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INSIDE: Hughes better than Alan to ask about his life on TV3, equality, and starring in a classic ad? P13

have an ice time: We get our skates on and check out Christmas events P12

Snow joke: Great Christmas style is a family affair Soccer:

Swords Celtic on fire against St Francis in LSL Page 30

THE Fearon family – Simon, Niall, Emily and Aoife – looked the picture of Christmas perfection with their great style at the Pavilions Shopping Centre recently, where they had come along to see Santa Claus. The world’s most generous toymaker took the time out of his busy schedule to visit the bustling centre, where children could join him for a ride on his magical train. Santa says he’s delighted to meet local children at the centre before his busy Christmas schedule.

Picture: Stephen Fleming Photography

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Skerries Harps through to AFL2 playoff decider Page 32

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ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES..................... 10 DUBLIN LIFE................... 14 OUT&ABOUT...................17 CLASSIFIEDS.................26 SPORT............................28

Council has to refund €14.1m to developers Scaled back Metro North plan has knock-on effect on collected levies

 keith bellew

FINGAL County Council will have to refund €14,118,404 in levies raised for the original Metro North project as a result of a scaled-back transport plan

getting the go-ahead.

The funds in question were raised under the Section 49 Supplementary Contribution Scheme, whereby developers are required to pay levies for infrastructural projects which increase the

value of their own developments.

Cllr Duncan Smith (Lab) said a new scheme must be adopted straight away as, in the interim, developers will have a window to build developments without hav-

ing to make contributions.

On such a scheme, he said: “We need to have one in place in order to get the revenue from developers in order to help fund our local services.”

Full Story on Page 2

2 SWORDS Gazette 26 November 2015

council Scaled-back Metro North plan impacts on charge

Refund of €14.1m due to developers FINGAL County Council will have to refund €14,118,404 in levies raised for the original Metro North project as a result of the scaled-back Metro North getting the go-ahead.

The funds in question were raised under the Section 49 Supplementary Contribution Scheme, whereby developers are required to pay levies for infrastructural projects which increase the value of their own developments.

For example, the Metro North project is a strong selling point for new housing developments in

 keith bellew kbellew@dublingazette.com

Swords, due to the speed with which commuters will travel to the city.

A spokesperson for Fingal County Council said: “€14,118,404 has been raised, to date, under the Metro North Section 49 Supplementary Contribution Scheme.

“When further information on the new Metro North scheme is avail-

able, it is most likely that the levies collected under the existing scheme will be refunded.”

They said the previous project has been substantially revised so it will be necessary to prepare and adopt a new Section 49 Supplementary Development Contribution Scheme to facilitate charging a supplementary contribution to partly finance the new project.

It is anticipated that the catchment area of the scheme will be broadly in line with the existing one.

Cllr Duncan Smith (Lab) raised the issue

recently, pointing out that during the interim of the closure of the old Supplementary Development Contribution account and the opening of a new one, developers will have a window to build developments without having to make contributions which means a substantial loss of revenue for the council.

He said: “It’s important that we get a new Section 49 up as soon as possible, because the Fosterstown local area plan, just south of Swords, has a number of new shopping complexes and that type of thing which would be subject to a new Section 49.

“We need to have one in place in order to get the revenue from developers in order to help fund our local services.”

He said that despite the beliefs of some, Metro North is happening.

“I’ve met with Transport Infrastructure Ireland

Given changes to the scaled-back Metro North, the council will have to refund levies collected from developers under the initial plan for the city transport link

[the State body involved with the development of Metro North] twice since this announcement with Deputy Brendan Ryan (Lab), and we are confident it’s going to happen.”

Cllr Justin Sinnott (Ind) also expressed his apprehension about the fact that the council will have to take €14m out of its budget to refund these levies, and the impact this will have on its ability to provide services.

He said: “The concern is that we have to find this money to repay these levies from the council budget of €214m a year. I’d imagine what will probably happen is that they’ll come to some agreement in terms of paying back that €14m over a longer term.”

The Fingal County Council spokesperson said: “The making of a new scheme involves a considerable level of planning and economic

research in addition to public consultation.

“Discussions between Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council have been initiated with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, with a view to having new schemes adopted in both local authorities.

“The setup of the account for the receipt of these development levy monies will be dealt with through the capital account.”

Fingal Girl Guides get gold awards A NUMBER of Fingal teenagers received Irish Girl Guides’ highest award at a special ceremony held in the Gresham Hotel recently.

Six teenagers from Howth Guides, and three from Rivervalley Guides in Swords, were among a record number of girls to receive the prestigious gold award in recognition of their successful accomplishment of a number of challenges.

These included service

to their local community, improving health and fitness, developing a variety of interests and acquiring new life-skills.

Each guide received a gold award pin from Irish Girl Guides’ (IGG) president Maureen Dillon, and a certificate from Cllr Janice Boylan (SF), who was deputising for Dublin’s Lord Mayor, Criona Ni Dhalaigh (SF).

The award recognises that, over the course of

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the past year, each recipient has worked hard on her own initiative and, in doing so, demonstrated self-motivation, commitment and enthusiasm.

Optional activities ranged from public speaking and woodwork to renewable energy, Fairtrade and cultural awareness. The girls also spent time working with younger IGG members, serving as leaders with Brownies or Ladybirds.

Presenting the awards, Cllr Boylan said the girls have clearly developed a wide range of vital lifeskills as well as a keen social conscience.

She said: “The future of this country is in safe hands with young

women like these at the helm and any organisation that instils confidence in young women gets a big thumbs up from me.”

IGG guide branch chairman Pat O’Brien said: “They have worked hard to achieve what they set out to do, so a big well-done to them on receiving the highest award in Guiding.”

IGG welcomes new members from age five, young volunteers from age 15, and adult volunteer leaders from age 18. Previous experience of Guiding is not necessary.

For further information, see w w w.irishgirlguides.ie.

26 November 2015 SWORDS Gazette 3

swords

heritage: council ‘extremely pleased’ at site’s cultural uses

Santa coming to town

Filmmakers return to Swords Castle SWORDS Castle stepped back in time recently, transforming into a fictional 11th century medieval castle courtyard village when Dublin-based production company Pull the Trigger took over the castle to shoot The Legend of Cambria.

The fantasy film is set in a magical mythical kingdom, with Swords Castle setting the backdrop for the ensuing adventures of heroes, villains, dragons and treachery.

Swords Castle was the ideal location for the set, as it is the best surviving example of a medieval episcopal manor in Ireland.

The Mayor of Fingal, David O’Connor (Ind), said Fingal County Coun-

cil is delighted to be associated with this latest venture in Swords Castle.

He said: “The castle’s reopening last July has made initiatives such as this possible, and the council is extremely pleased that Swords Castle is being recognised as a quality location by filmmakers.”

Paul Reid, chief executive of the council, said the decision to use the castle for a film location marks another stage in the development of Swords Castle as a valuable resource which provides a real experience to filmmakers and tourists alike.

He said: “This, and the recent Oktoberfest that was hosted in Swords Castle, shows the potential of

the castle as a unique and versatile venue.”

Home to the archbishops of Dublin for nearly 500 years, Swords Castle is a historic landmark providing a strong distinct visual and physical presence over the town of Swords.

In the ownership of the council since 1985, and reopened to the public since July, regular daily tours of the castle are provided by Fingal Tourism.

With winter opening times to March, the castle is open from 9.30am to 4pm, Monday to Saturday, excluding bank holidays, with last entry at 3.30pm.

To contact Fingal Tourism, email info@fingaltourism.ie, or telephone 01 840 0891/890 5144.

A cracker of an evening: Hoping to make a clean sweep for two charities THE Clayton Hotel at Dublin Airport is inviting people to pull together to support its annual charity Christmas Cracker event, which this year will see all proceeds going to Saint Francis Hospice, Raheny and the Golden Years Centre, Darndale. Pictured are Shay White; James Clarke, Clayton Hotel Dublin Airport; Bernadette Gillis, St Francis Hospice; Des McCann, general manager; Deputy Brendan Ryan (Lab) and Linda Hayden, Golden Years. With tickets at €10, the event on December 9 will feature ceili dancing, traditional Irish music, Lambay singers and a bumper raffle.

CHRISTMAS well and truly arrives in Swords with the arrival of Santa Claus on his Polar Express at County Hall at 5pm on Thursday, November 26.

Main Street will be illuminated when the Christmas Lights are switched on at 6pm.

Santa will be spending time in his grotto at County Hall, meeting with the younger members of the community and will have festive treats to give to his visitors.

Meanwhile, Swords on Ice returned last week, and locals can avail of the rink right up until January.

The Ice Skating Association of Ireland will once again hold a Christmas Skate Camp at the venue, where novices can learn to skate like pros. See www.swordsonice.ie.

4 SWORDS GAZETTE 26 November 2015

ARTS Applewood-based academy scoops number of wins

Swords children step up to dance success at final  KEITH BELLEW

A NUMBER of children from Swords triumphed recently at An Coimisiun Leinster Irish Dance Championships, taking home medals in several categories.

Students from Dance Hall Academy, based in Applewood Community Centre, along with dance teacher Lori Hall, travelled to the Glen Royal Hotel, Maynooth, where

they competed against the top dancers in Leinster.

Seven-year-old Saoirse Hammond collected the top prize in individual Irish competitive dance at the championships by winning in the underseven category.

She was also invited by the organisers to return at the end of all the competitions and perform without adjudication with all the other champions from the competition, in a display

of collective virtuosity of Irish step dancing champions from all ages – commonly referred to as The Parade of Champions.

In the under-10 category, in the team dancing section of four dancers, Saoirse, along with Leah Clooney, Jamie Caffrey and Sean O’Rourke received first prize for the mixed four-hand reel.

Dance Hall Academy also had the winning team for the two-hand reel

under-12 category, thanks to 12-year-old Robyn Caffrey and 11-year-old Alison Scanlon.

Robyn also clinched the under-12 preliminary dance championship title in a performance which was praised for its technical proficiency, presentation of dance movement vocabulary and feet articulations, along with some stylistic nuances.

Many of the other Dance Hall Academy dancers achieved personal best results and all were honoured to participate at the highest provincial level.

Dance teacher Lori Hall said she was very pleased at the achievements of the dancers.

She said: “It is great to know that they have worked very hard for the past few months for this moment, and their results validated all their hard work, practice and commitment. They did it.

“They danced from the heart, and that is what we had asked from them, and now they know, believe and appreciate that all the blisters, sweat and toil

Robyn Caffrey and (inset) Sean O’Rourke, Saoirse Hammond, Leah Clooney and Jamie Caffrey

were all worth it.”

Speaking about the dance philosophy of Dance Hall Academy, dance master Joey Comerford said: “We strive for excellence in Dance Hall Academy, but for us the person is more important than the dance.

Belief “We adhere to the philosophical belief of great people who dance, although after the weekend through their performances, achievements and their own individual expression of their dance intelligence, the danc-

ers themselves have progressed this philosophy further to great people who dance.”

Some of the Dance Hall Academy dancers that participated at the championship also perform in the professional Irish dance show, The Hooley Show @ Johnnie Fox’s Pub, in the Dublin mountains.

In the show, they perform solo cameos and also with the troupe of Johnnie Fox’s dancers, some of whom have graced stages in more than 30 countries, with shows such as Riverdance.

Most recently, the teachers of Dance Hall Academy were invited to perform in a sell-out show at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre, with Ragus – The Homecoming.

