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

INSIDE: Actress Amy Huberman is calling on students to get involved in annual drama awards See P14

Soccer:

Garda do the Job in national cup competition Page 30

Camogie:

Lucan looking good for senior semi-finals Page 31

Find us on

ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES..................... 10 DUBLIN LIFE................... 13 OUT&ABOUT...................17 CLASSIFIEDS.................26 SPORT............................28

what’s the craic, mack? Theatre legend Michael Ball returning to Dublin Page 16

Calmer waters for pool project  Ian Begley

COUNCILLORS have agreed to include the Lucan Swimming Pool project in the next council capital programme for 2016 to 2018.

The motion, brought up at the Lucan area committee meeting by Cllrs William Lavelle (FG) and Vicky Casserly (FG), assures that a public swimming pool will only be provided within these years if the necessary funding becomes available.

Cllr Lavelle said it was vital that the project be included in the next council capital budget as the Government will only provide about a third of funding if the national swimming pool programme is reopened.

Cllr Liona O’Toole (Ind) tabled a separate motion in which she requested Sport Minister Paschal Donohoe to visit Lucan and meet the people behind the swimming pool campaign.

Full Story on Page 6

Village gets festive: Feast of fun for happy people of all ages gill, Eoin, John, Liam and Emer Keough were among the thousands who enjoyed the recent Lucan Festival which featured a whole host of events and attractions for the community. The event featured walking tours,

live music, street entertainers, bouncy castles, walks and rafting. The event also had an intercultural flavour with food stalls, crafts and dance and music groups. See Gallery next week Picture: Cathy Weatherston

2 LUCAN Gazette 1 October 2015

council Injuries obtained by trips, falls and bumps

Over €240,000 is paid out in claims  Ian Begley

South Dublin County Council has paid out over €240,000 in 2014 for claims made by 95 individuals for injuries obtained by trips, falls and bumps on footpaths.

These figures from January 1 to December 31 showed an increase of 30 claims made to the local authority in 2013, when the number of claims stood at 65.

The total amount the council paid to people in regards to trips and falls on footpaths in 2013 was €220,310. This year,

 ian begley ibegley@gazettegroup.com

however, the sum was €243,997 – an increase of €23,687.

The biggest individual claim paid out by the council in 2014 was €78,747 and in 2013 it was €66,698.

A council spokesperson told The Gazette that the main incidents occurred across a broad

expanse of public roads within the county, with no evidence of a recurring pattern of claims submitted in respect of a particular road or location.

T he spokesperson added that trip hazards were some of the main reasons for the accidents, stating that fractured and bruised limbs were among the most common injuries.

Asked how often the local authority carried out repairs on these damaged footpaths, the spokesperson said: “South Dublin County Council reviews its pub-

lic realm improvement and repair works on an ongoing basis and these works are categorised on a priority basis.

“Footpath repairs are undertaken as part of the council’s cyclical and response maintenance programmes and varies in size from single bay replacement to larger multi bay projects.

“In general, a full bay replacement costs between €300 and €500 depending on its size and location,” said the spokesperson.

Commenting on the number of claims made to South Dublin Danny O’Brien (SF) said: “I certainly feel like a lot more should be done to repair the damaged paths in Dublin Mid-West. I’m

Figures show an increase of 30 claims made to the local authority

noticing that many of these footpaths are damaged due to the roots of trees coming up through them.

“Back when the council built these estates they planted the wrong type of trees which would inevi-

New store set to bring 25 jobs Irish company Base Wood Fire Pizza (WFP), has announced it is opening a fourth store in Lucan Shopping Centre with the creation of 25 jobs and an investment of €300,000.

The new store will open in early 2016 and is part of a five-year expansion plan which will see the company open a further two more stores.

The company was founded by former solicitor Shane Crilly in 2008, and now employs nearly 100 people with stores in Terenure, Ballsbridge and Stillorgan Village.

Speaking about the new store, Shane Crilly said: “We are excited to be opening a fourth store and our first in [Dublin Mid-West]. Base Wood Fired Pizza is now a premier player in the fast casual delivery segment and we have had huge loyalty from our customers.

“The success of our business ref lects the consumer trend toward premium quality, fresh healthy ingredients in contrast to the traditional take-away pizza experience.”

For more information visit www.basewfp.com

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

tably cause their roots to damage the footpaths at a later stage. Now that the council are taking in charge more and more estates, the responsibility of repairing the paths land solely on them.

“It would cost the

council millions of euros to repair all of the paths in South County Dublin and would take an extensive amount of time… I would also advise people to be very vigilant on footpaths that are damaged,” he said.

1 October 2015 LUCAN Gazette 3

don’sdublin By endurance, a man called Shackleton conquered the world If ever a man lived up to his family motto then Ernest Shackleton is most definitely that man. The words

By Endurance We Conquer were borne out to the maximum as he led all his men to safety during the Antarctic expedition of 1914-17. It is a tale of unbelievable skill, bravery and determination that is considered one of the greatest achievements in exploration and well presented in the Endurance Exhibition in Dun Laoghaire.

Shackleton was born on February 15, 1874 in Kilkea, near Athy in County Kildare. His father, Henry, decided to study medicine in Trinity College and moved his family into 35 Marlborough Road, Ranelagh for four years from 1880-84. After graduation the family moved to Sydenham, south London where he practised medicine for more than 30 years.

Ernest went to school in Dulwich College, and joined the merchant navy when he was 16. He progressed quickly and in 1901 was invited by Captain Scott to travel aboard the Discovery to the Antarctic.

They failed to reach the South Pole, as did his own 1907-09 Nimrod expedition that got to within 97 miles of its goal.

On his return he received much public adulation and was knighted by Edward VII. He returned to Dublin and gave lectures in Earlsfort Terrace (now the National Concert Hall) and the Gresham Hotel.

For the 1914 expedition to cross the Antarctic, the team sailed in the Endurance on the day Germany declared war. As the ship approached the Antarctic it became frozen in the ice and was eventually crushed and lost. The team headed in three small boats to Elephant Island, and from there Shackleton and five others made the 800-mile journey in horrendous weather to South Georgia. The 17-day journey in an open 20-foot boat, the James Caird, and the safe return of the crew, was heroic and bordering on the miraculous. Endurance, indeed.

Don Cameron

www.donsdublin.wordpress.com

Ernest Shackleton: His Antarctic expedition of 1914-17 is a thrilling tale of unbelievable skill, bravery and determination

System Educate Together improves enrolment method

Move aims to deliver equal access  Ian Begley

Four Educate Together national schools in Lucan have come together in an effort to improve, systematically the way pupils are enrolled in their schools.

From October 1, Adamstown Castle Educate Together National School

and sister facilities in Esker, Griffeen Valley and Lucan East will operate a co-ordinated admissions system: the Lucan Common Enrolment System (LCES).

The aim of this common enrolment system is to promote inclusive, integrated schools that serve the needs of local

families. Essentially, children in Lucan will be able to access their most conveniently located Educate Together school on a fair, transparent and equal basis.

According to Colette Kavanagh, principal of Esker ETNS: “The [enrolment system] aims to end the situation in which

children are forced to crisscross all over Lucan to attend a school that is not necessarily their nearest one. By default, current enrolment policies are creating segregation in the school system, most notably in rapidly developing urban areas. The [system] aims to address this by levelling the play-

ing field and giving every child equality of access to the most conveniently located Educate Together school in Lucan.

“Under the new system, which prioritises students based on age, newcomer families will no longer be disproportionally disadvantaged in accessing schools” she said.

4 LUCAN Gazette 1 October 2015

improvements Organisations increased marks on 2014

Tidy Towns groups’ hard work praised  ian begley

Three local Tidy To w n s g r o u p s d i d very well at this year’s National Tidy Town’s competition and have all increased their marks from last year.

Lucan went from 290 to 294, Griffeen Tidy Towns increased from 222 to 233, while Palmerstow n Tidy Tow ns jumped from 219 to 240 points.

In the adjudication report for Lucan Tidy Towns, it stated that they are looking forward to the proposed redevelopment of the Village Plaza and Lucan

Bridge and Park.

“Lucan Tidy Towns has achieved a fine presentation for the village to date; the upcoming redevelopment/ refurbishment of the plaza bridge and park is eagerly anticipated and will no doubt be a welcome addition to the visual and recreational amenity status of the village centre.”

Griffeen Tidy Towns, which celebrated its fourth year of entry into the national competition, was also lauded: “We are pleased to hear that it is helping you and your residents to focus on initiatives that

will help your common environment. Houses, walls and railings were all seen to be in good order on the day of the visit.

“The new green and white bilingual signs were well positioned, both wall mounted and free standing examples.

The daisies to the base of the Rossberry Avenue sign were particularly admired.

“Well done on the huge success of your bat walk and talk and how great to see it becoming established as an annual community event.”

Palmerstow n Tidy Towns made the big-

gest increase in points locally.

Its adjudication repor t stated: “Tidy Towns within the village is well organised and the committee is proactive in engaging with all stakeholders in a positive way, communication methods employed are effective. Congratulations on participation in the South Dublin Heritage Walks, this really is a fine achievement.

“The most impressive elements of Palmerstown in the opinion of this adjudicator are its heritage and its wildlife and these could be cel-

Helpline provides advice The Local Enterprise Office for South County Dublin have launched a free Business Support Helpline for business in the County.

This Business Support Helpline for business owners and managers will provide a response to your business query from an experienced mentor within 24 hours of your call. Funding for the helpline is being provided by LEO South Dublin and continues the development of LEO South Dublin’s positioning as a first stop shop for businesses in the County.

Trained helpline advisors will respond to queries within 24 hours and signpost businesses towards available financial aid, training programmes and other relevant supports and advice. contact the helpline on 1800 313 947 or info@leo. sdublincoco.ie

Lucan increased its mark on last year going from 290 to 294

ebrated and promoted more; not to do so is like ‘hiding your light under a bushel’.”

Congratulating the efforts of the local Tidy Towns groups, Minister Frances Fitzgerald said: “The Tidy Towns groups

throughout our area deser ve huge praise for their hard work and dedication to making our villages and estates look their best.

“Everyone who rolls up their sleeves and helps out in their com-

m u n i t y vo l u n t a r i l y deserves admiration.

“All groups have delivered visible improvements in our area. Your hard work has made our communities a more vibrant and better place,” she said.

1 October 2015 LUCAN Gazette 5

Muck and puddles Council-run park ‘a waste of money’

Parents angry over playspace upkeep  ian begley

THE playspace at Hermitage Park is not fit for purpose and is a waste of money, according to parents who are angry that the facility, installed last year, has experienced anti-social behaviour.

Local resident and mother of three Miriam Collins told The Gazette that the playspace is badly designed. In addition, she considers it a waste of money as her children cannot use it without getting themselves dirty.

S h e s a i d : “ W h a tever money they spent building the playspace in Hermitage Park is a

waste of money because my children cannot play in it without coming back filthy. The wheelchair handles that were supposed to be installed were never fitted and the rubber mats on the ground were pulled up and now just lie scattered around.

“I don’t know how the council’s park department are letting it get as bad as it is - it’s just covered in muck and puddles,” she said.

Lucan Cllr William Lavelle (FG) said a meeting was recently held about the issue of the playspace and associated issues.

“I think it fair to say

that the council officials in charge of the playspace were left in no doubt as to the local anger and frustration over anti-social behavior and poor maintenance.

However, the meeting did result in some useful ideas including redesigning the playspace to make it more attractive to younger children and less welcoming to teenagers; as well as a proposal to install CCTV which I will be supporting. Additional planting will also be installed.

