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April 16 - 22, 2015

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Month XX, 2012 malahide • Balbriggan • Applewood • boroimhe • Airside • Portmarnock • Kinsealy • clarehall

INSIDE: Irish designers roll out latest summer trends that are fresh as a daisy P18

Football:

St Finian’s land brilliant double to beat Gaels Page 31

Soccer:

Rivervalley AUL side formally claim title Page 30

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ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES....................... 8 DUBLIN LIFE....................11 OUT&ABOUT...................17 CLASSIFIEDS.................26 SPORT............................28

A Little Chaos: Alan Rickman talks to us about his latest movie role Page 14

Tardy pyrite scheme ‘crazy’  keith bellew

THE Department of Environment has confirmed that remediation work on 43 units in Fingal affected by pyrite is due to begin this month.

However, Senator Darragh O’Brien (FF) said the Pyrite Remediation Scheme was “grossly inadequate” following confirmation that only five houses nationwide have been remediated since 2012.

“It is crazy that we are now into the

second year of the scheme and you can count on one hand the number of homes that have been remediated,” he said.

Deputy Alan Farrell (FG) hit back saying: “Fianna Fail did nothing themselves for four years on this matter.”

The Department outlined a remediation project of 20 dwellings under way and 192 dwellings to be commenced or put to tender this month.

Full Story on Page 6

Good innings: Young cricketers go to bat in style at Malahide pictured at the Malahide Cricket Club recently, Isobel McCormack, Sarah Condron and Maria O’Halloran enjoyed the Easter Camp held at the home of Irish cricket. More than 50 children aged six to 13 attend-

ed. Their coaches included Chris Siddell and Mary Waldron, who play pivotal roles in the Ireland senior men’s and women’s teams.

During the camp the children learned some of the game’s many skills. Picture: Niall Griffin

2 swords gazette 16 April 2015

council Anti-water charge protester received cut to head

Woman injured in protest scuffles A WOMAN received medical treatment for cuts to her face following an anti-water charge protest at Fingal County Council offices in Swords on Monday April 13.

According to gardai, the injured woman was one of four protesters who broke through a cordon outside Fingal county hall and attempted to enter the building.

 keith bellew kbellew@dublingazette.com

A pane of glass on the revolving entrance door to the hall was shattered as gardai attempted to remove the protesters and some of the falling shards cut the woman’s

Dublin Gazette Newspapers, Top Floor, Clarendon House, 39 Clarendon Street, Dublin 2 Tel: 01 - 6010240. Email: sales@dublingazette.com news@dublingazette.com web: www.dublingazette.com twitter: @DublinGazette Visit us on Facebook at DublinGazetteNewspapers

face and head.

A Garda spokesperson said: “A security cordon was put in place around the offices.

“Four protesters breached the cordon and blocked the doorway at the entrance to the building.

“A s g a r d a i w e r e r e m ov i n g t h e p r o testers, a glass pane smashed and a female protester received what is described as a cut to her head.

“The incident is under investigation by gardai.”

A spokesperson from Fingal County Council said: “This matter is currently being investigated by the Garda, therefore

Fingal County Council are not in a position to make any comment.”

The woman, who is a member of the Balbriggan and surrounding areas against water charges group, was treated by paramedics at an ambulance on site.

The protesters moved to Swords Garda Station following the incident where they continued their protest.

The group posted a message on its Facebook page shorty after which read: “Garda have attacked three of us and shattered the Fingal County Council office doors on top of us”.

The protester who was treated by paramedics outside the council offices

D e p u t y M ay o r o f Fingal Ted Leddy (FG) said he felt sorry for the woman who was injured.

However, he added added that at these types of “militant protests” in which, he said, people attempt to force

their way into the council offices “it’s probably inevitable that something like this would happen”.

16 April 2015 swords gazette 3

programme

May day: NBRU sets date for action

Bus drivers resist privatisation move  keith bellew and

bairbre ni bhraonain

DUBLIN Bus and Bus Eireann drivers plan to hold a strike on May 1 following a recent ballot of NBRU members over the tendering of 10% of routes to private contractors.

This week 93% of SIPTU bus drivers also voted for industrial action; the NBRU says 92% of their members did likewise.

No date has been decided on for the SIPTU strike but the NBRU is calling on its sister trade union to join forces in its protest. The strike will include a twohour protest march to the Dail and similar marches across the country.

According to Dermot O’Leary, NBRU general secretary, there could be up to 1,700 bus workers

marching in Dublin alone on the day.

On April 10, SIPTU balloted members after a breakdown in negotiations between it, the NBRU (National Bus and Railworkers Union), bus companies and the National Transport Authority at the Labour Relations Commission (LRC). In February, the NTA decided to allow private operators to tender for 23 Dublin Bus routes.

Affected routes in Fingal are 33a, 33b and 102.

NBRU president John Moloney has written to SIPTU’s Owen Reidy, the union’s utilities and construction division organiser, saying the first day of action was designed to highlight the concerns of bus workers and encourage Government to take a central role in addressing

concerns. He requested SIPTU to join the NBRU strike. Reidy told The Gazette, he was not sure of NBRU plans and did not believe a two-hour stoppage would be sufficient.

SIPTU has given the Department of Transport, Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann until April 24 to enter talks, otherwise strike action will go ahead.

An NTA spokesperson said the authority was disappointed that the trade unions had chosen this action and commuters would be inconvenienced as a result.

Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe said he was committed to implementing the tendering of 10% of bus routes.

Dublin Bus urged both unions not to take any action that would inconvenience commuters.

Boosting brand Ireland

Home sweet home: For Snowflakes on World Autism Awareness Day pictured at the official opening of Snowflakes’ new home are

twins Kevin and Joshua Woodford, with their mother, Denise. Dublin’s leading autism charity settled into Holywell Community Centre in Swords on World Autism Awareness Day. Following a balloon release, guests were given a tour of Snowflakes new home. Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Dr James Reilly was on hand to cut the ribbon and the evening concluded with a party. Snowflakes supports more than 130 families affected by autism in north County Dublin and beyond. For more information, contact Snowflakes on 01 524 1544, email info@snowflakes.ie,or visit www.snowflakes.ie

Malahide resident Shane Hamill has been taking part in Bord Bia’s Origin Green Ambassador programme and is currently on placement with the World Bank in Washington DC. The purpose of the programme is for ambassadors to promote Origin Green and the sustainability credentials of the Irish food industry among leading global players. Hamill has also completed placements in Starbucks, Seattle and Fair Oaks Farm in Indiana.

Bord Bia is currently seeking applications from those interested in taking part in the second Origin Green Ambassador programme which begins in August. To apply visit: www.smurfitschool.ie/ bordbia

4 swords gazette 16 April 2015

transport 500 submissions to be considered Cronan’s: safety concerns

School traffic action sought  keith bellew

An artist’s impression of a Swifway bus rapid transit commuter stop.

Swiftway bus plan moves to next stage  keith bellew news@gazettegroup.com

THE latest consultation phase for the proposed Swiftway Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system for Swords has just ended, and a final preliminary scheme design will now be completed, taking into account feedback from the public. About 500 submissions were received on the proposal.

An application for planning approval for the Swords-Airport to city centre scheme is expected to be made to An Bord Pleanala this year.

As part of this process, a statutory consultation will be undertaken at that stage, in relation to the environmental impact statement and property acquisition requirements associated with the preferred scheme.

Following the planning stage, the detailed scheme design will be finalised and tender documents for infrastructure procurement, associated systems and vehicle fleet acquisition will be prepared.

This will give planners an idea of what budget the project will require. If funding is approved by the Department of Transport, the preferred scheme will proceed to procurement and construction stages.

It is anticipated construction will get under way in about two-and-a-half years.

Most of the 500 submissions made during the consultation process came from north-west Swords.

Among issues most frequently raised were concerns over safety as a result of the implementation of the proposed

scheme, mainly due to the widening of the roads and removal of the green verge along Glen Ellan Road.

Second highest on the list of concerns were worries about a possible negative impact on other road users, mainly cars, and that the transport system would cause excessive traffic problems along the preferred route.

Others were concerned with the impact it would have on the prospects for the development of Metro North.

Cllr Darragh Butler (FF) said: “What we need for Swords and north County Dublin is a rail link, either Metro North or Luas, linking Swords, Dublin Airport and DCU to O’Connell Street.

“Under no circumstances can we allow a

situation where light rail is deemed good enough for the southside but on the northside we have to make do with bendy buses instead.”

The National Transport Authority (NTA) and the Department of Transport are considering six longterm transport solutions that include light rail, Luas and an optimised Metro North. Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe hopes to bring the plans to Cabinet for approval by summer.

Deputy Alan Farrell (FG) said the BRT proposal was separate from these shortlisted solutions and would have no impact on these. “BRT as it’s currently being planned by the NTA is a separate entity to all of the various transport options being proposed,” he said.

TRAFFIC calming measures and the implementation of a 30kmph speed limit are being considered for the area around St Cronan’s Avenue to tackle dangerous parking and driving at school times.

Cllr Philip Lynam (SF) and concerned residents met Fingal County Council operations management recently to discuss the issues.

He said: “I held a public meeting where it was the main topic of concern for parents who live in the area.

“Other councillors have asked questions about traffic calming in the estate but the issue has not been pushed. I have also asked for the road markings in the area to be repainted.”

A council spokesperson said: “We have provided lining and road markings in an effort to regulate parking and to reduce traffic congestion.”

The spokesperson also said the Transportation Strategic Policy Committee recommended that a 30kmph speed limit be implemented in the area.

It was expected that a formal report would be presented to an area committee in the near future.

Along with a 30kmh speed restriction, and subject to funding being available, consideration would also be given to traffic calming measures such as ramps and speed readers as part of next year’s Special Works Programme.

16 April 2015 swords gazette 5

Development Plan Public consultation evenings organised and ready to go

Residents urged to have say on future of county  Keith Bellew

Fingal County Council, in consultation with the community and other stakeholders, is devising a new development plan that will shape the county’s growth over the next six years.

The first in a series of public consultation evenings began on Tuesday, April 14 at the

Marine Hotel, Sutton (covering Portmarnock,/Malahide/ Howth and East Fingal), the next meeting covering Swords and central Fingal takes place on Tuesday, April 21 at the Carnegie Court Hotel, Swords.

Other upcoming meetings include Balbriggan and North Fingal on Thursday, April 23 at the Bracken Court Hotel,

croke park: helping feed a million kids

Sing-along for school dinners  Keith bellew kbellew@dublingazette.com

CROKE Park is trading sport for song on Friday, April 24, for the Mary’s Meals Make it a Million charity concert and raffle.

The event is a bid to grow support for Mary’s Meals and help the charity provide meals to more children in school. The charity provides meals to some of the world’s poorest children every day that they attend school, and is on the verge of reaching out to 1,000,000 children.

The event, which has been organised by volunteers Damien Richardson from Blanchardstown, and Aoife Martin and her mother, Mary Martin, from Swords, will see Croke Park transformed for an evening of music and entertainment, thanks to a group of dedicated volunteers from Swords and Blanchardstown.

