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Happy to be blue: County colours to the fore at Croker Football:

St Finian’s earn championship final berth Page 31

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Swords’ fresh outlook for the new season Page 32

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ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES...................... 8 DUBLIN LIFE...................11 BRIDE&GROOM ............ 13 CLASSIFIEDS ................26 SPORT ...........................28

DONAGHMEDE Sarah Cosgrave, Kel-

lie Finnegan, Megan Byrne and Aoife Curtis were among the many supportive Dubs delighted to be blue at Croke Park last weekend, where the county’s highly-anticipated rematch against Mayo played out. Mayo recently thwarted Dublin ambitions at the national stadium, but while Mayo fans would say that the west is best, Dublin triumphed second time round, finishing 3-15 to Mayo’s 1-14 – something to leave Mayo fans blue, too. Picture: Cathy Weatherston

Call for NAMA lands to go to social housing Councillors push the State body to release properties for Fingal’s use

 KEITH BELLEW

FINGAL County Council has said that it does not have a comprehensive list of all NAMA-owned lands in Fingal, but is exploring options for acquiring lands from the

State agency to provide for social housing.

This follows calls from councillors for a list of all NAMA-owned properties in the county to be made available to them so they can push for the land to be

released for the development of social housing.

Senior housing officials from the council meet the agency’s officials on an ongoing basis, and councillors believe that they are not provided with all of the infor-

mation on NAMA properties that officials have. Cllr Eugene Coppinger (AAA) said lands within NAMA are technically owned by the State, and should be used for social housing.

Full Story on Page 6

2 SWORDS Gazette 10 September 2015

heritage Work continuing to rehome popular model exhibit

Fry railway plans are back on track THE project to rehouse the Fry Model Railway in the Casino building in Malahide is gathering momentum, with plans for the exhibition to be opened to the public in early 2017.

Surveys of the building to ascertain the scale of the repair and improvement works needed are due to commence in the next two weeks.

As the building is a protected str ucture, comprehensive survey information is required.

Some ground clearance works will be carried out to the rear of the house to facilitate this. The sur-

 keith bellew kbellew@dublingazette.com

vey works will take four weeks to complete.

This will be followed by the progression sketch layouts for the restoration of the Casino to house the Fry railway, and it is expected that the design for a public planning notice will be ready in late October.

The construction contract will be put out

to tender in 2016, with hopes for the casino to be restored and the exhibition opened to the public by 2017.

The Fry Model Railway was displayed in Malahide Castle in 1988, but following the redevelopment of the castle, it was planned to relocate the railway to Busaras in Dublin city.

Instead, it went on display in Malahide Castle, until being put in storage in 2012.

Michael Gaffney, a Malahide farmer who died in 2012, gave €1.5m towards a project to rehouse it in the aban-

doned Casino House in Malahide.

Cllr Anthony Lavin (FG) said he is delighted that it is happening as it has taken some time, due to the fact that the casino is a heritage building which can’t just be rushed into when carrying out restoration works.

He said: “It’s welcome that we’re going to see plans in October which will hopefully bring the thing to life, and I look forward to it being completed early in 2017.

“It’s something that is important to me and I look forward to seeing it delivered.”

Cllr Lavin said that although there was still quite a lot of work left to be carried out on the Casino building, the improvements carried out so far could be clearly seen when passing it.

This is one of a series of projects in Malahide

Part of the Fry Model Railway, with a project under way to rehouse it in the Casino building in Malahide

that are either moving steadily along or have come to fruition, and Cllr Lavin said that he believed the Casino/Fry Model Railway, when completed, would be of huge benefit to the tourism economy in Malahide.

He said: “I think it will be very good for the local economy. Along with the works that have

happened at Malahide Castle, you now have the Irish Cycling Centre occupying Hogan’s Lodge, just across the road from the Casino; it’s good to see that restored as well.

“This will hopefully encourage some of the visitors to Malahide Castle to visit Malahide village too.”

The village is current-

ly undergoing a renaissance of sorts as, along with these projects, a number of businesses are moving into the area, including the popular upmarket food store Donnybrook Fair, Boots pharmacy and Beshoff Brothers chipper.

Cllr Lavin added that these new businesses moving in equate to more jobs in the area.

Hopes to change homes’ zoning  keith bellew

IT IS hoped that the zoning classification of a number of houses in St Colmcille’s estate, behind Swords County Hall, can be changed as part of the Fingal development plan.

In 2011, about 28 houses in the estate were reclassified from residential to major town centre dwellings, due to their proximity to the main street.

A number of these houses is currently vacant, and Cllr Paul Mulville (Ind) believes that this is because their classification has led to uncertainty about their future.

He said: “I’ve received many representations regarding the fact that a number of residential houses in and around St Colmcille’s estate, in the middle of Swords, appear empty.

“I believe that this

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town centre zoning has led to a situation where residential houses in the heart of Swords have been left empty, and at the same time, so many families in this locality are crying out for houses to rent.

“People cannot believe it when they see boarded up houses, and so near to Fingal County Hall.”

Protection He added that he agreed with the need to provide for the future of Swords as a major town, but believed the protection of residential dwellings close to the town centre must also be ensured.

To this end he has

announced his intention to bring forward a motion at the appropriate phase of this new development plan, when the draft plan is published, to address the matter and ensure that a residential zoning is restored to this location.

“In particular, I have been informed by council management that the council itself part-owns one of these residential units, and I am calling for every possible step to be taken to ensure this unit is brought in to the council’s housing stock, given the very high number of people awaiting council housing,” said Cllr Mulville.

10 September 2015 SWORDS Gazette 3

transport

housing: government defends new percentages for social builds

No word yet on Luas link

Councillors blast changes to quotas  keith bellew

COUNCILLORS have hit out at the Government over its decision to lower the percentage of a development which local authorities can stipulate must be allocated to social and affordable housing when giving permission to a developer, from 20% to 10%.

Social housing provides homes for council tenants, whereas affordable housing is where the council assists lower income people to purchase a house.

This change was implemented through a change in legislation contained within Part Five of the Planning and Development Act. In the 2011-17 Fingal

Development Plan, the council had sought an 8% to 15% allocation, but will be seeking 10% in the 2017-23 Development Plan.

Cllr Roderic O’Gorman (GP) said he disagrees with the decision, especially considering the current shortage in social housing in Fingal.

He said: “In the current circumstances, I think that local authorities, particularly in the greater Dublin area, should have the discretion to ask for more in certain situations.

“They are still paying the developer cost price for the land, and I think that [percentage] change was made to basically satisfy lobbying from developers.”

Cllr Eugene Coppinger (AAA) said: “There is no way that the housing crisis will be rectified by depending on private landlords and private developments, so any reduction in figures for social housing is wrong, and will only make the situation worse.”

However, a spokesperson for the Department of Environment said this reduction will mean that more social housing will be built, as it provides for social housing only, rather than a mix of social and affordable housing.

“In the main, social housing will be provided on site and in greater numbers than under the previous arrangements,” said the spokesperson.

That’s paw-fect: Pet project helps to launch 2015 Fingal Enterprise Week FINGAL County Council’s head of enterprise, Oisin Geoghegan, was delighted to join the winner of Fingal Student Enterprise Award 2014, Aviva Brianna Kearney, to highlight the launch of the sixth consecutive Fingal Enterprise Week. The Sutton Park School student winner’s Holly’s Pets Patisserie idea was a great way to help promote this year’s initiative, with the launch coming just days after the Fingal Enterprise Office announced that it had supported another five local businesses with funding that will help create 25 new jobs. This year’s Fingal Enterprise Week runs from October 5 to 9.

Reports that a Luas line from Cabra to the airport and Swords is the preferred option of the Minister for Transport for North Dublin have been played down by the Department of Transport this week.

Last year, six possibilities were announced for public consultation: two heavy rail options; a Dart and Luas option; a bus rapid trans it option; the Luas line to the airport/Swords; or a metro from St Stephen’s Green to the airport and Swords.

A Department spokesperson, who said the source of the rumour was unknown to them, confirmed that the decision would shortly be made public in the context of the Capital Plan.

4 SWORDS Gazette 10 September 2015

charity A musical night to remember A TRADITIONAL music night will be held at Seamus Ennis Arts Centre on September 14 in aid of Balbriggan charity, Remember Us, to help the group achieve its goal of establishing itself in a permanent premises.

The charity caters for children with special needs from the age of four through to adulthood.

The group has been renting various properties for a number of years, and last year its founder, Nora Roban, announced that a permanent building had been identified, which would cost €600,000.

They are now twothirds of the way there and are appealing to the community to help them raise the remainder.

For further information, see www.rememberus.ie.

council Preparing for county’s future needs

Fingal has youngest population in Europe  keith bellew

FINGAL has the youngest and fastest-growing population in Europe, with 29% of residents under the age of 18 years, and 72% under 45.

This was revealed by Fingal County Council this week in the context of the new development plan.

The report states that only 7.25% of Fingal’s population is over the age of 65, compared with 11.6% nationally.

Over the past 20 years, Fingal’s population has grown by 80%, in comparison to growth of 25% in Dublin and 30% for the country as a whole.

It is estimated that by 2016, the county’s population will be 300,000 people, and 330,000 by 2021.

Following a review which began in March, Fingal County Council is currently in the pre-draft consultation phase of the new development plan that will shape the future growth of the county over the next six years.

The plan, which is being drawn up in consultation with the community and other stakeholders, will take up to two years to complete.

The plan will influence strategic priorities for the county, including supporting plans for pri-

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

‘Only 7.25% of Fingal’s population is over the age of 65’ --------------------------

vate and social housing, economic growth, supporting businesses across all segments, developing the area as a hub for key business clusters, tourism, building sustainable communities, transport, communications, power and water.

Two amendments to the plan, put forward

by Fianna Fail, have already been accepted.

The first of these was the provision of extra park-

ing spaces to provide for the extra people that will journey to Swords to avail of the transport system that will be announced in the coming weeks.

The second was to promote the design of streets so as to provide for the safety of road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and car users, including trafficcalming measures.

The council’s chief executive, Paul Reid, said: “The review presents an opportunity to shape the future growth of Fingal and to build on our previous successes and our strategic advantage as a county.”

Fingal County Council revealed this week that Fingal has the youngest population in Europe

10 September 2015 SWORDS Gazette 5

statistics FG praise reduction, but AAA decry drop as an annual PR exercise

Mixed views over significant Live Register fall  keith bellew

THE number of people signing on the Live Register in north County Dublin has significantly decreased between their peak in July 2012 and July 2015.

In Balbriggan and its surrounding areas, the Live Register figures have fallen by 23.4%, while in the same

period, the figures in the Swords social welfare office have reduced by 33.1%, and the number of people on the Live Register in Portmarnock has fallen by 20.2%.

