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October 27, 2011
SPOOKTASTIC FUN: Your guide to Dublin’s creepiest ‘haunts’ See P6
SIPTU, Panda row on ‘rights’ claims Q MIMI MURRAY
A ROW has broken out between SIPTU trade union and Panda Waste this week following a protest of over 100 workers against the further privatisation by Fingal County Council (FCC) of waste collection services in Swords last week. SIPTU called on FCC to reverse its decision to outsource waste collection to
Panda, “a private company which refuses to recognise the rights of workers to be represented by a trade union of their choice,” according to SIPTU. However, John Dunne from Panda rejected the claim, saying they recognise their workers rights to be a member of any trade union.
Full Story on Page 6
Fashion fever: Enjoying a stylish event at the Pavilions LAVINIA and Emily McLeod were
at the Pavilions Shopping Centre recently to find out what’s hot and what’s new in the world of fashion. TV3’s stylist, Courtney Smith, brought her Fashion Satisfaction
event to the centre, which featured hourly shows where the models showed off the latest trends from the world of fashion. Full Gallery on Page 8
2 SWORDS GAZETTE 27 October 2011
MARCH: DEMONSTRATION OVER PRIVATISATION
March held by workers MIMI MURRAY
OVER 100 workers took part in a protest against the further privatisation by Fingal County Council of waste collection services in Swords last week. The demonstration was organised by SIPTU and IMPACT trade unions as part of a campaign to “highlight the real costs of allowing private, forprofit, companies to take over the provision of public services”. The workers were led by a waste collection truck as they marched from the Pavilions Shopping Centre to Fingal County Hall, where SIPTU organiser, Paul Smyth, presented a letter to Fingal county manager David O’Connor. In the letter, SIPTU and IMPACT, supported by the Dublin Council of Trade Unions, called on Fingal County Council to rescind its decision to outsource waste collection services to Panda, “a private company which refuses to recognise the rights of workers to be represented by a trade union of their choice”. A number of local politicians attended the protest, including Clare Daly TD, Councillor Tom Kelleher and Fingal Lord Mayor Gerry McGuire. SIPTU’s Paul Smyth said: “In the worst recession of our times, the decision to privatise our waste collection services will lead to huge cost increases for every householder in Dublin. “Unfor tunately, in the lead up to this demonstration, I have been informed that workers
experienced threats to their employment from the management of a private company which has moved into the provision of waste collection services. This is an example of the sort of attacks on workers’ rights which accompanies privatisation, and is something which SIPTU will be investigating further.” However, Panda rejected claims this week that it refuses to recognise workers’ rights.
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SPORT Tournament proves to be a huge success
St Finian’s hosts All-Ireland Futsal competition A LOCAL school, St Finian’s Community C o l l e g e i n Swo r d s , played host to an FAI co-ordinated All-Ireland Secondary School Futsal competition for firstyear boys recently. Futsal helps develop footballers’ skill and technique and organisers said it was clear from the event that Futsal will have a crucial part to play in the development
of Irish football. The tournament was a huge success with three schools from Swords – St Finian’s, Fingal Community College and Colaiste Choilm and Donabate Community College – competing for the title and the opportunity to represent their area at the Dublin finals. T he title went to Donabate Community
College with a 3-1 win over Fingal Community College in a competitive final. Next up was the girls’ competition in St Finian’s on October 26 with teams representing Balbriggan, Donabate, Rush and Swords all taking part. The winner of the North Dublin Section will now progress to the Dublin Finals, which take place in Corduff, Blan-
chardstown, on November 16. Mick Pender, FAI/FCC Football development officer was delighted with the success of the blitz telling the Gazette: “This tournament highlighted the tremendous benefits of playing Futsal (the UEFA and FIFA recognised version of 5-a-side football). Futsal is all about developing skill and technique, and from the
quality performances and individual skill on show today it is clear that Futsal has a very important part to play in developing Irish football.” For further information on the FAI/Fingal Secondary Schools Futsal Competition contact Paul Keogh, Football in the Community Development Officer at 086-0444435 or email paul.keogh@fai.ie
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‘Panda recognise the rights of its workers to be a member of any trade union’
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John Dunne from Panda Waste says: “Panda recognise the rights of its workers to be a member of any trade union. Panda have a system of collective bargaining which has served the company very well since the company was formed 26 years ago. “No company can be forced to deal with a union, as long it has an acceptable labour relations policy and collective bargaining in place, which Panda has. “In it’s 26 years in business Panda has never once had a strike, and all labour relations have been handled in-house. Mr Smyth and his colleagues are insisting that Panda deal with its own workforce through SIPTU, and Panda has politely, repeatedly, refused, as is their right under the Law.”
Wright on: Local venue is chosen for top music acts after show parties THE WRIGHT Venue revellers were treated to a world-class
impromptu performance recently when the entire Britney Spears dance crew took to the stage for almost an hour to treat the clubbers to a mesmerising dance display. The venue was chosen by Britney and Joe Jonas crew to enjoy their night off in Dublin after hearing Usher rave about
the world nightclub of the year after his recent visit. Head performer B Girl Shorty led the display in thanks to the birthday greeting she received on her arrival from staff. She was amazed to see her name on the 40ft screens as they arrived to bubbly and a birthday cake. The crew partied late in the famous Scarface Room.
27 October 2011 SWORDS GAZETTE 3
EVENT Launch of state-of-the-art facility
New premises for Swords Karate Club Q MIMI MURRAY
SWORDS Karate Club launched its state-of-theart new premises this week at Seatown Business Campus. The popular club, many of whose members have gone on to achieve international success at the World Karate Championships, runs classes for an array of age levels. The Hokubu Dojo (formerly Red Dragon) was formed in May 2001 to promote Shotokan Karate in Swords and the surrounding areas of north County Dublin, hence the name Hokubu, which means Northern Area. Dermot O’Keefe, who is chief instructor with the club, says the new facility will have mirrored walls, fully matted floors and punch bags. Dermot, who is a Master of Karate, is a 5th Dan blackbelt and has been training since 1979. In this time, he has competed and achieved great success at the highest level on the national and international competition circuit. He travels regularly teaching and training with senior JKS instructors, and annually to Japan, to train at the JKS Hombu dojo in Tokyo. Between 70 and 80 pupils are members of the club and many have gone on to achieve international success in World Karate Championships in Edinburgh recently. Out of 21 medals, Dermot’s club won 14 medals. “It was the most successful international to date, which was held in Scotland on September 23 and 24. “The youngest who took part was 12 years of age right up to 48, which was myself. “My section was the
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‘The word that is most prevalent is focus. The whole ethos of karate is to work towards one goal, which is to try your best’ --------------------------------------------------------
veteran section. I started training in 1979 just short of my 16th birthday. I have trained for 32 years and have achieved great success internationally. This is my third medal in a row to win,” he says. Dermot says karate is beneficial in many ways. “The word that is most prevalent is focus. The whole ethos of karate is to work towards one goal which is to try your best. “It is instilled in every student the minute they come through the door and it changes your mindset and how you approach life. There is a heavy phil-
osophical side to it.” The club practises authentic traditional Japanese karate as taught in Japan. The minimum age is four years. Karate improves motor skills, balance, self-awareness, confidence, self-defence and, above all, a great level of fitness. He says that the classes are for boys and girls but he has a lot of girls in his senior classes and he also runs girl-only classes. For more information go to www.hokubudojo. org. Full Gallery on Page 10
Emma O’ Neill and Chloe Ward at the opening. Pictures: Annie King
ROADS
Speed reduction INTERIM speed reduction measures have been installed at the site of the proposed Ward Cross roundabout project. Responding to Fianna Fail Cllr Darragh Butler, who had asked that the speed limit be reduced at New Park, the council said: “Interim speed reduction measures have already been installed in advance of the junction prior to the construction of the proposed Ward Cross roundabout project.”
4 SWORDS GAZETTE 27 October 2011
Fake FCC workers FINGAL residents are once again being warned to remain vigilant for criminals impersonating council workers in order to gain access to their homes. Fingal County Council has been notified of incidents that have occurred in various areas of the county, where persons with criminal intent are impersonating FCC officials in order to gain access to peoples’ homes to rob their valuables. The Balbriggan area appears to be targeted at present. Before answering the door, residents should check to see if there is a van with the FCC logo on it; ask for the person’s full name and ring FCC on (01) 8905000 to confirm he or she is who they say they are. Council staff should also have official ID cards. If this cannot be confirmed, the council advise not to open the door and to report the incident to the council.
DAIL Local TD says report lacks enough rigorous analysis
Concern expressed over Keane Report Q MIMI MURRAY
A RECOMMENDAT IO N m a d e i n t h e Keane Repor t, that properties, where the owners are in mortgage arrears, should be handed over to Fingal County Council, could cause serious problems for the local authority. T h a t ’s a c c o r d i n g to Dublin North TD Brendan Ryan (Lab), who raised his concerns in the Dail last week. “My primary concern is that the Government will implement the Keane Report’s recommendations without rigorously examining the key proposals. Given the scale of the mortgage crisis, which, let us remember, is a human crisis and in many cases a family crisis, I find this
report lacks enough rigorous analysis to make adequate recommendations to solve the mortgage arrears crisis,” he said. “I was disappointed to find out that the Working Group only met eight times and that some key data, including the number of mortgages on the verge of going into arrears, was not available to the Group. “I also raised concerns about the proposed Mor tgage-to Rent scheme. “I’m concerned about the capacity of local authorities to cope with the potential for thousands of extra properties falling under their remits for repairs and maintenance etc. In my constituency, Fin-
gal County Council is pinned to its collar. At the end of this month we will see the regrettable end to Fingal County Council’s bin service due to lack of funding and resources. “Now the Keane Report recommends the potential handing over of properties in mortgage arrears to local authorities. This has the potential to cause major problems. “This past week, we have seen residents of the Priory Hall Apartment complex in Donaghmede, having to evacuate their homes due to critical safety concerns in the building’s construction. “There are estates in north Dublin afflicted with pyrite and I know of many families liv-
ing in pyrite-affected homes, currently in mortgage arrears too. “Will the local authorities be able to repair and maintain these homes should the mortgage holder fall into a Mortgageto-Rent scheme? The Government needs to be mindful of these potential issues when deciding on its policy in this area.” While Deputy Ryan said he welcomed the report as an “important stepping stone” and commended the work done, he added that the “people of Ireland put us into this house to push further to dig deeper and to work harder on finding the right course of action in this most important of issues”.
Dublin North Labour TD Brendan Ryan who raised his concerns in the Dail
This week, responding to Deputy Ryan’s comments, a council s p o ke s p e r s o n s a i d : “Fingal County Council has not yet received any instruction from the Department in relation to this matter. However,
we have, in the past, worked closely with Voluntary housing bodies and statutory agencies in order to provide housing and accommodation and will continue to meet our obligations in this area.”
