Dublin Gazette: South Edition

DublinGazette FEBRUARY 20-26, 2020

POLSKA GAZETA GAZETA: This week we look

at the Zapusty celebration event held by the Irish Polish Society SEE PAGE 20

SPORT

HURLING: Stars of

Erin set to make their debut with the small ball. SEE P32

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

Outraged students slam UCD rent hike GARY IBBOTSON

APPROXIMATELY 100 University College Dublin (UCD) students held a demonstration on Tuesday (right) calling on the university to shelve its proposed price increase for on-campus accommodation.

The hike would see rent rise by 12% over the next three years, with student accommodation on the Belfield campus set to rise to between €8,000 and €9,900 per year.

Two weeks ago, the UCD Students’ Union wrote an open letter requesting the university abandon the proposal, saying: “We are the largest university in Ireland, aspiring to set international best practice. Surely, we can do better than this. We are a public institution, not a business.”

The union has yet to receive a reply from the University Management Team.

Joanna Siewierska, president of the students’ union, said students are “outraged”

by the proposal and they’re “showing the university management team that they will not use campus residences as a fundraiser FULL STORY ON PAGE 7 any more”.

Get set for a Ross and tell-all tale in new book OUTGOING Minister for Sport Shane Ross looks set to bring quite a tale to his fellow Dublin-Rathdown citizens – he’s writing a book about the government in which he served, and life in the hallowed halls of Leinster House.

The tell-all tale will detail his take on politics during some turbulent trimes, and the highs and lows of life in public office.

SEE PAGE 4

2 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 20 February 2020

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ENVIRONMENT: COUNCIL MULLING OVER NEW BY-LAW

Single-use plastics sales may be banned  GARY IBBOTSON

gibbotson@dublingazette.com

THE sell and supply of single-use plastics could soon be banned in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown if a proposed by-law gets passed by the council.

The draft of the law, which was prepared by Cllr Barry Ward (FG), proposes that businesses face fines of up to €500 if they sell or supply items such as plastic takeaway containers, coffee cup lids and bottles.

The proposal will go out for public consultation within the coming weeks.

The end may be nigh for certain single-use plastics in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, if a new by-law is approved

Cllr Ward has called on these plastics to be replaced by biodegradable alternatives and, if passed, the law would

make Dun LaoghaireRathdown the first local authority to ban certain plastic items.

Cllr Ward said: “We

know single-use plastics are a major problem. Here in Dun Laoghaire, we had an incident last year where a number of them were released into the sea by accident.

“Even the ordinary things that are given out by takeaways and retail establishments in the county often end up in the sea, so it’s a major problem that has to be addressed.

“I drafted a by-law to help councillors actually take a step in reducing the amount of single-use plastics in circulation.”

Green Party councillor for Blackrock, Seafra O’Faolain, says his party also supports the motion, although admits there may be “teething issues”.

Cllr O’Faolain said: “We welcome the proposal to ban single-use plastics and supported Cllr Ward’s motion in the council.

“As you know, it will go to public consultation, which provides an opportunity for anyone with concerns about it to voice these and work together to reduce plastic waste.

“There may be teething issues, but ultimately it will be a positive move for businesses and the wider public.

“While it’s very encouraging for us to be taking the lead in Dun LaoghaireRathdown, measures like this need to be applied at a national level in order to be fully effective.”

Last May, the European Council announced it will be banning certain single-use plastics, such as straws, cutlery and plates, by 2021.

The council said it aims to phase out the use of these items and to introduce environmentallyfriendly alternatives, where possible.

Products that cannot be easily phased out will be forced to have limited use, with manufacturers given “clean-up commitments”.

FASTNews New greenway will open by March end THE Cruagh to Ballyogan greenway will be open at the end of March, Dun LaoghaireRathdown County Council has revealed.

Independent councillor for GlencullenSandyford, Michael Fleming, says he Architects’ mock-up of part of the contacted the greenway route council for an update on the development with him being told that “progress is going well”.

A spokesman for the council’s Traffic Section said: “Erection of the raised boardwalk/bridge over the flood plain has commenced and, all going well, we should be in a position to open the greenway by the end of March.”

The greenway is a pedestrian link that will also accommodate cyclists, wheelchair users and buggies and “is designed to improved permeability and better access for pedestrian and cyclists in the area,” added the council spokesman.

Work on the greenway link began last Autumn.

Tesco hits a Credit union €5m charity signs up for milestone new offering TESCO has reached a monumental fundraising milestone, announcing that it has raised €5 million over the course of its five-year partnership with CHI at Temple Street.

The funds raised have helped the hospital to buy more than 270 pieces of vital medical equipment for patients including ultrasound scanners, patient monitors and respiratory equipment.

Tesco Ireland first chose Temple Street as its charity partner in 2014, following a selection process guided by Tesco colleagues nationwide.

Tesco has also announced a further extension to its partnership for one year, for 2020, and is continuing with its ambition of purchasing much-needed equipment to aid the treatment of sick children, with the aim of raising an additional €1 million Denise Fitzgerald, chief executive, Temple Street Foundation, said: “We are truly honoured that Tesco is extending our charity partnership for another year.”

TENEMOS, a banking software company, has announced that it has signed three new Irish credit union clients for its Community Banking offering.

These include Dublinbased Capital Credit Union, headquartered in Dundrum.

All three will be moving from legacy, on-premise systems to Temenos’ frontto-back Software as a Service (SaaS) offering, in order to digitally transform their business and prepare for growth.

Capital Credit Union expects that the new community banking platform will add a further 10% per annum to their loan growth rates.

It also says it will attract many new members – up to 10,000 people over the next three years.

Across Ireland, some 3.4 million people are members of 241 credit unions, accounting for €18.3 billion in assets.

Credit union assets are on the rise, increasing 31% (up from €14 billion) between 2011 and 2019.

20 February 2020 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 3

MUSIC: PEOPLE AFFECTED BY CANCER PROUDLY SANG FOR THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

Dublin choir sang out for Ireland in Brussels GARY IBBOTSON

THE Sea of Change choir, a group consisting of 53 women and one man whose lives have been affected by cancer, received a standing ovation when they performed in front of the European Parliament in Brussels earlier this month.

The choir was invited by MEP Mairead McGuinness to represent Ireland on World Cancer Day on Tuesday, February 4.

Leyla Simsek, a member of the choir, said: “We were the only group choir invited, but there were other amazing speakers represent-

ing other European countries who told their story of how cancer has affected their lives.

“This was our first time to perform abroad but we have sung our hearts out for many amazing causes in the past year all across Ireland.”

The choir was also invited to the Mansion House by outgoing Lord Mayor Paul McAuliffe (FF) on February, Saturday 15, “which was a very poignant day, being International Children’s Cancer Day,” said Leyla.

“We were honoured to be his last guests in the Mansion House. He shared emotional sto-

ries about his own journey of losing loves ones to cancer.”

Last year, the choir was a finalist on Ireland’s Got Talent, eventually losing out to dance group, BSD. Since then, the choir has performed for various charities and causes including Irish Cancer Society, the RNLI and Homeless Period Ireland.

In 2018, the choir organised the largest strip-and-dip event in the world in aid of cancer research. More than 2,000 women took part in the event which was officially recognised by Sea of Change with outgoing Lord Mayor Paul McAuliffe at the Mansion House Guinness World Records.

Council urged to clean up FASTNews woods after years of neglect

Dun Laoghaire pizzera closes for the last time

THE much loved pizzeria on Dun Laoghaire’s Patrick Street, Bits and Pizzas, has announced it is closing its doors for the last time.

In a Facebook post, the restaurant said: “We here at Bits and Pizzas have enjoyed 32 years of serving you.

“We would just like to express how much we have appreciated all the friends that we have made over the years and how much our customers have enjoyed dining with us.

“However, due to low levels of trade, we regret to inform you that Bits and Pizza will be closing for the foreseeable future.

“Thanks again to all our customers who have been supporting us for many years.”

GARY IBBOTSON

A DUNDRUM resident is calling on the council to clean up a wooded area in the suburb which she says has fallen into a “disgraceful” state.

June Ann Byrne, who has lived in the area since 1962, says the parkland located between the Dundrum bypass and Castlebrook housing estate was landscaped and planted about 25 years ago, but has since been neglected.

Originally from Cork, Byrne said: “When it was first planted, it was beautiful. There were lovely beech trees and a mixture of other ones.”

However, over the past “four to five” years, trees have been swarmed with ivy, causing many to fall.

Byrne added: “I’d say at least eight trees have fallen due to ivy over the past few weeks.”

Many felled trees have yet to be removed by the council, with ivy forcing many others to bend precariously. Byrne says it’s only a matter of time before they fall too.

“I’d plant some lovely wildflowers myself if they [the council] got rid of this ivy,” she said, pointing at the riverbank covered in the plant.

In addition to the tree felling, the site has been used been as an illegal flytip, with lawn chairs, drink

Local artist’s work set to go on show

The Dundrum wooded area has seen many trees fall and rubbish illegally left over the past number of years

cans and plastics all being dumped there. Graffiti is also present on a nearby wall.

According to Byrne, the Castlebrook Residents’ Association has essentially ceased operations in recent years, but some resi-

dents are also “appalled” by the land’s condition.

In a statement to Dublin Gazette, Dun LaoghaireRathdown County Council (DLRCC) said the parkland has not been neglected and is “under the remit of DLRCC and our Parks

staff,” who “maintain the area on a regular basis”.

The council added: “We are trying to achieve a balance with this area between retaining tree cover for biodiversity and keeping the area litterfree.

“In order to reduce antisocial-related litter, we recently thinned out the planting at the entrance to the Dundrum bypass to increase passive surveillance.”

The council says that maintenance of trees is

under way but no set plan was given.

It added: “We have a tree surgeon scheduled for this site in order to trim back trees and ivy growth and our staff will be on site to attend to the fly-tipping shortly.”

THE works of local artist Tommy McKillen will go on show in Dundrum Library on Saturday, April 11.

Exploring the theme of Dundrum’s social history, the exhibition will consist of acrylic-based works with a variety of techniques used.

Having moved to Milltown in 1985 to start a carpentry firm, McKillen retired in 2010 to focus on his love of art and the scenery of south Dublin.

McKillen says that he takes “inspiration from found and once loved objects,” which influence his work.

He is a member of the Rosemount Resource Centre.

4 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 20 February 2020

R1

POLITICS: ‘THE FAI WAS A HORNET’S NEST AND IT ... CAME UP TO BITE US’

Ross to write a tell-all book about life in Leinster House GARY IBBOTSON

OUTGOING Dublin Rathdown TD and Minister for Sport Shane Ross says he’s going to write a tellall book about the outgoing government.

Minister Ross, who lost his seat in General Election 2020, says the book will be “very outspoken” and will detail what happened behind the scenes of the Fine Gael-led government.

Originally elected to the Dail in 2011, Minister Ross was re-elected in 2016 and supported Fine Gael’s administration as part of Independent Alliance.

Speaking to Pat Kenny on Newstalk, Minister Ross also said that he expects Fianna Fail and Fine Gael to go into

a coalition but “they’ll both say they’re doing it incredibly reluctantly”.

He said: “People don’t say what they mean in these situations,” adding: “[An Taoiseach] Leo Varadkar has said as a last resort” he would speak to Fianna Fail.

“But they actually want to be in power, and they don’t want to be in power with Sinn Fein. “[Such a coalition is] looking to me the only real option at the moment,” he said.

Ross added that he expects the Green Party and some Independent TDs to join the coalition.

“It may be that both Leo Varadkar and Micheal Martin and Eamon Ryan, if they all get together, they’ll add up to about 85 seats – which is just com-

Outgoing Minister for Sport Shane Ross is to write a book about his Dail experience

fortable.

“But they may feel it’s

more sensible to take in a few Independents as well in order to make it even more comfortable for themselves.”

The incumbent Minister – who still holds his position in office until a new government is

formed – was also asked about the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) his role in opening up funding for the organisation “The FAI was a hornet’s nest and it came up to bite us very quickly,” he said.

“Sport ... is a big business, and it’s not just about people breaking records and scoring goals, it’s about huge amounts of money, and where there are huge amounts of money, there are always problems.

“We dealt with the FAI I think effectively – I hope effectively.

“We’ve cleaned out the FAI board now at this stage which was something that was very difficult to do. We’ve got independent directors there who I think are people of incredible integrity,” he said.

