Lucan

Gazette lucan

PLUS:

For a perfect spring break, head to lovely, sunny Portugal

see page 21 MAR 26 - APR 1, 2015

F R EE

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

INSIDE: From Twelve Angry Men to gazillions of smiles, Bord Gais Energy Theatre marks five years P12

Soccer:

Masterson gets FAI award as his star rises Page 32

Kickboxing: Palmerstown siblings win on national stage Page 30

Find us on

ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES....................... 8 DUBLIN LIFE....................11 OUT&ABOUT...................17 CLASSIFIEDS.................26 SPORT............................28

cracking times: The Gazette guide to family activities over Easter Pages 14-15

Kishoge station set to lie idle  Ian Begley

Kishoge train station, which cost €6.35m and was built seven years ago, will remain shut. Insufficient funding for 2015 and a low level of passenger usage are cited as reasons for not opening the facility.

Kishoge continues to lie idle, despite being situated near multiple Lucan housing estates.

Irish Rail has said it will not open the station as the National Transport

Authority has failed to provide the funding necessary for works to complete an access road and carpark.

A spokesperson from the NTA said: “The station itself was planned to cater for large scale developments due to be constructed in the area.

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

Full Story on Page 2

Ag obair agus ag foghlaim: Pupils get stuck into Irish Week divine Mercy Junior National School pupils Alex Bell and Emma Walsh show off some of their artwork which they produced as part of the many fun activities which took part

throughout Seachtain na Gaeilge.

Students also enjoyed a gardening club where they looked after plants, music, bingo and making smoothies.

2 LUCAN Gazette 26 March 2015

ghost station Seven years idle as funding still unavailable

No plans to open €6.4m Kishoge  Ian Begley ibegley@gazettegroup.com

Insufficient funding for 2015 and a low level of passenger usage at the unused train station in K ishoge are cited as reasons for the National Transport Authority (NTA) not to open the facility.

The Kishoge station cost €6.35m to build n e a r l y s e ve n y e a r s

ago and continues to lie idle, despite being located near multiple Lucan housing estates, including Foxborough, Moy Glas and Griffeen Glen.

Irish Rail has stated it would not open the station as the NTA had failed to provide the funding necessary for works to complete an access road and carpark.

Dublin Gazette Newspapers, Top Floor, Clarendon House, 39 Clarendon Street, Dublin 2 Tel: 01 - 6010240. Email: sales@dublingazette.com news@dublingazette.com web: www.dublingazette.com twitter: @DublinGazette Visit us on Facebook at DublinGazetteNewspapers

Speaking to The Gazette, a spokesperson from the NTA said: “While construction of the rail station building and platforms were completed at Kishoge some years ago, the necessary access road and car park were not developed at that time.

“The station itself was planned to cater for large scale developments due to be constructed in the surrounding area. “ Howe ve r, i n t h e intervening period since the station was planned, most of these developments have not been progressed.

“An analysis of the likely

projected level of demand at Kishoge, based on current residential and travel patterns in the area, indicates that the level of passenger usage at the station would be low, and would be unlikely to justify the cost of opening the station at this time or adding another stop to services currently operating along this line.

“Accordingly, while funding is not available in 2015 for the required works to facilitate the opening of this station, the position will be reviewed in 2016 following the opening of the Phoenix Park tunnel link, which will facilitate train services running into the Connolly, Tara, Pearse and Grand Canal Dock stations,” said the spokesperson.

Lucan’s Cllr William Lavelle (FG) called on the NTA and Irish Rail to open the multi-million “ghost station” at Kishoge to serve local commuters in advance of the planned reopening of the Phoenix Park rail tunnel in 2016.

He said: “I warmly welcome the plan to reopen the Phoenix Park tunnel in 2016.

“This is something I have long campaigned for. This proposal represents commonsense planning: using existing unused infrastructure to maximise public transport capacity.”

The reopening of the Phoenix Park tunnel will allow trains from the Kildare line, including Lucan and Adamstown, to travel via Glasnevin Junction to the Connolly/Pearse line, terminating at Grand Canal Dock.

C l l r L ave l l e a l s o added: “Kishoge is the last ‘ghost station’ left unopened in Dublin… I

The Kishoge station continues to lie idle

am calling on the NTA to release the funding to complete the works to the access road and carpark. I am also calling on Irish Rail to open-up the station’s entrance onto Grangecastle Road so as to

facilitate those wishing to access the station by foot or bike.”

A spokesperson from Irish Rail also commented on this issue, saying: “We are not currently funded to build the access road and

car park required for Kishogue Station.

“It is not included in our 2015 capital funding, and decisions on funding in future years are a matter for the N a t i o n a l Tr a n s p o r t Authority.”

26 March 2015 LUCAN Gazette 3

Literacy

Adamstown: Cape Town visit will be an ‘unforgettable experience’

School hoping for grant

Students get set to volunteer in Africa  Ian Begley

A group of students from Adamstown Community College will be travelling to the Kayamandi Township in Cape Town, South Africa, from March 22 to April 6 as part of a volunteer programme during their development studies course.

The eight students and three teachers are using their local ties with EuroSpar Lucan to link up with Spar South Africa while abroad, through BWG Foods’ (owners of EuroSpar) partnership with the leading South African retail group.

The school has established strong links with Kayamandi High School; vice principal Victoria

Hani and a teacher from the Cape Town high school visited Adamstown Community College in January.

Fundraising activities to date have included street collections in Lucan village in the run up to Christmas, non-uniform days and cinema days in the college, comedy nights in the Laughter Lounge, Dublin, along with bag packing in local supermarkets.

Tom Broderick, teacher at Adamstown Community College, who is co-ordinating the school exchange, spoke about the upcoming trip: “We would like to thank all of the students, parents and staff of Adamstown Community College, and all

the local businesses, especially EuroSpar Lucan, for all their help with our fundraising activities.

“I have seen first-hand the fantastic results of the work the two local charities are involved in, helping to better the horizons of students in the Kayamandi Township.

“Hopefully this programme will continue to grow and become a key event in the annual volunteering calendar of Adamstown Community College.”

John Hanley of EuroSpar Lucan also commented, saying: “It’s a wonderful opportunity for all students involved and an experience that they’ll take with them for the rest of their lives.”

Speak up, speak out: St Joseph’s students make their voices heard st Joseph’s College students Jade Dowling, Kerri MacGrattan and Shona Breaw were among 700 young people from all over Leinster who took part in The Young Social Innovators Dublin Speak Out event in the Mansion House recently. Talking about the events, Rachel Collier, chief executive, Young Social Innovators, said: “The Speak Out events are a hugely important part of the Young Social Innovators experience. They give young people their first opportunity to advocate in support of a cause they believe in and on behalf of others; to have their voices heard and to realise that they are part of a wider movement of young people engaged in similar innovative action. It is inspiring to see how passionate each of the teams is in bringing about positive change to their communities.” Picture: Derek Speirs

Lucan East Educate Together NS is hoping to receive a community grant of €1,000 to improve their school’s literary programme.

The school recently applied for the Version 1 Community Trust grant, which is an initiative that supports the transformation of local and global communities.

Those who applied had to submit a short video detailing the reasons why they should benefit from this grant.

Principal Eddie Fox said: “We’re a new school in a rapidly developing area and we really need more resources like fiction and non-fiction books.

Literacy is one of our big aims and we promise that any money we receive will be spent wisely.”

4 LUCAN GAZETTE 26 March 2015

DON’SDUBLIN

SCHEME Local groups to benefit from €40m pot SPA HOTEL: LATEST TRENDS

Dunsink Observatory has been looking to the skies since 1785 DUNSINK Observatory was one of those places in Dublin that I knew about, but had never visited. So it was a real treat to be shown around the historic building by Prof Luke Drury (Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies – DIAS) whose wealth of knowledge and anecdotes made for a most enjoyable and informative experience.

The observatory, built in 1785, was financed by funds from the will of Provost Francis Andrews of Trinity College, who wanted the college to have, for the first time, the facility to study astronomical science. Richard Myers designed it, and the original plans that called for two Palladian-style wings, were never completed due to financial restraints.

As such, the building you see today is notable for its lack of ornamentation and is appealing, nevertheless, to a modern architectural aesthetic.

Although no major discoveries were made at the observatory, it was made famous by Sir William Rowan Hamilton (1805-1865) who was appointed professor of astronomy and director of Dunsink in 1827, while he was still an undergraduate. He was Ireland’s greatest mathematician and his work on the foundations of mechanics underpins large areas of modern physics.

The South Dome was erected in 1865 and the Grubb telescope is impressive, even after 150 years. Grubb was a firm based in Rathmines and it exported telescopes all over the world until the early 20th century.

Dunsink provided the correct time for Dublin and you can see the original clocks and other equipment inside the main building. And, not surprisingly, “Dunsink time” is mentioned in James Joyce’s Ulysses.

The State bought the observatory in 1947 and it is now part of the School of Cosmic Physics in DIAS. Today the observatory is used for conferences, meetings and during the winter (Oct-Mar) for open nights when visitors can view celestial bodies (weather permitting!) through the Grubb telescope. Special family events are often held where parents and children can meet an astronomer and explore the night sky.

Don Cameron

www.donsdublin.wordpress.com

Charity fashion show in Lucan  IAN BEGLEY

Minister Frances Fitzgerald is urging local sports clubs to apply for sports capital funding

Sports clubs urged to apply for funding  IAN BEGLEY

LOCAL representatives are appealing to local sports clubs to apply now for this year’s Sports Capital Funding.

Up to €40m is available nationwide for 2015 in the Government initiative and applicants must apply by Friday, April 24.

Local clubs have benefited greatly in the past from this scheme, helping them to fund some much needed sporting equipment and facilities.

Other sports clubs have used the funding they received to build changing rooms, purpose-built containers and to fund sport related trips abroad.

The €40m for 2015

brings to €130m the total amount available in the Sports Capital Programme since the Government reopened it in 2012.

Minister Frances Fitzgerald is urging local sports clubs to apply.

She said: “Spor ts clubs and organisations in Clondalkin, Lucan, Newcastle, Palmerstown, Rathcoole and Saggart should apply now for sports capital funding.

“If any club is concerned about getting their application right, they should look at the handy guide on the website.

“The Department of Sport has also made some helpful YouTube video to supplement this guide

and show you how best to prepare your application.

“I look forward to seeing strong and ambitious application from clubs in my area.

“A great variety of sports are played and organised by the fantastic clubs in these parts, and I have no doubt that they will put their best foot forward in applying for this crucial Government funding,” she said.

Clondalkin’s Deputy Robert Dowds (Lab) also commented, saying: “I would encourage all local sports clubs in Clondalkin and Lucan to apply for funding from the new Sports Capital Fund, which the Government has recently announced.

“Our sports clubs, whether soccer, GAA, rugby, or any other kind of sport, are a vital part of our society and they have a very positive impact on both the individual and wider community from both a physical and a social perspective,” he said.

There is a two-step process for any club or organisation wishing to apply for this funding.

All clubs planning to apply must register on the online system on www. sportscapitalprogramme. ie before 5.00pm on Friday, April 10.

They must get their applications in online before 5.00pm on Friday, April 24.

AN upcoming charity fashion show at the Spa Hotel, Lucan, will give children with a disability the chance to take to the catwalk and model the latest trends.

The event will raise much-needed funds for the SBHI (Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Ireland) Children’s Educational and Fun Club and also spread awareness of the two conditions.

The models are aged from two to fully grown adults who are travelling from all over Ireland to raise awareness.

This event is organised by the national youth officer for SBHI Andrea Fox who was diagnosed with hydrocephalus when she was seven weeks old.

