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Invasion of giant jellyfish has beaches on high alert  Sylvia Pownall

Keep reading, keep recycling – thank you

GIANT jellyfish are invading our coastline posing a risk to bathers of injury or even death.

The deadly Lions Mane species – up to 2m in diameter with 150 venom-

ous long tentacles – have washed up on Dublin beaches in Malahide, Sutton, Howth, Portmarnock and Rush.

They can deliver a nasty sting for several days after they die – and in some cases this can cause

anaphylactic shock.

Irish Water Safety and marine experts are warning beachgoers to be vigilant and keep a close eye on their kids.

It comes as thousands of Dubliners prepare to make the most of the heatwave

and flock to the coast over the weekend.

IWA chief John Leech said: “They’re quite venomous. The best thing to do is just steer clear of them.

“If in doubt don’t go onto a beach with no lifeguard.”

Full Story on Page 4

Lions Mane jellyfish photographed at Portmarnock beach this week

2 FINGAL Gazette 21 July 2016

skerries | teen aids Barretstown’s life-changing work

Conor won’t let cancer stop him helping others  sylvia pownall

spownall@dublingazette.com

A BRAVE Skerries teen battling cancer has been chosen as the Face of Barretstown.

Conor Fitzgerald (14) was picked to lead an ad campaign for the children’s charity which offers respite to thousands of sick kids and their families each year.

Conor first became involved with Barretstown shortly after being diagnosed with leukaemia, aged 12, via a poster at Temple Street Hospital, where he’d been referred for treatment.

His proud mother Valerie said: “When Conor was in hospital, there

were posters on the wall about a camp for children with cancer and serious illness and our social worker told us about it.

“His name was forwarded to go to Barretstown. We went there last August, and it was amazing – he hadn’t done any fun things for such a long time.

“He was chosen as the Face of Barretstown when he filled in a form asking if he would be part of an advertising campaign.

“They took photographs and that’s how it all happened. Conor is delighted with this, even if he’s a little embarrassed!

I’m so proud of him.”

Conor’s cancer first

Conor Fitzgerald with his little sister, Isabel, and their mum and dad

surfaced when he was 12, two weeks away from starting secondary school. He fell ill while on a family holiday in Spain and his parents, who initially thought it was heatstroke, brought

him to hospital.

The diagnosis meant the family had to cut their holiday short, and Conor missed his first day of school because he was referred directly from Temple Street to Crumlin Hospital to start treatment immediately.

At first, Conor didn’t want to go to Barretstown, but he soon fell in love with the majestic castle and surroundings at the 500-acre County Kildare camp founded by actor Paul Newman.

Valerie revealed: “He said to me, ‘I’m enjoying being back in school now because I don’t feel awkward any more’. I think last year he felt people were looking at him. For the first time since he got sick, I felt like I was back talking to my son.

“The big part of him – my funny, outgoing and happy boy that cancer had taken away – had returned, and I believe

The photo of Conor that was selected as the Face of Barretstown

that Barretstown was the reason.”

Conor’s image will now front the charity’s summer campaign to help raise some of the €4.8 million needed each year to run its programmes.

FastNews

Have a say in reducing the local property tax by 15%, say SF

SINN Fein members of Fingal County Council are calling for a 15% reduction in the local property tax in the upcoming budget.

Cllr Malachy Quinn reminded homeowners that the tax deadline of Friday, July 29 was imminent, and he urged them to have their voices heard.

He said: “We were sold a pup with the introduction of the local property tax. [Homeowners] rightly expected an increase in services, as that is what was sold to them by the then Labour/ Fine Gael government.

“What the Government did instead was not only to subvent Irish Water for the first two years, but also reduce the Local Government fund and capital grants, meaning there was no additional income for the coffers of Fingal.”

Anyone who wants to take part in the public consultation process can take the user-friendly online survey up to 4pm on July 29 at https:// consult.fingal.ie/en/surveys.

Dublin Gazette Newspapers, Second Floor, Heritage House, Dundrum Office Park, Dublin 14 Tel: 01 - 6010240. Email: sales@dublingazette.com news@dublingazette.com web: www.dublingazette.com twitter: @DublinGazette Visit us on Facebook at DublinGazetteNewspapers

21 July 2016 FINGAL Gazette 3

Gazettegallery | social media darling celebrates turning 27

Brian Conway, Megan McDermott, Lauren Bejaoui and Aaron Hurley

Cassie Stokes from Xpose

A great party is a snap for James Guest of honour James Kavanagh makes his grand entrance. Pictures: Elliot Browne

D James Kavanagh, Roz Purcell and Stefan Langan

Rachel Purcell and Matthew Feeney

UBLIN Snapchat star James Kavanagh was joined by 180 of his closest friends last Saturday, who all turned out to celebrate his super sweet 27th birthday. The bash was held at L’Gueuleton Restaurant, Fade Street, where James’s elaborate entrance saw the social media virtuoso carried in by a procession of torch bearers and burly men, with his flower crown completing his fresh summer style.

4 FINGAL Gazette 21 July 2016

santry

Welcome for plan to demolish derelict building

Nothing like a beach race to see as much of lovely Portmarnock strand as quickly as possible

Leo cools down as the day heats up

Sunny dispositions under the hot sun WITH the city basking under the great summer sun last weekend, there was only one place for people from all across Fingal to be found – at the sun-kissed beaches and cool waters all along the coast. Whether at Howth, Portmarnock, Malahide or further afield, Blanchardstown babies rubbed shoulders with Swords seniors, as young and old alike from across Fingal, and further afield, headed to Fingal’s diverse shores, with The Gazette joining in the fun at Portmarnock strand.

Heidi and Poppy dig in for a great day out. Pictures: Alison O’Hanlon

Cathal’s colourful top was pretty cool

safety | warning as potentially fatal jellyfish spotted along beaches

Deadly, squishy menace lurks along the east coast  sylvia pownall DEADLY jellyfish have s p r e a d t o D u b l i n ’s beaches, prompting safety experts to issue a stark warning to bathers.

Blooms of the Lion’s Mane jellyfish – which can cause anaphylactic shock and even death – have been washing up on strands at Malahide, Portmarnock, Sutton, Howth and Rush.

Soaring summer temperatures have left swimmers on high alert thanks to an influx of the deadly creatures along the east coast.

Irish Water Safety chief John Leech said: “In recent years they’ve become a lot more plentiful. We’ve had reported sightings down along the coast. They are quite venomous.

“Children will go up to them out of curiosity and start poking them.

But these jellyfish have a very strong venom, and the great danger is that people who have respirator y or hear t conditions can go into anaphylactic shock.”

The venomous stingers have also been spotted on beaches in Louth, Meath, Wicklow and

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

‘These jellyfish have a very strong venom, and the great danger is that people who have respiratory or heart conditions can go into anaphylactic shock’

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

Irish Water Safety chief John Leech

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

Wexford, where there was an unconfirmed sighting of a Portuguese Man-of-War. M a n - o -Wa r s h ave been dubbed “the floating terror”, as one sting from their tentacles can prove fatal.

The Irish Coast Guard

has advised bathers to stick to beaches with lifeguards on duty as they can provide medical assistance in the event of a sting.

Marine biologist Kevin Flanner y said blooms of Lion’s Mane – the largest of the species

to frequent Irish waters – were more prominent as temperatures rise.

He added: “If you get stung, it’s virtually like a bow and arrow – if you touch the tentacles, they release these little stings and they go into you.

This venom causes a lot of problems for a lot of people.”

In August, 2014, a number of beaches were closed and 77 of the deadly creatures were removed from shorelines in one day – including 17 taken from Sandycove by Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.

Lion’s Mane(cyanea capillata) jellyfish vary in colour, from deep red to yellow, and can reach a bell diameter of two metres.

They are divided into eight lobes and eight clusters, with up to 150 long hair-like tentacles each, and can sting long after they are stranded on a beach, proving dangerous for several days after they die.

Leech said: “If you do come across them, stay well away from them.

Go to a lifeguarded beach and the lifeguard will look after you if you do get stung.”

THE Swiss Cottage pub in Santry is in line for demolition after planners approved a proposal to flatten it and replace it with a block of shops and offices.

The derelict dwelling will make way for a three-storey mixed-use premises, with a cafe and take-away on the ground floor, a two-storey restaurant above it, as well as a discount foodstore, a number of commercial units and offices.

Improvements The news has been welcomed by Cllr Noeleen Reilly (SF), who said the area had been run down for a number of years and that any improvements to the site were welcome.

However, she warned that residents should be kept in the loop during construction.

She added: “I think this will breathe some new life into that part of Santry. I would have some concerns about traffic management; the road is already extremely busy.

“A pedestrian crossing is being installed beside the development at Magenta Crescent, and this should help matters, but it is certainly something that needs to be looked at.”

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Pictured left to right at the official launch of Maxol Donabate last Friday were Dermot O’Toole, Head of Retail and Marketing, Gerard Ralph, Maxol Donabate licensee, well-known Dublin footballer Ciaran Whelan, and Fergal Ralph, Maxol Donabate licensee.

welcome | a great turn out at launch of new convenience destination

Maxol celebrates in Donabate Maxol, Ireland’s leading forecourt and convenience retailer held official opening celebrations at Maxol Donabate, Hearse Road in North Dublin.

The Maxol team had plenty of activities in store at the recently opened station, with DJ Ray Shah, face painting and balloon modelling for the little ones.

Well-known food blogger Melanie May from I Love Cooking provided customers with samples from the Moreish menu and a full barista coffee selection was on offer at Bewleys. Customers on the day had the chance to spin the Maxol prize wheel and enter other competitions with DJ Shah with some great prizes up for grabs. Dublin football legend Ciaran Whelan cut the tape to officially open the service station and met with customers to the station.

Maxol Donabate presents a new experience to customers, which sees the introduction of popular Irish coffee franchise Bewleys along with Maxol’s own fresh food brand Moreish. A full off-license sells wine, beer and spirits. Customers can kick back and relax in the bright and comfortable food court with complimentary Wi-Fi and Maxol radio playing a selection of great music.

Further onsite facilities include a top spec soft brush car wash, solid fuel depot and internal hispec washrooms with baby changing facilities.

Since opening its doors in May 2015, Maxol Donabate has proved a huge hit with commut-

ing and local customers every week. The €2 million investment has created 25 full and part time jobs which has been a huge boost to the local area.

Delighted

Fergal Harrington, Group Brand Development Manager, The Maxol Group commented: “We are delighted to see such a great turnout today to celebrate the official launch of Maxol Donabate, which has already shown to be of huge benefit to the local area. This investment has been part of a significant overall investment in the Leinster area by the Maxol Group, the aim of which is to offer our customers first class service, a great forecourt experience and a delicious food offering.”

