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WHEREVER YOU ARE IN THE SDCC AREA, WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED  JANUARY 4-10, 2018

THE YEAR IN REVIEWP6

2017’s year in review 28-31

COMMUNITY HAS BEEN LEFT DISGUSTED BY THE ATTACK

Mindless vandalism as pitches wrecked  STAFF REPORTER

Keep reading, keep recycling – thank you

AUGUST: IT’S THE END OF THE ROAD FOR MANY OF TEMPLE BAR’S COBBLES AS THEY FACE REMOVAL TO MAKE THE AREA MORE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL Picture: RTE Player

SPORT

MARCH: THE NATION IS SHOCKED AT THE LOSS OF FOUR RESCUE 116 HEROES, WITH TWO OF THE LOST CREW FROM DUBLIN

OCTOBER: CROWDS GATHER AT DUBLIN AIRPORT TO HELP GIVE IBRAHIM HALAWA A WELCOME HOME AS HIS EGYPTIAN PRISON NIGHTMARE FINALLY ENDS

SEE INSIDE FOR OUR LOOK BACK AT SOME OF THE TOP STORIES ACROSS DUBLIN

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JOYRIDERS on scramblers and quad bikes are wreaking havoc on sports pitches across West Dublin.

A number of sports pitches across

the county have been destroyed by the vehicles in the past year.

The latest case of damage occurred just after Christmas Day in Ballymount Park on Kingswood Castle FC’s pitch.

A number of other clubs also said their facilities have suffered similar damage in the past year.

There have been repeated calls for South Dublin County Council to take steps to tackle the issue across

the county, with the council saying they would consider setting up a county wide task force to tackle the issue.

Continued on Page 3

2 DUBLIN GAZETTE  WEST 4 January 2018

FUNDING | MONEY WILL BE USED TO SUPPORT ANIMAL RESCUE

Over €500k granted to animal charities  MARK O’BRIEN LOCAL animal welfare groups are to receive over half a million euro in funding to support their work in communities this year.

Groups in Tallaght, Rathfarnham, Citywest and Clondalkin will benefit from a share of €573,000.

The news was confirmed last month by the Department of Agriculture Dublin South West TD and Independent Minister Katherine Zappone said the money will be used to support animal rescue and support work – including free or reduced cost services for people to protect their pets.

The Minister said that she was particularly pleased that both the DSCPCA and the Irish Blue Cross which are well known and

respected in Rathfarnham, Tallaght and Citywest have received vital funding for their services.

“I share the passion and love of animals which people of all ages have in Dublin South West,” she said.

“Pets, big and small, are providing loyal company and friendship which is boosting the health and well-being of their owners.

“However, we must also be aware that some animals do for a variety of reasons end up being abandoned, uncared for and left in danger.

“In other homes the burden of caring for a beloved pet in terms of care and vaccines can be too much.

“On such occasions, the dedicated and skilled workers and volunteers of our animal welfare charities provide invaluable sup-

port.

“I welcome the confirmation that the Government is going to continue to support this work with major funding.”

The DSPCA in Rathfarnham is to receive €375,000 in funding.

Other local organisations to benefit from the funding include Clondalkin Animal Aid, who will receive €6,000 and My Lovely Horse Rescue, who will receive €12,000.

My Lovely Horse Rescue, based in Rathfarnham, work all over the country rescuing abandoned or neglected animals.

In August, Dublin Gazette reported that a horse dumped on the side of the road and left to die in Clondalkin had made a full recovery and given birth to a healthy foal after being rescued by members of the group.

Minister Zappone at Tymon Park supporting the Irish Blue Cross

Minister Zappone added that animal rescue groups were facing up to their busiest time of the year.

“Confirmation of the funding is particularly welcome as it comes when many of the groups involved are facing their busiest time of the year,” she said.

Guss O’Connell, Francis Timmons, Paul Gogarty and John Quinn at Remembrance night

Rallying together to remember

A REMEMBRANCE night for those who have died by suicide and for people living with mental health issues was recently held outside the South Dublin County Council offices in Clondalkin with many people talking about their personal losses.

On December 21, many local residents came together to talk about their personal experiences with suicide and mental health issues and what help is currently out there.

Organiser Cllr Francis Timmons (Ind) has called on everyone to look out for each other, saying: “Keep talking, don’t suppress your feelings. If it’s a family member, a friend, a GP, or anyone, once you talk to someone. Many have gone too soon and gone way too young.”

Some of the local counselling services for people suffering with mental health issues, include Pieta House – 01 6010000, Beacon of Light – 01 4578700, Jigsaw Clondalkin – 01 538 0087.

FASTNews

Operation Transformation is back to help shed pounds LUCAN’S Operation Transformation returns on Monday, January 8.

The event – sponsored by Supervalu Lucan and Finnstown Castle Hotel - encourages people to get fit and active in the New Year.

This free community event takes place every Monday at Weston Hockey Club/Lucan Harriers Clubhouse, Newcastle Road.

Weekly weigh-ins start at 6.30pm followed by walks commencing at 7pm.

Participants are encouraged to bring along family and friends and there are prizes on offer for the biggest loser (in weight).

See www.facebook.com/Lucansoperationtransformationgroup for more details.

New chairman against Local Property Tax hikes NEWLY-APPOINTED Chairman of the Committee on Budgetary Oversight, Colm Brophy, has said the country’s local authorities don’t need a major cash windfall from any future Local Property Tax (LPT) changes.

Introduced in 2013, the LPT is based on the market value of relevant properties. The rate is due to be reviewed next year.

Deputy Brophy said homeowners need to be protected from severe hikes.

He said: “City and county councils across the country do not need a substantial increase on their income. Homeowners should not face any hikes based on a dysfunctional market which has seen property values increase at varying rates nationwide.”

The Dublin South-West TD said Local Property Tax is one of several areas of taxation and budgetary oversight he intends to cover in the committee in 2018.

Robbery suspect tackled by three brave patrons THREE brave patrons helped to foil an armed robbery in a pub in Tallaght on New Year’s night.

A man entered the premises of the Speaker Connolly on Firhouse Road just before midnight armed with what is believed to be a firearm, threatened staff and demanded a sum of cash.

The man was challenged by three people on the premises and arrested by gardai.

The suspected firearm was recovered at the scene and has been sent for technical examination.

Gardai have arrested a man in his 30s following an attempted armed robbery at a public house on Firehouse Road, Tallaght on January 1, 2018.

The suspect was detained at Tallaght Garda Station under section 30 of Offences Against the State Act 1939.

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

4 January 2018 WEST  DUBLIN GAZETTE 3

KINGSWOOD | REPEATED CALLS FOR COUNCIL TO TAKE STEPS TO TACKLE ANTISOCIAL ACTS

Locals disgusted as pitches are destroyed by vandalism JOYRIDERS on scramblers and quad bikes are wreaking havoc on sports pitches across West Dublin.

A number of sports pitches across the county have been destroyed by the vehicles in the past year.

The latest case of damage occurred just after Christmas Day in Ballymount Park on Kingswood Castle FC’s pitch.

The club said in a statement on their Facebook page, which included pictures of tyre marks running across the pitch: “Just when we were all having a great Christmas, looking forward to the New Year and second half of the season we get a call to say that someone had done this to our pitch.

“How can anyone be stupid

enough to do this?

“The sad thing is, the person is most likely local and most likely knows some of the people involved in the club. Love the community spirit.”

Locals expressed their disgust at the damage, with some pointing out that other clubs in the area had also been the victims of similar vandalism, including St Maelruans FC and Killinarden Athletic in Tallaght and SVC FC in Clondalkin.

Neighbouring club Kilnamanagh FC’s facilities were also damaged last year.

The club posted pictures on November 1 that showed the damage done to their pitch by joyriding on Halloween night.

The club’s pitch was destroyed by tyre marks and fire from a

burned-out car left on the pitch.

The pitch was only made playable again following a sterling clean up effort from local volunteers.

Scramblers and quad bikes are classed as mechanically propelled vehicles and must be taxed and insured by law.

There have been repeated calls for the council to take steps to tackle the issue across the county.

In November, Dublin Gazette reported that the council said they would be considering setting up a county wide task force to tackle anti-social behaviour related to quads and scramblers.

The council were unable to comment on the recent damage done to local sports pitches at the time of going to press.

Left: The damage done to Kingswood Castle FC’s pitch. Right: The damage done to Kilnamanagh FC’s facilities

4 DUBLIN GAZETTE  WEST 4 January 2018

CAMPAIGN | LOCALS BEING URGED TO SUPPORT LIBRARY PLAN

Calls for permanent library for Rathcoole and surrounding area  MARK O’BRIEN RESIDENTS are being urged to back a campaign for a permanent library serving Rathcoole, Saggart and Newcastle.

Cllr Francis Timmons tabled a motion at the November meeting of South Dublin County Council (SDCC) calling for a permanent library in Rathcoole village that would also serve Saggart and Newcastle.

The council responded positively to the motion, saying: “A permanent library serving the Rathcoole/Saggart/Newcastle area would indeed be a huge asset to the communities of these areas.

“The county council and libraries department will of course consider this request subject to a planned investment programme in library infrastructure being put in place.’’

Cllr Timmons has since submitted a request to the council calling for a library or library hub for the area to be included in the council’s Library Development Plan 2018-2022.

He urged locals to contact other councillors asking them to get behind the plan.

“I have made a submission proposing a library for Rathcoole, Newcastle and Saggart,” he said.

“This is an issue I have raised

at Clondalkin Area meeting as motions and I feel a library is badly needed to facilitate the ever-growing population.

“There is a noticeable lack of facilities in these areas and a library would be much used and a welcome asset for these growing communities.

“I would appeal to all residents of these areas to contact their local councillors and ask that this facility be provided for in South Dublin County Council’s Library Development Plan 2018-2022.”

Currently there is only a mobile library service available in these areas.

There are two school visits

and two public stops in Rathcoole village every Monday evening.

In Saggart there is a public stop every second Thursday and in Newcastle there are public stops every Monday afternoon.

The mobile library also delivers boxes of books each month to nursing homes and creches in Rathcoole, Saggart and Newcastle and visits the creches for special story times and promotional visits.

A home delivery service is also available to any person who has difficulty visiting their local branch library due to age or illness.

Lucan woman travels to Turkey for lifesaving op  MARK O’BRIEN

Fabulous family and friends event

EZ Living Furniture held their special Family and Friends evening at their store in Fonthill Retail Park, Dublin 22 recently. It was a great way for the store to thank their loyal customers for the support during the year, and there were plenty of great deals on offer. Pictured are Anthony Hill, Mandeep Samra and Jason Hanney.

Picture: Simon Peare

A LUCAN woman travelled to Turkey on Tuesday in the hope that the spinal surgery she undergoes there will save her life.

Elizabeth McNicholas (28) began suffering from a complex spinal injury about 10 years ago.

Her spine is crushing her internal organs and she requires a machine to breath.

She has undergone four spinal operations in Ireland but all have proved unsuccessful and she also developed a brain injury.

