Gazette LUCAN
August 25-31, 2016
Sarsfields junior side advance to championship final showdown
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SUPPLEMENT: Our Love & Marriage guide for your big day P16-19
CINEMA Can you beat The Purge? Page 24
TRAVEL See why we .....Athlone Page 20
Eight-year walkies ends Page 3
Liffey Valley project will have Olympic size ice rink IAN BEGLEY
Keep reading, keep recycling – thank you
An artist’s impression of the ice rink
The massive expansion for Liffey Valley Shopping Centre has finally been granted planning permission, but parking at the site could be problematic.
South Dublin County Council has given the go-ahead for additional retail space, along with an Olympic-sized indoor ice rink, but denied permission for the construction of a 1,800 car parking facility.
The application was submitted earlier this year by real estate investment firm Hines Ireland. “It is clear that the local authority has supported the overall scheme by approving the retail, leisure and
public realm elements, but we note that at this stage it still has reservations about aspects of the parking adjacent to the ice arena,” said Hines senior managing director Brian Moran. Full Story on Page 2
2 LUCAN GAZETTE 25 August 2016
ABSENTEEISM | AVERAGE AMOUNT OF SICK DAYS IN 2015 WAS 9.7
Sick note for County Council staff SYLVIA POWNALL
T WO of the highest sick leave rates in local authorities in 2015 were seen in South Dublin County Council and Dublin City Council. SDCC was one of two councils with the highest rate of medically certified sick days - along with Leitrim County Council – while DCC had the highest rate of self-certified sick leave. The lowest absenteeism rate in the country was in Cavan County Council, with five days lost to illness per employee. According to the sta-
tistics, released by Minister for Housing Simon Coveney in response to a parliamentary question from Fianna Fail TD Brian Cowen, SDCC lost 5.2 per cent of working days to medically-certified sick days. This was one of the highest rates of absenteeism due to illness in the countr y, with the council also losing 0.47 per cent of working days to non-certified sick days. It accounted for an average of 10.2 sick days per employee, trailing only behind Leitrim (12 days) and Louth (11.84 days) County Councils. Dublin City Council
had a 3.85 per cent rate of certified sick days, and a higher rate of 0.56 per cent of working days lost to noncertified sick days – the highest in the country. The cost of sick days taken by council workers dropped marginally to €39.3 million in 2015, from €39.9 million in 2014. Of this cost, just €4.3 million was due to noncertified sick days, with medically certified sick days accounting for €35 million of the cost. The average taken off due to illness in councils throughout the country in 2015 was 9.7 days.
Christmas is coming – in four months
WHILE many of us may be still hopeful of a final summer heatwave Brown Thomas are focussing on winter wonderlands as they have launched its renowned Christmas Market which showcases wonderful festive offerings of Christmas trees, exquisite decorations and brilliant gift ideas in a special curation of themes. Pictured at the launch were model Sarah Morrissey, Aimee Deering (6) from Kildare and Chloe Collins (8) from Castleknock, Dublin. Picture: Leon Farrell
Parking a concern as Liffey Valley expansion gets planning permission THE massive expansion for Liffey Valley Shopping Centre has finally been granted planning permission, but parking at the site could be problematic. South Dublin County Council (SDCC) has given the go-ahead for additional retail space, along with an Olympic-sized indoor ice rink, but denied permission for the construction of a 1,800 car parking facility. The application was submitted earlier this year by real estate investment firm Hines Ireland. “It is clear that the local authority has supported the overall scheme by approving the retail, leisure and public realm elements, but we note that at this stage it still has reservations about aspects of the parking adjacent to the ice arena,” said Hines senior managing director Brian Moran. “We will now review the basis for the omission and work towards an improved solution as soon as we can,” he said. The expansion at Liffey Valley will feature an additional 7,000 sq m of retail space, 3,774 sq m of restaurant space, a refurbished 14-screen cinema and an Olympic-sized indoor ice arena that can hold 2,500 spectators for skating competitions, ice hockey matches and other entertainment events. The new development, dubbed the Western End, is due to be completed by the end of this year. In March, members of SDCC raised concerns about the impact construction would have on traffic in the area, especially on the frequently congested N4 road. At the time, the National Roads Authority and Transport Infrastructure Ireland said they were concerned about the proposed car park, mainly because it would be free to use and discourage drivers from using alternative means of transport. Liffey Valley Shopping Centre is owned by a group of clients from HSBC Private Bank, Grosvenor Britain & Ireland and Hines Ireland. It opened in 1998 on the controversial Quarryvale site, which was the subject of the Mahon planning tribunal.
25 August 2016 LUCAN GAZETTE 3
PETS | MISSING JESS RETURNS HOME – AFTER GOING ‘WALKIES’ FOR EIGHT YEARS
Lost & hound SYLVIA POWNALL
A DOG which strayed from its owners has returned home – EIGHT years after going missing. Jack Russell Terrier Jess has been reunited with the family who adopted her as a pup in 2005, thanks to her microchip details. Her shocked owner, Fiona McCrea, from Old Bawn in Tallaght, told of the family’s delight when they went to collect their miracle mutt at the pound. She told The Gazette: “Jess was the family dog and we had her since she was a puppy until she went missing two years later. We were confident during our search that she would return, as Jess was very loyal and [micro]chipped with our contact details. “But a year after her disappearance, all hope was gone and we were given an opportunity to
After being found and coming home following an eight-year gap, Jess (right) met the new, replacement family dog – also called Jess
adopt a six-month-old Jack Russell Terrier, also called Jess in her honour.” Fast-forward eight years, and Fiona’s dad was shocked to get a phone call from the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Fiona said: “We could not believe it when they confirmed it was our Jess. She was returned to us as a healthy ten-
year-old dog, a little dirty and tired from wandering the streets. “It looks like she gave up the chase with the dog warden.”
Fiona, a carer at Mission House Nursing Home, said Jess was a little shy after getting home from the pound, but has since showed signs of recognising her owners. She said: “In the last two days, she’s beginning to come out of her shell, and being around the family a lot, I think she’s starting to remember the different tones of voice and is now responding to ‘Jess’.” Despite the potential confusion, the family have no plans to rename the dogs – they are calling them Jess Number One and Jess Number Two.
Jess may have had a ruff time – do you know where the prodigal pup went for eight years? Call our Newsdesk at 01 60 10 240, or email news@dublingazette.com. Tired but well, Jess is collected from the pound after being traced by her microchip
4 LUCAN GAZETTE 25 August 2016
DONATIONS | ‘ONGOING PROBLEM’
New plan to improve road safety
Warning over bogus callers IAN BEGLEY RESIDENTS are being warned to be cautious of children going doorto-door seeking donations for sport’s clubs that they don’t belong to. Lucan Boxing Club recently posted a statement on their Facebook page, describing two alleged Traveller boys between the ages of 10-12 collecting money for the club in Woodview, Lucan. Karl Broderick from Lucan Boxing Club told The Gazette: “This is an ongoing problem that occurs now and again in the area. They ask local residents for money
using fake sponsorship cards. “We want to clearly state that we do not let anyone from our club knock on doors collecting money for us. When we do fundraisers we only allow our members approach their friends and family. “ I t ’s a l w ay s ve r y heart-breaking when you hear things like this happening. We’re a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to helping young people get involved in the sport. “ We h av e e i g h t coaches here who give up their time to voluntarily help to train the kids.” Member of Palmer-
stown Neighbourhood Watch Alan Hayes said that these incidents occur quite frequently in Palmerstown during the summer months. He said: “Because this has been happening here for the past number of years’ people are now starting to ask these guys more questions. “When you ask these k i d s q u e s t i o n s l i ke where do they train and who is in charge of the club you can immediately tell that they have no connection to it.” Anyone suspecting bogus charity collectors are advised to contact Lucan Garda Station at 01-6667300.
Branching out in style AIB has opened a new branch in Lucan SuperValu – the first of its kind in Ireland. The new outlet, which is in-store at the supermarket, has a key advantage of allowing customers to avail of longer opening hours. The bank has said that this is a pilot scheme aimed at tailoring the service to the communities that the bank serves. James Roulston, AIB branch manager said: “AIB SuperValu Lucan is the only in-store banking outlet in the ROI market. This is an exciting and innovative partnership with Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland and one I am delighted to be a part of. The customers and staff of SuperValu Lucan have extended the team and myself a very warm welcome. There has also been a number of very positive comments from people living in the locality.” Advisors are on site seven days a week, from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm Saturday and 10am to 6pm Sunday.
