Dublin Gazette: South Edition

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THE LATEST NEWS & SPORT FROM THE DUN LAOGHAIRE-RATHDOWN COUNTY COUNCIL AREA

Urgent appeal for fertility legislation REBECCA RYAN

ALL-STAR DELIGHT: Fox-Cab Duo pick up TG4 Ladies Football All-Stars. SEE P31

South Edition

A HEARTBROKEN mother has made a heartfelt appeal to government, calling for Irish fertility clinics to be regulated and for legislation.

Well-known in the area as Leas Cathaoirleach, Councillor Deirdre Donnelly, the mother-of-one told Dublin Gazette that when she was trying for a second baby, she realised

there was a problem.

“We were told at the first consultation that there was a strong chance that we could have twins and were asked if we were happy with that.

“We of course were delighted. The assumption all the time was one where we were going to be successful.

“It was after many attempts with medication, self-injections, consultations, blood tests and scans as well as

a painful surgery and recovery, that I was told that I had only ever had a 3% chance of ever getting pregnant.

“There were days when I left the clinic in tears on my own and the staff saw the state I was in.

“Once again, there was no offer of counselling or support and there is now an urgent need for legislation in this area.”

FULL STORY ON PAGE 13

New town between Shankill and Bray

PLANNING permission is being sought for the first phase of a new town between Shankill and Bray.

Counc illor Ossian Smyth (GP) said a lot of work has been done in the past five years to get it to this point.

In a tweet he said: “There are two pieces of land - one privately owned and one owned by the council. This application is for a portion of the private land. SEE PAGE 2

2 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 21 November 2019

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PROPOSED TOWN WOULD CATER FOR OVER 5K

New town between Shankill and Bray plan

FASTNews

REBECCA RYAN

PLANNING permission is being sought for the first phase of a new town between Shankill and Bray.

Councillor Ossian Smyth (GP) said a lot of work has been done in the past five years to get it to this point.

In a tweet he said: “There are two pieces of land - one privately owned and one owned by the council. This application is for a portion of the private land.

“The developer has applied to build 685 apartments and houses. The remainder of the private site is planned for another 717 homes. 10% of the private apartments must be offered to the council at cost for social housing.

“The council aims to

Legendary pub sold for €3 million

Asdf asfd sdaf dasfdfasdff dsaf sdaf sdaf sdaf dsaf sdaf dasf aasdfasdf. Picture: XXXX YYYY

apply for permission for 605 homes on its own site next month. This is planned to be 100% social and affordable housing, with cost-rental and affordable purchase as part

of the mix.

“If permission is granted, the private site could be permitted in the Spring, and the council site in Summer 2020. Construction would start at the end

of the year and complete three years later.”

Cllr Smyth said:“The idea is to plan and build a new town for more than 5,000 people. There will be a new DART station and it will be 5 minutes by bike from Shankill village or Bray.

“It’s next to the amenities of Shanganagh Park, which has a new masterplan. A third of the land belongs to the council and will be used for 100% social and affordable housing, while the rest is privately owned.”

Cllr Denis O’Callaghan (LAB) said he will be looking “closely” at the planning application for 685 houses at Woodbrook, Shankill.

“I object strongly that this application, by going directly to ABP, will exclude to a degree the extensive knowledge and experience of the council’s planners, needed for a project which is going to significantly change the landscape and environs of Shankill into the future.”

Cllr Jim Gildea (FG) replied on twitter: “It will be built on the green fields between Shankill and Bray. So much for protecting the green belt between DLR and Wicklow. Shankill village will be swamped, and Loughlinstown roundabout will be a car park.

“Housing is needed in this area. It’s a matter of how it’s provided.”

WELL known and much-loved local pub, Uncle Tom’s Cabin is set for redevelopment after it was recently bought for €3 million.

According to The Irish Times, the 130 year-old Dundrum landmark establishment has been bought by developer Padraic Rhatigan and financer Stewart Doyle, who are planning to redevelop it.

They purchased the pub through a company called UTC Developments, which they specifically set up for the pub’s acquisition. The property is already zoned for residential development.

Uncle Tom’s Cabin was sold by the family of publican Tony Collins, who is retiring. Mr Collins’ family has run a pub on the site since 1890.

It is reported that the new owners plan on keeping the pub open for now, until a decision is made on what type of scheme the planning permission will be sought for.

Online, people have been reminiscing of their time in the establishment. One wrote: “Have many good memories in this pub, pints, food and smoking area.

Another suburban pub gone, more extortionate pads and more traffic in an already choked area!” While another wrote:” Sad to see it go, it was a great pub…”

Minister Josepha Madigan and Conor Battigan, Chief Executive of the Sandyford Business District

Sandyford companies honoured at awards LAST Thursday, the second Sandyford Business District awards took place at a gala ceremony at the Racecourse Pavilion in Leopardstown. Hosted by broadcaster Ivan Yates, the awards honoured the significant achievements of Sandyford companies, organisations and the people this year.

Nominations were received from each of the four business parks that make up the Sandyford Business District.

Conor Battigan, chief executive of the Sandyford Business District, said: “The Sandyford Business District Awards have rounded off another successful year for the Sandyford Business District, which continues to expand and attract leading Irish SMEs, as well as some of the world’s most successful multinationals.”

Company of the Year, sponsored by CPL, was awarded to Keywords Studios, who provide services to the video games industry. For a full list of winners, see www.dublingazette.com

21 November 2019 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 3

DUNDRUM: ANIMAL DISCOVERED AT BOTTOM OF SKIP OUTSIDE APARTMENTS

Garda goes above and beyond to save kitten RACHEL D’ARCY

A GARDA on her way to work in Dundrum recently has received praise across soc ial media, after she went above and beyond to save an abandoned kitten.

Garda Carol Corrigan was on her way to work when she heard the faint sound of a kitten crying.

Upon further inspection, Garda Corrigan discovered a kitten at the bottom of a skip-bin

outside of an apartment complex.

The kitten was faintly crying for help, and was barely able to breathe when Garda Corrigan discovered him. She could not reach inside the large skip-bin, so instead had to try and tip the bin toward her enough to be able to rescue the kitten from the filthy, stinky bin.

Dire When Garda Corrigan

found the kitten, he had stopped breathing and the situation looked dire.

However, she managed to get the kitten home and to bring him back to life by giving him a warm bath, wrapping him in towels and blankets, before bringing him to the DSPCA shelter in Rathfarnham.

The Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals posted of Garda Corrigan’s heroic move on their Facebook page,

CYCLISTS

Minister announces new laws

Skippy looking in a much better state after a wash and being fed by Garda Carol Corrigan

where the post has been shared over 150 times with people showing their support for the Garda. “ T h a t ’s o n e l u c ky

kitty,” wrote one person, while another said: “Huge respect for that lady, a real professional caring about all living!”

The kitten has now been named Skippy, is now on medication at the DSPCA shelter and doing very well.

MINISTER Shane Ross, has announced that new laws protecting cyclists, which have come into effect.

The Minister said that the new legislation will make it an offence to dangerously overtake a pedal cyclist.

Building on existing legislation, it provides for an increased fixed charge of €120 and three penalty points for offenders.

He said: “The law will target and punish drivers who are guilty of such deadly, dangerous behaviour. Equally important is the impact I hope it will have on driver behaviour, providing a heightened awareness of the importance of sharing road space in a respectful and safe manner.”

“Too many cyclists have frankly terrifying tales to tell of intimidatingly close passes and near misses.”

4 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 21 November 2019

BUS CONNECTS: CHANGES FOLLOW MASSIVE CAMPAIGN

FASTNews DLR Sports Ability information meeting AN information meeting on sports and activities in the county for people with a disability and their families is taking place on Monday, November 25.

Now in its third year, DLR SportsAbility Evening 2019, hosted by DLR Sports Partnership in conjunction with St. John of God DSE, Family Focus Services, is a free event with representatives from a range of clubs,

centres and community groups will be there. The event takes place from 4pm to 6pm, in Explorium, Sandyford on November 25.

Places are limited for this event and must be booked in advance with details available at www.dlrsportspartnership.ie or contact the Sports Inclusion Disability Officer, Brian O’Donnell on 01 271 9506 or email bodonnell@dlrcoco.ie

Southside Partnership Christmas Fair in Clonskeagh expands service

THE Southside Partnership Local Employment Service, winner of a national Q Mark award in 2018, has provided professional supports to job seekers in Dun Laoghaire Rathdown for over 20 years.

These supports include career guidance, CV and interview supports, access to training and education, information on welfare payments, a weekly jobs e-zine and career events such as Jobs Fairs.

They are known for their client friendly approach and also offer a free service to employers, which includes advertisement of job vacancies, recruitment advice and information.

Next month, they will be expanding and will offer a service in their head office in Blackrock from January 2020.

See www.southsidepartnership.ie for more details.

LITTLE Sisters of the Poor are having a Christmas Fair in Holy Family Residence Nursing Home, Roebuck Road, Clonskeagh.

There will be clothes, crafts, books, paintings, bric a brac, gifts, plants, raffles, hampers, cakes and much more at the event.

The organisation told Dublin Gazette: “All are welcome, so please come along and support the care of the elderly!”

The Little Sisters of the Poor’s Christmas Fair takes place this Saturday, November 23 from 11am to 4pm.

Bus Connects proposals a ‘significant win’ THE National Transport Authority’s revised Bus Connects proposals for the redesign of the Dublin Bus network is a “significant win for the community,” according to local councillor, Cormac Devlin (FF).

The revised proposals will see the No 7 route from Loughlinstown Park to the city centre retained and the No 4 route from the City Centre extended from Monkstown to Sallynoggin, via Rochestown Avenue.

The changes follow a massive campaign, where 50,000 submissions were received by the NTA in response to their initial proposals last year.

It is understood the majority of the submissions from the Dún Laoghaire area cited the loss of the Nos 7 and 4 routes.

Welcoming the revised proposals, Cllr Devlin, who hosted six public meetings about the initial proposals last year, told Dublin Gazette it is great news for the community.

“This is great news for

Sallynoggin, with the introduction of a new high frequency route to the City Centre going right through the area. This is a significant win for the community in Sallynoggin.

“The new route will join the old No 4 route at Stradbrook roundabout and run into town, every 10-15 minutes, retaining that part of Monkstown’s direct link with the City Centre.

“I am also pleased to see the No 7 route from Loughlinstown Park has been retained and that the 45A will still service Tesco Ballybrack. This is another win for the community.”

Cllr Devlin said that major challenges still remain, including the abolition of the No 111 route, and is calling for changes to be made.

“The NTA propose to abolish the No 111 route, an orbital route linking Dalkey, Sandycove, Glasthule and Dun Laoghaire with Loughlinstown Hospital and Bride’s Glen Luas stop”.

Cllr Cormac Devlin at the Graduate roundabout, the terminus of the new high frequency route through Sallynoggin

“There are also issues with frequencies, the No 7 will only be hourly. This is completely insufficient for residents in Loughlinstown and Ballybrack.

