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Month XX, 2012 Palmerstown • Celbridge • Leixlip • Adamstown • Dodsboro • Liffey Valley • ballyowen
INSIDE: Bram Stoker weekend will give Dracula fans plenty of events to sink their teeth into See Page 17
style: We round up some of the latest on-trend looks for autumn/winter P18
Ladies in red: Debs night proves to be a hot ticket Camogie: Lucan’s too strong for Plunkett’s Page 31
pictured are Adam Cooke,
Adriana Kocienska, David Solanke James Carron, Tallulah Ager, Rhys Leung and Kelly Yeung preparing to enjoy the recent Lucan Community College Debs night. The college friends rendezvoused at the carpark of St Patrick’s in Esker and took a bus to the Red Cow Hotel to party the night away, with no worries about getting home from the ball, assigning designated drivers or taxi fares.
Picture Cathy Weatherston
Athletics:
Harriers host successful Tom Byrne race Page 31
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ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES..................... 10 DUBLIN LIFE................... 13 OUT&ABOUT...................17 CLASSIFIEDS.................26 SPORT............................28
Lucan lion in danger of becoming extinct Mixed views about whether pub statue should be removed
ian begley
WHILE Cecil the lion is still being mourned, a lion statue above Carroll’s Pub in Lucan village received little sympathy when South Dublin County Council ordered
that it be taken down. The owners of Carroll’s pub, The Louis Fitzgerald Group, were refused permission for retention of the lion by council planners, on the basis that it was an eye sore.
The council’s decision has provoked a mixed reaction from local residents. Kevin O’Loughlin of Lucan Tidy Towns said: “Personally, I think the lion doesn’t really fit into the village. I also don’t really get
the idea of the lion. To me a lion is something you would see on an English pub and not an Irish pub.” The Louis Fitzgerald Group declined to comment on the issue. Full Story on Page 5
2 lucan Gazette 17 September 2015
Policing
Other crime prevention measures being taken
Lucan gets five additional gardai FIVE new Garda members have been assigned to Lucan, in addition to the five already allocated to the district in August. This increase has been welcomed by local residents and representatives who are concerned about an apparent increase in anti-social behaviour and burglaries around the county. Welcoming the new
ian begley ibegley@dublingazette.com
gardai at a graduation ceremony in Templemore, Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald said: “I would like to con-
Dublin Gazette Newspapers, Second Floor, Heritage House, Dundrum Office Park, Dublin 14 Tel: 01 - 6010240. Email: sales@dublingazette.com news@dublingazette.com web: www.dublingazette.com twitter: @DublinGazette Visit us on Facebook at DublinGazetteNewspapers
gratulate a number of Lucan men and women who graduated as gardai on Thursday [September 10], and who will be stationed throughout the country for the next number of years. I wish them the best of luck with their futures.” The arrival of new gardai in Lucan follows a number of other recent initiatives launched to combat anti-social behaviour and burglaries. Last year additional Garda resources were deployed in Lucan after a series of burglaries had taken place over the
course of several weeks. Minister Fitzgerald said: “I have just published the Criminal Justice (Burglary of Dwellings) Bill 2015, which targets repeat burglary offenders through new measures relating to bail and the imposition of consecutive sentencing for repeat offending. “Figures from the Garda Siochana analysis service indicate that 75% of burglaries are committed by 25% of burglars. Targeting this cohort of repeat offenders has the potential to significantly reduce the number of burglaries being committed. “Garda operational strategy in relation to burglary is co-ordinated under Operation Fiacla, which I am informed has led to over 14,000 arrests with just under 8,000 charges being brought since its inception in April 2012 to July 31 this year.” In May, a total of €125,000 in funding for a new project to prevent youth crime in Lucan was announced, which will go towards establishing the first Garda Youth Diversion Project in Lucan. This is aimed at preventing youth crime in the local community. In July, Lucan gardai announced that they had stepped up patrols around local parks after increased reports of antisocial behaviour. A Garda spokesperson told The Gazette that patrols had also been increased in some local estates in a new initiative, Operation Irene. “We are stepping up operations around local parks in Lucan and even some of the estates to tackle anti-social behaviour. It has been very successful so far,” said the spokesperson.
Five new Garda members have been assigned to Lucan which has been welcomed by both local residents and representatives
17 September 2015 lucan Gazette 3
tragedy
fesival: Catherine Dunne one of 59 authors taking part
Lynam family benefit
Book lovers in for a Red Line treat ian begley
THE Red Line Book Festival returns this autumn to Dublin Mid-West from October 11 to 17 with some of the best national and international writers and speakers coming to south County Dublin. This year’s programme was recently launched at County Library Tallaght by Mayor Sarah Holland (SF) along with the award winning author Catherine Dunne. Since its inception in 2012, the festival has been growing in popularity attracting more than 2,000 people every year. At the launch, Mayor Holland highlighted how “the extremely positive response to the Red Line
Book Festival so far has been pivotal in promoting South Dublin County as an attractive place to visit and as a hub of cultural activity.” With low admission fees for theatre events and free admission for events for schools and in libraries, there is something for everyone interested in books and literature in this inclusive festival. The festival this year will feature 33 events and 59 authors. Festival highlights include guest speakers and writers Jennifer Johnston, Joe Duffy, Conor Kostick, Mary Costello, Carlo Gebler and Dutch historian Joost Augusteijn. The programme also includes quality events
for school audiences, including Young Rebels at St Enda’s Park, Rathfarnham, with author Morgan Llewlellyn, and a celebration of Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes with the highly entertaining Wayne O’Connor. The UK-based Lyngo Theatre will stage their Puss in Boots performance for young children in the Civic Theatre. “This festival deserves to go from strength to strength as it has done since its inception. I urge everyone to turn up, take part, argue, question, debate and above all, have fun,” said Dunne. For more information and for a full list of events visit www.redlinebookfestival.ie
Happy birthday: Courtyard Hotel makes room for 10-year celebrations pictured is Brian Ormond, with great big birthday cake, which
shared centre stage for the party marking 10th birthday of the Courtyard Hotel in Leixlip. The actor and television presenter was official Master of Ceremonies on the day of the hotel’s celebrations. The afternoon party on Sunday, September 13, took place at the hotel, where there was fun and games for all the family with lots of treats on offer. The hotel occupies the site where Arthur Guinness started his brewing empire. Picture: Ronan O’Sullivan
See full gallery next week
A BENEFIT night for the family of Aidan Lynam will be held in the Lucan Spa Hotel on September 17 at 8pm. The Down Syndrome Ireland fundraiser died earlier this year when his motorbike and a car collided in County Clare during his annual RevUp4DSI fundraising run. During his funeral, the traffic around Lucan was brought to a standstill as hundreds of mourners made their way to the church, along with over 60 motorbikes flooding into Lucan in honour of their friend. Tickets to this fundraiser are €10, with all proceeds going to Aidan’s family. Contact (085) 8036169 or (01) 6213894 for more information.
4 LUCAN Gazette 17 September 2015
FastNews Anniversary DVD launch TO mark its 100th anniversary, Peamount Healthcare is launching a DVD documentary of personal stories from residents, who have lived at the centre for more than 40 years. The 16 residents who use intellectual disability services, and have lived in Peamount since the 1960s, are compiling story books of their lives before arriving in Peamount. They also record changes they witnessed over the years. Local residents are invited to attend the launch in the Lucan Spa Hotel on October 1 at 7pm.
Stop smoking help at hand THE Balgaddy Child and Family Centre is hosting a free six-week Stop Smoking Group on September 18 for those wishing to give up cigarettes. The stop smoking programme is a free initiative developed in partnership with the HSE and South Dublin Partnership. It offers a combination of one-to-one, drop-ins and group support to individuals, young and old, who wish to quit smoking. To book a place contact Geraldine Cully on 086-8229197 or Steve Wrenn on 01 4577104.
housing Council says area will benefit
Residents set to see cut in property tax ian begley ibegley@gazettegroup.com
SOUTH Dublin County Council was included in the nine local authorities around Ireland that have been given the option to reduce the local property tax for homeowners by up to 15% in their areas. Under the current system, councils retain 80% of the funds collected from the property tax, with the remaining 20% channelled into a Government-operated equalisation fund. The decision to change the rates must
be communicated to the Revenue Commissioners by September 30. Environment Minister Alan Kelly identified the council as one of the local authorities that can reduce the tax while still retaining the same annual funds. He said: “While local authority members have full discretion over whether to reduce or increase the local rate, I would ask them to be mindful of certain vital local services that could benefit from that funding such as homelessness services.” Last year, local representatives on the council voted 36 to one to cut the tax by 15%. Those who supported the reduction believe it will not change the level or quality of service the council provides and anticipate a positive impact on the local economy. The council said the reduction would reduce its local property tax income by €4.9m and put an average of €70 back into people’s pockets. It said the council would still have about €1.6m in discretionary funds. The only person who voted to retain the tax was Lucan’s Cllr Paul Gogarty (Ind). He told The Gazette: “It’s the only opportunity the council has to raise revenues for spending locally. “Last year there would have been an additional €4.5m for the council and, in essence, the tax is being substituted by a reduction in Government allocation. “As a councillor, my role is to try and maximise the amount of money the council has to make sure it’s spent efficiently, but it’s also clear that
South Dublin County Council is one of nine local authorities that has been given the option to reduce the Local Property Tax
there’s not enough money to go around. “They’re starved for cash in so many areas, including council parks and in terms of capital projects. “The matter will come up in the special budgetary meeting later in September and will then go to a vote. I say it’ll be
passed by a clear majority again, but I believe this is shortsighted.” Cllr William Lavelle (FG) told The Gazette he was voting for a cut of 15% in the tax because it would give back millions of euro to taxpayers. He said: “The local property tax is important because it’s a source
of revenue for the council. “The question is how the council spends that money. “I don’t want to give the council more money because I don’t think the money they’re already getting is being directed properly.”
17 September 2015 LUCAN Gazette 5
planning Pub’s concrete statue is deemed to be an ‘eyesore’
Pleas to keep the Lucan lion are shot down ian begley news@gazettegroup.com
WHILE Cecil the lion is still being mourned, the concrete lion statue above Carroll’s Pub in Lucan village received little sympathy when South Dublin County Council ordered that it be taken down. The owners of Carroll’s pub, The Louis Fitzgerald Group, were refused permission for retention of the lion by council planners, finding that it was to an eyesore. According to the council’s planning and trans-
portation department: “It is considered that the statue, by reason of its scale and prominence, fails to visually integrate with the architectural conservation area, and as such, seriously injures the visual amenities of the area. “The development proposed for retention would set an undesirable precedent for other similar developments within the architectural conservation area, which would in themselves and cumulatively be harmful to the visual amenities
of the area and would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.” The council’s decision has been met with a mixed reaction from local residents. In a letter to the council objecting to the retention of the lion, one woman wrote: “This lion statue, of colossal proportions, has been placed on a flat roof of a building which overlooks this very traditional village green. It detracts from the character of the street/roofscape, and in my opinion, materi-
The lion on Carroll’s pub is not the king of the Lucan jungle and has been told to go
ally affects the traditional character of the village. It has no artistic, cultural, social or technical interest or value and certainly does not contribute to the appreciation of this protected village. It is an eye sore.” Kevin O’Loughlin of Lucan Tidy Towns told
The Gazette he thought the lion statue looked out of place in the village. He said: “I can’t speak for everyone in Lucan Tidy Towns, but personally I think the lion doesn’t really fit into the village. I also don’t really get the idea of the lion either. To me a lion is something
you would see on an English pub and not an Irish pub. Carroll’s go to a lot of effort putting up flowers and making their premises look really nice, but I just think the lion statue looks out of place.” The Louis Fitzgerald Group declined to comment on the issue.