THE new Road Safety Plan for South County Dublin has been launched, which aims to reduce the number of road collision casualties in Dublin Mid-West and increase road safety awareness. The objectives are: Education, which involves campaigns and initiatives aimed at the various age groups to improve road users attitudes and behaviour towards road safety; Engineering – creating a safer road environment that reduces the number and severity of collisions; Enforcement – deterring inappropriate behaviour on our roads such as speeding and drink driving; Evaluation – annually reviewing and assessing progress. The plan is available online at www.sdcc.ie/ services/roads-and-traffic/road-safety
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GazetteGALLERY
| WAIT OVER FOR LEAVING CERT STUDENTS AT AN END
Kate Banks, Chloe Sweeney and Eve Moody. Pictures: Stephen Fleming
Laura Hynes collecting her results with her dad Frank
The results are in T
HE long wait for the class of 2016 at St Joseph’s in Lucan came to an end as they were finally able to collect their Leaving Certificate results. The graduates were relieved and bid the school a final farewell as they now look forward to their future. Teachers at the schools were on hand to offer any advice and support and to wish students the very best for the future.
Alannah Kenny
Emma Bradley
Marian Isichei, Fiona Noble and Ruth Molisho
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VICTORY | CHAMPION GREETED WITH CHOCOLATES AND CHEERS AT DUBLIN AIRPORT
Lucan boy Gustas crowned World Breakdance Champion IAN BEGLEY
AN eight-year-old boy from Lucan has been crowned the under 16s World Breakdance Champion after busting some serious moves in Glasgow last week. Gustas Geciauskas claimed victory for Ireland against Germany after battling his opponent with all the strength, skills and magical steps that he possesses. His breakdance moves of air flares, head spins and windmills are at such a professional level that judges in recent competitions have been left gasping, according to Jacinta Cassidy, director of Fit Kids/Fit Teens dance school. “Leading up to his world
title, Gustas also has a number of victories under his belt, having won the Irish Hip Hop/ Breakdance Masters 2016 and SOAR UK Streetdance 2016 in the Breakdance section and also helping to lead the Fit Kids/Fit Teens junior dance crew Kid ‘N’ Hud to victory in the Crews events. “We may not be having much luck at the Olympics, but the talent in this country is still alive and well,” she said. Gustas, also known as B Boy Justice, was greeted with flowers, chocolates and cheers from the crowd in the Arrivals Hall at Dublin Airport on his return. Although it was nearly midnight when the Ryanair flight touched down, Gustas still managed to delight the crowd with an impromptu breakdancing display.
B Boy Justice’s dad Tomas told The gazette that he is extremely proud of his son. “He has been training very hard to get this far and we’re all so proud of him for doing so well. “He loves to breakdance so much and is extremely talented so I’m sure he will have a very successful dance career ahead of him,” he said. Gustas has been attending the local Fit Kids/Fit Teens Dance School in Lucan and Blanchardstown for the past two years and according to his instructors Ciara Moran and Matthew Williamson, he has an incredible natural ability. There are Fit Kids/Fit Teens dance classes in Lucan, Blanchardstown, Finglas, Clonee and Dunboyne. For more information, visit www.fitkidsfitteensireland.com.
Gustas Geciauskas’s moves have left judges gasping
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GazetteGALLERY
| SPOOKY GOINGS ON AT THE IRISH PREMIERE SCREENING OF
Kate Morgan and Kayleigh O’Sullivan
Lisa Naylor and Alan Hayden
Leah Moore and Kimberley Farrell
Michelle McKeon and Fionnula Moran. Pictures: Brian McEvoy
It’s fright night for horror fans H
ORROR fans headed to a special preview screening of Lights Out at The Light House Cinema last weekend. The super natural horror movie has been enjoying huge success in the US and is now showing in Irish cinemas. Critics say the movie makes for an unsettling, frightfilled experience that “delivers superior chills without skimping on story”.
Leanne Slevin and Robyn Fitzpatrick
Luke O’Faolain
Kumar and Gail Kaneswaran
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LIGHTS OUT
Navis Binu and Ronak Modi
Hilary Johnson
Romy Carroll
Hannah Kearns and Kara Stein
GAZETTE
12 GAZETTE 25 August 2016
DUBLINBUSINESS
Furniture Kings’ celebrating 25 NEXT month, brothers Paul and David Nugent will celebrate 25 years of Kingsbury Furniture. In 1991, the pair, who were born and raised in Tallaght, seized their opportunity and opened the business, specialising in household furniture and flooring. Over the next 25 years Kingsbury Furniture has expanded in size and have grown from three to 15 employees. They now have a modern and stylish 9,000sq ft store on High Street in Tallaght. During the recent crippling recession the brothers branched into full apartment and turnkey fit-outs, which led to a lot of showhouse fit-outs for builders and developers – ensuring that the business stayed afloat. The brothers, who both still live locally and train juvenile teams with
Thomas Davis GAA Club, say good customer service and quality products are key to surviving and being successful for this long. Paul, the older of the two, told Gazette Business: “We believe the company that builds through good customer service and quality products will stand the test of time. “We have many customers that would have bought furniture from us in the early 90s and are still buying and accompanying their sons and daughters into our store. “We are a family business and we try to support Irish suppliers and manufacturers as much as possible.” Kingsbury Furniture, which also offers a full interior design service, is located in Unit 3, High Street, Tallaght – just a stone’s throw from Smyths toy store. Visit www.kingsburyfurniture.ie to find out more.
Owner of Kingsbury Furniture, Paul Nugent with his daughter, Dominique and store manager Jimmy Owens
Dublin lads sock it to dull and mundane styles THREE Dublin lads have started a “sock revolution”. Funky Foot is a new start up that its founders say will “liberate people from a life of dull, mundane socks”. Aengus, Eoin and John spotted room in the market for socks that defy convention and have been selling their socks in markets around Dublin for the past two months. Now, after much stress for three web design rookies, the website, www.funkyfoot.co is now live.
Co-founder of the company Aengus Boyle told The Gazette: “We are starting a sock revolution. Out with the boring and in with the funky! Our socks are 90% cotton, 10% synthetic mix and 100% funky. That’s 200% in every sock!” The socks are available at www.funkyfoot.co for €7.95. To celebrate their website launch, the trio have offered a 40% discount code especially for Gazette readers. Simply enter the code “gazette40” at the checkout.
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DUBLINLIFE
DIARY
Eye see a way to help launch the Sightsavers Junior Painter Awards ... JuniLisa Murray, Aya Parker, Willow O’Sullivan and Ethan Manby give a hand. Picture: Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland
Looking to a better future YOUNG budding Dublin artists are getting ready to sharpen their pencils and clean their brushes as Sightsavers Junior Painter Awards returns. Last year, schools
from Dublin submitted hundreds of paintings and with entries now open, Sightsavers are calling on children across the county to get thinking and create a masterpiece.
Open to primar y school students of all ages across Ireland, this year’s theme – Framing The Future – is expected to inspire thousands of imaginative entries.
Sightsavers wants to frame the future as an inclusive world where children living with disabilities get to go to school, and is inviting children to let their imaginations run wild and create their very own work of art which envisions what they see when they think of the future. Some 15 regional winners will be selected and will have the opportunity to see their work displayed at a special awards day next spring where three overall national winners will be announced. Eve r y c h i l d t h a t enters will receive a certificate of participation in recognition of their creative efforts. The closing date for entry is Friday, November 25 . Parents and children can get involved by speaking to their school
teacher or by visiting sightsavers.ie to request entry forms.
GO AHEAD TO THE THROWBACK PARTY FOR those heading to Electric Picnic this year, one of the stand-out events set to take place over the weekend is the Throwback Party at the Electric Ireland stage. The first act to be announced are popsynth princesses Bananarama, who will perform floor-filling classics such as Cruel Summer, Venus and Love in the First Degree on the Saturday night. Attendees will also be able to take time out to chill while enjoying classic movies such as Grease and Top Gun for the ultimate in nostalgic guilty pleasures. There’s also some good news for those still
looking for tickets to the sold out event as Electric Ireland is giving away 30 weekend tickets in its annual ticket giveaway. The tickets will be given away through a five-day Facebook Live competition from Monday, August 22, to Friday, August 26. To be in with a chance of winning, entrants simply need to visit Electric Ireland’s Facebook page each day at 7.30pm where they can participate in a live throwback competition.
