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They don’t come much sleeker than Peugeot’s concept car – the Exalt

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

INSIDE: Top swimmer (and head of Dublin City Chamber) Gina Quin on how she relaxes See Page 12

all the write stuff: Celebrating the launch of Dublin Writers Festival P17

Making a splash: RNLI crew launch a key fundraiser Football:

Joy for Mearnog as they claim Feile crown Page 31

members of Howth RNLI and their

“mini crew” – Ian Martin and Alex Brady, Thomas and Tadhg Ryan, Ian and Kai Sheridan, and Stephen, Chloe and Jamie Mullaney – recently launched the RNLI’s Mayday campaign, a key part of its national fundraising drive which takes place from May 1 to 5. The ​charity’s volunteer coastguards rescue 25 people a week from Irish seas, and depends on voluntary donations to maintain its 24-hour search and rescue service. For Mayday fundraising ideas, see http://rnli.org.

Picture: Tara Murphy

Rallying:

Barrable ready for Circuit of Ireland race Page 30

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ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES....................... 8 DUBLIN LIFE....................11 OUT&ABOUT...................17 CLASSIFIEDS.................26 SPORT............................27

Irish Water charge is ‘shrouded in secrecy’ Local Fianna Fail representative criticises extent of potential costs

 natalie burke

A LOCAL representative has described Irish Water as being “shrouded in secrecy”, following reports that householders will have to pay a basic water charge

before the supply enters their home.

Cllr Darragh Butler (FF) criticised the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government Phil Hogan and the Government for “deliberately

attempting” to hide the true extent of proposed water charges until after the local and European elections in May. His comments follow media reports that Irish Water plans to apply a

standard water charge of €50 before a tap is turned on.

At the time of going to print, no decision had been made by Irish Water with regard to a standard charge.

Full Story on Page 5

2 swords gazette 17 April 2014

dublin GAZETTe charity 2,000-mile ride to help ill children newspapers i n f o r m at i o n Top Floor, Clarendon House, 39 Clarendon Street, Dublin 2 Tel: 01 - 6010240 Dublin Gazette Newspapers publishes seven weekly quality free titles, covering the greater Dublin area from the city centre to Dun Laoghaire

Local man will cycle to Rome to fight cancer  natalie burke nburke@gazettegroup.com

c o n ta c t s Managing Director: Michael McGovern mmcgovern@dublingazette.com Editor: Mimi Murray mmurray@gazettegroup.com Production Editor: Jessica Maile jmaile@dublingazette.com Sports Editor: Rob Heigh rheigh@dublingazette.com Picture Editor: Hiromi Mooney picturedesk@dublingazette.com Group Advertising Manager: Conor Mahon cmahon@dublingazette.com Direct Ad Sales Manager: Tatum Rooney trooney@dublingazette.com Advertising Production: Suzanne Sheehy ssheehy@dublingazette.com Advertising Sales: 01 - 6010240 sales@dublingazette.com Financial Controller: Carly Lynch clynch@dublingazette.com

Find us on

www.dublingazette.com Dublin Gazette Newspapers Ltd. Terms and Conditions for acceptance of advertisements Reserve the right to omit or suspend or alter any advertisement(s) in any of its publications. We also decline any responsibility in the event of one or more of a series of advertisements being omitted for any reason whatever, nor do we accept liability for any loss or damage caused by an error or inaccuracy in the printing of any advertisement. If your advertisement appears incorrectly, contact the Advertising Department immediately, as responsibility cannot be accepted for more than one week’s incorrect insertion. Responsibility cannot be accepted if the complaint is made more than two weeks after insertion. If one places an advertisement for more than one week and then cancels it after the first week, no refund or credit will be given for weeks cancelled. The advertiser undertakes to indemnify the Proprietors against any liability for any civil action arising out of the publication of the advertisement or any other matter printed or published in the Blanchardstown Gazette, Clondalkin Gazette, Dundrum Gazette, Dun Laoghaire Gazette, Lucan Gazette and Swords Gazette. The placing of an order or contract will be deemed an acceptance of these conditions.

A MALAHIDE man will cycle 2,000 miles this summer to raise muchneeded funds for the Childhood Cancer Foundation.

Eoin Halligan, who is from Gainsborough Avenue in Malahide, will spend his summer cycling from his home in Dublin all the way to Rome, as part of the Home to Rome challenge.

On June 20, Halligan will begin his cycle to Rosslare, where he will meet up with the team of more than 30 other Irish cyclists who are carrying Donal Walsh’s #Livelife message to Rome while raising money for various cancer charities.

Donal Walsh was a Kerr y teenager who touched many lives when he fundraised tirelessly during his battle with cancer, while also promoting anti-suicide messages The #Livelife Foundation was set up by his family after he passed away last year, and aims to provide age-appropriate teenage facilities in hospitals and hospice centres.

On June 21, Eoin and

Local man Eoin Halligan, from Malahide, will cycle from Dublin to Rome to gelp support a cancer charity

the rest of the team will get a ferry to France and continue cycling through France, up across the Alps, down the coast of Italy and into Rome.

Eoin will camp along the way and will cycle an average of 160km per day for 13 days.

‘No comparison’ Speaking to The Gazette, he said that while it would be a huge undertaking for him, there was “no comparison” between his cycle and the challenge children with cancer go through.

He said: “That’s the real challenge, and they

need people to help in any way they can. We are all doing this for different cancer-related charities.

“I have decided to do this event for Childhood Cancer Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation set up by the parents of children who have been or are being treated for cancer in order to raise awareness of childhood cancer.”

This is not the first charity cycle event he has undertaken, having completed the “cycle against suicide” challenge last year.

Of that challenge, he said: “It was an amazing experience and I

met many other cycling enthusiasts on the way.

One of them was talking about an upcoming charity cycle to Rome, and I thought: ‘What an amazing challenge!’”

With just a few months before he sets off for Rome, Eoin is preparing himself for what is to come.

He said: “I started off doing cycles of 30km and 40km and I’m slowly building it up, getting myself into the hundreds.

“The next step will be to start some serious hill training. I’m guessing the Wicklow Mountains will have me well prepared for

the Alps and Apennins Mountains.

“Doing this training is easier when your bike is well looked after. Jimmy’s Bike Shop in Malahide always looks after me. My bike never misses a beat, thanks to the shop.”

In an effort to raise funds for the charity, and promote his upcoming cycle, Eoin will be holding a stationary cycle fundraiser in the Pavilions Shopping Centre in Swords on Sunday, May 18.

He said: “I will be cycling a stationary bike for eight hours, raising funds and handing out yellow ribbons to also raise awareness for Childhood Cancer Foundation.

Every little bit helps.”

On May 23 and 24, Eoin will also be bagpacking in Dunnes Stores in Portmarnock.

For further details on how to donate or support Eoin Halligan’s Home to Rome challenge, see w w w.facebook.com/ EoinsHomeToRome, or www.idonate.ie/eoinshometoromeccf.

17 April 2014 swords gazette 3

transport

business: county’s key role to the fore at economic gathering

Easter station closures

Fingal conference hailed as a success  natalie burke

THE huge success of the mayor’s conference held in Fingal earlier this week shows that the county is open for business.

A total of 160 delegates from 125 different companies joined Mayor of Fingal Kieran Dennison (FG) at the conference on economic development, which was held at the Crowne Plaza Blanchardstown on Wednesday, April 16.

Working Together For Success brought business leaders together with economic experts and key State support agencies, highlighting how Fingal County Council is working with business to create the right economic condi-

tions for growth in the county and nationally.

Newly-appointed county manager Paul Reid made his inaugural address to the business community.

At the event, Cllr Dennison said: “Fingal is working hard to sustain foreign direct investment and to maximise benefits from continued investment in infrastructure, our expanding well-educated workforce and a businessfriendly environment, and our council is taking a lead role in driving Ireland’s growth and employment.

“Suppor ting business is crucial, and I am so encouraged to see so many companies and their decision makers come together [here] to

discuss how the council can help and support their businesses,” he said.

Cllr Dennison also highlighted significant developments for business and employment in Fingal, including the launch of the new Fingal Local Enterprise Office, and the new Northwest Enterprise Zone.

He said: “In a practical way, through its open data initiative, the council also gave a firm commitment to publish a business directory database with listings and activities coded to help businesses connect. [The] conference has clearly set out our evolving vision for future growth to make Fingal a great place for business and employment.”

 natalie burke

Cheque it out: Creche raise €1,544 for Snowflakes Autism Support charity a total of €1,544.70 was raised for Snowflakes Autism Support

by the staff and children of Little Apples Creche and Montessori in Boroimhe, Swords through an autism awareness day and cake sale recently. The event was organised by staff member Mandy Dempsey (second from right) to mark World Autism Awareness Day on April 2. They held a cake sale, and the children wore blue, received a Snowflakes wristband and an information flyer. Mandy, her colleague Karen Smith (second from left) and the children presented the cheque to the charity’s Carrie Brown (far left) and Sinead Grace (far right).

THERE will be no train service between Howth/ Malahide and Connolly Station on Easter Sunday due to engineering works.

Some Dart stations will be closed all day, including Portmarnock, Clongriffin, Howth, Sutton, Bayside, Howth Junction and Donaghmede, as well as Kilbarrack, Raheny, Harmonstown, Killester and Clontarf Road.

Dublin Bus will accept all valid rail tickets on scheduled services between closed Dart stations and the city centre.

Services from Dundalk and Drogheda stations will operate to and from Malahide Station as normal, but with bus transfers to Connolly and Pearse stations.

4 swords gazette 17 April 2014

business End of an era as support structure is replaced by a new body

Fingal County Enterprise Board finishes up  natalie burke

THIS week marks the end of an era for the local Fingal County Enterprise Board, which switched off the lights for the last time on the evening of April 14.

A f ter 21 years of providing support for new enterprises and small local businesses throughout the region, Fingal County Enterprise Board ceased operations on Monday.

On Tuesday, April 15, the new structure – which will be known as Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) – officially replaced the 35 county enterprise boards locat-

ed around the country.

The LEOs will have an expanded role in providing business supports and are based within the local authorities.

The previous chief executive of Fingal County Enterprise Board, Oisin Geoghegan, took up his new role as head of enterprise with Fingal County Council in the LEO in County Hall, Swords.

Speaking about the dissolution of the county enterprise board he served on for the past 14 years, Geoghegan said: “I have been privileged to have led an extremely effective and committed small team

at Fingal County Enterprise Board for the last number of years.

“I am delighted that the new Fingal LEO will not only retain the experience of my colleagues from the enterprise board, but will be enhanced with the expertise of new staff from the local authority.”

The new Fingal LEO will reside on the first floor of County Hall in Swords. Funding is provided by Enterprise Ireland under a service level agreement with the local authority.

T he establishment of the LEOs marks the most significant change

Oisin Geoghegan, head of enterprise with Fingal County Council

to the provision of local enterprise support services in the State for more than 20 years and it is hoped that

Serving thriving communities in inner and suburban Dublin.

F OR U P TO DATE NE W s f o l l o w u s : @DublinGazette

the new structure will ensure there is “joinedup thinking” in services to business, with each LEO providing a first-

stop shop for all startups and businesses seeking supports from State agencies.

Commenting on what

to expect from the LEO, Geoghegan said: “Our core objective is to create a positive entrepreneurial environment where small businesses can succeed and employment will be created.

“A very exciting schedule of programmes and services will be rolled out in the coming weeks and months. We have been examining the changing needs of businesses and all of the LEO service offerings will reflect those needs – watch this space ...”

The new website for Fingal’s Local Enterprise Office is www. localenterprise.ie/fingal.

17 April 2014 swords gazette 5

services FF attacks ‘secrecy’ around true extent of bill

Concern over Irish Water levy report  natalie burke

A LOCAL north Dublin Fianna Fail representative has described Irish Water as being “shrouded in secrecy”, following reports that householders will have to pay a basic water charge before the supply comes into their home.