Activity Over 55s given tips on living THE 55+ Daily Activity booklet has been launched by South Dublin County to help people over 55 find information on what’s going on every day in their local area. The 55+ Daily Activity is a snapshot of just some of the many activities and community groups in the Clondalkin, Lucan, Palmerstown and Newcastle areas. The booklet provides information about places to go for a coffee or tea and a chat, or for lunch or dinner. There is also information about activities such as dancing, swimming, bowling, card games and fitness. To download a copy of the booklet, visit www. sdcc.ie.
6 LUCAN Gazette 17 September 2015
celbridge Funds raised will go to cancer support group
Run in memory of Liz McDonnell ian begley
THE 11th annual Liz McDonnell Run is set to take place again this year at Castletown House, Celbridge, in aid of ARC Cancer Support. The 5km cross-country run, on September 20 at 1pm, is in memory of Celbridge’s own Elizabeth
McDonnell, who died aged 18 from cancer. She was a multi-talented athlete, whose outstanding gift lay in crosscountry running. She won many accolades and awards at club, county, provincial and national level representing Celbridge Athletics Club.
She was a student at St Wolstan’s Community school and a distinguished member of its camogie and hockey teams. She was also a prominent member of Celbridge GAA camogie club and won many honours as a member of that team. While there will be
serious competition for the perpetual trophies on the day, it is also an established family event in Celbridge attracting runners, joggers and walkers of all ages. Those interested in taking part can register on the day for chip timing or turn up, run/walk/jog for fun, and make a dona-
tion on the day. All proceeds are in aid of ARC Cancer Support, which plays a vital role in supporting men and women affected by cancer and those who care for them. Registration can be made online by going to www.lizmcdonnellrun.com
don’sdublin Corsican battle exposed fortitude of Martello towers ALTHOUGH it is the most famous, the Martello Tower in Sandycove that houses the James Joyce Museum, is one of about 50 built to repulse a possible invasion by Napoleon’s navy. After the passage of the National Defence Act 1804, towers were erected along the east coast from Bray to Balbriggan, with others on the south coast and Cork harbour. When war broke out between Britain and France in 1793 two British ships, the Fortitude and Juno, attacked a round tower at Cape Mortella in Corsica in February 1794. After bombardment by the two ships the mainly undamaged tower was taken. But the Fortitude had lost 62 men in the fight. Impressed by the structure’s defensive nature, engineers used the design when building the towers in 1804. Around Dublin 28 towers were erected, with 16 stretching southwards from Sandymount to Bray, and 12 northwards from Red Rock, Sutton to Balbriggan. Seven to the south have been demolished while all to the north are standing. Many are in private ownership with Howth tower, now the Ye Olde Hurdy Gurdy Museum of Vintage Radio, the only one open to the public on the northside. Apart from Sandycove, Seapoint tower is the only other open to the public (during the summer) on the southside. The towers were usually 40ft high with walls up to 8ft thick and housed an officer and 10-15 soldiers. It is somewhat ironic that towers designed in Corsica, where Napoleon was born, were the blueprint for a defence against him!
Don Cameron
www.donsdublin.wordpress.com
17 September 2015 LUCAN Gazette 7
transport Cherry Orchard link to city centre would cost €1bn
Dart underground likely to be shelved ian begley news@gazettegroup.com
SOME residents believe the mothballing of the Dart underground project will have a negative impact on Dublin Mid-West, while others believe the ongoing sister project to open Phoenix Park railway tunnel is a high priority for the area. It has been reported, but not yet confirmed, that the Government will sacrifice the €1bn Dart project as it prepares for its capital plan, which is to be announced next month. The underground Dart would see a link from Cherry Orchard to Dub-
lin city centre, and the Docklands area. The line would be about 7.6km in length and would connect the northern and Kildare rail lines. The potential abandonment of the project has been met with a mixed reaction from local residents on social media. One person wrote: “To abandon the underground Dart project is bad for Lucan, particularly for residents and commuters living in Adamstown, estates in south Lucan near Adamstown, Fonthill [Clondalkin] and the unopened K ishogue
station on the Kildare route line. “It was very convincingly demonstrated t h a t i f A d a m s t ow n grew to its capacity, and if and when the lands in Clonburris are developed, and if people switched to rail, Heuston Station would not have the capacity, nor would the Luas Red Line be able to handle extra passengers coming in from K ildare, Lucan and Clondalkin.” However, Cllr William Lavelle (FG) told The Gazette that even i f t h e G ove r n m e n t decided to abandon the underground project
commuters in Lucan and Clondalkin would enjoy better services to the city centre once the €13.7m Phoenix Park tunnel re-opens later this year. “The Phoenix Park railway is going to be open within a couple of months, which is a priority. “The tunnel will be very beneficial to commuters around south County Dublin and for the first time we will have direct trains from Lucan and Adamstown to the city centre. “That is a really positive development, and even if the money was provided for the Dart
Underground Dart would link Mid-West Dublin to city centre. Picture: William Murphy
underground it would take several years before it was completed, but we’re getting the Phoenix Park rail tunnel within the next few months, which is great. “My understanding is that the plans for the Dart
underground project is going to be re-specified and included in a future project.” Cllr Paul Gogar ty (Ind) told The Gazette he would like to see direct links from areas in Dublin Mid-West to the
airport. “At the moment residents have to get a train to Heuston Station... and then a bus to the airport. I would like to see direct links to Dublin Airport in one changeover.”
8 LUCAN Gazette 17 September 2015
surprise Who’s Paris, asked Leon’s mum when he phoned
Marking debs with trip to French city ian begley news@gazettegroup.com
FOR most people, their debs’ night involves celebrating their graduation from secondary school with a night-long party before heading home in the early hours of the morning. But two Lucan graduates ended their debs’ celebration not with a sore head – but in Paris. Leon Breen and Luke Doherty, who recently sat their Leaving Cert at Lucan Community College, started their party night just like everyone else. T hen in an act of
impulse during the course of the night they booked tickets to Paris, France, leaving their dates behind. Leon, who is due to start studying for a degree in theoretical physics in Trinity College soon, told The Gazette that once the idea got into their heads they just had to go for it. “ We b r o u g h t o u r dates to the Red Cow and got settled in with all of our friends. “A f ter a good few drinks, Luke and I started talking about how funny it would be to book a flight to Paris during our debs and to
see everyone’s reaction once they saw the pictures. “We already had the Ryanair app on our phones, along with our passpor ts, which we always carry as a form of ID. “ We n o t i c e d t h a t there were cheap tickets going for a 6.25am f light a nd once we booked them there was no going back. “We then ran it past our dates, which they were fine about, and just continued our night like everyone else until we left for the airport at 4am.” Leon said they both knew per fectly well
what they were doing and weren’t intoxicated to the extent of stumbling through the airport or feeling sick on the flight. “Once we arrived in the city I texted a friend who I know from Paris and met up with him for a pint and a coffee. “We took many pictures of the famous sites around the city and after a trip to the Arc de Triomphe my mam texted me asking where I was. “I then replied by saying, ‘It seems like I’ve woken up in Paris’, and she texted back asking who’s Paris. “I then sent her the
The pair who spent eight hours in Paris, taking pictures of all the famous sights
picture of myself and Luke at the Arc and she nearly lost her mind, but I couldn’t say anything because I was laughing so much.” Leon and Luke spent a total of eight hours in the French capi-
tal, coming home to a media storm of their Debs exploits “Our social media accounts just blew up; everyone was texting me, and once Joe.ie picked it up our night went viral.
“When I got home, my mam saw the light side of it all. “But I was most worried about what my date’s dad would have thought, but thankfully he saw the funny side of it too.”
17 September 2015 LUCAN Gazette 9
10 lucan Gazette 17 September 2015
gazetteGALLERIES
Sophie, Jennifer and and Katie Meleady. Pictures: Cathy Weatherston
Arty types: stained glass is child’s play in the right hands
T
HERE was an opportunity for younger residents of the Lucan area to get in touch with their artistic side over the summer break. These 6 to 10-year-olds showed their hidden talents in an art class at the library that allowed them to make a stained glass window - but using cardboard and crepe instead of glass and metal. All the same, participants had to be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the Art with Marysia workshop. Stiff black frames were cut out of the cardboard and the softer crepe paper was used to fill the gaps in bright colours. At the end of a busy session, the young artists declared themselves happy with the outcome of their efforts.
Nicola Dowling and Mairead Byrne from Newcastle wish Maria Barrett from Mayo good luck. Pictures: Cathy Weatherston
true blues: CROKE PARK A PLACE OF JOY FOR DUBS
Lucan fans join in winners’ celebration L
UCAN GAA supporters were delighted to celebrate the victory of the Dubs over Mayo in the recent replay at Croke Park. The game was eagerly anticipated after the high-powered semi-final match the previous week, which ended in a draw. Nobody was taking anything for granted in the replay after the bruising first encounter during which Mayo showed they had every intention of trying to make to the final. But the Boys in Blue showed its winning style in the end and Lucan-based Dublin supporters arrived home relieved and happy, with a great final set up with Kerry on Sunday, September 20.
Cahil and Aoife Lyons
Layla O’Brien and Rachel Fox
Mya O’Brien
Eddie and his son Conner Furey, Dublin supporter Tony Broughan and Gar Pringle Furey
Linda, Holly and Gerry Garrigan
17 September 2015 lucan Gazette 11
Shona, Keeva and Leah Walsh
John O’Leary and James Boylan
Eoghan, Sarah and Alan O’Neill
Mary and Linda Brennan with Bernie Gane
12 Gazette 17 September 2015
gazetteGALLERIES
Cathy Belton, Paul Mercier and Eleanor Methven
Meghan Moynihan and Eimear Walsh
premiere: LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!
In pursuit of fun I
Ireland’s leading actors gathered in Dublin for the premiere of new Irish action film, Pursuit, which is directed by Paul Mercier and sees Brendan Gleeson, Ruth Bradley and Liam Cunningham take centre-screen. Pictured on the red carpet ahead of the Dublin premiere were the stars of the film, including Bradley, Cunningham, Barry Ward, Dara Devaney, Owen Roe, Don Wycherley, David Pearse, Ciaran O’Brien, Emmet Kirwan and Donall O Healai. Set between Connemara and the Spanish Costa del Sol, Pursuit is a modern take on the legend of Diarmuid and Grainne; a tale of love, betrayal, revenge and the pursuit of a life beyond crime, which features car chases galore, placing the Skoda Octavia RS firmly in the limelight.
