from Dublin from June 3 to September 6. Lastly, for Gran Canaria, fly from Dublin from June 24 to October 21.

T&Cs include the €200 off per booking applies to bookings for seven nights; minimum of two adults sharing per booking; selected properties are excluded; you must book by April 8, and the offer is subject to availability.

For reservations, contact Sunway at 01 2311 800, or book online

Grand Bahia Principe Coba

Those looking to escape the crowds should head south to the undeveloped shores of Riviera Maya and the upmarket resort of Playacar.

Tulum, an off-thegrid beach town, has a boho vibe and is set on a headland that offers spectacular views of the Caribbean Sea. Dublin to Mexico, Grand Bahia Principe Coba, Riviera Maya, 4*, AI, 14 nights departing June 14 from €1,569 per person sharing. *USE CODE LH100 to get €100 off per booking.

V i s i t w w w. f a l c o n holidays.ie or call 1850 453545 for bookings and information.

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24 LUCAN GAZETTE 6 April 2017

DUBLINLIFE

CINEMA

Set in the 1970s, there’s no way out of a Boston warehouse for a disparate group of characters when a shady gun deal does explosively wrong – entertaining mayhem ensues

FREE FIRE: A COOL CAST AIM GREAT ZINGERS AT EACH OTHER IN THIS VIOLENT BUT WITTY FILM

Takes a shot at greatness WITH six feature films under his belt since his 2009 debut Down Terrace, Ben Wheatley is one of the most prolific directors of our time.

Each of his wildly different projects has been met with considerable critical praise (from those who could stomach his proclivity toward excessive violence and enigmatic narratives), each creeping closer toward the mainstream without sacrificing the director’s unique idiosyncrasy.

Last year’s JG Ballard adaptation, High-Rise, was a further jump away from the fringes of filmmaking, packing a highprofile cast with big names such as Tom Hiddleston and Sienna Miller.

Still, based as it was on a Ballard novel, High-Rise was all kinds of crazy: violent, perverse, frantic in narrative and occasionally a chore to follow.

With yet another starladen cast, Free Fire (Cert 18, 90 mins) maintains that trademark penchant for violence and grit, but pushes affairs more into the mainstream than ever before.

 MARTIN MACNAMARA

Wheatley offers up a (relatively) straightforward crime flick, set in Boston in the 1970s and localised entirely in a single location in real time: a secluded warehouse in the aftermath of an arms deal gone south.

An executive producer credit for Martin Scorsese in the opening credits should hint at where Wheatley is drawing inspiration.

With a toe-tapping classic rock soundtrack, starting with The Real Kid’s Do the Boob, there’s a tone here that recalls the sarcastic wit of Scorsese’s later era crime-classics, partnered with the grit of Peter Yates’ 1973 gem, The Friend of Eddie Coyle.

However, for all its violence, Free Fire is a much more light-hearted affair – slick, simple and seriously funny.

Justine (Brie Larson)

arrives at a warehouse with two Irishmen, Chris (Cillian Murphy) and Frank (Michael Smiley), to broker an arms deal with a gang led by Vernon (Sharlto Copley) and Ord (Armie Hammer).

When a disagreement escalates, shots are fired and chaos erupts.

Once the action begins, the shooting rarely abates for the entirety of Free Fire’s run time. The gunshots are mercilessly loud, invariably ringing out like bomb blasts with every squeeze of a trigger.

At first the effect is alarming, refreshing even – as are the effects those gunshots have on their victims, who spend most of the action crawling from cover to cover rather than running about beneath a hail of bullets.

The enthusiastic cast turn in enormously watchable performances – of particular note are Smiley and Copley, as a grizzled, uptight IRA man and an eccentric, former Rhodesian special forces figure, respectively.

Both men are two ends of a tightly round length of barbed-wire, ready to snap

at any point and incredibly fun to watch.

The script, co-written with Wheatley’s writing partner and wife, Amy Jump, is laden with perverse wit, profanity and biting sarcasm – infinitely quotable and, if the Gods are good, likely to afford Free Fire some sort of cultstatus in the near future.

The chaotic nature of the film, along with the realism instilled in the gunshot wounds, allow Free Fire to meander and lose focus around the beginning of its third act.

When the narrative begins to ramble, the loss of focus is accompanied with a perfectly suited free-jazz score from composers Ben Salisbury and Geoff Barrow.