The show is taking place on Sunday, April 19 in the Spa Hotel Lucan at 1pm and will be hosted by Teresa Lowe from RTE. Spina bifida is a neural tube defect which causes incomplete development of the spinal cord, while hydrocephalus is a condition characterised by excessive accumulation of fluid in the brain.

Plenty of events on offer at Lucan Library  IAN BEGLEY

LUCAN Library is holding a vast array of activities throughout the month of April from pre-school events to adult learning courses.

Mondays will see Lucan Knitting Club come together from 10.30am to 12pm, along with an adult creative writing course on Thursdays from

10am to 11.30am.

Every Wednesday at 3pm a children’s story time for threeto five-year-olds will take place and on the same day an arts and crafts course for sevento 12-year-olds will occur at 3.30pm to 4.30pm.

A fun, interactive musical workshop for six months to five-year-old children will take place on April 9 at 11.30am

and on April 2 from 3.30pm to 4.30pm a children’s flower arranging workshop runs for kids aged eight to 12.

An adult creative writing group will take place every T h u r s d ay f r o m 10 a m t o 11.30am, and on April 29 at 7pm, the Lucan Library Book Club will come together to discuss The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion.

Lucan Junior Book Club for children aged 10 to 12 will meet on April 14 and April 28 at 3.45pm to discuss Peter Sirr’s Black Wreath.

For a full list of events taking place in Lucan Library contact 01-6216422 or visit www. southdublinlibraries.ie.

Many of these events need to be pre-booked asap at www. eventbrite.ie.

26 March 2015 LUCAN gazette 5

Expert fitting service, bringing value to Irish consumers for over 45 years

Transform your home for less at Des Kelly Interiors At Des Kelly Interiors, they have a real passion for flooring.

They have a huge focus on stocking all the up to date ranges and colours from all the leading manufacturers which makes it no wonder they are Ireland’s Number One Flooring retailer. New floors can completely transform a room, Des Kelly have personal staff members dedicated to helping you find the floor solutions that will work best for you.

Grey flooring seems to really be the trend at the moment and they really do have Fifty Shades of Grey flooring to suit everyone in store. Grey flooring

offers timeless style and long-lasting beauty with a modern industrial twist, add little hints of colour with a single red rug can work wonders , as could a stunning red vase or light and this is because one block of colour or a playful splash makes a huge impact in your room. Stocking all the

flooring in their newly renovated warehouse, means Des Kelly again is striving to bring value to the Irish home.

Quickstep floors are no doubt the best laminate floors on the market at the moment. They have FREE FITTING of the Creo Jungle Plum and Rustic Oak for the month of March, so pop in and grab yourself a bargain.

They supply and fit your floor from start to finish hassle free.

Stocking a full range of carefully selected accessories for a perfectly finished floor, Des Kelly has the solution for every floor and situation.

Installing the right

underlay has a major impact on the final look, quality and comfort of your floor. Based on their experience for the past 45 years they have selected a collection of high quality underlays to provide excellent acoustic and thermal insulation for your new f loor .

Whether you are looking for Hardwood or Laminate flooring, Des has got you covered.

There is a floor to suit every home. No matter your application, living room, dining room, stairs, Yes, Stairs, or bathroom, Des Kelly Interiors offers the best value for money and affordable options on the market.

6 LUCAN Gazette 26 March 2015

courts Father-of-two pleads guilty and is sentenced to five years in prison

Heroin worth €860k found in back of rental car A Dublin father-of-two has been sentenced to five years in prison after gardai found around €860,000 worth of heroin in the back of a rental car.

Keith Byrne (33), with addresses at Greenfort Crescent, Clondalkin, and Liffey

Avenue, Lucan, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to having the drug for sale or supply at Castlebaggot in Newcastle, County Dublin on May 7, 2014.

Garda Eoin Roche told Noel Devitt BL, prosecuting, that gardai received confiden-

tial information and took up positions to monitor Byrne’s home in Lucan.

Gardai saw Byrne placing a black hold-all bag in the back of a Toyota Corolla and drive off in the direction of Newcastle, County Dublin.

They stopped his car near

Baldonnel and seized the drugs, for which Byrne took responsibility.

He told gardai he had to bring the drugs “from A to B” but that he didn’t know it was heroin and didn’t know their value. Paul Carroll BL, prosecuting, said Byrne had saved

time for the Garda investigation by making full admissions and pleading guilty.

Mr Carroll said Byrne was “not of great financial means” and had been driving a rented car. The court heard that Byrne had previously had a drug problem but had dealt in

a positive way with rehab services and had abstained from drugs for six months.

Judge Martin Nolan said although Byrne was “not a big player” in the drugs industry and had a good record, he had committed a very serious offence.

Residents encouraged to apply for tourism funding A fund of €30,000 is available for the 2015 Community Tourism Diaspora Project for the south Dublin area, and local residents who are interested in organising an event are being encouraged to apply. In 2014 the Community Tourism Diaspora Project for the south Dublin area paid over €5,000 in grant support to small events that involved overseas visitors. A fund of €30,000 is available for 2015, with up to €3,000 available for individual events.

The projects aims are to provide support in the form of small-scale funding incentives for community-based tourism events that have the capacity to carry

through the legacy of The Gathering in 2013 and beyond.

Mayor of South Dublin County Fintan Warfield (SF) welcomed the continuation of this initiative.

He said: “The Gathering was a significant boost to tourism and in particular to local communities. Making communities aware of the economic and social benefits that can come from reaching out and welcoming international visitors from the diaspora is vital.”

The closing date for applications is April, 2 at 5pm. To make an application visit www.sdcc.ie or email econdev@ sdublincoco.ie.

Patrick Akpoveta is hoping to win a seat in the next General Election

politics: Akpoveta hoping to win seat for renua

Children a priority for local candidate  Ian Begley ibegley@gazettegroup.com

Ireland’s newest political party, Renua Ireland, has a candidate from Adamstown who is hoping to win a seat in the next General Election, promising to help give children a centre stage in Ireland.

Patrick Akpoveta, who is originally from Nigeria, is a youth worker and founder of Adamstown United FC and was recently honoured at the Aviva Stadium at the National Volunteer Sports Awards.

He is also pro-choice

and unsure how to vote in the same-sex marriage referendum next month.

Speaking to The Gazette, he said: “I’m a youth worker and very passionate about youth development and sports and I believe Renua Ireland is all about community spiritedness and committed to young people, which sits very well for me.

“My stance on abortion is that it all depends on the situation.

“At the moment I have to study what the Government wants to bring, but for me I’m prochoice on abortion.”

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

‘We already have civil partnership – where are we going to stop?’

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

Asked why he’s unsure about what to vote for in the same-sex marriage referendum, Akpoveta said: “They already have civil partnership so I don’t see why they are looking for same sex marriage or whatever.

“We already have civil partnership – where are we going to stop?

“If the same-sex [referendum] passes all well and good because I believe in free choice – people are free to do

whatever they want to do within the confines of the law. If it passes or fails it doesn’t bother me at all.

“I’m a youth worker and want to bring the voice of the children to the Dail and bring it on a national stage.

“In recent years interests of the children have been on the backburner but I want to bring them to the front burner this time around because our children are the future of the nation.”

26 March 2015 LUCAN Gazette 7

lucan Prefabs include graphics room, classroom and office

College to get interim help with students  Ian Begley ibegley@gazettegroup.com

The Dublin and Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board is to provide Lucan Community College with temporary accommodation for September to tackle the school’s growing influx of students.

Following a technical workshop with the Department of Education and the Dublin and Dun Laoghaire

ETB recently, the new temporary accommodation, in the form of prefabs, will include a new design, a communications and graphics room, a general classroom and an office.

It also shows that the Department of Education knows that a permanent solution for the school is needed.

In an email sent to Deputy Robert Dowds (Lab) by the head of organisation services

of Education and Training Board, it was stated: “It was a successful session and the design team is compiling some additional information for submission to the Department.

“It is expected that on finalisation of the document work will continue on the stage 2A report.

As advised additional accommodation will be provided for this September to cater for the incoming student

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

‘While I am pleased that Lucan Community College will get the temporary accommodation it needs for this coming September, it is important that we keep the pressure up to get the permanent extension built as soon as possible’ --------------------------------------------------------

Deputy Robert Dowds (Lab)

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

A more permanent solution to tackle the school’s growing influx of students, says principal Diane Birnie

cohort.

“T he accommodation will consist of one design communications and graphics room, one general classroom [and] one office.”

Diane Birnie, principal of Lucan Community College, told The Gazette that although this recent announcement was welcome, a more permanent solution is needed as soon as possible.

She said: “We’re still in need of a permanent extension, but construction isn’t due to start until February 2017.

“Our toilet facilities were recently refurbished which we’re very happy about, and the [temporar y] prefabs which we have already received are nice.

“They are very modern and not like the prefabs you would see 20 years ago, some parents even thought that they were part of the actual extension.

“But prefabs are only temporary and unfortunately some of the equipment cannot be re-used in our extension like the benches and white boards.

“We have over 800 students in our school and without this extension we are unsure how we’re going to

accommodate for the growing number of students coming into our school.

“We are already over capacity and really need an extension to tackle this ongoing issue as soon as possible,” she said.

We l c o m i n g t h i s announcement, Deputy Dowds told The Gazette: “While I am pleased that Lucan Community College will get the temporary accommodation it needs for this coming September, it is important that we keep the pressure up to get the permanent extension built as soon as possible.

“I’m glad to have been asked to help out with this by the school, and I have raised the matter personally with Minister Jan O’Sullivan. “ S h e k n ow s t h a t Lucan is an area with a huge number of young families and that this school extension is needed.

“Labour has already invested a huge amount of money into schools in Lucan since 2011, but such is the pressure of an increasing population, this extension for Lucan Community College is still required to cope with demand for places,” he said.

8 LUCAN Gazette 26 March 2015

gazetteGALLERIES

Conor and Tom Martin

Bernie McGuinness, Tanya Walsh, Sharon and Sam Bailie, Amy and Ben Walsh and Abby Bailie . Pictures: Cathy Weatherston

Bob and Deirdre Heaton, Deirdre and David Brennan, Bobby Heaton, Sinead Brennan and Eoghan Heaton

Kate Cunningham Gorman and Elizabeth Cunningham O’Sullivan

The McCarty Family: Jay-Jay, Wally, Sienna, Bella, Emma, Cian, Marjorie, Mick, Jack Jordan

Jessica and Stephen

26 March 2015 LUCAN Gazette 9

PARADE: ST PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATION SUCCESS

Easy being green in Lucan Village

Blake Keogh and Abbie, Scott and Brandon Cleary

F

AMILIES gathered in their green gear to celebrate St Patrick’s Day in Lucan.

More than 8,000 people enjoyed the 25th annual parade that celebrated all things Irish and the local community groups.

Some 33 local organisations showcased

the best of Lucan and marched from Tesco Lucan up to Lucan Village.

Tri-colour flags, curly wigs and wacky leprechaun hats were dotted around the streets.

Now a firm favourite each year, the parade was deemed a great success again.

Susanne Moody, Kemka Abuchi-Ogbonda and Sophie Sean Tubbert Cole and Nicola Cole

Thompson

Xxx yyll xxyyl zxyxzz zz x x

Victoria Stawna, Liam Power and Guste Venslovaite

10 Gazette 26 March 2015

gazetteGALLERY

Morah and Lottie Ryan

Ali Hewson and Adi Roche at Liz O Donnell’s (centre) annual fundraising lunch. Picture: Brian McEvoy

fundraiser: Liz’s Lunch for Chernobyl at Fire restaurant

Liz’s desire to help others catches fire

A

li Hewson was among the homegrown glitterati who turned out to support Liz’s Lunch for Chernobyl.