Actor Liam Cunningham, Sabina Higgins, President Michael D Higgins, actress Ruth Bradley and director Anne Gately at the Skoda Dublin premiere of Pursuit at the IMC Cinema in Tallaght. Pictures Brian McEvoy
Sinead and Nell Mercier
Actor Dara Devaney
17 September 2015 Gazette 13
14 Gazette 17 September 2015
Gazette
dublinlife A celebration of cultural diversity EVERYONE in Dublin is being encouraged to come out and celebrate the city’s cultural diversity at the free BlueFire Street Fest on September 19 in Smithfield Square. Last year’s BlueFire Street Fest drew 10,000 attendees and the organisers are anticipating a 12,000 crowd this year.
Smithfield Square is being decked out on the day with art installations, which include visual artist Ashleigh Downey’s Blooming Bunting project and artistic demonstrations by the Temple Bar art gallery, The Icon Factory. This is the festival’s third birthday and the
highlights this year include live sets by eight Dublin-based bands, including members of Kila, Manden Express, Ajo Arkestra, Kiruu, Rhythm Africana, Ayodele, SuperTonic Orchestra and The Bionic Rats. Street fest attendees have the opportunity to avail of up to 50 free
diary
expert-led workshops across a wide range of activities including yoga, capoeira and DJ-ing. The all-day festival runs from noon until 10pm and admission is free. Visit www.bluefiredublin.ie for more information.
Future’s at home in dublin village Dublin2020 will create an exciting mini village on O’Connell Street for Culture Night on September 18. From 5.30pm to 8.30pm, visitors to Dublin Village will meet an ideagenerating robot, who will literally eat people’s ideas about the future of their city. Next, visitors will meet positive protesters, who will be shouting about the thoughtprovoking ideas that have been collected by Dublin2020 during their meetings and workshops with more than 3,000 citizens of Dublin. At the Tea and Chats Tent, busybodies Ethel and Lillie will be entertaining visitors and asking what makes them tick. The comedic pair will also treat guests to tea and a very special Dublin2020 cake, all set to the sounds of old time music. Guests with energy to burn can step into the Jungle of Games and play a special Dublin version of Snakes and Ladders, and huge versions of old school games such as Giant Jenga. All ages are welcome to pitch in and paint a collective community street mural led by artist Jane Groves entitled, I’m Mad about Dublin.
Yoga with Marta is one of the workshops on offer during the BlueFire Street Festival
sleeptember loves bed-head selfies MONEY worries still cause 22% of people in Ireland to lose sleep occasionally, according to Ireland’s first National Sleep Survey, commissioned by bed and mattress provider King Koil to mark the month of Sleeptember. The month of September has been dedicated Sleeptember, with a campaign backed by popular GP Nina Byrnes designed to provide advice on good sleep and its health benefits. A charitable dimension to Sleeptember sees Temple Street Children’s Hospital benefit from a campaign asking people to share their not-alwaysflattering “bed-head selfies”. The charity appeal,
supported by Irish rugby International Cian Healy, is asking people to be brave by tweeting their own “bed head selfie”, or to nominate a friend, and donate €4. Tweet your “bed head selfie”, with hashtags #Sleeptember, #BedHeadSelfie or nominate a friend, and text HOSPITAL to 50300 to donate €4 to Temple Street Children’s Hospital. For further information visit www. Sleeptember.ie.
highlighting sexual assault WELL-known Dublin columnist Fiona Looney recently opened up about an incident in her 20s when she was sexually assaulted. Talking on an episode of Midday on TV3, she discussed the incident during a panel discus-
sion about controversial remarks made by Chrissie Hynde (The Pretenders), who said she was at fault for a sexual assault at the age of 21. On the programme, Looney said: “At the time, it was the worst thing that ever happened to me. But afterwards, the amount of people, and I hate to say this, mainly women, who said: ‘Yeah, but your skirt was really short and you were quite drunk’. “I’m sorry – how is that my fault that a man forced me down and pulled my legs apart? How is that my fault because of what I was wearing?” she said. During the show, Ellen O’ Malley Dunlop from the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre urged anyone who is a victim of an assault or rape to ring their helpline at 1800 77 8888.
17 September 2015 Gazette 15
FEATURE escape the mayhem: moments of calm are precious
Cheesy music in the car helps – no joke! aisling kennedy
AS a stand-up comedian, an actress who makes appearances on Irish shows such as Republic of Telly, and a mother to three young children, Emma Doran from Rathfarnham is a woman who has a hectic schedule. She spoke to the G a z e t t e t h i s we e k , explaining how she manages to escape the mayhem of her busy lifestyle. “I find that I just have to take the moment of calm when it appears,
I don’t really set time aside,” she says. “If I have a bit of time to myself, which can be something as simple as being in the car before a gig, I love to write or just listen to some music. There’s no distractions or noises or anything like that. I just take that moment because I never know when it’s going to appear again. Quietness is a big luxury for me and I do enjoy it when I get the chance!” Doran explains that she enjoys writing jokes
and sketches for her comedy show when she gets the chance and particularly loves listening to “bad music” during her quiet times. She says: “I listen to awful, awful music! I love the pure cheese factor stuff like when you’re in the car on your own and you’re belting it out. I always have to remember to quickly change the radio station off the cheesy stations when other people get into my car so I don’t look bad.” Doran is currently
writing her comedy show about being a mother to her three children, Ella (12), Joe (two) and Tammy (seven months), and the challenges and laughs that ensue. “It’s my first solo show and I just thought I’d give it a go because I couldn’t go to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this year as my baby is still so young. I just thought I need to get all of this off my chest so this show is how I’m doing it.” When asked if she has any advice for any
Actress and stand-up comedian Emma Doran
young mothers on how to escape the mayhem she laughs: “Yes, if your child or particularly your baby is sleeping and you’re thinking to yourself that they have been asleep for
a while, don’t worry. Just leave them asleep. Don’t question it, just take that time. Any little windows of time that you get, just take them.” Doran will appear in
her solo show, Mammy Wants a Drink, at the Mill Theatre in Dundrum on September 18 and 19, 2015. Tickets are available at www.milltheatre.ie
Gazette
16 Gazette 17 September 2015
dublinlife
feature
When choice makes it impossible to choose CONSUMERS have never had so much choice. When described like that, this sounds like a good thing. Consumers have also never had to make so many difficult decisions. Put this way, the same idea is a bit less enticing. This increase in choice, and decisions has partly come about because of changes in technology, but also because of the opening up of many markets to greater competition. These include the markets for gas, electricity, telecommunications, health insurance and various financial services, like banking, credit cards and pensions. When buying these products, the available choices and the number of features of the product we must consider can feel overwhelming. Some experts in decision-making believe that making good decisions in these markets has become almost impossible. It can be very difficult to decide which product is most suitable for us. Decisions are difficult also when we must predict the future, as when buying a house. As well as weighing up the many different features of each property, we have to consider what might happen to prices, the direction of interest rates and how confident we are that we can earn enough in future to meet mortgage repayments. The ESRI (Economic and Social Research Institute), the State-run think tank, is now con-
ducting a research programme in behavioural economics. Behavioural economists study the psychological factors behind our economic decisions – why we choose what we do, how we go about it, whether we make accurate and consistent decisions, and so on. Behavioural economics has developed rapidly in recent years. It uses experiments to study our decisions scientifically. The results are changing the way economists around the world think about how markets work. In Ireland, the ESRI now has a behavioural economics laboratory, PRICE Lab. It is funded by four of the main economic regulators: the Central Bank, the Communications Regulator (ComReg), the Commission for Energy Regulation and the recently formed Competition and Consumer Protection Commission. Consumers in the Dublin area can come to PRICE Lab to take part in these experiments. The ESRI pays them a small fee and the experiments take around one hour of people’s time. They involve sitting in front of a computer screen and making lots of choices between different products at different prices. The participants who perform the best at the tasks win vouchers. The findings are already proving interesting. It turns out that most of us find it difficult to weigh up more than two or three features of a product at
Dr Peter Lunn, Senior Research Officer at the ESRI which now has a behavioural economics laboratory, PRICE Lab
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When choosing between houses, mortgages or health insurance, which can differ in dozens of ways, consumers are likely to struggle -------------------------------------------------------
Dr Peter Lunn
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the same time. That’s not a problem in markets where there are only a few things that need careful consideration, but when choosing between houses, mortgages or health insurance plans, which can differ from each other in
dozens of different ways, it suggests that consumers are likely to struggle. Many may fail to choose the best option or end up paying more than they should. Companies can also exploit this limit in the amount of information
that consumers can handle. They can promote the one or two product features that make the product look good and successfully hide the features on which it is inferior to competitors. They can also list prices as discounts from a “standard” price. This looks attractive, but PRICE Lab’s findings show that it makes life harder for consumers, who must process two pieces of information instead of one. Another result to emerge from PRICE Lab is that we find it easier
to choose when product features are straightforwardly good or bad. Examples are the speed of broadband or the price per unit of gas, where more of the good thing or less of the bad thing is always better. We str uggle more when a feature can be both too little or too great, so that we need to find the level that is just right, like with the number of minutes of talk-time or the duration of a mortgage. PRICE Lab’s aim is to discover what kinds of products and prod-
uct descriptions make it easier or harder for us to make good decisions. In some cases it may be possible for regulators to promote marketing practices that help consumers, or to prevent companies from using pricing methods likely to cause them to make errors. If you would like to contribute to this research by participating in the experiments, you can sign up at www. esri.ie/be.