Deputy Alan Farrell (FG) has said this drop in the figures in north County Dublin, since the launch of the Action Plan for Jobs in 2012, indicated steady growth in

crisis: government rejects party’s data

Fianna Fail attack ‘true’ housing list  keith bellew

THE Government has hit out at Fianna Fail, following statements it released accusing the Department of the Environment of misleading the country about the numbers on the housing lists in Dublin, saying Fianna Fail’s figures are inaccurate.

Senator Darragh O’Brien said Fianna Fail obtained Freedom of Information documents which put the overall numbers on housing lists in Fingal at 8,847 applicants, which is 47% higher than the Government figure of 6,020.

He said: “All official figures quoted by the Government on social housing waiting lists are from 2013, and are therefore two years old. The documents received by Fianna Fail show that Fingal County Council has seen a massive increase in demand for social housing.

“However bad we thought the housing crisis in north Dublin was, it is actually immeasurably worse. There are now 8,847 applicants on the social housing waiting list in Fingal. Across the four Dublin local authorities, there are 44,164 people

waiting on social housing.

“Nationally, the figure is 130,000 people – much higher than the 90,000 figure that the Government has been using, to date,” said Senator O’Brien.

A spokesperson from the Department said the Fianna Fail figure was inaccurate, as it is based on erroneous data.

The spokesperson said: “The Fianna Fail method is only a snapshot and does not take account of a full assessment of needs, and includes erroneous data for the following reasons: duplications – people who applied to more than one local authority; no needs assessment; changed circumstances of applicants; applicants allocated housing; applicants refusing offers of housing, and applicants for one reason or another no longer requiring a house.”

They went on to say that the social housing strategy is based on the 2013 assessment carried out by Housing Agency, which is an independent authority with expertise in the area.

These surveys were usually carried out every three years, but will be annual from next year on.

the local economy in the north county, and was proof that the plan was working.

Impact He added that while these figures were encouraging, much work remained to be done, particularly in terms of ensuring that the positive impact of the economic recovery was felt in every

household in the area.

However, not everyone has taken such a positive view of the figures.

Cllr Eugene Coppinger (AAA) said these announcements were made at the same time each year as a PR exercise by the Government.

He pointed out that a lot of young people in the area

are still migrating in search of work, citing four friends of his children who have left the country in recent weeks.

Schemes He said: “There is all this talk of recovery, but people aren’t feeling it.

“A lot of the people coming off the Live Register are

people on JobBridge, Gateway and all of the different [employment/training] schemes, which are not real jobs.

“You can’t call someone getting a euro an hour on top of their dole a real job, because they couldn’t get a mortgage on it, and they couldn’t get a loan on it,” he said.

6 SWORDS Gazette 10 September 2015

don’sdublin Fruitful thoughts of a sickly child stoke the fires to create Dracula Abraham “Bram” Stoker was born in 15 Marino Crescent, Fairview, on November 8, 1847, the third of seven children and baptised in the Church of Ireland, Clontarf on December 30.

He was a sickly child and did not attend school until he was seven. As such, he spent much time reading and he noted years later “I was naturally thoughtful, and the leisure of long illness gave opportunity for many thoughts which were fruitful according to their kind in later years.”

He made a full recovery from his early illness and studied mathematics in Trinity College where he graduated with honours. He was a keen sportsman and was awarded Athlete of the Year, as well as being auditor of the Historical Society and president of the Philosophical Society. Oscar Wilde was a contemporary who Stoker proposed for membership of the Philosophical Society.

Years later, after Wilde’s release from Reading Gaol, Stoker visited him in Paris. Coincidently, Wilde had once courted Florence Balcombe who Stoker married in 1878. She was almost the “girl next door” as she lived at 1 Marino Crescent, a few doors from the Stoker household.

Stoker was always interested in theatre and became the Dublin Evening Mail’s (co-owned by the great Gothic writer Sheridan Le Fanu) theatre critic, and respected for his incisive reviews. After seeing Henry Irving, the greatest actor his generation, play Hamlet in the Theatre Royal, the two met for dinner in the Shelbourne Hotel. Irving invited him to London to be his business manager, and he and Florence moved in 1878. He acted for Irving until the actor’s death in 1905.

He travelled extensively with Irving, met many famous people, and all the time kept writing. He produced a dozen books, countless articles and short stories, but it is Dracula (1897) for which he is best remembered. It has been the source of inspiration for writers and was first filmed in 1922. The sickly boy’s “fruitful thoughts” had certainly been realised.

Don Cameron

www.donsdublin. wordpress.com 15 Marino Crescent, Fairview where author Abraham “Bram” Stoker (inset) was born in 1847

housing Push to acquire lands for council

Councillors want to know what NAMA owns  keith bellew

FINGAL County Council has said that it does not have a comprehensive list of all NAMAowned lands in Fingal, but is exploring options for acquiring lands from NAMA to provide for social housing.

This follows calls from councillors for a list of all NAMA-owned properties in the county to be made available to them so they can push for the land to be released for the development of social housing.

In its mission statement, NAMA sets out a policy whereby it aims to assist in the provision of social housing. The agency has provided Fingal County Council with 60 units for social housing, to date.

Senior housing officials from the council meet NAMA officials on an ongoing basis and councillors believe that they are not provided with all of the information on NAMA properties that officials have.

Cllr Eugene Coppinger (AAA) said that the lands within NAMA are technically owned by the State and should definitely be made available for the development of social housing to tackle the current crisis.

He said: “As everyone will tell you, most

NAMA is being called upon to provide more clarity on lands it owns in Dublin 15, so that the council can seek to acquire some of it to provide social housing

of the cases we [councillors] are getting now are about housing and homelessness. We have a right to know if there are properties out there that could be made available, and might not be, so we can fight for them to be made available, even for emergency accommodation if possible.”

Cllr Lorna Nolan (Ind) said that councillors are treated like mushrooms: “kept in the dark and fed

manure every now and then”.

She added: “When it comes to NAMA, everything is cloak and dagger. I don’t actually blame authorities – I blame the hierarchy.

“We should be looking for the disclosure from NAMA of lands and property [within the council] and we should ask why Fingal only got 60 houses out of the batch from NAMA.” Cllr David McGuin-

ness (Ind) said that if there are NAMA lands available it could save the country money in dealing with the current social housing crisis.

He said that the crisis will not go away unless social houses are built to cater for the citizens of Dublin 15.

He added that there are just four pockets of land in Dublin 15 which can be used for social housing, and that acquiring NAMA lands

will help to solve this problem.

He also pointed out that the councillors can rezone land which is zoned for other purposes so that social housing can be developed there.

A spokesperson for Fingal County Council said: “Discussions have already taken place with NAMA in relation to their properties and lands in the area and all suitable options are continuing to be explored.”

Free audio guide on Swords rich past  keith bellew

AN AUDIO guide for the Swords Heritage Trail was launched recently by the Mayor of Fingal, David O’Connor (Ind).

The guide, the first of its kind to be produced in Fingal, is a collaboration between Fingal County Council, Abarta Audioguides

and Swords Heritage Society, and tells the story of Swords from earliest times to the present day using the most up-to-date information available.

It is organised in a circular route, beginning at St Columba’s Well, and including St Columba’s Church and Tower, The Old Vicarage, Bridge Street, Swords Cas-

tle, County Hall, St Columcille’s Church, Main Street and the Old Borough National School.

The guide can be accessed via a free app with associated maps and images by downloading the free Guidigo app from the Apple store or from Google Play, and searching for Swords.

Alternatively, you can stream

or download the guide for free from abartaaudioguides.com.

At the launch, Gerry Clabby, heritage officer for Fingal County Council, said the new audio guide would be of interest to tourists and to Swords residents themselves, many of whom might not be aware of the rich history and heritage on their doorstep.

10 September 2015 SWORDS Gazette 7

8 SWORDS Gazette 10 September 2015

gazetteGALLERIES

Entertainers from Marvellousfaces.com. Pictures: Philip Murray

malahide: rain can’t dampen enthusiasm for community fun

M

ALAHIDE’S precent community festival had locals, visitors and stallholders doing their best not to let some miserable weather dampen their spirits at the green, where spirits stayed high despite the inclement weather. The rain was an unwelcome guest during the weekend event, but everyone did their best to get on with creating a good time for all the community, with entertainers and tasty fare from local restaurants adding to the family-orientated events in the heart of the village.

Callum, Tamara, Marcela and Kyle Johnston

Martin Donohue, Niamh Ryan and Margaret Donohue with Sinead, Keith, Mary, Harry and Eva Masterson

Geisha restaurant’s Jie Chi and John Albu

Staff of Kinara Kitchen checking to see if the rain had stopped Rachel McCarthy

Alice Brence with Morat Kirjusins

Ava Masterson

10 September 2015 SWORDS Gazette 9

Aliza Alias

Catherine Daly

Artists Pauline Langan and Bardis Phillips with sculptor Dolores O’Rourke

A celebration of art

Y

OUNG artists were excited to be presented with prizes at the Old Borough National School in Swords recently, thanks to their creative efforts in a children’s art competition in aid of St Columba’s Church Repair Fund.

The lucky winners in the popular commu-

nity were presented with a range of arty prizes to help them with their endeavours, with the young artists rubbing shoulders with their grown-up counterparts, whose work was on show in a pop-up art exhibition. Whether by young or old artists, the works on show were a great way to showcase local creativity.

John McAllister, Gene Lowndes and Neville Pigott. Pictures: Stephen Fleming

10 Gazette 10 September 2015

gazetteGALLERY

Darren King, Sam Cassidy and Nathan Hill

Esther Woods, Elaine Galvin and Hazel McMahon at the Miss Ireland 2015 final. Pictures: Brian McEvoy

Lovely girls give it a go to be Miss Ireland 2015

F

ATHER Ted Crilly would have been delighted to see all the lovely girls in attendance at the Miss Ireland 2015 final held in the Crowne Plaza Northwood recently, where young ladies from all across the island of Ireland had gathered, hoping to claim the crown.

Several household names were also in attendance at the glittering finale, which presented judges with the difficult task of selecting an overall winner to go on to Sanya, China, to compete in Miss World in December.

Ultimately, Miss Antrim Sacha Livingston claimed the title, with the

Belfast portrait artist impressing judges and fellow contenders alike with her natural poise, charm and personality, as well as her beauty, of course.

In addition to the glory of representing Ireland in China, Sacha’s prizes include a full wardrobe of dresses, and make-up and nail care for a year.

Michaela O’Neill and Ryan Andrews

Chanelle O’Dwyer and Elaine Crowley

Emer O’Reilly, Jane Lundon and Mary Lee

Rosalyn Odujete

Kathy Prendeville and Isabelle Collins

10 September 2015 Gazette 11

culture P23

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

a day in the life: Trevor tosses the 9 to 5 life for a more controlled one

what’son

Biting back at the bedbugs  Ian Begley

If you thought your job was bad, then how about trying your luck at exterminating rats and cleaning up after dead bodies for a living?