“A further meeting will be held between residents and council officials and I hope this engagement will lead to

effective solutions being implemented to address the local concerns of residents and parents,” he said.

In response to criticism of Hermitage Park play facility, Michael Hannon who is South Dublin County Council’s senior supervisor for public amenities denied it is was not wheelchair accessible and said the pulled up mats were due to antisocial behaviour.

“In this playspace children are allowed to use their own imagination to create play for themselves. One of our councillors has a disabled child and she

Cllr William Lavelle: “Council officials were left in no doubt as to the local anger and frustration over poor maintenance.”

says that it is accessible to him, but nothing is always 100% accessible for disabled children, unfortunately.

“Some of the mats have been pulled up and we’re looking for alternative ways to deal with

them. There has been vandalism and that’s a fact of life everywhere you go.

“People say the playspace looks dirty, but the natural play concept now says that children should be running

about and getting themselves dirty, otherwise how are they to learn?

There is a feeling that children are so mollycoddled and protected that they’re not allowed to do any thing anymore,” said Hannon.

6 LUCAN Gazette 1 October 2015

meeting: figures show collection rate of 58%

council Facility on capital programme

Council issues €46,000 worth of litter fines  Ian Begley

Around 307 litter fines valued at over € 4 6 , 0 0 0 h ave b e e n issued by South Dublin County Council from the start of this year to the end of January.

The question which was raised by Cllr John Lahart (FF) at the September county council meeting also showed that the total of fines collected for this period was €26,615 – a collection rate of 58%.

The council also revealed that in 2014, 625 litter fines were issued with a total value of €93,750. The entire sum collected for this period was €44,598 – a collection rate of 48%.

The chief executive’s [Daniel McLoughlin] reply went onto state:

“Fines which are not paid within the period specified in the Act are referred to the council’s law department for prosecution for nonpayment.

“T he cour t has a number of options at its discretion, including conviction with fine, conviction without fine.

In addition, the court may award costs to the council. The collection of fines applied by the court is a matter for the Courts Service.

“It is not always possible to progress the matter to a court hearing for various reasons but primarily due to fines sent by registered post being returned as undelivered [or] evidence deemed to be not sufficiently robust to support prosecution.”

The campaign for a public swimming pool in Lucan has been ongoing for approximately 30 years

Councillors back Lucan Swimming Pool project  Ian Begley

Local councillors have agreed to include the Lucan Swimming Pool project in the next council capital programme for 2016 to 2018.

The motion, which was jointly proposed

by Cllr William Lavelle (FG) and Cllr Vicky Casserly (FG) at the Lucan area committee meeting, received unanimous support from the committee to include a public swimming pool, located at Griffeen Valley Park, in the Rolling Capital Programme 2016 to 2018.

This agreement assures that a public swimming pool will only be provided within these years if the necessary funding becomes available.

It is hoped that both

South Dublin County Council and the Government will commission the estimated €10m needed, although no plans to reopen the national swimming pool programme have been announced.

According to the chief executive’s response: “The current capital programme which has been approved by the council, makes no provision for a swimming pool in Lucan.

“The Government’s local authority swimming pool grant scheme administered by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sports has been closed to new applications for a considerable period and the council has no indication that the Government intends to re-open same.

“If the Government re-opened the grant scheme, the council would still have a major difficulty in funding the balance. There would have to be certainty regarding the total funding of the project to support the submission of a grant application.”

Commenting on his motion, Cllr Lavelle said: “If Government reopens the national swimming pool programme, this will only provide about a third of funding for the proposed Lucan pool and the majority of funding will have to come from the South Dublin County Council as has always happened with such projects around the country.

“It is therefore vital that the Lucan Swimming Pool project is included in the next

council capital Budget 2016 to 2018.”

Lucan Cllr Liona O’Toole (Ind) tabled a separate motion at the Lucan area committee meeting where she requested that the Minister for Sport Paschal Donohoe visit Lucan and meet the people behind the swimming pool campaign.

She said: “I think the Minister should come out and understand our need for a swimming pool. Sometimes, it makes a huge difference when you get people to sit down in front of you and have the opportunity to put across everything that needs to be said in person,” she said.

The campaign for a public swimming pool in Lucan has been ongoing for approximately 30 years and has been the

topic of many county council motions tabled by local representatives.

A lobby for a public swimming pool for Lucan has also been set up by local residents and to date has amassed over 1,221 signatures in a petition.

Helen Farrell, organiser of the Pool4Lucan campaign, told T he Gazette that she feels other areas are being prioritised before Lucan even though there is a huge demand for a public swimming pool in the area.

“I just think that South Dublin County Council and the Government need to accommodate and fund Lucan’s great need for a swimming pool. The need for a pool independently of Clondalkin is massive,” she said.

1 October 2015 LUCAN Gazette 7

stigma Councillor told his records were destroyed in fire

Survivors of homes need aid – Timmons  Ian Begley ibegley@dublingazette.com

A local councillor who grew up in Irish care is trying to highlight the stigma and challenges that many single mothers and their children have to face.

Cllr Francis Timmons (Ind) is now calling on the Government to provide support for the survivors of mother and baby homes and also the Magdalene Laundries.

He spent his childhood in the Irish care system and was only granted limited contact with his mother Mary Timmons during his

time there.

While trying to find information about his life, Cllr Timmons was told by the Sisters of Charity that his records were destroyed by a fire.

He didn’t believe this and eventually found his records through an alternative avenue.

He said: “As a survivor of the Irish care system I know only too well the stigma and pain of care.

I was born to a woman that would have been regarded at the time as a fallen woman.

“She [Mary Timmons] was my mother and despite all the State interventions she remained my mother. I

regard myself as somewhat lucky that I had contact with her, however limited, and was lucky to be with her in the lead-up to her death last year.

“Many adults made decisions on when I saw her and how often. She wasn’t perfect, no one is, but she was and still is my mother. When I left the home to move to a new life in Clondalkin I had to leave one of my brothers behind in the home.

“I grew up with one of my real brothers in Clondalkin. A few years ago when I went looking for my information [about my life] I was told

by The Sisters of Charity that a massive fire had taken place and my records were destroyed. “[But] eventually, through a different avenue, I got my records. I now have receipts, letters and a record of my life.

“It’s a shock when you open a parcel and see your life contained inside [of it]. Every letter and every receipt puts a piece of my life together,” he said.

Cllr Timmons proposed that South Dublin County Council persuade the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs James Reilly into providing support for

Cllr Francis Timmons (Ind): “As a survivor of the Irish care system I know only too well the stigma and pain of care.”

the survivors of these homes.

His proposals include: free legal advice for those attending the confidential committee, that a garden of remembrance be erect-

ed by the State and the church, and that a joint apology be issued from the church and State to all survivors.

The independent councillor is also asking that redress and

compensation for those affected be looked at and the terms of reference be changed to include all survivors of the “forced separation of single mothers and their children”.

8 LUCAN Gazette 1 October 2015

opinion Changing people’s behaviour and attitude

Industry steps up battle against gum By now you will have likely seen the blanket of advertising on the sides of buses, on billboards nationwide, at the train station or on the TV asking you to Bin Your Gum When You’re Done. You may well be asking who is behind it.

The answer is it is part of a wider campaign by the Gum Litter Taskforce (GLT); a body funded by the chewing gum industry and established within Ibec whose objective is changing people’s behaviour and attitude towards how they bin their gum.

Earlier this year the GLT e s t a b l i s h e d a

renewed agreement with the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government which will see industry fund a national gum litter awareness programme from 2015 to 2017.

It represents a multimillion euro commitment by industry to tackle the issue. Bin Your Gum When You’re Done was then launched this month in a bid to encourage people to dispose of their gum in a responsible way in towns and cities throughout the country.

It is the latest in a series of campaigns which have been running since 2007.

It is proven to work as well. The campaigns have

seen significant results over a period of time with a drop in gum as a percentage of national litter from 26.37% in 2007 to 15.3% in 2014, according to the national litter pollution monitoring system.

According to research carried out by Millward Brown on behalf of the campaign, we’ve seen a continuation of the incremental year-on-year increase in the percentage of people who viewed dropped chewing gum as litter. The figure is now at an all-time high of 93%.

The results show the effectiveness of the campaign in changing consumer behaviour and encouraging people to

dispose of their gum responsibly. The results also demonstrate that education and awareness are a sustainable longterm means of tackling the issue.

Beyond the advertising elements of the campaign, the GLT also promotes a civic partnership element, including sponsorship of TidyTowns competition and An Taisce – Green Schools and National Spring Clean programmes.

A “Bin it!” educational workshop (aimed at 11- to 13-year-olds) has also been running for a number of years, with the addition this year of Bin it! Buddies which

Paul Kelly: “The GLT campaign is an excellent example of how the Government and the private sector can work together in partnership”

extends the reach of the programme to 14to 16-year-old students.

This includes an actorled workshop tour which takes place in schools each autumn and is supported by learning materials for teachers so they can integrate it into the school curriculum. We have reached more than 30,000 students since we started.

This isn’t an initiative just rolled out in the bigger cities, by working in partnership with local authorities throughout Ireland; we’re seeing the message go nationwide and achieving higher levels of engagement with the public.

The GLT campaign is an excellent example of how the Government and the private sector can

work together in partnership.

It’s hoped that the campaign over the next three years will continue to change people’s attitudes for the better and result in cleaner, gum-free cities and counties around nationwide.

Paul Kelly Gum Litter Taskforce

1 October 2015 LUCAN Gazette 9

SERVE Committed to tackling poverty in the developing world

Helping a charity with style  Ian Begley

A style night with a difference is set to take place in Colaiste Cois Life, Lucan, in aid of the charity Serve.

On Friday, October 16, the style night will set out to answer all your questions about what to wear, how to wear it and why.

The event promises a glamorous night full of advice and tips on getting your wardrobe right as well as how to shop more effectively. There will be a reception on arrival, as well as lots of fun spot prizes, raffle prizes and much more.

Several local boutiques will be taking part on the night, including: April Rose and Ross Morgan both from Clane; Madhatters from Dunshaughlin; Bella Mia, Celbridge;

Stylemama, Rathfarnham; and Zip Yard, Maynooth.

Tickets are €20 with all proceeds going to the charity Serve. Serve is a development and volunteering organisation committed to tackling poverty in the developing world.

They specifically focus on programmes and projects that help communities enhance the lives of the children and young people that they work with, ensuring that they have a future to look forward to.

A group of students and teachers from Colaiste Cois Life will participate in a school immersion project, in association with Serve, where they will travel to South Africa for two weeks in March 2016.

The immersion project will see them volunteering with development projects and learning about development issues facing young people in South Africa.

Tickets are available in Colaiste Cois Life every Thursday morning from 8am to 8.30am and every Thursday afternoon from 3.30 to 4.30pm. All tickets purchased will be entered into a draw for a two-night break, including an indulgent evening meal, in the fabulous Kilronan Castle, County Roscommon.

Stylist Kathryn Byrne of Your Image Matters will lead the presentation.

She believes: “Women have too much choice when it comes to clothes shopping. They are getting to the stage where

Colaiste Cois Life charity crew members Micheal O Ceoinin, Niamh Ni Dhuill, Niamh Ni Fhionnghasa, Aine Ni Bheachain and Breandan Mac Fhloinn

they just want to simplify things, both in their shopping habits and their wardrobes”.

She promises the evening in Lucan will help women to simplify their wardrobe and shop-

ping habits, show how to mix and match what ladies already have and establish guidelines on focused shopping trips, making life much easier and clothes shopping a more pleasant experi-

ence.