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27 October 2011 SWORDS GAZETTE 5
INITIATIVE FCC launches scheme to help businesses
Pop-Up shops plan for empty premises FOR anyone who has dreamed of owning their own business, now’s their chance. Fingal County Council (FCC), has announced a new Pop-Up Shop initiative, aimed at offering support to start-up retail businesses at a time when the retail sector is being affected by the economic downturn. Under the new scheme, the council will make use of an empty commercial property, offering a temporary (usually up to four weeks) low-cost retail space to local entrepreneurs, artists and community groups who wish to test out the market to see if establishing their business on a permanent basis is viable. With the increase in vacant commercial properties caused by the economic downturn, the council says the initiative offers an opportunity to revitalise shopping areas, main streets and town centres, and enables new businesses and start-ups to test their markets without any substantial finan-
cial commitment or capital layout. “The sharp downturn caused by the recession has impacted severely on retailers, and particularly on the smaller start-ups, and although it is accepted that a time of recession is the very time for new opportunities, many people who would love to start their own business or move from online sales to retail space simply cannot because of the financial climate. “Here in FCC we looked for examples of new creative ways to help retail business flourish, and saw that Pop-Up Shops are a simple and very imaginative way to provide well-located space for small retailers and, at the same time, help drive investment and new business in our towns,” says Stewart Logan, senior executive planner with FCC. Now FCC is calling on landlords of vacant retail units, as well as small-scale retailers, local entrepreneurs, community groups and artists to
contact them in order to gauge the likely level of interest and feasibility of the initiative. The council said prospective businesses will be vetted to ensure that the venture offers a retail element with attractive display area; the retail use proposed complements adjoining established retailers; the proposal is a high-quality business/ artistic/community initiative, and that the proposal is not in conflict with planning and licensing regulations. It is hoped that pilot Pop-Up Shops will be in place in the lead-up to Christmas to exploit the increased retail activity at this time of the year. And with 2011 being the Year of the Craft, the council says it’s an ideal time for budding artists, designers, jewellery makers, etc, to test out a bigger market for their products. For further information, please see www. fingalcoco.ie, or email popupshop@fingalcoco. ie or call 01-890 5708 or 01-890 5687.
Fingal County Council has announced a new Pop-Up Shop initiative
PLANNING
Extension approved PLANNING permission has been granted to Lorand Szanto for an extension to a private members card club in the Mall, Swords. Fingal County Council has granted permission for the extension at Unit 22 at the Mall after an appeal was lodged by a third party. The changes will include a change of use from offices to private members club with total extension of 53 sq m, for use as ancillary to existing private members club.
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SCARY STUFF A Gazette guide to Halloween fun around Dublin
GHOULISHFUN Join in Airfield’s annual Halloween celebration IN Dundrum there will be a Halloween Family Fun Day on Saturday, October 29, between 12-4pm at Airfield. Join in Airfield’s annual Halloween celebration for all the family, an unmissable day of fun and seasonal activities to celebrate the festival of ghosts and ghoulies. There’s lots to enjoy, including a special Halloween trail, the chance to make a miniature ghost and a live ceili. For the past two years, Airfield has asked people to come along and help build scarecrows at Hallowe’en. Now Airfield wants you to take their place! They would like you to come along dressed as a scarecrow, with families of scarecrows particularly welcome. You can come along as any type – the more weird and wonderful the better! There will be spot prizes for the most imaginative costume in different age categories. Price included in entry fee to the walk. Season ticket holders come free.
It’s set to be a spooktacular time in The Haunted Forest this Halloween at Marlay Park ON Sunday, October 30, Marlay Park will be a FREE fright-fest of spooky thrills and chills for Samhain hosted by DLR Events. Families flock to Marlay Park in their Halloween costumes every year for a spooky walk through the haunted forest with ghosts and ghouls and frightful sights! The forest at Marlay Park comes alive in the night for one evening only with freaky fog, ghastly spiders and skeletons, creepy eyeballs and pumpkins, the spine chilling boat house preachers and menacing witches and demons. Festoon lighting, sound effects and smoke make the adventure all the more exciting but this year, there will be no fireworks so the haunted forest can stay open until 9pm. But the haunted woods are not for the faint-hearted and, in 2011, are longer and bigger with spooky characters, scary noises and eerie fog! The Haunted Woods will be open between 4pm and 9pm. Entry is FREE. The walk is approx 1.5km long and is on a path suitable for buggies/wheelchairs. Halloween costumes are recommended, but this is an outdoor event so warm clothing is recommended.
A Spooky Walk at Corkagh Park in Clondalkin MEANWHILE, there will be another Spooky Walk at Corkagh Park, in Clondalkin, on Saturday, October 29, between 5 and 7pm. Beware of scary creatures in the woods. Prize for the best-dressed family. For more information please contact Sports and Recreation Office, Community Services Department, South Dublin County Council 01 4149000
A Guided Trip to The Hellfire Club GUIDED Trip to The Hellfire Club Monday, October 31. Bus Leaves from the Square Luas Stop at 5pm SHARP. Age 12+ Advance Booking Essential and is €3 per person. Contact Alison 0868516669 / Paula 0868292443
Two walks at Halloween Horrors Walk in Turvey Park THE scream-tastic Halloween Horrors Walk in Turvey Park, in Donabate is back and scarier than ever! The spooky event takes place on Saturday, October 29 , and this year there are two walks to cater for the ever-increasing numbers for this hugely popular event. Lurking around on the night are zombies, witches, demons, and other creepy creatures. Visitors brave enough to experience the blood-curdling walk will learn the sorrowful tale of the “Lady in White” and try catch a glimpse of her ghost which haunts the park – but we must beware her evil father, the zombie Baron, who hunts for new victims. The OWLS Horrors Walk is suitable for young children accompanied by parents/guardians. It is a fun family occasion that finishes off around a bonfire with campfire songs and toasted marshmallows. This cost is €4 per person and fancy dress is welcomed. The first walk starts at 5.45pm, and is intended for families with younger children, and the second at 6.30pm. Booking is essential. Contact Andrew on 087 32 999 36, or email us at info@owls.ie. Please book early or be disappointed.
Local legend believes the Devil’s Mill, known at Shackleton’s Mill today, is where Luttrell wagered the devil that he couldn’t build the mill in a day
A look at the area’s most haunted sites Q LAURA WEBB
AS the nights get longer ghosts and ghouls from around the world get ready for another frightful night this Halloween, so the Gazette has gathered together some local scary stories to get readers ready for October 31. The holiday that celebrates the dead has a number of different traditions associated with it, including trick or treating, bonfires and costume parties, but one thing that everyone loves about it is ghostly stories of haunted houses or places near and far. Here are some frightfully good stories from places more close to home across Dublin. In Dublin West, the Strawberry Beds has many a story of ghosts but there is only one true villain and that is Henry Luttrell. He is said to have sold his soul to the devil, and was a member of Dublin’s most known paranormal club – The Hellfire Club.
Luttrell was a supporter of King James I of England. Once hailed a hero after fighting in the Battle of the Boyne, his life soon spiralled downwards following a wave of deceit and treachery. After his death, there were many street ballads about his string of mistresses and
build the mill in a day. To his anger, the devil placed the last stone on one of the tallest mills in Liffey Valley. Years later, the Devil collected his debt at The Hellfire’s Club, but Luttrell – devious in his ways – tricked the Devil by pretending his shadow, cast
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‘Wearing a white, flowing dress, legend has it that she would leave the painting to wander the castle on quiet nights’
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his out-of-wedlock offspring. Doubts over his allegiance to Ireland were confirmed after he was court marshalled for treachery after given vital information about a ford on the Shannon during the Siege of Limerick. But, connections with Patrick Sarsfield saved him. Local legend believes the Devil’s Mill, known at Shackleton’s Mill today, is where Luttrell wagered the devil that he couldn’t
from candlelight, was the real Henry Luttrell. As the Devil grasped the shadow, Luttrell escaped. In 1717, he was shot dead. Noone was ever convicted, as there were too many people with a motive to assassinate him. Nearer to the coast, Malahide Castle has its fair share of mysterious sightings. One such story is of the White Lady. For years, the portrait of a beautiful, unidentified lady hung in the Great Hall of the Castle. The
artist is also unknown. Wearing a white, flowing dress, legend has it that she would leave the painting to wander the castle on quiet nights. She has been spotted by a number of people over the years and is now known as the White Lady. Meanwhile, Cabinteely House in South Dublin was built in 1769, by Robert Nugent, Earl Clare. The 18th-century house has been associated with some strange happenings. It has been said that staff in the house have, over the years, encountered some ghostly experiences, with footsteps coming up a long corridor toward a room where staff were working. The footsteps stop outside the door, and when the door was opened, no one was to be seen. No one is sure who it might be, but it’s thought it may be the gardener [of Robert Nugent], Postule who was arrested in 1798 and tortured and hanged.
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EVENT
Fashion Satisfaction hits the Pavilions
TV3 stylist Courtney Smith with Ava Lydon
Fashion fever
HAT’S hot and what’s new in the world of fashion. That was the question on the mind of the large number of people who were at the Pavilions Shopping Centre recently when TV3’s stylist, Courtney Smith, brought her Fashion Satisfaction event to the centre. The event featured a number of hourly fashion shows, starting with men’s fashion with Assets models strutting down the catwalk in all the latest Winter looks. This event also proved to be very popular with visitors to the centre, following on from a successful weekend of free beauty make-overs held the week before.
Sharon Lydon, Fran Lydon, Amy Lydon, Shauna Lydon and Ava Lydon. Pictures: Annie King
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Chanel and Francis Lally Bryana McMillan and Michelle Ryan
Male models show off some of the latest Winter looks
Louise and Sarah Casserly
Jase and Cosette Desmond
Sarah Taafe and Natalie Schweng
Sophie Jackson, Emily Nelson, Alanna Frawley, Lauren McCool and Maria Brady
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EVENT
Swords’ Karate Club launches new premises
Reese, Luke and Cian
Alex Ward
Reese, Luke and Cian
Baby Blake, Peter, Zac, Olivia, Jade and Ger. Pictures: Annie King
New club opening WORDS Karate Club launched its state-of-the-art new premises recently at Seatown Business Campus. The club practises Authentic Traditional Japanese Karate as taught in Japan. The popular club, many of whose members have gone on to achieve international success at the World Karate Championships, runs classes for an array of age levels. Between 70 and 80 pupils are members of the club and many have gone on to achieve international success in World Karate Championships in Edinburgh recently.
