Swords

Gazette SWORDS

the big interview: Irish designer Paul Costelloe

on the joys of coming back to his home town Page 16

Inside: The Coronas are among the stellar line up for New Year’s concert Page 17

Festive fare: See our top tips to take the stress out of Christmas dinner Page 20

sport

Basketball:

Thunder aim to strike down UCD Marian Page 32

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December 17-23, 2015

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Baking up a storm at a tempting parish fair APRONS were on and sleeves rolled up for a busy day at St Andrew’s Parish Christmas Market recently.

Niav Stephenson, Linda Daly and Heather Worrell set up a cake stall and added some fun to the festive atmosphere at the recent parish fair in Malahide. Delicious baked goods were not the only treats on offer – there were curios, books, toys and gifts on sale too, not to mention a bottle table with some choice tipples and a “food for thought” area where visitors could take a break for a chat and relax among the bustle. See full gallery next week.

Picture: Stephen Fleming Photography

Sharp rise in assaults committed during 2015 Latest policing figures show significant regional increases in a range of crimes

 keith bellew SWORDS and Malahide h ave s e e n s i g n i f i c a n t increases in the number of assaults committed in the last year, according to the latest figures from local gardai.

Last year saw 20 assault causing harm incidents in Swords and one in Malahide, while this year saw 32 in Swords and nine in Malahide. The recorded increases amount to a rise of 49%.

This is according to a

Swords/Malahide Sub District report presented to the Fingal Joint Policing Committee (JPC) by Superintendent Gerard Donnelly.

In his report, Supt Donnelly noted that: “A large number of incidents [were]

associated with late night venues and environs.”

He said weekend patrols have been introduced across the district utilising uniform and plain clothes patrols.

Full Story on Page 6

2 SWORDS Gazette 17 December 2015

politics | labour td defends interest in scheme

Ryan dismisses role in tender process  keith bellew

Deputy Brendan Ryan (Lab)

DEPUTY Brendan Ryan (Lab) has dismissed the idea that he made representations to Environment Minister Alan Kelly on behalf of an alarm provider which recently won the contract from the Department of Environment’s Senior Alerts scheme.

This follows questions raised by Deputy Paul Murphy (A A A) after an article appeared in a national newspaper which alleged that the company in question won the contract following a closed meeting between them, Deputy Ryan and Minister Kelly, which took place while the tendering process was ongoing.

The tendering process ended abruptly following the meeting, and the company in question was awarded the contract.

There were no minutes taken at this meeting.

Senator Darragh O’Brien (FF) said the owner of the company in question is regarded as “a long-standing supporter” of Deputy Ryan.

Deputy Murphy said: “The article implies that the owners of [alarm provider] Task Alarms are backers of Brendan Ryan.”

However, Deputy Ryan said his sole interest in the scheme is in its management, that he has never received any financial backing from the company, and that any accusations that he had done so are groundless.

He said: “When [former

Environment] Minister [Phil] Hogan switched the management of this scheme to Pobal, he did so without consultation with all stakeholders.

“It was on this basis only that I made representations on this matter.

Any other insinuations are false, and my public Dail contribution outlines my position on this and how it reflects a cross-party concern.”

A spokesperson from the Department of Environment said Deputy Ryan had requested the December 10 meeting with Minister Kelly, and did not state that any other people would be attending.

The spokesperson said: “This meeting was of brief duration – 15 minutes – and the minister made it very clear to the delegation present that the tendering process was solely the role of Pobal. The tender process was not stopped – it was paused.”

They added that it was paused so the Minister could seek legal advice about whether the meeting had affected the process.

A spokesperson for Pobal said: “When the advice was received, the [department] was able to confirm that the procurement process had not been affected.”

Deputy Ryan said the meeting “wasn’t in any sense trying to influence the tender process. There was a strict understanding that the thing was off on a judicial process at that stage.”

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don’s dublin Exhibition focuses on a strange yet fun literary wonderland CHRISTMAS is always a time when fairytales are in the air, and none more so than Alice in Wonderland, which was published 150 years ago, on November 26, 1865.

To celebrate this landmark in publishing, Trinity College have arranged a special display of related books and illustrations from its collection, which will be on show until early January and is in the foyer of the Berkeley Library.

The book’s full title is Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and it was written by Lewis Carroll.

His proper name was Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (1832-1898), who was a mathematician (lecturing in Christ Church, Oxford), logician and a pioneer of the new art form of photography.

Among his most famous portraits were those of Michael Faraday, Lord Salisbury and Alfred, Lord Tennyson.

He Latinised his names Charles Lutwidge to ‘Carolus Ludovicus’, reversed them, and then changed them to ‘vulgar’ english, arriving at ‘Lewis Carroll’.

He was also an Anglican deacon, and the greatgrandson of Charles Dodgson, who was the Bishop of Elphin in Roscommon in the 1770s.

The idea for his most famous book came during a boat trip along the Isis from Folly Bridge, Oxford to Godstow on July 4, 1862.

He made up the story as he went along to entertain the three young Liddell sisters: Lorina, Alice and Edith, whose father was the dean of Christ Church.

The girls liked the story, and Alice asked Carroll to write it down for her. In 1864, he gave Alice a handwritten copy of Alice’s Adventures Under Ground, in which he added his own illustrations.

Others read it, and over the next year he tweaked the story and, with the help of top illustrator John Tenniel, it was published by Macmillan.

Since then, it has never been out of print, so new generations are still meeting the colourful cast of characters: The Hatter, The March Hare, The Cheshire Cat, The White Rabbit, and the manic Queen of Hearts, who loves to shout “Off with their heads!”

Great stuff!

Don Cameron

www.donsdublin.wordpress.com

Author Lewis Carroll’s (inset) classic Alice in Wonderland tale still delights, today

17 December 2015 SWORDS Gazette 3

malahide | buy gifts while helping those in need this holiday season

patrols

Security on DART bolstered

Oxfam launches its Christmas gift range  emma nolan

Oxfam’s Malahide shop recently launched its Christmas gift range which allows people to buy gifts for people in developing countries, or gifts for their own friends and families, with the proceeds going to help those in need.

A variety of Unwrapped alternative gift cards can be purchased for those in developing countries with new additions including Chocolate (€5), Share in a Farmyard (€7), and A Goat Couple (€70), all of which raise funds for agricultural projects helping poor families to thrive.

Available in the Oxfam Malahide shop on Church Road, the Unwrapped range also includes Care

for a Baby (€5), Schoolbooks (€12), Educate a Girl (€25) and Safe water for Families (€25).

The Season of Smiles range for friends and family includes festive food treats Fairtrade divine ginger and mint thins and chocolate advent calendar, plus mulled wine spices (all €5 each).

It offers stocking fillers like novelty socks (€2), worry dolls (€3), retro games (from €4), angel in a bottle (€4), Make Your own Crackers kit (€5), knitted slippers (€6), candles (from €6) and nativity sets (€12). The shop also sells Christmas cards (from €1 to €5) and wrapping paper (€1.50).

Manager of Oxfam’s Malahide shop, Rosaleen Dunne says there is some-

thing for everyone in store this Christmas.

“We have a variety of gifts for people of all ages, and there are also many tasty treats in store.

There is of course the Unwrapped gift range also, such as the gift of Fix a Well, which raises vital funds for Oxfam’s emergency work,’’ she said.

The Oxfam Unwrapped alternative gifts are available as a printed gift card or as an e-card. They can be purchased online at www.oxfamireland.org/ unw rapped, ordered over the phone by calling 1850 30 40 55, or in one of the Dublin shops.

The stocking fillers, food treats and the rest of the gift range are available in-store also.

An eye for innovation

STUDENTS from St Joseph’s secondary school in Rush joined celebrations to mark 10 years of the National College of Art and Design’s (NCAD) Access Programme recently. Student Jade Carrick took a good look – literally – through a book marking the milestone. Marking the occasion, which was attended by the Tanaiste and Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton, a new partnership between NCAD and property company Kennedy Wilson was launched. The innovative programme offers support for entry and progression into thirdlevel art and design for those who, due to social and economic disadvantage, may not have the opportunity to go to college. Picture: Marc O’Sullivan

Irish Rail will have security teams on site at Howth Junction/Donaghmede DART station between the hours of 16.30 and 00.30 over the festive period. The reason given for the inability to have full-time security presence is “budgetary constraints”.

David Franks, chief executive of Irish Rail, confirmed this on foot of a question from Deputy Tommy Broughan (Ind).

Franks also stated that the security contractor services which provide the “roving patrol” at stations and passenger services are bolstered during the Christmas period and that these additional patrols “will include Howth Junction/ Donaghmede DART station”.

4 SWORDS Gazette 17 December 2015

giving | Ninth annual one-mile charitable walk to raise vital funds for charity

Set a Christmas GOAL at Malahide Castle The ninth annual GOAL mile charitable walk at Malahide Castle will take place on Christmas Day between 11am and noon beginning at the rear car park of Malahide Castle.

The event is being organised once again this year by Deputy Alan Farrell (FG) with sup-

port from volunteers from the local community and Barry Andrews, chief executive of GOAL. “The annual GOAL mile event in Malahide, which is in its ninth year, provides an enjoyable way for local people to start their Christmas Day,

while also raising vital funds for the important charitable work that GOAL carry out.

Participants in the GOAL mile are asked to run, jog or walk along a one mile circuit which is marked out around Malahide Demense. I look forward to welcoming both

experienced runners, joggers and those who would like a leisurely stroll on Christmas morning,” said Deputy Farrell.

Similar events will take place all across the country on the day in aid of GOAL, the charity which works with

the poor in countries across the world, most recently in Ukraine, Syria, Haiti and several African countries.

“The annual Goal mile event in Malahide has raised over €31,000 since 2007 to support this very worthy charity and the important work it

carries out across the world.

Donations can be made on the day, or online at www. goal.ie. I would also like to take this opportunity to wish everybody in Dublin Fingal a happy Christmas, and a peaceful and prosperous New Year,” said Deputy Farrell.

Evening focused on rural transport and isolation issues in north Fingal AN INFORMATION evening was recently held as part of the Rural Transport Programme for Fingal, which seeks to address transport and isolation issues in the Ballyboughal, Oldtown, Garristown, Naul and Rolestown areas.

This is part of a wider national programme broken into regions, with Fingal working with Louth and Meath.

An information gathering session was held, with invitations sent to community groups, residents’ groups and representative organisations throughout Fingal.

The large turnout highlighted the need to continue and enhance these services

within and between rural areas.

The Mayor of Fingal, David O’Connor (Ind) said rural transport is a service which is vital to support those who live in north county Dublin, citizens from rural or remote locations, and also those who may live on the periphery of towns and villages, in order to access basic services and to combat the issue of social isolation.

A short online survey on rural transport will be available on the fingal.ie website for members of the public who were unable to attend the event recently to express their opinion and make their issues heard.

