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THE LATEST NEWS & SPORT FROM THE DUN LAOGHAIRE-RATHDOWN COUNTY COUNCIL AREA
Anger at proposed Kilternan new build REBECCA RYAN
GIFT OF THE
Soccer legend John Giles got plenty of help from Henry Ryan and Cillian Maher as The Down Syndrome Centre celebrated the official opening of their new centre in Cabinteely. Picture: Justin Farrelly – Paul Sherwood Photography. Full Gallery on page 6
EE FR
DublinGazette APRIL 5-11, 2018
PLANS have been lodged to Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council for a new development in Kilternan. The 97 apartments across multiple six-story blocks are being proposed for the site adjacent to the Golden Ball Pub on Enniskerry Road. Property developer Greg Kavanagh told Dublin Gazette the “plans are lodged, and the commission is due in about eight weeks”. Green Party Deputy Leader Catherine Martin has come out
against the proposal. She said: “This is a substantial overdevelopment in a rural area, which would greatly impinge upon the local community. “In the midst of the current housing crisis it is essential that we invest in affordable, sustainable housing development – however, this must be done in a wellplanned manner, and this proposal demonstrates a lack of understanding of the Kilternan area.” On Facebook the reaction to the proposed development was largely negative. SEE FULL STORY ON PAGE 2
2 DUBLIN GAZETTE SOUTH 5 April 2018
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PLANS LODGED TO COUNCIL FOR NEW DEVELOPMENT
Negative reaction to Kilternan ‘behemoth’ REBECCA RYAN rryan@dublingazette.com
PLANS have been lodged to the council for a new development in Kilternan. The 97 apartments across multiple six-story blocks are being proposed for the site adjacent to the Golden Ball pub on Enniskerry Road. Property developer Greg Kavanagh said the “plans are lodged, and the commission is due in about eight weeks’ time”. Mr Kavanagh said the designs are inspired from period architecture: “The high quality of finish is taken from the best of design from central London, the Irish government buildings and the Customs House. “A n B o rd P l e a n a l a requested in a previous application for a high quality streetscape. We are taking that to the next level.
“The advantage of having such a high quality development such as this increases the value of property around it. “In the long term, we will plan an equally impressive statement building on the Golden Ball pub site also which will have a pub and village feel to it.” Under his proposal, he is hoping for the units to be built and sold in phases. He said: “It’s in six blocks. You can do each block individually, so I don’t need to build it all in one go. “The biggest problem for developers is cash flow. I have designed it that I can build it in blocks of 14 as I go, without needing to build and sell all of them. It makes it more efficient.” TD and Green Party deputy leader Catherine Martin has come out against the proposal. She said: “This is a substantial overdevelopment in a rural
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Public urged to ensure they’re eligible to vote
The designs are inspired from period architecture
area, which would greatly impinge upon the local community. “In the midst of the current housing crisis it is essential that we invest in affordable, sustainable housing development – however, this must be done in a well-planned manner, and this proposal dem-
onstrates a lack of understanding of the Kilternan area. Have no lessons been learned from the mistakes of the developers of the past? One local Facebook group ‘Kilternan, Glenamuck and Carrickmines Areas’, the reaction to the proposed development was largely negative. In the comments under the post, some felt the development would be more suited in a different location: One wrote: “How does a seven-story neo-classical behemoth that looks like it belongs in Vienna, create a village atmosphere. Come off it.” Another wrote: “Sorry that is horrendous. Perfect for city centre or a town centre but not up there.” Others were concerned the plans were not in keeping with the character of the village. One wrote: “Delighted to hear they plan to build high quality housing, but the Golden Ball site is totally not the right place for this. Looks like this would be m ore appropriate in the planned higher density residential areas nearer to the Luas. Not in keeping with the village feel at all.” Another commented: “Why do we need to replicate central London in the beautiful foothills of the Dublin mountains - insane! Totally out of place.”
DUBLINERS are being encouraged to check if they are registered to vote. Senator Victor Boyhan (Ind) has urged people who are 18 years and over, and who may nev-er have voted before, to sign up to vote, while also urging all eligible citizens to use their vote. He said: “It is also important that people check that their details are correct on the current Register of Electors.” You can check the register at your local council office, in post offices, Garda stations and public libraries. You can also check online at www.checktheregister.ie.
A fun night out in aid of Special Olympics RACE ON over to Shelbourne Park next Friday, April 13, for a night to remember in aid of Special Olympics Ireland. The flagship greyhound stadium will see owners, trainers and supporters gather to help support the organisation, with the exciting fundraising night set to help the upcoming Special Olympics
ireland games in Dublin this June. Tickets for the evening event are available online priced at just €10, including admission, a race programme and entry to the Buster Draw, and a great range of prizes. For further information on the great fundraising event, see www. shelbourneparkgreyhoundstadium.ie.
Pieta House celebrates a special 10-year milestone LAST week, Pieta House celebrated its tenth year of its flagship fundraising awareness event, Darkness Into Light, which aims to raise awareness about suicide and self-harm. The event launched in the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre, where Irish Rugby International Hannah Tyrrell, celebrity chef Derry Clarke and radio DJ and mental health advocate Nikki Hayes were among those in attendance. Pieta House chief executive Brian Higgins said: “I want to ask everybody to wake up and join us in support of families and friends affected by suicide and self-harm. “All of our services are free, but the demand for them is ever-increasing. We all need to wake up to the stigmas that lead people to self-harm and into suicidal crisis, and to the doors of Pieta House.” Registration for this year’s event is open exclusively online at www.darknessintolight.ie.
5 April 2018 SOUTH DUBLIN GAZETTE 3
TV: BEACH HOUSE CONCEPT DOESN’T FLOAT VIEWERS’ BOAT, THOUGH OWNERS WERE HAPPY
Room to Improve brought a dash of Malibu to Stillorgan QUINN KANNER
THE Season 11 finale of RTE’s Room to Improve featured the make-over of a Stillorgan home, prompting a mixed reaction from viewers who didn’t share quite the same vision as the easygoing owners. With the help of architect Dermot Bannon, Lorna and Rory wanted to renovate their 1960s semi-detached home into something more open and contemporary for their family. After walking through the house, Dermot decided he was going to use a Malibu beach house concept as inspiration, something viewers didn’t feel quite matched with the home’s actual location. Twitter user @Thejanitor14 said: “#roomtoimprove The nearest they will get to Malibu is if they drink a few in the Stillorgan Orchid Pub.” Overall, Lorna and Rory behaved admirably during their house renovations: they listened to Dermot’s sug-
gestions and were polite with any disagreements. Twitter user @benirishhome said “My favourite bit of tonight’s #roomtoimprove – after last week’s nightmare client – this week’s said she completely trusted @DermotBannon which made him completely freak out and double think himself!” Though some viewers found the couple to be a little too drama-free, especially considering the budget jump from €180,000 to €295,000. Twitter user @arlenehunt said: “The couple from last night’s #roomtoimprove were just the most relaxed people, weren’t they? Especially considering the HUGE budget jump. I’d never sleep again if that was me.” The biggest contention of the episode was over the front door. Lorna wanted a little more space to navigate entering her house since she often had her arms full of bags as she herded her children inside. Lorna wanted the door to be centred,
whereas Dermot insisted its offset location was essential for the feel of the home. Twitter user @VickyWrites said: “@
Stillorgan.” While the door debacle was eventually settled with a compromise—the door remained in its original location
Rory and Lorna with Lisa O’Brien and architect Dermot Bannon
DermotBannon— you can’t have a cottage door, you don’t live in a cottage. Also @DermotBannon—And we’re gonna go for a California feel… in sunny
but was set to open the opposite way— many viewers decided to ignore that drama in favour of a more pressing question: why Rory looked familiar.
@diddleydie tweeted: “Whatever about the home revamp. I’m going cracked wondering how I know Rory??? Is he a hurler?” A thorough search through Twitter will reveal two posts of viewers claiming to know the couple and photo of their wedding tweeted by their wedding photographer who watched the show. Some viewers theorised his familiarity was due to a resemblance to jockey Ruby Walsh, or other TV characters. In response to a tweet from a man who says he knows Rory and Lorna and was at the show’s closing party, @ SeeMack_ie asked “what does the husband do…half of twitter seems to think they know him!!” The episode ended with Rory and Lorna loving their updated house, answering the questions of whether the controversy over the front door could be resolved amicably, but the reason for Rory’s familiarity remains a mystery.
4 DUBLIN GAZETTE SOUTH 5 April 2018
STILLORGAN: MIXED VIEWS ON SOCIAL MEDIA TO DEVELOPMENT
‘Lack of local concern over block’ slammed REBECCA RYAN & QUINN KANNER
A COUNCILLOR is lashing out that local concerns were not considered before giving the go-ahead for a large-scale student accommodation block in Stillorgan. Cairn Homes got the green light from An Bord Pleanala (ABP) for the development of 179 student accommodation units and 103 residential apartments. The mixed-use development will comprise of 576 beds, a gym, study spaces, lounges, retail and cafe units, community sports hall and associated student amenities. Councillor for the Stillorgan area Barry Saul is disappointed that concerns from local residents were not taken on board: “I’m disappointed that ABP
have granted permission for this large-scale development. Stillorgan will see huge changes in the future, and this should be council led through the Stillorgan Local Area plan.” The Fine Gael Cllr added: “ABP’s decision undermines the role of both the councillors and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown council, as we are currently in the process of developing a plan for the future of Stillorgan.” There have been mixed views on social media. “Sad day for Stillorgan.” “I’m not opposed to this, what’s currently there is an eyesore. Perfect transport links for students and I’m sure the extra people will be good for businesses in the area, and Stillorgan Centre might have better shops as a result.” “Is our country for sale to the highest bidders.”
FASTNews
Overall winners Clodagh Lynch and Khaliuna Munkhtuya with Cathaoirleach Councillor Tom Murphy
Local students on way to major finals
A view of what the accommodation will look like
“Another loss for area.” “Pragmatic planning decision to locate high density student accommodation by side of busy road. Less than 3k to UCD. Will get some students out of three-bed semis more suited to young families.” “Looks good, far better than the current state of the site.” Some were worried about traffic management in the area.
One wrote: “It’s terrible trying to get through Stillorgan at any given time, never mind when construction works start on that development etc.” Another said: “We can’t even get out of our estate in the morning as it is.” Local councillors have previously slammed the student building as a “disgrace”. Independent councillor Deirdre Donnelly said the
development would not be suitable for the Stillorgan village area, and that residents’ views have not been considered. “There is a real need for some high-quality accommodation in the area. “It is absolutely scandalous that a prime site would be considered for anything else,” Cllr Donnelly said. Fine Gael councillor John Kennedy said the proposed development will not suit the area and will appear “out of place” in the village. “Design aspects should be considered for this development. It should be ornate and fit in with the other buildings already in the area,” Cllr Kennedy said. The Dublin-listed homebuilder Cairn Homes said it is great news for students and the area. On their website they said: “The site is within 1 km of UCD Belfield Campus, Ireland’s largest university. The proposed development will deliver much needed student accommodation and residential housing units together with ancillary commercial development on a derelict brownfield site which will enhance Stillorgan village. “A key requirement for the design of the development was that it responded appropriately to its location while respecting the amenity and character of the neighbouring streets.”
FOUR budding teenage entrepreneurs have been selected to represent Dun-Laoghaire Rathdown at the Student Enterprise Programme National Finals in Croke Park on May 2. Every September, entrepreneurial secondary school students across the country begin their business journey as they are encouraged to brainstorm, create and run their own businesses. An estimated 80 students from 16 schools competed in the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County final held at the Royal Marine Hotel on March 15. The winner in the Junior Category, was Loreto Abbey, Dalkey student Amy Harmon with her Amy’s Aprons personalised products business. In the Intermediate Category, Emma Ruttle from Wesley College secured the top place with her business Shoreline Art and finally the Senior Category win was taken by students Clodagh Lynch, and Khaliuna Munkhtuya (pictured) from St Joseph’s of Cluny, Secondary School, Killiney with their business Shrinkies, an innovative product to protect phone chargers.
Chu and Dowling are elected to Green Party Executive Committee BLACKROCK Area Representative Hazel Chu and Clonskeagh and Stillorgan Area Representative Eva Elizabeth Dowling have both been re-elected to the Green Party Executive Committee. Chu said: “I am honoured to be re-elected to the committee and look forward to growing the party as we face into the Local and European elections. I will be readily available to communicate our plans and policies to the constituents of Blackrock/ Monkstown” Dowling and Chu are among 10 members who will be meeting monthly with the Party Leader, Deputy Party Leader, Cathaoirleach, Chair of Policy Council and Treasurer to manage the Party’s governance and strategy. Dowling said: “I would like to sincerely thank our Party members for voting for me. This incoming Executive Committee will be tasked with preparing for next year’s local and European elections and I look forward to working with its members in developing a strong election strategy.”
Hazel Chu
Eva Elizabeth Dowling
5 April 2018 SOUTH DUBLIN GAZETTE 5
SANDYFORD: SOME 45 STAFF MEMBERS COULD BE IMPACTED BY THE DECISION
‘Decision to close the print work would be a mistake’ REBECCA RYAN rryan@dublingazette.com
THE Central Bank of Ireland could soon cease to print euro banknotes in Sandyford. It is after a decision by management to recommend an orderly wind down of the print works facility to the Central Bank Commission following the publication of the Print Works Strategic Review (PWSR). SIPTU representatives have called on the Central Bank to consider its position before taking a decision. In a statement given to Dublin Gazette, the union’s Services Divisional Organiser, Karan O’Loughlin, said the Central Bank recommendation to close the print works is a “strategically flawed decision” and one that is totally rejected by their members. She said: “This facility is a national strategic asset and for a country like Ireland to lose the capacity to print our own money into the future could have serious consequences. “The uncertainty created by Brexit and the rise of right wing politics’ in many parts of Europe, and
the associated anti-European Union sentiment means that the environment continues to be very uncertain across the Euro zone. “While it is clear that Ireland remains committed to the euro as a currency, the same cannot be said for all of the members states currently engaged in monetary union. Should the unthinkable happen and the Euro currency was to cease, the skills and technical knowledge required for Ireland to print its own currency will be essential. “Unfortunately, once the Sandyford print works facility is lost these skills will be difficult to recover.” Forty-five staff members would be impacted if the commission takes the decision to cease printing. A spokesperson from Central Bank told Dublin Gazette that “the proposal from management involves sourcing the banknotes from within the Eurozone and ceasing the printing of banknotes at the Central Bank’s Currency Centre. This proposal is in line with the approach taken in many other national central banks in the Eurozone. “This proposed change
The Central Bank of Ireland could cease to print euro banknotes in Sandyford
will have no impact on the supply of banknotes in Ireland, the majority of which are produced elsewhere. All other currency related operation at Sandyford Currency Centre would continue as normal.” They said the staff and their representatives are fully aware of the proposal. “If the Commission take the decision to cease printing, a total of 45 staff (of the 170 staff in the Central Bank’s currency centre) will be impacted. The staff and their representatives are fully aware of the proposal. “The Central Bank does
not intend to seek compulsory redundancies and is committed to redeployment and retraining opportunities for impacted staff. A voluntary severance package will also be made available to those staff. “If a decision is taken to cease printing, the Central Bank is committed to engagement with staff representative bodies through the normal industrial relations channels on the implications for impacted staff.” SIPTU sector organiser for the Arts, Culture and Media Sector, Denis
Minister wants people with some personal experience of disability issues on boards AT the request of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Shane Ross, applications have opened for new board members with personal experience of disability issues for the Boards of the National Transport Authority (NTA), Iarnrod Eireann (Irish Rail), Bus Eireann and Bus Atha Cliath (Dublin Bus). TD Shane Ross said: “The most appropriate expert voice on difficulties of the disabled is not that of able-bodied politicians or semi-state
company directors. It is their own. The most appropriate place for them to express these views is not only in the media, it is in the boardroom.” In addition to personal insight about the accessibility of public transportation for individuals with disabilities, candidates should have experience related to transportation, or commercial, financial, land-use planning or environmental matters and with the organisation of workers or administration, ideally at the
senior management level. Ross said: “Well-meaning board members offering sympathy to those with reduced mobility are self-evidently less able to make practical and informed decisions than those who overcome the physical obstacles daily. The process to include those with raw personal experience of disability on public transport now begins.” The positions are posted on StateBoards.ie and will be accepting applicants until 3:00 pm April 20.