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Nina and Irina
Adhar and Conor
27 October 2011 GAZETTE 11
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GazetteNUTRITION NUTRITION A healthy Halloween LEILA JOHARI
TRICK or treat, what to eat? There is something scarier than witches and ghouls this Halloween. It is the amount of sweets and chocolate that we eat. It’s not only children who aren’t afraid to overindulge in candies and chocolate, ninety percent of parents admit to occasionally dipping into their kiddies’ stash. Maybe this fact should scare us more than the ghosts. Do not fear. There are ways to banish those sugar demons and have
a healthy Halloween. Pumpkin, nuts and kale are all traditional Halloween foods that are nutritious and provide a healthy alternative at this time of feasting. Pumpkin contains no saturated fats or cholesterol; but is a rich source of dietary fibre, monounsaturated fatty acids and anti-oxidant vitamins such as vitamins A, C and E. Vitamin A is a powerful natural anti-oxidant and is required by the body for maintaining the integrity of the skin and mucus membranes. It is also an essential vitamin
for vision not to mention an excellent source of poly-phenolic flavonoid compounds like alpha and beta carotenes. The B-complex group of vitamin-folates, niacin, pyridoxine, thiamine and pantothenic acid are also in this Halloween staple. Pumpkin is a rich source of minerals like copper, calcium, potassium and phosphorous. Pumpkin seeds are a healthy snack rich in zinc, which nourishes the brain. They also contain magnesium, which helps muscle, nerve, heart and bone function and help
As well as making a great Halloween decoration, pumpkin is a very healthy food
the body generate protein and absorb energy from food. Peanuts are rich in energy and contain many health-benefiting nutrients, minerals, anti-oxidants and vitamins that are essential to optimum health. They are especially rich in mono-unsaturated fatty acids that help to lower LDL or bad choles-
terol and increase HDL or good cholesterol. These nuts are a good source of dietary proteins with amino acids that are vital for growth and repair of body cells. They contain high quantities of minerals, such as copper, manganese, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and selenium. Just a handful of peanuts a day provides the recommended levels of phenolic anti-oxidants, minerals, vitamins and protein. A word of warning though – honeyroasted and sugar-coated should be avoided, choose whole and raw instead. Finally, Kale is a dark
green leafy vegetable that is a traditional part of the Irish Halloween feast. It is used in a potato dish known as colcannon. Kale is an excellent source of vitamins A, C and K and a good source of calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium and vitamin C while being low in sodium. If you really can’t fly away on your broomstick and crave something sweet, the traditional Irish Halloween fruit cake, known as Bairin Breac, is a nutritious and delicious alternative. For a healthy, happy Halloween why not try this spicy pumpkin dip? Served with warm pitta.
Spicy Pumpkin Dip 1½ cups canned pumpkin puree 1½ cups canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed 3 tablespoons tahini, sesame paste 1 clove garlic 1 teaspoon cayenne 1 teaspoon cumin 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons lemon juice Salt and pepper In a food processor, blend pumpkin and chickpeas until fairly smooth. Add remaining ingredients and process until smooth, season to taste.
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GazettePETS PETS Dealing with those pesky parasites Brought to you by Miriam Kerins of the DSPCA
THE FACTS: WORMS ARE ONE OF THE MOST COMMON HEALTH PROBLEMS FOR DOGS
S an animal welfare education officer, I’m asked a variety of questions regarding all sorts of health queries concerning dogs, but the most popular one seems to be: “Do I need to de-worm my puppy/dog and how do I do it?” So, with that in mind, I thought I’d focus this week’s column on worms - one of the most common health problems affecting dogs and why it’s important to try to eliminate the risk of your pet being infected by them. Before we start, please bear in mind that parasites or worms are very common in pets; especially those who live closely with other animals or who roam freely, ie. hunting dogs, as this makes them more susceptible. Remember many internal parasites have intermediate hosts; animals or insects that ingest or harbour the early stages of development and then pass the parasite onto your own family pet. For example, tapeworms are carried by fleas and heartworms are carried by mosquitoes. So, below, are your FAQs and my attempts to answer them. I hope they prove helpful.
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It’s very important to try to eliminate the risk of your pet dog becoming infected with worms
Is it important to de-worm? Absolutely. What about puppies? No matter how healthy mom is, her puppies are highly likely
to have worms. This is normal and treatment – under veterinary advice – should be carried out from as early as two to three weeks, depending on the health status of the animal and the product being used. --------------------------
‘The most important thing to remember is to do the followup treatments’ --------------------------
Always, always, check with your vet and follow his/her advice and instructions to the letter. When the puppy has reached three months, he should be wormed every four weeks until he reaches six months and then he can be treated as an adult. Again, it depends on the product and health status of the animal and I recommend you seek the advice of your vet and don’t purchase so-called over-the-counter medications as they are never strong enough to eliminate all parasites.
How often do I deworm an adult dog? Again this depends on the risk factor and status of the dog. If, for example, you have a nice little house dog who hardly ever goes outside to play or dig and is only ever walked on a lead and never mixes with other dogs; then the risk is low and my advice would be to de-worm this animal
every three months, but, again, check with your vet. If, however, you’ve right little rascals like mine who are forever foraging, digging, running through the woods and getting up to all sorts of activities, then prevention is better than cure and, depending on the time of year and their activities, I usually de-worm my babies once a month but never allow it go any longer than three months. You see, every dog is different, but the most impor tant thing to remember is to do the follow-up treatments because the first dose kills the worms that are living, the second kills the ones that have developed since the previous treatment.
How do I know if my dog has worms? Well, in order to be certain of an infestation and type, a fecal examination needs to be performed. If you feel unable to do this yourself, then visit your vet with a fresh sample of your dog’s poo. However, here are some guidelines. • Bloated stomach – often visible in puppies that’ve been infected from their mother. • Weakness, increased appetite, constant hunger, weight loss – all signs the parasites are stealing your pet’s vital nutrition. • Diarrhoea – containing blood • Worms visible in vomit • Worms visible in dog’s poo • Worms visible in dog’s
fur or around his ear area – tapeworms can appear as moving segments which can dry out and resemble grains of rice.
What types of worms are likely to affect my dog? Round Worms: The most common type of parasite. They can be life-threatening but are usually not considered as dangerous as hook worms, which can cause bloody diarrhoea and dehydration. Very common in warm, moist weather. Both round and hook are transmitted through poo, so it’s important to keep kennels and gardens clean. Tape Worms: Can be transmitted through the infestation of a flea. Effective treatment is available from your vet. Heartworms: Carried by mosquitoes. These are an insidious insult to the circulatory system, heart, lungs and kidneys of the poor infected animal. If your dog has an active case of heartworm, I recommend an immediate visit to your vet for treatment and he/she will most likely prescribe annual blood tests. Remember, my advice is only a guideline and is not a substitute for professional veterinary care. If you have a concern about an animal in your care, contact your vet. For more information, log on to our website at www.dspca.ie or email me at Miriam.kerins@ dspca.ie
27 October 2011 GAZETTE 15
GazetteMUSIC MUSIC REVIEW: NO REINVENTION BUT NO PROBLEM
Coldplay shine in the light of reflection Q ROB HEIGH
THERE are some bands that everyone loves. There are some bands everyone hates. And then there’s Coldplay. Having divided music fans since 2000, Chris Martin’s band of brothers tend to fall into the Marmite hinterland for bands. But anyone paying attention at this year’s Glastonbury festival on the Friday and Saturday would have seen something quite remarkable and that should give an indication of how far Coldplay have come, 50 million record sales not-
withstanding. On the Friday, the palapable sense of expectation around U2s’ set, delayed a year after Bono’s back problems forced them to pull out, fizzled out pretty quickly when the first half-hour of their set turned into a blatant advert for the 20th anniversary of Achtung Baby (coming to a record shop near you in all formats, music lovers!) As Bono ad-libbed lyrics straight from his teleprompter, the deflation felt immense. A career-defining moment to bookend the period from their appearance at Live Aid went AWOL. Saturday saw the other
“biggest act in the world” take to the stage and, frankly, Coldplay smashed it. Ninety glorious minutes saw a confident band play their biggest hit second in the setlist, and included an unfamiliar selection of songs from an album that would not see the racks until four months later among their singalong classics. U2 should consider their time with the torch over. And at last, those four months have rolled around, and Xylo Myloto arrives with as much fanfare as vitriol poured upon it’s graffiti-adorned sleeve. Five albums in and they
are still doing what they do better than almost anyone else, reaching the parts few other acts can in this day and age. The first six complete songs (the record features interludes and motifs that introduce and preface tracks) are those that anyone who saw Coldplay over the summer at one of the many festivals that they appeared at across the world will recognise. The euphoric Hurts Like Heaven and Every Teardrop, the songs that opened and closed those performances are pop classics, while Charlie Brown and Major Minus are stand-outs in their
Coldplay have produced another collection of engaging pop classics
own right, alongside the new single, Paradise. As for the newer songs, the one that will get the most attention will undoubtedly be the collaboration with Rihanna, which is a huge grower. To the haters, get over yourselves. No one else does Big Music this well.
Yes, there’s not much substance in the lyrics; yes, it’s unashamedly poppy; yes, it is populist and connects with huge numbers of people. So what? People enjoy what they do and while the record is a step forward, it’s not a massive one - but when it’s not broke, why fix it?
If I had one criticism, it’s the fact that the huge sound the band create live, and especially the piledriver drumming of Will Champion, is a little diminished in the mix. They are a revelation in a live setting, and here’s hoping they make a return to the O2 soon.
16 GAZETTE 27 October 2011
GazetteBEAUTY BEAUTY A special edition of the popular YSL Touche Eclat IT’S THE multitalented highlighter that hides a multitude of sins and, for this season only, the legendary Touche Eclat is to don a velvet strip in a special edition that celebrates the history and beauty of the YSL tuxedo look. With its unique formula, Touche Eclat sculpts the features and banishes shadows in a stroke. With just a few sweeps of the brush, the face lights up with radiance. Launched in 1992, Touche Eclat has never fallen from its pedestal, with one sold worldwide 20 seconds. And if you fancy discovering new ways to apply this magical pen, why not check out the Touche Eclat website, www.touche-eclat.com/en Available at YSL counters nationwide whilst stocks last. Recommended Retail Price: €35.
Give dry, irritated skin the heave-ho and go organic I’VE always been conscious of ingredients in cosmetics and skincare ranges, probably ever since I read beauty journalist Josephine Fairley’s book, Organic Beauty. Since I’ve become a mum, I’ve become even more conscious of what I put on my skin and my family’s. Now, one of my favourite ranges, Burt’s Bees has launched a new Sensitive Skin Care Line. It’s an ideal range for people who tend to react to various ingredients or products, or whose skin feels tight and sensitive or, indeed, can be dry and irritated.
Burt’s Bees has launched a new Sensitive Skin Care Line
Packed full of gentle, skin-friendly and distinctly formulated with cotton extract, rice extract and aloe, the new range includes a Soap Free Facial Cleanser (€12.95) that has been clinically
proven to moisturise sensitive skin, while gently cleansing away dirt, oil and make-up without drying or causing redness or irritation. Meanwhile, the Daily Moisturiser (€17.95) has
also been designed to leave your complexion nourished and protected. Other products include a lightweight Eye Cream (€17.95) and Night Cream (€17.95).