HORRIBLY GOOD SCARES AT THE RDS IRELAND’S most chilling scare-house experience, The Nightmare Realm, is bringing its reign of terror to the RDS this October. T hrillseekers will explore the gruesome village of the damned to see
Dublin’s darkest nightmares brought to life. The Nightmare Realm has carved out a notorious reputation for pushing the boundaries of sanity and crafting the artistry of fear, with live characters and vivid special effects to capture the depths of the imagination. Nerves will be pushed to the limit with gruesome life-like props and characters, from the grotesque and bloodchurning to the sick and extreme, preying on the minds of fright fans and horror enthusiasts brave enough to face the RDS. The attraction, which opens its doors on September 29, will run for the full month of October. Tickets are on sale now at thenightmarerealm.ie, with adult tickets priced at €20 and students at €17.
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GAZETTE
FEATURE CULTURE NIGHT 2016: POPULAR EVENT TO RETURN
Get ready for one night to explore the city’s diverse cultural riches
IAN BEGLEY
ON THE evening of Friday, September 16, Dublin will erupt with creativity when Ireland’s annual cultural spectacular – Culture Night – returns for its massively popular annual occurrence. From powerful spoken word performances that will stop you in your tracks to eye-catching art in motion, Culture Night will once again be an evening that is not easily forgotten, no matter what cultural corner of the city – or indeed, country – you find yourself in. Having grown in Dublin from 40,000 attendees to 172,000 in 11 years, Culture Night is now a countrywide movement, as the whole of the city, and country, is filled with cultural expression, exploration and appreciation on the night. Commenting on this year’s programme for Culture Night, Ray Yeates, Dublin City Council arts officer said: “Culture Night is a very special night for children as they and their families look forward to another wonderful night of civic engagement and cultural discovery.” As always, the celebra-
tory, exploratory event will include thousands of participants from all cultural genres, including photographers, illustrators, designers, composers, visual artists, dancers, aerialists, authors, singers and musicians. Some of Ireland’s most exciting minds have got behind Culture Night 2016 as ambassadors, promoting their own genres, new creative industries
including guided tours of the official residence of the President of Ireland, Aras an Uachtarain, along with some new additions to the programme. This year, The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland’s iconic building at St Stephen’s Green will come to life with a spectacular 3D animated light show that will take viewers on a journey of the building’s history, from
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‘Having grown in Dublin from 40,000 attendees to 172,000 in 11 years, the whole of the city is filled with cultural expression, exploration and appreciation on Culture Night’
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and our rich history and heritage, including artist Pauline Bewick, alt-pop duo The Heathers, musician and poet Ronan O Snodaigh and author Colin Barrett. As well as a celebration of the arts and culture, much of the city and country’s rich built and natural heritage will also be opened up for the people to see and experience. Some of last year’s most popular venues in Dublin are returning once again,
its foundation in 1784, through the historical events of 1916, and ending with a glimpse into the future cutting-edge healthcare technology being developed by the college. North of the Liffey, and Smithfield Square will buzz with excitement on the night with interactive events from Makeshop to fencing, with the evening to close with Firefly, a fire spectacle by Dublin Circus Project.
Exploring the cultural side of the city by foot, bike or bus will be made easy with the Culture Night Tours, which include the Urban Potato Bike tour, Revolutionary France in Dublin tour, the Dublin Bus Ghostbus tour and tours of different areas in Dublin, presented in English and international languages. At the heart of its schedule of music, theatre and words is Culture Night’s live broadcast of RTE Radio 1’s Arena with Sean Rocks in the upper courtyard of Dublin Castle, which will also feature the RTE Concert Orchestra and special guests from music, theatre, comedy and poetry. Cultural audiences in the capital can travel with a “cultural edge” on the night thanks to transport partners Dublin Bus and Irish Rail. Dublin Bus will provide free buses every 20 minutes around the cultural quarters, starting at Bachelor’s Walk, Aston Quay, College Green and Eden Quay, to bring visitors to and from their favourite spots. For the full programme of events and participating venues for Culture Night 2016, see www.culturenight.ie.
John McMahon doesn’t seem convinced by Frances Matthews’s Capoeira skills, but Robyn Cassidy loved them! The trio were helping to promote upcoming Culture Night 2016, which will once again uncover many of Dublin’s historical, architectural and cultural gems for the public to see. Picture: Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland
LOVE&MARRIAGE
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Don’t forget favours to help thank your guests
PLANNING a wedding obviously takes a lot of thought, and every last detail must be thoroughly thrashed out. In the midst of all the planning about venues, dresses, tuxes, honeymoon and so on, don’t forget to thank your guests for sharing in your big day with the gift of wedding favours. Picture: igstudio.ie
Wedding favours are a simple and effective way for the happy couple to show their appreciation to their guests for helping to celebrate their union. When selecting wedding favours, one must always take three things into consideration: budget, the number of guests, and the shelf-life of the item. If a large gathering is expected, wedding favours can be a huge drain on the budget. However, as modern weddings are often about adding a personal touch and a sense or originality and personality to the big day, you can kill two birds with one stone by providing home-made, personallythemed wedding favours. By doing this, you can not only reduce the cost, but give your wedding an extra personal touch at the same time. For a highly-personal wedding, why not get hitched at Dublin Zoo (above) or Westmeath’s Mount Druid (right)
LOCATIONS: ALTERNATIVE VENUES COULD BE LOTS OF FUN
Go wild and say ‘I do’ at Dublin Zoo! IAN BEGLEY
IF YOU’RE on the prowl for an alternative wedding venue that is a hundred miles away from the type of nuptials your grandparents had, you will be pleased to know that Ireland has a huge range of unconventional wedding venues on offer. From castles to barns, theatres, sports stadiums and Dublin Zoo, there are plenty of unique, charming and even eccentric wedding venues to suit all tastes. If your heart is set on a Dublin city wedding, but you’re looking for a large space to celebrate, then Smock Alley Theatre might be the perfect venue for your big day. With its exposed brick walls, ornate plasterwork ceiling, and stained-glass windows, this venue is
certainly a sight to behold. Its oak benches and tables offer options for the en vogue, long dining experience and the large space is very versatile for a ceremony or reception. Further afield, and if you’re considering a very intimate wedding with just your nearest and dearest friends and family, then Fanningstown Castle over in Limerick certainly has a nice ring to it. Set close to Shannon Airport, this 12th century grand castle has been converted into an atmospheric private house perfect for a small group. Another great alternative venue is at Mount Druid in Westmeath. The building and its surroundings comprise a converted barn, a consecrated tin chapel, 20 traditional Mongolian yurts,
three shepherds huts, a charmingly cosy gate lodge, a three-bed schoolmaster’s house, an 1820s Georgian house, several barbecue areas, a walked garden, a summer house and three lakes! A couple who choose to marry at Mount Druid can except a beautifully laid-back venue where red carpets and white chair covers are non-existent, and their guests can have a lovely relaxed time with an informal feel to the day. Closer to home, and why not choose to say “I do” at the zoo? Dublin Zoo is a unique alternative to the traditional wedding venue and provides a magical backdrop for your special day. Haughton House, a restored historical building with magnificent views of the zoo, is avail-
able seven days a week for all types of wedding ceremonies, including civil ceremonies, civil partnerships and blessings. You can add even more magic to your wedding day by having a unique drinks reception in the zoo’s interactive learning and discovery centre, or capturing some special photo opportunities. With weddings at Croke Park, GAA fans can marry their love of their lives with their love of the game. Whether you are interested in a large traditional reception, a small intimate celebration or something in between, Croke Park can offer you the perfect alternative venue. For further information on these alternative wedding venues, see www. alternativeweddings.ie and www.hitched.ie.