“The 59 route was originally supposed to be every half hour, but in the revised proposal it is hourly. There is real anger in the community that the Killiney-DalkeyLoughlinstown area is losing the 111 and being left with just hourly services.

It isn’t good enough and will have to change.”

He is encouraging locals to check out the plans and make a submission, before December 3, at www.busconnects.ie Cllr Devlin has hosted two public meetings with Cllr Michael Clark on the revised proposals, and the final meeting with Cllr Kate Feeney takes place on Monday 25 November at 8pm in the Wishing Well, Blackrock.

Calls to ban smoking on beaches A SOUTHSIDE environmental group is appealing with local authorities to ban smoking on beaches.

The Sandycove Clean Coasts Group said that cigarette butts can take up to ten years to decompose, and can be extremely harming for marine life.

Group spokesperson, Margaret Brown, feels that Ireland should come in line with other countries, who have banned smoking on beaches.

“Cigarette butts are littering the seabeds and are deadly to marine life.

“The local authority area of Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown has some of the country’s most visited beaches including, Seapoint, Sandycove, Killiney and Dalkey.

“Globally countries including Spain, Italy, the south of France, parts of Wales, Australia and Thailand have banned smoking on beaches.

“Thailand’s Department of Marine and Coastal Resources has reported that workers have picked up

tens of thousands of cigarette butts from the country’s beaches – making up a third of all beach waste.

“Those caught smoking on beaches where it is prohibited could face up to a year in prison, or a fine of up to 100,000 baht or €2,651.

“Cigarettes filters, which contain slow-degrading plastic cellulose acetate, can take up to 10 years to decompose. Approximately 5.5 trillion cigarettes are sold worldwide each year, with a vast number of the ends discarded into the surrounding environment.”

The group is calling on the government and local authorities to take action and make beaches smokefree.

A spokesperson for Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council told Dublin Gazette: “The council takes its obligations regarding cleansing and environmental protection very seriously, however, at the current time there are no plans to pilot ‘smoke free’ areas on beaches.”

21 November 2019 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 5

6 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 21 November 2019

GALLERIES OF THE WEEK

Lucy McDonnell

The Script New Album Launch. Pictures: www.simonpearephotography.com

Sarah Veegan and Erin Ryle

Clare Clarkson and Ellen Mullins

Carol-Ann Hughes and Anthony Murphy Nathan Johnston and Aine Gavin

Emma Reade and Katie McMenamy

The Script launches new album at Golden Discs Dundrum T

O mark the launch of their new album, Sunsets & Full Moons, world renowned band The Script sigend copies of their new album at the Golden Discs Dundrum last week. Danny, Mark and Glen met and chatted with fans at the

exclusive event. After 6 billion streams, 30 million single sales, 10.8 million album sales, over 12 million monthly Spotify listeners and 1.8 million ticket sales, The Script can surely lay claim to being one of Ireland’s biggest and most successful bands.

21 November 2019 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 7

8 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 21 November 2019

DEMENTIA: CARE HOME FACES CLOSURE IF IT DOES NOT RECEIVE INCREASED FUNDING

Petition to save St Joseph’s in Shankill handed to Government REBECCA RYAN

A PETITION, signed by more than 10,000 people to save St Joseph’s in Shankill, was handed into the Dail last Thursday.

The dementia care home, which is the largest of its kind in Ireland, faces closure if it does not receive increased funding.

T h e fa c i l i t y, m a n aged by St John of God Hospital, has 60 live-in residents, provides 120

places per week in its day-care service, and has two respite beds.

Earlier this month, families and staff members received a letter from management saying they have been operating at a significant and unsustainable deficit for over seven years, and services could cease as early as the end of this year, if public funding cannot be secured.

The letter explained that St John of God Hos-

pital has covered significant shortfalls for several years to the tune of €7m, but another €1.2m is needed.

People Before Profit TD, Richard Boyd Barrett told Dublin Gazette that the closure of the home would be a “total disaster” for service users, and is “demanding” government to commit “necessary funds”.

“The closure would be completely unthinkable, and a total disaster for

Retired opera singer Patricia Dolan who is living with dementia and attends day care three days a week at Saint Joseph’s sings When Irish Eyes Are Smiling at the gates of Leinster House. Patricia with her husband Laurie and her family and friends support the petition, signed by more than 10,000 people to save Saint Joseph’s

dementia sufferers and their families, and it simply cannot be allowed to happen.

“What we need is the government and the HSE to commit the funds necessary to meet the high dependency needs of many of the residents and service users.”

M a n a ge m e n t h ave been campaigning for funding, in order to avoid closure and are meeting with the HSE and National Treatment Purchase Fund, in the hope of agreeing a more equitable and sustainable financial solution for St Joseph’s.

Retired opera singer Patricia Dolan, who is living with dementia and attends St Joseph’s day care three days a week, was at the public protest outside the Dail last week and sung When Irish Eyes Are Smiling at the gates of Leinster House.

Enable Ireland Sandyford joins shoebox appeal ENABLE Ireland Sandyford has decided to join Team Hope in their shoebox appeal.

They raised over €200 and put together 14 Christmas boxes full of gifts for children affected by poverty in Africa and Eastern Europe.

The children who receive the shoeboxes

are affected by poverty in different ways.

Many come from families with very little income, others live on the margins of society or in areas affected by conflict.

If you would like to get involve in the Shoebox appeal visit www.teamhope.ie/ christmas-shoebox-appeal

Many messages of support have been coming in for St Joseph’s, with one saying: “Well done and thank you on behalf of Mum and all the families.” Another wrote: “Well done to you all today. Let’s hope Simon Harris is listening.”

€700,000 in capital sports funding for organisations FUNDING of approximately €700,000 has been announced for local sports organisations under the Government’s Capital Sports programme.

Minister Shane Ross, said that 10 local sports organisations had been allocated funding, ranging from €11,654 for Three Rock Rovers, to almost €150,000 for StillorganRathfarnham Rugby Club.

The Minister said: “This is very welcome news for the area, providing much needed finance to fund capital projects for sport and community organisations.”

Fine Gael Minister Josepha Madigan said: “This important funding will greatly benefit sports clubs across Dublin Rathdown in the coming year.”

21 November 2019 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 9

STILLORGAN

FASTNews

Blackhall Fight Night in aid of charities THIRTY-two brave people will step into the ring on Tuesday week in aid of Pieta House and the Movember Foundation.

Pa r t i c i p a n t s h ave spent seven weeks training with experts of The Headon Boxing Academy, Irish boxing champions and Irish national boxing team representatives.

Pieta House provides a f r e e, t h e r a p e u t i c approach to people who are in suicidal distress and those who engage in self-harm, and Movember is the leading global organisation committed to changing the face of men’s health.

The ‘Blackhall Charity Fight Night’ takes place on Tuesday, December 3, at the Talbot Hotel in Stillorgan and aims to raise awareness and funding of mental health issues in Ireland.

They have raised over €2,000 of their €20,000 goal.

See www.gofundme. com/f/gz52s-blackhallcharity-fight-night for more details.

Animal charities fundraiser

€coMerit Environmental Certification for BIM BORD Iascaigh Mhara Dun Laoghaire has been awarded €coMerit Environmental Certification. Over the last two years, BIM has established a green team, carried out reviews of its lighting, heating, fuel efficiency and waste generation, upgraded car park lighting to LEDs, replaced bottled water dispensers with mains fed water dispensers, and provided staff with reusable

coffee cups. An Cathaoirleach, Cllr Shay Brennan (pictured) commented: “[BIM has] signed up to twenty eight specific environmental actions over the next three years to drive change and support its objective of minimising its environmental impact wherever possible thus setting an example to other public sector bodies operating in the county to follow suit.”

Anna needs your vote REBECCA RYAN

THIRTEEN-year-old Dublin girl, Anna Kearney, will be representing Ireland this weekend at the Junior Eurovision, in Poland.

Anna, from Foxrock, will be singing a song called Banshee.

Speaking to Dublin Gazette from Poland at the opening ceremony, she said that representing Ireland in the contest, is a dream come true.

“I can’t actually believe that the time has come for me to meet all the other contestants. This is a dream come true,” she said.

“My song is called Banshee. I really love it. It is a song about conquering your fears.

“I am so thankful to everyone that has sent me messages and good luck wishes. It is fantastic to know that they are all behind me and will be voting for me on

the 22nd. I hope I will do them all proud and represent Ireland the best way I can.”

Anna had a special message for our Dublin Gazette readers.

“It means everything to have the support of all your readers also.

This is what it’s all about. We are all in this together for our country.

We might be a small country, but with their support, I hope that we can get a great result this year.

I want to thank them all so, so much.”

Her mum, Eileen Martin, who is one of the original dancers from the iconic Riverdance troupe who performed at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1994, said the family are so proud of Anna.

“I am absolutely thrilled that Anna is getting to take part in the Junior Eurovision. I know it’s going to be an amazing week in Poland and she’ll remember it for the rest

13-year-old Dublin girl, Anna Kearney. Picture: TG4 /Bryan Brophy

of her life.

“I am extremely excited for her.

What an amazing opportunity to get and I hope she takes it all in and enjoys every minute of it.”

Voting opens tomorrow, Friday November 22nd. By the time the show is aired, the voting will be closed so we are being encouraged

to vote on the 22nd!

Public votes count for 50% of the final result. To vote for Anna, log onto https://junioreurovision. tv/voting The Junior Eurovision will be Ireland’s fifth appearance at the contest, and will be broadcast on TG4 on Sunday November 24.

A CHARITY event to raise money for several animal charities is taking place on Tuesday December 3.

‘Santa Paws’ includes a festive dog walk on the East Pier, a dog show, cake sale, raffle, goodie bags and dogs can even get their photo taken with Santa!

Tara Lacey, an animal healthcare student at Dun Laoghaire College of Further Education told Dublin Gazette: “All owners and dogs are welcome. It is a fun family day out for everyone.”

Santa Paws takes place December 3 at Dun Laoghaire College of Further Education, 17 Cumberland Street, Dun Laoghaire from 11am to 3pm.

See the DFEI Facebook page for more details.

Fundraiser for ‘Save Bulloch Harbour’

THE ‘Save Bulloch Harbour’ group will hold a table quiz, an auction and a raffle with some superb prizes.

Funds raised will support the Judicial Review by the Bulloch Harbour Preservation Association to challenge the decision by An Bord Pleanála to allow a proposed development on the former Western Marine site.

Gifts that have been donated for the auction include, Hugh Leonard’s Mont Blanc fountain pen, boat trips, ski lessons, rounds of golf, vouchers and more.

The Table Quiz will take place Killiney Castle on November 30th at 8pm. To book tables email savebulloch@gmail.com

10 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 21 November 2019

GALLERIES OF THE WEEK

Ann Rath and Daphne Kaye

Mary Byrne, Monica Carroll and Hazel Bye. Pictures: Rasdfsdf

Karen and Clifford Perrins

Liz, Louie Hemmings and Gladys Ellawer

Michelle Montgomery and Odhran McCann

Lorraine Ennis and Trevor Montgomery

Stillorgan Players put on a show Birrgitta Morton, Gwen Prietman, Deirdre Potts, Jeanne Morgaan Doyle and Edwina Scanlon

T

HE Stillorgan Players is an amateur dramatics group based in Stillorgan. Over the last 50 years they have performed over 80 plays from classic murder mystery thrillers to West End

comedies and farces. Performing at The Parish Centre, St Brigids Church Road Stillorgan, this Autumn’s production, Witness for the Prosecution by Agatha Christie was a huge success.