Her condition recently deteriorated, prompting her friends and family to renew their appeal for funds to help pay for her to travel to the Comprehensive Spine Centre at the Acibadem Maslak Hospital, Istanbul for the lifesaving operation.

Enough funds were raised to send Elizabeth to Turkey but her family and friends are continuing to cam-

Elizabeth McNicholas

paign to raise €150,000 that will help fund her rehabilitation.

Thanking ever yone who has helped so far, the Team Elizabeth fundraising page said: “The big day has finally arrived!!!

“We are on our way to Istanbul for surgery, a journey that would not have been possible without all your help and support.

“Please continue to share and spread the word about Elizabeth’s story as we desperately continue to fundraise for her life-saving surgeries and rehabilitation in Turkey.”

Donations can be made at www. gofundme.com

FASTNews

Call for council to mark decriminalisation of homosexuality in Ireland A LOCAL councillor has called on South Dublin County Council to lead the way in marking 25 years since homosexuality was decriminalised in Ireland.

Cllr Francis Timmons (Ind) said: “2018 is the Cllr Francis Timmons 25th Anniversary of the decimalisation of homosexuality in Ireland.

“I will be calling for South Dublin County Council to mark this huge landmark event in our history that changed so much for so many and celebrate and promote equality and inclusion.

“There is still a need for conversations to be had and I believe the council must lead the way.

“It’s hard to believe that just 25 years ago it was illegal to be gay in Ireland.

“I would like to see an event held and some type of memorial to all those that faced discrimination and criminal action because for their sexuality.”

Cllr Timmons – who received a number of homophobic letters last year and had his home attacked – said that he would also like to see hate legislation enacted this year.

“We have come a long way but we now need the Children’s Relationship Bill fully enacted and hate crime legislation introduced,” he said.

“It is not good enough that some people can say awful things about someone’s sexuality and not face any repercussions.

“I hope progress can be made in 2018 and will be raising these issues as motions at council meetings.”

Funding boost for local Childcare providers LOCAL Childcare providers will be able to access support for better outdoor play areas, extra spaces and essential maintenance when a €6.8m capital fund opens in February.

Dublin South West TD and Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Minister Zappone said she is also honouring a commitment to local creches, preschools and childcare services to cut down on paperwork by accepting applications online through a single form.

She said: “The €6.86m set aside for capital reflects my on-going commitment to developing quality, affordable childcare, and assisting local providers in delivering world class services to parents and children.

“In addition to funding the Bill which will form the backbone of our radical new approach will make its way through the Oireachtas in 2018, while work on a top class IT system also continues.

“Changing one of the world’s most expensive childcare systems in the world into the best is an ambitious goal but one which we will continue to work towards achieving in the next 12-months.”

4 January 2018 WEST  DUBLIN GAZETTE 5

6 DUBLIN GAZETTE  WEST 4 January 2018

GAZETTE

2017 Shock, joy and heartbreak usher in the Spring months

JANUARY Ballyfermot in shock as granny stabbed at door

CITY: LOCALS in Ballyfermot were in shock after a 72-year-old grandmother was attacked on her own doorstep.

Mum-of-five Bridie Smith was repeatedly stabbed when she answered her door to two men as she was preparing to go to mass.

Sinn Fein councillor Daithi Doolan said he was shocked by the attack.

“We cannot allow our older folks, our elderly, our neighbours to be held siege by this criminality,” he said.

Council turned down 446 homes from NAMA for social housing

SDCC: South Dublin County Council refused 446 NAMA homes on the

GAZETTE REVIEW OF THE YEAR THAT WAS FROM AROUND DUBLIN

grounds that they would result in an over-concentration of social housing tenants.

It emerged that a total of 592 houses were offered by the agency for social housing, but demand was confirmed for just 128 and 446 were rejected “for sustainable community reasons”.

In all, more than 2,000 homes were offered to the four Dublin local authorities, but only 776 were accepted.

South Dublin County Council had the lowest take-up of the four councils – accepting just 22% of the 872 units made available.

Heartless scam stung people for ‘roofing fixes’

SOUTH DUBLIN: Vulnerable south Dublin locals were being targeted in a “nightmare” roofing scam.

There were reports of a group of men offering to repair roofs which they claimed were damaged in the Mount Merrion,

Blackrock and Foxrock areas. Some lost as much as €20,000 in the scam.

Mount Merrion local, Kathleen, told Dublin Gazette that she was threatened by the men who damaged her roof deliberately before trying to extort money from her.

FEBRUARY 90-year-old meets his family for the first time

CLONDALKIN: A 90-yearold Clondalkin man was moved to tears after meeting his two half-sisters for the first time.

John Clarke, from Convent View Cottages on the Boot Road, had two very special visitors from the UK – Bonnie Stanford and Valerie Hipkiss.

John was born in 1926 and was placed in St Kevin’s orphanage and hospital as a child. He was placed in a foster home in Clondalkin in 1932 and never left the area.

He found out he had six half-brothers and half-

The nation shocked by loss of four Rescue 116 heroes off the coast CITY: March saw Dublin and the nation mourn the loss of “unforgettable hero” Captain Dara Fitzpatrick (left) who tragically lost her life while on board the Rescue 116 Coast Guard helicopter.

The Kilternan native was one of four crew on board the rescue helicopter which went down off the coast of Mayo on Tuesday, March 14.

Above: Sheer joy as Clondalkin man John Clarke (90) meets his half-sisters, Bonnie and Valerie, for the very first time in February. Picture: Clondalkin Reunion Facebook page Right: Also a good-news story in February, little Evie Kelly (7) and her cousin, Sophie Kavanagh (4), showed the kindness of children when they lopped off their long, lucious locks at Reba Reborn Hair in Ongar Village. The girls cut off their hair to send it to the Rapunzel Foundation, so that it could be be made into wigs for children who have lost their hair through illness. The 14 inches of hair they gace will make a huge difference to others.

sisters after a genealogist helped trace his family tree.

Fears ‘Shankill Stalker’ back on the prowl again

Pilot and commander, Capt Fitzpatrick (45) had bravely saved lives for more than two decades on search and rescue missions.

The loving mother of a threeyear-old boy Fionn, Capt Fitzpatrick and her heroic crew had been providing top cover for another Coast Guard helicopter, Rescue 118, that was performing a medical evacuation off the coast of Mayo.

Rescue 116 was returning to base when it fell out of contact and a search operation got under way.

The other heroes lost in the tragedy were Paul Ormsby, Mark Duffy and Ciaran Smith, from Oldtown.

SHANKILL: There were fears that the so-called “Shankill Stalker” had struck again in February after a woman in her 40s was sexually assaulted in Killiney by a man descrived as six foot in height.

The woman suffered minor injuries and did not require medical assistance at the scene.

Locals expressed their shock and fear on Facebook following the assault with one saying: “I hope this isn’t the return of the Shankill stalker.”

A spate of sexual assaults occurred in the Shankill area at the same time the previous year.

In each case a lone male approached a lone female and an alleged assault took place.

MARCH ‘Memorialise the Seagull terror at suffering of our seaside setting Magdalenes’ BALBRIGGAN: Fearless seagulls were causing havoc in Balbriggan by attacking children and older people as they fight for scraps of food.

There were calls in the Seanad for lasers to be used to deter the aggressive birds from nesting and scavenging in urban coastal areas.

Senator Lorraine Clifford Lee (FF) said: “They are dangerous, dirty ... and they have a tendency to attack and reports locally suggest that they viciously attack for scraps.

“This is potentially quite dangerous for children.”

DUN LAOGHAIRE: Calls were made to memorialise the women who were housed St Patrick’s Refuge operated as a Magdalene Laundry from 1878 to 1963.

Cllr Michael Merrigan (Ind) spoke to Dublin Gazette and said that he believes that the women who were in St Patrick’s Refuge should be memorialised in some way.

He said: “I strongly believe that this town and the county council should erect a memorial in the town centre to recognise these women, their pain and suffering.”

4 January 2018 WEST  DUBLIN GAZETTE 7

Man ‘at wit’s end’ killed rooster in neighbour’s yard PORTRANE: A man killed his neighbour’s rooster by banging it off the wall because he was at his “wits’ end”.

Joseph Kennedy, 49, admitted an animal cruelty offence at Swords District Court arising from an ongoing row with his neighbour Steven Ho. The court heard Kennedy, from Portrane, broke into Mr Ho’s property, grabbed the bird by the neck and hit it off a wall.

He pleaded guilty to cruelly ill-treating a rooster, theft, and to two counts of trespass on June 2, 2016. The incident was caught on CCTV,

Judge Dermot Dempsey heard.

The court was told Kennedy was his mother’s full-time carer, and the rooster had been keeping her awake at night.

Less than two weeks earlier, on May 21, 2016, the two neighbours clashed over the noise the rooster was making at about 1am.

Shock as woman scammed out of her €90k savings

CLONDALKIN: Pensioners were warned to be careful after an “exceptionally vulnerable” woman was conned out of her €90,000 life savings.

A Clondalkin man involved in the scam which left the woman, a

psychiatric out patient, with just €93 in her bank account was jailed for three years for deception.

In a separate case a Clondalkin man who persuaded an OAP to pay him €3,570 for unnecessary roof repairs was ordered to pay the money back.

Age Action Ireland spokesman Justin Moran told Dublin Gazette: “Your heart goes out to people who’ve been treated in this way and targeted by unscrupulous individuals. We would urge people to be careful.”

Mr Moran, head of advocacy with A AI, added: “Scams and frauds targeting elderly people are a real problem in this country.

“We advise people always to ask for ID and references.”

Tethered horse left alone to die of stress, starvation in a muddy field TYRRELSTOWN: Animal cruelty reared its ugly head across the group in a number of distressing stories throughout the year, with the death of this horse in March proving particularly harrowing.

The seven-year-old cob, named ‘Pippa’ by some

GAZETTE

JANUARY TO MARCH

would-be rescuers from My Lovely Horse Rescue, was left tethered to a tree in a field opposite the graveyard on Church Road.

However, despite their best efforts, Pippa died from heart failure, with the rescuers and locals alike shocked by the terrible conditions she had been left in. Local woman Eileen Thomas posted: “Rest in peace Pippa. Another innocent animal destroyed and let down by people.”

8 DUBLIN GAZETTE  WEST 4 January 2018

GAZETTE

2017 Hero mourned, fairies help to spread goodwill

GAZETTE REVIEW OF THE YEAR THAT WAS FROM AROUND DUBLIN

APRIL Missing Rescue 116 hero’s family continue sad vigil Still missing: Rescue 116 hero Ciaran Smith

FINGAL: The family of missing coast guard hero Ciaran Smith (left) spoke of their “living nightmare” as he remained missing

following the crash of the Rescue 116 helicopter off the coast of Mayo.

He had been missing for three weeks at the time and his sister Orla issued a heartfelt plea for help in finding the 38-year-old winch operator from Oldtown.

“We need those boys home now. We really do,” she said.

“We’re doing our best to keep going, to stay as strong as possible and to stay as positive as we can.

But it is tough.

“My parents need them home, my sister-inlaw needs him home. My nieces need him home.

They have to come home now.”

Ciaran Smith’s body has still not been recovered.