The FAI were given a bailout of €7.5m in interest-free loans and the reintroduction and doubling of State funding.

FASTNews

Retailers urged to use Show Me-ID DUN LAOGHAIRE-RATHDOWN County Council is urging local retailers to participate in the Show Me ID – Be Age Ok youth access prevention campaign.

The programme is designed to encourage retailers to engage with their staff and ensure they have the appropriate level of training required to prevent the sale of restricted goods, such as cigarettes and alcohol, to minors.

An Cathaoirleach Shay Brennan (above) said: “Show Me ID is an excellent opportunity for retailers to demonstrate their commitment to a high standard of compliancy with the law.

“More importantly, it puts the minds of parents at ease knowing that their local retailers are adequately training their staff on the prevention of the sale of age restricted goods.

“I strongly encourage all retailers in the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown area to ask their staff to take the free Show Me ID – Be Age Ok training and become leaders on how to avoid the sale of age restricted products to minors.”

Cllr Brennan (FF) was speaking at Newpark Centra and Texaco Station on Newtownpark Avenue at an event to show support for the campaign.

More office space for Dundrum centre

Dog waste becoming a problem for Dalkey

HAMMERSON, the management company and owner of Dundrum Town Centre, has announced new office space will be made available in the shopping centre.

Due to be delivered in April, the space will be approximately 11,300 sq ft and will be located within the Pembroke District CBRE and Savills have been appointed as joint letting agents.

According to CBRE, The Loft,’ as it is called, “will offer contemporary open plan office accommodation with access to a unique private roof terrace extending to 3,440 sq ft/320 sq m, and spanning the length of the floorplate, presenting a perfect setting for hosting events with panoramic views across Dublin.”

DALKEY Tidy Towns is encouraging locals to be more vigilant and pick up after their dogs as the group says the problem of abandoned dog waste is growing in the area.

In a post online, the group said: “As blue is our DTT colour, over the coming weeks, we will draw a blue chalk circle around poo on our pavements.

“Most of our dog owners are very conscientious about using poo bags. A few are not, and we can all see the mess on Sorrento Road, Ardeevin Road, Castle Street and elsewhere.”

According to Dogtrust.ie, dog waste can “pose a health risk to humans, especially children as there is a risk. They could become infected by a parasite called Toxocara canis, that can cause blindness.”

20 February 2020 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 5

6 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 20 February 2020

GALLERIES OF THE WEEK

Charia Cleary with Mary and Jock Burns

Katherine Smits, Melissa Cherry and Mary McGrath. Pictures: Peter Cavanagh

James McCreary and Marie Heaney

Janey Dwyer Treacy and Geraldine McCann

Fran Wilson and Helen O’Connor

Jennie Taylor

Leinster Printmakers put on an exhibition I Paula Fitzgerald with Dalan and Pamela de Bri

N June 2019, The Leinster Printmaking Studio was invited to devise an exhibition especially for the Festival Irlandese in Bassano, Italy.

The work of poet Séamus Heaney was selected as theme for the festival.

The exhibition was launched at

dlr LexIcon last week and runs until March 31.

Thirty-one artists created a beautiful exhibition of 43 prints, all equal in size but responding to different poems.

Artist members of the studio and invited guests chose a poem to inspire their work.

Barbara Fitzgerald, Margaret Becker and Romy Hogan

20 February 2020 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 7

PRICE INCREASE: UNIVERSITY MANAGEMENT TEAM MET BY ANGRY MOB

Students protest over proposed 12% rent hike RACHEL DARCY AND GARY IBBOTSON

STUDENTS in University College Dublin held a protest last Tuesday, against plans by the southside university to hike on-campus rents by 12% over the next three years.

UCD students gathered at 9am on Tuesday to call for the proposed increases to be scrapped. The protest coincided with a meeting being held by university management over the proposed rent increases.

The student union at UCD have been vocal about their opposition to the proposed increases, with UCDSU saying students did not receive any forewarning or consultation over the hike in living costs.

Joanna Siewierska, the President of the student union, said the students are “outraged”.

“We are showing the university management team that they will not use campus residences as a fundraiser anymore,” she said.

Prominent politicians such as Sinn Fein’s Eoin O’Broin have also written to college management over the increases in rents.

“I have written to the Presidents of UCD, DCU... [and] TCD requesting meetings to discuss proposed on-campus student rent increases. High rents are a barrier to education.

There has to be a better solution to financing of student accommodation,” O’Broin said.

Labour Party education

spokesperson Aodhan O Riordain has said the12% rent hikes are unacceptable.

He said: “Third-level institutions across the country are using the housing crisis as a way to make a quick buck.

“The housing crisis we are now facing is becoming a prevalent feature in Irish society and these student accommodation companies are exploiting this crisis to charge extortionate accommodation fees.

“It is completely unacceptable to expect students and their families to pay between double and triple the annual college fee upfront for student accommodation.”

In response to the news of the increase in rental

New awards for Dalkey book festival

UCD students gathered last Tuesday to call for the proposed increases to be scrapped.

costs, former UCD students have voiced concern on social media that hikes in costs such as rent can price lower income students, or students from outside of Dublin, out of attending university.

Dr Alan Greene, a lecturer in Birmingham and a UCD alumnus, wrote: “I know I’ve said it before but I have no idea how anybody can afford to study in Dublin any more.

Co u p l e d w i t h t h e increase in registration fees over the past decade and things are drasti-

Gardaí foil attempted ATM fraud gang in city centre GARDAÍ from the street crime unit attached to Pearse St Garda Station carried out an operation last Thursday (13th) in relation to individuals operating deep insert skimming devices in ATM’s and cloned credit cards.

Intelligence reports received by An Garda Síochána recently from their colleagues in the UK indicated that a group were operating in Ireland.

According to a spokesperson: “Gardaí from Pearse St identified two males on Bedford Lane, D2 who they believed to be involved in this activity, one of these males attempted to

PRIZE FUND

conceal a wallet which contained seven (7) bank cards which have been identified as cloned fraudulent cards, a search of the second males wallet also contained five (5) fraudulent cards.

“Both men in their 30s were arrested and taken to Pearse St Garda Station.”

One man appeared before the Criminal Courts of Justice last Friday 14th February and was remanded in custody, a second man is expected to appear on Saturday 15th February.

Investigations are continuing.

SUPERB BY NAME: Skoda’s revised motor lives up to its name with ease



MOTORING, PAGE 21

cally different from when I studied at UCD. I don’t know if I could do it now.”

Another former student, Molly, said: “I had to leave UCD and finish my education in Belfast to survive, my rent was

cheap at €450 while my SUSI grant at 100% was €330 pm. I’m from Mayo I had no option to live at home and I saw students like me get priced out constantly in my time and its getting worse.

THE Dalkey Book Festival has created a new awards programme for writers that features a total prize fund of €30,000.

The new awards will take place for the first time this June and will recognise writers in two categories: ‘Novel of the Year’ and ‘Emerging Writer’.

The Judging panel for each category comprises high-profile critics, writers and public figures within the Irish literary scene, including Fiach Mac Conghail, Caoilinn Hughes, Andrea Catherwood, Jennifer O’Connell and Rick O’Shea.

Writers resident or born in Ireland and published in Ireland or the UK in 2019 will be recognised by the awards.

8 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 20 February 2020

LAURALYNN : FAMILY ACCOMMODATION OPENS AT CHILDREN’S HOSPICE

TV star opens revamped family accommodation PADRAIG CONLON

CELEBRITY architect and TV favourite Dermot Bannon recently opened the newly refurbished family accommodation at LauraLynn’s Children’s

Hospice.

Dermot visited the southside charity last week to cut the red tape on the new rooms at Ireland’s only children’s hospice.

LauraLynn has four

family bedrooms alongside a living space and kitchen area allowing entire families to book in for short stays at the hospice.

T h e s e s h o r t s tays allow the child using the service, their parents and any siblings they may have to enjoy quality time together making memories as a family.

This specialised family accommodation was in need of some improvements, as it was over eight-years-old and a little outdated.

With no dedicated State funding however a renovation project was not something that seemed possible.

This year alone over €4.6m of LauraLynn’s annual running costs will need to be met via fundraised income.

The chance to do the much-needed refurbishment came about when Chris Mackin, one of the owners of Malmac construction, offered to help out if there was any building work needed.

B e l i n d a Ro h a n o f Belinda Rohan interiors also came on board to

Dermot Bannon at the official opening with Liam Ryan and his mum Niamh.

Picture: Andres Poveda Photography

offer her services free of charge alongside Malmac construction.

Through the amazing work of the two generous groups, the entire project came at no cost to the charity, who provide vital services to those who are ill.

The regeneration of the space has a direct impact on those who use the service.

Liam Ryan, 11, has been going to LauraLynn for four years.

His mum Niamh said that Laura Lynn is like “a home away from home” for the family.

“It’s a lovely place for our family to come knowing that Liam is being minded and loved and is safe and happy,” she said.

“We get to just be Mam, Dad and brother as

all of Liam’s medical and care needs are looked after by the lovely staff.

“But LauraLynn is so much more than that.

“We all feel minded as the fantastic staff think of our whole family and this project has created such beautiful relaxing spaces for all of us to rest and feel so refreshed after our stay.”

FASTNews New Lord Mayor to be selected next month A NEW Lord Mayor for Dublin will be selected in March, after current Lord Mayor Paul McAuliffe was elected to Dáil Eireann in the recent general election.

McAuliffe (FF) moved out of the Mansion House last Friday after his success, with Deputy Lord Mayor Tom Brabazon wearing the gold chain until a new Lord Mayor - who will be a member of Fianna Fail - is voted in.

There is an agreement with council parties in Dublin City Council, whereby each party takes a turn in hosting a Lord Mayor.

Currently, there are nine Fianna Fail councillors sitting on Dublin City Council - Daryl Bannon, Racheal Batten, Deputy Lord Mayor Tom Brabazon, Keith Connolly, Deirdre Conroy, Daithi De Roiste, Mary Fitzpatrick, Claire O’Connor and Michael Watters.

A vote will be held at the next full council meeting, on February 24. Any other councillors who were elected to Dáil Eireann will also have their seats ‘co-opted’ by other members of their party, to fill vacant seats.

The elected Lord Mayor will only hold the position until June, however, where the Green Party will put forward one of their councillors to take on the role.

62 new speed cameras added to roads SYLVIA POWNALL

SPEED CAMERAS have been installed at 62 new locations across Dublin as part of a nationwide Garda crack down on reckless drivers.

In all 903 new ‘safety zones’ came into operation nationwide on Monday in areas which have become hotspots for speed-related collisions.

There are now a total of 291 zones in the capital which can be tracked via GPS navigation and are also listed on the Garda website (www.garda.ie).

The National Roads Policing Bureau compiled the list based on road collisions from 2016 to 2018 with 575 zones across the country which were previously considered high risk removed from the list.

Superintendent Tony Lonergan of the GNRPB said the removal of cameras from zones shows a change in driver behaviour, and that the new zones are targeting a small number of people who continue to drive in excess of speed limits.

He added: “We’re putting the message out there

that we’d like people to slow down for the entire duration of their journey in order to help make the roads safer and to prevent fatalities and life changing injuries.”

Among the new zones are a 3.4km stretch of the R139 at Clonshaugh near Dublin Airport where two fatal crashes and two serious crashes were recorded between 2016 and 2018.

Go Safe zones are also in operation along 1.4km of the St Peter’s Road from Walkinstown Cross to Whitehall Road, and the Hartstown Road in D15.

The 20 most dangerous stretches of road in Ireland are all in Dublin according to analysis with the highest number of accidents on the R111 between Islandbridge and Irishtown.

In a three-year period 118 collisions were recorded including two fatal crashes and 18 which were classed as serious.

The second riskiest road is a 5.4km stretch of the R148 between the Chapelizod bypass along the Liffey quays to the Customs House. Despite having a 30kph speed limit in places, it was the scene of

99 collisions including 17 serious crashes.

The third most dangerous road is a 21.4km stretch of the M50 between junction 3 (M1 interchange) and junction 11 (N81-Tallaght) where a total of 116 crashes were also recorded.

Superintendant Lonergan said: “We urge drivers to be fully aware of the posted speed limit and drive within the speed limit for the duration of their journey. Speed kills, help save lives.”

