Gazette LUCAN
INSIDE: Peter Andre doesn’t dance around when
praising a certain Donegal crooner See Page 20
Star Wars: The Force Awakens delivers an explosive but expertly handled addition to the series Page 23
Gallery: Wine buffs give three cheers for Yellow Tail launch of new range
DEC 27, 2015 - JAN 6, 2016
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Singing their hearts out for Simon
Lucan Gospel Choir was in full voice with members helping to launch the Simon House of Light recently, a three-day festival which brought the joy, good cheer and magic of Christmas to Dubliners as it took over the Powerscourt Townhouse Centre on South William Street. The festive celebration saw the front of the centre illuminated in a magical music and light projection show with an array of entertainment and activities every half hour. There were fun and games inside and outside, all in aid of the Dublin homeless charity. Picture: Conor McCabe
Page 12
sport
2015 Review: Highlights of an epic year of achievement Page 32
Keep reading, keep recycling – thank you
Swimming pool project resurfaces for 2016
Council’s three-year budget includes estimates for public facility in Lucan
Ian Begley
A public swimming pool for Lucan has officially been included in South Dublin County Council’s three-year capital rolling budget and was given an estimated cost of €10m.
This news has been welcomed by public officials who have been pushing for its inclusion. Cllr Liona O’Toole (Ind) said: “It still doesn’t mean a pool is on the way, but it is yet another positive step.
“It’s now up to central Government to provide its share of funding.” Speaking to the Gazette this week, Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald said: “I wish to thank minister Ring and his officials for their commitment to
this project. “Substantial progress has been made and I expect a formal announcement to be made shortly regarding national funding.” Full Story on Page 2
2 LUCAN Gazette 27 DEC 2015 – 6 JAN 2016
facility | €10m set aside for community project
Swimming pool in council’s budget Ian Begley
The swimming pool was initially turned down because the council felt that the overall cost had not yet been calculated
A public swimming pool for Lucan has officially been included in South Dublin County Council’s three-year capital rolling budget and was given an estimated cost of €10m. The call for its inclusion was initially turned down because the council felt that the overall cost of a swimming pool had not yet been calculated. H o w e v e r, a t t h e December council meeting, chief executive Daniel McLoughlin revealed that the council had accounted for the full estimated sum of €10m for the new pool in the programme. This news has been welcomed by public officials who have been pushing for its inclusion. Cllr Paul Gogarty (Ind) said: “Following on from the €400,000 allocated for the design of the Lucan pool agreed in this year’s budget, I pressed for the chief executive to include projections for the overall cost of the pool in the rolling three-year capital programme. “This was supported by my Independent Community Alliance councillors Liona O’Toole and Guss O’Connell at the time and subsequently also pushed by others. “I made the point that in seeking the proportion of national funding required, it would be helpful for the council to have budgeted for the entire estimated cost of the programme. The
chief executive has now done so,” he said. The total funding for the pool will need to come from a number of different bodies, including the Government. Earlier this year, Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald told The Gazette that an announcement regarding the re-opening of the National Swimming Pool Programme would soon be made, with Lucan being included in it. Speaking to The Gazette this week, she said: “I have been working closely with my colleague Minister of Sports Michael Ring in relation to the potential for national funding towards the pool project. I wish to thank Minister Ring and his officials for their commitment to this project. Substantial progress has been made and I expect a formal announcement to be made shortly regarding national funding.” Also commenting on this latest development Cllr Liona O’Toole (Ind) said: “It still doesn’t mean a pool is on the way, but it is yet another positive step. It’s now up to central Government to provide its share of funding. “Since the last local elections, there has been renewed impetus to get the pool project back on track – politicians of all persuasions have been constructive in working towards this end. The item has been kept on the agenda thanks to the work done by [people] in the Lucan Swimming Pool campaign.”
FastNews
Signs to show where nearest defibrillator is in your area South Dublin County Council will soon install new signs which will show where the nearest defibrillator in your area is. The Civic Offices in South County Dublin will be the first to get the new signage, but plans are being made to expand this initiative elsewhere around the county. Cllr Liona O’Toole (Ind) tabled a question at the recent council meeting calling on the installation of these signs, saying they would be of great benefit to the community. In his reply, the chief executive said that once the signs at the Civic Offices were put in place, a review would be carried out on all public buildings within south County Dublin where defibrillators are located.
Dublin Bus provides additional morning departures Seven additional morning departures have been added in recent weeks to Lucan by Dublin Bus. These include the two new 25D departures and five additional buses on the morning 25A/B routes. The Dublin Bus regional manager said at a recent meeting that as more buses were added to the fleet, additional buses would be assigned to high demand routes, such as those serving Lucan. Cllr William Lavelle (FG) said: “There is still much more room for improvement... I hope this will mean more buses for the 25 A/B/D routes in 2016.”
Designated sites available to recycle your Christmas trees Residents of south County Dublin can bring their Christmas tree to a number of designated sites to be recycled from January 6 to February 15. One tree will be accepted per household / per vehicle and signage will be placed at the various locations indicating that these are official recycling points.
Dublin Gazette Newspapers, Second Floor, Heritage House, Dundrum Office Park, Dublin 14 Tel: 01 - 6010240. Email: sales@dublingazette.com news@dublingazette.com web: www.dublingazette.com twitter: @DublinGazette Visit us on Facebook at DublinGazetteNewspapers
In Lucan, the Christmas tree recycling sites for 2016 are: Beechpark open space, Sarsfield Park open space, Hayden’s Lane Car Park in Griffeen Valley Park, Foxborough open space. Residents from Palmerstown can also recycle their tree at Glenaulin Park or Woodfarm Acres.
27 DEC 2015 – 6 JAN 2016 LUCAN Gazette 3
Adamstown | council poised to contribute €750,000 to facility
community
Thinking local this holiday
Proposal put forward for school sports hall Ian Begley
A proposal has been put forward by the developers of Adamstown for a school sports hall which has met the requirements of Education Minister Jan O’Sullivan in recent negotiations. During the December Lucan area committee meeting, the council confirmed that the Department had accepted a proposal from Castlethorn developers. The council has also offered to make a contribution of €750,000 to the facility in Adamstown if it will be a combined school/community facility. Cllr Paul Gogarty (Ind) said: “I welcome this news which has taken a
huge combined effort by the community and local representatives to make progress. “It is far bigger than a mere sports hall as it is tied up with getting the strategic development zone moving again, with over 7,000 homes yet to be built. “The council has set aside €750,000 towards the community hall in the budget. I am calling for urgent discussions between the various parties and the involvement of the school, community and local elected representatives,” said Cllr Gogarty. The sports and community hall was originally promised six years ago when the school was first built, and many local
residents have been left frustrated at the lack of progress. Cllr Liona O’Toole (Ind) said: “I’m happy that we are finally making real progress on the facility for Adamstown. As a member of the Dublin ETB and Adamstown Community College Board I have been working hard with the school and Adamstown residents in their campaign to get this facility. “I was able to bring some clarity to the debate through my board membership and made it clear that the fundamental problem with the progress of this development lay with the Department of Education and the developer as they were the parties to the original agreement,” she said.
Master of metal skills
The National Skills Competition winners were presented with their prizes at the Gresham Hotel recently, presented by Minister for Education and Skills Jan O’Sullivan. Team Ireland won two gold medals and eight medallions for excellence at the international heats in Brazil. Gary Corrigan from Lucan was among those awarded, for his skill in sheet metal working. The competition is organised and coordinated by IrelandSkills on behalf of the Department of the Education and Skills. In 2017, the 44th WorldSkills competition will be held in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and competitors will be selected from the 2016 and 2017 National Skills competition. Picture: Conor McCabe
South Dublin County Mayor Sarah Holland (SF) is encouraging people from Dublin MidWest to Think Local during the Christmas break. Think Local is an initiative that aims to create and develop community awareness of the advantages and benefits of supporting local business. Mayor Holland said: “Think Local asks you, as an individual or business, to make a conscious decision to switch some of your existing spend to local products, services and facilities in South Dublin County. “By switching some of your existing spend to products and services locally in South Dublin County you can ensure that jobs are created and saved locally.”