21 November 2019 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 11

GALLERIES OF THE WEEK

GALLERIES OF THE WEEK

Chairperson Karen Cashman with Eoin O’Duinin

Chairperson Karen Cashman with Keith Robbins

Chairperson Karen Cashman with Jorge Abboud Kayleigh Harris

Niamh Mulvey with chairperson Karen Cashman.

Pictures: www.simonpearephotography.com

Lucky students land €1,500 scholarships

T

Eve McSweeney

HIS year Capital Credit Union gave away 20 scholarships worth €1,500 each to student members. The draw is not based on academic results, so everyone had an equal chance of winning. The winners were announced and invited to a scholarship awards night on the 5th November 2019. Chairperson Karen Cashmen presented the scholarships to the lucky winners and there was complimentary gift packs available on the night.

Chairperson Karen Cashman with Dylan Murphy

Chairperson Karen Cashman with Maeve Boyce

12 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 21 November 2019

OPINION: PUBLIC CALLED TO SUPPORT FOCUS IRELAND’S ANNUAL, URGENT CHRISTMAS APPEAL

Together, we can help to end the horror of homelessness SR STANISLAUS KENNEDY, Focus Ireland’s Life President and founder, writes about the deepening housing and homelessness crisis and asks readers to support Focus Ireland’s urgent Christmas appeal.

WE CAN take home for granted a lot of the time.

But deep down, we all know what it means. Our home is the foundation stone of our personal and family life.

It is where we can relax after a long day. It’s where we belong and feel safe.

Sadly, not everyone has this security. The harsh reality is that three families will lose their home in Ireland today. It is truly shocking there’s now a record total of 10,397 people homeless.

Nearly 4,000 of these people are children.

While this is a national crisis, the problem is worst in Dublin, where 7,242 people are homeless – nearly 3,000 of these are children.

T h e G ove r n m e n t ’s response has been that it takes time to end this crisis. These children don’t have time. They are damaged every day while homeless.

Focus Ireland does not stand on the side-lines, we make a difference. In part-

nership with the State and our supporters, we helped more than 1,200 families to escape from homelessness and to secure a home in the past two years.

However, the sheer scale of the housing and homelessness crisis means that the number of homeless people continues to rise despite this great work.

I did not ever think that things could get worse, but they sadly have done. It

is truly awful that we are now seeing more babies being born into homelessness.

One young mother told me recently how she was homeless when her baby boy was born earlier this year.

The woman, Louise, explained: “I had just found out I was pregnant when our landlord told us he was selling the house we were renting. Our world fell apart.

“We were desperate – searching day and night for somewhere new to stay.”

But there were no affordable houses or apartments available, and Louise and her family became homeless.

Louise, her partner and two children were all sleeping in one small and cold room in a B&B the night she had to go in to hospital to have her baby.

She said: “My little Luke was born at 5.02am. But the first call I made wasn’t to family, it was to Focus Ireland.”

I am glad to say we were able to help Louise and her family as we at least got them into proper emergency accommodation.

They were still homeless for a while, but we worked with them and the great

news is they now have a home where they will be spending Christmas.

While Louise’s story has a happy ending, no family should ever have to go through the trauma of losing their home and being homeless. No child should ever be born into homelessness, but it is happening.

Families and individuals are losing their homes as they can’t afford to pay the rent, or the house is being sold or repossessed. They have been called ‘The New Homeless’.

That is, the people who become homeless for purely economic reasons.

‘Break your heart’ Many families who are homeless are squeezed into hotel rooms – five or six people in one room, nowhere to cook or for children to play. It would break your heart to see where these children are forced to live.

I believe that, as a country, we have a duty to look after all our citizens, especially those who are most vulnerable. We must cherish all of our children equally and ensure that no child suffers from being homeless.

Focus Ireland works hard to do this as we con-

tinue to develop realistic policy solutions to help end homelessness.

We also work through more than 80 frontline services in Dublin and across the country so we are there when people need us the most.

This amazing work is done in partnership with the State, as well as through kind support from our generous donors.

The current situation is that we have to raise more than 40% of our annual budget through fundraising and donations to keep our services going.

This means we really need public support now more than ever so we can be there when families and individuals need help the most.

I am asking people to please give what they can afford to support our urgent Christmas appeal.

A total of 89 cents from every euro is spent directly on our vital work to combat and prevent homelessness.

People can donate at www.focusireland.ie, or by calling 1850 204 205.

Our work will continue with your kind support, because this crisis must be ended. Everyone deserves to have a place that they can call home.

Sr Stan: “I believe that, as a country, we have a duty to look after all our citizens, especially those who are most vulnerable”

21 November 2019 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 13

DEIRDRE DONNELLY: HARROWING FERTILITY JOURNEY LEADS TO APPEAL FOR LEGISLATION

Calling for Irish fertility clinics to be regulated A LOCAL councillor is calling for Irish fertility clinics to be regulated and for legislation, after going through her own harrowing fertility journey.

One in six couples worldwide face infertility, and every year the number of people referred to infertility centres increases by 8-9%, according to Fertility Europe.

Leas-Cathaoirleach of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Deirdre Donnelly, is sharing her story in the hopes to spread awareness about the need for controlled standards among fertility clinics.

Speaking to Dublin Gazette, Cllr Donnelly said

Deirdre with son David

 REBECCA RYAN

rryan@dublingazette.com

when she was trying for a second baby with her husband, they realised there was a problem.

“I have been married for 21 years and have one son [David] who was born in 2004. He is 15 years old and in Transition Year in school locally.

“I was working in RTE back in 2003, and went back to UCD to study for an MA on a fulltime basis.

“It was halfway through the first college semes-

ter that I found out I was expecting David, which was totally unexpected, but a nice surprise.

“I continued with the studies which were very time-consuming and kept thinking that ‘next time round’ I would do the ‘nice things’ like shopping for baby clothes, pregnancy yoga, etc. Sadly, that never happened.

“It was a few years after David was born that we were trying for ‘No 2’ and I realised that there was a problem.

“My consultant recommended exploratory surgery, and then an appointment with a fertility specialist.

“The first hurdle was

getting an appointment with a clinic. This can take months. Treatment in Ireland is only available privately and there is a huge demand.

“I had my first appointment back in 2007, and was put on a prescription drug called Clomid.

“Each appointment included blood tests and scans and there was a high cost each time.”

Deirdre said she was given “false hope” by an Irish fertility clinic.

“We were told at the first consultation that there was a strong chance that we could have twins and were asked if we were happy with that.

“We of course were delighted. The assumption all the time was one where we were going to be successful.

“It was after many attempts with medication, self-injections, consultations, blood tests and scans as well as a painful surgery and recovery that I was told that I had only ever had a 3% chance of ever getting pregnant.”

Deirdre shared with us what it was like emotionally during that difficult time, and in the midst of it all, her mum sadly passed away.

“You literally have to put everything on hold. When your treatment involves daily self-injections, your day is based around getting home, or wherever, to the fridge because the injections have to be kept in cold storage.

Leas-Cathaoirleach of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Deirdre Donnelly

“Everything comes to a standstill.

“My mum died in August 2009, I look back now and think I was up and down to the clinic all that time, when I could have been with my mum before she died.”

Deirdre feels that counselling should be offered as mandatory, and said: “There were days when I left the clinic in tears on my own and the staff saw the state I was in. Once again, there was no offer

During treatment, her husband had to travel within working hours to hand in his identification and sign for “permission” so Deidre could be prescribed medication. On another occasion, she was refused treatment because the blood tests came back on the wrong headed notepaper.

Deirdre said it took her a decade before she could open up about this, and it’s now she is sharing her story in the hopes of seeing

relayed to us.

“I believe that if legislation was brought in, and that all clinics were regulated in the sense that they had the same standards and services, it would be better for all patients.”

Deirdre also highlighted that the cost of treatment is prohibitive to many since it is only available privately, and the cost of the drugs is high, which also needs to be addressed.

She concluded; “Leg-

of counselling or support.”

Deirdre was told she had “secondary infertility” which she said, “is basically the inability to get pregnant after giving birth at least once previously.”

She added: “People can make comments as well. “Would you not try again?” “Is he not lonely?”

“It’s selfish to only have one child.”

the legislation change and fertility clinics regulated.

“It took about 10 years before I could really open up about it. I was upset at the time obviously and the whole experience was draining.

“I was distraught, however, to learn that I had such a low possibility of getting pregnant in the first place. This was never

islation was promised years ago, and it is still not in place. I think that the Taoiseach and Minister for Health are letting the women of Ireland down badly.”

Dublin Gazette contacted the Minister for Health, Simon Harris, for comment but did not receive a reply going to print

“

There were days when I left the clinic in tears on my own and the staff saw the state I was in.

Once again, there was no offer of counselling or support

14 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21 November 2019

GIFT GUIDE: BAUBLE-ING OVER WITH IDEAS: ‘Tis the season to start

DUBLIN

thinking of presents for loved ones (or maybe even for yourself).

We’ve put together a great twopage spread with an awful lot of ideas – you’re sure to see a perfect gift for the special people in your life inside... Pages 18-19

MOTORING:

FESTIVE FARE AND FUN P21

MAGAZINE IMPRESSIVE: Volkswagen’s e-Golf takes the popular model and brings it bang up to date with some impressive features, with its e-features wowing even our experienced reviewer P21

LET DUBLIN GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS TAKE YOU ON A TOUR OF THE NEWS AND EVENTS ACROSS THE CITY AND COUNTY

A boost for all visuallyimpaired students ...

REBECCA RYAN

FOR the first time ever, students with a visual impairment and print disabilities will have access to more than 500,000 books and other materials, in the student’s preferred format.

The National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI) has launched Bookshare Ireland, which is the country’s largest digital accessible library.

It will massively help students in higher and further education who have a visual impairment or print disabilities, and guarantees equity of access to the curriculum with their sighted peers.

Aoife Watson, a recent NUIM graduate with sight loss, explained how frustrating it was that the books she needed to study were not available in an accessible format, and what this new launch means to her.

She said: “I absolutely loved my time in university but it was extra challenging for me as the books I needed were simply not in an accessible format.

“It was so frustrating seeing how easy it was for other students to access the books that I couldn’t.

“I know if I had access to the books I needed when I needed them, I would have achieved a higher overall mark in my degree.

“Having Bookshare.ie will now revolutionise a student with visual impairment’s experience of third level, as being able to access a book at the same time as your classmates is essential to creating an inclusive experience.

“I am envious of them, yet feel I will return to do a master’s sooner than planned now because of Bookshare.ie.”