The full list of locations can be viewed at www. garda.ie/roadspolicing

20 February 2020 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 9

NATIONAL EVENT: CELEBRATING THE NATION’S TREASURES

FASTNews

Kids make a splash with top Water Babies honours

Rory Dignam and Justine Doswell at the launch of the St Patrick’s Festival programme. Picture: Julien Behal Photography

St Patrick’s Festival programme revealed RACHEL D’ARCY

THE programme for the National St Patrick’s Festival has been unveiled, with the theme this year set to be SEODA – Treasures from Ireland.

Announced last week by Deputy Lord Mayor Tom Brabazon, this year’s festival will celebrate Ireland’s rich heritage with a world-class programme showcasing both contemporary and traditional Ireland over five great days and nights, from March 12 to 17.

There will be dozens of fun-filled family experiences, massive outdoor events, specially commissioned collaborative performances, a myriad of musical treats and the magnificent national St Patrick’s Festival parade.

There will also be an expanded four-day festival village and food market at Merrion Square.

Susan Kirby, chief executive, said: “St Patrick’s Festival is one of the world’s largest cultural celebrations and one of the most important and powerful tools that Brand Ireland has in promoting our country.

“St Patrick’s Festival continues to be five great days and nights where Ireland welcomes

the world.

“This year’s festival will present today’s culture creators and celebrate who and what our contemporary national treasures are, as well as taking pride in our traditions.”

This years’ festival will offer a richly diverse programme, including ABAIR – a remarkable programme of performances celebrating Ireland’s oral traditions, art exhibitions, poetry and literary events, the all-new Festival After Dark club series, hidden Dublin tours and trails, an exciting Port to City treasure hunt, Ceili Mor, and so much more.

Cllr Tom Brabazon said: “It’s a wonderful honour for me to launch the 2020 festival. As a boy I remember coming into the parade each year, and now our national festival has grown into a five-day extravaganza celebrating all that is great about Ireland today.

“We have so many modern-day treasures, people creating our contemporary culture each day, and it’s fantastic that the festival will showcase these across five days and nights of fun and celebration.

“I have no doubt that Dubliners and visitors

to the city will enjoy memorable experiences and leave with lasting memories.

“I would also like to congratulate the St Patrick’s Festival board for all their hard work, professionalism and dedication, which results in the Dublin festival being such a fantastic showcase for our Irish culture and heritage.”

Artists and performers set to take part in the diverse 2020 festival programme include Lisa Hannigan, Annie Mac, Kojaque, Soule, Denise Chaila, Crash Ensemble, Mango X MathMan, Dublin Gospel Choir, and many more.

Orla Carroll, director of product development at the National Tourism Development Authority, said: “We are delighted to see some of Ireland’s national treasures highlighted at this year’s St Patrick’s Festival.

“Festivals are crucial to the tourism sector and play an important role in both attracting overseas visitors and delivering brilliant visitor experiences.”

The full St Patrick’s Festival 2020 programme is now available on the festival website, stpatricksfestival.ie.

WATER Babies, a baby and toddler swimming school, has announced that 11 inspiring children from around Ireland have been honoured at its annual Water Babies Little Heroes awards ceremony in Blanchardstown.

The school, which celebrated its tenth anniversary in Ireland last year, says the children – all of whom have been challenged by accidents, serious illness and special needs – have

greatly benefited from learning to swim and being in water.

The school said “many of [the] Water Babies Little Heroes have shown an incredible amount of strength and bravery, considering their early years”.

Dublin Water Babies Little Heroes winners for 2020 included Blu-Levi Harris (1), Finglas; James MacNeill (4), Killiney (pictured above), and Ciara Gannon (1), Leopardstown.

Two arrested as gardai target ‘ATM skimming’ GARDAI from the street crime unit attached to Pearse St Garda Station carried out an operation last Thursday, February 13, in relation to individuals operating deep-insert skimming devices in ATMs and cloned credit cards.

Intelligence reports received by An Garda Siochana recently from policing colleagues in the UK indicated that a criminal group specialising in such particular thefts were operating in Ireland.

According to a spokesperson: “Gardai from Pearse St identified two males on Bedford Lane, Dublin 2, who they believed to be involved in this activity.

“One of these males attempted to conceal a wallet which contained seven bank cards, which have been identified as cloned fraudulent cards; a search of the second male’s wallet also contained five fraudulent [credit] cards.

“Both men, [aged] in their 30s, were arrested and taken to Pearse St Garda Station.”

Investigations are continuing, with gardai warning all citizens who will be shopping in the city centre, as well as all across the city and suburbs, to remain vigilant of any suspicious individuals or devices at ATMs and similar credit facilities.

Sharpen your digital skills with Google full-day workshops GOOGLE will start its 2020 Digital Garage workshops this week at its Dublin headquarters.

Starting on Friday, February 28, the workshops will include expert advice and tips on how to scale a business for international growth, and embrace opportunities to reach and engage with global customers online.

Digital Garage is part of Google’s global business support initiative, Grow with Google, that aims to help people and businesses acquire the skills needed to embrace the opportunities that technology presents.

The full-day workshop will feature mentoring and talks focused

on digital skills highlighted by business as areas of concern.

Some of the main areas of focus on the day will include how to utilise Google tools effectively in order to plan and grow a business internationally.

Marie Davis, head of Google Customer Solutions Ireland said: “We are delighted to be kicking off the new phase of Grow with Google 2020.

“The Digital Garage workshops were a huge success regionally across Ireland last year and due to high demand we are very pleased to be running a Digital Garage in Dublin in 2020.

“Local Irish businesses are vital to our regional economy and

through these workshops, we hope to provide support to business people through mentoring and coaching and to equip them with the digital tools and expertise necessary to drive growth both on a domestic and international scale.

“We want to give business people the confidence to integrate and use digital skills effectively in the everyday running of their business and to ensure success in the future.”

Last year, more than 1,000 companies took part in Grow with Google Digital Garage workshops around the country. Digital Garage is free to attend but anyone wishing to attend must register at: https://g.co/irelandgaragef2f.

10 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 20 February 2020

GALLERIES OF THE WEEK

Derek Seymour and Pat McLoughlin

Ailish Hessian, Rose Henderson, Ossian Smyth, Pat Nolan, Ann Fox

Ossian Smyth (TD) Ann Fox (Producer)

Take your book off

K

The book cover accompanied by the flyer for the play

Silvia Loeffler, Rionach O’Callaghan, Alison McKenna

Liz Parkin and Duncan Black

een book readers gathered in large numbers at Deansgrange Library last week as the venue played host to the launch of the hotly anticipated book ‘Take off your cornflakes’.

Written by actress and writer Rose Henderson and ‘Fair City’ actor Pat Nolan, the play turned book, is inspired by Rose’s Dad, Jack, who had Alzheimer’s but couldn’t remember he had cancer.

Jack died, in April 2016, in St Michael’s Hospital in Dún Laoghaire, after losing his battle with cancer.

‘Take Off Your Cornflakes’ is a tender, funny, heart-warming portrait of marriage with the best ‘Dad Jokes’ you’ve ever heard.

Some of the stars of the original play were in attendance with T.D.’s and local celebrities.

The play is currently touring and will be in the Civic Theatre, Tallaght on Tuesday (25) and Wednesday (26) next, commencing at 8pm. Tickets are available from the Civic Theatre Box Office on 01-4627477 or info@ civictheatre.ie The tour continues in Waterford and Sligo, before concluding on May 15 at the Courthouse Arts Centre in Tinahely.

Rebecca Roper, Kalki McKevitt, James Barrett

Leo Cullen with Derek Seymour

Ann McCourt and Rose Henderson

Pat McLoughan, Ann Fox, Rose Henderson, Pat Nolan

20 February 2020 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 11

GALLERIES OF THE WEEK

Moya Doherty, John McColgan, Amy Huberman and Brian O’Driscoll. Pictures: Kieran Harnett

Tara Howley and Haley Richardson

Sophie and Louis Copeland

Julian Benson and Simon Murphy

Susan Ginnity and Ryan Sheridan

Norah Casey and Val Quinn

Riverdance 25th Anniversary Show I

Kathleen Watkins

Helen and Paddy Cole

T’S 25 years since Riverdance first performed at the Point Theatre, and to celebrate they put on five incredible shows at the same venue.

The shows received a rapturous reception and standing ovations. They played to a packed audience with many friends, family, past colleagues and well known faces in

attendance. There was such excitement as the show began, with each number receiving rapturous applause.

When the iconic seven-minute Riverdance number brought the first part of the show to a finish the audience leapt to their feet in a standing ovation. The finale of the show brought a further standing ovation and

thunderous applause before a special treat was unveiled for the audience.

Associate director Padraic Moyles welcomed on stage many of the original cast who performed on that night 25 years ago and then introduced Jean Butler who had travelled from the US to be there for this special event and say a few words.

12 DUBLIN GAZETTE 20 February 2020

RETAIL: HARDWARE GIANT BRINGS ITS ‘CUSTOMER CENTRED’ APPROACH TO IRELAND

Screwfix have customer service and employee satisfaction nailed on CÓILÍN DUFFY cduffy@dublingazette.com

WORK doesn’t always have to be a chore, and for the people employed by Screwfix at their recently opened stores in Sandyford and Swords it’s certainly not, as the 650store UK operation, with over 12,000 employees over the pond brings its ‘customer centred’ approach to Ireland, with two other new stores in Ennis and Waterford also.

While Screwfix’s ‘bricks and mortar’ setup is new to Irish shores, they’ve had a presence here for the past five years, through their online business at Screwfix. ie, and have firmly established themselves in the Irish market.

For those who don’t know Screwfix, they are effectively an Argos for the Trade industry, as their CEO John Mewett explains.

“There’s a lot of similarities,” he told Dublin Gazette.

“I think one of the really interesting things about Screwfix is that it’s really w h e re t h e d i g i ta l m o d e comes together with the bricks and mortar model.

“Our stores are like a warehouse, we’ve got 10,000 products in every store.

“Somebody can go online, or on their mobile and check the stock and see what’s in store right then, and then pick it up in one minute so it’s really convenient.”

Mewett says it’s an exciting time for the company.

“We are really excited to come to Ireland. We’ve been in the UK for many years expanding, with over 650 stores.

“We’ve had a website in Ireland for the last five years, which has been hugely successful.

“It was really the demand of our customers. Our website is great, but it only had deliveries three days a week into

Actor and television presenter Simon Delaney with Screwfix staff at the launch of their new store in Sandyford

Ireland.

“We know for customers on the job, time is money for them. If they want to get the job done, they need to get

well.

“We have four stores here at the moment, and we’ll open more stores this year.

We see the potential to have

work done now, so that’s why we’ve opened these stores.

“It’s a great market Ireland.

There’s a lot of similarities, but also a lot of differences and we think Screwfix will work really well here.

“Also a lot of our customers already know the brand very

up to 40 stores right across Ireland.

“We’ve opened a store a week for the last seven years, which means there’s great opportunities for our colleagues – for our sales assistants to become supervisors, and for our supervisors

“

We know for customers on the job, time is money for them. If they want to get the job done, they need to get work done now

to become store managers, which is one of the reasons why our colleagues really like working for us.

“The key thing is that they like helping people. Our customers are busy – for them time is money, so for them it’s about getting their goods and getting them back on the job as quickly as possible. That’s the real focus of Screwfix.

“Our job is to help our customers get their jobs done quickly. I think what it’s about is having the right products for our customers, that they can get, and get back on the job. For them time is money.”

Paul Maher is Store manager of the new branch in Sandyford, and has 20 years of retail experience.

He started off his work life

as a General Assistant and a Department Manager with Superquinn, and knows all about a customer service focus – something Superquinn founder Feargal Quinn championed.

“I worked for Superquinn when I was younger,” he said.

“Screwfix have kept the same culture and it’s been amazing. The culture is the greatest thing here, and it is part of the support and training – your development and how you can step up. “ We p ro m i s e o u r c o l leagues what’s ahead of them if they give it 100%, and they follow through with that.”

“A lot of customers know the Screwfix brand already.

It’s only a stones throw from their house now, and that’s the best thing, that they can

come in and see what they are buying – they aren’t just buying online in the dark!”

Maher has had a busy time of late, and just four hours into his first day as manager his partner had a baby girl.

