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DublinGazette SOUTH EDITION

WITH THE LATEST NEWS AND SPORT FROM YOUR DUN LAOGHAIRE RATHDOWN COUNTY COUNCIL AREA  MARCH 15-21, 2018

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LOCALS WORRIED ABOUT VILLAGE BEING TURNED INTO HIGH-RISE

Call for civic space in Dundrum Village  REBECCA RYAN

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THERE is a call for a major civic space in Dundrum Village.

Minister for Culture, Heritage & the Gaeltacht Josepha Madigan launched an historical booklet “Main Street: A History of the Heart of Dundrum” last week written by local historian

John Lennon with Imagine Dundrum in Holy Cross Parish Hall, Dundrum.

The local Fine Gael Minister spoke to Dublin Gazette at the launch: “There’s such a huge density of population in Dundrum. I want to see some sort of civic space. We want somewhere where people can have their cultural activities, community groups, for children, for elderly

people, and to bring people together and to be able to congregate, because there really is no space that exists in Dundrum for that.”

Dublin Gazette also spoke to locals about what they are worried about the most.

John Galway said: “The whole village being turned into high-rise. [That] would change it completely.” See full story on Page 2

2 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 15 March 2018

FUTURE DEVELOPMENT | ‘NEED FOR COMMUNITY CENTRE IN AREA’

Call for a civic space in Dundrum Village  REBECCA RYAN

rryan@dublingazette.com

THERE is a call for a major civic space in Dundrum Village.

Minister for Culture, Heritage & the Gaeltacht Josepha Madigan launched a historical booklet “Main Street: A History of the Heart of Dundrum” last week written by local historian John Lennon with Imagine Dundrum in Holy Cross Parish Hall, Dundrum.

Speaking at the event, the Minister said a com-

munity centre needs to be part of the future development of the village.

“There’s such a huge density of population in Dundrum. I want to see some sort of civic space.

We want somewhere where people can have their cultural activities, community groups, for children, for elderly people, and to bring people together and to be able to congregate, because there really is no space that exists in Dundrum for that.”

She said it is important to keep the village feel as part of the Town Centre’s Phase II plans.

“Dundrum is not just a shopping centre, it is a

FASTNews

Volunteers sought to clean the Dodder banks

Wendy Cox, author John Lennon, Minister Josepha Madigan and Anne Colgan

community with its own history, heritage and culture that must not only

be retained but nourished and celebrated.

“We need to continue engaging with all the stakeholders to ensure that the community is placed front and centre of the development of Dundrum village. Dundrum Main Street must remain the ‘Heart of Dundrum’.

“Having seen many other towns across Ireland and across Europe, I think it is clear that Dundrum needs a dedicated civic space.”

The launch of the “Main Street: A History of the Heart of Dundrum” booklet was jam packed. The hall was overflowing, with many people standing as there were not enough seats to meet the demand.

“It showed that locals are genuinely concerned about future developments of the village.

Dublin Gazette spoke to locals about what they are worried about most.

Brian Manners said: “I suppose that the main character being taken away and it becoming over developed, because its more valuable just to build build build.”

John Galway said he is worried about: “The whole village being turned into high-rise.”

His wife Lucinda said:

“It would be lovely to have a civic spot down at the old shopping centre.”

Ethna Lennon, the daughter of John said: “I feel it would be definitely be worth preserving as an entity. There are enough shopping centres and it’s worth keeping the history.

Chairperson for Imagine Dundrum Anne Colgan said they made a submission to the council aiming to protect the area.

“We have submitted an application to have the Main Street designated as a Architectural Conservation Area. It means anyone who is attempting to build there has much stricter rules governing what they can do in the area.”

Property developer Hammerson said: “Hammerson is currently developing a long-term strategy for Dundrum Main Street and the old shopping centre.

“Hammerson’s development approach is guided by a set of core principles that include quality design, place making, respect for local heritage, sustainability, and community.

“As part of this, Hammerson will engage with relevant stakeholders as the strategy develops.”

DODDER Action Day, which sees hundreds of volunteers clean the Dodder banks on one day of Spring, takes place April 21. This year, the annual event is collaborating with the canal clean up groups in Dublin for a ‘Dublin Waters Action Day.’ As part of An Taisce Spring clean, they will clean the Dodder banks, the canal banks and other waterways groups can follow.

Dodder Action is looking for groups and individuals to take part in locations in Rathfarnham, Dundrum, Clonskeagh, Milltown, Donnybrook, Irishtown, Tallaght, Knocklyon and Firhouse.

If you would like to get involved you can contact dodderaction@gmail.com or www.dodderaction.org

Tree-mendous work done NATIONAL Tree Week took place from March 4 to 11 with the theme ‘Just Plant’. DLR planned several events including the planting of some new trees in Stonebridge Park in Shankill. The ceremony was to highlight the extensive tree planting that has taken place within Shankill by the Tidy Towns Group together with Crann ‘Trees for Ireland’.

Both groups in co-operation with Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and the local community have taken the initiative to plant more than 13, 242 trees in the area – one tree for every resident, to help offset carbon emissions.

Oisin Mitton, Dara and Sian O’Sullivan and Michael Killeen of Shankill GAA Club. Picture: Peter Cavanagh

WHERE TO PICK UP YOUR DUBLIN SOUTH GAZETTE: Dundrum, Dun Laoghaire, Blackrock, Dalkey, Shankill, Ballinteer, Glenageary, Deansgrange, Ballybrack, Stillorgan, Sandyford, Milltown, Churchtown, Leopardstown Dublin Gazette Newspapers, Second Floor, Heritage House, Dundrum Office Park, Dublin 14 Tel: 01 - 6010240. Email: sales@dublingazette.com news@dublingazette.com web: www.dublingazette.com twitter: @DublinGazette Visit us on Facebook at DublinGazetteNewspapers

15 March 2018 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 3

SEARCH FOR LEADERS | CALL FOR WOMEN TO STEP UP AND VOLUNTEER

Dundrum Guide leaders in recruitment campaign  REBECCA RYAN

TWO girl guide leaders in Dundrum are spearheading a new nationwide campaign to try and recruit new leaders to Irish Girl Guides.

Rachel Howe, a leader with Centenary guides aged 10 to 14, and Karina Keane, a leader with Dundrum Brownies aged seven to 10, both feature in a new ‘Become A Volunteer’ video campaign that launched on International Women’s day.

Rachel, who is assistant professor of Children’s and General nursing in UCD by day, says that being a leader with Irish Girl Guides is ‘enriching’, and that she looks forward to her work with girl guides each week.

“It is wonderful to be able to actually focus on this important youth work each week.

“I genuinely look forward to the

meetings to hear from all the girls and get stuck into crafts, discussions, games and badge work. Much more enriching than vegging out on the couch at home!” Rachel said.

Karina is an educational psychologist during the day, and says she appreciates the time that Brownies gives her to spend with her daughters.

“I also enjoy all of the activities, outings and games we do as a pack.

“It has also been lovely to make new friendships with fellow leaders.

“It has also helped me to further develop my communication and organisational skills,” Karina said.

Volunteers come from a variety of backgrounds and have different skills to offer. Irish Girl Guides currently has 1,800 volunteers but are looking to recruit more.

At present, Girl Guides say there are 3,000 girls waiting to join the organisation.

Karina Keane

Rachel Howe

Dalkey woman becomes Trump advisor A DALKEY-BORN lawyer has been appointed into a senior role under Trump’s administration at the White House.

Gail Slater is originally from the South Dublin suburb, born Gail Conlon, but has been living Stateside since 2003.

She graduated from UCD with a law degree before moving over to the US where she now has dual US-Irish citizenship. She is married to Lindsay Slater, chief of staff to Idaho Republican Congressman Mike Simpson.

Slater has been appointed as advisor to the President on technology, telecommunications and cybersecurity. Previously, she reported to Trump’s chief economic advisor Gary Cohn who announced his resignation the day before Slater was appointed.

Prior to working at the White House, she was general council at the Internet Association, a trade association representing tech giants such as Google and Facebook.

4 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 15 March 2018

CLONKEEN COLLEGE | BID TO STOP FIELDS BEING SOLD TO PRIVATE DEVELOPER

Hundreds protest to save school pitches

 REBECCA RYAN

HUNDREDS of students, parents and teachers of Clonkeen College hoping to save their school’s sports pitches, took their battle to Leinster House.

The protest outside the Dail last week was in a bid to stop their playing fields being sold to a private property developer.

It was announced last year that 7.5 acres of pitches at the Deansgrange school was to be sold for a price tag reported to be around €18 million.

People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett was at the demonstration and told Dublin Gazette the attempt to sell the pitches is “outrageous.”

“I’m here to support the students, parents and

Richard Boyd Barrett leads the protest outside the Dail. Picture: Paul Sherwood

teachers of Clonkeen College, who are fighting against what is an absolute outrageous attempt by the Christian Brothers to sell their playing pitches to a private property developer, which will massively degrade the school’s abilities for

physical education.

“It will have a really damaging impact on their special needs unit which has been recently developed.”

Clonkeen College’s board of management has been told it will be axed over their resistance

to the plan to sell the pitches.

In a statement, The Edmund Rice Schools Trust (ERST), as Trustees, accused board members of showing “poor governance” and failure in acting in the “best interests of ERST’s school” and they are seeking the Education Minister’s consent to dissolve the board.

Deputy Boyd Barrett is calling on Minister Richard Bruton to “get off the fence” and support the school, and to “reject the attempt to dissolve the

board”.

Labour Senator Aodhan O Riordain was also at the protest and said it is happening to other schools.

“It is happening where I am as well with a school called St Pauls in Raheny.

“Richard Bruton has to back the board and to absolutely refuse the move to dissolve the board.”

Dublin Gazette spoke to some students about why they were protesting.

Fifth-year and chairperson of the student

council Mark Brophy said he thinks that profit is being put before the pupils.

He said: “Richard Bruton should be the advocate for Clonkeen. But in fact, he’s done nothing to help solve this situation at all. What he really needs to do is stop ignoring questions and take action to stop the dissolving of the board.”

Student Kevin Quinn said he is protesting “to retain the rich heritage of Clonkeen College”.

“Our school is massive into GAA, Soccer, Hurling and Rugby and I am here to reiterate the importance of sport to the people of this school.”

Chairperson of the Clonkeen College Parents Association Susan MacKenzie said the parents are behind the board.

“This is purely the parents who have organised this. We haven’t been involved with the board of management at all. We just felt because ERST have come out now and decided to dissolve our board of management, that enough is enough.

“There are six individuals in the board of management and they’re entitled to take this case.

We are proud of them.

They are role models for these boys.”

Major funding boost for future of the county OVER €200m will be invested in the development of a new town at Cherrywood under Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown’s new capital expenditure programme.

Almost €750m will be invested into the future development of the county under the new programme, as announced in a council meeting earlier this week.

Projects to be funded include €226m for social housing, €75m for road infrastructure for land development in Kilternan/Glenamuck, and €33m for road and public realm projects that are set to allow for the expansion of the Sandyford Business district.

There will also be €205m invested in what are being called ‘quality of life’ projects, which include recreational areas within the county. There will be a redevelopment of the Dun Laoghaire baths, a development of Fernhill Park in Stepaside, and phase two of the Samuel Beckett Civic Campus will begin.

From both a social and an economic perspective, projects to be funded under the programme are set to contribute to economic renewal, job growth and a ‘promoted quality of life’ for those living in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown.

Philomena Poole, chief executive of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdow n County Council, said: “The Capital Programme demonstrates the Council’s commitment to achieving its targets for housing delivery and in building infrastructure to permit future development.

The scale of investment is unprecedented in capital projects in this County and I believe that it represents courageous investment in the long-term future of Dún LaoghaireRathdown”.

15 March 2018 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 5

WESLEY COLLEGE | MINISTER SHANE ROSS COMES UNDER FIRE FOR TWEET HE POSTED

Anger as Ross congratulates private school getting €150k  REBECCA RYAN

THE Minister for Sport has come under fire for a tweet he posted to congratulate Wesley College on being granted €150,000 in funding.

S h a n e R o s s t we e t e d : “Delighted to confirm that @ wesleycollege has been granted €150,000 as part of Sports Capital Programme. The funding will ensure the resurfacing of the hockey pitch and will benefit the school as well as @ YMCAHC” The sporting facilities at the Balinteer private secondary school include: 4 Rugby pitches, 1 floodlit Rugby grid, 1 Soccer pitch, 2 full size Hockey astro-turf pitches, 2 mini Hockey pitches, 2 full size Hockey

grit pitches, 16 Tennis courts during the Summer season, 2 Cricket pitches, 2 outdoor Basketball courts, 1 gymnasium, 1 sports hall, athletics track and field facilities.

The tweet received backlash on the social media site: “Would you not give the money to a school that has no playing pitches or sports hall??? Disgraceful!”

“This is an insult to public schools that are struggling” “Our local secondary school has no sports hall and has to block book the community centre up the other end of the village, meaning it’s not available for the community and they lose PE time walking up and down. But hay, we’re just culchies from outside the pale.”

“What a disgrace! Throwing money at private schools for a pitch that’s rented out for profit, whilst sports clubs live out of portacabins.

“As a teacher who works in a school without any grass for the children to play on, I find this

inequality!”

“Plenty of schools don’t have these facilities in the first place.

They should fund their own refurbishment.”

“Are you kidding me..... and the girls in my school playing hockey on gravel because we

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‘Would you not give the money to a school that has no playing pitches or sports hall? Disgraceful!’

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extremely disappointing.

“Two schools in Darndale have no sports hall and have to use DCC community hall and the kids play football every morning outside my office window on the grounds of the school on tarmac. Breathtaking

can’t afford Astro turf!!!!!!”

“Joke of a decision, a private college should not receive funding to that extent...what about the voluntary clubs around the country struggling?”

Responding to the tweets, Minister Ross said he launched

Ticknock Mountain set for a Blitz

THE Dublin stage of the 8th annual Coillte Biking Blitz will take place at the picturesque Ticknock Mountain on Sunday March 25.

The Blitz involves a series of events around the country every second weekend throughout February and March.

Event organiser Niall Davis of Biking.ie said: “The Coillte Biking Blitz series is a brilliant introduc-

tion for children or adults who want to try out mountain biking for the first time.

“As a beginner friendly mountain bike series, with free events for kids on balance bikes as young as two, our aim is to ensure everyone has a fun experience.”

The Blitz is mostly aimed at mountain bike novices, but all other ability levels are also encouraged to attend.

The Blitz village will have something for everyone with food vendors, live music, interviews and exhibitors.

Admission is free for spectators and competitors are urged to enter online in advance of the closing deadline, three days before each event.

For more information check out www.bikingblitz.ie.

Picture: Adrian Van der Lee

the grants in November 2017.

“This is a wonderful grant scheme, which helps young and old countrywide participate in sports. Thirty-five have been added to the successful applicants for the 2017 scheme, including Wesley College. I look forward to launching the 2018 scheme so as to further support sports clubs and venues nationwide. I would advise all sports clubs to register at www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Sport commented: “In November and December last, €60m was allocated to 1,800 projects under the 2017 round of the SCP. “Following the announcement of the allocations, all applicants deemed invalid or

partially invalid were invited to appeal the decision if it was felt that an error had been made in the assessment process.

“The deadline for the submission of appeals from applicants for local projects was December 20 and in relation to regional projects the deadline was January 19, 2018.