4 LUCAN Gazette 27 DEC 2015 – 6 JAN 2016
update | cash for cars
Illegal signage stymies council Ian Begley
South Dublin County Council has revealed that it has not issued any fines or prosecuted anyone for illegally placing Cash for Cars signage “despite exploring every avenue available”. In a question to the chief executive at the December county council meeting, Cllr Paul Gogarty (Ind) asked for an update on the council’s actions to tackle Cash for Cars signage. He also asked if the council ever phoned the mobile number provided on these signs with a view to fining the culprits. In his response, chief executive Daniel McLoughlin said: “Cash for Cars signage has blighted the greater Dublin area over the
last number of years. “These signs which are in sticker and corrugated board format are removed when located. “Regrettably as yet, despite exploring every avenue available, including contacting phone numbers where available, the council has not been in a position to issue fines or initiate prosecutions because of the difficulty in tracking down those responsible for erecting the illegal signage. “The council has been working and will continue to work with An Garda Siochana in attempting to identify those involved in this illegal activity, and on the possibility of disconnecting the phone numbers identified in notices illegally erected.”
Paul Keenan pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of cocaine and cannabis for sale or supply
courts | cocaine stash to help pay mortgage
Electrician jailed for drug dealing
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An electrician who turned to drug dealing to pay his mortgage after he became unemployed has been jailed for three years. Gardai found bags containing cocaine with an estimated street value of €19,840 after raiding the Dublin home of Paul Keenan (36). They also found cash in envelopes and in rolls totalling over €10,000. Keenan of Griffeen Glen Park, Lucan, Co Dublin pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of cocaine and cannabis for sale or supply at his home on April 24, 2014. He was previously c o nv i c t e d o f d e a l -
ing drugs in 2003 and received a suspended sentence of five years. Patrick Marrinan SC, defending, said despite how it looked, Keenan was not a career drug dealer. He said he had turned his back on drugs after the 2003 conviction and took up a respectable, full-time job as an electrician. In June 2013 he was made redundant as the company did not have enough work for him. He quickly fell into arrears on a €480,000 mortgage. “He borrowed too much from the bank as a lot of other people did. His life took a nosedive,” counsel said. The court heard Keenan had been using
cocaine recreationally but his habit became more serious as he became depressed. He saw a chance to make money from drugs to service his debts from both the bank and the drug dealers, Mr Marrinan said.Garda Gavin Curtin told the court that during a search of Keenan’s home they found bags of cocaine in a kitchen press and in a bedroom drawer. They also found a weighing scales, a drugs “tick list” and two mobile phones. Cannabis with an estimated street value of €316 was also seized. Gardai found €5,300 in a brown envelope, a roll of €1,000 and another €4,325 in an envelope
in the bedroom. Keenan told gardai that one of the mobile phones was his “drug dealing phone”. He said he owed a sum of €6,000 in drug debts and was selling an ounce a week and getting around €1,300 for this. Garda Curtin agreed with Mr Marrinan that Keenan had since found a job with an alarm company and he was not on the Garda radar. John Keeling, Keenan’s former boss, told the court that he had been an excellent employee, saying: “I would never condone what he did. “He is genuinely a good person, but he just ran into trouble”.
27 DEC 2015 – 6 JAN 2016 LUCAN Gazette 5
council | Planning permission granted for development of facility
Green light for 124 bed nursing home Ian Begley
Planning permission for the development of a 124-bedroom nursing home at Hayden’s Lane, Lucan, has been granted by the council. As part of the approved application to care home operator Carechoice, the existing two-storey industrial/factory building on the site will be demolished, with the subsequent development of the nursing home. The development will comprise 124 bedrooms (147 bed spaces) with associated ancillary/ common facilities and office/administration areas.
It will range in height from one storey up to three storeys and will also include car parking, landscaping, the retention of and modification of an existing access to the site, along with the removal of a secondary access. The build will also see an upgrade to the footpath along Hayden’s Lane. In its decision, the council said the nursing homes development is permitted under Objective A which is “to protect and/or improve residential amenity”. Cllr Danny O’Brien (SF) told The Gazette that he welcomed the council’s decision, saying
it would significantly benefit elderly people and provide additional jobs within the community. “While I was out canvassing, many people in the area supported the nursing home’s development. I support the council’s decision because, one, it’s going to create employment in the area and two, the beds are greatly needed for older people as there is a shortage. “When it’s open I don’t think it will have much impact on traffic around Lucan because people who have elderly relatives and friends there will not necessarily be driving to the nursing home during
peak times in the morning and in the evening,” said Cllr O’Brien. Meanwhile, Ballyowen Castle Primary Care Centre Ltd has lodged an appeal with An Bord Pleanala against the decision by the council to refuse planning permission for a proposed €5m primary care centre in Lucan. Many residents and local officials raised concerns over the proposed health centre and lodged objections with the council over its development. Concerns over the scale of its build and the impact it may have on local amenities were raised along with fears of
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Cllr Danny O’Brien (SF) welcomed the council’s decision to grant planning permission for the development of a 124-bedroom nursing home
increased traffic congestion around Lucan. When built, the care centre was expected to provide the people of Lucan with a multimillion euro facility that would have included a full range of medical services: GP, nursing, dental, social work, speech and
language therapy, physiotherapy, counselling, occupational therapy, dietician and psychology. The local authority found “the layout, height, bulk and scale of the proposed development would have significant negative impact to the
residential amenities of properties in the vicinity; and would not, therefore, be acceptable”. The appeal with An Bord Pleanala was lodged by Marston Planning Consultancy, with the board due to make a decision on the appeal by April 14, 2016.
6 LUCAN Gazette 27 DEC 2015 – 6 JAN 2016
27 DEC 2015 – 6 JAN 2016 LUCAN Gazette 7
8 LUCAN Gazette 27 DEC 2015 – 6 JAN 2016
don’s dublin Watercolourist Turner lights up January at the National Gallery January is often viewed as a comedown after the excitement of Christmas has finally died away, but not for those who are fans of the watercolours of JMW Turner. The annual display of his work lasts for the month of January, and it is one of the National Gallery of Ireland’s (NGI) most popular attractions. In 1900, the National Gallery was bequeathed 31 watercolours by Henry Vaughan, with a stipulation that they should only be displayed in January when the light was weak. This was to protect the delicate drawings, and although modern measures can adequately do the job the National Gallery adheres to Vaughan’s request. This adds to the display and allows the viewer to see Turner’s magical work as Vaughan or the artist would have enjoyed them. Henry Vaughan was born in Southwark, south London, in April 1809 and his father, George, owned a very successful hat-making business.
Planning permission for a new state-of-the-art equestrian facility to be built in Ballyowen Park has been granted
In 1829 when his father died, Henry inherited the business and was an extremely wealthy young man. He had been privately educated and his wealth allowed him to travel widely in Europe and begin his collection. This included many works and sketches by Michelangelo and Rembrandt and paintings by Reynolds, Flaxman and Constable. In fact, he presented Constable’s famous work the Hay Wain to the National Gallery (London) in 1886. By then he had become a friend of Turner’s and bought a considerable number of his works that would constitute a large part of the Vaughan Bequest. The works that the NGI acquired have since been added to and now there are 36 watercolours to enjoy. They show Turner’s mastery of light, and his skill in catching the fleeting moment
Ballyowen Park | Clondalkin Equine Club
Equestrian facility gets the green light Ian Begley
that so impressed generations of aspiring artists. Two hundred years later they still have the power to move the viewer. It will be a great way to start the new year - check it out.
