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Month XX, 2012 Palmerstown • Celbridge • Leixlip • Adamstown • Dodsboro • Liffey Valley • ballyowen
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Lucan in line for tourism revamp Ian Begley
Plans to develop Lucan as a hub for water-based activities and cycling were among a number of proposed strategies to develop a Liffey Valley Cluster as part of the new South Dublin Tourism Strategy. A series of trails and routes were presented to local councillors recently, including the Liffey Valley Cluster – a development that will link South Dublin to the city centre.
Part of this cluster will involve Lucan acting as a hub for water-based activities. According to the report an opportunity exists to expand activities in Lucan such as canoeing and kayaking. Lucan Cllr William Lavelle (FG) said: “This represents a breakthrough moment for all who have campaigned to protect the Liffey Valley and to develop it as a publicly accessible amenity.” Full Story on Page 2
Time slipping away: A-peeling to parents to sign up for camps these talented youngsters, with the help of their new friend Freddy Fyffes, were singing the praises for Starcamp’s launch of its summer camp programme recently. The children’s national
performing arts network wishes to remind parents that places are filling up quickly and anyone interested can obtain further details on the website at www.starcamp.ie
2 LUCAN Gazette 16 April 2015
tourism strategy Developing county’s natural resources
Lucan could make waves in water sport activities Plans to develop Lucan as a hub for water-based activities and cycling were among a number of proposed strategies to develop a Liffey Valley Cluster as part of the new South Dublin Tourism Strategy. T he primar y goal f o r S o u t h D u b l i n ’s tourism strategy, presented to local councillors on April 13, is to develop the infrastructure, attractions,
ian begley ibegley@dub;ingazette.com
activities, and facilities of the county’s natural resources. A series of six clusters and corridors/trails/ routes was proposed at the meeting, including
the Liffey Valley Cluster – a development that will create a corridor stretching along the Liffey Valley from County Kildare through south Dublin into Dublin City, thereby linking South Dublin with the city’s heart. Part of this cluster will involve Lucan acting as a hub for water-based activities and cycling. According to the tourism strategy’s report:
“Canoeing and kayaking in the Liffey are already popular with Lucan as the central point. The opportunity exists to expand such activities through the provision of upgraded facilities (eg changing rooms at Lucan Demesne) and improved access. “Lucan would be at the centre of a potential series of cycling loops with access to the Grand Canal via Vesey Park and Griffeen Park, linking to the Royal Canal via Lucan Demesne to St Catherine’s Park.” Villages adjacent to the Liffey will be featured along the river linking Palmerstown and Lucan with Leixlip and Celbridge, with Lucan serving as the “hub” for the entire cluster. The focus would be on a quality food offering, village heritage trails and attractive amenity offerings of the riverside parklands and demesnes, with potential spurs to the Royal and Grand canals for longer linear cycling routes. The establishment of a Liffey Greenway is also a chief proposal of the tourism strategy, which also involves Dublin City, Fingal and Kildare County Councils working with Failte Ireland, the Office of Public Works, the National Transport
Lucan is already popular for water based activities like the Liffey Descent
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‘Tourism-focused development, carried-out sensitively, has the potential to bring visitors to West Dublin’
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Authority and other stakeholders on scoping and developing a Liffey Greenway from the City Centre through the Liffey Valley to Celbridge. The repor t stated: “The proximity of this potential Greenway corridor to the large domestic and international tourism market in the city centre can make the project sustainable from domestic as well as international tourists. “The Greenway also presents health, transport and environmental benefits for modal shift from car based to
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cycling/walking based travel that could serve as a secondary gain.” Welcoming these proposals, Lucan’s Cllr William Lavelle (FG) told The Gazette: “I am very happy to see these proposals have made the cut and form a key element of the new strategy. “This represents a breakthrough moment for all who have campaigned to protect the Liffey Valley and to develop it as a publicly accessible amenity. “ To u r i s m - f o c u s e d development, carriedout sensitively, has the potential to bring visitors to West Dublin, supporting business and jobs in villages such as Lucan; as well as providing a fantastic recreational amenity for local walkers and fami-
lies,” he said. Historian Joe Byrne told The Gazette that tourism initiatives like this would be a “great way” of attracting people into the council’s villages. He said: “Giving the villages around the county a historical appeal like setting up heritage trails for walking tours and placing plaques around the many interesting buildings and structures that South County Dublin has to offer would be a great way of drawing in tourists. “T here’s a raf ting group in Palmerstown that do trips from Lucan right down to Palmerstown and are a big success locally, but promoting that sort of thing on a bigger level would also be a great way of encouraging people to visit,” he said. A digital copy of the South Dublin Tourism Strategy is available on the council’s website at www.sdcc.ie/services.
16 April 2015 LUCAN Gazette 3
litter
festival: showcasing talents and creativity of older artists
Time to tidy up for spring
Bealtaine brings plenty for free Ian Begley
Now in its 20th year, Bealtaine, the festival celebrating creativity in older people, is returning in May with a wide number of free events. With an estimated 120,000 people taking part in Bealtaine nationwide, it makes the event one of Ireland’s biggest arts festivals. From dance to cinema, painting to theatre, Bealtaine showcases the talents and creativity of both firsttime and professional older artists. Bealtaine is co-ordinated by Age and Opportunity, the national organisation working to promote greater participation by older people in society. According to festival
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organisers: “It is a chance for people to make new and challenging work, a chance to communicate traditions between the generations. It is a chance for the novice to discover a talent until then unseen and a chance for a longdormant skill to find a new outlet.” The council has organised a number of events during the month of May. Some of these include crafts, computer classes, horticultural workshops, walking and ballroom dancing. Chief executive for the council Danny McLoughlin said: “We believe that the month of May belongs to the Bealtaine festival, celebrating creativity as we age.
“In south Dublin County the number of people aged 65 and over is 23,053 and is rising. Our aging population offers both challenges and opportunities to south Dublin County. In the council we have developed useful links and working relationships between our partner agencies and services providers. “We have established the Age Friendly County Alliance and Tus Nua Older Persons Forum. It raises more awareness of issues affecting older persons and allows us to put the necessary structures in place to address this.” Applications forms and a programme of events can be downloaded from www.sdcc.ie .
Tickled pink: Fundraising campaign smashes target to raise over €700k lucan Centra was among 22 sister stores across Dublin which
helped raise over €700,000 for the Irish Cancer Society’s Action Breast Cancer programme. Centra smashed its original target of €400,000 with a campaign that saw communities pounding the pavements, donning pink vests and “painting it pink” for a disease that affects over 2,800 women in Ireland every year. Money raised by Centra has gone directly to the Irish Cancer Society’s Action Breast Cancer programme. Pictured are Maighread Cremin, Centra; Jeanette Prunty, breast cancer survivor, and Susie Cunningham, Irish Cancer Society. Picture: MAXWELLS
With the days getting longer, Lucan Tidy Towns have been busy cleaning up litter and cutting back shrubbery in their continuous mission to maintain Lucan as a nice place to live and visit. Kevin O’Loughlin, chair of Lucan Tidy Towns, said: “For a long time the overhanging briars and branches along the walls of Scoil Mhuire on the Lucan Road have been a source of irritation and potential injury to pedestrians. “Early last Saturday [March 28] they were tackled and brought under control. For good measure they also tidied the walls along St Joseph’s College.” Visit the Lucan Tidy Towns Facebook page for more information on the work they do.
4 LUCAN Gazette 16 April 2015
FastNews Council to celebrate 11th annual Eco Week South Dublin County Council will soon be celebrating its 11th annual Eco Week, spreading the message: “Our Environment, let’s protect it.” The week, which takes place from April 10 to 24, hosts eco-friendly events that are open to everyone from community groups to schools, householders to individuals and businesses. All events are free and range from exhibitions, workshops, seminars to storytelling and much more to raise awareness of environmental issues and solutions in a fun and practical way. This year, the council is asking residents to be aware of climate change and to empower themselves with knowledge on how climate change affects their county. The Environmental Protection Agency will also be promoting its Stop Food Waste programme to help Irish householders prevent food waste and to promote home composting, which has the potential to save householders money. During Eco Week there will be a selection of leaflets available free of charge in council offices and libraries giving you tips on how to protect the environment and save money. For more information on this event, visit www. sdcc.ie.
Decrease Fees no longer being written off
Council is owed almost €22m in unpaid levies Ian Begley
SOUTH Dublin Count y C o u n c i l i s n ow owed almost €22m in outstanding development levies up to 2014, according to figures seen by The Gazette. At the end of 2012, the local authority was owed €28.8m; in 2010 the sum was €37m. The lowest amount in recent years was €20.4m in 2013. The decrease in money owed is due to levies being collected and not written off, according to the council. The €21.8m is the c u m u l a t i ve a m o u n t
SDCC is now owed. A council spokesperson said: “While we have a bad debt provision in respect of development levies, we did not write off any levies. We deem all outstanding development levies collectable and pursue them actively. “The total amount due is the figure for 2014 end of year of €21.8m. There are no arrears as such. We enter into phasing agreements with developers who pay levies in accordance with residential/ commercial units they build. “We consider the figure of €21.8m collectable over the duration of the planning permissions it covers.” Independent councillor Gus O’Connell (Ind) says the levy decrease in recent years showed the council was doing a good job, but that more needed to be done. He said: “What we generally try to do is to keep pressure on [developers] to pay the monies owed. “Other than that, council management assure us that they are doing everything they can to get the levies in, but there’s still a huge amount of money outstanding. “I would prefer to see more levies paid up front. The unfortunate
South Dublin County Council: “We deem all outstanding development levies collectable and pursue them actively.”
thing is that at the end of the day local people are suffering who are depending on facilities to be delivered through these levies,” he said. In a similar vein, Cllr Trevor Gilligan (FF) told the Gazette that these development levies should go towards improving services and establishing amenities in Clondalkin. “While residents pay levies, we also expect this money to go into local ser vices. Resi-
dents feel they are not getting value for these levies, they are going into a black hole rather than local services. This money should be going into the local area, transport, litter picking, environment, parks and so on, whereas residents are seeing more cuts in these areas but are still paying the levies.” In 2013, South Dublin County Council voted to reduce development levies in a bid to boost the flagging construc-
tion sector with calls for a reduction of 26% on levies. The scheme agreed a levy on non-residential development of €81.65 per square metre, reduced from the previous rate of €111, representing the reversal of a previous 2009 increase in the levy. The scheme also agreed a levy on residential development of €88.27 per square metre, reduced from the rate of €120.
Local children join the Music Generation ian begley
Over 1,000 children and young people in Dublin Mid-West are participating in a variety of county based music programmes, and plans to expand the number of secondary school students taking part is under way. To date, Music Generation
South Dublin has focused largely on promoting music initiatives in primary schools. But with the appointment of Avril Crotty as music development manager, this project will expand to post-primary schools in both rural and urban areas of south Dublin County. The overall aim of Music Gen-
eration South Dublin is to create the foundation for a sustainable music education service in Dublin Mid-West to inspire and engage children and young people to participate in active music-making. Crotty said: “With such diversity in the county, I have no doubt that the future for music development and education is bright.”
