Swords by Dublin Gazette

Swords GAZET TE FREE

New direction for former Republic of Loose members MUSIC: P14 RECYCLE THIS COPY. KEEP DUBLIN TIDY.

YOUR COMMUNITY • YOUR PAPER

INSIDE: Inaugural Craft Means Business conference P10

July 14, 2011

IT’S OFFICIAL: Newly elected Fingal Mayor, Gerry McGuire, welcomed P4

That’s the spirit! Dad and daughter cycle for charity Motorsport: Barrable nears pole position in national rally Page 32

Athletics: Locals bring home titles from Tullamore Page 30

ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES ............4, 8-10 MOTORS ........................18 BUSINESS .................... 21 TRAVEL......................... 22 ENTERTAINMENT ........ 24 CLASSIFIEDS ............... 26

Council shells out over €4m in claims Latest figures reveal extent of public liability

Q LAURA WEBB, DAWN LOVE

and PAUL HOSFORD

MORE than €4 million has been paid out by Fingal County Council in public liability claims over the past three years. Figures obtained by the Gazette have revealed that, from 2008 until 2010, the local

authority forked out approximately €4.1 in claim payments. In 2008, €1.35 million was paid out in public liability claims. In 2009 this figure increased to €1.9 million but dropped dramatically to just €0.85 million in 2010. According to FCC spokeswoman, specific details of the

regions where claims are made “are not available”. During the same period, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council paid out €6,440,138 while South Dublin County Council paid out €5.9 million in respect of public liability figures. Full Story on Page 5

2 SWORDS GAZETTE 14 July 2011

BUSINESS: CHAMBER COMMUNITY People gather in joint venture cleanup TO LAUNCH YEARBOOK, BUSINESS DIRECTORY

A warm welcome to several new businesses MIMI MURRAY news@gazettegroup.com

SEVERAL new members were welcomed to Fingal Dublin Chamber by President, Siobhan Moore last week. Dr Eleanor Jones, The Medical Centre, Swords; Active Facilities and Property Management, Dublin 4; Car Medic, Co Dublin; Cronin and Co Solicitors, Donabate; Outhaus Superstore, Santry; Redleaf Property Company, Santry; Start Innovating, Swords; DionX Air Quality Systems, Dublin 3; Specsavers, Swords and Carlton Hotel, Blanchardstown all joined the Chamber recently. “The Chamber continues to grow its membership through the provision of excellent services and events while giving value for money to all members. “The Chamber now represents over 350 businesses in a region that has the fastest-growing and youngest population in the country and warmly welcomes new members from every business sector” said Siobhan. The Chamber is launching the 2011 Chamber Yearbook and

Business Directory jointly with D15 Chamber. The Yearbook contains a conclusive directory of Fingal Dublin Chamber and D15 Chamber members and is published annually and distributed free of charge to every member. The Yearbook and Business Directory also contains contributions from key decision-makers as well as information on many important issues that affect the business community in Fingal. “We are very pleased with the Yearbook, which highlights the range of services and activities that the Fingal Dublin Chamber was involved in over the past year. “Members will be able to see for themselves when they receive the Yearbook and Business Directory this week,” said Chamber CEO, Tony Lambert Membership is open to all companies/organisations who do business in the Fingal Region. Join now online on www.fingaldublinchamber.ie or contact Tony Lambert on 8900977 or email: tony@fingaldublinchamber.ie for full details on joining the Chamber.

GOT A STORY?

Swords TidyTowns, The Fingal Greens and members of the public joined together to take part in the river clean-up

Swords river clean-up success T HE recent river cleanup was a joint venture between Swords Tidy Towns and the Fingal Greens, as well as the involvement of members of the public. The cleanup commenced at Bridge St and continued as far as the Old Schoolhouse. The

group cleaned out the river, removing various litter, from cans and bottles to mobile phones to buggies. Fingal County Council provided the necessary utensils for the cleanup, which included pickers, bags and gloves.

Cleaning up the litter was a group effort

TELL US ABOUT YOUR LOCAL EVENT, CELEBRATION OR FUNCTION Call our NEWS TEAM on 60 10 240 or email news@gazettegroup.com

The Council provided the necessary utensils for the cleanup, which included pickers, bags and gloves

14 July 2011 SWORDS GAZETTE 3

COURTS: SUSPENDED TWO-YEAR TERM FOR HER ROLE IN ASSAULT

ANIMALS: NAME GIVEN TO HATCHED SHARK

Woman beat and stole from passer-by A JUDGE has expressed concern at an “emerging pattern” of young women coming before the courts for violent crimes, after hearing that a girl kicked a passer-by as she lay on the ground, and stole her handbag. Judge Tony Hunt said he had noticed several young women come before him recently for offences that are more usually associated with young men. “It seems the tentacles of equality have spread into criminal law,” he said. “I’m used to young men engaging in this type of behaviour. It seems young women feel they are also entitled to engage in this carry-on.” Claire Lawlor (20), of Abbeyvale Place, Swords, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm, and stealing a handbag from Ms Pamela Walsh, at Walton Hall, Swords, on November 24, 2007. Judge Hunt described it as “a very serious assault”, in which the injured party was set upon, and said she “was afraid for her life”. He handed down a two-year sentence, but suspended it for a period of two years on condition that €1,000 compensation was made available within seven days, and that Lawlor comply with the Probation Service. Garda Pamela Hart told prosecuting counsel, Ms Anne Marie Lawlor BL, that Ms Walsh was walking home with her friend from a night out when they came across three girls and two boys standing in the street. One of the girls asked her for a cigarette, and Ms Walsh replied she did not have any. The two boys then started attacking her male friend, and he hit them back.

Storm, a newly-named baby shark, is adjusting well to his life at Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids’s aquarium

Boy to give aquarium to Temple St

One of the girls shouted: “Ah, don’t you be shouting at my fella.” Ms Walsh was then attacked by the girls, including the then 18-year-old Lawlor, who punched and kicked her repeatedly as she lay on the ground. She cried out for her friend to help, but he was still being attacked by the males. They took her bag and the group ran off. The handbag contained €400, $80, her credit cards and phone.

Q MIMI MURRAY

swords@gazettegroup.com

--------------------------

‘Lawlor admitted she had punched and kicked Ms Walsh, and had divided up the money with a co-accused’ --------------------------

Ms Walsh told gardai she thought they were going to kill her, and she was worried they would find out where she lives from her driver’s licence. Lawlor was arrested shortly afterwards, but initially denied the assault. She later admitted she had punched and kicked Ms Walsh, and had divided up the money with a co-accused. Gda Hart said Lawlor has nine previous convictions, for road traffic matters and theft, and had a six-month old son. Defence counsel, Ms Geraldine Small BL, said her client came from a very respectable family, but had been “hanging around with the wrong people”. She said Lawlor had reached sixth year in school, but received €40,000 as part of a personal injury settlement, which had caused her to “to go off the rails”.

A Wright lucky pair: Contest winners jet off for Ibiza trip WRIGHTS Cafe and Bar in

Swords proved a particularly lucky venue for Jason Corcoran and Liam Kidney when they dropped in on July 1. They joined locals to enter a special competition, with Tonight It’s Miller Time being held at 75 bars across the city, giving one winner per venue, and a friend, the chance to tap into the feeling that “tonight,

anything can happen” – and this was certainly true for the pair, who found themselves queuing at Dublin Airport the very next day with winners drawn from the other venues, all heading off on a 24-hour jam-packed flying visit to Ibiza, the birthplace of Europe’s club scene. The entry for the Miller contest in Swords certainly proved a Wright lucky move for the friends.

SWORDS boy Sean Grehan has very generously decided to donate the aquarium he won in a competition run by Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids to Temple Street Children’s Hospital. Seven-year-old Sean won the aquarium after he recently guessed the date the baby shark would hatch in the salon. He was also given the honour of naming the baby shark, which he named Storm – a name that marine biologist, Kealan Doyle, says fits the fish perfectly. Sean’s father, Phil, says he doesn’t know how his young son came up with the name. “I told him to pick a name, and I said: ‘I’ll come back in one hour and ask you the name’. “When I came back, he said: ‘Storm’. I asked him if it was the name of a WWF wrestler, or something like that, and he said no, he just liked the name,” he says. When asked why his son had decided to give the aquarium away, Phil says: “He’s not really an animal person, he’s more into football. “He had seen something about Temple St on the television, and when we suggested it, he said he would like to give it to them.” Phil says his son was amazed when he first went to see the shark. “It’s a great way for

kids to learn about these things, and I always have the Discovery Channel on for him to see these things.” In a children’s competition at the salon, Sean predicted Saturday, June 25, as the date for the new arrival, which weighed in at a quarter of a pound. It had been incubating for the past nine weeks in an egg, called the Mermaid’s Purse, in the aquarium. John Fitzpatrick, the owner of Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids, together with biologist Doyle, had organised the installation of the shark egg in Sharkey’s aquarium.

Marine life It was aimed to get children excited about marine life, and to remind them about the wealth of sea life found on and around Irish shores, including some types of sharks. Doyle, a biologist from the Seahorse Aquarium in Ballymount, brought the shark egg back to Ireland from a conservation programme in Indonesia. “I think the name ‘Storm’ is a great name choice for the shark, as it fits well with his dramatic, banded colours. “We are all really excited about the birth of Storm, and are looking forward to monitoring his progress over the coming weeks. “Eager shark lovers will be more than welcome to pop in over the coming weeks to take a look at Storm as he gets used to his new home,” he says.

4 SWORDS GAZETTE 14 July 2011

EVENT Newly elected Fingal Mayor, Gerry McGuire, takes up office

Mayor Gerry McGuire with his family and relations

Cllr Ken Farrell, Gerry and Dave O’Connor, Fingal County Manager

Gerry’s up for the job

OB creation, job retention and stimulating the local economy is paramount, says newly elected Mayor, Gerry McGuire. The Labour politician took up his chain of office recently vowing that Ireland’s “youngest and most friendly county” sends out the clear message that Fingal is pro-business and pro-jobs. The Swords/Balbriggan councillor was elected as the county’s new Mayor at the annual meeting of the council on Friday, June 24. The mayor says he is looking forward to a challenging and exciting year ahead in a county that will be the heartland of Ireland’s economic recovery.

Dave O’Connor, Mayor Gerry and Deputy Mayor Cllr Patrick Nulty

Mayor Gerry McGuire with his wife, Mary

LOCALMATTERS SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS

A DV E R T I S E W I T H T H E G A Z E T T E C A L L 6 0 1 0 24 0

14 July 2011 SWORDS GAZETTE 5

HEALTH News is causing ‘extreme worry’ in the area

Hospital set to cut service Q MIMI MURRAY

swords@gazettegroup.com

ST. ITA’S Hospital in Portrane is to cease accepting admissions at the end of August, that’s according to Fianna Fáil’s Leader in the Seanad, Senator Darragh O’Brien. Senator O’Brien described the development as extremely worrying for the community of Dublin North where there were approximately 800 admissions to the hospital last year. “The information provided to me is that there are only around 100 beds

across three alternative centres that can take admissions after August 31.” S t I t a ’s Ho s p i t a l opened in 1901 and has continuously provided care since then, led by a consultant psychiatrist and psychiatric registrars working with social workers occupational therapists, psychologists and physiotherapists. “I am extremely concerned that this decision has been taken and has not been announced publicly, and I would point out that this is in the Health Minister’s

--------------------------

‘There are only around 100 beds at alternative centres that can take admissions after August 31’ --------------------------

own constituency and, more important, that the alternative services at St. Vincent’s in Fairview, the Mater Mental Health Unit and the Mental Health Unit at Connolly Hospital will not be able

to cope. “This is about 100 beds for the whole of north Dublin. Surely there is not a belief within the HSE or the Mental Health Commission that this is sufficient? “Concern has been expressed to me that, in light of the anticipated pressure, very ill patients will be prematurely discharged to make way for more acute admissions and that elderly patients could be forced into nursing homes at huge cost. “Fianna Fáil has a very good record in recent

years with implementing the Vision for Change strategy. It is essential that our mental health services are better coordinated and that local access is a priority. I am urging the Minister to explain clearly what exactly is happening at St. Ita’s. Information available to me is that the HSE have informed staff of the August 31 cut-off for admissions. This has not been announced publicly and will only lead to claims that the Minister is trying to slip this through over the summer,” said Senator O’Brien.

LIABILITY: FIGURES

Council paid out €4million in claims Q LAURA WEBB, DAWN

LOVE and PAUL HOSFORD news@gazettegroup.com

MORE than €4 million has been paid out by Fingal County Council (FCC) in public liability claims over the past three years. Figures obtained by The Gazette have revealed that, from 2008 until 2010, the local authority paid out approximately €4.1 million in claim payments. In 2008, €1.35 million was paid out in public liability claims. In 2009, this figure increased to €1.9 million, but dropped dramatically to just €0.85 million in 2010. According to an FCC spokeswoman, specific details of the regions where claims are made “are not available”. The most predominant type of claim made

against FCC was “lowvalue claims, mainly involving damage to motor vehicles as a result of impact with potholes”. “Most of these claims fall under the category of non-feasance, for which the council has no liability,” said the FCC spokeswoman. The figures obtained are less than those paid out by Dun LaoghaireRathdow n County Council (DLRCC) during the same period, which paid out in the region of €6.5 million in respect of public liability claims between 2008 and 2010. According to a DLRCC spokesperson, in 2008, €2,079,494 was paid out in public liability claims. However, between 2009 and 2010, the figures show a massive drop in payments, with

Most public liability payouts by Fingal Council were “low-value”

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

‘Most types of claims made against FCC were low-value claims, mainly involving damage to motor vehicles as a result of impact with potholes’ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

the figures dropping from €2,678,946 to €1,681,698. Meanwhile, South Dublin County Council (SDCC) paid €5.9 million in respect of public liability claims in the three-year period from 2008 to 2010.