Cllr Darragh Butler (FF) criticised the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government Phil Hogan and the Government for “deliberately attempting” to hide the true extent of proposed water charges until after the local and European elections in May. Speaking to The

Gazette, Cllr Butler said queries surrounding the water charges is a “major issue” that is coming up when he knocks on doors in the Fingal area as part of his re-election campaign.

He said that while the local property tax has already hit Fingal residents hard, they are now “very fearful” with regard to forthcoming water charges.

His comments follow media reports that Irish Water plans to apply a standard water charge of one-third of the expected average €300 bill, before a tap is turned on.

However, a spokesperson for the Department of

the Environment said that no decisions have been made yet about the level of water charges, including any standing charge.

Cllr Butler said that he believes the Government are deliberately hiding the extent to which water charges will hit Fingal residents, and that it is only adding to their fears and concerns.

He said: “How are households expected to budget for the future when the true extent of the forthcoming charges are being hidden from them?

Irish Water is deliberately shrouded in secrecy and this is simply not acceptable.”

Cllr Butler added that

while approximately €800m of taxpayers’ money has already been pumped into the establishment of Irish Water, no money has been spent on fixing leaks, upgrading older water systems or on improving water quality in the communities that are still suffering chronic water problems.

The spokesperson for the Department of the Environment said that while no decisions have yet been made about the level of water charges, the Government will make sure the charge is fair and equitable.

The Department spokesperson said: “It is anticipated that the com-

A spokesperson for the Department of the Environment said that no decision has yet been made about the level of water charges

bination of policy decisions by the Government, and the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), including public consultation, will ensure that reduced consumption is incentivised and affordability issues are addressed in an optimum manner.

“The CER will decide on standing charges, in line with any possible direction from the Government, it will not be decided by Irish Water [whose] proposals are merely part of the CER’s forthcoming consultation on [a] tariff structure, which will commence

shortly.

“There will be plenty of visibility around the likely level of charges in advance of charging commencing in October, and public consultation on all decisions will form an important part of the decision-making process.”

6 swords gazette 17 April 2014

business Alexion expansion welcomed

At the announcement of pharmaceutical firm Alexion’s expansion in Fingal were Alexion chief executive Dr Leonard Bell and Mayor of Fingal Kieran Dennison (FG)

A massive 600 jobs boost for Fingal  natalie burke nburke@gazettegroup.com

Fingal received a massive boost on the job front recently, with the announcement that a total of approximately 600 jobs will be created in the county over the next few years.

Pharmaceutical firm Alexion will account for approximately 400 of these jobs as it revealed plans recently to expand in Dublin following the acquisition of a new site in West Dublin.

The US company confirmed it would invest €75m in a global supply chain headquarters at College Park in Blanchardstown. The project is expected to create 200 construction jobs, while the firm will employ a further 200 people over the next two years.

The latest facility is Alexion’s third site in Ireland. It was granted planning permission from

Fingal County Council to construct a new 15,000 sq m laboratory, office, packaging and warehouse facility on a 41-acre greenfield site in Blanchardstown.

Elsewhere in Fingal, Ryanair has revealed its plans to create 200 jobs, which will primarily be in the IT and digital sector.

The budget airline hopes to recruit staff to develop its updated Ryanair.com platform and mobile app. The jobs will be based at their new 100,000 sq ft Dublin office campus which was officially opened at Airside Business Park in Swords recently.

Welcoming the Alexion expansion, local Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar said it comes as “further good news” for Fingal.

“It is a very significant investment from a company that is growing internationally. The Government has identified

biopharmaceuticals as a key sector for job creation and it is huge boost to the country, that one of the most innovative firms in the sector is making this investment here.”

Minister Varadkar said despite the good news, unemploy ment still remains stubbornly high.

Too high

“The latest live register figures for Dublin 15 stands at just under 8,000.

This is far too high, and reducing the unemployment level is the Government’s over-riding priority. However, progress is being made.”

Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Kieran Dennison, also welcomed the investment in Blanchardstown saying the news is sending a positive message for Fingal.

“Alexion are locating here because they like the way we do business. They like our ‘can do’ attitude,” he said.

Construction on the new Alexion site is due to begin in May and will be operational in 2016.

Mayor Dennison attended the official opening of Ryanair’s new head office in Airside, Swords, during which the budget airline announced plans of its intention to provide 200 jobs, and said he “very much welcomed” the news. “ The new 100,000 sq ft Ryanair campus in the Airside Business Park in Swords is a wonderful place to work and I met a really enthusiastic workforce there,” he said.

“As an international airline, Ryanair could have located these hightech jobs at any of their locations in Europe but chose Ireland. That sends out a strong message that our economy is competitive and growing again.

Fingal County Council has played a part in this as well.”

17 April 2014 swords gazette 7

scheme Getting ready for cleaner communities

Politicians to help launch Tidy awards  natalie burke nburke@gazettegroup.com

Fingal politicians were on hand recently to help to dedicate Tidy Town Groups from Lusk and Ongar launch the 2014 Cleaner Communities Awards.

Mayor of Fingal Kieran Dennison (FG) and councillor Tom O’Leary (FG) launched the awards at The Playground in Ongar Village and The Square in Lusk on April 9.

This year will be the 39th year of the awards

scheme which rewards residents, community groups and local businesses for their efforts in maintaining a litter-free and well-presented community or place of business.

While Lusk Tidy Towns were the 2013 Cleaner Communities Overall Winner, Ongar Tidy Towns are one of the newest groups in the region, forming just one year ago.

“OngarTidy Towns, one of Fingal’s newest groups, have gone from strength

to strength in the past year conducting clean-ups in the area every second Saturday,” said Cllr Dennison.

“Regular clean-ups in our estates is a great way to get neighbours to know each other, to foster a community spirit and to get people involved in their local area. As a society, we owe a great deal of gratitude to those people who encourage the rest of us to take pride in our surroundings.”

North Dublin Cllr Tom O’Leary added: “Lusk

Cllr Tom O’Leary (FG, right)) with members of Lusk Tidy Towns and Fingal County Council staff. Picture: Kevin Mcfeely

Tidy Towns so obviously make a great effort on improvements to the town as can be seen by how superb the village is looking.”

Fingal County Council is encouraging members of local communities to get involved in this year’s awards with Edwina Dunford, environmental education officer with

the local authority, particularly asking for local businesses to get involved.

“The competition has a broad range of categories, so you can enter your garden, your business, your housing estate or indeed even just part of your estate,” she explained.

“The competition has been a great success since it started over 30

years ago and we want to make 2014 an even better competition. This is your chance to get credit for all the hard work carried out during the year, so I’d encourage all Fingalians to enter. If you’re not in, you can’t win!”

For an application form and full details of the competition, phone 01-890 5453.

activities Connect with Battle of Clontarf To commemorate Swords’ connection with the 1000th anniversary of the Battle of Clontarf and the death of Brian Boru, as well as Fingal’s strong links to the Vikings, Fingal County Council has organised a weekend of activities in Swords on April 25 and 26.

The event will include a night time torchlight parade on Swords Main Street to mark the funeral procession of Brian Boru, along with two days of family fun.

A Viking Village will feature in Swords Castle with battle re-enactments, archery and falconry demonstrations and an exhibition on The Vikings in Fingal.

All events are free. For more information, see www.fingal.ie.

8 swords gazette 17 April 2014

gazetteGALLERY

Jane Hudson and Ronan Mac Donnell

Hundreds took part in the fun run in the castle grounds

Taking steps to keep fit at Malahide Castle F

ORMER world champion runner Sonia O’Sullivan was one of the well-known runners who took part in a 5km fun run held in the grounds of Malahide Castle recently, where she was joined by hundreds of other runners of all ages and abilities.

The free weekly run attracts runners and fitness enthusiasts from all across the city and further afield, joining in the shared spirit of running with friends, racing against a personal best, or simply enjoying the exercise in one of the green jewels of the city’s

natural treasures.

After the run, as usual, the Avoca cafe in the castle was full to the brim with runners and their supporters, where the chat was almost as fastmoving as some of the leggier participants on the day.

Philip Wallnutt

Sonia O’Sullivan

Liz Simpson came all the way from Liverpool to run

Steven Rowe and Conor Jennings

Rosemary and Tess O’Neill with Carmel and James Keenan. Pictures: David O’Shea

C O M M E R C I A L F E AT U R E

State-of-the-art medical equipment

17 April 2014 SWORDS GAZETTE 9

Professional care with a personal touch

Why Wait to be treated? You don’t have to at Vhi SwiftCare Clinics Vhi SwiftCare Clinics are well established as state-of-the-art medical facilities, with an ever increasing amount of people taking advantage of their prompt and highly professional services.

They have two clinics in Dublin, at Dundrum and Swords, and one at City Gate, Mahon, in Cork.

Vhi SwiftCare Clinics like to ask the question, ‘Why Wait?’ Their mission is to treat you within an hour at most, so you can get on with your life knowing that you’ve had the best treatment available as quickly as possible.

In fact, they are so confident in the efficiency of their services that they now have a live clock on their website (vhi.ie/ swiftcare) that gives realtime updates on current waiting times at each of their clinics. By ensuring you know just how short your waiting time is, Vhi

SwiftCare does exactly what its name implies!

All three clinics treat the following areas; ● Fractures, sprains or possible breaks ● Lacerations or cuts that need stitching ● Sports injuries ● Burns and scalds ● Minor illnesses including fever infections and rashes ● Eye and ear injuries ● Insect and animal bites ● Joint, muscular and back pain These are the areas that they don’t treat; ● Cardiac/chest pain ● Loss of consciousness ● Serious head and neck injuries ● Severe stomach pain ● Severe burns ●Infants under 12 months ● Pregnancy related conditions.

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“As well as treating minor injuries and illnesses, Vhi SwiftCare Clinics also carry out a number of appointment-led procedures. These include treatments for a range of skin conditions, such as skin lesions, benign moles, cysts, warts…”

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If you’ve never had occasion to be treated at a Vhi SwiftCare Clinic, it’s interesting to be aware that their service is consistent and professional, in whatever clinic you attend and that you can know exactly what to expect before arriving.

•You will be greeted at reception as you enter the clinic.

•They will take your personal details and tell you the approximate time before you’ll be seen by a medical professional.

•The average waiting time is less than 10 minutes, so take a seat and enjoy a complimentary hot drink.

•You will very shortly be called through by a medical professional, where your medical details will be taken and an initial assessment made.

•A doctor then carries out a full consultation.

•If an x-ray is required you’ll be taken to the radiographer, with the image immediately available at the clinical station for the doctor to review.

And if a cast is needed it is applied as quickly as possible.

•Consultation is then completed by the doctor.

As well as treating minor injuries and illnesses, Vhi SwiftCare

Clinics also carry out a number of appointmentled procedures. These include treatments for a range of skin conditions such as skin lesions, benign moles, cysts, warts, ingrown toenails and verrucae. Some of these conditions can be painful or irritating, and others can be regarded as unsightly. The important thing is that they can all be treated quickly; most in less than half an hour and all with procedures that are relatively painless. Vhi Healthcare members are fully covered for these procedures with the exception of pathology fees and non Vhi Healthcare members are also very welcome.

Vhi SwiftCare Clinics also offer a number of additional services in specific clinics. Dundrum offers a comprehensive and prompt dental service, available 7 days a week. As well as appointments this also works as an emergency, walk-in service. There is also a specialist Sports and Exercise Medicine service available in Dundrum which treats medical conditions and injury suffered by those who participate in physical activity. Somewhat related, all three clinics

offer a full Physiotherapy service. Appointment times are very much at your convenience and no referral letter is needed.

The physios treat a wide range of conditions, from sports injuries, orthopaedic injuries and work related injuries to reha-

bilitation programmes, back pain and women’s health. They also offer an x-ray direct service where you can present with a referral letter from your GP, who will then receive the results within 3 hours.

