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INSIDE: Opinion piece asks why are our TDs paid so highly? Page 7

April 5, 2012

DIGITAL DELIGHT: Locals make it to national final with alcohol project P6

Hitting the right note: Students’ company in final Athletics: DSD claim 11 titles at junior championship Page 30

OWEN Clarke, Robin Stratford and Daniel McCauley were standing tall at the Royal Marine Hotel in Dun Laoghaire when they took part in the county final of the Student Enterprise Awards 2011/2012. The Wesley College trio’s musical project hit the right notes with judges, who praised their enterprise – one of a number of budding businesses that show the recession hasn’t dampened the spirit of enterprise for students across the county.

Picture: Geraldine Woods

Full Gallery on Pages 8, 10

Sports Awards: March’s Dublin winners are announced Page 29

ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES ..................... 2 BUSINESS .................... 19 MOTORS ....................... 20 TRAVEL......................... 22 ENTERTAINMENT ........ 24 CLASSIFIEDS ............... 26

Game staff vow to continue with sit-in Employees await clarification from administrators

I BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN

GAME workers have pledged to occupy the closed premises in Dundrum Shopping Centre until their concerns over notice pay and redundancies are addressed.

Thirteen Game employees are taking it in shifts to man

the Dundrum branch, 24 hours a day, since the sit-in began on Friday, March 30.

Speaking about the treatment of the workers, Richard Boyd Barrett, People Before Profit Party TD, said that the present Game situation was a “scandal on top of the Vita Cortex affair. It’s high time

the Government protected workers”.

The protesters in Dundrum are waiting to hear back from the administrators, Price Waterhouse Cooper, about the money they are owed, and the terms of departure for long-term members of staff.

Full Story on Page 4

2 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 5 April 2012

€30M: CLUBS URGED TO SCHOOLS Taking part in a Walk or Cycle morning activity UPGRADE FACILITIES

Funding boost for sports clubs I BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN news@gazettegroup.com

SPORTS clubs in Dundrum and Dun Laoghaire are being urged to apply for funding from the Department of Transport and Sport in order to upgrade their facilities over the next four years.

Up to €30m has been allocated by the department for sports clubs nationwide and Cllr Lettie McCarthy (Lab), has welcomed the announcement of the fund’s availability to all applicants who can receive grants of up to €300,000. The money is to be used to upgrade facilities or pitches or to purchase equipment.

“This is the first round of Sports Capital Funding in four years, and, while the fund may be less than in other years, applicants only have to raise 15% in ‘matching funding’ which is half of what was required in previous years, while those in Clar and RAPID areas only have to raise 10 and five per cent respectively. There is also better value to be had and the funding will stretch much further than it would in the boom.

“Any club in the area can apply for the funding, and even more clubs than

ever before will benefit as the rules on land ownership have been relaxed.

This means that not all applicants have to own the land or have it on a long lease, as was previously required.”

As well as the obvious benefit to sport in the county, Cllr McCarthy also said that the resultant boost to jobs in the area will be significant too.

“The provision of this funding demonstrates the Government’s commitment to providing quality sporting facilities to the many clubs across Ireland that play such a central and vital role in local communities.”

In a recent statement, Cllr McCarthy congratulated the minister responsible for making the funds accessible to all.

“I would like to commend Labour Minister, Alan Kelly, at the Department of Transport and Sport, on this announcement and I would encourage clubs in the Glencullen/Sandyford area, who are interested in applying for funds, to send in an application.”

If club or sports organisation wishes to apply for the funding they can do so by going online at www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie.

The assembled group of students, and accompanying parents, at the start of their day’s healthy journey. Pictures: Geraldine Woods

Lots of fun in an eco-friendly way S HOWING some eco-friendly initiative, pupils (and parents) at Kill O’The Grange National School gathered at Meadowvale Tennis Club in Deansgrange recently, ready to take part in a fun morning event that also had a serious point.

T hey were all taking part in the Cycle Or Walk To School event, which saw the pupils taking a healthier trip to school that

morning by avoiding car lifts and, instead, as the day’s title suggested, walking or cycling.

Being staged as part of the school’s Green Flag initiative, the day was also a great way to get involved with an environmentally-friendly activity, with teacher, Mary O’Sullivan, saying that she was very pleased with the enthusiastic turnout on the morning. Further cycle or walk routes are also planned, from two other locations.

Helping to lead the way ... Josh Cooke, Ross Cooke and Conor Knight

Katie Bell

Zoe Hoffman with Lucy and Edward Bell

Jessica Smith, Zara Bailey and Emma Fogarty

Edie Dunbar, and friend, were ready to go

Brianna Ross sets off

5 April 2012 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 3

PEOPLE Slimming World member sheds four stone

€25k for ‘botched lip’ job

Joyce’s joy at Greatest Loser title I BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN

dundrum@gazettegroup.com

SLIMMING World in Nutgrove is celebrating the achievement of one of their members this week by awarding her the title of Greatest Loser.

Joyce Doyle has lost a mammoth four stone in the last seven months and the 43-year-old feels better than she ever did.

The weight was adversely affecting her life in every way but since she joined Slimming World in Nutgrove, Joyce says: “I feel like a new woman since losing weight – in fact, people I haven’t seen for a while say they don’t recognise me – I look so dif-

ferent and much younger.

I feel happier and healthier, I’ve got more energy and I’m more confident in general.”

She said that, before she shed the excess weight, she adopted an attitude of not caring about what she looked like or how harmful her size was to her health.

“But it wasn’t true.

Being overweight affected every part of my life, I hated clothes shopping and just climbing up stairs would leave me out of breath.

“It was awful. Now I just want to make up for lost time and do all the things that my weight held me back from.”

Joyce’s health was suffering badly from the heavy strain of all that weight. She had high blood pressure, and was bordering on type 2 diabetes.

Those with a body mass index (BMI) above 30 are more likely to suffer from health problems, like coronary heart disease, arthritis, diabetes and even cancer. Obesity is also linked to a shortening of life expectancy by about seven to nine years.

In the Republic of Ireland, 24% of people are in the obese category.

After hearing about Slimming World from a friend, Joyce joined the

SURGERY

Joyce Doyle before and after her massive weight loss

Nutgrove/Churchtown group and joined up to change her present life and future prospects.

“Finding the courage to walk through the doors at Slimming World was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I was terrified that I was going to be the biggest person there. But

everyone was so friendly and welcoming that I soon felt at ease and within weeks I’d made some new friends. I don’t think I could have done it without the support of my consultant, Pauline, and the rest of the group,” she said.

The Nutgrove/Church-

town Slimming World group meets every Tuesday at 7.30pm at Rathfarnham Educate Together National School, Loreto Ave. Dublin 14.

If you want to find out more about the group you can contact Pauline Baldwin on 087 1696128 or baldwipa@gmail.com.

A R ATHFARNHAM woman has been awarded €25,000 in compensation from a cosmetic surgery clinic based in Malahide.

Anne McCaffrey, from Scholarstown Road in Rathfarnham, went into the Advanced Cosmetic’s Leeson Street clinic on October 26, 2000, to have her lip liner done in a semi-permanent procedure which cost her €254.

The bottom lip line was drawn in the wrong place and has not faded over the seven years since it was done and her barrister, John Shortt SC said that it was a “botched job”.

The High Court’s Mr Justice Eamon de Valera awarded Anne McCaffrey (62) damages amounting to €25,000.

The company responsible, Advanced Cosmetic Surgery Ltd, Malahide Marina in Malahide, is now in liquidation.

4 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 5 April 2012

MUSIC Churchtown School of Music was instrumental to woman’s studies

Pianist’s 40-year gap doesn’t deter skill upgrade THE Churchtown School of Music, in the village centre, Dundrum, has just helped one of its oldest students to achieve an honours Grade 8 qualification in piano.

Dr Eileen Campbell returned to study piano after a hiatus of more than 40 years. She had stud-

ied piano in her youth, and reached a standard Grade 8.

When she began her studies in UCD, she elected to devote all of her time to her studies and gave up the piano.

Dr Campbell completed a science degree and then a PhD in Biochem-

istry at UCD before doing a postdoctoral fellowship in Yale University.

She worked in the Pathology Department of Jervis Street, and then Beaumont Hospital until she retired three years ago.

During her 40-year scientific career, Dr Camp-

bell didn’t play the piano but retained an interest in music by singing in several choirs.

Her renewed interest and long-lost love of the piano was piqued when she was asked to play keyboards for a performance of Christmas carols.

She then contacted

Churchtown School of Music, and signed up for lessons under piano teacher, Dr Grainne McLaughlin.

Dr Campbell is not content with barely improving on the grade she made in her youth.

Having achieved the honours Grade 8, she is now

studying for a Diploma in Music.

Churchtown School of Music offers lessons to retired people on all instruments. At present, it is offering an introductory term of four lessons for one month, for €100.

Normally, the commitment is for one semester of

16 weeks, so this is a good opportunity to try out a new instrument, improve your voice, or brush up on already existing skills for a short period.

Dr Campbell is the inspiration of the Churchtown School of Music’s new maxim: “Remember – it’s never too late!”

Call for DLR to get bike hire scheme

I BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN dundrum@gazettegroup.com

GET YOUR

A PROPOSAL was made to extend the Dublin Bikes scheme to Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown at a Dundrum Area Committee meeting recently.

The motion was made by Councillor Richard Humphreys (Lab) to extend the scheme into the Dundrum area wards.

In response, the council said that the motion was strongly supported, and that a bike scheme for Dun LaoghaireRathdown (DLR), based on the Dublin version, would be very welcome.

To that end, the council, in con-

junction with the National Transport Authority, is “currently exploring the feasibility of extending the scheme beyond Dublin city centre, including the area of DLR and South Dublin”.

“The council would strongly support the extension of a bike hire scheme on the basis of the Dublin bike scheme to DLR. Councillors will be advised as soon as the feasibility study is complete.”

The results of this feasibility study will be submitted by Gerry Flaherty, senior executive engineer, Transportation Department, DLRCC, to council members in due time, and on completion of the study.

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Game Dundrum staff members, continuing their sit-in at the closed outlet at Dundrum Town Centre

RETAIL: WORKERS’ ANGER AT REDUNDANCIES

Game staff vow to continue with sit-in I BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN dundrum@gazettegroup.com

THIRTEEN workers in Dundrum Town Centre’s Game outlet are continuing their sit-in, this week.

On Friday, March 30, the workers called on the administrators, Price Cooper Waterhouse (PWC) to address the issue of redundancies and the four weeks’ notice fee they are entitled to.

Keith Bunyan, of Game, Dundrum, said: “There are people that have been working here for many years.

“The problem is that it’s a British company in administration, and so

we’re going by British administration law [to make our claims].”

The group called on the Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton, last Friday to intervene on their behalf, but have heard nothing back so far.

“Every day, the managers from all the different Game shops contact each other to find out if PWC has been in touch,” said Bunyan.

Despite this, spirits are high in the store, and the support from the shopping centre and passersby has been very encouraging, he says.

“The shop is manned 24 hours a day, with two workers here at all times,

and lots of people drop by to give us the thumbsup. It’s great to see they support us,” he said.

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett, People Before Profit, said that the treatment of the workers was “despicable”, and that “the Government needs to bring in legislation to ensure workers are not treated like this again; that they’re paid properly, after years of service”.

In a statement given to The Gazette on Tuesday, April 4, relating to the Irish Game outlets, the British chain’s administrators, PWC, said: “[Successful investment firm bidder] OpCapita only purchased the open stores, in Britain and,

therefore, the ROI stores are not included in the deal.

“The administrators have confirmed that wages for the month of March will be paid.

Therefore, all employees will be paid their wages, in accordance with the normal payroll cycle.

“The administrators are currently making arrangements to process the employee claims for statutory redundancy, minimum notice, arrears of holiday pay and any other entitlements, which are covered by the redundancy and insolvency payments scheme in the Department of Social Protection,” said the PWC statement.