“A total of 149 appeals were submitted prior to the deadlines. 35 of these appeals were upheld by the reviewers looking at these appeals and all appellants have now been informed of the result of the appeals process. Wesley College is just one of the 35 applicants whose appeal was successful.

Full details of all of these allocations are available on the Department’s website.”

6 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 15 March 2018

EVENTS Kilmacud Musical Society put on a show at The Mill Theatre

Cast Geraldine Mulhall, Rachel Brady and Noirin Sheridan

Opening night is a big hit with the audience

Katie Gallagher, understudy and matinee and Emma Coast who plays Fanny Brice.

Pictures: Rose Comiskey

T

HERE was great excitement at The Mill Theatre for the opening night of Kilmacud Musical Society’s production of Funny Girl.

After all the hard work and dedication of the members it was a very satisfying performance as they received a standing ovation from a full house and a visit from the president of The Association of Irish Musical Societies Seamus Power.

Rita O’Reilly, Mary O’Reilly and Breege Kennedy Aoife McGouran and Amy Barry Donagh O’Shea and Alison Gill

Ray Bissett, Fergal Darcy and Chris O’Connor

Margaret Meehan and Katy Donovan

15 March 2018 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 7

8 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 15 March 2018

GOATSTOWN | COUNCIL MIGHT NEED MONEY FOR €32M LIABILITY

Local site earmarked for Travellers valued for sale  REBECCA RYAN DUN Laoghaire-Rathdown county council is getting a valuation on a number of its sites, including one at Mount Anville.

The site on Mount Anville Road in Goatstown was earmarked for Traveller accommodation.

At a recent local meeting, Fine Gael councillor Barry Saul proposed a motion that the former council depot site at Mount Anville be valued as a matter of urgency.

Cllr Saul told Dublin Gazette the council might need the money raised from the sites if they take on the liabilities of Dun Laoghaire harbour.

“In time, the recovery of

the property market will generate significant capital funding for the council.

“With the expectation that the council will soon be required to take on a liability of €32m, it is vital that we value our council sites and assets. Our capital programme and future community facilities is linked to the sale of council depots.

“As a council we need to look at the land assets we currently hold and seek a strategy for future use.

“An integral part of this strategy is seeking a valuation for sites, which would include the Mount Anville Site.”

The valuation of the site is expected to be completed in the next few weeks.

A council spokesperson said any proposed disposal of DLR lands will be brought to the relevant Area Committee of the council in the first place.

“There is an objective in the Traveller Accommodation Programme 2014 to 2018 and in the previous TAPs before that to provide Traveller Accommodation at Mt Anville,” the council said.

“The provision of traveller accommodation and social housing in this area has also been identified in the County Development Plan.”

The spokesperson also said the site was “occupied by various dlr depots prior to their move to the Ballyogan Operations

The site on Mount Anville Road. Picture: google maps

centre. No decision has been made on the redevelopment of the site at this time.”

Minister Josepha Madigan said: “The land in question is very valuable.

It’s not on the market yet but if and when that does happen it is important that we maximise the return from an economic perspective.

“Any sale of the land would have to be agreed at a meeting of the full council. It is vital that a full cost benefit analysis is carried out on all council owned sites prior to any sale to maximise revenue.”

A spokesperson from Pavee Point told Dublin Gazette there is a Travel-

ler accommodation crisis nationally, with “an estimated 5,500 Travellers in need of a decent place to live”.

“Overcrowding and poor living conditions is impacting on Traveller health with a 15-year life expectancy gap for men and a 12-year life expectancy gap for women (All Ireland Traveller Health Study 2010).

“There is a dire need for Traveller specific accommodation to be developed and local authorities should be doing all they possibly can to ensure people who are marginalised and excluded, including children, have a decent place to live.”

Commuters furious with tram service LUAS commuters are furious with issues surrounding the tram service since the introduction of the Luas Cross City last December.

Overcrowding, trams being late and displays not working properly are just some of the reports of ongoing problems.

One such irate commuter told Dublin Gazette: “Service has gone to hell since Luas Cross City started up! I have to go commute to and from Dundrum, but trams are constantly late, the displays are never right any more, trams are often completely full – I keep seeing people left behind at stops, unable to get on, like a woman and a baby left behind in the pouring rain last week.

“Anyone going past Sandyford towards Brides Glen gets treated badly – we’re constantly turfed off trams at Sandyford to wait to continue onwards, even if we’d hopped on a Brides Glen-bound Luas.

“The same thing can happen to everyone coming

Cllr Cormac Devlin at Bride’s Glen Luas Stop

along on the next tram, so we sometimes end up with a mob waiting at Sandyford to continue on towards Brides Glen – again, people just get left behind despite waiting ages for the Luas, like happened in the heavy rain on Monday.”

Councillor Cormac Devlin said the Luas between Sandyford and Cherrywood is reduced to a yellowpack service. LUAS Cross City has created a two-tier service on the Green Line.

“Tram frequency has been more than halved between Bride’s Glen and Sandyford. The average tram frequency between Sandyford and the City Centre is just four minutes.

“Whereas commuters coming or going to Cherrywood can end up waiting up to 14 minutes for a tram, and then can only access a tram at Sandyford if there is capacity. Dozens of people have been in touch complaining they have been late for work, school and college.”

A spokesperson for Transdev Ireland told Dublin Gazette availability of trams and passenger numbers have caused problems.

“With the opening of the Green Line extension to Broombridge, Luas has significantly expanded the Luas network and service. A large number of extra passengers are using these new services.

“There has been some reduction in service on the Green and Red lines since the opening of the extension. This is due to availability of trams and high passenger numbers at peak times.

“You will see a noticeable change in service when seven new 55m trams come into service over the next few months.

Meet Top-class

chefs make every meal sumptuous The characteristics of a great chef ONE OF THE MOST satisfying and eagerly awaited events in most people’s social diary is going out for a sumptuous meal, that is both satisfying and memorable.

With this in mind, your decision making when going to a restaurant or hotel, is decided by the quality of the food you expect to be prepared by top-class chefs. As you become regular customers, you also become familiar with the signature dishes prepared by the chef, who you will now know by name.

As happens in many cases, your favourite chef has been offered a new position at an eatery some distance from where you live. Try as you may, it is impossible to find another venue that can provide the same quality dishes served up by your much-missed chef. The decision to follow the chef is, in many cases, a simple one and the benefits of enjoying top quality food served with care and attention to detail, far outweighs the hassle of travelling to a more inconvenient venue.

PASSION

So why do we follow the chef? The answer lies in the passion that a good chef displays, just like a great artist and this is reflected in the quality of the food served up. As eating out can be an expensive event, we always want to make sure that we are getting the best value for our hard-earned cash.

Passion is the first quality to look for in a chef – all chefs have pretty well the same cooking ability, but because without passion, pride and

love of your job, the food will be dull and featureless, prepared by someone who is not happy in their job.

As one famous chef is quoted as saying: “Passion is the reason we do what we do...it’s what drives us every day. It’s a funny thing, because people can tell when you’re not being genuine...they know when you are not passionate. It shows. If you love what you do, you put everything into it.”

Like any business, surrounding yourself with the right people is a key to success. Just as any employer does, restaurateurs seek to hire staff members that can help in specific areas of their business. Perhaps it’s to improve staff performance, or grow a loyalty programme, or maybe it’s to help design a restaurant menu that everyone talks about. A top chef, or executive chef, has experience in running a kitchen, and often has a background, not only in cooking, but in restaurant management.

A common trend is for some of the great restaurants to be chef owned and operated. Of course, there are other scenarios, where the restaurant owner is not the person cooking the food. And since the reputation of the restaurant and its ability to attract and retain customers is at stake, it’s pretty important to have the right chef at the helm in your kitchen. It’s the difference between an experience of a lifetime and a pretty ordinary night out, lacking in memories.

This generates loyalty among customers and increases footfall. As they say, a good chef is worth his/ her weight in gold.

15 March 2018 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 9

THE CHEF ANTHONY DUGGAN EXECUTIVE HEAD CHEF DRUIDS GLEN HOTEL & GOLF RESORT

A

NTHONY Duggan has been Executive Head Chef at Druids Glen Hotel & Golf Resort since April 2017. Anthony has 30 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, starting off in 1988 in Kelly’s Hotel where he began his apprenticeship at just 16 years old.

He has worked in many 5-star establishments including Adare Manor, Mount Juliet and The Shelbourne Hotel. In his role, Anthony places a huge emphasis on mentoring young chefs and helping them develop their skills to become successful. His speciality dish is Ballotine of Irish Rabbit which you can find on the menu at Hugo’s in Druids Glen. www.druidsglenresort.com

JEROME FERNANDES CHEF GUINEA PIG RESTAURANT

J

EROME Fernandes, of Burgundy, France, graduated from culinary school in Dijon and trained under the renowned two-star Michelin Chef Jean-Marc Delacourt.He has worked at other renowned establishments throughout France and Switzerland before relocating to Ireland in 1997. In Dublin, Jerome worked in Peacock Alley and the Conrad International Hotel, La Reserve Brasserie amongst other fine properties. Having purchased the renowned Guinea Pig restaurant, he looks forward to sharing his love for good food and is inspired by authentic and exceptional flavours and his cuisine brings pride to seasonal and local produce. www.guineapigrestaurant.ie

AGIE CHEF TOSCANA Y name is Agie, chef of Italian restaurant, M Toscana. It was in Switzerland where I discovered my passion for cooking so I started

training as a chef. After I finished my training I travelled Europe, working in amazing restaurants and hotels and learned about the hospitality trade and fine cuisine. Eventually, the travels ended and I put down my roots in Ireland, opened Toscana Restaurant in 2001.

Toscana has received many awards and accolades for it’s honest authentic Italian Cuisine. I’m passionate about every plate that I serve to you and the passion starts with our ingredients. I grow my own vegetables and herbs in my organic garden so I can give you the freshest ingredients possible. www.toscana.ie

10 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 15 March 2018

EVENTS No matter what’s happening in your area, Dublin Gazette’s

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Mary O’Connor and Joan Butler

Muireann O’Higgins and Eamon Regan

Shane O’Kelly with Orla and Deirdre Ni Fhloinn. Picture: Rose Comiskey

Teresa Flynn and Patricia

Angela Lemass and Andrew

Conor Lennon (son of author) with wife Emma and son

David Tansey-Daly and Gerry

Brennan

Clinch

Darragh

Kealy

Mairead Condon with Frank and Caroline Downey

New book sheds light on history I of Dundrum

Ann Rundle and Jane Lonergan

MAGINE Dundrum launched new book “Main Street – A History of the Heart of Dundrum”

by John Lennon recently in Holy Cross Pastoral Centre, Dundrum. The book was officially launched on the night by Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Josepha Madigan.

15 March 2018 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 11

far-ranging photographers have all the events and angles covered

Docklands goes green for St Pat DUBLINERS will be tickled pink to note the gorgeous greens making waves in the docklands district this week, courtesy of a number of landmarks getting into the spirit of – what else – the city’s St Patrick’s Day festivities.

The emerald shades will bathe a number of docklands features once dusk descends this week, from March 15 to 19, as the key part of the revitalised district helps to highlight the city-wide spirit of celebration.

Pictures: Conor McCabe Photography

T

HE Talbot Hotel in Stillorgan hosted a seminar on General Data Protection Regulations which was given by Aoife Sexton, cofounder and director at Frontier Privacy, and principal at the law firm, Tech Law Services recently. The event was held by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown’s Local Enterprise Office as part of Local Enterprise Week.

The General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR, is a new piece of legislation that becomes applicable on May 25, 2018. It’s the biggest overhaul in privacy law in two decades.

Annemarie Daly; Stephanie Fitzpatrick, Careerfitz, Career Coach; Bernadette Hurley, Kedal Rescources Ltd; Sabine McKenna, Creative Computing Classes and Walthea Patterson, Professional Coaching. Picture: Peter Cavanagh Photography

GETTING PREPARED FOR THE NEW PRIVACY LAWS

GAZETTE

12 DUBLIN GAZETTE 15 March 2018

DUBLINBUSINESS

iD Mobile is shutting down from April 6 ID MOBILE has announced that it is going into liquidation and will cease all operations in Ireland from April 6. iD has 40,000 customers in Ireland, and says it will contact them by “text, letter and email” over the coming days.

Call, text and data services will be provided to these customers free of charge for the next month, and anyone on a pre-pay plan can also continue to use their credit until this time.

However, according to the iD website, customers who have an outstanding balance on an equipment contract for a phone or mobile broadband device will need to continue to make payments until this balance is cleared.

Any iD customer who doesn’t switch to a new provider before April 6 will be left without service and risks being unable to keep the same phone number in the future.

Eoin Clarke, managing director of Switcher.ie, said: “iD provided a valuable, low-cost service to its 40,000 customers, and it’s a real shame to see it shutting down operations here and leaving these customers without a provider.

“From commentary online, we know that what iD’s customers loved the most was the value-formoney they got from their plans.

“The good news is that there is so much choice on the mobile market at the moment, with SIM-only plans starting from as low as €10 per month, so there is definitely still value out there.”

Need to create youth opportunities in focus RACHEL Collier, co-founder and chief executive of Young Social Innovators, has highlighted the gap between potential and opportunity faced by many young adults.

Launching YSI’s national Speak Out tour in Dublin, which is set to travel 2,000 kilometres over the next four weeks to hear 7,000 teenagers speak out about issues they are concerned about and innovations they are undertaking to address them, Collier said: “Marketeers, advertisers and insight companies are committing huge resources to analysing the preferences and behavioural patterns of young people so they can plan campaigns for future products and technologies.

“But despite all of the research, there’s a real deficit in opportunities for young people to be truly heard and listened to. Researchers tell us that Generation Z care about the world they live in and want to make a positive contribution.”

AbbVie staff show their delight as the company collects its number-one award at the Great Place to Work Awards recently

AWARD | BIOPHARMA CO IS COUNTRY’S NUMBER-ONE LARGE WORKPLACE

Joy as AbbVie named as number-one workplace ABBVIE has been named as the country’s numberone large workplace.

The global biopharmaceutical company, with a significant presence in Ireland, was presented with the award at the annual Great Place to Work Awards in Dublin recently.

AbbVie is listed among the Best Large Workplaces in Ireland for the fifth successive year and was placed third on the

prestigious list in 2016 and 2017.

AbbVie is spread across five sites in Ireland. Alongside three manufacturing facilities in Sligo and Cork, two offices in Dublin serve the needs of the company’s commercial and operations activities.

AbbVie’s director of HR in Ireland, Caroline McClafferty, said achieving the number-one position represented a signifi-

cant improvement on the company’s 2016 and 2017 rankings.

She said: “This firstplace ranking demonstrates our collective effort to foster an environment where people can thrive and develop.

“It’s a tremendous achievement for the company and a reflection on our employees across our five sites in Ireland who have embraced the AbbVie culture and con-

tinue to remain focused on making AbbVie a truly great place to work.”

The Great Place to Work Institute publishes three different lists annually and presents these at a gala event: the Best Large Workplaces in Ireland (>301 employees), the Best Medium Workplaces in Ireland (101300 employees), and the Best Small Workplaces in Ireland (20-100 employees).

John Ryan, chief executive of Great Place to Work Ireland, paid tribute to all companies which were recognised this year.