Doors open at 7.15pm with refreshments on arrival. For more information search for Style Night on Facebook for regular news and updates.

fundraiser Pawsitive campaign for groups Pet charities in Liffey Valley and Tallaght are set to benefit from a unique month-long fundraising campaign which is being organised by the Maxi Zoo pet store chain with the support of its customers.

All proceeds from Maxi Zoo’s imaginative Give Paw fundraiser will go directly to the Irish Blue Cross in Tallaght, and to Dogs Aid in Liffey Valley to assist the charities in meeting the high cost of providing for the needs of animals in their care.

The annual Give Paw fundraiser enables customers in Maxi Zoo to make big or small donations to their local pet charities throughout the month of October.

10 LUCAN Gazette 1 October 2015

gazetteGALLERIES

Ryan Foster, Shannon Corcoran, Conor Foster, Tara Farmer, Seamus Keher, Ciara Walsh, Sean Murtagh, Orla Malony, Ciara Neville and Adam Connolly

having a ball: Debs night proves lots of fun for classmates

T

HE recent debs night for Lucan Community College was a glizy affair with graduating students from the school and their dates going all out to impress. Ball gowns and snappy suits were all the rage for the big night out at the Red Cow Moran Hotel.

A number of students travelled to the venue together by bus, leaving worries about designated drivers and taxi fares at home as they partied the night away. The event allowed former classmates to reminisce about school days and chat about plans for the future

The winners of the â‚Ź5,000 wedding prize are Maria McCormack and Graham Farrell with children Cilian, Caitlin and Clodagh with Ken Battigan, general manager of the Celbridge Manor Hotel. Pictures: Jolanta Rossiter

Graham Kirwan and Ciara Cox and Dylan Cullen

Bradley Richardson

bridal style: planning for the big day

The red carpet comes out for wedding show E

Jack O’Toole, David Ryan, Lynch, Orla Beagan and Daniel Keyes.

Pictures: Cathy Weatherston

XCITED engaged couples and their families descended on the Celbridge Manor Hotel recently to sample the offerings of specialised wedding vendors for their big day.

Happy couples sipped champagne, tasted cake and admired the bridal styles on parade at the fashion show. The latest trends in

wedding dresses, bouquets and beauty looks were showcased on the runway by glamorous models. Some couples attending the show are planning to have their wedding at the hotel and one lucky couple won a generous prize to help them celebrate their nuptuals at the elegant venue.

1 October 2015 LUCAN Gazette 11

Lisa Lawless and Particia Bolgen of Elle No 5 all hair had an exhibition stand at the show

Ray Cahill and Michelle Kearney

Caroline Cummins and Francis Gilligan

Adam Maguire and Sarah Byrne

Ali O’Sullivan, Terry Higgins and Rebecca Maher

Simona Pelankova

12 Gazette 1 October 2015

gazetteGALLERY

Sinead Burke

Alex and Teodora Coptil. Pictures: Ruth Medjber

A simple message of Hope to carry around

T

HE launch of jewellery designer Margaret O’Rourke’s special fundraising pendant in aid of Pieta House was a lovely success at MoMuse in the Powerscourt Centre, Dublin 2 recently, where her design was greatly praised.

Retailing for €65, with 100% of

Ingrid Hoey

proceeds going to Pieta House, the self-harm and suicide support service, the Hope pendant is inscribed wth the same word – a key message that underpins the work of Pieta House.

The hand-finished pendants are accompanied by a keepsake card, providing an elegant reminder to its

Jenny McGinn and Rosemary McCabe

bearer or gift-giver of the importance of persevering, of reaching out, of providing or seeking support for those in need.

With such an admirable cause to support, there was a steady stream of supporters willing to help support the pendant and Pieta House.

Melanie Morris

Margaret O’Rourke and Brian Higgins, chief executive, Pieta House

Cara Doyle

1 October 2015 Gazette 13

feature P15

asdfsdaf theatre P27 P16

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

a day in the life: xpose presenter, glendA gilson on her busy routine

what’son

A hectic but sparkling life chasing stars  aisling kennedy

XPOSE presenter Glenda Gilson rarely has two days that are the same, as she is constantly on the move covering all types of fashion, showbiz, and entertainment news.

Having just returned from a week reporting as the fashion correspondent for Xpose at London Fashion Week, she took time out to give The Gazette an insight into a day in her life with Xpose.

“Tomorrow, I will get up at 4.30am as I have to fly to London to interview Jessica Chastain, who is starring in the movie The Martian, which is out this week.

“When I get up at that time, it’s way too early to have breakfast so I’ll have a coffee. I’ll wait until I get over to London, get to the Dorchester Hotel where I have to meet Jessica, and then I’ll sit down and have something to eat while I read over my questions.”

Gilson said that as she reads over her questions, she will also put on her makeup before she heads up to a suite where she will interview the Hollywood star.

“The interview will be a standard press junket, so it’s a two-camera set up with each reporter taking turns sitting down to interview her. I’ve met Jessica before,

get ready for speks appeal HAVING played to full houses all across Ireland, the inimitable Speks will bring their unique blend of traditional music and nursery rhymes to The Mill Theatre in Dundrum on Sunday, October 4 at 2pm.

Comprising six members, the Speks are said to hail from a mysterious island off the coast of County Clare called Glasses Island, where everybody wears glasses.

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‘I don’t usually get changed for the red carpet, because all you see is my head and shoulders’

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Glenda Gilson

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and she’s a gorgeous girl; she always has a smile on her face every time you meet her.”

Gilson said that once the interview is over, she then has to make her way over to the film premiere at Leicester Square to meet the rest of the cast of The Martian, which includes stars such as Matt Damon and Kate Mara.

She is then sectioned into the media “pin”, where they place all media on lockdown as they all vie to get an interview with the stars.

“That’s about two hours of being on my tippy-toes with my arm outstretched to get questions to all the stars that walk past me. I don’t usually get changed for the red carpet, because all you see is my head and shoulders.

“I used to wear heels and a dress for

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“I usually don’t get home to my house until about 12.30am, so I try to unwind for about an hour, get some sleep, and do it all again the next day,” says Glenda

these events, but now I just throw on flats and get over there and do what I can in those couple of hours.”

Gilson then runs to catch a taxi at about 7.30pm when the red carpet event is over, and she catches the Heathrow Express from Paddington to get to her flight.

“I make sure I get there on time now, because I’ve missed so many flights!

I’ll grab a beer and a bite to eat at the airport, because I’m usually hyper after coming from the red carpet.

“I usually don’t get home to my house until about 12.30am, so I try to unwind for about an hour, get some sleep, and then get up to do it all again the next day.”

Catch Glenda Gilson on Xpose every week day on TV3.

Favourites Their 45-minute show comprises all-time favourite nursery rhymes such as Humpty Dumpty, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Incy Wincy Spider and many more family favourites, set to acoustic Irish traditional music.

Band leader Quince said: “We are so looking forward to playing in Dublin; we’ve been so close, in Kildare and Wicklow, but have never made it to the city, and what a treat for us, and for the children! We’ll have them singing and clapping to their hearts’ content.”

To purchase tickets for the event, see www.thespeks.com.

14 Gazette 1 October 2015

Gazette

dublinlife Hit the trail to help find a cure for sight loss

Fighting Blindness has launched its sixth annual Glendalough Trail, which is open to all levels of fitness with 15.5km run and 10km jog/walk options.

Taking place on Saturday, October 31, at 11am, the event last year saw over 300 people take the challenge raising €17,000

to support research into finding cures and treatments for sight loss.

Fighting Blindness is calling on walkers, runners and joggers to join in this off-road experience, and enjoy the magnificent scenery along the green forest trails of County Wicklow.

Tony Ward, head of

fundraising with Fighting Blindness, said: “The Glendalough Trail is unique, with a carefully planned route through the beautiful valley and a great variety of underfoot terrain. We welcome all supporters to come and join us this year for what promises to be a great day out.”

The entry fee is €20, with a further €50 minimum fundraising target, with all proceeds going to Fighting Blindness.

For more information please visit www.FightingBlindness.ie.

daly does her bit for Childline Cheerios Childline Breakfast week which runs from October 5 to 11 was launched by TV3 presenter Anna Daly at a special series of children’s events in Blanchardstown Shopping Centre last weekend.

Speaking to The Gazette, Daly said: “700,000 calls per annum go into childline from children who have the courage to pick up the phone and look for help.

“When you think about that it’s just so sad. Before I had children I would have thought that was very sad, now that I have them it makes me want to ball crying,” she said.

She went on to say that the funds raised through this initiative enable more staff to staff the phones 24/7 as, if a child calls at 3am and nobody is there to take the call, childline may miss its one opportunity to help that child.

For more information on hosting a Cheerios Childline Breakfast visit www.childlinebreakfast. ie.

lectures to mark 25th anniversary As part of the Carmichael Centre’s 25th anniversary,

diary

Actress and writer Amy Huberman who was on hand to officially launch the Bord Gais Energy Student Theatre Awards

celebrations are due to take place with a series of six public lectures over the winter/spring period.

The Carmichael Centre is home to 47 charities and provides shared services and targeted supports in-house to over 30,000 people from all over Ireland every year.

The lectures will take place in Carmichael House on Brunswick Street from 7 to 9pm and will be on the theme “Irish Civic Society 100 years on from the Proclamation of the Irish Republic”.

Some of the speakers who will contribute include: Sister Stan Kennedy (founder of Focus Ireland) on October 22, John Lonergan (former governor of Mountjoy Prison) on November 19, Fintan O’Toole (Irish Times journalist) on December 3, Sean Healy (director and co-founder of Social Justice) on January 21, Alice Leahy (director and co-founder of Social Justice Ireland) on February 18, and Pat Carey (former Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs and chairperson of the Irish Red Cross) on March 10.

The lectures are free for the public to attend and

light refreshments will be served. For information, email ken@carmichaelcentre.ie.

call to take part in theatre awards Bord Gais Energy is calling on students in Dublin to take part in this year’s Bord Gais Energy Student Theatre Awards.

Irish actress Amy Huberman officially launched the annual awards that celebrate drama in schools around Ireland. The actress, and mum of two, will also be joining the judging panel for this year’s awards with additional judges due to be announced later in the year. This year marks the third year the awards have taken place.

Last year there were over 3,300 entries from schools across Ireland culminating in an awards ceremony at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre with 2,000 students representing 57 schools in attendance.

The Bord Gais Energy Student Theatre Awards, which has 12 categories, is open to primary school students from third to sixth class and all secondary school students.

The deadline for entries to the competition is 5pm,

Friday, January 29.

For more information log onto www.bgesta.ie

entries sought for music awards Dublin teens can now tune up for the €3,000 top prize as the Fr Frank Maher Classical Music Awards is seeking entries for 2015.

With a €3,000 prize for the winner and €250 for the finalists, it is Ireland’s largest classical music competition for secondary schools.

The top prize bursary will be used by the winner to attend a recognised place of tuition, a course of study in Ireland or abroad or on a purchase necessary for the development of their talent.

Welcoming the launch of the 2015 Awards, RTE NSO leader Helena Wood said: “As players, we are conscious of the enormous financial and personal investment required for young musicians. This prize money will provide some talented young person with valuable additional financial help in fulfilling their musical ambitions.”

Closing date for entries is October 15. For more information, visit www. topsecurity.ie.

1 October 2015 Gazette 15

FEATURE escape the mayhem: alison comyn, utv ireland

UTV host switches off with beach life

 ian begley

KEEPING up-to-date with the news, alongside having the busy occupation as co-anchor of UTV’s Ireland Live programme, can certainly lead to a lot of stress.

According to TV presenter and mother of two Alison Comyn, working in a very pressurised and competitive environment can take its toll, but finding a healthy balance between work and play is key to keeping the stress levels at bay.