Hosted by RSA chief and Chernobyl Children International (CCI) board director Liz O’Donnell, with

Eva Orsmond

businessman, talent manager and CCI board director Noel Kelly, the event took place in Dublin’s Fire restaurant.

The charity plays a major role in helping to save the lives of hundreds of children born with genetic heart

Aidan Power and Tara Carey

defects in Eastern Ukraine.

Liz O’Donnell said: “This event is a fantastic example of how the concern and generosity of everyone here today will help save the lives of those babies and children in serious need of medical intervention.”

Claire Byrne

Kathryn Thomas and Padraig McLoughlin

Ursula and Dave Fanning

26 March 2015 Gazette 11

asdfsdaf easter camps P27 P14

escape the mayhem p13

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

a day in the life: award-winning blogger Sinead Burke

what’son

Dinner time with the family feeds the soul  keith bellew

Sinead Burke, aka Minnie Melange, has many strings to her bow: she is an award-winning blogger, PhD student and an ambassador for the ISPCC’s Shield AntiBullying campaign.

This week the Gazette caught up with her to find out what she does on an average day.

Her packed schedule necessitates an early rise, which is not always easy: “I wake at about 6am, though that rarely occurs without at least three alarms shrieking at me to get up.

“The snooze button is also pressed quite frequently but the less we say about that, the better.

Attempting to attain the most amount of sleep, I have a regimented routine in the morning that most definitely includes breakfast.

“A typical meal for me in the morning is a bowl of granola with some sliced fruit and a yoghurt.”

She is currently studying in Trinity College for a PhD, the subject of which is the experiences of children in primary school. She says the research involved is very time consuming which makes it difficult to find a balance with her blogging.

“In the midst of academia, allotting time for consistent blog posts can be a challenge but I’ve begun to achieve a balance of research, transcribing interviews for the blog’s Extraordinary Women series, updating social media and engaging with the blogging community.

“It’s not an easy feat but one which has been extremely fruitful, thus far.”

A family dinner is an important part of her day: “I’m fortunate to live at home with my parents and siblings.

“Collectively having dinner is something which is really important to us. The dining room table is where we assemble to announce our news and the various activities we are engaged in.

“Thus, the set time for dinner is when we are all home. It’s one of my favourite parts of the day.”

While she has a lot of work to do each day, that doesn’t stop her from taking the time to relax every evening.

“I’m really fortunate to have lots of work and activities that keep me occupied during the day but I firmly believe that it’s essential to wind down at night time.

“Typically, I try to do



Gazette

diary p12

Jersey Boys making an appearance in Dublin: The

Sinead Burke: “I’m enamoured by Wyvern Lingo, Louise O’Neill’s excellent book Only Ever Yours and the hilarious Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt on Netflix.”

this either through music, reading or television. I’m currently enamoured by [Bray band] Wyvern Lingo, Louise O’Neill’s excellent book Only Ever Yours and the hilarious Unbreakable K immy Schmidt on Netflix.

“I aim to be in bed early but it’s always at the point of the night, when you know you should be making your way to bed, that an amazing plot twist occurs in a book or on a television programme and you think to

yourself – just one more chapter or episode.”

Burke will continue in her ambassadorial role with the ISPCC Shield campaign for the remainder of March. For more information visit: www. ispcc.ie/shield

award-winning and highly-acclaimed production of Jersey Boys is coming to the Bord Gais Energy Theatre from April 1 to 18.

Jersey Boys is the remarkable true story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons and their rise to stardom from the wrong side of the tracks.

These four boys from New Jersey became one of the most successful bands in pop history, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and sold 175 million records worldwide, all before they turned 30.

The producers of the tour are also delighted to announce that West End star Tim Driesen will be heading the cast as Frankie Valli, a role he previously played for a short season at the Prince Edward Theatre in the West End. Tickets are on sale now from €20 to €60 and can be purchased from www. bordgaisenergytheatre.ie.

Gazette

12 Gazette 26 March 2015

dublinlife

DIARY

It’s ofishial – Jedward land first film roles

Their hair may be more on the flat side these days but Jedward could soon be back to their hair raising days when they battle it out with a shark in their first movie – Sharknado 3.

The Lucan duo, known for their love of high hair, are set to share the screen with Bo Derek, Jerry Springer and David Hasselhof in the satirical disaster

made-for-TV movie.

Rumour has it that they could also feature in the fourth movie and are in talks to write music for it.

They are teaming up with their new BFF Tara Reid who features in the franchise. The twins met the Hollywood actress during their stint on Celebrity Big Brother back in 2011 and have remained friends since

then.

bristling with anger at bord gais theatre The whole of Montrose seemed to have decamped to the Bord Gais Energy Theatre this week to see a new production of classic courtroom drama Twelve Angry Men, which came direct from its successful run in London’s West

Over the moon: Lucan duo team up with new BFF Tara Reid

Claire Whelan with Stephen Faloon, general manager of The Bord Gais Energy Theatre, celebrating five years of the well-known Dublin Theatre. The theatre has had 2.5 million visitors viewing 250 productions since 2010.

Picture: Brian McEvoy

End. On March 16, RTE broadcaster Gay Byrne, former newsreader Ann Doyle and weather presenter Nuala Carey were all in attendance on opening night. Also there were some of RTE soap Fair City actors such as Ciara O’Callaghan, who plays Yvonne Doyle and Aoibheann McCaul who is Caoimhe Dillon in the show.

Twelve Angry Men featured Olivier and Tony Award winner Tom Conti, who came to the Bord Gais Energy Theatre last week for a short run.

Conti took on the role made famous by Henry Fonda in the movie version of the play, as juror number eight, the charismatic man who sways the other 11 jurors to his way of thinking about a murder case.

The cast did a good job of recreating the dissension and fraught atmosphere that fills the

jury room as personal prejudices and selfish motives are thrashed out against the backdrop of a 16-year-old black boy facing the electric chair.

The Bord Gais Energy Theatre also celebrated its fifth birthday last week with a special celebration recognising all the great performances held in the Grand Canal venue since 2010.

enda’s tense moment with us president It’s fairly safe to say that Taoiseach Enda Kenny has a great admiration for US president Barack Obama.

From fawning over him during his visit to Ireland a few years ago and his quoting almost word for word his “Yes we can” speech, to the poster of him hanging in his office in Leinster House.

How painful it must have been for him then when during his St

Patrick’s Day visit to the states, Obama accidentally snubbed Enda when he went to shake his hand prior to a sit down with the press.

Just as the two sat down for a press conference, Enda reached over to shake Obama’s hand, but the US president just happened to turn towards the reporters at that very moment.

Enda tried to save himself embarrassment by looking at his hand as if he were examining his nails, but unfortunately this act didn’t help the disappointed Taoiseach.

Rihanna is radiant in rocha design She is famous for wearing next to nothing, but when pop singer Rihanna does decide to don some threads, at least she has good taste.

Recently seen wearing a white two-piece outfit with scalloped hemline by Dublin designer

Simone Rocha, Rihanna stepped out in fine Irish style at a promo for her new film Home, in New York.

The jacket, skirt and white shoes she wore, are all part of Simone Rocha’s latest collection, which, if Rihanna paid for the ensemble, would have set her back more than €2,000.

This is the second time Rihanna has favoured Rocha’s fashion creations, having previously worn a sheer white skirt with statement pink underwear which drew more than a few gasps last year.

28-year-old Simone is the daughter of famous fashion designer John Rocha and is currently blazing a trail among A-listers in Hollywood.

Actress and writer Lena Dunham was also seen in Rocha’s designs at a recent gala event in Los Angeles when she wore an off-the-shoulder black dress by Rocha.

26 March 2015 Gazette 13

Gazette

news

dispute: low-hour contracts, fair pay, job security and union representation behind action

Thousands of Dunnes Stores workers set to strike  gazette reporters

Around 3,000 Dunnes Stores workers will take industrial action at branches throughout Dublin on Thursday, April 2.

The striking workers are members of Mandate Trade Union which represents about 50% of the 10,000 Dunnes employees throughout the country. Over 75% of the workforce is female.

The one-day strike goes ahead in 109 stores across the country. This follows a ballot of workers in dispute with the company over low-hour contracts, fair pay, job security and union representation.

A picket will be put on all Dunnes Stores out-

lets across the country, which will remain open.

It is likely the action will “severely” affect business on the day.

Various branches in the city and surrounding areas will be picketed by hundreds of staff members.

Those stores affected by the strike in Dundrum include Beacon South Quarter, Cornelscourt in Foxrock, Leopardstown, Nutgrove Avenue in Rathfarnham and Stillorgan, while Georges Street is the only branch in Dun Laoghaire. Around 58% of staff at the Dundrum stores will picket while in Dun Laoghaire the figure is 75%.

In Dublin 15 both

Blanch Shopping Centre and Ongar branches will be affected. About 160 (70%) members of staff at the former will strike and 20 (23-24%) in Ongar.

Both Swords Pavilions and Rathbeale Road branches will strike with 50 and 15 members of staff taking part respectively. Meanwhile, in Clondalkin, 200 Dunnes Stores staff at the Mill Centre will engage in industrial strike action.

Mandate representative Dave Moran, said the union is trying to negotiate better terms and conditions for staff and that the company refuses to enter discussions to avert strike action.

“We have been trying

to negotiate over the last number of years to get better terms and conditions.

At the moment most workers are employed on 15 hours or temporary contracts for three months. There is no guarantee of what earnings they get from one week to the next. Some weeks they get 15 hours some 30 hours and some 20 hours, you just can’t plan a lifestyle on fluctuating wages.”

These contracts have implications for social welfare and family income supplement entitlements.

Moran added: “We have asked the company to attend both conciliating in the LRC and we have had two Labour Court

Around 3, 000 workers will take part in a one-day strike at store branches throughout Dublin on Thursday, April 2

hearings; both times the company has refused to attend,” he said.

According to Moran, the Labour Court in its most recent recommendation urged both sides to sit down and discuss all

issues but “unfortunately” Dunnes has “refused”.

If nothing has been resolved from this strike, Moran said the union’s national dispute committee made up of Dunnes Stores representatives

will meet after April 2 to decide on the next course of action.

Dunnes Stores has been contacted, but at the time of going to press had not come back with comment.

Gazette

14 Gazette 26 March 2015

dublinlife

Easter isn’t just about It’s that eggstra special time of year when schoolkids can enjoy some time out from the books to build on budding skills or whet their appetite for a new hobby and have fun  staff reporters

Dun LaoghaireRathdown

This Easter Dun Laoghaire-Rathdow n has plenty to occupy and entertain children during their time off school.

DLR Leisure Services hosts its Kids’ MultiSport Camps for boys and girls aged four to 13.

During the Easter holiday, children can let off steam and get active at DLR leisure centres in Monkstown, Meadowbrook and Loughlinstown from 9am until

3pm, Monday to Friday.

Activities include swimming, basketball, tennis, dodgeball, football and more. Prices are €80 per child per week or €20 per day. Book at www.dlrleisureservices. ie.

For smaller children, Imaginosity in Sandy-

ford has lined up unusual Easter camps: an Elsa and Olaf Camp and a CSI Investigator camp.

From March 30 to April 3, Elsa and Olaf, based on the popular Frozen characters, offers activities based on the movie featuring arts and crafts, dance and drama.

There will be snowmenbuilding, ice castle design, singing and storytelling.