Accordingly, everything feels natural and intentional – very Wheatley.

This may not be Wheatley at his best; indeed, it’s perhaps his most unremarkable film. Regardless, at its loudest chaos and quietest respite, Free Fire is an excellently composed film from a director who is steadily becoming a modern master of the form.

Verdict: 8/10

6 April 2017 LUCAN GAZETTE 25

GAZETTE

TECH

The Internet’s Dad YouTube turns into defends user data NoTube as annoyed advertisers halt ads around the planet YOUTUBE , a n d s i s ter company Google, are splashing through some choppy waters at the moment as several major advertisers, via their marketing firms, are continuing their current boycott of the platforms over concerns about their ads being inadvertently linked to extremist material.

The brands have been alarmed that ads for their products or services have been popping up within or alongside videos or content posted by hate groups or extremist figures, such as religious fundamentalists, white nationalist groups, and so on.

Flaring up throughout March, the row has now spread around the world as companies in countries from America to Ireland to Australia have halted their advertising on YouTube and Google (with both platforms part of the same parent company, Alphabet Inc).

Of course, neither YouTube or Google or the advertisers themselves chose this outcome, which is a result of the platforms’ complex algorithms curating and matching up content – very badly, in this case.

Like a string of dominoes, once one big company halted their advertising spend, others took note and halted theirs, with the row growing exponentially and seeming to catch the

platforms by surprise at the scale and speed of the boycott.

At the time of writing, a wide range of bigname brands around the world have paused their YouTube and/ or Google advertising, with Irish social media and internet users closer to home also seeing how some big brandname ads have quietly disappeared, for the moment.

A common theme in the brands’ complaints has been that not only are they very annoyed about their products appearing anywhere near extremist content, but that such figures or groups can also potentially profit financially from visitor-count revenue streams and the like – something they won’t support.

Given the evolving media landscape, this bump in the road for YouTube echoes the growing pressure for it – and other social media platforms – to seriously consider its role as a content-providing platform.

Initial steps to dampen down the disquiet by adding new controls for marketers did little to calm the mood, with Google and YouTube subsequently ramping up attempts to eradicate such content and increase ‘brand safety’ avenues.

A bit like YouTube itself, this issue is one to keep watching ...

I HAD written a neat piece about US President Donald Trump’s recent attacks on internet privacy with worrying global implications (see below), but when Tim BernersLee (AKA ‘the guy who invented the internet’, AKA The Internet’s Dad) weighed in on the move with a suitably Trumpian soundbyte (“disgusting”), well, a late night rewrite was the least I could do.

But first, some backstory, and an insight into what has brought a true Titan of technology into the fray ...

As part of his ongoing whirlwind of attacks on everything, President Trump has set his sights on internet users’ browsing history, clearing the way for ISPs (internet service providers) to sell their browsing history.

After all, whether you’re searching for a new job, a hotel, medicine or whatever, there’s a potentially

 SHANE DILLON sdillon@dublingazette.com

useful commercial aspect to at least some of that data – an aspect which has previously been largely reigned in by a number of checks and balances by governments and watchdogs around the world, with most tending to try to balance consumer and individual privacy rights against other matters.

Not so in the States any more, where President Trump has now cleared the way for ISPs to turn their users’ data into commercially viable data – needless to say, if your ISP suddenly starts actively recording everything you see and do on the internet, you’re creating a perfect profile of who you are,

what you like, want, think and feel.

That’s not to say that internet users all around the world will now start unwittingly creating perfect dossiers of info for The Man and shadowy corporations to exploit, but the move to allow such data mining sets a worrying precedent, potentially creating a domino line of tumbling user rights and a slow whittling away of civil liberties around the world.

In this context, it’s no wonder that The Internet’s Dad is so annoyed about the move.

Speaking about the internet for many years, Berners-Lee has always been a tireless advocate of the positive change for humanity as a whole than the internet, and free access to information, can make.

To see users then potentially even further turned into a commodity, open-

Tim Berners-Lee, credited with inventing the modern internet as we know it, has weighed in on the potentially escalating row over users’ automatic right to privacy versus companies looking to monetise their browsing data

ing up a can of worms about the loss of privacy – well, it’s no wonder Berners-Lee thinks it’s a terrible move, and one to oppose.

