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December 13, 2012 Find us on

Month XX, 2012 Swords • Balbriggan • Applewood • boroimhe • Airside • Rivervalley

INSIDE: Dressed to impress as new designer rental boutique opens its doors P7

Hockey:

Shekleton trio fires Fingal to famous victory Page 30

All-Stars:

Fins toast the club’s glittering list of heroes Page 31

Retailers boosted by free parking  Natalie Burke

ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES.......................6 DUBLIN LIFE....................11 OUT&ABOUT...................17 CLASSIFIEDS.................26 SPORT............................27

budget 2013: Local politicians give their reactions to the latest austerity cuts P2

The towns of Swords, Balbriggan, Skerries and Rush are set to benefit from a free parking scheme in the run up to Christmas.

The free parking – which will be available within Fingal County Council’s pay and display areas – will be in place on Saturday, December 15, and Saturday, December 22.

This initiative was introduced in a bid to encourage residents to shop locally and support local retailers, and was welcomed by Fianna Fail councillors Darragh Butler and Eoghan O’Brien.

It is hoped the scheme will benefit local stores who find it difficult to compete against larger retail parks.

Full Story on Page 8

Hard-hitting: Local teens get the message about Road Safety st finian’s Secondary School stu-

dents Patrick Mongan and Shauna Rock are pictured at The Helix at an AXA Roadsafe Roadshow which depicts graphically how a night out can end in tragedy. The story is told in a sequence of events

by a Garda member, ambulance personnel, fire officer and an accident and emergency consultant.

The event ends with a speech from a local mother Trudy Cross who lost her son Craig to a motorbike accident.

2 swords gazette 13 December 2012

dublin GAZETTe newspapers i n f o r m at i o n

economy Sharp divisions on national plan

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While there has been widespread national condemnation of many elements of Budget 2013, local Fine Gael TD Alan Farrell defended its details, saying the primary focus of the Budget will be to support the creation of jobs

Mixed responses to Budget 2013’s details A number of local TDs in North Dublin have expressed their concerns over the recently announced details for Budget 2013, describing the financial plan as the “toughest budget the Irish people will have to suffer”.

Referring to the increase on property tax and the decrease in children’s benefit, which were detailed in last week’s Budget, Labour Party TD for Dublin North, Brendan Ryan, said the decisions will have a “dramatic impact” on ordinary people and ordinary families.

“I am ver y disappointed that the cut to child benefit is across the board as I have been arguing strongly for child benefit to be taxed at the higher end to protect low- and middle-income families.

 natalie burke nburke@gazettegroup.com

“Unfortunately, this was not done,” he said.

While Deputy Ryan describes the Budget as “very severe”, he said it is important that the country reduces its deficit.

“I do believe this is the toughest Budget the people of Ireland will have to face. The deficit is reducing and there are very small signs of a recovery.

“It is vital we reduce our deficit in order to get Ireland back on track,” he said.

Independent TD Clare Daly also raised concerns following the Budget announcements,

describing the property tax addition as “lunacy”.

“It really is Robin Hood in reverse, robbing the poor to continue to allow those at the top to get off scot free.

“On the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the Labour Party, it is a disgusting indication of how far that party have fallen to choose to wage war on the ordinary people and not implement a single measure to tackle the wealthy,” she said.

“The big one is the home tax, the basic roof over peoples head’s, which has become a massive liability for so many people; the Government asking them to pay a tax is lunacy.

“Fortunately, I don’t think they will pay it because they simply do not have the means to do so.”

The Budget was wel-

comed, however, by Fine Gael TD Alan Farrell, who said the primary focus of the Budget will be to support the creation of jobs.

“That’s why we have made the choice to keep income taxes unchanged by cutting public spending and raising extra taxes from other sources,” he said.

According to Deputy Farrell, the new property tax will be a “fairer and more jobs-friendly” way of raising extra taxes, as opposed to the alternative of increasing income tax.

“Taxing property to fund local services is the norm throughout most developed economies, and will result in more accountable local authority services.”

Farrell said there were also some core elements of public services that

the Government was determined to protect, despite having to cut €3.5bn from the exchequer, including current pupil-teacher ratios and special-needs support, which is a particular concern in this constituency.

“In line with our ongoing reform of the political system and the drive to cut costs across the public sector, we have again cut the level of expenses paid to politicians and the State funding of political parties.

“When this Budget is implemented, most of the tax consolidation committed to by this Government will have been completed.

“I recognise the great sacrifices made by the Irish people in order to return our economy to growth and prosperity,” he said.

13 December 2012 SWORDS GAZETTE 3

AUTISM

ENTERPRISE: CAR DEALERSHIP OPENS IN SWORDS AND HIRES STAFF

Festive fun at kid’s party

Six jobs to be created at Airside

www.

SIX new jobs will be created locally within the new year by a new car dealership in Swords.

The new SEAT dealership at Michael Barrable Motors Ltd opened in Airside at the end of October, and it is set to provide six new jobs for the local area by 2014.

T he official opening of the dealership s aw S i m o n E l l i o t t , group chief executive of Volkswagen Group Ireland, and Siobhan Moore, president of Fingal Chamber, addressing the assembled crowd.

Those in attendance at the opening included Dublin GAA star and Barrable’s brand ambassador Ger Brennan who was presented with the

keys of his new SEAT Toledo. TV3 and SEAT brand ambassadors Anna Daly and Aisling O’Loughlin were also in attendance at the event.

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

‘The SEAT brand is very important to our plans for the future.’

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Simon Elliott was delighted with the appointment of Barrable Motors as their new dealership.

“In a time when there is a lot of doom and gloom around, it is nice to be able to bring

some good news to North County Dublin as we expand our SEAT operations in Ireland,” he said.

“SEAT is an exciting brand and we are delighted that Michael Barrable and his team will be representing us in this hugely important area.”

“We are committed to the area and the SEAT brand is very important to our plans for the future,” said Michael Barrable, who owns the family-run business.

“Within the next two years we will add six new positions to dealership through the addition of SEAT and this is certainly good news for the area.”

Hot offer: Launching a new home credit union heating oil loan offer ISABEL Rogers, 6, helps Sean Staunton, manager of Balbriggan Credit Union to launch the new home heating oil loans available to members. The credit union and local energy provider, Emo, have launched Home Heat Assist where credit union members who sign up will be able to get a home heating loan to fill their tank.

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THE North Dublin autism support group, Snowf lakes, is set to host its last event of the year this weekend.

The group’s Christmas party will be held on Saturday, December 15, from 4 to 6pm in the Applewood Community Centre in Swords.

The children’s Christmas party will see a magic show, a Punch and Judy show and a disco take place to entertain the kids, while Santa Claus himself will also be making an appearance.

For anyone interested in attending the party, email gail@snowflakes. ie with the names and ages of the children wishing to attend. For more information, see www.snowflakes.ie.

4 swords gazette 13 December 2012

FastNews

initiative Local woman set up on Facebook rush:

sailing club

Fourth year for charity swim  Natalie Burke

Cllr Darragh Butler (FF)

Calls made to reverse Respite Care Grant cuts Local Cllr Darragh Butler (FF) has joined Fianna Fail spokesperson on Social Protection, Willie O’Dea TD, in calling on Minister Joan Burton to “do the honourable thing and reverse the cuts to the Respite Care Grant”.

The announcement follows the SIPTU march held in Swords last week, when home help workers protested against recent cuts to the home help service.

According to Cllr Butler, there are currently 5,000 people in Ireland who rely solely on the Respite Care Grant.

“As we have heard on the radio all week, [the grant] is not used for luxuries such as holidays, it’s used to pay essential bills, keep the heating on and put food on the table.

“For the 72,000 carers who are in receipt of the Carers’ Allowance, their weekly income will now be reduced to €229 per week, which is a very modest amount to live on when you consider day-to-day essential costs such as heating and food,” he said.

“I would call on the local Fine Gael and Labour councillors and back-bench TDs to lobby hard to ensure that these cuts are reversed. Hopefully, they took note [of the] 200 people marching down Swords Main Street last weekend on this issue.”

A WEEE bit of fundraising for LauraLynn A WEEE recycling centre in Swords has helped to recycle a total of 106 tonnes of batteries, which were collected and recycled in Dublin last year.

Following the success of the initiative, WEEE Ireland are teaming up with Ireland’s children’s hospice,

LauraLynn, to help raise funds for the charity in 2013, as part of the Spread a Little Sunshine campaign.

Those wishing to help the cause can recycle their batteries for free at local civic amenity sites, located in Swords and across Dublin. The money raised will directly benefit the hospice.

For more information, log on to www.recyclefree. ie .

Emma Lawlor, who hails from Malahide, set up the Facebook page eight months ago

Buy or swap web page is taking off  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

A DUBLIN north woman, who set up a Facebook page dedicated to buying, selling and trading all kinds of everything at local level, has seen her idea gain huge support in the local area.

Mother-of-three Emma Lawlor, from Malahide, set up the Facebook page eight months ago to make it easier for people in the Dublin north area to avail of second-hand items.

“I was looking for a couch and went online to try my luck as I couldn’t afford to buy one brand

new. I soon found myself getting frustrated as those selling were miles away from Malahide.

That was the start of it,” she explains.

“I knew there were lots of people nearby who had things to sell at one third the price of what you’d pay in the shops, but had no platform to sell them on. I wasn’t going to go down the website route, so that’s where the idea for a Facebook page came from.”

Emma didn’t want to make the enterprise too commercial, so specifically kept the page domestic, even when

local companies began to vie for inclusion on the page.

“I wanted to keep it so that anyone local could post up anything for sale, or call out for something they wanted free of charge.”

Emma has since branched out and now includes local small business people who do not have any budgets to advertise.

“I now include local people who make their own stuff or offer services locally. It started with me getting a local designer to do up my wedding invitations. I want to keep it a com-

munity thing where we can all help each other.”

Emma has seen increased activity on the page as Christmas draws near.

“It’s really working and people are selling everything for Christmas and trying to make a few pounds. It has now spread to other areas like Greystones, Swords and Drogheda; I had all of the organisers on to me asking if it was okay to start up a similar page in their areas. Of course, I think it’s great.”

Contact the page at w w w.facebook.com/ groups/malahidethingsforsaleswapfree.

A sponsored annual charity swim in Rush on Christmas Day is set to take place once again this year.

Scheduled for Christmas Day, and in aid of the Irish Cancer Society, the sponsored swim will be held at 11.30am on Christmas morning at Rush Sailing Club.

A tradition in the area for years, 2012 will be the fourth year that the swim will be in aid of the chosen charity. According to event organiser, Jacqui McCr um, the charity was chosen as a cause that is close to many hearts.

“It’s something that touches so many people and one that very few families haven’t been, unfortunately, affected in some ways by the disease. We never have a problem gaining support for it,” she said.

The event is a popular occasion in the area and Jacqui says the turnout is always good, even in extreme weather.

For anyone interested in participating in this year’s event, contact Jacqui on 086 854 2220.

EuroSpar helps send letters to Santa  natalie burke

LOCAL EuroSpar stores are working hard this year to help send letters to the North Pole this Christmas.

Children from across north Dublin will be able to post their letters to Santa Claus, thanks to the special post boxes set up in the stores.

As part of its Christmas

celebrations, EuroSpar will also be helping to raise funds for its charity partner Rehab, with the sale of a specially produced children’s book, Bing’s Great Adventure.