Deputy Clare Daly: “The sentence has been invoked and we are on temporary release, which means that we will not be serving any time”

politics | deputy on airport infraction

Daly ‘relieved’ to avoid going to jail  keith bellew

DEPUTY Clare Daly (Ind) has said she is relieved not to be facing Christmas behind bars, following her recent arrest for refusing to pay a fine issued for breaching security at Shannon Airport last year.

Deputy Daly and fellow Independent Mick Wallace jumped over a fence into Shannon Airport in an attempt to inspect a US military plane they believed had weapons on board.

They were to face 30

days in prison for nonpayment of a €2,000 fine that they were ordered to pay by a judge a number of months ago.

Upon her release, Deputy Daly said she is more determined than ever not to pay the fine.

Speaking to The Gazette, she said: “The sentence has been invoked and we are on temporary release, which means that we will not be serving any time, unless we were to breach the peace or do something of that nature.

“I think we can safely

say that won’t happen this side of Christmas, so I don’t feel that that will happen.”

The Irish Peace and Neutrality Alliance held a protest outside the Dail in response to the arrests.

Deputy Daly expressed her appreciation, saying the action was very welcome: “We know that members of Shannon Watch [an advocacy group calling for an end to the use of US military planes refuelling at Shannon] and others were ready to engage

in substantial protest action, had the Government decided to keep us in prison, which is probably an extra reason why we weren’t put in.”

She said that the issuing of fines is a wholly inappropriate punishment for courts to deliver: “It in essence means that people who have money can buy their way out of a situation, while people who are poor and often don’t pay bills because of that poverty [… for them] to be issued with another fine is utterly ludicrous in that scenario.”

17 December 2015 SWORDS Gazette 5

6 SWORDS Gazette 17 December 2015

support available

Voluntary group helps those left after a suicide

FINGAL Bereaved by Suicide Support Service (FBbySSS) is encouraging those in the county who have lost a loved one to suicide to reach out and seek support.

FBbySSS is a voluntary community service set up by various local agencies in response to the increasing demand for support for individuals and families bereaved by suicide.

Volunteers of the service are trained to listen and provide support to those bereaved by suicide.

They visit families or individuals in their homes, or in private at a centre in Swords at their request.

The numbers of deaths by suicide have signifi-

cantly increased and is continually increasing year on year. Research suggests that every suicide touches the lives of up to 100 people, with Fingal experiencing a continuous increase in the numbers bereaved by suicide.

In response to this growing need for support, FBbySSS has delivered training to two groups of volunteers since March, 2014.

Losses are often felt all the more acutely during the Christmas period. If you have been bereaved by suicide and would like a home visit or, at your option, a private visit at a centre in Swords, FBbySSS can be contacted at 086 734 7353.

Swords and Malahide saw increases in a variety of crimes over 2015, with late night venues and environs featuring in many incidents

crime | policing figures note increases

Significant rise in assaults over 2015  keith bellew

SWORDS and Malahide have seen significant increases in the number of assaults committed in the last year, according to the latest figures from local gardai.

Last year saw 20 Assault Causing Harm incidents in Swords and one in Malahide, while this year saw 32 in Swords and nine in Malahide. This amounts to an increase of 49%.

This is according to a Swords/Malahide Sub District report presented to the Fingal Joint Policing Committee (JPC) by Superintendent Gerard Donnelly.

In his report to the committee, Supt Donnelly noted that: “A large number of incidents [were] associated with late

night venues and environs.

Weekend patrols have been introduced across the district, utilising uniform and plain clothes patrols.”

There was also an increase in minor assaults in both areas. There was a small increase in Swords, rising from 93 to 96, but more significant in Malahide, rising from 111 to 125.

Supt Donnelly noted: “Small increase in Swords area. More significant in Malahide area, with many incidents associated with fast food outlets and public areas.”

Criminal damage was also up in Swords, from 242 to 269, while Malahide rose from 84 to 112.

Supt Donnelly said public car parks remain a problem, with most damage

caused to cars, while the absence of CCTV cameras in many areas is a problem.

However, there were reductions in aggravated burglaries in Swords, dropping from five to four, while Malahide recorded a static figure of one incident. Other reductions were in the areas of public order incidents, fraud and deception, and theft from the person, and of vehicles.

Deputy Alan Farrell (FG), who is a member of the Oireachtas Justice Committee, said the nature of many of the crimes which saw increases make them difficult for gardai to prevent.

He said: “I understand the concerns of many local residents in relation to the number of assaults in our

community. Gardai say these assaults are largely associated with late night venues.

“Such crimes are reactionary crimes, which cannot be prevented through Garda resourcing alone.

Instead, all responses in the form of legislation and investment must also have a societal and public health aspect.”

He said that in order to adequately address these issues, work must be done to further promote the responsible consumption of alcohol.

Deputy Farrell added: “One measure which this Government is taking in relation to this issue comes in the form of the Public Health [Alcohol] Bill which will introduce minimum pricing for alcohol.”

17 December 2015 SWORDS Gazette 7

8 SWORDS Gazette 17 December 2015

message | Season’s greetings at this very special time of the year

Wishing you all a very joyous celebration

Christian leaders deliver a message of faith to Gazette readers

Frs Liam Belton, Kieran McDermott and John Bracken – Pastoral Area of Dundrum, Ballinteer, Meadowbrook Being together with others is an important dimension of our Christmas celebrations and it reflects something at the heart of the Incarnation. Emmanuel is God-with-us. Christmas celebrates the overwhelming love of God that bursts into the world through the conception and birth of Jesus Christ There is a large beautiful crib at the entrance to the Dundrum Town Centre which was recently visited and blessed by representatives of the Christian Churches in Dundrum and Ballinteer. In this traditional representation of the birth of Christ the figures of shepherds and wise men surrounding the Holy Family once again tell a story that is in danger of being forgotten.

It silently witnesses to the values of faith that are more important than ever for the well-being of our cities. One of those values is mentioned in the Benedictus, the Song of Zechariah from St Luke’s Gospel.

It speaks of ‘the loving kindness of the heart of our God, who visits us like the dawn from on high’.

The story of Jesus’s birth still has the power to move people to be kinder and more considerate towards one another.

We are living what we celebrate – a sharing in God’s loving kindness and mercy that comes to us through Christ like the daylight at the beginning of each day.

Reverend Scott Peoples – St Andrew’s Church, Lucan The first Christmas involved an invitation to shepherds and kings to come and see Jesus.

Rich and poor, powerful and weak, insider and outsider are invited to the stable.

This Christmas the invitation is repeated as before to rich and

poor, powerful and weak, insider or outsider, saint and sinner. The essential message of Christianity is an invitation to connect with the reality of Jesus Christ.

Over the Christmas season there will be the opportunity to hear traditional carols, attend church services of praise and worship but making a personal connection with the living Jesus Christ can begin in private, in this moment, right now. Approaching Jesus as a friend in private prayer will open up the reality of who He really is and invite Him into our lives.

Many shy away from this fearing it will limit their lives but following Jesus means opening up our lives to new life-changing joy, hope and potential.

The Response: With any invitation there is a RSVP. What will be our response this Christmas? Will we connect with the life-changing Jesus Christ? The invitation is real and the response is ours.

May God bless our homes and families at this Christmas time.

Reverend Sam Mawhinney – Adelaide Road Presbyterian Church, Dublin 2

Cribs are a lovely way to focus on the true meaning of Christmas, and the legacy of Jesus Christ

On behalf of the members of Adelaide Road Presbyterian, I want to wish all the readers of the Dublin Gazette a very happy and peaceful Christmas.

May you know the wonderful truth and encouragement of “Immanuel” God with you in 2016.

This Christmas we have celebrated Jesus’ birth already with the children of Sunflower Creche which meets on our premises and with our Church children.

This coming Sunday we have a traditional Carols by Candlelight service where we will look at the idea that Jesus is the missing piece in the jigsaw that is the picture of life! All are welcome and we will, as a church family, celebrate our Saviour’s birth on the December

25 at 10am with a family service of worship.

One of our members last Christmas experienced the trauma of having their son diagnosed with bone marrow cancer. It has been their testimony that God has been Immanuel to them and they can speak of his living presence and help through that very real issue in their lives.

In essence that is the meaning of Christmas.

God saw, cared and loved us enough to get involved, to come to us and bring us all the help we need to navigate this often broken world. It is the desire of the Church in Adelaide Road Presbyterian to offer that hope to others.

God bless you all.

Fr Paul Thornton, St Cronan’s Parochial House, Brackenstown Road, Swords The other day I was stopped in my tracks when I heard a phrase my granny used to use in the madness of the lead up to Christmas.

‘Christmas is only for the children, nothing else.’ It can at times seem like that as we listen to the ads, rush from shop to shop, write cards and plan dinners. What is it all for?

In a way my granny was right, it is about children, well one child. But where is Jesus in the middle of all of this? He is all through it in so many ways. When you see the stars hanging from the roof, they are reminding us of his birth. When through the chatter and noise we hear Silent Night or

O Come All Ye Faithful we are called like the Shepherds and the Kings.

When we take a card from the giving tree, bring food to be shared with those in need, send a card to a neighbour or simply smile and brighten up someone’s day... then we begin to see that he is here, all around us.

When we take the time to stop, look and then act in love we are truly celebrating this child Jesus, who brings the light, love and kindness of God among us.

I wish you, your family and friends, those who will share Christmas with you and those who are away from home every blessing. May the year ahead be filled with opportunity and hope and may you always know the compassion and mercy of God.

17 December 2015 SWORDS Gazette 9

housing | ‘grossly unjust’ to consider balbriggan site for homes

Councillors opposed to 40 modular units

 keith bellew

PLANS for 40 modular housing units in Pinewood, Balbriggan have been met with opposition by local councillors.

A consultation process with local residents will get under way soon, following which the proposal will be brought back to the Swords/Balbriggan Area Committee and full council for

adoption or rejection.

Cllr Tony Murphy (Ind) said that this proposal is so wrong that it is unbelievable that the council would even contemplate it.

He said: “The area of the town identified by Fingal County Council has already got its fair share of social housing and community issues. It is grossly unjust to consider

increasing the amount of social housing in the area. I intend to fight this plan in the council chamber because it is wrong.”

Cllr Murphy said Balbriggan has had a disproportionate amount of social housing developed in recent years compared to other areas of the county, and he called on the people of Balbriggan to make their voices heard in this proc-

schools | inspired by brother

Inclusive essay leads to award win for Amelia

 keith bellew

SIX TH-class pupil Amelia Hussain from Donabate Educate To g e t h e r N a t i o n a l School received a prestigious award recently for an essay on inclusion entitled Someone Like Me. The award was presented by Junior Equality Minister Aodhan O’Riordain at a special ceremony held in Farmleigh House.

This was part of a national essay competition hosted by the Department of Justice and Equality to promote positive attitudes towards disability in primary schools.

Speaking to The Gazette, Amelia said her essay was inspired by her younger brother, eight-year-old Noah, who was diagnosed with autism at age three.