All products from the sensitive range are soapfree and fragrance-free. Burt’s Bees new Sensitive Skin Care Line is available from pharmacies and health stores nationwide.
27 October 2011 GAZETTE 17
Edited by Dawn Love
Let your complexion glow this winter with Karora THE days of slathering yourself in primitive fake tanning creams are long gone and, thankfully, many of the products now on the market leave you with a healthy, glowing complexion rather than the tangerine shade of old. Natural
One of the latest creams to come on the market is Irish brand Karora’s organic Gradual Bronzing Moisturiser with Barrier Cream. Combining leading-edge skincare with advanced tanning ingredients, this delicious new cream will leave you with a natural golden radiance, while protecting your face
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against the cold and windy Irish winter. Formulated for all skin types, Karora’s Gradual Bronzing Moisturiser has an array of special ingredients, including jojoba oil to guard and protect the skin against environmental stress and it is rich in natural nutrients. Meanwhile, Karora’s signature ingredient, argan oil, has a naturally high concentration of Vitamin E and essential fatty acids, which alleviate dry skin and rough patches. Argan is rapidly absorbed by the skin and provides a high-level of balanced moisturisation to help keep your skin
protected, energised and glowing. With advanced organic tanning ingredients, it develops over one to two applications per week. Verdict
My verdict? Well, as a mum of a 17-monthold toddler who had a bad dose of teething last week, I looked like I had a month’s sleep after just one application. Definitely one for the Christmas stocking this year! Karora is available at Unicare, McCabes, Sam McCauleys and Independent Pharmacies nationwide, or you can shop online at karoracosmetics.com
One of the latest creams to come on the market is Irish brand Karora’s organic Gradual Bronzing Moisturiser with Barrier Cream
18 GAZETTE 27 October 2011
GazetteMOTORS MOTORS RoadSigns Road Signs IN RECESSION, SUPER RICH BUY A ROLLS: SUPER rich people across the world are investing in Rolls-Royce cars as a means of beating a possible global recession caused by currency fluctuations. The BMW-owned luxury British car brand has reported full order books. The company is operating three production shifts to meet demand, according to the company CEO Torsten MuellerOetvoes, in an interview with Automotive News Europe. “The Rolls-Royce brand holds its value. We represent a valuable long-term asset, particularly in times of uncertain investment opportunities,” Mueller-Oetvoes said.
Peugeot’s 508 brings MICHAEL MORONEY
gives his view on the new, spacious Peugeot 508 SW EUGEOT’S new 508 is a spacious and solid looking car. The car has been designed as a purpose-built estate, and that gives it a presence and standing on the road that’s volumes ahead of the previous 407 model. The comfort levels are good and there’s plenty of space on board, from the large boot to the rear seats. The car has a solid, functional feel to it that was made special by the
P The new estate version of the Peugeot 508 called the SW has great looks, good economy and reasonable pulling towing power, with an entry price of €30,600
extra features included in the test car. The inside is made feel more airy with the panoramic sunroof that runs the length of the car, well almost. This is a standard feature as the car is available with the Active specification as the entry level. This has an electrically operated curtain on the inside if the high light gets too much for you. That’s not likely to happen between now and
27 October 2011 GAZETTE 19
style in SW format next May, so I opted to keep it open for much of the test drive. Sometimes it’s the little things that attract me to a car. The bits that you take for granted include good comfort, economy and road-holding where you never feel nervous and they are a feature of this Peugeot 508 SW. Then there are the extras and, for me, a coffee cup holder is a must, as I do a lot of driving each week. And there are two on the dash of the Peugeot 508, which fold out of the way when not in use. And they are mounted high enough that you are not bending down to find that cup. Peugeot offers two engine choices for the car. I had the bigger 2.0litre turbo-diesel version
SPECS: PEUGEOT 508 SW 2.0 TDI
Top speed: 210 km/hr 0 – 100km/hr: 10.1 sec Economy: 20 km/litre (5.0 l/100km) CO2 emissions: 125g/km Road Tax Band: B (€156) Euro NCAP Rating: 5 Stars (2011) Warranty: 2 years Entry Price: €30,600
on the road for a recent test drive. There is a difference in power and pace from the bigger engine version, which adds about a little less than €2,000 extra to the price. Opting for the bigger engine gives significantly more power and torque without much loss in fuel economy. Both cars are within
Band B for annual road tax purposes, so equally competitive to run. That’s why the 2.0-litre version had to be my choice. This is a big car, weighing in at 1.6 tonnes before the load, so the extra engine power allows it to accelerate from 0 to 100km/hr in just 10.3 seconds. That’s over 10% faster than the small 1.6litre engine version. It’s also heavier than the 2.0-litre Ford Mondeo estate and the Toyota Avensis estate and it’s faster and more economical than both. The economy figure for this big car is 20 km/litre (5.0 l/100km). The Peugeot 508 SW has a 72-litre capacity fuel tank and should give well over 1,200km on a full tank. That’s what we have now come to expect as
fuel economy barriers are shattered with each new model in a range. I didn’t get the rated economy figures – I came in somewhere closer to 15% more, but the car still had the capacity to cover 1,200km before a re-fill. Volkswagen’s Passat presents a different challenge and it’s the one that Peugeot was aiming at. With its BlueMotion technology the Passat 2.0 TDi is heavier, more economical and faster than the equivalent engine Peugeot 508 estate. There will be a difference in price, even if the entry-level Passat looks attractive. The Peugeot deal is better with the entry-level 508 packed with features for an entry price of €30,600, before delivery charges.
The kit on the car is impressive. It includes rear parking aid, automatic wipers and headlamps and new-style electric child locks. The Bluetooth connection was easy and very effective. The car comes with decent size, 17-inch alloy wheels and there’s even a full-size spare, which in the case of the 508 seems to have no detrimental impact on the car’s weight and CO2 rating. The hillassist system is easy to use and effective, without being too obvious or a challenge. The car has achieved a five-star Euro NCAP crash safety rating this year and that’s due to the driver, passenger, side and curtain airbags fitted. It also comes with stability control, traction control,
emergency brake assist and an electronic brake force distribution system for good road handling in difficult situations. In the estate form, this car is particularly impressive and different. My personal preference is that the rear-end design of the estate is better matched to the front end, giving an overall better looking car than in saloon format. The Peugeot 508 is not on the road long enough to judge its reliability performance. The 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine has lots of road experience to be as reliable as it is economical. The 508 SW is a solid and good-looking car, where the small things are as important as the impressive overall package.
20 GAZETTE 27 October 2011
GazettePROPERTY PROPERTY ATHBOY: FOUR-BEDROOM ACCOMMODATION IN MEATH FOR €180,000
Good-priced living at Castlelawns
Number 36, Wilson Road, Mount Merrion is on the market for €540,000
MOUNT MERRION: FOURBEDROOM BUNGALOW
A Merrion mansion in Wilson Road HASSETT & Fitzsimons are bringing number 36, Wilson Road, Mount Merrion, Dublin 4, a spacious four-bedroom bungalow, to the market for the asking price of €540,000. Set in a sought-after residential area close to Belfield University, the property comprises three reception rooms, sitting and living rooms, kitchen, four bedrooms and a garage. The accommodation comprises a porch with coloured leaded lights, which leads to an inner and outer hell with modern white wood panelling. The sitting room features a white marble gas fireplace, and has sliding doors which lead to an open-plan dining room and kitchen. The kitchen is well-appointed and contains an electric oven and gas hob, an extractor fan, dishwasher and fridge. The utility room contains a washing machine, dryer and freezer. The living room contains double doors to raised decking in the rear garden. The buildings contain built-in units, and two are contained in the attic conversion in the property which is accessed by a staircase. Number 36, Wilson Road has a mature landscaped front garden with parking for up to five cars. The property also has a garage, and has a side entrance to the rear garden. The rear garden features a garden shed, a raised decking area, a sizable area of rear decking and an equally large lawned area. Viewing is strictly by appointment with Hassett & Fitzsimons. For more information, see www.hassettandfitzsimons.ie or e-mail info@hassettandfitzsimons.ie.
CARTY Estate Agents in Trip are bringing 4B Castlelawns in Athboy, County Meath, a modern red-brick-fronted detached dormer bungalow with detached garage to the market for the attractive price of €180,000. Situated in a small residential development, which is within walking distance of the town of Athboy, number 4B, Castlelawns, was constructed to a very high standard and has been maintained in e xc e l l e n t c o n d i t i o n throughout and would make an ideal family home. The accommodation comprises entrance
hall, a lounge with open-plan dining area, a kitchen with dining area, four bedrooms, of which the master is en suite, and two bathrooms, situated on each level of the property. T he proper ty also benefits from a detached garage with utility area. Particular features of 4B Castlelawns include PVC double-glazed windows, oil-fired radiator central heating, as well as not being overlooked to the rear. The property is approached by a tarmac driveway with lawns to the front and rear. There is also a patio area to the rear. The property also features a large, detached garage
Number 4B, Castlelawns, is on the market for €180,000
plumbed for washing machine. Athboy has an excellent range of amenities and services. For the commuter there is easy access to the new M3 motorway and a regu-
lar daily bus service to Dublin City Centre. Number 4B, Castlelawns, would provide a perfect family home which is ready for immediate occupation and viewing is strictly
by appointment only. To arrange a viewing, contact Carty Estate Agents on 046-9486860, or email cartyproperty@eircom.net. For more information, see www.carty.ie
MALAHIDE: FOUR BEDROOM SEMI-DETATCHED HOME FOR €495,000
Home on the range high on Texas Lane PROPERTY Team Noel Kelly Auctioneers are bringing number 2, Texas Lane, Chalfont in Malahide, a four-bedroom semi-detached family home offering bright generously proportioned and a flexible layout, to the market for €495,000. The property, which extends to c 1,650 sq ft, has been extended throughout and is situated in a much soughtafter location. The accommodation comprises an entrance hall, a guest WC with ceramic tiled floor, mirror, understairs storage, accessories, WC and WHB. The property features a garden conversion wth timber f looring. There are two reception rooms which are conjoined by double doors, and the larger
is an extended dining room or tv room, featuring sliding doors to rear garden, and recessed lights. There is an extended kitchen and breakfast area, which contain fitted wall and floor units, and all electrical appliances are included. The utility room also has all electrical appliances included. The landing at the top of the stairwell allows access to the attic and has a hot press. The four bedrooms in the proper ty are upstairs, all of which feature timber floors, and the main bedrooms have built-in wardrobes. The master bathroom has a ceramic tiled floor, tiled walls, w.c, w.h.b, Triton T90i shower, accessories. The front of the prop-
erty has a cobblelock drive for three cars, and a side entrance to the rear garden. The garden features a deck area, a timber garden shed, and is fully walled.
The property is within walking distance of all amenities, including Malahide village and DART station, and is located byside Malahide estuary.
Viewing is by appointment, which can be arranged with Property Team Noel Kelly Auctioneers’ representative, Darren Kelly on 01 8462752.