Speaking to The Guardian, Berners-Lee discussed a number of potential pitfalls that an increased commercial exploitation of users could engender, just part of his worries about the drift of certain aspects of the Internet in recent years.

He said: “There are things that people do on the web that reveal absolutely everything, more about them than they know themselves sometimes.

“Because so much if what we do in our lives that actually goes through those left-clicks, it can be ridiculously revealing.

“You have the right to go to a doctor in privacy where it’s just between you and the doctor. And similarly you have to be able

to go to the web. Privacy, a core American value, is not a partisan thing.”

Still, all is not lost for consumers – in America, at least, as just because the ISPs have been given a green light to flog user data doesn’t mean that they will.

Verizon AT&T, and Comcast – big players in the US – have said that they won’t sell customers’ individual browsing data, despite the green light to do so.

If telecoms giants settle into a gentlemen’s agreement – particularly under public and political pressure to respect user wishes about privacy and data – then all is not lost.

Ultimately, Irish, US and global internet users alike should take a greater interest in such battles and tussles for the internet’s soul – not least as The Internet’s Dad won’t always be there to try and keep things in order ...

26 LUCAN GAZETTE 6 April 2017

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28 LUCAN GAZETTE 6 April 2017

SPORT

FastSport SHIELS INSPIRES BELVO SEMI WIN: OLD Belvedere earned a place in the women’s All-Ireland rugby final with a 13-12 win over Railway Union at Willow Lodge.

Railway built a ninepoint lead midway through the second half thanks to tries from Niamh Byrne and Kim Flood but the defending champions, who were hunting for a fourth final appearance in a row, showed the benefit of their nous and experience to pull off an improbable triumph.

The tension was ratcheted up when a serious neck injury to Old Belvedere’s young scrum half Kathryn Dane led to a half hour delay as an ambulance was summoned.

It came with Belvo leading by one point with six minutes remaining and Belvedere held out a series of Railway attacks on the resumption to set up a final date with UL Bohemians.

Jackie Shiels instigated their fightback, scoring all of Belvo’s points.They trailed 12-3 before she crossed to inspire the comeback

RUGBY: DUBLIN 4 SCHOOL PROVE TOO STRONG FOR BLACKROCK IN QUALITY FINAL

Five-star Michael’s sweep to Leinster Junior Cup title

LEINSTER JUNIOR CUP FINAL St Michael’s Blackrock College  sport@dublingazette.com

31 17

WILLIAM Hickey led St Michael’s College to their fourth Bank of Ireland Leinster Schools Junior Cup title at Donnybrook last weekend.

They prevailed with an electric five-try performance that matched the atmosphere at the venue.

After both sides made big inroads in a frantic and physical opening period with Michael’s being the first to make a breakthrough.

It came from a scrum inside their own half, the ball was shifted right for Chris Cosgrave to simply take off, chip Shane Murray and collect on the far side for a stunning try.

He had the composure to convert from wide right for 7-0 in the 10th minute.

At this stage. Blackrock were using wing John Campbell to get over the gain-line from the scrum and Michael Lowey was never too far away from the ball.

Their ingenuity was eyecatching, Lowey almost getting around Cosgrave while their

St Michael’s celebrate their Leinster Schools Junior Cup title. Picture: Paul Lundy

forwards set up a clever maul in midfield to draw a penalty and, almost more, as prop Scott Barron went within a foot of the line.

There was the consolation of Adam Dixon’s penalty to make it 7-3 in the 19th minute.

They backed this up with strong carrying up the guts, a smart lineout and thrust from lock Mark Morrissey, destroyed

by Jack Boyle’s superb poach.

St Michael’s moved with menace from the work of wing Simon O’Kelly and full-back

Eddie Kelly until stunted by a Rock solid defence.

In return, the Williamstown school looked to their maul for profit and it was moving well when captain Hugh O’Malley gave away a needless penalty Out of the blue, St Michael’s narrowed their focus to crank up the pick-and-go relentlessly for number eight Jack Boyle to blast to the line for 12-3 in the final minute of the first-half.

There was a frantic re-opening as Blackrock came calling, wing

Lowey taken down by Kelly and scrum-half Jeffrey Woods launching the ball forward for a footrace.

It was good enough for a St Michael’s lineout which Kelly threatened to turn into five points were it not for the vigilance of Campbell.

Rock centre Small almost got away down the right and wing Lowey had to be cut down by Kelly again.