The book tells the stor y of the characters from EuroSpar’s TV commercial, and it has been written, edited and approved by kids.

Sean Lavin, head of

EuroSpar, said: “Many of our shoppers are parents with children and we know how hectic the Christmas shopping period can be, so we wanted to make the experience more fun by making a special arrangement with Santa to deliver all letters direct to the North Pole.

“There’s also a serious side to our Christmas campaign because we’re encouraging

shoppers to consider Bing’s Great Adventure as a stocking filler, in order to raise funds for our charity partner Rehab.”

Parents can pick up the Special Santa Letter paper in-store with letters to be posted by December 17.

Bing’s Great Adventure retails at €4.99 with all proceeds raised going towards Rehab.

13 December 2012 swords gazette 5

initiative Volunteers help to build facilities

Council works with aid project in South Africa  natalie burke

nburke@gazettegroup.com

Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Cian O’Callaghan (Lab) and Minister for Trade and Development Joe Costello (Lab), launched Fingal County Council’s participation with Action Ireland Trust in County Hall, Swords, earlier this month.

The initiative, which has been running for eight years, has benefitted from the participation of transition-year students studying in

Portmarnock Community School.

2013 will be the first time that Fingal County Council has participated in the Lesotho project with Action Ireland Trust.

The project team, which consists of over 80 volunteers – 35 of which are students from Portmarnock – is set to travel to Lesotho in South Africa in February, 2013.

Amongst the volunteers will be medical staff, who will include doctors, nurses and a dentist.

The overall objective is

to support the development of social infrastructure in Lesotho by participating in the construction of educational and health facilities.

Council official Stephen Peppard said: “We were approached by members of Action Ireland Trust asking if the council would like to get involved in the Lesotho project in the latter part of 2011.

“We looked at ways in which we might participate and decided that from a local authority

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Dlr Leisure Services has been using Dublin Gazette Newspapers for a number of years to communicate with our customers on our programmes. We find the service we received excellent and they always offer us good value for money. The personal touch of having an account manager makes our life so much easier. The Dundrum & Dún Laoghaire Gazette covers the areas in which our centres are located. Dlr Leisure Services would have no hesitation recommending the Gazette to others to promote their company.

B e c a u s e L o c a l M at t e r s

Mayor Cian O’Callaghan and Minister Joe Costello

point of view, it would be appropriate to link up with other local authorities in Lesotho to see if we could give any support at that level.

“To that end, we chose three professional planners with expertise in a variety of areas such as spatial planning, GIS mapping and transport planning to travel with the project team.

“We put a proposal to the local government representatives in Lesotho earlier this year which was primarily offering to send people there who would bring value by working on development and area plans with planners in Lesotho.

“The representatives in Lesotho submitted a brief to us so it is our intention to deliver on

that when our people travel to Africa in February next year. ” Marking Fingal County Council’s participation in the Lesotho project, Minister with responsibility for Overseas Aid Joe Costello attended the launch at County Hall on Monday, December 3, with Paramente Phamotse, Lesotho’s Ambassador to Ireland.

roads Shrubs to be cut for motorists Motorists are set to benefit from improved visibility at a roundabout at the entrance to Swords Business Park.

This comes after Fingal County Council stated that shrubbery at the location will be inspected to ensure it complies with current road-safety requirements.

The issue was raised at a recent council meeting by local councillor Peter Coyle (Lab), who said the overgrowth currently prevents motorists from having proper visibility approaching the location.

The council confirmed that following an inspection of the plants in the coming weeks, any cutting back deemed necessary will be carried out as part of the winter-pruning programme for the area.

6 swords Gazette 13 December 2012

gazetteGALLERIES

Marie Slattery, Mark Henry and Geraldine Brooks. Pictures: Una Williams

Alan Farrell TD (FG), Heidi Bedell and Mayor of Fingal Tony Lambert and Ian Talbot

Cllr Cian O’Callaghan (Lab)

Alan Sherwood, Fionnulua Nay and Paul McDonnell

celebrations: mayor of fingal hosts opening

Malahide Castle and Gardens officially opens C

Cllr Gerry McGuire (Lab), Hazel Bolton and David O’Callaghan

elebrations were held recently at the official opening of the newly redeveloped Malahide Castle and Gardens, which was hosted

by Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Cian O’Callaghan (Lab).

The redevelopment pro-

gramme included a new interpretive and educational centre associated with the gardens, repairs to the historic fabric and improved accessibility through the castle, a range of improvements to the 250 acre park, and a

new commercial area.

The event was attended by Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar, Fingal County manager David O’Connor and John Ruddle from Shannon Heritage, among others.

13 December 2012 Swords Gazette 7

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Jackie Haughey, Karen McClafferty, Siobhan McClafferty and Martina McClafferty

Fashion: Glitz and glamour as cari’s Closet launches in malahide

C

ARI’S Closet, a new dress rental boutique, has recently officially opened its doors in Malahide. The boutique was founded by Lisa Duffy, and boasts a vast selection of designer and vintage collectibles for rent at a fraction of their retail price. The designer labels in store include Badgley Mischka, Sherri Hill, Herve Ledge, Alexander McQueen, Vera Wand and Jovani. For more information, log on to their website at www.cariscloset.ie.

Colm Connell, Barbara Cunningham and Kevin Halfpenny

Lisa Duffy and Cathy O’Connor

Cllr Cian O Callagahn and Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar

Rachel Kenny and Caroline Keeling

Caoileann Mulcahy and Grace Bergin

Model Rozanna Purcell

Jeanette Sung with Roz and Melissa Flanagan Cllr Anthony Lavin (FG) and Carol McCaughey

8 swords gazette 13 December 2012

elderly Report highlights inadequacies of Irish senior care system

45,000 more old people will need care in next decade  natalie burke nburke@gazettegroup.com

HOME Instead Senior Care in Swords has welcomed the recently published report by the Centre for Ageing Research and Development in Ireland, which highlights the inadequacy of the current

elder-care system in Ireland.

An additional 45,000 older people will require care over the next decade, according to the report, with an additional seven people every day requiring long-term residential care or home help.

The research highlights some very important facts

about growing old in Ireland, according to owner of Home Instead Senior Care Swords, Tara Shortall.

“Ultimately, each and every one of us, if not now, will at some point be included in these statistics. We all have a responsibility to plan for our future,” said Shortall.

While census figures for the elderly in Dublin show that 11% of the county’s population is over the age of 65, the report revealed that older people are living longer and in better health. However, Ireland will face extra demands for care of older people as the population ages. If care in

the community and residential care are not developed appropriately, the pressures on the acute hospital system will be unsustainable.

“Home Instead Senior Care will continue to respond positively to any increased demand for our services. We will continue to match caregivers with

Airport: Musical welcome

FastNews Hooked on angling show THE Ireland Angling Show 2013 will take place at the National Show Centre in Swords next February.

The show, which is planned for the weekend of February 16 and 17, is returning for its 14th year.

This coincides with the Irish Speciman Fish Committee Awards Day, which will be held at the Bewley’s Airport Hotel in Dublin on February 16 from 2.30pm to 4.30pm.

There will be a range of demonstrations, presentations and a selection of tackle and trade stands at the event, and also some well-known angling experts.

For more information, visit www.irelandanglingexpo.ie.

Home Instead up for award HOME Instead Senior Care, which has a branch in Swords, was amongst the 11 Irish national champions announced for the European Business Awards.

Other Irish national champions included Netwatch, Aer Lingus, Glennon Brothers, Coillte and Valeo Foods.

The champions will now be assessed in the next round of the 2012/13 programme, and the overall winner will be announced in April 2013.

older people so that the best possible quality care is provided, said Shortall.”

“This report confirms the need to develop the options available to older people who require care and we passionately believe that home care is the preferred option” concluded Tara.

dublin Airport’s Terminals 1 and 2 will once again welcome visitors home to Ireland for Christmas and entertain those heading abroad this festive season with plenty of music from adult choral groups and choirs and orchestras from local schools each weekday.

Beginning December 14, 10 days of entertainment will include groups such as the the Lambay Singers, Cor Duibhlinn and the Portmarnock Musical Society.

council: aims to encourage residents to shop locally on saturdays

Swords among towns to benefit from free Christmas parking  Natalie Burke nburke@gazettegroup.com

A number of local towns will benefit from a free-parking scheme that is set to take place on two dates in the busy Christmas season in north Dublin.

Fingal County Council have announced that there will be free parking in the towns of Swords, Malahide, Balbriggan, Skerries and Rush for the two Saturdays before Christmas.

The free parking – which will be available within the council’s pay

and display areas – will be put in place on Saturday, December 15, and Saturday, December 22, in the lead-up to Christmas. The pay and display parking scheme does not apply on Sundays.

This initiative was introduced in a bid to encourage residents to shop locally and support local retailers in the lead-up to Christmas.

Fingal County manager David O’Connor said: “Fingal County Council is keen to support local businesses and to encourage peo-

ple to do their Christmas shopping in their locality, supporting jobs and local retailers. We work closely with the local chambers of commerce and are delighted to offer this pilot-free pay and display initiative in the lead-up to Christmas.”

The news was welcomed by local Fianna Fail councillors Darragh Butler and Eoghan O’Brien, who said the free parking days will help encourage the local community to shop locally.

The scheme is also

hoped to benefit stores located in main streets and town centres that find it difficult to compete against large outof-town retail parks.

According to Cllr O’Brien, the proposals have been encouraged by the Malahide Chamber of Commerce and local Malahide businesses, and he was delighted to see the council agree to the free parking measures.

Cllr Butler agreed, saying that he believed it was really positive news for Swords Main Street, and once again encour-

aged shoppers to “buy Irish and shop local and support our own town centres”.

It is also hoped the scheme will bring more trade to Malahide village for the Christmas period. Local Cllr Anthony Lavin (FG) welcomed the development, but sounded a note of caution.

“It will hopefully help to bring some more trade to Malahide village.

From Fingal [County Council’s] point of view, it will be a significant amount of revenue gone for those two days, so

there is a cost involved, but it’s important that it is not abused, that people don’t park their cars on the main street all day as it defeats the purpose.

“It is one of the good things about pay and display at the moment, in that it keeps spaces moving. If we go back to free parking all the time, commuters might start parking in the streets again and it becomes a problem. So in a sense, you have to be careful what you wish for because it might be bad in the long run.”

13 December 2012 SWORDS GAZETTE 9

RESTAURANT REVIEW Gourmet Food Parlour

Tasty tapas and fine wines in homely heaven  NATALIE BURKE nburke@gazettegroup.com

I’VE always been a fan of tapas, so I was surprised to discover that a modern tapa isn’t exactly as traditional a dish as we first may think.

An original tapa, apparently, saw a complimentary slice of ham being served on top of a glass of sherry.

You learn something new everyday but, in this particular instance, it was thanks to the first page of the menu at the Gourmet Food Parlour in Swords.

It was the first of many pleasant surprises in store on an evening spent at the restaurant recently.

Christmas is a time of year when we don’t need too much of a push to go out and enjoy ourselves, so when the Gazette was invited to visit the popular Gourmet Food Parlour in

Swords recently, we jumped at the chance.

Arriving at the restaurant a little early, greeted with a glass of prosecco, I wasn’t surprised to discover we were among the first guests of the evening, but pleasantly taken aback at how much of an atmosphere still emanated from the restaurant.

And it wasn’t long before the restaurant was happily buzzing with pre-Christmas parties and very friendly diners.