This week, The Gazette caught up with Comyn to see what she does to escape the mayhem of her

day-to-day life.

Aged 44, Comyn lives in Drogheda with her husband, Malachy, and their two children, Holly and Luke.

She said: “At times I find it very difficult to unwind and relax even though I’m aware of how important it is. I’m always running about the place, but for me, I find the best way to switch off is to head to the beach nearby my home.

“I go to the beach whenever I get the chance and my children also like to come with me, along with my two dogs, Izzy and Zach.

“It’s great seeing my

children run loose and get out and about in the fresh air, but for me I find that it’s a fantastic way to get a bit of exercise without even knowing it.

“I also used to run a lot to get fit and to clear my head. I probably should do it a lot more because I find it very beneficial.”

Comyn went onto say that another way she likes to unwind and distress herself is to travel.

“I love to escape abroad whenever I get the time and experience all the different sights and cultures.

“I recently came back from France, and I’ll be going to Prague around Christmas time. Prague is

Bid for Dublin as Capital of Culture gathers pace  Keith Bellew

Around 500 people crowded into the Mansion House recently for a showcase of Dublin’s talents and a series of talks organised by the Dublin 2020 team and centred around the bid for Dublin to be crowned the European Capital of Culture in 2020.

The Gazette spoke with Dublin 2020 director Ray Yeates about how the bid came about, its most popular initiatives and the plans for the last few weeks before judges arrive for the inter view on November 12.

He said that the idea had been tossed around

by Dublin City Council as far back as 2012, but never crystallised.

“Last September is when the serious conversations began.

“It has come together very quickly in comparison to other cities who’ve been a couple of years building their teams. But we’ve caught up very quickly. We got going late last year, so this year has been very high paced,” he said.

T h e r e h ave b e e n numerous initiatives launched throughout the campaign and Yeates says the most popular of these is the Tea and Chat series which sees prominent people, such as Cllr Christy Burke a n d S e n a t o r D av i d Norris speaking about Dublin.

He said that there were two big events planned over the next

few weeks as a final push for the bid.

It is hoped that there will be a huge street party on November 12 to coincide with the Christmas lights being turned on.

This would serve as a finale for the entire bid as November 12 is the day that judges from the Capital of Culture will interview the Dublin 2020 team.

“We’d love to get a big street event with about 5,000 people just around the time of the interview.

“Dublin Town were telling me that they’ll be switching on the Christmas lights on November 12 which is the day of the interview, so we might be able to turn it into a big bid event,” he said.

such a beautiful city, and the Christmas markets they have over there are just incredible.

“I don’t read as much as I should, but I’ve always found it to be a great way to unwind. Actually, when I was away on holidays, I read seven books on my Kindle. I’m really getting into the old classics, such as Ernest Hemingway,” she said.

Alison Comyn has been the co-anchor of UTV Ireland’s weekday news programmes Ireland Live and Ireland Live at 10 since January, and was recently asked to present an IFTA at the upcoming award ceremony.

TV presenter Alison Comyn, who heads to a nearby beach to relax with her children

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16 Gazette 1 October 2015

dublinlife

features

Michael looking forward to having a ball in Dublin  ian begley

Michael Ball : “The craic here is just amazing and you always get the best welcome”. Picture: Manuel Harlan

Theatre legend Michael Ball is coming to Ireland to showcase the classic Broadway musical Mack & Mabel and has told The Gazette that he plans to hit his favourite nightlife hotspots while in Dublin.

Ball who plays Mack Sennett, the great comedy director of the silent screen, stars alongside Rebecca LaChance who depicts the real-life story of actress Mabel Normand.

The show tells the tale of a group of pioneering filmmakers who changed

the world surrounded by the great fun of the silent screen.

Speaking to The Gazette, Ball said that he has been to Ireland many times before and always loves coming back.

“I’ll make sure to drop

by Lillies Bordello while I’m here and will do all the good things that I can’t remember from the last time I was here.

“I don’t understand how you guys do it. The craic here is just amazing and you always get the best welcome that can’t be compared to anywhere else.”

Ball went onto say that Mack & Mabel exceeded all of his expectations – he thinks it’s one of the most successful shows he’s ever been in.

“There’s a phenomenal cast and the energy of the dance numbers, choreography and slap stick humour gels together perfectly.”

Asked if he thinks he would survive in the era of silent movies, Ball joked: “Not a chance!

“Rebecca, who is playing Mabel, would be perfect because when you see the close-ups of her and compare them to the original close-ups of Mabel Normand, you can tell that she has the same ability to captivate an audience.

“To be quite frank my character Mack was a bastard.

“He was completely driven and obsessed with this new technology of film and would make people laugh at whatever cost, which is ultimately the downfall of their rela-

tionship.

“Mack is an Irish Canadian and is referred to throughout the show as that ‘Irish Bum’.

“I considered doing an Irish-Canadian accent for the show, but it didn’t go so well.

“Playing alongside Rebecca has been a joy from start to finish.

“When we were auditioning in the UK I literally took one look at Rebecca and knew that she was meant to play Mabel.

“I’ve come across many talented Irish actors and up-and-coming performers from Ireland over the years.

“I recently saw Ronan Keating in Once and really thought he was terrific. I’ve seen it three times already and it’s one of my favourite shows.

“Killian Donnelly, who was in the Commitments, is in Kinky Boots.

“I really believe he’s going to be a big West End star, but the doors

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

‘Mack is an Irish Canadian and is referred to throughout the show as that Irish Bum. I considered doing an Irish-Canadian accent for the show, but it didn’t go so well’ --------------------------------------------------------

“We narrowed it down to six finalists and I think what did it for her was that she was so calm and natural.”

LaChance also spoke to The Gazette, saying she was really looking forward to performing in Ireland and had no idea that she would be offered the role of Mabel in the first place.

“I was really convinced that I didn’t get the part after I went for the audition and was so surprised when they called me the following day giving me the good news.

“It’s such an exciting experience and I’m delighted to be playing such a big role.”

Asked if there are many Irish people trying to get their big break in the West End, Ball said:

are always open to great talent no matter where they’re from.”

Ball went onto say that nothing was more important than getting experience if you are an aspiring actor.

“Nothing is more important than experience which can come from visiting shows, getting involved in amateur productions and learning and working in the field.

A major new production of the classic Broadway musical Mack & Mabel starring double Olivier award-winning Ball is coming to Bord Gais Energy Theatre from October 27 to November 7.

For more information, visit bordgaisenergytheatre.ie.

1 October 2015 Gazette 17

travel P20

asdfsdaf P27 cinema P22

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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Pets a fun-loving Lurcher

Mary Murray, Cara Kelly and Catherine Cusack in Dancing at Lughnasa by Brian Friel. Picture: Ros Kavanagh

Festival: 28 productions spanning 22 different stages across Dublin

Theatrical treats aplenty  Keith Bellew

The Dublin Theatre Festival 2015 kicked off at venues around the city last week, and theatre buffs can avail of all the theatrical treats on offer until October 11.

This year’s programme boasts 28 productions, spanning 22 different stages across Dublin. Eleven new Irish works will premiere over 18 days alongside acclaimed productions from France, Belgium, Portugal, the Netherlands, the UK and Denmark.

The festival was officially opened at the Gaiety Theatre with the Irish premiere of The Night Alive by Conor McPherson, at the Gaiety Theatre in a new co-production from Dublin Theatre Festival and the Lyric Thea-

tre, Belfast.

This week the Gazette caught up with artistic director Willie White about the highlight’s of this year’s programme.

He said the various plays in the programme are like his children and it is very hard to pick a favourite, but one he believes to be among the main highlights is The Night Alive.

“Conor McPherson is from the northside of Dublin and premiered this play in London in 2013. I thought that was a great show and I was determined that we would have it as part of the festival.

It’s important to get a mix of shows which are high quality, but also reach a wider audience.

“We have people who are fantastic actors but also well known, like Laurence Kinlan who was Elmo in Love

/Hate, Ian Loyd Anderson was Dean, and then Adrian Dunbar, who is a very well-known film, television and stage actor who has performed in the festival before,” he said.

One of the most eye-catching events in the programme is the Gate Theatre’s production of Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridge, directed by Joe Dowling.

This new production has been put together to honour America’s most renowned playwright on the 100th anniversary of his birth.

White says Dowling has just finished up 20 years leading the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis Minnesota where he had an association with Miller’s work.

“He has directed world premieres of some of Miller’s plays as far as I recall,

and I have seen [a production of] All My Sons that he did at the Abbey. It has opened already and is running throughout the festival and it’s a very strong production. As you would expect it is a red-blooded play of jealousy, loyalty, community and revenge,” he said.

Another anniversary production at this year’s festival is the Lyric Theatre Belfast’s production of Brian Friel’s Dancing at Lughnasa, at the Gaiety Theatre. The award-winning Annabelle Comyn directs this 25th anniversary production which opens on October 6.

White described Dancing at Lughnasa as a masterpiece and said the festival provides a platform for a whole new generation to see it.

For more information visit www. dublintheatrefestival.com.

The Dublin Gazette Newspaper Group has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for lost and abandoned dogs.

Our Dog of the Week this week is Kim, a stunning six-year-old female lurcher. She arrived into Dogs Trust pregnant last year and went on to have a litter of beautiful puppies who have all since found wonderful homes. Kim is quite shy but has a goofy, fun loving and quirky personality that she shows to those who spend time with her.

If you think you could offer Kim a 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

GAZETTE

18 GAZETTE 1 October 2015

OUT&ABOUT

STYLE

Time for a toccata at Weir & Sons WATCH aficionados, form an orderly queue – the limited edition toccata by Raymond Weil, in association with violinist Nicola Benedetti, is now available at Weir & Sons.

Swiss watchmaker Raymond Weil recently announced its partnership with internationally renowned classical violinist Nicola Benedetti (above) to present the new 34mm ladies watch, the toccata (right).

Now available at Weir & Sons, and with just 300 pieces created, this signature toccata watch features a 34mm rose gold case with chocolate-brown ionised dial, decorated with 11 diamond markers and 80 diamonds set around the bezel.

Also featuring a date window at 3 o’clock, the look is completed by a luxurious chocolate brown satin strap, with the toccata retailing for €2,150.

Benedetti joins Raymond Weil’s impressive roster of musical ambassadors, which includes Labrinth, Milos Karadaglic and 2Cellos.

The arrival of the new toccata at Weir & Sons is perfectly timed as Benedetti took to the stage at the National Concert Hall on September 30.

Artisan lace trim shift dress €87; Fur clutch €31

Denim popper dress €60; Leather trench €375; Brown ankle boot €85

Lumberjacket coat €137; Leather skirt €40; Cable knit jumper €45; Black tassle boots €85

Jacquard pants €53; Sparkle crop tank top €35; Jacquard jacket €75

Boucle scarf €25; Artisan tuft jumper €56; Check marley mini €47

Oasis style for autumn  MIMI MURRAY

CHANNEL your inner 70s goddess with these stylish pieces from Oasis.

From washed denim to Prince of Wales and Donegal check, these are looks

that will take nostalgia to another level.

Clean, lean cuts are layered for effortless effect while pattern is replaced by embellishment including detailed embroidery, full fringing

and opulent jacquard for both day and night.

Check out this beautiful Oasis shoot styled

by Dublin stylist, Judy Gilroy, and shot by Dublin photographer, Kenny Whittle.

White Victoriana dress €75; Black boots €85; Floppy hat €31

Denim popper dress €60; Brown ankle boot €85

1 October 2015 Gazette 19

Gazette

20 Gazette 1 October 2015

OUT&ABOUT

Some of the best places to stay in Carcassonne LOOKING for luxury?