C SI I n v e s t i g a t o r explores what it is like to be a real detective. Children follow clues, solve riddles, check fingerprints and more.

The camp runs April 7 to 10 from 9.30am to 1pm and costs €80 a week or €25 a day. Places for both are limited, so booking is essential: call 01 2176130.

In Dublin 15

CAMPS running in the area are sure to capture kids’ imagination.

A Soccer Camp in Coolmine Rugby Club r uns April 6 to 10, 10.30am to 2pm for all aged four to 13. It costs €95 for the week. For info, go to www.skillzsoccercamp.com.

For budding scientists, Eggcellent science camp in Castleknock is a must.

Starting March 30 and ending April 10, Eggsperiments allow kids to find out all they ever wanted to know about eggs: investigate them as a food source; dissect an egg; dissolve the shells; find out if they’re strong enough to walk on. Would they be good heat insulators?

It costs €70 a child, aged four to 12. For more

Dillon Shinbach and Emily Darley were eggs-tremely happy to help announce that

info, visit www.anyoneforscience.com.

For the young Van Goghs and Da Vincis Artzone camps at Castleknock Parish Centre from March 30 to April 10 are the answer. Open 10am to 2pm, organisers say this year’s event will feature the best portfolios of crafts, stories and games yet experienced.

Projects include painting, drawing, collage, clay and 3D construction, print and graphics. More information at www.artzone.ie.

In North Dublin

At the Old Stables, Drynam Road, Swords, Badgers Den is running a cracking Easter Egg camp, jammed with Easter activities: arts and crafts, music, drama, sports, science, games, cooking and baking, trips and outings and more.

Past outings include the wax museum, Newbridge Farm, the zoo, cinema, Kidszone play centre, to name a few.

The camp runs March 30 to April 10 with half day (9am-1pm) and full day (9am-6pm) options.

More information at www.badgersden.ie For sporty kids, Buzz – Ball Parties is running a sports camp at St Helen’s Senior National School Portmarnock March 30 to April 10. The Buzz – Ball programme teaches kids the basic skills they need before signing up to organised sport.

This Easter camp, for five- to six-year-olds, runs from 9.30am to 1.30pm. More information at www.facebook. com/buzzballparties.

Malahide Castle Golf & Tennis club hosts a Junior Golf Camp at Malahide Castle for those aged six to 13, March 30 to April 3, from 9.30am

to 12.30pm. It is provided by PGA Professional Jason Somers. More information at www. mcgt.ie.

In Lucan and Clondalkin

Lucan Leisure Centre hosts an Easter Kids Camp for kids aged three to 10. A mini camp for children aged three to four takes place 9.30am to 12.30pm.

Those a little older (five to 10) can partake in an Easter camp from 9.30am to 2pm, April 7 to 10.

Activities include basketball, football, hockey, tennis, rounders, bench ball, volley ball, arts and crafts, team games and treasure hunts. The minicamp costs €35 per child and €52 for older children. More info at www. lucanleisure.com, or call 01 6241930.

At Clondalkin Leisure Centre, an Easter Splash Camp caters for those

26 March 2015 Gazette 15

chocolate, you know

Gazette

easter camps

The upcoming Eggcellent science camp in Castleknock will delve into the mysteries and goodness of eggs, glorious eggs

Join “Elsa” in Imaginosity to delve into a cool world of Tayto Park has added Dinosaurs Alive to its attractions

Frozen-related fun and games

aged six to 12. Activities include swimming, rock climbing (10+), archery, basketball, football, unihockey, tennis, rounders, bench ball, volley ball, arts and crafts, team games and treasure hunts.

All activities are fully insured with small numbers in each group. These camps take place April 3-5 and April 7-10 from 9.30am to 2pm. The fiveday camp costs €65 per child and the four-day is €52. More info at www. clondalkinleisure.com, or call 01-4574858.

activities from a Viking House Dig, day tours, leather working, pottery, archery and weaponry.

In Dublin City

The Gaiety School of Acting on Essex Street West, Temple Bar runs its Make a Movie! Lights. Camera.

Action from March 30 to April 2. Kids learn from the experts how to write, act, light and do the sound in a movie. Footage is professionally edit-

ed and kids then receive a DVD of their own movie.

Admission is €200 for the week. More info at www. gaietyschool.com or call 6799277.

For the budding chefs, the Whisk Cookery camp shows kids how to cook soup, breads, Thai curry, beef bourguignon, lemon drizzle cake, falafel veg burgers, hummus, brownies and more. It runs March 30 to April 2 or April 7-10 in Templeogue/Terenure and suits those aged seven to 14.

Admission is €100 per week. More info from whiskcooker ycamp@ gmail.com or call Susan on 086 602 8336.

The Big Dig Archaeology Camp in Harold’s Cross allows children aged to 12 get their hands dirty as they get introduced to the mysteries and adventures of archaeology in a fun and relaxing environment.

Children also enjoy

For further information, see www.sia.ie This camp runs from March 30 to April 10.

Gazette

16 Gazette 26 March 2015

dublinlife

Q&A

business Range of impressive conference rooms With up to 400 complimentary car parking spaces, direct access to/ from Dublin Airport via Dublin Coach and in close proximity to the Luas facility into Dublin City Centre, the Green Isle Conference and Leisure hotel on the Naas

Road is a great place for business conferences.

Clients may choose from a broad range of meeting rooms including 40 fully equipped boardrooms, all with natural daylight, airconditioning and high speed WiFi. The con-

ference centre offers a range of impressive conference rooms for up to 750 delegates theatre style or 550 banqueting style and located on the ground floor of the hotel making it easily accessible for all delegates.

For those travelling

from afar the option of staying overnight is open. The executive style guestrooms have ample work space and complimentary internet access.

For more information visit www.greenislehotel.com.

Chris Robinson of CR Bodyworx

Doing his best to make clients feel their best CHRIS Robinson is a personal trainer and owner of CR Bodyworx in Dundrum. He has been working in the health and fitness industry for the past eight years.

During this time, he has helped many clients achieve great results and transform their bodies.

Robinson specialises in weight loss

and body conditioning.

He provides tailored nutrition plans, one-to-one personal training, group training, boxing and can help with motivation.

Robinson, a highly experienced trainer, dedicates his time solely to helping clients look and feel their best.

How long have you been in business?

What law or regulation would you change overnight to help your business?

We have been open for two years in March.

What makes your business successful?

Our experienced team of trainers who are personable and professional make our business successful.

Our staff are very dedicated to helping our clients achieve their goals.

What do you offer your clients that differs from your competitors?

Our unique programmes which are specifically tailored for our clients’ individual needs are what make us different from our competitors.

We are focused on our clients specific goals and want our clients to get the best results possible.

How has the recession affected your business?

We have had to find the right balance between competitive pricing and the value of the services we provide.

What have you changed about your business to combat the effects of the recessions?

We have devised different payments options for our clients to suit their needs.

We want rates to be determined on the success of a business – this would help new businesses grow.

How do you use social media to help your business?

We use social media for connecting with our clients.

We also post our clients amazing results and progress. It is also a great way to connect with potential clients.

What is your ambition for the business?

We would like to expand our business throughout Dublin. .

What is the best piece of business advice you ever received?

Believe in yourself and forget the doubters.

What is our favourite thing about doing business in your local area

Dundrum has an excellent transport network: the Luas, many bus routes – plus it’s just off the M50.

The multitude of transport options make it easy for our clients to get to us.

What living person do you most admire?

My parents – they taught me that anything worth getting takes work.

SHaRE Reading board of management members Maura McMahon and Stephen Moran receiving a Dublin Bus grant from Niall Quinn

education: combat difficulties in the inner city

Helping to build reading skills and knowledge SHaRE Reading is continuing to celebrate with four inner city schools in the weeks after World Book Day. The 40 children who work directly with volunteers twice weekly on a paired reading programme that promotes reading comprehension and vocabulary building, have read 639 additional books since September.

With the support of ESB and JP Morgan, the first and second classes at St Mary’s Primary School, George’s Hill Presentation School, Gardiner Street National School, and St Kevin’s Boys National School in Finglas West are being challenged to read 160 additional books

per class.

Their reward will be an age appropriate book to take home, and an invitation to a storytelling workshop by Irish author Liam Farrell in late April.

According to the group: “We know from research that the more children read, the better readers they become and what better way to encourage this than to gift children age appropriate books.

“Research tells us that literacy difficulties are a serious problem in disadvantaged areas like north inner city Dublin: this affects children’s vocabulary and motivation to read as early as first class.

In 2013, SHaRE Reading

was founded to combat the serious reading difficulties apparent in Dublin’s north inner city.”

In 2013, SHaRE established a partnership with Belvedere College’s fifth year students to assist even more children with their reading in schools as part of Belvedere’s pastoral studies programme and commitment to social justice.

The group has an upcoming pilot project in which the children will use iPads funded by Dublin Bus to further motivate them to revise their literacy skills in spelling and reading using learning objects. It is also running workshops in the north

inner city for parents to teach them how to help their child read.

Tutoring and literacy testing are also available from SHaRE’s office at Spade Enterprise Centre in Smithfield.

“Before school, we offer a Bookfest programme which provides children with a healthy breakfast over vocabulary games. Our afterschool programmes include the mini reporters club which is run in conjunction with Dublin City Council, and Book Buddies which runs with the support of South Dublin City Council.”

For more information visit www.sharedreading. ie.

26 March 2015 Gazette 17

travel P21

asdfsdaf P27 food and drink 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

interiors P20

Radio Tune in for upbeat mental health news  laura webb

Strasbourg’s Auditive Connection will open this year’s festival

music Festival: young, creative and ambitious artists coming to town

Twelve Points about jazz

 keith bellew

The 12 Points Jazz Festival returns to Dublin this year for its ninth instalment at Project Arts Centre, Temple Bar, from April 15 to18.

Based in Dublin, with partner’s right across Europe, 12 Points showcases 12 young, creative and ambitious artists in jazz and related music each from a different European city.

12 Points Festival alternates between Dublin and other vibrant, young European cities. In previous years it has taken place in Porto, Portugal, and Umea in Sweden.

12 Points is programmed via an open call to the European jazz community, and with almost 500 applicants for this year’s festival, the 12 top acts have now

been selected, representing the top acts in Europe in 2015.

This year’s festival opens with Strasbourg’s Auditive Connection; followed over the next few days by piano trio Moskus (Oslo), groove-based band Stuff (Brussels), improv jazz group AMP Trio (Budapest), Berlin-based pianist Elias Stemeseder, Finnish trio Virta (Helsinki), Laura Jurd Quartet (London), SVIN (Copenhagen), Swiss uber-jazz group Hildegard Lernt Fliegen, BRUUT! (Amsterdam), jazz / punk-rock hybrid Black Dough (Gothenburg) and Dublin group Umbra which mixes jazz with Aphex Twin style electronica.

12 Points organiser Aoife Concannon says the aim is to create a closer knit network of members of the jazz communities across Europe.

There is also an emphasis on keeping the festival young and giving young musicians a chance to break through.

For that reason all performers must be under the age of 35.

Concannon said: “It’s [about] emerging acts at the beginning of their careers that we’re trying to push up to the next level by supporting them through this festival.

“It’s four great nights of really diverse music, from traditional jazz to very experimental stuff, with fusions of electronica or rock music and very different sounds from the different countries.

For example between Norway and Italy you would have very different styles of playing.

“It’s a bit unusual because it’s a European kind of thing. Every second year

it leaves Dublin and goes to a random European city, so it means that it builds a community across Europe of these young jazz musicians. It’s kind of unusual in Dublin to get a chance to hear a band from a country that otherwise wouldn’t have gotten here doing something very experimental.