The breakdown for each year shows that, in 2008, SDCC paid out €2.01 million. This increased in 2009 to €2.22 million, and decreased last year to €1.66 million. The total paid out by FCC over the three-year

period is slightly down on the previous three years, as revealed by The Gazette in 2007. In 2007, The Gazette revealed that the total amount paid out by FCC in public liability claims and personal injur y claims amounted to €4,696,900. The figures were based on the period between 2004 and 2006. At the time, FCC said the average pay-out between 2004 and 2006 was €6,254.35, and, of the claims paid out, 37% related to personal injury claims, while 63% related to property damage.

WASTE: POLITICIANS OPPOSE MOVE BY THE COUNTY MANAGER

Bin service plan angers councillors Q LAURA WEBB news@gazettegroup.com

PLANS by Fingal County Council to scrap its waste service, after an independent report predicted losses of €7m to the council in 2012 if it doesn’t withdraw the service, have been criticised by local politicians this week. Last week, County Manager David O’Connor said that, given the projected losses, the council had no choice but to withdraw the service as of next year. A memorandum on the issue was sent to councillors on July 5 following the publication of the report, jointly commissioned by FCC and SIPTU, which said the waste service by Fingal was no longer “viable”. In the memorandum Mr O’Connor said: “The report concluded unequivocally that there was no prospect of the service being made cost-neutral to the council in the current competitive context. “The loss of customers, the increasing demand for waivers and the inroads of competition from private operators combined to project a minimum loss of €7m (inclusive of service support costs and VAT) projected for the budget for the service for 2012, should the service continue on the current basis. It is the opinion of the consultant that this level of loss could not be recovered through efficiencies of operation on behalf of the council or its workforce for that period.” T his week, Fingal councillors voiced opposition to the decision and debated the issue during a council meeting. Swords councillor Tom Kelleher said the council had an “excellent” service and “people less well-off in society had an excellent

service with fantastic waiver system – it’s now gone”. “I think in two to three year’s time, unless you can pay you won’t have your rubbish taken away – society in general will lose out.” Meanwhile, Councillor Ken Farrell said there was a “management problem” when Panda were knocking on doors trying to get people to join; the council didn’t and at the time he said. “We should have been at that.” Mulhuddart Councillor Patrick Nulty said it was his understanding that the council’s waste service “always broke even” and that was not there to “make profit” but to “provide a service for the people”. Standing over his decision to scrap the service, the manager said it was “correct” to say the council never made money, “it lost money”. Adding to the problem was that the proportion of loss was becoming enormous and completely unsustainable. “I had no confidence that we would be able to continue this service and I stand by my own staff. I will support them in the way I outlined in the paper.” No compulsory redundancies will be issued to bin service staff, and redeployment into areas where there is need for staff is to be arranged. “Discussions on the detail of such arrangements are now commencing with SIPTU on behalf of the bin service workers in this regard.” Fingal County Council joins South Dublin County Council and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council in opting out of the service, leaving Dublin City Council as the only local authority in Dublin to continue its waste service.

6 SWORDS GAZETTE 14 July 2011

IT’S YOUR STORY Treasuring life after redundancy

The Trinket Box – An enhancement to village life

Best of BMW: Taking the top down on the BMW 118d

MOTORING PAGE 18

The Trinket Box was born out of redundancy last September

Q PETER KEARNEY

LOCATED in a quiet hideaway off a country laneway in Lusk, The Trinket Box is something to treasure and a far cry from owner Orla Walsh’s fast-paced days with Quinn Insurance. Born out of redundancy in September last year, and Orla’s desire to balance work life with family life, the local home accessory and craft shop has become “a mini Avoca” and “enhanced village life in Lusk” according to Orla’s customers. A native of Swords, and now resident in Lusk, Orla, and her partner,Gavin McGee, established The Trinket Box in December last year. T h e Tr i n k e t B o x offers a range of locally handcrafted home accessories, occasional furniture, hand-made candles and soaps, original art, bedding and lots more. Indeed many of its products, such as cards, candles, hand-made jewellery and picture frames are

------------------------------------------

‘Many of its products

such as cards, candles, hand-made jewellery and picture frames are designed and produced locally in Lusk. So there has been a real benefit to the local community and economy from a redundancy situation ’ ------------------------------------------

designed and produced locally in Lusk. So there has been a real benefit to the local community and economy from a redundancy situation. Support

Fur thermore, Orla spoke very positively about the support she received from the bank. The AIB were “very helpful and supportive” in establishing the business after she put together a “comprehensive business plan”. Unfortunately, the same support was not forthcoming from local

enterprise boards. It was easy to see the support that Orla is also receiving from the local community last Thursday evening as the shop was filled with local customers and with an aroma of fresh coffee. Fresh Coffee? In a craft shop? Yes, indeed! Not content with running a local home accessory and craft shop, Orla recently added a coffee shop to The Trinket Box, where customers can relax in a rural setting and enjoy the historical surroundings. Customers can also enjoy her bi-monthly craft fairs on Saturdays, where there will be opportunities to see local examples of knitting and dressmaking – and you can even participate in her arts and crafts classes. Orla’s customers on the night described it as “a one of its kind in the Lusk area” and an “enhancement to village life”. For more information, you can log on to www. thetrinketbox.ie or just drop in to say hello at Treen Hill in Lusk.

The customers described the shop as ‘ a one of its kind in the Lusk area‘

14 July 2011 SWORDS GAZETTE 7

PEOPLE Team spirit for dad and daughter

RESEARCH: CONTEST SEES BUSINESS GAIN FROM MINING DATA

Making better use of available open data Q MIMI MURRAY swords@gazettegroup.com

Father and daughter fundraising cyclists, Brian and Aileen Parsons, cycling in the Wicklow Gap as part of their training for an upcoming 523km fundraising cycle from Geneva to Nice, in aid of the Irish Hospice Foundation

CHALLENGE: PREPARING FOR A 523KM CYCLE RIDE FOR HOSPICES

Fundraisers in training for a wheely big task ... --------------------------

Q MIMI MURRAY

‘The IHF wants to ensure that hospice care is available to people with illnesses other than cancer’

swords@gazettegroup.com

AILEEN Parsons, from Swords, and her father, Brian, from Beaumont, are taking on the challenge of a lifetime to help raise funds for the Irish Hospice Foundation’s (IHF) Homecare for Children Programme. They will be taking part in the Kingspan IHF Cycle Challenge, from Geneva to Nice, which runs from July 24 to 30. Each year since 2009, the IHF have organised two fundraising cycles. Last year, Aileen was a participant in the Dublin to Paris challenge, contributing towards the €321,000 raised on the cycle. She said: “There was great satisfaction to be had in raising the funds for such a worthy cause, and the trip was a neverto–be-forgotten experience.” This year’s mainland route includes cycling

--------------------------

523km over some of the most iconic Tour de France routes in the mountainous Alps. The participants will be cycling over four Category-1 mountains. These climbs last more than 20 kilometres, with an average 6% grade, and ascend up to 1,500 metres. The highest mountain will be up the Cime de la Bonnette, at 2,802 metres. Each day, the cyclist will be pedalling in the region of 14,000 pedal strokes, and sitting in the saddle for approximately eight hours. Aileen and Brian have been training hard since

signing up for the IHF challenge last February, with regular cycle escapades up the Hill of Howth, around north Dublin countryside, and through the Wicklow Mountains. S i n c e F e b r u a r y, between them, the Parsons have clocked up more than 5,000kms in their training. Little Sports Cycles in Fairview (pic above) assisted in the Parsons’ bike and accessories purchases. Their bicycles and clothing are very important. Both will be cycling on their fast, light “Trek” racing bikes.

The bike frames are made from lightweight carbon, with the latest technology in gears and brakes, which will afford them every assistance in this enduring challenge. The total money raised for IHF as a result of the previous cycles have totalled €720,000. These funds are being directed to the Homecare for Children Programme, which trains nurses to provide at-home palliative care to children with life-limiting illnesses, in order to improve their quality of life. Whilst a lot has been done with this pro-

gramme, there is still a lot more to do, and this year’s cycle will help. The Parsons said: “The vast majority, or 95% of people who have access to hospice services, have cancer. “The IHF wants to ensure that hospice care is available to people with illnesses other than cancer. “The IHF is a very worthy cause, and they would very much appreciate the support given to these cyclists.” Aileen and Brian had a fundraising target of €7,000, which they are delighted to announce they have just reached. “We are very thankful to our family, neighbours and friends for their support of the various fundraising activities. “We look forward to a successful completion of this exciting challenge, and will do so in the knowledge that the funds raised are going to such a wonderful, caring cause.”

BIZFIT, a website that utilises demographic and other open data to match a business with its optimum location, has won Ireland’s first Open Data 18-hour challenge held at the National Digital Research Centre (NDRC), located in The Digital Hub district. Gary Leeson, of Riomhaire Research, from Donabate, was part of a six-person team of designers and developers whose winning idea was judged as being a clear example of how the release of previously inaccessible Government data can deliver a nascent commercial opportunity. The runners up were Just Park, an app that uses open data to help define cost-effective and convenient parking based on location, and Distil, a tool that enables developers to refine, purify and filter open data. The Open Data Challenge follows on the work started by Fingal County Council (FCC) with its pioneering Fingal Open Data initiative, to open up Government Data for use by citizens and businesses. The event was organised by NDRC’s Inventorium programme, in partnership with FCC, Dublin City Council, Microsoft and the Irish Internet Association. More than 80 developers, designers and entrepreneurs competed to create viable business ideas using open data provided by Fingal County and Dublin City councils. A c r o s s 18 h o u r s , numerous ideas were generated, with the final competition boiling down to ten ideas, which

used a range of open data sets, from heritage information, to live environmental pollution and trafficking feeds, utility and energy consumption data. Speaking about the event, Dr Teresa Dillon, of NDRC’s Inventorium programme, and a member of Enterprise Ireland’s National Cross Industry Working Group on Open Data, said: “It’s clear that, with the right tools and freer access to data, there is the potential for ideasled business growth. --------------------------

‘BizFit’s idea will help businesses to identify where they should locate, based on demographic analysis’ --------------------------

Dominic Byrne, FCC

--------------------------

“We hope an initiative such as this sends a message to other councils and Government bodies that open data is a resource and, as such, it has economic potential.” Dominic Byrne, of FCC, said: “We are delighted to see Fingal data being used to develop potential business opportunities. “This demonstrates the value of opening up Government data, and we hope to see the development of many more innovative applications of open data. “BizFit’s idea will help businesses to identify where they should locate, based on demographic analysis. “This has the potential to be a great help to small- and medium-sized companies,” he said.

8 SWORDS GAZETTE 14 July 2011

PICTURES Gazettephotos.com is packed full of local pictures;

Great big smile Chloe Tobin had a great time during the official opening of Embody College and Wellness Centre in Swords when Fingal Mayor Councillor Ken Farrell (Lab) was on hand to open the Brid Hennessey, Linda Conlon and Angela Ward

college. The centre operates as a teaching college for all types of massage, including reflexology, aromatherapy, sports massage and infant massage.

Elizabeth Doyle with the poster for the event

Teachers Martha McNamara

Sandra O’Reilly, chairperson, fundraising

and Rachel Corcoran

Committee

Teachers Martha McNamara and Rachel Corcoran with Adam Fanning, Sarah Rooney, Eoin Costello, Alex Conlon, Elizabeth Doyle, Jonathan Fanning, Kevin O’Connor, James Keely, Dearbhla Ward, Jordan Byrne and Eoin McGrath. Pictures: Peter Doyle

Question of raising funds T WAS an exciting, fun-filled night for all at The Grand Hotel in Malahide at the Who Wants To Be A Thousandaire fundraising night. Based around the popular TV show, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, the night featured a fully computerised

show with 50/50, Phone a Friend and Ask the Audience. Five 8ft x 6ft screens displayed all the action, as contestants were given their choice of four answers to a question and the amount of money increases as the correct answers were given.

The event raised funds in aid of Malahide Community School Kilimanjaro Trek, The Ross Nugent Foundation,The Laura Brennan Charitable Trust, The Parkinson’s Association of Ireland and The Light of Maasai.

We are adding more and more pictures to our site,

www.gazette

14 July 2011 SWORDS GAZETTE 9

can you spot anyone you know here? Log on to see even more!

1 HE then Mayor of Fingal, Councillor Ken Farrell, was on hand at Blanchardstown Shopping Centre to launch a new Fingal Managing Volunteers Award, part of the Fingal Volunteer Centre and Fingal County Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s activities to celebrate European Year of Volunteering 2011. Mayor Farrell was joined by several voluntary groups for the launch, providing a first-hand opportunity for locals to learn more about the invaluable works carried out by a wide range of volunteer groups within the community.