To register students for this new service, sign up at Bookshare.ie.

21 November 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 15

16 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21 November 2019

DUBLIN GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS I N F O R M AT I O N

BITS & BOBS

COOL AND QUIRKY THINGS

Heritage House, Dundrum, Dublin 14 Tel: 01 - 6010240 Dublin Gazette Newspapers publishes four weekly quality free titles, covering the latest news, sport, entertainment and lifestyle from the four local authority areas of Dublin

Santa-stic fun!

C O N TA C T S Managing Director: Michael McGovern mmcgovern@dublingazette.com Commercial Director: Liz Ferris lferris@dublingazette.com Group Editor: Patrick Finnegan pfinnegan@dublingazette.com Deputy Group Editor & Travel Editor: Shane Dillon sdillon@dublingazette.com Sports Editor: Stephen Findlater sfindlater@dublingazette.com Production Editor: Jessica Maile jmaile@dublingazette.com Picture Editor: Alison O’Hanlon picturedesk@dublingazette.com Online & Style Editor: Rachel D’Arcy rdarcy@dublingazette.com Advertising Sales:

01 - 6010240 sales@dublingazette.com

FIND US ON

www.dublingazette.com Dublin Gazette Newspapers Ltd. Terms and Conditions for acceptance of advertisements Reserve the right to omit or suspend or alter any advertisement(s) in any of its publications. We also decline any responsibility in the event of one or more of a series of advertisements being omitted for any reason whatever, nor do we accept liability for any loss or damage caused by an error or inaccuracy in the printing of any advertisement. If your advertisement appears incorrectly, contact the Advertising Department immediately, as responsibility cannot be accepted for more than one week’s incorrect insertion. Responsibility cannot be accepted if the complaint is made more than two weeks after insertion. If one places an advertisement for more than one week and then cancels it after the first week, no refund or credit will be given for weeks cancelled. The advertiser undertakes to indemnify the Proprietors against any liability for any civil action arising out of the publication of the advertisement or any other matter printed or published in the City Gazette, Fingal Gazette, South Gazette and West Gazette. The placing of an order or contract will be deemed an acceptance of these conditions.

AOIBHIN, Ailbhe and Doireann Garrihy are pictured unveiling An Post’s 2019 Christmas Stamp collection, with this year’s designs showing the charitable activities that mean the most to Irish people. The trio braved the chilly waters of Dublin Bay to help highlight Christmas Day swims – just one of the many ways people help charities, with funds from the Christmas stamps’ sales helping to support homeless services around the country. Picture: Marc O’Sullivan

Anyone for a lovely Ice cream thief ‘Unicorn tail puppy’ isn’t gin and dung-ic? No? makes his cool a bit of a shaggy dog story A SOUTH African gin is being infused with elephant dung. The creators of Indlovu Gin, Les and Paula Ansley, came across the idea a year ago when they learnt that elephants eat a variety of fruits and flowers but digest less than a third of it.

Paula wife came up with the idea when she was on safari and learnt about how elephants digest. The couple, who are both scientists, said they’d give it a go and got to work figuring out the gin-making process.

The gin is named Indlovu, which means ‘elephant’ in the Zulu language

getaway on TV

A MAN attending a sports game was caught red-handed stealing an ice cream during a news report.

Fox Sports were reporting on Carolina Hurricanes’ 8-2 win over the Ottawa Senators in ice hockey.

As the reporter delivered his piece, a man in the background can be seen getting distracted, looking at his friend’s phone, while a fellow Hurricanes fan carefully lifts the ice-cream from his hands and gets stuck into the tasty treat.

The owner of the ice cream looked around to catch the thief, who fled into the crowd.

A LITTLE puppy – with a tail growing in the middle of his forehead – has become a viral sensation.

Rescue organisation Mac’s Mission in the States found the abandoned puppy, who was left out in the freezing cold and had a foot injury.

Named ‘Narwhal the Little Magical Furry Unicorn’ by the staff, he quickly gained a lot of fans when videos were uploaded onto Facebook.

The Missouri-based centre answered the question everybody wanted to know: “Does his tail wag

when he gets excited?”, and the answer was no!

The centre wrote: “The extra tail is not connected to anything and has no real use other than making him the COOLEST PUPPY EVER! “There is no real reason at this time for the unicorn tail to be removed (and we all wish it wagged).”

The staff will monitor the tail to make sure it doesn’t become a problem, and there will definitely be a long queue of people wanted to adopt Little Narwhal when he’s ready.

DOG OF THE WEEK DUBLIN Gazette Newspapers has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for lost and abandoned dogs.

This week’s dog of the week is Kenneth, a very clever and playful twoyear-old Pit Bull Terrier boy who forms a strong bond with understanding and patient people.

He needs some time to build his trust and confidence so he is looking for an experienced adopter who will be willing to meet him multiple times.

Kenneth would love his ‘forever home’ to have a nicely sized and secure garden to frolic and play in.

Kenneth is a very smart boy and loves playing with interactive toys that put his clever mind to work. He loves food so he is happiest when doing food enrichment challenges and sniffing out treats.

If you have room in your heart and home for Kenneth then please contact Dogs Trust on 01 879 1000. They are based in Finglas, just off exit 5 on the M50. Map and directions can be found on their website www.dogstrust.ie.

You can also find them on Facebook www.facebook.com/dogstrustirelandonline or Twitter @DogsTrust_IE. (Remember: Always have your dog on a lead when in public.)

Kenneth

 Q by Quiz bodysuit €33 and high-waisted vinyl trousers €33

COMMERCIAL FEATURE

  ned sequin Green s from dres H&M €39.99

No. 1 Jenny Packha m, Sequin Mini Wrap Dress from Debenhams €150

Ilac Centre  gets the Party Started!

 

HUNDREDS OF FABULOUS designer brands and high-street fashion favourites mean the serious style mavens are making a beeline for Dublin’s Ilac Centre, right now, ahead of the festive party season.

Plenty of sequins, satin and lace, in stunning seasonal colours, is set to dazzle shoppers, with party dresses, jumpsuits, sparkly bodies and slinky separates adding the glitz and glamour.

Fabulous footwear includes the essential strappy sandals and sling-backs in festive silver, gold and bronze metallic, while gorgeous accessories cover a spectrum from funky fun to seriously sophisticated!

All on one floor, in the heart of the city, Dublin’s Ilac Centre is a mecca for Christmas shoppers.

And now, the fabulous Christmas lights and tree animations add to the special seasonal feel.

Designer style at Debenhams includes highend labels such as Julien Macdonald, Jenny Packham, Jasper Conran and Phase Eight, with dazzling occasion-wear collections, and fabulous jewellery pieces by the likes of Jon Richard.

Quiz Clothing has also just launched a fabulous new collection that has every occasion covered for the party season and casual festive wear.

The gift of style this Christmas comes from River Island, with luxe dresses, the coolest co-ords and statement bags and shoes.

TKMaxx is the destination to bag a bargain in

amazing designer styles right across dresses, separates, jewellery, footwear and bags.

Dunnes Stores has all the family’s fashion needs covered including covetable new collections from Savida, Peter O’Brien, Lennon Courtney and Paul Costelloe, as well as ‘affordable embellishment’ with the all-new Gallery collection for Christmas.

Wearable on-trend style is the buzz at Gerard ladies fashion, where a phenomenal selection of dresses, separates and accessories in sizes 10-22 ensures something for all ages and personalities.

Catch Clothing has Christmas wrapped up for younger shoppers with teddy bear jumper dresses, funky satin bodysuits, faux fur and wetlook leggings, as well as luscious body-con party dresses and separates.

Desirable delights from Angel Paris include tops and dresses in metallic sequins, leather trousers and eye-catching festive footwear and accessories that are temptingly affordable.

From fabulous festive knits and cuddly nightwear for all the family, to backless lace dresses, H&M again delivers party wear to sizzle in as well as cosy comforts for casual Christmas wear.

Need advice from some of the Ilac Centre’s top stylists and sales assistants?

‘You can never go wrong with a sequined dress at Christmas time, and the classic little



black dress is always in fashion!’

‘Jumpsuits are the ultimate sassy party style this year!’

‘Mixing and matching glittery tops and skirts creates a new look every time, especially for budget conscious style mavens!’

‘A subtle but slinky slip midi dress; just add metallic heels and glitz accessories for the perfect Christmas party outfit.’

Party season is well and truly on and, whatever your style, the Ilac Centre in Dublin’s hottest Christmas shopping district has the look you’re after!

With entrances on Parnell Street, Henry Street and Moore Street, the Ilac Centre offers 70 great stores to browse this Christmas and over a dozen dining destinations.

The Centre is home to international retail brands for amazing fashion and gifting options like River Island, H&M and Argos, as well as Regatta, Diesel and Liverpool FC. It also has Dunnes Stores, Debenhams and TKMaxx as its biggest department stores.

 Q by Quiz Polka Dot Mini Dress €39

In the heart of the city, Dublin’s Ilac Centre is a mecca for Christmas shoppers. And now, the fabulous Christmas lights and tree animations add to the special seasonal feel.

18 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21 November 2019

Celestial Stars bracelet, €79, Pandora Chupi Stars in the Sky disc necklace, €699, Powerscourt centre Wet n Wild Midnight Goddess Collection €14.95, pharmacies

Forever Livin

g Sonya skin

Tropical hair treatment, €24.99, The Kind Co

Vanity case, €19.99, Aldi

GADGETS

€96.87

Avene Hydrance kit, €34.50, pharmacies

Duet Diamond ring, €2950, Stonechat Jewellers

Sparking Wishbone bangle, €99, Pandora

(L-R) iFrogz Ear Bugs, Amazon.co.uk Braven BRV-Mini, Amazon.co.uk Mophie powerstation, €99, zagg.com Instax Mini 9, €80, Harvey Norman 2 in 1 Rotary shaver, €29.99, Aldi Instax SQ6, €115.99, Littlewoods Ireland Nespresso Vertuo Machine, €127.99, Littlewoods Ireland

care range,

Chill y The s wate rb Cons mas ciou ottle, € s Ch Stor rist 30, e -

E M O H R FO

FOR HOME (L-R): Caulfield country boards cheese paddle, €26.95, Kilkenny LEON Friends and Family cookbook, LEON Temple Bar Lindt Gold Selection Box, €15, supermarkets Cafetiere and coffee giftset, €30, Debenhams Butlers Chocolate Cookbook, €20, booksellers English Tea Shop ultimate tea collection, €17, Debenhams

Charlotte Tilbury Gift of Pillow Talk set, €32, department stores

21 November 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 19

OUR TOP PRESENT PICKS THIS CHRISTMAS

Tropical Cacao Detox Mask, €22.50, The Conscious Christmas Store

GIFT GUIDE

Vichy Neovadiol gift set, €38, pharmacies Silver and rose gold pendant, €370, Stonechat Jewellers Chupi solid gold huggies earrings, €739, Powerscourt Centre

Aromatherapy room spray, €15.50, The Kind Co

Light up mirror, €22.50, Penneys Rainbow stainless steel straws, €4, The Conscious Christmas Store

Drop earrings, Weir & Sons, €8220

GET READY FOR

gifting THEY’LL BE TICKLED PINK!  Rachel D’Arcy, Style Editor

ITS BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE... the busiest shopping period of the year!