Aoife Martin said: “We’ve enjoyed incredible support from volunteer groups over the last decade and word about our work is quickly spreading across the country. News that we are

now reaching more than 989,000 children with a nutritious meal in school has spurred on individuals and groups across the Mary’s Meals family to keep the momentum going as we journey evercloser to the milestone of serving one million children each school day.”

The concert will feature performances from internet sensation Father Ray Kelly and classical singer Father Marino Nguekam.

The ticket price of €15 is enough to feed a child with Mary’s Meals for a school year.

Raffle prizes include pilgrimage trips abroad, weekend stays in several locations around Ireland, and premier tickets to this year’s All Ireland Semi Football final. Tickets can be bought at www.idonate.ie/makeitamillion.

Doors open to the Hogan Suite at 6.30pm and the concert starts at 7.30pm.

For more information about the event, call Damien Richardson on 086 064 4662, Aoife Martin on 085 179 7278 or Mary Martin 086 381 4737. For more information about Mary’s Meals, visit www. marysmeals.ie

Balbriggan and Blanchardstown and west Fingal on Tuesday, April 28 at Fingal County Council’s Civic Office, Blanchardstown.

The purpose of the meetings is to invite residents to ask questions and put forward ideas relating to the new Fingal development plan.

Mayor of Fingal Mags Murray (FF) is encouraging people

to have their say.

“I would strongly encourage all citizens of Fingal to get involved in this review process.

“The issues being considered affect everyone living, working or operating a business in Fingal and it is through their participation that the council can make the plan work better for us all,” she said.

Additionally, a public meeting at which residents can learn how to influence the Fingal development plan will be held at 7pm in St Patrick’s National School, Diswellstown on Tuesday, April 21.

Cllr Roderic O’Gorman (GP) is hosting the meeting which will set out how the development plan process works and how Dublin 15 res-

idents can help to shape it.

Cllr O’Gorman will also be looking for people’s views on what they would like to see within the development plan.

The deadline for receipt of submissions is May 15.

For more information visit: www.fingal.ie/devplan. For more information on Cllr O’Gorman’s meeting, visit www.rodericogorman.com

6 swords gazette 16 April 2015

schools now being considered council Pedestrian crossing

Pupils to benefit from road safety measures  keith bellew

MEASURES to improve road safety at Millview Road, Malahide may be implemented next year.

Students from St Syl-

vester’s Infant School and John Paul’s National School use the road on a daily basis.

Fingal County Council said a pedestrian or zebra crossing would be

considered for next year’s programme of works.

A review of the school warden service is under way and the area would be considered for that service.

A school warden is expected to be in place at Millview Road-Yellow Walls junction by September.

Cllr Anthony Lavin (FG) has received a commitment

for additional “Schoolchildren crossing” warning signs on Barrack Bridge and Sea Road in the short term.

He is “looking forward to improved road safety on Millview Road.”

housing: Just five homes have been repaired nationally

Pyrite to be dealt with in 43 homes in Fingal area  keith bellew kbellew@gazettegroup.com

THE Department of Environment has confirmed that remediation work on 43 units in Fingal is due to begin this month.

However, Senator Darragh O’Brien (FF) said the Pyrite Remediation Scheme was “grossly inadequate” following confirmation that only five houses nationwide have been remediated since 2012. He also pointed out that 630 households had applied under the scheme since the beginning of last year with less than half accepted.

“It is crazy that we are now in the second year of the remediation scheme and you can count on one hand the number of

homes that have been remediated,” he said, adding that the Pyrite Remediation Board has had its hands tied by a lack of resources and funding, and that the Government ignored a Fianna Fail Bill to expand the programme in 2012.

He said: “The Government needs to wake up and recognise the fact that the scheme in its current form is totally inadequate. What we need now is a much more comprehensive plan with a realistic assessment of the number of homes that are damaged by pyrite.”

A Fine Gael TD hit back, saying Fianna Fail did nothing to help homeowners affected by pyrite when it was in government.

It emerged in 2007 that thousands of homes

Senator Darragh O’Brien said the Pyrite Remediation Scheme was “grossly inadequate”

in north County Dublin, including Malahide, Lusk and Swords, were built with inadequate materials that contained the mineral pyrite, which caused houses to crack and crumble in parts.

T he P y rite Remediation Scheme was launched in 2013 for affected homeowners to apply for assistance in fixing their damaged properties. To date, 400 Fingal homeowners have applied for remediation under the scheme.

Deputy Alan Farrell (FG), who owns a property affected by pyrite but remediated by the developer that built it, said “it really irked” him to hear members of the previous government criticising the current Government over the scheme. According to him, Fianna Fail

and the Green Party did nothing from 2007 to 2011 to address the issue.

“I think it’s a bit much from Fianna Fail to come out with that statement.

They did nothing themselves for four years on this matter. It’s really frustrating when you hear something like that.”

He said he continued to engage with Junior Environment Minister Paudie Coffey in relation to the possibility of expanding the scheme, particularly in relation to the need to address the situation whereby many homeowners are not currently eligible for remediation works unless the developer who constructed their house accepts responsibility.

A spokesperson from the Department of Environment said: “The real-

ity here is that the five completed dwellings referred to were part of a pilot project completed last year. It should be noted that the pilot was necessary as the remediation of dwellings suffering from significant pyritic heave was a relatively new departure.”

The spokesperson said a remediation project of 20 dwellings was under way, with three more projects, totalling 81 dwellings due to commence this month.

Contractors for two more remediation projects, for four dwellings, would be appointed later this month; tenders were due back for two remediation projects, for 25 dwellings later this month; and tenders for three projects, for 86 dwellings, would go out to tender this month.

don’sdublin The story of Hugh Lane and his unique modern art gallery The Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane, usually referred to as the Hugh Lane, is unique in that it is the first known public gallery for modern art anywhere in the world. This is due to the work of Hugh Lane who was a successful London art dealer and collector. He had a particular passion for works of the Impressionists, and there are a number of fine paintings by such artists as Renoir, Pissarro and Manet on show.

Lane was born in Cork in 1875 and spent most of his early life in Cornwall. After school, he began an apprenticeship as a painting restorer, but soon started dealing in paintings. Although he lived in London, he often returned to Ireland and stayed with his aunt, Lady Augusta Gregory (a founder of the Abbey Theatre), and was familiar with Irish art which he praised and promoted. As such, he decided that Ireland needed a gallery to show these works and he opened the Municipal Gallery of Modern Art in January 1908.

It was set up in temporary premises on Harcourt Street, and Lane hoped Dublin Corporation would take over the running of the gallery.

This, however, did not happen, as the corporation was uncertain about the financial viability of such an enterprise. Sadly, Lane was among almost 1,200 who died when the RMS Lusitania was torpedoed on May 7, 1915 off his native Cork, and never lived to see “his” gallery.

Following his untimely death, many years were spent arguing about the 39 paintings in the Lane Bequest. It was not until 1959, more than 40 years after Lane’s death, that a deal was struck between the Irish and British governments for the custodianship of the paintings. Half of the paintings would be shown in Dublin every five years, but this arrangement was altered in 1993 whereby 31 of the paintings would stay in Dublin.

Charlemont House (the former townhouse of James Caulfield, owner of the Casino at Marino) was opened as the permanent location for the Municipal Gallery of Modern Art, and it is now one of the city’s favourite galleries.

Don Cameron

www.donsdublin.wordpress.com

16 April 2015 swords gazette 7

public safety Irish Rail set to up security after incidents

Gardai called to settle Dart ruckus  keith bellew news@gazettegroup.com

SECURITY on the Dart line along the north Dublin coast may be stepped up following two recent incidents of violent disorder involving youths.

The latest incident occurred on Thursday, April 9, when a fight broke out between a gang of up to 50 youths ,on a train from Howth.

G a r d a i i n How t h arrived on the scene and dispersed the crowd but no arrests were made.

There were significant delays to Dar t services as a result. Irish Rail tweeted: “17:45hrs

Howth Bray currently running 30mins late due to awaiting the arrival of gardai at Bayside. It will terminate at Connolly.”

This follows on from an incident last month when a group of teenagers went on the rampage, smashing windows at the station, attacking a car and ransacking a shop.

The group of about six teens reportedly went “absolutely berserk” and smashed the windows and doors at the station before moving on to Baldoyle where they vandalised the shop.

Deputy Terence Flanagan (Renua) said he was extremely concerned

about the incidents and the fact that no arrests had been made.

“I have made representations to An Garda Siochana and to Irish Rail regarding safety concerns at the station and asking for security to be stepped up there.

“Any CCTV footage of the incident should be released to publicly shame those engaging in anti-social behaviour and causing so much disruption by their actions.”

He said local residents had raised concerns with him in recent years about gangs “running amok” in the vicinity of

the Dart station.

Cllr Brian McDonagh (Lab) said he had asked Fingal County Council to request that Irish Rail representatives come out to meet the council to discuss what measures could be taken to avoid future incidents of this nature, and was now awaiting a definite date.

He said he was particularly happy with the Garda response to these incidents last year and that it was just a matter of judging how much resources should be deployed in certain areas.

In relation to the latest

There have been a number of incidents of Dart trains in recent times

incident, a spokesperson from Irish Rail said: “We did have three members of security travelling on board that service.

“However, given the large number of people involved, they called the gardai for back up.

“We do have mobile security units that patrol our stations and we work closely with the gardai to prevent instances of anti-social behaviour at stations and on board our services.”

When asked whether

security would be stepped up, the spokesperson said that was likely as the public transport provider constantly reviewed its security measures across the rail network based on current behavioural trends.

8 swords gazette 16 April 2015

gazetteGALLERY

Nao¡se Canavan from Malahide as a knight well prepared for the quest for the Dragon’s egg

Brothers Isaac and Malachy Gill-Romain. Pictures: Stephen Fleming

malahide castle: Egg-citing day out for the family at Easter

Mapping out quest for the dragon’s egg

L

ocals flocked to the magical and mythical botanical walled garden at Malahide Castle recently for this year’s Easter event, Dragon Quest.

Participants were given a mythi-

cal map to find their way around the garden and help collect clues to the whereabouts of the dragon’s egg.

A number of magical characters were met, some provided help but others were there to hinder the

Isabelle Polard and Jonathan Ralph

Roberto Romano, James Fitzgerald, Luca Romano

with their quest scrolls

and Ryan Behan

search.

The event was an egg-citing day out for the family which included a magical science show and spot prizes for the best costumes worn by the egg- and dragon-hunters.

Ray, Sarah and baby Rian Murphy

Kate Drinane, tour guide with Shannon Heritage

Jennifer Clancy of Shannon Heritage

16 April 2015 swords gazette 9

gazetteGALLERY

Aine O’Brien

Michael and Maria Miley

Members from the London–based Irish feminist group, Speaking of IMELDA with local pro–choice activists coordinated an action in which women chained themselves to pillars outside the GPO. Pictures: James Martin

commemoration: Rewinding the clock to 1915

It’s Rising time

T

ens of thousands took to O’Connell Street on Easter Monday to help make The Road to the Rising event come alive.

