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INSIDE: Bram Stoker weekend will give Dracula fans plenty of events to sink their teeth into See Page 17
style: We round up some of the latest on-trend looks for autumn/winter P18
Kilkenny crew: Celebrating an evening of fashion Football:
Fingallians all set for junior final battle Page 31
Golf:
The Island’s Moynihan aids Walker Cup win Page 32
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ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES..................... 10 DUBLIN LIFE................... 13 OUT&ABOUT...................17 CLASSIFIEDS.................26 SPORT............................28
DESIGNER Aideen Bodkin (centre),
Catherine Connolly and Mary Keane looked very glam at a special evening at the Pavilions Shopping Centre recently, where Bodkin was holding an evening of style tips at Kilkenny Shop. She gave local fashionistas plenty of insight into her work, as well as detailing the inspirations behind her collections. Bodkin also discussed the launch of her new label, Dress by Aideen, which is exclusive to Kilkenny stores. Some light refreshments added to the welcoming feel at the highly fashionable event. Picture: Stephen Fleming
Cut to property tax income gets the nod Councillors vote to retain 15% cut despite warning of impact on revenues
keith bellew
FINGAL County Council has voted to retain the 15% cut in the local property tax (LPT), with 28 in favour of the move, three against and
five abstentions. The debate prior to the vote was impassioned, with a number of councillors arguing that the reduction in the council’s revenue limits the amount of work it can do,
while opponents maintained that central government should provide this funding. Fingal chief executive Paul Reid said a 15% reduction would cut the council’s discretionary spend by €5.5m,
from €7.4m to €1.8m. Cllr Duncan Smith (Lab) advocated a 10% LPT reduction which would leave the council with an extra €1.8m to spend on housing. Full Story on Page 6
2 SWORDS Gazette 17 September 2015
business Prestigious Leinster title for Swords hostelrie
Empire bar pulls a top title at awards EMPIRE, the newest addition to the Swords bar and restaurant scene, was named Leinster Bar of the Year at the Sky Bar of the Year awards in the Mansion House recently. Empire overcame stiff competition from 70 bars from all across Leinster to win the coveted crown at the awards, which have recognised excellent bars, knowledgeable staff, high-quality service
keith bellew kbellew@dublingazette.com
and innovation in the bar trade for 10 years. This was a particularly impressive coup as Empire opened its doors in Swords on December 4, 2014 and has received
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this award after just 10 months of trading. Speaking to The Gazette, the bar’s general manager Jerry Harrington said that the entire staff were thrilled with the win, and business has been booming. “The curiosity value of winning an award like this is enormous, because it’s a national award. “We’ve had masses of enquiries for functions – the phones haven’t stopped ringing and the staff morale itself is fantastic,” he said. He added that he believed a big part of the reason Empire came out above long-established
heav y weights in the pub trade such as The Silken Thomas in Kildare, Mickey Finn’s Pub at the Wicklow Brewery, and The Central Bar in Navan is the emphasis placed on service. “We really look after our customers in a way that’s all about service. ‘Service service, service’ – that’s our mantra, it’s all about service. “I suppose that may be one of the reasons we won that award. We do actually care about our business; there’re 71 people employed here at Empire, which is a huge employer in north County Dublin,” said Harrington.
Empire bar and grill staff collect the bar’s Leinster Bar of the Year award at the Sky Bar of the Year awards in the Mansion House. Picture: Paul Sherwood
Tony Lambert, of Fingal Dublin Chamber, congratulated the staff at Empire on their achievement, singling Harrington and PR manager Avril Kelly Carter out for special mention.
He said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for the town of Swords and all of north County Dublin, for any major award like this to be won will only bring more business to the area.
“Swords as a town is quickly becoming the place to go. With Empire winning this award, more and more people will come to experience its great offerings,” said Lambert.
17 September 2015 SWORDS Gazette 3
kilreesk
Film: information sessions and workshops feature prominently
Update over lane
Movie about Syria heads festival bill FINGAL Film Festival has announced its full schedule for 2015, which take place from September 25 to 27 at Movies@ Swords, Pavilions Centre. The final films have been selected and a host of workshops lined up. One of the biggest films of this year’s festival is the documentary, 7 Days in Syria, which examines the ongoing war and the effect this has had on the social structure there. At 2pm on September 26 there will be a question-and-answer session with the director and producer of the documentary. “The films selected from the schedule are incredible, we had three
times the amount of films submitted last year and the shortlisting has been very tough. “We are happy with the final selection and believe there is something for everyone in this year’s schedule. “We are being quite specific in our 2015 schedule layout, making the festival more accessible for people who just want to see a good film,” says creative director Dave Byrne. He said there had been huge interest in the festival from international filmmakers and the final selection of films was from all over the world. “The wealth of talent among Irish independents this
year has been inspiring, although this made our decision-making a lot more difficult.” Workshops at the festival this year will be hosted by a team from Treehouse Republic. Company managing director Stephen Fagan will lead an animation workshop on September 25, from 10am to 1pm. On September 26, again from 10am to 1pm, sound supervisor Niall Brady from Screen Scene and Steve Flanagan from Ardmore Sound will run this year’s Sound Design workshop based on the case study Glassland, directed by Gerard Barrett . For more information on the festival visit www. fingalfilmfestival.com
Looking ahead: Sibling ‘graduates’ dress up to help a grinds academy ISABELLA Carroll and her big sister, Charley, were delighted to help
spread the Malahide Grinds Academy message for students to “Plan ahead, stay ahead”. Despite their tender years, the siblings were promoting the Malahide Marina-based academy’s grinds services for Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate students to help maximise their learning potential, while subjects for second year, transition year and fifth year students are also covered. However, all of such studies lie very far ahead for the Carroll sisters, who were simply excited to dress up for a fun photograph together.
ANY overgrown vegetation on the footpath to the church and school from Kilreesk Lane will be removed, it has been revealed at a recent area committee meeting. Cllr Darragh Butler (FF) asked for an update with regard to recent issues raised by the St Margaret’s Concerned Residents Group in relation to road safety at Kilreesk Lane. In response, the council said the vegetation would be removed “apart from some areas where the boundary hedges are the responsibility of the land owners. The resurfacing of the footpath will be considered in the context of future works programmes.” They added St Margaret’s Road would not be a suitable location for the provision of mini roundabouts.
4 SWORDS Gazette 17 September 2015
council: manhole mystery
Sutton focus on leak in field keith bellew
DESPITE carrying out investigations, Fingal County Council has been unable to ascertain what is causing a manhole in fields at Red Rock, Sutton to overflow on a regular basis. This issue has been occurring sporadically since 2012, and the council is still unsure of the cause despite a number of investigations being carried out.
Pooling In response to the overflow, a spokesperson for the council said: “ T h e i nve s t i g a t i o n s which took place in 2012 revealed that pooling/collecting of water at this location was not as a result of drainage overflows in the area at that time. “It has also been confirmed that there are no drinking water mains in this area, which has ruled out a potable water overflow. Nor does the problem appear to be associated with foul sewerage.” Another investigation was carried out in recent weeks on foot of a request from Cllr Cian O’Callaghan (Ind), but a cause has still not been determined.
transport ‘Reveal strategies for north county’
Growing impatience over delays in revealing plans keith bellew
I M PAT I E N C E ove r the announcement of a transport project for north Dublin is beginning to reach fever pitch, with hints, demands and pleas being made on a daily basis. The Department of Transport remains tightlipped and refuses to make any comment other than to say that Minister Paschal Donohoe will make an announcement in line with the capital spending plan in the coming weeks. This is despite reports in the media that a senior source within the Department has said that Minister Donohoe has already chosen a Luas link from Cabra to Dublin Airport. This wasn’t the first mention of this, as for months there have been unconfirmed whispers circulating that this was the project of choice. Speaking at a Dublin Chamber event, the Tanaiste, Joan Burton, said she was confident that good news on a direct public transport link to the airport would be announced in a few weeks’ time. Following this, Dublin Chamber chief executive Gina Quin said Dublin Chamber has long called for a high-capacity, efficient and reliable rail link which services Dublin Airport.
Reports in the media suggest that a senior source within the Department of Transport has said that Minister Paschal Donohoe has already chosen a Luas link from Cabra to Dublin Airport as a transport project for north Dublin – however, the Department is remaining tight-lipped
She said: “Such a link is needed not only to serve Dublin Airport, but also to cater for the rapidly-expanding population of north Dublin. It is forecast that by 2023, an additional 40,000 people will travel into Dublin city centre from north county Dublin. “At the same time, passenger numbers through Dublin Air por t are expected to exceed 23m within four years. A new rail link will go a long way to accommodating such strong growth levels.” Not everyone has been positive, however, as Senator Darragh O’Brien
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‘It is forecast that by 2023, an additional 40,000 people will travel into Dublin city centre from north County Dublin’ --------------------------------------------------------
Dublin Chamber chief executive Gina Quin
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(FF) has called on Minister Donohoe to immediately publish the longawaited public transport plans. He said it was becoming increasingly clear that the Government was set to break its promise on public transport plans in the north county. Senator O’Brien said:
“The plans were due to be published in June but have been subject to a series of delays. I am struggling to understand why these plans are continually delayed. “If indeed it is the case that the Government is committed to following through on plans to transform the public transport
network in the region, why weren’t the details published three months ago, as promised?” He added that he believed the Government intended to backtrack on promises on Metro North and the Dart underground. Deputy Alan Farrell (FG) said: “As we faced into the economic crisis, the previous government [FF] made many promises, including the provision of Metro North, which were simply unfeasible at that time.” The delivery of a new, long-term, sustainable transport option to serve
Swords and Dublin Airport must happen now, he said. “Those who live and work in Swords, Dublin Airport and surrounding communities have waited long enough for certainty regarding this critical infrastructure. “I believe Minister Donohoe should put a plan into action to equip the north county with the necessary capital funding to provide a high-frequency, rail-based solution which will provide us with a level of connectivity that our road infrastructure simply cannot [meet],” he said.
17 September 2015 SWORDS Gazette 5
6 swords Gazette 17 September 2015
FastNews
funding Majority vote for 15% reduction
Fingal County Council wins business award FINGAL County Council has scooped the Best Local Authority for Economic Development Services Award in the 2015 Public Sector Magazine Awards. A deciding factor in Fingal’s favour was its Local Enterprise Office (LEO), which is one of Ireland’s most successful LEOs and provides a range of services to small businesses. Mayor of Fingal Cllr David O’Connor (Ind) welcomed the news: “I’m very proud of the team for their hard work over the past few years.”