16 April 2015 LUCAN Gazette 5
don’sdublin The story of Hugh Lane and his unique modern art gallery The Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane, usually referred to as the Hugh Lane, is unique in that it is the first known public gallery for modern art anywhere in the world. This is due to the work of Hugh Lane who was a successful London art dealer and collector. He had a particular passion for works of the Impressionists, and there are a number of fine paintings by such artists as Renoir, Pissarro and Manet on show. Lane was born in Cork in 1875 and spent most of his early life in Cornwall. After school, he began an apprenticeship as a painting restorer, but soon started dealing in paintings. Although he lived in London, he often returned to Ireland and stayed with his aunt, Lady Augusta Gregory (a founder of the Abbey Theatre), and was familiar with Irish art which he praised and promoted. As such, he decided that Ireland needed a gallery to show these works and he opened the Municipal Gallery of Modern Art in January 1908. It was set up in temporary premises on Harcourt Street, and Lane hoped Dublin Corporation would take over the running of the gallery. This, however, did not happen, as the corporation was uncertain about the financial viability of such an enterprise. Sadly, Lane was among almost 1,200 who died when the RMS Lusitania was torpedoed on May 7, 1915 off his native Cork, and never lived to see “his” gallery. Following his untimely death, many years were spent arguing about the 39 paintings in the Lane Bequest. It was not until 1959, more than 40 years after Lane’s death, that a deal was struck between the Irish and British governments for the custodianship of the paintings. Half of the paintings would be shown in Dublin every five years, but this arrangement was altered in 1993 whereby 31 of the paintings would stay in Dublin. Charlemont House (the former townhouse of James Caulfield, owner of the Casino at Marino) was opened as the permanent location for the Municipal Gallery of Modern Art, and it is now one of the city’s favourite galleries.
Don Cameron
www.donsdublin.wordpress.com
care Minister thanked for tenacity in introducing scheme
Under-fives set to get free GP care ian begley
At least 7,000 children aged five and under in Lucan, Clondalkin and Palmerstown will be entitled to access free GP care from the end of June. This follows the agreement on free GP services reached recently between the Department of Health,
the Health Service Executive and the Irish Medical Organisation, which represents a number of GPs. Local people aged over 70 who still pay to visit their GP will also be entitled to the free service. Dublin Mid-West TD Robert Dowds (Lab) has welcomed the announcement of the agreement.
He said: “This is a major step forward that will deliver huge savings for local families and pensioners, and help promote health and well-being throughout the county. “Confirmation that an agreement has been reached by all sides is a major breakthrough which will make a massive
difference to the lives of the youngest and the oldest in our local community. We expect the service to begin from the end of June. Making healthcare more affordable has long been an objective of the Labour Party in Government, and underlines out commitment to enhancing primary care.
“I want to thank Minister for Primary Care Kathleen Lynch for her tenacity in pursuing this project despite the many barriers she faced along the way. “It now means that every child aged five and under, and persons aged over 70 in the country, will shortly have access to free GP services.”
6 LUCAN Gazette 16 April 2015
may day NBRU members set date for strike action and two-hour march
Bus drivers resist privatisation move Bairbre Ni Bhraonain
and Ian Begley
DUBLIN Bus and Bus Eireann drivers plan to hold a strike on May 1 following a recent ballot of NBRU members over the tendering of 10% of routes to private contractors. This week 93% of SIPTU bus drivers also voted for industrial action; the NBRU says 92% of their members did likewise. Affected local bus routes are in Lucan, Palmerstown (Old Lucan Road), Clondalkin and Tallaght. The bus numbers are 18, 76, and the 76a. No date has been decided on for the SIPTU
strike but the NBRU is calling on its sister trade union to join forces in its protest which will be held on May 1, International Workers’ Day. The strike will include a twohour protest march to the Dail and similar marches across the country. According to Dermot O’Leary, NBRU general secretary, there could be up to 1,700 NBRU bus workers marching in Dublin alone on the day. “[The number] is hard to gauge now, but we represent 1,500 to 1,700 in the Dublin area alone,” he said. On April 10, SIPTU balloted members after a breakdown in nego-
tiations between it, the NBRU (National Bus and Railworkers Union), bus companies and the National Transport Authority at the Labour Relations Commission (LRC). The union’s president, John Moloney, has written to SIPTU’s Owen Reidy, the union’s utilities and construction division organiser, saying: “This first day of action is designed to (a) highlight the concerns of bus workers in relation to what both unions contend is a flawed policy and (b) encourage the Government to take a central role in addressing our
concerns.” Reidy told The Gazette, however: “We’re not too sure what the NBRU are planning. There’s talk of a march and a two-hour stoppage and our only concern about that is we don’t think that would be enough to try and persuade both bus companies to do what they need to do and to persuade the Department of Transport to give us the answers we need, so that might be a kind of modest approach.” SIPTU has now given the Department of Transport, Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann until April 24 to commit to enter talks with them. If those talks fail to
A Dublin Bus spokesperson “strongly” urged unions “not to take any action that could have a negative impact on customers”. Picture: Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland
materialise, he said: “Then we’ll have to decide what kind of action we might take on April 24.” An NTA spokesperson said the authority was disappointed that the trade unions had “chosen to take this action following their withdrawal from ongoing talks at the LRC. Public
transport customers will be greatly inconvenienced as a result”. Reacting to the NBRU’s announcement, Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe said: “It is my strong belief that such taxpayer support for improved bus services should be given in conjunction with a degree of competition and I am
committed to the tendering of 10% of bus routes being implemented by the National Transport Authority.” A Dublin Bus spokesperson “strongly” urged both the NBRU and SIPTU “not to take any action that could have a negative impact on customers”.
16 April 2015 LUCAN Gazette 7
utility 39,000 bills the first of 1.5 million for residents
Groups set to continue Irish Water veto Ian Begley
AS the first batch of Irish Water bills is being delivered to homes across the country, protest groups in Dublin Mid-West are encouraging residents to boycott them at regular public meetings. About 39,000 bills issued at the beginning of this month were among the first of 1.5 million quarterly bills to be delivered over the next eight weeks.
Consumption Irish Water has been metering water usage since January, and now the utility company has begun to charge its customers for that water consumption. Founding member of the Clondalkin Meter Watch Georgina O’Halloran told The Gazette that the group is holding a public burning of the bills on April 21 at 7.30pm She said: “Now that the bills are coming
into people’s doors we decided we would have to do something. “The public burning will take place outside the council offices in Clondalkin and even if people don’t have their bills on hand they can bring other stuff that they received from Irish Water. “We have to keep the pressure on Irish Water, showing them that there still is a huge reluctance from residents to conform to the charges.” Cllr Ruth Nolan ( P BP ) , f r o m L u c a n Water Meter Watch, said they were now beginning to hold regular public outdoor meetings across Lucan and Palmerstown. She said: “We’re hitting many estates around Lucan and Palmerstown now that the bills are coming in people’s doors. “People seem to be standing firm and are adamant that they don’t want to pay.” Commenting on the
calls to boycott the water bills, a spokesperson from Irish Water told The Gazette: “As all bills are capped until the end of 2018, those who do not have meters will receive the same bills as everyone else. “If they have validated their information with Irish Water the bill will reflect the size of their household. “If they have not, they will receive the ‘default’ bill based on a twoadult household. “People with meters w i l l a l s o r e c e i ve a metered bill in addition to the capped bill and will pay whichever is the lesser of the two.” Irish Water added that they are asking anyone who has any queries in relation to inaccuracies on their bills to contact them on 1890 448 448. Visit the Clondalkin a n d L u c a n Wa t e r Meter Watch pages for more information and updates on their activities.
Tesco to host bake sale for children’s hospital ian begley
Tesco Lucan is set to host an instore bake sale on April 17 in an attempt to raise some much-needed dough for Temple Street Children’s Hospital. The Lucan-based store, along with its 31 Tesco sister stores across Dublin, is taking part in the Temple Street Great Irish Bake between 12pm and 6pm. The Great Irish Bake, aims to raise funds as Temple Street embarks on one of its most ambitious projects yet
– the construction of a new neurology and renal outpatient unit. Denise Fitzgerald, chief executive of Temple Street Fundraising, said: “The Great Irish Bake raises over €150,000 every year, helping to make Temple Street a better place and every day we witness the difference fundraising makes. So please everyone – bake it, buy it or sell it for our little fighters.” To take part in Temple Street’s Great Irish Bake, register before April 17 at www.templestreet.ie.
Irish Water has been metering water usage since January
8 LUCAN Gazette 16 April 2015
gazetteGALLERIES
Jean Regan
Susan Cole and Trish Pasley. Pictures: Jolanta Rossiter Sean Regan
Sam Rynhart, rector Scott Peoples and Eleanor Phiri
Breeda De Vries with son, Darragh
Liz Pratt with son, Dylan
cancer society: lucan hosts Daffodil Coffee Morning
Flower power does the job for charity
T
he Church of Ireland Parish centre in Lucan Village recently hosted a Daffodil Coffee Morn-
ing. The event has been held at the
Main Street venue in Lucan for 20 years. This year more than â‚Ź1,200 was raised for the Irish Cancer Society, as local people turned out in large numbers to support the event
between 10am and 1pm. The event was one of hundreds that took place across Ireland on Daffodil Day, March 27, to raise awareness and funds for the cancer charity.