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GAZETTE
SUPPLEMENT
A little planning goes a long way IAN BEGLEY
NOT only is the Athlone Springs Hotel the perfect venue for a celebration of endless love, but their wedding planners are primed to assist with all aspects of the happy couple’s Big Day, from the ceremony to the entertainment. The most important part when choosing your venue is that you feel welcome from the moment you arrive, and or course, excellent food that will
In tip-top shape for your big day IAN BEGLEY
YOUR wedding is an event to be remembered for the rest of your life and no doubt it will be chronicled in photographs as well as on film. For this reason among others you will want to look your best. Whether you’re looking to drop a few pounds, tighten up your muscles or completely overhaul your physique, Educogym, Dundrum can get you there. The Educogym system is based on a university validated study which proves that a clear goal combined with resistance based exercise and low glycemic nutrition caused a person to shape up faster than any other system in the world. On average, the participants lost 7.5lb of fat, and gained an average 3lb of metabolism boosting muscle, In just 12 days all with just 20 minute exercise per day. Educogym is designed to replicate
these incredible results, with each aspect of the programme finely tuned to ensure success. Educogym Consultants work with you to help you understand your goals and then devise a programme to make sure you achieve them. Educogym specialises in low-glycemic nutrition plans
designed to detox your body from sugar to lower body fat and get in your best-ever shape. The word educo means to lead or draw out from within. Educogym works with you to draw out your ideal figure or physique using their carefully crafted system. The big difference between the Educog y m resistance training and traditional aerobic exercise such as jogging is that by increasing lean muscle tissue you will increase your metabolism to burn fat and have a leaner and firmer body. All programmes include intensive 20 minute training sessions, regular consultations, nutritional programmes with expert advice and goal setting to help you look your best on your big day. For more information visit: www. educogym.com/ Dundrum
have your guests raving about your wedding for years to come. “It’s all about the little things that make a big difference to your day and it is our promise that we will take care of everything so you can celebrate with your family and friends,” says wedding coordinator Nicola Nestor. This contemporary venue hosts a welcoming lobby and drinks reception area in Cedar Cocktail Bar and the stunning Clonellan Ballroom
caters for weddings up to 300 guests. The hotel also has its own private garden for photos and the Manhattan bridal suite is the height of luxury. The wedding team recently launched its 2016-2017 wedding packages that starts from €45 per person. P a c k a g e s i n cl u d e complimentar y wedding favours and you can choose from a wedding car, three-tier personalised cake, photobooth,
music on arrival, three complimentary rooms for your guests on the night of the wedding, civil ceremony package, candy cart reception, personalised monogram and lighting for your ballroom, cocktail and canape drinks reception and evening buffet “chipper style”. If you would like to pop in and visit Nicola and the team just call 090 644 4444 or email events@athlonespringshotel.com.
LOVE&MARRIAGE
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Alluring Brilliant Bangle €89
Sparkle in style for your big day EMMA NOLAN
SOMETHING gold, something rose, something silver, something blue – affordable jewellery brand Pandora have a wide range of pieces that are suitably elegant for bridal wear. Whether for the bride herself or
for her bridesmaids and flower girls, the new autumn collection, which is launching in stores on September 1, contains a number of pieces that are bound to be popular amongst those with weddings on their mind. It features silver, rose and 14k gold bracelets, earrings, necklaces and rings that would be perfect for
that special day, and for a reminder of the day that can be worn afterwards. Both chic and classic, there is something to suit most tastes. This stylish range is available from Pandora stores in Dundrum, Grafton Street, Liffey Valley and Henry Street.
Vintage Allure Drop Earrings €99
Alluring Brilliant Marquise €89
Vintage Allure Ring €119 Open Bangle €89
Vintage Allure Earrings €59
The write way tosay ‘I love you’ Twist of Fate Ring €129
IF YOU’RE not sure what to get a friend, family member or your significant other as a wedding gift, The Wedding Collection from Cross Pens carry a huge range of elegant writing instruments to suit all budgets that are sure to be treasured forever. Choose from a number of Cross pens, which are perfect for signing the marriage register, for guests to sign the wedding book, or even for writing those wedding thank-you letters. The collection is the perfect celebration of love, as each pen can be engraved with a meaningful message, making for a unique, personal memento. For the full collection, samples of which are shown above, see www.cross.com.
Century II Chrome Ball Point Pen €65
Townsend Chrome Ball Point Pen €115
Beverly Pearlescent White Lacquer Ball-Point Pen €40
Edge Titanium Gel Ink Pen €50
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EMMA NOLAN Style Editor
HELEN McAlinden, one of Ireland’s best-known designers, features a number of pieces perfect for wedding guests in her newest ready to wear collection, not least for the most important guest of all – the mother (in both parties), of course. While every Helen McAlinden
piece is distinguished by subtleties of form, fit and fabrication, her latest S/S16 collection is no different. Constantly evolving and developing, the blueprint silhouette of her unique and sophisticated style can be worn in a variety of ways, always keeping a focus on the woman who wears them. McAlinden said: “My designs are underpinned with the very best
fabrics, chosen for luxurious quality and durability of style. It is always my goal to create a range to suit real women’s shapes and to flatter all ages, and I feel my latest collection has achieved this.” The Helen McAlinden S/S16 collection is now available in the South William Street store, as well as in Arnotts, and House of Fraser in Dundrum Town Centre.
Georgia bodycon dress €245
5 ress €26
The Mother
Marcela navy porcelain dress €285
h cotton d
etc Evelyn str
The most important guest at the big day
Sandy stripe dress €265
Georgia bodycon dress €245
Astrid floral dress €285
s €285 Astrid floral dres
Marion dress €2
DRESSING
GAZETTE
SUPPLEMENT
THE overall influence for this Spring/Summer collection derives from the work of American fashion designer Claire McCardell, who, throughout the 1930s, 40s and 50s became synonymous with ready-towear stylish women’s sports wear. With Helen’s recent collection, the florals for which the brand is so well known are showcased in form-flattering dresses and pencil skirts.
GAZETTE
20 GAZETTE 25 August 2016
DUBLINLIFE
AENGUS O’HANLON
ATHLONE is a place worth invading. The Vikings, the Anglo-Normans, the Williamites, and more recently, tourists have come to the ancient town expecting much and leaving happy, sometimes not leaving at all. And with good reason. Sitting on the banks of the mighty Shannon, just south of beautiful Lough Ree, Athlone is an ancient and unique destination. Unique because the town is split
in two not just by the river, but also by the map… twice. T he western tow n, with its impressive skyline dominated by Athlone Castle and the imposing twin towers of Saint Peter
and Paul’s Church, is in County Roscommon and as such in Connacht, while the larger, eastern town is in the Leinster county of Westmeath. So if you’re looking for a funfilled weekend away right at the very heart of Ireland, or the perfect base from which to explore the midlands, look no further. With plenty to do and see, and no shortage of wonderful old pubs and excellent, affordable restaurants, this is a town with a lot to
We Athlone
offer. We stayed at the Radisson Blu, right on the river, with stunning views across the water to the old town. With its friendly staff, nice pool and excellent bars and restaurant, you could say it’s a metaphor for the entire region. Their family suites are as good as The Gazette has ever experienced. Too often in our experience, “family rooms” can mean nothing more than a glorified dormitory, with about as much privacy for mum
and dad as you could expect in a small car. Not here. The rooms are spacious, and a bit like the town, neatly split into two distinct parts, giving the kids a mirage of independence which includes their own beds, river views, TV and play area, while parents can pretend to be grown ups in peace in the adjoining double room. With the kids – and us adults – immediately delighted with our welcome to Athlone, it set the tone
Sean’s Bar is listed in the
Viking Mike’s Viking longboat with the Radisson
Guinness Book of Records as
Blu in the background
the oldest bar in Europe
Musicians in Sean’s Bar
Oh baby – pampering awaits! MUMS-TO-BE WILL ENJOY WINEPORT LODGE’S SPECIALLY TAILORED PACKAGES
25 Augist 2016 GAZETTE 21
for the weekend, and sure enough, a brilliant few days it was. A quick dip in the hotel’s pool before a sumptuous dinner in Elements Bistro was followed by a relaxing drink at the Quayside bar and Lounge, where you can unwind on the open terrace overlooking the river. Athlone is all about the Shannon. And there’s no better way to explore the river and nearby Lake of the Kings, than with Viking Mike on his 21 metre replica
Viking longboat. Departing from the quayside at Athlone Castle daily, Viking Ship Cruises, which sail up the Shannon and into Lough Ree or down river to the historic monastic site of Clonmacnoise, are an absolute must. Mike and his staff know the area and its colourful past like the back of their well worn hands, and the big man and his staff’s hospitality knows no end. You learn a lot about the history of the river and surrounding
townlands during the 75 minute cruise, and the vessel, a National History Ship dating back to 1923, is equipped with a cafe, bar and even wifi. Back in the town, a trip to the Luan Gallery on the West side of the river will keep the culture vultures more than happy, and they should also make the quick dash across the road to take in the celebrated stained glass windows of St Peter and Paul’s. A minute’s walk away is Ath-
GAZETTE
TRAVEL
lone Castle with its innovative the pub’s walls have indicated visitor centre, where the town’s that people have been enjoying a history, people, and many battles sup here since 900 A.D. – and it’s are explored and brought to life in even listed in the Guinness Book a series of very impressive audio- of Records as the oldest bar in visual exhibitions. Europe, which most people agree Child-friendly multimedia dis- would also make it the oldest in plays and interactive games guide the world. spellbound visitors through the What isn’t up for debate, howevcastle; while the Great Seige of er, is the quality of the pint, or the Athlone is relived in a 360 degree wonderful, magical atmosphere climatic experience that transports that hits you as soon as you cross its door. viewers back in ------------------------------------Tourists, locals time. And, if you and stag parties like dressing up in mingle happily, historic costumes, while the back of you’re in luck! the pub stretches The more active all the way to the adventurers can riverbank. hop on their bikes Another fine and go for a spin along the Old ------------------------------------- o l d A t h l o n e Rail Train Greenboozer that simway, a scenic 42km dedicated cycle ply has to be enjoyed is Gertie path that follows the old Midland Browne’s on Custume Street, just Great Western Railway east before across the bridge back on the east snaking along the Royal Canal side of town. into Mullingar. The pub dates back over 1,000 With lots of entry and exit points years and was once a carriage along the route, you can hop on house as well as a tavern. and off to explore the quaint little Gerties serves up some truly villages and attractions along the excellent pub grub, but if you fancy way. a break from the pubs, La Cucina After all the exploring, you’ll no is a gem of a restaurant just across doubt need a drink. the road. And there’s no place like AthTouted as the best restaurant in lone for pubs. the midlands by TripAdvisor, this Possibly the king of them all lovely little family eatery certainly (and The Gazette is no stranger to lives up to its reputation, and like good pubs so has some authority everywhere else in Athlone, the on the matter) is Sean’s Bar. service came with a smile. The archaeological dating on We will be back.