Dancers of all ages and standards are welcome to join the academy at Applewood Community Centre. The first class is free, to allow prospective dancers to decide whether it is for them before committing.

For further information, contact Lori Hall at 087 639 5150, or email classes@dancehallacademy.com.

Top business awards for Keogh’s TOM Keogh, managing director of Keogh’s Farm, has been named Marketer of the Year, and JC Savage Fingal Business Person of the Year, at the Fingal Business Excellence Awards.

The success was thanks to his outstanding work on developing the Keogh’s Grown With Love brand.

The north Dublin farmer was commended for transforming the humble spud into a successful brand, both in Ireland and in 14 countries around the world.

Responsible for creating National Potato Day in 2011 – now a nationally recognised occasion for the promotion of potato consumption in Ireland – Keogh has been hailed as a savvy marketer.

He said he is honoured and humbled to receive these accolades and for his family business to be acknowledged as an Irish success story. “We’ve seen excellent growth in 2015 and we continue to set ourselves ambitious targets for 2016 and beyond. My appreciation must

be extended to my family and colleagues who work so passionately to ensure that Keogh’s Farm goes from strength to strength.”

This year saw the 13th annual Fingal Business Excellence Awards, which are a hallmark of excellence for all businesses in the area, and which recognise and congratulate the business leaders who drive innovative business processes, product development, enterprise, sustainability and overall business success across all sectors.

26 November 2015 SWORDS Gazette 5

6 SWORDS Gazette 26 November 2015

don’sdublin

council United criticism of ‘Victorian entertainment’

Stearne – who was

Call for ban on wild animals in circuses

a professor of medi-

 keith bellew

How the wandering College of Physicians finally found its home IN 1654, Dr John

cine in Trinity College – founded what was then called The Fraternity of Physicians of Trinity Hall, with the aim of improving the practice of medicine in Ireland.

Surprisingly, it was originally housed in Trinity Hall – a former prison on what is now Trinity Street.

In June, 1667, a Royal Charter was granted by King Charles II, and this was amended in 1692 as the original charter was considered “insufficient to compass the noble design”.

Sir Patrick Dun was president at the time, and he played a very significant role in the college’s history.

He bequeathed his extensive library to the college, which is housed in the building and still in use, and when the hospital on Grand Canal Street that bore his name was opened in 1812, the college had its first permanent home in almost a century.

The college bought the premises at No 6, Kildare Street in 1860, but before it could move in a fire destroyed the property.

It was not until 1864 that the college had a new home, and the addition of the Kildare Street Club racquet court and its conversion into the Corrigan Hall in 1874 made No 6 one of the city’s most attractive and interesting buildings.

1877 saw Elizabeth Walker Dunbar become the first woman to be allowed to practise medicine in the British Isles, and Kathleen Lynn (1874-1955) also made a mark.

She qualified in 1899, was a member of the Irish Citizen Army, and was its chief medical officer during the 1916 Easter Rising.

Lynn was imprisoned, then subsequently elected as a Sinn Fein TD, but never took her seat.

She established St Ultan’s Hospital, Charlemont Street in 1919 and received a state funeral when she

USING wild animals in circuses was the subject of a motion at a recent Swords/Balbriggan area committee meeting recently, following the recent visit of a circus to Fingal which kept wild animals.

The motion, tabled by Cllr Eugene Coppinger (SP), called on the Government to introduce legislation banning the use of wild animals in circuses. It was passed unanimously.

This follows a decision by the council to ban the use of animals in circuses on council property a number of years ago as a result of a Socialist Party motion. However, circuses with animals can still be used on private property. Cllr Coppinger said the circus that visited recently had five Bengal tigers in a 40-foot trailer, and two camels in a very small cage.

He said: “As is typical with animals that are kept in confinement, they were circling around, the cage the camels were in was bare, there was nothing to stimulate them, [it was] absolutely cruel.

“These animals are

Animal rights protesters picketing a circus in Fingal recently, where they called for a boycott

then expected to entertain us in a circus. We don’t need to make cruelty to animals part of our entertainment – we should object to it any time we can.”

Cllr Barry Martin (PBP) said the treatment of circus animals is extremely cruel as they spend most of their lives in cages or confined enclosures.

He said: “It’s completely unnatural; it’s a completely outdated form of entertainment, and I think a really important point is that it sends the wrong

message to children: that it’s ok and acceptable to use animals for our own entertainment, and force them into unnatural environments and to unnatural behaviour.”

He added that he believes the use of animals in circuses should be banned outright.

Cllr Justin Sinnott (Ind) agreed, saying he believes Fingal County Council should lead the way in banning the use of animals in circuses outright.

On their use in this manner, he said: “It’s

something from Victorian times. It’s beyond comprehension in the 21st century that we would use animals for our own entertainment.

“Let’s set it out that Fingal County Council is an area where we don’t accept the mistreatment of animals for our entertainment.”

Following the meeting, Cllr Coppinger said he is delighted that the motion passed and hopes this is another step towards a total ban on the practice.

He went on to com-

mend the Not For Your Entertainment activist group, who object to the use of wild animals in circuses. They recently protested at one such circus visiting Fingal.

He said that Fingal should be doing everything in its power to prevent any such circuses from performing in the county.

“There are many people in Balbriggan and Swords, and across Fingal generally, who would fully support such a ban,” said Cllr Coppinger.

died in 1955.

No 6 is a great building with beautiful interiors, and is a popular city centre venue for conferences and weddings.

Don Cameron

www.donsdublin.wordpress.com

No 6, Kildare Street has many fine details that complement the College of Physicians’s heritage

Winter works programme under way Winter is well and truly under way, and the council is gearing up to face potential blizzards with the preparation of its winter works programme.

The council has vastly improved its programme since 2010 when local authorities throughout the country were unprepared to cope with the level of snow.

Some 4,600 tonnes of road salt is stored in two facilities at Coolmine in Dublin 15 and Watery Lane, Swords.

A new purpose-built salt barn

was constructed at the Watery Lane depot in Swords in 2013 and filled with salt to ensure plentiful long-term supply in the event of a prolonged period of very cold weather.

The council has eight road salting vehicles which are used over seven routes allowing one spare vehicle to be kept in reserve in case of breakdown.

Each of the gritting trucks has a snow plough that can be attached to the front of the vehicle. The number of trained drivers has also been increased from nine in

2010 to 21, the number of supervisors to oversee the road salting schedule has also increased from three in 2010 to 10. A roster of three qualified engineers are also available to make decisions as to whether or not roads should be salted based on information from the Icecast system based on predicted road temperatures and weather conditions provided from Met Eireann.

A spokesperson from Fingal County Council said: “Should weather conditions deteriorate further or beyond the normal

ability for Fingal County Council to respond to a bad weather event we have a range of major emergency plans and procedures in place for Fingal and for the Eastern Region that can be activated as required, working with the other principal response agencies namely An Garda Siochana and the Health Services Executive.

The Fire Service is part of the local authority response.”

The annual winter service plan is available at: www.fingal. ie/roads-and-travel/winter-roadsalting/

26 November 2015 SWORDS Gazette 7

8 SWORDS Gazette 26 November 2015

pollution Locals want effluent discharge into bay tackled by national utility

‘Waste water’ a concern in Howth  keith bellew

HOWTH residents have criticised Irish Water over ongoing issues centred around an alleged sewage discharge from an outfall pipe into Doldrum Bay in Howth.

One resident has said that he has been greeted by “reams of sodden toilet paper” festooning the rocks around the gushing pipe.

“That, of course, all adds to the stench and complements the other items of sanitary waste,” he said.

He also maintains that this is harming the marine life at the bay. On

one occasion last month, a juvenile seal came up on to the rocks to moult.

The seal was named Sue by locals.

The resident said: “Clearly, Sue would prefer not to be surrounded by human waste, but there you go – you can’t have everything.

“Irish Water continue to maintain that there is no impact on receiving waters [waters in which wastewater is discharged] and that the isolated nature of the site makes their wastewater discharge in operation [the resident’s term for Irish Water’s description of the issue] somehow okay.”

He also raised the issue of green dye being put into the effluent, which is turning a number of the rock pools green.

“In correspondence, [Irish Water] have assured me that the nontoxic nature of the dye means there was nothing to worry about,” said the resident.

Cllr Brian McDonagh (Lab) confirmed that these issues are ongoing and have been for a number of years due to a broken pipe.

He said: “It [Doldrum Bay] is difficult to access, but Irish Water certainly should be looking at prioritising that, and trying

to get it fixed as quickly as possible.”

Meanwhile, a source has told The Gazette that the alleged waste discharging from the pipe is only partially treated, and due to the fact that Doldrum Bay is difficult to access, it would cost three or four times as much to fix the pipe as a regular pipe fix.

For this reason, coupled with the small area population affected by the issue, they said Irish Water is unwilling to spend the money on this issue when they could spend it fixing problems in more densely populated areas.

A spokesperson for

Happiest faces are in Swords THE happiest faces in Ireland have been discovered in Swords following a lengthy search by gift card company, One4all.s Grandad Larry O’Brien and father Kevin Halpin will star in One4all’s national Christmas campaign and TV commercial, which launches on Tuesday, December 1.

According to One4all, both men were chosen for their shining smiles.

The national search was launched in a bid to find a face that radiates Christmas joy, and the men’s glowing grins beat off hundreds of entrants of all ages to claim the title.

O’Brien said: “It’s great to be part of the One4all Christmas advertisement.

I’m sure it will amuse my family when they see my face on TV this year, and let’s hope it puts a smile on their faces.”

‘Sue’ the seal relaxes at Doldrum Bay. Local residents are less relaxed, however, about an alleged sewage discharge into the waters.

Irish Water said the utility is carrying out an assessment of the sewer system.

It will be followed by a separate examination that will follow of the most appropriate options that could be undertaken to address both the issues

of the discharge and the defective outfall.

The spokesperson said: “The location of the damaged outfall pipe is at the bottom of the cliff and presents a significant health and safety risk, in terms of safe access and

egress.

“Once the studies are complete, Irish Water will be in a position to consider all options before making a decision on how to proceed and prioritise works in the context of available capital funding.”

26 November 2015 SWORDS Gazette 9

transport Journey time to be greatly reduced in evenings

41X set to use Port Tunnel in both ways  keith bellew

DUBLIN Bus has announced that from Monday, December 7 onward, the 41X Swords to UCD Belfield will travel through the Port Tunnel in both directions, thus reducing journey times.

Previously, the bus had only used the tunnel going from Swords to Belfield, but not on the return journey. This means commuters will have a shorter journey home in the evenings.

Cllr Darragh Butler (FF) said this is very welcome as locals have been waiting for this for a long time.

He said: “This is great news for Swords residents who use the 41X to come home in the evening.

“Whilst the 41X has long since been using the Port Tunnel on the way in each day, it has not been coming home, adding 30 minutes-plus to the journey home each evening.

“We have been campaigning for this for a long time now, and thankfully this is finally coming to fruition,” he said.

Cllr Duncan Smith (Lab) echoed Cllr Butlers’ remarks, saying it is an issue people have raised with him on numerous occasions.

He said: “This is good

news for the communities of Swords. People have raised this a lot, particularly commuters who might work south of the Liffey, or students of UCD, and have to navigate through traffic in Dublin city centre before reaching the northside, and then have to navigate traffic on that side of the river as well.