It can be tough to know what to buy for those you love the most, which is why we’ve compiled our Gazette gift guide full of items your loved ones will adore.

From sustainable gifts to gadgets and beyond, there’s something for everyone on offer in our guide.

Make Up Brush Cleaner Giftset, €26.99, Aldi

Essence Epic Sunset Palette, €11.99, pharmacies

Pocket Cup, €15.50, The Conscious Christmas Store

Soy Wax Candle €25, The Conscious Christmas Store

Chopard Happy Hearts bangle, €2695, Weir & Sons

20 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21 November 2019

PART 3 OF 7

What is happening exactly with distressed loan sales at Irish Banks?

PADRAIG CONLON

IRISH banks have sold billions of euro in nonperforming debt in recent years, most of it secured on buy-to-lets or business debt.

AIB, Ulster Bank, Permanent TSB, BoI and KBC have all sold off non-performing loans to vulture funds for massive write downs not offered to borrowers.

Recent loan portfolio sales by AIB and Ulster Bank worth €700m and €800m, and Permanent TSB’s €3.7bn ‘Project Glas’ sale last year caught the attention of the public.

Now state-owned AIB is getting ready to offload thousands of distressed mortgages secured on family homes in a loan sale code named Project Birch.

This sale, which is being planned for early next year, is likely to be met with fierce opposition due to the fact that thousands of family homes will be at stake, a new departure for AIB which is 71% owned by the taxpayer.

They will be following in the footsteps of Ulster Bank and Permanent TSB who have already sold owner-occupier loans to investment funds earlier this year.

In a statement released recently AIB said they have “reduced non-performing exposures from €31 billion in 2013 to €4.7 billion.”

“The vast majority of the reduction in (non-performing exposures) has been achieved through working with customers,” they said.

“We remain focused on reducing non-performing exposures to more normalised levels.”

Just last week however the Central Bank criticised the countries five main lenders for being too quick to sell distressed mortgages to vulture funds instead of ‘putting customers first’ and restructuring the debts.

Speaking at the Banking and Payments Federation (BFPI) annual conference in Dublin, Deputy Central Bank Governor Ed Sibley said the financial regulator has had to put pressure on the banks to treat their customers fairly.

“On too many serious issues, be it tracker mortgages or to a limited extent in terms of Brexit prepara-

AIB is getting ready to offload thousands of distressed mortgages secured on family homes in a loan sale code named Project Birch

Deputy Central Bank Governor Ed Sibley

tions,” he said.

“The Central Bank has had to push retail banks and other financial institutions too hard over too long on too many of these issues in order for you to really put your customers first and make sure you continue to deliver.”

“Sustainable resolution of mortgage arrears has required determined and ongoing Central Bank

intervention to protect consumers’ interests.

“Your commitment to delivering for your customers must continue to extend to those that are in difficulty if you truly want to be considered trustworthy.

‘Banks need to engage with their customers in a sensible and proactive manner with a view to finding long-term solutions that work for both parties.

He criticised AIB, Bank of Ireland, KBC, Permanent TSB and Ulster Bank, saying good customer service ‘requires more than branding and marketing slogans’.

“The Central Bank does not have a preference for loan sales,” Sibley said.

“We have a preference

for sustainably reducing non-performing loans.

“There are multiple tools available, including: reengaging with borrowers, restructures, accounting write downs, mortgage to rent, engaging through the Insolvency Service, sales and securitisations and the legal process.

“Your commitment to delivering for your customers must continue to extend to those that are in difficulty if you truly want to be considered trustworthy.”

Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty, speaking in the Dail last week, also criticised the behaviour of Irish banks.

“Speaking at the Banking and Payments Federation, the deputy governor of the Central Bank, Mr. Ed

Sibley, said that Irish bankers were displaying echoes of pre-crisis arrogance,” Deputy Doherty said.

“My view is that it never left them and I am glad that the penny is dropping in the Central Bank.

“He went on to say the banks were hitting mortgage holders with double the interest rates needed for them to make a profit, that they were charging new customers between 2% and 3%, while in some cases existing and loyal customers were being charged almost double these rates, at 4.5%.

“It is complete discrimination.”

According to the Central Bank’s latest data, the number of mortgage accounts for principal dwelling houses (PDHs)

in arrears over 90 days was mainly unchanged in the second quarter of this year (Q2 2019) with a minor decline of 340 accounts.

This is the twentythird consecutive quarter of a fall in the number of accounts in this category.

“At the end-June 2019, there were 723,280 private residential mortgage accounts for principal dwellings held in the Republic of Ireland, with a value of €97.6 billion,” the report states.

“Of this total stock, 61,901 accounts were in arrears, representing a decrease of 933 accounts or 1.5 per cent over the quarter.

“Some 43,303 accounts (6.0 percent) were in arrears of more than 90 days.”

With regard to repossessions, the report reveals that during the second quarter of this year the Courts granted an order for repossession or sale of the property on 120 accounts.

221 properties were taken into possession by lenders during this time, up from 127 in the previous quarter.

233 properties were disposed of by lenders and as a result, lenders were in possession of 1,407 PDH properties at the end of June 2019.

Vulture funds are expected to acquire another €9bn worth of distressed Irish mortgages before this year is out.

The implications this will have for our society are frightening, both morally and economically.

21 November 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21

A GUIDE TO TEMPTING FARE

FOOD & DRINK

Rebel Whopper makes the big jump over to Ireland from the US FOLLOWING the popularity of their plantbased Impossible whopper in the US, Burger King have announced that Irish customers can now get a taste for themselves.

The Rebel Whopper – the Irish version of the US favourite – has been launched on Deliveroo.

The patty contains no beef whatsoever and is entirely plant-based.

Unlike the US version, the patty won’t be provided by plant food startup Impossible Burger, but the patties are under-

stood to be provided by food giant Unilever’s The Vegetarian Butcher.

Made from sustainable soy, wheat, vegetable oil, herbs and onion, the burger is flame-grilled in the traditional Burger King way.

It’s then topped with tomatoes, lettuce, mayonnaise, ketchup, pickles and onion on a sesame seed bun.

The burgers will be available in over 2,500 outlets across Europe, including Ireland.

Skerries deli scoops Just Ask Restaurant of the Month award

Yule love this taste of Dublin delicious festive fare and fun REBECCA RYAN

THE cold weather is setting in and, dare I say it, Christmas is just around the corner.

There’s nothing like a good food festival to get the festivities under way.

Taste of Dublin has announced its Festive Edition, which will make its mark as Ireland’s ultimate winter food festival right on our doorstep.

The four-day festival takes place in the RDS from November 28 to December 1, and the event includes celebrity chefs, Ireland’s best restaurants, cooking and baking demos, master-

classes, live entertainment and so much more to feast your eyes and taste buds on.

Taste of Dublin has truly contributed to the city’s flourishing food scene.

For 14 years, the festival has played a vital role in progressing Dublin’s food revolution, showcasing the range of eclectic restaurants, producers and chefs that make up the city’s vibrant culinary scene.

A truly unmissable Taste experience is the DID Electrical Chef ’s Theatre. Here, you’ll find Ireland’s top culinary talent as they slice and dice

their way through all our favourite festive recipes.

Ballymaloe favourites Rachel Allen and Rory O’Connell will chat with Erica Drum on how you can prep smartly for the festive season. Their tips and tricks will leave you stress-free and ready to relax in the festivities.

The incredible line up at The DID Electrical Chef’s Theatre also includes Adrian Martin, JR Ryall, Shane Smith, Nicola Curran, Brian McDermott, Patrick Ryan, Erica Drum, Sharon Hearne Smith, Paul Kelly, Jeeny Maltese, Aoife Noonan, Edward Hayden, Mark Moriarty, Graham Herterich, Holly

White, Lizzy L yons, Ciara Brennan, Alberto Rossi, Karan Mittal, Edward Hayden, Jack O’Keeffe and Ludovic Lantier.

For bread lovers, Patrick Ryan (Firehouse Bakery) will show you how to make your own sourdough.

Other things to enjoy are learning how to dress your table for the festivities, the best of Irish cheesemakers, tips about festive meats from craft butchers, learning about wine and learn how to make zero-waste this Christmas.

Tickets are now available at www.tasteofdub lin.ie.

OLIVE Deli & Cafe, Skerries, Co Dublin has been awarded Just Ask Restaurant of the Month for November.

Selected by renowned food writer Georgina Campbell and Bord Bia, the awards rewards eateries across Ireland that exhibit best practices in showing transparency in the sourcing of the food on their menus.

Established in the fishing port of Skerries in 2005, Peter and Deirdre Dorrit’’s specialist food shop and cafe has always showcased a carefully selected range of artisan produce from Ireland.

Georgina said: “Olive set the bar high

when opening in 2005 and, true to its original mission, it’s still championing artisan foods – and remains a must-visit daytime destination for food lovers visiting this charming seaside town today.”

Dunnes Stores scoops 34 awards with Simply Better DUNNES Stores scooped some more international kudos with wins at the prestigious 2019 International Great Taste Awards recently.

Established in 1994 and regarded as the Oscars of the food industry, the top awards saw the Dunnes Stores Simply Better collection win 34 awards.

This year almost 13,000 products were blind-tasted by a panel of more than 500 industry experts, including acclaimed chefs, restaurateurs and food critics.

Winning a 2-Star award for Simply Better was the exclusive 28 Day Matured Irish Angus Rib Roast on the Bone, produced by Tendermeats, based in Clondalkin.

The Simply Better Collection, which is Dunnes Stores’ premium food brand, is one of the most celebrated food labels in Ireland and has been awarded 135 Great Taste Awards since it was established in 2013.

Of that win, Diarmuid Murphy, Simply Better brand manager, said: “We are thrilled for this fan-

tastic product to be recognised internationally through these awards.

“Many of our award winners are new to the collection and this is really exciting for us. Feedback on these new additions from our customers throughout the country has been phenomenal and we are thrilled that the Great Taste judges agree.”

The award-winning products which are part of the Simply Better Collection are available in selected Dunnes Stores nationwide.

22 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21 November 2019

DUBLIN SENIORS

This week, we look at positive ageing, travelling for free in CHALLENGE YOUR BRAIN...JUST FOR FUN! Northern Ireland and protective factors for dementia

What does positive ageing mean?

Towards a Dementia Friendly Ireland ACCORDING to figures from the HSE, nearly 50,000 people in Ireland are living with dementia, and every year another 4,000 are diagnosed – 11 new people every day.

There are also more than 50,000 people in Ireland who are caring for someone with dementia – and a great multiple of that when counting all of their wider family and social networks.

By 2036, the number of people living with dementia will have increased to over 100,000.

While the experience of Dementia as a progressive illness is a challenge which must be faced by many, we know that developing a greater sensitivity in our communities and society to the needs and challenges of people with dementia and their loved ones can act as a support, in what is a very difficult and often isolating time.