He said: “The organisations on this year’s list know that employees want an environment where they feel psychologically safe, encouraged to grow, provided with opportunities to develop, and empowered to do their best work.”

Retail Excellence joins Seanad register RETAIL Excellence have confirmed they have been admitted to the register of nominating bodies for the Seanad Eireann elections.

Retail Excellence can now select a candidate to contest the Seanad elections on the outside panel of the Industrial and Commercial Panel.

Deputy chief executive of Retail Excellence, and former Senator, Lor-

raine Higgins said: “I am delighted to learn that Retail Excellence has been admitted to the register of nominating bodies to Seanad Eireann.

“As the largest retail representative body in Ireland, with almost 2,000 members who operate in excess of 13,000 stores and employ more than 130,000 staff, we are honoured and delighted with this news.

“This is a huge opportunity for our membership and retail in general

and will help put the industry and its challenges on the national political agenda should our candidate be elected.

“We now intend to invite political parties to put forward suitably qualified candidates, which our board will vote on.

“The candidate with the majority of board votes will be deemed our candidate to run in the election,” she said.

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

It’s Alone but fun way to walk THE 13th annual Aware Harbour2Harbour Walk, which takes place on St Patrick’s Day, is set to see more than 2,000 walkers take on the 16.2 mile/26km challenge, with the option of starting from Howth Harbour or Dun Laoghaire Harbour and then walking to ‘the other one’.

Suitable for most fitness levels, the fundraising walk will take participants along the scenic Dublin

Bay route with a ‘Halfway Hooley’ hosted at Dublin Port Company’s newly opened public plaza.

All funds raised will go towards Aware’s nationwide support, education and information services.

Gerry O’Brien, head of fundraising at Aware said: “The Harbour2Harbour Walk offers the perfect excuse to get friends and family together to mark St Patrick’s Day in a fun and healthy way.

“As a result of this and other fundraising efforts, Aware is able to provide support services for individuals and families impacted by depression or bipolar disorder, as well as delivering free mental health education programmes to adults and senior cycle students throughout the country.”

Participants can register at www.aware.ie/events, at a cost of €25 per person.

T h e Aw a r e H a r-

Leah Conway helps launch the Harbour2Harbour walk taking place this St Patrick’s Day. Picture: Shane O’Neill

bour2Harbour Walk 2018 is supported by Dublin

Port Company and Dublin’s 98FM.



GAZETTE

15 March 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 13

GENTLE CHAMP IS A REAL WINNER DUBLIN Gazette has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for lost and abandoned dogs. Meet Champ, a seven-year-old greyhound who is currently looking for a retirement home where he can relax and enjoy his life. Champ is happy and excited when meeting new people, has great leash manners, and loves his daily walks. He gets attached to people very easily, and is looking for somebody who is going to spend most of the day with him. Having another dog at home may help with his anxiety and help him to settle at home quicker. If you think that you have room in your heart for Champ, please contact Dogs Trust at 01 879 1000. They are based in Finglas, just off exit 5 on the M50. Map and directions can be found on their website www.dogstrust.ie. You can also find them on Facebook www.facebook.com/ dogstrustirelandonline or Twitter @DogsTrust_IE.

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14 DUBLIN GAZETTE 15 March 2018

DUBLINLIFE

DIARY

GREAT IRELAND RUN: GET OFF THE COUCH AND START YOUR TRAINING!

FAMILIES are being encouraged to get off the couch and get active in training for the Garmin Great Ireland Run. With a choice of a 5k or 10k run on the day, the upcoming Garmin Great Ireland Run on April 15 is suitable for all ages, with specific events for children aged three to 15 as well.

The run takes place in the Phoenix Park, with a €30 entry fee for the 10k run, €20 for entry to the 5k, and €10 for the ‘mini’ kids events, which include a 1.5k and 2.9k run.

The Garmin Great Ireland Run is organised by the Great Run company, who are responsible for the world’s largest half marathon, the Great North Run, which has 55,000 participants each year.

The Great Ireland Run was established in 2001, and is now considered one of Ireland’s biggest athletic events.

For further information on the run, see www.greatrun.org/greatireland-run.

Step up to a fun challenge OUR WORLD IRISH AID AWARDS NOW OPEN PRIMARY school pupils across Dublin are being invited to submit projects for the 2018 Our World Irish Aid awards.

This year’s awards revolve around the theme, Transforming Our World, relating to all 17 of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, while highlighting the role played by education to make a difference to those both at home and in developing countries.

Students are asked to come up with creative projects about the challenges facing children in developing countries, and the role played by Ireland through Irish Aid and the Government’s programme for overseas development.

Some 60 projects will receive an OurWorld Irish Aid award at a regional award ceremony in May, and the top 12 entries will win a place at the awards ceremony in June.

There will also be additional awards for Teacher of the Year and Best Newcomer School.

More than 1,300 primary schools throughout

Ireland participated in the Our World Irish Aid awards in 2017. The deadline for entries is Friday, March 23.

Bull Music are aiming to keep the fire lit by having an Easter Bank Holiday weekend ‘gaff’ in a secret Dublin location.

Taking place from

OZZIE HUMOUR AT A FUN GIRLS’ NIGHT OUT AUSTRALIAN-British British author Kathy Lette (right) is set to take her new show, Girls’ Night Out, to the Civic Theatre stage on March 26.

Known for her novels, cutting wit and feminist edge, her new show is descriBed as a “psychological strip tease” that will discuss issues from childbirth to toy boys, close encounters with George Clooney and “tongue kissing” Prince William.

Lette’s show is targeted toward women, with men invited to attend at their own risk! Tickets are available now from civictheatre.ie, with prices ranging from €16 to €18.

For more on Kathy, see the feature on Page 23.

PARTY TIME AT RED BULL’S ‘FREE GAFF’ THE “free gaff” is a timehonoured party tradition in Dublin, and Red

Acts set to take to the stage include indie darlings Wyvern Lingo, soulstress Loah, hip-hop artist FYNCH and Cork-based producer Bantam. Organisers warn that space is limited, with tickets available from redbull. ie/freegaff.

JOIN THIS SNAKE HUNT AT MAXI ZOO

March 29 to April 1, Free Gaff promises three nights of the hottest Irish acts across three floors in a Dublin house, with the exact location to be revealed to ticketholders closer to the event.

Starting each night at 7pm, there will be a different line-up each night, as a strictly BYOB affair.

SIX pet stores across Dublin are set to host two family events on St Patrick’s Day and the Easter bank holiday weekend. Maxi Zoo will hold its annual St Patrick’s Day Snake Hunt across their six Dublin stores on March 18, as well as an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 31. Both events take place from 12-4pm.

Children and parents are invited to take part, with goodie-bags up for grabs in the Snake Hunt, and Easter eggs for the win in the Easter egg hunt.

Pet experts from the stores will also be on hand during the day to share their knowledge with families. For further information on the two events, see maxizoo.ie.

15 March 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 15

GAZETTE

DUBLINLIFE Doyle’s set for a lick of paint FIREDOOR THEATRE: ICONIC DUBLIN PUB TO STAGE ITS FIRST EVER THEATRE PERFORMANCE

 MARK O’BRIEN

AN ICONIC Dublin pub is to become the city’s latest theatre venue next week when it stages its first ever theatre performance.

Doyle’s on College Street will play host to Firedoor Theatre’s new production Paint from Wednesday, March 21 to Saturday, March 24.

Firedoor were founded in the city centre five years ago and have primarily focussed on producing original work which has been staged in various venues across the city.

Artistic director Shaun Elebert, who also stars in Paint, told Dublin Gazette that encouraging new work is a big part of Firedoor’s ethos.

“As a company what we’re trying to do is promote new work as well as training actors and giving people opportunities to direct as well,” he said.

“So, it’s kind of covering all aspects of theatre, not just the performance end of it. Our writing has been quite progressive.

“This particular play Paint came from one of our Uncuts which we put on once or twice a year, which is showcasing 20-minute pieces by seven or eight members of our group so our own writing is definitely what we’re trying to promote all the time.”

Shaun added that he is very excited about being part of the first ever theatrical performance in Doyle’s.

“The manager Niamh, I was

talking to her about maybe putting on plays in Doyle’s and she was very excited about that, to actually open up Doyle’s as not just a music venue but a theatre venue,” he said.

Paint is a character-driven story about two men who meet up late one night under unusual circumstances.

“One lad is painting a wall at three o’clock in the morning in an industrial estate and he does this quite often because there’s something gone on in his life, something that has happened,” said Shaun.

“His wife has passed away but we don’t know whether it’s connected to his wife or not.

“We assume that it is but he’s out there painting the wall just to gather his thoughts as maybe

redemption or something for something that he’s done already.

“Then this other lad comes, who is meeting another guy at three o’clock in the morning to do a delivery but he never turns up.

“However, the two of them get talking about life and the older lad, which is the character I play, who is the guy painting the wall, he gives advice and give the younger lad advice and shows him what life is all about.”

Firedoor have more exciting productions later in the year, including a show in Smock Alley Theatre.

The group regularly hold auditions for new members.

For more information and for tickets to Paint, please visit www. firedoortheatre.com

16 DUBLIN GAZETTE 15 March 2018

EVENTS No matter what’s happening around the city, The Gazette’s

Catriona Kelly, Leah Kelly and Noel Kelly Catherine Miller and Danika McConnell. Pictures: Brian McEvoy

Star-studded event for a worthy cause T

HERE were some very familiar faces in attendance at Liz & Noel’s Chernobyl Lunch at the Intercontinental Hotel Ballsbridge recently. The star-studded fundraiser was held in aid of Adi Roche’s Chernobyl Children International.

Well known figures from Irish broadcast and entertainment industries came out in force to show their support for the charity’s event.

Helen Faulknan, Ryan Tubridy, Rose of Tralee Jennifer Byrne, Adi Roche and Julie Shynkarenka

15 March 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 17

far-ranging photographers have all the events and angles covered

Ali Hewson with her god daughter Anna Gabriel who, at the age of 4, was rescued by Adi Roche and Ali Hewson and later adopted by the Gabriel family from Bandon

Denise Barry and Moya Murdock

Fiona Heffernan and Roma O’Connor

Rebecca Bagidi and Marcus Brennan

Aoibhinn Murdock

Eimear Murphy, Richard Minchin and Trish Buckley

Lisa Aramony and Kathy Ryan

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18 DUBLIN GAZETTE 15 March 2018

DUBLINLIFE

PUZZLE PAGE

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LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

15 March 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 19

GAZETTE

DUBLINLIFE

ARTS: SOME OF THE CITY AND COUNTRY’S BEST EMERGING WRITERS NOMINATED

Pore over the Hennessy awards  RACHEL D’ARCY

THE best of new Irish literature will be celebrated on March 21 when the 47th annual Hennessy Literary Awards take place.

Being held in the historic setting of the Honourable Society of King’s Inn, the awards will celebrate emerging literary talent from across Ireland.

Poets, short-story tellers and novelists alike will come together to celebrate the written word.

Categories include First Fiction, Emerging Fiction and Emerging Poetry, as well as the coveted overall Hennessy New Irish

Writer prize for 2018.

There are a number of shortlistees for each award, based across the country and in different areas of expertise.

Dublin’s Pat Nolan is nominated in the First Fiction category for Women and Other Anthropoids, while Bray man Samuel McManus is also shortlisted for his piece, The Dog in the Story.

A number of Dublin writers are also shortlisted in the Emerging Fiction category. Out of seven shortlisted candidates, five are Dublin-based.

The shortlisted writers include Manus Boyle Tobin, Niall McArdle,

Picture: Marc O’Sullivan

The literati... Vona Groarke, Una Mannion, Rachel Donohue and Sean Tanner

Ellen Kelly, Angela Finn and Ruth McKee. Poetry is also represented by the awards, with emerging poet Chris Connolly receiving a nod for

two of his poems, Particulars of Bovine Husbandry, and Old-Age Sensibility.

As well as celebrating new writers, the Hennessy Literary Awards also hon-

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our the achievements of established writers. Since 2003, the awards induct one individual into the Hennessy Literary Awards Hall of Fame.

This year will see novelist Bernard MacLaverty become the 16th figure inducted into it.

MacLaverty received critical acclaim for his 1980 debut novel, Lamb, which went on to become a feature film starring Liam Neeson.

His 1983 novel, Cal, also went on to be made into a film starring Helen Mirren. Last year, he published his latest novel, Midwinter Break, after a 16-year break.

Other literary luminaries who have been inducted into the Hennessy Literary Awards Hall of Fame include Vona Groarke, Joseph O’Connor, Frank

McGuinness, Anne Enright, John Boyne, and Paula Meehan.

The winners of the respective awards are chosen by two esteemed authors, alongside editor of the Irish Times’ New Irish Writing page, Ciaran Carty.

All pieces nominated for an award were published in the monthly New Irish Writing page within the Times.

This year’s judges are Marina Carr, winner of the lucrative 2017 WindhamCampbell prize, and ‘honorary Welshman’ Niall Griffiths, who is likened to a cross between Roddy Doyle and Irvine Welsh.

15 March 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21

DUBLINLIFE

BORN of summer shenanigans, The Vaccines frontman J u s t i n H a y w a rd Young says the return of the Londoners with fourth album ‘Combat Sports’ is a trek back to their routes, via a half-century of new songs, a touch of nervousness, and occupying the band’s ‘natural space’....

Eight years after forming, and swiftly becoming one of Britain’s most exciting and popular rock bands almost by accident, The Vaccines fourth album ‘Combat Sports’ is, perhaps, a product of a band finally taking some time for reflection.

It’s been a frantic ride, and not one the millionselling rockers exactly planned.

The early days of The Vaccines have acquired almost mythological status.

Taking a break from his more regular role as a folk singer under the guise of Jay Jay Pistolet (a genre Hayward-Young’s confident he’ll return to at some point, though not under the guise of The Vaccines), the Vaccines frontman admits that the myth - though perhaps exaggerated - has elements of truth.

“We were just f*cking around in the summer,” Hayward-Young recalls. “‘Wetsuit’ and ‘Do You Wanna’ were written during a summer holiday, and weren’t supposed to be some kind of mission statement. I was borrowing a friends guitar, and played the songs to a couple of people.

“I was just enjoying it with nothing else to do, really, and made a quick demo from the song I wrote. It got out there and I got an email to go and have coffee with someone in the industry, and that was it. It went from there.”

The road from summer shenanigans has been somewhat jittery, if also ecstatic.

“It was ver y ner ve wracking,” Hay ward-

MUSIC

LET’S GO OUT MUSIC

BEST OF THE REST

 JAMES HENDICOTT

Young recalls.

“We didn’t really know how to deal with the way things were taking off, and with the big crowds to start with. It was really weird and hard.”

Some years later, in 2016, drummer and backing vocalist Pete Robinson departed the band, triggering a period of contemplation, and the rootsy return that is ‘Combat Sports’, arguably the closest The Vaccines have come to those heady early days of messing around in rock.

“Pete never really talked about why he left, and neither did the band. The rest of us mostly just talked about what to do next,” Hayward-Young recalls.

“We did dwell on it a bit, but decided to focus on the future. It didn’t really shock me that he went, we kind of knew it was going to happen, but [new members] Tim and Yoann had been around as part of the touring band for a while. It made sense to bring them in, it wasn’t an overnight thing.

“We wrote 50 songs for this album,” he continues.