To give you even more

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“Their mission is to treat you within an hour at most, so you can get on with your life knowing that you’ve had the best treatment available as quickly as possible” -------------------------------------------------------

peace-of-mind it’s good to know that all of the Vhi SwiftCare Clinics have been awarded an International quality accreditation by CHKS, a respected organization that recognises health care facilities that have demonstrated excellence in areas including patient experience, professional competence, corporate and clinic governance and leadership/teamwork. Therefore, you can rest assured that the treatment you receive in any of the Vhi SwiftCare Clinics is quite simply as good, and quick, as you can get.

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10 swords gazette 17 April 2014

gazetteGALLERY

Sensei Alex Meehan and Stiofan Conlon of Bujinkan Miyori Nonaka and Des Reynolds

Meehan Dojo

Farmleigh gets a Japanese twist T

HE Experience Japan Hanami Festival returned to Farmleigh in the Phoenix Park for its fifth year recently, attracting a large number of people to get a taste of all things Japanese.

The festival celebrated hanami - the Japanese tradition of appreciating the cherry

blossoms in full bloom during spring, as well as many aspects of the Japanese culture such as food, games, cosplay, traditional music and dance performances.

Visitors were also treated to a range of demonstrations, such as martial arts, origami and calligraphy.

Megan Munnelly, Jayden Creighton, Hue Hale and Erika Volodko in cosplay. Pictures: Ronan O’Sullivan

Students Mariko Nijo, Ako Fujii, Natsuki Kido, Eri Atsuko Hogan

Iwamoto and Shuhei Tanabe

17 April 2014 Gazette 11

asdfsdaf businessP27 P16

diary P14

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

a day in the life: marissa carter, beautician and xpose expert

what’son

‘No two days are the same in a job I love’  natalie burke

MARISSA Carter is one busy woman. When she isn’t running her successful beauty salon, Carter Beauty, in Blackrock, offering expert beauty tips on TV3’s Xpose, or tanning Hollywood’s elite at the Oscars with her award winning Cocoa Brown Tan, she’s busy being a mum to her little boy.

It couldn’t be easy juggling such a hectic work schedule with family life, so for this week’s instalment of A Day in the Life, we caught up with Marissa to see what a typical day in her life involves.

She told The Gazette: “Now that my little man is finally sleeping through the night, we both rise a bit fresher!

“I usually get up at about 7.30am and we watch cartoons in bed for 15 minutes before he

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‘The great thing about working in an office with two other women is there is always chocolate to be found somewhere!’

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tells me he’d like some toast.

“We’ll have breakfast in our pyjamas, egg and toast, or Rice Krispies – I let him choose what we’ll both eat.

“He’ll usually play with his trucks on the bathroom floor while I shower. Come 9am, he waves me off to the office,” she said.

When Marissa gets to the office, she makes tea for herself and her Cocoa

Brown team, before she comes up to speed with the order of business for the day.

She said: “I feel very lucky to work in the beauty industry, because I’m so passionate about it.

“My typical day could be anything from testing and trialling new product formulas, working on artwork design for packaging, meeting with buyers or potential new stockists to filming my Ask The Expert beauty segment for TV3’s Xpose.

“I know it’s a cliche, but it’s rare any two days are the same. This is a fact I relish about being self-employed. I couldn’t bear to do the same thing day in, day out.”

While she sometimes skips breakfast, Marissa says she will never miss a lunch.

“I love my food! Most of the time I’ll have a



Gazette

feature P12

furry popular show returns to rte one SWINGING back to our small screens is The Zoo, which follows the team behind one of Ireland’s bestloved tourist spots.

The fifth series features 10 episodes which demonstrate the emotion and passion of zookeepers as they go about their daily business of caring for the animals at Dublin Zoo in the Phoenix Park.

Last week’s first episode welcomed a new arrival to the South American House – a newborn white- faced-saki, while a green iguana with a sore limb kept zookeeper Garth busy.

A busy mum with a busy working life too, Marissa said: “I feel very lucky to work in the beauty industry, because I’m so passionate about it.”

salad, but sometimes I treat myself to my f avo u r i t e s a n d w i c h which I make myself: bacon, avocado, cheese, lettuce and mayonnaise.

“The great thing about working in an office with two other women is there is always chocolate to be found some-

where!”

Marissa always aims to get home before 6pm, in order to spend time with her two-year-old, by either playing together or going for a walk in the brighter evenings.

“My husband and I have a night-time ritual with him where we’ll both take him up to bed

and read some stories.

“Once he’s asleep, if I’m feeling up to it, I’ll go for a quick run. I had a personal trainer for six weeks after Christmas and he whipped me into shape.

“That shape has gone a bit squidgy again now, so I might need him back,” she laughed.

Projects The new series promises to follow zookeepers as they visit conservation projects funded and supported by Dublin Zoo. Keepers will travel from the nest sites of barn owl chicks deep in the Irish countryside to Brazil’s rainforests to see highlyendangered golden lion tamarins in their native habitat.

Narrated by Tom Dunne, The Zoo is screened on RTE One at 7pm on Thursdays.

Gazette

12 Gazette 17 April 2014

dublinlife

Arts lovers prepare for a great Collision  natalie burke

THE streets of Dublin will be overtaken next weekend with the 2014 Live Collision, which is set to explode out of the Project Arts Centre and across the city from April 23 until April 26.

Dubliners can expect to see the live art exhibition leaping into public spaces, seeking out hidden locations, resting in basement flats and rooftop gardens and being spotted on mobile devices and GPS systems.

The Live Collision

International Festival brings the work of national and international contemporary artists to Dublin, with works never before presented in Ireland.

Established in 2009, Live Collision has grown a reputation as an excit-

ing festival of live art and performance, presenting genre-defying performance and live experiences for audiences.

For further information or to book tickets for one of the many events and performances, see www.livecollision.com.

Gina Quin, chief executive, Dublin City Chamber, with the prestigious Liffey Swim trophy, which she claimed in 2013

people: how gina quin relaxes

Nothing like a swim to cut off the world IN THIS week’s Escape The Mayhem, The Gazette asked the chief executive of Dublin City Chamber, Gina Quin, about how she escapes her hectic routine.

I’M very busy, as is anyone in full-time employment in the current [economic] climate.

We’re all doing more and going to more events to network, so life has become very, very busy.

But, that’s my style anyway – I’ve always liked to be very busy. When I spoke to my husband about doing this interview, he told me I don’t really escape the mayhem or relax! Even the things I choose to do to relax, I tend to do with a high level of intensity.

I’m very big into personal fitness, and feel it gives me the strength to

help me do my job better.

I swim a lot; both in the pool and in the sea. The sea is my favourite, and I go to the Forty Foot.

I also do competitive swimming in the summer, and I won The Liffey Swim last year. It was absolutely fantastic – there is nothing like swimming through the centre of your own city and going under the bridges, and seeing The Four Courts and such going by.

I think competition is good, but not to excess.

It gives us our desire to compete, our drive, energy and ambition, and is really important in life.

I’m also a very keen gardener, and I love to be out. For the past couple of years, I’ve attempted to grow my own vegetables, as well as flowers. I like to be connected with the

soil and the earth, and with Mother Nature.

Like the sea, it [gardening] has a lot of healthy properties and I completely lose myself in it. Swimming is the same, and when I put the swimming cap and goggles on, it dulls the senses and cuts off the external world.

I’ve often thrashed up and down the pool, thinking about a particular situation, and coming up with ideas. It’s useful time, and gives the mind some space.

We’re overburdened today by stimuli, and we have so much information coming in all the time from so many devices.

Although I absolutely love interacting with people, it’s also very important to give yourself the space to think.

17 April 2014 Gazette 13

Gazette

FEATUREs events: family fun for the holiday weekend

Getting ready for an Easter eggstravaganza WHETHER you’re planning to take your little ones on a chocolate egg hunt this weekend, visiting real-life Easter bunnies in a special animal petting area, or following an Easter-themed treasure trail around Dublin Zoo, plenty of egg-stra special events are available to choose from when thinking about an outing this bank holiday weekend.

Tayto Park is gearing up for a busy Easter, and is already packed to the rafters with excit-

ing attractions, things to do and animals to see over the mid-term break.

Guests can visit the new animal-petting area over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend (April 19, 20 and 21), or head along to one of the public viewings of the animals being fed.

From free Easter themed arts and crafts (for children under the age of six), tattoo artistry and face-painting, to a scavenger hunt and a free live magic show, an outing to Tayto Park over the

Easter holidays is attractive. For more information on event times and ticket prices, visit www. taytopark.ie.

Dublin Zoo has an Easter eggstravaganza in store for Dubliners for the holiday weekend with its annual Easter Treasure Trail. This event will keep visitors of all ages entertained as clues will be hidden all around the zoo.

In the meantime, what would Easter be without the bunny hopping around? Which is eggsactly what he will be

doing as he guest stars in the Bunny Hop Disco, which takes place on the Great Lawn.

There will also be festival keeper talks along with arts and crafts taking place throughout the day.

The Easter Eggstravaganza takes place on Sunday, April 20 and Monday, April 21 from 10am until 6pm in Dublin Zoo. Merrion Square will turn into a choctastic easter egg hunt when the Cadbury Easter Egg Trail takes over on Easter Sat-

MrTayto gives Easter treats to Nicole Reynolds from Tara, Co Meath, with Harry and Kathleen O’Dwyer from Dunshaughlin, Co Meath. Picture: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland

urday, April 19.

Everyone who completes the trail will be receive a reward – a Cadbury Easter egg – and what’s notable about this trail is that money raised on the day goes to Barnardos.

There is also an abun-

dance of entertainment including storytelling, face painting, sack racing, three-legged racing, balloon modelling and Victorian games in the Cadbury Eggsplorer village.

What’s more, organisers are trying to set a new

world record for the biggest egg ’n’ spoon race.

This event takes place in two sessions: a morning event from 10am to 1pm, or an afternoon event, from 2pm to 5pm. Book your tickets through: www.barnardos.ie

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14 Gazette 17 April 2014

dublinlife

RTE’s Fair City teen star Niamh Quirke is supporting Childline’s campaign

Childline is calling Just because it’s quiet doesn’t mean that nothing’s going on.

So thinks RTE’s Fair City teen star Niamh Quirke who’s supporting Childline’s campaign Stay Silent So Children Can Be Heard to initiate a Sponsored Silence on May 2.

Niamh and Childline are challenging the people of Ireland to Stay Silent for a minimum of 30 minutes. In other words, no speaking, texting, emailing, or using social media to signify the isolation of children who feel they are not heard.

Last year, Childline received nearly 700,000 calls from children seeking help. It’s now trying to move into the online

world from its traditional phone listening service.

This is because more and more young people now turn to the internet for advice and support. Only 5% of Childline’s funding comes from the State, with the remainder having to come from public and corporate donations.

Due to a current lack of funding, two-thirds of all calls go unanswered.

raining on mary’s parade IT WASN’T a case of looking as if you’d just stepped out of a salon for those politicians who showed their support for the Dublin Fire Brigade protest recently and were rewarded for their trouble with a downpour.

They live in Ireland so you’d think our politicians would know the number one rule for going anywhere in this country is: Bring Your Brolly. Yes it might be sunny now, but expect to be lashed on whenever a protest is held outdoors.

L a s t we e k ’s DF B demo was ironically treated to a deluge of Irish weather.

Sympathetic politicians who took to the podium got wet, but none got drenched as much as Fianna Fail councillor and MEP candidate Mary Fitzpatrick. As soon as she started talking, the sky chucked it down leaving her and many others soaked to the bone.

So the Diary’s tip this

week – if you want to stay jolly, don’t forget the brolly.

celebrating world Autism EVERY April, World Autism Day is celebrated with fundraising activities nationwide.

This year Xtra-vision and HMV, now owned

by Hilco Capital, do the honours. Hilco has chosen Irish Autism Action as its charity for 2014 and for every rental pass sold in April they will pass on a donation to Autism Action.

Hilco’s chief executive, Larry Howard, said of the campaign: “We have a long-standing relationship with the organisation and have worked hard to

17 April 2014 Gazette 15

for 30 minutes of virtual silence develop a programme of activity that will both create awareness and generate much needed funds for the charity.”

Irish Autism Action receives no State funding for its services, and so relies entirely on support via individual donations and corporate sponsors.