Well, that’s exactly what Dubliner Trevor Hayden does. Working in IT for years, Hayden decided that the typical 9 to 5 office lifestyle wasn’t for him.

This week The Gazette caught up with Hayden to see what a typical day for him is like as a pest control manager and crime scene cleaner.

“We get a lot of calls from people complaining about rat infestations in their homes. When I’m out on call we set up traps as opposed to poison because if a rat is poisoned you have no control over where it dies and it can begin to smell really badly.

“We have also invented a trap that remotely tells us whenever it has caught a rodent at a specific address.

Recently, I was at a very nice Georgian house where they had a rat that died underneath their floorboards.

Although it smelled very badly I managed to remove it with great effort and clean the area around where it died.

I have bit of OCD when it comes to cleaning and I’m very happy when I do a thorough job.”

Hayden added that on a typical day people would also call him about other types of pest problems, such as cockroaches, flies and bedbugs (a

comedy comes unhinged: A series of stand-up comedy shows are now taking place every Wednesday and Sunday at the Ha’Penny Bridge Inn, Wellington Quay from 9pm.

Unhinged Comedy will see a seasoned line-up of comedians spreading laughter from the stage to the audience and surrounding areas. The show is managed and organised by Connor McDonough-Flynn, a comedian who’s been performing around Ireland and internationally for over five years. Performers will include rising comedian Joe Dowlin who is a regular MC at the Battle of the Axe comedy night in the Ha’Penny Bridge Inn and is also the cofounder of the popular Talla Craic Comedy House, Tallaght.

Edinburgh Fringe fest comedian Diane O’Connor will also be there on the night.

She has performed all over Ireland and the UK. Ticket are priced from €6 to €8 and can be purchased from www.eventbrite.ie.

For more information visit www.conmcflynn.com or see the Unhinged Comedy Club Facebook page.

personal fear of his).

“We get a good few calls about bedbugs during the summer months or when people accidentally take them home when they return from their holidays. We deal with them a lot, but the thoughts of bringing one of them home just freaks me out.”

His experience in the pest control business eventually led to another field altogether - cleaning up after human remains have been removed from a scene.

Deaths “Now and again I would get a call to clean up the area of a place where someone has died. Most of the jobs we are called out to are unattended deaths. If someone has died and no one has found them for a number of months we then would have to clean whatever has been left behind.

“When we’re cleaning a scene we have to be 100% thorough. You could wipe a surface down and it may look clean but it could be full of germs and bacteria so that’s why we have to be extremely careful about not overlooking anything.”

Asked if this type of work carries any emotional burdens after he returns home after a long day of work, Hayden said: “The very first job I did played havoc with my mind with all sorts of stuff running through my head while in bed. Now I don’t even think about it.”

feature P24



Gazette

diary P12

Trevor Hayden talks about a typical day as a pest control manager

12 Gazette 10 September 2015

Gazette

dublinlife Kevin finds it in his Hart to come to Dublin on tour

US comedian and actor Kevin Hart will be visiting Irish shores in January 2016 and tickets will go on sale for his international comedy show this week.

T he funny man is famous for roles in movies including The Wedding Ringer which took in over $80m (€72m) internationally and Get

Hard where he starred alongside Will Ferrell.

He has announced a massive world tour after a hugely successful domestic comedy tour in the US earlier this year.

He will be visiting Dublin’s 3Arena on Friday, January 22, 2016 to perform in his international comedy show

What Now? Tour and tickets go on sale on September 10, 2015.

Hart’s international comedy tour will see him visiting Ireland, Australia, Belgium, Germany and South Africa for the first time.

Tickets are available from www.ticketmaster. ie and for more information on tour dates log

diary

onto www.aikenpromotions.com.

calling all budding young artists Sighttsavers is calling on budding young artists in Dublin to enter the 2015 Junior Painter of the Year Awards.

Open to primary school students of all ages, thousands of children are expected to enter the competition this year featuring the new theme, Imagine 2030.

A lot can change in 15 years so Sighstavers is inviting primary school students to be inspired and create an artwork that shows how they want the world they live in to look in the year 2030.

Student artists have a chance to win appropriately arty prizes not just for themselves but for their classmates too, and substantial cash prizes of €200, €300 and €1,000 for their schools with thanks to the Irish Times.

Fifteen regional winners will be selected and will have the opportunity to see their work displayed at a special awards day in February 2016 where three overall national winners will be announced.

Submissions for this competition must be completed by November 27. For more information visit www.sightsavers.ie/juniorpainter.

US comedian Kevin Hart, who will be playing to Dublin audiences next January

start talking about mental health A campaign to get people involved in the conversation of suicide was launched recently and people from all around Dublin are invited to take part.

Suicide or Sur vive (SOS) is running its annual High Tea and Talk campaign in an attempt to raise aware-

ness about mental health.

World Suicide Prevention Day takes place on September 10 and SOS are encouraging people to take time out with a loved one or a friend to have a cup of tea and a chat as this is a great way to get people to talk about any problems they might be experiencing.

The campaign is ask-

ing people to host a tea morning with friends, in the workplace, or within a local community group to raise awareness of mental health.

To get involved contact Jacqui at SOS on jacqui@suicideorsurvive.ie or call 1890 577 577 and the charity will send an information pack.

Alternatively you can donate €4 by texting SOS4 to 50300.

Bride Groom SEPTEMBER 10, 2015

Let The Gazette help make your wedding day extra special and guarantee you have happy memories to share with friends and family in the years to come

ď ´

GAZETTE

10 September 2015 GAZETTE I

WHAT TO WEAR:

Divine gowns and accessories for the Mother of the Bride Page III

THE LOOK:

Top tips from make-up artist Marc Sinclair Page VII

Beauty Wedding

Beautiful in Bloom headpiece by Glitzy Secrets online boutique, www.glitzysecrets.com, a vintage-inspired soft white organza hair flower set upon a trailing floral headpiece encrusted with sparkling Austrian crystals

In search of the perfect dress?

From lace to ruffles, we give you a sneak peek at what styles are popular this season SEE PAGE VI

TRULY GIFTED:

Thoughtful presents that will be cherished Page VI

OH HONEY!

Find the perfect place to relax and unwind Page VIII

GAZETTE

II GAZETTE 10 September 2015

Bride Groom

An ideal hidden gem of a venue that’s steeped in history and full of charm KILRONAN Castle located on the shores

and that is to deliver excellence and

of Lough Meelough, Ballyfarnon, Co

a memorable experience for you and

Roscommon is one of Ireland’s hidden

your guests. Kilronan Castle offers an

gems. One of Ireland’s most luxurious

unparalleled Irish castle wedding expe-

castle hotels, Kilronan Castle is the

rience and first class services.

ancestral home of the Tenison family

The castle has 84 superbly appointed

and the legendary Colonel King Tenison.

bedrooms, fully equipped with contem-

It is one of a few Irish castle estates

porary comforts. These rooms fuse

that can trace its history back to royal

modern luxury with a touch of old-style

families. This 200-year-old castle is

glamour.

steeped in history, full of character and

Jillian

The Dungeon Bar is an ideal private

old world charm… the perfect setting

setting for your drinks reception. In the

for your wedding.

summer, your guests will gather on the

Kilronan Castle nestles amongst

| WEDDING STYLE |

patio sipping on pink champagne whilst

acres of woodland, open lawns and path

overlooking the scenic Lough Meelagh

ways leading you to a truly breathtak-

and, alternatively for a winter wed-

ing estate. From intimate to extrava-

ding, the roaring open fires make the

gant, traditional to bespoke their

surroundings comfortable and homely,

expert team offer a comprehensive

the candle lit wine cellar just adds to

service ensuring your wedding will be

the mystical atmosphere.

uniquely yours. Kilronan Castle want

Catering for smaller intimate num-

the planning of your day to be effort-

bers of 150 guests to numbers exceed-

less and most enjoyable. Once you have

ing 350 in our grand ballroom, Kilronan

met with their experienced wedding

Castle is the perfect venue for your

coordinators, they only have one focus,

wedding day celebrations.

Rory

Jillian

Drew, availabe at Bridal Boutique in Fairview

The Dress!

IT’S probably the most special, extravagant not to

She also says that full ball gowns are becoming popular

mention expensive dress you will ever wear, so every

again and who doesn’t want to look like Cinderella on

bride wants to get her wedding dress just right.

her wedding day? Tina says that structured bodices

From bustier to sweetheart, corseted to draped,

there is so much choice right now, you could be a little daunted by the range of dresses available.

Tina at the Bridal Boutique in Fairview has picked some of the highlights for next season.

She says that lace never goes out of fashion and who can forget Kate Middleton’s stunning wedding dress?

are also popular and that, hold the bouquet, ruffles are popular again.

Whatever you choose, make sure that you are comfortable, or as comfortable as you can be, so you can

strut your stuff on the dancefloor when the formalities are over!

Have a look at our favourites.

10 September 2015 Gazette III

Mother of the bride After the bride, the second most important person

ferent. How about a glamorous trouser suit or a floor

in the room, is of course, the mother of the bride. As

length frock - it doesn’t have to be the domain of the

such, getting the right outfit is of the utmost impor-

bridesmaid only.

tance. Most Irish mother’s of the bride do tend to

Here at Gazette style we have picked some of our

follow a certain formula and that’s fine as it works.

favourites that will help your mum feel the like special

But there are plenty of mum of bride outfits for that

lady that she is and second most beautiful woman in

mammy who wants to be that little bit quirkier or dif-

the room!

Brown Thomas Paule Ka Cropped Rose Trim Jacket €550 and Pleated Midi Skirt €490

House of Fraser Untold Kitty Outline Edge Fascinator €65

Brown Th omas Ken neth Jay Lane Pearl Drop Earrin gs €100

Co Cov ast V er i Up enna €1 10

House of Fraser Linea Penelope lace dress €195

Brown Thomas Stuart Weitzman Reckless Heeled Sandals €430 Coast Cassia lace dress €150

GAZETTE

IV GAZETTE 10 September 2015

Bride Groom The perfect

Alternative venues  IAN BEGLEY

If you’re on the prowl for an alternative wedding venue that is a hundred miles away from the type of wedding your grandparents had, then you will be pleased to know that Ireland has a huge range of unconventional wedding venues on offer.

From castles, barns, theatres, sport’s stadiums and the Zoo, there are plenty of unique and eccentric wedding venues to suit all tastes.

If your heart is set on a Dublin city wedding, but you’re looking for a large space to celebrate, then Smock Alley Theatre might be the perfect venue for your big day. With exposed brick walls, ornate plasterwork ceiling, and stained glass windows, this venue is certainly a sight to behold.