Dr Peter Lunn Senior Research Officer at the ESRI
17 September 2015 Gazette 17
travel P20
asdfsdaf P27 gaming P25
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
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style P18
Pets A husky full of love and beans
Vampires Camille Ross and Robert McDermott were not happy to be caught veggie shopping on Moore Street ahead of the Bram Stoker Festival. Picture: Andres Poveda
Bram Stoker: weekend invites you to get in touch with your dark side
A ‘bloody great craic’ fest
keith bellew kbellew@dublingazette.com
THE Bram Stoker Festival returns in 2015, with a programme full of gloriously Gothic events for the October Bank Holiday Weekend. Each year the festival is organised by a different team with an entirely different programme of events. This week The Gazette spoke to this year’s festival organiser, Tom Lawlor, about the festival highlights. He says the goal of this year’s team is to give Dublin four days of stories and deadly adventures. This year’s programme aims to open out the festival to Dubliners and international visitors. “Largely, we’re looking at the city centre as somewhere that has a very
Gothic history and we’re opening that history up to people in the city across four days of the October bank holiday weekend. “We’ve programmed the entire festival so you can experience it by day and by night; so there are day events and night events. The daytime events are what we’re calling Living Stories, so it’s a chance to delve a little bit deeper into Dublin’s dark past.” He added that a number of the daytime events are geared towards families and children. One of these is Stokerland, a Victorian-themed pop-up park, which will be located at Wolfe Tone Square on October 25. Stokerland will provide a range of activities including tents where fami-
lies can have a tin plate Victorian portrait taken, receive Gothic makeovers, and Victorian goodies. Fancy dress is encouraged. One of the biggest highlights of this year’s festival will be the return to Dublin of world-renowned street artist Maser, who will create an interactive installation in Smithfield Square. “He’s going to be building an interactive installation, which will look like a utopian city that people can wander through and that’s going to be on display throughout the festival. “Also,we have a Twilight procession by the Galway company, Macnas, who were here last year. They’re coming back with their citywide parade from 5pm on bank holiday Monday. “They will parade along three dif-
ferent routes that people can join, and which will culminate in Wolfe Tone Square with some pyrotechnics.” The main theme of the procession will be Angels and Demons. Working with the Lighthouse cinemas in Smithfield, the festival will host a night of 1990s-era vampire flicks, including Blade I and II, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Francis Ford Coppola’s Dracula and Quentin Tarantino’s From Dusk til Dawn. The festival’s flagship late-night gala party, New Blood, will be held at the Project Arts Theatre on October 25 and 26, with bespoke cocktails, local and international live acts and DJs and loads of bloody craic. For a full list of programme events visit www.bramstkerfestival.com
The Dublin Gazette Newspaper Group have teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for lost and abandoned dogs. Our Dog of the Week this week is Beans, a two-yearold female husky cross. If you’re looking for a super smart, cheeky monkey to share your life with then Beans could be the girl for you. Beans by name and beans by nature! Beans needs to live in a calm, adult environment just to prevent her getting too giddy, as she is currently recovering from an old hip injury. Beans is very selective about the dogs she likes, so would do best as an only dog in the home. If you think you could offer Beans her forever home, please contact Dogs Trust on 01 879 1000. They are based in Finglas, just off exit 5 on the M50. Map and directions can be found on their website www.dogstrust.ie. You can also find them on Facebook www.facebook. com/dogstrustirelandonline or Twitter @DogsTrust_IE. Don’t forget that you can also support Dogs Trust by checking out their online shop www.dogstrustshop.ie
action using the new brush for a long-lasting, chip-free colour. Suzanne’s top tips for great application are to follow a few simple steps: “Make sure the nails are shaped, filed and buffed before applying any polish. “T hen, apply one thin layer of SOSU base coat, two thin layers of a SOSU colour of your choice, followed by a thin layer of SOSU top coat, allowing each coat to dry before applying the next.” The new autumn/ winter collection colours range is available from pharmacies nationwide, Penneys stores, and selected nail salons. All polishes are priced with a RRP of €7.99.
Feel ultimate comfort with latest Clarins eye palette THE new eye make-up palette from Clarins has 10 gorgeous, on-trend eye colours with a variety of matte and satin finishes. Plant and mineral extracts such as musk rose oil and white meadowfoam guarantee a feeling of ultimate comfort on the lid. The palette has a RRP of €43.
Fake brows with the best thanks to Urban Decay mimi murray
I MAY not have been born with brows like Cara Delevingne, but with Urban Decay’s Brow Beater Microfine Brow Pencil and Brush (above), I can now fake it. And, really, this product (with a RRP of €18.50) does the business. I have been using this product for a couple of weeks and have had numerous comments on my amazing arches. It’s simple to use, with a variety of colours on offer, and will become a constant in my make-up bag.
Tuck stitch jumper €15.97 Contrast stripe dress €25
Cardigan with zip €12.99; Grey jodhpurs €5.99; (Both available late November.)
mimi murray
A NEW season can mean lots of new trends, and for those of us who like to remain fashionconscious, it can be a right pain for the cashstrapped! So, Gazette Style has had a look at some ways you can stay bang on trend without breaking the bank. The 70s are a massive theme throughout autumn-winter that has carried forward from the summer, so pull out a pair of flares from Heatons, and team with a simple roll-neck from Littlewoods. Easy peasy. Have a look at some other key items to keep you snug and sartorially sound this winter.
Tube skirt €20
LIDL
AFTER great success launching her 25-colour gel nail polish collection, Suzanne Jackson has added eight new colours to her SOSU by Suzanne Jackson range for the autumn/winter season. Warming greys, bold reds and glistening golds are some new colours you can expect to see in stores by the end of August. As well as adding eight new colours to the range, all polishes will include a new brush for a simple and quick application. SOSU Nail Polish is an innovative gel nail polish that requires no UV lamp and results in long-lasting, salon quality nails. The polish can easily be applied in one
Khaki parka €15.99
Faux leather leggings €6.99
L ITT L E W O O D S
Brighten up autumn nails with new SOSU
H EAT O N S
OUT&ABOUT
SO70SSTYLE
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18 Gazette 17 September 2015
Roll neck top €22
Embellished jeans €47
Patchwork poncho €53
17 September 2015 Gazette 19
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STYLE
Stars inspire Juvi’s glittering bracelets
Black and white tea dress €20; Snake back boots €25; Bag €15
Knit roll neck €20 True denim flare €25
True denim skinny €22.50
Tan biker jacket €19.99 Khaki waterfall top €12.99
Grey jumper dress €9.99
Lidl items mostly available from midto late-November
AWARD-winning Irish beauty. jewellery company, Juvi “Out walking one Designs, has unveiled moonless night, I was its Shooting Star collec- overwhelmed looking tion for autumn-winter, up; I can only describe introducing delicate it as magical beauty. stars in sparkling gold, “There were more rose gold and shining stars than I had ever silver, paired with beau- seen, along with gortiful precious gems. geous star clusters and From the cute Lucky the beautiful band of Star stud earrings to the Milky Way.” the elegant You Are My Juvi’s carefully crafted Shining Star bracelet Shooting Star collection and Star Clusis made by Julie and Vinter necklace, cent at their studio these lightin Dublin. weight J u l i e pieces said: “Stars are percan mean fect for a lot to Gold vermeil €59, l ay e rpeople, Silver €55 ing and symwill add bolisa sparkly ing anytwinkle to thing any look. f r o m Husband a new and wife duo beginning to a Julie Danz and Vincent turning point in Tynan began casting a person’s life. They tiny stars in sterling remind us of distant lovsilver, and plating with ers, adventures, friends, layers of 24-carat gold family, past dreams and and rose gold, follow- future hopes. I think ing a trip to a famous stars are magical, and stargazing spot in Ball- that’s what this collecinskelligs, County Kerry tion represents.” earlier this year. With prices starting J u l i e s ay s : “ T h e from €45, Juvi’s Shootr e s e r ve i s n e s t l e d ing Star collection is beneath the moun- available at House of tains and overlooks Fraser, Arnotts, Kilkenthe Atlantic Ocean. ny, independent retailIf you’ve ever visited ers throughout Ireland, Kerry, you will know of or at www.juvidesigns. its outstanding natural com.
Luxury Body Shop oils mimi murray
Loop knit jumper €74 Rochelle Humes high waist jeans €39
Rip and repair skinny jeans €43
South Mongolian coat €240; Definitions orange suede shirt €35; TFNC black polo €25; Carvella black boots €240
THE Oils of Life range is a new daily life-infusing skincare range from the Body Shop that revitalises, replenishes and revives skin, as well as visibly reducing the signs of ageing. What makes this range so special is the three precious and potent natural seed oils that are used to make this range – black cumin seed oil, camellia seed oil and rosehip seed oil. I loved these products – such as the facial oil (right), €48 – as they feel beautifully decadent and the packaging will look great in any bathroom.
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20 Gazette 17 September 2015
OUT&ABOUT
fast
TRAVEL NEWS
TRAVEL
tranquil: Keeping rural luxury real with woodland forage
Sunny alternative to those winter blues WE all look forward to a break at Christmas time, but it seems the stress of the holiday season can make us even more tired when we come back to work in January. What’s the solution? Take a sun holiday! Abbey Travel has come up with its top three Christmas sun destinations for those looking to escape from the winter cold. First on the list is Puerto Rico in Gran Canaria. Puerto Rico is perfectly positioned on the southern side of the island, which means it is warm and sunny all year round. Puerto Del Carmen in Lanzarote takes second place on the list of Abbey Travel’s top destinations to spend the Christmas period in. Finally, Corralejo in Fuerteventura comes in third, and is ideal for those interested in a much more peaceful time than many of the other resorts on the Canary Islands. To book your Christmas holiday visit www. abbeytravel.ie.
Abbey Travel kicks off season packages
THE Premier League is back for the 2015-16 season. With Abbey Travel you can be there in the flash to support your favourite team without the hassle of haggling for match tickets or trying to find a nearby hotel. Abbey Travel is offering hotel-and-matchticket packages for Liverpool matches from €239, for Man United matches from €129, for Arsenal from €279 and Chelsea from €329. Prices are per person and based on two sharing. Included is one night in a three-star city centre hotel, breakfast and guaranteed match ticket. For more information on available packages, contact Abbey Travel on 01 8047102 or visit www.abbeytravel.ie.
Dainty old-world design and calm, neutral creams and greens are the hallmark of the Step House Hotel bedroom
A step above the rest for charm and fine food
Aishling Phelan
THE drive into the picturesque village of Borris, County Carlow, as the sun sliced through the clouds and beamed on glorious Mount Leinster, was a treat in itself. Sitting in the fertile valley of the river Barrow, the Step House Hotel faces the main gate to this Tudor-style ancestral home of the former Irish Kings of Leinster. Ruby red roses and delicate baby’s breath were dotted around the boutique hotel, while inside the spacious bedroom was the prettiest hotel room I have ever stayed in, with its dainty oldworld design. Its neutral cream decor with gold accents in every piece of furniture and sweeping powdery
green curtains made for the perfect atmosphere of tranquillity. But the best was yet to come. As I stepped onto the large private balcony, the magnificent view, with small clouds floating across the expanse of Mount Leinster, took my breath away. The luxury and character of the hotel made for an extra special weekend trip away. First, it was time for a hands-on bread making workshop in the ballroom with head chef Alan Foley and his team. We got to work on a brown bread recipe and the chefs also showed us how to make the range of white bread baked in the Step House kitchen. Curry bread? No, I hadn’t heard of it either but I would later experi-
ence that culinary sensation at dinner. After an afternoon of kicking back in our cosy room, it was off to the opulent surroundings of the private cocktail lounge for some bubbly treats. The restaurant is a small, cosy and intimate space. After scanning the menu, which relies on an array of local produce, I began with a starter of tasty organic herb risotto. For the main event, I chose succulent roast plaice with artichoke, ravioli and mushroom juices. I passed on the luscious dessert offerings opting for the more humble sounding ice cream selection. Sound boring? Not at the Step House Hotel. I was presented with a divine combination of
coconut, caramel and passion fruit flavours. The following morning, we delved into the woodlands on the outskirts of the Georgian village – after a delicious breakfast, of course. We visited the 16-acre Blackstairs Ecotrails facility to take part in a Find It, Pick It, Cook It, Eat It workshop. The foraging walks are run by former Green Party TD and minister Mary White and husband Robert. They have been keeping records of the area’s diverse ecosystem since 1975. Channelling my inner child, I abandoned my smartphone and took just a small notepad and pen as we set off to explore the rich land. We ducked under swinging branches, crossed wooden planks
guiding us across the streams and tip-toed over mossy carpets. The couple spoke passionately about the land’s ecological community and I couldn’t help but envy their peaceful lifestyle. We discussed the Celtic history of the towering trees and picked wild garlic, enjoying its tangy aroma. Later, we returned to the workshop to make mouth-watering wild garlic pesto and sweet sloe gin. Then it was time to go home but not before enjoying a wholesome serving of pumpkin soup, sandwiches and their signature bread selection. I collected my brown bread made the previous day and left feeling like a master chef after my culinary weekend at Step House Hotel.