Don Cameron
www.donsdublin.wordpress.com
JMW Turner (self portrait) whose mastery of light can still move viewers 200 years later
the council has granted planning permission for a new state-of-the-art equestrian facility to be built in Ballyowen Park off the Fonthill Road. This new development comes as welcome news to the Clondalkin Equine Club and local horse owners who have no suitable land to look after their horses. The 1.32 hectares, currently under the ownership of the council, will consist of 20 equine stalls, ancillary facilities, an exercise paddock and a car park. The planned building will be one storey with rendered masonry walls, modelled on an American barn type equine
development, which is intended to minimise impact on the area. The site will not be overlooked by existing homes nor will it be accessed through an existing residential estate. The project will be funded by the council and the Department of Agriculture and expected to be developed in summer 2016. Cllr Gino Kenny (PBP), who has worked closely with the equine club over the past three years, said: “This is a momentous day for the Clondalkin Equine Club and the wider community. “The passing of the Part 8 now gives the local authority permission to build a state-of-theart equine facility at the
location. “There has always been a long tradition of horse ownership in Clondalkin particularity in North and South West Clondalkin. This facility will give young and old a place that’s affordable and accessible in the locality. “It will also promote good animal welfare practice and equine education. Hopefully this project will be a blueprint for other social projects around the country to replicate. After a massive amount of work done by the Clondalkin Equine Club, Clondalkin will finally have an equine facility to be very proud of.” The facility is expected to significantly reduce the
number of horses euthanised each year in Dublin Mid-West. In 2014, the council revealed that out of the 469 horses seized in 2014, 422 were put down. O f t h e 47 h o r s e s saved, 22 were reclaimed and 12 animals were rehomed. Cllr Eoin O Broin (SF) has also welcomed this recent development. He said: “I warmly welcome the decision of the council to pass the planning permission for the 20-stall Clondalkin equine club in Ballyowen Park. This facility will be a huge resource to the horse owning community in Clondalkin and indeed the community as a whole. “I want to pay tribute
to the members of the Clondalkin Equine Club who have spent several years lobbying councillors and officials in the council and Department of Agriculture on this project. Their hard work and determination have been rewarded this week. “I also want to pay tribute to Cllr Gino Kenny who has championed this project and who built a strong cross party support base for the project. “There is a proud tradition of horse ownership in Clondalkin with the vast majority of owners properly maintaining their animals. “However there have also been too many unfortunate incidents of maltreatment of horses.”
27 DEC 2015 – 6 JAN 2016 LUCAN Gazette 9
10 LUCAN Gazette 27 DEC 2015 - 6 JAN 2016
Gazettegallery
| Lucan active retirement members enjoy
Christmas cheer is par for the course
Brendan Ryan, Bride Ormond and Teresa McDonnell. The 19@ Lucan Golf Club Maureen Brady and Mary McCarthy
Miriam Walsh and Marguerite Cunningham
Christmas dinner recently. Head chef Keith Kenny was on hand to rustle up a fine
Rita O’Toole with Frances and Eddie Farrell Robert Watts, Niall and Jacinta McKelvey and Bridie Conway
Carol Byrne and Colette Moffatt
Maureen and Derek Carpenter
Stephen and Bernadette Naish
Mary Tormey
27 DEC 2015 - 6 JAN 2016 LUCAN Gazette 11
their annual Christmas dinner at 19@ at Lucan Golf Club
Jacinta and Niall McKelvey
Joyce Fallon and Mary McCarthy
Marie Rafferty and Maureen Brady
hosted its Lucan active retirement annual festive menu for the group. Pictures: Jolanta Rossiter Nellie Doyle and Maura O’Reilly
Deirdre Waters, Margo McDarash and Joan Collins
12 Gazette 27 DEC 2015 – 6 JAN 2016
city Gazettegallery | a splash of colour across the capital
Olwyn and Sarah McIntyre
Jill Mayberry and Kiri Fisher
Celebrate the season in style
Sarah Drew and Grace Larkin. Pictures: Brian McEvoy
A
Hannah Popham and Lisa McLoughlin
Natalie O’Brien and Claire Moore
Melissa Dooley
ustralian wine Yellow Tail teamed up with the nail experts at Tropical Popical to unleash a splash of colour across the capital recently. Kicking off the Christmas season in style, guests enjoyed an evening of pampering, received a complimentary funky manicure, delicious canapes and a selection of Yellow Tail wines.
Hannah Popham and Jess Worsdale
Sandra and Linda Newman
27 DEC 2015 – 6 JAN 2016 Gazette 13
14 Gazette 27 DEC 2015 – 6 JAN 2016
the big interview P20
asdfsdaf P27 cinema P23
OUT&ABOUT Never be out of the loop on what’s happening in Dublin! Let Out&About be your guide to all that is stylish, cultural and essential across the city and beyond this week
Gazette
style P18
Pets beautiful belle needs a new home
Eoghan McDermott, Aine Stapleton, Chris Donoghue and Camille Ross will be well known faces at the First Fortnight festival. Picture: Conor McCabe
festival: banish the blues with first fortnight’s range of activities
Raise your new year spirit FIRST Fortnight – a festival aimed at promoting positive mental health in that gloomy, post-Christmas season when people are most susceptible to mental health difficulties – takes place in Dublin during the first two weeks of January. Now in its seventh year, First Fortnight 2016 involves live music, film, theatre, discussion and arts events staged to create open discussion and understanding of mental health problems, and challenge prejudice and discrimination. The events taking place across Dublin and selected venues nationwide include Proclamation – a unique evening of talk and music on New Year’s Day at Christ Church Cathedral, in partnership with Mental Health Ireland. The evening will feature a number
of well-known Irish faces, including Diarmuid Gavin, Mary McEvoy, Chris Donoghue and Eoghan McDermott. It is being staged in association with New Year’s Festival Dublin. If Elected – a discussion on what the political parties will do for mental health in this coming election year – will take place in Dublin on January 13, in partnership with Mental Health Reform. The debate will involve representatives from all the major political parties going head-to-head in a public debate chaired by RTE broadcaster John Bowman. Love and Mercy – the acclaimed biopic of Beach Boys leader Brian Wilson – will be screened in the Pavilion theatre, Dun Laoghaire and UCD Student Cinema on January 11, in asso-
ciation with See Change, the National Mental Health Stigma Reduction Partnership. This year, First Fortnight will once again return to St Patrick’s Hospital for a series of unique events, in association with St Patrick’s Mental Health Services. This will include It Made You – a live performance featuring songwriters of the St Pat’s services and Sean Miller, Gavin Glass, and Kevin Nolan on Saturday, January 9. Other musicians who will feature throughout the festival include Jennifer Evans, We Cut Corners, Saint Sister, State Lights, and the Focus Ireland High Hopes Choir. First Fortnight co-founder and project manager JP Swaine said the festival had become synonymous with fresh, creative and innovative ways to
spark the national conversation on mental health. He said: “Each festival that passes seems to encourage a new crop of artists to work creatively in response to mental health as an issue in Irish society, and it has been hugely encouraging to meet artists who have been developing their work with the express purpose of contributing to First Fortnight.” He said changing attitudes to mental health in Ireland had grown into a movement. “First Fortnight and its mental health partners proclaim that considerable work remains to be done to make Ireland a more tolerant, compassionate and empathic place for those living with the experience of mental ill health.” For further information, see www. firstfortnight.ie.
Dublin Gazette Newspapers has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for lost and abandoned dogs. Belle is a five-year old female pit-bull cross who arrived to Dogs Trust heavily pregnant. She was a fantastic mum to her seven puppies who have all been adopted and now it is Belle’s turn. She is a very friendly girl who adores attention, gives buckets of affection and is a firm favourite among all of the staff. She will make a very lucky adopter a really amazing addition to their home. If you think you can offer Belle a loving home, please contact Dogs Trust on 01 879 1000. They are based in Finglas, just off exit 5 on the M50. Map and directions can be found on their website www. dogstrust.ie. You can also find them on Facebook www.facebook.com/ dogstrustirelandonline or Twitter @DogsTrust_IE. Dogs Trust are asking members of the public to visit www.puppypromise. com and make the puppy promise.
Gazette
OUT&ABOUT
It’s true – we’re the givers who keep on giving EBay Ireland has released the findings of a global survey showing that Irish people are the most generous gift givers in Europe at Christmas time. T he average Irish person will buy 14 gifts this Christmas with the European average at just 11. Meanwhile, the British will spend on average €289 this year coming in at a close second to Irish shoppers who will spend an average of €296 for Christmas 2015. According to 73% of Irish people, passing off an unwanted gift to someone else is a complete no-no; however, women are more likely to cheekily do this. Irish people have r e n ow n e d m a n n e r s meaning that 83% of those of us who receive an unwanted gift will grin and bear it, so as not to hurt the feelings of the gift giver.
look out for each other in new year, says pieta house Suicide and self-harm charity Pieta House is calling on people to look out for each other after Christmas as we make the sometimes difficult transition from Christmas into January and the New Year. This comes as the charity reports a massive increase in calls for its services in January every year. “Christmas is a very happy time for most when friends and fami-
lies get together and people are in good form,” said Cindy O’Connor, chief clinical officer of Pieta House. “At this time of year people make that extra effort to be kinder to each other and we receive fewer calls for our services during this period. “However, once January arrives and Christmas is over we see a dramatic increase in calls and people looking for support. “This year, we’re asking people to continue to be mindful of one another and to reach out to those who may be struggling.” Pieta House has helped over 5,000 people this year in its nine locations across Ireland and close to 18,000 people since it first opened its doors in 2006.