She said that once she sat down to write it, the essay “flowed out of her”, but as it is a topic that is so close to her heart, it was “partly easy to write about, but at the same time hard, because it’s hard to kind of say:

Junior Equality Minister Aodhan O Riordain presents Amelia Hussain with an award at Farmleigh House for her essay on inclusion

‘This is my brother and he has autism’.”

Of Noah’s diagnosis, she said: “I was very sad but he was still the best brother ever. He always had a big smile on his face. Some people would think it is hard having a brother with a disability, but I don’t – I love my brother the way he is.”

Noah also attends Donabate/Portrane ETNS, which is very p r o - a c t i ve i n m a king their school a fully inclusive environment for all to learn. Students

at the school created a jigsaw which says ‘We all stand out but we all fit in’.

Amelia said: “Noah is in the class for children with autism in Donabate Portrane E d u c a t e To g e t h e r National School. The class opened the year he went to school.

“I was very worried Noah would not be able to go to school with me and would have to go out of our community to a different school.

Now, we can all go to school together.”

ess.

He said: “This was done, in part, to accommodate the construction of higher-value houses in the Malahide area.

This treatment of Balbriggan and its people must stop.”

Meanwhile, Cllr Eugene Coppinger (SP) said the land was zoned for actual social houses, which is what should be developed there.

A spokesperson for the council said it is committed to continue to work to deliver new homes to meet the housing needs of the citizens of Fingal. They also said both sites are on lands identified for future housing needs, and it is continuing to examine other sites in its ownership across the county.

The spokesperson said: “The

provision of new homes that can be delivered quickly will ease the pressure on families with their children living in emergency accommodation.

“The Government’s modular housing programme seeks to provide 500 modular homes across the four Dublin local authorities to meet the needs of those experiencing homelessness.”

10 SWORDS Gazette 17 December 2015

opinion | ‘changes due to take effect from january will help everyone’

2016 will see plenty of new reasons to make work pay

Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald, looks forward to a range of budget changes on January 1, and future Government plans

AT THIS time, it is normal for us to look back on the year that has been, and to look forward to a New Year with hope in our hearts for better prospects for us all.

One thing is sure, however: 2016 will be a better year for everybody in our country who goes out to work and for their families and for those who worked for many years and are now enjoying their later years.

In particular, January 1st will be an important day for the workers of Ireland.

Firstly, new year’s day will see the coming into effect of the first substantial rate cute to the Universal Social Charge (USC) since it was introduced by the last Government.

Reducing the USC from 7% to 5.5% on people’s earnings between €18,668 and €70,044 will make a significant difference for working families and individuals.

As local TD for Dublin Mid West, I know that this reduction in the USC will be welcomed and will help ensure that

every worker in Lucan, Clondalkin and the surrounding areas will benefit from the economic recovery that is under way.

This is the second year in a row that the current Government – of which I’m proud to be a member – has reduced the tax burden on low- and

tax cuts will create 15,000 more jobs by encouraging increased workforce participation and entrepreneurship, growing domestic spending and consumer confidence, and encouraging foreign investment.

Tax cuts will encourage home our emigrants, and is key for attracting

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‘A further key part of plans to make work pay involves making childcare more affordable and removing barriers to work from lack of affordable and accessible childcare’

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middle-income earners.

If re-elected, we will get rid of the USC altogether over the lifetime of the next government.

In addition, more than 700,000 of the lowestpaid workers will be exempt from paying the USC from January.

Overall, our tax cuts reduce the tax rate on low- and middle-income earners to below 50% for the first time since 2009.

Our planned income

foreign investment, such as the significant investment we are now seeing being delivered in Grange Castle.

Put simply, this Government is delivering on our commitment to reduce taxes on work, to make work pay.

January 1st sees another increase in the national minimum wage.

This will be the second increase in the minimum wage under the current

Government, bringing the minimum wage from €7.65 in 2011 to €9.15 in 2016.

We have increased it twice so as to incentivise work and to better protect low-paid workers.

Again, this Government is delivering on our commitment to make work pay.

A further key part of plans to make work pay involves making childcare more affordable and removing barriers to work from lack of affordable and accessible childcare.

I’m happy to report that 2016 will see the extension of free preschool for children from age three until primary school (up to an additional 50 weeks); 8,000 extra community childcare scheme places, two weeks’ paid paternity leave, and a €5 increase in child benefit.

We will also extend free GP care to under12s. We will recruit 2,260 extra teachers and reduce the pupil-teacher ratio from 28:1 to 27:1.

As Minister for Justice, I am recruiting a further 600 new Garda in 2016.

Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald

We are also increasing the weekly pension rate by €3. Our plans are not just good for workers – they are good for families, for communities and the elderly.

This is only possible because of the economic recovery, which the current Government has overseen.

Ireland now has the highest economic and employment growth in

the EU, and more than 135,000 jobs have been created since this Government launched the Action Plan for Jobs.

Our recovery is real, and is helping to improve lives. However, I am aware that many people are still to feel the benefit.

We’ll continue to make responsible and prudent decisions to keep the economy strong and the

recovery going. With your support, we will continue with our long-term plan, to the benefit of everybody in our society.

Wishing you a merry Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous 2016.

Frances Fitzgerald Minister for Justice, and FG deputy for Dublin Mid West

17 December 2015 SWORDS Gazette 11

Gazettegallery

| the capital glows with christmas atmosphere

Emma Gallagher and fashion stylist Lisa Fitzpatrick at the annual Christmas tree lighting

Cadbury Chorus Line dancers at Grand Canel Dock launching the Cadbury Christmas Cadvent which

ceremony in the Shelbourne

will see Cadbury Christmas trucks throw open their doors to reveal a series of seasonal surprises and

Hotel. Picture: Marc O’Sullivan

events. Picture: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland

Festive fun enjoyed across Dublin city A

round up of festive fun happenings around town for young and old.

Reindeer, angels, chorus line

dancers and Santa’s little helpers add to the cheer in the city, with visits from Santa and his helpers to meet good girls and boys.

Hugh, Eve and Maebh Breathnach at the Shelbourne Hotel Christmas tree lighting ceremony. Picture: Marc O’Sullivan

There are delights for young and old in Dublin this Christmas as we join in the spirit of things with trees, tinsel and glad rags galore!

Nia John from St Joseph’s Nursery in Dublin 8 at the opening of the Dublin City Council live Crib at the Mansion House. Picture: Andres Poveda

Jacob Byrne at the launch of Jeremiasz Czebotar from St

Tesco’s Magical Reindeer Food

Joseph’s Nursery at the opening

Fundraiser in aid of Temple

of the Dublin City Council live Crib.

Sara Sheilch, Rebeea Mussabir and Meena Aiun at the

Street Children’s Hospital.

Picture: Andres Poveda

Shelbourne Hotel. Picture: Marc O’Sullivan

Picture: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland

Temple Street Hospital ambassador Miriam O’Callaghan

Santa joins children Maja Tazbir, Stephanie Mahon, Aiden O’Dea and

with Eoin Fallon and his sister Freya at Santa Claus’s arrival

Isobel Bailie at Benetton Window, St Stephen’s Green, when details were

Sarah Bartley and Isabella Bartley at the Shelbourne

at Arnotts Department Store. Picture: Conor McCabe

announced of RTE 2fm’s Xmas Appeal in aid of the ISPCC. Picture: Brian McEvoy

Hotel for it’s lighting ceremony. Picture: Marc O’Sullivan

12 SWORDS Gazette 17 December 2015

SWORDSGazettegallery | staff, guests and patrons join in the

Sean Greene

Staff from Fingal House Nursing Home enjoying their Christmas party. Pictures: Stephen Fleming Photography

Avril Kelly Carpenter and Ciara Burke

Marin Mazanik

Marjorie McCann, Audrey Brennan, Sarah Hartnett, Lisa Faherty and Leanne Halpin

17 December 2015 SWORDS Gazette 13

fun as swords bar and restaurant marks a special business milestone

Empire group manager Jerry Harrington with FM104’s Lucas Hennessy, Emma Menton and Connor Griffen

Adriana Cruceru and Amy kelly

Paddy Sheerin and Ken Lalor

Louise O’Riordan and Annette Kelly

Kevin O’Driscoll and Conor Glynn

Celebrations as Empire turns one E

MPIRE Bar and Grill threw a bash to remember in Swords recently, marking its first birthday in style. The one-year-old venue had plenty to celebrate, having quickly established itself as a popular destination in the north Dublin town. And so, with visitors, guests and regulars already eager to catch up and celebrate the Christmas season, there was even more fun and excitement in the air as the birthday celebration got under way. Live music, complimentary music and food, and plenty of balloons – with a drop or two of bubbly – added to the great atmosphere, as Empire staff joined the guests and punters to share a great evening together.

Paddy Mulvaney

Eric Barden, Steve Fleming and Niall Cleary

Slim Denby prepares a celebratory round of drinks

Gazette

14 Gazette 17 December 2015

dublinlife

diary

It’s a magical wonderland of thrilling attractions This year ’s Winter Funderland has already been very well received by excited thrill seekers nationwide.

Open until Sunday, January 11, this year sees the arrival of three brand new attractions amongst over 50 other established rides and attractions.

T hese include the

child-friendly Dumbo, Magic Circus and the thrilling Ultra Buzz.

One of the largest indoor events of its kind in Europe, Winter Funderland features thrilling roller coasters and a giant Ferris wheel alongside the well-known rides like Extreme, Snowdrop and

Take Off. With top of the range attractions catering for all ages, Bounceworld, The Fun Factory and the Crazy Worm rollercoaster will be sure to capture the hearts and imagination of those younger family members.

For those visitors who prefer to keep their heart

Fossetts Christmas Circus can be seen only at Winter Funderland at the RDS. Picture: Jolanta Rossiter

pace at an even keel, there will also be an area filled with games of skill and the chance to win one of the famous Winter Funderland soft toys.

For more information, visit www.winterfunderland.ie.

students praised for winning art Twelve Dublin students were invited to the Mansion House last week to receive prizes from Lord Mayor Criona Ni Dhalaigh (SF) for their winning pictures which are featured in the 2016 Dublin Fire Brigade Fire Safety Calendar.

Dublin Fire Brigade, as part of Fire Safety Week, invited all the primary school children in Dublin to participate in an art competition with the aim of increasing fire safety awareness among young people. The 12 best fire safety themed pictures were used to create the calendar which will be sent to all Dublin primary schools for display.

Chief fire officer Pat Fleming said: “There was a great response to the competition and we would like to thank all those that took part. With Christmas approaching it is important to be aware of the extra hazards that occur at this time of the year. Dublin Fire Brigade would like to wish you all a safe and happy Christmas.”

valuable record of 1916 events The National Library of Ireland (NLI) has

launched its 2016 programme, which includes the release of a unique digital repository of personal papers and photographs that tell the story of the momentous events of 1916.

Over 20,000 items related to the seven signatories of the Proclamation will be available online by April 2016.

An event was held in the National Library’s iconic premises on Kildare Street to mark the launch and was presented by broadcaster and historian, Dr John Bowman and Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys.