Autism currently affects around 50,000 people in Ireland.

a question of pub life Three cheers from the Diary for Dublin pub owner Gar who’s started an online banter sensation. He’s gone viral on social networking site Reddit with his Ask Me Anything question and answer page.

Gar, who runs Thomas House near Christ Church, has already received over 4,500 comments from people wanting to know what it’s like owning a Dublin bar and handling tourist misconceptions about the Irish and our pubs.

Questions ranged from how many pints of Guinness he sold per day to how often someone greeted him with “top o’t’mornin”.

Many were interested in the strange ideas of the Irish and their pubs. Gar responded: “If there’s any misconception it’s that there will be musicians in the corner with fiddles and tin whistles and bowls of stew all over the place.

“That happens the odd

time. I think most of them get it when they walk in and see the decor of the place though. We’re always happy to point tourists in the direction of “traditional” pubs if that’s what they are looking for.” Keep it coming, Gar.

drop in dumping is rubbish CLONDALKIN’S Cllr Trevor Gilligan (FF) has delivered the news that reports of illegal dumping in South County Dublin are down by a staggering 90% compared with 2012.

Although this may seem momentous, the Diary is happy to clarify that Cllr Gilligan miscalculated. Slightly.

What he failed to notice was that the figures released by South Dublin County Council on reports of illegal dumping for 2014 were recorded for January only. And he went on to compare one month to an entire year.

Deputy Robert Dowds (Lab) commented on this novel arithmetic by saying: “He has compared the number of reports of illegal dumping from the entire 12 months of 2012 with the number of reports from one month in 2014, and is claiming it as a 90% decrease in the reports of illegal dumping.”

“If you’ll pardon the pun, it’s complete rubbish.”

Cllr Trevor Gilligan: The Diary is happy to clarify miscalculation!

Gazette

DIARY

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16 Gazette 17 April 2014

dublinlife

Brian Boru expands with an art gallery  lisa banks

THE Brian Boru pub in Glasnevin, Dublin is expanding its horizons this month with the launch of a new art gallery, which will be officially opened on April 23.

The gallery’s first exhibition will be a series of nine tapestries located on the first floor of the landmark pub, which will be formally opened by the Danish Ambassador to Ireland, His Excellency Niels Pultz.

The tapestries were created by the internationally renowned Danish artist Susanne Thea, who will fly in from Denmark to attend the event, and provide a perspective of the legendary Brian Boru, who lost his life at the Battle of Clontarf, 1,000 years ago.

Pub owner Michael Hedigan says that the new gallery will provide local and visiting artists with an opportunity to

display their works to a new and vibrant audience.

The Hedigan family, who have owned and run the pub for 110 years, believe that the gallery as an outlet for artists is a fitting move, as hundreds of wellknown painters, writers and poets have found company and inspiration in their local pubs. The present building dates from the 1850s, and was purchased by Patrick Hedigan in 1904.

Invested The Hedigans invested in the unique nine-piece tapestry collection as Brian Boru and his army camped at the site of the pub on the night before the Battle of Clontarf, which was on Good Friday, 1014. The exhibition is an exceptional example of a Dublin pub taking on a new venture as the Hedigan family is committed to investing in local culture and heritage.

business Q&A: geoffrey peat, peat wholesale

Staying switched on to customers’ needs BORN in Artane in 1969 – the same year that Peat Wholesale started business – Geoffrey Peat is the second generation of the family to run Peat Wholesale, after taking over the helm in 2005.

He joined the business the day after finishing his Leaving Cert, and did a two-year course in the College of Marketing and Design, along with spending a year in the UK working for various suppliers, before coming back home to spend time with the business.

With an equally busy family life, weekends are split between ferrying the kids around to various matches, parties and discos, and occasionally getting the chance to go for a bite to eat with his wife, Avril.

How long have you been in business?

We were founded in 1969 by Geoff and Isabel Peat, so we’re into our 46th year now.

DUBLIN Gazette newspaper HAVE OVER 200,000 READERS EACH WEEK *based on Industry agreed measurements

advertise your business to our readers call 60 10 240

What makes your business successful?

As a family-run business, we like to think that a large part of our success has been in the relationships that we’ve built up with our customers over the years.

Unlike big corporate companies, any customer can contact any member of our staff, from the MD down to the guys working in the warehouse, and get an answer to the question they want to ask.

We also never stop trying to re-invent what we’re doing, whether that’s sourcing new products or looking for new markets .

presence, and in just a few clicks of a button, you can see our lineup, what’s in stock, technical specs on our products to help you either place an order or make an enquiry and, again, our fast response times helps our customers get back to their own customers promptly and win business.

How has the recession affected your business?

Like a lot of businesses in Ireland, we’ve had to go through our own downsizing efforts over the past numbers of years.

This resulted in us reducing our staffing levels and taking other steps just to try to get through the times we’re living in.

We’ve also had to battle with customers closing down, and a lack of new entrants to our market, coupled with a greatly reduced consumer spend that hasn’t recovered yet, so it’s a pretty hostile environment to be operating in.

How do you use social media to help your business?

Strange as it may seem, we’re a bit slow on the uptake of the benefits of social media – probably due to us doing so many other things just to survive.

However, this is now changing within our company, and we are currently undertaking a process of seeing how best we can take advantage of these new forums to promote and grow our business further.

What living person do you most admire?

There are two, and these are my parents, who are the founders of this company. Both grafted long and hard over the years, struggling through the early days to build up what we have today.

Unfortunately, we lost mam last year; however, dad still comes in regularly to share his experience and wisdom with customers and staff, and long may this continue!

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

It’s very hard nowadays to be different to your competitors, as the range of products available now is, funnily enough, much smaller than a few years ago.

However, our constant drive to be innovative, allied to our friendly customer service and response to our customer’s needs, are key areas for us to excel in.

We also offer a huge and varied range of electronics products and accessories on display at our premises in the Westlink Industrial Estate, where customers can visit to view, try and talk with our team to see if they’ll satisfy their needs.

We’ve also spent quite a few years developing our online

Geoff Peat, who founded Peat Wholesale in 1969, and Geoffrey Peat

17 April 2014 GAZETTE 17

MUSIC P23

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TRAVEL P20

Pets HELP YOUNG, LITTLE CLARA

Actor Owen Roe, Raymond Keane and Michele Browne and (inset) and RTE presenter Keelin Shanley and director Liam Browne. Pictures: Michael Nolan

LAUNCH: PLENTY OF FAMILIAR FACES AT THE DUBLIN WRITERS FESTIVAL

Festival’s a page turner  BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN

DUBLIN Writers Festival got off to a great start this week as the annual international literary event was launched in The Liquor Rooms on Wellington Quay. There were plenty of familiar faces at the launch on April 10, including RTE presenter Keelin Shanley, author Mannix Flynn and actor Owen Roe. This is the festival’s 16th year and, as announced by the Dublin City Arts Officer Ray Yates on the night, the festival is expanding. There will be over 100 events in 23 venues across Dublin from May 17 until 25 with plenty on offer not only for the diehard literary fan, but also for those not as au fait with

the written word. To that end, festival director Liam Browne has enlisted the help of both musician Ray Davies from the Kinks and comedian Johnny Vegas, both of whom have written autobiographies.

Browne spoke to The Gazette about his vision for this year’s Dublin Writers Festival.

“It’s a bigger festival this year and in a sense that’s responding to a demand and writers like coming to Dublin. The way the programme has developed over the years is that now we have more music and more discussion because audiences want to be involved themselves.

“Some people still have a notion of a literary festival as a writer reading from his new book. One of the things

about this festival was to make it more accessible. Hopefully, it will be more conversational this year.

“We want people to get a sense of the writer by giving them a flavour of their work so that when they go away they might want to read a particular book.

“This festival is for pleasure for the audience and for writers too because they love to come together at these festivals, as there might be other writers there that they’d like to meet.”

“We are really excited about the diversity of the programme this year, from established authors to well-known faces who you perhaps wouldn’t expect to see at a literary festival. The world of books is so varied and I hope by dipping into the festival audiences will see

a snapshot of how exciting it is.”

Some of the writers, musicians and comedians lined up for the event include Ray Davies, Johnny Vegas, Gruff Rhys, Joseph O’Connor, Carlos Acosta, Joanna Trollope, Siri Hustvedt, Edmund White, Tim Winton and Arne Dahl. A host of over 130 established and emerging authors and artists will feature over the festival’s nine days in various interactive ways with their audiences. There will also be workshops and performances, as well as around 30 events lined up especially for children.

If you would like more information about this year’s Dublin Writers Fesitval programme, you can go to www. dublinwritersfestival.com.

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

Our Dog of the Week is Clara, a three-yearold terrier cross. Clara is a worried little girl and finds kennel life overwhelming. She would love a home with a really patient owner who will help her blossom into the wonderful little girl we’re confident that she could be!

If you think you could offer Clara the loving home she so deserves, then please contact Dogs Trust at 01 879 1000.

They are based in Finglas, just off exit 5 on the M50 and would love to show you around. Map and directions can be found on their website www.dogstrust.ie

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WEDDING season is on the way and now is definitely the time to be looking for the relevant attire for guests and their plus-one. This week, River Island is showing just how easy it can be to go shopping for his and hers occasion wear, and we must say we are very happy with one such match.

Fresh colours such as coral brings out the best in summer dresses, while sparkling handbags shine brightly on any arm.

Tailored suits are a must for the male guest at any wedding, and they could be used again for a day at the races, making sure you get value for your buck.

Sharp waistcoats allow men to look dapper in their attire when it starts to get a little hot under the collar, meaning the suit jacket is more than likely coming off. So, whether it’s a wedding, a day at the races or a special day out – his and hers at River Island is definitely worth a look.

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SPRAY and Go? Yeah, right! Actually, they are right – Vaseline Spray & Go is a spray system that dispenses moisturising lotion quickly onto the skin while giving an all-over coverage.

The product’s ad sees a lady run out of the bathroom, spray one, two, three and four times around her body, quickly rub in the lotion, get dressed and then out the door – all in less than a minute!

Now, obviously, getting dressed is going to take longer, but when Gazette Style was asked to do the 60-second challenge, we were more than willing to test it out.

Timer? Check.

Spray? Check. Ready – go.

The spray disperses the lotion evenly from the bottle so you spray as if you are were putting hair spray in your hair, but instead it’s for your body. Then, once the lotion has been evenly distributed, rub it around the areas that may need extra attention et voila – you are instantly moisturised.

And how long did it take? Oh, just 55 seconds! So, that means an extra few minutes in bed – yay!

This product is available in three variants: cocoa, aloe fresh and oat extract, priced at €6.15, and is available at supermarkets nationwide.

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Gazette

18 Gazette 17 April 2014

Wingtip lace-up shoes €85

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17 April 2014 GAZETTE 19

BOOKS: FORGET LOVE/HATE – WILD CHILD IS AN EXCITING (TRUE) STORY

A road to redemption  BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN

FOR the majority of his life, Coolock man Alan Croghan was a career criminal. Now, at 45 years old, he has written a highly entertaining and rocket-paced book – Wild Child – his memoirs, published by Penguin and on sale for €8.99.

Wild Child depicts a life lived in chaos and constant motion, where each day was a dangerous adventure, full of close calls and fuelled by adrenaline.

The story races along as Croghan’s powers of recall lend the whole a feeling that all of the

events are happening in real-time.

Not only does the author remember the actual events of each criminal escapade, but he recalls what everyone involved said, how they looked and, more importantly, what was going on in his own heart and mind during it all.

Croghan’s memoirs are told with an astonishing amount of honesty, some of which might have been left on the psychiatrist’s couch, but it is all based on a lesson that Croghan learned early on: when you grow up in harsh surroundings, you either sink or swim, and either

way, you lose.

From the time he was a young child, Croghan was dabbling in the forbidden.

His first introduction to drugs was before he was 12 years old, when he asked his father for some of his valium, which he duly delivered to his young son for free at first, but then began charging him for.

The young Croghan hardly ever went to school, but spent his time mainly robbing cars with his mates and playing cat and mouse with the gardai.