Fish supper to raise funds for Howth RNLI A FISH supper in aid of Howth RNLI will take place on Saturday, October 3, at 8pm in Malahide Yacht Club. Guests will be treated to a three-course dinner, music and a raffle, at a cost of €30 per ticket. RNLI lifeboats and volunteers save lives at sea around the Irish coast. The Howth RNLI launched 62 rescue missions in 2014, bringing 107 people to safety in what was the busiest year in its 190 year history. For more information about the fundraising supper visit https://fishsupper.rnli.org/ A clear majority of councillors voted in favour of reduce the local property tax (LPT) by 15% for the second year running
Council ignores warning and cuts property tax keith bellew
FINGAL County Council has voted to reduce the local property tax (LPT) by 15% for the second year running, with 28 in favour of the move, three against and five abstentions. The debate prior to the vote was impassioned, with a number of councillors arguing that the reduction in the council’s revenue limits the amount of work it can do, while their opponents maintained that central government should be providing this funding. Fingal chief executive Paul Reid advised against reducing the LPT, saying it would have a huge impact on the council’s budget. He said: “There is a total of €7.4m available
for Fingal in terms of discretionary spend after the various allocations are made on it [the budget]. “The 15% reduction which the members chose last year was a €5.5m decision for one year. That is the impact – it would leave about €1.8m discretionary spend,” he said. He went on to say that housing and homelessness cost the council a lot of money and wouldcontinue to do so in the next year. He said the homeless budget had risen from €450,000 to €2.1m in just a few years, and that reducing the LPT would be a drain on funding which could be used for housing and homeless services. However, Cllr Paul Donnelly (SF) said that the LPT was an unnecessary burden on hard-
pressed families, and that there were alternative ways to make up the shortfall in revenue. He said one of these alternatives was to increase commercial rates, as the rates in Fingal were the lowest in the greater Dublin area. He said there had been spurious attempts by various people to present the option of no reduction as a solution to the housing crisis. “The citizens of this country know full well who is to blame for the housing crisis. It lies at the door of the right-wing ethos of Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and unfortunately Labour, who have bought into this, in terms of privatisation of social housing. “The complete abandonment of social hous-
ing goes back a number of years, when a decision was made to withdraw from the direct provision of social housing, thereby leaving it in the private market,” said Cllr Donnelly. Cllr Duncan Smith (Lab), who was advocating a 10% reduction which he said would allow the council to retain funding for services whilst alleviating some of the burden on homeowners, hit back at Cllr Donnelly, saying: “[On] every manager’s report, we see more social housing planned. Is it enough? No, it’s not going to solve it [the housing crisis] – no one is saying any of these things are going to solve it – but it will help, and we have a responsibility in our own modest way as councillors on a local authority
to help. “That’s what we have here, and everyone is absolving themselves of any responsibility. Probably only the Cathaoirleach and Cllr [Anne) Devitt [Ind] can remember the last time there were so many social housing developments in a chief executive’s report.” He added he was not partisan on the issue of homelessness, citing a Sinn Fein motion which he supported calling for more funding from Environment Minister Alan Kelly to provide more funding for social housing. He concluded by saying that the 15% LPT cut was being voted for by certain councillors so they could “walk down Main Street like the big man or woman”.
17 September 2015 swords Gazette 7
don’sdublin Corsican battle exposed fortitude of Martello towers ALTHOUGH it is the most famous of them all, the Martello Tower in Sandycove that houses the James Joyce Museum, is one of about 50 which were built to repulse a possible invasion by Napoleon’s navy. After the passage of the National Defence Act 1804, towers were erected along the east coast from Bray to Balbriggan, with others on the south coast and Cork harbour. When war broke out between Britain and France in 1793 two British ships, the Fortitude and Juno, attacked a round tower at Cape Mortella in Corsica in February 1794. After hours of heavy bombardment by the two ships the tower was finally taken with little damage to the structure. However, the Fortitude had been set on fire and lost 62 men in the fight. Impressed by the strong defensive nature of the tower, engineers used the design when building the line of towers in 1804. Around Dublin 28 towers were erected, with 16 stretching southwards from Sandymount to Bray, and 12 northwards from Red Rock, Sutton to Balbriggan. Seven of those to the south have been demolished while all to the north are standing. Many are in private ownership with Howth tower, now the Ye Olde Hurdy Gurdy Museum of Vintage Radio, the only one open to the public on the northside. Apart from Sandycove, Seapoint tower is the only other open to the public (during the summer) on the southside. There you can see the equipment used for loading the 18-pounder gun (there is a replica on the roof), and feel what it was like to have lived there. The towers were usually 40ft high with walls up to 8ft thick and housed an officer and 10-15 soldiers. Although built in time of war they, thankfully, never saw any action as the French invasion never materialised. It is somewhat ironic that towers designed in Corsica, where Napoleon was born, were the blueprint for a defence against him!
Don Cameron
www.donsdublin.wordpress.com
Martello towers were erected along the east coast from Bray to Balbriggan, with others on the south coast and Cork harbour
contest Village to represent Dublin at national level
Howth through to foodie final HOWTH is one of 10 finalists in the 2015 Restaurant Association of Ireland’s Foodie Towns competition. As the only Dublin town to make it to the finals, Howth is representing the capital in the finals. Each of the 10 finalists will now receive a
pre-arranged visit by a pair of independent assessors in the coming weeks. This assessment will be combined with a national public voting campaign where the public can choose their winning foodie destination. Both components
will carry equal weight in the overall score. The winning town/ destination will be crowned Foodie Town of Ireland 2015 in October.
Award The Foodie Town of Ireland award recognises a destination that
actively publicises itself through joint promotional activities such as food festivals, gourmet trails or farmers’ markets, as well as great dining experiences. The criteria required to win the coveted title includes having a local producer/supplier network which is utilised
and promoted by local businesses, and plans for future growth and investment into the food and hospitality industry at a local level. The national public voting campaign began on Friday, September 11, and people can vote for Howth at w w w. foodiestowns.ie.
8 SWORDS Gazette 17 September 2015
opinion Sinn Fein MEP Lynn Boylan on an international fight
A victory for water campaigns over the EU ON SEPTEMBER 8, the R i g h t 2 Wa t e r campaign in Ireland and Europe scored a huge victory. The Boylan Right2Water report was passed by the European Parliament. This report was a follow-up to the first successful European Citizens Initiative, which called for water to be enshrined as a human right. In 2013, almost two million people across the EU signed a citizens’ petition calling on the EU Commission to enshrine water as a human right, and to ensure universal access to all. The petition also stressed that water was not a commodity, and should be excluded from market rules. The repor t passed in parliament with the support of the United Left, Greens and Social Democrat groups, went far further, and has been warmly welcomed by water campaign groups from Ireland and across Europe. Water is a very emotive issue, not just in Ireland but across the EU. Citizens in many EU countries have mobilised
to protect their right to water. In Italy and Greece, they voted overwhelmingly in referendums to block the privatisation of water – a referendum the Fine Gael/Labour Government refuses to give the Irish people. In Berlin, public pressure forced the authorities to buy back their water services after privatisation saw charges skyrocket and services deteriorate. In Spain, citizens are mobilising against water cut-offs. Up to 80,000 families have lost their water supply there due to austerity. I have spent my first year as an MEP meeting with the various water stakeholders, including campaign groups, unions, NGOs and both public and private water companies. It became clear very quickly that the EU Commission has actively promoted privatisation and water charges in member-states, despite EU law stating that they have no right to do so. The Boylan Right2Water report clearly instructs the Commission to respect its legal neutrality and to cease
interference. It stresses the contradictions between the actions of the Troika and the EU law on member-states’ right to choose how best to deliver water services. It also states ver y clearly that privatisation should not be promoted. Thankfully, a Fine Gaelsupported amendment to the report that tried to delete these paragraphs was defeated. The repor t rejects austerity and seeks to address the growing affordability issue of water across the EU. Ireland’s method of funding water services through general taxation is the most progressive way of paying for water. It is based on the individual’s ability to pay. Unfortunately, this is not the case in many EU countries. The report calls for a study on water poverty to be carried out. I believe this would show that Ireland’s general taxation model is in fact best practice for dealing with the affordability of water. This report calls for all revenues to be reinvested into water infrastructure rather than
Sinn Fein MEP Lynn Boylan: “Comparing water to other utilities such as electricity is nonsense – you cannot survive without water. This is why enshrining water as a human right in a legal framework is so important.”
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‘The EU Commission has actively promoted privatisation and water charges in member-states, despite EU law stating that they have no right to do so’
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profiting from water. It declares that water is a public good, and not a commodity. It also rejects the use of water cut-offs. Water is essential for life, and cutting off someone’s supply because they cannot afford it is a violation of human rights. Comparing water to other utilities such as electricity is nonsense
– you cannot survive without water. This is why enshrining water as a human right in a legal framework is so important. Other important points included in this report is an exclusion of water services from the internal market, and from trade deals such as the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partner-
ship (TTIP). It calls for greater public involvement in decision making, and greater transparency. It also calls on the EU to do more to help bring universal access of water and sanitation to the developing world. Despite the attempts by Fine Gael’s group to block this report at the Environment Committee in June, and to delete all the really progressive points from it when it came before the Parliament, the Right2Water report passed without the support of Fine Gael and their group. This report delivers a serious blow to the pri-
vatisation agenda of the right-wing groups in the EU. It sends out a clear message to the Commission to stay out of member-states’ organisation of water services, and to respect the wishes of the people. It is a massive victory for the Right2Water Campaign, and the 1.8m people who signed the citizens’ initiative calling for water to be a human right. Tuesday, September 8 was a David and Goliath day for water campaigners everywhere!
Lynn Boylan Sinn Fein MEP
17 September 2015 SWORDS Gazette 9
10 SWORDS GAZETTE 17 September 2015
GAZETTEGALLERIES
Jackie Fagan and Margaret Carney. Pictures: Simon Jeacle
HOT STUFF: SOCIETY GETS INTO THE SWING FOR ITS MIKADO PRODUCTION
W
ITH plenty of hit shows already notched up, members of Malahide Musical Society have plenty of experience to draw upon for their next production – The Hot Mikado – with initial work now under way for the 2016 show. Described as a mix of drama and comedy based on the classic Gilbert and Sullivan Mikado, the production has an added swing/ jazz twist. The Gazette popped in to an initial meeting of the society at Scoil Iosa hall, where a drama workshop was under way as the members begin to piece together the show. New members are always welcome to add to the popular society’s cast and crew. Anne Molloy and Ava Delougher. Pictures: Simon Jeacle
Rachel Doyle and Conor Browne
Orla Wright
Theatre director Barry Kavanagh
Fiona Fitzpatrick and Aishling O’Connor
Theresa and Jamie Allen
17 September 2015 SWORDS Gazette 11
Luke Ryan and Jude Lantry
Oliver and Faye Muir
malahide: junior infants are happy to start
First-day steps are fun at St Sylvester’s
Sophie and Stephen Campbell
12 Gazette 17 September 2015
gazetteGALLERIES
Cathy Belton, Paul Mercier and Eleanor Methven
Meghan Moynihan and Eimear Walsh
premiere: LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!
In pursuit of fun I
Ireland’s leading actors gathered in Dublin for the premiere of new Irish action film, Pursuit, which is directed by Paul Mercier and sees Brendan Gleeson, Ruth Bradley and Liam Cunningham take centre-screen. Pictured on the red carpet ahead of the Dublin premiere were the stars of the film, including Bradley, Cunningham, Barry Ward, Dara Devaney, Owen Roe, Don Wycherley, David Pearse, Ciaran O’Brien, Emmet Kirwan and Donall O Healai. Set between Connemara and the Spanish Costa del Sol, Pursuit is a modern take on the legend of Diarmuid and Grainne; a tale of love, betrayal, revenge and the pursuit of a life beyond crime, which features car chases galore, placing the Skoda Octavia RS firmly in the limelight.
Actor Liam Cunningham, Sabina Higgins, President Michael D Higgins, actress Ruth Bradley and director Anne Gately at the Skoda Dublin premiere of Pursuit at the IMC Cinema in Tallaght. Pictures Brian McEvoy
Sinead and Nell Mercier
Actor Dara Devaney
17 September 2015 Gazette 13
14 Gazette 17 September 2015
Gazette
dublinlife A celebration of cultural diversity EVERYONE in Dublin is being encouraged to come out and celebrate the city’s cultural diversity at the free BlueFire Street Fest on September 19 in Smithfield Square. Last year’s BlueFire Street Fest drew 10,000 attendees and the organisers are anticipating a 12,000 crowd this year.