Hynes, said: “The fact that the Central Bank is committed to ensuring that there are no involuntary
redundancies does not change the view of staff that a decision to close the print work would be a serious strategic mistake.” He added: “It is worth noting, that the PWSR was purely a management exercise. Staff were not involved in drafting the terms of reference and the appointments to the review body were exclusively made by management. “When the staff were invited to participate they were excluded from the process after four meetings and the process continued without them. In fact, neither the staff nor union representatives have ever had sight of the actual review. This is unacceptable.”
BALLINTEER
Fashion show for charity at St John’s GAA Club A CHARITY fashion show in aid of the Irish Kidney Association is taking place on April 13 at St Johns GAA Club in Ballinteer at 8pm. Masterclass Feather & Frill in Terenure are hosting the event, and Lancome from House of Fraser are doing a masterclass which will include a makeup lesson and skincare advice. The models for the fashion show are ladies from the golf society, and local hairdressers are doing their hair on the night. There will be spot prizes and a fantastic night is guaranteed. People can pay at the door and all are welcome.
6 DUBLIN GAZETTE SOUTH 5 April 2018
GALLERIES
Niamh (1) and Leslie Wrenn from Stepaside
Soccer legend John Giles with Henry Ryan and Cillian Maher at The Down Syndrome Centre. Pictures: Justin Farrelly - Paul Sherwood Photography Louise and Jack Gallagher from Shankill
On the ball for official opening
S
OCCER legends Johnny Giles and Kevin Kilbane were just some of the people who joined in the celebrations as The Down Syndrome Centre officially opened a new centre in Cabinteely. Speaking at the official opening, Kevin Kilbane with Henry and Louise long-time supporter of the centre, Kevin Kilbane said: “It’s my first time visiting Ryan and Cillian and Claire Maher
the new centre and it’s great to meet all of the families and the kids. It’s a great community here, which I have an interest in for my own family reasons.” The Down Syndrome Centre provides a wide range of early intervention services for children with Down syndrome and supports their families and carers.
Ciaran and Cillian Maher (16 months) with Kevin Kilbane and John Giles, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, Pat Duffy and Sharon Dagg, chief executive of the Down Syndrome Centre
Kevin Kilbane and Cillian Maher
5 April 2018 SOUTH DUBLIN GAZETTE 7
DUN LAOGHAIRE-RATHDOWN: MOVE TO REGULATE THE USE OF CAR CLUBS IN THE COUNTY
Council seeks feedback on Car Club bye-laws
DUN Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council are looking for feedback on Car Club bye-laws. Following a six-month pilot car club with Gocar, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has prepared draft Car Club Bye-laws to regulate the use of car clubs in the county. The Draft Bye-Laws cover the issuing of a Licence for Operators and provide for a permit fee for each vehicle in a Car Club. They also specify certain standards for operators, together with the ability for the council to specify locations where car club vehicles can or cannot park. A car club is members’ only car sharing service that allows members to rent cars and vans for as little as one hour at an hourly fee that includes fuel, tax, insurance, and maintenance. They can offer residents and business people an easily accessible car and is an alternative to car ownership. Research indicates that car club vehi-
cles can replace 10-15 private cars on the road. Members using on-street car club vehicles won’t be charged for parking at any pay-and-display car parking spaces in the county when using a car club vehicle as this is covered by the vehicle permit fee. An Cathaoirleach of dlr, Councillor Tom Murphy said: “I welcome the introduction of the car club bye-laws to regulate the use of car club in the county. “This initiative provides choice as it offers an alternative sustainable travel mode to residents and business people and reduces the need to own a car. It also has the potential over time to reduce traffic congestion.” The draft Bye Laws are available for inspection on the council’s website www.dlrcoco.ie and during normal office hours from Thursday, March 22 until Tuesday, May 8, 2018, at the Council offices at County Hall, Marine Road, Dun Laoghaire, Dublin, and at the Council offices at Dundrum Office Park, Main Street, Dundrum, Dublin 14.
Support group meeting for Vasculitis sufferers VASCULITIS Ireland Awareness are holding a support group meeting in the Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire on Wednesday, April 11 at 11am. The aim of the informal event is to give people the opportunity to chat and build support. Vasculitis is a rare autoimmune disease which can be life limiting, life threatening or fatal depending on the severity of the disease. It causes an inflammation of the blood vessels, which can cause the blood supply to an organ to be restricted resulting in damage to the affected organ. Currently there is no cure, but early diagnosis is important, and the disease can be controlled with medications which can cause it to go into remission. A spokesperson from Vasculitis Ireland Awareness told Dublin Gazette
what it is like living with the disease: “There are good and bad days. I have to pace myself. Energy levels can drop, and bed rest is essential. “Slight illnesses can cause anxiety levels to rise because of the fear of a flare
up of the disease. “I have to deal with hidden symptoms as well as the side effects of the medications. I tend to avoid crowds for fear of infections.” She had this advice for anyone with vasculitis.
“Keep your social life going. Research the disease but be careful, Dr Google has some bad case scenarios - not everyone gets it so severe. “Always keep medical appointments, write down all the questions you want to ask, and discuss with your consultant the treatment options. “The great news is, it can go into remission and treatment may then be reduced or stopped.” She encouraged people who have the disease to join a support group. Vasculitis Ireland Awareness offers support and has a website with plenty of information. They are holding a support group meeting in the Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire on Wednesday, April 11 at 11am. For more information contact 087 288 9186.
The council has prepared draft Car Club Bye-laws to regulate the use of car clubs in the county
DIT STUDENT COOKS UP IMAGINATIVE FUNDRAISER
This ‘Microwave man’ hopes to ‘rays’ money for mental health RACHEL D’ARCY
home and do something similar. “I had read a book about a guy who went on a trek carrying a fridge and talked to a few friends about doing the same with a microwave. “I chickened out but have finally picked up the courage to head out and do it, all while raising money for charity.”
A DUBLIN Institute of Technology student is set to take off hitchhiking across Ireland, with nothing more than the clothes on his back, a bag and a microwave. Diarmuid McCleary is hitchhiking across Ireland in aid of Jigsaw, the mental health charity that works with young people. As events officer for DIT’s Student Union, he said Jigsaw are a charity that was chosen by the stu-dent population as the beneficiary charity from the union’s fundraising efforts. Speaking to Dublin Gazette, McCleary said: “They’re a relatively new and small charity, but the work they’re doing is so worthwhile. “They’re keeping the discussion on mental health going, and I hope I can raise enough for them.” The inspiration came to him last year, but he ‘chickened out’ until having a sudden stroke of de-termination after attending a music festival last Summer. He said: “I went to a music festival in the middle of Nevada where people were doing all these mad things, and it made me so determined to come DIT student Diarmuid McCleary
Setting off on April 6, McCleary is hoping to make it around the country with his microwave through hitchhiking alone in two weeks, relying on lifts from people across Ireland. He’s also planning to busk in towns across the country to raise additional funds for Jigsaw. “I’ve actually managed to turn the microwave into a Bluetooth speaker. I’ll set it up in the middle of towns in places like Roscommon or Leitrim where I don’t know anybody, and just start busking to raise some more money and hopefully get talking to people about getting a lift,” he said. Already, with little to no promotion, he has already raised nearly €200 through the power of Face-book sharing and generous friends but he still wants to raise “as much as possible” for Jigsaw. “My friends told me they wanted to donate, so I set up the link a little bit earlier. I initially was go-ing to launch it on Friday, but I already had so much interest through people sharing my Facebook page. “Some companies have contacted me asking to sponsor me, and people across Ireland have of-fered me their couch to sleep on – providing I can get there!” McCleary said. To follow Diarmuid on his adventures, search for The Microwave Express on Facebook; to donate you can visit gofundme.com/themicrowaveexpress.
8 DUBLIN GAZETTE SOUTH 5 April 2018
FACILITATOR APPOINTED
Glenalbyn Pool’s future not in doubt says Minister Ross A FACILITATOR has been appointed to oversee the negotiations about reopening the Glenalbyn Swimming Pool, announced Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Shane Ross. TD Shane Ross said: “Together with local councillor Deirdre Donnelly, I have been working for over four years now to get our pool reopened. “In that time, thousands of supporters have attended meetings held protests and made it very clear that the closure of Glenalbyn Swimming Pool was a huge loss to the local community.” In his announcement of the facilitator, Minister Ross also combated rumours that the pool’s future is in jeopardy due to its omission from the Stillorgan Local Area Plan. “The Glenalbyn Swimming Pool redevelopment is a Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown project which is being advanced as quickly as possible. “The funding of €10 million has been ring-fenced and the funding is there for the project.” Ross said that has been confirmed at a meeting on the public record by the chief executive of the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown City Council. At a previous meeting, Ross said Cllr Deidre Donnelly was also assured that the building of the Balyogan pool “will have no effect on the future of the Glenalbyn pool.”
Help the fight against Bowel Cancer APRIL is Bowel Cancer Awareness month, and the National Bowel Screening Programme is urging eve-ryone aged 60–69 to take its free-at-home screening test to check for the disease. BowelScreen offers free home testing to people aged 60–69 and has detected 718 cancers and removed 19,000 pre-cancerous growths, to date. To register to receive the home test, call 1800 45 45 55 or visit bowelscreen.ie.
POPULATION EXPECTED TO GROW SIGNIFICANTLY POLLING DAY
Call for a modern new garda station in Cherrywood REBECCA RYAN rryan@dublingazette.com
THERE is a call for An Garda Siochana to examine the need for a new Garda Station in Cherrywood. Dun Laoghaire TD, Maria Bailey said: “Given the planned growth in the Cherrywood Strategic Development Zone in the Dun Laoghaire constituency, I strongly urge the Garda Commissioner to consider opening a new Garda Station for the area. “The proposed re-opening of Stepaside Garda station is based on the population growth that area has experienced in the last decade. “When completed, Cherrywood will provide for approximately 8,000 new homes with a potential population of 25,000, not to mention the expected influx of workers to the area, with an anticipated 20,000 jobs to be created. The Fine Gael TD added that we need to plan for the future.
A rendering of the huge development planned for Cherrywood
“Now that we have a recovering economy, we can be one step ahead of housing development and ensure that communities have the necessary public services to cope with an influx of people. “The Cherrywood Strategic Development Zone is adjacent to both the N11 and the M50 making it easily accessible and I believe the site also has the capacity to fit a helipad.
“The space available would, I believe, allow for the development of drone technology for the station. In addition, there is also ample space for Garda accommodation. “It is a matter for the Garda Commissioner to decide on the location of Garda Stations and I am writing to the Acting Commissioner to consider Cherrywood for a new modern up-todate station.”
Date set for the ‘Repeal’ referendum A DATE has been set for a referendum on whether or not to repeal the 8th amendment to the Constitution, which would allow unrestricted abortion, up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. The news was announced last week by Minister for Health, Simon Harris, and Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Eoghan Murphy. The announcement was made after the bill passed through the final stage of the Oireachtas, meaning that a polling day could officially be set. Both sides in the referendum have formally launched their respective campaigns in Dublin, with both claiming a large amount of public support for their respective stances. An Taoiseach tweeted following the referendum announcement, saying that Irish people will “have the change to make change ... to trust women and trust doctors”.