Paul Shovlin, chair of the National Library’s Board, said: “In 1916, the National Library was an intellectual and social hub at the heart of Ireland and is proud to take its place in the centenary events 100 years later, through a programme built around our unparalleled collections.

“We are delighted to contribute to the commemorations by cataloguing and digitising materials that tell the story of 1916, commencing with the seven signatories of the Proclamation.”

a rare insight into world of doctors Secondary school students will be given a unique insight into the lives of a neurosurgeon, microbiologist and an orthopaedic surgeon in episode two of the RCSI’s (Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland) livestreamed video broadcast called So You Want To Be A Doctor?

The second episode in the three-part series will profile three doctors based in Dublin’s Beaumont Hospital. Viewers will be shown around the surgical theatre ahead of an operation Dr David O’Brien will perform to mend a patients back.

Dr Fidelma Fitzpatrick, senior lecturer in Microbiology and consultant microbiologist at Beaumont Hospital will discuss what exactly a microbiologist does and will also talk about antibiotics and how their overuse has led to the rise of superbugs.

Students can get involved in the broadcast as a live-streamed question and answer session will take place at the end of the episode.

Students can send in their comments and questions via Twitter and Facebook using #RCSIBeADoc.

17 December 2015 Gazette 15

Gazette

feature A DAY IN THE LIFE: Seamus Fahy, owner of Voltaire Diamonds

The diamond life is a very busy one  emma nolan

Diamonds are a girl’s best friend and so is Seamus Fahy. Gazette sat down with the owner of Voltaire Diamonds to find out about the day in the life of a diamond dealer.

The Limerick-born entrepreneur was working in the financial services industry in London before moving back to Ireland to venture into the diamond by appointment business on King Street South across from Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre.

A typical day in the life for Fahy involves liaising with international diamond traders, fine jewellers and, finally, the clients themselves.

As for his daily routine, he admits that he’s a bit of an insomniac so is always up early checking emails.

He explains that the key to developing and maintaining strong client relationships is to respond to them quickly.

“I find the quicker you get back to a customer, the more likely they are to do business with you.”

Upon arriving at the office, Fahy’s first task consists of contacting his workshops which are in Dublin and London to get a status report on jewellery that are in the process of being made.

After that he contacts

his international diamond suppliers in London and Antwerp. “I’m constantly looking for new stones – there’s all the different diamond shapes, round, brilliant, princess, cushion cut, oval cut – I’m constantly liaising with my suppliers all the time looking for diamonds that match the customers’ budgets.”

Fahy starts his appointments after this, all of which are face-to-face and Fahy and his two members of staff meet 10 to 20 clients per afternoon.

F a hy e n c o u r a g e s his customers to shop around prior to making an appointment with him so they know what they want.

“We talk to all our clients before they come into us and we tell them; number one, congratulations, number two, go to all the high street jewellers and try lots of styles so you know what you’re looking for and then come to us.”

Generally customers come with pictures of rings they want and Fahy then sets about having it made to suit their budget, “Because we don’t have the overheads of a high street shop, our prices are a lot more competitive.

Fahy then negotiates pricing and the handmade finished product

Seamus Fahy, owner, Voltaire Diamonds

will be ready three to four weeks later.

Most of Voltaire’s clients come from word of mouth and online

reviews, social media also plays a big role and takes up about an hour-anda-half of Fahy’s day. He updates the social media

accounts daily with new content.

As for downtime, the self-confessed workaholic admits he’s “always look-

ing for the next angle” and doesn’t get much, especially with his weekly trip to Voltaire’s London office, but he enjoys

socialising with friends and going for a nice meal when he gets the chance.

“I only sell the dream!” he jokes.

Gazette

16 Gazette 17 December 2015

dublinlife

the big interview

Paul Costelloe: a man with an eye for style

‘This Christmas will be very much a family occasion’  Aisling Kennedy

Famed worldwide for his beautiful catwalk creations, Paul Costelloe is a man with an eye for style.

His designs have graced catwalks from Milan to London and he was one of Princess Diana’s

favourite designers.

Flying into Dublin from his home in London to take part in interviews to promote his new jewellery range, the Richmond Collection, Costelloe is relaxed, chatty and fun.

He has a dry sense of humour, a trait that has

on occasion landed him in hot water over the years but he is an Irish rogue full of charm and character.

Arriving home to Dublin is always a welcome break he explains, as he gets to stay in his mews in Monkstown and enjoy the beautiful views all around

the area.

“I grew up in Booterstown and I moved to Monkstown when I got married. I lived in Monkstown for 25 years and I still own a house there to this day.

“What’s nice about Monkstown is that it hasn’t changed that much which I love. It has become a lot more fashionable and I have noticed a lot of extra restaurants and shops popping up, but it’s still the same. The atmosphere is still the same.

“Hewett’s newsagents is still there and the church is still there and it’s still a lovely place.”

Costelloe moved to London from Monkstown in 1999 to expand his Irish fashion business and it is a move that has served him well.

Living in the affluent suburbs of Putney with his wife, daughter and six sons, he has built up a fashion, jewellery and beauty empire.

Ireland is never far from his thoughts, however, and he explains that he named his new jewellery range after an area in his home town.

“The Richmond Collection was inspired

by Richmond Hill in Monkstow n because the collection is so elegant, understated and beautiful and that is very much the character of Monkstown. It just has those traits that

Paul Costelloe is a man with an eye for style

are what Monkstown is all about, simplicity and style. It’s not flash like Dalkey! I’ll start a war now!”

While living in London, Costelloe leases out his home in Monkstown on a short-term basis but should the mood take him he can return whenever he wants as he also owns a mews that he stays in when he returns.

“We still have the house and I do think about coming back a lot,” he explains.

“We would love to, we’d love to spend more time here. We love Richmond Hill, it really is beautiful.

This morning it looked lovely because the weather was so nice and it has some beautiful traits to it.”

Costelloe said that he believes that Irish women have come a long way in their fashion choices and are understated and more aware of how to style themselves.

“I think Irish women have a very specific and unique sense of style

now. The Irish have a very strong point of view on fashion and because women are travelling so much now they’ve infused different types of styles together. Irish women have learned that you don’t have to spend a lot to look great. It is more about spending a little more time on what you buy and mixing high street clothes with more high-end clothing. I think that has certainly happened here.”

As it is only a little over a week to Christmas, Costelloe was very much in the festive mood as he chatted to the Gazette and he said that he is looking forward to spending time with his family over the Christmas break.

“This Christmas will be very much a family occasion. We will get up in the morning, there will be about 13 of us altogether including my two daughter-in-laws and my sons, and it’s just a lovely family day.

“We will go to mass and that’s usually fairly

chaotic as we try to get everybody out on time.

“We will then head down to the church in two cars and then after mass we will come back and have a small, light breakfast, and then open up the presents. Then we will go out onto Putney Heath and the boys will play rugby and the ladies will go for a stroll with the grandchildren.

“After that we will go back and have Christmas dinner at about 5pm and then I suppose we will all end up watching some awful TV which we shouldn’t do but I know we will!”

Costelloe reminisces about spending Christmas in Dublin for many years and says: “I do miss going to the 40ft. When we lived in Monkstown we would always go to the 40ft and jump in. I hope to do it again.

“For now, London keeps me on my toes and keeps me competitive but I’ve got my 6ft 3-inch legs in both camps so I’m very lucky.”

17 December 2015 Gazette 17

cinema P22

asdfsdaf P27 gift guide P25

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



Gazette

travel P21

Pets can you give GUY a new home?

The Coronas are part of the stellar line-up for Dublin’s New Year’s Festival

new location: indoor and outdoor entertainment from dec 30 to jan 1

New Year fest biggest yet

 Keith Bellew

Dublin’s New Year’s Festival (NYF) returns this year and is bigger than ever with a new location, both indoor and outdoor entertainment, a festival of light, world record attempt, a spoken word festival, Love Dublin events, fringe events and cultural trails across the city over December 30, 31 and January 1.

Due to Luas Cross City works the Countdown Concert has relocated from Dame Street to the Three Arena, but a new NYF Street Fest will take place in St Stephen’s Green South.

Speaking to The Gazette, organiser, Niamh Holohan said this has worked out well as the public have the option of going to the arena where there will

be a stellar line up of home grown and international talent with The Corona’s and Fatboy Slim, or to the Street Fest.

“We really wanted to make some of the events more participative as opposed to just being spectator [oriented], so we’re bringing back the Procession of Light [on December 31], which is a really enchanting and magical light parade through Dublin.

“We’re allowing people to collect lanterns on the day and all of the donations are going to Focus Ireland,” she said.

This will be followed by an attempt to break the world record for the world’s largest bodhran session, currently held

by Sydney, Australia with 980 people.

“We’re hoping to smash that record with 981, so again proceeds are going

to Focus Ireland. We really wanted to have an eclectic mix. There’s obviously people who want to go out and party and have a good time, but we want to have more of a cultural programme as well.

“We have a spoken word programme that we’re running over December 30 and 31. This is bringing together the best in Irish comedy, poetry slam and discussion/debate.

“It’s really important for us to have that dimension to the festival for people who want to enjoy day time and night time events,” she said.

She added that there is an interesting addition to this year’s festival called Story at Work which has seen live story telling taxis driving around Dublin throughout December with live

cameras and three hand-selected storytelling taxi-men with hilarious and emotional stories.

“We’re going to have a rolling film of the footage screened at the festival on December 30 as well. You can actually hop in these taxi’s for the rest of December. They’re completely kitted out with ‘bonkers’ in magnetic letters so you cant miss them,” she said.

The celebration continues on New Year’s day with Resolution Day. Events include a New Year’s Day 5km run, children’s story telling and art workshops, evening events with TED-style talks, interspersed with music, comedy and poetry at Christ Church Cathedral.

For a full programme of events visit: nyfdublin.com/

Dublin Gazette Newspapers has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for lost and abandoned dogs. Guy is a male five-year-old Pit bull-cross. He is quite an agile young man who will need a home with a warm, cosy bed inside and a fully secure garden.

He is a firm favourite in the rehoming centre with his handsome expressive face and bundles of charm.

With the right adopter, he will make an amazing and very loving pet.

Guy is very clever and already knows a lot of commands he has been taught by his dedicated carers. He is suitable to live with older children of 16 years of age and over.

If you think you can offer Guy a loving home, please contact Dogs Trust on 01 879 1000. They are based in Finglas, just off exit 5 on the M50. Map and directions can be found on their website www. dogstrust.ie. You can also find them on Facebook www.facebook.com/ dogstrustirelandonline or Twitter @DogsTrust_IE. Dogs Trust are asking members of the public to visit www.puppypromise. com and make the puppy promise.

Gazette

18 Gazette 17 December 2015

COMMERCIAL FEATURE

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17 December 2015 Gazette 19

Avila Lipsett at the Gwen Stefani Urban Decay palette reveal at The Spencer Hotel

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Gazette

STYLE

Aoife Walsh at the Jameson Black Barrel Craft Market at The Bernard Shaw Pub

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 pearl phelan

STYLISH Dubliners are photographed most nights of the week attending various fashion, art and cultural events across the city. We couldn’t help but notice a colour scheme amongst them: a soft shade of grey. So we hit the shops to see how we could emulate the effortlessly chic looks sported by these fashionistas!