As part of its Easter Rising commemorations, the public were invited to step back in time to 1915 for the RTE Rising commemoration. Actors helped to recreate a wedding

and funeral from the period, while a restored open-front tram served as a platform for readings and performances. The event takes place a year before the centenary of the Easter Rising, with the idea being to set the scene for next year’s commemorations.

See more on Page 10

Bean Holland and Will Flanagan from Realta

10 gazette 16 April 2015

gazetteGALLERY commemoration: Rewinding the clock to 1915

It’s Rising time Philip Smithers

Fionnuala Ni Chasaide and Cris Ni Choisdealbha

Simon Benson with Laoise and Francis Cahill

Layla and Noor Wright

Emma O’Driscoll

Mary Browne

John Shevlin (James Joyce lookalike)

Maria Nolan

16 April 2015 Gazette 11

business P16

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

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diary P12 feature P14

day in the life: it’s a little steak and eggs before mentalist’s busy day

what’son

No such thing as an average day for Barry

Best New Play at the draiocht:

 ian begley

Irish hypnotist, mentalist and actor Keith Barry has a career that’s certainly unconventional to say the least.

Amazing his audiences around the world with various illusions and mental feats has given him a reputation that makes him stand out among the many others who have attempted to mirror his craft.

This week, The Gazette caught up with the 38year-old Waterford native to see what his day-to-day life entails.

“There is no such thing as an average day for me.

Recently for over the past four months, I would get up every day at 6am

while working on the second season of Now You See Me in London and wouldn’t get home until midnight.

“At the moment, I get up at 8am and for breakfast I’d usually have steak and eggs because I’m currently working out a lot.

“I train a lot in town and have got a personal trainer who pushes me to the limit and knocks the shit out of me, to be honest.

“I change my training style depending on what stunts I do. Before Christmas, I was performing at the Waterford Christmas festival where I did a 100ft suspended straightjacket so I had to build up my back strength and increase my lung capac-

ity.

“In the States, I did a stunt where I got tased and had 50,000 volts going through my system.

I had a whole concept of challenging a cop where I said that I could hack into his brain while tasing me at the same time.

He thought of a word and I had to think of what it was while being shot with 50,000 volts.”

When he’s not performing life endangering stunts or hacking into people’s minds, Barry said that fishing is a huge hobby of his.

“Next week, I’ll be fishing in the River Lee in Cork and, during the summer, I’ve got a charter boat booked at Ross’ Point in Sligo, which

Keith Barry: “Next week, I’ll be fishing in the River Lee in Cork”

I’m really looking forward to.

“I’m also a huge bookworm. When I get home I love to indulge in psychology, hypnosis and magic books. Often I’d go on Amazon and buy about 30 books at a time.

“To unwind in the eve-

nings and when I want some downtime I like to sit down with the wife and watch shows on Netflix like Breaking Bad or The Shield.

“I’m not a big sleeper and wouldn’t get to bed until around 2am even when I have to be up

bright and early the next day.”

Barry’s new live show Out of Control will take place around Ireland this October with tickets starting at €30.

For more information, visit www.keithbarry. com

Rise Productions smash hit, The Games People Play, will be performed at Draiocht Blanchardstown.

Written by Gavin Kostick, directed by Bryan Burroughs and starring Aonghus Og McNally and Lorna Quinn, it was named Best New Play at the Irish Times Theatre Awards and was a sell-out success at Dublin Fringe Festival.

The story, which is a modern take on the tale of Tir na nOg sees Niamh and Oisin living the modern suburban dream with a nice house, comfortable lifestyle, and kids.

However they soon realise that everything they ever dreamed of still isn’t enough?

The Irish Theatre Magazine gave it a four star rating and described it as: “Riveting... both a timeless story about two people lost inside a marriage, and a very contemporary Irish horror story.”

For booking’s call 01-8852622 or visit draiocht.ie.

For more information on the show visit www.riseproductionsireland.com.

Gazette

12 Gazette 16 April 2015

dublinlife

DIARY

Thousands sing to prove they have X Factor Last week, Croke Park, better known for GAA matches or even the odd concert, groaned under the weight of thousands of hopefuls who turned up to audition for the X Factor.

Croke Park held two days of auditions for X Factor on April 8 and 9 and also went around to smaller towns in Ireland with their mobile audition van.

If you did not get a chance to sing your little heart out for the judges at Croker, never fear: you can audition online at www.application.xfactor.ie.

This year’s X Factor judges are once again Louis Walsh, Simon Cowell, Cheryl and Mel B. However, host Dermot O’Leary will not be returning to the show.

Cowell tweeted: “Dermot has been an amazing presenter on the X Factor… He held the craziness together. Most of the time. He is a great guy and a real talent.”

confetti ‘made out of lies’

LocalMatters S u p p o r t l o c a l b u s i n e ss

A d v e r t i s e w i t h t h e G a z e tt e c a l l 6 0 1 0 2 4 0

A Dublin stationer has come up with a festive way to tackle homophobia and support the Yes Equality campaign which advocates a Yes vote in the marriage equality referendum in May. Daintree Papers is currently selling wedding confetti made from shredded leaflets containing what they deem to be homophobic propaganda and are donating all of the proceeds to the Yes Equal-

Simon Cowell has been confirmed as a judge on this year’s X Factor

ity campaign as part of a project they are calling Shred of Decency.

They are currently collecting flyers which according to them contain “lies” along with online posts which they are printing and shredding.

They are inviting people who find any such material online to tweet it using #ShredThisTweet which they will then print and shred.

“At Daintree, paper is our favourite thing in the whole world.

“So when paper was used to spread some ugly lies in the run-up to the marriage equality referendum we weren’t one bit happy,” said the proprietors of the shop.

develop your storytelling Irish folklore enthusiasts have an opportunity to immerse themselves in 6,000 years of the storytelling tradition with a course at the National Leprechaun Museum

on Jervis Street.

The next course runs from April 21 and classes run weekly on Tuesdays from 7pm to 9pm at the museum, including a live storytelling showcase on the final night; with a chance for participants to entertain family and friends with their new skill.

The art of the seanachie and tales like Cuchulainn, the Tain Bo Cuailgne and Deirdre of the Sorrows are famous throughout the world.

I n t h i s s i x- w e e k course, par ticipants will delve into the background of some wellknown Irish legends, learn how to deliver a story with confidence and style and adapt their skills for different audiences Places are limited so those interested in taking part or seeking more information can contact 01 873 3899 or email rainbow@leprechaunmuseum.ie.

16 April 2015 Gazette 13

14 Gazette 16 April 2015

Gazette

dublinlife Another magic role for Rickman

FEATURE

film: from hans gruber to professor snape, one actor defines superb characters

 keith bellew

HOLLYWOOD heavyweight Alan Rickman graced our shores this year for the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival, where he premiered his latest film, A Little Chaos.

The event was held at Cineworld in Parnell Street on Saturday, April 25 and was attended by the BAFTA award winner, along with the film’s writer, Dublin-born Ali-

son Deegan, and Dublin actress Cathy Belton.

Set in 17th century France, the film – Rickman’s first directorial role in film since The Winter Guest in 1997 – follows a female landscapegardener played by Kate Winslet, who must construct the grand gardens at Versailles.

Her botanical responsibilities see her thrust into all the intrigues and drama of the infamous court of King Louis XIV

(Rickman). Belton plays the part of Winslet’s handmaiden.

Perfect

The script was written 17 years ago, but was only made last year. Having written the screenplay, Deegan decided that Rickman would be the perfect person to bring her story to life.

However, he had just been confirmed in the role of Professor Snape in Harry Potter. He agreed

to take the commission to direct A Little Chaos, as he didn’t think that Potter role would last long!

Although Rickman had not directed a film since 1997, he has directed on stage regularly throughout the 18-year interval.

Speaking to The Gazette, he said: “I have been directing in the theatre quite a bit so it’s the same job really, just with more support in film. It was exciting, and I was surrounded by a great crew and great actors so, like I said, when you make a movie you’ve got incredible support.”

Rickman played Eamon De Valera in the 1996 film Michael Collins, and with his role as Louis XIV in A Little Chaos, when asked what it is like playing the parts of such important historical figures, he said:

Alan Rickman: “You learn not to judge these characters [like King Louis XIV]; they’re very iconic, and you have to find out what makes them human”

“I had played Rasputin before that, and you learn not to judge these characters; they’re very iconic, and you have to find out what makes them human.

“It’s incredibly interesting to find out the isolation of somebody like that [Louis XIV], it’s a bit self-imposed in a way, but he didn’t ask to be

A journey through dance Lastweek Ballet Ireland performed a new dance piece choreographed by the renowned Ludovic Ondiviela at the Project Arts Centre in Temple Bar. The production is called A Journey Through Dance: Tutus and Beyond and the show is currently touring around Ireland but will make a return to Dublin later this month.

Ballet Ireland’s national tour of A Journey Through Dance: Tutus and Beyond, takes in three centuries of dance, from traditional classical ballet to striking contemporary work.

The new work, Tutus and Beyond, was cre-

ated for the company

by Royal Ballet dancerturned-choreographer Ondiviela.

Ondiviela trained at the Royal Ballet School in London and danced with the Royal Ballet for 11 years before retiring in 2014 to dedicate himself to choreography.

Ballet Ireland’s Tutus and Beyond comes to the Civic Theatre, Tallaght on April 24 and 25 and tickets, costing €20 or €16 for concessions, are available by calling 01 462 7477. The show comes to Draiocht in Blanchardstown on April 29 and tickets are available by booking on 01 8852622 or at www. draiocht.ie.

Louis XIV, he wakes up and finds himself as that.

‘Louis XIV’ – they’re very big words.

“They’ve had a huge impact on history, and attitudes to class, and they’re a lot of the things that Alison picks up on [in her film] – that it’s a maledominated world where women were decorative objects only.”

Also speaking to The Gazette, the film’s writer, Alison Deegan, said she was “wonderfully happy” with how the film turned out, and that Rickman had done a great job.

She said: “It’s been a fantastic process, I’ve really enjoyed it and I’m so glad – I had the best person in the world for it.”

16 April 2015 Gazette 15

C o m m e r c i a l F e at u r e

STYLE Next Bug jeans €1

3

Next C rocodil

Nex

er €10 e jump

t Lem ress rint d

on p €38

Heatons Mon key tee

dress €16

fab offerings this week, with colourful prints and some furry friendly animals sure to delight.

Next’s children’s department is newly renovated and customers can shop the new collections with more choice and more space.

As regards Gap Outlet, they carry their own unique ranges for kids with all the great quality, style and fit you expect from GAP at outlet prices.

ley 0 Ash €3 ra nny Lau tty Bu He

FROM fab frocks to jewelled jeans and everything in between, Westend Shopping Park has lots to offer our little people.

Located in Blanchardstown, it’s a one-stop-shop for children with Next, Laura Ashley, Heatons and many more providing much in the way of clothing, while Argos and Chad Valley are a real boon when it comes to picking up a present for junior (or his sister).