In fact, the restaurant felt like more of a homely kitchen, tastefully decorated in oldfashioned Spanish style, with candlelight setting the laid-back mood.

It first opened its Swords branch in 2008, but expanded from 36 to 72 seats in April this year.

This expansion only enhanced the already

Childrens’ Christmas party at community centre THE Applewood Community Centre will be hosting their Children’s Christmas Party on Saturday, December 22.

With a magic show, face-painting and a minidisco in store, the party will also see a special visit from Santa. It will take place from 2.30 until 4.30pm, and tickets cost €5 per child and €2 per adult. To book, contact 01 807 9582.

Swords Youth Service moves to new premises THE Swords Youth Service, which provides support to young people across north Dublin, has moved to new premises.

The organisation, a joint project of Catholic Youth Care and Co Dublin VEC, is now based at its new home at 17 Main Street. Forster’s Way in Swords, to the rear of Masterson’s Restaurant. The service provides opportunities for young people both in and out of school and will be hosting an official opening for the service’s new centre in the New Year.

To contact the service, phone 01 8405100.

The Gourmet Food Parlour offers a varied and authentic menu

popular spot for local foodies, offering a brighter, more relaxing atmosphere.

I was delighted to see the menu was varied and authentic, making it difficult to decide on just a few of the items listed.

Snacking on toasted almonds in chilli salt, we ordered the chef’s pate with brandy, thyme and homemade cranberry compote, a deep-fried camembert salad, a surf and turf with black pudding, pan-fried scallops and pea puree, as well as the fishcake specials of the day.

They arrived in timely procession, making it possible to enjoy each dish properly, and in a really well-presented portions.

The food was melt-in-

your-mouth good and was washed down with a glass of Vina Garria, a red wine recommended by our friendly waitress.

While we didn’t quite have room for dessert, and reluctantly bypassed the tempting choices on offer, we enjoyed an after-dinner coffee as we relaxed and enjoyed the cosy ambience.

Finding a nice place to eat can be difficult enough, but finding a really nice place to eat, complete with great food, fine wine and in a handy location can be almost impossible.

The Gourmet Food Parlour however, ticks all the right boxes.

For more information, see www.gourmetfoodparlour.com.

Ryan calls for ‘respectful’ debate BRENDAN Ryan, Labour Party TD for Dublin north, has this week called for an “honest, forthright and respectful debate” on foot of the report of the expert group on the judgement in A, B and C v Ireland.

Speaking in the Dail earlier this week, Deputy Ryan said that recent opinion polls suggested overwhelm-

FASTNews

ing support for legislation of the X case.

“The tragic death of Ms Savita Halappanavar six weeks ago has brought the debate for clarity in the form of legislation to the front pages again.

“We all still await the findings of the reports into her death, and I feel

further comment on her individual circumstance would be inappropriate. We need to learn from the past and conduct this debate in a forthright, honest and ultimately respectful manner.

“It is the bare minimum that the women of Ireland deserve,” Deputy Ryan added.

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10 swords gazette 13 December 2012

gazetteGALLERY

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Eileen O’Gorman and Mick Hanley

Mick Hanley, Margaret Roche and John Tierney

Dublin City 103.2 FM celebrate 20 years on air

D

UBLIN City 103.2FM has recently celebrated 20 years of broadcasting. The radio station reflected on its beginnings, when it was set up by seven radio enthusiasts in 1992 and was broadcasting as Anna Livia FM. The station has seen many changes over the years, including changing studio locations. However,

Regiane Almeida

Suzanne Knght and Marie Johnson

the ethos of the station remains intact, and some of the original crew still remain with the station.

Since they came on the airwaves two decades ago, they estimate that over 2,000 people have been engaged in the station. It now looks forward to enjoying another 20 successful years ahead of them.

Katie Hanley

Karen O’Connor and Grainne Lynch

Paul Falvey and Suzanne Parker

13 December 2012 Gazette 11

asdfsdaf schools P27 P15

budget P14

dublinlife

Let Dublin Gazette Newspapers take you on a tour of the news and events taking place across the city and county this week, as well as the latest from our schools

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diary P12

poetry marathon: gathering of leading lights

Paradise for poets as epic work to be fully read TRINITY College Dublin will host Ireland’s first ever full reading of Paradise Lost this weekend.

One of the longest poems in the English language, Paradise Lost was written by 17th century English poet John Milton after he lost his sight.

The reading will take place as part of a poetry marathon, which will take place at Trinity College’s Graduate Memorial Building on Friday,

December 14, and later in the Gallery Chapel at the college. The session will run from 10am until 2pm. The epic poem was originally published in 1667 in 10 books, with a total of more than 10,000 individual lines of verse.

It is based on the biblical story of the fall of man – the temptation of Adam and Eve and their expulsion from the Garden of Eden.

A number of other

poets will be reading poetry at the marathon, some of whom include the Nobel Laureate, Seamus Heaney; performance poet, Dave Lordan; Milton expert, Professor Thomas Luxon; poet and Professor of Physics at Trinity, Gerald Dawe; David Norris, Eilean Ni Chuilleanain, Macdara Woods and Joseph Wood, director of Poetry Ireland.

They will be joined by

the Provost, Patrick Prendergast, and by the students and staff of Trinity College English department, including Professor Eve Patten.

All proceeds raised at the reading marathon will be donated to the National Council for the Blind in Ireland. For more information, log on to www. vermilliondesign.com, the co-sponsors of the event with TCD’s English department.

Paradise Lost was written by 17th century English poet John Milton

Gazette

12 Gazette 13 December 2012

dublinlife

Pictured at the launch of Sing for Simon were Patricia Eposegui, Maria Oxley Boardman and Helena Steemers

diary

Come sing a song for Simon this Christmas Dublin Simon Community’s Sing for Simon carol singing campaign which this year runs until Christmas Eve is an extremely important part of the homeless charity’s Christmas fundraising activities, and you can get involved, with the charity calling on local people to get on board.

Each year, Sing for Simon brings together over 100 groups and choirs who sing Christmas carols in numerous shopping centres and other areas across Dublin.

Thanks to the generosity and goodwill of Simon’s supporters it has grown into an annual fundraising campaign.

During the days leading up to Christmas, you can hold an event in your workplace canteen, shop floor at your Christmas Party, or you can join one of Dublin Simon’s organised venues in Dublin City Centre such as Grafton Street or one of Dublin’s

Shopping Centres.

Dublin Simon will provide your group with Sing for Simon t-shirts, buckets and banners.

Sing for Simon also includes a 24-hour Carolathon on Grafton St on December 21 at 5pm. For more information on Sing for Simon, log on to www.dubsimon.ie

launch of scheme to plant trees The Tree Council of Ireland, in partnership with Balfour Beatty CLG, has launched a community tree project grants scheme.

The scheme aims to support organisations at a local level that are attempting to improve their local area through the planting of trees.

The sites available for such projects are often unused or neglected areas, which can be transformed by the planting of trees.

“While the tree coun-

cil promotes recognition of the benefits of trees at national level, Ireland’s cities, towns and villages still need more of the right trees in the right places. The provision of a funding mechanism to assist the implementation of community tree projects will enable communities to derive these benefits for themselves,” explains director of the Tree Council of Ireland, Mary Keenan.

Successful applicants will receive up to 75% towards their project costs, subject to a maximum grant of €500 per project. For more information, visit www.treecouncil.ie

moving crib opens to the public The always popular moving crib is open to the public again this Christmas at Saint Martin’s Apostolate, Parnell Square.

The crib, with its moving statues, has been a staple visiting spot for families at Christmas in Dublin for generations.

Now in its 50th year, the moving crib traces the story of the old and new testaments from Adam and Eve right to the nativity scene and finally ending with the boy Jesus questioning the elders in the Temple.

There are over 100 figures in the crib, arranged in 14 different tableaux.

The figures are made of papier-mache with concealed motors moving the arms, heads and legs and stand around a metre tall.

T h e m ov i n g c r i b will be open throughout December, except Christmas Eve to Stephen’s Day and on January 1, right up until January 6 at St Martin Apostolate, 42 Parnell Square, Dublin 1, from 2pm to 6pm on weekdays and from 11.30am to 6pm at weekends.

13 December 2012 Gazette 13

festive: centre has choirs, kids’ workshops and shows

Christmas wonderland at Powerscourt Townhouse  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

If you like the idea of pampering yourself in the most tasteful possible surroundings, then the Powerscourt Townhouse Centre is for you this year.

It is going all out for Christmas with a variety of festive activities, entertainment, workshops and shows for the whole family.

The festivities got off to a musical start in Powerscourt as performers such as A Glor Gos-

pel Choir, Il Coro Italiano Di Dublino, as well as musicians, harpists and guitarists heralded in the beginning of the Christmas holidays.

Not only will Santa and his helpers be on hand at the centre but there will also be special storytelling sessions and Christmas themed workshops on offer.

This year, the Powerscour t Tow nhouse Centre is also inviting children to visit Father C h r i s t m a s ’s u n i q u e workroom for a behind the scenes look at an

authentic 18th century styled St Nichols’s den.

Children can visit Santa Claus and see him working hard behind the scenes every weekend from 12pm to 4pm. Tickets for this cost €12.

The Powerscourt Creative Christmas Workshops with the Magic Turtles teaches children how to make Christmas cards, gifts and decorations and will run every weekday in the run up to Christmas.

The workshops costs €5 per child and run from 2pm to 5pm in

Santa’s workroom each weekday and until 8pm on Thursday, December 20.

Theatre comes alive in the centre at the weekends, with productions for both children and adults.

On Saturdays, productions of the Gruffalo, based on the book

by Julia Donaldson, will feature followed by the show, of Ross O’Carroll Kelly for the adults.

Performance Each Saturday evening will be rounded

off with a performance by several choirs over the course of the next two weeks.

The Gruffalo theatre productions start on Saturdays at 2pm and cost €6 while the Ross O’Carroll-Kelly show is free from 3pm until 5pm.

On Christmas Eve, an exhibition called The Ort of Ross O’CarrollKelly will be held at 5pm beside Father Christmas’ workroom.

T he Powerscour t Christmas Festival is on now at 59 South William Street, Dublin 2.

Gazette

feature national gallery

View the holy family through the centuries A new exhibition of paintings, Imagining the Divine: The Holy Family in Art, is currently running at the National Gallery of Ireland.

The collection of 13 paintings follows the artistic representation of the Holy Family from the renaissance up to the 19th century.

Highlights include The Dawn of Christianity: The Rest on the Flight into Egypt

by JMW Turner the 19th century romantic landscape artist, on loan from the Ulster Museum as well as an early renaissance painted relief by Florentine sculptor, Lorenzo di Ghiberti.

Imagining the Divine: The Holy Family in Art runs until April 1. Admission is free.

Commercial Feature

milestone: a record thirty million passenger journeys this year

Luas Improvements and Investments in 2012

2012 was a good year for Luas and for Luas customers. Thirty million passenger journeys will be made on Luas this year a new record for the light rail system which opened in 2004.

Last year the Government carried out a root and branch review of all proposed capital projects.

One of the only projects to survive was the Luas linkup, which indicates the strength of the reputation which Luas has earned in less than a decade.

The Government has again given the go-ahead for the new Luas link-up, which will connect the Red and Green Lines in the city centre. Work will start on this project in 2013 and passengers will be on board in 2017.

Luas continues to operate without any state sub-

vention and continues to get exceptionally positive feedback from the Luas customer.