“It’s been interesting. Some people think the album is referencing blood and gore, because of the title. It’s not so literal. Internally, the whole thing has been like day and night.

“T here’s always a strange period after the album’s finished when you’re just sitting around.

In an ideal world we’d probably just put it out the next day and be done with it.

“You have to keep pushing yourself, though.

“We did the first show the other day for the new record, and it was really exciting. When you come out and play those kind of shows - this one had six new songs - you have to be careful.

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20 DUBLIN GAZETTE 15 March 2018

The Vaccines A RETURN TO SIMPLE ROOTS

Picture: Brad Elterman

“If you play the new stuff back to back, people will take it as an excuse to go to the bar. You can lose them. But you have

to keep pushing yourself.

“After the last record, we didn’t really know what we wanted to do, so it took a bit of time.

We wanted to recapture that time back at the start, that creative, free spirit.

We even thought about whether we actually need-

ed a drummer for a little while before we settled on adding the new guys.

Going back to our core just kind of naturally happened.”

“We learnt so much and grew up a lot writing the last record. It wasn’t an error, as such, but it did feel more like a fifth record than a third record. It was just eleven songs we love, rather than something more coherent. Like a chocolate box of songs.”

Combat Sports, then, is urgent rock and roll from NME’s former ‘Best New Band’. It’s a return to the buzz of ‘What Did You Expect From The

Vaccines?’, but with eight years worth of touring and life experience piled on top, and a light step away from the sex and shenanigans themes that sat right at the very heart of the debut.

It’s well represented in the video for ‘I Can’t Quit’, in fact, footage that has all the chaos, sexuality and straightforwardness that has come to represent the Londoners. They’re ready, heart linked loosely to their sleeves, to rip a heap of memorable riffs through your summer.

The Vaccines fourth album ‘Combat Sports’ is out on March 30 on Columbia Records.

MARCH 15 (Thursday) Erasure @ Olympia Theatre, (rescheduled date) Jonathan Wilson @ Whelan’s, €18.50 Old Hannah @ The Grand Social, €10 Sepultura @ Tivoli Theatre, €30 Brazilian thrash metal legends drop in on the Tivoli to make some serious noise.

Expect clashing chords, moshing, and damage to the floorboards.

Bitch Falcon + WOLFF + Ape Rising @ The Bowery, €15 One of Ireland’s best up-and-coming acts Bitch Falcon bring their abrasive brand of lairy rock to Rathmines in a show sure to shake your body with bass.

Rita Braga + Yawning Chasm @ Jigsaw, €10 Bicurious @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), €7 MARCH 16 (Friday) Stereophonics @ 3Arena, €46 Legendar y Welsh act (and former Glastonbury headliners) run through the classics at 3Arena, in a show sure to show off Kelly Jones’ gravelly vocals, and the band’s penchant for pop-rocky drama.

The Stunning @ Olympia Theatre, €29 Ghost Accuser @ Thomas House, €5

PICKOF THE WEEK MARCH 21 (Wednesday) Joan Baez @ Bord Gais Energy Theatre. Legendary artist and activist Joan Baez will play the Bord Gais Energy Theatre Dublin, as part of an extensive 2018 tour in conjunction with the release of a new studio album, her first since 2008’s Day After Tomorrow. Tickets: €58

MARCH 17 (Saturday) Daithi @ Baggot’s House, €12 Donal Dineen @ Hang Dai MARCH 18 (Sunday) Aslan @ Olympia Theatre, €33 Kormac @ Vicar Street, €25 AILIE @ Whelan’s, €12 Native Oak @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), €10 MARCH 19 (Monday) Steven Wilson @ Olympia Theatre, €33 MARCH 20 (Tuesday) Vance Joy @ Olympia Theatre, €21 The Ruby Sessions @ Doyle’s, €6 Hippie Sabotage @ The Workmans’ Club, €5 Cannibal Corpse @ Tivoli Theatre, €28 MARCH 21 (Wednesday) Feeder @ Olympia Theatre, €28 Joan Baez @ Bord Gais Energy Theatre, €58 Bell X1 @ Vicar Street, €37

22 DUBLIN GAZETTE 15 March 2018

GAZETTE

DUBLINFITNESS The 80% nutrition and 20% training rule myth CHECK OUT

www.kickstartfitness.ie

NOWADAYS I see a lot of nutrition based companies using this pitch, that your results on fat loss depends on 80% of your nutrition and just 20% on your training programme.

From the beginning let’s just blow this up and say it’s not true, simply because it depends on which approach you take and what works for you.

Firstly, truth be told you don’t necessarily need exercise to lose fat. All you need is a to be in a calorie deficit and you can do this by just eating less calories over a day or a week and you’ll start to lose fat pretty fast.

Therefore if you were to use this approach your fat loss journey would actually be 100% nutrition and 0% training and you’d still get results.

So why use exercise if your only goal is to lose fat?

Well here’s why, we know fat loss comes down to the amount of calories we put into our bodies vs the amount of calories we burn through daily activity and exercise.

So the more exercise we do the more calories we burn.

If you don’t decrease the amount of calories you’re taking into your body then this means exercise and activity are your tool to increase the amount of calories going out of the body still putting yourself in a calorie deficit and losing fat.

If you were to use this approach then your fat loss plan would be 100% exercise and 0% nutrition and you will still get results.

So I think that simply clears up the 80/20 rule

Gareth Francis is a qualified personal trainer and strength and conditioning coach with over eight years experience in the fitness industry.

He now works as head coach in Kickstart Fitness. to be a myth and we really know it depends on which approach you take.

But what’s the best approach then?

My advice is find out what works for you. A lot of us fail with our fat loss goals because we make our plan just too hard to stick to and fall off the wagon before we start to see results.

For example when decreasing your calo-

 GARETH FRANCIS info@dublingazette.com

Here’s a beginners guide to fat loss.

There are no tricks, no magic pills or diet drinks just some simple steps that anyone can apply straight away.

Step 1: Find out how many calories you’re taking in daily by tracking them using a fitness app or googling the types of foods and drinks you’re consuming. Find your daily average, now take

All you need is to be in a calorie deficit situation to lose weight

ries keep your deficit realistic so that you can stick to it long enough to get real results. I recommend reducing your daily calories no more than 25%.

The same moto goes for exercise too, telling yourself your going to push yourself to the max everyday in the gym isn’t realistic especially if you’re new to exercise.

Remember it’s about sustainability, you need a plan that you can stick to until you reach your goal.

some calories away start with a low number 200-500 being sure the amount you do choose you can stick by it.

Step 2: Add in some exercise or activity. The more exercise and activity we do the bigger our deficit is going be and the more fat we are going to lose.

Step 3: Stick to it! Fat loss sounds really easy when you’re looking at the science of it but it’s actually sticking by it that’s the hard part.

15 March 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 23

GAZETTE

FEATURE ENTERTAINMENT: OZZIE AUTHOR AND JOURNALIST KATHY LETTE BRINGING HER ONE-WOMAN SHOW TO DUBLIN

All welcome at this fun Girl’s Night Out – even men!

Kathy relaxing in style – and right, with her son, Jules Robertson

 MARK O’BRIEN DUBLIN Gazette may have gotten Billy Connolly in trouble.

The last time the Australian author, screenwriter and journalist Kathy Lette visited Dublin, she was here with her great friend, Billy, who was teaching her some local phrases.

She says: “Can you imagine being in Dublin with Billy Connolly? The fun we had!

“The craic was 90 – see, I’m basically speaking your language. What’s the other thing he taught me?

‘Tiocfaidh Ar La’?”

It is our unfortunate duty to inform Kathy that the last phrase does not, in fact, mean ‘Everything is okay’, and that Billy may have been trying to get her into trouble.

“He probably bloody was, you know!” she laughs down the phone.

A chat with Kathy gener-

ally involves a whole lot of laughter.

Kathy first achieved success as a teenager with the novel, Puberty Blues, which was made into a major film and a TV miniseries.

After several years as a newspaper columnist and TV sitcom writer in America and Australia, she’s written 12 international bestsellers in her characteristically witty voice, including Mad Cows (which was made into a film starring Joanna Lumley and Anna Friel), How to Kill Your Husband (and Other Handy Household Hints), The Boy Who Fell to Earth, Courting Trouble, and Best Laid Plans – soon to be an eight-hour TV series.

Last year, she took to the road with her first one-woman show, Girls’ Night Out. She says: “It’s great, because when you’re a writer, you’re very iso-

lated and when I’m on book tours I always get to meet my readers and I’ve always loved it so much.

“It’s such a compliment because they’re so witty and wild and wicked and wonderful and warm.

“So, I thought I might as well just do a little show on the road where I get to talk to them and it’s just been so great.”

Men welcome The show is very much a girls’ night out, but men are always welcome to come too, even if many tend not to tag along.

“It’s all women who come,” says Kathy. “It’s 99% women. They come in gangs – grandmas, mums, daughters or sisters or best friends.

“I always say that women are each other’s human wonderbras – uplifting, supportive and making each other look bigger and better.

“We have a handful,

maybe five brave males that come along [per show]. I always say to them they’re going to be ovulating by the end of the show!

“But they love the girl talk. I think they’re surprised to know how candid women are with no men around.”

Girls’ Night Out draws on Kathy’s vast and varied life experience, which ranges from tales of love, lust, men, marriage, pregnancy, childbirth, mastitis, sexist bosses, teenagedaughter-wrangling, ageing, toy boys.

The second half is more poignant and deals with raising a child on the autistic spectrum, Jules Robertson, through to his success playing Jason on Holby City.

“The first half is funny, it’s a bit of a laugh and a good rollick and all that, and then in the second act, it gets a bit more serious and I talk about how

women care,” Kathy says, “as in how we care for our ageing parents and our friends and our sick siblings and our kids.

“That bit is my favourite bit, because we turn the lights up a bit and then women share their stories.

“On a girls’ night out, what normally happens is we laugh and laugh and laugh and then suddenly we’ll be crying and hugging.”

Honest Kathy attributes her success down to the fact that she is honest and has never tried to be something she’s not, which strikes a chord with other women.

“Unfortunately, there’re still a lot of women who still pretend to have perfect marriages,” she says.

“I always say a perfect

marriage is like an orgasm – many of them are faked.

“I hate women in the public eye who try and pretend their lives are perfect so other women feel inadequate and jealous.

I don’t do that, it’s flaws and all – pelvic flaws and all.”

A staunch feminist, Kathy says that while progress has been made in achieving equality between the sexes, there is some way to go before it is achieved. However, she thinks women can use humour to challenge sexist behaviour.

She says: “Whenever I give talks in schools to young women I always say to them, yes, men are

physically stronger, but women are more verbally dexterous.

“We use on average about 500 more words in our daily vocabulary than the average male.

“I call it developing the black belt in ‘Tongue-Fu’, if you can fire off a witty one-liner and give a man a bit of quip-lash.

“Like, if a man is bullying you in a group, if you can fire off a one-liner and the other people laugh at him, you completely take away his power.”

Girls’ Night Out comes to the Civic Theatre in Tallaght on Monday, March 26. Tickets are available now from www.civitheatre.ie.

24 DUBLIN GAZETTE 15 March 2018

River Isla

nd Green

chunky knit

roll neck ju m

per €55

DUBLINLIFE

NYX Professional Makeup Prismatic Shadow €7

This dress from River Island will help you look cool and collected, while also repping our country’s signature colour.

Weir & Son Chopard 18k Rose Gold Happy Hearts Bangle with Agate Heart €2,595

Fresh skin and rosy cheeks for St Patrick’s Day We all want to look our best, and Uriage HYSEAC Purifying Cleansing Gel is just the answer to giving you clearer, fresher and healthier skin. Suitable for use on face, chest and back, the flip cap bottle makes this the perfect shower buddy! RRP €25

15 March 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 25

GAZETTE

STYLE

BeautyBITS

River Island Green bardot culotte jumpsuit €87

River Island Dark green frill sleeve tie back playsuit €61

Penneys are launching their Korean Beauty range this month Weir Both & Son er w S atch watch N ot A €65

Feed your k-beauty cutesy curiosity with Penney’s KPOPRange

IT’S EASY BEING FASHIONABLY

GREEN  Jessica Maile, Style Editor

WHAT other day of the year can you get away with proudly wearing our country’s colours from head to toe? St Patrick’s Day is a day for going all out, but that doesn’t mean we need to sacrifice fashion either.

From a shimmering glittery eyeshadow right to intricate emerald and gold detailed jewellery, there’s a number of ways to display your love for the emerald isle from a subtle accessory to a more-obvious gorgeously green outfit.

CALLING all beauty fanatics – Penneys are set to launch their own Korean beauty range, with products from liquid lipstick to bunny-eared mirrors.

Taking influence from the current k-pop and k-beauty

trends

sweeping social media, Penneys’

KPOP range

has something for everyone. From liquid highlighters and ‘jelly’ lipsticks to cream blush, KPOP can satisfy your k-beauty curiosity without breaking the bank.

Penneys have been upping their beauty game lately, releasing cult-like foundations and highlighters that are gaining admiration across social media.

Penneys’ beauty products are being compared to high-end names, with budget friendly prices, meaning their KPOP range is likely to fly off the shelves. It launches in store on March 19.

NYX Professional Makeup jumbo eye pencil in Rocky Mountain Green €4.99

• Sugar Blu sh Palette €6

elly k J €2 Pin • stick lip

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River Island Green chain side mini slouch bag €45

• Heart contour brush €4

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River Island Green stripe jaccquard knot side top €35

• Cushion Bubble Blush €5

GAZETTE

26 DUBLIN GAZETTE 15 March 2018

DUBLINLIFE

FASTNews

Volvo XC40 is named 2018 Car of the Year

THE new Volvo XC40 small SUV was named the 2018 European Car of the Year ahead of the Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland.

It is the first win of this prestigious award for Volvo Cars, the premium car maker and it topped the shortlist which included the Mazda CX-5 and the Range Rover Velar.

The XC40 win means that the complete line-up of

Volkswagen rocs compact SUV market

The compact SUV market is booming across Europe as drivers aim to downsize for greater economy and lower CO2 emissions. Volkswagen has joined this segment of the market with a new T-Roc model that’s attractive to drive.

MICHAEL MORONEY found that it comes with style and features to make it an enviable choice.

new global Volvo SUVs have each been named Car of the Year in either Europe or North America. Both the large XC90 and mid-size XC60 were awarded the North American Truck/Utility of the Year title in the past two years.

Volvo believes that the XC40 sets a new standard in its segment in terms of design, connectivity and safety technology. Early orders in excess of 20,000 cars across Europe and the US indicate that this is an appealing combination for customers.

The XC40 roll-out will soon extend to China, now the world’s biggest car market, where Volvo is expecting similar strong interest.

The XC40 is the first model on Volvo Cars’ new compact modular vehicle architecture (CMA), which will underpin all upcoming cars in the 40 series, including fully electrified vehicles. Co-developed together with Geely, CMA provides the company with the necessary economies of scale for this segment.

Toyota to move out of diesel engines this year TOYOTA took the opportunity of the Geneva Motor Show to announce that it will phase out diesel engines in all of its passenger cars at the end of this year. This follows the strong demand for the hybrid systems that Toyota is now offering The company said that the new generation Auris models will come with three power options, including 2 Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) versions. Similar to the decision taken in 2016, to introduce Toyota C-HR without a diesel version, the new generation Auris will only be offered with petrol and HEV engines.