Sandra Lynch with son, Senan
16 April 2015 LUCAN Gazette 9
gazetteGALLERY
Aine O’Brien
Michael and Maria Miley
Members from the London–based Irish feminist group, Speaking of IMELDA with local pro–choice activists coordinated an action in which women chained themselves to pillars outside the GPO. Pictures: James Martin
commemoration: Rewinding the clock to 1915
It’s Rising time
T
ens of thousands took to O’Connell Street on Easter Monday to help make The Road to the Rising event come alive. As part of its Easter Rising commemorations, the public were invited to step back in time to 1915 for the RTE Rising commemoration. Actors helped to recreate a wedding
and funeral from the period, while a restored open-front tram served as a platform for readings and performances. The event takes place a year before the centenary of the Easter Rising, with the idea being to set the scene for next year’s commemorations. See more on Page 10
Bean Holland and Will Flanagan from Realta
10 gazette 16 April 2015
gazetteGALLERY commemoration: Rewinding the clock to 1915
It’s Rising time Philip Smithers
Fionnuala Ni Chasaide and Cris Ni Choisdealbha
Simon Benson with Laoise and Francis Cahill
Layla and Noor Wright
Emma O’Driscoll
Mary Browne
John Shevlin (James Joyce lookalike)
Maria Nolan
16 April 2015 Gazette 11
business 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
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diary P12 feature P14
day in the life: it’s a little steak and eggs before mentalist’s busy day
what’son
No such thing as an average day for Barry
Best New Play at the draiocht:
ian begley
Irish hypnotist, mentalist and actor Keith Barry has a career that’s certainly unconventional to say the least. Amazing his audiences around the world with various illusions and mental feats has given him a reputation that makes him stand out among the many others who have attempted to mirror his craft. This week, The Gazette caught up with the 38year-old Waterford native to see what his day-to-day life entails. “There is no such thing as an average day for me. Recently for over the past four months, I would get up every day at 6am
while working on the second season of Now You See Me in London and wouldn’t get home until midnight. “At the moment, I get up at 8am and for breakfast I’d usually have steak and eggs because I’m currently working out a lot. “I train a lot in town and have got a personal trainer who pushes me to the limit and knocks the shit out of me, to be honest. “I change my training style depending on what stunts I do. Before Christmas, I was performing at the Waterford Christmas festival where I did a 100ft suspended straightjacket so I had to build up my back strength and increase my lung capac-
ity. “In the States, I did a stunt where I got tased and had 50,000 volts going through my system. I had a whole concept of challenging a cop where I said that I could hack into his brain while tasing me at the same time. He thought of a word and I had to think of what it was while being shot with 50,000 volts.” When he’s not performing life endangering stunts or hacking into people’s minds, Barry said that fishing is a huge hobby of his. “Next week, I’ll be fishing in the River Lee in Cork and, during the summer, I’ve got a charter boat booked at Ross’ Point in Sligo, which
Keith Barry: “Next week, I’ll be fishing in the River Lee in Cork”
I’m really looking forward to. “I’m also a huge bookworm. When I get home I love to indulge in psychology, hypnosis and magic books. Often I’d go on Amazon and buy about 30 books at a time. “To unwind in the eve-
nings and when I want some downtime I like to sit down with the wife and watch shows on Netflix like Breaking Bad or The Shield. “I’m not a big sleeper and wouldn’t get to bed until around 2am even when I have to be up
bright and early the next day.” Barry’s new live show Out of Control will take place around Ireland this October with tickets starting at €30. For more information, visit www.keithbarry. com
Rise Productions smash hit, The Games People Play, will be performed at Draiocht Blanchardstown. Written by Gavin Kostick, directed by Bryan Burroughs and starring Aonghus Og McNally and Lorna Quinn, it was named Best New Play at the Irish Times Theatre Awards and was a sell-out success at Dublin Fringe Festival. The story, which is a modern take on the tale of Tir na nOg sees Niamh and Oisin living the modern suburban dream with a nice house, comfortable lifestyle, and kids. However they soon realise that everything they ever dreamed of still isn’t enough? The Irish Theatre Magazine gave it a four star rating and described it as: “Riveting... both a timeless story about two people lost inside a marriage, and a very contemporary Irish horror story.” For booking’s call 01-8852622 or visit draiocht.ie. For more information on the show visit www.riseproductionsireland.com.
Gazette
12 Gazette 16 April 2015
dublinlife
DIARY
Thousands sing to prove they have X Factor Last week, Croke Park, better known for GAA matches or even the odd concert, groaned under the weight of thousands of hopefuls who turned up to audition for the X Factor. Croke Park held two days of auditions for X Factor on April 8 and 9 and also went around to smaller towns in Ireland with their mobile audition van. If you did not get a chance to sing your little heart out for the judges at Croker, never fear: you can audition online at www.application.xfactor.ie. This year’s X Factor judges are once again Louis Walsh, Simon Cowell, Cheryl and Mel B. However, host Dermot O’Leary will not be returning to the show. Cowell tweeted: “Dermot has been an amazing presenter on the X Factor… He held the craziness together. Most of the time. He is a great guy and a real talent.”
confetti ‘made out of lies’
LocalMatters S u p p o r t l o c a l b u s i n e ss
A d v e r t i s e w i t h t h e G a z e tt e c a l l 6 0 1 0 2 4 0
A Dublin stationer has come up with a festive way to tackle homophobia and support the Yes Equality campaign which advocates a Yes vote in the marriage equality referendum in May. Daintree Papers is currently selling wedding confetti made from shredded leaflets containing what they deem to be homophobic propaganda and are donating all of the proceeds to the Yes Equal-
Simon Cowell has been confirmed as a judge on this year’s X Factor
ity campaign as part of a project they are calling Shred of Decency. They are currently collecting flyers which according to them contain “lies” along with online posts which they are printing and shredding. They are inviting people who find any such material online to tweet it using #ShredThisTweet which they will then print and shred. “At Daintree, paper is our favourite thing in the whole world. “So when paper was used to spread some ugly lies in the run-up to the marriage equality referendum we weren’t one bit happy,” said the proprietors of the shop.
develop your storytelling Irish folklore enthusiasts have an opportunity to immerse themselves in 6,000 years of the storytelling tradition with a course at the National Leprechaun Museum
on Jervis Street. The next course runs from April 21 and classes run weekly on Tuesdays from 7pm to 9pm at the museum, including a live storytelling showcase on the final night; with a chance for participants to entertain family and friends with their new skill. The art of the seanachie and tales like Cuchulainn, the Tain Bo Cuailgne and Deirdre of the Sorrows are famous throughout the world. I n t h i s s i x- w e e k course, par ticipants will delve into the background of some wellknown Irish legends, learn how to deliver a story with confidence and style and adapt their skills for different audiences Places are limited so those interested in taking part or seeking more information can contact 01 873 3899 or email rainbow@leprechaunmuseum.ie.
16 April 2015 Gazette 13
14 Gazette 16 April 2015
Gazette
dublinlife Another magic role for Rickman
FEATURE
film: from hans gruber to professor snape, one actor defines superb characters
keith bellew
HOLLYWOOD heavyweight Alan Rickman graced our shores this year for the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival, where he premiered his latest film, A Little Chaos. The event was held at Cineworld in Parnell Street on Saturday, April 25 and was attended by the BAFTA award winner, along with the film’s writer, Dublin-born Ali-
son Deegan, and Dublin actress Cathy Belton. Set in 17th century France, the film – Rickman’s first directorial role in film since The Winter Guest in 1997 – follows a female landscapegardener played by Kate Winslet, who must construct the grand gardens at Versailles. Her botanical responsibilities see her thrust into all the intrigues and drama of the infamous court of King Louis XIV
(Rickman). Belton plays the part of Winslet’s handmaiden.
Perfect
The script was written 17 years ago, but was only made last year. Having written the screenplay, Deegan decided that Rickman would be the perfect person to bring her story to life. However, he had just been confirmed in the role of Professor Snape in Harry Potter. He agreed
to take the commission to direct A Little Chaos, as he didn’t think that Potter role would last long! Although Rickman had not directed a film since 1997, he has directed on stage regularly throughout the 18-year interval. Speaking to The Gazette, he said: “I have been directing in the theatre quite a bit so it’s the same job really, just with more support in film. It was exciting, and I was surrounded by a great crew and great actors so, like I said, when you make a movie you’ve got incredible support.” Rickman played Eamon De Valera in the 1996 film Michael Collins, and with his role as Louis XIV in A Little Chaos, when asked what it is like playing the parts of such important historical figures, he said:
Alan Rickman: “You learn not to judge these characters [like King Louis XIV]; they’re very iconic, and you have to find out what makes them human”
“I had played Rasputin before that, and you learn not to judge these characters; they’re very iconic, and you have to find out what makes them human. “It’s incredibly interesting to find out the isolation of somebody like that [Louis XIV], it’s a bit self-imposed in a way, but he didn’t ask to be
A journey through dance Lastweek Ballet Ireland performed a new dance piece choreographed by the renowned Ludovic Ondiviela at the Project Arts Centre in Temple Bar. The production is called A Journey Through Dance: Tutus and Beyond and the show is currently touring around Ireland but will make a return to Dublin later this month. Ballet Ireland’s national tour of A Journey Through Dance: Tutus and Beyond, takes in three centuries of dance, from traditional classical ballet to striking contemporary work. The new work, Tutus and Beyond, was cre-
ated for the company by Royal Ballet dancerturned-choreographer Ondiviela. Ondiviela trained at the Royal Ballet School in London and danced with the Royal Ballet for 11 years before retiring in 2014 to dedicate himself to choreography. Ballet Ireland’s Tutus and Beyond comes to the Civic Theatre, Tallaght on April 24 and 25 and tickets, costing €20 or €16 for concessions, are available by calling 01 462 7477. The show comes to Draiocht in Blanchardstown on April 29 and tickets are available by booking on 01 8852622 or at www. draiocht.ie.
Louis XIV, he wakes up and finds himself as that. ‘Louis XIV’ – they’re very big words. “They’ve had a huge impact on history, and attitudes to class, and they’re a lot of the things that Alison picks up on [in her film] – that it’s a maledominated world where women were decorative objects only.”
Also speaking to The Gazette, the film’s writer, Alison Deegan, said she was “wonderfully happy” with how the film turned out, and that Rickman had done a great job. She said: “It’s been a fantastic process, I’ve really enjoyed it and I’m so glad – I had the best person in the world for it.”
16 April 2015 Gazette 15
C o m m e r c i a l F e at u r e
STYLE Next Bug jeans €1
3
Next C rocodil
Nex
er €10 e jump
t Lem ress rint d
on p €38
Heatons Mon key tee
dress €16
fab offerings this week, with colourful prints and some furry friendly animals sure to delight. Next’s children’s department is newly renovated and customers can shop the new collections with more choice and more space. As regards Gap Outlet, they carry their own unique ranges for kids with all the great quality, style and fit you expect from GAP at outlet prices.
ley 0 Ash €3 ra nny Lau tty Bu He
FROM fab frocks to jewelled jeans and everything in between, Westend Shopping Park has lots to offer our little people. Located in Blanchardstown, it’s a one-stop-shop for children with Next, Laura Ashley, Heatons and many more providing much in the way of clothing, while Argos and Chad Valley are a real boon when it comes to picking up a present for junior (or his sister). Check out a selection of their
Heatons Lace
Nex top t Cap € €10 ; Lig 7; Mons ht je ter ans €10
€15
Gap Outlet Jacket €24.40; Tee €13.90; Trousers €17.40; Sandals €17.40 Chad Valley 1,000 piece craft trunk €17.49
Gazette
16 Gazette 16 April 2015
dublinlife
Q&A
business €1m partnership boost at DCU campus U S - BA S E D t e s t i n g company Prometric has announced a three-year partnership with Dublin City University (DCU) valued at almost €1m. The company, which provides test development solutions for companies in terms of their
entrance examinations for employees, has invested more than €75m in Ireland over 10 years of operation. The partnership with DCU will see the establishment of DCU’s Centre for Assessment Research in Education (CARE),
which aims to influence and improve Ireland’s education system. The partnership will support the development of test types to better assess the preparedness of Irish students at all levels of education, in the areas of critical thinking and
skills assessment, in addition to knowledge recall. The research conducted through CARE is expected to influence Irish education and strengthen Ireland’s workforce. Three jobs will be created at the DCU campus with the partnership.
enterprise: continued growth at tech centre
More small Encouraging healthy firms plug steps to change a life into The Digital Hub marie healy, your way in, blackrock
MARIE Healy is owner of Your Way In – a weight-loss and healthy nutrition clinic which she opened last November in Blackrock, her home for the past 24 years, where she lives with her two daughters and partner. Before opening her own clinic, Healy worked for Dr Eva Orsmond as her personal assistant, and subHow long have you been in business?