Check out a selection of their

Heatons Lace

Nex top t Cap € €10 ; Lig 7; Mons ht je ter ans €10

€15

Gap Outlet Jacket €24.40; Tee €13.90; Trousers €17.40; Sandals €17.40 Chad Valley 1,000 piece craft trunk €17.49

Gazette

16 Gazette 16 April 2015

dublinlife

Q&A

business €1m partnership boost at DCU campus U S - BA S E D t e s t i n g company Prometric has announced a three-year partnership with Dublin City University (DCU) valued at almost €1m.

The company, which provides test development solutions for companies in terms of their

entrance examinations for employees, has invested more than €75m in Ireland over 10 years of operation.

The partnership with DCU will see the establishment of DCU’s Centre for Assessment Research in Education (CARE),

which aims to influence and improve Ireland’s education system.

The partnership will support the development of test types to better assess the preparedness of Irish students at all levels of education, in the areas of critical thinking and

skills assessment, in addition to knowledge recall.

The research conducted through CARE is expected to influence Irish education and strengthen Ireland’s workforce.

Three jobs will be created at the DCU campus with the partnership.

enterprise: continued growth at tech centre

More small Encouraging healthy firms plug steps to change a life into The Digital Hub marie healy, your way in, blackrock

MARIE Healy is owner of Your Way In – a weight-loss and healthy nutrition clinic which she opened last November in Blackrock, her home for the past 24 years, where she lives with her two daughters and partner.

Before opening her own clinic, Healy worked for Dr Eva Orsmond as her personal assistant, and subHow long have you been in business?

For just over five months, since the beginning of November 2014.

What makes your business successful?

From experience, having worked until recently in a similar field, I have put together a team of nutritionists who together with their experience, qualifications and sheer passion for health and nutrition know exactly what the client requires, and can design a plan suitable for their specific needs.

We offer professional weight-loss advice and support to those who really need to change their health for the better. To date, our results speak for themselves.

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

We have an easy-to-follow, no-gimmicks approach to healthy eating. We offer tailor-made programmes with nutritionally sound, professional weight-loss advice and support to our clients and because we believe that healthy eating and physical activity go hand in hand, comprising 80% diet and 20% exercise, we also offer weekly fitness classes, including Zumba and pilates, in our fitness studio. For those who wish to extend their healthy lifestyle, I offer organic treatments in my beauty salon, also at the clinic.

What law or regulation would you change overnight to help your

sequently managed Dr Eva’s five weight-loss Orsmond Clinics, where she gained an immense amount of experience in weight management.

Based on her experience, Healy believes her easy-to-follow approach to healthy eating involving only natural, real food is the most successful route to weight loss and health. business?

Some health insurance companies currently offer cover for clients to attend nutritional therapists, but not all. I think that all health insurance policies should include cover for nutritional consultations.

Not only would the insurance companies benefit from having healthier people on their books, but there would be fewer incidences of serious diseases, such as type II diabetes, heart disease etc, which could only have a positive effect on the already over-burdened hospitals.

How has the recession affected your business?

As we are a new business, we haven’t experienced a downturn.

From the outset it was always in our plans to make available payment plans and special offers as much as possible in an effort to support clients who really need and want to change their health for the better.

What is your ambition for the business?

I am working hard to get our name out there and I am hoping that my business will grow from strength to strength because I want my clinic to be known as the place where people who are struggling with health and weight issues can come for help and support.

I have seen first-hand how easily some of these issues can be remedied through food choices. I get great satisfaction from seeing how small changes can be life-changing.

EIGHT small but growing businesses have joined the Digital Hub at Roe Lane, Dublin 8 since the start of 2015.

These new companies will join close to 90 digital enterprises already operating at The Digital Hub, which caters for growing technology companies.

The new companies collectively employ 17 people. Those that joined include Base2Digital (a multi-disciplinary digital marketing agency); Castle Direct (an online marketing system designer); Imprez (Ireland’s only company which focuses solely on Prezi web-based presentation application training and design); and Legion (a technology company that designs and develops innovative digital solutions).

Other new businesses are My Beatz (an online music community where artists can connect and share their music); NumberGroup (a company that provides telecom services to SME businesses all across the world);

Statwolf (a new in-house data finding expert) and Tyndall National Institute (an information and communications technology research centre).

Gerry Macken, chief executive officer, The Digital HubGerry Macken, chief executive, The Digital Hub said: “We were delighted to welcome eight new companies in what has proved to be a very busy first quarter.

“There are now almost 650 people working in companies based at The Digital Hub, making us the largest cluster of digital media, technology and internet businesses in Ireland.”

Ian Nunoo, founder and director, Base2Digital, said he chose the Digital Hub for the company as it is very much a collaborative, creative and supportive environment.

He said: “We are proud to call The Digital Hub our home. As a digital company, we were impressed with the success of the initiative they have launched to promote digital [enter-

Gerry Macken, chief executive officer, The Digital Hub

prises] across Dublin and Ireland.

“Our move comes at a very interesting time for the company. We anticipate that there will be continued growth in our portfolio over the rest of the year as the ever increasing importance of digital marketing becomes more prominent in Ireland.”

Discussing the company’s recent move, Niall Dennehy, co-founder, Imprez, said: “We chose The Digital Hub for many reasons – we wanted to be surrounded by dynamic companies and individuals for inspiration and

invaluable networking opportunities, and we desired modern offices that offered us quick and easy access to state-ofthe-art training rooms.”

He went on to say that, as a growing company that aims to become recognised as a global leader in Prezi training and design, they need to be based in an environment which really fosters innovation and creativity.

“The Digital Hub certainly provides that,” he said.

For further information on The Digital Hub, see www.thedigitalhub.com.

16 April 2015 Gazette 17

bride & groom P21

asdfsdaf P27 cinema 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

style P18

Pets Tighe will tug on your heartstrings

Dublin Greek Film Festival organisers Kiki Konstantinidou and Aleksandra Szymbara

Film Festival: shedding light on a culture dealing with recession

A glimpse into Greek tragedy  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

A glimpse into a culture dealing with recession is what the first Dublin Greek Film Festival promises Dublin audiences this April.

The event takes place from April 23 to April 26 at Chester Beatty Library, Filmbase and The New Theatre. Screenings will be representative of Greece past, present and future, by both established and breakthrough artists of Greek cinema, recognised throughout the world film festivals.

The Gazette spoke to Aleksandra Szymbara, a founder of the festival.

“I’m originally from Poland but I organised the festival with Kiki Konstantinidou, who’s Greek.

“We both love art house movies and

cinema. She approached me with the idea to start the festival and, because my boyfriend is Greek, I’m very interested in Greek culture as well.

“So we decided to show some Greek cinema here in Dublin to introduce them to Irish audiences. I work for Age and Opportunity for the Bealtaine Festival and like festivals and events in general.

“So, that, along with my love of cinema, made it very natural for me to get involved in this festival.”

Szymbara began working on the festival last year by contacting venues to screen the movies and then looking for sponsorship was a “learning curve” that she’s hopeful will get easier for next year’s instalment.

“I’m more used to doing marketing

with just a small bit of event organisation but not that much. Looking for sponsors for funding was something new for me and it was a learning curve and a little bit challenging but it’s pretty straightforward. Once you start, you learn quickly how to do it. Next year it will be easier.”

Films set to be shown deal with everyday problems, such as Greek’s economic recession. The films offer Irish audiences an opportunity to find out more about the realities of what Greek people have had to overcome. They also have strong parallels with Ireland’s economic situation.

Szymbara said: “The population in Greece is small but many people discuss it in the context of the recession. I think Irish people are especially curious about

other cultures and we hope this curiosity will bring them to the cinema.”

A testament to this curiosity is that two events, the opening film screening of the documentary The Grocer and a Greek traditional dance workshop both at Chester Beatty Library have already sold out.

Many other screenings are still available to book, however. One such screening providing some light relief is The Eternal Return of Antonis Paraskevas on April 26 at The New Theatre.

The film is about a famous Greek TV anchorman who fakes his own kidnapping in a desperate bid to salvage his ailing career.

For more information about the programme, you can visit the festival’s website at www.greekfilmfestival.ie

The Gazette Newspaper has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for unwanted and abandoned dogs.

Our Dog of the Week is Tighe – a five-year-old male crossbreed. What a handsome young man Tighe is! Sadly he is really struggling living in a kennel environment, so we really hope to find a suitable home for him really soon.

He would love his adopters to be active, and to have a real interest in developing his basic training and socialisation skills. All his carers think he will make a perfect house pet for the right family!

If you think that might just be you, 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 on Twitter @DogsTrust_IE. You can also pop up for a visit – it’s open six days a week from 12pm to 4pm.

The centre is closed all day Tuesday.

Gazette

18 Gazette 16 April 2015

OUT&ABOUT Flower print dress €165

Mint paisley peplum top €99; trousers €99

Bodice dress €175

Maxi dress €145

Pearl and lace dress €165

Floral trousers €99

Fresh As A

 laura webb

THINGS are hotting up with Irish design brand Daisy May and its latest new trends for the summer season.

The contemporary label is known for its classic, elegant silhouettes and feminine styling and this collection is no different.

The SS15 collection consists of new season trends with fashionable touches including stunning vibrant maxis, stylish separates, floral paisley trousers and structured dresses that are sure to make you stand out at any special occasion.

The collection is flawless for women wanting that perfect outfit, and is available in sizes 8 to 18.

Established in 2010 by Gerard Burke and Karen Carthy, the brand has grown in success over the past few years with many Irish and English celebrities wearing the brand, including singer Adele and TV presenters Maura Derrane and Sybil Mulcahy.

The brand is available across Ireland via boutiques and is also being distributed internationally.

For stockist information, see www. ellaboo.ie.

16 April 2015 Gazette 19

Gazette

STYLE

Nivea’s new skin care products help you safely catch the sun

Golden advice about bronzing skin  laura webb

IT’S not quite time to get rid of the winter woollies, but when it comes to protecting your skin it shouldn’t matter what time of the year it is. As the weather has been behaving itself (well, over the past week at least), Gazette Beauty thought it was time to talk a little sun protection.

For many people, protecting their skin is important but many still want to achieve that bronzed skin look. Helping us to enjoy the best of both worlds is the Nivea Sun protect and bronze range.

Nivea Sun Protect and Bronze Tan Activating Protection

Shift dress €149

(€20.99) offers sun protection and a beautiful, lasting tan without compromise.

This is the first protecting-oil formula from Nivea Sun that incorporates an active ingredient – Pro Melanin – in its sunscreen formula to activate the skin’s natural tanning process, but at the same time it offers the protection needed against UVA and UVB rays.

This light, non-greasy formula is water-resistant and leaves skin feeling silky smooth to touch, making it a perfect combination for the health and beauty-conscious sun worshipper.

The second new development,

Nivea Sun Protect and Bronze Tan Prolonging After Sun Lotion (€7.99), helps to keep the summer feeling on the skin for longer, even after returning home from an exotic location if you are lucky enough to get away.