“For them to know that when they reach the northside they can hit the tunnel and be in Swords within a few minutes is very welcome,” he said.

Meanwhile, Minister for Transport Paschal Donohoe has announced an expansion of DART services in the New Year

in an effort to reduce congestion on the roads and provide greater choice to people commuting into the city on a daily basis.

Deputy Alan Farrell (FG) said this is great news for residents in Fingal, particularly those in Malahide and Portmarnock.

He said: “At present, commuters in Malahide and Portmarnock are faced with a number of gaps in the current Irish Rail schedule. These gaps will now be filled with additional services, making it easier for those travelling to plan their journeys.”

This service expansion follows the announce-

Commuters will benefit from the 41X using the Port Tunnel from December 7

ment that DART is to be extended to Donabate, Skerries, Balbriggan, Rush and Lusk stations within the next four years.

Deputy Farrell said: “In addition to new Metro North [plans] and

the DART extension to Balbriggan which will be developed over the coming years, I am pleased that DART services are being expanded in order to cater for the current levels of demand.

“This announcement

will be welcome news for north county residents and I would urge everyone to contribute to the public consultation on the draft 2016 schedules for all Connolly services, which will be made available online.”

10 SWORDS Gazette 26 November 2015

gazetteGALLERY

Chairman of the board Brendan Fitzgerald cuts the ribbon as the pupil, Fr Frank Reburn and principal Steve Prendergast look on

Children delighted to get extra classrooms

P

UPILS could hardly contain their excitement at Pope John Paul II National School, Malahide, recently, thanks to the official opening of new classrooms at the busy school.

With their opening, the school boasts 25 classrooms, while its topnotch facilities include computers,

interactive whiteboards in all classrooms, a fully equipped school kitchen, the use of iPads in classes, and a range of other facilities to help get inquisitive young minds off to a great start in Malahide.

Officially opening by board chairman Brendan Fitzgerald, the class-

rooms were roundly praised by all present, with the teaching staff especially pleased to see yet another boost for the school.

The pupils soon settled down once the excitement faded away, ready to concentrate on having fun and learning at Pope John Paul II NS.

Michelle Cahill, Anne-Marie Creavin, Maeve O’Connor and Noel Murray-Hession

Ger O’Rourke, Toni Griffin, Gayle Byrne, Rita Flanagan, Dominica McCough and Architect Vinnie Convery and builder Paul Flynn

Carol Beirne. Pictures: Stephen Fleming Photography

Thumbs up from the pupils for their new room

26 November 2015 SWORDS Gazette 11

gazetteGALLERY

Paul Quinlan and Rachael Roughan

Doug Nascimento, Marina Dassa and Mariana Mascimento toast the evening’s success. Pictures: Stephen Fleming Photography

Bavarian beer draws them near in Swords

O

KTOBERFEST had its inaugural occurence in Swords recently, when the popular beer-themed festival came to town.

Large glass steins were rarely empty for long as the best of Bavarian beer flowed, as German excellence in beer

Joe and Audrey Buchanan

and foods was celebrated with gusto by locals and visitors alike.

Live music – including, of course, polka music – added to the pleasant atmosphere in the Oktoberfest tent

by Swords Castle, with groups including Blanchardstown Brass Band,

Peter Jordan and Eoin O’Doherty, celebrating his 50th birthday

Fingal Gospel Choir and more keeping the music flowing just as much as the beer.

With the great success of the first Oktoberfest, the festival is sure to attract another great turn-out whenever it returns to north Dublin ...

Filling one of the steins

Lesley Judd and Mohammad Ali

Bernie Wyse and John Cahill

12 SWORDS Gazette 26 November 2015

family fun Celebrating the Christmas season across Dublin



 Tis the Season … 



Dun Laoghaire Christmas festival Dun Laoghaire began its Christmas market last Saturday, November 21 and celebrations will run until Thursday, December 24.

The Christmas festival by the sea is taking place directly opposite the main entrance to the LexIcon Library on the front grounds of the Maritime Museum.

As part of the Christmas market, there will be 20 seasonal wooden chalets hosting a wonderful range of artisan food and craft offerings.

In addition to the Christmas market at the Maritime, the museum will also play host to a number of seasonal concerts, events, children’s ar ts/craf ts/play and magic shows to coincide with market hours.

Santa’s Grotto will also be open from Sunday, November 28 on the first floor of the Dun Laoghaire Shopping Centre and it will operate on Thursdays and Fridays from 2pm to 6pm and on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 noon to 7pm.

Tickets cost €10.

For more information see www.dunlaoghaire.ie

Airfield at Christmas A Christmas festival will be held in Airfield Estate in Dundrum over the next month and it will include all things seasonal.

The Overend family home and gardens will be transformed into a winter wonderland with a charming gingerbread village, an enchanted walled garden where Airfield’s



With Christmas just around the corner the Gazette checked some of the best seasonal events from around the city fairies spend their Christmas, giant nutcracker soldiers, and a warm welcome from an elf who will bring small children into see Santa in his cottage.

Santa’s reindeers will also be outside the cottage.

Airfield’s Christmas experience is currently running from now until Tuesday, December 22.

For more information see www.airfield.ie

Blanch The annual Carols

by Candlelight service organised by Blanchardstown Baptist Church will be held at Riversdale Community College on Sunday, December 20 at 6:15pm. The hour-long event will feature special music illuminated by 100 glowing candles.

Complimentary seasonal refreshments will be served afterwards and there will be a creche for children under five years during the event to facilitate families with young children.

For more information, call 085 702 1425 or visit www.bbc.ac.

Draiocht will host its two-day Christmas Craft Fair Extravaganza on Saturday, November 28-29. Patrons can come along and support local crafters enjoy raffle prizes, face painting and hot chocolate; and watch featured Christmas films, Elf and The Muppet Christmas Carol. The 30 stalls will feature some hand crafted work, including knitting, crochet, baking, jewellery, needlework, wood turning, origami, cards, journals, children’s clothes, buttons, key rings, handbags, photography and much more.

Snow Queen Rosanna Davison and Hannah O’Reilly snuggle up at the launch of

Ryan Curran at the official opening of the inaugural Dun

the Christmas Kingdom in Malahide. Picture: Gareth Chaney Collins

Laoghaire Christmas Festival. Picture: Jason Clarke Photography

See www.draiocht.ie for more information.

Swords Empire Bar in Swords is hosting a Christmas market at its Babylon club on Sunday, December 6 from 12 noon to 5pm.

Punters will receive warming mulled wine and mince pies on arrival and be treated to the sounds of local carol singers.

Lots of great exhibitors signed up and there will be wreaths and great gifts and stocking fillers and decorations on display such as Manilla Boutique, Country Couture Gifts, Lifetime Toy Company, Crannah Cakes, Gannon Craft, K•L•O Kids Lou Lou Belle and more.

Malahide plays host to the Christmas Kingdom this year at the Marina Green and the Castle.

Along with food and gifts there will be numerous amusements such as merry-go-rounds, vintage carousels, and chair-oplanes.

Other special features include the Polar Express train, a 2,200 square foot ice rink, a Charles Dicken’s themed street, Christmas markets, Rudolf and some real reindeer, elves, Santa and Mrs Claus, the Polar Post Office for sending Santa letters, the tunnel of lights and Christmas Tree Avenue.

The Christmas Kingdom is due to open every weekend from November 20 and every day from December 18 until 23.

Dublin City Dublin is borrowing from New York this Christmas with the I BELIEVE festival at Cus-

tom House Quarter from Thursday, November 26 to Wednesday, December 23.

Inspired by the 82-year tradition behind the world-famous Rockefeller Tree in New York, I BELIEVE will be centred on a 50-foot Christmas tree, donated by Coillte. It will be a festival of food, drink, craft and horticulture, With a focus on supporting Irish businesses, traders, crafts people, producers and charities, A carefully curated selection of the nation’s leading food, drink, craft and horticulture producers will trade in the festive village with exceptional quality and locally sourced products. They will be joined by Dublin’s iconic Clerys Santa who will be relocating his

workshop and elves to the I BELIEVE Christmas Tree and Village for 2015.

For more information visit: www.ibelieveinchristmas.ie/

South Dublin County In Dublin Mid-West this year, Lucan Library is hosting a small craft’s fair for Christmas. They’re currently looking to hear from local businesses and crafts people interested in showcasing their products in the library on Friday, December 11 and Saturday, December 12.

From candles to cakes and everything in between, they’re open to ideas. Contact 01-6216422 or email lucan@sdublincoco.ie for more information.

On Saturday, December 5, St Andrew’s

National School, Lucan are hosting their own Christmas fair, opening at 10.30am. The items for sale during the fair include: toys, bric-abrac, cakes, teas, books, crafts, a raffle and many more. Santa Claus will also be making a special appearance at 11am.

Panto tickets for Beauty and the Beast will also be on sale.

On November 29, a celebration of song in aid of the Irish Cancer Society will take place in St Mary’s Church, Leixlip at 7.30pm. Sopranos Karen Nelson and Annmarie Corcoran will perform on the night, along with Our Lady’s Nativity Parish Choir.

Admission for this event is €12 for adults and €5 for children and can be purchased at the door.

26 November 2015 swords Gazette 13

rte Weekly papers ‘are imperative to the community’

A look into the heart of local newspapers  aisling kennedy akennedy@dulbingazette.com

An RTE documentary centred around how important local newspapers are in the wake of the onset of digital journalism is currently airing on RTE 1.

The producer behind the series, Gerry Reynolds, is a strong advocate of the importance of local print having come from a print background himself and said that he believes now, more than ever, local papers are imperative to the local community.

Reynolds spoke to the Dublin Gazette about his documentary, The Local Eye, and said: “Local

papers are part of Ireland’s DNA and they’re absolutely vital and central to who we are as a community and as a society. In the first series we focus on the Clare Champion, the Mayo News, and the Munster Express which have been family-owned newspapers down through the generations.

“We knew that they were going through very hard times and we wanted to see how these newspapers, which had been around for over 150 years, are surviving.

“We found that absolutely yes they are surviving and we found that there’s a huge affection for them because they

reflect and speak to the communities where people live. We met a very interesting man who was an optician and he put a campaign out on social media for his business.

He said the campaign reached everywhere in the world but that nothing reached the people that he wanted to reach like the local paper.”

Reynolds also found that local papers are central to the local community especially when there is an issue that the community care about.

“There is also a huge range of material in them too with everything from court reports to humour.

The content is what makes it and the secret

is good journalism. The local papers invest in good writers and there’s nothing that can beat that.

“The reason local papers will survive is because they find the extraordinary in the ordinary, they find the wonder in the seemingly commonplace. They look at the detail in a way that you can see where the beauty is whereas in a lot of other media it’s glitz and glam and it just washes over you. They’re at the heart of it, they’re at the heart of human life and existence so I’ve a huge affection for them.”

Reynolds himself began as a freelance journalist for the Irish Times, the

The first series of The Local Eye focuses on the Clare Champion, the Mayo News, and the Munster Express and (inset) the producer behind the series, Gerry Reynolds

Irish Independent and the Sunday Independent.

He went on to win Young Journalist of the Year for a series on crime and he also worked as editor of the Garda Review.

He has worked for RTE for many years but still always takes time to read

his local newspaper.

“I think local papers are doing their very best and I think that as long as they migrate the stories and the brand that they have onto the online platform as well as print they will have a great future.