Grey pieces will easily blend into your wardrobe, pairing well with black, burgundy and gold trims. Get the look of these smartly dressed ladies with our picks.

Aisling O’Loughlin at the launch of Ireland’s Blue Book 2016 at The Merrion

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Gazette

20 Gazette 17 December 2015

OUT&ABOUT

FOOD&DRINK

Executive Chef of Howth Castle Susan Bell (right) with Cormac Rowe. Picture: Angela Halpin

A stress-free Christmas dinner  Susan Bell Executive Chef of Howth Castle

One question we are always asked at Howth Castle Cookery School is when should one start cooking Christmas dinner and how do we go about organising it. My answer is always the same - the further in advance you have everything prepared, the better the day and the dinner will go.

With three children at home, the last thing I want to do on Christmas morning is spend the day in the kitchen; missing out on the kid’s excitement as they open their Christmas presents, while I worry about what time the turkey needs to go on.

I always try to prepare a meal that the whole family will enjoy, the kids as well as granny.

On December 23 I do any last minute food shopping, I buy all of the perishables like fresh

vegetables, cream and an extra carton of milk.

Then in the afternoon of Christmas Eve I start the preparation for Christmas dinner.

Many elements of the meal can be pre-prepared, vegetables can be blanched, soup prepared, potatoes can be peeled and even garnishes can be prepared in advance to add those final flourishes to this very special feast.

Starter: Homemade Parsnip and Chestnut Soup I like to begin our meal with a small bowl of homemade parsnip and chestnut soup.

This dish can be made on Christmas Eve. If you have fussy vegetable eaters in the family I would just tell them it’s soup and leave it at that.

It always amazes me that my children will eat almost any soup but will snub the same cooked vegetable.

Main: Turkey Escalopes with Ham and

Thyme Stuffing One of my favourite Christmas main courses that we teach at Howth Castle Cookery School is our Turkey Escalopes with Ham and Thyme Stuffing.

The great news is that these boned, stuffed and rolled pieces of turkey or “ballotines” can be made up to two days in advance. Keep in the fridge tightly wrapped in cling film until ready to cook.

On Christmas Day these would take up to 30 minutes max to cook and takes the worry out of trying to fit the turkey in the oven and getting the turkey on with enough time to cook through.

The Trim: Roast Root Vegetables, Creamed Brussel Sprouts and Spuds!

Peel your potatoes the day before and leave in cold water ready for mash and roasting on the day.

Creamed Brussel Sprouts are a firm favourite and again a day in advance blanch and refresh the shredded sprouts.

Then on Christmas Day all you need to do is reduce your cream and re-heat the previously cooked sprouts in the cream. Season and serve.

Roast root vegetables finished with cardamon and honey are really delicious.

The root vegetables can be prepared and diced a day in advance so Christmas Day, just put on a roasting tray and into the oven an hour before sitting down to dine.

Bread sauce can be made Christmas Day by simply heating up milk with a small onion infusing in it for flavour, then adding in your bread a little at a time until the right consistency is achieved.

Dessert has caused many arguments over the

years - who wants what.

A firm favourite and great family fail safe is Toblerone cheesecake.

Again, this can be made on Christmas Eve. Thus bringing us to Christmas Day which should be fairly hassle free, allowing lots of time

table should be considered in advance.

Glasses washed and polished, table settings and crackers ready to go with festive napkins and a lovely centre piece at the ready.

This could be a Christmas lights within a beau-

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

‘Many elements of the meal can be pre-prepared in advance to add those final flourishes to this very special feast’

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

for opening presents and family fun.

You don’t need to think about the final cooking of everything until about an hour and a half before dinner is due to be served.

Whilst the children are small I leave the setting of the dinner table to the last minute, for those with older children or adults, get them involved in setting the table in advance.

The dressing of the

tiful glass bowl dressed with holly or a festive candle framed within a Christmas wreath.

Serve the soup from the kitchen in small bowls and have everything else ready to go in serving bowls, gently warming in the oven.

These serving bowls can be placed in the middle of the table for family service style once the starter has been cleared.

Then sit down with the family and enjoy.

Susan Bell is executive chef at Howth Castle with responsibility for Howth Castle Cookery School, Deer Park Golf’s Club House menu and the estate’s newly launched “The Kitchen in the Castle” catering menu.

This new service will see cooker y school’s chefs prepare delicious party food for special events, beautifully packaged and ready to be enjoyed – and impress guests at home.

Cooks of all skill levels are invited to take part in upcoming classes at Howth Cookery School.

A number of special classes are being presented including ‘Christmas Foodie Gifts’ and ‘Preparing the Perfect C h r i s t m a s D i n n e r ’.

Christmas Gift Vouchers are also available.

Howth Castle Cookery School, Howth Castle, County Dublin.

See howthcastlecookeryschool.ie or call 01 839 6182.

17 December 2015 Gazette 21

travel treats: surprise your loved ones this christmas

Think outside the box and give the gift of travel

 ian begley

Christmas presents – it’s difficult to continue to surprise and please every year. There are only so many sets of bath salts and lotions, pairs of socks and bottles of wine that you can buy – and giving money is just a tad impersonal.

So what to do? Have you thought about giving the gift of travel this Christmas? What better way to get through the dark and dreary winter than looking forward to a holiday or short break in the New Year?

Who wouldn’t love a trip to a European city for a long weekend or a week in the sun, whether it’s a romantic trip to Rome, a shopping trip to Milan, a weekend of culture in Berlin, Lisbon or Madrid,

or even a beach break in the Canary Islands.

Abbey Travel are now offering a three-night trip to Madrid for Valentine’s weekend from €155, and a seven-night stay in Fuerteventura for €205 in January.

Gazette

TRAVEL

fastTRAVEL

Makes some memories with a luxurious river cruise

If you fancy a memorable, unique getaway in 2016,

then a luxurious river cruise along some of Europe’s many historic rivers may be the perfect holiday for you and your family.

One of the range of cruises on offer, organised by Travel Department, include a journey along the River Seine and Normandy, between March and October for eight nights from €1,599pp.

Spend your first night in a city centre hotel in Paris and enjoy a guided city tour and welcome dinner with the group before commencing your cruise.

Travelling on board the MS Amadeus Diamond, you will then experience the elegance of a boutique hotel as you’re transported along the Seine.

On March 31 or June 25, you can sail along the Danube for six nights from €1,299pp. Discover the highlights of the Danube, dotted along the stretch

Delight

of river from Germany to Hungary. Spend your first

For parents looking to surprise the kids with an extra treat on Christmas Day imagine the delight on their faces if they found out they were going to meet Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck on a magical trip to Disneyland Paris.

A three-night stay for a family of two adults and two kids under seven starts at €528, including three nights staying at Disney’s Santa Fe Hotel with free half-board meals and three days park

night in a city centre hotel in Munich, before travelling to the pretty port town of Passau and commencing your cruise.

An additional cruise along the river Danube is on offer on April 4 and June 29 for five nights from €1029pp. For more information about these deals visit www.traveldepartment.ie.

The Plaza Mayor in Madrid

tickets.

Treat the sports fan in your life to a trip to see their favourite team. The most popular are Liverpool and Manchester United packages. Onenight hotel and match ticket packages to Pre-

miership matches start from €169 per person.

Still unsure? Abbey Travel gift vouchers are a great alternative.

Call Abbey Travel on 01 8047100 for more information or book online at www.abbeytravel.ie.

Live the high life and hit the slopes this winter  ian begley

Flying solo doesn’t mean that you can’t have an unforgettable ski holiday away.

Highlife Ski & Snowboard is offering a range of ski chalet holidays in France for those wanting to embrace a solo adventure.

The set-up of a Highlife getaway offers the perfect environment for socialising and meeting your fellow snow bunnies and to ensure you can look forward to the best holiday at the right price, Highlife have waived single supplements to Chalet Carine in Meribel during the weeks commencing from now until April 10.

As you arrive in the resort you will be treated to a drinks reception in the comfort of your chalet, providing the ideal oppor-

tunity to meet and get to know other guests over a glass of vin chaud (hot wine).

During daylight hours, take advantage of Highlife’s complimentary ski discovery tours where the Highlife team will be available to answer your questions and will also arm you with a route map that includes detailed instructions to make sure you get to see the best of the resorts and ski areas, the best runs and incredible views from the mountain tops.

Return to your chalet where the Highlife chef and host will prepare afternoon treats with homemade cakes to be enjoyed over a post-ski catch-up. In the evenings, you can all sit down to a delicious three-course meal with a selection of good wines, rounded off with digestifs and

a cheese board in front of the roaring log fire.

Prices for a solo getaway start from just €795 per person (for December date) or €695 per person (for April date).

For more information on Highlife’s range of ski chalet holidays in France, visit www. highlife.ie or call 01-6771100.

Have an unforgettable ski holiday away in Meribel, France

Gazette

22 Gazette 17 December 2015

OUT&ABOUT

CINEMA

netflix fix

Have a very, very Murray Christmas IF YOU are on the lookout for something to get you into the festive spirit, then the answer might be on a cinema screen. This year Netflix has released what appears to be the most amount of Christmas that you could possibly cram into a one hour slot, in the shape of A Very Murray Christmas.

Directed by Sofia Coppola and starring Bill Murray (who worked together on the stunning 2003 Lost in Translation), this one-off special casts Murray as himself, hosting a star-studded cabaret on Christmas Eve in New York City that goes terribly wrong. A freak snowstorm shuts the city down, and with no audience, a desolate Murray tries to host the live broadcast by himself, before admitting defeat and retreating to the hotel bar – where luckily a bit of Christmas magic is about to take place.

With warm colours and many, many famous faces (including Paul Shaffer, George Clooney, Michael Cera, Miley Cyrus, Chris Rock, and Jason

Legendary Lily Tomlin plays Elle, a poet and academic, who is grieving the recent death of her partner who goes on an impromptu road

Schwartzman) A Very Murray Christmas man-

trip with her pregnant teenage grand-daughter

ages to continue that long-standing tradition of watching celebrities poke some fun at themselves. The story quickly descends into back to back renditions of festive classics, some of which work better than others (Fairytale of New York probably should have stayed a duet).

There’s nothing beyond the light entertainment, but sometimes that is all you need. If ever there was a time and a place for such a silly romp, it’s Christmas.

Verdict: 6/10

Netflix’s A Very Murray Christmas is directed

by Sofia Coppola and starring Bill Murray and includes many famous faces

grandma: a thought-provoking comedy drama

Unfettered Tomlin takes the road less travelled There is no escaping Lily Tomlin’s legendary status. With decades of work in cinema, TV, and in stage productions, the 76-year-old star is famed for her uniquely subversive style of comedy.

Tomlin’s infamous expletive-fuelled run-in with director David O Wilson on the set of I Heart Huckabees some years ago showcased another side to the veteran actor.