St Michael’s couldn’t escape and their eagerness to rush up in

defence onto Dixon cost them a penalty, but not the points.

Then, the winners simply moved into top gear as they took the ball through three phases and the best part of 60 metres for out-half Niall Carroll to finish into the left corner.

Cosgrave converted from the touchline for 19-3 in the 44th minute.

When Rock pushed the passes, Hickey picked one off, replacement Hugo McWade was in support and Cosgrave took it home ahead of his conversion.

Rock were not going to roll over and they rebounded in direct fashion, their number eight Liam Heylin somehow managing to ground the ball for replacement Michael Moloney to convert in the 50th minute.

Full-back Kelly’s well-judged kick and Lee Barron’s rescue of an overthrown lineout put St Michael’s back on the front foot for Harrison to cut back against the grain for their fifth try.

The game concluded with Blackrock applying sustained pressure to create space on the left for replacement Seb Lowe to exploit, Moloney converting as the final whistle sounded.

Ballymun Patriots edge out DVC to volleyball league  sport@dublingazette.com

The Ballymun Patriots volleyball team

BALLYMUN Patriots claimed the win they needed last weekend to claim the men’s Premier Division title ahead of Clondalkin-based Dublin Volleyball Club Bravo.

Going into the final round of fixtures in the national volleyball leagues, the pair were the two sides in the frame for the title with Ballymun leading DVC by one point and were first in action on Saturday at home to Garda VC. There, they proved too strong in a fixture that swung both directions. The first set was a tense

30-28 with Ballymun getting their noses in front. They went two up after a 25-16 second set before Garda fought back in the third winning 25-21 but an emotionally charged fourth set was won by Ballymun 25-21.

The result was greeted with joy and relief too in the Ballymun Comprehensive School sports hall.

The men’s team is a vibrant mix of nationalities including players originally from Estonia, Poland, Brazil and Slovakia.

Slovakian native and Ireland All-Star Lubor Halanda said after-

wards of the win: “It’s a great feeling because we came close a couple of times over the last six years so we finally made it. We’ve been waiting for a long time.”

Halanda has previously played professionally in Slovakia, Switzerland and Austria before knee injuries stopped his pro career.

He continued: “It’s basically for fun this league. There are no funds so clubs struggle to get any funds in but we have fun together on court.”

Ballymun Patriots were first formed in the mid-1980s were part of DCU’s sporting network before

going solo in 2006, moving the short distance to Ballymun.

Though in recent years the clubs has won the end of season showpiece event, the National Cup, on several occasions it had been some years since they were league champions.

In the women’s Premier, two sides were also in the mix, Garda VC and Galway VC. On Saturday, Garda beat Ballymun Patriots ladies team 3-0 to keep the pressure on. However, Galway didn’t falter, beating DVC ladies 3-0 in Colaiste Bride to take the title.

6 April 2017 LUCAN GAZETTE 29

GAZETTE

FASTSport

UCD’s Duke leads way in Irish Senior Cup victory UCD claimed their fourth Irish Senior Cup title since 2009 as Deirdre Duke’s late winner saw the students snatch a 1-0 victory over Cork Harlequins at Belfield.

While just one goal separated the sides, it was end to end throughout with chances a plenty, all played at a break-neck speed with buckets of quality on display from two well-matched sides.

When the sides met earlier in March, UCD won out 4-3 and while there was not the volume of goals, there was no shortage of incident, attacking intent and moments of magic.

Duke went closest in the first half when she drew a brilliantly athletic boot from Buckley and her side kept out a trio of UCD penalty corners.

Quins’ major chance came when Roycroft’s incisive through ball located Michelle Barry and her perfect touch set her through one-on-one but she blazed a wild shot over the students’ crossbar.

Another couple of corners came and went for UCD as Gillian Pinder’s floating runs gathered momentum. Roisin Upton, though, was bossing the Cork side’s defence with a series of robust tackles while Yvonne O’Byrne’s speedy runs from right back provided plenty of inspiration.

The second half was much more structured with chances less frequent with both sides holding the balance of power at different stages.

Quins had three corners which Cassin coped with well while there was almost a bizarre goal with 16 minutes to go from Roycroft’s shot. Cassin left the ball, believing it to be off target, but it duly bounced off the base of the post and across the goal line.