ISPCC keeps eye on 1,500 children without homes The ISPCC has launched a new Childline service to provide emotional support to more than 1,500 homeless children in Ireland who are worried that Santa won’t be able to find them this Christmas. The text support service, in association with Focus Ireland, and DePaul, is also for children who are worried about homelessness and aims to alleviate some of the stress and anxiety that homelessness can cause for children. The free of charge service which was launched
by Lord Mayor Criona Ni Dhalaigh (SF), will provide non-directive listening to complement child and family support services provided by other agencies and is not an alternative to one-toone support, which will remain a key requirement for families living in temporary accommodation. Text Home to 50101 from 10am to 4am.
get with the programme and recycle batteries WEEE Ireland are asking people to be mindful of their waste batteries during the festive season. New figures released by WEEE Ireland have revealed that over 20 million waste AA batteries are expected to be found lying around Irish homes on Christmas Day. Members of the public will now be able to obtain their own My Battery Box from their local Aldi store in a bid to make battery recycling more achievable. Each battery collected will go towards a monetary donation to LauraLynn Children’s Hospice. Special ambassador Bosco said: “I am delighted to leave my box once again this Christmas to get on the road to spread the importance of recycling batteries, not just for our environment but for the children in LauraLynn, Ireland’s Children’s Hospice. “All the children there are my friends and I really hope Ireland can pull together over Christmas
and collect waste batteries in the new blue battery boxes.” To find out more, visit www.weeeireland.ie
27 DEC 2015 – 6 JAN 2016 Gazette 15
DIARY feature
Elsa Uibh Eachach is pictured with Bosco at Aldi in Terenue for the launch of WEEE Ireland’s My Battery Box campaign. Picture: Shane O’Neill Photography
16 Gazette 27 DEC 2015 – 6 JAN, 2016
27 DEC 2015 – 6 JAN, 2016 Gazette 17
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STYLE
River Island Bandeau prom dress €87
OUT&ABOUT
skirt M&S Limited edition
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€59
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Look from River Is
A sparkling New Year mimi murray
The biggest party night of the year is almost upon us and what better time to glitz it up, sartorial wise, than New Year’s Eve. Sparkles, crystals and sequins are the order of the day and here at Gazette Style we are big fans of a bit of shimmer and shine, for the party season anyway. Here we have picked some winning looks that won’t break the bank and some colours that you really won’t get away with at any other time of the year. So pop on those diamante earrings, a glimmering heel and a sparkly frock, and get ready for the ball to drop!
River Is bodyco land open b n €55 ack
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Penn eys b roca clutch de €19
ion collect M&S ce €40 neckla
Ca litt rvela lew a oo vail ds ab ire le lan fro d.c m om €9 2
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OUT&ABOUT
the big interview
Peter andre: strictly insightful insights
Taking all the right steps for a great family Christmas emma nolan
FOLLOWING a successful stint on Strictly Come Dancing, singer and reality star Peter Andre talked to The Gazette about dancing, Daniel O’Donnell, his upcoming tour and spending Christmas with
his family. The father of three has had a whirlwind of a year following his wedding to Emily MacDonagh in July and, with the birth of his daughter, Amelia, in January 2014, and a new TV show in the works, it’s all go for the Mysterious Girl singer.
“I’m doing so much at the moment – TV, endorsements – and I’ve got the tour next year.” His Come Swing With Me tour starts at the end of February next year, and he is currently acting as promotional ambassador for food retailer Iceland.
As for including an Irish date in the tour, he said: “You never know – me and Daniel [O’Donnell] might be doing something together!” He joked about Irish country singer and fellow Strictly Come Dancing contestant, O’Donnell, who he became great friends with after appearing on the show together. “I love Daniel – he’s a gent and a kind man. I noticed a big gap in the show when he left.”
Nerves Speaking of his experience on the show, Andre said he was very happy to have been a part of it, despite his nerves: “The nerves killed me on that show.” Andre and O’Donnell helped each other with the pressure. “He said something to me that really resonated with me – he said in all the years he’s been performing, he never felt as nervous as he did on the show, and I understand – I was the same.” After making it through 10 weeks on the show, he said that he felt “absolutely no shame” when he was eventually eliminated and was delighted to reach a few milestones, including getting to Blackpool which was “just incredible”, he said. “I had the first 10 [score] of the series, the first 10 from [head judge]
Peter Andre speaks warmly of time spent with Donegal crooner Daniel O’Donnell on Strictly Come Dancing, saying: “I noticed a big gap in the show when he left.”
Len Goodman and he gave me a standing ovation – they’re moments I will always remember.” Andre said the dancing skills he learned on the show with dance partner Janette Manrara were invaluable for his tour.
Tradition As for Christmas, he’s spending it in the West Country with Emily’s family, which has been their tradition for the past few years. “Her mum is an incredible cook,” he said, “We end up being like a scene out of Home Alone – it’s just madness! I’m going to have the kids with me;
it’s going to be wonderful.” As it’s his youngest daughter, Amelia’s, second Christmas, he said she’s getting excited by all the lights but doesn’t know what’s going on just yet, but his older children, Junior (10), and Princess (8), are very excited, and looking forward to it “big time”. Andre told The Gazette that he and Emily are excited to have more children in the future. He joked: “Every time I ask her, she nods her head in agreement.” He added: “I’m from a big family. There are six of us; my dad was one of
12; we’re both from big families and I like big families – we live for our kids.” This Christmas, Andre is determined that he and the family will put down their phones while enjoying their quality time together. As food retailer Iceland ambassador, he is in full agreement of its campaign urging people to put the phones down this Christmas to maximise family time. He said: “I know that’s a hard thing for us to do, but with everyone’s head stuck in their phones, it would be really nice this Christmas for us to just put them away.”
27 DEC 2015 – 6 JAN 2016 Gazette 21
Gazette
22 Gazette 27 DEC 2015 – 6 JAN 2016
OUT&ABOUT
fast
TRAVEL NEWS
Lake Como is famous for its wonderful gardens and dramatic scenery
A wealth of magical gardens to enjoy If you’re already dreaming of sunshine and gardens in full bloom, then Travel Department’s range of overseas garden tours are a great antidote to the winter blues. These garden tours takes in visits to some of the most well-known and iconic gardens in the world, as well as private gardens that can often be inaccessible when travelling independently. For five nights you can visit the gardens of Lake Como in Milan at the four-star Grand Hotel Cadenabbia with flights departing on May 11 for €979pp. Lake Como is famous for its wonderful gardens and dramatic scenery with the lake as the beautiful focal point. From your relaxing lakeside base, you will explore the lake’s enchanting gardens and picturesque villages. Bask in the beauty of Villa Balbianello and Villa Carlotta, where the gardens attached to both of these magnificent villas date back to the 16th century, showcasing geometrical sche-
ma, stairs and terraces, statues and fountains. If you want a garden holiday that will surely surpass all of your expectations then why not take a journey to Japan and explore its magnificent and tranquil nature sights. Departing in November 2016, Frances MacDonald, a qualified and experienced gardener and guide, will escort you from the ancient city of Kyoto with its superb gardens and temples, then on the renewed city of Hiroshima with its iconic reminder of the atomic bomb now surrounded by a beautiful peace park for a total of 13 nights. You will then journey though wonderful mountain scenery for an overnight stay near Mount Fuji, before moving on to the seaside town of Kamakura to view gardens and the Great Buddha before visiting the bustling high rise metropolis of Tokyo with its secret gardens, parks and temples. To see a full list of garden holiday on offer, visit www.traveldepartment.ie
TRAVEL
america: New York is a perfect sequel to a stay in las vegas
Celebrate the New Year in cities that never sleep
Ian Begley
ers.
If you fancy rolling into the New Year with style, then Las Vegas is the city for you. Famous around the globe for its world-class entertainment and casinos, there’s a lot more to this vibrant city than meets the eye. American Holidays has compiled a list of the most exciting activities and excursions to ensure you have an amazing trip.