Over a third of a million

people tuned into our programme over the last few weeks which is huge numbers. So there is an appetite and an interest in local newspapers.”

The Local Eye is currently running every Thursday at 7pm on RTE 1.

14 Gazette 26 November 2015

gazetteGALLERY

The Bugle Babes, whose singing helped to set the classic musical vibe

Ken Stanley and Elaine Heaslip

Mike Hope Panti Bliss and Noel Sutton toast the ball’s success in the fundraising evening ahead. Pictures: Brian McEvoy

Helping film workers in vivid technicolour P

With plenty of witty, colourful banter from Ms Bliss, songs from The Bugle Babes, and dance routines from The Dublin Burlesque Dancers, the evening was a lively, upbeat affair, with everyone happy to help film workers who have contributed much to the nation’s cultural coffers.

ANTI Bliss was the inimitable host of the annual fundraising Cinema Ball recently, which was held at the Intercontintal Hotel. Run by the Irish Cinematograph Trade Benevolent Fund, the ball aims to help individuals in the film industry in Ireland who may for one reason or

another, find themselves in need.

Based on the theme of Glorious Technicolour – A Celebration of Movies Musicals, many ballgoers set aside formal, gloomy colours to sport vibrant hues, or accessorised classic ball staples with subtle splashes of colour.

Caroline and Grace Cassidy

Katharine Buckley, Orla King and Laura Nolan

GAZETTE

R1

26 November 2015 GAZETTE 15

DUBLINLIFE

THE BIG INTERVIEW

ALAN HUGHES: TV3 PRESENTER ON HIS BUSY LIFE

Proud to be a full and equal member of Irish society

 IAN BEGLEY

AFTER proposing to his long-time partner on national television recently, TV3’s Alan Hughes says that after years of campaigning for equal rights, he is proud to live in a society where same-sex marriage is now legalised.

As part of this week’s Big Interview, Hughes talks about his impromptu proposal to song/ scriptwriter Karl Broderick, and what it was like to live in Ireland as a gay man when homosexuality was still illegal.

He also discusses his upcoming panto, Beauty and the Beast, the famous 1980s ESB advert he starred in, and his recent health scare.

“Karl was totally stunned when I proposed to him [live on air on TV3’s IrelandAM] because I’m not the type of person who would usually do that sort of thing.

It was totally unexpected, and since the Marriage Bill was signed into law that week I thought it was the right time to do it.

“When we got back to the house, he kept saying: ‘I can’t believe you did that, I can’t believe you did that’, but he was delighted nonetheless.

“We had such a massive civil partnership celebration in 2011, and I don’t think we could ever dream of topping it, but after we finish up with the panto we’ll probably do something quiet in the country.”

Asked about the criticism he received from comic Oliver Callan, who described his public proposal as “crass”, Hughes said he thinks it’s very sad.

“For a man who came out of the closet on national television and who bases his career on television, it doesn’t make any sense as to why Oliver would have a problem with it.

“But I suppose since Mario Rosenstock is getting a new TV show on RTE, he probably feels like he needs to do something to publicise himself.”

The TV3 presenter went onto say that he first met Broderick 23 years ago, when it was still illegal to be gay in Ireland.

“When we first met it was a very different time. I knew people who would walk up and down

the street before heading into a gay bar and enter when nobody was looking.

“Myself and Karl never really went out to places openly as a couple together. It was not as if we were hiding our relationship, it was just the way Irish society was at the time for gay people.

“I remember when I got a job as the presenter of a big Friday night game show called Talk About on RTE, the producer told me not to be doing anything that would come up in the papers.

“He knew that I was gay and I’ve always been very open with people, but Karl wasn’t, so it was

a big learning curve for him at the start going out with someone from TV. “We’ve come on so far in the last 22 years, and now that same-sex marriage is legalised it’s just brilliant. TV3 have always been very tolerant of myself and Karl, and do everything they can to support us,” he said.

Talking about his health scare last year when he was rushed to hospital due to low oxygen levels, Hughes said that it was down to stress and being overworked.

“I’m grand now and don’t let myself get too stressed out. I’ve never cancelled a show in the 21 years I’ve been doing

panto, and I don’t plan on ever doing so.

“The panto is getting on really well this year.

Sales have gone up compared to last year, and I really think it’s going to be a big success.”

Asked about the iconic ESB advert he starred in during the 1980s when he played the part of a young man returning to Ireland to see his mammy, Hughes said that the commercial will most likely stay with him forever.

The Cheerios Panto – Beauty and the Beast, will start in the Tivoli Theatre from December 9 to January 10. Tickets can be purchased at www. panto.ie.

Presenter Alan Hughes (right) shocked his long-time partner Karl Broderick by proposing to him live on air recently

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16 Gazette 26 November 2015

dublinlife

diary

Paul puts in a massive tackle for Barnardos Irish Rugby Hero and Barnardos’ Ambassador Paul O’Connell called on people to dig deep and give children a happy Christmas and a brighter future as he launched Barnardos’ Christmas appeal recently.

Barnardos works with more than 11,300 chil-

dren and families in 40 community-based centres across Ireland, supporting them to achieve their potential in life.

Speaking at the launch, Paul O’Connell said Barnardos is working to give hard-pressed families the Christmas they deserve and the support they need

to change their future “ T h e r e a r e m a ny parents out there who, through no fault of their own, may have to say no to their children this Christmas. Barnardos will use your donation to bring some Christmas magic into the lives of the children they work with

by helping families to make sure they have what they need for a happy Christmas,” he said.

To give your support to Barnardos this Christmas with a donation or toy, visit www.barnardos.ie/ christmas.”

celebrating Trad and Folk music The annual Temple Bar TradFest returns this year for its 11th instalment from January with what organisers are calling a vibrant programme.

The festival line up for January 2016 has been announced and once again includes a programme of Irish and international performers performing in some of Dublin’s most historic venues.

The festival will include the Front Row Sessions, a series of 13 free concerts in the pubs of Temple Bar. TradFest also provides a platform for emerging artists to showcase their talents to an international audience. Other elements include TradKids from The Ark, Ireland’s only dedicated Cultural Centre for children, TradFringe embracing many of the cities established cultural venues such as The Irish Film Institute, The Gallery Of Photography, Irish Writers Centre, and The Hugh Lane Gallery. In 2016 TradFest will also host a series of newly commissioned works commemorating 1916.

Irish rugby hero and Barnardos ambassador Paul O’Connell launched Barnardos’ Christmas appeal recently with the help of Molly Kennedy and David McNally

For more information visit: www.templebartrad.com.

Lord of the Flies production Following a hugely successful run earlier this year with their production of To Kill A Mockingbird, Regent’s Park Theatre’s critically acclaimed production Lord of the Flies will visit Bord Gais Energy Theatre from November 24 to 28.

After a group of s c h o o l b o y s s u r v i ve a catastrophic plane crash, what starts as a classic desert island adventure quickly descends into a struggle for survival in a darkly sinister world of superstition and immorality.

William Golding’s 20th century classic explodes onto the stage in this remarkable production direct from London’s award-winning Regent’s Park Theatre.

This production is directed by Regent’s Park Theatre’s artistic director Timothy Sheader and co-directed by Liam Steel with design

by Jon Bausor, and composition and sound score by Nick Powell.

Tickets for Lord of the Flies are priced from €15 to €45 and can be purchased by visiting

w w w. b o r d g a i s e n e rgytheatre.ie.

see www.nationalgallery.ie.

Hennessy Portrait Prize winner

just who was in the GPO in 1916

The winner of the 2015 Hennessy Portrait Prize was announced last week at the National Gallery of Ireland.

Vera Klute was awarded the prize of €15,000 for her oil canvas painting entitled Anne Ryder and will also receive a commission worth €5,000 to produce a portrait for inclusion in the National Portrait Collection.

The aim of the competition is to showcase and encourage interest in contemporary portraiture and to raise the profile of the National Portrait Collection at the National Gallery of Ireland.

Klute has exhibited widely both in Ireland and abroad and is also currently working towards a solo exhibition in the Molesworth Gallery in 2016.

Of the 260 entrants in the competition this year, 12 were shortlisted by the judging panel and these 12 entries currently have their portraits displayed in an exhibition at the National Gallery of Ireland until Sunday February 14, 2016.

For more information

A book which seeks to definitively answer the question of exactly who was in the GPO during Easter Week 1916 was launched recently

by Dublin Lord Mayor, Criona Ni Dhalaigh at City Hall.

“The GPO Garrison Easter Week 1916 - A Biographical Dictionary”, was written by retired Dublin City Council worker and Dublin historian Jimmy Wren following 30 years of painstaking research.

The book contains over 520 names of GPO garrison members, whose ages range from 12-63 years and includes full supporting evidence from many and varied sources.

The amount of people who claimed to have taken part in the action at the GPO during Easter Week could fill a small stadium and this book aims to give a definitive answer to the many claims and counter claims.

From Geography Publications and partlysponsored by Dublin City Council, the book is priced at €25 and is available from all good bookshops.

26 November 2015 Gazette 17

asdfsdaf P27 cinema P25

food P21

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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travel P20

The Pavilion Theatre: RTE Contempo Quartet presents unique concert experience

Getting the classical treatment  Keith Bellew

Composer Glen Austin and the RTE Contempo Quartet, featuring renowned bodhran player Aimee Farrell Courtney will present a unique concert experience that unites classical music with Irish rock and pop from the last 30 years, at The Pavilion Theatre, Dun Laoghaire on December 5.

This follows the recent release of an album in the same vein called New Airs, which features classical arrangements of songs such as With or Without You by U2, Run

by Snow Patrol and The

Boys are Back in Town by Thin Lizzy.

Other featured artists include Kodaline, The Script, Enya, and Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova.

The album also introduces new settings of older Irish airs inspired by modern artist’s interpretations such as Sinead O’Connor’s version of She Moved Through the Fair and Luke Kelly’s musical adaptation of Patrick Kavanagh’s poem Raglan Road. Speaking to The Gazette, Austin said that the project is something he had considered doing for a long time as rock

music was his first love before he discovered classical music.

“Adrian Mantu, the director of Contempo Quartet, approached me and said he’d be interested in doing something with rock music and I jumped at the chance. I thought it would be great to explore Irish rock and pop because it had never been done before with classical music,” he said.

He went on to say that deciding which artists to include was quite difficult because there are so many to choose from.

“It’s only the first album and the first concert, we already have ideas for a second and third album.

It was just a matter of making a choice between all this great music.

“Everyone might feel that there’s one or two that could be included, but it won’t be the last album or concert, so if things go well, the plan is to have a second or third edition where we can actually put in those other great artists as well,” he said.

He said that adapting the rock songs and arranging them for the quartet was quite an

RTE Contempo Quartet will be joined by renowned Irish bodhran player Aimee Farrell Courtney and Glen Austin on electonics

undertaking and not one he took lightly.

“When it comes to something like this, the job is not only arranging it but interpreting it for the ensemble. On top of that you also have to try

to be true to the originals themselves, and try to show them in a different light that’s not losing the spirit of the case,” he said.

Despite the apparent gravity with which he approached the arrange-

ment, he said that the project has been a lot of fun, and he and the quartet are looking forward to their first performance.