5 April 2012 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 5

COMEDY: FUSION

Get set for some Faulty dining at Easter THE Mill Theatre is hosting Faulty Towers Dining Experience this April.

This unique night out is an experience you’re not likely to forget as Basil, Sybil and Manuel wait on you throughout the night.

Faulty Towers, the Dining Experience, originated in Australia and has a loyal following of fans.

The show has won many comedy awards from Edinburgh, Melbourne and Adelaide festivals.

Interactive The show is highly interactive, and looselyscripted. It’s based on the concept of a 13th episode of the TV series, and examines what would happen to the characters had the show gone on beyond the 12th episode.

The three-course Easter meal comes from Roly Saul restaurant and will have nothing disorderly about it, with the Fawltys, and Barcelona’s finest waiter, on hand.

Enjoy a night of manic mayhem and hilarious mimicry by the players in an unusual night out that merges the restaurant with the theatre.

Tickets cost €45 and are available from the Mill Theatre box office by calling 01 296 9340. The show and dinner starts at 7.30pm on Saturday, April 7.

CHARITY Funds presented to Society by event management students

Stillorgan students raise €1,824 for cancer I BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN dundrum@gazettegroup.com

STUDENTS from Stillorgan College of Further Education have raised €1,824 for the Irish Cancer Society (ICS).

Event management students worked all year around coming up with fundraising ideas for the charity.

To raise the money, the students organised a number of events, including a masquerade ball (MasquerAid Monday), guessing games and a cake sale.

The year culminated in an event to officially hand over the proceeds of their efforts to the charity, when the students invited the CEO of the ICS, John McCormack,

to the college to receive the cheque.

On receiving the large donation, John said: “The funds raised will make an important contribution to the work of the Irish Cancer Society. The ICS is very grateful for the support.”

As well as the event management students, the event was also attended by the principal of

the college, Kevin Harrington, who presented the cheque; recently retired Michael Carolan; the event management course teachers and other staff members.

The students were delighted, not only to have helped the charity financially, but that they had raised awareness for the cause of cancer research among the public, too.

Retired principal Michael Carolan (left); the CEO of Irish Cancer Society, John McCormack and principal Kevin Harrington at the cheque presentation

Event to help support deaf awareness

Beacon’s map app: New service to help enhance visitor experience at hospital SANDYFORD Sandyford hospital UPMC Beacon launched Ireland’s first hospital patient and visitor application last week.

The app itself is a map of the current services available in UPMC Beacon Hospital, with such features as “find a consultant” and an “appointment tracker”.

All of this information is easy to access, and is free to your smartphone.

Jonathan Sexton, Leinster and Ireland rugby player, and proponent of good health, came to the hospital to launch the app.

Joel Yuhas, CEO, UPMC Beacon Hospital said: “We wanted to make it even easier for our patients to gain the information they may need when preparing for a visit to the hospital.

“The app is essentially a pocket guide to the hospital, and it enables users to easily navigate our services, to find us and to contact us if in need of further assistance.”

The app has been developed by MedMedia Campaign, and is available to download from the App Store.

IRISH Deaf Kids (IDK), based in Terenure Enterprise Centre on Rathfarnham Road, held an event at the GPO last week, in association with Specsavers..

Staff at Specsavers, and students from Trinity College, took part in a Hearing Awareness Day, which raised more than €700 for the charity.

Specsavers’ Hearcare unit audiologist Stephen Danczak said: “The aim of this initiative was to allow the students to experience a day in the life of a deaf person.

“In order to do this, we filled their ears using syringes with pliable material from which hearing-aid mouldimpressions are made.

“The students experienced the difficulties that a person faces without being able to hear.”

Speaking at the cheque presentation to Irish Deaf Kids, Specsavers’ store

director Peter McGrath said: “The money raised will help allow for inclusive education for children with hearing issues in Ireland, while empowering parents to develop their child’s full potential.

Awareness “We would also like to thank the students at Trinity College who helped us raise a significant amount for the Irish Deaf Kids’ enterprise, but also helped us raise awareness about difficulties experienced by people who are deaf.”

In addition to being experts in eye health, Specsavers GPO and Grafton Street also specialises in hear-care and provides free hear-care screening, involving a simple three-minute test.

Customers do not need to book an appointment for this test, and there is no obligation to buy.

6 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 5 April 2012

ANIMALS: EVENT

Supreme show for your cat THE “Supreme” cat show is to be held in the Ballinteer Community School on April 22, and is sure to leave all cat carers feline better informed about their furry friends.

The great show is being run by the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy of Ireland group.

Four judges from Britain will join a panel of local experts to critique the cats, along with wellknown vet, Paddy Treanor.

There will also be catrelated stalls for visitors to browse and, at 2pm, Jim Stephens, animal behaviourist, will give an insightful talk on cat behaviour.

Doors will open to the public at 12.30pm, and the fascinating event concludes at 5pm.

Admission is €5 for adults, and €3 for children, students and senior citizens.

CAMPAIGN Entries examine responsible drinking

Drink project students in national final I BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN dundrum@gazettegroup.com

THE Digital Hub and Drinkaware.ie have announced that three south Dublin students from Blackrock, Rathfarnham and Dundrum have been shortlisted for their Dare2BDrinkAware. ie national student film and multimedia competition.

There were 11 film and multimedia projects in this year’s competition, and entries came from students from all across Ireland.

Booze Tracker was the multimedia entry from 23-year-old Paul Murphy

from Blackrock, who is studying Creative Multimedia at LIT, Clonmel.

Booze Tracker is a smartphone application that allows the user to set their own drinking limit, and logs each drink consumed, issuing a warning when the user has reached their quota.

The Waiting Room was submitted by 22-yearold Robyn Lakes, from Dundrum, and 23-yearold Grace Mulvey, from Rathfarnham, who both attend Tallaght IT as Creative Digital Media students.

The competition is now in its fifth year and was established to encourage students to depict the

relationship that Ireland has with alcohol.

This year’s theme was Drinking in a home environment.

Fionnuala Sheehan, chief executive of Drinkaware.ie, congratulated Paul, Robyn and Grace, and pointed to the influence of television on alcohol consumption in the young.

She said: “Reality TV can leave young people with the mistaken impression that excessive alcohol consumption in the home is normal, is without negative consequences, and can even lead to rewards.

“My fear is that – because of the prevalence

Robyn Lakes, Grace Mulvey and Marion Lawler, all from Tallaght IT creative Digital Media, take a look at The Waiting Room, submitted for this year’s national Dare2BDrinkAware.ie student film and multimedia competition

of scenes of excessive drinking and drunkenness on reality TV programmes – viewers are becoming desensitised.

“Such programmes sometimes glorify and normalise excessive levels of home drinking, rather than portraying a truly realistic stance.

“The reality is that most Irish people are capable of enjoying a few drinks

in their homes without going overboard,” she said.

The shortlisted entries in Dare2BDrinkAware. ie will now go forward for judging by a panel of prestigious film and multimedia industr y insiders.

The award will comprise €1,000 prizes to the best film and multimedia entries, and €500 prizes

to the runners-up in each category.

One film and one multimedia entry will also win a special “public vote” prize.

You can view the shortlisted entries online, and the public can vote for their favourite one at www.Dare2BDrinkAware.ie, with voting open until 5pm on Wednesday, April 18.

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5 April 2012 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 7

OPINION Bringing political pay level to real world

It’s time our TDs got Real Pay for their job AARON MCKENNA

WHEN Alexander the Great led his army across the ancient world, he ate when and what his soldiers ate, slept when they slept and led them from the front.

When Leo the Lion, and his colleagues in Dail Eireann, travel to work they claim tax free expenses no ordinary person is allowed.

The salaries paid to our politicians bear no relation to what similarly responsible individuals get in the real world.

Compare

Compare the pay of a Government minister to that of your average company managing director: The minister earns 41% more. What does a minister, who already has a professional staff of civil servants looking after the department, do that deserves that premium?

TDs earn as much a s s e n i o r c o m p a ny directors, individuals with real commercial responsibilities. Most TDs show up in the Dail to vote as they’re told by party whips and mind the vote in their constituency.

It may be mentioned that, in the private sector, bonuses are paid on top of basic pay. But bonuses are rarely paid when a company is in financial receivership, or while substantial cut-

backs are being made.

When our new Government came to power it reduced the pay of ministers. Rather than a pay cut, this was less of a pay increase for those being promoted. The Taoiseach still earns more than the Prime Minister of Britain and a host of other leaders of nations far larger and less bust than Ireland.

There have been many s i c ke n i n g m o m e n t s since the beginning of the crisis in 2008, but among the least edifying for our body politik was watching them fight for their own pay, expenses and pensions when Brian Lenihan proposed a change to the regime.

Politicians were rubber stamping budgets that stripped SNAs from schools, pensions from blind people and nurses from hospitals.

But, at the first mention of vouched expenses or an attack on their salaries and pensions, the backs were up.

Our new Government has not lifted a finger to the gravy train. The Taoiseach, Minister for Finance and Minister for Public Sector Expenditure and Reform, are among those who don’t provide receipts for their expenses.

Revenue would treat any ordinar y person claiming expenses without receipts as a fraud,

GOATSTOWN

Housing scheme proposal A MAJOR new development has been proposed for a site at Knockrabo, Goatstown.

On March 16, O’Malley Construction Company applied to An Bord Pleanala for permission to develop the site into an area with 100 residential units.

T h e p l a n s wo u l d include 15 apartments (six one-bed, seven twobeds and four three-bed), 25 houses (24 four-bed and one five-bed) and a creche.

Four apartment blocks are also proposed. Block A and C will be four storeys, blocks B and D five storeys, all over a basement area. All apartments will have balconies/terraces.

There will also be an ESB substation and associated site development and services works. All of the development will be located on a site of 2.08 hectares.

Aaron McKenna, organiser of the Real Pay Petition

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

‘The proposal to reduce the pay of politicians is not based on a race to the bottom. This campaign is benchmarking politicians against real work done in the real world’ --------------------------------------------------------

trying to hide income.

Revenue also states that no person may receive tax-free expenses for travelling to their place of work.

Commute

Dublin TDs receive €12,000 a year to travel to Leinster House, conveniently located in Dublin 2. If you live in a suburb and commute to the city centre you might be paying over €1,000 a year for a tax-saver commuter ticket. Our local TDs claim that much every month.

There are some, such as Joe Higgins, who say they only take the average wage. This is of no advantage to the taxpayer as they give the balance of their salary to spend campaigning for votes.

These socialist fighters aren’t shy about taking expenses: Patrick Nulty

was entitled to claim the moment he was elected. Joe Higgins got €24,500 in 2011. Ministers claim the majority of their expenses via their departments, but both Joan Burton and Leo Varadkar are claiming over €1,000 a month from the Dail as well.

The proposal to reduce the pay of politicians is not based on a race to the bottom. This campaign is benchmarking politicians against real work done in the real world.

It’s time for politicians to take a fair share. If you agree, sign the petition: RealPay.ie Aaron McKenna is

the organiser of the Real Pay Petition. You can contact him via aaronmckenna.com, on 0858434246 or on twitter @ aaronmckenna

8 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 5 April 2012

SCHOOLS Young entrepreneurs impress at a county final

Fine Gael councillor Marie Baker and An Cathaoirleach, Cllr John Bailey, examine the award brochure

ENTERPRISENEWS

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Senior Entrepreneur Recruitment Gets Underway Around 3,400 people, aged between 50 and 64, started their own business in Ireland last year but that figure could dramatically increase in 2012 if more people in that age group from Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown and around the country were encouraged to seek assistance for their business ideas.

In a bid to boost the number of Senior Entrepreneurs in Ireland, a two-day ‘Start Your Own Business’ Residential Workshop is taking place on May 8th and 9th in Portlaoise, with sixty places on offer to those from all parts of Ireland with a business idea. The places will be allocated to suitable budding entrepreneurs on a first come basis, so early application is essential.