The Screwfix team were really supportive, and even made a special blanket with the Screwfix logo for the new arrival!

For anyone who passed through the doors of Screwfix’s Irish stores at the weekend, there was a chance to pick up a prize by guessing the number of screws in a jar.

Well Screwfit have certainly ‘nailed it’ oncustomer service, and a happy place to work in for their employees.

It looks like they’ll become a household name in Ireland for many years.

20 February 2020 DUBLIN GAZETTE 13

TRAVEL P17

MOTORING P20

DUBLIN

MUSIC P16

MAGAZINE

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

SAY ‘YELLOW’ TO A GREAT FUNDRAISER PRESENTER Kamal Ibrahim, Irish Cancer Society (ICS) Daffodil Day fundraisers Veitch Smyth and Margaret Wallace, and the chief

executive of the ICS, Averil Power are pictured at the recent launch of the ICS’s upcoming Daffodil Day, in partnership with Boots Ireland, in

the City West Hotel.

Taking place next month on Friday, March 27, the day will once again see the popular and biggest

national ICS fundraiser supporting people affected by cancer.

As well as supporting the day and the many ICS volunteers that will

be out and about, you can find out how you can raise crucial funds for cancer patients and their families at www.cancer.ie. Picture: Andres Poveda

14 DUBLIN GAZETTE 20 February 2020

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

QUIRKY MATTERS

DUBLIN BITS & BOBS

Runs to peak your interest

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

C O N TA C T S Managing Director: Michael McGovern mmcgovern@dublingazette.com Commercial Director: Liz Ferris lferris@dublingazette.com Group Editor: Cóilín Duffy cduffy@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.

LUCY Gratton, of John West Ireland, and Bridget Gavin, of Gaelforce, are pictured launching the John West Gaelforce Trilogy at Bray Head.

The innovative event is comprises three 10k trail runs through the scenic settings of Bray Head (April 4), Kippure Mountain (August 8) and Howth Summit (October 10). Those who complete the trilogy will receive an exclusive three-part medal, with John West Ireland encouraging runners of all abilities to take part, take in some of the superb scenery around the capital, and get some great, healthy exercise in the process.

For entry details, see gaelforceevents.com. Picture: Fintan Clarke

Making history with Cherokee Nation seeds Can might cost an music at the Oscars may help to save us all art critic $20,000 GALWAY-BORN conductor Eimear Noone became the first female conductor in Oscar history at the ceremony in Los Angeles earlier this month.

Speaking in advance of the Oscars, Noone said she “got a phone call from my dear friend, music director of the Oscars, and that was it, really”.

She added: “It was just amazing – I do 40-50 concerts a year and this is extraordinary, it’s special and amazing. I can’t wait to get to the music part.

The red carpet is terrifying.”

During the ceremony, Noone conducted music from five nominated movies, including songs from Toy Story 4 and Frozen 2.

After her performance, Noone received heaps of praise online with author Roma Downey tweeting: “So proud and thrilled for my friend Eimear! she became the first woman to conduct the Oscar orchestra tonight in a truly stunning performance! Go girl!”

THE Cherokee Nation will be the first US tribe to donate seeds to the Global Seed Vault on the island of Svalbard near the North Pole.

The vault, which is in its 12th year of operation, is designed as an insurance policy against doomsday scenarios that would force humanity to repopulate various plant and crop species from scratch.

Many peoples around the world have donated to the bank, and later this month the Cherokee Nation will count itself among them – and become the first such tribe to do so.

The tribe has agreed to donate samples of nine ancient cultivars — seeds from plants or crops that pre-date the European colonisation of the US — that often represent a cultural legacy for many indigenous tribes, with the Cherokee Nation welcoming contributing part of its legacy to the global project.

A MEXICAN art critic accidentally destroyed an art installation worth $20,000 at the Zona Maco art fair in Mexico City.

Avelina Lesper accidentally shattered the installation when she placed a soft drink can near it to show her disdain for the piece: a sheet of glass with a stone, soccer ball and other random objects suspended inside.

The piece was by Gabriel Rico, a Mexican artist who contrasts man-made objects, such as sporting balls, with natural items, such as rocks and feathers.

“It was like the work heard my comment and felt what I thought of it,” Lesper said.

The studio where the piece was housed said Lesper’s actions were entirely “unprofessional” and would be pursuing her for the cost of the piece.

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 Enzo, an extremely affectionate three-yearold crossbreed that just loves rubs and cuddles.

He is instantly friendly with everyone he meets but can be a bit picky with other dogs, preferring doggie pals which are calm and don’t interact too much.

In his former life, he was quite the accomplished escape artist, so his future adopters will need to be mindful of this and keep a very close eye on him.

Although his sweet, friendly nature would make him an ideal family pet, he is quite strong and could potentially knock over very small children in his enthusiasm.

If you have room in your heart and home for Enzo 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.)

enzo

20 February 2020 DUBLIN GAZETTE 15

DUBLIN FEATURES Canada

Peru

Prestigious win for Cong hotel with a top US travel guide award A MAYO hotel has made a small bit of Irish travel history by being the only – and first – Irish hotel to be included in the latest Forbes Travel Guide’s Star Rating winners’ list.

Ashford Castle achieved a maximum ranking in the annual

Go west to find bucket-list bliss SHANE DILLON

Travel Editor IF YOU’RE yearning to get away on an epic trip, Travel Department and TD active Holidays have a couple of spectacular ‘bucket list’ trips to really put a spring in your step (even as Spring at home stays dour and dull).

Canada First up, and Irish holidaymakers need little introduction to Canada, with the country’s incredible scenery and vibrant, welcoming cities drawing us ‘across the pond’ in ever greater numbers.

If you’re looking for something a little different from a Canadian holiday, a magical 10-day trip will bring you through the wonders of the Rocky Mountains and western Canada.

The busy trip across ‘the Great White North’ encompasses a range of incredible natural attractions, bringing you to some of the most scenic parts of Canada – and to some of the country’s famouslyfriendly citizens.

You’ll travel in comfort through snow-covered highlands and visit glaciers, rushing rivers and crystalline lakes, gaping canyons and valleys, thundering waterfalls and steaming hot springs.

The trip will take you through cowboy country and Gold Rush territory, where you’ll get a sense of the country’s rich history and dynamic spirit of her citizens.

You’ll also see the stunning National Parks of British Columbia and Alberta, with some of the most spectacular alpine scenery you’ll ever see.

It won’t be all wild wilderness and breathtaking sights – you’ll also explore vibrant, cosmopolitan Vancouver.

P r i c e s s t a r t f ro m €2,599pp for 10 nights, including flights, transfers, B&B accommodation, and excursions with expert local guides (admission to National Parks included), departing May, June, August and September.

See www.traveldepartment.ie, or call 01 637 1600.

Peru Moving on – way, way on – and it’s hard to think of somewhere more fascinating than picturesque Peru.

Peru has been attracting seasoned travellers for centuries, but the past couple of decades have seen it really explode onto the tourism trail with its unique blend of ancient culture and gorgeous, jaw-dropping scenery and

ruins.

One to mark for near the end of the year – due to permit logistics, making this one to book 6-8 months in advance – The Inca Trail 14-night tour of Peru will blend one of the world’s best-known hikes with a truly singular experience.

Every step along the way will be bringing you to and through some of the world’s most stunning landscapes.

On the trip, you’ll experience stunning mountain scenery, dense cloudforests, subtropical jungle and a captivating mix of Inca ruins and tunnels as you spend four days trekking towards the magical UNESCO World Heritage site of Machu Picchu, and its captivating mountain city ruins.

Not for the faint-hearted, adventurous travellers will be rewarded with the trip of a lifetime, with a small tour group staying in a mix of hotels and overnight camps.

It’s on offer from €3,699pp for 14 nights including flights, transfers, B&B/half-board accommodation, and excursions with an expert local guide (including Inca Trail permit), departing on November 6.

See www.tdactiveholidays.ie, or call 01 637 1633.

honours list, and joins an elite group of luxury hotels around the world that have earned a Five-Star Forbes Travel Guide (FTG) ranking, with the hotel the only one in Ireland to be selected for the 2020 Star Rating Guide.

FTG referenced how the hotel

in Cong had achieved global gold standards in hospitality, and particularly admired the hotel’s staff for their dedication to every guest experience.

See www.ashfordcastle.com and forbestravelguide.com/ award-winners for more.

16 DUBLIN GAZETTE 20 February 2020

DUBLIN ENTERTAINMENT

WELL WORTH A LISTEN

Stockton’s Wing Musically in a good place FORMED in 1977 by a group of All-Ireland winning musicians, Stockto n ’ s Wi n g a l m o s t immediately stepped away from their pre-band Trad roots by abandoning staples.

The Ennis act, named after a Bruce Springsteen lyric, went on to produce more than a dozen wellloved albums that explore the boundaries of guitarpop and rock.

Mike Hanrahan was there for it all, and now stands at the heart of the band’s revival.

The vocalist has spent serious time away from music, becoming a high-

 JAMES HENDICOTT

end chef and teaching in a cookery school after an extended period learning on a job miles from his prior, musical life.

Today, Stockton’s Wing return with a retrospective release, named after their hit single, Beautiful Affair, released on major label Universal.

“It was quite a nostalgic process, listening back to all the albums and thinking of times during recordings,” Han-

rahan says.

“As we progressed, we got more into the writing aspect of it, being more creative.

It was good looking back at those phases and sounds that the band went through, and remembering the musicians who came and went.

“It was very transient, [but] there was always that central Stockton’s Wing sound.

“Looking back, we did okay – we left a good mark behind us.”

Having started out w i t h a Tra d - re l a te d sound, but playing very

much their own music, Stockton’s Wing initially riled the purists.

It was a different time, musically, and Hanrahan never let it bother him.

“We always figured that for every purist we lost, we gained a lot more young people who just wanted the music,” he laughs.

“I never think about the people who gave out to us.

It’s more about those we enjoyed and had a good time with.

“I remember I discovered Doolin when I left school, and back then it was really a hive for new thinking.

“There was a real air of protest, so it was a good time to start with music.

“People were open to different things, and bands like Horseslips, my greatest influence, were blazing a trail.

“It’s the same now with people taking Irish music onto a different level.

Who are we to tell them not to?”

There’s not just retrospective material to be examined, though, with Stockton’s Wing back in

the studio themselves.

“We have a live album recorded with [a] new band,” Hanrahan tells me.

“They’re young, exciting musicians and we’re writing tunes again.

“I hope the live album will be out later in the year, and the next step after that is to go back into the studio. We’ve been reuniting on and off all our lives, and this year we just decided to return.”

“We’ve been lucky to get the support of Universal, who have taken on all

our music,” he continues.

“They’ve been a great support, because the Irish music industry isn’t the best – it has a real village mentality and doesn’t spread its wings.

“To have someone with the might of Universal come in behind you, we really appreciate it.

“We get a really positive energy. These are happy days for us, we’ve got offers coming in for shows that weren’t there a couple of months ago.

“We’ve got offers in America, and in Eng-

GOINGOUTOUT

land. We’ll see what happens when we’ve taken a breath, and then go back into it.

“I went into a whole different world as a professional cook, hiding away in the steam.

“When I came back out, there were no [music] singles anymore.

“It’s all changed, but what’s nice about Ireland is there still is autonomy for DJs and stuff like that.

We’re in a good place.”

Stockton’s Wing’s Beautiful Affair: A Retrospective is out now.

FEBRUARY 20 (THURSDAY)

Cavetown @ The Academy, SOLD OUT Kudos @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), €6

The Magnus King Band @ Whelan’s, SOLD OUT Jim McHugh @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), €9

FEBRUARY 21 (FRIDAY)

FEBRUARY 24 (MONDAY)

Richard Dawson @ Whelan’s, SOLD OUT Turnstiles @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), €10 Cavetown @ The Academy, SOLD OUT Aoife Nessa Frances @ The Grand Social, €12

FEBRUARY 22 (SATURDAY)

Reverend and the Makers @ The Academy Green Room, €22 Sprints @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), SOLD OUT

FEBRUARY 23 (SUNDAY)

Kaiser Chiefs + Razorlight @ 3Arena, €50

Anavitoria @ Whelan’s, SOLD OUT

FEBRUARY 25 (TUESDAY)

Saint Jhn @ The Academy, €25 Imar @ Whelan’s, €15 The Growlers @ The Button Factory, €24

FEBRUARY 26 (WEDNESDAY)

Lennon Stella @ The Olympia Theatre, €26 The Memories @ Vicar Street, €35 Garret Baker @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), €10

20 February 2020 DUBLIN GAZETTE 17

FOOD&DRINK

Choc and awe at a real life chocolate factory

ALISON O’HANLON

FORGET about midterm distractions, mums and dads - the Butlers Chocolate Factory Tour Experience is full term fun - in fact it’s nothing short of wonderful!