For more information on the show, visit: www. paviliontheatre.ie/

GAZETTE

18 GAZETTE 26 November 2015

OUT&ABOUT

STYLE Raw denim

Wide L

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eg De

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€69 horts nim S

All-in-One dove nubuck stacked wood sole sandal €99

Sim kno ple S tte hop d s pe tra r w ps €1 ith 15

Mary Grant AW15 Vintage floral print jersey wrap dress €195

Wrap up this winter!  PEARL PHELAN

MARY Grant hosted a breakfast at her boutique in the Powerscourt Town Centre recently to showcase her current autumn/winter collection.

The store manager, Fiona, baked banana bread for the Suede obi belt €65 occasion and a wonderful spread was laid out on an old wood turner’s bench. Accessories are displayed on beautifully textured cable drum tables in the shop. The warmth of the wholesome bread and respect for craftsmanship reflected in the choice of furniture and are revealing indicators of what the Mary Grant label stands for.

Only the finest materials are selected for use in the manufacture of her garments and knitted pieces are handmade by a family owned company in Italy. You would be very cosy wrapped up in her ribbed cowl, a clever piece which can be pulled down over the shoulders as an alternative to wearing it high on the neck. Not to mention the fine cashmere wrap to keep you chic and warm. But there is another kind of wrap that Mary Grant has on offer, and it is so flattering to all shapes. Check out the wrap tops and dresses made in jersey which falls softly and elegantly.

You can emphasise the waistline by adding an obi belt to flowy dresses, or to smarten up a plain winter coat. What a great way to add a pop of colour to a simple outfit to take you through the festive season!

You can shop online but a visit to the store is a must if you are in town so you can have a feel of the sumptuous materials and get an insight into Mary’s world.

Purple haze cashmere wrap €280

Denim dress with foldover €89

Denim drawstring back bikini top €29

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WITH COS Denim bead metal ring €19

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 JESSICA MAILE

I LOVE DENIM. It’s a love that started in my teenage years even though I grew up in a decade where acid-washed jeans were chic. But in the 21st century, designing with denim has become an actual art form and no one does this better than COS. Forget the winter blues and dream of spring blues instead.

Think simple denim shorts with a crisp, white top or a func-

tional apron dress with a nonconventional drapey denim. The sleeveless all-in-one is the essence of simplicity and a modern must-have. Even the bikini gets the denim treatment with a distorted denim print.

Accent these pieces with luxurious leather shopper or an ice grey nubuck leather sandal.

From raw denim to their clever use of compressed recycled denim in the geometric metal jewellery, COS has reinvented this classic fabric with their fresh, new take on spring essentials.

26 November 2015 Gazette 19

Gazette

20 Gazette 26 November 2015

OUT&ABOUT

fast

TRAVEL NEWS

TRAVEL

skiing: find your perfect resort for a winter getaway

Turn dreams of a white Christmas into a reality  Ian Begley

Stylish comfort and luxury in the heart of the city  Ian Begley

I recently enjoyed a one night stay at the stylish four-star Trinity City Hotel, to coincide with the switching on of the Christmas light. It’s located right beside Trinity College on Pearse Street.

We stayed in a room which is interestingly part of an original Victorian Fire Station.

The room was very jazzy in style and offered the height of modern comfort, ample velux windows, a smart lounge area and a range of unique artwork.

For the day that was in it we took a trip to the Irish Whiskey Museum on Grafton Street, just a five minute walk down the road. The one-hour tour was a lot more interesting than I expected with visual stories of Irish whiskey through the ages. The highlight of course was a whiskey tasting session and a complimentary Irish coffee at the end.

Coincidentally, the annual Christmas lights were being turned on in Grafton Street on the same day, which was the perfect way to bring the afternoon to a close before we headed back to the hotel for dinner.

Building up a hearty appetite, we feasted on a delectable six-course tasting menu after a few predinner cocktails at the hotel’s front lounge.

We had a cured salmon with horseradish cream and Guinness bread to start, followed by a delicious bowl of wild mushroom and tarragon soup. After a very refreshing champagne sorbet, we dined on a beautiful fillet of pan seared sea bass followed by a very tender cut of lamb. And if that wasn’t enough, the sixth course consisted of a chocolate plate involving a mousse, hazelnut brownie and raspberry sorbet.

Up bright and early the following morning I enjoyed a full Irish breakfast before checking out and heading on my very short commute to work. Just a stone throw away from the capital’s iconic landmarks and venues, Trinity City is certainly a great location for anyone looking for a city retreat.

Rooms start from €119 for two adults sharing, see www.trinitycityhotel.com

Dreaming of a white Christmas? Well dream no more as there are many winter ski resorts to choose from this holiday season which offer a fantastic range of festive entertainment for all the family to enjoy.

With Highlife Ski & Snowboard you can spend a family winter vacation in one of three stylish French resorts – Morzine, Meribel or Val d’Lsere.

If a cosy Alpine chalet complete with an open log fire, outdoor hot tub, a sauna and your very own chalet chef sounds good to you, swap the pots and pans, long shopping queues and extended family reunions for a festive chalet.

Your chalet will be transformed into a festive retreat with open fires, sparkling decorations and your very own authentic Christmas tree to get you into the holiday spirit from the moment you arrive.

On Christmas Eve, guests returning from an action-packed day on the slopes will be greeted with warming mulled wine and mince pies fresh out of the oven.

On Christmas morning awake to the sound of crackling log fires and a visit from Santa bearing presents for the kids.

Your very own chalet chef will prepare a delicious breakfast allowing you to spend quality time with your loved ones, cherishing the precious moments of unwrapping the gifts from under the tree.

Val d’Isere offers high quality, snow-sure slopes for everyone from complete beginner to veterans

So, turn your dream of a white Christmas into a reality with departures from Dublin on December 20, from €1,120 per adult and €910 per child aged 11 or under for seven nights.

For more information, visit www.highlife.ie, or contact 01 677 1100.

With Crystal Sky Holidays, embrace the holiday season by spoiling yourself and your family with an exciting ski vacation away.

From €460 per person, you can spend one week in the Austrian mountain resort of Mayrhofen with flights leaving on December 19.

Penken and Ahorn are Mayrhofen’s mountains - with 135km of skiing and Austria’s steepest

run, Harakiri, it’s one of the most diverse Alpine resorts.

Mayrhofen’s mountains have a wide variety of more challenging runs and, in the right conditions, some impressive off-piste. Plus, the Vans Penken Park is one of the leading freestyle parks in Europe.

Also in Austria is the Niederau Ski Holiday resort, which is priced from €525 per person for seven nights, with flights leaving on January 9.

Niederau, based in the Wildschonau valley, is picturesque and perfect for both families and beginners, with wide nursery slopes and easy to use drag lifts.

There’s also the excellent 1st Wildschonau Ski

School and a nursery childcare Snowboarders should watch out for a few flat sections and experienced skiers will probably need a little more challenging terrain. The link over to Alpbach opens up the Ski Juwel’s full 145km - all covered by your pass.

If France is more to your taste then from €474 per person you can spend seven nights in the traditional French village Les Carroz, which is located in the world famous Grand Massif ski area.

This resort is made for people who prefer skiing in a homely, more personal setting in comparison to its purpose built neighbour Flaine.

In the middle of Les Carroz you’ll find a pictur-

esque village centre with a small collection of shops, cafes and restaurants. The small scale of the resort means fantastic scenery and beautiful views across the valley that should not be missed.

Accommodation wise, we have different types of self-catering, from reasonably basic to luxury residences with wellness facilities to match.

When it comes to activities there’s plenty on offer, you’ll find toboggan runs, horse-drawn carriage rides and even dog-sledding to fill the hours for non-skiers or in your hours out of the skis. There’s also a resort ice rink.

For more information about these deals, visit www.crystalski.ie.

26 November 2015 Gazette 21

Gazette

FOOD&DRINK BITESIZEDNEWS

Pat Whelan with the product

Campagne

French restaurant

The Arches, Gas House Lane Wood panelling and dark colours on the walls give this place a plush feel and seating was really comfortable

The Picky Eater

Whenever I hear Michelin Star, my mind jumps to overly formal, over the top service. I always love the food, mind you, but waiters constantly fawning over you is slightly off-putting.

When I heard about Campagne restaurant in Kilkenny, I was eager to try it as the menu seemed less fussy and less overpriced than some other establishments that hold the coveted star.

When we arrived, those views remained as the restaurant is in a very quiet part of town just below what looks like apartments or an office block.

So far, nothing over the top or ostentatious anyway. Inside the dining room is very comfortable and was absolutely buzzing on a busy Saturday night.

Wood panelling and dark colours on the walls give this place a plush feel and seating was really comfortable.

The maitre d’ was a very friendly lady who took us

through the specials and explained anything that might be unknown to myself and my friend.

After ordering a delicious bottle of Picpoul de Pinet (€30) (a wine that is having a bit of a moment) we jumped straight in to starters.

I went for a fois gras pate layered with a delicious butter served on an autumn fruit jelly and a toasted brioche (€16).

This was absolutely sublime but the outright winner was my pal’s scallop royale, served with Jerusalem artichokes and lobster bisque (€16).

So much thought and time had obviously gone into this outstanding dish and we spent ages trying to figure out how they made it. I won’t spoil the fun and will leave it for you to the same guessing game.

Next up came my mate’s fillet of Hereford beef with glazed mushrooms, spinach puree, ox tongue croquettes and porcini butter sauce

(€32).

From a lady who is considering going vegetarian, she was certainly having fun at the wake and was almost in tears at the thought of what she was about to give up.

My poached turbot (€32) came with a similar sauce and could be eaten with a spoon, it had the perfect texture and taste.

My friend had a glass of ribera del duero (€8.25) with her meat and having lived in Spain for several years, she said it was one of the best she’d sampled outside of Spain.

A stunning side of mash and parsnips went down a treat with both dishes.

We really were not fit for anything more at this point, but seeing a hot chocolate fondant being brought to most tables, we decided this dish was obviously worth trying.

The locals were going mad for it. It was served with vanilla ice cream and glazed cherries (€9) and was certainly worth the longer waiting time.

All in all this was a fantastic experience and it’s well worth the trip to Kilkenny. T here are lots of places to stay in the city, after all it’s a really buzzing place.

We stayed slightly outside in Mount Juliet, which is a stunning old country house hotel.

For more see campagne.ie.

Conclusion Campagne boasts a stylish interior featuring oak flooring, curved banquette leather seating and modern paintings. The emphasis is on high-quality seasonal produce with French influences in a relaxed and comfortable dining area. (5, The Arches, Gas House Lane, Kilkenny. Phone:(056) 777 2858

Superb old-fashioned flavour returns FOR many, beef dripping is something our parents’ parents cooked with and not widely used today. However, James Whelan Butchers has brought this nostalgic delicacy back to the kitchen with their award-winning heritage product that delivers a superb old-fashioned flavour.

Intensely savoury, the beef dripping was awarded Supreme Champion at the Great Taste Awards 2015, receiving high praise from judge and food critic Charles Campion.

Speaking at an event celebrating the beef dripping in Avoca Kilmacanogue, Campion described it as “the simplest of products, that touched the hearts of all the judges”.

Seeing the upsurge of interest in heritage foods and traditional ingredients, Pat Whelan of James Whelan Butchers, was inspired to create his own beef dripping. With the very best of beef available to him, and with the guidance of his mother, he soon perfected a product that he was proud to share with his customers.

The dripping is produced in Clonmel by Whelan, a fifth generation butcher, and made from the purest suet from grass-fed Irish Angus and Hereford beef. These magical creamy ingots transform roast vegetables and potatoes and makes the most perfectly golden fish and chips.