Try the four-star Hotel Donjon (Best Western – this is where I stayed very happily), or the five-star Hotel De La Cite, both of which operate within the walled city.

They run shuttles to and from the airport – all you have to do is ask. Friendly staff are on hand to help with any information you need.

Accessible Breakfast includes a bit of a fry – if you must! Newspapers are easily accessible if you’re that way inclined.

The hotels have gourmet restaurants attached, so you can eat, drink, then roll home within minutes without a care in the world.

Otherwise, for those on a tighter budget, from November 1 until March 30, there’s a special offer. Bon Weekend a Carcassonne promises the canny traveller two nights for the price of one, as well as B&B at weekends.

To find out which hotels are participating, see http://www. tourism-carcassonne. co.uk/news/exceptional-offer-bon-weekendcarcassonne, and start planning your holiday.  therese caherty

The Hotel Donjon

Glimpses of philosopher Michel Foucault’s home afford a vision of timeless canalside relaxation

The 240km Canal Du Midi has as much charm today as when it was built in 1666 as a crucial waterway

Carcassonne’s wonderful, ancient walls and heritage sites are quite a sight to behold

Carcassonne: a leisurely break in france’s Languedoc-Rousillon region

A medieval treasure that’s great for a relaxing escape  therese caherty

SUMMER was leaving, and so was I. After a minor delay on the runway, the Ryanair craft rose in the early morning fog, direction: southwest France.

Carcassonne, in the Languedoc-Rousillon region, was basking in the early 20s, and shortly so was I, as I was ferried to the golden ramparts of the medieval city.

La Cite Carcassonne The history of this citadel – a UNESCO world heritage site since 1997 – is overwhelmingly broad, deep and fascinating. The long story short is this ...

Situated on a hill between the Atlantic and

the Mediterranean, the Romans instantly recognised the area’s strategic value and built a fortress.

So, around 100BC, Carcassonne found itself on the military map where it sat for a very long time.

Its interior walls, with their stonework variations, tell a story of constant transition. The fortification’s circular design comprises two outer walls, 53 towers (one still known as the Inquisition Tower), barbicans (castle defences), a drawbridge and ditch. Stepping into it is like stepping into a Game of Thrones hologram.

Over the centuries, its authority waned and the city went into terrible decline, to such an extent

that the French government wanted it razed.

Enter architect Eugene Viollet Le Duc in 1849, charged with a restoration which began in 1853. The fruits of his labour didn’t quite create a war, but he took some flak for imposing his own vision on the city – and for outsourcing materials.

However, Viollet Le Duc triumphed. We stood in awe amid the ruins he retrieved. What if the walls could speak? I touched the ramparts that have heard the shouts of Roman generals, the roars of Charlemagne, the wails of Cathars, the mutterings of Viollet Le Duc and today the oohs and ahs of tourists.

They have witnessed

so much victory, defeat, needless bloodshed and misery, and what has been learned? History just goes on repeating itself ...

Back on the winding streets, the force of tourism is a jolt. Everywhere, shops of all hues jostle for your cash – reader, keep your eyes on the architecture and pass by.

Basilica SaintNazaire My afternoon tour ended in the nearby Basilica of Saint-Nazaire, also restored by Violletle-Duc. Its cool mix of Romanesque nave and later Gothic choir held a pleasant surprise: a Russian quartet singing acapella amid the stained glass windows, each car-

How Carcassonne got its name AFTER a five-year siege, Queen Carcas realised food was running out and brains, not brawn, were needed to deliver her city. The artful Saracen took the last remaining pig, fed it the last remaining wheat, and flung it over the ramparts.

Believing the city had food enough to waste on pigs, warlord Charlemagne withdrew.

A jubilant Carcas rang the city bells, causing one of Charlemagne’s soldiers to exclaim: “Carcas sonne!” (“Carcas is ringing!”) The rest is history ... See Dame Carcas on a column near the Narbonne Gate – a modern interpretation! rying its own story.

But should you tire of flickering candles and immaculate conceptions, nip outside for a long, satisfying gaze at the gargoyles.

Whenever I’ve spent too long in a medieval church, my spirit soars at the glorious sight of them snarling at the congregation below, urging us to “feck off out of here”!

1 October 2015 Gazette 21

Gazette

TRAVEL

OUIBITES

Miles of vines stretch out at the Vignobles Sarrail in Cazilhac A simple but sublime dessert at L’Artichaut

Tuck in to a dizzying selection of eateries Canal Du Midi The Canal Du Midi – another UNESCO heritage site – is an experience of a different stripe. Built in 1666 during the reign of Louis XIV, this 240km waterway from Toulouse to Sete links the Med with the Atlantic, hence its other name: Canal Des Deux Mers (canal of the two seas).

An original superhighway, it is an impressive example of human ingenuity. Given the area’s scarcity of water, enterprising engineer and canal builder Pierre-Paul Riquet (Baron de Bonrepos, to you) set about taking water from the nearby Black Mountains.

He constructed a 6m cubic metre lake, the Bassin de St Ferreol, which filched water from the hills, then filled his canal.

Back in 2015, these nuggets of prime information were in danger of drifting off forever as we moved along Riquet’s creation for several hours, shaded by great plane trees.

The gates opened slowly, the locks filled with a rush of warm dank water, our barge slid on.

I heard someone say

we were passing the home of philosopher Michel Foucault and, yes, there it was, gliding away to my right ...

“You can’t hurry on the Canal Du Midi,” our capitaine intoned. “There’s just no point.” Firm Bateau le Cocagne’s tour with multilingual guide is to be recommended and is easily accessible outside the Hotel Bristol opposite the train station.

The Bastide de Saint Louis Back on terra firma, a stroll around the Bastide de Saint Louis returned me to my land legs. Built during the time of Saint Louis in 1260, it lies on the left bank of the River Aude. Basically a rectangular grid, it’s laid out around a central square, now the Place Carnot.

While its boundaries are determined these days by the boulevards laid out in the 18th and 19th centuries on the site of the old moats, the Bastide’s grid-like streetscape has survived.

You always knowwhere you are and no matter where you wander, you’ll find something to tickle your fancy.

The Canal Du Midi is an inviting 240km Part of Basilica of Saint-Nazaire

stretch of waterway

Gargoyles adorn much of the Basilica of Saint-Nazaire, glaring out at the world today with the same distinctive fashion as they have done for centuries

For my part, I stumbled on the Musee des Beauxarts’ Raoul Dufy exhibition, the French Fauvist painter who claimed “my eyes exist to erase ugliness”.

Several rooms filled to bursting with his vivid work, including their transposition to ceramic and textile design, were stunning.

Vignobles Sarrail And so, on to the obligatory wine-tasting in

the Vignobles Sarrail in nearby Cazilhac. If you’re curious to know how your wine gets into the bottle, look no further.

As we gazed over miles of vines, Pauline Greefhorst, of Domaine Sarrail, reassured me that machines do the harvesting, not humans. In the production area we saw great vats where grapes are offloaded, the oak tanks where wine ages to perfection, and thence to the public outlet, where

customers – or visitors like me – sample their wares.

Technically, you’re supposed to gargle and spit into the spittoons which stood as high as my shoulder. But I’ve spent a lifetime refraining so instead I swallowed! It seemed wasteful to do otherwise.

Abrupt as ever, the short break ended and I was scudding home. If you’re an ABB (anything but the beach) person, then Carcassonne awaits.

A bientot!

INSIDE (and outside) Carcassonne’s ramparts you’ll find the restaurant choice dizzying – so let me help!

For lunch, t h e r e g i o n ’s traditional cassoulet is a must.

This rich, slowcooked casserole includes pork sausages, goose, duck, sometimes mutton, pork skin (couennes) and haricots blancs – white beans, to you and me.

Reliable sources led me to Le Saint Jean restaurant, Place St Jean.

Our food arrived in cassoles: deep, round, earthenware pots with slanting sides.

Complete with a glass of fine local red, the dish (above, right) was a winner. I’m now officially a fan of cassoulet!

If you’re vegetarian and in the Bastide, L’Artichaut, on the main square – Place Carnot – is the place to go. It delivers a tasty aubergine lasagne, a baked camembert salad and plenty else besides.

The cafe dessert was to drool for –rich chocolate cake, a helping of panna cotta, and a dollop of icecream, all topped off with an espresso. My sinuses

were screaming but what the heck, it was worth it.

For a more gastronomic experience, treat yourself to dinner at the Comte Roger, Rue St Louis, again within the ramparts.

Here I met the chef, Pierre Mesa, who, noting my wheat-free status, delivered one of the best meals of my life. Roast cannette (duckling) arrived and was melt in the mouth. The daintily arranged veg were deliciously al dente.

Dessert, with its lavender theme, was a work of art. And the local wines, recommended by staff, were very more-ish.

The Hotel De La Cite with its one-star Michelin restaurant, La Barbacane, offers a similar gourmet experience.

So, go for it, and bon appetit!  therese caherty

Gazette

22 Gazette 1 October 2015

OUT&ABOUT

CINEMA

ReelReviews

the scorch trials Running for the top

THE sequel to last year’s The Maze Runners – Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (Cert 12A, 131 mins) – sees a group of young people running for their lives (again). Having escaped from a deadly, ever-shifting giant maze and its horrors in the first film, the young leads discover that the outside, ruined world is even worse. Some decent set-pieces help to elevate it into a solidly diverting tale.

walk in the woods Wandering and wondering TWO elderly pals rekindle an old friendship by setting off to hike the 2,200 miles of the Appalachian Trail in A Walk in The Woods (Cert 15A, 104 mins).

Robert Redford and Nick Nolte make an amiable pair, with their grumbling as they go providing light entertainment, despite some contrived sequences.

Still, it has all the bare essentials for a road trip – via the impressive woods.

inside out

Another pretty Pixar FOR the few people who haven’t seen it yet, Inside Out (Cert G, 102 mins) remains one of Pixar’s best films for years, and has a surprising amount of emotional depths for adults, too. Following the emotions of a small family – with each personified by a different character – and their daughter, it’s a bright, breezy and super colourful family films that takes bold steps into the psyche, too.

In their pairing as an unlikely mentor and student, bored retiree Ben (Robert De Niro) delivers some great life lessons to his new boss, Jules (Anne Hathaway)

the intern: an unusual friendship creates the heart of de niro’s latest

Some fresh lessons on life THE Intern popped up on a lot of people’s radars last week when its co-star, Robert De Niro, took umbrage with the tone of questions being levelled at him during a promotional interview and stormed out.

While the subsequent palaver seems to be more significant than the actual exchange, this skimpy hint of De Niro’s ire stands out as a lone mark on an otherwise spotless (and sometimes infamously mundane) track record of dealing with the press.

After decades of playing tough guys on screen, it is oddly fitting that De Niro should begin to crack during this promotional tour, as his character in The Intern is quite possibly the sweetest character you’ll see in film this year.

Displaying the kind of protestant work ethic

 Dave phillips

that would put the founding fathers to shame, Ben Whittaker is a 70-year-old widower who is quickly realising that there is no substitute for a day at the office.

When a locally-based online fashion company opens its doors to senior interns, he makes sure he is first in line, and he is reluctantly accepted into the fold by the boss, Jules Ostin (Anne Hathaway).

Confident and precocious, Jules’s intimacy with every level of her business has her so stretched for time she has taken to cycling around the office, with her coffee

in a handlebar holder and a small army of notaries in tow scheduling in every spare moment.