For just over five months, since the beginning of November 2014.
What makes your business successful?
From experience, having worked until recently in a similar field, I have put together a team of nutritionists who together with their experience, qualifications and sheer passion for health and nutrition know exactly what the client requires, and can design a plan suitable for their specific needs. We offer professional weight-loss advice and support to those who really need to change their health for the better. To date, our results speak for themselves.
What do you offer your clients that differs from your competitors?
We have an easy-to-follow, no-gimmicks approach to healthy eating. We offer tailor-made programmes with nutritionally sound, professional weight-loss advice and support to our clients and because we believe that healthy eating and physical activity go hand in hand, comprising 80% diet and 20% exercise, we also offer weekly fitness classes, including Zumba and pilates, in our fitness studio. For those who wish to extend their healthy lifestyle, I offer organic treatments in my beauty salon, also at the clinic.
What law or regulation would you change overnight to help your
sequently managed Dr Eva’s five weight-loss Orsmond Clinics, where she gained an immense amount of experience in weight management. Based on her experience, Healy believes her easy-to-follow approach to healthy eating involving only natural, real food is the most successful route to weight loss and health. business?
Some health insurance companies currently offer cover for clients to attend nutritional therapists, but not all. I think that all health insurance policies should include cover for nutritional consultations. Not only would the insurance companies benefit from having healthier people on their books, but there would be fewer incidences of serious diseases, such as type II diabetes, heart disease etc, which could only have a positive effect on the already over-burdened hospitals.
How has the recession affected your business?
As we are a new business, we haven’t experienced a downturn. From the outset it was always in our plans to make available payment plans and special offers as much as possible in an effort to support clients who really need and want to change their health for the better.
What is your ambition for the business?
I am working hard to get our name out there and I am hoping that my business will grow from strength to strength because I want my clinic to be known as the place where people who are struggling with health and weight issues can come for help and support. I have seen first-hand how easily some of these issues can be remedied through food choices. I get great satisfaction from seeing how small changes can be life-changing.
EIGHT small but growing businesses have joined the Digital Hub at Roe Lane, Dublin 8 since the start of 2015. These new companies will join close to 90 digital enterprises already operating at The Digital Hub, which caters for growing technology companies. The new companies collectively employ 17 people. Those that joined include Base2Digital (a multi-disciplinary digital marketing agency); Castle Direct (an online marketing system designer); Imprez (Ireland’s only company which focuses solely on Prezi web-based presentation application training and design); and Legion (a technology company that designs and develops innovative digital solutions). Other new businesses are My Beatz (an online music community where artists can connect and share their music); NumberGroup (a company that provides telecom services to SME businesses all across the world);
Statwolf (a new in-house data finding expert) and Tyndall National Institute (an information and communications technology research centre). Gerry Macken, chief executive officer, The Digital HubGerry Macken, chief executive, The Digital Hub said: “We were delighted to welcome eight new companies in what has proved to be a very busy first quarter. “There are now almost 650 people working in companies based at The Digital Hub, making us the largest cluster of digital media, technology and internet businesses in Ireland.” Ian Nunoo, founder and director, Base2Digital, said he chose the Digital Hub for the company as it is very much a collaborative, creative and supportive environment. He said: “We are proud to call The Digital Hub our home. As a digital company, we were impressed with the success of the initiative they have launched to promote digital [enter-
Gerry Macken, chief executive officer, The Digital Hub
prises] across Dublin and Ireland. “Our move comes at a very interesting time for the company. We anticipate that there will be continued growth in our portfolio over the rest of the year as the ever increasing importance of digital marketing becomes more prominent in Ireland.” Discussing the company’s recent move, Niall Dennehy, co-founder, Imprez, said: “We chose The Digital Hub for many reasons – we wanted to be surrounded by dynamic companies and individuals for inspiration and
invaluable networking opportunities, and we desired modern offices that offered us quick and easy access to state-ofthe-art training rooms.” He went on to say that, as a growing company that aims to become recognised as a global leader in Prezi training and design, they need to be based in an environment which really fosters innovation and creativity. “The Digital Hub certainly provides that,” he said. For further information on The Digital Hub, see www.thedigitalhub.com.
16 April 2015 Gazette 17
bride & groom P21
asdfsdaf P27 cinema P25
OUT&ABOUT Never be out of the loop on what’s happening in Dublin! Let Out&About be your guide to all that is stylish, cultural and essential across the city and beyond this week
Gazette
style P18
Pets Tighe will tug on your heartstrings
Dublin Greek Film Festival organisers Kiki Konstantinidou and Aleksandra Szymbara
Film Festival: shedding light on a culture dealing with recession
A glimpse into Greek tragedy Bairbre Ni Bhraonain
A glimpse into a culture dealing with recession is what the first Dublin Greek Film Festival promises Dublin audiences this April. The event takes place from April 23 to April 26 at Chester Beatty Library, Filmbase and The New Theatre. Screenings will be representative of Greece past, present and future, by both established and breakthrough artists of Greek cinema, recognised throughout the world film festivals. The Gazette spoke to Aleksandra Szymbara, a founder of the festival. “I’m originally from Poland but I organised the festival with Kiki Konstantinidou, who’s Greek. “We both love art house movies and
cinema. She approached me with the idea to start the festival and, because my boyfriend is Greek, I’m very interested in Greek culture as well. “So we decided to show some Greek cinema here in Dublin to introduce them to Irish audiences. I work for Age and Opportunity for the Bealtaine Festival and like festivals and events in general. “So, that, along with my love of cinema, made it very natural for me to get involved in this festival.” Szymbara began working on the festival last year by contacting venues to screen the movies and then looking for sponsorship was a “learning curve” that she’s hopeful will get easier for next year’s instalment. “I’m more used to doing marketing
with just a small bit of event organisation but not that much. Looking for sponsors for funding was something new for me and it was a learning curve and a little bit challenging but it’s pretty straightforward. Once you start, you learn quickly how to do it. Next year it will be easier.” Films set to be shown deal with everyday problems, such as Greek’s economic recession. The films offer Irish audiences an opportunity to find out more about the realities of what Greek people have had to overcome. They also have strong parallels with Ireland’s economic situation. Szymbara said: “The population in Greece is small but many people discuss it in the context of the recession. I think Irish people are especially curious about
other cultures and we hope this curiosity will bring them to the cinema.” A testament to this curiosity is that two events, the opening film screening of the documentary The Grocer and a Greek traditional dance workshop both at Chester Beatty Library have already sold out. Many other screenings are still available to book, however. One such screening providing some light relief is The Eternal Return of Antonis Paraskevas on April 26 at The New Theatre. The film is about a famous Greek TV anchorman who fakes his own kidnapping in a desperate bid to salvage his ailing career. For more information about the programme, you can visit the festival’s website at www.greekfilmfestival.ie
The Gazette Newspaper has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for unwanted and abandoned dogs. Our Dog of the Week is Tighe – a five-year-old male crossbreed. What a handsome young man Tighe is! Sadly he is really struggling living in a kennel environment, so we really hope to find a suitable home for him really soon. He would love his adopters to be active, and to have a real interest in developing his basic training and socialisation skills. All his carers think he will make a perfect house pet for the right family! If you think that might just be you, 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 on Twitter @DogsTrust_IE. You can also pop up for a visit – it’s open six days a week from 12pm to 4pm. The centre is closed all day Tuesday.
Gazette
18 Gazette 16 April 2015
OUT&ABOUT Flower print dress €165
Mint paisley peplum top €99; trousers €99
Bodice dress €175
Maxi dress €145
Pearl and lace dress €165
Floral trousers €99
Fresh As A
laura webb
THINGS are hotting up with Irish design brand Daisy May and its latest new trends for the summer season. The contemporary label is known for its classic, elegant silhouettes and feminine styling and this collection is no different. The SS15 collection consists of new season trends with fashionable touches including stunning vibrant maxis, stylish separates, floral paisley trousers and structured dresses that are sure to make you stand out at any special occasion.
The collection is flawless for women wanting that perfect outfit, and is available in sizes 8 to 18. Established in 2010 by Gerard Burke and Karen Carthy, the brand has grown in success over the past few years with many Irish and English celebrities wearing the brand, including singer Adele and TV presenters Maura Derrane and Sybil Mulcahy. The brand is available across Ireland via boutiques and is also being distributed internationally. For stockist information, see www. ellaboo.ie.
16 April 2015 Gazette 19
Gazette
STYLE
Nivea’s new skin care products help you safely catch the sun
Golden advice about bronzing skin laura webb
IT’S not quite time to get rid of the winter woollies, but when it comes to protecting your skin it shouldn’t matter what time of the year it is. As the weather has been behaving itself (well, over the past week at least), Gazette Beauty thought it was time to talk a little sun protection. For many people, protecting their skin is important but many still want to achieve that bronzed skin look. Helping us to enjoy the best of both worlds is the Nivea Sun protect and bronze range. Nivea Sun Protect and Bronze Tan Activating Protection
Shift dress €149
(€20.99) offers sun protection and a beautiful, lasting tan without compromise. This is the first protecting-oil formula from Nivea Sun that incorporates an active ingredient – Pro Melanin – in its sunscreen formula to activate the skin’s natural tanning process, but at the same time it offers the protection needed against UVA and UVB rays. This light, non-greasy formula is water-resistant and leaves skin feeling silky smooth to touch, making it a perfect combination for the health and beauty-conscious sun worshipper. The second new development,
Nivea Sun Protect and Bronze Tan Prolonging After Sun Lotion (€7.99), helps to keep the summer feeling on the skin for longer, even after returning home from an exotic location if you are lucky enough to get away. This lotion activates the skin’s natural tanning process without the need for self-tanner. The lightweight, non-sticky formula is quickly absorbed, leaving skin feeling soothed and rehydrated – while activating natural tanning at the same time. So, don’t forget to protect the skin when enjoying the sun – your skin will thank you for it in the long run!
Poppy blooms as Monsoon singles her out for new role amelia arkins
ONE of the most sought after fashion icons, Poppy Delevingne, has been announced as the brand-new face of the Monsoon spring summer 2015 campaign. Delevingne, sister of top model Cara, is also an ambassador for European industry moguls such as Chanel and Louis Vuitton. As if that wasn’t enough, she is an ambassador for the British Fashion Council, so this is right up her street! The campaign was shot in the Beldi Coun-
try Club in Marrakech by noted fashion photographer Emma Summerton, with a shoot that complements the boho chic ensembles, printed kaftans and embellished dresses, which have been set against an exotic backdrop of the beautiful scenery of Marrakech. The shoot was styled to perfection by ex-InStyle UK fashion director Amanda Bellan, and captures Poppy’s laidback bohemian style. Looks from the campaign are now available in Monsoon stores and online in Ireland.