The product stays fresh for up to six months.

With the festive season just around the corner, a little of James Whelan’s beef dripping will go a long way to adding a depth of flavour to all kinds of dishes - with a higher smoke point than goose fat, it makes the ultimate crispy roast potatoes and paired with butter, delivers the tastiest shortcrust pastry, not to mention simply spread on toast for a seriously nostalgic trip to flavour town. “It’s the taste of my childhood,” said Pat Whelan.

“Our beef dripping is nutrient rich, high in omega-3 acids, clean, pure and carries great flavour, whether for frying a steak, roasting potatoes, or spread onto good bread.”

Available to buy at: Avoca Food Market, Monkstown, County Dublin, Avoca, Rathcoole, County Dublin Avoca, Kilmacanogue, Bray, County Wicklow, James Whelan Butchers, Clonmel, County Tipperary and at jameswhelanbutchers.com

Gazette

22 Gazette 26 November 2015

OUT&ABOUT

Fisher Price Laugh & Learn Scooter €55

S Em M&

toysfor thekids

ily Bu tton €24

WHETHER it’s your bonnie baby’s very first Christmas, or if you’re looking out for gifts for older children, there’s plenty of great toys to find in the shops as Christmas draws near, with some cutting-edge characters standing head to shoulder, dress to lasergun alongside classic toys.

This week, we’ve selected a range of toys and gifts that are available now from Smyths, ToysRUs, M&S and all good toy retailers nationwide.

Mattel

Monster High Go oli

Mega Bloks 60piece bag set €20

ope €50

All images not to scale

Mattel Barbie Rock & Royal €35

th

ly 80

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99

€28.

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€6 k Rails

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26 November 2015 Gazette 23

Gazette

GIFT GUIDE MOTORING Hasbro My Little Pony Equestria Girls €24.99

Mattel Barnie Malibu Dreamhouse €150

alo book €8 M&S Gruff

Mat Pric tel Fish e g ym toddle er €80 r

al Furre pin’ o r m b Has s My Ju rF iend 72.99 € pug

otel ter H s e h Furc €28.99 bro Has Phoebe g Talkin

Hasb r Intera o Avengers ctive H u Buste r €49 lk .99

Habro Jurassic World Stomp and Strike Tyrannosaurus Rex €57.99

Habro Bop It! Star Wars R2-D2 edition game

Mattel Fisher Price Dance and Move BeatBo €55

Gazette

24 Gazette 26 November 2015

OUT&ABOUT

HEALTHYSTEPS

HEALTH

health conditions: ‘lack of reliable studies’ to support tests

Testing for food and chemical intolerances

A treatment called Lipiflow helps the meibomian glands produce more oil.

Look into preventing the causes of dry eye THE condition known as dry eye – which is an inflammation of the conjunctiva and cornea of the eye, due to inadequate tear secretion – is an uncomfortable and sometimes painful condition most often caused by over-exposure. Those most at risk ------------------------

‘Every time we blink, we moisten the eye, so by blinking less we moisten the eye less’ ------------------------

are people who spend many hours in front of the computer.

Given the ever increasing numbers of people who spend long periods in front of a computer screen for work or leisure, or often both, more and more people are likely to be affected.

We tend to blink maybe 7/8 times per minute, and the moment we start looking at computer screens, we tend to blink 2/3 times a minute.

Every time we blink, we moisten the eye, so by blinking less we moisten the eye less.

The other common causes are the likes of contact lens wear and getting older.

For females, hormo-

nal changes as you approach menopause can also cause dry eye.

Many medications have dry eye listed as a side effect. These would include anti-histamines, anti-hypertensives, anticholestrols, and so on.

The following is a number of ways dry eye can be averted. Using lubricant eye-drops, being aware of blinking when you’re working on the computer, and using something called the 20/20/20 rule, where for every 20 minutes you take a 20 second break by looking at something 20 feet away from the computer.

The wellington Eye Clinic offers a treatment call Lipiflow. Where a device is placed on the lids for 12 minutes, the device warms up over time to just above body temperature.

This softens up the oils and within the Lipiflow device are little massage rollers which milk the glands and ensure that by the end of the 12 minutes the oils have been expressed out of the meibomian glands. Cost involved: Dry Eye Assessment – €100 Lipiflow Treatment – €500 per eye.

For an appointment call the Wellington Eye Clinic on 01 2807873 or email info@wellingtoneyeclinic.com

 Ellen Roche Dietitian & Clinical Nutritionist at Nutri Vive

Food intolerances effect around 15% of the population and common symptoms include headaches, fatigue, tummy upset and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The triggers are often substances that naturally occur in foods (e.g. amines or fructose) or chemicals added during food processing (eg mono sodium glutamate added to ready meals or sulphites added to wine).

Enzyme deficiencies such as lactase usually results in an intolerance to dairy products. IBS is a bowel condition which can cause abdominal bloating, pain, cramping, constipation and diarrhoea; these symptoms are frequently caused by normal healthy foods.

The symptoms of food intolerances are usually delayed, which explains why they can be difficult to diagnose.

Food Intolerance Tests Food intolerance testing has become increasingly popular in recent years. A growing number of pharmacies in addition to complimentary therapists and private health clinics offer intolerance testing services directly to the public.

These centres claim that a wide range of

Food intolerances effect around 15% of the population

health conditions such as chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, arthritis, sinusitis, skin problems, digestive issues and even obesity can be solved using such tests.

The kits take a small sample of blood to check the levels of IgG antibody (immune system activity) for a range of various foods eg. shellfish, wheat and dairy products.

If IgG antibody levels are elevated for particular foods, the test centres diagnose an intolerance and recommend complete exclusion from the diet to relieve symptoms.

These tests cost €100€250 approximately depending upon the number of foods tested.

Unfortunately the facts are that IgG intolerance tests are a complete waste of money and not worth the paper they are printed on.

I have seen the printouts from vulnerable and confused clients; many repor ts which

don’t even make clinical sense eg. gluten is rated high and to be avoided, yet rye (which contains gluten) is ok!

Lack of Supportive Science The websites marketing food intolerance testing claim that there is sufficient scientific evidence to prove that these tests are warranted when a food intolerance is suspected.

H av i n g e x a m i n e d these studies, many of the trials involved small numbers of people who were tested twenty years ago, therefore applications to the general population are not relevant.

The leading international food allergy and intolerance institutes are currently strongly advocating against IgG food intolerance testing.

There appears to be no correlation between high levels of a particular food antibody and the development of

symptoms. High levels only indicate the person has consumed a particular food in the past, the immune system has “acknowledged” this food and positive test results are to be expected in normal, healthy adults and children.

Furthermore, the inappropriate use of this test only increases the likelihood of false diagnoses being made, resulting in unnecessary dietary restrictions and decreased quality of life.

Food Exclusion Trials The Irish Food Allergy and Intolerance Network (www.ifan.ie) and the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute (www. indi.ie) strongly advocate against food intolerance tests because of the lack of reliable studies to support them.

At present, the “gold standard” method for determining if an underlying food intolerance exists is to follow an elimination or exclu-

sion diet followed by a reintroduction challenge.

The elimination a p p r o a c h p r ov i d e s sy mptom relief and subsequently helps to pin-point the culprit food(s) within two to six weeks and it’s the preferred method as recommended by health professionals, Allergy UK’s Intolerance Group and the NICE guidelines for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.

These groups recommend guidance from a health professional such as a registered dietitian or doctor to ensure that the correct type of exclusion diet is followed in the short-term and to avoid any risk of longterm nutrient deficiency.

Ellen Roche is an experienced registered dietitian with clinics located throughout Leinster.

Contact the office for private consultations and corporate services (087) 680 2248 www.nutrivive. ie

26 November 2015 Gazette 25

Gazette

CINEMA

ReelReviews

lady in the van

Motors along amusingly THE closest that The Lady in The Van (Cert 12A, 104 mins) gets to anything as exciting as a car chanse is the sight of a clapped-out van parked in the driveway of a playwright’s home for year after year. Maggie Smith plays the wily vehicle owner in this low-key but entertaining tale, as Ms Shepherd becomes a part of playwright Alan Bennett’s as the years roll by – even though the van doesn’t.

As true-life crime boss James ‘Whitey’ Bolger, Johnny Depp doesn’t keep his cards close all the time – his criminality involves many associates in a wide-ranging empire

black mass: for the first time in ages, depp delivers a great role

A great study of criminality

CHRONICLING the rise and fall of notorious South Brooklyn crime boss James ‘W hitey’ Bulger, Black Mass (Cert 15A, 123 mins) rings together a stellar cast to tell a story of crooked cops, hardened criminals, and insidious political corruption.

As the head of an Irish mob crew known as the Winter Hill Gang, Bulger rose to infamy through the ’70s and ’80s, piling up a wealth of charges including extortion, narcotics distribution, racketeering, and murder.

He also claims to have shipped more than one million dollars’ worth of weapons across the Atlantic to support the IRA. Furthermore, he racked up the litany of charges while under the watch of the FBI, with

 Dave phillips

whom he was co-operating against a common enemy – the Italian mafia families who controlled much of the black market in Brooklyn.

Yet, despite being one of the America’s most wanted fugitives (trumped only by Osama Bin Laden), ‘Whitey’ Bulger has a fairly low profile outside of the United States.

Most of us will have been unwittingly introduced to Bulger through Scorcese’s The Departed – which drew heavily on Whitey’s story for Jack Nicholson’s character.

It seems fitting then that when Johnny Depp steps into the lead role as Bulger in Black Mass, he brings a distinctly Nicholson-like energy with him.

It is safe to say that much of the buzz built up around Black Mass is connected to Depp’s transformative performance.

With thinning white hair combed tight against a balding dome and haunting dead-blue eyes, the actor is almost unrecognisable.

It is apt casting, too, given Depp’s recent propensity for familyfriendly and much more superficial characters.

The pairing of the chillingly off-kilter looks with the grisly and sociopathic character results in a monster that will stay in the

viewer’s mind long after the image fades from the screen.

Depp’s metamorphosis oozes the kind of ghoulishness that we don’t see enough of in cinema.

Part of bringing such a strong lead character to life involves surrounding him with a much less grotesque cast.

Joel Edgerton (Zero Dark Thirty) plays John Connolly, a childhood friend of Bulger who joins the FBI. While operating under the guise of justice, Connolly is often more concerned with his own career, and agrees to turn a blind eye to Bulger’s criminal ventures in return for assistance making a case against the Mafia.

Benedict Cumberbatch also stars as

Billy Bulger, the more respectable sibling, who served for 18 years as president of the Massachusetts Senate while his older brother continued to serve up corpse after corpse.

No doubt that Black Mass belongs to Depp and Edgerton, but there are great smaller parts studded throughout, including appearances from Kevin Bacon, Adam Scott, and Dakota Johnson – the latter of whom provides the most memorable scene in the film.

The story told in Black Mass is one massive tangled web of deception and exploitation, and director Scott Cooper (Crazy Heart) is happy to revel in it.

Cooper delivers a wonderfully menacing and claustrophobic feel

through shots so close we can see the pores, stained teeth and bloodstains in grim detail.

Cooper’s vision is so bleak though that, in a way, it dulls the film.

We move across a decade of Bulger’s life in a disparate fashion. There is no sense of crescendo, no righteous corruptionbusting cop to provide the narrative drive, there is actually nobody to root for, and so there is no Hollywood ending.