While it’s a role reversal for Hathaway, you should not expect a reiteration of The Devil Wears Prada – as a character, Jules is more gently moronic than wilfully demonic.

I n s t e a d , we h ave another fine example of what writer and director Nancy Meyers does best.

Meyers has a slew of feelgood romantic comedy successes under her belt, including 2003’s Something’s Gotta Give, and 2009’s It’s Complicated, and her latest film almost fits neatly beside them.

The Intern feels like a romantic comedy – just without the romance.

Like in a traditional love story, the characters gravitate to one another because they need one

another.

Jules is capable but overwhelmed in her position, her inability to trust anyone else to do the job is leading to an insurmountable volume of work that is affecting her family and social life.

Meanwhile, Ben requires an order and structure that is lacking in retirement – it is not just the regimen of getting up and going to the office: Ben needs meaning in his life, and that comes through solving other people’s problems.

It is a trial by fire that provides much of the merriment, but the platonic relationship that develops between the two leads is beauti-

ful to watch.

Hathaway in particular is on top form here, bringing great complexity to what could have been an otherwise straightforward role.

De Niro’s character is a little more linear, but he plays it well and provides the fodder for some very well-written fish-out-ofwater comedy.

It is the classic oddcouple pairing, but while things may look light and airy from the outside, there is a hidd e n l e ve l of depth a t p l ay throughout the film.

Despite the simplicity of the set-up, The Intern still manages to go beyond its comedy roots and unfold in some unexpected ways.

Meyers has seemingly mastered the art of tickling you with one hand and tugging on your heartstrings with the other, while every now and then kneeing you hard in the gut just for good measure.

Here we have two hours of great comedy, wonderful dialogue, engaging story, lovable characters and captivating performances – there’s no good reason not to see this.

Verdict: 8/10

Writer and director Nancy Meyers has delivered another feel-good film that may not reach the heights of Something’s Gotta Give, but is still worthy of a look

1 October 2015 Gazette 23

Gazette

MUSIC music video: Cry Monster Cry

Rethinking the bond between music and film

Dublin folk duo Cry Monster Cry have recorded a music video for their track Starling which will feature on Around the World in 80 Music Videos, a global series on music videos, which seeks to rethink the relationship between music and filmmaking, throughout the world.

Created by Brazilian filmmakers Diana Boccara and Leo Longo, all music videos are shot in one take and are presented along with an episode of Behind

the Trip, the web series of the couple, with the making of the videos.

Starling, from the band’s debut album, Rhythm of Dawn, is the 25th in the series and premiered recently on YouTube.

Inspire

Because of the references to certain birds in the lyrics (mocking bird and starling, animals that have the ability to mimic sounds) the music video aims to tell the story of the relationship and exchange

that mankind and nature have, and how they inspire each other, in this case, through music.

The concept of the video also plays with the idea of birdwatchers being watched by the birds, as one inspires the other.

The music video was shot in the Dublin Mountains, in Massey’s Woods, with the presence of friends and family of the band together with friends of Boccara and Longo.

Throughout the

video they don different masks and appear as the creatures of the forest.

The Delorentos also recorded a music video and The Coronas will record a video for their song Get Loose on October 5 as the final Irish contribution to the series.

Boccara and Longo are then moving on to Africa, to shoot music videos there.

Cr y Monster Cr y’s Starling: can be viewed at https://youtu.be/ii5PCo-w3sE?list=PLDB-

Cry Monster Cry’s video was shot high in the Dublin Mountains and was done in one single shot

gLJKGCz4HeSuIjV87rFOdbC20JSBl For more information on Around the World in

80 Music Videos visit: w w w.facebook.com/ atw80musicvideos, https://www.youtube.

com/aroundtheworldin80musicvideos or instagram.com/ atw80musicvideos/

24 Gazette 1 October 2015

Gazette

1 October 2015 Gazette 25

OUT&ABOUT

GAMING

technology: dedicated handheld hardware could soon be a thing of the past

Ready for portable gaming’s evolution?

 shane dillon

WITH the inexorable rise of mobile gaming into mass culture, you might expect to see dedicated handheld consoles enjoying a resurgent popularity, following in the notable footsteps left by the likes of Nintendo’s 3DS, or Sony’s PlayStation Vita.

However, the opposite now seems to be true – the ever-increasing rise in mobile gaming makes

it increasingly less likely that new gaming handhelds will appear. Why, you may ask?

Speaking in Birmingham at the just concluded EGX 2015 – the UK’s biggest gaming event – Shuhei Yoshida, president of Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios, was asked about developing a sequel platform to the Vita.

He said: “People have mobile phones and it’s

so easy to play games on smartphones. And many games on smartphones are free, or free to start.

“I myself am a huge fan of PlayStation Vita and we worked really hard on designing every aspect.

Touch-based games are fun – there are many games with really good design. But having sticks and buttons make things totally different.

“So I hope, like many of you, that this culture

of playing portable games continues, but the climate [for dedicated handheld platforms] is not healthy for now because of the huge dominance of mobile gaming.”

In other words: “Sure, mobile gaming is going through the roof, but the problem is that everyone’s playing games on their phones or tablets, rather than on a dedicated console. As such, the era of walking into a

Shuhei Yoshida, president of Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios

games shop to pick up a game for a handheld console – or the consoles – is as dead as a dodo.”

The only thing that seems likely is that, from 2016 onwards, a dedicated handheld that’s specifically controlled and curated by a single corporation simply won’t happen.

The major studios and publishers alike are being forced to evolve, facing an evolutionary battle that has already seen a number of gaming giants toppled in 2015, unable to keep pace with smaller and more agile developers nipping about their heels.

To echo Yoshida: “It’s

so easy to play games on smartphones.” This pragmatic statement is almost certain to see itself implemented by the gaming gods porting their biggest names and franchises into the new all-digital frontier, rather than clinging to traditional mobile gaming hardware models.

26 LUCAN GAZETTE 1 October 2015

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28 gazette 1 October 2015

SPORT

FastSport hockey: dublin clubs endure mixed fortunes on opening day irish soccer international Dunne dies: FORMER Republic of Ireland international goalkeeper Pat Dunne passed away this week after a short illness, aged 72.

A former Stella Maris schoolboy player, Dunne signed for Everton before returning to Ireland and playing for Shamrock Rovers from 1962 to 1964. He was part of the Shamrock Rovers team which won the League of Ireland, FAI Cup, Shield, Leinster Senior Cup and Dublin City Cup in the 1963-64 season.

Dunne then joined Manchester United and won the English League First Division title in his first season and won Player of the Year at Plymouth Argyle in 1968.

He made 45 appearances for Manchester United and 152 for Plymouth Argyle before returning to Shamrock Rovers in 1970.

Dunne also won five caps for Ireland and played in the World Cup play-off against Spain in Paris in 1965.

National league’s new era  sport@dublingazette.com

G A R E T H Wa t k i n s ’ late double saw reigning national champions Monkstown snatch a 2-1 win over Railway Union to raise a dramatic curtain on the men’s EY Hockey

League, the first full season national league for the sport.

His side looked to be in a perilous position after Mateusz Nowakowski’s second quarter deflection had given Railway an early lead.

But Watkins held his nerve from a penalty stroke with eight minutes to go before touching home Jonny Bruton’s pass for the victory.

It was one of a series of high octane opening ties.

Lisnagarvey picked up an

Pembroke’s Alan Sothern lines up a shot

Railway Union’s Niamh Carey, right, on the attack. Picture: Adrian Boehm

important 3-2 win over Ballsbridge side Pembroke in a match laden with international talent.

Timmy Cockram, James Lorimer and debutant Neal Glassey built a 3-1 lead for the Hillsborough side, rendering Alan Sothern’s double ultimately fruitless, his second coming with mere seconds remaining.

Rathfarnham’s Three Rock Rovers, meanwhile, had a similarly comprehensive victory over Tallaght’s Glenanne as Peter Blakeney’s first half brace was augmented by goals from Ross Canning and Daragh Walsh.

On the women’s side, Anna O’Flanagan’s hat trick earned Hermes a 3-2 win against her former club UCD, coming from a

goal behind on two occasions to nick the result in the last play of the game.

Sara Twomey and Elaine Carey’s close range efforts put the students in front at 1-0 and 2-1 but O’Flanagan struck back twice for the Booterstown club before she eventually won the tie following a series of last-ditch penalty corners.

Ulster Elks came from a goal down to beat Pembroke 3-1. Sarah Clarke’s corner strike had the Dubliners 1-0 up at halftime but Shirley McCay turned the tide with a pair of goals before Jessica McMaster completed the victory.

Sandymount’s Railway Union were comfortable 2-0 winners against Cork Harlequins as Emer Lucey

and Niamh Carey scored in the first half to put new coach Colm Blennerhassett and his troops on course for victory.

UCC were the big winners on day one, coming away from Galway with a 4-0 success against Greenfields with Alex O’Grady, Antonia McGrath, Niamh O’Leary and Nicola Kerr among the goals.

Two final quarter goals from Sara Alexander saw Ards produce a famous comeback against Ulster rivals Pegasus.

Their 3-3 draw was one of the highlights of the first day. Pegasus had led 3-0 but Ards captain Caroline Adams gave them a lifeline from a corner before Alexander netted twice in the closing phases to grab a point.

Clontarf maintain winning run in UBL Division 1A  sport@dublingazette.com

Clontarf’s Matt D’Arcy

A SECOND half hat-trick from Mick McGrath saw Clontarf come from behind to beat Ballynahinch 38-17 and maintain their winning start to the Ulster Bank League Division 1A campaign.

Adding to his brace from the opening night against UCD, Mick McGrath turned this game on its head as Ballynahinch’s 10-0 interval lead was erased by the Leinster winger’s trio of scores, with the middle one set up by a Matt D’Arcy

interception.

McGrath’s brother Rob and Ulster prospect Conor Joyce swapped further tries before Michael Brown’s late effort - converted by Joey Carbery completed the table toppers’ third victory on the trot.

Leinster recruit Mick Kearney made a welcome return from injury in the Clontarf second row.

After losing to leaders Clontarf last time out, Old Belvedere got back to winning ways with a 24-12 defeat of a resilient Galwegians side at Anglesea Road.

Ed O’Keeffe’s second league try had ’Wegians just 11-7 behind at half-time and turning with the wind behind them, Matt Brown’s men went on to dominate the third quarter.

However, they could not convert pressure into points and ultimately paid the price.

A Gavin Tynan try had them back in front at 12-11, but Belvo were clinical in the final quarter with their Leinster-capped centre Steve Crosbie scoring a penalty and a converted try.

Yellow cards for ’Wegians locks Aly Muldowney and

Marty Cummins proved costly, and a closing penalty from Shane McDonald wrapped up the home win.

Fourth-placed UCD remain just three points off top spot following a superb nine-try 56-22 dismissal of Young Munster at a sun-splashed Belfield Bowl.

Ireland Under-20 international Billy Dardis helped himself to a hat-trick and Brian Cawley, Mark McGroarty, Adam Byrne, James Tracy, Jeremy Loughman and Jamie Glynn also touched down for the Noel McNamaracoached students.

1 October 2015 gazette 29

Gazette

Olympic marathon hopes move closer Dublin-based Sergiu Ciobanu and Mick Clohisey moved right into contention for a place at the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil thanks to their efforts in Berlin last weekend, writes NATHAN KELLY TWO LOCAL runners were among the top three Irish finishers at the Berlin Marathon last weekend as five home-grown athletes ran Olympic qualifying times.

Sergiu Ciobanu of Clonliffe Harriers and Mick Clohisey from Raheny Shamrock finished second and third in a 10-man and onewoman Irish contingent.