We donned our white coats and blue hair nets and immediately felt like Willy Wonka’s lucky golden ticket winners -but without a Veruca Salt in sight!

Our tour guide Robyn was so welcoming and friendly, handing out lots of chocolate to sample along the way.

Starting with a short movie and self guided Museum visit before moving on to take in the factory floor where we learnt when it comes to their chocolate they are zero waste, each part of the tour was interactive and

informative.

For the final part of the tour we were brought into the decorating room and it was here the magic really began - it was Choctastic and all of the children in our group were in heaven.

Our chocolatier Carla greeted us with mini hot Butlers treats - honestly the chocolate never stopped flowing. She was so entertaining, and really involved the kids in the chocolate making demonstration and decorating process.

Hands were covered in melted chocolate and it’s possible more chocolate may have made it into my children’s mouths than onto the moulds to be decorated, but we still came home with some fabulous looking chocolate hearts and most of all, huge smiles on our faces.

Anna and Heidi receive their Butlers Chocolate Experience certificates. Pictures: Alison O’Hanlon

Manor Farm receives top prize at awards IRISH chicken producer Manor Farm has won the IFSA Best Sustainable Food Product Award 2020 at The Irish Foodservice Suppliers Alliance (IFSA) awards, which took place last week, at the Citywest Conference Centre, Dublin.

Manor Farm won the award for their ‘Farmers to Market’ Free-Range Chicken Thigh Burgers.

Farmers to Market is open to producers and suppliers with food products produced in a manner that simultaneously protects and enhances the natural environment and the local community.

Matthew O’Gorman of Manor Farm said: “We are delighted to have won the Best Sustainable Food Product Award this year.

“We have been working alongside Farmers to Market to ensure the best quality product was produced without compromising on our sustainability goals.

“We are incredibly proud to have our efforts recognised at the ISFA’s, it motivates us to continue to strive to have the best quality poultry on the Irish market”.

Battle of the baristas EARLIER this month, Bewley’s Cafe on Grafton Street was the scene of hissing steam wands and luxurious aromas as the country’s six best baristas battled it out for a top title.

The Annual Barista Championship is designed to showcase the talent, passion and expertise of Ireland’s greatest coffee brewers.

Ravi Kuma Soniah from Dublin was named runner-up alongside the overall winner Joanna Tomaszewska.

Ravi who is a barista at Oracle, Eastpoint Business Park, impressed the judges with his signatures drinks which included his own creation ‘An Exotic Twist’.

The judging panel was led by renowned coffee artist Elvis Seivijus Matiejunas, sensory judges Wojciech Tysler, Karen Anders, Ali Hulley and Hugh Healy and technical judge Gary Hollywood.

18 DUBLIN GAZETTE 20 February 2020

FRESH IDEAS FOR YOUR HOME AND WARDROBE HOME & STYLE

HOME & STYLE

Be mindful with new clothing collection  Rachel D’Arcy, Style Editor LOVE ISLAND star Molly-Mae Hague is back with a new season edit for PrettyLittleThing, with 100% of the profits going to a mental health charity.

The online fashion brand has teamed up with the influencer for the ‘off-duty edit’, with all profits from the collection going to MIND charity.

MIND provides advice and support to help to empower

anyone experiencing mental health problems. The charity also campaigns to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding surrounding mental health.

Molly-Mae’s new collection was designed with serving up off-duty LA vibes in mind, with pieces including deliciously soft brushed loungewear, figure-hugging jumpsuits, essential oversized tees and everything in between.

The collection also contains killer thigh-high boots and a fresh jumper dress, for a relaxed yet luxe look.

Whether you’re hanging with friends, or just want to switch up your wardrobe, the inclusive collection aims to help you emulate a cool Californian vibe.

There are 48 killer styles on offer, available in sizes 6 – 26 with prices starting from €15.

The new Molly-Mae edit is available from PrettyLittleThing now.

20 February 2020 DUBLIN GAZETTE 19

FRESH IDEAS FOR YOUR HOME AND WARDROBE

HOME & STYLE

Find out what your decor says about you EVER NOTICE how we might dress in darker colours in winter than we do in spring?

Well, if you think your clothes reflect you, imagine what your home décor says!

It’s true what they say: when our words fail, our interior speaks for us.

EZ Living Furniture has shed light on what we are saying, or in fact, not saying by the décor we choose for our homes.

1. ARE YOU BOLD? If your home is surrounded by more primary than neutral colours, it’s safe to say you like expressing yourself. You’re confident, loud and proud.

If you’re drawn to more neutral tones and pastel shades, it could show that you enjoy the little things in life and refrain from being the centre of attention.

2. ARE YOU A PEOPLE PERSON? The amount of seating areas in your home can show how social you are.

If you have multiple seating areas and even back-up stools, you could be the life of the party. If you have minimal seating, you are more introverted in nature and find yourself recharging in your own company.

(L-R) Dunnes Stores: Easy dressing check shirt, €12 - €14 Wheelchair accessible jacket, €20-€22 Easy Dressing long sleeve top, €8-10 Easy Dressing star print top, €8 - €10 Easy Dressing button joggers, €12 - €14

3. ARE YOU UP THE WALLS? When people have different artwork or photos on their wall, it shows they welcome change.

This love for change is further heightened when you’re comfortable with changing up your wall’s décor.

4. ARE YOU BARELY THERE? When a person is afraid of committment, this is often expressed by their lack of furniture.

When they haven’t planted roots in either a job, relationship, or even house, there may be a lack of sofas, artwork, or accessories. When observing someone’s home, look for the bare necessities.

5. ARE YOU DRIVEN? When a person is more goal-oriented they may opt for more of a theme-based interior. You have drive and ambition that helps you keep up with the latest trends.

However, if your home is less themefocused and more natural, this may indicate that you’re more of a “go with the flow” type of person.

For more, see ezlivingfurniture.ie.

Brand new beauty

 Rachel D’Arcy, Style Editor

A NEW SEASON means new makeup, and new makeup trends.

It can be hard on your pocket to keep up with the ever-changing beauty world, but cult beauty brand Essence’s new collection ensures on-trend products at a price that won’t break the bank.

With Spring and Summer calling for products that are soothing and light on the skin, as well as producing an effervescent glow, we’ve selected some of our top picks from Essence’s Spring/ Summer collection.

All products are available in Penneys and pharmacies now.

Witch Side eyeshadow palette – Become a good witch – or a bad witch – with this new eyeshadow palette that promises shimmery shades and a punch of pigment. The palette offers two colour combinations; a lighter and a darker side. The 15 matte and shimmery shades and metallic flake nuances help to create both wearable and breathtakingly mystical eye make-up styles.

Price: €11.95 Bye Bye Panda Eyes! mascara – Get the drama without any pesky smudging. Under-eye blackness after a long day can be a pain, but this new vegan mascara promises absolutely no smudging. It tints the lashes, but mystically also claims to wrap itself around the lashes like a gentle film to ensure product stays in place. The

best part? No crumbling or clumping, and it’s easy to remove with just warm water!

Price: €4.40

Choose Your Glow! Highlighter palette – There’s nothing wrong with a little glow in your day to day look, or to ramp up an exciting night look. The Choose Your Glow palette contains three shades to ensure you always have the right shade at hand for an irresistible glow to the skin.

The most subtle of the three shades creates a natural everyday highlight, while the bronze shade is ideal for a shimmering summer glow.

Price: €6.25 Blushlighter – These new ombre single pans are what happens when blush meets highlighter!

This new product comes in four shades, containing a highlighter and a blush shade, which perfectly fade into one another. The blush and highlighter can be applied solo or in combination, and is available in gold-rosewood nude, gold-soft peach, silver-nude coral and silver-cherry red. Price: €4.80 Stay 8h Matte liquid lipstick – If you’re looking for a durable liquid lip, this one is for you.

Promising to last for eight hours at a time, this product comes in nine seductive shades that will deliver a lasting matte finish. The texture is also light on the lips, with an ergonomic applicator, meaning once you try one shade, you’ll want to give them all a go! Price: €3.80

20 DUBLIN GAZETTE 20 February 2020

POLSKA GAZETA

This week we look at the Zapusty celebration event CHALLENGE YOUR BRAIN...JUST held by the Irish Polish Society in Dublin last Sunday FOR FUN!

Celebrations galore at Irish Polish Society’s Zapusty event news@dublingazette.com

THERE WAS plenty of fun and celebration in Fitzwilliam Place on Sunday, as the Irish Polish Society organised Zapusty – with a carnival concert of entertaining light music (popular classical music, tangos and waltzes, some film music, jazz, and more) at the Polish House.

‘Zapusty’ is an annual festival celebrated in many countries before Lent. In Poland Zapusty has been known since the early 16th century.

It was always a time of public merrymaking, feasting, music, dancing, fancy dresses and masquerade balls.

Pianist Anna Kiselyova played pieces of popular classical music, mazurkas, waltzes, film music, jazz, and more.

She was ‘supported’ by her talented daughter Maria, who sang and played piano, and her pupils - two Chinese kids who played four hands and were fantastic!

Traditional Polish carnival fritters faworki and doughnuts were served after the performance. It was a great evening and everyone who was there enjoyed it.

While in Ireland the seasonal parties of “eat, drink, and be merry” are celebrated before Christmas, in most of Continental Europe the ‘craic’ takes place after Christmas. In Poland the Zapusty (Polish Carnival) has been known

Pianist Anna Kiselyova and her daughter Maria Nasypanaya perform at the Zapusty event in the Polish Pianistka Kiselyova i House lastAnna Sunday.

Pic: James jej córka Maria Nasypanaya Dolan wyst puj na imprezie Zapusty w Domu Polskim w

Uroczystości na imprezie Dublin Zapusty news@dublingazette.com

W Fitzwilliam Place odbyło się mnóstwo zabawy i uroczystości w niedzielę, kiedy Towarzystwo Polsko Irlandzkie zorganizowało Zapusty - z karnawałowym koncertem rozrywkowej muzyki rozrywkowej (popularna muzyka klasyczna, tanga i walce, trochę muzyki filmowej, jazzu i więcej) w języku polskim Dom. „Zapusty” to coroczny festiwal obchodzony w wielu krajach przed Wielkim Postem. W Polsce Zapusty znane jest od początku XVI wieku. Zawsze był to czas wesołej zabawy, biesiadowania, muzyki, tańca, fantazyjnych sukienek i balów maskaradowych.

Pianistka Anna Kiselyova grała utwory popularnej muzyki klasycznej, mazurki, walce, muzykę filmową, jazz i wiele innych. „Wspierała ją” jej utalentowana córka Maria, która śpiewała i grała na since the early 16th century.

It was always a season of public merry-

pianinie, a także jej uczniowie - dwoje chińskich dzieci, które grały na cztery ręce i były fantastyczne!

Po spektaklu podano tradycyjne polskie placki karnawałowe faworki i pączki. To był wspaniały wieczór i wszystkim się podobało.

Podczas gdy w Irlandii sezonowe imprezy „jedz, pij i baw się dobrze” są obchodzone przed świętami Bożego Narodzenia, w większości krajów Europy kontynentalnej „święta” odbywają się po świętach Bożego Narodzenia. W Polsce Zapusty (Polski Karnawał) znane są od początku XVI wieku. Zawsze był to okres wesołej zabawy, biesiadowania, tańca, masek i fantazyjnych strojów, zabaw, romansów, złamanych serc i kaca. Tradycyjnie dzieje się to po Święcie Trzech Króli, kończąc noc „Tłustego Wtorku” (Shrove Tuesday lub Mardí Gras), czyli dnia Wielkiego Postu.

making, feasting, dancing, masks and fancy dresses, amusements, romances, broken

hearts, and hangovers.