Another great alternative venue is at Mount Druid in Westmeath. The building and its surroundings are made up from a converted barn, an unconsecrated tin chapel, 20 traditional Mongolian yurts, three shep-

herd’s huts, a charmingly cosy gate lodge, a three-bed school master’s house, an 1820s Georgian house, several BBQ areas, a walled garden, a summer house and three lakes.

Why not choose to say “I Do” at the zoo? Dublin Zoo is a unique alternative to the traditional wedding venue and provides a magical backdrop for your special day. Haughton House, a restored historical building with magnificent views of the zoo, is available seven days a week for all types of wedding ceremonies including civil ceremonies, civil partnerships and blessings.

With weddings at Croke Park, GAA fans can marry their love of the game with the love of their life.

Whether you are interested in a large traditional reception, a small intimate celebration or something in between, they can offer you the perfect alternative venue.

For information on these wedding venues visit www.alternativewed dings.ie and www.hitched.ie.

| SELECTING THE VENUE |

 IAN BEGLEY

FINDING the perfect wedding venue for your big day can be a very challenging and expensive feat, but thanks to a large range of deals on offer, you can rest assured that the picture-perfect wedding of your dreams is just around the corner.

The Bracken Court Hotel The Bracken Court Hotel, Balbriggan is a well-established four-star luxury hotel, exceptional in design and character.

From the moment you step onto the red carpet, you will experience a friendly and professional wedding team with a single focus in mind – the success of the most memorable day in your life.

The Bracken Court Hotel has a range of wedding packages to suit all tastes and budgets. With warm hospitality and impeccable service, combined with experience and passion for weddings, the hotel aims to ensure that your day will be truly unforgettable. A grand affair, an intimate reception, the style of your wedding is entirely

up to you.

Their wedding offers provide an array of packages to choose from, starting from €39.95 per person.

The hotel is also hosting their Autumn Wedding Showcase on Sunday, September 27 from 2 to 6pm, with the hotel’s reception suites and civil ceremony room will be dressed for the occasion.

Contact events@courtyard.ie to make a personal appointment to view the hotel’s wedding venue and discuss your specific requirements.

The Court Yard Hotel Built on the original site where Arthur Guinness created his brewing empire, Bespoke Wedding Venue in Kildare offers old world charm, beautiful original stone work with contemporary design in a setting that is as picturesque as a pint settling. From its humble beginnings back in 1756, the Court Yard Hotel has become a popular choice with a unique space for weddings and events since opening its doors in 2005.

A graceful renovation

The elegant decor of the Glenlo Abbey Hotel in Galway

and rejuvenation of historic buildings, the Court Yard Hotel is unique in character and design with beautiful exposed brick walls, huge windows and vaulted and beamed ceilings. Renowned for their ability to capture the true essence of the day, the Court Yard Hotel believes that each wedding should truly reflect the bride and groom’s own personal style.

The Court Yard Hotel has a wide range of choices to offer for your wedding event. Ideal for intimate gatherings, celebrate with up to 100 cherished family and friends in their RiverBank reception room, which has beautiful views of the River Liffey and Leixlip Castle Boat House. The RiverBank room offers its own private terrace for pre-drinks reception and evening party room with an exclusive piano bar.

Their packages provide an array of enhancements to choose from, starting from €39.95 per person.

Glenlo Abbey Hotel On October 4, from 2pm to 5pm, brides and grooms are invited to the Glenlo Abbey Hotel’s styl-

ish wedding fair in Galway. Enjoy a selection of afternoon tea delicacies from the hotel’s Afternoon Tea Menu, followed by a fashion show featuring top bridal boutiques and advice on the day.

From the moment you drive through the cast iron gates, you will be captivated by the beauty of this enchanting lake side estate overlooking Lough Corrib. Tastefully restored and truly elegant, this country estate is “a hidden gem” in the west of Ireland, a mere five minutes’ drive from Galway City Centre.

The wedding team at Glenlo Abbey Hotel will be on hand on the day with, along with a selection of expert wedding suppliers catering for all aspects of your wedding.

From the Victorianinspired decor of the graceful French Room to the fairytale setting of the beautiful stone-cut restored abbey, ideal for intimate civil ceremonies, to the elegant surrounds of our Corrib Suite, with its panoramic views over Lough Corrib, one cannot feel but overwhelmed by the beauty and grandeur of this magnificent

10 September 2015 Gazette V

place for saying ‘I do’ property.

Glenlo Abbey Hotel is truly a destination wedding venue, attracting couples from all over Ireland and abroad to celebrate their special day.

For further details, call +353 91 519669 or visit www.glenloabbeyhotel. ie.

Radisson Blu St Helen’s Hotel The Radisson Blu St Helen’s Hotel in Stillorgan are also opening its doors for a Wedding Open Day on September 27 from 2pm to 6pm.

Visitors can tour the historic 18th-century

mansion’s rich and intimate surroundings – ideal for a traditional wedding, civil ceremony or garden blessing celebrations.

Each private room will be set up to your liking on your special day, where you will enjoy a complimentary glass of bubbly on arrival, and sample a selection of canape.

Elegant architectural details and furnishings perfectly complement the lush, natural garden settings of the hotel, which provide countless backdrops for stunning photographs.

The hotel’s wedding package includes: a dedi-

cated wedding consultant from the moment of booking; a red carpet welcome; use of the hotel’s formal gardens for photographs; champagne on arrival for the bride and groom; fresh flowers for all tables; personalised menus; place cards and table plan; deluxe accommodation at a special rate for guests; complimentary car parking for all guests; champagne breakfast in bed for the newlyweds; and deluxe accommodation in a balcony suite for the bride and groom.

Three dining suites are available at the hotel and can seat anywhere from

Radisson Blu St Helen’s Hotel is also a beautiful venue

The Court Yard Hotel offers unique spaces to hold

for civil ceremonies

wedding day celebrations

10 to 200 guests. Menus can be customised to the preferences of event planners. With its private bar facilities, dance floor and band space, the Pembroke Suite is the perfect

choice for large, traditional wedding parties. A chic location for a drinks and canapes reception, The Le Panto Suite opens onto a private terrace that overlooks the hotel’s park-like

surroundings and can host up to 70 guests. The Seamount Suite is ideal for intimate, seated dinners for about 50 guests.

Its balcony area offers vistas of the gardens, Dublin

Bay and Howth Head.

For further enquiries and more information on the Wedding Open Day contact 01 218 6054 or visit www.radissonblu.ie/ sthelenshotel-dublin

GAZETTE

VI GAZETTE 10 September 2015

Bride Groom

| GIFT GUIDE | Kelly

Hop

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dotcomgiftshop Japanese dinner plate sunflowers €14.95

pott er’s

bow l €70

Next Copper Triply pans €20-€57

Penneys three-wick tin candle in Cotton Lily €4

Hou M&S Arabella cushion €27

se o f Fra prin ser blu ted e vase leaf €30

Debenham’s Nespresso red Lattissima touch+ €420

Argos Offset bookcase by Foley €276.49

10 September 2015 Gazette VII

| wedding make-up |

Bringing your entire look together  aisling kennedy

Wedding make-up is one of the three essential ingredients that bring a bride’s wedding look together along with her hair and, of course, her bridal dress.

If a bride doesn’t achieve the perfect look for her wedding day, the memories of her day and indeed the photographs of the day may always be something of a regret in her mind.

To prevent that from happening the Gazette spoke to renow ned make-up artist Marc Sinclair from Lancome Elite Make-Up who gave his expert tips on how to

achieve the perfect bridal look.

“A bride should always feel confident and as comfortable as she can. You want the bride to look fabulous in the photos and you want her to look back on her photos in 20 years and say ‘Wow, I looked good that day and I felt good that day.’”

Sinclair first advises brides to make sure that they look for an experienced make-up artist in the run up to their big day.

“It’s all about someone who has experience with regards to photography and photoshoots as well as bridal experience.

You want someone who

knows how to bring out the natural beauty of a bride and make her look good in the photos.”

Sinclair explains that it is essential for all brides to partake in a make-up trial at least three months in advance of the big day.

“All brides should work on that basis of three months in advance, minimum. The reason for this is just in case the bride has any skin conditions, dehydration or redness that a make-up artist could help to clear up. It gives the make-up artist enough time to be able to work on that beforehand but also in case the bride doesn’t like the make-up artist, it then gives her

time to be able to find someone else.”

In advance of the wedding, Sinclair advises all brides to step up their skin care regime and says that at least eight weeks in advance of the big day, brides should invest in a good skin care products and treat themselves to facials and drink plenty of water.

Sinclair also has a word of warning to any brides thinking of going for a red lip on their big day saying: “It’s a lot of maintenance on the day so unless you don’t mind touching up your make-up all night, I would advise against it. Also brides should remember that red lip-

Make-up artist Marc Sinclair from Lancome Elite Make-Up

stick is not timeless. For me, make-up should be timeless, you should be able to look at it in years to come and it should still look like modern makeup. The red lip is really a

bit of a trend so you might look back in 20 years and think ‘Oh god, why did I do that?’”

On the topic of fake lashes, Sinclair says he personally likes the more

natural looking fake lashes and adds: “I think they really accentuate the eyes in photos. I would say definitely go for it, just once it’s nothing too dramatic.”

GAZETTE

VIII GAZETTE 10 September 2015

Bride Groom

Choosing wedding favours that fit your style and your budget PLANNING a wedding obviously takes a lot of thought, and every last detail must be thoroughly threshed out. In the midst of all the planning about venue, dresses, tuxes, honeymoon etc, don’t forget to thank your guests for sharing in your big day with the gift of wedding favours.

| TRAVELLING FOR TWO |

Celebrating your new life together  IAN BEGLEY

Wedding favours are a simple and effective way for the bride and groom to show their appreciation to their guests for helping to celebrate their union. When selecting wedding favours, one must always take three things into consideration: budget, the number of guests, and the shelf life of the item.

If a large gathering is expected wedding favours can be a huge drain on the budget. As modern weddings are often about adding a personal touch and a sense of originality and personality to the big day, you can kill two birds with one stone by providing homemade personally themed wedding favours. By doing this you can not only reduce the cost, but give your wedding an extra personal touch at the same time.

HONEYMOONS are a once in a lifetime experience and are an unforgettable way to kick start to your life with your new husband or wife. For the extra special occasion there’s no better way of celebrating than by travelling to a dream destination from the wide range of honeymoon packages on offer.

With GoHop.ie, you can spend 14 nights in Kerala in five different

resorts from €2,280pp from October to April.

Unwind and allow all of your wedding nerves float away in this destination, which boasts postcardperfect beaches, shady coconut groves and lush paddy fields. Spend two nights in the Old Harbour Hotel in Kochi, two nights in the Windermere Estate in Munnar, two nights in Cardamom County in Kerala, two nights in Backwater Ripples in Kumarakom, one night in Lakes and Lagoons in Alappuzha, and five nights in The Leela Kovalam in Kovalam.