Newsie wins his battle against a shopping centre

DUN LAOGHAIRE: There was joy in Dun Laoghaire as local legend and newspaper seller George Davis celebrated his court victory over Dun Laoghaire Shopping Centre.

A judge ruled he could continue to sell newspapers from the spot he has held for 38 years in Dun Laoghaire.

The centre bosses said that George was unauthorised to sell from his

stall and that he didn’t pay rent to use the spot.

However, the judge ruled that George could retain his pitch for the rest of his life based on an agreement drawn up between him and the centre in the 1970s.

MAY Thugs caused €10k of damage to harbour boats

SEASIDE: Up to €10k of damage was caused when vandals went on a spree of robbery and destruction on Dun Laoghaire’s West Pier.

The Irish Youth Sailing Club (IYSC), which teaches children, saw one of their junior safety training boats slashed and left floating in the sea nearby. It also had its engine stolen.

The Dun Laoghaire Sea Scouts had an engine stolen off one of its sail training boats and all of the boat’s equipment was thrown into the sea.

A boat belonging to the Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club was also ransacked and had its windows and doors smashed.

I YS C b o s s Ky r o n O’Gorman said: “Gardai are doing all they can but it’s a worry where we can put a boat that will be safe.”

APRIL TO JUNE

ABOVE: One of the year’s feel-good

colourful garden complete with fairy

stories came in April courtesy of a

doors, murals, a giant mirror, fantasy

brave little girl, Brooke Dunne (9),

lighting and a ‘fairy mail’ post box.

from Clondalkin.

Mum Julie said: “It’ll mean an awful

Brooke suffers from the debilitating

lot to her. Not only have they filled

disorder Rett Syndrome, and the

our lives with hope and joy, they have

charity Make-A-Wish dream saw

made my little girl feel like a child

her back garden transformed into a

again.”

JUNE Vandals costing Residents won’t FCC €60k a year roll over to allow FINGAL: It emerged that Fingal County Council ‘brothels’ spread forks out €60,000 every

CITY: Dorset Street residents vowed to protest against their area being turned into a red-light district amid reports of numerous brothels operating nearby.

Residents said that several complaints have been made to gardai over the last year but that nothing has been done.

“Residents believe that certain buildings are being used as brothels,” said Fianna Fail Dublin Central representative Brian Mohan.

He said that the residents’ claims were not speculative but based on some investigations they carried out themselves.

He also said that a shop on the street shares a back entrance with one of the alleged brothels and it is often littered with “paraphernalia associated with that sort of business”.

year to repair damage to playgrounds caused by

vandals.

A council spokesman told Dublin Gazette: “Apart from the expense, the biggest nuisance is time spent by staff making the area safe, and the time that the equipment is unavailable for use.”

Grandad’s buildings are helping to magic up support for sick children MALAHIDE: In May, a local grandad was happy to be “away with the fairies” after building an enchanting fairy house in his garden.

A carpenter by trade, Ger Lowry built his first fairy house for his grandchildren but the magical creations started attracting children from all over.

“It started up for my grandkids and I had one left over, so Robin said: ‘Why don’t we put it over by the tree?’ “ T h e n I s aw a child out there one day dancing up and down with excitement. Next thing, t h e r e ’s b u t t o n s , soothers, money, all sorts of things being left there.”

Ger decided to donate the money left at his fairy village to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

His daughter Tracey said: “This started out in the back garden for my kids and just grew bigger and bigger. People come from all over to see it now.”

4 January 2018 WEST  DUBLIN GAZETTE 9

GAZETTE

10 DUBLIN GAZETTE  WEST 4 January 2018

2017

GAZETTE REVIEW OF THE YEAR THAT WAS FROM AROUND DUBLIN

At risk: Temple Bar’s cobbles?

Could plans for beloved paving prove a load of cobblers?

CITY: Summer saw the news that Temple Bar is set to lose its famous cobblestones as part of a “major decluttering exercise” by the council.

The popular tourist spot will undergo a redevelopment that will see some of the iconic cobbled streets resurfaced in order to improve accessibility and also make the space more suitable for cultural events.

The proposals reported in August

include the removal of the existing street furniture, trees, licensed outdoor seating terraces and replacement with new street furniture, new tree planting, seating and public lighting.

The council also want to improve the area’s accessibility by removing the likes of excess bins, pub barrels, sandwich boards and street lights, with the square to be extended as a single surface across the adjoining streets of Temple Bar.

JULY TO OCTOBER

Celebrations as beginnings, both JULY D15 native revs up for an exciting job with F1 team

BLANCHARDSTOWN: A Dublin 15 native told Dublin Gazette how he was swapping life in the army for life in the fast lane after securing a job with the Mercedes Formula 1 team.

Eamonn Slattery, from Fortlawn was gearing up for a move to Brixworth – near the famous Silverstone race track – in September to take up a job helping to design engines for the successful racing team.

Eamonn joined the a r my w h e n h e w a s 17-years-old and completed a mechanical apprenticeship during his seven years of service. He then won a place studying engineering in Trinity College which has led to this job at the team’s factory-set mission control.

Goatstown man preparing to sail around the world

GOATSTOWN: Dublin sailor Gregor McGuckin plans to turn back the hands of time next year to compete in a round the world race using only traditional navigation skills.

The 30-year-old will spend nine months at sea taking direction from the sun, moon and stars and armed with just paper charts, a compass, sextant

and a radio.

Gregor is the first ever Irish contender aiming to retrace the record-setting trip of Sr Robin KnoxJohnston in 1968.

More people have been in space than have successfully completed the feat which Gregor is attempting.

He told Dublin Gazette: “I’ve always liked the idea of adventure. I’m an ocean yacht master so as part of my training I’ve used traditional navigation skills.

“The biggest challenge will be to keep myself mentally fit. I will be nine months without my girlfriend; she has been very supportive of my dream.”

Fianna Fail TD Darragh O’Brien commended the action, telling Dublin Gazette: “The waste industry is very lucrative and there are organised criminal gangs involved.

“This is not about people throwing bags of rubbish in the ditch, it’s far more serious and sinister than that.”

AUGUST Armed gardai aim SEPTEMBER to crack down on Floating homes illegal dumping FINGAL: A series of armed housing proposal garda checkpoints were set up across Fingal in to makes waves tackle illegal dumping.

The Armed Response Unit, Traffic Corps and Divisional Crime Task Force were drafted in to man the first of these random checkpoints in Baldoyle.

They assisted Fingal County Council’s environment enforcement unit in a clampdown on fly-tipping which has escalated over the summer months.

A council spokesperson said: “The checkpoints will continue with the aim of identifying unauthorised and bogus refuse collectors.”

DUN LAOGHAIRE: Floating homes in Dun Laoghaire Harbour could be a possible solution to the housing crisis in what local representatives called “a crazy idea”.

The Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company (DLHC) proposed that up to 50 new homes could be permanently moored in Dublin Bay as part of an affordable solution to the housing crisis.

DLHC has called for statements of interest to build the homes and is seeking a partner to provide them as part of a new

housing scheme.

Local TD Richard Boyd Barrett condemned the plans, describing them as a “crazy idea”.

However, Gerry Dunne from DLHC said that there had been a positive response to the idea and challenged Deputy Boyd Barrett to come up with a better solution.

Picture: RTE Player

OCTOBER Ibrahim Halawa’s Egyptian prison nightmare ends

CITY: There were emotionally-charged scenes at Dublin Airport as Dubliner Ibrahim Halawa (above) finally returned home, marking one of the biggest Dublin and national stories of 2017.

Emotional scenes saw the now 21-year-old reunited with family and friends, as a large crowd celebrated his return.

Addressing the wellwishers, he said: “This is the moment I’ve waited for, for four years. It’s a dream come true. I didn’t think it would come through any time soon.”

4 January 2018 WEST  DUBLIN GAZETTE 11

Dubs ready for new at home and abroad NOVEMBER Shock as arson destroys business

DONABATE: An arson attack in Donabate saw renewed calls for a garda station in the area.

Pharmacist Nuala Mac Cinna spoke of her shock after the blaze, which was deliberately started in wheelie bins to the rear

of the property, gutted the shop.

“I can’t believe it,” she said at the time. “The fire spread so rapidly. When I got here last night the fire was in the roof and spreading very fast. I just feel disbelief.”

Fire crews from Swords, Kilbarrack, Finglas and Tara Street battled the blaze until 4am as flames engulfed the one-storey building.

DECEMBER Gay councillor’s home is targeted by thugs – again

CLONDALKIN: The home of a Clondalkin councillor was targeted by vandals just two weeks after he received homophobic letters through the post.

Cllr Francis Timmons woke up to find the windows of his house and his windscreen smashed.

Cllr Timmons told Dublin Gazette that the repeated targeting of his home was “so frustrating”.

“When you get up in the morning and the windows are smashed like that, it’s horrendous,” he said.

Despite the recent incidents, Cllr Timmons paid tribute to his neighbours and the people of Clondalkin who have been supportive of him, with some even offering him money to help pay for the repairs.

“It gives you a bit of faith in people. It’s just a small minority of people [who carry out such attacks],” said Cllr Timmons.

GAZETTE

NOVEMBER TO DECEMBER

Kind-hearted Blanch boy Ben uses his savings to help lots of homeless

CORDUFF: December saw a seven-year-old schoolboy raiding his piggy bank to buy sleeping bags for the homeless.

Ben Armstrong, from Corduff in Blanchardstown, was so concerned about rough sleepers outdoors in harsh weather conditions he decided to use his Christmas savings of €70 to help them. Ben raised even more money through family and friends and then handed over 78 sleeping bags to a homeless charity.

His proud mum Deborah told Dublin Gazette: “After the last storm he came downstairs from his bed extremely upset. He was very concerned for the homeless people.”

Ben raised over €300 to add to his ow n money and after buying up the entire stock in Penneys, he spoke to the manager to request 60 more units.

GAZETTE

12 DUBLIN GAZETTE 4 January 2018

DUBLINBUSINESS

Top tips for tackling your finances in 2018 €7m development at

LESS than three in ten Irish consumers believe they will be better off financially in 2018.

That’s according to research carried out by independent price comparison and switching service, Switcher.ie, which revealed the extent of consumers’ financial concerns for 2018.

Eoin Clarke, managing director of Switcher.ie, said: “It’s likely many of us could be emerging from the Christmas season with a financial hangover that feels hard to shake.”

Switcher.ie’s top tips for tackling your finances in 2018.

Draw up a monthly budget, including all your income and expenses, and try your best to stick to it. If you can manage to put some money into savings each month, even better.

If you have long-standing credit card debt that you’re finding hard to shift, think about

switching to a card with a 0% balance transfer offer, making sure to pay the balance off within the interest-free period.

Ensure you’re not paying more than you need to for your household essentials. If you haven’t switched your energy, broadband or phone plan in some time, make it one of your new year’s resolutions to take half an hour to do this.

It’s quick and easy and could save you some much-needed cash - switching energy alone could save you up to €335, while savings of up to €432 are available on some broadband packages.

Take time to review all of your monthly payments - be it for the gym, a cinema membership, or a streaming service - and cancel any you no longer use.