‘After all the exploring, you’ll no doubt need a drink. And there’s no place like Athlone for pubs.’
Athlone’s skyline is dominated by the Church of St Peter and St Paul
MIMI MURRAY
“BABY mooning” is a fairly new concept for pregnant women – sort of like baby showers and an American thing, I’m sure. It’s the idea of taking some time out with your other half before your impending bundle of joy makes its noisy entrance into the world, leaving it never quite the same again. I don’t normally go in for this type of makey-uppey concept, myself, but if it means metaphorically sitting on a lily pad and letting myself be pampered – well, I’m willing to bend my own rules. With a four-year-old at home, and another child on the way, we decided to not venture far and plumped
for 24 hours R&R, just an hour down the road, at Wineport Lodge in Athlone. Many hotels offer baby moon packages now, which usually consist of an overnighter or two with some delicious beauty treatments thrown in for the mum-to-be. Wineport Lodge is located on the banks of Lough Ree, and a more stunning location you could not find. All rooms overlook the lake and a balcony meant we could sit and capture the magical early morning goings-on, such as a lone heron diving for fish, or two swans making their majestic journey across the dark waters. The hotel’s location so close to the shore genu-
inely makes you feel very at one with nature. The lodge is reminiscent of those boltholes in the New England states and the restaurant, with its leather-coloured booths and high-beamed ceilings, adds to this feeling of being somewhere like Vermont. It boasts a small spa area with an outdoor hot tub – something my husband indulged in while I went for my treatment. I chose the all-over body massage and my excellent therapist, Aisling, really knew her stuff. She has actually trained in massage for recovering cancer patients as well as maternity massage, so has a very good knowledge of the human body; the correct pressure to apply and
where to avoid when pregnant – something mumsto-be often worry about when indulging in something like this. An hour later, and back to the land of the living, it was time to start thinking about dinner. The food is really good here, with things like a mackerel pate and crab and scampi salad offering light-bite starters. We went for both of these, as we had our hearts set on the cote de boeuf – a rib of beef cooked on the bone for two people (well, three, effectively). This is actually enough for about four people, and came with bearnaise and cafe de paris sauce as well as some greens and fat chips. In a word: delicious.
An Eton mess was the lightest dessert we could find and we tried it purely for research purposes. The end-of-season strawberries and homemade meringues were the perfect choice to bookend a very tasty meal. After a good night’s sleep and a cooked breakfast we returned to Dublin with a pep in our step and a renewed sense of wellbeing – something every mum-tobe will never say no to! For more details on mum-to-be packages, see wineport.ie. For alternative baby moon breaks check out Hayfield Manor, Co Cork. From: €499pp. Telephone: 021 484 5900 or Castle Leslie Estate, Co Monaghan. From: €240pps Telephone: 047 88100.
With superb wasterside views of the calming Shannon, Wineport Lodge’s soothing location is married to great service and delicious dining, too
GAZETTE
22 GAZETTE 25 August 2016
DUBLINLIFE
FOOD&DRINK
BITESIZEDNEWS
A new range of health foods has just been launched at several leading retailers across Ireland
Vitality fare that could set you up for the day HEALTH food brand Vitality Foods has just launched in Ireland. Now available in Dunnes, SuperValu, Centra, Spar, Mace and Londis, Vitality is a protein-based brand that is described as “food for active living”. Vitality is introducing a range of three products – oats, pancakes and protein bars – with a variety of different flavours, from cookies and cream, peanut butter crunch to honey and almond. Speaking at the launch of Vitality Foods, fitness model Maeve Madden said: “Protein is such an important part of my daily diet and routine and the Vitality Food range is so delicious and easy to prepare. “My favourite product from the range is definitely the pancakes, which are the perfect breakfast to set you up for an active day.” For recipes, workouts and wellness innovation, follow @Vitality_Foods on Instagram.
Coastal villages make it to national foodie list DUBLINERS already know to head to the sea for some of the best fare in the city – and the terrific cuisine found at eateries in Howth, Skerries and Malahide have seen the villages shortlisted for the best foodie destinations in Ireland. The three villages are in the top ten places selected by the Restaurants Association of Ireland for its Foodie Destinations initiative. The winning town or destination will be named on September 29.
Brazilian-style
Spring Green Spiralised
chicken salad
Courgette Salad
Serving up summer THE summer has been anything but sizzling, but this delicious Brazilianstyle chicken salad, from M&S, which serves four, will be a Rio-l hit when you bring it out. Inspired by salpicao, the classic Brazilian street food, it is often served with the chips mixed in, but you can serve them on the side if you prefer.
Ingredients l 2 tsp olive oil l 2 tsp smoked paprika l 2 medium potatoes (about 700g) l 1 green apple l 1.5 limes l 400g cooked chicken l 50g raisins (optional) l 4 tbsp mayonnaise
l l
25g coriander 4 white seeded rolls
Preparation l Peel and cut all the potatoes into thin strips. Shred the cooked chicken and finely chop the coriander. l Heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. l Mix the oil with 1 tsp of smoked paprika, season with salt and pepper, then toss with the chips. l Spread out on a large baking sheet and cook for 30 minutes. Allow to cool slightly. l Meanwhile, quarter, core and slice the apple into thin wedges and put in a large bowl. l Squeeze the juice of half a lime, then add the
chicken and raisins. In another bowl, mix the mayonnaise with the zest and juice of one lime, 1sp smoked paprika and the coriander. l Stir 3tsp of the dressing into the chicken salad, then add the cooked fries; gentle toss if desired. l Serve on a platter with rolls and the remaining dressing on the side. l
FOR another tasty treat to feed four, we turn again to M&S, and their spirit of summer-inspired Spring G r e e n S p i ra l i s e d Courgette Salad. This light, fresh dish is easy to prepare, and is perfect fare to serve as summer drifts towards its end.