Highlights on this tour include soaking up in the picturesque port town of Kochi, exploring the tea plantations and pristine valleys of Munnar, gliding along the Kumarakom backwaters and relaxing on the golden beaches of idyllic Kovalam.

If you have your heart set on a honeymoon with a difference, look no further than Malta. This hidden gem of the Mediterranean has everything you need to celebrate your love for one another.

The islands of Malta and Gozo have such a wide variety of venues for you to choose from when it comes to selecting the perfect locations for your ceremony and reception.

What’s more, with romantic and intimate getaways located all over the islands, Malta and Gozo offer the ideal setting for a honeymoon neither of you will ever forget.

From farmhouses to five-star resorts, quaint rural churches to lush gardens in the heart of the capital city of Valletta, Malta has something to

San Francisco is a vibrant city and the home of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge

Picture perfect: Kerala

cover all tastes and budgets.

If you choose Malta for your honeymoon, you don’t need to spend precious time worrying about the Irish weather. Instead you can relax safe in the knowledge that even in the middle of winter Malta gets an average of five to six hours of sunshine per day.

For those who cannot decide between a tropical island or a city honeymoon in the USA, then why not combine the two in a San Francisco and Hawaii honeymoon package from €3,690pp.

For 17 nights, this honeymoon combo is the perfect way to celebrate life as newlyweds. You will experience diverse cultures, great dining, some of the best shopping in the US and, of course,

Ideal weather: Malta

sandy beaches, coral reefs and verdant islands.

San Francisco’s vibrant city’s attractions include Union Square, home to many of the city’s hotels, the former prison-island of Alcatraz, Golden Gate Park or the seafood restaurants on Fisherman’s Wharf. Hawaii is an ideal destination to travel all year around as the weather is always good. GoHop.ie suggests that you avoid July and August as they can be particularly hot.

If you are planning a well-deserved and unique honeymoon, then why not head to the diverse and beautiful country of Singapore. Spend five nights in the Mandarin Orchard Hotel from €1,369pp from February, 2016 with travelmood.ie Singapore is a place

that melds Chinese, Indian, Muslim and Western cultures into an exotic combination and is a great choice for a honeymoon that will inspire jealousy in all your friends.

Get great views of the city on the Singapore Flyer, the world’s largest observation wheel, and then learn about its cultural history at the Asian Civilisations Museum.

You can make your way to the MacRitchie Nature Trail where you can stroll in the rainforest canopy with the TreeTop Walk, catch a live performance at Esplanade or hike along The Southern Ridges and be rewarded with stunning views.

For more information on these honeymoon deals, visit abbey tevael.ie, gohop.ie and travelmood. ie

10 September 2015 Gazette 21

Gazette

dublinlife Prefab housing ‘should only be for short term’

feature

homelessness: Councils to view possible solution

 Keith Bellew

MAYORS, chief executives, senior housing staff and heads of local authority strategic policy committees on housing will have a chance to see how modular or prefab housing works when the Dublin Region Homeless Executive gives a demonstration on September 15 at East Wall Road.

As many as 250 of these units could be built on 20 vacant sites in Dublin as a shortterm measure to accommodate homeless families currently living in hotels.

Prefab components can be placed side-byside, end-to -end, or stacked, allowing a wide variety of configurations and styles in the building layout.

The houses can be assembled on-site in a matter of days and could be available to families within the next three to six months. At last count 361 families with 768 dependants were staying in hotels and 195 families with 417 dependants were staying in various other types of homeless accommodation.

The demonstration project will be situated on the site for a period of two to four weeks, after which the units will be removed and the site will be returned to its established use.

It is planned that the demonstration area will display a fully fitted modular housing unit from each participating provider and will primarily include two-bedroom units.

A spokesperson from the Dublin Region Homeless Executive said the primary objective of the demonstration project was to contribute to the debate on the viability of modular housing, as a temporary form of quality accommodation provision for the increasing numbers of households in emergency homeless accommodation.

“The concept of modular housing available on a temporary basis is being considered against the backdrop of ensuring that the longterm housing options for each household can be progressed by the local authority, as housing supply becomes available in line with the Social Housing Strategy 2020.

“The key advantages of modular construction methods include factory-assembled components allow for greater accuracy, quality assurance and consistency, the construction and delivery process is speeded up, and site works are minimised to simple foundation systems and the provision of access roads, services

and landscaping,” said the spokesperson.

Speaking to The Gazette, chair of the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown housing committee, Cllr John Bailey (FG) believes modular housing to be a far better alternative for families than hotel rooms.

He says many families living in hotels are being treated in an undignified manner, being made to use back entrances and being completely segregated from the rest of the guests.

He believes this needs to end and he says he is willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen.

Cllr Ken Duffy (Lab) chair of the Fingal housing committee said the project was one of high quality housing for a medium term solution, which will “fast-track the plight of those who are living in hotels”.

Before Fingal locks into the scheme, he said, they would have to clarify how long families will be living in these units.

Following the demonstration, the issue will be discussed at the housing committee and full council meetings before any decision being made.

Cllr Cathal King (SF), chair of South Dublin County Council’s housing committee, was less enthusiastic about the proposals.

He said that he would reserve judgement until he had seen the demonstration.

He added that should the proposals gain traction and get the goahead it must only be a short-term measure.

Families should not be left living in these developments for extended periods of time he said.

Cllr Daithi Doolan (SF), chair of Dublin City Council’s housing committee, took a more positive view of the proposal saying families being housed in hotels and B&Bs was unacceptable and put children at serious risk of exploitation and abuse.

“That has got to stop.

We want a solution, and if the housing comes up to standard and it meets what we need, and meets the peoples’ needs I don’t see it being a big problem as long as it meets international standards and best practice.

“We’d hope that there will be a number of sites across the four local authorities, and no more than 10 or so units will be put on each site,” he said.

It should only be used as a short-term measure, he said.

The units wouild be in areas close to services, and councillors would argue that they should be near public transport, schools and shops, he concluded.

The Dublin Region Homeless Executive will give a demonstration on how modular or prefab housing works

Gazette

22 Gazette 10 September 2015

dublinlife

escape the mayhem: tv3’s lone male xpose presenter, peter o’riordan, on how he unwinds

Family wins over fashion in his time off  aisling kennedy

PETER O’Riordan has his hands full at the moment as the only male face on TV3’s weekday entertainment show, Xpose, and with a new baby boy recently added

to the mix, he appreciates his downtime now more than ever.

O’Riordan took time out this week to tell The Gazette how he unwinds during his days off.

“My family and my house are my sanctu-

ary, to be honest. Myself and my wife, Stephanie, recently moved into a new house so we have the rarity of having a back garden now.

“We also have a playground literally out the back of the house on the

banks of the Dodder, too, so that’s brilliant for our little boy, Olivier.”

O’Riordan said that in his previous job as assignment editor at TMZ in LA, he would enjoy spending his weekends partying with his wife and living for the weekend.

Weekends “Now, our son is our real enjoyment, and I love going to Imaginosity and the Panda Play Cafe on the weekends with him. That’s what I look forward to – just spending time with my wife and my son no matter what the capacity is. I enjoy that quality time,” he said.

O’Riordan does like to treat himself and his wife to the odd childfree night, however, and he said that they are big foodies and enjoy trying out new restaurants around Dublin city centre.

“My wife doesn’t eat meat at all; she’s almost

Peter O’Riordan: “Now that we have our son, we practically turn into pumpkins if we stay out later than midnight. Our priorities have changed now that we’re parents.”

vegan, apart from the fact that she eats cheese. She can’t give up the cheese!

“It’s fun for us to find new really cool restaurants that have vegetarian options for her. We’ve found some really great places in town, so we love to go out and have a glass of wine and good food.”

Top of O’Riordan’s recommendations for restaurants in the city centre are Dylan McGrath’s Fade Street Social and the newly opened Sue-

sey Street in Fitzwilliam Place, run by head chef Lumir Tousek, formerly of L’Ecrivain.

“We love Fade Street Social, there’s just a great mixture of food there and it’s delicious. Everyone should check out Suesey Street too, it’s got that real Manhattan low-key, cool vibe feel to it and they have gorgeous vegetarian food and amazing cocktails.”

O’Riordan said that the days of staying out partying until 3am are over for

himself and his wife now, and they always ensure they are home around midnight so that they get some sleep.

“Now that we have our son, we practically turn into pumpkins if we stay out later than midnight. Our priorities have changed now that we’re parents, but it’s great. It’s lovely to have that time to spend with my family and relax.”

Catch Peter O’Riordan on Xpose every week day on TV3.

Drive away to find a debate with Vincent Vincent Browne announced last week that he will allow members of the public who wish to air their views on a debate topic to drive out to the TV3 studios in Ballymount to take part in his panel programme each week night.

This new way of bringing panellists onto his show will mean

that politicians will take part in live debates with members of the public.

The change in the line-up is not a replacement for The People’s Debate with Vincent Browne, but it is a way of freshening things up in the studio.

At the launch of the T V3

autumn schedule last week, Browne said: “We needed to change it and we thought this was a better idea.

“That’s an important part of what we’re about in the media – that the agenda shouldn’t be set by a few people who are usually of the same mind.”

10 September 2015 Gazette 23

Gazette

features 10th birthday: family friendly events open to all

A top night on the cultural calendar  Keith Bellew

Museums, galleries, libraries, theatres, parks and Government buildings in Dublin will be open to the public on Friday, September 18 as Culture Night celebrates its tenth birthday.

A series of free tours, workshops, readings, performances and demonstrations for all the family will be held across the city as part of this year’s celebration, the theme of which is Revolves Around You.

Having grown in Dublin from 40,000 attendees to 145,000 in 10 years, it is now a citywide cultural movement and the programme is a showcase of the capital’s diverse and vibrant arts and creative scene.

It will include hundreds of participants from all genres including photographers, illustrators, designers, composers, visual artists, dancers, aerialists, researchers, and script writers, along with conductors, projection mappers, graffiti art-

ists, authors, singers and musicians.

This year will see the return of Downstairs Dublin in which the outside basements of Merrion Square’s Georgian mansions come alive with a programme of talks, installations, projections, music and more.

Also returning this year are the highly popular guided tours of Aras an Uachtarain.