UCD had their spell on top, particularly when both Upton and Rebecca Barry were sent to the sin-bin.

But it was when Mullan was sent to the bin with three minutes left that the Dublin side duly struck gold with Duke laying off for Clarke. Facing Buckley, she selflessly laid off for Duke to take her time and pot the winner with little time left to build a counter-punch.

Speaking afterwards, Duke said of the tie: “Player for player there was no difference between the two sides. We got our chance and we executed. I don’t really mind [if we win] by one goal, two goals or whatever so long as it’s a win.”

Sheridan speeding up in race against time

Dundrum South Dublin man becomes first Irish sprinter to medal at world athletics masters championships since 2010 despite only taking up athletics when he was in his early 50s  JAMES HENDICOTT sport@dublingazette.com

DUNDRUM South Dublin Athletic’s Club athlete Shane Sheridan brought home a silver medal from the 200 metres at the World Master’s Indoor Athletics Championships in Daegu, South Korea late last month, as well as reaching the finals in the 60 metres and men’s 4 x 200 metre contests.

Sheridan’s achievements are particularly astonishing, however, given he only took up the sport at the age of 53. At the age of 58, is one of the oldest competitors at the sharp end of his M55 category for those aged 55 and over.

“I’m unusual,” Sheri-

dan told GazetteSport, “in that I’m still getting faster. I played rugby and tennis into my mid30s. I’ve also done a lot of hiking in my life – places like Everest Base Camp and Kilimanjaro – that has kept me fit. I joined Dundrum South Dublin as I was looking for a way to keep fit. At the time, I knew nothing about Masters Athletics, so it’s been quite a journey.”

Sheridan found a Masters scene made up largely of lifelong athletes.

“Naturally, they’re getting slower, but I’m still getting quicker,” the Dundrum athlete explained. “Obviously, I’m going to start slowing down at some point but

I haven’t had a year yet where I didn’t improve.

“I hadn’t even planned to go to Daegu, but we had a relay team of three people and they needed a fourth. I decided to go along, and seeing as I was there, compete in the other events, too.”

The relay team Sheridan’s referring to, incredibly, is a team running in the M35 (male over 35) category, one that made the finals despite the presence of Sheridan, a man 23 years older than the minimum.

“I’m about a second slower than the other runners. They’d be running around 25.5, and I’m at around 26.5,” he said. “It’s not a huge gap.”

B e i n g c o m p e t i t i ve

at the M35 age group, then, it’s no surprise that Sheridan powered to a big personal best and a silver medal in the individual M55 category.

I’d come about seventh based on the line ups.”

The results, clearly, are very promising when it comes to Sheridan’s move up to M60 in a

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

‘Obviously, I’m going to start slowing down at some point but I haven’t had a year yet where I didn’t improve’ Shane Sheridan

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

“I believe it’s only the second Masters medal by an Irish male sprinter. It’s certainly the first since 2010,” he told us.

“It was a great experience. I ran pretty much every day from the Monday to the relay final on Sunday, with the various rounds. I was a little surprised how well I did; I had hoped to make the 200 final, but thought

Shane Sheridan, left, with his fellow competitors following the M55 60m final and, right, in action in the M35 4x200m relay

couple of years’ time.

“I think the thing people can take from my story is that running doesn’t have to be about long distance when you get a bit older,” Sheridan told us. “So many people start running marathons, things like that, and it really doesn’t suit everyone, every type of body.

Track and field might be better.”

GAZETTE

30 LUCAN GAZETTE 6 April 2017

SPORT

FASTSport

SOCCER: WEST DUBLIN DERBY SUCCESS FOR CELTIC ON AUL CUP TRAIL

Lucan Harriers’ Sean Thompson. Picture: Sportsfile

Thompson and Moriarty’s athletics national titles LUCAN Harriers Sean Thompson jumped a personal best in the Under-19 men’s triple jump at the Irish Life Health Juvenile National Indoor Championships in Athlone IT, claiming gold for his efforts.

His triple jump leap of 14.13m saw him lead the field and he was joined in the winners’ enclosure by Hannah Moriarty who leaped to gold with a jump of 4.81m, 20cm further than her nearest rival in the Under-13 long jump.

There were personal bests for Liam Fitzgerald (6.16m), Maggie Jez (5.19m) and Eoghan O’Connor (7.75m) in the shot putt. Jez put in a strong run in the U-12 600m, winning her heat and reaching the final.