This lotion activates the skin’s natural tanning process without the need for self-tanner. The lightweight, non-sticky formula is quickly absorbed, leaving skin feeling soothed and rehydrated – while activating natural tanning at the same time.

So, don’t forget to protect the skin when enjoying the sun – your skin will thank you for it in the long run!

Poppy blooms as Monsoon singles her out for new role  amelia arkins

ONE of the most sought after fashion icons, Poppy Delevingne, has been announced as the brand-new face of the Monsoon spring summer 2015 campaign.

Delevingne, sister of top model Cara, is also an ambassador for European industry moguls such as Chanel and Louis Vuitton. As if that wasn’t enough, she is an ambassador for the British Fashion Council, so this is right up her street!

The campaign was shot in the Beldi Coun-

try Club in Marrakech by noted fashion photographer Emma Summerton, with a shoot that complements the boho chic ensembles, printed kaftans and embellished dresses, which have been set against an exotic backdrop of the beautiful scenery of Marrakech.

The shoot was styled to perfection by ex-InStyle UK fashion director Amanda Bellan, and captures Poppy’s laidback bohemian style.

Looks from the campaign are now available in Monsoon stores and online in Ireland.

Elvie Dress €265, bag €54, shoes €135

GAZETTE

20 GAZETTE 16 April 2015

OUT&ABOUT

TRAVEL

FastTravel Air we go ...

EMMA Marshall and Shane O’Sullivan helped Dublin Airport announce details of its summer schedule recently, which will see an 11% increase in capacity compared to last summer, marking the busiest summer at the airport since 2008.

21 new routes/services will be in operation, comprising 16 routes to the continent and five long-haul routes, including one to Addis Ababa, creating a direct link to subSaharan Africa.

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Knockranny House Hotel’s Spa Salveo was the perfect place to unwind after enjoying some of the fantastic cycling on offer

READY AND WAITING: ENJOYING BREATHTAKING VIEWS IN WESTPORT Greenway

What’s not to like about Knockranny?  THERESE CAHERTY

WE were looking forward to a a weekend of cycling, eating and massage.

Our large room in Knockranny House Hotel in Westport had a view, gazing out impassively on the picturesque town, Croagh Patrick and the Atlantic Ocean beyond.

The hotel sits on the Greenway track to Achill and we were up for it – as far as Mulranny at least.

And definitely tomorrow!

Meanwhile, we took in our luxurious surroundings (the bathroom included a jacuzzi bath and a hand basin each) We grabbed swimsuits and, in fluffy dressing gowns, headed for Spa Salveo. With its spa suite and cool pool, this was the

perfect place to unwind after a long week and the journey down. One hour of swimming and sweating later, we set out for the obligatory pint in Matt Molloy’s pub.

Next morning, after a sound sleep and breakfasts of poached and scrambled eggs in La Fougere, the 18-mile bike ride to Mulranny seemed just the ticket.

We collected our hotel lunch packs and in Clew Bay Bike Hire, picked up our vehicles. My companion took the electric option and I the high nelly. The Greenway, manageable for walkers and cyclists of all ages, is well-marked trail and takes in stunning views – particularly as Mulranny hoves into view. Great

weather made it even more memorable but, truth to tell, so did my legs which hadn’t turned a pedal in over two years.

Afternoon Delight (or tea) in the Brehon Bar eased the pain. Dainty open sandwiches of K nockanore cheese, Knockranny smoked salmon, baked ham, thyme poached chicken and a profusion of colourful mini cakes (lemon meringue – my favourite – passionfruit cheesecake, strawberry mousse, chocolate flan not to mention the humble scone) were washed down by china cups of tea. Making the moment golden…

A hot shower later and off again to Spa Salveo for a full body aromatherapy massage. I felt wobbly and

sore right after the cycle, but that evening and the following day, I waited for muscle pain and none emerged. The Deep Blue Rub truly lived up to its reputation.

No time for dawdling as back in the Brehon Bar we lined up for pre-prandial cocktails. The skilful Owen Hughes treated us to his prizewinning St Clement’s East mix.

Slainte, we said.

In La Fougere (no jeans allowed) head chef Seamus Commons and his staff had produced a delightful amuse bouche of pickled mackerel to open the evening.

From the menu, I chose a starter of green salad of asparagus, young broccoli and blue cheese dressing.

Far from the usual

limp lettuce this was substantial but light, the veg tender with bite and the tangy dressing enhancing the flavour of both.

In between a lime and ginger sorbet cleansed our palates. My seabass with creamed spinach, tomato salsa and assorted potatoes (croquette, garlic and roast) was melt in the mouth. I polished off the lot. Dessert was almost impossible – a spoonful of passion fruit mousse was about all I could manage.

And then it was time to return to the real world!

Opened by Adrian and Geraldine Noonan in 1997, Knockranny’s four stars have been well earned. More info at www.knockrannyhousehotel.ie and http://www. clewbaybikehire.ie/

Getaway

KNOCKRANNY House Hotel makes the perfect starting – and finishing – point for a cycling trip along the Great Western Greenway.

The hotel’s Greenway Getaway offers two adults and two children under 10 a two-night stay with breakfast each morning, bicycle and helmet hire for one day with packed lunch for that perfect picnic spot at Croagh Patrick or Clew Bay. Parents have full access to Spa Salveo’s Vitality Pool and Thermal Suite. They could even treat themselves to the special Knockranny Greenway treatment. This involves a mineral-infused foot soak and foot exfoliation, with peppermint and wild orange to invigorate tired feet.

A full body massage follows, using Doterra’s Deep Blue Rub, formulated with natural plant extracts to ease out problem areas.

The Greenway Getaway package is available from €185 per person and children under 10 stay for free!

For more information visit www.knockrannyhousehotel.ie or call 098 28 600.

GAZETTE

Bride Groom

16 April 2015 GAZETTE 21

l PL A N N I N G TH E B I G DAY l

Wedding venues to suite all tastes  BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN

WESTGROVE HOTEL

ONE of Kildare’s top wedding venues, The Westgrove Hotel, is currently offering some choice inclusive packages starting from €40 per person.

T he Westgrove is renowned for its cuisine and service and has huge experience in delivering weddings tailor-made to each couple’s taste and requirements. It has just been shortlisted for Bash Wedding magazine

Awards in the category of Best for Planning Ease.

Wedding coordinator Nicola Flynn and the rest of the wedding team will show you around and answer any questions you have about planning your wedding day.

The hotel frequently holds wedding fair days where top wedding suppliers exhibit their products and services. These include wedding decor companies, f lorists, menswear companies, wedding entertainment, beauticians and hair-

dressers. Another bonus the hotel offers is the chance to unwind and treat yourself during the preparations. The Elemis Spa is the ideal venue to slip away from worry and offers skincare advice and beauty tips.

For more information about the Westgrove Hotel, visit www.westgrovehotel.com. To contact the wedding planner about deals on offer, email nicolaf ly nn@ westgrovehotel.com or call 045 989908.

LYRATH ESTATE

Another lu xurious venue is Kilkenny’s fivestar Lyrath Estate Hotel, which prides itself as a wedding destination of elegance and comfort. It is located on the doorstep of Kilkenny city, a thriving social and cultural hotspot.

T h e 17 t h - c e n t u r y house has been ver y sensitively restored and is complemented with new additions through a series of chic modern spaces. It is set on 170 acres of lush green park

Kildare’s Westgrove Hotel and Kilkenny’s Lyrath Estate are two elegant venues for a wedding

land and historic gardens ideal for your wedding album.

Past and present combine here to create the perfect marriage. Coming up the main avenue, past the ancient Lyrath protected yew trees, the

vista opens up to reveal the original historic home. This is where you will greet your guests in old world elegance a n d g r a n d e u r. T h e park lands offer rolling hills, tranquil lakes, manicured gardens and

unspoilt views, to create the most romantic backdrop for your special day. The wedding team are available to discuss your requirements and can be contacted at 056 776 0088 or www.lyrath.com

GAZETTE

22 GAZETTE 16 April 2015

Bride Groom

l WH E R E TO WE D l

Fancy a wedding by the sea?

WHILE weddings are traditionally held in churches, synagogues and temples, many modern couples are looking for something a little different and the desire to be unique has become increasingly prevalent.

From beaches, castles, barns, sport stadiums and the zoo, there is a host of alternative wedding venues in Ireland to suit all tastes.

For those who wish to celebrate their special day in a heart-of-the-city wedding, then one of the numerous theatres may be the ideal venue.

Many theatres in the city centre are available to rent and with the innate class that most of

them boast, your wedding is bound to be an elegant affair.

For the most part, these theatres are incredibly spacious and boast ornate plasterwork ceilings, stained g l a s s w i n d ow s a n d striking architectural designs.

Weddings at Dublin Zoo are becoming ever more popular as the venue offers a unique alternative to the traditional wedding venue and provides a magical backdrop for your special day.

Weddings by the sea are another popular choice particularly at this time of year as the good weather returns.

Hotels are generally very accommodating for couples looking to tie the knot at their establishment and the

Capturing wedding memories FOR the latest in documentary wedding photography, Sebastian Felisiak offers a very personal vision of your entire wedding day. From the excitement of getting ready in the morning to throwing the bouquet, Felisiak, documents your special day.

Dublin-based Felisiak is passionate about photography, treating each wedding as a unique adventure to be catalogued with style. “My approach is not about endless group shots but rather about making something unique and beautiful. I would like for my images to tell a story of your beautiful day,� he said.

For more information, see www.artweddingphotography.eu.

Weddings by the sea are a popular choice for couples

gentle sea breeze and t h e w ave s c r a s h i n g against the rocks add a special ambience to the ceremony. Whether saying your vows during the brightness of high noon or as the sun sets romantically in the evening, a ceremony by the sea makes for a very special wedding.

The venue is not the only important factor when trying to make your wedding unique. By moving away from the

traditional ceremony, you can tailor the whole wedding experience to make it uniquely you.

If a traditional church ceremony is too religious for you and a civil ceremony is not spiritual enough, then a humanist ceremony might be the way to go. Humanist ceremonies can be Buddhist or pagan in their roots or simply embrace everything that is important to the couple. While it is still necessary to sign

a marriage register in order to make the union legally binding, humanist ceremonies allow the couple to have a wedding that expresses who they are from the music played to original personal vows. It also allows scope to make the ceremony more romantic, an option often missing from a civil ceremony.

Buddhist wedding ser vices are another way to go. There is no set wedding service or format in the Buddhist faith, and it is considered a social rather than religious occasion.

The Buddha stated only that marriage should be based on deep mutual respect between partners and the ceremony is usually a harmonious blend of the differing tastes and personalities of both partners.