Smithfield Square is being decked out on the day with art installations, which include visual artist Ashleigh Downey’s Blooming Bunting project and artistic demonstrations by the Temple Bar art gallery, The Icon Factory. This is the festival’s third birthday and the
highlights this year include live sets by eight Dublin-based bands, including members of Kila, Manden Express, Ajo Arkestra, Kiruu, Rhythm Africana, Ayodele, SuperTonic Orchestra and The Bionic Rats. Street fest attendees have the opportunity to avail of up to 50 free
diary
expert-led workshops across a wide range of activities including yoga, capoeira and DJ-ing. The all-day festival runs from noon until 10pm and admission is free. Visit www.bluefiredublin.ie for more information.
Future’s at home in dublin village Dublin2020 will create an exciting mini village on O’Connell Street for Culture Night on September 18. From 5.30pm to 8.30pm, visitors to Dublin Village will meet an ideagenerating robot, who will literally eat people’s ideas about the future of their city. Next, visitors will meet positive protesters, who will be shouting about the thoughtprovoking ideas that have been collected by Dublin2020 during their meetings and workshops with more than 3,000 citizens of Dublin. At the Tea and Chats Tent, busybodies Ethel and Lillie will be entertaining visitors and asking what makes them tick. The comedic pair will also treat guests to tea and a very special Dublin2020 cake, all set to the sounds of old time music. Guests with energy to burn can step into the Jungle of Games and play a special Dublin version of Snakes and Ladders, and huge versions of old school games such as Giant Jenga. All ages are welcome to pitch in and paint a collective community street mural led by artist Jane Groves entitled, I’m Mad about Dublin.
Yoga with Marta is one of the workshops on offer during the BlueFire Street Festival
sleeptember loves bed-head selfies MONEY worries still cause 22% of people in Ireland to lose sleep occasionally, according to Ireland’s first National Sleep Survey, commissioned by bed and mattress provider King Koil to mark the month of Sleeptember. The month of September has been dedicated Sleeptember, with a campaign backed by popular GP Nina Byrnes designed to provide advice on good sleep and its health benefits. A charitable dimension to Sleeptember sees Temple Street Children’s Hospital benefit from a campaign asking people to share their not-alwaysflattering “bed-head selfies”. The charity appeal,
supported by Irish rugby International Cian Healy, is asking people to be brave by tweeting their own “bed head selfie”, or to nominate a friend, and donate €4. Tweet your “bed head selfie”, with hashtags #Sleeptember, #BedHeadSelfie or nominate a friend, and text HOSPITAL to 50300 to donate €4 to Temple Street Children’s Hospital. For further information visit www. Sleeptember.ie.
highlighting sexual assault WELL-known Dublin columnist Fiona Looney recently opened up about an incident in her 20s when she was sexually assaulted. Talking on an episode of Midday on TV3, she discussed the incident during a panel discus-
sion about controversial remarks made by Chrissie Hynde (The Pretenders), who said she was at fault for a sexual assault at the age of 21. On the programme, Looney said: “At the time, it was the worst thing that ever happened to me. But afterwards, the amount of people, and I hate to say this, mainly women, who said: ‘Yeah, but your skirt was really short and you were quite drunk’. “I’m sorry – how is that my fault that a man forced me down and pulled my legs apart? How is that my fault because of what I was wearing?” she said. During the show, Ellen O’ Malley Dunlop from the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre urged anyone who is a victim of an assault or rape to ring their helpline at 1800 77 8888.
17 September 2015 Gazette 15
FEATURE escape the mayhem: moments of calm are precious
Cheesy music in the car helps – no joke! aisling kennedy
AS a stand-up comedian, an actress who makes appearances on Irish shows such as Republic of Telly, and a mother to three young children, Emma Doran from Rathfarnham is a woman who has a hectic schedule. She spoke to the G a z e t t e t h i s we e k , explaining how she manages to escape the mayhem of her busy lifestyle. “I find that I just have to take the moment of calm when it appears,
I don’t really set time aside,” she says. “If I have a bit of time to myself, which can be something as simple as being in the car before a gig, I love to write or just listen to some music. There’s no distractions or noises or anything like that. I just take that moment because I never know when it’s going to appear again. Quietness is a big luxury for me and I do enjoy it when I get the chance!” Doran explains that she enjoys writing jokes
and sketches for her comedy show when she gets the chance and particularly loves listening to “bad music” during her quiet times. She says: “I listen to awful, awful music! I love the pure cheese factor stuff like when you’re in the car on your own and you’re belting it out. I always have to remember to quickly change the radio station off the cheesy stations when other people get into my car so I don’t look bad.” Doran is currently
writing her comedy show about being a mother to her three children, Ella (12), Joe (two) and Tammy (seven months), and the challenges and laughs that ensue. “It’s my first solo show and I just thought I’d give it a go because I couldn’t go to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this year as my baby is still so young. I just thought I need to get all of this off my chest so this show is how I’m doing it.” When asked if she has any advice for any
Actress and stand-up comedian Emma Doran
young mothers on how to escape the mayhem she laughs: “Yes, if your child or particularly your baby is sleeping and you’re thinking to yourself that they have been asleep for
a while, don’t worry. Just leave them asleep. Don’t question it, just take that time. Any little windows of time that you get, just take them.” Doran will appear in
her solo show, Mammy Wants a Drink, at the Mill Theatre in Dundrum on September 18 and 19, 2015. Tickets are available at www.milltheatre.ie
Gazette
16 Gazette 17 September 2015
dublinlife
feature
When choice makes it impossible to choose CONSUMERS have never had so much choice. When described like that, this sounds like a good thing. Consumers have also never had to make so many difficult decisions. Put this way, the same idea is a bit less enticing. This increase in choice, and decisions has partly come about because of changes in technology, but also because of the opening up of many markets to greater competition. These include the markets for gas, electricity, telecommunications, health insurance and various financial services, like banking, credit cards and pensions. When buying these products, the available choices and the number of features of the product we must consider can feel overwhelming. Some experts in decision-making believe that making good decisions in these markets has become almost impossible. It can be very difficult to decide which product is most suitable for us. Decisions are difficult also when we must predict the future, as when buying a house. As well as weighing up the many different features of each property, we have to consider what might happen to prices, the direction of interest rates and how confident we are that we can earn enough in future to meet mortgage repayments. The ESRI (Economic and Social Research Institute), the State-run think tank, is now con-
ducting a research programme in behavioural economics. Behavioural economists study the psychological factors behind our economic decisions – why we choose what we do, how we go about it, whether we make accurate and consistent decisions, and so on. Behavioural economics has developed rapidly in recent years. It uses experiments to study our decisions scientifically. The results are changing the way economists around the world think about how markets work. In Ireland, the ESRI now has a behavioural economics laboratory, PRICE Lab. It is funded by four of the main economic regulators: the Central Bank, the Communications Regulator (ComReg), the Commission for Energy Regulation and the recently formed Competition and Consumer Protection Commission. Consumers in the Dublin area can come to PRICE Lab to take part in these experiments. The ESRI pays them a small fee and the experiments take around one hour of people’s time. They involve sitting in front of a computer screen and making lots of choices between different products at different prices. The participants who perform the best at the tasks win vouchers. The findings are already proving interesting. It turns out that most of us find it difficult to weigh up more than two or three features of a product at
Dr Peter Lunn, Senior Research Officer at the ESRI which now has a behavioural economics laboratory, PRICE Lab
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When choosing between houses, mortgages or health insurance, which can differ in dozens of ways, consumers are likely to struggle -------------------------------------------------------
Dr Peter Lunn
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the same time. That’s not a problem in markets where there are only a few things that need careful consideration, but when choosing between houses, mortgages or health insurance plans, which can differ from each other in
dozens of different ways, it suggests that consumers are likely to struggle. Many may fail to choose the best option or end up paying more than they should. Companies can also exploit this limit in the amount of information
that consumers can handle. They can promote the one or two product features that make the product look good and successfully hide the features on which it is inferior to competitors. They can also list prices as discounts from a “standard” price. This looks attractive, but PRICE Lab’s findings show that it makes life harder for consumers, who must process two pieces of information instead of one. Another result to emerge from PRICE Lab is that we find it easier
to choose when product features are straightforwardly good or bad. Examples are the speed of broadband or the price per unit of gas, where more of the good thing or less of the bad thing is always better. We str uggle more when a feature can be both too little or too great, so that we need to find the level that is just right, like with the number of minutes of talk-time or the duration of a mortgage. PRICE Lab’s aim is to discover what kinds of products and prod-
uct descriptions make it easier or harder for us to make good decisions. In some cases it may be possible for regulators to promote marketing practices that help consumers, or to prevent companies from using pricing methods likely to cause them to make errors. If you would like to contribute to this research by participating in the experiments, you can sign up at www. esri.ie/be.
Dr Peter Lunn Senior Research Officer at the ESRI
17 September 2015 Gazette 17
travel P20
asdfsdaf P27 gaming P25
OUT&ABOUT Never be out of the loop on what’s happening in Dublin! Let Out&About be your guide to all that is stylish, cultural and essential across the city and beyond this week
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style P18
Pets A husky full of love and beans
Vampires Camille Ross and Robert McDermott were not happy to be caught veggie shopping on Moore Street ahead of the Bram Stoker Festival. Picture: Andres Poveda
Bram Stoker: weekend invites you to get in touch with your dark side
A ‘bloody great craic’ fest
keith bellew kbellew@dublingazette.com
THE Bram Stoker Festival returns in 2015, with a programme full of gloriously Gothic events for the October Bank Holiday Weekend. Each year the festival is organised by a different team with an entirely different programme of events. This week The Gazette spoke to this year’s festival organiser, Tom Lawlor, about the festival highlights. He says the goal of this year’s team is to give Dublin four days of stories and deadly adventures. This year’s programme aims to open out the festival to Dubliners and international visitors. “Largely, we’re looking at the city centre as somewhere that has a very
Gothic history and we’re opening that history up to people in the city across four days of the October bank holiday weekend. “We’ve programmed the entire festival so you can experience it by day and by night; so there are day events and night events. The daytime events are what we’re calling Living Stories, so it’s a chance to delve a little bit deeper into Dublin’s dark past.” He added that a number of the daytime events are geared towards families and children. One of these is Stokerland, a Victorian-themed pop-up park, which will be located at Wolfe Tone Square on October 25. Stokerland will provide a range of activities including tents where fami-
lies can have a tin plate Victorian portrait taken, receive Gothic makeovers, and Victorian goodies. Fancy dress is encouraged. One of the biggest highlights of this year’s festival will be the return to Dublin of world-renowned street artist Maser, who will create an interactive installation in Smithfield Square. “He’s going to be building an interactive installation, which will look like a utopian city that people can wander through and that’s going to be on display throughout the festival. “Also,we have a Twilight procession by the Galway company, Macnas, who were here last year. They’re coming back with their citywide parade from 5pm on bank holiday Monday. “They will parade along three dif-
ferent routes that people can join, and which will culminate in Wolfe Tone Square with some pyrotechnics.” The main theme of the procession will be Angels and Demons. Working with the Lighthouse cinemas in Smithfield, the festival will host a night of 1990s-era vampire flicks, including Blade I and II, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Francis Ford Coppola’s Dracula and Quentin Tarantino’s From Dusk til Dawn. The festival’s flagship late-night gala party, New Blood, will be held at the Project Arts Theatre on October 25 and 26, with bespoke cocktails, local and international live acts and DJs and loads of bloody craic. For a full list of programme events visit www.bramstkerfestival.com
The Dublin Gazette Newspaper Group have teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for lost and abandoned dogs. Our Dog of the Week this week is Beans, a two-yearold female husky cross. If you’re looking for a super smart, cheeky monkey to share your life with then Beans could be the girl for you. Beans by name and beans by nature! Beans needs to live in a calm, adult environment just to prevent her getting too giddy, as she is currently recovering from an old hip injury. Beans is very selective about the dogs she likes, so would do best as an only dog in the home. If you think you could offer Beans her forever home, please contact Dogs Trust on 01 879 1000. They are based in Finglas, just off exit 5 on the M50. Map and directions can be found on their website www.dogstrust.ie. You can also find them on Facebook www.facebook. com/dogstrustirelandonline or Twitter @DogsTrust_IE. Don’t forget that you can also support Dogs Trust by checking out their online shop www.dogstrustshop.ie
action using the new brush for a long-lasting, chip-free colour. Suzanne’s top tips for great application are to follow a few simple steps: “Make sure the nails are shaped, filed and buffed before applying any polish. “T hen, apply one thin layer of SOSU base coat, two thin layers of a SOSU colour of your choice, followed by a thin layer of SOSU top coat, allowing each coat to dry before applying the next.” The new autumn/ winter collection colours range is available from pharmacies nationwide, Penneys stores, and selected nail salons. All polishes are priced with a RRP of €7.99.