The Mob Museum Find out all there is to know about America’s most famous criminals, such as Al Capone, and learn about the origins of the FBI at the interactive Mob Museum. The museum provides a world-class, interactive journey through true stories. From the birth of the mob, to today’s headlines. Whether you like it or not, this is American history.
Bellagio Fountains Water shoots 460ft into the air, perfectly choreographed to the tunes of Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly. The fountains are destined to romance your senses. Take in a complimentary Las Vegas show of water, music and light thoughtfully interwoven to mesmerise its admir-
The Grand Canyon Be wowed by the breathtaking canyon which stretches as far as the eye can see. Enjoy the scenery of all the rims of the canyon where you can see the Colorado river, lush forests of the Grand Canyon National Park, as well as the high deserts of the West Rim.
The Hoover Dam This tour offers a unique way to see, learn and appreciate what Hoover Dam is all about. Built in 1931, the excursion offers guided exploration into lesser known parts of the dam. Cirque du Soleil Former Olympic gymnasts throw themselves around the stage purely for your entertainment. Cirque du Soleil is a Quebec-based company recognised all over the world for high-quality, artistic entertainment. Since its dawn in 1984, it has constantly sought to evoke the imagination, invoke the senses and provoke the emotions of people around the world. Adventuredome A m e r i c a ’s l a r g e s t indoor theme park. You’ll be left gasping for breath
after the thrilling Canyon Blaster and El Loco rides. The colossal carnival-like atmosphere is more than five acres of thrills, chills and a crazy amount of fun for everyone.
Stratosphere Tower Enjoy panoramic views of the Las Vegas valley from the Stratosphere Tower which stands at 1,149ft and is the tallest freestanding observation tower in the United States. A unique fixture in the Vegas skyline, the tower is one of the most exciting attractions among Las Vegas resorts. With the vast quantity of things to do in Las Vegas, you can spend five nights in the Excalibur Hotel and Casino from €769pp in February. For those who want two holidays in one, what about spending your four
nights in the Excalibur Hotel in Las Vegas and another three nights in the Hotel Edison in New York this January/February from €835pp? New York is a place that can be something different to every individual visitor. If culture and art are your thing then the Museum of Natural History, the Met and the Guggemheim are just three museums in a city stuffed with them. If entertainment is more your bag then take a trip down Broadway or visit Times Square. There is also the architecture, parks, music and people, the nightlife and daytime hustle and bustle, the subway and a yellow cab ride through skyscraper-created canyons. For more information on these deals, visit www. americanholidays.com.
Experience the iconic vistas of the Grand Canyon and explore the Hoover Dam before letting the Statue of Liberty welcome you to a city like no other, New York
27 DEC 2015 – 6 JAN 2016 Gazette 23
Gazette
CINEMA ReelReviews
Man versus enraged super beast ... Ship: 0, Whale: 1, in this latest retelling of the Moby Dick tale
in the heart of the sea: maritime disaster
Barely keeps its head above the water Dave phillips
After the underwhelming prequels from some years ago, disgruntled Star Wars fans had been waiting – and waiting, and waiting – for films worthy of the excitement, spirit and energy of the original trilogy. Thankfully, The Force Awakens delivers a terrific, invigorating sequel.
star wars: the force is very strong in this one
The next generation Shannon Maile
So unless you’ve removed yourself to a remote island off the coast of Finland you’ll know that the world is currently undergoing a severe bout of Star Wars hysteria. It’s taken the human population by force (ha, get it?), and whether you’re a die-hard fan or completely oblivious to any of the previous Star Wars franchise, nobody can escape from it simply because it’s all over your Facebook feed. So why the big fuss? It’s been 10 years since the last instalment of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith so it was no doubt that we were all somewhat excited to have a new addition to the collection, but the question on our lips is, was it worth the wait? This time around we
have a brand new director by the name of JJ Abrams who expertly takes the reins from George Lucas and a shiny new set of characters for us to explore which gives the film a bit of a boost and a softer approach for new coming fans. The “good guys” are none other than Rey, our heroine of the film but previously a female scavenger living on a dismal desert planet, Fin, who was a Stormtrooper for the vicious First Order but now wants an escape from his past, and of course a brand new droid called BB-8 for us to go “aww” at. Oh but that’s not all, BB-8, like all sneaky droids, has crucial information on the whereabouts of Luke Skywalker for the Resistance, which leads our heroes into a spot of bother with the new and improved Sith
order which is controlled by a villainous blackmasked fiend, does that ring a bell for anyone? Without giving too much of the plot away, the film itself wonderfully caters for all ages and interests. F o r those
who live on the nostalgic side of life, we have the rebirth of some of our most beloved and notorious characters such as Han Solo and Chewbacca (who are still, unsurprisingly, up to no good) and
Princess Leia. Without completely copying the plot for A New Hope, we do have a similar structure in place, Step 1: Kill Sith lord of your choice; Step 2: Blow up the new Death Star. It also wouldn’t be complete without some father-son issues in homage to Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker and of course for the more sof t-hear ted viewers out there we have a bit of romance to spice things up every now and again but we also have enough action and spaceship chases and/or fights to entertain the most manliest of men who dare not stray from their action-loving ways. This film could have easily died a painfully embarrassing death if left in the wrong hands but luckily it has outdone itself and will live another
day. With the prospect of more Star Wars films in the pipeline it’s safe to say that the excitement will never cease but it may not reach the same heights as this production. If I had to pinpoint any disappointing aspects of the film, it would be the slight lack of originality with the plot but nevertheless it’s still a gem. Prepare yourselves for a lot of shocks, a few laughs, and if you’re anything like my mother who still lives in her 1970s childhood nostalgia, there will be a lot of tear-jerking moments also. All in all it’s a brilliant piece of film history which is already being proved by its success in the box office and a mustsee for everyone regardless of whether you’re a sci-fi diehard or not.
Verdict: 9/10
A staple in the literary canon, Herman Melville’s 1851 novel Moby-Dick tells the story of Captain Ahab’s fatally obsessive crusade to hunt the titular white whale. Subsequent decades have seen Melville’s tale of power, revenge, and glory rise to become the preeminent representation of the American ideal. In The Heart of the Sea sees veteran director Ron Howard (A Beautiful Mind, Frost/Nixon) trace these core themes to the gruesome incident that inspired Melville – the sinking of the Essex, a Nantucket whaling ship that was wrecked by its quarry in the South Pacific in 1820. It’s a story within a story, as a young Melville (Ben Whishaw) implores one of the sole survivors of the wreck, Tom Nickerson (Brendan Gleeson) to drunkenly recount the disaster some decades later. Bearing the bulk of the narrative, Nickerson’s account revolves around two men – the officious
and green around the gills Captain Pollard (Benjamin Walker) and the sea-savvy superhero Owen Chase (Chris Hemsworth). Cue the inevitable mano-el-mano posturing as we sink into that age-old dynamic of rank versus experience. Despite a rollicking trailer, In The Heart of The Sea plays out slowly, with a handful of big action sequences keeping things afloat. The level of talent is saturating – Cillian Murphy also appears alongside Tom Holland and Michelle Fairly – and one wonders whether Howard had the space in two hours to contain the enormity of the tale he tries so earnestly to tell. There are solid performances, some beautiful shots and CG work and equally well-constructed and tangible sets that all cry out for recognition. But the story sacrifices character development in pursuit of a heavy-handed attempt to make its themes relevant (ah, they did it all for oil!). We never get to the heart of the sea, we only skim the surface.
Chris Hemsworth as sea-savvy Owen Chase
Gazette
24 Gazette 27 DEC 2015 – 6 JAN 2016
OUT&ABOUT
GAMING
WEEBYTES 5 The late Satoru Iwata,
1
Nintendo chief executive
Some of the gaming lows from 2015 DESPITE the release of many great games and cool tech developments, 2015 also saw more than its fair share of bad news, too. As the lowest point of the year, gamers and the industry alike were shocked in July when Nintendo’s chief executive, 55-year-old Satoru Iwata, suddenly passed away. As a key driver of Nintendo’s successes, and as a widely respected and liked figure in the business, Iwata’s unexpected death marked the lowest point in a year that also saw a lot of job losses, studio closures, and troubled titles getting canned. There was no shortage of business fallings out and controversies, this year, with the international gaming media – and, increasingly, the mainstream business press – seemingly unable to turn around without bumping into another gaming-related argument, spat or bad-news story from one month to the next. However, looking ahead to 2016, we can still expect the sector to log some record financial figures, the delivery of a number of long-awaited flagship titles, and the continuing growth, diversity and maturity of the industry as a whole.