Indeed, Croghan’s early life reads like a movie

script, full of car chases, armed robberies and personal feuds.

However,the reality behind the scenes is candidly revealed by Croghan as he tells of his inner fear, which was a constant companion all of his life.

Like all professional thieves, prison became the number-one occupational hazard for Croghan, beginning with the juvenile facility of St Patrick’s before moving on to Mountjoy, Wheatfield and Portlaoise.

Croghan’s experience in prison is a fascinating insight into the day-to-day trials of life behind bars.

It was in prison that

Croghan learned how to read and write, and went on to win second prize in the Listowel Writers’ Festival for drama.

He also went on to appear on television and radio, speaking as an authority about the Irish prison system.

Croghan’s life was a very disordered and exciting one, where he knew most of the biggest criminals in Dublin’s gangland, past and present, as well as many IRA members.

However, there is a happy ending, in that he does find redemption in the book, and turned his wayward life around dramatically at last.

Published by Penguin and priced €8.99, Wild Child, by reformed criminal Alan Croghan (right) is a rocketpaced memoir that follows a chaotic life – and its redemption

GAZETTE

ARTS

Gazette

20 Gazette 17 April 2014

OUT&ABOUT

During their recent visit, President Higgins and his wife stayed at Windsor Castle

england: take a break like an Irish President

A royal holiday  Natalie Burke

With less than an hour’s travel time to reach the other side of the pond by air, and just a hop, skip and a jump by ferry, a trip to visit the very best parts of England is one holiday that can be planned without breaking the bank.

President Michael Higgins set the wheels in motion recently when he became the first Irish head of state invited by Queen Elizabeth on an official state visit to England last week.

While the president paid a visit to a number of well-known English spots, including 10 Downing Street, Windsor Castle and the Royal Albert Hall, England’s national tourism board, Visit England, has come up with the perfect way to holiday like an Irish president, giving holidaymakers a sneak peek into how to go about receiving a proper royal welcome.

Already a published poet, it came as no sur-

prise that President Higgins paid a visit to Poet’s Corner in Westminster Abbey. One of the best known parts of WestminsterAbbey, it was here that Seamus Heaney unveiled a memorial to Ted Hughes in 2011, and CS Lewis, born in Belfast, was officially inducted into Poet’s Corner in 2013. The Abbey welcomes over a million visitors each year and is open Monday to Saturday through most of the year.

A short stroll from Westminster Abbey is the House of Parliament, where President Higgins made a speech during his tour. Visitors can take guided tours of the Houses of Parliament on Saturdays throughout the year and on selected weekdays during Parliamentary recesses including Easter, summer and Christmas.

President Higgins also stopped off at London’s City Hall, home to London’s Lord Mayor, visitors can see parts of City Hall and its various Londonrelated exhibitions for

themselves Monday to Friday.

Meanwhile First Lady Sabina Higgins had the opportunity to indulge her long standing love of the theatre with a visit to the Royal Academy of Drama and Art (RADA).

Here there are three theatres which regularly host a variety of productions, where visitors might just catch sight of a rising theatre star. Lord Attenborough and Sir Anthony Hopkins learned their craft here. (www.visitlondon.com) During their recent visit, President Higgins and his wife stayed at Windsor Castle. While regular visitors will have to put themselves up in a hotel down the road, they can take a tour of the State Apartments where the president stayed, as well as watching the ceremonial changing of the guard inside the castle grounds.

Beside the castle is the bronze statue of an Irish Guard, which is dedicated to all Irish Guardsmen,

past, present and future.

Just in front of Windsor Castle is Windsor Great Park, 4,800 acres of beautiful parkland that provides the perfect place for picnics, walking, cycling and horse riding.

What the president missed out on however, are the numerous quintessential English villages nearby including Bray, home to the fine dining at Heston Blumenthal’s renowned The Fat Duck restaurant. (www.windsor.gov.uk) From here, President Higgins made his way to Warwickshire, a region already popular with tourists for activities and attractions. Being Shakespeare County, the president and his wife paid a visit to Stratford-UponAvon, which coincided nicely with the upcoming450th anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth on April 23. Events marking this occasion take place throughout the year.

For more holiday ideas in England, go to www. visitengland.com.

17 April 2014 Gazette 21

Gazette

TRAVEL&FOOD&DRINK

The secret to delicious dining Dublin’s newest outdoor pop-up restaurant, The Secret Garden Dublin, will open in Temple Bar’s Meeting House Square from May 5 to 9.

Brought by Harr y Colley and Cuan Greene, the brains behind Dublin Pop Up, the garden will be set under the canopies of Meeting House Square and will bring food and wine in an enchanting setting of verdant lawns, vintage elegance and live acoustic sets.

Harr y Colley and Cuan Greene are final year culinary arts students.

Together, they established Dublin Pop Up in November 2013 as a response to Dublin’s growing gastronomic curiosity.

Dublin Pop Up have hosted guerrilla eating events including supper clubs and cook clubs in homes all over Dublin city, which have gained a following through social media.

The Secret Garden showcases their nostalgia fuelled and visually striking cooking with a large audience.

The Secret Garden Dublin will open its ivy gates each day for lunch at 12 noon and 1pm and will offer customers a delicious lunch and escape away from the hustle and bustle of the busy city centre. Lunch at the garden is priced at €10pp.

D i n n e r i s s e r ve d under the stars and customers will be treated to a six-course tasting menu which is themed

Cuan Greene and Harry Colley. Pictures: Lynn Rothwell

around Irish nostalgia using Irish produce.

The 6pm dinner sitting sold out in just three days but a second sitting at 8.30pm has been created due to demand.

The dinner tasting menu is priced at €20pp which includes a glass of wine.

T he tasting menu features dishes like steak and bearnaise served with red pepper and rice melosso, tart green chilli, bearnaise sabayon and cress and Boora Bog which is a slow roast lamb in malt with crisp lamb straw, barbecue leg of lamb, parsnip skin, roast garlic, almond olive oil and Irish whiskey.

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Dinner is served under the stars and customers will be treated to a six-course tasting menu which is themed around Irish nostalgia

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Dessert lovers won’t be disappointed with The Secret Garden Dublin’s take on the swiss roll, a chocolate swirl with strawberry gel, praline and vanilla sponge.

The Secret Garden Dublin’s full menu can be viewed at www. secretgarden.ie Each day four SecretSeats will be given away to one lucky Twitter fan.

Fans on Twitter will be asked to tweet @secretgardendub using the

#SecretSeats to be in with a chance of winning dinner or lunch for four people.

The winner and their guests will be treated to a private dinner in the Secret Garden’s vintage airstream trailer.

Bookings for lunch and dinner are now being taken and can be made by emailing food@ secretgarden.ie, tweeting @secretgardendub or through Facebook at Facebook.com/secretgardendublin

Gazette

22 Gazette 17 April 2014

OUT&ABOUT

Cassia and Milo attempt to flee the doomed city without getting crushed, cooked, buried, gassed or suffocated by the exploding volcano – or having to share many scenes with an explosive Kiefer Sutherland

pompeii: audiences unlikely to lava this one

Cliched film fizzles with predictability SWORDS, sandals, and sizzling seismic activity are the order of the day in Pompeii, as Resident Evil director Paul WS Anderson takes us back in time in more ways than one.

Starring Game of Throne’s Kit Harrington, the film tells the story of Milo – a horse-whispering gladiator in the ill-fated Roman resort city.

Pompeii’s mash-up of natural disaster action and camp costume drama plays out as a nostalgialaced tribute to the simpler days of cinema.

The plot is achingly simple: Harrington plays Milo, a mysterious gladiator known as “The Celt”, who possesses almost superhuman strength and speed.

Shipped off to Pompeii, Milo shares a moment over a dying horse with Cassia (Emily Browning), daughter of some

 Dave phillips

Pompeii big-wigs.

Also in Pompeii, being wined and dined by Cassia’s parents is Senator Corvus (a wonderfully hammy Kiefer Sutherland) who Milo recognises as the man who killed his family years ago.

It’s formulaic stuff – the class-divided love interest, the revenge angle, the impending disaster – but it’s enough to set the stage for the action to unfold.

The pre-eruption scenes are focused on combat amongst the gladiators, as Milo fights through the ranks to buddy-up with champion Atticus (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje).

The violence is kept relatively clean in order to maintain the 12A rating; and the dire dialogue throughout ensures that eyes will roll far more often than heads.

However, post-eruption, the film takes on a different tempo – we are into Dante’s Peak territory with Milo and Atticus attempting to find love and right wrongs while the world crumbles.

The torrents of lava, subsumed buildings, and exploding fireballs are a delight to watch in 3D, but while the action is enjoyable, it is never enough to keep the film afloat.

Milo has a modus operandi that consists of saying little and doing good, and Cassia never graduates from being the damsel in distress.

Meanwhile, Sutherland’s Corvus is the kind of no-good villain you only get in pantomimes.

The only depth to the characters in Pompeii is the fact that they are shot in 3D. There are films that can show you something you’ve never imagined, leave you with a character that will accompany you for the rest of your days, or make you think about life differently.

And then there are films that just distract you – they throw enough pyrotechnics and flimsy costumes your way to pass some time.

Pompeii definitely belongs in this latter category – it is your garden variety action film – but what makes it endearing is that it never feels like it is trying to be anything more than that.

More of a fizzle than a full-scale eruption, it’s a flawed, but still entertaining film.

Verdict: 5/10

17 April 2014 gazette 23

Gazette

CINEMA&MUSIC MOTORING review: the rock documentary reinvented by the national

Brothers in arms make for a fascinating movie  ROB heigh rheigh@gazettegroup.com

THE ROCK documentar y has a long and memorable tradition of giving an insight into the invisible existence of musicians on the road, but few have taken such an unconventional approach to the form as the new film about indie rock heroes, The National.

Mistaken For Strangers is filmed verite style by Tom Berninger, younger brother of the band’s lead singer, Matt, as he joins the band on the road as The National embark on the tour in support of High Violet, the record that took them from indie rock’s best kept secret to an overground success story which now sees them play to huge audiences around the world (witness their show at the Sydney Opera House recently http:// ow.ly/vJV0k).

The film has a prescient title, in that from the outset, it appears that the Berninger siblings could not be more different. However, as the film progresses, there is a warmth and a deep affection clear between the brothers that is the beating heart of the film throughout.

Though the gig for Tom is originally as a road crew member and assistant tour manager,

A still from Mistaken For Strangers, with brothers Matt and Tom Berninger offstage with The National

a role he seems utterly unsuited for, he is also filming scenes and performances for a documentary he wants to create from the experience of being close to the flame of his brother’s fame. That is, until he screws up once too often, and is fired from the crew.

After Matt and his wife reach out to him, Tom picks up the threads of disparate material recorded through the tour across the US and Europe (you can spot the Olympia at one stage, and remember the iridescent performance they put on on a brutally cold December day a few years ago), and ultimate-

ly weaves together something more about him than it is about the band, though they provide the players on the stage as the main character, Tom, struts and frets about his place in the world and how he works to stake, understand and express his talent.

Although at times you get the sensation that there is a simmering tension only moments away from exploding into camera and backstagebreaking violence, there are moments when both Tom and Matt, and their parents, express what each means to the other, and those scenes can be heartbreakingly touching.

This is far from a rock movie in the sense that, although there are National songs throughout the film, the only complete performance comes right at the end, an intense and passionate Terrible Love that sees Matt go on one of his trademark venue walkabouts, all the way out through the crowd and into the empty lobby, while Tom, acting as security for the lead singer, makes sure he can still deliver his vocal and traverse his way to and from the stage unhindered. It’s a scene that makes you realise, like the story told throughout the film, that they may be diametri-

cally opposite as people but they unquestionably have each other’s backs.

Less a portrait of life on the road than a study of fulfilled and unfulfilled potential, it’s an uncomfortable watch at times, but one thing that shines through is Tom’s creative talent and that this film was finished at all is an achievement for him, and you can’t fail but wish him the best in the future.