Number 2, Texas lane, Chalfont, Malahide is on the market for €495,000
27 October 2011 GAZETTE 21
GazetteBUSINESS BUSINESS
Supported by AIB
Interview: Sonja Ewen, Organiser of Marlay Craft Fair
Crafting very high standards for fair THIS year, the Marlay Craft Fair is celebrating its 10th birthday. Originally the brainchild of Valerie McGurdy, one of the Marlay Craft Courtyard’s chief go-doers, organiser Sonja Ewen tells the Gazette a little about the history of the event. “To start out with, it was a very small affair, where the Craft Courtyard studios invited their regular customers to view their works before Christmas. They would have served up mulled wine and mince pies to add to the festive cheer. This kind of snowballed when it was decided to bring in a range of other craftspeople that were not based in the courtyard. “When I moved to the Courtyard as a full-time jeweller in about 2003, I was keen to help out with the fair, actually I think it was a given, I just had to help out. It was all hands on deck,” she says. “Times have changed; there are fewer of us still surviving on craft alone; Marlay Ceramics and I have both had to find other sources of income with this new economic climate in Ireland. “But, true to my heart is to keep Marlay Craft Fair running as a makers’ craft fair. “What is fantastic about the fair is that it now has a reputation of being a ‘high-standard craft-makers’ fair. Every year we take on a new charity, we ask for a small entrance fee of €2.50 and this enables us to support the charity.” For more information, contact Sonja on 087 675 33 58 or visit the website www.MarlayCraftFair.com Marlay Craft Fair November 25-27, 2011.
ily, so I think I always had an idea to work as a crafts person of some sort.
Q: What was your first job? A: My first job as a student was
ounce during the last weeks. I was told over four years ago to buy the yellow metal then – what is your view in 2011 ? Pauline - Templeogue A - James Goldsmith once quipped “When you see a bandwagon, it’s too late” – but the statistics about gold are both startling and alarming. In 1980, gold reached an all-time high price of $850 per troy ounce (slightly lighter than our own avoirdupois ounce) BUT it took 27 years to return to this high of € 850 only four years ago in 2007. Add inflation to the 1980 price, and you are looking at a more realistic value of over $2,500. At the current price - an increase of over 107% in those four years since 2007 - 2 lbs of gold will cost you just short of €40,000 ... a lot of money for a small amount of metal. JP Morgan and Merrill Lynch, however, came out in recent weeks to predict gold WILL reach the $2,500 price before the year end. But more important than price is tradability. The reason why gold prices are surging ahead is the market volatility. Only when governments, banking, stockmarkets and property regain confidence will we see a normalisation in gold prices. Originally, all Bank of England notes for instance were backed by gold bullion in their mint – Sonja Ewen, Organiser of Marlay Craft Fair
other things put paid to that.
Marlay Craft Fair at about the same time.
Jedward? A: Oh jeepers, poor David
Q: What is the best thing about your job? A: What’s good about organis-
hasn’t had the best time of it recently with the presidential saga, and thinking back to Jedward and the last Eurovision just makes me laugh – have you ever seen such unreleased energy just busting to get out…
ing the Marlay Craft Fair is being able to keep it as a proper craft fair.
Q: What part of your working day do you ‘delegate’? A: I need to be able to delegate
Q: And your first pay cheque? A: I can’t remember, but I
in the running of the fair. This year, Des Keaney is my righthand man and there are things that he can do much better than I can, and vice versa. so I don’t have any issues just handing stuff over to him
Q: Have you ever done a job you loathed? A: Yes, I worked as a secretary for a while and hated it.
Q: When did you start your present job? A: I moved into the Marlay Craft Courtyard in approximately 2003, and was roped into assisting Valerie McGurdy to organise the running of
“I
promise to pay the bearer the sum of…” Quantative easing i.e. printing your own money, among
in McCullough’s Department Store of Dun Laoghaire, the old-fashioned style shop.
saved like mad to buy a canoe. There used to be a little sports shop in Blackrock called Venture Sports, I think it was. I managed to scrape enough money for that boat. I loved it.
ALL THAT GLITTERS IS NOT GOLD…. OR IS IT ? Q – Gold prices reached over $1,760 per troy
Q&A Q: When you were a kid, what did you want to be? A: I come from a creative fam-
THE ANSWERS TO ALL OF YOUR PERSONAL FINANCE QUESTIONS
Q: What sport can you play? A: I’m a sea kayaker, so playing in the waves is my game.
Q: What is your guilty music/ TV or movie pleasure? A: I love all sorts of music, so play lots of varied sorts. We don’t have a TV, but love to watch the odd replay on the computer.
Q: Who best represents modern Ireland – David Norris or
Q: What music/pictures/movies do you have on your iPod/ iPad? A: iPod/iPad “món” if I were so lucky, haven’t made it to that plateau yet, I’m working on it though!!
Q: Who do you follow on Twitter/Facebook? A: I like to keep tabs on the Whale and Dolphin society. They get continuous listings of sightings of whales and dolphins around the coast of Ireland – fascinating stuff.
Q: Where do you enjoy spending money frivolously? A: I do have a secret shoe fettish. I could always buy shoes, needed or not, in fact, suitable or not, it never really matters.
Q: How many pairs of shoes do you own? A: Ha! That’s not fair! Maybe I
Peter Schiff is a major precious metals analyst in New York (regularly on CNBC TV) and has predicted the price will go to $5,000 per troy ounce.
should have read all the questions first!!
Not sure that I agree with him, but I do think that
Q: What would be your dream job? A: Well the dream job would
have about 10% exposure to this commodity. The
have to be the one that would have lots of time off and that would pay well enough, so that when it was time off, you’d have enough money to be able to go and do something.
(exchange traded funds – the cheapest way on
Q: Describe your dream holiday? A: I like the idea of pootling
cate programme ? With this latter option, your
around in a camper van with no fixed agenda and no time restraints and there would have to be nice places to go and eat out and good scenery. I’ll send you a postcard when I find out where it is.
government (the only government to give such a
if you have a fairly sizeable portfolio, you should decision though to make is what form you buy the precious metal – mine shares, Gold funds the stock market) krugerrand – the world’s first one ounce gold bullion coin, brought to market in 1967 and costing up to $ 2,000 each currently – and similar style coins like gold sovereigns etc, or through the innovative Perth Mint Gold Certifigold bullion is stored in the Perth Mint in Australia, guaranteed by the AAA-rated Western Australian guarantee) and you receive a certificate that you can redeem at any time rather than hold the bullion, saving security problems. Email me for details of this or any gold issues you may have.
Q: What do you plan to do when you retire? A: Well, maybe that’ll be when
jlowe@moneydoctor.ie or visit his website at
I’ll go off pootling in that camper van.
Institute of Bankers, is founder and managing
Contact John with your money questions at www.moneydoctor.ie. John Lowe, Fellow of the director of Money Doctor
22 GAZETTE 27 October 2011
GazetteTTRAVEL FastTravel The Cliffs of Moher in County Clare
Take in the wonder of the Cliffs of Moher and explore the West ONE of our very own tourist hot spots is on the shortlist as one of the new Seven Wonders of Nature competition. The Cliffs of Moher are in the final 28, which is hardly surprising given the magnificence of this landscape in County Clare. The Cliffs are 320 million years old and are Ireland’s most visited natural attraction, with almost 100 million visitors every year. The reasons for the popularity are manifold, some visitors flock to see a Special Protected Area for seabirds, as the Cliffs are home to over 30,000 nesting pairs each year, including puffins, guillemots, razorbills, fulmars, and kittiwakes and makes for a bird watcher’s paradise. However, for most, it is the striking scenery where nature, history and geology merge. To vote for the Cliffs inclusion, log onto www. new7wonders.com or Text MOHER 53131 (€0.30C) to vote for their inclusion in the New 7 Wonders of Nature. For more information on inspirational places to visit and great value holidays check out www.discoverireland.ie
D4 Berkeley offers a variety of special offers for theatre, sport and concert goers
QUICK GETAWAY: A STYLISH NIGHT AT D4 BERKELEY
Enjoying the city you’re living in LAURA WEBB
IT HAD been a few months since my partner and I had taken a city break to let loose and leave the responsibilities of parenthood behind with the grandparents. When thinking about where to go, we decided we wanted to do something different and enjoy a city we both love – Dublin. Even though we live in the suburbs and going out usually only means a taxi into town, it can often be an expensive round trip, so we thought we would stay in a city hotel, as there are some amazing deals around at the moment.
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‘Although we weren’t far from home it was still a great mini-break and it actually made us appreciate what Dublin has on offer’
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I had tickets to Mamma Mia at the Grand Canal Theatre and we thought we could stay at the D4 Berkeley. Stylish
Our room was both spacious and stylish, and with a couple of hours to spare before dinner time, we headed out to see what the hotel’s location had to offer. Just a five minute walk from the RDS and located just minutes from the Aviva
stadium, the hotel is ideal for anyone going to watch a match, concert, exhibition or show. We walked back just in time for dinner and were greeted by the lovely restaurant manager, Oscar, and the waiting staff in Berkeley Brasserie were just as friendly. The live piano added to the relaxed atmosphere of the contemporary restaurant. For starters, I ordered crispy calamari with a
tomato and chilli sauce. Johnny went for soupof-the-day and for his main, Irish grilled fillet steak, served with home cut chips, onion rings and peppercorn sauce. I chose the chicken supreme with wilted spinach, sundried tomato and orzo pasta. Describing his meal Johnny said it ticked all the boxes for flavour, portion size and affordability, as did mine. We headed off to the Grand Canal Theatre
to see the show and enjoy the many smashhit songs from Abba. Even though he’s not a fan, Johnny reluctantly agreed he enjoyed it. The next morning. we headed to the Berkeley Brasserie, which was also delicious. Although we weren’t far from home, it was still a great a mini-break and it actually made us appreciate what Dublin has on offer. D4 Berkeley offers a variety of special deals for theatre, sport and concert goers, which are available to see online at www.d4berkeley.ie or by phoning the reservation team at 01- 4373444.