Feel ultimate comfort with latest Clarins eye palette THE new eye make-up palette from Clarins has 10 gorgeous, on-trend eye colours with a variety of matte and satin finishes. Plant and mineral extracts such as musk rose oil and white meadowfoam guarantee a feeling of ultimate comfort on the lid. The palette has a RRP of €43.
Fake brows with the best thanks to Urban Decay mimi murray
I MAY not have been born with brows like Cara Delevingne, but with Urban Decay’s Brow Beater Microfine Brow Pencil and Brush (above), I can now fake it. And, really, this product (with a RRP of €18.50) does the business. I have been using this product for a couple of weeks and have had numerous comments on my amazing arches. It’s simple to use, with a variety of colours on offer, and will become a constant in my make-up bag.
Tuck stitch jumper €15.97 Contrast stripe dress €25
Cardigan with zip €12.99; Grey jodhpurs €5.99; (Both available late November.)
mimi murray
A NEW season can mean lots of new trends, and for those of us who like to remain fashionconscious, it can be a right pain for the cashstrapped! So, Gazette Style has had a look at some ways you can stay bang on trend without breaking the bank. The 70s are a massive theme throughout autumn-winter that has carried forward from the summer, so pull out a pair of flares from Heatons, and team with a simple roll-neck from Littlewoods. Easy peasy. Have a look at some other key items to keep you snug and sartorially sound this winter.
Tube skirt €20
LIDL
AFTER great success launching her 25-colour gel nail polish collection, Suzanne Jackson has added eight new colours to her SOSU by Suzanne Jackson range for the autumn/winter season. Warming greys, bold reds and glistening golds are some new colours you can expect to see in stores by the end of August. As well as adding eight new colours to the range, all polishes will include a new brush for a simple and quick application. SOSU Nail Polish is an innovative gel nail polish that requires no UV lamp and results in long-lasting, salon quality nails. The polish can easily be applied in one
Khaki parka €15.99
Faux leather leggings €6.99
L ITT L E W O O D S
Brighten up autumn nails with new SOSU
H EAT O N S
OUT&ABOUT
SO70SSTYLE
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18 Gazette 17 September 2015
Roll neck top €22
Embellished jeans €47
Patchwork poncho €53
17 September 2015 Gazette 19
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STYLE
Stars inspire Juvi’s glittering bracelets
Black and white tea dress €20; Snake back boots €25; Bag €15
Knit roll neck €20 True denim flare €25
True denim skinny €22.50
Tan biker jacket €19.99 Khaki waterfall top €12.99
Grey jumper dress €9.99
Lidl items mostly available from midto late-November
AWARD-winning Irish beauty. jewellery company, Juvi “Out walking one Designs, has unveiled moonless night, I was its Shooting Star collec- overwhelmed looking tion for autumn-winter, up; I can only describe introducing delicate it as magical beauty. stars in sparkling gold, “There were more rose gold and shining stars than I had ever silver, paired with beau- seen, along with gortiful precious gems. geous star clusters and From the cute Lucky the beautiful band of Star stud earrings to the Milky Way.” the elegant You Are My Juvi’s carefully crafted Shining Star bracelet Shooting Star collection and Star Clusis made by Julie and Vinter necklace, cent at their studio these lightin Dublin. weight J u l i e pieces said: “Stars are percan mean fect for a lot to Gold vermeil €59, l ay e rpeople, Silver €55 ing and symwill add bolisa sparkly ing anytwinkle to thing any look. f r o m Husband a new and wife duo beginning to a Julie Danz and Vincent turning point in Tynan began casting a person’s life. They tiny stars in sterling remind us of distant lovsilver, and plating with ers, adventures, friends, layers of 24-carat gold family, past dreams and and rose gold, follow- future hopes. I think ing a trip to a famous stars are magical, and stargazing spot in Ball- that’s what this collecinskelligs, County Kerry tion represents.” earlier this year. With prices starting J u l i e s ay s : “ T h e from €45, Juvi’s Shootr e s e r ve i s n e s t l e d ing Star collection is beneath the moun- available at House of tains and overlooks Fraser, Arnotts, Kilkenthe Atlantic Ocean. ny, independent retailIf you’ve ever visited ers throughout Ireland, Kerry, you will know of or at www.juvidesigns. its outstanding natural com.
Luxury Body Shop oils mimi murray
Loop knit jumper €74 Rochelle Humes high waist jeans €39
Rip and repair skinny jeans €43
South Mongolian coat €240; Definitions orange suede shirt €35; TFNC black polo €25; Carvella black boots €240
THE Oils of Life range is a new daily life-infusing skincare range from the Body Shop that revitalises, replenishes and revives skin, as well as visibly reducing the signs of ageing. What makes this range so special is the three precious and potent natural seed oils that are used to make this range – black cumin seed oil, camellia seed oil and rosehip seed oil. I loved these products – such as the facial oil (right), €48 – as they feel beautifully decadent and the packaging will look great in any bathroom.
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20 Gazette 17 September 2015
OUT&ABOUT
fast
TRAVEL NEWS
TRAVEL
tranquil: Keeping rural luxury real with woodland forage
Sunny alternative to those winter blues WE all look forward to a break at Christmas time, but it seems the stress of the holiday season can make us even more tired when we come back to work in January. What’s the solution? Take a sun holiday! Abbey Travel has come up with its top three Christmas sun destinations for those looking to escape from the winter cold. First on the list is Puerto Rico in Gran Canaria. Puerto Rico is perfectly positioned on the southern side of the island, which means it is warm and sunny all year round. Puerto Del Carmen in Lanzarote takes second place on the list of Abbey Travel’s top destinations to spend the Christmas period in. Finally, Corralejo in Fuerteventura comes in third, and is ideal for those interested in a much more peaceful time than many of the other resorts on the Canary Islands. To book your Christmas holiday visit www. abbeytravel.ie.
Abbey Travel kicks off season packages
THE Premier League is back for the 2015-16 season. With Abbey Travel you can be there in the flash to support your favourite team without the hassle of haggling for match tickets or trying to find a nearby hotel. Abbey Travel is offering hotel-and-matchticket packages for Liverpool matches from €239, for Man United matches from €129, for Arsenal from €279 and Chelsea from €329. Prices are per person and based on two sharing. Included is one night in a three-star city centre hotel, breakfast and guaranteed match ticket. For more information on available packages, contact Abbey Travel on 01 8047102 or visit www.abbeytravel.ie.
Dainty old-world design and calm, neutral creams and greens are the hallmark of the Step House Hotel bedroom
A step above the rest for charm and fine food
Aishling Phelan
THE drive into the picturesque village of Borris, County Carlow, as the sun sliced through the clouds and beamed on glorious Mount Leinster, was a treat in itself. Sitting in the fertile valley of the river Barrow, the Step House Hotel faces the main gate to this Tudor-style ancestral home of the former Irish Kings of Leinster. Ruby red roses and delicate baby’s breath were dotted around the boutique hotel, while inside the spacious bedroom was the prettiest hotel room I have ever stayed in, with its dainty oldworld design. Its neutral cream decor with gold accents in every piece of furniture and sweeping powdery
green curtains made for the perfect atmosphere of tranquillity. But the best was yet to come. As I stepped onto the large private balcony, the magnificent view, with small clouds floating across the expanse of Mount Leinster, took my breath away. The luxury and character of the hotel made for an extra special weekend trip away. First, it was time for a hands-on bread making workshop in the ballroom with head chef Alan Foley and his team. We got to work on a brown bread recipe and the chefs also showed us how to make the range of white bread baked in the Step House kitchen. Curry bread? No, I hadn’t heard of it either but I would later experi-
ence that culinary sensation at dinner. After an afternoon of kicking back in our cosy room, it was off to the opulent surroundings of the private cocktail lounge for some bubbly treats. The restaurant is a small, cosy and intimate space. After scanning the menu, which relies on an array of local produce, I began with a starter of tasty organic herb risotto. For the main event, I chose succulent roast plaice with artichoke, ravioli and mushroom juices. I passed on the luscious dessert offerings opting for the more humble sounding ice cream selection. Sound boring? Not at the Step House Hotel. I was presented with a divine combination of
coconut, caramel and passion fruit flavours. The following morning, we delved into the woodlands on the outskirts of the Georgian village – after a delicious breakfast, of course. We visited the 16-acre Blackstairs Ecotrails facility to take part in a Find It, Pick It, Cook It, Eat It workshop. The foraging walks are run by former Green Party TD and minister Mary White and husband Robert. They have been keeping records of the area’s diverse ecosystem since 1975. Channelling my inner child, I abandoned my smartphone and took just a small notepad and pen as we set off to explore the rich land. We ducked under swinging branches, crossed wooden planks
guiding us across the streams and tip-toed over mossy carpets. The couple spoke passionately about the land’s ecological community and I couldn’t help but envy their peaceful lifestyle. We discussed the Celtic history of the towering trees and picked wild garlic, enjoying its tangy aroma. Later, we returned to the workshop to make mouth-watering wild garlic pesto and sweet sloe gin. Then it was time to go home but not before enjoying a wholesome serving of pumpkin soup, sandwiches and their signature bread selection. I collected my brown bread made the previous day and left feeling like a master chef after my culinary weekend at Step House Hotel.