Elvie Dress €265, bag €54, shoes €135
GAZETTE
20 GAZETTE 16 April 2015
OUT&ABOUT
TRAVEL
FastTravel Air we go ... EMMA Marshall and Shane O’Sullivan helped Dublin Airport announce details of its summer schedule recently, which will see an 11% increase in capacity compared to last summer, marking the busiest summer at the airport since 2008. 21 new routes/services will be in operation, comprising 16 routes to the continent and five long-haul routes, including one to Addis Ababa, creating a direct link to subSaharan Africa.
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Knockranny House Hotel’s Spa Salveo was the perfect place to unwind after enjoying some of the fantastic cycling on offer
READY AND WAITING: ENJOYING BREATHTAKING VIEWS IN WESTPORT Greenway
What’s not to like about Knockranny? THERESE CAHERTY
WE were looking forward to a a weekend of cycling, eating and massage. Our large room in Knockranny House Hotel in Westport had a view, gazing out impassively on the picturesque town, Croagh Patrick and the Atlantic Ocean beyond. The hotel sits on the Greenway track to Achill and we were up for it – as far as Mulranny at least. And definitely tomorrow! Meanwhile, we took in our luxurious surroundings (the bathroom included a jacuzzi bath and a hand basin each) We grabbed swimsuits and, in fluffy dressing gowns, headed for Spa Salveo. With its spa suite and cool pool, this was the
perfect place to unwind after a long week and the journey down. One hour of swimming and sweating later, we set out for the obligatory pint in Matt Molloy’s pub. Next morning, after a sound sleep and breakfasts of poached and scrambled eggs in La Fougere, the 18-mile bike ride to Mulranny seemed just the ticket. We collected our hotel lunch packs and in Clew Bay Bike Hire, picked up our vehicles. My companion took the electric option and I the high nelly. The Greenway, manageable for walkers and cyclists of all ages, is well-marked trail and takes in stunning views – particularly as Mulranny hoves into view. Great
weather made it even more memorable but, truth to tell, so did my legs which hadn’t turned a pedal in over two years. Afternoon Delight (or tea) in the Brehon Bar eased the pain. Dainty open sandwiches of K nockanore cheese, Knockranny smoked salmon, baked ham, thyme poached chicken and a profusion of colourful mini cakes (lemon meringue – my favourite – passionfruit cheesecake, strawberry mousse, chocolate flan not to mention the humble scone) were washed down by china cups of tea. Making the moment golden… A hot shower later and off again to Spa Salveo for a full body aromatherapy massage. I felt wobbly and
sore right after the cycle, but that evening and the following day, I waited for muscle pain and none emerged. The Deep Blue Rub truly lived up to its reputation. No time for dawdling as back in the Brehon Bar we lined up for pre-prandial cocktails. The skilful Owen Hughes treated us to his prizewinning St Clement’s East mix. Slainte, we said. In La Fougere (no jeans allowed) head chef Seamus Commons and his staff had produced a delightful amuse bouche of pickled mackerel to open the evening. From the menu, I chose a starter of green salad of asparagus, young broccoli and blue cheese dressing. Far from the usual
limp lettuce this was substantial but light, the veg tender with bite and the tangy dressing enhancing the flavour of both. In between a lime and ginger sorbet cleansed our palates. My seabass with creamed spinach, tomato salsa and assorted potatoes (croquette, garlic and roast) was melt in the mouth. I polished off the lot. Dessert was almost impossible – a spoonful of passion fruit mousse was about all I could manage. And then it was time to return to the real world! Opened by Adrian and Geraldine Noonan in 1997, Knockranny’s four stars have been well earned. More info at www.knockrannyhousehotel.ie and http://www. clewbaybikehire.ie/
Getaway
KNOCKRANNY House Hotel makes the perfect starting – and finishing – point for a cycling trip along the Great Western Greenway. The hotel’s Greenway Getaway offers two adults and two children under 10 a two-night stay with breakfast each morning, bicycle and helmet hire for one day with packed lunch for that perfect picnic spot at Croagh Patrick or Clew Bay. Parents have full access to Spa Salveo’s Vitality Pool and Thermal Suite. They could even treat themselves to the special Knockranny Greenway treatment. This involves a mineral-infused foot soak and foot exfoliation, with peppermint and wild orange to invigorate tired feet. A full body massage follows, using Doterra’s Deep Blue Rub, formulated with natural plant extracts to ease out problem areas. The Greenway Getaway package is available from €185 per person and children under 10 stay for free! For more information visit www.knockrannyhousehotel.ie or call 098 28 600.
GAZETTE
Bride Groom
16 April 2015 GAZETTE 21
l PL A N N I N G TH E B I G DAY l
Wedding venues to suite all tastes BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN
WESTGROVE HOTEL
ONE of Kildare’s top wedding venues, The Westgrove Hotel, is currently offering some choice inclusive packages starting from €40 per person. T he Westgrove is renowned for its cuisine and service and has huge experience in delivering weddings tailor-made to each couple’s taste and requirements. It has just been shortlisted for Bash Wedding magazine
Awards in the category of Best for Planning Ease. Wedding coordinator Nicola Flynn and the rest of the wedding team will show you around and answer any questions you have about planning your wedding day. The hotel frequently holds wedding fair days where top wedding suppliers exhibit their products and services. These include wedding decor companies, f lorists, menswear companies, wedding entertainment, beauticians and hair-
dressers. Another bonus the hotel offers is the chance to unwind and treat yourself during the preparations. The Elemis Spa is the ideal venue to slip away from worry and offers skincare advice and beauty tips. For more information about the Westgrove Hotel, visit www.westgrovehotel.com. To contact the wedding planner about deals on offer, email nicolaf ly nn@ westgrovehotel.com or call 045 989908.
LYRATH ESTATE
Another lu xurious venue is Kilkenny’s fivestar Lyrath Estate Hotel, which prides itself as a wedding destination of elegance and comfort. It is located on the doorstep of Kilkenny city, a thriving social and cultural hotspot. T h e 17 t h - c e n t u r y house has been ver y sensitively restored and is complemented with new additions through a series of chic modern spaces. It is set on 170 acres of lush green park
Kildare’s Westgrove Hotel and Kilkenny’s Lyrath Estate are two elegant venues for a wedding
land and historic gardens ideal for your wedding album. Past and present combine here to create the perfect marriage. Coming up the main avenue, past the ancient Lyrath protected yew trees, the
vista opens up to reveal the original historic home. This is where you will greet your guests in old world elegance a n d g r a n d e u r. T h e park lands offer rolling hills, tranquil lakes, manicured gardens and
unspoilt views, to create the most romantic backdrop for your special day. The wedding team are available to discuss your requirements and can be contacted at 056 776 0088 or www.lyrath.com
GAZETTE
22 GAZETTE 16 April 2015
Bride Groom
l WH E R E TO WE D l
Fancy a wedding by the sea? WHILE weddings are traditionally held in churches, synagogues and temples, many modern couples are looking for something a little different and the desire to be unique has become increasingly prevalent. From beaches, castles, barns, sport stadiums and the zoo, there is a host of alternative wedding venues in Ireland to suit all tastes. For those who wish to celebrate their special day in a heart-of-the-city wedding, then one of the numerous theatres may be the ideal venue. Many theatres in the city centre are available to rent and with the innate class that most of
them boast, your wedding is bound to be an elegant affair. For the most part, these theatres are incredibly spacious and boast ornate plasterwork ceilings, stained g l a s s w i n d ow s a n d striking architectural designs. Weddings at Dublin Zoo are becoming ever more popular as the venue offers a unique alternative to the traditional wedding venue and provides a magical backdrop for your special day. Weddings by the sea are another popular choice particularly at this time of year as the good weather returns. Hotels are generally very accommodating for couples looking to tie the knot at their establishment and the
Capturing wedding memories FOR the latest in documentary wedding photography, Sebastian Felisiak offers a very personal vision of your entire wedding day. From the excitement of getting ready in the morning to throwing the bouquet, Felisiak, documents your special day. Dublin-based Felisiak is passionate about photography, treating each wedding as a unique adventure to be catalogued with style. “My approach is not about endless group shots but rather about making something unique and beautiful. I would like for my images to tell a story of your beautiful day,� he said. For more information, see www.artweddingphotography.eu.
Weddings by the sea are a popular choice for couples
gentle sea breeze and t h e w ave s c r a s h i n g against the rocks add a special ambience to the ceremony. Whether saying your vows during the brightness of high noon or as the sun sets romantically in the evening, a ceremony by the sea makes for a very special wedding. The venue is not the only important factor when trying to make your wedding unique. By moving away from the
traditional ceremony, you can tailor the whole wedding experience to make it uniquely you. If a traditional church ceremony is too religious for you and a civil ceremony is not spiritual enough, then a humanist ceremony might be the way to go. Humanist ceremonies can be Buddhist or pagan in their roots or simply embrace everything that is important to the couple. While it is still necessary to sign
a marriage register in order to make the union legally binding, humanist ceremonies allow the couple to have a wedding that expresses who they are from the music played to original personal vows. It also allows scope to make the ceremony more romantic, an option often missing from a civil ceremony. Buddhist wedding ser vices are another way to go. There is no set wedding service or format in the Buddhist faith, and it is considered a social rather than religious occasion. The Buddha stated only that marriage should be based on deep mutual respect between partners and the ceremony is usually a harmonious blend of the differing tastes and personalities of both partners.
16 April 2015 Gazette 23
| finding your bridal style |
What to wear Nostalgic glamour, lace and simplicity – these are wedding dress trends currently gracing catwalks this year. From Old World lace gowns with highly intricate detail reminiscent of the 1920s to high-waisted, full skirts that evoke all the elegance and effortless style of Grace Kelly, wedding dresses have never looked so beautiful. Also featuring as a huge theme in wedding gowns is pristine simplicity, ideal to show off the bride and not upstage her. Regal pearls, which add vintage charm to any wedding dress are also a great favourite this year. Decorative headpieces offer a more relaxed alternative to veils and conjure romantic tales of yore.
Vintage inspired headband €120 at www.theparisianbride.ie Paris clutch bag at www. theparisian bride.ie €245
Flora bridal dress from Sharon Hoey. Price available upon request.
Ciara Bridal Lulu Dress €2,000
Bespoke Hat by Deb Fanning – The Loft Market €95
GAZETTE
24 GAZETTE 16 April 2015
OUT&ABOUT
FOOD&DRINK
BITESIZEDNEWS
Taking 30 minutes to prepare, this crispy hake dish with yogurt tartar sauce serves four
We’ve fished around for this delicious dish THIS week we have a delicious fish recipe – crispy baked hake with yogurt tartar sauce – courtesy of Bord Bia Irish Food Board. This hake dish takes just 30 minutes to make, and serves four. Note that Panko breadcrumbs, if available, make the coating extra crispy, but they are not essential, while tender stem broccoli and sauteed potatoes complete the dish.