‘Senior Entrepreneurs’ is a specially designed training programme, jointly organised by all the County and City Enterprise Boards and Senior Enterprise, which is an INTERREG supported EU initiative led by the Mid-East Regional Authority.

The Institute for Minority Entrepreneurship at the Dublin Institute of Technology is also supporting the training initiative.

Applications to the Dún laoghaire-Rathdown County Enterprise Board are being accepted until 1st May for the residential workshop at the Killeshin Hotel in Portlaoise and organisers have advised that places will be allocated on a ‘first come’ basis to suitable budding entrepreneurs. The subsidised fee of €75 includes accommodation, meals and all training materials.

Further information about the Senior Entrepreneurs ‘Start Your Own Business’ Workshop is available from the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Enterprise Board at www.dlrceb.ie or by telephone on (01) 4948400. Further information is also available at www.seniorenterprise.ie

Hello, flower ... Tom Wall, CBC Monkstown, was a winner in his section, with his enterprise, Tom’s Creations. Pictures: Geraldine Woods

Paddy Beare, chairman, the Enterprise Board; thirdChris Aylward, Willow Park School, Blackrock

Ian Leavey, Willow Park

prize winner, Michaela Arpa, Wesley College and

Kevin Smyth, Wesley

Cathaoirleach John Bailey

College

Preparing for the future ...

TUDENTS from across the DLR region were assembled at the Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, recently for the county final of the Student Enterprise Awards 2011/2012, where a diverse range of entrepreneurial projects were on display. Hosted by the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Enterprise Board, more than 20 schools were represented at the awards, with the students on hand to discuss their business ideas and enterprises with the judges.

An Cathaoirleach, Councillor John Bailey, was on hand to join Paddy Beare, chairman, the Enterprise Board in making presentations to the winners, who go on to face equally stiff competition in the national finals, which will be held at Croke Park later in April. Whether participating as lone traders or groups of up to five students, the DLR students impressed the judges with their entrepreneurial ambitions.

S

Gallery continued on Page 10

Catherine Garner and Maeve O’Connor, Loreto Abbey Dalkey, who were winners in their section

5 April 2012 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 9

10 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 5 April 2012

TAKE TWO Young entrepreneurs impress at a county final

Paddy Beare and Cllr Bailey with third-place prizewinners, Willow Park: Mairtin Rafferty, Jack Gowley, Marcus Ryan and Daniel O’Hara (James McShane not in photo)

Impressive ideas for local business

Owen Clarke, Riobin Stratford and Daneil McCauley, from Wesley College

Speaker Joe Keating, the Sharon Pita and Pierre Yimbas

Jessica Broughal and Cleo Byrne, Cabinteely Community College

Enterprise Board

Realtin Murphy and Michaela Kerr, Loreto Dalkey

5 April 2012 GAZETTE 11

HEALTH Fundraiser for children

EASTER: LIDL IS TOP OF THE CHOCS

Citywest workers urged join fun event

Time for treats

MORE than 5,000 workers at the Citywest Business Campus will take to the streets in aid of Barretstown Children’s Camp.

Ireland legend Ronan O’Gara was on hand to announce the launch of the first annual CityWest Fun Walk, which takes place on Friday, April 27, at 1pm at Browns Barn, Citywest.

Barretstow n are encouraging all staff that work in Citywest and beyond to get out and walk, run or jog the route.

Stephen Campbell, Citywest campus manager, is very excited about the upcoming fundraising event.

“We are delighted to support this Citywest Campus Fun Walk in aid of Barretstown. We

Noah Quinn and Ronan O’Gara at the launch of the Citywest Fun Walk for Barretstown

are looking forward to seeing a large number of the campus community out on the day enjoying a walk around the landscaped areas of the cam-

pus,” he said.

The route will begin at Brown’s Barn, then head over the N7 Bridge, through the campus and along the Luas line, back up the main road and will finish back at Brown’s Barn.

To register, log on to www.citywestfunwalk. org. There will be an online €10 registration fee, and all proceeds will go to Barretstown.

Registration commences on the day, from 12pm, and all participants will get a free t-shirt and goodie bag on the day.

Barretstown is a Kildare-based camp uniquely designed for children who have been affected by a serious illness, primarily cancer, and their families.

Barretstown works to assist in the cancer

recovery process through activity-based therapy.

Each year, approximately 1,900 children come to Barretstown to take part in its programmes of therapeutic recreation.

The programmes build confidence, trust and selfesteem.

Survival In Ireland, five children are diagnosed with cancer every week.

Due to the everimproving treatment process, childhood cancer survival rates will have increased to 90% by the end of this decade.

To register, log on to www.citywestfunwalk. org, or contact Ciara Smullen or Liz Denieffe at citywest@barretstown. org; telephone 045 864 115.

AFTER 40 days and 40 nights of desperately trying to keep the kids away from sweets, Lent is drawing to a close, and with that, the annual reward of an Easter egg feast.

So, for anyone looking to stock up on delicious chocolate treats ,and even sweeter prices, it’s time to hop on down to Lidl, who have a whole range of sweet treats that won’t leave you hopping mad at the cost.

They have lots of Easter goodies by Lidl’s delicious own brand, Favorina, to suit all tastes and budgets, including Favorina Chocolate Bunny or Chocolate Painted Bunny.

For lots of little treats, go for a bag of goodies, like the Favorina crispy chocolate pralines– a firm favourite, thanks to their creamy and crisp fillings.

So, hop along to Lidl to stock up on choco-

late and luxury food and drink items this Easter.

For further information about Lidl’s Easter special offers, or to

locate your nearest Lidl store, log on to www. lidl.ie.

Availablity is limited so shop early to avoid disappointment.

12 GAZETTE 5 April 2012

5 April 2012 GAZETTE 13

14 GAZETTE 5 April 2012

GazettePETS PETS

Brought to you by Miriam Kerins of the DSPCA

THE FACTS: FELINE IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS IS NOT A DEATH SENTENCE

Protect your cat from FIV HIS week I thought I’d write about a medical condition known as Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, or FIV. Officially diagnosed back in 1986, FIV is commonly associated with cats, a condition that often scares the wits out of concerned pet parents.

So, with that in mind, I thought I’d do a sort of FIV 101 for cat parents; just in case any readers had a kitty that’s recently been diagnosed.

T

Is FIV like HIV? It belongs in the same group as the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, or HIV, so it gets a lot of negative press and is often referred to as Feline Aids.

Can I/the kids/my dog catch it from my

cat?

No. It’s species specific.

FIV cannot be transmitted to humans, or to any other animals, so please don’t stop giving your kitty love and attention just because she’s been diagnosed with the condition.

How did my cat catch the virus?

Ever heard of a cat fight? Well, that’s possibly how your kitty caught the virus. You see, the virus is present in the saliva and blood of infected cats, and although a very fragile virus, meaning it is unable to survive outside of the body making it difficult to pass from kitty to kitty; it can be passed through biting.

If an infected cat bites an uninfected cat the virus is injected directly into the bloodstream of the

Older cats with FIV can be adopted, but it is wise to look after younger cats.

uninfected cat. However, if an uninfected cat bites an infected cat, the risk is lessened. Even though there is still the element of risk present. In this scenario, the virus is not directly injected straight into the blood stream… if that makes sense. The virus cannot be transmitted indirectly through food, feeding dishes, toys

or bedding, etc. Also, it’s worth knowing that there is no scientific proof the virus is passed through sexual contact but the male often grabs hold of the female’s neck with his teeth, puncturing the skin.

What are the signs of FIV? A blood test is needed

to ascertain infection so please do go to your vet who will best advise. However, raised lymph nodes, conjunctivitis, diarrhoea, gum inflammation, eye and nose discharge, etc., are just some of the things to watch out for. Bear in mind that some of these conditions can occur in uninfected cats that’ve been fed an improper diet, so you see, the signs vary and only your vet can properly diagnose.

It is worth remembering, the virus will deplete certain white blood cells in your kitty, making her more susceptible to other infections. I cannot stress enough that if in doubt, visit your vet.

What is an infected cat’s life expectancy?

Infected cats usually

retain their strong immunity for years following infection and it’s usually some years later when the symptoms begin to show, and most of them can be treated quite easily with prescribed medication.

So, don’t worry, it is not a death sentence and an infected kitty, once managed by a vet, can live a happy, healthy lifespan.

In fact, did you know, your cat is more likely to die as a result of a road accident than to have her life ended as a result of FIV?

How do I protect my cat?

You could keep her indoors but possibly a tad dramatic. We would recommend you spay/neuter as it reduces the need to fight and wander.

Want to adopt a HIV

kitty?

HIV cats find it difficult to find new homes but, remember, these kitties are normal pets who deserve to be loved and cherished as much as uninfected ones. If you can provide a home with an enclosed garden, or cat run, then why not call into your local rescue shelter and give a HIV cat a chance. All she needs is love, regular veterinary check-ups, up-to-date vaccinations and a proper diet that includes vitamin supplements to help build her immune system.

The information is a guideline only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice.

For more information, contact your vet or log onto www.dspca.ie or email me at miriam.kerins@dspca.ie

5 April 2012 GAZETTE 15

GazetteFITNESS FITNESS

Brought to you by Derry Temple

A ray of sun can make you fitter SPRING is here and the sun has started to shine!

This is the time to come out of hibernation and shake off the winter blues.

Now that the clocks have gone forward, we have longer evenings with more activity time. You can expect better weather too, which should encourage you to get outside and get active.

The biggest benefit of getting our activity outdoors is that we can also get some much-needed sunshine. Sunshine and exercise cause the body to produce feel-good betaendorphins and serotonin that simply cannot be obtained from food (no matter how much chocolate you eat!).

The other important

benefit is, after a long dark winter, you may be deficient in vitamin D, “the sunshine vitamin”. Our body’s primary means of obtaining vitamin D is through sun exposure and, since Ireland is located in a northerly latitude, it does not receive enough sun to provide vitamin D for large periods of the year.

In recent times, vitamin D has come to the forefront of the nutrition world because of the numerous health benefits that have been associated with it. While we can get good sources of vitamin D from fish, such as salmon, sardines, tuna and also milk and eggs, the best source is natural UVB sunlight.

Vitamin D is crucial to the function and health of our bodies and low levels of vitamin D are implicated in several diseases. It has been historically proven and documented that adequate calcium intake can improve general bone health and decrease the risk of certain bone diseases that are more prevalent in later life.

What many people don’t realise is that vitamin D is critical in the body’s ability to properly utilise calcium. Calcium absorption in the intestines actually requires vitamin D and, when its levels are deficient, calcium is not optimally absorbed even if there is enough of it in the diet.

personal trainer and pilates instructor

The keys to seeing signs of a stroke Taking in the sun isn’t just good for plants

If this is the case, then the body will mobilise calcium from the skeletal bones and release it into the bloodstream.

This inevitably causes a loss of bone density and can lead to osteomalacia, osteopenia and, eventually, to osteoporosis.

Bone health is an important health issue for people over 50 years of age and becomes an increasing concern as we age.

Temple Training will

hold a free fat-loss workshop for Gazette readers on Tuesday, April 17 at 8pm in Le Cheile Community Centre, Donnycarney.

This is an introduction to our “Body Design” course, which will empower you to “attain a lean body, healthy mind and an abundance of energy for life”. To secure your place simply e-mail us at info@templetrain ing and mention that you are a Gazette reader.

TEN THOUSAND Irish people have a stroke every year and around 2,000 of them die from stroke.

The most common form of stroke occurs when the artery that supplies blood to the brain becomes blocked causing a part of the brain to be damaged.

FAST

A handy guide to identifying signs of a stroke is FAST. Facial weakness – can they smile?

Arm weakness – can they raise both arms?

Speech – can they speak clearly and understand you?

Time to call 112 or 999 and ask for an ambulance.

Speed

Speed is essential as stroke damages brain tissue.

Two of the principal culprits that can lead to a blockage of the arteries are smoking and high cholesterol.