In addition to this, Luas has been very busy in 2012. It has completed a range of improvements throughout the year, ranging from new walking and cycling routes, improved signage, better collection and drop-off areas at Luas stops, new Luas mobile website and a whole raft of other improvements.

The Railway Procurement Agency together with the National Transport Authority has rolled out a number of improvements which will improve access to Luas stops. Simple improvements can make all the difference. For example, RPA and South Dublin County Council teamed up to improve access to the Cookstown Luas Stop for hundreds of residents in Ambervale and adjoining estates. A long

walk is a deterrent for people and ease of access benefits everybody.

Similarly, new cycle facilities have been provided at a range of Luas stops throughout the network with sheltered cycle parking at a number of locations.

Another bit of smart and sustainable thinking relates to successful trials of new energy efficient lighting technology on Luas in 2012. Next year it hopes to replace approximately 50% of existing Luas stop lighting bulbs with energy efficient bulbs.

A comprehensive survey of energy wastage will allow Luas to make future improvements that will make it more sustainable and reduce costs with direct benefits to the customer.

Luas has completed a range of improvements throughout the year, ranging from new walking and cycling routes, improved signage, better collection and drop-off areas at Luas stops

Gazette

14 Gazette 13 December 2012

dublinlife

feature

budget 2013: aN Overview of what’s ahead

Expert analysis of our financial future  mike sheehan,

tax Partner, Deloitte

BUDGET 2013 has continued on a similar path as Budget 2012, with the introduction of further incentives for the SME and agri food and farm sectors.

The Minister announced a helping hand to the SME sector in the form of a 10-point tax reform plan, which includes measures across a number of tax areas.

In recognition of the ongoing difficult credit environment, several of these provisions are aimed at providing cash flow benefits, such as the increase in the VAT cash accounting threshold from €1m to €1.25m; an increase in the de-minimus close company surcharge threshold from €635 to €2,000; and a reform of the three year

corporation tax relief for start-up companies to allow unused relief to be carried forward.

Other measures are positive developments, such as an increase in the amount qualifying for an R&D tax credit without reference to the 2003 threshold from €100,000 to €200,000 and an extension of the foreign earnings deduction for work related travel to additional African countries.

The R&D credit measure should, in particular, provide stimulus to smaller organisations engaged in research and development activities.

Given the dependence of the majority of SMEs on domestic demand, however, an important factor in creating and maintaining jobs in this sector is the level of disposable income of Irish consumers. As such,

whereas the 10-point tax reform plan is certainly a step in the right direction, the impact of Budget 2013 on individual incomes will continue to play a major role in the future success of the SME sector, impacting on the demand for goods and services.

In recognition of the importance of agri food and farming sectors to the Irish economy, the Minister has extended the various stock relief measures for farmers in general, young trained farmers and registered farm partnerships for three years to December 31 2015.

Following B udget 2013, there is finally clarity on the detail of the much speculated property tax. It will be administered by the Revenue Commissioners with the funds earmarked for the local authorities.

A rate of 0.18% will apply to properties with a value up to €1m, and for properties over €1m a rate of 0.25% will apply on the excess.

Revenue has stated it will be a self-assessment tax but will issue “guidance” on the various valuations. For those owning second homes, the NPPR charge of €200 will be abolished from January 1 2014.

While the Minister has kept his promise of not altering the income tax bands and rates, he has effectively introduced a number of stealth taxes through abolishing the PRSI exemption which will cost every PAYE worker €264 per year, increasing the DIRT rate from 30% to 33% and bringing unearned income (such as rents, interest, dividends) within the scope of PRSI from 2014.

Mike Sheehan, Tax Partner at Deloitte gives his verdict on the Budget

Over five successive budgets, the capital gains tax and capital acquisitions tax rates have increased from 20% to the current rates of 33%.

In addition, over the same period, the thresholds at which capital acquisitions tax becomes payable have decreased by almost 60%.

Budget 2013 sees an increase in excise duty on the “old reliables”, which includes a 10% increase in the duty on a pint of beer or cider and

a noteworthy €1 increase on a bottle of wine.

Vehicle registration tax and motor tax across all categories will increase from January 1 2013.

These increases will have an impact on Irish consumers and consequently the domestic economy, the full extent of which remains to be seen.

An ongoing commitment to the 12.5% corporate tax rate, underpinning Ireland’s corporate tax strategy, was noted

by the Minister, who also announced some positive changes to the R&D tax credit regime, as well as the introduction of accelerated capital allowances on aviation facilities.

Overall, Budget 2013 will underpin Ireland’s commitment to getting its house in order, which in turn will serve to enhance Ireland’s credibility and reputation amongst foreign investors and the international markets.

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schools

initiative: colaiste bride works with tidy towns to help keep clondalkin clean

Growing great ideas for the area î Ž niamh balfe Colaiste Bride, Clondalkin

IN NOVEMBER, members from the Clondalkin Tidy Towns held a meeting with the Colaiste Bride Green Flag Committee.

T he students and teachers involved had a chance to discuss their ideas with Tidy Towns about how to reduce litter in the area, and how to get more youth involved.

During the meeting, it was decided that the transition-year students in Colaiste Bride would help by doing regular clean-ups around

With hopes to achieve the Biodiversity Green Flag at the school, students at Colaiste Bride, Clondalkin, are working with the local Tidy Towns group

Clondalkin in the new year. The students came up with excellent ideas on how to help, such as clean-ups, young volunteers and using social

media to promote the cause.

The Tidy Towns members were very enthusiastic and grateful to hear these ideas and are mak-

ing plans to use these in the near future.

Members from Tidy Towns, along with some volunteers, meet outside Tuthills in Clondalkin

village every Saturday at 10am and work for one hour cleaning up the area. They do fantastic work and would be extremely grateful to have further voluntary assistance.

Colaiste Bride has received four Green flags, to date, and is currently working towards their fifth, which is for biodiversity.

This is the variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat.

In the process of working to achieve this, the Green Flag committee have put up bird feeders at different areas outside the school, and plant-

ed daffodils along the entrance of the school.

They have further plans to promote biodiversity around the school, such as having a biodiversity garden.

There is to be more work between the Green

Flag members and Tidy Towns’ members in the new year, which will aid both Tidy Towns in their aim to reduce litter in Clondalkin, and also assist Colaiste Bride in their hope to receive their next Green Flag.

GAZETTE

16 GAZETTE 13 December 2012

DUBLINLIFE

Q&A

FERGAL LYNCH, CHILL INSURANCE

Taking the sting out of finding insurance FERGAL Lynch works in the marketing department at Chill Insurance and also take cares of their commercial ventures, the most recent of which was the launch of Chill Retail.

He has a BSc in Management and Marketing, and has over 20 years experience in marketing communications and business development.

Fergal said: “It is a really big challenge creating effective marketing campaigns in such a competitive

industry. “[In the campaign], the aim was to create an advertising campaign that is a little different to what we are all typically used to from other insurance providers. Our TV advertisments are quite humorous, but also get the message across to the consumer that we take the hassle out of insurance.

“I enjoy growing the Chill brand and aim to make Chill Insurance a household name in Ireland.”

How long have you been in business?

not a tied agent, which means that we don’t deal with just one insurer, we deal with 14. The fact that we are independent, also means that we will not and cannot force one particular product or insurer on a customer, thus giving the best choice and value in one go.

We also understand that not everyone wants to conduct their business online, so that’s why we give our customers the option to pop into one of our stores and have a chat face to face with a real person, or call us and let our friendly staff take it from here.

We are 100% Irish as well, which means we won’t sell out to large international companies. We are for the people, by the people. No one knows the Irish quite like the Irish.

Chill Insurance has been in business since 2007, and is one of Ireland’s largest online brokers. We compare 14 insurers to get you the best deal on your insurance. We are not a tied agent.

What makes your business successful?

Chill Insurance is unique in its offering in that it is the only broker that compares 14 underwriters to get our customers the best deal.

When everyone in Ireland knows that we are not a tied agent and the only broker that compares 14 insurers, we will have done our job!

Our customers can call us, visit us online or pop into one of our four retail stores in prominent locations in Dublin for a quote.

We employ professional and qualified sales agents who live and breathe our Chill mantra that we will do our best to get customers the best quote every time.

What do you offer your clients that differs from your competitors?

We look at insurance as the chore that everyone hates having to do, so we take the sting out of it by searching 14 insurers for customers in one go.

We are always told to “shop around” when making a purchase, whether it be a plumber, builder, or for insurance, but what makes us different is that we do the shopping around for you. Chill Insurance is

What is your favourite thing about doing business in your local area?

As I have mentioned before, we are 100% Irish and that is very, very important for us. Our head office is based in Blackrock, but through our retail stores, we can be part of several local communities.

Each of our locations are unique, and we love having the buzz of a shopping centre around our retail stores that allows us to conduct our business in local areas and bring great value insurance to the people of that area.

We want our customers to know that we are not a huge multinational company with one main office in the city centre, we bring our service to our customers and allow them to get to us in their locality.

BUSINESS

Supported

by AIB

Take action to reduce the cost of car insurance FROM December 21, a new EU ruling means insurance companies cannot price motor insurance based on gender, even though statistics indicate young males are a high accident risk.

Female drivers, in particular, may feel the pinch, although Chill Insurance says that simply “shopping around” can make a big difference to insurance costs.

The independent Irish brokers make it their business to “shop around” 14 different insurers for the best quote for customers, and, for younger drivers worried about rising motor insurance, Chill Insurance has some cost-cutting advice.

• Join a parent’s insurance as a named driver; get a safety record, and avail of discounts on ‘own name’

insurance, based on named driver records and driving experience.

• Having a full licence reduces car insurance premiums considerably.

• Choose a lower value car with a small engine; less powerful, less expensive cars are cheaper to insure.

• Opting for a higher ‘voluntary excess’, (what you pay if there is a claim), can lower policy costs and may suit safe, competent drivers rather than young inexperienced drivers.

• Ideally, pay premiums in full on taking out a policy, as monthly interest rates can be high.

• Don’t pay extra for windscreen cover, breakdown assistance, additional drivers etc. if you don’t need them.

Check what your policy covers.

• Companies often offer additional

discounts on more than one policy; so look at including car cover for other family members, or home or life insurance, with the same company.

• Third party fire and theft insurance is cheaper than fully comprehensive, and is an option for lowvalue cars and safe, ‘low-mileage’ drivers; but do remember that damage to your car is not covered other than for fire or theft • Shop Around!

For more information, log on to www.chill.ie, call 1890 30 20 20, or visit one of their stores at the Blanchardstown Shopping Centre, The Swords Pavilions, Donaghmede Shopping Centre, and The Square, Tallaght, all of which are open seven days a week.

TECHNOLOGY: MONITORING WASTE TREATMENT PLANTS

Local firm works with European Space Agency TECHWORKS Marine in Dun Laoghaire has become the latest business among 40 companies to work with the European Space Agency (ESA).

The technology company has developed a set of earth-observation products which monitor environmental wastewater plants in Ireland and elsewhere on the planet.

Wastewater treatment plants are of particular interest to the ESA, due to their effect on the environment, and TechWorks Marine is focusing in on Donegal Bay, where there are a number of such plants.

T he new obser vation products are fixed onto existing ESA satellites which orbit the earth, collecting data for many different research projects.

T h e s e Te c h Wo r k s products monitor marine activity as well as watertreatment plants, and track any new ecological developments.