Rediscover the capital with culture night tours by foot, bike or horse and carriage giving Dubliners

a chance to rediscover their hometown and outsiders the chance to discover it. These tours include a U2 Music Tour, a Lost In Fashion History tour and special quarter tours both in English and international languages. The Liffey will be the course for nautical races in native Irish currach boats organised by Oireachtas na Gaeilge as part of a full waterways and language programme. There will also be a performance by the inspirational High Hopes

Explore the hidden history of Temple Bar from its origins to the 1990s

Choir, Ireland’s first choir for homeless people set up by David Brophy, former conductor of the RTE Concert Orchestra in Focus Ireland, Temple Bar. Getting to and from the various events will be a cultural experience itself as Dublin Bus will provide free buses every 20 minutes starting on Bachelor’s Walk, Aston

Quay, Trinity College and Parkgate Street bringing visitors to and from their favourite cultural quarters. These free buses will be fully programmed with on-bus entertainment. Meanwhile, DART will offer 100 free family passes for travel on culture night also.

Dublin City Council arts officer Ray Yeates said Dublin City Council

was delighted to be supporting Culture Night.

“Culture Night offers something for all ages and every member of the family. To those who haven’t experienced the marvel and surprise before I encourage you to get out and experience Culture Night as it revolves around you.”

V i s i t : w w w. c u l turenight.ie/

GAZETTE

24 GAZETTE 10 September 2015

DUBLINLIFE

FEATURES

EU CRISIS: PRESSURE MOUNTING ON IRELAND TO STEP UP ITS HELP FOR MILLIONS OF PEOPLE

Make your voice clear: we must help Syrians  AISLING KENNEDY

OVER the past week, pressure has been mounting on the Government and Irish people to make a stand and open our borders to the millions of Syrian refugees who are in desperate need of help.

The most significant catalyst of late was the publication of the harrowing images of threeyear-old Aylan Kurdi, the little Syrian boy who was found dead on the shore of a beach near the Turkish resort of Bodrum after he drowned while trying to flee his war-torn country.

Pressure has been steadily mounting on Ireland to acknowledge and step in to help the millions of Syrian people who are desperately seeking safety.

A o i f e Mu r p hy, a spokesperson for the Migrants Right Centre Ireland (MRCI), told The Gazette that she noticed that people were reaching a level of shock prior to the image of Aylan because nothing had been done yet by the Government, and that there had been no real response to the migrant crisis.

She said: “In particular, since Germany stepped up and said that they will take 800,000 people, we suddenly started to ask what are we doing.”

Prior to the publication of the image of Aylan, Ireland had originally pledged to take in 600

refugees over two years.

Due to increased pressure on the Government, however, the Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald, spoke on RTE radio last week and gave a figure of 1,800, saying: “If the figure of 150,000 [which is the current number that Europe has agreed to], for example, is put on the table, that will effectively mean a trebling of what we have committed to already.

“So if that figure is agreed at a European level, that brings us to a figure of 1,800 people, and clearly then we would have to see what extra initiatives we can make in terms of contributing aid, in terms of the naval search and rescue [ongoing mission].”

Following this statement by Minister Fitzgerald, the Department of Public Expenditure and the Office of Public Works announced this week that they were working on a draft report in an effort to establish any available buildings which could be suitable for refugee families.

This draft document, which has no clear spending limit, may need to be altered depending on how many people Ireland is asked to accept in an initial EU countryby-country proposal later this week.

An initial figure of 5,000 people was given by the Tanaiste, Joan Burton, this week.

Artwork by Islam Gawish showing three-year-old Syrian child Aylan Kurdi, who drowned last week with his five-year-old brother, Galib (both right) and their mother, Rehana, as they attempted to reach the Greek island of Kos from Turkey

She said: “It could be 5,000, it could be more.

I wouldn’t like to put an upper limit on it. They will go into accommodation, but they won’t be in the same category as those in direct provision.”

The EU continent-wide initiative will be discussed at a meeting of justice and home affairs ministers on September 14, which will be attended by Minister Fitzgerald.

While these steps to help Syrian refugees are all steps in the right direction, Murphy said that the MRCI thinks that the Government should be saying Ireland will take thousands of people.

She said: “We have

the capacity to take tens of thousands of people – that’s what we could be doing.”

Murphy compared the situation in Syria to World War II, and said that this was the greatest refugee crisis since that time.

“This is a humanitarian crisis. It is an exceptional moment in history, and we have to do something because we cannot look back on this in 20 years’ time and say: ‘What were we doing?’

“We didn’t do enough during World War II, and we know we could have saved more people. We all know the six million amount of people who perished [then], and we

could have saved some of them.

“We turned away refugee boats then, we cannot do the same thing now.

We have to learn the lessons of the past.”

As it stands currently, there are more than 12.2m Syrians in need of humanitarian assistance, according to UN statistics.

It is estimated that 5.6m of these are children, putting an entire generation of children at risk.

Murphy said that the best way Irish people can help is by contacting their local TDs to tell them that we need to take in more refugees.

She said: “It is vital that we all contact our local TDs. Right now, that is the most practical thing people can do, along with donating to aid agencies.

“The voices that will dominate at the moment are people who think we shouldn’t be letting anyone in, and these people

are very determined. They are the people that will write to the TDs. “We need to make sure that our voices are being heard too, so get on to your TD, tell them that you think we should be the ‘island of a thousand welcomes’ that we like to think we are.”

To sign a petition by Uplift, an independent volunteer group, to allow more refugees into Ireland, see https://uplift.ie/ refugee-crisis/.

10 September 2015 Gazette 25

ReelReviews

no escape

An Owen goal for Wilson OWEN Wilson takes a curious misstep into action man territory with No Escape (Cert 15A, 103 mins). Set in an unidentified Asian country, a contractor and his young family find themselves stranded when there’s a violent coup, and – guess what? They can’t escape! Raising eyebrows with critics around the world over its tone, it’s a competent actioner, but worth escaping from.

Joaquin Phoenix and Emma Stone have some life lessons to learn as they cross paths at college, with an unlikely murder plan leading to some comic irrationality

irrational man: woody’s latest offering is typically entertaining

Allen all, a breezy comedy SWALLOWS are fluttering across the sea on their long migration as an amber hue creeps along the peripheries of the leaves.

Just as in the natural world there are certain signs to show that we have completed another revolution of the sun, so too there are signs in the world of cinema.

Another year means another Woody Allen film – in this case, Irrational Man – and even if you are not a fan of Allen’s work, you have to admire the poultry-like regularity with which he produces films.

And while the news of another Woody Allen release is unlikely to rouse much audience attention (Allen himself has stated in interviews that he has no inclina-

 Dave phillips

tion to make great films, saying that he would rather go home and have dinner than spend time working late into the night), it would be a mistake to gloss over his latest offering.

Granted, there is a strong shadow of familiarity overhanging the film. Emma Stone is back from last year’s Allen offering – this time, playing Jill, the philosophy undergraduate who is on the fence between maintaining a vanilla relationship with parent-approved fel-

low student Roy (Jamie Blackley), or ditching that in pursuit of a spectacular but inevitably illfated love affair with her self-destructive lecturer, Abe (Joaquin Phoenix).

A new and exotic addition to the philosophy department, existentialist Abe is an intellectual peacock who is on the hill, but not quite over it.

Abe’s reputation for controversial opinions, heav y drinking and illicit student affairs act as an attractive tail feather for Jill, and also for his more age-appropriate love interest, Rita (Parker Posey).

Set mainly amid the leaf y, collegiate surrounds, you might expect this to be another plodding drama from Allen that wryly pon-

ders relationship dilemmas. And you’d be right – but it has a bit more to offer.

An act of chance eavesdropping by Abe brings the theoretical moral quandaries that he has mastered dissecting in the classroom into a real flesh and blood scenario, as he focuses his intellectual prowess on how to commit the perfect murder.

Had Irrational Man been made 30-odd years ago, no doubt we would have seen Woody Allen step into the lead role – romantic, misanthropic, and hopelessly self-absorbed, Abe is the kind of character that Allen would have had a lot of fun with, but so much of what the film has going for it rests on Joaquin Phoenix’s acting.

Building on the wonderful mumbling and bumbling performance he gave in Inherent Vice, Abe comes across as simultaneously reprehensible and endearing.

Parker Posey brings a lot to the story with Rita, the settled chemistry lecturer who throws herself at Abe in an attempt to escape the mundanity of her marriage.

All the while, we are never sure just how far Emma Stone’s Jill will go to in pursuit of her wide-eyed fantasy.

If you’re looking for riveting twists and turns, then look elsewhere – there are no real surprises once the plot gets going.

Comically contrasting narratives from the three main characters gives us

a privileged view of the whole affair, so the fun lies in watching Allen cram the pot full of interesting ingredients, turn up the heat, and wait for the unavoidable mess to be made.

And what a mess!

What results is the usual Woody Allen fare – every bit as meandering, wordy, and glib as you might expect.

But there’s an undeniably captivating and fun performance by Phoenix, and a delightfully macabre undertone that makes the whole thing reminiscent of Roald Dahl’s Tales of the Unexpected.

At 79, Allen may be getting long in the tooth, but here is the proof he can still bite.

Verdict: 7/10

the transporter Still vroom to improve

BACK for a reboot without franchise star Jason Statham, The Transporter: Refuelled (Cert 15A, 96 mins) sees Ed Skrein slide into the driving seat as an impossibly talented driver of a pretty indestructible car. With a plot that goes all the way from A to B – something to do with driving fast to save his dad and stop Russians – the reboot is a flash-looking vehicle that soon runs out of steam.

hitman: agent 47 Misses the target

GAMERS’ favourite bald assassin is soon to depart our cinema screens, with his film – Hitman: Agent 47 (Cert 15A, 96 mins) having just missed the mark. As 47, Rupert Friend does a great job, but an inept plot, muddled editing and some shoddy effects turn in a film that’s less believable than a game. When will Hollywood learn? Better luck with your next shot at the big screen, 47!

26 SWORDS GAZETTE 10 September 2015

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28 gazette 10 September 2015

SPORT Large step up for Wes in league

FastSport

rugby: old wesley looking forward to elevated status after long wait

Smith takes podium place in rockingham:

DUBLINER Aron Smith took a podium finish in the British Touring Car Championship last weekend at Rockingham in round 22 of the British Touring Car Championship.

Smith brought his VW Passat CC home in third place behind Ford drive Matt Jackson and Honda’s Gordon Shedden.

In race 2 of the meeting, Smith managed to take 11th place after a testing race but he was back on form in race 3 with the Team BMR RCIB Insurance Passat scything through the field to take a fine sixth overall.

Smith’s Rockingham results leave him 11th in the points table on a total of 143 points. The series is led by Scotland’s Gordon Shedden on 278 points.

Elsewhere, Robin Lyons won the first two rounds of Irish National Autotest Championship in Ballyvourney, Co Cork, triumphing after 12 tests.

 nathan kelly sport@dublingazette.com

A RETURN to Division 1B brings big names, big games and big nights for Old Wesley and it starts next Saturday at 2.30pm with a trip to Thomond

Park to take on UL Bohemians.