Traditionally it takes place after Epiphany, ending the night of ‘Fat

Jak większość europejskich zwyczajów, Karnawał rozwinął się z praktyk przedchrześcijańskich - pogańskiego starożytnego rzymskiego festiwalu ku czci boga Saturna. Uroczystości Saturnalia obchodzono w połowie grudnia i były to najfajniejsze wakacje w starożytnym Rzymie. Wraz z nadejściem chrześcijaństwa starożytny rzymski festiwal nie został zniesiony, ale „zamieniony” w chrześcijańską ucztę.

Towarzystwo Irlandzko-Polskie organizuje wiele imprez przez cały rok, aw ostatnich miesiącach w listopadzie obchodzono Dzień Niepodległości Polski; specjalne wydarzenie poświęcone polskiej pisarce Oldze Tokarczuk oraz „Wieczór Trzech Króli” 6 stycznia.

W u b i e g ł y m r o k u To w a r z y s t w o obchodziło 40. rocznicę wystawą sztuki, którą zainicjował Ruairí Ó’Cuív, Public Art Officer Dublin City Council.

Tuesday’ (Shrove Tuesday or Mardí Gras), the day marking the beginning of Lent.

Like most European customs Carnival developed from pre-Christian practices –the pagan

ancient Roman festival in honour of god Saturn.

The Saturnalia festivities were celebrated in mid-December and were the merriest holidays in ancient Rome.

With the arrival of Christianity the ancient Roman festival was not abolished but ‘changed’ into a Christian feast.

The Irish Polish Society organise a number of events throughout the year, and in the past few months have held celebrations of Polish Independence Day in November; a special event dedicated to Polish writer Olga Tokarczuk and the ‘Three Kings Evening’ on January 6th.

The Society celebrated its 40th anniversary last year with an Art Exhibition, which was launched by Ruairí Ó’Cuív, Public Art Officer Dublin City Council.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADVERTISE IN POLSKA GAZETA? EACH week, DUBLIN GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS are focusing on news and views for the Polish community with Polska Gazeta.

Would you or your business like to get on board?

If you or any advertiser would like to be involved with this new concept,

and to be part of a sponsorship option, please contact Martyna Muszczynska at her email below.

Phone: 01- 60 10 240 • E-mail: sales@dublingazette.com

20 February 2020 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21

WHAT’S NEW IN THE WORLD OF TRANSPORT

Superb

by name

DUBLIN MOTORS

Skoda’s revised motor lives up to its name with ease

Available in a range of trims, Skoda’s third-generation Superb has been extensively revised both inside and out, with the end result seeing an already great motor brought to the next level, and thoroughly impressing

DECLAN GLYNN

THE third (and most successful) generation of the Skoda Superb has been extensively revised both inside and out.

Available in a Combi ( Es ta te) a n d S a l o o n ( L i f t b a c k) ve rs i o n s, Skoda has slightly modified the exterior of the Superb and has carefully refined the front section.

The redesigned front bumper means the car’s length has increased by

8mm (to 4,869mm) in the Superb Liftback, and by 6mm (to 4,862mm) in the Superb Combi.

There are five trim options on offer – Active, Ambition, Style, SportLine, and range-topping L&K (in honour of the company founders and automotive pioneers, Vaclav Laurin and Vaclav Klement).

The Superb update includes new technologies and an even more sophisticated interior.

These include full LED matrix headlights available for the first time in a Skoda production model, and feature as standard on SportLine and L&K models.

Additionally, several new assistance systems (such as predictive cruise control) have made their debut in the new Superb.

The engine line-up in consists of a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol (TSI) which produces 150bhp, a 1.6litre turbo-diesel (TDI)

with 120bhp, and a 2.0litre TDI with a choice of 150bhp or 190bhp.

Transmission options include a 6-speed manual, or a 7-speed DSG (automatic) – depending on the model and engine chosen – while fourwheel-drive is available with the TDI 190bhp engine.

My review car was a Superb SportLine Liftback 1.5TSI 150bhp, which was fitted with the VW group’s won-

another strong point for the Superb, with my car returning a consistent 43mpg (6.6l/100km) on a combined driving cycle, while annual road tax is just €270.

There is just one word required to describe the new Skoda Superb, and the clue is in the name.

T h e b i g S ko d a i s ‘superb’ in every way – from its striking design language, and its sumptuous and spacious interior, to the impressive

on-board technology, and modern engine lineup.

A plug-in hybrid is due to join the wonderful Superb range soon, and this will enhance the appeal of the car to an even wider audience than ever before.

Pricing for the revised Skoda Superb range starts at just €30,750 (including delivery), with my review car specification priced from €39,750.

Some driving tips to remember in any times of storms or high winds

The fourth-gen Octavia design is revealed by Skoda ahead of Geneva show STAYING with Skoda (see main article, above), the Czech manufacturer has released some official exterior design sketches showing the sporty range-topper for the fourth Octavia generation.

The Octavia is set to have its world premiere on March 3 at the Geneva Motor Show.

Signature black RS details emphasise the dynamic design language of the elegantly proportioned Skoda best-seller, whose dimensions have grown slightly over those of its predecessor.

As the first Skoda RS model to feature a plug-in hybrid powertrain, the Octavia RS

derful DSG (automatic) transmission.

An impressive specification comes as standard in SportLine trim, with the very latest in comfort, convenience, safety, and infotainment features on offer.

On the road, my review car handled every road surface with poise and prec ision, while the slick DSG transmission ensured that every journey was pleasurable F u e l e c o n o my i s

IV is unique in the way it combines familyfriendly versatility and sports car-like performance with sustainability and efficiency.

The design sketches reveal the Octavia RS IV in coupe-style saloon and dynamic Combi estate format.

The most eye-catching design elements are a black Skoda grille and a sporty front apron with large air intakes and distinctive black detailing.

Large alloy wheels, diffusers at the front and rear, and spoilers on the saloon’s tailgate and the rear edge of the combi’s roof underline the dynamic appeal of the Octavia RS IV.

THE recent spells of storms and poor weather certainly made their presence felt on our roads.

Here are some driving tips to remember during any high winds.

If your journey is absolutely necessary, plan the journey carefully and give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination.

Maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you, as this will allow you to take evasive action if the need arises. Even when stopped in traffic, a safe distance is recommended.

It is important to keep both hands firmly on your steering wheel, as strong winds – particularly gusts – can blow your vehicle off course, so it is best to be prepared.

Whether it is daytime or nightime, turn your dipped headlights on during times of high wind. Turning on your headlights will

give better visibility as to what lies ahead, and will also help other vehicles see you.

Be careful around larger vehicles such as trucks, vans or cars towing trailers, as these are more inclined to lose control in high winds.

Reduce your speed and give yourself a chance to stop suddenly if the need arises.

Always expect the unexpected.

Always be conscious of fallen trees, especially on country roads. Even after strong winds have died down, they might have damaged trees that could uproot days later, so stay cautious.

Watch out for any other debris on the roads.

Winds can blow branches from trees, or large items of rubbish, onto the roads, and onto your vehicle.

Make sure to give pedestrians and cyclists a wider berth than usual, because their paths can easily be affected by strong winds.

22 DUBLIN GAZETTE 20 February 2020

DUBLIN BUSINESS WOMEN Our new, monthly insight into Dublin’s most successful women

DBW DUBLIN BUSINESS

WOMEN

You don’t need to get rich quick in order to succeed – Byrne NICOLA BYRNE is a bubbly, outgoing and genuine all-round nice person; a thinker who looks at the full picture, rather than just doing things for the sake of it, and is always thinking about what’s ahead.

It’s no surprise that the Glasnevin native has been involved as a founder of a unique group of companies, while also holding down a number of various board positions from the likes of being President of the Irish Exporters Association to being a member of the Ireland US Council, and much more besides.

She isn’t one to sit around, and set up the 11890 Directory enquir-

ies service, after coming up with the idea when on holidays.

“It was one of those mad ideas you have when you are on holiday,” Byrne told Dublin Gazette.

“I was with my husband on holiday in Blackpool in the UK, and I saw that they were deregulating the UK market and I thought ‘ooh we should have a go at that’ and I did!

“All of my ideas tend to be ‘oh how could I do that’ and then I go and do something about it!”

Byrne is certainly a person of action.

“I was flicking through something on the internet today, and I saw a great quote about Govern-

DBW DUBLIN BUSINESS

WOMEN

ments, that ‘unless smart people participated, that stupid people keep getting to rule’,” she said.

“I realise that you can’t do anything by just sitting on the sidelines, that the only way to get things done is to step in and do it yourself.”

Directory Enquires services are far from the money maker they used to be and while continuing the service, Byrne h a s d ive rs i f i e d i n to other areas, and in 2013 founded ‘Cloud 90’ a service which provides live risk analysis over social media data in real time.

“What we did was kept the same model, and kept the same people, but changed the job in hand,”

Byrne said.

“We’ve made jobs that never existed before now.

We have created innovative concepts that have never been built before.

“When the internet came along, everyone goes on about A.I. (Artificial Intelligence) this and A.I. that and the Googles, Facebook’s and Twitter’s of this world empowering you to do things for

yourself like booking a holiday.

“The problem is however that you have only one you and you are not an expert. The problem is that the internet brings you data, it doesn’t bring you answers.

“What someone thinks is an answer, because they have been empowered by Google or Facebook, but it’s just not true.

“You don’t have time to find facts, and even when you do find a fact, you don’t understand it the consequences.

“The difference between whether you have a flu or a virus can be only determined by a Doctor or a good mother!

And Nicola has this advice to budding entrepreneurs.

“There’s a mad world

out there of ‘the get rich quick brigade’.

“You do have to believe in yourself, but if it is a good idea and you work hard, you don’t need to sell your soul or look for a quick win, because even if you raise loads of money, or go to the bank and borrow money - if you feel rich you will blow it on needless things and make mistakes.”

ARE YOU A SUCCESSFUL DUBLIN BUSINESS WOMAN? EACH month, DUBLIN GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS are focusing on the promotion of Dublin Business Women.

We will be highlighting the vast talent that is Dublin Business Women. We will be talking to YOU about YOUR journey, where you are

in your business and about your plans. We’ll focus on what have been your obstacles, how you overcame them, and why you went into business and where you see yourself going.

Employees who are working for companies will also be promoted.

We want to hear YOUR story.

If you or any advertiser would like to be involved with this new DBW concept, and to be part of a sponsorship option, please contact Liz Ferris at her email below.

Commercial Director: Liz Ferris • lferris@dublingazette.com • 01 601 0240

20 February 2020 DUBLIN GAZETTE 23

CHALLENGE YOUR BRAIN...JUST FOR FUN!

CODEWORDS

You could advertise here

DUBLIN PUZZLES SUDOKU EASY

MODERATE

SEE BELOW FOR DETAILS

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS

DON’T FORGET TO CHECK BACK NEXT WEEK FOR THE SOLUTIONS TO THIS WEEK’S PUZZLES

WORD SEARCH

HOW TO SOLVE Codewords are like crossword puzzles - but have no clues! Instead, every letter of the alphabet has been replaced by a number, the same number representing the same letter throughout the puzzle.

All you have to do is decide which letter is represented by which number!

To start you off, we reveal the codes for two or three letters.

As you find letters, enter them in the key and into the grid.

Cross off the letters in the A to Z list.

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

FIND THE HIDDEN WORDS ANAL ARCHIVIST DOWNLOAD ELECTED ERRANDS FAIR GASES LICKED LITTERS MAUL MIDGE MITES

MONITOR NOURISHING OKAY REPLACES SCHEDULES SHIPS SIFTING SUCCESS TINT UNSTEADILY WHIG

To advertise here please contact sales@dublingazette.com or call 01 6010240

24 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 20 February 2020

DUBLINGAZETTECLASSIFIEDS  SOUTH BUILDING & MAINTENANCE

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20 February 2020 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 27

RUGBY P28

THE BEST IN DUBLIN

SPORT

MINORITY REPORT: CAMOGIE: THREE Kilmacud Crokes players to the fore in hugely impressive win for Dublin minors against reigning champions Cork in Bray.

The side featured Crokes’ Ciara Jones, Niamh Comerford and Róisín Ní Chathasaigh from the start amid rattling gusts and spitting rain from the heart of storm Dennis last weekend.