In the men’s 600m U-13, Liam Brennan put in a great run in his heat as did Daire Donoghue in the 800m U-14 boys’ race.

King’s Hos end 25-year wait KING’S Hospital’s minor hockey team capped an incredible season by winning the Leinster premier league, the school’s first Leinster trophy in 25 years.

After three defeats and two draws in their first five matches this season, the team then went on an incredible run, the only blip being a loss in a shoot-out to Loreto Foxrock in the first round of the Minor Cup. A hectic end to the season saw the team needing to win two league games after half term to qualify for the semi-final. Rathdown (4-0) and Loreto Stephens Green (3-0) were negotiated with

Isabella Dunlop scoring a hat trick in the latter.

This set up a league semi-final with Muckross in which Dunlop netted twice in a 2-1 win. Before the league final with Foxrock - who had shocked Mountt Anville in the semi - the team had the Minor plate final to contend with.

Tilly Walsh grabbed the only goal of that game And their consistent improvement through the season showed in the league final as they dominated chunks of the final, taking the lead 10 minutes into the second half when Georgie Connolly Carew scored from close range.

They duly survived a late scare to record a famous win.

The Griffeen Celtic side that reached the AUL Frank Roe Cup quarter-finals

Griffeen hit SCV for six AUL FRANK ROE CUP Griffeen Celtic SCV FC  sport@dublingazette.com

6 3

GRIFFEEN Celtic progressed to the quarter finals of the AUL Frank Roe Cup with an impressive 6-3 win over SCV FC in Corkagh Park last weekend.

The Lucan-Clondalkin border club are struggling in the AUL division 3A Saturday, having lost their last five games but they defied that form to secure a big win over the Sunday 3A leaders.

Griffeen started well and eventually took

advantage of a strong wind at their backs to go ahead after half an hour of play. It came via a mistake from SCV’s goalkeeper as he fumbled a long range shot from Ken Bruce.

Clondalkin side SCV had several chances to get on the score sheet themselves before halftime but failed to take any of them.

With the opportunities SCV had earlier spurned, it was assumed they would likely get the better of their opponents in the second half as they were now the ones who held the wind advantage.

This assumption

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looked accurate when they equalised eight minutes after the restart.

That goal hurt Griffeen and, while struggling to recompose themselves, it wasn’t long before they were trailing after SCV scored from a corner. James “ Tw i g g y ” M c M a h o n then almost levelled for his side straight from kickoff but could only put his shot wide.

However, they went on the attack again a minute later and were rewarded for their efforts when John Gibson fired home.

They were now in the ascendency, and managed to retake the lead

five minutes later when they were awarded a penalty that was expertly dispatched by Joey Nolan. McMahon then gave his side a two-goal advantage with 17 minutes remaining before grabbing his second six minutes later.

SCV weren’t going to lie down, however, and after first being denied by an excellent one on one save, they did manage to pull one back moments later. As they pushed forward in a desperate bid to try and salvage the game, Griffeen were able to counter and rounded off the scoring through Gibson - securing their

place in the next round.

Griffeen will find out who they will play in the next round when the winner between Clontarf FC and Celtic Park is determined on Saturday.

While that game is taking place, Griffeen will be back in league action as they look to bring about a halt to their worrying league form.

The club were only formed last year so are making their first foray into the AUL, but hope to grow quickly over the next few years and eventually boast a senior Sunday side, as well as an over 35s team.

6 April 2017 LUCAN GAZETTE 31

GAZETTE

FINAL SHOWDOWN

CLUB NOTICEBOARD

Lucan battle way to Garristown Feile finale

LUCAN SARSFIELDS FEILE season is well underway. This

The senior hurlers are out next Sat-

LUCAN Sarsfields’ AIG Division 7 Feile side

weekend it was ladies football. The A

urday, April 8 at 6pm away to Setanta.

team were based in Clontarf but were

In the championship, the first game will

unable to progress to the semi-finals

be in Parnell Park against St Brigid’s on

despite a great effort against Kilmacud.

April 27 at 8.15pm.

reached the final of the annual competition last Sunday with a fine run of results.

They got through their group stages, which took place in Garristown and Clontarf, before prevailing 3-2 to 0-2 against Croi Ro Naofa in their semi-final.