Speaking at the launch Fergal Ralph, Maxol Donabate licensee said: ‘The opening of Maxol Donabate has been a huge highlight for the group, and I am very proud to be part of it. It is great for both the community in terms of supporting employment but also in the provision of excellent products and services to both locals and visitors alike. Our vision was to create a superb convenience destination for everyone, whether they want to refuel, relax with a cup of coffee and a bite to eat, or simply pick up some groceries in the well-stocked Maxol Mace convenience store.”

Maxol Donabate has proved a popular destination with the community and is open early Kate Walsh, Cillian Ash and Kevin Ash are having some serious fun at the launch till late seven days.

6 FINGAL Gazette 21 July 2016

Gazettegallery

| Fingallians GAA club training

session

Jill McNally (age 12) from Balbriggan

Dublin GAA footballer Paul Flynn with Fionn, Dara and Sean Mac Ionraic from Swords.

Getting a kick out of a coaching day Pictures: Conor McCabe Photography

Conor Foley (age 10) from Aoife Gleeson (age 11) from Donabate

Rolestown

G

ourmet Food Parlour ambassador and Dublin footballer Paul Flynn showed he is a good sport as he coached 15 competition winners in Fingallians GAA club, Swords.

The Kick About with Paul training session was part of the celebrations as Gourmet Food Parlour marked 10 years in business.

Pictured with Paul and the children is Lorraine Heskin from the Gourmet Food Parlour

Paul and Darragh Gleeson from Swords

Paul enjoys a kick around with the lads

Rachel Stears from

Paul with Eimear Gleeson from

Swords

Donabate

21 July 2016 FINGAL Gazette 7

courts | plaintiff faces huge legal costs

Man loses action over alleged buttocks punch  sylvia pownall

A SWORDS man who claimed his life had been ruined by an alleged punch in the buttocks has lost his High Court action for damages.

John Rice (49) , of Parkview, Brackenstown Road, Swords now faces a huge legal bill after costs were awarded against him.

Mr R ice, a former retail security officer, was told by Mr Justice Kevin Cross to “put matters behind him” and get on with his life.

He has not worked and has been on social welfare since the incident and believed his life “had been ruined” by it.

The 49-year-old, who represented himself, sued

bread delivery man Alan Muddiman, of Rinawade Green, Leixlip Manor over the alleged battery.

He claimed the incident occurred as Mr Mu d d i m a n m a d e a delivery to a Tesco store at Roselawn Centre, Blanchardstown, on July 14, 2009.

He claimed he was punched in the buttocks and right hip with a closed fist as he was checking in a delivery and suffered personal injuries as a result.

Mr Rice acknowledged that prior to the incident the relationship between the two men was one of “banter, high-fives and back-slapping”.

Before this, he had resurfacing surgery on his hips and after the

alleged assault, suffered pain to the lower back, right buttock and numbness in his legs, he said.

Mr Muddiman denied the claims.

The judge dismissed the claims and said CCTV footage of the incident did not support the view that a vicious blow with a clenched fist had been delivered.

Banter Justice Cross said he believed, before this, the relationship between the two men was one of banter, jokes and there was a “tactile element”.

At the time, Mr Rice had been working a number of years with Tesco at the Roselawn Centre.

Mr Rice had claimed something similar hap-

pened before and he had told Mr Muddiman not to do it because he had bad hips.

While Mr Muddiman did not recall the precise incident, he accepted Mr Rice referred to his sore hips problem, the judge said.

A medical report indicated Mr Rice suffered post traumatic adjustment disorder and depression afterwards.

Judge Cross added: “No doubt Mr R ice believed all his physical and psychological symptoms relate to the incident, and what I have decided will be deeply disappointing to Mr Rice who probably will believe to his grave that an injustice has occurred.”

Paws-ing for a fun photo DOG groomer Aoife Meskell, Marianne Moloney and Teddy took a moment to take a photo at the opening of Mutleys Empawrium’s new doggy cafe in Portmarnock, where lots of dogs and their human pals celebrated the opening of the first dog cafe in Ireland to be run by fully qualified dog trainers and dog groomers. The dog-friendly cafe launch featured lots of treats for pooch pals, while the people there also had plenty of treats to keep them happy, too. Mutleys owner Rhonda Reihill (right) thanked everyone for making the day such a success, with the great reception suggesting that Mutleys was well worth taking a “walkies” over to.

8 FINGAL Gazette 21 July 2016

statistics | cso census data shows county’s population surges 8% in five years

Fingal now fastest-growing area  sylvia pownall FINGAL is officially the fastest growing area in the country, with an 8% rise in the population over five years described as “both a challenge and an opportunity”.

The number of people living in Fingal now stands at 296,214 – up 22,223 people on the last census in 2011.

The council’s chief executive Paul Reid said: “The figures released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) present both a challenge and an opportunity.

“We will work to ensure that the county’s infrastructure and provision of essential services meets the needs of the growing population.”

Mayor Darragh Butler said the figures showed the attractiveness of Fingal on many different levels.

He added: “As a council we will be doing everything we can to ensure that it continues to be the best place to live, to raise a family, to work in, to do business in and to visit.

“We will work to ensure the delivery of major infrastruc-

ture projects such as Metro North to cater for our growing population.”

The population of Dublin has jumped to 1.34 million people, with more than 72,000 people moving to the capital in the past five years – an increase of 5.7%.

Seven of the ten fastest growing areas nationwide are in Dublin, with the remaining three lying on the commuter belt in easy reach of the capital.

The overall population jump in the country was 3.7% to 4.75 million people, but

there is a clear trend in Dublin and surrounding counties, which are recording the biggest rise.

Blanchardstown-Abbotstown, The Ward in Fingal and Tallaght-Springfield experienced the biggest growths in population.

Meanwhile, Blanchardstown-Blakestown, Glencullen in south Dublin, LucanEsker in west Dublin, and Balbriggan in Fingal also made the top ten.

The population of Fingal has almost doubled in 25 years –up from 152,766

people in 1991 – prompting calls for greater investment in public transport and infrastructure.

Green Party Cllr Roderic O’Gorman said: “The census is giving statistical proof of something that Dublin 15 residents know all too well.

“More houses are being built, but the services – particularly public transport – are not being provided to match.”

He reiterated his call for a Rapid Bus Transit scheme from Ongar to UCD, and other infrastructure, as the

area “cannot afford five years of gridlock”.

There are areas in Dublin, however, where a sharp fall in population has been seen since the last census. An area in Ballymun, Pembroke West and Merchants Quay have all shown drops in the number of people living there.

Dublin also recorded the greatest inward migration of 7,981 people, and an overall population increase of 5.7%.

The data also showed that women outnumber men in Ireland by a ratio of 978 men to every 1,000 women.

swords | plenty to enjoy for all the family

Get ready for some sizzling festival fun  sylvia pownall

CROWDS are set to bask in glorious sunshine this weekend as the second Swords Summer Festival takes to the streets.

Thousands are expected to descend on the capital of the north county for the three-day celebration featuring the 10K Fingal Road Race and an all-day carnival on Main Street.

Met Eireann is promising a scorcher, with temperatures set to hit the 20s – although the mercury won’t hit the 30 degree mark like it did on Tuesday.

A ME spokesperson said: “We are unlikely to see anything like what

prompted the yellow weather warning earlier this week, but for the most part it should be dry and sunny.”

The series of events – organised by Fingal County Council with the help of an army of local volunteers – starts with a fundraiser concert by the Three Tenors in aid of Swords Lions Club.

Saturday’s main event – a carnival of free family fun, including bouncy castles, stilt walkers, face painting and plenty more – gets under way at noon and carries on all afternoon.

A festival spokesperson said: “There will be lots more for children in our

Magical Musical Marquee from 1 to 5pm in Swords Town Park, including Magic Darragh, Waffles the Wonderful, and drumming workshops with the Mobile Music School.

“The fantastic Superfly will take to the stage on Saturday evening on Main Street, and are sure to have you dancing.”

On Sunday, July 24, runners will line up for the prestigious Fingal 10K race, with organisers encouraging people to support them along the route.

Council chief Paul Reid said: “I am delighted this festival is back. The response and turn-out last year was fantastic and

we are hoping to build on that.”

Neighbouring Malahide will also be pulling out all the stops this weekend for the Malahide Has It Festival.

The celebrations will run from Friday, and include community activities on the green and street entertainment on New Street.

Alicia and Ollie Thon meet a Viking at the launch of Swords Summer Festival 2016

FESTIVAL FORECAST Friday: Mostly dry and sunny, cloudy in parts, highs of 19C Saturday: Dry and sunny, 21C Sunday: Dry, some occasional showers, 20C

The Mayor of Fingal, Darragh Butler, with councillors from Swords - Duncan Smith, Joe Newman, Justin Sinnott, Anne Devitt and Adrian Henchy - and chief executive, Paul Reid. Pictures: Orla Murray/Ark Photography

21 July 2016 FINGAL Gazette 9

FastNews Gazettegallery | fingal girls complete a challenge 100,000 pass through Dublin Airport in just one day – chief

DUBLIN Airport recorded its busiest ever day last month with 100,000 passengers – enough people to fill the Aviva Staduim twice over – passing through its doors on Friday, June 24.

The airport recorded more than 25 million passengers in 2015 – and has already welcomed 10.3 million passengers in the first five months of this year, up 15%.

Airport chief Vincent Harrison said: “We have welcomed 17 new routes and services this year and [have] another two long-haul routes to be launched in September.

“Every single week since May 2015 has been busier than our busiest week last year, and this will also be the case for every week right through to early October.”

The airport is investing €10 million to upgrade the arrivals area in Terminal 1. It currently has direct flights to more than 180 destinations in 40 countries on four continents.

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St Aideen’s Ladybirds and Howth Brownies

Donabate Brownies celebrate nearing the end of their walk

Rathingle Brownies cheer a job well done

rescue | duo avert drowning

Guides help to walk 40,000km Thumbs up from these River Valley girls at a job well done

W

HILE most of us might hesitate at walking a few kilometres, especially in the hot weather we’ve been having lately, Irish Girl Guides (IGG) members have hiked 40,000km – enough to walk around the world! Fortunately, they didn’t do it all in one go; the astounding total represents the distance walked by guides from around the country – including girls from Swords, Howth, Portmarnock, Donabate, Ballybough and Raheny – as they took part in a Global Trek initiative.

Originally designed to account for walking from the North to the South poles, the IGG members enthusiastically reached their target well in advance of their deadline, and decided to walk all the way “back”, thus doubling their distance.

Fingal guides were among the 800 IGG members who took part in the final section of the Eastern Region’s trek, with the girls hiking around Larch Hill, Tibradden, in the Dublin foothills to help reach the magic 40,000km total. Their hiking helped to earn several badges.