Make the most of any tax reliefs or benefits you’re entitled to - for example, you can

claim tax relief on some medical expenses that are not covered by the State or by private health insurance. There’s loads of information on benefits and taxes on the Revenue website, so take some time to check these out at the start of the year.

Take some energy-saving measures around the home. Simple changes, like turning down the heating by just one degree can knock up to 10% off heating bills, while turning appliances off, rather than leaving them on standby, will reduce the appliance’s energy use by around 20%.

See if you can get a discount by switching from monthly to annual payments. The chances are you’re paying extra for the convenience of paying things like gym membership or insurance on a monthly basis, so although paying upfront will be a larger outlay of cash in one go, it will save you in the long run.

Castleknock Hotel done CASTLEKNOCK Hotel has completed a €7 million development, which includes 52 additional bedrooms, a lavish spa and two new restaurants.

Begun in January 2017, the development has increased capacity from 138 rooms to 190. Thirtyeight rooms are ‘deluxe rooms’ with upgraded amenities; three are deluxe executive suites with a four-poster bed and Jacuzzi bath.

The hotel has added two new restaurants. Under the guidance of celebrity chef Neil Kearns, Earth & Vine follows a farm-to-fork ethos, serving a contemporary menu of artisanal food sourced directly from local farms and producers.

For more informal occasions, guests can enjoy Italian and Sicilian favourites, with a Castleknock twist at 22 Bar + Restaurant.

ASDFASFD | IASDF SDAFDSF SDF DSF DSAFDSAF DASFSDAF

asdf asdf asdf dsaf dsaf asdf dsafasdfsd THE Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Dublin City Women in Business Network awards saw Anita Donoghue, of The Hair Cafe Salon in Smithfield, and Rita

DUBLINLIFE



GAZETTE

4 January 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 13

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

PROJECT: PROVIDING A SAFE SPACE FOR CHILDREN WHO MIGHT BE FEELING LONELY

Fostering friendships with buddy benches  MARK O’BRIEN LONELINESS can have a long-lasting effect on children.

Studies have shown that children who feel lonely are more likely to develop low self-esteem, are less likely to take positive risks and are more likely to engage in risky behaviour, such as smoking and abusing drugs, when they get older.

In recent years, schools around the world have come up with a way to prevent children from feeling lonely.

Buddy benches have gained popularity in the US, Canada and mainland Europe and many schools in Ireland have now adopted the idea.

The idea behind buddy benches is a simple one.

A child who is feeling lonely or has no one to play with at school sits on the bench.

This tells other children that the child is in need of a buddy.

T he benches have proved very effective in teaching children to recognise and respond to their own feelings.

Holy Spirit Senior School in Greenhills recently installed two buddy benches in their school yard.

T he benches were donated by Greenhills & District Credit Union.

The Credit Union’s youth liaison officer Marion King told Dublin Gazette that they were very keen to get involved in the project.

“No child should be on their own,” she said. “We all need a friend.”

Marion thanked all of the staff of the Credit Union who supported her

The new Buddy Bench at Holy Spirit Senior School in Greenhills

in raising funds for the buddy bench.

“The buddy bench will be a special place in the school yard where a child

can go and sit if they feel sad, lonely, isolated or just need someone to talk to or play with,” she said.

“Mental Health starts at

a young age and we want to combat this.

“Our aim is to give a child the confidence to talk and make new friends

and also to let them know it is okay to have a bad day.

“The buddy bench is not just for kids feeling sad, or lonely it is for all children.

Everyone needs a buddy.”

One of the benches is dedicated to Sinead Pugh, an SNA at the school who sadly passed away recently.

Marion cut two pink balloons in memory of Sinead at the opening ceremony.

“Ms Murray, the principal, said the balloons were going up to our friend Sinead Pugh in heaven,” said Marion.

GAZETTE

14 DUBLIN GAZETTE 4 January 2018

DUBLINLIFE

DIARY

FUNDING: CALLING ON PEOPLE TO GET GROWING THEIR OWN FOOD IN 2018

Teaming up to ‘Get Ireland Growing’ IT’S TIME for Ireland to get growing as funding for community food growing groups will be available next year.

GIY and Energia are calling on people across the country to get growing their own food in 2018 and are offering all budding growers the opportunity to apply for funding from the “Energia Get Ireland Growing” €75,000 funding pool.

Grants from the fund will be split across three categories “Sow”, “Grow” and “Harvest”with awards ranging from €500 to €2,000 plus one very special group will receive a massive €5,000 grant for their project.

Together GIY and Energia will support at least 85 community food growing groups in 2018 and enable food growing by community and voluntary organisations all across Ireland including Northern Ireland.

The projects should all have an element of

outreach, promotion and inclusivity and should have some plan to encourage more people to grow their own food.

The successful applicants will be celebrated at a gala event, which will be held at the home of GIY, GROW HQ in Waterford, in March 2018. For further details and to submit an application see GIY.ie.

The application period is open until January 19.

You can drop unwanted gifts into any one of the shops, safe in the knowledge that its sale will make someone else happy and at the same time raise money for Barnardos’ work.

The children’s charity works with more than 14,100 children and families across its 40 centres nationwide, and campaigns for the rights of all children in Ireland.

BARNARDOS LOOKING FOR THE CHRISTMAS GIFTS YOU WON’T USE

GELDOF DONATES BAND AID MEMORABILIA TO LIBRARY

DID you get any unwanted gifts this Christmas?

Well, whether it’s a jumper that’s two sizes too small, a book that’s already sitting on your shelf at home or another scented candle, there’s a home for it in a Barnardos shop.

Barnardos has seven shops around the country, located in Carlow, Cork, Wexford and Dublin (Rathmines, Clondalkin, K ilbarrack and Dun Laoghaire).

THE National Library of Ireland (NLI) is to bring the Band Aid archive to a worldwide audience with plans to digitise a vast collection of letters, photographs and charity records from the iconic 1984 fundraiser.

Band Aid was a worldwide phenomenon in the mid-1980s.

The supergroup, formed

by Bob Geldof, brought together more than 40 of the top musical artists

Pictured are Nathan Cullen-Delsol, Carla Cullen-Delsol, Aisling Rohan, Erin Rohan, Daisy Dubois and Ultan Rohal at the launch of the ‘Energia Get Ireland Growing’ fund. Picture: Patrick Browne

of the 1980s, including U2, Ultravox, Bananarama, Duran Duran and Geldof’s own band, The Boomtown Rats.

IRELAND’S ANCIENT KINGS AND QUEENS BROUGHT TO LIFE H I S T OR I A N S f r o m the National Museum of Ireland, Trinity College, Dublin and Queen’s University, Belfast, have worked together to help Expedia create a fascinating account of the kings and queens who reigned in Ireland thousands of years ago.

Their new website, Kings and Queens That Shaped Ireland includes a wonderful display of illustrations depicting the different kings and queens, as well as a series of connecting timelines and stories dating back some thousands of years ago.

Those that enter the site can expect to be taken on a journey through the lives of some of Ireland’s most notable kings and queens as they battle for power, marry numerous times, and eventually relinquish or pass on their throne.

From the likes of Brian Boru, arguably one of Ireland’s greatest kings, to the lesser-known thrice married Queen Gormlaith and King Conchobar mac Nessa, once a High King of Ulster.

Discover more at blog. expedia.ie/irish-kingsqueens

GET ACTIVE FOR MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS WITH 2018 TREKS MULTIPLE Sclerosis Ireland is encouraging people to sign up for a 2018 MS trek and raise funds

for vital services for those living with MS. MS Ireland has been organising treks around the world since 1989.

The 2018 treks include climbing the world’s highest mountain to Everest Base Camp, trekking the Via Francigena to St Peter’s Square in Rome and making the Biblical journey into the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

The treks are suitable for all levels of fitness providing a great opportunity to take part in active trips as an individual or group.

Funds raised will help provide one-to-one and family support including newly diagnosed sessions, physiotherapy and symptom management programmes through ten Regional Offices across the country, operate the MS Information Line and deliver specialised services in the MS Care Centre, Ireland’s only respite and therapy centre for people with MS. Register today at www. ms-society.ie or call (01) 678 1600 to receive more information.

Take a journey back in time and follow in the footsteps of the kings and queens that shaped Ireland for centuries

4 January 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 15

GAZETTE

16 DUBLIN GAZETTE 4 January 2018

4 January 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 17

DUBLINLIFE

A REMARKABLE REMAKE WHEN THE STELLA THEATRE IN RATHMINES CLOSED ITS DOORS IN 2004, DUBLIN LOST ONE OF ITS MOST ICONIC AND ENDURING CINEMAS.  MARK O’BRIEN ORIGINALLY opening its doors in 1923, the theatre - affectionately named The Stella – once accommodated 1,283 patrons, making it Ireland’s largest cinema at the time.

It also boasted a ballroom that was once a hub of Dublin’s social scene.

In 1981, the cinema was divided into two smaller cinemas but by the early part of the last decade, the theatre was not what it once was and finally closed its doors 14 years ago.

But in October of last year, The Stella finally opened its doors once again, having been lovingly restored to its 1920s grandeur.

General manager of the reopened theatre, Dave O’Keeffe, told Dublin Gazette that the reaction from locals has been overwhelmingly positive since they opened their doors on

October 31.

“It’s been fantastic,” he said.

“The feedback from the public has been wonderful and the interest and support from Rathmines in general has been excellent.

“It’s very much a case, I think, of people happy to see it back and restored to what it once was.”

During the restoration, some beautiful original 1920s features such as the original facade were uncovered.

These include a typical art deco handrail which guides patrons up to the first-floor balcony, detailed mosaic tiling of the original Stella logo and original ceiling mouldings.

These can be seen kindly restored and dotted throughout the theatre.

“From the restoration p e r s p e c t i ve , e ve r y t h i n g was done with a significant amount of respect for the actual period that it opened,”

said Dave.

“It’s been very important to us that it does have that art deco feel and has all that sort of style that goes with that period, so it’s all been very thoughtfully done.”

The painstaking 18-month renovation process has certainly proved worthwhile.

Today, the Stella Theatre comprises one eye-catching large auditorium with a large balcony bedecked with a beautifully ornate ceiling, The Stella Cocktail Club – where the ballroom once stood – and the Refreshments Bar in the foyer.

All three elements combine to create a cinematic experience like no other in Ireland.

“It is totally one of a kind in Ireland, not just Dublin,” said Dave.

“Nationally, there wouldn’t be anything that would be of the same sort of calibre or the same sort of offering.”

There are also some unique seating options on offer.

“We have three different seat types primarily,” said Dave.

“A lovely luxurious red leather armchair would be your standard admission and then for people maybe out on a date night or somebody who is out celebrating a special occasion, we’ve got won-

derful couches on the ground floor and on the balcony as well and then what’s very unique to us is there’s five king-size lie flat beds.

“Where traditionally in the front row of a movie theatre you would sit upright craning towards the movie screen, we have very comfortable lie flat beds where you lie back and watch the movie from there.”

Even if you don’t fancy catching a movie, you’re welcome to pay a visit to The Stella.