Ingredients l 120g fresh spinach leaves l 50g pine nut l 1 garlic clove l 125ml extra virgin olive oil l 50g fresh Parmesan l 1 lemon l 1 pinch salt and pepper l 250g courgette spaghetti l 150g frozen petits pois l 25g mint leaves l 1 large handful rocket Preparation l Mince the garlic cloves; grate the fresh Parmesan; chop the mint leaves. l To make the pesto, place the spinach, garlic and pine nuts in a food processor, and blitz to a
coarse puree. Transfer to a bowl, and add the olive oil and parmesan. Mix well. l Squeeze in lemon juice, to taste. l Season with salt and pepper – it will keep in the fridge for 2-3 days. l Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil. Add the peas, and cook for 2-3 mins. l Drain, and refresh under cold water. Set aside to cool completely. l In a large bowl, combine the courgette, peas, mint and 5 tablespoons of pesto. l Stir through the rocket last. Then squeeze some lemon over the salad, and serve. l
25 August 2016 GAZETTE 23
GAZETTE
24 LUCAN GAZETTE 25 August 2016
DUBLINLIFE
CINEMA
THE PURGE - ELECTION YEAR: POLITICAL OVERTONE IS NEW FOR THE FRANCHISE
An unsatisfying riff on violent tendencies
LIKE any dystopian action-horror worth its salt, The Purge: Election Year (Cert 16, 109 mins) is loaded with outthere violence, cringey dialogue and scenerychewing bad guys; it’s at its best when it sticks to this formula. Unfortunately, hackneyed attempts at political discourse bring Election Year down. 2013’s The Purge laid the groundwork for an interesting vision of the future, attractive in the simplicity of its dystopian premise: an America where crime rates have dropped to an all-time low thanks to the annual 12-hour “Purge”, during which all criminal activ-
MARTIN MACNAMARA
ity – including murder – is legal. Unfortunately, The Purge failed to deliver, missing a delightfully twisted world-building opportunity by restricting the action to a single location and opting for a slow, cliched house-siege premise. Its sequel, The Purge: Anarchy, rightly took the action into the streets and was all the better for it. With this, the third
entry in the series, writer/ director James DeMonaco attempts to expand on the universe he created, implementing issues of class, race and religion that had been lightly touched on before. His attempts to “smarten up” the series, however, are ill-suited to the overthe-top action and offbeat premise. Elizabeth Mitchell plays Charlie Roan, a US senator who survived the Purge as a young girl. Now a presidential candidate, Roan works to abolish the yearly tradition that killed the rest of her family. Shortly before commencement on the night of the Purge, Roan nar-
In an America where the annual Purge makes every crime – including murder – legal for 12 hours, an anti-Purge senator and her dwindling team must use their wits to survive the chaos when they’re caught up in the mayhem
rowly escapes an assassination attempt. With the help of her head of security, Leo Barnes (Frank Grillo), she tries to make it through the 12 hours on the streets of Washington DC.
The Purge: Anarchy knew exactly what it needed to be, learning from the mistakes of the previous entry and working from a dystopian-action template that brought to mind films
such as 1987’s The Running Man. While Election Year is cut from a similar cloth, DeMonaco tries to inject new life by structuring it as a kind of paranoid thriller, and riffing on the
current political climate in the US. Consequently, Election Year is riddled with clunky, half-baked attempts at racial discourse that jar terribly with the rest of the film. Election Year, then, is at its best when its keeps it simple. In the end, The Purge: Election Year falls victim to its own ambition. There’s a wickedly enjoyable film here – unfortunately, it’s buried beneath a little too much posturing and displaced discourse. Fans of the series will delight in Election Year’s finer points; it may prove a little tasteless, however, for certain audiences. Verdict: 6/10
25 August 2016 LUCAN GAZETTE 25
26 LUCAN GAZETTE 25 August 2016
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SPORT Ailbhe on her Para Road to Rio
FastSport SWIMMING: CASTLEKNOCK’S KELLY ALL SET TO MAKE A BIG SPLASH LAST EIGHT FOR ROVERS AND PAT’S: ST PAT’s Athletic and Shamrock Rovers will continue to carry the Dublin flag in the FAI Senior Cup following their respective wins in the third round. For Pat’s, goals from Conan Byrne and Christy Fagan at Richmond Park saw them defeat Limerick 2-0. Pat’s took the lead on 42 minutes when Byrne controlled a diagonal ball across the park. He darted in from the right before firing low into the bottom left corner, with his strike taking a deflection off a Limerick foot. Fagan got the second on 77 minutes when he headed home from close range after Sean Hoare had headed Mark Timlin’s corner back into area. Rovers swept to a 5-0 win over Athlone Town. A ruthless second half performance cast aside their First Division hosts as five goals put the cup specialists into the last eight hat with Gary McCabe, Sean Boyd, Brandon Miele, Simon Madden and James Doona scoring.
JAMES HENDICOTT sport@dublingazette.com
CASTLEKNOCK native Ailbhe Kelly has pointed to long-term coach Dave Malone and the rest of the team at the NAC Swimming Club as the key personnel in her drive towards Rio, as she prepares to compete in three different event at
the Paralympic games. Describing the road to Rio as a four-year endeavour that has become “more and more of a reality” over recent months, Kelly told GazetteSport of how her mother overheard Malone on the radio, and how his expertise fits perfectly with her Olympic drive.
“I’d just finished lessons as an 11-year-old. I started swimming at the age of five, and I really loved it,” she explains. “The instructor suggested I find a club and try swimming competitively. Around the same time, my mum heard Dave Malone talking about Paralympic swimming coaching on the radio. “He’s just around the corner from me at the National Aquatic Centre. A key thing for Paralympic swimming is having a coach who understands the specific training needs and I’m very lucky to have that, and the facilities, just around the corner. I train six days a week, so I probably spend as much time at the NAC as I do at home.”
Ailbhe Kelly in action at the European Championships. Picture: Carlos Rodrigues/Sportsfile
Kelly is set to compete in three events in the S8 swimming category, having qualified for the 100 metre backstroke and 400 metre freestyle events in Rio at the 2015 World Championships in Glasgow, and added the 100 metre freestyle at the Europeans earlier this year. She has identified the backstroke as her strongest stroke, and is hoping to achieve personal bests across her events in Rio, believing that these would give her a good chance of reaching some finals. “My focus is really on
my own performance; I think, for a lot of athletes, the first Olympics is really about having the experience and learning from it. I’ve been to the World and European Championships but I’ve heard that the Paralympics is a completely different experience, so I’m just so, so excited. It’s crazy to think it’s just a few days away after all this time, and I’m more determined and training harder than ever.” Kelly will travel to the Irish team’s Brazilian holding camp in Uberlandia ahead of the Olympics this week,
spending 10 days adapting to the change in timezone and temperature before travelling on to the Olympic village in Rio in early September. “I have no co-ordination,” she jokes, talking about her family’s sporting connections with Castleknock GAA. “But I think it’s just part of the family, we’re all very into sport. Both my brothers play with the club. “For me, swimming was a better fit. Rio will be fantastic, but I’m definitely looking ahead to bigger things in Tokyo in 2020, too.”
Collins stuns the chasers on cycle of 70.3 Ironman sport@dublingazette.com
America’s Ben Collins celebrates his Dublin Ironman 70.3 success. Picture: Ryan Byrne/Inpho
BENJAMIN Collins proved a surprise package in Dublin at the recent 70.3 Ironman event held in the city. The American exited the water in third place, only three seconds behind the fastest swimmer Mark Threlfall and Harry Wiltshire, but while spectators awaited a British race to come, Collins stormed away on the bike. He obviously knew about the running strengths of some of the top contenders and he nailed a huge, early gap to get out on the
run with a bigger advantage. Through 50 kilometres, Collins already had opened up a gap of more than eight minutes. Starting into the final half marathon, he was 11 minutes ahead of the chase group. Wiltshire entered T2 together with Fraser Cartmell, Threlfall, and Paul Reitmayr (from Austria) but he started to drop the two men only minutes later. Wiltshire downsized the gap to the front continuously but he was starting into the run too far behind to even think about catching up with Collins again.
Wiltshire had the best run split and no issues to secure second place in front of Reitmayr. Susie Cheetham defended her title at the Ironman 70.3 Dublin in a sensational way. The 30-yearold 2016 African Championship runner-up raced well from start to finish to celebrate a great success. When Cheetham came out of the water at Scotsman’s Bay in 27 minutes, she was 47 seconds ahead of Spain’s Saleta Castro and 2.31 in front of her compatriot Natalie Seymour and already in her own zone.
Cheetham embarked on a very solid solo ride, breaking away from the rest of the field. When she got off the bike, she was in the middle of the men’s pro field with Seymour already five minutes down. Hungarian Anna Halasz, in third place, was already eight minutes away from the lead in T2. At this point, it wasn’t really a question anymore whether Cheetham could run this race home. Although Seymour was working hard to reduce the gap on the run, the defending champ never allowed the runner-up to get closer than four minutes.
25 August 2016 LUCAN GAZETTE 29
GAZETTE
Brill motivation Usher’s in independent ambition
FASTSport
Dundrum native Carol wins big at blind golf events in the UK and Austria as she continues to campaign for an improved situation for those suffering from Usher Syndrome in Ireland JAMES HENDICOTT sport@dublingazette.com
A POWERHOUSE of social activism, blind golfer Carol Brill is once again knocking down doors after a period of illness, and backing winning tournaments. Brill recently travelled to blind open events in the UK and Austria, and came out on top in Austria as she won the B2 [extremely limited sight] categor y of a mixed-gender contest. In the UK tournament, Brill was part of the victorious group in the team event. The Austrian win was particularly impressive, given Brill played directly off the back of a trip to a funeral in America, playing on a few hours’ sleep after a 30-hour
flight. Her improvement on the second – less tired – day was an astonishing 27 shots. The Dundrum native sees her golf as a way of living – a sport she can participate in despite suffering from a debilitating, rare and progressive condition called Usher Syndrome, which causes her hearing and sight to deteriorate progressively over time. Brill’s vision is currently limited to a small slot directly in front of her, and will continue to fade until she is completely blind. “It’s about living differently,” Brill told GazetteSport of her golf. “I’m very dependent on someone to guide me for golf, so it’s a new kind of independence
– it requires someone to spend six hours with me. But I can’t let Usher Syndrome take my desire to play.” Brill has previously been heavily involved in campaigns to recognise blind-deafness as a unique condition, something the Irish government has failed to do to date, making them the only EU government not to have done so. “HSE guidelines were released early summer on how to deal with deaf blindness, and they consist of ten bullet points. “I don’t particularly like the idea of ‘deaf blind’ as a term, really, as there are more than 70 different types of deaf blindness and it’s too simplistic,” Brill explains.