More of a sociopathic character study than a traditional mob drama, the narrative sloppily unfolds like an onion rotted to the core.

With more hits than misses, Black Mass remains an engaging, beautifully-shot, and superbly acted film.

Verdict: 7/10

brooklyn

A tale worth visiting SAOIRSE Ronan impresses in Brooklyn (Cert 12A, 112 mins), with its tale of a young emigre in 1950s American – guess where – finding her life taking an unexpected path going down well with audiences on both sides of the Atlantic. With Emory Cohen and Domnhall Gleeson providing strong supporting roles as would-be suitors, it’s a well-shot film that dials down Oirish overtones.

burnt

Still a bit of a stinker BRADLEY Cooper’s latest hasn’t gone down well with critics, with Burnt (Cert 15A, 101 mins) getting sliced to pieces faster than a cake made by his troubled-butbrilliant-chef character.

As a character who rides around town on a big motorcycle, wears leather jackets, and struggles with his inner demons – all while trying to kickstart his stalled career – the film is something of a mess.

26 SWORDS GAZETTE 26 November 2015

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28 gazette 26 November 2015

SPORT

FastSport Search for new paralympic soccer stars: The Republic of Ireland Paralympic squad are searching for the next national hero as they begin preparations for the 2016 Paralympics in Brazil.

After finishing sixth in the Cerebral Palsy World Cup, the squad are offering a fantastic opportunity for the best players around the country with cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury, or those who have suffered a stroke to represent Ireland.

The FAI are partnering with Paralympics Ireland in this new campaign ahead of a trial day at the FAI national training centre on Saturday, December 12 at 12 noon.

Any players aged between 16 and 30-years-old, who have any of the aforementioned impairments, are eligible to try out for the team.

More informations can be found at http://www.fai.ie/ irelands-next-paralympic-football-star/ the-campaign.

cross country: raheny man storms to inter clubs national title

Clohisey cleans up in Santry  sport@dublingazette.com

MICK Clohisey, from Raheny Shamrocks, reigned supreme at the GloHealth inter-club cross-country championships in Santry Demesne.

A memorable day of competition saw big fields

and a large spectator crowd that needn’t have worried about the after effects of storm Barney.

A sea of colour dotted Santry Demesne with clubs from all over the country out in force with tents and tear-drop flags adding an extra dimen-

sion to the atmosphere created by Fintan Reilly and Nick Davis as the two main men on the microphone.

The senior women’s 8,000m race was one that whetted the appetite with a top-class field and with the uncertainty

Raheny’s Mick Clohisey celebrating his third title. Picture: Cody Glenn/Sportsfile

Mick Clohisey on the trail at Santry Demesne

of the form of Fionnuala McCormack.

The start of the race was a cagey affair with the diminutive McCormack nestled in the leading pack led by the effervescent Lizzie Lee (Leevale).

Lee tried to take on McCormack but the the teak tough Wicklow woman was untouchable building an insurmountable lead.

Lee hung on gamely for second leading her club to a maiden team title with the surprise package Caroline Crowley (Crusaders) coming through for third.

Dundrum South Dublin were second in the team race with Raheny Shamrocks third.

Clohisey followed up as

an impressive winner of the men’s 10,000m with a front-running performance from the gun ahead of Metro St Brigid’s John Coghlan in second and Paul Pollock (Annadale Striders) in third.

Leevale missed out on the team title by a single point to Clonliffe Harriers, 47 to 48, with Raheny narrowly behind on 51.

It was Clohisey’s third time to win the inter-clubs’ crown and he is now looking forward to competing in the European cross-country championships where his rivals will become his teammates.

“You don’t really think about these things,” he said referring to his third inter-clubs’ title. “You just move on to the next thing when you’re on form. It is

a good achievement and it was a good race out there today. I wasn’t expecting to be out in the lead so early on my own so it it was a question of keeping my concentration.

“I’m looking forward to wearing the Irish vest with pride now at the Europeans and putting in a good performance. We were all rivals today but I’m looking forward to us competing as team mates in France.”

Hope Saunders (Clonliffe Harriers) and Kevin Mulcaire (Ennis Track Club) were impressive winners of the junior women’s 4,000m and junior men’s 6,000m respectively.

DSD women and Clonliffe Harriers men won the junior team titles.

Duke and Pinder power UCD to win over Harlequins  sport@dublingazette.com

UCD’s Deirdre Duke gets away from Cork Harlequins’ Yvonne O’Byrne. Picture: Adrian Boehm

SECOND-half goals from Gillian Pinder and Deirdre Duke saw UCD land their third win of the women’s EY Hockey League season last Sunday, beating Cork Harlequins 2-0 to keep them in the shake-up for the playoff places.

UCD started the stronger of the two teams with Aisling Naughton and Sorcha Clarke creating chances down the lefthand side after good persistence from Leah Ewart.

They also had two corners but

neither were converted.

Quins duly grew into the game after an intial slow start, building from the back through Cliodhna Sargent who caused UCD problems with the long ball.

Olivia Roycroft came closest sending a deflection flying by the back post from a Sargent crash ball.

Into the second half, UCD remained patient in their build up play against a strong Quins’ defence that was proving difficult to break down. Gillian Pinder broke the deadlock with a thunderbolt into the bottom

corner after a brilliant five pass exchange that opened up the top of the circle for Pinder.

The fourth quarter started with Quins looking to get an equaliser but they found it difficult to get anything out of a disciplined UCD defence.

The Cork side earned their first penalty corner of the game with four minutes to go which Cliodhna Sargeant looked to strike home off a switch but it was brilliantly ran down by Naughton.

Deirdre Duke put the game away a minute later sliding in at

the back post to put away a good team move.

It was a fine riposte from UCD on a double-weekend as they lost 4-1 a day earlier to a resurgent Pegasus side in Belfast.

Booterstown side Hermes continued their brilliant form in the league with a pair of wins over two of their nearest rivals, seeing off Harlequins 3-0 on Saturday and then beat second placed Ulster Elks 3-1 on Sunday. Anna O’Flanagan scored three times over the weekend to extend her scoring tally to 18 goals in eight games.

26 November 2015 gazette 29

Gazette

Peat adds another Irish string to incredible bow Following spells with the Irish basketball team and the Dublin footballers, Dubliner Lindsay Peat tells JAMES HENDICOTT about her rugby debut LINDSAY PEAT - an All-Ireland winning footballer and former co-captain of the Irish international basketball team - added international rugby to her considerable sporting CV over the weekend.

Peat was called up to the Ireland Women’s squad to face England at Harlequin’s London

ground The Stoop last week, named on the bench as the women played their first autumn international.

Peat - who plays her rugby with Railway Union in Sandymount - was named on the bench for Ireland, joining the fray in the final quarter of the game to earn her debut cap.

Amazingly, Peat only joined Railway Union (her first rugby club) in the early summer, after the club - that’s only three years old when it comes to the women’s game - talked her into turning out through friends who were already involved.

She quickly became hooked: “There are

Lindsay Peat in Dublin ladies football action. Picture: GAAPics.com

huge depths to Irish rugby, and a lot of injuries right now,” Peat told GazetteSport, modestly playing down her selection. “It never even entered my mind that I might be called up, and I feel very lucky.

“I had been trying to wind down when the call came, trying to avoid getting injured and to experience playing for my club.

“I’ve been learning the tactical side,” she adds. “There are a few crossovers from GAA and from basketball.

Tactically, the game mirrors basketball, but like football you’re always trying to find space, to work to create openings. It took me a long time to stop trying to run off someone’s shoulder and to come more deep.”

Before taking up rugby, Peat had stepped away from GAA back in May, after finishing her degree. She had studied

alongside a full-time job and multiple evenings of training across several sports, leaving “more often than not, only Sunday evenings free.”

“Looking back, I love basketball and football equally,” she explains.

“It’s like trying to choose between your children. Basketball was the sport that I first put a lot of work into, getting to the top level, playing in the national league and then getting to the international set up.

“It’s the foundation, so it’ll always have a very special place.”

Rugby is the new love, though, and Peat’s just had her first international taste.

An experimental Irish side that included nine new caps lost to a last minute maul from a line out, with England barging over the line with two minutes left on the clock for an 8-3 win.

Ireland had equalised through a penalty in an extremely low-scoring game, making the game 3-3 with seven minutes left on the clock.

“The game was played in horrible conditions that didn’t really suit us,” Peat tells us, “but it was really great to get that experience. There are two Ireland training camps coming up in December, where the squad train like professionals.

“I feel very, very lucky to be involved, and my next aim is to keep getting called up to camps.

We’ll see where things go from there.

“I’m grateful to Tom Tierney [Ireland women’s rugby manager] for giving me a shot.”

And why the multisport success? “There’s something for everyone that just makes them feel alive,” Peat concludes. “For me, that’s sport. I just try to take up things that I enjoy.”

FastSport Smyth signed up as academy manager: FORMER St Mary’s and Blackrock College coach Peter Smyth has taken up the role of Academy Manager at Leinster.

As a player Peter has represented both Ireland and Leinster at A, U21 and Schools level. He coached St Mary’s College RFC to Ulster Bank League success in 2012 and also coached Blackrock College to four schools senior cup and two junior cups.

Smyth’s role as Leinster Rugby Academy Manager will see him oversee the delivery of the academy and sub-academy programmes as well as supporting the national talent and the regional development squad programmes.

He will be responsible for the development and progression of players for the professional game in Ireland and the management of talent identification.

Speaking about the new job, he said: “There is huge potential in the underage system in Leinster across schools and clubs and I am excited to be in a position to help nurture that talent into future Ireland players.”

Gazette

30 SWORDS gazette 26 November 2015

SPORT

FastSport

soccer: Celtic pick up big win in the LSL sunday senior 1 league

Malahide YC benefit from capital grant MALAHIDE Yacht Club received a €44,000 grant from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport under its Sports Capital Programme and has used the funds towards the purchase of six new sailing dinghies, two windsurfers and assorted new sails for other club-owned boats.

The new boats, which will be based at the club’s dinghy sailing centre at the Broadmeadows, are pictured here with the Club Commodore Graham Smith in the foreground and a number of the club’s instructors. They will be used for adult and junior sail training, introductory courses for local schools and groups, and racing.

“The grant is a significant boost,” said Smith.

“As it expands our fleet of club-owned boats and allows us to promote sailing and our own modern facilities to an even wider audience.”

McAllister and Richardson in emerging panel MALAHIDE CC’s Fintan McAllister and North County’s Eddie Richardson have been named as part of Cricket Ireland’s emerging players programme which will train over the winter months at Bready and North County.

There’s a youthful look to the squad which includes no fewer than 14 former Ireland Under-19 internationals, including Shapoorji Pallonji Cricket Ireland Academy Player of the Year Jack Tector.

Cricket Ireland have revamped the EPP format, which

will now operate on a centralised rather than regional basis with a new team of specialist coaches.

Ireland assistant coach Pete Johnston will head up the programme and said of the new group: “The selectors have chosen this squad in line with succession planning identifying players for potential future roles across all formats at senior level.

“It gives them the opportunity to train in a focused role specific environment, with an emphasis on development and tactical awareness.

“We are running a programme of skill sets in batting, bowling and around multiday and limited overs cricket.”