Ingredients 4 hake fillets, approx. 175g each, skinned and boned 25g butter, melted 75g of stale breadcrumbs or Panko breadcrumbs 15g finely grated cheese 1 tablespoon chopped parsley leaves 40g plain flour 1 egg, lightly beaten Salt and freshly ground black pepper Yogurt Tartar Sauce 150g Greek style yogurt 1 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard 1 tablespoon capers, drained and finely chopped 1 small gherkin, finely chopped 1 tablespoon chopped parsley leaves
Preparation • Preheat oven to gas mark 6, 200C (400F). • Line a large baking tray with parchment paper; brush a little of the melted butter over the parchment paper. • Place the breadcrumbs in a shallow dish with the grated cheese and parsley. Place the flour and egg in separate shallow dishes. • Season the hake with a little salt and black pepper. Dip the hake, one piece at a time, into the flour, shake off the excess, then dip into the egg and finally into the breadcrumb mixture. • Place on the baking tray, and brush the remaining melted butter over the top and sides of the fish. • Place in the oven and bake for 15 minutes or until cooked through. • For the yogurt tartar sauce, place the yogurt, mustard, capers, gherkin, parsley, salt and pepper in a small bowl, and mix well to combine. • Serve the sauce with the crispy hake, broccoli and potatoes.
King Sitric
Fish restaurant
East Pier, Howth King Sitric has been a
stalwart in Howth for the last 40 years and has an extensive range of fish available
The Picky Eater SO often when I go for dinner, I despair at the lack of fish options on the menu and every time I say the same thing: “We are an island, for God’s sake. And a small one at that. Why, oh why do we not have more fish on our menus?” My husband is fed up listening to me, but it still surprises me, every time. The situation is getting better but still needs much improvement. So when I get to go to an actual fish restaurant, known for its seafood, it’s a joy. Hence we went on an excursion to King Sitric in Howth recently. It’s worth the trip. Owned by Joan and Aidan McManus, this place has been a stalwart in Howth for the last 40 years and they are both still very actively involved, making this place a great family restaurant that people keep returning to. They now have East
Cafe Bar just below the main restaurant which is a less formal dining experience but with some cracking fish dishes on offer. There is a lovely bar area in the restaurant where you can enjoy a pre-dinner drink and we decided to partake of that while mulling over the menu. T he range of fish available is extensive but they always manage to have some nice specials on there too. I started with Dublin Bay Prawns in tempura; f luff y and succulent prawns with batter made super light with mineral water. These came with noodles and dipping sauce. My husband decided on the scallops with pancetta, chesnut puree and fried pumpkin. Both starters were a massive success story and only whet the appetite for the main event: lobster lawyer and the king of fish, turbot.
Lobster Lawyer was cooked in a whiskey, cream and mustard sauce and served in a half shell. The turbot came on a bed of mash with a creamy bisque like sauce and this fish lived up to its credentials. King Sitric’s famous sticky meringue with chocolate sauce and ice cream appealed to my inner child and won me over while my husband plumped for a more serious panna cotta which was light enough after the lawyer. The Hugel Pinot Blanc is specially bottled for King Sitric and is a really excellent house wine and was a fine accompaniment to the fish. And at €24 a bottle, it won’t break the bank. Three courses in King Sitric costs €37 with some supplements applying. If you don’t wish to make the long journey home after a really relaxing meal with
Scallops with pancetta, chesnut puree and fried pumpkin
superb views, book a room in the accommodation attached to the restaurant. They have great sea views and you get to
Conclusion
sample more of the McManus’s fine food for breakfast too. What’s not to love? For more go to www. kingsitric.ie.
WITH dishes like lobster lawyer for your inner fine diner and desserts like sticky meringue with chocolate sauce and ice cream for your inner child, King Sitric (at East Pier, Howth; tel 01 832 5253) is a delightful family restaurant that is a terrific treat for the tummy and the eyes with its panoramic sea views.
16 April 2015 GAZETTE 25
THE SALVATION: HISTORICALLY AUTHENTIC
ReelReviews
Throwback to good and bad guy westerns THE heyday of the Western seems to be well and truly gone, and on the occasions when those old saloon doors do creak open we tend to have a very different take on the classic Western. Films like Unforgiven, The Proposition and The Homesman have reimagined the genre with a focus on the grit and moral ambiguity of the frontiers, while Django Unchained took the genre to its cartoonish extreme in plumes of blood and storms of bullets. The Salvation, a Danish production filmed in South Africa, starts out in the former camp. Mads Mikkelsen plays Jon, a Danish soldier who headed across the Atlantic with his brother (Mikael Persbrandt) in the wake of the Schleswig War to start a new
DAVE PHILLIPS
life. We join the story seven years on, in 1870, when the foundations have been set and Jon’s wife and child have just arrived in America. Lingering doubts around the legitimacy of the Danish western are quashed in the opening minutes. Director and writer Kristian Levring captures a sense of historical accuracy and authenticity in his story of Scandinavian immigrants in America. “You don’t just look like them, you sound like them too,” Jon’s wife observes in Danish once
GAZETTE
ENTERTAINMENT
SPONGEBOB MOVIE A sponge out of water
she hears him speak English – there’s a strong sense of ostracisation, the language barrier making the family immediate outsiders in the melting pot of cultures that make up the Wild West. The unsavoury and lawless nature of the frontier is drilled home in a rough scene that sees Jon’s wife and child murdered on their way from the train station. Jon delivers some quick and merciless retribution, an act that sets the plot in motion as we discover that one of the men Jon dispatched is the much loved brother of the exceptionally wicked local bad-guy Delarue (Jeffrey Dean Morgan). The introduction of Delarue marks a tonal shift in the film, which moves very quickly away from a sense of dreary and
ANOTHER week, and Spongebob is still floating about at the cinema in his latest film. He’s rounded up all his pals for Spongebob: Sponge out of Water (Cert G, 92 mins) which is just as entertaining/ stupid as ever, depending on whether you’re a fan of the perennially popular poriferan. A barely recognisable Antonio Banderas (above) adds some pure ham to the mix. The Salvation starts out as a western of grit and moral ambiguity but in the end there are no surprises, apart from a bit part by Eric Cantona
dour realism and into the cartoonish dichotomy of good and bad associated with westerns of yore. Delarue is the classical antagonist, the bully that lauds over a little town by rule of fear. He is so utterly wicked that when he hears the news of his brother’s death he shoots a sickly old woman in the head to punish the town for not catching the killer. Eva Green enters as the mute widow of Delarue’s brother, and things do not bode well for the little town that is set to become the scene
of an inevitable bloody showdown. Mikkelsen has a great face for cold-blooded revenge, and Dean Morgan enjoys hamming it up at the ultimate bad guy. Green doesn’t say a word, but still remains a formidable presence throughout the film. Buckets of blood and sideways looks aside, there’s a stylistic similarity between the two films – in some scenes The Salvation seems to feature heavy post-production effects, inducing a hypedup visual style. Aesthetically it works,
though the fact that film switches back and forth between this extra-stylised look doesn’t. There are no surprises (aside from a bit part for Eric Cantona), but predictability is not necessarily a bad thing. The end result is a solid and entertaining film with good performances and some nice set pieces. Not aiming to redefine the genre, The Salvation is a throwback to the good old days of horses and guns, crime and retribution, good guys and bad guys. Verdict: 6/10
GET HARD
Last and least ... KEVIN Hart and Will Ferrell team up for a generally slated comedy that has annoyed lots of people with some of its content. In Get Hard (Cert 16, 100 mins), a spoilt, pampered investment manager has to “get hard” to cope with prison life as his upcoming incarceration approaches – and a streetwise car washer becomes his unlikely coach. Its cheap shots and dated comedy make it hard to like.
MUSIC: SINGER-SONGWRITER JAMES BAY RELEASES HIS DEBUT ALBUM
A storm of interest over Chaos and The Calm COLM MURRAY
SINGER-songwriter James Bay has enjoyed a steady trajectory since releasing his first of three EPs back in the summer of 2013, becoming a YouYube star along the way. Now, with the release of his debut album – Chaos and The Calm – dovetailing nicely with a Critics’ Choice award at The Brits last month, the real work begins. Bay, though, had put the spade work in long before receiving these once coveted nods.
Having cut his teeth at Brighton Institute of Modern Music and playing open mic nights and anywhere that would allow him his 15 minutes, the new “cat in the hat” had a foundation for a long player. The 24-year-old is oft-times lumped with the current crop of young British male singer-songwriters – Tom Odell and Ben Howard – while being linked to previously emerging soloists such as Paolo Nutini and James Blunt. Here, on Chaos and Calm, Bay opens with the upbeat Craving, depicting the town he was gagging to
get out of. The tempo is maintained for the current radio hit, Hold back the river, with both tunes setting the soft rock and slick production tone (co-written by one-time Snow Patrol collaborator and producer, Iain Archer). With second single, Let It Go, Bay displays his vocal range from falsetto to balladeer crooner with subtle guitar picking to support. From here, his wispy, delicate ballads augment titles such as If You Ever Want To Be In Love, Best Fake Smile, and When We Were On Fire,
tipping a nod to the like of James Taylor and Bryan Adams along the way (the latter in terms of AOR sincerity). The album ebbs and flows without ever doing much in between, and while there is at times intent here, it appears smothered by both the sterile production values. The album was part recorded in Nashville, but there is very little to suggest this apart from the sleeve
notes. Totalling 15 songs (including three bonus tracks), it could be considered a double album in years gone by. The last couple of numbers are tender yet inoffensive, and by the end you are not clamouring to hit repeat. As debuts go, it sits comfortably between safe and grand, and no doubt will go on to go platinum (whatever that may be these days) ...
26 lucan gazette 16 April 2015
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Gazette
28 Gazette 16 April 2015
SPORT Egan set to swap fists for wheels
FastSport
cycling: olympic boxing legend takes on annual laurels crew ride
Brookfield win two titles at DLTC finals:
IT PROVED a grand slam day of tennis for Brookfield ladies last week as they won both the DLTC Class 4 and Class 7 Winter League’s in Templeogue Tennis Club. In the Class 4 final, Brookfield defeated Naas 2-0, with Mairead Wales and Aoife Monaghan beating Patrice Clancy and Caroline Phelan 6-2 and 7-5, and Louise O’Reilly and Patricia Orr overcoming Margaret Hughes and Maire Morrin by the same scoreline. In the Class 7 showdown, Brookfield won 2-0, this time against Newtown Park. Mary Carty and Elizabeth Murray beat Niamh Forde and Ali Guy 1-6, 7-6, 6-4, while Sandra Maguire and Melanie O’Hanlon defeated Marie Anne McCusker and Nuala Collins 6-1, 6-2. At Class 6 level, Glasnevin beat Wicklow with wins for the pairings of Wendy O’Hara and Aisling Patterson and Miriam Salmon and Maureen Curley.
nathan kelly sport@dublingazette.com
FOR most of his life, Kenneth Egan’s obstacles came in the form of two fists. But for the past eight weeks, his challenge has been in the form of two
wheels. The silver medal winning Olympic boxer has spent the past two months training for this year’s Laurels Charity Crew annual cycle from Galway to Dublin and the final journey takes
Egan shows his battle scars from a collision
place this Saturday. Is he ready for the 160km trip when he sees the crew of about 300 people arrive back at the Laurel’s pub on Sunday afternoon? “I can’t wait,” he said. “All the work is done now. I know I’ll be able to do the cycle. “We did 130km last week; I still get my bit of running and weights in so my fitness is good. “I’m not as fit as I used to be obviously but I’m sure I’ll be fit enough for the cycle.” Having hung up his gloves, and reiterating during our interview there is no chance of a “Kenny comeback”, why get involved in such a gruelling event of a cycle from Galway to Dublin?