17 September 2015 Gazette 21
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FOOD&DRINK BITESIZEDNEWS
Donegal rapeseed oil wins as healthy option
Hophouse/Kimchi Korean/Japanese fare
60 Parnell St Hophouse/Kimchi’s impressive menu is extensive, with the traditional Korean side dish, kimchi, a spicy mix variety of seasoning, to set your tastebuds humming
The Picky Eater SOMETIMES you don’t want the Italian. Or the French. Or the burger. It’s Friday and after a hectic week, the smartphone makes a fusion takeaway too complicated. Go out? Yes. But what to eat? Nil desperandum. Picky Eater is here to save you from this gastronomic indecision and send you downtown – to Parnell Street, and a little gem right beside the Shakespeare Pub, near the Gate Theatre, the Rotunda Hospital and the Gresham Hotel. Vintage Dublin, in other words. The modern Hophouse/Kimchi slots in well, cosying up to the hostelry and offering sanctuary to the indecisive Friday-nighter. Korean and Japanese food aplenty is on offer, with an ethnic or a domestic beverage to help you on your way. Green tea, plum wine, sake, Asahi, Kirin and Guinness to mention but a few are all on offer as accompaniments or pre-
prandial tipples to your sushi or bibimbap choice. Once inside, there’s a busy-ness that makes you feel like a tourist in your own city. You couldn’t give the interior or exterior decor ten out of ten, but the food is excellent, fairly priced and the staff are cheerful – what more could you want, really? The menu is extensive, with kimchi to set your tastebuds humming. This traditional Korean side dish is made of vegetables with a variety of seasonings. There are hundreds of varieties made from napa cabbage, radish, scallion, or cucumber as a main ingredient. So do have a dollop so you can say you tried it. Otherwise, it’s like eating “an Irish” without the spuds. The menu is massive, but Picky was undaunted: for starters, we had vegetarian mandu (dumplings) and endamame beans (boiled and salted). The dumplings were piping hot and hopping with flavour.
Sweet chilli and soy dips kept the tastes alive. The beans we gobbled down with our Korean beer. For mains, Picky’s companion had almost gone native, reminiscing about youthful trips to Korea and salivating over the upcoming bulgogi bibimbap. This signature Korean dish, which literally means “mixed rice”, was set before him and he breathed in deeply. The steaming bowl of white rice was topped with namul (sauteed and seasoned vegetables) and gochujang (chili pepper paste) had a raw egg and sliced beef on top. He stirred the hot dish together thoroughly just before eating, and disappeared into seventh heaven. Picky opted for a veg-
etarian bento box big enough for two: several chunks of silky tofu with contrasting crispy coat; two vegetable tempura – deliciously crunchy; a satisfying deep-fried slice of sweet potato rounded off with three pieces of sushi, and two little spring rolls. Wasabi, pickled ginger, soy and sweet chilli sauces set it all off nicely. The meal for two without dessert but with two beers and a green tea came to just over €50. The food had that “just cooked” air about it as it hit the table and our stomachs. Hophouse/K imchi demands a return visit. If you haven’t been, then get yourself down there ASAP. And, as Koreans say when raising a glass, Gun Bae!
Conclusion SET A stone’s throw from the city centre, Hophouse/Kimchi (at 60 Parnell St, Dublin 1; tel 01 872 8318) serves tasty, authentic Korean/Japanese staples at fair prices.
of vegetables with a
THE Donegal Rapeseed Oil Company has won awards for taste, and health benefits, for four consecutive years as it is fast becoming one of the world’s best producers of rapeseed oil. What makes the county’s oil so special is the way, and where, the rapeseed is grown. Situated in Raphoe in the fertile Laggan district of east Donegal, the rapeseed oil company only uses rapeseed grown in soil along the Wild Atlantic Way by local farmers, which creates a delicious and unique taste experience. As just some of its benefits, Donegal Cold Pressed Virgin Rapeseed Oil Donegal Cold Pressed Virgin Rapeseed Oil has 10 times more omega 3 than olive and coconut and some fish oils, and 10 times more omega 6 than coconut and olive oils. It is also very high in monounsaturated fats, which are beneficial for a healthy heart, is a good source of vitamin E, and contains no artificial preservatives and is GM free. The French have been using rapeseed oil for years in all areas of cuisine. Irish cold-pressed virgin rapeseed oil is available in 250ml (RRP €3.99) and 500ml (RRP €5.99) sizes.
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22 Gazette 17 September 2015
OUT&ABOUT
CINEMA
ReelReviews
no escape
A sidestep for Wilson ANOTHER week on, and Owen Wilson still hasn’t found a way to get his family to safety in the middle of a violent coup in No Escape (Cert 15A, 103 mins). Drawing criticism in some quarters for its tone, the film marks an unusual sidestep for Wilson, setting aside his usual bromance comedies and feel-good films for this actioner, with Pierce Brosnan in a supporting role.
the visit
Creepy, yet amusing, too IN M Night Shyamalan’s latest, The Visit (Cert 15A, 94 mins), two kids are sent to their estranged country grandparents for a catch-up holiday – their first, with the old couple. However, events soon turn stranger and stranger at the farmhouse ... The two young leads turn in great, naturalistic performances, but Deanna Dunagan totally steals the show as the increasingly kooky, creepy grandma.
irrational man
Makes plenty of sense WOODY Allen’s latest, Irrational Man (Cert 15A, 95 mins) proves a talkily entertaining chance to waste 90 minutes at the cinema. A college professor with a less than perfect life is a great base to build a typically Woodyesque film on, with Joaquin Phoenix and Emma Stone crossing paths and words in several ways. Its messed-up characters provide plenty to sympathise with.
While the film won’t change the world, Robert Redford and Nick Nolte breathe plenty of life into their roles, turning in anything but wooden performances
a walk in the woods: takes an aimless but diverting journey
Tale stumbles along amiably
SPANNING more than 3,500km, the Appalachian Trail runs along the eastern length of the United States, cutting through a dozen national forests from Georgia up to Maine, and is one of the longest waymarked walks in the world. With severe weather, bears, venomous snakes, and minimal infrastructure along the way – it is the kind of walk that madmen and fools tend to start – perfect cinematic fodder for A Walk in The Woods. Bryson (Robert Redford) is an accomplished writer, who realises that most of his social life now revolves around attending funerals. Reflecting on a life of travel and adventure, and
Dave phillips
uncomfortable with facing into old-age, he becomes captivated with the idea of walking the Appalachian Trail as his last great hurrah, much to the dismay of his wife, Catherine (Emma Thompson). Catherine’s infatuation with the multitude of risks facing Bryson on the trail lead to her insisting that he can only go on his adventure if he has company, and the only one of Bryson’s old crew willing to take the journey with him is his long-estranged
college friend, Katz (Nick Nolte). The film is based on Bill Bryson’s best-selling memoir of the same name, and while some elements of the story have significantly changed in its transition to film (the real life Bryson and Katz were in their 40s when they walked the trail), the odd-couple pairing has remained. Bryson is scholarly, stoical, and a little stiff in himself. He has a happy relationship with his wife, his kids have grown up successfully, and his grandchildren love him. His books sell well, and the walls of his study are decorated with awards and honorary positions. Katz, in contrast, maintained the wild-man
lifestyle; he never settled down, he has a history of struggling with booze, and he seems happiest when he is laying down playing harmonica to himself. Accepting the age shift from the book, this is some spot-on casting. Redford’s great at capturing that prim and proper veneer, but with a peek of something else just beneath the surface. You can tell the tale is driven by a sense of jealousy and rage, rallying against the urge to go quietly into the good night. Nolte channels his inner Bukowski; a whiskey-shone nose and a gravelly, broken voice bring decades of suffering to life in Katz, who hobbles painfully up and down the trail.
However, despite some great performances from the two leads, A Walk in the Woods does feel a little flat, possibly because it has the potential to go a lot deeper than it ever does. There is no doubt that Bryson and Katz’s misadventures are entertaining, but there is a larger, existential layer to the journey that seems frequently alluded to but never explored. Perhaps director Ken Kwapis’s long history in TV comedy keeps the focus on the lighter, superficial elements of the story, and in fairness they are what he can make work. Late night encounters with bears, altercations with local rednecks, and ditching awkward travelling companions (there’s
a fun cameo from Flight of the Conchord’s Kristen Schaal) are all handled expertly. Elements such as Bryson’s sense of righteousness, or his relationship with his wife, or Katz’s problems with alcohol are explored much more clumsily and frivolously. While the rigid Bryson and the unruly Katz eventually find a common understanding, the film’s attempt to marry its comedic and dramatic parts doesn’t end as well. It still maintains that Sunday afternoon kind of vibe where you can watch two ageing greats have fun together, but you can’t shake the feeling that somewhere along the trail we took a wrong turn. Verdict: 5/10
17 September 2015 Gazette 23
Gazette
MUSIC festival: electric picnic 2015, Stradbally
Sparks fly as the stars create electrifying gigs colm murray
THIS week Gazette Music reviews Electric Picnic 2015, which provided plenty of flavour for music fans to tuck in to at this year’s festival.
Friday The addition of a few thousand more punters – to the official capacity of 51,000 – did little to dampen the boutique vibe. The absence of rain this year in the lead up to, and right through the weekend, was the icing on the cake. Kicking off the main stage, festival favourites Ham Sandwich provided the first of many encroachments by band members to the crowd. The Coronas followed suit, and got the job done to a rapturous welcome, and a no less powerful set. With the majority of the stages not opening until the following day, a scheduling clash offered 90s shoegazers Ride their set a day early. The opening chimes of Leave Them All Behind got the crowd going as they blazed through a blistering set of distortion-drenched classics. Grace Jones and Underworld are no strangers to Stradbally. With the former still as eccentric and spellbinding as ever, she kept a hula hoop spinning in high heels for the duration of Slave To The Rhythm.
Under world, af ter the tingling Spoonman, and Dark & Long et al, finished up the evening with the obligatory Born Slippy, leaving the crowd to float off to wherever the evening took them.
Saturday The sun came out and remained for the duration of the day, adding a psychedelic hue to the by now completed site.
it was on to the main stage. Hot Chip brought a little samba to the main stage, reworking Ready for the Floor with a wash of percussion. With a back catalogue of hits, they’ve grown into bonafide party starters, with a quirky take on Dancing In The Dark as the sun started to set. It’s a shame that the sound system let them down in the volume department. Chvrches were a huge draw at The Electric Arena, thanks to their blend of electro-lite pop.