Olympic qualification time is 2.17.00 for men and 2.42.00 for women and Kevin Seaward from St Malachy’s in Belfast was the first across the line for the Irish with a time of 2.14.52. Lizzie Lee of Leevale AC in Cork was the leading

Irish woman with a time of 2.32.51 Ciobanu wasn’t too long after Seaward as he crossed the line after 2.15.14 while Clohisey soon followed in 2.15.35.

Speaking straight after the marathon, Ciobanu was naturally delighted with his performance.

“I’m delighted to finish as second Irishman,” he said.

The Harriers man, who finished 24th overall in Berlin, spoke with relief of what this result does for him over the next few months.

“Now I don’t have to worry too much about running another marathon in the spring. I can hopefully prove my form

with a half marathon at the world half marathon in March,” he said.

“My plan was to come and improve my personal best,” he added. “ Yo u c a n ’t k n ow exactly how the marathon is going to be. I just thought about starting it and see how I got on. We had a group over here and we worked together.

“I started to struggle a bit on the last 10km to 12km but in my mind I said I must not go slower than 3.20 per km. Up to that my pace was about 3.10 per km so I knew if I finished strong I could do well.”

Clohisey, meanwhile, finished just 21 seconds

Mick Clohisey, Kevin Seaward and Sergiu Ciobanu who all beat the Olympic marathon qualifying standard last weekend

after Ciobanu after initially leading the Irish charge from the start, and the Raheny Shamrocks man admitted to underestimating the distance in Berlin.

“The first half there was a good group of us and I was at the front of it all the way,” he said.

“I thought I’d r un around 2.15,” said the St Malachy’s man. “I didn’t think I could go inside it so it’s a pleasant surprise. I’m absolutely delighted. The first 5km felt really fast but as the race went on it settled and everything felt good from there.”

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

‘You can’t know exactly how the marathon is going to be.

I just thought about starting it and seeing how I got on’ Sergiu Ciobanu

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

“I had a 67.30 half-way pace, well it was either 67 or 67.30 I was looking at, there was a group of us. I thought that was perfect and I was feeling fine up until then.

“Just then in the second half you start to feel it, I actually thought I might be able to pick it up in the second half but in the last few miles I slowed a bit; I underestimated the distance.

“But I hung in there and I have to be a happy with 2.15.32, it’s a twominute personal best, I have to be happy,” added Clohisey who finished 29th overall.

The leading Irishman on the day, Kevin Seaward, also spoke after his 2.14.52 finish and revealed a bit of surprise at his time.

The leading Irish woman, Lizzie Lee, spoke emotionally after her 2.32.51 finish smashed the Olympic standard and her own personal best (2.38.09) from Berlin two years ago.

“I’m absolutely blown out of the park,” she said.

“The last two miles were the hardest thing I’ve ever done; my goal was 2.33.00. Fingers crossed now for selection for Rio.” The other Dublin runners among the leading Irish results were Sean Hehir (Rathfarnham WSAF) in 2.17.48, Mark Kirwan (Raheny Shamrock) in 2.19.30, Gary Murray (Clonliffe Harriers) in 2.21.09 and Tomas Fitzpatrick (Tallaght) in 2.22.18.

FastSport

Four-day turnarounds and injury issues abound FOR the duration of the Rugby World Cup, ex-Edinburgh and Marlboro player and IRANZ Level 5 rugby coach Dennis Bowes will give his thoughts on the key battles in the RWC15.

THE battle is over; the war is only starting. This week, the big talking points were the lack of recovery time for the tier two nations like Japan and Fiji with four-day turnarounds between big games.

Last week, we had Japan upsetting South Africa, we could not see the same thing happening again.

The smaller nations just can’t cope with the intensity and it proved so with both teams going down in the last 20 minutes of their second games and it proved a rough comedown after their immaculate opening.

The next big issue is injuries. How many worldclass players are missing from the biggest tournament in rugby already?

Most teams are already calling for the re-enforcements and need to add to their squads after only two games played Nowhere was this more evident than the big game on Saturday night between the host nation England against a Welsh side who were already reeling from the loss of their two star players in the warm up games, Rees Webb and Leigh Halfpenny.

It looked certain to be a tough game but one that England could not lose. A full strength England took a decisive lead before half time and looked like coming out second half to finish off a Welsh team hanging on 16-9 at half time and England in control.

The next 40 minutes of rugby were pure drama nails bitten to the bone. This was unreal stuff. At one stage, there were bodies left lying all over the pitch like a scene from Saving Private Ryan Wales lost three more players to the World Cup and it looked all over for them.

But with steely resolve and pure bloody guts and no little skill they clawed their way back from the edge With five minutes left on the clock they took the lead and never let it go. England defeated at home: an unreal moment as the chariot’s wheels came off.

Lastly, a mention for Ireland; they are building nicely and I think they can keep going all the way to the final; lets see what we get next weekend!

Gazette

30 dublin city gazette 1 October 2015

SPORT

FastSport

soccer: fai cup finalists back on the march in national stage

Seven Dubliners named in FIBA Europe Cup team SEVEN Dublin-based players have been named in the first Hibernia Basketball squad of 16 for the FIBA Europe Cup, contesting European club basketball for the first time in over 20 years.

The combined club side will compete in the group stages of the FIBA Europe Cup this autumn with eight players returning from the Men’s Premier League Select squad who played at the Sino-European Championships in China.

Templeogue trio Jason Killeen, Michael Bonaparte and Conor Grace are named though Killeen’s ongoing knee injury is likely to limit his involvement in the early rounds.

Eanna’s Luke Thompson, UCD Marian’s Neil Baynes and Swords Thunder’s Kevin Lacey, pictured above, return to the fold as do big men Martins Provizors of DCU Saints and Keelan Cairns of Belfast Star.

Fit again player coach Colin O’Reilly is one of six C&S UCC Demons players in the squad along with newcomers Lehmon Colbert and Adrian O’Sullivan.

“We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel,” said O’Reilly. “We’re just trying to make sure we put the best team we can on the floor in the shortest time possible.

“A few players that didn’t make the China trip stood out to us in training and needed a little more time. They’ve gotten used to what we’re trying to do and now those players are ready to step up.”

Elsewhere, the new men’s Basketball Ireland National League gets under way this weekend with many clubs making a series of new signings.

Templeogue are one of the big beneficiaries from the break-up of Dublin Inter. Point Guard Mazvydas Cepliauskas and Aurimas Statkus are seasoned MPL operators and Mark Keenan will have even more experience at his disposal with the additions of Michael Bonaparte and Paul Cummins. Cummins is a former senior international who last played with Belfast Star in 2013.

DCU Saints now have Slovenian guard Luka Nachbarcvikl on their books and look set to draw further on the wealth of talent from St. Vincent’s. UL Eagles welcome back Robert Lynch into the fold after a two season break from the national league while Staats Battle joins from North Carolina State on the Victory Scholarships programme.

The Sheriff YC team have made it through to the next phase of the FAI Cup

Sheriff and Liffey Cups run on sport@dublingazette.com

L A S T s e a s o n ’s FA I Junior Cup final innercity showdown will be remembered more than most, and the two finalists returned to national cup action last weekend.

When it was decided that Sheriff YC and Liffey Wanderers would contest the 2014-15 Junior Cup final, the buzz in the city for the Dublin City derby began way before matchday.

It was the underdogs Wanderers who came out on top to break Sheriff ’s dominance but the docklands side

won’t get their revenge this year at least.

Wanderers are now playing intermediate football and returned to the FAI Intermediate Cup last week, hammering Clondalkin outfit Peamount United 6-0 in their first round clash.

Travelling to Newcastle last Friday night, it took Wanderers just three minutes to go in front when Lee Roche broke the deadlock.

Dean Kinsella sent his side two in front before Roche added a third when an audacious chip from 35 yards found its way in.

It was a case of what-

Bohs legends Crowe and O’Connor on hand for charity match A BOhemian Legends team played a charity match in aid of Pieta House against an Ireland Legends team in Dalymount Park recently as part of the ongoing programme of events to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the club.

Cllr Larry O’Toole (SF), a long time Bohemian supporter, who deputised for the Lord Mayor at the match was pictured with two Bohs legends Tony O’Connor and Glen Crowe.

ever you can do, I can do too as Kinsella soon joined Roche on two goals with a fine finish to make it four while the game was only midway through the first half.

Roche wanted that match ball, however, and secured it by completing a first half hat-trick with 10 minutes still left before the break.

When Carl O’Brien added a sixth just before the break, you were left wondering if it could have been a cricket score but to their credit, Peamount tightened up after the break as the sides played out a scoreless second half.

Sheriff meanwhile returned to Junior Cup action looking to take back the blue-ribbon cup they had won back to back in 2011-12 and 2012-13 before exiting in the semi-final two seasons ago and Wanderers win last season.

Mullingar Athletic were the opposition in Clontarf Road last Sunday but were no match for a clinical Sheriff side.

Stewy Glen opened the scoring to continue the good form he’s showed since his summer signing. FAI Junior International Player of the Year Darren Dunne

put Sheriff two up before bustling striker John Rock hit a quickfire brace in the second half to seal the result.

Mullingar hit a late consolation but Sheriff march on and like Wanderers, take their first step to the Aviva Stadium in May, although this time, both clubs could leave as champions of Ireland.

Elsewhere, St Francis played out a thrilling 3-3 draw withTEK United at Stradbrook in the LSL Sunday Senior 1 division. The result leaves them in seventh place after five rounds of matches.

Gazette

30 lucan gazette 1 October 2015

SPORT

FastSport

Adamstown host hugely successful cricket blitz ADAMSTOWN Cricket Club’s annual blitz tournament played out in perfect conditions last weekend with competition at all levels from Under-13 up to open age group.

Sponsored by Eurasia Supermarket, the blitz tournament consists of rapid fire five over matches with a total of 11 youth and 10 adult matches played during the day and the winners decided in the finals.

On the youth side, it was Malahide 3 who topped the league stage and played second placed Malahide 2. In the finals, Malahide 2 successfully defended a target of 82 to lift the youth ACC Blitz cup.

On the adult side, it was Adamstown’s Buffalo Wings team who faced regular patron Help Together cricket club in the finals. Buffalo Wings’ Hamza Mann who also got the player of the tournament award played beautifully to set a target of 83 from five overs.

In reply, Help Together started briskly with its openers but a decisive fourth over from Asher Abbasi contained the flow and sealed the victory for Buffalo Wings. There was more fun offer with the teams losing in the first round playing for the Blitz Plate where team SIE beat the newly established Clondalkin Cricket Club.

With the longest hit competition, refreshment, food and music on offer, Corkagh Park looked a festive occasion during the day.

Presiding over the presentation ceremony Minister of State for Sport Minister Ann Phelan TD remarked on the great progress made by Adamstown Cricket Club in its short existence and its positive role in integrating the local community.

She congratulated the winners and promised to support Adamstown’s cause for building better training facility in Corkagh Park.

soccer: westmanstown side eventually make class pay

The Garda AFC side prior to last Friday night’s FAI Junior Cup tie

Garda arrest Celtic assault fai junior cup Garda Jobstown Celtic  sport@dublingazette.com

3 1

IT MAY have taken them 45 minutes to get firing, and extra-time to complete the job, but Garda AFC are in the next round of the FAI Junior Cup after a 3-1 win over Jobstown Celtic last Friday.

Noel Tallon’s side welcomed the Tallaght opposition to their Westmanstown base for the first round of the blueribbon cup for amateur football and despite being two leagues below the Guards, Celtic did pose a few problems.