You can have your c h o l e s t e r o l l e ve l checked at your local pharmacy or by your GP. With thanks to the staff of Lucan Village Pharmacy.

16 GAZETTE 5 April 2012

GazetteBEAUTY BEAUTY

Edited by Laura Webb

Dare to bare your legs with a number of great treatments T FELT like summer last week – that feels a long time ago, already – and, for ladies across Dublin thinking of baring their legs in a great summer dress, or shorts, they should make sure they look the part whenever the good weather returns.

We don’t often get a chance to bare our legs in Dublin, but when we do, we like to take full advantage of the sun’s rays.

I

In this dreary town, we can often neglect our legs and leave them hiding behind skinny jeans or black tights Letting them breathe in the open air means making legs look supersmooth, and there is no better place to start than waxing.

Gazette Beauty came across Wax in the City – a leading international waxing-only studio located in South William

Street.

It opened last week and there is already a buzz about the top-quality treatments it supplies.

Specialising in hair removing, it uses highquality natural beeswax, and skin is treated with Hamamelis water before and after hair removal.

No wax strips are used, which makes it fast, gentle and leaving skin feeling smooth for two to four weeks.

Prepare to have perfect pins for summer – or any time of year – with a number of luscious leg beauty products

The wax used by Wax in the City is suitable for all hair removal, from face to toes, and is great for sensitive skin.

Once the hair has been removed, keep your legs smooth and supple with a great moisturiser.

One such product is Weleda’s Aloe Vera Body

Lotion. This product lightly moisturises and keeps the skin smooth.

Ingredients such as organic jojoba oil, apricot kernel oil and organic shea butter support the skin’s moisture balance, and gives off an amazing aromatic smell.

This product is avail-

able at Nourish health and beauty stores, and selected health stores and pharmacies nationwide.

Once complete, sun worshippers can decide whether they want to go all natural with their bare legs, or add a bit of colour by using their favourite tan product.

A good instant tan is Karora Instant Tan washoff (rrp €14.99).

This tan is not only suitable for skin-bronzing legs, it can also be

used on the face and body.

A great fau x glow helps to disguise cellulite and blemishes, and gives a fashionable tan that many have been already spotted with on the spring-summer catwalks.

So, whenever it happens, with these great products and services you’ll be all set to pick out your favourite sun dress or shorts and show off those fab legs when the sun beams back.

Max Factor Miracle Touch CReamy Blush; €10.79

A Blush you’ll welcome to see on your glowing face CREATE a fresh face look by adding a pop of colour to your skin with MaxFactor’s very own creamy blush.

MaxFactor Miracle Touch Creamy Blush is designed to bring fresh dew to cheeks. It glides on easily, and leaves cheeks with a subtle hint of colour, ideal for a fresh spring/summer look.

This cream blush is a softly pigmented, nongreasy creamy formula that transforms at the touch, blending easily and evenly over skin.

The result is a sheer blush of colour across the cheeks, giving a fresh, natural glow, which can be built up easily for a more dramatic evening look.

Max Factor Miracle Touch Creamy Blush is available nationwide in four shades – Soft Copper, Soft Murano, Soft Candy and Soft Pink – and are priced at €10.79 RRP each.

5 April 2012 GAZETTE 17

18 GAZETTE 5 April 2012

GazetteMUSIC MUSIC FastTunes with Radio Nova’s Dee Woods A household charge for our homes, sky-rocketing petrol prices for our cars...and now our musical ears are getting a bashing.

Sonisphere 2012 in the UK was billed to be the rockingest yet, with headliners Queen (with Adam Lambert) being joined by Kiss, Faith No More and The Darkness.

Then last week, organisers literally pulled the plug saying the “challenging year was more difficult than anticipated”, which presumably translates to spiralling costs outweighing poor ticket sales.

With Glastonbury on a year’s break and Oxegen taking a breather here, it’s a chilling thought that the future of the big music festival could be as unpredictable as an Irish summer.

With more music being sold over cyberspace than in shops, is it possible that promoters in the already-strained music industry are bowing out of staging huge, outdoor gigs?

Could we be telling our wide-eyed grandchildren legendary tales of overpriced burgers, wearing shorts in the rain and paying hundreds of Euro to sleep in a mucky field with thousands of fellow music fanatics - just for the love of music?

I hope not, that’s something everyone should get to experience for themselves.

Although we have to look at the plastic glass as being half full, 2012 does have Electric Picnic in Stradbally (The Cure, The Killers), the Rory GallagherTribute Festival in Ballyshannon (Horslips, Mick Taylor) and The Sea Sessions in Bundoran (Happy Mondays, Kaiser Chiefs) to name but a few.

Or if a mucky field doesn’t do it for you, what about partying with some Easter bunnies on dry land? Listen to Radio Nova this week for your chance to win a trip to the Playboy Mansion’s Rock n Roll Fantasy Party with Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler in May. Listen to Dee Woods from Radio Nova every weeknight from 7pm to 12am on 100.3FM

REVIEW: THREE DIVERSE RELEASES AHEAD OF THE BREAK

Magic number for preEaster goodies I ROB HEIGH

LIKE a candy store display, there are far too many goodies on offer in the music scene at the moment. So, which are the fun-filled Easter eggs and which are the empty vessels?

First up is the return of trance-dance duo, Orbital, with their first album since 2004, Wonky.

The record represents their first recorded work since their return to the live arena in 2009 after their retirement from the business after the Blue Album in 2004. Their revival showed how much they had been missed, as festival-goers and fans flocked to their appearances, and now, eight years since their last release, they have returned with Wonky.

Orbital always demonstrated a more considered approach to their recorded output and live shows in comparison to the more Pavlovian mechanics of

stadium house acts like Chemical Brothers, and that’s a trend they continue on Wonky.

There are some fine grooves on offer here, certainly, but they are inlaid within Orbital’s acid-inf lected melodies and electronic riffs that show old habits die hard — one foot remains in the chill-out space, one on the dancefloor, but the headlights are still firmly aimed at the stars.

Next out of the shiny wrapper is Noctourniquet, the sixth album from The Mars Volta, the band, who rose from the ashes of one of the most influential and thrilling bands of the last 15 years, At The Drive In. With ATDI’s Omar and Cedric driving the creative agenda, and with the diversity of the ideas, soundscapes and melodies colliding, Noctourniquet is the sound of a million ideas colliding all at once.

This isn’t rock as you

Orbital, Estelle and The Mars Volta make for an eclectic trio

know it, it’s not punk, it is completely its own beast and what a magnificent, prickly and involving beast it is.

Listening to all of The Mars Volta’s records over the years has been a challenge, but an enduringly rewarding one for those who can stay the distance and appreciate the nuance and intelligence at play.

There truly is very little out there that makes its mark on you like Mars Volta, and, given the time and the inclination, you will thoroughly

appreciate the craft at play in Noctourniquet.

Finally, Estelle, the American Boy singer who has divided her time in recent years between Brooklyn and her home town of London, and has made some impressive appearances of recent times, showcasing her silky vocals with The Roots and John Legend at venues across America.

All Of Me, her latest release, demonstrates all of the cross-Atlantic influences at play in her career, and is as smooth

a piece of pop-soul as you are likely to hear this year.

It also features more mature and intelligent lyrics than this genre usually displays, with Estelle obvioulsy drawing on the personal and social consciousness displayed by the likes of The Roots in their music.

This is a classy piece of work that demonstrates Estelle’s talents as a writer and as a savvy and adept listener to the trends and styles that best suit her skills

5 April 2012 GAZETTE 19

GazetteBUSINESS BUSINESS

Supported by AIB

Interview: Anthony Carmody, partner at Carmody Moran Solicitors

Taking stress out of Courts ANTHONY Carmody is a partner in Carmody Moran solicitors, one the fastest-growing legal firms in West Dublin. Having merged Carmody & Co with Moran Solicitors, the Carmody Moran mix is gaining a strong reputation. Anthony brings a wealth of expertise to the practice, having previously worked in one of the big top-10 Dublin law firms, as well as a niche defence law firm. Anthony was keen to establish a general legal practice specialising in the area of court disputes with Q: What was your first job?

A: At 16 I ran away to sea and was a steward on the ferry to France

Q: And your first pay cheque?

A: IR£71 per week Q: Have you ever done a job you loathed?

A: A steward on the ferry to France on a rough sailing… you can probably imagine the cleaning jobs

Q: When did you start your present job?

A: I started my apprenticeship as a solicitor on February 5, 1996

Q: What is the best thing about your job?

A: When people have to access

the expertise to offer clients a cost-effective legal service that aims to simplify the traumatic experience of taking a case through the courts.

This week, he spoke to the Gazette about the challenges his clients face. Anthony says he has “no typical day and feels strongly that he can help his clients by advocating on their behalf and advising them when tackling the challenges that result from road traffic accidents, employment claims, etc”. He says: “One

legal advice they can be often quite intimated, so when you get working with them and explain the process and seeing them relax working with me, that’s a great part of the job

Q: Have you ever achieved anything that you once thought you could not pull off?

A: Setting up my own practice,

day I can be securing a client a divorce and the next day I’m in the High Court on a personal injury action.”

He goes on to say: “The most rewarding part of my job is getting my clients the results they deserve and that, while I cannot turn back the clock for them, it is always great to obtain a just and fair outcome.”

Carmody Moran solicitors have offices in Dublin 15 and Dublin 7. To find out more, visit www.carmodymoran.ie or telephone 01 827 2888.

Q: Is there anything about yourself that you would like to set the record straight on?

A: I’m not a complete nerd Q: What sport do you follow?

A: Rugby and soccer, in particular Sligo Rovers

Q: What sport can you play?

A: I have played every sport going

which now employs six of us

and was equally useless at each one

Q: What part of your working day do you ‘delegate’?

A: Not anywhere near enough; I’m

Q: What habits would you like to lose?

A: Smoking… if only I could turn

very hands-on in work

the clock back to 1989!

Q: What’s currently on your desk that shouldn’t be?

A: A few empty coffee cups

Q: At the moment, what are you looking forward to?

A: Continuing to build up our

practice that people come to when they wish to get solid, affordable and realistic legal advice and building on our reputation for putting clients first.

Q: What is your guilty music/TV or movie pleasure?

A: Eurovision – it’s the worst and the best thing on TV

Q: Describe your dream meal?

A: Outdoors somewhere with my

Solicitor Anthony Carmody

Inc. back to work.

Q: Where do you enjoy spending money frivolously?

A: Bookshops or HMV Q: Describe your dream holiday?

A: Up in the mountains somewhere with my wife and baby son getting away from it all

Q: What would be your dream job?

A: I don’t think that there is any-

wife, family and friends

thing else I would want to do or could do as well as what I’m doing,

Q: Who would you rather have dinner with – Enda Kenny or Dame Edna?

A: Enda Kenny, as I’d love to know

Q: What do you plan to do when you retire?

A: I don’t think that I will ever

what his plans are to get Ireland

retire

20 GAZETTE 5 April 2012

GazetteMOTORS MOTORS RoadSigns Road Signs New M-Class set for Irish release WITHIN the coming weeks, Mercedes-Benz will introduce the second of three new models planned for release in Ireland this year - their new third-generation M-Class sports utility vehicle.

The M-Class links a strong off-road heritage to the comfort of a luxury premium saloon. In appearance, it has been given a more defined, forceful look with the introduction of new headlamps and grille and centrally mounted three-pointed star.

Improvements include a more spacious and comfortable interior with more elbow room, a new dashboard and upholstery and a raft of standard and optional infotainment systems.

The M-Class is powered by an all-new line-up of engines - one petrol and two diesel units. In Ireland, the version most likely to appeal is the 204bhp ML250 CDI BlueTEC 4-MATIC selling at €71,060 ex works with road tax of just €481.

Notable features of the new M-Class include a new on/off road package that provides six transmission modes, depending on road conditions. Air suspension, anti roll stabilisation, adaptive damping that moves from firm to soft, electric steering and a tightest-in-its-segment turning circle combine to boost driving pleasure.