3 6
2
4
7
Many of this year’s best games delivered particularly creative, beautiful or complex settings. Flowing from the top left, and in no particular order: 1) Her Story, 2) The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, 3) Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture, 4) Batman: Arkham Knight, 5) Xenoblade Chronicles X, 6) Splatoon, 7) Bloodborne, 8) Metal Gear Solid V (inset below).
best of 2015: A round-up of several of the year’s greatest games
Some beauties to behold
A NERVOUS young woman walks into a police station to report her husband missing. So began one of the best games of the year – a title that’s as good as any to start this best-of-2015 list. Starting off – and in no particular order – and critics loved the narrative-driven Her Story (1, IOS; for mature gamers). Presented as hopelessly mixed-up video snippets of a few police interviews recorded and then jumbled up in the mid 1990s, players used a police computer to review up to five snippets of clips at a time, based on any common keyword they entered. After that, it was up to them to work out what part of the story to unlock next, based on their keywords, with the missing person report soon turning into a complex tale.
shane dillon sdillon@dublingazette.com
Moving on, and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2, PC, PS4, XBO; Cert 18) was undoubtedly the game of the year for many critics and gamers alike. Set in a truly vast open world dotted with villages, towns, ruins and a seemingly endless amount of quests – not to mention a lot of Northern Irishvoiced characters – its chief protagonist could explore a massive game world that was rich with detail and very, very pretty vistas – as well as occasional lashings of uber-violence and ear-blistering profanities across its darkly beautiful world. Indeed, with the newer,
powerful consoles hitting their stride, many of 2015’s game worlds were particularly wondrous to behold, as developers began to get to grips with their power. Whether exploring a quintessentially English village immediately after the apocalypse has wiped away everybody, everywhere in Everybody’s
Gone to The Rapture ( 3 , PS4; Cert 16), or
swooping through the definitive version of a rain-and neon-soaked Gotham city in Batman: Arhkam Knight (4, PC, PS4, XBO; Cert
18), 2015’s game worlds enticed, entertained and unnerved players with particular skill. Indeed, several of these best-of titles had mature themes running throughout, and often subtly so – themes of love, loss and philosophical points about the meaning of self
and identity lay as rich seams beneath the pretty surface in a number of these engaging titles. However, older consoles still had the power to surprise in 2015, with the aging Wii U packing quite a punch with Xenoblade Chronicles X (5, Cert 12) – as vast, engaging and beautiful a world as anything the newer consoles could muster. In common with other large open worlds to explore, Chronicles featured a complex story laden with a huge amount of side quests and diversions – but not so with another critically-lauded Wii U title, Splatoon (6, Cert 7+) – a fun and fastpaced shooter game that charmed many. Its bright and simple graphics masked a fastmoving title that was fun to play, but had much more depth than its cheerful graphics sug-
gested, proving yet again that Nintendo’s consoles often have the most directly fun games. Critics also lauded c r e e py B l o o d b o r n e (7, PS4; Cert 18); a toughas-nails action game soaked in Gothic, Lovecraftian imagery and lore, and bristling with just-one-more-go appeal for those who like a challenge (to put it mildly).
8
And, lastly – and almost certainly very finally – the long-awaited Metal Gear Solid V (8, PS3, PS4, XB360, XBO, PC; Cert 18) made quite an impact with its open world setting, dense plot, and a seemingly final adventure for an iconic games character (see inset), with everything from child soldiers in Africa to psychic pyromaniacs to contend with, all in the name of an antiwar message. Ultimately, 2015 delivered more of the same, with few truly new experiences or genres making their impact felt. However, there were subtle iterations to established genres, and despite the usual raft of studio closures and industrywide issues, 2015 saw several outstanding games live up to their promise. 2016 has quite a challenge to live up to ...
27 DEC 2015 – 6 JAN 2016 Gazette 25
R1
Gazette
HEALTH advice: get focused and put seasonal excesses behind you
Five steps to beat ‘Christmas bloat’ Christmas has come and gone, and you’re left to deal with the aftermath of all that less-thanhealthy eating. Your body is puffy and bloated. Your joints are achy. Your clothes feel tight. Maybe you are feeling this way right now? Below are the five steps you’ll need to quickly and seamlessly get back on the fitness fast track ... Step one: Get focused. The holidays happened. You ate things from your “never eat these” list; you drank more than you should have – but now it’s over. Draw a line in the sand. The bad eating stops here. Don’t beat yourself up for falling off the fitness
wagon this time; simply get back up, dust yourself off and get re-focused. Leave the past – and your slip-ups – in the past. Step Two: Get hydrated. While bad eating can take on many forms, the end result is most often dehydration and water retention. The only way to restore balance is to get hydrated. Your first priority in getting back on track is to drink plenty of water throughout your day. Start with a tall glass of water in the morning, and carry a water bottle with you. Don’t add artificial sweeteners or any cordial to your water – these will work against your hydration efforts.
Stay focused throughout Christmas and you will be ready for the New Year
To add flavour, slice fresh fruit such as lime or lemon, herbs like mint, or vegetables such as cucumber to place in your water, just like at the spa. Step three: Get picky. For the next few days you
need to be extra picky about what you eat. Stick with only whole, real foods like fruits, vegetables and some lean meat. Whole, real foods will quickly help to restore balance. Don’t eat pack-
aged foods for the next few days – this means saying no to snack foods, processed meat slices, dairy, baked goods and alcohol. Step four: Get juicing. Making your own juice
can be beneficial when recovering from a weekend of bad eating. The key is to use ingredients that will hydrate and nourish your body, and to avoid ingredients that are high in sugar. These ingredients create a fantastic recovery juice: fresh ginger, spinach, cucumber, kale, green apple, lemon and celery. The following ingredients should be used sparingly, due to high sugar content: carrots, oranges, red apples, melons or pineapple. Step five: Get moving. So you’ve put an end to the eating madness, you’ve hydrated, you’ve eaten only whole foods and you’ve enjoyed a
recovery juice – now it’s time to sweat it out. Lace up your runners and put on your favourite gym clothes. When you start your workout, ease in slowly. Take the time to warm up and stretch your muscles before powering up to a solid 30-minute exercise routine. Start with a fast-paced walk each morning before your breakfast and do this every day for seven days. You’ll feel amazing and you’ll get control back over your body. Greg Marsh Fat loss expert, personal trainer and owner of Synergise Personal Training in Stepaside. For further information, see www.synergise.ie.
26 lucan gazette 27 DEC 2015 – 6 JAN 2016
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28 Gazette 27 DEC 2015 – 6 JAN 2016
SPORT2015
review of the year
looking back: january to june
Dublin toast New Year with a host of epic wins
January
“SURE, what better way to start a New Year than a game of hurling?” Ger Cunningham enjoyed his first taste of life as the new Dublin senior hurling boss at the annual Dubs Stars on New Year’s Day. He was one of a series of people making their first tentative steps into the new season in new roles. Castleknock appointed Antoin O’Cleirigh to take over the reins as the club’s hurling manager to take on AHL Division 2 for the very first time. Skerries Harps Lyndsey Davey was announced as the captain of the Dublin senior football team, instantly saying the focus for 2015 was very clearly on making amends for last year’s All-Ireland championship final defeat to Cork. Clondalkin rugby’s second team made up for the cancellation of their firsts’ Hosie Cup final, with a convincing defeat of the Athy outfit in the Lalor Cup final on home soil over the winter break.