The National come to Dublin on July 18 and 19 when they play the Iveagh Gardens in what is certain to be one of the gigs of the summer.

Tickets are €42 and are available from Ticketmaster.

FastMusic

Manchester legends lead Leopardstown line-up for 2014 A brilliant line-up of Irish and international talent is on the card for this year’s Bulmer’s Live at Leopardstown festival.

The festival, which runs throughout June, July and August, brings together top-class horse racing and live music, and the acts announced for this year’s event are beyond measure.

Assured highlights for the festival are a trio of acts from Manchester who have had a massive part in defining the legacy of music from the English city.

July 10 sees Joy Division and New Order founder member Peter Hook and his band, The Light, who have been stunning crowds on recent tours with their recreation of the classic hits from both of those acts.

Legendary guitar hero and former Smith, Johnny Marr, plays on August 7, as he continues the tour around his excellent debut solo album, The Messenger, and closing out Live at Leopardstown is seminal Manchester act, The Charlatans who have been knocking out audiences around the world for over two decades with their organdriven indie pop classics.

The festival also welcomes top Irish acts Raglans, Heathers, Hamsandwich, The Stunning and Sharon Shannon and Her Big Band completing the line-up. Ticket information can be found online at www.bulmersliveatleopardstown.com, or call the Leopardstown Ticketline on 01 2890500 for hospitality options.

GAZETTE

24 GAZETTE 17 April 2014

OUT&ABOUT

TECH DigiTape adaptor MANY of us still have a cassette tape player somewhere or other, either as a slightly-past-it home hifi system or in their trusty steed – the family car. Seeing as not everyone is running around with the latest tech, this is a nice bridge between old and new. Just pop your SD card into the tape, then the tape into the cassette slot, et voila: you’ll be able to play your MP3 files on the go, or at home, as well as some other functions. While not exactly an incredible idea, it’s a nice piece of simple tech that will definitely be appreciated by some. The Technaxx DT-02 DigiTape Adapter is available on Amazon.co.uk, priced £24.76 (@ €30).

APPSWATCH MEDIA ON THE GO

Free apps covering national and international news WHENEVER you’re out on the go, it’s common to see people reading the news on their phone or tablets, with almost all media outlets – including The Gazette – available online in one format or another; some just in part, others in full, and others yet behind a paywall.

While many people browse news sites using their phone’s/tablet’s internet browser, there are hundreds (well, many thousands) of news apps to skip straight to the point. Here are just a few some of the leading ones to get your started, both for home news and further afield.

And, best of all, they’re all free, on IOS and Android alike! What could be better than reading free news on the go (much like your Gazette)?

STARTING with some home news, and The Irish Times’s app is much as you’d expect – not the same as picking up the venerable publication, but a decent enough condensed version nonetheless.

There’s plenty here to get up to date with, and picture galleries are good enough to flick through on the morning commute.

Inevitably, the full-size paper gives you the full-fat treatment, whereas this is more of a skinny latte, but if you just want to get straight into what’s what, the IT app may very well be it for you.

ON TO The Irish Independent’s app.

Not to be confused with a larger, subscriptionenabled app, the Indo’s app is also a breezy, fastmoving look at the main headlines and bigger news stories of the day.

Also broken down in to several sections, there are no surprises here, as you get a decent look at the main day’s stories, making it a great app for idling away dull Dart or bus journeys.

As with the Times, its design isn’t going to win any awards, or hearts, but it’s perfectly fine for the task at hand.

LOOKING further afield, and for those with a hunger for more international news, Reuters, the international news agency, have an excellent app that covers a diverse range of international news, outgunning Irish newspapers’ apps with ease.

While some of the content has an Americaled focus, Reuters’ diverse sections and constantly updating news feeds take a pretty solid look at global news, making it a definite must-have. And, if you get tired of all that international and local news apps, who’s to say The Gazette app won’t join this list ...

StoreDot smartphone charger THIS is so new, there isn’t a standardised product just yet – or any product as such, bar a prototype shown off to the media – but this still seems like a very exciting new tech product to highlight that could be a must-have common gadget in the near future. StoreDot, a Tel Aviv university charger, has come up with a process that can fully recharge smartphone batteries in about 30 seconds, based on energising nano-structures in batteries. By recharging batteries at this extra teenie-tiny level, instead of just flooding their general structure with power, these new chargers could become commonplace in a few years, and see the days of phones (and other power-hungry gadgets) gasping on their last legs by 5pm banished. Great!

Looking forward, and also behind WITH a headline that suggests we’re following basic driving rules, this Tech section take a look at a couple of gadgets that address yesteryear’s technology, as well as considering some revolutionary new near-future ideas.

With mobile phones n ow u b i q u i t o u s – indeed, Ireland has one of the highest per-capita mobile phone ownership rates in the world – here’s a little-known

 SHANE DILLON sdillon@dublingazette.com

alternative to the Apple/ Samsung products that get so much coverage in the press.

And, lastly, as a distraction to modern stresses, why not comb South Park for the missing Stick of Truth?

Moto G PREVIEWED on this page some time ago, the Motorola Moto G has finally arrived in Ireland, and has been quite a success for Meteor, where it’s availble free on contract, or from €150 (online offer) as payas-you-go. While Apple and Samsung have been squaring up to each other, Motorola proved to be a dark horse with this budget-priced smartphone that’s a great contender in the phone stakes. As this happy owner can contest, the Androiddriven Moto G is packed with features, has a great HD screen that’s actually better than, say, the iPhone; a battery that easily coasts to the end of the day, despite heavy use; and a not-so-great camera. (Errr, that’s not such a great last feature, but it helps explain its surprisingly cheap price.)

So, for a powerful smartphone that packs a punch but won’t bruise your wallet, the Moto G is heartily recommended.

The Stick of Truth AND now for something different. It’s been out for a little while, but South Park: The Stick of Truth (multi-platform; generally €45, but price varies at retail) is a definite must-have for fans of the show – but, note that as you would expect, it’s also completely unsuitable for children. While there have been many South Park games (and almost all of them have been awful), this is not only the best one yet, but also a great game in its own right. Perfectly matching the look, sound, style and humour of the show, this RPG is a knowing mashup of many gaming tropes, as well as taking cheap shots at a number of South Park memes.

In other words, great fun for 18+ gamers.

TURRETS, TOWERS AND MINARETS POINT TO A RELAXING GAME THIS rather brief new game is a curio, but a beautiful one at that.

Monument Valley (€3.59, for IOS 6 or above, iPhone and iPadcompatible) requires you to guide a princess to the exit by traversing the structures in the levels, many of which have a distinct MC Escher feeling to them. Ida may find herself walking up walls, across ceilings and

down impossible stairways to reach her goal, by sliding the scenery apart, or rotating the level to create the visual illusion of traversable walkways – which then, impossibly, become traversable.

By swiping across the screen, the valley’s buildings becomes like an elaborate music box, with the delicate soundtrack adding to the mood.

Level 8, in particular, expands on this theme, as the simple turreted music box at the start of the level unfolds, origami-style, into a complex, impossibly-sized structure.

So, for those looking for a game that isn’t state-of-the-art in any department, but is more than the sum of its parts, Monument Valley is well worth visiting at your leisure.

17 April 2014 gazette 25

Feast your eyes on Peugeot’s sleek Exalt

 cormac curtis

Fans of Peugeot with an appetite for something a little different will want to feast their eyes on what the French car manufacturer has in store.

They have unveiled their vision of the future for the lion brand at the Beijing Motor Show, in the form of its radical new Exalt concept car.

Chiselled panels, a long bonnet, raked windscreen, a low roof and short rear overhangs give the Peugeot Exalt a sleek and athletic design. In homage to the art of the French motor car from the 20s and 30s, bare steel bodywork, seen also on the famous Peugeot Onyx concept, has been hand-formed by a master panel beater.

Powered by a HYbrid4 drive train with a total maximum power of 340bhp, efficiency is enhanced by the use of shark skin inspired material on the rear quarter, to ensure greater aerodynamic performance and thus reduced fuel consumption.

One of a kind, the Peugeot Exalt boasts a very slender profile that conceals a cabin that is both spacious and inviting, thanks to the combination of an array of natural materials – aged leather, natural wool-based mixed fabric and ebony wood.

The Peugeot i-Cockpit interior, already seen on the Peugeot 208, 2008 and new 308, delivers a driving experience dedicated to enjoyment.

A small steering wheel and the digital instru-

Peugeot have unveiled their new concept car, the Exalt, at the Beijing Motor Show to boast a slender profile, a small steering wheel (below, left) and a cockpit filled with natural materials such as aged leather, natural wool-based mixed fabric andebony wood

Gazette

get in the cockpit: new concept is unveiled in beijing

MOTORING road

NOISE

Volkswagen Golf Ireland is an online favourite It won’t come as any shock to anyone with even a passing interest in Irish motoring to know that the VW Golf is, as always, enjoying huge popularity in the Irish market, but it may come as a surprise to know how often the car is searched for online!

The Volkswagen Golf is the most searched for Car in Ireland according to the third bi-annual Carzone motoring report. The report found that the Volkswagen Golf was the most searched for used car in the second half of 2013.

Commenting on the findings of the report, Paul O’Sullivan, head of marketing, Volkswagen passenger cars, said: “We we were already aware that the Golf is Ireland’s bestselling car, but this report reminds us that it is the car that most people want to own – whether purchasing a new or secondhand vehicle. The Golf is celebrating its 40th year in production and it is clear from the findings of this report that it remains the nations favourite car – be it the Mark One which first reached Irish Shores in 1974 or the Mark seven which we proudly unveiled in late 2012.”

The report is a bi-annual index which tracks trends in both the new and used car markets in Ireland. Data has been compiled using the 60 million searches carried out on Carzone.ie during the last six months of the year, vehicle transactions listed on Cartell.ie and a survey of 2,187 motorists nationwide.

Kearney is Audi’s envoy

ment panel are arranged in front of the driver for improved control. Two folding touch screens emerge from the dashboard. The upper screen gives access to the onboard computer, the Hi-Fi and navigation systems. The second screen presents a permanently visible control bar to provide access to the automatic air-conditioning and Peugeot’s new Pure Blue system, an innovative air purification system.

Nine toggle control switches are located on the dashboard, arranged in two groups – two to the left of the small steering wheel, seven to the right. This distribution was adopted because of the human brain’s ability to easily remember up to seven elements, for their position and their function.

A black light system, particularly useful during the transition between day and night, has been built into the headlamps.

Visibility problems are reduced and driving becomes more relaxed, to ensure improved observation of road markings.

Versatile

The Peugeot Exalt also offers an exceptionally versatile boot with a low loading sill and wooden trim. It works with an innovative pantograph mechanism to allow maximum opening, while needing less space externally.

Weighing just 1,700kg,

the Peugeot Exalt is powered by a plug-in HY brid4 drive train with a total maximum power of 340bhp shared between the four wheels.

The bonnet houses the 1.6-litre THP 270bhp developed by Peugeot Sport. At the rear, the multi-link rear axle contains a 50kW electric machine for electric or hybrid phases of operation. This machine also intervenes to recharge the battery through energy recovery braking.

Taking time out from a busy rugby schedule that saw him earn a Six Nations Champions medal, newly appointed Audi Naas brand ambassador Dave Kearney is pictured picking up the keys to his new Audi A4 S-Line model at the state-of-the-art Audi Naas terminal showroom.

Throughout 2014, Dave will work closely with Audi Naas on planned events and model launches.

Dave will also run a local rugby clinic later on this summer as part of the Audi Naas partnership.