The new Mercedes-Benz M-Class

TomTom app hits tablets: TomTom has released an updated version of its WEBFLEET Mobile fleet management app, extending use to tablets and making fleet management more accessible for managers on the move.

WEBFLEET® Mobile is designed to give businesses the flexibility needed to inform customers at all times and operate an efficient vehicle fleet and workforce.

New functionality allows users to view details for all current

orders, manage workflow and meet service agreements.

New jobs can be sent straight from the smart phone or tablet to a field workers’ TomTom PRO device, providing them with all critical information about the job.

WEBFLEET Mobile displays an accurate time of arrival, which can be used to inform the customer.

The new version also displays tracks for selected trips by date and vehicle. It is available in app stores for TomTom’s 15,000 business customers.

Done deal: Renault join Dubs for 2012 season DUBLIN football star, Bernard Brogan, is joined by local schoolkids Jack Murray, Roisin Gregory Cox, Mikey O’Driscoll and Molly Fitzgerald. The group got together this week to celebrate the launch of an official car partnership between Renault Ireland and the Dublin Gaelic Football Team.

Renault will partner the All-Ireland Football Champions for 2012, a partnership that will see a number of players driving new Renault models. Players Denis Bastick, Kevin Nolan, Barry Cahill, Michael Dara

MacAuley, Eoghan O’Gara, Alan Brogan and Bernard Brogan took to the pitch at Parnell Park, home of the Dubs, with Renault managing director Eric Basset.

Commenting on the deal, Mr Basset said: “We are delighted to announce our partnership with the Dublin football team today and we believe it’s a great natural fit as we share the same values - hard work, performance, challenge, and dedication. In 2012 Renault and Dublin GAA will have to continue to perform based on the good 2011 results, so we’re in it together!”

Dublin fully charged for 2012 EV Summit DUBLIN is to host Fully Charged 2012,an international Electric Vehicle (EV) Summit that is taking place on July 11, 2012, in the Convention Centre.

T h i s o n e - d ay E V conference and exhibition will bring together thought leaders and policy makers from Europe, US and China as well as other experts at the cutting edge of EV technology. International executives from IBM, Nissan, Renault, Siemens, International Energy Agency will share their knowledge, latest research results and expert views

about this dynamic and emerging industry.

A panel discussion with those responsible for ecar programmes in Estonia, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands and UK will provide delegates with an insight into the business models, consumer uptake and challenges of EV adoption.

In addition, first year results from Green eMotion, the EU funded transport research project with a budget of €42 million, will be discussed.

A range of electric cars and related EV products and solutions will be on display. A number of Irish

Dervla O’Flaherty, ESB ecars, and Reg Plunkett, owner of the 1899 Sperry Cleveland vintage electic car

small and medium enterprises, who have invested in developing a range of innovative products/ services for the EV market, will be showcased using the umbrella Ecar Ireland brand.

These world-class solutions, supported by Enter-

prise Ireland, have been proven in the Irish market and are being actively marketed internationally.

All participating exhibitors to date are listed at www.fullycharged2012. com/exhibition.html There will also be an Ecar Test Drive Zone,

whereby members of the public will also have the opportunity to test drive electric vehicles in Dublin city on the same day.

Interested parties should register online @ www. fullycharged2012.com Fully Charged 2012 is a satellite event of the prestigious Euroscience Open Forum (ESOF 2012) which is one of the highlight events of Dublin, City of Science 2012.

A discount delegate fee is offered to those who wish to attend both events.

Registration for one or both of these events is available online: www. fullycharged2012.com.

5 April 2012 GAZETTE 21

Edited by Cormac Curtis

RoadSigns Road Signs

LONG-AWAITED KIA OPTIMA SET FOR ARRIVAL:

Eddie Murphy, chairman and managing director, Ford Ireland, and Mark Anderson, director of Titanic 100 Cobh project, at the handover of two specially liveried Ford

Ford getting on board ORD Ireland has become a partner of the Titanic 100 Cobh 2012 centenary project, with the provision of a pair of specially liveried new Galaxy models that will be used during the yearlong commemoration.

Cobh (or Queenstown as it was known then) was the last port of call for the ill-fated Titanic on April 11, 1912, when 123 passengers boarded the ship before it put out into

F

the Atlantic ocean. Three days later, the “unsinkable” ship sank following a collision with an iceberg in the north Atlantic.

Tragedy To commemorate the visit of the Titanic to Cobh and the terrible tragedy, the Titanic 100 Cobh project has been set up and will run a packed agenda of events throughout 2012.

According to Marc Anderson, Director of the

Titanic 100 Cobh project: “Cobh will be buzzing during 2012 as we commemorate this important part of the town’s, and Cork harbour’s history.

We are delighted with Ford’s support and, as the centenary date in April approaches, the two Galaxy vehicles will be very busy. But the activity doesn’t end there because, into the summer and beyond, our programme of events means that the cars will

be familiar sights on the roads around Cobh and its environs right until the end of the year.”

Eddie Murphy, chairman and managing director of Ford Ireland, said: “The Titanic is an important part of Cobh and Cork’s history so it is fitting for Ford, with our historical Cork roots, to be involved in the Titanic 100 Cobh project. In addition to providing these vehicles for use during the year, we are

also sponsoring a novel Titanic-themed short film competition for budding film-makers.”

Inspired Entitled 8 Minutes: The Ford Short Film Competition, Entrants are invited to produce an eight-minute short film inspired by one of the themes of Titanic. Twelve finalists will be given the opportunity to showcase their work to the wider film industry and the gen-

eral public at a great family evening out at Fota House Cobh on Saturday June 9th. On the night, one overall winner will be chosen and will receive the use of a Ford Fiesta for a year, fully fuelled, taxed and insured. Visit w w w.8minutes.ie for more information.

More information in relation to the Titanic 100 Cobh 2012 project and the range of events planned can be accessed at www.titanic100.ie.

Dublin winner in the latest The Care Trust fundraiser DEIRDRE Ni Dhonaill, of Rathfarnham, and Susan Banks, of Kilnamanagh, were each the lucky the winner of a Ford Fiesta in The Care Trust’s latest fundraising draw which, as Ireland’s biggest car giveaway, will see 36 cars up for grabs in 2012.

Commenting on her win, Susan said: “I am really thrilled to win a Fiesta in The Care Trust draw - I really love the sporty look of the car. It couldn’t have come at a better time for me as I had been looking around to replace my eight-year-old car and now I can’t wait to get behind the wheel.”

Gaeilgeoir Deirdre was also delighted with the win: “Ta me an-sasta leis an Fiesta nua – is carr alainn e”. Deirdre’s sons will benefit from the win too as she will give them her old car now that she has a sparkling new Fiesta for herself.

Winners The Care Trust’s prize draws take place three times per month with all winners notified by post. For €3.50 per week / €15 per month, contributors are eligible for all draws. For more information, see www.thecaretrust.ie or phone (01) 200 0060.

Phil Reid, of The Care Trust, presents the keys for a new Fiesta to Susan Banks and Deirdre Ni Dhonaill, while Aidan Kane, of Rathfarnham Ford, looks on

THE Optima Kia’s long-awaited new D segment saloon will arrive in dealerships throughout Ireland in the coming two weeks. The Optima, which has won numerous design awards, is an all-new car from the ground up. Longer, lower, wider and with an extended wheelbase compared to previous D-segment offerings from Kia, the new sedan embodies what Kia’s chief design officer, Peter Schreyer, calls “a bold, athletic and visual sporting energy”.

Welcoming the announcement, Kia Motors Ireland MD James Brooks said: “Having being largely absent in recent years from this important segment of the market we are delighted to be back with this very attractive sedan.”

22 GAZETTE 5 April 2012

GazetteTTRAVEL FastTravel A wonderful place to take a well-Erned relaxing trip Strokestown Park offers an Easter treat for families, with fun, eggs, music and puppets

VISIT Strokestown Park, Co. Roscommon, this Easter Sunday and enjoy an action-packed day of Family Fun in the Park’s idyllic six-acre walled gardens.

The Park will be open from 12 noon to 6pm on the day with a whole host of activities and entertainment available for children to enjoy.

For an entry fee of just €10 per child (admission is free for adults accompanying children) guests can enjoy a great array of fun activities and entertainment, including live puppet shows which will be performed by Conor Lambert’s Custard Pie Puppet Company, face-painting, bouncing castles, craft workshops, which are being presented by the Eco Envolve Team and includes both individual and group craft activities.

There will also be a live musical performance

by Eileen O’Toole, an exciting Easter Egg Hunt and unlimited access to the Park’s stunning gardens The Strokestown Park Woodland Walk Cafe will be open all day on Easter Sunday and special lunch rates will be available, with separate menus for kiddies and adults, for just €5 and €10, respectively.

Pre-booking is advisable, so secure your tickets today.

Tickets are available online at www.strokestownpark.ie or by phone at 071 9633013.

Enjoy a relaxing weekend close to home with the Ballsbridge Hotel ENJOY your next weekend break in Dublin with a special offer package at Dublin’s Ballsbridge Hotel and Berkeley Court Hotel. Both will be offering phenomenal deals this spring to brighten your next Dublin excursion.

The Dublin Sightseeing Package at Ballsbridge Hotel, starts at only €55 per person sharing, which includes an overnight stay and a delectable Full Irish Breakfast. Explore the many sights and attractions the city has to offer with tickets for the Dublin City Sightseeing tour also included.

Packages are subject to availability so early booking is recommended to avoid disappointment. To make a booking visit www.ballsbridgehotel.com and www.berkeleycourthotel.com.

BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN

THE Lough Erne Resort in Enniskillen is a golfcentred hotel with full course and a training academy both designed

by Nick Faldo.

Perched on the edge of Lough Erne in Fermanagh, the hotel has an impressive pedigree, with the awards to match.

Indeed, it was the first AA and Northern Ireland Tourist Board five-star hotel in Northern Ireland, and was awarded the title of Best Hotel at the 2011 Northern Ireland Tourism Awards.

T he beautiful setting and sumptuous hotel are not the most impressive things about the Lough Erne Resort, however.

They are merely the surface layer of an exquisite resort.

The golf course is now world-famous as it was Nick Faldo’s first Irish creation.

The course is a real treat for avid golfers and non-golfers alike as it offers a real mix of golfing styles.

It meanders around Castle Hume Lough and Lower Lough Erne and the holes vary from pine-lined and heathland.

There are a lot of

water features on the course too, which only adds to its interest and diversity.

Along with the magnificent views of the grand lake and the beautiful hotel, the experience of playing on the course is a multilayered sensory delight.

Lough Erne Resort

guests and participates freely with whatever event is ongoing at the resort.

Another very novel feature of the resort is the Faldo Academy.

This is a state-of-theart facility for improving your golfing skills by practising with the assistance and guid-

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

‘So, if you are a seasoned golfer, or a complete novice, the course and academy are a wonderful way to have great craic whilst improving or learning the game’ --------------------------------------------------------

won Golf Resor t of the Year from the Irish Golf Tourism Operators Association in 2010.

T he Resor t effor tlessly marries old world charm and up-to-date luxury.

It is set on its very own 600-acre penins u l a , b e t we e n C a s tle Hume Lough and Lower Lough Erne, just outside Enniskillen.

A Master at work Rory McIlroy is the touring professional of Lough Erne resort and has a house on the course in the golfer’s village.

When McIlroy visits the resort he often leads golf clinics for the

ance of the hotel’s resident golf pro, the expert Lynn McCool.

Lynn had a highly successful amateur career and won many titles throughout Ireland.

She then won a golf scholarship at the University of Hawaii before embarking on a four-year training programme at The Belfry.

She is a very adept and straight-talking instructor and believes that keeping things simple is the best way to improve a golfer’s form.

“Sir Nick Faldo was the most straightfor ward and simple instructor I’ve ever come

across and if you practise the stance, grip and swing I show you, you can play on any course in the world effectively,” she informed me before tee-off.