16 April 2015 Gazette 23

| finding your bridal style |

What to wear Nostalgic glamour, lace and simplicity – these are wedding dress trends currently gracing catwalks this year. From Old World lace gowns with highly intricate detail reminiscent of the 1920s to high-waisted, full skirts that evoke all the elegance and effortless style of Grace Kelly, wedding dresses have never looked so beautiful. Also featuring as a huge theme in wedding gowns is pristine simplicity, ideal to show off the bride and not upstage her. Regal pearls, which add vintage charm to any wedding dress are also a great favourite this year. Decorative headpieces offer a more relaxed alternative to veils and conjure romantic tales of yore.

Vintage inspired headband €120 at www.theparisianbride.ie Paris clutch bag at www. theparisian bride.ie €245

Flora bridal dress from Sharon Hoey. Price available upon request.

Ciara Bridal Lulu Dress €2,000

Bespoke Hat by Deb Fanning – The Loft Market €95

GAZETTE

24 GAZETTE 16 April 2015

OUT&ABOUT

FOOD&DRINK

BITESIZEDNEWS

Taking 30 minutes to prepare, this crispy hake dish with yogurt tartar sauce serves four

We’ve fished around for this delicious dish THIS week we have a delicious fish recipe – crispy baked hake with yogurt tartar sauce – courtesy of Bord Bia Irish Food Board. This hake dish takes just 30 minutes to make, and serves four.

Note that Panko breadcrumbs, if available, make the coating extra crispy, but they are not essential, while tender stem broccoli and sauteed potatoes complete the dish.

Ingredients 4 hake fillets, approx. 175g each, skinned and boned 25g butter, melted 75g of stale breadcrumbs or Panko breadcrumbs 15g finely grated cheese 1 tablespoon chopped parsley leaves 40g plain flour 1 egg, lightly beaten Salt and freshly ground black pepper Yogurt Tartar Sauce 150g Greek style yogurt 1 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard 1 tablespoon capers, drained and finely chopped 1 small gherkin, finely chopped 1 tablespoon chopped parsley leaves

Preparation • Preheat oven to gas mark 6, 200C (400F).

• Line a large baking tray with parchment paper; brush a little of the melted butter over the parchment paper.

• Place the breadcrumbs in a shallow dish with the grated cheese and parsley. Place the flour and egg in separate shallow dishes.

• Season the hake with a little salt and black pepper.

Dip the hake, one piece at a time, into the flour, shake off the excess, then dip into the egg and finally into the breadcrumb mixture.

• Place on the baking tray, and brush the remaining melted butter over the top and sides of the fish.

• Place in the oven and bake for 15 minutes or until cooked through.

• For the yogurt tartar sauce, place the yogurt, mustard, capers, gherkin, parsley, salt and pepper in a small bowl, and mix well to combine.

• Serve the sauce with the crispy hake, broccoli and potatoes.

King Sitric

Fish restaurant

East Pier, Howth King Sitric has been a

stalwart in Howth for the last 40 years and has an extensive range of fish available

The Picky Eater SO often when I go for dinner, I despair at the lack of fish options on the menu and every time I say the same thing: “We are an island, for God’s sake. And a small one at that. Why, oh why do we not have more fish on our menus?”

My husband is fed up listening to me, but it still surprises me, every time. The situation is getting better but still needs much improvement.

So when I get to go to an actual fish restaurant, known for its seafood, it’s a joy.

Hence we went on an excursion to King Sitric in Howth recently. It’s worth the trip.

Owned by Joan and Aidan McManus, this place has been a stalwart in Howth for the last 40 years and they are both still very actively involved, making this place a great family restaurant that people keep returning to.

They now have East

Cafe Bar just below the main restaurant which is a less formal dining experience but with some cracking fish dishes on offer.

There is a lovely bar area in the restaurant where you can enjoy a pre-dinner drink and we decided to partake of that while mulling over the menu.

T he range of fish available is extensive but they always manage to have some nice specials on there too.

I started with Dublin Bay Prawns in tempura; f luff y and succulent prawns with batter made super light with mineral water.

These came with noodles and dipping sauce.

My husband decided on the scallops with pancetta, chesnut puree and fried pumpkin.

Both starters were a massive success story and only whet the appetite for the main event: lobster lawyer and the king of fish, turbot.

Lobster Lawyer was cooked in a whiskey, cream and mustard sauce and served in a half shell.

The turbot came on a bed of mash with a creamy bisque like sauce and this fish lived up to its credentials.

King Sitric’s famous sticky meringue with chocolate sauce and ice cream appealed to my inner child and won me over while my husband plumped for a more serious panna cotta which was light enough after the lawyer.

The Hugel Pinot Blanc is specially bottled for King Sitric and is a really excellent house wine and was a fine accompaniment to the fish. And at €24 a bottle, it won’t break the bank.

Three courses in King Sitric costs €37 with some supplements applying.

If you don’t wish to make the long journey home after a really relaxing meal with

Scallops with pancetta, chesnut puree and fried pumpkin

superb views, book a room in the accommodation attached to the restaurant.

They have great sea views and you get to

Conclusion

sample more of the McManus’s fine food for breakfast too.

What’s not to love?

For more go to www. kingsitric.ie.

WITH dishes like lobster lawyer for your inner fine diner and desserts like sticky meringue with chocolate sauce and ice cream for your inner child, King Sitric (at East Pier, Howth; tel 01 832 5253) is a delightful family restaurant that is a terrific treat for the tummy and the eyes with its panoramic sea views.

16 April 2015 GAZETTE 25

THE SALVATION: HISTORICALLY AUTHENTIC

ReelReviews

Throwback to good and bad guy westerns THE heyday of the Western seems to be well and truly gone, and on the occasions when those old saloon doors do creak open we tend to have a very different take on the classic Western. Films like Unforgiven, The Proposition and The Homesman have reimagined the genre with a focus on the grit and moral ambiguity of the frontiers, while Django Unchained took the genre to its cartoonish extreme in plumes of blood and storms of bullets.

The Salvation, a Danish production filmed in South Africa, starts out in the former camp.

Mads Mikkelsen plays Jon, a Danish soldier who headed across the Atlantic with his brother (Mikael Persbrandt) in the wake of the Schleswig War to start a new

 DAVE PHILLIPS

life. We join the story seven years on, in 1870, when the foundations have been set and Jon’s wife and child have just arrived in America.

Lingering doubts around the legitimacy of the Danish western are quashed in the opening minutes.

Director and writer Kristian Levring captures a sense of historical accuracy and authenticity in his story of Scandinavian immigrants in America.

“You don’t just look like them, you sound like them too,” Jon’s wife observes in Danish once

GAZETTE

ENTERTAINMENT

SPONGEBOB MOVIE A sponge out of water

she hears him speak English – there’s a strong sense of ostracisation, the language barrier making the family immediate outsiders in the melting pot of cultures that make up the Wild West.

The unsavoury and lawless nature of the frontier is drilled home in a rough scene that sees Jon’s wife and child murdered on their way from the train station.

Jon delivers some quick and merciless retribution, an act that sets the plot in motion as we discover that one of the men Jon dispatched is the much loved brother of the exceptionally wicked local bad-guy Delarue (Jeffrey Dean Morgan).

The introduction of Delarue marks a tonal shift in the film, which moves very quickly away from a sense of dreary and

ANOTHER week, and Spongebob is still floating about at the cinema in his latest film. He’s rounded up all his pals for Spongebob: Sponge out of Water (Cert G, 92 mins) which is just as entertaining/ stupid as ever, depending on whether you’re a fan of the perennially popular poriferan. A barely recognisable Antonio Banderas (above) adds some pure ham to the mix.

The Salvation starts out as a western of grit and moral ambiguity but in the end there are no surprises, apart from a bit part by Eric Cantona

dour realism and into the cartoonish dichotomy of good and bad associated with westerns of yore.

Delarue is the classical antagonist, the bully that lauds over a little town by rule of fear.

He is so utterly wicked that when he hears the news of his brother’s death he shoots a sickly old woman in the head to punish the town for not catching the killer.

Eva Green enters as the mute widow of Delarue’s brother, and things do not bode well for the little town that is set to become the scene

of an inevitable bloody showdown.

Mikkelsen has a great face for cold-blooded revenge, and Dean Morgan enjoys hamming it up at the ultimate bad guy. Green doesn’t say a word, but still remains a formidable presence throughout the film.

Buckets of blood and sideways looks aside, there’s a stylistic similarity between the two films – in some scenes The Salvation seems to feature heavy post-production effects, inducing a hypedup visual style.

Aesthetically it works,

though the fact that film switches back and forth between this extra-stylised look doesn’t.

There are no surprises (aside from a bit part for Eric Cantona), but predictability is not necessarily a bad thing. The end result is a solid and entertaining film with good performances and some nice set pieces.

Not aiming to redefine the genre, The Salvation is a throwback to the good old days of horses and guns, crime and retribution, good guys and bad guys.

Verdict: 6/10

GET HARD

Last and least ...

KEVIN Hart and Will Ferrell team up for a generally slated comedy that has annoyed lots of people with some of its content.

In Get Hard (Cert 16, 100 mins), a spoilt, pampered investment manager has to “get hard” to cope with prison life as his upcoming incarceration approaches – and a streetwise car washer becomes his unlikely coach. Its cheap shots and dated comedy make it hard to like.

MUSIC: SINGER-SONGWRITER JAMES BAY RELEASES HIS DEBUT ALBUM

A storm of interest over Chaos and The Calm  COLM MURRAY

SINGER-songwriter James Bay has enjoyed a steady trajectory since releasing his first of three EPs back in the summer of 2013, becoming a YouYube star along the way.

Now, with the release of his debut album – Chaos and The Calm – dovetailing nicely with a Critics’ Choice award at The Brits last month, the real work begins.

Bay, though, had put the spade work in long before receiving these once coveted nods.

Having cut his teeth at Brighton Institute of Modern Music and playing open mic nights and anywhere that would allow him his 15 minutes, the new “cat in the hat” had a foundation for a long player.

The 24-year-old is oft-times lumped with the current crop of young British male singer-songwriters – Tom Odell and Ben Howard – while being linked to previously emerging soloists such as Paolo Nutini and James Blunt.

Here, on Chaos and Calm, Bay opens with the upbeat Craving, depicting the town he was gagging to

get out of.

The tempo is maintained for the current radio hit, Hold back the river, with both tunes setting the soft rock and slick production tone (co-written by one-time Snow Patrol collaborator and producer, Iain Archer).

With second single, Let It Go, Bay displays his vocal range from falsetto to balladeer crooner with subtle guitar picking to support.

From here, his wispy, delicate ballads augment titles such as If You Ever Want To Be In Love, Best Fake Smile, and When We Were On Fire,

tipping a nod to the like of James Taylor and Bryan Adams along the way (the latter in terms of AOR sincerity).

The album ebbs and flows without ever doing much in between, and while there is at times intent here, it appears smothered by both the sterile production values.

The album was part recorded in Nashville, but there is very little to suggest this apart from the sleeve

notes.

Totalling 15 songs (including three bonus tracks), it could be considered a double album in years gone by.

The last couple of numbers are tender yet inoffensive, and by the end you are not clamouring to hit repeat.

As debuts go, it sits comfortably between safe and grand, and no doubt will go on to go platinum (whatever that may be these days) ...