Sr Aileen McCarthy, Minister for Disabilities Finian McGrath, CEO at SII Fiona Bolger, Glenn Gray from SII
New centre for spinal injuries open in Dun Laoghaire A NEW centre for spinal injuries has opened in Dun Laoghaire. The Minister for Disabilities, Finian McGrath, officially opened the new Spinal Injuries Ireland Aileen McCarthy Resource Centre on March 26. Spinal Injuries Ireland moved from the
National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) to Pottery Road Business Centre in Dun Laoghaire recently to facilitate the development of the new NRH hospital. The new resource centre is officially named after Sr Aileen McCarthy, as not only was she one of the founding mem-
bers of Spinal Injuries Ireland in 1992, but she also dedicated her life to the rehabilitation of people who sustained a spinal cord injury since the 1960s. In one of her many roles, she would often visit people in their homes all over Ireland and train their families
about the injury. Sr Aileen (89), attended the opening of the new resource centre. Also, in attendance was 11-time Paralympian athlete and Chairman of Spinal Injuries Ireland, John Twomey. Picture: Aidan Oliver
5 April 2018 SOUTH DUBLIN GAZETTE 9
TRANSPORT: CONCERN OVER POTENTIAL ROUTE
MetroLink plan rolls into a row before the €3bn project begins
Jamie Blake Holmes, Lucas Carrahar, Maire Duffy (teacher), Professor Brian Norton (President, DIT), Mike Donnelly, Matthew Russell, Guy Keogh, Dr Mick McKeever (DIT), and Rubesh Rajan
JORDAN UPSHAW
THE emerging preferred route for the recently announced €3 billion MetroLink project has seen mounting controversy, with the proposed route likely to require the acquisition and demolition of an indeterminate number of properties, including houses and apartment buildings, with no plan yet in place to accommodate the families which would be displaced. Cllr Ruairi McGinley (Ind) said: “While the project is welcome to the extent that [it will] increase public transport options and is accessible to the Ranelagh area both at Beechwood and Charlemont, it is a complex project. “Any impacts on areas such as Dunville Avenue and Dartmouth need to be evaluated and minimised.” Construction is to begin in 2021 but the MetroLink is not to be operational until 2027. During those six years of construction, Na Fianna GAA club and Home Farm FC could have their pitches requisitioned for storage of materials, which would render them unusable. Both clubs are concerned about the potential loss of their pitches. Na Fianna struggles to make do with its current amount of pitches due to their number of members. They have been searching for additional space without luck for some time now. Another point of contention is the fact Na Fianna was informed of this only two days prior to the official launch of the project. Home Farm received even less warning, only being informed one day before the official announcement. Home Farm FC described the news as “totally unexpected”. They said: “The pitch, which is part of a private and enclosed ground, is played on by schoolboy and schoolgirl teams who use the pitch throughout the season. “Clearly, and at a minimum, whatever alternative facilities are pro-
Jamie demonstrates his team’s satellite in a can at the CanSat competition in DIT
Launching interest in careers in science and engineering TRANSITION-YEAR students from Clonkeen College in Deansgrange competed in the Leinster finals of the prestigious CanSat competition, a European Space Agency initiative, which was held in DIT Grangegorman. A CanSat is a simulation of a satellite built inside an empty soft drink can. The challenge for the students is to fit all the major subsystems found in a satellite, such as power, sensors and a communication system, into this minimal volume. The CanSat is then launched to an altitude of 100 metres using a drone – its mission is to measure weather data, speed and acceleration and to make a safe landing using a parachute designed by the students.
posed must be of a comparable high standard, they must be local and be in place by the end of 2019.” Cllr Anne Feeney (FG) acknowledged both sides of the issue, saying: “I welcome the launch of the MetroLink project and infrastructure [plan]. Dublin is well behind other Europe and capital cities in terms of an integrated transport system, and it badly needs integrated solutions. “Hopefully we will see lots of well publicised consultation opportunities, not just information evenings, during 2018 to allow people to fully understand the benefits and also any implications, both during the construction phase and after it, and also to hear other proposals which could
influence the final design. “We need more information from the NTA in relation to the detailed design proposal of the preferred route, as it affects each area. “This process of information and consultation needs to start soon, as the vacuum between the initial announcement and dealing with the real and practical issues for individuals and communities is unhelpful and only adds to anxiety levels, whether well founded or not,” she said. The proposal is still at the consultation stage. The route will not be finalised until the end of the consultation process and it remains to be seen whether or not the emerging preferred route will be used.
10 DUBLIN GAZETTE SOUTH 5 April 2018
Ambassador of Spain to Ireland, His Excellency Jose Maria Rodriguez Coso; Ronan Beirne, NYC Commodore, and Teresa Gancedo Nieto, Spanish Tourist Office, Dublin. Pictures: Michael Chester
Genevieve Healy was ready for a great match. Pictures: Rose Comiskey
Serving up some The National Yacht Club welcomes Spanish guests great Tennis tips L T
HE National Yacht Club recently hosted a welcome dinner for visiting officers of the Monte Real Club de Yates in Bayona, Galicia, Spain, with whom the National Yacht Club has a reciprocal relationship. The Vice Commodore of the Monte Real Club de Yates Genoveva Pereiro was accompanied by Cesar Casquiero, honorary secretary, and Oscar Caleiro, general manager. Distinguished guests included the Spanish Ambassador, His Excellency Jose Maria Rodrigoez-Coso, vice commodore Tom Fitzpatrick, of the Irish Cruising Club, and Joe Woodward, a long-time Galicia cruising yachtsman.
OCAL children had a ball at the recent LC Tennis Easter Camp at Rosemount School in Sandyford. The trained coaches served up some top tips and advice to help improve skills on the court. It was a great chance for the children to progress easily and quickly, even if they’d never played before.
Edie Donnolly and Natasha O’Neill
Ronan Beirne and Genoveva Pereiro
Tim O’Brien welcomes Oscar Calero Escobar, manager of Monte Real Yacht Club
Cesar Casqueiro (Secretary), Ronan Beirne (NYC Commodore), Genoveva Pereiro (Vice Commodore, Monte Real Yacht Club) and Oscar Calero Escobar, manager of Monte Real Yacht Club
Coaches Lyall Cohen and Laura O’Brien
Kornelija and James O’Reilly
Leon Kelly and Maya Crisan
5 April 2018 SOUTH DUBLIN GAZETTE 11
12 DUBLIN GAZETTE 5 April 2018
HOME & STYLE:
FROCKS APPEAL: NOW that the sun has started to return with the grand stretch in the evenings, you’ll want to stretch to get a bit of a golden glimmer yourself. Thankfully, some pops of colour have started to dazzle on the high street, with & Other Stories very much on trend with its cool fashions to help you get some of the hottest looks around this season.
ARE YOU READY, PLAY ONE? P20
MAGAZINE
PAGES 26-27
DUBLIN
TEE OF UP NORTH FOR A TRUE GOLFING DELIGHT PAGE 24
LET DUBLIN GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS TAKE YOU ON A TOUR OF THE NEWS AND EVENTS ACROSS THE CITY AND COUNTY
THE GIFT OF GAZ | GARRULOUS GAELIC
Irish I didn’t have to listen to Davy’s guff about his ‘Celtic soul’ DAVY would drive you to distraction. We were sitting in Would ye believe how often I have to put up with lisa nice cafe in town having a grand auld chinwag when tening to this guff? he stands up and says loudly to me: “An bhfuil cead “The people of Castleknock probably don’t think so,” agam dul go dti an leithreas?” I says. “Why not?” he says. “Jaysus, Davy!” I says to him as I pulled the biggest “Well, yer man Sheeran is coming to the Pheono but reddner you’ve ever seen. the residents there say they’re worried about people “This isn’t high babies. You don’t need my permission using their gardens as the jacks.” to go to the bleedin’ jacks.” “Really?” he says to me, leaning in like this is some “I know,” he says. “But I’m trying to use me cupla sort of grand conspiracy. focal. It’s dying out, so it is. I hear they’re not even using “Yeah, they’re worried about anti-social behaviour – it in Dingle anymore. A load of tourists said they went that’s what we used to call acting the maggot.” down there and didn’t hear anyone speaking Irish. In a The wrinkles on Davy’s forehead tend to swim up Gaeltacht area, like.” and down his head when he’s thinking. It’s almost like “And sure why would they be speaking you can see his brainwaves slowly Irish to someone from Germany or Spain clicking into gear. Even still, I or wherever?” I says to him. “Sure, they’re After a while, he says to me: not gonna have a clue what they’re saying like using the cupla “Here, I heard they were thinking focal. Puts me in anyway.” of putting in a farm in Ballymun to “I suppose you’re right, Gaz,” says Davy. touch with me Celtic tackle anti-social behaviour.” “But even still, I like using the cupla focal. soul. “So?” I says. Puts me in touch with me Celtic soul.” “Well maybe the animals have a “Celtic soul?” I says. “You’re some tulip! calming effect,” he says. But sure, I’m sure your Celtic soul is a fine “Wha’? So ye reckon if the peosoul indeed.” ple of Castleknock get a few rab“Ah now, don’t start again,” he says bits and whatnot in their gardens with his face creasing up again. it’ll stop people using their garden “The Celtic soul is a powerful thing. as a jacks?” People of the diaspora all possess it. Look “I dunno, maybe.” at yer man Ed Sheeran, king of the pop I can think of more than a cupla world thanks in part to his Celtic things wrong with that, Davy, for soul.” focal sake.
“
Pippa O’Connor looked as perfectly styish as ever when she came along to the La RochePosay Baby Skincare Masterclass in the Iveagh Garden Hotel recently. For more shots of the glamorous guests at the launch, see the gallery on P22-23.
5 April 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 13
14 DUBLIN GAZETTE 5 April 2018
PEOPLE
WAYS TO HELP OTHERS, AND TO HELP YOURSELF, TOO
How Dynamo usually looks (above) versus (right) his appearance battling Crohn’s disease at its worst
No magic solution for Crohn’s – but get help to treat it REBECCA RYAN
DUBLINERS with Crohn’s disease are being encouraged to reach out for support, with the illness getting a high-profile nod from the magician Dynamo, who has opened up about his struggles with the illness. Crohn’s disease is a long-term condition which causes ulceration of the digestive tract, and symptoms can include recurring diarrhoea, blood, abdominal pain, fever, chronic fatigue, nausea and vomiting. Dynamo, whose real name is Steven Frayne, recently posted a video on his social media accounts revealing the shocking toll the disease has taken on his body. The 35-year-old has had the inflammatory bowel disease since he was a teenager and half of his stomach was removed at the age of 17 to help combat the disease. On Twitter, the magician said he has been keeping a low profile for the past eight months as he ended up in hospital last summer due to “a really bad type of food poisoning, which having Crohn’s disease and food poisoning is a really bad
combination”. He is also suffering with arthritis as a side effect and said the reason his appearance has drastically changed is because he is on a lot of medication. His post has been a source of encouragement to those suffering with the disease. One person wrote: “Here’s my moon face when I was on steroids.” Another wrote: “Sympathy! Don’t fret about hamster cheeks & spots. It’s just the steroids & will go away. I had it too & am now slowly looking more like myself. Arthritis means I cannot practice as a doctor at the mo so I know how you feel about hands especially. Get well quickly and safely.” Speaking to Dublin Gazette, athlete C a ra d h O’Donovan (right), who a l s o b a ttles with C r o h n ’s disease, said Dynamo has created great awareness about the effects of the disease. The kickboxing champion said: “As this disease isn’t obviously vis-
ible it can be difficult to get through day to day activities in public such as accessing public bathrooms in emergencies without judgement.” She is encouraging Dubliners who are battling with the disease to get help. “The biggest mistake I made before getting diagnosed was ignoring the symptoms for years until they got so severe that I got incredibly sick. “So, my advice to anyone is that if they think they have symptoms to get help. Go to your GP straight away! “I [also] looked at other athletes with IBD who were doing quite well in their careers to motivate me.” The Irish Society for Colitis and Crohn’s disease, headquartered in Dublin, h a s m e e tings across Dublin and Ireland, and they are also launching a new self-management programme this summer called Living Well With IBD. For further information, see www.iscc.ie.
Pat Dennigan, chief executive, Focus Ireland shares a fundraising cuppa with Deirdre O’Kane. Picture: Sasko Lazarov
Get together and help to support 10,000 homeless RACHEL D’ARCY
FOCUS Ireland have launched Ireland’s Great Get Together, a brandnew fundraising campaign aimed at encouraging the people of Dublin to ‘get together’ to raise vital funds for the charity. Taking place from April 20 to 22, the event was launched last week by comedian, actress, and Dancing with the Stars finalist Deirdre O’Kane. Deirdre said that she is “delighted” to be part of the launch of the campaign, one that holds particular relevancy following An Taoiseach’s Leo Varadkar’s announcement that homelessness in Ireland is now at a level of national emergency. She said: “Ireland’s Great Get Together is a fantastic chance for the people of Dublin to get
together with the important people in their lives and raise money for a very worthy cause. It’s great to see Bord Gais Energy getting involved and helping Focus Ireland to combat this crisis.” Almost 10,000 people are currently without a home in Ireland, with a child becoming homeless every 3.5 hours, based off the most recent statistics. Deirdre added: “It’s shocking to think that one child becomes homeless every 3.5 hours in Ireland. It is also unacceptable and we all need to do our bit to try and help change this.” The new initiative from Focus Ireland, who have teamed up with Bord Gais Energy, asks for the public to come up with any kind of initiative to get people together. From a dinner party to a sports tournament, it
doesn’t matter as long as vital funds are raised for Focus Ireland. Focus Ireland’s chief executive Pat Dennigan said: “Focus Ireland helps more than 14,000 people a year and we need the great support we get from the likes of Bord Gais Energy and the public so we can reach all these people. “Ireland’s Great Get Together is a new event and it will be really positive as it gives people the opportunity to do the things they love, and bring their friends, family and community together, while also helping our work. “Thanks to the support of Bord Gais Energy, all the funds raised will go towards helping provide services for families who are homeless or at risk and we hope this campaign
will also raise awareness of the deepening crisis in Ireland.” Mark Prentice, managing director of Bord Gais Energy, said the partnership with Focus Ireland has recently been extended until 2021, and they hope to help more and more families through the Great Get Together and other initiatives in the future. He said: “To date, this partnership has already supported more than 5,182 families in need, but there is still more to be done to tackle this issue and that is why fundraising initiatives such Ireland’s Great Get Together are so important.” Anyone looking to take part is asked to register their get together at focusireland.ie, where they can download a host pack and get more information.
5 April 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 15
NEED HELP?
ASK MARY
EMAIL MARYAT MARYBYRNE@ DUBLINGAZETTE.COM DON’T DELAY – EMAIL MARY
TODAY! Is my husband not the man I thought he was? Carla, Tallaght
I’M a happily married woman with three children, living in a lovely home at the foothills of the Dublin mountains. During the recent bad weather we were snowed in for five days and couldn’t leave the house. I was shocked to see a side of my husband that I’ve never seen before. He was angry, impatient with the kids, rude and inconsiderate towards me and almost like a stranger. He’s been OK since the snow went but I’m worried. Have I been living a lie for the last 12 years and is my husband not the man I thought he was? Dear Carla,
WE ALL love the snow, in small doses! Once the excitement of the first flurries wear off the reality sets in and the practicalities of dealing with the weather hit home. We all saw the mad rush for bread and milk,
and I must admit that I was drawn into the panic at one stage. Your husband was thrown into a situation where his routine was completely disrupted. Some men are ‘hunter/ gatherers’, meaning that they subconsciously feel that they need to provide for their family at all times. Being trapped and unable to provide can have, and in your husband’s case, did have a profound effect on behaviour at a basic level. This subconscious ‘failure’ on his part led to frustration and anger and unfortunately he expressed these emotions in a negative way towards you. No doubt the big thaw saw him thaw as well as he was able to fulfil his subconscious needs. Now he’s back to normal, have a chat to him about how he behaved, tell him how it hurt you and the kids, and hopefully in future he can be more understanding toward you all.
I’m attracted to another man in the office and don’t know what to do. Shane, city centre I’M 19 and work in a busy solicitors office in town. I’m single, happy and have a small apartment that I rent with a couple of other guys. My problem is that I’m attracted to another man in the office and don’t know what to do. We occasionally meet at the coffee machine and he’s always charming and almost flirtatious with me and I literally go weak at the knees. I don’t want to make a fool of myself but I can’t go on like this. What would you do in my situation? Dear Shane,
IN THE words of the famous song, ‘Love is a many splendoured thing’, and certainly in my experience it has its highs and its lows. Attraction isn’t defined by rules, it can happen any time and any place, often when we least expect it. Your coffee machine encounters suggests to me that the object of your desire feels some positive vibes towards you but how do you test the waters? Probably the best way is to try to meet outside the office environment. Ask your flatmates for help, organise a night out as a group, invite a few of your work col-
leagues as well, and invite him along. You’ll soon gauge his interest by his reaction to your invitation. If he rejects your invite I’m afraid it’s cold coffee from now on, but if he gratefully accepts, with his flirtatious charm you could be in for something that’s really hot. Outside the office environment it will be up to you to work your charm, and safe to do so as well. Good luck, Shane!