27 October 2011 SWORDS GAZETTE 23
Edited by Mimi Murray
HALLOWEEN: HAUNTED CASTLES AND STREETS
Travel B ri e fs Go ghost hunting in
haunting Scotland FANS of ghouls and ghosts should make their way to Scotland this Halloween. With haunted castles, churches and streets, there are few countries with a more fascinating or spookier history than Scotland. Fans of the Da Vinci Code will be captivated by Rosslyn Chapel, the church built for the Sinclair Family in the 15th century. Ghostly flames apparently flicker in the burial vault when one of the Sinclairs is about to die and an apparition of the apprentice who carved the famous Apprentice Pillar and was murdered by his teachers, can sometimes be seen or heard. With a long and bloody history, Edinburgh Castle is said to be home to many spirits, including that of a headless drummer boy. Rumour has it, that the appearance of
Rosslyn Chapel
the ghostly drummer boy is a warning that the castle is about to be besieged and was first seen in 1650, before Oliver Cromwell and his English army attacked. Believed to be the most haunted place in Edinburgh, The Royal Mile as it is known, is the street leading from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of
Holyroodhouse. Taking a stroll down this street you may be in for a few surprises as No.1 Mary Kings’s Close, which was bricked up during an outbreak of the plague, is said to be haunted by the spirit of a young girl. Cruden Bay, located on the Aberdeenshire coast, may seem like a pleasant looking fishing village,
but you may be surprised to know that, in the 19th century, it was the holiday haunt of Bram Stoker. The ruins of Slains Castle, which drape down from the headland inspired Stoker’s vision of Count Dracula’s Castle. The Kilmarnock Arms Inn, where Stoker stayed in 1895, is still there for those brave enough to pay a visit. On the west coast of Scotland, close to the town of Oban, lies Dunstaffnage Castle. The castle is said to be haunted by a lady dressed in green, who walks the ramparts when events are about to unfold for the castle owners. When she is smiling it said that good fortune awaits but if she is weeping, trouble lies ahead. The castle is open daily, but visiting hours are restricted in the winter. For more details www. visitscotland/surprise
Travelling Far and Away FOR anyone considering a long-haul trip, Thomas Cook Ireland’s newly launched Far and Away brochure is a must. The range covers traditional package holidays, escorted tours to exotic destinations and far-flung cruises. Customers can also tailor their holidays to suit their preferences and schedules.
Though January may be months away, Irish Ferries has already welcomed in the New Year with the announcement that their reservations system has been opened for 2012 bookings on their services to France. To get bookings off to a quick start and encourage those anxious to secure preferred sailing dates and choice of cabin accommodation, the company is offering a three-tiered incentives package, beginning with an early booking discount of 10% off all fares booked before December 15. The second offer is the chance to secure one’s booking on payment of a low €100 non-refundable deposit with the balance payable six weeks before departure – one that contrasts with others who seek payment in full or a more significant deposit at time of booking. Finally, repeated again, next year is the offer of a free trip to Britain for a car plus two passengers for all motorist return bookings to France during June, July and August. For bookings and information, visit www.irishferries.ie or call 0818 300 400.
Scandinavian Airlines offering bargain fares to Bangkok and all this exotic city has to offer SCANDINAVIAN Airlines have some bargain fares to Bangkok at the moment. Bangkok is fantastic for shopping, nightlife, restaurants and culture and is a great place to stop off before heading to the luxury of the tourist resorts. SAS can offer quick connections through Copenhagen airport where you only need 45 minutes to connect. For Irish travellers travelling to Bangkok, it is normally only a 15-metre walk from gate to gate to change plane in Copenhagen Airport. Fly from Dublin to Bangkok from as little as €799 return, including all taxes and charges. Book before November 1, 2011 to secure this special fare. Go to www. flysas.ie for more details.
Concorde Travel is offering great deals to the Portuguese capital of Lisbon for a great city break
Feature
Cuba, Mexico, Dominican Republic, India (Goa), Gambia, Jamaica and Florida all feature strongly in the new Far and Away brochure. As Thomas Cook can avail of its own accommodation and charters from the UK to these destinations, customers can find more competitive
Irish Ferries is welcoming the New Year with great offers, so book your 2012 reservation early
A Mexican beach and (inset) Old Havana in Cuba
and comprehensive pricing. Eleven nights in the four-star Laico Atlantic in Banjul Beach in Gambia next March is available
all-inclusive from just €849, while 14 nights over Christmas and New Year in Goa in the threestar Colonia Santa Maria
at Baga Beach, also all inclusive, is on offer for €1,789, departing December 20. (Prices are from UK airports).
ARGUABLY one of the nicest European capitals, Lisbon is a city that captures the imagination of the visitor with its magnificent architecture, reminiscent of a glorious maritime past as well as the majestic Tagus River and the dominant Castelo de San Jorge. Exploring the city on foot is a delight – there is something around every corner that will surprise you. Lisbon is a lively city boasting bars, clubs and cafes, where you can simply relax and enjoy a powerful Portuguese-style coffee or party all night long in some of the trendiest clubs. Concorde Travel is offering great deals to the Portuguese capital this winter from only €349. Stay three nights on a B&B basis at the three-star Hotel Evidência Tejo, from €349, four-star Tivoli Jardim, from €419, and five-star Tivoli Lisboa, from €499. Visit www.concordetravel.ie to book your city break to Lisbon today.
24 SWORDS GAZETTE 27 October 2011
GazetteENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT 1GoingOUT PAVILION 01 231 2929 Snow Play
CHILDREN aged from three to seven will be delighted with this show, which tells of how snow-hating Mr Green returns from his Christmas holidays only to find that Mr White has moved in, and covered everything with snow! Children will help to make a giant snowman, have a snowball fight and more in this highly-interactive production. Snow Play takes place on at 2pm and 4pm on Saturday, October 29, and at 2pm on Sunday, October 30, with tickets priced at €8 for children, and €10 for adults.
MILL THEATRE 01 296 9340 One Act Festival
THEATRE lovers are in for a treat, thanks to the Mill Theatre’s quick-moving festival that will present eight plays across two nights. Actors, directors and drama enthusiasts from all across the country will be found at the theatre, as an eclectic range of productions whirl through their paces. Following the plays’ productions, adjudicator Tom Byrne will provide an engaging analysis. For full details of the plays, which take place from 7pm on Friday, October 27 and Saturday, October 28, see www.milltheatre.ie.
DRAIOCHT 01 885 2622 My Way
GARVAN Gallagher’s commendable exhibition examines the “invisible” status of older citizens, with a diverse range of work examing the status and self-image of our elders. Whether personal texts, short films, or even fashion shoots replacing younger models with more mature citizens, My Way is an excellent, diverse project underlining how valuable our “invisible” citizens are. My Way runs at Driaocht’s ground floor gallery until Saturday, November 5.
Mitch Emhoff (Matt Damon) can’t quite take in the news from a doctor that his healthy wife, Beth (Gwynneth Paltrow) has suddenly died from a mysterious new virus, with a mass outbreak killing thousands of people around the world in this week’s film, Contagion
Germinating ideas What if ... a new, deadly virus sprang up all around the world? The prognosis is poor in this interesting new film Q KATE CROWLEY
NOW is the winter of our discontent most keenly felt ... largely through red noses, hoarse throats and a thousand rasping coughs, it would seem, as the emaciated Flu crow has slowly but surely flapped its way back to Ireland’s shores for its annual winter sojourn. Thanks to this unwanted visitor, all around the Crowley household, a hundred flu sufferers seem to be blearily making their way through the streets, while Mr Crowley has a touch of Man Flu, which, he tells me, is “a thousand times worse than ordinary flu” (yet which doesn’t seem to stop him from eating chocolate biscuits and watching football). However, as unpleasant as the flu is for those battling it – such as yours truly, still croaking her way through a lingering two-week chest infection
FILM OF THE WEEK: Contagion +++ (12A) 106 mins Director: Steven Soderbergh Starring: Gwyneth Paltrow, Matt Damon, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Laurence Fishburne
OUR VERDICT: LOTS of stars with lots of storylines, yet one overall plot ... While the world seems to have mostly forgotten the perils and fears over Swine Flu and Bird Flu, here comes a film to play on the fears of those recent pandemics. Slow-moving, and perhaps constrained by being a film about, well, deadly germs, it’s still an interesting tale that director Soderbergh helms well enough ...
– for most, it’s not the end of the world. No, the end of the world is, instead, the underlying theme of this week’s film, which takes the flu theme and runs with it to a much more frightening, logical outcome. In Contagion, several plotlines converge as a business exec (Paltrow) returns from a business trip to Hong Kong with a bad dose of jet lag. That’s “jet lag” as in “she’ll be dead within two days of a mysterious new virus, folks” jet lag, of the kind that most travellers would rather avoid.
Exit Paltrow, leaving bemused hubby (Damon) to soldier on, despite the fact that their family isn’t quite through the worst of the horror just yet ... Of course, his wife’s death is just one of many deaths, as it’s obvious that a deadly pandemic is spreading across the world at frightning speed, with equally frightening mortality rates. Although, as with any virus and contagion, there are plenty of people who are immune – such as Damon’s character – most people aren’t, and, without an antidote, it looks
like goodnight, Seattle, for most of humanity. For those readers shouting at my review: “Science will save us!”, that sounds like an appropriate time to send in the clow- err, scientists, in the forms of Winslet and Fishburne. That almost sounds like a double act, but there’s nothing amusing about their characters as, working in different ways, they’re on a race against time to trace the virus back to Patient X – the first recorded victim – and then, with a bit of luck, figure out where the infection came from, and thus possibly come up with an antidote. However, all of this takes time, and, as every passing day exponentially increases the pandemic’s infection – and consequent sudden mortality – rates around the world, there’s a desperate race against time to get ahead of the virus’ deadly infec-
tion, and stop the global contagion. Unfortunately, quite apart from the dangers of the virus itself, the characters are also faced with problems posed by people, whether that’s nefarious journalists (Law) or the bureaucracies of various political and medical systems. With social order rapidly collapsing all over the world, and with governments resorting to desperate measures to quarantine people, the race is on to find a cure ... As usual, director Soderbergh has created an unconventional tale, with lots of Hollywood stars and stalwarts fighting for screen time in an occasionally busy story. Not a film for the germwary, it’s a thoughtful tale that shows that, maybe, just maybe, there are worse things than the flu to worry about. Now, Man Flu, that’s a thousand times worse, I hear ...
27 October 2011 SWORDS GAZETTE 25
GazetteGAMING GAMING More Final Fantasy XIII-2 facts emerge SHANE DILLON
THE hit Playstation (and, more latterly, also available on the XBox 360) Final Fantasy franchise is set for another stab at the previous cross-platform title in the series, Final Fantasy XIII. In a similar manner to the last major title I reviewed, last week (Dead Rising 2: Off The Record), Final Fantasy XIII-2 is a largely similar, but rejigged, version of its predecessor title, FFXIII. However, much as twins may appear to be quite similar at first sight – and I say that as a twin, myself – there are several notable differences between the two, making XIII-2 similar, but yet quite different to, its predessor, XIII. The Final Fantasy series of games have had a long and illustrious past on a number of platforms, yet, arguably, found their greatest success on Sony’s PlayStation 2 – at least here in the West – while the franchise has remained a key part of Sony’s PlayStation brand. Here, “Final” is something of a misnomer, as the series has been spun out through many titles that far exceed the numerical titles in the series, with characters from the franchise popping up in everything from farming games to dance titles, beat-em-ups to platformers, and more. However, at heart, the Final Fantasy series remains a fundamentally structured role-playing game, typically created with strong undercurrents of Japanese culture, gaming memes, and ideas that seem unique to the series, with regular recurring themes of personal
Bytesandpieces It’s a case of so four-za, so good IN ONE of the most predictable gaming events of the year, Forza Motorsport 4 – or Forza 4, for short – recently roared straight to the top of the charts, with racing and motoring fans driving the XBox 360-exclusive title straight to the top. For those who like exquisitely-modelled cars, stunning landscapes, top-notch graphics, a Top Gear association (with Clarkson on voiceover duties) and an awfully big game to play around with – and that’s an awful lot of gamers – it’s hard to see any other racers appearing in the rear mirror in the near future, with Forza 4 set to hold pole position in the racing genre for quite some time.