17 September 2015 Gazette 21
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FOOD&DRINK BITESIZEDNEWS
Donegal rapeseed oil wins as healthy option
Hophouse/Kimchi Korean/Japanese fare
60 Parnell St Hophouse/Kimchi’s impressive menu is extensive, with the traditional Korean side dish, kimchi, a spicy mix variety of seasoning, to set your tastebuds humming
The Picky Eater SOMETIMES you don’t want the Italian. Or the French. Or the burger. It’s Friday and after a hectic week, the smartphone makes a fusion takeaway too complicated. Go out? Yes. But what to eat? Nil desperandum. Picky Eater is here to save you from this gastronomic indecision and send you downtown – to Parnell Street, and a little gem right beside the Shakespeare Pub, near the Gate Theatre, the Rotunda Hospital and the Gresham Hotel. Vintage Dublin, in other words. The modern Hophouse/Kimchi slots in well, cosying up to the hostelry and offering sanctuary to the indecisive Friday-nighter. Korean and Japanese food aplenty is on offer, with an ethnic or a domestic beverage to help you on your way. Green tea, plum wine, sake, Asahi, Kirin and Guinness to mention but a few are all on offer as accompaniments or pre-
prandial tipples to your sushi or bibimbap choice. Once inside, there’s a busy-ness that makes you feel like a tourist in your own city. You couldn’t give the interior or exterior decor ten out of ten, but the food is excellent, fairly priced and the staff are cheerful – what more could you want, really? The menu is extensive, with kimchi to set your tastebuds humming. This traditional Korean side dish is made of vegetables with a variety of seasonings. There are hundreds of varieties made from napa cabbage, radish, scallion, or cucumber as a main ingredient. So do have a dollop so you can say you tried it. Otherwise, it’s like eating “an Irish” without the spuds. The menu is massive, but Picky was undaunted: for starters, we had vegetarian mandu (dumplings) and endamame beans (boiled and salted). The dumplings were piping hot and hopping with flavour.
Sweet chilli and soy dips kept the tastes alive. The beans we gobbled down with our Korean beer. For mains, Picky’s companion had almost gone native, reminiscing about youthful trips to Korea and salivating over the upcoming bulgogi bibimbap. This signature Korean dish, which literally means “mixed rice”, was set before him and he breathed in deeply. The steaming bowl of white rice was topped with namul (sauteed and seasoned vegetables) and gochujang (chili pepper paste) had a raw egg and sliced beef on top. He stirred the hot dish together thoroughly just before eating, and disappeared into seventh heaven. Picky opted for a veg-
etarian bento box big enough for two: several chunks of silky tofu with contrasting crispy coat; two vegetable tempura – deliciously crunchy; a satisfying deep-fried slice of sweet potato rounded off with three pieces of sushi, and two little spring rolls. Wasabi, pickled ginger, soy and sweet chilli sauces set it all off nicely. The meal for two without dessert but with two beers and a green tea came to just over €50. The food had that “just cooked” air about it as it hit the table and our stomachs. Hophouse/K imchi demands a return visit. If you haven’t been, then get yourself down there ASAP. And, as Koreans say when raising a glass, Gun Bae!
Conclusion SET A stone’s throw from the city centre, Hophouse/Kimchi (at 60 Parnell St, Dublin 1; tel 01 872 8318) serves tasty, authentic Korean/Japanese staples at fair prices.
of vegetables with a
THE Donegal Rapeseed Oil Company has won awards for taste, and health benefits, for four consecutive years as it is fast becoming one of the world’s best producers of rapeseed oil. What makes the county’s oil so special is the way, and where, the rapeseed is grown. Situated in Raphoe in the fertile Laggan district of east Donegal, the rapeseed oil company only uses rapeseed grown in soil along the Wild Atlantic Way by local farmers, which creates a delicious and unique taste experience. As just some of its benefits, Donegal Cold Pressed Virgin Rapeseed Oil Donegal Cold Pressed Virgin Rapeseed Oil has 10 times more omega 3 than olive and coconut and some fish oils, and 10 times more omega 6 than coconut and olive oils. It is also very high in monounsaturated fats, which are beneficial for a healthy heart, is a good source of vitamin E, and contains no artificial preservatives and is GM free. The French have been using rapeseed oil for years in all areas of cuisine. Irish cold-pressed virgin rapeseed oil is available in 250ml (RRP €3.99) and 500ml (RRP €5.99) sizes.
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22 Gazette 17 September 2015
OUT&ABOUT
CINEMA
ReelReviews
no escape
A sidestep for Wilson ANOTHER week on, and Owen Wilson still hasn’t found a way to get his family to safety in the middle of a violent coup in No Escape (Cert 15A, 103 mins). Drawing criticism in some quarters for its tone, the film marks an unusual sidestep for Wilson, setting aside his usual bromance comedies and feel-good films for this actioner, with Pierce Brosnan in a supporting role.
the visit
Creepy, yet amusing, too IN M Night Shyamalan’s latest, The Visit (Cert 15A, 94 mins), two kids are sent to their estranged country grandparents for a catch-up holiday – their first, with the old couple. However, events soon turn stranger and stranger at the farmhouse ... The two young leads turn in great, naturalistic performances, but Deanna Dunagan totally steals the show as the increasingly kooky, creepy grandma.
irrational man
Makes plenty of sense WOODY Allen’s latest, Irrational Man (Cert 15A, 95 mins) proves a talkily entertaining chance to waste 90 minutes at the cinema. A college professor with a less than perfect life is a great base to build a typically Woodyesque film on, with Joaquin Phoenix and Emma Stone crossing paths and words in several ways. Its messed-up characters provide plenty to sympathise with.
While the film won’t change the world, Robert Redford and Nick Nolte breathe plenty of life into their roles, turning in anything but wooden performances
a walk in the woods: takes an aimless but diverting journey
Tale stumbles along amiably
SPANNING more than 3,500km, the Appalachian Trail runs along the eastern length of the United States, cutting through a dozen national forests from Georgia up to Maine, and is one of the longest waymarked walks in the world. With severe weather, bears, venomous snakes, and minimal infrastructure along the way – it is the kind of walk that madmen and fools tend to start – perfect cinematic fodder for A Walk in The Woods. Bryson (Robert Redford) is an accomplished writer, who realises that most of his social life now revolves around attending funerals. Reflecting on a life of travel and adventure, and
Dave phillips
uncomfortable with facing into old-age, he becomes captivated with the idea of walking the Appalachian Trail as his last great hurrah, much to the dismay of his wife, Catherine (Emma Thompson). Catherine’s infatuation with the multitude of risks facing Bryson on the trail lead to her insisting that he can only go on his adventure if he has company, and the only one of Bryson’s old crew willing to take the journey with him is his long-estranged
college friend, Katz (Nick Nolte). The film is based on Bill Bryson’s best-selling memoir of the same name, and while some elements of the story have significantly changed in its transition to film (the real life Bryson and Katz were in their 40s when they walked the trail), the odd-couple pairing has remained. Bryson is scholarly, stoical, and a little stiff in himself. He has a happy relationship with his wife, his kids have grown up successfully, and his grandchildren love him. His books sell well, and the walls of his study are decorated with awards and honorary positions. Katz, in contrast, maintained the wild-man
lifestyle; he never settled down, he has a history of struggling with booze, and he seems happiest when he is laying down playing harmonica to himself. Accepting the age shift from the book, this is some spot-on casting. Redford’s great at capturing that prim and proper veneer, but with a peek of something else just beneath the surface. You can tell the tale is driven by a sense of jealousy and rage, rallying against the urge to go quietly into the good night. Nolte channels his inner Bukowski; a whiskey-shone nose and a gravelly, broken voice bring decades of suffering to life in Katz, who hobbles painfully up and down the trail.
However, despite some great performances from the two leads, A Walk in the Woods does feel a little flat, possibly because it has the potential to go a lot deeper than it ever does. There is no doubt that Bryson and Katz’s misadventures are entertaining, but there is a larger, existential layer to the journey that seems frequently alluded to but never explored. Perhaps director Ken Kwapis’s long history in TV comedy keeps the focus on the lighter, superficial elements of the story, and in fairness they are what he can make work. Late night encounters with bears, altercations with local rednecks, and ditching awkward travelling companions (there’s
a fun cameo from Flight of the Conchord’s Kristen Schaal) are all handled expertly. Elements such as Bryson’s sense of righteousness, or his relationship with his wife, or Katz’s problems with alcohol are explored much more clumsily and frivolously. While the rigid Bryson and the unruly Katz eventually find a common understanding, the film’s attempt to marry its comedic and dramatic parts doesn’t end as well. It still maintains that Sunday afternoon kind of vibe where you can watch two ageing greats have fun together, but you can’t shake the feeling that somewhere along the trail we took a wrong turn. Verdict: 5/10
17 September 2015 Gazette 23
Gazette
MUSIC festival: electric picnic 2015, Stradbally
Sparks fly as the stars create electrifying gigs colm murray
THIS week Gazette Music reviews Electric Picnic 2015, which provided plenty of flavour for music fans to tuck in to at this year’s festival.
Friday The addition of a few thousand more punters – to the official capacity of 51,000 – did little to dampen the boutique vibe. The absence of rain this year in the lead up to, and right through the weekend, was the icing on the cake. Kicking off the main stage, festival favourites Ham Sandwich provided the first of many encroachments by band members to the crowd. The Coronas followed suit, and got the job done to a rapturous welcome, and a no less powerful set. With the majority of the stages not opening until the following day, a scheduling clash offered 90s shoegazers Ride their set a day early. The opening chimes of Leave Them All Behind got the crowd going as they blazed through a blistering set of distortion-drenched classics. Grace Jones and Underworld are no strangers to Stradbally. With the former still as eccentric and spellbinding as ever, she kept a hula hoop spinning in high heels for the duration of Slave To The Rhythm.
Under world, af ter the tingling Spoonman, and Dark & Long et al, finished up the evening with the obligatory Born Slippy, leaving the crowd to float off to wherever the evening took them.
Saturday The sun came out and remained for the duration of the day, adding a psychedelic hue to the by now completed site.
it was on to the main stage. Hot Chip brought a little samba to the main stage, reworking Ready for the Floor with a wash of percussion. With a back catalogue of hits, they’ve grown into bonafide party starters, with a quirky take on Dancing In The Dark as the sun started to set. It’s a shame that the sound system let them down in the volume department. Chvrches were a huge draw at The Electric Arena, thanks to their blend of electro-lite pop.
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‘A quick 360-degree look-around took in weird art installations, a distant fairground and a lot of trees, all soundtracked by genuinely unique psychedelica’
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Battles were on top form, with drummer John Stanier’s rhythmic assault at the heart of everything. The War on Drugs, over in the Electric arena, melted their epic American rock with sprinklings of Mike Scott’s Waterboys to produce a sound that stretched beyond the loyal throngs within. A quick dash to hear the last few verses of Horse Outside from the Rubberbandits over in the comedy tent, and
But we were happy to make do with Yasiin Bey, arriving just in time for a seemingly spontaneous Biggie Smalls cover. For such a genuine music icon, it was a relatively under-attended show, most likely because the average punter may only know this man by his former stage name, Mos Def. Dublin’s Meltybrains? were perfect for Body & Soul. A quick 360-degree look-around took in weird art installations, a
distant fairground and a lot of trees, all soundtracked by the band’s genuinely unique brand of beautiful, trippy rockpsychedelica. Even a moment spent watching Meltybrains? defined this festival in a nutshell. Just next door, and things were equally wild and wacky at the Jerry Fish Electric Sideshow. Fight Like Apes were dealing with stage invasions and general chaos, with more people outside the tent impatiently peering in than could actually see the band. Push It, by Salt ‘n’ Peppa, was a carcrash cover. As for Saturday’s headliners, Blur, they were arguably the biggest band to have played Electric Picnic. With all interpersonal issues put to bed and energised with a new album, Blur were clearly enjoying themselves and the pressure is off. Damon had the crowd in the palm of his hand from early on. Every song was gold, from There’s No Other Way through Badhead, Beetlebum and This is a Low. A muted greeting for the likes of For Tomorrow and even To the End suggested the average audience age was lower than we thought, however. On the other hand, timeless classics such
Nice to see you too, Damon Albarn. Blur’s blistering set didn’t disappoint, with older classics to catch alongside contemporary tracks. Picture: Conor McCabe Photography.
as Song 2 and Parklife (performed with 11 fans plucked from the crowd – apparently one for each percentage of Irishness in Damon’s DNA) provided the greatest response from the crowd.