TechWork Marine’s managing director Charlotte O’Kelly said: “My company monitors the ocean in real time at very specific locations over very long periods of time at very high resolution.

“The ESA satellites give us the spatial coverage that our platforms don’t have and our platforms give the ESA images, the groundtruthing validation that they don’t have.”

Ireland has been a member of the ESA since its foundation in 1975.

Last month, Innovation Minister Sean Sherlock announced a €17m investment in the ESA

Astrium Metop-B weather satellite

with a view to creating up to 2,000 jobs in the sector, and growing exports up to €56m by 2015. Ireland is one of 20 member states in the ESA, which has an annual budget of about €4bn.

The ESA is funded through financial contributions from the member states and the amount each member pays is cal-

culated on the basis of gross national product.

Companies from member states can then tender for contracts up to the total value of the country’s contribution.

According to Enterprise Ireland, the spinoff export sales from Irish investment in the ESA was about €35m in 2010.

13 December 2012 Gazette 17

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OUT&ABOUT Never be out of the loop on what’s happening in Dublin! Let Out&About be your guide to all that is stylish, cultural and essential across the city and beyond this week

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Pets

Nicha Maguire, Tamarin Blackmur and Terry Lyons have seen off 12 competitors to become the finalists of Masterchef 2012

Cooking: Masterchef finalists talk to the gazette ahead of showdown

To become the Master  Paul Hosford

THEN there were three.

The final of Irish Masterchef is upon us and the top 15 amateur chefs in the country have been whittled down to just three, with Terry Lyons, Tamarin Blackmur and Nicha Maguire set to battle it out for the title of Masterchef 2012.

Having started out in the kitchen under the watchful gaze of Michelin star chef Dylan McGrath and renowned restauranteur Nick Munier, the progression of the chefs has been phenomenal to watch, culminating in a semi-final which saw each of the four remaining contestants cook a course for every Michelin-starred chef in the country.

There, Nicha, Tamarin and Terry were left standing, ready to go into a three-

way battle, cluminating on Thursday, December 13.

Though their styles are quite different, the one thing that the chefs have in common is their experience in the kitchen before the competition.

“I was just a home cook,” says Tamarin. “I just always loved to cook for family and loved food. Some people buy books to read, I buy cook books.”

Terry echoes that, though he came to cooking late.

“I think I came to cooking a lot later than most of the others, probably only in the last six or seven years.

“I was a bit of a fussy eater when I was younger, and when I got married and started trying new things that’s when I really got into it.”

Former Malahide resident Nicha is

in the same camp, having been a home cook before taking the plunge on to the show.

“Food has always been my passion, ever since I was a child. But I only cooked Thai food until I came to Ireland, then I started trying out new ingredients.”

For South African-born Tamarin, the challenge has been huge, but the rewards even greater.

“It’s been a fantastic challenge and very overwhelming. It’s an amazing feeling to get through.

“I’ve always loved the show and thought I’d go for it this year after sitting at work and noticing the application was about to go online.

“I’d always wanted a career in food, but wasn’t sure how to go about it so

this gave me the push that I needed.

Terry says that he had aimed for the top 10 and worked extremely hard to get to the final.

“When I first applied, I never thought I would get this far. I just kept progressing and pushing myself harder and harder. Next thing, before I know it, I’m in the final.

“I thought I might get to the top 10, then the top five was a goal. To get to the top three and be in the final is huge.

“Now that I’m in the final, I want to go and win it.

“I think in the last couple of tasks you can see that I’m cooking from the heart and looking a lot more relaxed because of it.”

Continued on Page 21

The DSPCA rescues thousands of sick, injured and cruelly treated animals each year, from places and situations where otherwise they may not be alive today.

Scamp arrived to the DSPCA earlier this year in very bad condition.

He had serious parasite infestations, was underweight, malnourished and had severe dental issues.

DSPCA veterinary staff immediately got to work. He was given antibiotics and medicated baths to treat his skin infections. Most of his teeth had to be removed.

At first Scamp did not want to leave his kennel and would not interact with anybody. As he began to feel better and went to a loving foster home, he realised that life has much to offer and that people can be kind.

The DSPCA works hard to reduce suffering and create meaningful lives for these animals but we cannot do it without donations and support from the public.

To make a donation, text “Donate Chance” to 57977. Texts cost €2.50, with €1.75 going to the DSPCA. For more information, see www. dspca.ie.

Gazette

18 Gazette 13 December 2012

OUT&ABOUT NEXT €21-€24

STYLE NEXT €17-€19

Barbie Fashionistas Ultimate Closet €40

Littlewoods Earmuff Headphones €15

Christmas Guide – for kids  Laura Webb

Master Moves Mickey €90

It’s the last installment of Gazette Style’s wish list for everyone in the family. Two weeks ago, we started with some subtle hints about what to get the woman in your life. Then, last week it was all about the man in your life, and now this week we bring you the fun week – it’s ideas for the kids.

Here we have picked out some great toys, festive and fun clothing and board games which the whole family can enjoy. So happy shopping everyone, we hope we have helped in your search for great presents this year.

LeapFrog Leap Pad 2 Explorers €104

PS Vista 3GB Console €379 Jake and the Never Land Pirates Pirate Ship Bucky €70

Dunnes Stores Red Coat €25 Mattel Apptivity €15 Dunnes Stores Raindeer Booties €5 Thomas & Friends Steam n’ Speed RC Thomas €60

Hasbro Monopoly Board Games €22

Uno Roboto €35

Scrabble Original €25

13 December 2012 Gazette 19

Gazette

MUSIC singer-songwriter: rising star of Lewis Watson

It’s elementary, my dear Watson  Paul Hosford

IN the pantheon of musical stories it is not, perhaps, one that is that well worn.

Young man makes an EP with his music teacher, the EP goes viral, sells a load of copies, goes to number one on iTunes and young man picks up a record deal.

Aside from not being that well-worn, it is not that well known, either.

Yet. L e w i s Wa t s o n , a

2 0 - y e a r- o l d f r o m Oxford is the latest in the stable of earnest, guitar-weilding singersongwriters.

His English twang, soft lyrics and lovesick lyrics make him a comparison to Ed Sheeran.

The fact that people are dubbing him a successor to Sheeran’s c r ow n a s t h e U K ’s number one overly-literal singer/songwriter says more about expectations for Sheeran than Watson, if you ask me but, I digress.

Wa t s o n h a s b e e n spending the last number of months travelling across Europe with a host of acts, including Swords natives Kodaline, with whom he packed The Button Factor y last week.

There, Watson held his own in front of a crowd turning out for hometown heroes, no mean feat for a twentyyear-old and his guitar.

Of course, it is easy for Watson to capture the imagination of a crowd

because his songs are so well crafted and his voice is easy-listening defined.

After the release of his May 2012 breakthrough It’s Got 4 Sad Songs On It BT W, Watson released Another Four Sad Songs, a follow-up EP, in October.

It is the eight songs on the two releases that have seen him tipped, right along with his touring mates, as one of the acts to watch in 2013.

On the evidence so

Lewis Watson is tipped for big things in 2013, including a headline date in Dublin

far, it is hard to argue the label.

A g r ow i n g o n l i n e following, a winsome voice and songs that are about as commercially friendly as they come.

Watson has to be considered one of the UK’s

fasted rising stars and with backing from the aforementioned Sheeran, Zane Lowe and a tour to look forward to, he may well turn out to be a major talent.

The songs on his two EPs show major poten-

tial, particularly Sink or Swim, which comes from Another Four Sad Songs.

Watson will follow up his Button Factory slot with a headline show at the Academy 2 on March 22, tickets are €8.20.

Gazette

20 Gazette 13 December 2012

OUT&ABOUT

CINEMA

more

theatre THE pavilioN THEATRE 01 231 2929 O Holy Night

IN this intimate and spiritual night, Eimear Quinn will bring her own special rendition of Christmas songs and carols to The Pavilion Theatre for a memorable musical experience.

Eimear’s ethereal voice will blend beautifully with the Mamisa String Quartet, which features Maria and Michelle Mason. December 21 at 8pm, tickets are priced at €21.

Mill Theatre 01 296 9340

Christmas Crooners ENJOY the fantastic cast of West End Singers, backed by the superb band The Jazz All-Stars perform over 30 well known Christmas hits including Winter Wonderland, Let It Snow, Little Drummer Boy, White Christmas and swing arrangements of the wonderful Christmas carols, God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen and Deck the Halls.

Staged with style, this brilliant production of Christmas favourites of Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra is really enjoyable.

For one show only on December 17, tickets are priced at €20/18.

The brightly rendered and lovingly created characters of Rise Of The Guardians are discovered by a new generation of fan...

review: a colourful and classy tale of real superheroes

Bright night rises BRINGING children to the cinema on a seasonal holiday weekend can be a bit of a tortuous affair.

Given that most studios are playing catch-up with Pixar when putting together their slate of films made for a younger audience, there can be some horribly disappointing experiences, not just for the kids.

There can be the awful (any film with the word “Alvin” in the title), the mediocre (too many to mention) and the just downright odd (ParaNorman — a bazillion miles from the promise of its trailers).

Equally, the experience for a parent can go between sleeping for 90 minutes, trying not to leave the theatre traumatised with the infantalised scripts and hyperkinetic editing that passes for story and character development, or suffering permanent ocular damage

Film of the Week: Rise Of The Guardians h h h h h (G) 97 mins Director: Peter Ramsey Starring: Chris Pine, Alec Baldwin, Hugh Jackman, Isla Fisher, Jude Law

 ROB HEIGH

rheigh@gazettegroup.com

from the obligatory and unnecessary 3D. Occasionally, however, you get a huge surprise.

That certainly happened when I saw Rise Of The Guardians last weekend.

My expectations were confounded from the outset, with beautiful character design and a tale filled with fun and wonder that should be on every kids’ Christmas list.

The movie is essentially The Avengers for kids, with superheroes of childhood (the titular Guardians) Santa Claus, The Easter Bunny, The Tooth Fairy and The Sandman setting out to battle the dark influences of Pitch

OUR VERDICT: AT THE close of the year comes one of the best children’s movies of the year, taking the dynamic of The Avengers and blending it with the beautifully crafted artwork and stories of William Joyce. Laugh-out loud moments mix with genuine scares to create a movie that your kids will adore... and which won’t have you looking at the back of your eyelids for 90 minutes.

Black, an incarnation of The Boogeyman, as he attempts to re-establish fear and doubt as currencies for childhood by making the children of the world lose their faith in the Big Four.

Joining the Guardians is Jack Frost, who Santa calls on to help their cause, but who cannot be seen in the tangible world as kids don’t believe in him enough.

The story is an origins story for Jack Frost himself, and his journey to believing in himself so that others can do the same, and that is just as it

should be – a good story very well told.

The screenplay by David Lindsay-Abaire, based on the books by William Joyce, is filled with heart and packed with ideas, bypassing the need for convoluted backstories for the Guardians as they are already so ingrained in our collective consciousness.

T hat presumption allows us to dive straight into the story and credits the audience with a degree of intelligence which is pretty refreshing in current children’s cinema.

There is a whole lot of fun to be had in the character design and voicing, with Hugh Jackman’s Aussie Easter Bunny providing the biggest laughs, while Alec Baldwin’s Soviet Santa brings a fresh take to the presence of the big man.