It is the first time the Donnybrook side have reached such heights since the turn of the millennium and clubman Alan Large revealed his and the rest of the first-

team excitement for the coming season.

“There’s great excitement around the whole club,” he said. “A lot of the teams in this division we haven’t faced in a long time. This is my 11th year here and there are clubs

JC Greyling has received a call-up to the Namibia World Cup panel

Old Wesley celebrating their league success last spring. Picture: Deryck Vincent

like UL Bohemians and St Mary’s that I’ve never faced at all so it will be a big challenge but one we’re looking forward to.”

Indeed, Saturday’s meeting in Limerick will be the first time in 15 years the sides have met before Old Wesley welcome Buccaneers to Dublin 4 in a game that already has an interesting back story, which Large revealed.

“Buccaneers are Robbie Henshaw’s club and now we’ve got three of his cousins on our squad so that will add even more to our first home game of the season,” said the out-half.

“I’m sure a lot of the family will be there and there’ll be a cracking

atmosphere. The great thing about being in the same league as all these good sides is that we have them home and away this year. If we take the points in Limerick on Saturday then UL will come to Donnybrook later seeking revenge and the same goes for Buccaneers and everyone else.”

One man who Old Wesley will be without for quite a while at the start of the season is JC Greyling, who will represent Namibia at this year’s Rugby World Cup which gets under way next week in England. His club mate said it is something they’ve prepared for but couldn’t provide an exact date on when he will pull on a Wesley shirt again.

“Even from this time

last year, we would have guessed he’d be a part of the Namibia squad for the world cup and the coaches have prepared for that,” said Large. “He’ll obviously be gone for as long as Namibia stay in it and will then get a break on top of that. Hopefully we can get him back around the end of November or thereabouts.”

Finally, the former Large revealed the targets the side have set themselves for their return to this level. “We haven’t set our sights on a particular final position or anything,” he said.

“What we tend to do is target blocks of games, and target points from say our first four. Then after that, we assess it again.”

St MacDara’s set to benefit from Bowe’s expertise  sport@dublingazette.com

Irish rugby international Tommy Bowe

ST MAC DARA’S Community College in Templeogue has been chosen as the Leinster winner of the Subway stores #TrainwithTommy competition.

The lucky ladies will benefit from a training session with Tommy Bowe at St MacDara’s Community College later this year.

A nutritionist will also be on hand to provide advice and tips to help with the team’s training and perform-

ance.

The team will then share a sub with Bowe, with lunch courtesy of their local Subway store in Applegreen on Knocklyon Road.

St Mac Dara’s Community College Girls will also receive €1,000 worth of rugby gear to kick start the rugby season, and they’ll get a team picture with the Ulster winger to remember the day.

Hundreds of entries were received for the competition which called on rugby, tag teams and schools to upload a

picture or video of their team and explain in 250 words why they needed a training session with Tommy Bowe.

St Mac Dara’s girls claimed the top prize in Leinster for their gutsy entr y daring Tommy Bowe to train with them for a day.

A game “So Tommy, if you’re up for a tough session that you will definitely never forget, give us a shout. Just bring your A game Tommy. You’ll need it.”

Sharon Brady, who submit-

ted the entry on behalf of the school commented: “We are absolutely delighted to have won the chance to Train with Tommy!

“The girls from St Mac Dara’s Community College have been playing for four years now.

“They love the game and love cheering on the men and the women in green.

“Most of all they love playing though, rain or sunshine.

“We are really excited about Tommy coming to the school.”

10 September 2015 gazette 29

Gazette

St Tiernan’s star in Race Around Ireland Dundrum cycling club produce record-breaking time at the first attempt as they complete 2,150km race in just over three days; Daragh O’Toole tells STEPHEN FINDLATER about it DUNDRUM cycling club St Tiernan’s won the eightperson relay 2,150km Race Around Ireland last week in a record-time of 73 hours and 59 minutes.

In doing so, the team of Daragh O’Toole, Orna O’Toole, Kirsty Smith, David Bramley, David Corr, Rodney Joyce, Damien Heffernan and Ciaran Ruane maintained an average speed of over 29km/h.

Their performance saw them finish around seven hours before secondplaced Average Josies, an all-female team, and only a couple of hours behind the second team home overall, the four-person Average Joes.

Indeed, their average speed of 29.68kmh was the second fastest for an eight-person team ever and the quickest for a mixed team.

It is a far cry from the initial conception of

the idea to take part as O’Toole explained to GazetteSport.

“We’ve been thinking about doing it for a while and, six months ago, I suggested it to a bunch of club members. Eventually, we got a team together – five from the club and three from Yorkshire.

“It was hard to get people – they thought this was all a bit crazy but the more we thought about it, the more we thought this is doable.”

Indeed, O’Toole added that “it was a complete step into the unknown” for a club primarily based around road-racing with little experience of endurance challenges of this nature.

“All of us are racers; most of us are in our 40s and cycling is huge amongst our demo graphic. Racing, though, is a whole different thing in terms of training and

The St Tiernan’s team and support crew

focus.

“This kind of thing is a huge challenge – it’s not just physical, the logistics are huge. To get eight people in a relay around Ireland with all the support crew. Once you roll out of Trim, you don’t stop until you get back.”

From that start point in Trim, the race rolls north to the Causeway coast and then around the circumference of Ireland before returning to Trim.

To this end, the Tiernan’s crew divided into two sub teams of four with one person on the road at all-times with a follow-car with a driver and a navigator.

Their other car had three other racers. They would cycle in 15km spells and then swap over with the other rider being on the road and ready to go to keep up a high pace.

Each group did an

eight-hour stint before the other team took over.

During the down time, the other team would drive up the road, eat and sleep in preparation for their next spell in the saddle.

Those best laid plans, though, were disrupted by the sheer pace of the team.

a different class of people – whatever about doing it in a team, doing it solo you have to be made of iron, it is madness. Some were doing 15 hours on, three hours off!”

Despite the hard graft, O’Toole says that the plans are already in place to improve on their per-

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

‘At the top of a mountain in Kerry at 2am, a marshall popped out from behind a rock to check our bikes’ Daragh O’Toole

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

“As it turned out, we went faster than we thought we would go which meant we slept less than we anticipated.

I think I had five hours’ sleep over the course of the whole thing.”

And all the while, the team had to adhere to the competition’s rules to conduct the relay without skipping a metre.

“There are really strict marshalls who appear at random. Literally, at the top of a mountain in Kerry at 2am, a guy popped out from behind a rock to inspect our bikes and what we were doing. They check for fatigue, putting people off the road if you are too tired to cycle.

“We didn’t really have that problem because of having the eight-person team but it does happen to the solo riders. They are

formance for next year.

“The longest spin I might have done would be about 230km before – Galway to Dublin in a group. The scale of this was completely new and a real eye-opener.

“We learned a lot on the road and it is one of those things you have to do to know how to do it better and we are certainly looking forward to doing it again next year. We hope to put a four-man team in next year; there’s huge interest in the club and, if I asked people to sign up today, we would get three teams.

“Real life can get in the way and it is quite expensive with entry fees, paying for the support stuff and taking time off work but it’s well worth it and we’re really chuffed with how well it went.”

FastSport

Rush CC win National Cup thanks to Conway’s role CRICKET’S National Cup came back to Rush last Sunday when they just got the better of a thrilling battle with North West side Drummond at Strabane Park in the final.

In the end, it was a man-of-the-match winning knock of 43 from Eoghan Conway that proved to be decisive. Conway and Allan Eastwood with a 73-run stand that helped the Leinster side recover from a precarious 69 for 6 in reply to Drummond’s 171.

Drummond skipper Steve Moore opted to bat first on winning the toss and after losing Andy Christie early - bowled by former Irish international Allan Eastwood - a 40-run partnership between Chris Moore (20) and Kyle Morrow (16) got the Roe Valley team back on an even keel.

That pair and Richard McDaid were to fall in quick succession however as Lynal Jansen (3-14) led the fightback and Drummond struggled to score once Jansen and Shahid Iqbal (0-23 from 9) turned the screw.

To their credit the North West team kept going and a 69-run partnership between skipper Moore (35) and Adam McDaid (34) put them right back in it before Dean Brogan came into the attack as fifth change and ended proceedings very abruptly.

Brogan finished with 4-26 as the last six wickets fell for the addition of just 32 runs - Drummond dismissed for 171 - boosted by the concession of 32 extras.

Stephen Doheny and overseas man Jansen posted 41 for the first wicket as the southerners began the reply in good style before Neal Stewart and his captain, Moore, again put Drummond in the driving seat.

Stewart (3-21) was the pick of the attack numerically but Moore (3-36) claimed the key wickets of Jansen, Iqbal and Sadat Gull to give his side real hope.

It was nt to last however, Conway and Eastwood having the final say while Niall Mullen’s 18 not out nursed Rush home with just those two wickets in hand.

Drummond, as the winners did in the first innings, contributed to their own plight by sending down 29 wides, which was to prove crucial in the final analysis.

Gazette

30 SWORDS gazette 10 September 2015

SPORT

FastSport

soccer: celtic denied opening win in first game of senior 1

Bakay’s tennis pledge CLONEE’S MICHAEL Bakay has launched a Pledge Sports crowd-funding campaign to push his bid to become the next Irish tennis star.

The Setanta College student is currently Ireland’s number one Under-13 tennis player and is a member of the Tennis Ireland National Academy, writes Stephen Findlater.

Recently, the Castleknock LTC member reached the semi-finals of the Tennis Europe event in Dublin but, to reach the next level of competition, he will need to start travelling more frequently to international competitions – something that is not currently possible within his and his family’s current means.

Explaining the situation, current Irish Davis Cup captain Gary Cahill told GazetteSport: “In tennis, a kid like Michael needs to play 15 to 20 weeks of international competition to progress long term.

“This can be a significant expense and often limits the progress of talented athletes like Michael. I am hoping that Michael can find potential sponsors to help make his dream a reality.”

Speaking about his targets, Bakay said: “My goal is to be a professional tennis player and represent Ireland in the Davis Cup when I am older and, in the near future, to qualify for Junior Grand Slams.

“My current ranking in Tennis Europe is 604 as I don’t travel much, so for next year I need to go to at least 10 tournaments in Europe to get the experience of playing international tournaments. This campaign with Pledge Sport is my only hope to receive funding for those trips . All the contributions make a huge difference and give me hope for this year.”

And Cahill believes there is potential for Bakay to follow in his trails in the future.

“Michael is one of our most promising junior tennis players nationally. He is extremely driven to become a professional tennis player. I believe he has the commitment and talent needed to become a pro tennis player and compete on the ATP tennis circuit.

“As an individual Michael is a very hard worker. He has massive intensity within training and will always do extra himself outside of the structured training times.”

For more information, go tohttps://www. pledgesports.org/projects/my-professionaltennis-career/.