Sunday Jurassic 5 were the early afternoon crowd pleaser, with Cut Chemist and Dj Numark in tow. Concrete Schoolyard provided the biggest cheers of the afternoon, with heads bobbing in unison to a classic. With the all-Ireland hurling final shown on a big screen next to the Mindfield, there was plenty to keep punters busy. Heritage act Boomtown Rats gave it socks, with Geldof in great form, prowling the stage in his fake snakeskin suit,
Taking in the atmosphere at the Heineken Sound Atlas Tokyo area were Carmel Desmond and Karen Kenny
with killer tunes in tow. Later, Manic Street Preachers launched into Motorcycle Emptiness, and their energy spread throughout the crowd. A perfect slot to have them in, and they wasted none of the opportunity. It began here, six years ago for headliner Flor-
ence and the Machine. Now a festival headliner, her set was reminiscent of the Glastonbury headliner set back in June. As the closing echoes of a manic Dog Days are Over waved over us, it was time to see what we could salvage from the remainder of the evening.
GAZETTE
24 GAZETTE 17 September 2015
OUT&ABOUT
FastHEALTH Men, don’t delay – make Blue September the time to check up on cancer BLUE September has returned this year to raise awareness of, and start a dialogue on, male-specific cancers. This year, the campaign – which is sponsored by VHI Healthcare – aims to highlight men’s attitudes to their health and to encourage men to be more proactive about checking themselves for signs of cancer. To start this year’s campaign, the Men’s Cancer Alliance, in collaboration with Behaviour and Attitudes Research, conducted a survey of more than 900 Irish men of all ages and backgrounds and their knowledge of male-specific cancers, as well as their habits and attitudes towards their health. The findings showed a marked lack of knowledge of cancer among men. Examples of this included that almost half of men researched in the risk/age category for testicular cancer would not be confident in recognising the common symptoms of the illness. Some 80% of the men researched in the risk/age category for testicular cancer did not know that the best way to check for testicular cancer symptoms is a regular self-check. In addition, 81% of men aged 16 and over in Ireland have neither checked themselves or been checked by a doctor for a prostate or testes-related problem. Finally, 44% believed the reason for men being slower to visit their doctor compared to women is because they are afraid of finding out what the problem is, with 41% of respondents saying they would hope the symptoms would simply go away. Micheal Sheridan, of the Men’s Cancer Alliance, and chief executive of Mercy Hospital Foundation, said the group has produced a series of pocketsized fold-out leaflets, with each dedicated to specific cancers. He said: “These easy to read leaflets are available from Men’s Cancer Alliance website, at menscancer.ie. “We are asking the public to support this campaign by organising a fundraising event, or by making a donation via www.blueseptember.ie.”
Launching Blue September 2015 were Mary Moorehead, Men’s Cancer Alliance (MCA), Micheal Sheridan, MCA; Dr Bernadette Carr, medical director, VHI Healthcare; ex-Ireland Rugby International Tony Ward and Richard Flaherty, MCA
MUSIC HEALTH
ON CALL PT: EXERCISING AT HOME COULD BE PERFECT FOR YOU
The personal touch to push your training
SUZANNE SHEEHY
WITH the impending winter coming, there’re so many things to think about. Inevitably, you will get carried away with school runs, taking on a new routine for the winter months ahead. Plus, you will probably feel less energetic and getting in shape, so keeping your exercise routine going is less likely to be at the forefront of your mind as you just can’t find the time. If this sounds like you, On Call PT is the solution. This is a home training service where dedicated trainers come to you so you can train in your own living room or at home, making it easier than ever to get in shape. Once you contact On Call PT, you receive a free consultation. Your assigned trainer will come to your home. Body fat measurements, weight and blood pressure will be taken, and your trainer will also discuss your goals and your budget. What people don’t realise is that you don’t need a huge space – an average size front room is sufficient to get a great quality workout, while a big back garden will also suffice. I decided to try out On Call PT, and I found it very convenient. I was guided by my personal trainer, Dave Kenny, with a customised workout plan. All the equipment that I needed in my training session was provided, from resistant bands, kettlebells, power bag, body
Whether for one-to-one training or to work out with your friends, On Call PT could be the perfect answer. Personal trainer Dave Kenny (main) provided a comprehensive set of exercises to maximise results.
pump barbell and boxing gloves. My workout had great variety, with a mix up of mobility/flexibility and activation stretches, high-intensity exercise with short rest periods between sets. Working both the upper and lower body, I finished up with some core exercises, consisting of sit-ups, Russian twists, plank holds and plank side touches, and I certainly felt those muscles working! There was great structure and focus around my goals, and I found that there was no slacking
off during my workout, especially when things got tough. Kenny encouraged me, and challenged me to do more than I would have done on my own. You just have to dig a little deeper to push yourself. I would be keen on continuing monthly sessions to keep me focused and interested in my training.
Reasons Here are some words from On Call PT on the reasons to hire a personal trainer: 1. Motivation – training alone and motivat-
ing yourself can be hard. Pushing yourself to do that last rep when you are at the end of your session can be even harder. Our trainers are there to encourage, support and motivate you to ensure you get the best possible results from every workout. 2. Education – Our trainers take time with every client to go through the basics, ie correct form, lifting technique, stretches, etc. Knowing the basics will ensure that you execute your exercises correctly and will also help you to avoid any unnecessary injuries.
3. Support – Even when our trainers have left your home and your session is over, they are still there to support you. They offer online support for all clients. Whether it’s questions about your diet – or a pep talk to help you on the tough days – they can be contacted. Also, if you and your partner, or a group of friends, fancy getting together and training, then On Call PT can train you as a group. For further information, call 085 7704302, email oncallpt@mail.com, or see www.oncallpt.net.
17 September 2015 Gazette 25
GAMING interview: composer jessica curry
WEEBYTES
Noteworthy insights into how music can affect gaming READERS may recall my recent look at the beautiful, enigmatic PlayStation 4 title, Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture, and my focus on its haunting soundtrack by Baftanominated composer Jessica Curry. I caught up with Jessica last weekend, to learn first-hand a little more about her work and creative process. I began by asking her how she ended up composing computer game soundtracks, given that there aren’t many award-winning, critically acclaimed composers working in this field. “I was dragged into the games industry kicking and screaming! Dan Pinchbeck [creative director/studio head at games studio The Chinese Room] was writing his PhD on first-person shooters, and asked me to write some music for one of the experiments that was linked to his doctorate. “That game was Dear Esther [an award-winning, critically acclaimed and heavily narrative-driven title set on an unnamed island in the Hebrides], and the rest is history!” While every composer has their own unique voice, who would be your main inspirations – whether classic composers or any contemporary
shane dillon sdillon@dublingazette.com
bands and artists? “I have a really wide range of people who inspire me – Bach, The Cardiacs, Joni Mitchell, Thomas Newman, Durufle, Wim Mertens and the Nashville soundtrack are currently on my playlist. Told you it was eclectic!” Your most recent, and critically lauded, soundtrack for Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture is a beautiful and perhaps quintessentially Englishsounding score, mixing pastoral melodies with occasionally sombre yet uplifting choral segments. Have you ever felt pressured to create more generic scores? “The incredible part of the story is that I am also joint studio head at our company, The Chinese Room. This means that I can shape the titles that we make and there is never any pressure to conform to the norms of the games industry. “We make games that are very different to the usual fare that is presented, so that means I have free rein with the music –
it’s a joy.” When composing for a specific project such as Rapture, is there a principal hook that guides your work? What defines or guides your overall focus on a project? “As always in our games, the music goes much further than just providing the emotional core of the game, although that’s vital, too. We use music as a storytelling device – often using lyrics to give the player backstory and additional context for understanding the game or a specific character. “Rapture has been the most complicated score yet. Each of the six main characters has their own theme. The game is nonlinear and open-world, so the music had to act as a guide to the player. “Creating distinct themes for each main character was one way of helping the player to locate who they were listening to. Remember, there are no character visualisations in the game. “ The choir also form a really important part of the musical story in the game; in a way, taking on the role of a Greek chorus, commenting on the action as it unfolds. “They are also symbolic as, for me, the human voice represents so much of what this game is trying
Would-be American president, John McAfee
McAfee joins political race
Jessica Curry, an award-winning Bafta-nominated composer and joint studio head at games studio, The Chinese Room. Her most recent score accompanies Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture (below); a PlayStation 4 title set in a very pretty, deserted English village immediately after the apocalypse.
to say – we are here for such a short time, but it’s the connections that we form while we are here that matter.” Yo u ’ v e a l r e a d y notched up some very impressive credentials, with collaboration work taking in such diverse institutions as the Royal Opera House and Great Ormond Street Hospital. Do you ever find that your video game composing is seen as less worthy of your talents, or are you happy that fans and critics alike judge your work on its own merits? “I absolutely hate snobbery in any form, I just can’t abide it! Video games are as much a valid cultural form as anything else out there, and I will bare-knuckle fight anyone who says different!” Given such success, to date, can you see yourself setting aside gaming scores to focus on more ‘purist’ compositional work, or are you happy to just keep working on projects that you find engaging, regardless of their origin? “As in the past, I will continue accepting commissions that inspire and
JOHN McAfee – he of McAfee Antivirus software fame – has announced that he, too, is also running to be the next American president, as an Independent candidate. Famously described by Dean Barrow, the president of Belize, as being “extremely paranoid, even bonkers”, McAfee briefly went on the run in late 2012 in Belize after a neighbour of his was found dead of a gunshot wound, with McAfee blogging about his experiences of life on the lam and evading authorities. Turning up in Guatemala City, and eventually being deported to America, Belizean authorities went on to drop any charges against McAfee.
Jedi scrapes at Skelligs
excite me. The medium that the music plays in has always been the least interesting aspect of the work I undertake, and I can’t see that changing.” And, finally – what next for Jessica Curry? “I am about to embark on a wonderful commission that hasn’t been announced yet. It’s in
collaboration with a very famous contemporary poet, and the work will premiere at Durham Cathedral next year. I can’t wait!” The Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture soundtrack is available to buy on Amazon.com, priced £10.99/£6.99 digital download.
IT HAS just been revealed that Luke Skywalker (AKA actor, Star Wars icon and highly-popular gaming voiceover artist Mark Hamill) almost met an ignominious end at our own Skellig Michael last year. Hamill joined a long list of people who’ve slipped climbing steep steps at the monastic rocky outcrop, and almost fell to his death. Luckily, faster than a Jedi’s reflexes, a guide grabbed him, saving everyone’s favourite farm boy from Tatooine.