Barry Caulfield was on the mark for Swords Celtic

Swords cut past Saints

lsl Sunday senior 1 St Francis Swords Celtic  sport@dublingazette.com

1 3

SWORDS Celtic picked up their third win on the bounce in all competition with a 3-1 victory over St Francis last Friday night.

Two consecutive wins, which have either side of their 5-0 triumph over Drogheda Town in the Metro Cup have put what can only be described as hot and cold start to the season well behind them or at least at the moment.

Goals from Sean O’Brien, Barry Caulfield and Evan Kelly secured

the win over the Clondalkin who Swords have now leap-frogged into eighth place in the LSL Senior Sunday 1 table.

O’Brien and Kelly were called up to Niall Hudson’s squad after the Celtic boss’ first-team was rocked with a selection crisis pre-match was made worse when skipper Andrew Timmons pulled out during the warm-up.

Despite a re-shuffled pack, Swords started well with Philly Nolan looking dangerous as a focal point but just failing to convert a number of early chances.

scor na nog Fins shine to win Dublin title of Club na Bliana fingallians produced a superb set of performances at the recent Dublin county final of Scor na nOg, the GAA’s cultural talent competition that highlights the best of Irish Cultural talent in our youth.

Fingallians won the county title for the Ceili dancing, the traditional music group and the solo singing. They also won the prestigious Club na Bliana award.

They will now represent Dublin in the Leinster semi-final to be held in Arklow, Co Wicklow on December 13.

With 15 minutes on the clock however the visitors did break the deadlock.

Goalkeeper Cian Daly punted a long arrow ball right on top of the Francis centre-backs and when they missed their clearance, O’Brien swooped in and beat the keeper.

The lead didn’t last too long however as Francis responded with an equaliser just five minutes later following a goalmouth scramble in the Swords box.

The Saints were looking vulnerable from every one of Daly’s long kickouts and the Swords side had noticed, using the simple tactic time and

time again to disrupt the home side’s defence.

Straight from the restart of Francis’ equaliser, the ball got played back to Celtic keeper and his long ball was once again allowed to bounce, which wrong-footed the Francis keeper and while those around him panicked, Barry Caulfield nipped in to apply the finish.

Swords took the onegoal lead into the break and remained on top after the restart.

The route-one game was working so they kept with it but they were failing to put away the chances when they

came.

To Celtic’s credit, when their third goal did come, it was following a fine flowing move which Evan Kelly wrapped up, and in doing so wrapped up the game really.

There were some tired legs in the Swords side late on but they hung on to take all three points.

This weekend they face Dublin University in what is a Northside derby.

The College side are rock-bottom of the table but with the two sides being promoted together in recent seasons, Hudson will be fully aware of the threats they can pose.

26 November 2015 SWORDS gazette 31

Gazette

special visitor

GAA Hero Brogan trains St Pat’s Under-13 side

Club Noticeboard FINGALLIANS PLAYOFF update: our Division 3 foot-

DUBLIN STAR Bernard Brogan trained with

the U-13s from St Pat’s Donabate in Ballymastone last week, bringing along Sam Maguire for the evening.

It was part of his role as a SuperValu ambassador as he delivered a special training session and O’Neill’s kit as part of the #MyGAAHero competition which ran throughout the summer.

at 9.15pm in the club hall. The recom-

after winning away to Naomh Olaf.

mendations of the strategy commit-

They will now meet Whitehall away

tee will be put forward and we look

in Cloghran this Sunday morning at

at their implementation over the

11am. Our second team were beaten

next three years. It is open to all club

in the league playoff final on Sunday

members.

morning against Castleknock.

Picture: Morgan Treacy/Inpho

hurling: AHL6 promotion denied by Whitehall

will be held in the club on Saturday,

in appreciation of Nicky Fitzger-

December 5. Tickets are €15 and are

ald’s contribution to the club as GPO

available from all adult mentors or

over the last three years on Friday,

bar staff.

November 27 from 8.30pm.

It is open to all members, friends bers. There will be music, food and craic until late.

The Division 11 team will play the

Whitehall Colmcilles 2-12 St Sylvester’s 1-13  sport@dublingazette.com

ST SYLVESTER’S hurlers endured mixed fortunes in their promotion bids as their AHL6 side missed out at the final hurdle but their AHL9 side moved within a match of moving up.

For the former side, there was disappointment all round at Cloghran as Whitehall Colmcilles once again prove to be the Malahide club’s bogey team and deny them a long awaited promotion to

display, scoring 3-7 to Scoil’s single point.

The pick of the scores was another goal bound rocket from Declan Markey and a delightful point from Hugh Murray The second-half comeback by Scoil was well predicted during half-time team but a couple of points from Fergus Rooney kept a sizeable gap intact until Scoill nicked a last ditch goal.

Syl’s now go on to face Raheny in their playoff final on Sunday at 2.30pm in St Anne’s Park.

county final on Friday night.

Our Ceili dancers, our traditional

Round Tower, Clondalkin.

Maria Keeling, all won first prizes.

John away in Marlay Park at 11am.

semi-final with a 3-9 to 2-4 win over Scoil Ui Chonnaill 2- 4 at Broomfield last Sunday to reach their final.

Under the stewardship of Tommy Naughton, the club showed up with serious intent written all over their warm-up.

Syl’s are familiar with Scoil having played together last year in a combined Syl’s/Scoil minor team.

And they were the side to use their inside knowledge to better effect as they effectively won the match with a blistering first-half

Well done to the Fingallians Scor na nOg team who competed in the Dublin

music group and our solo singer,

final will take place v Ballinteer St

Division 5.

Syl’s str uggled to find their rhythm in the opening half and the concession of frees saw them trail by three points at half-time.

A much improved showing in the second half, which was won a by a point, despite leaking two goals, showed their mettle but the tie proved just out of reach.

Martin Ormonde top scored with 1-6 while Johnny Conway also chipped in with a couple of points.

The AHL9 side, meanwhile, advanced from their promotion

ber 20 in the club bar.

at 2.30pm against Clann Mhuire or

minor hurling championship quarter

ahl6 playoff final

Members Appreciation Evening: This will take place on Sunday, Decem-

league final this Sunday afternoon

This Sunday, November 29, the

Playoff heartache for Syl’s hurlers

The end of season awards night

The club are hosting an evening

and parents of the academy mem-

St Sylvester’s AHL6 in action against Whitehall Colmcilles

meeting on Thursday, December 3

ballers secured a place in the final

Fingallians also came home with the coveted Club na Bliana trophy.

The three groups will now represent Dublin in the Leinster semi-final

New Committee: Following the

to be held on December 13 in Arklow,

very well attended AGM, the elected

Co Wicklow. Go raibh maith ag Liam O

committee will consist of Tony Gor-

Culbaird, Maire Ni Fhinneadha, Noreen

don – chairman, Brendan McGrath

Torley, Rosanne Roe-Florence, na

– vice-chairman; secretary – John

tuisti agus na hiomaitheoiri iad fein.

McGee; assistant secretary – Cait

Comhghairdeas libh.

Ni Cheallaigh; treasurer – Feargal

There will be no poker this Friday –

O’Hanrahan; assistant treasurer

further info will follow on a Christmas

– Aidan Scully; PRO – Paul Gormley;

poker night.

player’s representative – Domhnail

The winning numbers last week

Connor; Caroline Whelan – register

were 4, 15, 16, 23 and 24. We have four

and U-21 players representatives –

winners – Claire and Leo, Mary Moon-

Ryan Groves and Paul Murphy.

ey, Paul Tyrell and Kieran Duff. The

Strategic group: There will be a

jackpot this week will be €2,120.

FINGAL Ravens CONGRATULATIONS to our seniors

Our Fairyhouse race day takes

who beat Thomas Davis in the league

place on November 28. Tickets are €100

on Sunday morning (3-11 to 0-9) to

and include the following: transport

secure Division 1 football for 2016. Well

there and back from Kettles, admis-

done all.

sion ticket, three-course meal, tea/

Club lotto results: numbers drawn

coffee, tote facilities in the restau-

were 1, 7, 16 and 35. There was no win-

rant, direct access to the Jameson

ner; €250 shared by Peter Slye and

Stand, race card, pre race tipster, Fin-

John Rooney/Paul Monks for match-

gal Ravens branded tickets and after

ing three numbers. Our lotto jackpot

racing music.

is now capped at €17,000.

Money raised goes towards the all-

Deepest condolences to the Barrett

weather pitch project which will be a

family on the passing of Paddy. May he

huge benefit to all our members. We

rest in peace.

are hoping with your help that the race

Our club AGM will take place on

day will be a sell out and it is heading in

Tuesday, December 1 at 8pm upstairs

that direction. If you cannot attend on

in the restaurant of Kettle’s Country

the day, we are more than willing to

House. We encourage our members to

accept donations of any size and/or

attend.

prizes for the raffle.

Official communication has gone out

Thanks to all for your generous sup-

to members. If you have not received

port to date. If anyone has any ques-

this communication, please text your

tions, you can contact Alan Manning

email or postal address to Lisa on the

(all-weather pitch fundraising com-

club phone on 086 1765932.

mittee) on 087 0651219.

GazetteSPORT all of your swords sports coverage from page 28-31

super sunday: Swords Celtic move up the LSL Senior 1 rankings with strong win over St Francis P30

nov 26 - dec 2, 2015

master of all trades: Lindsay Peat adds rugby to list of elite sports P29

Skerries earn showdown with Lucan  sport@dublingazette.com

SKERRIES Harps moved within touching distance of a place of AFL1 as they got the best of Round Tower’s in Clondalkin last Sunday morning, over-turning a league defeat at the same venue against the same opposition nine weeks earlier.

But the performances of Colin Daly, Harry Dawson and Bryan Cullen to the fore, the Fingal side won out 1-15 to 0-8 with a controlled showing that sets up a playoff final date with Lucan Sarsfields on Sunday for the right to play in the top tier next season.

In the first meeting with Tower’s, the Clondalkin side effectively killed off the tie inside 10 minutes with a 1-4 salvo. This time around, there was to be no repeat with no scores for the first 10 minutes as Tower’s key man Derek Murray went off injured before Skerries began to turn the screw.

Indeed, Daly was on fire as Harps pushed on and, but for a bit more composure, could have been well in front.

In 20th minute, Cullen’s pinpoint free to Barry Davey and transfer to Daly saw the net shake.

Harps led 1-2 to 0-3 and never looked back. Cullen and the two

Daly brothers – Colin and Gerry – pointed to leave Skerries in front at the break 1-5 to 0-3.

Three quick points at the start of the second half from Colin Daly, Cullen and Harry Dawson, left Skerries comfortable and when Dawson kicked a second outrageous long range free, they pushed the score out to 1 -9 to 0 -6.

Harps then lost Dawson to a recurrence of a hamstring pull but the damage had been done for the hosts and they were in control for the remainder of the tie.

When sub Oisin O’Leary and goalkeeper Shane Davis (45) pointed, it gave Skerries a ten-

point winning margin.

Skerries now go on to play the final against Lucan-Sarsfields in Lucan, next Sunday at 11 am.

Lucan finished league runners up to Castleknock in the regular season and reached the quarter final of the Dublin Senior championship. With a home draw they will be favourites for promotion to Division 1 but Skerries will draw huge confidence from their big win.

Elsewhere, Fingallians will be aiming to move up to AFL3 as they meet Whitehall Colmcilles in their promotion playoff game having defeated Naomh Olaf in their semi-final.

Skerries Harps Bryan Cullen in action against Round Tower last Sunday