Carol Brill is flying high on the blind golf circuit and making an impact off the course
“Unfortunately, we had a new government and things have really slowed up with the summer break. Things seem to be at a standstill, which is a shame after my previous lobbying [Brill spoke in the Oireachtas about her condition last year], but we move on.” In a typically inspiring and outspoken way, for
is still in the early stages. “The record for a round of fourball is 13 minutes, and was set on a course here in Ireland, but there isn’t a specific women’s record. “If I can get four women per hole, and sponsor each player, then look for corporate sponsorship for the holes, too, I think it’s realistic to raise €100,000
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‘It’s about living differently but I can’t let Usher Syndrome take my desire to play’ - Carol Brill
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Brill moving on means simply driving in a slightly different direction, in which she hopes to mix the golf and fundraising into future Usher ’s Syndrome research. After visiting Disneyland in Florida – the end result of a campaign to be able to see the theme park with her daughter before her sight deterioration takes hold too strongly – Brill will now be campaigning to raise money for a new drug trial that will be headed up by the son of a close friend of hers. Tests on a form of female viagra have shown significant sight benefits and Brill hopes it might prevent more people from suffering with her syndrome in the future. “My plan is to play the fastest ladies round of fourball golf,” Brill said, admitting that the idea
for the research. “I also have some surplus money from the Seeing Disney campaign that I have to allocate. I haven’t decided how to use that yet, but it has to be in keeping with the reasons it was raised, so this might make sense. I need to talk to the Guinness Book of Records people, but we’ll see how it works out.” What’s certain is that Brill is abuzz with ideas, and determined to be a demonstration of how to live with a condition like Usher’s Syndrome. Having changed sports – she was originally a tennis player – adapted her lifestyle and made a point of being powerfully independent, her campaigning feels like something she does for someone else. There’s no telling what might come next.
Egan eases Rio pain with Sella Descent victory JENNY Egan has won gold in the prestigious International Sella Descent in Spain, beating 1,100 competitors in the process. Egan, from the Salmon Leap Canoe Club in Leixlip, missed out on qualifying for the Rio Olympics by just a single place, but was a member of a large Irish team who competed in the 80th International Sella Descent in Asturias. The race is similar to the Liffey Descent and is part of the International Canoe Federation’s Classic Series which consists of eight down river races across Europe, South Africa and China. Egan, who won senior K1 5,000m Canoe Sprint World Cup gold and silver medals earlier this summer in Portugal and Czech Republic respectively, completed the 20 kilometre course in under one hour and 30 minutes. She held off a strong international field to win by over two minutes ahead of second place Kristina Bedec of Serbia and third place Spaniard Sheila Saez Barrios. Speaking after the race, Egan said: “I am delighted to win the famous International Sella Descent and it was extra special for me as it was my first time to compete in this race. “Going into this race I knew there was a very strong field of competitors with the Serbian Bedec being a World Marathon Championship bronze medallist from 2015 and Great Britain’s [Lizzie] Broughton, who won a Silver medal at the World Marathon Championships in 2014.” In the Under-23 men’s K1, Sean McCarthy of Salmon Leap won a silver medal, with Ronan Foley from Kilcullen Canoe Club winning a bronze medal in the junior men’s K1. Liam McCarthy also won a medal, when he finished second in the over-50 men’s K1 category to take silver.
GAZETTE
30 LUCAN GAZETTE 25 August 2016
SPORT
FASTSport
SOCCER: SENIOR SIDE DRAW AS MAJOR 1B PICK UP GREENHILLS WIN
Harriers’ Rocking in Dublin half marathon success LUCAN Harriers were well represented at the national Half-Marathon championships, which was held as part of the 2016 Dublin Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon recently. Eileen O’Brien won the silver medal in her age category, coming home in a time of 1.54.59. First home for Lucan was Will Byrne in 1.22.58 and he was followed by Gareth Fereday in 1.24.17, Rory Thompson in 1.33.48, Colin O’Gara in 1.45.03 and Colm Munnelly in 1.46.09. In her first half-marathon, Sinead Fleet finished in 2.25.51 with Olive Mulligan in 2.38.15 and Josephine Dignam in 3.04.18. Anita Hughes finished the 10km race in 1.05.21 with Eileen O’Brien, also running in the 5km race sixth, finishing in 26.02. Eileen O’Brien, Josephine Dignam, Sinead Fleet and Olive Mulligan are pictured, from left to right, at the half-marathon. At the GloHealth Irish National Masters Track & Field Championships held in Tullamore last Sunday, Lucan athletes brought home eight medals – gold for Niamh Fitzgerald in the W40 800m, silvers for Carol Kearney in W50 100m and 200m and the ladies 4x400m Relay (Carol Kearney, Hilary McGee, Edith Coakley and Niamh Fitzgerald) and bronze medals for Annette Durkan in W40 100m, Carol Kearney in W50 400m, Eoin Fitzgerald in M45 800m and the ladies 4x100m Relay (Carol Kearney, Annette Durkan, Edith Coakley and Niamh Fitzgerald). Twenty-three Lucan Harriers athletes completed the Frank Duffy 10 mile race in the Phoenix Park on Saturday 20th August in dreadful weather conditions. There were some great runs with Will Byrne finishing in 60th position out of 5,243 participants, Eileen O’Brien finishing 3rd in her age category and two runners with the Club’s fit4life group completing their first 10 mile race. At the Community Games national finals, five Lucan Harriers girls represented Dublin in the U12 4x100m relay team and won the bronze medal. Sarah Browne, Millie Hughes, Hannah Moriarity, Kate O’Connell, Chelsea Olumba and their teammate Aev O’Regan all took part.
Lucan United started their LSL Sunday Senior 1A season with a 2-2 draw against Maynooth University
Foley earns Lucan point
LSL SUNDAY SENIOR 1A Lucan United Maynooth University KARL GRAHAM
2 2
sport@dublingazette.com
LUCAN United played out a 2-2 draw with Maynooth University Town in the senior 1A division, as they look to build on last season’s mid-table finish. John Doyle’s side struck first by taking the lead through a penalty mid-way through the first half. Maynooth equalised within 10 minutes when their winger ran down the left touchline before whipping in a dangerous cross to the back post.
The ball was knocked back into the path of their striker, who made no mistake with the finish. The Kildare side were on the ascendancy, and went 2-1 in front before the break after a longrange shot sneaked into the bottom corner. The highlight of the second half was a lovely one-two between Sean Browne and Conor Foley on the edge of the box, with the latter scoring to make it 2-2. In a tight contest between two closely matched teams, chances to win the game were spurned at both ends. Foley got put through
QUEEN OF THE HILL Kennedy wins Leinster climb championship ADAMSTOWN cyclist Roisin Kennedy won the women’s Leinster Hill Climb Championship last Thursday, showing she still has what it takes to compete at a high level. Kennedy, left, is one of Ireland’s most respected and well known cyclists and is the current Chairwoman of the Cycling Ireland Women’s Commission. She is a multi-national and provincial medallist and a former international but has had a relatively quiet season in 2016 by her standards.
on goal once more but put his shot wide, before United keeper Conor Barco made a very good save to deny Maynooth. Elsewhere, Lucan United’s second string have had a mixed start to their season after securing their first three points, in a 3-0 win over Greenhills/Greenpark FC on Monday. The win comes just two days after their opening 3-2 loss at home to Boot Road Celtic on Saturday. United, who are trying to adjust to life in the Major 1B following relegation last season, hope that having a much more prepared side will help
them bounce back at the first time of asking. Manager Tom Devlin spoke to GazetteSport about his side’s start to the season and their ambitions for the coming months. “We made six changes from Saturday, with a couple of lads making their debuts.” One of those making their debut was Jacob Breau who tapped the ball into an empty net after a calamitous situation saw the Greenhills ‘keeper fumble a backpass. Podge Byrne made it 2-0 before half-time, and it was all over mid-way
through the second half when Breau cut in from the wing, beat two players, and curled it into the top corner for his second of the game. Devlin hopes his team will enjoy a much more fruitful season this year. “Last year I came in late, a week before the season started and we were struggling to field a team every week. Now I’ve had a whole preseason with 22 players signed, so I’ve a headache this time as to who will even make the squad. “It’s early days but I’d be optimistic because we have a good mix of experienced players and youth.”