16 DUBLIN GAZETTE 5 April 2018
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WELCOME TO SUN-KISSED... DUBLIN? Memories of snow were firmly banished by an Easter cracker of a sunset over Dublin last Saturday, which brought an LA vibe to the slightly less exotic M50 link roads. If you have great, high-res shots of the city that you’d love to share with our readers, email them to news@dublingazette.com. Photos: Shane Dillon
Hop into the Disney Store for an egg hunt
THE Disney Store on Grafton Street will play home to an exclusive event on April 8. Participants are invited to ‘hop’ in store to take part in an exclusive Disney Egg Hunt event to find eggs placed around the store. Those taking part will receive a free Ufufy soft toy (while supplies last), as well as a free activity sheet which allows children to design their own Disney eggs. The event is suitable for children aged three and up, and will start at 9am for all Sunday’s early birds, but spaces are limited.
TRAVEL, PAGE 24
It’s Tee Time Putt yourself on a Northern golf course
Sports Editor: Stephen Findlater sfindlater@dublingazette.com
5 April 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 17
SOME OF THE LATEST EVENTS TAKING PLACE IN DUBLIN
DIARY
DOG OF THE WEEK
Tidy Towns calls on Dubliners to get involved THE 2018 SuperValu TidyTowns competition has opened for entries. Now in its 60th year, the competition is administered by the Department of Rural and Community Development and is sponsored by SuperValu. Minister for Regional Economic Development, Michael Ring, said that the success of the long-running competition is due to the ‘selfless effort’ of those that take part. Last year, over 870 towns participated in the competition, with over €1.3 million provided to 900 TidyTowns committees across Ireland to spend on improving their communities. This year’s competition will also see the addition of the Schools Award that aims to encourage schools in communities across the country to get involved with their local TidyTowns committee. The closing date for receipt of entries for this year’s competitions is May 23, 2018. Entry forms for the SuperValu TidyTowns competition can be obtained by visiting tidytowns.ie or supervalu.ie.
Little Museum salutes trailblazing females A BRAND new exhibition launched in the City last weekend, in another event to mark 100 years of women getting the opportunity to vote. Hosted by The Little Museum of Dublin on Stephen’s Green, ‘What’s She Doing Here?’ is set to be an photographic exploration into women who have excelled in industries that have traditionally been dominated by men. Looking at the last 100 years, there will be a focus on historical heroines such as renowned suffragette Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington, as well as a look at the women of more modern times who defy sexist attitudes to propel themselves to the tops Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington of their respective industries. It was launched last weekend by Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaelteacht, Josepha Madigan, and is set to run until June 10.
DUBLIN Gazette Newspaper have teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for lost and abandoned dogs. Lady is a gentle and caring four-year-old female Lab cross that is looking for a family to share her love with. Lady was a wonderful mum to her babies, and now that all of her pups have found loving homes, she is looking for a home of her own with someone who is going to give her lots of love. She feels best around people, especially when she can rest on someone’s lap. This beautiful girl craves the attention and adores her gentle cuddles, so if you are looking for an affectionate companion she may be the one for you.
Lady is such a sweetheart, and she will make a wonderful pet and a great addition to a young family. She could potentially live with children, but like all dogs, she will always need to be supervised while interacting with them. This beautiful girl would like nothing more than a loving and caring family to take her home and give her a happy life. If you have room in your heart for Lady, then 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.
Ten days of magic music in the city
MUSICTOWN will be back with a bang this April, with a ten-day musical celebration taking place from April 13 to 22. The event sets out to explore and celebrate the diverse constellation of music cultures that exist in Dublin city. MusicTown aims to unify the city, making its music relatable and accessible, instilling a sense of pride in Dublin’s musical heritage, whilst welcoming newcomers and visiting artists. Highlights include another unique collaboration between one of Ireland’s most acclaimed indie-rock groups, Little Green Cars, and acclaimed painter Andrew Vickery, at The Abbey Theatre on Thursday, April 19. John Sheahan and Colm Mac Con Iomaire with special guests will be at the Abbey Theatre with a special collaborative performance on Saturday, April 21. For all other events at various locations, just visit www.musictown.ie Little Green Cars
Wreath-laying ceremony to remember The Rising’s dead GLASNEVIN Cemetery began nationwide commemorations last week to honour those who perished in Easter week 1916. Ceremonial events included a number of wreath-laying ceremonies that took place at the Sigerson Monument and the graves of Edward Hollywood (the man who delivered the first Tricolour flag to Ireland from France), and Peadar Kearney (composer of Ireland’s first national anthem). Minister Josepha Madigan was joined by Sarah Tiffan, deputy head of Mission at the British Embassy, HE Excellency, Ambassador Stephane Crouzat, on behalf of the French Embassy, members of the Irish Defence Forces and the chairman of Glasnevin Trust, John Green, to begin the nationwide day of remembrance for all those who served on Easter week in 1916. Picture: Colm Mahady / Fennells
18 DUBLIN GAZETTE 5 April 2018
GOINGOUTOUT A Dublin dance group’s quest for greatness just took a twist by adding a stellar Irish legend. Meet
Le Galaxie PICKWEEK OF THE
APRIL 6 (FRIDAY)
A Night For Aware @ Olympia Theatre, €25 Cry Monster Cry (above) are just one of the highlights of a night to remember at the Olympia, where Christy Dignam, In Tua Nua, Mundy, The Pale, Barq, Jem Mitchell, Trouble Pilgrims and The Skatuesques are also set to delight in a dizzying night in aid of Aware. The bands and artists are doing their bit to help keep the mental health momentum going, with the fundraiser acting as a great way to help support Aware’s work with those impacted by depression, bipolar disorder and related mood conditions – and get a brilliant night out, too.
APRIL 5 (THURSDAY) Toto @ Vicar Street, €55 Karine Polwart Trio @ Pavillion Theatre, €23 Tandem Felix @ The Workman’s Club, €13 Theo Katzman and the Four Fine Gentlemen @ Whelan’s, €23
APRIL 6 (FRIDAY) Arcade Fire @ 3Arena, €60 Canada’s finest return to Dublin to explore several albums of driving, melodic indie rock. Expect some beautiful harmonies and catchy choruses. David Kitt @ The Button Factory, €18 Bahamas @ The Grand Social, €15 The Nordanians @ The Workman’s Club, €10-15
APRIL 7 (SATURDAY) Le Boom @ Button Factory, €14 Jeremy Loops @ The Academy, €20 Black Label Society @ Tivoli Theatre, €30 Vernon Jane/Thumper @ The Sugar Club, €10-15 Shame @ Whelan’s
APRIL 8 (SUNDAY) The High Kings @ Vicar
Street, €33.50 The Outcasts @ Toner’s, €10 Raucous, old-school Belfast punks choose Dublin as the venue to record their latest live record. Heavily backed by the local punk scene, they play in the 70s tradition, their edges suitably roughed. Outcast by name, but music to bring in punk fans. Jive Aces @ Whelan’s, €12
APRIL 9 (MONDAY) Dua Lipa @ Olympia Theatre, €26 Jessica Lea Mayfield @ Whelan’s, €18 Marillion @ Vicar Street, €40
APRIL 10 (TUESDAY) Beth Hart @ Vicar Street, €39 Dua Lipa @ Olympia Theatre, €26 Ruby Sessions @ Doyle’s, €6 Epica @ Tivoli Theatre Laoise @ Whelan’s, €10 Tiger’s Jaw @ Whelan’s, €16
APRIL 11 (WEDNESDAY) Keeva @ Whelan’s, €12 Calum Scott @ The Academy, €19
DUBLIN’S most popular dance act might have left behind the world of major labels, but with the addition of former Fight Like Apes vocalist Mary-Kate Geraghty to the band, an international-class distance runner on drums and an absolutely pulsating live show, they remain an act to be watching out for. FEW acts are quite like Le Galaxie. Locally notorious for their late-night festival shows, glowstick showers, shiny stage outfits and thumping dance-pop beats, they’ve evolved where their peers have stagnated. With the addition of an Irish music legend in Mary Kate Geraghty, they have the potential to push the boundaries a whole lot further, despite saying goodbye to major label Universal after just one album. Their sound is euphoric: bleepy and charmingly sing-along, lively and driving. They bounce across the stage, blazing through tracks like impressing at any individual show is the criteria for ever getting to do another.
JAMES HENDICOTT
They’ve established a phenomenal depth of local loyalty in Dublin, in part thanks to the constant, lively evolution. It’s personified this time around in Geraghty. “The decision to bring Maykay [Geraghty] in full time came in the middle of our sessions with the producer on this album,” frontman Michael Pope says of the band’s new addition. “She was doing vocals already, and came in during the latter third in more of a songwriting kind of
way. We should have done it a year earlier, really.” “It was like a movie. I kept it really cool in the office when they asked me, and then got outside and flipped,” Geraghty jokes. “Before that I’d been doing one song a show with them for a while, but it’s frustrating to go out, go crazy for three minutes and then come off.” “We’d started to bring her on for more songs,” Pope continues. “The dynamic of her being on stage is like a bolt of lightning. It isn’t all about myself and Mary, call and response or anything like that, though. It’s still about the band and what they’re doing. If anything, it’s become more dynamic, more intense, more joyous.” Whilst Geraghty had been fronting Fight Like Apes for most of Le Galaxie’s career, she’s long been a fan, and being part of their latest offering, Pleasure, gives her the outside per-
spective to see how she fits into their progress. “I’d already seen as an onlooker that the band really aren’t afraid to adapt, to move and change,” Geraghty says, throwing in the planned addition of her own synth station – ideally a rotating one – to the Le Galaxie repertoire. “As a fan, I’d seen them go from completely kind of ambient instrumental, to a bit dancier, then to having vocals, then to having me. “It’s not like going into a company where there’s no room for promotion. Le Galaxie always h a s space to change. They’re open to anything. But they’re also very sure. “You’re more than welcome to make suggestions, but if they don’t l i ke t h e m , you’ll be very politely told
‘No’. I like that.” So drummer Al Higgins will continue to show up to practise a few hours after running 24-hour races and batter his drumkit like it’s not a thing. Michael Pope, dressed in a silver shellsuit with glitter flashes smeared across his face, will egg on the crowd with glow sticks and triumphant gestures. Mary-Kate Geraghty ... she’s a Dublin music icon, and for Le Galaxie, right now she’s their great unknown. Le Galaxie’s third album, Pleasure, is out soon on this Friday, April 6.
5 April 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 19
ENTERTAINMENT AMERICAN SUPPORTER IS CLUELESS ABOUT THE SPORT BUT BACKS OUR BOYS IN BLUE
Happy to cheer on the Dublin team at ... whatever it is you do in football QUINN KANNER
WITH no knowledge of Gaelic Football other than its existence, I decided to go see a match of what I’d been informed was ‘proper football’. So it was that I recently attended the Dublin v Monaghan game at Croke Park. The morning of the match I attempted to research the game, and what I found reminded me of the games played during elementary school PE when we’d have only a soccer field, baseball bases and a dodgeball to use to play something resembling a real sport. With its inclusion of ele-
ments from soccer, rugby and basketball, Gaelic football seemed like a similar amalgamation. Watching the athletes warm up at the stadium did not provide any more clarity on what to expect from the gameplay. Some groups appeared to be playing basketball, dribbling and swerving in an effort to keep possession of the ball. Others were running and practicing throwing passes. Another group was kicking balls into a rugby goal fork on top of a soccer goal, many of which went so high they flew over the net behind the contraption into the stands.
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Gaelic football seems to involve elements of soccer, rugby and maybe basketball
Quinn was happy to pitch in with plenty of support for her adopted city but alas, the mighty men from Monaghan won the day
During the warmups, one of my friends decided Dublin’s #9 was going to be a star player, though he didn’t end up being put in play until the second half.
Once he was, I bemoaned the monitor’s lack of close-ups, because I really wanted to know what was going on with his hair, which had some
great movement every time he jumped or ran. Because I didn’t really understand the gameplay, I decided to follow the crowd’s cues on when
to cheer. That was complicated by the fact that behind me was a row of vehement Monaghan fans and in front of me was a very vocal Dublin fan. At one point, I was slightly worried about being caught in the middle of a brawl, hearing a muttered comment from the guy behind me about the guy in front of me shouting about jersey pulling. It wasn’t until the Monaghan sup-
U2 retain reign as richest Irish stars MARK O’BRIEN
IN A NOT so shocking twist, it turns out that U2 are still the richest entertainers in Ireland, according to the recent 2018 Sunday Times Irish Rich List. The Sunday Times Irish Rich List surveys the wealth of the 300 richest individuals and families on the island of Ireland in a variety of areas, including entertainment, sport, business, technology and construction. U2’s riches flow in part from their extensive touring and a €3m annual income from their back catalogue,
merchandising and airplay. Their 14th studio album, Songs of Experience, peaked at number five in the UK album charts as well as topping the Billboard chart in the US. The €2m increase in their overall wealth helped them finish ahead of husband and wife team Mark Burnett and Roma Downey, who have a combined fortune of €443m. United States-based Burnett (57), is president of MGM Television and is the king of reality television, devising The Apprentice, Survivor, and The Voice, while his wife – Derry-born Roma Downey
(also 57) is chief content officer of the faith and family division of MGM Television. She co-produced the TV miniseries, The Bible, seen by 100 million people. The couple made their fortune from a successful production company, in which MGM took a 55% stake in 2015 for $364m, with the couple exchanging their remaining holding for 1.3 million MGM shares, currently worth €107m. The wealthiest Irish actor is Liam Neeson, who at 65 remains one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars. Most recently seen as the star
of The Commuter – which has grossed $108m worlwide, to date – Neeson’s movies have earned more than $6.9bn at the box office overall. Valued by The Sunday Times at €113m this year, he has been lined up to co-star in Widows, directe d by S teve McQueen, starring Colin Farrell and R o b e r t Duvall.
porters gave a standing ovation to their team’s narrow win in overtime that I realised how many of them were blending in to the sea of blue-clad fans. I left the match disappointed by Dublin’s loss, but really impressed with the athletes’ abilities. I’m not good at a single sport, and I feel like they have to be good at all of them to play Gaelic football effectively. Liam Neeson has taken seventh place in the chart, with an estimated 2018 wealth of €113m
20 DUBLIN GAZETTE 5 April 2018
5 April 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21
ENTERTAINMENT
VIRTUALLY ASSURED TO BE PLEASED
CINEMA | READY PLAYER ONE LIVES UP TO THE PRE-RELEASE BUZZ WITH EASE
VIDEOGAME -related content largely continues to be a tricky issue for directors, with plenty setting their sights on films based around games, but rarely delivering anything more than mediocre movies. For all the narrative
SHANE DILLON
sdillon@dublingazette.com
richness and depth that can be found in plenty of
games now as the medium matures, capturing the same potential complexity and core essence of a great game continues to prove difficult. With Ready Player One (Cert 12A, 140 mins), director Stephen Spiel-
SUDOKU
Wade (Tye Sheridan) may look a bit of a plonker in that hightech virtual reality gear, but he’s actually helping to save the world – at least, an online one...