Full of furious acerbicism, the viral video captured somebody who was driven to hostility through exasperation – and you can imagine that this is exactly what Tomlin could connect to in Grandma.

 Dave phillips

Tomlin plays Elle, a poet and academic, who is grieving the recent death of her partner.

When Elle’s teenage grand-daughter, Sage (Julia Garner), shows up pregnant and in need of cash for a termination, the two embark on an impromptu road trip that forces long-underlying contentions in each of their lives to be faced.

In case you haven’t guessed, you can dispel

any thoughts of doilies and purple rinses. Writer and director Paul Weitz (About a Boy) has a very different image of growing older – a more grounded and holistic view that encompasses the manifold and often contradictory impulses that make up a human being.

Elle is a character that is absolutely unfettered, with no filter between her thoughts and the expression of them. But she is also unfettered in the sense that she is now aimless, and for the first time in years forced to think about who she wants to be.

Can the lesbian poet, the shrewd academic, the wayward traveller, the

loving mother, and the nurturing grandmother all co-exist?

Grandma starts out slow and clumsy with Tomlin caustically dismissing so many of the first-world problems that irk us in the modern world.

Elle mischievously tips the sacred cows of civilisation and offers a kind of comeuppanceby-proxy for the viewer, though it feels more like shooting fish in a barrel.

Thankfully if you stay a little while with Grandma, you will find there is a wealth of depth just below the surface.

Any clunkiness in the comedy dynamic between Tomlin and

Garner dissolves once we begin to meet other characters from Elle’s past and present – including a particularly outstanding scene with Sam Elliott, who plays one of Elle’s old flames.

As a bittersweet comedy drama, this film will sadly end up being lost amid the Christmas cinema bustle, but it will no doubt receive award recognition for Tomlin.

While it may not offer a conventional subject matter or narrative, Grandma is one of the most thought-provoking and authentically human character studies on screens this year.

Verdict: 8/10

17 December 2015 Gazette 23

Gazette

HEALTH detox: drinks packed with live enzymes, vitamins, minerals

Juice up your body’s cleansing Tis the season for over indulgence, but why wait till January to start the detox?

The juice business in Ireland has been booming over the last year but ahead of the curve was Paula Heaney when she set up Skinny Malinkys in 2013 with the aim of making healthy, nourishing juice accessible to as many people as possible.

Currently the premier raw cold-pressed juice company is based

in Northern Ireland, but Paula Heaney has recently started to trade in the Republic: “While initially we only delivered their fresh juices within a three-mile radius of the Titanic Quarter in Belfast, we have now expanded our offering to the UK and Ireland. We provide free delivery across Ireland.’’

The juices are raw, unpasteurised and unadulterated, packed with live enzymes, vita-

mins, trace minerals and other vital elements to your health.

Paula explains the reasons to juice: “Juice cleansing is the ideal way to reset your body and kick-start a healthy new you. Living off these liquid nutrients gives your digestive system a well earned break.’’

A little known fact is that solid foods can take up to 10 hours of digestion before it’s nutrients become available to

the cells in your body. A freshly pressed raw juice on the other hand will provide your body with nutrients immediately.

“This means that when you drink the juices your cells will get nourished in approximately 15 minutes with little to no effort on your body to digest.

“Whilst many associate juice cleansing as a quick fix for weight loss and beating the bloat, there are many more long-term health benefits to cleans-

ing. By introducing daily juices into your lifestyle, they can help control diseases, such as Eczema, Psoriasis, Urticaria, Rosacea and acne.

“Our bodies should always be more alkaline than acidic, however when we eat consume processed foods, sugar, alcohol and even coffee we inadvertently create an acidic environment within our body.

“However by cleansing we can help to reduce

The juice business in Ireland has been booming

and remove these toxins and make your body a much more healthy environment,” she says.

Skinny Malinkys provide a range of juice packages from the full three to five-day juice cleanses,

consisting of six juices per day, to a “juice till dinner” package, for those who might not fathom three days with no food.

For more information visit www.skinnymalinkys.com.

Gazette

24 Gazette 17 December 2015

OUT&ABOUT

Apple TV 32GB €179/64GB €229 Although people are increasingly ditching watching televisions (yes, we mean that dusty, unloved thing in the corner of the room) to go for all-digital content, Apple may have just the thing to tempt you back to the big(ger) screen – the Apple TV gizmo (available online at www.apple.com). From streaming all your favourite digital channels to an apps explosion that’s gathering pace, the Apple TV brings games, apps and – of course – TV shows together into this small gadget that packs quite a punch.

Amazon Fire HD 8” tablet, 8GB €180 Although there are ever more powerful tablets coming on the market, many people just want something to cover the basics – something handy to maybe play a few games, watch their favourite shows

and films on, and to browse their favourite sites on in a cosy chair. Amazon’s tablets have been getting better and better, with its light weight – 300gm – creating a very portable book and media viewer.

LET’S

Tech A LOOK

PlayStation 4 Star Wars Battlefront 1TB bundle C.€400 With Star Wars fever once again sweeping in to cinema screens and pop culture, fans will have a blast – literally – with this acclaimed shooter (Cert 16, online multiplayer only gaming). The chance to play for the Empire or the Rebels (and step into the shoes of some much-loved heroes and villains) make this great fun.

XBox One Fifa 16 500GB bundle C.€350 There are a number of console ‘bundle’ deals to kick about at the moment, but Microsoft and footie fans sure to shoot straight for this one. Pick up a XBO console with 500GB storage and the latest in the smash-hit Fifa series (now including women’s teams, at long last) for about €350, with many retailers adding another game for €50 extra.

With its decent specs for its budget price, as well as access to Amazon’s vast range of content the Fire HD would make a great gift or a handy second tablet for the whole family to use

 shane dillon

GADGETS and games are a staple part of Christmas gifts these days – so what better time to consider some of the most popular (and useful) tech this season?

Whether looking to trade up your phone, or get something useful for a loved one – or something that the kids (and the young-at-heart) will love, here’re a range of great gifts that won’t break the bank ...

Motorola G Third gen C.€140 We’ve mentioned the Moto G series of budget phones before, but for our – and your – money, they represent an awful lot of bang for your buck, making them a great pay-asyou-go present this Christmas.

Motorola surprised everyone when they launched the original Moto G a few years ago, with the award-winning budget Android phone offering features and power that rivalled significantly more expensive phones. Since then, the updated Moto G has further refined its feature set and design, making it once again a great (and pocket friendly) phone to recommend.

17 December 2015 Gazette 25

ay Gwen Urban Dec dow €46 Stefani eyesha

Gazette

GIFT GUIDE Ireland Littlewoods n journal €13 Happy Jackso

Lauryn Rose Jewellery to support The LauraLynn Foundation Online retailer and fashion jewellery specialist Lauryn Rose has teamed up with children’s hospice The LauraLynn Foundation. The Think of Me collection will see 10% of all sales donated to the hospice. For further information, and the range, see www.laurynrose.com.

For him, her and you a healthier year ahead, right? Of course!

These accessories may help ... But for those looking to feel good without all that exercise malarky, we can point you towards some silky-smooth nightwear.

And, last but definitely not least, we have a great way to do some good this Christmas, and beyond, thanks to a lovely way for your gift to help children’s hospice, The LauraLynn Foundation.

RunLogic Led lenser headlamp €30

CHRISTMAS is but a cracker’s length away – but don’t panic if you’re still looking for a great gift for your nearest and dearest (or even if you’re just looking for a treat for yourself).

In addition to some “his” or “hers” gift ideas, this week we’re also considering some healthy gifts, as we all know that New Year resolutions are just around the corner, too, and we all want to have

RunLogic

.50

Weir & Sons Henry London watch €129

www.skinboosters.ie Thavma lift anti-wrinkle cream €95

Nuxe Nuxellence anti-aging men’s fluid €38

Nivea M en’s ultim ate sports

kit €50

Topdrawer Silk sleep wear From €105 Bed linen specialists Topdrawer now stock a range of luxury silk sleep and lounge wear, with classic French designs inspiring the beautiful range of dressing gowns, nighties and more.

FlipBelt €32

RunLogic Garmin forerunner watch €350 See store at Smock Alley, Temple Bar

26 swords gazette 17 December 2015

SWORDSCLASSIFIEDS planning Notice

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Fingal COUNTY COUNCIL

We, Ruth & Conor Herbert, wish to apply to Fingal County Council for permission to construct a single storey extension to the front facade of our existing dwelling. Permission is also sought to alter existing front boundary, pier and to drop existing raised kerb to allow for a safe double access together with all associated site works all at 18 Seabury Place, Malahide, Co. Dublin.The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority during the public opening hours of 9.30-16.30 Monday- Friday at: Fingal County Council, Fingal County Hall, Main Street, Swords, Fingal, Co.Dublin (to inspect Planning Applications on all lands except those to the west of the N2).Fingal County Council, Grove Road,Blanchardstown, Fingal, Dublin 15. (to inspect Planning Applications on all lands west of the N2).A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of a fee of €20 within the period of 5 weeks, beginning on the date of receipt by Fingal County Council of the application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

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17 December 2015 swords gazette 27

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planning Notice Fingal COUNTY COUNCIL

I,karl kiernan,39 river valley court ,swords,co.dublin apply to fingal county council for planning permission for conversion of the attic to storeroom with the installation of new dormer window to the rear and a velux window to the front.The Planning Application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority during its public opening hours and a submission or observation may be made to the Planning Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

25738

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28 gazette 17 December 2015

SPORT

FastSport O’Donoghue on shortlist for world award: Templeogue’S Shane O’Donoghue has been named on the five-person shortlist for hockey’s World Rising Star player of the year award following a superb 2015.

The former Glenanne and UCD midfielder helped Ireland qualify for the Olympic Games for the first time since 1908 while he also played a key role in Ireland’s run to bronze at the European Championships, the best Irish finish in the history of the event.

On the club front, he helped KHC Dragons win the Belgian league in devastating fashion to cap an incredible year. He is up against players from Australia, India, Canada and Germany.

He is one of two Irish players in the mix for the awards with David Harte up for the goalkeeper of the year nomination having won player of the tournament at three separate events in the past 12 months.

hockey: duke leads students to important national league win

UCD back in playoff shake-up  sport@dublingazette.com

DEIRDRE Duke’s double saw UCD claim their fourth win of the women’s EY Hockey League campaign as they saw off Ards 3-1 in the second half of their tie in Belf-

ield.

She scored in the second minute of the tie when the impressive Aisling Naughton got to the baseline and set up her strike partner for a simple finish.

Ards replied in kind

when they won a corner that Hannah Coey scored from in the second phase. And the Ulster side pushed on in the second quarter to pin the hosts back for decent portions of the game.

UCD, however, bossed

UCD’s Deirdre Duke celebrates making it 3-1. Picture: Adrian Boehm

Pembroke’s Kylie Deverell, right, takes on Railway Union’s Sarah Canning

the third quarter and got back in front from a Katie Mullan drag-flick. Duke made the game safe with Naughton again to the fore. She drove into the circle and picked out the Irish international for 3-1.