February SHANE
Jennings
announced he would call time on a glittering career with Leinster and professional rugby at the end of the 2014-15 season, one that saw him land three Heineken Cups, three Celtic Leagues and an Amlin Cup. In the wake of the announcement, he duly went on to captain Leinster on the occasion of his 204th Leinster cap to a bonus point win over Zebre in front of his home crowd at the RDS. Arcane/Adamstown Cycling Team’s Darragh Zaidan began his year in style with two major achievements, landing an impressive solo win at the Trader’s Cup in Dundalk a week before riding in his first professional road race in Morocco. After three years of frustration, sports clubs and schools in the Donabate– Portrane area were given a huge boost with the news that the Donabate all-weather pitch is due to reopen in just three weeks’ time. The facility, which was closed before a ball was kicked or struck in late November 2011 due to flooding, forced local sports clubs to travel across Dublin to hold
training sessions and host matches. Lucan United added another marquee name to their LSL Sunday Senior 1B panel with the signing of former Republic of Ireland international Mark Kinsella. Manager John Doyle says he “twisted his arm”to line out in their 6-0 win over Rathcoole Boys, a result which lifted them to the top of their division. Clonliffe Harriers’ Brian Gregan and Declan Murray produced superb runs as part of Ireland’s distance medley relay at the Armory Invitational meet as the team went under world record time. They were denied the overall title by a dominant USA team who ran a superb 9.19.93 with Ireland finishing in 9.25.37, what now stands as the second best time ever, The relay sees teams of four compete over mixed distances over 1,200m, 400m, 800m and 1,500m.
March THERE was a wealth of local winners at the annual FAI awards event. Swords’ Jamie Finn took home the Under-16 Wom-
Dublin footballer Rory O’Carroll with Scoil Aine’s Ellie McGrath, Roisin Mythen and Lucy Harrington. Picture: Ramsey Cardy
Clondalkin claimed the Lalor Cup in a succesful start to their 2015. Picture:
Feile gold for Plunkett’s. Picture: Peter Hockey/
Sharon Flanagan
GAAPics.com
The DDSL celebrate
Robbie Keane brought his LA Galaxy team to Gannon Park for a training session with
Tough going at the
the Irish Special Olympics side. Picture: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
ships in Swords last
en’s International Player of the Year prize. Former Lakelands schoolboy Danny Kane was named FAI Under17 International Player of the Year while Liverpool hot prospect and former Lucan United star Conor Masterson picked up the FAI Under-16 International Player of the Year award last weekend. On the hockey front, Aisling Naughton’s thirdminute goal saw Hermes claim the second leg of a potential quadruple as they won their ninth Jacqui Potter Leinster Senior Cup hockey title at Grange Road on St
Patrick’s Day. She got on the end of Sarah Patton’s superb run and cross to snatch her 23rd goal of the season, helping the Booterstown club add this title to the Leinster league they won a fortnight earlier. Castleknock GA A took another big step forward with club members approving plans to start work on a new clubhouse during the summer. Old Wesley RFC, meanwhile, achieved promotion despite losing their perfect record in the league against Naas at Forenaught. The losing bonus point proved
enough to assure them a move up to Division 1B.
April THIS month marked 25 years of Esker Celtic providing football in Hermitage Park. The club celebrated the milestone with a massive gala event in the Clarion Hotel, Liffey Valley with FAI chief executive John Delaney in attendance. A penalty corner brace from Richard Sykes saw Monkstown win their third successive Irish Hockey League title, inflicting Banbridge’s first defeat in all competitions
over the season at Grange Road. Having had one hand on the AUL Sunday Senior Division title for almost the entire season, Rivervalley Rangers senior footballers finally got two hands on it in April in Ridgewood Park. The league was captured in fine style too, with an 8-0 win over the helpless McKelvey Celtic leaving the Valley on 42 points, with 14 wins from 14 games. Dublin retained the EirGrid Leinster Under-21 Leinster Football Championship at Pairc Tailteann in sterling fashion.
27 DEC 2015 – 6 JAN 2016 Gazette 29
Gazette
‘‘
QUOTABLE
QUOTES
“My Mam still worries about me. I have to remind her: ‘I have just run around the world’ ”
Castleknock freestyle kayaker Tom Dunphy creating
“It takes getting used to. You have to learn to relish the contact and learn to love it to be successful.”
with the FAI Umbro Youth Inter League Cup after a final win over the NDSL. Picture: Pat Murphy/Sportsfile
Eye for the camera: Clontarf in action in the UBL Division 1A against Terenure. Picture: Deryck Vincent
Irish National Cyclocross champion-
High School ecstatic after their first Leinster hockey Senior Premier
January. Picture: Sean Rowe
League success. Picture: Adrian Boehm
All-Ireland winning goalkeeper Cliodhna O’Connor announced her retirement from club and inter-county football last week after a hugely successful playing career. Indeed, the Naomh Mearnog woman featured for the Dubs in five finals, eventually winning one at the fourth attempt.
May TROPHIES abounded on the soccer front with Lucan United adding the Gilligan Cup to promotion to the LSL Senior 1A Division. What looked a certain-
ty for so long became reality for St Mochta’s who beat local rivals Verona 5-2 midweek to build an unassailable lead at the top of the LSL Sunday Senior 1. It ensures their entry top tier football in the LSL for the very first time as comprehensive league champions, getting over the line with four games remaining and the minimum of fuss. On one epic weekend, St Joseph’s Boys won a stunning four trophies. Those included a rare double All-Ireland, with the wins coming at Under15 and Under-13 level.
Twenty-year-old Gavin Moynihan led through all but one round of the 2015 Irish Amateur Golf Championship, to take his second title in comprehensive fashion. The Island GC man’s stunning third round 65 proved the difference, meaning 2012’s unlikely winner went into the final round level with young club mate Kevin LeBlanc before emerging with the title. Salmon Leap canoe club’s Jenny Egan became the first Irish athlete to win a Senior European Sprint Championship canoe medal last weekend
- Ultra-runner Tony Mangan in the wake of his epic 55,000km run over four years
a splash in Canada
in Racice, Czech Republic. Egan’s bronze medal came in the Senior Women’s K1 5,000m event. Colaiste Iosagain’s Ruth Iuallain and Kim NiFhearain
June
celebrate All-Ireland junior glory. Picture: Oliver McVeigh
CASTLEKNOCK Celtic ended its season with an impressive seven league titles with a number of runners-up positions with the DDSL Under-14 Major side making it an incredible four promotions in succession. Bluebell United finally secured a long-awaited Leinster Senior League title, their first since 1987, having led the Sunday Senior’s top tier of Lein-
ster intermediate football almost from start to finish. The free scoring Leinster Senior Division side hit 51 goals in 24 league games this season, and wrapped up the trophy to end their 28-year wait for this success. Another to end a long wait was Maria McCambridge who finally broke her women’s VHI minimarathon duck as she
claimed the title in a time of 34 minutes and three seconds. She led home a field of over 37,000 entrants for the annual event, the largest female-only event of its kind in the world. Ireland’s first ever all artificial clay tennis club was opened last Saturday as De Vesci Lawn Tennis Club, Monkstown, unveiled their switch from hard-court to clay.
- Irish rugby star Hannah Tyrrell on her successful transition from Gaelic football
“Living in the jungle with all the monkeys in the trees; it’s only place in the world you can train without having to worry about money.” - Castleknock man Tom Dunphy on why he moved to a camp site in the African jungle to pursue his dreams as a freestyle kayaker.
Gazette
30 Gazette 27 DEC 2015 – 6 JAN 2016
SPORT2015
review of the year
look back: july to december
Chasing the national and international sports dream July FINGALLIANS opened their long-awaited new all-weather pitch with GAA president Aogan O’Fearghail doing the honours at Lawless Park. The pitch will go a long way to improving the facilities for the sizeable and fast-growing Swords club, which hosts a substantial 67 teams vying for time across the facilities. Club PRO Paul Gormley said: “The new turf, with the requisite lining and new posts, will provide a superb facility for the club’s ever-growing reach while also providing a facility for the several national schools in the area.” Hermitage GC’s Rowan Lester helped Leinster produce a phenomenal display on the final day at Rosapenna GC, Donegal, to reclaim t h e I n t e r p r ov i n c i a l Championship for the first time in seven years. Portmarnock Swim Club member Fiona Doyle booked her ticket to the 2016 Rio Olympics, won a bronze medal, and smashed a self-held Irish record within the space of two days at the World University Games in Gwangiu, South Korea.
T h e Vo l v o D u n Laoghaire Regatta, meanwhile, produced four days of enthralling racing in Dublin Bay with over 400 boats and almost 3,000 sailors competing. The biennial regatta was hailed an enormous success, both afloat and ashore, for a combined fleet of 415 boats, the biggest on the Irish Sea. Over 250 races on five different courses were staged in a range of light to very heavy conditions.