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‘A quick 360-degree look-around took in weird art installations, a distant fairground and a lot of trees, all soundtracked by genuinely unique psychedelica’
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Battles were on top form, with drummer John Stanier’s rhythmic assault at the heart of everything. The War on Drugs, over in the Electric arena, melted their epic American rock with sprinklings of Mike Scott’s Waterboys to produce a sound that stretched beyond the loyal throngs within. A quick dash to hear the last few verses of Horse Outside from the Rubberbandits over in the comedy tent, and
But we were happy to make do with Yasiin Bey, arriving just in time for a seemingly spontaneous Biggie Smalls cover. For such a genuine music icon, it was a relatively under-attended show, most likely because the average punter may only know this man by his former stage name, Mos Def. Dublin’s Meltybrains? were perfect for Body & Soul. A quick 360-degree look-around took in weird art installations, a
distant fairground and a lot of trees, all soundtracked by the band’s genuinely unique brand of beautiful, trippy rockpsychedelica. Even a moment spent watching Meltybrains? defined this festival in a nutshell. Just next door, and things were equally wild and wacky at the Jerry Fish Electric Sideshow. Fight Like Apes were dealing with stage invasions and general chaos, with more people outside the tent impatiently peering in than could actually see the band. Push It, by Salt ‘n’ Peppa, was a carcrash cover. As for Saturday’s headliners, Blur, they were arguably the biggest band to have played Electric Picnic. With all interpersonal issues put to bed and energised with a new album, Blur were clearly enjoying themselves and the pressure is off. Damon had the crowd in the palm of his hand from early on. Every song was gold, from There’s No Other Way through Badhead, Beetlebum and This is a Low. A muted greeting for the likes of For Tomorrow and even To the End suggested the average audience age was lower than we thought, however. On the other hand, timeless classics such
Nice to see you too, Damon Albarn. Blur’s blistering set didn’t disappoint, with older classics to catch alongside contemporary tracks. Picture: Conor McCabe Photography.
as Song 2 and Parklife (performed with 11 fans plucked from the crowd – apparently one for each percentage of Irishness in Damon’s DNA) provided the greatest response from the crowd.
Sunday Jurassic 5 were the early afternoon crowd pleaser, with Cut Chemist and Dj Numark in tow. Concrete Schoolyard provided the biggest cheers of the afternoon, with heads bobbing in unison to a classic. With the all-Ireland hurling final shown on a big screen next to the Mindfield, there was plenty to keep punters busy. Heritage act Boomtown Rats gave it socks, with Geldof in great form, prowling the stage in his fake snakeskin suit,
Taking in the atmosphere at the Heineken Sound Atlas Tokyo area were Carmel Desmond and Karen Kenny
with killer tunes in tow. Later, Manic Street Preachers launched into Motorcycle Emptiness, and their energy spread throughout the crowd. A perfect slot to have them in, and they wasted none of the opportunity. It began here, six years ago for headliner Flor-
ence and the Machine. Now a festival headliner, her set was reminiscent of the Glastonbury headliner set back in June. As the closing echoes of a manic Dog Days are Over waved over us, it was time to see what we could salvage from the remainder of the evening.
GAZETTE
24 GAZETTE 17 September 2015
OUT&ABOUT
FastHEALTH Men, don’t delay – make Blue September the time to check up on cancer BLUE September has returned this year to raise awareness of, and start a dialogue on, male-specific cancers. This year, the campaign – which is sponsored by VHI Healthcare – aims to highlight men’s attitudes to their health and to encourage men to be more proactive about checking themselves for signs of cancer. To start this year’s campaign, the Men’s Cancer Alliance, in collaboration with Behaviour and Attitudes Research, conducted a survey of more than 900 Irish men of all ages and backgrounds and their knowledge of male-specific cancers, as well as their habits and attitudes towards their health. The findings showed a marked lack of knowledge of cancer among men. Examples of this included that almost half of men researched in the risk/age category for testicular cancer would not be confident in recognising the common symptoms of the illness. Some 80% of the men researched in the risk/age category for testicular cancer did not know that the best way to check for testicular cancer symptoms is a regular self-check. In addition, 81% of men aged 16 and over in Ireland have neither checked themselves or been checked by a doctor for a prostate or testes-related problem. Finally, 44% believed the reason for men being slower to visit their doctor compared to women is because they are afraid of finding out what the problem is, with 41% of respondents saying they would hope the symptoms would simply go away. Micheal Sheridan, of the Men’s Cancer Alliance, and chief executive of Mercy Hospital Foundation, said the group has produced a series of pocketsized fold-out leaflets, with each dedicated to specific cancers. He said: “These easy to read leaflets are available from Men’s Cancer Alliance website, at menscancer.ie. “We are asking the public to support this campaign by organising a fundraising event, or by making a donation via www.blueseptember.ie.”
Launching Blue September 2015 were Mary Moorehead, Men’s Cancer Alliance (MCA), Micheal Sheridan, MCA; Dr Bernadette Carr, medical director, VHI Healthcare; ex-Ireland Rugby International Tony Ward and Richard Flaherty, MCA
MUSIC HEALTH
ON CALL PT: EXERCISING AT HOME COULD BE PERFECT FOR YOU
The personal touch to push your training
SUZANNE SHEEHY
WITH the impending winter coming, there’re so many things to think about. Inevitably, you will get carried away with school runs, taking on a new routine for the winter months ahead. Plus, you will probably feel less energetic and getting in shape, so keeping your exercise routine going is less likely to be at the forefront of your mind as you just can’t find the time. If this sounds like you, On Call PT is the solution. This is a home training service where dedicated trainers come to you so you can train in your own living room or at home, making it easier than ever to get in shape. Once you contact On Call PT, you receive a free consultation. Your assigned trainer will come to your home. Body fat measurements, weight and blood pressure will be taken, and your trainer will also discuss your goals and your budget. What people don’t realise is that you don’t need a huge space – an average size front room is sufficient to get a great quality workout, while a big back garden will also suffice. I decided to try out On Call PT, and I found it very convenient. I was guided by my personal trainer, Dave Kenny, with a customised workout plan. All the equipment that I needed in my training session was provided, from resistant bands, kettlebells, power bag, body
Whether for one-to-one training or to work out with your friends, On Call PT could be the perfect answer. Personal trainer Dave Kenny (main) provided a comprehensive set of exercises to maximise results.
pump barbell and boxing gloves. My workout had great variety, with a mix up of mobility/flexibility and activation stretches, high-intensity exercise with short rest periods between sets. Working both the upper and lower body, I finished up with some core exercises, consisting of sit-ups, Russian twists, plank holds and plank side touches, and I certainly felt those muscles working! There was great structure and focus around my goals, and I found that there was no slacking
off during my workout, especially when things got tough. Kenny encouraged me, and challenged me to do more than I would have done on my own. You just have to dig a little deeper to push yourself. I would be keen on continuing monthly sessions to keep me focused and interested in my training.
Reasons Here are some words from On Call PT on the reasons to hire a personal trainer: 1. Motivation – training alone and motivat-
ing yourself can be hard. Pushing yourself to do that last rep when you are at the end of your session can be even harder. Our trainers are there to encourage, support and motivate you to ensure you get the best possible results from every workout. 2. Education – Our trainers take time with every client to go through the basics, ie correct form, lifting technique, stretches, etc. Knowing the basics will ensure that you execute your exercises correctly and will also help you to avoid any unnecessary injuries.
3. Support – Even when our trainers have left your home and your session is over, they are still there to support you. They offer online support for all clients. Whether it’s questions about your diet – or a pep talk to help you on the tough days – they can be contacted. Also, if you and your partner, or a group of friends, fancy getting together and training, then On Call PT can train you as a group. For further information, call 085 7704302, email oncallpt@mail.com, or see www.oncallpt.net.
17 September 2015 Gazette 25
GAMING interview: composer jessica curry
WEEBYTES
Noteworthy insights into how music can affect gaming READERS may recall my recent look at the beautiful, enigmatic PlayStation 4 title, Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture, and my focus on its haunting soundtrack by Baftanominated composer Jessica Curry. I caught up with Jessica last weekend, to learn first-hand a little more about her work and creative process. I began by asking her how she ended up composing computer game soundtracks, given that there aren’t many award-winning, critically acclaimed composers working in this field. “I was dragged into the games industry kicking and screaming! Dan Pinchbeck [creative director/studio head at games studio The Chinese Room] was writing his PhD on first-person shooters, and asked me to write some music for one of the experiments that was linked to his doctorate. “That game was Dear Esther [an award-winning, critically acclaimed and heavily narrative-driven title set on an unnamed island in the Hebrides], and the rest is history!” While every composer has their own unique voice, who would be your main inspirations – whether classic composers or any contemporary
shane dillon sdillon@dublingazette.com
bands and artists? “I have a really wide range of people who inspire me – Bach, The Cardiacs, Joni Mitchell, Thomas Newman, Durufle, Wim Mertens and the Nashville soundtrack are currently on my playlist. Told you it was eclectic!” Your most recent, and critically lauded, soundtrack for Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture is a beautiful and perhaps quintessentially Englishsounding score, mixing pastoral melodies with occasionally sombre yet uplifting choral segments. Have you ever felt pressured to create more generic scores? “The incredible part of the story is that I am also joint studio head at our company, The Chinese Room. This means that I can shape the titles that we make and there is never any pressure to conform to the norms of the games industry. “We make games that are very different to the usual fare that is presented, so that means I have free rein with the music –
it’s a joy.” When composing for a specific project such as Rapture, is there a principal hook that guides your work? What defines or guides your overall focus on a project? “As always in our games, the music goes much further than just providing the emotional core of the game, although that’s vital, too. We use music as a storytelling device – often using lyrics to give the player backstory and additional context for understanding the game or a specific character. “Rapture has been the most complicated score yet. Each of the six main characters has their own theme. The game is nonlinear and open-world, so the music had to act as a guide to the player. “Creating distinct themes for each main character was one way of helping the player to locate who they were listening to. Remember, there are no character visualisations in the game. “ The choir also form a really important part of the musical story in the game; in a way, taking on the role of a Greek chorus, commenting on the action as it unfolds. “They are also symbolic as, for me, the human voice represents so much of what this game is trying
Would-be American president, John McAfee
McAfee joins political race
Jessica Curry, an award-winning Bafta-nominated composer and joint studio head at games studio, The Chinese Room. Her most recent score accompanies Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture (below); a PlayStation 4 title set in a very pretty, deserted English village immediately after the apocalypse.
to say – we are here for such a short time, but it’s the connections that we form while we are here that matter.” Yo u ’ v e a l r e a d y notched up some very impressive credentials, with collaboration work taking in such diverse institutions as the Royal Opera House and Great Ormond Street Hospital. Do you ever find that your video game composing is seen as less worthy of your talents, or are you happy that fans and critics alike judge your work on its own merits? “I absolutely hate snobbery in any form, I just can’t abide it! Video games are as much a valid cultural form as anything else out there, and I will bare-knuckle fight anyone who says different!” Given such success, to date, can you see yourself setting aside gaming scores to focus on more ‘purist’ compositional work, or are you happy to just keep working on projects that you find engaging, regardless of their origin? “As in the past, I will continue accepting commissions that inspire and
JOHN McAfee – he of McAfee Antivirus software fame – has announced that he, too, is also running to be the next American president, as an Independent candidate. Famously described by Dean Barrow, the president of Belize, as being “extremely paranoid, even bonkers”, McAfee briefly went on the run in late 2012 in Belize after a neighbour of his was found dead of a gunshot wound, with McAfee blogging about his experiences of life on the lam and evading authorities. Turning up in Guatemala City, and eventually being deported to America, Belizean authorities went on to drop any charges against McAfee.