T 2

Awards Scheme 1. Elaine Johnson and Jan McLaughlin

2. Ciara Mealy and Dermot Desmond 3. Elena Arcenni and Bebhinn Hare 4. Noreen Colgan and Mayor of Fingal, Councillor Ken Farrell 5. Stuart Garland, Gynis Dunne, Michelle Gurdis, Louis Colley and Leah Carroll

log on to have yours delivered direct to your door

photos.com

10 SWORDS GAZETTE 14 July 2011

CONFERENCE 2011 – ‘Year of Craft’ at Craft Means Business

Vivien Walsh

Colourful: Textiles designer, Susannagh Grogan, shows off the beautifully coloured piece of cloth at the Craft Means Business Conference . Picture: Mark Stedman

Highlighting achievements of talented Irish Artisans

ROUND 100 guests attended the inaugural Craft Means Business conference in the Phoenix Park recently, which was organised by the Fingal County Enterprise Board to highlight the achievements of Irish craft and design companies in retail and

export markets, marking 2011 as the Year of Craft. Whilst different types of Irish crafts were shown during the conference, speakers from craft and design companies, dealing with different types of crafts work, spoke at the event.

Suzanne May and Christina Sanne

They included Oisin Geoghegan, CEO of the Fingal County Enterprise Board, Greg O’Gorman and Melissa O’Gorman, from the Kilkenny Shop, Philip Gaffney from O’Gowna Giftware, Susannagh Grogan, a textiles designer and Vivien Walsh, a jewellery designer.

Oisin Geoghegan, CEO of the Fingal County Enterprise Melissa O’ Gorman

Oisin Geoghegan and Susannagh Grogan at the Craft Means Business Conference

Philip Gaffney

Board, speaking at the conference

14 July 2011 GAZETTE 11

ADVICE Taking steps to dealing with credit problems on your own terms

Roadmap to recovery: The safe journey This week, Tara O’Grady brings the third and final part of her Roadmap to Recovery from Debt Despair. TO WRAP up our process of recovery from debt despair, the focus is on the “Life” file, the “Courage under Fire” file and the “Action Plan” file. The matters contained within these files need to be dealt with in a practical and deliberate manner. Start the process as follows:

Don’t make the mistake of ignoring demand letters.

If phone calls are distressing or harassing, you are entitled to change your number and to write to the banks to say that all communication needs to be in writing. Request an email address if you do not have one, to save postage funds.

Write to all unsecured creditors

(with or without the help of a Debt Management Organisation), explaining your situation, based on your income and expenditure form. Once you have established your exact financial position, if there are no funds available after basic living means are met, then these unsecured creditors cannot be paid (until and unless you become in a position to be able to do so).

In the case of your Secured Creditors, suggest every conceivable option to allow you to pay the minimum amount possible, based on your income and expenditure.

Over the coming months, a variety of participants of the Phoenix Process will bring further advice and information on

If there are NO funds available for a certain amount of time, inform them.

Ask them to temporarily freeze the interest and late repayment charges.

Ask them not to issue any legal proceedings until every available option is looked into.

Request that all correspondence is sent by email so that you have records. If this is not possible, keep a copy and a record of every letter sent and received.

Remember to enter each event into the “Life after Debt” diary.

Be supported or support when

post is being opened.

Inform your family GP of your mood, sleep patterns etc. If the stress has reached the point of despair, or suicidal thoughts, ask this GP to make an appointment with a specialist to help with this. If there are no funds for

dealing with the problems of modern life and also tips on activities that can help us all enjoy life a little more.

this help, a GP can make an appointment with a HSEfunded service. Remain focused on positives; keep strong supports in place and remember to put things in perspective. Those in debt need to remember that debt is a massive national problem that has sadly manifested

itself in people’s lives in a highly-distressful way.

Correspondence No one individual is to blame, and to be in debt is not a criminal act, contrary to what is repeatedly intimated on legal correspondence that may be received. For the moment, our

court process is limited. However, as stated above, this is a legal issue, and not a criminal issue. The paperwork process outlined above in a court situation would be more than enough in a case of inability to pay, which now means, in fact, that the worst-case scenario has already been dealt with.

12 GAZETTE 14 July 2011

GazetteFITNESS FITNESS

Brought to you by Derry Temple personal trainer and pilates instructor

THE FACTS: YOUR NORMAL WORKOUT MAY NOT BE AS EFFECTIVE AS YOU THOUGHT IT WAS

How to lose those few extra pounds by using the right kind of workout OST gymgoers spend endless hours performing steady state cardio and have probably been doing the same sort of exercise for years without ever achieving the results they are looking for. There is a common misconception that, in order to lose fat, you must spend hours pounding on the treadmill when, in fact, the opposite is true. Aerobic means “with oxygen”, and refers to the use of oxygen in the body’s metabolic or energy–generating process. By definition aerobic exercise is performed at moderate levels of intensity for extended periods of time. Long-duration aerobic work has a host of valuable health benefits, including increasing blood flow, making the heart stronger, decreasing the resting heart rate and improving energy production. However, there is a downside to steady-state aerobic work, in that it is easy for your body to recover from and adapt to. Also when you train

The use of anaerobic exercise is more suitable to help you lose the extra pounds

LOCAL MATTERS SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS

aerobically you may burn calories, but this ends shortly after you finish your workout. How can you shift bodyweight without spending hours in the gym? The answer is through a combination of Resistance Training and High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT).

more calories for up to 72 hours after training. The other great news is that you can increase the intensity of this training in a number of ways as your body begins to adapt. HIIT training can be any form of aerobic training that is performed at high intensity

-------------------------------------------------------

‘There is a common misconception that in order to lose fat you must spend hours pounding on the treadmill when in fact the opposite is true’ --------------------------------------------------------

Both these anaerobic forms of training (anaerobic meaning without oxygen) create shifts in your metabolism causing you to burn more calories even after you have finished training. “The optimal approach to fat loss is Resistance and H.I.I.T. training.”

With anaerobic exercise, you do not only raise your metabolism, burning calories while you train, but you also burn

followed by a period of rest or low activity. HIIT causes increased excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) keeping your metabolism high for up to 72 hours after training. Ageing causes a drop in muscle mass, and so a lowering of the metabolism. The optimal approach to address this metabolic drop is resistance training – for every pound of muscle you gain, you burn an

extra 50 calories per day. Your goal should be to make your body more anabolic (to promote muscle growth) to help you burn fat. The other benefits of resistance training are plentiful and include improved posture and appearance, reduced body fat, increased strength, power, endurance, metabolism and bone density. Before embarking on any training programme, you should ensure you have guidance and help from a qualified fitness professional. Derry Temple runs DT Fitness in Artane, Dublin 5, and specialises in helping people achieve their health and fitness goals. He is holding a free presentation on Training and Eating For Fat Loss on Saturday, July 23. Places are limited so to confirm your attendance please e-mail Derry Temple at derry@ dtfitness.ie. Make sure to mention the Gazette Newspaper in the title to receive your free EBook on Training and Eating For Fat Loss.

www.gazette group.com ADVERTISE WITH THE GAZETTE CALL 60 10 240

All of your latest local news, sport, features and pictures are now just a click away

14 July 2011 GAZETTE 13

14 GAZETTE 14 July 2011

GazetteMUSIC MUSIC Welch delivers a harvest full of earthy delights Q ROB HEIGH

GILLIAN Welch is renowned for two things — being one of the best singer-songwriters in music, and not being nearly prolific enough. Eight years since their last release, Soul Journey, which had the Bob Dylan-esque audacity to feature an electric guitar in their previously all-acoustic sound, comes The Harrow and The Harvest, a return to Welch and David Rawlings’ darker, melodic roots. As the title suggests, there’s a pastoral gothic at work here, and the instruments used, that include banjo, hands and feet show they have stripped the music back to it’s almost barest bones. There is an indescribable familiarity about Gillian Welch’s music. It’s like nothing you’ve heard before, and everything you know. Rooted in bluegrass and Appalachian styles, there is something fascinating and beguiling about The Harrow and The Harvest. It’s shot through with a folk memory of songs long forgotten but that are still in your ears, and their shapes come into focus quickly after only a few bars. It’s not even country music, it’s something more than that. It’s soul music, in the purest sense of that phrase. The songs speak of scarlet and daggers, and, within the shadows of the music, there’s the feeling that there is something ready to reap what has been sown in the lives and loves of the characters in the songs. This isn’t a great record, it’s an essential one. There’s the essential force of life and death within, and there’s very few records you can say that about.

Gillian Welch and David Rawlings

The One: Prince set to be crowned at the Castle THE time is nigh. Prince, still the best live act in the world, comes to Malahide Castle on July 30. Fresh from the stage of the Hop Farm festival in Kent, where he stole the weekend with a hitpacked and super funky two-hourplus set, Prince will hit the stage at the Castle to enthral his Irish fans for the first time since 2002, when he owned the Point, and went on to an awesome aftershow at Spirit. Tickets from €89.50 are available at www.ticketmaster.ie.

INTERVIEW: A FRESH START FOR FORMER REPUBLIC STARS

Cars Love Girls love their new direction Q ROB HEIGH

CARS Love GIrls sounds like the blueprint for every great song of the last few decades, but it’s also the name of the new band from former Republic of Loose members Cormac and Orla Breslin. The band came about when the brother and sister duo, who had always talked about working together, were looking for the next stage to their musical careers after leaving the Loose around two years ago. “I had a good few songs left over that I had written for the band,” said Bres. “Usually, I would bring along an instrumentals and we would then put lyrics and vocals to them. So, I was left wondering what I would do next with them, and so I decided to finish them myself. “Orla and I always said we would do something together, and the timing was right, so it happened pretty naturally.” That natural progression has seen the band put together an album, Skip School, which con-

Bres and Orla of Cars Love GIrls, who play at Crawdaddy on July 20

tains ten highly polished and accomplished songs that stand out from the current crop of sounds emerging from the capital city. Imagine the chromeplated production sound of Steely Dan, the loose funk of early Prince and the warm embrace of Prefab Sprout, and you’re getting close to the sound of Cars Love Girls. “I’m not really affiliated with the Irish music scene, I’ve been in one band since college, and I don’t play with anyone

else. The scene wasn’t an inf luence, what influenced it was me going back to my record collection and thinking about the artists that I loved and what did I want us to sound like. “Things like Prince and Prefab Sprout, b a n d s t h a t I n e ve r stopped listening to, something that had a groove, and was really polished. It’s almost easy listening - clean, well-produced stuff. “That was what we were going for and, hopefully, I’ve ended up

somewhere in that ballpark.” The band will play their first official gig at Crawdaddy on July 20, and their live sound is something that Bres and Orla have been working hard on perfecting. “We’re looking forward to the first show, we’ve been rehearsing for the last couple of months, and it’s sounding good. It’s pretty much exactly the same as the record. “It’ll take time to grow, and settle down on stage. We have a sup-

port slot in September; we’re planning on doing the Hard Working Class Heroes and EuroSonic festivals, as well as the IMRO showcase tour. “We’re starting from scratch, really doing everything we can. I can’t wait to get the album out there, so we’re looking at the best way of doing that.” When the album drops, don’t expect Cars Love Girls to remain in the shadows for long. It sounds like the first step on the road to international success.

14 July 2011 GAZETTE 15

GazetteBEAUTY BEAUTY Smoothtastic, summer legs F you want to get smoothtastic pins, but you’re fed up with shaving and waxing, then why not follow the celebrities’ lead and epilate your way to smoother skin this summer. Lifes2good’s latest Wet and Dry Emjoi Dolphin Epilator has been specifically designed to remove even the shortest of hair, its 18 sets of tweezeraction discs ensures rapid, non-irritating and virtually pain-free hair removal - literally! Its special water-resistant design enables it to remove even the shortest of hair on the legs, bikini line and under arms, with perfect precision giving results which last up to six weeks! And to help you along the way, Emjoi has come up with its five top tips to achieving those perfectly

sleek pins using your epilator.

hours after hair removal.

Tip 1

Tip 4

Have a nice hot bath or shower before removing unwanted hair. This will open up your pores, making epilating quick and more comfortable! And you can use the Wet and Dry Dolphin Epilator whilst in the bath!

Maintain silky-smooth legs by exfoliating and moisturising at least three times a week. Exfoliation prevents unsightly ingrow n hairs by removing dead skin, ensuring new hair can surface. Moisturising will also help to sooth your skin.

Tip 2

Ensure your skin is clean and dry before epilating. Hold the skin in the surrounding area taut, then gently glide your epilator along your skin in the direction of hair growth.

Tip 5

Keep it up! One of the great benefits of removing hair from the roots is that regrowth becomes far finer and sparser over time.

The latest Wet and Dry Emjoi Dolphin Epilator has been specifically designed to remove even the shortest of hair

Tip3

Prevent skin irritation and ingrown hairs after epilating by avoiding exfoliating and wearing tight clothes for 24

The Wet and Dry Dolphin Epilator by Lifes2Good is priced €39.95 and is available at leading pharmacies and

health stores nationwide or by visiting www.lifes 2good.ie

Ahhhh ... Aveeno is here THEY’VE achieved a cult following in the US, and now the new Aveeno Positively Radiant range is available for the first time in Ireland! The skincare range utilises the benefits of soy, a new naturally active ingredient for the Aveeno brand in Ireland, and has been clinically proven to even out skin tone and texture to boost skin’s natural radiance. Included in the range is the Positively Radiant Daily Skin-Brightening Moisturiser SPF 15, which contains SPF 15 to help protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays, while its light diffusers will instantly boost your skin’s natural radiance. Shea Butter, squalane and glycerine help to ensure skin is left

hydrated and smooth. Meanwhile, the Positively Radiant Triple Boost Serum contains a blend of vitamins and antioxidants, which are known to help fight free radicals and help keep skin looking younger. The unique formula reveals the skin’s natural radiance and visibly diminishes the appearance of skin discoloration and brown spots. And for those dark circles and lines around the eyes, Positively Radiant Eye Brightening Cream is sure to be a hit. This eye-brightening cream, with naturally active soy, is fast-absorbing with a light texture and is clinically proven to visibly improve the appearance of dark circles and puffiness.