Toyota said that HEV powered cars represented 41% of their total sales, rising +38% year-on-year to 406,000 units. In contrast, Toyota’s diesel mix on passenger cars was less than 10% in 2017. Toyota will continue to offer diesel engines in commercial vehicles such as the Hilux, Proace and Land Cruiser to meet customer needs.

Toyota Ireland’s diesel car sales are now at only 20% of its overall mix, compared to 60% just two short years ago. In contrast, hybrid electric cars now represent almost 50% of Toyota Ireland’s car sales mix.

VOLKSWAGEN has a third SUV for the Irish market with the recent arrival of the T-Roc, the new compact SUV in the range.

This new Volkswagen T-Roc is the new entry level SUV for the Volkswagen range, coming is below the popularTiguan.

The entry-level T-Roc specification comes with Volkswagen’s well regarded 1.0-litre TSI petrol engine that’s rated at 115bhp, while the test car that I had on the road was fitted with the larger 1.5 litre TSI engine that comes with a 150bhp rating.

The TSI code means that the car is petrol powered and has a neat turbocharger fitted for that extra power boost.

Volkswagen has been best known for its diesel heritage, which was severely tarnished with the diesel-gate scandals.

That’s probably why it came as no surprise when Volkswagen Ireland offered me the opportunity to test drive the new T-Roc, with a petrol fuelled engine.

Volkswagen is offering a single diesel engine alternative for the T-Roc, that’s the 2.0-litre version also rated at 150bhp. This is the only version that offers Volkswagen’s 4Motion four-wheel-drive system.

VW T-Roc Sport 1.5 TSI EVO Engine Engine power 0 – 100km/hr Economy Fuel Tank Capacity CO2 emissions Road Tax Band Main Service Euro NCAP Rating Warranty Entry Price This diesel engine option delivers significantly more torque than its petrol alternative, but there are no obvious fuel economy differences to report.

That’s why the 1.5-litre TSI engine is now a realistic option for the T-Roc. The Volkswagen heritage is very clearly obvious.

You can feel it throughout

1.5 litre 150 bhp 8.4 seconds 19km/litre (5.3/100km or 53.3mpg) 50 litres 121g/km B1 €270 20,000km/12 months 5 star (2017) 3 years €29,225 every aspect of the car, with a Golf-like driving experience on a raised structure to give marginally better road visibility with all of the well-manner handling of the Volkswagen Golf range.

Out on the road, it is an easy drive. The car’s engine management system allows the engine to

automatically shut down two of its four cylinders for fuel economy reasons, if not needed.

This adds to the thrifty performance and the beauty of it is that you don’t even notice the difference, other than a small message appearing on the dash.

The petrol engine performance means that on longer runs it cruises with ease.

While this engine revs higher than its diesel equivalent with judicious driving you can almost achieve the rated economy figure of 19km/litre (5.3/100km or 53.3mpg).

This means that on motorway drives you cruise at 120km/hr with the engine at 2500rpm, just marginally over the best economy sweet spot, without too much suffer-

The dash layout is very much to the new generation Volkswagen design

ing in terms of fuel economy.

With the engine performance so good, it’s easy to get comfortable with the other features.

The dash layout is typically Volkswagen with a slightly more robust feel to it. The speedo layout and clarity, introduced in the Golf over a year ago, is very easy to use with lots of easy to set options, all electronically driven.

The central infotainment screen is very large and clear to use with finger touch control.

I found that I quickly got used to its features and setting up the Bluetooth phone connection was logical and easy.

The T-Roc is designed as a five seat car, and to be more compact that the Tiguan. Five adults might find it a squeeze.

All Volkswagen T-Roc models come with Volkswagen’s high-tech safety systems.

Entry prices start at €29,225 for the 1.5-litre versions, while the smaller 1.0-litre petrol engine version is even more competitive at €25,525.

15 March 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 27

GAZETTE

MOTORING

Jaguar unveils electric I-Pace JAGUAR has unveiled the all-electric I-PACE at last week’s Geneva Motor Show.

This new car has a state-of-theart 90kWh Lithium-ion battery and offers sports car performance of 0-100km/h in 4.8 seconds alongside the practicality of a 480km range (WLTP cycle) and 0-80 per cent charging time of 40 minutes (100kW DC).

Along with its concept car looks

UK, and will be built in Plant Graz,

and next-generation artificial intel-

Austria, as part of Jaguar Land

ligence, it is set to be the perfect

Rover’s manufacturing partner-

everyday EV consumers have been

ship with Magna Steyr. It joins

waiting for.

Jaguar’s growing family of SUVs,

The new electric I-Pace as designed and engineered in the

alongside the recently introduced new E-PACE and the F-PACE.

Ireland’s first driving school for kids opens at Tayto Park The T-Roc is a very attractive looking compact SUV with hints of the Golf design on a raised structure.

TAYTO Park and Nissan have joined forces to open Ireland’s first ever driving school for kids. The Nissan Driving School at Tayto Park gives kids the chance to learn the rules of the road and to test their driving skills on a purpose built, road marked traffic course before leaving with their own child’s driving licence.

The new track is currently under construction

AN international line-up of experts from the automotive and technology industries will gather in Killarney, Ireland, this May for Electronomous, the annual forum for topics including electric vehicles, connected car technology, autonomous vehicles, cyber security and more.

Electronomous 2018 takes place at the INEC, Killarney, Kerry, on May 2-3, 2018.

The conference, organised by vehicle history and data expert Cartell.ie, will discuss how technology is changing all aspects of the automotive world including the rapid development of mobility solutions, as well as other key industry processes such as insurance, finance and sales.

The main attraction of Electronomous is a panel of globallyrenowned speakers, including Marcus Rothoff, Head of Volvo’s Autonomous Driving programme; Uwe Puetzschler, Head of Car2X at Nokia; Barry Napier, CEO of Cubic Telecom; and Gareth Dunsmore, Electric Vehicle Director with Nissan Europe, to name just a few.

The event will be hosted by Quentin Wilson, former Top Gear presenter and award-winning motoring journalist.

Some of the confirmed attendees for Electronomous 2018 include Volkswagen, IBM, Toyota, BMW, Honda, Applegreen, Valeo, TomTom, Audatex, the European Council for Automotive R&D

at Tayto Park in Ashbourne, Meath and will

Former Top Gear presenter and award-winning motoring journalist Quentin Wilson is hosting the event

be completed and open to the public on Saturday 24 March. The easy drive track will accommodate 20 miniature battery operated Nissan cars at one time with the new attraction set to give young drivers a real experience of what it is like to take to the road.

All drivers arriving at the Nissan Driving School at Tayto Park will enjoy a short video demonstration at the new attraction’s Learning Theatre, where they will learn the rules of the road before negotiating the traffic course. Young drivers who complete the course and prove to their parents that they have what it takes to make the move from the back seat to the front seat can pick up their driving licence.

Used tyre dangers in focus PART worn tyres may appear to be the cheaper option but motorists need

All car technology roads lead to Killarney (EUCAR) and the International Energy Agency (IEA).

The event will begin with a highprofile ‘Electric Drive’ from Dublin to Killarney on the afternoon of May 2, with TV & Motoring broadcaster Kirsteen O’Sullivan leading a fleet of electric vehicles on a 300km road trip in the company of motoring journalists and special

guests. The drive will give members of the public a chance to see the range and capabilities of EVs for themselves.

For a limited time only, Electronomous 2018 tickets are available for €300 + VAT per person at www. electronomous.com (to include access to the 1.5 day event and all other associated events).

to take note of the numerous studies and investigations that have highlighted significant concerns as to their roadworthiness. In the UK some 93% of part worn tyres inspected were sold illegally with more than half having safety-critical faults.

Many car owners are seeking the cheapest means to maintain their cars, part worn tyres, often advertised with low price tags, may seem appealing. The false economy of buying part worns in addition to the uncertainty over their safety is further highlighted by the poor quality of service and expertise of those fitting the tyres.

Buying part worn tyres is false economy.

Your tyres will have to be replaced much sooner and at a similar price to the ones previously fitted so you won’t benefit in the long term. Part worn tyres can be sold with 2mm tread depth, which leaves just 0.4mm – half the thickness of a bank card – before they reach the minimum legal limit of 1.6mm.

GAZETTE

28 DUBLIN GAZETTE 15 March 2018

DUBLINLIFE

FOOD&DRINK

Siucra and Catherine Fulvio team up to dish out a deliciously easy to make salad for four SIUCRA and Catherine Fulvio have teamed up to create a mouth-watering salad for you to enjoy at any time of the day.

The combination of sweet and juicy pears, crispy pancetta and creamy goat’s cheese make for the perfect salad to rustle up in the kitchen, with this dish serving four.

Ingredients Salad l 3 to 4 pears, peeled, cored, sliced into wedges l 80g Siucra Light Golden Brown Sugar l 30g butter l 1 tsp chopped thyme l 100g pancetta l 50g rocket leaves l 30g salad leaves l 2 tbsp. toasted pine nuts l 50g soft goats cheese l Garden herbs such as fennel fronds and edible flowers, optional Dressing l 1 lemon, zest and juice l 50ml rapeseed oil l 1 tsp Siucra Caster Sugar l 1 tbsp chopped parsley or chives l Salt and freshly ground black pepper Preparation l To make the dressing, combine Siucra Caster Sugar with all the other ingredients. Check the seasoning, adding a little extra sugar, salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. l To prepare the pears, heat a large frying pan over a medium to low heat with butter and Siucra Light Golden Brown Sugar and add the pear wedges. l Add the thyme and saute until softened and golden. l Heat another frying pan and add the pancetta, saute until crispy and cooked. l Place the rocket leaves and salad leaves on a large serving platter. l Arrange the pears and pancetta on the top. l Spoon over some of the salad dressing and sprinkle the toasted pine nuts on top. Crumble the goat’s cheese on top before serving. Add herbs and edible flowers to garnish (optional).

The Irish Teeling Whiskey-inspired foodfest at the Conrad Hong Kong was a delicious way to showcase a range of foodstuffs

SHOWCASE: CONRAD HONG KONG SERVES UP DELICIOUS IRISH FARE

Feast in the Far East dishes up Dub grub IN CELEBRATION of the newly-renovated Conrad Dublin, its sister property – Conrad Hong Kong – held an Irish Teeling Whiskey-inspired tasting and cheese pairing experience last week, giving the Far East attendees a taste of some of the best of the west.

T he night brought g u e s t s a n e xcl u s i ve opportunity to experi-

ence Dublin fare firsthand, courtesy of traditional Irish bites and beverages offered at Conrad Dublin that were on offer at the Hong Kong bash.

Referring to the recently announced availability of direct flights between Dublin and Hong Kong scheduled to begin later this year, Thomas Hoeborn, general manager of Conrad Hong Kong,

said: “With the highlyanticipated new route between the two cities, we are delighted to introduce Conrad Dublin and be one of the first few to bring the city closer to our guests by showcasing the genuine taste of Irish presented by our seasoned culinary team.”

The night featured the likes of Irish beer cheese soup, black pudding

scotch eggs, and whiskey smoked salmon lollipops.

Along with the canapes, several ‘live stations’ and a chef’s showcase trolley were also available at the venue, with options including Irish farm cheese, salmon, beef and oysters.

Tim Loughman, vice president, luxury and lifestyle brands, Hilton said: “We are thrilled to have

two properties collaborate and inspire attendees to explore two of our iconic destinations, Dublin and Hong Kong.

“Conrad Hotels & Resorts prioritises introducing travellers to local cultures and we are so pleased that we were able to highlight the connectivity and service that is synonymous with the Conrad brand.”

15 March 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 29

ReelNews

A PANTHERRIFIC HIT

GAZETTE

CINEMA

ANNIHILATION: NEW SCI-FI IS BRILLIANT IN PARTS, BUT ALSO VERY INTELLECTUAL

Id’s a little bit baffling

Film passes big milestone HOLLYWOOD has been forced to sit up and take notice by Black Panther, which has quietly become a bona-fide juggernaut success in smashing a rare milestone last weekend.

Despite not getting anywhere near the level of hype or support doled out to pretty much any other superhero film (cough Avengers cough), BP has now smashed the Dr Evilish figure of One Beelyunn Dollars at the box office, surprising industry watchers with its startling success despite a relatively short run.

Garnering international critical acclaim (and, just as importantly, bums on seats), BP has done much more than ‘just’ generating shedloads of money – it’s shown that there’s a very real audience and hunger for major all-black blockbusters, putting paid to the traditional view that audiences largely warm to all-white casts.

Conventional BP’s runaway success at the box office has put paid to this tired, dated outlook – and quite right, too, as there’s been a growing sense for a while that audiences are getting tired of conventional allwhite hero films (or all-white blockbusters) with other ethnicities shoehorned into minor, supporting roles.

It’s true that we’ve seen any number of films trying to pander for Asian – read: Chinese – markets in recent years, with superfluous film sections set in Hong Kong or Beijing, or big-name Chinese or Korean stars given supporting roles in Hollywood triple-A films.

However, major bigbudget Western films that focus on other ethnicities have been rare – as rare as panthers’ teeth, in fact.

Here’s hoping that BP’s well-deserved success leads to some long overdue inclusivity at the cinema.

Described by many as ‘the most thoughtful sci-fi film since Arrival’, there’s no doubting that Annihilation explores some pretty interesting, intellectual themes. When a small team of soldiers and scientists go into The Shimmer – an expanding, otherworldly zone on America’s coast – its raw beauty and menace soon tests them...

FOLLOWING Ex Machina (2014) – a film which delved into the idea of consciousness and identity, filtered through the prism of machine intelligence – there were high hopes for director Alex Garland’s latest, Annihilation.

Ditching robotics and artificial intelligence this time round, Garland takes viewers on a different journey as he again explores the id itself – the core elements of what drives and defines humanity, and whether it can be replicated or corrupted by an external, truly other force.

However, what worked so well as a driving plot force in Ex Machina just isn’t as successful in Garland’s treatment of the ‘unfilmable’ novel by Jeff VanderMeer – perhaps that’s why most of the planet will be watching this on Netflix, rather than at cinemas.

As I recently wrote, Garland is reportedly none too happy that Annihilation got sold by Paramount Pictures to Netflix

 SHANE DILLON

sdillon@dublingazette.com

(bar a cinema release in America and Canada), when it had been made for a standard cinema release.

Media mutterings suggest that Paramount, spooked by the film’s intellectual themes and hardcore sci-fi elements, were happy to sell it to Netflix, which is conspicuously trying to up its game and land bigger cinematic fish to fry (despite similarly landing a recent stinker, The Cloverfield Paradox).

It’s a shame in a way, because Annihilation’s dreamy, occasionally beautiful visuals will certainly lose an awful lot of impact on small screens – and will have none at all if you’re one of those people who watches on a phone: a platform which will absolutely annihilate Annihilation’s impact.

Here, Natalie Portman

leads as an ex-soldier who’s one of a small team of scientists entering The Shimmer – a mysterious, slowly expanding zone that’s sprung up somewhere on the American coast, defined by what looks like an oil bubblelike forcefield at its edge, and mutating the flora and fauna within its lush, sun-dappled and rainbowhued interior.

The team – also including Jennifer Jason Leigh as its enigmatic head – are just the latest batch of people trying to solve The Shimmer’s purpose.