Swords Celtic in action last season en route to promotion

Swords cut down by Verona LSL Sunday senior 1 Swords Celtic Verona  sport@dublingazette.com

3 4

SWORDS Celtic late start to the season saw them throw away an early lead and eventually fall to defeat against Verona in their LSL Division 1A clash last Sunday.

Celtic were the last side in the division to begin their season due to a couple of reasons and Verona’s sharpness in what was their third game was arguably the difference in their 4-3 victory.

Newly promoted Swords certainly didn’t

show any rustiness from the start as they raced into a 2-0 lead. Oisin Lynch scored the first goal while former manager Robbie Farrell soon added a second.

New manager Niall Hudson couldn’t have wished for a better start but the hosts squandered the chance to possibly seal the result in the first half when Lynch missed guilt-edged opportunity.

They were made to pay for that too as some sloppy Swords defending allowed the Blanchardstown opposition to pull one back before the break.

The visitors started the

mixed foursomes Malahide reach final of national competition MICHAEL Connaughton, President of the GUI, was pictured with the Malahide GC mixed team following their run to the finalof the 2015 Irish Mixed Foursomes Championship, sponsored by the Spanish Tourist Board, at Dooks Golf Club last Saturday.

The team had previously won the Leinster title in August, beating Killeen Castle in the final of the provincial competition.

Picture: Pat Cashman

second half just like they ended the first and found the equaliser before too long but Swords looked, at least at this point, determined for an opening day win and went back in front through Gavin Logan.

Some of Hudson’s players must have felt the third goal was enough as they immediately reduced the pressure levels once back in front and Verona didn’t need an invitation to go level again.

Verona, who in their first two games had beaten Dunboyne and lost to Cherry Orchard, were awarded a penalty after a

collision in the area but Swords stopper Gavin Moore guessed right to push the ball wide.

The match was level on 70 minutes however and if anyone looked likely to go on and win it at this point it was Verona.

Swords did have a big chance to go back in front however but Farrell’s shot from outside the area whizzed over the bar.

As this slugfest crept into its final round, you would have thought both sides would settle for the draw.

Verona kept driving forward however and Swords shot themselves

in the foot with some shoddy defending and the visitors scored their fourth to complete a fantastic comeback.

Hudson will be hoping his side can get their first points on the board this weekend but they will now face a tough test against Broadford Rovers.

Rovers have played four games already this s eas on and remain unbeaten with two wins and two draws.

W i n s h ave c o m e against TEK United and Dublin Bus either side of draws against Wayside Celtic and Leixlip United.

10 September 2015 SWORDS gazette 31

Gazette

training boost

Club Noticeboard

St Finian’s benefit from SuperValu kit promotion

FINGALLIANS

st finian’s celebrated the receipt of train-

ing kit from O’Ciobhain’s SuperValu as part of the recent SuperValu Kit for Clubs promotion.

Store owner Donal O’Ciobhain presented the equipment to St Finian’s club chairman Barry Shelly and club treasurer Pat Farrell along with a number of juvenile members of the club along with committee members and SuperValu staff.

THE Dublin footballers will now meet

Group – Castleknock at home, Sep-

Kerry for the 13th time in an All-Ire-

tember 13, Naomh Barrog away, Sep-

land final and Dublin ladies will meet

tember 27 and Whitehall away, Octo-

the kings of ladies football, Cork. Well

ber 11.

done to Paul, Fiona, Sinead, Emer and

Hurling Group – Na Fianna away,

Niamh as they prepare for their Croke

September 20 and Erin’s Isle, home,

Park Final showdowns on September

October 4.

20 and 27.

football: swords side edge out st margaret’s

First Aid Course: The club has

The academy, the corner stone

organised a course for September 7

of a successful club, will kick start

and 14 at 7.30pm each evening in the

again this Saturday after the summer

pool room. This is essential for all men-

break. It is an opportunity for new

tors of all teams. For further informa-

members to join.

tion, please contact Nicola.fitzgerald.

It is open to boys and girls aged

gpo.dublin@gaa.ie

four to seven years. Each Saturday,

Competitive camogie games have

it starts at 10am and finishes at 12

resumed after the summer break. It

noon.

was a winning start as the long jour-

Members should now call to the bar and put their names down for football final tickets on September 20.

ney to Cuala was worth it as our U-13s won 11-7 to 6-0.

Check out our Gaelic4Mothers

The junior B football championship

Facebook page for the promotional

final has been re-fixed for Saturday,

video the ladies put together, directed

September 19 in Parnell Park at 4pm v

by Kyran O’Brien.

Bank of Ireland.

Minor Championships: football

The club shop will re-open this Saturday at 10am.

ST FINIAN’S CONGRATULATIONS to the Dublin sen-

Club cha ir m a n Ba r r y She lly

ior footballers who secured a spot

acknowledged the support we receive

in the All-Ireland final on September

from Donal and thanked him for nomi-

20.

nating our club and River Valley Rang-

You can still win a pair of tickets for the All-Ireland football final by buying St Finian’s see an attack crowded out by the St Margaret’s defence

Welcome final bonus for Finian’s juniors

jdfc semi-final St Finian’s 1-10 St Margaret’s 0-11  sport@dublingazette.com

THERE were mixed emotions for a couple of Swords sides in the Dublin junior D football championship semi-finals last Sunday morning.

St Finian’s booked their place in the final with a two-point win over nearby neighbours St Margaret’s, while Fingal Ravens fell to a one-point defeat against St Jude’s in the other semifinal.

The Finian’s and Margaret’s clash took place at the home of the lat-

ter and was a really tight affair. The hosts went in leading 0-6 to 0-3 at the break. Finian’s began the second half well however and turned the game on its head when Conor Lennon scored the game’s only goal after a fine attacking move.

The game was level with just three on the clock and the tension looked almost too much for some in attendance.

The Finian’s players held their nerve however as late points from Jack Murray and Joe Greene secured a two-point victory.

S t F i n i a n ’s m a n ager Tony McDonagh

described his side’s spot in the championship final as a “welcome bonus’” “At the start of the season you set your targets and our main was to get into the play-offs off Division 8 to try move out of the league,” said McDonagh.

“We’re still able to do that, and we said at the start, anything in the championship would be a bonus so reaching the final is a very welcome bonus indeed.”

Although the date of the final is still unknown, McDonagh believes that whenever it comes, some of his players, especially the younger ones, will be

much better prepared after featuring in such a close semi-final.

“We used a lot of young lads this season, and had some minor players feature on Sunday. Playing in such a good, tight, competitive game will stand to him and hopefully stand to us come the final, we’re all really looking forward to it.”

Across the city in Tymon North, however, Fingal Ravens couldn’t make it an all Fingal final in the D championship.

In another seriously close game, it was Jude’s who came out on top, winning 0-7 to 0-6.

a raffle ticket for €5 from any committee member or team mentors.

We have to thank everyone who participated in the SuperValu Kit for

ers to be the recipients of the training equipment under this promotion.

The lotto jackpot was €4,600 this week and the numbers drawn were 3, 7, 11 and 24. There was no jackpot winner.

Kids promotion in SuperValu Boroim-

The winners of the €25 lucky dip

he, as we received our full set of balls,

prizes were Ross Hainsworth, Fiona

bibs, bags and training equipment

Daly, Barry Barker and Debbie Cullen.

from Donal O’Ciobhain (owner) of

The jackpot next week will be €4,800.

SuperValu Boroimhe.

Friday night bingo continues to

Donal put on a lovely reception

grow in popularity and we had great

with food and drinks for everyone

excitement last Friday when the

who attended the presentation of

jackpot of €1,300 was won by one of

the equipment.

our regular players.

FINGAL Ravens HARD luck to the junior D team and management who lost their championship semi-final Sunday morning against St Jude’s.

The lotto jackpot will remain at €17,000 until it is won.

We will start a ghost jackpot in the background which will be funded

Our ladies team won their league

each week and will then be available

clash with Castleknock last Wednes-

as the new jackpot once the current

day by three points.

jackpot has been won.

Well done to the girls’ U-16s who

Our minors play their champion-

beat Ballyboden St Enda’s in their

ship fixture against St Peregrine’s

championship game at home on Sun-

on Sunday at 11am in Rolestown.

day.

Club lotto results: Numbers drawn were 2, 3, 22 and 29. There was no

Congratulations to Darren Daly and Dublin on their semi final replay win over Mayo on Saturday.

winner; €20 to Shane Norton, Gary

All-Ireland Final tickets: A notifi-

Stanley and Bernie Farrell. Our lotto

cation will be sent out this week in

jackpot is now capped at €17,000.

relation to All-Ireland tickets.

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

final destination: St Finian’s reach junior final with narrow win over neighbours St Margaret’s P31

september 10-16, 2015

Wesley living it large: Ulster Bank league season brings new hopes P28

Swords Rugby Club are looking forward to a fruitful new era

Swords launch new look ALSAA based rugby club sign up new coach Brian Smyth and look to a fresh outlook as they bid to grow on a number of different fronts

 Nathan kelly

sport@dublingazette.com

SWORDS Rugby Club has relaunched itself this year and the newly monikered “The Players Club” has had an extremely busy summer period.

Brian Smyth has stepped in as head coach, the club was welcomed an influx of new players, and hosted the official IRFU tag tournament which brought a visit from the Six Nations trophy.

The club was formed in 1948 as the Aer Lingus Rugby Club but back then only played friendly matches. Fast forward 67 years and it is preparing for what it hopes to

be one of their biggest seasons yet.

Club captain Paul Orr has been a central figure through much of the club’s change in recent months and was spoke of the positive spirit around their ALSAA base and praised his new coach.

“We’ve had a really progressive summer and everything is going really well at the moment,” Orr said.

New coach “On the playing-front, Brian Smyth has come in and really impressed everyone. He’s a young coach with really good ideas and a philosophy which promotes open, attacking rugby.

“His sessions have been much more demanding than maybe what we were used to but we’re adjusting and it should only stand to us when our season really kicks off at the end of the month.”

For a young coach, Smyth holds good experience in coaching from his time at Coolmine RFC where we worked his way up from youths to senior in five years.

He also worked on the senior coaching panel in Castleknock College and has also spoke about his short time at Swords.

“We’ve had a great pre-season and we’re now looking forward to putting our training to test on the field,” Smyth stated.

The team’s season in Leinster League

Division 2B doesn’t kick off until the end of September but they have been preparing with some Jenkinson Cup games.

This weekend brings an idle week but next Friday sees them travel to Ashbourne to face the side who denied them cup glory last season.

With around 10 to 12 new faces in the team this season, Orr explained that the club hope to continue to grow with the introduction of a women’s team sometime next year.

Swords Rugby Club are still recruiting new players and train on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7.15pm in the ALSAA Sports Complex in Swords.