Modest scouts save a boy’s life A SCOUT from Lusk is being hailed a hero after her role in a daring river rescue in Turkey which saved the life of a 14-yearold boy.

Mollie Tamara Powell (16), a member of Rush scout troop, helped pull the unconscious teen from the Dim Cay River in

Mahmutlar after he hit his head on a rock.

Mollie, who was on holidays with her family, was joined by fellow scout Sean Thompson (16), from Wexford for the courageous feat.

Mo l l i e a n d S e a n (below) managed to take the boy from the water and clear his airways before a nurse on holiday took over.

Mollie, a student at Lusk Community College, said: “It was instinct to save the boy. I saw him and don’t know what went through my head apart from, ‘I have to get the child out of the water’.

“I don’t feel like a hero. I feel any decent person would have done what we did. My train-

ing definitely helped, and I have to give mention to Rush 38 Scouts for teaching me what to do.”

Sean jumped 20ft into the river and Molly helped pull him onto dry land.

The Turkish teen had no idea he was rescued by Irish teenagers, but the daring duo are planning to visit him in hospital when he is well enough and give him a scouting t-shirt as a memento.

Ian Carey, co-commissioner for Fingal Scout County, said: “It is just incredible to hear about the actions of Mollie and Sean. They are an inspiration to scouts and all young people.”

He told how dealing with emergencies was part of the scout programme, with members taught basic first aid and CPR from a young age.

10 Gazette 21 July 2016

Gazettegallery | longitude comes

to marlay park

Samantha Mumba, Aisling Breen, Daryl Crosbie and Linzi Cowap

Jolanta Gerulskyte and Ellen Flood. Pictures: Brian McEvoy

Festival-goers in for the long haul

A

round 30,000 music fans descended on Marlay Park for the three-day summer festival Longitude. As well as festival-goers, the odd celeb was spotted at 3Live experience where revellers could per-

sonalise their festival experience by starring in a music video, charge up their handsets, get festival make-up and accessories and enjoy DJ sets from a host of acts including Claire Beck and Marcus O’Laoire.

Rebecca Slevin, Carla Kehoe, Tara Butler, Ciara Lawlor and Rachel Walsh

Caoimhe Joyce and Alanna Logan Hassig

O’Brien

21 July 2016 Gazette 11

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12 Gazette 21 July 2016

dublinBUSINESS

training: argos manager extols the inspiring virtues of working your way up

Staying focused on a path A PART-TIME Christmas job in Argos has paid huge dividends for

a mother of one from Blanchardstown.

When the then 21-year-

old Lorna Devaney took up the part-time post in Argos in the ILAC Cen-

tre, she had no idea of the stunning career path she was embarking on.

Now, 20 years later, Lorna is a member of the Argos Republic of Ireland management team, running a team of people between the UK and Ireland, with the team responsible for more than 200 stores. Argos is celebrating 20 years in the Republic of Ireland this year.

Lorna said: “If you had told me back then in November, 1996, that I would be spending three days a week driving around the UK and the rest looking after stores, I wouldn’t have believed you.”

She hopes that her story as a young girl rising through the ranks of a major international company will help to inspire other young girls who find themselves in a similar situation.

Inspire others “Maybe it will inspire young girls and demonstrate what can happen if you keep on trying, work hard and show commitment. You can succeed no matter what the obstacles are.”

Having been made permanent by Argos after her Christmas job, Lorna is now the regional shrinkage and compliance manager for the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Thames and Avon, Hampshire, South West, South Wales and the Cotswolds regions.

She is the first Irish person, and the first woman, to hold the position.

However, when she was offered the job, Lorna made one thing clear to her Argos bosses: “I said I would take it, but that I still wanted to live in Dublin. You can take the girl out of Dublin but you can’t take Dublin out

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‘You can take the girl out of Dublin but you can’t take Dublin out of the girl. When I come home at weekends, I’m just a Blanchardstown girl going to places I always went to.’

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Lorna Devaney, Argos, on her love for home despite her senior UK and Ireland position

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of the girl.”

She added: “I might be called ‘a high-flyer’, but when I come home at weekends, I’m just a Blanchardstown girl meeting old friends and going to places I always went to.”

Lorna is grateful to Argos for the opportu-

nities the company has given her: “I will never forget what they have given me. I still remember my induction training back in 1996, and all of the stages along the way.

“If you are willing to commit and work hard, you will get the opportunities with Argos.”

21 July 2016 Gazette 13

FOOD P18-19

dublinlife Let Dublin Gazette Newspapers take you on a tour of the news and events taking place across the city and county this week

a day in the life: making waves in the Irish broadcasting world

Ste’s got talent to Byrne  emma nolan

Having initially gained a following for his popular YouTube videos, RTE 2 presenter and Dubliner, Stephen Byrne is currently making waves in the Irish broadcasting world.

With a string of celebrity interviews behind him for his showTwo Tube and his radio presenting taking off Stephen has a few more tricks up his sleeve.

Speaking to The Gazette about what a typical day for him involves, Stephen revealed that he’s about to start filming for a new RTE show.

“I’m working on a prank show that I pitched,” he says.

“I can’t say the name just yet but it’s a brand new show and it’s all to do with social media. It was my idea so it’s really exciting.”

“It’ll be different to anything I’ve ever done before and there’s a lot of new faces involved.

“In terms of my role, I’m going to be the man behind the scenes in the control room, the Ashton Kutcher, the Wizard of Oz.” As for his RTE 2 show Two Tube, Stephen says a day of filming for it typically involves getting a bus to the RTE studios before taking part in pro-

duction meetings to figure out what’s on the show that day.

“We have to work out what interviews we’re doing that day and where they’re on. It can be quite hectic.

“If there’s an interview on somewhere in Dublin, I’d prepare my questions and hop in the car with the producers to go to the location.”

When he gets back to the studio he writes the script for the live show with his co-presenter and best friend Blathnaid McKenna “We’re best mates outside of work as well, which most people don’t understand! They’re always like ‘are you actually friends?’ and we’re like ‘yeah of course!’

“It’s so great to be able to work with your best friend all day every day,” he says.

If he has to choose between working on TV or radio, Stephen says it’s a mix.

“I’ve been doing Two Tube for four years now so it’s very much routine and I love it, mostly because of the people I work with.”

Stephen said that he’s been lucky enough to interview some big names over the years including Brad Pitt and Ange-

lina Jolie. His favourite celebrity encounter so far however has been his interview with Stephen Spielberg.

“He is cinema, so when I met him I was just like ‘Well I don’t need to meet anybody else now!’”

When it comes to down time Stephen says he loves nothing more than simply chilling out with his friend and boyfriend.

“I love getting the chance to catch up with my friend Faye O’Rourke from the band Little Green Cars and just kicking back with my boyfriend, we’ve been together two years now.

“Just coming home, cooking a meal, kicking back and watching Desperate Housewives – we’re watching it for the third time now!”

As well his upcoming prank show, Stephen also has a documentary on homophobia in the world of football in the works.

For aspiring vloggers and YouTubers, Stephen’s advice is be yourself.

“Find something about yourself that you think is unique and really hone in on that. Make videos about what you’re passionate about because if you enjoy making them then people will enjoy watching them.”

RTE 2 presenter and Dubliner, Stephen Byrne

asdfsdaf P27 cinema P24



Gazette

DIARY P14

Oscar is an ideal second dog to care for OUR Dog of the Week looking for their #SpecialSomeone* is Oscar, a six-year-old male crossbreed.

He is an active and lively dog who is looking for a home with someone there for the vast majority of the day.

Oscar would benefit from the company of another dog as he doesn’t enjoy being alone. He adores the beach and would love his new family to take him on extra-long walks.

He can live with older children who are confident around dogs, as he tends to be vocal and can get quite excited.

If you can be Oscar’s #SpecialSomeone*, then please contact Dogs Trust on 01 879 1000.

They are based in Finglas, just off Exit 5 on the M50. Map and directions can be found on their website, www.dogstrust. ie. You can also find them on Facebook, at www.facebook.com/ dogstrustirelandonline, or on Twitter @ DogsTrust_IE.

14 Gazette 21 July 2016

Gazette

dublinlife DIARY Fancy a way to help sick kids?

TESCO stores across Dublin will be taking part in Ireland’s largest fancy dress day on Saturday, July 23.

Taking place in all 148 stores countrywide, Tesco has set a national fundraising target of €100,000 to help raise vital funds for its charity partner, Temple Street Children’s Hospital.

Nine-year-old Leon McMahon said that he will be dressing up as a soldier for the big day.

Leon was diagnosed with asthma when he was one year old, and is a regular visitor in Temple Street at least three or four times a year with respiratory problems.

Tammy, Leon’s moth-

er, said: “The team at the hospital has always been amazing, showing him how to take his inhalers and steroids properly.”

Tesco colleagues will be kitted out in a variety of costumes while they host parties at the front of their store with cake sales, face painting, badge creation stations, balloons and much more.

All funds raised will go towards replacing equipment in the out-patient Ophthalmology department at Temple Street, helping the medical team to give the best possible care to children from all across Ireland by using the latest technology for eye examinations.

Tesco and Temple Street are encouraging all customers to bring their kids down to their local Tesco store on the day between 11am to 6pm for what promises to be a great fun-filled day.

seeing great shots is a snap in town THIS year’s PhotoIreland Festival is currently running until the end of July in Temple Bar. The free festival is focused around photography and image culture.

Visitors can explore work of esteemed photographers, as well as that of young photographers and local initiatives.

Previous years have

seen events take place in a variety of locations, from the National Botanic Gardens to Dun Laoghaire Pier, and in established exhibition spaces such as the Gallery of Photography and the National Photographic Archive.

At the festival, head along to take in portfolio reviews, workshops, talks, free guided tours and lots more.

ironmen invited to tri challenge THE Ironman 70.3 Triathlon is returning to Dublin on Sunday, August 14.

Due to the phenomenal success of last year’s race, the triathlon will

Leon McMahon is calling on everyone to help Temple Street. Picture: Andres Poveda

return to the capital city in just over a month, with entries still open for those considering taking part.

More than 2,000 athletes will tackle the race, which incorporates a 1.2 mile (1.9km) swim, followed by a 56 mile (90km) bike ride and

then a 13.1 (21.1km) mile half-marathon, all as one race in Dublin.

The open water swim will take place in Scotsman’s Bay in Dun Laoghaire before athletes mount their bikes to travel through Dublin and west of the city on

a looped cycle course, finally returning to the Phoenix Park for the intensive half-marathon run to cross the finish line.

If you’re fit enough for the challenge, visit eu.ironman.com to sign up.

21 July 2016 Gazette 15

don’s dublin The vital transport link that also honours an executed Rebel SEAN Heuston Bridge is one of the most elegant spans across the Liffey and was opened to pedestrian and horse-drawn traffic on June 9, 1829.