Ards, aided by a UCD sin-binning, pushed forward in the last quarter but found Mullan in excellent form to deny many attacks while Sarah Robinson made a key interception to keep out the lively Chloe Brown.

Sara Twomey also made a big impact on her return from injury.

Elsewhere, Pembroke held Railway Union at bay to earn a point at Serpentine Avenue in the Dublin 4 derby with Stella Davis having a

fine game in the face of a heavy amount of work.

Railway coach Colm Blennerhassett, meanwhile, will rue a series of missed penalty corner chances that meant his side dropped a couple of points in their title pursuit.

Three first half corners were denied with Davis, Erika Hinkson and Sarah Clarke to the fore while the goalkeeper made some more good saves from play as Railway’s full press worked well but they could not finish off their openings.

There was respite of sorts when Emma Smyth took a yellow card in the third quarter while another Railway corner went a begging with Jilly Collins charging it down.

Pembroke upped their work rate in the closing quarter and had their best chance when Maeve Ott went close but they will probably be the happier of the two with the draw.

Leaders Hermes were not in action due to the weather conditions with their game against UCC postponed. Nonetheless, their lead at the top was not overly affected with third place Ulster Elks losing 2-1 at home against Pegasus and second place Railway drawing.

Hermes face Railway in another Dublin derby next Saturday in the final round of matches before Christmas while UCD play Pembroke in another derby.

St Vincent’s drown opposition in water polo sweep  sport@dublingazette.com

The St Vincent’s Leinster senior cup winning team

ST VINCENT’S Water Polo Club proved the dominant force at the Leinster Water Polo Cup Finals for 2015, winning six of the seven finals.

The Marino club claimed the men’s Leinster Senior Cup for the third year in succession with a thrilling 9-6 win over North Dublin last week.

The end of the first quarter was 1 all with goals from Adam Caulfield from St Vincent’s and Karl Wilkes from North Dublin.

But, after that closely fought

opening, Vincent’s made their move in the second quarter as they built a 5-2 lead with goals from Damiano Costa, Eoin Bridgeman, and two goals from Brian Murphy from St Vincent’s and a goal from Steve Nolan from North Dublin.

The third quarter saw North Dublin came back with two goals from Brendan Cope and a goal from Jordi Albert for North Dublin leaving the score at five goals each and a reply.

Bridgeman replied, though, to give St Vincent’s leaving the score 6-5 for St Vincent’s going into the last quarter. And the

Marino side pulled away in the the fourth quarter with another three goals from Bridgeman, Shane Drumm and Eoin Nolan They had already claimed the Leinster Division 3 cup for men.

In addition, they were winners of the four junior cups for both boys and girls at Under-19 and Under-16 level. The St Vincent’s senior ladies teams were also awarded the Leinster Senior Ladies Cup as their opponents withdrew at the last minute.

Away from the pool, St Vincent’s have also raised over €3,000 for Temple Street Hos-

pital from bag packs in Tesco Clear Water in Finglas over the last 12 months.

The club are holding a bag pack on Saturday, December 19 in Tesco Clear Water in aid of Temple Street Hospital and support would be gratefully appreciated.

Leinster Water Polo have been organising matches and leagues in Dublin from the 1880s and have one of the oldest water polo cups in Europe which dates 1881 and is still being presented to the winning ream in the Leinster Senior Cup.

17 December 2015 gazette 29

Gazette

Just 13 seconds to conquer the world Dubliner Conor McGregor fulfilled all the hype in the most comprehensive fashion possible as he claimed the UFC’s featherweight title with a stunning knock-out of Jose Aldo  nathan kelly

sport@dublingazette.com

13 SECONDS. That is all it took for Dublin’s Conor McGregor to become the undisputed, unified, UFC featherweight champion of the world.

Whether it was a seat in the MGM Garden Arena, or a barstool in Dublin, or the sofa at home, people had barely settled into their seats when the Notorious knocked Jose Aldo to the floor.

After a couple of early swing and misses from both fighters in the opening seconds, the Brazilian, and undefeated champion of 10 years threw out a right-jab. In doing so, he left that side of his chin exposed and McGregor landed one of his devas-

tating left-hooks and Aldo collapsed to the canvas, catching the Dubliner with a decent right-hook on the way down.

With Aldo dow n, McGregor took his chance and let two clinical hammer punches rain down on his opponent before referee John McCarthy stepped in and ended the bout.

The Las Vegas crowd, w h i c h l o o ke d a n d sounded about 80% Irish, erupted as months of talk was finally backed up by a ferocious walk.

Speaking in the ring afterwards, the ever-confident and assured Irishman was perhaps more humble than ever before.

“Again, nobody can take that left-hand shot,” he said. “But I tell you, he’s powerful and he’s

Conor McGregor, the new world champion

fast. But precision beats power, and timing beats speed, and that’s what you saw there.

“I feel for Jose, he was a phenomenal champion.

We deserved to go a little bit longer but I still feel at the end of the day, precision beats power and timing beats speed every day of the week so it would have happened sooner or later.”

What McGregor does next is already the subject of much debate. Immediately after Sunday morning’s fight, Aldo suggested a rematch.

However, the next contender in the 145lbs featherweight division would more likely to be Frankie Edgar, who knocked out Chad Mendes the night before in the main-event of the Ultimate Fighter

finale.

Another likely option for the 27-year-old is a move up to the Lightweight Division, a weight which many feel would be more natural to his 5’9” frame.

In the UFC 194 postfight press conference, unusually but unsurpris-

does move up to 155lbs, the featherweight belt will remain in his hands. “I tell you one thing that won’t be happening.

“If I go up to that lightweight division there’s no way in hell I’m vacating my belt. That’s not happening.

“There’ll be a belt on

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

‘Precision beats power and timing beats speeds and that’s what you saw there’ Conor McGregor

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

ingly, the Notorious practically ran the event itself, without a moderator.

Again, he was respectful towards Aldo and spoke about the possibility of moving up to the 155lbs lightweight division.

When asked, having beaten Aldo, if he now believed he was the best pound-for-pound fighter in the sport, McGregor answered: “I believe so.

I believe there are many great fighters.

“There are many people who do great things but when you combine it all together, the whole package, the whole animal that is the fight game.

“I don’t think there is anyone who does it better than me. I think I am the pound-for-pound number one.”

Having first held an interim title since July and now the unified title, the SBG fighter insisted if he

one shoulder and a belt on the other shoulder. I understand why previously they would have fighters do that [vacate titles], because many fighters don’t fight as frequently as I do; tell me how many fights I’ve had in the past year, I’m busy, I stay active, I’m fresh. So when I go up and take that lightweight belt I will still be the featherweight champion.”

On the possibility of title-defence in Dublin, he didn’t hide his ambition.

“If they offer me Croke Park, or they offer me the football stadium, you’re damn right I’m going to take it,” he said.

On whether his profile in the UFC means he can demand it, he added: “Maybe I can these days, but for now I’m going to sit back in the shadows for Christmas and plot, then I’ll be back in the New Year with something.”

FastSport

Garth and Delany called up to Aussie pro league CRICKET stars Kim Garth and Laura Delany have joined up with the Hobart Hurricaines and Perth Scorchers respectively, as the pair were given the opportunity to join the women’s Big Bash League in Australia as part of their rookie programme.

Both players were nominated for the rookie programme by Cricket Ireland and selected after performances in the ICC World T20 Qualifiers in Thailand and headed straight to Australia instead of returning home with the rest of the squad.

Mount Merrion’s Garth travelled on to Hobart where she joins up with Heather Knight’s Hurricaines squad, while Delany, who went to school at Loreto Beaufort has joined up with England’s Charlotte Edwards in Perth.

Garth spoke of her excitement about the program at her first training session with the Hobart Hurricanes this week.

“I’m really excited to join the Hurricanes this summer and be part of a professional set up. Getting to play and train with some of the best players in the world and see how they operate is also something I am really looking forward to.”

Garth will join players from China, Hong Kong, Papua New Guinea, Ireland, Scotland, Thailand and the Netherlands in the eight Rebel WBBL clubs as part of a joint initiative between Cricket Australia (CA) and International Cricket Council (ICC) development program for emerging players in non-traditional cricket countries.

The players were selected following the recent ICC Women’s World T20 Qualifier in Thailand.

The programme will provide the players with an opportunity to be involved in the rebel WBBL and be exposed to elite cricket. It also serves as important preparation for players from Ireland, who have qualified for the 2016 ICC Women’s World T20 to be held in India.

Each of the rookie players will train with their Rebel WBBL club during a two-week placement and attend home matches during that period.

In the event of an injury to a contracted player, Rebel WBBL clubs will be permitted to use their Rookie as a local replacement player, which would not contribute to the club’s overseas player limit.

Gazette

30 SWORDS gazette 17 December 2015

SPORT

FastSport

soccer: malahide emerge from pack as sunday senior contenders

Skerries’ Durkan wins European bronze medal THE Irish senior women’s team returned home from the European Cross Country Championships with a bronze medal earlier in the week with Skerries AC’s Ciara Durkan wearing one of prizes around her neck.

Durkan was part of the six-woman team that travelled to Hyeres, France for the Europeans along with the various other Irish teams. Four of that team contributed scores to Ireland’s fourth placed finish.

An impressive fourth-place finish from Kilcoole’s Fionnuala McCormack was the highlight of the Irish team. She was backed up by Lizzie Lee of Leevale in 13th, Caroline Cowley from Dublin’s Crusaders in 23rd and Skerries own Durkan in 43rd.

Those four finishes secured 83 points for Ireland, which left them just five points behind the French team who claimed silver on their own turf. Leevale’s Michelle Finn also finished 54th while Newcastle’s Kerry O’Flaherty came in one place later in 55th.

After the race, McCormack spoke of her disappointment at missing out on an individual medal but stated the team performance more than made up.

“When you cross the line fourth you’re obviously going to be disappointed but when you turn around and see happy, exhausted faces at least you’ve gotten something out of it,” she said.

“Coming fourth means something for team for points so it’s not just about me. I can be disappointed on the one hand but on the other we do come away with a team and it’s all about the team in cross country.”

Speaking after the bronze medals were confirmed for the women’s team, Athletics Ireland high performance director Kevin Ankrom praised Durkan’s group, particularly McCormack.

“It’s pretty exciting even for Fionnuala. Obviously, she would love to get third place but she was going for the team to do well and they did.

There were spectacular performances by the girls who ran.

“Team medals are always great and it’s a testament to what we build off for the future.”

Malahide United in action earlier this season against Firhouse Clover

United’s Cashin cashes in

lsl sunday senior Malahide United UCD  sport@dublingazette.com

2 1

THEY may not have been the favourites or even contenders to many at the start of the season, but Malahide United are well and truly LSL Senior Sunday title contenders after Friday night’s 2-1 win over UCD in Gannon Park.

Pierce Walsh’s men came from a goal down to win their second game on the trot and remain well and truly in the title race as the league winds down for the Christmas break.