“Guests are definitely welcome to join us for a cocktail before or after the movie or even just to pop in and have a bite to eat and a few drinks without ever going to catch a show,” said Dave.

The Stella Theatre is open for business seven days a week screening the newest movies, along with some classics that people may have missed the first time around.

“It’s very important to us that we do actually present the blockbuster of the time plus a selection of classic movies that people would have come to during their childhood here or just those cinema greats that you really want to have the cinema experience for,” said Dave.

Tickets for the Stella Theatre can be booked at stellatheatre.ie

18 DUBLIN GAZETTE 4 January 2018

Out and About

John O’Dwyer, CEO, Vhi; Sabina Cotter, Irish Youth Foundation; Dublin GAA star Philly McMahon with local

Promoting fitness and inclusivity children Braxton Rice and Elliot Toale. Pictures: JULIEN BEHAL PHOTOGRAPHY

D

Philly watches on as children exercise

UBLIN GAA star, Philly McMahon joined The Irish Youth Foundation and Vhi as they announced details of ‘Run for Fun’, a new initiative developed to encourage young people from disadvantaged communities in Ireland to embrace the benefits offered through running. The initiative has been created to encourage more young people to get involved in running both for fitness and for recreation.

Pictured at the launch in Bradog, Dublin, were Philly with youth participants Sarah Bardon; Casey Nolan; Shannon Delahunty; Saoirse Glennon; Holly Bardon and Abbie Dyer.

GAZETTE

4 January 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 19

DUBLINFITNESS

CHECK OUT

www.kickstartfitness.ie

Recover well, stay injury free and keep progressing in 2018 Gareth Francis is a qualified personal trainer and strength and conditioning coach with over eight years experience in the fitness industry.

He now works as head coach in Kickstart Fitness.

THIS January a lot of us will run back to the gym with the mindset of smashing as many workouts as possible.

Although some of us might not have been to the gym for some time so our bodies will be in for a shock.

Here are six ways to deal with DOMS and help with your recovery after your workouts.

Delayed onset muscle soreness is also known as

 GARETH FRANCIS info@dublingazette.com

DOMS. This is a common sensation felt after lifting weights.

Most trainees actually base the success or effectiveness of their training sessions on how sore they get.

However, this is not a good way to judge your workouts.

Typically DOMS is characterised by muscle tenderness, stiffness and soreness and can actually slow down your pro-

STEP 1 SLEEP Sleep is the number one factor to recovery. It’s your body’s only chance to completely shut down and rest.

So get your 8 hours in guys. Try to “switch off” about 30 mins before you go to bed. Get into the habit of leaving the phone downstairs, make sure the room is dark and even try to read an enjoyable book before you fall asleep.

Give your brain some down time, time away from the internet and the mundaneness of social media. Allow yourself to switch off before actually going to bed and you will be amazed in how different you sleep and how much better you actually feel the next day!

gression in the gym if they occur too often due to being too sore to train again the next day.

Most of us like that feeling of waking up the next day a bit stiff after working out just enough to remind us that we’ve put in some good work however nobody likes that excruciating muscle pain when you can’t even sit on the toilet! (ouch!)

This level of DOMS is usually caused by training something completely new or just over training in general and can last up to seven days.

Here are some tips on how you can help reduce and prevent DOMS and recover well after your workouts.

STEP 5 ACTIVE RECOVERY

Call it hair of the dog if you like! While you may want to become a hermit until the muscle pain passes, a better strategy for the body is some activity!

Your body wants to move

STEP 2 HYDRATION Exercising while dehydrated can cause greater damage to muscles and reduce the body’s ability to repair itself.

So keeping your body hydrated throughout the day with a minmum of three litres of water and an extra litre when exercising will help in a speedy recovery.

STEP 3 NUTRITION

STEP 4 SMR

Follow a nutrition plan that is complete in all macronutrients. A well nourished body will be better equipped to fuel your workout and recover efficiently!

Protein plays a crucial role in the recovery of broken down muscle fibres after resistance training. For someone resistance training on a regular basis the recommended amount of protein daily is 1.0g - 1.5g per pound of body weight Meal timing is also important, consume a well balanced meal within two hours of training.

Self-myofascial release is performed in a sports massage or by using a foam roller. This technique has been proven to reduce stiffness and release tenderness in a muscle. Be careful with foam rolling if you have never done it before. Check out some Youtube videos on how to foam roll certain parts of the body.

so after suitable rest jump straight back in...

STEP 6 YOGA REGULAR yoga sessions can help loosen or reduce DOMS by maintaining the elasticity in the muscle fibres and release the myofascial surrounding the muscle tissue which in turn will reduce the risk of scar tissue and reduce your recovery time.

Adding at least one yoga session into your training week will not only help with the pain of DOMS, it will also reduce the risk of injury! Win Win!

GAZETTE

20 DUBLIN GAZETTE 4 January 2018

DUBLINLIFE

N O S ’ T A H W

E D I U G S T N E V E with JAMES HENDICOTT

Dinosaurs Around

The World A chunky collection of life-scale mechanical dinosaurs comes to the Ambassador Theatre in Dublin, where they’ll roar, shimmy and teach you a little of their history.

There are even a couple for the kiddies to ride on. All week.

The Science Gallery - Economic Collapse

How about this for an optimistic Jimmy White will return to start to the New Year? The Science Gallery (Trinity)’s latest class is on eco- the Irish Masters Seniors nomic collapse, with a six-person panel Snooker discussing a kind of ‘what happens next’ for any further financial disaster. January 10.

University Open Days

Thinking of starting something big in 2018? University Open Days are a great way to get a taster, and most of the big universities are hosting something this week with UCD, Dublin Business School, DIT and Maynooth amongst them.

David Bowie Festival

A celebration of the great man and his evolution takes place with lively musical tributes across Dublin, from cover acts to well established scene stars. The Bowie love in takes place across various venues from January 4 to 10.

First Fortnight

A festival to get you through the long winter, First Fortnight involves itself in mental health, aiming to both light up your days and get mental health issues into the national conversation. Check out a host of events on firstfortnight.ie, all week.

Irish Masters Seniors Snooker

The likes of Jimmy White and Stephen Henry return to the legendary Goff’s venue in Naas, Kildare, where they’ll compete over two days in a tournament also including two highclass local qualifiers, as part of a new world seniors tour.

Leinster v Ulster

The third and final Christmas inter-provincial derby for Leinster boys sees them take on their northern counterparts at the RDS on January 6, with more of the fireworks that have featured in the earlier clashes to be expected. It’s gearing up to be a classic.

Urban Retreat

The ultimate New Year detox? Lifecleanse are running a day of yoga, mindfulness, meditation, health tips, juice, nutrition work and lifestyle adjustment at their South William Street Office on January 7.

The Red Shoes at the Gate Theatre Hans Christian Andersen’s work (adjusted for stage by Nancy Harris) comes to the Gate Theatre in a winter production of the classic fairytale, which is part theatre, part dance. It runs until January 27.

Future “As we edge into another year, we can’t help but look ahead to 2018 in Irish music, casting a glance the way of the country’s great hopes. There’s plenty to be excited about,from a rising hiphop scene to plenty of impressive and lairy rockers, but we’ve narrowed it down to just seven rising stars. Here are our picks for Ireland’s most likely breakthrough artists for the next twelve months,” says James Hendicott.

Jafaris IRELAND’S hip-hop scene seems to get better by the day, and while Rusangano Family are the much-acclaimed kings, Jafaris - who played Ngig in Sing Street - is coming up fast on the outside.

With a quick quip constantly to the ready and a live show that seems to wow everyone before him, the Diffusion Labs rapper is working on a 2018 album as a follow up to the sensational Velvet Cake EP. Add the man to your ‘must see’ list before he starts playing anywhere bigger: when a vocalist delivers this kind of cuttingly intense honesty together with the boisterous on-stage persona that Jafaris has made his own, the result is certain to fly.

Bitch Falcon AFTER a patchy 2017 that saw the three-piece undergo a personnel change, this grungy Dublin outfit are all set to fly once again.

They seemed to be everywhere for a little while, with their pounding, intense live show backed up with an early single nodding to obscure parts of the body (TMJ) amongst a sprinkling of lairy, crafted riff-laden tracks.

They have a cult-like following on the Irish guitar scene, and November’s new single ‘Of Heart’ created some buzz in the UK music press, too. And who wouldn’t want band merch with that particular band named blazened all over it. In a word, ferocious. Brilliantly so.

4 January 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21

Blending folk, jazz and her own distinctive vocal, Limerick singer Emma Langford is all about memorable melody and soul-exploring lyrics, and showed it with a gorgeously eloquent 2017 debut album in ‘Quiet Giant’.

She’s been around for a little while, but Langford felt like she came into her own in the last 12 months, and with her sharp takes on modern life and cleverly ‘less is more’ production, she’s the kind of artist who has the potential to wriggle quickly into the forefront of minds.

A space to watch.

Thumper

Emma Langford

THEY might share a name with a Disney character, but these guys are no soppy cartoon: Thumper’s blaring and manic live show was ably backed up with a surprisingly brilliant 2017 EP in ‘Pop Goes The Weasel’.

The EP’s surprising mainly because Thumper sound like the kind of band that excel live, and this third release was a marked step up on its predecessors, and had the feel of a coming of age. Seemingly inspired by their compatriots Girl Band, Thumper say they play pop music.

What they mean is they roar their melodies through a dank filter at high volume. All kinds of excellent.

2018’s Most Likely in Irish Music

Vulpynes

THE new darling of the Dublin punk scene, this powerful young two-piece are abstract, grungy and very, very loud.

Nodding heavily to an abundance of late 80s and early 90s influences, they make more noise than should be feasible for a just two, and have won the love of their punk peers as they’ve gigged relentlessly through 2017, slowly edging into Dublin muso’s consciousness as they bounce from venue to venue.

Think snarlingly aggressive tunes kicked firmly into the 21st Century, formed with the most modern of twists (via a shoutout on Boards.ie), and delivering gorgeously raw tones.

The Spook of the Thirteenth Lock

Siobhra Quinlan A HIGHLY creative soprano composer who’s making waves on the opera scene, Siobhra Quinlan is perhaps the most likely classical crossover artist of the coming year, combining vocals that will please to casual listener and the technically minded, and going fiercely creative in the abstract and imaginative styles that make up her work.

Over the course of 2017 she released several powerful offerings from her awesomely ambitious Sfiiinx project, as well as work examining George Bernard Shaw, and taking on a 24-hour project that saw her producing and performing an opera as part of a talented team. Inventive, and memorable.

GAZETTE

Stars?

MUSIC

BLENDING folky-trad roots with some louder and more modern rock licks, The Spook of the Thirteenth Lock have been relatively mute for years.

They formed way back in 2005 and released their self-titled debut in 2008, with memorable follow-up album ‘The Brutal Here and Now’ arriving back in 2012.

It turns out they’ve spent the last few years

doing something huge. ‘Lockout’ is the product of five years worth of work, and will look at the 1913 Lockout workers protests in Dublin, as well as glancing at the impact of Constance Markievicz and the women’s rights movement in Ireland.