A Beginners look McCool is equally good at instr ucting beginners, of which I was one.

She tells you in very basic terms and by showing you your alignment and swing on the s c r e e n , h ow e a s i l y you can improve your game.

The Faldo Academy is an indoor structure that leads on to an outdoor green where your swing, trajectory, distance and other technical skills can be monitored and tracked by a computer programme and equipment housed in the academy.

Lough Erne houses the first Faldo Academy in Europe and, according to the man himself, through these academies, “we aspire to achieve the very best in all that we do”.

Revolutionary Lough Erne claims that the Faldo Academies have revolutionised the way in which golf instr uction and practise facilities are being viewed.

The beautiful jetty at

It has been designed with golfers in mind and all of the staff at the facility assist golfers to replicate the shots that they will experience on the golf course.

So, if you are a seasoned golfer, or a complete novice, the course and academy are a wonderful way to have great craic whilst improving or learning the game.

Another facility at the Lough Erne Resort is the Thai Spa. This spa and thermal suite offers a truly authentic experience in the art of relaxation and Thai massage. From the moment you enter the spa you are taken in hand and led through a series of relaxing experiences, from head massage to foot massage, and everything in between.

I had the back, neck and shoulder massage

5 April 2012 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 23

Edited by Mimi Murray

TravelBriefs

Killiney’s landmark Fitzpatrick Castle is fit for a King, and Queen, this Easter weekend

Lough Erne Resort in Enniskillen at dusk is a highlight of any stay, as trips to the Catalina Restaurant (top) and infinity pool (bottom)

as well as the head massage.

T he dexterity and power of the delicate Thai girl working on me was quite remarkable.

She was a true master of the art of massage and I was very revived and relaxed on leaving the suite.

Dinner was ser ved in the hotel’s Catalina Restaurant where the cuisine was of the highest quality.

Ever y thing on the menu, from vegetarian meals to a seafood selection and fowl, like quail and duck, were locally sourced.

All of the bread, too, which was some of the most exotic I’ve ever had, (curry for instance) we r e b a ke d o n t h e premises.

I had the hake on a bed of lentils with a great sauce and the most debauched choc-

olate dessert of three different creative incarnations.

In all the whole experience at the Lough Erne Resort was a very good one.

The staff is highly attentive and accommodating and all of the facilities, from the golf course to the spa and the dining, was absolutely above par.

Escape for an overnight retreat with dinner in the award-winning Catalina Restaurant, a restful night’s sleep followed by the very best of Irish breakfasts.

For more information on this fabulous resort, log on to www.lougherneresort.comor call the reception on 048 6632 3230 The Lough Erne Spring retreat costs from £89.50 per person, based on two persons sharing.

WITH the Easter break fast approaching now is the time to think about booking a break with family or friends, and Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel, Killiney, have a great selection of great value packages now available with something to suit everyone.

Enjoy an Easter break the whole family can enjoy with the Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel Family Package. The package includes a two-night break for up to a family of five with breakfast each morning and dinner on one evening and a third night’s B&B absolutely free! Its also never been easier to entertain the children this Easter with Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel’s Kids Club, which will run Saturday, April 7 and Sunday, April 8 from 7pm to 10pm – perfect for giving mum and dad the opportunity to enjoy a relaxing dinner. On Easter Sunday morning, from 10.30am, a special Easter Egg Hunt will take place with the Easter Bunny leaving lots of delicious Easter eggs for children to find throughout the Castle.

The Family package is available from just €205 per adult for a midweek break, and €240 per adult for a weekend break.

Fancy an Easter break with friends? Then why not try the Spring Midweek Special from Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel. From just €145 pps (based on two sharing) you can enjoy a twonight break with breakfast each morning, dinner on one evening of your choice and scrumptious afternoon tea for two as an extra treat for you to enjoy during your stay.

Or why not enjoy a longer getaway with the Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel Spring 3 for 2 Offer.

This package includes two nights B&B, with dinner one evening, complimentary wine and chocolates in your room to enjoy upon arrival and a third’s night stay with breakfast absolutely free. This great-value package is available for just €175pps for a mid-week break and €195pps for a weekend break (based on two sharing).

All Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel guests can enjoy full use of the hotel’s extensive leisure facilities as well as free WIFI and car parking.

To make a booking contact the reservations team on (01) 2305556 or email: reservations@fitzpatricks.com

24 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 5 April 2012

GazetteENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT

GoingOUT THE PAVILION THEATRE 01 231 2929 Baglady

FRANK McGuinness’s rarely-performed play has an extra poignancy in the current economic climate, given the social exclusion that some citizens continue to face. Here, True West, in association with Eska Riada, take a “baglady” (as memorably played by Maria McDermottroe) – someone you might walk past in the street – and reveal the person inside, stripping away the layers of alienation to find the isolated woman inside. Catch this moving play at 8pm on Thursday, April 5, with tickets costing €15/€13.

MILL THEATRE 01 296 9340 Faulty Towers Dining Experience

DISCERNING diners are cordially invited to attend Basil and Sybil Fawlty’s upcoming special Easter three-course meal at The Mill, with fine fare provided by Roly Saul’s restaurant.

Basil, and his loving wife, Sybil, will be ably assisted by Manuel – one of Barcelona’s finest waiters – to ensure the evening runs perfectly smoothly, and without any possible chance of mishap or mayhem whatsoever. Your Fawlty evening can be enjoyed on Saturday, April 4, with the price for the three-course meal, and Basil’s attention, set at €45.

CIVIC THEATRE 01 885 2622 The Playboy of the Western World

PRESENTED by Loose End Studio, and performed by the ITT Dublin Drama Society, the classic Irish play by JM Synge gets a fresh approach in this upcoming production.

Still striking a contemporary note with modern audiences, the secrets of a small Mayo townland will be revealed when wedding plans are interrupted, as Christy Mahon’s arrival will upset Pegeen Mike’s plans ... Catch Playboy nightly at 8.15pm from Wednesday, April 11 to Saturday, April 14; tickets priced €10/€7 conc.

DRAIOCHT 01 885 2622

Easter Integrated Dance Project CROI Clan, a professional contemporary dance company based in Cork, invites both disabled and non-disabled dancers, aged between 13-18 years, to participate in this exciting and dynamic week-long project, which celebrates and encourages dance diversity. The week will conclude with a dance piece set in a professional show in Draiocht’s studio space. The free project will run from Tuesday, April 10 to Saturday, April 14. If interested to participate, email sarah@draiocht.ie or telephone 01 809 8029.

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It could be something of a tall order for Snow White to thwart Queen Clementianna’s plans to marry a rich young prince but, thanks to this rather unlikely band of brigands she falls in with in the forest, she’s ready to face the challenge

Not a Grimm story It’s Snow joke to say that director, Singh, has struck the right note with an upbeat reboot of the classic fairytale I KATE CROWLEY

UNFORTUNATELY, The Gazette does not employ yours truly as its political correspondant, meaning that, alas, my dear readers are spared my thoughts on a number of pressing issues of the day.

Yes, that’s right, you’ll both have to only guess what I might have to say on such matters as the Mahon Report, Bertie, the €100 Household Charge, the Troika, and so on. Why, it’s all enough to make a gal wish for an escape into a fantasy land.

And, oh, look, here comes one now!

Presented in the cinema style du jour, Mirror Mirror is a reimagining, reboot (or rehash) of Grimm’s old tale, rejinked for modern audiences.

(Yes, yes, very good – it’s Snow White’s tale, with added glitz, polished CG effects, knowing asides, and so on.)

FILM OF THE WEEK: Mirror Mirror #### (PG) 106 mins Director: Tarsem Singh Starring: Julia Roberts, Lily Collins, Armie Hammer, Nathan Lane, blink-and-you’ll-miss-him Sean Bean, and seven rogues

OUR VERDICT: FORGET anything to do with whiney vampires, woeful werewolves and angsty moaning that would make Kevin The Teenager look good by comparison – this slice of pure fantasy is an amusing, upbeat slice of family fun, with Roberts’ gamely knowing portrayal of a youth- and beauty-obsessed queen adding another layer of deliciousness. For a fun, feisty fairytale, Mirror Mirror is certainly a film to reflect on ...

Not a million miles away from the classic fairytale, here, Snow White (Lily Collins) is a lovely lass, living in Ye Olde Kingdome under the tender, motherly ministrations of the Queen (Julia Roberts, right).

That’s “tender” as in “pretty insecure and increasingly jealous of Snow, and ready to get rid of the girl once she’s old enough to scupper her plans to marry the next passing rich young prince and thus stabilise her broke kingdom’s finances and bag herself a toy-boy in the process,” folks.

Enter the Prince (Armie Hammer) who, as fairytale luck would have it, falls for the girl, not the queen.

If Queenie’s going to have any chance of blagging her man – and his money – S n ow ’s gotta go, and so it’s not long before a certain someo n e ’s b e e n sent on a onew a y

trip to the forest, where people tend to have a habit of not returning from.

Of course, as the tale is better known by another well-known title, rather than “SnowWhite and the Hungry Forest Monster that Ate her for Lunch”, Snow soon runs into a group of bandits, of sorts, who’re small in stature but can stand shoulder-toshoulder with any soldiers in the kingdom, such are their impressive fighting skills (and, err, occasional use of stilt-legs).

Beautiful, feisty and strong-willed Snow (and, thank God, not oooh-angsty like too many young female leads have been in several films lately) enlists the help of her seven new friends to square up to

the tall order of reclaiming her rightful place in the kingdom, thwarting the Queen’s plans, and – duh – netting the Prince, and getting the fairytale ending that everyone expects.

But the Queen may have other ideas, once she learns that Snow is still alive ...

Camply colourful and upbeat, it’s a film that’s full of great design and striking vistas, with amusing turns from several of its leading and supporting stars, such as seasoned ham, Nathan Lane, while there’s a fun frisson to the Queen’s/Roberts’ obsession with fading beauty.

Mirror, mirror, on the wall ... who’s the sharpest critic of all? What’s that you say? Meeee? Why, thank you! Upon reflection, there’ll be extra Pledge for you this week, my polished sidekick ...

Startled to learn Snow lives ... Queen Clementianna (Julia Roberts)

5 April 2012 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 25

GazetteGAMING GAMING Bytesandpieces True out-of-this world marketing

Whether standing at the gleaming entrance to the flagship store on Fifth Avenue (above), or passing by a billboard in a corner of Chinatown (right), Apple have significant branding around New York – a stark contrast to Dublin, where the company has little comparable presence. Pictures: Shane Dillon

A tale of two cities SHANE DILLON

THIS may sound like something of a grand statement, but I was at Apple’s flagship store on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Central Park, in Manhattan, just last week, as well as at a number of other key game and technology outlets all around the island.

All just part of a routine holiday, but it was pretty interesting to note the very different approaches, and

interest in, gaming and tech between the two distant, and disparate, capital cities (on paper, at least, if not by legislation).

Firstly, my condolences to the GAME staff at a number of locations around Dublin, given last week’s well-publicised abrupt closure of the Republic of Ireland wing of the games retailer.

Although I’d written here previously about the ailing chain’s difficulties, it’s regrettable that what

many business, gaming and technology followers had half expected would indeed come to pass, and that the company would enter administration, with GAME’s outlets in the Republic being closed, while those in the North, and Britain, continued trading.

Like other interested parties, I’d been on a deathwatch, of sorts, while in Manhattan, as gloomy business headlines indicated what was

Anotherweebyte...

Feeling The Force of some great promotional ideass IN MY main piece, above, I briefly touched upon how games stores in Ireland never quite market themselves very well, by comparison to their peerss that I’ve seen elsewhere.

However, games companies are much more savvy about great marketing, as Microsoft proved when it enlisted the intergalactic tin can hero, R2-D2 (with human friend, Craig Sutton) to help launch Kinect Star Wars in Ireland recently, which was released on April 3. nect title, which It was a great way to publicise the latest top Kinect is one of the year’s most anticipated titles for Kinect, XBox 360 and Star Wars fans alike, letting fans jump straight into the action, using Kinect to engage with the Star Wars universe in a wide variety of key settings, light sabres at the ready.