The first half was hardly a classic, Garda had more of the ball and more of the chances but never looked overly threatening. They had a penalty too but Will Maguire failed to score from the spot. They were made pay for that too as five minutes before the break, and against the run of play, Jobstown went in front and stayed in front going into half-time.

Garda came out after the break with some renewed purpose which a change of tactics from Tallon seemed to deliver.

Switching to a three at the back, with two wingbacks on either side saw the hosts stretch their

liffey descent Egan and Simmons break marathon course record jenny Egan and Jon Simmons produced a mixed K2 record-breaking performance last weekend at the annual Liffey Descent as they completed the annual marathon in a time of one hour, 53 minutes and 26 seconds.

For Salmon Leap’s Egan, it added to what has been a memorable year in which she has moved to the brink of Olympic qualification and produced Ireland’s best ever results at the world sprint championships.

opponents time and time again before levelling on the hour mark.

The equaliser came via speed merchant Moe Core and was a brilliant effort from 30 yards which crashed off the crossbar on its way in.

The Guards grip on the game was tightened even more after drawing level but, similar to the first half, they often lacked that killer pass in the final third and the game remained level after 90 minutes.

Jobstown had a man dismissed just before normal time concluded and the numerical advantage played a key part in extra-

time. It didn’t take long for Garda to really use the extra man as Paddy Mulhair put them ahead when he finished off a fine move.

Celtic pushed forward but were out on their feet at this stage and the home side sealed the result through a brilliant individual effort. Noel Doyle took on three defenders, beat them with skill and pace before curling a strike calmly into the bottom corner.

Tallon and his players may be looking for a decent run in the Junior Cup in what is Garda’s return to the competition after a number of years

in intermediate football.

That ended last season when they were relegated from LSL Senior 1B into Major Sunday and so far they have won one of their two league games.

The former Liffey Valley Rangers manager has brought a couple of players from the Valley with him to Westmanstown such as commanding centre-back Graham D’Arcy, box-to-box midfielder Darragh Kavanagh, and winger Core. With the likes of former Oatfield forward TJ O’Brien signing too, the Guards may be targeting an instant return to intermediate football.

1 October 2015 LUCAN gazette 31

Gazette

Sars hurlers through to quarter-finals  sport@dublingazette.com

LUCAN Sarsfields progressed to the last eight of the Dublin senior hurling championship thanks to a 0-22 to 0-14 win over Ballinteer St John’s in their long delayed final group game.

Kevin O’Reilly was the star man with 0-10

to his name including a pair of excellent efforts from play in the first half as the 12th Lock side built an important 0-10 to 0-6 lead at the break.

Sean McClelland, Eoghan O’Conghaile and Alan Kelly also chipped in with important scores as they stayed just out of reach

of the Marlay Park side for the most part.

Aodan Clabby did clip eight points while Joey Maher, Glen Whelan and Fionan Clabby cleared the bar too but they could never get enough momentum going in the face of a miserly Lucan defence to run up enough scores to threaten a victory.

Elsewhere in the group, Cuala and Faughs drew 1-16 each to see Lucan advance with the Dalkey side to the knock-out stages.

Lucan will now play O’Toole’s on October 7 at 6.45pm as part of a double header with Cuala playin Craobh Chiarain on the same night at 8.15pm.

camogie: sarsfields land second senior 1 win

The Lucan Sarsfields senior camogie panel

Lucan hit form from stern Mearnog test

senior 1 camogie Lucan Sarsfields 3-13 Naomh Mearnog 1-7  sport@dublingazette.com

A SET TLED Lucan squad claimed their second championship win of the campaign in perfect conditions against a strong Naomh Mearnog outfit.

A disciplined defence was the bedrock once again while the lively Sarah Courtney was in scintillating form at number four and mopped up around a broad area.

In a rapid opening, Ciara Casey landed a booming free while Ailbhe

Ryan quickly followed up with a similar long range missile from the left wing.

Mearnog’s replied with two good points but, on 11 minutes, a measured Orla Beagan pass was fielded superbly by Laura Murtagh 30m out. She laid the sliotar on a place for Sarah Collins who flicked very cleverly to the net before a defender moved.

Laura Twomey’s point limited the damage for Mearnog’s before Casey counted with another good free. Ali Twomey, meanwhile, had flashes of brilliance at right-half forward where she stood squarely under every

puck-out.

The influential Kate Whyte had two lovely points on foot of the constant supply. Meanwhile, Collins had her second goal from close range for a 2-5 to 0-4 lead.

As the panic spread around the Mearnog goal, Collins added yet another goal for her hat-trick while Casey slotted another free from a difficult angle to leave Lucan in front by 11 points at half-time.

The homeside push before half-time was ultimately the difference between the sides as Lucan maintained that differential to the end.

Lucan netminder Joelenne Hoary had been very self-assured – full of skill and confidence – in the first half and went on to dictate matters in the Lucan box all evening.

Sarah Cotter at right-half back had a dominant half-hour and is settling nicely.

The seasiders did bury a brilliant goal on 39 minutes to rein in the gap back to nine points but the dashing Ali Twomey’s two dagger points then had a demoralising effect on the visitors as their challenge wilted and Lucan were never in danger of relinquishing their lead.

Club Noticeboard lucan sarsfields MANY thanks to all the teams who

for €30). Please feel free to join us for

sent in match reports this weekend.

the meal and a sing song afterwards.

Full details can be found on our web-

If you intend coming, please con-

site, www.lucansarsfields.ie, with

tact our captain Mick O’Hara at 087

over 1,500 players in action in the last

2470271.

week across all four codes from age 7 to 40+!

Many thanks to everyone who supported our Centra Griffeen Family Fun Day.

The Lucan Sarsfields GAA Club 25 Card Drive resumes on Friday, October 16 and will continue to May 2016 in the clubhouse bar; 9pm sharp.

The 2007 girls’ mentors and parents

Our senior hurlers had an excel-

Runamuck with Arthur is on October

lent win over Balinteer St John’s to

17. Some of our brave mentors and

reach the championship semi-final.

parents will take on the 5km Runa-

The minor A footballers continued

muck Challenge to help raise funds

their great start to the championship

for our club and our 2007 girls’ foot-

round robin with a win over Lusk.

ball and camogie Teams.

Our senior 1 camogie team over-

Prior to this challenge on Saturday

came a stern Naomh Mearnog chal-

October 10, we are hosting our annual

lenge in their recent championship

fundraising night from 9pm in Lucan

game.

Sarsfields. This promises to be a great

The Cupla Focal club will start

night out with music from local band

again on Monday, October 5 at 8pm

Arthur. Spot prizes and raffles on the

for beginners and we will have a con-

night, all welcome.

versation session at 9pm for one

The club shop is open on Thursdays

hour. Failte roimh gach duine. If you

from 7.30pm to 8.30pm and Satur-

would like to attend email your name

days from 10.30am to 1.30pm. Lucan

to mograda48@gmail.com. There is no

District Credit Union GAA Academy

fee but a small donation to Nagarhope

at Lucan Sarsfields from 9.30am for

would be appreciated.

camogie and girls football, 10am for

The Golf Society are having their

boys football and hurling for boys and

captain’s day at Luttrellstown Golf

girls born in 2009, 20010 and 2011 –

Club next Saturday. Our captain’s

12th Lock, Lucan. Contact Johnny on

dinner will be at 8pm (three courses

085 1294102.

ST pat’s palmerstown THE lotto numbers for this week were

and showed a fine upward curve in

3, 4, 27 and 28; there was no winner so

their skill development at the ancient

next week’s jackpot will be €4,600.

game.

The draw takes place in the Palm-

The U-12 hurlers had a tough game

erstown House every Sunday night at

against table toppers Kevin’s in Dol-

10pm and tickets cost €2.

phins Barn. A great effort put in by all

Thank you to all our sellers and to

the players and a special mention to

all that support our lotto every week.

Adam Murphy, Cathal Flood and Jack

Tickets are now available from Manor

Hanlon; well done lads.

Hair Studios on Manor Road and a big

Our U-14s had a fantastic win over

thanks to Siobhain for taking this on

a very strong Whitehall CC team by

for us.

a score of 4-14 to 4-7 in Glenaulin on

Hurling and camogie skills sessions

Saturday afternoon. Great man of the

continue each Friday night at 6pm in

match performance by Glen Keating.

Glenaulin. This is open to all our juve-

Well done to all, a great team effort.

nile members and a great chance for

Well done to our U-15s in the foot-

all to improve their skills no matter

ball A shield quarter-final on Sunday

what level they are at.

morning. It ended in a six-point win

Football/hurling/camogie creche

against Ballymun Kickhams.

is on in the Pobail School Hall every

It got a bit too close for comfort

Monday evening from 6-7pm and on

once or twice but that just added to

Saturday morning from 10-11am in

the atmosphere. Semi Final in two

the clubhouse. New players always

weeks at home in Glenaulin.

welcome.

Hard luck to our minor team with

Our U-9 team participated in a hurl-

a loss against Na Fiamna making this

ing blitz hosted by Bray Emmet’s and

their only third competitive loss this

including Kevin’s hurling club on Sat-

year.

urday morning. In their two games,

Hopefully, they will bounce back to

the team won one and lost one, but

their winning ways in their next cham-

played very well, worked very hard

pionship game, great team spirit.

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

guarded success: Westmanstown club score big win in opening round of national cup competition P30

october 1-7, 2015

Marathon magic: Glut of Dubliners go under Olympic qualifying time P29

Ireland’s Masters team beat the all-conquering Russians by half a canvas

Lucan’s rowing Masters Local duo aid stunning victory for Ireland’s Masters as they end long Russian winning streak by the narrowest of margins at Hazewinkel  nathan kelly

sport@dublingazette.com

IRELAND had a successful time at the World Rowing Masters Regatta recently and a trio of locals played key roles in Hazewinkel, Belgium recently.

Lucan duo Mick Heavey and Dennis Crowley from Commercial Rowing Club, and Leixlip’s Gerry Murphy from Neptune were all part of the Irish team in Belgium Ireland headed to Belgium with a number of crews and left with arguably more success than they’ve ever had at this event. In the past decade or so there have been an average of three wins at the Masters Regatta for

Ireland but this year there was 11 events won between crews and scullers.

The highlight however was the Irish Composite E8+ Team’s win, which Heavey, Crowley and Murphy were part of and which had an average age of 55.

The reason this stood out was the Irish Composite side beat the mighty Dynamo Moscow which nobody really expected and proved the shock of the weekend. Heavey spoke to GazetteSport after the event and let us know just how significant their win was.

“Beating the Russians is big news,” he said. “The rowing world is a small but this is major news in our small world. They’ve been

completely dominant in this for years and years. What makes this win even more significant was that it was a real win for all of Ireland. On the eight-man team we had rowers from Dublin, Belfast, and Waterford.”

In the E8+, Ireland started hard and fast and broke out the quickest of the seven contenders. After 400m, there was just a three quarter of a second lead present and, as expected, the Dynamo Moscow side glittered with multi-world and Olympic lightweight and heavyweight medallists from the 1980’s, began to make their move.

By the final 200m, Ireland were pegged back with the Russians leading by a couple of feet but a massive push saw them get half

a canvas in front just before crossing the line.

Speaking more about their win, Heavey said he believes the Russian’s underestimated their opposition on the day.

“They’ve been so dominant for so long, I think they were over-confident to be honest,” he said. “Nobody expected a bunch of Paddy’s to row up and beat the Russian’s but that’s what we did.”

Ireland’s other wins came in the E4+, which Heavey and Crowley were also involved in, the E2-, D2-, B1x, C1x, D1x, F2x, F2- and the WB1x. It was a weekend to remember for Crowley who also won three single sculling medals.