History fused with nuanced and intelligent trad-rock music: expect them to return with a bang come the album launch in March.

GAZETTE

22 DUBLIN GAZETTE 4 January 2018

DUBLINLIFE

CINEMA

Dunkirk managed to be both sweeping and intimate, a WWII epic that will likely stand alongside the classics

LOOKING BACK: YOU DIDN’T HAVE TO LOOK TOO HARD TO FIND AMAZING MOVIES IN 2017

Movies of 2017 - 10 of the best IT’S been a great year for cinema - mainstream, independent and everywhere in-between. Here are our picks for the best of 2017.

Manchester by the Sea Manchester by the Sea kicked off 2017 with what was easily the most emotionally ruinous moment in cinema this year.

Director Kenneth Lonergan told us a story about profound, unshakeable grief and the arduous road to recovery, featuring a quietly captivating central performance from Casey Affleck. Not an easy watch; not to be missed.

Moonlight This rich and nuanced character study in three acts from director Barry Jenkins shone a light on the experience of LGBTQ people of colour - territory rarely visited in mainstream cinemas.

Intimate camerawork, an emotive score and superb performances from its three leads made for a uniquely human, often

 DAVE PHILLIPS

devastating cinematic experience.

The Handmaiden Fresh territory for Korean director Park Chanwook, this multi-layered period drama maintained all the masterful framing, bleak humour and brutal violence that has gained his work critical acclaim and cult status.

W hile not for the squeamish, The Handmaiden is a stunning Hitchcockian suspense tale that mesmerises and devastates in equal measure.

Get Out Fiendishly entertaining, sinister, shocking and deeply necessary, director Jordan Peele’s Get Out was a social and politically conscious horror movie

with purpose.

Balancing bitterly dark humour with thoughtprovoking social commentary, it wore its genremovie influences on its sleeve, setting box office records and seizing nearuniversal praise.

Dunkirk Christopher Nolan brought his idiosyncratic

Get Out was a social and politically conscious horror movie with purpose

storytelling approach to one of the war’s most decisive battles in the summer’s biggest cinematic event.

Weaving together a rich tapestry of narratives and timelines, visceral and affecting throughout,

that was deservedly shortlisted for the Palme D’or at this year’s Cannes.

Dunkirk managed to be both sweeping and intimate, a WWII epic that will likely stand alongside the classics.

The Death of Stalin The bewildering nature of Soviet bureaucracy is the perfect fit for director Armando Iannucci’s uniquely bitter brand of political satire in the hilarious The Death of Stalin.

Despite hefty subject matter, the grim facts lend themselves well to farce and absurdity. Great comedic performances from Steve Buscemi, Jason Isaacs and Michael Palin.

The Florida Project The Florida Project takes a look at all the irrepressible curiosity of childhood with an honesty rarely seen on screen.

Director Sean Baker couples joy with sorrow, always lifting us in high spirits just before he throws us down.

This is empathetic filmmaking at its best, raising critical questions about modern America while

The Florida Project entertained with incredible performances from its young cast

keeping us entertained with incredible performances from its young cast and a career-best from Willem Dafoe.

Good Time This stunning crime thriller from auteur directing duo Ben and Josh Safdie gave Robert Pattinson plenty of room to demonstrate his skills, further cementing his post-teen idol status as an actor to be reckoned with.

Evoking early Scorsese and Michael Mann, Good Time is an exhilarating, often disturbing and emotionally complex drama

The Disaster Artist Finally, a great piece of filmmaking from occasional-director James Franco.

The Disaster Artist tells the stranger-than-fiction true story of Tommy Wiseau and the making of The Room, commonly considered the worst film of all time.

Often moving and dow nright hilarious throughout, a deeply per-

Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi Perhaps the most unpredictable instalment since the series-defining Empire Strikes Back, director Rian Johnson’s The Last Jedi garnered a great deal of critical praise.

Diehard fans, however, found plenty to complain about - Episode VIII is perhaps the least “Star Warsy” Star Wars yet.

Regardless, Johnson’s personal touch cuts through decades of convention; a forward think-

The Last Jedi garnered a great deal of critical praise

sonal project that actually makes one want to revisit the awful source material.

ing sci-fi epic that feels both exhilaratingly fresh and comfortably familiar.

4 January 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 23

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GAZETTE

24 DUBLIN GAZETTE 4 January 2018

DUBLINMOTORING

Compact SUV offers dominate new cars

for 2018

As 2018 heralds a brand new motoring year there are new cars on the way for Dublin motorists across almost every brand. There are more options than ever in terms of power source and while petrol and diesel power is still dominant, the electric and hybrid car options are expanding at a phenomenal rate. MICHAEL MORONEY takes a look at some of the new cars on offer for 2018.

LOOK across any of the new car offerings across the brands for 2018 and you’ll find they offer a new compact SUV. The market for smaller cars with SUV styling and a higher driving position has mushroomed across Europe and Dublin drivers are certainly following that trend.

Car buyers are moving with another trend and that is petrol power after the issues around diesel emission cheating were further exposed. Governments across Europe have reacted with tougher

regulations for engine emissions and diesel sales have taken a hit, but not as much in Ireland, just yet.

Promise

Petrol engine design has improved at the same time, lowering emissions and raising performance at the same time. The generation three-cylinder petrol engines are showing promise and growing in driver acceptance as well as being economical.

More significant engine chang-

es are looming further down the line. The era of the electric car is coming closer to us so expect to see larger numbers of electric cars on Dublin roads in 2018.

The news that Governments in some European countries are to ban the sale of new cars with any form of internal combustion engine, be it petrol or diesel from 2030 onwards, puts the electric car into a whole new perspective.

That’s just about 12 years away, or two car changes for many families.

And that prospect will force a sig-

nificant re-think for new car buyers in Dublin, who need to plan their motoring investment carefully, after all the cost of owning a car comes second behind the cost of buying and running a home in the Dublin region.

In the meantime, its compact SUV time for many Dublin car buyers in 2018, and here we look at some of the options. These will be among the best-selling cars for Dublin 2018 and some of these new generation models will stand out for their sheer design style.

New E-Pace joins the Jaguar range THE new Jaguar E-PACE is the newest member of Jaguar’s SUV family. This five-seat SUV packs the design and performance of a Jaguar sports car into a practical and connected all-wheel-drive vehicle. The exterior design has the distinctive Jaguar grille, muscular proportions, short overhangs and powerful haunches while optional 21-inch alloy wheels give the E-PACE a bold and purposeful stance.

The E-PACE claims to be one of the most connected and intelligent vehicles in its class. The next-generation touchscreen infotainment system connects customers to their favourite apps, such as Spotify through Jaguar Land Rover’s InControl apps.

BMW adds new sporty compact X2 to the range

Under the bonnet, E-PACE is available engine options from the Ingenium petrol and diesel engines. The 300bhp Ingenium petrol turbo engine powers E-PACE from 0-100km/hr in just

BMW aims to break new ground with the new X2 SUV addi-

6.4 seconds before reaching an electronically-

tion to the BMW X model range. The car’s chassis and xDrive

limited top speed of 243km/hr. For customers

intelligent all-wheel-drive system claims to deliver a balance

who want greater efficiency, the front-wheel

between sporting dynamics and efficiency and entry prices

drive 150bhp Ingenium diesel delivers CO2 emis-

start at €50,320.

sions of 124g/km and annual road tax of €270.

The new Jaguar E-PACE comes with a limited

The new BMW X2 is two centimetres shorter and more than seven centimetres lower than the BMW X1, yet has the same

edition introductory launch price of €36,000 for

wheelbase. Featuring short overhangs, it also has a stretched,

the E-PACE 2.0D i4 150PS Manual model.

coupe-style roofline and slim window graphic.

The car’s driving responses can be adapted by using the Driving Experience Control switch, allowing the driver to choose

The 20d diesel model comes equipped with xDrive intelligent all-

between default COMFORT mode, efficiency-enhancing ECO PRO

wheel drive as standard. The integral Hill Descent Control feature

mode and SPORT mode. The pre-programmed set-up available via

enables the BMW X2 to automatically maintain a desired speed on

SPORT mode claims to give the car even more dynamic steering

steep descents by taking care of brake control for the driver, who

and engine responses.

can then devote their attention to the task of steering.

From January, the X2 xDrive20d diesel variant will be available.

The car is equipped with BMW ConnectedDrive and BMW Con-

It generates maximum output of 190bhp and 400Nm of torque

nectedDrive Services, both of which are now available in updated

enabling a zero to 100km/hr time of 7.7 seconds. Official fuel con-

form. Further variants of the BMW X2 will be added to the Sports

sumption is still highly impressive 4.6l/100km (61.4mpg), while CO2

Activity Coupe’s line-up in early 2018 in the shape of the four-cylin-

emissions are as low as 121g/km.

der X2 sDrive20i, X2 sDrive18d and X2 xDrive18d.

4 January 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 25

GAZETTE

Citroen launches new C3 Aircross CITROEN launched its new C3 Aircross compact SUV at Dublin Citroën dealerships in advance of the January registration period with entry prices starting at €20,695.

This new generation SUV has been influenced by the Citroën Advanced Comfort programme and uses the latest in grip control technology with hill descent assist for added driver control. It comes with a new continuous connectivity system that includes wireless smart phone charging.

Citroen claims that technology continues as a core theme in new C3 Aircross with 12 different technologies that assist your journey, including voice controlled 3D navigation, keyless entry and start, 60/40 sliding rear bench, lane departure warning and blind-spot monitoring. Citroën claims that the new C3 Aircross offers best-in-class space for maximum passenger comfort, with generous legroom in

The car is available in three specified trim levels Touch, Feel and Flair. The new

Volkswagen T-Roc to turn heads in 2018

SUV offers a choice of five different interior ambiences comprising of special seat

VOLKSWAGEN’S new T-Roc crossover model is going

upholstery, a range of dashboard textures, door panel designs, and touches of

to attract a lot of attention when it takes to Dublin

colour on the central console surround, steering wheel, air vents and seat backs.

roads in 2018. This new mid-size crossover comes

The car has a practical interior with a split sliding and folding rear bench, 60/40

with a starting price of €24,750, which in itself will

split-folding and adjustable seat backs.

attract enough attention.

the front and rear, as well as an exceptional modular boot space with a volume of up to 520 litres. The new C3 Aircross also scored maximum 5 Euro NCAP rating for car safety for models fitted with either Safety Pack 1 or Safety Pack 2.

The new Citroen C3 Aircross is available with either PureTech petrol and BlueHDi

The entry-level T-Roc specification is offered with

diesel engines, as well as the latest generation EAT6 fully automatic gearbox as a

Volkswagen’s 1.0-litre TSI petrol engine putting

further option.

out 115bhp. Standard specification on this grade includes Climatronic 2-Zone air conditioning, USB interfaces, Bluetooth connectivity and a 6.5-inch

Subaru delivers redesign in new XV SUBARU’S XV crossover for

Volvo Popped Up on Grafton Street

2018 is claimed to be totally

‘Composition Colour’ radio system. All T-Roc models come with Front Assist and Lane assist systems.