Edited by Dawn Love

Light diffusers instantly boost skin’s natural radiance and revitalise the area around the eyes.

The new Aveeno Positively Radiant range is available from July in pharmacies nationwide.

LOCAL

MATTERS SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS

ADVERTISE WITH THE GAZETTE CALL

60 10 240

16 GAZETTE 14 July 2011

SNAPSHOT Some fun stories of the week around the capital

On your bike! RTE’s Jacqui Hurley launches the annual Tomas Mulligan Cycle in aid of Pieta House, the suicide crisis centre, along with Dublin footballers Éamon Fennell and Eoghan O’Gara. The fun cycle, which is in its fourth year, is held in memory of Dublin footballer Tomas Mulligan who died by suicide in 2007. The cycle, organised by the Mulligan family, takes place on Saturday, August 13, and Sunday 14, and this year’s destination is Athlone. The cycle aims to raise awareness of the work carried out by Pieta House and to celebrate the lives of those lost to suicide.

Gazette Contacts Block 3A, Mill Bank Business Park, Lucan Tel: 01 6010240 Fax: 01 6010251

Managing Director: Liam Holland email: lholland@gazettegroup.com General Manager: Michael McGovern email: mmcgovern@gazettegroup.com Editor: Cormac Curtis email: ccurtis@gazettegroup.com News Editor: Dawn Love email: dlove@gazettegroup.com Production Editor: Jessica Maile email: jmaile@gazettegroup.com Sports Editor: Rob Heigh email: sport@gazettegroup.com Financial Controller: Carly Lynch email: clynch@gazettegroup.com Advertising Production: Anita Ward email: ads@gazettegroup.com Advertising Sales: 01 6010240 email: sales@gazettegroup.com

Gazette Group 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 Blanchardstown Gazette, Castleknock Gazette, Clondalkin Gazette, Dundrum Gazette, Dun Laoghaire Gazette, Lucan Gazette, Malahide Gazette and Swords Gazette. The placing of an order or contract will be deemed an acceptance of these conditions.

Mingin? Dail’s fashion sense just might be... “IF I HAD a handbag, I’d have clobbered him with it.” So said Mar y Mitchell O’Connor, showing that the schoolyard whispers of Deputies Wallace, Flanagan and Ross had not dampened her sense of humour. But if she did have a handbag, what would have been in it? A driver’s licence? A spare “garish” outfit? A brick heavy enough to knock the pink off Wallace’s shirt? The Diary was heartened to see that such taunts exist in other workplaces, not just our own newsroom, but we are not being paid 90 grand a year to represent thousands of people. Aside from the rights and the wrongs of the incident, one is forced to question how three deputies such as Wallace, a man so woefully dressed that legis-

lation will soon be passed to correct him, “Ming” Flanagan, whose namesake was feared for his sinister looks as much as his ability to torture Flash Gordon (and don’t even get me started on the beard!) and Ross, he of the strange tuft of hair, just sitting limp atop his head, can, with sincerity, question the sartorial choices of another?

DIARY One-hundred invited Muggles of all ages will dress up and gather in the party room from 3 to 5pm to learn wizardry tricks and play Harry Potter-themed games. Frangos World Cuisine will also have a full Harry Potter-themed menu with lots of mouth-watering treats to choose from. Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 2 is released in cinemas this Friday, July 15.

Hamleys cast Photography a spell showcase HAMLEYS in Dundrum Town Centre will be cast under a spell this Saturday. The store’s party room on the third floor will be bursting with magic as it is transformed into a School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in aid of Unicef.

A GROUP of recent photography graduates of Griffith College have come together to form a photography collective, entitled Arcadia, and will host their debut exhibition as a group, entitled Grey Area, in Gallery

53, Capel Street, Dublin 1 until July 30. The exhibition, which is part of the PhotoIreland Festival 2011, seeks to examine some of life’s grey areas and is an exploration and personal interpretation by the diverse group of photographers. Sinead Murphy, Head of Photography at Griffith College, said: “I am delighted to see these talented photographers showcasing their work and commend them for the formation of the Arcadia group. “I would like to wish them the best of luck with their debut show.” Students of Griffith College Dublin, both past and present, have also had their photography work selected for the Four Floors exhibition in the Mad Art Gallery on 56, Lower Gardiner Street, Dublin 1, and will run until July 30. For more information on Griffith College photography courses go to www.gcd.ie.

14 July 2011 GAZETTE 17

GazettePETS PETS

Brought to you by Miriam Kerins of the DSPCA

THE FACTS: LOOKING AT THE FISH IN A FISH TANK CAN HAVE THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS

Our popular finned friends OLDFISH are one of the most popular household pets in Ireland. It’s very simple to take care of one, and, although they don’t require that much space, as beautiful, living creatures, they certainly require love, care, attention and a healthy living environment. This week I want to make my readers aware of the specific needs of the goldfish because, last week, I was forced to intervene when I witnessed a group of teens at a jumble fair kicking around a clear plastic bag containing a small amount of water and a goldfish they said they’d “just won at a stall”. I also want to take this

opportunity to remind stall-holders/fair-organisers that they have a duty of care to any animal in their possession, and should not give them out as prizes. Let me state quite clearly for the record that it is a crime to intentionally abuse, injure, illtreat or cause unnecessary suffering to an animal and those who do so may be prosecuted. That said, goldfish are wonderful, educational, finned friends to introduce their owners to the responsibilities of caring for a living creature and, if taken care of properly, can live for ten years or more. Some have been documented to live up to 30 years. It’s worth remembering that every

Goldfish might be the right pet for you

goldfish, just like every human, is an individual and can possess its own characteristics. For example, did you know that a pet goldfish will actually recognise its owner and will rise to the surface to be hand fed by them? If you’re reading this and thinking about giving a goldfish a home, here’s a

few tips to help you out. First of all, there are two categories of goldfish, single-tailed and twin-tailed. An example of singletailed gold fish would be the Comets: This variety has an exceptionally long tail fin; in fact often the fin is the length of the fish’s body, allowing him to swim pretty fast. You’ll

need a large tank for this variety, which are usually yellow but sometimes have a white body with red on their backs. An example of twintailed is the Black Moor: This variety has telescopic eyes that appear to stick out from the fish’s head. As the name suggests, they are always black in colour. Goldfish should be kept with their own kind, i.e. twin-tailed with twintailed, single-tailed with single-tailed and not mixed together. So, you’ve decided on the variety, now how do you choose your supplier? W hen visiting the aquarium/pet-store, take a look at the condition of

the fish in the tank. Is the tank over-crowded? Are there any dead fish in the tank? Is the water clear or cloudy? Do the fish have fungal growths on their scales? Are the fins erect and moving (but not moving too quickly, as this could be a sign of a lack of oxygen). Healthy fish should swim effortlessly through water, with long-finned ones swimming a bit slower than the others. There are many factors to consider when buying the fish tank and, while a fish aquarium can make a unique decorative addition to any room, placement is a key issue. The tank must be placed against an inside wall, away from direct sunlight,

open windows and doors. Remember, the warmer the room, the less oxygen there will be for the fish so keep this in mind and don’t over-crowd the tank. Fish grow, so do your research on your particular variety to find out how large your pet will get before you buy your tank. There’s a lot to consider before you join the fishkeeping fraternity, including who will look after Nemo and friends. But it is a therapeutic experience – did you know that gazing into a fish tank can slow down your heart rate and calm your nerves? For a more information, visit www.dspca.ie, or email miriam.kerins@ dspca.ie

18 GAZETTE 14 July 2011

GazetteMOTORS MOTORS

The BMW 1 Series convertible is the car for summer driving. This car blends sports styling with practical driving economics, even if the buy-in price is relatively high at €36,450 for the diesel powered entry model.

Converted by BMW’s 1 Series MICHAEL MORONEY took the top down on the BMW 118d

WE HAVE 146,000* READERS EACH WEEK *based on standard industry measurements

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS TO OUR READERS CALL 60 10 240

and loved every moment of its thrilling performance ONVERTIBLE time is summer time and that’s when ownership of a car like the BMW 118d convertible comes into its own. This is a car in which to plan a trip to a big event like the Galway Races. So get ready for the road in car that makes a statement while being thrifty on the road. The BMW 118d convertible mixes bling with brains in a car that’s super in terms of style and performance and even better when it comes to efficiency. If you are one for motoring style, this is a car that makes a modest statement. Modest in terms of running costs while a shade bling in terms of the message that it gives to all others on the road. Just roll down the roof and see the reaction. I covered the roads in the BMW 118d and it is

SPECS: BMW 118D CONVERTIBLE Top speed: 208 km/hr 0 – 100km/hr: 9.5 secs Economy: 20.8 km/litre (4.8 l/100km) CO2 emissions: 127g/ km Road Tax Band: B (€156) Euro NCAP Rating: 5 Star (2004) Warranty: 3 years Entry Price: €36,450

impressive. There’s plenty of power from the 2.0 litre turbo-diesel engine that has all of the BMW EfficientDynamics systems included. This latest edition car differs from the previous versions as it has a new front bumper with redesigned fog lights and redesigned halogen headlights with an “eyebrow” element. If you specify the optional Xenon head-

lights, this “eyebrow” element features an LEDilluminated light bar. The rear lights and the headlights have also been changed and now give a new, and more detailed, appearance. The biggest change for the BMW 1 Series is that the cars now come fitted with what BMW calls an Aero Curtain. This new feature channels the airflow around the front of the car to reduce aerodynamic drag, with the aim of further improving efficiency. BMW engineers have lots of convertible experience and they say that wheel arches are one of the main areas of aerodynamic drag. They believe that the newAero Curtain is the solution to reduce this inefficiency. The system is developed from racing car technology. The air is routed into

two ducts in the front of the car, which then flows out of a narrow opening at high speed in the wheel arch. BMW claims that this jet of air effectively covers the side of the front wheels like a curtain and reduces turbulence. The good news from this bit of engineering is that the CO2 emissions have been lowered throughout the range. The test BMW 118d I drove is now rated at only 118g/ km, while all 2.0-litre petrol versions have CO2 emissions of 154g/km or below. The six-speed manual gearbox car came with an optimum shift indicator to let you know when to change up or down the gears. I don’t tend to use this feature in many of the cars that I drive, I find that it’s always more interesting if you listen to how the engine performs and keep

a weather eye on the rev counter. Like other BMW models, the 1 Series coupé and convertible also come with other EfficientDynamics measures. The test car 118d model was fitted with Auto Start-Stop, a diesel particulate filter for a cleaner exhaust, brake energy regeneration that lowers the drag on the engine. It also has what BMW call “intelligent alternator control” for more efficient electricity generation in the car for a multiple of functions The car has a responsive electric-power steering that was a dream to use. It corners with a positive feel and has good road feedback, making the car a treat to drive. The test car was an M Sport version, that’s a little special, but with a special price to match. All M

Sport models come with 17-inch light doublespoke-style alloy wheels, door sill finishers with M designation, chrome front exterior trim, highgloss Shadowline window surrounds, M aerodynamic bodystyling, M Sport suspension, runflat tyres, Sport seats and M Sport multi-function leather steering wheel. The shock is that this M Sport is about €4,000 more than the entry model and I am just not sure about the value of that. The look is enhanced, the features make for a more comfortable drive, but then the basic car basically only has smaller wheels and less opulence when it comes to chrome trims. I’m not sure if I would need those extras in what is a super compact sports car, to make a bold summer statement.

Volkswagen’s planned takeover of MAN suffers setback Volkswagen Group suffered a setback in its efforts to create Europe’s biggest truck maker as a European regulator pushed it to drop plans to take control of MAN trucks. Volkswagen has made a €13.8 billion takeover offer for MAN. The move

is part of a Volkswagen Group plan to create Europe’s biggest truck maker by combining MAN and Sweden’s Scania to take on world market leader Mercedes Benz and its next biggest rival, Volvo Trucks. The European Commission said

Volkswagen’s overly hasty grasp for control would breach merger rules. The Commission told Europe’s biggest carmaker to wait for regulatory approval of closer cooperation of VW, MAN and Scania. Volkswagen Group aims to over-

take Toyota as the world’s biggest car maker by 2018. It has been trying to incorporate sports car maker Porsche into its business as a tenth brand, and its chairman has publicly said that he has also set his sights on taking over Alfa Romeo.

14 July 2011 GAZETTE 19

20 GAZETTE 14 July 2011

GazetteMOTORS MOTORS

Fifty years a Mercedez-Benz man RoadSigns Road Signs NEW PLASTICS FOR MOTORING: SCIENTISTS in Brazil have developed a way to use nano-fibres from lemons and other fruit plants for a new generation of car plastics. Scientists have demonstrated that superstrong fibres can be harvested from delicate fruits, including pineapples and bananas. These nanocellulose fibres – also known as micro-fibrillated cellulose (MFC) – are comprised of 5-20 nanometre fibrils, and are nearly as stiff as Kevlar, found in armour and bulletproof vests. One day, these new plastics may be used in car manufacturing – not just to replace current plastics, but to replace the steel parts, too.