Forza 4 certainly sets a noticeably-high benchmark in graphics on current platforms
A typically exotic and stylish branding design for Final Fantasy XIII-2, with strong artwork helping shape the series
strife, responsibility, duty and honour appealing to a global audience. With its superb designs, always evolving gameplay and game mechanics, striking music and a generally strong direction, it’s been no surprise that, today, the “Final” franchise is a key PlayStation brand, with Microsof t also coming on board for the release of previous title in the series, Final Fantasy XIII. Curiously, despite
being a game that was specifically developed for, and aimed at engaging Western audiences, rather than, debatably, a core Japanese and cult American fanbase, FFXIII was largely greeted with a lukewarm critical reception, and not especially notable sales figures. Still, early next year, a “remodelled” version of FFXIII – neatly called FFXIII-2 – will be released, set in the same world as its pred-
ecessor, and with many of the same characters, yet with a new storyline, new characters, and new gameplay mechanics – all with the hope for the developer, Squaresoft, to create greater respect for (and higher sales figures) for an experimental title that was, perhaps, a little overlooked once released. Collectors’s edition packs will include all of the usual items, ranging from CDs of the game music, to t-shirts, art
books, special cases and more, creating releases to take up plenty of space on gamers’ shelves – and leave plenty of corresponding space in their wallets, too. It’s an interesting development, seeing game companies take a “Take Two” attitude towards titles that didn’t quite hit expectations on release, but which were perfectly decent. If this sequel, of sorts, does well, perhaps it won’t be the final case of such rejigged releases.
www.gazette group.com All of your latest local news, sport, features and pictures are now just a click away
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26 SWORDS GAZETTE 27 October 2011
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27 October 2011 SWORDS GAZETTE 27
R1
GazetteSPORT
OCTOBER STARS:
Nominations for Dublin Sports Stars are announced Page 29
TENNIS: SWORDS STAR HITTING THE HEIGHTS ON THE ITF FUTURES TOUR IN EUROPE
Cluskey makes fifth final out of six competitions sport@gazettegroup.com
JAMES Cluskey continued his superb recent run of form last week on the ITF Futures tour as he reached the final of the doubles at the Le RocheSur-Yon F19 event in France. It was his fifth final in his last six outings since mid-September – the other seeing him make the semi-final – marking one of the his best runs on the circuit.
On Sunday, playing with South African Jean Anderson, he was denied the title in a super-set by home-town pair Jeremy Blandin and Gleb Sakharov. It was a tight game, losing the first set on a tiebreak before bouncing back to claim the second 6-3. But the super-set was lost ten points to seven, leaving the Swords’ man to have to be content with a third runners-up medal in October.
In the other competition played this month, though, Cluskey and Andersen claimed the F16 Futures title in Forbach, beating Germany’s Sebastian Fitz and Russia’s Vitaliy Kachanovskiy. Again, the final was decided on a super-set as the Irishman was part of a superb comeback having fallen a set down, 7-5. He and Andersen snagged the second in comprehensive fashion with a 6-1 success before
Tennis ace James Cluskey maintained his fine run of form, reaching another final last week in France
closing out the deciding game 10-3. It continues a brilliant run of form on the hard court and carpets of France, taking in an F18 Futures final in St Dizier, Mulhouse and Nevers as
well as that semi-final in Brusoporto, Italy. It is a superb return to form following a summer in which Cluskey was part of the Irish Davis Cup side, and also reached the final of the Irish Open.
In the wake of that competition, the Swords LTC man has been quiet in August and September, but this sustained period abroad has been a very fruitful one. Elsewhere, former St
Andrew’s student Amy Bowtell earned a place in the women’s singles main draw at the AEGON GB Pro Series Glasgow after defeating number three seeded Michaela Honcova (SVK) in Scotland.
28 SWORDS GAZETTE 27 October 2011
GazetteSport Sport
Football All-Stars Bernard Brogan, Paul Flynn, Michael Darragh MacAuley, Kevin Nolan, Stephen Cluxton and Alan Brogan, front right, with Hurlers of the Year, Gary Maguire and Liam Rushe
Kilmacud’s Michael Darragh MacAuley
Paul Flynn and Bernard Brogan on the red carpet
All-Stars 2011 Super Stars saluted at gala night HE immense achievements of the Dublin senior football and hurling teams in 2011 was recognised at the National Convention Centre when a total of eight players collected their GAA GPA All-Star awards last weekend. Footballers Bernard Brogan, Paul Flynn, Michael Darragh MacAuley, Kevin Nolan, Stephen Cluxton and Alan Brogan, and hurlers Liam Rushe and Gary Maguire received their plaudits in front of a packed audience, with Alan Brogan being named Player of the Year.
Fingallians’ Paul Flynn makes his way to the National Convention Centre stage to collect his All-Star football award. Pictures: SPORTSFILE
T
Bernard Brogan Snr, Lydia Brogan, Footballer of the Year Alan Dublin hurlers Liam Rushe and Gary Maguire
Brogan, Bernard Brogan and Marie Brogan
27 October 2011 SWORDS GAZETTE 29
in association with
2011 DUBLIN SPORTS AWARDS - OCTOBER NOMINEES
FastSport
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
+ STARof the MONTH
Masters meet at NAC a massive swim success JAKE CARROLL
PAUL RYAN
ALAN BROGAN
A YOUNG man who has graduated through the ranks of local soccer to attain the heights of a place in the League of Ireland firmament, Carroll was instrumental in helping St Parts to the Leinster Senior Cup title.
BALLYBODEN St Enda’s Paul Ryan has been at the forefront of his club’s drive for five, thumping 2-6 against Lucan Sarsfields in the Dublin SHC semi-final including 1-4 of his side’s opening 1-5.
THE “other” Brogan brother’s immense contribution to Dublin’s AllIreland campaign in this and every other championship run he has been a part of was rewarded with a hugely deserved Player of the Year award.
+ TEAMof the
THE first Celtic Open Masters Short Course swim meet was held at the National Aquatic Centre, Blanchardstown last week. The meet, jointly organised by Aer Lingus Masters and NAC Masters swimming clubs, attracted 285 entries from the length and breadth of Ireland, ranging in ages from 20 to 80. The competitors represented no fewer than 43 Masters clubs, including six overseas clubs from Britain and Spain, all competing in a packed gala programme. It is envisaged that the Celtic Open Masters could go on to become a regular event, adding to the existing Masters Swim Meet calendar in Ireland.
Fingal futsal competition a local success
MONTH
SOUTH DUBLIN SWANS
LUCAN GOLF
EGAN AND FLEMING
THE South Dublin Swans, featuring a number of the players who annexed the International Cup title in Melbourne earlier in the year won the Irish Aussie Rules Premiership title this month, defeating Leeside Lions in Laois
LUCAN Golf CLub’s ladies players claimed the Miele All-Ireland Fourball title this month in a nail-biting finale to the national competition at Kilkenny GC, defeating Faithlegg on the fifth play-off hole.
SALMON Leap Canoe CLub members Peter Egan and Neil Fleming took the Liffey Descent title to add to their huge achievements in claiming the Irish and British canoeing championships in 2011.
WELCOME to the 2011 Dublin Sports Awards, as we mark our local sportsmen and women’s October sporting achievements across the capital and, indeed, across the nation. We’re delighted to once again be able to celebrate the finest achievements in Dub-
lin sport, with some huge efforts at local levels coming to our attention in a variety of well-known, and some, less prominent, sports. Ever y form of sporting achievement, at any level and in any sport, is valuable and gives an indication of the diversity of sporting commit-
ment there is around our fair city at all times of the year.
Let us know! Let us know about your achievements in sport, so that the Gazette can tell the rest of Dublin — and give you, or your team, a chance of being one of our monthly stars.
Contact us on 01 601 0240 or sport@gazettegroup.com to tell us all about your successes, and follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/ gazettesport. You can also check out the latest stories from GazetteSport at our new website, www.gazettegroup.com
ST FINIAN’S Community College, Swords, played host to the FAI co-ordinated AllIreland Secondary School Futsal competition for first year boys. The tournament was a great success with three schools from Swords — St Finian’s, Fingal Community College and Colaiste Choilm — and Donabate Community College competing for the title and the opportunity to represent their area at the Dublin finals. The title went to Donabate Community College with a 3-1 win over
Fingal Community College in a competitive final. Next up is the girls’ competition in St. Finian’s on October 26, with teams representing Balbriggan, Donabate, Rush and Swords all taking part. The winners of these North Dublin Sections will progress to the Dublin Finals, which take place in Corduff, Blanchardstown, on November 16. For further information on the FAI/Fingal Secondary Schools Futsal Competition contact Paul Keogh, Football in the Community Development Officer at 086-0444435 or email paul.keogh@ fai.ie
30 SWORDS GAZETTE 27 October 2011
GazetteSport Sport FastSport
SOCCER: POWERCHAIR TOURNAMENT TO TAKE PLACE IN PARIS
Fingal into sidings after Railway defeat EOIN MacArthur’s first Division One hat-trick saw Fingal’s nightmare start to the Leinster league continue when they fell 5-1 to Railway Union. The return of Derek O’Gorman and Tom Manning had given Fingal a boost, but they were rocked as MacArthur grabbed the first three goals of the game, the first from play, the second from a broken-down penalty corner and the third with a sharp rebound, volleying first time after Karl Chapple’s initial strike. Rob Abbott made it 4-0 from close range before Peter English got his eighth of the campaign in all competitions with a drag-flick. Luke Hayden pulled one back, profiting from a defensive slip three minutes.
Summerfest set for next weekend THE 2011 Tesco mobile SARI Summerfest, the largest intercultural soccer tournament in Ireland, is set to take part this year at the Garda and Camogie Sports Grounds, in Phoenix Park on September 10 and 11 from 11am to 5pm each day. The Summerfest will also coinciude with the CONCERN kitefest, where kite flyers from around the world will display their kites and give kite workshops for children. The two-day festival also includes a wide array of entertainment for all the family.
For more information, see www. facebook.com/sarireland.
Castleknock Celtic seeking ladies talent CASTLEKNOCK Celtic FC’s ladies and girls section are recruiting new talent to the cllub for the soccer season starting later this month. If you were born in 1996 or earlier, visit the club’s website at www.castleknockceltic.com, and pass on your name and contact details in the How To Join section provided on the site. The club are also looking to recruit girls born in 2001/2002 to play soccer in the DubliGirls Soccer League.