Kenneth Egan with the Laurels Charity Crew during their training
Training for the event takes up around five or six hours every Saturday, so what prompted the Fine Gael councillor for South County Dublin, now training to be an addiction counsellor, to get involved? “First of all, I was here last year, when the crew came home,” he said. “I remember it was a beautiful sunny Sunday. I had just been elected as a councillor and I wanted to be there for the homecoming of the cycle. “All the local councillors were there. There was a great atmosphere in the village when they all came in together, a couple of hundred people, and I said to myself that I’d love to give it a go next year and that was it.”
Egan has had the full experience of a cyclist in his short time on the bike. He’s had a fall which left an eight-inch graze on his arm, a bruised hip, and a puncture which caused him to borrow a tube mid-cycle. He also told the story of not wearing padded shorts for the first few weeks of training, only to be looked at like he “had 10 heads”, by a fellow rider when he found out. But has the experience given him a different view of the sport? He replied: “I’m not going to lie, before, when I was driving the car, I used to be cursing cyclists. “Just the usual stuff like they’re holding up the show, pulling out, and
they’ve no respect and all that. But now, being a cyclist, well not a cyclist, but someone who cycles, I’ve a new found respect for it. “It’s not just the physical aspect, it’s so mentally demanding. “The amount of time you spend on the bike, it’s almost half your day, and the negative thoughts that come into your head on a regular basis when you hit a hard spot and the legs are getting tired and you’ve nothing in the engine craving food. “It’s tough, there were times were I felt like throwing the bike into a bush and getting one of the lads to collect me, but I’m glad I stuck it out and can’t wait for the weekend.”
Great Ireland Run draws record entry list once again sport@dublingazette.com
Irish athletes Mark English and Fionnuala Britton were among the stars to promote the Great Ireland Run
INTERNATIONAL athletes joined famous faces and thousands of runners last Saturday for a superb race at the Phoenix Park in Dublin, the 13th staging of the SPAR Great Ireland Run. The 10k event is the only run in Ireland to be awarded silver label status from the International Association of Athletics Federations in recognition of its high standard of organisation, elite participation and media profile. The 10km once again featured a superb field of international
distance runners. Kenyan Japhet Korir retained his title by winning in 28 minutes and 15 seconds. The women’s champion was Britain’s Gemma Steel in 33 minutes and three seconds followed closely by a fantastic performance from double European cross country champion Fionnuala Britton, who came second in 33 minutes and seven seconds. The SPAR Great Ireland Mile, meanwhile, was a hotly contested race in tough weather conditions with Britain’s Jonny Hay coming in at four minutes and 12 seconds followed very closely by Wouter
Ploegar in second place. Famous faces taking part included Tony Audenshaw who plays Bob Hope in Emmerdale, Ryan Andrews who plays Sean Cassidy in Fair City and Irish model Roz Purcell, as well as representatives from the race’s official charity partner, The National Children’s Hospital, Tallaght. The race also included the Athletics Association of Ireland 10km road championships which saw record entrants from club runners across the country as well as in the junior and mini events with over 1,200 children
taking part. The 2015 SPAR Great Ireland Run also gave runners the chance to represent their county in the All Ireland County Challenge competition for the Ronnie Delany Trophy and this year’s fastest county was Sligo with an average time of 50 minutes and 50 seconds. To qualify, each county must have had at least five registered runners and the winner was determined by the fastest average time of each county’s competitors, using chip finishing time technology.
16 April 2015 Gazette 29
Gazette
Dunphy living the freestyle dream
FastSport
Tom Dunphy tells STEPHEN FINDLATER how a simple foam and palette raft journey as an 11-year-old became a lifelong obsession as he prepares for his sixth world championships “JUST some palettes and a bit of foam!” The humble introduction of Tom Dunphy to a life on the river. The Castleknock man has recently moved to Canada for a five-month preparation phase for his sixth world freestyle kayak championships following selection for the Irish team after trials in Limerick. It’s a far cry from his first trip down the Liffey in 1997. “It was just a homemade raft, lads floating down the river in the summer time. We were about 11, just bored with nothing to do and looking for adventure. “We got as far as the weir at the Wild Water kayak club at Strawberry beds and decided our craft probably wasn’t the
right one! “The gentleman cutting the grass there told us if we wanted to get into real paddling, here’s the phone number. And that was that; I went on a course and was hooked and put my life into it ever since.” His arrival at Wild Water coincided with the birth of freestyle kayaking, a trick-based discipline where participants – similar to surfing – pull out from an eddy into a wave for a 45-second ride in which they perform as many twists, turns and trick variations as possible before getting scored. Quickly evolving, aerial tricks and streamlined boats have become the basis of the sport and Dunphy has evolved with it. He made his interna-
Castleknock man Tom Dunphy in freestyle kayak action
tional debut at 15-yearsold with his good friend Maurice Kelleher, travelling to Spain for the world championships There, they kayaked against the professionals they watched in videos who travelled with coaches, masseurs and physios. The Irish team lacked that support. “We did okay but never reached our potential. From there, we felt we could perform well as a team if we wanted to and so we tried to get more backing. “It can sometimes be that it was so much effort to get there that some would treat it almost like a vacation.” While he says that Ireland is a great base to get up and running in kayaking, the need to travel to compete at the highest
level is paramount. “In Ireland, if it snowed here, everyone would snowboard or ski. But it doesn’t, it rains. It’s unfortunate, therefore, that no one knows the great rivers we have. “If it rains, within an hour, I can train whitewater with waterfalls in
ing.ie but sponsorship deals come primarily in the form of products rather than cash for flights. But, having put his head down to get the money together, he has set up an ambitious plan to be in the best possible shape for this August’s
--------------------------------------------------------
‘Living in the jungle with all the monkeys in the trees; it’s the only place you can train without worrying about money.’ - Tom Dunphy --------------------------------------------------------
the Wicklow mountains where there is a massive selection of class five rivers. For freestyle, there’s a great spot in Lucan by the Spa hotel. “If you want to get to world class level, though, you do need to leave the country. I spent six summers in Canada, training on the best rivers over there.” This has led to some fascinating journeys. Indeed, for four months, he lived in the Ugandan jungle at the source of the River Nile with monkey in the trees. He describes it as the “only place you can afford to train, not having to worry about money”, the only pressure that he sees in the sport. Funding those trips is done via kayak instruction and shifts with raft-
world championships. “ I ’ ve n e ve r f u l l y reached my potential before but, now, I am putting everything aside. I have a coach and am basing myself in Canada.” He will arrive in Ottawa just in time for the ice to start breaking and the snow to melt. “It’s a time we call ‘stake-out’ where the kayaking world migrates to a mecca of the sport. We’ll get a place close to the river and get focused on training.” From there, the north American season will start in earnest with the Level 6 Cup with regular competition building up to August where Dunphy aims to peak, a world away from his simple foam and palette construction.
European Youth Festival comes to Terenure RFC TERENURE RFC will host the hugely popular Under-13 European Youth Rugby Festival from Friday, May 1 to Sunday, May 3. This is the fourth year of the competition and will involve teams from Wales, England, France, Belgium and Ireland. The international festival is quite unique and aims to be the biggest and best European youth rugby festival, featuring teams from across the continent being pitted against one another. This takes place in both a league and knock-out format on full sized pitches with fully qualified IRFU referees and maximum game time. The festival gives Under-13s the chance to develop lasting friendships with teams from Ireland and all over Europe. There will also be an international match played on the Saturday between an Ireland XV and Rest of Europe XV. The games will take place between 10am to 4pm on Saturday and on Sunday, the matches begin at 9.45 am with the cup final kicking off at 2.45pm. Apart from the feast of rugby on the pitch, the festival offers plenty of family entertainment off the pitch too with food, drink and entertainment available at the venue and celebrity guests popping in throughout the weekend. Friday evening kicks off the festivities in the marquee with a top magician and the now infamous Irish Dance Experience; this event is free of charge, open to all ages and there is no advance booking required. On Saturday night, an over 18s ticket only event will include the fabulous Abbaesque and BeeGees live tribute bands playing in the marquee followed by a disco. More details about these events are available on the festival website and Facebook page.
Gazette
30 LUCAN gazette 16 April 2015
SPORT
fastSport
soccer: palmerstown club a step closer to big move up
Quinn set to be avid viewer of Euro draw REPUBLIC of Ireland centre back and vice captain Louise Quinn, formerly of Peamount United, says she will be watching the live Euro 2017 qualifying round draw on Monday. April 20. She is aware that the right group could give the senior women’s team a great shot at reaching the finals of a major tournament for the first time ever. “Even though we will be third seeds, the fact that two teams will go through from most groups, and the two worst runners-up get a play-off, means that if we get a decent draw we could have a very good chance of qualifying. “I haven’t started studying pots yet but I will do before the draw and try and work out who I want and who I don’t. The draw will lay out our path for the next 18 months so we will be able to focus on what lies ahead and hopefully it will be kind to us,” said Quinn, after winning her 18th cap.
Barnhall end the UBL Division 2A season in tenth NUIM Barnhall finished their Ulster Bank Division 2A league campaign with a 55-26 defeat to Queen’s University at The Dub last Saturday to end the season in ninth place overall.
They had trailed 48-0 in a harrowing first 55 minutes, conceding six tries, to be well and truly out of the running but they did rally in the closing stages to salvage a losing bonus point with four tries of their own in the closing quarter. The result saw Barnhall end the season in tenth place overall.
Glenville will be hoping for more celebrations in the near future
Glenville close in on promotion nathan kelly sport@dublingazette.com
PROMOTION pushers Glenville FC well and truly have their fate in their own hands with six games remaining in the LSL Sunday Senior Division 1. Following last Sunday’s win over bottom of the table Greystones United, Glenville sit in fourth spot with 40 points from 20 games, but are in pole position to come runners-up in the division. With Belgrove/Home Farm in second with 42
points from 22 games and Cherry Orchard in third, level with Glenville but after 21 games, Wayne Kelly knows his side must win those crucial games in hand to ensure their path to the top division next season. Speaking to GazetteSport following the 1-0 win over Greystones, Kelly said: “We’re on course to get where we want to be, that’s for sure. At the start of the season I told the lads that the aim was to pick up an average of two points per game, and we’ve done exactly that at this stage.”
bowl success Westmanstown land Leinster title in style westmanstown RFC’s Under-18s took
on Tullamore RFC in the Bank of Ireland Leinster League bowl final at Donnybrook last weekend. Tullamore had beaten Westmanstown twice this season but, at the third time of asking, the roles were reversed with the west Dublin club winning out 33-17 on this occasion to land the title, a fine achievement in just the third year of girls’ rugby at the club.