Increased knowledge and understanding could also support people to feel less fear of diagnosis, seek advice and help at an earlier stage, improving their experience and increasing inclusion.

In our community, the lack of understanding and information, combined with stigma, leads to: Avoidance of people with dementia and their families, Assumptions about lack of ability to take part in normal life, Exclusion from community living and diminished quality of life for people with dementia and their family.

In our own lives, there are many steps that can be taken to help maintain our health and wellbeing, including helping to prevent the development of dementia.

The following are protective factors for dementia, but also many other debilitating chronic illnesses: Self-care, Being physically active, Keeping a healthy weight, Maintaining good mental health and wellbeing, Not smoking, Good brain health and lifelong learning.

POSITIVE ageing refers to a holistic individual, community and ‘wholeof-government’ approach to changing attitudes towards ageing.

Particular emphasis is based on the life course approach, highlighting that ageing policy and practice is an issue for all ages and sectors of society.

In order to help better inform policy responses to population ageing in Ireland, the Healthy and Positive Ageing Initiative (HaPAI) has been established.

The HaPAI is a collaborative partnership involving the HSE Health and Wellbeing Division, the Department of Health, the Atlantic Philanthropies and Age Friendly Ireland, with all partners recognisng the value of undertaking research to improve and maintain the health and wellbeing of older people.

The Health Service Executive (HSE), Health and Wellbeing Division has published a ‘Healthy and Positive Ageing for All’ Research Strategy. The purpose of the Research Strategy is to support and promote research that

aims to improve people’s lives as they age.

The HSE has awarded a multidisciplinary team of researchers, practitioners and policy makers led by Professor Catherine Woods from the University of Limerick just under half a million euros to undertake a community-based research study

aimed at increasing levels of physical activity in adults over 50 years of age in Ireland.

The funding was awarded under the Healthy and Positive Ageing Initiative (HaPAI), which is a co-funded programme between The Atlantic Philanthropies, the HSE and the Department of Health

to support the development and use of evidence informed decision making at all levels of planning, to deliver the objectives of the National Positive Ageing Strategy.

The team’s vision is that adults over 50 years in Ireland will live a more active and healthy lifestyle as a result of being part of the

study entitled “‘Move For Life’: An evaluation of a peer mentoring intervention designed to cascade and consequently up-scale existing programmes to help inactive people over 50 years old become more active”.

Please visit the Move For Life website at www. moveforlife.ie.

Senior SmartPass for travelling in Northern Ireland WE all know that people over the age of 66 can avail of the free travel pass in the Republic of Ireland, but what about travelling to Northern Ireland?

The All Ireland Free Travel Scheme allows a Free Travel cardholder (those aged 66 and older) to travel free of charge on all bus and rail services within Northern Ireland using a Senior Smartpass card.

Similarly, Northern Ireland Senior Smartpass holders are entitled to travel for free on services in Ireland using their existing Senior Smartpass.

If your Free Travel Card allows you to be accompanied by a spouse, civil partner or

cohabitant or companion, they may continue to travel with you for free on cross-border journeys, but they cannot accompany you for free on public transport within Northern Ireland.

Free Travel cardholders wishing to avail of the All Ireland Free Travel scheme within Northern Ireland must first get a Senior SmartPass card.

To get a Senior SmartPass card you must fill in an application form (FTNI1). It is not possible to get this form online.

To get a form you must contact your local Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office.

The application form must be filled in with

black ink only and returned in person (not posted) to your Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office.

You must bring the following items with your application form to your Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office: • Your current Free Travel Pass/Public Services Card and • Evidence of your address, (for example, a gas, electricity, phone bill or bank statement) • Evidence of your identity, (for example, your driving licence, passport or another form of photo identification) and • A recent passport standard colour photograph.

21 November 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 23

CHALLENGE YOUR BRAIN...JUST FOR FUN!

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WEIGHTLIFTING P39

THE BEST IN DUBLIN

SPORT

SEVENTH HEAVEN: LADIES FOOTBALL: DUBLIN picked up seven awards at the TG4 Ladies Football All-Stars at the Citywest Hotel, including Foxrock-Cabinteely duo Niamh Collins and Sinead Goldrick - both of whom picked up their awards in defence.

Midfielder Siobhan McGrath was also named as ‘Senior Players Player of the Year’ on the night.



GAZETTE

HOCKEY P29

PAGE 31

LET DUBLIN GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS INFORM YOU OF THE HIGHLIGHTS AND SCORES OF YOUR FAVOURITE TEAMS RUGBY | LEINSTER UP AND RUNNING WITH BONUS POINT

Blue brigade coming back to full strength  sport@dublingazette.com

GARRY Ringrose helped himself to a hat-trick in Leinster Rugby’s fivetry 33-19 Heineken Champions Cup win over Benetton Rugby at the RDS Arena.

The Ireland star touched down twice inside the first 14 minutes, sandwiching a Dean Budd effort, and Ronan Kelleher marked his European debut with a try on the half-hour mark as last season’s runners-up opened up a 19-7 interval lead.

A crowd of 15,080 watched Leinster captain Johnny Sexton convert his own bonus point try, but Hame Faiva hit back to keep the pressure on. Man-of-the-match Ringrose cut inside a 68th-minute tackle to notch his first career hat-trick, before Luca Sperandio claimed a late consolation score.

For Leinster coach Leo Cullen, he was well aware it was far from a flawless performance, but that is to

be expected given this was the first appearance of the season for many of the World Cup players.

“Off the back of what those guys have been through, it’s like starting their season all over again,” he said after the victory. “It’s round one for us as an entire squad and we do have a couple more guys still to appear.

Overall, we are pleased. We knew it wouldn’t be perfect; it was far from it but we got the job done.”

His side will now travel to Lyon to try and back up the result. It is a similar schedule to last season when Leinster won their first group game before losing in France at Toulouse.

“Can we be better than this time last year? That’s the kind of question we ask ourselves. That’s the challenge because we are not fully up and running with this group yet.

“There was good intent from the players. We started the game well and knew Treviso would give us a good physical challenge and they

Leinster’s James Ryan tackled by Benetton’s Pierre Brousset. Picture: Martin Doherty

did it well. Our guys fought back well and took our chances late on in the first half. We had a decent lead and Jonny scored that brilliant try early in the second half.

“Maybe we thought the job was done at that stage with the four tries, but we knew Treviso would come back – we have seen it on numerous

occasions.

“So, you have to give them a lot of credit for the way they fight on in games and they made life very difficult for us.

“Overall, we got the win, the bonus point and we move on to a totally different challenge next week against Lyon.”

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

28 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 21 November 2019

CLUB NOTES

ROUND

1

BALLINTEER ST JOHN’S LOTTO results for Nov 14th Nos. 1,2,14,and 16.

No winner. Winner of €100 Brian Hainsworth, €50 Mary Moore and Cliona Dent. Next week Jackpot €1,600.

Joker consolation prize winner Padraig Gallagher. BSJ Bingo every Monday at 8:00 pm.

Our U21 Footballers had a great win over St Sylvesters in the QTR final of the B Champ on a scoreline of 3-16 to 2-15 . on the AWP in Broadford. It was great match with both sides playing open entertaining football. It was a titanic struggle between 2 evenly matched sides.

Despite the bitter cold no one was leaving.

With normal time almost up St Sylvesters a goal to put the the game into extra time. The visitors lead by 2 pts in the second half but we got 2 goals just before the final whistle to seal victory. Best for BSJ were Matthew O Sullivan, Dan O Leary, Eoin Fitzpatrick , Eoghan Seoige , Donnacha Carey and Cian Barry.

The Semi will be played on Sat 30th November, venue and opposition TBA Congratulations to our Under 15 Hurlers (pictured) who beat St Vincent’s to win the B championship in a nail biter at Abbotstown by 2pts. Well done to the players and management team of Padraig Kennedy, Kevin Davis and Eoin Coffey.

Annual Adult Hurling Draw winners. Mary Quaid €3,500, Anthony Walsh €2,000, Zoe Higgins €1,000, Aidan Barry €500, Reuben Harte €250. End of Season Social for team mentors, and parents in BSJ Club Bar Sat Nov 23rd 8pm till late Drinks and Nibbles. Club Shop open Sat 11:30 – 12:30 All club gear on sale including new stock of O‘Brien Hurleys in all sizes: “The Choice of All Ireland Champs”.

KILMACUD CROKES CONGRATULATIONS to the 3rd Minor Football team who won the Minor E Championship after their 7.15 to 0.7 win over St. Patrick’s!

Hard luck to the 2nd Minor team who lost in the Minor C Final to St. Peter’s, 3.7 to 2.12.

Well done also to both the U16 Football teams who reached their respective Championship Finals! Well done to the U16 A team who beat Skerries Harps, 1.14 to 1.8, and the B team who beat St. Peter’s, 2.9 to 1.8, in the D Championship.

In Hurling, hard luck to

the U15 A Hurlers who lost to Lucan Sarsfields, 0.9 to 0.15, in their Championship Final.

In Minor Camogie, well done to the B team who had a comprehensive win over St. Brigids. Hard luck to the C team who were well beaten by Faughs/Celtic.

Mass for deceased members will take place in the club on Thursday November 21st. Kilmacud Crokes Gala Ball in the Clayton Hotel on Saturday Jan 25th – 7pm. Tickets 80 euro. Watch for link online on club web site to purchase.

SOCCER: NEW FRESH VOICE FOR DLR WAVES AS FORMER LOI

Sullivan is set to join DLR Waves backroom WOMENS SOCCER  DAVE DONNELLY

sport@dublingazette.com

THERE’LL be a fresh face in the dugout for DLR Waves next season as former League of Ireland player John Sullivan will join Graham Kelly’s coaching staff at Jackson Park.

The former Dundalk, Bray Wanderers and Hamilton Academical midfielder decided to hang up his boots this summer at the age of just 28 to focus on building his coaching credentials.

Kelly worked with Sullivan for three years at Bray, first as a video analyst, then as a coach and finally as caretaker manager following the departure of Graham Mackey.

Both men left Bray at the end of 2018, Kelly taking over at Waves and Sullivan playing amateur football with Crumlin and Bluebell United before deciding a change of direction was needed.

That change of direction is his first role within women’s football and

one he’s determined to approach with enthusiasm.

“We had a very, very go o d , i n - d e p t h c h a t about where he wanted to take the club next year,” Sullivan tells Dublin Gazette.

“It was a no-brainer for me. He’s an unbelievable person and a fantastic coach as well. He couldn’t have spoken any higher of the girls and his staff. “ G r a h a m ’s t e a m s always play phenomenal football – a great style of football – and how his players carry themselves, their manner, is always very good.

“That’s just something you pick up, from soc ial learning, just from watching him. He’s always open to new ideas.

“There’s nothing worse than someone asking you to work with them and then not letting you implement your own ideas, and that’s something Graham would definitely never do.”

Sullivan, who works as

a personal trainer alongside coaching, has plenty to draw from in that regard, given the names he’s worked under.