The absence of schmaltz, along with the presence of a tangible threat that affects the group dynamic for some of the duration of the movie, makes this an almost old-fashioned film, in that there is a genuine nod to the realities of life, loss and growth – all of which are powerful and important lessons for a kids’ movie.

It might not appear at first sight the most appealing of the movies for the season, but there is a core message and stylish look and feel that makes Rise Of The Guardians a whole lot more than the sum of its parts.

13 December 2012 Gazette 21

Gazette

feature Masterchef: Finalists prepare for showdown

Three Masters, but only one winner

Continued from P17 Nicha says that making the final has been a huge achievement, but a favourite moment is hard to pinpoint.

“I’ve loved every part of the Masterchef experience, even though some of them are really precious, like the masterclasses, particularly the one with Dylan [McGrath].

“I didn’t expect to win or come this far. I wanted the apron, but everything after that

was a bonus.

“I just like cooking.

It’s never a hassle for me.”

Cooking for a Michelin starred chef is not something many get to do, so to do it for four of Ireland’s top gastronomists must have been daunting.

“I’m not normally the kind of person who gets nervous,” says Terry “but when I walked in there, I was beginning to get nervous.

“Oliver Dunne said it was a great dish and I

thought, ‘Ok one good one, the rest will be negative’, but the positives kept coming.”

“You’re back” Tamarin says the judging and waiting were more of an ordeal than the cooking itself.

“I loved it when Nick and Dylan said I was back. I felt I’d gotten over my mistakes and I felt calm in the kitchen.

“The bits before going into the kitchen were worse than the actual cooking.”

As tough as it can be to compete, when the pressure was on, that was when Nicha found herself enjoying it the most.

“Sometimes it’s up and down. You have a tough day or a tough challenge and you can think about throwing in the towel, but when the heat comes around, you say, ‘here I come again’.

“When it comes to food, I’m a bit mad, I don’t give up that easily.

I’ll try things until they work.”

With long days, mys-

Masterchef judges Nick Munier and Dylan McGrath

tery challenges, ingredient swaps and harsh judges, it can be a gruelling experience, but Terry says that all of the contestants have bonded.

“We’re always on the phone to each other or on Facebook and we

meet up fairly regularly.

“Obviously, TV shows focus on a bit of fight, but if someone was struggling or lost, the rest of us would jump in or give advice. That’s how close we were.”

All three plan to keep

working in food in some capacity, but with other careers and stiff competition for jobs, their paths are unclear as yet.

After this week, however, one will have the title of Masterchef 2012 and €25,000 to help them on their way.

22 Gazette 13 December 2012

Gazette

&ABOUT OUT road

MOTORS

NOISE

DAA goes electric for latest fleet purchase The Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) has taken a big step towards reducing its carbon footprint this week, with the announcement that they are going electric for its latest fleet purchase.

The group has purchased nine electric Renault Kangoo mini-vans for use at Dublin and Cork airports, making the company one of the largest electric fleet operators in the country. DAA’s decision to opt for the nine electric vehicles will result in CO2 savings of more than 200,000kg over the lifetime of the vehicles, which is equivalent to planting more than 6,000 trees.

“With this investment, DAA has already become one of Ireland’s leading operators of electric vehicles, and we look forward to significantly expanding our electric fleet over the coming years,” said DAA’s head of sustainability, Mary Coveney.

“The trial helped us build confidence throughout the organisation that buying electric vehicles wasn’t just good for the environment, but also made sense from an operational perspective.

Electric vehicles are perfect for an airport environment, as they have a range of 120km and will always be close to a main charging point,” Ms Coveney said.

The new electric vehicles will be used on a daily basis in both airside and landside locations by DAA maintenance crews, and staff from its car park and terminal services departments.

The Mercedes A-Class’s sporty appearance will appeal to young motorists

a-class: new model takes a giant leap ahead of predecessor

New Mercedes is in a class by itself

n Cormac Curtis

Pictured at the handover of keys were Brendan Mullins, head of asset management, DAA; Dermot McArdle, head of ESB ecars; Paddy Magee, sales and network director, Renault Ireland; and Martin Doherty, environmental manager, DAA

The hotly anticipated new Mercedes-Benz A-Class – seen as the car that will give MercedesBenz access to a new, younger generation of motorists – is here and first models will appear in dealer showrooms during December ahead of the January registrations rush.

Two models will take centre stage initially: one is an A180 petrol version which comes on the market at €26,435 (ex works) and the other, an A180 CDI diesel version at €28,550, the version likely to attract most attention due, in part, to its greener CO2 emissions of just 98g/km.

Both models will come in a choice of three specifications and

equipment lines – style, urban and sports pack.

Entr y models sold here come equipped with style pack features including items which, were they purchased separately, would have a value of €1,600.

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

The new A-Class is as different from its predecessor as it is possible to be --------------------------

Compatible with the needs of the iPhone, iPad generation, its optional on board high-tech functionality is such that iPhone Siri voice-a ctiv a ted units and iPad music

and apps can be played through the car’s infotainment system.

The new A-Class is as different from its predecessor as it is possible to be.

Sitting some 18cm closer to the ground, its low-slung posture and SL-like fascia give it a positively sporty appearance that will appeal to young male and female motorists alike.

The front-wheel drive, all engines have an idlestop system as standard, is linked to a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Its new four-link rear suspension has a range of settings that includes an optional sports setting with direct steer.

Collision prevention assist, attention assist,

adaptive brake assist and brake hold are all part of its standard safety features.

Backlog Since it first appeared at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year, worldwide interest in the new A-Class has been intense, so much so that a backlog of orders already exists.

Here in Ireland, Mercedes-Benz passenger carsales manager Ciaran Allen expects supply to keep pace with demand in the initial phases, at least.

“In keeping with its high-tech image, our launch plan will include a heavy concentration on Facebook and smart phone app technology to create an interactive platform whereby prospective customers can

learn about the A-Class and scroll through its features to model the version they like best,” said Allen.

Already something of a wunderkind in terms of its environmental features, the A-Class 180 CDI is acknowledged by the German TUV organisation as offering fuel savings of up to 26%, emissions as low as 98g CO2/km, a best in class CD value of 0.27 and petrol engines that comply with Euro six emissions standard.

Indeed, over its entire life cycle from production to recycling, it is estimated that the A-Class, in the guise of the A180 BE version, will produce 5.7 tons less emissions than its predecessor and will meet the stipulated recycling rate of 95% by weight.

13 December 2012 swords gazette 23

Gazette

HOMES holidays: deck your halls with the m&s christmas range

The countdown to a stylish Christmas The countdow n to products, availChristmas morning is able online and definitely in full in store, have swing as we everything look around needed and see all t h i s the wonderChristful sparkling mas, and decorations what is outside homes, great is shopping centres that it is or just through busy Christmas tree all under bauble, €5.50 street corners. the one So, as people are roof. deciding just what to deck Life-size Christmas their homes with, Gazette trees, that are either plain Home has looked to or with lights, are availM&S to see just what able in a number of differtheir Christmas home ent colours. Decorations range has to offer. Their for the wonderful tree

are also available to help make it the centre point of the living area.

The fabulous lead picture this week includes: 6ft pre-lit white tree €170, baubles from €3.50, Maiko chair in Nilo Leather Red €1,199, honeycombe orbs €11 (for 2), chenille bauble cushion €16, chenille snowflake cushion €16, Fair Isle throw €47.50, Snowscene print cushion €16.

Placemats in festive decor always add a little extra to the table, while centrepieces, including candles and flower

arrangements, can really highlight the room that will entertain the guests.

Napkin rings are also available in various styles which suit the different kinds of themes that householders might be thinking of this year.

Why not make things a little different by adding items such as a gingerbread tree to the table, so people can admire and eat the centrepiece.

Crackers are definitely a must for the table too, and M&S have a wide range to suit kids, adults or the whole family.

JOY letters, €13

Faux bark tea light holder, €7

For further information on home products from M&S this Christmas, log onto www.marksandspencer.ie or visit your local M&S store.

A full list of store locations is also available online.

The M&S Christmas home range has many products on offer to spruce up your home for the holidays

Gazette

24 swords gazette 13 December 2012

OUT&ABOUT

city break: The Christmas Market at Belfast City Hall

Getting into the  Laura Donnelly

The variety and quality of food available at the market are excellent

Once you have passed the age of writing a letter to Santa, it’s often not as easy to get into the spirit of Christmas. However, with not long left to go, if your festive feelings are lacking, a trip to Belfast will soon change that.

As a big fan of the season of goodwill, I was like a child at Christmas on a recent trip to Belfast! The Christmas Market at Belfast City Hall will lighten even the heaviest of hearts, and will help to tick a few names off the Christmas gift list, too.

Quality gifts for all the family – including pets – can be found at the large market, with jewellery, bags, hats, scarves, gloves and more on offer.

Arriving hungry at the Christmas Market is also a great idea, as the variety and quality of food available are excellent. While Kangaroo meat is one of the more unusual snacks available, festive shoppers can also find the old reliable macaroons, crepes, cakes, sweets and

Turkish delights. Mulled wine, mulled cider and varieties of hot chocolate (with or without Baileys) will keep you warm as you spend time browsing the outdoor market.

There’s also a carousel to entertain children, as well as Santa himself, and a lively bar to keep the adults occupied.

A festive afternoon tea at the five-star Merchant Hotel is an essential part of a visit to Belfast over Christmas. Up to 20 varieties of teas are available in the elegant hotel, to accompany finger sandwiches, scones, mince pies and other festive treats, while live music provides the perfect Christmas atmosphere.

Pampering

For those tempted to pamper themselves, an express manicure from the lovely staff in The Merchant Spa topped off the recent visit nicely.

After a busy afternoon of shopping in the Christmas Market, the fire in the Fitzwilliam Hotel is just what is needed. The Fitzwilliam Hotel, situ-

ated on Great Victoria Street, is ideally located for a shopping trip, with the Christmas Market and the main shopping hub and Victoria Square Shopping Centre just a five-minute walk away.

A cocktail making class with head bartender, Johnathan Magennis, is certainly an entertaining way to spend an evening in the hotel. The class involved making, and subsequently drinking, two cocktails – a bramble and a cosmopolitan.

The bramble comprises of gin, fresh blackberries, lime juice, and sugar syrup. We were greeted with a glass of prosecco and enjoyed canapes as we learned the inside secrets from Johnathan. Did you know that when serving or drinking cocktails, drinks without ice, such as the cosmopolitans we made, should not be served with a straw?

Johnathan joked that if he saw us out and about afterwards drinking cosmos through a straw, he wouldn’t be too impressed!

The cocktail making class is practical and informative, as well as being great fun, and the tips and recipes learned will no doubt be put to the test soon.

Dinner at James Street South is a key recommendation for an upcoming trip to Belfast. Located just minutes from The Fitzwilliam Hotel, every-

The Christmas Market at

thing on the menu comes from within a 40-mile radius. The restaurant prides itself on using only local ingredients, and I would go back simply for the smoked haddock and mussel gratin starter.

Belfast is one city that has everything you need for a relaxing festive city break, while picking up some stocking fillers of course.

To find out more information on Christmas events or for further information on places to stay or things to see and do in Northern Ireland, check out the free booking and advice service and callsave 1850 230 230, or visit NITB’s Tourist Information Centre in Suffolk Street Dublin 2 or click on www.discovernorthernireland.com.