Jedi scrapes at Skelligs
excite me. The medium that the music plays in has always been the least interesting aspect of the work I undertake, and I can’t see that changing.” And, finally – what next for Jessica Curry? “I am about to embark on a wonderful commission that hasn’t been announced yet. It’s in
collaboration with a very famous contemporary poet, and the work will premiere at Durham Cathedral next year. I can’t wait!” The Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture soundtrack is available to buy on Amazon.com, priced £10.99/£6.99 digital download.
IT HAS just been revealed that Luke Skywalker (AKA actor, Star Wars icon and highly-popular gaming voiceover artist Mark Hamill) almost met an ignominious end at our own Skellig Michael last year. Hamill joined a long list of people who’ve slipped climbing steep steps at the monastic rocky outcrop, and almost fell to his death. Luckily, faster than a Jedi’s reflexes, a guide grabbed him, saving everyone’s favourite farm boy from Tatooine.
26 LUCAN GAZETTE 17 September 2015
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Gazette
28 gazette 17 September 2015
SPORT
FastSport Sandyford man makes switch to rotterdam: MITCH Darling made a stunning start to life with Rotterdam hockey club in the Netherlands after a last-ditch move to take up a professional contract last week. He scored on debut for the Dutch giants in a 4-2 win over Pinkoke in the first round of the Dutch season having only moved to the club three days earlier. The Sandyford native was part of the Irish side that finished in third place at the European Championships in London in late August and was initially due to play for Three Rock Rovers in Dublin in the upcoming season before the Dutch club came calling. Darling has previously played for SCHC and Den Bosch in the Netherlands and with KHC Leuven in Belgium. He joins a sizeable Irish contingent in European leagues with former TRR club mates Phelie Maguire (Voordaan) and Andy McConnell (Hurley) also in situ.
golf: royal dublin man renews us rivalries after six year break
Kearney teams up for PGA sport@dublingazette.com
NIALL Kearney’s last taste of team golf came in the Walker Cup on America’s east coast at Merion Golf Club,
Pennsylvania in 2009. Six years later, the Royal Dublin pro will again be representing Great Britain and Ireland on US soil but this time in the PGA Cup on
Kearney with the PGA Cup
the west coast at CordeValle, California, from September 18-20. Among his opponents in the Walker Cup was world top 10 player Rickie Fowler who helped the hosts win and America’s PGA pros will pose a similarly tough test as they bid to maintain their vice-like grip on the PGA Cup. Kearney is set to be a key part of Jon Bevan’s 10-man team which is aiming to create history by winning on US turf for the first time since the club pros’ equivalent of the Ryder Cup was first contested in 1973. Kearney, who secured his place in the team by winning the PGA Play-
Royal Dublin’s Niall Kearney
Offs last November, is relishing the challenge. “It is a trip I am really looking for ward to,” he said. “We had a get together at The Belfry where I met all the guys on the team that I didn’t know before and they’re are a great bunch. “The captain Jon Bevan is a great guy – they laid out the itinerary – it is simply unbelievable – five-star treatment – and we are so motivated to beat the US team.” The PGA Cup wasn’t on Kearney’s list of priorities when he teed up in last year’s PGA PlayOffs but it is filling his thoughts ever more as the date nears. “The PGA Cup was always in the back-
ground a bit, then gradually the paper work started to come through – getting the itinerary and then finally the gettogether at The Belfry – it is all building up now – it’s going to be something special “ T h e Wa l ke r C u p was back in 2009 – so that’s a long time ago. I enjoyed the team environment and the different formats. The Irish teams were great – really good times, we gelled really well and had some successful periods as well.” With GB&I having won just once since 1984, the pressure is on Kearney and his teammates to regain the magnificent Llandudno Trophy and Bevan has
been stoking the fires among his players. “ J o n ’s m o t i v a t i o n is that America don’t want to play it any longer simply because they don’t see it as a contest. That’s our motivation – that’s all we needed. “GB&I have been working really hard – they have a great team together, they are giving us the best chance of overturning the Americans. “The standard of the players competing on the GB&I team is really good, there are some very strong competitors. “They are golf guys – comfortable in the environment. I really think we can do well and win it.”
McCrystal and Boylan best of the Irish at Ras na mBan sport@dublingazette.com
Garda cycling club’s Eve McCrystal celebrates winning the best Irish rider category. Picture: Lorraine O’Sullivan
DUBLINER Lydia Boylan and Garda cycling club’s Eve McCrystal both finished in the top 10 on general classification following a fine performance at last week’s Ras na mBan. Boylan finished in sixth place overall, riding in the Team WNT bib, just 26 seconds off the pace set by eventual winner Stephanie Pohl from Germany. Boylan previously rode for Orwell Wheelers before moving across to Nottingham in England and, as such, was riding in
the British category. As such, despite finished 10 seconds further back, McCrystal was the top finisher in the Irish category with a ninth place finish overall after 390km of racing across six stages around Ireland at an average speed of 36.979km/h. Indeed, both riders did make a burst for glory on last weekend’s final stage when they raced clear in the closing kilometres, opening up an advantage of 15 seconds as the charged towards the line. But they were both caught
inside the final kilometre setting up the group sprint to the line taken in emphatic style by Scotland’s Eileen Roe in Ennis to deny them a huge victory. The former British Circuit Race champion powered up the finishing straight ahead of double stage winner Grace Garner (Team RST) from England and Germany’s Stephanie Pohl (South Netherlands-Energy HR). Pohl’s third place thus protected the seven-second advantage she held over Roe to secure overall honours in the tenth edition
of An Post Ras na mBan. Pohl is the second German winner of the event following Stephanie Gronow’s victory in the first event in 2006. Clare County Council Best Irish Rider was the preserve of McCrystal throughout the week and, after an early bike change, she was soon back in the pack ready to contend for stage honours. Best Irish team award went to the Richie’s Garda CC squad of McCrystal, Catherine McAteer, Orla Montague, Karen Robinson and Claire McIlwaine.
17 September 2015 gazette 29
Gazette
Iconic Fenway Park to host Dub hurlers Boston will play host to a unique contest in November when Dublin meet Galway in the new Super 11s format, the first time the city will host a game of this magnitude since 1954 nathan kelly
sport@dublingazette.com
ONE of the world’s most iconic sporting stadiums will host our own iconic sport this November after it was announced the Dublin Senior Hurlers will face Galway in Fenway Park. The home of the Boston Red Sox will host the AIG Fenway Hurling Classic on Sunday November 22. The announcement was made by AIG Insurance in Ireland, the GAA, the Gaelic Players’ Association (GPA), and Fenway Spor ts Management (FSM) on Tuesday in Croke Park. Launch events also took place in the famous Boston stadium after Boston Mayor Marty Walsh made the announce-
ment stateside. Director general of the GAA Paraic Duffy praised the importance of such an event. “It is encouraging to see the interest and impact our national game can have overseas and we’re delighted to be involved in this project for that reason,” he said. “Our overseas network is extremely important to us and bringing hurling to what is widely recognised as an Irish city outside Ireland is massively important to us. It will be an occasion to remember on November 22 as two excellent teams from Dublin and Galway demonstrate the best skills of our games.” The game will form part of an Irish Festival at Fenway Park on
the weekend where all aspects of Irish culture and music will be celebrated. It will be played the day after Boston College take on the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame at Fenway. The Dublin vs Galway clash will be a fresh experience for the intercounty stars as it will be played in the Super 11s format. Super 11s, which is the brainchild of the GPA, is an 11-a-side format of traditional hurling. It allows hurling to be played in stadiums and venues across the globe where the pitch size or playing area is smaller than that of a traditional pitch here in Ireland. Only goals can be scored in the format which may take some getting used to for the
Dublin senior hurler Dotsy O’Callaghan at the launch. Picture: Ramsey Cardy / Sportsfile
Dublin and Galway stars but specific training sessions will be organised by the GAA to ensure both sides are accustomed to the rules ahead of the match. Donal Og Cusack, chairman of the GPA, was also on hand to praise the idea at the
General manager of Dublin GA A’s sponsor AIG Ireland Declan O’Rourke, stated that the links between Boston and Ireland should make this a truly momentous occasion. “We are absolutely delighted and hugely proud to be able to bring
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‘I don’t need to explain the close ties Boston has to Ireland and why Fenway is a fitting venue’ - Declan O’Rourke
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Croke Park launch. “The AIG Fenway Hurling Classic is a truly wonderful opportunity for us to exhibit hurling at a high profile US sporting venue, and there is none more iconic than the home of the Red Sox,” he said. “We believe that hurling ranks alongside the best sports in the world and the staging of this game in Fenway is part of our commitment to convey that message to a new and influential audience.” It will be the first time since November 1954 that hurling will be played at the home of the Red Sox. It was back 61 years ago that the then All-Ireland champions Cork took on and defeated an American hurling selection.
hurling to the iconic Fenway Park in Boston. I don’t need to explain the close ties the city of Boston has to Ireland and that is why it is a fitting venue to play host to one of our national games.” Finally, Sam Kennedy, president of Fenway Sports Group, which is the parent company of the Boston Red Sox and Liverpool FC, was confident the Dublin and Galway hurlers can entertain his hometown fans. “Hurling is one of the most electrifying sports in the world and we think fans are going to enjoy watching all the fastpaced action as two of the most accomplished and talented counties compete on the pitch at Fenway Park.”
expertView
Top coach Bowes casts his eye over Rugby World Cup For the duration of the Rugby World Cup, former Edinburgh and Marlborough player Dennis Bowes, now a highly decorated coach working primarily with Barnhall, will give his thoughts on the key battlegrounds in the competition. It’s nearly here, four years in the waiting. As a teenager back in 1987 I set my alarm clock for 1.30am to wake up and watch France play Scotland in a thrilling 22 all draw in the first ever rugby world cup competing for the now famous William Webb Ellis Cup. And now we are here again for the eighth World Cup and what a fantastic spectacle it will be. This may prove to be the biggest and best so far with 20 teams playing in 13 venues in 48 games and, at 6pm on October 31, we will have our winner. Will we have a new name on the Webb Ellis? Or will the mighty All Blacks retain it This Friday, we get off to a flying start with the host nation and former winners playing the flying Fijian. Being a total romantic, I would love to see the upset of upset here and I do think this could prove to be one of the games of the tournament. This, I feel, could be a fascinating encounter with real physicality, pace and flare coming from the south sea islanders they are a real threat with ball in hand and if their set piece can hold they could do well here. One of the main areas to keep an eye on will be around the match officials and theriedecision making and the speed of the those decisions; how many times will we go to the TMO for simple decisions that could be made without the arm chair viewer losing the will to live; and how many reset scrums and penalty tries will we see? On the home front, a strong Ireland team go into battle on Saturday against a tough Canadian team. I see them coming through this in the last 20 minutes by 20+ points and building nicely into there pool, let’s hope injury free ,as their depth will count later in the group against French team that are very dangerous and unpredictable come World Cup time.