“It’s a great chance for people with open minds to open their ears and hear what’s happening in Europe.”

She said that since the first instalment of the festival in 2006 it has grown from strength to strength: “There’s great interest in the festival within the music community in Europe because it’s seen as a place to go to, to see what’s the next hot new act.”

For more information on the festival visit: www.12points.ie

UPBEAT Radio, a popup radio station aimed at promoting positive mental health on the airwaves, will broadcast its last day on March 27 in time for Wellness in The Workplace Day. From March 23-27, well-known personalities such as model Alison Canavan, TV and radio presenter Aidan Power and comedian Alan Shortt have presented shows live from St Patrick’s University Hospital, on James’s Street, with broadcasters Ruth Scott and Theresa Lowe (below) also urging the public to tune in.

Run by St Patrick’s Mental Health Services, listeners in Dublin, Cork, Limerick and further afield have been tuning in to the station online or through FM radio between 7am and 9pm to hear discussions, music and information on positive mental health.

For further information on the station, see www.upbeat.ie.

Gazette

18 Gazette 26 March 2015

OUT&ABOUT

River Island Faux fur gilet €80

Penneys Straw hat €5 River Island Brooke flare jeans €50

H&M Jumpsuit €29.99

H&M

Kimo

no €

24.9 9

TK Maxx A-lin

e dress €69.9

9

River Island Pink sunglasses €17

Next Culottes €44

that

s 1970 look

Warehouse Suede duffel bag €40

 laura webb

New Look Tribal print playsuit €17.99

JUST like the hit American TV sitcom, That 70s Show, we are falling in love with this generation and its bohemian-like trend all over again. All across the high street, fashionistas can see this trend come on stream as we get closer and closer to the summer.

Culottes, denim, suede, flares, bo-ho dresses and platform shoes are just some of the 70s fashion style making their way to our SS15 wardrobes.

For anyone whose mum may have some vintage clothing hanging out in the attic, now is the time to get it down and make a fashion statement that can’t be seen elsewhere.

So, embrace this relaxed style that is taking a modern twist on the groovy 70s ...

H&M Leather shoes €49.99

26 March 2015 Gazette 19

Gazette

STYLE

It’s a g’day for Aussie beauty range

Mango is opening its first Irish megastore on Henry Street in Dublin

Mango opens megastore BIG news for Mango with the opening of its first Irish megastore, located at one of Dublin’s bestloved high streets: Henry Street.

The Spanish brand opened the store at 46-47 Henry Street recent-

ly, occupying an impressive space of 1,390sq m, and stocked with Mango, Mango Kid, Mango Sports and Intimates lines.

This is the latest megastore to open for the fashion brand that

continues to expand its stores.

Mango has 95 megastores worldwide, and the brand currently has eight stores in the Irish market since it was first launched here back in 1998.

KNOWN for its irresistible scents and caring formula that leaves hair in great condition, the Aussie hair range has now got the whole body covered.

The Aussie Brilliant Body Wash Collection is going to make you feel amazing from top to toe, and smelling even better!

This collection is available in four variants, including Shower Smoothie Body Wash (for skin in need of sensational smoothness – this wash includes Macadamia nut oil); Mega

Watt Body Wash (for skin that needs a bit of a boost – ingredients include energising ingredients such as Australian ginseng): Fresh Mate Body Wash (offering skin a blast of freshness with the coolest botanical ingredient, Eucalyptus extract) and No Rush Body Wash (which allows you to relax and let your skin savour the pampering Jojoba oil).

All body washes retail at €3.99 for 250ml and €6.49ml for 400ml, and are available at stockists nationwide.

Happy birthday to H&M Ireland

were all among the guests who enjoyed the stunning views of the city, as well as the brand’s latest Conscious collection. Happy birthday, H&M!

SOPHIE’S Bar at The Dean Hotel on Harcourt Street was awash with fashion last week when it hosted the 10-year birthday bash for H&M in Ireland. Glenda Gilson, singer Janet Devlin, fashion editors and stylists from across Dublin

Gazette

20 gazette 26 March 2015

OUT&ABOUT

INTERIORS

For those looking to make a statement, Harvey Norman offer a seven-piece Le Mont dining set, at €1,193

Cracking good kitchen help with Easter Luxury cabinet maker Smallbone of Devizes undertakes

commissions worldwide. Clients in Ireland are invited to

Arnotts Tic & Tac clock €85

discuss their needs with Alessi at Brown Thomas.

Kilkenny Shop Ulster Weavers T-Towel in a Jar €12.95

EASTER is a time to have the family over and what’s vitally important for the big day is a well-run kitchen.

So, it’s important to have all the appliances and accoutrements needed to roast the joint, mix the drinks and lay the table.

Gazette Interiors has trawled the shops to bring you the best kitchen equipment that will have you whipping up a storm, Jamie Oliver-style.

From high-end gadgets to more traditional products, Gazette Interiors has something for everyone ...

Kilkenny Shop Ulster Weavers Sheep tea cosy €19.95 Aldi Mini deep fat fryer €19.99

Littlewoods Mini kitchen scales €11

tts B Arno

u

s board nbury

5

€15.9

Arnotts Kartel Lizz chair €229

Alessi Electric kettle €119

Alessi Electric citrus-squeezer €169

26 March 2015 gazette 21

Gazette

TRAVEL

Stockholm, Sweden’s trend-setting capital

Culture galore in Stockholm  Ian Begley

Algarve, Portugal’s southernmost region of mainland, is renowned for its sandy beaches and certainly a destination worth visiting

mid-season breaks: skiiing or sunning, there’s plenty of options

Easter hop is on the cards  Ian Begley

Easter can be the perfect time of year to hop off on a mid-season getaway.

Whether it’s a skiing trip in France or a well-earned break on the beach, picking your destination is easy with plenty of options to choose from this year.

With Highlife Ski and Snowboard, swap the daily school run and rush hour traffic jams for the slopes and make for a family-friendly adventure in Morzine, France, with departures on March 29 and April 5.

Here, you’ll find the Highlife Marmotte Club, designed to let parents enjoy their day on the slopes without rushing back to meet children from lessons.

The Highlife Marmotte Club is for children aged four to 11

and is free to Highlife customers.

Highlife hosts will meet the kids after lessons from 12 noon and take them for lunch at the local cafe for an additional €75 to cover the cost of lunches and certain activities such as ice-skating.

Easter breaks with Highlife Ski and Snowboard start from €910 per adult and €742 for children under the age of 12. Check out www. highlife.ie for further information.

Famous for its sandy beaches, the Por tuguese coastal region of Algarve is certainly a destination that’s worth visiting, and on April 6 you can spend seven nights in the three-star Janelas do Mar from €147pp.

With the Prague Easter getaway, starting on March 27, spend three nights in the three-

star Slavia Hotel from €185pp.

Spend four nights in Barcelona’s four-star Travelodge Valencia Aeropuerto from only €189pp on March 29.

A four-day visit to Barcelona is perfect for a short but powerful introduction to the Mediterranean lifestyle.

If you’re in the mood for visiting some of Spain’s most impressive beaches, architecture, artwork and food, then Barcelona is definitely a city that you can’t afford to miss.

Want a beach?

Then what about an escape to Fuerteventua in the Canary Islands for nine nights at the three-star Club Montecastillo from €447pp?

With f lights leaving April 2, this island attracts visitors generally interested in a quiet relaxing holiday.

But, of course, there

are many bars and restaurants and good quality entertainment venues, along with welcoming Irish bars around its resorts.

You can also spend five nights in Nice, France at the four-star A p o g i a Ho t e l f r o m €243pp on March, 29.

Nice has a cosmopolitan Riviera vibe, and you’ll enjoy exploring its fashionable boutiques and restaurants and sunning yourself on its popular beaches.

Walk up to Castle Hill for a beautiful view of the city, the Bay of Angels and of course, the bright blue water t h a t g ave t h e C o t e d’Azur its name.

For more information or to book – visit w w w. G o h o p . i e o r call GoHop.ie on 01-2412389.

Budget Travel also has a range of fantastic Easter Family Specials

Head for the slopes and make for a family-friendly adventure in Morzine, France

from €559.

For a two plus one family, Majorca’s Hotel Cala Gran in Cala d’Or is priced at €559 with f lights depar ting on April 8.

With an endless, sparkling coastline that is home to a collection of luxurious yachting harbours, sublime beaches, non-stop sun-rays and the abounding passion of its Spanish locals, Majorca is definitely a

must-go to place this Easter. Spend seven nights in Malta at the Qawra Palace at €859 from April 7.

With superbly sunny we a t h e r, a t t r a c t i ve beaches, a thriving nightlife and 7,000 years of intriguing history, there is a great deal to see and do this Easter in Malta.

Visit w w w.budgettravel.ie for more information on these deals.

Dreaming of a cultural European g e t aw a y b u t n o t sure where to go?

Look no further than Stockholm, Sweden’s trend-setting capital city.

April is the perfect time to visit this stylish destination with Stockholm Art Week and Culture Night taking place in venues all across the city.

Art lovers will have a fantastic time at Stockholm Art Week, hosted in museums and galleries from April 14 to 19.

Visitors can take par t in innovative workshops, browse the works of up-andcoming artists and attend fun networking events.

On April 25, you can lose yourself in the best culture, music and dance the Swedes have to offer. Culture Night consists of over 400 events, all completely free.

Fly from Dublin to Stockholm up to eight days a week with SAS Go fares starting from as little as €76pp one-way.

For more information, visit www.flysas.ie.

22 Gazette 26 March 2015

Gazette

OUT&ABOUT Literature A chilling tale of business in new Russia

ARTS

books: money and power collide

Author John Banville: due to attend

A oui festival about writing

 Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

 Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

A NEW York Times and Sunday Times best-seller, Red Notice is the true story of how hedge fund manager Bill Browder – an American working in Russia – changed US law to impose visa bans and asset freezes on 28 Russian officials.

The officials, says the author, were implicated in the death of Browder’s Russian lawyer, Sergei Magnitsky, in 2009.

This is the gripping story of how Browder became Vladimir Putin’s

number-one enemy, by exposing corruption in Russian politics and business.

Browder comes from a family of maths professors; his grandfather, a Russian immigrant to America, was a Communist who ran for the presidency of America in the 1930s.

He bucked both family trends when he decided to study business and embrace capitalism. He became so successful that in 1997, when he was 33 years old, his hedge fund company was ranked the

best performing hedge fund in the world, with assets under management of $1bn. He was, however, drawn to Russia and lived in Moscow for a large part of his life.

In the early 1990s, Russia was wide open for investment as stateowned companies were up for grabs and were being privatised at knockdown prices.

When he first arrived in Moscow, fewer than 20 such deals had been done in the Soviet Bloc so Browder got to work identifying those whose shares

The cover of Red Notice, published by Simon & Schuster

were cheapest to guarantee the greatest return for investors.Browder set up his own company, The

Why advertise with the Gazette?

Let our advertisers tell you why:

“

Trabolgan Holiday Village, Cork have used the Dublin Gazette Newspapers for the last few years to advertise various aspects of our holiday village including special offers. We have always had an excellent reader response from the advertisements run and have found the area’s covered by all 8 papers of great value to Trabolgan. The help and guidance we have received from the staff has made it easier for us to communicate our message efficiently and cost effectively ensuring we get the maximum from our budget. We would have no hesitation in recommending the Gazette to any business.