The sporty Audi A4 S-Line integrates outstanding performance and innovative efficiency with sleek design lines. The best-selling car in its class, it comes equipped with Audi’s innovative Xenon headlights, S-Line sports styling and leather/Alcantara sports seats. For further information, visit www.audi.ie

Audi Naas brand ambassador Dave Kearney

26 GAZETTE 17 April 2014

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w w w. g a z e t t e g r o u p . c o m

17 April 2014 Gazette 27

hockey P29

asdfsdaf gaelic games P27 P31

dublinsport Let the Gazette keep you up to date with all the best local sporting action from around the city as we cover all the stories that matter to you and your community



Gazette

basketball P28

FastSport collins hails perfect bout:

Vivienne Connolly promotes Goal’s 2014 involvement in the Dublin Flora Women’s Mini-Marathon on the June bank holiday weekend

mini-marathon: sudan the beneficiary this year for international charity

Request for runners to take to the road for Goal’s efforts Women in Dublin are being called upon to help international charity Goal improve the plight of women in South Sudan by running in support of the aid agency in this year’s Flora Women’s Mini-Marathon on bank holiday Monday, June 2.

However, time is tight with the deadline for registrations coming on April 18.

By signing up for #TEAMGOAL in this year’s event, runners and walkers will be supporting the women of South Sudan, where conflict and displace-

ment have left hundreds of thousands of people in need of assistance.

The 10km race is the biggest allwomen’s event of its kind in the world, with over 40,000 ladies (and one or two men!) taking part in 2013. Close to €137m has been raised for charities across Ireland since its inception in 1983, and it is now the country’s biggest single day charity event. The event is tailored to people young and old, who can walk, jog or run depending on their level of fitness.

Dublin actress and model, Vivienne

Connolly decided to lead the Goal team this year after watching a video of some of the women who Goal are assisting in South Sudan.

“We tend to complain about a lot of things in this country, but I think it’s always good to look outwards at the lives of impoverished people around the world and realise just how good we have it here.

“In South Sudan, women are more likely to die in childbirth than receive a second-level education,” the former Fair City star said.

“That’s something we should all be trying to address. Forget country borders; we all live on the same planet and can do more to help our fellow man.

I see running the Mini-Marathon for Goal as my small contribution towards that, and anybody can join me and the rest of the team to do the same.”

For more information, or to get your Goal sponsorship card, contact Carmel in Goal on teamgoal@goal.ie, and log on to their website, www.goal.ie to find out more about the organisation’s work around the world.

PASCHAL Collins said Stephen Ormond’s defeat of Barcelona based Karim El Ouazghari last week was the “perfect performance” as the lightweight boxer from Quarryvale put on a good show as he continues to progress his career.

He stopped the Spaniard in the fifth round on the undercard of Carl Framption’s world title eliminator and trainer Collins was impressed with how Ormond stuck to his gameplan.

“He started the fight exactly how we wanted him to, slowly picking his shots with a lot of jabs to the head while also driving his right hand in under the elbow. Eventually, his left hand started to drop. The main thing was to land one or two power shots but not get hit.”

c o n ta c t s Sports Editor: Rob Heigh rheigh@dublingazette.com

For more information or to send in news and photos: sport@dublingazette.com Phone: 01 651 6205

Gazette

28 Gazette 17 April 2014

SPORT

FastSport adamstown rider shines on orwell trial: ADAMSTOWN cycling team’s Roisin Kennedy took her second win of the season last Tuesday night with a strong ride in the first stage of the Stickybottle.comOrwell Crit League.

The 10-mile timetrial opened the 2014 series in Batterstown, and Kennedy showed she is still the one to watch, winning with a 12 second margin to the runner-up on the night, Catherine McAteer of Garda-Richie’s Bikes.

Ciara Kinch of the promoting club Orwell Wheelers rounded out the podium, just 13 seconds further adrift, in a field the numbered 30 riders on the night.

The next three Tuesdays sees criteriumstyle racing unfold on the purpose-built track in Corkagh Park, west Dublin, followed by a road race in Brittas Bay, on Tuesday, May 6, before the racing is completed with the concluding race again in Batterstown five weeks from now on Tuesday, May 13.

basketball: teams from all over the world converge on dublin

Masters on the court get ready  sport@gazettegroup.com

Sports halls all over Dublin are looking forward to hosting the second Dublin Masters basketball tournament on the weekend of May 16 to 18 which will see 27 teams from eight countries competing for the overall men’s and women’s titles.

The competition sees many of the top players from the Irish leagues from recent years taking part in what will be one of the largest Masters sports event to be held in Ireland in 2014.

Oblate Hall in Inchicore, Inchicore Community Centre and Colaiste Brid in Clondalkin will host

the matches, which seea strong Dublin representation as well as Irish talent from Cork, Mayo and Galway, as well as participants from further afield with teams from Australia, Belgium, Estonia, Sweden and Britain travelling to Dublin for the Masters.

T h e m e n ’s t e a m s involved are BC

Last year’s women’s Masters winners, Glasnevin

Jerome Westbrooks, pictured here in 2008, has brought the BNAF team together

Kulkroon from Estonia, Corinthians, Team BNAF , which is made up of players from Ireland and the USA, Gothenburg from Sweden, K illester, Rathmines, Gr umpy Old Bears from Sydney who are the current Over50 world champions having won that title in Turin last August, Nomads, Team Belgium, Cork, Galway, London Eagles, Templeogue, Trailblazers, Dublin Lions and St Vincent’s.

Women’s teams competing are Oblate Dynamos, Silver Girls which is a team made up of players from Germany, Finland, Romania and Russia, Sussex Ladies,

Pegasus, KUBs, Mayo Ladies, Dublin All Stars, Wild Rovers, Blarney, Galway and Glasnevin.

Team BNAF (Brothers Near And Far) is an interesting entry to the competition, being a team put together by Irish basketball legend J e r o m e We s t b r o o k s which features his lifelong friends and playing partners from the States and here in Ireland.

T he men’s tro phy is called the Tom McLoughlin Cup in memor y of a great servant to Templeogue Basketball Club and Irish Basketball and the women’s cup is called The Joe Kavanagh Cup in memory of Joe who

was a player and coach with Templeogue and St Declan’s before coaching Meteors to a number of league and cup titles in the 90s.

All profits from the weekend are donated to The Joe Kavanagh Foundation which provides sports clubs around Ireland with defibrillators.

Games begin on Friday at 6pm, all day Saturday from 9am-7pm and on Sunday with knock out games and finals from 9am finishing with finals at 4pm.

For fur ther information, contact John Walsh on 086 6021094 or email dubmastersbball@gmail.com.

Ireland relish prospect of visit of world champions  sport@gazettegroup.com

Clontarf will be the venue for the visit of the T20 world champions, Sri Lanka in May

IRELAND will lock horns with world champions for the second time in three months when Sri Lanka visit Dublin next month for two one-day internationals at Clontarf.

After beating the West Indies in Jamaica in February, the Boys in Green will be looking for another famous scalp when they take on the newly-crowned World T20 champions in a 50-over RSA Insurance Series on May 6 and 8 at Clontarf Cricket Club in north Dublin.

And for local fans it will be a fantastic first chance to see some of the superstars of the world game in Lasith Malinga, Kumar Sangakkara, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Mahela Jayawardene after their stunning win over India in Dhaka last week in the ICC World T20 final.

Cricket fans turned out in their droves last summer with superb crowds at the marquee Irish fixtures in 2013. In May, Clontarf was the scene of two epic battles with Pakistan that resulted in a tie and the narrowest of wins for the visitors while Dublin also

hosted an RSA Challenge match against England in front of a record-breaking crowd of 10,000 at Malahide on that glorious day in September.

While Clontarf cannot accommodate all the fans who packed into Malahide in September, captain William Porterfield is still expecting large and vocal support when his side take on Sri Lanka.

“The home crowds were simply outstanding last year,” Porterfield said. “There was an incredible atmosphere at both Clontarf and Malahide which made for

unforgettable occasions.”

Ireland coach Phil Simmons is relishing the opportunity to pit his wits against the world champions and believes early season conditions could be a great leveller.

“It’s the type of challenge we’re crying out for,” Simmons said. “These are the sort of games that players love. It’s going to be a brilliant experience to play the best in our own back yard.”

Tickets for the matches are still available via www.cricketireland.ie and Ticketmaster outlets nationwide.

17 April 2014 Gazette 29

Gazette

Globetrotting Joyce on international duty Cricket and hockey star Cecelia Joyce is no stranger to representing her country in both sports - and says it is an honour to step onto the world stage whatever the code CECELIA Joyce has precious little time to relax.

Just 12 days since the T20 cricket World Cup concluded in Bangladesh, she is one of three players - along with twin sister Isobel and Kate McKenna - back on a plane, this time to the Netherlands with her hockey club side, Railway Union.

On both occasions, she is up against the world’s very best. In the cricket, it was the first time Ireland had reached a women’s T20 finals, taking on eventual winners Australia.

Next on the agenda is a Friday date with Den Bosch, the Dutch champions who won their 15th national title last Sunday. That is the toughest European club fixture an Irish club has ever encountered as Rail-

 stephen findlater sport@gazettegroup.com

way qualified last spring for the Club Champions Cup for the first time, bringing together the top eight clubs on the continent in a straight knockout competition.

The Dutch club feature an array of Olympic gold medallists including twotime world player of the year Maartje Paumen.

As a full-time lawyer competing in two codes against a sea of fully paid players, it would be easy for Joyce to view this date with trepidation. But she comes from a family who strive for the best her older brothers Ed

and Dominick also play cricket for Ireland - and she says there is no reason to be fearful.

“For myself and Isobel, we have just played some of the best cricket teams in the world,” she told GazetteSport. “Our coach Nasir [Munir] is scared of nobody and thinks his coaching is up there with the best in the world. Our team philosophy - and this comes from former coach Mick McKinnon too - is we want to play the best and see where we stand.

“That’s our attitude; no matter what the score is, we want to play the best in the world and see how we get on. There’s no point being afraid.

We’re not afraid of failing. It is an honour to be there but we are playing to win.”

It is an attitude that

Cecelia Joyce celebrates a league win for Railway Union recently

has seen her teams break new boundaries. For Railway, she joined a club in mid-table in the Leinster leagues and has played a key part in their development to be Irish Hockey League champions three times in four years. A bronze medal in the second tier of Euro-

sports.

“Because we can bring 18 to Europe and a couple of players are not available, Railway said ‘if you still want to come, we would be glad to have you’. Having said that, it is not that big a crossover. Going from cricket to hockey is much eas-

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‘We want to play the best in the world. There’s no point being afraid. It’s an honour to be there’ - Cecelia Joyce

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pean club hockey last year was also a best for an Irish club.

Balancing elite sport with her work life as a lawyer who can work up to 70 hours a week is an onerous task. At times, she has contemplated stepping back but, as a utility player who has been used in each position bar “goalkeeper and centre-back”, Munir was keen to keep her involved in his panel of 18 for the trip to the Netherlands.

Joyce has been unable to make regular training since October but could prove invaluable in a Railway side that has endured a number of defensive changes in the past season. Given the short hiatus between the cricket and hockey tournaments, though, she doesn’t see it as too much of a problem adapting between the

ier than the other way around because your hand-eye co-ordination is better while your hand and fore-arm strength is also stronger.

“For tactics and game awareness, because I have been playing so long with the same team, it is easier than when I first came in six years ago.”

And she is hoping to play a big role in potentially her club’s toughest fixture and there is no thought of leaving anything behind against Den Bosch.

“In previous European trips, we have gone out to get the best result on any given day. That’s what we want to do, play them at their best and beat them.

Whether that’s likely or not against Den Bosch, it doesn’t really matter.

We want to beat the best in the world.”

FastSport

Dubliners play their part in Ireland tour success BELVEDERE’S Daniel McKenna and Jamie Hamilton, Cherry Orchard’s Aaron O’Driscoll and Tyreke Wilson, Raheny United’s Michael Murphy, St Kevin’s Boys’ Thomas Byrne and Shane Stokes were all included in the Republic of Ireland Under-15 soccer side that won 2-0 victory over Scotland at East End Park, Dunfermline.

It completed their second win of a twogame series against the Scots last week with Byrne and West Ham’s Anthony Scully on the mark for Colin O’Brien’s side.

Scully found the net in the 14th minute after excellent build-up play for the Irish through midfield.

Byrne added the second goal in the 39th minute with an excellent strike from outside the box.