His first contact with Kelly came when he was manager of the Dublin under-15s team and Crumlin’s rivals St Joseph’s Boys.

He worked under Harry Kenny at Bray Wanderers, while at Dundalk he worked under the current under-21 and future Ireland senior manager Stephen Kenny.

“I enjoy coaching and getting to work with people and knowing each individual, because what works for you may

not work for me and vice versa.

“As a teenager, playing with Lourdes Celtic and Crumlin, I was always picking up on what the coaches said.

“You go home and you’re reflecting on it, and you have a kind of inner conflict with yourself on what they said and what you’re doing.

“Over the last number of years, the penny just dropped and a lot of things started to make sense from a coach’s point of view.

“I stopped thinking like a player, so that made this year a lot easier to step away from playing

and go into coaching.

Playing as a defensive midfielder, or a six, you get to see the game for what it is.

“Sometimes it’s like a game of FIFA on the Playstation, and you kind of predict what’s going to happen before it happens.

“I’ve learned so much from coaches, and people I’ve met over the last few years, and I’ve tried implementing what I’ve learned from them as coaches.

“Some has worked, some hasn’t worked, but I suppose I want to carry on where left off with me.”

Gibson Doyle plays her part in Leinster glory ST LAURENCE College, Loughlinstown’s Ava Gibson Doyle was part of the Leinster Under-15 schoolgirls side that maintained their phenomenal record in this competition with a stunning performance in the AUL Complex, Clonshaugh.

Manager Rob Ellison – from St Raphaela’s, Stillorgan – had seen his side win 1-0 against Connacht in game one and then saw off Ulster 2-0 in their second outing.

It meant the side only required a draw in the tie to see them victorious. A goal in each half was enough to see off title contenders Munster in a really entertaining contest.

Abbie Larkin hit the back of the net with 11 minutes played when Aoife Kelly played a lovely ball to the feet of the Ringsend grad, who latched onto it from outside the box.

Ellison’s side extended their lead nine minutes into the restart with O’Brien showing some fancy footwork with both feet to slot past the diving Munster shot-stopper from distance.

Munster were plagued with injuries but kept looking for an elusive goal to bring them back into contention. However, Leinster’s defence were alert to the challenge and smartly saw the game out to ensure a worthy victory in the end.

21 November 2019 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 29

PLAYER STEPS INTO ROLE

After leaving Bray Wanderers, John Sullivan has increasingly switched his focus to coaching.

HOCKEY: O’DONNELL PAYS TRIBUTE TO ALL VOLUNTEERS

Loreto’s O’Donnell is Volunteer of the Year VOLUNTEER IN SPORT AWARDS  CÓILÍN DUFFY

sport@dublingazette.com

BIG BOOST Salmo celebrates big grant at Under 7 blitz SUNDAY saw four Leinster clubs – DLSP, Coolmine, St Mary’s College and Westmanstown RFC – come together at Kirwan Park for an U7s blitz on a cool, crisp and sunny morning (pictured).

It came on a day of celebration for the club with Minister Shane Ross taking in some of the skills, meeting the teams and posing for a few pictures.

DLSP were awarded €72,469 in the Sports Capital 19 grant announced last week by the Minister’s Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.

LORETO Hockey Clubs Bronwyn O’Donnell received the Dublin award, as volunteers from across the country were honoured at the EBS Volunteers in Sport Awards in Farmleigh House at the Phoenix Park in Dublin last week.

The awards were created to recognise the contributions, commitment and dedication of the 450,000 volunteers who give their time to Irish sport across Ireland’s 14,000 registered sports clubs and associations.

Bronwyn has been volunteering in hockey for over 40 years, holding almost every role, from Club captain, President to Secretary and Development Officer.

She says that the award is recognition of the great work put in by all in the club.

“First of all I didn’t know I was nominated from Loreto Hockey Club,” she told Dublin Gazette at the awards.

“I’m very honoured and very humbled to be here, because it’s a great day for myself, but also for my club and for hockey clubs throughout Ireland, because there are so many people in so many clubs, not just in hockey, but all over that are the backbone.

These are all volunteers and they are people that do so much for the clubs.

“It was interesting to hear today about 450,000 people volunteering, because sport in Ireland can’t continue to grow unless people put themselves up and come forward.

I’m very honoured to accept this, but I’m also very aware that there are hundreds of thousands of people who do huge work for so many clubs.”

Sustaining the growth is a hard challenge and that’s where the voluntary effort comes in.

“In our Junior section we have around 500 children from Senior Infants up to 4th Class.

Bronwyn O’Donnell of Loreto Hockey Club, is presented with their award by Mary O’Connor, CEO of the Federation of Irish Sport, and Richard Gernon, Regional Manager EBS, during the Volunteers in Sport Awards presented by Federation of Irish Sport with EBS at Farmleigh House in the Phoenix Park, Picture: Sam Barnes/SPORTSFILE

It’s not possible to run a Junior section with 500 without the involvement of the parents.

Like your GAA models and Soccer models, and that’s what it is. We have parents who are acting as managers, they are running around picking up the kit. They are running around getting sponsorship for teams and all of this sort of thing. It is a real community spirit.

“Out of all of those managers, we started a project about three years ago called the ‘Summer Hockey Mum’s’. We sent out a text to every one who was a mother in the Junior section, saying that ‘you’ve stood on the sideline, for the next 10 weeks it’s your time,

come out and learn the game of Hockey’. We thought we would have 25 people. The first day they turned out I nearly died, there was over 70. I thought to myself ‘how would I sort them out’, We ran that for 10 weeks, and then we had a massive big community event. All the Dads came in and the kids came down and we had a BBQ. It’s now become a massive Community event with 400-500 people.

Now a number those mums, apart from doing the 10-week coaching, have come back to do coaching courses and some of them are managers. Some of them have come back to play in the Senior club as well.”

Dream day for Seapoint Rugby Club STAR ATTRACTION  sport@dublingazette.com

IT WAS a dream day for Seapoint as it was announced that they would be the recipients of a sports capital grant from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport to the tune of €146,940.

The club were also honoured to welcome back, World Cup winning defence coach for South Africa, Felix Jones, a for-

mer Seapoint player who generously donated his official RWC Warm Up Jacket to the club’s Dream Auction event last Friday night.

Jones played with the club for many years and was delighted to show off his gold medal to the huge crowd who attended the event, including his proud Dad, Alfie Jones.

Seapoint RC President, Brian Montayne said of the special day: “We are abso-

lutely thrilled to have been awarded this grant which will be used to upgrade the club facilities to the benefit of all our players and members. To have Felix back in the club on this memorable day is just fantastic and we are all so proud of him and all of his achievements.”

Seapoint RC are always seeking new players, whether you are starting off or coming back. For more information go to www.seapointrugby.com.

Mary Mitchell O’Connor TD, Felix Jones and Seapoint club president Brian Montayne

30 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 21 November 2019

CLUB NOTES

ROUND

2

NAOMH OLAF THE Under 21 Mens Footballers bowed out at the quarter final stage of the B Championship in Stepaside on Saturday, coming up against a stronger team in St. Vincent’s. On Sunday, the minor camógs played Naomh Peregrine in an away fixture and whilst the Balally girls came close, they were not close enough and Peregrine’s took the spoils. Also on Sunday, the Minor Mens Footballers played Fingal Ravens in the B Championship Semi Final which was played in Garristown, with the Ravens securing the win.

The Under 15 girls spent last weekend in Glasgow where they played Uddingston Grammar School in a friendly “shamogie” game. Great fun was had by all - the Olaf’s girls swapped their camogies for shinty sticks for the second half, quickly learning the techniques and skills of shinty. Thanks to Uddingston Grammar for a great day, it is wonderful to see such a bond growing between the girls in what is now an annual home and away event. It will be great to see the Glasgow players in Páirc Uí Bhriain in 2020.

Farrell Hurls will bring their pop up shop to Naomh Olaf on Saturday 23rd November from 9.30 to 12.30 - a great opportunity to get advice on all things hurling!

There was no winner of last Sunday’s Club Lotto Draw - numbers drawn were 2, 8, 23 - next week’s jackpot will be €1,600. €30 winners were Andrew Murphy, Anthony Delaney, Suzanne Fagan, Noel O’Neill and Kay O’Brien.

Naomh Olaf Farmers Market continues every Friday from 8.30am until 1.00pm with fabulous fresh farm produce and scrumptious confectionery.

SHANKILL THE club Chase the Ace Sunday night draw in Brady’s is paused at this time to allow for the Christmas programme of events in the pub. The next draw will take place on Sunday 22nd December. The jackpot stands at €1400.

Would you like to brush on your Irish skills? Are you a total beginner or just want to learn a cupla focal?

Shankill GAA Club’s last Irish class is on Tuesday 26th November from 8-9pm.

The venue is Shanganagh Park House and further information can be had from Jen 085 7088638. Club AGM will be held on Thursday 28th November at 8.00pm in St Anne’s resource centre.

Gaelic 4 Mothers & Others, we are setting up our first group, all ages, all abilities, no experience of GAA games necessary. This is a fun social group and its FREE. The venue is Scoil Mhuire from 7pm to 8pm on Tuesday nights, PM us on Facebook or contact Steve 087 6414123.

Our Adult Ladies and Men’s teams are already preparing for next year. If you would like to join us and represent you Village see

below for details.

The juvenile Academy which is for boys and girls from 4 to 7 years of age and sponsored by O Donnell’s Shankill Total Health Pharmacy is in action at 10.00am every Saturday and has moved for the winter months to St Anne’s and Rathmichael National Schools. The cost is only €2 per child there is no annual subscription and all equipment is provided free of charge.

The final training session for the Academy before the Christmas break will be on Saturday 7th December and we are hoping that a special person will pay us a visit.

For details of our Ladies adult football teams e-mail stevedavis203@gmail.com or contact Steve 087 6414123. The men’s adult football team contact Kevin Martin 086 8449902. For more information on the club, contact, secretary.shankill.dublingaa.ie or call 086 6072746. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Join Shankill GAA Club, your community, your Village GAA club, where we all belong.

WANDERERS NO WINNER of this weeks jackpot, numbers drawn were 9-13-27 €25 goes to Sean Johnson, Ann Clarke, Bernie White, Buddy. Jackpot next week is €10,000. As our lotto is now at €10k we have started a background which is sitting currently at €1,000.

When the €10k is won our new lotto will start from the background draw.

Our Lotto is now online through our Website or Facebook page.

Our AGM will take place next Monday the 25th of November at 8pm in Frank Kelly Park See our Facebook page for more information If you are interested in playing for our Adult Men’s teams this season please contact Dave on 0877256754.

If you are interested in joining our Ladies team this season please contact Dionne on 0879315556 for more info.

Our Juvenile training will return late August and is on Saturday mornings and Wed evenings along with the nursery on Saturday mornings, please contact Fergal on 0876213142 for more details, the club is looking for new members at all levels so please reach out as per above if interested.