It replaced a ferry service that had been in operation for the previous hundred years, and was built to commemorate the visit of King George IV in August, 1821.

Daniel O’Connell was instrumental in raising funds for the bridge’s construction, and the foundation stone was laid by the Marquis Wellesley on December 12, 1827. It was designed by the English architect George Papworth, who designed other buildings in Dublin – including the interior of the Pro-Cathedral on Marlborough Street – and was built in less than a year, costing £13,000.

The engineering work was carried out by Richard Robinson’s company, Phoenix Iron Works, Parkgate Street, with the firm’s proximity helping the speedy construction.

Papworth’s design was chosen by King George, and over the years it became known as King’s Bridge.

It stayed that way until 1922, when it was changed to Sarsfield Bridge, in honour of the great 17th century military commander who fought against the Williamites until he left for France. He died in Belgium in 1693, fighting in Louis XIV’s army.

The name was changed in 1941 to its present one in honour of the youngest man to be executed in the aftermath of the Easter Rising. He and his 13 volunteers occupied the Mendicity Institution, close to King’s Bridge, and surrendered when besieged by superior forces. Heuston was executed on May 8 and was buried in Arbour Hill with other executed leaders.

Weight restrictions were introduced after a review in 1980 which led to the construction of the nearby Frank Sherwin Bridge in 1982.

However, a major refurbishment was carried in 2001-02 that allowed it to carry the Luas light rail system, with the first trams crossing the Liffey in 2004.

The bridge, thankfully, is still open to pedestrians.

Don Cameron

www.donsdublin.wordpress.com

Picture: Wikipedia A Luas tram crosses Sean Heuston Bridge – the first span across the Liffey in the city centre

Gazette

FEATURE

21 July 2016 Gazette 17

dublinlife

FEATURES

WIN

The Strypes comprise Ross Farrelly (lead vocals/ harmonica), Josh McClorey (lead guitar/vocals), Peter O’Hanlon (bass guitar/harmonica) and Evan Walsh (drums)

WE’VE got a selection of tickets so you and three pals can go and see The Strypes on Thursday, August 4 at Bulmers Live at Leopardsown – the best, summer-long festival in the country!

First prize is a Summer Bundle ticket package for you and three pals – worth €120 – giving you all admission, a race programme, a bottle of Bulmers (or a soft drink), a summer feast meal voucher and a FREE €5 Tote betting voucher.

Two lucky runners up will win admission tickets for themselves and three pals – so you can enjoy one of Ireland’s most exciting bands FREE – all on us!

All you have to do is Like the Dublin Gazette Facebook page and then Like and share our Bulmers Live at Leopardstown post. Winners will be announced on our Facebook page.

Let’s hope you Strype it Lucky folks!

 ian begley

DESPITE none of them having their Leaving Cert behind them, the members of The Strypes – the smash-hit wonders from Cavan – are certainly in no way at a disadvantage from the rest of their peers.

Since first starting out in 2011, The Strypes have revolutionised the rhythm and blues scene in Ireland, and despite their young ages (18 – 21), they have accomplished more than many bands could ever dream of.

Drummer Evan Walsh (19) spoke to The Gazette this week about his journey so far in the band.

He said: “We were in transition year when we really started getting noticed, and all sorts of opportunities started to come our way.

“Our parents were the ones who actually decided that the best move was to take us out of school and allow us to focus fulltime on the band, which to be honest suited us perfectly.”

Following a phone call from Elton John, the band joined Rocket Music’s roster and soon after landed a record deal with Virgin/ EMI. The label released their debut album, Snapshot, in September 2012, which reached the Top 5 in the

UK and Ireland.

Evan said: “We have had so many great experiences and opportunities since then, and got to travel all over the world and meet some amazing people. We’re all very committed to the band and are in it for the long haul – I have no regrets.”

He added that one of the highlights for him touring with The Strypes was appearing on the David Letterman show.

“In 2014, we took a short trip to the States, where we did the Conan O’Brien show and had an

The members of Booka Brass Band, whose skills have thrilled everyone from Imedla May to President Higgins

Young brass band’s unique sound rubs off on famous fans

toured North America, selling out legendary venues including the Bowery Ballroom in New York City, and the El Ray Theatre in Los Angeles.

The band members are now back in Ireland working on their new album, and preparing for the various festivals taking place around the country.

Evan said: “We had a lot of time at home over the past couple of months, which is great because it really gives us time to work on new material and come up with ideas for our new album.

 ian begley

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‘Our parents were the ones who decided that the best move was to take us out of school and allow us to focus full-time on the band’

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Evan Walsh, drummer

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amazing time. We then came back a few months later to do a tour all over the US, and we eventually got the opportunity to appear on Letterman.

“It was actually touch and go whether I could do it, because I busted my finger playing the drums a few weeks previously.

It was a very surreal and exciting experience, even though we were in and out before we knew it.”

Now signed to Photo Finish/Republic in the US, The Strypes have

Gazette

Gazette

16 Gazette 21 July 2016

“It’s at its infancy stages at the moment, but hopefully come August or September we’ll be ready to step into the studio.

“We also have a better opportunity playing at a lot of festivals around Ireland during the summer, which I love because it’s always great craic.”

The Strypes are playing at Bulmers Live At Leopardstown on Thursday, August 4. Tickets are priced at €18 and can be purchased at www.leopardstown.com.

interview: cavan band on their success so far

Spot The Strypes aS THEIR RISE CONTINUES

BOOKA Brass Band have become something of an enigma.

What started out as a group of young music students shyly addressing a bar full of revellers has unforeseeably and speedily become an eight-piece band of professional entertainers and craftsmen.

They’re capable of not just grabbing and holding the attention of thousands of fans in a festival tent, or at any number of their sold-out shows, but leaving them with something that they are not about to forget in this lifetime.

The band comprises eight characters, each with a different story to tell and each bringing their own brand of enthralling stage presence that make Booka Brass Band impossible to take your eyes off once they hit the stage.

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

‘Playing the likes of Beyonce and Justin Timberlake are really fun to play’

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

Paul Kiernan, trumpet --------------------------

Speaking to The Gazette this week, band member Paul Kiernan said that since playing the trumpet from the age of eight, it has become somewhat of a vital organ for him.

He said: “My dad played the trumpet a lot growing up, so it made sense that I would follow suit.

“When I was about 15, I joined the National Youth Orchestra and started playing with many different people all around Ireland.

“I then went on to study

music in college, and it was really from there that I went on to start Booka Brass with a few fellow brass musicians that I knew.

“We’re all good friends and there’s a nice atmosphere in the band.

“We all like the sound of many New Orleans brass bands, which is what we started off playing. We also did a lot of covers from the likes of Hypnotic Brass Ensemble and Youngblood Brass Band.

“We then started writing our own stuff, and have many of our own influences such as RnB, Soul, Rock, and pretty much everything mixed into one.”

Paul added: “I like playing our originals the most, but playing the likes of Beyonce and Justin Timberlake are really fun to play. Everyone knows the songs, and it really gets the crowd going.”

The band have collaborated with artists such as Lisa Hannigan, James Vincent McMorrow, Paul Noonan, We Cut Corners, and Jerry Fish, to name but a few, as well as playing in Aras an Uachtarain by invitation of President Michael D Higgins.

They have also played with Imelda May, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, The Hot 8 Brass Band and finished off the year to a sold-out Vicar Street crowd on New Year’s Eve. Paul said: “Ireland is a really great place to play because everyone is always up for enjoying themselves – everyone here wants to have fun, and it’s really like nowhere else.”

Booka Brass Band are playing Live at Leopardstown tonight; tickets can be purchased at www.leopardstown. com/Booka-Brass-Band, priced €18.

Gazette

18 Gazette 21 July 2016

dublinlife

THIS week, we have a delicious recipe for Seafood Linguine, which serves two, courtesy of head chef Dave Coffey, from The Sussex Restaurant, Upper Leeson Street, Dublin 4.

For further information on summer menus at The Sussex Restaurant, see www.thesussex.ie, or call 01 676 2851.

deveined l 2 handfuls of fresh washed mussels l 2 tbsp of chopped red chilli l 2 tbsp of chopped garlic l 150ml extra virgin olive oil l Juice of 1 lemon l 250ml dry white wine l 4 tbsp chopped flat leaf parsley l Salt and fresh black pepper

Ingredients l 2 portions of linguine pasta l 400g raw prawns, peeled and

Preparation l Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente.

Cool under cold tap.

In a large pan, heat the olive oil, then add prawns and season. l Insert garlic and chilli. l Add in the white wine and mussels, cook until mussels start to open. l Reheat pasta in boiling water.

Strain and combine in pan. l Add chopped parsley and lemon juice. l Season and serve immediately with a wedge of lemon. l Enjoy! l l

So much to pore over when Whiskey Live Dublin returns to The Printworks  Aisling kennedy

Food Editor

WHISKEY Live Dublin will return to The Printworks in Dublin Castle soon on Saturday, November 5.

The festival, which is now in its sixth year, is an international celebration that brings together a smooth range of Irish and international whiskeys, along with great food and a variety of entertaining whiskey master classes.

Visitors to Whiskey Live Dublin will get to sample whiskey, whiskey cask-matured craft beers, whiskey cocktails

and other Irish spirits whilst mingling with producers and distillers from the industry.

Some of Dublin’s best restaurants will also be present, with delicious food pairings to match some of the whiskeys on offer at the festival.

Tickets are available for two sessions – from 1.30 to 5pm, and from 6 to 9.30pm, and are priced at €42 plus booking fee at The Celtic Whiskey Shop, with €10 of each ticket sold going to Down Syndrome Dublin.

For further information, see http://www. whiskylive.com/ireland.

Picture: Dara Munnis

Sea a delicious recipe

Jobs and training initiative aims to serve up new cooks A NEW initiative to provide job opportunities for budding young chefs was launched recently by KSG Catering Ltd and Taste 4 Success Skillnet, in liaison with the Department of Social Protection, with Sylviana Grad demonstrating skills gained by the initiative.

Called the Chef Start programme, the initiative offers jobseekers the opportunity to enter full-time training to become a chef.

The first graduates of the Chef Start programme were honoured last week as eight class members completed the course, with many earning full-time positions as commis chefs at KSG Catering.

The objective of the course is to offer those on the Live Register with a keen interest and passion for cooking an opportunity to develop a new career. The programme also allows KSG to give students the opportunity to mentor and develop a direct source of new culinary talent to help combat the severe chef shortage in Ireland.

For further information on the Chef Start programme, see www.ksg.ie.

Food premises served with enforcement orders  Aisling kennedy

Whiskey lovers will be in their element with the sheer range and quality at Whiskey Live Dublin

SOME 11 enforcement orders were served on food businesses by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) in June, with four of the orders issued to Dublin premises.