August FOXROCK Cabinteely hammered St Brigid’s 3-10 to 2-1 in the final in Parnell Park to claim the Dublin ladies football senior championship title. “We’re particularly proud of how we won the game. It was probably our best performance of the year,” said manager Pat Rice. Former Republic of Ireland international, St Patrick’s Athletic legend Keith Fahey announced his retirement from the professional game due to a long-standing knee and hip injuries. But, while one former ROI international hung up his Rovers jersey for
good, another started a new life for the Hoops as Damien Duff made his debut for Fenlon’s side as a late substitute in their 3-0 win over Cork City in Tallaght. The LSL Sunday Senior season got under way with newcomers Glenville and St Mochta’s winning their first ever game at this level on the first day of the season.
Salmon Leap’s Jenny Egan added to a superb year with success at the annual Liffey Descent
Conor McGregor became the UFC Leinster rugby star Kevin McLaughlin
featherweight champion in brilliant
at a summer camp; he was forced to
fashion in Las Vegas with a 13-second win
retire in September. Picture: Daire Brennan
over Jose Aldo. Picture: Ramsey Cardy
The Dublin senior football
September AFTER guiding Dublin to a third All-Ireland title in five years and his second as Dublin manager, Jim Gavin heaped praise on the structure of Gaelic Games in the capital. The Round Tower’s man led Dublin to a 0-12 to 0-9 over reigning champions Kerry in the final and he mentioned those involved in the sport at every level the morning after the win. “The fabric of the team is made up of all parts of the county,” Gavin said in the aftermath. “As intercounty manager, I’m just privileged to work with players who have come from great clubs. In Dublin we have a great Cumann na mBunscol structure, we’ve a great coaching system, we’ve got some great teachers
The Irish women’s cross-country Fingallians at the Gaelic4Mothers and Others blitz with huge
team who won gold at the Europeans in
numbers participating. Picture: GAAPics.com
France.
doing some great work in the primary schools, some great coaches in the clubs.” The Dublin ladies footballers, however, were undone in their final by a hugely impressive Cork side. Both Fingallians and Round Tower, Lusk were contesting the junior B and A finals and both left Parnell Park with titles as Fingallians beat Bank of Ireland 2-17 to 3-8 and Round Tower ran out 4-10 to 1-12 winners against Raheny. St Brigid’s junior hurlers savoured the sweet taste of championship glory after a pulsating junior B final against
O’Toole’s 1-13 to 0-15. The South Dublin Swans, based in Bushy Park in Terenure, won the 2015 Australian Rules Football League of Ireland (ARFLI) Grand Final after a nail-biting final against last year’s champions, the Belfast Redbacks, in Belfast. MU Barnhall began the Ulster Bank League Division 2B’s at Parsonstown with a number of major changes to their set-up both on the field and off it. Maynooth University, the college which the Blue Bulls have a strategic alliance with, have rebranded from NUIM to MU which meant the
club changed along with it.
October R ATHFARNHAM WSAF’s Sean Hehir was the first Irish man home in the Dublin City Marathon, claiming the national title in 2.17.48. Clontarf cruised into the last four of the Dublin senior football championship thanks to a convincing 0-19 to 0-7 win over St Anne’s, the first time they had reached that stage since 1991. Handball hero Eoin Kennedy landed his fifth All-Ireland doubles title to add to his absolute mountain of medals and
titles over the years. The St Brigid’s man paired up with Carl Browne for the first time in a doubles final and the Dublin duo beat Kilkenny duo Ciaran Neary and Michael “Ducksy” Walsh after a dramatic three games in the 60x30 softball final Abbeylara. A 1-1 draw in Tallaght Stadium against Shamrock Rovers was enough for Dundalk FC to retain their SSE Airtricity Premier Division crown and it was no surprise that a Richie Towell goal clinched the title. As well as Towell, the Dundalk squad was packed with players who learned their trade in west
27 DEC 2015 – 6 JAN 2016 Gazette 31
Gazette
‘‘
QUOTES OF
THE YEAR “Precision beats power and timing beats speed and that is what you saw there.”
- Mixed Martial Irish Senior women’s close cup winner Gertie McMullen (The Island) receives a kiss from husband and caddy Frazer after victory at Castletroy. Picture: Pat Cashman
Arts hero CONOR McGREGOR in the aftermath of his incredible UFC title-fight victory over Jose Aldo
“My sport is a little insane and athletes competing need to have a certain personality type. You have to be a little bit crazy!”
side celebrate winning their third All-Ireland title in the past five years in Croke Park. Picture: Stephen McCarthy
- Skeleton Olympic
NAC’s James Scully before
Pearl Slattery leads out Shelbourne for the women’s
Phoenix Park was thronged for the national triathlon championships in August.
competing in the IPC World
FAI Senior Cup final against Wexford. They ultimately
Picture: David Maher/Sportsfile
Championships.
were denied the title on penalties. Picture: David Maher
round of action, drawing a rousing reception from the home supporters. St Peregrine’s Under-14 camogie stars wrapped up a remarkable treble winning season by clinching their league title. A 4-9 to 1-4 win over St Pat’s meant Peregrine’s added the Division 3 title to their championship and Feile crowns from earlier this year.
K insella has been involved in the sport for 25 years, and represented Ireland at the world and European championships before moving into coaching, founding the Monkstown Boxing Club from scratch 12 year ago. Ballyboden St Enda’s manager Andy McEntee said: “it mightn’t have been pretty” but his club was unlikely to care too much as they won their first ever Leinster title in O’Connor Park. The Firhouse Road outfit defeated Portlaoise in a thrilling AIB Leinster SFC Club final by a single point and McEntee. Lucan Sarsfields’ senior footballers return
Dublin. Palmerstown local Andy Boyle grew up playing alongside Towell in a prominent Crumlin schoolboy team. Chris Shields was on the books of Clondalkin club St Francis for a number of years while Meenan (St Joseph’s), Sean Gannon (St Kevin’s), and Kurtis Byrne (Cherry Orchard) also got a footballing education in the city, along with several other members of the Lilywhites squad. The Irish men’s hockey team, featuring several players from Dublin clubs like Monkstown, Pembroke and Three Rock Rovers moved a step clos-
er to the Olympic dream as the national team had their place confirmed for Rio 2016.
November LINDSAY PEAT - an All-Ireland winning footballer and former cocaptain of the Irish international basketball team - added international rugby to her considerable sporting CV. Peat was called up to the Ireland Women’s squad to face England at Harlequin’s London ground, The Stoop, coming off the bench as the women played their first autumn international. The good times kept on
rolling for Cuala’s senior hurlers as they booked their place in the Leinster SHC final, adding to the Dublin title, with superb 3-12 to 0-17 win over Clara of Kilkenny. They would eventually come a cropper to Wexford side Oulart-the-Ballagh. NAC-based diver Oliver Dingley won his first event as an Irish competitor when beating multiple world champion Tom Daley at the Irish Open in the National Aquatic Centre in Dublin. He won the 1m men’s final in dramatic fashion, seeing off the sport’s most famous face by 1.05 points with final forward 2½ somersaults in the last
December MONKSTOWN Boxing Club head coach Paul Kinsella was awarded the highest honour of the Irish Amateur Boxing Association: a lifetime achievement award.
to the big time of AFL1 was a feat well and truly deserved after two years of serious graft on and off the field, according to selector Ed O’Brien. Colaiste Phadraig’s Lucan Under-16 basketball team won the school’s fourth major basketball trophy in the past three years with a 52-41 victory over Malahide CS in the Eastern League A final held in the Oblate Hall in Inchicore. Corduff FC’s Francky Haba who was named best player on the park for the NDSL Academy Under-15s beat the Republic of Ireland Under-15s in a charity challenge game last Sunday.
hopeful BRENDAN DOYLE explains one of the components it takes to succeed in his chosen discipline
“It would be amazing to go from watching the Europa League to actually playing in it.”
- Shamrock Rovers man MARTY WATER reflects on his pair of goals against Norway’s Odds Ballklub as they moved within touching distance of the competition’s group stage. Waters watched on in 2011 as a fan.
32 LUCAN Gazette 27 DEC 2015 – 6 JAN 2016