Spielberg plays along with tech in terrific style
CHALLENGE YOUR BRAIN...JUST FOR FUN!
TOP TWEETS EASY
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS
DON’T FORGET TO CHECK BACK NEXT WEEK FOR THE SOLUTIONS TO THIS WEEK’S PUZZLES
@ibrahimhalawa13 Ibrahim Halawa has his priorities right
up largely contemporary tech (extrapolated a little further down the road), alongside some classic Spielbergian themes. Set in the near future, an American youth, Wade (Tye Sheridan), is pretty much like everyone else living in now commonplace slum-like conditions, using tech to escape the modern, messy world by jumping into the Oasis – the crazily complex global virtual reality that most
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with the high-octane race featured extensively in the trailers the first stumbling block that they can’t get past. Now, what are the odds that Wade will find a way? Throw in an evil corporation with indentured players doing its bidding, real world danger versus the virtual world drama, and something of a classic hero’s quest for Wade and his allies to take in both realities alike, and RPO
The film’s about much more than gaming – it’s a packed potpourri of pop culture references people spend a lot of time in, where people can be or do pretty much anything. Apart from just escaping impoverished reality, many Oasis users also know that its late creator, James Halliday, left a hidden easter egg legacy – there’s a Halliday secret hidden somewhere in the Oasis, and whoever finds it can take control of the entire network, as well as finding riches galore. The fate of the (virtual) world is potentially at stake, but in the real world nobody’s even been able to get off the starting block in the particular game that leads to Halliday’s legacy,
delivers a high-energy, high-stakes tale that’s highly entertaining in parts. The eye-popping visuals can be overwhelming, but then again they should be, given the nature of Oasis. Still, Wade/Sheridan successfully drives the film - including in the most literal sense - under Spielberg’s masterful control. As a result, even if you don’t know your augmented realities from your global neural networks, you’re virtually guaranteed to enjoy the often spectacular ride. Verdict: 8/10
CODEWORDS in association with
I never let the hate get to me and I go out and enjoy the things I’ve really missed. The Cliffs of Moher are something I always wrote about from prison and how they express so much freedom. I wanna thank all the people who supported me and caused this to happen.
berg takes a stab at capturing some of the giddy excitement and individual engagement at the heart of much of modern gaming, and for once the medium gets a decent cinematic presentation, RPO is about much more than gaming, mind you – it’s a packed potpourri of pop culture references, liberally sprinkling about a dizzying range of nods and winks to all kinds of blink-and-you’llmiss-them easter eggs that refer to cinema, TV and other cultural themes. Many of these were present in the 2011 book that the film is based on, but seeing them on screen is a different matter. While the trailers have made heavy use of The Iron Giant, for example, eagle-eyed culture vultures will find a long, long list of classic (and some contemporary) characters and icons popping up in overt and subtle ways alike. The end result is something of nerd heaven, given the amount of gaming and pop culture elements to spot, with many flashing by in very subtle ways. Still, as fun as it is to spot all these things they’re largely incidental to the film itself, which is very on-trend in serving
MODERATE
PUZZLES
WORD SEARCH
Taking note of anyone that Instagrams a Lindt Easter egg this weekend and sending it to the tax office because nobody should have that kind of disposable income to be throwing around.
HOW TO SOLVE Codewords are like crossword puzzles - but have no clues! Instead, every letter of the alphabet has been replaced by a number, the same number representing the same letter throughout the puzzle.
@Ciara_Knight Ciara isn’t eggsactly yolking as she keeps watch
Ok so once in ikea dublin, someone came back after over a year complaining that their blue kitchen was peeling. they had never taken the protective wrap off it & thought they got sent a blue kitchen by accident but decided that they liked it better than the white 1 they ordered. @earley Retweeting another post, and hey, who hasn’t been in this situation too? We’re not aware of being able to try the same thing with houses, however, as they tend not to come pre-wrapped.
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION FIND THE HIDDEN WORDS bladderwrack
mozuku
carola
nori
cochayuyo
oarweed
dulse
sea grapes
gutweed
sea lettuce
hijiki
spiral wrack
Irish moss
sugar kelp
kelp
wakame
laver
All you have to do is decide which letter is represented by which number! To start you off, we reveal the codes for two or three letters. As you find letters, enter them in the key and into the grid. Cross off the letters in the A to Z list.
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION
22 DUBLIN GAZETTE 5 April 2018
GALLERIES
Janette Ryan, Pippa O’Connor and Niki Ralph. Pictures: Brian McEvoy
Stars step out for a baby skincare class S
KINCARE brand La Roche-Posay hosted a special baby skincare masterclass in Dublin’s Iveagh hotel recently. Pippa O’Connor, Gail Kaneswaren and Grace Mongey were among the well-known mums who attended the class to find out the best way to care for their skin. Guests enjoyed a discussion with consultant dermatologist, Dr Niki Ralph, and La Roche-Posay skincare expert, Janette Ryan.
Laura Erskine and Ciara Swan
Lisa Brady
Niamh Durcan
Edel and Pearl Lawless
5 April 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 23
Pippa O’Connor
Tara O’Farrell
Kelly Felton and Kellie Kearney
Ursula Walsh
Ciara Swan and David O’Brien
Ece Parlar
Niki Ralph
Gail Kaneswaran
Deirdre Woods
24 DUBLIN GAZETTE 5 April 2018
Hit the North for some of the finest golf courses around QUALITY COURSES | HONE YOUR SKILLS IN A GOLF PARADISE IT’S no secret that Northern Ireland is a golfer’s paradise – some of the world’s best courses are dotted along its spectacular coastline. But while probably best known for its famous links, it’s also home to some of the best parkland tracks in Ireland and beyond. Two of those, both boasting stunning views of beautiful Belfast Lough, were the setting for the Writer Cup – an annual golf tournament held over two days in which a team of media
The ROI Writer Cup team
men from the Republic take on the North’s finest journalists in a format not unlike the slightly more vaunted Ryder Cup. McHugh’s Bar in Belfast City Centre
Holywood G C i s w h e re Rory McIroy honed the skills that would lead him to four majors, and it’s a golfer’s Mecca. Set in the picturesque Holywood Hills just outside bustling Belfast, replicas of Rory’s trophies are
proudly on display in the warm and welcoming clubhouse. You can even pose with the famous Claret Jug, the impressive PGA trophy, or the US Open cup – better still, all three, which probably just about every visitor to the club does. The course itself is a cracker, tough but fair, with smart play and prudent club choices rewarded. The sixth hole is a little gem of a par three, while the fourteenth is a par four that shows the lough at its most spectacular. The other track we were lucky enough to play this year is the majestic and historic Royal Belfast, an absolute beast of a course that oozes class from the clubhouse to the last tee. The opening five are up there
Michael McGovern teeing off
amongst the finest golf holes you’ll find in Ireland – but be warned, the chances are you’ll need your sandwedge. Like Holywood, the views show Belfast at its finest and, like Holywood, Royal Belfast is a beautifully maintained and wonderfully challenging course. And, also just like Holywood, a certain Mr McIlroy is a member. But back to the action. My ‘ f i r s t time’ on tour with the ROI Writer Cup team was anything but gentle – packed full of excitement, disappointment and most of all, good craic with a great bunch of lads from both sides of the border. Before we teed off at Holywood, Team NI were reminded that Team ROI held a 5-2 lead over the past seven years. We should have kept our mouths shut... By the end of the day’s play the score was 3 ½ to ½ in favour of the northerners. Naturally, we headed to the pub to drown our sorrows, and our hosts kindly treated us to a top-quality meal in the magnificent McHugh’s
Pub, one of the oldest bars in Belfast and also one of the friendliest. After a few pints and a great night’s sleep in the lovely four-star Hilton Hotel in the city, we made the short trip to Royal Belfast for day two and the eagerly awaited singles matches. For a while, it looked like our strategy of plying the e n e my w i t h One of the world’s top golfers, Rory McIlroy
pints the night before might prove to be a winner, but alas it wasn’t to be, and when we had to forfeit a point after our star player hurt his ankle halfway through his match it was curtains. In the end, Team NI deserved their 6 ½ to 4 ½ victory. Thanks to all in Tourism NI who sponsor the event and do so much to help it grow bigger and better every year. My only regret was that I didn’t have longer to explore the majestic coastline – it’s no wonder Belfast and the Causeway Coast are Lonely Planet’s number one region to visit in 2018… For more visit www.discovernorthernireland.com.
5 April 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 25
A GUIDE TO TEMPTING FOOD AND LOCATIONS
‘Start serving up more chefs for the industry’ DUBLIN Senator Catherine Noone has called for the chronic chef shortage to be addressed as a matter of urgency. She said: “The current shortage of qualified chefs in Ireland is reaching unacceptable proportions and it is negatively affecting countless Irish businesses. “Currently there is an estimated deficit of 7,000 chefs in this country. Training colleges are only producing 1,800 new chefs per year, while the industry needs at least 5,000 annually. “While new apprenticeships have made some impact in alleviating the current situation, it is my understanding it is not sufficient to meet the current demand in the short- to medium-term. “In fact, it is estimated that even with all the new apprentice and mentoring initiatives coming on stream now, it will be three to four years before they will have any impact at all on the current shortage. “In the short-term, I am calling for chefs to be added to the critical skills employment permit list as a matter of urgency. In the long-term, I believe the re-establishment of the hospitality agency CERT would assist in addressing the enormous shortage by producing more graduates,” said Senator Noone.
Beer we go ... Heinken bring 0.0% to Ireland
HEINEKEN Ireland has launched a new non-alcoholic lager: Heineken 0.0%. According to the drinks giant, the launch of He ineken 0.0% comes as a response to Irish consumers’ needs and demands, driven by the global and local cultural trend of living a balanced lifestyle. Heineken added that the new drink empowers those who can’t or don’t want to drink alcohol to be involved in every beer and non-beer moment without compromising on quality or taste. Currently, the number-one reason Irish consumers choose not to go alcohol-free on a night out is for fear of being seen as unsociable or not good fun, and abstaining from alcohol completely is their primary moderating behaviour. Radina Shkutova, marketing director at Heineken Ireland, said: “Heineken has seen strong growth within the low- and no-alcohol segment and expects this to continue, driven by the global cultural trend of living a balanced, healthy lifestyle.” Willem van Waesberghe (pictured), global craft and brew master at Heineken, said: “Heineken 0.0% is double-brewed; we then remove the alcohol and blend with natural flavours, allowing Irish beer lovers to enjoy a world-class tasting alternative on any occasion without compromising on quality.”
FOOD & TRAVEL
TUCK INTO A SUCCULENT, TIMELY DISH FROM NEVEN
Spring for lamb for genuine Easter fare THIS week we have a delicious Easter-inspired recipe (to serve 6-8) courtesy of Neven Maguire: aromatic crusted butterflied lamb with caramelised garlic and orange salsa. The marinade is a version of bulogogi, which originates from Korea and is normally used with beef, but it is absolutely delicious with lamb – particularly if you leave it to marinate for a couple of days before cooking it. INGREDIENTS 3kg (7lb) leg of lamb, boned and well trimmed, roughly 5cm (2in) thick 1 bunch spring onions, trimmed and roughly chopped 5cm (2in) piece fresh root ginger, peeled and chopped 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil 3 tbsp dark soy sauce 2 tbsp dry sherry Half tsp light brown sugar 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds 1 tsp black peppercorns SALSA 3-4 garlic heads, separated into cloves (you’ll need about 300g (11oz) in total) 3 tbsp olive oil 1 small orange 4 tsp sugar 2 tsp balsamic vinegar 1 red chilli, seeded and finely chopped 15g (half oz) fresh mint, leaves stripped and shredded 1 tbsp lemon juice Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper Charred little Gem lettuce or Savoy cabbage wedges, to serve (optional) PREPARATION Place the lamb in a shallow non-metallic dish. Place the spring onions in a food processor with
the ginger, sesame oil, soy, sherry, sugar, sesame seeds and peppercorns, then blend to a thick paste and rub all over the meat in a shallow non-metallic dish (or use a turkey bag if you have one). Cover with clingfilm and chill for up to two days, or leave to stand at room temperature for 2-3 hours if time is short. Preheat the oven to 230C (475F), Gas mark 9. If the lamb has been chilled in the fridge, bring
it back to room temperature, then place, cut side up on a rack in a large roasting tin and season with salt. Roast in for 20 minutes, then turn over and roast for another 15 minutes for rare. Meanwhile, make the salsa. Bring a mediumsized pan of water to the boil, then add the garlic and blanch for two minutes. Drain and repeat the blanching process again.
Drain well on kitchen paper and then peel off the skins; they should come off easily. Wipe out the pan, add the olive oil and then place over a medium-high heat. Add the garlic cloves and cook for 4-5 minutes until golden on all sides, stirring occasionally. Add one tablespoon of the sugar, the balsamic, a quarter teaspoon of salt and six tablespoons of water.
Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer on a medium heat for 3-5 minutes until most of the liquid has evaporated and the garlic cloves are covered with a nice thick syrup. Leave to cool. Pare the rind from the orange, avoiding the white pith and then cut into 1mm julienne and put into a small pan. Squeeze out the juice from the orange and make up to 100ml (3.5fl oz) with water. Pour over the julienne and add the remaining teaspoon of sugar. Bring to a simmer over a medium heat and cook for 6-8 minutes until the liquid has reduced by about a third. To finish the salsa, stir the chilli, mint and lemon juice into the caramelised garlic syrup and then stir in the orange julienne without the syrup. Remove the lamb from the oven and leave to rest in a warm place for 10 minutes. If you don’t like your lamb too pink you can cover it with foil at this point and it will continue to cook. Carve into slices and add any of the cooking juices to the orange salsa. Taste and add a little of the remaining orange syrup if you think it needs it. Arrange the carved lamb on warmed plates with some of the caramelised garlic and orange salsa on the side or on top. Ad d s o m e o f t h e charred little Gem lettuce wedges or cabbage to serve if liked.
26 DUBLIN GAZETTE 5 April 2018
HOME | COLOUR THEORY IS KEY TO A HAPPILY DECORATED HOME
Tangled up in blue (or red, or green) Rachel D’Arcy rdarcy@dublingazette.com
SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW... Bold patterns and cool colours are a-plenty in the upcoming home collections from Aldi (bottom left and right) and Harvey Norman (top and centre)
COLOUR theory is key to a well designed and furnished room. One colour can say the world about your home (and you!) so it’s key to match your furnishings to that oh-so important shade range. Compliment bolder walls with muted furniture, or vice versa, or find a distinct pattern choice to throw into the mix to liven things up. There’s no wrong way of designing your room, as long as the colours and furnishings feel authentic to you!