Lebanese K itchen (manufacturer/packer), Unit 97, Millennium Business Park, Dublin 15 was served with a closure order and a prohibition

order under the FSAI Act. The New Leaf Restaurant, Unit 1-2, Tallaght Retail Centre, Tallaght, Dublin 24, and Piece of Cake (food stall), Meeting House Square, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 were both served with closure orders under the EC (Official Control of Foodstuffs) Regulations.

A prohibition order was also served to Gammells Restaurant, 33 Ranelagh

Road, Dublin 6 under the EC (Official Control of Foodstuffs) Regulations.

Dr Pamela Byrne, chief executive at the FSAI, said: “Negligent practices cannot and will not be tolerated.

“The onus is on every food business to have a food safety management system in place, which assists in identifying and controlling hazards that could pose a danger in the preparation of safe food.”

21 July 2016 Gazette 19

Gazette

FOOD&DRINK

Network in style  emma nolan

“THE concept is based on the fact that it’s a space for networking, but also we use a lot of local producers so we’re all part of the network.”

So says Oliver Cruise, a 27-year-old accountant from Dundrum who has swapped his desk for a career in hospitality, with Network – the newest coffee shop on the city centre stretch from Richmond Street up to Georges Street.

He says: “I’ve been building up to this for the past two years. I was working in bars and restaurants at the weekend, and then last September

I met my now business partner at the Dublin Coffee Festival, and it just evolved from there.”

Network’s slick, Scandi-esque interior is relaxed and inviting. It has a sense of brand identity which you could see being easily replicated if they were ever to expand to franchises.

The usually neglected Aungier Street has suddenly developed a new lease of life with three new businesses opening beside each other in quick succession – Aungier Danger, Dublin Pizza Co and, of course, Network.

What should be a prime location has remained somewhat run down in the midst of the madness

of Camden Street and Georges Street, which are always buzzing, day and night.

However, this footfall has never seemed to translate to the humble paths of Whitefriar and Aungier Streets – until now.

Oliver says: “The street actually has a really good footfall, but it benefits from having slightly cheaper rent than Camden Street and Georges Street.”

There’s also the added bonus of having DIT across the road, but Oliver wants to ensure that the cafe doesn’t just turn into a “student place”. He wants to be open for all coffee lovers.

As for the coffee, it’s delicious; so smooth and with a natural sweetness that means sugar is definitely not needed.

Baristas Danny and Sylvia are happy to make recommendations and are keen to show off their latte art skills (inset, right), which are impressive.

For staying in, coffee is served in wide coffee cups on a small wooden board, whereas for those on the go, the coffee comes in stylish take-away cups

Full of beans and ready to help – Sylvia, Danny and Oliver

that ref lect the cafe’s interior.

Food-wise, at the moment, Network has a range of pastries and sweet treats from Love Supreme on offer, but the

kitchen will be up and running for breakfast and lunch with a healthy and wholesome edge in the next while.

Oliver says: “It’s a massive learning curve, and you’re going to make mistakes regardless, but

they’ll all stand to us as we expand and grow.

“It’s an ongoing process, but we’re getting there.”

Network are open Monday to Saturday. For further information, see the Facebook page for Network Cafe, Dublin 2.

Gazette

20 Gazette 21 July 2016

dublinlife

fast

dublin: trinity city hotel is a gem in town

TRAVEL NEWS

The bulls and participants race through the streets in Pamplona, Spain

Several people hurt at Pamplona bull run  ian begley

AN AMERICAN was injured along with five other runners in Pamplona, Spain during the city’s San Fermin festival bull run.

Matthew Labin, 39, was gored in the thigh when one of six bulls crashed into a group of runners near a fence, according to the Associated Press. The bull then lifted two other runners into the air with its horns.

A brief statement by the Navarra regional government confirmed his condition was not serious.

12 people, including four Americans, have been injured since the start of the nine-day festival on July 7. The bulls run more than half a mile on a street course towards the city’s bull ring, where they face matadors in afternoon bullfights.

Around 1,000 people

took part in the 850mrun through Pamplona’s old town, which started at 8am.

A firecracker was lit to signal the release of the bulls from their enclosure, and participants sprinted alongside six fighting bulls through cobbled streets to the city’s bullring.

Bull runs are a traditional event in summer festivals across Spain.

The nine-day San Fermín festival has become Spain’s most famous after being immortalised in Ernest Hemingway’s 1926 tale, The Sun Also Rises.

Last Wednesday’s run took place four days after a Spanish bullfighter was gored to death in the ring – the first such incident in 30 years.

Like bullfighting, animal rights activists condemn the running of the bulls. This year, activists travelled to Pamplona to express their discontent with the running.

As always, thousands of onlookers cheerd on the runners – and the bulls. Pictures: Associated Press

A home from home  Ian Begley

Travel Editor

IF YOU’RE not bothered about leaving the big smoke this summer, or if you just want to experience all that Dublin city has to offer, then why not book yourself into the Trinity City Hotel?

The hotel, located at Pearse Street, is right on the doorstep of all the best shopping, cinemas and theatres, stylish bars and excellent restaurants of this busy and buzzing city.

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‘As a guest at Trinity City Hotel, you’ll enjoy a 10% discount in the Kilkenny store at Nassau Street – a mere skip from the hotel’

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Arrive at Trinity City Hotel and check in to one of the 198 chic bedrooms and enjoy a glass of bubbly on arrival.

Before hitting the shops, there’s time to relax at the hotel for a spot of lunch in the hidden garden terrace of this chic city centre hotel.

As a guest at Trinity City Hotel, you’ll enjoy a 10% discount in the Kilkenny store at Nassau Street – a mere hop, skip and jump from the hotel and a luxurious one-stop shop for all your summer wardrobe essentials.

With your hotel just around the corner,

drop your bags back to Trinity City Hotel and head north of the Liffey with Henry Street and O’Connell Street a fiveminute stroll away for some more retail therapy, or maybe catch a show in town, go to a gig or simply relax and unwind in your city centre home from home.

With its fascinating decor, where almost every carefully selected element has an interesting story behind it, the Trinity City Hotel is a hidden jewel just beside

Trinity College, right in the heart of the city.

The Shop and Drop package at Trinity City Hotel includes overnight accommodation for two with breakfast the following morning, a glass of Prosecco on arrival, and 10% off in-store purchases at Kilkenny on Nassau Street, and starts from €153 per room per night, based on two people sharing.

For further information and booking details, see www.trinitycityhotel. com.

Set sail for Britain or beyond with a new range of midweek ferry fares  ian begley

IRISH Ferries has increased its suite of offers on sailings to Britain with the introduction of a new midweek summer fare that sees two adults and a car travel to the UK from €119 each way.

The latest offer can be used in conjunction with their popular “kids go free on the Irish Sea” promotion, meaning families can save money whilst travelling together – news likely to appeal to parents planning a break to

Britain this year.

This lead in fare, which is valid on Tuesday to Thursday cruise ferry night sailings between Dublin to Holyhead, and Rosslare to Pembroke, from July 19 to December 16, applies to new motorist bookings made before July 21 and two days before departure.

Additional adults are charged €35. For further detailed information and reservations, see www. irishferries.com, or telephone 0818 300 400.

21 July 2016 Gazette 21

Gazette

TRAVEL

Companies have top offers to get you cruising in 2017

Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas  ian begley

Travel Editor

From sky-diving simulators and top deck picnic lawns to planetariums and vertical-drop water slides, cruise ship design has reached a whole new level as shipping companies go to extremes to attract passengers.

Now the cruise giants are battling to offer the best incentives to book early for 2017 with free flights, buy one cruise fare get one half price,

free upgrades, free drinks packages and lots more.

Cruising is becoming increasingly popular with Irish holidaymakers, and over 35,000 people are expected to hit the high seas by the end of 2016.

According to top Irish cruise agency e-travel, it is the fastest-growing sector of the holiday market and with some clever planning, there are now some great bargains on the big blue.

2016 has been a good

year so far for Irish travel bookings and sales are up as much as 46% for some agents with many holidaymakers cruising the luxury end of the market.

You can choose the massive ships like Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas, the $1Billion largest ship in the world, or smaller intimate river cruises which carry less than one hundred passengers.

Some of the new ships and destinations on offer for 2017 from Irish

leading cruise agency e-Travel include: • In May 2017 MSC will launch MSC Meraviglia which will become the largest ship in the world (beating Oasis, Allure and Harmony of the Seas), holding a maximum capacity of 5,700 passengers and 1,536 crew members.

The ship will feature Cirque de Soleil at sea, The Carousel Lounge - a circular performance space with a 180° circular glass wall and a Mediterranean-style indoor promenade, which will feature an 80-meter LED “sky” that changes throughout the day.

• Mo d e r n l u x u r y cruise brand Celebrity Cruises will have five award-winning ships in Europe for 2017-2018 – Celebrity Reflection, C e l e b r i t y E q u i n ox , Celebrity Constellation, Celebrity Eclipse and Celebrity Silhouette.

The premium line’s richest season yet offers 86 overnights in 24 vibrant cities and four double overnight stays in Europe.

• Popular Cruise Line Royal Caribbean International will be bringing their Freedom of

the Seas Ship to Europe for the first time sailing from Barcelona for summer 2107.

Freedom of the Seas is one of the most popular ships with Irish People cruising in the Caribbean because it has incredible features such as a rock climbing wall with eleven routes up; a spectacular flowrider surf simulator, a waterpark, cantilevered whirlpools stretching out over the ocean and the magical DreamWorks experience for families.

• Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has announced its groundbreaking summer 2017 deployment for Europe

that, for the first time in company history, features five ships sailing in European waters in the summer season.

Highlights of the new itineraries include cruises to the Baltic Capitals on Norwegian Getaway from Copenhagen and a first ever complete season from Hamburg on Norwegian Jade, with embarkation for those cruises also available in the UK and Amsterdam.

In addition to the European sailings, Norwegian also revealed details on Norwegian Escape’s 2017 summer cruises to the Caribbean from Miami.

• The 40,000-ton Sil-

The spectacular flowrider surf simulator

ver Muse arriving in Spring 2017 will be the largest ship in the Silversea fleet and the first vessel in a new threeship class.

Silversea describes the intimate 596-passenger ship as a step toward “ultra-luxur y ocean cruising”.

It will feature all-suite accommodations and a supper club-style speciality restaurant.

It is advisable to book early for families to avail of limited interconnecting staterooms and best family ships and itineraries. The e-travel Cruise department can be contacted on 01 4081999 or www.e-travel.ie

ASOS Gat rimon topaz swallow print skirt €150.70; top €114.08

FASHION meets technology at the Global Irish Design Challenge exhibition in Dublin Castle.