Ireland’s powerchair starts are travelling to France for the FIPFA World Cup, which begins on November 3
Lee for World Cup debut sport@gazettegroup.com
LEE HYLAND Fitzsimons from Baldoyle will be heading to Paris at the end of the month as part of the Irish Powerchair soccer team. The national side’s first match is on November 3 at the FIPFA World Cup finals. Powerchair soccer is one of the fastest growing variations of soccer in the world. It allows people with more severe disabilities to participate in sport, and the world’s most popular sport at that. It plays the same basic rules as soccer, two teams, two goals, two
halves, one winner. The sport has been in existence since 1979 but only arrived in Ireland by virtue of the persistence of Muscular Dystrophy Ireland (MDI) in 2003. This September, the third season of the AllIreland League competition got underway, and will run to May 2012. In June 2012, the All Ireland Cup will take place in University of Limerick. There are now 70 players competing in two leagues. The leagues have 10 teams from clubs based in Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Clare, Laois,
By charter: Local firm are new sponsors FINGALLIANS’ Under-11 ladies footballers were celebrating last week when Nicola McKitterick, manager of the Fingallians’ team, recieved a set of game shirts from Susan McKitterick of McInerney Saunders Chartered Accountants Swords, and will be wearing their new jerseys with pride at forthcoming matches. Picture: Kyran O’Brien
Offaly, Kildare, Dublin, Meath and Belfast. Patrick Flanagan, committee member of the Association of Irish Powerchair Football (AIPF) and Ireland’s team captain, said: “I played in MDI’s first Irish national Power Soccer tournament in the Irish Wheelchair Association sports hall Dublin in July 2003. The event was a huge success and since then, the sport has grown considerably. “This could not have happened without the tremendous help from Muscular Dystrophy Ireland staff and members, and the FAI Football for
All team. “The FAI were the first national organisation to grant powerchair footballers full international caps for representing their country.” “It is testament to everyone involved in Irish Powersoccer, past and present, that after three years the sport has grown from 10 to 70 players; an intensely competitive league has been established and this year the sport will be brought to the international stage. Such developments have taken ten to twenty years in countries like France and England.”
Irish fans will be cheering the team on to victory and a large contingent of family, friends and supporters are travelling over with the team. The Irish Powerchair Soccer team would like to ask for any financial support that might be out there to help them grow and reach out to all people with a disability who may not be able to participate in any other competitive sport. Contact Muscular Dystrophy Ireland for further information, or alternatovely, contact info@mdi.ie or phone 01 6236414.
27 October 2011 SWORDS GAZETTE 31
in association with
FOOTBALL: SAINTS WILL FACE ATHERLOW IN SEMI
CLUB NOTICEBOARD FINGALLIANS CONGRATULATIONS to Paul Flynn on his well deserved All Star award. Disappointingly, the senior league game was abandoned in the open-
et applications. Reminder: this year’s AGM will take place on Thursday, November 17 at 9pm.
ing minutes, away at O’Toole’s on
The Movember kick-off party will
Saturday evening, due to a floodlight
take place in Fingallians GAA Club on
issue. Further details on the fixture
Sunday, October 30. The Gala Mous-
to follow.
tache Show will be at the same venue
Boys: Well done to U-9s who had
on Saturday, November 26. Join the
an overall win against Raheny this
Fingallians Movember team by click-
weekend in hurling. Also, the U-11s
ing below or find us on the Movember
had a great win v Ballinteer.
website: ie.movember.com/regis-
Girls: Our U-11 girls won last Sat-
ter.
urday in the semis, and are now in
U9 - U19 Cross Country League
the U-11 Shield final. A big thanks to
was held at the Phoenix Park at the
McInerney Saunders in Swords for
weekend. Next week sees the venue
sponsoring their jerseys, that were
change to Marley Park - good luck to
presented at the weekend.
all our athletes taking part.
Thanks to Killoe - Emmet Ogs from
Aine Deasy, former senior ladies
Longford who hosted our junior
player, has won an All Star at the
ladies over the weekend.
2011 Asian Gaelic Games, and also
Tickets are now available for the
got Club Person of the Year for her
Club Car Draw. Please contact any
endless hard work for Seoul Gaels
manager or check out the club web
in Korea. Fingallians’ loss has been
site for further information and tick-
Korea’s gain.
St Sylvesters celebrate their Tesco Leinster Junior Championship Final 2011 victory. Pictures: GAApics.com
Syl’s ladies are the Leinster champions
FINGAL RAVENS
LEINSTER LADIES FINAL
town NS.
St Sylvester’s St Laurence’s
4-10 0-18
sport@gazettegroup.com
S T S Y LV E S T E R ’ S incredible goal-scoring ability saw the club claim their second Leinster junior title in two years as the ladies footballers followed in the footsteps of their hurling counterparts. They claimed their title in thrilling fashion in Newbridge, an amazingly open tie despite a deluge of rain which would normally render such a tie sticky and scrappy. Kildare champions St Lawrence’s offered plenty going forward with four seriously dangerous forwards who showed great accuracy in front of the posts. But Niamh McEvoy’s first half double and Sinead Aherne found the net before half-time to build a six-point lead. And Nicole Owens’ brilliant solo effort in
the second half kept the Malahide women just out of range to all but secure the victory, creating an eight-point lead which Lawrence’s etched away at. But Aimee Hazley was mighty at full-back, helping to deny any goal chances which would have seen the Kildare side put the cat truly among the pigeons. Conditions were tough throughout with the bounce almost wholly taken out of the game but it did not massively affect the level of football. It was a testament to the ambition and discipline of both sides, though, that they endeavoured to play an open brand of football with the vast majority of the scores coming from play. Goals proved the difference as Syl’s first half triple put them six points clear but Lawrence’s never let up with a high percentage of attacks translated into scores on
the board. Aherne’s goal gave some sort of breathing space just before the break as handling conditions deteriorated as time went on. But Owens’ goal and Hazley’s defensive work carried the day and now have Syl’s looking forward to a first All-Ireland semi-final, pitted against Tipperary’s Aherlow for were Munster champions with a two point victory over Cork’s Dromina, 4-7 to 2-11. With Syl’s conceding just one in the Leinster championship, they will
need to continue their miserly defence to keep their final four opponents at bay.
Inter disappointment Meanwhile, Syl’s inter footballers bowed out of their championship at Balgriffin when they were knocked out by St Jude’s 2-8 to 1-4. A solid first half up the hill seemed to set the Malahide men up for a chance to take this quarter final but it didn’t turn out that way as Judes used the space to far better effect in the second half and ran out easy winners in the end.
OUR duck race and cross country
day, October 30 in Kettle’s Hotel.
challenge will take place this Sun-
All members are welcome to come
day, October 30 at 2pm at Kinse-
along and celebrate the success of
la’s Bridge. Come along and enjoy
these teams.
a great family day out including a
Club AGM will take place on Thurs-
barbecue, and ducks will be on sale
day, November 17 at 8pm in Roles-
each day this week outside Roles-
town Hall. We will be holding a pub quiz on
We are having an awards night for
Thursda y, November 24, in Ket-
our Under-21s who won the 2010
tle’s Hotel for our juvenile section.
championship, and our ladies team
Please keep this date free and come
who won their 2010 league, on Sun-
along and support this fundraiser.
ST FINIAN’S THE intermediate football team
not possible.
were unlucky to lose out to a last-
A Child Protection training
minute goal from Scoil Ui Chonaill
course for St Finian’s juvenile men-
in the replay of the last 16 of the
tors and adult leaders will be held
championship on Saturday. It’s the
on Friday evening, November 4 at
end of a long season for the lads
7pm upstairs in Peacock’s. All men-
who have trained hard all year.
tors of juvenile teams are invited
Halloween (Mid-term) football
to attend. The course should take
camps : James Devlin is organising
approximately three hours. Contact
camps from Tuesday, November 1 to
Mary White by email (marybwhite@
Friday, November 4. Lunch will be
eircom.net) or text (087 9721728), by
provided and each participant will
October 28 as this course is limited
receive a free polo shirt. Special
to 20 participants.
thanks to the local Centra Super-
Lotto: Numbers drawn were 1, 7,
market for their sponsorship. Book
13 and 14. There was no winner. The
before Friday 28th October so that
€50winners are Jim and Austin and
we have a better idea of numbers
Louise Napeer. Next week’s jackpot
but come along on the day if that’s
will be €2,100.
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ALL OF YOUR SWORDS SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 27-31
PARIS POWER: Irish Powersoccer side on their way to World Cup P30
OCTOBER HEROES Sports Awards nominations announced P29
GazetteSPORT
A delighted Paul Flynn with his All-Star award at the National Convention Centre in Dublin last week
OCTOBER 27, 2011
Paul Flynn caps fine season with Star Fingallians’ man is rewarded for outstanding season for club and county with All-Star honour last week STEPHEN FINDLATER swordssport@gazettegroup.com
PAUL Flynn was honoured for his outstanding performances throughout the championship summer with a richly deserved footballing AllStar at the National Convention Centre last Friday night. And club manager Dan Davern was quick to praise the half-forward for his sterling efforts in what was also a landmark moment for his home club, Fingallians. “It’s a massive thing for the club and Paul himself,” Davern told the Gazette. “He’s only a young lad and has had an outstanding season and was definitely one of the stand-outs.” More than just his playing exploits, Davern says the All-Star provides an inspiration for many of the club’s youth whom Flynn helps out with on a more than regular basis. “He contributes an awful lot to the club, especially in the area of juvenile develop-
ment. He’s heavily involved in the schools and the academy we have. “He’s one of the go-to guys when it comes to any sort of development and is happy to lend a hand and do whatever it takes. “From our point of view from a playing perspective, it’s a shame we don’t have him more often throughout the year for games and things like that but, when he is there, he makes a massive difference.” Indeed, it can be a frustrating experience for Davern as Flynn often takes in club games when his intercounty schedule allows. “It’s a great lift for the boys when you have a guy who is as committed to the club as well. He comes to a lot of our games even when he can’t play. I know from personal experience, it’s not always an easy thing to do, standing on a sideline when you feel you could be taking part. In fairness, he bites that bullet come to the games and we see him down at a lot of training ses-
sions even though he can’t take part.” On that front, Fins’ vital AFL2 hopes remain up in the air after a bizarre Saturday at O’Toole’s. Leading 0-2 to 0-1, the game was called off after ten minutes due to floodlight failure – a frustrating turn of events after players changed personal plans to play on the day. “Eight minutes into the game, two sets of lights went off; the ref played on for literally two minutes before another set went off. It wasn’t safe to play at that point. “I haven’t a clue what happened but, initially, playing on Saturday didn’t really suit us. We had seven lads who had changed working shifts to accommodate the game and then the time was changed from 4.30pm to six. Again, it didn’t overly suit but we agreed to compromise with them and then the lights went off.” A CCC meeting in midweek is likely to discuss the issue and set a new date for the game.