ONNIE Moloney, co-founder and managing director of TR Motors, this year celebrates his 50-year career in Mercedes-Benz service. His company, which is situated in the Dublin suburb of Harold’s Cross, is a main authorised service dealer for Mercedes-Benz. From Clonmel, Ronnie began working at the age of 16, taking up an apprenticeship with the then local Mercedes-Benz main dealer in Tipperary, King Keating. From King Keating, he emigrated to Canada, where he worked for the German-owned Mercedes-Benz of North America organisation. Returning to Dublin, he continued to work

with Mercedes-Benz through their Modern Motors, Rialto and B a l l s b r i d g e Mo t o r s dealerships. In 1975, Ronnie cofounded TR Motors Limited, since when the dealership has operated as an exclusive service outlet for MercedesBenz passenger cars.

Prominent location Situated in a prominent location on Harold’s Cross Road, next to the greyhound stadium, TR Motors has enjoyed a distinguished histor y, listing many prominent MercedesBenz owners amongst its client base, including numerous foreign diplomats and embassies. In 1992, the company suffered a major setback when fire destroyed their original premises.

Heartened by the support of all concerned, the company undertook a complete redevelopment to create the modern showrooms and extensive workshop and spare parts facility from which it now operates. Today, Ronnie is supported in the business by his daughter, Louise, son, Gavin, and a staff of 14. Commenting on the milestone and the c o m p a ny ’s a c h i e ve ments over the five decades being celebrated, Mercedes-Benz chief executive in Ireland, Stephen Byrne, praised Ronnie and his team at TR Motors for their “immense technical knowledge, expertise and skill that they bring to the service of Mercedes-Benz customers in Dublin city”.

Ronnie Moloney is celebrating 50 years of service to Mercedes-Benz

14 July 2011 GAZETTE 21

GazetteBUSINESS BUSINESS Interview: Edno Cooley, owner of a successful healthcare equipment company

Started his own company at 25 EDNO Cooley, from Cooley Healthcare Ltd, grew up in Wexford and moved to Dublin to go to Dublin City University where he studied biotechnology. He then went into the brewing business, working for a short time for Guinness and then for one of the pioneering microbrewing companies making lager. He now lives in Palmerstown and runs a successful healthcare equipment company in Lucan, supplying equipment to hospitals, nursing homes and private customers. Edno started his own company at the age of 25 in 2000, when, as he says himself “it was easy”. He recently started a new business, Cooley Healthcare Ltd, when it wasn’t quite so easy. Edno says: “It has been really difficult, but we have concentrated on the end users’ needs and found that, by really caring for the patient or client, we earn the respect and trust of the professionals and families involved. “Our business slogan is Quality, Reliability and Care. I believe that this simple traditional code has a very important role in our business and, indeed, in all aspects of life. We treat all of our customers as if they were our own families. We see this as what makes us different.” Cooley Healthcare is a modern, vibrant, caring and professional Irish-owned company that provides a wide range of products. Edno says: “We are trying be as positive as is possible in this difficult time; we just launched a new website, www.cooleyhealthcare.ie and invested substantially in our branding and advertising. I always compare starting a new business to lifting yourself up by your shoe laces; it seems like an impossible feat, but it can be done. “The Irish Healthcare market is expanding simply because people are living a lot longer, although it is now fiercely competitive. Entering into a new business area at a competitive time has it’s advantages – overheads are lower and customers are more open to changing supplier in search of better deals.”

to buy my own place . I don’t know much about loans etc, so I need your help. I’d love to buy an apartment in the city, but don’t know a lot about how the loans work. Do I just pay back the loan in full or do I have to pay extra for getting it? Any help greatly appreciated. Mark – Dublin 9. A - All lending is based on the ability to repay. Whether you are looking for a car loan, a mortgage to buy a home or even a credit union loan, you have to prove that you can pay back what you borrow. The “extra” is the interest you pay to the lender and their reward for giving you the loan and their interest rate can vary. Home loans are the cheapest type of loan available and, inversely, short-term “unsecured” loans - i.e. no underlying asset that the lender can repossess in the event you fail to pay back - carry a higher rate of interest and, therefore, greater monthly repayments. Buying property has a whole set of rules and regulations, from the method lenders use to calculate your repayment ability; there are two methods – 4.5 times your annual income or the total of all your monthly financial commitments, including the proposed mortgage repayment should not exceed 35% of your net disposable Income – or what you have left in your pay packet after all the taxes, universal social charges and other deductions are made. Remember also, virtually ALL lenders are members of the Irish Credit Bureau and their

Q: What was your first job? A: Farm labourer at 10-yearsold.

Q: And your first pay cheque? A: £5. I used to iron my money and keep it in a small suitcase.

Q: When did you start your present job? A: 1999. Q: What is the best thing about your job? A: I enjoy the risk and return aspect of running my own business. When it goes wrong, it’s terrible, but when it goes right, it’s fantastic.

Q: What part of your work-

first port of call is to check your credit history. Any missed repayments or judgments and you

Q&A fighter pilot, President of US, veterinarian.

MY FIRST PROPERTY PURCHASE Q – Hi, I’m a guy in my late 20s and would love

Edno Cooley at his company, Cooley Healthcare

Q: When you were a kid, what did you want to be? A: It changed every day –

ANSWERS TO YOUR PERSONAL FINANCE QUESTIONS

have little chance of progressing. So, once you have passed this first test – being

ing day do you ‘delegate’? A: Everyone has their strengths, so I do the bits I’m good at and delegate everything else to people who will do it better.

Q: What sport do you follow? A: Football, hurling and rugby. Q: What sport can you play? A: Football and hurling. Q: What is your guilty music/TV or movie pleasure? A: Pirates of the Caribbean. Q: Who best represents modern Ireland – David Norris or Jedward? A: Hopefully David Norris. I love Jedward but...

Q: What music/pictures/ movies do you have on your iPod/iPad?

eligible to borrow – you will also need life cover

A: Not a lot. I have two companies, a wife, two kids and I’m involved in everything around me.

Q: Where do you enjoy spending money frivolously?

Q: Who do you follow on Twitter/Facebook?

Q: How many pairs of shoes do you own? A: Four.

mally included in the apartment annual service

Q: What was your worst holiday experience? A: I always enjoy my holi-

ing, you should first complete a FULL budget

A: Friends. Q: What habits would you like to lose? A: Staying up too late watching television.

Q: Describe your dream meal? A: A BBQ with the wife and

A: On my family.

days. When you are under pressure through business, a wet week in a tent in Longford is fantastic.

Q: Describe your dream holiday? A: To sail all around the

kids on a sunny day down the country.

Mediterranean for a month.

Q: Who would you rather have dinner with – Enda Kenny or Dame Edna?

Q: What would be your dream job? A: I have it.

A: Enda Kenny. He has a big

Q: What do you plan to do when you retire?

job on his hands and I think he might benefit from my advice.

A: I don’t want to retire.

on that mortgage (compulsory on home loans) and at least buildings insurance on the property in case of fire, etc. With apartments, this is norcharge. Before you finally go down the road of buyof expected and estimated costs in buying the property. These include stamp duty (1% of the purchase price under € 1m) and your solicitor’s legal costs (c. 0.5% of the purchase price plus VAT and outlay) not to mention basic furniture, etc. You should also do an annual household budget, so work out the ongoing costs of maintaining a property and living. Good luck. Contact John with your money questions at jlowe@moneydoctor.ie or visit his website at www.moneydoctor.ie. John Lowe, Fellow of the Institute of Bankers, is founder and managing director of Money Doctor

22 GAZETTE 14 July 2011

GazetteTTRAVEL FastTravel

The Maldives offers a holiday close to nature with white beaches and clear blue seas FAMED for its fragile beauty, the Maldives has long been a top destination for those wanting to get closer to nature, offering sugar-white beaches and clear blue seas. However, this tiny cluster of stunning atolls and islands is also one of the most delicate environmentally. Located in South Nilandhe Atoll, Vilu Reef Beach and Spa Resort is a green and fertile resort, which actively protects the local environment through tending to its underwater ecosystem, using locally-grown produce in its restaurants and regularly planting palm trees – promising guests the ultimate in idyllic natural beauty. Vilu Reef is known locally as the “Garden Of Eden” for its lush tropical vegetation and countless coconut palms. In fact, honeymooners staying at this small island retreat are invited to plant a tree during their stay, leaving a small legacy of their stay. As well as boasting over 800 palm trees, one side of this 122-room resort boasts a protected lagoon and the other has a beautiful reef, with a greater variety of corals and reef fish than in any other atoll. Even the accommodation at Vilu Reef is inspired by nature, offering understated laid-back luxury and traditional thatched roofs. As 99% of the Maldives’ low-lying coral islands are covered by sea water, climate change and rising sea levels are of great concern for its people. Vilu Reef’s sister resort, Olhuveli Beach and Spa Resort, has, therefore, set up a number of initiatives to protect its abundant coral reefs and wealth of endangered sea creatures – from manta rays to turtles. To stay in this stunning eco-friendly resort, Trailfinders is offering seven nights at Vilu Reef Beach and Spa Resort from €1,619 per person (saving over €140 per person), based on two sharing. Available for selected departures in October, the price includes return flights from Dublin, Cork or Shannon via Heathrow and Doha with Qatar Airways, accommodation in a garden villa on a full-board basis, resort seaplane transfers, taxes and surcharges. For more details go to www.trailfinders.ie / 01 677 7888 / 021 464 8800.

A little slice of designer heaven waits for you in Galway city ANITA WARD

SINCE it opened, the g Hotel in Galway has received a fairly healthy list of awards to its name, everything from topping hot lists, receiving design awards, to their best chef and prestigious top Irish destination awards – fair enough, but I was hoping this didn’t mean they thought they didn’t have to try anymore. That certainly wasn’t the case. To say the g doesn’t disappoint is an understatement; the large neon sign in the black marble reception area that reads, “This must be the place” rings true. I couldn’t wait to see the famous decor by Philip Treacy – oh, the glamour! I even brought three pairs of shoes for one night to make sure I was keeping up with the style. Taking your city break in Ireland affords that convenience of hopping in the car, filling the boot with your wardrobe and hitting the motorway and in no time you are at your destination. Galway is only a mere two hours from Kildare, motorway all the way, and the g Hotel just lies on the edge of Galway city. Just a few short miles, but right beside the Lough Atalia, giving you a wonderful sense of being away from it all. Our room was breath-

taking, with one whole seems to have lost over contemporary fine-dining portion sizes and side entirely of glass that the years. We headed back to hoped he wasn’t going overlooks the stunning lake. Luxury oozes from the g to relax in one to leave hungry which ever ything, even the of the many reception in turn, means grumpy. Luckily, there was a bedside lamps resemble rooms – cue a change of delicious sounding fila Philip Treacy glamor- shoes. There are three vary- let of beef dish with a ous hat creation. The decadent style of ing styles of room to duck ravioli which he this place doesn’t com- choose from – the ambi- instantly eyed up, and promise on comfort, the ent gold Grand Salon, he also chose a smoked room just embraces you the quirky Pink Room or t u n a s t a r t e r w h i c h in every way and the the eclectic Blue Room. comes with an almond bathroom, with its free- I made myself comfort- quiche. I also chose a standing Villeroy and able in the Pink Room fish starter of sea trout Boch bath, just calls to much to OH’s joy. The with a fennel broth and you to relax and enjoy atmosphere is great, a chicken main with with people enjoying a gratin of apple and yourself. While I was oohing pre-going out cocktails potatoes. I love that each dish and ahhing at the decor, and it seems to be the comes with a recomthe other half (OH) was place to be seen. A f ter some lovely mendation of wine and impressed with the flatscreen ambient light TV spiked (alcoholic) cof- I opted for the wine and the fact there was a fees, we headed back that accompanied my flatscreen TV intergrat- to the room for another main. OH ordered a ed into the wall in the change of shoes, and pint of Bulmers – pure --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

‘The decadent style of this place doesn’t compromise on comfort, the room just embraces you in every way and the bathroom, with its free-standing Villeroy and Boch bath, just calls to you to relax and enjoy yourself’ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------bathroom – he was one happy man. We headed into Galway city, which was just buzzing; it really felt like it has survived the recession – and was in fact having a party to celebrate. The streets are filled with independent shops, busy with customers and tourists, while the big name high-street brands are still there, Galway seems to have retained a sense of self that Dublin

outfit this time, and strolled down to the Matz Restaurant for dinner. The restaurant was also buzzing; there were families celebrating alongside groups of Itgirls sipping champagne in the latest fashions, and couples enjoying an intimate date. The compact menu has a great variety of choice – OH is a purely meat-andtwo-veg man and I worryingly thought about

fine dining darling, the staff didn’t bat an eyelid and it was brought straight away, ice cold – they were in his good books. T he star ters were light and packed with f lavour, the fish was cooked to perfection and, best of all, the food came out piping hot, nothing worse than warm-going-cold fish. The presentation of the food was like the hotel itself, every last detail was

The g hotel offers the

accounted for and created an impact. The beef came perfectly cooked to a request of medium rare, and, I was told, melted in the mouth. My chicken was succulent and juicy, the potato and apple gratin was complemented with a sprinkling of creamy goat’s cheese – divine. The wine was light and fresh like the dish and I was told the Bulmers hit the spot as well. Desserts are equally impressive; I was also treated to a sample of a new dessert wine to accompany my star anise dessert and OH stuck to the Bulmers while he demolished a stunning chocolate fondant creation. OH announced he was actually stuffed – result, fine dining doesn’t have to mean mini-food on a giant plate. We retired to the Pink Room again for some bespoke g

14 July 2011 SWORDS GAZETTE 23

Edited by Mimi Murray

TravelBriefs Royal wedding fever hits Edinburgh as Zara Philips to wed rugby player, Mark Tindall ROYAL wedding fever is set to start all over again when Zara Philips, daughter of Princess Anne, marries rugby player Mike Tindall in Edinburgh on July 30. Edinburgh might seem like a surprising location for a royal couple to tie the knot, but the low-key princess is actually following in her mum’s footsteps when she married her second husband Cmdr Timothy JH Laurence, a British naval officer in the Scottish capital in 1992. While the wedding won’t have the pomp and pageantry that accompanied Kate and William’s big day in April, the majestic surroundings of Scotland’s royal city are sure to provide a dramatic and romantic setting for the couple’s big day. To celebrate the first royal wedding in Scotland for nearly two decades, VisitScotland has put together its top royal hot spots across the city. Log on to www.visitscotland.com/surprise for further information and the best value deals on accommodation and visitor attractions in Scotland this summer.