13 December 2012 swords gazette 25

Gazette

Travel

spirit of Christmas

Belfast City Hall will lighten even the heaviest of hearts, and will help to tick a few names off the Christmas gift list, too

26 swords gazette 13 December 2012

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13 December 2012 SWORDS Gazette 27

soccer P28

asdfsdaf gaelic games P27 P31

dublinsport Let the Gazette keep you up to date with all the best local sporting action from around the city as we cover all the stories that matter to you and your community



Gazette

cross country P29

FastSport DLR to honour volunteers:

Denis Bastick, Niall Corcoran, county board chairman Andy Kettle and senior football manager Jim Gavin, Eoghan O’Gara and Danny Sutcliffe

hurling: after a tough 2012, Crokes’ star defender says talent is still there

Kilmacud’s Corcoran hopes Dubs summon spirit of 2011 NIALL Corcoran is hoping the Dublin senior hurlers can find the impressive form they showed in 2011 and carry this onto the pitch going into this season’s National Hurling League.

Speaking at the launch of the new Dublin jersey at Parnell Park, the Kilmacud Crokes man said: “We’re going to get the heads down this year and take it game by game and, hopefully, find the form we had in 2011.”

While 2011 was seen as one step forward for the Dublin hurlers, winning the league title and falling just short of

a place in the All-Ireland senior hurling final, they took two steps backward in 2012 with relegation in the league and a lacklustre performance in the championship.

Corcoran believes their poor start to the league campaign last season certainly had an impact on how the season went for them and their inability to cope with the high expectations set for themselves culminated in a downward spiral from which the team was unable to recover.

“Looking back on it, we had a bad start to the league against Galway and

were unlucky with a couple of results.

The confidence was dented a bit.

“We performed well in 2011 and expected a lot of ourselves, but it didn’t happen for us. You have to learn to manage that pressure. If you do well, with that there will be pressure. So, it’s up to the players to manage it.

Speaking about 2013, Corcoran feels that the team as a whole must learn from the disappointment of last season in order for them to come out on top in the big games.

“That’s a lesson we learned this year. If

you go out in these big games, you have to perform and if you don’t, then you’re going to get criticised.”

Corcoran also dismissed the notion that Division 1B is Dublin’s for the taking and believes it is a highly competitive league and that they will have to focus on their performances if they wish to make the final.

“If you look at the teams in 1B, there are a lot of good ones like Wexford, Limerick and Offaly. We also have a game away to Antrim and none of these matches are going to be easy.”

DUN LAOGHAIRE Rathdown sports partnership will host an awards ceremony to acknowledge the work of volunteers of the sports clubs and organisations in the county.

The event will take place on January 30, 2013 in the Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel in Killiney and will include an awards presentation for the individuals and clubs that have demonstrated this volunteering ethos.

If you know of a club or a club member who you believe should be recognised for their efforts, you can find nomination forms and guidelines on the Sports Partnership website www. dlrsportspartnership. ie or call 01 271 9507 for more information.

c o n ta c t s Acting Sports Editor: Stephen Findlater sfindlater@gazettegroup.com

For more information or to send in news and photos: sport@gazettegroup.com Phone: 01 651 6205

Gazette

28 SWORDS gazette 13 December 2012

SPORT

FastSport Kenealy starts new role at grass roots: SENIOR women’s cricket international Amy Kenealy began work this week in her new role as community development officer for the South Dublin County area.

Her role will be specifically geared towards running programmes for those with disabilities, the running of grass roots programmes designed to further increase participation in cricket while also working to develop emerging girls’ talent by assisting with the Leinster youth coaching programme.

This initiative also represents the outcome of an imaginative collaboration between Leinster Cricket and The Lord’s Taverners Ireland who have agreed to make a contribution of almost half of the cost of the project.

Kenealy’s appointment has come about following a very successful nine-month internship that was established through the government-driven Jobbridge initiative.

soccer: FAI intermediate cup draw comes up trumps for lsl sides

Glenville set for home tie  sport@gazettegroup.com

GLENVILLE , TEK United, Phoenix and Bluebell United have all gained home draws in the fourth round of the FAI Intermediate Cup following last week’s draw, set for the weekend of January 27 in the New Year.

For rapidly rising Glenville, they have been paired against either Beggsboro or Greystones AFC in the last 16 of the competition after they dismissed the challenge of Cork’s Leeside 3-0.

It continues the P a l m e r s t ow n cl u b ’s excellent recent history in the national competitions, moving a small step closer to repeating

their memorable run in the Senior Cup when they met Bohemians in 2010.

The third tier LSL side have been in flying form in the league, too, this term as they look for their ninth promotion in 11 years, currently second in the standings at the halfway stage in the LSL Sunday Senior 1A. Should Beggsboro make it through, the Glens will have the form guide in their favour having beaten the Crumlin side in the league in August.

Greystones, meanwhile, offer a tough task after a decent first half of the Senior 1 season.

TEK United have not yet reached the last 16

and are massive underdogs for their third round date with Tolka Rovers but, should they overcome that tie, they will be the hosts in the fourth round against either Tymon Celtic or Blarney United.

Harry Kenny’s Phoenix were comfortable 5-0 winners over Swilly Rovers last week to earn a date with Cork side Everton at Scribblestown.

They will have vengeance on their mind, meeting the side that knocked them out of last year’s competition.

John Brophy kept his good form going with a couple of goals while Gareth Cooney also chipped in with a couple.

Glenville have earned a home tie against either Beggsboro or Greystones AFC

Keith Dawson closed out the list of scorers.

Bluebell also host Cork opposition when they showdown against Bandon AFC in the fourth round at the Red Cow. Their passage came at the expense of Douglas Hall in a tough away date. Robert Douglas and Dara Satelle were their goalscorers in a 2-1 success.

Bangor Celtic will travel to St Patrick’s CY

in an all-Leinster date as they knocked out UCC 2-0 at the Iveagh Grounds with two goals in a minute around the 55 minute mark, Terry Gleeson and Paul Devlin on the mark.

Verona, meanwhile, could be set for a trip to Newbridge Tow n should they get past the challenge of Parkvilla in their unplayed round three fixture.

Elsewhere, hold-

ers Avondale United, who defeated the 2011 and 2012 runners-up Cherry Orchard in the third round, have been rewarded with a home tie against fellow Munster Senior League side, College Corinthians.

Leixlip United host St Mary’s in the other tie of the round, the last 16 phase also acting as a qualfier for the initial round of the Senior Cup.

Taoiseach opens top-class Belfield facility  sport@gazettegroup.com

Rachel Breslin, Dominic O’Keefe and Enda Kenny

AN Taoiseach Enda Kenny officially opened the new €50m sports and leisure facility at University College Dublin’s Belfield campus last week.

The new development has been wholly funded by the student body that has paid a self-imposed levy since 2007.

Amongst the facilities is an Olympic-specification 50-metre swimming pool, the only one on the southside of Dublin.

The facility has been in use since the beginning of the aca-

demic term and has attracted membership from many residents living in the suburbs around the university.

The 10-lane 50-metre pool at the heart of the complex has an adjustable floor to vary pool depth for user comfort and caters for beginners and advanced swimmers alike.

The design allows for recreational use as well as lane swimming with a tepidarium area featuring a sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, vitality walk and ice fountain.

Other facilities at the new

facility include a dedicated debating chamber named after former Taoiseach Garrett Fitzgerald.

This features retractable seating, a standing gallery and acoustics that allow the voice to carry.

There’s also an 88 seat cinema (available for private hire for birthday parties or movie nights), society offices, meeting rooms and a 112-seat theatre.

Located close to the Clonskeagh gate of the campus, the complex has an ‘internal street’ design, lined with seating and

screens where students display digital advertisements for events instead of their traditional posters.

Project co-ordinator Dominic O’Keeffe is very pleased with the take-up in usage of the facility.

He said: “We are very much part of the community around us and we welcome external membership from outside UCD which will help us to finance this facility.

“It is also a tremendous infrastructural addition to Dublin’s southside.”

13 December 2012 SWORDS gazette 29

Gazette

Winter wonderland

Local runners Hutchinson and Byrne help Ireland win European women’s team cross-country gold amid snow-laden conditions DSDAC runners Ava Hutchinson and Linda Byrne both tasted European cross-country glory last Sunday in Budapest amid minus five temperatures and a snow-laden course.

They were part of the Irish senior women’s team that claimed the team title, doubling up on Fionnuala Britton’s individual gold, by the narrowest of margins after a momentous performance.

Speaking soon after the race, Hutchinson said that while her team felt they were in the mix for a medal, she never envisaged that the hue would be gold.

“To be honest, not in a negative way, but no one said [we would win] gold this morning,” she said.

“We thought it would be close between second,

 stephen findlater sport@gazettegroup.com

third and fourth. The amount of times we’ve got fourth and missed out like in Dublin in 2009! So we said to ourselves, we’re not doing that again. We thought it would be close either way but never expected first.”

With Britton successfully retaining her individual title, it set the perfect base for the Irish team’s efforts.

The Wicklow woman was to the fore from the outset and pushed the pace ferociously. With two kilometres to go, the race was between her

and Belgium’s Almensch Belete.

However both Portugal’s Dulce Felix and Adrianne Herzog of the Netherlands were starting to make an impression before Britton lifted her game once again and propelled herself over the finishing line to take the title in a time of 27:45, two seconds ahead of Felix.

Following up, DSD’s Byrne was running an immaculate race as she stormed to an eighth place finish and was followed home by Hutchinson in 20th.

The rest of the team packed well with Lizzie Lee in 23rd, Sarah McCormack in 36th and Sarah Louise Treacy in 42nd.

It combined to make for a team score of 52 points, level with France

but Ireland were awarded the title on count back.

Hutchinson added that the result may take a while to sink in after her team bonded together perfectly on the day: “Everyone was cheering each other on and even Lizzie [Lee] and I were chatting in the middle of the race.

“I said ‘we have to push on’ as we found it hard at times, trying to move with some of the Spanish girls.”

“T he whole way around we were told we were in third and we always thought we’d be either second or third; we never thought first as we thought Portugal would be just too strong.

“But we knew if we could pack well, we could medal. No one had a bad run out there so it was a great day.”

Sara Treacy, Fionnuala Britton, Sarah McCormack, Linda Byrne, Ava Hutchinson and Lizzie Lee who won gold in the European Senior Women’s Cross Country Championships

On the men’s side, the senior team was led home

by DSDAC’s Brendan O’Neill in 22nd place.

O’Neill, a former team gold medallist at U23 level at these championships, performed impressively on his debut in the senior race.

He attacked the race bravely from the beginning as he occupied 12th place at the four-kilometre mark.

Although he lost a couple of places in the second half of the race.

O’Neill showed class to finish in 22nd, just ahead of his club mate Joe Sweeney in 27th.

David Rooney (Raheny) was the next of the Irish to finish in 38th place, while Sean Hehir was 52nd.

In the earlier junior races, middle distance specialist Siofra Cleirigh Buttner, another DSD runner, went across the line in 36th place in the junior girls’ race whileher club mate Clare McCarthy was 68th.

FastSport Unique fans’ gift can for Christmas: TEAM Colours online have launched their county team “Fan Can”, a can containing all the fan accessories for dedicated GAA fans to support their county team all day, every day.

Each can is available in a boy or girl version and includes, a pendant in county colours, a bar of chocolate dressed in a county jersey, a pack of four temporary tattoos among other items.

Fan cans are available online from www. teamcoloursonline. com for €24.95.