It set up a final date with Garristown in Donaghmede and they led at the break but succumbed to a 1-10 to 1-5 defeat in the end.

We wish Mia Dunne a speedy recovery from injury.

LADIES FOOTBALL: MURPHY AND GLEESON INSPIRE SIDE

Fancy a new car? The club are having a summer draw with a €30,000 prize fund

The B team were in Garristown and did

including the first prize of a brand new

progress to a semi-final in St Monica’s.

Seat Ataca. Tickets will be distributed in

Success there against Croi Ro Naofa

the next week.

gave them a Sunday final slot against

AIG Feile 2017 boys football is on Sat-

Garristown. Despite Lucan’s five-point

urday, April 8: Lucan A, Division 3, hosted

half-time lead, Garristown came out on

St Oliver Plunkett’s; Lucan B, Division 7,

top. Well done to all and thanks for the

hosted by Lucan. AIG Feile 2017 camo-

huge support shown.

gie, Saturday, April 22: Lucan A, Divi-

Saturday night’s dinner dance was a

sion 1, hosted by Lucan (note this means

huge success. Good food, great music,

restricted club activities); Lucan B,

superb venue. Our thanks to the organ-

details not available yet. AIG Feile 2017

isers and all the helpers (set-up and

hurling, Saturday, April 29 (Bank Holiday

clean-up).

weekend); venues yet to be finalised.

With the long evenings, it started in

Lucan District Credit Union Academy:

daylight and, for some, it finished so!

Saturday, 9.30am for camogie and girls

Congratulations to Meave Maguire who

football, 10am for boys football and hurl-

was presented with the Club Presidents

ing, for boys and girls born in 2010, 2011

prize for 2017 at the dinner dance.

and 2012 – 12th Lock.

The senior footballers lost away to Na

Easter Camps open to age group born

Fianna; the next league fixture is on May

between 2006 (U-11) and 2011 (Over-6s);

24 at home to St Brigid’s. ln the champi-

School of Excellence (April 10-13), Easter

onship, their first game will be against

camp (April 18-21) from 10am to 2pm.

UCD in Monastery Rd on April 21.

Cost is €35.

ST PAT’S, PALMERSTOWN The Garda Westmanstown side that won the AIG Division 7 Feile title. Picture: GAAPics.com

Westmanstown get Feile festival feeling AIG DIV 6 FEILE FINAL Garda Westmanstown Erin Go Bragh  sport@dublingazette.com

3-4 2-0

THE Garda Westmanstown Gaels Under-14 girls Feile team crowned a great weekend when they defeated neighbours Erin Go Bragh to land the Division 6 title.

They got the best of the Littlepace club at a sunny Trinity Gaels ground in Donaghmede on Sunday afternoon in the culmination of a festival of football which started early on Saturday with the group games which were hosted in Westmanstown

with visiting teams from Na Fianna, EGB and St Mary’s Saggart.

In the group games, the Westmanstown girls played some tremendous football showing great levels of skill and commitment, winning all three contests. They began in exciting style, seeing off St Mary’s Saggart by 5-7 to 5-3 before beating Erin go Bragh in a fore-runner to the final 5-3 to 2-2.

T hey topped their group with a 4-2 to 2-2 win over Na Fianna. his set the scene for a semi final contest with Templeogue Synge Street. With

home advantage, Westmanstown turned on the style, shooting 5-2 to 2-1 setting up a final meeting with Erin go Bragh on Sunday.

They saved the best performance until last.

They were superbly led by captain Katie Murphy, player of the tournament Maeve Gleeson allied to a sterling performance in goal by Caoimhe Farrell.

En route, there were numerous crossbar hits

by Zeta Hemeryck and wonderful solo runs by Lia Cronin and Kellie Murphy which helped them ran out comfortable winners by 3-4 to 2-0.

The winning squad returned to Westmanstown Sports Centre later in the evening to a heroes’ welcome, toasting their 100% success, a tremendous achievement for the players themselves, their parents and coaches.

It completes a busy month in which the players fundraised for their participation in the Feile, running a cash for clobber promotion along with a car wash at the club.

The ladies football Feile was the first of four to be held this month with the boys football next before the camogie and hurling later in the month.

ANOTHER busy week for St Pat’s with lots

determined defence on the field. Mean-

going on.

while, our U-11s lost out narrowly to a

Well done to Gill and Denise giving their first session in their Gaeilc girls programme on Thursday. Lots of new faces welcomed to our club on the evening.