BOLD AND BRASH | FURNISHINGS WITH MINIMAL IMPACT THAT STILL PACK A PUNCH
Penneys Mandala soft cushion €10
Next LYLA chair €135
HomeSense Circle Foot stool €69
5 April 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 27
WEDDING SEASON IS IN FULL SWING
HOME & STYLE
BeautyBITS
Kaftan dress, & Other Stories, €125
Crochet dress, & Other Stories, €145
Louis Vuitton reveal new artistic director Rachel D’Arcy
Robe dress, & Other Stories, €99
Louis Vuitton have appointed their first ever African-American artistic director in the form of Virgil Abloh. Appointed as artistic director for their quickly
Grafton Street’s & Other Stories are set to launch their bridal capsule collection later this month.
blossoming menswear line, Virgil has become a wellknown name on social media as the founder of luxe
Baby doll dress & Other Stories, €89
Patterned dress, & Other Stories, €89
street-wear brand Off-White. As a brand, Off-White has become something of a social media firestorm in the last year, with It-Instagram Models Bella Hadid and Kaia Gerber
Smock dress, & Other Stories, €89
known to be fans of the bold yet relaxed designs. At last year’s Paris Fashion Week, a near riot incited outside Off-White’s fashion show as fans battled to get in for a prestigious look at the next collection. Virgil is also known as Kanye West’s creative protege, even being nominated for a Grammy as part of his artistic work on West’s 2011 ‘Watch The Throne’ collaboration with Jay-Z. Editor of Vogue, Edward Enninful, said: “Virgil is one of the few designers who truly marries street culture with high fashion - and the first black designer to be given such a position in the gilded halls of [Vuitton’s parent company] LVMH. “His appointment is a step in the right direction for diversity, as well as a particularly exciting creative moment for the industry”. His first collection for Louis Vuitton Menswear will hit runways later
S
r e m m u
Rachel D’Arcy
Lovin’
AS THE weather gets warmer, we’re coming into wedding season. The season for the struggle of finding that perfect outfit to wear to a wedding, of secretly hoping you’ll find a look that might take everyone’s eye off the bride – for just a split second! & Other Stories have the answer. They will launch their Bridal Capsule collection, filled with vibrant colours and soft silhouettes at the end of this month. Prices range from €89 to €145, and the collection will be available in store and on stories.com.
this year.
Pro make-up on pocket prices Beauty has become somewhat of a luxe-hobby in recent years. An eyeshadow palette can cost upwards of €50, and some concealers can even set you back around €30. It’s become a serious game thanks to YouTube and Instagram, both financially and in terms of upping your skill, but now a low-cost brand has come to answer our prayers. Make-up Revolution have just launched their ‘pro’ range, offering high-quality products at a low price. Their concealers are already being praised as dupes for more expensive Nars and Tarte counterparts, at the pocket change price of €4.99. Their eyeshadow palettes are also retailing at just €8.99 for 18 pigment packed shades – and are perfect dupes for some pricer palettes from popular brands Huda Beauty and Anastasia Beverly Hills. To take a look at the full ‘pro’ range, check out revolutionbeauty.com.
28 DUBLIN GAZETTE 5 April 2018
TECH TIME
MACHINE OF THE WEEK Illustration: Shane Dillon
The possible US demands to see our social media could lead us to... SHANE DILLON
Tech Editor
SO YOU’RE going to America. Great! Have you got your dollars? Is your passport up to date? And have you provided the US authorities with access to five years-worth of your social media and email activities under all of your usernames? Wait, what? Alarmist as that sounds, that’s something that the administration across the pond are currently mulling over. The powers that be are considering a tough, positively Orwellian stance over linking social media activity directly to visa applications, with countries that don’t currently have automatic visa exclusions to be hardest-hit. Don’t panic just yet – Irish visitors to the States don’t travel with a ‘visa’ as such, given the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) programme that’s been in place between
Visa-tor problems
our countries since 2009. However, given the current chaotic and rather ugly state of American politics, it’s difficult not to consider this potential social media analytic ‘creeping’ into other access methodologies – such as the ESTA programme – as part of the Make America Whatever Again mindset that’s seized control of much of the country’s mechanisms. There are still some two months of public consultation to go before any decision is made, with the public invited to make their thoughts on the proposals clear. Loosely speaking, it’s proposed that visa applicants from countries which don’t have automatic US access – which would affect about 14.7 million people – would have to provide details of their social media activities. They’d have to provide five years of their telephone numbers, email addresses and travel history, alongside more obvious, standard matters such
as saying if they’d ever been deported from a country, or if any relatives involved in terrorist activity. While every country has the right (and these days, the need) to keep out undesirables and try to protect citizens, the proposals would represent another disturbing turn for America, all but presuming guilt of would-be immigrants and others. It’s also difficult not to note the recent net neutrality farrago, which saw a truly huge number of US citizens and companies objecting to the de-facto creation of a two-tier internet (prompted by – surprise, surprise – commercial factors), which was approved despite their mass objections. To use a crude Americanism, the net neutrality matter is something that will come back to bite us all in the ass – but this visa move, if passed, is something that millions of people will have to face a lot sooner, if not all of us down the road ...
Another cracking good bad news story about Facebook TAKING a break from writing on the international Facebook data mining row – which is still blazing away like an underground coal mine fire – let’s look instead at ... another Facebook bad news story which created plenty of negative press late last week instead. To wildly misquote Oscar Wilde: To be at the centre of one international bad news story is misfortune, but to be at the centre of two looks like carelessness. The tech titan found itself under attack from a new front when an internal 2016 memo written by a vice-president was leaked to Buzzfeed: “Maybe someone dies in a terrorist attack coordinated on our tools. And still we connect people. The ugly truth is that we believe in connecting people so deeply that anything that allows us to connect more people more often is *de facto* good.” Internal Facebook consternation was met by widespread external criticism,
with the memo – since disavowed by its author – being roundly rejected by Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg (forced into damage control yet again). With apologies to Mark (sorry, Mark), as a blase comparison you can’t make an omelette without breaking a few eggs, and as such it’s fair to say that Facebook – and any and all other social media platforms – could be used for terrorism or in negative activities, statistically speaking. However, as a general rule, eggs don’t like to hear about omelettes, and I imagine that most social media users don’t particularly like to consider the odds of there being genuinely bad people running around online, doing shifty stuff, with the tech powers that be appearing to be considering the statistics of connecting ‘more people more often’ to be good, as opposed to ... well, it’s not quite clear. As it’s often said that bad news comes in threes, it’s hard not to wonder what the next such story will be ...
Skoda delivers a car worthy of its Superb title The Skoda Superb has got a reputation for being a big car and that’s well founded. The latest model has even greater comfort and good economy with a 2.0 litre turbo-diesel engine that Michael Moroney found a real treat. IF YOU want space in a car, then you just have to consider the new Skoda Superb; and if you want to add an extra bit of style opt for the SportLine versions There is simply no other car on the market that brings together the balance of space with competitive pricing, low running costs and new, impressive styling. You have to drive the Superb to get the full impact of the space within the car. With this new third-generation Superb, the car is bigger, more modern and packed with additional features to make it more comfortable to drive. The 2.0 litre turbo-diesel engine is the engine of choice for me and was the engine in the car that I drove some weeks ago. This allows the big car to achieve its best when it comes to on-road comfort and driveability. Volkswagen fits a very similar engine in the new generation Passat.
Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI DSG SportLine Engine Engine power 0 – 100km/hr Economy Fuel Tank Capacity CO2 emissions Road Tax Band Main Service Euro NCAP Rating Warranty Entry Price The performance figures are almost identical between the Superb and the Passat, even though the Superb feels such a bigger car. There’s virtually nothing to separate them in terms of performance and economy – and that’s even if the Superb was 35% poorer in economy terms than the Skoda-rated figure. It still meant that with some longer journeys I was able to return a range of more than 1,000km from the car’s 66-litre fuel tank.
2.0 litre 150hp 8.6 seconds 24.4km/litre (4.5/100km or 63mpg) 66 litres 118g/km A47 €200 20,000km/12 months 5 star (2015) 3 years/100,000km €40,945 When you couple that with a low 118g/km CO2 rating for the automatic version fitted with the renowned Volkswagen Group DSG gearbox, then this Superb has to be a very low cost car to run. There is little to separate the Superb from the Passat in terms of performance and the pricing is merging now, too. So, once again it’s a space thing, and here the Superb wins out against all comers – even the big Ford Mondeo.
Opel Ireland appoints its new GM OPEL Ireland has appointed Gillian Whittall as the company’s new general manager. Gillian joined Opel Ireland in 2008 as head of marketing & PR, bringing extensive experience from high-profile brands within AIB, GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson and Danone. Gillian said: “I’m delighted to take on the role of managing Opel in Ireland. The brand is embarking on a new era, already evident in the new Grandland X. By combining the agility of Groupe PSA with the design and engineering excellence of Opel in Germany, the brand will continue to strengthen its offering, impressing loyal customers and newcomers.”
5 April 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 29
TECH & MOTORS
Range Rover Velar is planet’s most beautifully designed car THE Range Rover Velar has been judged the most beautifully designed vehicle on the planet, winning the World Car Design of the Year title at the 2018 World Car Awards. Bringing glamour, modernity and elegance to the Range Rover family, Velar claims a unique combination of design excellence and engineering integrity. The distinctive design of the Range Rover Velar features super-slim Matrix Laser-LED headlights, flush deployable door handles and sleek Touch Pro Duo infotainment.
The Skoda Superb SportLine is handsomely designed – and its power under the hood and all-round fuel efficiency also impress
While against the measuring tape it is a little shorter than the Mondeo, it has far more legroom, especially for the rear passengers, and the Superb’s boot area, with the large hatchback-type opening, gives acres of load space. While it’s big on the inside and very spacious it doesn’t feel too big on the outside. This is a comfortable car to drive and I found it easy to get used to its overall dimensions, helped by the reversing camera kit in the SportLine version. And now Skoda has added more technology to the car. This includes
a variety of custom-built applications that drivers can use to send data from their car directly to their smart phones. The system also allows drivers to control smartphone applications from their car dashboard. The system has connectivity with both Apple and Android via SmartLink technology. Skoda retains the facility to insert an SD card for storage and to play music files. There are a number of USB ports to allow you to connect and charge external storage devices and the car comes with Bluetooth audio streaming.
Skoda’s new SmartGate technology allows the driver to see the performance and economy data from the car’s electronic control unit using special apps created by Skoda. I found it interesting that you could convert the car into a WiFi zone and use it to connect other mobile devices to the outside world. There is no shortage of technology in this car for Dublin drivers to use. Individual drivers can have the flexibility to pick and choose from this technology menu for entertainment or for work. The new Superb fea-
tures a range of new assistance systems that provide a new level of safety for drivers, passengers and pedestrians. This third-generation model has seven airbags (front side, curtain and driver’s knee) as standard and there ISO-Fix couplings in the rear seats for two children. The car comes with a number of other features as standard including Automatic Post Collision Braking System, and Front Assist, and has a Euro NCAP five-star rating. Skoda Superb cars seem to be holding their values well with low depreciation
costs which make this a very cost-effective large car to own. It has load space, passenger space and good towing ability all wrapped up in a more modern looking car that gives ownership value. The entry prices for the 2.0 litreTDI SportLine Superb start at €40,945. Prices have dropped marginally since last year to give improved value. This is a car worth driving if you need the space and don’t want to pass up on passenger comfort, leaving you impressed by a car that’s Superb in more than its name alone.
Are kids safe in your car?
SCORES of parents are cutting corners on safety when driving with their kids, according to a new UK study which surely has very similar parallels in an Irish context. The research of 2,000 mums and dads found 34% have allowed their children to travel without a suitable child restraint, and around 37% have driven with someone else’s child as a passenger despite not having a suitable child seat for them. It has also emerged that one in 10 have (or would) travel a short distance without their child or children safely secured in the vehicle. Shockingly, 16% revealed their kids have travelled while sat in the boot and more than one fifth have perched them on a cushion instead of a suitable car seat. The study also found 32% have driven
New UK research has shown that found 34% of parents have allowed their kids to travel in their cars without a suitable child restraint
with their children sat on someone’s lap and 20% have ‘squeezed’ their kids into a backseat containing four or more passengers.
The survey was Commissioned by mifold (corr), a grab-and-go portable child restraint, which also found that ‘pester power’ is one of key the reasons why parents don’t always take in-car safety into account. Other factors include not having access to suitable child car seat and a lack of understanding of the rules and regulations of travelling with kids in road vehicles. It also emerged that one in four parents didn’t know it’s potentially dangerous for kids to use a standard seat belt without a suitable child restraint – even in the back of the car. More than half didn’t know kids could slide under a seatbelt in the event of a crash, if the lap strap is too high over the abdomen.
The Range Rover Velar luxury SUV overcame the Volvo XC60 and the Lexus LC 500 to take the World Car Design of the Year award, as voted for by the World Car Awards jury, comprising 82 influential motoring journalists from 24 countries. Velar’s success follows the 2017 double win for the Jaguar F-PACE. Designed, engineered and manufactured in the UK, the Velar claims to deliver the practicality, connectivity and capability expected from the Range Rover family. With the latest technology and the inclusion of more sustainable materials, this Range Rover Velar is priced from €62,240 in Ireland, and is available to order now at Land Rover dealers across Dublin.
Volvo scoops World Car of the Year 2018 award with the XC60 THE new Volvo XC60 midsize SUV has been named World Car of the Year 2018 at the New York Auto Show, adding another accolade to Volvo’s growing list. The XC60 also scooped the prestigious North American Utility of the Year Award earlier this year, while the XC40 small SUV was named European Car of the Year at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this month. The World Car of the Year win is the first in this competition for Volvo Cars. In the new XC60, Euro NCAP’s best overall performer in 2017, Volvo’s City Safety Autonomous Emergency Braking system has been enhanced with steering support for when automatic braking alone may not help avoid a potential collision. In addition, Oncoming Lane Mitigation with Steer Assist which helps mitigate head-on collisions and Blind Spot Information System with Steer Assist functionality has been added to reduce the risk of lane-changing collisions for the XC60 (below).