26 swords gazette 16 April 2015

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16 April 2015 SWORDS GAZETTE 27

SWORDSCLASSIFIEDS LEGAL NOTICE

ABC CERTIFIED 51,340 COPIES EACH WEEK

AN CHÚIRT DÚICHE (The District Court) DUBLIN METROPOLITAN DISTRICT LICENSING ACT (IRELAND) 1874, Sections 9 and 10 INTOXICATING LIQUOR ACT 2008, Sections 6, 7 and 8 NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE FOR A NEW WINE RETAILER’S OFF-LICENCE

(ABC: Group MFD, July–Dec 2014)

SHAN AND DAVID LIMITED TAKE NOTICE that Shan and David Limited whose registered offices is at 79d Harbour Road, Howth County Dublin intends to apply to the District Court at Court No 23, Ground Floor, Áras Uí Dhálaigh, Dublin 7 on the 13th day of May, 2015 at 10:30.m. for a certificate to hold a WINE RETAILER’S OFFLICENCE in respect of the premises known as Daybreak Howth and situate at 79d Harbour Road, Howth County Dublin in court area and district aforesaid.

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that the Applicant has held an intoxicating liquor license in respect of the following premises SHAN’S CHINESE RESTAURANT, Portmarnock.

Dated this 9th day of April, 2015 Signed WILLIAMS SOLICITORS Solicitor for Applicant To:

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And To: Superintendent, Howth Garda Station, c/o Inspector’s Office, Clontarf Garda Station, Clontarf Dublin 3 23636

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28 Gazette 16 April 2015

SPORT Egan set to swap fists for wheels

FastSport

cycling: olympic boxing legend takes on annual laurels crew ride

Brookfield win two titles at DLTC finals:

IT PROVED a grand slam day of tennis for Brookfield ladies last week as they won both the DLTC Class 4 and Class 7 Winter League’s in Templeogue Tennis Club.

In the Class 4 final, Brookfield defeated Naas 2-0, with Mairead Wales and Aoife Monaghan beating Patrice Clancy and Caroline Phelan 6-2 and 7-5, and Louise O’Reilly and Patricia Orr overcoming Margaret Hughes and Maire Morrin by the same scoreline.

In the Class 7 showdown, Brookfield won 2-0, this time against Newtown Park. Mary Carty and Elizabeth Murray beat Niamh Forde and Ali Guy 1-6, 7-6, 6-4, while Sandra Maguire and Melanie O’Hanlon defeated Marie Anne McCusker and Nuala Collins 6-1, 6-2.

At Class 6 level, Glasnevin beat Wicklow with wins for the pairings of Wendy O’Hara and Aisling Patterson and Miriam Salmon and Maureen Curley.

 nathan kelly sport@dublingazette.com

FOR most of his life, Kenneth Egan’s obstacles came in the form of two fists. But for the past eight weeks, his challenge has been in the form of two

wheels.

The silver medal winning Olympic boxer has spent the past two months training for this year’s Laurels Charity Crew annual cycle from Galway to Dublin and the final journey takes

Egan shows his battle scars from a collision

place this Saturday.

Is he ready for the 160km trip when he sees the crew of about 300 people arrive back at the Laurel’s pub on Sunday afternoon?

“I can’t wait,” he said.

“All the work is done now. I know I’ll be able to do the cycle.

“We did 130km last week; I still get my bit of running and weights in so my fitness is good.

“I’m not as fit as I used to be obviously but I’m sure I’ll be fit enough for the cycle.”

Having hung up his gloves, and reiterating during our interview there is no chance of a “Kenny comeback”, why get involved in such a gruelling event of a cycle from Galway to Dublin?

Kenneth Egan with the Laurels Charity Crew during their training

Training for the event takes up around five or six hours every Saturday, so what prompted the Fine Gael councillor for South County Dublin, now training to be an addiction counsellor, to get involved?

“First of all, I was here last year, when the crew came home,” he said.

“I remember it was a beautiful sunny Sunday.

I had just been elected as a councillor and I wanted to be there for the homecoming of the cycle.

“All the local councillors were there. There was a great atmosphere in the village when they all came in together, a couple of hundred people, and I said to myself that I’d love to give it a go next year and that was it.”

Egan has had the full experience of a cyclist in his short time on the bike.

He’s had a fall which left an eight-inch graze on his arm, a bruised hip, and a puncture which caused him to borrow a tube mid-cycle.

He also told the story of not wearing padded shorts for the first few weeks of training, only to be looked at like he “had 10 heads”, by a fellow rider when he found out.

But has the experience given him a different view of the sport?

He replied: “I’m not going to lie, before, when I was driving the car, I used to be cursing cyclists.

“Just the usual stuff like they’re holding up the show, pulling out, and

they’ve no respect and all that. But now, being a cyclist, well not a cyclist, but someone who cycles, I’ve a new found respect for it.

“It’s not just the physical aspect, it’s so mentally demanding.

“The amount of time you spend on the bike, it’s almost half your day, and the negative thoughts that come into your head on a regular basis when you hit a hard spot and the legs are getting tired and you’ve nothing in the engine craving food.

“It’s tough, there were times were I felt like throwing the bike into a bush and getting one of the lads to collect me, but I’m glad I stuck it out and can’t wait for the weekend.”

Great Ireland Run draws record entry list once again  sport@dublingazette.com

Irish athletes Mark English and Fionnuala Britton were among the stars to promote the Great Ireland Run

INTERNATIONAL athletes joined famous faces and thousands of runners last Saturday for a superb race at the Phoenix Park in Dublin, the 13th staging of the SPAR Great Ireland Run. The 10k event is the only run in Ireland to be awarded silver label status from the International Association of Athletics Federations in recognition of its high standard of organisation, elite participation and media profile.

The 10km once again featured a superb field of international

distance runners. Kenyan Japhet Korir retained his title by winning in 28 minutes and 15 seconds.

The women’s champion was Britain’s Gemma Steel in 33 minutes and three seconds followed closely by a fantastic performance from double European cross country champion Fionnuala Britton, who came second in 33 minutes and seven seconds.

The SPAR Great Ireland Mile, meanwhile, was a hotly contested race in tough weather conditions with Britain’s Jonny Hay coming in at four minutes and 12 seconds followed very closely by Wouter

Ploegar in second place.

Famous faces taking part included Tony Audenshaw who plays Bob Hope in Emmerdale, Ryan Andrews who plays Sean Cassidy in Fair City and Irish model Roz Purcell, as well as representatives from the race’s official charity partner, The National Children’s Hospital, Tallaght.

The race also included the Athletics Association of Ireland 10km road championships which saw record entrants from club runners across the country as well as in the junior and mini events with over 1,200 children

taking part.

The 2015 SPAR Great Ireland Run also gave runners the chance to represent their county in the All Ireland County Challenge competition for the Ronnie Delany Trophy and this year’s fastest county was Sligo with an average time of 50 minutes and 50 seconds.

To qualify, each county must have had at least five registered runners and the winner was determined by the fastest average time of each county’s competitors, using chip finishing time technology.

16 April 2015 Gazette 29

Gazette

Dunphy living the freestyle dream

FastSport

Tom Dunphy tells STEPHEN FINDLATER how a simple foam and palette raft journey as an 11-year-old became a lifelong obsession as he prepares for his sixth world championships “JUST some palettes and a bit of foam!” The humble introduction of Tom Dunphy to a life on the river.

The Castleknock man has recently moved to Canada for a five-month preparation phase for his sixth world freestyle kayak championships following selection for the Irish team after trials in Limerick.

It’s a far cry from his first trip down the Liffey in 1997.

“It was just a homemade raft, lads floating down the river in the summer time. We were about 11, just bored with nothing to do and looking for adventure.

“We got as far as the weir at the Wild Water kayak club at Strawberry beds and decided our craft probably wasn’t the

right one!

“The gentleman cutting the grass there told us if we wanted to get into real paddling, here’s the phone number. And that was that; I went on a course and was hooked and put my life into it ever since.”

His arrival at Wild Water coincided with the birth of freestyle kayaking, a trick-based discipline where participants – similar to surfing – pull out from an eddy into a wave for a 45-second ride in which they perform as many twists, turns and trick variations as possible before getting scored.

Quickly evolving, aerial tricks and streamlined boats have become the basis of the sport and Dunphy has evolved with it. He made his interna-

Castleknock man Tom Dunphy in freestyle kayak action

tional debut at 15-yearsold with his good friend Maurice Kelleher, travelling to Spain for the world championships There, they kayaked against the professionals they watched in videos who travelled with coaches, masseurs and physios.

The Irish team lacked that support. “We did okay but never reached our potential. From there, we felt we could perform well as a team if we wanted to and so we tried to get more backing.

“It can sometimes be that it was so much effort to get there that some would treat it almost like a vacation.”

While he says that Ireland is a great base to get up and running in kayaking, the need to travel to compete at the highest

level is paramount.

“In Ireland, if it snowed here, everyone would snowboard or ski.

But it doesn’t, it rains. It’s unfortunate, therefore, that no one knows the great rivers we have.

“If it rains, within an hour, I can train whitewater with waterfalls in

ing.ie but sponsorship deals come primarily in the form of products rather than cash for flights.

But, having put his head down to get the money together, he has set up an ambitious plan to be in the best possible shape for this August’s

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

‘Living in the jungle with all the monkeys in the trees; it’s the only place you can train without worrying about money.’ - Tom Dunphy --------------------------------------------------------

the Wicklow mountains where there is a massive selection of class five rivers. For freestyle, there’s a great spot in Lucan by the Spa hotel.

“If you want to get to world class level, though, you do need to leave the country. I spent six summers in Canada, training on the best rivers over there.”

This has led to some fascinating journeys.

Indeed, for four months, he lived in the Ugandan jungle at the source of the River Nile with monkey in the trees.

He describes it as the “only place you can afford to train, not having to worry about money”, the only pressure that he sees in the sport.

Funding those trips is done via kayak instruction and shifts with raft-

world championships. “ I ’ ve n e ve r f u l l y reached my potential before but, now, I am putting everything aside.

I have a coach and am basing myself in Canada.”

He will arrive in Ottawa just in time for the ice to start breaking and the snow to melt.

“It’s a time we call ‘stake-out’ where the kayaking world migrates to a mecca of the sport.

We’ll get a place close to the river and get focused on training.”

From there, the north American season will start in earnest with the Level 6 Cup with regular competition building up to August where Dunphy aims to peak, a world away from his simple foam and palette construction.

European Youth Festival comes to Terenure RFC TERENURE RFC will host the hugely popular Under-13 European Youth Rugby Festival from Friday, May 1 to Sunday, May 3.

This is the fourth year of the competition and will involve teams from Wales, England, France, Belgium and Ireland.

The international festival is quite unique and aims to be the biggest and best European youth rugby festival, featuring teams from across the continent being pitted against one another.

This takes place in both a league and knock-out format on full sized pitches with fully qualified IRFU referees and maximum game time.

The festival gives Under-13s the chance to develop lasting friendships with teams from Ireland and all over Europe.