Ville’s next two games will test their merits to the core with a trip to Broadford Rovers this Friday night followed by the visit of league leaders and champions elect St Mochta’s the following Wednesday. Rovers were pushing for promotion for much of the season but four defeats on the bounce have seen them slip into the abyss, but Kelly will take nothing for granted going into any of the remaining fixtures. “We beat Broadford 1-0 back in November; it won’t be an easy game at
all, they’re a decent side but we will be hoping for three points of course,” he said. “Hopefully a win on Friday will provide us with further confidence going into the Mochta’s game. It looks certain they will win the league but, hopefully, we can slow down their celebrations for a bit.” Away from the race for promotion, the manager would have had all eyes and ears on the Aviva Stadium last week as the draw for the first round of this season’s FAI Senior Cup was made.
Glenville drew top tier LSL side Firhouse Clover, a club Kelly knows plenty about. “I was assistant manager of Firhouse for a number of years under current manager Peter Flood. We’re great friends and still speak regularly on the phone so I’m really looking forward to it. “We actually played them last year in the Charlie Cahill cup and beat them, so we’ll go into the game hoping to book our place in the second round where hopefully we can draw a League of Ireland club.”
16 April 2015 LUCAN gazette 31
Gazette
Naomh Brid shade Division 4 decider sport@dublingazette.com
AN AMY Quinn goal i n s i d e t wo m i n u t e s proved the tonic for Naomh Brid to deny Lucan Sarsfields the Dublin Division 4 camogie Feile title at O’Toole Park last Sunday, eventually seeing them over the line 2-1 to 0-3.
It was a game that had loads of skill and a thrilling finish but, despite looking the more dangerous, the Russell Park outfit could not establish their dominance on the scoreboard as Lucan defended superbly. Faye Murphy was a potential match winner and looked the part
when she scored a lovely point from play in the ninth minute. However Zoe Mayne played a captain’s role for Naomh Brid when she netted her team’s second goal before halftime to give them a 2-0 to 0-1 lead. Naomh Brid also had an outstanding player in Deirdre McCarthy and
her skill, strength and the length of her deliveries were big plusses. She added a fine point in the second period and, although Murphy grabbed her second, Lucan needed a goal. But green flags were scarce and Sarah Murphy in the Lucan goal did her bit to ensure it stayed that way.
Camogie: st enda’s cling on to narrow final win
Club Noticeboard lucan sarsfields MANY thanks to all the teams who
free and contact the organising com-
sent in match reports this weekend.
mittee on 087 4650729 to register your
Full details can be found on our web-
interest.
site, www.lucansarsfields.ie. Over 1,500 players were in action in the last week across all four codes from age seven to 40+!
The club shop is open on Thursdays from 7.30pm to 8.30pm and Saturdays from 10.30am to 1.30pm. Lucan District Credit Union GAA
Well done to both our camogie Feile
academy at Lucan Sarsfields runs
teams who reached their respective
from 9.30am for camogie and girls
Dublin finals at the weekend.
football and at 10am for boys football
A clean sweep for our adult football
and hurling, for boys and girls born in
teams who took full points from their
2008, 2009 and 2010 – at the 12th Lock,
league games at the weekend.
Lucan on Saturdays. Contact Johnny
We are having our first golf outing
on 085 1294102.
of the year, sponsored by Mick Molloy,
There was no winner of this week’s
at Palmerstown House, Naas on Sat-
€14,500 lotto draw. Numbers were 8,
urday, April 18 from 12pm to 1.30pm.
9, 14 and 17.
To book a slot, text Mick O’Hara at 087 2470271. Have you got what it takes to beat The Kube? If so keep Saturday, May 2
This week’s jackpot is €15,000. O’Grady Hearing Services are sponsoring with Mary Flannery’s team in charge.
st pat’s palmerstown
Lucan Sarsfields in action in last Sunday’s Division 1 Feile final
Boden pip Sarsfields to Division 1 Feile title division 1 feile final Ballyboden St Enda’s Lucan Sarsfields sport@dublingazette.com
3-2 2-3
THIRTY-FOUR seconds into the Division 1 final, Lucan Sarsfields snatched a tonic start with a goal from Carla Delmar at O’Toole Park last Sunday. But they never got the chance to build a platform from that score as, within a minute, Ballyboden had levelled. A piece of individual brilliance by Hollyn Kennedy who controlled a long delivery in the air with the stick, took pos-
session and made some ground before firing to the net off her left side. Lucan never gave up and with Heather Kenny playing soundly at fullback they regained the lead in the eighth minute with a point from a free by captain Aoife Mahon. Throughout the field, Boden were showing well. Saoirse Hassett pulled a mighty ball out of the clouds and Faye O’Reilly did superbly to deny Kennedy another goal. But she would not be stopped and when Saoirse Fitzgerald sent a long effort goalwards, the Boden sharpshooter was
on hand to first time to the net. Aisling Byrne subsequently provided a clever pass to Kennedy for an excellently worked point. When Katie McDonald drove over a free on the 20th minute, Boden had amassed a 2-2 to 1-1 lead at the break. It required a big comeback and Chloe O’Connor and Laura Quinn were leading the Lucan charge and, in the 25th minute, a free from Aoife Mahon cut the gap to just a goal. Boden maintained their composure, though, and earned a close range free which Katie McDonald
shot low shot to the net for a crucial goal. Lucan continued their assault and when the hardworking Laura Quinn was fouled in the box, they were awarded a penalty with two minutes of normal time remaining. Aoife Mahon’s wellstruck shot was brilliantly saved by Katie McDonald as was the rebound by Ally Ramsden. Lucan staged one more rally and a brilliant effort from Laura Quinn just cleared the line but it was just too late as Boden held to claim the club’s 10th Dublin Feile Division 1 crown.
A SUCCESSFUL Easter camp held last
A huge thank you to St Maur’s for the
week with the good weather making it
hospitality on the day.
better; there was a brilliant turnout of
The senior camogie team won their
children taking part in football, hurling
first league match, beating CBC. The
and camogie.
junior footballers got a great win.
Thanks to Danny Sutcliffe for drop-
The Under-14 footballers got the win
ping in to sign hurls and get photos
against Whitehall. The minor football-
with the children. A big thank you to
ers were unlucky, losing against St
Paul Faughnan and Maree O’Toole
Pat’s Donabate.
for organising the camp and to the
The U-12 camogie team had their first
coaches who took part. We look for-
league match this weekend, unfortu-
ward to seeing everyone for the sum-
nately not getting the result. The U-15
mer camps.
camogie team also had fantastic win
St Pat’s Under-14 camogie team
against Bray Emmets at home; four
took part in the Division 3 Feile held in
out of four league wins with St Pat’s
St Maur’s Rush on Saturday, April 11.
U-15 camogie topping the Division 3
Captained by Aoife Dunne, St Pat’s won
table.
their group.
A big thank you to Trish McCrea who
This provided a spot in the semi-final
organised the bag packs in SuperValu
against St Peregrine’s. Both teams
this weekend and thank you to the
were level when Peregrine’s snatched
teams who turned up to help espe-
a late goal to guarantee them a spot in
cially the U-12 footballers.
the Feile Final.
There was no winner in either of the
Massive thanks to Fergus and San-
lotto draws. First draw numbers were
dra for all their hard work and also to
12, 15, 24 and 25 and second draw of 1,
the parents who gave great support.
21, 23 and 28.
round tower, clondalkin AN EGM will take place on Monday, April
ries can be directed towards Martin
20 in the clubrooms at 7.30pm.
Ryan, club secretary, at 087 6741407 or
This meeting will have a single item on the agenda – the proposed sale of a small parcel of surplus land at the club grounds at Monastery Road. The purpose of the agreed sale will be used to alleviate money owed on the long term mortgage from the original acquisition of Monastery Road.
Michael McGlynn, assistant secretary at 087 9082970. In league action, the senior footballers defeated St Mary’s of Saggart, the inters defeated Man O War, the junior As lost to Na Gael Oga. The April 6 lotto jackpot was €10,000 and numbers drawn were 4, 10, 20 and
Only fully paid up members are enti-
30 with a bonus ball of 8. There was one
tled to attend and only A members are
winner: Anne Cummins. Congratula-
entitled to vote on the night. Que-
tions Anne.
GazetteSPORT all of your lucan sports coverage from page 28-31
camogie feile: Lucan Sarsfields Under-14s go far once again in Division 1 of annual Dublin festival P31
april 16-22, 2015
swapping fists for wheels: Kenneth Egan talks about Laurels Crew cycle P28
The 2006 LSL Division 2A winning Esker Celtic side, one of many great club successes for the Hermitage Park outfit
Esker’s silver anniversary Celtic set to celebrate 25th anniversary in Hermitage Park with club man Paul Cleary hailing the consistent hard work as key factor to growth nathan kelly
sport@dublingazette.com
2015 marks 25 years of Esker Celtic providing football in Hermitage Park. This Saturday sees the club celebrate the milestone with a massive gala event in the Clarion Hotel, Liffey Valley. FAI chief executive John Delaney will be there, as will many other esteemed figures involved in Irish grassroots football. Also present on the night will be members of Esker from the past and present, with several men who represented the first ever side. Paul Cleary has been involved with Esker for 20 of their 25 years and has been
chairman of the Lucan club since 2001, so GazetteSport caught up with him in the week leading up to the gala event. On what’s been the biggest moment of the club in his time there, Cleary was in no doubt of his fondest memory in these past 20 years. “The building of the clubhouse and opening of the clubhouse in 2007 was probably the biggest day for the whole club,” he said. “I can still remember the day in Hermitage Park in May of that year. There have obviously been cup and league successes over the years, such as the senior team winning the LSL Vere Deane Cup last year which is our most recent success. “In 2013 we were the FAI Club of the Year,
which was obviously a massive thing for the club. “Two years ago we launched a Football for All programme which is a big thing the FAI are trying to get as many clubs to do. It’s providing football for kids with disabilities and that so there’s a big push on that now and we’re right in the thick of it. “We’ve 44 teams at the moment, we’ve an academy with 100 kids in it, we’ve two girls’ teams and a senior team as well as the Football for All with 25 kids involved in that.” Cleary, who also manages the club’s senior side, was also asked what he thinks the secret is to a local club maintaining sustainability and improving membership year in
year out. “I think it’s to do with the longevity of the committee and people coming in. That’s opposed to other clubs who enforce rules which force chairmen or committees to change every three years. You need consistency and I think that’s a big factor in our success and longevity. “It’s also important to get people on the committee whose kids are quite young at the club and will be there for a long time and want what’s best. “When you have everyone speaking the same language and wanting the same things on a committee, it’s much easier to make decisions.”