Volkswagen will be offering a range of packs around the T-Roc model. These include the T-Roc Design version which also features the 1.0-litre TSI 115bhp petrol engine and adds 16” Chester alloy wheels, a larger Composition Media radio system featuring an 8-inch glass touchscreen, a chrome package, Voice Control and App Connect amongst others for slightly higher price of €26,995.

Volkswagen will also offer a number of Technol-

new from the ground up, inside and out and from top to bottom. The changes

ogy Upgrade Packs for the T-Roc. With these Option

include a new platform with a new suspension system, a new Subaru Boxer

Packs, customers can make savings on a number of

engine and a new transmission. The car has a redesigned exterior and claims a

popular optional extras.

more spacious, more comfortable and more connected passenger cabin.

For the entry level T-Roc specification the Technology Upgrade Pack includes; adaptive cruise

IF YOU’VE been on Dublin’s Grafton Street in the

SE models are equipped as standard with Eyesight, adaptive cruise control,

weeks before Christmas you’ll have seen Volvo

hi-beam assist, Subaru rear vehicle rear detection, automatic LED headlamps

control, front fog lamps and 16-inch Chester alloy

Car Ireland’s car pop-up shop. The new shop

and headlamp washers, alloy wheels (1.6 litre models – 17-inch alloy and 2.0-litre

wheels for €599, a claimed saving of €639 over the

provided visitors with a chance to see Volvo’s

models – 18-inch alloy), heated front seats, keyless entry and push-button

items individually.

new XC40 compact SUV, Volvo’s first ever entry in

start, and privacy glass, as well as a 8-inch touchscreen infotainment sys-

the small premium SUV segment.

tem, incorporating audio, smart phone connectivity and a rear view parking

specification, which comes with a choice of 1.5-litre

At the top of the T-Roc range will be the Sport

camera. The system also incorporates Subaru STARLINK and is Apple CarPlay

150bhp petrol engines or the 2.0-litre 150bhp TDI

much of the advanced connectivity, entertain-

and Android Auto compatible. SE Premium models add leather seats, satellite

diesel, with the latter available in either six-speed

ment and safety technology from Volvo’s newest

navigation, sunroof, and electrically-adjustable driver’s seat for added func-

manual or seven-speed DSG. The 1.5-litre TSI Sport

60- and 90 series cars, the XC60, S90, V90 and

tionality. Subaru SV prices start at €33,495 for the new 1.6i SE Lineartronic CVT

starts from €29,750 and the 2.0-litre TDI 4Motion

XC90. It is also powered by Volvo’s efficient

automatic, rising to €38,495 for the range topping 2.0i SE Premium Lineartronic

starts from €34,795.

Drive-E engines, and is offered with front- or

CVT automatic.

Designed primarily for the city, it features

all-wheel drive, and with manual and automatic gearboxes. be available, with power ranging from 150 to

Kona joins Hyundai SUV range

250bhp. All these engines are 2.0-litre, four-

HYUNDAI buyers will have had a peek of the new Kona SUV from November and

cylinder units; there are 156hp T3, 190 hp T4 and

now have a opportunity to take on to the road. The new Kona is smaller than

247bhp T5 petrol engines, and 150bhp D3 and

the best-selling Tucson and claims to offer a completely new compact SUV

190 hp D4 diesels. The T3 is available exclusively

platform.

Three petrol and two diesel engines will initially

with front-wheel drive, while the D3 is offered

The early edition models will be offered with a 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine

in front- or all-wheel-drive form. The T4, T5 and

rated at 120bhp and a six-speed manual gearbox with starting prices from

D4 come with all-wheel drive and an automatic

€20,995. Hyundai will be offering the Kona with a 1.6-litre turbo-diesel engine

gearbox. An automatic gearbox is also avail-

later in 2018 followed by a full electric version in 2019.

able on D3 versions. Full technical details of

This new Kona will be available in four trim levels, Comfort, Executive, and

these engines will be released at a later date.

two Premium versions, a manual and automatic gearbox version. All cars

Other engines will be offered later in the XC40’s

come on 16-inch alloy wheels and include a lane keep assist and a driver

lifecycle.

fatigue warning system.

26 DUBLIN GAZETTE  WEST 4 January 2018

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GAZETTE

SPORT2017 Best of the west spring into action for new year

REVIEW OF THE YEAR

LOOKING BACK: JANUARY TO JUNE

January CHERRY Orchard had a strong hand in the DDSL side that beat Waterford 3-2 to win the SFAI Subway Championship Under-16 National final in Waterford.

The club’s Under-14 Premier A coach Paul Somers led the team, with Under15 Premier A coach Niall Culley assisting him, while Sean Madden, Sobe Nwakoalo and Eoin Massey all played their part out on the pitch.

Lucan United were hopeful that the club’s plans to build an astroturf pitch in Airlie Heights will come to fruition in 2017 following positive meetings.

The project has been in the pipeline for a number of years but hit a couple of snags over the availability

of parking in the area and the potential disruption to residents.

February BLUEBELL United celebrated after landing the deal of a lifetime by spending just €10 to purchase a piece of land reported to be worth €450,000.

The land in question is situated opposite the Red Cow Roundabout but, conveniently, right beside the one and only pitch the club already owned.

It was formerly owned by Capel Developments who agreed to sell it to South Dublin County Council.

Capel went into receivership five years ago with the council still owing €450,000 on the land, meaning a receiver was appointed by NAMA. Bluebell’s PRO Antho-

ny O’Brien spotted an opportunity to finally secure a significantly extended home for his team and set about trying to get his hands on the land.

Conor Masterson’s future at Liverpool got a boost when Jurgen Klopp singled him out as a player who could be next in line to make an impact on the first team.

The 18-year-old former Lucan United star signed a deal – reportedly worth €1m – with Liverpool in 2012 when he was just 13, which would see the centre-back make the move to Anfield when he turned 16.

March PAUL McMahon walked away from the FAI International Football Awards

Glenanne’s Eddie O’Malley savours a moment during the Tallaght club’s win in hockey’s Mills Cup final. Picture: Adrian Boehm

Lucan Harriers Sean Thompson on his way to winning the Under-19 boys’

Liffey Celtics during a memorable season

national triple jump title. Picture: Sam

which concluded with Super league playoff

Barnes/Sportsfile

victory. Picture: Tommy Dickson/Inpho

The Peamount United FC

The Tallaght Rockets team Garda Westmanstown won the Under-14 Feile Division 6 title. Picture: GAAPics.com

national title in Belfield in

at Donnybrook with the Football For All [FFA] player of the year gong – a deserved recognition of his performances for the FFA Under-19 squad.

McMahon, who plays for LSL senior Sunday

April

1 side Dublin Bus, was nominated alongside Ireland Cerebral Palsy captain Luke Evans and Ireland’s Homeless World Cup keeper John Farrell.

P e a m o u n t Un i t e d Under-18 manager Shay

Martin praised his players for the dominant display that saw them crowned FAI Under-18 women’s champions with a 6-2 win over Cregmore Claregalway FC at Eamon Deacy Park.

COURT YARD Liffey Celtics defied the odds to defeat the all-conquering Ambassador UCC Glanmire 64-54 to become women’s basketball’s

4 January 2018 WEST  DUBLIN GAZETTE 29

GAZETTE

‘‘

QUOTABLE

QUOTES

Tallaght SC’s Niamh Coyne in action in the 200m breastroke final in April. Picture: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

“It’s dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing.

“All your warm blood goes to your core, around your heart, and your extremities get very cold.”

- Ice swimmer Conor Turner, from Whitehall, on his sub zero sport winners of the FAI Women’s U-18 cup final at Eamon Deacy Park in Galway. Picture: David Maher/Sportsfile

Hermitage golfer Rown Lester. Picture: Pat Cashman

“T here’s a sense of loss.

It’s a big part of your life just taken away. It’s a little ironic, as I’ve spent a lot of time talking about the sport’s safety.”

- Drimnagh’s

that won volleyball’s men’s

Clondalkin cross for a spectacular try in their Division 10 league final win over

April

Terenure. Picture: Sharon Flanagan

Super League playoff champions at Letterkenny IT. The two sides had been going toe to toe all season as Celtics finished second in the regular season while the Cork side beat them to the senior cup.

Lucan Sarsfields won the Under-14 division one camogie Feile with a 3-3 to 0-2 win over Ballyboden St Endas in the final at O’Toole Park, closing out an immaculate weekend for the 12th Lock side.

They racked up big wins over Na Fianna, St Jude’s and Castleknock in the qualifiers on Saturday before meeting Kilmacud

Crokes in the semi-final the next day.

There, they scored three goals in a 3-4 to 0-3 win – making it 14 goals in the Feile at that stage.

In football, Round Tower Clondalkin got the better of Man O’War in the AIG Division 4 Feile Final at Lawless Park in Swords as the Clondalkin side’s eye for goal in a contest full of controlled aggression and confident forward proved the key differential.

May DUBLIN Bus enjoyed a season of mixed fortunes

this year as they narrowly missed out on promotion but ended the campaign with silverware, defeating Newbridge Town 3-1 to walk away with the Metropolitan Cup. The LSL Sunday Senior 1 side also made it to the final of the Lanigan Cup but they lost 3-0 to Cherry Orchard on that occasion.

Booth Road Celtic made it two trophies in two weeks when they won the Noel Ryan Cup with a thrilling 4-3 win over Greystones United at Pearse Park.

Philip Sheppard scored twice as the Saturday

Major 1B side continued their excellent season by landing the biggest Saturday cup prize in the LSL. Collinstown won the Leinster Junior Cup for the second time in three years with a 3-2 win on penalties after a thrilling tie against reigning AUL champions Sheriff YC ended 2-2 after extra-time.

Darren Gavin came off the bench to produce a man of the match performance to help Dublin defeat Galway by 2-13 to 2-7 in the last-ever Under21 All-Ireland football final.

The Lucan Sarsfields man was initially a sub but

Aisling Daly on coming to terms with enforced retirement from MMA Anthony O’Brien and Gerry Kelly at Bluebell United’s solicitor’s office, where €10 was paid for the transfer of land

entered the fray after just 13 minutes as a replacement for the injured Andrew Foley. However Gavin, whose father Fergal won the 1998 senior All-Ireland final with Galway, put in a stunning performance.

June STEPHEN Ormond’s trainer Paschal Collins has praised the fighter

for his dedication to the sport after his dreams of becoming a world champion all but came to an end with defeat to Craig Evans.

T h e 3 4 - y e a r- o l d boxer from Quarryvale has spent years fighting through moments of bad luck in search of his dream and this WBO European title challenge fight in Belfast was seen as his final opportunity.

“This is LA, your face is your calling card, but she never seemed worried about it.”

- Dubliner Kerrie Christie on the perils of training former beauty queen Whitney Miller

GAZETTE

30 DUBLIN GAZETTE  WEST 4 January 2018

SPORT2017

REVIEW OF THE YEAR

LOOKING BACK: JULY TO DECEMBER

Glory galore at international, club and county for local stars

Salmon Leap Canoe club’s Jenny Egan celebrates one of a slew of medals won in 2017 in China

Laura Hegarty from Elite Gymnastics

July B A L LY B O D E N S t Enda’s celebrated the official re-opening of Pairc Ui Mhurchu with their pitch undergoing a major redevelopment, which cost €200,000, over the last nine months.