There will also be an international match played on the Saturday between an Ireland XV and Rest of Europe XV. The games will take place between 10am to 4pm on Saturday and on Sunday, the matches begin at 9.45 am with the cup final kicking off at 2.45pm.

Apart from the feast of rugby on the pitch, the festival offers plenty of family entertainment off the pitch too with food, drink and entertainment available at the venue and celebrity guests popping in throughout the weekend.

Friday evening kicks off the festivities in the marquee with a top magician and the now infamous Irish Dance Experience; this event is free of charge, open to all ages and there is no advance booking required.

On Saturday night, an over 18s ticket only event will include the fabulous Abbaesque and BeeGees live tribute bands playing in the marquee followed by a disco.

More details about these events are available on the festival website and Facebook page.

Gazette

30 SWORDS gazette 16 April 2015

SPORT

fingalLeague

soccer: swords club finally get hands on aul trophy

O’Dwyer’s to host late night leagues on Fridays FINGAL County Council’s newly opened all-weather facility in Balbriggan, which is the biggest in Fingal and cost in the region of €1.3m, will play host to an exciting initiative organised by O’Dwyer’s GAA Club, in association with An Garda Siochana and Fingal County Council.

A late night soccer league has been operating across various locations in Dublin since 2008. It is aimed at encouraging “at risk” young people to participate in meaningful activities, thus reducing anti-social behaviour.

This initiative has been successful to date and O’Dwyer’s GAA club would like to build on this success through their Late Night GAA League. The aim is to bring the community together through one of the national sports.

Gary Dunphy, O’Dwyers GAA Club, said of the initiative: “Balbriggan is one of the largest and most ethnically diverse towns in Ireland with over 100 nationalities living side by side.

“We hope this league will encourage young people and promote further engagement with youths and communities.”

The league will begin on Friday, April 17 and will run every Friday for five weeks with football coaches from the club on hand to give advice and encouragement to all involved.

The programme is open to anyone aged between 13 to 21. For further information log onto www.odwyersgaa.com.

Malahide United on the search for new players MALAHIDE United are on the search for girls born in 2001 interested in playing football.

The side train every Tuesday from 5.307pm at Gannon Park

on the club’s top of the range all weather pitch and play in the Metropolitan Girls League.

If you or someone you know fits the bill and are looking for a new club or even start their footballing career, then attend training or contact Dave Flynn at 0871216084 or davidflynn4@eircom.net.

Rivervalley Rangers celebrate winning the AUL Sunday Senior title last weekend

Rivervalley’s magic eight  nathan kelly sport@dublingazette.com

HAVING had one hand on the AUL Sunday Senior Division title for almost the entire season, Rivervalley Rangers senior footballers finally got two hands on it last Sunday in Ridgewood Park.

The league was captured in fine style too, with an 8-0 win over the helpless McKelvey Celtic leaving the Valley on 42 points, with 14 wins from 14 games.

That tally now makes it mathematically impossible for Carndonagh, St Pat’s/Phoenix or East

Wall Rovers to catch Stephen Doran’s side, though it has seemed a question of when rather than if the title would be secured since almost Christmas time for the Swords side.

Rangers went in at the break three goals to the good with strikes from Paulie Ryan, Conor Dowd and Gary Weafer providing the lead. Dowd completed his hat-trick in the second half while Ryan grabbed his brace along with goals from Colly O’Brien and Jimmy Rock to complete the rout.

GazetteSport spoke to Doran after the title win-

promotion push Swords Celtic look to make late run in 1A Swords Celtic will look to reignite their bid for promotion from LSL Sunday Senior Division 1A when they meet Celbridge Town this Sunday in St Patrick’s Park.

Swords currently sit seventh in the table but have games in hand on all the sides above them which, if they win them, would lift them to second in the rankings.

But they have played just a couple of matches since February and so will hope they can find form quickly.

ning performance and he was delighted with how his side performed in such a game. “It was a really great way to win it,” he said. “We scored some brilliant goals; our passing was excellent the whole way through, we never let up, we were really good.”

Managers often say at the start of the season that their team will want to go out and win every game, but it very rarely happens.

In the case of Doran’s Rivervalley side however, that’s been exactly the case in the league so far with four games remain-

ing. “We’re delighted to get 14 wins out of 14, it’s always your aim as a manager to win each game as it comes and if we went on to claim 18 from 18 it would be some achievement. I think we would be the only team in the AUL to do so this season.”

With relative ease Rivervalley have won the Senior Sunday this year and there is a case for them to be placed in a higher division than the expected Premier C next season.

And Doran is under no illusions his side could compete at any level.

“We’re an ambitious group,” he said. “At the moment, we’ll be going into Premier C next season and are looking forward to testing ourselves there. But if something came up which meant it may be possible for us to play Premier B next season, it would be something we would relish too. We certainly have the calibre of players.”

The season is far from over for Rangers as they still have the chance of a double with the final of the Mullion Cup to come on April 24 against St Pats/Phoenix in the AUL Complex.

16 April 2015 SWORDS gazette 31

Gazette

the dubs are coming

Skerries Harps to host Dublin challenge match

Club Noticeboard fingallians

sunday sees Skerries Harps welcome

the Dublin senior footballers to the village as part of their new clubhouse celebrations.

They will play Galway in an all-ticket challenge match at 2pm on Sunday with tickets available on Thursday evening at the club from 8pm. Adult tickets are €10 while all Under-16 tickets are free.

WELL done to the Dublin footballers

sive new display promoting our games

and Paul Flynn in qualifying for the

in terminal two of Dublin Airport.

league final after a narrow win against

The DAA supported the 32 County

Monaghan in Croke Park on Sunday

Jersey campaign as part of efforts to

afternoon.

increase awareness of suicide preven-

The hurling Feile takes place on the Saturday and Sunday, May 2 and 3.

Fingallians will be the host club.

football: swords club lands win in ballyfermot

tion and raise funds for Pieta House.

The club golf society teed off this season at Swords Open on Friday

Our Irish conversation group for

afternoon: first place – Paddy Mul-

adults is on in the club bar every

ligan with 40 points and the winning

Wednesday evening at 9pm. This

visitor was Paddy Kelly with 33 points.

free service is available to everyone,

The next outing will take place on May

regardless of level of fluency. Begin-

8 at Bellewstown golf club.

ners are most welcome. Beidh failte

The lotto numbers were 3, 7, 18, 20

romhat. Further info from Liam on 086

and 23. We had three winners: David

3814422.

Fitzgerald, Marian McLoughlin and

The dates for the finals of the Allianz Football League is April 25 and 26 and the hurling Division 1 league takes place on May 3.

Christine Collins. This week’s jackpot will be € 2,752.

Fingallians extends deepest sympathy to the Boles and Markham families.

The GAA has partnered with our

Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis. John

sponsors, the DAA, in recent months to

Markham was a brother of Patsy, who

oversee the installation of an impres-

chaired the club in the late 1970s.

st finian’s THE season is in full swing now with

the lads won by the narrowest of mar-

matches in all codes and age groups,

gins versus St Maur’s. On Sunday, 10 of

both at weekends and midweek.

the boys took part in the Dublin devel-

Details of all fixtures and results can

opment squad blitz where they won

be found on our website www.stfin-

two of their three matches in atro-

ians.com. Membership fees can also

cious conditions.

be paid through the website.

The St Finian’s junior team that beat Liffey Gaels last Sunday morning. Picture: Donal O’Hagan

Finian’s fight back to blow away Gael afl division 8 Liffey Gaels 2-9 St Finian’s 3-10  sport@dublingazette.com

ST FINIAN’S junior footballers notched up their third league win in four games with a last gasp victory over Liffey Gaels last Sunday.

The Swords side have continued the form they ended the league with last year, and are already on course to reaching a play-off spot if recent performances keep up.

They left it late in this one however, with two goals and a point in the last three minutes

securing the 3-10 to 2-9 win in Ballyfermot.

After a week of glorious sunshine, Sunday morning saw a downpour of rain which marred the Gaels’ surface. It failed to affect the hosts performance however as it was they who looked the better in the opening exchanges while Finian’s struggled to find their feet early on. Despite that, the visitors managed to go in one point ahead at the break.

In the second half, however, Liffey continued their slick play and must have been sure of the victory as they sat

two goals in front with just three minutes on the clock.

A quick salvo goal double from Sean White and Lee Kavanagh along with an added point turned the tide and meant Finian’s took the two points.

Speaking to Gazette Sport, Finian’s manager Mark Murray was delighted with the win.

“It was really pleasing to get the result,” he said.

“Especially when you remember last year we were struggling in the league without a win and we played Liffey and looked certain to

get the win but for them nicking two goals right at the end. To get a bit of a revenge for that makes it even better.”

Following that defeat, Murray’s side went on to win their final five games in AFL Division 8, and with three wins from four already this season, he was asked had he any early aspirations.

“Well from the start of the season we would have been targeting a play-off spot and from the way we’ve been going that’s still a target, we just have to keep working hard and putting together results.”

The executive committee announced

The junior football team went away

two changes in personnel with Kieran

from home to Liffey Gaels on Sun-

O’Donohue appointed vice-chairman

day morning and came away with

and PJ Murray assuming the role of

a remarkable win when they were

referee coordinator.

scored 2-2 in injury time at the end of

The timesheet for the golf classic on

the game, to snatch victory by four

May 8 is available by contacting Tony

points. The win keeps the team in joint

McDonagh on 086 852 7529.

second place in the league.

The lotto jackpot was €2,600 this

More good news from our U-13 girls,

week and the numbers drawn were 2,

beating Oliver Plunkett’s last Thurs-

3, 8 and 16. There was no jackpot win-

day to go top of Division 2 with only one

ner. The winners of the €25 lucky dip

match to go.

prizes were P Murray, Sue Kiernan,

The U-13 boys had their first league game of the season on Saturday and

Tony Mc Dermott and Rita Gilligan.

Next week’s jackpot will be €2,700.

fingal ravens CONGRATULATIONS to the senior team

We offer our deepest sympathies to

on a fantastic four-point win over Bal-

his wife Cecilia, daughters Suzanne,

lymun Kickhams in the league on Sat-

Eimear and Roisin, son Luke, partner

urday evening.

Bernadette, sons-in-law, grandchil-

Well done to Darren Daly and Dub-

dren, brothers, sisters, relatives and

lin on their league win over Monaghan

large circle of friends. A big thank you

last Sunday. Best of luck in the final

to all members who helped out at the

against Cork.

funeral.

Well done to all the boys, girls and

The club would like to send best

coaches who made this year’s Easter

wishes to Noel McCarthy and Alan

camp a huge success. Summer camp

Manning Junior and wish them both a

will take place from June 29 to July 3.

speedy recovery.

It was with great sadness last Tues-

The deadline for memberships for

day that we heard of the sudden pass-

2015 has passed. Any player who has

ing of Declan Griffin, a former player

not paid membership will be unable to

and lifelong supporter of our club.

play.

32 SWORDS gazette 16 April 2015