GAELIC FOOTBALL : NOMINEES FOR DUBS STARS

Crokes and St. John’s players in line for Dubs Stars  CÓILÍN DUFFY

sport@dublingazette.com

KILMACUD CROKES, and Ballinteer St. John’s both have players included among the nominees for the Dublin Bus Dubs Stars Football selection for 2019, which was revealed on Tuesday.

A total of six players from between the two clubs are among the 60 nominees, with five from Kilmacud Crokes.

Andrew McGowan, Cillian O’Shea, Craig Dias, Shane Cunningham and Pat Burke are nominated from the Stillorgan club, along with Eoghan Fitzpatrick from Ballinteer St. John’s.

Andrew McGowan is among 12 players nominated on the full-backline.

Fitzpatrick and Cillian O’Shea are included in the nominees for the half-back line, with Craig Dias among those shortlisted at midfield.

Up front Shane Cunningham is in contention for an award on the half-forward line, while

veteran Crokes star Pat Burke is among those who have been honoured in the past that is back in contention for an award.

2019 Dublin Senior 1 Football champions Ballyboden St. Enda’s understandably dominate the short-list.

The Firhouse Road side have been unbeaten through league and Championship this year, and will aim to keep that streak going this Sunday in the Leinster Club semifinal in Mullingar.

O t h e rs to fe a t u re strongly in the shortlist include Thomas Davis, who progressed to their first Senior 1 Championship final since 1991 earlier this month.

Na Fianna, Ballymun Kickhams, Castleknock,, St. Jude’s, Clontarf, St. Vincent’s, Raheny, St. Oliver Plunketts/Eoghan Ruadh, Lucan Sarsfields, W h i te h a l l Co l m c i l l e and Round Tower Lusk, are others among the 15 clubs to have players shortlisted.

The 22 Dubs Stars will be revealed in a fortnight.

DAILY MILE Over 350 take to Ballyogan Green BALLYOGAN Hub hosted its first

Daily Mile Schools Event, took place on Ballyogan Green this week.

Over 350 primary school children from three local schools – Gaelscoil Sliabh Rua, Holy Trinity and Stepaside Educate Together – completed the mile route within Ballyogan Green and were awarded a medal of achievement at the finish line.

If your school would like further information, email the Sports Partnership at sportspartnership@dlrcoco.ie.

Craig Dias is among five players from Kilmacud Crokes in line for a Dubs Stars Football award in 2019. Picture: Steven Dagg

21 November 2019 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 31

LADIES FOOTBALL: SEVEN ALL-STARS FOR DUBLIN AS FOX-CAB DUO WIN Niamh Collins receives her first ever TG4 Ladies Football All-Star from LGFA President Marie Hickey and TG4 Árd Stiúrthóir Alan Esslemont at the awards in the Citywest Hotel, Saggart on Saturday last. Picture: Brendan Moran/SPORTSFILE

HURLING

Coláiste Eoin to mark half century with big game against Dublin  CÓILÍN DUFFY

sport@dublingazette.com

All-Ireland winners Collins and Goldrick claim All-Stars TG4 LADIES FOOTBALL ALL-STARS  CÓILÍN DUFFY

sport@dublingazette.com

FOXROCK-CABINTEELY duo Niamh Collins and Sinead Goldrick were among seven Dublin players to pick up All-Stars at the TG4 Ladies Football All-Star awards at the Citywest Hotel in Saggart on Saturday night.

Both players picked up awards in defence, where Olwyn Carey was also honoured. Her Thomas Davis colleague Siobhan McGrath took one of the midfield spots, with all three slots on the half-forward line going to players from Fingal, as Clann Mhuire’s Carla Rowe; Niamh McEvoy from St. Sylvester’s and Skerries Harps player Lyndsay Davey were honoured.

Collins says it was nice to get an AllStar.

“Absolutely, it’s always something I’m going to be extremely proud of,” she told Dublin Gazette.

“You don’t start off the season to win an All-Star, but to win it at the end is really nice and I would be really proud.”

The talented defender says it’s indicative of the work that goes in during the year, not just for the award winners, but

their team-mates as well.

“Definitely, and maybe I am a bit biased but I felt that all Dublin defenders should have had an award, just because we work as a unit. I wouldn’t have been half the player I was this year without Martha Byrne or Ava by my side.

“We are a complete team and we back each other up. While there might be individual awards, that comes because of how strong we are as a unit.”

Nine players on the selection, including Collins picked up their first All-Star, and Collins says winning her first was a special feeling.

“It absolutely is and there was a good few of us on stage for the first time. It puts a nice cherry on the cake to an already amazing year,” she said.

Siobhan McGrath picked up the ‘Senior Players Player of the Year’ with Sinead Goldrick and Galway’s Louise Ward also shortlisted for the accolade..

“I played with Siobhan for a year before she went away, and I feel that her taking the time away and coming back, she is bringing huge energy to the group now and she fully deserves the award,” Collins said.

“She is such a leader for us and is so

vocal at training, and she is so knowledgeable. Sometimes that comes with time away as well.

“What a wonderful thing to maybe not be sure if you are coming back when you are taking time out, and to come back and win two All-Stars and a ‘Players’ Player of the Year’. She couldn’t deserve it more.”

Collins says it’s no surprise that her club and county colleague Goldrick has taken up an Aussie Rules contract given the talented player that she is.

“She is a leader on and off the pitch,” Collins said.

“I think if somebody deserves a shot at playing professional sports, it’s her!

“She is going to do so well over there.

She would have been another player that would have been fully deserving of the ‘Players’ Player of the Year.’

“A leader not just for Dublin, but for all Ladies Footballers around the country - so I’m excited to watch and see what happens over in Melbourne!”

Reflecting on 2019, Collins says allowing players to get experience during the league was probably the foundation of their Leinster and All-Ireland successes during the Summer.

“It really was, it meant a lot of the

players who featured heavily in the Championship got that nervousness out of their legs with their first appearances for Dublin,” she said.

“Maybe in their second year with the team, but their first year on the pitch, so I wouldn’t put too much weight in the fact that we didn’t come out on top in the league, because I think that was us preparing for the business end of the season.”

It was a busy year also for Foxrock Cabinteely, picking up their fifth Dublin title-in-a-row, while also retaining Leinster silverware.

However, they were knocked out by Kilkerrin-Clonberne at the semi-final stage, with the Galway club now facing reigning champions Mourneabbey of Cork in the decider this Saturday.

“Clonberne were incredible hungry for it when they played us and that showed in the score-line,” Collins said.

“This part of the year can be very challenging, because you are burned out to a large extent, and you have to not only refocus, but refocus to the beginning of a new campaign, so it can be tough and I guess it’s slightly bittersweet to have the time off now.”

COLÁISTE EOIN will mark their 50th Anniversary as a Gaelcholáiste in Booterstown, with a special Senior Hurling game between Dublin and Coláiste Eoin in Belfield, UCD on Saturday at 2pm.

The famed school has many strong links with UCD and Dublin teams, with many of its past pupils attending the University, and also gracing county teams at all levels in the past.

Indeed Belfield has played host to a number of games involving Coláiste Eoin teams over the years, with a special commemorative jersey for Saturday’s big game.

A host of events have already been held to mark the half century of Coláiste Eoin, including a concert in the National Concert Hall.

The Coláiste Eoin team will be managed on Saturday by Aodán De Paor - a former pupil of the school, and a talented player for both Dublin and Kilmacud Crokes.

Joining him on the sidelines will be Cathal Mac Séalaigh, son of Colm.

Coláiste Eoin were the first team to win the Friends of Dublin Hurling Secondary School award, and this year’s awards take place in the Red Cow Moran Hotel on Friday Nov 29th. Ring 0862544328 for tickets.

GazetteSPORT NOVEMBER 21-27, 2019

ALL OF YOUR SOUTH DUBLIN SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 27-31

ALL-STAR DELIGHT LADIES FOOTBALL: There was

delight on the double for FoxrockCabinteely at the TG4 Ladies Football AllStars on Saturday in Citywest. SEE P31

ÉOIN ARE 50

HURLING: Coláiste Eoin celebrate their 50th Anniversary with a match against Dublin Senior Hurlers on Saturday SEE P31

HOCKEY HERO O’DONNELL VOLUNTEER IN SPORT AWARDS:

Loreto Hockey Club’s Bronwyn O’Donnell claimed the Dublin Sport Volunteer of the Year at Farmleigh House SEE P29

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15-year old Byrne creates World powerlifting history  DAVE DONNELLY

sport@dublingazette.com

WO O D B RO O K G L E N native Megan Byrne made history last month when she became the youngest-ever female athlete to win a world title in powerlifting at the age of just 15.

The transition year student came first in the T1 (14-15-year-old) category at the World Drug-Free Powerlifting Championships in Halle, Germany in late October.

The full powerlift category in which Megan competes consists of three separate disc iplines: squat, benchpress and deadlift.

Byrne was part of a 17-strong Irish team that travelled to the championships and what makes her story all the more remarkable, is that she only started out weightlifting a year ago.

She took up the sport as a means of keeping feet but, under the tutelage of her father and coach Reg, has flourished in her short time competing.

S h e w a s c ro w n e d n a t i o n a l f u l l p owe r champion in Belfast earlier this year, which earned her a spot on the Irish team that competed at world level.

“She came up to the gym and I was a coach, and dad, and I put her on a programme to see how she’d fare,” Reg tells Dublin Gazette. “ I t w a s a n ov i c e enough programme. She literally flew and really,

Megan Byrne rightly smiles as she shows off her Gold medal, following success at the World Drug-Free Powerlifting Championships to become the youngest ever World title winner at just 15 years of age.

“She literally flew and really, really did well. I

only put her on one thing at first, a discipline called dead-lift and she won a national title. really did well. I only put her on one thing at first, a discipline called deadlift, and she excelled and ended up winning a national title.

“After that, she went to full powerlift, while is kind of unusual for a young kid because normally you’d get them doing individual disciplines and try to bring that to fruition.

“She went onto full power and I put her on

a novice programme, then an intermediate one and then a high-end programme. Throughout the year, she excelled at every single one of them.

“She then became the national weightlifting champion at full power.

She would have been one of the youngest female athletes ever on an Irish weightlifting team.”

Megan recently released a book entitled Healthy Eating Without

Training, and she’s also a talented singer with a number of performances available online.

Reg runs the Angels Boxing Club at St Benildus College in Stillorgan, where the European Drug Free Championships will take place next April.

He’s also the vicepresident of the Irish Drug-Free Powerlifting Association, which is affiliated with the World Anti-Doping Associa-

tion, WADA. Megan has already qualified for the European Championships, and the next worlds, by virtue of her performance in Germany, and will continue to defend her national title in 2020.

The hope is that drugfree powerlifting will become an Olympic event in the not-too-distant future, however at the moment there exists no kind of funding to

help athletes compete.

“It is definitely in contention to be an Olympic sport. In three or four years time, if it becomes an Olympic sport, hell yeah she’ll be in contention to represent her country.

“She eats, sleeps and drinks her powerlifting and her singing. Any young kid starting out in sport, whether it be football or rugby, they always strive to be at the top.”