25 August 2016 LUCAN GAZETTE 31
GAZETTE
Flood goal pegs Lucan back in AFL1 tie sport@dublingazette.com
LUCA N S a r s f i e l d s ’ senior footballers still require a couple of points to avoid a relegation playoff position from AFL1 after they were pegged back by Ballyboden St Enda’s last Saturday evening 0-17 to 2-17. Lucan started off well
in the game with good scores from Conor Gallagher and Jack Carey. Ballyboden fought back by winning a couple of frees and good a point by Barra McGarry which kept them in touch. Sarsfields were up 0-11 0-7 coming into half-time but an injury to midfielder Brian Collopy and a goal by Ballyboden’s
Alan Flood changed the game. Ballyboden started the second half very well, slotting a goal and a fine point by Declan O’Mahony in the first couple of attacks. They controlled the game for next 15 minutes, winning a lot of kick out’s and when Lucan Sarsfields’ Jack Carey
was sent off with a second yellow, the game was essentially over. Brendan Gallagher, Tommy Brennan and Paul Casey got late scores for Lucan, but it was to no avail. Lucan sit in a tie for 12th place with two other sides with games against St Maur’s and St Sylvester’s still to be played in September.
FOOTBALL: LUCAN WITHSTAND BRENDAN’S BATTLE
CLUB NOTICEBOARD LUCAN SARSFIELDS THE junior footballers had a fantastic
Lucan GC outing (August 19) Results.
extra time win over St Brendan’s to
Overall winner: John O’Neill (28) 35pts,
claim their place in the championship
second overall: Pearse O’Connell (27)
final against St Vincent’s.
34pts; BB9, Category 1 winner Mick
The senior Footballers lost to Bal-
Roche (13) 33pts; Category 2 winner:
lyboden in their latest league fixture,
Stephen Murphy (19) 34pts, Category
having been a point ahead at the half
3 winner: Shane Carton (24) 33pts.
the game finished 0-17 to 2-17. This
Congratulations to all the winners
leaves just two games left, away to
and thanks to Automatic Fire & Inte-
St Maurs at 6pm on September 3 and
grated Solutions for sponsoring the
home to St Sylvester’s at 5.30pm on
outing. Our next outing is Donabate
September 17. A few points required
GC on Saturday, September 10 and our
to avoid a playoff.
Captains (Liam Carton) Day is in Lut-
A narrow one-point win for the
The Friends of Dublin Hurling will
Sunday’s challenge game, they face
hold its fourth annual All-Ireland Hurl-
Crumlin on Saturday next at 6.30pm in
ing Week Golf Classic in Powerscourt
Pearse Park. This is a game from which
Golf Club on Wednesday, August 31.
Lucan need at least a draw to retain
Contact Michael at 087 2331983 to
their Division 1 status.
reserve a slot or for further informa-
On Sunday, Lucan hosted a Festival
Sars go the extra to land junior final spot
JCFC SEMI-FINAL Lucan Sarsfields 1-18 St Brendan’s 2-14 sport@dublingazette.com
EXTRA-time was necessary but Lucan Sarsfields finally put away St Brendan’s 1-18 to 2-14 reach the final of the Junior C championship. Tired bodies led to frequent errors as extra-time continued to rumble on without any sign of a winner. Indeed, there was just three points over the final 10 minutes as the game became scrappy, with a litany of frees conceded but Lucan eventually grabbed the vital scores.
The side from Grangegorman started the game strongly and flew into a four-point lead after just six minutes, before a point from Lucan’s Paul Sloan was followed up by a Tim Bradley goal to level. Brendan’s responded almost immediately with a goal of their own and three further points. Points by Barry Torsney and John Doyle reduced the deficit to four points towards the half-time break, until a late goal made Lucan’s secondhalf task even bigger. F o u r u n a n s we r e d points was how Sarsfields responded to the chal-
lenge, with Brendan’s now struggling to hold onto their lead. Lucan substitutes Jack Carey and Gareth Hamilton entered the fray and proved to make the difference. The game was now tied, and with both sides struggling to break the deadlock, the referee blew up with the score 1-13 to 2-10. Lucan captain Mark Moran was black carded for the extra-time period, which saw their defence severely tested. The final minutes of the second period of extratime were rife with tired bodies and cramping
muscles, resulting in very few points being put on the board. Torsney scored his second point of the game to level matters for the third time, in what was proving a real championship fare. Lucan had finally begun to dominate the middle of the pitch and when Mark Sharkey scooped up a breaking ball in the 82nd minute, he showed his class to put them ahead for the first time in the match. St Brendan’s through the kitchen sink at Lucan over the last three minutes but they managed to stay firm.
tion.
of Hurling for U-12s. Teams from Tip-
Another successful set of Summer
perary, Cork, Kildare and Kilkenny
Camps have run their course. A big
competed with two tiers of competi-
thanks to all those who helped in the
tion. Lucan and Blackrock battled for
organisation.
the final win in group one with Lucan
Bingo continues every Wednesday
prevailing while Eire Og and Durlas
evening at 8.30pm with free tea/cof-
Og played the final in group two with
fee.
the Tipp side coming out on top. A big
The club shop is closed at the
thanks to all who helped make it a suc-
moment but all items are available at
cessful event.
the O’Neills factory outlet on the Long
Lucan Sarsfields Golf Society at
The Lucan Sarsfields junior footballers who reached their championship final
trellstown GC on Saturday, October 1.
Lucan senior hurlers v Dunboyne in
Mile Road or online.
ST PAT’S PALMERSTOWN THE lotto numbers for this week were
Our Friday hurling skills continues
4, 25, 27 and 28. There was no winner so
on Friday and will be on from 6-7pm
next week, the jackpot will be €4,800.
next week. Everyone welcome. Camo-
The draw takes place in the Palm-
gie skills are on 7-8pm. It’s a great
erstown House every Sunday night at
chance for the kids to learn from
10pm and tickets cost €2.
experienced coaches. Memberships
Thank you to all our sellers and to all that support our lotto every week.
are overdue so anyone that hasn’t paid can you please do so urgently.
Tickets available from all the usual
Well done to our U-13 hurlers who
sellers including Moriarty’s Super-
had a great win over Naomh Olaf and
Valu, Palmerstown House and Manor
our U-15 footballers who put in a great
Hair Studios.
performance against Na Fianna.
NA GAEIL OGA COMHGHAIRDEACHAS mor ag dul go
nais craoibhe na Iomainithe an cluiche
Foireann Peile na bhFear A a bhi an bua
is mo agus is tabhachtai an tseach-
acu ar Naomh Fhionnain, 0-16 go 1-2.
tain seo. Beidh siad ag imirt in aghaidh
Ta na leaids go mor san iomaiocht san tsraith le tri cluichi fagtha. Ta an
Scoil Ui Chonaill, De Domhnaigh ag a 11 i Bothar Cluain Tarbh. Go n-eiri leo!!
seisiur anois criochnaithe don Foire-
Na dean dearmaid go bhfuil Go
ann B. Gabhaimid buiochas mor ar
Quest ar siul De Sathairn ag 12:15
Micheal O Nuallain agus Tadhg De Bric
amuigh i Fhionnghlas. Taille 15 euro
as ucht a chuid ama agus bainistiocht
ata ar agus is ann craic ata ann; seans
don bhliain. Ta seisiur Foireann Peile
freisin aithne a chur ar baill an chluib.
na mBan ag teacht chun deireadh
Beidh an tairgead a bhailiu ag treanail.
tar eis doibh a cluiche craoibhe leath
Freisin, beidh piosa beag don chlar
ceannais a chailiunt i gcoinne Baile
Thank GAA It’s Friday ag diriu ar Na
Bachaile. Nil ach cluiche amhain fagtha
Geail Oga an tseachtain seo. Beidh an
acu san corn.
clar a chraoladh De hAoine ag 19:00 ar
Gan dahbt, is ea cluiche leath cean-
RTE 2.
32 LUCAN GAZETTE 25 August 2016