30 DUBLIN GAZETTE SOUTH 5 April 2018
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GARDENING
LOVELY TREES | FOR SMALL GARDENS
Let Spring blossoms brighten the April garden
WITH daylight increasing all the time this month, spring is definitely in the air, and if you don’t already have a tree in your garden for spring blossom, now is the time to remedy that. In a smaller garden where space is limited, you could consider Magnolia stellata, the Star Magnolia. Compact and slowg r o w i n g, i t c a n b e treated like a shrub and incorporated easily into a mixed border. Its starry white blooms are one of my favourite sights in the spring garden and have a sweet fragrance. Un d e r p l a n t w i t h snowdrops or grape hyacinths and you will be enchanted by this lovely magnolia in bloom for many years to come. Amelanchier lamarckii, or snowy m e s p i l u s, is a lovely choice for a small tree and as well as snowy spring blossom it offers glowing leaf colour in autumn. We can’t really talk about spring blossom without giving the flowering cherry a mention. Fleeting but glorious, in a sheltered garden they bring a touch of magic with single and double blossoms in white or pink. Choose carefully
though so that your tree won’t outgrow the space you have, and make sure the shape is attractive – it’s easy to be distracted by pretty flowers and forget about the structure of the garden. When thinking of spring flowers it’s often bulbs that come to mind and most of us tend to plant them in borders in any space that’s available. This can work very well and planting them like this adds colour and interest to otherwise brown and green borders early in the year. But there is another way to make them work for you, and that’s to naturalise them in grass. “Naturalising” in grass just means Grape hyacinths
you plant the bulbs and allow them to die down each year and spread themselves about naturally, which they will often do by means of seeding about. This works on a number of different scales – larger flowers in larger areas – like the “host of golden daffodils”
made famous by William Wordsworth – and smaller blooms in a more modestly-sized space. “Ten thousand saw I at a glance” said the poet – but I suspect most of us would have to be content with knocking a zero or two off that number! In a smaller garden, snowdrops work very well in grass, as do crocuses, scilla and anemone blanda. Anemone nemorosa, the wood anemone is very pretty too in white drifts around the base of a tree. In fact if you have a deciduous tree in your lawn, around the base is usually a good place for naturalising bulbs, as they can produce their leaves and flowers while the tree’s branches are still bare, allowing in the necessary light. Don’t plant too close to the trunk – allow a little space – and scatter the bulbs loosely on the grass, planting them where they fall, so that it looks as if they’ve appeared there naturally. Don’t cut the grass in the planted area until six to eight weeks after the bulbs have flowered, to allow them to build up strength and flower and multiply each year. The perfect excuse to leave mowing till a few weeks later – don’t say I never give you anything!
Anne Byrne Garden Design
Flowering cherry and Magnolia stellata (inset) both boast stunning flowers
Anemone nemorosa is very pretty too in white drifts around the base of a tree
5 April 2018 SOUTH DUBLIN GAZETTE 33
34 DUBLIN GAZETTE SOUTH 5 April 2018
Because no match is too small...
Gazette Dublin Now even bigger and better
5 April 2018 SOUTH DUBLIN GAZETTE 35
LEINSTER MARCH ON TO SEMI FINALS P36
GAZETTE
RONAN GRIMES PARA-CYCLING CHAMPIONSHIP DEBUT P37
THE BEST IN DUBLIN
UCD LOSE OUT ON PENALTIES P37
SPORT
LET DUBLIN GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS INFORM YOU OF THE HIGHLIGHTS AND SCORES OF YOUR FAVOURITE TEAMS HOCKEY | RATHFARNHAM CLUB MISS OUT ON EURO HOCKEY LEAGUE
Three Rock Rovers miss out on quarter-finals STEPHEN FINDLATER
sfindlater@dublingazette.com
THREE Rock Rovers missed out on a place in the Euro Hockey League KO8 – what would have been a first for an Irish club – in painful style as they succumbed 3-2 to Saint Germain in Rotterdam. While the performance was somewhat ragged at times, there were plenty of moments of what might have been for the 170 travelling fans amid a sold out crowd of over 6,400 on the day. Rovers were level at half-time at 2-2 due to a Harry Morris turn and smash just before the break. It cancelled out Martin Genestet’s closerange finish with field goals counting for two in this competition. In the end, Francois Goyet’s penalty corner tip-in settled the game
in the 34th minute. Rovers were left to rue Morris’s stunning strike from the top coming back off the crossbar while Luke Madeley had a pair of drag-flicks cleared off the goal line by Hugo Genestet. Indeed, adding in Ross Canning’s early flick at goal being batted away by Frederic Gohlke and Richard Pautz shooting into Arthur Thieffry’s chest, Rovers had enough big moments but could not make them tell. As such, the Irish wait for a place in the quarter-final of world hockey’s best club competition goes on. Two days later – on Easter Monday – Rovers faced Belgian side KHC Dragons in the ranking matches, a new introduction to the EHL. It was a tough ask from the start, facing a side featuring seven of the European Championships silver medal win-
Three Rock Rovers hockey Captain Jody Hosking running towards goal against Saint Germain in Rotterdam. Picture: Frank Uijlrnbroek
ning side and five Olympic silver medalists. Rovers, by contrast, had a virus afflicting their team with Ravin Nair and Ross Canning sitting out the tie while Luke Madeley, Ben Walker and Mark Samuel all played limited roles due to stomach complaints. As it was, Rovers got involved in one of the most bizarre games in EHL history, one which ended 20-10
– in old money, it would have been a similarly strange 12-5. The Belgians stormed clear in the early stage but Rovers hit the next five times in the last 12 minutes to reach double figures with John Mullins, Harry Morris, Daragh Walsh, Kevin Mullins and Jody Hosking all hitting the net. They return to action in Ireland with Irish Senior Cup on Saturday.
SPORT CONTACT INFO SPORTS EDITOR: Stephen Findlater sfindlater@dublingazette.com For more information or to send in news and photos: sport@dublingazette.com Phone: 01 601 0240
36 DUBLIN GAZETTE SOUTH 5 April 2018
CLUB NOTES
ROUND
1
GERALDINES P. MORANS GERALDINES P. Morans GAA Club have rescheduled the Bray2Greystones sponsored walk. The Gers Bray2Greystones 2018 Sponsored Walk has now been rescheduled to Sunday 22nd April, please see further details below: The club would like those participating in the walk to meet outside Bray Dart Station to begin the walk at 1.30pm. Please wrap up, wear walking shoes, the Gers colours and to also bring a drink and snack as the walk is a big one. When we reach Greystones we will make our final walk throught Greystones Vilage towards the Dart Station for the journey back to Bray. Darts from Greystones to Bray will run the following times: 15.30, 16.10, 16.20, 17.10, 17.50, 18.30. Please Note that the car parking in Bray is generally €4.50 for the day, a Single Dart Trip from Greystones to Bray for 1 Adult & 1 Child is €3.45 so please remember to bring some change. Sponsorship cards will be distributed at training in the next week.
BALINTEER ST JOHNS LOTTO numbers 1, 12, 18 and 21. No winner. Next Thursday’s Jackpot is € 4,000 with the Lotto Joker at €850. The winner of €100 was The Rat Pack, with Trish Doyle c/o BSJ Bingo and Mary Sorohan winning €50. The Lotto Joker consolation prize went to Gerry the Bar. ELC forecast was won by Michael O Gorman, Aodhan Clabby, Pat Smith, Jack Lee, Pat Griffin, Frank Clabby and Oisin Power. Bingo continues every Monday at 8:00pm. Our Junior Footballers all won their games played on Sunday March 25th. The A team had the upper hand away to St Brigids thanks to a penalty goal from Peter Flanagan and excellent high fielding from Conor Gormley and a great team performance. The Junior B’s beat St Anne’s away by 1 point. Top class play from Sean Dunne (6 points, 3 from play and 3 from frees), Brian Monahan, Ciaran Nally, Cian Hallihan, Conor Lawlor, Dan O’Leary and Frank Ward. Our Junior C footballers were victorious against Ballyboden Wanderers on Sunday in Loreto Park, 5-15 to 2-09. Well done BSJ Junior Football. Adult Hurling Championship gets underway next weekend. Support requested for the following. Junior A Hurling Championship v Clanna Gael Fontenoy in Sean Moore Park next Saturday 18:00. Senior Hurling Championship BSJ v Setanta will take place in O’Toole Park next Sunday at 16:00. Junior D Hurling Championship v St Joseph’s OCB will be played in Fairview Park Sunday at 15:00. BSJ Easter Camp a great success well done Carol and Donal and team managers, and also the BSJ Parking team. GOPA The Garda Older Persons Association are holding a workshop on Safety and Security of Older People in our Clubhouse on Thursday 12th April 1:30 to 4:00 pm All Welcome. Condolences to Sean O Driscoll and family on their recent bereavement.
RUGBY: LEINSTER CRUSH ENGLISH SIDE SARACENS AT AVIVA
Leinster win over English opposition A thunderous third-quarter surge launched Leinster Rugby into the Champions Cup semi-finals as they knocked out last year’s champions Saracens in a 30-19 victory at Aviva Stadium. Converted tries from man-ofthe-match Dan Leavy (46 minutes) and James Lowe (57) had Leo Cullen’s men almost out of reach, and although Blair Cowan’s maul tried to give Sarries some hope, Leinster were able to see out a deserved win. Garry Ringrose’s third-minute try put the province on course for a 13-12 half-time lead, with Saracens making it a one-point game courtesy of three penalties from Owen Farrell and one from halfway by Marcelo Bosch. Johnny Sexton kicked Leinster’s other first-half points. Sexton, who finished with 13 points, kept up his 100% record with a long-range penalty and the conversions of Leavy’s terrific try, which exhibited James Ryan’s deft hands and the flanker’s pace off the mark, and a poacher’s effort from Lowe – his seventh try in nine starts. Roared on by the majority of the crowd, Leinster unlocked the visitors’ defence in the opening minutes. Theywent wide from just outside their 22 as Lowe broke a tackle from Liam Williams and the supporting Isa Nacewa put the foot down to create a two-on-one and send Ringrose in behind the posts. Sexton converted for a 7-0 lead. Saracens had a strong response, using their forwards to gain ground and work some space out wide for Sean Maitland. Leinster leaked a penalty close to their line, allowing Farrell to split the posts. He added a second one on the quarter hour mark after Ringrose was whistled up for an infringement on the deck. Sexton pushed Leinster into double figures with a well-struck 20th-minute penalty, following some ground-gaining carries by Sean Cronin and Leavy, but another period of possession and collision-
“
winning earned a third successful place-kick from Farrell in the 26th minute. Richard Wigglesworth failed to challenge Sexton, getting away with just a penalty. Leinster took advantage of the territory, winning a maul penalty before Cian Healy got his side of the scrum up and the Leavy-led pressure on Jackson Wray, off the base, resulted in a turnover. Having got within range of the tryline, a Sarries offside allowed Sexton to make it 13-9. However, Sexton was penalised for kicking the ball away before the restart and Argentinian centre Bosch stepped up, from halfway, to immediately claw back those three points. Saracens had two late lineout opportunities just before the interval, but Ryan got up well to disrupt and Scott Fardy was first to the loose ball. Healy was the victim of a high tackle in the second half’s early exchanges, and although a fleetfooted break from Rob Kearney promised more than three points, Sexton was able to slot the 42ndminute penalty from long range to restore the four-point gap – 16-12. It got even better for the home support a few minutes later when lock Ryan led an attack out of the home 22. Ringrose threaded an excellent kick to touch, five metres out from Sarries’ whitewash. The visitors were able to kick clear through Wigglesworth but Leinster struck a couple of phases later, a clever interchange between Leavy and Ryan exploiting space at the side of a ruck as the in-form openside took the return pass, darted through and evaded Maro Itoje’s tackle to dot down under the posts. Sexton’s conversion nudged the lead out to 23-12, and a bonecrunching tackle by Tadhg Furlong on Mako Vunipola soon led to a Leinster penalty in their own half.
Roared on by a majority of the crowd, Leinster unlocked the visitors’ defence in the opening minutes
”
Leinster found themselves with a 21 point lead over Saracens last weekend. Picture: Leinster Rugby
Further breaks from talismanic captain Nacewa and Leavy had Saracens scrambling in defence, but they forced a knock-on at the end of 22 breathless phases. The third try duly arrived just before the hour mark, Ryan again building momentum with a powerful carry and Fergus McFadden and Sexton’s attacking of the blindside had Sarries hanging on close to their line. The pressure told when Lowe came in on a hard line, kept his feet and the drive took him over, the New Zealander doing really well to stretch and ground the ball successfully. With Sexton receiving treatment, McFadden added the extras, yet Saracens were able to hit back due to the impact of their bench. One of their replacements, back rower Cowan, touched down under a pile of bodies from a well-executed 63rd-minute lineout maul. Farrell converted from wide on the right to reduce the arrears to 11 points. Rhys Ruddock made a welcome return in blue for the final quarter of an hour – his first appearance since suffering a hamstring injury away to Exeter Chiefs in December. Young half-backs Nick McCarthy (23) and Joey Carbery (22) and 21-year-old
Champions Cup debutant Max Deegan also came on to help Leinster hold Sarries at arm’s length. Mark McCall’s charges made the hosts fight all the way, but the men in blue kept coming up with big moments in defence. Toner’s tackle on Farrell forced a knock-on, Leavy got in to win turnover ball a few minutes later and, with Nacewa continuing to play a key role, Leinster kept their line intact with Sarries guilty of crossing. Although Toner’s outstretched boot gave away a penalty and a yellow card, 14-man Leinster were able to end the game in possession and in control of field position. Their swarming defence led to another couple of knock-ons from Saracens, one by George Kruis off a close-in maul near the right corner and another after Mako Vunipola had slipped through in midfield. The home side kicked downfield, pressed again and from a late scrum with Ruddock at lock and Lowe at flanker, they wound down the clock before McCarthy booted the ball dead and the jubilant Leinster fans savoured the prospect of hosting Scarlets in a mouth-watering Celtic clash in three weeks’ time.
5 April 2018 SOUTH DUBLIN GAZETTE 37
EA SPORTS LEAGUE CUP: UCD LOSE LOST OUT ON PENALTIES
Bohemians teach UCD students a lesson EA SPORTS CUP
UCD’s Gary O’Neill and JJ Lunney tussle for the ball. Picture: Peter Fitzpatrick
DAVE DONNELLY
sport@dublingazette.com
CELTIC BOOKSTORE A book celebrating 50 years of Leicester Celtic was launched last Wednesday in Marlay House. Guests included Minister for Sport Shane Ross and FAI CEO John Delaney. Speaking were editor Paul Miley, Ross and Delaney, and the emcee was Alan Shortt. The club play in Loreto Park in Rathfarnham and field 26 schoolboy and two senior teams. Leicester Celtic FC Celebrating 50 years of Football features action photos, articles, an interview with ex-player Damien Duff and newspaper archives. The book is available from the club shop on Saturday and Sunday mornings, costing €10, or via Leicester Celtic on Facebook.