“

THIS year’s FrancoIrish Literary Festival takes place over the weekend of April 25 and 26. A special preview event, entitled Education Day, is lined up for Friday, April 24 where students get the opportunity to meet writers at the National Library of Ireland on Kildare Street and the Lycee Francais of Ireland in Clonskeagh.

The crime fictionthemed festival takes place in Dublin Castle on April 25, and in the Alliance Francaise, Kildare Street on April 26.

All events are free and open to the public.

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

Hermitage Fund, and as his business prospered more investors came on board.

He soon came up against several corrupt Russian oligarchs, who tried to bully him out of millions of shares in several oil companies in Russia. Browder describes the way Russian business worked at the time as being like the politics employed in a prison yard.

Unlike the majority of Russians who acquiesced to the oligarchs’ shady tactics of diluting shares and stealing companies by force, Browder would not be cowed. Instead, he went to the international media to expose the corruption and successfully hold off the assault on his company.

Browder is one of those fabled characters in history who seems to be in the eye of every great political and historical storm.

At first, as Putin’s power took hold in Russia, he

and Browder seemed to be temporarily on the same side as both wanted to oust the 22 oligarchs who owned 39% of the wealth in the Russian economy.

However, unlike Browder, who wants a free market, Putin had more personal ambitions for the wealth ...

Browder’s style of writing is superbly apt for his subject matter. It is punchy, muscular and has a blow-by-blow nature, with no nonsense to it.

His style paints an accurate picture of the cut-and-thrust of high finance where the stakes are the highest and the benefits the greatest.

Like Browder himself, his writing is really punchy and that creates a very strong bond between author and reader, because he holds nothing back.

Red Notice is published

by Simon & Schuster, and is available now in bookshops, priced €20.85.

26 March 2015 Gazette 23

Saba’s Garrigue €10.95

777’s Margarita €11

Gazette

FOOD&DRINK

RESTAURANTREVIEW

Making Gusto’s delicious pizza. Picture: Kevin McFeely

Gusto by name, and an experience to match Coppinger Row’s Flo & Basy €12

Take5 THE Gazette Food team has been busy this week sampling yummy cocktails from around the city.

From the finest Margharita, to a delicious Virgin Mary cocktail, we have trawled the city and come up with the best on offer.

Summer is on the horizon and what better time to pull up a pew in some of the loveliest establishments in Dublin to sip on something sumptuous. Next month, we slice up the city in search of the tastiest pizzas on offer. Slainte mhor!

The Dean Hotel’s Virgin Mary €6

Rock Lobster’s Red October €9

 Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

GUSTO restaurant in the Clarion Hotel, Liffey Valley, staged a launch to remember recently with a taster menu, cocktails and an array of edible treats, all praised by celebrity comperes/broadcasters Marty Whelan and Nuala Carey The festival, organised by the Alliance Française Dublin and the Cultural and Scientific Service of the French Embassy, is supported by The Arts Council, Foras na Gaeilge, Poetry Ireland, Ireland Literature Exchange and the Irish Writers’ Centre.

A trio of musicians went around the well-appointed and ultra-modern though comfortable restaurant, with guitars and a double bass taking requests from the diners. Food on offer included mostly Italian, homemade fare such as pasta, pizzas and gloriously fresh stone-baked breads with tapenade.

Gusto’s relaxed vibe is ideal for both young and more mature diners and their prices are very reasonable. As a vegetarian and proponent of gluten-free food, I was delighted to see an array of options suitable for me on the menu.

I had gluten-free bread with basil and tomato soup, plenty of fresh black and green marinated olives, and gluten-free pizza with buffalo mozzarella, sun-dried tomatoes and peppers.

Those around the table enjoyed free rein, with a selection of Gusto pizzas such as the house special, containing Sicilian sausage, sun-dried tomatoes, oregano, salami, chorizo and basil pesto.

This Casa Speciale pizza cost €15.95, while a Gusto homemade beef burger made from 100% Irish beef with spicy tomatoes, red pepper relish and smoked cheese is priced at €16.95.

There was complete silence as platters of food were handed around and diners tucked into dishes such as Linguine Al Frutti di Mare (€16.95), which included prawns, mussels, salmon and fire-roasted sweet peppers in a white wine and garlic sauce.

As well as this, there was chicken with Sicilian sausage, sun-dried tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella served with basil pesto mash and red pepper coulis – all of which resulted in more devout silence from the diners.

The taster meal was interspersed with wooden platters carrying grapes, a selection of Italian and Irish cheeses and olives. For further information on Gusto restaurant, see www.clarionhotelliffeyvalley. com/eat-drink/gusto-restaurant.

Gazette

24 Gazette 26 March 2015

OUT&ABOUT

RaceTime By participating, you can help fund research into spinal cord injuries

Ireland to host one of 35 Wings for Life runs

HEALTH

advice: empathy, support matter

Practical tips to help your relationship

 suzanne sheehy  maeve halpin

THERE is a new and unique type of challenge called Wings for Life run, that is being held in 35 locations worldwide and is open to athletes of all abilities. So, you have no excuse but to do it!

An event that ticks all boxes, and that combines fun with physical effort and a good cause, Wings for Life is a nonprofit run that funds research into finding a cure for spinal cord injury.

But this is no ordinar y fun race – a “catcher car” will start the chase 30 minutes after the race starts, and speed up slowly until everyone is caught.

You could run 5km, 10km or a marathon, but at 11.30am, the catcher car starts, setting a pace of 15km/hr (9.3mph), then getting faster ...

The run takes places at 11am on Sunday, May 3, with the Irish race starting in Dun Laoghaire town centre.

Why should you do it? 100% of all worldwide Wings for Life world run registration fees, proceeds, sponsorships and donations go straight to finding a cure for spinal cord injury.

For further information, see www.wingsforlifeworldrun.com.

Be satisfied you helped play your part in this worthy event, and see you there!

Counselling psychologist

EVEN in the happiest and most stable of relationships, difficulties will inevitably arise from time to time. Luckily, many skills and techniques can be learned to help improve communication and resolve conflicts.

Enhancing communication The single-most useful skill to bring to a relationship is that of active listening. This means listening with full attention without having any agenda of our own, listening purely to hear, understand and empathise.

Questions are used only to gain a deeper sense of the other person’s experience, not to advise, criti-

cise or score points.

In conversation, we often may be half-listening, thinking of our own ideas or worrying about other tasks and demands.

For couples, making time to be together, taking turns to share, confide in each other and listen can enhance the bonding and caring in their relationship.

Destructive behaviours When arguments occur, certain behaviours have been shown to be destructive to the relationship.

Stonewalling means shutting down, withdrawing and refusing to engage.

Stonewalling leaves the other person feeling rejected and unheard.

Criticism refers to making global statements

about the other person, such as: “You are so selfish” or “You never listen”.

Contempt is using sneering or sarcastic language, such as: “Of course, your family are perfect”, which humiliates and belittles.

Defensiveness occurs when we feel we have to justify our actions, such as: “You haven’t got a clue just how much I have to get through every day.”

The other person feels alienated and becomes defensive in response.

Defusing arguments To avoid repetitive, damaging arguments, start discussions amicably, with the goal of achieving a “win-win” situation.

Listen carefully and compassionately and be prepared to compromise.

Maeve Halpin: “Many skills and techniques can be learned to help improve communication and resolve conflicts”

A healthy relationship will accommodate both people’s needs, allowing each person to be themselves.

Remaining rational, caring and solution-focused contributes greatly to diminishing the hurt that can be caused.

Concentrate on the positive We are hardwired to be more aware of the negative – it is a survival mechanism. But we can

build up our “positivity bank account” every day, by giving compliments to our partner, being affectionate with hugs, kisses and small gifts, and saying thanks.

The everyday but essential things can be taken for granted. Appreciating the benefits and comfort of a relationship and the uniqueness of our partner can help us see our problems in perspective.

Short-term counsel-

ling can be a first step to understanding recurring difficulties and developing useful tools to resolve issues into the future.

Maeve’’s recent publication, How to be Happy and Healthy : The Seven Natural Elements of Mental Health, is available from local bookshops and online from www. amazon.co.uk.

You can contact Maeve at maeve@maevehalpincounselling.com.

testing: comprehensively monitor your all-round health at home

Now you can discreetly check your STI status

 suzanne sheehy

THERE are many steps you can take to improve your overall health. Some are more obvious than others, such as regular exercise and eating well.

STI testing is also an important aspect to your health, however. The stigma associated with it, along with symptomless infections, can keep people from getting tested which is the only way to know for sure that you do not have an STI. LetsGetChecked.com (right) is a new online platform allowing customers to order an STI

test kit, to test themselves in the privacy of their own home.

The service’s chief executive, Peter Foley, discussed the various benefits of LetsGetChecked’s home STI testing.

He said: “A real benefit is the convenience factor, so you don’t need to take time off work; you have the kit waiting for you at home.

“You don’t have to deviate from your day-to-day life, which is difficult taking a full day off work.

“You have convenience and you remove the whole embarrassing factor, as some

people are reluctant to get tested because they don’t like the physical interaction [with medical staff]. So, you do it on your own and get the results to your phone.”

There are up to seven tests available online, such as for HIV, syphilis or chlamydia.

According to Foley, chlamydia is one of the most frequently reported STIs in those aged 25 and under, and can cause infertility in women.

In the event of a positive result for a STI, Foley said: “There’s a team of support nurses who specialise in this

area. With a positive result, they will give you a call; your results will not go to your phone in this instance, and they will provide you with a sameday consultation in a private clinic.”

STIs can affect men and women of all ages who are having sex, as the dynamics of life have changed.

Foley said: “With online dating – one of the most popular ways to meet a new partner – people find themselves single,

and that little bit older than traditionally they might have in the past. It’s a lot more transient, and you don’t know where the other person has been.”

For further information, see letsgetchecked.com, or email: admin@letsgetchecked.com.

26 March 2015 Gazette 25

26 LUCAN GAZETTE 26 March 2015

LUCANCLASSIFIEDS WINDOWS

HOME

BATHROOMS

GasHome.ie

413*/(

Service • Repairs • Installation

8*/%08 %003 4"-& 15 YRS EXPERIENCE Unit 8 block 521 Greenogue Mon to Sat Phone:

087 9060894 / 086 0489449

ROOFING

DRIVEWAYS

GET UP TO

ALL BUDGET DRIVEWAYS

VISIT OUR SHOWROOMS IN LUCAN VILLAGE

• Driveways • Patios • Concrete Imprint • Decoration Walling • Fencing Natural & Coloured Stone PH: 0873900300 / 01 6971796 www.allbudgetdriveways.com allbudgetdriveways@yahoo.com Malahide Rd & Kimmage Rd

35% OFF

(O PPOSITE U LSTER B ANK

ON THE BRIDGE )

W EIR R ETAIL C ENTRE , 40 H ILLS M ILL I NDUSTRIAL E STATE , L UCAN V ILLAGE , C O . D UBLIN .