26 SWORDS GAZETTE 17 September 2015
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Gazette
28 gazette 17 September 2015
SPORT
FastSport Sandyford man makes switch to rotterdam: MITCH Darling made a stunning start to life with Rotterdam hockey club in the Netherlands after a last-ditch move to take up a professional contract last week. He scored on debut for the Dutch giants in a 4-2 win over Pinkoke in the first round of the Dutch season having only moved to the club three days earlier. The Sandyford native was part of the Irish side that finished in third place at the European Championships in London in late August and was initially due to play for Three Rock Rovers in Dublin in the upcoming season before the Dutch club came calling. Darling has previously played for SCHC and Den Bosch in the Netherlands and with KHC Leuven in Belgium. He joins a sizeable Irish contingent in European leagues with former TRR club mates Phelie Maguire (Voordaan) and Andy McConnell (Hurley) also in situ.
golf: royal dublin man renews us rivalries after six year break
Kearney teams up for PGA sport@dublingazette.com
NIALL Kearney’s last taste of team golf came in the Walker Cup on America’s east coast at Merion Golf Club,
Pennsylvania in 2009. Six years later, the Royal Dublin pro will again be representing Great Britain and Ireland on US soil but this time in the PGA Cup on
Kearney with the PGA Cup
the west coast at CordeValle, California, from September 18-20. Among his opponents in the Walker Cup was world top 10 player Rickie Fowler who helped the hosts win and America’s PGA pros will pose a similarly tough test as they bid to maintain their vice-like grip on the PGA Cup. Kearney is set to be a key part of Jon Bevan’s 10-man team which is aiming to create history by winning on US turf for the first time since the club pros’ equivalent of the Ryder Cup was first contested in 1973. Kearney, who secured his place in the team by winning the PGA Play-
Royal Dublin’s Niall Kearney
Offs last November, is relishing the challenge. “It is a trip I am really looking for ward to,” he said. “We had a get together at The Belfry where I met all the guys on the team that I didn’t know before and they’re are a great bunch. “The captain Jon Bevan is a great guy – they laid out the itinerary – it is simply unbelievable – five-star treatment – and we are so motivated to beat the US team.” The PGA Cup wasn’t on Kearney’s list of priorities when he teed up in last year’s PGA PlayOffs but it is filling his thoughts ever more as the date nears. “The PGA Cup was always in the back-
ground a bit, then gradually the paper work started to come through – getting the itinerary and then finally the gettogether at The Belfry – it is all building up now – it’s going to be something special “ T h e Wa l ke r C u p was back in 2009 – so that’s a long time ago. I enjoyed the team environment and the different formats. The Irish teams were great – really good times, we gelled really well and had some successful periods as well.” With GB&I having won just once since 1984, the pressure is on Kearney and his teammates to regain the magnificent Llandudno Trophy and Bevan has
been stoking the fires among his players. “ J o n ’s m o t i v a t i o n is that America don’t want to play it any longer simply because they don’t see it as a contest. That’s our motivation – that’s all we needed. “GB&I have been working really hard – they have a great team together, they are giving us the best chance of overturning the Americans. “The standard of the players competing on the GB&I team is really good, there are some very strong competitors. “They are golf guys – comfortable in the environment. I really think we can do well and win it.”
McCrystal and Boylan best of the Irish at Ras na mBan sport@dublingazette.com
Garda cycling club’s Eve McCrystal celebrates winning the best Irish rider category. Picture: Lorraine O’Sullivan
DUBLINER Lydia Boylan and Garda cycling club’s Eve McCrystal both finished in the top 10 on general classification following a fine performance at last week’s Ras na mBan. Boylan finished in sixth place overall, riding in the Team WNT bib, just 26 seconds off the pace set by eventual winner Stephanie Pohl from Germany. Boylan previously rode for Orwell Wheelers before moving across to Nottingham in England and, as such, was riding in
the British category. As such, despite finished 10 seconds further back, McCrystal was the top finisher in the Irish category with a ninth place finish overall after 390km of racing across six stages around Ireland at an average speed of 36.979km/h. Indeed, both riders did make a burst for glory on last weekend’s final stage when they raced clear in the closing kilometres, opening up an advantage of 15 seconds as the charged towards the line. But they were both caught
inside the final kilometre setting up the group sprint to the line taken in emphatic style by Scotland’s Eileen Roe in Ennis to deny them a huge victory. The former British Circuit Race champion powered up the finishing straight ahead of double stage winner Grace Garner (Team RST) from England and Germany’s Stephanie Pohl (South Netherlands-Energy HR). Pohl’s third place thus protected the seven-second advantage she held over Roe to secure overall honours in the tenth edition
of An Post Ras na mBan. Pohl is the second German winner of the event following Stephanie Gronow’s victory in the first event in 2006. Clare County Council Best Irish Rider was the preserve of McCrystal throughout the week and, after an early bike change, she was soon back in the pack ready to contend for stage honours. Best Irish team award went to the Richie’s Garda CC squad of McCrystal, Catherine McAteer, Orla Montague, Karen Robinson and Claire McIlwaine.
17 September 2015 gazette 29
Gazette
Iconic Fenway Park to host Dub hurlers Boston will play host to a unique contest in November when Dublin meet Galway in the new Super 11s format, the first time the city will host a game of this magnitude since 1954 nathan kelly
sport@dublingazette.com
ONE of the world’s most iconic sporting stadiums will host our own iconic sport this November after it was announced the Dublin Senior Hurlers will face Galway in Fenway Park. The home of the Boston Red Sox will host the AIG Fenway Hurling Classic on Sunday November 22. The announcement was made by AIG Insurance in Ireland, the GAA, the Gaelic Players’ Association (GPA), and Fenway Spor ts Management (FSM) on Tuesday in Croke Park. Launch events also took place in the famous Boston stadium after Boston Mayor Marty Walsh made the announce-
ment stateside. Director general of the GAA Paraic Duffy praised the importance of such an event. “It is encouraging to see the interest and impact our national game can have overseas and we’re delighted to be involved in this project for that reason,” he said. “Our overseas network is extremely important to us and bringing hurling to what is widely recognised as an Irish city outside Ireland is massively important to us. It will be an occasion to remember on November 22 as two excellent teams from Dublin and Galway demonstrate the best skills of our games.” The game will form part of an Irish Festival at Fenway Park on
the weekend where all aspects of Irish culture and music will be celebrated. It will be played the day after Boston College take on the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame at Fenway. The Dublin vs Galway clash will be a fresh experience for the intercounty stars as it will be played in the Super 11s format. Super 11s, which is the brainchild of the GPA, is an 11-a-side format of traditional hurling. It allows hurling to be played in stadiums and venues across the globe where the pitch size or playing area is smaller than that of a traditional pitch here in Ireland. Only goals can be scored in the format which may take some getting used to for the
Dublin senior hurler Dotsy O’Callaghan at the launch. Picture: Ramsey Cardy / Sportsfile
Dublin and Galway stars but specific training sessions will be organised by the GAA to ensure both sides are accustomed to the rules ahead of the match. Donal Og Cusack, chairman of the GPA, was also on hand to praise the idea at the
General manager of Dublin GA A’s sponsor AIG Ireland Declan O’Rourke, stated that the links between Boston and Ireland should make this a truly momentous occasion. “We are absolutely delighted and hugely proud to be able to bring
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‘I don’t need to explain the close ties Boston has to Ireland and why Fenway is a fitting venue’ - Declan O’Rourke
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Croke Park launch. “The AIG Fenway Hurling Classic is a truly wonderful opportunity for us to exhibit hurling at a high profile US sporting venue, and there is none more iconic than the home of the Red Sox,” he said. “We believe that hurling ranks alongside the best sports in the world and the staging of this game in Fenway is part of our commitment to convey that message to a new and influential audience.” It will be the first time since November 1954 that hurling will be played at the home of the Red Sox. It was back 61 years ago that the then All-Ireland champions Cork took on and defeated an American hurling selection.
hurling to the iconic Fenway Park in Boston. I don’t need to explain the close ties the city of Boston has to Ireland and that is why it is a fitting venue to play host to one of our national games.” Finally, Sam Kennedy, president of Fenway Sports Group, which is the parent company of the Boston Red Sox and Liverpool FC, was confident the Dublin and Galway hurlers can entertain his hometown fans. “Hurling is one of the most electrifying sports in the world and we think fans are going to enjoy watching all the fastpaced action as two of the most accomplished and talented counties compete on the pitch at Fenway Park.”
expertView
Top coach Bowes casts his eye over Rugby World Cup For the duration of the Rugby World Cup, former Edinburgh and Marlborough player Dennis Bowes, now a highly decorated coach working primarily with Barnhall, will give his thoughts on the key battlegrounds in the competition. It’s nearly here, four years in the waiting. As a teenager back in 1987 I set my alarm clock for 1.30am to wake up and watch France play Scotland in a thrilling 22 all draw in the first ever rugby world cup competing for the now famous William Webb Ellis Cup. And now we are here again for the eighth World Cup and what a fantastic spectacle it will be. This may prove to be the biggest and best so far with 20 teams playing in 13 venues in 48 games and, at 6pm on October 31, we will have our winner. Will we have a new name on the Webb Ellis? Or will the mighty All Blacks retain it This Friday, we get off to a flying start with the host nation and former winners playing the flying Fijian. Being a total romantic, I would love to see the upset of upset here and I do think this could prove to be one of the games of the tournament. This, I feel, could be a fascinating encounter with real physicality, pace and flare coming from the south sea islanders they are a real threat with ball in hand and if their set piece can hold they could do well here. One of the main areas to keep an eye on will be around the match officials and theriedecision making and the speed of the those decisions; how many times will we go to the TMO for simple decisions that could be made without the arm chair viewer losing the will to live; and how many reset scrums and penalty tries will we see? On the home front, a strong Ireland team go into battle on Saturday against a tough Canadian team. I see them coming through this in the last 20 minutes by 20+ points and building nicely into there pool, let’s hope injury free ,as their depth will count later in the group against French team that are very dangerous and unpredictable come World Cup time.
Gazette
30 SWORDS gazette 17 September 2015
SPORT
FastSport
soccer: atletico a new face on the UCFL landscape
Rivervalley senior sides run up two from three RIVERVALLEY Rangers senior sides managed two wins from their three fixtures last weekend with the defeat knocking their second side out of the Paddy Cole Cup at the hands of Sheriff YC. The first game of Rangers’ weekend was a Premier B fixture against Valley Park on Friday night in the AUL. Ste Doran’s side found themselves a goal down after 15 minutes and with the rain pelting down, early indications were it was to be a grim night. But the league leaders pulled their socks up and drew level when Paul Currivan seized on a fumble by the Valley Park keeper just before the break. They went ahead on the hour mark when the returning Daniel Murphy fired in a half volley with just his second touch of the game. Murphy was involved in the third goal too when his cross was hammered home by John O’Donogue. Rangers held on to protect their lead which sees them remain top of Premier B with 11 points from six games. The following day, Valley’s Division 1 side took on the mighty Sheriff in the Paddy Cole Cup in Ridgewood. Eoin O’Rourke put the Swords side ahead with an absolute belter from 30 yards in the first half. Sheriff came out strong after the restart however and equalised through a set-piece. Despite going close through Gary Weafer and Jimmy Rock late on, Sheriff prevailed in the shoot-out. Also on the Saturday, Valley’s Division 3A side hosted PayPal FC and managed to maintain their unbeaten run with a 7-3 win in their Ridgewood home. Stephen Leahy opened the scoring 10 minutes before the opposition quickly levelled. It was PayPal’s turn to go ahead next but Rivervalley got an equaliser of their own just before the break when Leahy grabbed a second. Jimmy Reddin put Rangers ahead for the second time and Keith Martin furthered their advantage with a fine finish. Reddin made it five but was injured in the process before Martin added his second and third either of a PayPal strike.