Mysterious However, although plenty of others have been sent into the mysterious miasma, nobody ever comes back – nobody, that is, except for Portman’s violently ill soldier husband (Oscar Isaac), giving her a personal quest to help solve the mystery of The Shimmer.

To say much more about what happens within the zone would be unhelpful, as there’s little that actually hap-

pens, with the film largely focusing on fostering an intensely brooding tone and atmosphere rather than providing traditional story beats.

There are some moments of startling beauty (with special praise for its dreamy cinematography and lighting), as well as some unsettling gore and one particularly disturbing beast, but for the most part there’s something that seems a little too ‘low energy’ about Annihilation, despite a few all-guns-blazing moments.

Portman and Jason Leigh are giving it their brooding best, but the end result is very much the sum of its parts.

Personally, as gorgeous – and occasionally ghastly – as its wonderfully executed visuals are, it was hard not to think of similar scenes from other sources.

Many of Annihilation’s locations bring to mind visuals from some brilliant video games and franchises (The Last of Us, Uncharted, Final Fantasy, Bloodborne), with echoes of the quiet

environmentalism behind much of Japanese anime and manga master Hayao Miyazaki’s work (Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind) also drifting past.

The intense inner intellectualism driving the characters along – and the possible impact on the world around them – also brings to mind Andrei Tarkovsky’s seminal Solaris (1972), which saw an alien water planet reacting to/ manipulating the astronauts trying to study it.

That’s a hell of a lot of stuff to think about when considering what’s basically just a sci-fi film about a mysterious zone that’s full of some creepy/cool stuff.

Global release Although I was personally underwhelmed by Annihilation, it’s been a critical hit, with plenty of rave reviews, although it’s too early to say just yet what the long-term audience reaction will be, as it was just globally released on Monday.

While I found the film to be a curate’s egg unin-

tentionally stuffed full of overly familiar parts, most of its audience will see this with much fresher eyes.

Even at its worst, there are some very interesting, thoughtful ideas at the heart of Garland’s latest, providing a refreshing alternative to the utterly dumbed down sci fi that we’re mostly treated to.

(That said, I’m looking forward to Pacific Rim 2, because watching giant robots wrestling with kaiju and trashing cities is difficult to make boring.)

While it may seem a little too long, too intellectual or too esoteric for many, Annihilation is a very pretty and occasionally creepy way to kill a couple of hours.

It’s also an interesting benchmark to note as Netflix begins to flex its muscles in a bid to, perhaps, challenge cinema’s dominance for most big budget or critically acclaimed releases.

Ultimately, that may prove to be even more interesting to consider than The Shimmer itself...

Verdict: 6/10

30 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 15 March 2018

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DUBLINLIFE Revellers enjoying a silent disco

Silent disco has all the very best tunes (and not much of the noise) for a fun night  JORDAN UPSHAW LOOKING for some weeknight fun? Then check out Dublin’s only Silent Disco, at Whelan’s on Wexford Street.

W helan’s hosts a Silent Disco ever y Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday night yearround. What is a Silent Disco, you may ask?

Well, it’s exactly what it sounds like – a dance party without the noise complaints.

Par ticipants wear wireless headphones, drink and dance while a DJ takes care of the rest.

A silent disco eliminates the need for speakers and worrying about complying with noise ordinances.

The idea is that only the people wearing the headphones can hear the music. Everyone else remains undisturbed by the festivities.

Notably, Whelan’s features two DJs playing two different types of music. You can choose your favourite or switch between them as many times as you want.

According to the Whelans website: “If you don’t like what one DJ is playing, just flick a switch on your

headphones and listen to the other ,and if you don’t like that then just switch back again because you’ve probably already forgotten what was on the other channel.

“Pick up your headphones on the way in and switch between the two DJs to see who is playing the songs you most want to dance to. If you need a break, take the headphones off and marvel at the bizarre spectacle of a room full of people dancing and singing different songs, even though no music is to be heard.”

Musical genres vary by night. In the past they have included 80s vs 90s, noughties vs now, hip hop vs prog rock, indie vs electro, and many other genres.

The Whelan’s Silent Disco Ciunas takes place upstairs with regular pub merriment continuing uninterrupted downstairs. If you need a breather from dancing, you can go downstairs for a pint and then return to the disco upstairs when you’re ready.

Entr y is free all night, and so is the use of the wireless headphones. Discos start at 11pm and end around 3am.

FEATURES

FAMILIES | TAYTO ADDS A DRIVING SCHOOL TO POPULAR THEME PARK

Pick up a crisp new kiddy driving licence A NEED for speed is essential for those visiting Tayto Park in the coming months, as they have teamed up with Nissan to launch Ireland’s first driving school for kids.

The Nissan Driving School at Tayto Park is giving kids the chance to learn the rules of the road, giving them the ability to test out their driving skills on a dedicated road-marked course, tailored for smaller drivers.

The course will be the first ever of its kind for children in Ireland.

Any child that takes part in the training will leave with their very own ‘driver’s licence’, meaning they’ll be able to become real backseat drivers.

Currently under construction at Tayto Park, the new track is set to be open and ready for racing on Saturday, March 24.

The new attraction will give kids the chance to experience life in the driver’s seat, with the easy-drive track able to accommodate 20 miniature battery operated Nissan cars at one time.

Every child that participates will enjoy a short video

demonstration at the Learning Theatre, learning the rules of the road, before they embark on the drive of their lifetime on the purpose-built course.

Nissan are sponsors of the new attraction, as part of a new deal with the theme park.

The battery-operated cars on the course are representative of Nissan’s move to introduce more electric vehicles to their fleet, such as the Nissan LEAF.

Raymond Coyle, the founder of Tayto Park, said the new driving school is just one of the ways that the theme park aims to stay “innovative and creative”, keeping the park exciting for families across Ireland to visit.

He said: “Here at T a y t o Park we’re always l o o king for innovative and cre-

ative ways to enhance the experience for families at our theme park and zoo.

“The Nissan Driving School at Tayto Park will be the first of its kind in Ireland, of which I’m sure will be very popular among our younger visitors this season.

“I’m delighted to welcome Nissan to Tayto Park as this marks a milestone as the first sponsored attraction at the park.”

James McCarthy, chief executive of Nissan Ireland, said the car company is “delighted” to bring the driving school to Ireland.

Of the new attraction, he said: “Innovation and excitement for everyone is at the heart of what we do at Nissan.

“The thousands of children who will enjoy this new family attraction are the electric vehicle drivers of tomorrow.”

There’s plenty of vroom for driving fans twins Conor and Tara Ocks to get to grips with the new attraction at Tayto Park. Picture: Leon Farrell

A noteworthy way to help mark a century of Suffrage  JORDAN UPSHAW

THIS year marks the 100 year anniversary of Irish women getting the vote, with the Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM) ‘Saluting the Feminists’ with a free all-day event on March 28 from 10am to 5pm.

The event will celebrate the work of women composers, performers, pedagogues and women who have made important

musical contributions through other roles.

The main attraction will be the performance of an opera written by a female composer – Judith Weir’s Scipio’s Dream.

Weir is an awardwinning composer and currently holds the title of Master of the Queen’s Music. She wrote Scipio’s Dream in 1991.

Set in modern times, it follows office worker Scipio, whose boring day

quickly becomes interesting when two of his coworkers are transformed into the goddesses Fortune and Constancy.

The goddesses demand Scipio choose between the two and the gifts they offer him. Fortune tempts him with excitement, chance, and inclination.

Constancy transports him to heaven to meet his heroic ancestors and emphasises the importance of duty. Will he

make the right choice?

In addition to the opera, the Academy will also present an assortment of other events including concerts, talks and panel discussions designed to emphasise the significant contributions women have made to Irish music both in the past and in the present.

Saluting the Feminists is an event hosted by RIAM annually, but the centennial of Irish wom-

en’s suffrage makes the occasion unique this year.

According to RIAM, the event at RIAM, located at 38 Westland Row, “affords the Academy an opportunity to highlight the legacy of some of its key female pedagogues and salute a strong army of female composers and performers”.

Get your free tickets by registering at www.eventbrite.ie. Space is limited so book now.

15 March 2018 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 33

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Gillick hails trailblazing Irish women’s athletes The scene for the PE Xpo at DCU last week. Picture: Kyran O’Brien

PEXPO: DUBLIN SCHOOLS SHINE AT ENGAGING EXHIBITION

Students provide sporting food for thought at PE Xpo  sport@dublingazette.com

FOR a second year, Colaiste Mhuire Cobh won the top prize at PExpo ‘18, the exhibition that encourages second level students to demonstrate their knowledge of sport, hosted for the first time this year by DCU. T i t l e d “ P r o -Te e n s ”, t h e Colaiste Mhuire project was inspired by the number of heavily marketed protein drinks and bars now targeting sports people.

The team of Cian Lynch, Diarmuid Kearney, Lauren Breen, Holly Morgan and Stewart Lynch first examined the intake of protein by young people both through their diet and though

protein shakes and bars.

To see whether the average diet could provide enough protein and whether those heavily involved sport needed more protein than the less active, they conducted a week-long experiment with each member of the team following a different diet after running a kilometre on the first and final days of the experiment. The results were inconclusive and they hope to continue exploring the topic on the Proteen website.

Top junior project (1st,2nd,3rd year students) was Jaia Kavanagh from Loreto Balbriggan with a project in the sports psychology section called “Does reinforce-

ment help sports teams win?”.

Kavanagh’s project also took the junior peer-judged award, voted on by fellow exhibitors.

Trinity Comprehensive, hosts of PExpo for the past three years, had 14 projects entered and took two awards.

Keith Enright and Brandon Kenna took the junior award in the ICT and Sports photography, for their project on the use of video techniques to teach sporting skills, while Arinna Gallagher’s study of “Sport and the LGBTG Community” won the top prize in the senior Power of Sport category.

For the first time, there was a special award for the best pro-

ject “as Gaeilge” and this went to Gaelcholaiste Cheatherlach for their project on concussion called “Ag chuir comhtol gadh chun cinn (concussion)”.

In the Well-Being, physical, Mental and Social category, both awards went to Leinster schools, with St Joseph’s Rush winning the junior prize for a study of “social jetlag” and obesity, and St Dominic’s Cabra best of the senior projects with a project simply name “Get Active Ireland!”.

With almost 200 entries, PExpo’18 proved a resounding success. PExpo will return to DCU on Wednesday, March 6, 2019.

IRISH Olympian David Gillick paid tribute to the female atheltes who blazed a trail in Irish sport during his formative years ahead of this year’s VHI Women’s Mini Marathon.

The Ballinteer native -pictured above at the event launch with Amanda Byram - saw Sonia O’Sullivan dominate European distance athletics during his formative years as he harboured ambitions of following suit as a young sprinter. And he watched his teammate Derval O’Rourke break records in short-distance hurdling, which inspired him to back himself to success in his own career.

“The likes of Sonia O’Sullivan for me, when I was growing up, was pushing the boundaries of athletics,” Gillick told the Dublin Gazette.

“She was winning medals, and from an Irish point of view in athletics, there hasn’t been that many global medal winners who were dominant, and Sonia was one of them.

“Even for myself, in my career, the likes of Derval O’Rourke is someone I know well and respect, and I’ve competed on teams with her.

“Someone like that going away and winning World Indoors in Moscow, that would have inspired me because I’m thinking, ‘if they can do it, I can do it.’ They give you that belief you can have a crack.”

O’Sullivan holds the record time in the 10k race, which takes place on the June Bank Holiday weekend every year.

The event aims to promote activity and a healthy lifestyle for runners and non-runners alike, and will this year start in Fitzwilliam Square and end on Baggot Street.

GAZETTE

34 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 15 March 2018

SPORT

FastSport HAND LINES UP THREE HARD HITTING DATES: CRUMLIN teenager Muay Thai fighter Liam Hand is set for a busy spell as he heads to England on March 24 in Lincoln at The Takeover event.

It will have professional fighters in action with a fourman winnner-takeall event running alongside a VIP/ black-tie evening with Frank Bruno and rapper Tinchy Stryder set to be in attendance On April 7, Hand will fight at local GAA club Good Counsel in what will most likely be the only time he will be in action in Dublin this year, giving his growing fanbase at home.

On April 21, he has the latest defence of his double Mayhem Belt in the 5* Everglades hotel in Derry.

Hand started up in the sport just two years ago at Hori’s Muay Thai Gym but has been making waves ever since with his dedication and results.

RUGBY: D’ARCY PULLS THE STRINGS IN COMFORTABLE AWAY DAY SUCCESS

Powerful Tarf sink Pirates to move into UBL 1A top four

UBL DIVISION 1A Buccaneers Clontarf  sport@dublingazette.com

7 33

CLONTARF moved into the top four of the UBL Division 1a with a powerful away win in Dubarry Park under lights, getting the best of Buccaneers in a tie postponed from a week earlier due to the snow.

A cold, wet and windy night meant conditions were testing for player and spectator alike with the elements better suited to the physically stronger visitors whose bonus point victory, allied to Garryowen’s home defeat, saw them leap frog a pair of Limerick clubs.

Although playing against the breeze, Tarf made the early running and Callum Boland had to put in a try-saving tackle on Adrian Feeney after 11 minutes. Ben Carty then had to be strong to shunt Royce Burke-Flynn into touch.

Eventually, a clever diagonal kick by Conor O’Brien to his brother Sean on the left flank exposed the Pirates defence and he got the grounding for a 21st minute lead.

Clontarf’s Conor O’Brien

Further pressure by Tarf yielded a 32nd minute Jack Power try converted by David Joyce for a 12-0 lead. Three minutes later, Buccs lock Daniel Law was sin-binned for illegal use of the boot.

Clontarf then applied a series of pick and goes until Matt D’Arcy punched a hole in the home cover for a well taken 37th minute try with

Joyce adding the conversion and a 19-0 half-time lead.

Clontarf promptly secured their bonus point try following the change of ends. Anthony Ryan made a telling break to get deep into home territory and the superior power of Tarf’s pack led to Dylan Donnellan driving over for 42nd minute try duly converted by Joyce.

Buccs responded to earn a penalty in front of the posts that was tapped quickly but the pass that sent Rory O’Connor over the line was ruled forward.

As the game entered the final quarter, Michael Noone stretched over the home line for a 63rd minute try and Joyce landed his fourth successful conversion to push his side’s

advantage to 33-0.

To their credit, Buccaneers battled gamely to the bitter end and were decidedly unlucky when Darragh Corbett was stopped by a seemingly high tackle just short of the visitors’ line five minutes from time.

Then, a brilliant break by Paul Boyle warranted a try that appeared to be prevented by a knock-on.

However, the midlanders gained some reward for their unstinting efforts and Boyle was their scorer when he powered through for a final move try which Luke Carty converted to take the bare look off the 33-7 scoreline.

Terenure College, meanwhile, won 29-13 at Garryowen to bolster Clontarf’s chances of a top four finish.

Tries from James O’Donoghue, Marc Hiney, Robbie Carroll and Jake Swaine did the damage for the Dubliners as they pulled away in the second half at Dooradoyle after the first half had ended 15-6.

That win has Nure in second place with three games remaining.

Life is Greener for Loreto with second All-Ireland win  sport@dublingazette.com

Loreto Stephen’s Green celebrate their victory on Monday.