The exhibition, which is presented by the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland in partnership with the Office of Public Works, is open at the Coach House, Dublin Castle, until August 27.

Marking the culmination of the Global Irish Design Challenge, which launched last year as part of Irish Design 2015, the exhibition highlights the strategic importance of design and showcases innovative Irish work which aims to address societal, environmental and economic challenges.

The intersection of

ASOS Horrockses zig-zag culotte co-ord bandeau top €45.07

outfits

UP  emma nolan

Style Editor

Highlights of the Global Irish Design Challenge exhibition in Dublin Castle include THX.OBJ – a 3D-printed garment (above; computer design, right)

WE’RE blessed with our long summer nights here – even if they are cold and grey more often than not, it’s at least our way of differentiating the seasons. One of life’s greatest pleasures is a summer weekend day that starts with afternoon brunch and ends with a taxi home at 3am.

These unplanned days/nights are always the best, especially in summer, so here are a few outfit ideas that will take you from the beer garden to the dancefloor.

ASOS Sequin animal cami top €63.38

Missguided Kimono sleeve shirt dress €29.26

fashion and technology is a developing research area that has the potential to revolutionise fashion for both the consumer and the manufacturer alike, with the use of 3D printers becoming more widespread.

Featured in the exhibition is THX.OBJ – a 3D-printed garment by Irish designer and curator Nora O’Murchu in collaboration with graphic designer Hua Shu that explores emergent ideas for the development of new printed textiles.

Also featured in the exhibition is Tailored/ Sur Mesure, an Irish Linen coat by Maria Cardenas, a third-generation tailor originally from Colombia who is now based in County Down.

 emma nolan

MIX

At a computer-aided cutting-edge border between technology and evolving design

Missguided Bardot bell sleeve swing dress €33.25

dublinlife

Missguided Zebra jacuard skirt €29; top €26

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22 Gazette 21 July 2016

21 July 2016 Gazette 23

Gazette

STYLE

Model Alicia with designer Fintan Mulholland

Designers Madigan Whisker and Davina Lynch

Model Maria wearing Davina Lynch headpiece

Model Tabea with designer Mary McGregory

Pictures:

BTRETURNS

Leon Farrell/

CREATE

 emma nolan

BROWN T homas has announced the return of CREATE – a showcase of the most exciting emerging Irish design talent.

Now in its sixth year, the installation will celebrate the work of 19 talented designers across ready-towear, accessories, millinery and jewellery for six weeks.

The designers who have been selected and mentored will have the opportunity to sit alongside the world’s most luxurious labels at the Grafton Street’s store.

This year, CREATE welcomes the return of Ireland’s much-loved designer Mary Gregory with a

collection of signature pieces that she has long been renowned for.

Gregory will join a host of new talent, including ready-to-wear designers Teatum Jones and Fintan Mulholland.

In accessories, CREATE welcomes Una Burke, Sara O’Neill, Dee Mangan and Wild Cocoon.

This year, jeweller y designers include Helena Malone, Tory Long and Mia Parsons Design, and milliner Elaine Keogh.

Returning designers for 2016 include Richard Malone, Giovanna Borza, Jill De Burca, Davina Lynch and Margaret O’Connor.

NCAD graduate Aideen

Gaynor will showcase her collection, Hard Boiled Wonderland, as part of the Brown Thomas Designer to Watch competition, chosen by Shelly Corkery at the recent NCAD graduate fashion show.

Shelly Corkery, fashion director of the Brown Thomas Group, said: “CREATE is the first to find the most exciting and newest talent and showcase the best emerging designers.

“Gaining commercial experience is vital and we are proud to support home-grown talent with an invaluable retail platform and to help keep the Irish fashion industry moving forward.”

Photocall Ireland

Model January wearing Margaret O’Connor Headpiece

Designer Margaret O’Connor

Gazette

24 FINGAL gazette 21 July 2016

dublinlife

CINEMA

Spook encounters of a comedy kind The power of nostalgia and the wrath of the fanboy mentality have led to a world where 2016’s most controversial new release is not a particularly distasteful horror film, but a reboot of a near-universally beloved classic.

In an industry where modern reworkings of cherished franchises are a dime a dozen, Paul Feig’s version of Ghostbusters has stirred up a perhapsunprecedented degree of vitriol since its announcement.

In a twist that will surprise and undoubt-

 Martin Macnamara

edly anger the naysayers, Ghostbusters is, for the most part, a successful update that maintains the spirit of the original.

Ghostbusters gets by on the comedic prowess of its charismatic stars and a script that is often very funny – much like 1989’s less than stellar Ghostbusters II.

However, like the aforementioned sequel, its high points are often undermined by a plot that gets ahead of itself and a rapid-fire succession of jokes that miss the mark all-too-often.

Despite its f laws, Ghostbusters works – it exists somewhere in-between reboot and reimagining and therein lays its strength.

Kristen Wiig is Erin Gilbert, a university physicist attempting to cover-up her past in paranormal investigation. After discovering a compromising

book she co-wrote for sale online, Erin goes in search of her former partner and ex-best friend, Abby Yates (Melissa McCarthy), who is still carrying out paranormal research with the help of Kate McKinnon’s tech-whiz, Jillian Holtzmann.

A run in with a genuine paranormal entity and the uploading of some embarrassing footage on Youtube leads to Erin getting fired. A blessing in disguise, Erin and Abby set out investigating the paranormal fulltime, rebuilding their lost

Leslie Jones, Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig and Kate McKinnon

friendship.

After a couple of successful hunts, the newly established Ghostbusters uncover a local madman’s plot to unleash a horde of angry undead on New York.

Ghostbusters gives its characters fresh backstories, motivations and personalities and rarely plays up their gender.

Ghostbusters never

quite works as a ‘ghostbusting’ film and relies almost entirely on the comedic strength of its leads. This works to its detriment in the final act, when the jokes stop in favour of action.

Perhaps most jarring are the frequent nods to the original and some strained cameos (a misplaced “I ain’t afraid of no ghosts” from a familiar

face is cringe-inducingly forced).

However, Ghostbusters succeeds when it steers clear of its roots and attempts something fresh.

Overall, Feig and his stars have produced a surprisingly original take on a classic that will hopefully lay the groundwork for future reboots and silence the fanatical naysayers.

Verdict: 6/10

21 July 2016 FINGAL gazette 25

Gazette

MOTORING

The arrival of the Hayabusa sent shock waves throughout the biking community

Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa: introducing the world’s fastest production motorcycle

Turn the ignition and unleash the little devil inside of you

 ken phelan

In the beginning, God c r e a t e d t h e h e ave n and the Earth, and the Earth was without form and void.

And God said: “let there be motorcycle”, and there was motorcycle. And God saw the motorcycle, and saw that it was good.

In 1999 AD, the Devil created the Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa, with a 1340cc in-line f o u r, f u e l - i n j e c t e d engine pumping out 18 0 b h p , a 2 . 7 s e cond 0-60mph and a top speed of 194mph (312kph).

The Devil saw the Hayabusa and saw that it was bad,

and he felt good.

Despite, or perhaps because of its unholy origins, the Busa was truly a thing of beauty.

I t s r e vo l u t i o n a r y design divided the biking community, but most were eventually allured to its bulbous yet sculpted form.

Taking its name from the Japanese peregrine falcon –

the

fastest bird on Earth - the Hayabusa, like its namesake, worked at one with nature to achieve its devilish top speed and to lay claim to the title of ‘the fastest production

motorcycle on Earth’.

From its rounded nose to tapered tail, the Busa emulated the most aerodynamic shape on Earth – that of the teardrop - beautifully.

Shock Waves T he arrival of the Hayabusa sent shock waves throughout the biking community and stripped the Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird of its title as fastest production motorcycle.

The Busa’s revolutionary design, uncompromising power, astonishing performance and unbeaten top speed redefined what a motorcycle

could be.

But the Hayabusa is not all about speed.

Riding the Busa is also about comfort, like sitting on your favourite sofa, albeit with the capability of achieving a quarter mile in 9.8 seconds.

Surprisingly nimble for its weight, the Busa is more than capable for twisty roads, although obviously less so than its 1000cc brothers.

Confidence T h e B u s a ’s e x t r a weight however, instils confidence, helping to ground the bike to the road.

Mo r e a t h o m e t o motor ways and long rides, the Hayabusa is

the perfect machine for crossing the continent, but is equally suited to urban riding also.

Refinements With previous upgrades to the bike in 2007 and 2013, the 2016 Hayabusa offers further refinements including: the piston diameter on the front Brembo Monobloc brake calipers increased from 30-32mm to 32-32mm; a new, high-performance ABS brake system and a power increase from 180-190 bhp.

Not for the inexperienced or faint-hearted, the Busa offers the rider a breathtaking experience and a taste of motorcycling at its

very best.

Now in its seventeenth year, the Hayabusa for many still holds the accolade of most desirable motorcycle, and because of manufacturers’ speed restrictions from 2000, the 1999 model retains the title of the world’s fastest production motorcycle.

And so, on the seventh day, Lucifer had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work.

He saw his creation, and he felt good.

For all those evil enough to own a Hayabusa, put on your leathers, turn the ignition and unleash the little devil inside of you.

26 fingal Gazette 21 July 2016

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28 fingal gazette 21 July 2016

SPORT

FastSport Harrington finishes 36th: STACKSTOWN’S Padraig Harrington produced a strong performance to finish in a share of 36th overall at The Open last weekend at Royal Troon.

He finished the competition on three over par following a consistent four rounds on the Scottish west coast. He opened with a 70 before making the cut with a 72, level par overall.

A 74 and a 72 followed, closing out with 12 holes without dropping a shot on a notoriously tricky back nine. He felt he could have pushed even higher on the scoreboard had his putts sank.

“I did everything I could during the week, so I have no regrets whatsoever. If I panicked on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and took myself out of the game on Thursday morning, I’d be disappointed.

“To be honest, it’s been a long time since I’ve played a major that I would have a regret that I didn’t get my preparation right.”

hockey: dubliner’s glenanne inspiration to hit the highest levels

Olympic ambition for Shane  stephen findlater sport@dublingazette.com

OLYMPIC-bound Shane O’Donoghue hails having two of Irish hockey’s most famous names in his own club as a key factor in his ascent.

Unlike many of the Irish panel, the Dubliner is one of just a couple of players in the panel that will play in Rio in August as part of the Irish team.

It will be the first time Ireland has competed in a team sport in the Olympics since 1948; the last time the country played hockey at the Games was all the way back in 1908.

Looking back at his growth in the sport, he said: “I only played two or three years of schools hockey and I did feel I

kind of felt I was missing out in some ways. I did put more emphasis on my club hockey so I made sure that I was doing whatever I could in training to get noticed and each week and learn things.”