It shouldn’t be hard to Force any Star Wars fan to pick this one up ...

coming, as looming rent payments, and other costs, seemed impossible for the chain to meet.

What a contrast between the sight of nearly deserted games stores and technology sections in Dublin – for all retailers, I hasten to add – and that of the many such similar retailers in Manhattan.

Eve n c o n s i d e r i n g the vast differences in economies in scale and populations, I saw much busier shops (or “stores”, for our American friends) around New York than to be seen here at home, or, indeed, in London, where I was also on a similar ITrrelated stroll around last weekend. w Back Stateside, and, whether in bustling flagw sship stores or much ssmaller independent rretailers, I was impressed by the engaging displays, b and a much better, handsa on approach to displayo iing the latest (and recent, iinteresting) titles than I have seen for several years here in Dublin.

Even better, the swamp of second-hand titles –

which did much to add to GAME’s difficulties, as well as to HMV’s equally ailing section, in my opinion – was not as prevalant, giving a much wider range of recent stock .

With GAME now gone, what does the future hold for games retailers in Ireland? If I were to shake a Magic 8-Ball app beside me, it would probably answer: “The future is unclear” ...

With the loss of GAME in the Republic – with staff members’ sit-ins making news around the world, I noted, in the relevant gaming/tech press – there’s a sudden loss of a key games retailer, further reducing choice for Dublin (and Irish) consumers.

Presumably, that’s good news for the few remaining chains and online distributors (major supermarkets still present extremely limited choice, so I discount them), but, given the stale state of the market, and how games are marketed in Dublin, at least, I hope they can continue playing ...

SPEAKING of marketing – well, it’s a fairly broad theme that I’ve chosen for this week’s page – Roxio, makers of the infamous Angry Birds series, came up with an out-of-this-world idea for the latest instalment in the smashhit franchise, Angry Birds Space.

Seeing as this series is likely to send some readers into an angry rage, such is its love/hate appeal, rather than delve into the game – widely available at a unmber of sources, and which Roxio are hoping will make the franchise the first game series past the one-billion download mark, as it’s somewhere around 800 million, at present – I’ll just say that getting NASA astronaut Dave Pettit (above) to demonstrate the principles of Angry Birds – while in gravity-free orbit on board the International Space Station – was, perhaps, not Mankind’s greatest scientific moment, but a pretty fun way of looking into the principles of the series, as well as some inspired marketing.

Dave’s scientific discussion of how angry birds could attack greedy green pigs, using the principles of velocity, can easily be found on YouTube.

GAZETTE

26 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 5 April 2012

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PLANNING NOTICE

PLANNING NOTICE

DUN LAOGHAIRE RATHDOWN COUNTY COUNCIL

DUN LAOGHAIRE RATHDOWN COUNTY COUNCIL

KEN USSHER ARCHITECTURAL SERVICE - 086 8656990 seeks Planning Permission on behalf of E. and O. Fitzgerald for the redesign and revised level of the main roof including 6 roof windows, a single storey 13.98 square metre side extension on the N./E. side, a relocated window on the N./E. side, a dormer window on the S./W. side, building up of existing chimney stack, replacing front pvc cladding with brick cladding, a new canopy over the front entrance door and widening the main site entrance from 2.9 meters to 3.4 meters to include a 1.7 meter high gate all at no. 1 Cabinteely Crescent, Cabinteely, Dublin 18. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the planning authority during it’s public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

Permission sought by Mr. and Mrs T.Kelly for the construction of a new domestic shed to rear garden of no. 2 Kellystown Road, Sandyford, Dublin 18 to replace existing sheds to be demolished as part of planning reference number D11B/0366 where permission was granted for “The demolition of existing sheds to the rear of dwelling, a single storey extension to the side, 2 storeystyle extension to the rear linked to the existing dwelling via a glazed area/conservatory, upgrading of existing septic tank to E.P.S Bison ASP sewage treatment plant and all ancillary site works.This application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, County Hall, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin during opening hours from 10am- 4 pm Monday -Friday excluding Bank Holidays. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Planning Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt of the application by the Planning Authority.

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PLANNING NOTICE

PLANNING NOTICE

DUN LAOGHAIRE RATHDOWN COUNTY COUNCIL

DUN LAOGHAIRE RATHDOWN COUNTY COUNCIL

Permission is sought by the Board of Management of Mount Anville Senior School to: · Replace a 2 level toilet block with a 3 level block over partial basement containing teaching, recreational and office spaces with glazed link to existing school. · A new plaza entrance w i l l b e p r ov i d e d i n front of this extension. · Reorganise existing school road system including miscellaneous revisions to parking layout, alterations to traffic patterns etc. · Alteration of existing vehicular exit gate to allow for traffic to exit in two directions. · Provide new signage at entrance. · Provide new off-line bus bay on Mount Anville Road to replace existi n g i n - l i n e b u s b ay.

All at Mount Anville School, Mount Anville Road, Goatstown, Dublin 14 (part of which is a Protected Structure)

I, Ken Fahy, apply for permission for a 11.4sq.m single storey extension to side of existing 2-storey dwelling at 84 Meadow Park, Churchtown, Dublin 14. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council during its public opening hours. A submission/ observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of €20 within a period of 5 weeks from the date the application is received by the planning authority.

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GazetteSPORT

STARS FOR MARCH

This month’s Dublin Sports Awards winners are announced: Page 29

CHARITY: IRISH CRICKETERS GIVE BACKING TO CAMARA’S 10K EVENT IN SANDYMOUNT

Batting for the betterment of Irish schools sport@gazettegroup.com

TWO members of Ireland’s World Cup cricket team, Trent Johnston and Max Sorensen, were on hand recently to support the launch of Camara Education’s 10K r un, which will take place along Sandymount Strand on Saturday, May 26.

T h e a n n u a l c h a rity 10K Run, now in its third year will raise vital funds for Camara Edu-

cation’s Irish School’s Programme, which aims to supply 65 Irish schools with 1,300 computers and train 300 school teachers in ICT in 2012.

Every €5 that is raised will help another child in a disadvantaged area gain access to ICT, making it easier for them to reach their employment potential and build a better future.

The run is open to all ages and abilities and

you can walk, jog or run. The race will commence on the Promenade, Strand Road at 9am shar p, with the course stretching around Sean Moore Park and the Irishtown Nature Reserve providing scenic views of Dublin Bay for entrants.

Camara Education is an Irish charity and social enterprise dedicated to using technology to deliver a more effective education to

Trent Johnston and Max Sorensen from the Irish cricket team, with Killian Byrne, launch the 10k race

disadvantaged children in Ireland, Africa and Jamaica.

Camara Education’s CEO, John Fitzsimons said: “It’s a great opportunity to get some exercise and help Camara deliver e-learning opportunities to some of

the most disadvantaged schools in Ireland.

“Last year’s event was a huge success, and we are on track again this year for a big turnout.

It is geared toward everybody, young and old, and is a great family day out and also a good pre-

mini-marathon run.”

Johnston added: “The education that Camara provide with the computers is of utmost priority. It’s an amazing job they do.”

Along with trophies for the winners and gold medals for all, partici-

pants can also choose to fundraise for the event with prizes being awarded to the top ten fundraisers.

Register now at www. camara.ie, and avail of the special early bird registration fee of €15 until April 11.

28 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 5 April 2012

GazetteSport Sport

Harry, John, Lindsay and Jack Glennon, from Churchtown

Lisa Dunne and Anne Doyle from Rathfarnham

Sean Allen with the Heineken Cup

De La Salle Plethora of trophies at Palmerstown AST Saturday saw the arrival of most of the most important trophies in sport at De La Salle Palmerstown’s clubhouse.

The event saw the Heineken Cup, the Magners League trophy, the Hurling All-Ireland Liam McCarthy and the FAI Premiership trophy that Shamrock Rovers won last season at the club as part of the fundraising efforts for the Under-12 team’s tour to London Irish.

Everyone who had their picture taken with the cups donated to the fund, and were all entered in a raffle for a signed Munster jersey, which was kindly donated by Killeen Group Holdings, who, through Toyota, are sponsors of Munster Rugby.

L

Jack Freeman, Ros Barron, Ben Buckley Hallion and Cian Lillis get their hands on some silverware

Larry Skinner and family

Kevin and Chris Dermody with John Doyle

5 April 2012 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 29

in association with

2012 DUBLIN SPORTS AWARDS - MARCH WINNERS

FastSport

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

# STARof the MONTH

# TEAMof the MONTH

APRIL showers? Let’s hope not!

But the stars continue to rain from the sky here in Dublin, and March’s winners are a soccer double-bill that shows the talent on offer across the city in the underage levels.

Let us know about your achievements in sport, so that the

DAN CASEY ST JOSEPH’S Boys’ Casey is a star on the rise, his talents having seen him appear in Irish colours on several occasions in recent months. His trip to Qatar to play against the ASPIRE academy in late 2011 was a gateway to him getting his first international call against Belgium in Killarney. His selection was vindicated when he took the captain’s armband in the first match, and scored goals in both ties.

COLAISTE PHADRAIG MARCH was a memorable month for the Colaiste Phadraig first-year team, which claimed not only the Umbro FAI Schools’ Leinster Cup title after defeating Chanel College, but also their league title with victory against the same opponents. Their cup success, a 2-1 win in Arklow, was a well-deserved one, and they now progress to the All-Ireland semifinals in May.

Gazette can tell the rest of Dublin — and give you, or your team, a chance to be one of our monthly stars.

Contact us on 01 601 0240, or sport@gazettegroup.com, to tell us all about your successes, and follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

Ireland’s biggest kids’ race in Great Ireland Run THE SPAR Great Ireland Run, which will take place on Sunday, April 15, in Phoenix Park, will feature the largest-ever children’s run in Ireland.

Over 1,100 children between the ages of five and 15 have already entered the MiniRun and Junior Run events.

The Mini and Junior Runs take place over a flat 2.5km course, which uses the start and finish areas of the adult SPAR Great Ireland Run. An adult is allowed accompany a child running in the Mini Run. The Junior Run starts at 11.15am followed by the Mini Run at 11.30am.

Entries for the Mini and Junior Runs are still open at www.greatirelandrun.org.

Current Olympic champion at 5,000 and 10,000 metres, Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia, will lead off the main field in the SPAR Great Ireland Run at 1pm when up to 10,000 runners, joggers and walkers will enjoy the stunning beauty of the Phoenix Park as it celebrates its 350th birthday this year

30 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 5 April 2012

GazetteSport Sport FastSport

ATHLETICS: JUVENILE CHAMPIONSHIPS SEES MORE HONOURS

Walk of Dreams 2012 set to take to streets THE John Giles Foundation, in association with Three, sponsors of the Irish national soccer team, last week launched the 2012 Walk of Dreams, which will take place this year on May 7.

This will be the second time that the Walk of Dreams has been held. Last year, the initiative involved more than 25,000 participants who raised a total of €360,000, which went back into club and community projects involving soccer throughout Ireland.

The 2012 Walk of Dreams will include five new venues this year and will bring together the football family to raise funds for the work being done by the foundation.

Half of funds raised will be retained by participating football clubs while the other half will go to the Foundation for community football projects in clubs, schools and community groups throughout Ireland.

John Giles said: “Last year’s walk showed the power of the football family to turn out en masse and raise funds for club and community projects through the foundation.

“Following the walks, €360,000 raised went into community projects benefiting young people in 62 projects nationwide.

“This year, the number of walks will grow to 20 and we look forward to demonstrating, through the numbers walking for a great cause, the important role that football plays in Irish community life.

“Half of the money raised will go back to participating clubs while the other half will be used by the Foundation to fund football projects where they are needed most.”

For more information, see www.johngilesfoundation.com.