Gazette

30 SWORDS gazette 13 December 2012

SPORT

FastSport

hockey: three goals in last ten minutes powers comeback

Airport TKD host huge European competition AIRPORT TKD club recently hosted the AIMAA European Championships in the ALSAA Sports Complex, the largest undertaking ever by the taekwondo club with 160 categories taking place on a single-day of competition.

The event saw traditional patterns, team patterns, points fighting and continuous fighting being contended for.

First up were the team patterns. While the adult categories were an excellent standard, the children’s divisions stole the show. These juniors showed amazing co-ordination, balance and power all the while staying synchronised with each other.

The individual-patterns sections followed next. This was an incredible display of individual skill, focus and control from four-year-old white belts up to the adult black-belt sections.

Then it was into the sparring categories. For the first time, juniors were matched by height rather than age, making it fairer and safer.

The points’ sparring sections were an array of speed, accuracy and technical ability. The continuous sparring sections were tough and the judges had their work cut out in keeping up with the scoring. These fighters showed great determination and perseverance to keep going until the round was over.

Pictured are some of the Airport TKD students after a very successful European Championships.

Swords ready for home ties SWORDS Celtic’s Under-13 and Under14 Premier sides received home draws in their respective SFAI competitions.

The Under-14s will play Mungret Regional hailing from the South West regional sector of the competition.

The Under-13s will

host the winners of Castlebar Celtic v Balllisodare Utd both from the Connaught section of the cup.

Finally, in the FAI Umbro Youth Cup, the club’s Under-18 DDSL Premier team progressed to the last 32 round with a walkover against St Malachy’s from the DDSL super league. Celtic will now play Malahide away in the next round.

Fingal’s Glen Shekleton in possession against UCD at Belfield last Sunday in the first round of the Mills Cup

Shekleton the Fingal hero Mills cup first round UCD Fingal  sport@gazettegroup.com

3 4

ANDREW Shekleton’s incredible hat-trick fired Fingal through to a second-round date with Pembroke in January as the ALSAA men came from 3-1 down with eight minutes to go to beat UCD. It was an outcome scarcely envisaged earlier in the tie as UCD looked the sharper for much of the game but their brilliant late turnaround handed them a big victory hot on the

heels of a league success against YMCA that went a long way toward keeping their place in Leinster’s division one.

In a tight-knit first half, Glen Shekleton was barged out of the way when attempting to connect with Shane Dempsey’s pass, Fingal hit the front from the penalty spot as David Bane stepped onto the pitch to score from the spot with his first touch.

Shane O’Donoghue scored from the only corner of the game to level at half-time while Glen Shekleton served time, a green upgraded

futsal initiative Swords’ U-8 teams enjoy FAI programme Swords Celtic and Swords Manor U-8s recently met in Gormanston College as part of a five-week Fingal futsal programme run by the FAI. The programme ran for the past two weeks and will start again in January, providing a non-competitive, enjoyable environment for the children to take part in.

Celtic’s Damien Moore said of the programme: “Futsal is very positive for player’s development; we really enjoyed it, it encourages more touches and game involvement.”

to yellow for additional dissent.

Ross Canning shoveled in for 2-1 in the 42nd minute after Patrick Shanahan bounded through the circle and the Cork man’s sharp volley extended the lead further. A comeback did not look particularly likely until a late salvo.

Andrew Shekleton bundled in the first and, with a little over two minutes left, he picked up a blocked short corner and pinged into the left corner. And he used his backhand for a third time moments later to complete the come-

back.

It came a day after Fingal had falled 3-0 to a red-hot Monkstown on home turf.

It was a fourth successive victory for Monkstown and left them as the only side who can realistically topple Pembroke in the title race as they got the better of a potentially sticky tie at ALSAA. The Town survived an earlier spell of pressure as a couple of balls flashed across the face of goal, one of which Adrian Sweeney got close to turning home while Craig Ellis made a cou-

ple of decent saves. Davy Carson’s delicate touch settled a few nerves and Nick Dee nabbed a second a couple of minutes into the second half. It came on the counter as the Town drew Fingal out of their shell as he kept his eye on the ball while others missed it flashing into the circle.

Carson hit the bar from Graham Shaw’s pass before the game was fully killed off when David Cole strode forward before playing a one-two with Ross Watkins who swivelled to score the third with six minutes to go.

13 December 2012 SWORDS gazette 31

Gazette

Club Noticeboard FINGALLIANS OUR U-16 boys had their last outing as juveniles on Saturday and the awards for the year were announced.

All-Stars Peter Daly, Ciaran Duff, Amy McGuinness, Harry Keegan and Paul Flynn. Pictures: Kyran O’Brien

Fingallians’ All-Star cast L

AWLESS Park celebrated their wealth of All-Star winners in style recently as they honoured the acheivements of Amy McGuinness, Ciaran Duff, Harry Keegan and Dermot Vaughan who brought along

their trophies to the event. Current Dublin star Paul Flynn brought along his 2012 award too as did Fingal hurler Peter Daly forllowing his starring role with the region in 2011.

squads.

Please note that Fingal County Council’s playing pitches will be closed for

The manager’s award went to Aaron

the Christmas Season from December

Grehan. The player of the year award

13. The first games premitted will be

was decided by the players and was

played on the weekend of January 12

shared by Cillian Power and Oisin

and 13, 2013. There should be no usage

Lynch. The outgoing management

during the Christmas closedown peri-

team of Packie, Noel, Eugene and Dec-

od.

lan wish to thank the players and their

The club shop will open for the final

parents for all the support and wish

time this year next Saturday, Decem-

them well at minor level next year.

ber 15, from 10am-12pm. All orders

The annual Christmas night for par-

must to be collected and paid for. If

ents and mentors will take place on

you require any further information,

Saturday, December 22, from 8.30pm.

please email shop@fingallians.com

There will be music, finger food and a

Our Scor na nOg team travels to

special drinks promotion as a thank

Clonaslea, Co Laois on Saturday,

you for all the hard work in 2012.

December 15, to compete in the Lein-

The successful white collar boxing

ster semi-finals at 3pm.

night in Wright’s can now be revis-

It is a great achievement to get this

ited with the showing of all the fights

far in our first year. Thanks to all

on December 23 in the club. Further

involved and best of luck to the par-

details on times to follow. Copies of the

ticipants. Go n-eiri go geal libh.

DVD can also be ordered on the night.

Pre-season training started on Mo December 10 from the adult hurling

Anybody interested in travelling on our coach should contact Liam on 086 3814422.

FINGAL RAVENS

David Rogers and David McKitterick

THE children’s Christmas party last

contact any committee member, team

Sunday in Kettle’s Hotel was a great

managers and mentors. Tickets are €2

success. Thanks to Alan, Stephen, the

each or three for €5.

juvenile committee and everyone who

2013 membership is now due and

helped out for making it such a great

membership forms are available on

day.

our website www.fingalravens.com

Huge thanks also to Kettle’s Hotel,

or at the clubhouse. As agreed at the

Pete for the music, Keogh’s Crisps and,

AGM, all members must have there

of course, to Santa for taking the time

membership paid in full by March 31.

to see all the children.

If any member would like to pay by

Please support our Christmas raffle.

installments, they must have their

It will take place in Kettle’s Hotel (Bar)

last installment paid by March 31. For

on Saturday, December 22. Great priz-

example, if an adult player was to pay

es including turkey, ham, hampers,

their membership in four monthly

wine and many more are on offer. If

installments of €20, they would need to

you can donate a prize, please con-

make a payment in December, Janu-

tact Nick Halligan on 087 2214992 and

ary, February and March to have their

if you would like to buy a ticket, please

membership paid in full by March 31.

ST finian’s The All-Star awards Fingallians have won

THE Christmas social night takes

your €10 ticket, please contact the

Paul Flynn with Lauren McKitterick and Molly

place next Thursday, December 13

club office on 01-8132656.

O’Brien

in Peacock’s function room at 9pm.

We are holding a Christmas fair in

We will have some music and craic

the clubhouse on Saturday, Decem-

and show our appreciation to the

ber 15 and Santa will be making an

many mentors and coaches that

appearance. We are looking for

made our successful year all pos-

people to take a stall at the event.

sible.

Our Christmas grand prize draw takes place next Thursday evening at our Christmas social event.

The first prize is €1,000 and there are other cash and hamper prizes.

David Walsh with All Star winner Ciaran Duff

Derek and Niamh McKitterick

We will also be launching the 2013 club calendar, featuring the juvenile teams from this year.

The lotto jackpot was €8,000 and the numbers drawn were 1, 10, 16, 19. There was no winner.

Who wouldn’t like a cool €1,000 at

The €50 winners were Robin Lambe

Christmas? So hurry and get your

and Niall O’Shea. Next week’s jack-

ticket. If you would like to reserve

pot will be €8,100.

GazetteSPORT all of your swords sports coverage from page 27-31

all-stars: Fingallians pay tribute to some of their finest as they celebrate their All-Star winners P31

december 13, 2012

local clubs discover fate: Intermediate cup draw sees plenty of home comforts P28

The Swords Celtic U-14 Premier team that are looking forward to a date with Mungret Regional in the last 32 of the SFAI cup

Swords’ home comforts Balheary club Swords Celtic have broken new ground as two sides qualify for the last 32 of the top class SFAI All-Ireland cup competitions  peter carroll

sport@gazettegroup.com

SWORDS Celtic have two ties of monumnetal importance on the horizon after the club qualified two teams for the last 32 of SFAI All-Ireland competitions for the first time in their history.

Following this week’s draw, both Eddie Darcy’s U-13s and Stephen Kirwan’s U-14 sides will hold the home advantage in the first round involving all regions in the tournament - the national stages of competitions that began with over 300 teams entering.

Darcy’s men will line out against the winners of a Mayo league qualifier, either Castlebar Celtic or Ballisodare United, while Kirwan’s troops will

face one of Limerick’s best outfits in Mungret Regional, who boast three sides in the final 32 of the various SFAI competition.

“The lads were disappointed not to be travelling to be honest,” said Kirwan. “But, obviously the home advantage is very important and we’ll be doing all we can to hold on to it with the weather the way it is at the moment.”

In an effort to keep the Celtic grounds fresh, Kirwan has changed his training routine, bringing his players out to the new state-of-the-art Parnell’s facility in Coolock, where the allweather pitch has been UEFA approved.

“The SFAI can decide to take the home advantage away from us if our pitches are unplayable, so we have to be quite clever about damaging the

pitch in training.

“I decided that the lads would benefit from training in the new Parnell’s pitch. We will be training out there for the next four weeks and, if it is decided that the Swords’ ground is unplayable, we’ll be looking to get the match moved out there.

“We’ve never been this far before and we want to give our lads every opportunity of getting through. Having the advantage of playing at home is huge and it’s crucial to hold on to it,” said Kirwan.

Looking back on the last few years, Kirwan has seen the schoolboy section of the team grow from one team to five and, having proven their capability in their first year in the premier

division, the future looks bright for the young squad.

“We’ve held our own in the premier division this year and I think we have a really strong team. I remember we only had 15 players starting out and I think we have 95 in this age bracket alone now.

“Mungret are going to be a tough test but we can beat anyone on our day and I think we can continue to grow with each performance,” said Kirwan.

Swords Celtic’s U-14’s are looking for kit sponsorship to keep the team looking the part as they continue their assault on the premier division and the SFAI Cup. If you are interested, call Stephen Kirwan on 086 3076008.