On the field this week, our U-8 girls played Geraldine P Morans showing

very good Scoil Ui Chonail Saturday but gave a great performance.

Well done to our U-14 hurlers on a great win over Cuala. The adult senior footballers and minor hurlers were both unlucky losing out in their games.

great skill and playing lovely football in

Congratulations to St Pat’s Brian

their match on Sunday. U-9s boys played

Mooney, Jack and Ellie Clarke on qualify-

away this weekend against Kilmacud

ing as referees this weekend.

giving a performance to be proud of.

Well done to our two U-10 teams in their matches Saturday showing a

Preparation and recruitment continues for our Oskars in the Red Cow Moran Hotel on June 17.

GARDA/WESTMANSTOWN EXCELLENT week on the playing fields

fixture is in the championship on Satur-

with several successes from juvenile

day, May 22 against St Pat’s Donabate.

to adult level. Pride of place goes to our

The juniors had a great week with two

U-14 girls Feile team who won Division 6

high scoring successes, beating St Pat’s,

in style. They swept all before them in

Donabate in the cup and Round Towers

the group stage at Westmanstown on

in the league by 2-16 to 0-6. Next com-

Saurday to set up the final on Sunday at

petitive fixture is in the championship

Trinity Gaels against Erin go Bragh.

against St Brendan’s.

The final, played in glorious spring

The minors get back to action next

sunshine, featured some great football

weekend when they host Castleknock

from both sides but the Westmanstown

at Westmanstown on Sunday morning in

girls finished in style winning by 3-4 to

the league at 11am.

2-0. Well done to the players and management on a successful weekend.

The first fixture of the ladies season took place at O Toole’s in the cup under

The intermediates drew with St Fin-

lights finishing in a narrow win for the

barr’s in a tough league encounter on

visitors. Training continues on Mondays

Saturday evening in Westmanstown on

at 7.30pm in Westmanstown and on Sat-

a score of 1-11 each. The next competitive

urday morning at the Garda grounds.

GAZETTESPORT

ALL OF YOUR LUCAN SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 28-31

FEILE FEVER: Westmanstown’s young charges shine at annual festival with stunning run in Division 7 P31

APRIL 6-12, 2017

MICHAEL’S REJOYCE IN REPLAY: Dublin 4 school finally see off Rock in Junior Cup final P28

Celtics’ perfect revenge over Glanmire  KARL GRAHAM

sport@dublingazette.com

COURTYARD Liffey Celtics defied the odds to defeat the allconquering Ambassador UCC Glanmire 64-54 to become women’s basketball’s Super League playoff champions at Letterkenny IT last weekend.

The two sides have been going toe to toe all season as Celtics finished second in the regular season.

Their Cork counter par ts also got the better of them in the final of the Women’s Hula Hoops cup when they ran out 61-48 winners.

However, Celtics got the revenge they craved to cap off an excellent year for the team and it was all done without the aid of star player Emma O’Connor.

O’Connor picked up an injury towards the end of her side’s 62-55 win over DCU Mercy in the semi-finals a week before with Erin Bracken also missing the final.

However, big performances from the likes of Sorcha Tiernan, Anna Pupin and the everreliable Jazmen Boone – later named March’s player of the month – saw them come away with a much deserved win.

The Leixlip-based side got off to a great start and took the lead midway through the first quarter. As the first half came to a close, Celtics notched 44 points to hold an 11 point lead, and leave their opponents reeling.

“It feels great,” said Celtics head coach Mark Byrne after the game.

“Not sure if I can put it into words but I am just incredibly proud of the girls.

“They have come on leaps and bounds all year and to do it without Emma and Erin is further testament to how well we have done. I’m super proud.

“To be fair to Glanmire, they

are a class team. If you are ever going to win anything, chances are you’re going to have to go through Glanmire to do it.

“I remember saying after the disappointment of the cup final defeat it might be a great experience for us in the long run.

“I think we’ve developed so much since then– we’ve won eight in a row since that day and I’m so proud of them.

“We missed a few shots and had a few turnovers but we didn’t buckle – whether that was our personality or character.

We were incredibly determined today which shone through in the end.”

Liffey Celtics celebrate their playoff success last weekend in Letterkenny