The official opening ceremony was performed

by Ballyboden St Enda’s chairman Ciaran Maguire together with special guest, Jim Bolger, chairman of the Leinster Council.

Former St Francis FC star James Jennings finally put pen to paper on a contract that saw him officially start his first year as a scholar at Premier League side Stoke City.

Lucan United pulled off the transfer coup of the Leinster Senior League off-season with the capture of the decorated midfielder James Lee from Crumlin United.

The 32-year-old brings a weight of experience to John Doyle’s side, having been part of a Crumlin team that won five Sunday Senior titles and four FAI Intermediate Cups in his ten years there.

Hermitage Golf Club members Ciara Casey and Kate Lanigan helped Leinster to a double vic-

tory in the 2017 ILGU Interprovincial Matches at Shannon Golf Club.

August CLONDALKIN Gymnastics Club produced a series of brilliant performances as they represented Ireland at the GFA World Championships in Norway, coming home with the silver medal.

This was the first time ever an Irish team has won a medal of this kind from this event, ending up as the highest-ranking Irish team at this world championships.

Moyle Park student Louis O’Loughlin finished seventh in the 800m final of the European Youth Olympics, crossing the line in a very respectable time of 1.56.98 in Gyor, Hungary.

The Clondalkin athlete, who runs for the Donore Harriers club, is pictured following his successful semi-final run. was part of a strong Irish team that returned to Dublin airport with six medals for their efforts.

Glenville marked their 20th anniversary with arguably the biggest game in the club’s history as they travelled to Tallaght Stadium to take on Shamrock Rovers in the FAI Cup.

The Palmerstown side gave a good account of themselves as they restricted Ireland’s most successful club to a 1-0 victory in their home stadium, and walked off with their heads held high.

Defending champions Hurricanes retained their Irish Baseball League title with an impressive 17-5 victory over local rivals Spartans in Corkagh Park.

Pitcher Jose Hernandez was on fire with seven strong innings to help his side to a 9-0 lead. The victory saw the holders receive a bye through to the championship final, to be played in Corkagh Park on September 24.

September JIM Gavin believes the composure his players show when it really matters is what sets his Dublin team apart from their opponents – allowing them to become the first team to win three AllIrelands in a row since Kerry completed the feat back in 1986.

“Composure has been the hallmark of these guys,” the Round Tower man said after watching his side record a 1-17 to 1-16 victory over Mayo.

“They work so hard at their game and are

Clondalkin’s Louis O’Loughlin following Club in action at the Super Series at the his 800m semi-final win at the

National Indoor Arena. Picture: Ramsey

European Youth Olympics

Cardy/Sportsfile

Round Tower, Clondalkin

Shamrock Rovers send their fans wild with Thomas Davis’s Olwen Carey signs autographs; she played a key

a late goal against Dundalk in the FAI Senior

role in Dublin’s All-Ireland win. Picture: GAAPics.com

Cup. Picture: Martin Doherty

very disciplined in what they do. The sacrifices they make to play Gaelic games is phenomenal.

“That composure when they went two points ahead and had the crowd behind them – there is a perception Mayo had the momentum but in the last quarter we probably outscored them four points to one.”

Peamount United suffered penalty agony as they found Shelbourne g o a l ke e p e r A m a n d a McQuillan in heroic form to see the city centre side retain the Continental Tyres Women’s National League Cup at Greenogue.

McQuillan saved

Niamh Barnes’ third spot kick for Peamount after 120 minutes of fitful football at the windswept Newcastle venue.

Amber Barrett, Claire Kinsella, Chloe Moloney and Eleanor RyanDoyle did score from 12 yards for Peamount who finished with 10 players after substitute Sarah McKevitt had been sent off.

Shamrock Rovers had slightly too much for tenman Bluebell United as the last two remaining Dublin sides played out an enthralling contest at the Tallaght Stadium.

Bluebell – who had taken their illustrious, professional rivals from

two tiers above to extra time in the Leinster Senior Cup last year – had dubbed the contest the “biggest game in the club’s history” and reverted the contest to Tallaght after being drawn at home in the FAI Cup quarter-final.

ED Griffin hit out at the lack of funding for leisure facilities in Lucan as he encouraged people in the area to contact their local politicians in a bid to finally secure enough funding to build the Esker Boxing clubhouse.

Esker spent six years fighting for somewhere to build their facility, finally achieving their aim earlier this year.

However, they have yet to receive any funding for the build and club secretary Griffin has grown frustrated at the lack of investment for young people in the area.

October COMMERCIALS landed their first championship title in over 20 years, bouncing back from last year’s final defeat to Ballinteer St John’s, as they won the We Are Dublin Senior 7B championship 1-7 to 2-1.

They were made fight every inch of the way by a brave Erin’s Isle at Abbottstown’s synthetic surface, eventually pre-

4 January 2018 WEST  DUBLIN GAZETTE 31

GAZETTE

‘‘

QUOTES OF

THE YEAR “A lot of people would argue I didn’t play football at the top level either.” - Pat

Diane Caldwell and Tallaght’s Katie McCabe following Ireland’s memorable draw with the Netherland.

Picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Gilroy on whether his hurling credentials match up to what to his football background.

“The last few years have obviously been very difficult to take. It’s such a great group of girls, we love playing football, we love playing with each other and we love playing for Dublin. This is just beyond words.”

man Jim Gavin with his children Jude and Jasmine following Dublin’s All-Ireland victory. Picture: Ray McManus/Sportsfile

- Dublin ladies footballer Noelle Healy Lucan Sarsfields on the

Dylan McDonagh during his victory over Robert

All hands on deck as Garda RFC take on Wicklow. Picture: Martin Doherty

attack against Kilmacud

Kanalas. Picture: Alan Finn

vailing by three points.

Ballyowen Celtic produced a dominant performance in a 2-0 win over local rivals Liffey Valley Rangers to lift the U-12 Marie O’Reilly Cup at the SDFL Complex.

Community College.

Lucan Sarsfields senior hurlers secured Division 1 hurling for next year after a 3-13 to 0-11 win over St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh in their AHL Division 2 playoff final.

They assured a quick return to top flight league with a comprehensive win over Plunkett’s at the 12th Lock.

weight, who at 30 years of age is a latecomer to the sport of professional boxing, was forced into a change of style early on but still had far too much for his opponent, and took victory after a second round stoppage.

Alan Auerbach was awarded the Motorsport Ireland Dunlop Hawthorn trophy for the first time during an awards ceremony held at the Mansion House.

The 34-year-old from Clondalkin picked up the award after winning the 2017 Irish Strykers Championship – having finished runner-up during the previous three years.

“It is very difficult to

November SALMON Leap Canoe Club’s Jenny Egan added to her incredible 2017 medal collection with a pair of podium finishes at the International Canoe Marathon World Cup in Shaoxing and Shanghai, China.

It lifted her tally to five major international medals over this year’s racing season which started

back in May. The bitter disappointment for Round Tower was palpable in the wake of last Sunday’s AHL Division 3 league final for the Clondalkin club.

With 10 wins from 11 league games, they only lost to Erin’s Isle with last puck which cost them a league title on head to head.

In the 130 minutes or so of both playoff games they were behind for only one second. Heartbreakingly, it was the one second that mattered most.

Their fate boiled down to the very last strike of a league season that officially commenced in March.

Towers had to haul themselves back into the game following on from a resilient fightback by Scoil in the second period.

Four local players represented Leinster as they regained their Under-18 Boys’ Interprovincial title by remaining unbeaten from their three games at the AUL Complex.

Having won the title in 2014 and 2015, they were edged out by Ulster last year but returned the trophy to Leinster with the help of Kian Clarke from Moyle Park College, Alex Kelly from Maynooth PPS, and Sonny Conway and Jake Walker from Clondalkin’s St Kevin’s

December JOHN Joyce secured his third win as a professional boxer after making light work of Hungarian Imre Simon on the Celtic Clash 4 undercard at the National Stadium.

T he Lucan welter-

win,” Auerbach told the Dublin Gazette. “It is open to every class and I race in a one-make series, which makes it even more special to win it because it involves cars that are all identical.”

Collinstown FC completed a remarkable season by adding the Redmond Cup to their already impressive trophy haul with a 3-1 win over Wayside at Roadstone Sports and Social Club.

The Clondalkin side landed the DDSL Under16 Sunday B title in November, having won 20 of their 21 league games, and the victory saw them lift their third trophy of the season.

“Letting down players is not what I want to be getting into. If I was involved I wouldn’t be able to look at the players face to face and explain why they are not getting wages.”

- Shelbourne legend Richie Baker on why he has no interest in taking up management in the League of Ireland and prefers it in the amateur game

GAZETTESPORT

ALL OF YOUR WEST DUBLIN SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 28-31

JANUARY 4-10, 2018

THE HIGHS AND LOWS OF LOCAL SPORT: Gazette Sport looks back on an exceptional 2017 with glory galore for west Dublin clubs and individuals P28-31

Local trio set for deaf futsal Euro bid  JAMES HENDICOTT

sport@dublingazette.com

IRELAND face a “group of death” scenario, according to assistant manager Ben O’Looney, as they head to Amsterdam to compete in European qualifying for the Deaf Women’s Futsal European Cup this weekend.

Of the 14-player panel, captain Laura Clarke, from Greenhills – who will represent Doncaster Belles in the deaf Champions League this year – and is an 11-time winner of the deaf interpros.

For ward Jade Kavanagh (Lucan) is a regular in the Lein-

ster inter-pro side as is Tallaght youngster Helen Ward is an interpro regular.

In the qualifier, Ireland face Germany, hosts Holland, Italy and Denmark over the course of three days, including a two-game Sunday, with the talented young squad hoping to finish in the top four who advance from the group.

“The main difference between deaf futsal and regular futsal is the difficulty in communicating from the bench,” O’Looney told the Dublin Gazette of the group heading for Holland.

“We have strategy timeouts but, once you’re playing, there’s not much the management can do

to impact strategy, which is very important.

“The refereeing operates in a different way, too. There are three umpires, one for each third of the pitch, and they use flags to indicate when the game starts and stops, but other than that, it’s the same as the normal game.

“In some ways futsal is more akin to basketball than soccer, as its very technical and shape-oriented. We have a lot of experience in our squad, including Nathalie O’Brien, who won the FAI Senior Cup with Cork this year.

“Futsal’s been around for deaf players for a while in Ireland, but there’s a real new push around it

in the FAI over the last year. We’ve gone from six players to 24. That does unfortunately mean we can’t bring everyone to Holland, so the next step is establishing an Under18s side, as we have a lot of young players with a lot of potential.

Quite a few also play mainstream football, especially the younger girls.

“We only meet about every three weeks, which means we’ve had to give the girls a lot of fitness tasks to work on on their own.

There are only five on the pitch at any one time, so it is a lot about game management, and about the transition from defence into attack.”

Greenhills woman Laura Clarke is one of the key players in the Irish deaf futsal team