GAZETTE

BASKETBALL P29

PAGE 31

LET DUBLIN GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS INFORM YOU OF THE HIGHLIGHTS AND SCORES OF YOUR FAVOURITE TEAMS RUGBY | BLUES ADAPT TO WET AND WILD CONDITIONS BETTER

Leinster catch Cheetahs cold at stormy RDS GUINNESS PRO 14 Leinster 36 Cheetahs 12  sport@dublingazette.com

LEINSTER returned to Guinness PRO14 action at the weekend with a 36-12 win over South African side Cheetahs at the RDS Arena.

In the midst of Storm Dennis, Leinster built up a 22-0 first half lead thanks to tries from Will Connors, Michael Bent and new Ireland cap Rónan Kelleher.

Connors opened the scoring at the end of the first quarter with his first senior points after Max Deegan’s break had given the province good field position.

Ciarán Frawley converted before adding a further three in the 28th minute when Cheetahs’ Charles Marais was sent to the bin for a shoulder charge.

Another Deegan break from a short Frawley pass opened up the South

Africans’ defence again, and after Kelleher was stopped short, a wellsupported Bent soon burrowed over for his third try of the season.

Kelleher increased his influence with a turnover penalty, and the subsequent maul – right on the stroke of half-time – saw the 22-year-old front rower power over for a deserved fivepointer.

Luke McGrath’s snappy break quickly launched Leinster forward on the resumption, Ruddock soon driving in under the posts with Ross Molony on his shoulder.

The latter secured lineout possession for the drive which Connors broke from for his second try of the day, converted once more by Frawley.

Try-scorer Connors said it was a tricky day in the conditions: “The wind was swirling around fairly hard but when we were warming up, the rain wasn’t there so we had no jackets.

“Sure, when we came out, it was then a full storm. We managed it well

Out half Ciaran Frawley sets an attack in motion for Leinster against the Cheetahs. Picture: John Crothers

and prepared for it.

“It was fairly attritional and they had a big pack so the impacts were large and it took 20 minutes to break them down. It was just a tough battle up front.

“Coming off the back of a break, we could have been a bit rusty but credit to us all. We have trained well over the

last few weeks, trying to create match scenarios as much as possible. so we felt quite well prepared for it.”

Leinster are back in action on Friday evening with an away date against the Conference A basement side Ospreys at the Gnoll. The blues are currently 15 points clear at the top of the pool with 11 wins out of 11.

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 20 February 2020

CLUB NOTES

ROUND

1

RUGBY: SOUTHSIDERS LOSE GROUND WITH SHOCK DEFEAT

BALLINTEER ST JOHN’S LOTTO results for Feb 13th 8,11,21,and 22. Jackpot not won. . €100 Sheila Lewis, €50 each Jim Holland and Rita Bolger.

Joker consolation Nigel Byrne. Jackpot next week €2,200 and Joker €175. Bingo each Mon night at 8:00pm.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery to Dervla Nolan who was injured while training with the Dublin Senior Camogie squad.

Best of luck to Emma Johnston and the Dublin Camogie Intermediate team v Tipperary and to Rachel Dolan playing with the Dublin Minor Camogie team v Cork.

GAA Foundation Coaching Course Tuesday 25th & Thursday 27th February 7pm-9.30pm in Ballinteer Community School.

Attendance both nights essential to receive coaching certificate. Essential for all new mentors. Book in by contacting Dónal Gormley by email donal.gormley.gpo.dublin@gaa.ie or by text 0876312082.

Minor Football Div 1 League match next Friday v Kilmacud Crokes next Friday on BCS A.W. Pitch at 8:00pm.

Minor B’s play St Pats Donabate in Loreto Park at 11:00 on Sunday. Condolences to Johnnie Monahan and family on the death of his brother Pat. UCD’s camogie team celebrate their Purcell Cup win.

Picture: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho

Old Wesley are left devastated while Shannon celebrate their late victory. Picture: Deryck Vincent

Old Wesley stunned by last second penalty try

AIL DIVISION 1B

Old Wesley 10 Shannon 17  sport@dublingazette.com

KILMACUD CROKES WELL done to the Dublin Senior Hurlers who had a good 0.20 to 0.8 win over Carlow on Sunday.

Oisin O’Rorke, Ronan Hayes, Fergal Whitely, Lorcan McMullan and Marc Howard are all on the extended panel. In Camogie, congratulations to the Dublin Minors who beat Cork, 1.12 to 1.9, in their opening All-Ireland Championship game. Ciara Jones, Issy Davis, Niamh Comerford, Roisin Ni Chathasaigh and Hannah Reynolds are the Crokes representatives involved. In

Ladies Football, well done the Minor Ladies who had a narrow 2.11 to 2.10 win over Meath in the opening round of the Leinster Minor Championship. Ella Higgins and Shauna Buckley are the two Crokes players involved. In Football, the Dublin U20s beat Longford, 3.10 to 0.9, to progress to the Leinster Semi-Final.

Well done to Pádraig Purcell, Conor Kinsella and Anthony Quinn. Thanks to everyone who took part in the Senior Hurlers Quiz night. A great time was had by all!

OLD Wesley fell to a late sucker-punch to put another dent in their hopes of topping AIL Division 1B as Shannon were awarded last minute penalty try at Donnybrook.

It leaves them nine points off leaders Highfield with six rounds to go and needing to regain their pre-Christmas form.

Wesley had the opening advantage of the match in stormy conditions when awarded a penalty just inside the Shannon half. However,

from the ensuing lineout they knocked on, a portent of things to come given the slippery ball and tough wind.

Soon after, the shoe was on the other foot when Shannon spilled a line-out inside the Wesley 22.

But, after a couple of recycles Shannon centre Nathan Randals found a gap in the Wesley defence and crossed for the first try and, with the conversion, it was 7-0 to the visitors.

Shannon pushed on in search of a second score but Wesley weathered the pressure and, after 23 minutes got revenge.

Capitalising on a

knock-on advantage, a neat cross kick by Tom Kiersey was collected by Tommy O’Callaghan on the wing. He made good ground, passing to David Poff and back to Kiersey who continued the attack.

The final pass was to James O’Donovan who beat a couple of defenders to score in the corner and a perfect conversion, into the wind, by Rory Stynes had the sides level.

We s l ey h a m m e re d the Shannon line for the remainder of the half but Stynes was just unable to land a penalty, keeping it at 7-7 at half-time.

They started the second half where they left

off putting in multiple carries inside the Shannon 22. No try ensued but Wesley were awarded a penalty in a similar position and Stynes made no mistake this time converting for a 10-7 lead.

Both sides had further opportunities to score but were frustratingly denied, mainly by the difficult conditions.

This frustration had the effect of causing minor scraps and indeed the referee had to talk to both team captains on a number of occasions.

The Limerick side got level with 10 minutes to go via a Ben Daly penalty.

From the restart, Wesley seemed to have the match

under control pinning Shannon into their own half and making occasional visits to their 22.

While a draw at worst looked likely until a dramatic kick ahead saw Wesley all of a sudden penned back on their own goal line.

Fo l l ow i n g a re s e t scrum, the Shannon pack had Wesley on the back foot and the referee adjudged an infringement and immediately awarded a penalty try with the conversion immediately followed by a conversion.

It left Shannon in raptures while Wesley drew little solace form their losing bonus point.

Salmo streak keeps on rolling

James Kos crosses for his try against Malahide. Picture: John Crothers

DE LA SALLE Palmerston’s Under-20s made it ten wins from ten on Sunday as they ran out winners 23-5 over Malahide RFC in challenging conditions as storm Dennis made its presence felt at Kirwan Park.

A first-half try from Stephen Meagher, along with eight points from the boot of Jake Finlay, saw the home side take a 13-0 halftime lead.

James Kos, pictured, dived over to make it 18-0 early in the second half, before an intercept try saw the visitors narrow the gap to 18-5.

A third Salmo score from Ben Murphy in the dying minutes helped settle the home support’s nerves and leave the Kilternan outfit top of the JP Fanagan Premier 3 table with two games left to play.

Next on the agenda is an away date on March 1 against mid-table Ashbourne before they conclude their campaign a week later against Coolmine on home turf in a potential title decider. Salmo have a nine-point lead over the Dublin 15 club but Coolmine have two games in hand.

20 February 2020 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 29

BASKETBALL: SOUTHSIDE CLUB MOVE CLEAR IN CONFERENCE

Meteors’ ascent continues at pace NATIONAL LEAGUE BASKETBALL

Edel Thornton has been in fine form for Meteors. Picture: Martin Doherty

 sport@dublingazette.com

TRINITY Meteors earned a massive away win on Saturday evening in a top of the table clash, when they faced off against Ulster University in thrilling fashion in Jordanstown, winning out 66-77 in the end.

Meteors managed to get the better of the two sides in the first half, 38-46, thanks to scoring from Lauren Grigsby. Ulster University tried to regroup in the third quarter, with the help of Kollyns Scarbrough, but Meteors managed to maintain the eight-point lead entering the fourth quarter.

The southside club kept their composure in the fourth quarter, with Edel Thornton and Sarah Kenny making great plays down the stretch as they held firm to win by 11 points in the end.

The result moves Meteors into an outright lead at the head of the Northern Conference with a game in hand over second placed Ulster University.

In the men’s Super League, meanwhile, an exceptional display from Delaney Blaylock, who tallied an outstanding 50-points, propelled Belfast Star to an 87-95 point win over the hosts, UCD Marian.

Marian fought hard to get the early first half lead, 48-41 behind the great guard play of Barry Drumm and Scott Kinevane.

Star introduced a zone to start the third quarter; it worked well and created stops and offensive opportunities in transition that were finished by Blaylock and CJ Fulton.

Star managed to tie the game up but UCD adjusted to the zone thanks to Jamie Muldowney converting multiple shots from behind the three point line along with second

INDOOR HOCKEY

Rovers record best Irish performance since 1995

chance opportunities from Marius Markowicz.

UCD edged ahead, 69-67, setting up for an exciting fourth quarter. Blaylock stepped up to the challenge in style, delivering a dazzling display converting some killer scores down the stretch.

Belfield found themselves chasing the game and forcing to foul to stop the clock, but Star managed to convert the free throws at scoop the big away win.

Elsewhere in the capital, DBS Éanna

scooped up a significant home victory on Saturday evening, taking an 88-62 point win over DCU Saints.

Stefan Zecevic and Paris Ballingar were in fantastic form for the hosts, especially in transition as they helped Éanna into an early first half lead, 48-29.

The DCU Saints front court combo of Michael Bonaparte and Martins Provizors were causing trouble for Éanna defence, making key plays and converting on scoring opportunities but it wasn’t enough.

THREE Rock Rovers indoor coach Liam Canning said his side were “no longer a bobsleigh team” after they preserved Ireland’s place in the second tier of European indoor hockey competition with a 5-4 rollercoaster win over Switzerland’s Rotweiss Wettingen last Sunday morning.

Canning has been driving the club’s commitment to the code for over a decade, describing some of their first European forays as akin to the Jamaican crew from Cool Runnings.

But back-to-back promotions brought Rovers from the lowest rung to the Club Indoor Trophy level and they went on to record a highest Irish placing in Europe since Avoca in 1995.

Three heavy group defeats saw Rovers drop into the relegation pool. A much improved performance against Portugal’s AD Lousada, ended in a 1-1 draw. It meant only a win would do against Rotweiss on Sunday morning but that looked to be slipping away when they trailed 4-3 with six minutes to go.

James Walker, however, notched an equaliser before Jody Hosking summoned his second of the game for a 5-4 lead with barely 120 seconds left.

Within moments, the Swiss won a penalty stroke but goalkeeper Stephen West was awesome throughout the competition and he kept out the chance to preserve the result.

“It has been a long haul and to be able to stay up is a vindication of the things we do in a small hall in St Columba’s with, at times, very little opposition,” Canning said. “Here, we were driven to our utmost and we reacted.”

30 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 20 February 2020

CLUB NOTES

ROUND

2

NAOMH OLAF THERE was no winner of the Club Lotto Draw on Sunday 16th February - numbers drawn were 2, 31, 32. €30 winners were Mags Fagan, Molly c/o Rebecca, Noeleen Doyle, Jerry Kelliher and Aileen Doyle. The Jackpot on Sunday 23rd February will be €2,700! Only €2 a ticket, available from the Club Bar, Sandyford House and online at www.naomholaf.ie - match 3 numbers to win the jackpot.