T EL : 6217639

UP TO 45% OFF

SERVICES

SERVICES

BRICK BLOCK AND STONE ▪ Garden Walls ▪ Brick piers ▪ Arches ▪ sheds ▪ Patios & paving ▪ Driveways & paths ▪ Concrete ▪ Repair to damaged masonry ▪ Stone walling & paving Call Dave 0872917647

DVD TRANSFERS Video & Camera Tapes CineFilms Photos & Slides converted to DVD Music & Titles added Tel: 01-2807838 / 087 9132265 alleventsvideo@eircom.net

LOCALMATTERS SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS

ADVERTISE WITH THE GAZETTE CALL 60 10 240

FOLLOW US TODAY ON OUR SOCIAL NETWORK Visit: Facebook: www. facebook.com/DublinGazetteNewspapers Twitter: @DublinGazette

26 March 2015 LUCAN GAZETTE 27

LUCANCLASSIFIEDS RECRUITMENT

IMPROVEMENTS

RECRUITMENT

REPAIR

CURRY AND TANDOORI CHEFS REQUIRED Apply with CV to mirchmasala20 13@gmail.com Work permits considered SHOWROOMS

1"35ű5*.& '6--ű5*.& 0''*$& ."/"(&3 8F SFRVJSF B QBSU UJNF GVMM UJNF 0óDF .BOBHFS UP KPJO PVS TNBMM CVU CVTZ UFBN &YDFMMFOU LOPXMFEHF PG .JDSPTPGU 8PSE BOE 1PXFS1PJOU BO BEWBOUBHF .VTU IBWF HPPE UZQJOH TQFFET BOE FYDFMMFOU BUUFOUJPO UP EFUBJM BOE UIF BCJMJUZ UP QSPWJEF BE IPD PóDF TVQQPSU BT SFRVJSFE 8JMM BMTP QSPWJEF BENJOJTUSBUJPO 1" TVQQPSU UP UIF .BOBHJOH %JSFDUPS "QQMZ JO TUSJDUFTU DPOöEFODF CFGPSF UI "QSJM UP #FSOJF $PZOF $PZOF 3FTFBSDI 5IF $PVSUZBSE ,JMDBSCFSZ #VTJOFTT 1BSL /BOHPS 3PBE %VCMJO &NBJM CFSOJF DPZOF!DPZOFSFTFBSDI DPN

SELECT PAVING & LANDSCAPING

FOR ALL YOUR PAVING & LANDSCAPING SOLUTIONS Serving The Greater Dublin Area

UP TO

45% OFF Full range of services - Cobblelock, Driveways, Patios, Slabbing & gravelling.

Imprint concrete, decorative walling and fencing.

Fully registered and insured company STAR DISCOUNTS for this month All work guaranteed No 2 Fairview Strand, Dublin 3 www.selectpaving.ie Call today for a free E: selectpaving@hotmail.com no obligation quotation 0858335596 / 01 685 6262

Installation & Service Staff required.

Immediate start.

Top rates and conditions. www.merrionsecurity.com.

CV's to: dave@merrionsecurity.com Tel: 01 8201093

N?P 8;M<IK@J< N@K? K?< >8Q<KK<6 C\k fli X[m\ik`j\ij k\cc pfl n_p ssified the cla s. ising in reat succes rt e v d ta the ag nd tha tte to be per & of u a p fo e e v ze th ts We ha of the Ga ulation of ted lo o, n irc Als genera sectio the wide c it has nt areas. , rs e v to read re o c fe to if it d Due p s u y l area man le pick it e loca th many s for us in p t o a e p g so es lookin s! busin er is free re fo u re r p e fo a the p cal news th ally works lo h re their g whic in is rt adve ins e Coll Lorrain r Directo

:Xcc lj efn fe '( -' (' )-( kf Y\Zfd\ Xefk_\i fe\ f] fli dXep _Xggp X[m\ik`j\ij n n n% ^ X q \ k k\ ^ i f l g % Z f d

ABC CERTIFIED 53,277 COPIES EACH WEEK

(ABC: Group MFD, May-June 2014)

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS TO OUR READERS CALL 01 60 10 240

LEGAL & PLANNING APPLICATION

ANNOUNCEMENT

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

GOT A PHOTO? Call our NEWS TEAM on 60 10 240 and SELECT OPTION 2 or email news@gazettegroup.com

ï&#x20AC;¨

· Standard rate â&#x201A;¬75 + VAT · Payment in advance Ph.01 601 0255

Gazette

28 Gazette 26 March 2015

SPORT Peat glad of Ireland comeback

FastSport

basketball: dual star looking forward to luxembourg after time out

Cool hand luke eyeing may return: LUKE

Keeler is set for a spot on the Matchroom Resurrection fight night at the Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham in May as he looks to overcome a hand injury sustained in the recent Prizefighter series.

Keeler impressed Matchroom boxing’s Eddie Hearn in Dublin last November in the 3Arena to get signed up to the promotion group.

At Prizefighter, the Ballyfermot man won his quarter-final convincingly over Luke Crowcroft but sustained the injury, meaning he was half-cocked for the semi-final with Tom Doran.

But Keeler says he is on the mend and looking to get back into action as he told Irish Boxing.

“With the tear in the ligament I haven’t been able to do much, but I am back in training this week. I have been doing pads with left and working hard so I will be in good form for May.”

 dylan murray sport@dublingazette.com

LINDSAY Peat is hoping to make up for lost time in an Irish basketball jersey following her selection as part of a representative side from the women’s

national league that travel to Luxembourg in May. There, the side will take on a number of international sides preparing for FIBA Eurobasket 2017, including Luxembourg and Scotland.

The 34-year-old, in

2013, was part of a select team that played in the Gathering Shield against Wales and she is hungry for more of the same after a frustrating five years.

“It was a fantastic experience and an opportunity to play as part of some

Lindsay Peat in action for Dublin against Monaghan last summer

Lindsay Peat in basketball action for DCU

sort of Irish representative team which I had not had the opportunity to do since the Irish senior women’s team was pulled from competition in 2010.

“We had a seriously talented team that day that simply blew Wales away, which was fantastic but also very sad reminder that talent was going to waste.”

The DCU Mercy woman co-captained the Irish senior side then, saying it was “the highest level I’ve played at.”

The withdrawal of the senior team came at a time when Irish basketball’s governing body had to repay over €120,000 to the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.

“T he organisation

pulled us in 2010 due to lack of funding, I’d been in that senior squad since 2006, and we were one win off a play-off to Division A, which would have been huge.

“Basketball Ireland ran out of money basically and weren’t willing to let us try to raise funds to get us back into competition because they were simply so much in debt they couldn’t support us in any way possible.”

Since then, Peat has got her summer fix of elite sport solely as a mainstay with the Dublin senior footballers, winning an All-Ireland in 2011.

The Parnell’s clubwoman was also part of the Dublin team that narrowly lost to Cork in the All-Ireland final last Sep-

tember with Peat scoring two goals.

Peat said managing to balance playing both Gaelic Games and basketball in high levels is not quite the balancing act due to the lack of international matches in the latter code.

“Other than one match, against Kerry in the AllIreland quarter-finals, and the Irish women’s basketball team playing Switzerland at home, nothing really clashed but that was in 2010, the last year of the Irish basketball team.

“As for the club, the basketball season commandeers the winter months with football taking up the summer. I do miss the league season playing with Dublin due to basketball.”

Benildus student Robinson on the mark for Ireland  sport@dublingazette.com

St Benildus student Aaron Robinson

ST BENILDUS student Aaron Robinson was on the mark as Paddy O’Reilly’s Republic of Ireland schools side picked up three points in their opening game in this season’s Centenary Shield against a much fancied Northern Ireland side.

There will no doubt be a few talking points with the awarding of three penalties in this actionpacked thriller which saw the visitors just edge the local derby.

The hosts applied the pressure early but it was the Republic

who took the lead on 17 minutes courtesy of Robinson.

The Stillorgan native thumped the ball into the roof of the net from the edge of the box following a great piece of play with Conor Melody.

Adam Sally’s low driven cross was unlucky not to get a connection as the North pressed for an equaliser.

Evan Osam, from Colaiste Chilliain, Clondalkin, came very close to securing a second for the Republic but his free kick skimmed the post on 26 minutes.

The North continued to press high up the field but there were missed opportunities for this talented Northern Ireland side.

Conor Ellis, however, doubled the Republic’s lead on 44 minutes when he converted coolly from the penalty spot just before half time.

McCarron pulled off another wonderful save six minutes into the second period as Ryan Noble Walker’s header was on target.

The hosts made it game on with Skye poking the ball into the corner of the net to make to 2-1 on 53 minutes.

It was agony for Sally as his half volley cannoned off the post denying the youngster the equaliser.

The Republic were awarded a second penalty deep into the second half as Ellis converted his second penalty to put the Republic further ahead.

However, there was drama to follow as Sally converted his penalty to get the Northern side back in it and set up a tense finale.

The Republic, though, held out to claim the win following nine minutes of injury time.

26 March 2015 Gazette 29

Gazette

Irish hockey on top of the World League

ken’sDiary

Ireland’s national team moved a big step closer to qualifying for a first ever Olympic Games last Sunday in UCD; the key players tell STEPHEN FINDLATER about a special week ON A weekend of high Irish sporting achievement, the Irish women’s hockey team went in slightly under the radar but took a huge step toward Olympic qualification last weekend in Belfield, winning the World League Round 2.

The victory sees the side advance to Round 3 of the competition which acts as the qualifying process for Rio in 2016 with Ireland among 20 remaining teams battling for 12 spots later this summer at a tournament in Valencia.

Two years ago, during the World Cup qualifiers, Ireland bowed out in low key fashion at this stage. This time around, Darren Smith’s charges showed how far they have developed

with some breathtaking performances over the course of six games in nine days, crucially beating Belarus 7-0 in last Saturday’s semifinal.

Captain Megan Frazer, named player of the tournament, said of the win: “It’s always nice to come out like that in a high pressure game, a great performance. We had spoken about picking up the speed and intensity throughout the tournament and hit the nail on the head.”

The conviction of the performance is a far cry from 2013 when Ireland struggled against the same opposition, showing how far the side have come since then. Frazer added that her side were confident in their own methods.

“We obviously have some history with them but we did this in a really professional manner.

You can carry baggage against teams like that but we nipped that in the bud, gave them nothing and got a clean sheet. It was a great performance.

“We all knew it was a high pressure game and have played in them before. It’s a testament to the girls who kept their composure and kept it simple. Our passing rate, speed of play and our basics were on point. It’s something we are building up to.”

Frazer added that the crowd was “phenomenal” on days when there were plenty of other sporting options on the table.

“Every time we come

Irish captain Megan Frazer with President Michael D Higgins who presented the World League Round 2 trophy. Picture: Adrian Boehm

out, the stands are full even when the Six Nations rugby match was on. It is an honour to perform when everyone supports us like that and we really appreciate it.”

The Belarus result – against a team they had lost to back in

Former Old Alex player Shirley McCay spoke of the sense of trying to make history and qualify Ireland for a first ever Olympic Games.

“The level of our general play and our basics has improved hugely and I think we are very clear in our jobs which

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

‘It’s enjoyabe to play with freedom and flow and maybe we can go and build something special’ - Shirley McCay

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

2013 – ensured Ireland advanced to Round 3 along with fellow finalists Canada. It rendered the final on Sunday something of a lap of honour, albeit one played out in front of a giant crowd that included the President Michael D Higgins.

In a tense final, UCD’s Nikki Evans gave Ireland the lead 38 seconds into the second half only for Canada’s Holly Stewart to level seven minutes later in the tie.

That tied the game at 1-1, ultimately leading to a penalty shoot-out.

Coach Smith swapped i n Ay e i s h a M c F e rran between the posts and she kept out two Canadian efforts before Hermes star Aine Connery coolly rolled home the winner.

allows us to play with freedom and flow,” she said.

“It’s really enjoyable to play this way and we know each other’s game so well, making it easy to play off each other and maybe build something special.”

Coach Smith, meanwhile, said it was a superb end to a great week for the Irish team.

“Fantastic crowd, the President of Ireland, friends and family all here and a chance to win a tournament. The girls were really excited for the final and, in the end, it was good spectacle. Canada did a good job but we got the result in the end.