LORETO Stephen’s Green (Dublin) have more silverware to add to their collection as they scooped the Under-19 B Girls All-Ireland Schools League basketball title as they overcame Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal Blarney with a 43-33 win at the National Basketball Arena.

Monday’s win completes a superb double for the school, who were crowned Subway Schools Cup champions back in January, and it was captain fantastic and MVP of the game, Lauren Devitt

who was the driving force behind the victory once more.

It was a slow start for both teams early on as they both took time to settle. Blarney’s Aoife Mc Sweeny opened the scoring with 5.58 to go in Q1, and a Simone O’Shea inspired five minutes saw them hold a 16-12 lead at the end of the first.

The second quarter was a much tighter affair, with Lauren Devitt beginning to fire on all cylinders for Loreto, and super scoring from Laura Furlong and Clodagh Cullen put momentum with Loreto and an outside shot

from Furlong brought the sides level with two minutes to go until half time.

Lovely link-up play between Julie Donnelly and Devitt saw Loreto take their first lead of the game, finishing out the quarter 29-24 ahead.

A third quarter switch up on defence from Loreto head coach Sarah Woods saw them put a box and one on Blarney threat, Simone O’Shea to make it extremely difficult for the Cork team to execute their scores.

Great displays from O’Shea, Sinead Singleton, Eve Mullins

and Emma Murphy just weren’t rewarded though, while at the other end, Loreto’s Furlong and Devitt put on a shooting display and stretched their lead over Blarney to nine points at the end of the third.

The final quarter saw Loreto maintain the same tempo and tenacity as the third, with Furlong and Devitt continuing to cause problems for the Blarney defence and as the clocked ticked down, the gap was just too much for Blarney to close and Loreto ran out 43-33 winners.

15 March 2018 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 35

GAZETTE

FASTSport

MSB’s Shay Healy. Picture: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

Olympian Healy a star turn

Ultra architects ready to paint Croke Park red The Colaiste Eoin students behind the rise of the GAA’s most famous fan movement talk about the genesis of the Ultras and how they are looking forward to another All-Ireland decider  PADRAIC MACLOCHLAINN sport@dublingazette.com

OLYMPIAN Shane Healy (Metro St Brigid’s) was a highlight of many wonderful performances at the Irish Life Health Masters Indoor Championships in Athlone last Saturday.

Healy was an Olympic 1,500m semi-finalist in Atlanta in 1996 and he won the M45 800m in 2.03.73 from Ken Archbold (St Laurence O’Toole’s) in 2.04.02.

It was among a series of superb performances from Dublin athletes in a high quality weekend.

Snezana Bechtina (Clonliffe Harriers) won the F35 400m in 59.52 and leapt to victory with 4.81m in the long jump.

Avril Dillon (Dundrum South Dublin A.C.) had a championship best performance in the F35 60m hurdles in 9.69 seconds.

Elsewhere on the weekend, Michael Cornyn (Dunboyne) won his first ever national title in the M55 800m in 2:20.93.

Joe Gough (West Waterford) won the M65 200m in 28.18, a new national record, the 400m in 61.38 and the 800m in 2:23.52.

Kelly Neely (City of Lisburn AC) won, as expected, the F35 1500m and 3,000m double in 4:53.12 and 9:38.02 respectively.

Anne Gilshinan (Slaney Olympic A.C.) won on the double also in the F50 800m and 1500m in 2:44.05 and 5:06.21 respectively. Niamh Fitzgerald (Lucan Harriers A.C.) was also twice on top of the podium winning the F40 400m in 64.03 and 800m in 2:21.08, Mary Barrett (Loughrea AC) won multiple golds in the F55 section including 10.27m in the shot put. Geraldine Finegan (North East Runners AC) won the F50 400m in 68.48.

ONE of the revelations of Cuala’s run to their second successive AllIreland club hurling final has been their ubiquitous supporters group, the Cuala Ultras.

While David Treacy and chief marksman Con O’Callaghan has lit up the field of play, the support of their legion of young fans have stolen the show wherever they have gone, providing colour and great vocal support for the team in moments of need.

This group of young fans was particularly prominent in the semifinal victory over Liam Mellows of Galway, travelling en masse to Semple Stadium by bus and by train.

Chants have been a cru-

cial role, something rarely heard in GAA stands, with the Ultras drawing inspiration from diverse sources, from Celtic Park to schools matches, particularly from Colaiste Eoin games where many of the team had their formative years.

The team are certainly relish the Ultras’ support.

After the Leinster final last year, midfielder Jake Malone said: “the support this year has been second to none … when times got tough, the drove us on. They dug us out of the holes when we needed it”.

And so the Cuala train rolls on; for the supporters there are more train tickets to Croker to be booked as another AllIreland final awaits on St Patrick’s day.

The Dublin Gazette spoke to a few members

of the “ultras” this week to get their thoughts on the campaign so far and next Saturday’s match against Na Piarsaigh.

Ultras members Cormac Mahon, Luke Twomey, Darach ó Giollán and Conall ó Tuathail spoke to us this week about this season and the teams performances and how the club is feeling ahead of another all Ireland.

Luke: “The ultras were started by a group of about 10 people in the Cuala board room who sat together at matches and they started singing and chanting at matches.”

Cormac: “All the juvenile players in the club started sitting together at matches and we brought the megaphone in a while later and that added another level to it all

Clonliffe Harriers’ Snezana Bechtina. Picture: Sportsfile Cuala’s Ultras have created a n incredible fan movement for the Dalkey club

together.

Darach: “I feel as though the players get the sense they are playing for a community instead of just playing for each other.

The atmosphere created by the ultras really gives the team a lift.”

Cormac: “It’s not only the ultras who sing the songs all the fans do and the whole club is behind the team.”

Luke: “What this team has done is unbelievable for a small club from Dalkey to achieve this is unbelievable.”

Looking ahead to the final, the young fans reckon neutralising the Na Piarsaigh full-forward line will be a key area but confidence is high they can match last year’s performance against Ballyea.

Indeed, they have a large

bank of experience to draw from.

Cormac: Against Ballyea last year, everyone was talking about the damage Tony Kelly was going to do, but John Sheanon did an excellent job marking him and we’re hopeful he can do a similar job against Shane Dowling.

Conall: “I think it’s going to be a much closer game than last year.

“We’ve heard a lot about Na Piarsaigh and that they are preparing well and playing practice matches against intercounty opposition.

Luke: “The game last year in the Dublin final against Crokes when we were three points down and coming back to win by three was an important moment. I think it showed the guts and mental strength that this team has.

Conall: “Mattie Kenny is a very direct manager, he says it as it is. He’s been very direct with the team about the areas they need to improve.

“If the players have played well, he’ll let them know and if they have played poorly he’ll let them know as well.

“He’s worked on the team and he’s emphasised a high tackle rate. If you watch Cuala play, you’ll see them get right up in the opponents face and make it difficult for them.

Finally do you think your team will get the job done on Paddy’s day?

Luke (laughing): “Of course.”

GAZETTE

36 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 15 March 2018

SPORT

MEN’SHockey

ATHLETICS: DSDAC RUNNER CONTINUES TO MAKE WAVES IN US

UCD, Corinthian and YMCA go down to final day wire UCD fought back from 2-1 down to beat Corinthian 3-2, a result that looks set to send men’s Leinster League Division One to the last day with three sides in the mix on goal difference.

Jazze Henry’s thunderous reverse with seven minutes to go settled a toughly-fought but even battle, following up an initially blocked shot to shoot home past Ross Murray.

Early on, Corinthian put on a good press on in midfield and it led to plenty of turnovers from that area. The reds duly took advantage from one such situation, quickly working the ball to Jonny Bruton to score from play.

Andrew Meates equalised from a penalty corner deflection but the Whitechurch club went back in front early in the second half via a great individual goal, finished by the prolific Ian Stewart as he rounded Ben Bradley.

UCD had a couple of one-on-one chances denied by the impressive Murray before Andrew Fogarty – one of UCD’s star men along with Henry and Andrew Tutty – finished ot make it 2-2. Corinthian nearly took the lead again when a shot was saved off the line by Calum Morrow but they coughed up possession allowing UCD burst forward again for the killer goal.

UCD move top as a result with a goal in hand on goal difference over Ballinteer-based YMCA on 38 points – assuming that there is no further change to the reversal of their result against Dublin University from January.

The Y produced a first half blitz to move 5-0 up against Kilkenny before losing the second half 4-3, leaving an overall tally of a gung-ho 8-4.

Ben Campbell got a hat trick for YM but they may regret not making better use of the strong position at half-time to build their goal difference further but they could cut loose against Weston next time out.

UCD have Dublin University and Dublin North on their list. Corinthian can get back level with them if they win their game in hand but have 10 goals to make up on the differential.

Their schedule includes Dublin North, Clontarf and Dublin University.

Elsewhere, Blackrock’s Avoca held on to fourth with a 7-0 win over Weston; Clontarf are next thanks to a 3-0 win over Dublin North and Rathgar won a thriller 3-2 against Dublin University.

Siofra Cleirigh Buttner in World Championship action last summer

Cleirigh Buttner breaks Irish indoor 800m record at NCAA  JAMES HENDICOTT

sport@dublingazette.com

SIOFRA Cleirigh-Buttner ran a new Irish indoor record over the weekend, as the DSDAC athlete grabbed silver at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) indoor event, running for US university Villanova in the 800 metres.

Cleirigh-Buttner ran a time of 2.02.46 as her American adventure continues into its fourth year, shaving 0.12 seconds off the time of Ciara Everard,

who held Ireland’s previous fastest 800 metre indoor time, set back in 2013.

The silver medal marks Villanova’s best result over the distance for 30 years and their first topeight position in 22 years.

Clerigh-Buttner’s latest personal best sees her now holding the athletics-loving institution’s six fastest times over the distance ever, and achieved in the last two years.

The 22-year-old had sat in seventh position at the 400 metre mark

RECORD-BREAKER Healy makes more history at All-Ireland Schools THE INCREDIBLE Sarah Healy (Holy Child Killiney) made light of the mud and hills to make history at the Irish Life Health All-Ireland Schools Cross Country Championships at the WIT Arena last Saturday.

Healy’s talent has bubbled over the surface in 2018 and she won the senior girls’ 2,500m by just under a minute in 9:26 to become the first athlete to ever win minor, junior, intermediate and senior cross country titles. She recently broke the indoor 3,000m time.

Picture: Matt Brwone/Sportsfile

of the final, but powered past the majority of her competition, just failing to overturn Oregon runner Sabrina Southerland, who led home the finalists in a time of 2.01.55.

Cleirigh-Buttner had beaten Southerland in her semi-final, finishing second by no more than a photo finish in a time of 2.03.55 that time around.

Only the top athletes made the final straight off, though Southerland qualified as a fastest loser and was to improve substantially in the final.

C l e i r i g h - B u t t n e r ’s semi-final time at the time marked the second fastest official finish of her career which shows the pace of the progress the former Coláiste Íosagáin, Booterstown athlete has made in recent months.

Saturday night’s national championship race closed an indoor campaign in which Cleirigh Buttner has consistently excelled, and sets her up for a strong final college athletics outdoor season.

The Dubliner put her-

self up with the national leaders amongst American college athletes in the 800 metres with a time of 2.04.16 at the Columbia Challenge in January, and has continued to push home that status.

She set a record time for the Big East Championships in a final run of 2:03.89 last month, taking her second successive Big East title in the process.

Cleirigh-Buttner’s previous best at the top-level NCAA event came with a ninth place finish two years ago.

15 March 2018 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 37

GAZETTE

BASKETBALL: UCD FACE KILLESTER IN TITLE DECIDER

LOIFirstDivision

UCD’s Daire O’Connor. Picture: Deryck Vincent UCD Marian’s Conor Meany in action against Templeogue. Picture: Martin Doherty

Meany hope to bridge 40-year Marian gap MEN’S NAT LEAGUE FINAL  JAMES HENDICOTT sport@dublingazette.com

UCD MARIAN point guard Conor Meany goes into the Irish basketball league final against Pyrobel Killester optimistic about Marian’s chances of taking a first title in 40 years, and capping his own 13 years in the side.

Meany feels basketball is at the highest level it’s ever been in Ireland, largely thanks to an influx of European players, and hopes to follow in his father’s footsteps by repeating his feat of 1978 and lifting the trophy.

“It’s been a really competitive league, and I think everyone in Irish basketball knows there’s nothing between the teams,” Meany says of the Killester clash, which takes place at the National Basketball Stadium in Tallaght at 6pm on St Patrick’s day.

“Most top Irish teams have European and American players now.

“In the past, it was a little bit about which team had the best American player, with everyone else

trying to get the ball to them.

“It’s much more balanced now, and the coaches are much closer to what’s going on in European basketball. New ideas come through here a lot quicker, and there’s a much higher quality than in the past as a result.”

“Not long ago, there were only a few really competitive teams, and you could only afford to lose two or three in a season and still be in the title race.

“We’ve lost five games this season, and so have K illester, and that’s unheard of for two finalists. With a few weeks to go, it could have been any one from five, and we feel like we’ve already had two cup finals at league level to get here.”

UCD Marian lost the cup final in January, a factor which plays into the desire now.

“Any pressure comes from within,” Meany tells us.

“It’s the biggest goal for us to win the league, and this is our best opportunity ever to get there. A

lot of the Irish guys in our side have been together for years, and this is the moment.”

It’s not going to be an easier ride, though, and Marian are expecting a small margin one way or the other at the end of the action on Saturday.

“As far as I know we’re both fully fit,” he says.

“We’re both high scoring teams but I think it might be a bit cagey.

“At some point in the

third or fourth quarter a run of maybe eight points in a row might happen, and something like that could be critical.

“As an amateur team, it’s about doing the right thing consistently for 40-minutes, you can concede important scores so quickly.

“The lead will probably change loads, and with the quality of the teams now, there’s a real element on the unknown.”

UCD’s O’Neill hails O’Connor role UCD had to battle back from behind for the second week in a row as they earned a 1-1 draw with Galway at Belfield on Friday night as Josh Collins headed the Students level just after the half-hour mark.

Danny Furlong had earlier given the visitors the lead at Belfield. College manager Collie O’Neill said afterwards it was good to get something from a game in which he felt his side never hit their stride.

“We got something out of it. We didn’t hit the same level of performance as we did against Shels, but it’s nice to know that we can still compete with the favourites for the title without hitting top gear.

“We’re slightly disappointed that it was only a draw tonight, but we can take positives away from the game.”

Goalkeepers Conor Kearns and Tadgh Ryan pulled off some top drawer saves at either end as UCD had a couple of huge chances.

Ryan did well to prevent a Georgie Kelly goal in the first-half while Daire O’Connor couldn’t keep a shot down from the edge of the box in the second.

But, for O’Neill, it gives him something to work on with the squad in training during the week.

“There’s room for improvement. Both Daire and Jay (McClelland) hit shots a yard over the bar.

“Our final pass let us down on occasion and we might have opened them up a little bit more.”

O’Connor, meanwhile, forced Ryan into a couple of saves in the first-half, while also creating chances for his teammates.

O’Neill has watched the UCD Irish Studies and Politics graduate develop since his senior debut in 2015.

“There’s a reason why Daire has been nominated for the FAI Colleges & Universities International Player of the Year. He’s a top-class talent. He is great with his back to goal, has a good turn, and he has a burst of pace.