THERE was penalty shoot-out drama at Dalymount Park on Monday night as Bohemians overcame UCD in a tense EA Sports Cup second round tie. Just three of Easter Monday’s eight scheduled fixtures went ahead as heavy rain caused games to be postponed across the country, and this was the only one of four in the capital to go ahead. St Patrick’s Athletic and Shamrock Rovers saw their ties with Dundalk and Longford Town rained off, while St Mochta’s first round game with Drogheda United was also unplayable. Bohemians looked set to rue the referee’s decision to proceed as they fell into a 2-0 deficit by half time as the Students put on a display of quick-passing football. Daire O’Connor was the creative force behind both goals: his pass set up Yoyo Mahdy for the opener, before captain Gary O’Neill curled home a stunning second. O’Neill’s strike was a thing of beauty, started by O’Connor as he won possession in the middle before fixing a defender to create the angle for the sublime finish. Bohs were a changed side after the break, however, and they pulled one back early on through former Leeds United striker Eoghan Stokes. It was the ingenuity and raw pace of 18-year-old Grant that led to the opportunity for Stokes, who had just moved up front in a tactical switch that reaped instant rewards. They levelled eight minutes from time through JJ Lunney’s penalty after Grant had outstripped sub left-back Darragh Corcoran before being dragged down. The sides couldn’t be separated by 30 minutes of extra time, and the first three penalties from each side were also on target.
Lunney stepped up again and this time saw his spot-kick saved by UCD keeper Conor Kearns, only for wicked backspin to then see the ball kick back and over the line. Bohs keeper Colin McCabe was the hero then as he saved from UCD substitute Paul Doyle, and Stokes stroked home his penalty to send the Gypsies into the quarter-final. “I was just watching it spinning and spinning and I was hoping he wasn’t going to get up and save it,” the shoot-out hero McCabe told the Dublin Gazette of Lunney’s fortunate finish. “I thought we could have gone on and got the third in the second half. We made the saves and had gotten the goals. “I was just hoping, for all our hard work, we didn’t concede one, for all our effort we put in in the second half.” “Penalty shoot-outs are just a bit of luck
here and there. Fortunately, he saved it and it just didn’t stay out, and when I saved it did stay out. That was the difference in the end.” UCD manager Collie O’Neill told the Dublin Gazette: “It is a little bit hard to take but we only have ourselves to blame. “We were excellent in the first half, deserved to be 2-0 up, and had enough chances in the second half to put it to bed. “Even when they got the one back, we basically broke straight away and Daire was clean through one-on-one. “It’s a little bit hard to take when you’ve had the chance to go and put it to bed and just got done in the end. “It definitely comes down to lack of experience. When Bohs got the first goal back, they panicked a little because it got the crowd up a little bit. It’s something that we’ll learn from.”
RONAN GRIMES DEBUTS WITH THREE TOP 10 FINISHES PARACYCLING CHAMPIONSHIPS JAMES HENDICOTT
RONAN Grimes of Scott Orwell Wheelers had an exceptional first World Para-cycling Championships in Brazil last weekend, achieving three top ten finishes despite Ireland not having an indoor velodrome on which he can train. Grimes who rides with the Wheelers, a fast-growing Dublin club and competes in the C4 category for people with lower limb impairments. The 29-yearold grabbed his top-ten finishes
in the category over 1000 metres (ninth), the 4km individual pursuit (eighth) and the MC4-5 scratch race (eighth again). The Wheelers rider actually came through in third in the C4 category in the latter race, but missed out on a medal, as in that particular contest medals are awarded only to the category winners. The Scott Orwell rider was largely pleased with his results, though he’s already talking about improvement at future events, having got a taste of the elite-level field:
“The standard of riders in the top ten today was very high, with most having medalled at world championships before. Going into it I thought I might have gone a couple of seconds faster, but perhaps got my pacing slightly off. Still, the results from the pursuit and the kilo have left me with some good benchmarks to work on and improve on over the next season,” Grimes said after the final race. Grimes earlier admitted his own inexperience in celebrating his ninth place in the 1km race, cherishing the experience: “The time of 1.11 is
something I would have grabbed at before the race, so I have to be happy with that, and it’s a top ten too,” he said. “I have a lot of positives to take from it, and a lot to learn too. I kind of pulled a bit too early at the gate so I lost a bit of momentum at the start of race. When it is just four laps it is over before you know it, so it was all a kind of blur until I heard that last bell.” “The track isn’t something I have a whole lot of experience in,” he concluded. “The nerves were setting in an hour or so beforehand.”
38 DUBLIN GAZETTE SOUTH 5 April 2018
ROUND
CLUB NOTES
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NAOMH OLAF I’M a Celebrity is the big focus for April with the Naomh Olaf AIG sponsored I’m a Celebrity fundraising event taking place on Saturday 21 April. Get behind your team representative and help their fundraising drive. There are opportunities still for advertisers to place an ad in the programme. Email enquiries to barry@fade.ie. Congratulations to our own David Byrne on yet another national medal at the highest level in a great performance against Galway in the National Football League final. It was a great week for Naomh Olaf Ladies Football last weekend as two adult teams were fielded in the league, a first for Naomh Olaf. Not only that, but both teams won their respective encounters. This is a great return for all the work that is going on behind the scenes. A very good win also for Under 15 hurlers in league match against local rivals Ballinteer St. John’s last week - well done lads. Adult Hurling championship starts next weekend. Junior team away to St. Brendan’s, Sunday 11:00. Seniors away to Na Fianna, Monday 6:15 pm.
SHANKILL GAA CLUB THE juvenile Academy sponsored by O Donnell’s Pharmacy is back in action this Saturday at 10.00am in our new home Stonebridge Road. Why not give the Academy a try the coaches are ready, the equipment is waiting and ready to be used, the cost is only €2 per child and there is no annual subscription. Now that the bright evenings are back could all players please check with your team manager for details of training? Our Ladies Adult football team played their first league match, in front of a large crowd against St Finians. Although they
lost the game all the ladies acquitted them selves very well and are looking forward to the season ahead. For details of our 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 087 6414123. The men’s adult football team are looking for new players which are always welcome contact Kevin 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.
KILMACUD CROKES CONGRATULATIONS to the Dublin Senior Footballers who beat Galway this afternoon in the NFL1 Final, 0.18 to 0.14. Well done to Paul Mannion, Cillian O’Shea and Andrew McGowan who were all part of the Dublin setup with Paul contributing 3 pts. Well done also to Kevin Dyas who was part of the Armagh side that beat Fermanagh yesterday in the Divison 3 League Final. Well done to the Dublin Ladies Footballers who beat Monaghan, 5.14 to 0.9. Lauren Magee and Aoife Kane were the Crokes representatives involved. Well done to the Under 15A Camogie team who beat Good Counsel on a score of 2g 10pts to 1g 3pts.
CUALA THE Cuala Senior Hurlers golf classic takes place on Fri April 20th. It promises to be a great day out for all supporters & friends of the Back-2-Back Champions – so get your team entered ASAP! The team and management would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for the great support throughout the campaign and in particular our sponsors, Cuala officials, the members, local communities, businesses, families and friends of Cuala Details of the event are as follows: 4-person team, Shotgun start, Stapleford format with some local rules on the day. Cost for Team – €400. Sponsorship of a hole / green €150. Combined Team and hole / sponsorship €500. Food will be served on completion of your round. If you wish to enter a team, we recommend booking ASAP, please contact: Barry O’Halloran: barry@bchaccountancy.ie.
GOLF: JR CRANGLE PIVOTAL TO RYDER CUP SUCCESS
Loughlinstown Pitch and Putt bring home Ryder Cup JAMES HENDICOTT
sport@dublingazette.com
LO U G H L I N STOW N Pitch and Putt’s JohnRoss Crangle was a key player in the European team that brought back the pitch and putt Ryder Cup for Europe late last month. Crangle played alongside a number of other Irish players in a team that ultimately swatted aside the ir South American opposition in Chile. Crangle, the Irish nu m b e r o n e, wa s amongst five Irishmen who travelled to Puerto Velero, La Serena, Chile, with the Irish by far the dominant nationality in a team of eleven Europeans otherwise made up of players from Catalonia and Slovenia. The first ever Ryder-Cup style contest - which saw the players don the blue with yellow stars that traditionally feature in the European side’s uniform - featured alongside the Chilean Open title contest. John-Ross Crangle from the Loughlinstown Club starred along-
side Mark Millar (from Louth), current Irish number two, Alan Hanlon (from Westmeath, and currently the most successful international open player from the island), Irish world cup captain Eamon Gibney and European Champion Ian Farrelly (from Meath). The Ryder Cup was all square after the early doubles format, but that did not last long, with Europe kicking on over the last three sessions to ultimately take a dominant 24.5pts – 9.5pts win over the course of the long weekend. Crangle, Millar and Gibney each pulled off a clean sweep alongside Catalonian Manuel Amor, the quartet being the only players to take wins in all four of their matches at the tournament, chipping in a total of sixteen points between them, incorporating the doubles. The success for the weekend wasn’t over, either, as Mark Millar spearheaded an astonishing Irish sweep of the medal places as he took
CABO APPOINMENT Pat Costello appointed as Cabinteely General Manager LEAGUE of Ireland’s Cabinteely Football Club have announced the appolubtintment of Pat Costello as General Manager of the club with immediate effect.
John Ross Crangle (Left) with the pitch and putt Ryder Cup Trophy.
the Chilean Open crown with two shots to spare over Eamon Gibney, with Loughlinstown’s John-Ross Crangle taking third spot. Pitch and putt is still a growing sport compared to the riches of the pro golfing circuit, with its focus very much on the short form of the game. There’s a great deal of
crossover, naturally, but pitch and putt tends to have a great deal of appeal for those more interested in the finer details of golf, rather than finding the fairways. This comfortable victory for Europe over the course of a superb weekend for the Irish players marks them out as potential future stars.
5 April 2018 SOUTH DUBLIN GAZETTE 39
DUBLIN WIN NATIONAL LEAGUE Dublin captain Stephen Cluxton lifts the Irish National Insurance Cup in Croke Park. Picture: Official Dublin GAA via Facebook
BOXING: MCAFEE ON THE BRINK OF NATIONAL CHALLENGE AFTER LATEST WIN JAMES HENDICOTT
sport@dublingazette.com
Dublin hold off Galway to reclaim Allianz League title ALLIANZ LEAGUE FINAL Dublin 0-18 Galway 0-14 JAMES HENDICOTT sfindlater@dublingazette.com
DUBLIN were crowned Allianz Football League champions for the fifth time in six years on Sunday. A battling performance and the team’s knack of taking control at key moments saw the boys in blue over the line against a tough Galway side. Galway have looked increasingly impressive this year, and had finished top of the Division One group stage after a much-changed Dublin side were pipped by Monaghan at Croke Park last week. The Dubs have recently been solid but less inspired, and looked under threat of a second successive loss midway through the second half. A match that had been nip and tuck throughout appeared to swing the Tribesmen’s way due to the dismissal of Niall Scully after 50 minutes. With Ciaran Kilkenny, Jonny Cooper and Stephen Cluxton restored to the Dublin starting 15, Galway full-forward Damien Comer was
nevertheless the stand out in the early stages, a constant threat as he buzzed around the Dublin backline. It was a scrappy, physical contest, centred heavily around the impact of Galway’s increasingly notable defence, with Kilkenny and Paul Mannion both finding tiny fractions of space in the Galway defence early on to open up a 0-5 to 0-3 lead for the Dubs. Galway’s stifling aggression started to take hold, however, with Barry McHugh as good as Dean Rock from the set-pieces, they were the better side heading into the break, with Dublin a little fortunate to remain at 0-8 a piece. The best chance of the half had fallen to Mannion, with Ruairi Lavelle tipping a fine effort over the bar on 23 minutes. Dublin had edged into a two point lead early in the second half, a lead that held until Scully was shown red for two quick consecutive bookings. That margin was almost immediately eliminated by Galway as soon as the half-forward trotted from the field. An exchange of points ensued as the contest remained tight, though it appeared Dublin were staying in the contest largely thanks to Galway’s free concessions.
Then came the character that has helped Jim Gavin’s side stand out: come the hour, come the push. Philly McMahon and Rock were critical in taking chances, while Colm Basquel is looking increasingly like a Championship player, as he made an impact off the bench, grabbing 0-3. Stepping up when it counted, the Dubs snatched a succession of points in the closing stages, and remained league champions by 0-18 to 0-14 thanks to that late flurry. Though the score flattered a touch, the winning margin was obtained entirely whilst down a man. All in, it was more a ground out, characterbuilding win that led to Cluxton lifting the trophy again than the emphatic victory Dublin fans have become used to. Despite the win, there are a few areas of concern around the Dublin camp at the moment, not least in the continuing unexplained absence of Diarmuid Connolly, and the side’s propensity for red cards over the course of the league. That said, we’re still a way short of the sharp end, and that the Dubs have come out on top anyway is a sign of how strong Gavin’s side have become. They’ll take the win, and work on adding that polish with the championship around the corner.
SALLYNOGGIN’s Stephen McAfee’s rapid progress into Irish boxing’s pro ranks continued late last month, as he defeated Colin O’Donovan at the second time of asking to take the BUI Celtic Title, winning the headline bout at Good Counsel GAA club in Drimnagh. The 26 year old, a former amateur boxer and elite kickboxer from Monkstown boxing club - has made rapid inroads into the world of professional boxing after two particularly impressive early fights, won with a knock down in each of three rounds, and a first round stoppage through the breaking of his opponent’s rib. McAfee drew his most recent fight against O’Donovan in late 2017, but learnt from the contest to down his more experienced opponent at the second time of asking at Celtic Clash 5, over eight gruelling rounds. The super featherweight, based out of Sallynoggin, had looked behind in the early stages against O’Donovan this time around, but showed his strength in finishing strongly in the latter rounds and hauling his opponent in. “I was landing more clean shots [than last time],” McAfee told Irish Boxing afterwards. “It’s just in me to be honest, that grit and hunger – and I like a little tear up now and again.” The contest is already being dubbed ‘fight of the year’ even this early in the calendar around Irish boxing circles, and coach Jonathan Lewins is already talking up a move onto bigger things. “He’s an exciting fighter. There’s not a boxer in the country who doesn’t know who Stephen McAfee is right now,” Lewins told GazetteSport. “He came in as a relative unknown. Some fighters would come into the pro ranks with hundreds of amateur fights. We got a break in showing the footage of his kickboxing fights and his one semi-pro fight to the promoters and persuading them to take a chance on him early on. He stole the show in his first fight, and we haven’t really looked back.” McAfee’s six-round slug-fest with O’Donovan in his third fight contributed key experience for the fighter, still at only four pro outings. “We’re making plans for him, we’ll be talking about it,” Lewins said of what comes next, dropping the Irish title into the mix as a possibility. “We need to make a plan for him. He’s not as young as some people at this stage of his career, so it’s important to keep moving up. It would normally take a lot more fights to get to this stage, so it’s going well.” The win over O’Donovan puts McAfee firmly in the top four nationally in the super featherweight category, with the vacant national title formerly held by James Tennyson looking a natural target.
40 DUBLIN GAZETTE SOUTH 5 April 2018