“It was a very pleasing performance. Again we produced a very good first half display especially a 25-minute period where we built up the play very well,” said O’Brien.

“We scored two good goals with some excellent attacking play but with a bit more composure we may have scored one or two more before the break.

“Scotland had a bit of control in the second half and got into our half using direct play and direct running. Our keeper Ian Giltinan made a couple of good saves late on. The players had to defend well.

“We didn’t create as many chances after the break as we did in the first half but we made changes for this game and the players all acquitted themselves very well.”

O’Brien’s side beat the Scots 3-2 on Monday and overall he is delighted with how the squad performed in Scotland and over the season as a whole.

“It’s been a very pleasing week. The players all got further opportunities to play for their country and add to their experience,” he said.

“They go back to their clubs now and they’ve been a credit to both their clubs and the regional ETP centres where they have worked for the past year or two.”

Gazette

30 SWORDS gazette 17 April 2014

SPORT

FastSport

motor racing: circuit of ireland test for local driver

Second pro bout ends in defeat for Fagan OVER a year in the making, Portmarnock man Oisin Fagan finally entered the ring last Saturday night against Chris Goodwin for the vacant World Boxing Federation (WBF) Intercontinental Lightweight title at the Northgate Arena in Chester.

The 40-year-old Fagan lost out on a unanimous decision but was widely praised for playing his part, as his style, in a real battle in just his second professional bout since 2011.

Goodwin, 15 years Fagan’s junior, won out on judges Mickey Vann, Paul Thomas and Ken Curtis’s scorecards 118-112, 118-111 and 119111 respectively but it was a hugely entertaining match-up.

Goodwin improved his professional record to 18-2-1 while Fagan, a prizefighter since 2003, falls to 27-9.

Speaking on Facebook after the bout, Fagan said “It was a good scrap alright. I guess maybe if I’d won, I’d be more likely to agree with Fight of the Year statement, but the young fella showed he was just a little bit too sharp for my tenacity and toughness.”

This match-up had twice fallen through prior to last Saturday’s showdown.

Whelehan strike takes Malahide up the table RAY Whelehan’s wonder strike helped Malahide United move up to sixth place in the LSL Sunday Senior division as they punched a major dent in Tolka Rovers’ title challenge with a 3-2 win at Frank Cooke Park.

The Republic of Ireland amateur international scored from long range to put his side 1-0 up

at half-time in their midweek battle. Tolka did fight back with two Mark Hughes’ goals swapping the lead.

But Malahide were to grab the spoils when an Adam Crowther own goal and a winner from Cillian Timmons meant that the Gannon Park side won out.

The result lifted the Gannon Park side ahead of Bangor and Wayside Celtic with fourth place a potential outcome from their season.

Swords rally star Robert Barrable and co Driver Stuart Lowndes hope to place on the podium in the Circuit of Ireland

Barrable happy to be home  sport@gazettegroup.com

Robert Barrable has promised he is going to push hard for the podium when he contests his home round of the FIA European Rally Championship, the Circuit of Ireland this weekend in his Tunnock’s World Rally Team Ford Fiesta R5.

The 26-year-old Dublin driver was the first to submit his entry to secure a place in the starting line-up, which sees Europe’s top rally teams and drivers compete against the Irish elite.

A recent tarmac test outing at the West Cork Rally did not go to plan, with a misfire and early retirement, but Barrable will head to Belfast next week with the experience of competing in the gruelling Rally Portugal fresh in his mind.

The Circuit of Ireland was the second rally event Barrable ever under took, contesting the 2009 event in a Fiesta ST. He returned the following year in a Citroen C2 R2, but it wasn’t until his third attempt in 2012 that he recorded his first finish – coming home sixth in

gold at the games Malahide teams claim medals in basketball malahide’s community games basketball

teams featured prominently at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght as the mixed Under-11, boys Under-13 and girls Under-13 competitions were held.

At Under-11 level, Malahide emerged with gold. In the boys’ event, gold medals were decided in the last match of the night when Malahide and Drimnagh faced off with the latter prevailing. On the girls’ side, the outcome was the same with Drimnagh first and Malahide second.

the IRC class and eighth overall in a Skoda Fabia S2000.

The Circuit of Ireland features some world class entries, with Esapekka Lappi and Sepp Wiegand driving a pair of Skoda Motorsport Fabia S2000s and Craig Breen and Kevin Abbring in two Peugeot 208T16s starting ahead of number five seed Barrable.

Speaking ahead of the start of the competition, Barrable said: “This year’s Circuit of Ireland is going to be fantastic.

It is a challenging event with a lot of tough ERC

and Irish competition, and it will be very interesting to see how the new Peugeot 208T16 compares to the Fiesta R5 and Fabia S2000s.

It’s hard to predict what our pace is going to be like until we get to the qualifying stage. But one thing’s for sure, it’s going to be a very tough rally.

“Even though they’re relatively close to home, I don’t know the stages so well. I might have done one or two of them back in 2009; Hamilton’s Folly stands out and I’ve definitely done the stage near Banbridge and the Lisburn specta-

tor stage. I’m sure [event director] Bobby Willis has picked some really good and ver y challenging stages. There are some very nice rally roads in that area – not so narrow and bumpy, but fast and flowing.”

“I’m really excited to be doing such a highclass ERC event an hour and a half drive away from where I live in Swords, and I hope the fans come out in force to support us and enjoy the event. We’re going to push hard – we won’t be driving just for a finish, we’ll be aiming for a good result.”

17 April 2014 SWORDS gazette 31

Gazette

Lawless Park hosts Credit Union Cup  sport@gazettegroup.com

Fingallians’ GAA Club’s Lawless Park was the venue for the Swords Credit Union Cup which was held at the club for the second year running last week.

A number of local primary schools were involved on the day including St Cronan’s

SNS, St Colmcille’s Boys, Swords Educate Together and Gaelscoil Bhrian Boroimhe.

With a fine display of football from all of the schools taking part, it was neck-and-neck at the end of the group stages. St Colmcille’s Boys topped the group on points difference, but it was St Cronan’s and Gaelscoil

Bhrian Boroimhe who progressed to the final, in what was a repeat of last year’s decider.

St Cronan’s, eager to make amends for their 2013 defeat, showed the greater determination and when the final whistle went, the Credit Union Cup for 2014 was heading to Brackenstown for the first time, with the final

score 5-3 to 1-1 in the Saints favour.

The Swords Credit Union chairperson Joan Barker was on hand to present the cup to the winning captain from St Cronan’s. Special thanks to all the teams and their teachers for taking part and to Swords Credit Union for thier sponsorship of the tournament.

football: local side claim crown in division 4

Club Noticeboard fingallians Congratulations to Shane Howard

strength to strength in the club and

and Paul Flynn as the Dublin minor

our U-11 girls shone this week putting

hurlers beat Wexford in round one of

in an outstanding performance on

the championship and the Dublin sen-

Sunday with a 5-2 to no score win over

ior footballers advanced to the league

St Anne’s at Balheary.

final with a win over Cork.

There are still places available for

A special word for the U-14 girls who put it up to the Division 1 teams in Feile

this year’s Easter camp. Camp is

at the weekend. They really showed

Monday to Thursday from 10am to

the spirit of Feile. A big thank you to

2pm. The cost of the camp is €40 for

the players, mentors and all the sup-

members and €60 for non-members.

porters who came to watch.

For more information, contact the

Diary date: The club golf society will

club’s GPO nicola.fitzgerald.gpo.dub-

have their first outing of the year on

lin@gaa.ie

Friday, May 16. The tee is booked from

The club shop will open on Thursday of the camp from 12.30 to 2pm.

There will be no kids academy on Easter Saturday. It will resume on Saturday, April 26.

Our camogie section goes from

2 to 3.30pm in Beaverstown. Further details of this outing and the golf calender will be available shortly.

Fingallians extends deepest sympathy to the Hickey family. Ar dheis De go raibh a hAnam dilís.

st sylvester’s There was a large attendance at the

Hard luck to the U-14 girls who were

wishes to our new chairman, Ciaran

beaten by Cuala in the Feile semi-

Meehan and the incoming executive

final.

committee.

because of the Easter break but don’t

ballers this weekend – seniors were

forget the Easter camp which will be

beaten by Ballymun, inters drew with

run from April 22 to 24 for boys and

Ballyboughal while the junior football-

girls aged four to 12 years.

Service and St Maur’s.

The ladies footballers had an

Mearnog claim close Feile final from Cuala

impressive win in the league against

dublin ladies feile D4

best wishes to Carl O’Flaherty, John

Naomh Mearnog 1-9 Cuala 3-1  sinead farrelly sport@gazettegroup.com

NAOMH Mearnog won the closest of the Feile finals last Sunday at St Peregrine’s home base Blakestown in Dublin 15 when a late goal ultimately saw them over the line against southside oponnents Cuala in the Dublin Ladies Football Feile Division 4 final.

Cuala got off to a flyer after Sinead Wild drew first blood of the match with a point, which was

quickly followed by a goal as the Hyde Road side took a strong early lead.

But the Portmarnock side fought back and got their first score of the game with a point from Ciara Holland who followed this up with her second from a free just moments later.

Two more pointed frees for Naomh Mearnog from Holland again brought the sides level, annulling Cuala’s good start to the tie, making it 0-4 to 1-1 at the break.

And they hit the front for the first time with the first point of the second

half, only for Cuala’s Orlagh Doyle to make a great run and score her side’s second goal.

The gap was brought back to one point when Leah McElroy scored a point for Naomh Mearnog as the very tight game did not show any sign of a clear winner.

The sides drew level once again with another pointed free from Ciara Holland.

Naomh Mearnog made a great run and had a good chance in front of the goal but the Cuala backs played well to keep them from scoring but Naomh Mear-

nog did not let up.

Yet again, Holland was on the mark with another point to bring her team back into the lead and she doubled the difference soon after with precious little time remaining.

But a late goal from Cuala’s Orlagh Doyle s aw t h e p e n d u l u m swing once more. And, in a game that had plenty of twists and turns, the drama did not let up when Naomh Mearnog scored their first goal and they were back ahead by two points just as the final whistle blew.

There are no fixtures next weekend

Mixed results for the adult foot-

ers won their matches against Civil The Naomh Mearnog ladies footballers celebrate their 2014 Dublin Feile success at Blakestown. Picture: GAAPics.com

Ballinteer St John’s.

club AGM last Thursday night. Best

There was no winner of the Malahide Sports Lotto. The next draw will be held in the club on Thursday and the jackpot will be €5,600.

fingal ravens Well done to the first team who had a

and Rachel McCarthy on the birth of

good win over Ballinteer on Saturday.

their daughter, Holly.

The U-12s also had a great win over

If you would like to purchase tick-

Erin’s Isle. Hard luck to the second

ets for the league final between Dub-

team who were beaten on Sunday.

lin and Derry, contact Ciaran on 087

The club would like to send its Cantwell and Paddy O’Brien.

991 6785.

Committee meeting takes place this Thursday at 9pm in Kettle’s.

Congratulations to Garreth and

There weas no winner of this week’s

Sue Kinsella on the birth of their son,

lotto.€20 to Pat Keane, Pat Connell

Luke. Also congratulations to William

and Michelle McCullagh.

St finian’s The Easter camps are coming up on

€5,300 and the numbers drawn were

April 22 to 25. Places can be booked

7, 13, 14 and 22. There was no win-

from our homepage or by completing

ner. The €50 lucky dip winners were

the registration form and returning it

Patsy and George and Ian O’Carolan.

to the club office.

Next week’s jackpot will be €5,400.

It’s worth reminding everyone that

Don’t forget you can play our club

membership fees are now overdue.

lotto online, through our website

Membership forms can be down-

homepage.

loaded from our website or from the

The St Finian’s golf day is being held

office. Payment can also be made

on Friday, May 9, in Forrest Little Golf

online by following the link on our

Club. Please contact Tony McDonagh

homepage, www.stfinians.com.

(086 852 7529) to reserve a slot on the

The lotto jackpot this week was

time-sheet.

32 swords Gazette 17 April 2014