“He has been developing here for a couple of years, and it’s nice to see him bring it to another level this season.”

Four points out of six is a solid start for College, who go to Athlone next week.

The UCD manager is hoping for one key performance trait from his side in 2018: “It’s a good start to the season, but of course I would have preferred six points! But look, there’s a long way to go. It’s all about being consistent.”

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Call our SPORT TEAM on 60 10 240 and SELECT OPTION 3 UCD in action against Killester. Picture: Martin Doherty

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GAZETTE

38 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 15 March 2018

SPORT

AHL1

LADIES FOOTBALL: CAPTAIN MOLONEY PROVIDES THE FINAL TWIST IN O’CONNOR FINAL

Boden top early table KILMACUD Crokes and St Jude’s AHL Division 1 date was postponed as Tymon Park was deemed not yet ready for a return to action last Sunday in the wake of the recent bad weather.

In their absence, Ballyboden St Enda’s took the chance to move top of the embryonic table on points difference following their big 4-19 to 0-15 success against O’Toole’s.

Na Fianna also have two wins from two after a good result against Lucan Sarsfields.

DCU celebrate their O’Connor Cup success. Picture: Eoin Noonan/Sportsfile

Crokes duo aid DCU’s dramatic win sport@dublingazette.com

K ILMACUD Crokes duo Eabha Rutledge and Lauren Magee both played their part for DCU as they won the Gourmet Food Parlour O’Connor Cup title last weekend with a 2-12 to 0-17 win over UL. Captain fantastic Aishling Moloney swung over a sensational late winner as just a single point in the difference at Abbotstown, settling a gripping tie in the dying seconds.

She finished with 0-7 to her name, while goals from Ais-

ling Sheridan and Sarah Rowe helped the Dublin college past the holders to victory.

Cork sharp-shooter Eimear Scally bagged 0-11 at the other end, while Grace Kelly and Shauna Howley hit 0-3 apiece.

But ultimately, DCU did just enough to seal the win in a fiery affair. Even when reduced to 14 with Moloney sent to the sin-bin, they withstood a period of dominance from UL, which saw Scally’s pristine free-taking to the fore.

It was UL who drew first blood through Mayo’s Grace Kelly before DCU showed

their intent immediately at the other end, Moloney getting the ball rolling.

As the sides settled into the encounter, the vicious speed and tempo was evident from the get-go.

The first goal of the game came with 16 minutes on the clock – Niamh Kelly’s effort dropped short, but Sheridan bundled the ball over the line following a scramble to make it 1-3 to 0-3.

Kelly and her sister, Grace, exchanged points moments after, as they went head-tohead for the first time ever.

As half-time approached, Scally kept frees ticking over while Rowe closed proceedings at the break with the score reading 1-7 to 0-7.

On the restart, UL raised the tempo with Fiona McHale and Louise Ward working hard around the middle. And just as Moloney was shown a yellow card for a challenge on Laurie Ryan, they started to claw their way on top.

Scally’s expert kicking from frees continued while Howley produced two stunning efforts to swing the momentum in their favour.

But then came Moloney back to the field after her 10-minute stint in the bin.

Straight into the thick of the action, she was involved in the attack which resulted in a DCU penalty.

Rowe stepped up to find the back of the net despite Caoimhe Moore getting her fingertips to it, and the same player added a point straight after.

Scally levelled matters at the other end directly after, but it took a moment of magic from Moloney at the death to ensure the O’Connor Cup would head to DCU.

CLUB NOTICEBOARD BALLINTEER ST JOHN’S

LOTTO results: numbers were 8, 10, 11 and 20. No winner.

Next Thursday’s jackpot was €3,400, lotto joker €750. Winner of €100 Norman Fairweather and Jack Banbury; €50 Peggy Cushen, Ethel Byrne, Emily Whelan and Tom Donohue.

Joker consolation prize Frank Maguire.

Congrats to Teddy McCarthy on winning. €1,350 at the bingo. The jackpot was shared between Mary Walker and Deirdre O’Connor. Bingo continues every Monday at 8pm.

The senior hurlers had a big win in the league to beat Naomh Fionnbarra which puts them on two wins out of two. The junior A team followed up with a hard fought win over Crumlin which puts them top of the table on

points difference.

The junior Bs had a comprehensive win over Erin go Bragh to give them two wins out of two. Great displays by Ray Redmond, Eoin Kelly and Conor Murphy.

Enrolling now for Easter Camps. Senior infants to sixth class (March 26-29), contact GPO Carol Nolan on 085 1424543 and School of Excellence, 12-15 years (April 3-5), contact GPO Donal Gormley 0876312082.

CUALA

EXCITEMENTis building before our senior hurlers’ big match with Na Piarsaigh on St Patrick’s Day in Croke Park.

It’s fantastic to see so many flags and bunting up around the borough. More information on the weekend’s planned events are on our website: http:// www.cualagaa.ie

Tá cabhair á lorg againn do Lá Fhéile Pádraig. Más féidir leat cabhrú idir 7.00 - 10.30 in nó 10.30 in - 12.30 rn nó ag 10.00 rn ar an Domhnach leis an nglanadh suas imigh i dteagmháil le Colmán Ó Drisceoil, ldt.

There was no winner of the €12,500 Cuala lotto jackpot.

Our lucky dip winners last week were Jennifer Flanagan and Michael Beary.

Time to start practicing your Walls of Limerick and Siege of Ennis, this year’s Céilí Naomh Padraig is on Friday, March 16 from 7-9 p.m. in the hall. Beidh céili, ceol agus craic ann. Family admission €10.

Afterwards Cuala’s ‘Up For the Match’ will take place in the bar from 9-11pm . An evening of banter, music and song with some club stalwarts.

Our senior hurlers golf classic has had to be further postponed due to weather/

course conditions. It is now scheduled for Friday, April 20.

GERALDINE MORANS

WELL done to the U-14 footballers who beat Naomh Barrog; hard luck to the minors who lost by a goal to Kilmacud Crokes.

The U-12 hurlers put up a brave performance, losing to Parnells.

Wishing all our members, family and supporters a happy and safe St. Patricks Day. Good luck to Cuala in the AllIreland club hurling final.

KILMACUD CROKES

IN CLUB news: Well done to the AHL4 team who beat St Brigid’s, 2-15 to 1-9. Well done also to the AHL9 team who beat O’Dwyer’s, 4-11 to 1-5.

In football, well done to the MFL1 team who beat Clontarf, 1-15 to 1-8. Well done also to the MFL3 team who beat Geraldine P Moran, 4-8 to 3-8.

Thanks to all who took part in the 5km run/walk to complete the Kickstart 2018 program.

Big thank you to club wellbeing officer Kevin Mulligan and his army of volunteers who organised the run/walk and the overall program.

On the inter-county scene, well done to the Dublin senior hurlers who beat Laois 3-23 to 0-17. Well done to Bill O’Carroll, Ronan Hayes and Ryan O’Dwyer.

On just his second intercounty start, Ronan scored 2-4 and set up Ryan for Dublin’s other goal.

Well done also to the Dublin senior footballers who had an impressive 2-17 to 0-11 victory over Kerry. Cillian O’Shea, Andy McGowan and Cian

O’Sullivan were the Crokes representatives.

The Dublin Premier camogie team drew with Kilkenny, 1-8 to 0-11. Rachel Noctor was the Crokes player involved.

Congratulations to DCU who beat UL in the O’Connor Cup final. Eabha Rutledge and Lauren Magee were both involved in the win.

Hard luck to the AHL2 team who lost out to Raheny, 2-7 to 3-9.

NAOMH OLAF

VERY little action on the field of play in the last two weeks due to weather but well done to the U-15 footballers on a good win away to St Brigid’s on Sunday to maintain a very good league start.

Lá ‘le Phádraig Dé Sathairn seo chugainn, Stepaside St. Patrick’s Day Parade is an

15 March 2018 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 39

GAZETTE

HURLING: THREE WINS FROM THREE FOR MARLAY ADULT SIDES

Ballinteer hurlers off to perfect start AHL DIVISION 2 Ballinteer St John’s Naomh Fionnbarra  sport@dublingazette.com

1-24 2-10

BALLINTEER St John’s ran up a comprehensive 1-24 to 2-10 win over Naomh Fionnbarra to move top of the embryonic AHL Division 2 league table, making it two wins from two following their initial win over Naomh Olaf.

They started as they meant to go on controlling possession, dominating in the air and finding their range from play and from placed balls. Cormac O’Brien and James Gilligan were rock solid at the spine of the defense and with Brian Smith alongside them picking up breaking ball and spraying it into the forwards.

Gavin O’Broin plucked balls from the sky at ease, Aodhan Clabby was a

powerhouse up top and Ciaran Lane showed majestic touches, flicks and vision working off Clabby’s breaks.

A lapse in concentration just before half time gave Naomh Fionnbarra a goal but Ballinteer went into the break leading 0-17 to 1-5.

The second half was a tighter contest but John’s were in control. Sean Smith and Eoin Coffey worked tirelessly around the middle and with Danny McCarthy, firing long range efforts to keep the scoreboard ticking over. A well-worked play down the left side of the field was finished with Ciaran Lane stepping inside the last defender and lashing the ball in the back of the net.

Finnbar’s scored a late goal but the result was put to bed long before that.

On the adjacent pitch at Marlay, the club’s jun-

Picture: Cody Glenn/Sportsfile

John West hand over jersey design JOHN West, in conjunction with O’Neills, are handing over the design of this year’s official 2018 Feile jersey. Anyone wishing to enter the competition can visit O’Neills website and search for John West then let their creative juice flow. Once logged in, applicants can download the templated John West blank jersey and begin designing.

The best design winner will also win a weekend trip to Killary Adventure Centre for all the family.

Ballinteer’s hurlers are in flying form

ior A team were also in the process of making it two wins from two outings at this early stage of the season.

The game started slowly with both teams struggling to get a hold of the game. A scrappy Crumlin goal woke up the John’s team and they didn’t look back after that. John’s went into the break leading 0-8 to 1-3.

The second half was a demonstration of how to control a game.

Ballinteer’s defense

nullified any threat Crumlin had, Brian Mannion at midfield worked from box to box and up front Danny Quinn, Jack Kenneally and Eoin O’Callanain picked off scores from every angle.

Paul Corcoran put the icing on the cake with a super finish past the Crumlin goalkeeper for a 1-17 to 1-6 victory.

The winning series was complete with Ballinteer’s junior B outfit winning 1-19 to 0-8 against Dublin 15 outfit Erin Go Bragh.

CLUB NOTICEBOARD opportunity to showcase our club as part of the major local community activities.

Young players and mentors/parents are invited to march. Gather in Kilgobbin Lane at 12.30pm. Parade starts at 1pm. Mentors please keep your players in age groups.

Wear Naomh Olaf gear and walk behind the Naomh Olaf float. Parade starts at 1pm.

Naomh Olaf near the front of the parade so everybody will be finished in time to see the club finals in Croke Park and proceedings in Twickenham.

The club will be a hive of activity on Lá le Phádraig with matches on TV, live music from 6.30pm etc. Go

raibh maith agaibh.

Big Adult Hurling Quiz on Thursday, March 22 at 8.45pm. Live music round, sports, general knowledge. Please organise a table to support adult hurling activities in Naomh Olaf.

I’m a Celebrity is this year’s big fundraiser; 24 representatives of teams will take part. Room for four still. Official launch on Friday, March 23, at 8pm.

Get behind this big effort please.

Lotto numbers this week were 4, 25, 29. No winner; €1,400 jackpot next week.

SHANKILL

THE juvenile Academy, sponsored by O Donnell’s Pharmacy, is in action in

FANTASTIC FEILE XXX

the gym of St Laurence College at 10am every Saturday (not this Saturday, St Patrick’s Day).

All equipment is provided free and cost is only €2 per child each week; there is no annual subscription.

So why not come along and give the academy a try? Your child will learn the skills of Gaelic games while having fun with their friends.

The effect of the recent bad weather is still causing problems.

However, some games were played our ladies adult football team played their first ever match against Cuala and did us proud. Well done ladies.

Also, our U-10 hurling team made the long trip to Wild Geese and the U-14

girls football were away to Thomas Davis.

The ladies football team: check out our Facebook page and follow the link to the ladies Facebook group, e-mail stevedavis203@gmail. com or contact Steve on 087 6414123.

The men’s adult football team are looking for new players which are always welcome; contact Kevin on 086 8449902.

For more information on the club, contact secretary.shankill. dublingaa.ie or call 086 4010438.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Join Shankill GAA Club, your community, your Village GAA club where everybody knows your name.

GAZETTESPORT

ALL OF YOUR SOUTH DUBLIN SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 34-39

ULTRA SOUNDS: The Gazette speaks to the supporters group that have provided the noise in the Cuala roar P35

MARCH 15-21, 2018

UCD MARIAN’S 40-YEAR ITCH: Meany hoping Killester final date can end the long wait P37

Cuala tame the hype Cian O’Callaghan ahead of the AIB GAA All-Ireland Senior Hurling Club Championship Final taking place at Croke Par. Picture: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

Cian O’Callaghan says Dalkey club coping well with favourite’s tag on the eve of their bid for a second successive All-Ireland club SHC title

 DAVE DONNELLY

sport@dublingazette.com

CUALA star Cian O’Callaghan is confident his side can handle the pressure of the favourites tag heading into the All-Ireland Senior Hurling final against Na Piarsagh on St Patrick’s Day. The Dalkey club’s rise in the stick and ball game over the past few years has been remarkable, with O’Callaghan and his brother Con key to that success.

Having won their first-ever All-Ireland title in 2017, building on the success of a Leinster championship the previous year, the attention surrounding the club has been immense.

The 23-year-old has lived through the hype

surrounding the club’s ascent, and he feels the build-up this time round has been more relaxed as they get to grips with their newfound status.

While Cuala have been rightly installed as favourites to make it two from two against the Limerick club, the players have mostly been insulated from the fanfare that surrounds their every move.

“It’s definitely been a bit more subdued this year,” he said ahead of the showdown at Croke Park at the weekend.

“Probably the novelty has worn off, but I’m sure behind the scenes there’s a lot of that stuff.

As a player, I haven’t seen it and I’m thankful I haven’t.”

Much of the attention surrounding the final

has been less about whether Cuala can make it back-to-back titles as to whether Dublin star Paul Schutte will regain fitness in time.

O’Callaghan’s defensive partner missed the semi-final win over Liam Mellows with a hamstring injury but all signs point to his recovery in time for the big day out.

“Paul was a small bit off playing against Liam Mellows. And the rehab, by all accounts, has gone really well. He’s done this in the past, when he’s got himself right for big games.”

The hero of the win over Galway side Liam Mellows was Cian’s younger brother Con, the dual-code behemoth who’s won almost everything there is to win in men’s GAA over the past 24 months.

He scored four points during last month’s semi-final in Thurles as Cuala ran up an early lead before coasting home by 1-17 to 1-10.

Cian backs the breakout star of Dublin GAA to back that up in the final as he continues to carry his lofty status with consummate humility.

“Con understands how important it is to have his two feet on the ground,” O’Callaghan continued.

“It helps he’s sharing a dressing-room with the likes of Ciaran Kilkenny and Brian Fenton – lads who have come through that extra attention, whether it be the media or the public.

“He can buzz ideas off them and how best to manage that – what works well and what doesn’t work.”