Visit Orlando – The perfect fun family destination HOME to the world’s top amusement parks and attractions, Orlando, in Florida, is the perfect destination for a family. Explore what Orlando has to offer and enjoy everything from Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Studios Orlando to SeaWorld Orlando and Legoland Florida. GoHop has some great family offers at the moment. Stay for seven nights at the three-star Champions World resort from €2,589, or at the three-star + Radisson International Drive from €2,729. Alternatively, stay at the four-star Doubletree by Hilton from €2,789 The package includes return flights from Dublin, airline taxes, accommodation for seven nights based on two adults and two children (under 12). Offers are based on two adults and two children and are valid for travel August 2011. Visit www.gohop.ie for information on the ideal holiday for you and your family.

ultimate in a city break in one of Ireland’s vibrant hotspots, Galway city

A new baby owl has arived at Trabolgan Holiday Village

cocktails and then called it a night. We managed to pull ourselves out of the bed to a quiet self-service breakfast (full service option also available) before I sampled the delights of their world-

class ESPA. This spa understands the meaning of relaxation and opulence. I was treated to a rejuvenating full body massage with infused oils to add to your sensory delight. I wanted to marry the girl by the

time she finished working on my tired muscles – I left feeling brand new and smelling heavenly. Ultimate

The g hotel offers the ultimate in a city break in one of Ireland’s vibrant

hotspots – ditch the baggage restrictions and enjoy these truly unique surroundings. For more information, phone +353 091 865200, email info@theg.ie or check out their website at www.theghotel.ie

TRABOLGAN Holiday Village in Cork has welcomed the latest edition to their Holiday Park, “Fudge” the beautiful new baby Tawny Owl. Fudge is now six weeks old and can be seen by the public at the Birds of Prey Educational Centre, located in the main centre at Trabolgan. Fudge will join a host of other birds at Trabolgan this season, including Brendan, the native peregrine falcon, Sundari, the stunning Black Shakeen; Morgan, the native kestrel, and Oscar, the European Eagle Owl. The new Birds of Prey Educational Centre opened at Trabolgan earlier in the season and offers families the chance to learn about birds of prey and to raise awareness of the indigenous species and environmental issues involved in their protection and conservation. The Birds of Prey Centre is open daily to resident guests and day visitors. Visitors also have the opportunity to “Fly Your Own Hawk” during the visit.

24 SWORDS GAZETTE 14 July 2011

GazetteENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT 1

GoingOUT GoingOUT MILL THEATRE 01 296 9340 Port Authority

Leading Irish dramatist, Conor McPherson, brings his hit play Port Authority to the Mill Theatre for two nights on July 15 and July 16, directed by Peter Reid. First staged in 2001, Port Authority became a resounding success with its story of three interwoven lives and the challenge of relationships in modern day Ireland. Saturday, July 15 and Sunday, July 16 at 8pm. Admission: €18/€15

PAVILION THEATRE 01 231 2929 Plaza Suite Rough Magic Theatre Company Theatre’s Plaza Suite is one of Neil Simon’s most poular and celebrated plays. The play focuses on the misadventures of three very different couples as they face important moments in their lives, all in the same hotel room in the world famous Plaza Hotel. Laughter is guaranteed with this witty, funny and clever play. Wednesday July 13 - Saturday July 30 [excl. Sundays], please note that Thursday, July 14 is a preview preformance. Mon-Fri: 8pm and Sat: 3 pm and 8pm. Admission: €17.60/€18/€20/€22/€25.00

THE HELIX 01 700 7000 The blonde, brunette and the vengeful redhead Seen as a cross between Desperate Housewives and CSI Miami the play – set in Anytown, Ireland – tells the story of Rhonda Russell. After a call from her husband for 20 years telling her that he’s leaving her, the story unfolds in a quiet suburban neighbourhood where friends and strangers are drawn together and relationships fall apart. Friday, July 15 and Saturday, July 16 at 8.30pm. Admission: €16/€14

DRAIOCHT 01 885 2622

Desmond Kenny - Past and Present Dublin 15 based artist Desmond Kenny is showing both old and new work at Draiocht this summer as he is welcomed to both the ground floor and first floor. The artist has had an active relationship with the centre for the 10 years it has been open, holding a solo show there in June 2001. This will be the first big exhibition of Kenny’s new venture into abstract painting. Kenny’s new work tries to tap into the childlike creativity that breaks free from art history by removing all figuration from the work. His earlier figurative work will be exhibited in the First Floor Gallery at the same time. Until Saturday August 27. Admission: Free

CIVIC THEATRE 01 4627477

Ballet Workshop - The Jays on Treasure Island Ballet Ireland’s Annual Summer School launches a new voyage of excitement and discovery embarking on their 11th expedition, The Jays on Treasure Island. It promises a fun-filled week with workshops which will develop into the highlight of the week; a performance held onstage for family and friends. Monday, July 18 – Friday July 23. Admission: €165 per child or €300 for 2 children from the same family.

SEAMUS ENNIS CULTURAL CENTRE 01 802 0898 John Spillane

John Spillane, twice winner of the Meteor Award in the Best Folk/Trad category, will be playing at the Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre. His music spreads joy with entertaining stories, poetic tunes and melodic lyrics. With several albums under his belt, his platinum-selling album ‘Irish Songs we Learned at school’ being just one of many, and another to be released later this year, John seems to embody the meaning of real, traditional Irish music. John Spillane promises to bring you along on a journey with his emotive songs and make it an evening to remember. Friday, July 15 at 7.30 pm. Admission: €18.

Mr O’Brien (Bradd Pitt) tries to impress upon his sons the importance of being civilised, upstanding citizens, as well as being dutiful and obedient sons, in The Tree of Life. However, tragedy, and the struggles of family life, are themes that will return to haunt his adult son’s life.

Full of leafy, lofty ideas No, we don’t mean our reviewer, Kate, who is back from her holidays without a tan, but with a review of The Tree of Life Q KATE CROWLEY

READERS! I’m back! Back from my early summer sojourn, which was largely spent watching a red-faced Mr Crowley enthusiastically attempting to erect a familysized tent in one rainsoaked spot after another, while Crowleyetta and I checked into any nearby B&B instead for some TLC (and a change into warm, dry clothes away from awash Wicklow campsites). Did you miss me, dear readers? Well, I missed you both, too, almost as much as I missed my official review and/or family trips to the cinema or screenings, all in a bid to tell you what’s on. And, as I’m still in a holiday mood, with a few grains from the golden sands of Fundoran still caught between my dainty toes, here’s a quick aside on an interesting cinema trend.

FILM OF THE WEEK: The Tree of Life ++++ (12A) 138 mins Director: Terrence Malick Starring: Brad Pitt, Jessica Chastain, Hunter McCracken, Sean Penn, and lots of strikingly memorable shots

OUR VERDICT: MAVERICK director, Terrence Malick has returned with another rare, and rarefied, film, which has received boos from some audiences, and standing ovations from others. On one hand, the film is about a decent family growing up in a long-gone 1950s’ Americana setting; on the other, it muses on the meaning and evolution of life itself. Many superb shots certainly make it a film to remember, says Kate.

Has anyone been to see 3D films recently? Anyone? It seems that Hollywood big-wigs are beginning to question the financial returns on this fad, with audiences beginning to fall away, following an initially enthusiastic takeup of this new tech. Heavens knows why. After all, who doesn’t enjoy paying up to a fiver – or more – extra per 3D cinema ticket to wear uncomfortable glasses for upwards of two hours, staring at a darkened, slightly-defocused image in the hopes of possibly,

maybe, perhaps seeing one or two shots that seem ever-so-slightly three-dimensional? Oh. Hmmm. I seem to have answered my own rhetorical question there. And, judging by the halfdeserted 3D films I’ve watched recently, it’s possible that The Gazette won’t be featuring many more in issues to come. And now, my review. (Some may be expecting it to be on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, but a scheduling malfunction in the postholiday Crowley household is seeing my review

kicked back to next week instead, folks.) This week, in my shortest ever review, I’m recommending a slightly artsy film, and – Wait! Come back! The Tree of Life is not exactly a popcorn-pusher, seeing as it’s a film that asks lots of questions, poses some interesting points for the viewer, and then, umm ... well, that’s about it. Unconventional points are raised, and cinematic questions are posed, but, like a hazily-remembered dream, a clear reality is never quite to hand. It’s a hard film to sum up, being one that, at its heart, follows an ordinary family growing up in a long-lost 1950s’ Americana; as alien a landscape to modern audiences as, well, some of the other desolate landscapes that are visited in this film. At its simplest, The Tree of Life tells of a stern father, Mr O’Brien (Brad

Pitt), who is doing his best to raise three children, with Mrs O’Brien (Jessica Chastain) adding a softer touch to his upright, uptight parenting. In later life, a son, Jack (Sean Penn) seeks some familial reconciliation and a personal understanding of his almost idyllic, yet edgy, childhood, seeking to understand himself, his father, and the O’Brien family’s place in the universe. However, The Tree of Life also jumps far beyond its 1950s and modern-day settings – in fact, it also jumps back millions of years, interested in not just the highly personal tale of a family’s evolution but – perhaps – in the evolution of life itself. Full of outstanding cinematography, yet coupled with subject matter that is likely to confound, confuse, irritate and delight in equal measures, The Tree of Life could be a real grower for many ...

14 July 2011 SWORDS GAZETTE 25

Google steps up battle with Facebook ADAM MAGUIRE

OVER the last few years Google has been trying everything to out-fox Facebook. It created the confusing Google Wave, the uninspiring Google Buzz and is even rumoured to have tried to simply buy out the massively popular social network. N ow G o o g l e h a s unveiled its latest - and arguably most significant - step against Facebook. Google+ is a social network that marks a massive change in the way the search giant works. If it succeeds it will restore Google as the king of everything online; if it fails it could ultimately drag the whole company down with it. So, here is everything

WE HAVE 146,000* READERS EACH WEEK *based on standard industry measurements

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS TO OUR READERS CALL 60 10 240

you need to know about it before you dive in.

How it works Any user of Facebook will see a lot of similarities when they log onto Google+ first (which might be hard to do for now as it is invite-only at the moment). You can link up with friends, post status updates and pictures and share things in an instant. How it differs from Facebook Google seems to have spotted a lot of the things that are wrong with Face-

book and put their solutions at the heart of the Google+ design. For example it allows you to differentiate between people you connect to, so rather than tagging them all as friends you can put them into “Circles” according to your relationship. So you can have one person as a friend and another as an acquaintance. You can also put people in multiple groups if they happen to be, say, a friend and a work colleague. From that you can easily decide what circle you share what piece of information with. So your rant about your job can be seen by your family but not your boss. Users can also video chat easier with people they connect to, some-

thing Facebook does not yet offer, and is more transparent when it comes to privacy.

Why it might succeed Google has put a lot of effort in to getting this right. They have clearly learned from past mistakes and some of the features of Google+ are really compelling. While the company is absent from social networking it still has a lot of clout generally and, if anyone is going to take on Facebook, they certainly have the resources and skills to do so. Why it might fail The best-designed social network is only as good as its user-base. Google has millions of people logging on every day but there is no guarantee that they

will jump to Google+. The one thing people will ask is: “Why join this when I’m already on Facebook?” and they need a good answer to that. Likewise, the last thing they want is someone signing up, finding no one to interact with and leaving straight away.

avoiding the mistakes of the far-too-small-to-use netbooks of the past and giving the user plenty of screen and keyboard real estate while still being portable. T h a t said it is still very

Samsung NF210 netbook

NETBOOKS have been somewhat overshadowed by tablets lately but Samsung’s NF210 does its best to catch the user’s eye once more. With a striking curved shape and a striking gloss body (in this case a bright white), the Samsung NF210 certainly looks the part. It is a nice size too,

much a netbook, for better or for worse. It has no CD/DVD drive and is relatively low-powered. Indeed, it still has much the same specification as the netbooks that were around a few years ago, bar perhaps the Windows 7 install. It is still a nice, wall e t- f r i e n d l y c h o i c e ,

especially for students and young users, however. It does the trick for most basic tasks like checking e-mail and typing documents, while its near 11-hour battery will keep users online for more than enough time. It is a bit of a shame that netbooks have not advanced all that much in the last two years. However, it is questionable whether they need to. The NF210 does a good job of arguing that they do not. The Samsung NF210 is available from elara.ie €330 before P&P Visit teic.ie for the latest tech news, reviews and views.