In what was a tight game on a bitterly cold night by the sea, the Students went ahead after just 10 minutes when Mark Boland fired in from close range. The home side enjoyed more of the ball throughout the opening half but failed to carve out too much in the way of real chances and went in one behind at the break.

UCD enjoyed a promising start to the season themselves and found themselves towards the top at the beginning of October. Since then however they have managed just four points from seven after this result as

flying high Meegan finishes sixth at Amsterdam Cup AER LINGUS swimmer Andrew Meegan finished in sixth place in the 1,500m freestyle final last Friday at the Amsterdam Swim Cup in a time of 15.45.90.

In a competitive field that feature athletes from Spain, the Netherlands, England, Norway, Sweden and Israel, Meegan held off the challenge of Marcel Schouten in the closing stages to keep his top six place. He also raced in the 400m and 200m butterfly events.

they squandered their lead.

As the second half rolled on, Malahide upped the pressure and with 20 minutes remaining drew level through the impressive Jake Hyland. Once they got one, they wanted another and as the game crept into the final stages, Dylan Cashin struck for United to put them ahead for the first time.

UCD threw numbers forward in the closing stages but never really caused too much panic in the Malahide half and the Northside club held on to claim the three points.

Drumcondra lead the top-tier going into the

mid-season break, with 23 points after 13 games.

Malahide sit in fourth spot, just two points worse off after the same amount of games. In between first and fourth are newly promoted St Mochta’s and the ever-present title chasers Crumlin United, who both join Walsh’s men on 21 points.

Impressively, Mochta’s have only played 10 games while Crumlin have competed 11 times.

The league is set-up to be the tightest one in recent years, with Firhouse Clover, Killester United and reigning champions Bluebell still on course to make a challenge in the

New Year.

Malahide’s charge for the title will be boosted by the addition of Eoin Kirwan who funnily joined from UCD last week. Kirwan featured for the Students League of Ireland side on numerous occasions last season, including an appearance in their Europa League qualifier against Slovan Bratislava in the summer.

Alan O’Sullivan has also joined from Shelbourne adding other League of Ireland pedigree while heading the other way is Friday’s goalscorer Jake Hyland, who will join Drogheda United for the 2016 season.

17 December 2015 SWORDS gazette 31

Gazette

fish ’n’ chips

Syl’s young stars get Beshoffs boost for 2016

Club Noticeboard FINGALLIANS

st sylvester’s 2005 boys’ football and

hurling squad received a pre-Christmas present from Beshoffs Brothers, Malahide who agreed to sponsor the squad for 2016.

Richard Beshoff, pictured centre, presented the new jerseys to the players and their mentor William Rooney along with free fish and chips for everyone in the audience at the presentation.

camogie: skerries too strong for lucan side

THANK you to all who attended the

open at 5pm. There will be music by

strategy update on Thursday, Decem-

Eugene and Frances at 7pm. On New

ber 3 in the main hall of the club. The

Year’s eve, there will be a Test your

six main themes and the correspond-

Knowledge Quiz – Name that Year with

ing recommendations were reviewed

Tommo from 6-9pm.

and there was very positive and con-

Christmas Draw: Tickets are avail-

structive engagement from all on the

able at €5 from the club. It will be held

night.

on Sunday, December 20 in the club

We will now move to the execution

bar. All tickets currently with men-

of the recommendations that are

tors must be returned by December

contained in the report. In January,

12 to the club bar.

we will look for volunteers to join the

The members appreciation day will

strategy teams to put together action

take place this Sunday from 3-11pm

plans to implement the recommenda-

in the club bar and will include the

tions that have been made.

Christmas draw. Live music from

We encourage members to get

6-9pm followed by a DJ.

involved and if you would like to be

The club will host an Easter Ris-

involved please call Brendan McGrath

ing lecture in the main hall on Friday,

(087 2747127). A reminder will be issued

January 8 at 8pm.

in January.

The topic will be the role of Fingal-

Good news – there is no increase in

lians GAA in the Easter Rising. The

any of the annual fees for 2016. Forms

presentation will be delivered by

will be available this week from the

our own Deaglan O Bradaigh and will

club bar or on line on the club website:

prove to be very informative. Failte

www.fingallians.com.

roimh chuile.

The committee would like to thank

We had a very, very busy Saturday

Alan Comiskey for his work over a

morning and afternoon, as hundreds

number of years as juvenile secre-

of kids attended the annual juvenile

tary. Alan has retired after working

Christmas parties. The club would like

tirelessly, giving an outstanding serv-

to thank all those who made a great

ice to the juvenile teams, mentors and

day possible and, of course, the great

the club.

man Santa with his team of elves.

The following is the timetable for

The lotto numbers for last week

the Christmas period: the bar will

were 9, 18, 23, 30 and 31. We had one

The Skerries Harps’ double winning minor side

open at 2pm on Saturdays and 3pm

winner – Gary McCallion. This week’s

Harps string together quick-fire pair of titles

on Sundays.

jackpot for Tuesday’s draw will be

Minor c final Skerries Harps Lucan Sarsfields  nathan kelly

2-9 2-3

sport@dublingazette.com

CHRISTMAS has certainly come earlier for Skerries Harps minor camogie team after they landed a league and championship double in the space of seven days.

Having won the Division 3 league crown against Naomh Olaf a week earlier, Skerries started the championship final in Parnell’s on Sunday vs Lucan Sarsfields with plenty of zip.

Veronica Fay-Watt put

them ahead with the first score of the game before Nicola Thorne put them further ahead.

Sarsfields soon awoke and Katie Feeney goaled on 10 minutes to put the Lucan ladies in front. Further points from Fay-Watt and Thorne but the North Dublin club back was in front after 25 minutes and the impressive Alix Buckley added another to make it 0-05 to 1-00 at the break. Just like the first half, Fay-Watt got the first score of the second on 36 minutes. Amazingly, Lucan’s first point only arrived on 42 minutes when Orla Sadlier

struck over. Skerries were looking good though and another Thorne score in between a couple from Buckley left it at 1-08 to 1-1 with 10 minutes left.

Niamh O’Connor shortened the deficit by one but Buckley pushed out to six again soon after.

A goal from Thorne with five minutes to play sealed the result, despite Feeney grabbing another goal from Lucan at the death.

It wrapped an excellent week for this talented panel and the management team of Alan Buckley, Dave Leech, Noel McGee and Tara McGee. Speaking afterwards,

Buckley directed much of the praise to the players.

“They’ve been excellent,” he said. “To play, and win, two finals in seven days show the level they are at and how hard they’ve worked all year.

They’re a group of players who play with real intensity and tenacity and I think that was the big factor in our two wins.

“Most of the panel will remain at minor next year which is brilliant for us.

One or two will begin to filter through to the adult game but we have plenty to build on and will get back together in a few weeks,” added Buckley.

On St Stephen’s Day, the bar will

€2,134.

FINGAL Ravens THERE was no winner of this week’s

recent operation.

lotto. Numbers drawn were 3, 19, 30

We would like to send our deepest

and 34; €20 went to Brian Gleeson,

condolences to the Hussey family on

Nicola Kinsella and J K M Ryan. Our

the passing of May. RIP. Our thoughts

jackpot remains at €17,000.

and prayers are with Graeme, Deir-

Annual adult regrading – any player

dre, Jack and Shay.

whose last championship game was

A big thank you to all who helped out

in a higher level than that in which

at our children’s Christmas party that

he wishes to play in 2016 must apply

took place on Sunday. Thanks to our

for regrading. This includes players

juvenile committee for organising.

within the junior grade who wish to

Save the date. Fingal Ravens Opera-

play at championship level in a lower

tion Transformation is back for 2016.

junior grade than that in which they

Like last year, we are inviting members,

last played.

family and friends of Fingal Ravens to

If you would like to regrade, please

join us every Saturday morning to get

contact Lisa for a regrading form at

fit and kick-start the New Year diet

secretary.fingalravens.dublin@gaa.

plans. Throw in is on January 2. Don’t

ie or text 0857300934. Applications

forget, you don’t have to be a member

close mid-January but please sub-

so spread the word. More information

mit your request as soon as possible.

to follow over the coming weeks.

Thank you.

Our Fairyhouse Raceday was a

The club would like to send congrat-

huge success. All money raised goes

ulations to Kenny and Roisin on their

towards the all-weather pitch project

recent engagement.

which will be a huge benefit to all our

Best wishes to Bernadette Kavanagh and a speedy recovery after her

members. The race day was a sell out and we would like to thank everyone

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

december 17-23, 2015

harping on: Skerries minors complete double with on top of the world: Conor McGregor: the new championship win to go with revent league crown P31 featherweight champ P29

Swords Thunder’s Kevin Lacey, in possession, will aim to be a key player for his side

UCD in Thunder’s road Swords looking for revenge against Marian side in national quarterfinal as they look to finish first half of the campaign with important win

 Nathan kelly

sport@dublingazette.com

SWORDS Thunder will be hoping to deliver an early Christmas present to their supporters this Friday night when they take on UCD Marian in the National Cup quarter-final.

Having been beaten 83-71 by UCD in the National Premier Division earlier in the season, this game offers a chance of revenge to the Thunder. The fact that they sit just one place above their Southside rivals in the league would suggest this game will be a real pre-Christmas cracker.

“It was a tight enough game earlier on in the season,” said Swords coach Dave Baker ahead

of Friday’s game. “There was nothing in it for the most part but, towards the end, they pulled away. We were missing one or two regulars so we’d be pretty confident facing them again.”

A trip down to Cork to face the mighty UCC Demons awaits the winner of Friday’s game in a National Cup semi-final. That would be a big occasion for the North Dublin club both on and off the court, which Baker explained.

“There’s a lot at stake in the cup,” he said.

“From a team perspective, you always want to do well in the cups and it’s great to go on a run and chase silverware.

“From a club perspective, this is the only competition you can get any money from through the TV coverage and sponsorship and all that.

So, that’s a huge thing too. But, obviously, the team’s focus will be getting past UCD and then going down to Cork to face Demons in January for the semi-final, hopefully,” he added.

After an astonishing second place finish in the Premier League last season, Thunder are currently occupying fourth spot after an opening nine games that have brought a mixed bag of results.

“It’s only our second year in the Premier and I think we shocked the whole country by finishing second last season,” said the Thunder coach. “This campaign has been ok so far; we won our opening game against Eanna but then suffered three defeats on the bounce. We then won three on the spin before losing to Demons

two weeks ago, and then beating Eanna once more last week.

“We were missing a couple of regular players in those opening defeats. Isaac Westbrooks was out, as were a couple of our guys from America, but we’ve recovered and done well.”

A National Cup quarter-final between two closely matched sides might be enough for most to get down to ALSAA, but this Friday there is even more incentive.

Swords Thunder are hosting a Toys for Tots campaign, which grants people free entrance to the game if they bring a Christmas gift. The gift will then be donated to either St Vincent’s de Paul or Aoibhneas – Women and Children’s Refuge.