When it came to role models, he did not have far to look for some of the best in the game, coming from the Glenanne club that was home to two players with over 150 caps to their name.

“I was immediately brought into the family club aged seven and pushed on from there.

I was lucky enough to watch players like Stephen Butler and Graham Shaw in the club.

From that point of view, they were the two players

I wanted to be like and follow the path they had taken.

“With Stephen and Graham there, watching them playing on a Saturday at age 10, 11 and 12, it helped me aspire to try and play for the first team in the club.

“In Glenanne, there is a lot of passion and it’s a real family. That transfers into the young lads.”

As part of that family tradition, he jumped into the third team soon after his 15th birthday.

“With them, he played with his father Rory who had won most things with the Tallaght club around the turn of the century before swiftly moving up the teams.

“It was weird – there is a bit of an age gap there!

Shane O’Donoghue with his sister and parents. Picture: Adrian Boehm

But I think it was good to do. In Glenanne, regardless of your standing in the team or which team, they do help you develop that hunger and passion, the level of determination to bring success to the club.”

He was talented at other sports. Playing Gaelic football with the St Anne’s club in Bohernabreena, he was included in Dublin development panels at Under-14 and 15 level.

Hockey, though, was always “the most excit-

ing sport to play” and became his focus once he hit 15 and he soon claimed an Irish Senior Cup crown in 2010 when still in school.

An international debut followed in April 2011 before he earned an elite scholarship to UCD and, on graduation from sports and exercise management, picked up a professional contract with KHC Dragons in Belgium, following Shaw and Butler’s path.

With two Belgian leagues under his belt,

Rio now comes into focus and there is no thought of making up the numbers for the FIH Rising Talent of the Year nominee.

“Our first aim is to finish top four in the group which guarantees us a place in the cross-over games. From there, you take each game as it comes.

“We have individual standards and then, as a team, we’ve exceeded expectations each time for the last while, raising our level [and we want to continue that].”

Over 2,000 set for second Great Dublin Bike Ride  sport@dublingazette.com

Patrick O’Donovan, TD cyclist Caroline Ryan, and Noeleen Lynana the launch. Picture: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

THE Great Dublin Bike Ride will return on September 11 for a second year as part of an initiative from Sport Ireland in conjunction with Dublin City Council, Healthy Ireland, Fingal County Council and Cycling Ireland.

This year’s event, part of the Community Participation strand of Ireland 2016, is an opportunity for people of all ability, young and old, to take to their bicycles and join in this celebration of our centenary year.

Up to 5,000 riders will set out from Smithfield in Dublin across two scenic routes; a 60km route for those looking for a slightly less strenuous day in the saddle and a challenging 100km route for experienced riders.

The Great Dublin Bike Ride will be a flagship event in Ireland for the European Week of Sport, which runs from September 10 to 18, and welcomes cyclists of all abilities to take part.

The first 2,000 people to sign up for this year’s event will receive an exclusive newly designed jersey.

All other entrants will receive a sporting Great Dublin Bike Ride tech top. Registration is now open at www.greatdublinbikeride.ie.

Last year, 3,000 people took part in the inaugural Great Dublin Bike Ride including over 28 nationalities from around the world.

Thirty counties in Ireland were represented on the day with participants ranging from 17-73 years old.

Speaking at the launch of the Great Dublin Bike Ride, Minister of State for Tourism and

Sport, Patrick O’Donovan said of the event: “Following the success of last year’s event, I hope that the 2016 Great Dublin Bike Ride will see even greater numbers participating.

“This event provides a tremendous opportunity for people to participate in a unique event based on physical activity and community engagement.

“I would encourage as many people as possible to take part in this event and in any of the other events planned for our National Week of Physical Activity and Sport in September.”

21 July 2016 fingal gazette 29

Gazette

Pick n’ mix Europe reaches crisis point Irish athletics legend Sonia O’Sullivan tells GazetteSport that the recent European athletics championships was more like representing a professional football team than your country  karl graham sport@dublingazette.com

SONIA O’Sullivan believes that the emergence of African athletes competing for European nations is causing a crisis for Irish athletes.

O’Sullivan, who has been appointed ambassador and champion to the 2016 Vodafone Dublin City Triathlon on August 28, was asked at the launch if the scenes witnessed at the recent European Athletics Championships had the potential to plunge European athletics into calamity.

“I think it is a crisis right now, I think it’s definitely come to a head and it’s going to be sorted out pretty soon. [European Athletic Association] president Svein Arne Hansen is very proac-

tive about trying to take action.”

O’Sullivan was part of RTE’s three-person panel for coverage of the championships alongside Derval O’Rourke and Jerry Kiernan, and was very critical throughout of main offender Turkey sending seven Kenyan-born athletes, two Jamaicans, an Ethiopian, a Cuban, a South African, a Ukrainian and an Azerbaijani to represent them.

Many of these athletes went on top dominate their rivals including Kilcoole native Fionnuala McCormack who finished fourth behind Kenyan Vivian Jemutai – now known as Yasemin Can in Turkey – who won gold in the 10,000m “It’s like being a professional team rather than a country – it’s like

Manchester United,” said O’Sullivan.

Olympic silver medallist O’Sullivan also spoke about the difficulty Ireland seems to have with developing athletes between junior and senior levels. The country’s athletes came away with just one bronze medal for Ciara Mageean in the women’s 1,500m.

O’Sullivan can’t pinpoint the exact problem but the many distractions modern children have these days certainly can’t help. “There is so much other stuff for kids these days it is very hard for them to focus on just one thing when it is not always going right for them.

“There are always good young athletes. If you go to Irish schools there is some great talent. Just the development from that

Sonia O’Sullivan with Vodafone employees Paul Voley and Sarah-Jane McGibney at the launch of the Dublin City Triathlon. Picture: Naoise Culhane

age through to seniors, something seems to go wrong there,” O’Sullivan said.

The Cobh native was, however, more upbeat on the progress Mageean now finally seems to be making at the age of 24, despite turning down several offers to follow

on what she was doing,” O’Sullivan continued.

There was also agony at the championships for the men’s 4x400m relay team who fell short of the qualifying time for Rio by seven hundredths of a second, but O’Sullivan reckons the relay should be looked on merely as a

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

‘It is a crisis now; it’s like Manchester United rather than a country’ - Sonia O’Sullivan

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

in O’Sullivan’s footsteps and accept a scholarship from an American university.

“She [Mageean] is the only Irish athlete who has won a medal at the World Junior Championships. I remember sitting down with her in 2010.

She had come back with her medal and she was doing an interview and we had a chat about her maybe going to college in America but I could sense she had no interest in doing that.

“At the same time, it has still taken her five years to become a good senior athlete so looking back on that, it is comparable to when I did go to college in America except that I was more hidden away. She was more visible here with expectations each year

bonus.

“It actually surprised me that they did so well.

It shouldn’t be a priority.

It should just be an extra relay, because most of the 4x4 relay teams have somebody in the team who is in the final. And we have nobody in the final. Thomas Barr, of course, could be in the final. Mark English could be in the final.”

The Vodafone Dublin City Triathlon will take place on August 28 and will begin with a fast swim in the River Liffey before transitioning to the Phoenix Park for the fast bike and run courses. The event is suitable for novices as well as experienced racers, with participants able to choose between an Olympic distance race and a Sprint distance race.

FastSport

Ironman 70.3 returns to traverse city in August IRONMAN 70.3 is returning to Dublin on Sunday, August 14 for a second year following the success of its maiden run last year.

The triathlon will return to the capital city in just over a month – just before the Dublin City triathlon – with entries still open for those considering taking part.

Over 2,000 athletes will tackle the race which incorporates a 1.2 mile (1.9km) swim, followed by a 56 mile (90km) bike ride and then a 13.1 (21.1km) mile half-marathon all as one race in Dublin.

The open-water swim will take place in Scotsman’s Bay in Dun Laoghaire at 6.50am before athletes mount their bikes to travel through Dublin and west of the city on a looped cycle course, finally returning to the Phoenix Park for the intensive half-marathon run to cross the finish line.

Kevin Stewart, the race director said of the race: “We are delighted to return to Dublin this year for the second IRONMAN 70.3 Triathlon.

Last year was a huge success; the feedback from participants on the iconic Dublin course and from spectators was fantastic, and we hope to achieve that again this year.

“We are encouraging as many local residents as possible to come out and cheer the athletes along the course on race day, it’s a huge boost for participants to see locals lining the route and cheering them on, particularly during the home stretch at the Phoenix Park.”

The event has an international flavour with nearly a quarter of participating athletes so far from 48 countries travelling from across the globe to Dublin to compete, along with over 70% of Irish participants.

This year, the Ironman 70.3 Dublin race has been selected as a qualifying race for the 2017 World Championships in Tennessee, USA, with 35 qualifying slots up for grabs for the pinnacle event in the global 70.3 triathlon series.

Last year, Frenchman Denis Chevrot and Susie Cheetham from the UK were the winners in the men’s and women’s races at the inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 Dublin triathlon race, finishing in 4.01.35 and 4.27.09 respectively.

Gazette

30 fingal gazette 21 July 2016

SPORT

FastSport

golf: forrest little’s julie holds nerve in pressure situation

McMahon and Hopkins set to take on the world EWAN McMahon from Sutton and Aoife Hopkins from Howth – both members of Howth Yacht Club – are among a 30-strong Irish contingent to represent Ireland in the KBC Laser Radial Worlds 2016 Youth and Men’s Championships which take place in Dun Laoghaire harbour from July 23 to 20.

Over 350 competitors from 48 nations will compete in the competition seen as the Olympics for Lasers, a single-handed fast athletic boat, the most popular dinghy class in the world.

Both athletes are now considered Ireland’s next generation Olympic sailors and are members of the Irish Sailing Association’s high performance elite academy and compete regularly on the European and world stage.

McMahon only narrowly missed out on the boy’s European (Under-17) Laser Radial title in Portugal last year but, more recently, secured first Under-19 at the Brazilian Nationals in Rio in January this year and first Under-19 and first overall winner of the Europa Cup in Nieuwpoort, Belgium this May. Hopkins is currently ranked 82nd in the world at senior Olympic level and came seventh in the silver fleet at the Laser Radial senior women’s world championship in Mexico in April.

She was the youngest sailor in the world to be invited to the Weymouth World Cup for the last two years and this year beat Irish current Olympian Annalise Murphy at the event.

Their coach Russell McGovern outlines their training regime in advance of the worlds: “We spend four to five hours per day on the water and in tactical briefings. In addition, we train four times per week in the gym. Being a champion at this level requires not just skill, but mental and physical fitness as well.”