GAZETTE

26 SWORDS GAZETTE 14 July 2011

SWORDSclassifieds

BATHROOMS

To advertise, call us now on 01 60 10 240 Email us at sales@gazettegroup.com

RECYCLING

DRESSES CHILDCARE Before & After School care Grove Road Malahide, available from Sept 2011. Located 100m from St Oliver Plunkett’s School. 7.30am - 9am and 1.30pm - 3pm. Other flexible arrangements may also be catered for. Contact Teresa at 018456682/0871756199

CLEANING

ENTERTAINMENT/PARTIES

PINK LADY CLEANING SERVICE LTD Commercial (office,schools,shops) Residential cleaning, Apartment cleaning, De cluttering service, Window Cleaning, Carpet cleaning Upholstery cleaning, Driveway or Patio clean & seal, Painting and Gardening Services Tel: 086-165-5300 E-mail: info@pinklady.ie www.pinklady.ie

DIVORCE SERVICES DIVORCE BY CONSENT Separated 4 years ? Agree on all matters ? We will draft and process your divorce documents for Court. From as little as €600 per couple. Separation Agreements fixed fee €500 per couple. Contact: Damien Mara at 086-1211820 Email: damienmara@eircom.net Website: www. divorcebyconsent.com

GARDENING

DVD SERVICES

BUILDING

CLASSES/LEARNING

BRICK, BLOCK AND STONEWORK 20 years experience ,living locally. Garden walls, sheds, brick piers, patio and paving. Decorative internal brick work, Plastering Insurance quotes. Call Dave anytime 0872917647

SEWING CLASSES/ CURTAIN MAKING Curtain and Roman Blind making service at competitive prices. We reline and re-pleat all curtains, full selection of poles and rails available. Beginners and Improvers 6 week Sewing Classes on Dress Making and Home Furnishings resuming in September. Half Day workshops also resuming in September. Contact us at www.sewgreat.ie or www.pressxpress.ie, call 01 8227650 or email info@ sewgreat.ie

CAR REPAIRS CAR REPAIRS: www. euroclutch.ie. Same day Clutch Service. Car Servicing Available Pre NCT. Pick Up & Delivery Available. Call Stuart: 01-8324695/0863002812

DVD TRANSFERS Cinefilms,Photos and Slides transferred to DVD with Music and Titles added. Camcorder and Videotapes edited and transferred to DVD. Phone 01-2807838 Mobile 087-9132265

GLASS SERVICES MALAHIDE GLASS Sandblasting, Beveling & Design of Glass, Mirror & Lead Glass Foggy Double Glazed Units Replaced Safety, Laminate & Toughened Glass Contact Brian on 018453319 6 James’ Court, Townyard Lane

GARDENING GARDENING AND MAINTENANCE. All lawns laid and rotavated. Garden walls, Piers, Patios, Tarmacadam. Imprint Concrete, Gravel Drivers. Registered Contractor. Free Estimates. Call Martin for more information 018218483 / 0860626816

HOME MAINTENANCE JSD PROPERTY MAINTENANCE LTD Your one stop shop for: B.E.R Certs, Underfloor, Heating, Plumbing, Carpentry, Electrical, Tiling, Extensions, Grants (Sei no.12603), Key Holdings , Approved Reci Engineers, Approved Bord Gais, Engineers, Fully Insured, No Call Out Charge, €200 Boiler Scrappage. Phone John on:0872854670 Malahide Office:01 8452344 email: jsdonovan@ eircom.net www. jsdheating.weebly.com

PAINTERS POLISH PROFESSIONAL PAINTING AND DECORATING Best quality. Free Quotations. No job too small. Very reasonable prices. References available on WWW.MARKCOMPANY. IE find us on FACEBOOK Please phone Mark on 0879442445

PLANNING NOTICE

FINGAL COUNTY COUNCIL

I, Christopher Knight, intend to apply for Permission for development at No. 24 Forest Court Swords, County Dublin. The development will consist of one no. additional four bedroom, two storey dormer style detached dwellinghouse (area 108m2) in south side garden of existing house; a new boundary division wall; existing vehicular entrance is proposed to be widened and used for both the new house and the existing house. The site boundary facing the Forest Court and Forest Grove is proposed to have new piers and low walls to provide screening, with new driveways & four no. car-parkings spaces, two to each front garden. Also included are alterations to existing site drainage and additional surface water drainage measures and associated siteworks. This Planning Application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the application. 13115

We, Paul & Marian Domican intend to apply for Planning Permission for development at this site address 30 Lissadel Wood, Malahide, Co. Dublin. The development will consist of a single storey flat roof extension to the side of existing dwelling consisting of a Dining room, incorporating 1no. Bi-folding door & 2no. roof windows. Existing first floor bedroom window at side to be reduced to suit new roof parapet. The application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority during it’s public opening hours and a submission or observation may be made to the Planning Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (20Euros) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of this application. 13086

WE HAVE 146,000* READERS EACH WEEK *based on standard industry measurements

PIANOS O’BRIEN PIANO’S Small professional business specialist in good 2nd hand up right pianos, for sale from €700 regulated, tuned, delivered and guaranteed. Pianos from as little as €450 sometimes available. We also sell new Pianos, trade-ins accepted. We offer a home tuning & repair service. Phone: 01 2983284 10am8pm www.obrienpianos.ie

PLUMBING JT PLUMBING BEST PRICES IN DUBLIN!! All areas covered. 15 years experience. Free estimates. OUTSIDE TAP SUPLIED & FITTED €70. Water Tanks, Drippings Taps, Radiators, Burst pipes, Cylinders, Pumps, Outside Taps, Showers, Immersions, Bathroom Suites. For your free estimate call now on 085 7555412or email: mjrules44@gmail.com

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS TO OUR READERS CALL

60 10 240

14 July 2011 SWORDS GAZETTE 27

GazetteSPORT

LEARNING PROCESS: Martin Russell on UCD’s unique soccer approach: Page 29

HOCKEY: IRELAND’S UNDERAGE STARS REGISTER IMPRESSIVE INTERNATIONAL WINS

Young hockey representatives claim victories sport@gazettegroup.com

IRELAND’S young hockey stars enjoyed a fine week last week when the U-18 girls and both U-16 groups had successful international series against Celtic rivals. The U-16 boys claimed an intense three-nation series in Paris, playing four games in quick succession against France and Wales, eventually taking the laurels on goal difference. They began the compe-

tition with back-to-back wins over Wales, starting off with a 3-1 success, one which could have been won by a greater margin. That was proved in the second tie as they stormed past Wales on day two by a half-dozen scores, in which there were first international goals for Mark Loughrey, Lee Cole, and Jack Ryan, all from St Andrew’s. That win came on day two of their trip, giving them just a few hours to

rest before playing against the tournament hosts, France. The strain of two games in a day proved too much for the lads but there was enough in their 3-2 loss in a more physical match to suggest they could turn the tide on day three. Luke Madeley of Three Rock Rovers and Wesley were on the mark. With the tournament decider again against France, Ireland saved their best for last, with an

The Ireland underage hockey sides were victorious against French and Welsh opposition

emphatic 7-2 victory. The U-16 girls, meanwhile, hosted Wales and notched up three consecutive wins. Thirteen year-old Kathryn Edgar, Elaine Carey and Alex’s Millie O’Donnell were to the fore, with a couple of goals over the course of

the Belfield games, which provided valuable match practise for the young side as they make tentative steps toward the 2012 Europeans. The Irish U-18s ran up three big wins over France in Belfield. In game one, they came from a goal

down to win the first of their three games with France. Emily Beatty from Old Alex made the game level in the first half before an excellent Rebecca Barry touch gave the girls in green the lead. Joanne Orr and Katie

Mullan also weighed in to secure a 4-0 success, all the goals coming from open play. And the series ended as it had started, a 5-1 success with Leinster youngsters Beatty, Erika Hinkson and Lisa McCarthy scoring four of the goals.

28 SWORDS GAZETTE 14 July 2011

GazetteSport Sport

Ciara Markey from Swords West

Swimming

Elise Walsh from Skerries

The Girls Under-13 Skerries Relay team

Games winners advance

VER 200 swimmers took to the water on Sunday at the Dublin Community Games County Swimming Finals, held in Tallaght Sports Complex. With swimmers aged from six to 16 years, some taking part in their first ever competition, each participant represented their local area with pride. A new event added this year was the U-16 4 x 50m Medley relay, which created great excitement and a very close finish in the final. The heats, semi-finals and finals of the freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly events were hotly contested with nothing but a touch of the wall between placings. The gold medal winners will now represent Dublin at the HSE Community Games National finals in August.

Polymae Dempsey and Louisa Byrne from Skerries

Ella May from Skerries St Judeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Medley Relay team

Boysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Under-13 Perrystown team

Brian Markey from Swords West

14 July 2011 SWORDS GAZETTE 29

in association with

Students get an education in LoI

FastSport

Martin Russell, manager of League of Ireland side UCD, is giving back to his young stars the lessons of his footballing life, ROB HEIGH discovers Grange pair take 2011 A LOT of players travel a long way in their soccer careers, and eventually return to their roots when it comes to the next phase of their careers when their playing days come to an end. Someone who did just that, and who is making a difference to the culture and results at UCD is Lucan resident, Martin Russell, the former Manchester United apprentice who has worked, at various times, under the stewardship of Ron Atkinson, Sir Alex Ferguson, David Pleat and reknowned Irish coach, Noel O’Reilly. “Most footballers who go through their playing career and end up on the coaching side of things will take things on board that they’ve experienced.

At all the clubs, I’ve tried to take on board everything I’ve found useful, and I’m trying to implement them now at UCD. “From grassroots up, from having Noel O’Reilly, to Eric Harrison at Manchester United, and learning from the likes of David Pleat and Ryan Hamilton at Leicester, all gave me lots of good teachings and good philosophies on the game.” From those esteemed guardians, Russell has learned a great deal and brings that wealth of experience to the young players at UCD, where he started coaching in 2005, before being offered the manager’s role in 2009. That first season proved a baptism of fire for the former Belvedere player,

UCD in action against St Johnstone

as the side had just been relegated from the top flight of the league of Ireland, but he performed what many considered was a miracle when the

ers as a back-up plan if their soccer career doesn’t work out, which is vital.” That grounding for young players is coming earlier and earlier, by vir-

--------------------------------------------------------

‘UCD is different. Players get an education, as well as first-team experience. I think that’s an ideal vehicle for their future career.’ --------------------------------------------------------

team bounced back up immediately, and have remained in the top flight since then. “In 2009, we had a very young squad, and they were not expected to come back up, and it was great to achieve that. To go on and stay in the top flight last, and this season, is great credit to the group of players we have.” UCD have a quite unique ethos in League of Ireland soccer, as their player base is made up of players involved in its highly-regarded scholarship scheme, which gives players the chance to combine senior football with the opportunity to earn a college degree. “UCD is such a good club for young players. When I went to Manchester, at the time, there were very few full-time set-ups in Ireland. “What we’ve tried to establish at UCD is a fulltime outfit, and providing an education for the play-

tue of the fact the team needed to field an Under19 team last season. “What’s happening at the moment, we have players on scholarship, who come in when they’ve done their Leaving Cert. But, this season, with the need to put together an Under-19 team, we needed to be signing players who were still in school, and creating pre-scholarship agreements for the Under-19 squad. “For the players who sign at that young age, they have access to the high-performance unit, for strength and conditioning, and they get to see what life at the club is like. “The UCD structure means that we don’t pay players, the remuneration is the scholarship. After that, we would like to keep some of the good players to help the younger players as they come in. “When we got the team up from the first division

and stayed up, they all acquitted themselves well, and the really good ones were offered contracts elsewhere. “We lost a lot of players last year, and we would like to be able to produce some strength and depth at the club, keeping players involved.” With that in mind, Russell is clear about the team’s short-term goals and the benefits of forthcoming matches against top-flight opposition. “Our whole goal is to remain in the premier league next year, and the friendlies against St Johnstone and Villarreal are great experiences for the players, lining out against seasoned professionals from these clubs.” UCD, for Russell, is a great place for new players to develop their future careers, as he did, under the watchful eye of a seasoned professional. “There are so man strengths in Dublin football that I see when I go around the city and look at players. However, as Dublin is filled with only so many clubs, teams will go after the same players. “What we think is that we at UCD are different. UCD can fulfil a player’s needs, that they get an education, as well as firstteam experience. “For the young player, I think that’s the ideal vehicle for their future career,” said Russell.

Father & Son title at Castle Golf Club

MICHAEL and Michael Cronin, from Grange Golf Club, were the victorious familial pairing who won the 2011 All Ireland Father and Son classic at Castle Golf Club last week. Over 500 golfers, representing more than 100 different golf clubs, participated in the qualifying rounds of the tournament, the biggest open event on the Irish golfing calendar. Sixty-four pairs qualified for the matchplay stages of the event, which commenced last Monday and ran every evening during the week. In the final, held on Sunday, the Michaels defeated Brian and Gavin Whittaker, of Elm Park/Milltown on the 18th green.

30 SWORDS GAZETTE 14 July 2011

GazetteSport Sport FastSport

Swords Celtic’s Sevens being held this weekend SWORDS Celtic’s Sevens’ soccer tournament will be held this weekend, on July 16 in Balheary reservoir. Starting at 11am, 16 adult teams will compete for a cash prize of €1,000. The draw for the event took place at the Cock Tavern in Swords and was made by Shelbourne player, Conan Byrne. For further information on the event, check out the club website www.swordsceltic.com or their Facebook page swordscelticsevens.