Well done to Olaf’s man, Luke Murphy-Guinane who was a point scorer for Dublin in the Leinster Under 20 Football Quarter Final against Longford last Saturday in Parnell Park in less than favourable weather conditions. The Dublin squad will now face Meath in the Semi Final. Two Olaf’s minor girls were in action last weekend - Julie Grimes in Minor Football wearing the number 7 jersey in their win over Meath in the Leinster Championship at Dunganny, and Christine Shanahan in Minor Camogie in their impressive win over reigning All Ireland Champions, Cork.

All adult and juvenile fixtures fell foul of Storm Dennis last weekend. Next weekend Minor Boys Footballers are scheduled to play Ballymun Kickhams in Division 2, whilst adult hurlers are down to play Ballyboden St. Enda’s (Division 6) and Kilmacud Crokes (Division 3).

Thanks to Senior Dublin Footballer and Naomh Olaf Clubman, David Byrne, for bringing Sam Maguire to visit the local schools last week, much to the delight of the boys and girls who were thrilled to meet David and get a picture with him and Sam. The girls had a St. Valentine’s theme to their Sunday Academy last weekend and brought a bear, and wore red, pink and love hearts. They also raised a fabulous €225 for Barretstown - well done to all the young players!

SHANKILL THE club Chase the Ace Sunday night draw in Brady’s there was no winner of the jackpot and the €50 prize went to Kathrina Gallogly.

This week’s jackpot is €1750.

Tickets are €2 each or 3 for €5 available in the pub. We are delighted to be chosen by the LGFA as one of only of only thirty clubs from across the country for the Gaelic4Teens initiative.

This programme is for girls in the 13 to 17 years age group who are most lightly to give up sport and never to return. More information to follow.

Operation Transformation walks continues this Thursday. Meet at 6.45pm at St Anne’s resource centre.

Gaelic 4 Mothers & Others (pictured), a group has been set up catering for 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.

The juvenile Academy which is for boys and girls from 4 to 7 years of age and sponsored by O Donnell’s Pharmacy Shankill is in action at 10.00am on Saturdays in St Anne’s, Rathmichael and Scoil Mhuire National Schools. The cost is only €2 per child there is no annual subscription and all equipment is provided free of charge.

For details of our Ladies adult football teams e-mail stevedavis203@gmail.com or contact Steve Davis 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 LOTTO: No winner of this weeks jackpot, numbers drawn were 11-23-25. €25 goes to Phil Byrne, Derek Downey, Mary Mc Adam, David Fennelly . Jackpot next week is €10,000. As our lotto is now at €10k we have started a background which is sitting currently at €2,100.

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.

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 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.

If you would like a Match Report or Photos submitted to the website or press please contact pro@wanderersgaa.ie. All items for the club notes must be submitted by Sunday evening to pro@wanderersgaa.ie.

LADIES FOOTBALL: AMY O’BRIEN SHINES IN BLUE

Cummins winner earns big success LEINSTER MFC 1ST ROUND Dublin 2-11 Meath 2-10  sport@dublingazette.com

A NIAMH Cummins’ point deep into injury time secured victory for Dublin over old foes Meath in the opening round of the Leinster minor championship.

T h e ga m e wa s a n entertaining contest which ebbed and flowed for the entire 60 minutes with the lead exchanging hands a number of times throughout.

Early on, Meath looked impressive and raced into a two-point lead.

Emma Duggan was showing well for the Royals, indeed the senior County star nailed all of Meath’s first half scores, five of which came from converted frees as referee Paul Burke made his presence known to both teams.

Despite Meath’s confident start, it was Dublin who were ahead at the interval by two points, 2-3 to 0-7, with Garristown’s Amy O’Brien and Ella Higgins both raising the green flag for the visitors.

The second half had a number of talking points:

Niamh Cummins following her winning intervention for the Dublin minors

a disputed 45, a disallowed Meath goal with three minutes to go, and a Dublin sin binning in the 60th minute to name but a few.

Howeve r, t h e re a l drama arrived with the clock gone into injury time when the aforementioned Duggan hit the back of the Dublin net from a 20 metre free.

Suddenly the game was now level.

JUNIOR PARKRUN Rockfield Park launches new junior edition

PARKRUN Ireland, in partnership with Vhi, added a new Junior parkrun at Rockfield Park on Sunday, February 16.

Junior parkruns take place over a 2km course weekly, are free to enter and are open to all children aged between four and 14, providing a fun and safe environment to enjoy exercise.

To register for a parkrun near you visit www.parkrun.ie.

Picture: Ramsey cardy / SPORTSFILE

From the resulting kick-out, Dublin battled bravely and worked the ball up the pitch.

The final pass ended up with Trinity Gaels’ Cummins who nailed the winning score in the 65th minute to seal a dramatic victory for the Dubs.

D u b l i n m a n a g e r, Anthony Cooke will be well pleased with his side’s performance as the young Dubs showed

great determination, bravery and a never say die attitude against a hotly tipped Meath team.

It was a side packed with players from the north county with Fingallians’ Hannah Howard and Ciara McCarthy both starting as did St Sylvester’s Sophie McGlynn.

O’Brien top scorers, meanwhile, with 1-6 to her name.

20 February 2020 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 31

CAMOGIE: KILMACUD CROKES TRIO TO THE FORE IN STRONG DUBS WIN

CAMOGIE

Ellen Dunphy on the attack.

Picture: ilivephotos.com

UCD celebrate. Picture: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho

UCD win Purcell Cup with battling win over TUD

Minor stars shock reigning champions MINOR A CAMOGIE CHAMPIONSHIP Dublin 1-12 Cork 1-9  JOE SHANNON sport@dublingazette.com

DUBLIN’S minor A camogie side survived Storm Dennis and a Cork onslaught to start their championship in brilliant fashion at Bray Emmet’s, beating the reigning champions by three points.

The side featured Kilmacud Crokes’ Ciara Jones, Niamh Comerford and Róisín Ní Chathasaigh from the start amid rattling gusts and spitting rain from the heart of the storm.

After Aisling O’Neill’s early point, goalkeeper Jones had to be alert to deny an instant riposte from Cork.

Dublin had started slightly the better with Ellen Dunphy making an immaculate catch in the conditions while Comerford added another point from a free.

O’Neill sent another over the bar before Cork retaliated with speed and purpose and set about a storming run from Ciara Irwin who struck low and hard but Jones was again equal to it.

But the rebels were coming in waves and Rebecca Sheehan took advantage of

the goalmouth scramble to put the sliotar in the net for a goal. All even.

No matter as the hosts edged back in front when Jamieson Murphy was fouled and Comerford sailed the free over the bar.

Cork equalised again and almost went in front for the first time when Claudie Keane’s shot rattled the upright and bounced back into play. Following the reprieve, Comerford delivers another score from a 45.

In the final minutes of the half, the struggle, like the wind, is unsure which way it is blowing. The visitors do land a point but, in the blink of an eye, the Dublin gears find their groove adding two more points via the steady aim of Comerford and one from play by Katie McDonald for a 0-7 to 1-2 half-time start.

Cork started the second half on the up, equalising the score as Dublin defended their lead desperately.

No sooner had they done so than O’Neill popped up again and added another score from an acute angle; again, the Munster side equalise quickly.

But a new fluency could be detected in the Dublin play. A Lucy Quinn strike went tantalisingly wide after a melee in

the goal mouth.

O’Neill then sent a low, fierce shot at the Cork goal which was just parried which Dunphy, running at speed, pounced on to soar the sliotar over the bar. Another Comerford free augmented the tally further.

Cork, sensing the game slipping, were being blocked at each turn with 10 minutes to go, a great block down by Katie McDonald a case in point.

And McDonald was soon to create the crucial goal, dropping in a free into the danger zone where Comerford was on hand to strike into the net.

It put six in the difference; Cork gamely pulled two back but Dublin kept out of reach when O’Neill added some extra breathing room.

Cork, not to be outdone, claimed two more points one from play and one a free but it was not enough.

UCD claimed the UPMC Purcell Cup, cementing their return to the top tier of third level camogie with a 1-6 to 0-5 victory against Technical University Dublin.

A fast start was the key for Robbie Lewis’s outfit. Chloe Foxe had two points on the board when Hannah Irish drilled to the net.

Though TUD steadied the ship thanks to points from Aoibhe Dillon and Róisín Cahill, and a penalty save from Dublin netminder Faye McCarthy, player of the match Foxe brought her tally to five points from some pressure frees to keep the Belfield unit ahead.

Earlier in the weekend, Cuala and Dublin scoregetter Sinéad Wylde played a big role as UCD got the better of Cork IT 3-11 to 1-5 in the semi-final.

It was 2-2 to 1-5 at the break and that was never going to be enough for the Leesiders facing into the wind.

So it proved as Wylde tagged on the points and CIT were unable to trouble the scoreboard operator, ensuring a spot in the decider for UCD.

GazetteSPORT FEBRUARY 20-26, 2020

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

WES PAY A LATE PENALTY RUGBY:

Controversial decision with last play of the game leaves Old Wesley rueing defeat in their AIL Division 1B title chase. SEE P28

MINOR WIN CAMOGIE:

Three Kilmacud Crokes youngsters make their mark in huge win over reigning champions Cork.

SEE P31

METEORS TAKE-OFF BASKETBALL:

Southside club record massive victory over Ulster University to take healthy lead in the Division One conference. SEE P29

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Stars of Erin set to shine as they take up hurling  CÓILÍN DUFFY

cduffy@dublingazette.com

STARS OF ERIN will create history this Sunday when for the first time in their 117-year history, the Glencullen club will field an Adult Hurling team in competitive action for the first time.

Stars face St Kevin’s on home turf in Glencullen on Sunday (3pm), in a Division 9 South fixture, as the hurling leagues for 2020 get underway across the capital.

It’s an interesting pairing as the clubs also met in Stars’ first football fixture all those years ago.

Ke v i n’s h av e h a d hurling teams for several years but, until now, Stars have just concentrated on the small ball at juvenile levels.

It’s an exciting time for all concerned.

“It’s a result from a lot of hard work from the club and different mentors over the years,” player and hurling management member Lewis Mooney told Dublin Gazette.

“Eventually, the time was right to launch the m e n’s h u r l i n g te a m .

Obviously, the club has grown over the years with various different coaching initiatives and teams and new people moving into the Stepaside area.

“We were fortunate enough in 2019 to win a junior football championship and that built a lot of momentum in the club.

“We felt the time was

The Stars of Erin side that played Ballinteer St John’s last week: Simon Tuite, Daire Roe, Jamie O’ Hanlon, Shane Walsh, Darren Paisley, Shane McDonnell, Sean Gleeson, Niall Roe, Darragh Naylor, Sean Walsh, Sean Roe, James Mulhall, Noel Loughnane, Jamie Pimm, Lewis Mooney, Alan McHugh, Brian O’Malley, Brian Scally, Diarmuid Fenelon, Eoin Norton, Mark Ryan, Ollie Conway, James Forde and Brian Flynn

right to have a go at getting a hurling team up and running.”

A huge catalyst in helping the growth of the club in recent years has been the appointment of Gavin Weir as a Games Development Officer.

Coincidentally, Gavin is a passionate hurling man and is a current member of the Wicklow senior hurling team while he also plays with

the famed Glenealy hurling club.

Stars’ adult hurling team isn’t a flash in the pan and is the result of a number of years developing the sport in the club at underage.

“We got a lot of kids into the club at different age levels,” Mooney said.

“A lot of their parents are former hurlers and they have moved up to Dublin for whatever

reason and ended up in Stepaside.

“They’ve come in and they are willing to play and support the team if we are ever stuck.

“The way the football league is structured in Dublin, there can be a lot of stop-start games, especially in junior football, so there could be weeks where you wouldn’t have a game at all.

“We thought if we got

the hurling team going, that would fill in some gaps between the football matches. That’s where we were thinking to keep the interest.”

Stars of Erin’s first ever game was against Ballinteer St John’s in a challenge game at Ballinteer Community School on Thursday, February 13 with BSJ winning by five points in the end.

“We put up a good

fight, the score was 1-12 to 1-7,” Mooney said.

“It was a tight enough game. We played on the all-weather pitch so it was quite fast.”

Onwards and upwards for the small ball in Glencullen, and long may Stars of Erin prosper.

The club are always looking for new members to join up, and further information can be found on their website www.starsoferin.ie.