Gazette
30 lucan gazette 17 September 2015
SPORT
FastSport
Athletics: tom byrne cup draws crowds for harriers’ event
Esker set to host huge All-Women’s Box Cup ESKER Boxing Club will host the Esker All Female Box Cup from Friday, September 25 to Sunday, September 27 in the CBS Sports Hall in Lucan. The competition is open to international clubs in 2015 and the entry fee is €10 per boxer from all levels from juvenile to senior with over 100 entrants already signed up. For more information, contact Ed on 085 748 0207 or email shandygriffin@hotmail.com. Weigh-in takes place on Friday evening with boxing on Saturday and Sunday. Each participant receives a medal and certificate. Elsewhere, Esker’s Killian Geraghty became the Irish national cadet champion this week after a tough fight against a fantastic Sligo boxer. He heads off to Russia in October for the European Schoolboy Championships with the Irish team. He is coached by Mick Kelly and Brian Geraghty.
Barnhall fight back falls just short in UBL MU BARNHALL’S comeback came up just short as they were unable to reel in a big early deficit against City of Derry at Parsonstown last Saturday in their opening Ulster Bank League Division 2B fixture of the season. The tie ended 32-20 in favour of the northern visitors as three early tries left them 22-0 down at half-time. Barnhall became much more competitive thereafter with replacement out-half Simon Gillespie and back rower Paul
Nalty both making an impact. Number 8 Tom McKeown scored a confidenceboosting try for his side from a close range scrum. The gap was down to 27-12 after lock Conor McDermott took advantage of some poor Derry tackling. A 70th minute penalty from Gillespie and a sevenpointer from Brian Hennebry, just five minutes later, set up a grandstand finish as Barnhall heaped the pressure to make it 27-20. Derry were wobbling but, amid intense pressure, scrum half Andrew Semple intercepted to break-out and clinch the win.
Kevin Maunsell leads home the field at the Tom Byrne Memorial race
Maunsell lands Lucan first sport@dublingazette.com
LUCAN Harriers’ annual Tom Byrne Memorial Race took place last Saturday morning and recent tweaks to the race proved a big success on the day. In the lead-up to this year’s race, the club decided to change the race from 5km to a five mile, pushed it back from May to September and linked it with the hugely popular Lucan Festival. Over 200 runners registered for the race but the first man home was Kevin Maunsell from
Clonmel AC in 25.16. Lucan Harriers neighbouring club Celbridge AC would have been delighted to see their man Jason Miley cross the line second in 26.51 while Neil O’Rourke from Civil Service Harriers completed the men’s top trio in 27.04. Over the line first for the women’s was Cathy McCourt from North Belfast Harriers in 31.28, followed closely by Anne Curley from Donor Harriers in 31.43. Civil Service Harriers had their second third placed finish of the day when Anna Sadowska
marathon fourth Egan produces another world best in Hungary Salmon Leap’s Jenny Egan produced
her best result to date when she finished in fourth place in the women’s senior K1 race, over a 26.1km course, in Gyor, Hungary last Saturday at the world marathon championships. A year earlier, the Olympic hopeful had finished seventh at the same event, showing her steady rise on the world circuit. In late August, she also finished sixth at the world sprint championships.
Picture: David McDonald
finished in 32.48. The Tom Byrne Cup itself is annually presented to the Lucan member who crosses the line first and this year it was Will Byrne, who also won the M40 category. There was further success for Harriers neighbouring clubs with Celbridge AC winning the men’s team prize. Leixlip club Le Cheile saw their ow n John O’Regan win the M45 and Breda Smyth win the W40 prizes. After a miserable day weather-wise on Friday, there would have
been fears for from the organisers ahead of the Saturday morning event. Thankfully, as club members arrived at the Harriers track, perfect running conditions were presented. T he new five-mile route proved to be a great success with runners enjoying the variety saw them start and finish on the track and in between going along the canal, back down by Fosset’s Circus and completing a lap of Griffeen Valley. Another highlight of the day from a Lucan perspective was seeing
some members of Lucan Harriers Fit 4 Life run their very first race on the day. The ladies only began to run this year so to go from not running to completing a five-mile was a fantastic achievement. There was also a large contingent from Celbridge Fit 4 Life taking part too. Lucan Harriers were keen to thank many people and organisations for their assistance on the day such as Celbridge AC and Le Cheile and a host of local businesses.
17 September 2015 LUCAN gazette 31
Gazette
golf classic
Rushe among stars at St Pat’s fundraiser
Club Noticeboard lucan sarsfields
dublin senior hurler Liam Rushe, pictured
left, was among the many people to take part in the St Pat’s, Palmerstown memorial golf classic at Slade Valley last weekend, including many well known faces from around the county. It was part of a day of events for the west Dublin club with many of the golfers repairing to Palmerstown House for a Decades Disco in the evening.
MANY thanks to all the teams who
Prior to this challenge, on Saturday
sent in match reports this weekend.
October 10, we are hosting our annual
Full details can be found on our web-
fundraising night from 9pm in Lucan
site, www.lucansarsfields.ie, with
Sarsfields.
over 1,500 players in action in the last
This promises to be a great night
week across all four codes from age
out with music from local band
seven to 40+.
Arthur. Spot prizes and raffles on the
Congratulations to our U-14A cam-
Camogie: lucan sarsfields claim big victory
The Cupla Focal Club will start again
league. Well done to both our U-14
on Monday, October 5 and continue
football teams who had excellent
for eight Mondays. The beginner’s
league wins at the weekend.
class will be from 8pm to 9pm and we
Our minor A football team got their
will have a ciorcal cainte from 9pm to
championship off to a great start with
10pm for those who want to use the
a win at Fionnbarr’s.
Irish they have. Failte roimh cach.
The senior footballers play St
Conroy triple breaks Plunkett’s resistance
senior championship St Oliver Plunkett’s/ER 2-8 Lucan Sarsfields 3-16 sport@dublingazette.com
FIVE unanswered points in the final minutes from a rampant Lucan were enough to finally see off a brave Plunkett’s challenge in this absorbing championship clash at the Navan Road. Plunkett’s made a good fight and reduced the deficit to four points when Aoife Bugler netted a smashing goal after 46 minutes. Amy Conroy, however, replied immediately with a green flag at the far end and Lucan
eased home from there. The match had begun with Lucan on top. Ciara Casey eventually opened the scoring with a pointed free from a difficult angle after five minutes. It was soon built on when quick work down the left, involving Casey, Sarah Collins and Ailbhe Ryan. This led to an opportunist goal from full-forward Conroy. Casey and Collins followed up with points while Plunkett’s eventually found the range at the west end aided by a nice breeze, 0-3 to 1-3. Conroy’s second goal on 21 minutes helped
settle Lucan further when she was picked out by a superb early pass from midfielder Mairi Moynihan. Ali Twomey began to find her feet after a recent lay-off and slotted a lovely point from 40m which was quickly followed by a similar effort from Laura Murtagh, building a six-point halftime lead. Twomey added another couple on the resumption while one from Orla Beagan put Lucan in what looked an unassailable position at 2-8 to 0-5 ahead. Plunkett’s, though,
captured a def lected goal and then Bugler’s effort reeled in the margin to four. C o n r o y, t h o u g h , popped up with the allimportant third goal after 47 minutes and was the signal for Lucan to empty the bench and was followed by a string of points from Conroy again, Twomey, Murtagh, Kate Whyte and finally a late free from sharpshooter Casey. Lucan maintained a huge work rate all over the field for the hour and this – more than anything - wore down the home resistance.
Just turn up on the night.
Mary’s in Saggart next Saturday and
Golf results from Castleknock –
the minor hurling championship con-
first: Joe O’Sullivan (22) 41pts; BB9
tinues on Sunday.
second – Seamus Fagan (14) 41pts;
Best of luck to Emmet and the Dub-
category one – Paddy Cunniffe (16)
lin senior footballers in the All-Ireland
35pts; BB9, category 2 – Michael
Final on Sunday.
Malone (21) 39pts; category 3 – Gerry
The Lucan Sarsfields’ 25 Card Drive
The Lucan Sarsfields senior camogie team
night, all welcome.
ogie team on winning the Division 1
Jones (22) 35 pts.
resumes on Friday, October 16 and will
The club shop is open on Thursdays
continue to May 2016 in the clubhouse
from 7.30pm to 8.30pm and Saturdays
bar from 9pm sharp.
from 10.30am to 1.30pm.
The 2007 girls’ mentors and par-
The Lucan District Credit Union GAA
ents “Runamuck” with Arthur: On
Academy at Lucan Sarsfields is at
October 17, some of our brave men-
9.30am for camogie and girls’ football,
tors and parents will take on the 5km
10am for boys’ football and hurling
Runamuck Challenge to help raise
for boys and girls born in 2009, 2010
funds for our club and our 2007 girls’
and 2011 – 12th Lock, Lucan. Contact
football and camogie teams.
Johnny on 085 1294102.
ST pat’s palmerstown A MASSIVE thank you goes out to all
ly, our U-15 camogie team lost away
involved in our golf classic and Dec-
to Naomh Mearnog.
ades Disco on Saturday. The weather was great and the
G r e at m o r n i n g o n S at u r d a y for our U-8s in a hurling blitz with
golfers enjoyed the day in Slade Val-
Ranelagh Gaels and Lucan Sars-
ley, the disco was a great success
fields; thanks to all the parents for
with some dodgy singing but a great
the help.
night was had by all.
Hard luck to the U-14s against Kil-
Thanks to everyone that organ-
macud on Saturday. Hard luck to the
ised the events and that participat-
U-15 football team who were beaten
ed in the events. Thanks to all our
by Cuala in the championship.
supporters who all helped make the day the great success that it was.
Brilliant game of football from the minor team in the championship,
Hurling and camogie skills ses-
they managed to salvage a draw.
sions are starting back this Friday
Super win on Saturday for our U-16
at 6pm in Glenaulin.
footballers against Castleknock.
Football/hurling/camogie creche
The senior hurlers were unlucky
is on in the Pobail School Hall every
to lose out to Lucan on Frida y
Monday evening 6-7pm and on Sat-
night.
urday morning from 10-11am in the
The senior footballers had a fan-
clubhouse. New players always wel-
tastic win against St Sylvester’s
come.
in the championship on Monday
Weather permitting, we hope to
night.
go ahead with our Fun Day on Satur-
The lotto numbers for this week
day, September 19. Keep an eye on
were 7, 8, 24 and 25; there was no
Facebook and emails for updates.
winner so next week’s jackpot will
Well done to Sadhbh Duffy who
be €4,200.
played and scored a great point
The draw takes place in the Palm-
on Saturday in Antrim for the U-15
erstown House every Sunday night
camogie Dublin team. Unfortunate-
at 10pm and tickets cost €2.
32 lucan gazette 17 September 2015