Fingal fitness for over-55s THE Fingal Sports Partnership is asking if you are the one-in-five over 55-year-olds who are regularly physically active as part of their Go for Life Fitline programme. Of people aged over 55, 18% are regularly physically active. Activities like swimming, golf, keep fit, dancing and cycling are all popular. You can check if you’re part of Fingal’s one-in-five or you can find out how to join them by calling Go for Life FitLine. It is a free service provided by Go for Life, and Fingal Sports Partnership, which helps callers check their exercise levels and can advise people who want to get more active. People interested in getting more active can call Go for Life FitLine on 01 805 7733 or Fingal Sports Partnership on 01 8906256

Keane records personal best in 100m sport@gazettegroup.com

ELLEN Keane produced a number of fine performances as part of the Irish Paralympic swim team at the IPC Swimming European Championships in Berlin, but fell just short of a podium finish last week. On the final day of action last Sunday, she was one of four Irish competitors to finish fourth in their respective events, ending the S9 100m Butterfly in a time of 1.13.55. It was one of many strong swims from the Irish group,

which included numerous lifetime personal best performances, and the team returns home with two medals — Bethany Firth’s Silver in the S14 100m backstroke and Darragh McDonald’s bronze in the S6 400m freestyle. Best

Earlier in the event, Keane, who swims with the ALSAA club, produced her lifetime best in the 100-metre freestyle in finishing sixth in 1.07.82. Speaking after the event, Keane said: “I was pleased to

swim two new personal best times today and swim faster in tonight’s final; it has been a great start to the championships for me.” She also set a new personal mark in the SM9 Individual Medley, knocking three seconds off her previous best with a time of 2.41.13. Over 440 swimmers from 36 different countries are set to compete in what will be one of the last major gatherings of international swimmers ahead of next summer’s Olympic Games.

Ellen Keane in action

ATHLETICS: TOTAL OF SIX GONGS AT TULLAMORE GAMES

between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday.

McCleery new CRO for Fingal GERRY McCleery has been named as Leinster Rugby’s newest Community Rugby Department Officer, taking over from Christian Stemmett as the CRO for the Fingal County area. McCleery has been heavily involved with rugby in the Fingal County area through his club - Skerries RFC - and his work with the Leinster Rugby Development Pathway. As always, with the sports development partnership that exists between Fingal County Council and Leinster Rugby, McCleery will be working closely with Fingal CC Sports Development Staff to ensure the continued improvement of opportunities to participate in all sports in Fingal CC is continued.

Sarah Murray, seen here in action at the juvenile indoor tournament in April, claimed gold with an impressive win in the 100m

Fins’ athletes claim medals sport@gazettegroup.com

FINGALLIANS brought home a massive six medals from last weekend’s Woodie’s DIY Juvenile championships at Tullamore Harriers’ Stadium as the weather helped fuel a string of high-level performances. Youth international Sarah Murray dominated her U-19 100m race as she came home in a time of 12.72 seconds, finishing 0.74 seconds ahead of her namesake, Niamh Murray, from the Brother Pearse club, with St Abban’s Katie Brennan in third place. It was a fine run, aided

by a strong tailwind of -2.3 and underlined the potential of the Mount Temple student. She was joined in the winner’s enclosure by Sarah McCarthy who took the U-17 long jump crown with a leap of 5.81 metres, 27 centimetres clear of the pack. And she backed up that performance with a bronze in her 100m competition, a close-run thing with the top three separated by just 0.22 of a second. Caoimhe Morris laid claim to both an U-18 discus and hammer bronze medal, while Bronwyn Keogh contin-

ued the club’s excellent sprint form with a silver in the U-16 competition. For good measure, her sister Megan was sixth in the U-18 event. Elsewhere, plenty of records tumbled. Fellan McGuigan continued a fine family tradition of throwing with an excellent win in the U-16 hammer. He showed his form in the very first round with a throw of 69.35m, well over the record 67.78m of Ian McLoughlin in 1992. He improved his best to 70.13m in the second round and had his best throw of the day, 70.74m

in the third round. He followed up with throws of 69.77m and 70.74m to round off a great day for the London-based youth. Ben Kiely (Ferrybank AC) produced another fine performance to win the U-18 400m hurdles, over four seconds clear of his nearest rival. His time of 53.2(h) improved on the record set by Padraic Grealey of 53.7 in 1985. Kiely followed up with a win in the 400m in a time of 50.81. Kiely’s Ferrybank clubmate Ciara Giles Doran was equally impressive in winning the girls’ U17 300m hurdles in a time

of 41.84, to smash the record of another Ferrybank athlete Megan Kiely who clocked 43.59 in 2010. Another record fell by the wayside in the girls’ U-18 300m hurdles where Claire Murphy (St. Laurence O’Toole AC) won in a time of 43.35, inside the 43.9 time of Suzanne Cummins set in 1994. Karl Griffin (Tir Chonaill AC) smashed one of the longest-standing records when he won the U-17 800m by the proverbial mile. His winning time of 1:52.73 removed Danny O’Brien’s 1:55.0 time from 1977 from the records.

14 July 2011 SWORDS GAZETTE 31

in association with

LADIES’ FOOTBALL: CHAMPIONSHIP TILT AWAITS SIDE

CLUB NOTICEBOARD FINGALLIANS HATS off to the ladies’ junior foot-

camp runs from July 18 to 22 for

ballers who beat Thomas Davis in

boys and girls aged four to 13 years.

mid-week to capture the first sil-

Dublin hurlers and league winners,

verware of the season for the club,

Simon Lambert, Shane Durkan and

winning the junior league. Celebra-

Paul Ryan will be on hand to help

tions are still in full swing and well

with the coaching. There are still

deserved after all the hard work.

limited places available so please

B a c k-t o - b a c k w i n s f r o m t h e club’s adult hurlers v Na Fianna and Faughs. All members are asked to contact their local councillors and lobby them so the club secures another badly-needed pitch immediately. A good weekend for Dublin senior footballers as they claimed their

contact padraig.durkan.gpo.dublin@gaa.ie or 087 2562965 Get well soon to Sean Hyland who broke a leg last week playing with the U-15s. The blood bank will be visiting the club next Wednesday and Thursday, July 20 and 21, from 7 to 9pm. Please put this in your diary.

50th Leinster title with the help of

Fingallians extends deepest sym-

an excellent Paul Flynn. Hard luck to

pathy to the O’hEafa Family. The

Laois and Brendan Quigley as they

thoughts and prayers of all our

lost to Kildare in the qualifiers.

members are with them.

Nex t week , sponsored by VHI Swif tcare, the summer hurling

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hAnam dilís.

Fingallians’ footballers demolished their Thomas Davis opponents in the last game of the league

Fingallians’ ladies win league in style LADIES B LEAGUE Fingallians Thomas Davis RONAN MOYLES

7-7 1-3

sport@gazettegroup.com

FINGALLIAN’S junior ladies’ football B team topped off a fine, league-winning, season with a 7-7 to 1-3 victory over Thomas Davies at Balheary last Wednesday that sealed their title victory in emphatic style. Though the final margin of victory was convincing, Fingallians’ manager Paddy Mulligan suggests that it was a closer-run thing than the scoreline appears to suggests. “To be honest, it was tight enough in the first half, and it was 2-4 to 1-1 at half-time.” Some stirring halftime words were needed from the management team and they seemed to work a treat, as the team came out in the second half to blitz Thomas Davis off the park.

“I felt that our girls were a little bit too nervous in the first half, and they didn’t play their normal style of relaxed football. “They rushed some decisions; so we asked them at half-time to sit back and take it a bit easier, and not rush their play. “We came out and scored 5-3 in the second half, so clearly we were much improved.” The better secondhalf display was a welcome opportunity to empty the bench and give some of Fingallians’ extended panel some game time. “Our second-half approach worked well and we were glad to be able to use all five of our substitutions on such a warm evening. “It’s good when you can give ever yone a run. “ O b v i o u s l y, w h e n you’re successful you have a good, healthy panel, everyone wants a game — sometimes the

hardest part is sticking to five substitutions.” It has been an excellent season thus far for the Fingallians’ ladies, h av i n g s e c u r e d t h e Adult Division 5B title by four points from Clontarf. They are now looking forward to emulating that success in the coming championship. Happy

“We’re obviously very happy having won the league,” says Mulligan. “We lost our first match in the cup and have been unbeaten since then. Now we’re looking forward to the championship.” Fingallians form has improved markedly over the past season, and Mulligan puts this down to the new approach himself and his management team have taken since assuming control of the side. “We have tried to make the training a bit more structured. We also want to make sure that

the whole team enjoy it, and they seem to.” A blend of youth and experience has also been vital. “We also tried to have a mixture of some of the younger girls and some of the older ones. “It’s good to have a bit of experience there too, to help the younger girls along and encourage them. We feel that’s important.” Despite their success thus far it is clear that there will be no resting on their laurels for Fingallians in the coming weeks. “We’re back in traini n g a n d we h ave a cup match tomorrow (Wednesday) night.” “Then maybe one or two more games prior to the championship, which starts on August 10, so we are all looking forward to that.” When asked what his championship aims are, Mulligan’s response is unequivocal. “We’re looking to win it.”

FINGAL RAVENS OUR summer camp last week was a

lyboughal at home in the league on

great success; huge thanks to Mick,

Sunday at 3pm.

Alan, all the juvenile committee, our GPO Paul, and all of the coaches. Also, thanks to Dublin stars Paul Flynn and Eamon Fennell. Well done to our U-9s on winning

Minor team play St Maur’s away at 7.30pm on Friday. The senior team play St Sylvester’s at home in the league at 5pm on Sunday, best of luck to all.

the Ger Canavan tournament last

Congratulations to Darren (Butsy)

Thursday, get well wishes to Sam

and Sarah on the birth of their son,

who got injured.

Caolan.

Huge week for the club with all our

Well done to the Dublin senior

adult and minors teams in league

football team on winning the Lein-

and/or championship games.

ster final.

Junior A team pla y St Brigid’s

There was no lotto winner. Num-

away in the league on Sunday morn-

bers drawn were 11, 14, 15 and 29;

ing at 11am.

€20 to J McCarthy, C Kettle and C

Junior D team play Beann Eadair in the championship at 7.30pm at home on Thursday, then play Bal-

Kiely. Nex t week’s jackpot is wor th €2,323.

ST FINIAN’S THERE are a number of f ix ture changes this week. The In termediate footballer s

Hopefully, this will be the first of many appearances in Croke Park for the team.

have a rescheduled match away

Congratulations to Maree and

to St Sylvester’s on Saturday, and

Angela who have both become

the junior footballers play away at

grannies again over the weekend.

Trinity Gaels on Sunday. The Under-8 team paid an early

The lotto numbers drawn last week were 7, 14, 15 and 22.

morning visit to Croke Park today.

There was no winner. The €50 win-

They togged out in the dressing

ners were Mary Corr and The Five

rooms and ran out on to the pitch

Pups (Justin Dervan).

for a match, in which they scored 2-1.

Next week, the jackpot will be €5,700.

A number of parents came back

The hurling summer camp will take

from the country, while others put

place from August 16 to 19, while the

off their holiday so that they could

football camp is the following week,

be there.

August 23 to 26. More details later.

Well done to John Ryan and his team for organising it all.

Check out the website for updates at www.stfinians.com.

ALL OF YOUR SWORDS SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 27-31

FINGAL FANTASY: Fins’ junior ladies claim breakthrough league success P31

JULY 14, 2011

HIGHER LEARNING: Russell extols UCD’s football virtues P29

GazetteSPORT

Robert Barrable dominated last weekend’s Sligo Stages rally and has given himself a real chance of annexing the National Rally Championship

Barrable bosses the Sligo stages

Swords’ man cuts his way through Yeats’ County roads to claim high-profile rally and close in on national title STEPHEN FINDLATER swordssport@gazettegroup.com

SWORDS’ man Robert Barrable, in a Skoda Fabia, claimed the Sligo Stages Rally by 11 seconds last Saturday, leading the race from start to finish. It has helped him narrow the gap on Tim McNulty, top of the Dunlop National Rally Championship, with four rounds left of the series as the youngster finished 11 seconds clear of Daragh O’Riordan in a Subaru WRC. Speaking about the victory, Barrable said at the finish: “I am really delighted with our performance, this was always going to be a difficult rally to win and I knew that stage seven was going to be the critical stage so I really went for it and it paid off. “The team have done a fantastic job and the car has been brilliant; I am looking forward to my own club rally next weekend and having some fun on stages close to home.”

Barrable, who was the Motorsport Ireland Young Driver of the Year in 2010, took 20 points in the Dunlop National Rally Championship for this victory and is now within striking distance of McNulty, ahead of the next round of the Championship will take place in Galway next month.

Convincing Working in conjunction with Damien Connolly, it was a convincing victory. The Barrable team went to the Sligo-based event buoyed by their IRC championship point and tenth place overall on the GEKO Ypres rally. And they rolled off the start ramp as number one seeds for the Sligo event which, from the outset was going to be a tough challenge against the faster World Rally Championship machines of O’Riordan, Kevin Barrett and Niall Maguire. Barrable posted his early intentions for the rally, setting the fastest stage time on the open-

ing test and quickly followed this with the fastest time through the second stage. Stage three of the three stage loop was an open and very fast stage, which would clearly favour the faster WRC cars, with O’Riordan setting fastest time and slashing Robert’s opening two stage lead to just 13 seconds heading to the first service halt. Tyre choice proving critical in the warm yet slippy, conditions, Robert started the second loop of stages as he had on the previous loop, setting fastest stage time through special stages four and five. O’Riordan took fastest on stage six and reduced the lead to eight seconds. Robert powered the Skoda into the final loop of stages and set a blistering time through SS7 and 8 to lengthen the gap, with one stage remaining, to 29 seconds. And it was a gap O’Riordan was unable to close, reeling in 18 seconds, but not enough to truly threaten Barrable, taking maximum championship points in the process.