“World League 2, from my perspective, was a great advertisement for hockey and a lot of fun.”

Bleeding for the cause as Egan suffers first crash Olympic silver medallist and Irish boxing legend Ken Egan is to take part in this year’s Laurels Charity Crew Cycle from Galway to Dublin on April 19. In the run-up to the event, Egan has partnered with Gazette Sport to document his preparation for the big day, and here is his latest report from the road.

SO HERE we go again, 9.30am start for 100km on the menu. Thirty-six die-hards turned up last Saturday morning for the challenge ahead.

I managed to rope my good friend Frances into signing up for the gig and he was up for the challenge.

I had a good feeling in my bones for the cycle and was looking forward to a good session.

We made our way out of the usual Laurels starting point and up towards Newcastle with our target of Enfield.

We set off at a decent pace and in pairs which was the order of the day on account of there being 36 of us.

We were 50km in and some chap had the bright idea of swerving past my front wheel and, as I was clipped in, I had my first official crash and I sure hit the ground hard!

I kept my cool and didn’t resort back to my old sport of boxing.

I wiped myself down and mounted my bike again and, thank god, it was still in perfect condition.

I picked up a nice eight-inch graze on my right arm and a bruise on my hip but I am literally bleeding for this charity.

We soldiered on and got back to base in good time and my good friend managed his first cycle 106km on a mountain bike so I must say “well done Frances”.

To be continued, just four weeks to go.

Gazette

30 LUCAN gazette 26 March 2015

SPORT

FastSport

national champions: palmerstown siblings win big

United honoured by Lucozade AAA boost NUIM Barnhall landed the Leinster Metro League Division 8 title last week in thrilling fashion as they won the playoff final against Greystones RFC at Parsonstown, winning out 22-15.

It came at the end of a long campaign for the Blue Bulls, battling through 16 games with just two losses along the way.

They went into Saturday’s decider as firm favourites after topping the regular season, already defeating Greystones twice in the league but finals are almost always a different matter.

Indeed, Greystones took the lead early on with a breakaway try, leaving the Butchers to re-group and get the nerves out of the system.

They did so beautifully when a wonderful Shaun Evans try and conversion, combined with a further penalty, saw them take the lead going into half-time.

Greystones would not be done in so easy and proved what a tough side they are with some great handling in open play to break the Butcher’s line on more than one occasion.

Each time, the Butchers managed to scramble back with some great tackles from the likes of Gavin Woods and Jonathan Carberry with counter rucking lessons being provided by the “Bash Brothers” Ciaran and Conor Moloney.

Greystones would have to throw the Kitchen Sink at the Blue Bulls to take back the lead. With some tactical changes, Albert Nagle and Jack Looby coming off the bench for Barnhall to provide a wealth of experience from two former first team players.

That really showed as the home side kicked into another gear and put away try after try with Woods and Carberry and the boots of Gavin Delaney and Evans.

Every aspect of their game was on show by the end with some wonderful line out throwing from James Browne and Phil Byrne with Shane Griffin and Jim Smith making sure the pack was in fine form.

Palmerstown Bushido’s Kym Doyle celebrates her national championship success

Doyle kickboxing double act  nathan kelly sport@dublingazette.com

PA L M E R S T OW N brother and sister Reece and Kym Doyle both left Citywest with medals upon their chests from last weekend’s national championships in what was a great day for Bushido Palmerstown.

Kym, 12, fought her way to a terrific double, winning gold in the point fighting (semi-contact), and the continuous fighting (light-contact) categories.

Reece, eight, meanwhile won a silver medal, finishing second place

in the point fighting category for his age group.

GazetteSport spoke to Conor Doyle, father of the sparring siblings after the event, and he was as proud as you would expect.

“It was a great day. A great day for Reece and Kym, a great day for the family, and a great day for Palmerstown Bushido.”

The duo are both now on the Irish national team and, at the end of August, Kym will travel to San Sebastian in Spain for the WAKO European Championships.

“We all obviously can’t wait. It is unfortunate

sponsorship Harriers extend deal with Adrian Dunne lucan Harriers will continue to have

Adrian Dunne Pharmacy on board as their sponsors of the ladies section of the club, following two years with the club.

The pharmacy has been a major contributor to the goody bags for the club’s annual Tom Byrne Race and agreed to extend the relationship.

Pictured are, from left, club PRO Winifred Ryan, Moureen Fitzharris, ladies captain. Maeve Savage, pharmacy manager, and Adrian Dunne.

Reece can’t go, because he is only eight he cannot travel as you need to be 10 for insurance reasons.

“A lot of focus now will be on gaining sponsorship for the event and I’ve already been in contact with local councillors Kenny Egan and Trevor Gilligan, who have been great, to help us out.

“It is hoped that signed memorabilia from some of Ireland’s top athletes can be auctioned in May to raise much needed funds for San Sebastian.”

Kym has been at the forefront of kickboxing for her age in Ireland for some time now and

picked up two bronze and one silver medal in the World Championships back in October, for which we received special recognition from the South Dublin County Council.

Before her trip to the Europeans, a club trip to Holland for the Dutch Open is next up in May for Kym and Palmerstown Bushido.

Around 10 members will travel to the Netherlands for the event, including club coach Claire-Louise Sweetman, who will compete for the Irish full contact team.

Sweetman also spoke

about Kym and Reece’s recent success with Palmerstown Kickboxing.

“This weekend’s success is a reflection of the hard work and dedication these students put into each and every training sessions. They make my job very enjoyable; it’s an absolute pleasure to watch them reap the benefits of that hard work.

“Training is already in motion for the Dutch Open which will be held in Amstelveen, Holland, at the beginning of May. “All members of the club are training extremely hard and are focused on the task at hand.”

26 March 2015 LUCAN gazette 31

Gazette

leadership roles

Kelly and Rushe named senior hurling captains

lucan sarsfields

st pat’s Palmerstown’s Liam Rushe,

pictured putting pressure on John Killeen, played his part in the Dublin hurlers six-point victory, 0-26 to 2-14, over Galway in Sunday’s NHL Division 1A at Parnell Park.

In the wake of the tie, Rushe was confirmed as one of the teams two jointcaptains for 2015 along with Lucan’s Peter Kelly. Picture: Deryck Vincent

interest.

who was presented with the Presi-

rior hurling and resilient mindset became evident, none more so than Siobhan Grimes. She moved to centre-back and wove her magic to increasing effect.

Her move released Courtney to midfield where the latter effectively won the game for Lucan with two brilliant points from the middle of the park.

The two assists from Sam Fitzgerald were spectacular. Casey tacked on a further free before Sinead O’Toole’s late rasper was brilliantly deflected over the bar to give the spoils to the visitors.

website.

There were excellent wins for our

work for Lucan Sarsfields. The pres-

U-16A, U-15A and U-14A footballers

entation was made on St Patrick’s

over Sylvester’s, Clontarf and Naomh

Night at the club by club president Joe

Mearnog respectively.

The first Lucan Sarsfields bingo night

work regularly rested.

Indeed, the fact that Clara failed to raise a white flag for 26 minutes in the half tells its own story about the Lucan resistance and work-rate.

In attack, great bouts of passing led to further points by O’Mahony and Fitzgibbon as Clara creaked, trailing 0-11 to 1-2.

Then, the game almost turned as the hosts improbably got two goals within a minute, one a brilliant effort and the other far more fortuitous to nick a 3-3 to 0-11 lead with 12 minutes left.

But Lucan’s supe-

We are running two Easter Camps this year, registration links are on the

dent’s Award for her outstanding

Byrne.

Courtney flourish casts aside Clara LUCAN Sarsfields’ senior camogie side produced another strong performance last week as they saw off Kilkenny’s Clara 0-15 to 3-3 in tough conditions in the soggy south east.

Aisling Nolan was outstanding for Clara in the early exchanges which were dominated by the home side without really making it count on the board.

They built a 1-1 to no score lead inside 10 minutes. At this stage, Katie Feeney and Orlaith Murphy were coping well with everything Clara

mittee on 087 4650729 to register your

can be renewed online via our webCongratulations to Mary Flannery

The Lucan Sarsfields senior camogie team enjoyed a strong win in Clara

could muster while Laura O’Mahony took the game to the Cats with two inspirational points via direct runs at the heart of the Clara defence Ciara Casey slotted two tricky frees while Nicole Fitzgibbon added to the tally with two opportunistic points of her own, swapping the lead for a 0-6 to 1-1 advantage.

Two more points by the unstoppable O’Mahony along with one from Murtagh stretched the Lucan lead out to four points at half-time.

Annemarie Courtney, at number six, was the pivot on which Lucan’s good

MEMBERSHIP is now due for 2015 and site.

camogie: lucan strike late to win in kilkenny

 sport@dublingazette.com

Club Noticeboard

will take place on Wednesday, April 1;

Our minor A and B hurlers also had a good wins as did our senior footballers against Peregrine’s.

free teas and coffees, spot prizes, big

The adult game’s focus switches

jackpot and a great opportunity to

to hurling next week with a full pro-

bring a car of friends to a fun night.

gramme of league games.

Have you got what it takes to beat

The club shop is open on Thursdays

The Kube? If so keep Saturday, May 2

from 7.30pm to 8.30pm and Saturdays

free and contact the organising com-

from 10.30am to 1.30pm.

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

kicking on: Palmerstown bushido kickboxing Doyle siblings win big at the national championships P30

mar 26 - apr 1, 2015

hockey’s road to rio: Presidential salute as Olympic campaign progresses P29

Conor an FAI Master Conor Masterson, second from right, in his Lucan United days

Lucan United graduate lands FAI Under-16 award as he continues to rise through the ranks both with Ireland and with the Liverpool academy

 nathan kelly

sport@dublingazette.com

LIVERPOOL FC hot prospect and former Lucan United star Conor Masterson picked up the FAI Under-16 International Player of the Year award last weekend.

The versatile player, equally comfortable at centre half while also being capable of playing up top, joined the Reds on a fulltime basis in September of last year from his local side.

Masterson was unable to attend the awards night in Dublin due to international commitments but was presented his award by first-team manager Brendan Rodgers at

the club’s Melwood training ground.

Speaking after receiving the award, Masterson said: “It’s such a great honour to receive this award and it was fantastic for it to be presented to me by the manager.

“I would like to thank the FAI for recognising me and helping me to develop my future in football and I would also like to thank Lucan United, who gave me a great support and a great grounding from which to start my career.”

Masterson has impressed in his time on Merseyside so far, being a regular for Liverpool’s Under-18 side and made his debut for the Under-21s side in January.

On his life in Liverpool so far, the 16-year-

old, added: “When I first visited the club, everyone was so friendly and welcoming towards me. I have really settled in at the academy and I have made lots of new friends here. It’s a great a club and that’s the reason I chose to come here.

“I’ve got lots to focus on in the next few months, including the Euro qualifiers and an upcoming tournament in April, so I’m concentrating really hard on my training.”

Liver pool’s Academy director, Alex Inglethorpe, praised the Lucan lad after receiving his honour from the FAI. “This is a great achievement for Conor and one which is well deserved. He is a very talented and committed player and we are delighted to

have him at our academy.”

Masterson subsequently captained the Republic of Ireland Under-17s on Monday in an impressive 3-1 win over Belarus in Poland in the UEFA Under-17 Championships Elite Qualifying Round.

Fellow Lucan United man Jamie Aherne grabbed a double and Josh Barrett scored the other as the Irish secured a vital three points against the Belarussians who had beaten Poland 2-0 earlier in this competition.

The side are bidding to secure a place in the finals in May and this victory means that a win over hosts Poland in their next game should see them through.