McMahon started sailing at the age of 10 in Howth Yacht Club and says his “grandad is one of his biggest influences in his sailing career so far.” Hopkins’ dad is her biggest influence, saying: “he’s a good sailor and we always have in-depth discussions about the conditions postfrostbite sailing!”

Both competitors are aiming for gold and have dreams of winning an Olympic medal sometime in the future.

Forrest Little’s Julie McCarthy with the Irish Close Championship title. Picture: Pat Cashman

McCarthy’s Close encounter sport@dublingazette.com

FORREST Little’s Julie McCarthy claimed the Irish Close Championship title for the second time last weekend as she got the better of Lurgan’s Niamh McSherry in the final at Kilkenny Golf Club.

The two international team mates shared pars on the opening two holes before McSherry shot a fantastic eagle on the third hole to go 1 up. McCarthy quickly brought the match back to all square with

a par on the fourth and birdied the sixth to swing the tie 1 up in her favour.

The pendulum continued to swing back and for th, however, as the Ulster woman recorded three birdies in a row to start the back nine two shots clear.

As they teed up on 12, McSherry had extended her lead by another but was soon reigned back in. The pair halved the 14th with birdies and the 15th with pars but McCarthy got herself

maximum reality Gormanston flyer wins 100m in English meeting gormanston College star Reality Osuoha won gold for Ireland in the 100m event at the SIAB Schools’ International Track & Field meeting in Ashford, England as the Irish team claimed second place overall.

Osuoha crossed the line in a time 11.41s in an event that has no bearing on the overall points tally. The youngster also claimed a silver medal as part of the men’s 4x100m relay team who finished behind England in a time of 42.39.

back level terms with a birdie on the 16th.

McSherr y, though, made what everybody assumed to be the decisive move of the match on the 17th with a steady par to head down 18 with a one shot lead.

But McCarthy was as steady as always and made par with a tremendous up and down from the bunker.

The pair both boomed their drive down the first extra hole but both slightly went further right than they would

have hoped resulting in the hole being halved with two pars.

In the end, McCarthy came out victorious with yet another par on the 20th hole to win her second Irish Girls’ Close title.

It followed up an impressive win over Killarney’s Mairead Martin in the semi-final of the competition.

The pair were neck and neck all through the front nine and continued to be all square through 11 until McCarthy broke the deadlock

with an eagle on the 12th to go one ahead.

The lead didn’t last long as Martin brought the match back level on the 13th.

However, McCarthy found her rhythm and won the next two holes to bring her two up with three to play.

It left Martin with a steep mountain to climb and the tie was over when McCarthy went on to with the 16th to finish the match at 3&2 and set up the final with McSherry later in the day.

21 July 2016 FINGAL gazette 31

Gazette

all-ireland pursuit

Fantastic four for Syl’s Lawless in Dublin win

Club Noticeboard FINGALLIANS

st sylvester’s Danielle Lawless, pic-

tured, kicked four points in Dublin’s hugely impressive 4-21 to 1-9 win over Armagh in the minor ladies football All-Ireland semifinal win last weekend at Inniskeen.

She was joined in the panel by Fingallians’ Shannon Murtagh and Dearbhla Snow; their final is on August 1 against Cork.

WELL done to Paul and the Dublin sen-

excellence for boys and girls aged 13 to

ior squad as they collected the Dela-

minor will be taking place from August

ney Cup on a sunny Sunday afternoon

2-5. Completed application forms for

in Croke Park. Next up is the All-Ireland

both camps can be handed into the

quarter final; details on a date and

club bar or office.

tickets to follow.

Picture: Peter Hickey/GAAPics.com

football: kilmacud nab sfc semi-final spot

This year’s Kellogg’s Cul camp takes

Congrats to Dublin minors Shannon,

place from August 15-19. Members

Dervla and the minor ladies as they

can register their kids online through

beat Armagh on Saturday in the All-

the Kellogg’s Cul Camp website or can

Ireland semifinal. Details on the final

hand completed application forms

to follow.

into the club bar/office. The price for

The AFL3 side are in action on Sat-

the camp as set by Kellogg’s is €55 for

urday, July 23 at home v St Peregrine’s

the first child, €45 for the second and

at 6.30pm.

€40 for the third/fourth.

Our Senior Ladies bowed out of the

Juvenile members: We want to see

championship after a defeat to Kilma-

photos from your holidays in your Fin-

cud Crokes but all is not lost as they

gallians gear. Get adults to send pic-

are in a strong position in the league

tures to fingallians@gmail.com and

and cup.

we’ll get them published on our Face-

Thank you to all those who helped

book page. Remember, bonus points

support the ladies section in the Lidl

for well-known tourist attractions in

Ireland ladies Gaelic football club com-

the background from any part of Ire-

petition.

land or the world.

We had over 160 kids and another

For the months of July and August,

successful hurling summer camp.

the club bar will open on Saturdays at

Thank you to all those who support-

the later time of 2pm each afternoon.

ed the camp and those that helped

Fingal 10km: The Swords Summer

coached at it. Pictures from both

Festival will take place from this Fri-

camps will be available on the club’s

day, July 22 to Sunday, July 24 and will

Facebook thanks to Noel Delaney.

include the Fingal 10K Road Race - the

The hurling advanced camp for boys and girls aged 13 to minor will be taking place on July 26 to 29.

The Paul Flynn football school of

biggest 10K run in the country.

We are encouraging members and friends to come out and support them along the route from 10am on Sunday.

Fingallians’ senior football championship run came to an end

Fins falter as Crokes make quality show

ladies sfc group 1 Kilmacud Crokes 5-11 Fingallians 1-11  sport@dublingazette.com

AMBITIOUS Fingallians suffered in the second half once again as they New Ireland Assurance senior football championship hopes came to an end at the hands of a starstudded Kilmacud Crokes side at Silverpark..

The crucial game was open and brisk in the early stages at Silverpark, with the Swords’ visitors showing the greater attacking impetus but they were undone by their hosts more clinical approach

and sharper finishing.

Niamh Ward, in the Fingallians midfield, had plenty of the ball in the first half.

Her powerful runs were at the heart of their play as they created – and then wasted – a succession of chances.

Having less of the ball, Crokes – in contrast – took their chances with the rangy efficiency of Dublin star Molly Lamb lighting up their midfield alongside Lauren Magee and Hannah Power.

With Crokes racking up the points, Fins hit back with a boldly taken interception goal by Niamh

Cunningham midway through the half, keeping the visitors within two at halftime despite their struggle to convert possession into points.

Ward – a wonderful player on the ball throughout – was amongst the chief culprits in going for ambition ahead of simpler balls into scoring positions.

A Crokes side littered with players on the Dublin senior panel took full advantage in the second half. An early goal prompted the tactical movement of Naomi Doherty from sweeper to full forward as Fingallians

chased points.

And the home side ran riot after the move with two goals looped over from the right wing and beating the goalkeeper for height in the far corner.

With Julia Buckley and Alannah Jones on the scoresheet, Crokes really took advantage when Fingallians goalkeeper Emer Ni Eafa was sent from the pitch following a desperate, last-ditch tackle that saw the end to the away side’s challenge.

The 5-15 to 1-11 full time score was extremely harsh on an ambitious visiting side but highlighted Crokes’ quality.

naomh mearnog WELL done to our junior hurlers who

display on Saturday to defeat Derry.

have qualified for the champion-

Unfortunately, they lost out on score

ship quarter final. We will have home

difference for a quarter final spot.

advantage for this game.

Our senior camogie girls are

Our senior footballers are in league

involved in a very interesting seven-

action at home on Saturday evening

a-side tournament and they play at

against St Pat’s Donabate.

home on Thursday night.

Caitriona, Miriam, Laura and their camogie colleagues put on a great

Congratulations to the “Dubs” on retaining their Leinster title.

FINGAL Ravens IT WAS great to be in Croke Park to see

The club shop has reopened. Volun-

Dublin win the Leinster championship

teers to help out would be welcomed.

and even better to see our own Dar-

We are looking for a small chest freez-

ren Daly be a part of the game and the

er for the club shop; if you know any-

success.

one would like to donate one, please

Our new development is progressing well. Photos of this can be seen on our Facebook page.

Club gear is available from Ann Fox (086 1771027).

Our annual golf classic will take place in Swords Open on Saturday, August 13.

Contact Maura Norton on 087 9936458 to register. Anyone willing to help out with this event, please contact Maura.

ring Ann Fox on 086 1771027.

Cash for Clothes: Clear out your pr e s s e s , dr awer s , wa r dr ob e s etc. Drop off or collection can be arranged.

We wish best wishes to Kate Kinsella for a speedy recovery.

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Fiona Doyle was the first Irish swimmer to qualify for the Olympics. Picture: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Fiona’s Rio dream

Former Portmarnock swimmer finally on the cusp of seeing decade of hard work coming to fruition as she faces final stretch to the Olympics

 sport@dublingazette.com

FORMER Portmarnock Swimming Club member Fiona Doyle says that performing in Rio is set to be the culmination of four years’ intense work with just one singular focus in mind.

She will contest the 100m breaststroke in Rio in August and says that she is “not okay with just being okay” when the Games comes around having devoted her life to the sport.

Originally from Limerick, she moved to Dublin in 2009 before moving to Calgary in Canada in 2012 for a university course that would help also accommodate her elite swimming ambitions.

She just missed out on qualification on London in 2012 but she became the first Irish swimmer to qualify for Rio. She finished third at the 2015 World University Games in Gwangju, South Korea, with her time good enough to secure her ticket.

But just qualifying is not the final goal and she is keen to make a serious impact in the event itself.

“I know myself that I push myself a lot,” she said at an event forming part of Electric Ireland’s #ThePowerWithin sponsorship campaign. “I want to push myself to do better every time I train, every time I race.”

Indeed, she is especially hopeful of doing herself justice on the highest stage.

“People are very quick to judge. It’s one thing I fear going to Rio. I’m a people pleaser and I want to please the Irish fans. When people are watching the Olympics though they need to realise that I didn’t just decide one morning that I was going to go to the Olympics.

“This is not something I just decided four years ago. I’ve wanted to go to the Olympics since I was 12. It’s so difficult to make it.

“Every four years there are only 10,000 people who get to go to the Olympics and, of that, 10,000 only 900 are swimmers. Break that down 50:50 and there are only 450 women in the world who get to go every four years and I’m one of them. People forget that

so easily.

“If I go to the Olympics and I don’t perform I’m going to be really upset because I spent so long trying to get there and worked really hard at it but I’m also aware that I’m going to let other people down so that’s nerve-wracking.”

“When I didn’t qualify back in 2012 I was devastated, it was like somebody had died, and I didn’t even watch the Games when it rolled round because I’d trained my whole life for it and I missed out by less than half a second.

“To be able to come back, it’s actually surreal to think I’ll be going to Rio. It kind of feels like a dream.”