Glenn Cosgrave gives a team talk to the newly formed Atletico Malahide team
Malahide’s Spanish quarter nathan kelly sport@dublingazette.com
IT MAY be Malahide Castle instead of the Vicente Calderon and it may Glenn Cosgrave instead of Diego Simeone but there is still a new Atleti in north County Dublin. Atletico Malahide are five games into their debut season in UCFL Division 3A. Those five fixtures have brought two wins, two defeats and one draw, as well 26 goals with 13 going in for and against the new club.
The team is made up of a bunch of 18- and 19 - y e a r- o l d c o l l e g e mates from around the area and one of them, Sam Horan, spoke to GazetteSport about the birth of the new Northside club. “At the start it was just an idea between a bunch of mates to play a bit of ball together for the laugh,” he said. “We ran with that and it got bigger and bigger and now we’re fully legitimate and playing league football.” After an exciting firstever preseason, Atletico’s
dinghy regatta Malahide thronged for annual sailing event malahide Yacht Club’s annual Dinghy Regatta, sponsored by The Grand Hotel, attracted an entry of 76 boats across seven class divisions, with entries from neighbouring clubs as well as from Dun Laoghaire. MYC sailors won five divisions and accounted for 20 prizes in total. Pictured are Tim Noone (centre), winner of the senior class (Laser full rig), receiving his prize from the MYC Commodore Graham Smith (left) and the sponsor, Matt Ryan of The Grand Hotel.
first ever league game did not exactly go to plan, which Horan revealed. “The first league game was a bit of a write-off really,” he said. “We couldn’t wait to get started but then fell to a 5-0 defeat at the hands of Shankill FC, but thankfully the results have improved a bit since then.” Improved they have as Atleti went on to draw 3-3 with Seaview Celtic in their next fixture before hammering Windjammer FC 6-1 away from home in their third game.
A second win followed that when they travelled to Hermitage Clinic FC and left with a 2-1 victory before Saturday’s 3-2 defeat to a Kill Celtic side that Horan insisted are one of the stronger in the league. W hen most clubs are founded they often struggle for numbers in the opening season, but Horan insisted that hasn’t been a problem at Malahide. “We’ve got a pretty full roster at the minute really,” he said. “When we started the team the demand to join
was massive and we’ve a good squad here now, if anyone leaves or anything there are plenty of other lads from our year that could also come in.” Atletico must be one of the few, if not only senior team, in Dublin with a teenage manager, with 19-year-old Glenn Cosgrave, the man in charge, and if his young side keep up their swashbuckling performances and scorelines, it could be a very entertaining season for the team, and a stressful one for the manager.
17 September 2015 SWORDS gazette 31
Gazette
Football: swords club gunning for glory
Club Noticeboard FINGALLIANS THE junior B football championship
Saturday was a very big morning
final is this Saturday, September 19 in
for the club nursery with lots of new
Parnell Park at 4pm: Fingallians v Bank
boys and girls signing up.
of Ireland.
room for more. We are still recruiting
eve of the All-Ireland senior football
and all kids aged four to seven years of
final on Saturday night. Doors will open
age are welcome each Saturday from
at 8.30pm and members are asked to
10am to 11.30am.
wear a county or club jersey.
their opening group games on Sun-
ment and maybe a final chance to get a
day morning vs Castleknock and St
golden ticket for Sunday.
Peregrine’s. This followed on from the
1.30pm on Sunday afternoon for the
Fins’ final focus only on junior showdown
nathan kelly sport@dublingazette.com
THE DUBS may be going for All-Ireland glory on Sunday but until Saturday evening, there’s one championship final on the minds of Fingallians junior footballers. The Swords outfit will lock horns with Bank of Ireland in the Dublin junior B football championship final in Parnell Park on Saturday afternoon and team selector Derek McKittrick spoke to GazetteSport in the build-up to the match. “Everybody’s fighting fit and raring to go,” said McKittrick when asked for an update on his squad in the lead-up to the game. “We’ve no injury concerns; Ian Quigley is back fit which is a bonus. We’ve a squad of 30 players fighting fit and it’s up to [team manager] Gary McCallion and the rest of the selectors to pick a starting 15 come Saturday.” Such a task seems like a massive headache,
especially for a game as big as a championship final but it’s one McKittrick would rather have than not have. “It’s a brilliant headache to have. We’ll train once more before the final and then we’ll sit down and pick the team, it’ll be tough but something I’m looking forward to.” The topic then turned to the opposition and the Fingallians’ selector is under no illusions that his side will have to be at their very best to beat a strong Bank of Ireland side. “There’s a fair bit of recent history between our sides,” said McKittrick. “We beat them two years ago to get promoted. In the first league game this season they beat us, but that was a typical first league game on a wintry day. “They’re a big physical side, definitely more physical than we are but there are other ways to win a football match. There won’t be much in it but we have confidence
in our players.” Fingallians’ route to the final saw them beat off Wanderers, Garda and Ballymun Kickhams, with the semi-final against Kickhams a real highlight, according to McKittrick. “ I ’m b e i n g h o n est when I say that the semi-final against Ballymun was one of the best Dublin championship semi-finals I’ve seen in a seriously long time,” he said. “It went right down to the wire and we played
some fantastic stuff. If we produce a similar performance this weekend, there’s no reason why the championship won’t be coming back to Swords with us.” The selector was keen to praise a number of sources which have provided essential support and sponsorship for this team in particular this year such as The Old Schoolhouse restaurant, Howard’s Hardware & DIY, Jones’ Garden Centre and Airport B&B.
Both our minor football teams won
There will be a barbecue, entertain-
The club hall will be open from
The Fingallians junior B footballers. Picture: Kyran O’Brien
We had 86 U-4s and we still have
The Colours Night will be held on the
hurlers’ success in the minor A championship last weekend.
game. Supporters are asked to come
Well done to our U-14 and U-15 girls
early to guarantee a good seat. The
teams who advanced in their champi-
game will be shown on a big screen.
onships.
Ladies Final: With four club mem-
Well done to our Dublin representa-
bers representing the Dubs in the
tives on the U-14 and U-16 teams. On
final (Fiona, Sinead, Emer and Niamh),
Friday night, Emma McCormack (U-14),
we would like to see as many club
Deverla Snow, Aoife Foley, Shannon
members as possible support the
Murtagh and Laura Dempsey (U-16)
girls. Please put Sunday, September
received their Leinster medals. Shan-
27 in your diary – Dublin vs All-Ireland
non was also named Dublin U-16 player
champions Cork.
of the year.
ST FINIAN’S IT HAS been a busy week and also there
Timothy, Alan Ryan, Fiona Cronin and
are lots to mention about what’s com-
Liz Fallon for taking on this new team.
ing up in the next seven days, culmi-
The pre-All Ireland juvenile camogie
nating in the All-Ireland Senior Foot-
day took place Saturday morning. It
ball Final between Dublin and Kerry.
was another very successful day for
The adult hurlers had a great win
the camogie section of the club with
over St Jude’s on Saturday evening,
a good exhibition of skills. Thanks to
which keeps the lads in with a chance
Nuala Halpin and James Devlin for
of getting involved with the play-offs.
organising the day.
There were 90 children at the nurs-
Bring-a-Friend football mini-
ery on Saturday morning and this was
leagues and coaching: Our pre-All
the first time most had tried GAA. The
Ireland juvenile football skills and mini
club would like to say a massive thank
leagues Bring-a-Friend day will take
you to all the parents and coaches who
place next Saturday from 12 noon to
made it a brilliant morning for all.
3pm. All our welcome.
Our U-11 girls’ football team had
Big night before the Big Match! Join
their first game on Saturday against
us in Peacock’s function room on Sat-
Skerries in a brilliant match which
urday night for a pre-All Ireland final
ended in a draw. A big thank you to Paul
celebration.
FINGAL Ravens CLUB lotto results: Numbers drawn
lin in the All-Ireland final this coming
were 5, 8, 27 and 31. There was no win-
Sunday.
ner; €20 to Anne Kinsella, Joe Kavanagh and C McArdle. Our lotto jackpot is now capped at
Dermot Earley Youth Leadership Ini-
€17,000. The lotto jackpot will remain at
tiative. They are flying the flag for
€17,000 until it is won. We have started
Ravens on the North Dublin team. It is
a ghost jackpot in the background
an excellent programme to help them
which will be funded each week and
further develop their leadership skills
will then be available as the new jack-
and give back to the club and commu-
pot once the current jackpot has been
nity.
won.
All-Ireland final tickets: All order
There are no Division 1, Division 6 or
requests have now been received. The
minor fixtures this week as it is All-
distribution (or, if required, a draw)
Ireland weekend.
will take place in our clubhouse on Fri-
Best of luck to Darren Daly and DubFins during their semi-final win over Ballymun Kickhams
Good luck to Alan Manning, Mark Fitzachary and Amber Keane in the
day, September 18 at 7.30pm.
GazetteSPORT all of your swords sports coverage from page 28-31
fins’ final fantasy: Lawless Park club ready and waiting for junior championship title showdown P31
september 17 -23, 2015
shipping out to boston: Dublin hurlers set for fixture in iconic Fenway Park P29
The Island’s Gavin Moynihan
Moynihan’s Walker waltz Stunning victory for Great Britain and Ireland aided by The Island star, providing the perfect closing moment on spectacular amateur career
nathan kelly
sport@dublingazette.com
THE Island Golf Club’s Gavin Moynihan had a weekend to remember as he helped Great Britain and Ireland to a Walker Cup victory over the USA on Saturday and Sunday and announced he was turning professional on Monday. Great Britain and Ireland captured the amateur-equivalent to the Ryder Cup by a record margin, defeating their American counterparts 16.5 to 9.5. Over the course of the weekend Moynihan contributed two points, which is the same tally he gathered at his other Walker Cup appearance two years
ago when the States came out on top. One of the big stories circling this Walker Cup was the Great Britain and Ireland team containing five Irish golfers, which made up half of Nigel Edwards squad. Moynihan was joined by Paul Dunne, Jack Hume, Gary Hurley and Cormac Sharvin. In the Saturday Foursomes Moynihan played alongside Hume and recorded a 3 and 2 victory over Lee McCoy and Mike McCoy. In the singles later that day, the North Dubliner had a 4 and 2 win over Jordan Niebrugge, who pipped Dunne to the Silver Medal at this year’s Open Championship. On Sunday morning, Moynihan fell to a 3
and 2 defeat against Bryson De Chambeau and Robby Shelton. De Chambeau beat Moynihan again in the singles later that day but the overall victory was Great Britain and Ireland’s. Speaking at a special press conference after the win with just the Irish players, Moynihan stated how special it was to have so many of his countrymen in the team. “It was great to have five of us in the team first of all and we capped it off with the week we had,” he said. “All of us played great, Gary and Paul played great on the first day, myself and Jack played well together too and in the singles we just all clicked.
“To win by a record margin was great after two years ago. We just never got going two years ago. “We wanted to make sure we got the singles right because that’s where we lost big time last time so we wanted to make sure we knuckled down in the singles this year. So it was brilliant to get the win and even better to have the five of us together to do it,” Moynihan added. T he morning af ter the win it was announced that the 20-year-old was turning professional with sports management agency ISM, who currently have golfers such as Darren Clarke, Louis Oosthuizen and Lee Westwood on their roster.