Ruby Barlow, Dundrum South Dublin AC, on her way to winning the Girls’ Under-14 800m final

DSD’s glorious eleven medals I sport@gazettegroup.com

DUNDRUM South Dublin Athletic Club’s juvenile athletes continued on from where they left off the previous weekend, winning another six medals on the second weekend of the Juvenile All-Ireland indoor championships held in in Nenagh.

This brings the total medals the club have won in the event to 11 for the championship.

Ruby Barlow (U-14 800m), who secured her first national indoor title last Saturday, drew special plaudits, while there were two gold medal-

winning relay teams, the U-14 girls’ 4x200m (Katie Magee, Tara Jenkins, Aishling King and Sarah Torrans) and the U-15 girls’ 4x200m (Rachel Dunne, Mollie O’Reilly, Chloe Mariotti, Aishling King and Sarah Torrans).Both teams ran great times in their finals to secure their medals.

Elsewhere, Jade Leahy claimed her second medal of the championships when she took the U-18 200m title, while the boys’ U-19 relay team (Kevin Lynch, Kiliian Whyte, Gavin Hughes and Philip Lawrence) took bronze in their 4x200m event.

GAA ambassadors: Centra special event at Ballyboden GAA hurling ambassadors, Henry Shefflin and Ballyboden St Enda’s and Dublin star, Conal Keaney, recently launched Centra’s programme of activity for the GAA AllIreland Senior Hurling Championship.

Centra are celebrating their third year of sponsorship with its Centra Brighten Up Your Day Community events that will run from Saturday, April 21, when Ballyboden will host a special family day. For more information log onto www.centra.ie or www.facebook.com/centraireland.

There were three more entrants on the national stage, too, who also performed admirably on the weekend, with seventh placed finishes for Conor Halpin(U-14 800m), Kate Murray(U-16 800m) and Jennie Lennane(U-17 high jump).

These successes added to a haul of five medals on the first weekend of the national competitions.

The championships themselves produced quite a number of new records, with a huge number of athletes producing personal best performances, which all augurs well for the future

of athletics in Ireland.

David Cussen (Old Abbey AC) has been gradually adding centimetres to his high jump height and last weekend was no different.

Competing in the U-17 event, he cleared up to 1.91m, and then upped the bar to 1.97m, clearing it at the third attempt to break Adrian O’Dwyer’s 1999 record of 1.96m.

He called it a day then in order to concentrate on the long jump. And it was worth it, as he jumped 6.33m to win his second title, with Ciaran Corrigan (Shercock AC) and Conor Durnin (St. Peter’s AC) breathing

down his neck on 6.29m for second and third respectively.

John Kelly (Finn Valley AC) is no stranger to breaking records and he was in that mode again in the U-17 shot.

He opened his competition with a throw of 15.59m and increased that to 15.87m in the fifth round to break the 15.60m effort of Sean Breathnach in 1995.

Breathnach’s 1997 U19 shot record of 15.18m also went by the boards when Paul Collins (North Westmeath AC) threw 15.57m to win the competition by a big margin.

5 April 2012 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 31

in association with

HURLING: CROKES STILL UNBEATEN IN LEAGUE

a

CLUB NOTICEBOARD BALLYBODEN ST ENDA’S WELL done to Ger Flaherty and Sea-

with Lucan Sarsfields and Clanna

mus O’Flaherty and all involved in

Gael respectively while the Junior

securing joint first in the Setanta

C football team won.

TV football-kicking competition.

Top marks to the Boden Theatre Group on a superb production of The Hostage. Appreciation to all who supported the event.

Senior and inter footballers drew

Bingo is on every Tuesday evening at 8.30pm.

Lotto week 37: winning numbers 17, 1, 25 and 6.

The jackpot of €10,000 was not won.

BALLINTEER ST JOHN’S THERE was no winner of the Lotto

neighbours or work colleagues to

draw.

the newly refurbished clubhouse?

Next week’s draw will be for €1,400.

Entrance on the night by ticket

Tickets are available online at

only. Purchase tickets from behind

w w w. b a l l i n t e e r s t jo h n s . c o m o r

bar. Wednesday night a great night

from the usual outlets.

of tr adi tional music, no cover

Four wins from four for our adult footballers at the weekend, with all teams winning.

Live concert in your clubhouse on Saturday, April 28, when Bagatelle will play live. Tickets €15.

Whitehall Colmcille’s were no match for Kilmacud Crokes in their MHL enounter last weekend

Kilmacud minors keep winning ways MHL DIVISION 1 Kilmacud Crokes Whitehall Colmcille’s

1-21 0-4

I sport@gazettegroup.com

KILMACUD Crokes’ minor hurlers continued their unbeaten run in the Division 1 league against Whitehall Colmcille’s last Sunday in Pairc de Burca.

Anxious to improve on an under-par performance against St Brigid’s last time out, they started on the front foot when Neil Gorey opened the scoring with a beautiful, quick strike, getting out in front of his marker to put the ball over the bar.

Shortly after, Barry Horan goaled and, while Whitehall did manage to win a number of frees – an aspect Crokes will need to be mindful of but whatever forces were prevalent for the northsiders – there seemed to be a forcefield around the Crokes’ uprights as they drove several frees

and 65s wide in the opening half.

While missing a few regulars, including Cian McGabhann, Ross McGowan, Mark O’Loughlin, Matthew Geraghty and Conor Devins, it gave manager Niall Kavanagh the opportunity to test the depth of the panel.

Ciaran McIntyre and Dara O’Gallchobhair stood up to be counted, with the latter at halfforward pointing to register his presence.

In the first half, Oisin O’Ruairc led the charge from midfield, ably backed up by KJ McGowan. O’Ruairc recorded two points from play along with a pointed free while Caolan Conway went one better with three from play and one free.

Added to this Conor O’Dwyer and a second point from Gorey in excellent form left the hosts leading 1-11 to 0-2 at the break. The White-

hall challenge never let up though and a long break inter vened in the start of the second half before Crokes registered the next score, with O’Ruairc slotting another point.

During this time, the back row of David Corish, fresh back from injury, denied the visitors the goal they needed to revitalise them, with Odhran O’Siuchru and James Murphy keeping their respective corner forwards quiet.

Rob Murphy, fresh from county activity on Saturday, showed no signs of releasing his grip on the centre-half position, covering all Whitehall attempted raids with a firm rebuff.

Cian Gormley was an excellent ball mover along the wings, never letting up in his determination despite the scoreline. Gorey added to his tally with three more scores – two from play always going the

direct route with a quick strike which is earning him a good reputation in corner forward.

Donal Keane, now moved in to full forward, was unlucky not to hit the net on a couple of occasions but the Whitehall defence was resolute and he had to be happy to add a point to our tally.

O’Dwyer and O’Gallchobhair also added points and with Mikey Herlihy keeping his third successive clean sheet in goals, the visitors were confined to two points in the second half, leaving a final score of Kilmacud Crokes 1-21 Whitehall 0-4.

Mikey O’Dwyer and Mark McCallion came on in the second half and showed that these are two to watch as they certainly accounted for themselves ably and registered a further challenge to places on this very talented team.

Why not bring along relatives or

charge.

Why not come up and join in or enjoy a night of music and craic.

Spread the word to your friends, family and neighbours.

Singalong in the bar on Tuesdays, singers and musicians welcome.

ST JUDE’S HARD luck to the senior footballers

both Saturday and Sunday. Remem-

who lost by two points away to Na

ber to book the function room or any

Fianna in a keenly contested game.

bar enquiry. Contact Bobby Gaynor

Well done to the inters who beat Ballymun Kickhams by four points in Tymon.

on 086 081 7836.

St Jude’s Summer of Sport prediction league will begin in two weeks on

Special mention to the minor B hurl-

April 13. The league is based on a set

ers, managed by John Corcoran and

of predictions for a number of sport-

Tom Colgan, who had a fine victory

ing events that take place through-

away to Lucan. The minor As also

out the summer.

won away to Faughs. The junior A and junior C football teams both lost.

Each player will submit their predictions when prompted by e-mail,

The bar will remain closed this

and their standing on the leader

coming Friday, Good Friday, and will

board will be updated after every

be open again on Saturday.

event takes place. Entry is €20 and

The Heineken Cup will be live on the big screen and there is live music on

the prize for the winner will be 50% of money received.

NAOMH OLAF THE annual golf classic takes place

mary School on winning the semi-final

in Edmonstown Golf Club, on Friday,

of the Schools’ Senior Hurling Compe-

May 25. Support is requested from all

tition. The final will be played in Croke

golfers, including players, mentors,

Park after Easter.

coaches and parents.

There is steady demand for Treas-

Hurling and football Easter camps

ured Memories, the club’s history

are being held in the club from April

book at €20; it makes an ideal Easter

10 to 13, from 9.30am until 2pm. Cost

gift.

€45. For further information, contact Darren Egan on 087 666 7682.

Congratulations to the Under-14, A and B football teams for excel-

The club is holding a family quiz in

lent wins over Cuala and Kilmacud

the clubhouse on Thursday, April 5,

respectively, and to the Intermedi-

at 7pm. Cost per table is €20.

ate football team for their league win

Congratulations to Saint Olaf’s Pri-

over Sylvesters.

Follow GazetteSport on Facebook and Twitter, and at www.gazettegroup.com

ALL OF YOUR DUNDRUM SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 27-31

RACING CLEAR: DSDAC add another series of All-Ireland medals to haul P30

MARCH MADNESS: Dublin Sports Awards winners revealed P29

GazetteSPORT

Colaiste Iosagain celebrate winning the All-Ireland Junior B football title in St Brendan’s Park, Birr

APRIL 5, 2012

Iosagain claim All-Ireland title Stellar sporting year at the school is added to

by Junior B crown with big win over Scoil Bhride dundrumsport@gazettegroup.com

COLAISTE Iosagain produced a superb defensive performance to power them to becoming the Tesco Junior B All-Ireland champions last Saturday in St Brendan’s Park in Birr.

The Stillorgan school got the better of Galway’s Scoil Bhride, Tuam, 1-14 to 0-9, to take home the title in memorable fashion.

A strong defence and some sharp shooting up front were the hallmarks as the Dubs were in control for the majority of the game as they refused to allow the Galway girls to get near them.

A key early move saw Colaiste number 13, Fionnuala Nic Mhathuna, take up the position of an extra defender in their defence and it seemed to upset the Scoil Bhride game plan and the Tuam girls found it difficult to get scores on the board.

From that platform, Iosagain could have been out of sight by half time. Through the

superb efforts of player-of-the-match Isolt Ni Riordan, and Eabha Ruitleis in the forward line, they had an early lead of 0-6 to 0-1.

Scoil Bhride, however, fought back and points from Shauna Hynes, Aoife Creaven, Darina Keane and Eva Higgins brought them back into contention at 0-10 to 0-5 at halftime.

Scoil Bhride had the benefits of the wind in the second half but could not seem to use it to their advantage.

While they worked extremely hard to create scores, the tall and agile Orla Nic Domhnaill, in the Colaiste goal, ensured that nothing would get by her.

And her side maintained their lead through points from Ruitleis, Ni Riordan and Ni Chathain and a late goal from Aoife Ni Chathain gave them some well-earned breathing space from their opponents.

It brought to a conclusion a glorious run for the school, following up their All-Ireland semi-

final win over St Augustine’s of Dungarvan in an epic encounter.

At the end of full time in that game, the sides were level but the Dublin students pulled away in extra time to win with a final score of 2-13 to 2-09.

It set up the final date with Scoil Bhride who scored a huge 5-9 to beat Loreto Moville’s 0-12 to book their place in the final.

It continues a brilliant run of sports results for the school in recent times as they created history recently on the athletics front at the Irish Schools Cross-Country Championships at St Mary’s, Galway. Siofra became the first athlete to win four titles in a row and Colaiste Iosagain won an unprecedentated three team titles. To cap it all, Claire McCarthy won her first ever individual gold in the Senior Girls’ race.

The school’s U-19 A basketball side reached the final of the All-Ireland Cup in January, too.